Head count please

No internet is good for the soul and housework and using all my time a bit more wisely. It also makes me prioritize. I know of 2 people who read this blog... My mother in law(Who knows all before it makes it to print) and a friend or 2. Of course i judge this based on blog feedback- or lack there of. I think i may shut down this operation unless i find my audience to be beyond my inner circle.
p.s. Its hard to type on the cell phone so excuse the many errors! :)

Pushing the limits

We have finally instituted the "time-out chair." Toddler tempers are lurking around every corner posed and ready to pounce at the most unexpected times! One minute my sweet Samuel is giggling and making faces at little brother David speaking in a language only they understand. Then BAAAAAH, this blood curdling scream escapes from Samuel's lips and the world had better stop turning until he gets what he wants. My favorite is when he is drinking out of a regular cup and decides to sling it across 2 loads of laundry, the kitchen table, and myself.....(that was today's highlight)! So as Samuel learns his boundaries and the word obedience we visit the kitchen corner. There is just once small hitch in this process...

 

He still uses the chair for playing too....

 On another note:

I was able to tag

iron, pin, and hang...

price and seperate by size.

 

I'm ready for market now!

A special shout out to my little man, David. He took it easy and babbled away the afternoon as I worked.

 

First time in the bouncy. LOVED IT!!! 

Consignment

Its that time of year again! I have this love/hate relationship with Kid's Consignment. Great deals are worth it when you are on a budget...which we most certainly are. I even THOUGHT I'd enjoy selling our own cast-a-ways or never worn items. Who can pass up the opportunity to clean out a clothes tub, make room for the next size up and pocket a little cash??? Yet every 6 months I put off hanging, pinning, tagging, and bagging till the last possible day. So tomorrow I will close myself up in the boys room, hand off all Mommy responsibilities to Daddy for the morning and feverishly prep my merchandise for market. Here are my 2 favorites...

Kids Market
Klassy Kids Exchange

Does any other thrifty nifty moms know of other good consignment sales in the Huntsville(and surrounding) areas?

Thank You

This is what I have sent out with Thank You's to those who directly or indirectly impacted our week away from home. Since I can't send everyone a card I thought I would post the letter to thee 'ol blog! Thanks Again!!!
 
Dear Friends and Family,

    THANK YOU for all the prayer and support through our recent family crisis. We feel so blessed to be safe and sound at home again. Our Heavenly Father has taught us several principles throughout our experience, including that He orchestrates EVERYTHING.  First let me explain how our tragic week unfolded.
    Samuel, being a thriving toddler, managed to catch a nasty cold, flu, and/or ear ache while teething. Too many hits to the immune system. We spent a week bouncing back and forth to the doctor, administering Motrin, lots of cuddling, and late night vigils. By Wednesday He was producing bloody diarrhea. We tramped back into the doctor on Thursday so little brother, David, could receive a vaccine. We asked the pediatrician to check Samuel’s questionable diapers. Friday afternoon we received a call from Dr. Powell with instructions to pack up and head to Children’s hospital--“just in case.” HA! We had no idea what we were in store for. Somehow Samuel had picked up a strand of E -Coli. A common bacteria that wrecks havoc on the digestive track, especially on small children. After blood tests the verdict was in- HUS (Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome). There aren’t medicines to zap away this mess, you just sit and wait while the body processes and eventually gets rid of the toxins. So with IV fluids pumping into our dehydrated son, we rocked and cuddled while we watched the clock. Since Samuel’s kidneys were failing and his little body was not able to do the job, the doctors  decided the best course of action was to try a blood transfusion. If that didn’t work then we were looking at dialysis. Somewhere between fear, uncertainty, sadness, and desperation, God’s people answered our weary prayers. Food began pouring in, people from out of town just stopped by to pray over our sick son, money was graciously given to pay our bills, and more prayers were being lifted than we will ever know!
Hope renewed. Christ exalted. We were humbled.
    Monday Samuel received one transfusion. His body took those healthy red blood cells and put them to work. Though slow at first, we begin to see our son gain strength and color again in the days that followed. Sleep deprived, separated from our 3 month old, and homesick, we continued to pray for complete healing for our first born. Exactly one week from arrival we were sent home to continue healing in our own home…snug in our own beds!
    I have never felt the presence of our Lord and Savior like this before. As Tim and I reflected on the week’s events and our emotional roller coaster, we never questioned God. We never grew angry or threw unnecessary blame. We clung to the promises of old. We clung to the Rock of Ages. In turn, we experienced the body of Christ in action. Our house was cleaned… our bills were paid… David was well cared for…  we never went hungry… I received the medical attention I suddenly needed so in turn I could help Tim take care of Samuel (probably picked up the cold Samuel started with)…
    This week Beth Moore imprinted something on my heart that reflected on our week. God doesn’t want our attention just in the crisis of life. He wants us through the mundane and the miraculous. It’s so easy to get caught up in just making it through the day with 2 small children requiring “undivided“ attention. It’s a feat to make it out of pajamas some days and forget the dishes…they’ll be fine till morning! J So besides squeezing in more slobbery kisses and hugs with BOTH my boys, I will praise the Creator for the opportunity to wipe snotty noses.  I will savor the chance to dry up big tears of frustration, laugh through meal clean ups, and sing over the tiniest of accomplishments. Praise be to Him who walks with us through the everyday activities, and carries us through the life changing trials!

With Thankful Hearts,
Tim & Heather Metcalfe

Adjusting Well

We seem to have slipped back into routine and life at home again. Here is a story told through several snapshots!

 

playing hard = napping hard

 

don't worry its perfectly safe...We all nap for sanity purposes!

 

It was too quiet in the house for Mommy to be satisfied. Look at the smug grin! Sitting on the laptop and pushing buttons on the printer is NOT an "approved" activity around our house!!!

I tried quiet time with Thomas the Train so I could finish the dishes. It just gave Samuel another opportunity to use his climbing skills.

 

Dakota has turned out to be a PATIENT loving dog. He is often tackled, used as a step-stool,  tugged, and loved on by a trusting Samuel. 

This IS approved play equipment. Its actually a multi-purpose durable entertainment that lasts for at least an hour! 

Working on Valentines and Thank You cards. 

Samuel is taste testing to ensure we are using top grade finger paint

Well there you have it. Now its time to go have a one on one chat with a certain big brother who is playing with his toys instead of sleeping!!!!

Doctor's Orders

Samuel and I embarked on an adventure last night! Some wonderful hospital nurse scheduled his appointment in Birmingham, AL at 8:00 am Tuesday morning. Sounds reasonable right? Well, we live an hour and a half away when the 2 lane roads are light on traffic. When I ran the math through my head (including morning rush hour traffic) we would have to be out the door at 6 a.m. Ouch! So I came up with Plan B. Stay the night in Birmingham and arrive fresh and awake for the doctor. We camped out a few blocks away at Micah  & Julianne Butlers' and woke up good and grumpy(Samuel is not a morning person yet)!  We did arrive on time and thankfully I had stuffed the diaper bag with essentials: 'Mater (and friends) , animals, and "cwackuhs".  That kept Samuel entertained at least the first 30 minutes and the talking box produced Elmo which lasted another 30 minutes. I will not relate the nurses instructions for the rest of our time. YUCK!!!! When the doctor finally pranced in just slightly behind schedule (10:00 am) I was mesmerized by the gold chains hanging around his neck. I had this sudden urge to reach over and button up his shirt- I did manage to keep my eyes on his doctoral face and absorb the good tidings, but it was hard! :)

"ALL lab work looks great!"

Music to my ears. Praises to our King of Kings. Tight squeeze to my precious first born in my lap!

We will return every 6 months to check kidney function since sometimes they like to act up 10 years down the road. I'm okay with that. We can return to life as normal as Samuel continues to regain energy and pounds lost.  The morning would not be complete without a quiet ride home with big smiles on our faces -- oh wait -- try a carsick Samuel, vomit all over a car seat, clothes, and mommy. THEN a quiet ride home ! Maybe thats why I never got around to finishing the laundry yesterday. God knew I would need to work on that chore today!

God orchestrates in ways beyond our understanding. From sickness to health, bills and finances, insurance and job insecurity,  God has remained vivid and comprehensive through our tiny huge ordeal.


Praise be to Him who supplies all our needs according to His riches and glory. Amen AND Amen

Meltdowns & Homecooked Meals

Oh man were we excited to get home yesterday! Familiar faces, comfy beds, and peace greeted us on arrival. What my sleep deprived self did not want to accept was the reemergence into everyday life. Sure we had been giving Samuel 24 hour care attention for the past week, living on 3 hours of sleep a night, sneaking meals in at random intervals, and letting the talking box (TV) be our entertainment.

Now we are back home and readjusting. Rules are good necessary--try convincing that to a 19 month old!!! YES we sit in the high chair for meals. YES we sleep in our own bed. NO we are not watching tv. YES you can entertain yourself. NO you cannot eat crackers all day long whenever you want. NO that is not a nurse coming to poke you, its just mommy's friend.  YES YES YES you must sleep in your own bed. NO you cannot climb the bookcase. NO do not poke the baby's eyes. YES that is your brother...remember him? :)

Needless to say, when I headed hightailed it to Publix today to replace the moldy out of date food, I cried big girl tears all the way! Exhausted but determined to have a home cooked meal today, I was on a mission. I doubt we'll every recoup the lost hours of sleep with 2 young-in's but life goes on regardless. Its bedtime again. With full bellies, sweet bedtime routines, and 2 overtired parents, I'll leave you with a collage of snap shots taken with our cell phones.

 

Showing a little life the next morning after the blood transfusion.

  

Monday evening right after transfusion. His kidneys weren't flushing out the fluids yet, hence the puffiness. 

 

Saturday morning-very sick and still waiting on doctors diagnosis

Friday night-FINALLY getting IV to counteract the dehydration!!

 

 Survived on yogurt. When he would actually eat, Samuel got whatever he wanted.

 

WHATEVER it took to get a smile out of Samuel! :)

FRIDAY is the day!

Dr. Benfield gave us the green flag just now! We are singing praises to our heavenly Father as we pack up to head home. While Tim made multiple trips to the car loading up our week's worth of goodies and clothes, Samuel and I celebrated in toddler style. I gave him a bubble bath and thru in his toys from home to cleanse the hospital grit and grime. Papers signed. Car loaded. Homebound!

Platelets still struggling

You know that sinking feeling in your gut that you get just by looking at the doctors face? I knew we weren't going anywhere when the doctor came in and leaned against the wall for "the talk."  Though most of Samuel's lab work came back showing improvement we are still waiting on his platelet levels to catch up. Its kinda important for his blood to clot correctly. If his platelet count gets below a certain number he can start bleeding for no reason! So looks like we are stuck at least another 24 hours and pray we can keep a recovering boy content and entertained today!

Wednesday Evening

Here is Samuel "unplugged" and playing with a few toys we had on hand. Glad to have the frustration of IV tubes out of the picture for now.

4:00 AM giggles

Samuel is curled up with his blanket sleeping soundly as mommy and daddy try to stay awake waiting for the doctors to make their morning rounds. Wednesday evening they took Samuel off all IV fluids and encouraged us to feed him whatever he would eat. He ate some ""healthy" Chef Boyardee, yogurt, apple juice, crackers and played on a makeshift pallet on the floor. We all went collapsed into a deep sleep around 9:00 pm, but Samuel decided he had slept enough for one week and was up and down most of the night. Superman Daddy gave in and stayed up with him about 5:00 am --- shortly after they took his blood. To my utter joy and delight we are getting the old Samuel back this morning. Giggles, smiles, talking, eating, and walking. ALL of these had been absent for a week!!!! So we sit and wait now as Samuel snoozes.... I hope we will be sent packing and out the door today. God is good.

Wednesday and Crackers

Samuel just fell asleep with a half eaten cracker in his hand and little bits of cracker scattered across his bed and pouty chapped lips. Normally I have to restrict his cracker addiction, but today I am just thankful he is eating anything! Doctor report was good this morning as well. He said Samuel was just hours away from Dialysis, but after just one blood transfusion and a few morsels of food he is out of danger! Praise the Lord!!! They will start tapering off the iv fluids as Samuel eats more, but his body is finally fighting back! No significant change in our case is good news! Dr. Powell and his sweet wife came down to visit this morning and "listen in" on our daily prognosis. We ended the visit in prayer and praise. Now its time for us to enjoy the wonderful abundance of food we've been given!

Tuesday

Well I made it back to Birmingham, walked in the door, and hugged Samuel extra tight!! He looks so much better after just one transfusion! His appetite seems to come and go as well. Also an improvement! He has been put on a low phosphorus/low potassium diet. These 2 build up in his kidney and hinder kidney function. We will find out if the doctors order another transfusion in the morning.
I want to say thank you for all the phone calls, prayers, food, and just general support. You guys are bridging the gap and God is sustaining us in ways words cannot describe.

HUS

Also known as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. 

Wow! We have had a whirlwind week. Samuel started off the week with a nasty cold that progressed to doctor visits and dehydration. Somewhere along the way we decided it would be nice to pick up E-COLI. Noticeable traces of blood in his diarrhea gave us alarm and our pediatrician reason to run some lab work. Our lab results sent me packing in a flurry and a fast pace drive to Children's Hospital in Birmingham, AL. He was admitted for dehydration and observation to determine if he truly had this nasty bacteria. As of now,  His small body is having a hard time pushing through.  Tim and I are prayerfully biding our time. Have I ever mentioned I have the BEST-EST in-laws?! Because of our quick exit from home and uncertainty of the length of our journey, they tagged along to help in any way they could. Decisions were made and i reluctantly sent home 12 week old David to avoid picking up hospital germs. Its been hard for this stressed out mommy and daddy!

WRITTEN ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON