Christmas Day!

Once we got to Ga-Ga & Pa's we waited a bit for Papa Martin to come and then it was time to open more presents. 

Zeke man got a hug container full of dinosaurs, trees, volcanos, cavemen and bridges. It even came with a playmate to make prehistoric scenes on. 

Ella's big gift was her Calico Critter house. 

Jack's big gift was his Jungle LEGO set. 

Owen got a cool Nerf dart gun! 

Zeke got a couple Pokemon Lego sets.

Ella got even more Calico Critters...she got the Sandy Cat family, a living room set, a baby bedroom set and a bathroom set. 

Owen big gift was his Angry Birds Castle LEGO set. 

Zeke got another Switch & Go Dino to add to his set. 

Jack was so happy to finally get a Pikachu plushie! 

Owen got the 2 movies he loves...Maze Runner and The Scorch Trails. 

Zeke had been wanting a Pokemon sandwich container and water bottle for a long time. All the other kids got water bottle as well. They also all got electric toothbrushes which have been the best thing ever!!! 

Michael got a $100 Amazon card....as did all of us older kids! He also got this HUGE Reese's peanut butter cup! 

From Ryan & Steph Michael got a STEAM card to purchase more computer games. I got a beautiful scarf and a homemade coaster made out of Scrabble tiles with the kids names on it. 

We got Stephie This is Us season 1. We got Uncle Ry some mini-figures he wanted. 

We got everyone the traditional calendar...We got Papa Martin a gift card to Regal. We got Pa a gift card to Black Angus and Ga-Ga 3 cute bendable snowmen.  

Later on when Bill & Christina got there we exchanged gifts with them as well. They got Ryan and Steph these fun aprons since they entertain so much. They got us a couple family games and we got them Ticket to Ride: First Journey. 

As for my sickness....I wasn't sure if I even wanted to come to Christmas, but mom said that I couldn't miss Christmas. Thankfully I wasn't throwing up. I did sit with everyone at the table, but I only ate one small bite of a potato. After a while I couldn't take all the smells at the table so I had to go into the family room. Later on when I started to feel better I did eat about 15 black olives. The salt tasted really good. Of course later on Jack said his tummy hurt and then he ended up puking. An hour or so later he puked again all over the floor right outside the bathroom since it was occupied at the time. I felt so bad exposing Kuch clan to our germs. They were so amazing about it and thankfully Caleb was the only one that came down with anything and I don't think it was even that bad. Owen did say his tummy was hurting so when we drove home on Christmas night the boys both were holding huge bowls in case they puked in the van. Thankfully that didn't happen...I might have lost it then myself! By the next morning Jack was fine, the next day Owen threw up and then was fine the next day. It took me a few days to feel right. Michael and Zeke were the only ones to avoid getting sick at all. Germs don't care if it's a holiday or not!!!

Dash Point State Park & The Long Sick Saga Story!

Saturday February 27th was the last normal healthy day we had. Seriously one or more of us has been sick for almost 20 days!! So frustrating! That morning we all felt great. We had friends from church come over and hang out and have lunch with us. We had been contemplating buying a Discovery Pass for a few weeks and we decided that we just needed to do it. I went upstairs for a bit while the kids got ready. By the time I came down my throat was really hurting so I asked Michael to take the kids without me while I went and laid down. Of course I handed him the camera and said, "Take pictures I need to blog!" :) 

He was going to just purchase the pass from the guy at the little booth, but there ended up not being a guy at the little booth. So Michael used his phone and purchased it online. The only problem was you can't print the confirmation from you phone so technically he could get a fine for not having proof of the pass. He said that he parked in the middle with a bunch of other cars and then he hung up our mirror hanger that we got when we bought our National Park Pass a couple years ago. Wouldn't hurt right? 

  

The kids had been so cooped up that they were happy to be out and exploring. Of course now they've been cooped up even more with all this sickness! I can't wait until we are all healthy! 

I'm pretty sure Michael took this because Ella probably asked to go to the bathroom at least 3 times while they were there. This is so her MO! She drives me crazy! 

They went at a perfect time since the tide was really out there! 

The day was great too. I think the rain held off until they got home. 

Cute cheeser! 

Picture #1.....hood up! 

Picture #2....hood down! Owen will wear his hood up all day, inside or out and it drives Michael crazy!

The kids wanted to go exploring up a path....it was over a mile and they did great. 

Michael was worried about Zeke because he's a lazy guy, but he was awesome. Michael said he only complained that his legs were tired once and he didn't ask to be picked up at all. 

It's hard to tell, but when they walked out onto the beach Michael said there were thousands...yes thousands of sand dollars. All different sizes. 

He said there were so many it was impossible to not step on some of them. 

They are hard to see because they are alive so there dark....you can just make out the little round shapes. Of course they brought home a few and we put them in bleach to whiten them up. They are going to be added to our shell collection in the bathroom. 

Later that night all the sickness really got going when Ella puked while we were watching Star Trek. We stayed home from church because we didn't want to share germs. Ella ended up being sick for 3 days. She went to school starting on Tuesday and was there all week, but she still had the awful cough. Jackson started puking on Thursday morning and was out of school Thursday and Friday. Saturday night I ended up getting sick so I stayed home from church while Michael took the kids since they all seemed better. Right after church Michael started getting sick. He stayed home from work on Monday. Monday I felt better, but overdid it so I didn't go to BSF that night. Tuesday morning Michael felt better and went to work and I felt good enough to go to MOPS. Michael felt horrible when he got home so he was off work both Wednesday and Thursday. I overdid it again and was feeling worn out...mainly because I hadn't gotten a good night sleep in a long time. Also on Wednesday morning Ella started puking again. She was sick this time with a fever that just wouldn't go away and stay away for almost 5 days. On Thursday while Michael stayed home I went in to volunteer at school because I hate not doing what I've said I would do. I felt okay, but then once I got to school I started to get hot and then cold and knew I was getting worse. I finished up what I needed to and then went home. I was pretty much in bed Friday - Sunday. Of course we all stayed home from church on Sunday. On Sunday night Owen started puking. He ended up staying home on Monday, but Michael went back to work. Ella did go to school on Monday, but when I picked her up the poor thing looked like she might burst into tears. She did when we got home. She said her tummy hurt so bad. She had barely eaten anything so I figured it was that. Everything she wants to eat doesn't taste good. That happens to me when I get sick too. Eating becomes a chore! Tuesday was Ella's first field trip to the zoo, but there was no way I was going to let her go out in the elements not feeling good. I knew that after so many days being sick and not eating much that she would not have the energy she'd need to do all that walking. Owen was feeling a little better, but his eyes looked so creepy. Not pink eye, but just super red and scary movie like. I decided to keep them both home on Tuesday and enough was enough we were going to the Dr. Their appointment was at 8:20am on Tuesday morning....this is now March 15th....18 days after this whole thing started mind you! The Dr checked out Ella and found that she has a sinus infection and Owen didn't have pink eye, but his eyes looked like someone with really bad allergies so she prescribed antibiotics for Ella and eye drops for Owen. Zeke is the one I can't pinpoint when he got sick. He always has a runny nose it seems but he did get a cough at some point. I'm not sure if he has had a fever....Michael literally dealt with the kids almost all day on Saturday and Sunday while I was in bed. Today is Wednesday the 16th and finally all 3 of the kids are back in school. Ella has started her meds and I've put eye drops in Owen's eyes 3 times now and they aren't looking nearly as creepy. As for Jackson....that kids body has getting sick down pat! He literally was sick for those 2 days and that's it! Period! Nothing residual....no runny nose...no cough...no loss of energy. He's honestly been so healthy and active for all us sickies that it's been down right annoying. I say that with love really! I honestly told him I was going to ship him off to Ga-Ga & Pa's house since he was just too much for those of us not feeling well. Instead I sent him outside so he could go be a crazy child out there. Honestly I'm so happy he's doing great! Today Michael finally bit the bullet and is going into the Dr. He's pretty sure he has a sinus infection as well. I'm still resisting going in. I really dislike going to the Dr. My head feels like I'm in a fish bowl and being squeeze by a vise gripe, but other than that I am slowly getting better. As for Zeke he put himself back to bed this morning after I got him dressed. We are not in the clear yet, but we are on the road to recovery. When we have enough energy we are going to go around the house with antibacterial wipes and clean every surfaces in the house. Geesh I tired from writing all that! 

At Home Slumber Party & French Braids!

I completely forgot to blog about me and Ella having an at home slumber party. It all started because our church was having a slumber party for the girls that were in 1st grade - 6th grade. Even though Ella is only in Kindergarten Ms. Colleen said that Ella could come as long as I came and stayed the night as well. Ella was super excited about it and I thought it might be a fun experience for us to have together. I borrowed my mom's twin air mattresses so we didn't have to sleep on the hard floor. The slumber party was on a Friday night and it started at 6:30pm. Ella's normal bedtime since she's started school has been 7:30...earlier in the week I let her stay up in 8pm and it was awful! She had a total meltdown and that's when I knew that we were NOT going to the slumber party. I decided that we would have our own stay at home slumber party and we would just sleep on the air mattresses in the playroom together. I really wanted her to think it was her idea to stay home so I really sold it to her...for instance she would get to pick the movie we were going to watch and she would get to pick the snacks. If we went to church she wouldn't be in control of those things. She bought it! 

Earlier in the evening we had been at our neighbor Rachael's house for a Tupperware party so we didn't get home until around 6pm. Ella wanted to watch Frozen and we did our nails at the same time. We also ate popcorn. I had planned on doing our hair as well, but we just didn't have enough time. 

When it was time for Ella to go to bed we got the air mattresses all aired up, put sheets on them and covers. I explained that Mommy wasn't tired yet and I wanted to go spend some time with Daddy, but I would come in later and sleep with her and she'd be able to snuggle with me when she woke up in the morning. She was fine with this arrangement since she got to sleep in my big bed at Seabrook for one night. 

I kissed her and tucked her in and then went downstairs to watch TV with Michael. Around 11pm I came up to go to bed. Ella was tossing and turning a bit, but so was I. Sleeping on an air mattress isn't the most comfortable. She was also coughing a little bit. After about an hour she made this noise and a cough sound and I knew what was going on. I grabbed my blanket and threw it over in front of her and told her to puke on the blanket. I was a little late so some of it got on the carpet. Normally our routine if one of the kids pukes Michael is the one that takes care of the mess while I take care of the kid. Since Michael had just gone to bed I didn't want to wake him up. I took all the covers downstairs and put them in the washing machine. I knew there was no way we were going to sleep in the playroom...for one there was puke on the floor and on the air mattress and second...it was the nastiest smell ever! I was trying not to puke myself. After cleaning up Ella I got her into bed and then went in and tried to go to bed myself. First I felt something cold on my chest...yep there was puke on me. So I changed my top and tried to go to sleep. I could not get that nasty smell out of my nose though. I was laying feeling sick to my stomach. Then I went to roll over and I reached up to grab my pillow and grabbed....puke! It was on my pillowcase! Thankfully it didn't go through to my pillow since it's one of those expensive contour neck pillows. I got up and changed my pillowcase and then I ran downstairs and got my diffuser and some of my oils and brought that upstairs so I could get the smell out of my nose. Finally around 1am I was able to get in bed and stay in bed. Of course Michael did end of waking up during all of this. He thought I had puked! No, but almost! Needless to say it was the night from hell and I'm SO happy we decided to stay home and not go to church. I could not imagine being THAT mom that brought my puking, sick child to a slumber party. Plus the whole thought of dealing with yucky covers, a sick kid and having to drive home...no thank you! The next day Ella was fine. She wasn't acting sick before bed and she didn't act sick the next day. It was just a one time thing!  

On a side note: I have finally figured out how to make a nice looking French Braid in her hair! 

Last Hurrah Of Summer!

The last full week of summer vacation didn't quite go as well as I'd like. We had plans to go to IKEA on Tuesday for Kids Eat Free day and then I was going to take the kids to Coulon Beach...we'd only been once all summer! Then I came downstairs to have the kids help me pack up for our day and I noticed Jack didn't look too good. Within 5 minutes he was puking! Well there goes those plans! With it also went the plan for me to workout the next day with my neighbor and for us to have Kendra and Lilyann spend the night at our house! Best laid plans right! 

By Thursday Jack was feeling better...he said his tummy was bothering him a little bit so I gave him some anti-nausea meds and he felt better. I had been checking the weather and Thursday was going to be our last chance to go to the beach before school started the next week. So it was now or never!  

Even though the weather was nice it wasn't 80 degrees out so the beach wasn't nearly as crowded as it was the first time I took the kids. I also think that in the beginning of summer we are so sun deprived that everyone just flocks to the beach and then as summer is coming to an end it gets to be old news! I for one and definitely looking forward to cooler weather and rain! We so desperately need rain!  

Ella found some acorn tops in the sand! 

We offered to bring the neighbor boys with us again, but they weren't able to come. We were bummed! They have so much fun playing in the lake with Owen and Jack and they are also such great helpers when it comes to getting all the stuff to and from the beach. My kiddos did a great job helping this time! 

They played in the water and made moats and rivers with the sand. 

We got ice cream and Popsicle from the Snack Shack too! 

Unfortunately our time was cut a bit short. Zeke had been coughing that morning and as the day went on it just got worse and worse. Poor boy was hacking! I knew he was going to have a major meltdown and there was going to be no way I could carrying him around, try to pack up everything and then pull the wagon to the van. We packed up after only 2 1/2 hours...I know that sounds like a long time, but we usually stay at least 4! When we got home Ella was starting to cough so I put both of them down for a nap. I'm sad to see summer go, but at the same time I'm excited for school to start and to get back to routine! 

Zeke's ER Visit!

 Last Friday afternoon I got Zeke up from his nap so we could go to the elementary school for Ella's screening. I set Zeke on the dining room table and then ran upstairs to get him a coat. When I came back downstairs he had this funny look on his face and was almost crying. As I got closer I could tell there was stuff all over him and the table. Poor baby boy had thrown up....for the first time ever! He was so scared! 

On Saturday we did the whole BRAT diet, but he just kept puking. So on Sunday morning when he puked up his toast while sitting in his highchair it was enough. I knew I was going to take him to the ER. At first Michael and I decided I should just take him to St. Francis since it's closer and it's not necessarily a pediatric issues....it's puking! After I took a shower and got ready to take him I had decided that it was just worth the extra drive to take him to Mary Bridge.

When I came downstairs to get Zeke in the van this is where I found him. This cute boy hasn't fallen asleep on our laps since he was about 6 months old. He was so lethargic! 

When we got to MB I used the complimentary valet parking and then walked into the ER. I got right up to the desk, signed a consent to treat form, sad in the triage chair with Zeke for all of 30 seconds and then it was back to the room we went. Seriously these are the reason it's worth it to drive to Tacoma! That an the hospital staff is so wonderful and it's so clean...not even dust bunnies in the corners of the rooms.

The nurse gave Zeke anti-nausea meds and then waited 15 minutes. Then he was able to start Pedialyte. He chugged it down. Then he waited another 15 minutes and then chugged more Pedialyte. The doctor had come in around this time and checked Zeke. He had 3 signs of dehydration...sunken in eyes, dried, cracked lips and wrinkles on his tummy. He was concerned that they might have to put an IV in, but thankfully after the second cup of Pedialyte he started perking up. After another 45 minutes or so he had drank more Pedialyte and eaten some Teddy Grahams so we were released. The doctor did give me a prescription for more anti-nausea meds just in case.

 

Zeke was still so tuckered out so on the way home he fell asleep. 

 

After a nap he was able to eat some cereal...happy boy! 

 

He didn't really want to eat all that much though. He just wanted to drink and drink and drink. 

 

Seriously that tummy of his was super full! I was worried he might just puke from drinking too much too fast. Thankfully he didn't! Unfortunately on Sunday night he started the other symptom of the stomach flu....which meant lots of laundry for us. Poor guy just got put through the wringer! On Tuesday is when he finally started to feel and act like himself again.

Like Daddy!

When Michael was sick last week he spent a bunch of time up in bed. Zeke man wanted to snuggle with him. When I came in the room this is what I saw. Cute baby had his leg up and was lounging just like Daddy. I told Michael that all he needed to do was stick his finger in his mouth!

Fourth Of July Celebrations!

On July 3rd we went down to Ga-Ga & Pa's house in Orting to celebrate the 4th. We almost didn't come since the kids were in the midst of a tummy bug, but it seemed like they were on the up and up, but then on the way down there Owen threw up in the van. He really wasn't feeling well, but we had already exposed Ga-Ga, Pa, Uncle Ry and Aunt Stephie a few days before so what was done was already done!

Since we were spending the night and everyone had the 4th off and not the 5th we decided to do our fireworks on the 3rd instead. I know I know...I broke the law, but seriously it just makes better sense to me. We didn't go crazy with fireworks either so our show lasted all of 15 - 20 minutes maybe. I bought the smallest boxed set they had and was I in for a shock. My word...inflation has hit fireworks hard!!! Sheesh!

It's amazing how saying the word fireworks got Owen's mind off his tummy ache. He was outside raring to go in no time flat.

See the Solo cups? Another idea I got from Pinterest so the kids wouldn't have sparks get their arms. I was also hoping it would make Ella feel safer, but she wanted nothing to do with holding a sparkler.

We set the fireworks off in the backyard and the kids watched from the covered patio area.

This kid is a total nut!

Ella Bean talking in the show!

Cheesers!

Pretty!

The next day we at a BBQ with family and friends. I didn't take too many pictures though. We had a horrible night sleep so I'm sure that had something to do with it. Ella and Zeke both slept in our room so that was interesting. Zeke went to bed way later than normal and he kept Ella up. He woke me up around 3:15 to eat and then when I went out to go to the bathroom I noticed the door open to the room where Owen and Jack were sleeping. I checked the bathroom, but Owen wasn't there so I checked his room to see if he just wasn't sleeping in the same spot...nope not there. I decided to go check downstairs before I woke Michael up to help find him and there he was sitting on the top step. He was so hungry he couldn't sleep. Since he was puking we didn't let him eat before bed. I took him downstairs and got him some toast. I ended up staying up with him until 6 when my mom got up and then I went back to bed. Needless to say I was TIRED!

Ella and Anna playing in the sandbox!

Uncle Ry got the boys new water squirters...I'm thinking he got that idea from my post about the sprinkler park. The boys have been having a lot of fun with them.

Aunt Stephie had some wonderful snuggle time with Zeke Man!

Later on the 4th I pulled out the Pop Its for the kids to throw. They were all a bit exhausted at this point so they weren't as excited about them as I thought they would be. Oh and do you see their cute outfits...Aunt Stephie LOVES to shop! They looked so festive for the 4th!

During this mini vacation Zeke had a hard time sleeping unless he was being held. Also since he went to bed later on the 3rd his little body got all confused and for 3 days he thought that midnight was 9pm...his normal bedtime. Needless to say we had some late, exhausting nights! On Friday I decided to nip that in the bud so I woke him up at his normal rise and shine time and then kept him to a 3 hour schedule the rest of the day to get him back on track. Praise the Lord for a kid on a schedule!