Sick kiddos

We've been really blessed in our 2.5 years as parents to have pretty healthy kids. We've lived through a few colds and ear infections, but only one all-night stomach bug throw-up fest and no hospital visits. This week marks our first somewhat scary bout of illness.

Last Saturday night, Josiah started with a very mild cough. No big deal. By Tuesday, it was still hanging around, so I called the nurse line at our pediatrician's office. (I LOVE our doc, by the way, and the whole office staff. They are so responsive and helpful!) They said if he wasn't better on Thursday, to make an appointment. Wednesday afternoon he didn't have much of an appetite and Wednesday night he was fussy, so we decided to go ahead and take him in on Thurs.

It's a good thing we did. Thursday morning he woke up and was not himself. I got an 11 a.m. appointment, and by the time it rolled around, Josiah was lethargic, burning up and breathing hard. It was definitely a new experience for me as a parent: SO hard to see him that way. I was definitely not surprised when the swab turned up positive for RSV.

Thankfully, we were able to get him into an upward instead of downward spiral from there. Tylenol brought his fever down to where he felt good enough to nurse. The hydration thinned the mucus from the virus and made his breathing easier. Mommy and Daddy and Mimi and Papa gave him lots of love.

Then Lorien got a fever of 102 as well. So Thursday night we all had a slumber party in Mommy and Daddy's room.

Today, both kids are feeling better. Josiah is smiling and "talking" to us, which is so good to see! Lorien is relishing the excuse to lie on the couch and watch lots of Veggie Tales. Both of their fevers are staying down around 99 degrees without meds.

I remember my dad saying when I was young that we should be so thankful that God made our bodies to heal. I am indeed thankful!

Josiah - Five Months

Josiah turned five months old on Valentine's Day!

Chillin.' (We think it's cute that he always crosses his ankles when he's reclining.)

Little bright eyes 

These letters that Mimi and Papa got my sister for Christmas are great for taking pictures too.  

Making Valentines

Now that the goods have been delivered to their recipients (only 2 days late), I can post pics of the creative process.

She's half Beam and therefore can't concentrate
without her tongue sticking out. 

Once I introduced her to the concept of painting her palms to
make handprints on the Valentines, she figured "go big or go home"
and proceeded to paint her arms as well.

The finished product

Bumbo Boy

We borrowed a Bumbo seat from our friends the Parkers last week. It is changing Josiah's life. :) 

In our back yard this morning...

Beautiful!

Mascara Mess

It was reeeaaalllly quiet while I was feeding Josiah the other morning. I found Lorien in the bathroom looking like this. She has gotten quite adept at unscrewing lids from everything lately, including mommy's mascara.

I dare you to not smile