I need a vacation...

Yep thats what I said to Darren literally 20 minutes after we walked in the door after being on vacation...

Christmas was great this year. We spent Christmas eve with the Groen side of the family. Brant got spoiled and was one TIRED boy. Christmas morning Brant opened his presents from Darren and I and then we opened our stockings. After we cleaned up and got ready we headed to my parents house for breakfast and to open presents with them. Later that afternoon the Lindquist side of the family came over to my mom and dad's. Brant did great. After that we headed to Darren's Grandma's to spend the rest of the evening with his mom's side of the family. By the time we got home Brant was passed out and barely moved when I moved him from the car  seat to his crib.

I spent the rest of Christmas night packing and loading the car. We headed out about 9:30 or so to go to Winthrop with my parents and Cody. But first we had to stop at True Value. Darren said all their Christmas lights were going to be 75% off. We didn't decorate the outside of the house this year. Too much going on and we would've had to buy a ton of lights so we just decided next year. Well Darren went into True Value while I stayed in the car with Brant and he came back with I don't know how many boxes of lights. Our house is going to be looking good next year!

 Brant did great on the ride over and while we were there. My mom and I took turns going snowmobiling and staying back with Brant. There wasn't much snow so we came back yesterday (Sunday). Darren got sick while we were over there. Bad congestion and his ears were plugged and ringing.

On the drive back Brant was really fussy, we were going to stop in Leavenworth quick so I could change his diaper and give him a bottle but we didn't make it that far. He was really crabby so we pulled over at a gas station and I changed him in the car and gave him to my mom and dad in the other truck so they could feed him while I went in and got some Dramamine. I was feeling pretty car sick. He was fussy for a little bit after we left then fell asleep. He woke up just after we got over the pass and from then on to home he cried, and screamed, and cried some more. That ride was AWFUL.

When we got home he was a little bit happier but anytime I touched him, picked him up or did anything with him he cried. He only wanted Darren. And of course Darren was feeling pretty awful so he was crabby too. I was trying to put everything away, keep a crabby child occupied and try to make Darren feel better at the same time. Not a fun night. Brant finally went to bed around 8 and Darren and I did the same not long after him. Then at 10 it all started........... Darren was miserable. Brant woke up so congested, coughing and screaming and the rest of the night was up pretty much every hour waking up and I had to suction out his nose and calm him back down. The only way I could get him to go back to sleep was to rock him. Let's just say I'm EXHAUSTED today and coffee is my best friend!

Today Brant is feeling MUCH better. Not near as congested as last night, still somewhat but not bad. He is going going going and scooting his way all over the house and into everything. I'm trying to get laundry done and keep my eyes open plus trying to keep up with him. Later tonight I'll try and post pictures from Christmas and our trip.

Tis the Season!

Merry Christmas!! 

Visiting dad & uncle Trevor at work 

loves his footsies 

 trying to escape!

My little snow bear 

I had to move all the wrapped presents up because he kept opening them! 

guess what I'm doing Saturday! 

exhausted

I'm a pooped! Brant is still sick with a cold. It's not too bad, just a runny nose at this point. Me on the other hand not so much. I'm completely congested, really bad sore throat, and pounding headache. All I want to do is sleep but I just can't let myself. Darren got up with Brant this morning at 5:45 so I could get some more sleep. Brant has been going to bed later and later and getting up earlier and earlier lately, though he isn't getting up at night near as often as he used to. Darren and Brant left a little while ago and went over to Darren's parents for the afternoon so I could try and get some sleep. But I can't fall asleep. The house is a DISASTER and that is all I see when I look around. Anyone want to come clean it tomorrow?? :)

Even though Brant is sick he is still so active and keeping us on our toes. He is army crawling, though not far but if he sees a toy he wants, he is going to get it! He has also discovered the dvd player and what buttons to hit to make it light up; I'm quite thankful that he hasn't found the open button... He is starting to get up on his knees more and more. I think around Christmas he will be crawling.

Seriously?!

Brant had another doctor appointment this morning. It was his 9 month check-up even though he's 10 months now; they couldn't get us in any earlier. She is super impressed with him! He's on the growth charts for both height and weight; weighing in at 16lbs 8oz and 28 inches long. She did say when she listened to his lungs that he sounded a little wheezy and told me to keep a careful eye on it. If it does turn into a cold he needs to be back on oxygen throughout the day until he's over it. I was afraid of that because I came down with a runny nose the other day.

After his doctor appointment we went and grabbed some lunch for Darren & I and headed to the shop to have lunch together. He loves his daddy. Each morning they make coffee and eat breakfast together (but only after a half hour of snuggle/play time in our bed). After lunch we headed home and played for a while then Brant went down for a nap. I cleaned the house and threw some stuff together in the crockpot for dinner. The Noreco Respiratory Therapist stopped by to bring us his new monitor. We were having issues with the old one holding the settings and the probes reading on his foot. He woke up while I was meeting with her and learning how to use the new monitor. When I went in and got him he was coughing and sounded really congested.... great..... I figured while she was here we would hook him up to the monitor to check his SATS. Yup they were low. So back on oxygen he is! BOOO :( not what I was wanting. I was wanting to try to take him off at night early next week but now we have to let this cold run its course and hope he gets over it FAST. 

It is so frustrating. I know he got this one from me so I feel really bad now. A little frustrated too. I've been trying SO hard not to get sick. I got a flu shot, been taking airborne everyday, washing/sanitizing my hands like CRAZY, bleaching/lysoling the house every night and I still get sick. But at least I can say I did everything I could and there is nothing I can do about it. If anyone has any tips to get a baby over a cold fast let me know! I'll be moving the humidifier from our room and into his room tonight and go get another one tomorrow to have in the house.

Maybe I should be put into isolation right along with him! 

Test results, odds & ends

Happy Thanksgiving a few days late to everyone! We got Brants ECHO test results back Wednesday night and I'm finally finding a moment to fill everyone in. They came back totally normal. The pulmonologist said they have zero concern for pulmonary hypertension. So awesome news with that!

We went to Darren's grandmas for thanksgiving. We had a good time; Brant would not go to sleep. He was SO tired by the time we got home. Last night Darren & I had our first Christmas party to kick the holiday season off which was a lot of fun. My mom and dad came over and watched Brant for us. He was SO crabby and upset when they got there but said he was super happy for them... of course.

Today we had thanksgiving with the Groen side of the family then Darren dropped me and Brant our house and headed to my mom & dad's to work on his snowmobile. Brant is trying SO hard to crawl tonight. He has army crawled half a foot and keeps rolling everywhere and wiggling to get himself where he wants to go. I think it'll be soon and he will be crawling. Then we are in BIG trouble!

I got our tree put up the other day and finished decorating this morning before church. Darren was showing Brant the tree and immediately reached to grab an ornament. Not only is he interested in everything. He is a persistent little stinker! If he wants it he is going to get it!