Sick and tired of being sick and tired!!!

It's summertime. I've planned many activities to enjoy outside with my kids. I have been looking forward to this time since Olivia was born last year! Unfortunately, we haven't been able to do anything since the weather warmed up because we've all been sick. It started mid June with Logan catching a cold that led to double ear infections. We got him on anti-biotics in time for our trip to Moses Lake. His last dose was taken on the last day we were at Cannon Beach. A few days after getting back from Cannon Beach, Olivia had her 1 year check up where it was found that she had an ear infection, but Logan's had cleared up. Meanwhile, I got sick and had an ear and sinus infection. All 3 of us hadn't been doing so well, but we all had antibiotics, so I figured we would be on the mend shortly. Just a few days after Olivia's appointment, Logan got really sick again, so I took him into the doctor to get checked again. Double ear infections!!! He was given another antibiotic. Two days later, I went in to the doctor again because I was feeling worse, not better after my antibiotics. I have bronchitis and a sinus infection, and 2 ear infections. It has been a week since my last appointment and I'm only feeling slightly better. I'm afraid to make another appointment for myself, I don't know what else can be done. It's quite irritating. What bothers me even more is that my kids do not seem to be getting any better. So, I took them to the doctor again today. Logan still has his double ear infection. It looks like the antibiotic he was on, did absolutely nothing for him. So, he's on his third round of antibiotics! If this doesn't work, then we will have to discuss putting tubes in his ears. At this point, I don't care what it takes. I just want my little boy to be healthy again. As for Olivia, her antibiotics did nothing! Her slight 1 ear infection has turned to a severe double ear infection and she has a sinus infection. Poor kid. I really hope this second antibiotic works for her.

So, here we are entering week 8 of being sick. Sam started getting sick last week. I'm really hoping his isn't like the rest of ours. He seems to be getting better though, and he hasn't been to a doctor...yet. We have reached a combined total of 9 ear infections, 8 weeks of being sick, 7 antibiotics, 6 or more boxes of tissues (I've lost count), 5 doctor visits in one month, an illness that has affected all 4 of us, 3 cases of cabin fever, 2 sinus infections, and 1 of us with bronchitis (for now, anyway). I have never been so irritated. All I want is for my kids to be healthy, and for me and Sam to be healthy again too. I want to take my kids swimming and to the park, and be able to enjoy it! I have to take the kids back to the doctor in 10 days to see if the meds have helped any. I really hope they do. I really would like to be able to enjoy the summer weather while we have it. Oh well, we'll deal with whatever comes our way.

Cannon Beach

We spent about a week at Cannon Beach, OR. Unfortunately, during that week, I was sick, Logan was getting over double ear infections, and Olivia wasn't doing so great either. We didn't get to do a lot of what I wanted, but we were fortunate enough to have great weather. Logan enjoyed playing on the beach, and weeks later, still talks about it.



Three Beard men, digging in the dirt. It cracks me up at how serious they all were about making the water go in different directions. I really wish I had video of it. Maybe next year...

Papa and the kids on a treasure hunt.


Olivia trying to convince Ollie that he's needed on the phone. :)

Olivia and Rebecca


A gorgeous sunset

A beginning post about Cannon Beach

I will post about our trip to Cannon Beach, but I'm still trying to figure out how to word it all. In the meantime, I just had to share my most favorite picture of Olivia right now. We had all gone out to breakfast and Sam and I ordered the kids a meal to share. Logan only ate the scrambled eggs, and we ended up ordering 2 more side orders of scrambled eggs. (that's his favorite thing for breakfast, pretty much all he'll eat.) But the other part of the meal was sausage and pancakes, which Olivia was thrilled to get. I just love how absolutely excited she was!

Moses Lake

On July 2, we made our way to Moses Lake for a family reunion. I was very nervous about going since both of our kids had been sick, and Logan had just been diagnosed with double ear infections earlier that morning. But, Sam and I agreed that we should at least attempt it. The kids seemed to be doing better, so why not. We got in the car that afternoon, and not 15 minutes into the 3 hour trip, we had to pull over. Olivia got sick in the car! Yikes, not fun. But we were expecting it since she had been getting sick the previous day, especially if she choked on something, which she did. A french fry from McDonald's is what we blame, although, who really knows for sure. I was ready to turn back and go home, but Sam was determined that we go. And I'm glad we did. We had no problems the rest of the way, and Olivia and Logan seemed to be much better by the time we got there.


We didn't do much, just hung out at my grandparents house. But that's really all I wanted to do anyway. It was nice to visit with family.


(some of the great-grandkids playing in the backyard)


(Olivia with Grandma H.)


(Olivia with Great-Grandpa J.)


(Sam with most of the kids, they all like that yellow chair for some reason)

We did have to cut our trip short since Sunday morning I woke up not feeling well. So, instead of leaving Sunday late afternoon, we left early Sunday morning. I still feel bad about having to leave early, there were a couple of pictures I wanted to take of my grandparents. But, I didn't want to get anyone else sick and we had a long drive ahead of us on Monday to go down to Cannon Beach for yet another family reunion. So, we felt it best to get home earlier than planned and rest for a bit.

1 year stats

Weight: 23lbs 4ozs 80%tile
Height: 31 inches 95%tile

Unfortunately, like Logan and myself, she has an ear infection and she is a little low on iron. But other than that, she's healthy and perfect!

Happy 1st Birthday!

Olivia is 1 !!! I can hardly believe it! This past year has just flown by. Livi's birthday was celebrated over the course of many days, since we were out of town with multiple family reunions. Her birthday "week" started on the 2nd, with presents. She had a good time opening her presents and finding that she had a few new toys to play with. Logan was really excited as well, and kept saying "happy birthday". It was cute to watch them open her presents together.


The next day, her actual birthday, was spent in Moses Lake, WA with her great-grandparents and extended family. She was a bit under the weather, but she kept a smile on her face. The cake was exciting to her, but she was so careful about eating it. I've heard that most kids will just dive into their cakes, but Livi carefully used her fingers to take bites. Very cute!



She also got a cake on the 6th that she shared with her Aunt Lina while we were at Cannon Beach, OR. She wasn't too much into the cake this time, but then again, it was approaching bed time so she just wanted to go to sleep.


I think she had a pretty good first birthday, especially since it lasted for awhile!

Family First

So, I found out yesterday that my cousin's little boy, Austin, isn't doing so well. He is currently at Spokane Sacred Heart Children's Hospital in the ICU. He caught E.Coli which caused him to get HUS. (http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/779218-overview) It breaks my heart that this little boy, only 2 years old, is going through this. And my heart breaks for his family who have to watch him go through this ordeal. His kidneys are not working right now and he is having to go through dialysis and blood transfusions. Austin is constantly on my mind, and I pray that he recovers fully and quickly.

I'm not one to normally ask for favors, but it is my family, and family is very important to me. So, if you would, please pray for this little boy and his family that all will turn out right. Also, if you are willing and able, please consider donating blood to your local bank. For those in the NW, if you can, you can donate to an Inland Northwest Blood Center to donate in Austin's name. It doesn't have to be his blood type, it can be any. It will help to offset the costs that his family has with the blood transfusions, as well as replace some of the blood they are using. To donate in Austin's name, you will need his address which is

Ben and Cortney Jones
1710 W Hillcrest Dr.
Apt #134
Newbury Park, Ca 91320

I've never been a fan of donating my blood, it always makes me sick...but you never know when a friend or loved one will need it. As for me, once I get over this cold, I will be on my way to help