Brinley

Brinley, Brinley...a picture is worth a thousand words...

2015

I have not been a goal setter or keeper but I thought I would try to set a couple this year. If I do these things I will be a happy camper come 2016.

1. Blog: I would like to blog at least once a week. I want to be better at posting quick things on blogger instead of checking facebook or instagram.

2. Be a better parent: We are taking a parenting class right now and I love it.

3. Knit baby girl a blanket: I just took a knitting class and it clicked for me. It is so fun to do. I am not good but I remember how to do it.

4. Stop managing: I need to turn over our cedar 4-plex and our house in Layton. I am fine to keep managing our house in Denver at least for now.

5. Be more spiritual: I want to read something gospel related everyday. I also would like to be better at saying morning prayers.

6. Dont get fat: I started this pregnancy 10 lbs heavier than I should have so I would like to be careful and not exceed my previous end of pregnancy weight. I should not eat chocolate but that is a goal for another year.

7. Budget: I would like to keep up on the budget this year. I have done pretty good so far but its a lot of work!

I am sure I could think of more but that would be too much right now. Life is good and has its same challenges. I am excited to have another baby and I am really enjoying my kids ages and capabilities right now. Macie is in a big bed, doesn't nap and is potty trained. Brinley is so responsible and helps out around the house. Addison is a great big sister to Macie. They play ALL day long. Today I needed to run errands but we ended up staying home because the girls just wanted to play. Matthew is a different boy now that I don't manage and we have started taking the parenting class. He is social and likes to play with his friends all the time. He has been quite the gentleman around home lately. It will be weird to have a newborn around. Feedings, diapers, naps, crying.... I can't even think of a name for her. Nothing seems to click just yet. I am excited for 2015!

Influenza A

Influenza A kicked my trash! Last Monday, January 5th, as we were driving back from Utah I noticed my chest muscles getting sore but I figured I had just done push ups for the first time in a long time. We didn't get home until 2 am so the next morning I felt like crap. I just assumed it was because we had got in so late. That evening I got a sore throat and at our parenting class I was super uncomfortable and had a weird pain in my chest. Wednesday I volunteered and went to Costco but didn't feel great and I was losing my voice. Wednesday night I felt like my throat was on fire and Thursday morning I wanted to die. Brian stayed home once he realized how bad off I really was and took the kids to a parade downtown. I got a blessing and then had another terrible night Thursday night. I couldn't breathe, my throat burned and I would have coughing fits until I peed my pants or threw up. I was achy and chilled and super congested. Friday might Brian left for a movie and Macie threw up.  I was not used to moving around and had virtually eaten nothing for the last few days. To say Friday evening was terrible would be an understatement. Saturday was about the same. I hate not being able to breathe from my nose and panic if I can't. Sunday was the first day I didn't feel worse. Not really better but not worse. Monday, I could breath and has a little appetite. I felt like I was over the worst part and that I would survive. With that being said I have never been more miserable in my entire life. I have never felt so terrible or wished I could just go comatose for a few days. I would take child birth, a broken ankle or ACL surgery any day over having the flu. Being preggo didn't help because I was limited on what medication I could take. I am not a naturalist or a druggie but when I need medication I take don't mind taking it. So yeah...pretty much the most miserable week of my life and I hope to never relive it. The only thing that would come close would be one of my kids getting it...

And that would be sweet Addi grace. She is such a happy and excitable girl. Monday afternoon she literally crashed so I immediately made a doctor's appointment for her. I second guessed myself when she perked up after giving her Motrin but was positive she had the flu when we were in the doctors office and she was shivering. He did a flu test and it came back positive. He prescribed her some Tamiflu. It was quite the adventure to get some (a lot of pharmacies were out) and it only cost me a whopping $260! And she threw up after her first dose. After I gave it to her I read about all the crazy side effects like hallucinations, vivid dreams, nausea and diarrhea. I might try one more time but if she throws up again it's not worth it. She is hot and miserable and I feel so bad for her. My heart just aches and I pray she will not get it as bad as I did. She did get the flu shot back in October. I hope no one else gets it either. That would be terrible. I just hope her little body can fight it off quickly. Makes me want to hibernate forever and never resurface! I don't want to share the germs with anyone nor do I want any new ones. So many people have been sick this winter. I am ready for summer except that means I will have a baby and I am definitely not ready for a baby and all that entails!

UPDATE: Addi's flu experience was more like a cold. I never did give her more than 3 doses of the Tamiflu. The first night I slept with her on the couch and she would wake up talking about Matt and would make funny chewing and hand motions in her sleep. Thankfully it was nothing like what happened to me and no one else got sick. It took me a good 2 weeks to feel better. After the first week I was at least alive but didn't feel great. I now understand how people can die from the flu. It really was the most terrible week ever!