in regular January fashion...

We got sick.

Like super sick.

All of us.

It's the gift that keeps on giving, I guess.  It's almost an identical experience to our January last year.  At least I know that it eventually ended then & will again.  And, it really didn't stop us too much from enjoying our January as much as we could.

Here's the sick rundown:

12.29- Take both boys to Dr. Matt's; Grayson has cold, Beckham has & is treated for croup {3 days of steroids which I literally had to force down his throat & subsequently gave him an aversion to tylenol/motrin which he'd previously been a fan of.  Fabulous}
12.31- Zac sick with bad cold/chills/aches & down; boys still have colds/coughs/grumpy
1.4- Take Zac to Doc Page for some meds; he gives me a zpack just to keep it away & I take it & feel good.  We leave for McCall with friends the next day.

1.7- Zac sick all day & in bed on vacation.  Poor guy.  Boys at least sleeping better throughout trip.
1.10- Gray to Dr. Lee's for an eye appointment.  He does amazingly, Daddy surprises us by meeting up at Costco, and we score at the dollar bin at Target.  {need to continue patching/wearing glasses; possible surgery later this year for "baggy lid"}

1.13- Gray puke twice randomly {on his birthday}, lots of coughing & boys not sleeping great
1.17- Take Gray to Dr. Matt.  So tired of his coughing fits.  Advises me to have him do his neabulizer with albuterol twice a day for a week.  Bring back if still going strong.  Later that day, Karli gets stomach flu {awful-puking all night & through the 18th.  Feeling a lot better by the 19th.  Totally thankful for my mom taking the boys Tuesday night while Zac was working and I realized I was going to be throwing up for the next several hours.  And, thanks to Zac for keeping them busy Wednesday & Thursday}.  Boys still coughing/having crazy nights.  Zac gets me out of the house for a drive on the 19th which was nice.  I started feeling a bit more human.

1.20- Zac gets stomach flu {super sick-same as I'd had. That night I have the worst menstrual cramps I've ever experienced-to the point of wanting to throw up & give me a migraine, both boys up sick & sleepless.  Found myself on the couch thinking we should never have any more kids as there was no one to take care of us as I listened to Zac throwing up in our bathroom and felt my throbbing stomach/head & took care of sick kids-longest night ever in our history of being parents.}
1.21- up late with Beckham.  As much as I hate the coughing/sick part, I LOVE the snuggles & the falling asleep in my arms for comfort.  This kid is a cuddler and lover no matter how he feels, but more so when he's sick.  Cherishing these moments.

1.23- Take boys BACK to Dr. Matt.  Gray still coughing like a mad man about 18/24 hours each day.  Beckham high fevers for three nights, stuffy congestion, totally not himself, etc.  Come up with new game plan for Gray's asthma {1 singulair pill nightly-$83 with insurance for one month!, 2T. claritin nightly, albuterol nebulizer treatment am/pm}, and Bex gets meds for a bad ear infection.

 1.24- Julie surprised us by letting me know she is bringing an unexpected and completely appreciated dinner.  She also brings my favorite smoothie from Jolts which meant more than she knows because she remembered from some random comment I'd made what flavor was my favorite.  And, she put whipped cream on top.  Made my night.  And, the boys!  Bex drank most the smoothie, they both loved the pizza, and Gray and I played the game she brought for his birthday.  A much needed light in our dark week.  Thanks Julie for acting on your prompting!

1.25- Gray wakes up after an hour of sleep bawling that his ears hurt {which he's never done}.  Gave him tylenol, Dad Pete came over and gave him a blessing with Zac, and Gray and I slept on the couch.  I loved that Zac would immediately think to call my dad & act on that prompting.  I love that those men hold the priesthood worthily, take it seriously, and use it often.  I loved that Grayson was so cuddly and sweet and although you could tell he was really hurting, he was so sweet and a little loopy acting.  He sat so sweetly & quietly through the blessing and told Grandpa & his daddy thank you.  He watched a couple shows while the Tylenol took effect and was so funny throughout.

1.26- Took Gray to Doc Ryan's: double ear infection.  Seriously?  Now add 2T. amoxicilan twice a day to his daily med routine + wearing his patch 14 hours a week & glasses every day.  It's almost more than this mama can remember & definitely pushing the limits a 4 year old can handle!  {Side note about this appointment: Gray was amazing!  He climbed right up on the exam bed & sat there while Gail took his temp-under his armpit-and laughed at her jokes and answered her questions.  Then he took her hand & walked out to get weighed.  Came back & sat on the table to wait for Ryan.  He was hilarious with him.  Ryan is GREAT with kids and Grayson just ate it up. He told him all about his birthday, his love for Star wars, and how he likes Beckham, but no more little kids..ha!  At one point Ryan was demonstrating something he needed Grayson to do and Gray laughed and said, "You crack me up!"  I was seriously giggling the entire appointment.  He did awesome.  I love those little one on one times where I'm able to fully enjoy the growth of each child.  His personality is crazy special.}

Later this afternoon I received the sweetest email from a friend I met through Amber, Meredith.  It was such timely encouragement and words of affirmation that just made my whole day.  So grateful when people-even those we don't know super well-take the time to reach out right when they're thinking of it.  Reminded me to be more aware and more service oriented so I can hopefully encourage someone else like she did me.

1.27- Karli to chiropractor as my migraine hadn't gone away for more than a couple hours since the 20th.  Felt much better after my neck was put in-the bone had been out all week.  Also got 4 hours to myself and lunch with Tasha-who I hadn't seen since April when she brought flowers after Tom died.  Too long and we had a great catching up conversation and it was so nice to be out of my house for the first time in a week that wasn't at the doctor's office.  Doll watched the boys & they had a blast.  They were sad to see her go and I was a much refreshed mom upon getting home.

1.28- Karli wakes up with sore throat/throbbing ears/congestion.  Zac wakes up with similar conditions. Both boys on the mend, sleeping much better, less coughing, happier.
1.29- Karli wakes feeling worse; swollen throat/ears, etc. Stays home from church with Beckham {who woke up at 3:30 screaming & spent the rest of the night restlessly on the couch with mom}, Zac takes Gray to church-Zac still not feeling great himself, Gray doing good. Karli gets worse as the day gets on to the point that she feels her eardrum will burst {by the way, I know I'm going back  & forth between 1st & 3rd person in this post & I don't really care}.  Kelsey gives the advice of using a rice pack heated on the ear & kindly offers 2 sleeping pills which Karli takes & is out.
1.30- Karli goes to Doc Page & gets 2 antibiotics & a wish to get better & over that dang ear infection.  Taylor watches the boys & gets Gray to & from preschool and Mom Pete & Courtney bring us dinner.  Seriously grateful for thoughtful mamas, good visiting teachers & amazing friends. 

1.31- Karli wakes up after spending the entire night on the couch coughing.  Ears feel a tad bit better-hoping the antibiotic kicks in soon.  Zac wakes up super congested and sinus infectiony.  Hoping it's not round two for him.  Here's to a HEALTHY February and remainder of 2012!