this and that

Just a quick post tonight. My allergies are knocking me for a loop these last couple days so my energy is low. I've been carrying a kleenex box around with me for the last two days. Bummer.
First, I just found out that Patricia Heaton (you know, Deborah from Everybody Loves Raymond) has pledged to donate $10,000 when Reece's Rainbow Twitter Page reaches 10,000 followers. Pretty awesome huh? What an awesome gift for them! Their twitter page is HERE. Please consider becoming a follower. A small way to make a big difference.

Jonah is running a low grade fever (between 99-103) for the last couple of days. I guess I'll take him to the doctor tomorrow. I don't get it. Today was day 10 of antibiotics. His skin looks great, so I don't think it's an infection, but it still worries me. I would probably give it another day if we weren't going into the weekend. I'm really wanting to make it to church on Sunday. Jonah is starting his new class with the kids HIS AGE (we've held him back with the younger ones since he couldn't walk). But now he's walking and cognitively right with his age group, so now's the time. We're leaving him all by himself, cold turkey, and have given his new teachers a list of "do's and don'ts". Nerve-wracking but exciting! Anyway, if this fever doesn't go away in the next couple of days, I guess, once again, it's no church for us. Hoping it's just a minor virus. No big deal.

In other news, Jonah busted out with "ALL ABOARD" when he was watching his train video on youtube today. The video doesn't say that. I have no idea how he learned it. He then counted backwards from 10 without skipping a beat and yelled, "Blast off!" at the end. I don't know where he learned that either. Obviously, all that TV is rotting his brain.

And just in case you want to see the video that Jonah watches over and over and over again, here it is:

You would really have to love trains to get it, I think. He just watches and giddily screams "Train! Train!" and "Choo-Choo!" It's pretty much the sweetest thing I've ever seen and actually brought me to tears yesterday. I love that kid.

That's it for me. We've mostly been hanging around the house and haven't had a whole lot going on. Hope you have a great Friday!

UP FOR BID - Pampered Chef Pizza Stone (Forsyth County, NC only)

UP FOR BID - Pampered Chef Large Pizza Stone. Winston-Salem, Forsyth County only unless someone lives around here that can pick it up for you. Shipping cost would be a beast. All proceeds to Anton's Adoption Fund!

Click HERE to check it out and bid.

for daddy

Daddy, while you were at work today, I learned to sing a new song.



And also, now I've taken over your computer and am watching youtube videos of Tweetsie Railroad trains. I want to go to there.

Love,
Jonah

nothing much

I am completely unmotivated these last couple days, so I don't have much to talk about. Jonah and I went and ate lunch with Daddy today (meaning we went through a drive-thru and ate in the car). After we got home, I fed Jonah a small lunch by mouth (maybe about four ounces), and then we both took over a two hour nap. See? No motivation. I have done nothing today.


And then my cat puked on our bed spread and blanket, so we're up late washing all of our bedding. Sure glad I had that nap. She's a good little kitty but if she doesn't stay off of my bed, we're going to have issues.


It snowed here yesterday morning. RI-diculous. It is not fair to be suffering from allergies while watching snow falling out your window. Not natural, I say.


Here are some photos of Jonah bundled up because it was so cold yesterday. It was sunny with a high of 60 today. I'm so confused. And so is my closet.

I'm not sure what was happening here. I may have mentioned the word "night-night".

UP FOR BID - $20 Macy's Gift Card

$20 Macy's Gift Card up for bid on Hope for Anton. All proceeds to his adoption fund. Click HERE to check it out.

UP FOR BID - hand sewn apron

Super cute hand sewn adjustable apron up for bid on Hope for Anton. All proceeds go to his adoption fund.


Click HERE to check it out!

he-man and (part of) happy birthday

If you're not sure about the "I have the power!" reference...



Daddy had to be home every day at 4:30 as a kid to see his He-Man or he was NOT happy. We'll be busting out the He-Man DVD's for Jonah shortly.


(As I type this, Jonah is lying in his bed singing his ABC's. So adorable. I'll try to get that on video next.)

dun-da-da-dah!

SUPER JONAH!

Blurry because I was, once again, refusing to use my flash, but cute anyway. :) I washed Jonah's coat today and was hanging it on a door knob to dry, so of course he wanted to put it on. The outside was pretty dry but the inside was soaked, so we just flipped that sucker inside out and voila! A cape!

Matt's folks kept Jonah this afternoon, so Matt and I got to go to Cracker Barrel (lima beans are the veggie on Saturdays!) for lunch, the grocery store, and Rack Room Shoes all by our lonesomes. We needed the time after a week of me being sick and grouchy. 


And look what we found at our little produce market down the street?

Diet DP in glass bottles! I know, right?

I'm feeling much better now. Jonah is too. He's still coughing, but is way past contagious stage, so we will be going to church tomorrow. I'M DETERMINED!

feeling human again

Just wanted to blog really quickly, while I eat my lunch (that's right, I'm eating again), and let you know that we're okay. I started feeling some better yesterday and although my throat is still a little sore, it's NOTHING compared to how it was. I'm feeling human again! :) I gargled warm salt water... and also peroxide. Not at the same time because THAT would be crazy.


Jonah is doing well but continues to cough a lot. He only threw up a little mucus this morning (hope you're not eating too) instead of his entire breakfast, so we'll take it. He's napping peacefully now.

Matt's parents are coming for a visit tonight, so Jonah will be super pumped about having his Granny and GrannyDaddy here to play with tomorrow.


A few cute photos of Jonah that I snapped this morning so you know he still exists.

I had a crazy dream the other night. And it was before I got sick, so I know I can't blame on all the drugs I've been taking. I dreamed that aliens were taking over and had just told us they were about to blow up the world from their huge spaceship. (Matt watches "V" and unfortunately I'm usually in the room when he does.) I was in the house where I grew up, but I was an adult. We all went outside. I handed Jonah to my dad. I looked at my parents, Matt, and who(m?)ever else was out there, and I said, in a very bold voice, "I call dibs on Gabe. Let's do this." No fear at all. Pure courage and excitement. It was pretty badass if I do say so myself. 


I guess that's what Jesus will do for you. 


My idea for "Jesus makes you Badass" t-shirts might not go over too well. Unfortunate.


Oh yeah, there's a couple new posts up over on Hope for Anton. One is a Gold Canyon (candles, bath and body etc) Fundraiser with 25% going to Anton, and the other is CJ, the maker of these cards, offering to donate 50% of all proceeds from her Etsy shop for the foreseeable future! Bidding on the Bow Holder and Clips ends at exactly 9:00 EST tonight. Make sure you are a follower (or whatever) over there so you can keep up. We have some GREAT stuff happening and more to come!


Hope you all have a happy and blessed weekend. Love those around you well, even the ones you don't feel like loving. They need it the most.

new day same sickness

Still feeling like a Crap Wad over here. I chose last night to tell Matt our plan in case anything ever happens to one of us during the night. I told him to call our neighbor Barbara to come sit with Jonah until my mom could get here. Why did I choose last night to tell him? 


Because I had taken -
- at least 15 ibuprofen in less than 24 hours
- hydrocodone
- two doses of my antibiotic
- Singulair 


and I think some other stuff. I was just waiting to stop breathing or go into some kind of spontaneous liver failure or something. Not really, but I was nervous.


Today I added Mucinex and Tylenol to the mix. Just trying to survive over here. My throat hurts so badly that I've barely eaten today. And if you know me at all, you know that for me to give up any amount of food means that things are bad. If you have the overwhelming urge to specifically pray for the right side of my throat, feel free to indulge. I know it's not strep. I got a strep test done at CVS yesterday. The quick test was negative and they called me tonight to let me know the longer one came back in negative too. So I'm thankful for that but ready for the current antibiotics to do their (freakin') job already. :)


Enough about me.


Jonah had a decent day. Still coughing. Threw up twice. But took an awesome nap (which means I did too!) and has been happy and mostly easy on me all day. My dad is here for a couple of days, so Jonah's really enjoyed having him around. I couldn't have asked for him to be any better today, considering how crappy I've felt. He's a gem. 


Matt is amazing. He's pretty much taken over most Jonah duties after work the last two days, and given me as much of a break as possible. And tonight, after he put Jonah down for the night, he went all the way across town and got me a Sonic chocolate milkshake. He's a super gem. And my sweet mother in law drove home last night in the dark (she's my Monday/Tuesday help every other week) so she could help Matt and I could rest. She usually leaves at 3 or 4 in the afternoon but stayed until 7, and then drove three hours home.


Moral of the story: I'm a pansy when I'm sick.


Glad Jonah doesn't take after me in the toughness (or lack thereof) department. 

UP FOR BID - Monkey Bow Clip and two hair clips of choice

Up for bid on Hope for Anton. This adorable Monkey Bow/Clip Holder and two bows of your  choice!

Check them out HERE and the cute baby girl hat is still up until tomorrow night!

bummage in the williams household

Things are a little rough here today. My sinus headaches from this weekend have turned into a full blown sinus infection. I only feel okay if I'm loaded up on at least 600 mg of ibuprofen. Otherwise, I'm aching, my ears and head hurt, and my throat hurts so bad I can barely talk or swallow. Stinks. Anyway, I started on an antibiotic today and I'm going to take another dose before bed, so hopefully I'll be feeling better fast.


Jonah's still sick, but I took him to the pediatrician today. She's started him on an antibiotic (apparently he's got the beginnings of a sinus infection too), and we came home with a nebulizer and Pulmicort! We have some Albuterol too, but I'm not planning on using that unless it moves down into his chest. So far, it's all upper airway. We may not have success with the Pulmicort, but at least it's something to try. Jonah was not a fan (to say the least) of us blowing that stuff in his face, but  hopefully he'll get used to it.


I'm missing my Radical book/Bible study tonight, and these girls (well, except Vanessa, cause you know, she lives in Texas)...

... which is a real bummer. 


Please don't miss the cut pink/tangerine baby girls' hat over on Hope for Anton. It's size 3-6 months, ADORABLE, and currently has no bids!


Hope you all are having a God-is-slapping-me-in-the-face sort of week.

UP FOR BID - infant girls hat 3-6 mths

SUPER cute baby girls' hat UP FOR BID on Hope for Anton. ALL proceeds go to his adoption fund!!! Check it out - http://bit.ly/eFRtQF

sheesh

Tonight's two pages.

The letter is here so you can stop squinting now.

And I would tell you how long they took me, but honestly, it's starting to get embarrassing.

And I would also tell you that I couldn't upload these TWO photos without buying more photo storage space from Google...

and that when I went upstairs to get my wallet, I knocked my Nifty Fifty onto the floor...

and that I feel like my blood pressure is sky rocketing right now...

and that I feel like being a sarcastic Sassy Pants because I just read Boo Mama, and she always makes me feel sassy...

But I won't.

Instead, I'll give you some Jonah and Daaapid cuteness to make your Monday night (err, almost Tuesday morning) a little cheerier.

You're welcome.

And on a super happy note, we are now out from under the holds of DirecTV. Take That, satellite company. Sometimes it feels really good to fight The Man. Why, Hello, Time Warner Digital Cable, so good to see you and your far superior DVR... ohhhhh High Def. How delightful. For $40 less per month? Don't mind if I do!

Lia Sophia Jewelry Fundraiser

Lia Sophia Jewelry Fundraiser going on at Hope for Anton. One week only! 30% of sales go to Anton's Fund and there are some AWESOME specials this month! Hope you can stop by. 


http://hopeforanton.blogspot.com/2011/03/lia-sophia-jewelry-fundraiser.html

a crib sheet revolution!

UM, how have you guys not told me about these??? (And if you have told me, don't burst my bubble. Allow me to bask in my self-righteous forgetfulness.) You've been holding back. Vanessa just told me about these QuickZip crib sheets, and they are changing my world. EB Moms, you're going to want to get in on this one. 

When you go up to get your EB Baby out of bed (or at least, this is the case with MY EB baby), the sheets are typically covered with anything from blood to vomit to Aquaphor/Polysporin or are soaked from a leaking night tube. Every day, instead of having to change the crib sheet (my most hated chore), I would cover the sheet with two pads, two standard size pillow cases tucked in the vertical ends of the mattress, and two king sized pillow cases tucked across the mattress horizontally. It sounds ridiculous, I know. It was, but between having to protect the sheet and make sure Jonah was sleeping on something soft, it was necessary.


But then, Vanessa told me about these! (And she consequently returned any favor that I might have done her. I may have given her an EB education, but she revolutionized MY MOST. HATED. CHORE.)

Anyway, you can get these sheets HERE. You put the mattress inside the bottom sheet and just zip the sheet tops on and off, just like a jacket, as needed. No more bloody knuckles! I will have to zip a new one on every day but who cares? Compared to the hoopla I was dealing with, this is a piece of cake!

And they come in a "minky" material which is a really soft velvety type material. Perfect for a sensitive face!

I know I sound like an infomercial but seriously, it's GENIUS. I wish I had thought of it. Dang it.

This is Jonah's bed. QuickZip base sheet, mattress, soft and padded waterproof pad, zipper sheet, bottom bumper pad to protect his face from the bars, and the upper bumper pad to try to keep him from putting his ankles through the bars. 

And in case any new EB moms are reading this, I also really like:
Cherokee brand t-shirts from Target. (Super soft with stretchy necks.)


New Balance Extra Wide velcro shoes. (The only ones I've ever easily gotten on Jonah.) 


And SmartKnit Seamless Sensitivity Socks (The only ones I've found that really don't have a seam.)


Okay, thank you for indulging the most boring post ever. I'll try to do better tomorrow. :)
(And even though I feel really stupid saying it, I haven't been paid to say any of this stuff. The End.)

quinn and jonah

Katie brought the girls and came for a visit on Wednesday. She helped me take about a million photos of things I need to sell on Ebay for Anton, and otherwise, we just hung out. The kids did great! I just wish they lived closer. Katie is so amazing about driving the almost two hours each way to visit. Some day I'll be in a better place to do the same, I hope. Love you, Katie!

Rory, Quinn, and Jonah

Jonah and his girlfriend.

the last couple of days

Jonah's had an okay day. He's been pretty fussy and really ticked that he had to come inside when it got too hot. It bugs me that 80 degrees and BEAUTIFUL is too hot for him. We are both going to lose it this summer. I have had a killer sinus headache most of the day, so I've been pretty pissy and unpleasant myself. Jonah is in bed and I am soon behind him. Tomorrow is a new day! On a bright note, Matt took Thursday afternoon and all day today off from work to watch basketball, so it's been really great to have his help, but most of all his company, these last couple days.


I don't know where this week has gone. It was Saturday and all of a sudden it's Friday. Some of them drag on and on but this one has flown by. On Wednesday, one of my best friend's daughter's had surgery on her ear (they had to remove some sort of cyst and hope to restore her hearing in that ear with an additional surgery down the road). Matt stayed with Jonah on Wednesday night, so I could go for a visit. She was so tired and grumpy, and I felt so sad because usually she is wearing a contagious smile and has a bubbly spirit... just like her mommy. I saw her today though, and she's feeling MUCH better.

Last night, I went to my friend Lindsey's house for our monthly scrapbooking (cropping?... that sounds so weird) night. I did four pages in three and a half hours. I got stuck on my first two page spread and Lindsey and I had some serious catching up to. The hang out time is just as, if not more, important than the scrapbook progress. I've switched to Matt's Aunt Katherine's block template style and I'm loving it! No real need for embellishment, which I'm really bad at. The photos can speak for themselves, and all you have to really do is a title and a journal box. Here are the pages I did last night.

(Yes, I'm doing pages of October 2009 in March 2011. What's your point?)


Anyway, things are okay. Jonah is still coughing at night, and his breathing is not right during the day or night. He's now sleeping with a humidifier, a Vicks plug-in, Vicks on his feet with socks, and Triaminic in his system. I know it's not recommended for kids his age, but I gave him a small, safe dose and we are desperate. MUST PROTECT THE TRACHEA. I'm excited to see his new ENT on the 7th and discuss a plan for when this happens, seeing as how it happens every few weeks. I'm thinking an inhaler or breathing treatments may be involved. Poor buddy. I'm so afraid that the more it happens, the more permanent damage he may have. Praying that I'm wrong. I know it's in God's hands, but for goodness sakes, I need someone to be proactive about this. We are not in a good pattern.


Hope you all have a blessed weekend. It's going to be a busy week on Hope For Anton, so make sure you subscribe or put it in Google Reader or whatever it is you do, so you can keep up! 

we're okay

Just a quick post to say that we're okay. I know I haven't blogged in a couple of days, but it's just because we've been busy. Jonah is still sick. He doesn't act like he feels bad but is still coughing so hard at night he throws up. His breathing is strained a little all the time, but much more so at night. I'm feeling more anxious about his trachea and prognosis than I have in a long time. I'm afraid, this happens so often, he's going to start doing some permanent damage to his airway. I so hope I'm wrong, but last night he threw up mucus and bright red blood, and I'm just scared. I set up an appointment with a highly recommended new (for Jonah) ENT on April 7th, and I'm really looking forward to a new perspective. Praying for a proactive, problem-solving, willing to research, wise but humble doctor with a great bedside manner. That's not too much to ask is it? :)


Sorry for this lame-o post, but I'm going to my friend Lindsey's house tonight for our monthly 8pm-12am scrapbooking (or I think the pros call it cropping) night. 


I promise a decent post tomorrow.


Don't forget, if you're in the Charlotte area, about the photo session with Amber Herlocker that's up for bid on Hope for Anton.


Happy Friday Eve!

photo session with Amber Herlocker Photography

There is a photo session with Amber Herlocker Photography up for bid on Hope for Anton. Session must take place within a 30 mile radius of Charlotte, NC. Check out the details AND BID here. (Amber is also the one I took the photography workshop from back in January.)

up for bid

Really cute hand made Easter bunny and adorable bunny hat up for auction today on the Hope for Anton site. All proceeds go to Anton's adoption fund. Click HERE to check them out.

sick again :(

Photos from our friend David's birthday party from this weekend. Ever since then, Jonah will tell me, "Sing," and I have to sing "Happy Birthday" over and over again. When I pause after the word, "Dear," he sings "Daaa-pid", and then I finish up. It is pretty much THE cutest thing I've ever seen. We love you, Dapid.

The birthday boy!

Big brother Micah.

She went home today. I don't want to talk about it.

My best good friend and her beautiful Mommy.

Three generations. Elizabeth, I could eat you with a spoon.

I'm frustrated tonight. Jonah is sick again. Coughing like crazy, throwing up meals, not sleeping well (b/c of the cough) and has already damaged his airway (again, the coughing). The doctor's suggestion? Benadryl. I will be seeking a second opinion. I currently have him on an expectorant during the day, Delsym at night, some kind of natural honey cough med that Matt picked up at Whole Foods, and I had to give him a steroid dose tonight. After one day of coughing, he is already struggling to breathe and has stridor. This is ridiculous.

And did I mention that the "L" and "J" key tops have popped off on my computer and I can't get them back on?

And that I've gained five pounds in the last two weeks?

And that I spent a ridiculous amount of time today on the phone with the Social Security Office and DirecTV ("I just want to cancel. You aren't going to convince me. Your price goes up every two months. You replaced our DVR box for "free" but charged us $19.99 to ship it. It took three days. We had to pay $15 for a remote that broke by no fault of ours. I don't think it's right I have to pay $6.00 a month if I want to insure your crappy equipment. Please just set the cancel appointment. Now.").

AND VANESSA WENT HOME.

I said I don't want to talk about it.