Santa Wish List: Immune System

Okay in years passed this has been mildly entertaining but enough's enough. To truly appreciate this you will need a small bit of information, we're pregnant! So the due date is May 1st. Now for my endeavors:

Part 1: The Flu Shot
I swear everywhere I go everyone has been talking about the flu shot and how pregnant women are in a critical category to get inoculated. Dutifully I show up at our primary care's office after calling to confirm I simply need to show up. Little did I know I would be dragging both my girls through the maze of the hospital to find the little clinic in the basement. I probably exposed them to hordes of awful things. The little man behind the desk (read punk kid with engaged earrings) informs me he will need to speak with his supervisor.
"Sorry Ma'am, the flu shots are for established patients only."
I explain that my brother-in-law has swine flu and that all my in-laws have been patients for years and we've just moved to the state and for pete sake the doctor's name is on my insurance card.
"Let me check with my super." 20 minutes later he comes back.
"It will be $80 per shot." What, is it laced in diamonds?
"Sure. Whatever."
"Umm...just a minute." Again a 15 minute droll.
"Yep even if you are willing to pay, and though the family urgency we need to keep the remaining vaccinations for ESTABLISHED patients. But you can go to Walgreens and they have them for $25."

Walgreens after waiting for 20 minutes and filling out all the paperwork. "Sorry we can't give the flu shot to pregnant women or children under 13."

Luckily I found I could go to the instacare and my insurance would cover it and Katelyn's was $40. Nate went to Walgreens. I scheduled with Sarah's pediatrician office earlier and was planning on her $14 shot during the flu clinic. I called to cancel Katelyn's part of the appointment and the front desk forgot to schedule it in the computer after our very looong conversation and all 2,400 vaccinations were already scheduled out to other patients. We took Sarah to the Ogden Clinic for $20.

Mind you the Weber Morgan Health Department should have been stocked for the whole family but because they get their doses from a government allotted shipment it was delayed and so sometime at the end of October it is expected they will have the regular flu shot as well as the H1N1.

Part 2: The Flu...it's believed I had the Swine Flu
After all that work you would think we'd get a sick free pass, right? Wrong. Less than one week later the horrible flu reared it's ugly head but only for me (thankfully). After fever, profuse retching (did I mention I was already taking Zofran to keep something down before all this madness?), migraines, crazy wicked cough, and runny nose I started to get extreme vertigo evertime I glanced towards the tv. 6 days later I thought I was coming out of it with just a stubborn cough.
The instacare swab tested for influenza A which was negative but not always conclusive for ruling out Swine flu and the office never tested for the 24 hour blood confirmation...

Part 3: The Baby Scare
Apparantly one of those coughing or retching fits caused a tear in the placenta. Severe bleeding and cramping ensued and my OB couldn't give much more sentiments than there was a chance the baby could pull through but I would have to wait in bed for 2 days and then she could see me in the office. (She did tell me I could go to the ER but I would more likely expose myself to more nasty diseases and they would only be able to supply IV liquids).
Happily this morning we were blessed with the sound of a strong heartbeat and visual confirmation that I am healing from the tear. Life has been limited for the next week and a half to small quarters on "partial bed rest" but I am overwhelmed with grattitude for friends and family that have lifted the load with the girls.

Case in point I think I need some immunity help. Nate has repeatedly told me I have the immune system of a 90 year old woman.

PS. I cemented that I do indeed have the best husband in the whole world. Thanks Nate for all your help, love ya babes. Oooh...I forgot the craziest part, I have lost 12lbs in 2 weeks from this madness. Those dounuts on Halloween are going to be absolutely delectable!!!

Free Stuff

Gotta love free stuff...my ol' pal Mindee has one more opening on her blog but you gotta leave a comment fast.
www.happyholmans.blogspot.com
Stace

1st Time Tubing

I will have to steal some photos from my sis-in-law but after what was a rather peaceful day at the beach, Katelyn took her first tube ride behind the boat. Nate and Dan held Katelyn and Grace on their laps on a double tube for a fun first. Somehow there was a lot of slack on the rope so when the boat started the tubes went from 0 to 30 in a second, jerking the tube around. The next thing I saw was Dan's legs in a perfect V as he made a backflip off the tube while holding Grace. Needless to say none of the kids wanted to have anything to do with the boat. I am just grateful Katelyn and Nate stayed on board or she may have decided to hate the water too.
Thanks Heath, somebody has to be prepared with a camera...

Catching Up with Kristy

Life Jackets

Katelyn's Graduation from Swim Lessons Present

Dancing Queens

Our girls love to dance, shimmy, shake, groove, twirl, you name it. Sometimes they even let friends share in the fun. Zane is really sweet with the girls and a really fun neighbor.

Ward Campout at Camp Atoka

Deep Philosophical Discussions

Breakfast of Champions (though Laurie shared her delicious pancake recipe with us and they are a staple these days)

Cleanup Crew

No Sweets For a Year...

Before Nate and I moved to Utah we were deciding what to fix on the house. I was discussing remodeling the kitchen and Nate said umm...that will be expensive and we'd have to do something drastic to save for it. I suggested I go a year without desserts. Nate looked at me like I was crazy and said it couldn't be done. That was about all I needed to set my mind to it. So we joke about this as a battle of wills. So no candy or desserts for me until our anniversary in 2010 with two exceptions, Halloween and Christmas. Some of you may remember our tradition of homemade donuts on Halloween and well it's Christmas. I have made it just a tad over two months and am still going strong but please refrain from detailing your delicious encounters at the dessert bar.

These guys are NOT helping my cause...

Chop Chop Timber

Sad to say we lost two trees in front to a random tree virus. At least it was rather entertaining to watch the whole process and we can better view our Japanese Maple and Holly trees. Best of all the trees didn't fall on the roof, which is probably what would have happened if we had tried to do it ourselves.

New Neighbors /Old Friends, the Wights

We just heard the fun news that our good friends, the Wights, bought the house down the street. It was fun reminiscing on our dating years (we got engaged the same day as Justin and Jayanne) and what has filled the time since.
Gotta love Jello Jigglers

Before and After House Shots

Okay so it's never going to be fully finished but here are a few shots of what things looked like from the previous owners and now that we live here:

Living Room Before:




Living Room After:




***We painted the paneling 3 different shades of blue (Renoir, Impressionist, and Ocean Water) with white trim and hung curtain rods. I have canvas paint drop cloths that I am going to hem for curtains. Yeah their entertainment center was way cooler than ours...

Stairs Before:




Stairs After:



***We carpeted with Tiki Hut. Before it was linoleum over cement with metal edging. Downstairs was the same linoleum.

Downstairs Before:


Downstairs After:





***They used the space for bedrooms and we've made it a playroom. We are working on drywall stuff for the second space under the stairs. The plan is to put in a window as well so it will be a little kitchen playhouse. There is also a small walk-in closet where we store games and toys.

Art Room Before:


Art Room After:





***They used it as a home office/library. We are using it for an art space. Sarah and Katelyn have both had interesting mayhem with the paint so now there is a baby gate to control access a little more...

Picnic with the Ropelatos

My mom and dad are headed to Finland and Russia for my dad's track meet this weekend so we got the cousins together for a lunch at Huntsville Park. My parents' swimming pool is almost refinished so the kids jumped in to test the freezing water.

Dress Up with the Cousins

Nothing like a little cousinly bonding over costumes. The Bradys are visiting for the summer from Connecticut and it's been so much fun for everyone to get together. We've also been taking swim lessons with Grace and David, but more on that later.

Swim Lessons with the Brady's

Nate's Mom, Colleen, signed Katelyn and her cousins Grace and David. She is in level one which means blowing bubbles, kicking, arms, floating on tummy and front, dunking, jumping in from the edge, and lots of play. Catarina and Zach are doing a fabulous job! Sarah's been a good sport to play on the cement and they loved showering in the Monster's Inc room!

Roasting 'Mallows and Hot Dogs

The Petersons included us for a Family Night at their cabin. We roasted marshmallows for s'mores and hot dogs for a delicious meal. It was fun to hang out with some cool people from Nate's parent's ward.

Visit with the Longs

What is with me and not taking photos? It was so good to meet little Brady and visit with Nick and Amanda (and Laurie too!). Thanks guys for taking time out of your reunion to meet up for a couple hours. We'll have to visit ya in Maryland but it may be in a few years...

Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo

This week we've had the Starley Family "Staycation". We spent the week playing together here in town. Lindquist Fireworks over the duck pond at Weber State accompanied by the Ogden Symphony, Dinosaur Park, Boating, Game Nights, Real Salt Lake Soccer, bonding with Aunt Annie (the girls say Auuu-nee)...crazy fun. One of the nights we went to the Rodeo and Katelyn LOVED it! I actually remembered to take photos. The princesses (Rodeo Pagent), the horses, the cowboys, the motorcycle show and fireworks. We've had a lot of fun!!!

10 year reunion planning

Well things are starting for the reunion...I made a blog at least. www.weberhighclassof2000.blogspot.com. I am not quite sure what we are doing from here but I think we'll know more around Christmas.

Oquirrh Temple Open House

Our relief society went down to the Oquirrh Temple Open House. It was so nice visiting with the ladies and listening to some of the history on this area. The temple is so beautiful inside with the natural light streaming in and the tile floors. I hope those of you back east are able to make it to the Philadelphia temple open house. Member or not it's a lovely place to see for yourself. I have had an increased desire to be in the temple and it's been so nice to have the Ogden temple 5 minutes from our home. Funny that I just found out this is the subject matter for our talk on the 9th...

The Harvest

We've been picking strawberries, raspberries, and apricots from our backyard. The berries are never around long enough to make anything with but we've made some great jam with the apricots. Now if I can only freeze the rest before they go bad...
Ah well we still have pears and grapes to store...