RIP

Just an update on my brother in law, Steve.  While we were in the ER Sat night and getting ready to get loaded up for the trip to Kosair, my mother in law called Matt. Steve had flat lined at the rehab hospital. Since it was a rehab hospital, they were not able to declare him dead and called an ambulence.  The EMTs were able to bring him back, but broke his ribs in the process. He was put on life support with no brain activity, but had a heart rhythm. 
Sunday, the family was called in to St. Louis to say their final good byes.  He was taken off the life support Sunday evening (late) and passed away at 5:54am Monday, October 29.  Please keep my in laws in your prayers!  My father in law now has no living children (Matt's step dad) as his other son passed away from cancer about 10 yrs ago.

Teagan's First ER Visit

It's funny that Emmersyn is almost 3 years younger than Teagan and has already been to the ER. Well, Teagan made her debut trip on Sat. She had started getting a little cold (really just a runny nose) on Friday. No big deal.  Saturday I went to work and she was fine. Sat at dinner she said her throat hurt, but it didn't look red or anything to me and then she said it felt better. We put her to bed at 8 and she was fine. Around 9 she woke up screaming and then threw up. I put her in my bed for a bit and noticed she was struggling to breathe.  Anytime she gets sick it goes to her lungs, but this time was different. Call it mother's intuition or just being a control freak, but I knew it was serious.

My mom came over to watch Emmersyn (who was already in bed) and we took Teagan to Clark Memorial (it was closest). 



 

This is her at Clark.  Doesn't she look helpless?  When we got there, her O2 level was 90. They did several breathing treatments, gave her steroids, etc and it kept getting lower.  They knew we were going to be staying somewhere, but after talking to the peditrician, they decided to transport her to Kosair.  It was about 4am before the ambulence came and we got settled at Kosair, but Teagan didn't care. She was wired from the steroids.  The O2 level was up to 93 there and the nurse questioned why we were sent. Overnight, the levels dropped in the 80s and I thought "that's why".  The doctors there were great. It is a teaching hospital so we had several doctors coming in and out most of the day instead of just one time for rounds in the morning. We ended up staying 2 nights. (they will not release if any oxygen is used during the night) We came home with a diagnois of asthma and a TON of new information on medicine she will be taking daily to control as well as what to do for future flare ups. I'm just glad we finally know why she gets sick so much in her lungs.

Part 2

I had a record number of blog hits last night...a whooping 13!!! I'm getting more popular by the day! HAHA. And apparently more annoyed. I came up with even more things that annoy the piss out of me. (However, this could be because I have to pee ALL THE TIME anymore)

Here's a new list. Not to replace yesterdays, but in addition to:

1. when my baby wakes up at 1:30 and STAYS awake.
2. when my baby wakes up at 1:30 and falls back to sleep right away but I stay away for hours
3. Lion King 2 being sung all day by Teagan
4. dishes that multiply
5. people who keep score of the things they do for you
6. hearing about IU every. single. day...(that's for you Matt)
7. a 9 month old and a 3 year old that sleep less than a speed addict
8. toys that make noise and have no off switch

And that's all I've got because I have to go cook dinner....oh yeah, #9, cooking dinner when I never get to eat it!

Just Because...

I often stalk read other people's blogs and a fun topic that has been coming up more and more is W.I.L.W (What I love Wednesdays). Cute right? Well, since I'm totallly not that cute, I thought I would do a What annoys the piss out of me Thursday post! HA. So, here goes:

1. Facebook annoys me today.  I often wonder why one persons status of "what's for dinner" gets a million comments, but my funny one liners get none! HA
2. Spongebobs laugh...enough said
3. The fact my 3 year old can reach EVERYthing no matter how high I put it
4. Swollen feet, sore backs, and constant peeing associated with being preggo
5. People who mispronounce names, especially one of my kids
6. Politics and everything politically motivated
7. People who say they have to go get their hair did....really? Does that even sound right coming out of your own mouth???
8. Peeing my pants every time I sneeze
9. Matt's inability to scrap the plates before putting them in the sink!

I am sure I could go on and on and on, but I'll save it for another fun Thursday (or any other day) when I have nothing else in my life exciting to blog about!  What annoys you???

Teething Hell

I'm in the middle of teething hell right now! I don't know if it's because it's been so long or if Teagan really wasn't this bad, but man...Emmersyn is FUSSY, needy, and not sleeping. My favorite 3 qualities in a baby! NOT!!!  She had one tooth on the bottom already and it wasn't so bad, but right now she has 2 on top and 1 on bottom coming in at the same time and I know she's miserable. But, so am I. I don't know what else to do to try to make it better and that frustrates me. We have tried tylenol, ibuprofen, origel, teething tabs, frozen binkies, etc. Nothing soothes her.
Please pray we make it through this phase in one piece! I know we will, but sometimes when you're going through it you can't see the end.

class pictures

I dropped Teagan off at school today and got her class pictures! Her individual ones were too cute! She had a real smile and was just cute as could be. The class picture made me laugh. The kids look almost drugged and over the whole picture taking experience. Most of them are looking somewhere other than the camera and Teagan has her "hurry and take a picture" smile on. 

 

I'm not sure why it rotated when I posted, but you get the idea. It is also a picture of a picture so I'm sure I'm breaking a million copyright laws, but I'm pretty sure both of my readers will let it slide! HA!

I just wanted to document the very FIRST school picture for Teagan! I can't believe she is old enough for preschool. I still think of her as my baby which is funny considering I have Emmersyn and another on the way!

31 weeks

I'm 31 weeks pregnant today (based on their ultrasound due date) and I can definately tell. I am MISERABLE! I have constant back pain, tons of stomach cramping/pains, and can't sleep.  I am trying my best to embrace this experience as it may very well be my last, but it is hard.
I think I've gained about 5lbs so far. I need to go back and see what my starting weight was, but I'm almost sure it isn't more than that.  I don't really have any cravings as I did with Emmersyn. I just crave my usual foods and it depends on the day.  I usually have food cravings when I'm not pregnant so this isn't anything unusual.  HA.
I think the worst thing is just being tired all the time. I know it comes with the territory, but man does it suck! I also know that it is partly due to having a preschooler and newborn at home this time as well. Wish me luck to make it to 37! That's the goal for now!

Overwhelming

I'm sure I've already done this post before. Probably right before Emmersyn was born as that's when I start to get overwhelmed...when my life is about to change. I'm a bit of a planner and right now I feel like things are not going to be done, ever. 
My body is failing me and I'm hoping to keep this baby boy in for at least 6 more weeks til I can get to the 37wk mark, but I'm not sure that's possible.  Somehow, he still doesn't have a name. I need to get bunk beds picked out and put Teagan's bed back into a crib. I need to get the nursery repainted. I need to get all the clothes I have for him and my mom/mother in law have for him and decide wht else we may need. 
Whew, in addition to the new things to do for #3, I still have the daily mondane tasks of cooking, cleaning, laundry, dishes, and just everything that comes with taking care of 2 kids and a house.  Matt and I literally see each other and talk face to face about 8 hours a WEEK so trying to go pick things out is almost laughable.  And then, I get the whole "you need to rest and take it easy or I'm putting you on bedrest" talk from my doctor. HA, take it easy? With 2 kids? And working? HA. And yes, I do have to work as long as I can because I was already off 10 weeks this year (2012) and will be off at least 8 weeks after #3 so unless I can sell a kidney on the blackmarket, I'm gonna need the money.
Alright, enough complaining (for now). Time to put on my big girl undies and just get it done.  Life is funny like that. It doesn't stop so you can have a pity party, but that doesn't mean I can't be overwhelmed.

Boo at the Zoo-2012

Thursday at preschool pickup, Erin and I decided we would join up and take the kids to the zoo for trick or treating.  It was a chilly night, but we thought it would be less crowded than waiting til the weekend when it would be a little warmer. 

 

It was a nice night and they had expanded the trick or treating to the WHOLE zoo instead of just half like in years past. I'm not gonna lie, I was not prepared for the hill walking while pushing Emmersyn in her stroller, and of course being 30 weeks preggo!  

 

 

Teagan was Tinkerbell. She was going to be a lion because she's OBSESSED, but at the last minute decided she wanted to be Tink. Poor Emmersyn was a duck. She has a princess outfit too, but it's a short dress with short sleeves and it was way too cool for that!  Both girls had a blast, but we were ready to go by the end. We skipped the hay maze and I felt bad, but that's the sacrifice we made to make it home without screaming. 

I told Matt if I was more than 2 weeks preggo next year and decided to take the kids to the zoo he was to shoot me.  (This is the second year in the row I've done the walk over 26wks preggo)  He informed me if I got pregnant again he was going to shoot me regardless! HA. Such a funny man I married! LOL

vacation 2012

Every October I take a week off work for a much needed vacation. The past 7 years since we've been married, we have actually went somewhere fun. A few years we went to Mexico, we've been to Florida a few times, and even took a mini trip to Michigan for our first anniversary! SO MUCH FUN! This year, we decided to stay home and Matt actually ended up working so he could save more time for after #3 gets here. I thought for sure I'd get the nursery painted (my little boy can't sleep in a pink room), get bunk beds for Teagan's room (which she'll end up sharing with Emmersyn eventually), and convert her bed back into a crib to finish out plans on what I'm going to do with the nursery and TWO cribs!
However, so far, I haven't done much.  Monday (our anniversary) I took Teagan to dance class, Tuesday, Matt went to get his new phone and that took FORever. Wednesday we did go pick out some pumpkins for our front porch and we went to the Zoo last night for their trick or treating, but other than that, we've done NOTHING on my to do list. I'm starting to get very anxious about not having anything done for #3. I know things will get done in time, but I keep feeling like he's going to be out sooner than we think.
I'm hoping to get the bed situation done this weekend before I go back to work Monday.  I have a few more weeks left to get things done and right now even doing a load of laundry is a chore! It literally takes me 3 steps to even get the laundry from the hamper to the washer. HA

The mom who stalked her kid!

Teagan had her very first field trip today! And in true stalker fashion, I followed to make sure she didn't get lost, kidnapped, killed, etc. LOL. I would have went with them, but parents were not allowed to go. Something about kids wouldn't pay attention to the teacher if parents were there...Not exactly sure why that's a problem, but they frown on it. HA HA! (JOKE)

 

 

 

Teagan did pretty good with staying in line with the other kids and listening to the teachers.  They walked to the fire station from their school which is about .30 miles (yes, I did clock it). I wasn't worried about her ability to walk that far, but they had to cross a few busy intersections and I was a little worried about her ability to stay on task! I stayed far enough away for her not to see me and to still get some good pictures...just like my stalker book said to do! LOL

And this little lady was my partner in crime!  She was content most of the time. A few times I could tell she was getting restless and that's when I would switch locations! I also had to drive to my doctor and give them my weekly blood so that helped kill some time as well.  Emmersyn fell asleep on the way back to town so I was able to better spy...I mean watch Teagan!

Pumpkin picking 2012

We decided to do some fun things while I was off work this week! We decided to go get our pumpkins last night and Teagan was super excited. She asked if we were going to make pumpkin pie! HA. She is determined we are going to make one so we probably will do that tomorrow! Funny thing is that she has never had a pumpkin pie before.

 

Teagan was OBSESSED with this concrete cow. As soon as we pulled in, she was all about showing her daddy the "cow who's head didn't move" LOL.  Of course, Matt took her to pet him and have a picture taken! SO cute what they find fun at 3. 

After about 20 minutes, we found some pumpkins for our porch! Of course, in true Katie fashion, I didn't actually take any pictures of the pumpkins! Oh well, I will when they are carved or painted!

First Word

I'm happy to announce that Emmersyn said her first word today! What makes me sad is it was NOT "momma". BOO! LOL.
She was standing at the bottom of the stairs, looked up, and hollered "DADA!" as if she was thinking matt was upstairs. So cute. Kind of wish she would have followed in Teagan's first word footsteps, but hey, it's a word so I'm excited!

Happy Anniversary to us!

Happy Anniversary to me and Matt!! I can't believe we've been married for SEVEN years!!! That seems like forever, but in reality, we've been together a lot longer (almost 12yrs).

 

Instead of a lot of words, I'm gracing you with some pictures of our wedding day! I absolutely LOVE cake so of course the first pic is our wedding cake! It was so good and looked a ton better in person too, but we got married before the digital age so I took pics of pics to post (not that great, but you get the idea).

 

 

 

And what Shickert-Murray wedding would be complete without a few football pictures! I actually have a ton of Matt and the groomsmen playing football in the church yard before we got married. Too fun, but I didn't want to bombard you with a ton of bad pictures!

And my all time favorite wedding picture! We both look so young, but this WAS 7 years and 2.5kids ago. It was before we had house payments, car payments, work (for actual survival), housework, yardwork, etc. It was a great day with friends, family, and most of all celebrating our love!

Happy birthday Daddy!

We celebrated Matt's birthday yesterday as well (busy day at our house!).  For the past few weeks I've been trying to get hints from him on what he wanted but he did the whole "all I need is you and the girls" crap so I thought Fine, I'll let Teagan pick something out to give him...Big mistake, but that's what you get when you don't tell someone what you want, this is what happens!

 

And, in typical Teagan fashion, she wanted to get her daddy this:

 

That's right...Hungry, Hungry Hippos! She came up with it before we even went to the store and held firm on what she wanted.  I had to kind of laugh at the thought of giving my hubby Hungry Hippos for his 35th birthday, but again...that's what you get! HA.



 

 

And because he's a good daddy, he was all about playing it for about an hour with Teagan last night! He even let her win. She was so happy! She said "this is the best birthday ever!" and it wasn't even her day!

My girls are lucky to have such a good daddy! He is the best dad to girls and I'm sure he'll be just as good to a boy!

 

**Side note: Yes, this is ALL he got today for his birthday. He kept going back and forth on phones so I didn't pick anything up. Then, he said he may want to go to the NCAA tourney this year in Indy so I'm letting him choose which one he wants. Normally, we would go on a vacation for his birthday and our anniversary (which is Monday), but we have a lot of money going out right now and didn't want to spend more**



While Mom's away...

And while Emmersyn and I were at the eye doctor, Teagan got to play with my mom (who is on vacation from work this week).  Teagan went over on Wed as well to help Nini bake some pumpkin rolls and play for the afternoon. They had fun from what I gathered from both of them. 

 

On Friday, they decided to bake some cream puffs. Mom said Teagan used all her flour and then threw it in the air to watch the "sparkles" come down! HA! The things grandparents let the kids do. I'm sure it would not be nearly as funny if I had done that at age 3, but I guess that's the joy of grandkids!

 

When I came back to pick Teagan up, she was dressed like this.  Teagan is in LOVE with all things lion right now. She pretends she's a lion most days and roars all day. Mom decided to get her dress up clothes out and sure enough, Teagan was a lion. She didn't want to take it off to come home, but I was able to persuade her. HA. What a crazy time they had, but apparently they had fuN!

Eye Doctor

Yesterday was the day I took Emmersyn to the eye specialist about her cyst. I was a little nervous as to what he would say, but I was assured he was the BEST with pediatric eye care in the area. And of course, there's always the unknown of how a baby will react, but Em was a champ! She was smiling and happy. She got her eyes dialated without a whimper, let them touch, poke, examine and look into her eyes without moving. CHAMP I tell ya! Now, I only say this, because I forget what it's like to get that much satisfaction from taking a kid to the doctor! I'm use to Teagan who would have fought the drops, cried after them, and then informed the nurse how to do it next time! HA
Anyways, Dr. Franklin agreed with the pediatrician.  It is definately a deroid cyst. It will NOT go away without surgery and will continue to get bigger.  Does it have to come out right this second? He said probably not. He did say the longer we wait, the bigger it will be, and the bigger the scar will be. He also thinks that it won't involve neurosurgery at all and that it is just on top of the bone! YAY! Matt and I are thinking we will probably get it done before #3 gets here and the new craziness begins. I know how crazy life gets with a newborn for a while and add to that holidays, birthdays, and 2 other kids and I'm just afraid if we waited, it would be put off longer than we want!
Other than the cyst, Dr. Franklin said her eyes were great! YAY! Matt and I neither one have any eye issues, but it is nice to have the seal of approval.