Buzz is out.

Finally, we have rest.  Day five of this latest teething episode has proved to be most miserable for Mr. Reagan.  He does not want to sleep and the past few nights he woke up about every half hour screaming.  You can only give a little guy so much tylenol and ibprofin.  After trying on four separate occasions to get my yawning son to nap today, I gave in to his cries and screams.  But about 8:45 this evening, he was three sheets to the wind and is snoring rather loudly next to me.  Unfortunately next to me means in my bed so Ben might have to endure the twin bed that I have slept in the past few nights as I have no intentions of disturbing this little chain saw.  

On a good note his fever did not return today and we saw those feisty little teeth popping through on the top (eye teeth and molars) so we are praying an end is in sight.  With this many days of goopy noses, fevers, no sleep and extreme crankiness, my first instinct is to run to the doctor.  But when you take a step back and look at him, nothing is wrong.  When I talked to Reagan's chiropractor today, he said that teething can take much longer than we think and can lead to goopy noses, no sleep, cold/flu like symptoms, sore bottoms, fluid in the ear and all the other things that a mom's instinct says go to the clinic.  But thankfully we have been able to hold out and are squinting at a little light in the way end of the tunnel.  Moral of the story is (don't keep a very ill child from the doctor) but think twice before running to the clinic because there is more than likely nothing they can do when the underlying culprit is teeth.  Thank you Dr. Brandan for saving me a co-pay and an antibiotic that Reagan didn't need.  And thank you Dr. Darrin for having to listen to me and telling me I'm not crazy!  Chiropractors do way more than yank your back into place, believe me, if you don't have one, get one.  

Please don't misunderstand me.  If my child is truly sick, we go to the doctor.  If I don't know, I call our moms and I call our chiropractors.  I am learning that we are all prescription happy in our society of needing a quick fix to a problem and many times medications do no good or can do more harm than good.  But there are times when they are absolutely necessary and we have been in that boat too.  They key is to understand what time it is.  No one said being a mommy was easy!  

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ

One of us was in need of a haircut so dad the barber took action.  See below for way before, before, during and after.  

Fever and rough nights are still sticking around.  I am a little puzzled as if it is teething, it has never been this bad before.  

Still here!

Our hopes that the fever was gone were stomped on tonight.  I got it to go down a couple times but it keeps coming back.  He is really chewing on anything he can put in his mouth so I am leaning more towards teething as being the culprit.  However, if the situation doesn't improve by tomorrow, I might head to the clinic.  He is miserable and there is no other way to put it.  He also does not want to sleep.

By the way, who ordered this snow?  Whoever it was should be severely punished!

The bug didn't fly away.  Reagan was up many times last night and had quite the fever going.  I stayed home with him today and his fever has now gone down and I am hoping it stays there.  I don't know if it is teething or a cold/flu bug.  He even passed up McDonalds this afternoon.    

Last night when we were laying down he was tooting and he would start laughing so hard every time he did.  I couldn't help laughing myself.  I guess that is a boy for you.  

Hopefully he will be back to his normal crazy self tomorrow.  Cold gloomy weather means house cleaning this weekend.  Only three more loads of laundry to go and that part is done at least.  

Under the weather

Mr. Reagan is lying next to me ready to go to bed for the night.  I thought he felt warm this morning and realized after he sat in his bed for an hour not wanting to nap that he had quite a little fever going.  After some tylenol and a night of only wanting to be held, we have been lying in bed watching tv for an hour and he is now minutes from sleep.  Hopefully the fever bug will be gone by morning.  Reagan is normally such a bouncing ball that you can really tell when he is under the weather.  

Well he's now sawing logs (with his four pacifiers within reach) so time to get some work done.  

It's not a dream...

A second day of near 70 degrees, if not above, has proven that yesterday was not a dream.  It was so nice to shut off the heat (after a winter of $400+ per month), open the windows and let the fabulous fresh spring air in.  Makes you feel like spring cleaning doesn't it?!?  Ok, it made me feel like spring cleaning.  

I actually spent a good hour scrubbing my floors.  We have had a painter here finishing up what we didn't when we moved in.  The walls look good but I didn't realize that required leaving drips all over my floor.  We won't even talk about the carpet.  Unless they can work miracles, I hope they are prepared to pay for a carpet cleaning on the steps.  

In other news, we are pretty excited as Madison and Reagan are getting ready to welcome another cousin into the family.  Ben's sister is ready to go and baby should be here any day.  Ben and his parents are already there so hopefully baby Kleinsasser will make his/her entrance before they come back home.  

Well, one of my turkeys is at grandmas and the other is sleeping so this mama is signing off for the night.  

Finally...

Spring is here and we couldn't be happier.  Madison and Reagan love being outside and I must say it's not too bad.  I have always been an indoor person but with the 1/2 days my goal for the summer is to get a tan, for the first time in.....my life.  The bad thing about being outside is that neither of our neighbors have finished their yard so we are surrounded by dirt and mud.  Imagine if you will how much fun that is with a running 20 month old!  

Looking forward to a quiet weekend.  My big kid (Ben) is going to Robbinsdale to help Matt and Becky with their basement.  Baby Kleinsasser is coming any day now and they are anxious for the extra room.  The painter isn't done in our house yet so there won't be too much excessive cleaning this weekend, darn.  I'll just have to make up for it next week.  Maybe I'll take a chance with the playroom in the basement.  

Reagan hasn't been sleeping well so I took him to the chiropractor today.  Hopefully that will help, we are looking forward to hopefully a few nights good sleep.  Last night there was a human H in our bed and Reagan I am afraid had the best of it.  Ben and I got the head and feet in the ribs.  Then about 6:00 am Madison crawled in too, 4 is definitely a crowd.  Madison's new request is to sleep in the twin bed in Reagan's room.  He is still in his crib so that bed is open for a little while.  When he remembers that he can get out of his crib, I am afraid we will need to again tackle the big boy bed and the busy boy crawling out of it.   

So, here's to spring and may you all enjoy the sun and above zero temperatures.  

Silence...

Anyone with busy children knows that silence is never a good thing.  As I was in the kitchen this afternoon, Reagan was nowhere to be seen and nowhere to be heard.  I quicklyy made my way back to the master bathroom and what did I find?  My son with his arms in the toilet up to his elbows.  He had dumped his fruit snacks in there and I assume was trying to fish them out.  I was a little less than amused - he thought it was great.  Fortunately all none of the fruit snacks were consumed after their little swim.  

So, after a 2 hour nap, I decided to take Madison and Reagan in the backyard.  I forgot that the winds were a steady 30+ mph today with up to 45+ wind gusts.  Well, with two string beans weighing in at 27 and 46 pounds, they were a little tipsy.  Reagan was actually blown over a few times.  Reluctantly they came inside and we'll try it again tomorrow - supposed to be 70 degrees!!!  

This Koppelman household is getting it's first round at politics.  Ben is running for the West Fargo School Board.  There are seven people running for three open positions, including two incumbents.  

There is a pan of scalloped potatoes with ham and extra cheese in the oven and I think we'll just enjoy some Monday night television, laundry and stay inside.  

So - dinner is done.  New recipe!  5 peeled and sliced potatoes, ham, mixed with 1 can cheddar cheese soup, 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1/3 cup of milk, 1/2 onion, 1/2 bag shredded cheddar cheese and salt and pepper.  Bake at 400 degrees for an hour - SUPER YUMMY - cheesy and creamy.  

Technologically challenged...

How is it that a 5 1/2 year old has to teach her mother how to use an Ipod?  Ben must have purchased a new one because Madison is now the proud owner of an Ipod.  After we downloaded the Alvin and the Chipmunks soundtrack, she is now "singing" at the top of her lungs.   Because she has the earphones in, she doesn't realize how loud she is "singing."  I say it that way because she doesn't have the words down yet so it is more humming/mumbling/yelling mixed into one sound.  It is cute and I am trying to keep a straight face.  

So after a tutorial from Ben and Madison, I have figured out how to purchase songs from Itunes and get them to her Ipod.  Again, I have a college degree yet my main instructor this evening was 5 1/2.  I think that buying songs will be a reward system.   I will need to keep an eye on my laptop as I am sure from watching me tonight she could buy all of the songs she wanted and I wouldn't know until the bill came in the mail.  

On a lighter note, Reagan was checking out the pool of ladies last night.  I had the Miss USA pageant on and he kept watching it.   I tell myself it was the music and not the older girls in swimsuits that caught his attention.  

"No no" is in bed for the night and has been since 8:00.  He decided at 6:3o this morning that he had enough sleep and didn't feel the need to take any lengthy naps.  So after being cranky through dinner with grandma and grandpa, telling all of us no many times and not eating much, he went to bed early.

Now to get Madison to bed without the Ipod...  The main goal for the night is for me to go to bed without the Alvin and the Chipmunks song circling my brain- Christmas, christmas time is here, time for joy and time for cheer....hurry Christmas hurry fast...me I want a hula hoop...we can hardly stand the wait, please Christmas don't be late.  I hope it's now going in circles around your brain too!!!! (Yes I am the silly one who bought the songs in the first place, but what we won't do for our kids.)  

And Christmas, please take your time this year.  The snow is almost gone for the umpteenth time this year and I am looking forward to some sunshine!

THE BRICK

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door!

He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, 'What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money Why did you do it?' The young boy was apologetic. 'Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do,' He pleaded. 'I threw the brick because no one else would stop...' With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. 'It's my brother, 'he said 'He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up.'

Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, 'Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me.' Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay. 'Thank you and may God bless you,' the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy! push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: 'Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!' God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen or not.

I received the above story via email from a few different people over the last few days. I normally delete forwards or wait to read them all at once, but I decided to open this one. Fortunately I didn't have a brick hit me or my car, but we do go way too fast and it sometimes takes a lot to make us slow down and appreciate what we have and also take time out of our busy lives to help out someone else.

I found myself this summer working, working, working and being too exhausted to enjoy my time with my kids and Ben. One day I decided that needed to change and I now work part-time. Sure, I don't have the spending money I used to and I don't get all the cleaning done any faster. But I do take time to take naps (maybe more than I should) and not push off the kids so I can get the housework done. In 20 years, I will still have a house (hopefully) to clean but my kids will have a house of their own and I don't want to find myself wishing that I wouldn't have worked so much.

The moral of the story is slow down and appreciate what you have. Don't make God throw a brick at you. Or, if He did throw a brick at you, did you see it or did you see it's damage?

Second in line...again...

Well tonight, I was yet again second in line!  Reagan gave his first real, pucker up kiss to his dad.  It was pretty cute but he could have given it to his mom!  

His vocabulary is quickly expanding.  His newest word is "icky" as he learned when he stepped into mud water up past his ankles.  Popcorn sounds like coco.  All done and no no also seem to be the favorites in our household lately.  It is pretty cute.  

Madison continues to teach him how to be mischievous.  And I must say he is a very fast learner.   We were outside this afternoon and Reagan thought it was fun to run the perimeter of the yard threatening to go back into the muddy water and when I yelled his name he would tell me icky and run the other way.  How can naughty be so darn cute!!!  I hope the fresh air will help them sleep well tonight. 

Ben and I had an opportunity to sneak away to the cities this past weekend to celebrate our anniversary.  It was shopping, shopping, and more shopping.  We also made it to two movies and a dinner show at Chanhassen.  We had a nice time but I was ready to come home to the kids.  My mom had her hands full with Madison, Reagan, the twins and six inches of heavy, wet snow.  

Technology...

Ok, I have a college degree, a fairly challenging job and two kids.  But yet it took me almost six months to figure out this blog stuff!  We'll, better late than never.  We have a caringbridge website from when Reagan was sick but I was never able to post updated pictures because the file size was too big and I had no idea how to fix that.

So, I think we will be using this and discontinuing the caringbridge site at some point.  Some people have told me they like caringbridge because they can get email notifications when I post an update.  I don't know if you can do that here or not so I guess you'll have to check in once in awhile if you are interested.  

Today is a glorious day.  My windows are open, only a few, but when it is sunny and in the 50s after a very long winter, it is beautiful.  It is so nice to get the stale, winter air out and some fresh, spring air in.  Now, if only I were napping in the sunlight.  Another time, too much to do.

If you have time, check out www.cfhusband.blogspot.com.  It is a family I have been praying for.  Their daughter was born at 26 weeks (the time Reagan would have been if they hadn't successfully stopped my labor) and she has been battling cystic fibrosis.  Last night she received a double lung transplant.  Their daughter is doing well, still in the NICU and is about 2 1/2 pounds.  It is amazing what miracles are happing in their family.  

Ben and I are heading to Minneapolis this weekend to celebrate our anniversary.  Looking forward to shopping, eating, shopping, eating and a dinner show at Chanhassen.  Did I mention shopping?  I am fortunate to have a husband who likes to shop as well, to some extent.  I could shop all day if you let me.  Grandma Tammie is watching Madison and Reagan.