RUN, BOYS, RUN!!!

At the beginning of this year, Henry started to resist going to Stroller Strides with me. I absolutely LOVE Stroller Strides so I wasn't ready to say goodbye yet. With that, however came less frequent classes due to guilt. It wasn't until maybe a month ago or so I finally decided to stop my membership and join the YMCA. I miss working out with the boys. I miss them getting out of the stroller during our ab workout and exercising with me. I miss hearing them talk about bur-pees and planks throughout the day. The YMCA has a lot to offer, however, including, but not limited to daycare for the boys, great fitness classes, and a lot of programs with which I am looking forward to getting the boys involved. I've also found myself looking for other ways to include the boys in my workouts. I've been trying to run with them more often in the stroller. (Not an easy task with the climbing temps) I signed Henry up for his first fun run. (pics and video to follow). I'll try to do little things such as squats and push-ups around the house while they're playing. I just don't want them to think exercising is a chore, and I hope they see how much happier I am after I get in that workout. We can only be examples. 

Here are some videos of the race they did this last weekend. I was such a proud mama! Henry was so hesitant and scared to go. But he did it! He did so well! When it was longer than he thought he wanted to quit, but kept going anyways. And then there's Lil' Bill. He loves any type of physical activity. He was so excited to run this race! At just 2 1/2 yrs old, he wasn't old enough to actually register for the race. We sneaked him in, anyways. I just couldn't see anyone asking him to leave. He's too cute!!! :) He did awesome, too!  

Warming up

Race

Finish Line

Good with the Bad. Mommy fail.

It's been an interesting last couple days. And by days, I really mean winter. This entire winter has been one big blur of sicknesses. This weekend takes the cake, however. Thursday afternoon, Henry woke up from his nap feeling pretty crummy. Had a slight fever, runny nose, and a horrific cough. Fits right in with the last couple months, so we put him to bed with the humidifier on and an onion under his bed. (Can't hurt, right?) The next few hours weren't pleasant, however not out of the ordinary for sick kids. I spent a lot of the evening sleeping on the floor beside Henry's bed to calm him down after his coughing attacks. Neil and I spent too much time deciding who got up last, but I still didn't think anything was out of the ordinary... considering. Waking up was a fog but I had no idea what we would be in store for. 

He was coughing every few minutes. I will say I did notice his breathing was off when I first laid eyes on him Friday morning. It seemed to me he was out of breathe. I attributed it to coughing so much and actually being out of breathe from all the physical activity. I do remember thinking, "Keep a close eye on his coloring" Which I did. I wish those mommy instincts would have kicked in, but they didn't. It wasn't until around 11a or so I actually realized something might be wrong. I texted Neil looking for a comment that would insult my worried state however put me at ease. I got nothing in return. I called the doctor; was put on hold; then was told the doctor would call me back. This is when I started panicking and getting the kids dressed to head there anyways. The doctor called me back within minutes, but of course it felt like an entire weekend. We made it to the office shortly after 12 noon. By 12:15p he was given an oral steroid and put on the nebulizer with two doses of another steroid.

Mommy fail: The doctor was extremely concerned. Even more than I was. (This is ALWAYS not the case. I am constantly worried over a fever or a cough or a stomach bug. We go in and they send us home with the advice of Tylenol, honey, or fluids.) He said on a number of occasions that I should have brought him in sooner. He was concerned we would have to admit him and that he was "really struggling to breathe." My oldest baby is "REALLY STRUGGLING TO BREATHE"?!!! Where were those Mommy instincts???!!!! I'm supposed to feel that stuff in my belly button, aren't I?! Or aren't my ears supposed to ring when something serious is up??!!! I have totally failed my baby boy! Mommy is supposed to know these things!!!! 

The nebulizer helped him breathe. A few hours later we were out the door with "Bot-Bot the Seal" (named by Hank himself) in the passenger's seat. Henry is so much better and crazy hyper on the steroids. He's still wheezing so we're taking him in for a chest x-ray on Monday. Hopefully after a clear from pneumonia we can just keep up the breathing treatments every 3-4 hours or when needed along with the daily oral steroid. To give some facts, Henry's diagnosis was Bronchospasm with no certain cause yet. 

Needless to say, I've cried enough over failing Henry. Really wishing I didn't let it get so bad before I took him in; however, he's doing amazing and I am thanking God for letting me take him in when I did. Taking the good with the bad or taking the good and trying to get past the bad. And let me NOT forget to add how incredibly proud and impressed I am of this little boy. He was so brave throughout it all. He knows how good the machine makes him feel so he doesn't fight it in the slightest. I think now he actually likes it. 

Within minutes of walking in the door at the doctor's office. I thought he would scream and yell and cry, instead, he asked if he could hold it. :)

Little brother also being amazing and just concerned while he observes. That was a LONG time in one tiny little office room. Another good little monkey. 

The only place he'll do his treatments at home. Thank goodness Nana got these for us when she was here. :)

His first appetite in almost two days! He wanted oatmeal and grapefruit. Relieved to see that smile. 

So excited for the grapefruit. 

Henry and I are sleeping in the guest bed while he's on these treatments so we don't wake his brother. (Its pretty loud) So this is the new story time routine. Again, William very concerned for his big bro. 

Bot-Bot, the seal. 

A random fun little moment in the tub last night. William is still here, too, ya know...

The Little Things

A big part of why I wanted to start writing again was so I could look back and somehow remember all these tiny little moments I know I take for granted. My kids annoy me to the moon some days, but I love absolutely EVERYTHING about them. Henry's laugh is infectious. William's mad face is so adorable. Henry's love to learn is so incredibly inspiring. And William's independence has completely taken me off guard and fully amazed me.

I recently read an article (Huff Post link) that really made me think and want to take better notes.

Yesterday, I asked Henry what he wants to be when he grows up and he said, "I want to be a doctor, and an astronaut, and a snowman!" I loved this answer! I couldn't have picked something better for him myself. I know as he grows, his interests and passions will change, but right now, knowing who he is; it's so fitting. He explained why as well:

           Me: Henry, why do you want to be a doctor?
           Henry: Because I want to make people feel better.
           Me: Why do you want to be an astronaut?
           Henry: Because I want to fly into space!
           Neil: Why do you want to be snowman?
           Henry: So I can be snow!

Of course!

We just spent the last week in Wisconsin and it was the boys' first time actually playing and enjoying the snow. They've either been too little or we didn't get enough here in NC to actually enjoy. Here's a link to one of my favorite videos while we were there: Henry Sledding.

And some pictures to follow.