Saying goodbye...

Although it was hard to say goodbye, it was the right thing to do for our little buddy.  He was 13 years old, blind, mostly deaf and had a hard time getting around for the last year or so.  We were all sad to see him go, but know that he is much better off and happy in heaven. :)  When we set the day for last Thursday (the 12th) and started talking about the kind of dog Harley used to be Whitney made the comment... "it's sad that Lindsie and Colin never got to see what a fun and happy dog he was. He's only been old and blind since they were born."  So true!  We have enjoyed looking at old pictures and movies of him and remembering fun times.  I decided that I would put the pictures in a book that the kids could look at whenever they got sad and missed him.  Feel free to have a look if you are interested.  :)

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San Diego Adventures

A few weeks ago we traveled to San Diego for some fun in the sun and an UN-traditional Thanksgiving.
Chris' parents came from Arizona and joined us on our adventures.  We had a wonderful time and made some great family memories.
This weekend a good friend emailed me an invite for a FREE Shutterfly book.  (Thanks Kristen!!)  I decided this was a great way to document our trip and maybe even make a Christmas gift. :)
Hope you enjoy...

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Halloween

I am so very far behind, but want to try and keep a record for my own sanity.
Colin got croup the Thursday before the holiday and then Lindsie got it the night before.  Neither one of them was feeling "great", but really wanted to go trick or treating.  Nana and Papa came early that night for dinner, and then Papa worked his makeup magic on the girls.  They were more than thrilled!!  Whitney went trick or treating with a few of her friends in the neighborhood and had a great time.  Chris and I took the little kids around the circle and down the street.  Lindsie was so much faster than Colin and he quickly got tired of trying to keep up with her.  He and I came home while Chris took Lindsie down one more street.  The weather was unseasonably warm and was so nice compared to last year when it poured rain. So, despite some sickness for the little kids we had a fun and safe Halloween.  :)

Itchin' and a Scratchin'

The weather has been wonderful lately and the kids have LOVED playing outside.  Unfortunately the insects outside have LOVED Colin. :(  Last week he had been hiding in the bushes in the yard and came inside with multiple bug bites on his arms and legs (picture 1).  After using one of Chris' derm creams and giving him some Benedryl that night, he looked pretty good the next morning.  Fast forward five days...we played outside with some neighborhood and ward friends for visiting teaching on Monday morning.  Colin had his afternoon nap and by the evening had many new bites/spots on his body.  Had he been bitten by something again?  Was it outside?  Did he have something in his bed?  Spots kept appearing all over his body!!  I vacuumed and cleaned his crib and room like crazy and put him to bed again that night with Benedryl and itching cream.  All good right?...WRONG!  He woke up crying the next morning (which is unusual for him) and he was COVERED in red, swollen, and very itchy spots!!  There is no better way to describe my reaction except, I FREAKED OUT!! I called and woke up Chris in Seattle and sent him a picture from my phone (picture 2).  Chris gave me the name of a Dermatologist to call and go see ASAP!! The doctor's office fit us into their schedule that morning and I anxiously waited to hear what the doctor would say. (picture 3...Colin and Lindsie waiting to see the doctor)  The doctor walked into the room, took one look at Colin and said to his assistant..."Yep, it's Urticaria."   The following is from the internet.  It's a much better description than I can give. :)
Urticaria is the medical term for hives. Hives are raised areas of the skin that itch intensely and are red with a pale center. Hives develop when there is a reaction that activates immune cells in the skin, called mast cells. When activated, these cells release natural chemicals. One important chemical is histamine, which causes itching, redness, and swelling of the skin in an area: a hive. 

So, after lots of questions from the Dr about Colin's behavior and general health we came to the conclusion that the hives must be a reaction to his series of bug bites?  I was warned that it would get worse before it got better, and take possibly a week or more to clear up.  :(  Poor kid!  He takes children's Zyrtec every morning and then Benedryl every 4 hours, as well as a steroid cream on his hives twice a day.  Today is day 4 and he is still our little "polka dot boy".  Spots that were there yesterday have disappeared and new spots have appeared in areas that were once clear.  Despite all the medicine and crazy itching, Colin has been a trooper!  He still wants to be outside to play, but knows now NOT to play in the bushes!!  I COVER him in bug spray and have bought a fogger to spray the yard (crazy I know, but hoping it helps even just a little).  

Picture 1: bites (or hives?) last Wednesday Sept 14th

Picture 2: Morning of Sept 20th...calling this day 2.

Picture 3: Doctor's office

Post Doctor's office purchases

Lunchtime, day 2 and beginning new medicine regimen.

Day 3: New spots all over his face and arms  :(

Day 4: today

He has itched and scratched so much in some places that he makes himself bleed and on his lower back the hives have become a large red mass. :(  I hope this starts to clear up soon.  I hate to have him in such discomfort and in a "fog" from all the medicine.  We'll keep you posted...