Pumpkins and Pneumonia

We have had one heck of a time with sickness since Frank's parents arrived. That does not mean we are sick of them, just sick in general ;-)

The day after they arrived, Maddie's fever that went with her bout of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease began. After one week, she recovered and went back to daycare. One week later, she was sent home again with a fever and horrible cough. Diagnosis this time: pneumonia.

This came a day after we took Mason to the doctor to see why his tummy was hurting every time he ate. Maddie had horrible reflux when she was his age and we think he does too. So two diagnoses in two days. We had been getting by on two or four hours of sleep per night and were not happy campers at all.

Poor Maddie has also been having night terrors. For those of you who have not experienced this very scary occurrence, it is awful to watch your child have a nightmare from which she cannot wake up. Sometimes it lasts minutes, sometimes an hour, but her screaming and crying and coughing was really terrible for the last few weeks.


Now we have her on antibiotics and we think we know the source of the bad dreams: Snow White. Yes, the witch (queen) and the apple are the culprit. Her last teacher at daycare apparently talked about this fairy tale a bit and we have the book and read it sometimes. But no more. She told us she wanted Oma and Opa to take the book far away "to Germany." So we have hid it and it will never, ever resurface. I'm thinking of tossing all fairy tale books with witches in them. It's just not worth seeing her upset again. So much for Disney!

Mason is now on Zantac for his reflux and is doing much better also. He was exactly five weeks when we visited the doctor and weighs 11 lbs, 2 oz! He's my big boy!



We had several visitors over the past few weeks including my aunt, uncle, cousin, his wife and their "baby" boy. Maddie was sick and didn't really play with baby Brendan like we hoped she would but at least she didn't get him sick (we hope!) He is getting so big and is just starting to walk. He has the cutest dimples ever. Maybe next time Maddie will be in the mood for playing! I forgot to take any photos during their visit, but we really enjoyed seeing them.

My friend Stephanie from Pennsylvania stopped by last week and brought her adorable daughter, Grace, with her. Grace has gorgeous red ringlets and was super sweet. I loved visiting with my good friend, even if we were watching three kids while talking about diaper bags! Miss you, Steph!

Steph and Grace meet Mason

Super sweet kisses from Grace

Last weekend, we visited the NC State Farmers Market. Love that place! Maddie picked out "her" pumpkin.


And I had fun dressing Mason in some Halloween attire. His shirt says "I want my Mummy."

A game of too big and too small:

Maddie in her former baby gym -- too big!!

Mason's new hat on Opa's head-- too small!

Mason's a month old!

I'm a few weeks behind with posting an update -- we've had some adjusting to do. Mason and Frank and I have been working very hard to make sure Mason knows that daytime is not just for sleeping and night time is only for sleeping, quick eating and quick diaper changes!!

At last we are falling into a routine with Mason. He really is a very good baby -- only cries when his stomach hurts and/or he is hungry. Oh, and when he really wants some snuggles. I think that's a reasonable request.

Meanwhile, Maddie has become obsessed with the Laurie Berkner Band DVD I bought a few weeks ago. It's an excellent music DVD for small kids and she knows most if not all of the words to the songs. She also is trying very hard to emulate Laurie herself -- she insisted we upgrade her ukulele (she thinks it's a guitar) with a strap. Why?? Because Laurie has one!

Last week, Frank's parents arrived from Germany for their stay with us. They fell in love with Mason, of course. And have been spending a lot of time with Maddie also. In fact, Maddie became sick with Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease a few days after they arrived, so his parents and I spent almost a week inside the house with a very, very sick and whiny toddler and a newborn. They were a huge help to us as both Maddie and Mason needed constant attention.

Maddie has now recovered and all her sass is back. We think maybe the changes, including the long sickness, have really set her back with her independence and schedule. She's still a peach with Mason and I guess we'll have to tolerate her attitude until it passes and she's a peach with us again too! I've heard the threes are worse than the terrible twos. We are almost there -- yikes!

The last few weeks in photos:

The obsession begins -- watching Laurie Berkner Band with her banjo.

Hey, this bath time thing isn't so bad!

Ah, snuggles.

Mommy and Maddie time -- making cupcakes

After a while she said, "Mommy, I like to eat 'em."

Jamming with "the band."

After the strap was in place. Note the tie-dye shirt and wild hair.

Frank says, "what have we done??" Two is double trouble!

Big sis time with Mason. She is so gentle and loving with him.

Making apple cobbler for Daddy's birthday.

Third day of sickness. We didn't know at this point what was wrong, but her fever kept spiking and she was not herself.

Oma comforts little Mason.

Opa get some serious snuggle time.