Getting on Track

I don't even know where to start. I feel like it has been so long since I've posted anything. Our whole goal last week was to get back on track. Eric took some vacation days. I took Ev out of preschool for the week. We stayed home. It wasn't relaxing. It was a lot of work. But any given day is a lot of work around here with three children 3 and under. Everett is doing better. The amount of seizures has gone down (maybe 1 a day. Many days go by where we see none) and he is adjusting to his medication. His behavior isn't ideal, but definitely manageable. I think a lot of what we're seeing is being a 3 year old as well. I might add-a very strong-willed, passionate, emotional, active 3 year old!

So last week we painted.......
 

Everett loves an art project........

 

 

And we played with dry beans. The boys loved this!

 

And we watched movies.

And just spent time together......

 

We got back on track. And now I am ready to embrace this week with new eyes. I will pray for patience, guidance, and for joy. So far, so good.

 

A Whole Lot of Stuff

We have been through a lot over the past almost 2 weeks. Everett has been through a lot. For the past 2 months Everett has been having "episodes" where he becomes very stiff, red in the face, and had difficulty responding. It had gotten worse, especially last week. The pediatrician wasn't sure what to make of it. A week ago Everett had about 6-7 episodes in one day and that night we decided to take him to the emergency room. The ER doc agreed it looked like a seizure and we saw the neurologist the next day. Ev had an EEG and no seizure activity was detected during those 30 minutes. That Saturday morning while I was at work I got a call from Eric that Ev had hurt himself and had a laceration above his eye. We aren't sure how since Eric discovered it when he went to get him out of bed that morning. Eric and Ev were in the ER all day. Ev needed sutures and kept seizing during the procedure. The on call neurologist put him on seizure meds that night. Since he has been on the medication his seizures have decreased in frequency and intensity. Unfortunately the med causes some yucky side effects including irritability. We put him on a vitamin supplement to curtail some of the symptoms and hopefully in a few weeks the side effects will subside. Everett had a MRI last Thursday with normal results-praise the Lord! It has been a rough road, a road we are still on, but hopefully we are on the upswing now. Everett still is having some short little seizures, but we are uping the dosage each week for the next couple of weeks. We are grateful for the Lord's provision of peace and strength-especially for Everett. I know it could be a lot worse, but I am praying it gets better soon. 

Hampton serving as Everett's personal foot stool

She loves Everett 

Have I mentioned I love dressing this doll baby up!?

Oh blue eyes- you melt my heart daily

 

And brown eyes- you know how to melt me as well

 

Sister is looking like she is going to hang on to those blue eyes as well

And she is holding on to a rattle too

Hampton playing on his own while Everett was at preschool

Everett's laceration. It is healing nicely.

Playing outside

 

 

 

The boys

 

Exploring in our backyard woods.

Things are starting to get back to normal-we aren't there yet. But we are getting there.

Today

Today we..... 

Played with friends. Hampton kept trying to eat the playdough! He kept smacking his lips!

 

Eleanor loves to watch the big kids. I just set her up and she takes it all in.

 

Everett is now constantly drinking from my glass. No more sippy cups for him. 

 Be still my heart, blue eyes.

And we laced together necklaces in the afternoon. And yes we are still wearing Christmas pajamas around here.

 And we had honey biscuits for snack.

 It rained all day today. All day!

 But we made our own fun inside.

 

 

Once again I am exhausted.....but we had a good day. 

Yesterday

Yesterday was a whole lot of nothing....but I am convinced all this "nothing" for these little people in my life really adds up to a whole lot of something-now and for their future. 

 

Eleanor tried rice cereal for the first time and proved she is a girl with her dramatic reaction. She gagged and gave me a funny look.

Everett went to preschool. It was show and tell day and he brought Buzz Lightyear.

While Everett was at preschool Hampton was hard at work playing. Eleanor takes a long morning nap, so this is quality time with him. This boy plays like it is his job. He loves to play! His favorites are cars.

Grover decided to take a driving tour of the farm. And Buzz Lightyear happened to be there too. We have fun.

Everett refused another nap. I am still working through this issue. I have come to terms with him not sleeping. I have not come to terms with myself not getting a break in the day. Thus, I have instituted "room time." He can read, play with a few toys....but he must stay in his room. It is still a battle, but we are only two days in. I am hopeful. And the playing commenced in the afternoon......

Why hi there baby...........

I'll give you a kiss!

Maggie is a very predictable dog. She sleeps in the morning and observes in the afternoon.

More play.....

And a brother hug enforced by mommy.

Eleanor and I decided to do a photoshoot......

 

And we ended the day freshly bathed, in jammies, in mommy and daddy's bed- with Hampton as Everett's personal foot rest.

And I wanted to end with a sibling kiss! Melt my heart. 

The day can be long. And my patience can be worn thin. I worry myself over the children. Are they healthy? Are they happy? This list can go on and on. But even though it can take a toll on me physically, mentally, and emotionally-it is good work.