Thanksgiving at Grama Kitty's and Granny's

We all (except Sammy) packed up and left for Grama Kitty's house on Thanksgiving morning and arrived in time for the feast! Isaac had fun looking for the Kitty's that live there; although, he wasn't very successful at cornering them for very long...they knew what was best for them. We all ate so much that our belly's were ready to pop. Isaac had his very own little table that he did quite well eating at! I didn't get any pictures of that unfortunately...we were all very goal-oriented toward eating. After dinner, the little Speakman family all found soft places and took a nap! After some west and wewaxation, it was time for something a little more upbeat, so we gathered upstairs for some xbox Rock Band! Everyone had a turn at all the instruments...even Isaac!

We woke up on Black Friday and braved the crowds so that I could have my first (and last) Black Friday experience. It was very sweet that my wonderful mother-in-law humored me, but I've decided that unless you have at least $200 to spend in one store, the lines just aren't worth it. At least we can say we did it!

After a nice breakfast at Eat 'n Park and a nap at the house, we were headed to Granny's house for another feast. After dinner at Granny's, we talked, visited, played games, and finally all went to bed. What wonderful families we have! So much to be thankful for!!

The Speakmans LOVE Camping!

Brian and I finally got a vacation together for the first time in our entire relationship (except for the honeymoon). We took the opportunity to begin a new adventure...camping! We had gotten all the necessary things for our wedding thinking that would be a fun hobby. Obviously, we hadn't had the opportunity to try it out, so we packed up our bikes, the dog, the tent, the cooler, the fishing gear, and the boy and headed to Glenville to Cedar Creek State Park. We decided that if it was a disaster, we would only be about one hour away from home and we could come back in the middle of the night if need be.

We made it down to the campground in mid-afternoon on the first day and set to work on setting up the tent. It wasn't that difficult, but we have to admit that we didn't have it completely right, but it was close enough. After we got the tent up, Brian wanted a little nap, but Isaac was too excited to let Daddy sleep.

We rode our bikes, fished, went to the playgrounds, went swimming at the pool, and had wonderful naps and campfires. We were both surprised at how well Isaac slept at night and during his naps! The first night, there were some raccoons who got into our trashcans, but Sammy, who was sleeping in the car, barked and chased them off. We stayed a total of two nights and came away feeling very good about our new-found hobby. This is definitely something we will do again!

A Pittsburgh Trip With Heidi and Deva

My friend Heidi and her husband Deva let Isaac and I tag along to Pittsburgh so I could order my dress for a wedding I'm in this summer. Heidi had to get her computer looked at. Isaac and Deva had a great time! Heidi takes the BEST pictures! Thanks so much Heidi!

Also, the other day, Isaac got his first professional haircut at Giuseppe's Barbor Shop in Fairmont. He wasn't thrilled, but the result was so much nicer than mine.

My Little Movie Star

The other night at renovate, Isaac got a hold on my sunglasses. He's such a ham!

Bathtime Take Two

So the other night, we gave Isaac a bath. He LOVES his baths! By the time he decided he was done, he looked like a little prune and was rubbing his eyes. I lotioned him up and put on a dry diaper and warm footie pajamas. He looked so comfy. Brian and I were talking as the monkey toddled around with his blankie. Then, we went into the bathroom and saw it...Isaac had re-entered the bathtub...I guess he wasn't ready to be done with his bath. We had to re-bathe him because he was all slimy from the lotion. This time we put him straight to bed. That little monkey.

Nightmares

Our poor little monkey is having nightmares. Every night for the past two weeks, he goes to bed like normal and then he wakes up crying, sometimes screaming, at around 1:30am. From then until about 4:30am he cat naps sometimes waking up with a jerk and crying. He is so scared when he wakes up...it makes me so sad! I do have a friend who is an occupational therapist who has a pre-sleep routine for little ones that she is going to share with me. I hope it helps. Prayers are welcome!

Oh What a Night...

Isaac had a scheduled doctor's appointment to get his shots on Wednesday. That morning Lourie (the babysitter) called me to tell me that Isaac had a rash around his neck and to make sure I had the doctor look at it. So, when we got to the doctor's office, I showed her the rash. It was burst capillaries like when you get squeezed too hard. Her first diagnosis was perhaps he had been playing with something and got it wrapped around his neck! Of course I gasped and tried to think of a time that Lourie or I would've allowed him to play with something that could be wrapped around his neck...I knew that couldn't be it. Then, as we talked, we watched it appear around his ears and eyes. That is when Dr. Lambert sent us to Ruby's ER for bloodwork.
When we got to the hospital, Isaac was so hungry. He kept saying more please in triage and I didn't have anything for him. The nurse had a nutrigrain bar leftover from lunch and Isaac gobbled it up before we left triage. Brian was working and couldn't leave, so Isaac and I went to the ER. The doctors came to look at him and talked about the rash was a symptom of the following: Menengitis (their main concern), a blood infection, a blood disorder, or leukemia! Isaac was dehydrated, so to get blood was not fun. I had to hold him along with 4 other nurses. Then they had to wrap his little hand with layers of tape and gauze...his hand was a little mummy. They finally got what they needed and Isaac settled down. Then they came in and put a bag on him to collect urine. Next they began an antibiotic through his IV. Isaac was settled now and thought it was funny to flip the IV tube around. The antibiotic was pumping into my little guy and I looked down at his hand...he had loosened the IV cap and the gauze was dripping blood. He was still shaking it and blood was going everywhere. They had to come back in and put it back together and re-wrap it. The next thing was flu and strep cultures with those long q-tips up his nose on both sides and down his throat, which made him throw-up. Now we are both covered in blood and puke...lovely. My mom and dad came to keep me company and to bring a bottle (because I didn't think we'd be at the hospital and didn't bring one). That's when they came in to collect his urine. Of course, he had wiggled so much that the bag came loose and we lost the whole sample. They needed the sample, so they had to do a cathader! That was just the breaking point for my stress level and I had to hold him down! Ugh! I felt so sorry for the little guy. The bloodwork came back- his white blood cell count was high, which means infection and the differential between the types of blood cells were slightly abnormal. Ruled out all the big stuff (Thank God!) and decided it was a virus. I asked the doctor if all that we did was absolutely necessary to which she said yes because the only way they could've ruled out all the big stuff was with the tests. We were exhausted. Isaac won't remember it, but I was traumatized. He is acting more like himself now and we are going to the pediatrician today for a check up. Oh man...I hope I never have to watch all that again!

Isaac's Car

Brian and I wanted to make full use of the nice weather this weekend, so we decided to drag our bikes out. The only problem was where will Isaac go? We went to Wal-Mart to look at the options. We decided to spend the extra money and get the trailer because he could have his toys and bottle with him and it is covered for in case it rains. Also, another child can fit too, so Rowan could join the fun. It wasn't a hard assembly, but poor daddy didn't have the right tool, lost a washer, and Isaac wanted to be a little too helpful, so Isaac, Sammy, and I finally went inside and closed the door. Brian got it put together and, man, did we all enjoy it! Thursday night we rode around the neighborhood. Isaac wasn't so sure about it that night, but Friday (I took a mental health day), we rode on the rail trail and Isaac LOVED it! In fact, he was upset when we stopped. That ride was 2 hours in the morning! Isaac fell asleep in his 'car' (as he calls it). We returned to mommy's car and went to Bob Evan's for breakfast then home for a nap.

That night, we went to Los Trancas for dinner with Eric and Kate. Kate drove so that the other adults could partake in Margaritas. When we ordered the big margaritas, we had no idea that they would each be 32oz! It was a good time and we all selpt well! Such a great day!

Playing Chase

Isaac and Sammy are becoming good buddies. They play together and fave a great time; although, Isaac is still a little too off-balance to remain upright when Sammy runs past him...I think the wind blows him down. This has reulted in some bonks and such, but we just remind Isaac that it makes him tough. All-in-all they have a wonderful time together and Isaac's first request when he wakes up is to see Sammy. When I walk into his room, he babbles a little, points to the door, and sticks his tongue out and pants like Sammy. This video was taken on Saturday February 28. They played like this the whole evening. Brian said that he used to do this same thing with his Tonka truck...like father, like son. Poor Sammy.



Here are some other videos:

Isaac saying ball


Isaac saying yuck


Isaac saying car


Isaac's silly walk


Isaac riding his four-wheeler


Isaac eating an apple. This one was taken two months ago, but it's so cute. As you can see, Isaac enjoys apples.

Our Family is Growing!...We got a dog!

So, I know we had to find new homes for Bruce and Izabel, but we really want a dog. A dog that will sit and relax. Sammy is a 5 year 3 months old registered German Shepherd. He came home with us and in about a half an hour he was lying on the living room floor while Isaac danced around him. He is very gentle with everyone and listens perfectly. He's a great addition to the family. Isaac loves him and goes around panting. Also, Sammy loves to chase his tail. When he starts to do it, Isaac begins to go 'around-and-around.' They are going to be good buddies...they already are.

What Did You Find?

Isaac found his pee-pee a LONG time ago in the bathtub, but the other day he found it and asked, "What's that?" Daddy said pee-pee. Now he finds it and says it each time we change his diaper. More than that, he knows how to take his diaper off to get to it and of course he thinks it is hilarious. I think his facination began because of this rash he had. Between the pain, the cream, and the no diaper treatment, his pee-pee has had a lot of attention. Apparently he doesn't want that attention to stop just yet. Oh boy.

Taking A Ride!

So I cleaned and detailed my bedroom yesterday and Isaac was such a good boy. He just played and wandered the whole time. I got it all done including rearranging, shampooing the carpet, buying a new desk, and taking down the old desk that was falling apart. My back hurts! Isaac wanted to help me vacuum and steam the carpets. He chased the vaccuum around and got very upset with me when I wouldn't let him push it, but we would've never gotten done! Finally, when I paused for a moment, he climbed onto the steamer and rode it around as I cleaned! It was so cute! He was so proud of himself and I was relieved because I could work without being afraid I was going to roll over his toes. So cute!

Coughing...Coughing...Coughing!

Isaac has had a runny nose for a few weeks now and a little cough. Then I got it, but mine got worse! I took Isaac in to the doctor to make sure he didn't have pneumonia and good news! Everything was clear and he just has a runny nose. The doctor did give me a prescription for an antibiotic in case he developed a chesty cough or a fever. While I was there, I asked him to listen to my lungs and bad news...I have walking pneumonia! I had already started myself on antibiotics, but they don't seem to be helping a whole lot. So, I'm still coughing. We are all tired of it!