Thursday, November 6, 2014

a family portrait

Lily is my child who always says "I can't" (she is also my child who insists on wearing frilly dresses always).  We had been trying for awhile to learn how to draw people with little success.  One day we were outside playing with chalk and I look over to see heads with legs and faces.  I assumed Halle had helped Lily with this little family, but Halle claimed she didn't help her at all.  
Lily told me she drew our family.  I wasn't convinced and made her show me she could do it, and what do you know she really could.
 I think this "I can't" business is actually "I'll do it when I want" business.

spring break

Most of our spring break was spent inside the hospital. Our plans to go to St. George and visit family were delayed.  Lily's doctor gave us the okay after she was released from the hospital to go down for a couple of days.  
Lily and I love any chance we get Halle all to ourselves with no school obligations.
 Wes spent part of the week taking a gun class.
 We were finally able to celebrate Lily's birthday.   
The girls love spending time with their cousins.
 It was so good to see this little one smiling, running, and playing again. 

Monday, November 3, 2014

pneumonia and minnie pajamas

The day before our little Lily turned three she was lethargic and breathing pretty fast.  After an appointment with her pediatrician we found out she had pneumonia.  She woke up on her birthday coughing and fevering, but smiling, but then it all went downhill from there.
We canceled her birthday party, but cousin Abby let us have the cupcakes she made for the party anyway.  It was a blessing because it was the only thing she ate all day and they made her so happy.  We had aunt Rachel over to entertain Halle while I took care of Lily and then aunt Kendyl came with bundles of activities, treats, and toys.  Lily finally played for a little with her and gave me ten minutes to wash my face and put deodorant on, then she was back to clinging to me.  
By Sunday Lily had barely eaten anything and was mostly laying around breathing fast.  I had never seen her like this.  We took her to the ER, where they gave her a breathing treatment and sent her home.  
By Monday she was so exhausted she couldn't keep her eyes open for more than an hour.  I knew something wasn't right and took her to the doctor again.  Her oxygen levels were low and her lungs weren't sounding better.  After a breathing treatment there, they decided they needed to admit her and get her oxygen right away.  Her tired little body slumped on whoever was holding her all day.  She could barely sit up and it was enough to break my heart.
We spent the next five days in the hospital with her.  I slept on her little bed with her, held her hand while they x rayed her chest every morning and held her down while they put in an IV and soothed her when it was time to take her medicine.  She hated that they made her take off her minnie pajamas and wear the hospital pajamas. She really hated having the oxygen tubes in her nose.  The movie Frozen was on constant replay.  It was the only thing she wanted to do.  She was so miserable she would shut down and not do anything but lay around and watch frozen with her Rapunzel toy in her hand.  Every time they let me take the oxygen out of her for a little bit she would perk up and become a fighter.  
The doctors suspected bacterial pneumonia, but she didn't respond to antibiotics.  They then suspected viral pneumonia and thought she might have asthma.  By the fourth day they suspected bacterial again and put her on a stronger antibiotic which helped her improve enough to head home in one day with no oxygen.  
We were so loved by grandmas and friends who watched Halle, and visitors of all kinds for Lily.  She was showered with gifts and treats and each one of them did wonders for my spirits, because she would perk up after she received each one and I caught a glimpse of healthy Lily.  Wes described it best when he said watching her be so sick and miserable and in pain was eating at his soul.  
Aunt Kendyl pulled out all the stops and dressed up as Elsa.  The look on Lily's face when she walked through the door was priceless. Kendyl sang "Let it Go" and gave her pink lipstick.  What an incredibly kind thing to do.
Towards the end of the week, Lily started to play and move around more.  She looked forward to the pancakes and sprite they would bring her.  We took her on walks and she read books, colored, and played with toys.  She loved the dog they brought around to all the kids' rooms.  
No medicine healed her more than when her sister would come to visit.  She loved to be by Halle and watch Halle play.  Halle hopped in the bath with her and Lily was playing for the first time the whole week.  Thank goodness for that beautiful sister of hers.
We were finally released and Lily was so relieved to have the IV out of her arm and the oxygen out of her nose.  She was just so happy to be out and back in her minnie pajamas.  
Watching her suffer and struggle to breathe just wounded me.  It was a miserable week, but it has made me appreciate her energy and passion for life so much more. 

Sunday, November 2, 2014

inbetween

As I have been trying to catch up on all the events of the past year, I found myself dwelling on the photos of all the in-between things.  The little moments that I felt were picture worthy between all the big events.  
A few of my favorites from the beginning of the year.
The day Wes was diagnosed with colon cancer was March 1st.  It is also the beginning of colon cancer awareness month.  Me and the girls wore blue that day in honor of him and all colon cancer fighters.  I also should document that I fulfilled one of my dreams and cut some bangs.  It was wonderful to finally take the plunge, but so hard to maintain them.  It was bittersweet saying goodbye to them.
Just another picture documenting how much these girls love their daddy.
 Aunt Kendyl bought the girls their very own rain boots.  On the street where we live there is a dip in the road.  After rainstorms it is filled with water, sometimes for days.  I mostly try to keep my girls our of this puddle, but i couldn't resist letting them take their new boots for a spin in it.  Their squeals of delight reminded me that sometimes I just need to let go.
 Rub a dub dub, two girls in a tub.  Bath time has been and probably always will be a favorite in our house.
 The man can grow a beard like you wouldn't believe.  We spent this day strolling through city creek. I couldn't help myself and had to snap a picture of my handsome hubby.
  It was incredible to spend the day in the draper temple with family when our Kendyl went through for the first time.  Closest thing to heaven on earth is my guess.
 There is beauty all around, when there's love at home.
The girls' talented Grandma Michele made them these beautiful Anna capes after they both fell in love with the movie Frozen.  My little princess handed out her birthday invitations all dressed up on a windy day.

There is so much joy in the small and simple things.