A minor brag

Paul is in CA and Jack is doing better, this however is not my brag.

Tonight at dinner, Ellis asked if she could skip her mashed potatoes and only eat asparagus. She ate about 7 spears - Jack ate about 5. At least I have my kids liking vegetables going for me. Minor victory. Now I just have to get some planted in my garden and wait 3 years for my first crop.

Goodnight all.

Paul was planning on traveling, so you know what that means...

...another trip to the ER and an inpatient visit. This time it was Jack. He spent most of last week struggling with pain in his arms and legs. After many sleepless nights and too much Advil, we finally took him to the ER at Children's Hospital. They kept him overnight for observation and IV fluids. By Sunday morning he was MUCH better, but of course, we have no true explanation - some ideas. He is continuing to do better and we hope when more lab results come in, we will have more answers. It is sad to watch you 4 year old get poked for and IV, scream in pain, ask for his Harry and then have your 3 1/2 year old cry because her big Brother is crying. It turned into a major cry-fest. Jack did say one funny thing when we were driving to the ER, we told him he was going to Children's Hospital and he said, "Oh yeah, the Network of Care". If you are from CO you know that that is their tagline.
On Sunday morning, he was sad because he wanted to go home to go "Eastering" (looking for Easter eggs). All was better when Ellis brought his Easter bucket to him in the hospital.

Today, Monday, things are looking better. Jack seems painfree, Paul is in Vegas for the week and the sugar buzz of yesterday has worn off.

A little late, but Congratulations to Gabby on her Baptism. We love you and we are sorry we weren't able to celebrate with you. Please always know that you are in our thoughts, hearts and prayers - along with the rest of your family. We love you all!

Everything is a changin'

A few changes with the B's...
At the end of February, Jack gave up his night-night (pacifier). He sent it to his newest baby cousin, Gabrielle. Or at least that is what he thinks. The first night was kind of rough, but smooth sailing since then.
In the middle of March, Ellis came out of diapers, finally! She has done really well, with minimal accidents. She is still in pull-ups at night, but we're working on that too. It is amazing how much girth a diaper adds to a little girl. Without a diaper on, Ellis is straight up and down - No butt.
If I can get rid of all sippy cups, all signs of 'baby' will be out of my house. This is a good thing!

Grandma was here for two weeks in March for Spring Break. She was a great help with Ellis and potty training and Jack in general. The kids loved their time with her; as did I.

After having 70+ degree days and more snow in the month of March than we have had all winter, I am finally getting my garden in the ground. It feels so good to put my hands back in the dirt.

I am looking forward to Spring!

Congratulations to Syd and Tess

With great pride, we are pleased to announce the birth of our latest Niece Gabrielle Joyce
Weighing in at 7-5, 20" at 1:21 this afternoon.
We can't wait to meet you. We love you all!
Sleep well tonight Gina. You deserve it!

All is quiet, once again

Life at my house has slowed down.

It has been great to have Paul home. It sounds like he had a great time in Australia - I wish I could have shared it with him. Ellis is back to her old self - not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. It is hard to imagine that 2 weeks ago she was so sick - the Dr said that with her O2 rate, she should have been blue.
Jack has just loved having Grandma here. In the morning he comes into my room to tell me he is going downstairs to wake up Grandma (he could skip the part where he wakes me up first.) The 2 of them have a close and neat relationship. It reminds me of the times I got to spend with my own Grandmother. Miss Minnie, I miss you! Grandma flew home this morning. The house is always so quiet without her in it. I do have something to look forward to, she will be back in a month for Spring Break and potty training Ellis. Wish us luck.

Thank you Mom for all you do for this family. We couldn't do it without you!

A little late, but Happy Birthday Sydney! We are sorry we weren't there to celebrate with you. I too remember the day you were born. Paul and I had been trying to get pregnant and I was sad that I wasn't pregnant, but happy to have you in my world. Little did I know, I was already pregnant when I held you for the first time. It really was a great time in the B's life.

Days 4 - 12

Bad Erica, I know. I started with such high hopes, but everything went to hell. I'll just do a quick catch up. Ellis came home from the hospital on the 6th and was off O2 on the 9th. I have to say, I was totally shocked that my Ellis was such a pro a leaving the cannula in her nose and making sure it was in right. I would have bet my last dollar that she would have pitched a fit about the cannula, pulled at it and taken it out of her nose every chance she got, but she didn't. She was cognizant of her 20 feet of cannula tubing and did her best not to get tangled up. Ellis also let me use the 'bulb-sucker thing' on her nose to clean it out. It was a great surprise to see that the girl I know as Ellis, Yellis and Hellis, can be such a sweet girl, when she wants to. Ellis was back in school on the 11th and was eating like a hungry hippo.
Grandma and I have had a great time hanging out, shopping and cleaning. It was a surprise trip, and I have loved having her here. Lucky for me, she will be back on the 18th of March.

Well Paul landed last night. The house vibrated, we were all so excited to have him home. I think everyone bounced to the door to greet him. He looked great, but tired. Our Valentine's Day celebration involved gifts, Chinese take-out, a fire and a glass (or 2) of wine. PERFECTION!

As I was cleaning yesterday, I picked up a photo album and a picture of Paul and I fell out. It was a picture taken 10 years ago yesterday, in Boston, on Castle Island - Our 1st Valentine's Day together. We had spent that day with Steve and Gina - Gina had surprised Steve by flying in for the holiday. After 10 years, I remember that day pretty well. Two things were noticed about the photo: 1) Paul and I look really young 2) Ellis wanted to know what that was on Daddy's face - Paul had a goatee.

All is well at the Bieringer's. Paul is home and sleeping. Ellis is eating and back to her bad attitude, Grandma is here - I love it when my Mom is in my home and Jack is handsome.
Life is pretty Good!

Days 2 and 3

We'll day 2 started out with 2 kids going to preschool. Ellis seemed a little slow, but I thought she would rally once she got to school. After dropping them off I ran to the store to grab a few groceries before going back home to take a shower. As I was walking out of the store, the phone rang. It was their school, asking me to come pick up Ellis. She had a fever of 100.2 and, "just didn't seem like herself". I took her home, put her in the bed and proceeded to put food away and clean up. Our dearest friend Dawn came and watched Ellis while I picked Jack up from school.

Ellis woke up from a 4 hour nap and seemed to be panting, like she had just run down the stairs and across the room. I waited a few minutes and checked on her again. Still panting. I called her Pedi and they said to bring her in. A quick drive to Longmont (30+ minutes away), and we found out she has pneumonia, and maybe RSV and an oxygen saturation of 78 (should be closer to 100. Under 80 = mandatory hospital stay). I begged for an hour and 15 minutes, to run home and grab silkies, stellas and the entire barnyard, coordinate care for Jack and then head back to Longmont.

Jenn and Toby T. took Jack for the night, this morning passed him off to Bill and Dawn R. To all of them I say, THANK YOU! I couldn't have done it without you.

Ellis and I had an eventful night. They were able to rule out RSV and influenza. We got her temp down. She is on O2 and without it we can't get her O2 saturation level up. She will probably be in the hospital through the weekend. She was happy to see her brother Jack and surprised to see her Pedi in the hallway. She asked Dr. R, "how did you get here?"

As I type, Grandma is flying to Colorado. Paul is in SFO waiting for his flight to Australia.

I can't wait to see what days 4 and 5 bring... Stay tuned...