Marriage According to Levi

Tonight while reading "The Girl No One Wanted" in the Jesus Storybook Bible, Levi said, "She (referring to Leah) can't have babies.  She's not married."  I remind him that she is married to Joseph.  Seeing the look on his face, I add that Joseph also married Rachel and that having two wives isn't allowed anymore.  He nods and then says, "I'm not going to get married."  Me:  "Okay; you don't have to get married; but why not?"  Levi: "Because you have to kiss on the mouth.  I don't want to kiss on the mouth because then her lipstick will get on my mouth."

Liza Update - Week 5

Liza has been congested and with a cough for over ten days now.  The cough got slightly worse over the weekend.  So, we had yet another trip to the doctor today.  Rather than staying inside like the rest of Alabama this morning, we (yes, all five of us) headed out to the doctor's office.  All five of us, because "school" was delayed for Levi and Kara Jane.  Turns out the sweet little Liza has developed a case of bronchiolitis.  Here she is getting her breathing treatment tonight.

Two positives for Liza today, though: she weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces (gain of half a pound in a week - even with bronchiolitis!!!); she pooped this afternoon with NO apple or pear juice today.  A nurse friend of mine from our small group suggested that one culprit of Liza's "problem" could be the iron in my prenatal vitamin.  After she mentioned that, I recalled that I didn't take the vitamin in the hospital or for the first week because of the flu.  I haven't taken it again since Saturday morning.  Hoping that does the trick.

Since Levi and KJ had a delayed start at school until noon, I just decided to keep them home.  No sense in getting us all out in the weather for them to be at school for lunch and nap / rest time!  Levi really wanted to hold his baby sister when we got home from the doctor.  So, I got some sweet pictures of Liza with Levi and Kara. 

New Words by Levi

A few words I want to remember Levi saying at this age...

"Verse" means playing against one another.  Derived from the word "versus" as in the Braves versus the Cardinals.  Used in a sentence just tonight:  "I am vers-ing Khaki in soccer."

"Universary" has multiple meanings.  It is another name for "university" and another name for "universe"; perhaps it is more like a combination of the two.  Used this morning while playing soccer: "He's the best in the whole universary."

"Unchuck" is another name for a Wii's nunchuck.  Used in a sentence today: "Mama, will you take out the unchuck from this Wii remote?"

"Electricity".  Not a new word, but a new way to use it.  Levi loves to play Wii and would all day if we let him.  So I've limited his electronic time in the morning and afternoon.  However, Levi has called this is "electricity time".

Kara Jane's Hat

This week, Kara Jane found a new "hat".  She's put it on her head several times, and I was never able to get the camera.  This morning, she found it again - yes, I admit I left it laying around just in case she'd find it and I could get the camera.  I promise, though, she came up with this on her own.

She has figured out several different ways to wear the "hat".

 Yes, that is her brother's Angry Bird Star Wars underwear on her head.

Mama Kara Jane

Since Liza's arrival, Kara Jane has taken a much greater interest in baby dolls.  Before school today, she decided that baby "Hannah" needed to go on a trip, too.

Liza Update - One Month

Liza Roo has had a challenging first month - early arrival, the flu, little to no movement in the bowels in the past two weeks.  I talked with the nurses at our pediatrician's office - several times two weeks ago now.  Last Monday, the nurse said try "this..." and if it doesn't work, bring her in.  So, we went to the doctor last Tuesday - not our regular pediatrician but one in the practice.  She said to give her half an ounce of water with a half an ounce of apple juice.  Great - thanks for the advice - here's your $25...  One positive of the appointment was that they weighed Liza - and she was 7 pounds, 2 ounces - almost a full pound over her birth weight.  We were very pleased.  Anyway, the "prescription" worked for the first two days, then nothing until Friday, and now nothing since then. 

Today was Liza's one month appointment.  She weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces (5-10th percentile).  She was 21 inches long (50th percentile).  Her head circumference was 14.5 inches (50-75th percentile).  Our doctor said to try pear juice instead of apple juice to help with the bowels and to help lessen the gasiness.

Here are a couple of pictures from this afternoon.

This evening I was trying to do dishes; Kara Jane wanted to be held.  I decided to try putting KJ next to the sink.  She had another idea.

Levi wanted a picture.

Reading

Levi "read" two books to Kara Jane today.  Truthfully, he had one completely memorized ("Mommy, May I Hug the Fish?"), and the other I only had to help him with a few words ("Mad Maddie Maxwell").  Kara Jane wasn't too sure what to think about having him read at first, and then she was enthralled.

Holding Liza Roo

With the sicknesses that have been in the Hughes house, older siblings holding Liza Roo has been to a minimum.  This was actually only the first or second time that I've let Levi hold her - definitely the first with my camera close enough to snag a pic.  The proud big brother...

The Dentist

Levi's past couple of trips to the dentist have not given anyone the idea that he is a stellar patient.  Typically it is Daddy who gets to witness this.  So imagine my delight when I called the dentist office on Tuesday to determine when his next appointment was scheduled only to find out that we missed it last week and that it could be rescheduled for the 10th (today).  

Since the weather was supposed to be rainy today and since today was Kevin's first long day of school, I decided that I didn't want to take Levi and KJ to school and pick them up today with Liza, in the rain, alone.  So, we had a fun day just the four of us - which also gave me and Levi plenty of time to talk about the dentist.  I reminded him that I needed him to be a good example for Kara Jane and Liza.  We talked about how God is with us when we're afraid.  His verse for this week lined up perfectly with the day: Isaiah 41:10 "Do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you and help you and uphold you with my righteous right hand."  We also came up with the things he would lose if he misbehaved at the dentist (the Mario shirt he wanted to wear, five pennies from his good behavior jar, the Wii for the afternoon) and the things he would earn if he behaved. 

When we first got there, I was a bit concerned.  He buried his head in my side.  He wouldn't talk to the hygienist.  In general, he acted very shy.  Then, I told him that it was his last opportunity to show the girls - his sisters - how to behave or I would have to leave; he turned a corner.  He opened his mouth, she cleaned his teeth.  He waited patiently until the dentist arrived.  Levi again opened his mouth and let the dentist check his teeth.

So, what was the change, you ask?  My incredible mothering skills?  Yes, that's it! ;-)

Just pay no attention to the remnants of chocolate donut on his cheeks.

 

Or the remnants of glazed donut on his sister's cheek.

Yes, that's right.  My incredible mothering skills included bribing my son with a chocolate glazed donut.  Don't mess with success!! ;-)

At dinner, he asked me, "Do you know why I started out badly at the dentist?"  I said, "Why is that?"  He said, "I was a little bit sleepy."

A few firsts to note:  Today was my first day to take all three kids anywhere by myself - and the trip included two stops - the dentist and the donut shop.  Actually, today is the first day that all three kids have gone anywhere together.  Today was also the first day I've been behind the wheel of a vehicle since Liza was born - thank you flu!

Welcome Home

Levi and Kara Jane are back home.  I cannot adequately thank my parents for taking such wonderful care of them while I battled the flu and focused on Liza. 

No pictures of Levi's return.  He was too busy helping Daddy and Q connect a few dressers and bookcases to the walls that had not yet been connected.

Liza Pictures

Without Levi and Kara Jane here, the house is so quiet.  I have seen more episodes of Love It or List It, Property Brothers, Unsellables, etc. on HGTV than I care to admit.  One of the things I have enjoyed, though, despite the flu, is this time with just Liza - without the hospital smells and interruptions.  We've spent a great deal of the time in the bed, recovering.  Here are a few pictures I've taken of our newest addition.

Levi and Kara Jane will be home tomorrow.  Although, Levi would probably stay with Khaki and Q forever if I let him.  He asked me just this morning on the phone if he could have another "sleepover".  I will never be able to repay or adequately thank Khaki and Q for watching Levi and Kara Jane while we've been recovering.  I know those two can be whirlwinds of activity.  

I am looking forward to having them home.

Happy New Year 2013

On New Year's Day, Kevin, Levi, and I spent a couple of hours at the emergency room.  Turns out I have the flu, and the doctor was kind enough to assume that Levi has it too - rather than doing the flu swab on him.  Kevin - so far - has been flu symptom free.

My parents were brave enough to take Levi and Kara Jane home with them on New Year's Day, so that I could focus on taking care of Liza - and getting myself better.  This extra time has afforded me the opportunity to join Facebook.  Me - probably the last hold out.  Anyway, we had hoped that maybe Kara Jane had already experienced the flu - she'd had a low-grade fever over the weekend.  However, yesterday, she actually seemed puny and feverish.  My little busy-body would "play" and then just rest on her Q's lap for much longer than her play time.  Neither kid slept very well last night.  How will I ever be able to repay Khaki and Q???

On January 2, Kevin took Liza to the doctor.  Her biliruben levels had been slightly elevated - not enough for the light but enough to be on watch.  She was nice and pink, so a test wasn't even needed.  Her weight was up to 6 pounds, 2 ounces - one ounce shy of her birth weight.  The doctor was pleased enough to go ahead with her two-week blood work, so we won't have to go back next week for a two-week check-up.  Unfortunately, though, is that Liza also has a confirmed case of the flu.  The doctor was very impressed with how well she's doing though.  We continue to watch her temperature and ensure that she's nursing well.  So far, so good.  We'd appreciate prayers.