RSV

Hudson tested positive for RSV when I took him to the doctor on Friday. He's doing OK. They don't treat the virus, they only treat the symptoms. On Friday his lungs were still clear. She told me to watch him closely and if it gets worse, take him to the hospital. He vomited several nights in a row, but not last night. He has a hard time at night. He coughs a lot and doesn't sleep very well. Last night was actually the best night in 4 nights. So, we'll see.
Tristan is now sick with a sore throat I suspect is strep. Jack has also acquired a nasty cough, although he doesn't act sick. The doctor said we could all get RSV, but it would only affect us like a cold.

Less of me... Finally

So, I've been working really hard. I work out everyday. I weighed myself today and the scale finally moved! I'm down 2.2 lbs. Woot Woot. I measured myself before I started and measured again yesterday and I've lost 1/2" most places. I didn't want to get too excited about that because I think... "Maybe I just measured wrong before." We'll see. I'm not quitting.
I do a lot of Jillian Michaels workouts. I like the Shred because it's only 25 minutes. I was thinking yesterday that I needed something a little longer so I looked around on the On Demand feature on TV and found Jillian Michael's Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism. It's an hour. OK, by far, including the bootcamp I did and the 30 day Shred... by far, the hardest workout I've ever done. I could not complete the last circuit. My body just said, "no." I'm going to try it again tomorrow. I feel like if I can do that workout... and not pause it (ok, I pause it when I need to catch my breath) and not quit before it's over, THEN I'll be in really good shape.
See for yourself. Go to On Demand- Sports and Fitness- Exercise TV- Jillian Michaels- Boost Metabolism.
I'm also starting to wean Hudson. He was still getting up 4+ times a night to nurse. I hate the cry it out so I decided to give him only bottles at night. The first night he woke up twice and I gave him a bottle both times. Last night he woke up once at 1am and I gave him a bottle. He slept until 6:30. He usually gets up at 6:00, so this was sleeping in. Yay for Hudson!
Also, last Thursday I was working out at a friends house and she has a baby Hudson's age. Hudson played with all said baby's toys and mouthed everything. Yeah... her baby has RSV. He came down with a fever, ear infections, cough and runny nose the next day. So... guess what?? Hudson got a runny nose 2 days ago and he's just getting worse. No fever, but he has a sad little cough. I'm listening for the wheezing, but he seems ok for now.
According to the RSV website, most kids actually get RSV, but it can be really mild and only seem like a cold. Let's hope for that.
On a separate note, Brian and I love the USA show "White Collar". It's one of two shows we tape and watch (Burn Notice is the other). I think you have to see the very first show to really like it, but then you don't need to see every show in a row to have it make sense.

update

At Anne's request I'll give you an update on the GoWear Fit. So... I weighed myself one-week after starting my crazy exercise regime. And...... I gained 1 lb! What the heck? I was disappointed, to say the least, but amazingly it made me want to try harder. I also looked around online a lot about when to expect results from working out. The general consensus is at least 6 weeks. No wonder no one sticks with it. 6 weeks??? sheesh... how do those Biggest Loser contestants lose 10 lbs in a week? No matter, I'm sticking with it. I've met my target calorie burn of 3,000 everyday this week. I have to work out everyday and then stay as active as possible to make it. For example, while my car was getting washed... could I just sit in a chair like a normal person??? NO! I had to pace the waiting room like a crazy person. I do feel better and the armband keeps me really motivated. I have two neighbors that are going to do it with me. We've already started with a personal trainer (a different neighbor) and she worked us out yesterday and gave me a chart to follow.
One of the websites I looked at said not to weigh yourself for 2 months after starting an exercise program. Yeah right. I'll weigh again on Tuesday and let you know.

PS. For those who care, Hudson is eating like a champ! He's eating a jar of baby food at every meal and even eating some solid foods like small pieces of bread or pirate booty.

Antagonizing me

I'm baking Cinnamon Amish Friendship Bread and it smells really good. Jack asked for some and I said it was still in the oven baking he then said, "Mom it's not fair. That bread is antagonizing me!"

School Bus

I like the idea of the school bus; someone else drives my kids the 6 miles to school, I get to add an extra 20 minutes each way to the school day (read: time without kids fighting). However, somewhere along the way the idea goes wrong.
We had problems at the beginning of the year with Tristan being picked on. Brian and I decided to wait and see and try and get him to handle the problem himself. We felt that he needed to learn to defend himself (verbally) against bullies and this was as good as time as any. Those problems have been solved.
The other problems have become noticeable more gradually. Jack has learned several inappropriate songs on the bus. Tristan has asked me about several creative swear words that he's read written on the seats of the bus. These buses are brand new. It irritates me that the kids destroy them so much. My neighbor girl, who's a wise 10 year old, told me that someone has written the "f word" in permanent marker all over the back of the bus. In addition to this, the kids fight, yell, swear and generally act terribly the whole way to and from school. I told Brian I think it's mob mentality. The kids do things they would never do on their own.
I talked it over with Brian (who is my litmus test for rationality) and we decided just to drive the kids to and from school everyday. They don't need the exposure to all of that to and from school. They'll get it soon enough... Jack doesn't need that in kindergarten. Call it over-protective I don't mind. We'll see if it improves their attitudes afterschool.

GoWear Fit

So... I bought a GoWear Fit armband monitor about a week ago. The story behind this is I started walking with my friend this past July. She had a baby the same day I did. She had about as much weight to lose that I did... she had the GoWear fit armband. She is now a size 2... I'm not. The armband tracks how many calories you're burning throughout the day. It's similar to the Bodybugg worn by the contestants on The Biggest Loser. They're made by the same company.

I got the armband and then I logged onto the website and put in all my vital statistics. It then asks you your goal: to lose weight. Do you want to lose .5 lbs a week? 1lb a week? 2 lbs a week? I chose the 2lb option. Then it calculated how many calories I have to burn a day to lose that. answer: 2950. It also lets you track your food intake on the site and it calculates the calorie surplus or deficit you have each day. It also tracks the steps you take, intensity of your movement and the quality of your sleep. It calculates how many calories you're burning per minute. Today it was as high as 12 calories per minute when I was doing jumping jacks and as low as 1.1 cal/min while I was sleeping. It's pretty cool.

Some things I've learned: Doing a workout video burns only about 300 calories. You have to make up the rest moving around. You burn a certain amount by just being alive (your BMR). I've been reading about the NEAT idea. I can't remember what the accronym stands for... google it, but the premise is that people that just plain old move more... weigh less. I've found myself doing this in an attempt to make my calories burned goal each day. I stand while I read my facebook. I parked far away from the store. I dance around while making dinner. I made Jack run up and down the stairs 10 times with me. I have burned over 3000 calories every day so far. I am doing a workout video in the morning, but the rest of the time I'm just trying to move around more. Instead of making a pile of stuff to take upstairs, I've taken up each item as I find it.

We'll see how it all works out, but so far... I'm really happy with it. I think it's the best thing I've ever purchased for myself.

Lunchbreak

Jack is really good with animals. He LOVES the dogs...they're best friends. Just now Cedar had a stick stuck in her mouth. Jack found it and Brian helped him get it out.
Jack was eating a bowl of chili and I said, "Jack, you should be a vet someday. A vet is a doctor for animals."
Jack thinks about this and says, "Hmm.... do they get lunch breaks?" I said, "Umm... yes... vets get lunch breaks." He then says, "Ok, I think I would like that job and when I'm a vet, I'm going to eat chili for most of my lunchbreaks."
Good enough.

Something to put you into the Christmas spirit

Tristan's Baptism

Yesterday was Tristan's Baptism. Tristan was really excited, he even got up early and didn't complain. (He is NOT a morning person) We took pictures before the baptism started.

PS. Why didn't the girl taking the picture (who is also my friend) tell me my skirt lining was showing? Oh well.
The baptism was really nice. I led the music and gave a talk and Jack sung the musical number. I asked Jack if he wanted to practice and he declined. He said he knew the song already. ok... Dad and Jeri came from California, Evelyn and her son Jeff came and my friends Denise and Jeff and their 4 kids drove over an hour from Tooele to come. This was quite a feat because it started at 8:30am. We had brunch at our house afterwords. Brian baptized and confirmed Tristan. I got all choked up... it was really special.

The boys loved seeing Papa and Jeri. They had a hard time when they left. Tristan was blocking the door with his body and Jack was putting stuff in front of it so they couldn't leave. We miss everyone.

Goings on

We've been busy lately. We spent Thanksgiving in Idaho with Brian's family. The kids had a good time and we went and cut down Christmas trees in the mountains. We ended up with no tree (we bought one at the grocery store) and a puppy (see next post).

Tristan is getting baptized on Saturday morning at 8:40!!! Hellooo???? It's frustrating. They split our ward last Sunday and so now we're in a brand new ward where there are no callings, at all. So, we're tagging along with the last ward for the baptism. However, the Primary Pres. doesn't seem to be on the ball. Apparently when you're the last to request a baptism time, you get the first slot. Our stake is really big and I guess that's the only available time. nice. Our "light lunch" afterwords is turning into bagels and muffins. Oh well.

We had Tristan's birthday party at Boondocks Fun Center. He invited 5 friends to go. He had a really good time and seems to be adjusting much better to the move. He even said when we came home that he was glad we moved to Utah.

Cedar and Jack

Getting in the kennel with Cedar was entirely Jack's idea, obviously. The new puppy Cedar is sweet and so soft. She's a pure-bred Golden Retriever. I was a sucker to the kids' pleading in Idaho. We got her from Brian's brother. I'm not sure the wisdom of having a baby and a puppy. You always have to be watching both of them. Luckily the boys (including Brian) watch her pretty well. We've had no accidents so far... (I know, three days, big deal.)

I made this too!

I bought the ornaments at the Dollar Tree store and wired them on a wreath I already had. Cost: $7. Brian put up one of those Command Hooks to attach it to the fireplace.

I made this

I got the idea from here. I made this last night in between cooking dinner, cleaning up, feeding the baby, spelling homework, etc. It didn't take very long. It's supposed to be for Christmas, but I think it's going to live on my bed. You can't tell from my super photography skills, but the pillow is corduroy. So soft.

Things I love

Isn't this wreath cute? It goes with my mountain-living-rustic house. I found it here. I hope to make it this week. I don't know how to make the flowers though.

I went to a boutique and they were selling these ponytail holders. They are really cute. I bought a couple, but think I can make my own.


I found this headband on etsy. It's fun and funky... both words that totally describe me. (sarcasm font). I also bought one with a turquoise flower and a feather. I bought the last one and I couldn't retrieve a picture of that one.

Static Electricity

This is an old picture from a couple of months ago. I was at Jack's soccer game and it was snowing on us. As we were talking we started noticing everyone's hair was doing this. You COULD NOT put it down. Mine was standing up on end too. Freaky... I felt like lightning was going to strike.... but it didn't.
(PS. this is my neighbor.)

Awwkkwwaarrddd

I forgot Jack and the neighbor boy, Trace, at the bus stop on Monday (Tristan was home sick). It's the first time, but in my defense, Monday is early day. Monday? I have to be fresh off the weekend and then remember to pick the kids up an hour early? So anyway... I was nursing the baby looking out the front window and I saw the neighbor boy walk by. Brian goes, "Why is Trace out front?" huh? OH MY GOSH! I forgot the kids. Jack and Trace got a ride home from Jack's friend's mom.
A little later I said to Jack, "So, how was it having Jace's mom drive you home?"
Jack says, in a sing-song, high pitched voice, (hmmm... was he copying me?)
"Awwwwkkkwwwaarrrddd..."

ha ha ha.. he kills me.

More Hudson

This picture is of Hudson's new trick, the "pffffft" spitting noise with his mouth. He chooses the most inopportune times to make this noise. For example, we'll start saying a prayer and all we hear is, "PFFFFTTT". Thanks Hudson. The other night I was lecturing Jack... and Hudson starts in. Then Brian says, "See... that's what Hudson thinks of what you're saying."


All bundled up for winter.




Yumm... cookies.
So cute when he's asleep.

See Amanda... I stopped crying.


All my boys in bed.

Halloween

We started our festivities 2 weeks ago at Hee Haw Farms. We did the corn maze, rode the hay ride, saw Leroy the 1200lb pig and other various things.







We made Tristan and Jack's costumes this year. The Friday before Halloween was CRAZY! I got Tristan ready and drove him down the hill to school. His costume was too bulky for the bus. I stayed at school and watched him parade around then drove home, got Jack ready and took him to school. I watched Jack's parade and then helped in Tristan's class for his party. I drove home... 6 miles up the hill again and when I got home I got a phone call from a lady that was helping at the party. "Hi Allison... remember when I put my keys in your purse? Yeah... they're still there."
So, back down the hill to the school. This time I had Hudson because Brian had some stuff to do. I found my friend and she was helping in Jack's class party. Hudson and I stayed and helped until school was out. I drove my kids home, but we had to go to the bus stop to pick up the 3 other kids that we take home. We stopped by our house long enough for me to run in and pick up a birthday gift and we were off to W. Jordan (40 minutes away) to take Tristan to a birthday party. I had a bad address so we took an hour to get there. By the time I got there, I realized I might as well wait another hour and then take Tristan home. We blitzed out of there in an hour and got home at 6:30. We had a neighborhood party at 6. I fed the baby, put on his costume and we were off.
The party was fun and some different neighbors invited us back to their house to play a board game. (You know how much Brian likes board games *snicker*) We changed the kids at home into their pajamas and went and had a good time. Thank goodness the next day was Saturday, we were beat!
Trick or Treating was fun. It wasn't too cold and we went until the robot costume became unbearable to wear. Apparently it's not ideal for long-term wearing. You can't scratch your nose or even touch your hands together.

Brrrr.....

We woke up to a non-working heater this morning. We suspect that it has something to do with the fact that the power was out for 4 hours on Saturday. Brian, who is very handy, said he can't fix it (we tried the obvious things) and now I'm waiting for the repair man to come. It's very chilly inside my house. It's 40 degrees and VERY FOGGY outside. I tried to take a picture of it... but... it just comes out white and it loses some of the effect. You can only see a few feet in front of your car when driving. scary.
It's a balmy 60 degrees inside my house. I'm wearing 2 shirts and a sweater. I was thinking of some good things about the house being so cold: 1. Hudson has a fever... maybe the cool air is helping?, 2. The Diet Coke I left on the counter for 2 hours was still cold when I finished it off. Ummm... that's about it.

Fancy jacket

So, I got a new fancy jacket from REI last week. Brian says the new jacket is essential for the weather here. The jacket claims to be windproof (to 57mph) and also breathable. Hmmm... how can this be?