A Recipe for Disaster

Take one sick, tired toddler, put him in a hospital bed for two-and-a-half days; tether him to an IV machine; have nurses come into his room every 4 hours to poke, prod, and otherwise tick him off; stick weird tubes and masks in his face and keep them there; and put him on steroids. Sprinkle liberally with temper tantrums for good measure.

We found out on Tuesday that Noah has Respiratory Airway Disease (which is basically asthma, but they don't call it that). His breathing was VERY shallow and labored so we took him in to the clinic to see Jackson. Without going into every detail, we ended up in the hospital for a couple of days to try to get his blood oxygen levels up. Our doctor, of course, was great, our nurses were mostly great (one was pretty slow, and she was the night nurse), the food wasn't even that bad. But it was an absolutely trying time. Noah was wired and exhausted at the same time and we were worn out from accumulative lack of sleep and dealing with his screaming and crying. But it was a successful stay--Noah is now much, much better, breathing normally and getting plenty of O2 to that little body. He's on several drugs, but takes them all really well (as every boy should? "Don't take drugs!") He's having residual temper tantrums, having gotten away with it for two days, but overall he's back to being a happy, active toddler. Very, very active.

One of the funny things to come out of this stay was a new phrase for Noah. While we were in the hospital, he was able to walk around the kids floor (which was great, lots for him to do), but every once in a while he'd say "I suck. I suck." It took us a little while to figure out he was saying, "I'm stuck." He would get tangled up in his IV line, and we'd tell him to wait, Noah, you're stuck, and he obviously picked up on that. So, if you happen to hear him say, "I suck", you can agree with him and not feel bad about it--so long as you give the little guy a hand.

I *heart* projects, Parts 2, 3, 4, & 4.5

Part 2
I found a stuff catcher. I've had several (two) inquiries about my previous project, so I thought I'd just post a nifty little picture to show you the stuff catcher. I stole it from the girls' room, and I don't even feel bad about it. It was holding Halle's soccer stuff, but her soccer stuff is now...well, right now it's in the laundry room, but after that it will probably be on the floor. Or maybe on top of her dresser. Either way, I don't feel bad about it.




The dresser, which served its purpose well for many years (as a DRESSER), simply did not belong in such a small space. Plus, it just needed to go.






Part 3, or Shout Out to Former Generations Employees!
I recently repaired a piggy bank for my friend Amanda (who has fallen off of the face of the blogging world, but whose husband has JOINED the blogging world. Mwuuhahahaha! I take no end of delight in that fact.) Anyway, the piggy bank had met an untimely fate (the floor) and needed some help. So I brushed off my Generations skilz (the kind you don't necessarily list on a resume) and helped out our porcine pal. Here (s)he was after the run in with the floor.










I had to laugh at the shape of the broken tail part. You can't make up stuff like this.

And, finally, the finished product.













I didn't have all of the pieces, so it's not perfect, but I think it looks pretty darn good. Amanda thought so too. Luv to my Generations peeps.

Part 4
My most recent project involves shrubs (Bring me a shrubbery!) I bought some dwarf yaupon hollies for the flower beds in the front of our house. They've been buggers to plant because I have to dig holes, and so I'm only halfway done. But I'm very pleased with the result so far.










(They will get bigger, which is why they're planted so far apart.) This project led to project (or part) 4.5.

Part 4.5, which involves more digging.
On the side of the house where I have not yet planted the shrubs (Nee!), there was a portion of ground where I had previously planted some spider lily bulbs and some daffodil bulbs. After watching that spot this spring (when the daffodils should bloom) and summer(when the spider lillies should bloom), I determined that it doesn't get enough sun for the plants to actually flower. I got greenery but no blooms. So, in order to plant the shrubs and to get actual flowers, I had to dig up the bulbs.
On the left you can see one of the unplanted shrubs. On the right you can see where I dug up the bulbs. I hope to get them all planted again this afternoon, as soon as I am done with this post.

So, that's what I've been up to lately. I told you I *heart* projects.