February Activites - 2015 (Part One)

As is pretty typical for us in January through March every year, we went through several rounds of respiratory illnesses. Poor Lizzy's developed into bronchiolitis then pneumonia. It was pretty scary for a few days. We went back and forth to the doctor's every few days for several weeks and our pediatrician said Lizzy was bad enough to be in the hospital but since there was nothing else really that they could do that we weren't already doing that it would be better to stay home so as not to expose such a little one to so many germs (she, of course, gave us a list of signs to look for that would require us to go to ER). I sat up with Lizzy upright on the couch multiple nights in a row because it was the only way she would sleep at her worst part of the illness, and I willed myself to stay awake because I was so fearful I wouldn't be alert if she stopped breathing or showed signs of labored breathing or lack of oxygen. Not surprisingly, much of my anxiety and depression returned during this time.

School was pushed to the side while we nursed ourselves back to health. The older kids often did crafts or coloring at the table during those long winter days.

Or they played with their wooden train set that Grandma gave them for Christmas.

And, of course, we enjoyed visits from Grandma who spent many hours reading to them. In the picture below, my mom is reading "Harold and the Purple Crayon" in preparation for the Olympia Junior Programs' play about Harold. I was sad not to be able to go since Lizzy was too sick and needed me, but the older two kids enjoyed the outing with Grandma.

Abby would often sit with Lizzy on the bench by the window surrounded with toys - it was another good way to keep Lizzy happy and occupied for a bit and she loved being able to see outside.

Valentine's Day sweetie!

The boys couldn't enough of Lizzy whenever I put her on the floor and would often hover around her. She loved all the attention! :)

We took a Valentine's Day walk. I just can't get enough of these two. I love watching them together! We call them "Stroller Buddies." I'm pretty sure Lizzy would never last as long as she does (which was sometime not the whole walk at this age....yes, it's hard to push a double-stroller and carry a baby!), without Jake by her side. She is always so excited to sit by him.

 

We have a typical route we always take for our walks and this tree-lined street is one of my favorite sections.

Ben said, "Take a picture of my swinging my farmer's hat around." Okay, silly Benny. :) He was pretty proud of this newly acquired skill for awhile. Hehe. :)

I'm going to split this post into two parts since I'm putting so many pictures in! Part Two coming soon! :)