Bad Luck

A little bit of bad luck goes a long way! Our home has been filled with an impaired function affecting all parts of the body aka sickness. It has not been fun to say the least. First Dirk was down and out with pneumonia which required a hospital stay. 2 weeks later and I think he is finally feeling better but not 100%. Then our sweet little Clay contracted something terrible. He was so sick. He would just moan and groan and we knew he didn’t feel good. Three doctors later and several tests run we found out that he was really sick…which of course we knew…but never got a name for it. Luckily we have been treating him with a strong does of antibiotic. They first started him on penicillin, which wasn’t doing the job they next gave him an IM of Rocephen and then followed up with azithromycin. A week later, he is still very cranky but appears to be on the mend. Poor Jeslyn, she has had 6 sleepless nights and can’t seem to breath. I think she may have a horrific cold that is kicking her butt. Good thing she got to stay home from school yesterday because it was canceled due to TOO much SNOW. Yes snow, it is suppose to be spring, but it isn’t here! Then there is me, momma, I have the worst sore throat and my ear drums feel like they are going to burst. I can’t bend over without almost falling down because I get so dizzy. And to top it off, I can’t get in to a Dr. because it appears everyone else is sick too! Oh mercy! I think I am going to spend the day sanitizing every doorknob, handle, counter, nook and cranny that nasty little sickness bug could be hiding! I just hope we can keep Jauncee well. Now that I think about it she may have started us all off with a tiny little cold…can’t really remember because she never complained too much. And to top it all off I was ROBBED!

I can’t even believe it, I feel so violated. I had spent the morning at the doctors office with Clay which ended up being tests, labs, x-rays all at the hospital. 4 hours later and an exhausted baby we were out the door to head for home with a few necessary stops to make on the way. First stop, drug store to fill Clays prescription. I pulled up to the door, acknowledged my quiet, sleeping baby and grabbed his insurance card out of my wallet which was in the diaper bag, ran in the store to drop off the prescription and came back out…literally 2 minutes max…I had been robbed! My diaper bag was gone, my wallet was gone! My baby was still in the car, thank heavens! Never again will I ever be so trusting. Just imagine for a minute. How many of us have pulled up to Baker Drug left the kiddos in the car, hurried inside dropped off a prescription and back out the door? I am guilty of doing that many of times. I was so upset that I didn’t know what to do. I ran back into the store and told them that I had been robbed…they didn’t believe me…as if their parking lost was unsafe! I was in a panic…I drove back to the hospital just in case I was loosing my mind and I happened to leave it there. Which I knew I didn’t but it was worth checking out anyway. Of course I didn’t find it. I went to the bank next and canceled my card and put a stop payment on the check book, and then went and filed a police report. They told me my chances of getting it back were slim to none but that they would investigate it anyway. I called my mom so upset and bless her heart she is so special and sweet, she was able to calm me down and gave me some good advice. Thanks mom for being there for me. Later that evening I drove back to town to dig through dumpsters in the area. I was hoping the thief only wanted my wallet and perhaps trashed the rest. My diaper bag wasn’t small nor inconspicuous it was rather large and a giraffe print to boot. I knew if it was in one of them it would for sure stand out. A couple hours and several dumpsters later…no diaper bag! I had finally accepted that it was gone. I felt a whirlwind of emotions that day…I am glad that it is over and my husband and baby are finally better and all the fun new replacement baby stuff is here – YIPPEE! We also have a huge event we are looking forward to this up and coming Friday, can’t wait!

Of course I had to leave some cute picture of our precious babe! We love him so much!

He has this funny scowl, I love it...he is such happy baby that it makes me laugh when he does! Mr Clay is very animated.

6 and 7 months

Clay Boone, our sweet, good natured little babe who is growing up way too fast! I love this little guy so much! He has been so much fun. Our family is truly blessed, I have never been around such a good baby…and it’s all of the time! Clay has such a fun personality and seems to be quick at mastering each new skill. He has been sitting up for over a month now all on his own with little or no support. He can grasp things really well, which isn’t too surprising with his enormous broad hands. He can even pick up things with his fingers. He loves to eat…his favorite’s oatmeal, peas, carrots, sweet potatoes and beans. He doesn’t care too much for the fruit, but I keep trying them. Although he does like to suck on apple slices. He still loves to nurse, which I love! Clay has two teeth on the bottom, they started breaking through around 6 months and are really sharp and growing fast, luckily he has yet to bite me too hard. I kind of think he may be cutting a few more. At his 6 month check-up he weighed in at a whopping 17 lbs 20 oz (75^th percentile), height he was 26 ½ “ (54^th percentile).

He is now 7 months and I am certain he has grown. Just today he sat up all on his own…my little baby is turning into quite the busy little body, but he is so much fun. I just love this little guy and couldn’t imagine life without him! The girls and Dirk too! Life is good!

In school awhile back Jeslyn had to write a personal narrative and present it before her peers and their parents. She wrote about Clay, and did a fantastic job!

When My Brother Was Born

By Jeslyn Gillins

I walked in the room. I was thinking I finally have a brother. I already had a sister. It was time for a change. That’s what I was thinking when I first saw him. I couldn’t say a word. I was speechless. I was so eager to hold my new baby brother.

“What is his name?” I asked.

“We don’t know.” Mom said. “Just a minute and you can hold him.”

“I call holding him first.” I said. I had waited long enough. I wasn’t about to sit and wait for my little sister t have a turn first. I waited patiently. Finally my brother was done eating. Dad brought him to me. I sat on the couch. He was a beautiful baby. He had curly hair. His eyes sparkled like diamonds. They were blue like the ocean is blue. He had the cutest little round head. He had mom’s and my ears and lips. My baby brother didn’t make a peep. I think he is the most beautiful baby on earth. I was so excited about my mom coming home the next day. Then I could help tend him. Part of my life changed that day. I love my baby brother Clay Boone.

I am very proud of Jeslyn and her personal narrative. I think I had tears in my eyes that morning listening to her read while I was holding our precious bundle of joy. How blessed I am for the opportunity I have to be their mother and for the stewardship over them. Each one is truly a gift from God, and oh how grateful I am for that gift.

Daddy Daughter Date

On February 11, 20011, Jeslyn and Dirk went on Daddy Daughter Date for Achievement Days. They had a formal dinner and a dance along with a talent show. I think they both a great time together. Jeslyn and Dirk get along so well and I am glad for that.