Role reversal?? Well, I guess I confirmed Benjamin's diagnosis of a viral stomach bug by waking up at 3 am this morning feeling bad.  The pediatrician said yesterday that there was an intense 18 hr. variety circulating....so I think I was supposed to get over it about 40 minutes ago.  At one point after coming downstairs to check on Benjamin, I was heading back to bed when I passed out, knocking Larry's nightstand and everything on it, over.  I don't know how long I was down on the floor, but had no idea that I hit the stand until I spotted it later on when I got up.  Nothing hurts, so I don't know what part of me hit it.  Of course Benjamin stayed home today, but Jamie got up early and got Krissy up and off to school by herself.  A little later, Anne was up and took great care of me and David chipped in by running an errand for me when he returned from the college.   Benjamin came and sat beside me more than once :o) I am feeling pretty ok as long as I stay down...not so good if I sit or stand.  

Please pray with us that Larry and the rest of the family will be spared this round.  Kids are heading into a very busy time in the days ahead with their play and Larry has missed so much work for illness this year.  Thanks and rest well.   Love Janelle

Yes, he's home in his own crib.  He was so happy to be home he immediately took off for the park with Jamie.  She said he enjoyed himself so much.  Who would've thought yesterday that he's be enjoying the park today?  

My favorite moment today was when the CNA came in to take his vital signs.  She was standing next to his crib and looked at me and smiled and said "He looks just like you!".  For once, I was lost for words, as this observation was rather unexpected, but  I did manage to squeak out "really"?  I smiled the rest of the day about that.... And I thought of how blessed I am to be this little guy's mom.  He is so sweet and people seem to be drawn to that without him ever being able to speak a word.  I love being his mom and it's just fine with me if we remind anyone of each other :o)

Except for Larry who hopes to remain awake, the rest of us hope to have an uneventful, very restful night!  May your sleep be sweet too.  Janelle

...Most definitely, a new little boy today!  He's started to take fluids by mouth and is laughing and playing.  Must be a record turn around time for him and we'll be happy to take it!  I'm hoping we'll both be sleeping in our own bed (or crib) tonight! Thanks for your prayers~Janelle

...just wanted you to know that Benjamin is resting peacefully here in the hospital this evening. The IV fluids have worked wonders and he seems to be feeling better. He's such a sweet little guy and doesn't seem afraid or worried about being here. Big sister kept him entertained and met with the doctors while I took a break and met my mom, sister and niece for dinner. We had some therapeutic laughter as we couldn't seem to get away from the (many) roving accordian players at the Rheinlander...they certainly seemed to have all hands on deck today! I'm going to be dreaming about 'my knapsack on my back'.

We went down the hall this evening and visited another cast member from the play (Seussical) that the kids are currently rehearsing for. Isaiah had an emergency appendectomy last evening and we had been asked to pray for him. He's not quite looking chipper, but he should be good to go for the play I bet.

More tomorrow and thanks for praying for our little guy. Janelle

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mama's Day!  

It's a beautiful weekend with lots of sunshine!  I was surprised early this morning by David when he came down from his room with a dozen beautiful white roses for me.  An hour I was surprised again when Larry arrived home from work with a dozen perfect pink roses.  Neither he or David knew of the other one's plan...I didn't mind a bit :o)  Just wish I was going to be home to enjoy them.....

Which brings me to the 'rain on my Mother's day parade'... Benjamin began showing signs of getting ill last night.  David and Jamie both slept downstairs to be within earshot of him....my backup ears, while I slept with the monitor next to my head.  I found I could hear retching very well.  I went to bed just after midnight, then up at 1am and 4am.  He looks pretty bad. He is losing alot of fluid, so I need to take him to the hospital soon.  Thanks for your prayers today for him.  I'll keep you posted but this looks like a virus type problem to us rather than a surgical issue (that's good news).

 Many of you will remember my good friend Debbie who lives in So. California...she is mom to 'the other Ben'. He has many similar issues and I got a text from her this morning.....from the ER at LA Children's where little Benjamin is right now, probably also being admitted today. Pray for him and their family today too, please.  Their home is much further from the hospital than ours is and Deb is facing a long Mother's Day away from her husband, mom and other 2 kids that she planned to be with today.

Love, Janelle

Mr. Handsome

Hey...not much news but thought you'd enjoy seeing Benjamin in his new overalls.  They arrived on the porch yesterday and we're hoping they will serve to counteract Benjamin's newly found skill of removing almost any pair of pants we put him in.  Not such a big deal at home, but a problem at school and obviously not a good social skill :o)

He looks awfully cute this afternoon, just totally enjoying his toy that he apparently missed while at school today.  The sz. 8's are about 6-8 inches too long, so I need to figure out what do with that. After I wash them, of course.

I'm hearing rumors of snow up in Sandy...what's that about?  It's May...It's Spring!!!

janelle

Not much new and exciting here. I thought you'd enjoy the picture I got of Benjamin the other day. To make it funnier, I had no idea what was on the TV when I snapped the picture....then today when I downloaded into the computer I started laughing when I read..."your baby will let you know when it's time for a new activity". You think???He's always enjoyed the upside down perspective so I suppose we shouldn't have been surprised that he was enjoying watching from this unusual vantage point. He gave us a scare on Saturday when he woke up sick. But as the day went on, he seemed to be coming out of it rather than getting worse. This is most unusual. By Sunday he was eating well again. I kept him home yesterday because his cold/allergies were bad, but he went back to school today and did well, I hear. The 'big kids' are gone to CYT classes and Larry is sleeping, so I'm just hanging around with Benjamin and Krissy. I don't know why but I am so sleepy. Maybe its the letdown from my dental appt. earlier today. I am still such a chicken. I was telling Anne afterwards how anxious I felt when I went, almost sick. She said "what did you have done?" I squeaked out "my teeth cleaned"... and she looked at me like "Huhhhhh???". I attribute this to her having positive pediatric dental experiences.  Well, have a nice peaceful evening!