haylie b photography

"it might be a crazy life but it's our life"

So, here's another story. It's one of those stories where I'm thinking, "hey--totally stunk when it happened but maybe in a couple months I'll look back on it and laugh"? Or not.

The nutshell version for those of you who don't have enough time to read:

Hollynd sick

Addie sick

Addie limps

Addie whines

Primary Children's Hospital Emergency Department

#1 IV

#2 IV because #1 IV infiltrated

couple blood draws

3 days in  the hospital

3 different sitters for each kid

3 days of take-out

3 days of pumping

Scared Lynn and Haylie

Addie's fine

Addie & Haylie finally go home

Haylie gets kidney infection

everyone is fine.

Ok. So here's the long --but fun-- illustrated version of what happened:

I called Addie's pediatrician Sun morning because we were going on day #3 with her having a high fever in addition to the fact the she began NOT using her right leg. I know--"what the...?!" She was limping everywhere since Sat evening. We thought she just pulled a muscle or something weird. The pediatrician said to take her up to Primary Children's Hospital. We did. Spent a loooovely evening sitting in the emergency department playing with the camera phone, trying to figure out why she wasn't walking and why there are so many bald tattooed men walking around the Emergency Dept. in a children's hospital. Um, scarrry. (Sorry, I was unable to photograph bald tattooed scary men). But I did get this one:

and this one:

Gotta' love those buddy dolls at Primary Children's hospital. (they are donated dolls that kids get to dress and color). Addie refused to put a pretend IV into her doll when offered. She did, however, make a Hollynd doll complete with pink underwear, hunter jewelry, tights and blonde curly hair in addition to creating a doll version of herself. Shows you how much she missed Hollynd. They sure are good buddies.

Anyway, they decided to admit Addie after getting an ultra-sound, an x-ray and doing blood tests. The pictures didn't show anything was wrong but the inflammatory markers in her blood did. (whatever that means). I majored in Spanish--not blood. Their best educated guess was that she was beginning to have a bone infection so they treated her for that and loaded her up with IV antibiotics. This is her hiding behind the chair when they told her she was going to get stuck. Nice try, Addie.

That was fun. It took 7 people including me to get an IV in her. Needless to say, she was pretty ticked off at me after they got it in. I couldn't help but photograph the occasion.

She was completely normal about 24 hrs after they started the antibiotics but they wouldn't let us go home for yet another day because they wanted her to get an MRI. They had to sedate her for that so the whole process took all day. The MRI results were normal and finally we were able to take our stoned daughter home. At least she was walking though. And, she is 4 more stuffed animals, 1 silly putty, 4 balloons, 1 boquet of flowers and 1 DVD richer--(thanks to everyone for making her day brighter with surprises!).

You thought the story was over. It's not. Addie got to go home but I didn't. I went straight to an Urgent Care facility because I was feeling crumby. Turns out I had a kidney infection. Sweet.

Addie is doing great. She had a couple friends visit today and played and played and played even without running into a wall or falling down the stairs (the doctors and nurses told me to watch her 24 hours because the sedation messes with her coordination). She's fine.

I'm fine. I was pumped with antibiotics too. No worries.

Life is lovely once again.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU so much to everyone for ALLLL YOUR GIFTS, TIME, PRAYERS AND HELP. I believe things happen for a reason. Although this wasn't real fun, I have come away with an even stronger testimony of the power of prayer and the priesthood. I really don't believe that her pain went away by magic. I don't think it a coincidence that the doctors just happened to "guess" what she might have and then just "wing it" with her treatment. I believe Addie's faith has grown as well. She's a strong little girl and has really grown from this experience. Just don't ever tell her she'll have to get an IV when she has a baby.

note: The title of this post is taken from Jon and Kate plus 8. You know that show on TLC? I like that show. It's a good show. Seriously makes me feel better about my own life. Makes my life seem VERY manageable.

all our stuff.

Lynn and I have come to the realization that our Chevy Tahoe doesn't fit us and all our stuff. Imagine that. Does anyone know of an SUV (smaller than a gas-guzzling Suburban) that will fit 2 adults, 2 baby carriers, 2 booster seats and one ginourmous Graco Duo Glide stroller? Discuss.

Maybe we just need a smaller stroller. Does anyone know of a double stroller that is compatible with Graco infant carriers that will fit in the back of a Chevy Tahoe? Discuss.

Need help. Need help now.

While you are discussing, why not enjoy some pictures from our most recent family outting at the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo at the Salt Palace:

Seriously just like Disneyland.

President Hinckley's viewing

We went to President Hinckley's viewing yesterday.

After speaking to a few people who went on Thursday, we thought we would be able to go through and leave in about 2 hours.   Me, Addie and Hollynd went with the Turner Family. The twins stayed home with my dear friend, Shalynn Nelson, and her girls went with us. It was a good trade. We got there at 3:30 to see this:

That was only the beginning. Then we saw this:

We left at 8:30p!

When people discovered we went, we were met with various questions like "was it worth it?"

Yes, actually, it really was. Seeing President Hinckley laying in state in the Hall of the Presidents for a but fleeting moment compared to the time we spent standing outside (2 hours), then inside (1 1/2 hours) then sitting in the hall (2 hours) was well worth it. I can't exactly put my finger on it but we are definitely a better people for doing it. I'm glad we went. I think Addie and Hollynd will remember it forever and that makes my heart smile.

summer time.

Summer is soon coming to a close. PS will someone please tell the weather? Anyway, I was browsing through some of the photos from the past few months and there were a few I forgot about that are worth sharing. So, here is my visual Ode to Summer:

Brendan's blessing.

Jena's seminary graduation:

Dad showing Addie how to bat:

Hollynd's dance teacher jumping over her class:

The comb incident. 6 hours, 1/2 bottle of conditioner, one Napoleon Dynamite movie, and a clump of hair later we got it out:

Addie and her buddies at the pool:

Pine Canyon on a rainy day...beautiful. Can't you just smell the rain?

Hollynd's first braid pony tail. She finally let me put one in!

The End. See you next Summer!

more adventures.

First of all...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LYNN!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

This video was from last night. We decided to celebrate with the Argyle kids before they had to leave. Super funny...

They liked hiking so much the first time, we went again yesterday! This time we went to Lisa Falls (Yesterday was Rocky Mouth). Perfect hikes for a pregnant lady with 6 kids. short, sweet not to mention the very cool spray from the falls. Niiiiiiice. I could really get the hang of this hiking thing. Really good exercise and I just love getting into the mountains. I think I'll do some more research and find more places me and the girls can go to.

Here are the pictures:

 

this wasn't dangerous. i promise.

That's what HE said anyway.

adventures with the argyles.

  The Argyle kids are a blast to have around. Here are some pictures from our adventures with them:

OK, so one of the Sheppick's snuck over. That's OK, we like him too...

saying "i love you" to dead animals.

This was written by Lynn:

Here are some pictures from our camping trip. Addie was so much fun, I took her hunting rabbits one evening and she thought that was the best. We shot two rabbits and she wanted to take them back to camp and eat them. I talked her out of that but she insisted that Haylie and Hollynd would want to see our great trophies. The next morning she woke up early and wanted to go hunting for bunnies again but we didn’t find any, then we saw the squirrel. She was so proud when we came back to camp a second time with another “huge Trophy”. She never could understand why we wouldn’t take them to Cabela's so that everyone could see. But I was able to convince her that if we leave them there at “the crick” she could see them again when we come back, so as we drove away she blew them a kiss and said, “Dad- that’s how you say I love you to dead animals”.

I can’t wait to take her deer hunting, she kept asking me why we couldn’t shoot one of the “deers” that we saw.

Notice the dead squirrel on the front of the 4-wheeler. Nice.

   

camping and john stockton.

I promised myself that I would record more of the funny things I hear my girls say. They usually say something pretty funny everyday but I never record them. I'm afraid I will forget them and then there won't be anything to enjoy. So--here's to making another resolution to be better at documenting my childrens' childhood. Just humor me. You may not think they are as amusing as I do but too bad...

Conversation heard today while Addie and Hollynd were coloring:

Addie: "I'm want to be an artist when I grow up!"

Hollynd: (after pondering for a few seconds) "I want to be a teenager when I grow up!"

That's hilarious, no?

In other news...

Can't wait to show you all photos of our little Memorial weekend camping trip. Lynn took the camera to work with him so hopefully I can post them later today or tomorrow. So excited to show you mud photos of Hollynd, Addie's hunting prize and where we camped. It was good to get away but glad to be home. I can take sleeping in a tent (pregnant) for only so long.

News item #2...

The Utah Jazz frustrate me. I have followed them faithfully as a fan since I was a kid. Seriously. My brothers and I were the ones who would go to the airport after a big game and chase them for an autograph. I still remember smelling the nasty alcohol stench on Hot Rod Hundley as he was signing my pennant. Such a proud moment. I have signatures of Bobby Hansen, Mark Eaton, Thurl Bailey, Adrien Dantley, Karl Malone and my favorite: John Stockton (just to mention a few). I snuck into the Delta Center in 1997 because my friends and I couldn't afford the monstrously priced playoff tickets. Dishonest, yes. Desperate, yes. Glad I did it, yes. Everything I did before I was married doesn't count because I wasn't mature yet. Right? Is that how it works? I digress. I caught a peak at history in the making: Micheal Jordan (being sick with the flu) hammering the nails into the coffin containing the Jazz's only hopes at ever becoming World champions--until now. Seriously. Right now they have revisited the Western Conference Finals again. Game 5 next. But, to the dismay of many--not just mine--I don't think they are going to make it. My heart wants to say, "yes! Yes they will". But my brain says, "No, they don't have a prayer". Where is John Stockton when you need him?

I know the clip is pretty long. Really worth it though. Just let it load and move the slider to 5:09. That's the best part. I will never forget that shot. Sweeeeet.