The Clinnin Family

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Today, Charlotte got to go to a Princess Royal Tea Party for one of her classmate's birthday parties. It was so cute! When the got there, they were asked to pick out a princess dress...as you can see, Charlotte picked out a purple glamourous get up...natch! Then, they got to pick out shoes, jewelry, tiaras, etc. When they were all set, they got their nails and hair done in princess style (very quickly...not salon quality here...) It was adorable, they played some games, did crafts and had a tea party for the birthday girl. Such a cute and unique idea for girls. Charlotte had a great time!

Charlotte getting ready to get her hair done

Makeup time

Waiting patiently to get her nails done

She got a rainbow nails...

Letting those rainbow nails dry

Charlotte and two of her besties from school

Char and her friend, Maddie

Making bracelets

Tea party!

Very cute!

It's been such a rough week health wise...Charlotte with her breathing issues and now Nate has some kind of stomach bug that we can't kick. It started at the Beach House and just hasn't gotten better. We took him to the doctor, but they didn't see anything. But his "diaper situation" is not improving and he threw up last night. He has been on the BRAT diet and he hates it. I sent Kevin to Target tonight to get him a soft pretzel because it was the only thing he wanted. Plus, he now has a terrible diaper rash from all of the diarrhea. Poor kid. I hope we are back on the right track soon.

More Beach

Here are a few more pics from our beach vacation..

Spending some time in the pool...Char was a little "steroid crazy" from her meds...you can't tell at all here, lol! She was jittery, moody, hyper, and frankly...annoying. I unfortunately understand her craziness, having been on steroids for a large part of my late teens and 20's. They work wonders, but they will totally mess you up!

The kids spent an hour jumping into the pool to Brett and Mike...they were pretty much the favorites of the trip. The kids were devastated when they left to go home.

Charlotte mid jump. She would name all of her jumps before she did it. She would say, "This one is the swirly whirly...or this is the grand champion, this is the beach boogie...this is the 1,2,3,4, splash" I have no idea where she was coming up with these names...they were hilarious!

Nate mid jump

Having a corn dog break

We went down to the beach for the sunset one evening. It was so beautiful!

Charlotte

Char and Nate

The Nugget having a great time at the beach

Monday, July 16, 2012

Vacation!

This week, we are staying in beautiful Michigan City, Indiana at a gorgeous lake house! My whole family is here to join in the fun. Our vacation started out great! We went to the beach yesterday and built sand castles and splashed in Lake Michigan.

The fam

Nate playing in the sand

Then, Monday morning came... Charlotte was wheezing in her sleep and when she woke up it was much worse. She was wheezing terribly and her chest was rattling with every breath. She couldn't even talk without wheezing several times a sentence. My mother's instinct also was just very uncomfortable with the way she was acting. She was acting listless and tired. So, I made the decision that we were going to take her to an urgent care center. The doctor listened to her chest for about 5 seconds...literally, and briskly left the room to get her a nebulizer. They came back in and gave her an oral dose of steroids. Then, she had a 10 minute breathing treatment. She followed that by another dose of steroids. I had to use the restroom..and when I came back, Kevin told me that she vomited. Which, was apparently a good thing...the treatment broke up all of the mucus and she threw it up. The doctor then told me when we came in, she was in the middle of a full blown asthma attack. She was much better after all of the treatment. But, we were sent home with prescriptions for steroids and home breathing treatments. So, in the middle of Michigan City, IN..I was arranging for a home health care company to deliver a nebulizer for my 4 year old who has never had more than a cold or tummy ache. We were also told that if it happens again, we need to take her to the ER immediately and not the urgent care center as they have limited capabilities in case it got worse. I am so glad something inside of me was telling me to take her. When we get back home, I will be taking her to see the pediatrician to figure out if this is a long term issue (does she HAVE asthma?) or just an isolated incident.

Daddy trying to keep her warm during her breathing treatment. She was freezing.

Much better after a few doses of steroids! As the doctor pointed out, she was like a new kid! She was soooo out of it and vacant when we brought her in. It was like her little body was just focusing on getting air in and out. We didn't even have time to get her breakfast before we left for urgent care and it was now 11:30. All she wanted was a hot fudge sundae from McDonald's. She was crying during her treatment that she just wanted a sundae :) So, how do you not oblige after what she just went through. Kevin dropped me off at CVS to figure out the prescriptions and he took her to McDonald's for some fries and ice cream. So, we have taken it easy this afternoon. Resting and staying cool. Hopefully, we can get in some beach time again soon. If not, I'll hang out here and cuddle my girl!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Nate Takes Gymnastics!

Here are some pics from Nathan's Parent/Tot Gymnastics class today. I was spotting him and taking pictures with an iPhone..so, not great quality! Sorry! But, you get the point :)

Hanging from the rings

Balance Beam

Riding the Horse

Walking like a bear

Just hanging around

He didn't feel like diving in the pit today, so he grabbed blocks out of the pit and made a tower

Doing a handstand with Coach Denise

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Happy 4th of July!

We had a GREAT 4th of July this year! We spent the entire day with my cousin PJ and his family. We went to the Downers Grove parade around noon...and it was hot hot hot!! Luckily, PJ and Cassie got their early and got totally lucky and grabbed a spot under a tree for us. So, we were comfortable because we weren't in the direct sun, but we were sweaty none the less. Nate wasn't so sure about all of this parade business. He spent most of the time in my lap...adding to my sweatiness. He didn't like all of the loud sirens and rifle firings...but he warmed up once they started throwing candy.

Greta, Philip, Charlotte and Charlie (my Godson)

Charlotte

Happy Fourth!

Charlotte wearing one of the hats that the Indian Princesses were handing out

Candy!!!!

Warm Toosie Rolls......yum....

The fire engines make their way down Main Street

Nathan

Dad and Charlotte

George Washington and Crew...How did these people not die of heat stroke!! Head to toe, wigs, gloves and boots....I wanted to die for them!

Charlotte not loving the heat....

After the parade, we all headed over to my Aunt Debbie's house to swim and eat. That pool felt amazing after being in the sweltering heat!

This was the first time Charlotte ate a "hot dog" like a big person...not all cut up. She does whatever Greta does...and that's how Greta was eating it!

Charlie shooting Nate with a water canon...Nate was dying laughing...he loved it!

Nate enjoying a 4th of July cupcake!

After swimming, we drove out to Bolingbrook to watch their fireworks. This was the first time that I took the kids to watch the fireworks. We had a great view, but we were far enough away to not be affected too much by the big booms! Still, Nate wanted to sit in Greta's lap.