A sad, sad day

Last Friday was supposed to be a fun family day at the beach. Alex finished teaching his last day of summer school on Thursday so we decided to celebrate by lounging at sunny Carlsbad beach and then meeting up with good friends for a bonfire. We packed up the car with TONS of beach gear, a slab of marinating tri-tip for dinner, and all the baby essentials and headed out.

On the way there I noticed that AJ was not feeling good again. Before leaving we had to wake him up from a 2.5 hour nap and he fell right back asleep in the car. I tried feeding him but he couldn't even keep his eyes open. Kinda like what happened on Wednesday although he was not nearly as warm. I called the pediatrician and she recommended we take him to Children's hospital since it was a Friday and the test results at Children's are almost instantaneous. Before hanging up the phone I held AJ's limp hand and started to sob. I was terrified. Are we really taking him to the hospital? Does she think it's that serious or is she playing the safe card?

We prayed as we drove to downtown San Diego (PTL that the Comic-Con traffic wasn't bad) and the powerful peace of God helped get us through the next 5 hours of waiting, paperwork, blood work, x-rays, and an IV. Poor Alex took a HUGE one for the team and had to endure the whole process in a soaking wet shirt filled with SMELLY formula throw-up. Gross.

















Test after test came back negative and after he finished getting pumped with fluid, his coloring came back and his fever went away. Because he was such a trooper, we rewarded him with a Happy Meal. Having a McDonald's in the emergancy waiting room was a brilliant idea. Ronald McDonald can brighten up any ill child.


Dr. Simpson and the nursing staff at Rady’s were comforting, helpful and very efficient. Thanks to all who made our visit as best as it could be. We hope to never see you again.

So long, Pharr well

Our friends JT and Annah decided to move back Misery...I mean Missouri. JT was stationed at Camp Pendelton and just finished his 4th year in the United States Marine Corps. After 2 deployments to Iraq and many months of wearing camo each day, he decided to high-tail it out of there and go back to school. Thank you JT for serving our country and thank you Annah for standing by his side through it all.

We will miss the Pharr-out Pharrs but we know you are stoked to be back home. Our guest bedroom is always open for you to stay in whenever you get the S.D. itch.


Our silly Growth Group saying goodbye

Elation and desperation

Yesterday was a roller coaster.

I woke up to the most exciting text message from my sister. It read, "Jack proposed!!!!!!!" What? My crazy, socialite, baby sister is settling down? Has this day really arrived? Yup, Marci is getting married to a wonderful man named Jack. He made her a gourmet dinner, said some mushy gushy stuff, and plopped a GORGEOUS ring on her finger. Now I must get started on my speech because her wedding will be here in no time (fall 2009)!

I was on my tippy toes all day until my mom says, "AJ isn't acting like his normal self." She brought him to the beach while I coached my last lacrosse clinic and all he wanted to do was cuddle and sleep. He is a cuddler but this was extreme. When we got home I took his temperature and it read 103. Are you kidding? He was really hot but that seemed high. I immediately called my brother (pediatrician) and asked for advice. He didn't seem too worried and assured me that a fever meant his tiny body was working properly to fight off the bacteria or virus that crept in. But how could I not be worried? He was lifeless, burning up, and uncomfortable. I found myself in desperation on my face before the LORD. "Please heal my baby and take this pain from him. Bring him back to his smiley and energetic self." After a night of restless sleep, he woke feeling a little cooler and even cracking a few smiles. Thank you Jesus. He isn't back to normal yet but hopefully this is the beginning to a speedy recovery. As a parent, holding your ill child has got to be one of the most heart wrenching experiences ever. I just pray that they are few and far between.

Dilemma

So I've been pondering this decision for a couple months now and I just can't make up my mind. I am usually a very decisive person so this is killing me. Bloggers, I need your help.

My 10 year high school reunion is next month at some fancy hotel in Newport Beach. Should I stay or should I go? For all of you that have gone before me, was it worth it? If I go, should the hubby tag along or should I leave him at home to watch the kid at play Xbox?

Most of my close high school friends are not going but there are a handful of people I would love to see and catch up with. But is $100 worth 4 hours of small talk (where do you live, what do you do, married, kids, blah, blah, blah), a few email/phone number exchanges, a bland hotel dinner, and a tired Sunday morning (in which I am hosting a baby shower at my house at noon)? Oh, but I would so enjoy seeing those familiar faces from BOHS again.

What do you think I should do?

Milestones

AJ is growing up way too fast. Here are some recent discoveries:
1. He cut 2 teeth...and did it like a champ. Those teething tablets work wonders.
2. He can sit up all my himself...which he thoroughly enjoys.
3. He eats all kinds of yummy fruits and veggies (that mommy so graciously makes) in his cool booster seat.
4. He makes Indian chant noises with his hand and mouth...thanks to his daddy
5. He has punk rock hair due to his long bangs. (Just like his buddy Matthew). And no, this was not purposefully done. The rest of his hair fell out but his bangs kept growing. I did trim them once because they were in his eyes. And now he's a blondie.

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Brother

We celebrated Matt's birthday by going to a 4D ultrasound facility to see his baby boy. It was a trippy experience to see so much detail at 26 weeks. He is sure cute and will only get cuter as he chubs up in the next 2 months. After the ultrasound we barbequed at his house and swam in their huge clubhouse pool. AJ even had his first beer!

 

 

 

 

Celebrating Natalie Kelly and GAG friendships

I absolutely LOVE my college girls. Any chance we have to get together is such a treat. Recently we celebrated the birth of Kaitlyn's daughter, Natalie. Since we are all scattered throughout the state, we decided to make a weekend of it and enjoy the OC. We played at Laguna Beach, ate yummy fondue at The Melting Pot, stayed up late chatting about whatever, barbequed, and of course showered Kaitlyn and Natalie with our love. She is the sweetest and CUTEST little baby girl.

 

 

 

 

 

Family Reunion in Mammoth

All of my aunts, uncles, and cousins on my mom's side of the family decided to have a family reunion in Mammoth. We had a blast enjoying the beautiful outdoors by hiking, fishing, golfing, boating, bird watching (we saw a bald eagle!), playing Frisbee golf, swimming in the cold lake, barbecuing, and going to the 4th of July parade. I love when we all get together as a family...especially in such a gorgeous setting. Mammoth in the summer rocks!

AJ and friends

AJ loves playing with his cool friends. Here are just a few of them: Aliya, Cailin, Taylor (and Gina), Matthew, Carter, Macy, Cameron, Natalie, Luke, and Hannah.