Update and some Thank You's

So, you may have noticed that I've been a little absent from blogging during the past week, well I'm sad to say it's because I was VERY sick. I went to the doctor on Friday, the 22nd and was diagnosed with strep and so they put me on a ten day supply of antibiotics.

I thought, good, I still feel a little bad, but at least I will be better soon and at least I was proactive and went to the doctor so that I don't have to be sick too long. Plus, if I get better soon, I can still take care of Connor and ideally not get him sick in the process.

On Sunday morning however, my fever spiked to 103.5 and that just didn't seem normal after 24 hours of antibiotics, so I went back to the doctor on Sunday and they said, "Sorry, but it might just get worse before it gets better." So, I went back home and rested.

During the weekend, Jeff was amazing and he took over almost all of the Connor duties, allowing me to rest as much as possible, all the while, I was getting frustrated, because I still felt like I was getting worse, and I soooo worried I was going to get my 7 month old baby sick.

So then I thought on Sunday evening I was actually getting a bit better, mind you, now my ears hurt, my throat still kills, I still have a fever, and I'm coughing up green mucus (sorry for the detail), so I go to bed with a positive mindset. "I'm on my way to a smooth recovery." Nope, in the middle of the night, I wake up coughing so hard and so much, I can barely breath and rush to the bathroom to cough over my sink. It was awful. Of course I take my temperature and it's 102.7, so it's still not any better and this is with a steady regimen of tylenol and advil every 4 hours.

We realize at this point, we have to call for reinforcements since Jeff had to go back to work on Monday. So Monday morning first thing, we call my Mom and she drives in from College Station to help out. I figured she'd be with us for a day at the most, because SURELY these antibiotics have got to kill this "illness" eventually.

Monday...still not better. Tuesday...still not better. Wednesday...still not better, so I go back to the doctor. This time, I get a flu test, chest x-ray, blood work done, and a prescription for a new antibiotic, because we can all agree, the current one isn't working and my doctor is worried that I've had a fever going on 6 days. That's not good.

So the results come back and no flu (swine or regular, which is good because this is bacterial and treatable says my doctor), nothing wrong in my blood work, but unfortunately I do show slight signs of pneumonia on my chest x-ray.

So here's where we stand today. I have been taking a new antibiotic since Wednesday and I think it's actually working, because my throat, ears, and "mucus situation" seem to be improving, my fever is gone (halleluia), and the best news of all, I actually have a little bit of energy back.

I go back to the doctor on Monday to get checked out again, and if need be to get another chest x-ray, but I'm hoping the doctor is going to see as much improvement as I'm seeing and send me on my way without another x-ray.

I want to say thank you to both Jeff and my Mom, Connor's awesome Daddy and Grandma. I seriously couldn't have made it without both of you. I cannot remember the last time I've been this sick and to have a 7 month old at home, it just adds to the stress, worry and exhaustion.

So, now that we've covered that, here are some recent photos we've taken. (Don't worry, none are of me looking "lovely" in my recent uniform of sweat pants and greasy hair).

On Sunday, January 18, we drove downtown bright and early to watch the Chevron Houston Marathon and to cheer on Auntie Kendall who was running in the half-marathon.

Congratulations Kendall on a whopping 13.1 miles.

That afternoon was a beautiful day, so we did some work outside and Connor enjoyed chewing on some toys on a blanket in the grass.

I bought Connor some sun glasses, because with his blue eyes, he seems extra sensitive to the sun getting in them. Doesn't he look like one cool dude.

Unfortunately, the glasses were a little small for his big head (surprise, surprise), so he wore them more as an accessory. Now he looks like he's ready to go to the country club.

Connor was in good spirits and the lighting was good, so we had a little family photo shoot.

Hi!

He's in the middle of saying something important like, "Gah."

I'm a happy boy.

This one cracks me up. He'll chew on anything he can get in his mouth.

A close up of Mr. Cheeks.

Awww, how sweet.

Mommy and Connor snuggle time. I think I had just worked out in this picture. Man, I miss working out. Since my illness, it's been nearly two weeks since I've worked out.

Flying baby!

I love this!

We had some nice weather two weeks ago (it's since gotten really cold again), and so we went to the park. It's pretty clear that Jeff and I like the slides better than Connor at this point.

Hanging at the park. I love that we have probably 4 parks within walking distance of our house. Good old suburbs.

This is the only photo I have of grandma's visit. I think I was too sick to take any pictures.

Connor looking like a homie.

When Jeff was in charge of Connor last weekend, I guess he sat him in our flower bed while he did some yard work. Hmm. Well, he seems happy.

Jeff got a new pair of cowboy boots and wore them to work on Friday. They are as tall as Connor.

"Whoa Daddy, when I'm big, can I get a pair of these? For now, can I just chew on them?"

Connor found a new place to sit. Ok, maybe that's just Jeff's belated Christmas grill. Sweet.

It was freezing out, but Jeff wanted to put the new grill into action last night.

A nice spread and a very nice grill.

Happy 7 Month Birthday

I have taken some cute photos lately, but I haven't had time to do a good post. I will soon though. For now, I just wanted to wish Connor a happy 7 month birthday! What a big boy.

Now I get to play with the paper. My favorite part!

I zoomed in on one of the photos so you could see his top two teeth. They are definitely showing now. They are not fully in, but they are definitely visible.

Connor likes his baths

Connor still likes his baths and he is now taking baths in the big boy tub. We started giving him some bath toys too and he seems to like them. See for yourself.

"I love bath time!"

A glorious day...finally

It's finally a glorious day so Connor and I could enjoy some time outside for the first time this month. Connor and I have taken some walks and we've run errands and such, but we couldn't sit outside or take afternoon strolls just to get some air in quite some time.

The weather man said on the news, that it hasn't been over 60 for a high all month and for Houston, that's cold. The past week, the highs have been in the 40's and we've had hard freezes for about a week. Again, temps in the 20's and 30's is very rare for Houston and boy am
I glad to feel the warmth of the sun today. It's about 65 and there isn't a cloud in the sky. It's simply gorgeous.

We went to our mother goose time this morning at the Library and then since I was in such a good mood because of the weather, we went out for lunch and sat outside. Connor did great. It was a quick lunch, but it still felt like a treat. Then, we strolled over to a nearby park and tried out the swings and the slides. Connor still doesn't really have much of an opinion on slides, but he actually seemed to like the swings this time.

There were a few older kids at the park and I couldn't help imagining Connor when he's a high energy little boy running and hopping all over the place. I'm sure it will be here before I know it. For now, I just had fun pushing my chunky little baby in the swings.

Here are a few shots from this weekend and this week.

Connor still loves bath time and is usually very happy when he gets out. Oh and you can't see from this photo, but Connor definitely has 4 teeth now. The top two have successfully come in. The one on the left is further along than the one on the right, but they are definitely both there.

Connor is now sitting up to read stories, not lying down.

The Christmas season is officially over, we took down our lights this weekend. Clearly, Connor was a big help.

Hey guys, do you need my help with those lights? I can chew on them for you?

It was starting to warm up yesterday, but it was still a little chilly in the evening, so Connor was sporting his new Robeez boots. They've got snowboarding bears on them. How cute is that.

Connor in his boots, helping Daddy grill. Poor Daddy had a bit of a bug over the weekend, but he's feeling better now.

Connor enjoying some extended time outside in the swings. We are lucky to have so many parks in walking distance of our house.

A video of Connor swinging. He would sometimes smile when he got close to me and kick his little legs. It was adorable.

Happy New Year...Post

We spent our New Year's week in Austin at my sister Erin's house. My parents came in from College Station and my sister Julie flew in from Colorado. I hadn't seen her since Connor was 2 weeks old, so it was a real treat. We got to celebrate Christmas...again, and we also got to celebrate New Year's together.

Whenever we are all together we have such a good time and this visit was no exception. It was a little hard to stay up until 2am nearly every night, but it was worth it. We just never wanted the night to end. Connor is lucky to have such great aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.

As I did with the Christmas post, I'll let the pictures tell the story. Happy New Year everyone.

We arrived in Austin Tuesday evening. It was so nice for the entire "original" Roach family to be together again. Of course our family is ever-expanding and that just makes it even more fun.

Festive Grandma and Connor on what we called "Tivo Christmas Eve"

Connor loved playing with his 8 month old cousin Libby's toys. He particularly liked this cute little bell. My sister even let us take it home with us, since Connor liked it so much.

Julie mailed most of her gifts to Austin, so she wouldn't have to have them on the airplane and Connor snuck into one of the boxes she shipped. Now that's one very special delivery. Ok, so maybe I set him in the box, because I love posing my little boy. Yes, it's true, he's my very own baby doll and I love posing him and dressing him up. Let me enjoy it. :)

It was fun having two babies nearly the same age. Here Connor and Libby are eating their purees of fruits and veggies together. Libby is much more experienced with finger foods now and Connor even got to try some of her poofs for the first time. We have continued to experiment with the poofs at home. He's getting it, but it's amazing how difficult it is to pick up a little cheerio sized piece of food and put it in your mouth when you've never done it before. It's so cute to see him struggle to do it. You just forget that learning to put bite size pieces of food in your mouth is a learned skill.

Grandpa, Libby, Mommy and Connor

It was pretty cold in Austin, so Connor had to bundle up again.

Libby needed to bundle up some more too. Isn't her fur-lined coat adorable?!

A happy Tivo Christmas boy.

I had given my nephews a Michigan football a while back and of course Connor found it...and loved it. Well, of course. :)

Checking out the tree on Tivo Christmas Eve.

Libby was already in bed, but the rest of the cousins got a nice rendition of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas from Grandpa.

Now the big kids join in too.

We decided to exchange our gifts while the kids were in bed so that we could take our time. It was so much fun and I really liked the combination of wine and opening Christmas gifts, versus coffee and baggy eyelids.

Grandpa Claus, Grandma Claus, and Mini Claus on "Christmas" for the kiddos.

Connor got some great gifts including this fun walker toy. I can't imagine him walking, but I guess it will happen before I know it.

Libby wants in on some of that walker toy action too.

Santa/Grandpa showed up and Martin (almost 5) wasn't fooled, but his brother Winston (2 1/2) was in awe.

Libby was a little reserved in her reaction.

Clearly Connor was terrified.

Without the costume though, Connor loved Grandpa all over again.

The kiddos went to bed and now it was time to celebrate New Year's Eve in style. We had good food and did a fun white elephant exchange.

Later, we went outside in the cold and set off some fireworks. We were pretty loud, but amazingly, Connor slept through all of it. Good boy!

We were all a little tired on New Year's Day, but clearly Libby and Daddy Arthur were looking good.

What a happy little duo on New Year's Day.

I thought this was funny. Libby is crawling now, so you have to be so careful what is on the ground. With all the present opening, lots of little bits, including those little foam pellets are everywhere. Here, Aunt Julie is cleaning up while Libby is crawling right towards trouble. Like Connor, everything goes in her mouth. Man, I don't know if I'm ready for that. Just keep sitting buddy.

Erin with a rare moment in a snuggle with all three of her kids.

Since we all like to cook, instead of making the host be responsible for dinner each night, we each take an evening and prepare a special meal. Jeff and I made flautas for an appetizer during the day. Then for dinner we had pasta with meatballs and veggies. We made the tomato sauce and meatballs from scratch. For dessert, we made creme brulle. Mmm mmm good.

Erin also made her famous Bouche de Noel. It's so good. This year, it was complete with two cardinals.

Libby continued to be gracious with her toys and let Connor try her jolly jumper. He really liked it. She gave him tips from her nearby exersaucer.

Connor also liked Libby's new walker wagon. Jeff would push him around the house in it.

"I like this thing. I fit just perfectly inside and it's fun when Daddy pushes me around the house. What a fun ride."

Jeff's view of Connor in the wagon.

We celebrated Grandma's birthday Saturday night. This is the whole gang thanks to a timer.

Sunday morning, before we left, Libby and Connor got a chance to snuggle in bed.

Not to be outdone, cousins Winnie and Martin joined in too.

Connor loved being with his cousins. Martin and Win are typical little boys with lots of energy, so there was always lots of action in the house for Connor to watch. Of course Libby is fun too, because she is really curious about him and likes to grab him and look at him. I can't wait to see them all grow up together.

It was so sweet. Right before we were leaving, Connor was playing with this little toy and Winnie comes up and says, "Can I play with you Baby Connor?" I hope that's the first of many times these two play together. They are almost exactly 2 years apart (off by just one day) and I think they'll have a lot in common.

We had such a great time in Austin and I know we started our New Year off with a bang. My New Year's resolution is to read more, but in reality I think my New Year's resolution every year from now on, will be to be the best Mom I can be for my son. My life has such a different purpose now and I love it. It really is a very happy New Year now that Connor is in our life.