Chicago and sickness

This month has just flown by. Not the fast kind, the very slow let's take turns being sick kind of month. Last week, Lauren got the flu for the first time. Of course it had to happen on the day that I had MOPS and I was really looking forward to going! That's just life for you! Ricky was the only other one to get the flu, but Ethan had a sore throat and only wanted me, too. He had just finished his 3rd antibiotic for ear infections, so I was more paranoid and took him in. As of yesterday, he has a double ear infection, again, and an upper respiratory infection. Poor little boy. No wonder he only wants to be held all the time! (Not the easiest thing to do with a 22 pound boy!) Saturday and Sunday were not the best days for him. He was fussy all day and didn't sleep well all night. Last night, after starting another round of antibiotics, he slept 12 hours! Yeah! I really hope we can get over this sickness thing around here soon.

This past weekend, my mom came up here and went to the mall with me. It was really nice to get to spend some time with her and return some of the unneeded things we got for Christmas. It was really nice to not have to wait in long lines. It was a little stressful with all 3 kids. I guess part of it was Ethan not feeling well. After the mall, my mom took Dylan and Lauren home with her for the weekend. It was nice and quiet around here other than Ethan fussing. If only I wasn't breastfeeding, mom would have taken Ethan, too! Ricky and I put Ethan to bed and watched "The Social Network." It was really good and interesting (the movie about facebook). Sunday, we went to my parent's house for dinner and to pick up the kids. It was nice to spend time with family and to enjoy the quiet house for a little while.

2 weeks ago, Ricky had a conference in Chicago, so we all went with him. We thought it would be good to test out the hotel room with 3 kids to see how well they would sleep. They actually did very well. Ethan ended up sleeping with us in the king bed (I really want to get one of these! There is so much room!) and the other 2 slept together. While Ricky was in his training, the kids and I went to visit with a friend, Bobette, and her kids. We had a wonderful time and the kids played so well together. Bobette and I even got to make some really cute hair bows! Before we left Chicago, we HAD to stop at Ikea. I love that store! We finally decided on an entertainment center and have started putting it together! Yeah! I love it and it's not even all up! I am really looking forward to getting it all put together. I think it makes the living room look homey.

Ethan and ClarrahGlad we don't have a banister! They kids enjoyed it though.Ethan loved their dog, Zeus. Ethan would chase him around and try to play with him.