Michael Bublé

This past weekend Steve and I headed to the cities for boys basketball state tournaments. We stayed in a hotel downtown Minneapolis both Friday and Saturday night and were thankful to have  few nights away from the kids (and then being sick all of the time).

Then on Sunday, I met my mom at the Mall of America for a little shopping before the Michael Bublé concert in St. Paul. It was probably one of the best concerts I have been to and well worth getting home at 1:30 am on a work night.

Although our seats were a little too far away to get any good concert pictures - we were lucky enough to catch Michael in person before the concert for a great photo op.

Enjoying an early Spring

This past weekend we decided to take a drive up to Gooseberry Falls because the weather was so nice. Even though it was a bit chilly by the lake, there were a ton of people there. We pushed Olivia in the stroller and Jack walked all the way down to where the falls are. We took a few pictures and then headed back to the car.

Once we got home it was a bit warmer so we decided to stay outside and grill.

Jack played around the yard...

while Olivia sat in her saucer...

Easter Eggs

Here's just a quick pic of Jack decorating Easter Eggs. There was this cool tie dye kit that we tried and it worked out pretty well, although it was easier to just do straight colors with a 2 year old.

Hopefully she will be ear infection free...

On Tuesday Olivia had tubes put into both ears because she's had an ear infection that just wouldn't go away. The procedure went so quick (only about 12 minutes) and we were back home by early morning. She seems to be feeling well and has recovered very quickly. We were hoping she would start sleeping better right away, but she is still waking up half way through the night. Now that we know she is infection free, we are going to have to get back to letting her fuss a little bit.

 Olivia's got some crazy hair going on here too. Her hair is so thin and it starting to get curly, so most of the time it just stands up on top.

National Kidney Foundation

So the reason I am posting about this started because I was looking for a 3k that Steve and I could sign up for as motivation to start running. I was searching around at local runs/walks and came across the National Kidney Foundation walk. Although it is not the motivational 'run' we were looking for, we decided it would be a good idea to participate in. We are very thankful that because Olivia had very early screening (ultrasounds & VCUG procedure) her VUR is very treatable. We have learned a lot about the urinary tract and the kidneys over the past few months and thought it would nice to raise money for the kidney foundation.

There are several ways that the money we raise can help, including:

• Patient and Community Services for early detection screenings and to support patients and families whose lives are changed forever by kidney disease.
• Public Education Initiatives to heighten awareness of the importance of early detection and the desperate need for organ donation.
• Professional Education Programs to ensure kidney doctors and other health care professionals never stop learning the latest in kidney disease clinical treatment.
• Kidney Research to identify new treatments.
• Patient Advocacy to make patients’ voices heard through legislative action

Also, the Duluth walk specifically will support a free kidney screening on Thursday, September 30th for individuals at risk, "End the Wait!" initiative to end the wait for a transplant in the next 10 years, research, education, patient assistance, and other patient and professional programs and services in the Duluth community. 

If you are interested in supporting the cause please select one of the following:

• Join the Team - Olivia's Walkers and walk with our family on May 22nd in Duluth.
• Support Me - Donate to our team to help support my fundraising efforts.

Olivia - 8 Months

There not a whole lot of new stuff to report on Olivia that I haven't already posted about. In the past month she has started pulling herself up on stuff and is now just starting to move her feet a bit while standing. Last week the daycare sent home a note that said "Now that Olivia is moving so much, could you please provide us with a padded suit and crash helmet?" Of course they were kidding, but it was still funny because it perfectly describes her behavior right now.

Here are a few 8 month pictures...

Are we ever all healthy?

Ok, so I'm starting to think I could start my own blog about medical problems or sicknesses in our family. It feels like there is at least one person sick for every day of the year.

As most of you know Olivia got an ear infection back in the end of January. She was put on 10 days of antibiotics, then 3 days later she had another ear infection, they put her on another 10 days of antibiotics, and now again 3 days later another ear infection. We've really just determined that the first infection still hasn't gone away - meaning her right ear has been infected since the end of January. Poor little baby!

Then last week I brought Jack in to the ENT only to find out that his left tube is infected and his right ear is infected. It's sad because he showed absolutely no signs of being sick or having an ear infection. The doctor said that because his tubes are currently not functioning and he got an ear infection that they will need to go in and remove his old tubes and put new ones in. She told us to check our calendars in the next 3 - 4 weeks to have that surgery done.

So, if Olivia's ear infection doesn't clear up this time we could be having both kids in for tube surgery in the next few weeks. Ugh!

Steve and I joke that our house has more meds that a pharmacy. Here's just a look at our current daily meds...

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Jack, Olivia, and I would like to wish Steve a very Happy 30th Birthday!