The Need for Simple.

What a week it's been! I can't believe we are almost a full week into 2012.

A few weeks ago I had decided that I would choose a word for 2012, a word that I would try to incorporate into EVERY. SINGLE. PART. of my everyday life.

SIMPLIFY is what I chose. SIMPLIFY material items, SIMPLIFY my thoughts, SIMPLIFY my family life. This sign was made over at elm street life and I fully intend on making one as a daily reminder for myself.

2011 was such a whirlwind of being pulled here, there and everywhere. It was a rat race of trying to live, survive and "keep up with the Jones'". It took it's toll on me. I took a long hard look at the things in 2011 that drove me nuts and I found that crazy, hectic and over-booked IS NOT where I want to be. This year I need to relax, enjoy life and FIND MYSELF a bit more. Go back to basics and remember what makes me tick. What makes me WANT to get out of bed in the morning and be that ray of sunshine I know I can be to the rest of the world and most of all, to my family. I don't want to just have the same old routine every day only to look back every 3 months and say "wow, that went by fast and what do I have to show for it?". I need to cut out alot of things that I no longer need so that I can enjoy the things that SHOULD come first. Family, friends, LIFE. I fully intend on this taking me the entire year to do. I mean heck, it took me 30 years to clutter up my life, it should take me at least 12 months to de-clutter it, right?

Hold that thought...then Maddy got sick. Sooo the start of my New Year goal got pushed back a bit. By 6 days to be exact. Yet, here I am. I may be a little late to the party, but I'm ready and willing to start playing, once I finish 2011's to-do list!

 I mean geez, I haven't even posted about our Christmas or winter break yet! So in the days to come be prepared to be taken back in time a bit {by about 2 weeks} so that I can get myself caught up with the rest of the world! For some reason I don't feel like I will be able to start simplifying my life until I can get up to speed and download all my photos and write down some memories for the end of 2011. Seriously, my camera has over 850 pictures on it from the last 2 weeks of December.

There it is. What I plan to accomplish in the next 12 months.

As for the present, Punkin' Head is FINALLY starting to feel a bit more like herself. For those of you that emailed and commented asking how our little one is doing I figured I would respond here, I just haven't had time to even start returning the majority of my emails or respond to comments. Thank you again for all your kind words, tips and heartfelt messages.

Its looking like a virus is the culprit. After a week of multiple doctor's office visits, multiple prescriptions, and none of the tests coming back with a definitive answer that's what we {Maddy's pediatrician} are leaning toward. She is still hanging on to a low-grade fever, that nasty cough and is somewhat lethargic - who can blame her though, the poor kid has only had about 20 hours total of sleep between last Saturday and today. Lord knows I'm exhausted! She is however back to her charming two-year old self. Mood swings and all. We were even able to get out and enjoy the 45 degree weather we had today without it making her feel worse. That was a NICE change of pace for sure! Playing was short-lived since she's so wiped out but it was nice to just hang out on the lawn and watch the horses and the chickens while she read a book and I sorted some mail. Sick or not sick, I love simple little moments like that {SEE I'm simplifying already, am I good or what?!?!}.

I'm not a doctor, but I think its safe to say we are on the mend. I'm hoping by the end of the weekend all is back to normal around here and I can FINALLY start my new year off right.

Better late than never....

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

And if you haven't had the chance, be sure to check out the big, multi vendor giveaway I have going on here: 

It's huge so you really don't want to miss it.

Friday Night News

Holy Cow! Have you seen?

I have snazzy, new SOCIAL MEDIA ICONS!! So much better than the old, drab and boring, grey ones I was sporting. Aren't they cheery?

Michelle at The Momma Bird did them up for me! Can I say what a gem that girl is to work with? Quick, honest and does a ridiculously good job! If you're needing some new looks for 2012 on your blog she's definitely the one to hit up. Plus, if you haven't you should really check out her blog too, you won't be sorry.

And just for the record, I'm on Bloglovin' now - so go ahead hit that little "bl" button over there on the left and follow me there...go on show that cute little button some love - you know you want to!

And last but not least....

WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU HAVEN'T ENTERED THE BIG GIVEAWAY YET?

Here are some of the items up for grabs to ONE lucky winner...

Target Gift Card
8x10 Photo Canvas
Starbucks Gift Cards (yup, more than 1!)
Ad space
8x10 Family Name Canvas
Scentsy Burner
Custom Beaded Knot Necklace
Handmade Headbands
Gift Certificate's to 3 Etsy Shops
Hair Accessories with coordinating Rings
Cosmetic Bag from Thirty One
Handmade Cellphone Pouch
Customizable Blog Template

YOU could be that ONE lucky winner!

And you can enter here:

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Good Luck!

A Sick Little Peanut

For the past week our little Punkin' has had quite the cough, but only at night. It's been horrible. Non-stop, can't catch your breath, gagging to the point of vomiting type coughing.

All week I have felt so helpless watching her, not being able to calm it for her. It literally makes my stomach twist in knots watching her go through these little boughts. Since it has been a dry cough without a fever or other symptoms our normal pediatrician wasn't overly concerned and had us try the usual - prop up her mattress, humidifier, Vicks Vapo Rub, warm bath, some homeopathic honey cough syrup and some allergy medicine just in case there was a post nasal drip irritation. Each night she has become a little worse.

Last night was the final straw. 

We had a GREAT day, went out to dinner with my Dad and his girlfriend and her kids. My little Punkin' was feeling great, her normal happy, hyper self. Then on the ride home she started in. Her cough was so bad she couldn't stop to catch her breath. Dan has been working nights all week so this was the worst he had heard her and the concern on his face showed. I knew she was only going to get worse from here since that was how the past two nights had gone. I was setting myself up for another sleepless, helpless, heart wrenching night. I couldn't do that again so we decided then and there to just detour to the ER.

Luckily as packed as it was in there with kids and crazies (being New Year's Day and all!) they saw us almost immediately. I don't think the triage nurse could bear hearing her cough in the waiting room any longer. We were whisked off to a room where we stayed for almost 5 hours through tests and LOTS of coloring. 

Coloring with Daddy

Our nurses and doctor were awesome. I can't thank them enough for how they interacted with Mads. The entire night she was in good spirits, was willing to do whatever the doctors asked and was joking around. Even when shes sick she's a happy kid, I just never thought she would be as cooperative as she was last night.

She did everything she asked to do without hesitation

Chest x-rays in a funky restraint contraption, nebulizer treatments, oxygen sensors, being poked and prodded by doctors and respiratory therapists and LOTS of waiting around in a hospital bed and not ONE two year old tantrum.

Then came the pertussis screen.....the one where they shove the little swab WAY up into your sinus' through your nose. 4 of us had to hold her down through the kicking and screaming - not that I blame her. My heart broke for her. And that was it, the only time she acted out or showed her stubborn side all night.

That was definitely the hardest part for me too. It's hard enough seeing your child sick and miserable, then to add in something that is downright uncomfortable just kills you a little inside. The doctor and nurses were right by her side after trying to make her smile and laugh, offering up more coloring books and consoling her. I should really send them a thank you card. Honestly, I could not have asked for a better ER staff last night. The compassion they had for Maddy was incredible. There were no stuffy, rushed attitudes from overworked nurses and doctors. Everyone was polite and light hearted which made our stay more bearable. And I'm sure made Maddy feel more at home with all those weird devices they kept shoving at her. 

Those red cheeks and puffy eyes make me want to cry!

So for now, we remain undiagnosed until test results come back. We were sent home with a new antibiotic (she was on one 3 weeks ago for double ear and sinus infections), a heavy duty one to start on until all her results are in. And we have a follow up appointment tomorrow with our doctor to discuss where to go from here if things don't get better within the next 72 hours.

Needless to say she still coughed All. Night. Long.

My poor monkey....

So today, it's lazy pajama day. Some homemade kettle corn, movies and lounging around relaxing. 

I have a blah coughing baby, a sleeping Daddy on the couch and by golly this Momma is TIRED!