Erythema Multiforme

A cutaneous infection that is triggered after infections or certain medications. Good news....maybe not a drug allergy afterall. Bad news....we are now monitoring him to ensure he does not get dehydrated as this infection can cause ulcers within the mucous membranes. Little Landen is now taking Zyrtec, Benadryl and oatmeal baths. He is still in good spirits, even through his itchiness! I thought I would share a few pics: (I hope this is educational).

Christmas and rashes

Many firsts this Christmas.....our first Christmas celebrated in our home! So fun!! We had a "toddler" tree. (the one where your decorations are on the top half and out of reach of wee ones) He was cute, but a very close runner up with Charlie Brown's. Although, I do enjoy the smell of the real Christmas tree, I think I'm crossing over to the artificial next year. Landen tore into some of his presents this year! His top faves: a wagon and a dog pull-toy. Isaac & I also made a decision in regards to santa. (A lot of prayer and discussion) Lastly, we enjoyed brunch with the Stubblefields. Yummy Cindi's! A quaint NY deli with cheesy omelettes and scrumptious buttermilk pancakes! We have had an amazing time celebrating the birth of Jesus with our family and friends!!

On another note.....

Landen has had quite the battle of little germs the past two months....some bacteria and others viral, but ongoing nonetheless. I have swung on the emotional pendulum during all of this from peaceful to delirious. So, this morning my little guy wakes up, a little fussy, but nothing out of the ordinary. As he is munching on his breakfast, I notice a little reddened area on his chest underneath his jammies. So, I strip him down and find little lesions on his body...very similar to bug bites. My first thought...there must be ants in his bed! After searching the pjs as well as his room, I send Isaac to search outside for ant piles. Nothing! As the day progressed we noticed what once were bug bites have now spread all over his body and have transformed into a generalized "hivey-welpy" rash!! Turns out he is allergic to penicillin!! I thought about posting a pic, but realized it might be too graphic....so, I settled for pics BEFORE the contagious looking rash appeared.

Landen and one of his favorite friends (in the form of a stocking)

Landen kissing sweet Avery Grace

Little Miss Avery Grace with her festive gear on!

Spoke too soon...

Landen is sick once again! Ugh! This time...RSV and another ear infection. However, he has been quite the trooper through all of this, even the inhaler treatments.

The past month of illnesses has been a difficult one. Thank you for your prayers, words of encouragement, pizza and flowers!! I am clinging to God's promise that when we are weak, He is strong! A simple truth, yet so profound!! I have also found encouragement in 2 Corinthians 4:17, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." Thank you sweet Jesus that this is only temporary!

On a side note, Landen loves music...his little body just has to bounce!!! (even to Elmo his singing stocking!)

Healthy Again!

It has been quite a while since my last post! However, Landen has been busy perfecting his "walk" and building up his immune system. He has fought off croup, double pink eye, double ear infections and a gastrointestinal bug all in the last few weeks. I think we are finally on the road to recovery!

My little turkey on Thanksgiving

PS...My son is not jaundiced. I should have stayed away from the flash!

Our Little Pirate

Ahoy Matey! Watch out Jack Sparrow.....there's a new pirate in town!

Daddy and Landen

Mommy and Landen

My 1st School Bus Ride

My 2nd Halloween!!

Thirteen Months Old

Landen has crossed two milestones this week! He officially took 2 steps AND enjoys food!! That's right, he is finally eating! Landen did not like cereal and refused baby food early on. We continued to sit him at the table with us in hopes his curiosity would get the best of him. HA! No such luck. However, after much anticipation he has decided to take part in one of my favorite pasttimes....meals!

On Top of Spaghetti,

All Covered with Cheese,

I lost my poor meatball....

Phone? No, it's my fork!

Wait No More

Our sweet Jesus delivered a special bundle of joy to my dear friends, Andi & Brian Stubblefield on October 9, 2007. After a long journey through infertility and waiting to adopt....precious Avery Grace Stubblefield has arrived! Isaac & I are overwhelmed with how great our God is and reminded of His perfect timing as we rejoice with our friends!!

Here's a sneak preview....

Her pediatrician gave her rave reviews today!! Way to go, Avery!! She's eating like a champ!

On a side note, I am blessed to have community with those of you from the Village. I am thankful to be a part of a body that is in constant pursuit of more of Jesus and less of ourselves.

My Man

I've been tagged by Natalie.
1. Who is your man? Isaac Nelson
2. How long have you been together? married 2 years, 10 years total
3. How long dated? 8 years
4. How old is your man? 26
5. Who eats more? Isaac
6. Who said "I love you" first? He did, a few months in. It definitely took me by surprise!
7. Who is taller? Isaac
8. Who sings better? Ha! That's a toss up! Neither of us are blessed in that area.
9. Who is smarter? Isaac, but I made better grades in school.
10. Whose temper is worse? Mine. I typically react and then think. (Still working on that!)
11. Who does the laundry? We share that household chore.
12. Who takes out the garbage? Isaac
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? If you're looking at the bed, I sleep on the right side. It has always been this way.
14. Who pays the bills? We develop a budget together and I pay the bills.
15. Who is better with the computer? Isaac.
16. Who mows the lawn? Isaac. This is not the highlight of his week! :)
17. Who cooks dinner? Typically, I do. But, my husband is an amazing chef. He recently made me shrimp scampi for my bday and baked a homemade chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. Delicious!!
18. Who drives when you are together? Isaac
19. Who pays when you go out? Most of the time, Isaac.
20. Who is most stubborn? Me.
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Isaac. He is helping me with this one!
22. Whose parents do you see the most? Mine. It's been this way since we were dating in high school.
23. Who kissed who first? He kissed me...outside, in front of my house.
24. Who asked who out? Hmm...well, I found out that Isaac was interested in pursuing me and he was a little shy. So, the extrovert that I am walked up to him in the hallway of our high school and said, "Are you going to ask me for my number, or what?" Nice. A few days later, he called and asked me out. Titanic was our first date followed by a Long John Silver's dinner! So fun!! To think we truly thought that was fish! :)
25. Who proposed? Isaac. He swept me away to a cabin in Arkansas and proposed on the top of a mountain. Mr. Romantic!
26. Who is more sensitive? Me.
27. Who has more friends? I assume we are equal. We share the majority of them!
28. Who has more siblings? We are both the eldest of three children.
29. Who wears the pants in the family? Isaac, but I try to take control at times and the Lord gently reminds me that it's not my role. I'm a slow learner!

Tag, you're it: Kristen, Stephanie, Maury, Erin and Kristi!

Landen is 1!

That's right....my little baby is not a baby anymore. Friday, he surpassed the month birthdays and stepped into "years!" Isaac & I were a bit reminiscent this week. There are not many moments when you can truly recall what you were doing exactly one year ago. Landen's birth was definitely one of those for us. Here are a few details:

• Tuesday morning: Woke up with severe pain....surely this is labor, we walked Willowbend in hopes today was the day.....followed by a dr.'s appt that confirmed...Not the day!
• Wednesday morning: The pain is getting worse...see the chiropractor...another ob dr. appt confirmed...Not in "true" labor
• Thursday morning: After 2 hours of pushing, vacuum extractor and no baby, rushed to C-section

Probably more info than you ever wanted to know about Landen's arrival! However, I am comforted that the Lord sees the bigger picture. Isaac and I are blown away that we have spent one full year with this handsome little man. We cannot believe that He would be so gracious to us.

Some pictures from our party weekend:

Whistle Stop Station party! My son, looking at the cookie...

Yummy Cheetos puffs...(something he actually likes)

The cakes...

The Grand Prize Game....do you remember the Bozo Show?

What do you want me to do with this?

Whistle Stop Station

Well, I have survived day 2 of Landen going to daycare!! Sunday night I had a 15 minute cry and Monday morning a short sob.....but it is getting easier. Isaac went with me to get Landen settled into his new classroom on Monday morning. I'm so thankful for such an amazing husband. He has definitely held my hand and lead me through this tough transition. As we left his classroom, there was a brief moment where Landen looked at us with the "uh, where are y'all going" look...but it quickly passed. Here are a few pics of his 1st day at school.

In my classroom...bright and early at 7:00

Just checking it out...

At home, after my 1st day of school...

Only a 20 minute nap today...and still happy!

After much prayer, I am slowly rejecting the idea that I am not a failure for being a working mom. Oh, the lies I have believed and the burden that has made my heart heavy!

And for those of you looking for reading material, I found this book....The Myth of the Perfect Mother by Carla Barnhill. It has been interesting. The author addresses where some of the myths came from, a look at the real life of stay-at-home moms and working moms and also depression. She asks some hard questions...such as "What is the ideal picture that you are trying to live up to?" If nothing else, it has been thought provoking.

Encouragement

Scripture that was encouraging to my heart this morning.....

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)

I love this text! It encourages me to persevere in becoming a God-pleaser instead of a people-pleaser. This is a tough one for me. However, I am encouraged as I know I am not alone in this spiritual battle. "Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." (1 Peter 5:9)

As I continue on my journey of self discovery....I have asked myself what is the purpose of my blog. I was hesitant about joining the blogging world; fearful that it would be a stumbling block for me. After all, it could be a great place for me to put on a facade that I have it all together....you know, like June Cleaver. I wear pearls, a dress and heels while I kiss my husband off to work. I have the house clean and dinner on the table every night before Isaac gets home. And Landen & I skip all day! HA!! Infact, that sounds somewhat like a nightmare!!

So, after much thought, for me, it is to connect with peeps that I do not get to chat with everyday and to share struggles as well as triumphs, all the while, the Lord getting all of the glory. For me, transparency is key as I am learning to embrace that it is okay if others know that I don't have it all together.

Tagged with Randomness

I was tagged by my friend, Angie!

The Rules:
1. Post the rules
2. List 8 random facts or habits about yourself.
3. If you are tagged, then you must Post the rules and list 8 random facts or habits about
yourself.
4. After you post, tag 8 people and let them know they must read your blog for the rules.

1. Thanks to Anne Lincoln, I have noticed and enjoyed the stars at night over my house. The perks of living in Sachse.
2. Since Landen was born I have gained a new hobby....singing and dancing in our living room! So fun and so free. Thanks to Kids Village, that is one area in my life where the Lord has stripped my pride.
3. I love baking and cooking, especially for others!
4. The first time I stepped foot on the Baylor campus was on graduation day. Side note...Baylor's nursing school is in Dallas. I missed out on the "Sic 'Em Bears claw chant!"
5. I was a cheerleader from 5th - 11th grade (minus 8th).
6. I like ketchup on chili frito pie! (Don't email me the caloric intake!)
7. My first job as an RN was at Children's Medical Center in the operating room.
8. I have always had a strong passion for children. More recently, a desire to share the love of Christ with them. For those of you looking for a place to serve at the Village and have a heart for the Next Generation, come check us out!! (No, I did not get paid for that plug)

Don't you miss those days of tag? Well, here's your chance to relive your childhood.....TAG, YOU'RE IT....Anne Lincoln, Andi, Erin, Amy, Kristi, Stephanie, Jennifer, Lauren!

The Belated Birthday

Happy Belated Birthday, Isaac!

Landen and I celebrated Isaac's 26th birthday this past Tuesday. We enjoyed a night at home filled with dinner, dessert, a movie and our son's artwork.

I'm not sure about this .....

Look at me, I'm a mess...

Admiring my art...

The finished masterpiece...

Goodbye Pacifier

Our little man is growing up. He is now 10 months old and next month he will begin going to the Whistlestop Station...a daycare near our house. So, Isaac & I decided this would be a good time to wean him from the pacifier. We are on day 2! So far, so good! Landen is a trooper!! Goodbye, paci!!

Is Jesus enough?

Well, the obvious answer is...YES! Oh, how I want my heart to be there all of the time! But to the contrary, I find myself searching as if that "golden calf" will satisfy me. As Landen will be turning 1 very soon, I have reflected on the past year of my life. It feels like a whirlwind, but it's here nonetheless.

Somewhere along this journey of graduating from college, getting married, changing jobs from the hospital setting to the school setting and having a baby....I lost who I was. I found myself putting on a facade to impress those around me. I was comparing how I matched up as a mother to women who appeared to have it all together, but in reality, I did not know them at all. Yuck! Admiring creation over the one who spoke everything into creation. Looking back, probably the fear of man and my desire to "please" people guided my decision making. However, I have recently been stirred to discover myself. I read Hearts and Minds, I highly recommend it. Although the primary focus is equipping parents to raise children with a Christian worldview, it definitely spoke volumes in my own personal walk with the Lord. One of my favorite quotes, "When we are insecure in our identity as children of God, we waste time and energy trying to manage other people's impressions of us." Well, if that wasn't a big kick in the pants! I felt so guilty this past year as I was not able to stay home that I found myself wasting time and energy trying to prove that I was a good mom, translation, had it all together. This only led me to feeling defeated among the dirty dishes and piles of laundry. But, the Lord has slowly revealed....that it is the inner beauty that He looks upon. How easy I forget! This will be a long journey....I'm sure. But, may the Lord give me perseverance to not give up early as the outcome would be devastating.

I've camped out in 1 Peter for a little while and the Lord is slowly reminding me of what it means to be his child and to look to holy women of our past as an example, specifically Sarah. For although she too doubted, she put her hope in the Lord. As a result, she was not fearful, but had a gentle and quiet spirit that was submissive to the Lord as well as her husband.

So, I've been pondering....when will Jesus be enough?

My 1st Fourth of July

After enjoying breakfast with the Hopes (thanks for the breakfast tacos), we ventured off to my Granny's for our traditional cookout...without the cookout this year! KFC was a good alternative. After gnawing on chicken, Landen enjoyed being passed around from Nana to Granny to Nani and his many aunts. He is quite the flirt! After a long afternoon nap, we ventured out to see fireworks in Richardson. I must say, logistically, they did a great job! We shuttled to Breckinridge Park via a Dart bus...Landen's first bus ride and enjoyed a great sunset and fireworks! Isaac and I were impressed.

A glimpse of His splendor....

Laughing at my dad...

This morning Landen had his first official play date. In an attempt to be on time AND prepared...I took a shower and got Landen's bag together before he awoke from his morning nap. We arrived at the Wrights and we were not there 10 minutes before Landen got hungry. After much digging in the diaper bag, I realized the formula was at home on the kitchen counter. So much for being "prepared." The joys of motherhood and the loss of brain function! However, Jennifer's sweet husband, Joey, ran to Tom Thumb for us while Landen munched on a Ritz! Thank you Nabisco for the crunchy cracker that turns to soggy mush so quickly! It ended up being a great morning!

Yes, WE made that mess!

Our Busy Weekend

Friday, my two adorable nephews came over to spend the day with Landen. We had quite a busy day....Michael is 4 and Bryce is 14 months.





Saturday, we had the Holloway Family Reunion. It was great to hang out with our family!

Daddy's Day Off

In celebration of the beginning of my summer vacation, Isaac took a few days off! We ventured to the Federal Reserve Bank to visit Grandpa and have lunch at the original El Fenix, Grandpa's suggestion. We took a short tour and watched high tech machines sort our currency into shreddables and those still good for circulation. Very interesting. Landen enjoyed refried beans for the first time. Then, off we went to the Dallas World Aquarium. The favorite, by unanimous voting...Landen included, were the flamingos. They were quite entertaining. Landen stared in awe as they squawked and strutted around protecting their territory from their brother flamingos. On the way home, Isaac and I enjoyed the goodness that is Cold Stone Creamery while Landen snuggled himself to sleep!