Quite the weekend...
and it's not even over yet. 

I was gone Friday-Saturday evening  for an awesome women's retreat at Camp Tecumseh  through Elston Family Church.  I went a little over a year ago and it was life-changing for me then.  Although it was not as monumental for me this year, it was amazing and perfect in every way...the worship led by my beautiful friend Lindsay, the speakers, messages, the atmosphere... the many other phenomenal women surrounding me.  God was in that place.  He made His presence in our ordinary lives and love for each and every ordinary woman known.  Many grew closer to Him over the weekend.  I only got about 4 hours of sleep, but that was okay.  I attempted to get more, but it just wasn't happening.  I used ear plugs for the first time and they helped :-)

So, while I had a girls' weekend, my boys had a guys' weekend.  They rented a movie, had pizza, walked around the farmers' market, and watched a baseball game (those boys know how to have fun together).  I talked to Mike briefly when I got up Saturday morning and he said Alex was complaining of his tummy hurting a little bit.  I really didn't think much of it because he sometimes gets "gas pains" and they pass fairly quickly.  My phone was off the rest of the day.  When I got home Saturday around 5, no one was here.  I called Mike and he said they were at Urgent Care--that Alex's tummy hurt him off and on throughout the day and around 1:00 it was full force for a couple of hours.  He was crying and screaming and could not get comfortable, so Mike took him to the doctor since it persisted for so long and he didn't know what to do for him.  Urine sample came back that he was somewhat dehydrated and strep was ruled out.  They ATTEMPTED (aargh!) to draw blood there, but did not hit the vein and was (so I heard) an unnecessary nightmare for Alex since they were not successful.  By the time I got there, Mike and Alex were sitting in the waiting area after the attempt.  He was pretty calmed down by then.

The doctor sent us to the hospital to Pediatrics for the blood draw (and mentioned a numbing agent would probably be helpful there).  They also called in a Radiologist to do an ultrasound on his abdomen to rule out appendicitis, or anything else.  The blood draw was an AWFUL experience.  My poor baby was so scared following the other episode.  He was thrashing, crying, screaming, hot and sweaty, kicking, you name it.  It took 3 nurses and me and Mike to hold him down and get the job done.  And took maybe 10 minutes?  Seriously?  The longest 10 minutes of my life.  I was sweating, too.  They left the "thingie" (don't know the name of it) in just in case he needed to be admitted to the hospital so they wouldn't have to go through all of this again and taped him up REALLY good so he wouldn't mess with it.  He was so mad and said in the ugliest voice afterwards, "I WANT THIS THING OFF."  Also, before and after the blood draw, he was VERY lethargic. 

We went down and had the ultrasound and everything appeared normal to the Radiologist.  We had to hang around for a while until the blood results were in.  We then talked to the doc from Urgent Care who told us that in speaking with the pediatrician they want to admit Alex overnight just for monitoring/observation.  Ugh!  He was pretty sad that he didn't get to go home (and so was I).  The pediatrician did a thorough exam and history.  Alex crashed immediately after the exam.  They ended up hooking him to the IV to get some fluids going and well hydrated again.  My big water and milk-drinker has not been drinking much the past couple of weeks since he had viral/tummy issues (diarrhea and vomiting).  To make a long story short...his tummy did not bother him throughout the night, he really had his appetite this morning and seemed more like himself (ornery as ever).  He was getting restless to go home and thankfully the doc discharged us around 10:00 this morning.  We'll keep a good eye on him.  He does need to go back to the doctor later this week to get his blood sugar checked again.  His blood sugar was a little high last night and this morning.  So, we will be praying that everything is okay there and that if he does have more going on, he will get diagnosed and treated soon.  Please pray that with us!

Other crazy things about the weekend:  At the hospital last night around 10:00 an Amber Alert was frantically announced over the loud speaker.  It freaked me (and others) out.  Especially since it was for the 5th floor...Postpartum nursery.  A newborn was missing.  Thankfully, they canceled the alert about 5 minutes later, whew!  Praise God for that.  A peds nurse said she had not heard an Amber Alert called in the 7 years she had been working there.  Also, Mike and I had separate vehicles at the hospital parking garage.  He went home late last night to get some of our things, shower, etc. and noticed (on the vehicle I had been driving--the Jeep) that there was something stuck on the back windshield (while in the parking garage).  It was the police blotter from the local newspaper and had written on it, "Your next."  A poor grammar threat.  It scared us a little even though was most likely some random prank.  Security had to walk us out this morning because of it.  The security guard then discovered a note on another vehicle at that time.  This one said, "You next."  Don't know if the perp was getting lazier (by leaving off the "r") or more intimidating with that one. 

So, we're all very glad to be home.  The boys gave me some Mother's Day gifts when we arrived including cards, a handmade memory box that they built at Lowe's, a little chocolate, and an 8x10 of our family.  I'll have to post a pic of a gift that Mike got me a little later.  I've got the best husband.  He drew me a lovely hot bath a couple of hours ago, complete with bubbles, music, and candles.  I had some time to concentrate on Lydia while soaking in the tub.  I shed some tears and sure do miss her today.

And Happy Mother's Day to my BEAUTIFUL mommy friends.  I love you all dearly.  God chose YOU to be moms to your precious children.  No one else could love and adore them like you do.

Please pray for our precious Alex.

P.S. I know this is really long, sorry.  I just thought of something cute Alex said at the hospital.  After the ultrasound, he said, "Did you see the fish swimming around in my belly?"