~Fun Weekend Ahead...~

I have a fun weekend ahead...

And I just wanted to stop by and wish you all a great weekend, too!!

 

I'll be back on Sunday night... so if you don't see comments from me until then, you know why ;)

 

Toodles Friends,
~Pickle Jenn~

~So Excited~

I'm so excited.

 

Day after tomorrow I will be on my way down to Santa Barbara, Ca. for a Girls Weekend Away!!!

 

My friend that lives down there sent me and my other friend Amy (who I'll be driving down there with...) an itinerary of our weekend... it was too cute!

She listed all the restaurant that she recommends us to go to... along with bars and clubs to hit up!

 

Friday night we are going to go see "Devil Wears Prada" and then we are going to go have dinner!!

 

Oooh, I'm so excited!!

 

Yet, I will miss my kiddos and my honey.

 

Shoot, I miss my honey right now.

 

Starting on Sunday, he is scheduled to work 8 days straight!!  He is going to work Fire on Monday the 3rd as well... Oh yeah, I didn't tell you??  My honey is now an intern at the fire department... LMAO!!!

 

He was asked to work on July 4th... but I told him if he was going to work, that I'd be a tid-bit upset (understatement!).

I told him we should have some family time... bbq, drinks and swimming.  And of course, the smart honey he is, agreed ;)

 

Anyways...

 

It is so freakin' hot here in Central Cali.

Its supposed to be 99 degrees tomorrow... still hot, but better than the 107 degrees that it was last week!!  Ewww, hot.

Did I tell you that I can't wait to go to Santa Barbara, where it will only reach a high of 74 the whole time we are there???

Woo HOO!!!

 

Okay, I need to run.

Laundry to fold and what not ;)

 

Have a great rest of the week and I'll see you when I get home from my trip... with plenty of pics!!

 

~Jenn~

~The Zach Man~

Well, my little man did a whole lot better than I thought he would at his appointment.

Kids, they always surprise you :)

 

All of Zach's "tests" came out very well.

 

The doctor and I came to a joint descision to leave Zachary on his meds for another 3 months.

I straight up asked him, if Zachary was his child, what would he do... and he told me, because of the fact that he was so sick and his SVT was that bad, its a good idea to hold on for a bit more.

 

So, until September, he'll be on his meds...

I don't mind.

I rather keep him nice and healthy :)

~With A Little Luck~

With a little luck...

 

Zachary will not freak out at his cardio appointment this morning...

 

With a little luck...

 

All the test will show that my little man is ready to be off of his heart meds...

 

With a little luck...

 

We won't ever see a repeat of an SVT episode....

 

With a little luck...

 

You'll all wish us Luck :)

 

Keep your fingers crossed for my little man today, will you??

 

I'll update later on how his appointment goes!!

 

Hugs and Thanks,
~Jenn~

~THURSDAY THIRTEEN~

So, I haven't played the Thursday Thirteen in a while...

 

Being that today is Thursday and I have the opportunity to play, I might as well, right?

 

Today, I will list the Thirteen Things that I Hope for at the moment:

 

I hope...

 

1. that even though it is supposed to be 108 tomorrow, it doesn't reach that temperature!!

 

2. that my little man, Zachary Justice, does not throw a fit that is too big to be dealt with while at the cardiologist tomorrow.

 

3. that the cardiologist finds that Zach's heart is strong enough to come off of his meds...

 

4. that when Zachary comes off of his meds, that there will be no episodes of SVT.  My little man has been through too much in his 16mons of life!

 

5. that we'll get everything in our house done soon to get it on the market.

 

6. that when our house is on the market, it sells... and quickly! ;)

 

7. that when our house does sell... we have enough money in the end to pay EVERYTHING off...

 

8. that my dear husband is safe at work tonight

 

9. that I'll be able to sleep tonight- sleep hasn't been coming easy for me the last few nights.

 

10. that everything will fall into place for us

 

11. that my kiddos return to their happy healthy selves SOON!!

 

12. that the pool is warm enough to get into tomorrow... lol... only I would hope that!

 

13. that each and everyone of my family members and friends know how dear they are to me...

 

 

So there you go.

 

My Thursday Thirteen of things that I Hope for...

 

Have a wonderful evening Friends...

~Pickle Jenn~

~Update on the Babies and Life in General~

Well, life is still very busy and hectic (to say the least) here in the Pickle Jar.

As I speak, my dear daughter has decided to make my couch her trampoline and my son is making a mess out of eating some apple sauce.

 

Besides the busy and hectic life, the kids are doing well.

 

Ro's cough has subsided.  She still seems to get drained really easily and what not, but thankfully she isn't complaining about her ears hurting.  Also, she is eating like a horse!

 

Mr. Z is another story.  We took him back to his doctors office on Monday for a follow-up appointment to the visit in the ER- I'm still waiting for the bill for the $100 copay!

The CPNP (I think that is right) was surprised to hear that Zachary had not had a breathing treatment while he was in the ER.  So, he got one there in the office.

He also got 3 different prescriptions. 

Yes, I said 3.

He got another prescription for Zithromax- to be taken after the prescription from the ER is over.  He got a 'script for a steroid and for an albuterol inhaler.

He SO did not like the breathing treatment at the doctors office.  He was actually holding his breath while he was doing it.  Thankfully, he does take the inhaler some what well.  There is still some what of a fight, but other than that, he inhales it good :)

 

What I'm really worried about is the fact that Zachary is having an adversion to Doctors and Nurses.

Every time he sees one of them, he screams and he cries.

Its not really a big deal when it comes to a normal check up and what not...

But see, he has his cardiologist appointment on Friday.... to determine if he is ready to come off of his meds!!!

 

Yeah.

Its not going to be a good appointment if he is screaming and crying during his EKG and ECG. 

 

Ugh, I'm super worried about that!!

 

Wish us luck that I can calm my dear son down enough for them to get good readings!

 

Other than the cardio appointment on Friday, I don't have much else going on.

We do have (another!) graduation party to go to on Saturday, but other than that, the weekend is quiet.

 

But next week...

That is a different story!!

 

I'm off to Santa Barbara with my best friend Amy to visit a girl that we went to school with that lives down there now.

 

Let me tell you, I soooo need this trip.

Just the girls and sun and fun...

Oh yeah.

 

Its about freakin' time and I can't wait to get my party on!!!

 

I've got the cutest outfit and shoes that I want to wear ;)

Good thing I'll have my camera with me all weekend to share pictures with you all... lol.

 

Okay, I gotta run.  The kids are wanting their Tomato Soup that I microwed for them.

 

Have a great evening all!

~Pickle Jenn~

~Fall Back Plan~

It is always good to have a fall back plan...

We've decided to take a fall back plan on the whole house buying thing... for now.

 

We are still planning on buying the same house... on the same sized lot... just not right now.

We are going to wait until it comes out in a future phase... that way we can get our house ready to sell (fix up a few things) and then actually sell it before we go in there to buy it.  Or at least have a buyer for it.

 

The whole process of trying to buy a home when your house isn't even on the market yet and isn't sold is stressful.

They only give you a certain amount of time to sell it.  They also have a cut off period where if you were to back out (in case you didn't sell your house after all) you'd loose all the money you put into it... deposit on lot, the 25% of upgrades...

 

So, we went and talked to the gal at the office- and to our realtor- and they both thought the idea of getting our house sold and waiting for this other lot would probably be the best bet for us.

The lot is the same size and the best thing is, its on a quieter street.  The other house was on the main "drag" and we won't have to worry about our kids in the front.

 

So, there you have it... Thats what we are doing in a nutshell!

Hugs,
~Jenn~

~Friday Night Fun~

Not...

 

Where did Derek and I spend my Friday night?

 

In the local hospital ER.

 

Poor Mr. Zachary was not feeling like himself.

He was running a 103temp and his breathing was just a little off.

His doctors office Acute Care could not squeeze him in, so they suggested that we take him to a Prompt Care (urgent care) or to the ER.

 

Good thing we did too.

After spending a good 5 1/2 hours in the ER (Zach was giving a priority chart due to his heart condition) we found out that Zachary has Croupe and a slight case of Pnemonia!!

 

So the little man got a shot of a steroid in the leg and a super dose of Zithromax.  He will continue the treatment of Zithromax here at home and we have to make a follow up appointment on Monday with his primary.

 

The nurse and the doctor both said it was good that we brought him in... not only was his heart rate high (due to his fever it was anywhere from 150-168!) but they said that the pnemonia could have gotten really bad!!

 

Let me tell yah, to hear that my 16 month old has pnemonia just killed me.  I feel like I failed when it came to keeping him healthy.  I just don't get it!  Thank goodness he was on those two rounds of antibiotic... that kept the pnemonia from getting worse!

 

So, yeah... my Friday night was exciting... how was yours??

Here is too a better weekend!

Hugs,
~Jenn~

~Please make my head stop spinning!~

Oh how I wish for more time with my journal.

It seems like between work, the kids, and life in general, I don't ever get here as much as I'd like.

 

So, life for us has been super-duper busy!

 

We have spent the majority of the last two weeks looking at houses and doing some more looking.

I think (unless something changes soon!) we have made up our minds on a house in the same area as my mom and dad.

It is a brand new home (being framed as we speak) in a brand new subdivision and we'll be able to put everything in it that we want (and or can afford!) and don't have to live with things we don't like about it.

Its a 3 bedroom house, with loft, study and formal dining room... a total of 2600sqft.  The garage is detached and the backyard is a pretty good size.

If all goes well (fingers, toes, arms and legs crossed now people!) with the selling of our house, the approval of the loan, we should be moving into the house sometime around October.

That is if all goes well and we don't change our minds suddenly.

 

Let me tell you, its been a stressful last few days... neither Derek nor I have slept well.  Making a decision like this is a scary one!!

Miss Rowan and Mr. Zman have both been by the house.  Of course Zach doesn't understand the fact that we might be buying it... but Rowan does.  She has even picked out her own room ;)

 

Speaking of the kiddos...

 

Rowan went to the doctors on Wednesday due to her having that fever.

No ear infection... probably just a virus says the Doctor.

We went to both the block rehersal and dress rehersal on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Last night was fun.  She looked so pretty all gussied up and in her outfit.  She was feeling really good too...

Until 1am this morning when she woke up with a 100.3 temp and telling me her ear hurts...

Well, I told her her ear was fine and that was it... no more complaining about it.  She took her motrin and went straight to sleep- cuddled up next to her daddy :)

 

They (her, Zach and D) didn't wake up until a little after 9am this morning... the butts!  I want a morning to sleep in... maybe Sunday!

 

Oh yes.  Rowan's recital is tonight at 7pm and then Saturday at 11am.  I'm working with the kids backstage tonight, so pictures will be up on Sunday- I'm hoping!!

 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday... I'm off to go pick up the girl and then have to get her gussied up again.  Ah, how she loves to wear make-up!!

 

Toodles Friends,
~Jenn~

~Can't Catch A Break~

I swear, the kiddo's in the Pickle Jar can not catch a break!

 

Poor Miss Rowan has her dance recital block rehearsal tonight and guess what?  She is running a temp of 101.9!!

She just got over a double ear infection 2+ weeks ago :X

 

And Mr. Zman is running a temp of 99.3...

 

I swear, it seems like once we get rid of something, its coming back to bite us in the arse or there is something new!!!

 

~Frustrated Mama Pickle~

~House Hunting Makes You Tired~

Let me tell you.

Looking at homes is a tiring job.

And trying to figure out what you want and if you could make that house "yours" is even more tiring.

 

We looked at a total of 7 houses yesterday.  Not including some model homes that were totally beautiful- but totally out of our price range!!!

4 houses were in the town that my parents live in- which happens to be about 15 minutes away from where we live now.

We looked at the house that is 3100sqft (its about a 1/2 mile from my parents house).  Let me tell you, it is beautiful.  The only thing it was missing was a game room or a loft.  Yet, we would never use the "formal dining" room, so I told Derek we could put the game room in there.

See he wants a pool table, TV, bar tables and chairs... stuff like that.

The backyard in that house is not landscaped, which isn't a problem, because we could get to that eventually.  It is even big enough for a pool.

 

After we saw that house, we went to a house that happens to be directly across the street from my parents.  The house is 2300sqft and the whole second floor is a loft.  Let me tell you, this house is great.  It has a giant kitchen with island and its open to the family room.  The kitchen counters are black granite and the bedrooms that would be for the kids are a pretty good size too!

Derek isn't too sure about this house for a few reasons, although we both agree its a great price!!  He doesn't like the neighborhood in my parents section because of all the two story houses and the streets aren't that wide.  Also, he says the backyard is too small for a pool and he isn't too cool on all the houses that can see into the backyard from their second story.

That is understandable... but I told him we could do things to the backyard to block their views.  We could put up arbors, trees and do other things.

After seeing that house, we went and saw a custom home in another part of the town.

Oh my, it was beautiful.  Even with the spill that I did on their porch- I didn't see a step and tripped, with Zach in my arms... but being the good mommy I am, I protected him and fell, hurting only myself :(

Even though the house was nice, it was a bit small.  Only 1900sqft and had no back yard at all.  There wasn't a 3 car garage or loft/game room either.  Infact, they didn't even have a den.  They had their computer set up in the laundry room?  Oh well.  It was beautiful and if it were just Derek, me and maybe Ro when she was a baby, it would have been perfect.

There was another house, but I won't even tell you about it.  Its not on our list.

 

From there, we went to another town that is 15 mins in the other direction from our house.

We looked at a total of 3 houses there.  The first two were knocked off the list very quickly.

And the third house we looked at just happened to be the spur of the moment.

This house is very nice. 2800sqft.  New lawn and patio in the backyard.  5 bedrooms... 3 baths.  Kitchen is a nice size and so is the family room.  Master bedroom is a good size too... along with the kids bedrooms.  There wasn't a den... but they had this extra bedroom that they were using as a play room for the kids, so Derek thought he could use that as a game room. 

I told him it would be big enough, but because it was directly next to the other rooms, he wouldn't be able to use it all the time when he wants- like when he and his buddies come over after they get off of work late at night or early in the morning.

The house is also a little bit more than we would want to spend... but its up there on the list, because Derek likes it so much.

 

So, needless to say, I have no idea in what direction we will be going.  I think Derek said he'd like to see both the house directly across from my parents and the house that is 2800sqft again.  So I am sure we will.

 

Just wanted to give you an update.

Oh yes, I also got my hair done yesterday... a littlesomething different.  So if I get a chance, I'll share a picture later on :)

 

Now, I must go clean my house and get ready for a graduation party that we have later this afternoon!!

Toodles Noodles
~Jenn~ 

~Busting Out at the Seams~

No, I am not talking about my mama-jamas popping out of my top :)

I'm talking about us in our house.

 

In the entry previous to the photo entry below, I mentioned that there is some possible house hunting going on over here in the Pickle Jar.

::shivers::

The words "Selling", "Loan", "Buying" and "Mortgage" give me the hibby-gibbies!

 

But yes, we are looking into putting our house on the market and purchasing a new home.

We haven't really made a decision yet... but it looks like we will be doing the above.  We just have to get qualified for a home loan bigger than the one we have now and then find a house that both Derek and I can agree on :)

Yeah, go figure... Derek and I have different ideas on where we'd like to live and what kind of house we want to buy... who would have thought, lol.

 

We are looking for a house that is bigger than our 1700sqft house that we have now... something with 3-4 bedrooms with either a game room or a loft.  Not to mention a 3 car garage if possible.

Are we asking a lot?

Um, I would have to say HELL YES!!

 

Yet, we have found a few homes.

There was a house in the town that Derek's brother lives in that we were looking at.  It was perfect online... price and square footage.

But once we saw the house, it wasn't as great.

Yeah, there was a huge game room... and the family/dining room was huge!  Unfortunately, the master bedroom was tiny and so were the other bedrooms that would have been used for the kids.

 

I told Derek that if he thought we were busting out at the seams right now, we would be pushing the limits in that house.

 

So, basically, we've decided that if we are going to buy a house, it needs to be 2000sqft or more.  We will be living in that house for 10-15 years (if not more!) and we need room to grow!

 

Don't get us wrong, we love love love our house.  It has a beautiful pool in the back yard... pergo floors... 3 bedrooms and a den (possible 4th bedroom, it would just be small).

 

We just desire a bigger house.

 

We are actually going to go look at a house in the town that my parents live in on Friday.  The house we are looking at is only about a 1/2 mile down the road from their house and is brand new.  Never been lived in (something that I like- while Derek would rather live in a home that is "established").

 

The house is 3100sqft!!!

Can you say HUGE?!?!?!

 

It has 4 bedrooms and 3 baths... a possible loft (can't tell well with the online pics), a built in tech center, huge kitchen with island, and a detached 3 car garage on the side of the house.

 

From the pictures, I love it...

And if we both love it when we see it, we will probably be putting our house up on the market and making an offer with the seller- that is if there are no other houses that we find between now and Friday afternoon.

 

A plus side of selling our home and buying another one is the fact that we'll be able to pay off our of our bills (credit cards and car payment...).  Not to mention that we'll be only 2 mins from the "babysitter".

IF we do move there, I will be cutting down on my commute... but unfortunately, Derek will be adding a good 15 mins to his.  So basically, he'll be picking up my other half of the commute.

 

We are pretty excited about this whole new start...

Yet if nothing goes through, we keep telling each other, that it doesn't matter.

We already have a house that we love and if moving doesn't work out now, then it wasn't ment to be... there is aright time for everything... we'll just have to see if its our right time now or not!

 

Sooo... I'll keep you updated!!

~As Promised!~

So, here are the pictures that I promised.

Check them out :)

My Little Man playing with the water hose :)

Miss Rowan posing in our front yard... This picture is what I put in a frame for both Grandmothers for Mother's Day, along with a picture of Zachary.

Another one of my baby boy... He loves to play with his Daddy's hat!

Miss Rowan and her cheesy smile...

Daddy was playing around with the little one the other day during lunch and put a Pickle on his forehead.  Zachary thought it was HILARIOUS!!
Zach loves soda... so when one day we were heading home from the mall, he was thirsty so I thought I'd let him have a drink of mine... Yeah, he didn't give it back to me :)

 

Okay, so obviously, there are more pictures to be seen on the AOL share pictures :)  I just didn't feel like resizing all of them...

Hugs,
~Pickles~

~Pictures To Come~

Hey All.

I have pictures and more pictures of the kiddos that I want to share with you.

 

If you are patient, I should have them up tonight or tomorrow evening. 

Poor Mr. Z has started to run another temp (he was sick with an ear infection for the last week and a half-but it went away) today.  I'm hoping it isn't from the MMR shot he got last week at the doctors during his well baby check :(  They say the kiddos with reactions to that shot can run up to a 103 degree temp!!

So, why I mentioned that is because Ro has gym tonight and I'm not sure if we'll be going... so if we do, then I might not get to the pictures until tomorrow.

 

But I've lots and lots to show you and tell you about...

Can you say possible house hunting??

Eeek...

 

Okay, more later.  PROMISE!!

Hugs to all my friends,
~Jenn~

 

PS. I feel like I've got people missing from my journal :( I guess I'm a bad bad journaler.