Sickly Nicholas

The photo above shows a less ill Nicholas with a big smile on his face. The bottom one shows a much weaker, much sicker little boy. It breaks my heart. 

Combined Nicholas has been sick for approximately eight weeks. That's two full months. It's the longest he has ever had to endure such a plague of yuck. 

The first several weeks he would have a day or two that he requested his bi-pap for extra breathing support but most of the other days were normal, typical days for him. But last week things really took a dangerous turn when I returned from my California trip with a nasty virus, that I assume I passed on to Nicholas. With his immune system already weakened by another virus, this second virus did a number on his system. 

He has extra secretions, is coughing, and is complaining of aches and pains.We took him to the doctor last Friday and apparently he doesn't have anything that can be fixed with antibiotics so we are just doing respiratory treatments every 2-4 hours and trying to get as much crud out of him as possible. He's on 2-3 liters of oxygen, sleeping most of day and night, on a modified formula mix, and fighting every step of the way. Honestly, when any child is sick, a parent's heart breaks a little, as we would instantly trade their pain for our own. But when a child who already endures so much pain and suffering daily, this just adds to the utter despair of feeling completely helpless in trying to help him feel better as quickly as possible. 

Now we are focused on keeping him out of the PICU if possible and praying that he can show signs of improvement in the week ahead. We have one tough little cookie on our hands and despite how crappy he feels, he told me he loved me today and that, my friends, is what this is all about anyway. 

A Quick Cali Trip

 A couple of weekends ago I went to California for a Religious Education Conference for work. I got to fit in Thursday with two of my favorite people, cute as a button, Mr. Henry, and his mommy & my best friend, Lyndsey. 

We walked down 2nd Street in Long Beach. We stopped for fro-yo, Hen took a ride in the Batmobile, I boutght a blouse at a charming boutique, and we ended the evening with an early birthday dinner for Lyndsey at Tavern on Two. Later that night, after Henry was tucked into bed, Lynds, her husband Keith, and I gorged ourselves on junk food and watched American Hustle. 

Sadly, it was a quick visit with the Yeomans family because the next morning I had to travel to Anaheim for the Religious Education Congress. I met up with two of my co-workers, one of our adult volunteers, and four of the high school youth who were also attending the conference. 

There were over 40,000 Catholics this weekend at the Anaheim convention center listening to amazing talks on our faith, celebrating mass together, and witnessing to Christ's love for the world. It was absolutely amazing!

Father Robert Barron was the keynote speaker on Saturday morning and it was wonderful to hear him speak in person after watching his inspiring series Catholicism published by Word on Fire. 

On Friday evening after Congress, all eight of us went into Disneyland for some fun and entertainment. 

The first thing was saw was the Disney Musical Parade and I had to take lots of photos for Ella and Nicholas so they could see their favorite characters. 

Sadly, the lines were super long that evening so we didn't get to go on as many rides as we would have liked, but we did go on Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. We waited in the Space Mountain line for well over an hour so that ate up a lot of our park time. 

Saturday evening we visited California Adventures and there were much fewer people there so we got to go on lots of rides that evening: Radiator Springs Racers, California Screamin', Toy Story, and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

This is a photo of a few of us before we left the gorgeous 90 degree weather on Sunday. 

Of course I brought gifts home for the kids. Ella was tickled with her pink, Sparkly Minnie Mouse ears and Nicholas loves his new Cars hat that is just like the style daddy wears. 

Baby Love

 A few weekends ago my mom came over to watch our kids while I got my hair cut & colored and while Jeff was working. She also was baby-sitting Vivi, my neice that day so she brought the baby over to our house too. The kids were in Heaven because they love their little cousin so much. 

They stayed the rest of the afternoon, even when I returned home, which was so fun for me because I feel like I rarely see Vivi these days and she is growing and changing so much each time I see her. Ella and I brought out the kids' infant swing and Vivi enjoyed rocking to the music Ella played for her.

She later fell asleep on Gramme which was simply beautiful. 

Then, last Friday, my mom took Ella over to her house for the day because Nicholas was starting to get really ill and needed all of my attention. She also watched Vivien that day so she sent me these photos from their day together as well. 

They are such sweet, loving little girls. 

Spring Fever

SPRING IS HERE!!! 

I think it's perfectly safe to say that the Gustafsons' have spring fever. Burning, hot fever that has us itching with anticipation that our lives can begin to be lived outside the confines of our home. Hallelujah! 

Little Miss may be three, but still is comforted by the routine of thumb-sucking and hair twirling when lounging. She did stop for a period of about three months after her first dentist visit, but was back at it with full satisfaction ninety days later. I don't have the heart to force her to stop, partly because I think it's adorable and partly because these young children years are so fleeting, it makes me feel as if she's my baby a little longer and I tend to hold on to those moments as long as possible because before I know it, they will be just a memory. 

Our crocus flowers bloomed weeks ago signaling that spring was on it way. I wish those pretty flowers would last longer, but unfortunately, they are only lovely for about two weeks. 

This brand of gelato is hands-down the BEST I have ever had! It melts in your mouth and is reminiscent of the gelato I tasted in Italy. And the best part is there are only a few all-natural ingredients so one can indulge without all the chemically junk food guilt. Mmmmm, perfection! I took this photo and sent it to my pregnant best friend to suggest she try some, thinking that her pregnant self would thank me, ironically, she had already tried it and loves it as much as me. 

Several weeks ago, we had a rare family outing and drove an hour away to visit one of Jeff's co-workers, his family, and see the new house they purchased. We took the long route and loved seeing the gorgeous Pacific Northwest scenery along the way. 

On the way home from visiting we stopped at Target and bought Ella a new bicycle with training wheels. She is quickly outgrowing her tricycle so she was due for a new one as spring is a great time for leisurely bike rides. The day we got it it was cold and rainy so we allowed her super excited little self to pedal around and around the kitchen and living room. 

The next day when there was a break in the rain she got to finally ride her new bike outside in the driveway. She was one happy little girl!

About halfway through her ride, she realized that she needed her helmet. Smart cookie!

The kids got robes for Christmas from Jeff's mom and hadn't worn them much in the last few months. One day after bath, Ella was shaking and saying she was so, so, so cold, so I suggested she wear her bathrobe to keep warm until she got dressed. She was reluctant, but so happy to be warm after she finally put it on. 

Jeff and I have spent the last several months slowly digging ourselves out from a mountain of debt (which feels absolutely amazing!!!) so to treat myself, I bought myself something other than a necessity (which I hadn't done for quite awhile) and settled on this cute cuff from Anthropologie. It just screams spring and will be new go-to accessory. 

Lent started a few weeks ago so I indulged  the day before lent began on Mardi Gras with an amazing burger and fries. 

I have been trying to be creative about Friday meals during Lent (when we go meatless) and found that since I am fasting this little lunchtime meal (shared with Ella) is a great way to keep us filled up until dinner. It's a perfect combination of Naan bread, mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, a touch of olive oil, and fresh basil. 

Several weeks ago I was in need of a hairdresser to fix my grown-out highlights and I found this amazingly comfortable headband a perfect accessory to cover my less-than-perfect locks until I could get an appointment. 

The weekend was filled with sunshine (which is unusual where we live) so I spent lots of time outside tending to the flowerbeds and pruning shrubs to prepare them for summer. This angel statue was a gift and remained inside our home for many years. Finally I realized she would be the perfect addition to the flowerbed near our front door, so I put her there a few weeks ago. I don't think it's a coincidence that the flowers are looking lovelier than ever. 

 I try to drink a lot of water everyday, but plain-old water gets really boring, so I like to spruce it up with mint and strawberries. It's such a refreshing combination. 

 This tree in the front yard always lets us know that spring is coming with its perfect pink blooms. 

 I found this fun new app called Waterlouge that allows you to upload any photo and it paints it in watercolor. I think it's so fun and the result is stunning. 

Last weekend I spent most of Sunday afternoon planting colorful flowers in the barren pots in our entryway and on our backyard patio. The transformation is absolutely lovely and makes me feel so happy. 

Last Tuesday afternoon I shared my most beloved childhood movie with my children: Annie. When I was a little girl, I would rent it every.single.time we went to the video store and I was surprised to find out that I still remembered every song and every line in the whole thing! The kids enjoyed it as well and it was so fun to share with them something that I really liked when I was their age. 

Because You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile.