Hospital dayz....

Life in the hospital is never dull. Behind each door lies an adventure and you never know what its going to be! That is one of the things that I really love about my job. Each child is different which means buckle up!

Right now we have a little 10 months old who has been in all week with cellulitis around her eyes. Therefore her face is swollen and her eyes are swollen shut. When I first met her, I felt my heart break! She has been alone for the majority of the time because of a hard family situation at home. Thankfully I've been able to be with her through the many tests and procedures. She's been in a way, like my little girl! I chose to set up a routine with her in my soothing techniques so that she knew that it was me each time since she couldnt see me!...hoping to give her some consistency and predictability.

On Friday I wore a lucky charms cereal shirt that one of my friends gave me for Christmas. Therefore, I believed that it would be my lucky day! Well at least I fully expected it to be! I went in to see my cute little munchkin and she was laying on her stomach with a blanket over her. As soon as I said hello she lifted her head and through those little slits in her eyes she saw me and gave me the cutest smile! (The first sign of a happy emotion during the whole week). Of course such cute behavior needs to be rewarded... I picked her up, kept the blanket on her and snuggled her for a little bit. Then I smelled something.

Hmm.... I looked at the crib and right there before my eyes...diarrhea everywhere! "Nice" I thought. I then realized that that was right where she was laying, but she was disguising it by laying on top of it. Now here I was holding her- with the same side that was just laying on the blanket, snuggled against ME! I didnt even want to look under the blanket and see what my shirt looked like. The little girl was still smiling (fully knowing what she did to me, I am sure) and playing with my name badge. I pulled her back slightly and looked down. Sure enough- right there over the "Lucky" part of Lucky Charms- filth! Diarrhea with who knows what in it. Well- the lesson there....lucky charms...not so lucky! She got all cleaned up with a bath and my shirt did as well. Thankfully we have extra clothes here at the hospital for such occasions!

Yesterday when I went in to see her and she actually opened her eyes and again gave me that award winning smile. Being the smart girl that I am... I checked under her and the coast was clear! I did her hair and took her on a walk and to the playroom. This right here is one of the reasons that I love my job... I love seeing the kids get well, play- and well... be kids again!

Fun at Home!

Well sadly the holidays are over but luckily there is an amazing invention called the camera that helps keep those wonderful holiday memories alive!

Favorite moments include...

Sledding

Here we are- dressed up for the cold! Little did we know that a monstrous hill was awaiting us!

Therefore, I jumped in with Lucille and we headed down to find a smaller hill. However, as I "jumped in" I realized that the sled was a little bit on the 'toddler size' and my long legs were left out! Luckily with some quick thinking I managed to get all of me in there with a little room left for Lucille!

Side note... you see that boy in the back ground? Yeah- he decided to heighten my stress level. Right as I got set to slowly go down the hill, he decided to take off running in front of us! Which wouldn't be so bad if what I thought would happen (slowly glide down the hill) happened. Instead, we went careening full speed ahead toward the little boy running in front of us! I dug my hands in the ground trying to steer away from him as well as the "cliff" on the other side. Of course as I was panicking, Lucille was laughing hysterically and loving every moment of it!

This picture may be a little deceiving- sure he looks cute and innocent- but don't stand 5 feet from him as he flies down the hill! Just trust me on this one- he leaves no survivors! I have the bruises to prove it!





Temple Square:

We all bundled up as we headed out to see the lights on possibly the coldest night known to man. Thankfully, I was smart and left my winter coat in UT for such occasions as these! I was wondering how to invent a nose protector that wouldn't make me look like Rudolph!

GAMES!!!


Finally!!! After years of waiting, I got to try out the Wii. Bowling, Tennis, and Golf... without leaving the comfort of my own home!

Do I really look like this when I bowl?! I think that I need to work on my form!

Board games are usually included in our family- and I dont mean to brag, but Candyland is my forte! I think I intimidated the little ones because half way through they were ready for hide n seek!

Whenever Lucille hid she would stay there for maybe a minute and them run out to me with a big "surprise" look on her face. Tanner would make noises so that I wouldn't have to search very long! They like to make like easier for their Aunt Jill. Aren't they so thoughtful?!

This was the thorn in our side this Christmas. We always put a puzzle together. As we started we were all smiles. However, day after day those smiles turned into grimaces as we forced ourselves to work on a never ending puzzle. The problem was that there were only 3 colors and 1000 pieces. Impossible. We'll continue on it next year---maybe.

and last but not least..... Being with my family!!!

Could there be a cuter Nativity scene? Only if my three other nephews were there. They all did superb! I was very proud of them!

All in all it was a cozy Christmas with lots of fun and laughter! I truly am so thankful for such a wonderful family!