What a week. Isaac had to go back to the emergency room on Monday
and was admitted to the hospital. The doctors wanted to keep a close
eye on his blood chemistry, which had been out of whack since last
Wednesday when Isaac first went to the emergency room for dehydration.
It turned out he’d had a fit of rhabo-myolysis. Certain enzymes in his
blood needed to be flushed out with an IV while they made sure that
gunk didn’t damage his kidneys. At home, that same night Charlotte
developed a super-fever and I had to baby her through the night to keep
her temperature down: wet towels on the forehead, icy drinks,
medicine, blanket rearrangements. I was up every hour or so.
Our whole dollhouse plan for Charlotte could not be completed
without Isaac, so I had to dive into the stores for a last-minute,
second gift-plan for Charlotte on Tuesday. I had limited options for
who to call for babysitting, not wanting to get anyone else’s kids sick
for the holidays. My mother dashed in with her flashing cape and
super-hero goggles to save the day. Six frenzied hours later (lots of
long lines) I was back with a full sleigh. Then it was gift-wrapping
till 3am and fever-nursing all night again.
Isaac surprised us on Christmas Eve by returning from the hospital
earlier than expected. His bloodwork was looking better and better and
his kidneys had been working perfectly, so the doctors let him come
home for Christmas. That night I fancied up our Christmas tree with
new baubles and fronds as a surprise for Isaac. I didn’t originally
know if he’d be home before Christmas or not. I figured a dolled-up
tree would add some holiday magic to our otherwise frazzled week.
Christmas day was wonderful — though I was exhausted. My parents
watched with us while the kids stirred up a storm of torn paper and
ribbon. Later, Isaac made a champion breakfast of apple-fritter-bread
french toast, hash browns & bacon. Christmas dinner made a
last-minute detour to our house and everyone came over for a potluck of
good food and a white elephant exchange. (I ended up with The Godthumb
on dvd — perfect white elephant, Matt!)
My mom made all four of her kids a picnic blanket with loops at each
corner. Each blanket came with a carrying bag and a set of tent stakes
for tacking the blanket in place through the loops. What a ton of work
— and inventive! (I’ll take some photos next time we head to the
park.)
I’m sure this Christmas will go down in family history — two
emergency room visits, a multiple-night stay in the hospital, a
last-minute Christmas swap-out for Charlotte, all-night fever care, a
Christmas dinner moved to our house, and new, feel-better tree bling to
jazz up our one perfect day this week — Christmas.
Yesterday I slept-in till 2pm. And I’m still tired.
What a busy holiday! Love your extra bling on the tree!
WoW! What a holiday to remember, eh? Hope everyone mends well amd you don’t have any repeat performances.
Happiest New Year to you and yours!! LindaSonia
I can so relate…my hubby spent a week in the hospital just after Thanksgiving, and I’m still exhausted! I’m glad your Christmas day was lovely anyway.
You’re tree looks beautiful. Hope you get some rest over the next couple of days.
I’m so glad everyone is doing better! best wishes!
Oh my gosh Heather, what a crazy rollercoaster Christmas you had! And yet you still manage to be upbeat about the whole ordeal… you are awesome! Hope the rest of your holiday time is much calmer and you can get caught up on sleep! Hugs!
I got your book for Christmas!! LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!
i hope everyone is better now and the new year will start of wonderful!
Heather, what a memorable time! I’m sorry you had so much going on, but it sounds like things are well now! Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures (the kids are sooo cute!) and your home is lovely! If you have a minute could you email or let me know where your rug is from? It goes soooo pretty with everything! And Thank Goodness for Mothers! Your mom sounds like a treasure! Take good care of her! 🙂 Rest well, pretty lady, you deserve it!
I love your tree, red white, green and gold. I can’t have a mix of decorations, there must be a plan, so yours is a tree I could have in my house. I enjoy a variety at other houses but oh my gosh, at home I would just be psychotic if it didn’t match. Even your wrapping paper makes me happy. We should be friends.
You are blessed your children are still young. Those are the sweetest memories of my life. Enjoy every moment, even the no sleep ones, they are gone far too soon.
I am happy all is well. A Christmas miracle right in your own life. How wonderful.
I hope everyone is doing better…what a Christmas! How blessed you are to have your mother so close!
Heather,
Glad things have calmed down some. Hope everyone gets better and you can catch up on your sleep.
Have a Happy New Year!
Nadine
What a Christmas!!! So sorry everyone was sick, but glad things are looking up. I pray you all have much health, happiness, and peace this new year.
Love your tree!
-FringeGirl
Heather,
I am sorry your holidays were filled with hospitals, sick kids, and worry. I’m sending thought and prayers for recovery and good health to you all. I’m so glad your husband made it home for the holidays! Peace be with you all,
Dede
You never do things part way, do you? Good luck with the recoveries!
Thank goodness you are all well. We had some holiday mishaps as well with my own trip to the ER this week. Everything looks beautiful and the kids look like they had a great morning!
simply amazing. That defiantly is one for the books. I hope everyone stays out of the hospital and gets better.
Oh my goodness, I’m sorry your holiday was so eventful this year. I hope everyone stays healthy and I wish you a very boring and unremarkable New Year!
Ula
Wow, what a Christmas. I’m glad that everyone is better and hope you get lots more sleep soon.
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Oh my gosh! I’m so glad Isaac is better and didn’t have a long hospital stay. My cousin had that very same issue but he was in the hopital for 3 weeks! His kidneys completely shut down – talk about scary! But thankfully he came out of it okay but it took many months before he was back to normal.
Glad you had a successful Christmas and wishing you some restful, relaxing days ahead! Oh yeah, and wishing you and your family good health!! 🙂
I hope the rest of the year is uneventful! Poor love, you have had a lot to struggle with lately – now take care and get some well deserved rest and happytime with your family!
That tree of yours sure looks special. I might need to doctor up mine a bit next year after being inspired by yours.
Glad all are home, healthy and smiling now.
Happy New Year – Alissa
Heather, I’m so sorry your holiday was so scary. I’m glad your family is doing better now. Hopefully, you can get some catch-up rest. Hugs from the heart and happy new year.
So glad everyone is on the mend now. What acary week but looks like a joyful and happy Christmas day. Hope you have planned to do nothing but rest until the new year. I am working on your stacking rings for my Grand daughters Christmas…we are celebrating late since they went to NY with the side this year. Wish me luck!
I love, love, love the tree! And I’m sending you props for being a true Christmas hero! Isn’t that what every Mom is?
H,
My goodness! Your holidays were INSANE, but I’m glad to read they ended with a lot of joy. So happy that Isaac made it home in time for Christmas. It looks like Miss Charlotte was very pleased with her gifts. I can’t wait to see the blankets! And the tree? GORGEOUS!!!
YOU are SUPERWOMAN! That certainly was a memorable Christmas, but one to be thankful for with everyone doing better. I shall keep you and your family in my prayers! Take care and Happy New Year to you and your family!
What fun thanks for sharing! Happiest New Year!
mary
Hey Heather – I just had to tell you – I gave my daughters (ages 21 & 18) Trash Ties in their stockings this year. When they took them out, I began to explain what they were and where they came from – and I very nearly said, “These were created by a friend of mine..” I ended up saying, “These were created by someone who feels like a friend of mine because I read her blog ALL the time!” I guess that’s a hazard of connecting through the blogospere…
Hope everyone has returned to healthy at your house, and happy new year!
Hey Heather – I just had to tell you – I gave my daughters (ages 21 & 18) Trash Ties in their stockings this year. When they took them out, I began to explain what they were and where they came from – and I very nearly said, “These were created by a friend of mine..” I ended up saying, “These were created by someone who feels like a friend of mine because I read her blog ALL the time!” I guess that’s a hazard of connecting through the blogospere…
Hope everyone has returned to healthy at your house, and happy new year!
Wow! I am glad everyone seems to be feeling a little better anyway, and I hope you have caught up on your sleep! I am glad you had a nice Christmas and I hope you have a wonderful and blessed new year!
This is my first time on your blog and I love it!
Beautiful!!!
Flor
What a crazy week! Leave it to you to still make your Christmas tree extra stylish! Glad to hear you got to rest up. I too slept half of Friday, and I only lived through the usual Christmas chaos! Hope things go smoothly for a while! Thanks for sharing. We all appreciate it!
I hope you are still sleeping! Merry Christmas, Heather, and Happy New Year!
Wow! You have really been through it! I’m glad Isaac was home and is feeling better!
Now you can look forward to a happy new year!
Wow! You sure had more than your share of holiday trama! Glad everyone is on the mend. Wishing you a much better New Year!
I use your blog as my homepage because I love firing up the internet and seeing your beautiful photos everyday. Your tree looks fantastic! I hope you will post more pictures of it.
I wish you and yours a Happy New Year filled with good health, good cheer and much happiness(and no more Christmas craziness!!)
I guess all the stuff you went through sure makes you remember what is important and makes you thankful for what you have! Hope you have a great New Year.
I’m glad everything turned out ok in the end. I hope your husband feels better. I hope the New Year goes better for you.
wow so much to deal with for the holidays its a wonder you are not out on the deep end. Glad to hear all worked out well and everyone is okay!! I think this Xmas goes down for us as not the most calm one too, so looking forward to 2009!
Hey…I had red paper with white polka dots too. Different sizes, but similar to yours. Now I feel so “designer.” 🙂
It’s so hard to find each year…if only a designer would create a super cool Christmas wrapping paper line. Hmmmm
Wow Heather, what a Christmas. I’m so glad Isaac is doing better! Looks like your little one was feeling better too. Love your Mom’s picnic blanket idea! Very clever. Hope your new year is happy and healthy. suzk
Hope your little family feels better and can enjoy their Christmas presents!!!
Crazy times. So glad to hear that your honey is on the mend!
The tree is beautiful! Love it!
wow…here’s to ringing in the new year uneventfully! xox
Wow. I’m so glad your little ones are okay. Best to you and your family this holiday season.
I love your tree! Glad to hear everyone’s healthy again. Merry Christmas!
dang.
Much sympathy for the rough ride, and thank you for sharing the medical link… what a scary condition… I hope all patients are 100% recovered. I hope You are 100% recovered too. Sometimes a memorable Christmas becomes a fond one… it shows your strength and resilience and has a happy ending… that’s good stuff, right?
I love your blog! And fabric! I am new to blogging, I hope it is okay I am following yours. If you have time, I would love any tips or suggestions you have! Thanks!
http://cmcclellan.blogspot.com/
You and you family are in my prayers.
Man, I thought my Christmas was rough…I hope everyone is feeling better! Happy New Year 🙂
heather- you didn’t say but I do hope Charlotte is doing better. What a crazy stressful Christmas! What a sweet moment to have Issac home for christmas.
hoping everyone stays healthy for a long time now!
OK, we had more than a name in common…we also had ER visits, sick babies for Christmas and Plan B gifts. It was crazy but all worked out for a peaceful and calm holiday. I hope that all are on the mend at your house!
all’s well that ends well!
wishing you a very happy new year!!
Muckely it came out all good in the end.Have a happy and healty and creative New Year.
I’m so glad all worked out and he was able to be home for Christmas. Small blessings make all the difference, don’t they?
Here’s to less drama in ’09 (for ALL of us!).
you have a nice site.
by:ford
I thought this was a design site but it looks to me like it belongs to a professional photographer. My goodness – what great pics!
Did you ever take photos of the picnic blankets your mother made? I looked through the site but could not find any…
BTW – This is without doubt one of the most pleasant sites I have ever come across!