The Hailey Herald: Exhaustion.....(photo explosion!)

It definitely has been a long couple of weeks. The week leading up to Thanksgiving my husband was out of town. He travels about once a month for work and it always throws life out of whack. The boys then think they can sleep in dad's spot in the bed, which results in mom not sleeping because they are like heaters (I can't sleep when I'm hot). Life just runs smoother when dad is home!

We had to travel to Indiana separately because my husband had to be back at work on Friday. The kids and I stayed a little longer. I headed out with Ian and Hailey before Bray was out of school (I don't like driving in this area at night...I'm worry about all the deer and my eyes aren't the greatest!). Hailey has not made the trip to Indiana since her heart surgery. We were "hoping" she would travel better...nope, not a chance. She managed to scream the last hour of the drive. It was not fun. It took quite awhile to settle her down once we got there. I think her stomach was bothering her....she is not a good traveler!

Hailey was quite the ham while visiting our family. She gave them all squishy face and laughed at them. She gives the best slobber kisses! It is funny when she does that because she will take her hand and put it on one cheek and then will pull your face to her and kiss the opposite cheek. They are all full of slobber! She showed them how she can sit by herself, rock on all fours, gave high 5s and she even has a modified plank that she showed off. Hailey had a good time exploring both of her Mamaw's houses and meeting her aunt's puppy Skippy. At one point, they were nose to nose in a stare down. Hailey won...Skip didn't like it when she moved too much. She did enjoy the tastes of Thanksgiving...turkey, mashed potatoes, broccoli casserole, rolls, cranberries and a little pumpkin pie. Hailey enjoyed seeing all her cousins....her cousin Shea liked that Hailey isn't as floppy and can "chat" with her. Her cousin Korbyn was totally in love with her...he will be a good big brother in a couple of months.

We had a good visit with everyone with the exception of the stomach bug that circled through the families. We were there to celebrate my nephew's and my mother-in-law's birthdays. We saw "Arthur Christmas" one evening while Hailey hung out with her uncle Michael. I've said it before....she is a very easy baby. Knock on wood, she slept better than either of the boys ever have when we have traveled. Thank you God!

Fortunately the drive back to Ohio was better than the drive there. Hailey slept almost the entire trip and we stopped by Dad's work to visit with him. The kids missed him. We came home to put away everything and start the mound of laundry. I was so hoping to start my Christmas decorating but that thought was put to the wayside this morning at 2 a.m. when Ian started vomiting (thank goodness I laid her on a blanket and not just on the carpet! Guess the bug traveled back home with us. I was in the process of typing that I was praying Hailey didn't get it when she threw up all of her blanket. The doctor doesn't seem to think that she has the bug but wants me to treat it the same...pedialyte every 15 minutes for 4 hours and then slowly start back table foods and formula. I'm sure she will be super cranky by then!!!

So, today, instead of decorating...I am disinfecting every inch of the house and washing all blankets and sheets! Hopefully I will get sleep...later this week (and not get the stomach bug!)

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving!!!