Sick Week

Whew, we made it to Friday! This week has not been a very good one for us.  I wrote in the last post about me coming down with something, and let me tell you, it hit me like a ton of bricks! It is SO hard to be a momma and be sick! Life goes on, though, as you all know, so sometimes you just have to suck it up and carry on....but man, it ain't easy. I did not pick up one thing and I did not cook a meal (I did do a crockpot BBQ chicken, but that doesn't count since you don't really do anything).  Our house was like a disaster zone.  I made myself take some naps, which I NEVER do and told myself that the mess would be there later and I would tackle it then...maybe. 

Here is a look at our week...

MONDAY:
I woke up on Monday and felt like I was hit by a mac truck.  I was achy all over and had a cough that wouldn't quit.  There was no going to the gym for me today.  I got Cal dressed, but Andy stayed in his jammies the whole day.  I would like to give a huge shout out to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for getting us through this day.  I swear, we watched a LOT of Mickey on Monday! When we took a slight break from Mickey, the boys played under the kitchen table and rode the helicopter car together-- super cute.

TUESDAY:
After a pretty rough night of sleep, I was glad Cal had school so he would be able to burn off some of his energy without my help.  I took him to school and decided to attempt going to the gym.  I have become addicted to going and I kept thinking that if I just went, it might actually make me feel better.  Oh, I was so wrong.  I got on the treadmill set at my usual pace and incline and within two minutes, I was coughing.  I slowed wayyyyy down and decreased the incline and my chest was killing me.  Normally I do 30 minutes on the treadmill...I made it 10 before I realized how ridiculous I was being.  Not wanting to go back into the childcare room after 10 minutes, I figured I would do some light weights-- again, bad idea.  I couldn't stop coughing and by this point, I thought my head was going to explode.  Soooo, I went and got Andy and get out of there! We ran into Target for one thing and only bought the one thing-- a SURE sign you are sick!-- and headed home for lunch.  That's the other thing...with this funk, I have had no appetite.  Like, none.  Which is great for losing weight, but horrible for trying to maintain energy to keep up with two little ones!
The President was in town Tuesday to speak to UNC students and guest on Jimmy Fallon and he was going to be driving down the road right by my house, so on the way to pick up Cal, I stopped to watch the motorcade go by.  Whatever your political beliefs may be, it is really neat to see the President of the US of A ( :) ) driving down your road.   I tried to take some pictures of it.
After naps on Tuesday, we played some more and Cal and Hank had some love time in the kitchen after dinner.  Andy had a great time with the bubbles in the bath tub!

WEDNESDAY:
I decided on Wednesday that I was sick of my house looking like a tornado hit, so when I woke up, I decided that I didn't care how I felt, I was going to clean my house! By about lunch time, I was feeling a bit more human-like, so I took the boys to the grocery store and continued working on the house.  A friend of mine was having a birthday dinner out and I was sooooo excited that I'd be feeling well enough to go.  After naps, I took the boys over to see a good friend from DA who just got a new puppy.  The puppy is sooooooooo adorable and the boys were really well behaved.  I sat talking with my friend for a while and I was laughing, because that's what we do when we are together, and then a huge coughing fit hit me.  It was time for us to go anyway, so I quickly loaded the car and headed for home...where the coughing fit didn't stop.  Ugh.  I was coughing to the point of puking over and over again.  Let me tell you how NOT fun that it.  I can not even begin to tell you how much I was looking forward to this girls' night.  I even had a cute outfit picked out to wear (I am a geek, I know).  So, anyway, I was really disappointed to be feeling so crappy to have to miss out on the fun.  Honestly, I think I probably overdid it in the morning with the cleaning and the grocery store and it just kicked my rear that evening. 
I don't have any pictures to share from Wednesday...

THURSDAY:
Sleep the previous night was non-existent.  I was up coughing/puking the whole night.  My head seriously felt like it was going to pop off and my chest was so sore.  It was time to go to the doctor! I wasn't sure if I could take any medicine, but I thought it would be smart just to get checked out and make sure this wasn't in my chest... I would MUCH rather have just a cough than pneumonia! So, I took Cal to school and my mom kept Andy for me and I went to the doctor.  After getting checked out (her response to the back of my throat: "girl, that is sooooome kind of nasty back there!"), it was determined that I have a sinus infection on top of a really bad cough.  Unfortunately, they have been seeing a lot of the coughing going around and it usually is lasting between 2-3 weeks.  FABULOUS! Oh, and also? She said the next "step" in this little doozy is losing your voice, and I should be expecting that to happen in the next few days. 
My mom had this same cough, and hers lasted 2 weeks and she lost her voice too....
But, they gave me an antibiotic for the sinus infection and a prescription cough medicine so hopefully that will all start to work together to kick this crud.
I was really disappointed to miss Zumba this morning because my FAVORITE instructor is leaving and this was his last class... :(
Andy had a great time with Grandma and never took a morning nap so he crashed before we were even out of her neighborhood.  And that afternoon, Cal got some good Mickey watching in with Hank.

FRIDAY:
and that brings us to today!
It has been another lazy day and this morning Cal was acting like HE was not feeling well...! sheeeeesh! He felt warm earlier and was acting a little "off" so I am hoping he was just in a funk and isn't getting the funk.  Honestly, though, I can't imagine how he wouldn't get it.  He has been all over me while I have been sick and he was all cuddles with my mom when she had it.  He woke up at 4:30 this morning and wanted to get in my bed.  I didn't want to wake up Eddie since he had a late night traveling the night before, so I got in bed with Cal and we snuggled until Andy woke up...I am sure it's coming...

Not to only focus on the negatives of lately...Cal has been an EXCELLENT napper this week.  He napped everyday but one, I think, so I have no complaints there.  I think he knew I needed some quiet time- haha. 

Both kids are asleep now and I think I might grab a quick shower and then relax a little. 

Hope you all have had GREAT weeks! Also hope that this nastiness stays far away from you! ha

NYC

(woah....blogger has changed, right?!?!)

After a super quick trip to the west coast for HEA, we got home Sunday evening.  Mom and I had a flight bright at early Tuesday morning to head to NYC for our annual girls' trip!

We do this trip every year, but normally it is in November. Since I was nursing Andy, I couldn't get away for a weekend, so we postponed it until right now.  It was really fun going a different time of year when the weather was warmer.  We aren't sure which time of year we like best: winter and Christmas decorations everywhere, or spring and warmer weather. I think it's just fun to have that time together with no kids, no schedules, no tennis matches...nothing but US and OUR time together.  I cherish these trips with my mom and feel so fortunate that I am able to share this special time with her. Eddie's mom came into town to help out with the boys since it was during the week and Eddie had to work-- thank you, Patty!

Our NYC trip is filled with a lot of walking, a lot of shopping, a lot of drinking, and A LOT of laughing...a whoooole lot.  And I wouldn't want it any other way!

Here, our trip in pictures:

The taxi in to the city.  We landed at 7am.  I picked mom up to head to the airport at 4:30...it was an early morning!

Our first day there was gorgeous! We headed to Rockefeller and as we were walking out of the J.Crew, I spotted Hoda Kotb.  I love me some Hoda.  I also have zero shame when it comes to approaching famous people.  I tried to nonchalantly take her picture, but once I looked back at it, I noticed she was staring right at me. Whoops!

 Then, the ladies next to her vacated their seat so we ever-so-nonchantly walked over and took their spot.  We tried to casually act like we were just hanging out, but then I leaned over and said "Hi, Hoda." yup. Just like that.  Honestly, it's hard being this cool.  Anyway, she was SUPER nice and even said "so, should we take a real picture?" hehe- busted.  Notice the gorgeous blue skies behind us? It was a beautiful day in NYC!

 We asked Hoda for some lunch spot recommendations, but all the places she told us to try were suuuuper expensive (all salads were $35 and up....we would rather spend our money shopping!). So we found a little bar and had a fabulous lunch and a couple of beers.  It was just what we needed to be rejuvenated!

 Our hotel had breakfast every morning and happy hour every afternoon.  The picture below is leaving happy hour and heading to see Spiderman!

 A highlight of the trip for me was afternoon tea and the St. Regis hotel....SO MUCH FUN! We decided to have a bottle of champagne with our tea and it was delicious!

 After tea, we decided to keep the party going, so we found another bar, this one a rooftop bar, which had some fun drinks and great views. 

 It was such a fun trip, but I did miss my boys terribly.  Between LA and NYC, I have been leading a crazy life and I was ready to get home to "normal" life.  Sadly, this is what Andy looked like when we got home:

Bless his little heart, he got a terrible cold and his eyes are all red and swollen.  He woke up today a little better, thankfully, but now I have it and feel soooome kinda bad.  And, need I point out that stay at home mommas don't get to take sick days...?

Anyhoo... it was a fabulous trip to NYC and I loved every minute spent with my momma! I am so lucky to have her in my life and we are both lucky to have the kind of relationship we have. 

LOVE YOU, MOMMA!

HEA

It all started a few months ago when Tommy, Tricia's boyfriend, visited Eddie's parents in Texas.  He went out there to ask for their daughter's hand in marriage. They gave him a hard time, but also gave him permission.

When Eddie proposed to me, his whole family flew in and surprised me, so when we got back from the beach, my family and his family had gathered and were waiting for us.... I WAS STUNNED.  I had no idea it was happening and I had even MORE no idea that everyone was there for us! It made the day even more special to have everyone there to share in all the excitement.

Tricia has always said that when she got engaged, she really wanted her family to be there to celebrate too....

sooooo.... after Tommy asked for permission, he started emailing everyone in the Williamson family to try to figure out dates.  There were many factors to take into consideration:

• Spring Ball for TCU
• Carrie Beth (Eddie's other sister) has used her vacation days, so it needed to be on a weekend
• Andy needed to be weaned
• Masters Weekend

Once we threw out ALL of those (minor) obstacles, I threw out Friday the 13th.  My mom and I are taking our annual girls' trip this week, so I knew I would be done nursing by then, spring ball is over, the masters was last weekend, and we would do it on a weekend for CB.

That got the ball rolling! Once we had the date nailed down, the planning began.  Tommy is one of those "rare" guys.  He thought of seriously everything to make this weekend as special as he could for Tricia.  Literally.  EVERYTHING.

He titled this effort HEA (happily ever after), so the emails began and the subject of each email was HEA.  The emails were plentiful and there were nine people in the address bar, so my inbox has been filling up over the past few weeks with HEA stuff!  SO FUN!

So, Friday morning, my mom came over to keep the boys.  This was my first time leaving Andy and I was holding it together okay, but of course I lost it when she dropped us off at the airport.  I was telling Cal how much I loved him and I was crying so he started crying because he never sees me cry and then I was kissing Andy...anyway, I was a hot mess and I was glad we were going somewhere fun where there would be all kinds of happy tears and celebrating happening!

After a long day of travel, we arrived in LAX.  We waited in the airport for Eddie's parents and Eddie's sister to arrive and then we headed to one of Tommy's friends houses where we met up with Tommy's parents (who flew in from Colorado).  Tommy and Tricia went to dinner and once he received word that we were all in place, he took her to a spot to propose.  Do y'all remember that spot in the movie "Friends With Benefits" with the light posts? There are a ton of them and they are all lit up?  Well, that's where he did it.  Also-- remember how I said he thinks of everything?  He had a friend hide in the bushes to take pictures of the whole thing while he was proposing...sweet, huh?

Anyyyyway.... we had it all planned out how we would act when she called, and I must say, the Williamson people are some fabulous actors/actresses! Tommy explained that he really wanted to do it when the family was all together, but that it just wasn't possible right now and they were going to go to FW to see everyone soon... he explained that their friends, Mike and Kristen, were the only people in LA who knew and they were waiting with a champagne toast for them.  Tricia walked in and Mike's daughter said she had a surprise for her... she led her back to the bedroom and we were all there waiting.  Tricia screamed and burst into tears.  It was amazing. Her reaction in that second made flying across the country and leaving my little boys worth it.  She was so so appreciative and happy.  I love seeing people that HAPPY.

Tommy, again, thinking of everything, had contacted her boss to arrange that she have the weekend off, so we were able to have all day Saturday together too (we left early Sunday morning). 

I was in charge of pictures for the weekend, and I think I took about 200... I think I got some good ones!

waiting for news that he popped the question (again...looong day of travel!)

she was calling!!!! Patty didn't answer, though, because she should have been asleep (TX time), and she sleeps with her phone in the kitchen....

she called Carrie next, and since Carrie should have been asleep too (DC time), she thought she should actually lay on a bed when talking to her...hahaha

next, she called Eddie's dad, who pretended to be asleep, who then passed the phone to Patty, who also pretended to be woken up. She stayed on the phone with Patty while Tommy parked the car at this house and they were about to walk in.

she's on the wayyyyyy!!!!!!

quick little dance party before going into hiding

MOB and MOG going into hiding in the back bedroom

click on this picture for the full effect...

she just saw the next wave of people...

yet another wave of people...

tommy and his mom

tricia and her dad

happiness

retelling the story

we insisted on a kiss...they made it a good one!

bling blilng!

the girls!

the williamson boys were supposed to be on the ends, but after the above kiss, big ed decided he better stand in the middle...

Saturday morning, we met for breakfast in the hotel lobby and then we gave Tricia and Tommy some little gifts. 

the boys wanted to contribute from NC.  I printed this off and had it in the bag :)

Tommy got a new TCU golf bag and some clubs (welcome to the family!)

tommy's mom found this, which was prefect after all of our HEA talk

luggage tags: His, Hers, more Hers

we hiked Runyon Canyon after that and got some fresh air

making fun of all of us...showing off her ring and kicking up a leg (I have a tendency to kick up a leg...)

my groom :)

Saturday night we went out to eat at Lowry's. It was a fabulous dinner and a great way to end an amazing weekend.

Big Ed and Patty were celebrating an anniversary and Tricia and Tommy got cake for their engagement.

Now, let the wedding planning begin! 

I could not be happier for Tricia and Tommy and I am SO thankful that we were able to share in their proposal story...I am even more thankful that they even wanted us there.  Good times, great memories.


One more story, that I just have to share for memory purposes (don't worry, mom....I am sure no one has read this far down the blog anyway...)
My parents kept the boys and Hank while we were gone (THANK YOU!). On Saturday, we were shopping in the Tory Burch store having the best time laughing and trying on shoes.  My phone rang and it was my dad.  I thought he was calling to give me an update on the boys.  He immediately told me the boys were both doing great and were already asleep, but they could not find Hank.  My heart stopped, I swear.
 They thought he got out of the house while they were loading the boys in the car and they didn't realize it.  They left the house, put the garage door down and went away for roughly 7 hours.  (cue my hysteria, please). 
I didn't want to upset Tricia, so I walked outside of the store and burst into tears.  Hank wears a collar with my number on it, so if he had been gone for 7 hours, why had no one called me? I was in a total panic and I just KNEW he had been hit by a car...or someone awful picked him up and was not being sweet to him.  I was a mess to say the least.
My parents had asked our neighbor to send out an email via the neighborhood list serve, which they knew I would see, so they wanted to tell me before the email came out. 
My parents had already contacted shelters, been to the fire station, and driven through the neighborhood looking for him and saw no signs of him. 
again-- cue my tears. 
Five minutes later, my mom, I think in an act of desperation after hearing me so upset, walked out in the driveway and started screaming for Hank.  She turned her head and was eye to eye with him. Sitting in the drivers sear of my car. Smiling at her.

Apparently..... they let him out and he went back in the house. Dad was taking Cal golfing, so while mom was loading up the boys, dad opened the house door to get something, then opened my tailgate to take out Cal's clubs. Before shutting the tailgate, he turned to put the clubs in his trunk.  During that time, Hank ran out the door and jumped up in my car.  His "spot" is in between the boys' seats.  He loves it there.  Well, he laid right down and got comfy, ready to go for a ride somewhere fun. Little did he know he was going to be sitting in the driveway for 7 hours.  At least we know he wasn't hungry-- there was enough food thrown on the floor to feed him for a while!
He was no worse for the wear, had no accidents and was happy as could be when they opened the doors. 

PHEW. My heart was racing and I started crying all over again.  Y'all know how much I love that dang dog! He is my first born and I am obsessed.  SO glad he is okay and SO glad my parents didn't have to call me with some bad news...!

Let me say it once more: PHEW!

haha... memories!