Happy Birthday Papa Kibler!

I just wanted to post a happy birthday to my dad. For whatever reason, I have it in my head that my dad's birthday is on the 17th when it is actually the 12th. Ever since college I have always managed to call my dad on the 12th, not wish him a happy birthday thinking I had another five days to go. My dad never says anything either until I call him on the 17th and wish him a happy birthday. So, this year I have got it right: Happy birthday Dad! I hope it's a great day!

P.S. Devon's fever finally broke and he seems to be much better. Doctor still wants him home through the weekend, but I am just thankful that the super high fever is gone for now. Thank you again for all of the prayers!

Update...

So last night Devon's temperature was over 104. We got it under 102, but when he woke up this morning it said 106. (I think it was so high because he naturally sleeps warm.) I retook his temperature 15 minutes later and it was down to 104 again. The doctor won't see him for the high fever because apparently it is just part of this flu bug. It's scaring me though. I was supposed to work at least half a day today, but called in. No way am I leaving him when his fever is sooo high (even though he would be with Josh). My mommy instinct won't let me leave the house until he is feeling better and his fever is closer to 100.. Keep up the prayers PUH LEASE!

Pictures

I have been getting requests for pictures so here you go. Devon had an awesome week last week. He was sweet and back in his normal routine, so thank you for your prayers. Josh was home with the flu ALL week last week and Devon seemed to enjoy having both Mom and Dad around at night.

I even bought him a potty chair because he always wants to sit on the toilet (but never actually goes.) I didn't want to discourage him from trying (but he refused to support his own weight on the toilet) so I guess the potty chair is the next best thing. He can sit on the potty and I don't have to hold him up. He is still a LONG ways away from wanting to potty train, but anytime spent on the toilet is a step in the right direction. I am not going to try to force potty training on him until he shows interest. Since he is so much like his parents (willful), forcing him to potty train is a battle we won't win unless he is on our side.

He is home today with the flu. The bad 7-10 day flu as diagnosed by the Dr., who also warned that a lot of kids are developing pneumonia and other really bad secondary infections from his particular strain of flu, which is scary. His fever is over 102 and he didn't sleep last night. I tried laying with him from 11-2:30 last night to comfort him, but he kept whimpering and moaning. I could tell he really wanted to sleep, but was just too miserable to fall asleep. SO at 2:30 AM, I just got up with him and we watched movies together. He stayed on my lap and continued to whimper. So lots of get well prayers for Devon would be very much appreciated.

Devon's Latest Endeavor...

OK, so since vacation, Devon has been a little hard to handle. I should have known that when we finally arrived back in Santa Rosa after one week away and the fact that his first reaction was to tantrum and run into the street instead of going inside, that I was in trouble. He hates being back here. It has been one tantrum after another, hours at a time. Mostly he is upset that I have to go work. My day starts with him screaming and sobbing "no bye bye mama, no bye bye" and, after 8.5 hours of work, he wants me to carry him everywhere and not sit down, which of course I can't do when you take into account we have to eat (which requires me to cook) and the daily (not even a lot) of picking up. So it has been constant battles, constant tantrums and constant tears for both of us.

Which brings me to today...

This morning when he saw that I wasn't in my work clothes, he actually was OK. We got groceries and went to the park. Upon arriving back home however, the tantrums began as soon as I quit playing with him to clean up some. After 30 minutes of his screaming (our neighbors must love us), I decided I needed to walk away before I snapped. What did he do in the 10 minutes I took to cool down? Try to put his favorite movie on by shoving 3 DVDs into his dad's Playstation 3. I am sure I am not the only mother of a two year old that is driving her crazy. Luckily, Josh was able to come by for 10 minutes and pull the DVDs out with a tool (which was a miracle in itself if you know my husband's handyman abilities. ) So, everything is OK-- it's just stuff anyways. But I am growing physically and mentally exhaused (not to mention my panic attacks have returned) from this week of constant tantruming.

On a side note, he might make me crazy, but I am still crazy about him. I have been more angry this week than I can remember, but at the end of each day, my heart is always softened. I love him and adore him, despite the tantrums and difficulties.

Although, I am seriously considering quiting my job or at least cutting my hours so I can spend more time with him so that he doesn't feel the need to tantrum if I put him down to empty the dishwasher. It makes me sad to know that he is tantruming so much for my attention because on the days I don't work, we usually don't see any tantrums.

OK, thanks for letting me vent. Please pray for us, for patience and parental wisdom and mental toughness. I miss our families and our support system in Redding more than you know.