Where have I been PART 2

March 9-11 - Ry, Linden and I tested the roads and headed up to the "Windy City" to visit with my brother and his family. We had an awesome time .. I must say that our little nephew is the CUTEST BIG guy you ever did see! Just look at him .....

We went swimming, went down the waterslide, and Unlce M took Linden, Ry and I to see a whole herd of deer that are living at the golf course .. Linden thought this was pretty cool but couldn't quite understand why Daddy wouldn't shoot them! They were BIG bucks!!Nice!

Auntie T and Uncle M made us a really nice dinner and we had a great visit. The boys played fairly well together .. Linden did tend to think everything was STILL his but after a few time-outs he learned. N is a very gentle, easy going kid .. he didn't care if Linden took things away from him so Linden didn't really get why he was in trouble .. in fact he kept trying to tell me that N GAVE him the toys when I sat there and watched Linden grab it away .. oh well kids will be kids and sharing will always be a struggle .. let's be honest I STILL struggle with sharing certain things!! Linden LOVES his cousin and still talks about our visit and ask when we can go again. Although we were only there for a short while we made the most of it and got in as many kisses and hugs we could with N .. look at those cheeks .. don't you just wanna kiss em! Oh and N says "Auntie " .. so cool. I guess I should mention that N really loved his Unlce Ryan .. he would just stroll over and give him a hug .. it was very sweet and Ryan thought it was just awesome. Ryan is still taking about how much N liked him!!

The drive home was ugly, the roads were terrible .. thank goodness we were in no hurry and just took our time .. it took us about 5 hours to get there (roads were great) and about 6 1/2 hours to get home. We made it home safe and sound, thank goodness!

**side note -Mom and Dad left for Cuba ... they would be gone for 2 weeks **

While I was at my brothers I was dealing with a UTI .. (urinary tract infection) .. can you say fun! I just drank my cranberry juice and the next days all the symptoms went away ..

wellll for a couple of days. Wednesday I broke out in a fever of 103 .. I had the shivers and felt terrible .. Thursday I made an appointment to see the doctor who just confirmed that I had a UTI and put me on antibotics .. Ryan stayed home from work to help with Linden (cause my Mommy was gone, sniff) Friday I figured I was fine to have Linden .. little did I know that as the day went on I felt worse and worse .. Linden was so good and very concerned about his Momma .. by 8:00pm I told Ry I had to get myself to the hospital ! The doctor on call didn't screw around .. he called in the lab techs and they did a bunch of blood work .. he thought that the UTI could be affecting my kidney and told me if the results came back saying this then I would be in the ambulance to PG ..... to make a long story short .. it wasn't the kidney just a really really bad UTI that my body couldn't fight by it's self .. sooo in the v'hoof hospital I went and stayed for 2 nights with IV meds .. Ry did a FABULOUS job taking care of Linden, Brody and me .. I'm very lucky to have such a great guy! He did turn into a worry wart and stress case but he took on all the tasks of being a single father and dog sitter and did a great job.

While my parents were gone on their trip I realized how much I depend on them .. normally when I'm not feeling well Mom would just step in (while Ry was at work) and be the greatest caregiver a person could ask for. Then when I had to go to the hospital .. Mom and Dad would have had Linden and Ryan could have stayed with me ! I have to say it was pretty scary without Mom and Dad at home .. we did survive it and Ryan did a great job but it was still scary .. and would have been extra scary if I had to go to PG!!! Ryan says he would have tracked my parents down if I was going to PG ..

Everthing worked out and Mom and Dad are home .. YAHOO! Now we are off to BIG WHITE for my cousins wedding .. can't wait to see the family... it will be a long drive .. roughly 10-12 hours but sooo worth it to hang out with the funnest family in the world!