Images to Share.....Details Later!! :)

What's been going on?!?!?!

Before I begin my post, I thought I would share the pictures from our beautiful, rather breezy, afternoon at home and of JP's Easter Egg Hunt @ GA. Jeremy worked in the yards this afternoon and his little helper tagged right along. It was soooo nice that I brought out a blanket and put it up under my favorite Oak tree and lay there gazing up at the Heavens and the brilliant blue sky. What a way to relax!!!! Also, we brought out the helicopter kite for JP and flew it around in the wind.

My view from the blanket up under my fav tree!

Beautiful Sky!!!!! How could anyone not believe in God?

Our kite taking flight!

Mr. Curiosity

I'm beat after helping my daddy!

JP loves the swing, too!

JP decided it was more fun to hide under the blanket.

Isn't this peaceful? You'll find me here during the Spring & Fall!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Relaxation

John Parker in CHARGE!

What are y0u thinking about?

Get use to it my darling. This will be your chore in the future. :)

Thinks he's bigger than his daddy.

He looks like he feels well to me! My sweet blue-eyed boy.

Buddies: John Parker and Parker "J" @ the Egg Hunt

I think I see an egg!

Well, lately a WHOLE lot. It all began last Friday, April 3rd when I received a phone call at work from Guardian Angel letting me know that Sawyer was running a fever--102 to be exact. I was bewildered and began racking my brain to try to figure out why he would run a fever when he has slept beautifully through the night ALL week long and hasn't had one sniffle, sneeze, or cough. But, we live in a 'daycare' world and anything is possible.

I dialed up Covington Pediatrics to see if I could get an appointment ASAP for Sawyer. After a nose and throat swab to check for the flu and strep--which were rampant at daycare--both tests turned out negative. WHEW!! What a relief. Instead, he was diagnosed with having an ear infection--2nd one to date. We were prescribed Ammoxocillin and sent home.

Saturday night rolled around and quite frankly Sawyer wasn't getting any better, but making a turn for the worse. After a restless and fever-spiking Friday night that the two of us spent in the recliner, he continued to run a high fever and Tylenol nor Motrin seemed to do the trick. Jeremy, the boys, and I returned from an 'early' Easter dinner with my Nanny Saturday night around 8:30 and that's when Sawyer began gagging and coughing up mucus. Where was this coming from? Remember, I said earlier that I hadn't heard a hint of coughing nor seen any nasal drip from this little guy. I knew that something was wrong, but for a split second I had contemplated staying at home and NOT making that dreaded 'long waiting' trip to the ER. Glad that I didn't cave in to that thought. God laid it upon my heart to get Sawyer to the hospital regardless of the waiting period that we might have to endure--Thank you, Lord! Six hours later, we were admitted into Andalusia Regional Hospital.

The ER doctor said that his left ear, the one that was infected on Friday, looked to be fine--just a little red. But, why does he look worse? Maybe there was a chance that the flu test that was given to him wasn't accurate? Wrong. I asked them to swab his nose again to check for flu and it was still negative. The nurses in the ER drew blood from Sawyer and sent it to the lab for further testing. The results concluded that his white blood cell count was relatively high meaning that he was fighting off an infection but it wasn't clear as to what type of infection-bacteria or viral? It was pretty much a split down the middle. Considering Sawyer's age, they didn't take any chances by sending us home and began preparing for his IV and the Rocepherin that he'd be receiving to fight off this infection.

To begin with, I was very optimistic that by the next day(Sunday) he would be feeling better, WBC count would be down, and no more fever--but I was wrong. His fever was still running high day and night and his WBC count was even higher than night in the ER. As to be expected, my optimism quickly changed to worry and fear for what was happening with Sawyer. After three nights in the hospital, 4 heel pricks, one blood culture, and one IV, and numerous 'rectal' temperature checks (poor little guy) later, we have found the culprit of the fever and white blood cell count being elevated was due to the ear infection which in turn developed into septicemia, or better known as septic(not septic tank ;). Basically, bacteria from the ear/sinus infection got into his bloodstream and the symptoms for being septic are: running high fever, rapid breathing, chills, elevated white blood cells--and Sawyer had all of the above. The most scary thing about it all was the fact that it CAN be LIFE THREATENING. So glad to that the Good Lord gave me assurance on Saturday night to take him on in to the ER to get checked-out despite the waiting period that was to be endured. Case in point-Always go with your motherly instincts that God has given you!

We are at home resting and trying to get back on our schedule that was interrupted by the nurses that were coming in every hour to check his vital signs, etc. BUT, we are VERY GRATEFUL for those interruptions, for sure! Sawyer had a follow-up visit with Dr. E yesterday and got a good report. He is on antibiotics (sub for Omnicef) and he would like to see him in two weeks to check his ears. As for daycare, 'ideally' he'd rather me keep him home the rest of the week and I have obliged. (I'm still trying to gain days back from my maternity leave, but I'm not worried at all about 'days'. I have to remember that I'm a MOM first and TEACHER second). Anyway, not that he is contagious, but his weakened immune system would have a hard time handling anything else right now--but he's well on his way to a full recovery. He's playful, smiling, cooing, rolling all over the floor, eating and drinking well and acting as if he'd never been sick. Children are definitely resilient!!

Thanks to all of you for your phone calls, emails, hospital visits in such a tiny room, advice(Ginny) :), and most importantly for your prayers!!! They were definitely felt.

PGA Rookie

Jeremy brought out the golf clubs this afternoon so he could practice his swing before the round of golf that will take place on Saturday with the groomsmen in the Stringfellow/Walters wedding. John Parker is quite the competitor himself!!

** When I looked out the front door and spotted this sweet father/son bonding moment, I couldn't resist taking a picture!!! **

Hot Diggity Dog Day!!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday, John Parker!!!!

This was the best we could get since JP wasn't in the mood to slow down and have a family photo--minus Sawyer since he was taking his nap.

Left to Right: Hailey, Katelyn, Kalli Grace, William, Mickey, JP, Austin

Jordan, Caroline, & Savannah Not Picture: Ashland, Hudson, & Jack

Lori, I HAD to include this picture even if he wasn't a
happy camper at the moment--cute pouty face, I must add. :)

If you know my child, this is quite typical of his behavior.
ALLLLLLLLLLLLLL BOOOOOOYYYYYYY!!!!!

I did manage to get of pic of Ash even though she wasn't fond
of Mikey either. Precious little girl, indeed.

JP: (amazement) "Is this really happening, or am I dreaming?

JP: (confident) "Oh, it IS real and we're hanging out like best
buddies!!!"

JP: "Mickey, can YOU do this?"

Mickey Mouse: "Why sure ole' buddy, ole pal!! Look no hands!!"

Britt, Suzanne, and Parker 'J' meeting Mickey.

"You've Got a Friend in Me!!!!"

Sawyer is curious and amazed!

Very rare to see this kiddo taking a break.

Before all of the friends arrived.

Caroline and Jack interested in John Parker's presents.

Sweet Jack

Caroline enjoying her lunch.

Beautiful Boy William!!!(despite the Auburn hat)

Precious little girl, Caroline.

Britt has recovered from the 'ant attack' and is doing fine.
Isn't he so handsome?

Jordan

Hailey

Jordan Hardy and Austin Kelley

Uncle Jason, Aunt Rhonda, MawMaw, & PawPaw Hardy

Miss Ginny feeding her sweet baby, William.

John Parker's Great-Grandmothers: Nanny(Parker) and Granny(Kelley)
Hudson Kelley, Jason's youngest, is in my Nanny's lap.

Suzanne and Parker 'J'

Uncle Scotty and cousin Hudson

John Parker not thrilled to stop for a picture with Uncle TJ--

however, he DOES love him!!!

Miss Shonna and her little love.

Aunt Micalyn(aka: Mike-Mike) and Sawyer

As you can tell from the pictures, we had a BLAST at John Parker's Mickey Mouse party. Our family and friends joined us at our home on Saturday, March 21st to help us celebrate our little guy's 3rd birthday. The invitation read:

Hot dog, Hot dog,

I'm John Parker Hardy,

Hot Diggity dog!

I'm ready to party!

On March 21st

From 11:30 til we're done

We'll meet at my house

And have tons of fun!

On a blow-up slide,

With a jumper no less,

For my 3rd birthday party

We'll make a big mess.

We'll eat lots of hotdogs

And play like friends do,

And before it's all over

We'll eat birthday cake, too!

So come help me celebrate

My third year on earth!

(My folks can't believe it's been

Three years since my birth!)

John Parker had sooo much fun on Saturday that he went down for a nap at 1:50 and didn't wake up until 5:30!!! He was exhausted, as well as his parents. :) I would post more, but I'm sleepy and need to get some 'shut-eye' before the 5:30 alarm begins blaring in my ear. Hope all of you have a good week!