Trying Couple of Weeks

Well, after a very happy Halloween things kind of went downhill at the Brooks' residence.  When Braelyn woke up the morning after Halloween, she sounded like nothing I have ever heard before.  The only way I could describe it was that she sounded like a little baby seal.  She had this horrible sounding cough, she was hoarse when she cried, and within no time she started wheezing.  The verdict:  croup.  This would be bad anytime but given that I was supposed to leave for a work meeting the following Sunday and the girls were supposed to stay with GranSan.  Luckily we got her to the doctor in time to just treat her at home with oral steroids and breathing treatments.  She got a great follow-up report on Thursday and the doctor said that she would probably be fine to stay with my mom so we got up early on Friday to head that way.  Of course on Friday she was worse but it seemed more like a nasty cold rather than the croup.  Cold or not, it was making me a wreck about flying to Chicago on Sunday.  Thankfully on Saturday, she had a really good day and seemed so much better.  Sunday rolled around and I went out to the car to head for the airport...the car wouldn't start!  The good luck just kept on coming while I was in Chicago.  I was supposed to fly out Tuesday evening at 7:10 and get back into Shreveport at 11:35.  The weather in Chicago was terrible on Tuesday that I managed to get stuck until Wednesday morning!  We finally made it back to Shawn at 7 on Wednesday and were beyond happy to be back together!  The girls had so much fun on the farm but unfortunately, par for the course, GranSan, Janet, and Patsy all ended up sick too!  We couldn't thank them enough for all the help.  Mommy having to leave during football season is impossible to manage without lots of help!

 Poor baby!!!

 Em LOVED getting to hang out with Nate!

 This was Braelyn's first time to try the bouncer...it took some getting used to but she loved being able to stand up.

 Staying at GranSan's is great!

 Janet got lots of good sugar while helping GranSan out.

 Em with one of Mommy's Cabbage Patch dolls-Joycelyn.

 Jenna and Braelyn

 Sisterly love!

 Braelyn hung out on the kitchen counter helping Patsy cook!

 GranSan hated this part of the visit!

 There wasn't much room left in GranSan's bird bath for the birds!

 Bailey and Em

Braelyn modeling one of the Christmas dresses we found before I left on Saturday...so cute!

While I was in Chicago, I got to go to Table 52 with a few of the other girls.  It is the restaurant opened by Oprah's personal chef.  The food was sooooo good!