<h3>Merry Christmas!!</h3>

I hope all of you are having a safe and happy holiday.

Me, well...it's been safe and happy, just not what I expected.

For a week now the girls have had a cough. Tuesday Reagan looked like she might be developing another ear infection. Her ENT appointment is this coming Tuesday so tube surgery should be in the near future. I called the doctor and they said since she had just been on an antibiotic there was really nothing they could do if she wasn't running a fever.

At the time of the phone call, Reagan hadn't been running a fever. Wouldn't you know when she woke up from her nap, she had a fever of 102. We went to the doctor that night. We had to see one of the partners at the pediatrician's office b/c our doctor was gone for the day. He did a thorough check up on Reagan. No ear infection. Thank the Lord. And really no other problems besides the fever and cough. He said rest, fluids and Motrin.

The next night, Reagan's respirations got up to 72/minute and she was still running a fever. I paged the doctor in a calm panic. Luckily our doctor was on call. Dr. D was so great. She said we definitely needed to keep an eye on Reagan for the next 30 minutes and if her breathing did not calm down, we would be making a trip to Children's Hospital.

Every 10 minutes I calculated her respirations and with some tlc they went down to 62/min. She slept in bed with me the whole night so I could keep a close eye on her.

Christmas Eve morning Ruthie woke up with a fever of 102 as well. I took both girls to the doctor. Dr. D was there and said Ru has mild bronchitis but no wheezing. She put her on an antibiotic. Reagan, well the poor girl has a double ear infection...again!! She also has wheezing and possible pneumonia in the right lower lobe. She was put on antibiotics and breathing treatments. Dr. D said if Reagan is still running a fever by Saturday, we either have to go back to the office for a check up or to Children's for x-rays and blood work.

We were not able to go to the Christmas Eve service at our church last night, but Ruthie got to open a Christmas present early from Uncle Nels and Aunt Shelly. She got a really nice coat and mittens...

and Reagan got the same coat, only in a different color!

Ruthie gave Uncle Nels a hug and said, "Thank you!"

Then she gave Aunt Shelly a hug too!

Reagan slept in our bed again last night. We have been dressing her in a onesie for bed. We don't want her to overheat from her fever. Can you tell she doesn't feel well?

Ruthie hopped in bed with us for a quick Christmas Eve snuggle!

This is possibly my favorite picture ever. Minus the fact that my arm looks like it's 300 lbs!! Reagan has been my little snuggle bear since she's been sick. It always amazes me how babies just want their mommas when their sick. She just fits perfectly in my arms!!

Christmas morning Ruthie woke up with a fever of 105. I immediately gave her Motrin, B gave her a bath and I paged the doctor. We were doing the right things, but if Ru's fever didn't go down, we would be off to the hospital. Thankfully, it did. She's been hanging around 100-101 all day.

Do you know what Ruthie is holding in her hand? It's a screaming/flying monkey. It's arms are like sling shots and when you shoot it across the room and it lands on the ground it makes monkey noises. Her cousin Logan has one that all the cousins played with when we had the birthday party weekend at Great Wolf Lodge.

This was Ruthie's favorite gift. Make-up brushes! NO, Ruthie did not get make-up to go along with it. The only reason why she got the brushes is b/c when I put make-up on, she always wants to play with my brushes. I let her one time and she ruined one of them. Now she has her own! That was the best $1.00 I think I've ever spent.

Reagan didn't really know what to do with the Christmas presents. She was more interested in the toys once they were opened.

Reagan gave Ruthie Diego and Little Einstein themed matchbox cars.

Ruthie immediately wanted to give Reagan a hug to say thank you. Kind of looks like she's putting her in the choke hold but I promise it was sisterly love!

Ruthie gave Reagan the Little People school bus. She was a great big sister and helped her open it.

After all the gifts were opened, Ruthie couldn't wait to use her make-up brushes. She said it was the most special gift ever.

Once the girls get better, we will be celebrating Christmas with the rest of the family. I have a new nephew in town from Atlanta that I have literally seen (haven't had a chance to even hold him) for maybe all of 2 minutes. We are quarantined to the basement till the fevers are gone!

Even though Christmas hasn't turned out exactly like I had wanted, it really has been great. Lots of family time, snuggles, and remembering that JESUS is the reason for the season!!