Our Not-So-Merry Christmas Vacation: Part 1

These posts are so long overdue, but better late than never...

I titled these posts "Our Not-So-Merry Christmas Vacation" because we had a 911 call, mini hospitalization, and the whole family getting sick. Looking back at it, I can smile, but when we were in the midst of the chaos and exhaustion, I was wanting to cry about every other minute!

We did the 7 hour drive to Southern California with 6 oxygen tanks, 5 suitcases, 4 medication/supply bins, 3 little kids, 2 packed cars, and a Mama and Daddy with no sleep. Once again, thank goodness for our Nurses who prepared all of Moriah's supplies and medications for us. And thank goodness for Uncle Alex who drove up to drive all our medical equipment down (Nano was visiting his family on the East Coast). 

 The very next morning, the kids played with their cousin, Preston...and soon after this picture was taken, Moriah went into total respiratory failure. Just like that. 

Many don't realize that with Moriah, she can be fine one minute, and turn all of a sudden. Some think we are over protective or over bearing with her, but this is a prime example of how quickly things can turn, without a moment's notice. 

It was one of the scarier moments we had with her, and we had to call 911. We gave her breathing treatment after breathing treatment, kept suctioning, we couldn't hear any wheezing (a sign of respiratory failure), and she still couldn't snap out of it.

The ambulance came, and took her to Children's Hospital Los Angeles. There, they diagnosed her with pneumonia, and she stayed for several days, receiving treatment.

We were beyond thrilled when the hospital said she could go home, just in time for Christmas. 

She was back to all her normal ventilator/oxygen settings, and she was on oral antibiotics, so there was no reason to keep her for risk of getting a different infection.

We were able to spend Christmas Eve at Baka's with Justin's family. 

We were so grateful to be spending it TOGETHER, with family, and not have Justin and Moriah at the hospital. 

Plus, it was the first time for Olivia to meet everyone!!

 And even though Moriah wasn't feeling 100%, she was still happy to see everyone...and eat all of Baka's delicious goodies

 Thank you Baka and Baba for such a beautiful dinner...and for everyone putting up with our kiddos totally losing it by the end of the night!
(I would have included more pictures, but my kids are crying in half of them or looking like they are about to fall asleep =) )

We made a mad dash to get them home and tuck them into bed, before Santa came to deliver their next round of presents!

Our Not-So-Merry-Christmas Vacation: Part 2

We spent Christmas day with my huge family who came from all over - England, Norway, South Africa, Malaysia, Hungary, Texas, and Nevada. I have been looking forward to this trip since the beginning of the year.

And on Christmas morning, we all woke up sick.

Pretty much everyone in my whole family had it.

We took it easy in the morning.

I love how my kids pay no attention to me taking their picture, and were more interested in the tv

Jadon and Moriah each opened up their gifts from Santa

and Olivia, who was the healthiest one out of the 5 of us, smiled away

Ya Ya was so sweet that morning, and held her sister's hand for a while

My grandmother gave Moriah her very own gold bangle. She LOVED it.

It was Moriah's favorite gift (it was my favorite gift too).

 If anyone knows M, they know that she will go for all the bracelets and watches on your arm. 

Now, she has her own to enjoy.

By Christmas dinner, the meltdowns began

We pushed our way through it despite the fevers, Jadon throwing tantrums with each gift he opened, and Moriah having anxiety attacks being around too many people

Thankfully, Papa was there to distract and help us out with the kiddos. We didn't even get through all the gifts, and had to open them over the span of the next few days. I think it was sensory overload for both Moriah and Jadon. Next year, I'm wondering about having them open up one gift a day, so that it's not so crazy on Christmas day.

Even our little Preston wasn't feeling well on his first Christmas. 

He still looked so handsome, he and his Daddy in matching sweaters. 

Since M was too anxious around everyone, Justin ate his Christmas dinner with the girls in a quiet room, while Papa helped me with Jadon, trying to get him to eat...I tell you, this is not what I envisioned =)

Dinner spread - thanks to Uncle Brad, Uncle Knut, Alex, and the rest of the family

After dinner, we were so exhausted, Justin and I went to bed with the girls

The party continued, and we let Jadon stay up to enjoy "Jesus' Birthday cake" as he kept calling it, with his Uncle Naresh =)

Everyone hung out, enjoying themselves

and there is never a party in my family without music, drinks, and dancing

I enjoyed the evening vicariously through them!

Our Not-So-Merry Christmas Vacation: Part 3

After Christmas, we were concerned that Moriah was getting sick again from being around the ever-circulating colds. So, we made the decision to cut our trip short, and head home before she started getting worse. 

We also decided to let Jadon stay back an extra week so that he could still enjoy the family, and play with his cousins. 

Especially after his Baba took him to the Toy Shop, and bought him the biggest semi-truck and bulldozer that they had, he didn't want to leave!!

We made sure to get in all our last visits with the family before heading up.

(Baka and Teta Vera had lots of cuddles with Olivia)

And hang out with the cousins as much as possible.
Cousin time is so important to me. I have the greatest memories with my cousins growing up, and I'm thankful that I still get to have that to this day.

                             

Good thing we had masks from Moriah's nursing supplies, which everyone wore to protect Olivia and Moriah

Despite this being one of the more difficult family vacations, I was thankful to at least get to see everyone, and spend even a couple days with them.
I was especially grateful to have the quality time with my grandmother, and for her to be with the kids

We had more visits with Justin's side of the family - Gabby and Aunt Kristin

and Papa

And then Baba, Baka, and Teta Jenna topped off our day with tea and cuddles

Love this picture

And love this one even more

Hanging with the girls

With all the fun and commotion, the kids were out like a light at the end of the day

Once Justin and I made it back with the help of a very special friend who drove up all our equipment, things calmed down, and I was able to take Moriah in to the Doctor's within a few days to get her checked out. We had a few restful days at home, bringing in the New Year with Moriah and Olivia. Jadon joined us a week later with Nano, and shared all his fun stories with the family...
one of which included him getting to ride the tractor at his Papa's work site

 I don't think he missed us at all! =)