Sick baby girl

Today there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

It's the first day since Sunday that Madelyn hasn't had a fever - and I'm talking high 103s fever. I was home with her Monday and Tuesday and Jason and I took turns yesterday. Mom is with her today and will be again tomorrow.

She hasn't been very sick since getting her tubes in her ears back in January. But she has had a lingering cold for about a month.

I have been exhausted since Madelyn has wanted to be held all week during the night. Last night I learned the trick: lay on the floor next to her crib and put my hand on her until she falls asleep. It worked and was in my bed at 2:30 a.m.

Although her cold symptoms remain, I pray she's on the mend. I hate it when she's so sick. But I do love the cuddles.

Weekend at my parents' house

Last weekend Madelyn and I were in Lincoln at my Mom and Dad's so Jason could work on some things in our house as we get ready to sell it this spring.

We had a great time with my parents and with my sister and her kids, who came over Sunday.

Madelyn loved sitting on Grandpa's lap.


She also figured out how to sit in her bumbo without any help.


She liked hanging out with Henry - who is only 3 months younger.








Having fun playing outside






It was after playing outside that I noticed madelyn had gunk in her eyes (possible pinkeye) and a fever. Needless to say we went home - and asked mom to wash all of the toys she chewed on. :)

Recap of last 2 weeks

Here's a little recap of what we've been up to:

Since the weather has been so nice and it's staying lighter longer, we've been spending time outside in the evenings. Madelyn LOVES walking around, waving and saying "hi" to neighbors and going for walks in the stroller.

Here she is running (as best as she can) around the front yard:


And we've been practicing our smiles:








Last Saturday, Jason and I went with our friends Jenni and Sue to the Lady Antebellum concert in Omaha (Council Bluffs, really) and had a fabulous time. Our seats were right near the stage (blurry photos) and they sounded fantastic. Darius Rucker (AKA Hootie) was one of the opening acts - and I would've paid to hear him play all night long.

Thanks, Mom

It's because of my mom that last night happened.

For the first time in months, all six Schultes - Mom, Dad, Alicen, Stan, Brent and I - were together. We went to the Barry Manilow concert in Omaha, also thanks to Mom.

A huge Fanilow (fan of Barry Manilow), my mom listened to him throughout our childhood, and watched his concert video daily when she was very sick in the mid to late 1990s. As a child, I remember dancing in the living room to "New York City Rhythm" and singing "Mandy", and I've continued to appreciate his gift for creating beautiful lyrics, key changes and big endings in his songs.

It's been a dream of Mom's to go to his concert as a family. Barry has been performing in Vegas for almost the last decade, so I think we assumed we would have to travel there for the experience. But his new tour brought him to Omaha. We all rearranged our schedules to make it work and prayed everyone would be healthy.

We haven't all been able to get together in months - not for Thanksgiving, Christmas or even Madelyn's birthday. Sickness, weather or illnesses have prevented those from happening. So it was extra special to have all of us - minus the spouses and children - together.

The concert was fabulous. For 95 minutes he sang only his big hits - and invited the audience to sing with him. It was cute that Brent, who never sings, sang many of the songs. :) And Stan recorded one of his songs so that he could learn to play it on the piano. All six of us were twirling our arms in unison during one of his upbeat songs.

Who would've thought we'd have such a great time seeing a 68-year-old perform, but it was definitely a night that none of us will ever forget. Thanks again, Mom.