Michelle Smiles

Teaching my children to question authority, except mine.

Running the numbers

November18

The number of times Tessa threw up the entire contents of her stomach while on vacation: 5

The number of photos we took: 138

The number of nosebleeds Sabrina had between 4am and 8am on Monday: 4 (me thinks she doth pick too much)

The number of breathtaking views while driving through the Great Smokey National Park: countless

The number of hours of sleep I lost because I was convinced Tessa would get sick while sleeping and choke: countless – I woke up every time she made a sound

The number of healthy individuals by Monday morning: 1 (me)

Overall, it was a really nice trip.  It was a belated anniversary gift to ourselves.  The not so nice aspects of the weekend could have happened in my normal surroundings or in a cozy cabin in the mountains – so why not deal with it in the mountains?

I’m not sure what is up with Tessa.  She woke up every morning starting on Friday at 5am and threw up until getting the dry heaves.  It was completely heartbreaking – she looked so miserable.  And then she was perfectly fine until the next morning at 5am.  She changed it up on Sunday and got sick in the evening too.  She hasn’t gotten sick at all yet today so maybe she is feeling better.  Her doctor doesn’t want to see her unless it continues for a few more days.

Sabrina almost flipped the rocking chair – she was having a ball.  I brought it inside for our Christmas photo shoot since it was way too cold to do it on the front porch as I planned.

Tessa tried to warn Daddy off with a look that said “Watch it Daddy, I’m loaded” but he didn’t heed the warning and a few minutes later she threw up all over him.

The trees were encased in frost and ice and looked so cool – I took quite a few photos but none do it justice:

And because I can’t talk about a trip without mentioning food – had the best smoked pork at a BBQ place in Pigeon Forge.  Yum!

posted under travel
17 Comments to

“Running the numbers”

  1. On November 18th, 2008 at 3:07 pm DD Says:

    Tessa = lactose intolerant? Just a thought.

  2. On November 18th, 2008 at 3:20 pm Tracey Says:

    Love the winter shot of the trees! Makes me cold just looking at it! Sorry about all the sickness! God Bless!

  3. On November 18th, 2008 at 3:45 pm carla Says:

    I had the same thought about tessa and the lactose intol. (which should prolly be your first clue it ISNT THAT :))

    hang in there.

    more when MINE isnt crying from neglect 🙂

  4. On November 18th, 2008 at 4:35 pm cass Says:

    baby choke = biggest fear.

    i cant wait until i have 2 hands to comment again

  5. On November 18th, 2008 at 5:30 pm Vanessa Says:

    OH my goodness what’s going on with all of our children!! My kids are sick and they seem to do this when we’re on vacation as well!

  6. On November 18th, 2008 at 6:39 pm Andrea Says:

    How high up was the altitude? She might have gotten altitude sickness-that will make you throw up like the dickens. I know when we go home to CO, I have to drink lots of water, even in Denver because the 5000 foot thing makes me ill. If we go up to the mountains, it’s BAD. I mean, head pounding, heart racing, puking bad. If she’s feeling better now that you’re back home…maybe?

    I am sorry you didn’t have a super duper weekend. But I guess it goes along with the saying-a bad day in the mountains is better than a good day in the city! 🙂

  7. On November 18th, 2008 at 7:32 pm Alleen Says:

    I’m glad you still had fun, but gosh, it’s hard when they are sick. I know what you mean about being scared of the choking thing. I slept on the floor(well, not much sleeping actually happened) last week when Gabriella got the stomach stuff because I was so scared of her choking on it.

    I’m glad you’re feeling ok so far. I pray if it was a virus you don’t get it. ’cause, speaking from experience, it sucks bigtime.

  8. On November 18th, 2008 at 7:35 pm Pocklock Says:

    Oh no! I hope that little peanut gets better soon.

  9. On November 18th, 2008 at 7:42 pm Hadyn Says:

    Pork BBQ is hands-down the best thing about the South. (Not counting my Reb husband.)

    And I love and agree with your attitude toward the locale of being sick together – why not be in a beautiful place at the same time? Mix things up a bit, keep it fresh 🙂

  10. On November 18th, 2008 at 8:06 pm Debra Says:

    Sorry to hear about sick babies. But that view is hard to beat, baby puke or not. Can’t wait to see the holiday photos. Interesting thing that you mentioned Sabrina’s nose bleeds. Alexis has had several and there is nothing more alarming then finding blood all over her crib sheet in the AM and freaking out on where it came from. I have started tracking them to see if I can find a connection.

  11. On November 18th, 2008 at 8:12 pm Anne Says:

    Amazing pictures!! Sorry about little Tessa being sick, though…

  12. On November 18th, 2008 at 8:31 pm Bobbi Says:

    Hope Tessa is over what she had. Strange at the timing…..just when you think you have them figured out!!

    Reese gets severe nosebleeds! Poor kid, gets the sniffles and flips out.

    Hope everyone is better soon. Glad you were able to salvage some fun.

  13. On November 18th, 2008 at 8:36 pm Nikki Says:

    Beautiful pictures!!!! Sorry to hear about the stomach bug!!! Sounds like you still managed to have a good time!!!

  14. On November 19th, 2008 at 7:14 am Steph Says:

    Sorry little girl was having a rough time! Looks like you had a nice vacation (although a sleepless one) despite it. GORGEOUS pictures. I covet snow and ice so I am drooling. 😉

  15. On November 19th, 2008 at 9:01 pm Pattie Says:

    Sorry Tessa isn’t feeling well…..sounds pretty similar to what my princesa has been going thru for most of the last week. We had 1 day were she tossed her cookies (and everything else) about 20 times, but no fever and she seemed happy and not moody. That was followed by 4 nights in a row of middle of the night “episodes” (and multiple changes of sheets)….no daytime issues those days, except a few bad dipes. Supposedly these weird symptoms are going around our area. YUCK! Sorry that it interferred with your anniversary trip.

  16. On November 24th, 2008 at 4:10 pm Debra Says:

    So we are thinking about Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge between christmas & new years. Mommy wants to hide for a few days. After hosting Thanksgiving & Christmas for 25 family members I think it will be well deserved. Plus a change of scenery for us Florida beach bums. So do you have any words of wisdom? How the heck did you pick a cabin with so many to choose from online? None of the ads mention kid friendly or safe for 2yo. Plus I get car sick easy so I don’t want to be green the whole trip. Please share some valuable mommy advice. Thanks!

  17. On February 27th, 2012 at 8:52 am Michelle Smiles » Blog Archive » John Denver ear worm Says:

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