It's Friday, I'm in love

It's Friday, and I'm in love with...

this boy!  Bode trial'ed Kindergarten today.  It went well, I think.  When I picked him up from school, I swear he looked 5 years older than when I dropped him off this morning.

I'm in love with...

this girl!  Gianna is such a sweet pea. She is always saying, "I love you, mama." Then again, she can burn me so quick. The other day, I was hugging her and asked, "Did you have a good-good day?" and she said, "Yes!" and so I pressed, "What made it such a good-good day?" and she responded, "Jackren was here!"  Ouch. Jacquelyn is our baby sitter.  I felt like Gianna had just knifed me in the back with that response.

I'm in love with...

this baby!  Nico had his first big fever and cold this week. It has been so rough!  This poor little guy has fluid in his ears, a horrible cough and terrible congestion. The pediatrician made me feel worse by explaining that Nico was throwing up because he is "probably nauseous from all the mucous." (I know that you wanted to read that. You're welcome.)  It just breaks my heart that he is only 4 months old and has already had a big sickness.  The pediatrician also said that Bode will be bringing home lots of "stuff" from school. I wish I could feel so matter-of-fact about it.  After this incident, I will have a hard time taking my children anywhere!

This week, with Nico being sick, I have dozed/sat in our green chair, and RWF dozed/lied on our sofa, while Nico would sit in his swing in our living room. Nico didn't sleep, so Mommy and Daddy didn't sleep either. I look longingly at our bed every time I change Nico's diaper. It is funny how you get to a point in sleep deprivation where you would give anything to just sleep in your bed.  At least, that is where I was this week. 

The entire family has been sick over the past 2 weeks. I know that we are not unique in this situation.  But UGH! it has been so hard. 

Stay healthy and warm!

xo

37 weeks with P

Here  is a 37 week shot with Priscilla.

(I don't know what I'm doing with my mouth. And no, my maternity shirts no longer cover my belly. Nice trashy shot there, eh? But I wanted to capture this moment again, like in 2008.)

2012

And below, you'll find the one that was taken in 2008 when I was pregnant with Bode Wm!

2008

Poor Priscilla is not doing well.  She has not been herself for a long time, and RWF has been worried that it's more than the lake flies that are at issue. Today RWF took her to the vet and they tested her for Lyme Disease. She does not have Lyme, but tested positive for Anaplasmosis, which is another tick-borne ailment. The vet also thinks that P has been struggling with some hip issues. They started P on anti-biotics and anti-steroidals.  Today, she has been pretty dopey and lethargic. So I am thankful that she got up from her bed to take a picture with me (thanks, P!).  I feel so bad. How long has she felt poorly, been suffering, etc? Hopefully with these meds, she'll be feeling better very soon. Send your love and good energy to P!

xo

Checking in

I know, I know...you all are like, "Who cares about you and how you're doing? How are the babies? More importantly, where are (the pictures of) the babies?"

Gianna is embarrassed about how she looks, and chose to look away whenever I tried to snap her picture.

This morning, Bode and I harvested our cucumber and a tomato. Not sure if it was ready or not, but we need something to do. We all are going a little stir crazy with the sickness.



I have tried crafts, dance parties, sing-a-longs, and even resorted to tv watching (Cars movie and Sesame Street). Priscilla is the only one that is benefitting from the sickness. I take the babies (and Priscilla) out for a walk twice a day.  I think we all need the fresh air. I know that I for one really need to get out of this house! This sickness has got to end, soon!

Bode wants you to know that despite being sick, he is still  a potty rock star.



Please don't enlarge this picture because I am 99.99% sure Bode has snot all over his face.

He has almost got every Cars movie-themed car out there.  I don't know what I'm going to do when I'm out of Cars options.  I've tried Cars-themed books and those got a lukewarm reception (except at naptime and bedtime!).  Hot Wheels cars are just not "hot" in Bode's book.

The good news is, tomorrow is Friday. And why is that good news in my book?  Because Daddy is sharing parental duties Saturday and Sunday!
Happy Friday, everyone.
xo

Croup, there it is

Sunday night, I tiptoed into Bode's room to check on him while he was sleeping.  His breathing was very labored. I sat and listened for a long time.  Then, he gave out a loud cough, and then another. My heart seized up. This did not sound good. His breathing was worrisome. The cough sounded loud and hollow, like a seal. I laid there on the bed, in the dark, listening. He woke up; his breathing and coughing was getting worse. I was so scared that I was going to have to take him to the emergency room. 

Then I remembered that Dr. Google is available 24/7.    Those who have gone before me, any guesses? 

Croup!

Everybody sing with me, and bonus points if you do Cabbage Patch while singing:

Croup, there it is. Croup, there it is. Croup, there it is.

Okay, I am taking artistic license with a song and joking right now. But I was very worried then. Bode's symptoms matched exactly for "croup." After consulting with Dr. Google, I sat Bode on a stool in the bathroom and turned on the hot water for steam. Bode's eyes got even bigger than they normally are, and he whispered, "Mommy, are you going to take a shower?"  I (stupidly) said, "No, this is for you."  Bode burst into tears and cried, "No, I not take a shower! I not take a shower, Mommy!"  (He hates the shower)  I tried to explain it was just the steam that we needed but it was too late. He was scared and wanted out of that bathroom stat.

We went to the pediatrician the next day.  I explained that I was parenting solo this week, and asked her what warning signs do I need to look for? What signs will tell me when I need to wake up both children and head to the emergency room?  She told me what to watch for; when to know a visit to the e.r. was needed. And then she suggested that next time Bode's cough was bad, I could put both children in the stroller and take them for a walk, because the cool night air helps croup.  Both children?  You mean, WAKE THE SLEEPING BABY? You mean, WAKE THE SLEEPING BABY and explain that we are going for a walk in the cool night air to help her brother's croup? Are you crazy, doctor?

She obviously hasn't had any babies. Next time, I think I will save my money and stick with Dr. Google. Or, I will put Bode in the stroller and just walk our driveway! NO WAKING THE SLEEPING BABY, you moron.

Today, Bode's croup is better.  Gianna has been sick since last Friday. And now, Bode is sick with the same. They are both running fevers. Their noses are perpetually running. I do laundry once a day because both babies wake up from nap/sleep with snot all over...everything.  It is disgusting. 
My guess is that they have a form of what Bob and I both battled two weeks ago.  Speaking of Bob, did I mention that he has been out of town for the past 5 days?  Yes, he missed the croup fun. Conveniently missed all the croup drama and really, is missing the day in, day out fun that is the sickness. That's okay, because he probably doesn't know how to Cabbage Patch anyway.   This is my dance party. Croup, there it is.

Why I have been absent

Bob was leaving for a business trip when I started feeling a lower back ache that travelled up my spine, into my shoulders and then worked its way all over my body.  Fever, chills, sore throat, and vomiting followed, to name a few symptoms. All I wanted to do was wrap myself in as many layers as possible and sleep. Did I mention that I have two children? Two babies that depend on me for food, shelter, clothing, diaper changes and other basic necessities? Did I mention that I was all alone? With two babies that need me for their every...well, need?

On the second day of sickness, I went to the doctor to see if there was any way of preventing the babies from getting sick (insert laugh track here). After determining that I had "just a virus," my doctor's only advice was to have family watch the babies while the virus worked its way through my body.  I almost cried. I said, "I don't have any family here."

I was so sick, and unable to take care of my babies. The headache and body aches made it impossible to do anything but lay down. I would try to sleep on the couch, and Bode would order, "No, mommy, you not close you eyes." So I would try to sit up and pretend to be interested in his 1,387 car game. I couldn't tolerate the sight or smell of food. So meal times were a hurried throw-the-food-in-the-direction-of-the-high-chair-tray, and make a run for the restroom while the babies ate.  At one point, I was lying on the floor with Gianna playing nearby when I heard a crash, a  scream and then crying. I couldn't even get up. I just asked, "What happened" with no energy in my voice. Bode came running up with blood all over his hands and chin. Ordinarily, this sight would have caused me to jump up in a panic. I had no reaction except dread, to see if I had to take him to the emergency room (Please God no I can not drive). He cried and cried. He wouldn't tell me what happened. So I guess he tried to climb a table, fell, and bit down on his lip in two places. Multiply this type of living for five days. It really was a sucky situation.

Fun times, let me tell you. So. Having experienced h-e-double hockey sticks (for those minors reading) all on my own, I am now ready for family.  FAMILY.  I WANT FAMILY! I NEED FAMILY.  I told Bob that we need family nearby. So, to make things interesting, let's make this a contest:  we will move to the town of  whoever posts a comment on this post first.  GO!

Just kidding. Kind of. This horrible sickness did get me thinking. Without getting too dramatic, I thought about a lot of different situations. In the end, I am incredibly lucky and grateful for everything that I have, mainly my health! 

I know that I still have more on Gianna's birthday to post, and other things. Today, I enjoyed my babies,  food, fresh air, sunshine...life! I am excited to be back.

Happy Wednesday.

xo



Gianna and Bode, shocked to be outdoors, after so long.



Thrilled to be at the park!

Are they trying to escape..from...me?

Gianna tries to keep up with Bode.

Mommy joins in the fun.

A simple task, like giving the babies a bath, was impossible for me to fathom a few days ago.

Some like it hot

The heat. Oh my, the heat.  I know I am a wimp. I know (as Bob frequently reminds me) that I lived in Texas, where it is above 90 degrees most of the year (okay, not really, but it feels that way sometimes). This week, our temps here are in the 90s with lows in the 60s.  I'm wilting.

Babycakes is doing much better. Thank you, everyone, for your concern and good thoughts.  Unfortunately, the fever was not due to teething, as I had optimistically naively stupidly thought. Her fever just kept climbing.  And finally, when it reached 104 degrees, I was "allowed" to bring her in for an appointment. 104 degrees!!! I had no idea that babies could have such high temps for so long. It was so frightening to read the thermometer. I felt like I was living in a nightmare. Really, it got to the point that I could just feel Gianna's forehead and guess the temp. Friday night was brutal, with a pediatrician visit and a visit to Urgent Care, but we survived. My poor baby went through so much.  Her fever broke on Sunday, and a few minutes after that, the e.r. pediatrician called and diagnosed her with a virus.  Today, she is looking and acting so much better. What a relief. And, my favorite thing right now is when I pick her up from a nap:  a smiling baby with a cool forehead!

So Sunday night, I knew I was going to be under house arrest for a few days while Gianna recovered. I put the babies to bed, and then ran out to the store for groceries. FYI, I despise doing any kind of "work" after I put the babies to bed.  I feel like I am "off work" once those little ones are sleeping. So running to the store was not high on my "want" list.  But it was a "need" so I went.  While shopping, I found this gluten-free pizza dough mix, and thought that sounded...interesting.  Bob has been gluten-free for too long.  I miss pizza!  So tonight, Bode and I made pizza.  Why I *choose* to make pizza on one of the hottest days this year, (a sweltering 92 degrees), I can not explain. Maybe I want to see how hot I can take it. So I crank up our range to 425 degrees, and put a pot of tomatoes on the stovetop to boil because hey! if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!

Okay, that made no sense.  Here is Bode topping our pie.  He enjoyed putting piles of cheese and veggies on one part of the pizza dough. I had to remind him to spread things out. 

"I do it myself"

His shirt is wet, but his hands are clean.

More cheese, please.

The finished product (after we ate more than half of it)

The dough came out pretty good, considering (considering: it is gluten-free, considering: I have never made pizza dough, considering: we were all starving, etc.). Of course, I would have preferred a thinner crust.  But it was fun to make and to eat (even though our house felt like the inside of an oven).

Stay cool.

xo

A mustache and a fever

Every morning, Bob makes a green drink.  It consists of water, spinach, banana, and some frozen fruit.  Bode always has a green drink with Bob. It is their little ritual to start the blender by announcing, "blending" before the blender roars, and grinds everything down to a green, pulpy liquid.  Bob pours the drinks, they clink glasses and say, "Cheers."  This morning, after guzzling down his green drink, Bode had a huge green mustache.  It was cracking me up. I sat across the table from him and giggled like a loon.  Maybe it was from lack of sleep, but I could 'see' him as an old man.

Our lovely G is not feeling well. Gianna has been running a fever since yesterday.  She's been averaging about 102 degrees.  We almost took her into Urgent Care yesterday afternoon. But, right as I strapped Gianna into her car seat, a nurse called and told me how to care for her through the night.  I was nervous about her temp, but put her down for bed around 7 PM. Gianna woke up crying at 11 PM with a temp of 103.  Yikes!  But the nurse told me not to call unless her temp was 104. So I gave Gianna a sponge bath and some drugs.  After an hour, her temp was down 1 degree.  Then she was up again at 4 AM. And again at 6 AM.  She is so hot to the touch. I hate to think about how she must be feeling.

Every morning, Bode "hides" behind Gianna's high chair so that she has to turn around in her seat to "find" him.  But this morning, our feverish girl could barely smile and engage with her brother. 

I have made an appointment for the pediatrician this afternoon because Gianna isn't doing any better.  I am hoping that it is just teething. I am sure that her top front teeth are coming in.  But I don't like this fever! So we'll see her ped and get the OK from her, so that we can hopefully stop worrying.

xo