Flu

We have yet to have a normal week in 2014. Between holidays and snow, combined with the last week's worth of flu, Sophia hasn't been to school more than four days. This week, she'll be lucky to get two.

Anyway, it wears us both out. I love spending time with my girl. Especially when we can get outside for a little walk or play. But this weather keeps us inside. Playing Monopoly, Life, dominoes, American Girls, Legos, Wii, watching TV, reading.

Here she is writing a story.

She was pretty mad to learn that today was a snow day because I think she was ready to head back. Really, though, I think another day of rest couldn't be a bad idea.

Here's hoping for some health and normalcy. 

Let Down

My body let me down. Although I really shouldn't say that. I got through the majority of this month with my health, even a workout thrown in now and again.

I'm sick now. A cold or something nasty. It hasn't kept us from having a good time, though, for the most part. Mary came over for our Thanksgiving Dinner from Dierberg's. Yummy as ever. This morning, we headed to the farm where Sophia takes lessons so she could get in one extra, since she's been sick too.

It was chilly but worth it.

Now Christmas is up around here. I'm finally starting to feel in the Christmas spirit just a tiny bit. Erick and Sophia take such sweet care of me when I don't feel well. It makes me that much more grateful for them.

Maybe now that things will potentially resume some normalcy, I'll have a chance to blog more. I'm not even sure what I'd write about, but I'll give it some thought.

Hope everyone's holidays are off to a beautiful beginning.

Confession

Sophia was at home for two days this week. She had a low- to middle-grade fever for the first day into the evening. A virus of some sort. I kept her home the second day for two reasons. The first was to follow the rule. The "no fever for 24 hours" rule. Primarily, though, because she did this exact same thing last year around Halloween. I sent her back the day she felt better, and she ended up being sick for the following two days. So, I'm hoping that by giving her the extra day of rest, she'll actually be healthy this time...

Also, I love spending time with her. Which brings me to my confession. I miss her today. Two days of not getting the things done that I had planned to get done. No exercise, no friends, no time to myself. But we giggled and snuggled and talked. And I miss her today.

Today, I'll go get all my errands finished. I'll have a few minutes to myself. No one will have an invisible 5-foot leash on me.

And I'll be so happy when 3:30 rolls around.


*the picture was not from a sick day, but it's still representative of our state for the past two days

Home Entertainment

Sophia has been at home fighting off a sinus infection and nasty cough most of the week. This afternoon, we both needed some sunshine and fresh air. Sophia brought her guitar so she could serenade us.

The cough came back after a little singing, so we had to go inside. But our little outing left both of us feeling better.

This Week Remains a Smudge

I haven't had much to say over the past week because there has been illness amongst us. Pretty much just Sophia. She came down with the flu on the day of my last post, which makes the snuggling that much more understandable. By the end of the week, I was actually just hoping for excuses to extract myself from under the needy weight of a sick child. I sound like a terrible mother, but I know that almost every mother agrees with me.

Now she's healthier, and Erick and I are trying to regain a little rest that we lost. I bought some curtains for our room today. In the alley next to our apartment, there is a motion light that is quite bright. It hasn't bothered either of us until this week. Now all the sudden, it's blinding!! Not really, but you get the point. So some cheap but attractive curtains from WalMart may do the trick. We'll find out tonight.

Yesterday was Sophia's first day back at preschool for a week. I used it to read. The entire time. I haven't done that before, but I'm looking forward to doing it again one day. I read a fantastic book called Those Who Save Us about the lives of one German mother and daughter who lived through WWII. It's a tale of how the mother saved them and the daughter's desperate need for answers about how they survived. I would highly recommend the book.

Tomorrow night, we're looking forward to having some friends over for dinner. That means the rest of my day will be spent cleaning in preparation. I have several ideas about things to share but they will wait for another day.

Blech

So I have a nasty cough and I can't breathe through my nose. Plus, the temperature just dropped to actual winter temps. Booooo! I am not at all in favor of this development, but I will meet it. Just checking in. I'll write more when the fog clears. Hopefully in less than 24 hours.

Sicky out.

Longest Week on Record

Honestly, I can say that this has been the biggest waste of a week in my life. Well, maybe there have been bigger wastes, but I don't remember them. Monday I went in for a biopsy on an area on my nose that was worrying me because it acted just like the spot on my forehead from a couple of years ago. He decided to biopsy three areas on my face instead. The good news is that only the one I originally went in for is cancer. So, that's good news.

Monday night, I came down with a fever. Tuesday, Erick (my knight in shining armor) came home early so I could sleep the rest of the day. Wednesday and Thursday passed like blurs of groaning and pain. Achiness, nausea, fever, then a sore throat to make other sore throats feel like a soothing experience. Anyway, that's not the point. I have been down under this sickness, and I'm sick of it. Even though my throat still makes it hard to swallow, and it even makes it hard to breathe, for that matter, I am taking my attitude to a happier place.

This post is my declaration to this sickness that it can kiss my ass. That's all I needed to say. Thanks for listening. I am now going to be cheery.

Restful Weekend

Our weekend was so relaxing and refreshing that it's hard to believe we've had a sick kid for a few days.

Thanksgiving Day we drove to Kansas City and back to spend the day with Erick's mom and extended family. It's always fun to reconnect. Sophia loves her family. She hated leaving, especially because there is a boatload of kids there. Lexie, in particular, makes for a very good partner in crime. Lexie turned three in July, and the two of them are as cute as they are ornery. Wish I took my camera.

Friday, Sophia was still just a little coughy, but all together doing fine. So after nap, we took her to Grandmary's house and had a long luxurious date. Dinner, movie, shopping. Perfection.

Then, Friday midnight, or is it Saturday, regardless, she woke up with croup. Now, I haven't blogged this fact because I didn't want to jinx anything, but now it's broken, so I can tell you. The winter of 2007-08 was awful. Two pneumonias, too many croups to count, colds constantly. She was on breathing treatments at least twice a day. Last year, however, Sophia didn't go to the doctor once (aside from the burn). We haven't used the nebulizer for breathing treatments for over 18 months. Until Friday. She's been on several breathing treatments a day now.

 

No more croup, just a continual cough. I hope to get in to the doctor today to be sure there is nothing extra that we're dealing with.

Seriously, though, in spite of, or maybe because Sophia was sick, we had a fantastic weekend. We stayed at home pretty much constantly. In our pajamas. Yes, Sophia's are Spongebob.

 

We got takeout for supper because we didn't want to be the ones with the coughing kid. We played and played. I remember now that Sophia is quite possibly even sweeter than normal when she is sick. We got so many cuddles and kisses and hugs. She was a big time Daddy's girl but she still prefers her mama when she needs some comfort or to sleep an extra little bit at nap.

It always helps our weekends when the Tigers win. But when they win over the Jayhawks to keep them out of a bowl, it makes our weekend, week, month, etc. Sophia watched the end of the game with gusto. I had to hold her for part, and as I wandered away, she said, "Mom, I wanted to watch the Tigers."

 

I just loved this weekend. It's a shame that Sophia wasn't feeling well, but it didn't seem to affect her fun at all. I could do with some more weekends that we do as little as we did during this one.

Illness

I think I have been healthy too long. I have a sore throat and feel slightly achy, and you'd think I was suffering from some long-term illness. I'll snap out of it. I'm sure I'm just tired. Anyway, hopefully you can help keep me honest. Don't let me get whiny in my old age. Oh yeah, and I have a birthday this week. I'm working on a post for that. Just not sure I'll get it posted. After all, I'm very sick....

Poop Stinks

This post has nothing to do with poop, but it just seemed like the only way to start.

I've been on radio silence for a while for one main reason. We've been having a rough stint. Last Monday, almost two weeks ago, I was planning a very fun post. I had an ultrasound scheduled to make sure that everything was okay in my - yep - early pregnancy. I was 8 weeks, and the ultrasound technician could only find an empty sac. That was not good news, but it wasn't necessarily the worst news. The basic idea was that I could have been off on dates and less pregnant than I originally thought or it could be something called a blighted ovum. That means that an embryo implanted but only the sac continued to grow. The only way to know for sure which we were dealing with was to wait nearly two weeks - until yesterday morning - and have another ultrasound.

Two weeks of waiting was pretty miserable, but we managed to carry on with life in the most normal way we could. I worked so hard not to think about what we were waiting on that I ended up not doing much thinking at all. That's why no I couldn't think of any posts.

So yesterday morning was the ultrasound. Poop stinks gives you an idea that it did not turn out like we had planned. The sac was still empty and hadn't grown at all. So this week I will need to have a procedure to end the process.

So that's where we are. After two weeks of stopping feelings in their tracks, we are finding it to be a challenge to access them now. It will happen when we least expect it. With people who care close and each other closer, we'll make it through this as we have anything else.

Most of you already knew about all of this, but it always helps me to get things out in writing. I appreciate you hearing me out, but I don't really need feedback. I've disabled comments on this post. I just don't want anyone to feel the need to find something to say.

Winter's Over

It's been over for a couple of weeks now I guess. I've been too distracted by the cold temperatures and chilling wind to notice. Anyway, I haven't said anything about this, even though I noticed a while ago. I didn't want to jinx anything. This winter was exponentially better than last as far as Sophia getting sick. Last winter, Sophia was in the doctor's office probably every ten days or two weeks. Our longest stretch of health was four days....seriously. So, even though Sophia had the burnt hand and stuff this winter, I'm just really grateful that our entire winter wasn't fraught with sick days and visits to the doctor's office. I would call that a big victory.

Now, on to allergy season!

Brief Update

After a sleepless night last night and some complaints about the pain this morning, we took Sophia in a day early to the Burn Clinic, as the doctor had told us he wanted to know of any pain. So they unwrapped, cleaned and rewrapped the wound. Sounds so simple on paper. I'm just glad it's over.

We go back on Friday for another rewrap. He said the depth of burn typically heals in 10 to 14 days. I thought that sounded great! I was envisioning months, particularly since it already feels that way. But after a good nap this afternoon, Sophia and I are much closer to our perky selves, although I'm guessing that will take some time. Just wanted you all to know that Sophia is feeling better all the time. I don't anticipate her being willing to admit that her hand hurts again after this morning's ordeal. Even as they were unwrapping it, she began to insist "My hand feels much better!" I'm sure that is indicative of some larger thought about healing, but I'll just leave it there for now.

Thanks for thinking and praying for us!

2009 not shaping up well...

This week was the longest week in recorded history. It claimed to be seven days, but I'm certain that I lived 40 in the same amount of time. All week I had been looking forward to the promise of reuniting with old friends and colleagues one more time before the Governor's Mansion changes hands. We dolled up on Friday (not too much, mind you. It was only 'business' dress) and headed to Jefferson City.

Just as we had reconnected and settled in with our treats and wine, we received the phone call that started "Sophia's okay, but..." Ugh. As Erick took the phone call, I watched from my seat and knew that our evening was taking a disappointing turn. Sophia had "helped" take a pizza out of the oven and set her hand on the door in the process.

We returned home to a lethargic and sleepy girl with slight blisters on her palm. We were shocked when she slept through the night, but we were even more shocked that her entire palm had turned into a blister. Five hours and much pacing later, Sophia got into the Burn ICU at the University and was immediately patched up, so to speak. Tonight, we're resting.

Sophia did wonderfully throughout. Trooper doesn't begin to describe her sweet and heart-wrenching tenderness. Last night, as we were discussing bed, she looked at Erick with watery eyes and said, "I'll stay here under the blankie a minute. Is that okay?" It was. She seemed to forget about her injury if it was tucked safely under the blanket.

Then this morning while discussing the impending doctor's visit, Sophia said "I wish it didn't happen." Broke our hearts, that one.

The emergency room itself was actually a pleasure for Sophia. at 8:30 on a Saturday morning, she had her pick of nurses to Peek-a-boo with. They were all head-over-heels for the cute little girl. Even when the burn attending, Dr. Kratz (sp?) came to get her, she responded sweetly, to which he said, "Sophia, you are indescribably cute."

We were home around 1:30 this afternoon with a groggy but still happy toddler. She perked up this afternoon to play some with her wrapped appendage.

By tonight, she was feeling out of it again and needed to snuggle with daddy, watching her little DVD player while Daddy watched football. A restful and much needed scenario for both.

The pain is significantly less this way than had the burn had to heal on its own. We are very grateful for that. So, anyway, 2009. I'm not loving it. Any budgetary restrictions we had placed on ourselves are shot beyond recognition, and that makes them all the more necessary. I still have hope. Seriously, with an adventurous and fearless toddler, our chances of making it through 2009 without an e.r. visit were slim to none. So maybe we just got ours out of the way. One can hope if one chooses. I choose to do so. Remind me of that tomorrow when I'm still wishing for 2010.

Indeed

Well, after Erick and I fell victim to whatever illness attacked Sophia, we are very grateful to see this week come to an end. Sophia slept the full night last night for the first time in weeks, and I actually feel better today.

Sophia, on the other hand, is still battling something. I can't quite figure it out. All I know is that her voice has not left that whiny octave only a parent can fully appreciate. Without anything planned for the weekend, we should be able to all bounce back with reasonable certainty in the next couple of days.

Just wish us luck making it through the first and hopefully worst sickness of our season.

"It will be the best winter ever!" I'm really working on getting that one down. It just never comes out without a giggle - or sarcastic sneer.

Booooooooooooo

We've been relegated to a day of Shrek and Madagascar today because Sophia is recovering from some sort of stomach flu. She was sick six times in two hours last night, then slept fitfully in our bed.

I'm tired.

Trying not to be grumpy.

She's feeling better today, but I can't get very far.

Hoping this isn't indicative of our winter.

Why I need some coffee

We had a good weekend over all, in spite of the following.

I should have seen the foreshadowing when Sophia started wiping Baby Frank's nose.

It wasn't long before she looked liked this.

After three nights of Sophia's coughing and sneezing through the night, none of us feel very good any more. I think it must be these crazy allergies. The air is just full of stuff that shouldn't be there, and we're paying for it dearly. Sophia is currently laying on my bed watching TV saying, "Where's my Lulu?" and she's right next to her. Ugh. Should be a nice long day.

She is back!

My baby is becoming more and more her sweet and nutty self. I am so glad. It has been a rough couple of weeks with her not feeling well. She is still not quite physically 100%, although I'm not sure what that would look like. She is still sleeping a lot during the day (not a complaint, mind you). It's just different.

Yesterday, we got out just a little bit for a WalMart run. We would have spent more time out, but we got our Ikea bed delivered....about 3 hours later than expected. Anywho...Sophia wore her rain jacket, although I'm not sure why. She refuses to put her hood up. She screams as though I'm smothering her with it. When we got home, I let her run around in the rain for a little while and she was beside herself with glee. You don't think this is why I have a constantly sick kid, do you? Don't judge me! Sorry, I just wanted to throw that one in there again. Actually, I don't think it was raining any more, but there was still water coming out of our gutter. Don't judge Erick!

Last night, Sophia and Erick went Mother's Day shopping for me. Apparently they had a grand time. Sophia discovered the Hallmark cards that are nearly as big as her - and they sing! Erick told me that the first one she opened just made her laugh hysterically and say, "I yike it!" over and over again. Then she started opening them and putting them on the floor so she could dance. I'd say she is getting back to herself. Yeah!

We're going to Springfield this weekend to visit my parents, so hopefully this attitude adjustment bodes well for our journey.

The Saga Continues

I thought we were finally on the road to peace and tranquility as it came to Sophia's health. A little bump on the road with the allergies, but all in all headed in the right direction. Wednesday we took her to the doctor to follow up on some pesky fluid in her ears. It was still there but less. I took her home and put her down for her nap. She woke with a 102 fever. Have I already told you this? I could look, but I'm too tired. Anyway, she's had a fever ever since. She has slept in our bed for two nights with her fever getting as high as 105, which is what it was when I took her again today.

She has a little fluid in her lungs again; we'll call that pneumonia. She also has a bit of an ear infection again. She is so sad and pathetic with this fever and all this yuckiness. These pictures are from her hour of life after a breathing treatment and steroid. Her hair is in a ponytail because it's so dirty. She will never let us give her a bath when she has a fever. She freaks out if we carry her anywhere near the tub. Anyway, the sad story continues.

I got my stitches out today. I'll post a picture some day when I have the energy. Until then . . .

The Infirmary

Erick's ability to pamper me has been severely hindered by the fact that Sophia is suffering from some pretty bad allergies. She has been on breathing treatments every four hours (including when she wakes up at night) for a couple of weeks now. That just starts to wear on a person(s).

So we're just looking forward to a day when I can function as a human and Sophia can stay asleep more than three hours in a row. Wish us luck. This afternoon, I had to wake her up from a deep sleep that would probably have gone on a very long time and ruined whatever hope of a good night we have. Isn't she sweet? She is usually that sweet when she's awake too. It's just harder to catch on camera. Lulu is sleeping soundly in this picture too. Sophia always uses Lulu as her pillow. A month or so ago, I tried to put a real pillow in bed with Sophia for a few nights, and that was not well received. I am sure Lulu was quite offended that I thought a simple pillow could perform her essential role. I was mistaken.

A Couple Days to Forget

This week ended with a bang...and a crash. Here comes a shocker - Sophia is sick again. I took her to the doctor yesterday (and waited over an hour) to get her newest wheeze checked out. No pneumonia this time, but they put her on an antibiotic for an ear near-infection and another steroid for her cough. After I waited another hour for the prescriptions, I gave Sophia a dose of each, which brings me to the second day to forget. When they prescribe steroids for children, they should also prescribe something helpful for the moms. Wow. Tell me you don't see the crazy in her eyes. I have a video I will keep trying to post that is an example of the lighter side of Crazy Town. During the less pleasant side, I was too busy trying to dodge little fists or thrown LuLu to pull out the camera. Have I mentioned Wow? Anyway, I don't remember the last time I was so happy to see Erick come home. Two days down, three to go - then she's off the steroids. I'll let you know if she starts getting a deeper voice or lifting and throwing me. Wish us luck!