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.
We've had a very good start to the week around here. As I said, it is going to be a busy one. Monday was our friend Will's birthday. So we met him and some of our other friends at the park for a little lunch and play. Sophia was still not quite herself, so our play was cut short. I knew something was wrong when I offered her favorite pastime and she said "No swing!"
The evening was spent celebrating Cinco de Mayo with Erick's Grandma Charlotte and Uncle Bill, who were visiting from California and Oregon respectively. We also enjoyed the company of our Timbers Court crew. I didn't get any pictures that evening. Sophia was still not herself and refused to willingly go to anyone but me for the large part of the evening. She would, however, seek out one of our neighbors "Big Aaron" (we have to call him that as a distinction from one of Sophia's other favorite people Cousin Aaron.) She was constantly asking where Big Aaron was and would then cover her eyes when he looked in her direction. I have tried to tell her to work on her methods, but it seems to be working pretty well for her.
Yesterday, Sophia was finally starting to feel a little better. She still wants to spend most of her day being held and/or in front of the TV. Preferably both. She's sick. So don't judge me. Anyway, yesterday we actually played and she spoke in a normal tone of voice instead of the high pitched whine I have come to know and love. I was so glad to see this change because I was leaving her with Casey yesterday afternoon and evening, and I was starting to feel very guilty. Erick and I went with our friends the Harrises to see The Swell Season. The Harrises are apparently our concert going friends. Back in December (yes, December! Last night we were convinced this happened in February), we went with them to see Ja Rule. This was an entirely different experience.
I mentioned the movie Once and their Oscar winning song before. The Swell Season is a band the two musicians formed as a result of their working together before and during the sound track. I can't begin to describe how great this concert was. The opening act was a "giant" Irish performer, Damien Dempsey. This was both literal and figurative. He was physically imposing, and Glen Hansard from The Swell Season said that he is part of the best that Ireland has to offer. Our favorite song of his was entitled. "I'm never going to let your negative vibes and comments get through to my psyche and cripple me." I think on the album, it's shortened to "Negative Vibes." He was a good opening act. I did feel as though I was getting something through watching him perform that I would never get anywhere else.
The Swell Season performance was outstanding. The chemistry that the entire group of musicians has is very energizing. The opening number was one of the highlights without a doubt. Glen Hansard walked out alone and stood in front of his microphone, acoustic guitar not yet plugged in, and belted out "Say it to me now." Below is his slightly different performance of this song in Portland months ago. It doesn't do it justice, but here it is anyway. Just because I wanted to hear it again reallly.
We commented last night that we can't remember a concert that an artist explained the back story of each and every song. It didn't hurt that Glen Hansard is Irish. He loves to talk. It was so much fun to try and follow him on his babbling brook of expressions and attempts to explain the heart and its intricacies. My favorite tirade had to do with his disgust with technology. An iTunes playlist could never have the power of a compilation cassette tape, and an email is just not as tangible or tactile as a meaningful hand-written letter. "Because if you kiss the monitor, you'll get an electrostatic shock to your lips." I happen to agree with him, yet here I am contributing to the cause. In the future I will simply send you all letters with the same information. . . daily . . . okay, maybe not. The entire set was very eclectic. Market and Glen switching between guitar and piano and back was tiring just to watch. The flow of the set list was great, though. Marketa's vocals are, as Niki said, "Like the tinkling of bells." And I love it when Glen screams out the lyrics, but simply because you think that heart of his is breaking. Anyway, great concert.
Anyway, it was a terrific time. Niki and I are convinced that we could be friends with Glen and Marketa. They would certainly be fascinating individuals to get to know.
This weekend was both very good and just okay. It's a weekend, so it's rarely very bad. All of the unpleasantness revolved around the two health issues in our home: Sophia's recovery from pneumonia and my recovery from the head wound.
Saturday morning, we went to Jefferson City to attend a ceremony in which Erick's late grandfather, Ross Creach, was being honored again as a Missouri State Highway Patrolman to lose his life in the line of duty. He was one of many to be recognized in such a way that day. I didn't see much of the ceremony, although I did get to hear the governor's speech. It was good as always. Sorry. Can't help it. Anyway, I was busy trying to A) keep warm, and B) entertain a very grumpy Sophia. Holy cow, was it every cold! I think if the wind had stopped blowing, it would have approached pleasant. As it was, it was all I could do to keep two feet on the ground! We made a couple of trips inside, and I got a lot of this look: It was another time when I was grateful that I couldn't understand all of her vocabulary. One needn't use one's imagination to guess what she is saying.
The best time of the morning was spent at the "mountain" looking at the nearly dead tulips. I was very bummed that I missed their prime photo time. The rest of the day was spent doing things we enjoyed and keeping Sophia happy. Did I mention she's on steroids again? They just make a mess of her. Anyway, it was all in all a pleasant day. For a change this weekend, we attended Saturday night service at our church since we wanted to be able to relax on Sunday morning. That was a good choice.
Today was a productive day. I got a lot of cleaning done during Sophia's brief nap, and then we carted her off to Grandmary's house to get a little rest and some desperately needed time to connect. Between my head, Sophia's lungs and Erick's allergies, Erick and I had probably exchanged a total of three sentences this week that weren't related to the preceding topics. So we were very glad to have some uninterrupted quality time.
The evening, however, was spent going from trainwreck to meltdown. She's just so tired from all of this, and so hepped up on steroids, that she really doesn't feel herself. Not to mention what we think is a tummy ache caused by all the medicine and a lack of desire to eat. One of my random projects today was to plant some flowers. I planted these flowers willy nilly in about ten minutes, and Sophia was glad to help. The result was a very dirty girl. We're hoping for a better day tomorrow as her last dose of steroids is in the morning. Getting into a routine again always seems to help a bit too. I'm open to any suggestions on helping to settle her tummy. She is a very finicky eater these days. The fever magnified that tremendously.
I don't make too many social or political statements on this blog. That is largely because my social and political ideals are being wrapped up in an 18-month-old at the moment. This social statement is one that I am working very hard on heeding myself. This video was posted on Greg Boyd's blog and it got to me as they always do. What more can I say about it? How much is enough? To whom should we offer more of our precious resources? You know what, there is someone closer than you think who is living in poverty. That is the sad fact. Find them. Help eliminate poverty in their life.
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 . . .
Basically, I'm just making a new post so that nastiness isn't the first thing you see. Seriously, that's gross. Don't worry, I will post new pictures of the wound as it evolves and heals.
So anyway, the other day Sophia woke up from her nap and had ALL these beautiful curls. It's just funny. I do have curly hair on my side, although I never got it. I just love her sweet little ringlets. Not to mention her snuggles.
Here it is in all its glory. This was taken on Saturday I think. It looks a lot better on the sides now, but the center is still pretty raw. Also, my swelling has actually gotten worse since then. Right now the raised eyebrow is less obvious because my eyelids are full of fluid. Weird. Enjoy!
