Yes, again. We've been duking it out with another round of HFMD (hand foot mouth virus) the last few days. After a few sleepless nights and lots of unhappiness around here, I think we've turned the corner. I feel like a rockstar this morning having slept more than 2 hours at a time - hence this early morning blog post.
Cole came down with a high fever on Sunday morning and unbenownst to me, it was hand foot mouth virus again. He kicked it within about 36 hours and was good as new by Tuesday. JD however, did not fare so well. He started with it on Tuesday and has been miserable since. The poor boy can barely swallow due to the sores in his mouth and has been screaming 90% of the time - this is VERY unlike him as he is usually such a happy little camper. Hopefully today he will be feeling better - especially since he was able to catch up on some sleep last night. Fingers crossed. I was thinking that these ugly virus's and winter bugs would be gone by now with the spring air in the house but obviously I was mistaken. This should be our last round of crud for a while I hope!
In other news, Baby Connor is doing wonderfully. It's killing me not to be able to see him since his homecoming but we need to keep our germs on this side of town for now. Maybe by the weekend we'll be cleared to go for a visit. I'm anxious for the boys to meet their baby cousin - we've been talking a lot about him with them and surely they still have no idea what I'm talking about - although they are practicing saying "baby" a lot now. He's growing like a weed and is already grown out of newborn size clothes. I had to laugh because his parents were initially very challenged with learning to change his diaper without getting sprayed - it's a whole new ballgame with a boy. He christened them several times his first day home. You learn those things the hard way after several wet outfits and blankets in the middle of the night!
My boys are coming up on another milestone monthly birthday - they will be 20 months next week. That means they are just 4 months away from being TWO. How did this happen? How on earth do I have toddlers that are almost two? I'm furiously trying to figure out ways to slow down time. Things are going far to quickly for me - I'm trying to savor every moment that I can but it's still flying by.
I'm feeling incredibly rejuvinated by the spring weather. We've had a few weeks with a lot of rain - but it's been amazing to see each sunny day how green and healthy things are. Everyone seems to come back out of their shells in the spring time and I feel like everyone starts smiling again. The winter doldrums are gone and we get a new lease on life again. The kids even notice it too - the birds are out, the bunnies are out and all of the flowers too. We've been working extra hard (I say WE, but really I mean my hubby) to get the yard shaped up. Things are coming together and our yard looks like it's actually had some TLC again. We even grilled out for the first time this week - that's usually my official notice that spring has sprung.
My first NICU volunteer visit was this week. I was in early in the morning for an hour one day this week. Unfortunately there were only 2 parents there at that time but it was still nice to chat with them. Since I had been up there that week & weekend with my nephew, it wasn't so hard to be there. I think the program is going to be excellent - as long as we can convince the nurses that we're going to be good for the parents. It was great to see my old nurses and reconnect with them on a different level this time.
We had an interesting week at work. I almost hestitate to write about this in fear that it could get back to the subject person. But it's really affected me in a negative way and I think getting it out there will help. Afterall, it's my blog and I can write whatever I want right? We recently hired a new employee on my team at work. It's never easy doing this because change is hard and usually it takes a while to adjust. Well, the second week this person was on board, she came to me and told me she had just found out she was expecting. Gulp.
Now, let me first say that she's not married (she's recently engaged) and she's in her early 20's. She's a good person, don't get me wrong. But she's young & clueless about some things, which is merely a function of immaturity. I was exactly that way when I was her age. Needless to say, I was a bit shocked at the news - first because I immediately was wondering if she knew this when she was hired and secondly, due to my infertility background, pregnancy announcements STILL feel like a kick in the stomach (regardless of who it is, sad but true). I think she could probably see it in my eyes when she told me. Anyway, we got through the intial congratulations. She was not exactly excited about her news - it was a whoopsie (of course) and she was a bit freaked out. Her biggest concern was telling her Mom and how that would go. This fiance of hers is also a bit naive and the comments she was telling me he made were making my blood slowly boil. This all came down a couple of weeks ago.
So her first sonogram was this week - much to my dismay, and surprise, she's having TWINS. Dear GOD. She walked in with her sono pictures and as soon as she showed them to me, I saw the two sacs. I almost threw up. This is so wrong for me on so many levels. And I'm totally freaked out about it. I feel like such a jerk because as I always say, all babies are miracles. And believe me, I'm trying to wrap myself around this situation and be happy. But I can't. I'm almost pissed off at her every time I see her. I'm still trying to figure out what has me in such a tailspin over it. I almost feel like I've been thrown back to my IF days and I can't get over it. Or Is it that she's pregnant by accident and now gets TWO babies? Is it that she's so naive and clueless and has no idea how lucky she is? Is it that I'm worried about how on earth she's going to take care of two babies both emotionally and financially? Is it that she's not educated on pre-natal care and multiple pregnancies and has no idea how this "could" go if she's not careful? Then again, she's a 20 something and she'll probably have a flawless pregnancy & term delivery. That's just usually how the young ones do it.
One thing I do know is that she's going to the same doctor I had (upon my recommendation) and he's wonderful so hopefully he'll be able to talk some sense into her as this goes along. If anyone can level with her and give her the facts, it's him. Dr. H, you're a saint. She's got a lot of growing up to do in a very short time. These little blessings are certainly miracles - I just hope that they get what they deserve once they arrive here in 8 months. It's not at all fair of me to judge her over this - I realize that. And I'm not judging her per se. But the situation is not ideal - and I can see it getting very ugly. She's bopping along without a clue as to what is involved - ahem, TWO additional lives are going to be affected. OK, enough of that - just needed to get that off of my chest.
More later; as the saga continues. Here's hoping for a well day in our house. Lots of sunshine ahead today so that is bound to help!
Tickets were cheap so thought it would be an inexpensive fun thing to do. I was half right. Considering that we had about 3 inches of rain the day/night before, it was a bit muddy, to say the least. Nonetheless, much to my husbands dismay, we went to check it out. As we walked in, we had to pick up our tickets at will call. I should have known what was ahead when the guy at the ticket booth was waving 2 (yes, only two) sets of will call tickets with names on them - one was ours, and one someone elses. Chuck looked at me with a weird look and we kept walking.
Shortly after the clown skit, they set up for the trapeeze company (this entailed about 20 non-american people running around like crazy people trying to get things in place). They did about 15 minutes worth of trapeezing; 4 out of 5 tricks they missed and fell into the nets. Rolando was the star trapeeze artist - I think he's destined to hang up his tights and find another profession. Oh well, I give them credit for trying - especially with the shabby equipment they were using.
As this was happening and they were starting to rise, I look over to the other end of the tent and there are about 20 guys on a line, pulling with all of their might, on the other end of a pulley system. I then realize that they are pulling up these performers on the pulleys. Nothing like good old fashioned manpower to make things work. I've never seen such a thing - It was then that I realized that we are at the low budget circus and my creepy factor was well warranted.
After we walked out, we promised not to do that again. And C made me promise never to give our kids a ride on a circus elephant - anywhere. 
