Tuesday Toot

Well, I must begin by simply saying ... it's a big deal for me just to be back at my computer! The whole "family illness" ordeal took a good 3 weeks for the family to get over. Super Dad and Drama Queen are STILL trying to get their voices back and Princess JF STILL has remnants of her rash left on the elbows?! But, all in all, everyone is doing much better!

It is an accomplishment recently for me to simply get off the couch!! We are in week 10 of the pregnancy and I have been extremely tired. Therefore, the simple fact that I am sitting at my computer being a bit more productive than normal is worthy of a "toot" today!! : )

Finally, I'd like to give Super Dad his dues. He planned for a babysitter on Saturday so that he and I could just get away for a few hours. We had a delicious dinner at Red Lobster, then he had already made a hair appointment for me that we went straight to (he knows I wanted a hair cut but refuse to spend money on myself), and then a quick stop at Motherhood Maternity for a new outfit (although right now I'm doing good wearing a size or two up in pants ... it was a nice gesture). Even though the evening ended with one of the worse migraines of my life (I went home, took Tylenol and straight to bed after picking up the kids) ... Super Dad was ever so nice in his planning and caring for the kids after I went to bed. So ... there's a "Toot" for each of us!

Read more "Tuesday Toots" at MommyCommunity.com.

"Almost" Back in the Game

Well ... this is just a sampling of the medicines we've had the past few weeks. The children's brands are missing ... I think my son used them all. I know there is also at least one more missing that Super Dad takes to work with him still. plus, we went through at least two of each kind of medicine. Hence the reason the Motrin is still wrapped ... it was our second bottle. Not to mention regular Tylenol for the older two and Super Dad's fevers and headaches. It was down right crazy! Let's see if I can recap each member's illness:

Princess JF - fever (up to 104.5), vomiting, rash, aching legs, lethargic, sore throat, nosebleed - started on Tuesday, 1/19 and showed last signs of fever on Tuesday, 2/5 (still has remnants of rash)
Princess JL - fever (up to 103.6), lethargic, coughing, runny nose, ear infection, nosebleed- started on Friday, 2/1 and showed last signs of fever on Friday, 2/8
Super Dad - mid-grade fever, stomach ache, bad sore throat and cough, nosebleed, aches - started on Saturday, 2/2, missed 4 days of work, still has trouble with cough and laryngitis
Prince W - mid-grade fever, stomach ache, bad sore throat and cough, double ear infection - started on Saturday, 2/2 and showed last signs of illness of Saturday, 2/9
Drama Queen - low grade fever, bad sore throat and cough, headaches, lethargic - started on Friday, 2/8 ... still on-going

So ... we're not completely out of the woods ... but I think we are finally coming into a clearing! The doctor said it was a "viral infection" so there was no choice but to "wait it out." There were some tense moments, especially with Princess JF, where I was ready to run her to the ER because I was so afraid she was dehydrating from the high fever ... and the fact that she wouldn't eat a thing! She repeatedly sipped on a glass of water, but at one point that even became too much for her to pick up! It was very exhausting ... but I'm so glad it's just about over! God must have hand His hands surrounding me, because even though I am with my kids 24/7 ... (more than Super Dad) ... I did not seem to catch the virus. I was worried because not knowing what type of virus it was, I could not be sure whether or not it would harm the baby if I was to catch it. I am so grateful that God allowed me to remain healthy for the duration to take care of my family!

As far as the pregnancy, I really haven't even been able to think about it much the past two weeks, the good thing being that those two weeks flew by and now we only have 32 more to go! :) I can tell you that I've had to resort to a bland diet within the past week, eating mostly white rice. Everything looks good, but once I eat it, I feel awful! I can't stand the thought of raw meat, so Super Dad has been cooking dinner. Last night he made a great chicken fajita salad, and tonight it's broccoli and cheese covered baked potatoes. Something simple ... and bland. We all need to regain our strength from the events of the past two weeks, so poor Prince W is going to have to suffer through some veggies for the next week or so (he is our "steak and potatoes" child ... and could care less about veggies). Also, everything in the house smells absolutely disgusting! The kids make pizza rolls for lunch and I want to get sick, Super Dad wanted onions in his salad and that made me sick, even our reed diffusers in the house we got for Christmas make me want to be ill! So, I think that's why the bland diet works for me ... I can't handle the smell of the foods?! I don't remember ever being this bad with any of the other 4 pregnancies ... and hopefully it passes soon with the end of the first trimester approaching in about 4 weeks!!

BTW ... have any of you ever dealt with ptyalism with pregnancy? It's defined as an "excessive flow of saliva." It drives me crazy! I have dealt with it with each pregnancy ... and it doesn't stop until delivery! I have hard candy constantly surrounding me, I try drinking small sips of water, sucking on ice chips, eating crackers, whatever I can to diminish the effects. If it wasn't for this "disorder" I don't think my nausea would be all day ... nor as bad. My last doctor suggested some sort of garlic candy ... but that sounded even more nauseating! With my oldest daughter, I carried a spit cup around ... gross I know ... but my doctor said to spit out as much as I could. Anyone have anything? Any suggestions? I have 32 more weeks of this to go ... and it's the worst part of my pregnancies ... because it is a constant nuisance, all day, without ceasing! Oh wait, it doesn't start until after I eat each morning. So, I hold off as long as possible ... but a pregnant girl has gotta eat! Anything else? :)

The saga continues ...

Well, here it is Friday ... an Princess JF is STILL sick! At least we haven't had any vomiting since day one ... but it's pretty sad watching her feel so miserable. Let's see if I can time line it for you ... and you'll see why I haven't been on this week ...

Tuesday @ Noon - she claimed that her tunny hurt while eating lunch
Tuesday @ 2pm - fever of 102 began
Tuesday @ 5pm - vomited
Wednesday - fever continued, coughing began
Wednesday Evening - noticed rash on hands, elbows, and face, and sporadically placed over her stomach, back, ankles and other places
Thursday am - still has fever, rash getting redder, called Dr
Thursday @ 1:45pm - took her to Dr, unrecognizable rash, negative strep culture, diagnosed with "viral infection" (meaning they don't know what it is ... no meds can help)
Thursday evening - FINALLY up playing, ate a bit of food
Thursday night - back down with a 102 fever, bed early
Friday morning @ 6am - Princess JL woke up with a fever of 101.6
Friday morning - Princess JF woke with fever still, has already taken two naps at 9:30am, laid up on couch with glass of ice water (all she has wanted for the past 4 days ... at least she's staying hydrated)
Right now - older two are at all day co-op we attend on Fridays as "enrichment classes" for our homeschool , as well as socialization with other great families (BTW ... thanks to another kind Mom who took them for me today) , Princess JF & JL are on the couch watching Dora, I "snuck" in here to check emails and blog quickly. Princess JL is going to sleep.

**Update** Both girls went to sleep as I typed the first entry and slept until I woke them to go have lunch with the older two (I didn't think it was going to get this bad when I promised to come for lunch). When I woke Princess JF to get her dressed she was on fire! Her temp was 104.5!! OMGoodness! I freaked out! Gave her Motrin, called hubby, and pondered what to do. We decided to wait and see how Motrin affected her ... it brought the fever down to 102 within an hour. Now what? She says her legs hurt and she doesn't want to walk. She didn't want to carry her cup of water ... it was too heavy. She is so lethargic and weak ... it's scary! We may have to see how the rest of the afternoon goes. I may end up taking her to the ER? Prayers are wonderfully accepted! Thanks for all your kind words thus far!

I've had NO TIME to even think about my own "all day 'morning' sickness." I'm extremely exhausted from nursing Princess JF all week, plus trying to deal with the normal hormonal changes caused by pregnancy (which literally yank every bit of energy from me). The kitchen is a mess. Laundry isn't done. I've hardly done a thing with the older two's school work the past two days. We went to my parent's for dinner last night (Thank God for them being so near and loving us enough). Super Dad had to work late last night and tonight! UGH! I feel like I've done nothing but lay on the couch or in bed since Tuesday afternoon ... but really, I am just praying that my girls get better soon! Although it's a bit quieter around the house with both of them laid up ... I sure miss their energy and laughter! : (