Tag: Mother

A down right epidemic

Ahh the holidays, the smell of cookies baking, the sounds of carols playing, and of course the ever-present sick family member.  This year it is members and it  started with the youngest.  We have all been battling colds for weeks.  Very normal this time of year in my part of the world. By Christmas eve, Madi was complaining of ear pain so off to the doctor we went.  Hoping that this was the worst of it, back to normal preparations we returned after our medical detour.

Next was my husband.  Late Christmas Eve he said he did not feel well but with everything going on I did not think too much of it.  Also, his decision to wash the car in the driveway in 40 degree, cloudy weather helped develop my belief that he got a bit of what he deserved. I told him to go to bed early but think he was a little afraid, (we watch It’s a wonderful life every year and then put the presents under the tree).

Christmas was a nice day.  Frank did the cooking and most of the dishes but was struggling.  At dinner he was sweating.  By dessert he was shivering.  By bed time he was in the fetal position with a fever of about 102.5 and a  layer of blankets.  His fever lingers but he is starting to feel better.

Megan must have felt left out because as I put her to bed on Christmas night I felt her little burning head.  She had such a good time during the day she never complained but her fever was also about 102.  To the doctors yesterday and a long wait.  They pediatrician’s office was short-handed because they had to send a doctor home sick!  By the way, when I woke up I had no voice, to the joy of the entire family.  No fever so I am a step ahead of the rest!  I dropped Meg home then went to the CVS to pick up her  prescription.

Although plenty of time should have passed, I was told there would be a wait.  As I looked around I realized the place was packed.  In the back of the store is a Minute Clinic.  There were people siting up and down the back 2 aisles of the store. They had to be waiting hours.  The pharmacy had bins stacked.  The sounds of coughing and sneezing filled the air and in my head all I heard was my own voice screaming to get the hell out of there, but I waited.  I slid down an empty aisle and stood until I heard my name.

I am seeing posts on FB of people saying the same things, flu, viruses and sinus infections. It seems like an epidemic.  Funny, they have been pushing flu shots.  Everyone has told me that I needed to get one this year.  I was going to the other day but with holiday chaos I never got there.  The rest of the family did as did almost everyone else I know who are currently flat on there backs sick.  Not too sure what to make of that.

I still have little voice and today a lovely cough has joined the party.  Still no fever so I am the rock holding my achy fever ridden family together.  Tomorrow and Saturday are both days to lay low.  Sunday we are supposed  to have Franks sisters for dinner so hopefully things are looking up by then.  I am glad that the girls are off from school this week but also feel bad that their break is consumed with not feeling well.

It could always be worse.

Christmas Morning
Christmas Morning

Heading back to Kindergarten

Today is going to be an interesting day.  At back to school night for Madison, we were presented with a form asking if we would be available to help with several different things.  I am not the “room mom” type.  Megan was also very independent and did not want Mom hanging around school.

Now with Madison in Kindergarten, I have nothing special going on until she gets home for lunch.  With all of the surgeries that were still ongoing when school started, I could not commit to anything but said that if they needed help with things throughout the year I may be able to step in.  So I received my first request last week for today…assisting the process of “kid writing journals”.  If you do not have children, this is the beginning of the kids learning to write independently even though they can not spell.  They are charged with attempting to write as they hear it basically.  Some are really something but everyone starts somewhere.  Today I will meet with the writing specialist to make sure I know what I am doing and will assist one hour a week every other week I believe until the end of the year.  Wish me luck :-).

Then I received a phone call a few days ago from another mom.  Seems she is one of the actual room mother’s who was not expecting all of the different responsibilities.  She asked if I could fill in for her at the Holiday party Thursday.  As long as I do not have to bake anything I am in!  Madison is SOOO excited because I have to be there first thing so I will be taking her to school with me and bringing her home.

I remember my Kindergarten days, they were not happy.  Neat that I get to replace those memories with some good ones with my own baby.  And to do it this week, well I think it helps the entire family feel just a little more safe.

A growing family

Once Frank and I decided we are going to expand our family,  my head was full, so many thoughts, will we be good parents?  Will our children sit on some couch in 30 years talking about how we screwed up their lives? But in we dove.  The decision was the easiest part.

To start with I gained over 70 pounds when pregnant with Megan.  There were many reason for this I assume. I was a smoker and quit as soon as I found out I was pregnant.  I am sure I was a real hormonal piece of work  to be around while going through nicotine withdrawal.  I also decided that Megan liked Lemon water ice and mini chocolate donuts.  She NEEDED to have them!

At some point the pregnancy was deemed “high risk”.  I had placenta previa.  I would have to take a few days off from work each time and lay flat and not move.  I was sent for a “high risk”  ultrasound, which was code for way too long.   They  counted every limb, finger and even toe.  They searched for each organ and after almost 2 hours they determined that Megan was just fine.

I grew larger and larger, my due date came and went, I walked and grew and then walked some more.  I thought if I kept moving she would eventually drop out.  Once I was over 2 1/2 weeks late they finally induced labor and my giant 9 lb 6 oz baby girl arrived.  They quickly swept her away from me after determining that she was not breathing properly.  She stayed the next few days in the NICU. In the end, thankfully she was fine.

I loved being a mom.  We decided the Bailey clan needed another member.  My pregnancy with Madison was pretty uneventful.  Other than being huge massive and extremely uncomfortable, it went pretty smoothly.  Once Madison was born, my Megan seemed to be taken over by a very unhappy little person that I did not know.  There were some complications during delivery with Madison so they converted to an emergency C-section.  I ended up in the hospital for several days.  During visits Megan would not talk to me or sit with me and she wanted nothing to do with her sister!

Things are so much easier with the second child.  By the time I left the hospital, the nurses had already had Madi on a decent schedule.  She was such a pleasant baby.  Good eater, good sleeper and for the most part little fuss.  It did not take long for Megan to warm up to her sister.

Watching them together was and is wonderful.  They get along beautifully.  Of course they argue at times but they are the best of friends and think of each other always.  If either is away from the other and offered anything, they ask for one for the other.  They are my world.

Could there be room in the Bailey clan for more little ones?