Long week

It’s been a long week.  Thursday,  Kristi was over for a dinner. As soon as she left, I turned myself in for a 9 p.m. nap, knowing I could eat my untouched dinner when I woke up, and that I’d still be tired enough for bed. I tossed and tossed, never ate, and the next night gave myself sleeping pills. It’s been a rough go. I’ve had a cough, a short-lived temperature, no appetite, and lethargy that should be illegal for the parent of a toddler. I’ve gone to school in my pajamas — make that Jared’s pajamas — opting repeatedly to stay in the car. Jared and I have scared ourselves at speculating about a chemical imbalance, nutrition off-course, the possibility of requiring medical assistance.

Today, finally, I ate a bowl of pasta, relieved to be wanting food again. Then I washed every dish in the kitchen… while Noah slept, because he got sick four times last night! Jared was afraid to leave the three of us for work this morning. So that’s where I’ve been. Today my friend Amy and I are getting together to plan our sons’ first year birthday party! But, yikes!, Braeden is ready for his nap.

Happy Birthday, Baby Brae!

Braeden is one year old.

He walks. Up to 50 unassisted steps!

He talks. “Duh” in the bathtub, referring to the rubber ducky. It’s his first definitive word.

He knows. What it means when Mama says, “Cheerios?”

Little man, you are growing so quickly! You are spunky and fun. You look a bit like me, only chunky and strong, which I’m not sure I’ve ever been. You are decisive and assertive, like your Papa. You made a big brother out of Noah, and the two of you together are spectacularly fun. I am honored beyond measure to be your mama, Little Muffin. That I get to spend my days together with you is a blessing that knocks my socks off. I love you for always!

Mama

Baby Steps

New record today: 21 steps, unassisted. So a lot of that is teetering/weight shifting, but it counts!

Top Ten Tuesday

I missed my Tuesday list!  I got my first phone call from the school nurse last week (pink eye, all gone now). Yesterday was another one. Fever.  Brought Noah home to nap, and when I checked his temperature later, it was up to 104. We were at the doctor’s office within 15 minutes. Swine flu. The four of us, including Brae (who is symptom-free,  I’m happy to report), are on Tamiflu, and Noah will be home at a minimum through the weekend. Yuck.

So. With that, here are my happy thankfulnesses:

Drs. Seymour and Ori Goldberg, the father-son pediatricians we see. I’m so fortunate to be in their care; dye-free children’s fever-reducer. I’m not a stickler about dyes, but it’s comforting to me that dye-free versions are easily accessible; the return of cuddling! Maybe the one best part about sick time; tortellini en brodo: soup of chicken broth, tortellini, fresh spinach, fresh lemon, and Parmesan. Maybe the second best part about sick time; BABY! (sorry to leave this one so late!) Our dear friends have a foster baby for the first time, after a very long wait. They received him at  only five days old, and there’s a possibility for adoption. Yea!!!; knowing Noah is enrolled in an excellent pre-K program. This is quite helpful, after the pink-eye and now H1N1. A little-huge chunk of me wants to bring my baby back home, away from other germ-carriers; Jared won a cash prize at the Biochem retreat, where he presented his research. Super-nice to have some recognition for my man! Also nice to pay the pharmacist; I am thiiiis close to finishing the ABC poster. It’s fun to be only a few days away; honestly, being in a two-parent home. Having a co-parent to help clean up a sick mess is a big reminder of the blessing therein; seeing my darling preggo friend on Saturday, driven in from Floriday! Steph, your family always makes me feel shy. I think it’s because my perspective is stuck on teenager/teens-friends’-fam. So, so, so nice to see them, and YOU, and HUSBAND, and BABY! Love you all. Such a privilege.

First Family Project

Noah’s first Family Project is due tomorrow. I love it! He chose the the color of the beans, adhered them, and did the tissue-twisting. I’m so oblivious (perhaps deliberately so, since Halloween to me is mostly a big “yuck”) that I didn’t realize “decorate” would translate into “make a face” for most parents. So we just decorated our pumpkin. Cute, no? All projects should be family projects.