Only Once????

So we had a lovely vacation in New York last week. It was my intent to blog all about it. There are some real gems of stories. But my last few days have been a little busy.

On Monday I noticed that Sam had quite a few spots on his legs. Since we'd just been camping, I figured they were bug bites. There were a few more on Tuesday. I thought maybe it was poison ivy. So I put benadryl on them. Then I took him to his therapy evaluations at the hospital (I'll report on those later). Afterwards we went to Nana's house and I took Abby to gymnastics.

By this point Sam was covered with spots. I got online and looked at pictures of rashes. The only rash that really looked like them was chicken pox. But he'd already had chicken pox (and been vaccinated for it) so it couldn't be that.

It got bad enough that I decided to take him to Redimed (the regular doctor's office was closed by that time). After waiting for an hour and a half the doctor saw us.

He looked as Sam's rash. Then he said he was going to consult with his colleague. We waited some more. The other doctor came him. They quickly diagnosed him with chicken pox.

The worst part was when they looked at his throat. The roof of his mouth is covered with chicken pox. They say it will probably take a couple weeks for those to heal. He's eating lots of pudding and jello and not much else. And even so, his poor little mouth was bleeding today.

His ears are also covered.

His temp has been fluctuating between 99 and 101. Which is pretty high for a little guy who's normally less than 97.

Omi has three spots, and is acting a little cranky. Isaac has about a dozen spots and is acting like a crazy madman (even more hyper than usual).

Abby, is just fine, except that she has been a bit upset about not being allowed to live off of pudding and jello.

In short we could use some prayers. Especially for Sam.

Ella Rose Benik

Born August 26, at 11:02 AM.

Mother and baby are doing well.

Kelty Tioga Jr. Backpack

We ordered this really swell backpack for Abby several weeks ago. And due to some incompetent bumbling (on my part and the companies) it just arrived today. It is a cute little hiking backpack that holds 2050 cubic cm. Which makes it about half the volume of the large bags we have, I think.

Abby tried it on and says she will like hiking with it. But she was much more impressed with the wadded up papers that came in the box with it. The kids are making costumes of some sort out of these papers. It is rather heartwarming really.

Today after I picked the boys up from Science Central we went to Wendy's for lunch. I had a small chili. Sammy had 1 3/4 cheeseburgers, Omi had 1/4 cheeseburger, Isaac had chicken nuggets and we all shared some fries. I had not been to Wendy's in a rather long time. The food is basically the same, but more expensive (like everywhere). I was tempted, by the frosty mix picture that was labelled coffee/toffee. I love English Toffee flavored coffee. So I assume I would love coffee flavored ice cream with actual toffee in it.

The morning sickness has mostly dissipated. Yay! 3 months down, six to go. The next three months should be much easier. Although I do think I need a good back brace. I see my doctor next Thursday and will ask him for a script.

My brother John is in town for the next couple of weeks. We have had some interesting discussions. But for the most part we have avoided arguing.

Example:

I shared with him about our experience going to the memorial day parade. I believe such things are an important way to honor those who have fought for our country as well as to show appreciation to the families of fallen soldiers. John is concerned that military parades glamourize war and will make people want to go fight more wars.

In a discussion yesterday about Marxism and Darwinism among other things, I noted that it astounds me that so many people honor Darwin. Anyone who has read his work would be aware that the man was a racist and used his theory of evolution to justify vast imperialism. (I won't go into the rest).

Anyhow, John commented "In my line of work I read more Aristotle than Darwin." I replied "In my line of work, I read more 'Green Eggs and Ham'"

Sam has now discovered the box the backpack came in. He fits inside of it rather nicely.

breastfeeding baby doll

This toy is not one that I would purchase for my daughters. But I don't really understand why it is considered inappropriate. My children have all been introduced to breastfeeding at an early age, because I breastfeed. And when I had to pump when Sammy was little, Abby would pretend to be pumping and feeding her baby dolls. And when he had a feeding tube she gave her baby dolls tube feedings.

Most of my friends who nurse babies with older sisters report that their little girls also pretend to nurse the babies.

I really don't see how this doll would make little girls try to get pregnant sooner. And if you think it would, why wouldn't a baby doll with a bottle have the same effect.

camp week

This week Abby has science central day camp all week. Isaac and Sammy are there for three mornings. I am realizing how difficult it would be if I had to maintain this sort of schedule all the time.

Pregnancy Exhaustion + Teething one year old up at night + waking everyone up in the morning + packing lunches + getting ready + making sure there is adequate clean laundry for nice clothes for children + arriving on time for drop off and pick up + appointments + gymnastics + somehow managing to fix dinner and keep the house together.

I love homeschooling!!!! Not so much running around! No packing lunches! Children need clean clothes, but a few holes and stains don't matter. And I can stay in my jammies if I want to.

Anyway, we have had a lot of fun already this week. But I have grown an appreciation for the mothers who maintain a busy schedule all the time.