Monday, June 27, 2011

Swim Lessons - Take 1

So, AJU5 is feeling 100% other than not having all of her energy back (i.e. she needs a nap for sure each day and often sleeps a little more at night, both of which I don't mind in the least). The fever went away Friday/Saturday, her nose isn't running any more, and she has been eating like normal (if not a little extra). So, we went to church yesterday and tried to tackle swim lessons today.

I have her signed up for the preschool class and AJU6 and I signed up for the parent/tot class. I thought they would have everyone in the big pool, but it turns out they have the preschoolers in the kiddie pool. The biggest issue with this is that she can't see us and I can't see her. Normally (when the pool is open for the public) they have the doors open so you can see the kiddie pool fromt he big pool. But, they have them closed during lessons for some unknown reason. I finally thought I had gotten her settled in her class (after they took role, went over the safety rules, got a little wet on teh side of the pool and then eventually got in the pool, but before too long one of the lifeguards brought her too me. So, I got to try to hold on to both kids int eh parent/tot class.

AJU6 is big into "Ready, Set, Go" and loved to jump into the pool (that is all he wanted to do actually). But, after one jump AJU5 was done with jumping in, probably because I let her go under some. But, she loved climbing in and out on the ladder, so it wasn't too bad. But, it is hard to work with them on floating and kicking when holding on to both at the same time...

Hopefully tomorrow will be better... I want to get AJU5 to stay with her class. We have another two week session in July, and I really want to be "normal" participants in lessons by then at least. If the rest of this week is spent getting her comfortable with her class, I am okay with that. I just have to corral AJU6, as he wants in the pool too (I had to grab him at least a handful of times as I tried to get our towels out and shoes on so we could go home as he toddled to the edge of the pool). He even tried to climb in a few times with AJU5's class in the little pool. If only he would follow instructions - I would just put them both in the preschool class! But he isn't verbally ready for that just yet (maybe next summer)...

So here is to praying tomorrow goes better. At least I now know the routine and everything so I can prepare AJU5 a little more. If only her baby doll was water safe - then maybe she would be okay (but then trying to participate with a toy might not be that easy)...

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

No Answers...

I ended up taking AJU5 to the doctor Tuesday. She had a low fever in the morning, but then it spiked to over 104 in the afternoon AND she threw up the Advil I was trying to give her. It turns out her tonsils are nasty, so they did a strep test. The rapid test was negative, and since the lab was already closed by the time we knew that (well, about to close - would be closed before we could get there), we waited on the over night version. It came back negative, so today I took her to get a mono test. There is a "rapid" mono spot test and then another test for the other antibody. The rapid test came back negative, but the CBC levels are indicative of mono or a mono-like virus. So, (hopefully using the blood they already have) now they are testing for the other antibody tonight/tomorrow. We should have an "answer" by tomorrow afternoon...

AJU5 is miserable though. She is okay for a few hours at the "height" of the Advil, but she still isn't herself. And she doesn't want to take the Advil, so it is a struggle. Baths are also a struggle, but she smells so bad after she sleeps because of all the sweat and her throat. Her face also swelled up Tuesday morning, and we have no clue why. Luckily she can still open her eyes, and it is mostly around her eyes and cheeks (and she doesn't notice it). Keeping her hydrated has been not too hard, but she isn't eating much. Luckily I can get at least one sippy cup of milk with carnation instant breakfast in her and a few bites of something each day (yesterday was a pickle spear and one or two bites of cereal, and today was about 1/3 of a hot dog).

Hopefully tomorrow will bring an answer and no fights over medicine...

Monday, June 20, 2011

Thwart by a Bug

Also - How to Second Guess Yourself and an Apology (again)

Today was supposed to be day 1 of swim lessons for the kids, but we aren't going. AJU5 is sick :( Yesterday she woke up with a fever and complaining about her throat. I gave her some benadryl and advil, and she napped. By the end of the nap and a little TV, her fever was gone and her throat didn't hurt. But, I guessed (and was right) it was just the medicine. Her fever came back as the Advil wore off, but we waited until she wasn't comfortable to give her more. The throat wasn't bothering her, and now her complaints were her nose (which was congested/runny the whole time) and her mouth. She slept and watched TV all afternoon, and with a second dose of Advil in full swing, she was a little more herself in the evening. Her fever didn't drop completely, but she wanted to play "person game" (Chutes and Ladders), and she was up and moving at least. She had been drinking all day and even snacking a little, so I wasn't too worried. She got some more benadryl and tylenol before bed, and we were praying by morning she would be fine.

Around 3am, she cried enough for me to get out of bed (i.e. it wasn't just a dream cry). It turns out either she coughed up a little crud or her nose ran enough on her pillow to bother her. Since it was dark, I thought it was worse than it was until I got to the bathroom and just saw a little snot in a few places on her pillow. Luckily there is a second pillow on her bed, and she went back to sleep. Well, for an hour at least. Then she joined up in bed, asking for some milk. She was half awake from then until 5 I think, and then she pretty much slept until 8. Periodically I would check her temperature this morning. First it was 100. something. I was happy - I could deal with that. About 45 minutes later I checked again and it was 105. I was worried. Luckily I checked about 2 minutes later and it was down to 101. I checked again about 30 minutes later, and I got temperatures between 102 and 103. So, I knew it was time for Advil again. After with more Advil and milk in her system, she asked to be carried downstairs to watch her favorite TV show (which today appears to be Curious George). She is sitting up about 1/3 of the time and zombie-like the rest of the time. Hopefully once the Advil is in full affect, she will have a little energy....

I definitely have been second guessing myself with her and this bug. First I was afraid it might be strep, but I quick look online revealed that wasn't likely due to the congestion. And since her throat isn't bothering her anymore, I have ruled that out. Now it is the bug (virus) vs. infection debate. Is it worth going to the doctor? If it is just a virus, they won't be able to say or do much to help. But, if it is an infection, we could get medicine. I know it isn't a sinus infection (still running clear), and there is no stomach issues. So, it is just a head "disease" of some sort. Right now I am thinking virus and praying it is over by morning...

And today I realized once again I have been terrible at commenting on blogs. I gave up and closed about 10-15 tabs in Firefox, all of blogs I had opened and meant to comment on. But, when I am on the third row of tabs (and I have a wide-screen monitor), it is just too overwhelming. So, I cleared the deck and hopefully I can try to stay on top of them now!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Slacking - Again!



I can't believe it has taken me this long to blog - AGAIN! I have had posts in my head, but I havne't sat down at the computer to type them for one reason or another.

Summer is in swing around here. We bought a plastic baby pool last week, and the kids like it. AJU6 is actually more of a fan of getting in than AJU5 it seems, but I guess part of it might be he doesn't care if his clothes get wet. AJU5 on the other hand requires her swimsuit to get in, and the thought of changing out of her dress isn't always desirable. I also signed "us" up for two sessions of swim lessons this summer. AJU5 will be in a preschool class, and AJU6 will be with me in a parent/tot class. I used to teach swim lessons, and I hated the parent/tot classes! But, I know he won't be happy watching her and taking them to the pool alone is a pain, so I decided to let him have some fun too (my husband isn't a big pool fan...).

We also planted a garden, as our backyard transformation is almost done. We have sunflowers, corn, beans, radishes, tomatoes, pumpkin, watermelon, strawberries, lettuce, peas, and bell peppers (I think). Most we started as seeds, and we are getting seedlings already so we are happy. Hopefully we will produce something this year!

Oh, and now I have been labeled a "cloth diaper expert." I am a page administrator for two Facebook pages about cloth diapers now. I get a little money to feed my addiction there, and it is easy work. I just have to answer questions as they are asked (and check in at least twice a day for said questions). The funny thing is 14 months ago I had very little clue about cloth diapers. I knew there were cute/colorful covers and you put things in them. Now I know most/all of the lingo and have tried out a good number of them (and want to try more but am not willing to spend the money YET).

Well, I think that is it. How is your summer going?