Workplace Hazard

3 Years, 30 Weeks.



This was a pretty much a blah week.  And by blah, I mean, that's how most of us felt like.

You see, the majority of us were hit by the dreaded stomach bug.

It started with Braelyn, the Saturday before last.  Then, last Thursday evening, Kohlden had a couple of episodes during the night; it's a good thing we had several bed sheet sets readily available!  He seemed fine the whole day on Friday, so we thought he was pretty much done.  But then he started complaining about his tummy hurting Saturday evening, and had several more episodes during the night.  We took it easy the next day and by Sunday evening he was running and laughing and playing with his sisters, so that was that.  Or so I thought.

4 AM Tuesday morning and I awoke feeling very nauseous.  I would spend the next hour giving offerings to the porcelain god.  It made for a pretty miserable morning and day, mostly because I had to take and pick Braelyn up from school, so the 3 hours spent driving didn't help with the nausea, I brought some garbage bags just in case I had any episodes during those trips.  And the traffic and stoplights didn't help either.  Needless to say, it was hard to keep anything down, but it made it easier because I just didn't have any appetite.  I was pretty dehydrated, because usually I drink between 12-15 cups of water each day.  On the bright side, I did end up losing 2.5 lbs that day, so there you go.

Madelyn started complaining of her tummy hurting as soon as we got back from picking Brae up from school on Tuesday afternoon.  My mind started racing and panic ensued.  How am I going to take care of a sick kid when I can barely move around and take care of my sick self??  And, my worries were soon confirmed when she had her first episode right around 5 PM.  More clothes to clean, more messes to clean up.  I braced myself for a long night ahead.  

I couldn't wait to get them all down for bed, myself included, so right after Braelyn and Kohl ate I changed them all into their pajamas and put them down for the night.  I myself crawled into bed to fall asleep, waiting for the time that I would need to get up and help Madelyn.  I didn't have to wait too long.  First time up was at 6:45.  Then 8:30, 10:30, and then finally at 2:45 AM, each time having to change clothes and towels/sheets, running the washing machine and dryer after each one to ensure I had enough to get me through the night.  And because I had put the other two down so early the night before, they were ready to go dark and early Wednesday morning at 6 AM.  

Oy vey.

My last episode came after we got back from taking Brae to school.  Since then I have slowly regained my strength and appetite and am almost 100% back.  At the time of my writing this, Maddy is still fighting a small fever and has slept almost the entire day, having a couple of episodes on her 2nd day with this bug.  Tangie took her to the pediatric urgent care to get some treatment, perhaps even an IV, as she hasn't been able to keep down any food and minimal fluids.  I hope it passes soon, for her sake, it's devastating to see her like this, the poor thing.

I guess it comes with the job description, these bouts of illness.  Call them workplace hazards.  And although they may seem like such a hassle and inconvenience, I'd rather deal with this than say, me being an electrician getting electrocuted or a fireman getting burned.  

Kind of puts things into perspective.  

But that still doesn't mean I have to like it.

Here was our week:

• Friday evening we joined the Grodacks for supper at their home.  It was great to see them and catch up, since we hadn't seen them in several weeks. Funny how that is, since a year ago, we practically saw each other every day, but I guess that's what busy schedules and adding more children does! We tried to carry several conversations but you know how it goes!  Sabbath was at church and Sabbath School.  We enjoyed being able to see and catch up with many friends.  We continued that by joining the Clarkes for lunch at Macaroni Grill; we hadn't seen them in forever and it was great to spend some time with them.  Afterwards we went home and changed and then headed out to Hunter's Creek, to participate in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life, a charity walk in which Tangie's company was a major sponsor.  Our family had the entire hour slot from 4-5 to walk around a specific route and get in as many laps as possible.  We brought the wagon along with us, which proved to be fortuitous since the twins decided to ride the whole time, especially with Kohlden starting to complain of his tummy. We would end the evening back home, trying to get Buddy better and cleaning up his episodes.

Supper at the Grodacks, Tangie holds baby Colby.

At the kids table.

They put together a play for the adults.

Madelyn enjoying Sabbath school.

Lunch with the Clarkes.

Modern man.

On the Relay trail.  The necktie was the company's  "baton" that we passed off after we finished.

With our sponsorship sign.

Walking hand in hand with Mommy.

• Sunday the girls had a Mother/Daughter garden tea party to attend, put on by OJA.  So they went out in their pretty dresses and brought a teapot and teacups (purchased the night before at World Market!) and enjoyed the beautiful weather and cute sandwiches with about 80 or so other moms and daughters.  Meanwhile, the boys got to hang out together for the day.  We donned our game day colors and headed out, first to a playground where we spent time together one on one, throwing footballs and such, then to downtown Winter Garden for a frozen yogurt before heading to Joann's Crafts to get some supplies for Braelyn, finally picking up lunch at Tijuana Flat's in time for football in the afternoon.  I guess spending that much close time with him (and him drinking from my water bottle) contributed to my getting the bug the following evening!  Bruce and his boys came over for the Broncos game that evening, as we watched them win over San Diego coming back from their bye week.  First game with John Fox recovering from heart surgery, it was Broncos owner Pat Bowlen's 300th win so it was a nice milestone reached.  Now we prepare for the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday.  I'm so nervous!

Maddy enjoying a cupcake.

Enjoying her tea.

Helping Brae with the tomatoes.

My beautiful ladies!

Buddy ready to play!

Boys about to head out.

We did the swings for at least 20 minutes!

Getting better each time!

Enjoying his frozen yogurt.

Waiting for our food at Tijuana Flats.

• The rest of our week:  Pretty much a wasted week, being sick and taking care of sick kids.  Tangie was out of town to Pensacola Monday morning through Wednesday evening.

Friday was a gorgeous day.  Maddy enjoying running barefoot.

Learning the pyramid!

A little sidewalk art.

Monday, active cute bug hunter.

Evening softball game.

Wednesday morning to take Brae to school.  I didn't want to risk any messes in the van.

Trying to spend some time in the sunshine.

Fell asleep with his toys.

Maddy sleeping it off.

Thursday morning, tried to eat some oatmeal and promptly lay down.

Slept on the sofa most of the day.

Trying to keep the other one entertained.

Moved her upstairs for naps.

Poor Maddy, she slept the entire time we went to pick up Brae!

Randoms:

Met the executive chef of Shingle Creek.  Thought our friend Corey would appreciate that!

Some pretty foggy mornings...

caused a car to hit and explode, knocking down a power line on Silverstar and Pine Hills Tuesday morning.
Traffic was horrendous as they had power crews out to fix it during rush hour.

What Kohl was thankful for one day ~ a drawing of Daddy!
Apparently I only have one arm and it's detached!

Food:

Saltines and Ginger Ale.  Easy AND delicious!

Quotes:

• Madelyn came over and whispered in my ear:

          Maddy:  "Daddy, I need to go potty."

          Me:  [whispering back]  "Okay.  Why are we whispering?"

          Maddy:  "Because my dollies are sleeping."

• On Friday the twins and I were having lunch out in the backyard and they noticed two ladies walking together on the bike path:

          Maddy:  "They're walking because they don't have a car."

          Kohlden:  "Yeah, I think they're on a date."

• After leaving a voice memo on my phone:

          Kohl:  "Are you talking to Siri?"

          Me:  "No."

          Kohl:  "I love Siri."

          Me:  "Why do you love Siri?"

          Kohl:  "Because she's the best talker."

• Lately the twins have been recognizing crosses on the churches we pass by during our drives, especially the large ones that loom above and can be seen for miles.  This particular one they saw one day was a bit smaller,  on our way to get Brae from school:

          Maddy:  "Look, Jesus on the cross!"

          Kohl:  "Yeah!"

          Maddy:  "But that's a little cross."

          Kohl:  "Yeah.  For a little Jesus."

• As we continue our 30 Days of Thankfulness:

           Me:  [to Kohl]  "So what are you thankful for?"

           Kohl:  "Birds."

           Me:  "Why birds?"

           Kohl:  "Because I love birds."

           So random!

• Spending the day with Kohlden on Sunday, I was really enjoying Father/Son bonding time, so I gave him a big hug:

          Me:  "I'm glad we're buddies."

          Kohl:  "No we're not!"

          Me:  [taken aback]  "We're not?"

          Kohl:  "No, I'M Buddy, you're Daddy!"

• Maddy complaining in the back of the van while we're driving:

          Maddy:  "Daddy, when I bite my tongue it hurts."

          Me:  "Well then, don't bite your tongue!"

          Maddy:  "No, like this!"  

                        [proceeds to show me how she does, in fact, bite her tongue.]

          Me:  "Why are you biting your tongue?"

          Maddy:  "Because it hurts!"

          Me:  "So don't bite your tongue!"

          Seriously girl?

• I was giving the kids baths:

          Maddy:  "Why aren't we filling up the tub?"

          Me:  "Is it Friday?"

          Maddy:  "No."

          Me:  "What day is it?"

          Maddy:  "Today!"

• I was tucking Kohlden in to bed and gave him a hug:

          Me:  "Did you have a good day today Buddy?"

          Kohl:  "No."

          Me:  "No?  Why not?"

          Kohl:  "Because it was too difficult."

          Try being an adult!

41 more days until Christmas!

Have a great weekend!