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Introduction
This being Katie's very first Christmas, it would figure that she got sick just in time for it. Poor girl. On Monday I felt awful with a cold/fever, and then by Tuesday evening she had it. It all started at her highchair during dinner with projectile vomiting all over me. That's when we realized she also had a fever of 101. At first we weren't sure if it was a stomach problem, but she was so stuffed up and coughy that after she kept pedialyte down, we figured the throwing up had been due to sinus drainage. So, we did the motrin/tylenol thing and the fever was gone by the time I went to bed around midnight. Yesterday I woke to find a very hot little girl in her crib, and she was NOT a happy camper most of the day. Her fever was almost gone by the time we were supposed to go to my aunt's house, and there were no other little kids there for Katie to spread germs to, so we figured we'd go for maybe an hour or so. Bad idea. When we were there, all Katie did was lay on me, DH, or my mom's shoulders. She was miserable. When we got her home, her temp was up to 104! Granted, it most likely would have gotten high on its own if we had kept her at home, but I felt horrible for having taken her out. We immediately got her in the tub to cool her down, and of course she was screaming bloody murder. The water wasn't cold, but it wasn't hot, and when you're that feverish anything feels cold! This cooled her down pretty well and we kept up with the meds all night. We finally got her to sleep around midnight, and she woke up at 6:00 acting pretty perky. Her fever today hasn't been up past 100.3 at any time, and she's mostly had no fever today, although we've kept her on the motrin because her temp was up every time she was due for another dose. She was pretty playful today, too, although still on the tired/cranky side. Oh, and she started coughing in the middle of a bottle and threw up AGAIN today - all over DH, the couch, and the living room floor. Is it just me, or does it seem like being thrown up on makes you feel even more like a 'real' parent than your newborn home from the hospital?! I am really hoping she's on the mend now, at least with the fever. The dr. said this cold/fever that's been around has been lasting about 4-5 days. Yuck!
We did end up going to Chris's grandparents' for an hour (she had NO fever this time, and hadn't for hours), just to make an appearance and leave. Actually, Chris went earlier so he could visit, and I came later with Katie. Now my poor hubby is sick, so instead of cuddling on the couch, I'm down here on the computer and he's been in bed since we got home. A quiet day altogether, but not for the reasons I'd hoped!
Katie did enjoy her gifts, and I'm glad to say that she didn't get too spoiled by anyone. Her favorite is a toy tea kettle that plays little songs - it's got lights around it and you have to keep pushing them for the whole song to play. She also likes the upholstered rocker we gave her, and as soon as she sits down she starts moving to try and make it rock. It's so cute to watch! It's funny, though, she has no concept of how to get out of a chair. I mean, I'm not surprised, but at the same time I guess I just take the knowledge for granted that you don't get out of a chair head first! I caught her when she did it, and we've been right there with her while she sits in her chair, because she is still too young to use it. She likes it when we turn it around so that it's right up against the couch, and she's facing us. She thinks she's quite the little grownup sitting in her own chair with a book and bottle. All she needs is a remote control and she'll be all set - LOL!
I made family calendars for all sets of great-grandparents this year. It was a lot of work since it involved three different families and a lot of picture re-arranging. I thought I'd save money and make it on my printer instead of taking it to a copy place, and let me tell you it was a lesson of how much my time is worth! It took me waaaay longer than it should have, partly because of computer issues, but still, I think next year I'll fork over the extra just to not have to worry about it! By the third calendar I was pretty much a pro at it - the first two did not look quite as nice! I did enjoy doing all the picture layouts, though.
Chris and I don't do expensive gifts with each other, but this year I didn't give him any ideas about what I wanted, and he didn't even want me to! He ended up getting me a gift cert. for a manicure and pedicure, which is something I will absolutely love! I was pretty impressed that he thought to do it. He also put treats in my stocking this year, something I always grew up having on Christmas morning, without me saying anything by way of hints. Really, I am fine without 'presents,' but it's the whole idea of taking the time to sneak down and put little things in the Christmas stocking that I love - just the fact that he thought ahead. I've been telling him all these years that it's all about the gestures with me, and I think he might be getting it! :) I got him the second Lord of the Rings movie set and a massage/heat thing that you can put on a chair or car seat. I'm sure I'll find him sitting at the computer using it at some point over the break!
I've got some exciting job-related prospects on the horizon. It looks like I've got a job-share partner next year, which means I will be teaching half days. I'm so excited about this. I was feeling very conflicted about career and motherhood. Really, I would love to chuck it all and take a two year leave. This year has just been hard on me. My kids are high-maintenance, and being a parent just completely changes your priorities. I have been feeling like my job was really stressing me out at home, and then I wasn't really able to enjoy my baby as much as I wanted. So, I have found another teacher/mom who is looking to job-share, and my principals are very excited about this because they like the other teacher and feel that the two of us could really make this work. I'll be working mornings for half of the year, then afternoons for another, and only teaching two classes. Of course, I'll also only be getting half the pay, and no benefits, but we can handle that financially. It's me quitting altogether that we cannot afford right now! I'll know for sure in Feb/March, but if both principals are behind it then it's pretty much a go. Even knowing that this is going to happen has been a huge load off my mind!
Oh, my other exciting news is that Katie is standing! She's so cute - she's gone from barely being able to stand, to standing for a few seconds only, and now is standing for about 10 sec. at a time, and even bending and sitting back down, rather than just falling back or forwards! Still no desire to walk - she doesn't even try to move her feet when I hold her under the arms with her feet on the floor and try to walk behind her. She really just likes standing for now. She reminds me of a baby giraffe - looking all tall and shaky-legged, unsure of herself. It really does amaze me that we ALL started out this way - something you take for granted like being able to stand was once a HUGE accomplishment! Amazing, really amazing.
That's about it from here. I hope that everyone has been enjoying the various holidays being celebrated right now. Despite Katie's sickness, I have to say that this is pretty much the best Christmas ever, just because she's HERE.
Blessings to you all -
Laura & Katie
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