Midnight Scare

This little girl (seen here eating grilled corn-on-the-cob several nights ago) is sick. Was very very sick. Tuesday morning at about 1 am, Madison woke up. Monday afternoon and evening she felt slightly warm to the touch, so I gave her some ibuprofen before bed. She had no other symptoms. When she woke up, she was hot. On fire. Our thermometer battery was dead, so Corey headed to the all-night Walgreens while I gave her some more ibuprofen and started rubbing her with a cool wet washcloth. It took 45 minutes for Corey to return, and when he did I was shocked to see that her temperature was 104.4. It scares me to think what it started out at if it was still that high after the dose of medicine and cold cloth. I took off her diaper and put her in a cool bath, and called her doctor's office. I was told by the person who answered the phone that they could page the on call doctor and she would call me back, but it would cost me $25. Jeez. But whatever, I needed to know if we should take her to the hospital. In 4 children, I have never seen a fever that high and I was terrified. She still had no other symptoms, and was playing happily in the water. In fact she threw a huge fit when I took her out. The doctor called and said to keep up what I was doing, and take her in tomorrow. Anyway, she went back to sleep with the fever only having gone down to 102.5. In the morning, it was only 101.5, and I took her in to see her doctor. They drew blood, and she has a virus (he said that her throat is very red, and he is seeing tons of kids with this virus right now). We had a devil of a time getting her to bed last night, it was nearly 9 pm before she would stay in her crib and go to sleep. This morning her fever was 100.4, and she seems to be feeling somewhat better. I hope she reverts to her usual easy manner at bedtime, because last night I got a taste of what some poor parents go through. Monday she goes back to her doctor for her 18 month check-up. Since we still haven't reached the $3500 out-of-pocket we have to pay before insurance kicks in (I think we are at around $1000), all of this really sucks. But she's ok, and that's what matters.

A Lovely Surprise

This afternoon as I drove down my street returning from a quick trip to the grocery store, I noticed a minivan parked in my driveway. When I pushed the button for the garage door opener and it began to go up and still the car didn't move, I became annoyed. Sitting in the street blocking traffic, I tapped my horn. Finally, he reversed to let me pull in, and pulled in behind me. I admit it, I was irritated. When a man stepped out of the van and said "Boy am I glad you are home", I was even more irritated. I shouldn't have been. Cause this is what he was bringing me.

Thank you, Mary. You are a sweet, thoughtful person. I don't know what those other women are talking about when they complain about their mothers-in-law.

***anybody notice the tiny hand in both pics? Maddie is fascinated and doesn't quite get the look-with-your-eyes-not-with-your-hands thing.

Happy Mother's Day

To me, and to all of you internet peeps.

(Yes, Maddie, you're absolutely right...life is a roller coaster.)

Here I Go Again...

...trying to win something! Jennifer is hosting a giveaway for Robeez shoes, and I am crossing my fingers hoping to win a pair for Maddie!

Danger At Our House

Here is Taylor pushing Maddie around in the baby doll stroller. Now Maddie, mind you, is no lightweight. The wheels creak and bow out, the cloth seat has already ripped off once.

It is a tragedy waiting to happen. Just kidding. But one day soon, she will go crashing to the floor. Luckily the floor is only 6 inches away.

Studious Students

Except, they are not doing research, or studying or whatever. They are playing games. Ahem. Oh, speaking of studious students, I need to brag on my 11 year old. She scored a 100 on the TAKS math test (the standardized state testing for Texas) and 95 on the reading section. Can I get a woot woot?

She's Got the Look