A Mama's Heartache

This year our Thanksgiving was rather uneventful - until Ella woke up from her afternoon nap on Friday. I could tell right away that something wasn't right. She typically needs a snack when she wakes up but she wasn't interested in anything I offered. She was also much crankier than usual. She felt a little warm. I took her temperature and confirmed what I already suspected - she had a slight fever 99.5 degrees. I figured it wasn't too serious and gave her a little Tylenol and hoped she'd be OK. She was awfully fussy and cuddly the remainder of the afternoon.

I don't mind that Ella was cuddly - in fact, I've often wished she was more so. But because she was I knew something was wrong. I gave her a bath and she just shivered, which she never does. I put her in warm pj's, took her temperature again and decided to put her to bed. She woke up once during the night but nothing too serious.

Saturday she still wasn't well. I figured she must be teething - no stuffy or runny nose, no throw up, no pulling on the ears - all things I thought I should watch for. But her temperature was higher and she wanted to be held all the time. Her temp eventually came back down but her fussiness continued. What do you do for a little one who can't communicate with you what she's feeling?

That evening was rough. She was so tired but wouldn't go, or stay, asleep. All she wanted was for me to rock her and cuddle her. By this time Jeremy and I were both tired and feeling horrible for Ella. What to do? We eventually decided to do what we always said we didn't want to do - we brought her to bed with us. That seemed to calm her down and she finally fell asleep. Of course I didn't (who would have thought such a little person could take up so much bed!) But my little baby was finally sleeping, that's all that mattered.

Sunday was more of the same. Slight fever, fussy, cuddly, and no appetite. I felt so bad for her. Jeremy was gone most of the day but I stayed home from church to be with her. By the time I was cooking supper and trying to clean up the kitchen, she was so tired she was laying down on the kitchen floor. Again, it was early to bed for her.

This morning, she didn't seem to have a fever anymore but was still unhappy. I talked with my sister and she suggested I call the doctor. I did and he said if her fever spiked again I should take her in. She woke from her nap with a rash around her forehead and the back of her neck. Time to take her to the doctor. It seems she has Roseola. I've since discovered that it's pretty common and most have heard of it. I hadn't. Ella fits the symptoms perfectly: fever for a few days followed by a rash beginning on her head and working it's way down her body. The rash should only last a few days and then she should be better. At least now we know.

So tonight as I rocked my little munchkin to sleep (which took all of 2 seconds) I looked on her with love. My heart broke for her as I knew she was uncomfortable. But also knew that she should feel better soon and will be back to her adorable, happy self. Just give her a few days.

Views from a staircase

Saturday at home

It's a rare Saturday that both Jeremy, I and Ella are all home together the entire day with "nothing to do." Both of our works often take us away from the home on the weekends for at least part of the time - and if not work, then our volunteer commitments. Today was one of those days that we spend time at home - the entire day - from sunup to sundown. We did things that haven't gotten done during the week - like finish bringing stuff over from the old house to putting up pictures and curtains in the bedrooms. While there is still a lot to do until we will feel "settled" in our new home, days like today help.

The time spent as a family is invaluable, however, 'Jeremy and me' time is also invaluable (and even rarer than Saturdays at home). So I just put Ella to bed and while I finish writing this blog, Jeremy is finishing cooking us a fabulous supper of marinated steak, twice baked potatoes and green salad. I'm sipping a glass of wine called Relax and am ready to eat and then watch a movie with Jeremy. Life is good and as we begin the week of Thanksgiving there is indeed much to be thankful for.

Facebook

I realize I'm behind the times, but I finally created an account on Facebook. I've been told if I want to stay connected to the youth or get messages to them I need to forget email and either text them or use facebook. So I am now attempting to reach them where they are - on the internet. I don't have a really good idea of how to navigate it but I've already seen pictures of friends that I haven't talked to in a really long time. So if nothing else, I'll connect with them.

Our Ella

Little Person

How can someone so little capture my whole heart? If I had $5 for every time I said, "Look at Ella, she's so adorable." I'd be rich and we'd have no more debt. What a gem of a human being. It's been almost a year now since she's been born - each day I think she's cuter and smarter than the one before. How is that possible?

Things that make me go #%@$

I'm not typically a cursing woman, however there are a few things that get under my skin and make me want to curse like a sailor.

• Dog hair in the house
• Stepping in water with socks on (I call it wet sock syndrome)
• Barking dog
• Jeremy's sock and t-shirt drawers
• Being poked in the face
• Having my pillows thrown to the floor
• Not being able to find a matching lid for tuperware when trying to put away leftovers
• Being asked questions during a TV program when the questioner doesn't really care what the answers are and is just being annoying
• The Minnesota Twins playing lousy and losing

Flowers and palms

I can still say I'm in my 20's. I don't know if that's a good thing or not, but I choose to believe it is. However, I can say that for only one more year. Today I turned 29. There's nothing special about 29, unless you have a husband like I do. He's a gift giver, and give gifts he does.

After he made me breakfast (not in bed - let's be practical) he gave me a bouquet of flower seeds to be planted. And a palm pilot. He doesn't like my current planner - it is rather old and ugly looking - and since I'm chief organizer for the family and business he deemed it a practical gift. So far it is a very fun toy.

He also sent me a bouquet of flowers at work.

He had been given strict instructions to not get me anything big or expensive - but he so rarely listens to me. And truthfully, it's nice that he doesn't.

Pastors and Turtles

As I drove to work this morning, I saw a number of turtles in the middle of the road. They were just haning out there, perhaps crossing from one side to the other. Do they realize how dangerous that is? Do they understand how quickly they could be smashed flat by an oncoming car?

As a pastor, that is how I've been feeling lately. I'm stuck in the middle. I have been given a job to do, even if it's just crossing from one side to the other, but I have people coming at me from all directions threatening to smash me flat.

But as the turtles cross the road no matter the danger, so I feel that my job is important. I feel that it is my calling. And so I, too, cross the road, no matter the danger.

Budding Trees

It seems that just over night the trees have come to life. I love it! I for one have been so tired of the cold, dreary rain and clouds. Bring on spring! We here in SoDak live in a climate of extremes, however. The last two days have reached in 90 degrees - in April! While that may be a bit too warm, I'll take it compared to cold.

For now, I love seeing the trees grow their leaves, increasing spots of shade. Green is overtaking brown. Life is overtaking death. Spots of color appear in flowers and laughter fills the evening air as children ride their bikes and play outside.

I look forward to taking Ella outside and watching her experience the coolness of the grass and the breeze in her face. I embrace the challenge of keeping grass, rocks, dirt, sticks, and bugs out of her mouth. This summer will not be like any other.

Birthday

Today is my dad's birthday. For his sake I won't say how old he is. A couple of days ago Jeremy and I, along with my brother and his wife and mom and dad went out to eat at his favorite restaurant, Famous Dave's, in SF. While Jeremy and I had just been there 2 days before and weren't real excited to go again so soon, it was worth seeing how happy my dad was eating ribs and getting BBQ sauce up to his elbows.

The only thing missing was the presence of my two sisters who don't live near us.

While birthdays were never a huge deal at our home growing up, I am particularly grateful that I am living near him to help him celebrate; none of us are getting any younger. In fact, it is a reason we're living in Freeman. To be near family and to have Ella grow up with both sets of grandparents.

So, happy birthday, dad. Don't work too hard and enjoy the ribs!