Mama in New England: September 2014

"My mouth hurts so much!"

Miserable, miserable children and a long week. Otherwise known as Hand, Foot, and Mouth, this virus causes blister-like lesions and sores in and around the mouth, on the hands, and feet. So eating and drinking becomes a challenge. Sam had it first and I watched it appear, just frightening, kind of like a sci -fi movie. But he was a little bit reasonable and could be bribed to take Tylenol and is appeased by the TV. Vivian wants nothing to do with anything of comfort, food, or water (though strangely they're craving pretzels). She is crying constantly and throwing everything she touches. I've been the target of a variety of drinks, toys, strawberries (a full container as well as a single berry), a brush, a pan lid, and pretty much whatever she can get her hands on.

Good times around here.

So now she has to have two wet diapers today or we get to go to the ER for hydration, or dehydration actually. We were at the ER earlier this week because of Sam's feet swelling, to check for Kawasaki. That was all good, but stressful. And Joe got to pick up Vivian from her child minder, where she refused to get in the car and quite possibly shared her germs with him. And when I returned home from the hospital after retrieving a defiant Vivian, Sam woke up in his (brand new) carseat with his nose bleeding everywhere. So I carried Vivian to the porch and then bleeding Sam upstairs to the couch. Ran and got Vivian inside and while I was debating how to get downstairs and close the car doors (street parking), Vivian stuck her finger in the VCR (yes we still have a DVD/VCR combo), got her finger stuck and promptly pooped in her diaper. The fun never ends. It was all dealt with though!

At least it's been gorgeous out so we can get fresh air and sun every day while everyone recovers and Chris and I ignore our sore throats. Chris thought it was hilarious when he pointed out I would get the sores when it was time for school pictures- which of course are next week.

Vivian passed out on the living room floor last night after crying for 45 minutes.

Sam's Coxsackie foot earlier this week.

"I'm going to lean on the fridge and wail like this at 11:25 pm. There's nothing you can do to comfort me!"

Day 1 on Vivian, she refused to be put down and passed out on me while I was telling Sam stories. Not her personality at all. Usually she is jumping around on the couch.