Nurses are Mean

I should probably clarify my above blog title... SOME nurses are mean, but really who needs even ONE mean lady talking to you while you (or your child) are sick? I left work yesterday afternoon dreaming of my slippers and sweatpants, I should have known the minute this dream entered my thoughts that is would already be jinxed.... But, I digress. As I was dreaming this dream I pulled up to Maddy's daycare and knocked on the door. AS soon as her caretaker swung the door open I could see Maddy's sad, puffy face. She looked pretty under the weather (what the heck does "under the weather mean? When you are well do you feel "over the weather?") and as I reached for my sweet little 24-pounder she steamed from the fever that was moving through her. We immediately went to CVS so I could purchase a thermometer that I did not have to stick up her bum. (There was no way I was going to make her deal with that also.) The one I purchased was so not better than an up-the-bum thermometer- I had to hold her head still for 15 seconds as I pushed a probe against her temple and waited for the "beep." I got it though! 100- degrees... we immediately went to the ER because I am a swine-flu-a-phobic and bacon scares me. We got settled in, registered and were told not to sit next to anyone with a mask or a pink bucket- everyone had a mask and pink bucket. One little kid actually felt like he was falling me around WITH his pink bucket. We eventually did get called back and that is where we met "the nurse." This woman made me so nervous as she interrogated me about why Maddy is sick... why wasn't she given Tylenol... why not Motrin?... Do you not believe that a child should have those things?.... Is that some new "daycare" rule? I finally had no answers for her and gave up... dropping all of our coats and snacks onto the floor and said "I don't know. I have no idea. My baby is sick, that is all I know." We were hustled into a room and told -by a very nice- doctor that she has a pretty bad ear infection and that she should start antibiotics as soon as possible. Since I am not an ear-infection-a-phobic I could handle this diagnosis. Everything will be OK, but some nurses (and people for that matter) just need to be a little nicer. Especially when you are dealing with an anxiety-riddled mom who wants her slippers and PJ's.

My Best Day

Ray played this song for me written and sung by Taylor Swift. As "The Best Day" video played on the TV I looked up at Ray with tears in my eyes. I want to share the lyrics, but if you get a chance listen to her sing it...
...and if you have a daughter I dare you not to cry.

I'm five years old and it's getting cold I've got my big coat on
I hear your laugh and look up smiling at you. I run and run
Past the pumpkin patch and the tractor rides Look now the sky is gold.
I hug your legs and fall asleep on the way home
I don't know why all the trees change in the fall
I know you're not scared of anything at all
Don't know if Snow White's house is near or far away
But I know I had the best day with you today
I'm thirteen now and don't know how my friends could be so mean
I come home crying and you hold me tight and grab the keys
And we drive and drive until we found a town far enough away
And we talk and window shop till I forgot all their names
I don't know who I'm gonna talk to now at school
But I know I'm laughing on the car ride home with you
Don't know how long it's gonna take to feel okay
But I know I had the best day with you today
I have an excellent father His strength is making me stronger
God smiles on my little brother
Inside and out he's better than I am
I grew up in a pretty house and I had space to run
And I had the best days with you
There is a video I found from back when I was three
You set up a paint set in the kitchen and you're talking to me
It's the age of princesses and pirate ships and the seven dwarfs
Daddy's smart and you're the prettiest lady in the whole wide world
Now I know why all the trees change in the fall
I know you were on my side even when I was wrong
And I love you for giving me your eyes
Staying back and watching me shine and I didn't know if you knew
So I'm taking this chance to say that I had the best day with you today

Bye Dad!

When Maddy's age was said only in months and her bubba was the start and finish of everyday... she said her first word. Dudda. Mumma came shortly after, but dudda was always said more often. Her eyes will light up when she sees him come home and you can feel the bond that they have. You can be in the same room... neither will be "talking"... but they are communicating- giggling at each other and making faces. It is because of this that it is very fitting that her first sentence be to her dad. Ray dropped her off at daycare on Monday and as he walked away he heard the tiniest voice... "Bye dad." My heart melts.

Doctor's.... RAWRRR!

This is what Maddy says to anymore doctor's visits. Well, actually that is a baby yawn... but for comedic timing it works pretty well... don't you think? Yesterday afternoon Maddy had a well-baby visit to our doctor's office and was such a big girl! She had to have lab work done- which meant taking blood from her tiny-itty-bitty little arm. Which- might I add- she did not even WINCE from! She then had to get 6... yes, 6 shots- 3 in each leg. Needless (no pun intended) to say she was a very tired and sore little girl for the rest of the day. Here are her current stats:

Weight- 24lbs (50th Percentile)

Length- 30inches (50th Percentile)

Head Circumference- 19inches (90th Percentile)

Yes... she has a Feela head.

On the Mend... One Day at a Time

So, because I still have not gotten anything together and downloaded "new" pictures, here are some "old" ones... But new to you!

Grandpa John and Maddy-Moo

We are slowly getting better over here on Lucille Avenue. We are also very excited about the impending arrival of Baby Dustin in just a few more weeks! Hang in there Auntie Christen!

Battling.... Sludging... and Winning?

Sorry for such a long time between posts! I have some really great pictures that I will put up later this week, but for now I need to try and get back into a "groove." Everyone has been tackling a pretty severe stomach virus. Promise there will be pictures and updates soon!
Bonus picture of Turkey Day in California :) Oh, I miss everyone!

Snow Flurries

Happy New Year! Here is our wine and apps from the Eve :)

Later on in the weekend Nana Pat took Maddy sledding. All you could hear was a tiny little giggle as they zoomed up and down the front yard. Maddy now needs a bumper sticker that says "I'd rather be sledding." Nana came up with that, and I like it!