The Carousel

It was so nice to have everyone feeling better again by the weekend. This stomach virus is going around everywhere. Two of my students have had it, my nephew (Jude Patrick) in Atlanta had it, and even my blogger buddy Jennifer in Tennessee has it along with the rest of her family. I am just so thankful that I never caught it!

We decided to go out to the mall on Saturday because I wanted to go to Gymboree to use up my Gymbucks that expired today. The mall was busy as usual because just about every store was having amazing sales. The Children's Place had most of their winter clothes on sale and then you took an additional 50% off. What a deal! The mall we went to this time has a carousel, so we took advantage of the $1.50 tickets. We took turns riding this time. Drew did not like it at all. He wanted to get off pretty quickly. But Libby LOVED it. I've never seen her smile so much. Here are some photos and videos we took...

We're on the Road to Recovery!

We're finally all back to good health and everyone will go to work and daycare tomorrow (Thursday). I kept Drew home today for 1 more day and it really helped him. I'm just ready to go back out into civilization for the 1st time since Friday. Guess that means I can't wear pajamas again tomorrow, though. ;) Here is a video of Libby from the weekend when she started to feel better. In her former life, she was definitely a dog hanging her head out of a car window!

Stomach Bug is just plain mean...

Because Drew now has it. I'm ready to move out!

Stomach Bug is making itself comfortable in its new home

So I get a call from Darrell at the end of work Friday saying he now has the stomach bug. And Libby was still sick, too. I rush to pick up Drew and head home to the sick house. Drew and I literally quarantined ourselves-- playing in another room, eating separately (well, the others weren't really eating), and taking a bath separately. Darrell went to the basement and slept down there. It's really pretty bad.

Libby woke up looking so much better and was begging for milk, so I gave her about an ounce. Big mistake because she got sick instantly. UGH. The doctor said to call if she was still vomiting Saturday and yup-- she is. They wanted us to come in to be sure she's not dehydrated. We bundled up and headed out in 20 degree weather to the pediatrician's office. Seriously, when we walked in and saw the 10 families all hacking, coughing, and looking horrible, I almost turned around and walked out. I tried to decrease my anxiety as I half-sat on a chair between 2 little babies. Luckily I brought the umbrella stroller, so she sat a little bit in front of me. We waited there for 40 minutes. Then got back in the room and as Libby cried for 20 minutes straight begging for milk, a "Saturday shift" doctor walked in, took a 10 second look and said, she's hydrated (so did the massive amount of tears show it), so just keep doing what you're doing. We headed home and she went to bed.

Drew woke up and we played for a really long time. It was exciting to see the new toys from our xmas gifts we shipped up here from when we were in Louisiana. He was in such a good mood, so that was fun spending some good one-on-one time together reading books and playing with blocks. He walked over to a photo of Darrell and me at our engagement party and said, "Mama... Pop Pop", which is what he calls my dad. I think it's because Darrell had a goatee and my Dad has a beard. Funny!!

Libby's up now and Drew's down, so we've gotten into the opposite schedules thing today (every twin mom's nightmare). Poor Libby is so miserable and just keeps fussing, whining, crying, tripping on things-- the things you do when you ARE miserable. She just started asking for her nu-nu, so it's off to bed again.

Darrell seems to be feeling better, but is nervous to eat or drink anything but sips of water. He says the thing about this virus is that you feel fine and then it comes on like the devil out of nowhere. I told him I would wait another day just in case, so let's all say our prayers it will really be only 1 more day (oh and that Drew and I don't get it). My mom just read "The Secret" and told me to keep putting positive thoughts out into the universe so they will happen. So, all day (and especially while in the sick waiting room today) today I've been saying, "I have a good immune system because I teach young children, I will stay healthy, I will not get this. Drew is a fighter. He will be healthy with me. Mama and Drew will play together because they are both healthy." I hope my mom is right!

Stomach Bug has entered

So we got the babies all dressed in turtlenecks and sweaters for our 20 degree weather today. Naturally, Libby threw up all over herself and Darrell just as she's all ready. We put her back in PJ's and D worked from home today. She had issues from both ends of her little body all day. Poor Dibba. Of course, once was on the carpet, too (when it rains, it pours)! But she was acting fine and played. Even ate a little banana for lunch. It's weird. I suggested the BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) diet to Darrell for the day, but it looks like the American Academy of Pediatrics says we usually don't have to be this restrictive. But she can't keep anything down, so basically we'll take what we can get.

Drew and I stopped for some Pedialyte after leaving daycare. He had fun leaning back in the basket and staring at the lights. I had fun looking at his perfectly normal palate and alveolar ridge for probably the 1st time ever. But I was impressed that he was able to elevate his tongue to produce /l/ so nicely. That is a difficult sound usually not mastered by boys until around 6 or older. My little genius.

Libby woke up from her 3rd nap as we got home and she looked fine. But then she threw up almost on me this time. I think we were able to get about 6 ounces of Pedialyte in her and will try more tomorrow. But please send all of your thoughts and prayers over to our house so that none of us catch it next!!!

Our Weekend + Inauguration Day

We had a nice weekend, but nothing too eventful. We all went to get haircuts, but backed out on Libby's last minute, so she still has all of those precious curls for a while longer. It helps that she lets us put bows/ponytails in her hair now to keep it out of her face. I decided to go back to brunette because I was getting sick of highlighting and felt like I was turning too blond. So, I'm back to my roots (literally) now.

We finally got all of the Christmas decorations down, too, which was a huge accomplishment. Other than that, we just hung around inside to stay warm in this winter weather. I hate to say it, but I'm ready for some snow (sorry, Jill). Partly because we'll have a holiday, but mostly because I'll be interested to see how L&D like to play in it. It should be fun. I shouldn't complain, though, because we have next Monday off for MLK Day and then Tuesday for Inauguration Day. A 4-day weekend will be nice.

Darrell and I went to Bush's 2001 inauguration when we first moved here and it was a neat experience being there, even if it was reallllly coooolllld. But we also got to go to the Ohio Inaugural Ball, too, so that was really neat. We went to just the parade in 2005, and it was MISERABLE cold. I'd like to go to any president's inauguration since we live so close and have work off (at least I do), but it's just so cold and miserable in January. Plus, now it is a nightmare with the amount of security and so on (not that I'm complaining, but it's just harder to get anywhere and do anything). I'll be just as happy watching it on TV in my warm house this year. But we're hearing there will be record crowds-- up to 4 million. Wow!

Using Spoons (sort of)

L&D have been learning to use spoons and forks during dinner. So far, they are doing quite well. Notice how Drew says something after his 1st bite. I've figured out that it's, "Big Boy". I thought this was cute, but wondered where it came from. Then, after I looked at this video I realized I must say it quite often. Tonight we used forks for our veggie burger bites and he said "Big Boy" every time he got food to his mouth. He really is a sponge right now!

Drew's Boo-Boo

Drew fell down on the carpet right where it meets the kitchen floor. The bottom of his nose has rug burns while the bridge has a cut. It's healing, but he now looks as if he's been in a bar brawl. He cried and cried so much, which is always heartbreaking...

10 for 2009

I have been writing the date as 2008 all day at work today and know I will continue this for another month or so. I just cannot believe we are in 2009 and worse than that, that next year will be 2010! Wouldn't it be cool to graduate and be the class of '10? So weird to me.

As we begin another year, I must set some goals (and NOT resolutions) for myself:

1. laugh more and eat less
2. go to bed at 11:00 PM and NO later on a school night (notice it's 10:55 PM right now)
3. keep it together when I pack up more things that tell me my babies are no longer babies (it was rough yesterday with the bibs, blankets, and burp cloths)
4. call my friends more often
5. begin the babies' 1st year scrapbooks (oh, and finish their 1st year calendars and baby books-- yeah...b/c I can't even remember what I had for breakfast today much less last year's milestones)
6. read all these good books everyone is talking about (like Twilight-- I got it for Christmas and am only on page 6)
7. put photos in the cute little "My Family" vinyl photo book I got at my baby shower since L&D pick it up and look at its blank pages quite often
8. organize my school stuff in the basement-- hoping D will buy and build my bookshelves ;)
** footnote-- I just remembered I had yogurt for breakfast today
9. seek help for my addiction to Facebook
10. hug, kiss, and hold L&D as much as I can every single day (before they get embarrassed and refuse to let me in front of their friends)

Ok, that's enough-- 10 things that I think are achievable, so I just need to set aside the time to stick to them. So, here goes... it's 10:59 PM, so I'm running upstairs before I type another word. Does getting to my room at 11 count? Because you know I have to brush my teeth, wash face, take medicine, etc. and that can take a while. Excuses, excuses already...

A New Year's Baby

We got some exciting news on New Year's Day-- my brother Bryan and his wife Erica welcomed their new baby girl, Susanna Brigid. She was born at 9:48 AM, weighing 8 lbs, 6 oz and 19 inches long. I talked to Bryan today and it sounds like everyone is doing well, but are trying to get some rest. They got home from the hospital today and are getting settled. Bryan is in the Navy and is unfortunately going out to sea tomorrow for 2 1/2 weeks. I'm sure it will be the longest few weeks of his life waiting to get back home. But hopefully it will go by fast for him. He asked me how to upload video footage today and I am trying to talk him into starting his own blog!