Low Moments in Parenting: Poop Edition

The title should have sufficiently warned you.

Low Moment #1:

Over the weekend, I noticed thatboth Sebastian and Collette hadn't pooped in a couple days.  This is typical (but still not good) for Collette but very odd for Sebas.  I gave them both some Miralax in their milk - Collette stole most of Sebastian's and, shocker, pooped the next day.  However, as of yesterday night, Sebastian still hadn't pooped and I could tell he was trying to and couldn't.  A lovely chat with a friend who is a former nurse (hi Megan!) pointed me in the direction of suppositories.  I hoped it wouldn't come to that but more Miralax did nothing.  So, after school today, I got to give my son some medicine up his bum.  Why don't any parenting books EVER mention this as a possibility?

Low Moment #2:

Matteo puts everything in his mouth.  Dog food, bark mulch, crayons, whatever.  I try not to spend too much time worrying about it.  Whatever he swallows will probably just come out the other end, no problem.  My theory was confirmed when I changed his diaper to see the poop staring back at me - the unlucky googly eye untouched by the digestive process.  Ew.

Ma

This is my least favorite part about being a SAHM

I used to think that I had a pretty good immune system. I was one of those people that never took a sick day from work (well, I did but I wasn't sick. I was either at the beach or hungover...). I never had to see my doctor. I never took medicine. That was before I had kids.

Now, whenever the kids get sick, I get sick. They don't get sick often, for which I am very grateful. But this past weekend was one of the few times they got sick. Not the worst I've seen (like both winter bugs last year) but pretty bad nonetheless. This time I wasn't pregnant so I think I fared better. They had full-on vomiting and diarrhea while I was mostly just nauseous and unable to eat much for a couple days. But even that is almost too much to deal with when your kids are covered in vomit and crap and you still have to nurse a baby. It's so hard to get better when you can't get your rest. No sick days for Mommy.

Also, I was lucky this time because it happened mostly over the weekend (yesterday was a bit rough and Billy left in the afternoon but I managed). Having a travelling spouse when you're a SAHM really sucks when you get sick. It's not like I can simply ask him to take a day off. And my family is more than willing to help but they all have full time jobs so there isn't always much they can do.

I know a lot of you will say this is why I need a regular babysitter but that's actually a post for another day. Let's just say we're working on it. Although, I'd have to be really comfortable with someone to let them be in my house while I'm tossing my cookies upstairs. Just sayin'.

We're better today, though, and the temperatures are above zero (Fahrenheit, that is...) so things are looking up for this SAHM. Hope all of you are feeling well!

32 Weeks: Belly Pic

My belly at 32 weeks:


My guess is that I am still measuring right on time, which is perfect. Since I was measuring about 6 weeks ahead with the twins, this is as it should be for my body and one baby. Although being sick and not eating more than toast for 3 days definitely set my weight back a bit. And I'm slightly anemic. But nothing some iron supplements can't help.

So, it seems that all is back to normal and I can just try and do my best to get through these next 8 weeks. It is getting increasingly difficult to do certain tasks, like washing dishes (my belly is the same height as the counter-top), laundry (I can't reach the bottom of the laundry sorter), lifting Sebastian and Collette, and anything else that involves bending over. I remember when I was pregnant with the twins, bending over wasn't so bad - I did the "stripper" bend where I would crouch and come up butt first and then stand straight. But when I have to bend down and pick up toys about 20,530 times per day, that's just not gonna happen. Either way, my back is mad at me and I'm mad at all the toys. And dirty dishes. And dirty clothes. It's gonna be a long 8 weeks... :)

The Verdict Is In

And I'm just sick. For the third time. You have got to be freakin' kidding me! Of course, I'm very happy that it's this and not preeclampsia again. My BP was 121/75 (which I'm told is normal), there was no protein in my urine and my OB is pretty sure the blood test for liver function will come back fine. So, for now, I'm just stuck at home, feeling like crap and hoping that if I crank my central AC enough, it will actually make our third floor playroom bearable. We have a portable AC unit for up there but were not prepared for 90 degree weather in May and the unit is in the basement. Sigh.

Thank you all SO MUCH for your well wishes and concern for me and Matteo. I'm usually a pretty easy going gal when it comes to medical stuff but this had me pretty scared. Your comments helped perk me up, so thank you again.

Worried

So far, this has been a very easy pregnancy. Besides the two stomach viruses I contracted from the kids, it has been smooth sailing. That is, until now.

On Saturday night/Sunday morning, I wasn't feeling well. My stomach hurt and I couldn't sleep. Sunday was a wash of a day for me but the rest I got seemed to help. Monday was much better but not 100%. Still, I was pretty sure it was just one of those things that comes and goes, no harm done.

But yesterday, towards the end of nap time, I started feeling shitty again. And it really hasn't gone away. I have had slight headaches, nausea, stomachaches and, just recently, thanks to an extra special poopy diaper, vomiting. I am just hoping against hope that my BP is in check because 31.5 weeks is way to early for this baby to come. Not to mention that I have NO IDEA what I will do if I have to go on bed rest to keep him in longer. For now, I try to keep thinking happy thoughts and take it as easy as I can in 90 degree weather with two 18 month olds. I go in for a check up at 10am - wish me and Matteo luck!

Tales from the Crypt

We're all back from the dead. Again. Collette got it first on Thursday morning - she was covered in puke in her crib when I got them up in the morning. Poor baby didn't stop until naptime, around 10am. I had to rock her to sleep in the big recliner. She looked so sad but so sweet.

Sebastian got the bug by that afternoon - same crib scene. His didn't seem to be as bad, thankfully. Collette had a repeat that night, about a half hour after bedtime. Poor kidlets.

On Saturday, I got it and so did Auntie Kim. My stomach pains and lightheadedness were so bad that I called my OB and she had me go to the hospital. They put me on an IV drip and gave me some Zofran and Reglan, thank the sweet Lord. I spent nearly 6 hours there but it was worth it. Since then, I've been on a strict diet of Gatorade, apple juice and toast. But now, everyone is feeling better - we even went to the park! Here are some shots, not at the park though - naturally, I forgot my camera :)

Lots more updates to come - sorry I've been AWOL.

A not so fun first...

A rash, swollen foot and fever of 103 degrees landed little Miss Collette in the ER on Sunday afternoon. This is the first real illness (more than just sniffles) that we have had with either baby and we are lucky that it wasn't anything serious. Apparently, it's just a run-of-the-mill viral infection and will be all gone in a day or so.

I gotta say though, it was weird doing something (even if it was a trip to the ER) with just one kid. Billy stayed home with Sebastian while I packed up Colie. Of course, we don't have a single stroller, even though I have been advised to get one, just in case - should have listened to you, Mommy Esq.! The valet at the hospital took my car away once I got baby, stroller, purse and diaper bag out of the car. When I tried to put Collette in the stroller she screamed bloody murder so I had to carry her into the waiting room, while holding two bags and pushing an empty double stroller. I looked like such a fool.

But despite the weird looks I got for pushing the empty double stroller, no one paid us much attention. Not one person came up to me to comment on Collette, tell me how cute she is, ask me how old she is or how big she is. A mommy with her (one) baby daughter just isn't so interesting, I guess. A dime a dozen. This must be how it is for singleton moms when they go to the market or the mall. No one stopping them to repeat some cliche or bombarding them with questions. It surprised me at first but then it was kind of nice to not have worry about strangers and just focus on my kid.

Collette is fine and almost 100% back to normal. And she was nice enough to spare her brother - he only got a very slight fever and no rash or swelling.

All better! Just the anklet as evidence...

Mastitis and Canine Hemorrhoids

OK, so I think the title has given you all the info you really need. My lovely staycation has been interrupted by me getting some kind of infected blister on my boobage (thanks Medela!) which pretty much knocked me on my ass all day. Saw the Dr., got some antibiotics and will be fine in a day or so. Resting until then.

Later on, when Billy got back from Daddy Duty, talking the twins and the pug on their daily jaunt, he notified me of the giant hemorrhoid Lola had - and it was bleeding. Oh Joy! Called the vet, she said to bring the dog in. Well, 20 minutes and $160 later, they were back with instructions and medications. One antibiotic, one topical ointment and one other ointment which must be...inserted. And we have to come back in one week to check it out again. We also have to add Metamucil to her food. So, apparently she is a 75 year old trapped in a pug's body.

So, please don't come to our house because you will have a 2 in 5 chance of developing some sort of sore or boil on your body.