Abby, Zoë and Enzo

This afternoon we all took a walk in the nice sunshine.  After going into town to get the mail, we went to one of the nearby playgrounds.  While we were there Auntie Reanna beeped me on the walkie talkie (I had one and had left one at the house for her to pick up) and walked to meet us.  On the way home we stopped at a new café that had opened and Daddy got his girls a pastry.

We all went along on my appointments today so that Chris and I could both see the ultrasound, but I had a couple of other stops to make first... luckily they're all on the same road as the hospital.  First we stopped at Dr. McLaughlin's office to pick up some lab forms, and they wanted to weigh me first.  Then we went down the street to the lab, but there were three people in front of me and I didn't know if I'd be in time for my ultrasound so the woman said I could just get the blood drawn at the hospital.  So over we went to the hospital and after registration I got my blood drawn and then we went to wait in radiology.  There was a cartoon on in the waiting area so Abby and Zoë were content to just watch that, until a commercial came on and they lost interest... 'commercials, what are those?'  We saw the same woman that we saw the first time we got an ultrasound and she took lots of measurements before doing the cervical length check.  This little bean is growing rapidly, so much bigger already than the last time we got a picture!  I'll be having ultrasounds every two weeks until I'm 30 weeks along (right now I'm 16 weeks) so this will be a very pictured child before it's even born.

Abby and Zoë behaved pretty well, though they were a bit cranky that they were waiting on snack... so Daddy finally sat them along the wall to have their snack.  After the hospital we stopped at 'Me and Ollie's' in the Fresh Market store to get some fresh bread sliced so that we could make panini's at home for lunch.

This is always an exciting event, the first time we get to the beach.  Our first beach trip of the year definitely wasn't 'play in the waves' kind of sunny, but warm enough to get us out there.  Abby and Zoë were just thrilled to be running along the beach and picking up shells and rocks.  Daddy nicknamed Zoë "mudder"  for the rest of the day becuase she was just digging with her shells and getting nice and dirty.

With the flu and my surgery we missed two weeks of story time.  First we had a little snack when we got to the library, then went to check on the "Pet Fairies" books, and found that the next book we'd been waiting for, "Lauren the Puppy Fairy" was indeed in.  We got numbers 12 and 13 of the "Magic Tree House" series and then went to sit and read some picture books while we waited for story time to begin.

The stories today all revolved around some sort of monsters and dragons and had some funny stories of kids making friends with the scary things in their rooms.  For the craft each of the kids got a green piece of construction paper to wrap around a toilet paper tube and after they decorated that then they got some black and red crépe paper that had been layered on top of each other and stapled together, to tape along the inside edge of the toilet paper tube.  Next they made some cuts in the crépe paper to make it tassley... these were supposed to be dragons breath once they were done with them and held them up to their mouths.

We've been wanting to find some bigger planters to transplant our basil and tomato plants we've started inside, and also our little tree, 'twiggy'.  Well, this morning while Chris was putting out the trash, he noticed that the neighbor had some plastic planters out with their garbage, the kind that are meant to look like Terra cotta planters.  So, over I scurried in my pj's and picked up the three largest from the bottom of the stack.  We decided one would be the right size for the basil and one for the tomatoes, and I thought the other would be a nice size to plant some flowers... this left out 'twiggy'.  I debated and debated and then off I scurried once more to get another planter.

Later on we went to Home Depot to get some more soil and then had lunch at a new Greek restaurant, Café Nostimo.  We got a gyro plate and a moussaka plate.  Next we went home and got to transplanting our stuff.  We just did the basil and tomatoes as it was chilly on the porch with the sun having moved on.  After we were all done, Chris put the planters down in the driveway to get some sun... he brought them in before the neighbors came home from work.

I think I have felt some movement from the littlest bean.  Nothing big and only a couple of times, but I'm pretty sure it was baby movement.  Right now this is exciting and I'm waiting to be able to feel more frequent, pronounced movements, but I'm sure in a few months I'll be writing about how these 'adorable' movements are keeping me up at night. : )

Grandma Cindy had stayed at Reanna and Corey's last night, so she came over this morning, just in time to help Abby and Zoë after the shower.  The girls just thought it was so funny how excited Buddy was to see them... he'd had a shower this morning too.  After everyone was all dressed and ready, Grandma Cindy and I headed out to do some shopping.  Zoë and Abby weren't too upset to be staying behind, since Daddy was setting them up with a movie to watch.  At Old Navy we saw winter coats on sale, marked down to under $8 from almost $60 so each of the girls got a green winter coat for next year.  Grandma Cindy also bought me two maternity shirts.  We went to Kohl's, not so much luck there, and also to Wal-Mart.  Abby and Zoë made out there as well, Grandma Cindy got them each a cool new head band as well as a paddle brush like mine.  I also got some palmer's coco butter cream for my belly.  After this Grandma Cindy and I went to the Olive Garden.  I got the Tour of Italy with salad and Grandma Cindy got a new promotional stuffed rigatoni with shrimp dish with soup.  We certainly had plenty to bring home... I even stuffed the extra salad and bread sticks in our to-go containers. 

When we got home Abby and Zoë were 'napping' but not really, so they just got up and had some time with Grandma Cindy before she had to head back to Reanna and Corey's so that Reanna can take her to the airport very early tomorrow morning.  Both of the girls were ridiculously excited to have the Olive Garden left overs at dinner time.  They just couldn't stand the excitement and kept exclaiming over how good everything was.  Thanks for everything Grandma Cindy!

Zoë and Abby were both quite excited that we were all feeling well enough to get to church today.  When we walked into the kids choir room, we noticed that Maran and 'Beanie' are back from their vacation.  Abby and Zoë have asked every week when they'd be back.  The Jr. Church group were making the snacks for 'coffee hour' so the girls were happy to join in on that.  Abby helped make the fruit kabobs while Zoë helped to assemble the cream cheese roll-ups.  After Sunday school, where they did stuff with hieroglyphics and making bricks, I could tell that both of the girls were tired and ready to get home for a nap, especially Zoë, who was woken up by Abby this morning.

With Grandma Cindy away at a conference today, we had a little family day.  At one point both girls were drawing pictures on the 'writing boards' and glanced over to see Chris and I lounging together on the couch, Chris with no computer in his lap, so of course they had to come over and get some of this attention.  They ended up giving the big writing board to Chris and he was drawing them pictures of themselves and putting things like crowns on and magic wands in hand, upon request.  Then it was my turn to draw them, then of course the girls wanted to take turns with us as their captive audience.

We haven't gotten out to Wal-Mart in a little while, at least not all of us, and it was surely time.  Once we were about halfway through the grocery section, we saw Grandma Cindy coming up the aisle.  She finished out the shopping trip with her and then we all went to Quizzno's for some lunch.  Abby and Zoë thought it was so funny that Grandma Cindy found us in Wal-Mart and they were quite excited that we got to go somewhere for lunch.

We were to meet Grandma Cindy, Reanna, Corey, Tommy, and Liz at Molly Malone's restaurant in town this evening.  Chris, the girls, and I left to go and get us a table and after waiting a while we went ahead and ordered something for the girls.  Once Abby and Zoë were munching away on their food after a little while we decided to go ahead and put in our orders as well.  As we were waiting for our food the phone was brought to me saying I had a phone call.  I was a little surprised, it was Grandma Cindy telling me that there had been a bit of a mishap involving her rental car so that's why they still weren't there.  Once we were all done eating and the others still weren't there, we ordered dessert as well and just before our dessert arrived, the rest of our party did too.  It was bed time by now so we said our good-byes and headed home.

The weather was really nice today so the girls went out on the porch with Grandma Cindy and I and we played some cards and did some coloring, but it actually got really warm on the porch so we went inside before everyone (except Mommy) went for a walk to feed the birds in the park and into town to get the mail.

With me back home today, the girls were just all ready to go out to the library or go do something.  They were upset to learn I'd be spending the day on the couch, but at least they had company to keep them occupied.  There were some times though that they just wanted to sit on the couch and read books or snuggle, especially Zoë.  After having a great day of behaving really well for Daddy yesterday, Zoë let it all go with Mommy and was whiny and not wanting to do what we asked her on and off today.  She assured us that she'd be in a better mood tomorrow.

Grandma Cindy and I left just before 9:00 this morning to head down to Brigham and Women's Hospital for my cerclage surgery.  This left Daddy, the girls, and Buddy at home for the day.  Little did we know how long of a day it would turn out to be.  From what I hear, Abby and Zoë had a great time "helping" Daddy train Buddy during the day.  Chris said that the girls also took a longer nap than normal, but were still ready for bed and sleeping before 8:00 pm.  They watched three shows throughout the day, and got to have pizza for dinner.

I talked to them at bed time and Zoë sounded upset that I wasn't able to leave the hospital yet.  I explained to her that I wouldn't be able to leave until I could go pee and since I hadn't been able to yet, I couldn't leave.  In a very whiny voice Zoë asked "You just  have to stay there in the bathroom?  Do you have to spend the night in there?"  We cleared things up and they went to sleep easily for Daddy.  Grandma Cindy and I didn't arrive back to the house until after 10:30 p.m.  On my way to bed I went in and kissed the girls and Zoë woke a little bit and said good-night to me.

It was just one of those days where not a whole lot happened.  We stayed inside, relaxed, played some games, and just hung out.  No big behavior issues, which is always nice.  Like they say, sometimes no news is good news.

Abby and Zoë were pretty dissapointed that they wouldn't be going to church today.  I am feeling better, not 100% but better anyway and my fever has stayed away.  Zoë is also already seeming to feel remarkably better, evidenced by her goofing around enough to be told to settle down.  Abby still hasn't shown any signs of having caught the bug.  Daddy is a different story however, having come down with a fever and feeling run down.  I think it was all that doting on Zoë when she wasn't wearing her mask (yes, she kept one on during the day too).  What with giving her 'princess carries' and middle of the night medicine administering... he was bound to get it.  We all just hung around the house not doing too much, as Grandma Cindy had gone to Reanna and Corey's church and then out and about with Reanna today.  We just had a quiet Sunday at home, with some cinnamon raisin oatmeal, which I actually felt well enough to make this morning, and honey for our throats.

Not only did Daddy and Abby buy junk at the store yesterday, we've also been ordering junk to eat.  We've been slowly going through some stuff in our house and not replacing it, stuff that we don't want to be consuming anymore.  We really want to get to a more plant based, 'whole' / 'live' foods diet and stop eating some of the things we kept at home, even just to eat sometimes.  Popcorn, macaroni and cheese, ramen noodles, ice cream, and even block cheese, are some of the things we plan to not eat in our house anymore. 

Well, we have had an influx of junk since I got sick and I've just been too exhausted to fight it.  Pizza, donuts, other fast food options... I'm ashamed to admit what our cardboard recycling bins looks like.  I'd like to post a note on trash day that says something along the lines of 'don't judge us, we we had the flu'.

So today was Zoë's day for the doctors.  We could not keep her fever down.  So after tons of promises and things she will get, I was able to pack her into the car for the doctors office.  If I was not sick before this trip, I will be now.  The place was packed.  Our 11:00 AM appointment started at 11:40.  Go figure.  I guess they were running behind, god forbid they keep you informed.  Anyhow.  There was so much sickness and disease in that office, I am not sure how it does anyone any good.  After we were finally called, Zoë got her temp taken, and her eyes, ears, nose and throat looked at.  They did a strep test and a flu test.  We will know the result in the morning.  I took her home to rest while Abby came on board for a grocery store run for medicine, gatorade for our dehydrated sickies at home, and some icees.

I'm trying to remember what we did today, but mostly what I did consisted of either sleeping in bed, or lying reclined on the couch not completely aware of what was going on around me.  Abby and Zoë enjoyed the company of Grandma Cindy and her puppy, Buddy.  Daddy was here to make sure things happened at normal times, and every now and then one of the girls would want to come and see me.  I always felt bad when I had to tell them to keep back, even though I kept a mask on, but they know I love them and were preoccupied with "helping" Grandma Cindy with the dog so they didn't mind too much.

Upon arriving home from the airport, I find Laura curled up on the couch, with covers on, and a 104.2 F fever.  We call her OB/Gyn and talk to a nurse, who instructs us to call our primary and see about getting in the next morning.  What?  104 F is too hot, and the acetomeniphine was not doing anything to help keep it down.  So I packed her up in the car and took her to the emergency room.  I dread visits like this without health insurance.  The care and attention from the doctor was good but brief, maybe 30 minutes of our total visit time, the rest of the staff could have been more "on top of things", like not letting the IV run out before noticing it and changing it.  She had to have the IV in to get two bags of fluids into her, as she was very dehydrated.  Her bpm was 126, very high.  We felt forgotten about most of the 4 hour visit.  Not a good feeling for sure.  They did do a flu swab and took blood out of both arms... lots of it.  The flu swab turned out positive for Influenza A.  The Dr. (John Smith, the girls loved hearing this when we got home.  All of you Pocohauntus buffs should know why) thought it sounded like Laura had pnuemonia as well, but x-ray, which she was double shielded for, seemed to show otherwise. Hopefully this isn't a trend for Laura and this pregnancy.  I am getting more and more prepared though, you never know when a quick visit turns into a 3 month stay.  Despite what Laura tells me, and what I tell her about keeping healthy and what I ask of her, she likes the extra attention every now and again that these hospitals.

The girls stayed home with Grandma Cindy, and Reanna came over to help with the nighttime routine.  Abby and Zoë didn't miss this chance to get all amped up and goof around while out from under our supervision.  I had to sternly talk to them at bedtime to get them to stop giggling.  We need to leave them unsupervised more often so they can learn correct behaviour while not being monitored.  How do you do that?