Sick of Being Sick

Here's what we've been doing at the McAvoy household:

1. Wiping snotty noses

2. Losing sleep to console a child who is up with another coughing episode

3. Mustard Plasters, honey teaspoonfuls, cough drops, pounding on the back, Vick's vapor rub massaged onto the bottoms of tiny feet, humidifiers, and cuddles

4. Midnight (and 2 am, 3 am, and 4 am) wake-up calls for more cuddles

5. Changing bedsheets (over and over again)

6. Wiping throw-up up off of the floor

7. Taking temperatures

8. Steamy bathrooms

9. Calls to the 24 hour nurse hotline

10. Lots and lots of hugs and kisses  

 It's not fun having sick kids when I'm not feeling well myself.  I never seem to get a "sick day" like I did when I was teaching full-time.  Oh well, at least I am needed.  I think we're finally on the uphill side of the sickness, but whatever hit us this year was a doosey.  It was nasty and lengthy and I never want it to come back. 

Also, I have recently been elated by our beautiful weather.  I found a new surge of energy to purge our home of unwanted items that were donated to the thrift store (just junk really, but maybe some elses treasure--maybe?).  Then, I found more energy to do some spring cleaning.  During that spring cleaning I decided to put away many of our winter items.  Ahh MAN!  The snow came back... and worse yet, so did the ice.  It was nice seeing grass, and feeling cool (not cold) air on my skin.  I enjoyed spending more time outside.  And I LOVED not having to de-ice my car and driveway every time I wanted to go somewhere.  Well, I had thought Spring was here.  I guess it's not.  I am now no longer elated.  I am now depressed (not really, but definitely bummed).  I definitely don't think I will ever really like winter.  At least not in Ohio.  Arizona?  Sure.  Utah?  Sure.  Ohio?  Heck no!  Looks like our mailman will have to deliver our mail to the Gaskins for a few more weeks. 

Anyway, here is my pregnant belly.  I turned 29 on my 29th week of pregnancy.  That was kind of cool.  I enjoyed spending the day with Jon Mark and the kids.  Jon Mark took me to Target (which is almost my most favorite place--I miss Ross).  He told me to pick out anything I wanted.  I didn't think he'd get me anything because my Christmas present was supposed to count as my birthday gift too.  It was nice.  I picked out a post-pregnancy shirt (I hope it fits).  My in laws and my parents sent me money which was also a lot of fun.  I bought more post-pregnancy clothes and shoes (and I used my parents money to pay for the toy box I made Joshua).  We also went out to lunch and I blew out a match because we didn't have any candles.  It was a good day. 

Mercedes and Joshua are a lot of fun.  Mercedes personality is really starting to come out.  She's quite funny.  The other day, she bit me, shook her head like she knew she wasn't supposed to, and with a huge smile said, "I sorry".  She's also said, "I miss you." "I love you." "I want that." "Joshua." and "Mercedes."  Anyway, that's an update for you.