Sick kids = tired mom

When one has four kids, you think "Man! That's a lot of laundry/food/cleaning/expenses!" but you never really think about viruses. Ugh! This week, they are passing them back and forth faster than I can keep track. Last week Pooks had a rash that they thought was Strep, the culture came back negative though so it was deemed ''viral''. Let it run it's course and on Monday, Peanut woke up and didn't want to do anything. He fell asleep on the couch numerous times, didn't want to eat or drink and when he finally did drink, he puked...everywhere! After that he seemed fine and scarfed down everything. Wednesday night Sissy spiked a fever of 101.9. Thursday morning she woke up dry...which never happens. That means she hadn't peed since 6pm the night before. By 10am she still hadn't peed (despite having nursed twice, drank a cup of water and a sippy cup of diluted cranberry juice) and her fever was up to 103.6. I got her into the doctor and she had a bulging eardrum and possibly a UTI but they didn't feel the need to cath her to test since either way, she needed antibiotics. She was put on antibiotics and tylenol/motrin. She finally did pee on the way home, so I was feeling much better!

So Friday starts out pretty good; she has a low fever but is back to her usual self. Napping more but she is also cutting a tooth so I figured that was par for the course. By Friday afternoon, Pooks has a horrible cough. Not just any cough but a barking cough. So I am 99% confident that he has croup so after consulting Dr.Google I see that other than Tyleonl/Vicks the only other thing I can really do is cool steam and maybe an inhaler. Both of which we have. I think we have finally kicked this crap. Until Saturday morning when as I'm getting Peanut dressed I notice that he has these bumps all over his feet and toes...even on the bottoms of his feet.

"Look at all my bug bites Mom''

Ummm...."I don't think those are bug bites hon. Let me see your hands"

Yep, blistery bumps on hands and feet.

"Peanut, let me see in your mouth''.

Yep, whitish blisters in his mouth.

So I call the doctor because while I know he has ''Hand, Foot, Mouth'' I don't know how to treat it and I thought as long as I'm at the clinic I can get them to check Pooks cough out.

Dr. Mommy was right; HFM for Peanut, and while five year olds can't officially have ''Croup'' he said to treat Pooks like I was. Maybe give him a spoonful of honey to help the coughing fits in addition to the vicks and inhaler as needed.

So now it's Sunday, we've got one kid with Hand, Foot, Mouth which is highly contagious and likely to spread. One kid with something viral causing a ''croup like'' cough, one kid one antibiotics for an ear infection who is also cutting a molar and a (so far!) perfectly healthy six year old. All of this means a very, very tired mom. A mom who also has a toothache and is sorta, kinda terrified because on Tuesday I get to go to the Italian dentist to get it looked out. Since my Italian doesn't go much farther than words necessary for greetings and ordering Gelato/Pizza, this could get interesting.

I love having four kids. I really, truly do. I know some people think we're nuts, especially with how close in age our crew is but I wouldn't change it for the world. Honestly, if I *had* to make one change, it would be that we had Sissy sooner so that her and Peanut were closer in age. Yeah, you heard me....22 months isn't as easy at 13 months or 18 months. But no one thinks about how hand me downs aren't the only thing they are passing around! Please for the sake of B and I's sanity, let the kids kick this junk...today!

Sissy, snuggly and sick, sleeping soundly...

Sirmione, Italy {Mother's Day Weekend}

So this is very belated, but I was busy all week planning a party. So now that I have some time (the little kids and B are napping, the big kids are watching Back To The Future and I have five minutes to myself) I figured I better get this blogged about before I forget.

Last week, I had the best Mother's Day ever. But Saturday before Mother's Day was pretty awesome too. B had gone to Lake Garda for an ''Organizational Day'' with his work people....he loved it, thought that the kids and I would too so we went. I was not disappointed! Though I will fully admit to protesting even going. I'm not a ''lake'' person. I was convinced I would hate it. I'm glad B made me go regardless and it was beautiful!

It is a tourist town and as such, it caters to German's and most people and places, speak English. That was a happy 'plus' though I really want to go back on say, a Wednesday and really see the town.

 

  

 For dinner we stopped at this restaurant that specialized in local "Seafood", ie fish that was caught in Lake Garda. I hate fish but B loves it and I saw where they also had Lasagne (my favorite!) so I was excited to try it out. Plus it was completely adorable. Outside seating, twinkling lights...total ''Quaint Italian Restaurant'' vibe.

Now the kids had pizza...it took not even 10 minutes and they had their food. Within 3 minutes of that, B's fish platter arrived and the waitress told me that my lasagne was almost done.

 Another 5 and I was getting antsy. Five minutes after that and it was finally here.

Now Lasagne is a food that doesn't photograph well but let me just say that it was ah-mazing. Hands down, no competition the best lasagne I have ever had. Like, looking at the picture again makes me want to drive back to Lake Garda just to eat this. Seriously. Pooks and Sissy were the only kids who wanted to taste and Pooks was ''tasting'' a lot. In less than 10 minutes after receiving it, my dish looked like this:

I was stuffed but if they had accidentally brought me another dish, I would have forced myself to eat it. Seriously.

After dinner we made our way back the van. Our parking meter was running out soon and we still had an hour drive back home. I definitely plan on going back soon though! The water was still pretty chilly and from what I understand it never gets ''hot'' because the lake is a result of run off water from the mountains. But I'm excited to make it back and find out!

Happy 5th Birthday Pooks!!

On Friday, Pooks turned 5 years old.

Showing off the shirt I made him. At his check up he was 41 inches tall and weighed 40lbs exactly!

On Saturday, we partied. We had a few families {yay! we've come to know a few other families who have 4 kids too!} over for hotdogs, brats, burgers and sides. We had cake, cupcakes and a pinata. Pooks chose to have an "Angry Birds" theme so we had stacked boxes for the kids to launch balls at but mostly they just ran around like crazy kids. It was a fun night and the birthday boy got many presents and told me it was ''the best birthday party ever'' when I tucked him in for bed. That made my day!

 

Best. Mother's Day. EVER!!

Seriously, this Mother's Day was the best! It started off on Saturday with a trip to Lake Garda:

The place was gorgeous and I'll be sharing more photos later.

That evening, B worked with the kids and made me an amazing mixed media (oil and acrylic painting) canvas and on Sunday I was lucky enough to receive it. It turned out great!! It was intended to be a family tree with the kids' hand prints as leaves and yes, they went a little wild and apparently didn't listen to Daddy but I think it makes me love it just a little bit more:

So obviously, I have a house full of wonderful artists. And not to be outdone by his Dad (not really, but it sounds good!) Bubba also made me a painting at school. They learned all about Van Gogh, so he painted me Van Gogh's Sunflowers. The card really sealed the deal though! How adorable is that handprint and note!?

So I got to sleep in on Sunday, wake up to all these great thoughtful hand-made gifts, then B made me brunch. After brunch, B cleaned the entire kitchen then we took a nap....a long full family nap until almost 4:30pm! Once we all got up and were no longer grumpy, B went and picked up pizza. Again...mommy didn't have to cook or clean, so it was wonderful! It was the pefect, lazy day. Got to relax and snuggle with the kiddos all day. I didn't even wear a bra, lol! Like I said, it was perfect :)