So our youngest has finally succumbed to some sort of undefined illness.
She’s been off her game for about two weeks now if I’m being honest. But then she’ll get better and there will be a day of wonderful before the fever comes back and she returns to screaming through the night.
We were home two days from work this week to stay with her; then Friday? Upswing! She had a great morning at daycare. She played at the newly opened local splash pad in an apparently exuberantly cute enough way that I had to grant permission to the local paper who was there snapping photos to use hers in the next issue (so now awaiting that to see if she really “made the cut”).
Let me just say I was already drafting my thankful along the lines of “Yay we’re coming out of this” when my daycare provider messaged me to say she woke up miserable from nap.
She stopped taking fluids last night and weezed through the night enough that we went to a clinic this morning.
With that stunning intro I give you my contribution to Lizzi’s Hop of Happy. My (slightly revised) ten things of thankful this week.
I am thankful the clinic took us quickly this morning and that my youngest is now on antibiotics (thankful #1). She is napping right now, but we will spend the better part of after nap forcing fluids down her so she doesn’t become too dehydrated, which is my current main concern.
I am thankful that my eldest was very well-behaved at the doctors (thankful #2). As we sat in the check-up room waiting for the doctor she decided that she wanted to be a doctor and proceeded to start checking her younger sister by tapping her with a tongue depressor, feeling her forehead, hugging her and offering her water. Her shift then ended with the second doctor showed up. She debriefed and was very well-behaved as her younger sister screamed through the rest of the check-up.
I was thankful that Dollarama had the coloured streamers from the music festival that we went to last week as one of the exhibitors promised (thankful #3). We picked them up on the way back from the doctors and the girls had fun in the backyard playing with them as I did some cleaning. My eldest fell in love with this toy last week and has been asking daily if we can get them. Done!
I am thankful for jobs that have quieted down over the summer so that my husband and I could each take a day off of work this week without much trouble to stay home with our youngest (thankful #4).
I am thankful for Netflix, Dora and Heroes (thankful #5). I’m trying to be thankful for Winx Club, my eldest’s current favourite. With sick child, I’ve watched more television than normal this week. My youngest has also developed a hard-core love of Dora. In that as she screamed out in sickness I could say “Hey, wanna watch Dora!” and she’d calm right down, nod, grab her bunny and wait to be carried downstairs. Her being sick was also a great way to argue for Dora over Winx with my eldest.
I am thankful for thoughtful coworkers (thankful #6). My one coworker decided to start doling out free compliments courtesy of Secret Blue Butterfly. There are now a few of us sharing them among the office. I discovered Friday I apparently have a beautiful soul and an infectious laugh.
I’m thankful to Fi over at Fi’s Mutterings and Mumblings for nominating my blog for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award (thankful #7). I’m happy to have met her via blogging. Do check her fabulous blog out.
I’m thankful this week for Twitter and my firm belief that laughter is the best medicine. I enjoyed tweeting funny moments with the kids in an otherwise less than fun week. It helped. And it also helped others seemed to like ’em too. Here’s my favourites (thankful #8).
I particularly enjoy the dishwasher company that found me via tweet to suggest their brand. Now THAT’s social media advertising!
I am thankful for fun coworkers (thankful #9) and an appreciative employer (thankful #10). On the first, we had a “getting to know you” contest at work where everyone on the floor had to submit something about themselves they thought others wouldn’t know. Then we all had to guess who was who. There were then prizes for various categories. The tidbit about me? I’ve previously blogged about it: How I once gave a winning speech at age 11 about wanting to be the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland so I could lob the heads off all those who annoyed me and play croquet with Happy Birthday Pink Flamingo lawn ornaments. Anyway, I won a swanky green wig for the submission that was “hardest to guess”. I suppose it is a good thing my coworkers don’t see me as comical, homicidal, megalomaniac. Go me. My daughter loves it. Even though it isn’t pink. I think she looks like Pizzazz from the Misfits. Am I dating myself? Is that a yes? Off with your head!
I am also thankful for an appreciative employer. Some federal departments have an awards/recognition program for management to show appreciation for a job well done. We had our end of year recognition party and I was recognized for work on a few files and got to choose some awards. Work Santa delivered them yesterday and I’m now the proud owner of a new (and much-needed) camera and safety kit for my car.
So there’s my thankful for this week. Share yours!
Kristi said:
Candy Canada? LOL!
Congrats on your new camera.
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Louise said:
Thanks – haven’t played with the camera yet – but we got our old one in 2007. It owes us nothing…
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christine said:
Candy Canada would be an awesome place to work! 🙂
I’m praying that the antibiotics work and your daughter finally feels better for good very soon.
Your office sounds like a fun place to work. Congrats on the prizes!
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Louise said:
The Hershey Chocolate factory use to be driving distance from where we live and you could tour it. It’s what immediately popped into my head when my daughter said it. That, meshed with some visualization of Willy Wonka.
And office life has been nice the past few weeks, yes. Good coworkers make the world of difference.
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zoebyrd said:
Wow, no wonder you have such a cool office! You live in Candy Canada… Hope the youngest is feeling better. I dig the green wig!
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Louise said:
I don’t think I’m ever going to see it again, which is why I got a photo while I could…
Thanks for the wishes for my youngest. I’m hoping things start to improve by tomorrow – they said it would take a day or two for the meds to really kick in… so tomorrow’s a day, right?
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georgetteann said:
Love reading your take on life. Very positive perspective!
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Louise said:
I was a bit sceptical at first, but I find taking a moment each week to make myself think of the good stuff is a helpful way to stay positive. Thanks for the kind comment.
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Melanie said:
Silver linings this week…glad you found some, and hope your youngest is back to normal soon. Nice that things have been a bit flexible while she’s not feeling well. I’m going to have to check out Dollarama for those streamers – they look pretty fun!
(ps – I miss the Hershey’s Factory! So sad it’s gone!)
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Louise said:
I think there is a secret rhythmic gymnast in us all. Seriously – hours of fun. We bought some extra ones to pull out at parties. Got them at the Trainyards one.
And yes, RIP Hershey Factory. Thanks for the visit!
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lrconsiderer said:
Is your youngest a little better now? Poor her. And poor you all, because as much ‘no fun at all’ as it is to *be* sick, it’s also at least as un-fun to be trying to care for a sick tiny person.
Your workplace sounds AWESOME! What lovely things they do to recognise their employee’s contributions. And so nice that they foster such a spirit of fun between colleagues. Very cool indeed, and congrats on the win 🙂
Hope this week is better for you *hugs*
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Louise said:
Thanks so much for asking about my little one. She woke up this morning and had some milk, water and food – so I think the antibiotics are kicking in. She was MUCH more herself! Such a relief. I hope we truly are on the mend now.
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lrconsiderer said:
Ohhhh GOOD! Because I was worried – it sounds like she’d been ill for a very long time, really, and not drinking is terrifying.
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Louise said:
Oh I know about the not drinking. We had a scare with our eldest over Christmas where we almost ended up at hospital with an IV in her because she wouldn’t drink. I never thought as a parent I’d “let” that happen, but it was fast. And scary. So I’m super conscious of it now.
Thanks again!
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lrconsiderer said:
It’s not about ‘letting it happen’ though, is it. It’s about circumstances beyond your control and children being ornery and not knowing what’s best for them. Never easy. I’m glad it’s over for now 🙂
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Louise said:
That “inner voice” is really always the devil in it all though, isn’t it? Re: letting it happen. I “think” I did, so I did. It becomes fact in your mind. Rational voice grants leeway, but in those moments when you watch your kid struggle and just don’t know if “this” is the moment you should call the hospital or if your are just over-reacting and, really, they should just sleep and it will be worse if you wake them and bring them wherever – and then in retrospect you realize THAT was one moment you should have? I think that’s every parent’s fear watching a sick kid. You don’t know in the moment. You can’t. And it’s utterly powerless. And you are suppose to be in charge and decide stuff – so that’s doubly scary.
Okay – that was a bit much – but that said? She was SO much better tonight again – so I think we’re on the mend. Fingers Crossed.
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lrconsiderer said:
The demon self-doubt. Don’t let it undermine you – you care, and you always do your absolute best for those girls. Always. That you beat yourself up when you get it wrong just emphasises how very much you care. And no-one gets it right all the time, mistakes happen, and yes, sometimes we make the wrong call…
Of course it’s every parent’s fear – that your indecision or wrong call could cause permanent damage
…but it ain’t over til it’s over, and your decisions haven’t been life-threatening. Both your girls are still here, still know you love them to the moon and back, and by the sound of it, both are healthy and healthier-than-before. So there’s that.
I’m so glad she’s so much better.
You’re a wonderful mama, Louise. I hope you know that deep down. I rather think you do, but of course this would unbalance the thought. But she’s fine, and you’re fine 🙂
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Reese Speaks said:
So sad to hear about your little one being sick. When Diva gets sick, it’s as though all life is sucked out our home. .
I caught the first Tweet you shared in this post…I thought it was funny! Good for your daughter! Maybe there will be a Candy Canada dep’t in our government by the time she is an adult.
Congrats for your awards! It is great when your employer recognizes you for your hard work. I loved the Pizzazz reference from Jem! For some reason, I still have some of the songs they sang in some of the episodes in my head. My eldest doesn’t get what I found great about this show. 😦
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Louise said:
Another blogger I followed did a post about Jem and how she’d never liked the show earlier this week (well, really it was a post about doing her nails Jem-style, but the comments about the show stuck) so I guess it was on my mind. I do remember a number of the songs and had a bunch of the dolls. So I was fully pro-Jem 😉
Agreed re: when someone is sick in the home it is like life is being sucked out of the house – it’s a good description!
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Kristi Campbell - findingninee said:
Congratulations on your work awards and I so hope your youngest is feeling better soon. It’s so scary when dehydration is a real concern, I know. Sigh. The description of her big sister playing doctor while waiting for the doctor is adorable! I hope she’s doing much much better now too. Fingers crossed for you! And I want to work at Candy Canada too!!
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Louise said:
Maybe we can figure out a way to have Candy Canada set up near your awesome school? Then all the parents could work there while their kids get an amazing education?
Of course, I’d be curious what the school food policy would be in this case…. I’d have to think it through a bit more 😉
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Clark Scottroger said:
…so you were identified as the co-worker with a secret desire to be the Queen of Hearts and they don’t think you’re the comical megalomanic…. nice!
lol
Candy Canada, huh? that might be the final straw to get me to move north!
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Louise said:
No. I self-identified as someone who once gave a tongue in cheek speech about wanting to chop everyone’s heads off and because everyone had basically pegged me as that nice neighbour who kept to themselves and never caused any issues they gave me a green wig for being so entertainingly interesting.
As for incentives to move north – you are going to have to remind me – but were you the one once upon a time commented about the wonder at the existence of the French Canadian Woman and how that might make you move north? If not, humble apologies, my mind aggregates pro-Canada comments in odd ways.
Either way, I’m sure we can build a nice candy factory … if there’s, like, a market for that….
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Sandy Ramsey said:
I sure do hope your baby is feeling better. My kids are older and I still worry about dehydration when they’re sick. I will send all the good thoughts possible. I do have to say that you sound so calm and positive through this whole post…..such a testament to your character. Oh, how I remember the Dora days. I actually miss them every once in a while. I don’t know of Winx, and I’m guessing from your reaction to them, I should be grateful for that.
Candy Canada? I wouldn’t mind working there!
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Louise said:
I may have to do a post of what a Candy Canada might look like… I’ll hire my 4-year-old as a consultant and get back to everyone on the details.
Thanks so much for the thoughts on my baby. She was SO much better by this evening. Still not herself. She’s lost some weight and still looks a bit gaunt, but she’s been drinking and peeing all day. Even eating a bit. So good! Thx again – the good thoughts, really, mean a lot.
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jaklumen said:
I am grateful just to be surviving.
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Life Breath Present said:
Wonderful list of things to be thankful for! I know I certainly love the Gratitude list/linkup I participate in each week! Really helps keep things in perspective 🙂
Stopping over from the Manic Mondays hop!
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Louise said:
Thank you so much for visiting. I completely agree about how focussing on the good helps keep things in perspective.
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Lisa @ The Meaning of Me said:
Oh, gosh, I hope the little one is feeling better – and you too! When Kidzilla was a baby we had a few like that – really bad all of a sudden and then I kinda kicked myself because I just knew that she hadn’t been quite herself for a while prior, but it wasn’t anything you could put your finger on and identify. Mother guilt – it’s never-ending, isn’t it? Glad you were able to get her seen right away and get the meds in her.
Love how nice your workplace is – too bad more aren’t like that.
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Louise said:
I think she’s on the mend. She back-peddled a bit last night with the recovery and ended up sleeping with me, but I’m hoping we’re coming out of this.
And yes, mother-guilt is never-ending! I just have to remind myself I’m my own worst critic at those moments – and to be honestly rational about things. Thanks for the kinds words.
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vintage1973regina said:
So glad she’s not into Barney and you didn’t have to suffer that with your daughter. That ended me and made me strongly dislike the color purple.
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Louise said:
I don’t know that Barney really made it into this generation. I have one friend who’s daughter was big on the purple dinosaur, but I suspect that had more to do with him pushing it at her than her actively deciding she liked it.
I certainly don’t see him around much in the stores. You know, if that gives you hope for the next generation :).
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