Dear Holden,
A couple of weeks ago marked yet another first - a first for you, and a first for me as a mother. Your first hospital trip. Fun times eh? Both Lexi and Mercedes have each made a trip to the ER actually - Mercedes for a case of strep (was sent home quickly with meds), and Lexi for a gastro bug once - but she was given pedialyte and perked up immediately. This time was different. You and Lexi and your father were all sick with sore throats - first your sister, then your father, then you. I thought of strep at first, but delayed a doctor's visit because I firmly believe in 'wait and see', especially when it means packing up three kids to wait in a walk in clinic. And then Lexi started feeling better, so I figured you would too! Until that Wednesday morning, two weeks ago, when you woke up very lethargic and miserable and your lips turned blue. I immediately packed up your sisters and we headed to the clinic. They took a look at you and suggested we head to the ER instead, which made me heart drop. You both tested positive for strep and Lexi was given antibiotics to take, but it was clear you needed more than just meds. The triage nurse in the ER asked if you were my first baby. When I said "no, third" they took you in immediately. Apparently third time mothers don't panic at the ER unless it's really warranted!
You spent the whole day in the ER - hooked up to an IV for some antibiotics and to rehydrate you. You had blood drawn, and a chest x-ray (totally traumatic!), as well as a urine test. Watching them struggle to get in the IV line made me heart hurt, but watching YOU not put up much of a fight was even worse. You spent the entire day sleeping in my arms, despite the bustle of the ER - you were just so weak and dehydrated. Final diagnosis was a bad case of strep, double ear infection, possible start of pneumoia, and dehydration. I had to wake you up overnight to force pedialyte into you, give you meds, and let you sleep it off as much as possible. Thankfully, within a couple of days you perked up considerably, and a couple of days after that you got your strength back. The best part is the nursing strike you went on while sick (which made ME sick!) ended. And now, a couple of weeks later, you would never know how sick you were.
I know other parents have endured FAR worse with their children, but we have been so lucky with all three of you - this is the sickest I've ever seen one of my kids in five years, and it's not an experience I wish to repeat. I am so thankful we have access to such great health care in Canada, and so thankful I took you in when I did. Now, don't ever do that again!
Love,
Mama
Friday 14 February 2014
Mercedes - Happy 5th Birthday!
Dear Mercedes,
Yesterday, you turned FIVE. It's hard to believe that five years have passed since that first moment I became a mother. It was a changing, formative moment of course - but being a mother (or a father!) is a continuously evolving learning experience. Most days it seems like I will never know what I am doing. But I do know that I am consistently surprised and challenged by you. I am forever falling more in love with you, learning more about you, amazed at how much you know and do and understand. I am so thrilled by the child you are becoming - I can see glimpses of you here and there as a teenager, or an adult, or a mother to your own child one day... smart and observant and funny and considerate and emotional and sensitive and silly and so overwhelmingly beautiful. I feel privileged to be your mother and I can't wait to see what the next five years holds.
As an update... you are learning to read (you know how to spell and read LOTS of word by memory alone, but are so great at sounding out the words that you don't know). You love to write and write and write some more... lists, or small books, or pretend restaurant orders. You are obsessed with arts and crafts - drawing and painting and cutting and gluing. You love going out to restaurants and playing outside and spending time with your friends. You are absolutely enthralled by your school experience - you wish you could go on the weekends, and you still love playing school with us or your sister. Speaking of your sister, you two play SO nicely together - making up games, chasing each other around, colouring together, laughing and laughing and laughing (which makes me cry happy tears). You are a protective and loving big sister - always watching out for both Lexi and Holden, and helping whenever you can. You love scary movies/shows on tv - thanks to your father. He's even somehow managed to get you obsessed with Star Wars! You love Lego and books and Hello Kitty and Princess Sofia. You hate having your hair back and love picking out your own clothes; you love helping in the kitchen and playing in your room by yourself. No loose teeth yet, and no real sign of them, but you are excited about the prospect.
We had a fantastic day celebrating your birthday yesterday - we let you play hooky from school so we could all go to Chuck E Cheese and out for lunch. And you had an absolute blast. The look of joy on your face was worth it all. I am so glad that we were able to share in your special day with you (i.e. neither of us were at work!) and that you chose to share your special day with US (i.e. you chose to stay home instead of go to school and have a fuss made over you there).
Happy Birthday my big girl - we love you so much!
Love,
Mama
Yesterday, you turned FIVE. It's hard to believe that five years have passed since that first moment I became a mother. It was a changing, formative moment of course - but being a mother (or a father!) is a continuously evolving learning experience. Most days it seems like I will never know what I am doing. But I do know that I am consistently surprised and challenged by you. I am forever falling more in love with you, learning more about you, amazed at how much you know and do and understand. I am so thrilled by the child you are becoming - I can see glimpses of you here and there as a teenager, or an adult, or a mother to your own child one day... smart and observant and funny and considerate and emotional and sensitive and silly and so overwhelmingly beautiful. I feel privileged to be your mother and I can't wait to see what the next five years holds.
As an update... you are learning to read (you know how to spell and read LOTS of word by memory alone, but are so great at sounding out the words that you don't know). You love to write and write and write some more... lists, or small books, or pretend restaurant orders. You are obsessed with arts and crafts - drawing and painting and cutting and gluing. You love going out to restaurants and playing outside and spending time with your friends. You are absolutely enthralled by your school experience - you wish you could go on the weekends, and you still love playing school with us or your sister. Speaking of your sister, you two play SO nicely together - making up games, chasing each other around, colouring together, laughing and laughing and laughing (which makes me cry happy tears). You are a protective and loving big sister - always watching out for both Lexi and Holden, and helping whenever you can. You love scary movies/shows on tv - thanks to your father. He's even somehow managed to get you obsessed with Star Wars! You love Lego and books and Hello Kitty and Princess Sofia. You hate having your hair back and love picking out your own clothes; you love helping in the kitchen and playing in your room by yourself. No loose teeth yet, and no real sign of them, but you are excited about the prospect.
We had a fantastic day celebrating your birthday yesterday - we let you play hooky from school so we could all go to Chuck E Cheese and out for lunch. And you had an absolute blast. The look of joy on your face was worth it all. I am so glad that we were able to share in your special day with you (i.e. neither of us were at work!) and that you chose to share your special day with US (i.e. you chose to stay home instead of go to school and have a fuss made over you there).
Happy Birthday my big girl - we love you so much!
Love,
Mama
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