Learning Notes, 2/3/12 (The one where we're all sick)

Monday:
All 3 big kids are sick today.  This means lots of whining, lots of crocodile tears over very minor things, and pretty much just being pitiful.  My goal for today is to minimize the meltdowns, TRY to keep Jo from getting sick (and myself), and help my little people feel better.  Everything else is icing.

• IW and QL played Guess Who.
• We read devotionals during breakfast.
• The kids have been watching Disney Jr and PBS.  I have a feeling that this will be a big chunk of our day.
• I set the kids up watching Cars 2.  They really don't feel good.  And I think Jo has a fever now too. 
• The big kids have been playing a whole lot of games today, but most of them end in frustration and/or anger.  I think a lot of this has to do with age and maturity, and the fact that I can't stick nearby to help.  Too much for Nurse Mamma to do.

Tuesday:

• I was up all night keeping an eye on IW's fever.  He tends to run really high.  Husband is out of town working, so I'm manning this ship by myself.   Today is going to have to be about realistic expectations and priorities.
• Last night, QL discovered my Kindle.  I have a few books on there from AmblesideOnline years 0 and 1, so she's been spending her time reading.  Mostly Peter Rabbit Tales by Beatrix Potter.
• The kids have been playing a whole lot Guess Who.
• PBS is on the TV.
• the kids played "scientist" downstairs with the microscope IW got for his birthday.
• just caught IW spitting "the yucky stuff that keeps coming up" onto the carpeted floor.  Apparently the kids were comparing the color of their phlegm, and apparently this is not the first time or place he has done this.  I'm really proud that my head didn't explode, because honestly it felt like it was going to.  He's sitting on his bed until I am calm enough to address him. (Thanking God for his grace that I didn't snatch my kid up, or yell at him.  I was totally controlled.  This is not always rarely the case.)
• Em is watching Tangled.  IW and QL are downstairs playing and typing on the computer.  Jo has had her cereal and is now in her exersaucer.  It's around 11:00, and I'm sure I'm now getting sick too.  My head is "full" and my chest hurts.  My expectations for this day just dropped several notches.

Wednesday

• I didn't even know what day it was when I got up this morning.  I was up most of the night again last night, this time keeping an eye on QL's temp (she ran the highest fever I think she's ever had).  Today is officially a SICK DAY.  I don't care if anything productive gets accomplished, and if it does, I'm not keeping track.  *yawn*  Hopefully Husband will come home tonight and bring my car back so I can get these tiny people to the doctor.

Thursday

• We all got some pretty remarkable sleep last night.  No tiny people in my bed at any point, and all except IW slept past 8:00 am, which NEVER happens in this house!  IW's temp is starting to climb, but so far the only one with a fever this morning is Jo.  Waiting to hear from the Drs. office about bringing her in b/c she's awful junky and having a hard time breathing when taking her bottle.
• the kids are back to doing chores this morning.
• Em learned how to blow his nose this morning, which is a big accomplishment if you ask this mamma!
• IW went downstairs to type.
• Em played with cars.
• QL typed a list of her favorite TV shows.  I helped with spellings.
• IW and Em watched Octonauts.
• the kids went outside to play.
• I took Jo to the Dr.  She (and the rest of us) have a virus, probably RSV.  She also has bronchiolitis and an ear infection. She didn't respond to the breathing treatment, which means we're in for a rough few days.  She is, however, still her amazingly joyful, happy self.  (Grace.)
• It has become apparent that it's my turn to get sick now. 

Friday

• I know that this has been one of the least exciting learning notes post ever posted in the history of blogging, but I'm sure I will be glad to have this record in the future, if for nothing else other than entertainment!  We are all still sick, except for the super energetic 3 year old.  Husband is now sick too.  I am doing my best to stay thankful and trusting!

I'd like to close these learning notes with a question:  How do you guys comfort your little bitties when they are sick?  What can I do to ease the baby's discomfort?  Thanks, and have a great weekend!

I'm linking up over at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers.  Head on over to see what other homeschoolers are doing, and share your week too!

4 Sick Kids

Taking care of that many sick people can be mind boggling.  At least for me.  

The first couple of days weren't so bad, when only 2 of the tiny people were under the weather.  I could remember what medicine I gave to what person when, and why.

By day 3, when IW joined the mix, it got a little trickier.
I realized I needed to write this down.  I began by using a dry erase marker on our stainless steel fridge (yes, you can do that.).  But the space was limited, and I'd have to erase after a few hours of keeping track of 3 sick kids.  I have no running record.

Now, on day 5, Jo has fully joined the ranks, and I'm particularly nervous.  I've never had a sick baby before.  I know that sounds crazy, but it's true.  All of my other kids were at least toddlers by the time they caught their first bug, so I really feel ill-prepared to help her feel better.  : (  Babies can't have the same care as big kids.

So I'm fine-tuning my system to record everyone's illness.  The idea really came from QL.  I asked her to bring me a pencil and some paper so I could record Jo's temp, and she brought me an index card.

AHA!

Now each of them has their own index card, and I'll begin a new one each day, or maybe half day depending on how crazy their fevers get (because it has indeed been that kind of sickness).
Now I will have a running record of how the illness runs its course through each person, and I'll have something to show the doctor if need be.

I realize how simple this is.  It had just never occurred to me before.


I hope this helps someone else with lots of tiny people, and at the very least I hope I remember to do this the next time my kiddos get sick (at the start of sickness, not the end!).

A Sick-Day Daybook

Do you want to do a daybook?????  Go here to join in!



Outside my window... sunshine.  Daffodils have bloomed.  And snowbells.  I love snowbells!


I am thinking... about how God uses challenges to smooth out our rough spots.  He's sneaky like that.


I am thankful... for the opportunity, the ability, to learn from those who came before.  In all areas of my life.  Whether it be from a book, a blog, a TV interview, a conversation.... I am grateful to learn from others' successes and mistakes.
 
In the kitchen... this week I'm super excited to try out some recipes I've pinned on Pinterest.  Particularly chocolate chip scones.  Might have to wait until the kiddos are feeling better before I hit them with all that sugar.  I'm also going to make ham and beans for the first time ever this week.  Wish me (and my family) luck!

I am wearing...  jeans and long sleeves and cozy socks.

I am creating...  a lovely, comfortable home, I hope.  We've started putting some work into the house to make it more presentable in the hopes of selling it.  Finally, after 3 years, we've hung curtains in the living room.  We should have done that a long, long time ago.  Why do we save the pretty for someone else?

I am going... no where.


I am wondering... what natural options I have for treating Jo's cold.

I am reading... One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  Chapter 8.  And she is killing me softly.

I am hoping... that Jo doesn't join the ranks of sick kids, but it's not looking good.

I am looking forward to...  Husband coming home again tonight.  He has to because the truck broke down.  He is frustrated and overwhelmed.  His burden is my blessing.


I am learning... to trust God.  I am a slow learner.  But I'm trying hard.

Around the house...  sick tiny people are laid out.  Movies are playing, games are splayed, blankets are being snuggled.  It would be magical if it weren't for all the junky coughs and pitiful sneezes and lingering fevers.


I am pondering... to garden or not to garden this year.  We're planning to try to sell the house, so I'm not sure how a garden fits into that.  I really want to grow our own blueberries.

A favorite quote for today... "I don’t want to shove religion down your throat, but I do want to introduce you to my Savior, if you haven’t met Him."  from Kris over at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers.

One of my favorite things... cozy socks.  But they have to fit snug.  Loose socks get thrown out.  I'm a sock snob.

A few plans for the rest of the week...  hopefully get my tiny people well.  No other plans.

A peek into my day... 

I always start my day with this cup, full of something warm.  It was a gift from my dearest friend.

I have a difficult child.

Sometimes I use the word spirited.  Gifted.  Sensitive.  Challenging.
But there are times when I feel like difficult is the only word that will suffice.

I never thought I would feel anything but warm and fuzzy about being a mother.

I was so naive.

And sometimes, when I'm feeling especially challenged, I even question God.  I don't feel equipped.  I have no business being this child's mother.  I fail daily.  You must have chosen the wrong person for the job.
But it isn't long after the raging that the fall comes.......the one where I hit my knees. 
I don't spend nearly enough time there. 
I am such a slow learner.


And then, somehow, grace finds its way through.  AND I AM SO THANKFUL.  Because without His grace, I really would not be equipped.
And that's a fact.


This amazing child shows me my sinful nature every day......the way that God sees me.  Stubborn.  Selfish.  Angry.
And this child teaches me that I need to love as God loves.  Forgive as God forgives.  Be merciful.  Show compassion.  As God does for me.

I know for sure that if all of my children were "easy" children, I wouldn't be trying to smooth out all of my rough spots.  I might not even know they were there.  (This one, friends, hit me like a ton of bricks.)


And maybe it's not just about what I should or shouldn't be teaching this child.  Maybe it's about what he is here to teach me.

Ouch.



I've linked this post over at The Better Mom.