Thursday, January 30, 2014

On the Home Front

Slowly on the mend here. I'm sacrificing precious naptime right now for an update, but feel it's necessary considering all the incredible support I've been given over the last few months with Claire's pregnancy and arrival.

Benjamin is well. My husband is well. Claire has shown no signs of fever or any sickness. However, I would be the one battling a fever. I've been waking up in night sweats and with temps between 99-101. Which is totally fun when I'm already waking every 2-3 hours for feedings. They're tamed by Tylenol and my coughs by the enormous bags of cough drops my husband bought at Costco last week. It appears I have what Benjamin had last week. An annoying, low-grade, lingering sickness.

It's not mastitis. It's not a high enough temperature and my breasts are not in pain.

It's not my c-section healing-- at least I'm assuming it's not since the incision is healing and looking normal and without any gross. It is only sore to the touch and not painful otherwise. I'm 16 days out and it seems to be on the mend well. I can even lay on my sides a bit now, though I try not to because the thought of the incision breaking open sort of makes me want to hurl.

The quarantine must have done its job to keep the sicks away from Claire, knock on wood. I've done no fewer than 2 dozen loads of laundry, cleaned the couch cushions, all pillows, bedding, stuffed animals and things (what. a. pain.) and every single surface I assumed Benjamin might have touched, including each and every one of his toys. Claire is now downstairs and living among us, finally. We still freak out when she sneezes (though none of us had sneezing as a symptom) or when Benjamin randomly coughs or sneezes around her. I don't think the worry ever goes away.

I'm on day 4 of being home with two kids and WOW. It's different. It's busy. It's only really challenging because of my very demanding and tantrum-throwing toddler. He conveniently wants my attention exactly when I sit down to nurse. We went to gym class yesterday and I had to drag him out because he wanted to stay and push the buttons on the door. And the same occurred today at library storytime, but this time because he wanted to stay in the car instead of go inside. Lots of shoes being kicked off. Drama city, these toddlers. So much for not lifting my toddler for a month post c-section. That's downright impossible since he hits and throws and gets calm-down time about a dozen times a day. I don't have the energy (or interest to expose to that many germs) to go to the playhouse in the afternoons yet, so PBS is used as a backup. Sometimes that just has to be okay. Especially when the high temps lately have been in the negatives. Chicago, bite me.

Naps have been tougher. He is currently napping in his bed (!) for the first time since Monday. He has spent the last two days sleeping on the floor in his room for whatever reason.

We took the kiddos out to dinner on Tuesday to a real restaurant and things went okay. Party of 4 for the first time ever. Surreal is an understatement. And of course as they were both wailing on the way to the restaurant, we both laughed and looked at each other saying, "The stuff dreams are made of, huh?"

Yep. We'll take it. Wailing kids and all. They're alive. And considering the lungs and tenacity they both possess, they're well. And we're thankful. Now send me some sunshine and temps above 32 degrees so I can open my windows and I'll feel like I won the lottery.

Caught! Going after "baybee" 

7 comments:

Brie said... [Reply to comment]

You're not alone. We have the same toddler behavior here. This too shall pass (too quickly, might I add), and we will look back on these first days home alone with our kids and pat ourselves on the back, because by golly, we made it! Two healthy, living babies at home. This is the stuff dreams are made of-- just wish there was a volume control sometimes. Lol.

So glad to be on this ride with you.

Lj82 said... [Reply to comment]

I love how much he loves her and wants to be with her all the time. So cute (and likely annoying IRL?).

Two screaming kids- totally sounds dreamy- so does three… :/

Glad you're on the mend and that Claire managed to avoid contracting this illness. I wish I could open my doors and windows wide for an hour to let the air refresh and the germs evacuate. We have an air exchanger that is on all the time, but I would prefer for it to be super cold so I feel like the germs are all dead. Because I *haven't* been cleaning despite my desire to have clean everything these days.

I need a to hire a hardcore nester. ha. :)

Melissa said... [Reply to comment]

I am so glad you guys are beginning to mend. What a wild few weeks it has been. Of course the toddler had a go at you now of all time, of course. It is like they are wired to know , Mom is wrung out and now it is my chance.

Ben and Katie said... [Reply to comment]

Abdominal incisions take time! Mine was no csection but a 12 incher right down the middle...and sleeping was pretty much the worse! Hopefully you still have some pain meds on board or some type to keep your muscles relaxed! Your incision seems fine, just watch those temps (sorry the nurse kn me). Lifting anything for a month was hell so you're brave, yet you kind of have to! Uhg to B and his tantrums! If you have to use PBS for some time I'd say that's totally understandable!
Glad sickness has stayed away from C! What a protective mama you are!

ekiwi said... [Reply to comment]

You are so, so amazing... I can't get that much done and I haven't just had a c-section! Do you have the Starfall ABC app on your iPhone/iPad? It's a great toddler distraction and it's all about the alphabet. Sending healthy vibes!

Caroline said... [Reply to comment]

Party of four at a restaurant does seem surreal. You know what I can't get over saying "the kids"... that 's' makes me so damn happy.

That sweet little tantrum throwing boy of yours. Love him

Brooke said... [Reply to comment]

Sounds exhausting and awesome. The c-section incision does make me feel a little squeamish--glad it's healing well. So sorry to hear you're sick (although SO GLAD it's not mastitis--and you would definitely know if it were... I had NEVER felt sick like that before).

C'mon spring time.