Sophia reading Valentines card from Johnny. Older sister Christie Howard left her 6 month old daughter Ryan & 3 1/2 year old Reece in St. Joe, Missouri to come take care of her middle sister so un-selfishly. Saturday night we had a girls night at the house with the theme of making "No Sew" Blankets and Mexican food. The delicious food was catered by none other than friend Sharon Evanich. A group of Clintonville girls came to the house to catch up and make blankets for love ones. Thanks ladies for a fun night!
Sunday, I hired this great baby sitter that I met at the Mommy Mixer who came and watched Sophia for a few hours. Christie and I rushed out of the house and did some serious shopping w/out Sophia. Now, I would like to say we shopped for make-up, tried on fabulous clothing....but that is a lie. One quick stop into Target to buy valentine’s card, One long trip into babies r us for diapers, formula and registry shopping for a friend, and one really really long visit at the Cord Camera scrap booking store. Since, I know my little sister does not read the blog... I can say that we are building her a Scrapbook for a wedding gift. We were really strategic and organized when shopping for her items. It was so much fun. Wow, that scrap booking hobby is quite an art form. I don't think we will win the Blue Ribbon at the State Fair, but we had a lot of fun. It was so nice to sit down and build the pages. Mandatory Fun I say....
As I mentioned above my sister Christie has 2 kids who unfortunately have chronic ear infections. She knows how to identify them and help cope with the tears. Not to mention she is also a nurse. I had noticed that Sophia was brushing her ears with her hands and was quite fussy. So, Monday afternoon, my sister took Sophia into the Dr. for a check up. He said all was clear, just a soar throat, and gave her round 2 of the flu shot. As soon as I got home from work... Sophia was wound for sound. We could do nothing to make her feel better. She just cried and cried and cried some more. We finally put her in the bath tub for about an hour which seemed to calm her down. When she got out of the bath tub she was back at it again. We then buckled her in her car seat and braved the snowy weather with hopes of Sophia falling to sleep. She fell asleep lightly in the car after 10 minutes of driving.
Christie and I found the drive therapeutic as well and decided to keep driving. We had a deep conversation, touching on finances, being working moms, the constant desire to always be better and never just happy with our educational level, my OCD, our baby weight around or stomachs, and so much more. It was probably the best hour we spent together. A good sisterly bond.
So your wondering.... Is Sophia feeling better. The answer is No. Today is Wednesday, and I was fearful I was going to be on the Nightly News for neglecting a very sick baby, I called off for the day and went back to the Doctor. Sophia was a Doll at the Doctor. Hiding all her pain and flirted with the Doctors. They thought the fever and brushing of her ears is the teething. She has 3 teeth on top, 2 teeth on the bottom alreadybusting through the skin. Another tooth on top and two more on the bottom just around the corner. She is in PAIN! Instead of the Tylenol, I am giving her a good dose of Motrin. This should help with the pain, and also allowed me to write this Blog entry as she is out C O L D. THANK GOD!!!!!! She is testing my mothering ability and patience. I must admit, I lost my cool a couple times. Thank god my sister was here to help. A little angel! I would not of been able to do these days alone. Christie returned home yesterday. She was ready to see her family.
My dad, is not one of many words.... So when he speaks, I try to really listen. I remember this summer, when I was visiting my parents for just a few days w/out Jerry. I was tired, emotional, in complete shock, and wondering if I could stuff Sophia back where she was for last 10 months. He had taken me out to dinner and I was experiencing my afternoon cries and I said to him.... She has turned my life upside down, what did I do, I can't do this... So his words of wisdom were.......
Tiffanie, this is why God made it so two people make a child, because it makes it easier when two people can take care of the child. Ahhha.
I have complete admiration for single parents. I am going to make it this year, but I don't want to do this single parent thing again.
So, enough harping...
I need to brag on and on about my Fantastic Neighbors & Thank Them!
Gina & John helped watch Sophia on Saturday. In that short 2 hours I was gone.... I went to the bank, dropped off dry-cleaning, got gas in the car, and picked up Christie from the airport. Few! Lot's accomplished!
Abby & Carene came over on Fat Tuesday, to let me taste their Sticky Buns. YUMMMMMMMY! We also got in a hill workout on Monday while Pete, Abby & Gracie watched Sophia.
Tricia & Jackson Arthur came to the house yesterday to watch Sophia and let her sleep in her own bed. Tricia so graciously gave Sophia some much needed TLC. This was so helpful! Tricia, also brought me some fantastic soup.
When I arrived home last night, my neighbor John Bova was shoveling my driveway and had dropped off some Snowday soup....
I am sooooo blessed. I don't have enough words to express my thanks!
Sophia is up, and not crying. Hurah!
