Well it was an interesting week or so around these parts...

Last week was quite eventful around here. I ended up in the ER not once but twice! How is that really possible. I totally avoid hospitals when I am not getting paid. Well the first trip was due to a reaction to kale of all things. I have been reading about kale and seeing recipes for kale and thought hmmm I can eat that. Well no I can not. The reaction started at itching in the palms of my hands, progressed to swelling of my wrists, then swelling of my lips and the appearance of welts the size of a half dollar over my body. I had been asleep when most of the welts started to appear. It was Anna who woke me up to tell me that she loved me. When she touched my face I knew something was wrong. My sweet baby girl fell right back to sleep and I went straight to the ER.

The second trip was far more traumatic for her. She had been playing nicely in the living room. I can hear her play from anywhere in our house because it is pretty small (which I love). I started to sweat and have abdominal pains. Gerard walked in from the gym at the same time (thank goodness he was home). With one look at me he knew I needed to go to the ER. I had a ruptured ovarian cyst. YIKES! They are painful. As Gerard was preparing Anna for our trip to the hospital I could hear her say "I can dress myself just fix Mommy!" Bless her heart. I was pretty much doubled over in pain the whole way there (thank goodness it was only a 10 minute trip). I could see my baby girl in the back seat with her little hand folded in prayer. Later in the week she told me that seeing me in pain was like a nightmare for her.

Anna has been asking some interesting questions lately. My sister lovingly refers to Anna as "Crabby Abbie" when she is not enjoying the company of the babies. She tells her that she really enjoys when Anna comes over but does not enjoy when Abbie shows up. I can not say as I blame her. So as we were driving one day Anna asked me "Why do you love me?" She really wanted an answer. She asked if I still loved her when she was "Crabby Abbie" too.

How do explain a Mother's love? I think this is a very hard question so I wanted to give her the right answer or at least a good answer. I told her that I love her heart. That she was a kind and caring child. I told her about examples of how I thought she was kind and caring. I think it is was a pretty good question. It is funny because we talk about loving her a lot. I guess she wanted to know what exactly we loved about her. I confirmed that I do love Crabby Abbie but that I do not love that behavior which is different.

Christmas and Ringing in the New Year!

Well Christmas has come and gone. We rang in the New Year too! It truly felt like a magical time. We had our family over the weekend before Christmas which just added to the excitement. Christmas morning was just Anna, Gerard and I. His parents came for breakfast along with Aunt Ellie.

Making cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve

 

Funny how something never change...Christmas 2009

 

 

The Triplets in birth order wondering what all the fuss is about

 

At Aunt Jenny's house on Christmas Eve for dinner

 

After all these years I was still not able to get a picture of Santa!

 

But he did come.

 

A horse of course

 

and a few dragons

 

Gerard's parents with Anna after breakfast

 

Aunt Ellie tucked in there too!

 

 

I know there always seems to be an excuse lately but crazy busy is an understatement. Right before Christmas Aunt Ellie had a major stroke. She had to have the clot surgically removed. We are hopeful that she will regain all of her strength back with lots of therapy.

 

Papa fell on the ice about 2 weeks ago. He fractured his back and a few ribs. He is doing very well just a little sore and pain when he does too much or is stubborn and does not take the pain medications.

 

I am back to school. The break felt too short even though I finished up early. I have been so lucky because I have had a bunch of time off with Anna and have more time planned for February and April. I also decided I will not be taking a class this summer. There is just too much fun to be had.

 

Girl Scouts has been busy. Hopefully my next post will be able a bunch of the things that we have done. For now I have to get the blue chalk off my hands (today was crazy hair day for Anna) and hit the books.