Ho, Ho, Ho...

Olivia has really started to play the "I-Don't-Want-To-Go-To-Bed-So-I-Will-Use-Every-Delay-Tactic-I-Know" game and it is already quite exhausting. Generally, it involves a stuffed animal that she must sleep with, a sticker that she needs, or - the trump card - the need to potty. I think she has a hollow leg, because if she says she "needs" to potty she can usually squeeze something out and STILL find a way to get up in the middle of the night to go potty again. Argh. I need to reduce her fluid intake.

But the other night, she came up with an excuse that actually made us smile. Apparently after Jeremy went upstairs for the 3rd time and asked her why she was still up, she smiled sweetly at him and told him she was waiting for Santa Claus. I can't help it - that is too cute. So he left her waiting for Santa and went back downstairs. I think Santa outlasted her...

Fall Hayride and Festival

After surviving the swine flu (which meant we missed Halloween), we decided to make a trip to Somerset for a family hay ride and fall festival. Aunt Holly's family hosted a hayride and fall festival for the kids and invited us to come. Olivia had a great day hanging out with Grammie and Grandpa, who bought her and her cousin Cooper a new golf cart. You could not have wiped the smile off of Olivia's face. Moreover, she enjoyed the hayride (although she kept her hands over her ears for the entire time), had a great time roasting hot dogs and marshmallows (and eating them) and absolutely adored the puppet show that followed. It was quite a success! The downside of the day is when her cousin Cooper decided to give her a big hug goodbye - the horror! Olivia started bawling. Sounds like I will have an uphill battle transitioning her from only child to big sister!

Swine Flu

Well, we survived the swine flu. It was a week of pure hell. Olivia started vomiting Friday night and by Saturday was running a 103 degree fever. I immediately called by OB/GYN for a prescription of Tamiflu and warned Jeremy he should take some of mine when it was filled. Well, he didn't and what do you know, but he catches the flu that night. So for an entire week I nursed Olivia and Jeremy (I say "nurse" Jeremy very loosely - there wasn't much time to take care of him and he had to help with the childcare duties since I am 9 months pregnant), but we survived. Poor Olivia caught a secondary infection and had to take a round of antibiotics, but she finally improved. She was so pitiful - she would just lay on the couch, burning up, and refuse to eat pretty much anything. I could occasionally get her to eat Cinnamon Toast Crunch, her all time favorite food, but after a couple of bites she would complain that her "belly hurts" and quit. I was at my wits end. It was the most exhausting week ever! It was particularly frustrating because everyone was so concerned about me catching it while pregnant while all I wanted was someone to make my baby better. But I am very thankful some girls at work convinced me to drop in my OB/GYN's office when they heard that they had received a small shipment of the H1N1 vaccine and insist on getting vaccinated. I am positive that the combination of that vaccine and the Tamiflu protected me.

Now I have to worry about getting Olivia and Jeremy vaccinated. Since the crazy health department has decided to only do Saturday clinics for high risk persons here, it doesn't look like it will happen anytime soon. Maybe after the holidays. Lets cross our fingers we don't catch it a second time around. I am also hoping that since I am vaccinated while Lilly is in utero that it will protect her as well, but it is going to be a LONG maternity leave if I have to keep her in the house to avoid contamination.