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.
We celebrated Jeremy's birthday on December 1st with a birthday cake that Daddy and Olivia made together. Daddy baked it and Olivia iced it, with the help of Nanny. Then Mommy wrote "Happy Birthday Dad" on it and Olivia helped put in the candles and blow them out. It was quite a project, but very fun. We also celebrated with dinner at Malone's. A low key but very special birthday, especially when Olivia sang "Happy Birthday" to Daddy!
Jeremy's cousin, who is due to have her second child in January, went to an ultrasound and found out that the girl she thought she was having was actually a boy! Needless to say, that surprise scared me to death so I begged for an additional ultrasound to make sure that Lilly was actually a girl. It is confirmed - she is a girl. The pictures are really cool. Here is one of her sucking her hand!
My friend, Laura, from work was kind enough to throw me a baby "sprinkle" (as opposed to a baby shower for your first child) the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Olivia attended with me in her "party" dress and had a wonderful time helping Mommy open all the presents for her baby sissy, Lilly. Everyone was very generous and the shower was so fun. Even Olivia received a special present - a "big sister" t-shirt monogrammed with her name! Thanks to everyone who was able to take time out of their busy schedule to attend and celebrate with us!
Happy Halloween! As you will notice, I do have a picture to post of the pumpkin that Olivia and Daddy carved. What you will also notice is that there is no picture of Olivia in her costume. Why, you ask? Because we didn't go trick or treating - Olivia has the flu. There is nothing like hanging out at home on Halloween with a cough, vomiting, and 103 degree fever. We only get sick on holidays apparently. Pneumonia last Christmas, the flu this Halloween - what will Thanksgiving bring?
