Out of bed (sort of)

Good days and bad days. For the entire month of December, I have been struggling with various symptoms ranging from burning tonsils, stomach aches, vomiting, swollen glands, ear aches, coughing (constantly), fever, nasuea, fatigue, etc....After two emergency room visits for dehydration, a 13 pound weight loss, an appointment with urgent care, and 3 doctor visits, I finally met with my own doctor after three weeks of fragmented medical care. My family was correct. Mononucleousis. Part of the problem is that I have a sesitivity to antibiotics which I believe poisoned me and made me sicker. On Christmas Eve, I had this debate with my doctor's assistant who was adament that I needed to take it. Needless to say, I was sick the following two days with my sister filling in for me for Christmas to ensure Alan enjoyed the festivities along with our family tradiations. So when I met with my doctor on Friday, he confirmed that I should NOT have taken the antibiotics. HOW FRUSTRATING!!! (3 other medical professionals had given me three different rounds of antibiotics which made me sooooooo sick!) It's a catch 22. With burning tonsils, you can't eat or drink, so when you take the antibiotics, it burns the tummy. Plus, MONO is a VIRIS, and antibiotics should NOT be taken!!!

So my recovery is slow. I feel like my mind wants to move, and it has to tell my body to follow, but all my body wants to do is collapse. This is the first time on the computer in 3 weeks. We flew my mother in on Christmas day. She's a nurse who has been sooooo helpful. My mother-in-law, Roger and Suzanne have been such a support. There has been nothing but love and caring in the house, and Alan is well taken care of. Instead of watching TV, I have been listening to the sounds in the house. I enjoy listening to Alan interacting with family. It made me feel a little sad one night when he woke up asking for "Emma" instead of "Mommy". I am pretty contageous, so I have been trying really hard to keep clean.

Since I never finished Christmas shopping, I feel a little bad about not getting presents for my family and freinds. But as soon as I am well, I will make it up to everyone. I want to THANK Melanie and Eileen for visiting me on Christmas Eve and Jules the days before and for Patterson for checking up on me, and for Portia and Louis and Julie and everyone for your support. I thank Phil for watching Alan while I went to the ER.....It made SUCH a difference to know that people are there for us!!!
I was so depressed and sick, and it made me feel so good! Also, Louis's phone call about a job offer was also good news too! Suzanne - you were AMAZING! You made Alan's experience special by bakign cookies with him, leaving a note for Santa and celery for the reindeer. You played with him and made him feel so special. I AM SO THANKFUL TO HAVE ALL OF YOU IN MY LIFE!!! I have tried to call people to connect with them to let them know I am alive and miss them I hopefully will be on the mend soon. Portia was such a great listener last night. I had a setback yesterday which freaked me out, but know I am a little better today. And thanks to both of the Mom's for taking care of me....they both even slept with me explosing themselves to my germs.....And Roger, thanks for putting up with the drama at the ER (before and after), and for being such a great advocate for my care.

Thanks for letting me vent!!!! I LOVE YOU ALL AND MISSS YOU SOOOO MUCH!!! WE have so much to look forward to in 2008. Melanie is about to have a baby!!!! Can't wait for that!!! Enjoy the snow and the rest of your weekend vacation!!!! Send me a note of phone call. It has meant alot. THANKS!!!!!!

PS - One more depressing thought that is somewhat humorous. So I didn't get a chance to open all of my Christmas presents. They were still stacked under the tree. Three days after Christmas, I had a little burst of energy, and walked downstairs to open up some presents.....but....they were all gone!!! Nothing under the tree. My family had opened the presents on my behalf. I figured out what some of them were....new pots and pans, a lamp, coffee maker, etc....socks, But Roger did get me a nice pair of earrings on Christmas eve in bewteen violent episodes of various symptoms....so I don't really feel like I missed out. I also was able to pull it together for about 20 minutes on Christmas day to see Alan open up his vaccuum cleaner and Fire Truck bed. Okay, that's all for now...

Portia's Pulled Pork Party

I could barely hear anything because the rap music was so loud. But the pork was good, and my mother gave me a time out for standing on a chair. I finished crocheting my scarf at this party and bypassed the dessert for another helping of pork. Here is a link the party's website.
http://web.mac.com/portiaaltman/iWeb/Site/Pulled%20Pork%20Party.html

Holiday spirits

So Bootie showed me how to crochet holiday wreaths which I will use as tree ornaments. Blankets, scarves and table clothes have been crocheted in my family for generations. (Alan and Bootie are currently listening to Ave Marie/Pavarotti downstairs- I wish you could hear Alan singing...I am so impressed with this little guy's voice....)....Last night Marie came over and the three of us walked around Woodstock for the evening's open house while Roger watched Alan. This morning, Louis was over early and he and Roger left for Albany to consult with Santa on a Firetruck bed. It's a sunny morning and with the dusting of snow, it is really quite glorious out. Bootie purchased a pair of boots for Alan, and he wore them around the house last night, so today we'll stomp around the backyard.... Today he wants to make a snowman. Very cute. Have a great day!

I've Fallen and Can't Get Up!

On Monday night, I fell asleep holding Alan on his "brown chair". As I got up to put him in his crib, my legs gave out, and I crashed into his crib and fell to the ground, holding Alan in my arms so as to not drop him. I laid there for 15 minutes clutching my rib cage - couldn't get up. Alan fell asleep on the floor, uninjured and unaware of my crash.

By Thursday, my ribs still ached but there was no bruising, but I was still in pain, and decided that I better get myself checked out, especially since I was having trouble breathing which was freaking me out. Plus, I could only sleep at night on a chair because it hurt to much to lay down. As a result, I strained my neck which also was painful (Such a bag of symptoms I am!)

Thursday afternoon, I finally hauled myself to the doctor...I ended up at the Urgent Care office because my own doctor said they could do an x-ray. Turns out that the x-ray machine (from the 1960's) kept on breaking down, but the good news is that nothing seems to be broken, and FINALLY I have some pain medicine and can take solice that my breathing issue has nothing to do with anything punctured, but just a result of the contusion/pain.

Shaking Your Bootie with the CEO of US Air

7:32 AM - Just called Bootie. She's at the Charlotte Airport, all charged up. Turns out that she was bumped to first class with all of the frequent flyer miles. A gentlemen enters the plane and he's talking with the staff. He sits down next to Bootie. As he buckles in, she says, "Do you work for the airlines?"

"I'm the CEO," he responds.(US Air).

Needless to say, the flight was flawless, people catering to his every whim, etc...and Bootie took note that this 44 year old CEO completed a crossword puzzle on the flight before he reclined for a nap....

We're off to pick her up this morning at 11:50 in Albany. Roger also arrives home from Florida today. Tomorrow, Bootie is joining Suzanne for a play in NYC, so Alan will be overjoyed that "the Boot" will be staying overnight at our house.

Devo Fans

So this is Alan's impression of Devo. You 80's music fans know what I am talking about. For those die-hard fans, please note that the colors are opposite (they wore red planter-hats and black shirts). I you-tubed the Whip-it video in the hopes that I could show Alan. Do you recall that video? Strange. Needless to say, I didn't show Alan.

Santa Rocks!

What a day...birthday party in the morning (See next post for BIRTHDAY PHOTOS!) , followed a very chaotic Christmas bash in the village. (nobody seemed to know what was going on - police, fire department, etc....But it was still fun and cold) We started out by having a "Jam" session with Santa at the Keirsted House. Jace was a little shy about Santa. Then after a stop at the Festival of Trees at the library, we headed over to the tree lighting only to find that the tree was already lit, despite us being there on time. We were the only ones there except for about 4 police officers who had no idea what was going on. I can't remember who coaxed them into unplugging the tree, but after a little reluctance,one of the officers unplugged the tree and we ceremoniously cheered when he plugged it back in...Here are the photos....(We saw 4 Santas today but I will only post Santa number 3)






Julie and Jace Decorating Cookies (Alan is off camera playing guitar and singing (screaming)

Party Circuit - Happy Birthday Ben Ben and Ricky!

Last night we watched Jules and Rick perform in the village, this afternoon, we watched their two children perform at their Little Gym birthday bash. Ben Ben (2 years) and Ricky (4 years) hosted a great party which included lots of loud music, jumping, pizza and cake.



Have your cake and eat it too Jace!


Hold on tight!


Birthday brothers

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Looking good Mel and Nick!


Gentlemen...(and ladies) start your engines!!!

Ricky loves cars and pizza!


Ben Ben is taking it all in!


Ivan enjoying the food of champions!


It's all a balancing act!

Hi - random notes

Hey everyone. Weeks are flying by. Had a fun playdate yesterday at Jace's. Trains galore! Afterwards, Alan napped for 3 hours, then played quietly in his crib till 5:30. After an evening walk, we were up until 9:30. (Plus he was up early this morning!). We have a busy weekend. We'll be at the gym within the hour, then food shopping...a trip to Barber Joe's...errands and more errands...etc...tonight, Jules and Rick are playing at a local store for the open house which is walking distance from the house, so I am taking Alan to see them. Possibly sometime today there will be an appearance by Santa (either at Adam's or in the village, or both).....I'll be sure to post photos tonight if I can remember to get batteries for the camera or will post audio from utterz.com! OH - AND ALAN IS EATING CARROTS (shredded) and LETTUCE (Italian dressing!)