"More Work for Mama" is the General Rule!

Poor Naomi Garner.  For the past 5 days, she has been down and out with a heavy cold that she just can't shake.  And I can't seem to get her better fast enough! Imagine a sleepy, grumpy, stopped-up,  pitiful toddler trapped in your house with you for days upon days.  We are all going a little stir crazy around here, and it's now the weekend...By golly, get better, little one!

Pallets on the floor, lots and lots of snuggle and movie time, saline and decongestant drops in the nose as often as she'll allow, cough syrup - homeopathic store-bought and my own concoction of lemon juice, hot water, and local honey, 4am bath time, musical beds...I am one tired mama!  There's this Berenstain Bears book Sick Days that has been our motto this week.  Mama Bear runs around trying to do everything for everybody until she's down and out by the end of it all.  Well, I totally feel where Mama Bear is coming from, except, luckily, I am not sick yet. 

Emergen-Cs and multivitamins have been my close companions this week, and I have upped the ante on Vitamin D.  We haven't been getting outside near as much as I want to, and I can totally feel the effects of no sunshine. So, I'm taking 20,000IU of D3 instead of my usual daily 10,000.  It's been so pretty here too.  I hesitate to let Naomi outside a lot because she wants to jump on the trampoline and chase the dog.  I certainly don't want her overdoing it, but I also don't want us at each others throats, so I'm planning on painting with apples in the driveway this afternoon.  With all the apples we still have from our Boston trip, it should be a lot of fun. 

idea for this afternoon

Benjiboy and me hanging in there!

Speaking of Boston, I haven't had a chance to upload any Boston pictures since we've been home.  I'm pretty sure Naomi caught whatever virus she's got from touching EVERYTHING on the four planes we flew on, but germs are bound to happen.  Next trip though, I'm going to be extra cautious and intense about germ control.  Hand washing, sanitizer, clorox wipes - the whole shabang.  I wasn't careless this time, I made sure she washed hands before touching Ben, but I wasn't as cautious about her putting her dirty hands in her mouth, rubbing her eyes, etc.  Now I know, and you do too! Be the overly hygienic mom on all trips, got it?  Save yourself the week of pain that I've had!

Benji is doing well, although he woke up a little congested.  I gave him some saline drops, and he seems to be fine.  The nurse at Dr. Ramos' office also told me to put 4 drops of breastmilk in each nostril at every meal to up his immune system even more.  The natural antibodies provided give him an extra boost by doing it that way.  How cool is that?  How cool is breastmilk??  I am a firm believer in it's healing properties because it works!! And with my little scooter-pooter Naomi not eating so well this week, I've been sneaking breastmilk into her smoothies - one of the only thing she'll eat.  She needs some of those antibodies too to beat this nasty virus she's got!

We've missed her very first picture day this week, and with the recurring fever, we've missed both days of school.  I am grateful and fortunate to be able to stay home with her and get her on the mend.  She's been pitiful, and I'm constantly tired.  Benjamin is still as happy and content as ever.  Such an easy babe - just goes with the flow....thank goodness!! :)