from gardening to sickness and back

Yesterday's gardener is today's bedbound cougher.  D has croup.  As of 12am this morning.  And as bad as I feel for my boy, I will admit to loving the "I need mom" of his ailment.  Because I need him.  And these 100% cuddle times.  Who wouldn't want to cuddle a boy who immediately gives a hoarse "thank you" to the nurse after a steroid shot to the right (bum) cheek.

My stomach is knotting, however, over the fact that I had four extra children at my house yesterday.  Two were Shanon's, who is 56 months pregnant and hosting a double birthday party in two days.  They don't need to be sick.  The other two have a mom who has been in the hospital for a week and a dad who is working hard to maintain the norm for them.  And they don't need to be sick either.

So I'm hoping my D didn't give out too much germ-spreading love yesterday.  We spent a gorgeous outside day digging in dirt.  The perfect way to occupy 6 littles for a few hours.  We dug out and tossed the remains of the plants I gave up on in the summer heat.  And even managed to plant some new seeds.  Two pots of basil.  I can't get enough of it and am dreaming up plans for an actual vegetable garden to accompany my random herbing.   I'm hoping to work out the kinks and work myself up to the actual work of transforming part of our yard for February's planting work {we just had a gardening class for Enrichment and I think I was bitten by the bug}.

 

 

This picture of the Scott boys with their guests cracked me up.  Of course they had them working for them...despite the fact that they easily outweigh those two littles by double. 

And, if you haven't guessed by now, my boys don't. like. wearing. clothes.

So, not caring to really fight that fight, I've been buying longer & longer boxer undies in an attempt to appease onlookers.

Comments

[Kelly]

Oh, croup is the worst! And that's always so disconcerting to come down with something right after a major social event. And, oh, a "thank you" for a shot? What kind of sweet boy is he?

I hope the croup goes, and the basil grows!

[Megan]

Did he seriously thank the nurse for giving him a shot in the butt? I can hardly believe that!
Gardening looks like fun. I'm hoping to do a vegetable garden next spring, but I've never done anything like that, so I need to read up on it before spring.

[Tiffany]

So sorry for the sick guy--hope he gets over it quickly! What a great idea to be outside digging--what child would not love that!?

[Jill]

Croup is so scary, but sweet sick kids are the reward for being up all night eh?

[Barb]

You anticipated my comment about the shirtless boys in the wagon, and your strategy for longer and longer boxer shorts had me laughing. The epitomy of creative problem solving.

[Rachel]

I'm sorry Davyn has croup. Evan gets croup a couple of times every winter because of his asthma, so I totally sympathize. As "old school" as it may sound I think sitting in a steamy bathroom works wonders. I've also had success with taking him outside on a cold night, my doctor recommended that one. I forgot what it is about the cold air that does it but it works too.

[Shanon]

Very cute pictures. I love the angles. Thanks for watching my kids. Sorry that D and Jim aren't feeling well. No signs yet that my kids caught it. I'm crossing my fingers that they don't because I am ready to have this baby!! Thanks again though, it was so nice not to have to take them VT!

[Marie]

Maxwell is having trouble at night and last night I had him out on the couch with me. I couldn't fall asleep, but having that little boy asleep on my chest and breathing little puffs of warm air onto my cheek was so worth it. Cuddles are the best.

I love the wagon picture. So funny!

PS: Your autumn wreath is beautiful! Were the mini pumpkins real or artificial?

[Emily]

That last picture is killing me! And, you are so very thoughtful to purchase the longer boxers! ;)

[sheri]

Such a bummer to have sick kids- and mine don't like to wear clothes either- maybe it's just too hot!

[Michelle]

I am sorry you are having sickness at your house. It is akways so hard when they aren't feeling well. I love the picture of the boys in the wagon! That cracks me up! :)

[carlo]

oh poor little one...and your big heart? you are the best. i can't imagine how grateful those parents are for you...

[Mandy]

croup is the scariest thing to me and I hope Ry never gets it! I hope D gets better soon! I totally get loving the cuddle part of it. Ryley is not much of a cuddler unless she doesn't feel well. Then I enjoy that part of it.

[Mandi]

I can just picture sweet little D thanking the nurse! Oh, and I do love that picture of the boys being pulled along. And I'm excited that you planted your basil, I have been lazy and need to get more soil for mine. In a couple weeks we'll have to start making our gardens (it's still too hot for me)!

[Price Cream Parlor]

That last photo is killing me! So dang funny with the expressions of your littles just sittin' in the wagon! So funny! Good thing you live in AZ and can go nakee most of the time! Longer boxers look just like SHORTS! Way to go!

[Annalisa]

I think there is a reason we thrive off the attention we get from our sick children to encourage us to want to take care of them. Croup is the worst! I hope that clears up quickly. That is very sweet that he said thank you to the nurse. You are training them well. We'll even cut you some slack for the clotheless afternoons because you do live if freakin' hot Arizona. Who does like to wear clothes there?!