Funny girl...

Although the past few weeks in our house have been tiring and all about illness, there were a few funny moments that we enjoyed and I wanted to share them!

On our first visit to the doctor, my sick little girl found enough energy to tell off her doctor. When the doctor walked into the room, Maelyn told him, "Go away! You a bad guy!"

Over the past few weeks, our little miss has focused on good verses bad guys in books and movies. In fact, a few nights ago when I said 'no' to her about something, she called me a bad guy too!

Maelyn received a lot of attention when she was sick -- especially when she was sick to her tummy. I hadn't realized how much attention we had given her until she came out with the following -- and please know that our little miss could easily have won an oscar for her performance:

"Mama, owwwww! My tummy hurts!" Drawn out pause and then... "I need cookies."

We killed ourselves laughing as we listened to the moaning and groaning that went along with that statement. What a smartie pants -- she certainly knew what trick to try in order to get her favourite snack. Unfortunately, these comments haven't stopped -- she uses the excuse of her tummy hurting to get out of cleaning up toys, going to bed....you name it, she has tried it!

Maelyn keeps us laughing every day -- she is the light of our lives!

Random Cuteness

Lianne's photo of Bryanna & Maelyn -- love it!!!

Playing with the kitchen set from my own childhood

that Grandpa and I refinished this summer...

"I am three years old, Tatie Martine..."

Addy & Maelyn -- too cute!

I love these two!

Maelyn & Jennie -- showing off their new potty trained skills!

What a week...

I can write this post now that we have all survived the past week. Our poor little miss hasn't been feeling well -- understatement of the century!

Last Sunday morning we went to a park to have our first family photos taken. The weather was beautiful and we were really excited to finally be getting some decent family shots. During the shoot, Maelyn kept telling us that she was tired. I should have known right then and there that she wasn't feeling well -- this kid is NEVER tired! :)

Once we got home I realized that Maelyn had a fever -- and we were preparing for Thanksgiving dinner. After some Tylenol, she seemed to feel a lot better and played with everyone all evening.

The next day, however, she had a higher fever and didn't look very good. I could tell that her tummy wasn't feeling very well and we ended up dealing with our first bout of the stomach flu.

The poor kid had the worst week -- stomach flu, ear infection, bladder infection, and chest cold. After our second visit to the doctor, Maelyn was put on antibiotics. The poor kid ate almost nothing all week and spent all day watching movies and cuddling with Mama.

On Saturday morning Maelyn started vomiting again and her fever spiked to 104. We took her to the hospital and they looked her over. By this point I was frustrated and scared that she had had a high fever for seven days. They told us to hold out and give the antibiotics one more day to kick in and start working. Finally, that night, her fever broke.

Maelyn has started to improve over the past few days -- she has even started to eat a little each day. Poor little thing felt so sick for way too long -- too hard on this Mama's heart!

I am grateful Maelyn's health has improved and even more grateful that she is going to daycare tomorrow! :)

Update...

Some of you may have noticed my absence from the blogging world over the past few weeks. The absence was not intentional and I have missed my bloggy friends and writing outlet! Let me catch you up on what has been going on around here lately...

First and foremost, the transition from stay-at-home-mom to working parent has been HARD!! Wow -- I can't believe how crazy it has been to try and get used to being both teacher and mom. I don't know how people do it!! I had my school routine set for the past eight years -- now my entire routine has changed and I am trying to find my new groove.

Just as I was settling into our new routine, I received a call that it was going to change yet again.

After many weeks of waiting, I was fortunate enough to receive approval from my insurance company for coverage of the Remicade treatment for my Crohn's disease. The ball started rolling and I received a call from the specialized pharmacy. They spent quite awhile going over the in's and out's of the treatment and answering any questions I had.

The first three doses of the infusion are given close together and are called the 'loading doses.' I will go to a clinic and be hooked up to a machine for four hours -- much like a dialysis treatment. Because the whole intention of the infusions are to block my immune system, I am going to be quite vulnerable to any illness -- which means school is too germy a place for me to be. Sooooo -- I was told, without much warning, that I would need to take a six week leave of absence from school. Jeesh!! The year had just started and the idea of leaving my class stressed me out completely. However, I really, really, need this treatment to work -- so I am taking the time off to ensure that I am rested and do my best to stay clear of any germs that might interrupt my treatment.

My leave of absence officially started today. I have to admit that I am grateful for the break. Feeling sick almost every day, going to doctor appointments two to three days a week, being hospitalized for four days at a time and being there for Maelyn has me completely stretched to the limit. I am looking forward to doing my best to feel better and kick this Crohn's into remission.

Stay tuned for many updates over the next six weeks as I catch up on the many, many posts that are already written in my head and simply need to be transferred to virtual paper. :)