Sick Week Update

I am glad to say that Natalie is feeling much better and really only seemed to feel crummy on Monday and Tuesday during this week.

Anyone who knows Natalie, knows that she is not one to lay still for very long. This picture was taken on Tuesday (her 2nd crummy day) after her bath. She just laid in our bed all covered up.  Poor thing.

The rash only got worse before getting better, but luckily, pretty much stayed on her legs with a few spots on her face and wrists. Her legs just looked painful, but she seemed to handle the pain (if she had any) quite well. Her leg sores are pretty much all scabbed over now.

Since my mom was planning on coming down Thursday night/Friday morning to watch Natalie anyway, I asked her if she could possibly come down after she took her LPN test on Wednesday, so that Bobby could go to work on Thursday and I could go to my conference in Indy. In our original plan (prior to getting sick), Bobby was going to take Natalie to daycare, but we had to keep her out all week because of her lovely disease she encountered. Luckily, my mom was able to do that!  Never does she pass up the opportunity to spend one-on-one time with Natalie!!!  

I was at my conference in Indy from Thursday morning (had to wake up at 5:30a...ick!) until Saturday afternoon. I stayed with Matt and Amanda for those couple of days, but never did I imagine how tired I would be when I signed up a while back. I guess I wasn't thinking that I was attending conference with less than 3.5 weeks left in this pregnancy. I was basically at conference from 8a until 7-8p on Thursday and Friday. Aubrey had decided to kick me in the same spot all the time so I felt as though I was bruised from my stomach clear through to my back, and could rarely get comfortable sitting in those chairs. Although they were cushioned, my butt did not feel as if they were. Plus, there was more walking involved than I had previously thought there would be. So, this pregnant lady was exhausted, plus it didn't help that I still have this awful cold!  Overall, it was a good conference and I was grateful for it being in Indy so I could get my continuing ed in!

Bobby, Natalie, and my mom survived while I was gone (not that I didn't think they would) even though we have way more ice cream in our house than actual food. Many thanks to my mom for mopping our floors and cleaning out the fridge (which really made it look like we had no food in the house). Of course I missed Natalie while I was away, but got to Skype each day and it was only for a short time, so I handled it well.

We had planned for at least a couple of weeks now that my parents would have Natalie this coming week because they have been asking to keep her for an extended period of time since probably the time she was born...or even before...haha!  They have taken short little trips with her before, but this was going to be the first time she was away from us for longer than a long weekend. However, it seems to me to be perfect timing just because of how exhausted I have been with this pregnancy and although I will miss her TONS, I will be happy to get some rest and treat myself to a massage and pedicure (using the giftcard I got last Mother's Day). At least one date night was in the original plans, but we'll see since a break from Bobby sounds nice too...haha! We will see Natalie again on Friday night when my parents come down for the Indy Mini-Marathon Bobby is running in and Matt/Amanda's housewarming party is this coming weekend as well. 

Her sickness kind of changed some of the fun plans my parents had planned for Natalie, but I know she's still going to have a blast. Grandma and Grandpa will be ready for a break after this week too I'm sure!  I am very grateful to them, however, for giving me this opportunity to relax some. It was very strange today when I was napping because I must usually sleep with one ear open so I hear Natalie, so I woke up a couple of times thinking..."I wonder when Natalie will wake up?" Then, fall back asleep knowing she wasn't here. It is going to be awfully quite around here without her. I'm hoping to get our room set-up with the cradle my mom brought down so it is ready for Aubrey. Since I'm officially full-term now, she could come at anytime...sooner than later is my preference even though I am physically ready to be done, I don't know how emotionally ready I am to have 2 actual children in my care!

Here is the bed part of the cradle that Aubrey will sleep in for the first 6 weeks until she moves to her crib (if the office ever gets done in the basement). Natalie never likes to be contained, but she sure enjoyed being in this cradle and taking care of her "babies." She is going to be such a great big sister!

EXCITING NEWS: CONGRATULATIONS to my mom for passing her LPN licensure test, so she can officially start applying for LPN jobs. All her hard work finally paid off and we couldn't be more happy for her!!!!  I know she just can't wait to start working...haha!