Currently:
Latest report on Nina is that she’s doing well… they’ve taken her off of oxygen, and they took her off the IV last night. So really that’s pretty awesome right there. In fact I just got a text from Melissa that says, literally “Nina doing awesome!” I can only hope that means she’s coming home soon.
I woke up this morning to the sound of the cat peeing in my laundry basket. Now I know what you’re thinking, and it may involve a cat and some goal posts, I’m not sure. But understand, Seth has been a trooper this whole time, dealing with Ian chasing him around, ANOTHER baby, and signs that we’re packing up stuff. For most cats, that’s pee-worthy right there. And while it turns out that Seth made a mess all over the house just because of his condition, where he focused his mess was in my laundry basket (mostly empty) and the basement floor. I believe that the laundry basket was actually his attempt to notify me that there is an issue. Good Kitty.
Sooooo yeah, Seth is currently at the animal hospital and they’re keeping him there overnight. They said he’s been calm. If you know Seth… that is to say, judging by the way Seth usually behaves at the animal hospital or vet, we’re pretty sure this means that there’s something seriously wrong.
Melissa came home long enough to help me with a few things around the house for Thursday’s showing, and deal with the cat situation. It was great having Melissa home, if only for a few hours.
Earlier this month:
Last entry took us through the first week in February, through pictures.
February 7th, 2010 – Ian goes grocery shopping, and ends up in dreamland. See this image larger.
February 8th, 2010 – I started boxing up some things for whenever we sell the house and move… the stuffed animals you see before you are some real classics; they used to be mine. Little Chip (the beaver that I desperately wanted to be a chipmunk, thus, it was) on the left, Pooh (a non-pooh-bear bear… this one had a music maker inside of it until what we will only refer to as “The Washing Machine Incident” – I’m looking at you, Mom. Uh huh. 😉 ) on the right. See this image larger.
Currently:
Ian has fallen asleep on the way home from the hospital absolutely every night. I’ve started getting a little smarter about it now… for example tonight I brought his toothbrush and toothpaste to the cafeteria at the hospital… because you aren’t going to brush those teeth if he falls asleep on the way home, believe you me. I also enjoy this little game that I play by handing him a couple of matchbox cars just as we’re leaving the hospital. About halfway home I hear “kathunk…. kathunk” and I know he’s out like a light.
I’ve got a couple days to work really hard on the house before the first potential buyers take a tour. So easy to get your hopes up. But if it DID sell, what would we do then? We’d have 60 days or so to try and find a house while Melissa is staying mostly at the hospital? Eeeek. It is funny, in a way it was nice to have this around as a side project to get my mind off of Nina’s state now and again… but if it actually bears fruit, well… now what?
Melissa looks like she’s doing well, and I’m very proud of her. It sounds like Nina’s doing pretty well tonight — there again I could get my hopes up, but I’ve trained myself not to. If you feel like you’re talking to a zombie when I’m on the phone it is because I’m trying not to “feel” anything.
And now set the wayback machine for the end of January…
After Nina was born I spent a whole lot of time worrying about her, praying for her… and that hasn’t let up much at all… but the images in this entry represent a time when I started finally thinking, over a month after she was born, that she was strong. And don’t get me wrong, she’s being stronger than an olympic weight-lifter over at the hospital at this very minute, I don’t mean it like that. But during late January/early February there was more of a sense confidence that I felt for her, and a sort of defiance from her. Maybe I don’t even need to say this. Look at the first picture, (and look at it as big as it’ll go…) and tell me what you see. I see “Ready now, world.”
January 26, 2010 – Somebody is ready for her next fight, and that’s good, because it is a doozy, little girl. This is my favorite picture of Nina so far by a long shot. See this image larger.
And this is probably my second-favorite. I know she’s just cutting loose with a yawn, but I automatically pretend that she’s roaring for the lion. See this image larger.
February 2-4th, 2010 – Hey, did you happen to see the most long-torsoed girl in the world? And if you did, was she cryyyyin, cryyyyyin? See this image larger.
https://outoftheirminds.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ootmd-logo-dark-wings-3Asset-15.svg00vrbfwhttps://outoftheirminds.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ootmd-logo-dark-wings-3Asset-15.svgvrbfw2010-02-22 22:16:292010-02-22 22:16:29January into February
Currently:
Nina’s on day 9 of her stay at the hospital. I admit things are getting a bit trickier around here. I heard Ian’s cries from the monitor last night, and ran upstairs to find him out of his bed, and sitting in a chair, rolled up in a ball. He’s getting more and more insistent that he does not want to go to daycare, the fits starting when I tell him today is a “school” day instead of during his arrival. This morning he even refused to eat his cereal bars at first — that sounds a little something like this. “No. I don’t WANNA eat cereal bars. NOM. NOM NOM NOM. NOM NOM NOM NOM.” Please include Ian in your prayers, Nina’s not the only one that needs strength to make it through this.
It is almost funny how many people have an RSV story when you explain what’s going on in your life… I went to Qdoba yesterday evening with Ian, and ended up talking to the guy behind the counter about the virus. Out of sympathy for the overall situation, he gave Ian a cookie. The man behind the counter’s son was in the hospital for 11 days. I keep hearing numbers sort of around there, but these children usually aren’t as young as Nina, or they don’t have a heart issue like Nina’s. I talked to a nurse in the elevator at the hospital and she confirmed that a great many of the kids in the children’s hospital are there for that exact reason. It’s a serious virus.
On the way to the hospital I got to experience a rare defining moment in Ian’s toddlerhood. I pointed at something outside of the car and asked Ian what the letters said. He didn’t know but could identify the letters. I started pointing out a few more things and I could see and hear him lighting up like a lightbulb. Letters and Numbers. Are. Everywhere. I said “See? On that roadsign and on each car?” and he started pointing them out… I wasn’t sure if he was just humoring me or what until I heard him say “There’s a bug and it has a W and a G!!!” He was referring to the passing sign for a place that sells buffalo “WINGS” and has a corporate logo with a winged buffalo on it. I’m not saying he learned to read before my eyes, but I think he was seeing that perhaps the reason he’s learning these shapes and sounds is because all of the various places where they are displayed are trying to communicate with him — almost like the first time he figured out that a voice on the other end of the phone is a real person.
I got to hold Nina for a bit yesterday and she was quiet and content… looked around and coughed from time to time, but otherwise seemed alright. If she could talk, it looks to me like she’d mostly be saying “Ouch” after her coughs, and that’s about it, choosing silence over straining her voice.
More on Nina’s story to come shortly, I’ll be copying/pasting Melissa’s entries from Nina’s Care Page right into this blog, with a few pictures that we’ve taken along the way.
Here’s more from January…
January 24th — Grampa Dave and Grandma Marcia show up to help us celebrate Ian’s birthday. Check out that cool gift wrapping! Almost good enough to eat! See this image larger.
January 26th — Mommy took this shot and I love it. Watching Ian’s imagination unfold is a real treat! See this image larger.
January 28th — Nina tries to explain that every little thing is gunna be alright. See this image larger.
January 29th — Seth finds a good place to get some warmth, as does Nina, and Mommy. If you look hard enough, you’ll probably discover that Nina is feeding, so if you’re offended by that, don’t look so hard. See this image larger.
And that was January!
https://outoftheirminds.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ootmd-logo-dark-wings-3Asset-15.svg00vrbfwhttps://outoftheirminds.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ootmd-logo-dark-wings-3Asset-15.svgvrbfw2010-02-22 15:10:002010-02-22 15:10:00The Rest of January, Part II
Iantermission
Currently:
Latest report on Nina is that she’s doing well… they’ve taken her off of oxygen, and they took her off the IV last night. So really that’s pretty awesome right there. In fact I just got a text from Melissa that says, literally “Nina doing awesome!” I can only hope that means she’s coming home soon.
I woke up this morning to the sound of the cat peeing in my laundry basket. Now I know what you’re thinking, and it may involve a cat and some goal posts, I’m not sure. But understand, Seth has been a trooper this whole time, dealing with Ian chasing him around, ANOTHER baby, and signs that we’re packing up stuff. For most cats, that’s pee-worthy right there. And while it turns out that Seth made a mess all over the house just because of his condition, where he focused his mess was in my laundry basket (mostly empty) and the basement floor. I believe that the laundry basket was actually his attempt to notify me that there is an issue. Good Kitty.
Sooooo yeah, Seth is currently at the animal hospital and they’re keeping him there overnight. They said he’s been calm. If you know Seth… that is to say, judging by the way Seth usually behaves at the animal hospital or vet, we’re pretty sure this means that there’s something seriously wrong.
Melissa came home long enough to help me with a few things around the house for Thursday’s showing, and deal with the cat situation. It was great having Melissa home, if only for a few hours.
Earlier this month:
Last entry took us through the first week in February, through pictures.
January into February
Currently:
Ian has fallen asleep on the way home from the hospital absolutely every night. I’ve started getting a little smarter about it now… for example tonight I brought his toothbrush and toothpaste to the cafeteria at the hospital… because you aren’t going to brush those teeth if he falls asleep on the way home, believe you me. I also enjoy this little game that I play by handing him a couple of matchbox cars just as we’re leaving the hospital. About halfway home I hear “kathunk…. kathunk” and I know he’s out like a light.
I’ve got a couple days to work really hard on the house before the first potential buyers take a tour. So easy to get your hopes up. But if it DID sell, what would we do then? We’d have 60 days or so to try and find a house while Melissa is staying mostly at the hospital? Eeeek. It is funny, in a way it was nice to have this around as a side project to get my mind off of Nina’s state now and again… but if it actually bears fruit, well… now what?
Melissa looks like she’s doing well, and I’m very proud of her. It sounds like Nina’s doing pretty well tonight — there again I could get my hopes up, but I’ve trained myself not to. If you feel like you’re talking to a zombie when I’m on the phone it is because I’m trying not to “feel” anything.
And now set the wayback machine for the end of January…
After Nina was born I spent a whole lot of time worrying about her, praying for her… and that hasn’t let up much at all… but the images in this entry represent a time when I started finally thinking, over a month after she was born, that she was strong. And don’t get me wrong, she’s being stronger than an olympic weight-lifter over at the hospital at this very minute, I don’t mean it like that. But during late January/early February there was more of a sense confidence that I felt for her, and a sort of defiance from her. Maybe I don’t even need to say this. Look at the first picture, (and look at it as big as it’ll go…) and tell me what you see. I see “Ready now, world.”
A few more from around that same time:
The Rest of January, Part II
Currently:
Nina’s on day 9 of her stay at the hospital. I admit things are getting a bit trickier around here. I heard Ian’s cries from the monitor last night, and ran upstairs to find him out of his bed, and sitting in a chair, rolled up in a ball. He’s getting more and more insistent that he does not want to go to daycare, the fits starting when I tell him today is a “school” day instead of during his arrival. This morning he even refused to eat his cereal bars at first — that sounds a little something like this. “No. I don’t WANNA eat cereal bars. NOM. NOM NOM NOM. NOM NOM NOM NOM.” Please include Ian in your prayers, Nina’s not the only one that needs strength to make it through this.
It is almost funny how many people have an RSV story when you explain what’s going on in your life… I went to Qdoba yesterday evening with Ian, and ended up talking to the guy behind the counter about the virus. Out of sympathy for the overall situation, he gave Ian a cookie. The man behind the counter’s son was in the hospital for 11 days. I keep hearing numbers sort of around there, but these children usually aren’t as young as Nina, or they don’t have a heart issue like Nina’s. I talked to a nurse in the elevator at the hospital and she confirmed that a great many of the kids in the children’s hospital are there for that exact reason. It’s a serious virus.
On the way to the hospital I got to experience a rare defining moment in Ian’s toddlerhood. I pointed at something outside of the car and asked Ian what the letters said. He didn’t know but could identify the letters. I started pointing out a few more things and I could see and hear him lighting up like a lightbulb. Letters and Numbers. Are. Everywhere. I said “See? On that roadsign and on each car?” and he started pointing them out… I wasn’t sure if he was just humoring me or what until I heard him say “There’s a bug and it has a W and a G!!!” He was referring to the passing sign for a place that sells buffalo “WINGS” and has a corporate logo with a winged buffalo on it. I’m not saying he learned to read before my eyes, but I think he was seeing that perhaps the reason he’s learning these shapes and sounds is because all of the various places where they are displayed are trying to communicate with him — almost like the first time he figured out that a voice on the other end of the phone is a real person.
I got to hold Nina for a bit yesterday and she was quiet and content… looked around and coughed from time to time, but otherwise seemed alright. If she could talk, it looks to me like she’d mostly be saying “Ouch” after her coughs, and that’s about it, choosing silence over straining her voice.
More on Nina’s story to come shortly, I’ll be copying/pasting Melissa’s entries from Nina’s Care Page right into this blog, with a few pictures that we’ve taken along the way.
Here’s more from January…
And that was January!