Porkulosis ...or the Other White Flu

LOVE those two alternative names suggested on CNN for what is now known as Swine Flu. They have tried to rename it, more seriously, as N1H1 but that lacks something and doesn't really roll off the tongue.



It seems this flu strain is basically the same as regular flu--as it occurs in humans thus far here in the United States. I have never had either, so I don't know I'd know if either hit me, but the first cases in the states were found here in good ol' Tejas. As a matter of fact, they were found just miles from where I live.

Initially, I was quite frightened about this, expecting it to spread more quickly and to take lives as it has in Mexico. Thank god that has not been the case, and hopefully it will continue to not be the case. With a newborn (or with a child, period), the idea of an epidemic is more frightening that it might have been otherwise. THANKFULLY it is appearing that the hype was uncalled for.

So people are now back lashing against the media. They are causing panic and hysteria. They are covering it TOO closely and TOO much. Honestly? Has anyone stopped to think that this very media coverage is what has kept keep a pandemic at bay? Knowing that there is "something" out there and that it can be deadly has probably led many to wash appropriately and change their habits accordingly to keep the disease from spreading.

People are now doing what they should have been doing all along--Washing their hands and being attentive to their symptoms. People are probably not ignoring the sniffles, sore joints, coughing and other issues that they might have ignored before. THIS IS A GOOD THING!

Perhaps the spread of Porkulosis has been kept to a minimum DUE to the media's coverage. I believe that the spread of REGULAR flu has probably also tapered. THIS IS ALL very positive and I think we should thank the media instead of vilifying them for it.

MUCHAS GRACIAS from this mom who really doesn't think she could have taken the stress of a quickly spreading, deadly, mutating virus just yet. Let me rest up for a few weeks and get back into fighting shape before we go there mother nature!! ;)

My Two Girls

Introducing the newest addition to the family! Emilia! She is already getting close to being a whole MONTH old!!!! It has been a very busy time here at the house with not a lot of sleep being had and MANY diapers being changed. I have enjoyed most of it, but the best news is that Elena ADORES her sibling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



How could you NOT love that face??? ;)

And I had to post this picture of my daughter attempting to dress herself. She has some risk-taker in her when it comes to fashion huh? Reminds me of early Madonna. Everything old is always new again at some point, huh? :)



Nothing else is really going on here. I am consumed with the kiddos for now and debating when to start up classes again. I miss the spending cash which helped us make ends meet more easily, but I do NOT look forward to grading papers in a sleep deprived state! I guess I will wait a bit longer!!!

Temps are starting to go pretty high here. As high as 90s so far! And it is only APRIL! :( FUN TIMES ahead!!!!

More to come soon!

Taking a "Hike" :)

Packed and Ready to go!

Yesterday, my daughter spent the afternoon packing her backpack for a "hike" in the local park. I was up for the much needed exercise, and I want her to get to do more before this baby changes her life, so we went as a family after her father came home from work (and after eating dinner of course)!

In her backpack, there was a box for putting found objects into and a water bottle for me and a juice drink for her. She also brought band aids in case anyone got hurt. (In her last visit she got a bad splinter and we had to leave to tend to it since it was bleeding pretty good. She didn't want to have to leave again I guess? She packed two band aids per person, and one band aid for her in utero little sis.)



We "hiked" through the "forest" looking for "clues". This was her game and she came home with a few rocks and odds and ends she picked up while we walked around. After she got tired of walking, she hit the slide and climbed on the equipment at the park. It was a good time!



Afterwards, we hit the grocery store and walked a few laps around there too. VERY tiring day for me! :) Pic of me on the hike on my other blog.

Enjoy the photos!

Home alone and sweaty :(

Baby girl is much better now and eating all the normal foods. SO that excitement is over. THANK GOD. I don't need any more excitement (or expenditures) at the present time!

We are home alone tonight. Dear hubby is gone for today and tomorrow and back around midnight before he sleeps then goes to work on Tuesday. He is out of town for a work opportunity that I hope pans out locally. They hire around the country, including here. I can't go into more details now and I don't know a TON more about the position except that its in his field and supposedly a great position! We shall see if anything comes of this. I hope it isn't a waste of time.



I was terribly nervous about him leaving this far into a pregnancy, but he assured me that since it was one night only, NOTHING would happen. I feel pretty good about nothing happening (like labor) but I feel like you NEVER can be TOO SURE! Thankfully my parents were around to help out and distract us some today. I was sadder than I expected when he left this afternoon.

Daughter and I are sleeping downstairs because, of course, now that the weather is heating up, the a/c has gone kaput. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? It was in the 80s today and we had NO Air conditioning. It is in the 70s over night and we are STILL without air conditioning. I called early this morning and they assured me that someone would try to be here tomorrow if they could schedule the a/c guy to come. I HOPE TO GOD he comes because one more night of this...and I don't know what I'll do! I hate sleeping in heat and I hate sweating and pregnant women are small ovens to begin with! WITH THE A/C blaring I complain, so without it, I am a pretty miserable being!

Hopefully, Monday goes by quickly and midnight and my husband arrive safely and into a cool comfy abode! :)

whew

She made it through just fine. There was more than enough drama and panic for me but she is good and relatively pain free. She is a bit sore but eating okay and relatively happy. She is highly irritable and whiny, but I guess that is not the worst it could be. HATED to put her under, but she got all her dental work done.

There were some surprises in the x-rays so it was a little more than we expected that got done, but its over.

Now to pay the bill. DOH!!

Quick Update...Prayers please

Leni is going to get the procedure tomororw. Just turns out they hda an opening and the anesthesiologist only comes in every six weeks. It was do it now or wait six weeks and risk her getting worse and experiencing more pain AND having to juggle this and an infant. Figured now was a better deal.

Pray for her tomorrow morning (Friday).

Dentists and orthodotia for the little one

I don't even believe that this is happening.

Apparently in the very recent past, my daughter's teeth have gone to SHIT. I am NOT exaggerating. We went to see our new pediatric dentist who is awesome today, but the news was all all all all all bad! :(

We found out she has quite a few cavities. He said her teeth were clean and well taken care of, but extremely SOFT and susceptible to cavities. She has more cavities in her mouth NOW than I have ever had in my entire life. I had NONE on my baby teeth and a handful on my "big" teeth during my entire adulthood! HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

I'm devastated because teeth are so important and knowing she'll have to endure some pain in the very near future just kills me.

We have an appointment Thursday to see the recommended kid orthodontist (I had no idea they existed) and get an estimate about what it will take to handle the situation. The dentist (who came highly recommended, and I see why now) HIGHLY recommended this orthodontist. The problem is, he's not in network! This means this might get really expensive.



We are looking at possible extractions of one to two teeth, a possible crown and quite a few fillings. It cannot happen in one session unless they use anesthesia which I am NOT thrilled about.

This particular ortho has an anesthesiologist come into his office while others have you go to the hospital for the procedure. Things are complicated by the fact that she is too light for some of the medicines they would usually use for numbing. :( My little light weight. :(

What a sad morning it was for me. With only one month before the baby arrives and lena with a couple of very bad teeth, we have to move QUITE quickly. I hope it all falls into place and we can do it. I hope we can afford it too! A PAYMENT PLAN is hopefully in my future!!