**A New Era

We seem to have entered a new era in our household. I suppose it was inevitable with the kids growing up so quickly, but even though I expected changes, I didn't expect them to happen so quickly and drastically.

This new era is an era of technology. They all said it was coming. They speak of it even on the news. Eventually kids only have interest in things that plug in. They used to go off and play together - they played pretend. Baby, school, puppy, whatever. If they weren't playing pretend they were often colouring or playing with toys. Sure they fought sometimes, and they did enjoy playing on "nickjr.com" and with their "leapster", but the majority of free time was spent just being kids.

Lately they are only happy playing Wii or DS or computer or watching television. And although we still limit these activities (pretty strictly actually), they seem to be at a loss when we unplug them. This weekend they both actually lay on the living room floor whining "I'M BOOOOORRRRREEEDD!" when we said no video games or tv. Are you freaking kidding me?! We have toys coming out of our ears, we have every craft you can think of, we have eighteen shelves full of games and puzzles, you have parents willing to engage you and play with you, and STILL you are at a loss?!

I'm pretty sure it's a developmental phase. I can see them changing before my eyes. Gone are the days of blowing up a single balloon and throwing it on the living room floor yielding countless hours of happiness, playfullness, jumping and laughing. These days we have to work harder for it.

I miss seeing their eyes light up for the littlest things. I guess this is life. Parenting has to change as your kids develop into their own little people. I hope I guided them appropriately up until now, and I hope I learn to adapt my parenting skills to continue guiding them in the right direction as their needs and interests change.

**The Last Two Months

Sickness sucks. There's no nice way to put it. One of us gets sick and it debilitates the family. More time is spent indoors getting sour with eachother, the television is permanently on for the one who has no energy to do anything else, inevitibly drawing in the healthy ones to become couch potatoes as well.

We have had our share of sicknesses in the last two months. A whopping FIVE illnesses for my son since March break, TWO for my daughter, TWO for me, and amazingly enough, Hubby got off Scott free. Not sure how that works...

It started right before March Break. My boy got strep throat. He was SICK. High fever, lethargic, even threw up. When I discovered the white spots in his throat I was relieved. I knew that 24 hours on antibiotics is a sure cure, and he won't even be contagious anymore. I was right. Back to normal within a day.

Fast-forward 3 weeks or so. The sore throat and fever come back. Back to the pediatric walk in clinic (because of course this never happens during the week, right?) and another positive strep throat culture. New antibiotic because obviously the first one didn't do it's full job. Again back to normal within 24 hours.

Fast-forward ONE week this time. STILL on antibiotics. Sore throat returns. This time it is during the week for a change and we go to the regular doctor. Our hero, Dr. K. thinks the strep is still there. Cultures again (he is getting to be a pro at throat swabs) and gives a new prescription to only fill when the one he is still taking is done.

Two days later, he gets a huge cold. The sore throat was not strep this time, just a cold. The cultures were finally negative and we avoided a third round of antibiotics.

Daughter and I catch the cold, hers lasting a couple of days with only sniffles, me being down and out for a few days with fever and blowing things out of my nose that no one should ever have to witness. This goes on for over a week.

Just as we're all on the upswing and getting back to feeling normal, my son gets a fever. On a Thursday night. Back to Dr. K. Friday (I believe they have put our names right on the exam room door now) and she thinks the throat is still clear. This time she does a blood test cause this is getting ridiculous!

The fever lasts 3 days and a new cold and cough develop (illness number 4 in case you've lost count). I'm not sure the other cold was even totally gone....

The blood tests come back normal (and she tested for everything in the book!) and in fact she is impressed with his numbers. Just viruses she says. "Unlucky this spring" she says....

Six days later he wakes up and pukes. He threw up twice and then was fine. A missed day of school, some more television and games on the computer. The next day my daughter gets it, the next day me. Apparently this virus doesn't make females puke though. Only the other thing...

And now - six days past the last illness I lay in wait for the next to arrive. Every time someone so much as frowns I brace myself for the next round of sickness. I am so sick of sickness. When it all started back before March Break, it had been about a year since we had used any of our medications. Some had expired! I was so spoiled back then....

I have to be thankful that both my kids seem to recover quickly from their bugs, but when they get a new one every week, it's kind of hard to tell where one ends and the next begins.

Please think healthy thoughts for us. I don't know how many more rounds I can handle.

**More Randomness

I enjoyed writing random thoughts about myself (as odd as that sounds) so I thought I'd give it a go again.

1. Not that anyone likes their kids being sick, but it is one of my worst fears. I know too much as a nurse that I always think the worst...even when it's very minor. I worry WAY too much!
2. I'm a pessimist. Glass is almost always half empty but I think it spares me heartache that way.
3. The only beverage I drink other than one coffee a day is water.
4. I found that the only good part of pregnancy (other than the outcome of course) was feeling the baby move inside. I could sit there all day and take that in.
5. I know quite a few famous people personally.
6. I recently helped a friend discover her husband is cheating - and I don't think I'll ever forgive myself.
7. I still bathe my kids together even though I know they're getting too old for it. It's just so much easier!
8. I once had a dream about George Clooney.
9. My hair is very thin even though it doesn't look that way from the curls. It all fell out after I had kids.
10. Of all life's big events, I found moving to be the most stressful - over and above getting married and having kids.
11. I love the feel of warm sand between my toes.
12. I'm allergic to spring. I get a rash on my hands and forearms every spring. No doctor has any idea as to why.
13. I like writing - gets my thoughts out. If I'm upset with someone I write them a letter. It often doesn't get sent but I feel SO much better after!
14. I believe I'm addicted to text messaging. Perhaps I can find a program...
15. We found a sparrow's nest above our porch light with six little eggs inside.
16. I don't understand eating spicy food - you can't taste the food! You can only taste the spice!
17. I can still play the flute, though the ability to read music has fizzled.
18. I played an audience game on The Rosie O'Donnell Show in 2001.
19. I used to not mind it much but as I grow older I HATE driving in the snow!
20. Most of my circle of friends are older than me.