MARCH (oy vey)

March. I sit and stare at the screen, wondering where to start. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Actually, there were no "bests" about it; and frankly, it COULD have been worse, but oh, man. It was not fun. Not. Fun.

I know that many were hit with the flu/nasty cold over the winter, and we skated through healthy as can be when WHAMMO! It hit and hit hard. I hesitate to go into detail - partly because I am weary of the details, I have no desire to relive it, and frankly, it would make this post too long. Let's just say our family accomplished the following in 5 weeks' time: two cases of double ear-infections that would NOT go away, 4 other ear infections,  2 cases of sinus infections (I was one of those cases. Mom+Sinus infection = Lame Sauce) that would NOT go away, one case of epiglottitus (Matt's achievement of the month - luckily, it did go away), 7 eye infections, 9 different treatments of antibiotics,  coughs, fever, (both which lingered for weeks), increased intake of fluids, mastered mucus-suctioning skills (that one is me), perpetual sore throats, round-the-clock essential oil usage and diffusers, black mold (ugh - moving on), 12, yes TWELVE visits to the doctor, lots of Monopoly tickets from Albertsons, and first-name basis with the pharmacy staff at Sav-on. In the words of Sammi (quoting a woman who just discovered her apartment was on fire) - "Ain't nobody got time for that!"

Well, we lived and now it seems like a distant, unpleasant memory. We had some family and my visiting teachers bring us dinners and it was SO appreciated. It helped make those foggy, rather depressing days brighten up.

Amidst all this, we still managed to live a little. Here's March's happenings:

 Matt's birthday was the second day of March and we celebrated in high style! Actually - no. We were all feeling a bit "under the weather" (mostly Matt), so we took him lunch at work and I made him a steak dinner at home. Later that night while we were sleeping, his epiglottis swelled up and shut off his airway. That's something I don't want to relive again. He went into the doctor who was alarmed and surprised - Matt had "epiglottitis" and it is a scary and life-threatening illness. He was given a shot of steroids, a treatment of antibiotic, and a blessing. Thankfully, the swelling went down and he recovered. He had to have an emergency "sleep study" later that week, and we were pleased that he included us by sharing a picture of his set-up there:

 

Needless to say, he didn't get a lot of sleep, but they were able to get some testing done. Apparently, he's one number away from being the worst level of sleep apnea that you can be. So...that chapter o' life has yet to be unfolded.

Here's Charlotte and me on one of the first of many visits to the pediatrician. Sweet girl - she had a double ear infection and we didn't even know it. The goopy eyes were our indication of something amiss...





...and here's me and Henry on another one of our pilgrimages to the doctor. I let Char take pictures to occupy her.









Despite all the yuck, there were some fun times. Eli showed us what he made at Kindergarten for St. Patrick's Day...

We got to see family and cousins over Spring Break.....








and the kids and I kept up the tradition of decorating cookies, albeit a little more subdued than normal. The downside was, because we were still sickly, I didn't want to give them to our friends and neighbors so we ate them ourselves. A LOT of them. I finally had to throw a bunch away because I was drowning my sorrows in a sea of frosting and scrumptious cookies. So good. 

All in all, March drug on and we drug ourselves around, trying to keep up. Poor little Henry just slept and slept. He's such a sweetie - even when he's sick. 

March. Out. (and good riddance to you, sir!!!!!)

Note: It really could have been much worse, and we were  blessed throughout it all. Spring was already blooming and, although allergies probably added to the issues, the warmer days and bluer skies made things much less depressing.