Three posts in one day I must be crazy!

DH has taken Bubba to the med clinic again. He is still vomiting and really feels lousy. This would be bad enough if DH wasn't leaving today to go to school. I have been concerned for some time now that the drugs Bubba was exposed to in the womb (his birth mother free based cocaine) might be affecting his immunity, because he sick all of the time. I haven't found a link with that in any research online, but here is what I found.

Cocaine use in utero causes:

• sleep problems in children
• emotional and behavioral problems in children-adolescence
• abnormal brain development
• altered cellular function
• ADHD or hyperactivity that cannot be treated with standard medicinal options, drug exposed kids are usually immune to Ritalin, etc.
• impulsivity, especially in males (seeing that already)
• Altered dopamine receptor function which affects brain processes that control movement, emotional response, and ability to experience pleasure and pain

We weren't worried about the possible problems before. Everything we had read in 2008 and before seemed to indicate that drug babies raised in healthy homes had every chance of developing normally and being happy, healthy children. I have just been determined to help Bubba and his trouble with immunity, so I have been researching. All of this research is new, within the last 2-3 years and just now showing up online.

Sometimes knowledge is a dangerous thing. Just wondering what else we will have to deal with in the future. We already have a little boy who has no sense of caution and no impulse control. Thinking that Mummy needs to get prepared. And that a whole of lot of prayer is in order!

In the mean time the doctor thinks we have several more days of tummy bug ahead. Apparently he can re-infect himself through his nappy rash. Who knew? I feel so sorry for him.

What's ahead?

Lovely photo from Wai-O-Tapu with me (in the back), my Mom (on the left) and her friend Liz (on the right). That was a fun morning. WOT is a good value for the money. Lots of cool and smelly thermal things to see and easy walking.

Thought I would start this blog with a happy picture. This week has been rough! Bubba and Mommy are still sick. Daddy is not much better.

Poor Bubba has been really sick since Wed. (Ha! Watching a Pukeko tear up Mrs. Kravitz' garden out my window behind the computer...sorry, back to the story.) He has had vomiting and diarrhea since then. Night before last he vomited several times and was lying in it, with it all stuck to his hair, before we got the bed changed. Before bed last night we gave him a preventative anti-nausea tablet. That helped, we think. But he woke-up soaked in diarrhea and shivering cold this morning. Even after we got him cleaned up and changed into warm dry clothes it took him about an hour to warm up. His lips were blue. Gave him some Tylenol and his emergency puffer and he seemed to perk up. Now we are having another cuddle.

Makes me wish I had my hyper, jumping, running, yelling boy back! I hate to see him sick and he just seems to be sick so much.

DH is leaving for school tonight. We are expected to get really bad storms starting tonight and getting worse tomorrow. Gale force winds and it looks like the worst of the storm will linger right over where we are. Yay. We have needed rain, we were on water restrictions, but I'm about ready to say enough already. Since DH's class starts at 9 am tomorrow morning, 2.5 hours away from here, we decided he should go down this afternoon (before dark) and spend the night. The cost $99, but worth every penny. The roads here can be dangerous on a good day--only two lanes, over mountains, around mountains, and the people drive way too fast.

So, I will have 2.5 days with no car and a sick baby. I guess if it gets bad enough we can call an ambulance. I wonder if they have a limit on ambulance rides per person, per month. Bubba already had one this month (the blood pressure pill incident). DH's parents are still planning to come on Tuesday afternoon even though we might still be dealing with tummy bug. They are staying with our cousin. But at least I will have access to a car on Tuesday-Thursday (when DH gets back). And after this block course DH won't be going away again for a long time.

Trying to work out vacation in July to a big rugby game, down to his parents house, and then maybe a day at the snow. That would be awesome! We need about $1,000. We'll see. Then in August we are going to a big conference on healing in Auckland. And in November we have our denominations annual gathering. DH will be officially licensed as a pastor then. That is awesome! Right now he is a probationary pastor or whatever they call it here.

Okay...back to reality. In the next 5 hours I have to wash and pack for DH, grocery shop, and clean house all with a sick bubby attached to me. At least I had a shower today and I didn't have any emergency trips to the bathroom last night or any barfing babies. All-in-all, a good day, so far.

Homeopathy

So, next Wednesday I am going to see a Homeopathic practitioner. I am a little bit nervous. I found this woman online because she speacializes in women's health and fertility. I hope that she in not totally new agey and some weird religious amalgamation. We'll see.

We continue to pray daily for a miracle regarding another baby (or two or more). I was going to see a gynecologist until I figured out how much that costs here (like $150 a visit). We don't have insurance, because basic health care is free. We can, however, sign-up for insurance in October--which would run us about $265 a month for the best family coverage. Then I can see specialists for free. Until then I thought I could start on homepathy and see if I get any results.

The initial consulation is 90 minutes and is $95 including any remedies they prescribe. That's not bad. Usually you follow-up once a month for 45-60 minutes for $60, including remedies. I'm thinking this is a pretty good deal. The hardest part is knowing that she will want me to lose weight and change what I eat. But I should do those things anyway.

None of this is to negate the power of prayer or my asking God to perform a miracle--it is because I believe we must also do what we can do when asking God for healing. Does that make sense? I believe in special, supernatural healing that can only come from God. I also believe that we must do what we are able to do towards the blessing or healing that we seek. Not that we earn it or deserve it or can achieve it on our own--but sitting around doing nothing, while I eat candy isn't going to help anyone.

Maybe its just to make me feel better. I hope it doesn't indicate a lack of faith of my part that God can do all of the healing and provide the miracle I seek. I continue to claim healing in the name of Jesus. I walk around telling myself, "I am a fertile woman." Okay--some how this just turned into a theological argument in my head. I should stop talking now.

Say a prayer for Bubba. His nappy rash is back in full force. His tummy bug is still here. He feels miserable and so he acts miserable. We were up 4-5 times in the night last night. Bless his little heart. Maybe I should start trying to potty train him, at least then we might avoid some of this. I don't know.

Frustrated

Going to the doctor was a huge waste of time! He did NOTHING for DH. Suggested he take medical leave for a week. PL-EEE--ZE! No light therapy, no Prozac--he's supposed to take a week off to rest when he just had a week off, a week ago, and he has school next week.

When did it become unacceptable to give someone a prescription because sometimes they just need to get on with living their life? Oh yea, when we moved to the land of socialized medicine. Crime in Italy--it makes me so mad!

I went too to have my chest checked. Did he do it? NO! He gave me Flonase for my sinuses, but never listened to my chest. Bubba got cream for his butt, which now (in the last 6 hours) has bleeding sores on it again. Cupcake is fine. No explanation at all for why she coughs all night long and all morning. We're supposed to put the dehumidifier in their room at night.

We stopped at the store and got DH some St. John's Wart and B complex. I truly hope that helps until we can get some time off again or some sunshine. I also told him he has to call and make an appointment for counseling. You would have too if you could have seen the look on his face when he told me his birth mother interjected herself into his life again last week by calling up his parents for a visit. Seriously! He says it doesn't bother him, but the look on his face when he said it told it all. He's now at the library doing study for school. His first project is only due tomorrow.

Oh, did I mention that when I got dressed this morning there was dog poop in my bra. Yup. Guess when I discovered it? Yup, after I put it on. I almost murdered the puppy. Instead we bought a steam cleaner on the way home. I have got to get that dog potty trained and the carpets cleaned. It won't help DH's depression or Bubba's bottom or Cupcake's cough, but it will make me feel a lot better!

Baby standing on my foot...

There is currently a baby boy standing on my foot. He is trying desperately to get my attention. Bubba is one of those kids that the more attention you give him, the more he wants. I've been playing all morning, but that isn't enough. Okay--there he moved on. 13 kg standing on one's foot is not fun.

Just a quick one today. This week has been rather hectic. Trying to get re-settled and the house cleaned and the laundry done after our visitor's left. It's still not done. DH's parents come next Tuesday to spend a few days while he is at school. I have three things to do next week--Mum's group at our house on Monday, small group here on Tuesday, and the Ladies' Camp review on Wednesday.

DH is struggling right now. He is admitting or talking about being depressed, which for him is a big deal. He never acknowledges feelings, he just ignores them. So we are going to the doctor this morning to see about some medication. I think it is S.A.D. (seasonal affect disorder) because he did this last year as well. Plus he is missing my Mom, struggling with his own parental issues, and off of all sodas for the self-denial appeal. But I have put him on Fennel tea and he loves it! Imagine that.

Our little small group is growing, just like our church at the moment. Which is nice. We went from 8 to 12 in the last two weeks, not including us or the children. There are three little girls, all about 3. You can imagine the fun our child minder has. Cupcake is the youngest, but she turns 3 in August.

The kids are doing well. Bubba has officially hit the Terrible Twos. He will be 2 in less than three weeks. Yikes! Cupcake is talking more and more all of time--talking that other people (besides us) can understand. Her favourite thing is to count to ten and she can spell her name, she just can't say it yet. She has a bad cough. So we are going with Dad to the doctor this morning. Neither she nor I have really gotten over our colds from 2-3 weeks ago.

Trying to get on the eating healthy band wagon again. Making a concentrated effort to pray for a new bubby and asking others to pray. Still working on a new website for church and one for me. We have decided not to go to America or Israel in January. We just can't afford it and don't want to be unsettled yet. Also thinking that if we are seriously trying for a baby, we need to stay put. Thinking we should have just committed to not going back for 4 years after we moved. That would be October 2012. I think that might be a good goal. Plus it only costs our family in America about $1200 USD each to come here. But it is about $3250 NZD for us to go there. I know--it's criminal! Kiwis get gouged all the time, because it is such a limited market here. Oh well.

Happy Wednesday everyone! It's my favourite day of the week!

Is it over yet? Emergency Prayers...

This morning it seems we have begun the final descent into hell. DH was supposed to be watching the kids, along with both of their grandmothers, their grandfather and Auntie Liz. It seemed simple enough. For three weeks I have listened to my mother talk about the dangers of kids getting into old people's meds. So, after a breakfast, Mom comes back into the dining room to say that her door was open, her pills were out and her blood pressure pill was missing. Yay!

Then DH says, "oh, that may have been what Bubba was eating a while ago." So, while the adults sat around and talked about the stupidity of the whole thing, I screamed "if you think he ate a pill--he we need to be calling an ambulance!" Jesus Christ! Pardon, my French, do you ever feel like the only sane person in the room?

I was still not dressed, so Granny and DH took Bubba off to the med center. Just got a call that the ambulance is taking him to the hospital for observation. I have to get dressed and go deal with my in-laws.

I am so ready for this holiday to be over with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Things are looking up

DH doing the haka at Waitangi

Me outside the chapel at the museum

Me in the women's jail

Bubba and Cupcake in the water at Ruakaka beach

Ready for a day of sightseeing

Things are looking up. Most of us are feeling better. DH is sick now. We are all getting along today. I have gotten some laundry done and all of the cameras uploaded. Yay.

This afternoon we are going out to pick-up a few more things for Ladies' Camp. We are getting excited about Friday coming! Even I am excited. I've had a few hours alone today, while the others are at church. This was a much needed rest and alone time--with the kids of course--it has been awesome!

I have gained back most of what I lost last week. Yuck! I feel fatter than ever, which is funny, because I am still down over 30 lbs from my heaviest. The weight I am now has been my "normal" weight for years. I just don't want it to be "normal" any more. Did get my thyroid tested on Thursday--still waiting on the results. Maybe, I will call today.

I don't know much more. Hopefully, I will have some time to debrief later.

Sick

I am so sick. I have a horrible cold, sinus infection, and my bladder infection is back. I feel like total doggie doo (as Bubba says). Mom's friend is sick. Mom is feeling a scratchy throat. I don't want to do anything accept go back to bed, but I can't because we have to go sight seeing. Yay!

Not sure how others cope with loads of extra women in the house, but it makes me crazy! I can't find anything. So far we have lost the lid to my formula carrier and the screw top to one of Bubba's bottles. I managed to make an international move and live here 18 mos without losing either thing--but now they are gone. Oh, two of Bubba's bottles are also missing.

We've had french toast again for breakfast. Mom made it. Very yummy, but not good for my diet. It's so funny how parents can carry on about wanting DH and I to lose weight. Then whenever our parents are around they are constantly offering up things like cakes, cookies, and french toast. Great way to gain weight not lose weight.

What I need is about 10 hours in my room--alone! Yikes.

"Other than that Mrs. Lincoln how did you enjoy the play?" Sorry. It is lovely to have Granny here. The kids love her so much. And even though they are full of beans at the moment--you know that, there is someone else in the house to show off for thing--they are so happy. The weather has been very nice and all-in-all a good visit.

More later, if I have time. Hope I don't get caught blogging.