Valentine's Week

We celebrated Valentine's day all week this past week, including parties, cards, candy and even a trip to the doctor's office with yet another positive flu test in our family. It all started off Monday when Ellie began complaining of not feeling well and by Monday afternoon had a 102.2 fever.  I thought she had caught Worth's man cold that he had been whining about all weekend. I kept her home Tuesday. Wednesday was her school Valentine's party and she was NOT about to miss it! She woke up Wednesday morning, not really running a fever (99.0) so I let her go to school thinking the cold was on its way out. She was definitely not herself at school Wednesday, but seemed to enjoy the party. When we got back home, she was once again running a 102 fever. School was out for winter break for the rest of the week, so I didn't have to worry about keeping her out again. So, I loaded her up with Tylenol and fluids and let her watch more cartoons that she probably should have.

On Valentine's Day (Thursday) Ellie's fever was still up and she began to complain of severe stomach pain (like rolling all around on the floor and eating/drinking NOTHING). So, I took her in to the pediatricians office and flu was confirmed. I immediately realized that Worth's "man cold" that I had been rolling my eyes at for the last 3-4 days had also been the flu! (This would also explain why Emma and I never developed any symptoms - we both shared this flu at the beginning of December.) Since I'm a terrible mother and waited until Ellie had symptoms for 4 days to go to the peditricians office, she couldn't get the tamiflu. They gave her cough medicine and prednisone (because at this point the cough and chest congestion were horrid.)

For future reference to moms out there - when your child starts taking prednisone they become the devil spawned. Ellie has not been fun to live with this week and weekend. It doesn't help matters that we have her confined to our home away from other kids. She's asked 200 times if she can go to Bo's house or Anna Beth's house or to church. My heart aches for her, but her chest congestion is improving:/ She gets to go back to school Tuesday, and I will be rejoicing that day. Having a sick husband, a sick child, and deciding that this would be a good weekend to take "bappy" (pacifier) away from Emma (I bring this all on myself, I know!) I feel like I've hitched a ride on the crazy bus and can't seem to find my stop! I do have to admit that I'm very thankful that my morning sickness has completely subsided, and I didn't have that to deal with as well. Hopefully, next week will bring healthy family members and peace and calm over the Bowers household! Below are a few Valentine's week pictures.

Ellie's class lined up for singing they sang "Jesus Loves Me" and signed it as well

Notice the bright red cheeks, yes fever was beginning to kick it up a notch despite the smile on her face

Singing their hearts out

Ellie is always right in the middle of these boys - should this worry me?

Does this look like a little girl with the flu? This is why I can never tell when she's sick!

Little sister had to join in on the fun - really just the food was Emma's interest

My 2 sweethearts with their fake smiles. Ellie in her shirt made by my good friend Katie Wigton (their blog in column to the right)

Just a few of Ellie's boyfriends

This was actually pretty funny - Worth and I realized that we have been together way too long when we gave each other the same Valentine's day card, even with the almost same comment on the inside:)

The girls' Valentine's card spread

Sweet card Ellie made for Daddy

Freddie even got 1 extra food serving for Valentine's Day. Clearly his diet isn't working anyway.