Spring came in like a snowman

Tomorrow our spring break comes to an end. Sad to say we did nothing truly exciting because we're still dealing with sick kids. So most of our time was spent indoors or close to home. And to top it off, today is the first day of spring and we have a couple inches of snow on the ground - after having sunny skies and temperatures in the low 70s yesterday! Wild.

The snow didn't stop the kids. We have enjoyed a "pj" day today with a game of tackle (started by Anna), we built a blanket fort, and Ian and Daddy got out for some playtime in the snow while Anna helped me vacuum.

This winter has been an especially tough one for sickness in our house. It seems just as one of us gets over an illness, someone else comes down with something. The stomach bug went through our house in late February and then allergies set in for both kids. It took weeks for Ian to get over a virus that really took it out of him. He had an off/on fever for about four days and a really rough, dry cough. The doctor ruled out flu and advised us to just let it run its course. He enjoyed lots of bath tub playtime and more television than even he cares to watch, simply to try and keep him still enough to break the fever. He missed school the entire week before spring break (which was this past week). Poor little guy misses his friends and his school. I'm so happy he loves it so much!

Anna came down with a really tough allergy attack a few days ago and is now, thankfully, on the mend. She had such a rough cough that she would lose any food or milk she had in her tummy. We had a series of long nights without much sleep but nothing compared to night before last when Mark and I both were up trying to soothe her from 11:30pm until after 4am. I even attempted to drive her around the neighborhood at nearly 2am to see if that would soothe her to sleep...no luck. Exhausted from coughing, she finally fell asleep in my lap as we sat on the couch in the living room. We stayed there until morning because I didn't want to move and wake her up.

Both kids deal with allergies but Anna seems especially sensitive to tree pollen and mold. We attempted to go to the park on Friday and the entire left side of her face turned red and began to swell. Her rough cough and runny nose have both started to subside, thankfully. She still tries to keep up with Ian and play and laugh but sometimes you can just see the exhaustion on her face.

It is so tough to see your child so ill and so helpless but some good things did come of all the sickness this winter - further bonding and trust. Ian now loves to snuggle in the big bed with Mark and me while we read books or talk. And Anna attempts to give hugs and will just rest her head on our shoulder to show her love. Both kids have expressed a sort of appreciation for all Daddy and Mommy do for them...sick or not. And that is so sweet to see! Those moments fill our hearts with joy, pride and unconditional love.