- Saturday was a chaotically busy day. Jade had had a bad night, Michael had come down with some nasty bug, and there was a house to get clean before the big evening at the Arts Centre. We basically spent the day tag-teaming on naps and cleaning. I realized I was pushing myself a bit too hard when I suddenly got dizzy and threw up in the kitchen sink. Thank goodness everything got done, though, except for poor Nanuq not getting a walk.
- The Big Band dance was fun! We didn’t have a huge turnout (it was a very busy weekend for events) but the people who were there had fun, the band played well, and I was happy with my performance overall. Plus I got to wear my fabulous new red dress, so how could I not feel great?! I only wish I could have had a bit of it recorded so that I could share it with my parents. And with you, of course!
- Brunch on Sunday with the band was terrific; one family sadly couldn’t come because of Jade’s chicken pox, but everyone else braved the virulent household to enjoy way more food than anyone would normally eat for breakfast. But isn’t that what brunch is all about? Afterward, Michael and I both collapsed on the couches and were grateful that Jade had an extra-long nap.
- Michael left today for Nahanni Butte, so I’m on my own for a week again. At least single-parenting seems easier when the weather is milder, daylight is longer, and Jade’s bedtime is slightly more flexible. It’s always the dog-walking that gets me stressed out. Now that I can take the bike out, it doesn’t have to take as long to give him a good workout.
- Speaking of biking, I took my bike out for the first time this season. I decided to do a loop around Copper Ridge, and my heart hasn’t pounded that much in a long time. I don’t think it’s just because Jade is heavier this year, either. Nope, I’m definitely out of shape after a winter of low activity. I’d chosen to follow Hamilton Boulevard and Falcon Drive because it wouldn’t be as steep as Two-Mile Hill, but even still, I had my ass kicked. And I feel it, too. Except for the saddle-sore part, though, it feels good.
- This is what Jade did after we got home from biking. She wanted to stay outside, so I made sure all the gates were closed so that I could go in and scare up some supper. She has PJs on under her coat; I left her in jammies all day so that she’d have a harder time scratching her spots, and this is what I get for that. That garden box was completely sodden. Jade was having a grand time, though. I think she was planting Cheerios.
- Jade’s chicken pox are progressing. She doesn’t have a really severe case, but has somewhere between 30 and 40 spots, which is supposed to be a good thing as far as future immunity goes. She hasn’t been too miserable, although last night was a doozie. She woke up itchy around 2 or 3 a.m. and even with a slathering of calamine, the only way to get her back to sleep was with a bottle of milk, which we never do anymore. It worked like a charm, though. Until she woke up with a soaking diaper at 5 a.m. and wanted to sleep in our bed, and then wanted to sleep in the big armchair in her room. She finally went back to sleep an hour later and stayed asleep until 9, which is two hours later than usual.
- I wished I could stay in bed, but we had an appointment with Heather the midwife at 8:30 in the morning. I am a big believer in midwifery, but strangely had put off contacting either Heather or Christina until this weekend. I don’t know why I’d been feeling reticent; maybe because of all the uncertainty at the beginning of this pregnancy. We had a great consultation with Heather, learning a bit more about her philosophy, scope of practice, training, and limitations. She also made a great suggestion about putting some ground-up oatmeal in a sock to use in the bath to help soothe Jade’s itchiness.
- Jade loved the oatmeal-filled sock! I hunted out a pair of ugly white athletic socks that I won’t be sad to toss if the oatmeal doesn’t come out in the wash. It sure gets slimy after a bit of soaking in the warm water, but I guess that’s what’s so soothing.
- Now I’m thinking I’d love to get my saddle-sore butt into the bath, too, but it’s rather late, so I think I’ll just head for bed after I sign off. Good night, all!
