Ethan got his H1N1 shot and is now really ill. Yesterday he was flushed and miserable. However he ate well and was ok … then throughout the night he started coughing. This morning the poor little guy hasn’t got out of bed. He has woken once, had some water and eventually fell back to sleep. I have never seen him this way. He has a fever but not to the extreme. Poor kid. When he was awake he was in good spirits so that is something. Not sure if this is in reaction to the vaccination or if he was sick before hand.

Becca is feeling better, she still has a sore throat but she is definitely on the up swing. Let’s hope she continues. Cordelia is nursing nonstop but is generally in a good mood, content like always.

This is so way stressful. Having sick kids at the best of times is rough. I am so feeling cabin fever but cannot bring myself to leave the house.

Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

With only 8-9 kids showing up in her class of 24, it is not surprising Becca has now become sick.  She has had a sore throat since the beginning of the week, leaving her voice raspy. Her coughing is minimal, however yesterday she showed signs of getting more sick. Becca shows no signs of fever, but wow am I ever on edge.

Although she is running around the house, crazy with pent up energy this morning. We are keeping her home from school today. I am going to try to make sure she rests and takes it easy. She goes through peaks and valleys on how she feels.

Ethan is off with J to get his H1N1 vaccination at our doctor’s office. He is still the only one that qualifies for the vaccination. I am so not one to worry like this. It is insane to be concerned with death when dealing with the flu and colds.

Cordelia is stuffed up and nursing constantly. J and I were talking strategics if Becca were to worsen, how to help her through. It is a horrible feeling knowing that I could not be the one to comfort Becca if she gets really sick. I have to nourish and keep Cordelia safe and healthy. Having to choose between them sucks.

Just to top it all off, it has begun to snow.

I am foreseeing a whole lot of tv in our near future *shudders*

How do you comfort your kids when they are sick? How do you get them to stay still?

We are starting a new Christmas tradition this year. Each child will receive something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read.

I cannot claim ownership on this concept but when I heard about it I totally loved it.

It allows for a little of everything. The children will learn what to expect, so there will not be any disappointment. With three children there has to be some restraint to Christmas shopping.

In the past, I have sought to find the perfect gifts for everyone. I would strive to outdo myself each year. It is ridiculous to place that kind of pressure on myself. I would much rather spend my energy on decorating the Christmas tree, enjoying our family traditions, spending time with the kids and J. Focusing on being together, celebrating our Christmas. Despite my efforts somehow I would still disappoint at times. That was even more discouraging!

There will still be stockings and gifts from each other to look forward to. However I hope to shift the focus from what they receive to the joy of the season. Allowing for anticipation but also knowing what to expect should take some of the edge off (at least I hope so)!

I hope to get the shopping, sewing and creating for Christmas done early but it is already November and I have barely started!

How do you decide what to buy for Christmas? Do you have a financial limit? What do you think of our new tradition?

Have fun with more Wordless Wednesday.