Scared Out Of My Mind

So the past couple of days, I've been really paying attention to all the news channels, listening to all of the coverage concerning the Swine Flu outbreak. I have to say, besides watching my Dad battle cancer, and 9/11, this is one of the most terrifying events to me. I would not label me as a strict germaphobe, but I know I am more "aware" than others. I always have the hand sanitizer in the purse, and David knows the routine...even Nicholas has caught on. I always open doors with my sleeve, and if David so much has a runny nose, I keep him home from school because I know he's contagious and don't want to get others in his class ill. And if he has a fever, I wait a full 24 hours after no signs before I take him anywhere. I know that some people can't do that because of their jobs, etc. I always give the boys a bath after playing at a crowded playground, I make David wash his hands each day he comes home from school. Sometimes I feel like I overreact, but I couldn't have it any other way. I don't hold my boys back from doing things, they play in sports, they play at the parks, they go to the movies, they have playdates...I certainly don't hold them hostage in the house. Although, there is one place I refuse to let them play, and that is the indoor play areas at the McDonald's or Chick-Fil-A, you know all the fast food places....I completely avoid those places. They're frankly quite disgusting, they smell, and it seems no one ever watches their own kids in those things.

This morning, the first US death was confirmed by Swine Flu, a 23 month old from Texas. I know 30-some thousand people die every year from the flu, but some people have no natural immunity to this strain. To put it plainly, I'm scared shitless. Some cases were confirmed in Delaware, a state that is only 1 hour away from here. I'm scared of David going to school, and now Obama is talking about some schools shutting down. At this point in time, I am being a lot more cautious about where I take the boys. I'm doing it because I feel like it's the only action I can take right now to protect them. I will let them play on the swingset out back, but I'm thinking twice about going to that playground down the road. I just hope and pray that this gets under control and doesn't become an even bigger killer than it already is. I fear for my boys' health and safety, for all of my family's safety.

Goodbye Spring, Hello Summer!

Summer in April 09

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It's a heatwave! Spring is a thing of the past, at least for the moment.... or until Tuesday. We'll take what we can get! This album has pics of David romping with his new sprinkler I picked up at Walgreens. It's the coolest sprinkler I've ever come upon. You put a rocket on top of the sprinkler and the rocket shoots up, and the water sprays out from the holes in the rocket. It comes with a "launch pad" and you control how fast and high the rocket goes.

Puppeteers

David and Nicholas got a package today from Uncle Jason and Aunt Becky filled with puppets and hats. They dove right into it and ate dinner as a monkey and a puppy, with sound effects, of course

The Heart of Phillies Baseball

I'm so saddened by the news of Harry Kalas passing away, along with every other Phillies fan...listening to the games will never be the same! Harry Kalas is like listening to a piece of home. Listening to him was like a comfort food, always putting me at ease. I've been listening to him since I can remember. I have numerous memories of sitting with Dad and listening to him on the TV or sitting outside listening to him on the radio. He was a constant in my home growing up. What an amazing experience for him to witness last year's World Series front and center! I'm so grateful he got that "last call" in the World Series. Really gonna miss him! Phillies will win this one today for him!

Easter Greetings

Easter 2009 1

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Happy Easter to all! We had a very busy day full of egg hunting, basket hunting, playing, eating, you name it! David left some carrots out in a dish for the Easter Bunny and they were all eaten up, except a few chewed up pieces....David's favorite gift from the Easter Bunny was his new stuffed animal, Bolt. For those of you who've been around David, you know he likes to constantly act like a dog, so he's been Bolt all day. Nicholas liked his gifts, too. He wasn't too into the egg hunt, but I expected that. David is feeling better, still has a cough, but it's a productive cough. Mom once again, made an exceptional feast. My sweet potato souffle was a hit and so was my carrot cake....even Dave ate it (Gasp!) After dinner, mom, Kathleen and I headed to the hospital to see Uncle Joe. He's hanging in there. He's having a biopsy done either tomorrow or Tues., he wasn't sure, so say a prayer for him.

Hope everone enjoyed their Easter!

Who doesn't love a middle-of-the-night-run to the ER??

Yes, well David awoke at 1:30 last night barking like a seal...croup. He was really having labored breathing though. We had him in the bathroom with steam, and that wasn't helping. He was shaking terribly, so I called 911. He was taken to Doylestown Hospital, and they gave him a nebulizer treatment, which calmed things down, then they gave him a steroid, which they said would have a long-term effect. His temp was 103.4, so they immediately sent him for chest xray to rule out pneumonia, because croup doesn't usually have a high-spiking fever like that. But, everything came back okay, just showed narrow passage ways, which is croup. He did so good with everything, he never cried once, he did everything that was asked of him, I was amazed. He started acting like himself again once the fever came back down, even gave us a superbark like Bolt! Then they wheeled over a cart with a TV on it with every Disney movie you could possibly imagine. Well, he was in his glory...he even asked if he could sleep there. So after a few hours of observation, he was okay to go home, just have to make a followup with his Ped. on Monday. Most of all, I was just glad that he was okay and extremely pleased with the nursing staff, the Dr., the admins-everyone was so nice and accomodating. Very on time there as well, no sitting and waiting for hours and hours for an xray to come back. So do you think after going to bed at 4:30 in the morning that he would sleep in? No, not my David, he wakes up like clockwork...7:20 on the nose. That's okay though, I can handle that!

Binky Babe

Every time he puts the sunglasses on, I say, "Oh, yeah, are you cool?" And he lifts them up and says "Yaa!"

Meet Peter

Here's our baby bunny that's been hanging around the bird feeder for the past two weeks. David always keeps his eye out for him and tells us all to be quiet when he's out. We've named him Peter...Cottontail, of course. Too cute!

Easter Show

He makes a great Easter Bunny! All the kids did so well, and I see a huge difference in David's performances this year from last ...he's maturing!

Game 1-Cubs vs. Mets

Warwick Bulldogs Season Opener 409

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The 2009 Warwick Bulldogs season is officially underway, and it started off with a bang! The entire league gathered beforehand for opening ceremonies, where each team was introduced, followed by The National Anthem, and then the first pitch was thrown on the mound. The weather was sunny and a bit breezy, (50 mph wind gusts!!) but the temp stayed near 60 so it wasn't too bad. David had a blast, all the kids did. It was great to see them all having fun and getting along. David hit off the tee twice and hit a pitch at his last at bat. He really started getting into it in the last 2 innings. David's coach, Coach Mike, has a son named Dominick on the team (he's a great player btw). He also had his younger son there at the game watching...But seeing them interact reminded me of my childhood and took me back to the days when my Dad was coaching every team Jason was on, and me being the one there, watching, or picking clover, or playing on the nearby junglegym, and it put a smile on my face...Good memories, and new ones to come!

A Spring Stroll (On Some Powerwheels)

Spring stroll

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They love their Powerwheels! A beautiful day today, 66 degrees and invigorating! I like when the boys play outside, because then they eat really good! Also spent some time on the swingset, and thought I'd throw in a pic of David's fort that he made this morning...so did anyone else do that as a kid and remember how fun it was? My brother was the master of making forts on Saturday mornings while we watched cartoons...

Easter's On It's Way

In the spirit of Easter, I thought I'd make some egg wreaths. They were fun to make, and of course, therapeutic. I'm not a fan of all the "pastelly" colors of Easter, so I decided to make my own to get that primitive look.


















David also dyed some eggs in school today. He doesn't like the way they smell, but I think Snoop does!