February Staycation

We had two weeks of snow storms, amounting to lots of days off school for Anne, and lots of internet lessons for our students.  This was followed by the February break.  We had planned to go to Oregon for the week, because, believe it or not, we had not been since last March.  Almost a year?!!?  But we were delayed in leaving on Sunday due to the Chevy trouble.  Monday it went to the shop.

I planned two fun days for the kids before our hopeful (and delayed) Tuesday trip to Oregon.  Sunday we went to the Aquarium.  Monday we planned to visit our Afghan friends in Covington.

Monday morning my eldest woke up quite sick.  I was estimating stomach bug, but the possibility of appendicitis flashed through my mind, and Jared convinced me to call her doctor.  They had no appointments available that day, but they kindly got us an appointment at the urgent care down the hill.  My girl was so sick she wouldn't walk, so I had to carry all 40-something pounds of her around.

The doctor there was also concerned it might be appendicitis.  He listed our options, but said if it was his child, he would drive straight up to the ER at Seattle Children's Hospital near UW, and he would call in the transfer.

We dropped by the house and left Lazarus home, and picked up Laurel who had been sleeping and would be getting hungry.  I am her food source at this time...  Then drove up to the aforementioned hospital.  We spent several hours in the ER, during which time they were able to rule out the flu, but they could not confirm or deny appendicitis.  The best plan was to put her on an IV and some pain meds and stay the night, because appendicitis would become apparent by morning.

And by Tuesday morning, appendicitis was ruled out, and the girl was having fun watching TV in bed, and Mommy and Laurel were ready to go home.  So she got herself released and home we went.  The girl was ravenous, not having eaten since Sunday night.  I recommend that hospital.  The doctors and nurses all went out of their way to make it a positive experience for the kids.  VERY nice.

Wednesday morning the child woke up sick again, and spent the morning barfing.  And also Mr. Pottytraining spent the morning peeing on the floor and messing his underpants.  And Ms. Happy Baby decided it was going to be one of the days where she spits up repeatedly in her best fountain imitation.  It's amazing how many loads of wash we created in about two hours.  It was not my favorite couple of hours, but honestly I was thinking of how much worse it could be.  We could ALL have the bug and be lying on the floor, moaning.  The cat could be barfing, too.  The power could have gone out.  The washer could have leaked and flooded the house.  None of that happened.  Happy dance!

By Wednesday afternoon, the eldest was fine.  And finally Thursday evening we arrived for a long weekend in Oregon.  No one else has gotten the bug.  We have had a very nice visit.  And the adults have gotten some work done.  Self-employed musicians always have some things to do.  Also, Jared put in some top-of-the-wall bookshelves in our dining area during the travel delay so we can unload more of the garage.  I hope to get to that this coming week!