Making use of the National Health Service

A weekend documented using Camera+

Well, we have had quite some weekend.

Where do I start?
Where Luca had to be taken to casualty? Or where Beni had to be taken by paramedics to casualty?

Yep. More rides in ambulances. More visits to the hospital.
There seems to be a summer respiratory virus lurking around and, unfortunately, our boys have been taken down by it.

Since Wednesday Luca has been off school with croup. He perked up some on Friday and Saturday morning, but by Saturday afternoon his eyes were getting glassy again and he was being very lethargic.

Shortly after this photo his temperature soared to 41.5 degrees which eventuated in a midnight journey to the hospital. He was diagnosed with a chest infection and fortunately was able to come home within a couple of hours. God bless our dear friend Matty who, in response to a middle-of-the-night phonecall, provided a {very caring} taxi service to A&E for Austin and Luca.

Sunday we were all feeling very wasted after a rather eventful night so while all the boys slept...

... I used the opportunity to do some baking!

Although I only got part way through making the slice before I heard Beni coughing in his sleep, went to check on him, he had a raging temperature and laboured breathing, resulting in a ride to the hospital in an ambulance {14 hours after Luca had been there}.

Fun times people. Fun times.
Not really. Actually.

I was also feeling highly embarrassed that our place was such a mess when the paramedics arrived...
Beni was on our bed which was stripped bare because Saturday is washing day.
So he was lying on a stained, bare pillow, our chests of drawers were piled high with washing (at least it was folded and clean!) and a whole lot of things I'm sorting through, our pictures on the wall are crooked and one's fallen down... you know what, I bet they didn't even notice. I'm just anal like that.
Maybe they thought our house was clean compared to some they see?
Anyhoo... 

So Beni was given steroids to clear his airways and then was home again a few hours later. At least there was no overnight stays required this time, though Austin did pack extra undies just incase.

And now we have two very mellow, sick little boys.

And one littlest boy who is now very well and healthy who is always either sleeping...

...feeding, or smiling.

Pretty cute huh?

And I want y'all to know that we have a handful of FOREVER friends who constantly look out for our well-being. Not only do they come to the rescue in the middle of the night when a ride to the hospital is required, but we were also given a meal on Sunday night - pasta, juice and a fruit platter - just because.

My nerves are now shot and I'm hoping no more trips to A&E will be required in the near future.
I'm not keen for a repeat of this weekend.

Although the sunsets were rather lovely.

:::

In sickness and in health - it's still a good life.

After a wonderfully busy and sociable weekend we are all feeling a bit sick and tired.

I spent the majority of Valentines Day in bed.

I would just like to take this moment to say that my husband is so wonderful. He got the boys up, made them and me breakfast which he brought to me in bed with a coffee. He did the dishes, washing, baked some bread, made dinner while working from home(!) and I slept the day away {and all night as well}!!

I've got conjunctivitis in one eye and pregnancy pains in certain areas that are causing me grief.
We have a 3 year old child who is causing us grief.
Beni has teething troubles and a nappy rash which are causing him grief.

Austin got food poisoning from some left-over chicken so spent all last night vomitting - from both ends...
And I have a bad case of homesickness for my family in NZ.

But although we are struck down with sickness, exhaustion and homesickness, I am still feeling full and thankful. We have a roof over our heads, food in the cupboards {including a chicken in the fridge which obviously needs to be thrown out...}, happy and healthy children, a great marriage, and wonderful friends around us who care - really care. You know, the ones who will go the extra mile or 5 for you as would you for them.

And the absolute cherry on top is knowing, without a doubt, that we have a God who loves us and is caring and providing for us. In that fact alone I feel safe, secure, protected and looked after. I cannot fathom having it any other way.

 

Luca is at school and Austin and Beni are asleep on the couch so I might just take this opportunity to have another wee lie down. Why not huh?

And then I'll get on with the dishes, hoovering, washing, toilet cleaning, lunch, dinner and maybe even a little bit of sewing!

Stranded in the Promised Land

I know it's been a while since my last post and I do apologise, but I've been having too much fun doing, well, NOTHING!

Holidays are good like that. This one has kept me very busy with eating Easter chocolate, icecream and fish and chips, drinking coffee, wine and berocca (thanks to a virus picked up on the flight over), kayaking in the lake and going for runs in Native New Zealand Bush (well I had to run off the chocolate, icecream and fish and chips didn't I!).

Austin had to go back to the UK on April 10th for work so took Luca back with him while Beni and I stayed for a bit more time with my mum and dad. Thank you Maternity Leave!

And then 4 days before we were due to fly back to London a certain volcano in Iceland with a very cool name decided to explode...

Thus I am Stranded in the Promised Land.

Not a bad thing really, apart from the fact my husband and son are on the other side of the world and that Luca ended up in A&E and Austin got really sick (a bad case of man flu) all within the first 2 days of them being back. What's with that?

We were first told the next flight available was May 4th (2 weeks away!) but my wonderful brother-in-law who works at a Travel Agency managed to get us on a flight back this Saturday. Phew!

I haven't minded too much about having an extra week with my parents and having to wake up to this every morning:

Yep, I know.

It's been difficult being 'stranded' here.

Oh well, off for a paddle in the lake now...

Goodbye to a week of sickness

This week our household has been plagued with a stomach bug - vomiting and diorreahea (I can never spell that word).  But not on a massive, crippling scale, just enough to really annoy you and zap your energy levels.

And I've discovered that it is very difficult to look after two little children when all you want to do is lie on the couch and groan...

Yep. Poor me.

Today I ventured out of the house (first time since Tuesday...) and took the little peeps down to the baby wellness center for their weigh-ins. (That was so much easier to type than it was to actually get them out of the house)... Oh. My. Goodness. What a frustrating episode that was! Because Luca was feeling so much better today he was ready to kick the door down to get outside so was a wriggling little worm tying to get all his layers of clothes on and unfortunately for my children, because I wasn't feeling well, my tolerance levels were pretty low and I'm sorry to say I was not a totally 'in control' mother... Oh to be able to revert back to childish behaviour and scream and cry and stamp my feet, just for once!! *sigh*

But eventually we were ready to go and it was good to get some fresh air on the way to the clinic - Beni falling asleep as soon as the motion of the buggy started and Luca pointing out 'Porsche Car!' and 'Mini Car!' and 'Fast Car!' (any car that looks cool) along the way.  I must admit I'm a little concerned that he is already developing into a Petrol Head. LOVES his cars!

We had to wait for a bit before we were seen at the clinic so I breastfed Beni while Luca sat and ate crackers.  But he soon tired of that and decided to play infront of the automatic doors.

One step forward = doors open
One step back = doors close.

Hours of entertainment!

I was desperately wanting Luca to burn off some energy at the playground so his nap time after lunch would be longer (!) but as soon as we stepped outside again it started to rain... Ah well. DVDs it is then. I have no energy for anything else today I'm afraid!

We got through the afternoon ok and I was able to manage Luca's energy without passing out (such a drama queen I know!). It was so much easier when he was not well and all he wanted to do was sleep on the couch!

Although it's really horrible and sad when our children get sick, one thing I treasure during these times are the wonderful snuggles they give.  I love it when Luca sits on my lap when he's unwell and falls asleep with his head on my chest while I stroke his hair.  Very precious moments that I LOVE! It's so nice to be the one able to offer some comfort during his pain and discomfort.

That's one thing I know I'm really good at as a Mamma! ;-)