Crazy Week!

This week I've seen it all!

~A great visit last weekend from James' parents (pics to be uploaded),
~5 dreary days of rain and coooold temperatures (not trying to rub it in Texas!),
~TWO new teeth in baby G's mouth,
~Emergency trip to the pediatrician with GK having a high temp of 102.7, followed by 3 days and nights of a sick baby (a virus we had to just wait out--- most likely caught in the church nursery)
~"Cousin Patty", or whatever you call it, making her 2nd visit in 18 months (TMI?)
~James working nights this weekend
~10th anniversary of September 11th

My emotions have been off their rocker!  Georgia hasn't had a fever since yesterday morning, so no more medicine and she seems to be in great spirits!  It's heartbreaking to see your child 'suffering'!  Despite her fever and obviously not feeling well, she's been very sweet and only wanted to cuddle in my arms and sleep on my chest-- day and night.  It was EXHAUSTING and I felt like I had a newborn all over again waking every 2 hours at night and just letting her sleep in my arms on the couch or in the guest bed, but it was a really precious time, also.  It reminded me anew what a blessing she is and how I just can't imagine my life without her sweet presence.

She's typically so active these days crawling, climbing, and exploring that she doesn't often want to just rest in my lap, so I savored the cuddles!  As I mentioned above, we had a little 'mommy freakout' moment.  Wed. she woke up from her afternoon nap much warmer than the previous two days (when I thought her low-grade fever could be attributed to the teething).  I fed her a bottle and when I went to set her in the playpen while I did a couple things in the kitchen, she just sat there with clenched fists shivering!  It was awful!  I immediately picked her up and went to change her diaper and take her temperature.  When I took off her pants, her little feet and clenched fists were both purple and freezing while her head was burning hot.  She had a lot of drainage and seemed to be having trouble breathing-- all the while still shaking.  I became really alarmed and tried to remain calm, but I instantly buckled her in her car seat and ran to gather my phone/purse.  I couldn't find my phone (it had slipped into a torn pocket of fabric on our couch), so I just grabbed my purse and keys and headed to the Pedi's office.  I, also, tried to email James, but the internet was temporarily down-- you can only imagine my frustration!!!!

I sang songs to her in the car (when I was emotionally able to) and kept telling her "Mommy loves Georgia".  I didn't feel it was a dire situation or else I would have gone to the emergency room, but I thought maybe she could have pneumonia or a bad ear infection or something.  Anyway, I briskly walked into the Dr.'s office, thankful that I was the only one in the waiting room seeing as how I ran out of the house in my workout clothes of spandex capris, no makeup, tshirt, and bun on top of my head.  As I explained to the receptionist that I didn't have an appt and she asked me what was wrong-- I got so choked up all I could manage to eek out was she has a fever and trouble breathing.  Ugh!  I felt concerned for GK, but also like some silly, overreacting mother at the same time.  Bottom line is this, though:  I'd ALWAYS rather be safe than sorry!!!!!

I felt much better about going to the Dr, though, when they took her temp and it was 102.7 (it had only been 100.5 that morning).  After being checked out, it seems she just had a virus, probably acquired in the nursery on Sunday and we would just have to wait it out, giving her some Motrin or Tylenol for the fever.

As I said, she's great now and is resting peacefully. 

How sad is this little face??  Taken 2 nights ago when she was not feeling well. :(

As far as September 11th tomorrow, it was definitely a day I will never forget.  I stayed up all night watching coverage as the nation tried to make sense of it all and rescue workers worked feverishly to find survivors in the rubble.  One of the things that sticks with me most on that night was hearing this weird, eery noise during the live coverage of that dark, hazy scene of twisted metal.  The commentator then explained to the viewers that the noise was the sound of the alarms placed in firefighters' uniforms-- set to go off when the firefighter remains still for more than 2 minutes.  It broke my heart.

But, what we must remember is what Pastor Gregg Matte said in his email this week:

While so much changed in the wake of that day, at least one thing remained the same: God is sovereign and unwavering.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
               but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
          They are brought to their knees and fall,
               but we rise up and stand firm.  Psalm 20:7-8

Amen.