What I did on my (blog) vacation

February turned into an unexpected blog vacation during which I (in no particular order):

1. Knit another two skeins up of Karabella Soft Tweed on my Valentine poncho, the poncho which was intended for Valentine's Day 2005 and was still not finished for V-day 2006.

2. Wrote Xavier's birth story.

3. Went down to Philly to visit the in-laws and found out that Dave's mom's multiple sclerosis is worsening.

4. Met up with Ann of Portable Knitting for some knitting in Manhattan and a fun, but crowded, visit to the new MOMA.

5. Cleaned my house and did enormous amounts of laundry since Oscar the pug got very sick and a pukey/poopy dog makes for a really disgusting mess.

6. Hospitalized poor Oscar for dehydration and, when an ultrasound showed bowel irregularities and enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, agreed to exploratory surgery and biopsies.

7. Cried when the vet told me he may have terminal canine lymphoma and attempt to distract myself while waiting for biopsy results (due on 3/1).

8. Discovered that Xavier is ticklish, and swooned at the sweet sound of my baby laughing.

9. Kept up the fever log his pediatrician has us keeping, taking his temperature 4 times a day.

10. Got referred to a pediatric infectious disease specialist when X's ped couldn't figure out what is causing his fevers for the past 7 weeks.

11. Cried with relief when the ID ped told me that he doesn't think anything is seriously wrong with Xavier's health and that we should keep up the fever log for two more weeks and if it doesn't consistently go above 101 then we can chalk this all up to him running warm and perhaps fighting off minor cold viruses.

12. Booked flights for X and I to join DH on a business trip to Lake Louise,  Calgary for the first weekend in March.

13. Booked flights for all three of us to go to CA for Xavier's Baptism into the Catholic Church on March 18th.

14. Realized that I should probably get X a frequent flier card if we keep this travel schedule up.

15. Began planning Xavier's post-Baptism party to be held in my grandpa's illegal casino, because you just have to mix up some ungodly gambling with all the godly sacraments.

16. Thought of my grandma and how much she would have loved to be at her first great-grandson's Baptism and that the first thing she would have done is make us a cookie tray for the party afterward.

17. Called my aunt and asked if she would help make a cookie tray with grandma's recipes for X's Baptism.

18. Finally found, ordered, and arranged for the installation of stair runners so that I don't fall down the stairs again.

19. Joined a fledgling local CSA and crossed my fingers that it's better than the crappy CSA we participated in last summer where all they did was overdose members on swiss chard.

20. Went to a LLL meeting and made a new friend who has a son born on Xavier's due date.

21. Made snarky comments during all of the stupid ice dancing Olympic events in Torino.

22. Started counting down the days (only 14 days left!) to when The Sopranos returns  to HBO.

23. Stared for hours at Xavier, who learned how to suck his thumbs this month and is just the sweetest, most amazing baby ever.

Comments

[HVAC contractors]

Sometimes a computer vacation is a good thing. It helps you complete projects.

[lulu]

Happy Mommy's Day to you...Hope youre having a beautiful day...

[Sibylle]

What a wonderful birth story. While pregnant with my second child and only 16 days to go, it makes me nearly cry. And your son looks wonderful :)

[Chantal]

Hey Jen
Great news on Oscar! Can you look into treating him herbally too? I got tagged for the Meme to and I have no idea how to do it.. brain fry.. argh..

[ann]

love that pic of X with his cow painting!

ps. what is the word on Oscar?

pps. after you find out Oscar is okay, how about you lay off the excitement for a bit?

[Uli]

Love your birth story. It's so hard when they end up in the NICU. Our little guy ended up early, too and ended up in the Special Care Nursery (same as the NICU). He was supposed to be in for a couple of days and his stay ended up being 3 weeks.

You've sure been getting lots done....

[ashley]

Hey! WOW! You've had a busy month. I hope that Oscar is doing better soon. And I can't believe X is so big! Henry is still barely 9 1/2 pounds!
Hope to see you soon. Sending you some cyber hugs -- {{{Jen}}}
Ashley

[Cara]

24. Was present when Cara decided to buy the EVIL (but now HEAVENLY) sideboard from Ikea, but was strangley absent when all the mistakes were made. ;-)

That boy is just the cutest thing! Tell him his Aunt Cara misses him and he needs to come laugh with me REAL SOON! L, C

[Rebekah]

Oh I'm sorry you've had such an emotional time lately, I'll keep hoping for the best for your son. Take care. It was nice to hear from you again.

[lulu]

wow, what a month for you..
i will keep Oscar in my prayers..
i smiled when i read that X is ticklish, so cute...
have a good week..

[Anne]

Sounds like a month of heartache and bliss. I'll keep Oscar in my thoughts... That's a lot for a little guy.

[Carole]

You've been a busy mama, haven't you? Thanks for updating us.

[Vicki]

If reading your accomplishments for February weren't enough, I just read X's birth story, too. Man, that even makes ME tired. He's so absolutely adorable, Jen!

[Lauren]

X is such a cutie. The birthing story was fascinating (and a little, okay a lot, scary).