An Unexpected Visitor...

So the week started off a little sour. After our wonderful camping trip we came home and realized that Maggie was not feeling 100%. We kind of knew on Sunday but we just chalked it up to the heat and needing to come home. Well Monday she still was not herself so I called the Doctor thinking it was strep again and to my surprise it turned out to be hand, foot and mouth disease. booooooo. It is a super contagious virus and there is nothing we can do about it:( I felt terrible because she was in pain and there is no treatment except Motrin to help manage the pain and fever. Anyway, those who know me well, know that I am on the go. I rarely stay home and just hang out. I have know idea why this is, but I am always at the gym or grocery store or over at a friend's house or at the park. I was a bit bummed out that I was going to be stuck inside all week (which is how long it usually takes before it is not contagious). While I am bummed that I missed Larisa's house and the park and the gym, we are in it day 3 and I have to share some enlightenment's thus far.

1) Matthew has an amazing imagination. He has always been really good at playing by himself and being super independent. Apparently, I was the same way growing up. I can remember the Barbie houses and scenarios I would play out for hours! I am lucky and he is the same way. Yesterday, he had this whole train scenario laid out on the dining room table and he was explaining the whole thing to me. It was quite intense:) He must have played for 2 hours while Maggie napped.

2) It was good to slow down and do some tasks I have been meaning to do but just put off. Sometimes, I think that I am afraid to stay home too much because I will get bored or the kids will fight but I know deep down that they don't need to be rushing around everywhere. I think I have gotten less annoyed and frustrated at them in the last 3 days.

3) I think Maggie is done with the bottle. Yes, it is (was?!) my dirty little secret. I was still giving her a bottle at night and sometimes at nap time and she has decided that she is done. (PRETTY PLEASE!!!???) I was not looking forward to that battle.

4) I like being a stay at home mom. I have people ask me ALL the time how I do it and do I like it. I have been thinking about it a lot lately (I have had some time on my hands;)) and the answer is YES! I am not saying that it is always pretty or I don't have difficult days because I have them all the time, but I genuinely like being home with the kids. I don't know if it is because I didn't really like teaching as much as I thought, or I like having my own schedule and getting things done in the day. I am not going to lie, I have a TON of support, but honestly I could not see myself going back to teaching any day soon.

Anyway, I try to look on the bright side of these things and I think that I have had time to appreciate all I have, and how lucky I am. Seriously, the most difficult thing has been explaining to Matthew why he can't ride bikes with Olivia and Nolan:( Also, Maggie is doing very well. I was expecting the worst and her rash is almost gone, her fever has been gone for 2 days, and her throat seems fine because she is eating! Let's just hope Matthew is in the clear...