Three days in the Mater Children's Private Hospital with little E with asthma - his first diagnosis of it and treatment. To be honest, he has had similar symptoms in the past but we have just put it down to a chest infection. He doesn't seem to get it from exertion or pollen, just when he gets a runny nose.
Anyway - it was a challenging weekend as a result! Mainly around logistics with T and W, and who (D or I) was on hospital duty or home duty. D's mum and dad helped out, as did our au pair. D did two nights in the hospital and I volunteered (foolishly) to do one night (the one he needed hourly ventolin so I was up every hour for half an hour) and really had a nervous breakdown the next morning - sleep deprivation and hyperactive E (from steroid and ventolin medication) attached at foot (SAT and pulse monitor) and nose (oxygen prongs) just got to me! Cried for 45 minutes, then came home and slept and tried to get the house back into order.
Complimentary Earl Grey tea was so lovely in the morning at the MCPH, plus a view of the river, city and Story Bridge.
Home yesterday which was such a relief and a good night's sleep last night, and I felt so much better this morning. For about 15 minutes I was so grateful and excited to have all my family back together (we had a lovely dinner at the table all six of us last night).
W and E were so cute seeing each other yesterday when we got home from hospital - big hugs and kisses. Fifteen minutes later they were fighting ... but nice while it lasted.
T at breakfast bar - took him 30 minutes to eat a bowl of cereal and a Sustagen drink. Grrr.
Anyway my euphoria of having a happy together family, was short lived. D was at work early, au pair was at other work this morning - so just me and three children. E and W just couldn't keep out of each other's way and were screaming and fighting all morning. T wouldn't eat his breakfast. I got so frustrated I accidentally smashed a plate in the sink. That was a wake up call for me to get it together.
T got off to school (piano tonight instead of this morning), but no music for E and W as another child has school sores (horrendously contagious) so we have had a home morning. Both E and W have a cough and runny nose (the virus that was the culprit for the asthma attack) so a home day it will be.
D was very good at ensuring T did some piano while I was away, and when I got home yesterday - T played for an hour so beautifully. He put both hands together of Hungarian Folk Song - which rhythmically is so tough, very easily. Also he has learnt the left hand of Melody in about 2 days. I used the old hamburger bun method to section out the repeated elements (bun, tomato, beetroot, lettuce, bun, tomato, cheese, bun). Works a treat. Big graduation concert this weekend at Somerville House - he has to wear black and white - black jeans and white polo shirt I think are the order of the day.
Six weeks until d-day for new baby, according to scan dates. Seems like ages away but I know it will rush up on me! Got to get the bedrooms sorted out, the chest of drawers filled with clean, freshened baby clothes and the cot and feeding chair into our bedroom. I have a new feeding pillow so I think I have everything I need. Maybe a few newborn nappies?!
So last weekend was a write off for any house work or garden work. With the winds of the last week - our garden is covered in leaves and looks like a tip (really - toys everywhere, artwork paper from the top deck caught in the hedge, pool toys still in pool blocking the filter ....). Car still not cleaned - covered in dirt. So - this weekend it is all back on the to do list for D!
So whilst the sojourn in hospital puts a halt to life, life still goes on ... "time waits for no man" ....
Labels: Groundhog days, Hospital, pregnancy, Suzuki piano, Tea
