Fend for yourselves

It's been a little stressful lately. Tobey had a fever all weekend, peaking at 104 on Saturday night but finally coming down Monday night. The doctor (not Dr. Moore) concluded something viral as she did see the start of an ear infection and some congestion but nothing big enough for antibiotics. Tobey got some post-viral rash/spots afterward and seems to be okay now.

I've been without social interaction for nearly a week now. Luckily, I've been sufficiently distracted by preparations to our trip to Niagara Falls. Most notably, we've been trying to figure out how to fit 6 adults and 4 children into a minivan and a Honda Accord while negotiating an airplane schedule and children's happiness on an 8-11 hour drive (for Dennis & Denise).

This morning specifically, I was doing logistical gymnastics in my brain to decide if I needed to run any errands today, my one truly free day before the trip (tomorrow I was planning on going to MTO park day). Do I need any more clothing for me or the kids? Do I need any other supplies that Denise won't be bringing for us? Do I need to return anything before receipts expire?

After deciding that what I really needed to do was just start packing, the boys were pretty much on their own. Tobey was being minimally destructive and Eli was just crawling about. I'm thankful that they were both rather self-entertaining as I had a fashion show to figure out just what 3-4 outfits I was going to recycle for a week, well not only for myself but for the kids. And as I passed through the kitchen, something would remind me to pack this or that for the kids or for the plane ride, taking into account we won't be able to buy groceries until the next day after we arrive. And some things I don't want to gamble on whether I'll find, like Nutramigen.

I started feeling guilty about neglecting my kids whenever Eli would have excessive yelping (oh yeah, he was supposed to have his bottle) or seeing Tobey moping around on the futon after lunch. After a trike around the block, Eli fell asleep in the stroller and now Tobey's napping too. The boys might have been less than optimally stimulated today. But sometimes, we just have to have days like today.