These Small Hours

I have learned a lot of new and exciting things in the last week and a half. I don't make a very good blind person, the only way to avoid waiting rooms at the ER is to bleed (broken bones/dislocated joints need not apply), and my mother in law is a completely giving and patient person. Well, to be honest, I already knew that last one, but it was definitely reinforced.

Last week I found out I have a corneal ulcer in my right eye. I think I would prefer to have any other illness, injury, whatever that I have experienced so far than another ulcer. You would think that a person with a -10.00,-8.50 contact lens prescription would be used to not seeing clearly, but I kept my lens in my eyes so much that it was only when they'd basically fall out from old age that I'd remember that I actually can't really see too well. Therein lies the crux of the injury: keeping contacts in too long, not taking care of my eyes. If you were like me and would laugh it off when the opthamologist mentioned taking out your contacts at night, letting your eyes breathe... you should change your ways now.
So while I was basically incapacitated from the pain, light sensitivity, and blindness, my family took awesome care of the girls and me. I am so lucky that I have parents who would willingly take their personal days from work to watch the girls when I need them to, and a mother in law who would drive seven hours, sleep on the couch, put up with me and my hourly eye drops, and watch the girls while I couldn't. Society purports mother-in-laws to be harassing, derogatory, jealous, and condescending. I am eternally grateful that Carole is the antithesis to said definition.

Matt is currently looking for a new job. The hours, long drives, drama, and general job unhappiness has finally caught up with him. The breaking point seemed to be when he worked 70 hours two weeks ago, then was censured for wanting to take off Tuesday as well as Monday to take care of me. I could probably count on two fingers how many times Matt has taken off since he got the job over a year ago. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he searches for something more suited for him.

Aly is so funny these days. She's such a girly girl. I'm not quite sure where that comes from. She's gone from requesting daily 'princess' dresses to claiming everything she puts on is 'princess' wear... princess shirt, princess shoes, etc. She also has some plastic jewelry that she likes to refer to as her 'jewelries.' I can help but giggle when 'Where're my jewelries' comes out of Aly's mouth. Her perception of the world around her as well as her communicability has greatly improved over the last few weeks. She asked me one day if Matt was at work on the truck selling chips, something that completely surprised to me since I've never told her exactly what Matt does.

Lorelei is sick, again. Another ear infection. I'm not sure of the exact number she's had, but I know it's more than 5. I tend to get more worried with her being sick, kind of a throwback to when she was at such a high risk to get chicken pox at days old. She's getting better now, thankfully, and still trying her hardest to walk. Today she followed me around holding on to the back of my pants.

I filled up her closet with 12-18mo clothes today. Sigh.

8/11

Self-Inscribed Princess!

The British are coming, the British are coming!

Doggy kisses.

If a picture had been taken right after this one, you could have seen Lorelei hitting Aly on the backswing, and Aly laughing like it's the most fun she's ever had.

Is this what you wanted me to climb, Daddy?

Gone baby gone.

Aly desperately wanted to help swing Lorelei. This is one of the times she did so successfully, without being hit on its way back. Lorelei just looks incredibly pensive, probably unsure of her safety.

Are you sure you'd want her watching over your back?

Swinger.

8/15

Lorelei's temperature had gotten back up to over 103, so I was trying to cool her down with damp cloths while Mimi fed her. Yep, my soon to be 1 year old is too lazy to hold the bottle herself.

8/16

New skegging outfit, on her way to go to "Aly's" park.