Weekly Recap

This week I am watching an extra toddler.  Tuesday was the first day.  The boys went to the farm with Dad so the girls and I had the house to ourselves.  I admit to being a little nervous, but the day went great.  I was even able to get some laundry and house cleaning accomplished.  Bear had a playmate her age and the Twinks are on somewhat of a predictable schedule.  Crowning Glory was four little girls 2 and under napping at the same time. Thursday and Friday I will have my extra girly as well. Monday I might her big brother as well who is in the Big D's class.

Wednesday the family and I headed to Miles City for a long put off Doctor Appointment.  At this point the top 2 theories are:

1.  My body doesn't break down T4 to T3 properly (a thyroid thing).  All of my tests show everything is normal with all thyroid levels.  I have had my thyroid tested 14-16 times since junior high.  However it is possible I am not able to properly convert to be used. So I have many hypothyroid symptoms and effects.  To test this I am taking Liothyronine (T3 replacement) 3 times a day on an empty stomach.  If I feel like my heart is going to explode out of my chest and start having hyperthyroid symptoms, then this theory is incorrect.
2. The neurological symptoms could also indicate MS.

However with a strong family history of thyroid disorders and the fact that there is a large symptom overlap between MS and Hypothyroid, my doctor is leaning towards scenario 1.  I will have bloodwork done in 6 weeks and we will go from there.  Likely making medication adjustments over weeks and months. 

Day 1 of Liothyronine: The effects last about 2 hours.  I feel like I have drank several gallons of coffee, lots of energy though I would describe it as nervous energy.  I feel fidgety and restless, but my brain fog is lifted and I can gets lots accomplished. Maybe I am so used to feeling tired I don't know what it feels like to have normal energy levels?  It is hard to sit still.  I can feel the effects wear of and feel really tired and dream of taking a nap.  I have alarms set on my phone to remember to take the medicine at the same time.  I am changing my eating habits from 5 small meals to 3 regular meals and am trying not to snack in between and waiting at least an hour to eat after taking the medicine.

Thursday went well.  The two little toddlers play really well together.  The Big D was also home, which meant big brother wasn't as impressed with more little girls getting into his things. Today, both boys are home and 6 kids in my little house already at 9:30am have me feeling the effects of cabin fever.  If I can get the Twinks down for a nap at the same time, I plan on taking the bigger 4 out to play in the snow.  If not I will eagerly look forward to naptime for all 4 girls and send the boys outside to play in the snow by themselves. 

We live across the street from an empty lots next to the church.  The city crew plows the streets and pushes lots of snow mounds that are perfect for kids to slide and climb and play.  Plus I can look out a variety of windows and keep an eye on the kids.  We also have a block full of children so the neighborhood kids all come out and play.  Having kids reminds me of how much I used to love snow and winter.  They come in with rosy cheeks demanding hot chocolate and occasionally I can get cuddles out of them while we read books. 

Family Portrait

I talked the man of the house into getting family pictures taken. We did them the day before Thanksgiving in the wind and cold, cut them short and said "I am sure they are good enough". And they were.  I can't remember if this is the image that will be on our Christmas cards or not, but Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, God Bless and from my family to yours I hope you enjoy the holiday season!

It's 3am I Must Be Lonely

It is currently around 2:30am, I am up because I can't sleep.  The plague has struck our house and is working its way through.  It started with Bear, who appears to be starting Round 2 now.  Next me, which made for a miserable Sunday waiting for my husband to get back from his Guard Weekend. My oldest son and poster boy for the Man Flu now has it and likely the Big D is next.  All 5 of my children have been up at least once since bedtime.

If we are keeping score:
Bear: 2 times
J: 4 (that I know of)
the Twinks: 1, at the same time
the Big D: 1
Mom: 8
Dad: 1

It is currently quiet in the house. Besides the wind, according to our new fancy weather thing-a-jig the wind is gusting an average of 10mph with a gusts peaking at 19mph from the SSW. It is currently -20F outside. 83% humidity...does that mean snow? I haven't figured out the forecast feature, but I am assuming a picture of the sun and clouds means probably not. Barometric pressure is 30.04mHg. No idea what that means, It also tells me indoor humidity is 30% and that out house is 3 degrees colder than our thermostat says. Somehow this whole system can be connected to my phone, so I can always be well informed of the weather in my back yard. Oh and also inside the house too it would seem. Too bad it couldn't forecast pestilence.

Why the weather report? Because I have had to get out of bed 8 times and now I can't sleep.  History would indicate I wouldn't get any sleep anyway.

J: I hate being sick 

Me: nobody likes being sick 

J: some people might like it so they don't have to go to school 

Me: those would be people faking, no one enjoys really being sick 

J: I feel like I am going to die 

Husband: should I call Father Phillip to see if he could come give  you last rights?

Okay, now I am off to google how to get fluids down a child that cant keep anything down...and making myself a note to call the school and let them know that perfect attendance is out the window. It is also now 3am and I have Matchbox 20 stuck in my head, I have that going for me.