Back to "Normal" :)

Well, it's back to the grind today...and back to "normal"...whatever that is :)

Seems like last week, and all that it entailed, was just one bad little dream at this point in our lives....but the remnants still remain and although Shelby is back to her old feisty (dare I say, ornery) self....she is definitely still worn out. Whereas pre-pneumonia she was doing well w/o naps, these days she can't live w/o them. She is one big snore-fest lately....and snores, for her, mean she is truly exhausted. But, I am just thankful to have my old girl back. She gave us quite a scare last week.

And with the dawn of a new week comes the nipping of the bud of the "pampering of Shelba". We were at her beck and call last week...making burger runs, going to Walmart to buy "long pickles" and a new Scooby-Doo movies, letting her stay in her pj's all day and watching movies from dusk til dawn....and even eating meals in front of the tv on her tv tray....it was Steg hospital at our house. But those days are gone and mama is gonna be making the brutal change back to reality this week as I simply can't be waiting hand and foot on 1 child when I have 3 others at home to care for. Poor Shelb...it's gonna be a rough transition. And today she and Dylan have been at each other's throats.....pushing each other, teasing each other, stealing the others toys. It's been all I could do to keep my sanity. But, in the midst of the turmoil I smile....smile knowing my babies are all feisty and well....and not sick and lethargic. I wouldn't trade their healthy, crazy, busy bodies for anything.....

And so it is....back to reality....and back to the doc's today...this time for our healthy Ash Baby and her 6 month check...and guess how big our baby is??? Almost 20 lbs (19lbs, 10oz) and 27 1/2 inches. Eek. She's almost out of her baby bucket (car seat). Amazing to me that a baby can grow so huge on only a mama's milk...that always has amazed me even after 4 babies. It's a small miracle in itself to know that you played such a role in your baby's growth. But, sure enough Ash is still a sumo babe and she shows no hope of slowing down in the eating dept. She had her first real meal of baby food last night (good ol' Gerber rice) and she scarfed it down like it was candy...she even went as far as to nurse off the spoon and then grabbed the whole bowl and tried to do the same. We have a feeling Ash will be the big eater in our fam., since big bro Dylan obviously passed up his chance :) Anyway...so Ash made it thru her 6 month check up...and is mighty grumpy now after 3 more shots to the thighs today. Poor thing. But, I had a good talk with her about how lucky she was it was 3 quick pokes rather than 3 IV sticks like her big sis had to endure last week :( Ash wasn't sympathetic though, go figure :)

So, that was the start to our day. Shelby was back in preschool where I'm sure she has stories to tell of her spring break in the hospital (who needs Disney when you can have Pneumonia, right?! :)).....and we've just had a busy, running around kind of day. Not probably wise considering Shelb is still recovering, but I've made sure to push the fluids (and thankfully she is loving her oral antibiotic...phew! No gagging and spitting and vomiting like last week!) And today is her first time outside to play in a week. We've been really keeping her activity level at an all-time low which is hard for our normally active girl. We also celebrated Hailey's b-day at school today where Shelb had her first taste of treats in about a week....but I was glad Shelba could finally enjoy some Hailey b-day fun since she missed it all last week :)

So, life back in the Steg household has resumed to the everyday "normal". Kev and I spent the majority of the weekend cleaning and disinfecting the house. I made a point to clean out Shelb's room entirely, which made me feel better about "less germs" and also made Shelby feel special for having the cleanest room in the house! Hailey and Dylan showed up on our doorstep yesterday after a very fun weekend with N&P Stegs at Turkey Run state park (hotel, hiking, pool, etc). We tried not to focus too much on their fun weekend since Shelby has been majorly bummed about missing all that pool fun. But, I did hear the kiddos had a great time hiking and Dylan was a "fish" in the pool. Shelby was just happy yesterday to sit and veg and watch Scooby all day long. She actually said a few times how she missed the hospital....but was quick to add that she didn't miss "what they did to her"...just that she liked watching tv all day and staying in her pj's and "getting gifts" :) :) Hey, at least she's honest :) So, she was especially happy again today when a big ol' box of goodies came from Auntie Sue just for her! She was doing a happy Shelby dance for sure. And she loved the sweet note that our friend, Matthew from MI, sent her too! Thanks, guys! People have been so kind to wish our Shelby well and spoil her with goodies. That made her bummer-of-a-spring-break soooooooooooooooooooo much better! :)

Anyway....so that's the hodpodge of stuff going on right now. But, I'll take these crazy-every-day things (and a house full of noise) over the lethargic quiet we experienced last week. Praise the Lord for brighter, healthier days for our family! Here's to many more like this!!! Happy Monday!