Another Day

Today was rather quiet and uneventful. While new pox seem to appear by the minute, Ellie's spirits and energy have been great. Since she can't leave the room, Ellie has made a fort out of the shower, and has taped pictures to the bathroom walls. She asked me tonight if someday she could go to the rooms of other kids who have chicken pox and tell them that it is not as bad as they are afraid it will be. She thinks that it would be a great job to work as a Child Life person at a hospital. (That statement alone broke my heart on so many levels.)

My mom came for a few hours today, so I went to a room down the hall and spent some time on the computer. It was so nice to just be alone! While I do enjoy social interaction, I've found that I MUST have a certain amount of time inside my own head to remain sane. That is a tough enough order to fill on days where it's just my famiy to take care of at home, but when you add in hospital staff, other parents, and phone calls...well, you get the idea. Sometimes when I'm at home I just sit on the couch for the entire day and stare numbly into the TV (when I don't have to get up and get something for the kids). I stopped feeling guilty about that when I realized that when I "veg" in front of the TV, half of my brain is freed up for problem solving. Years ago I realized that if I didn't figure out what I needed to stay sane, I would not be able to be a very good wife or mother. I used to say that it was like what the flight attendents tell you when you get on the plane "put your oxgyen mask on before you help the child next to you." Then one day I read it in a book (that I owned and had probably already read before) and was crushed that I must have stolen that from the author and I must not be nearly as brilliant as I had hoped. Oh well, it's still true even if I didn't come up with it on my own. This rambling train of thought leads me to my one goal for today: not to get out of my pijamas all day! As I sit here on my bed in the hospital, I can claim victory. I'm in the same sweat pants and tank top I woke up in. I love meeting a good goal from time to time. As if my lamp and throw pillows don't make enough of a statement that I can feel at home anywhere, I think the fuzzy slippers may have been a dead giveaway. Tomorrow I just might wear a dress and some jewelry - I haven't decided yet.

From what I hear, Vickie's labor is truly underway, and I expect to hear good news any time now. Maybe it will be another hour. (Her other three kids were born on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, so if this one holds out one more hour, she'll have a Friday baby.)