One Down, One To Go....

Night Float. You know, I have always considered myself fairly tough, but, I'm quickly being humbled by Paul's current rotation. He works nights, and it's been rough. And, it's only been a week. Last time Paul was working this rotation we just up and left, went to Birmingham and stayed with family. This time we decided that two weeks was too long to be apart so, the children and I are staying here and just working through it. Starting out, we've had a few strikes against us that has made the first week particularly....intense. A) Coxsackie virus. We both got home from vacation with headaches and fever. You know, the kind of headache that hurts to blink, extreme brightness and loud noises exacerbate the pain? Two kids with lots of energy, summertime in Saint Louis and husband-less days and nights meant that I was living on Advil, gatorade and the grace of God. B) Sink explosion. Our kitchen sink has always been a bit sensitive. Combine that with poor water pressure, an excessive amount of homegrown lettuces and the handy-work of one very skilled radiology resident, you'll get a plumber that stays so long your daughter will ask if he's joining us for dinner. C) We welcomed our newest neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Copperhead. Apparently, the grass in our backyard was approaching amazon status when we found that a family of copperhead snakes had moved in. I was able to find a nice gentleman (from Trussville, AL!!, no doubt) to come and mow our yard for us. I told Paul it was part of his father's day gift, he didn't have to mow the lawn and he gets to continue being a father to our children who should now be safe from the snakes (not that we've played in the backyard since.) So, it's been an adventurous week and we've got one more to go. I feel exhausted from long days and long nights even though I do have two of the most precious souls on earth to spend them with. Speaking of which, I took Ariel and Flounder to the pool by myself for the first time this week. I've been very nervous about how it might be going to the pool with two kids on my own, although you wouldn't have known it considering how prepared we were. We got there and I realized all the water accessories I'd brought were swimsuits and a Barbie. We managed to have a great time despite my poor planning and spent the afternoon cooling off in the water, playing and laughing. Both the children went to bed early so, I'm planning on springing for the pool pass and a couple of floaties. Anyway, we are hanging in there, a little tired, a little lonely, but okay.  I'm most thankful for our dear friends here who we've been able to hang out with, and of course I have my buddies Ben & Jerry to keep me company in the evenings. I will say that Paul definitely has the rough end of things, they stay very, very busy on this rotation. The other night it took him nearly three hours to finish a measly turkey sandwich. In my line of work, if I couldn't talk with my mouth full I'd have absolutely no conversations and it'd be amazing what my three year old would be able to get away with. We'll report on the next week, and I'll try to drum up some pics to go with. Until then....

We are back! After a wonderful vacation with all our family we are back home in STL. Happy to see our dear friends, our home (that feels like rather 'tight quarters' after being at the spacious lakehouse...at any minute I'm expecting the seven dwarfs) and our garden that looks strikingly similar to Miss Havisham's grounds.  It's been a tough landing back into reality, Paul is working nights so we are trying to figure out how best to manage without really seeing much of each other for two weeks, Ava Belle has digressed a bit on the potty-front (something to do with wearing a swimsuit all day and spending most of the time in the water....hmmm), but, it's nice to be home. As many of you already know, my sister-in-law's husband became very sick and spent some time in the CCU during our vacation, he is home now and resting. The virus made it's way through most of the lake house visitors, but we've since recovered and are praying that Rainer's heart regains it's strength with each day. I would ask, if you are so inclined, for you to join us in prayer for his recovery.  

I've picked a few of my favorite pics from the week....I think most of them are already up on my sister-in-law's, Laurie Ann, blog, but here they are as an encore....

Happy Ava Belle, the lake trip treated her well (minus the coxsackie virus, of course).
Anyu (my mother) and Emmett....light was just perfect that afternoon.
Tedrow family band....the Lake Martin Burger Boat really wanted to book us for the weekend at Chimney Rock, but, we just didn't have time. Maybe next year...
I love this pic, even though our niece, Ann Edwards, is a little unhappy, it just makes me smile.
Cinderella.
AB riding with Paul's parents (Minnie and T) around the cove in the little boat....
Mermaid.
Ping Pong Players.
AB fishing with Daddy...a little concerned about the distance between she and the fish.
Happiest little fella. Ever.