sickANDtired...but abundantly blessed

M & I picked up some kind of unfriendly bug during our recent travels, so we've been down for the count as of late. I guess it's pretty much a cold but with bloody noses. Odd. Poor little M had a rough night...the Thermoscan said 103.9 at first reading. I know fevers are the body's way of fighting the junk, but at that high I always wonder if his brain is gonna fry like an egg.

So how was everyone's weekend? Any fun excursions to celebrate the spring weather? Any new adoption news for you waiting mamas?

We had a lovely weekend despite having Kleenexes stuffed up our nostrils. Some highlights:
- planting new flowers in our courtyard
- attending the pre-Grand Opening of our favorite restaurant...just a 5 minute walk from our house! Cha-ching!
- playing on the shower floor with M as steamy water poured over my throbbing head
- falling more in love with my baby as I held him...his face flush from fever, his little lips like plump cherries, and his sweaty hair as black as midnight
- feeling God working in my heart...in my life...and being excited about the changes He will bring


Matthew's new PASSIONS: wearing his towel as a hat and dunking balls:

This is the look I got when I asked him to smile:
The caped zombie walk:
Going for the dunk:
Givin' it all he's got:

Not out of the woods yet

I thought Matthew was doing much better this morning...he seemed more playful and his fever was down. But now the diarrhea and vomiting are back...completely uninvited, I must say...and there are no holds barred! Poor little dude. He got mad after throwing up in his bed and tried to hit his puke, which would have been funny if not so pitiful! But let me tell you, those M&Ms are dwindling fast!

Here are some photos from this morning. Some of you have asked for tips I am learning. As you can see from the pics below, I am not using flash...because when I do I get that washed out, flashy look. The downside is the photos are darker, obviously, and more blurry since M has more time to move before the shot is snapped. From what I understand, there are some cameras with adjustable levels of flash intensity, as well as some with moveable flashes so that you can diffuse the flash by bouncing it off a wall or ceiling. Basically if you have a point & shoot with a built in flash, your best bet is to step back from your subject a bit...which means more cropping if you were wanting a close-up. Obviously you could use zoom, but if yours is digital zoom, as opposed to optical, the quality will be compromised due to the process. I tried using the forced flash and then covering the flash with my finger while I snapped the shot. The result was a darker photo, yet not the same as with no flash...it was more yellow-tinted...but it does appear that the subject isn't as blurry as with no flash at all. When I have time to look at the photos on the computer, I'll double check to see if this is true.

Update on Lil' M

So yesterday proved to be our first real "sick" experience with Matthew. Right before bed he started throwing up and did so about 7+ times within an hour. As a first time mama's first time experience with a sick baby, all I can say is WOW does your heart hurt for your kid! My SuperHubby, who normally has a VERY queasy stomach about such things, kicked it into high gear and became MarthaScottStewart...scrubbing carpet and countertops, washing linens and clothes, making trips to stores, and even buying me a bag of M&Ms! A FAMILY SIZE BAG! Matthew seems to be feeling better today...pretty sleepy but keeping down some liquids and light foods.

Since I mentioned Scott above and rarely talk about him, I thought I give you a glimpse into the one who holds my heart:

After my recent trip into the very cool but oh so expensive Anthropologie store:
Me: I really like their clothes but a shirt is like $100.
Scott: Well, did you ask them "When's this stuff gonna make it to TJ Maxx?"

As I was getting out a jar of caramel sauce for my afternoon snack...and eating a spoonful right out of the jar (don't worry, I don't double dip!)
Scott: Ah, sweet nectar straight from the vine.

As I was opening a package of Velveeta to make our nutritious dinner of Rotel dip & chips:
Me: This is rank! Does Velveeta go bad?
Scott: Not for a couple of decades; it's fine.

Reading the label on Matthew's dinner jar:
Scott: Savory carrots. IS there such a thing?

This Friday night we are going to a Robbie Seay concert!
Me: Oooh...this Friday night we have a date.
Scott: Yeah, everyone will probably be screaming and holding up lighters.
Me: Everyone including YOU?
Scott: Not me; I'm too stoic.
Me: no response
Scott: Babes, just kidding! I'll be jogging in place.