Wanted: new mom

My partner tested positive today for Influenza A. They shoved a foot long Q-tip up his nose. I'll bet those are the same Q-tips they use in the Women's health clinic.

This is how my day went.

7:17 a.m. The phone rings and wakes me from a dead sleep. Jacob was already up and answered it. It was my sister Joan at Sam's Club telling me that Carters sleepers were $2.06 a piece. (This was worth the phone call) but I couldn't get back to sleep

7:45 a.m. My sister-in-law brings my niece and nephew over for the day. (There STILL is no peep from the babies)

8:00 a.m. Finally all the babies get up. I could have slept in today until at least 8 a.m.
8:05 a.m. I call our doctor to get Scott in for an appointment
8:07 a.m. I feel Brooke's forehead and take her temp 102.
9:10 a.m. Scott gets back from the doctor, confirming that he has Influenza A. He did not get his flu shot, which may have lessened his symptoms, even though the flu shot did not have this particular strain in it.
9:15 a.m. I call Brooke's pediatrician. I tell them about her fever and tell them that her daddy has an infectious disease. They don't give children any drugs for Influenza A because of the side effects. So she just gets Ibuprofen and Tylenol.
10:20 a.m. I am getting ready to go shopping. I hear Matthew scream and scream. Scott tells me that Matthew smashed his toe on a computer. He must have pulled it over and it fell on his big toe.
10:30 a.m. I call Matthew's pediatrician. They'd like to make sure Matthew's toenail isn't purple and have a look at his toe.
11:20 Katie (my niece) and I are at the pediatricians. X-rays look good and Matthew gets a really nice pedicure from the doc.
1:00 p.m. Back at the same hospital for therapy. I wish it were the shrink, but its physical therapy for my neck and back - TMJ related.
3:00 p.m. Get back home to squealing John, the only baby up.
4:30 p.m. Jacob gets sent to his room for putting a hamper over Brooke and making her cry. He tells me he wants a new mom. He tries hitting me and kicking. He says a bunch of 4 year old hurtful things.
4:45 p.m. I go back into Jacobs room. I lay with him on the bed and talk about the incident. He really doesn't want a new mom. He says hurtful things because he's frustrated. Then as we are hugging and laying there, he asks, "Mom, do you have a baby in your belly." (For a second I thought he meant because I had gained weight lately) His hands moved over my chest and asked, "why do you have lumps there?" "Why are mine (Jacob's) so small?" "Why do you have to milk yours?" (Whew. He's just curious about the differences between boys and girls. He's not calling me fat.)
5:30 p.m. What hasn't John done today? He thoughtfully put a bunch of cars underneath the refrigerator. Used toys as a stepping stool to get at stuff on the counter. He will scream and scream just to get my attention. Not crying screaming - attention screaming. He pulls on Brooke and Matthew. He throws his food. He fights diaper changes.
5:45 p.m. I anxiously check my e-mail for news from the Birth to Three coordinator for our county. I e-mailed her two days ago to have John tested.
6:30 p.m. Brooke is tired. She lays on the couch with her blankie and holding a bowl of chips. John comes over and tries to force feed her chips. This ends up being a food fight and chips are all over the living room.
6:40 p.m. Mom wishes she had something to drink. But she vacuums up the chips instead.
8:45 p.m. All children under age 5 are in bed.
10:30 p.m. Mom blogs. She remembers the therapy today and the conversation about reducing stress. Makes a note to get a muzzle and some duct tape at the store tomorrow.