Day Sixteen and Counting...

Today's photo is particularly awesome!  I caught the girls good night kiss... and it makes me all mushy!!

Olivia is feeling like her old self again, and the two of them were back at each other again, too!  So catching a 'loving' moment like this was lucky!  And now I can point and say, "Yes, they do actually get along sometimes!"  Honestly, they really do!

And now, I would like to introduce you to my newest best friend!  We finally got together!!  I have waited so long for this!  And now, my Dyson!

Ah, yes.  Mommy's new toy, tucked in with the girls' toys.

Day Fifteen and Counting...

In comparison to the rest of the week, today was calm and restful.  I kept Grace home with me and Livie (as she has to be 48hrs symptom free before returning to daycare) and we made the most of the 'warm' weather.  We went out and went for a walk around the neighbourhood - Grace climbed every snowbank she could, and by the time we got back to our street, she was exhausted!  But, we still took the time to make our first snowman of the year!

 

Frosty - so named by Grace!

You know, I didn't ask to be off for another week... I really didn't want to go back to work yet, but I didn't want my sick baby to be the reason I was home, either.  But being home reminded me of just how fast time is going to go now that I only see my girls for a few hours at a time.  And how desperate I am to make the most of little moments, and how badly I want to carve them into my memory so I never forget how they were just then...

There was a thirty second span today where Grace was sitting in a kid chair, and Livie was standing next to her.  They had their foreheads pressed gently together, and Grace was whispering to Livie.  She was staring right into Livie's eyes, and it was all very intense.  I have no idea what they were saying, but they both started giggling really quietly... like they shared a special secret. 

Little moments... so fleeting.  Amazingly, there will be many more just like it, but it will never be the same as it was today.  They will be older.  They will understand each other.  There will be actual secrets to share and hide from us.

I wasn't part of that moment, but it was amazing to witness.  They are such incredible people, and I feel particularly blessed today to be a part of their world.

Day Fourteen and Counting...

As far as Grace was concerned, it was business as usual today.  And she started her business day with a full blown tantrum... I tried a new tactic for diffusing her:  I got out the camera!

"Mommy!  Not when I am mad!"

Here, I am telling her that she is adorable, even when she is angry and upset!

Olivia is getting back to her old self, finally!  She was full of smiles and giggles, and wanting to play with Grace.  It was so nice to see!  

"Stop taking my picture and get my breakfast, Mommy!"

She ate like a champ for me today, I am happy to report!  And she continued to nurse like she thought I was going to dry up any second and she was going to make sure she got every drop!

Here, she is begging me to put the camera down and give her milk! 

I just missed catching her making her milk sign!

Grace insisted I needed a photo of her colouring on the window with her window writers!

Day Thirteen and Counting...

The pooping continues... and so does the sad baby!

 

My dearest Grace offered me a solution to my "back to work for a week, and now I am off for a week, but still paying for daycare" problem!  She donned my sweater that I wear to work, and offered to work for me!

She is such a sweet kid!  Oh, and she insisted that I should take her picture "dressed like mommy"!

Day Twelve and Counting...

Sadly, the sickness continues... poor Olivia is still a diarrhea machine...!  And now every time someone asks Grace how her sister is, she comments about her 'stinky diarrhea' and her 'germs'!  What a charmer, eh?

Olivia is doing her best to eat, but it's still hard for her.  Her gag reflex is still over-active, and it's really bothering her.  You can see her carefully eyeing her Cheerio, wondering what will happen if she puts it in her mouth...!
Grace, as a reward for her incredible good behaviour and extra-special good 'big sister helping' during our sick house drama, we bought her first Scooby Doo, and she is completely in love with him!

And here he is, hiding in my boot...

Day Eleven and Counting...

Sick house drama continues... my dear hubby is finally on the mend, and so am I - I think.  But poor, poor Olivia!  This bug is really taking her to the cleaners... literally!  Her insides have been on the outside far too long... and I have piles of laundry to prove it!  She was improving this evening, so I am praying it continues!
As for my lovely Grace, it was business as usual... complete with Olivia (very tiredly!) trying to get her attention:

Day Ten and Counting...

Our house is the neighbourhood sick house.... this picture says it all: