WASH YOUR HANDS!

With the swine flu on the scene, it's tempting for me to freak out. I probably wouldn't have in the past - but things are different now. First, I live right on a major interstate that just about everyone has to travel through in order to get out of Texas. Which brings me to my second concern - I work in an ED that's right off said interstate. It's not uncommon at all to get travellers who weren't feeling well for whatever reason coming to our ED. Third, I have a sixteen month old, whom I obviously don't want to expose to anything like that after working all night in said ED.
The incubation period is 48 hours - so, if you think you've been exposed - if you're not sick after two days, you're good.

I got the following information from the CDC website - the usual stuff - but good to keep in mind - especially if you're travelling on any interstate these days and stop along the road for gas, food, bathroom, etc.......

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy
There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Mr. Monk

It's hard sometimes living in an apartment with a little one - we don't have a backyard to run around in - so we have to plan a little more. Matthew likes going for walks - let me rephrase - Matthew likes sitting in his stroller while we push him around! I've been calling him Monk(from the TV show) cause he's had somewhat of an aversion to being more than a spectator when it comes to walking on grass and such.

This past Thursday, we went up to the lake to walk. He wasn't impressed at all at first and then gradually warmed up to the idea. By the time we needed to go - he was loving it, of course, and not too happy with having to leave.

Anyway, the bottom picture - I just love it - I think he's got a bit of a twinkle in his eye - like he's up to something!

This was my day

We've had issues with our bedroom windows since we've moved in here two years ago - leaking to be exact. We've complained for two years. Finally, they sent someone out to check the exterior out - turns out there has been a leak - for several years - imagine that!
So, this is what my day was like. The hammering and noise woke up a still teething/stuffy Matthew from his afternoon nap. Let's just say that this afternoon he was on the cranky side - poor guy. I love him dearly, but I'll be happy when it's his bedtime.
We get this lovely plastic thing in our bedroom tonight - I'm really hoping that the three 3-4inch waterbugs are all that come in. I have visions of waking up in the middle of the night - feeling creepy crawlies on my face.
As much as I want to be settled and in our own house - I am sooooooo thankful right now that we are renting and not picking up the tab for this little project!

Same little boy

He may have a new haircut - but he's the same cheesy little boy!!

I knew this would happen once he got his haircut -

Went to Walmart today and one of the ladies who work there commented on how cute Matthew was and then asked, "Is he two or three?"!

The haircut!

Yes, today was the day!

We weren't quite sure what to expect. We went to Mark's barber this morning for the big haircut. Matthew was pretty much devastated with the whole process until the other barber brought the box of toys. Nothing too exciting - I think they were mostly toys from kids' meals - but they were new to Matthew and that was enough to keep him distracted through the rest of the cut.

I'm glad that we held out til he started walking - if I had known it would take him til 15months to walk - we probably wouldn't have made the declaration. He is a big boy now!

Happy Easter!

Matthew was NOT impressed with the Peeps!

Oh, yeah, he's getting a set of molars in now, too!!

HE WALKS!!

Mark it down as today as the official day that Matthew is walking!! He is not the most proficient at it - but, he is quite taken with his new ability! Everyone told me to enjoy the not yet walking phase, but, quite truthfully, I am tired of the pulling himself up with my jeans phase - especially when I'm in the kitchen.

***On a side note - I am sooo thankful that God, once again, protected us through another rough storm. The tornados were West and North of us. Mena is near the Arkansas border(Ithink that one did the most damage) and the other ones near us were just North.

A good read

I've just read this article on the "Modesty of Personal Restraint". It's directed toward single women - to be on guard as to how single women should treat their "interactions" with married men. The thing is, I really see it applying to all women in some form - married or not.
As a nurse, I primarily have worked with women. There have been times when that is not always the case, though. Especially now, working in the ED - the male:female ratio is very different from what I am used to. I certainly see those "dynamics" played out around me - as I assumed that I would.
It's refreshing to read and article that's soooooo important in today's culture. It's not a very long article, I hope you are encouraged by it's value as much as I have been.

I see a theme

Matthew got his Easter box from Grandma and Grandpa E. this week. Ironically, he was wearing this baseball romper when he was opening the box. One baseball outfit are pj's the other is a longpant romper - it worked out well. As you can imagine, Grandpa E. picked out the baseball "uniform". He wore the long pant romper to church today - in honor of the opening of baseball season this week.

His new favorite activity

This was this morning. The boys went for a little walk before church. Yesterday, we delivered some carrot cake to our naighbor, Paul, with his truck and then walked all the way to the end to visit our other neighbors. He was very serious about this walk, too!
I think when he wakes up from his nap, we're going to pick up some Subway and head up to the lake - we'll see about bringing his truck up there, too.

Pollen, Pollen go away.........

.........DON'T come again another day!

This is our balcony. This is why we can't open windows often this time of the year. The yellow pollen you see here - is also inside our place when we open windows ;o( Thankfully, I'm not horribly allergic.
I did change my clothes after sweeping the balcony and sidewalk out front, though. I think Matthew may be a bit sensitive to all of the pollen flying around - not enough to require meds.

Not to be forgotten

All boy!

Since it was warm on Sunday, I thought I'd let him have his jammie shirt off for a bit. He LOVED it - as you can see here as he "worked" at his work bench.

We have 15 month stats this week: weighing in at 26# 10oz(around 80%); head circ. 19"; height at 31 1/2" (around 65%?). I guess he was due to slow down in the height category. I didn't think he was up to 80% on the wieght, though. He does love to eat. He is his parents' child :o) Next visit is in June.