sick

After our exciting weekend in Cleveland attending our friend Tina's wedding and visiting my brother in the hospital, we all came down with illnesses. Everyone is now recovering, though it is taking longer than I would like.

Tai got a virus that gave him all the classic cold symptoms plus a fever. Maia had some sort of 24 hour intestinal bug. I woke up with the worst sore throat I've ever had, and Yoshi was spared and just had a cough for a couple of days. It was terrible!

Right now it seems that everyone is better, but my throat is still not so good. It hurts the most at night, to the extent that I can't swallow, but gets better during the day. I went to the doctor, but was told that it was a virus and would just take time to get over. I'm not used to needing this much time to heal. I guess getting enough sleep would help. Hopefully now that Tai is feeling better, he won't be waking us up as often during the night.

I'll post more when I'm healthier:)

Tai has been asleep for over two hours now! I figured I'd post some pictures while I have the chance. These were taken one evening when we were all in a playful mood.

Maia is always making exagerated mannerisms with her hands. She has watched too many princess/ballerina movies. I am sure she will be a thespian one day.

I love this picture because I look rested and calm. Maia is clearly enjoying herself, but Tai is unsure what to think.

This is definitely one of my favorite photos of Tai. His eyes are so expressive. I could forgive this face a million times for waking me up in the middle of the night.

This was staged, though Tai does pull Maia's hair all the time. In this picture, she was expecting it. I like his expression. Maybe he's thinking, "That's what you get for putting that tiara on my head last month!"

Hey, I look like Maia in this picture. I guess the secret's out: Tai has more than one girl secretly admiring him!

Tai's buttons are popping open. He is such a chubby little guy. At our last pediatrician's visit, he weighed in at 19 lbs! Maia weighed that much when she was ONE year old. He's been showing interest in food at the table, and I've been considering feeding him some solids, but worry because he's not even four months old. Besides, he's gaining weight so well from just milk. I think I'll wait just a little bit longer, though it's hard when he's trying to steal the food right out of my hands!

finally

Before I write anything, I must express my frustration at my computer's apparent inability to upload videos onto the internet! I have been trying for weeks to post some adorable videos of Tai, but they never work. I've even resorted to going to Starbucks and using their wi/fi, but it has not helped. Oh well, now that I've voiced my frustration, I guess I should do something about it. Maybe I'll have a computer person trouble-shoot my computer. For Christmas this year, I think I'd like a new laptop. This one is getting old and unreliable.

We are doing fine, but the kids and I have been sick this week. We have gone up to Cleveland two weekends in a row to visit my brother and for a wedding, and the change of schedule has wiped us out. Maia is now over her "bug," and hopefully Tai and I will be soon. I've been surviving on acetaminophin for the last couple of days.

We saw my brother. He looks good for the circumstances. He was very happy to see us, and we took the kids in, so they definitely brightened the mood. I know he's going to be okay, but it's going to be a long road. So far, there has been no improvement, which is not a good sign. I have decided I need to get up to Cleveland at least every other month to see him. The kids travel pretty well, so this is feasible.

I will update more in the next couple of days. Maybe I'll try uploading the videos from Yoshi's computer. Brilliant! Why didn't I think of that before? Until then, hope all my readers are doing well!!

My Brother

It was supposed to be a routine surgery. Metal rods would be inserted to help reduce chronic back pain. Instead, it has turned into a living hell for my brother and our family. The unthinkable has happened. Instead of improving his life, the surgery has rendered him paralyzed from the nipple line down. There is a slight hope of recovery, but things look grim at the moment.

I live three and a half ours away, and have not had a chance to visit him yet. I’m a little unsure of what to say when I finally do. The reality is that we have not been very close in the past. He’s sixty--old enough to be my father. Our relationship has frequently been a contentious one. We have very different views about life…and yet he is my family. The same blood courses through our veins. I love him despite the fact that he is sometimes difficult to get along with.

If you are reading this, please send out some positive vibes for my family. I’m particularly concerned about my sister-in-law who is now charged with caring for my brother. She is going to need a lot of strength to make it through this difficult time.

Here’s a short clip of my brother playing his clarinet. He’s a very talented musician. I pray he will be able to play it again some day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSEYFc_sdhs