My new "project"...

I was wishing for a new project and now I have one: rotavirus. Soli's got it. She started with the symptoms Saturday night and neither of us have slept much in the last two nights. I had Catalina (our caretaker's wife who takes care of my kids 2 afternoons a week) come over yesterday and today for a couple of hours to help me out. Yesterday I held the baby while Cata cleaned my kitchen and fed my kids. Today she held Soli while I just passed out for a couple of hours. For me, parenting (or trying to) on little to no sleep is one of the most difficult tasks there is. It has been a rough couple of days. Friday we got word that they think our case was kicked out of PGN instead of being approved as we were hoping (after 9 weeks). Saturday I took the kids to the ruins where I dropped (and seriously disfigured) my camera. We were only there for 1/2 hour but between getting there (Imagine Evie running ahead on the sidewalk toward a very busy intersection ignoring my shouts to stop, and Cole and Emerson stepping on each others' heels and incessantly pestering each other the whole way.) and trying to keep my children behaving appropriately in a museum like setting, I was totally frazzled. We closed the place down at 5:00 pm and the curator literally had to usher us out the door. It took every ounce of my energy to get my unruly children out the door. And as soon as I stepped out onto the sidewalk I just broke down. I sobbed hysterically the whole walk home. We must have been quite a sight: me sobbing uncontrollably, Evie crying because she hadn't had a nap and I wouldn't let her push the stroller, and the boys walking quite a ways behind us commiserating on what the heck to do now that Mom had apparently lost her marbles. It was definitely a low point, and, just a few hours later...rotavirus. Ouch. The good news is that there's nothing quite like a sick baby to put an end to any pity party. And Soli's bout with the nastiest virus in town seems to be relatively benign compared to some of the stories I've heard. She's only thrown up twice, and I quickly realized that it was her dairy based formula that was causing the vomiting. She has been able to keep down pedialyte as well as the soy formula that my neighbor, Marcie, had been keeping on hand for just such an occasion. (Thanks Marcie ~ I owe you!) Her diarrhea is also moderate, and, so far, I'm not concerned with dehydration. Hopefully, tonight we'll both sleep better. Sorry about the downer post. This afternoon was much better for all of us. The kids and I took a walk to get a treat (nothing like some chocolate and bubble gum to improve any situation!). Soli was feeling better and we all appreciated the fresh air and exercise. We found a little playground and the kids made some new friends. I'm so proud of how easily they have been able to cross language barriers and make friends wherever they go. We heard about a local soccer league that starts this week and we're going to check it out. That would be fun for all of us. I have cute Christmas pics that I'll post soon. Thanks for checking in...~Heather, sleepless in Antigua