Dear Natalie,

You woke up this morning at 4:30am with a temp of 103.6F.  After giving you Tylenol and rocking you until you cooled off a bit, I put you back in bed, but I couldn't sleep because I couldn't hear you breathe in the next room, so I tiptoed into your room and tried to sleep on the single bed in there.  Of course, you didn't want to sleep if I were in the same room, so I put you in bed with me.  I haven't done that for about a year, and my, how you've grown!  You used to fit right next to my tummy so that I could bend my knees way up below your legs and fold my arms out above your head.  No way was that going to happen last night--I was all stretched out.  You kept saying "ug, ug Mama" (hug Mama).  Your little arms are so precious and dear--I am so pleased that you want to hold me when you feel yucky. 

You are so particular about just how you like your blanket to be, and you wouldn't settle until it is just right.  I like to ask you, "Is that better?"  and how I love to hear you say  "Dat Beddah, Mama" or just "Beddah!"  in your little gravelly  satisfied sick voice.   It is pretty fun because if I ask and there is no appreciable difference, then you are not forthcoming with those wonderful words. (:

We took you to the doctor's office because you've had a low-grade fever here and there for a month, and we thought we'd better check it out.

We waited for an hour.  The nurse wasn't very gentle, but the doctor was so kind, fun and sweet to you and Christopher.  You really didn't want to be bothered and stuck to me like glue through much of the visit and wanted me to hold you the whole time.  

Your ears, nose, throat and lungs are clear, so the doc wanted you to get a blood test to test for a bacterial infection or leukemia (not likely), so we marched over to the little lab you've visited too many times already in your short life.  You kind of got mad at the get-go when she got out the alcohol swab, and you knew something hard was going to happen.  Unfortunately, the lady just could not find a vein today.  She poked your dorsal hand and kept digging around with the needle to find the vein.  Then she poked on your arm, and kept digging and digging and digging to find the vein.  She never did, and you were beside yourself.  I was having inner fits but trying to keep it together so as not to make things worse.  Christopher came in to join us, and he was also very, very upset about the digging needle.   Normally this lady does a good job, so I don't know why it was so hard today (you were pretty wiggly), but now we have to go back another day. 

I took you and Christopher to Boston Market for  a comfort food dinner, and then to Mickey Ds for an icecream cone.  Christopher told me that "That lady CAN'T stick her again and again and again..."   We might look for another office to try again.

I can't express to you how much I enjoy you, and how much I love, love, LOVE holding you, especially when you snuggle and want to be comforted.  You are precious beyond words, and may God bless us ot have a lifetime of a wonderful relationship.  I am so thankful for all the good health that God has given our family.  We are blessed incredibly, and I am so grateful.

Love your own mother,

Mama

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