We have been through many strange illnesses with Isaac over his two years. Roseola, Croup, Fevers, Numerous Colds, Ear Infection, Diarrhea... the list is long and varied. This latest battle with Influenza A takes the cake. Isaac had the flu shot a little over a month before he caught the virus, I can only presume from school. I went out of town the day the fever presented itself, so David was stuck by himself to deal with our little one forcing him to rearrange work schedule, and play nurse for an incredibly cranky and difficult toddler. Consequently I had a pretty awful pit in my stomach the whole time I was away, and tried to get home on the first flight possible with no luck. I trusted that David was doing everything he can, and that my boys were taking care of eachother, but I wanted to be home doing everything i could.
I think both David and I would agree that our little boy literally left his body for two whole weeks. We did not recognzie influenza isaac. There was no life in his eyes, he hated everything he used to love, he didn't eat a thing for about 12 days, all he wanted to do was watch movies, and lay around. Once the fever broke around day 6, the night time vomitting began. In the middle of the night we would hear a yelp, then a scream, and rush into Isaac vomitting in his crib. This is just about when mom and dad freaked out, and couldn't help but think, is there something wrong with our kid. Even Dr. Shulman showed signs of concern, and ordered various blood tests to be done. (try finding a vein on a two year old). The tests came back A-OK.
A couple days later, a cold, then a cough... and then...
I S A A C I S B A C K ! ! !
Our jumpin' singin' demandin' guy is back. We missed you Isaac! So good that you are a 'happy boy'.
Mom and I did our annual spring trip a couple weeks ago, and headed up to the Canadian PNW for a peek at Vancouver. I have long wanted to spend time here, and get to know the city I have been ever so curious about. I can honestly say after just a few short days here, this is one of the first cities outside of LA I could easily live in. I have always had a fondness for the PNW landscape, the attitude and tempo of those who live there... pair that with O'Canada and one might say - TRIFECTA!
We wondered around various parts of the city with our amazing guide and friend Ros. We spent time in Gastown where stumbled upon MANDULA. Every piece of handmade couture was incredibly strange on the hanger. So strange that you weren't sure how to wear it, or what it was... but after a couple hours of trying on almost every piece in the store, mom and I agreed we were blown away. Each piece is designed in a sustainable fabric, and fits every body type. There are no sizes, labels, or vast color choices. This is a store for basics made from yummy materials, and amazingly interesting cuts. Pieces wrap, and tie, and pucker. They are paired with vintage belts from the 1800 used wars of days past. The gritty combinations of old and new, the smell, the texture... it was a one of a kind experience.
ON TOP OF IT ALL... the designer is HUNGARIAN. She was in the store that day, and loved seeing the pieces on our bodies. I picked out a couple incredibly special pieces (that i am not even sure how to put on), and will cherish them for the rest of my life. Thank you mom for this very specaial birthday treat. I will never forget it.
We went for a celebratory lunch afterwards at the Salt Tasting Room. It was the kind of lunch you can only have on vacation. The one that starts at 2pm, lasts a couple hours, and consists of only wine and cheese. It was super duper lovely.
We spent the rest of the week checking out Granville Market, the newly reopened Museum of Anthropology, Ros beautiful condo where I got to meet her amazing friends (she can party like a rock star), and Hammam massage.
I haven't mentioned, because I wanted to focus on the good, how sick Isaac was when I left. I have saved that for its own blog entry...
I have been waiting to post to see if our new adventures in potty training were going anywhere, but it seems like little by little we are making some very slow progress. This started a few weeks ago, when we decided to give Isaac some designated 'potty time' every day. We just sat in the bathroom together, and got used to the idea of sitting on the potty. There was much resistance, but then eventually it became something he was asking to do. We now sit on the potty a few times a day, read a book, and most of the time... have some success. There are still wet diapers in between, and he isn't often asking us to use the potty, but we are on our way. Just one more small reminder of how big my little one has become.
Today, on Dr. Seuss' birthday, I decided to give my favorite Seussian treat another go. I do have distinct memories of reading Isaac this book in his first few months, when he would sit on my lap, and fall asleep to the rhythmic intonations in my voice. Then came the limited attention span, followed by the limited interest in anything not car or truck related. I was overwhelmed with joy tonight, when for the very first time, Isaac sat on my lap and enjoyed every single page. When you have a child, and you love books as much as David and I do, you quickly realize that there just aren't that many books that are A. lovely to look at, B. are well written and C. have a story worth telling. This is the TRIFECTA! I think any mother can both identify with the isolation Maysie initially feels, and the determination and loyalty of Horton. In the end we learn, that your offspring are very much a biproduct of your love and commitment. We hope our committment to finding and enjoying good books as a family inspires a love of reading in our beautiful boy.
We have been through many strange illnesses with Isaac over his two years. Roseola, Croup, Fevers, Numerous Colds, Ear Infection, Diarrhea... the list is long and varied. This latest battle with Influenza A takes the cake. Isaac had the flu shot a little over a month before he caught the virus, I can only presume from school. I went out of town the day the fever presented itself, so David was stuck by himself to deal with our little one forcing him to rearrange work schedule, and play nurse for an incredibly cranky and difficult toddler. Consequently I had a pretty awful pit in my stomach the whole time I was away, and tried to get home on the first flight possible with no luck. I trusted that David was doing everything he can, and that my boys were taking care of eachother, but I wanted to be home doing everything i could.
