Just like the mechanic...

Poor Lily started coughing last night and coughed all night. She's has a bit of a head cold for a few weeks. Most of the sinus congestion was from teething {according to her doctor, who said at her 15 month check up that her ears and throat were clear.} The change in pressure while flying seemed to give Lily a harder time than usual and despite my forcing her to drink on the way up and down she fussed. This,from the girl who has gross, red, hot, nasty fire ant bites all over her hands and did not flinch once while being bitten.
She has seemed to get a little worse each day we've been here. I could feel the rattle in her chest when she breathes from the congestion. She's been digging in both ears quite a bit and just has not been herself. So to nip something in the bud before it gets worse and because my step-sister has been home from college for the last few days with some wicked and antibiotic resistant strep throat I took her to the doctor this morning.

I have been steaming up the shower and soaking Lily in vapor baths for days trying to break up all the gunk in her and chest to no avail. Of course I did the same today before we left to see a doctor and wouldn't you know by the time we got there her breathing seemed clear she was no longer coughing and wanted to run around the office like a happy-go-lucky kid!

Diagnosis-
Ears: clear, pink and mildly irritated, but no infection.

Throat: very slightly irritated, possibly from post nasal drip but otherwise fine

Chest: clear

Eyes: clear

Result-
She's fine !!

Just like when you take a car to the mechanic to diagnose a horrible clunking or clanking sound and it purrs like a kitten for the mechanic, I swear that was Lily today. I really want her to be healthy and I am relieved to hear nothing’s wrong, but I'd be willing to put money on the fact that her chest is going to rattle and her cough is going to return and she'll be digging in her ears within a few hours... At least I'll know that there is nothing really wrong when she does!

Okay..... Resume vacation!

Flying

Time is flying by!!

The girls and I hopped a plane very, very, very last minute on Thursday for a three week vacation in Florida! The girls, as usual, were excellent little travelers. I am always more anxious about flying alone with then than I should be. I've done it so many times I know what and how to pack, both for the plane and ability to trek through airports dragging kids along alone. That coupled with their love for flying makes for great cross country travel. In fact, I might prefer traveling with them sans hubby {sorry baby!}

So in to Jacksonville on Thursday and a three hour drive with my girls to Tallahassee. Again perfect little angels. I quick hello with Uncle Rory and dinner with Sean, Kensley and my grandparents rounded out a full but good day of travel.

Friday was spent making sure that we had everything we might possibly need for 18 days away from home and another visit with my Grandparents. I must admit, this part of my trip has been giving me the most stress. Grace was such a shy baby, she would cry when her father returned from a week on the road, terrified of this "stranger". She has never warmed up to my Grandparents. In all the trips back here she has been only okay from afar, but heaven forbid anyone want to speak to her let along try for a hug or a kiss. She has even told me that she is afraid of my Grandparents. For the life of me I could never understand why...

My grandfather has never done anything but quietly try to win her over. My Grandmother who is head over heels in love with "The babies" every time she sees the girls has Alzheimer’s and is possibly the sweetest lady I know also has never been able to win Grace over. It has broken my heart to see these past almost three years. Two Great-Grandparents want so much to know these little girls and Grace determined to keep a sizeable distance. NOT THIS VISIT!! Despite Grace's telling me she was "scared" of Grampa Bunny & Gramma Dottie she has been hugging, kissing, holding hands with telling and listening to storied with both of them! I could not be happier!!! Last night Lily sat on Grampa Bunny's lap and listened to him tell her the story of the Three Little Bears. Tonight she climbed up onto his lap while he sat on the computer just to visit. Grace walked both of her Great-Grandparents out to the car last night while holding their hands. Terrified to break the spell I have not attempted to take a photo or catch some video but I feel I must. I don't know how much longer I'll have my grandparents (Sorry Bun!) and I want to be sure that the girls can see them together someday!

Today was an outdoor day! Grace & Lily went for a long walk with Memaw to the green space behind my parent’s house. The saw dogs, horses, deer tracks and Lily decided to see what would happen if she tripped and fell into a fire ant hill. I must say she is the bravest, toughest kid I have ever met in my life! She, I am told, did not fuss or cry at all. She was covered in fire ants and sustained about 8 or 9 bites on her hands and arms. For those of you who have ever been bitten by a fire ant you know how horribly painful it can be - For those of you who have never had the pleasure... It is not fun! It stings and itches and becomes a pussy blister of a bite. They take days to heal and are just miserable. Lily has paid them no mind at all!

After nap time we joined Sean, Kensley and Penny's sister Gaye and her kids at a local park and playground and ran those kids ragged - or was it vice versa?? Another great family supper and I am beat. I've wanted to blog and call friends and stay in contact with the world outside of Florida, but It's been so nice to be surrounded by family and visit and catch up and just be with them all in the moment that I have not made time. Hopefully there will be photos soon; the girls are simply in hog heaven!