I've had supplies to make a terrarium for over a month. Finally built one last night. I love it! I'm nursing back some faltering cactuses, then I'll build another one to hang on my wall in the old fishbowl.

Today is my birthday; I must say good-bye to my 20s. 

I treated myself to a 5 day break from work and it's been mighty nice.  I have tomorrow off, so I get to stay out late at trivia tonight.  My folks have been visiting this weekend.  We saw Lord of the Dance on Saturday and have done much shopping and eating of delicious things.  Today I'm keeping it relaxed.  I slept in, said good-bye to parents and played with Jack while eating a chocolate croissant and hot chocolate in my pajamas.  During morning nap I knit and watched Black Books on netflix.  We had lunch at Garbanzo's and went to Cherry Creek mall where I got a new dress from Anthropologie.  Now Jack is trying to take an afternoon nap (not very well so far) and I see more knitting ahead of me.  Maybe more photos to come, but I'm enjoying being lazy.  That's what birthdays are for, right?

Watch out for those dangerous kicks!

This photo came to me while at work courtesy of Ben with the note "Needs a cup holder." I love it.

Feeling much better. Had to work Saturday and Sunday but I survived. Slept till 11 today (after working until 2am). Had lunch at cafe rio and enjoyed my food for the first time in a week. Bought jack a new car seat. Cleaned, shopped, fought off the urge to nap, and generally tried to catch up with the pace of healthy living.

This is not a low grade version of what Jack had.  This is sick.  Very sick.  Sick, as in I have been out of bed for only 3 hours since 6pm Wednesday night.  Fevers, chest-rattling coughs, congestion, diarrhea, various migraines, and a touch of vomiting sick.  And it doesn't help that I fell in the parking lot at work on Tuesday, so my left hip is super sore and stiff. 

I'm trying to eat a banana now while Ben puts Jack to bed. I'm trying to mentally separate day from night so I'm not in a total mess when I have to return to work (Saturday).  I'm so sick, I haven't even wanted to watch Downton Abby yet.   I REALLY hope we don't pass this around the house too.

Can we all be healthy for just a little bit? Please?

Right as my back was healing Jack began producing copious volumes of snot. He's at the end of it, and really has been a trooper so we can't complain. But now at the end of that, Ben has a lower back injury! Yesterday I came home to him wincing in pain as he walked. Today when he texted that it was worse I immediately called our local rescue child care hero, April. She whisked Jack away to a fun day playing with her kids. Ben got plenty of rest and is looking better.  I got home early and was able to take care of him in the afternoon. 

Now I notice that I've been dry coughing all afternoon and my throat is a bit sore. I felt that way a few days ago. I hope it's just a super mild version of what Jack had, and that it won't get any worse. Still. PLEASE. CAN WE STOP BEING ILL PRETTY PLEASE??

Ben taped me reading Jack his book, "My Mother is Mine." Jack is great at his animal sounds and actions with it. Plus I've been trying to record his kitty sound FOREVER! It's my favorite noise he makes.

PS, I say "Mommy" in place of "Mother" in the book, hoping that it will be simpler for Jack to learn. Still doesn't say "mama." Still bothers me. I know, some day I will want him to stop saying mom. But I'm still wishing.