8/21/2008

My head is pounding...

...and I'm feeling like I'm trying to get off a too-fast merry-go-round!

We got back from vacation and started laundry, etc. like normal. The day and a half of the weekend we had flew by and plopped us into Monday before we were ready. I usually organize my weeks to death, but hadn't this week because of our trip, so Monday morning I had to do a frantic dash out for groceries and last-minute school supplies. Bye-bye, Monday!

Tuesday rolled in like a bad dream. Benji and my friend Brittany's son Gavin were invited to a birthday party for my friend Sarah's son Noah. Brittany brought Gavin over early as she was on her way to her doctor's appointment (pregnant with identical twins!). She got out of her car to show me her belly because I hadn't seen her since we'd been back. I had kind of a weird feeling when I looked at her, but I brushed it off, said Hi, and she left. Turns out I'd be the last person to see her pregnant.

About 20 min. later, she called me and sobbed, "I've been in a crash!" The next part of the day was a total blur. She had been hit from behind which caused her to hit the car in front of her. Because of the accident, she went into labor. As with any birth, there is always a joyful flurry of last minute activity, but that happy pandemonium was tainted this time by the ugliness of the circumstances.

Gavin stayed here overnight that night which in and of itself was just fine. However, it was the night before Alec's first day of school and not the time for a sleepover! As Marvin struggled to put three rowdy boys to bed, I put Ava to bed and headed over to Brittany's house with Sarah and another friend to clean up the evidences of many weeks on bedrest so that the new momma could come home to a sparkling sanctuary. Hello, midnight! Bye-bye Tuesday!

Here comes Wednesday, the first day of school, what should be the beginning of steady routine, the start of crisp mornings, crunchy leaves and sweatshirts. Marvin stayed home in the morning to walk to school with us and was a big help feeding our newly expanded group of 4 children. When we got back, he left for work and I attempted to make a trip out to the store for baby clothes and to take Gavin to meet his Papa.

I dropped Benji off with another friend, and made it through Meijer for some pet food while Ava flopped around in the cart like a screaming fish, my mother in law chatted to me on the phone about upcoming family birthday parties and the smokey smell in her attic, and Gavin silently pleaded with me to buy him gum and magazines.

After I dropped him off with his Papa, I pulled into the Carter's parking lot. As I hopped out of the car, the school nurse called me. "Your son had an asthma attack at recess" she tells me, "and I think you need to take him to the doctor or urgent care right away!".

Alec has never had asthma, nor has anyone else in our family. I was um, shall we say, a tad nervous? and headed as quickly (and as safely, thinking about Brittany's accident) as I could to school. As I drove, I called Marvin, our doctor, and another friend to keep Ava so that I didn't have to take her to the urgent care with me.

Thankfully, by the time I got to school the wheezing had subsided and Alec was breathing normally. I wanted to go home and collapse, but realized that Benji needed to be picked up and I still had no new, washed baby clothes to take Brittany that evening to the hospital.

I drove back down to the store, dropped off Ava (who still hadn't had a nap) and Alec at my mom's house for a little rest and TLC, picked up Benji (who told me he didn't love me when I made him come into the baby store with me), bought some outfits, picked up Alec and Ava, headed home, put the clothes in the wash, fixed dinner with Ava hanging on my leg and crying, fed the kids and put Ava to bed twice (once because Benji screamed outside her door and woke her).

By this time, Marvin was home and the house was trashed, complete with a bowl full of Cheerios stomped into the living room carpet. In a panic, I remembered that I'd offered to host our mom's group in the morning. We made a feeble attempt to clean up the house, got the boys to bed and I packed up to go to the hospital to visit the new babes.

We had a good visit, the babies were so beautiful and perfect that it moved me to tears! Hello midnight, again! Bye-bye Wednesday!

This morning was dizzying. Get up, get dressed to walk to school and host group. Feed Alec, pack his lunch, walk 6 blocks while Benji tries to ride his too-small bigwheel and Ava cries in the stroller. Tell Alec's teacher that he's not allowed to go to recess until I talk to his doctor. Walk 6 blocks back. Arrive home sweaty and starving, inhale cereal, vaccum at warp speed, cut up fruit for snack without cutting myself, did I feed Ava and Benji? Where
is Ava? Doorbell, hello 9:30, hello mom's group!

Here I sit wondering how I got to Thursday afternoon and why my head feels like it's being drilled with a jackhammer. Oh, and that laundry never got done; the pile on my bed is as tall as Ava...

18 readers took time to leave a thought:

Kelly August 21, 2008 at 2:35 PM  

I was hoping to pop over here and find out what Brittany had to no avail. Ugggg.

Kari August 21, 2008 at 3:31 PM  

trying to do the same. You are good!

Charity August 21, 2008 at 3:36 PM  

What a week so far! Wow! Mines doesn't even begin to compare. You deserve some kind of relaxing treat I think, ya know, when things calm down. Way to go super-mom and super-friend. It sounds like you guys have an amazing support network of moms there though, which I am totally jealous of.

None of my friends have kids yet. So many people are waiting until they are well into their 30s and really established these days, which I just couldn't do. I was way too excited to be a mommy!

Hope your week slows down now!

The Bashams August 21, 2008 at 3:41 PM  

ok. i think that if you were buying new clothes to take Brittney at the hospital it means she needs girl clothes!!!!

Amanda August 21, 2008 at 3:55 PM  

Wow! I have a headache from just reading that! ha ha You do the work of ten people! What an amazing mom and friend! Now go give the kids to Marvin and go to Starbucks for an hour or something! For me??

Kelli August 21, 2008 at 3:56 PM  

Wow. I think that it is wonderful how you took care of your friend that way. I was in an accident just like that with my daughter in the back and it's very scary, so reading about her being pregnant brought tears to my eyes. My friend Lyndsey came to my rescue and I will never forget that and I'm sure Brittany will never forget all that you did for her. Now, breathe!

Sara Kay August 21, 2008 at 4:07 PM  

Wow, Shelly - you should win some award for all of that. Good job! Hang in there. :)

Rachel Marie August 21, 2008 at 5:02 PM  

Hope you can take a nap tomorrow?!

elizabeth embracing life August 21, 2008 at 6:31 PM  

In one word you are a SERVENT!! May God bless you for all your efforts on behalf of being a mommy and friend. Whew!!! Weeks like this and I am truly blessed to be a stay home mommy.

My2Gs August 21, 2008 at 7:45 PM  

I'm soo sorry that you have had such a rough week. You are such an awesome friend to Brittany, and I'm sure she won't soon forget everthing that you have done for her. Thank you so much for updating us all. My heart sunk when I read your initial post! But, God is good!!!
~ Lacie

Kate August 21, 2008 at 8:05 PM  

Shelly, you're amazing. I couldn't even tell this morning that you had had such a CRAZY couple of days. You a)looked perfectly put together as always, b)hosted so graciously with snacks and all, and c)seemed peaceful and glad to have us there. Me? I would have canceled!! You're wonderful and that's why EVERYONE loves you. :)

MerrandaVK August 21, 2008 at 10:02 PM  

I agree.. Best Friend Award.. Wow, I am tired just reading about your whirlwind of a time. I can't believe you hosted in your home with all that, I too, would have canceled. I'd like to see a pic of that laundry pile with Ava next to it :)
School has started already for you guys? Not till the 2nd for us. Praying for a more peaceful finish to your week.

Lakeville Vertical August 21, 2008 at 11:13 PM  

I am exhausted just reading how your week has gone. You are amazing and a wonderful friend. Brittany always said that everyone needs a Shelly and I can see that. I pray that your Friday is peaceful and that your head stops the jack hammering. :)
Take care and enjoy those new babies with your blessed friend.

Kelly August 23, 2008 at 2:30 PM  

I didn't mean to offend you in anyway. I was just curious as to if you had posted on your blog what Brittany had. Obviuosly I ticked someone off. Sorry.. ) :

Magoon Family August 24, 2008 at 7:54 AM  

Well, as busy as the past few days were for you, you really came through for a friend and you are a wonderful person for doing so. I don't know how you managed to do everything you did! I need a friend like you :)

Life with Spirit August 24, 2008 at 10:37 PM  

Hey there Shelly! Your family is so cute! It was fun to read a little piece of your world after so many years!

Lara Daniels Heck

Homegrown Tribe August 24, 2008 at 10:59 PM  

You are the most amazing friend i've ever had. I can not imagine the last few years without you! I agree with everyone... you deserve a big long break and a best friend award! :) Hopefully life will settle back to norm [ha!] soon and we'll get to spend some time together again.

love ya, Britt

McSarah August 24, 2008 at 11:30 PM  

shell, would you do me a favor?????
i need help!

only kiddin!

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