a not so welcome welcome

B. was gone from last Friday to this Thursday.  It was an exhausting yet fun week (according to him). His plan was to get off of his flight, drive home, nap in a quiet house, and then surprise the kids to pick them up from school/daycare.
Problem #1- we had scheduled our builder to come for our year warranty items so the house would definitely not be quiet
Problem #2- A came into my room at 3:00 am talking a bit crazy.  She was crying about not going to a parade and it being wet outside.  Turns out she had a fever of 103.... that leads to no quiet house and no surprise at school.

Thursday arrived and I took A. to the doctor.  Despite the flu shot, she got the dreaded bug. The MD prescribed Tamiflu, Motrin/ Tylenol, rest, and fluids.  She got her first dose of Tamiflu and another dose of Motrin around 1:00.  We spent some time reading her American Girl books and she and B. drifted off to sleep.  (I guess he did get his nap after all) At about 3:00, B. went to go get K. from daycare.  When they got home, they went over to check on A.  She was visibly shaking on the couch.  He tried to wake her and she wouldn't arouse; her eyes were open but she couldn't talk or respond.  I made the first and hopefully only call to 911 for my children's sake.

As scary as it was, she snapped out of it after about 45 seconds.  The paramedics were fantastic and made her feel as comfortable as possible.  They even gave puppy some gloves before they put on their own gloves.  They explained the entire IV procedure and whistled to her to keep her calm  And, the pediatric ER was equally amazing.  We were greeted with the team ready to work since they didn't know if she would till be seizing.  I think they were a bit surprised to see a 5 year old rather lethargic but talking appropriately.  The child life specialist was right there with an ipad and coloring book to keep her calm and then a doll with her own IV to explain the procedure  (she has since explained her veins and the "straw" of an iv to no less than 5 people). We stayed for a few hours since, at the time of the seizure, she had no fever.  That meant that they were trying to determine the cause.  The answer.... no affirmative answer; it maybe the Tamiflu so we'll stop the $200 medicine after one dose (anyone need tamiflu, we have some on hand), it maybe dehydration, it maybe something else so keep a good watch and know what to do if it happens again.

Now, we are focusing on keeping her calm.  (Any ideas for keeping a typically VERY active kiddo quiet?  We are quickly running out.)

Welcome home, Daddy!  We'll try to be a little calmer next time.

PS- Since we moved, I have not questioned one time the greatness of our small town.  Thursday night, was above and beyond.  We had people checking on us, praying for us, and offering to watch K. within minutes and through out the next day. A.'s best friend brought her a balloon and a stuffed dog that has not left her side since.  It was, and is amazing.  Thank you for being the village for our kids!