Extreme Blog Makeover/1st Real Illness

Well, not exactly extreme, but definitely much-needed. I found this fabulous site of background codes and other blog accessories. I'll have to dig a bit deeper when I have time, but for the moment, I love this background. There were so many to choose from. There was a link on that site as well to figure out (very easily, I believe) how to write and edit your own code to custom-make the backgrounds. I'm not sure what I would choose, but maybe some Oilily-patterned background.

Yesterday was the DSANV Summer Picnic. I'd actually been looking forward to it since the Spring Picnic, since Samantha was so cranky that day that we couldn't stay long. I was looking forward, in particular, to having Samantha play with all the other kids her age and for me to meet some of the children that have been photographed for the calendar, as well as some of the other members I've corresponded on and off with over the past year.

It was not to be. Samantha has been sick since Thursday. Mind you, this is a child who has never really been sick. I think she's had one low fever in the past, one cold, a few sniffles, and a mysterious short-term rash. Oh, and surgery for a complete AV canal, which I frequently forget about (I don't actually forget about it, but she was relatively healthy going into the surgery and her recovery was very quick--how can a mother ever really forget about open heart surgery??). On Thursday night she spiked a 102.7 fever and refused to eat dinner. Friday, Steve took her to the doctor and the doctor saw blisters at the back of her throat and right away diagnosed it as something akin to a foot and mouth disease that kids get (although it wasn't that). She said it was nothing to worry about, that the fever should end in a day or so, and the blisters will last for another 5 or so days. Steve looked up the illness online (I don't remember what it was called), and it said rashes are common on the extremities (which she has--click on the photo to the right for a scary view) and that it could have come from a swimming pool. We were at the Water Mine on Sunday--coincidence? I don't think so! The worst part of it has been that she is sleeping very, very lightly and fitfully, and that she just won't eat. We've tried everything, but I imagine that her throat must really hurt when trying to swallow food. Thank goodness for PediaSure. Good stuff! Oh, and ice cream. :-)