Sunshine after Kate's Reign of Terror

Up until yesterday, Kate-Kate had been really cranky…and moderately hostile and aggressive. The other night, to my horror, she grabbed handfuls of my mother’s hair for no apparent reason with an impish look on her face. She had been slapping, kicking, squawking, and throwing toys. (Have you seen the purple minions from Despicable Me 2?) We’ve decided we can attribute most of her foul disposition to the round of oral steroids she was taking as part of treatment for the bronchiolitis she came down with last week. Still. At Monday’s follow-up appointment, the physician assistant discovered that Kate also has “bulging gums” where her canines will likely pop through soon. In short, this house had been blessed for the past week with a ‘roid-raging, teething toddler. Awesome.

At supper two nights ago, Kate was irate that no one could seem to figure out what kind of drink she wanted and then was beside herself with fury when her dad, heaven forbid, tried to hand her a cup of juice instead of setting it on her tray so she could pick it up herself. He looked at me and said, “I feel like I’m dealing with a wild animal. Just set it down slowly and back away…”

We laughed. I’m grateful for Brian and his sense of humor. Needless to say, Kate was put to bed early…but then ended up awake and crying—regardless of efforts to soothe her—for well over an hour in the middle of the night. *Sigh.*

Add those moments to our parenting highlight reel…

Last night, it was refreshing to have our happy little monster back. I lovingly say “monster” because she’s still saucy—even at her happiest. We all got a good night’s sleep, so my heart was light when I sent two smiling girls and a non-zombified husband out the door this morning.

With no doctor’s appointments and my family away at daycare and work, it has been quiet here at home for the past two days. My body seems to be approving of the rest this quiet affords. At the end of last week, I had tightness, fatigue, and other discomfort in the afternoons and evenings that sent me to bed early most nights. The last couple of evenings have found me feeling better as a whole with very few Braxton-Hicks contractions or other disconcerting aches. I’m pushing into a second week of no bleeding, and tomorrow will mark 27 weeks—six weeks past my last hospital stay and one week shy of entering the third trimester. I am encouraged.

“For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalm 100:5

Praising God for this time of encouragement and for His steadfast love for my family—those born and unborn (even in the midst of drug-induced hostility...*cough* Kate...).