The Tovington Post

It's been a while between sicknesses. Months even! I was wondering how long we could go without illness and hospitals.

Yesterday Tova woke up with labored breathing and a barking cough. No other symptoms. Ventolin did nothing so I figured it was Croup.

Yuval was at work (he started at 4am) so I asked my mum to pick Nissim up and take him to creche. Of course she did, she is always there for us!

I took Tova to the hospital. The ER was completely empty, so we were ushered in right away. Croup was confirmed, her lungs were clear and she was given Pred. No oxygen, no adrenalin, only pred! Easy!

Through out the day she didn't get better, but didn't get much worse.

The doctors worried a little because of Tova's history and proven ability to deteriorate quickly, we were kept there for the entire day and over night mostly for observation.

The Pred made her sleep for hours during the day and kept her awake for half the night.

All the medical staff were lovely.

Mum picked Nissim up from creche, so Yuval could spend some time with Tova and I at the hospital. Nissim ended up sleeping at mums too! I always feel torn when things like this happen. Nissim gets passed around and all I want to do is be home all together. He doesn't mind at all. He loves staying at Savtas house, it is his second home.

As usual on the hospital ward I ended up in a room with someone that had loads of visitors including other small kids. I never understand that. I don't want Nissim anywhere near the place nor have to worry about guests.. But unlike usual, none of my room mates turned their lights on during the night, which is lovely.

It wasn't an especially hard night, but it was broken and uncomfortable sleep for Tova and I. One nice nurse gave me panadol to give to Tova to help her settle. It helped her.

We were discharged at about 11am. It is always so nice to be home.

Tova is in a good mood.  Nissim seems a little tired and fragile, but very cute.

Tova has remained with no other symptom, other than funny breathing that sounds loads better today. She is perfectly happy.

One week until the Nissim haircut. WOOHOO

Tova feels heavy. My arms hurt from carrying her. She is still a tiny dot on the planet, but getting heavier. I wonder what she weighs? Perhaps I will weigh her sometime soon out of curiosity. Mostly to find out if it is just me getting weaker.

Tova, Nissim and I are in Tasmania visiting family and friends.

We went to a birthday party for a little boy turning 5, whom is also a Graz graduate! And yes, he ate his cake!

Flying here was very easy. I am not sure why, but my kids are very easy on the plane. I put them in their seats and they didn't move until we landed. Tova was a bit worried by the loud noise of take off and she settled very quickly once the sound stopped.

I never stay here long enough. Last time I was here for about 5 days, this time about 10. Next time I am going to stay for at least 2 weeks. It is so beautiful and easy going here.

Eating is good. Not much to report. I have been using the dvd player here just because I don't want to struggle in an unfamiliar place (Tova is a bit out of sorts because it isn't familiar and aba isn't here).

Things are lovely and boring at the moment.

Nissim's creche told me that he is a good eater at creche, which makes up for the not so good eating at home (at least 2 days a week). I don't worry about him too much as he is happy and growing (so his clothes tell me) and there is no way we could force him to eat.

It is almost haircut time for him. In a matter of weeks that long pony tail will be a thing of the past and I will hopefully leave the 'are they twin girls?', 'what's her name' and 'she is so pretty' comments in the past! The big 3 years old is next month! He is booked in at a fancy pants kids hairdresser on his birthday. We have been preparing him for the hair cut for months and he is pretty excited to have short hair like Aba (and the promise of cake). However, there is potential for him to freak out. We figured that a hairdresser with play stations, flat screens and toys was probably the best way to go for a first haircut.

Tova has been eating heaps as usual. She is trying to feed herself more and more with the spoon and is having fun putting her hands into the food and hands into her mouth. She also likes to put food on one finger and then put the finger in her mouth. Clever!

Also, she has started allowing Yuval to brush her teeth with a real toothbrush and tooth paste. There is a process to it and she insists on the distractions he provides like singing and airplane sounds, but at least she is brushing her teeth!

I weighed Tova today after her bath.

She missed lunch today (was playing too much at play group and wouldn't eat for them).

HOWEVER, even without lunch...

10.1kg

Eating is going well. Not much has changed, but yes, the DVD player is GONE! Singing happens from time to time, but if I put children's music or Reggae on the ipod, Tova eats without me having to sing!

Sometimes she asks me to sing and if I don't she turns her head away from the spoon. But if I persists and be strong, I can usually get her to finish her meal without singing (I just turn the reggae up).

I have also noticed that she is now telling me if she doesn't like a particular food. In the past she would just eat anything. Now, if she doesn't like it for what ever reason, she makes it quite clear that there is no way that I will get her to eat it.

Thankfully there isn't much that she won't eat.

Everything is still pureed or mashed.

She is growing (I can tell by her clothes) and her legs look nice and chunky now!

Nissim is learning lots of crazy things from being a social being at Creche, I can't complain, he really is a good boy and learning from others is a part of life.

I got some new studio lights for my photography and am loving playing with them. I am finding it hard being tired all the time as I can't play much with my photography until kids are sleeping, which means I stay up until about 1am.. yawn.. It is worth it, because I love it..