D, S, N & J

I arrived at Duane & Steph's house about 7 p.m. last night. Duane was caring for Nicholas so Steph's Mom could visit with Steph without Nicholas' help when I arrived.

After I got there, Duane took care of some stuff that is easier to do without Nicholas' help before returning to the hospital. I kept Nicholas preoccupied by having him turn on lights all over the house. He just recently became "obsessed" about having all the lights on. So, I turned them off and he carried his step stool around from room to room so he could turn them back on. Besides keeping him preoccupied, this activity was supposed to wear him out. He had had a late nap. And I knew bedtime would be late as it was. Any activity to help him towards an earlier sleeping time was welcome. Nicholas was planned to go to daycare today and he'd be getting up early. So early to bed was the plan.

After Daddy (Duane) left to go back to hospital, Nicholas and I worked toward his bath time and bedtime. It took a bit. But, he went to bed about 9 p.m. I don't think he fell asleep till nearly 10 though.

This morning I got Nicholas up at 7 a.m. He was a bit groggy. Although Nicholas did some protesting, we managed to get him to daycare by 7:30 or so. He eats breakfast at daycare. So I didn't have to feed him before taking him there.

After dropping him off, I did some shopping and errands before arriving at the hospital somewhere around 10:30 a.m. It was then that I found out that Steph won't be discharged till at least Wednesday. One more complication arose since yesterday evening. Because of all the antibiotics she has been taking, the bacteria in her system is off balance. So now one of those bacteria have multiplied to the point of causing diarrhea. AND this strain is quite contagious. It shouldn't bother anyone who has no problem with his/her immune system and is not otherwise sick. But, they have to get it under control because of it.

And because of it, James is now discharged from the hospital. He can no longer go up to the nursury for fear of carrying the bug up there. James will be allowed to stay in Steph's room. The hospital also has an ICU room set up for Duane to rest in. So, James could go there too. If I've not said it before, the care from this hospital has been great. We all appreciate everything they've done. As far as I'm concerned, they've gone over and beyond what anyone would ever expect. ESPECIALLY in today's expectations of healthcare.

I spent the rest of the morning chatting with Duane and Steph and caring for James. Steph is kinda scared to handle James in case she might pass the bug onto him. So, at least for this morning, she wasn't going to hold or touch him. Duane isn't able to stay in the hospital by her side every second. So, if James needs parenting while Duane is gone, Steph knows she'll have to have physical contact with him. We can only hope that the new meds she is on kicks in good enough before she handles him - or hope he's healthy enough not to catch the bug.

After leaving them, I took a walk in the park and than took a shower. Duane came back to the house while I was finishing up with my shower. After my shower, Duane helped me by installing the new windshield wipers on our car. Then he went back and here I am blogging. It's after 4:00 p.m. now as I finish this. So, it's time for me to go pick up Nicholas and start our evening routine.

Duane said he'd stop by this evening to take a shower and do some other necessary things. But other than that, he'll spend the rest of the night at the hospital again -- to care for James and Steph.