Reason for my Absence

I have not posted in a while because, while I do love my children, Darby had me doubting my ability to be a good mother last week and in no mood to pretend all was roses and butterflies here on the acreage. For about 5-days (including 2 spent snowed in at home) she was overly needed and nursey, cried all the time, refused to play on the floor, wouldn't nap for longer than 30 minutes and just generally unpleasant. Every night I would say to my husband, "Something is wrong with that baby and I am calling the Dr. tomorrow." Then I would sleep on it and wake up refreshed and not take her to the Dr. because she was not running a fever or showing any outward signs of illness.
Friday at 9:30 am I noticed some red specks on her tummy and by Saturday it was a full blown rash that had spread to her back, head and face. She had also added arching her back and screaming inconsolably like she was in pain. So at 6pm on Sat. I headed to the minor emergency room and spent 3 hours only to be told it wasn't strep throat or an ear infection and it was probably just a virus. Bring her back if it gets worse. Great.
So of course on Sunday the rash was vanishing and her mood had improved. Today she like a new baby. So fun to be with and happy and independent. It was so hard to believe she was sick with no fever or any other sign but from now on I will trust my instinct and allow a sick baby to be sick without sticking to my normal expectations of her. Things would have been much better if I had just spent the days nursing her and letting her sleep, although Georgia might have been a problem.
So here are some pics because I know that is why most of you stop by. The first ones are of our new slide (as Georgia calls it) which we kept in the house during our recent snow days and the others are from today.

Georgia insists on sitting by Darby for every meal. And I mean right by her.

Georgia played with the dominoes we got for X-mas (thanks P & P) for about 45 minutes this afternoon. Girl is a little OCD.

Buds.

I love how Darby is looking at me like "Make her share that with me."

Darby stands all the time now and will sometimes get to a standing position without pulling up on anything. It is like she is a yoga master.