February 04, 2012

Our own roller coaster ride!

The last couple weeks for us can be summed up as "a roller coaster ride of change."  It has been a very difficult and emotional ride for me, but sometimes I wonder if anyone else here would say the same.  Brad is a guy and is able to mask his emotions well.  Gwen is 3 and is able to tell you exactly how she feels and the injustice of the world, and then run off to play and laugh.  Wyatt...well, he is really too young to know any different.  
Since our hospital visit in January with Wyatt, we have learned many things.  Wyatt and Gwen are definitely allergic to dogs and Wyatt to cats too.  Every day their bodies, with the assistance of Zyrtec, have been fighting the allergens and when the common cold comes along they try to fight harder.  However, their little bodies are exhausted from always fighting and the common cold is able to be 10 times worse than normal.  That is how it was explained to me by our pediatrician.  That is why we have to sell our house (too old=too many unknown and hidden treasures of allergens), and we had to rehome Pooka and Nimbus.  Sometimes it really stinks being a parent!!!!!  You have to make extremely difficult decisions that are like a double edged sword....keep the pets and the kids are sick or have no pets and miss them daily.  As hard as it was, and I am still having to remind myself that it was the best decision, we sent Pooka to live with Brad's cousin and Nimbus to live with a coworker of mine.  I am happy to report that both are settling in well and showing off just why we loved them so much.  Both families have continued to tell us how wonderful they are doing with the change.
Gwen was very angry with me at first, telling me how unfair I was being because "Pooka is a good dog and Nimbus is a good cat!  They have done nothing wrong!"  She even told me, "I would rather be sick and have my animals, than be healthy and have nothing!"  What a way to rip my heart out, huh? She has come around and was able to say good bye to both when they left without a tantrum or tears.  She asks about them often and if I think they are...."playing with the other dog," "eating all their food," "sleeping in bed with their new mommy and daddy." It is comforting to know that she hasn't forgotten them, but it isn't  fun when she is mad and uses it against me..."First you take my bunnies, then my dog, and then my cat!  I have nothing left!"  However she surprised us today with "Mommy, you and Daddy take really good care of me and Wyatt.  You really love us!" (remember she is 3 and I may never hear that again!)  Gwen is proving to be very much a drama queen these days.  Most days she is fine and happily playing and entertaining us.
Both have stopped coughing constantly and are back to sleeping through the night.  A huge milestone in our house!  Wyatt has a runny nose this week, but it isn't anywhere as bad as things were.  We can handle this!  Wyatt also has not been turning red in the face at all which used to be a common occurrence, but not one we could explain.  He is focusing his attention now to standing on his own and walking.  He has taken 2 steps at a time twice this weekend!!!  So, Brad and I agree that we have made one of the best decisions for our kids, even if it ends up being one of the hardest we ever had to make.  What we have learned from all of this is that life changes fast, so enjoy it, as it is right this minute, while you can!
One more picture
I picked out the dress for the day, but Gwen insisted on the tights and boots...she even tried for the hat for preschool
We have just started letting Gwen and Wyatt take a bath together...there is never a dull moment!  Wyatt always has something in his mouth, and Gwen's mermaids are always doing tricks!
Nimbus wanted one more picture too
Wyatt and his giggles!