Living with Lupus and a toddler

Boy its tough!  Recently we switched my 2 year old son into a toddler bed (actually his crib but with a safety rail on the front so he can come and go as he pleases).  It is the same bed but the new found freedom seems to be too tempting for the little guy.  Up and down, in and out, we play this game many times each night before he actually stays in bed.  Then in the middle of the night he is out of bed and sneaking into our room a few times and finally around  430 or 5am, he has decided he has had enough sleep and comes in to wake us up.  I am hoping this is another phase that will wear off shortly.  In fact, the last few nights has been pretty good with him going straight to sleep.  However, I have been woken in the middle of the night and then bright and early each morning.  Doesn't he know we should sleep in on the weekends!?  So, how does having Lupus make this any different?  I am sure it doesn't.  My husband seems equally if not more frustrated each night and in the mornings I am usually the first one out of bed with the kiddo.  So, does having Lupus change anything?  Yes it does.  It isn't about comparing my reaction to this lack of sleep to my husbands.  He always needed more sleep than I did anyway.  I think the true gage would be to compare myself to myself prior to Lupus (if I can remember that self).  I think personally this lack of sleep is affecting me more because of the Lupus.  I would like to imagine that without the Lupus I would happily (okay, maybe that's asking too much) walk him back into bed as many times as needed and I would never loose my cool.  I would jump out of bed each time he wakes in the middle of the night and sooth him without cursing the early hours.  And when he comes into the bedroom around 5am and my alarm is set to go off at 510am, I wouldn't get mad and it wouldn't disrupt my entire morning. No, without Lupus I would be a better, more caring, understanding mother.  Lupus has made sleep so much more valuable.  HOWEVER, I could be wrong (and I hope to God I am).  I don't remember being a mother without having Lupus so I hope others can let me know that this is just a parent thing/mother thing and not a Lupus thing.  Other parents are just as sick and tired of their toddlers nighttime games as I am.  And yet look at me.  As I type this he is napping because that's the only time I get to blog.  I should be napping...

No one shares the good days

I have been feeling so good for such a long time that I have neglected to keep up with my blog. That is a huge mistake. I am sorry. People with lupus need to hear about the good days as much or more than they need to hear about the bad days.  My time has been filled with holiday gatherings that were missed while we were in Texas. Now that we are home each weekend is full of family activities. We have already had a few snow days which really let you know Christmas is right around the corner.  I am trying to stay healthy and keep the stress under control.  Even though I am being tested with the new roof and chimney repairs that did not seem to fix the leaks.

Jackson is getting so big. He says so many words...his favorites are dog, truck, and no! This year I am excited for him to open presents and see Santa.  It is crazy how different this year is from last.  I miss my Texas friends like crazy especially around the holidays.  I can never express how much they mean ro me and my husband.  They are family.  I couldn't have gotten through last Christmas without them.

I am blessed.

Dedicated to My Brother

The other night I posted and I completely forgot to mention the awesome time we had last weekend when my younger brother and his girlfriend came to visit us.  It is hard for me to remember what I want to say when I write these but be assured my brother called me out on it the following day.  They were here for a long weekend to help out and visit Jackson. 

We went downtown San Antonio to the Riverwalk and Alamo.  I am so glad I was able to take Jackson before we move and we got a cute picture in front of the Alamo.  Of course, Jackson didn't seem to be interested in anything but watching the ducks and pigeons.  We drove out to the "Cowboy Capital" Bandera and watched horses on main street.  We went shopping and rented movies.  We went to yummy restaurants and watched the Ravens beat New England.  It was wonderful and I miss them being here to help out.

Special Visitors

Jackson's First Alamo Visit

Playing with Uncle Rob

They were also life savers because they flew my cat back to Maryland.  It is heart breaking to have to give up a pet not because you want to but need to for medical reasons.  I am so thankful he is in a place where he is loved and cared for.  Thanks Mom!

Today's Blessing:  I had a strawberry margarita and it was awesome!


Doc's Last Day in Texas



Washington Post Article

I found this article on another Lupus blog I subscribe to.  It is a very interesting article about a woman with Lupus who got an infection that wouldn't heal and how they eventually figured it out.  She went through hell as many do with Lupus.  This is a very scary reality for a lot of people and one of the things I fear the most.  When a healthy person gets an infection, they can take meds and heal within 2 weeks most times.  When people with weakened immune systems get an infection it can take forever to heal or, worse, it can be life threatening.  So I try to stay away from "sick people" but that is so hard, especially when the "sick people" are my 7 month old son or my husband.  Here is a clip from the article.

Shanmugam said she was struck by the paradoxical nature of Ayala’s case. Often, she said, aggressive treatment of an underlying autoimmune disorder speeds healing. “But her case was the opposite,” Shanmugam noted. “The more aggressive people got with her lupus, the worse she got.”

Medical Mystery

Today's Blessing:  Having a clean house for tomorrow's festivities.  Happy Thanksgiving Eve Everyone!

How to Add a Comment/Become a Follower

I wanted to help my readers out.  Apparently it is a little confusing on how you can become a follower of Lupus & Sprout vs. how to comment. 

Here is some guidance from blogger.

Who are Followers?

Followers are people interested in your blog. They became a follower of your blog by either following your blog via your Following gadget or they followed your blog from their Reading List. When you click to become a follower you can use your GMail account among others.  If you do not have an account you can sign up for one.  Once you sign up to be a follower you will show up as a member.  I think I only have one right now.  You can also just add your email address to have my posts sent directly to you if you'd like.  I am still learning but I cannot figure out how to find out who/how many people are email followers.  BUT if you sign up to be a follower with your account I can see those (plus you can upload a picture as well).

Leaving a Comment:

If you would like to leave a comment, and I hope you do, you have to choose who you want to be displayed as.  When you are finished typing your message hit publish.  A window will pop up with those horrible scrambled numbers/letters and you will have to type the set into the box with a space.  Then it should work.

The more interaction I get from my readers the better the blog will be.  If you need help let me know.

Today's Blessing:  The Internet.  How did we live without it?