This morning is a gift

Graham is still asleep at ten til 9, unbelievable. Paige has crashed on the couch, see pic below.

Yesterday, I took PK to the doc's after 24+ hrs of high grade fever. I love Dr. Cook. He isn't our pediatrician, but inevitably ours is on some trip to do research on the Polar Ice Cap so we take whomever is available. I love it when we fall into Dr. Cook's hands. (Dr. Dressen is another story...) He is a cool dude with trimmed up graying facial hair and eyes that draw you in. Paige was not to keen on anyone touching her, so she protested his every move.

I mentioned her strong smelling urine, and that prompted a cbc to check white blood cell count. Oh, she loved that! Indignant about the bandaid -- even though it was covered in Bugs Bunny heads, she made me remove it promptly and held her thumb away from her body stiffly for 10 minutes. We watched Dora and calmed back down. I had a feeling we were in for more.

Sure enough, results showed a count that was double the high end of the normal range, so we were headed for a urine sample to see if the infection was in the urinary tract, as suspected. That means one thing with a 2-yr old. CATH. Ugh. So we put her on the exam table, under the glaring light. I assumed the mommy position, at her head, holding her arms. I sensed a weird strength. I think I was channeling my Mom, doubtless she had been in this position many times as I screamed in my mighty toddler rage. Dr. Cook swabbed Paige with the giant betadine q-tips, as he turned to gather the implements, she made a fountain. The nurse calmly said, "Doctor," and he turned, sputtering and acting quickly -- not turning away from the swirling stream that I swear was shooting up a good 2 feet in the air, he managed to catch a few small drops in the vile. Unfortunately she doused the table, the nurses hands, and the doc's shirt. I couldn't help but laugh. It was her only recourse. She got him good.

But of course, there was some question whether or not this was enough to forego catheterization. Paige and I waited back in the exam room. Now everyone was familiar with the foul and strong stench of her urine. I calmed her with songs. She shunned the Dora DVD. I was grateful; it's been a Dora marathon around our house with all this illness.

Enough urine to ascertain that we are dealing with a UTI. Not enough to culture and determine the exact bug. Dr. Cook explains that he's willing to go without the cath if I am, and we decide on a broad spectrum antibiotic and jump start it with a shot.

Paige is really ready to go at this point. I try telling her what is going on. I ask, "Do you want to go now?"

"mmm hmm," she nods.

Grabbing around my shoulders and pulling, she says, "Up. UUUP!"

"Okay. You are going to get a shot first. The shot will hurt, but it's going to make you feel better. As soon as you get the shot, we can leave. Shot first, then we leave. Okay?"

"mmm hmm."

She was a brave little toaster. She wailed, and then it was over.

She slept in the guest bed with Daddy and I got a good night's rest. I didn't even mind that she was up at 6:15.