Jeff leaves for America- A day that will live in infamy

It's not everyday that you get to stay up all night with a sick child, spend three hours in a hospital emergency room with a baby with a fever of 103.5, see your husband off to the airport and star in a student film. It seems that even on the days that we try to relax and take it easy stuff just finds us to do.

Last night, Ava began running a fever. All night Jeff and I battled keeping it below 102. Despite our best attempts it spiked to almost 104 early this morning and so it was off to the emergency room for Chloe, Ava and I. The whole time on the way to the hospital I was having flashbacks from when Chloe was just slightly older and we had just arrived in Thailand. This pic is of Chloe almost two years ago after she had her first febrile seizure.

This was the first time Ava has ever been sick and it has hit her hard. The docs ruled out anything serious (swine flu, bird flu, meningitis, etc.) and sent us home with some medicine and instructions to return if she becomes dehydrated from vomiting/diarrhea. Her fever spiked again this afternoon to 103.2 but I had some super-powered medicine to knock it out. Thankfully she has not had any seizures depsite the high temps. Please remember her and ask that she will be feeling better very soon and that Chloe and I will remain healthy.

Jeff had to catch a shuttle to the airport at 8am while we were in the emergency room. He will be gone for the next two weeks for some training on his new research job. Unfortunately, we were not able to tell him goodbye with hugs and kisses and we love you's. But thanks to modern technology and the internet we can talk free of charge as long as wish while he is away. Please remember him as well.

Later this afternoon, Bubs was feeling better. (That's Ava's nickname. When she was born Chloe always called her "bubby sissy" for "baby sister" and the shortened form Bubby or Bubs has just stuck.) Anyways, we ventured out to the drug store for some more Children's Tylenol (which is non-existent) and stopped at McDonald's for something to eat. I had to stop for Tylenol because earlier today Chloe had poured all the remaining Children's Tylenol into a cup with all the remaining Children's Ibuprofen and mixed it with her remaining Apple Juice. I am so thankful that she did not decide to drink it. When it rains it pours, eh?

On our way back home from doing all of the above, I was stopped by some film students from the University across the street. It seems that they were doing a student film and needed a foreigner. Ava was feeling better and it was nice to be out of the sick apartment. So, the girls and I spent about 15 minutes asking various questions in English and then posing for the camera. It was pretty funny for the Chinese students to try to explain to me what to do in their broken English and my non-existent Chinese. Nevertheless they were very grateful for our help. And I think I'm a natural. If this whole overseas thing doesn't work out maybe Hollywood will.

That is a lot for one day and to think that it is only 5 pm. What else will this day find for us? Hopefully no more trips to the doctor.