Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Bloodsucking Vampires

fractious \FRAK-shuhs\, adjective:
1. Tending to cause trouble; unruly.
2. Irritable; snappish; cranky.

I've had vampires on my mind recently.

My little angel of a baby has turned into a cranky vampire. For the past week she has had these HORRIBLE crying spells. Lindsay is a cheerful baby, but when she gets upset she sounds like someone is torturing her. I have been at my wits end trying to keep her happy. I finally discovered the cause of all the mayhem--she's teething. And not only is my precocious three-month-old teething, but she is growing FANGS! Most kids seem to get teeth in the front, but my little vampire seems to be sprouting eyeteeth just in time for Halloween. I wish I could I could take a good picture of her teeth, but I will have to wait until they come in all the way.

I finished a fantastic book about teenage vampires this week. I'd read Stephenie Meyer's first two books in the Twilight series and enjoyed both, but I was not prepared to be so engrossed in the third book. I picked it up one morning and decided to read just a few chapters while the kids were asleep. Four hours later-- when I finally came to my senses--I realized that I had zipped through most of the book. I was able to put it aside for a few hours until Steve got home, but as soon as he walked through the door I handed my fractious infant to him and buried myself in the book again. At 10:00 that night, I came out of my teen fiction-induced stupor, having finished an amazing book, but having no idea what happened in the real world. Sometimes I can't seem to stop when I pick up a book. I have no self control. I have now banished myself from the library (except for story time)for at least a month.

This last week we also had a slight scare with a bloodborne pathogen. Steve got stuck by a contaminated needle during a surgery last week. There were some concerns that the patient possibly had Hepatitis C. Luckily, the lab results showed no signs of any bloodborne diseases.

I had not really given much thought to what life would be like if someone in our family had a possibly life-threatening disease--especially one that was contagious. I can't imagine how difficult life would be. I had a friend in nursing school who had Hepatitis C and I never realized how that must limit what she does. Even when your body seems healthy and strong, you have to constantly wonder if it will start to deteriorate. And the worry about passing the disease to someone else--especially someone you love--must be heartbreaking. I hadn't really thought of Steve's job being dangerous, but I guess every job must have its occupational hazards.

I promise I will post some great pictures of the kids soon. I'm still having some trouble with my computer.

8 comments:

Patty said...

I can totally relate to getting "sucked into" a book... good books are sooo hard to put down! I want to be able to just put off everything else in real life and be totally absorbed by the story. Too bad real life has a way of pushing it's way back into my consciousness (on second thought, maybe it's a good thing!)
Sounds like the vampire books must be pretty good!

Poulsen Family said...

You'll have to read Shannon Hale's work next...I'd read Princess Academy or The Goose Girl or Austenland....hehehe...love to help you with your procrastination, it means I'm not the only one...bawhahahah!

heather said...

I just finished that book last night and it was so good.Way better than the 1st two.Kevin was looking at me crazy as I'm all emotional as it ended.I realized when I tried to explain the story to him it sounds absolutely absurd if you haven't invested in the characters. I am thrust back to reality now and my dishes and house are way less exciting.

Shayleen Lunt said...

C'mon, don't you think those books are just getting to you and that is the reason you say Lindsay is getting fangs? hehe
How scary about Steve. So glad it came out clean!

Leslie said...

Yikes! Vampires and blood-borne pathogens! You've had a scary week!!

Mama D said...

What a scary week! Glad things turned out ok with Steve.

Miracle soother for teething babies: Hyland's homeopathic Teething Tablets. (They also have earache tablets.) They are AMAZING!!! It will change your life as well as Lindsay's fractious behavior. They worked wonders with L~. I wish I'd known about them for my older kids!

I've heard both positive and negative about the vampire books; not sure I want to read them. But I've heard great things about Shannon Hale. I just read "Tending Roses" by Lisa Wingate. Very thought-provoking and clean!

I thought part of our purpose in life was to occasionally forego housework in favor of a good book...

Dory said...

I'm 1/2 way through the 2nd book and very frustrated at real life at the moment. I didn't email you cause I didn't have your address but I am having a girl's night/get together/Twilight book dicussion on Oct 11 or 25, haven't decided yet. Please, please, please come. I'd love to hear your perspectives.
P.S. anyone else that's reading this and didn't get an email because I am lacking in addresses, you're invited too! Please come!

chelle said...

Jamie...Steve's a doc..have him prescribe her something to "relax" her. Just kidding!!! Hang in there hun, you have your hands full with 2 little one...this too shall pass..and hopefully quickly. Well actually..I will tell you to savor these times..they go too quickly =\ Maybe not the crying part..but the being little and you being the main influence in their life.
((((((hugs)))))
And btw..you share your good books??or are they from the library? :D I'm a sucker for a good book.