It is really a shame because being on the tail-end of this long run, her birthday never gets the attention that its preceding holidays do… By the time we reach the end of March, we are all ‘partied’ out. (My tongue is planted firmly in cheek as our parties are deemed sub-mild at best) Usually, she might get a couple of cards, and a hand-made gift or a book, and maybe some fast-food out or Victoria might make something for dinner.

…The sad thing is? Though I fully recognize that Amy is the true unsung hero of our family and deserves all the credit and more – This year, her birthday celebration will most likely remain the same.

Why, you ask? (and I’m so glad you did)

Next year will be Amy’s – umm… strike that – Next year, Amy will be celebrating a milestone birthday and, hopefully, will be having a celebration deserving of such a milestone. Soooo, if I do go all out this year, I would be hard pressed to do even better next year. I’m just too lazy not creative nor resourceful enough to pull that off.

So having said all that (and knowing that she’ll be reading this later on today), I want to wish my wonderfully lovely wife and best friend a very, very Happy  Birthday. You know I’d be lost without you…..

Soooo, Saturday, we treated him to Golden Corral and the 7PM showing of Star Wars: Clone Wars. He had been so psyched to see this movie. Since he first saw the preview for it a few months back, he has basically been counting down the days until opening day. Anyway, both boys really enjoyed themselves. I wasn’t particularly impressed with the movie, but the boys seemed to like it quite a bit.

Monday, we actually had his party… nothing fancy… just us, the grandparents, and Tita Angie. In lieu of an actual single birthday cake, Victoria made a cupcake-cake instead.

Then it was decorated with a ton of DragonBall-Z miniature action figures that Amy found on Ebay.

Everything turned out really well and fun was had by all. Will ended up scoring some great loot! Check the photos below to see what all he got.

Friday Amy noticed she had a small bump on her forehead. Nothing to be alarmed about, for sure… that is, until it grew… and grew… and the left side of her face began to swell. By Saturday, her left eye was swollen shut. Early Monday morning (around 1AM) the swelling had subsided a bit and she told me that she and Will(Will had what looked to be some sort of irritation on his back at the waistline) would go see a doctor later that day.

So, an hour and a half into my morning routine, I get a call from Amy.

“Hey, Hon. What’s up?”

“Uhh.. you need to come home now.” That tiny prickling sensation of fear begins dance at the base of my neck. Anytime you hear, you need to come home, is a warning sign of bad things to come.

“Well, What’s wrong?” By this time, I’m scared to hear the answer.

“They’re putting me in the hospital. You need to come and get Will and take him to the doctor. They said I have cellulitis and they think I have a staph infection.”

What happened next was a blur. I rushed home to get the details. When I got there, it was if the house had been put into lockdown. Victoria was running everywhere with gloves and bleach and disinfectant and the boys had been sent to the other end of the house. I was somewhat aware of the dangers of cellulitis. I have inherited a combination of really bad allergies and skin maladies and cellulitis had popped up a time or two during my google searches for whatever rash or itchiness I may have been experiencing at some time or another.

Cellulitis is basically an infection of the skin – usually strep or staph – sometimes other bacteria which are more resistant to antibiotics. The dangerous part is when left untreated, or if the infection reaches the underlying connective tissue or the bloodstream. Normally treatment for it is oral antibiotics for a week However, if it is bad enough, the antibiotics can be delivered intravenously.

Hence – the reason Amy is in the hospital…

Turns out that Will has a similar infection in his back, but the pediatrician just prescribed a couple of different antibiotics for him and told me to watch him closely. And while the cellulitis isn’t contagious, the bacteria that causes it is. So…

The house has been completely sanitized thanks to Victoria’s hard work. The boys are sleeping soundly. Amy is going stir crazy in the hospital, and I can’t sleep… even if I’m exhausted.

But – tomorrow is another day…
[tags]cellulitis, Victoria, Will, Amy, hospital, bacterial-infection[/tags]

A couple of lines I wanted to jot down while it’s halftime(Steelers vs. Chargers)…

First I’m happy to announce that Amy is working again in the school system. Apparently a 1st grade teacher resigned with little notice and the elementary school called Amy and asked if she would teach the class for the year. Amy is very excited and a little nervous. Though she has had many years of experience in teaching, it has been over 4 years since she was last in a classroom. Also, she is used to teaching 3rd grade, so there will be a little learning curve trying to get used to the age difference.
Personally, I have mixed emotions about the job. I vividly remember the stress and the toll that the job put on Amy. For those of you that think that teaching is a cake-walk, I’m here to tell you differently. These teachers worry constantly about their kids as if the children were their own. Mix that in with either parents who don’t care, or those whose child does no wrong, and alot of administrative politics, and you’ve got a mess.

However, this is a different school, a different grade, and a different class. I know Amy will do a great job… She always does.
Amy still plans to continue her Mary Kay business and is promising to deliver the same customer service she always has. Not to mention that being a teacher brings in a lot of new potential customers!!!

On a completely diferent note, last Friday was Vic’s last day of work before being called out to serve his Country overseas for 9 months. Wednesday the 12th is Tina last day before she moves on to another company. I’d like to take the opportunity to wish them both well, so here goes:

Vic: Good-luck to you, man. I want you to know that while you are gone, our whole department will be thinking of you and wishing you well. We are all proud of you and what you do. Just please take care of yourself and come home safe.

Tina: Well, you finally did it! Took the big leap. I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am for you to be able to move to a place where you can actually show your talents. You have always been very skilled technically and I know that you will shine at your new position. Just don’t forget about me slaving away in my little cube. and please don’t lose touch. You and I have been through a lot of stuff. You realize that you were one of the elite few to attend my wedding! Take care, and call me for lunch… I’ll even let you drive!

Well, the 3rd quarter has already started, and from what I hear over in the living room, San Diego is driving pretty well. I’ll have lots of time to post more tomorrow night whle I’m at work for our company’s Annual Meeting.