Visits and Such

Visits are going.... eh. I work in the field. I knew what to expect, I just didn't think at her age it would be this tough. Visit days are so rough for her. Y'all know how the first visit went. The second visit mom gave her spoiled milk. She threw up for a few hours and felt better. The next time mom saw her, I had to take her to the CFT because the doctor appointment ran over. Mom was rough, yelled at her, snatched things from her, and slapped her. I ended up leaving early with her. I couldn't stand to see anymore. M was so confused. The next day she had a visit. She was grumpy and mom ended it early due to her being grumpy. On Wednesday we both stayed home sick. We slept on the couch for 4 hours for her nap. I kept her home with a babysitter on Thursday and sent her back to daycare Friday. I almost cancelled the visit but decided against it.

Friday's actually a funny day. I took her to the doctor on Thursday. She just has the common crud everyone in Arizona has. She prescribed Zyrtec and a cough medicine. That night before was rough. She spit her medicine at me 4 times. On the 5th dose I left the lid off and she threw the bottle across the room. Rookie mistake, I know. But this was the medicine that I went to 3 different pharmacies to get because everyone is out of it. I held her in the glider until 2 am. I dont sleep like that. I read a book, caught up on words with friends, and started playing chess. She stopped coughing around 2, so I put her in the crib. I went to bed and forgot to set my alarm. I woke up at 6:30. I had a half hour to get myself and her out the door, while feeding the dogs, horses, and baby and showering. I did it. Somewhere in the day I was told happy birthday by my brother.... I totally forgot about my own birthday. My brain has officially changed. I picked her up and the daycare said she was feeling puny since returning from her visit with mom which was about 20 minutes before I picked her up. I gave her a hug and a kiss and told her I loved her. SMACK She got me right in the face this time. Then bit me and scratched me. I told her I loved her again while she screamed. I eventually got her buckled in and off we went to get more cough medicine. I was sitting in the drive through of the pharmacy for about 20 minutes waiting on another bottle of cough medicine when I heard her gagging... She threw up. Everywhere!!! Now... I can handle anything. And I mean anything. I once had my hand in a young woman's body holding off a bleeding artery while they wheeled her into surgery. I worked in the hospital with cancer children or almost 10 years. Blood, guts, broken bones, poop, pee, no biggie. I cannot handle vomit. Even the word makes me nauseous. So picture this: me sitting in the drive through fighting with the pharmacists who just told me they don't have it and she cant find a pharmacy that does with a child throwing up everywhere. Not pretty. I start gagging and just drive off. I didn't say a word. Just drove off. I look back and she started to sing and play in it. I cant handle this. I CANNOT HANDLE THIS!!! I drove home with all the windows open, gagging, praying, and planning my next move. I didn't know what to do. How the heck do I clean her up!!!

I get home and instead of taking her out of the car seat in the truck (with fear her vomit would fall in the truck) I removed the whole car seat, baby and all. I sat them on the drive way and poked at the buckles until she was free. I had to take multiple breaks to pray and gag and breathe. I'm utterly ridiculous. I know. I checked the mail before going inside buying me time to plan my next move. Guess what was in the mail! A speeding ticket.... I am now 31 years old and just received my first speeding ticket on my birthday while my very first foster child covered in vomit is singing and playing with her vomit in my driveway. I somehow managed to get her up the stairs and in the tub without touching her. Clothes, shoes, diaper and all. I thought her splashing around would get it off. I was wrong. Oh my goodness was I wrong. I eventually got her cleaned up, fed, lotioned, storied, and in bed. Now, to tend to the car seat.

My friend drove by as I stood in my driveway and stared at the car seat. She stopped and laughed with/at me and left. She came back a few minutes later as I still am standing there trying to figure it out with a six pack of my favorite beer, roses, and a hug from my gorgeous god daughter. I eventually got everything cleaned and I survived the night. I was able to laugh through most of it and have laughed about it all day today.

Its Saturday. No visit. She is wonderful today, except for her cough. I'm still traumatized. I'm sure all moms and dads have a story like this. I told my dad tonight and he laughed. He asked if I went out for my birthday and if that was why I missed his call. HA!!! I only can wish that was the case. I can still smell it. I swear it will stick with me forever. I have to find a way to get over this reaction to people throwing up.

Until next time. -K-