unntakstilstand

In Norwegian, we have this term, "unntakstilstand." I can't think of an English equivalent (anybody want to suggest something?). Literally it means "state of exception." In the US, more drastic terms like "national state of disaster" or "emergency" are used.

Anyways. We're in the midst of one. Lilly woke up with a cold Christmas eve. After a couple of hours of childish grieving for the Christmas party we were supposed to have with our friends, Leighton and I pulled ourselves together, for the sake of Lilly and ourselves, and had a quite nice Christmas eve at our house, just the three of us. But then the days got long. Having to quarantine Lilly. And then the weather had us down and homebound too with snow, slush, and icy conditions. Then Leighton got sick too.

So now we all have rough nights, Lilly and Leighton because they're sick, I because I'm busy nursing and comforting Lilly. Last night, Lilly was awake from one a.m. till about four, coughing constantly. Around three, I finally was able to get some cough syrup down her throat, pour girl. And then she eventually settled down. Leighton was trying to sleep in the other room, having hard enough of a time on his own.

So we were quite the threesome when we met up for breakfast this morning, the three of us. That's when "unntakstilstand" enters. You're so crazy tired (all of us) and sick (Leighton and Lilly) or on the verge of getting sick (me), that you just crack up and get a little silly. The day just felt out of the ordinary (it must be, right???!!!), so you change things up. I got Lilly and I dressed quickly so we could drive our sick hubby/papa to the library this morning so he didn't need to walk there in this freakin' cold weather we're having now (which, by the way, looks absolutely stunning with blue sky, sunshine, moon still out, snow covered fields). Then we did our various errands. In and out of the car seat, me so tired I feel drugged, Lilly silly tired too, just lounging in her car seat, giggling when I take her in and out of it, gazing amusedly at the various things on the shelves in the stores. When she's like this, she loves cruising down isles in the cart, first the drug store, then the grocery store. Everything is just kind of like on a spin.

At home again, we settle down, I do the dishes, it's still only about 10 a.m. At the grocery store, I've picked up a copy of In Style, a fashion magazine. Haven't purchased a magazine like that in years. But today is different, we need to look at some glamour, feel that there's freshness and style out there (for by now I haven't showered in days). Lilly sits contently on my lap as we leaf through the magazine. Somehow it gets to be lunch time, and then after that I am, lo and behold!, able to put her down for a nap. Glory (and rest! if not sleep) to all.

Then Leighton's with her in the afternoon, I try to work a little in the study, they watch some Baby Einstein, listen to music and dance, read books, play with the new train, try to play with the play-doh, papa makes dinner. I work at home so Lilly has access to the boob every now and then; it's more urgently needed on a day like today.

This is our life. So goes another day. We have our dinner, which always involves teasing at least some food into Lilly, playing with food, water, cleaning up, running around, she wants to play. Then we (one of us) do play some with her while the other does the dishes. The one who's with her gives her a bath. Then it's time to brush teeth, settle down. And go to bed. Which I have the honor of accompanying her to do, seeing it's what she prefers. And it can be hard, a long hour of sucking and squirming and up and down and agony. Tonight was intense. But here I am now, on the couch, the Christmas tree all lit up, candles burning on the mantle piece, Leighton next to me. And I'm so ready to sleep... But first I want to savor this very moment. And the one below.