And Then There Were Four

It started in November, the week of Thanksgiving, with Cody. He's usually the hardiest of the bunch, so when he fell asleep reading one afternoon, I knew something was up. 

Sure enough, before long he had a high fever and what seemed like the flu, but was actually called adenovirus. Key word "virus," meaning "THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO TO HELP YOU. HANG IN THERE." 

He missed the entire week of school. The night of Thanksgiving, Cordelia looked suspiciously warm. Then followed the sickest she has ever been, including the foot and hand and whatever disease. It was  absolutely awful. 

She got up to 105 for a couple of days before the fever finally broke. She had to miss the whole week of school.

Then we had, like, 30 hours where everyone was great. Naturally, on a weekend, but hey! We figured we were in the clear! We could go out for our anniversary! I could go to JVL's book launch!

The next morning—December 6—we awoke to this face:

 
It was the saddest (and scariest) thing I've ever seen with her. She couldn't even help decorate the tree. Oh, and she missed a week of school, by the way. That would be three consecutive weeks with one of them out of school. It's amazing we still have jobs.

 This is her getting BETTER, believe it or not.

Anyway, somehow, in the middle of this—despite the fact that I was literally sleeping in someone else's room or on the bathroom floor for a couple of weeks—this happened. 

I can only explain it by trusting that it's God's will and plan for us. That's the only explanation, really. My doctor has a different opinion. ("Haven't I TOLD YOU BEFORE how this happens?!" : )

Anyway, come August, we will have a quartet. Well, minus Emma, really, because it's increasingly clear she can't carry a tune in a bucket. Maybe we have two mixed doubles tennis teams? Well, except Cordelia might knock herself unconscious on the pole or get herself caught in the net. Anyway, we will have another little boy soon!

Cody and Emma are psyched. Cordelia is getting there — but her initial reaction is one I'll never forget. My sweet girl.