I'm supposed to be baking, wrapping gifts and singing carols

Instead, I'm worrying myself to death over that fact that since my son, Zak, now has strep throat, the rest of the family could follow shortly. Aren't there like 7 more days till Christmas?

Yeah.

At 3:45 yesterday he breaks out in a rash all over his body. That was my cue that the sore throat, and fever he'd had for 2 days was probably not going to go away any time soon. I called the doctor, they were full, but they'd fit me in. I didn't have time to find anyone to watch the girls, and a desperate call to request the husband off work, didn't work. So I loaded all 3 up and raced to the doctor to get there before they closed. All I'll say about the 30 minute wait in the waiting room is that it was full and my 2 year old was jumping to the only 3 empty chairs. That's right. I was the mother that everyone else was either looking at in disgust, because I couldn't get my child under control, or they were feeling sorry for me because they'd been there. Then there were the words every potty training mom dreads most when your in a public place - well, almost - "Mommy, I need to go pee pee." Now, had I not raced so fast to the doctor, I would have put her in a pull up. And at this point, I probably would have done the biggest potty training "no no" and told her to just go in her pull up. But that of course wasn't an option. I beg Zak to stay and wait for his name to be called, but he'll have none of that so we head to the bathroom. Here, I learn it is hard to put toilet paper on the toilet so my child won't get germs, while holding the baby. I can't put the baby down because she'll crawl all over the disgusting floor. I choose the lesser of 2 evils and tell Paige to just get her self on the potty. I had left the stall door open so we could all fit, and in wanders some little girl, without her mother, who wants to check out the commotion. Then of course we haven't mastered wiping by ourselves yet, so I need to do this, while holding the baby. I misjudge the depth of the water below and soak my hand in potty water. I KNOW! Somehow she gets her pants up I place the baby on the counter because I absolutely have to wash my hands, no matter what it takes. I block her from falling with my elbow as I sing the ABCs in my head while I wash my hands because I need to make sure they get really clean.

We didn't miss our name being called and as soon as the nurse saw Zak's rash she said "I bet his strep test is so positive". Our very nice Dr, Dr Albiek confirms this and proceeds to tell me that when they told him who had called, he said he'd see me because he knew I wouldn't bring them in if it weren't serious. We're on a first name basis. I believe in co pays alone this fall I've paid for his entire family's Christmas.

Remember that magical Christmas season I blogged about. Its still just in my head.

Now, I'm going to share a picture of our Christmas tree