Mardi Gras 2017 – Picture Post 2 – The Reluctant Grownup

After a full day of parades two weekends before Mardi Gras Day, Liam woke up unable to walk. He couldn’t come down the stairs – he couldn’t bend his left hip or leg at all. I thought maybe it was a parade injury – too rough up and down off my shoulders or something. A quick trip to the urgent care revealed that it was not the simple dislocated/pulled hip or groin muscle that I thought it was. They did some Xrays and did some wiggling of the various joints and ultimately concluded that I needed to take him to the ER immediately . . . which was disconcerting and mildly alarming, to say the least.

We swung by Wendy’s for lunch, thank heavens, as little did we know after a 3 hour stay at the urgent care we’d be staying 21 additional hours at the hospital. They did more Xrays, blood work, mucus tests (gross), and an ultrasound of his hips. Long story short, he had fluid on the hip due to a common kid virus that causes inflammation, and he was on bed rest and observation for the night with possible early a.m. surgery to drain the fluid. I stayed the night with him, prepping him for surgery (IV fluids, a full body antimicrobial wipe down, no food after a certain time period, all the pre-op stuff). It was surreal and a bit stressful, especially as a newborn next door was going through drug withdrawal or something because that baby did not cease screaming for the entire time we were there. Also, during our seven hours in the triage area, before being sent to a private room, we were across from a tiny 1 year old having grand mal seizures. The Children’s Hospital is a tough place to hang out, let me tell you.

At the urgent care - I was lifting him everywhere but it was hurting my back, so our hero got to ride in a wheelchair, which thrilled him to no end. — At the urgent care – I was lifting him everywhere but it was hurting my back, so our hero got to ride in a wheelchair, which thrilled him to no end.

Looking somewhat wee and helpless in his hospital bed, but thrilled by the on demand tv

After a long night of wrestling with his IV and stressing me out, by morning we were released to go home. Phew!

Waiting for the wheelchair lady to come wheel us out

Luckily, that adventure occurred during a 4 day parade hiatus. So there wasn’t even any temptation – or whining – about skipping parades while he recouped. I, of course, am still recouping the lost billable time . . .

A few days later, a parade rolled a couple of blocks from our house, so we went. Liam stayed a bit and went home early, which was sensible. The other two stuck it out til the end. He started feeling better as the week went on, and he went to most of the parades, though he sat for a lot of them. It was a fun season! And now I’m all about salads, vegetables, water, and no more fried chicken for at least a month!

Nyx is a great parade - they throw purses — Nyx is a great parade – they throw purses

This guy came up to me the next morning and asked if I would "turn him into" a butterfly - then handed me these wings — This guy came up to me the next morning and asked if I would “turn him into” a butterfly – then handed me these wings

The weekend before Mardi Gras day, my in-laws always come to town. My husband’s sister’s husband is from a NOLA family, though he was a military kid and I don’t think has ever actually lived here himself. In any case, they come to Mardi Gras every year, and though the Prof was working on this day, I pushed those kids in a stroller almost a mile and a half to meet this crew at the Iris and Tucks parades. It was fun – we had a little area in the back where the littles could hang and play, while the big kids stood right up close and caught stuff. It was fun to catch up with them!

If you are what you eat, then we are all fried chicken

Iris and Tucks were on a Saturday. The next day is our favorite day of Mardi Gras – three parades roll right by our house, and we always have a house party. (Although we have moved from our former apartment, the two places are only a couple of blocks from each other). Tons of people came and used up my hand soap and TP and ate all my food, it was fabulous. The Prof got to come to this one as well.

His first parade of the season, I believe.

He caught a lollipop and was really into it

This little boy on the left was a visitor from SC, and he got the hang of it real quick. Almost lost him a few times as he'd run up the route chasing floats! — This little boy on the left was a visitor from SC, and he got the hang of it real quick. Almost lost him a few times as he’d run up the route chasing floats!

Uncharacteristically serious, probably annoyed I made him pause for one second to take a pic

The in-laws brought some buddies from up north, and I got a good family shot! Their youngest is adopted and he was born here and adopted from here - he is gestationally Liam's exact age, though he was born 3 weeks early. Which is a weird way of saying that I met him when he was born, and held him, and it was weird to look at this little thing and know that the exact same sized thing was still in my belly at the time. Liam was born a week later. — The in-laws brought some buddies from up north, and I got a good family shot! Their youngest is adopted and he was born here and adopted from here – he is gestationally Liam’s exact age, though he was born 3 weeks early. Which is a weird way of saying that I met him when he was born, and held him, and it was weird to look at this little thing and know that the exact same sized thing was still in my belly at the time. Liam was born a week later.

A crew in a walking parade (with one float) rolls right by our house - this is from my front porch on Mardi Gras day! That's my white car! — A crew in a walking parade (with one float) rolls right by our house – this is from my front porch on Mardi Gras day! That’s my white car!

On Mardi Gras day we headed up to Rex, when the King of Mardi Gras (this year, played by a well known local pediatrician) arrives to town. Craig and I went and watched alone, with friends. Here, he's caught a Rex bull - the Boeuf Gras (fat beef!) — On Mardi Gras day we headed up to Rex, when the King of Mardi Gras (this year, played by a well known local pediatrician) arrives to town. Craig and I went and watched alone, with friends. Here, he’s caught a Rex bull – the Boeuf Gras (fat beef!)

The Rex parade floats are always beautifully, professionally done, with unique throws for each float. They ride on original old wagons from a long time ago - 1800s maybe? - pulled by modern day tractors of course. — The Rex parade floats are always beautifully, professionally done, with unique throws for each float. They are built on original old wagons from a long time ago – 1800s maybe? – pulled by modern day tractors of course.

The girls we were hanging out with all wanted to dress as princesses, so we were surrounded

Post Mardi Gras the Prof has been gone a lot still - work dinners, etc. - and this weekend a Boy Scout campout. So me and little man went out to dinner together! — Post Mardi Gras the Prof has been gone a lot still – work dinners, etc. – and this weekend a Boy Scout campout. So me and little man went out to dinner together!