Pig Roast

For the past 25 years Michael's Dad and his wife host an annual pig roast on their land, a full weekend of camping, campfires, and outdoor fun (with hunting camouflage and beer as the main accessories). Yes, you could argue it's a little redneck, but honestly, with the chill of October and the leaves starting to change (and no pig over an open fire this year) it was great way to celebrate the season.

We arrived Friday evening to set up our tent and hang out with the other early arrivers. The air was cool but not cold, the campfire was warm and the burgoo (stew) was delicious.

Michael's Dad, half sister, brother, buddy, sister-in-law and cousin 

It was supposed to be cold at night -- temps in the 40s -- and camping with a 20-month old didn't sound like the ideal scenario. (Well, for me, sleeping in a tent is never the Ideal scenario.) Besides, my brand new niece Lilly was less than an hour away, so after sunset Adam and I hopped in the car and headed south to Lexington to enjoy family, baby Lilly, central heating and real beds. :)

The next morning, though, Adam woke with a high fever. :( We gave him Tylenol and let him nap as much as he needed. Later in the afternoon he was still warm but his temperature was lower, so we decided to head back to the pig roast for all the festivities. Angie and her boys came with us. There were hayrides, a big potluck lunch, a pumpkin pinata, pumpkin painting, ER visits, and more! At dusk Michael was being a terrific uncle and took his nephews on ATV rides. On the last ride he had a run in with a sticker bush... right across his right eye. Just to be sure, we went to the ER to have his eye checked out. Scratched cornea, but fortunately nothing more severe.

Sunday Adam woke with a low-grade fever but more energy and we got to spend a little bit more time enjoying the perfect October morning before packing up and heading home.

It took Michael several days to recover from the light insensitivity caused by his eye energy and almost a week to regain his normal vision in his right eye. After Adam's fever all weekend, his fever spiked to 104F on Monday and the daycare called to have him picked up. He came home and slept and by 7 pm his fever finally broke. I'd already made an appointment for that night -- our pediatrician's office is open til 10PM! -- and decided to still take him just to be sure. His ears were clear, and the doctor said it was just a virus. His fever never came back, but it took the rest of the week for him to finally rest up and fully recover from it. I'm happy to report he's back to his cheerful self. And this momma is happy.

ps. Adam's weight at the dr office at 20 months, with clothes and a diaper, was 24 lbs even.