4 years 28 days

Day 1488. Our second night in Austria was even worse than the first, with the kids waking up and moving around. They were saying they were not tired at times. Sammy now only falls asleep with me at his side, and he was awake too and simply would not fall asleep. Tammy and Emmy joined us in bed again, where there is not really enough space for 4 people. It took until 3 am before it finally got quieter, and we got some sleep.

The alarm went off at 8 am, and I felt better than yesterday at first. We got up and had breakfast, then we got them ready to leave the house at 9 am. It was time for their 4-year-old checkup at the pediatrician's. We got on the subway, then on two trams. I was extremely tired again and had to close my eyes. Just before 10 am we got to the doctor's office, and Grandma was already on the sidewalk by the entrance to say hello to her grandkids. It was so good to see her again. We went upstairs to the doctor's office.

After registering, we sat down to wait our turn. The kids were playing with some toys on the table, and Grandma ended up reading a book to Emmy. Then a cliniclown arrived. He showed a few magic tricks and guessed everyone's name. Then it was our turn to go into the doctor's office.

The kids were a little tense, even though we had told them that nothing was gonna hurt. They weighed and measured them, listened to their lungs, looked into their ears and mouth. Sammy was scared, but he was alright. Then I suddenly felt like I was about to pass out, and so I lay down on the bed they had there. I had not eaten or even had water all day. They gave me a glass of water, and at least the feeling of passing out went away. The doctor had seen that the kids all had a cough, and I was obviously sick as well.

We left the doctor's office and went back on the street, where we had to say good-bye to Grandma. We picked up a prescription at the pharmacy, then we walked to the tram stop, where we usually take the train. However, the tram was not running, so we had to walk all the way back and take a different line. I was still not feeling well, and we decided to have lunch at McDonald's.

After two tram rides, we got there. I ordered, using all the special deals they currently have, and the kids finally got decent toys (not so in America) as well as a balloon that they were excited about. I was glad to finally get some food into my stomach. After we were done, we left to take the subway home. I was just as exhausted as before and could not keep my eyes open.

By 12:40 pm we were back home, and we went straight to bed - all of us. Emmy was too scared to sleep on the top of their bunkbed, and for some reason he said he was scared to sleep on the bottom, so he lay down with me. Even Randy lay down, which is very rare. I had to set my alarm as I had students from 3 to 6 pm.

And it was the alarm that woke me up, and Emmy got up as well, so did Sammy. Randy then also got up, and Tammy needed a little more time to wake up for good. At 3 pm I started teaching, and soon Randy and the kids went downstairs. Unfortunately I had a new big problem. I had set up a powerful fan to blow at us while sleeping, as it was so hot, and when I woke up, both my ears were in terrible pain. I taught my first student, then started my second, but I was having more and more of a hard time, so I canceled my third student, as well as my 9:30 pm student. I was in so much pain I was nearly crying and lay down in bed. I then asked Randy to get me a hot water bottle, which helped, alternating between my ears, which one to put on there. I fell asleep while lying in bed, not up to doing anything else, but I didn't sleep long. The kids came upstairs, and Emmy sat down next to me with his tablet. Randy then left on a grocery store run, while the kids continued playing with their devices. I was still lying in bed with the hot water bottle. At 7 pm I got up to make their dinner, and they started eating. Then Randy returned. After they were done eating, we got them ready for bed. I still read them a story, then I prayed for them and put them to bed. It was after 8:30 pm. I walked away again to eat my salad. Then Emmy cried again that he was scared on top of the bunkbed, but also on the bottom. He finally fell asleep anyway on the bottom.

After having eaten, I started working, thankfully feeling better and the pain in my ears having subsided. Then Emmy came into the room, wanting to lie down next to me. A few minutes later Sammy started crying for me. I sat down next to him and tried to leave, but he was still awake, so I got my computer and sat down next to him with it to be able to work. At some point I was finally able to leave, and I also moved Emmy back into his own bed. That way I was able to continue working. Now it's midnight and time to go to bed.