Friday Free For All

Posted on April 25, 2008 by Sara

• This is actually my 100th entry here, however I have 143 entries over here, so I’m not celebrating. If you want to know 100 things about me, you can read them here.
• I am getting bored of using abbreviations for the kid’s names on here. It’s tiring. I don’t want to use their real names because I don’t want my immediate family to find me, however typing ED and CA is annoying me. Would it be too confusing if I changed their names to pseudonyms?
• I think that the parents at daycare think I am a bad mom. They must. They all dress their kids in long sleeves and pants. It is in the 50’s in the morning……but it will be 80 degrees this afternoon, so I dress my kids in shorts and t-shirts with a jacket for the morning.
• I’ve never been big on the whole bundling the kids or even a newborn phenomenon anyway. I dress them the way that I would dress myself. This drives my mother INSANE. I still remember her covering ED with tons of blankets after he was born, when he was already in a blanket sleeper. Irritating! He was warm enough. Both of my kids, like Hub are warm all the time anyway.
• Did I ever mention that I did, in fact, have strep throat this week? (for some reason I just wrote french toast instead of strep throat—weird) What a miserable freaking experience.
• I decided last night, that since I hadn’t slept in my own bed all week due to acid reflux, that I was not eating any dinner. It worked; I slept in bed without coughing up food in the middle of the night. I did wake up starving on several occasions though. Not sure which was worse?
• We have decided not to travel to Atlanta next month. There is no way I am sitting in a car for 13 hours. We will take a shorter, and closer (read cheaper) trip instead. Regardless of what we do I am off for a week and a half—YIPPEE!
• It smells like pizza and wings in here and it is making me nauseous. Tonight is pizza night at home. BOO!
• Oh! I updated my links for who I’m reading. Check out the newbies!
• ED’s injury is completely healed. He is no worse for the wear. YAY.

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Posted on April 25, 2008 by Sara

The windows are open and a warm breeze circulates through the house. Wind chimes clang in the breeze and a neighbor’s lilac bush is blooming. The smell of charcoal barbeques floats through the warm air and children laughing and screaming can be heard throughout the neighborhood. My children come to me for hugs with warm and rosy cheeks. Their heads smell sweet; full of sunshine and sunscreen. I drink it in as the sun kisses my face and brings out my freckles.

It is 87 degrees, yet it is only April.

We are expecting snow next week.

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Random Crap and a (somewhat) Rhetorical Question

Posted on April 23, 2008 by Sara

I promised ED I would take him to buy flip flops tonight. Do you think he’ll forget? Since we started in the kitchen, he’s been wearing mine……apparently, he hates his slippers now and he NEEDS flip flops. From “Oh Maybe’s” [Old Navy] Ok then Mr. Opinion. CA, I’m sure, will insist that she needs some as well, even though I just ordered her some from TCP……they just haven’t arrived (or even shipped for that matter and it has been 10 days) yet. I hear that Payless is doing BOGO right now though, so maybe I can score some new (ahem–slightly larger) summer shoes while we are out.

I had my glucose tolerance test this morning and it was horrific. My old doctor had this backwoods formula that involved drinking a can of orange crush ½ hour before your appointment and then she drew your blood when you came in. The new doctor…not so much. That bottle of orange melted freezy pop with extra sugar was enough to take me over the edge. Vomit city. I thought it was maybe like a shot of something, a sip or two-but a WHOLE BOTTLE?? Yuck. About 20 minutes after I drank it, I started feeling shaky, dizzy and nauseous which does nothing but leave me to wonder “is my body processing this correctly or incorrectly??” I don’t even know what I’ll do if I have to go back for the second test. I was nauseous until a few hours ago.

Have any of you given any thought to the kind of parent you will be when your kids are grown? I imagine myself having weekly family dinners, with a house full of grand kids, and daily phone calls. I can’t imagine not touching a piece of their life on a daily basis. These may be high hopes on my part, but do you get what I’m saying? If one of my kids had the evening off, and her husband was working, and my only plan was to go up to the casino—I would jump at the chance to meet up with her and her kids for dinner–ESPECIALLY after I just got back from a week in another country—I can go to the casino anytime, right? But apparently, this isn’t how all parents operate. Some value their own time. I’m just sayin’. (Jaded much, Sara? Bitter much?) Maybe I’ll feel different when I’m in my 50’s and my kids have lives of their own. But I can’t imagine that I will.

The work day has gone fast and soon I’ll be leaving to get the kiddos—apparently we will be dining on our own. Wish me luck in navigating the store with them!

P.S. thank you all for your comments on yesterday’s post. You all are the bomb digity!!

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Not The Cool Mom

Posted on April 22, 2008 by Sara

CA’s gymnastics school is closing; Saturday is her last day. I’m torn in my feelings about it because she really enjoys it, and is really good at it (for an almost 3-year-old) but the mom’s were just really hard for me to deal with. So on one had its “poor CA!!!” and on the other it’s “Phew, I never have to see those women again!”

Out of the group, there are maybe two down-to-earth mothers. The majority of them are SAHM’s, but not the cool kind like you all out there; the kind that think working mothers are doing the world a disservice; that daycare is bad etc. I understood them not talking to me at first; I can seem standoffish to those who don’t know me. I am quiet in unfamiliar situations. Even in my adult life, it is hard for me to make friends. I get that. Not to mention that I refuse to get myself all made up on a Saturday morning to take my kid to gymnastics. It’s not a big deal. But at some point, I started feeling comfortable and when one of the instructors began speaking of her sister, who had delivered a “HUGE” 8-lb baby, I inserted that CA herself weighed 9”5 and that ED was 10”2. I then joked that the Bean probably already weighed 8lbs. I wasn’t met with the chorus of “Wow, that’s amazing!!” that I normally get, but rather mutterings of “all of my kids weighed about 5lbs” and “what did you have gestational diabetes or something??”. I felt like they may as well have said “shut up! You don’t belong here!!”

A few weeks later, a new mom joined and commented that her son didn’t want to leave; and he was the same at daycare. I talked a bit with New Mom, CA is the same way and blah blah blah, and a few minutes later was approached by “the ringleader mom.”

“So CA goes to daycare?”

“Yes, she and her brother both……”

“Hmmm, I just registered J for (prestigious) Montessori School for pre-k next year. We’re on the waiting list, but I won’t mind if she’s home with me another year. Where do you work?”

I tell her.

She looks at me like I told her I work at Pizza Hut or something. “And what do you do there??”

“I’m the Assistant Vice President in charge of …”

“Oh, how nice for you.”

For some reason I justify it by saying that Hub is self employed and is home with them 2 days a week.

“Oh, that’s nice for him……”

Indeed.

I’m not sure why I allow myself to be made to feel bad by these women. I am happy with our work/daycare/life balance. My kids are happy and well adjusted. I enjoy working and providing for them. I shook off her comments I returned to class the following week with a smile determined to ignore any comments that came my way. Thankfully none did, but I have to admit that when I heard The Ringleader telling New Mom that the parents usually go out for coffee and donuts after class, that it stung a little bit.

Not all of the parents go—some were never even invited.

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Jackassery

Posted on April 21, 2008 by Sara

Well for starters, ED is fine. Bruised and still a bit swollen, but fine. We took him to the toy store after the urologist for being so brave, and as he put his selected toy on the counter her told the clerk “this is for my wee-nah.” Oy.

I actually left work early on Wednesday due to my cold and called in on Thursday as well. ED’s issue on Friday gave me another day off. Late Saturday night, my throat started to hurt and by yesterday it was excruciating. I hardly slept last night from the pain but dragged myself in today to catch up. My tonsils are huge; like golf balls, and red and bumpy. Yippee. Hub commented though that this is the longest I’ve gone in a pregnancy without antibiotics. He’s right—with 6 UTI’s during my pregnancy with ED and strep throat 5 times with CA, this is pretty good. She’s finding other ways to kick my ass though without being sick.

Did I mention that it was 87 degrees here on Saturday? Yes, in Buffalo. Fun times in which Hub did not put the air conditioner in. Also a really great time to discover that NONE of my summer maternity wear fits me. I don’t understand because it is the exact same size AND from the same store as the rest of my stuff. 6 pair of capris and 2 pair of shorts. Do not fit. WTF. I spent the weekend in an old pair of Hub’s sweat shorts. And when I went to him, for comfort, I heard “it really is your own fault; did you think you hadn’t gained any weight in the 3 years since CA was born? It would be like me complaining that my t-shirts from last year don’t fit.” I told him how they were the same size and that it makes no sense…and also that I wasn’t planning on spending any money on summer clothes. His response “you have your $200 from Christmas.” Indeed I do, but I was saving it for back to work clothes in the fall. He gave in later and told me I don’t have to spend my money……but GAH!

What else? As I mentioned baby clothes and gear to Hub yesterday for probably the 657th time he said “are you freaking out? Even just a little bit? Are you freaking out??” YES I’M FREAKING OUT!! We are having another baby in like, 12 weeks!!!! Oy.

Finally, Hub and ED started demolishing the kitchen yesterday, and I spent Friday and Saturday moving everything out, essentials in to the living room, non-essentials in to the basement. Guess when the cabinet install is scheduled for?? 5/16. Like, a month away. I can’t live out of my living room for a month. We’re moving a few things back in to the kitchen for the time being. It just seems like such a long process. By the time it is over, I’ll be ready to give birth. O M G.

I am off to the doctor. Hopefully for some good drugs.

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Oh the H O R R O R

Posted on April 18, 2008 by Sara

I struggle with how to even write this. First of all there is the sheer horror of the situation, and then there is the fact that I’d like to avoid weird googlers. I guess I’m still in shock.

So anyway, here goes.

We had dinner at Hub’s grandmothers, who lives in senior housing where many of her things are hospital grade, last night. I had CA in the bathroom, washing her up from dinner, and ED came in to pee. It took all of a second, CA and I were laughing at the sink, and suddenly, ED was screaming; shrieking even, and was holding his, um, stuff.

I remembered hearing the toilet seat slam a second before….I asked him to move is hands in all of his hysteria, and there was blood….not a ton, but enough.

He had got it stuck.

I called Hub in to look just as it started forming a huge blood blister. His mother, a nurse, took look as well. It wasn’t good. He couldn’t pee. We weren’t sure if it was because he was scared, or if the hole had swollen shut, or if something even worse was going on inside of there.

ED’s biggest concern—not getting his underwear dirty. He insisted on wearing a washcloth on the inside.

FIL met us at the ER to take CA home and we spent the better part of the evening at the hospital. ED was actually in pretty good spirits as he had calmed down, and spoke with the doctors and nurses candidly. All of the doctors were in to see him, to the point that when the girl who was just taking some info from us did not ask to see the boo boo, ED questioned why.

I’m proud of him for doing so well. The doctors measured the cut that runs right across the tip…just over a centimeter; I think to decide whether or not he needed a stitch or two. I think Hub was ready to throw up just thinking about it. After about an hour, having taken Tylenol with codeine as well as having a numbing agent placed on the area, ED peed and we were cleared to go home.

We have an appointment with a pediatric urologist in few hours to determine if there actually is any damage or if it is just bruised and cut. ED is telling everyone that we are going to the we.in.er doctor.

He is gun-shy about peeing, having only gone once since we got home from the hospital over 12 hours ago. He is very sore, obviously, and needs help getting on the couch and laying down. He doesn’t have much of an appetite, with the exception of eating M&M’s. But overall, I’d say he is doing well.

I’m nervous about the urology appointment. We’ve seen one once before, as ED’s circ was a bit botched at birth. His bedside manner—not great. This is a different doctor, but in the same practice. We’ll see how it goes.

I’m trying to think of the upside….yesterday was the first night ever he stayed dry all night. Maybe this will help him learn to hold it. And also, if he does need surgery, we can have his circ fixed and get it taken care of all at once.

Most of all though, I am hurting for my baby. He is brave though. On the way to the hospital (or hostable as he says) last night I said o him “I’m so sorry this happened, buddy.” And do you know what my big boy said? “You didn’t do it Mommy. I did.”

Prayers and happy thoughts are appreciated. I will update soon.

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24-Week Photo

Posted on April 16, 2008 by Sara

And Kid Pic for Fodder….


Let’s say I look like crap solely because I am sick….

This was Maple Weekend a few weeks ago….just before CA fell face first in to a mud puddle

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Ho Hum de Dum

Posted on April 16, 2008 by Sara

I have a cold and it is making me miserable. It’s not the kind where my nose is completely blocked, but rather the obnoxious kind that drip drip drips down the back of my throat, causing it to sting. I thought about staying home today, but really why bother. I may as well be miserable at work and accomplish something instead of sitting at home with a blanket and the TV……HEY what the heck was I thinking???

My job announced a new benefit plan for 2009 which is, in a word, amazing. 12 weeks of paid maternity leave. I asked The Bean if she’d like to stay in for another 4 months and she told me no way……so I’ll take my 8 weeks. (maybe longer if I have to get this hernia repaired) They are switching to one national health plan which should lower costs, and they are giving each associate a prepaid flex spending account for co pays and prescriptions which increases by how many dependents you cover. I will receive the max, which is $1200 and if I don’t spend it, it rolls over, right up until I retire. The greatest thing though, is childcare assistance. Right now, they offer $175/month/child but only if you make a certain amount of $$ or less. I haven’t qualified since my promotion in 2005. They are raising the income threshold by over $20k AND they are increasing it to $225/month/child. Which with what I pay for part time daycare is like getting one child per month for free. Which means we can afford to send The Bean and not worry about carting her to my parents etc. until ED goes to kindergarten. To say that I am thrilled is an understatement.

I told Hub that the 12 weeks of maternity pay is a sign that we should have a 4th. He laughed and just told me to get through this one first.

I am officially 24-weeks along today, by the way. I feel like I should post a new photo, but I also feel WAY too fat for all of that. I didn’t tell you that I gained 6lbs last month. Ooops.

Honey Crullers be damned!

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The Beast Within

Posted on April 15, 2008 by Sara

In the back of my mind I have a vague recollection of ED turning in to a hell-child just before he turned three. Only bits and pieces stand out. I’m starting to wonder, if like the pain of childbirth, we forget our children being pains in the ass in order to further the human race.

That all being said, CA has been a real pisser lately. The attitude is unreal; as if she is a teenager! When I remind her of her manners I hear “I SAID GET ME JUICE!!!!” and she is throwing herself on the floor in these horrific fits when she doesn’t get her way. Yesterday she was nasty all night, having been placed in time out twice for hitting and pinching me as well as severely antagonizing her brother. She was out at one point, demanding her juice, when the cat wretched up all of his food on to one of my kitchen mats (centimeters from the actual floor where I could have just wiped it up……). I asked her to go and get me a few wipes from the bathroom while I poured her juice, and she readily obliged. I heard the toilet flush twice while she was away, but no bells went off for me, and I went about my business. It was only a short time later, when I needed to use the bathroom that I realized what she had been up to. The toilet was filled to the very top of the seat, and sticking out of the drain, was the entire container of wipes. I left the bathroom to ask her what she had done and was told “I just flushed some toilet paper!” I probed her again……”Just toilet paper???” “Yes Mama, and one wipe.” Sigh. “Just one wipe, CA???” “Well, one REALLY big one.”

This girl is going to be the death of me, I thought as I dunked my hand in to the bowl to fish out the clumps of wipes. At least they were still all folded together and we didn’t need to call a plumber.

Over the weekend, as she played with her brother and 2 boy cousins Hub commented that in his family, they always picked on his cousin R, the only girl, and that he was surprised how well the boys took to her. It was clear though that she was the alpha in that group—I turned to Hub and said “they wouldn’t dare to pick on her; she’d kick all of their asses.”

Indeed she would, this difficult yet extremely lovable child.

When she woke up this morning, and snuggled on my lap for a bit, she told me “bad CA stayed in bed; good CA is awake.”

I guess we’ll see what today will bring.

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A Ramblin’ and A Ravin’

Posted on April 14, 2008 by Sara

First, please go and congratulate one of my favorite bloggers, Bananafana who had her baby on Saturday!!!! Hooray!!

I feel compelled to tell you that I spent $152 at JCP on Saturday. I went in for a gift for my cousin, and came out overly excited about their kid’s sale. We drove home and I put the kids in for a nap, and promptly returned to the mall to make my haul. I ended up with 7 outfits and 2 pair of shoes for CA, 3 outfits and several shirts for ED and 2 outfits for The Bean. I also picked up 2 outfits for my niece. The only disappointment was the poor show of shorts in ED’s size. Darn him for not fitting in to the toddler sizes any longer. Basically though, the sale was as long as you bought at least 3 items, everything was 50% off. THEN I had a coupon for $20 off $100 and $15 off $75 and they let me use both. I saved over $200—not that JCP ever has their stuff not on sale……but I still feel accomplished. Anyhoo, aside from shorts for ED I am pretty well set for them for this summer.

The mall happened to be swarmed with Canadians picking up some great deals with their great $$ and the parking was ridiculous, so I parked in a secret place I have, and walked over to JCP. I neglected to think it through though, since I had to lug all of the clothes all the way back to my great spot. I’m still sore. Can I just mention though, to the folks casually meandering through the mall……KNOCK IT OFF!!! WALK WITH A PURPOSE!! IF I CAN WADDLE FASTER THAN YOU, YOU ARE GOING TOO SLOW!!!! Ok, I feel better.

Yesterday I started pulling out and organizing summer clothes from the basement to add to what I bought and see if we needed anything else, along with putting away clothes that no longer fit the kiddos. I put all of the boxes of ED’s clothes in the back corner and moved all of CA’s clothes to the front, as we will be using them again. I pulled out the boxed of blankets, bibs and burp cloths and other misc baby stuff for hub to bring upstairs. He asked me if I thought it was a bit soon, to which I replied “I AM SIX MONTHS PREGNANT!!!” I mean, seriously. It’s time to get organized here. I’m not going to be in the position of not even having the car seat and bassinette ready like we were when CA showed up 2-weeks early. Let’s just get it the hell done already.

6-months along and everything led me to my doctor’s appointment this morning. Everything looks good, though it seems I’ve developed an umbilical hernia. Gross. I mentioned it because it is starting to hurt, but apparently, especially after multiple pregnancies, it’s pretty normal and should go away after I deliver. In any case, it is a severely disgusting bulge. Can you believe that after my next appointment I am up to every 2 weeks? Holy hell!! It really is moving fast!

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