RJ decided that the lunar eclipse was a good reason to camp with the boys...in our backyard. He decided this at bedtime, so he wins the prize for being most spontaneous. We all know I would never be in the running for such a prize.
The boys joyfully gathered the blankets and sleeping bags and talked loudly about how much fun it would be to stay up late and sleep in the tent. I got REJ to bed at her regular time and the boys did stay up late - I think LJ was asleep around 9:30 and PJ a bit after...since he no longer had anyone to talk to him.
They all came in to go to the bathroom around 1:45 am and RJ told me it was cloudy and they couldn't see much...so, I went back to sleep. Then around 3:30, he came in to get me because there was a big break in the clouds approaching. So, I got to see the last part of the eclipse...it was pretty cool. I went back to bed anticipating REJ would wake up any minute...and I didn't hear from her until 7:15! She went 11 hours. Amazing! I've said that the boys will all have to sleep in the tent again tonight so we can replicate this 11 hours.
I anticipated grumpy and over-tired boys today and I needed to finish the Christmas cards and make more peanut brittle. Surprisingly, while they are clearly tired, they aren't too grumpy. I decided naps would occur earlier than usual today AND I could use the "threat" of "no playing in the tent this afternoon unless you actually sleep during nap time" to ensure sleeping. Christmas cards are in the mail and the first of two batches of peanut brittle is cooling.
Finally, REJ wore tights with her dress Sunday morning...and RJ dressed her.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Sunday, December 05, 2010
The Flu? and The End...sniff.
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, LJ had a fever. He actually admitted he didn't feel well...which means he REALLY didn't feel well. Of course, people are coming to the house and we have a sick child - this is how it always goes it seems.
My brother and his family (including the local M, B, and J) and MawMaw came over for Thanksgiving Eve dinner and we had a nice pre-turkey day visit. RJ spent the late afternoon at home...working diligently to get the basketball goal set up.
Thanksgiving day, LJ was still not feeling well, but his only symptom was a fever. My sister M came over to the house and we got busy getting Thanksgiving Dinner cooking. She brought several season-appropriate and size-appropriate outfits for REJ...they are so cute and we've been enjoying wearing some new clothes! I think M and I set a record for quickest preparations and least-stressful. At least that is how I felt about it. Perhaps with 3 children I just can't let a small thing like Thanksgiving Dinner with the people you love get me stressed out. Little by little the rest of the family arrived...bearing the foods they were planning (assigned?!) to bring. Jfer with the Deviled Eggs...TheSharester with the sweet snacks...KBear (MomMom!) with the cheese ball and the pies...and Bekah got the snack table all set up.
Around 1:00 all the food was prepped and we were ready to play Turkey Bowl 2010. The field had been painted and LJ and PJ had taken a swim in the pool - it had been that hot for THAT long, but a cold front was supposed to come through, so they decided to take advantage of what is likely to be the last swim of 2010. Once RJ got everything together - play commenced.
I remember 4 things about the 2010 game:
My brother and his family (including the local M, B, and J) and MawMaw came over for Thanksgiving Eve dinner and we had a nice pre-turkey day visit. RJ spent the late afternoon at home...working diligently to get the basketball goal set up.
Thanksgiving day, LJ was still not feeling well, but his only symptom was a fever. My sister M came over to the house and we got busy getting Thanksgiving Dinner cooking. She brought several season-appropriate and size-appropriate outfits for REJ...they are so cute and we've been enjoying wearing some new clothes! I think M and I set a record for quickest preparations and least-stressful. At least that is how I felt about it. Perhaps with 3 children I just can't let a small thing like Thanksgiving Dinner with the people you love get me stressed out. Little by little the rest of the family arrived...bearing the foods they were planning (assigned?!) to bring. Jfer with the Deviled Eggs...TheSharester with the sweet snacks...KBear (MomMom!) with the cheese ball and the pies...and Bekah got the snack table all set up.
Around 1:00 all the food was prepped and we were ready to play Turkey Bowl 2010. The field had been painted and LJ and PJ had taken a swim in the pool - it had been that hot for THAT long, but a cold front was supposed to come through, so they decided to take advantage of what is likely to be the last swim of 2010. Once RJ got everything together - play commenced.
I remember 4 things about the 2010 game:
- I caught a pass intended for team-mate, but deflected...so, you could say, I saved the play. In fact, that *is* what I say.
- We had to halt play due to rain that was hard enough for me to complain...and once play resumed, the cold front had gotten here (ushered in by the rain, no doubt) and it was MUCH colder.
- PJ was very tired and very vocal about NO ONE GIVING THE BALL TO HIM. RJ was trying very hard to appease him...carrying him around the field, but when a kid is tired, he's just tired...and cranky sometimes.
- The NoJos came in 2nd.
Sister M and niece C got the foods all cooked and set-aside to stay warm. Others jumped right in and set the tables and around 4:30, we sat down to the feast. LJ had been looking forward to sweet potatoes, but he wasn't feeling well, so he asked to lay in our bed and watch Cars. He fell asleep for a while. REJ was super helpful all day and slept and remained content until it was convenient for me to nurse her. Turns out...she was coming down with the illness LJ had.
After clean up, people left in spurts and around 8:30, it was just us 5 alone in our house. We put the kids to bed and watched football...at least one of my teams was victorious.
Friday morning, we all went to M&B's for brunch and games. REJ slept a lot and began to feel hot, but LJ was feeling better. That afternoon, we all napped! The locals came over for leftovers...and the M&B came over for leftovers on Saturday and Monday too! Thank goodness they are here to help us eat them. REJ stopped having a fever on Sunday and then, Tuesday...I came down with the illness. Once I had it, I could tell what all the symptoms were and I think we had the flu. Never mind that we all had flu shots. Fever, achy, extremely sore throat, headache...that's it. I felt so bad I had RJ stay home from work Tuesday afternoon and all day Wednesday. I still felt bad on Thursday, but my fever broke Wednesday in the middle of the night...I was drenched in sweat. Friday my sore throat was tolerable with pain relief, Saturday it was tolerable without, and today it is gone. PJ came down with a fever on Wednesday, but he seemed to get over it by Friday. It seems RJ has escaped.
Friday was also my birthday - we went out to dinner (Carinos) and then came home to a chocolate cake with peanut butter ice cream in it...and the boys bought me a charm bracelet with 3 charms - 1 for each of the children's birth stones!
Saturday, RJ and I tag-teamed as PJ had 2 birthday parties and LJ had a concert that his teacher from last year invited him to attend. I took PJ to one party and then came home to get REJ to take her with me and PJ to the 2nd party and RJ took LJ to the concert. Our entire Saturday revolved around the kids' social calendars!
Today was spent trying to get the house back in order - somewhat and attending the local Christmas Parade.
Tomorrow - I have to go back to work. Maternity leave has come to an end. I'm not happy about this. This also means REJ is almost 12 weeks old. These past 12 weeks have FLOWN by.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
First Tantrum
...aka - PJ threw a wall-eyed fit.
Today is a school-day for both the boys, but today LJ had a field trip. His class went on a nature walk. While I wasn't a chaperon, I had plans to meet the class at the trail head and go on the walk with them. Apparently, LJ's teacher had told the class that it was very important for them to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes because the trail is overgrown and sticks and brush would tickle their legs. LJ took this to heart and insisted on wearing his jacket and gloves as well. There was no talking him out of it and I didn't even really try. Who am I to try to reason with him? - It was only 80 degrees with about 80% humidity. I did try to talk logic with him...I asked, "what are you going to do with your jacket if you get hot?" - his reply, "I'll ask you to hold it." I said, "what if I'm not there?" - his reply, "I'll just keep it on." Okay then. Of course, LJ wearing his gloves made PJ want to wear his gloves and this, along with general lack of sleep and proper diet and just plain being 3, was the beginning of PJ's tantrum-making.
REJ and I did indeed meet up with LJ's class. It was super-humid. The trail was overgrown and brushy. LJ did wear his jacket (with the hood on) and gloves for the entire hike. And, he did ask me to hold his jacket during the after-hike snack...I told him that I would not hold it - he brought it, it was his responsibility.
After the field trip, I stopped at the grocery store 1) to buy chicken stock and 2) to kill the 20 minutes I needed to kill before I could go pick the boys up from school and, by this time, REJ had lost her sunny disposition. She was tired and wanted to nap, but you know how babies are...they can't just close their eyes and go to sleep. She finally fell asleep on the way to school...
PJ gets out of school at 11:30, so we waited outside his classroom and he seemed happy enough when we were united. After the "Happy Thanksgiving" cheers to his teachers and classmates, we waited at a patio table for LJ to be out at 11:45. REJ was now awake, but since we were outside, she was ok. PJ saw LJ outside his door (they had just finished outside time...recess, as we called it back in my day...) and ran up to him. As best as I could make out through the loud crying, pouty mouth and tears - LJ rebuked PJ and told him to leave him alone. LJ was still "in school", but let's face it - LJ has been getting more and more "automatic" with his responses and his filter isn't really working well these days. Additionally, PJ crys ALL.THE.TIME. about EVERYTHING. This gets really old. So, I'm trying to get PJ to stop HOWLING. I assure him that I understand why he's upset. I let him know that no matter how loudly he cries, he isn't going to be able to play with LJ right now - he's in his classroom, etc. Then PJ remembers that he took his gloves to school and he forgot them in his cubby. HOWLING CRIES! Oh the humanity! Forgot them in his cubby! So, we go to his classroom to find them. THEY AREN'T in his CUBBY! HOWL! I figured they were in RJ's truck, but Mrs. F remembered taking them off after his outside time...where PJ had convinced her to be Batgirl to his Batman. We (the non-fit throwing adults) decided he'd have to get them next week because we couldn't find them...later, I found them in the folder in his backpack.
We finally get outside where LJ is waiting for us to arrive so his teacher can release him...and we start to walk to the car. PJ begins HOWLING again...who knows why at this point? REJ is starting to wither and LJ is being kind of pouty himself. I just want everyone to get in the car so we can continue this drama in the privacy of our vehicle. But NOOOO - now PJ is just beside himself and when I tell him to sit in his seat he SCREAMS NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO - at the top of his lungs and through tears. Of course, I'm thinking, "this kid needs a nap in a baaad way" and I tell him that we are going to go home, eat lunch, and take a nap. NOOOOOOOOOOOOO - no surprise - he doesn't want to take nap. Finally, I tell him to just not talk the rest of the way home...if he talks on the way home, he'll take a nap with no lunch. NOOOOOOOOOO - he wants to eat lunch. PJ frequently misses the "if" part of the "if-then" statement and reacts to the "then" without realizing he has some control here. Finally, he stops having a freak-out and I tell LJ that him telling PJ to leave him alone hurt PJ. How would he feel if he came up to me, happy to see me, and I told him to leave me alone? - he said he'd say ok and not mind. He's sneaky that one...he knows when you are leading him down a certain path and he rejects it...he is just like his Momma. I told him I thought he should consider apologizing to PJ...so he does. And then PJ starts to talk, but then his eyes well up and I ask him what's wrong...he wants to say "ok LJ", but he can't because he's not supposed to talk. About that time REJ starts crying because she is 1) exhausted and 2) hungry.
Serenity Now!
Today is a school-day for both the boys, but today LJ had a field trip. His class went on a nature walk. While I wasn't a chaperon, I had plans to meet the class at the trail head and go on the walk with them. Apparently, LJ's teacher had told the class that it was very important for them to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes because the trail is overgrown and sticks and brush would tickle their legs. LJ took this to heart and insisted on wearing his jacket and gloves as well. There was no talking him out of it and I didn't even really try. Who am I to try to reason with him? - It was only 80 degrees with about 80% humidity. I did try to talk logic with him...I asked, "what are you going to do with your jacket if you get hot?" - his reply, "I'll ask you to hold it." I said, "what if I'm not there?" - his reply, "I'll just keep it on." Okay then. Of course, LJ wearing his gloves made PJ want to wear his gloves and this, along with general lack of sleep and proper diet and just plain being 3, was the beginning of PJ's tantrum-making.
REJ and I did indeed meet up with LJ's class. It was super-humid. The trail was overgrown and brushy. LJ did wear his jacket (with the hood on) and gloves for the entire hike. And, he did ask me to hold his jacket during the after-hike snack...I told him that I would not hold it - he brought it, it was his responsibility.
After the field trip, I stopped at the grocery store 1) to buy chicken stock and 2) to kill the 20 minutes I needed to kill before I could go pick the boys up from school and, by this time, REJ had lost her sunny disposition. She was tired and wanted to nap, but you know how babies are...they can't just close their eyes and go to sleep. She finally fell asleep on the way to school...
PJ gets out of school at 11:30, so we waited outside his classroom and he seemed happy enough when we were united. After the "Happy Thanksgiving" cheers to his teachers and classmates, we waited at a patio table for LJ to be out at 11:45. REJ was now awake, but since we were outside, she was ok. PJ saw LJ outside his door (they had just finished outside time...recess, as we called it back in my day...) and ran up to him. As best as I could make out through the loud crying, pouty mouth and tears - LJ rebuked PJ and told him to leave him alone. LJ was still "in school", but let's face it - LJ has been getting more and more "automatic" with his responses and his filter isn't really working well these days. Additionally, PJ crys ALL.THE.TIME. about EVERYTHING. This gets really old. So, I'm trying to get PJ to stop HOWLING. I assure him that I understand why he's upset. I let him know that no matter how loudly he cries, he isn't going to be able to play with LJ right now - he's in his classroom, etc. Then PJ remembers that he took his gloves to school and he forgot them in his cubby. HOWLING CRIES! Oh the humanity! Forgot them in his cubby! So, we go to his classroom to find them. THEY AREN'T in his CUBBY! HOWL! I figured they were in RJ's truck, but Mrs. F remembered taking them off after his outside time...where PJ had convinced her to be Batgirl to his Batman. We (the non-fit throwing adults) decided he'd have to get them next week because we couldn't find them...later, I found them in the folder in his backpack.
We finally get outside where LJ is waiting for us to arrive so his teacher can release him...and we start to walk to the car. PJ begins HOWLING again...who knows why at this point? REJ is starting to wither and LJ is being kind of pouty himself. I just want everyone to get in the car so we can continue this drama in the privacy of our vehicle. But NOOOO - now PJ is just beside himself and when I tell him to sit in his seat he SCREAMS NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO - at the top of his lungs and through tears. Of course, I'm thinking, "this kid needs a nap in a baaad way" and I tell him that we are going to go home, eat lunch, and take a nap. NOOOOOOOOOOOOO - no surprise - he doesn't want to take nap. Finally, I tell him to just not talk the rest of the way home...if he talks on the way home, he'll take a nap with no lunch. NOOOOOOOOOO - he wants to eat lunch. PJ frequently misses the "if" part of the "if-then" statement and reacts to the "then" without realizing he has some control here. Finally, he stops having a freak-out and I tell LJ that him telling PJ to leave him alone hurt PJ. How would he feel if he came up to me, happy to see me, and I told him to leave me alone? - he said he'd say ok and not mind. He's sneaky that one...he knows when you are leading him down a certain path and he rejects it...he is just like his Momma. I told him I thought he should consider apologizing to PJ...so he does. And then PJ starts to talk, but then his eyes well up and I ask him what's wrong...he wants to say "ok LJ", but he can't because he's not supposed to talk. About that time REJ starts crying because she is 1) exhausted and 2) hungry.
Serenity Now!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
2 Month Check-Up
Quickly! Crying REJ and have to get in the car to pick up LJ from school...
REJ's 2 Month Check-up Stats:
Weight - 12 pounds 12 ounces
Length - 24 1/2 inches
Monday, November 08, 2010
Gearing Up
We are gearing up for LJ's birthday - I cannot believe he will be 6 years old. Amazing. Sometimes when I look at him I think I can see what he'll look like as a teenager and it is hard to believe that we are moving closer and closer to that. After his birthday, there is Thanksgiving - my FAVORITE holiday. The Holiday Season is fast approaching!
Daylight Savings Time - ending and beginning - is terrible for parents of young children. Is this really necessary? The boys were just starting to SLEEP until 7:00 (not wake up at 6 something and talk loudly until 7) and then WHAM - 5:45 on Sunday morning the chatter of boys wakes me a mere 30 minutes after I've fallen back asleep from nursing REJ. But...REJ had slept all the way until 4:40 - which was 8 hours since she had last nursed and gone to bed! This is BIG people! For the last 3 nights we've gotten 7-8 hours out of her. Of course, I'm sure she'll go back to waking before that - they all do. This does coincide with us moving her into her room with the water running DVD on repeat.
Daylight Savings Time - ending and beginning - is terrible for parents of young children. Is this really necessary? The boys were just starting to SLEEP until 7:00 (not wake up at 6 something and talk loudly until 7) and then WHAM - 5:45 on Sunday morning the chatter of boys wakes me a mere 30 minutes after I've fallen back asleep from nursing REJ. But...REJ had slept all the way until 4:40 - which was 8 hours since she had last nursed and gone to bed! This is BIG people! For the last 3 nights we've gotten 7-8 hours out of her. Of course, I'm sure she'll go back to waking before that - they all do. This does coincide with us moving her into her room with the water running DVD on repeat.
Monday, November 01, 2010
Tales from Kindergarten
Well, we got our first note home from school regarding poor behavior on LJ's part. It says:
I didn't listen to Mrs. L during circle time. I also laughed at potty words when asked not to.
...and then LJ's signed it.
Sad.
RJ talked to LJ about it and I had LJ dictate an apology note to take to Mrs. L tomorrow. Of course, I wanted to write a note of commiseration to Mrs. L...something like:
I rarely listen to momma and I laugh at all kinds of things when asked not to.
...but, I will not.
Earlier in the day, I took REJ to LJ's class for "sharing" - Mondays are LJ's day to share. He held her in his lap and told everyone that she is his baby sister, is 6 weeks old - almost 7 weeks, and her name is REJ...and how it is spelled. Then, 3 kids can ask questions...they raise their hands and LJ calls on them. Someone asked where she lives...and LJ said, "at my house" and gave the address. Someone asked what her whole name is. And, then someone asked how much she weighs. Finally, LJ told everyone they could touch her feet if they want and she might smile at them. The girls all wanted to touch her feet and the boys couldn't be bothered! Then, we left.
What is funny about this is that apparently, on your sharing day, if you bring something you set it on the sharing table. Then you go get it when it is time to share and take it home at the end of the day. On Mondays, LJ stays for math and science, so he is there for lunch and then until 2:30 (this is when he is with Mrs. L - the other K teacher). On the way to school LJ said, "When you get to school, you need to put REJ on the sharing table, but are you going to get her before lunch, right?" - I guess he didn't want her to cramp his style in the afternoon (which is when he behaved in the manner that got a note sent home). I told him that I would just hold REJ and that I would take her home right after sharing. Then I asked, "what would you do if REJ cried while laying on the sharing table until lunch time?" - he shrugged and said, "Mrs. P will take care of her, I guess."
Hilarious.
I didn't listen to Mrs. L during circle time. I also laughed at potty words when asked not to.
...and then LJ's signed it.
Sad.
RJ talked to LJ about it and I had LJ dictate an apology note to take to Mrs. L tomorrow. Of course, I wanted to write a note of commiseration to Mrs. L...something like:
I rarely listen to momma and I laugh at all kinds of things when asked not to.
...but, I will not.
Earlier in the day, I took REJ to LJ's class for "sharing" - Mondays are LJ's day to share. He held her in his lap and told everyone that she is his baby sister, is 6 weeks old - almost 7 weeks, and her name is REJ...and how it is spelled. Then, 3 kids can ask questions...they raise their hands and LJ calls on them. Someone asked where she lives...and LJ said, "at my house" and gave the address. Someone asked what her whole name is. And, then someone asked how much she weighs. Finally, LJ told everyone they could touch her feet if they want and she might smile at them. The girls all wanted to touch her feet and the boys couldn't be bothered! Then, we left.
What is funny about this is that apparently, on your sharing day, if you bring something you set it on the sharing table. Then you go get it when it is time to share and take it home at the end of the day. On Mondays, LJ stays for math and science, so he is there for lunch and then until 2:30 (this is when he is with Mrs. L - the other K teacher). On the way to school LJ said, "When you get to school, you need to put REJ on the sharing table, but are you going to get her before lunch, right?" - I guess he didn't want her to cramp his style in the afternoon (which is when he behaved in the manner that got a note sent home). I told him that I would just hold REJ and that I would take her home right after sharing. Then I asked, "what would you do if REJ cried while laying on the sharing table until lunch time?" - he shrugged and said, "Mrs. P will take care of her, I guess."
Hilarious.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
The Caped Crusader and Boy Wonder
These are semi-homemade by our resident Alfred. He dyed Boy Wonder's long-johns green, made the shirt, cape (out of an apron - can't really see it in this picture) and mask. He also dyed the black parts of The Caped Crusader's long johns and ironed on a homemade iron-on of the logo. The belts and Caped Crusader's mask and cape are store bought. These super-heroes have been to a party and, besides being drenched in sweat - the only casualty is a small hole in Boy Wonder's knee. They will make an appearance at a local school this week and then there are two church carnivals that need their help watching out for "bad guys".
Friday, October 22, 2010
I Exercised and Other Amazing News
...and I feel like I need to report it! LOL!
I walked around the long blocks 3x with the kids (PJ and REJ) in the double-jog stroller. This took 35 minutes. I am terribly out of shape. This is what comes from not exercising with any regularity for the past 10 months. But, today is the first day of the rest of my life...
REJ seems tiny, but I know she is not tiny compared to other babies her age. PJ seems huge and I know he is huge compared to other kids his age. To see them next to each other in the jog stroller only made REJ seem tinier and PJ seem more mammoth.
REJ went 7 hours last night! Of course, this was from 7:30 (with a little nip at 8:15) - 2:30, but I will soooo take that. I got a good 5 hours of sleep from 9:30 - 2:30. Then, I was up with her for an hour nursing, changing diaper, swaddling and then...she was just plain awake. She wasn't fussy. So, I finished watching The Real Housewives of DC Reunion Part 2 and then put her in her swing while I laid on the couch. After about 20 minutes, she was conked and I brought her back to our room (where she sleeps in her car seat). She then slept until 6:15. This is great!
I walked around the long blocks 3x with the kids (PJ and REJ) in the double-jog stroller. This took 35 minutes. I am terribly out of shape. This is what comes from not exercising with any regularity for the past 10 months. But, today is the first day of the rest of my life...
REJ seems tiny, but I know she is not tiny compared to other babies her age. PJ seems huge and I know he is huge compared to other kids his age. To see them next to each other in the jog stroller only made REJ seem tinier and PJ seem more mammoth.
REJ went 7 hours last night! Of course, this was from 7:30 (with a little nip at 8:15) - 2:30, but I will soooo take that. I got a good 5 hours of sleep from 9:30 - 2:30. Then, I was up with her for an hour nursing, changing diaper, swaddling and then...she was just plain awake. She wasn't fussy. So, I finished watching The Real Housewives of DC Reunion Part 2 and then put her in her swing while I laid on the couch. After about 20 minutes, she was conked and I brought her back to our room (where she sleeps in her car seat). She then slept until 6:15. This is great!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Illness
The boys have had a runny/stuffy nose for about 10 days now. LJ could be coughing up a lung and he'd never admit he is sick. PJ, on the other hand, is the one who brings most of this stuff home to us. If there is a germ within a 5-mile radius, he will succumb to it. Last Tuesday, during one of my forays into the land of night nursing, I discovered I had a sore throat. This cold has been lingering, RJ has it too, but none of us can really stop pushing forward. REJ seems to have the cold as well - although she has not had a runny nose. She has sounded congested and every-so-often will piston the evidence of said congestion out of one of her nostrils.
Last night, REJ had a terrific night of sleeping. Went 6 hours and 20 minutes without waking to nurse. This was from 7:30 pm - 1:50 am. Then she went from 1:50 - 5:30. Not too shabby. It would have been a TERRIFIC night had PJ not woken up crying at 12:30 am. I went in and he was sitting up in bed and, when I asked him why he was crying, he insisted he was NOT CRYING. OoooKaaaay. I laid him down and all was well (although I was wide awake...convinced REJ would wake at any moment) until 1:00 am when PJ was, once again, crying. This time, RJ went in and worked with him.
As noted, REJ did wake up at 1:50 and I took her into the living room to nurse and started The Next Iron Chef. A few minutes later, I hear the bathroom door close, RJ and PJ come to the kitchen to get some Tylenol and RJ informs me that the whole family is up. At 2:00 in the morning. OY. Eventually, everything settled back down.
This morning, LJ went off to school and PJ, REJ and I went to the grocery store. REJ was a little fussier than normal, but we made it through. PJ was not happy and I could tell he didn't feel well. Once home, I put away the cold stuff and took PJ's temp - 100.7. Terrific. Sooo...the million dollar question - is this a continuation of the previous illness or a whole new illness? Clearly, I'd prefer the continuation because that would mean we have all already been exposed. If it is new - well, here we go again.
But, Jambalaya is in the crock pot and I have the last load of laundry in the wash. So, besides folding clean laundry, nursing and tending to REJ and playing nurse to sick PJ, the afternoon is looking clear. I seriously have no idea how I'd manage to have dinner made, clean laundry, the house relatively clean and the kids taken care of if I were also going to work. Not possible. I deem it not possible.
Last night, REJ had a terrific night of sleeping. Went 6 hours and 20 minutes without waking to nurse. This was from 7:30 pm - 1:50 am. Then she went from 1:50 - 5:30. Not too shabby. It would have been a TERRIFIC night had PJ not woken up crying at 12:30 am. I went in and he was sitting up in bed and, when I asked him why he was crying, he insisted he was NOT CRYING. OoooKaaaay. I laid him down and all was well (although I was wide awake...convinced REJ would wake at any moment) until 1:00 am when PJ was, once again, crying. This time, RJ went in and worked with him.
As noted, REJ did wake up at 1:50 and I took her into the living room to nurse and started The Next Iron Chef. A few minutes later, I hear the bathroom door close, RJ and PJ come to the kitchen to get some Tylenol and RJ informs me that the whole family is up. At 2:00 in the morning. OY. Eventually, everything settled back down.
This morning, LJ went off to school and PJ, REJ and I went to the grocery store. REJ was a little fussier than normal, but we made it through. PJ was not happy and I could tell he didn't feel well. Once home, I put away the cold stuff and took PJ's temp - 100.7. Terrific. Sooo...the million dollar question - is this a continuation of the previous illness or a whole new illness? Clearly, I'd prefer the continuation because that would mean we have all already been exposed. If it is new - well, here we go again.
But, Jambalaya is in the crock pot and I have the last load of laundry in the wash. So, besides folding clean laundry, nursing and tending to REJ and playing nurse to sick PJ, the afternoon is looking clear. I seriously have no idea how I'd manage to have dinner made, clean laundry, the house relatively clean and the kids taken care of if I were also going to work. Not possible. I deem it not possible.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Girls' Day
REJ and I had a girls' day as RJ took the boys back to Grandma and Grandpa's house yesterday. They had gone on Sunday, hurried back so RJ could attend an office baby shower for REJ, and then went back on Monday so RJ could determine if he wanted to buy something.
REJ was very pleasant - she's begun to smile - which is so sweet. I had a burst of energy coupled with disgust at the state of the house, so I cleaned and did laundry - which I actually folded and put away. This is impressive. I put dinner in the crock pot too. I've decided crock pot cooking is the way to go right now. REJ is usually very happy and content in the morning, so she sits in the bouncy seat on the counter (over the left side of the sink) while I chop and assemble the crock pot recipe. Then, come dinner time, the food is usually ready! I say usually because the dumpling part of the chicken and dumplings took longer to cook than the recipe led me to believe.
Yesterday was super-productive. Today, I have a cold. Sore throat started last night. I got this from the boys as I think they have a cold too. I just hope REJ doesn't get it - that would be a nightmare.
LJ is starting to read and he is rather proficient at adding and subtracting. PJ is finally learning his letters. Although, he thinks the ABC song contains the verse "H-I-K-J-L-M-N-O-P" - which, you can see if a problem. It is no use to tell him it is incorrect because he'll either scream, "NO!!!! IT ISN'T" or, he'll sweetly say, "Oh" and then repeat the K-J incorrect lyric. PJ is also a rather amusing conversationalist. We went to dinner with M&B and B's family on Saturday night and, out of the blue, PJ says, "Well, the baby came out of Momma's tummy"...just to keep the conversation alive. Hilarious.
REJ was very pleasant - she's begun to smile - which is so sweet. I had a burst of energy coupled with disgust at the state of the house, so I cleaned and did laundry - which I actually folded and put away. This is impressive. I put dinner in the crock pot too. I've decided crock pot cooking is the way to go right now. REJ is usually very happy and content in the morning, so she sits in the bouncy seat on the counter (over the left side of the sink) while I chop and assemble the crock pot recipe. Then, come dinner time, the food is usually ready! I say usually because the dumpling part of the chicken and dumplings took longer to cook than the recipe led me to believe.
Yesterday was super-productive. Today, I have a cold. Sore throat started last night. I got this from the boys as I think they have a cold too. I just hope REJ doesn't get it - that would be a nightmare.
LJ is starting to read and he is rather proficient at adding and subtracting. PJ is finally learning his letters. Although, he thinks the ABC song contains the verse "H-I-K-J-L-M-N-O-P" - which, you can see if a problem. It is no use to tell him it is incorrect because he'll either scream, "NO!!!! IT ISN'T" or, he'll sweetly say, "Oh" and then repeat the K-J incorrect lyric. PJ is also a rather amusing conversationalist. We went to dinner with M&B and B's family on Saturday night and, out of the blue, PJ says, "Well, the baby came out of Momma's tummy"...just to keep the conversation alive. Hilarious.
Saturday, October 09, 2010
REJ Birth Story
I typed this up, but realize that I never posted it - and since this is THE blog and the ONLY record (which reminds me, I haven't saved this in over 3 years - YIKES) - I need to post this here. If you don't care to read about details pertaining to giving birth - click away.
Tuesday, September 14:
RJ and I took the boys to Chic-fil-a for breakfast before school - sort of a one-last-day-just the-four-of-us kind of thing. Then, we took them to school and made sure the teachers knew that someone different would be picking them up. RJ and I came home, I got in the shower and mid-way through, RJ brought the phone in as my OB was calling. The hospital we were slated to go to - the one we've always been to - was full of pregnant women who were ready to deliver, so we could either go to the other hospital or she could be a pest and try to get me in 1st thing the next day. We opted for the other hospital, but this caused RJ some anxiety.
We made it to the hospital, got registered and checked in and were ready to start the induction by 12:15. I was having NO contractions, was 4 cm and 70% effaced...got hooked up to Pitocin. The dr. came to break my water. Nothing too intense was happening. Around 2:15, the nurse let me know that the anesthesiologist was on the floor - did I want the epidural now? Honestly, I wasn't in much pain, but I decided to go ahead and get it...I was at 5 cm and I just didn't know how fast things might go...they weren't going too fast, but third baby and all.
We liked the anesthesiologist quite a bit - he was not all stoic like the previous one. But, it seemed as though the epidural didn't quite take on the right side as much as the left. As things progressed - I was getting sleepy - I think it was the fact that I couldn't feel my hips - which had been hurting so much for the past 6 weeks...I felt relaxed. From looking at my contractions (on the computer screen), the nurse didn't feel like I was having "good enough" contractions, so she keep upping the Pitocin. She eventually decided to put in an internal monitor. She also kept flipping me from one side to the other to get the epidural to even out and to get the contractions to intensify.
At about 4:15, I complained to RJ that this epidural was not going to let me get any sleep - which he thought was funny...that I thought I should be able to sleep through labor. I could totally feel contractions on the right side of my uterus. A different anesthesiologist came in and told me several options, but none of them sounded too good to me...and it seemed he basically thought I should ride it out. But, I have to tell you - those contractions were hurting. He said I didn't look pained in the face - which I know - I have a high pain tolerance AND, I tend to not show pain, so there you go.
Once he left, I was fearful for how much more pain might be coming - I mean, really - if this is it, I can take it, but if it is going to get crazy-worse, I don't know. At this point, the nurse checked me and said, "ok, well, you're ready to go". So - there you go. I was seriously having to "go to my happy place" and focus on my breathing as they went into "go mode". The doctor showed up after about 15 minutes, I pushed through about 4 contractions and out came REJ.
Approximately 25 minutes passed from "ok, you are ready to go" to delivery. Everyone in the delivery room thought she was huge, but at 8 pounds 14 ounces - she is our smallest baby.I have to admit that I am taking to having a girl more easily than I thought I would, but it is an adjustment. I have had several crying bouts over the past couple of days. Just baby blues...where one minute I feel like crying and the next minute I feel fine. I really dislike this first part of having a baby - not the baby itself, but how emotional I feel. I feel like life will never be the same...like I'll never adjust...like I'll never go outside again...like I'll never feel the normal I felt just a few days ago. Hormones. Yuck. And, now REJ will have these hormones too.
Tuesday, September 14:
RJ and I took the boys to Chic-fil-a for breakfast before school - sort of a one-last-day-just the-four-of-us kind of thing. Then, we took them to school and made sure the teachers knew that someone different would be picking them up. RJ and I came home, I got in the shower and mid-way through, RJ brought the phone in as my OB was calling. The hospital we were slated to go to - the one we've always been to - was full of pregnant women who were ready to deliver, so we could either go to the other hospital or she could be a pest and try to get me in 1st thing the next day. We opted for the other hospital, but this caused RJ some anxiety.
We made it to the hospital, got registered and checked in and were ready to start the induction by 12:15. I was having NO contractions, was 4 cm and 70% effaced...got hooked up to Pitocin. The dr. came to break my water. Nothing too intense was happening. Around 2:15, the nurse let me know that the anesthesiologist was on the floor - did I want the epidural now? Honestly, I wasn't in much pain, but I decided to go ahead and get it...I was at 5 cm and I just didn't know how fast things might go...they weren't going too fast, but third baby and all.
We liked the anesthesiologist quite a bit - he was not all stoic like the previous one. But, it seemed as though the epidural didn't quite take on the right side as much as the left. As things progressed - I was getting sleepy - I think it was the fact that I couldn't feel my hips - which had been hurting so much for the past 6 weeks...I felt relaxed. From looking at my contractions (on the computer screen), the nurse didn't feel like I was having "good enough" contractions, so she keep upping the Pitocin. She eventually decided to put in an internal monitor. She also kept flipping me from one side to the other to get the epidural to even out and to get the contractions to intensify.
At about 4:15, I complained to RJ that this epidural was not going to let me get any sleep - which he thought was funny...that I thought I should be able to sleep through labor. I could totally feel contractions on the right side of my uterus. A different anesthesiologist came in and told me several options, but none of them sounded too good to me...and it seemed he basically thought I should ride it out. But, I have to tell you - those contractions were hurting. He said I didn't look pained in the face - which I know - I have a high pain tolerance AND, I tend to not show pain, so there you go.
Once he left, I was fearful for how much more pain might be coming - I mean, really - if this is it, I can take it, but if it is going to get crazy-worse, I don't know. At this point, the nurse checked me and said, "ok, well, you're ready to go". So - there you go. I was seriously having to "go to my happy place" and focus on my breathing as they went into "go mode". The doctor showed up after about 15 minutes, I pushed through about 4 contractions and out came REJ.
Approximately 25 minutes passed from "ok, you are ready to go" to delivery. Everyone in the delivery room thought she was huge, but at 8 pounds 14 ounces - she is our smallest baby.I have to admit that I am taking to having a girl more easily than I thought I would, but it is an adjustment. I have had several crying bouts over the past couple of days. Just baby blues...where one minute I feel like crying and the next minute I feel fine. I really dislike this first part of having a baby - not the baby itself, but how emotional I feel. I feel like life will never be the same...like I'll never adjust...like I'll never go outside again...like I'll never feel the normal I felt just a few days ago. Hormones. Yuck. And, now REJ will have these hormones too.
Friday, October 08, 2010
The Deal
When LJ was an infant, I had great anxiety as each night would come - would he be cranky or would it be a good night? Good = he wakes up to eat no sooner than 3 hours after his last session and he goes right back to sleep when finished. Back then, we didn't have the DVR, so I was stuck with whatever show was on at the time...actually, it didn't occur to me to watch tv - RJ got up and laid on the couch for practically every nursing session that occurred during the night.
With PJ, I was more than ok with being by myself and watching something other than Nick Jr. while he nursed at night. But, I still would dread the night time - what if he was cranky? The thing is - RJ handles the cranky times, so I don't know why I would worry.
With REJ, I'm not finding that I dread the night. Here is how it goes...
We get the boys to bed between 7:30 and 8:15. Somewhere between 8:00 and 9:00, REJ nurses. In the middle of that session, RJ changes her into her pjs and swaddles her up. She finishes nursing and is usually asleep. We take this opportunity to get in bed ASAP. We *have* to maximize the possible sleeping hours. The boys will be up by 7:00 am regardless of how much we've slept, so if that means we go to bed at 8:30 pm - well, we go to bed at 8:30! So far, REJ has had more good nights than bad nights. She generally makes it until somewhere between midnight and 1:00 before needing to eat. Then, she'll make it until somewhere between 4:30 and 6:30. Of late, RJ has had to spend some time getting her to be less cranky somewhere in there. She is usually cranky if she has a burp that won't come out. If she is cranky somewhere after 5:30 am - I usually get up with her. Then, the boys come out at 7:00 and I get them their breakfast and ready for school. I have to go wake RJ in time for him to get dressed to take them to school. So, I don't have to deal with a cranky baby in the middle of the night and RJ doesn't have to feed a baby in the middle of the night - I can handle feeding...no problem - it is the crankiness I dread, so this arrangement is working GREAT from my perspective!
With PJ, I was more than ok with being by myself and watching something other than Nick Jr. while he nursed at night. But, I still would dread the night time - what if he was cranky? The thing is - RJ handles the cranky times, so I don't know why I would worry.
With REJ, I'm not finding that I dread the night. Here is how it goes...
We get the boys to bed between 7:30 and 8:15. Somewhere between 8:00 and 9:00, REJ nurses. In the middle of that session, RJ changes her into her pjs and swaddles her up. She finishes nursing and is usually asleep. We take this opportunity to get in bed ASAP. We *have* to maximize the possible sleeping hours. The boys will be up by 7:00 am regardless of how much we've slept, so if that means we go to bed at 8:30 pm - well, we go to bed at 8:30! So far, REJ has had more good nights than bad nights. She generally makes it until somewhere between midnight and 1:00 before needing to eat. Then, she'll make it until somewhere between 4:30 and 6:30. Of late, RJ has had to spend some time getting her to be less cranky somewhere in there. She is usually cranky if she has a burp that won't come out. If she is cranky somewhere after 5:30 am - I usually get up with her. Then, the boys come out at 7:00 and I get them their breakfast and ready for school. I have to go wake RJ in time for him to get dressed to take them to school. So, I don't have to deal with a cranky baby in the middle of the night and RJ doesn't have to feed a baby in the middle of the night - I can handle feeding...no problem - it is the crankiness I dread, so this arrangement is working GREAT from my perspective!
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Today...
I got the boys some breakfast and packed their lunches - Thursdays they stay for Lunch Bunch.
I got the sheets and blankets off their beds and into the wash...and dried them and put them back on the beds...this is no easy feat with bunk beds, but I'd put it off longer than I should.
I also washed and dried the other dirty clothes.
I got my UofP materials posted - still need to grade. I'm in the last week of this class and I don't start another until November 14, so I have a nice break coming up.
MawMaw came over to watch REJ while I went to get my hair colored and cut - this was desperately needed.
RJ, MawMaw, REJ and I went out to lunch.
I dropped RJ off at work and then went to pick up the boys from school.
I have sent both boys to their rooms as they are always a bit grumpy on Thursdays - because they don't have a nap.
I've nursed REJ numerous times and changed several diapers!
We are about to go pick RJ up from work and then I imagine there will be dinner and more nursing and diaper changing! But, RJ will be home, so we will be able to divide and conquer!
I got the sheets and blankets off their beds and into the wash...and dried them and put them back on the beds...this is no easy feat with bunk beds, but I'd put it off longer than I should.
I also washed and dried the other dirty clothes.
I got my UofP materials posted - still need to grade. I'm in the last week of this class and I don't start another until November 14, so I have a nice break coming up.
MawMaw came over to watch REJ while I went to get my hair colored and cut - this was desperately needed.
RJ, MawMaw, REJ and I went out to lunch.
I dropped RJ off at work and then went to pick up the boys from school.
I have sent both boys to their rooms as they are always a bit grumpy on Thursdays - because they don't have a nap.
I've nursed REJ numerous times and changed several diapers!
We are about to go pick RJ up from work and then I imagine there will be dinner and more nursing and diaper changing! But, RJ will be home, so we will be able to divide and conquer!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Stats
REJ had her 2 week dr. visit.
Weight - 9 pounds 12 ounces (so she gained 1 pound in 1 week)
Length - 22 inches
Head - 14.5 inches
For the record...
LJ:
Weight - 58 pounds
Height - 49 inches
PJ:
Weight - 45 pounds
Height - 44 inches
If you plug these figures into one of those "height prediction calculators" (http://www.csgnetwork.com/heightpredictcalc.html) - at age 21 LJ will be 6'5" an PJ will be 6'4". I don't know how much stock you can put in these...and for PJ I had to choose less than 4 for the age, but I see expensive grocery bills in our future!
Weight - 9 pounds 12 ounces (so she gained 1 pound in 1 week)
Length - 22 inches
Head - 14.5 inches
For the record...
LJ:
Weight - 58 pounds
Height - 49 inches
PJ:
Weight - 45 pounds
Height - 44 inches
If you plug these figures into one of those "height prediction calculators" (http://www.csgnetwork.com/heightpredictcalc.html) - at age 21 LJ will be 6'5" an PJ will be 6'4". I don't know how much stock you can put in these...and for PJ I had to choose less than 4 for the age, but I see expensive grocery bills in our future!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
A Story from the Hospital
I'm going to take you back to Wednesday, September 15th - the day after REJ was born. RJ left to go get the boys from M&B's house (M&B were so generous with their time and home and kept the boys while we were in the hospital - I don't know that we will ever be able to repay them, but we are ever thankful for having them here...it is great to finally have FRIENDS (who happen to be family) who live in town. Maybe all of our lives will slow down enough to do more socializing than we've been doing!) to take them to school. On the way back to the hospital, he stopped at this donut store that he and the boys go to on Saturdays. The store is on the other side of town (which is where we ended up having REJ), so it is rare that he would visit on a weekday. The owner is a young Cambodian man and he has a son who is in 1st grade...so the kids play with the son and they have all gotten to know the family. His wife usually runs the cash register...and makes up a price for RJ that seems to have nothing to do with how many donuts he purchases...the price is always in our favor, so they are being nice. PJ, who likes to pretend he is other people...and he has been assigning roles to the rest of us as well...sometimes plays like he is Riley - the 1st grade son.
Anyway, back to the story - since we live on the other side of town, it was odd for RJ to be there in the middle week, so RJ told the wife that we were at the hospital because we had just had a baby girl. The wife was apparently very excited because RJ arrived to our room with donuts AND the news that the wife might be stopping by to visit this afternoon. Um...I've never met this woman. Saturday morning donuts are a "guy thing" and I've never met her. AND - I'm not SUPER-keen on strangers visiting me in my hospital room...in my hospital gown...fewer than 24 hours after giving birth. But, I understand that RJ couldn't really tell her no. So, I told RJ he HAD to be there when she shows up.
And, she showed up, she was so kind as to bring a gift for REJ (a couple of outfits), and RJ was present for her visit. She has a very thick accent, so it was tough to get into the groove of understanding her. None of us know her name. This is evident when PJ is pretending to be Riley as PJ assigns RJ to be the owner of the store (we know his name, but I cannot begin to spell it) and PJ assigns me to be "the woman". What I did learn is that her uncle owns a donut store in another town and that is how she met her husband - he worked for her uncle. She likes money - she said so. In Cambodia, his family does not have money - they sleep with mosquito nets - this means they have no air conditioning. Her family has air conditioning. Her family did not want her to marry him because his family has no money, but she explained that here, in America, everyone can have money if they work hard. In fact, she said to me, "You don't work. You want money we can open a store and you can work the cash register." - I'm not sure how she surmised that I don't work or how she thought my skill set might make me good at a cash register...but it was nice that she would provide me a job! We also learned that her sister married and American...as she said this, she pointed up and down at RJ and said, "She marry an American like him."
The visit was very interesting. It was nice of her to come see me and to bring a gift for REJ. I bet no one else can say that the person who owns the donut store her family frequents came to visit them in the hospital. Perhaps no one else has a donut store they frequent?!
Anyway, back to the story - since we live on the other side of town, it was odd for RJ to be there in the middle week, so RJ told the wife that we were at the hospital because we had just had a baby girl. The wife was apparently very excited because RJ arrived to our room with donuts AND the news that the wife might be stopping by to visit this afternoon. Um...I've never met this woman. Saturday morning donuts are a "guy thing" and I've never met her. AND - I'm not SUPER-keen on strangers visiting me in my hospital room...in my hospital gown...fewer than 24 hours after giving birth. But, I understand that RJ couldn't really tell her no. So, I told RJ he HAD to be there when she shows up.
And, she showed up, she was so kind as to bring a gift for REJ (a couple of outfits), and RJ was present for her visit. She has a very thick accent, so it was tough to get into the groove of understanding her. None of us know her name. This is evident when PJ is pretending to be Riley as PJ assigns RJ to be the owner of the store (we know his name, but I cannot begin to spell it) and PJ assigns me to be "the woman". What I did learn is that her uncle owns a donut store in another town and that is how she met her husband - he worked for her uncle. She likes money - she said so. In Cambodia, his family does not have money - they sleep with mosquito nets - this means they have no air conditioning. Her family has air conditioning. Her family did not want her to marry him because his family has no money, but she explained that here, in America, everyone can have money if they work hard. In fact, she said to me, "You don't work. You want money we can open a store and you can work the cash register." - I'm not sure how she surmised that I don't work or how she thought my skill set might make me good at a cash register...but it was nice that she would provide me a job! We also learned that her sister married and American...as she said this, she pointed up and down at RJ and said, "She marry an American like him."
The visit was very interesting. It was nice of her to come see me and to bring a gift for REJ. I bet no one else can say that the person who owns the donut store her family frequents came to visit them in the hospital. Perhaps no one else has a donut store they frequent?!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Friday!
And this means the weekend is right around the corner. When RJ comes home from work today, he'll be home for many many many hours in a row! This is great.
Let's see - Wednesday - I managed to get a pot roast and some veggies into the crock pot, so we had a home cooked meal for dinner. I also got caught up on the laundry, so we had clean clothes to wear. All the children napped during nap time, so I actually folded the laundry and put it away too.
Thursday morning - LJ woke up at 5:45 and "had blurry eyes", thought it was 6:45 and woke up PJ as they only had 15 minutes until time to get up...except they really had 1 hour and 15 minutes. Sooo...this was highly annoying. We had a talk in which we determined that, no matter what time you wake up, you should not wake up your brother. RJ took the boys to school - they had Lunch Bunch, so they get to stay for lunch and play after school. This allowed me to spend the morning taking a shower, drying my hair and putting on make-up - while tending to and nursing REJ in between all of that. Then, I left to pick up RJ for lunch. We ate a nice lunch while REJ napped in her car seat the entire time. After lunch, we went to pick up the boys from school, dropped RJ back at work and came home for snacks. I told the boys they did not have to nap (it was 2:45 when we got home) *if* they could be nice to everyone...and bedtime would be early. They did a good job and the afternoon was pleasant.
Thursday evening - RJ didn't feel well - again. His stomach has been bothering him. With the stress of CRAZY work over the summer, the pending birth of our 3rd child, and a couple of stomach bugs - he's lost 16 pounds. If only it were that "easy" for me. The boys went to sleep quickly, but REJ was a crank. She pretty much cried from about 8:00 - midnight. Sure, there were breaks of 20 minutes here and there, but she was not in a pleasant mood. RJ worked with her until 11:30 when it was time for her to eat. In the late afternoon and early evening, she wants to nurse every 2 hours - which would be ok if she would then sleep. But, after the 11:30 nursing session, she fell asleep and slept until 5:20. The 5+ hours is not too shabby, but the 4 hours of fussing is not fun.
Today - I'm doing laundry...again. I need to play with PJ while LJ is at school. And, I'm trying to figure out what we are all going to wear for our church directory photo this afternoon. Hopefully *I* can find something for myself that isn't going to depress me when I see the picture AND hopefully REJ won't be crying for the photo shoot!
Let's see - Wednesday - I managed to get a pot roast and some veggies into the crock pot, so we had a home cooked meal for dinner. I also got caught up on the laundry, so we had clean clothes to wear. All the children napped during nap time, so I actually folded the laundry and put it away too.
Thursday morning - LJ woke up at 5:45 and "had blurry eyes", thought it was 6:45 and woke up PJ as they only had 15 minutes until time to get up...except they really had 1 hour and 15 minutes. Sooo...this was highly annoying. We had a talk in which we determined that, no matter what time you wake up, you should not wake up your brother. RJ took the boys to school - they had Lunch Bunch, so they get to stay for lunch and play after school. This allowed me to spend the morning taking a shower, drying my hair and putting on make-up - while tending to and nursing REJ in between all of that. Then, I left to pick up RJ for lunch. We ate a nice lunch while REJ napped in her car seat the entire time. After lunch, we went to pick up the boys from school, dropped RJ back at work and came home for snacks. I told the boys they did not have to nap (it was 2:45 when we got home) *if* they could be nice to everyone...and bedtime would be early. They did a good job and the afternoon was pleasant.
Thursday evening - RJ didn't feel well - again. His stomach has been bothering him. With the stress of CRAZY work over the summer, the pending birth of our 3rd child, and a couple of stomach bugs - he's lost 16 pounds. If only it were that "easy" for me. The boys went to sleep quickly, but REJ was a crank. She pretty much cried from about 8:00 - midnight. Sure, there were breaks of 20 minutes here and there, but she was not in a pleasant mood. RJ worked with her until 11:30 when it was time for her to eat. In the late afternoon and early evening, she wants to nurse every 2 hours - which would be ok if she would then sleep. But, after the 11:30 nursing session, she fell asleep and slept until 5:20. The 5+ hours is not too shabby, but the 4 hours of fussing is not fun.
Today - I'm doing laundry...again. I need to play with PJ while LJ is at school. And, I'm trying to figure out what we are all going to wear for our church directory photo this afternoon. Hopefully *I* can find something for myself that isn't going to depress me when I see the picture AND hopefully REJ won't be crying for the photo shoot!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Pink Lint!
People must be excited that we have a baby girl as many are being very generous in giving us clothes and other things pink! With a 3rd child, I'd imagine we have all the baby trappings we might need, but people are soooo correct - girl clothes are something of which we don't have many. We are enjoying opening every single package that comes, so thank you! I will get proper thank yous out - one day. I have washed the clothes as they've come in...and they have turned our dryer lint PINK. PINK. As I gathered it off the screen, there was blue underneath - and the lint turned a sort of purple color. But still - PINK.
Day 2 of being home by myself - with just REJ in the morning and all 3 in the afternoon...let's sum up with the words "one continuous juggling act". I had to get to the grocery store, so once the boys left with RJ for school, REJ and I got ready and went. I would not have dreamed of taking LJ to the grocery store at 1 week old. It was over-stimulating to say the least...loud music, people, lights, etc. I ended up holding a swaddled baby in one hand and pulling the cart with the other. She had to cry while I put the cold things away and THEN got to feeding her. Then I had to put her back in the car to head to a meeting I needed to have at work. It was short and RJ drove around the parking lot with her. Then, we went to pick up the boys...the school moms and friends of LJ and PJ were excited to see REJ! Both boys had taken pictures of themselves holding REJ to share with their class, so everyone at school knows they have a little sister.
Once home, I put REJ in the bouncy with the water running in the sink (not great for resources, but great for calming a baby) and made lunch for the boys and myself. REJ nursed while I ate a sandwich...this is how lunch has been. After lunch, I tried to get everyone down for a nap at the same time - REJ didn't cooperate, she wasn't fussy - she just wasn't ready for a nap right then...so, I didn't get a nap either.
The day wasn't bad - it is just that someone or something is always in the que needing attention. So...one continuous juggling act.
Day 2 of being home by myself - with just REJ in the morning and all 3 in the afternoon...let's sum up with the words "one continuous juggling act". I had to get to the grocery store, so once the boys left with RJ for school, REJ and I got ready and went. I would not have dreamed of taking LJ to the grocery store at 1 week old. It was over-stimulating to say the least...loud music, people, lights, etc. I ended up holding a swaddled baby in one hand and pulling the cart with the other. She had to cry while I put the cold things away and THEN got to feeding her. Then I had to put her back in the car to head to a meeting I needed to have at work. It was short and RJ drove around the parking lot with her. Then, we went to pick up the boys...the school moms and friends of LJ and PJ were excited to see REJ! Both boys had taken pictures of themselves holding REJ to share with their class, so everyone at school knows they have a little sister.
Once home, I put REJ in the bouncy with the water running in the sink (not great for resources, but great for calming a baby) and made lunch for the boys and myself. REJ nursed while I ate a sandwich...this is how lunch has been. After lunch, I tried to get everyone down for a nap at the same time - REJ didn't cooperate, she wasn't fussy - she just wasn't ready for a nap right then...so, I didn't get a nap either.
The day wasn't bad - it is just that someone or something is always in the que needing attention. So...one continuous juggling act.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Home Alone - with the Kids
RJ went back to work today - and I cried a little about that. Thankfully, LJ is in school everyday and that is a good routine for us to work around. I need routine so much and that is the part of having a newborn that is just so unsettling!
REJ had a well-visit this morning...she is 2 ounces short of her birth weight, so she has almost gained all that she lost. The first 2 nights home she was great - nursed and went right back to sleep and slept for 3-5 hours. Last night, she was a crank pot until 1:00 am and then slept in her swing with RJ on the couch until 5:30. I fed her and she was quite and peaceful and went to sleep in the seat next to our bed. RJ slept and I took LJ to school...PJ came with. PJ wrapped his baby doll - LJ named him "baby Joe" when we first got him about 4 years ago...when we were expecting PJ - in a swaddling blanket and carried him around...everyone thought that was so cute.
Today, it seems I have another MOUND of laundry to do (and didn't) and I need to get the kitchen dishes where they go.
I will miss having RJ around...he is such a great dad.
REJ had a well-visit this morning...she is 2 ounces short of her birth weight, so she has almost gained all that she lost. The first 2 nights home she was great - nursed and went right back to sleep and slept for 3-5 hours. Last night, she was a crank pot until 1:00 am and then slept in her swing with RJ on the couch until 5:30. I fed her and she was quite and peaceful and went to sleep in the seat next to our bed. RJ slept and I took LJ to school...PJ came with. PJ wrapped his baby doll - LJ named him "baby Joe" when we first got him about 4 years ago...when we were expecting PJ - in a swaddling blanket and carried him around...everyone thought that was so cute.
Today, it seems I have another MOUND of laundry to do (and didn't) and I need to get the kitchen dishes where they go.
I will miss having RJ around...he is such a great dad.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Now We Are Five
As many of you know, we welcomed the newest Baby J on September 14...a GIRL - if you can believe that one. So far, she doesn't seem too different from the boys (infancy is infancy) except when we change her diaper. So far, I've changed 3 diapers and RJ has changed the rest!
Yesterday, we got released from the hospital in just enough time to go pick up the boys from school. They were excited that REJ was in the car, but she did cry the whole way home - it was time for her to eat. We had lunch and naps as usual - so that was good. It is always with great apprehension that I welcome a new baby home...how will the routine change? How will we find a place for this baby in our family? A man at work once said to us, "children bring their place with them" and I think he's right.
Last night was ok. RJ was terrific about taking care of REJ while I got about 4 good hours of sleep. He said they were asleep in the living room, so that is good. Last night, she did not take to the being laid in her cradle after eating, but it is early yet. Today, RJ got her to take a nap without someone holding her the entire time and we worked it out where we could all go pick LJ up from school. REJ fell asleep in the car and then stayed asleep in her car seat until her next nursing...so about 2.5 hours. Now she's fussing a bit, but she had some nice awake time where she just looked all around. Today has been a pleasant day. I have cried, however. Just baby blues - weeping for no real reason - just feel like I need to cry. This happened with LJ and a bit less with PJ, so we'll see how long it holds out with REJ. I am glad it is the weekend and we have RJ home for 2 more days. I think I'll be very sad when he goes back to work.
The house is a mess and there is a growing pile of laundry, but right now - we are all just trying to enjoy each other and celebrate having another girl in the house!
Yesterday, we got released from the hospital in just enough time to go pick up the boys from school. They were excited that REJ was in the car, but she did cry the whole way home - it was time for her to eat. We had lunch and naps as usual - so that was good. It is always with great apprehension that I welcome a new baby home...how will the routine change? How will we find a place for this baby in our family? A man at work once said to us, "children bring their place with them" and I think he's right.
Last night was ok. RJ was terrific about taking care of REJ while I got about 4 good hours of sleep. He said they were asleep in the living room, so that is good. Last night, she did not take to the being laid in her cradle after eating, but it is early yet. Today, RJ got her to take a nap without someone holding her the entire time and we worked it out where we could all go pick LJ up from school. REJ fell asleep in the car and then stayed asleep in her car seat until her next nursing...so about 2.5 hours. Now she's fussing a bit, but she had some nice awake time where she just looked all around. Today has been a pleasant day. I have cried, however. Just baby blues - weeping for no real reason - just feel like I need to cry. This happened with LJ and a bit less with PJ, so we'll see how long it holds out with REJ. I am glad it is the weekend and we have RJ home for 2 more days. I think I'll be very sad when he goes back to work.
The house is a mess and there is a growing pile of laundry, but right now - we are all just trying to enjoy each other and celebrate having another girl in the house!
Monday, September 13, 2010
In the Words of Tom Petty...
...and you want to make it hard - yah, you want to make it hard on me...
...Well, she was an American girl, raised on promises...
...you don't know how it feels...
...Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out...
There are so many that fit, but the lyrics that keep playing in my head are...
...the waiting is the hardest part...
And we are...still waiting...
WHATEVER! As of right now, we have an induction appointment for tomorrow, Sept 14th at 10:00 am. If the 5:30 am slot becomes available, we should get a call from my OB's office telling me to come then. So, for sure tomorrow, if not today...but, at this point I am having zero indications it'll be today.
I took PJ to Target to walk around for a bit - get out of the house - etc. Otherwise, I feel like I'm twiddling my thumbs here. I haven't really gotten into a routine since school started - I've been stalling thinking it pointless until we have #3 here and can figure #3 into the routine. That means I'm 3 weeks in with no routine - this bothers me!
WHATEVER! As of right now, we have an induction appointment for tomorrow, Sept 14th at 10:00 am. If the 5:30 am slot becomes available, we should get a call from my OB's office telling me to come then. So, for sure tomorrow, if not today...but, at this point I am having zero indications it'll be today.
I took PJ to Target to walk around for a bit - get out of the house - etc. Otherwise, I feel like I'm twiddling my thumbs here. I haven't really gotten into a routine since school started - I've been stalling thinking it pointless until we have #3 here and can figure #3 into the routine. That means I'm 3 weeks in with no routine - this bothers me!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Still Waiting...
I'm still here and still pregnant. And, I'm going to admit that I'm getting depressed about this! I'm ready to be done. Thankfully, my sprained ankle felt 70% better the very next day and today, I am walking pretty close to normally...except for the fact that I'm over 40 weeks pregnant....which certainly affects my walk.
Last night I dreamed that I had a baby girl - 12 pounds. Yikes!
I feel this constant need to count baby movements - I'm close to obsessive about it. I also feel a constant need to wash any dirty clothes...as in, I want everyone to have maximum clean clothes since I should be out of commission for a few day ANY DAY NOW!
I thought Thursday evening was promising - I had several strong contractions over a 3 hour period, but they never intensified or became regular and....eventually they went away altogether.
The bright side is - this weekend is a weekend we can truly relax - there is nothing hanging over our heads, nothing at work this week that we need to spend the weekend preparing for, etc. The yard needs to be mowed, but other than that - we should be able to have some down time for the first time in a LONG time. I know RJ is looking forward to that!
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
When it Rains, it Pours
Had an OB appointment this morning...and, it is pouring rain here. On my way in (RJ was with me), I slipped (wearing Crocs b/c they are the only shoes that fit - although last night and this morning I have had NO swelling in my feet/ankles, so I could have worn a different shoe today) and twisted my right ankle. It hurt and continued to hurt...and is/was obviously swollen. Went through my OB exam - still 2cm and 50% effaced. Told the OB she can see what is available NEXT week in terms of induction and that seemed to make her happy. I'm waiting for that call.
After my OB appointment, I went over to urgent care to have my ankle checked out. It is not broken (x-rays confirm this), so it is sprained. It does hurt. They gave me an "air cast" and I'm to stay off of it as much as possible (HA HA HA - I have a 3 and 5 year old), elevate and use ice, and use the air cast.
Needless to say, I'm slightly depressed and highly disgusted.
After my OB appointment, I went over to urgent care to have my ankle checked out. It is not broken (x-rays confirm this), so it is sprained. It does hurt. They gave me an "air cast" and I'm to stay off of it as much as possible (HA HA HA - I have a 3 and 5 year old), elevate and use ice, and use the air cast.
Needless to say, I'm slightly depressed and highly disgusted.
Monday, September 06, 2010
Due Date
Well, here it is - my due date. I'm not holding my breath! I have yet to have a baby early or on time - 4 days late is my earliest. I see the dr. tomorrow and I suppose I'll schedule an induction date for some days in the future "just in case". Aunt K is in town this week - staying with M,B, and J...so it would be good to have this baby this week...that way I won't feel so badly leaving our kids there overnight - 3 kids and 3 adults! I have been having contractions and other signs of making progress, so it'll be interesting to see if I've progressed over the weekend.
LJ is having a difficult time adjusting to school this year. I say this because when we drop him off he hugs us A LOT and tells us he doesn't want to stay. When I ask him why, he says, "I'd rather be with you". This morning he got a little teary-eyed, but it wasn't a big scene or anything. I think it might be harder on him when RJ, PJ, and I are all there and he is "being left" - because it might seem like we are all going to hang out and do fun things and he's there. Also, the day is more structured and less "play" than pre-K, so he is probably thinking he'd rather be in his old class! Today he stays until 2:30 - for math and science (this was optional), so he has his lunch with him for the first time. He BEGGED to stay for lunch last year and seems excited about it...it is just a little tough in the morning...when we are actually dropping him off...for him to be happy about being there.
This 2:30 pick-up is a bit of a problem. In my mind, RJ was going to pick him up and bring him home, but now RJ has a meeting at 3:00 on Mondays. So, I guess I'll need to get PJ his lunch around 11:30, so I can get him down for his nap by noon or so. Then get him up at 2:00ish to go get LJ. LJ just won't have a nap on Mondays, but he only sleeps during his nap time about 3-4 days out of the week anyway, so I think he'll be fine.
LJ is having a difficult time adjusting to school this year. I say this because when we drop him off he hugs us A LOT and tells us he doesn't want to stay. When I ask him why, he says, "I'd rather be with you". This morning he got a little teary-eyed, but it wasn't a big scene or anything. I think it might be harder on him when RJ, PJ, and I are all there and he is "being left" - because it might seem like we are all going to hang out and do fun things and he's there. Also, the day is more structured and less "play" than pre-K, so he is probably thinking he'd rather be in his old class! Today he stays until 2:30 - for math and science (this was optional), so he has his lunch with him for the first time. He BEGGED to stay for lunch last year and seems excited about it...it is just a little tough in the morning...when we are actually dropping him off...for him to be happy about being there.
This 2:30 pick-up is a bit of a problem. In my mind, RJ was going to pick him up and bring him home, but now RJ has a meeting at 3:00 on Mondays. So, I guess I'll need to get PJ his lunch around 11:30, so I can get him down for his nap by noon or so. Then get him up at 2:00ish to go get LJ. LJ just won't have a nap on Mondays, but he only sleeps during his nap time about 3-4 days out of the week anyway, so I think he'll be fine.
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
1st Day of School
LJ had his first day of Kindergarten yesterday and PJ had his first day of "pre-school".
PJ is in the Beginner's Program 2 morning a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays). He seems a bit more reserved and observational in his classroom than he does at home...it is interesting to see. He seemed to have a good day - it was abbreviated...only 1 hour instead of 3. The first day, the teacher has 1/2 the kids come for 1 hour and the other 1/2 for 1 hour...that way, the kids can get used to the classroom, etc. without so many of kids around. There are some structured activities and some unstructured activities. For example, the have "circle time" first thing - where they talk and share with one another...the teacher reads a book, etc. Then, they either have chapel or music (depends on the day), then outside play time, then snack, then center-time, then clean-up, then circle time again and then home...so, while I think there are themes throughout the year, I don't get the impression "formal learning" is an emphasis...thus the quotes around "pre-school". Thursday is his first full-morning.
LJ hit the ground running yesterday. He got himself and PJ dressed before they even came out of their room in the morning. He told me what he'd eat for breakfast and then, after breakfast, brushed his teeth, combed his hair, got his backpack and put on his shoes - ready to go. We took pictures at home and at school, but we haven't downloaded them yet. His class starts promptly at 8:30, so we went to his classroom first - hugged good-bye and he was off. When we came to pick him up, his class was playing outside and LJ was speeding around on a tricycle (these trikes, which RJ maintains - and they need A LOT of maintenance) are the hit of "outside time". It was H.O.T. and humid yesterday, so these kids were soaked and red-faced on the play ground. The kids went inside for their backpacks and then the teachers brought them out to sit on the benches for pick up. Of course, most of us parents were hanging out on some benches not too far away - waiting to see how the first day went. LJ's teacher brought LJ over right away - I think when you are as pregnant as I am, people tend to want you to get out of the heat! When we asked LJ about his day, he said he wasn't ready for Kindergarten...we asked why and he said, "I'm hot and I'm tired" - after some more talking - we think he was just cranky because he was "hot and tired"! His analysis of the day - he did some stuff he wanted to do and his teacher told them a bunch of things. Today, he is going to check a book out of the classroom library. I figure if he's making plans that's a good thing. We'll see what he says about today!
Tonight, LJ has religious education class from 6-7, so it'll be a busy late afternoon/evening to get dinner eaten and in bed by 8:00!
So far as #3 goes - it is just a waiting game. The only thing I really want to get accomplished before giving birth is to get to my hair appointment - which is at noon today. I have every indication that this will NOT be a problem!
Monday, August 30, 2010
And Now...
RJ and I thought the baby flipped on Saturday (due to some mild coaxing from RJ)...we just came from a "limited ultrasound" that confirms that baby is head down. Whew! Of course, the baby could flip again, but I'm just not going to worry about it. When I show up at the hospital in labor - that is when we'll discuss what options we have if the baby is breech. I figure I have plenty of room in the ol' uterus (thanks to LJ and PJ and their largess) and this baby simply has the room to move around.
Thanks for the prayers!
Thanks for the prayers!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Breech - AUGH!
Had a routine OB visit yesterday, I'm 38-39 weeks. OB did a cervix check - still 2 cm and 0% effaced, but...
She couldn't tell if she was feeling a hand or a foot, but she knew it was a small part. Pulled in the portable ultrasound machine - double footling breech. And, the placenta is high, but in front - not in back. Last week, when I was having contractions, she did an internal exam and said she felt the head, so I guess this one flipped within the last week. The problem with footling breech appears to be that, if you go into labor and your cervix starts to dilate and thin...the foot/feet will drop out before the cervix is open enough for the rest of the baby to fit through. Plus, you don't know how the head will come out, the cord is more likely to prolapse, and I'd imagine I could likely suffer a good bit of trauma "down there" - so, it seems drs. are not interested in a vaginal delivery with a footling breech. Frankly, I'm not interested in it either.
So, according to my OB the options are 1) schedule a c-section for next week (I don't want to have a c-section) or 2) schedule a version manipulation next week and, should it work, be induced so the baby doesn't have time to flip back. Should it not work, have a c-section. Also, since my placenta is in front, it is more possible it might separate during the version and I'd need to have an emergency c-section. I'm supposed to call on Monday with our "decision".
She couldn't tell if she was feeling a hand or a foot, but she knew it was a small part. Pulled in the portable ultrasound machine - double footling breech. And, the placenta is high, but in front - not in back. Last week, when I was having contractions, she did an internal exam and said she felt the head, so I guess this one flipped within the last week. The problem with footling breech appears to be that, if you go into labor and your cervix starts to dilate and thin...the foot/feet will drop out before the cervix is open enough for the rest of the baby to fit through. Plus, you don't know how the head will come out, the cord is more likely to prolapse, and I'd imagine I could likely suffer a good bit of trauma "down there" - so, it seems drs. are not interested in a vaginal delivery with a footling breech. Frankly, I'm not interested in it either.
So, according to my OB the options are 1) schedule a c-section for next week (I don't want to have a c-section) or 2) schedule a version manipulation next week and, should it work, be induced so the baby doesn't have time to flip back. Should it not work, have a c-section. Also, since my placenta is in front, it is more possible it might separate during the version and I'd need to have an emergency c-section. I'm supposed to call on Monday with our "decision".
RJ and I are thinking we'll add a third option - do the version and, if successful, go home and wait for labor to begin. If the baby flips back to breech - potentially do another version and then induce labor. Or, if the baby flips again - have the c-section if the 1st version was particularly bothersome. The OB gave the option of having an epidural for the version and then inducing, so if there is a need for a 2nd version and the 1st was bothersome, I could do the 2nd with an epidural.
We're hoping and praying the baby will flip back between now and next week. To encourage this, I've laid on the couch with my bottom/hips propped with pillows and my feet/legs over the back. This does get the baby's head to move from the top by my ribs to the left side. It is suggested to do this 3 times a day for 20 minutes each time - it does get uncomfortable rather quickly - perhaps doing it NOT right after a meal would help! I'm also going to get in the pool today and do some flips. These things seem to be helpful for women on the Internet. I'm not going to put a sack of frozen vegetables near the baby's head and shine a flashlight at the bottom of my uterus...that one seems a bit odd to me.
We're hoping and praying the baby will flip back between now and next week. To encourage this, I've laid on the couch with my bottom/hips propped with pillows and my feet/legs over the back. This does get the baby's head to move from the top by my ribs to the left side. It is suggested to do this 3 times a day for 20 minutes each time - it does get uncomfortable rather quickly - perhaps doing it NOT right after a meal would help! I'm also going to get in the pool today and do some flips. These things seem to be helpful for women on the Internet. I'm not going to put a sack of frozen vegetables near the baby's head and shine a flashlight at the bottom of my uterus...that one seems a bit odd to me.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Girl or Boy?
Well, my labor "scare" on Thursday compelled me to do the last few things that would be more convenient to do before #3 arrives. I found the gender neutral infant clothes and, of course, with those is the boy infant clothes. So, I picked out one gender neutral outfit and one boy outfit to pack in the hospital bag. Then, for the heck of it, I dug out the girl clothes my sister gave me about 5 years ago...and picked out one little pink girl outfit to pack. This is the first time I've taken one of each outfit to the hospital...does this mean that, somewhere in the recesses of my mind, I think this one is a girl?
Friday, August 20, 2010
A Little Update
Yesterday was not fun! Around 5:00 am, I woke up with contractions. They were every 15 minutes until about 10:00 am. I was supposed to see the dr. at 2:30, but called to get fit in earlier. This is how it all started with PJ and by 2:30 pm, he was born - so...I didn't want to wait all morning. I felt TERRIBLE though - nausea and flu-like symptoms. The dr. checked me out. 2 cm, but not effaced. Baby's head is engaged though. Could be today, could be 3 weeks. The rest of the day, I sat around and felt totally useless - I just felt so badly. I got a good night of sleep last night and today, I'm back to "normal" 3rd trimester pregnancy ailments. Those were the worst and oddest Braxton Hicks I've ever had.
We got PJ totally moved into LJ's room and I'm ready to try to find the infant clothes. We have several "neutral gender" items since we've not found out with any child...but, I need to find those! RJ also needs to install the "salt to chlorine generator" for our pool. We spend a small fortune on chlorine, so this generator will be worth it!
Next week, I need to get the kids a couple of vaccines and then finish their school paperwork and find out how much we actually owe for tuition and extra things like Lunch Bunch on Thursdays and Math/Science on Mondays.
So, there are things that we need to get done - it'd be nice to keep this baby until the due date so we can have 1 week of school routine under our belts before baby joins us. But, it would also be nice to get this baby out early so that he/she can't possible weigh 10 pounds!
We got PJ totally moved into LJ's room and I'm ready to try to find the infant clothes. We have several "neutral gender" items since we've not found out with any child...but, I need to find those! RJ also needs to install the "salt to chlorine generator" for our pool. We spend a small fortune on chlorine, so this generator will be worth it!
Next week, I need to get the kids a couple of vaccines and then finish their school paperwork and find out how much we actually owe for tuition and extra things like Lunch Bunch on Thursdays and Math/Science on Mondays.
So, there are things that we need to get done - it'd be nice to keep this baby until the due date so we can have 1 week of school routine under our belts before baby joins us. But, it would also be nice to get this baby out early so that he/she can't possible weigh 10 pounds!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Sharing a Room
LJ and PJ are now sharing LJ's room! R and his brother assembled bunk beds and we put our fabulous queen-sized guest bed on loan to M and B. They have special directions to only use it as a guest bed so that it is not slept in every night...one day, we'll have room for that most-comfy bed again.
The first night went pretty well - I'm actually a bit surprised at how well it went. It was my goal to get them into sharing a room weeeellll before the school year starts so that they can figure out how to leave each other alone and go to sleep! They talked a bit last night and I did have to go sit in there for about 15 minutes to settle them down, but I left the room before they were asleep and they feel asleep soon after. LJ is on top and PJ is on bottom. They both picked out their own quilt and are both rather excited to have more floor space to play.
I was apprehensive about nap time today, but they both slept a little (PJ probably not as long as he would have normally) and they didn't get out of bed until 3:30, so I consider that all good. I have a feeling things will get a bit worse before they settle in for good. The next thing we need to tackle is getting a dresser out of the barn and moving PJ's clothes to their new shared room, but we have time for that. PJ thinks he has 2 rooms right now - one for sleeping and one for his clothes. LJ explained that he only has one room and the other room is for the baby...which caused PJ to ask me when I'm going to get the baby out of my tummy.
I only have 3 more days of summer school and then I'm through until I go back to work after my baby leave...whew! It is hot our there and I'm tired of teaching for 4 hours straight...everyday. I don't know how K-12 teachers do it.
The first night went pretty well - I'm actually a bit surprised at how well it went. It was my goal to get them into sharing a room weeeellll before the school year starts so that they can figure out how to leave each other alone and go to sleep! They talked a bit last night and I did have to go sit in there for about 15 minutes to settle them down, but I left the room before they were asleep and they feel asleep soon after. LJ is on top and PJ is on bottom. They both picked out their own quilt and are both rather excited to have more floor space to play.
I was apprehensive about nap time today, but they both slept a little (PJ probably not as long as he would have normally) and they didn't get out of bed until 3:30, so I consider that all good. I have a feeling things will get a bit worse before they settle in for good. The next thing we need to tackle is getting a dresser out of the barn and moving PJ's clothes to their new shared room, but we have time for that. PJ thinks he has 2 rooms right now - one for sleeping and one for his clothes. LJ explained that he only has one room and the other room is for the baby...which caused PJ to ask me when I'm going to get the baby out of my tummy.
I only have 3 more days of summer school and then I'm through until I go back to work after my baby leave...whew! It is hot our there and I'm tired of teaching for 4 hours straight...everyday. I don't know how K-12 teachers do it.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Cleaning and Mildly Sick Kids
I think I have a cleaning routine down. The key to this working is not to let the clutter get out of control. This means making sure the kids aren't going nuts getting toys out AND that they put them away at regular intervals. They don't seem to mind putting them away when the task isn't so overwhelming. Also, I put stuff away a couple of times a day (it takes like 10 minutes each time) and that keeps things under control. Keeping the clutter down then allows me to do 1 hour of house work a day...
In each of these areas, I clean surfaces, vacuum and steam the floor...meaning thoroughly...I move furniture that can be moved, etc.
Mondays - Kitchen and LJ's Room (and grocery store)
Tuesdays - Dining Room and PJ's Room
Wednesdays - Living Room and Computer Desk
Thursdays - Bathroom and Hallway (and Target)
Fridays - Our Bedroom
Saturdays - Vacuum house (without moving furniture...just to knock back the dirt/dust)
Sundays - No Cleaning
I do laundry on Wednesdays and Sundays. That's it. Unless there is something that is really needed. I fold laundry while I watch tv. As in, kids be gone!
I plan to do an extra 15 minutes a day for a week in each of these areas (ala Fly Lady) - so this week my extra 15 minutes is in the kitchen (not that this is where The Fly Lady is working...that is just where I decided to start). Yesterday, I cleaned the stove top...took off the grates, knobs, etc. and washed it all down. I have a clean stove top! I also cleaned off the window sill. Today, I'm going to clean the toaster oven.
LJ had a slight fever for a couple of days over the weekend...so he did a lot of "playing" camping and nap time. Yesterday, PJ had the fever. He refused to take Tylenol, so he is suffering needlessly. It does keep him listless and out of trouble though. Silver lining?!
I had my 30 week appointment yesterday. Nothing unusual. I do not have gestational diabetes. Blood pressure 124/70. I am measuring fine. Baby is moving. Heartbeat is strong. See the dr. again in 3 weeks. My feet and legs are frequently aching, I am generally unable to get a good breath and I'm getting pooped quickly, but all to be expected.
Tomorrow, I start summer school - 4 hours of teaching every morning until July 23rd. Should be interesting. Plus, I imagine this will have some impact on my ability to keep to my cleaning schedule.
In each of these areas, I clean surfaces, vacuum and steam the floor...meaning thoroughly...I move furniture that can be moved, etc.
Mondays - Kitchen and LJ's Room (and grocery store)
Tuesdays - Dining Room and PJ's Room
Wednesdays - Living Room and Computer Desk
Thursdays - Bathroom and Hallway (and Target)
Fridays - Our Bedroom
Saturdays - Vacuum house (without moving furniture...just to knock back the dirt/dust)
Sundays - No Cleaning
I do laundry on Wednesdays and Sundays. That's it. Unless there is something that is really needed. I fold laundry while I watch tv. As in, kids be gone!
I plan to do an extra 15 minutes a day for a week in each of these areas (ala Fly Lady) - so this week my extra 15 minutes is in the kitchen (not that this is where The Fly Lady is working...that is just where I decided to start). Yesterday, I cleaned the stove top...took off the grates, knobs, etc. and washed it all down. I have a clean stove top! I also cleaned off the window sill. Today, I'm going to clean the toaster oven.
LJ had a slight fever for a couple of days over the weekend...so he did a lot of "playing" camping and nap time. Yesterday, PJ had the fever. He refused to take Tylenol, so he is suffering needlessly. It does keep him listless and out of trouble though. Silver lining?!
I had my 30 week appointment yesterday. Nothing unusual. I do not have gestational diabetes. Blood pressure 124/70. I am measuring fine. Baby is moving. Heartbeat is strong. See the dr. again in 3 weeks. My feet and legs are frequently aching, I am generally unable to get a good breath and I'm getting pooped quickly, but all to be expected.
Tomorrow, I start summer school - 4 hours of teaching every morning until July 23rd. Should be interesting. Plus, I imagine this will have some impact on my ability to keep to my cleaning schedule.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
I Will Never Catch Up!
I'm quite confident I will never catch up on all the happenings of the Js, so I'm going to stop thinking that I will.
The Pennsylvania newsletter is not going to happen. I'll try, but I can't promise anything or give ETA. A recap of our trip to the beach is not going to happen. Once again, I'll try, but I've already forgotten what happened on which day. At least with the PA trip, I made notes - with the beach...on the car ride home - all the days were already a blur! As usual, we have plenty of pictures and video of all, so there is still hope.
Upon arrival home, we were delighted that B had safely arrived from Hong Kong, but pretty quickly events transpired such that M is also home from Hong Kong and I have a new great nephew! He came about 6 weeks earlier than expected and will spend some time in the hospital catching up on the growing he needs to do, but otherwise, everyone appears to be in good health. This just goes to show that plans don't always work the way we think they will! In an effort to help them all out, RJ has assumed some "general contractor" duties and is trying to match the work M&B want/need done to their fixer-uper with the people to do the work.
LJ went to a week of camp at his school - 9:00 - noon, M-F last week and had a very good time. His "best friend" from his class was there and that gave them an extra week to play together. Now, LJ and PJ are adjusting to being home together all day...and how to negotiate playing with each other in a nice way.
I have been teaching a new course for UofP - focused on grammar. Just because I have a graduate degree in English does not mean that I know grammar! I do happen to have a decent grasp on grammar terms and diagramming sentences is a favorite of mine (although the students do not have to diagram sentences...if they did, their heads would explode)...diagramming sentences pretty much forces you to understand grammar terminology. BTW - I don't consider this blog to require strict grammar adherence. The simple fact that this is a new course dictates that it takes more of my time, so I've been busy with that. The class is really on about a 5th grade level, so the material isn't difficult for me, but I've learned to modify ALL assignments to remove any directions for the students to write their own sentences. When they write their own sentences - things get crazy! It is somewhat amusing to read posts where students talk about how bad sentence fragments are...when they are not writing complete sentences.
I am going to Denver to lend whatever help and support I can to my dear friend C - before I am no longer fit for travel. After that, RJ and I are going to my 20th High School Reunion. Then, I teach 2nd Summer Session. Once that is over, we progress toward the beginning of the Fall semester...LJ will be in Kindergarten and PJ is going to go to pre-school 2 days a week...and I'll be having baby #3. I have a feeling it is all going to move very quickly.
I am generally feeling well. I haven't been sick since May 1. I am experiencing Pelvic Girdle Pain - sometimes it is VERY painful. With PJ, I had trouble with my "pubic symphysis"...I felt as though my pubic bone had been hit with a baseball bat. With this little one, I am having trouble with my "sacroiliac joints". I frequently express that "my right bottom hurts" or "my left bottom hurts". Usually, it hurts, but is not debilitating. Earlier this week, it was debilitating. My "left bottom" was so painful I could not lay on it and my left leg was feeling generally weak. I seriously rated it an 8 on the 1-10 pain scale. It was hurting more than my broken wrist hurt - and for longer. I started to wonder if I had fractured my hip and didn't know it. After about 2 hours of trying to sleep and being in such pain, I took some Tylenol and that really did help. I figure, if I see my dr. and tell her Tylenol helps, she'll tell me to take Tylenol, so I'm not going to make a special appointment. I got a support belt to help align my pelvic bone and support my baby belly and I treated myself to a special body pillow to put between my knees and under my belly when I sleep. This combination has allowed me to avoid the 8 pain. When I bought the pillow, I told the check out lady, "My husband will comment about this pillow. He won't be upset, but he will make a comment!" - and, RJ did...you know the "we need another pillow?" kind of comment. I just reminded him about all that he has in his barn and we left it at that!
Off to the grocery store...
The Pennsylvania newsletter is not going to happen. I'll try, but I can't promise anything or give ETA. A recap of our trip to the beach is not going to happen. Once again, I'll try, but I've already forgotten what happened on which day. At least with the PA trip, I made notes - with the beach...on the car ride home - all the days were already a blur! As usual, we have plenty of pictures and video of all, so there is still hope.
Upon arrival home, we were delighted that B had safely arrived from Hong Kong, but pretty quickly events transpired such that M is also home from Hong Kong and I have a new great nephew! He came about 6 weeks earlier than expected and will spend some time in the hospital catching up on the growing he needs to do, but otherwise, everyone appears to be in good health. This just goes to show that plans don't always work the way we think they will! In an effort to help them all out, RJ has assumed some "general contractor" duties and is trying to match the work M&B want/need done to their fixer-uper with the people to do the work.
LJ went to a week of camp at his school - 9:00 - noon, M-F last week and had a very good time. His "best friend" from his class was there and that gave them an extra week to play together. Now, LJ and PJ are adjusting to being home together all day...and how to negotiate playing with each other in a nice way.
I have been teaching a new course for UofP - focused on grammar. Just because I have a graduate degree in English does not mean that I know grammar! I do happen to have a decent grasp on grammar terms and diagramming sentences is a favorite of mine (although the students do not have to diagram sentences...if they did, their heads would explode)...diagramming sentences pretty much forces you to understand grammar terminology. BTW - I don't consider this blog to require strict grammar adherence. The simple fact that this is a new course dictates that it takes more of my time, so I've been busy with that. The class is really on about a 5th grade level, so the material isn't difficult for me, but I've learned to modify ALL assignments to remove any directions for the students to write their own sentences. When they write their own sentences - things get crazy! It is somewhat amusing to read posts where students talk about how bad sentence fragments are...when they are not writing complete sentences.
I am going to Denver to lend whatever help and support I can to my dear friend C - before I am no longer fit for travel. After that, RJ and I are going to my 20th High School Reunion. Then, I teach 2nd Summer Session. Once that is over, we progress toward the beginning of the Fall semester...LJ will be in Kindergarten and PJ is going to go to pre-school 2 days a week...and I'll be having baby #3. I have a feeling it is all going to move very quickly.
I am generally feeling well. I haven't been sick since May 1. I am experiencing Pelvic Girdle Pain - sometimes it is VERY painful. With PJ, I had trouble with my "pubic symphysis"...I felt as though my pubic bone had been hit with a baseball bat. With this little one, I am having trouble with my "sacroiliac joints". I frequently express that "my right bottom hurts" or "my left bottom hurts". Usually, it hurts, but is not debilitating. Earlier this week, it was debilitating. My "left bottom" was so painful I could not lay on it and my left leg was feeling generally weak. I seriously rated it an 8 on the 1-10 pain scale. It was hurting more than my broken wrist hurt - and for longer. I started to wonder if I had fractured my hip and didn't know it. After about 2 hours of trying to sleep and being in such pain, I took some Tylenol and that really did help. I figure, if I see my dr. and tell her Tylenol helps, she'll tell me to take Tylenol, so I'm not going to make a special appointment. I got a support belt to help align my pelvic bone and support my baby belly and I treated myself to a special body pillow to put between my knees and under my belly when I sleep. This combination has allowed me to avoid the 8 pain. When I bought the pillow, I told the check out lady, "My husband will comment about this pillow. He won't be upset, but he will make a comment!" - and, RJ did...you know the "we need another pillow?" kind of comment. I just reminded him about all that he has in his barn and we left it at that!
Off to the grocery store...
Thursday, May 27, 2010
End-of-School
I will attempt to do a catch-up here!
Wednesday, May 19th
RJ spent the entire day with LJ at school. They had some tricycles to return. RJ has been the tricycle repair man - these kids are tough on the trikes! Apparently, this job is much appreciated by all. He even got a mention in LJ's teacher's end-of-the year letter. It seems that, when the tricycles are out of commission, the kids are crazy during outside time, so the teachers prefer the tricycles to be in good working order.
RJ had been feeling as though he had missed out on knowing what is going on when LJ is at school, so he decided to spend the morning. I believe he has written a post about this, so I'll let him give his report.
After school, we all went out to lunch and then home for a typical afternoon of naps, playing, snacks and swimming.
Thursday, May 20
RJ went to work and I started packing for our trip to the beach. At 10:00, I went to my spray-tan appointment! The week before, I had been at my hair salon for my usual procedures and a lady emerged from the back with her recently applied spray-tan. So, I asked some questions and saw the results and decided that I would be happier going to the beach (as a pregnant lady) with golden skin. The spraying was no problem, but I needed to wait 8 hours before showering so that it could all set-in. This was annoying. I spent the day in my swimsuit cover-up, doing laundry, gathering supplies, and packing, so I didn't need to go out. But, I was kind of sticky most of the day...and just generally uncomfortable.
RJ came home from work and decided to check out the rear brake pads on the Tahoe. So, he did some car repairs before LJ informed us that his Crocs are just too small and he needs new ones. I showered (a glorious shower that involved the rinsing off of the "guide line" - which is brown) and we went out for Crocs, car parts, and dinner.
Friday, May 21
RJ took LJ to his last day of pre-school! I finished the last minute packing and getting the house ready for our departure. Upon his return from dropping LJ at school, RJ did his last car preparations and packing. Around 10:30, RJ, PJ and I left the house for our attendance at LJ's end-of-year school party and then straight on the road for the beach.
LJ's party appeared to be lots of fun! They made home-made ice cream and played in a "water contraption" made of PVC pipe. PJ enjoyed playing on the playground and I visited with the other moms...where I was informed that they have 1 opening in the 3-year-olds MWF and 1 opening in the 3-year-olds TR class next fall. RJ hadn't even thought about PJ attending pre-school at age 3, but we were about to spend the next 3 days considering it! The head-of-school told us we could call on Monday to let her know - after that, she needed to start calling people on the waiting list (since we have a sibling at this school already - we get out ahead of people without siblings at the school).
After pictures and "see you laters", we headed to pick up Jfer and then to our destination in Louisiana.
Our car ride was rather uneventful...full of stops and SHHHs and treat bags with trains and snacks...until Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge is where we take I-12 North instead of I-10 South (to New Orleans). Our hotel for the night is on I-12, right before it joins back with I-10. Well, as we are speeding by on the Interstate, we are seeing signs (temporary - signs that are digital and what they say can be changed) that say something about I-12 being closed and to take I-1o as a detour...and something about 30 miles. It is hard to read at 70 mph...surrounded by traffic and looking for the I-12 exit. But, I can tell you that having to go down to New Orleans would be one heck of an out-of-the way detour. So, we pull over, look at LDOT and it seems there is an overturned truck about 30 minutes up I-12 and the road is closed. We look at the map and decide to go on 12 until right before the closure and then go across on a smaller road. When we exit 12, we figure there will be a place to eat dinner.
Our choices were Subway and Wayne's Bar-B-Q. We chose the local-flavor of Wayne's and, while the food wasn't very good, we talked to a local guy who told us what road to use...it would be less crowded and quicker. So, Wayne's was worth it for the information. We got to our hotel and went straight to bed. I slept with PJ (BIG mistake...I guess I'm like a magnet for him as his slept ON me) and RJ slept with LJ...who snored loudly...his nose was stopped up. Jfer slept on the pull out couch. The people upstairs either had children who ran across the floor for 45 minutes at 10:30 or were square-dancing. As you can gather, we did not sleep well!
Saturday, May 08, 2010
MMRs, Birthday Parties and Jellybeans
We took both kids to the dr. for a well visit and their next vaccination. I took LJ on Monday. He is due for his 2nd MMR, 2nd Varicella, and last DTaP and Polio. We only did the MMR and will do the Vacricalla and the combo DTap/Polio at the end of the summer. This is in accordance with our spacing the vaccines to keep the level of aluminum and other "extra" substances to a "more acceptable level". So, you can see, by the time he enters Kindergarten, he'll have all of the vaccines he's supposed to have...just not at such an accelerated rate.
He actually cried about the shot, but got a lollipop in the end, so all was good.
RJ took PJ on Friday. He got his 1st MMR. According to RJ, PJ did not cry and he got a Thomas sticker, so he was happy. PJ spent the morning saying, "I'm ready to go get my shot now!" - so I guess he was truly ready!
LJ has a birthday party to go to...at 2:00pm ON MOTHER'S DAY! Who does this? Well, I can tell you who, but I won't. First of all, is our 5 year old the last 5 year old on earth who still takes an afternoon nap? It would seem so if I take the typical birthday party time as any indication. Sure, he doesn't always sleep, but LJ goes to his room and lays on his bed for 2 hours every afternoon that we are home. Second of all, Mother's Day? I think you get my point. So, today, LJ and I need to buy a birthday gift for this child. The volume of gifts that I see piled up at these parties strengthens my resolve not to have a birthday party where we invite his classmates.
I don't know about you, but we still have most of the Easter candy in our house. We, the J parents, didn't even do much candy, but somehow, we accumulated a ton of it. I labeled a Ziploc bag with each child's name on it (have to keep the candy separated!) and I dug the jellybeans out and put them in a bowl. PJ knows this bowl exists and, for every 1 time he asks if he can have a jellybean, it appears there are about 10 times that he just helps himself without asking! I'm to the point where I don't care anymore...the sooner they are gone, the better.
He actually cried about the shot, but got a lollipop in the end, so all was good.
RJ took PJ on Friday. He got his 1st MMR. According to RJ, PJ did not cry and he got a Thomas sticker, so he was happy. PJ spent the morning saying, "I'm ready to go get my shot now!" - so I guess he was truly ready!
LJ has a birthday party to go to...at 2:00pm ON MOTHER'S DAY! Who does this? Well, I can tell you who, but I won't. First of all, is our 5 year old the last 5 year old on earth who still takes an afternoon nap? It would seem so if I take the typical birthday party time as any indication. Sure, he doesn't always sleep, but LJ goes to his room and lays on his bed for 2 hours every afternoon that we are home. Second of all, Mother's Day? I think you get my point. So, today, LJ and I need to buy a birthday gift for this child. The volume of gifts that I see piled up at these parties strengthens my resolve not to have a birthday party where we invite his classmates.
I don't know about you, but we still have most of the Easter candy in our house. We, the J parents, didn't even do much candy, but somehow, we accumulated a ton of it. I labeled a Ziploc bag with each child's name on it (have to keep the candy separated!) and I dug the jellybeans out and put them in a bowl. PJ knows this bowl exists and, for every 1 time he asks if he can have a jellybean, it appears there are about 10 times that he just helps himself without asking! I'm to the point where I don't care anymore...the sooner they are gone, the better.
Thursday, May 06, 2010
Trips, Birthdays, Cookie Contests, Etc.
It has been a rather busy time for the Js. At the end of April we went on a "big" trip to Pennsylvania and New York. This was the boys' first time on an airplane and they were excited. We had a terrific time - although we slept very little. I am working on a newsletter-style highlight that includes a few pictures...I'll e-mail it to anyone who wants it when I'm finished, so if you want it, let me know! To help you decide, highlights include: Steam train ride, PJ's birthday (in NYC), and NYC. I don't see how you could *NOT* want to receive the newsletter, but I realize I might be biased. Do you realize that I'm using you to try to prod me to actually finish this newsletter????
Immediately following our return from Pennsylvania, we were slated to get in the car and drive 6 hours (one-way) to the wedding of my cousin's daughter. The kids were on so little sleep that dark circles were appearing under their eyes and RJ was exhausted too. So, we decided that Mom and I would fly to the wedding and spend one night while RJ stayed home with the boys. It was Cookie Contest weekend and we were a bit bummed to have to miss it anyway. Plus, there was some super-fantastic "tool auction" that RJ wanted to attend (and, according to the credit card statement - did buy some super-fantastic tools). This plan sounded good all the way around. This plan also allowed me and RJ to have dinner with my friends Chrissy, Katherine, and Johanna on Friday night...of course, we didn't get home until 11:00 pm and our flight left at 7:10 am. Once again, little sleep.
I woke on Saturday not feeling just right, but I figured I was just tired. Mom and I got to our destination with no problems, upgraded our rental to a Cadillac (this is what happens when I think that we "deserve" a nice reward!), and found our hotel. Seeing as how it was only 10:45 am, I figured that actually checking in was not likely. Turns out I was correct. In fact, "there will be NO rooms available until 3:00." I did not like this. I was tired and still not feeling quite right.
Mom and I ate a snack at Panera Bread and decided to drive our Cadillac to the church and reception to make sure we had good directions. Then, we sat in the hotel lobby and tried to eye ball the receptionist...you know, make her feel uncomfortable and all. She told anyone else who tried to check-in the same thing though. At 1:00, we met a friend of mine from my mommy message board for lunch. I wasn't too hungry, but we had a nice visit. Upon return to the hotel, we were able to check-in. Once in the room, we rested and got ready for the wedding.
The wedding was nice - a bit traditional and non-traditional...very humorous. It was hot in the church, but it was all very nice. The reception location was nice as well. We visited with R & K and our cousin, but I was seriously not feeling well. In fact, in short-order, I was the lady in the first stall hurling my lunch. Nice. I left the reception (and Mom to be returned to the hotel by R & K on their way out of town) and hoped this was a one-time deal. Alas, it was not. Finally, around 11:00 pm - with thoughts about the plane ride home in fewer than 12 hours lurking in the depths of my mind and no end to the sickness in sight...I called the answering service for my doctor. I found a 24 hour CVS and begged the on-call doctor to call me some Phenergan suppositories. He expressed concern of possible dehydration, but I convinced him that I am a professional, so he obliged. With the hotel ice bucket and directions in hand, I headed out (in the Cadillac) to the CVS, which for all I know - is located in a not-so-good part of town. I made it without incident, used the ice bucket while waiting in the drive-thru, and made it back to the hotel. I was in bed and relieved of my need to visit the bathroom by 1:00 am.
I spent the next day feeling as though I had been drugged - Phenergan does this, but it beats the alternative. Mom and I made it home without incident. I slept most of the rest of the day and night.
Mom says she had a nice time at the wedding reception. I, however, did not enjoy this trip.
While I was gone - LJ won his age-bracket and is, once again, the Cookie King! PJ was in the same age-bracket as LJ this year, but he only ate 1 cookie and LJ ate 3.
Immediately following our return from Pennsylvania, we were slated to get in the car and drive 6 hours (one-way) to the wedding of my cousin's daughter. The kids were on so little sleep that dark circles were appearing under their eyes and RJ was exhausted too. So, we decided that Mom and I would fly to the wedding and spend one night while RJ stayed home with the boys. It was Cookie Contest weekend and we were a bit bummed to have to miss it anyway. Plus, there was some super-fantastic "tool auction" that RJ wanted to attend (and, according to the credit card statement - did buy some super-fantastic tools). This plan sounded good all the way around. This plan also allowed me and RJ to have dinner with my friends Chrissy, Katherine, and Johanna on Friday night...of course, we didn't get home until 11:00 pm and our flight left at 7:10 am. Once again, little sleep.
I woke on Saturday not feeling just right, but I figured I was just tired. Mom and I got to our destination with no problems, upgraded our rental to a Cadillac (this is what happens when I think that we "deserve" a nice reward!), and found our hotel. Seeing as how it was only 10:45 am, I figured that actually checking in was not likely. Turns out I was correct. In fact, "there will be NO rooms available until 3:00." I did not like this. I was tired and still not feeling quite right.
Mom and I ate a snack at Panera Bread and decided to drive our Cadillac to the church and reception to make sure we had good directions. Then, we sat in the hotel lobby and tried to eye ball the receptionist...you know, make her feel uncomfortable and all. She told anyone else who tried to check-in the same thing though. At 1:00, we met a friend of mine from my mommy message board for lunch. I wasn't too hungry, but we had a nice visit. Upon return to the hotel, we were able to check-in. Once in the room, we rested and got ready for the wedding.
The wedding was nice - a bit traditional and non-traditional...very humorous. It was hot in the church, but it was all very nice. The reception location was nice as well. We visited with R & K and our cousin, but I was seriously not feeling well. In fact, in short-order, I was the lady in the first stall hurling my lunch. Nice. I left the reception (and Mom to be returned to the hotel by R & K on their way out of town) and hoped this was a one-time deal. Alas, it was not. Finally, around 11:00 pm - with thoughts about the plane ride home in fewer than 12 hours lurking in the depths of my mind and no end to the sickness in sight...I called the answering service for my doctor. I found a 24 hour CVS and begged the on-call doctor to call me some Phenergan suppositories. He expressed concern of possible dehydration, but I convinced him that I am a professional, so he obliged. With the hotel ice bucket and directions in hand, I headed out (in the Cadillac) to the CVS, which for all I know - is located in a not-so-good part of town. I made it without incident, used the ice bucket while waiting in the drive-thru, and made it back to the hotel. I was in bed and relieved of my need to visit the bathroom by 1:00 am.
I spent the next day feeling as though I had been drugged - Phenergan does this, but it beats the alternative. Mom and I made it home without incident. I slept most of the rest of the day and night.
Mom says she had a nice time at the wedding reception. I, however, did not enjoy this trip.
While I was gone - LJ won his age-bracket and is, once again, the Cookie King! PJ was in the same age-bracket as LJ this year, but he only ate 1 cookie and LJ ate 3.
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