From a birthday party.
You thought I was going to talk some more about my injection? Nope, that's old news. The birthday party, well, I guess that's old news now. Thank goodness.
Being the first birthday party I've ever hosted, and living in a new town/ward... I didn't quite know what I was doing. We may have had too many girls there. We may have not had enough structured activities planned... or too many. Either way, it is DONE.
Today I'm starting to feel relief. After the entire family slept in until 10AM (I am still dazed and confused about how we made it to church by 10:55am), I realized that I had a tension-induced headache threatening migraine status. It dissipated in time for dinner and a second round of cake/ice cream/presents.
To cut to the chase, I'm glad to celebrate the birth of my first born, but NOW...
I am ready to celebrate the birth of another little baby. I hope we can calmly, quietly, and uneventfully celebrate Christmas for the next couple weeks. And I hope all of you get a little bit of peace and quiet this holiday.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Survived
I survived the big needle. It actually ended up being two spinal-area injections (between L4 and L5, and between L5 and S1, for any who care). Having things poking/moving around back there feels scary and unnatural. Having once endured a month-long spinal leak and spinal headache, I'm a little nervous about these things.
I was trying my best to stay calm as I stared at a beautiful outlet and listened to the nurses/doc discuss ways to make the room more sterile. Finally I admitted that I was beginning to freak out, and a nurse came over and started talking to me about the girls.
We had a nice little discussion about their upcoming birthday party. Nurses can save the day. :) Doctors aren't so bad, either...
I survived the procedure, but I really shouldn't have gone out to eat afterwards. Even if I did discover that Laughing Planet makes AMAZING burritos and the girls loved the "funny one-eyed place". For all you bike-minded people out there (and Portland has a plethora), they make their burritos to fit perfectly into a bike water holder.
I was trying my best to stay calm as I stared at a beautiful outlet and listened to the nurses/doc discuss ways to make the room more sterile. Finally I admitted that I was beginning to freak out, and a nurse came over and started talking to me about the girls.
We had a nice little discussion about their upcoming birthday party. Nurses can save the day. :) Doctors aren't so bad, either...I survived the procedure, but I really shouldn't have gone out to eat afterwards. Even if I did discover that Laughing Planet makes AMAZING burritos and the girls loved the "funny one-eyed place". For all you bike-minded people out there (and Portland has a plethora), they make their burritos to fit perfectly into a bike water holder.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Tsk at your own risk!
Confession:
I lashed out at a woman in Walmart who had the nerve to "tsk-tsk" my parenting skills. Not only was she making her disapproval obvious, but she was sharing her disapproval with fellow by-standers. Ugh.
My words of advice: if you see a mother of young children in need of assistance, just help her out or give her one of those "we've all been there" looks. Tsk-ing will only incur the wrath of a fiery young woman. Coming from a mother who views daily lessons on how to conduct an efficient and painfully public tantrum, you simply DO. NOT. WANT. TO. GO. THERE.
In the way of other news...
Tomorrow I'm getting an epidural steroid injection for my lower back. Since the pain has progressively returned in the past year, it's about time to do something. I have very high hopes that this injection will help me progress in physical therapy and strengthening my back. In the mean time, I've been prepping for the worst- a couple days of bed rest. I doubt recovery will be that bad, but the TV is always a great back-up babysitter. And I've stocked the refrigerator with prepared dinners for the rest of the week, so at least we won't starve.
This injection is actually an answer to prayers. One of my small miracles in life was being able to schedule it for the ONLY week day Janson has off in December. I'm not too worried about the injection, although I shake a bit at the thought of a big scary needle digging around my spine.
Saturday the girls are having a joint fairy birthday party. It's the first time I've hosted a birthday party, and I was excited for about the first two weeks of planning. Right about now I'm ready to just do it and get on with Christmas. Visions of fairy wands, wings, and all things glitter dance around my head, and swim before my eyes. I've learned a few good lessons for future parties, but I think Saturday will be a very fun, memorable experience for the girls.
I lashed out at a woman in Walmart who had the nerve to "tsk-tsk" my parenting skills. Not only was she making her disapproval obvious, but she was sharing her disapproval with fellow by-standers. Ugh.
My words of advice: if you see a mother of young children in need of assistance, just help her out or give her one of those "we've all been there" looks. Tsk-ing will only incur the wrath of a fiery young woman. Coming from a mother who views daily lessons on how to conduct an efficient and painfully public tantrum, you simply DO. NOT. WANT. TO. GO. THERE.
In the way of other news...
Tomorrow I'm getting an epidural steroid injection for my lower back. Since the pain has progressively returned in the past year, it's about time to do something. I have very high hopes that this injection will help me progress in physical therapy and strengthening my back. In the mean time, I've been prepping for the worst- a couple days of bed rest. I doubt recovery will be that bad, but the TV is always a great back-up babysitter. And I've stocked the refrigerator with prepared dinners for the rest of the week, so at least we won't starve.This injection is actually an answer to prayers. One of my small miracles in life was being able to schedule it for the ONLY week day Janson has off in December. I'm not too worried about the injection, although I shake a bit at the thought of a big scary needle digging around my spine.
Saturday the girls are having a joint fairy birthday party. It's the first time I've hosted a birthday party, and I was excited for about the first two weeks of planning. Right about now I'm ready to just do it and get on with Christmas. Visions of fairy wands, wings, and all things glitter dance around my head, and swim before my eyes. I've learned a few good lessons for future parties, but I think Saturday will be a very fun, memorable experience for the girls.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
No live rodents please
Feel free to help Grace feed smarties and kool aid to her custom made hamster. What genetics can do these days! Grace's fave colors these days are obviously green and purple. Have fun!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Spooky Shakespeare
Remember the witch's chant from Macbeth? Double, double, toil and trouble? It sounds like both second graders and strangers on the street can't help to read this chant without getting into it!
Great Halloween entertainment!
Great Halloween entertainment!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
A Day
12:20am Grace wakes up whining. She's too congested to breath, but is just confused and uncomfortable so she continues to moan and groan. I was actually still awake trying to finish my book. Brandon Mull is a great author.
12:47am Ditto. This time I was not originally awake.
1:32am Ditto.
3:09am Ditto. (You get the idea.)
5:30am-ish (or sometime when it's still dark) Janson leaves for work. I remember that last night he said, "Oh man. I have to wake up early to lay some legs out to defrost." Huh?
7:10am Mari falls out of bed. I put her in mine, and think "I should probably get up." I realize that Grace is probably too sick to go to school, but we're in charge of bringing snacks. If I bring the snacks and not let her stay for school, lengthy tantrum will be inevitable. Instead of facing my decision, I fall back to sleep in our heavenly new pillow-topped $90 bed.
8:10am Jump out of bed. I have 20 minutes to get myself and the girls in the car. Just the thought makes me sweat. I'm still not sure if Grace will stay for school, but either way we're bringing snacks.
8:13am I grab clothes in the dark, hoping they match. Wake up Grace, beg her to hurry.
8:17am Debate between sacrificing the time to put on my contacts, or do Grace's hair. My eyesight wins out. I'm so selfish.
8:23am Grace is dressed. Hallelujah, for once she was fast. Get Mari out of bed.
8:25am Prepare preschool snacks. Girls climb into car, Mari still in her footie PJ's.
8:30am Realize there is rainy wind storm outside. Collect windbreakers and umbrella.
8:32am Pull out of garage. Remember that I forgot to brush my teeth.
8:50am Get double stroller out of car, get hit in head by trunk door that won't stay open in cold weather. Plop girls in stroller, they whine about windy rain.
8:52am Whip out umbrella, try to put it over girls, but wind is winning the battle.
8:53am Mari's eye is almost poked by delinquent umbrella, attempt to close it. Stranger on sidewalk helps.
8:55am Force Grace in bathroom stall before entering school room. Remember that community center gym locker room is closed for maintenance, so women sparsely clothed are wandering restroom. Shield the sights from Grace while enforcing her lengthy hand washing session
9:00am Liberally lather Grace's hands in hand sanitizer. Hug Grace, hand over snacks. Leave.
9:09am Outside Target, battle wind while carrying Mari, who can't walk in rain puddles with footie PJ's. Notice her PJ's are feeling damp around diaper. Remember that I have no diapers.
9:11am Enter Target, with prepared list in hand. (Sometimes I actually do prepare.)
9:24am Try to ignore Mari's discomfort due to full diaper. Give her toys/books for distractions.
9:37am Joyfully shopping. (No sarcasm this time.)
9:42am Shield Mari's eyes (and ears) from scary Halloween decor, which are conveniently placed next to the harmless, conservative wreaths I'm looking at.
9:54am Leaving Target, battle rain/wind with full-cart, crying, wet child and head-banging trunk door. What do I do for an hour before picking up Grace?
10:00am Burgerville drive-thru. Grab breakfast so I can take morning meds.
10:06am Enter community rec center. Sit at table, put food and toys in front of Mari.
10:12am Nicely dressed and blow-dried lady next to me looks at Mari in disgust. I look at Mari, as though for the first time today. She has extreme bedhead, is soaked to her heels and now has a very potently poopy diaper. Oh, and she refused her food, continuing to sneak sips from my Diet Coke. The sight of an infant drinking soda is so endearing.
10:33am If you are in need of a serious guilt trip, eat fast food in the front waiting area of a rec center or gym.
10:46am Third person in a row has sat down nearby and then soon moved to a seat farther away. Mari's smelly diaper is not helping my social life.
10:55am Mari pushes the double stroller down hall, hitting one trash can, two toddlers, one wheel chair, and nearly enters the men's restroom. (Why do so many public restrooms these days have no proper doors?)
11:00am Pick up Grace, leftover snacks, and rush home.
You get the idea. Things got better from there, as they often do when we're at home base. Random highlights of the rest of the day:
- Girls helped me clean bathroom. I found Grace "cleaning" Mari's bed with a vinegar/water spray bottle.
- Picnic in the living room. I watched Mari "comb" the carpet with her fork between each bite.
- Mari has had frequent bouts of suddenly saying "Peepee!" or "Poopoo!" and running to the toilet. She stares at the toilet, tugs at her diaper, and flushes the toilet. After this happened for the 3rd time today, I thought, "How old is she again? 19 months? 20? 21? Definitely not 23." I forego the calculations and just dig out the little potty from storage. I strip Mari down, and she happily sits on it for 30 minutes while watching Elmo's Potty Time. If she wants to potty train herself, sounds good to me. Otherwise, I'm making no real effort until she's 2 1/2 years old (and I KNOW she's not that old yet).
Moral of the story: There are many times today that I've been tempted to say, "I'm such a bad mom." But as an acquaintance taught me, it's only okay to say that as long as you complete it:
"I'm such a bad mom. But really, I'm NOT a bad mom. I'm NOT."
And it's true, I'm not. So there, blow-dried lady at the rec center. So there.
I'm such a good mother that I bought a new humidifier at Target, which will allow Grace to sleep through the entire night, which will allow ME to get more sleep, which will allow me to wake up earlier so I will be more prepared for the day. Right? Learn from my mistakes, right? At least I should be able to brush my teeth and put clothes on my youngest child. Right? Please tell me yes, because I'm having my doubts.
No matter what, Nana flies in tomorrow, and we are SOOOOOOO excited!
12:47am Ditto. This time I was not originally awake.
1:32am Ditto.
3:09am Ditto. (You get the idea.)
5:30am-ish (or sometime when it's still dark) Janson leaves for work. I remember that last night he said, "Oh man. I have to wake up early to lay some legs out to defrost." Huh?
7:10am Mari falls out of bed. I put her in mine, and think "I should probably get up." I realize that Grace is probably too sick to go to school, but we're in charge of bringing snacks. If I bring the snacks and not let her stay for school, lengthy tantrum will be inevitable. Instead of facing my decision, I fall back to sleep in our heavenly new pillow-topped $90 bed.
8:10am Jump out of bed. I have 20 minutes to get myself and the girls in the car. Just the thought makes me sweat. I'm still not sure if Grace will stay for school, but either way we're bringing snacks.
8:13am I grab clothes in the dark, hoping they match. Wake up Grace, beg her to hurry.
8:17am Debate between sacrificing the time to put on my contacts, or do Grace's hair. My eyesight wins out. I'm so selfish.
8:23am Grace is dressed. Hallelujah, for once she was fast. Get Mari out of bed.
8:25am Prepare preschool snacks. Girls climb into car, Mari still in her footie PJ's.
8:30am Realize there is rainy wind storm outside. Collect windbreakers and umbrella.
8:32am Pull out of garage. Remember that I forgot to brush my teeth.
8:50am Get double stroller out of car, get hit in head by trunk door that won't stay open in cold weather. Plop girls in stroller, they whine about windy rain.
8:52am Whip out umbrella, try to put it over girls, but wind is winning the battle.
8:53am Mari's eye is almost poked by delinquent umbrella, attempt to close it. Stranger on sidewalk helps.
8:55am Force Grace in bathroom stall before entering school room. Remember that community center gym locker room is closed for maintenance, so women sparsely clothed are wandering restroom. Shield the sights from Grace while enforcing her lengthy hand washing session
9:00am Liberally lather Grace's hands in hand sanitizer. Hug Grace, hand over snacks. Leave.
9:09am Outside Target, battle wind while carrying Mari, who can't walk in rain puddles with footie PJ's. Notice her PJ's are feeling damp around diaper. Remember that I have no diapers.
9:11am Enter Target, with prepared list in hand. (Sometimes I actually do prepare.)
9:24am Try to ignore Mari's discomfort due to full diaper. Give her toys/books for distractions.
9:37am Joyfully shopping. (No sarcasm this time.)
9:42am Shield Mari's eyes (and ears) from scary Halloween decor, which are conveniently placed next to the harmless, conservative wreaths I'm looking at.
9:54am Leaving Target, battle rain/wind with full-cart, crying, wet child and head-banging trunk door. What do I do for an hour before picking up Grace?
10:00am Burgerville drive-thru. Grab breakfast so I can take morning meds.
10:06am Enter community rec center. Sit at table, put food and toys in front of Mari.
10:12am Nicely dressed and blow-dried lady next to me looks at Mari in disgust. I look at Mari, as though for the first time today. She has extreme bedhead, is soaked to her heels and now has a very potently poopy diaper. Oh, and she refused her food, continuing to sneak sips from my Diet Coke. The sight of an infant drinking soda is so endearing.
10:33am If you are in need of a serious guilt trip, eat fast food in the front waiting area of a rec center or gym.
10:46am Third person in a row has sat down nearby and then soon moved to a seat farther away. Mari's smelly diaper is not helping my social life.
10:55am Mari pushes the double stroller down hall, hitting one trash can, two toddlers, one wheel chair, and nearly enters the men's restroom. (Why do so many public restrooms these days have no proper doors?)
11:00am Pick up Grace, leftover snacks, and rush home.
You get the idea. Things got better from there, as they often do when we're at home base. Random highlights of the rest of the day:
- Girls helped me clean bathroom. I found Grace "cleaning" Mari's bed with a vinegar/water spray bottle.
- Picnic in the living room. I watched Mari "comb" the carpet with her fork between each bite.
- Mari has had frequent bouts of suddenly saying "Peepee!" or "Poopoo!" and running to the toilet. She stares at the toilet, tugs at her diaper, and flushes the toilet. After this happened for the 3rd time today, I thought, "How old is she again? 19 months? 20? 21? Definitely not 23." I forego the calculations and just dig out the little potty from storage. I strip Mari down, and she happily sits on it for 30 minutes while watching Elmo's Potty Time. If she wants to potty train herself, sounds good to me. Otherwise, I'm making no real effort until she's 2 1/2 years old (and I KNOW she's not that old yet).
Moral of the story: There are many times today that I've been tempted to say, "I'm such a bad mom." But as an acquaintance taught me, it's only okay to say that as long as you complete it:
"I'm such a bad mom. But really, I'm NOT a bad mom. I'm NOT."
And it's true, I'm not. So there, blow-dried lady at the rec center. So there.
I'm such a good mother that I bought a new humidifier at Target, which will allow Grace to sleep through the entire night, which will allow ME to get more sleep, which will allow me to wake up earlier so I will be more prepared for the day. Right? Learn from my mistakes, right? At least I should be able to brush my teeth and put clothes on my youngest child. Right? Please tell me yes, because I'm having my doubts.
No matter what, Nana flies in tomorrow, and we are SOOOOOOO excited!
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