Tubes (and Not the Fun Kind You Use in the Snow)

An update on LD...after last week's nightmare of a virus and various DR's appointments, we learned on Monday that LD will need tubes put in her ears. It is a routine procedure where they make a small incision in the ear drum and drain the fluid out. After that the insert at small tube to help with future draining. The will all happen at the ripe hour of 6:30am next Tuesday. LD cannot eat or drink anything from midnight on - which will be really tough for us!! Those of you who have met LD know what I mean!! It should only take 20 mins, but she will have to put out for the procedure. This will be really hard for me, but from what I hear having these tubes will be the best thing for her. I just cannot imagine my little baby in a hospital gown and having surgery! I hoping that this will help prevent some of the many DR's trips, next winter!

Anyone out there have the same thing for their child - any advice??

Tag - I'm It

AmyBow tagged me with a meme (not sure what that is, but I'm up for it)...

Here are the instructions:
1. Pick up the nearest book ( of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag others & post a comment here once you post it to your blog, so I can come see.

"And his two-hundred-watt smile finally cracks through the shell. This kid is no murderer. Anyone should be able to see that, even the local police." - Beach Road by James Patterson & Peter de Jonge.

I haven't quite finished this book, but I did just finish Honeymoon by James Patterson & Howard Roughan. I would recommend it anyone who likes James Patterson books.

I don't have any others to tag, but feel free to pass this along!

Winter Stinks

So we all had a great time in upstate NY over President's weekend. The kids enjoyed being with their extended family as did JT and I. It was a rough ride up with LD tossing her cookies in the car. Thank goodness for Dunkin Donuts (not just because I am addicted to their iced coffee) because they were kind enough to let up clean up there and give us plastic bags to put the "haz-mat" in.

On Saturday LD, my MIL, SIL and I went shopping. LD had a blast being totally spoiled by Nana!! Sunday was spent relaxing and having a nice family dinner. We drove home in a nasty rain storm, which must have been an omen for what was to become of last week....

Tuesday the kids head back to daycare and all is well - besides the hard morning adjustment of back to school after a long weekend. Wednesday morning, RJ and I go off to the dentist and JT brings LD to school. All is well....at least I thought so.

I get to the school only to find out that LD has a fever. Not trusting the method with which the teacher took the temp (because she was fine when we left home) I had the asst. director take it with the proper covers. It read about 100. Figuring it is her ears again, I ask if I can bring LD back if the DR gives the OK - since ear infections are not contagious. They say OK as long as she does not need 1-on-1 attention. I say OK that sounds fair. Off we go to the DRs ----again!

By now LD's fever is up to 101.4 and no way she is going back to school. They give her Motrin and off we go to Walgreen's (again!!) to fill her 5th antibiotic since Dec. Next stop is Dunkin Donuts (mom really needs an iced coffee and breakfast and LD needs a bagel) - from there we are off to my office. I needed to check email and get some work to bring home.

All the girls at work love Lauren (who by the way is feeling much better after the Motrin kicked in). She runs all over the place and in fact I actually lost her at one point. No worries - we found her! Then back to Walgreen's to get the medicine and home for a nap. LD stays home with JT on Thursday because the fever has not broken despite Motrin and Tylenol treatments. She is not really eating or drinking and just not herself. She then wakes up early Friday morning (2:30am) with a 103.6 fever! What the heck - why can't it just go down!! She also hasn't wet her diaper in almost 24 hours.

That brings up to Friday and the big NE snow storm!! For sure the daycare will be closed. My girlfriend and I decided Friday morning that she will come over with her kids and watch RJ, S, and J until I get back from the DR's with Lauren (she needed to go again because still no wet diaper) and I would watch all 4 kids while she is at work. The DR says to keep and eye on LD and make sure she drinks, that she has sore throat, and to call back at 2:30 if no wet diaper. At 2:30 still no wet diaper - we call the DR again. She says, try getting her to drink for the next hour and then call back. Now 3:30 and no wet diaper - so my girlfriend (who bough LD all sorts of Elmo stuff to encourage her to drink) stays with RJ while we go to the emergency room because she is not getting dehyrdated and may need an IV.

Of course in the 3 hours that we were there, she drank, at a few snack, peed and pooped. I told the triage nurse that the wet her diaper and asked if we could leave - she said no that she was still dry. Long story short - the ER DR felt that Lauren was not great, but really didn't need and IV - it was our choice if we wanted to do it. We decided against it and went home. If it weren't for the snow storm I would have just taken her back to the DR's office instead of the ER - but I guess better to be safe than sorry.

Saturday LD was a little better, but still cranky and didn't really have an appetite. I went to work and JT stayed home. Sat into Sunday LD thought that being up from 10pm to 4am would be lots of fun (we didn't think so). JT stayed up with her most of the time and we finally put her in her room around 4 and let her pass out.

Sunday JT went to work and I took the kids sledding with S & J. We had a great time and then spent Sunday night at my in-laws celebrating my b-day (which is today!). Check out the pictures. We had a great time.

So, basically winter sucks except for the rare moments like the sledding. Winter went from ski trips on the weekends and playing in the snow to doctor's appts, antibiotics, fevers, school closures, etc. Thankfully my new job is VERY understanding about all this.

Change of Scenery

This weekend we are off to my in-laws house upstate. JT and I have a long weekend, so we are going for a little change of scenery along with my MIL, FIL, SIL, and BIL. It will be a really nice family weekend. The kids are really looking forward to going.

Last night I spent some time getting everything packed and organized - or I had hoped to at least. It was a little chaotic with trying to get dinner done and the kids bathed and to bed. JT fed the kids pizza while I gathered our bag and such. We ended up ordering Chinese food for us because there just wasn't time to cook. Between JT and I we managed to get most everything done.

I went home a lunch (a huge benefit of my new job - I am must closer to home) and got the laundry out, everything packed, the car loaded and the DVD player hooked up. It is just amazing how much crap we need for a 3 day trip. We even have the pack-n-play already up there and haven't packed food. I just packed the essentials and the car is still full.

I will be nice to get away though. RJ is really looking forward to being "Up the country..."

I am Too Young for This

Today was my annual checkup with the OB/GYN. It's not that it went badly, but I do have to go back for an ultrasound (and not the fun kind, like when I was pregnant), get a mamogram, and go for genetic counseling. My mother had breast cancer before age 45 and I am in a high risk group, so the doctor wants to get more info. It's not that I am paranoid that I have anything, I just don't want to face the stress of having to go through all these tests. Honestly, I didn't think that I would be doing this until I was at least 40!! I tend to be a bit of a worrier, so having to wait a week for the ultrasound will be tough.

The positive thing that came out of this visit, was a referral for a PCP. So ladies who need the name, just let me know. Also, it prompted me to get the kids physicals on the books before it is too late. Plus I remembered to book LD's re-check for her ears. Hopefully she will get the "all-clear" next week and we don't have to worry about the possibility of tubes.

Oh - and the OB/GYN said that it is not necessary for me to have a bone-density test that me old PCP suggested (remember "SUPERDOC" from my previous post "A Good Doctor is Hard to Find". What a dope!

It's a good thing that the "cookie fairy" left me cookies in LD's cubby at daycare - I will really need one when I get home!

The Wheels on the Bus (or Explorer)

This morning the daycare was on a 2-hour delay. We had snow last night that turned to icy rain, then to regular rain. So my girlfriend from daycare and I decided I would take all 4 kids today (she has 2 kids the same ages as RJ and LD) and she would do the next delay. It works out really well, plus the 4 year olds were ssoooooo excited to go to school together.

So, everyone arrived at our house this morning at 8:30am. The kids got right to playing - RJ, LD, and S decided that the empty diaper box would be the best thing to color on. So I opened up the box and they got the crayons and went to town on the dining room table, while J had a blast with RJ's train set in the living room. LD was so thrilled to be with the big kids - she even let her creative juices flow onto the table. (By the way - you can get crayon out of tile by using a srubby sponge and some Fantastic Oxy spray). Everyone then decided it was time to play with the trains - well everyone, but LD - she decided to dump all the crayons out on the floor and chair. I proceed to clean it all up whild LD helps (by throwing them into the bin and they bounce back out).

I decided that would get going a little early so we can go through the Dunkin Donuts drive-thru. So in goes RJ and S to the way back of the Explorer and LD and J into the middle and Mom up front. I know a mini-van would just be more practical - but c'mon - I am way toooo young!! (Plus JT just won't let me).

We make it through the drive-thru successfully and everyone is outfitted with a Munchkin (mom now has her coveted iced coffee). We make our way to school singing and having a good time. We get there and there are people standing out front waiting to be let in. There is a sign on the door that says "DOORS OPEN AT 10AM". Honestly, you all see a bunch of wet, cold people at 9:55am - just open the friggin door! Everyone is dropped off and happy - Mom is off to work - 1 1/2 hours late!! Thanks goodness my new company is really great and didn't mind the tardiness.

Althought a hectic morning, it was fun. I enjoying helping out friends and being with the kids. I find that at this point in my life it is really great to have friends who are at the same stage as you are. It really nice to know that I can help out my friend with the kids and that she is there for me.

Christmas in February

JT and I are having a little clear out of stuff that we don't need or use anymore. Actually, we are trying to make some room in the basement to eventually have it waterproofed and finished. For those that do not know me, I really like to clean and organize. In fact, we have been in our house for 5 years and we are on our 3rd Dumpster! Yes, I know it sounds silly, but there is something liberating about tossing stuff in there and clearing out your living space. I can't deal with having clutter everywhere.

Well, as part of the clean-up effort I have been bringing toys, books, etc. to RJ's and LD's daycare. This morning, despite the below freezing temp, I brought a bin full of toys to LD's room. It was the funniest thing ever...there was about five 18-24 month old children all huddled around the bin and taking stuff out. They were having a blast! LD did look at some of the stuff with a look that says "I know I have seen this before..." It much better that she play with them at school, then sit in the basement.

Watching all their little faces was like seeing my kids on Christmas morning. It was just so cute and everyone is happy -- I got to clear out the basement, the kids got new toys, and LD's teacher has a bunch of new books for the reading corner. Next to go is the baby swing and the floor kicker thing that are up the in attic...

The Best $4 I Have Ever Spent

I have recently ressurected my iPod (it had been sitting in the back of my closet for almost 2 years). I was inspired to do so, because I recently returned a very generous gift from my old company ($300 pen) to Neiman Marcus ["Needless Markup" as I have heard it referred to]. I bought the Bose iPod docking station from neimanmarcus.com . We also have a new computer so, being the techy that I am (haha) -- I managed to get everything working and get myself set up with iTunes. Yeah!!

The other night, JT and I added 4 songs to the iPod, including one that RJ likes. He is very much into trains and loves the song "C'mon Ride the Train" - they have been playing that and other dance songs at the daycare. Last night after LD and I returned home from her 18 month appt (for which she got very good marks from Dr. V) we popped the iPod in and all started dancing around the room. When RJ's "train" song came on, we pretended we were a train and ran around through the living room, the hallway and dining area in a circle. It was just some much fun (plus good exercise).

It is really fun to being able to dance and not really care what you look like or how good you are. Your kids don't care. All they care about is that you are having fun with them. The songs cost about $4 and it was the best $$$ I have spent.

The Wooden Bowl

The following is copied from a forwarded email that my mother-in-law sent. It really makes you think...

The Wooden Bowl

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year - old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurre d, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess."We must do something about father," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There , Gran dfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up. " The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks.

Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happe ns, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life.."I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work a nd doing the very best you can, happiness will find you I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

Precious Jewelry

I work for a division of a major corporation that is manufactures watches for Versace. Yesterday, we heard that a famous singer bought one of our customs Versace watches for $37,000!! What a great sale! To some people a watch that is embedded with many jewels would be considered "Precious Jewelry", but to me it isn't.

This morning, I dropped RJ and LD off at daycare and on my way out the RJ's class he stopped me. He said, "Mommy, I have something for you." He pulled out a blue plastic ring with a big heart on it from his class "Mailbox" - quite like something you would get out of the toy vending machine. He told me that "I should wear it all day and that it will remind me of him."

NOW THAT IS WHAT I CALL PRECIOUS JEWELRY!!!

My Name is Snickle DippinDunkin

MY NEW NAME IS IN THE SUBJECT.....DON'T LAUGH UNTIL YOU FIND OUT WHAT YOUR NEW NAME IS!!!

We all need a little stress-reliever! This only takes a minute. Please don't be a bore & ruin it. Send it on to everyone you know Sometimes when you have a stressful day or week, you need some silliness to break up the day. If we are honest, we have a lot more stressful days than not. Here is your dose of humor.....

The following is excerpted from a children's book, Captain Underpants And the Perilous Plot Professor Poopypants, by Dave Pilkey, in which the evil Professor forces everyone to assume new names...

So:- 1. Use the third letter of your first name to determine your New first name:

a = snickle b = doombah c = goober d = cheesey e = crusty f = greasy g = dumbo h = farcus i = dorky j = doofus k = funky l = boobie m = sleezy n = sloopy o = fluffy p = stinky q = slimy r = dorfus s = snooty t = tootsie u = dipsy v = sneezy w = liver x = skippy y = dink y z = zippy

2. Use the second letter of your last name to determine the first half of your new last name:

a = dippin b = feather c = batty d = burger e = chicken f = barffy g = lizard h = waffle i = farkle j = monkey k = flippin l = fricken m = bubble n = rhino o = potty p = hamster q = buckle r = gizzard s = lickin t = snickle u = chuckle v = pic kle w = hubble x = dingle y = gorilla z = girdle

3. Use the third letter of your last name to determine the second half of your new last name:

a = butt b = boob c = face d = nose e = hump f = breath g = pants h = shorts i = lips j = honker k = head l = tush m = chunks n = dunkin o = brains p = biscuits q = toes r = doodle s = fanny t = sniffer u = sprinkles v = frack w = squirt x = humperdinck y = hiney z = juice

Thus, for example, George W. Bush's new name is: Fluffy Chucklefanny.

Money Really Can Buy Everything

I grew up in a fairly affluent town in CT. My grandparents raised me and provided a very nice and confortable life, for which I am very grateful. During my childhood, I was used to seeing extraordinary spending (16 year olds with BMWs, etc.), but I was totally taken aback while listening to the radio on my way to pick up the kids from daycare.

The DJs were discussing how there are people who are "renting wombs". Basically this means that you provide the egg and sperm and someone else carries your child (for $$$$) - this way you don't get stretch marks or have to endure the pain of child birth. I mean really people!! This is totally insane and beyond vain! I know that some couples must use this method because they are not able to carry a child on their own, which make sense - but to just pay someone else to do it for you is outragous.

Part of the joy of parenting is going through pregnancy. Yes, you are uncomfortable and you get big - certainly, childbirth is no trip to the beach either, but it is the start of the connection with your child from day one for both mom and dad.

Each day I am with my children is a gift, including the days I was pregnant with both of them. Although there are times that things are crazy, JT and I are amazed by RJ & LD each day and wouldn't trade it for anything.

A Good Doctor is Hard to Find

So after reading my good friend AmyBow's blog everyday - I have decided it is time for me to create my own.

A little background for those that do not know me....

I am a working mother of two gorgeous children (RJ - 4 yrs and LD - 18 mos). I just started a new job about 2 months ago, which I am really enjoying now (I didn't have the easiest time adjusting - but that will be another post). I have the best "hoos" ever (to quote AmyBow) - I will refer to him as JT. We have been together for 12 years and married for over 5. Like most of my friends, I am just trying to get through each day having accomplished something at work, and made sure that my family is taken care of. I am also trying hard to take care of me too, which I know is really important, but doesn't always happen. Which leads me to my topic of the day... "A Good Doctor is Hard to Find"

So after taking care of LD for the past few weeks who has been sick with various childhood ailments (eye infections, ear infections, wheezing, hives, coughing, etc.) I have finally gotten sick myself. It is not that I am celebrating this, I am merely annoucing it's inevitable arrival.

I knew that something wasn't right with my contacts on Sunday, so I took the left one out, rinsed it and put it back in. By the time I had finished all the Sunday night activities (cooking dinner, cleaning up, making lunches, getting RJ and LD to bed) I realized that maybe I should take the contacts out. Well----that when I released the "pink eye" that was hiding in there!! Not to mention that I have been stuffy, coughing, had a sore throat, etc. for weeks, but ignoring it. I end up going to bed early and having the worst night sleep.

In the morning, I decide that there is no way I can go to work and that I need to see the doctor.
So I call into work and then call the doctor to make an appt. I really have not made much on an effort to find a good doctor since moving 5 years ago. Previously I saw our family doctor for years and even worked for him. He is getting on in years and is just too far for me to go each time I am sick. I decided that I would find a doctor by location so I chose one that is on my insurance and close to home. Well, after yesterday, I will never go back to him again and the search continues.

Here's how it went....

I arrive at the Dr's at 2:30 for my 2:45 appt. Hoping to maybe be seen early (yeah what a joke!). I was not seen until after 3:30!!! After watching verious patients enter and exit with their prescriptions in hand, I got really irritated. All I wanted was to get my little slip of paper and walk out, since I clearly already knew what was wrong with me - yes, you gain the power of self-diagnosing when you become a mother.

After 2 trips to the front desk guy, he finally went back there to find out what was going on. Finally, I am taken back by the RUDEST nurse on the planet!! She doesn't even apologize to me, she just says "Are you still going to stay for the appointment? (with a nasty tone) - I tell her yes, I am sure that I have pink eye and I have two small children in daycare. She then replies, when do you need to be out of here? HONESTLY!! I tell her about 30 mintues ago - I need to pick up my kids!!! I tell her that I saw many people come and go in the waiting room - her response is "they are seeing specialist and they will just touch your stomach and send you on your way" (That really instill confindence in the practice - what a moron). So she takes my vitals and then walks out slamming the door!

The Dr comes in a few minutes later with no apologies - just some stupid nicey-nice voice that makes me want to scream. He asks "how long have you had these symptoms..." I tell him that I have "pink eye" - so leaves the room and comes back with this thing in a wrapper and tell me he want to do a "Corneal abrasion test", and that he has to numb my eye. I tell him that I have pink eye and didn't scratch my cornea. He says that he doesn't have all the stuff to do the test anyway so I can't have it. I wasn't letting this QUACK near my eye with some probe thingy.

I tell him that I have a sore throat and my ear hurt. He barely looks in my throat and doesn't even bother to look in my ears. He summarizes the appointment by triumpantly annoucing that I have conjunctivitis (pink eye) and an upper respiratory infection!! Score one for DOC - didn't I tell you that when I walked in here!

In the end I leave with my 2 slips of paper and I am off to Walgreens to get my meds. After getting the kids I go back to pick up the meds, only to realize that SUPER DOC wrote the script wrong for the antibiotic!! Thank goodness I mentioned in my appointment that I am allergic to penicillin - otherwise who know what would have happened.

I seriously considered calling RJ and LD's pediatrician to see if they could just see me. Their office is so efficient and the Dr's are great - why is it so hard to find a good adult Dr???

If anyone has a good one to refer - please let me know.

My next blog promises to not be so long!