I just got the boys in bed after a long day spent mostly at Disneyland with my sister-in-law, my 6 month-old niece, Stella, and my friend Anh Thy and her two boys. I can hear the boys talking to themselves a bit, so they haven't quite thrown in the towel yet. They fell asleep in the car on the way home, which is a real rarity for Nate these days. I'm lucky he's in bed at a normal hour, talking to himself or not. I was a smarty pants (hold on, got to put Will back in his bed...) and I unplugged Nate's lamp by his bed. It's the kind of night he could stay up for hours "reading" his books if he had the chance.
Only Daisy, our Doberman, is snuggling Nate in his bed tonight. Our other dog, Hannah, had to stay the night at the vets because she has an "ear issue". I realized something was really wrong a couple nights ago when I woke up to her slapping her ears side-to-side over and over. I got up, petted/felt her ears and one was wet and sticky. Sure enough, it was covered in blood. Poor Hannah, crazy stuff always happens to her. I cleaned it up, called our 24-hour vet line, figured she wasn't dying and got her into the vet at their 1st available appointment. A day and a half after the problem began. (note: I hear Nate playing with toys in the dark. Hope he poops out soon because we've got school action in the morning)
So, though I've been cleaning her ear and putting ear antibiotic drops in it from a previous infection (which I learned at the vet may result in hearing loss if her ear drum has ruptured, great help on my part), it was so swollen internally, they couldn't even get a scope in to check it out. Tomorrow she has to be knocked out so they can get a good look and see if something is in there. $900 estimate. Of course. We'll see if the costly pet insurance we finally bought, now that the dogs are eight years old, helps us out on this one. Fingers crossed.
Nate enjoys stirring the pot these days. He was a mischievous little runt most of the evening. I had to tell him "Nate, you may think bad behavior is funny, but it's not funny to me," and I gave him a stern look to show mom means business. He thought it was great pulling all his shirts and hangers off their bar in the closet. Until I made him pick them all up and put them back. He also thought it was funny to encourage Will to throw his grapes at lunch today. Until he had to help pick them up and throw them in the garbage can. He's always looking to push the envelope.
Lately, Nate's been a pretty sassy talker, too. Last night he was getting in the shower (his new thing lately, Heaven forbid we save water and he take a bath with Will) and I said I needed to get washed up, too. Of course, in my mind I was thinking get out quick so I can get you in bed and get a bath all to myself. But this is what Nate says: "Mom, you don't shower with me. You go brush your hair because it's all crazy," and he waves "all crazy" and points at my hair. Thanks. Thanks a lot. At least he didn't mention the extra skin on my stomach that seems happy to "hang out" with me.
I've been trying out some of the exercise classes the YMCA has to offer. So far, so good. My pal, Heidi, wants me to go to some spin classes with her. I'm all for punishing myself to get fit but I'm a bit nervous about the spin class because the one time I went (in Washington state) I was forced to stand and squat and never got to sit on the seat of the bike. What kind of riding is that? I think a leisurely ride class with a fat-seated bike and a movie screen with pretty scenes passing by sounds better. (had to tell Will to get back in bed again)
Rick's in New York on business for a few days, so I'm holding down the fort. We're trading off because this weekend I'm heading back out (on my own!) to Denver to be with my sister and very-soon-to-be-niece, Avery. My little sister, Natalie, was admitted to the hospital a couple hours ago to start the induction process. Avery's taking her sweet time (not so eager to come out like Will who I just had to tell to get back in bed a third time). If all goes well, I'll have a new niece by this time tomorrow. I can hardly believe it. This will be the first baby from one of my siblings. I hope with all my heart everything goes smoothly. I'm so excited to meet the little lady! I don't want to be rude and keep hounding her while she goes into labor, but I'd pay for a play-by-play of the action!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
Vision 20/20, Sanity 50/50
The most recent excitement in our household comes from Nate's 3rd and Will's 2nd birthday party - Pirate Party - that took place Saturday night. It was big-time because we rented our first (of many to come, I'm sure) bouncy castle, complete with a large Pirates of the Caribbean motif displayed in high style across the front. Will didn't notice the skull and bones figure until later in the night. He had to be reassured and coaxed back inside the castle afterward. Other than that, the castle was a hit and created a great amount of sweat throughout it's 13 hour stint in our backyard (it actually fit, hurray!).
The boys had a blast with their maties. The only bashing that took place was on the slightly creepy pirate pinata. The little guy withstood so many "at bats" by 2 and 3 year old's, we had to give the fella a couple pokes so he'd spill his goody guts.
We had fake mustaches and pirate masks that made for some great/why-would-I-let-anyone-take-my-picture-while-wearing-this-nasty-thing pictures. Too bad I was sweating so badly my stache kept falling off. Felt like a nasty caterpillar on my lip, anyway.
I've been finding myself sweaty a lot lately when it comes to parenting. The boys are incredibly active and are always up for a good chase or wrestle-action. We were a bit of a scene at the park tonight playing chase over and around all the equipment and in the grass. We played leapfrog and "It's raining, it's pouring" where we held hands spinning then would fall down. We did somersaults (yes, me, too!) and I walked the kids around on their hands and spun them around until they were so dizzy, they couldn't walk straight. We tried cartwheels and raced on the slides. I taught Nate how to crawl around on all fours so he could be a horse for Will. All-in-all, we had some authentic, sweaty fun tonight.
Rick and I were just talking about how the boys are starting to become quite enjoyable (at least some time every day... let's not push it). They're becoming funny and are finding things funny. They're understanding sharing (on occasion). And at least I don't have to tote bottles and binkies all around like I used to. I'm seeing the light. Tonight they're even staying in bed and going right to sleep.
Nate and Hannah, our 8 year old Weimaraner, are asleep together in Nate's bed (it's queen-size, Daisy, our Doberman's on the bed, too). Hannah's spooning Nate and he has his hands wrapped around her. They held hands while I read him his books tonight. It's great to see harmony in the home, be it kid vs. kid, kid vs. animal and/or animal vs. animal. The dogs are definitely easier than kids, but they're a pain in the rumpus on their fair share of occasions, as well. Lately, it's digging in the new grass/seed we just planted. The kids have taken to letting the dogs in and out of the back door when they need out. It's a simple thing, but I love it. Well, except when the dogs claws are filled with clumps of mud and grass from digging in the new grass.
The boys both start going to preschool this Friday. I'm giddy just writing that. I really can't even believe it yet. I'm going to have over 10 hours a week by myself. No worrying about anybody but me. What will I do with myself? Maybe a bath and a book, regular, no-guilt exercising, volunteering, shopping and errands by myself and maybe I'll just stop by Starbucks and hop in and out of the truck all by myself! The things you take for granted before having children. I might meet a new friend who doesn't even have kids. I'm like a smiling fool typing here in the dark.
Speaking of before having babies, my sister is due with her first in a couple days. I am so excited for her, but full of mixed emotions, as well. You just don't realize what it takes to raise a child until you have one or a dozen yourself. It is absolutely incomprehensible, no matter what you've been told or how many moms you've been around. I hope my sister brings her good nature and patience to "the other side". I just know she'll be an incredible mother. She has a gentle and loving nature which I admire. I feel badly every day that I'm such a "hustle your bustle" (I say that at least 10 times a day) kind of person. I know she'll be acing me in the "I wish you were my mom" category, and I'm down with that.
When it's all said and done, and you've crossed over into parenthood, there's no going back. No giving up. No "I tried, it was terribly tough, and I throw in the towel." I know because I've thought hard about take backs many, many times. I'm just glad I can be here for my sister (minus a 3 hour flight), which is really the most important thing, anyhoo. As long as there's someone to commiserate with, to confide in, to lift you up and remind you of what's really important and what's really not, we moms will remain mostly sane. Of course, my sanity's only about 50/50 at this point, so good luck and take my words with a grain of salt.
The boys had a blast with their maties. The only bashing that took place was on the slightly creepy pirate pinata. The little guy withstood so many "at bats" by 2 and 3 year old's, we had to give the fella a couple pokes so he'd spill his goody guts.
We had fake mustaches and pirate masks that made for some great/why-would-I-let-anyone-take-my-picture-while-wearing-this-nasty-thing pictures. Too bad I was sweating so badly my stache kept falling off. Felt like a nasty caterpillar on my lip, anyway.
I've been finding myself sweaty a lot lately when it comes to parenting. The boys are incredibly active and are always up for a good chase or wrestle-action. We were a bit of a scene at the park tonight playing chase over and around all the equipment and in the grass. We played leapfrog and "It's raining, it's pouring" where we held hands spinning then would fall down. We did somersaults (yes, me, too!) and I walked the kids around on their hands and spun them around until they were so dizzy, they couldn't walk straight. We tried cartwheels and raced on the slides. I taught Nate how to crawl around on all fours so he could be a horse for Will. All-in-all, we had some authentic, sweaty fun tonight.
Rick and I were just talking about how the boys are starting to become quite enjoyable (at least some time every day... let's not push it). They're becoming funny and are finding things funny. They're understanding sharing (on occasion). And at least I don't have to tote bottles and binkies all around like I used to. I'm seeing the light. Tonight they're even staying in bed and going right to sleep.
Nate and Hannah, our 8 year old Weimaraner, are asleep together in Nate's bed (it's queen-size, Daisy, our Doberman's on the bed, too). Hannah's spooning Nate and he has his hands wrapped around her. They held hands while I read him his books tonight. It's great to see harmony in the home, be it kid vs. kid, kid vs. animal and/or animal vs. animal. The dogs are definitely easier than kids, but they're a pain in the rumpus on their fair share of occasions, as well. Lately, it's digging in the new grass/seed we just planted. The kids have taken to letting the dogs in and out of the back door when they need out. It's a simple thing, but I love it. Well, except when the dogs claws are filled with clumps of mud and grass from digging in the new grass.
The boys both start going to preschool this Friday. I'm giddy just writing that. I really can't even believe it yet. I'm going to have over 10 hours a week by myself. No worrying about anybody but me. What will I do with myself? Maybe a bath and a book, regular, no-guilt exercising, volunteering, shopping and errands by myself and maybe I'll just stop by Starbucks and hop in and out of the truck all by myself! The things you take for granted before having children. I might meet a new friend who doesn't even have kids. I'm like a smiling fool typing here in the dark.
Speaking of before having babies, my sister is due with her first in a couple days. I am so excited for her, but full of mixed emotions, as well. You just don't realize what it takes to raise a child until you have one or a dozen yourself. It is absolutely incomprehensible, no matter what you've been told or how many moms you've been around. I hope my sister brings her good nature and patience to "the other side". I just know she'll be an incredible mother. She has a gentle and loving nature which I admire. I feel badly every day that I'm such a "hustle your bustle" (I say that at least 10 times a day) kind of person. I know she'll be acing me in the "I wish you were my mom" category, and I'm down with that.
When it's all said and done, and you've crossed over into parenthood, there's no going back. No giving up. No "I tried, it was terribly tough, and I throw in the towel." I know because I've thought hard about take backs many, many times. I'm just glad I can be here for my sister (minus a 3 hour flight), which is really the most important thing, anyhoo. As long as there's someone to commiserate with, to confide in, to lift you up and remind you of what's really important and what's really not, we moms will remain mostly sane. Of course, my sanity's only about 50/50 at this point, so good luck and take my words with a grain of salt.
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