Time to bring back an oldie but goodie folks. The Sunday Sidebars. Ten points of note from my little corner of the universe, a place where chaos reigns supreme.
1. Big excitement on the job front. Hubby got a new position that we're very excited about. It has lots of pros, it definitely has some cons, but it's something we need to do in this economy to keep our family and our way of living safe. I'm so very proud of him!
2. Potty training. At this point Alex is essentially potty trained though he still has an accident every once in a while. He is very big on doing things himself though, and will ask for "Privacy PLEASE!" most of the time. :-)
3. Stephen is smack dab in the middle of the hitting stage. He hits anything and everything when he gets frustrated, even himself. He's not happy when he gets called on it, but he's slowly getting the message that hauling off is not the best way to get what you want.
4. Because I don't have nearly enough on my plate with taking care of a 3 year old and a 1 year old, I'm now training to be a medical transcriptionist. The training will hopefully allow me to work from home, even after the boys start school, so it seemed an ideal fit for me. I haven't studied this much since before I discovered free parties in college. But if I can get through Anatomy and Disease, I can get through anything. (If you'd like to know more about the medical transcription or the school I am training through, please feel free to email me.)
5. For the first time in a long time I have a very good story idea floating around in my head. I haven't started writing anything but set-up notes just yet, but this thing seems to be taking on a life of it's own, and I look forward to seeing where the story takes me.
6. The weather is here, I wish you were beautiful. It's gorgeous here. In the 80's during the day and mild 60's at night. We've become an open window, running outside, popsicle eating family almost overnight. Bring on the boat drinks Jimmy!nu%3D3246)565)93+)2337565+2%3B23+ot1lsi.jpg)
7. The swine flu is making its way across the upstate, and I am getting more and more leery of everyone I pass by over the course of the day. This thing is spreading like some kind of fungus on old cheese, and I do NOT want it in my house. Stay away pig flu, you ain't welcome here.
8. We continue on our mission to find out what is causing Alex's chronic congestion and cough. The pulminologist believes he should have his tonsils out as they may be contributing to if not causing the problem. We are on the "we call you 5 times a day and always get a recording" rotation with the ENT these days to try to get him in for a consult. If you have a child with allergies/asthma/chronic cough/chronic drainage/the-doctors-just-have-no-idea, PLEASE contact me. I'd love to hear the things you've tried and why.
9. Yard sales are back! I love yard sales. Already this season I've found tons of clothes and toys for the boys that would have cost me an arm and a leg otherwise. You can find some great deals on toddler toys at yard sales. My next mission to find a water table they can play with outside. Wish me luck.
10. The weight is slowly coming off. Thanks to my continued efforts at the Y, chasing after the boys and a little extra help from SlimQuick, those extra baby pounds are finally coming off. I won't be competing against Valerie Bertinelli in a bikini contest anytime soon, but I'm keeping an eye on her just in case. :-)
So that's it from our little piece of the cosmos. Enjoy your upcoming week and don't forget to giggle with your toddler today!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Sweet Sunday Sidebars
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Swine Flu and Your Child
Unless you've been living under a rock for the past couple weeks, you're likely to have heard about "Swine Flu" and the massive continent wide panic attack following swiftly at it's heels. So what should we believe? Should you keep your kids home from school just in case? What if there have been reported cases near you? Should we all start wearing masks to the grocery store?
Whoa. Slow down and back up (slowly so as not to run over anyone on the way). Here's the thing. Swine flu is probably not going to come knocking at your door before breakfast tomorrow. I can't tell you if it's going to start spreading like wildfire (excuse the excessively overused cliche) or if it's going to shrivel up and disappear like the Wicked Witch of the West. I'm voting for the latter, but it's best to be prepared regardless. There are some precautions you can take now. And let's face it, pre-planning never hurt anyone (except maybe all those people who bought one of those wearable blankets on TV because they were just convinced it was going to be the next fashion craze).
So some simple precautionary steps to keep your fingers-in-everything, sneeze-in-your-face, what-do-you-mean-I-can't-play-in-the-toilet toddler from picking up any unwanted germs these days:
1. Let'em wash! Make sure your toddler washes their hands before meals, after potty breaks, after coming from outside, and after sharing toys or items with others. Let them squeeze the soap or play in the sink. You can even let them get the whole front of their shirt wet. I won't tell a soul.
2. Push the politeness. Practice being polite with your toddler. "We cover our mouth when we sneeze, just like this." "We cover our mouth when we cough, see?" Toddlers are excellent mimics. Use a puppet, use a book, use Grandma Ruth, whatever works.
3. Carry reinforcements. My personal fave is this little baby - Lysol Healthy Touch Hand Sanitizer Foam. It comes out in a foam, dries quickly and doesn't leave your hands feeling like they belong on the crypt keeper. You can find it in the checkout line at most Wal-Marts, CVS, Walgreens, etc. Make it a habit to foam up whenever you can't wash your hands, or after any particularly germ-filled experience. Did I mention it comes in this super handy small size that fits right in a purse or diaper bag?
4. Go on the defensive. Start thinking like a germ. Did you know for instance that a virus can live on almost any surface for up to two weeks? That means dinner menus at your favorite restaurant, grocery cart handles, the door to the public bathroom, the treadmill at the gym, THE BOTTOM OF YOUR PURSE!! Wipe these items down with sanitizing wipes or foam up after using them.
5. Ramp up bath time. I know, I know. Bath time sucks. It kills your back, your clothes get all wet, etc. It is a well known and documented fact that toddlers are the only ones who actually enjoy toddler bath time. But you're going to have to suffer even more. Make sure your toddler gets a bath every day, or more often if they get into a particularly messy scenario. Consider buying some new bath toys to keep your little angel occupied and your sanity somewhat preserved.
Obviously if your child goes to day care or regular school, make a back up plan in case school is closed. Hopefully things won't get to that point, but one can never be too prepared. Good luck, and happy germ killing everyone!!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Cross 'Em If You Got 'Em
Against all odds, we finally got a day where Alex wasn't running a fever or coughing like crazy that also worked with the doctor's schedule, so he went in and got the booster they suggested earlier today. We also got his test results back on some food allergy tests and the great news is he's not "allergic" to anything per se. He has intolerances to cows milk, eggs and wheat, that can build up and may be contributing to his upper respiratory symptoms. So our job is to basically limit those in his diet for at least a couple months to see what benefits we can get. He has absolutely NO allergies or sensitivities to the dog, the cat, dust mites, pollen, etc. *HAPPY DANCE, HAPPY DANCE* (Okay stop laughing at me, that is seriously how I dance!)
I have to say, after only two days of restricting those things in his diet I have noticed he is not sneezing or coughing or complaining of a sore tummy at all. He's also eating everything he can get his hands on faster than a offensive lineman getting ready for the superbowl. He even has the tiniest bit of color back in those pale as a baby's butt cheeks, and has definitely regained that mischevious "I am so going to get into something I'm not supposed to and there's nothing you can do to stop me" twinkle in his eyes. I am absolutely thrilled to see such a change in him already, and can only hope that this continues!
So long story short, we've done what we can with the information we have at this point. So cross 'em if you got 'em, I want all the good luck I can get!! :-)
And if anyone is wondering about food allergy testing, I can highly recommend Better Health USA, the website affiliated with ImmunoLabs, which is who did our testing. They did a full pediatric food panel as well as a huge list of airborne allergens and molds. So if you're looking that direction, feel free to visit their site and sign up to get their free info. I'm already glad we did.
Monday, February 23, 2009
I Double Dog Dare Ya
Okay, so some time back (and by some time I mean could have been years, I have no real recollection) Benny's dad over at A Work of Art: Raising Our Exceptional Son posted 100 special things about his son. It gave me the idea to create a "100 List" as I call it about each of my boys. I'm currently working on one for Stephen and am trying to track down my original "100 List" that I made for Alex. It's super easy. Simply make a list of 100 unique or special things about your child. I dare ya. I double dog dare ya! It's just an easy way to remind us how truly blessed we really are.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Potty Training 101
Potty Training your toddler is simple. All you need are the four following items:
1 - Lots of cute mini me sized underwear with various characters such as Snow White or Spider Man all over them.
2 - An adorable little plastic potty or potty seat.
3 - Cute little "No More Diapers" and "Potty Time For Me" books to entertain your toddler while they're spending time in the bathroom.
4 - Various treats and rewards to entice any toddler - stickers, M&M's, visits to the playground, the list goes on.
Now once you have these items on hand you begin your glorious trip into the kingdom of potty training. And soon discover you will also need the following:
1 - A heavy duty quick load washing machine.
2 - 13 gallons of carpet cleaner, industrial strength.
3 - A bag of clothespins for keeping your nose closed while cleaning with said carpet cleaner.
4 - A mountain pack sized diaper bag for carrying 3 changes of clothes (socks and shoes included!) anytime you leave the house.
5 - The patience of Job when your toddler screams "I don't WANNA GO POTTY!" for the seventeen hundredth time.
6 - Oh, and a bunch more of those mini me sized underwear we mentioned above.
Don't worry, as my great aunt always says. "They won't go to college wearing diapers!"
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
What Happens To Women Who Become Mothers?
At some point after I got pregnant with my second child, I disappeared.
I am still here physically, but me, the basic parts of my personality and most importantly MY MIND somehow disappeared. Whether it was caused by the rough pregnancy, or by some type of hormonal overload, I have no idea. What I do know is I'm acutely aware of it, yet can do absolutely nothing about it. Rather than a post partum type of depressed, I just can't do it, I don't like my life feeling, this is simply an awareness that I am a completely different person. And yet, as strange as it may sound, the 'original me' (as I like to refer to her) is still there, she's simply an inactive bystander for some reason. And in meeting and talking with other moms with more than one child, it's come to my notice that many mothers are experiencing the same exact thing.
Some people may call it "mommy brain", some people may call it "momnesia". I call it a pain in my ass. I distinctly remember being able to hold an intelligent, INTERESTING conversation with my husband for a considerable length of time. Nowadays, when we get the chance to talk at the end of the day, there is no telling what type of gibberish may come out of my mouth. Or what terms have completely escaped my mind altogether. Simple things like dates, memories, common descriptive terms that might focus on something actually outside the house. Many of these things have deserted me for more fertile and active ground. Perhaps they've jumped ship to spend time in the brain of my labrador, who i'm fairly certain could beat me hands down in a game of trivial pursuit these days.
So what do I think is going on? Well first, I don't think, remember? Or when I do, random groupings of nonsensical words seem to flow out of their own accord. But the only thing I can figure is that somehow, somewhere along this glorious path to motherhood, a woman's brain simply reorganizes. The space previously dedicated to extending your personal knowledge, sharpening your senses, and other such non-important things is now overtaken by the "Mommy Details" section. In this section you instead have immediate recall for sock sizes, favorite desserts, best sippy cup to take on long trips, 14 different ways to cope with a bad case of diaper rash, which toys seem to instigate sibling world wars, and other such vital information.
After all, that probably really is more important than noticing the car is about to run out of gas, or that your green slacks don't actually go with the purple striped sweatshirt you grabbed out of your closet in the dark this morning. Happy thinking mommies!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Political Yes, But Oh So Necessary
I'm usually not one to be very outgoing as far as my political or personal choices. I'm more of a my decision is mine, and yours is yours. That's how it is. But in this particular case, I am absolutely floored by how much this guy voices my own beliefs and concerns. Regardless of your affiliation, please give this piece the respect of reading it through. Thank you.
My name is Joe Porter. I live in Champaign, Illinois. I'm 46 years old, a born-again Christian, a husband, a father, a small business owner, a veteran, and a homeowner. I don't consider myself to be either conservative or liberal, and I vote for the person, not Republican or Democrat. I don't believe there are "two Americas " but that every person in this country can be whomever and whatever they want to be if they'll just work to get there and nowhere else on earth can they find such opportunities. I believe our government should help those who are legitimately downtrodden, and should always put the interests of America first.
The purpose of this message is that I'm concerned about the future of this great nation. I'm worried that the silent majority of honest, hard-working, tax-paying people in this country have been passive for too long. Most folks I know choose not to involve themselves in politics. They go about their daily lives, paying their bills, raising their kids, and doing what they can to maintain the good life. They vote and consider doing so to be a sacred trust. They shake their heads at the political pundits and so-called "news", thinking that what they hear is always spun by whomever is reporting it. They can't understand how elected officials can regularly violate the public trust with pork barrel spending. They don't want government handouts. They want the government to protect them, not raise their taxes for more government programs.
We are in the unique position in this country of electing our leaders. It's a privilege to do so. I've never found a candidate in any election with whom I agreed on everything. I'll wager that most of us don't even agree with our families or spouses 100% of the time. So when I step into that voting booth, I always try to look at the big picture and cast my vote for the man or woman who is best qualified for the job. I've hired a lot of people in my lifetime, and essentially that's what an election is – a hiring process. Who has the credentials? Whom do I want working for me? Whom can I trust to do the job right?
I'm concerned that a growing number of voters in this country simply don't get it. They are caught up in a fervor they can't explain, and calling it "change".
"Change what?", I ask.
"Well, we're going to change America", they say.
"In what way?", I query.
"We want someone new and fresh in the White House", they exclaim.
"So, someone who's not a politician?", I say.
"Uh, well, no, we just want a lot of stuff changed, so we're voting for Obama", they state.
"So the current system, the system of freedom and democracy that has enabled a man to grow up in this great country, get a fine education, raise incredible amounts of money and dominate the news, and win his party's nomination for the White House that system's all wrong?"
"No, no, that part of the system's okay we just need a lot of change."
And so it goes. "Change we can believe in."
Quite frankly, I don't believe that vague proclamations of change hold's any promise for me. In recent months, I've been asking virtually everyone I encounter how they're voting. I live in Illinois, so most folks tell me they're voting for Barack Obama. But no one can really tell me why only that he's going to change a lot of stuff "Change, change, change." I have yet to find one single person who can tell me distinctly and convincingly why this man is qualified to be President and Commander-in-Chief of the most powerful nation on earth other than the fact that he claims he's going to implement a lot of change.
We've all seen the emails about Obama's genealogy, his upbringing, his Muslim background, and his church affiliations. Let's ignore this for a moment. Put it all aside. Then ask yourself, "What qualifies this man to be my president? That he's a brilliant orator and talks about change?"
CHANGE WHAT?
Friends, I'll be forthright with you I believe the American voters who are supporting Barack Obama don't have a clue what they're doing, as evidenced by the fact that not one of them - NOT ONE of them I've spoken to can spell out his qualifications. Not even the most liberal media can explain why he should be elected. Political experience? Negligible. Foreign relations? Non-existent. Achievements? Name one. Someone who wants to unite the country? If you haven't read his wife's thesis from Princeton, look it up on the web. This is who's lining up to be our next First Lady? The only thing I can glean from Obama's constant harping about change is that we're in for a lot of new taxes.
For me, the choice is clear. I've looked carefully at the two leading applicants for the job, and I've made my choice.
Here's a question - "Where were you five and a half years ago? Around Christmas, 2002. You've had five or six birthdays in that time. My son has grown from a sixth grade child to a high school graduate. Five and a half years is a good chunk of time. About 2,000 days. 2,000 nights of sleep. 6,000 meals, give or take."
John McCain spent that amount of time, from 1967 to 1973, in a North Vietnamese prisoner-of-war camp.
When offered early release, he refused it. He considered this offer to be a public relations stunt by his captors, and insisted that those held longer than he should be released first. Did you get that part? He was offered his freedom, and he turned it down. A regimen of beatings and torture began.
Do you possess such strength of character? Locked in a filthy cell in a foreign country, or would you turn down your own freedom in favor of your fellow man? I submit that's a quality of character that is rarely found, and for me, this singular act defines John McCain.
Unlike several presidential candidates in recent years whose military service is questionable or non-existent, you will not find anyone to denigrate the integrity and moral courage of this man. A graduate of Annapolis, during his Naval service he received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. His own son is now serving in the Marine Corps in Iraq . Barack Obama is fond of saying "We honor John McCain's service...BUT...", which to me is condescending and offensive - because what I hear is, "Let's forget this man's sacrifice for his country, and his proven leadership abilities, and talk some more about change."
I don't agree with John McCain on everything - but I am utterly convinced that he is qualified to be our next President, and I trust him to do what's right. I know in my heart that he has the best interests of our country in mind. He doesn't simply want to be President - he wants to lead America, and there's a huge difference. Factually, there is simply no comparison between the two candidates. A man of questionable background and motives who prattles on about change, can't hold a candle to a man who has devoted his life in public service to this nation, retiring from the Navy in1981 and elected to the Senate in1982.
Perhaps Obama's supporters are taking a stance between old and new. Maybe they don't care about McCain's service or his strength of character, or his unblemished qualifications to be President. Maybe "likeability" is a higher priority for them than "trust". Being a prisoner of war is not what qualifies John McCain to be President of the United States of America - but his demonstrated leadership certainly DOES.
Dear friends, it is time for us to stand. It is time for thinking Americans to say, "Enough." It is time for people of all parties to stop following the party line. It is time for anyone who wants to keep America first, who wants the right man leading their nation, to start a dialogue with all their friends and neighbors and ask who they're voting for, and why.
There's a lot of evil in this world. That should be readily apparent to all of us by now. And when faced with that evil as we are now, I want a man who knows the cost of war on his troops and on his citizens. I want a man who puts my family's interests before any foreign country.
I want a President who's qualified to lead.
I want my country back, and I'm voting for John McCain.
