Poor little Jack, he's sick on Halloween. The doctor said whatever crud he has, it has settled in his upper respiratory system causing an infection. Or to put it simply - he has bronchitis. The doctor gave me a prescription for antibiotics, cough medicine, and a steriod to make the swelling go down from the croup.
But let me tell you, that no sickness is going to make Jack NOT flirt with the little girls in the doctor's office. Oh my gosh, do I have a ladies man on my hands! When we first got there, he noticed right away the little girl who was about a year old. He pointed and said "baby". Then he walked over to her, smiled, waved, said hi, and then BLEW her a KISS! He then squealed and ran back to me. Oh lordy are we gonna be in trouble when this kid goes through puberty! Seriously, they talk about locking girls up when they turn teenagers, the parents of those girls are gonna make US lock up Jack!
I am still not sure if I am going to be taking Mr. Flirt out trick-or-treating tonight. I may play it by ear and just take him to 2 or 3 houses if he is feeling good.
Happy Halloween!
Monday, October 31, 2005
Stuff
Jack slept through the night a lot better last night. Of course, just because HE slept through the night, doesn't mean I slept through the night. I was up 3 times checking on him, making sure that he was still breathing and the vaporizer was still working. So still tired on the Mommy front.
I have an appt at the doctor's in about an hour. He doesn't sound like a barking seal, but he does have a deep chest cough now and it is sounding very "wet". I just hope that it hasn't turned into pneumonia. He also is running a fever.
I have posted a couple of wish lists for Jack from Amazon/Toys R Us and One Step Ahead store. So for all the grandmas, grandpa, aunties, and uncles out there who want to contribute to the Christmas Jack charity, there it is. The only thing Jack is getting from us is the train table/set.
I plan on posting for Laura also. Her birthday is Dec 5th, so it will be used as both birthday/Christmas Laura charity fund. It is really hard to buy for a pre-teen girl. Basically she loves clothes, but I usually don't pick out the "right" clothes and she has a TON of clothes that her mother bought her. So I am still trying to go through the online stores to come up with something for her wish lists.
Speaking of Laura, I think I signed up to be room mother at her school or something. I took her to school on Friday and walked up to her classroom with her. She loved showing Jack off to her friends who loved doting on him and he loved them doting also. So I was talking to another mother there who helps out in the morning corraling the kids into school and therefore cutting down on the chaos. I told her that I was about to become a SAHM and she jumped right on that. She said that they will be needing help with the Thanksgiving thing. Not even sure what the "Thanksgiving thing" is, but I signed up to help with it. Laura goes to a private school that really is phenomenal. It is K-8th grade and the way they really care about the kids and the entire environment is what public schools should be, but most likely not. She is also a grade ahead in math and spelling and learning French. I hope to have Jack attend that school if we are still in California when he enters school.
But right now, I have to get a little boy dressed and off to the doctor.
Happy Halloween Everybody! Hopefully I will be able to get some pictures of Jack in his costume for you later.
I have an appt at the doctor's in about an hour. He doesn't sound like a barking seal, but he does have a deep chest cough now and it is sounding very "wet". I just hope that it hasn't turned into pneumonia. He also is running a fever.
I have posted a couple of wish lists for Jack from Amazon/Toys R Us and One Step Ahead store. So for all the grandmas, grandpa, aunties, and uncles out there who want to contribute to the Christmas Jack charity, there it is. The only thing Jack is getting from us is the train table/set.
I plan on posting for Laura also. Her birthday is Dec 5th, so it will be used as both birthday/Christmas Laura charity fund. It is really hard to buy for a pre-teen girl. Basically she loves clothes, but I usually don't pick out the "right" clothes and she has a TON of clothes that her mother bought her. So I am still trying to go through the online stores to come up with something for her wish lists.
Speaking of Laura, I think I signed up to be room mother at her school or something. I took her to school on Friday and walked up to her classroom with her. She loved showing Jack off to her friends who loved doting on him and he loved them doting also. So I was talking to another mother there who helps out in the morning corraling the kids into school and therefore cutting down on the chaos. I told her that I was about to become a SAHM and she jumped right on that. She said that they will be needing help with the Thanksgiving thing. Not even sure what the "Thanksgiving thing" is, but I signed up to help with it. Laura goes to a private school that really is phenomenal. It is K-8th grade and the way they really care about the kids and the entire environment is what public schools should be, but most likely not. She is also a grade ahead in math and spelling and learning French. I hope to have Jack attend that school if we are still in California when he enters school.
But right now, I have to get a little boy dressed and off to the doctor.
Happy Halloween Everybody! Hopefully I will be able to get some pictures of Jack in his costume for you later.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Have You Ever Tried To Sleep With A 30lb Almost 3 Ft Flopping Fish?
Because that is what it felt like last night when we had Jack sleep with us. I put him in bed with us because he woke up crying and coughing and miserable. But let me tell you, it isn't as easy to sleep with a toddler as an infant! I think the last time Jack slept with us was when he was about 7 months old and I thought he took up a lot of room THEN! But most of the night, I clung for dear life trying not to fall off as the flopping fish flopped all over the bed. I now understand how he is in totally different places of the crib everytime I check on him.
So needless to say Jim and I have had 2 sleepless nights where the combined sleep of both nights MIGHT add up to 8 hours. This croup thing is gonna kill us!
I do really feel bad for Jack because you can just tell he feels horrible. And I will probably keep him home tomorrow which means that he is going to miss the halloween party at daycare. I know that he won't know or understand what he is missing, but I will. I was looking forward to seeing the pics of him in his costume with the other kids.
On top of all this, I am having my "monthly time" and it is NOT a fun one. Major crampage going on here. It looks like another totally lazy day in Jackaroo World. Thank goodness for the fall behind time change!
Excuse me while I go get another cup of COFFEE!
So needless to say Jim and I have had 2 sleepless nights where the combined sleep of both nights MIGHT add up to 8 hours. This croup thing is gonna kill us!
I do really feel bad for Jack because you can just tell he feels horrible. And I will probably keep him home tomorrow which means that he is going to miss the halloween party at daycare. I know that he won't know or understand what he is missing, but I will. I was looking forward to seeing the pics of him in his costume with the other kids.
On top of all this, I am having my "monthly time" and it is NOT a fun one. Major crampage going on here. It looks like another totally lazy day in Jackaroo World. Thank goodness for the fall behind time change!
Excuse me while I go get another cup of COFFEE!
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Early Morning ER Visit
We took Jack to the ER this morning. It all started yesterday afternoon. He started to have a cough and I thought he was just getting the cold that both Jim and I have been fighting this week. So when he went to bed, I gave him some Tylenol and Pedia Care for the cough. I checked on him before I went to bed and he wasn't sleeping very well. He was tossing and turning.
I woke up at 3:30 am to him crying and making this god-awful sound in his chest. I picked him up and put him in bed with us. He was hot and just plain miserable. His breathing was really labored and I watched his chest sink in every time he tried to take a breath. Of course, my mind jumps to the worst. I remember Pat telling me that they came close to losing her granddaughter when she was around 18 months to RSV and it was pretty scary for a couple of days. So, yes I am thinking of all these horrible things in my mind as I am watching him.
So about 4:30 we get up and drive to the hospital. When we get there, his temp is 102.7, his cough is sounding absolutely horrible, and his heart rate is racing at 165! We see the doctor and he says to us that it is only Croup and not dangerous. Talk about relief. Of course I had heard of croup, but it didn't even occur to me that is what was wrong with Jack. The evil nurse gave him a shot of steriods to reduce the swelling of the airway and hooked him up to a tube of cool mist oxygen to open up the airways. He was such a trooper. He was so pitiful when they gave him the shot because he really couldn't cry very well without coughing and sounding like a seal barking. But, even the nurse said that he did really well.
We took his stuffed dog, Doggie, with us. At one point when he was breathing the oxygen, he gave some to Doggie to help Doggie breath better also. So cute!
So after we came home, we were THE laziest people on the planet today. All we did was sit around in our jammies (all of us) and watch tv. Jack played with his blocks, legos, choo-choos, and cars. He is doing better, but they say that it takes about a week for it to go away and it is always worse at night. I plan on having a long night.
In other news, our microwave is still out of commission. We couldn't get somebody to come to the house until this coming Wednesday. Hopefully it is the magnetron thingy because then it is still under warranty. If not, then we may have to buy another one. It came with the house and is one of those over the stove kinds. Argh. And tonight we had to heat up leftovers like the Pioneers did in the olden days. We had to use the oven! Gasp! Can Wednesday get here any sooner?
I woke up at 3:30 am to him crying and making this god-awful sound in his chest. I picked him up and put him in bed with us. He was hot and just plain miserable. His breathing was really labored and I watched his chest sink in every time he tried to take a breath. Of course, my mind jumps to the worst. I remember Pat telling me that they came close to losing her granddaughter when she was around 18 months to RSV and it was pretty scary for a couple of days. So, yes I am thinking of all these horrible things in my mind as I am watching him.
So about 4:30 we get up and drive to the hospital. When we get there, his temp is 102.7, his cough is sounding absolutely horrible, and his heart rate is racing at 165! We see the doctor and he says to us that it is only Croup and not dangerous. Talk about relief. Of course I had heard of croup, but it didn't even occur to me that is what was wrong with Jack. The evil nurse gave him a shot of steriods to reduce the swelling of the airway and hooked him up to a tube of cool mist oxygen to open up the airways. He was such a trooper. He was so pitiful when they gave him the shot because he really couldn't cry very well without coughing and sounding like a seal barking. But, even the nurse said that he did really well.
We took his stuffed dog, Doggie, with us. At one point when he was breathing the oxygen, he gave some to Doggie to help Doggie breath better also. So cute!
So after we came home, we were THE laziest people on the planet today. All we did was sit around in our jammies (all of us) and watch tv. Jack played with his blocks, legos, choo-choos, and cars. He is doing better, but they say that it takes about a week for it to go away and it is always worse at night. I plan on having a long night.
In other news, our microwave is still out of commission. We couldn't get somebody to come to the house until this coming Wednesday. Hopefully it is the magnetron thingy because then it is still under warranty. If not, then we may have to buy another one. It came with the house and is one of those over the stove kinds. Argh. And tonight we had to heat up leftovers like the Pioneers did in the olden days. We had to use the oven! Gasp! Can Wednesday get here any sooner?
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Getting The Urge
I got it bad I think. The big IT is redecorating Jack's room. I just spent about 30 minutes looking at toddler beds online. I really like the Thomas the Tank bed, but not sure I like it for $200. I know that when we do redecorate the room, it is going to be in Thomas motif. That's a given. The boy is so over-the-top crazy about Thomas, we just can't do anything else. So the question is to get him (and spoil the child even more!) the $200 Thomas toddler bed or another much cheaper (like under $100) toddler bed.
My other quandry is letting him sleep in a non-crib. In other words letting him sleep in something else besides a cage every night. I like the fact that when I put him down, he will stay there until I go pick him up in the morning. I am just not sure I am ready for his potential wanderings during the night. I know that at some point all kids have to make the transition because lets face it, they can't stay in cribs until they are 10 years old, right? But my question is how do parents get any sleep knowing that their little toddler has the potential to just wander during the night? And do you shut their bedroom door and just childproof everything in their room? But isn't that dangerous? Yeah Yeah. I know, I am being overprotective here.
The next question since I know it HAS to happen, is WHEN. Do I wait until after Christmas and all the excitement of having grandparents and auntie staying here? Or do I transition him soon so he can show his grandparents what a big boy he is sleeping in his big boy bed?
Questions! Decisions! Man this is hard!
My other quandry is letting him sleep in a non-crib. In other words letting him sleep in something else besides a cage every night. I like the fact that when I put him down, he will stay there until I go pick him up in the morning. I am just not sure I am ready for his potential wanderings during the night. I know that at some point all kids have to make the transition because lets face it, they can't stay in cribs until they are 10 years old, right? But my question is how do parents get any sleep knowing that their little toddler has the potential to just wander during the night? And do you shut their bedroom door and just childproof everything in their room? But isn't that dangerous? Yeah Yeah. I know, I am being overprotective here.
The next question since I know it HAS to happen, is WHEN. Do I wait until after Christmas and all the excitement of having grandparents and auntie staying here? Or do I transition him soon so he can show his grandparents what a big boy he is sleeping in his big boy bed?
Questions! Decisions! Man this is hard!
Yay! I Can Post!
Our internet is still really slowwww right now. It is comparable to dial-up! I am really hating Verizon dsl at this moment. It seems like about every 6 months or so, it just wants to quit working. I call them up and they give me the run around and about a week later, it is working again. I am thinking about switching to another company. Hmm that is a good idea! Have to put that on my list of things to do when I am unemployed. That list is becoming quite long, I tell ya.
The other thing that is not working in the house is our microwave! Have you ever gone without a microwave for 3 days? It is hard! The thing just up and quit on me on Sunday. Another phone call I have to make. The thing is only a little over a year old. Geesh they just dont make things like they used to.
Yesterday, I stayed home sick. I think the flu shot that I got on Saturday made me sick. I started to feel it on Monday and in the middle of the night, I woke up really NOT feeling good. All I can say is Thank God for daycare in those situations. I took Jack to daycare yesterday morning, came home and promptly crawled back into bed and did not wake up until almost 1pm! But I felt better after that wonderful sleep. I will miss daycare when I am unemployed. His daycare is only about 5 minutes away from our house and it is so handy for times like yesterday.
Jack woke up this morning at 5 am. I was up myself at 4 am this morning, so it wasn't too bad. I think with all that sleep I had yesterday, my body said "enough sleep girl!". I got up at that early hour when nobody else was up and watched the Gilmore Girls episode from last night. Okay, just have to say that either Rory or Lorelie are just going to have to make the first move. They are both being stupid. And man was Emily cold to Rory after she found out that she was having sex! Geesh, what did she think? The girl is 21 after all. Yeah, I know, I get pretty passionate over Gilmore Girls.
I am trying to get Jack to take a nap right now. I told the office that I would be in sometime today to get some things done. I am going to have to take Jack with me, so that should be fun! We'll see just how well that goes over. Thank goodness the boss is out this week and won't see the destruction that my little tornado can do to the office. Can I just say again that I can not wait to be unemployed?
Oh yeah, Jim's sister and her husband is arriving tonight for a visit. She lives in Seattle and I haven't met her yet. I am looking forward to meeting her because she really does inspire me. Without going into much detail, Jack is actually named after her two sons who were killed in a tragic boating accident when they were 3 and 6. She also lost her husband in the same accident. How she managed to survive is beyond me. I am pretty sure you would have to lock me up in a padded cell. Anyway, I am looking forward to meeting her. Of course that means a flurry of cleaning activity once I know that the boy is truly asleep napping.
The other thing that is not working in the house is our microwave! Have you ever gone without a microwave for 3 days? It is hard! The thing just up and quit on me on Sunday. Another phone call I have to make. The thing is only a little over a year old. Geesh they just dont make things like they used to.
Yesterday, I stayed home sick. I think the flu shot that I got on Saturday made me sick. I started to feel it on Monday and in the middle of the night, I woke up really NOT feeling good. All I can say is Thank God for daycare in those situations. I took Jack to daycare yesterday morning, came home and promptly crawled back into bed and did not wake up until almost 1pm! But I felt better after that wonderful sleep. I will miss daycare when I am unemployed. His daycare is only about 5 minutes away from our house and it is so handy for times like yesterday.
Jack woke up this morning at 5 am. I was up myself at 4 am this morning, so it wasn't too bad. I think with all that sleep I had yesterday, my body said "enough sleep girl!". I got up at that early hour when nobody else was up and watched the Gilmore Girls episode from last night. Okay, just have to say that either Rory or Lorelie are just going to have to make the first move. They are both being stupid. And man was Emily cold to Rory after she found out that she was having sex! Geesh, what did she think? The girl is 21 after all. Yeah, I know, I get pretty passionate over Gilmore Girls.
I am trying to get Jack to take a nap right now. I told the office that I would be in sometime today to get some things done. I am going to have to take Jack with me, so that should be fun! We'll see just how well that goes over. Thank goodness the boss is out this week and won't see the destruction that my little tornado can do to the office. Can I just say again that I can not wait to be unemployed?
Oh yeah, Jim's sister and her husband is arriving tonight for a visit. She lives in Seattle and I haven't met her yet. I am looking forward to meeting her because she really does inspire me. Without going into much detail, Jack is actually named after her two sons who were killed in a tragic boating accident when they were 3 and 6. She also lost her husband in the same accident. How she managed to survive is beyond me. I am pretty sure you would have to lock me up in a padded cell. Anyway, I am looking forward to meeting her. Of course that means a flurry of cleaning activity once I know that the boy is truly asleep napping.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Weekend Adventures
I tried to post all weekend long, but to no avail. Our internet was being soooooo slow that it would freeze up whenever I tried to get into the blogger post. So here I am at work posting.
We up and did it on Saturday. We cut Jack's hair. I will have pictures later when I can get the internet working at home. But he looks so much older now! Both Jack and Daddy got a haircut at the same time. Jack started to cry, but when he was turned around and saw that Daddy was getting the same thing done, he stopped crying and took it like a big boy. I do miss the curls and Pat, his daycare lady, was upset at the loss of his curls. But he looks so much better now, I have to admit. He was looking pretty much like a ragamuffin child!
He suddenly seemed to start communicating this weekend. Yesterday morning he walked up to me and said "wheres Sissy?" I told him that she was taking a shower. I could tell that he didn't understand the word shower, so I said she is taking a bath. He said "Bath? Okay." He then runs down the hall to the bathroom and starts pounding on the bathroom door yelling "Sissy Sissy Sissy". After a few minutes of not getting Sissy's attention he walks back into the family room, hands the remote control to me and says "ChooChoo". Which meant he wanted to watch Thomas. So I put on one of the Thomas shows. He then crawls up into my lap and is so happy to just sit there and watch Thomas. He is just spouting new words daily now. So fun to watch and hear!
I also went shopping this weekend for new clothes for him. He had 2 pairs of long pants that fit him. The kid now is wearing a 2T. He also got a Thomas the train shirt that he literally hugged all through the store. Do ya think the kid likes Thomas? I also got Laura's birthday covered that is on Dec 5th. She is getting a really cool pair of pjs, a couple of cool shirts, and a chearleading teddy bear dressed in her chear team colors and her name on it. So cute.
We went walking around the outlets yesterday and Jim saw this Thomas Lionel train set and before you know it, he and the owner guy of the hobby shop were talking strategy on how to hang the track around a kid's bedroom. Yeah, Jack will probably have a Thomas the train Lionel set running around the ceiling of his bedroom. Can you say spoiled child?
We up and did it on Saturday. We cut Jack's hair. I will have pictures later when I can get the internet working at home. But he looks so much older now! Both Jack and Daddy got a haircut at the same time. Jack started to cry, but when he was turned around and saw that Daddy was getting the same thing done, he stopped crying and took it like a big boy. I do miss the curls and Pat, his daycare lady, was upset at the loss of his curls. But he looks so much better now, I have to admit. He was looking pretty much like a ragamuffin child!
He suddenly seemed to start communicating this weekend. Yesterday morning he walked up to me and said "wheres Sissy?" I told him that she was taking a shower. I could tell that he didn't understand the word shower, so I said she is taking a bath. He said "Bath? Okay." He then runs down the hall to the bathroom and starts pounding on the bathroom door yelling "Sissy Sissy Sissy". After a few minutes of not getting Sissy's attention he walks back into the family room, hands the remote control to me and says "ChooChoo". Which meant he wanted to watch Thomas. So I put on one of the Thomas shows. He then crawls up into my lap and is so happy to just sit there and watch Thomas. He is just spouting new words daily now. So fun to watch and hear!
I also went shopping this weekend for new clothes for him. He had 2 pairs of long pants that fit him. The kid now is wearing a 2T. He also got a Thomas the train shirt that he literally hugged all through the store. Do ya think the kid likes Thomas? I also got Laura's birthday covered that is on Dec 5th. She is getting a really cool pair of pjs, a couple of cool shirts, and a chearleading teddy bear dressed in her chear team colors and her name on it. So cute.
We went walking around the outlets yesterday and Jim saw this Thomas Lionel train set and before you know it, he and the owner guy of the hobby shop were talking strategy on how to hang the track around a kid's bedroom. Yeah, Jack will probably have a Thomas the train Lionel set running around the ceiling of his bedroom. Can you say spoiled child?
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Oh Man I Remember That
Laura came to me last night crying. It was after I told her to go to bed and I had just gotten in bed myself. She comes in my bedroom with tears running down her face. She was saying that she missed her Mom and she tried to call her but she wasn't there.
So I tried to do my best Mom to her. As a step-parent you walk a fine line between friend and parent. I figured now was the time that I needed to be parent. So I hugged her and just let her cry on my shoulder for awhile. It came out that some girls at school were being really mean and snotty to her and they made her cry in school earlier this week. And boy do I remember how horrible girls can be to other girls. I was that girl that was picked on a lot, probably because I was so shy and sensitive and they sensed it, like animals sense fear.
I tried to give her my best "boost your self esteem, you are better than them" talk. Because really that is what is all about - self esteem that at 9 or 10 years old, you are sorely lacking. Not to mention, she is dealing with her mother's sickness, her parents being divorced, and having 2 homes. I told her that I thought she was one terrific kid and it was okay to cry - part of being a girl is crying.
When I told her to go try to get some sleep, she walked away and then came back and gave me another hug and told me that "I am not her stepmom, but her other mother". Ahhh, I started to cry then!
So I tried to do my best Mom to her. As a step-parent you walk a fine line between friend and parent. I figured now was the time that I needed to be parent. So I hugged her and just let her cry on my shoulder for awhile. It came out that some girls at school were being really mean and snotty to her and they made her cry in school earlier this week. And boy do I remember how horrible girls can be to other girls. I was that girl that was picked on a lot, probably because I was so shy and sensitive and they sensed it, like animals sense fear.
I tried to give her my best "boost your self esteem, you are better than them" talk. Because really that is what is all about - self esteem that at 9 or 10 years old, you are sorely lacking. Not to mention, she is dealing with her mother's sickness, her parents being divorced, and having 2 homes. I told her that I thought she was one terrific kid and it was okay to cry - part of being a girl is crying.
When I told her to go try to get some sleep, she walked away and then came back and gave me another hug and told me that "I am not her stepmom, but her other mother". Ahhh, I started to cry then!
Friday, October 21, 2005
Early Morning Wake Up Call
Jack woke up at 5:30 am this morning. On MY day off. This kid has to understand between days off and days on. Thank goodness there won't be any days on very soon, but still the kid needs to know the difference.
I brought him into bed with me. Jim had left for work already. He was gone at 3:30 - poor guy. So Jack thought being in bed with Mommy and the kitties was just the funnest thing in the world. He jumped and rolled and laughed, pretty much everything BUT sleeping.
Unfortunately, I won't be there when he crashes for his afternoon nap, because I know he will crash after that early morning romp. I promised my friend Mark that I would go over and help him with the payroll today. I have been helping him out the last couple of weeks. He was just hired on as the general manager of a maid service. It is a pretty big operation to manage, not something I ever really thought of. So for all my hardwork helping him with the totally screwed up accounting system they have, I am going to get my house cleaned for free in December right before my entire family shows up for Christmas. Yay for clean houses!
Well Elmo's World is over and I need to get over. (Elmo's World allows me to get on the computer without a child whining for my attention)
I brought him into bed with me. Jim had left for work already. He was gone at 3:30 - poor guy. So Jack thought being in bed with Mommy and the kitties was just the funnest thing in the world. He jumped and rolled and laughed, pretty much everything BUT sleeping.
Unfortunately, I won't be there when he crashes for his afternoon nap, because I know he will crash after that early morning romp. I promised my friend Mark that I would go over and help him with the payroll today. I have been helping him out the last couple of weeks. He was just hired on as the general manager of a maid service. It is a pretty big operation to manage, not something I ever really thought of. So for all my hardwork helping him with the totally screwed up accounting system they have, I am going to get my house cleaned for free in December right before my entire family shows up for Christmas. Yay for clean houses!
Well Elmo's World is over and I need to get over. (Elmo's World allows me to get on the computer without a child whining for my attention)
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Lame!
Jack and his diaper rashes are going to be the end of me, I just know it. Although his latest rash is clearing up and looking a lot better than on Sunday when it was bleeding. I decided to call today to get him into see his doctor and see if there is anything he can give me to clear up whats left of the rash this time and maybe to help the future rashes (yes I know they are going to happen, just like death and taxes, there is Jack's butt and rashes!). I also thought that I could get Jack a flu shot and kinda cross off two things off my to-do list.
So I call the doctor this morning at 9 am and I explain to the receptionist that I would like to get my son an appointment today. She puts me on hold for like 5 minutes and comes back finally to say that I could bring him in at 2:15. I repeated it back to her "2:15?" and she said "yes". I think cool.
So I get there at 2:08 and guess what? They are CLOSED. It seems that they close at NOON on Wednesdays! Now how in this world could that person I talked to make me an appointment at 2:15? And why in the world do they close at NOON on Wednesdays???? I really do like Jack's doctor, but his hours suck and his staff is NOT nice, or at least most of them anyway. They close at NOON on both Wednesday and Friday and on the other 3 days, they are closed from noon - 2:00 for lunch! Who gets a 2 hour lunch?
Trust me, they are going to be hearing from me tomorrow!
So I call the doctor this morning at 9 am and I explain to the receptionist that I would like to get my son an appointment today. She puts me on hold for like 5 minutes and comes back finally to say that I could bring him in at 2:15. I repeated it back to her "2:15?" and she said "yes". I think cool.
So I get there at 2:08 and guess what? They are CLOSED. It seems that they close at NOON on Wednesdays! Now how in this world could that person I talked to make me an appointment at 2:15? And why in the world do they close at NOON on Wednesdays???? I really do like Jack's doctor, but his hours suck and his staff is NOT nice, or at least most of them anyway. They close at NOON on both Wednesday and Friday and on the other 3 days, they are closed from noon - 2:00 for lunch! Who gets a 2 hour lunch?
Trust me, they are going to be hearing from me tomorrow!
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Looks Like We Need To Hide The Christmas Presents
I posted earlier about how we bought Jack a train set for Christmas. Well we also bought 2 of the train engines from the Thomas set - the Thomas train of course and the Jack train of course. Jack knows Thomas so well now that when he sees it in the store his eyes light up and he starts squealing in delight. In fact, he drug the Thomas board game behind him throughout the store until I could get him occupied on another toy.
This obsession with Thomas led to a problem tonight. I had the 2 Thomas trains sitting on the counter and Jack happened to spot them. I told him that he could not have them right now. The crying, screaming and tantrum that followed was of epic proportions. I tried to get him interested in his legos, mega blocks, the bouncy ball, his play phone, and his corn popper, but NOTHING would get his mind off the 2 little trains that sat on the counter. Do ya think that I need to hide the Christmas presents from now on?
This obsession with Thomas led to a problem tonight. I had the 2 Thomas trains sitting on the counter and Jack happened to spot them. I told him that he could not have them right now. The crying, screaming and tantrum that followed was of epic proportions. I tried to get him interested in his legos, mega blocks, the bouncy ball, his play phone, and his corn popper, but NOTHING would get his mind off the 2 little trains that sat on the counter. Do ya think that I need to hide the Christmas presents from now on?
Monday, October 17, 2005
Well I Did It
It as in gave my notice today to quit my job. I thought that I would feel a little more regret than I do, but really I just can't wait to walk out of here! I have been with this company for 6 1/2 years and have seen a lot of changes. My responsibilities have grown tenfold since signing on to be just their accountant. I have been very loyal and could of gone elsewhere to bigger paychecks, but I stayed here because a) I was loyal and wanted to help the company and b) I was comfortable and knew my job inside and out. And did it very well, thank you very much.
But today after I told my boss, all I wanted to do was run out the door! Forget loyalty. I gave him 4 weeks notice stating that my last day would be Nov 11. He will probably be asking me to come in on a consulting basis and help them through year-end which nobody knows how to do. Ha! I get extra moola.
But as of Nov 11, I will officially be a SAHM. I can. not. wait.! I already looked up online and there is a playgroup of about 30 mothers in my area that have get togethers twice a week and even Mom's night out events. They are all like so organized with their own website and message board and everything. Impressive. I also am going to enroll Jack in My Gym probably starting after the holiday craziness. It is pretty spendy, but I think it will be so good for him.
Whew! What a relief. I think a thousands pounds were just lifted off my shoulders.
But today after I told my boss, all I wanted to do was run out the door! Forget loyalty. I gave him 4 weeks notice stating that my last day would be Nov 11. He will probably be asking me to come in on a consulting basis and help them through year-end which nobody knows how to do. Ha! I get extra moola.
But as of Nov 11, I will officially be a SAHM. I can. not. wait.! I already looked up online and there is a playgroup of about 30 mothers in my area that have get togethers twice a week and even Mom's night out events. They are all like so organized with their own website and message board and everything. Impressive. I also am going to enroll Jack in My Gym probably starting after the holiday craziness. It is pretty spendy, but I think it will be so good for him.
Whew! What a relief. I think a thousands pounds were just lifted off my shoulders.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Lazy Rainy Day
We did not end up going to the fair today. It was raining and cold here today. So instead we made a trip to Toys R Us for some early Christmas shopping. Laura was with us, so shopping for her was out. Although I think I am going to get her one of those kid's video cameras so she can take her own video and edit it on the computer.
Anyway, as usual Jim and Jack found their way to the cars, trucks and trains sections and were BOTH totally enthralled with all things testosterone. It really is funny to see them both check out a car or tractor and start pushing buttons. Laura and I just roll our eyes at the boys.
Anyway, as usual Jim and Jack found their way to the cars, trucks and trains sections and were BOTH totally enthralled with all things testosterone. It really is funny to see them both check out a car or tractor and start pushing buttons. Laura and I just roll our eyes at the boys.
We did buy the train set that I was looking at on Amazon. It was on sale at $20 off. We also got him a Thomas engine and a Jack engine of course to go with the train set. Oh yeah and I got a new winter coat for Jack which was only $14 on sale. Score!
We also took advantage of their buy one board game and get one free sale. We bought scrabble and sorry in case you were wondering.
After Toys R Us we went to get lunch. While we were sitting there, Jack started fidgeting and whining. I was thinking it was just nap time. But then I could smell that he needed his diaper changed. And when I changed him, I could not believe his bottom. In a matter of 3 hours, his bottom went from just slightly red to blistered and actually bleeding! It is the worst diaper rash that I have ever seen him have. Poor thing, I would have been screaming my head off if my bottom was like that. I really don't know what is up with his diaper rashes. He goes for a couple of months with nothing and then all of a sudden, it just sprouts. I seriously have every single diaper rash treatment on the market I believe.
When we came back home, Laura and I played Scrabble while Jim and Jack took naps. Poor Jim, he has to go into work tonight at midnight for a 14 hour shift. He works so hard!
Oh and now it is thundering! I guess summer is over.
Wallace & Grommit will go down in History
As the first movie that Jack saw in the theatre. He did really well. There was only one time that I had to take him out of the theatre because he was screaming. I have no idea what came over the kid, maybe it was a scary scene in the movie, but he was NOT a happy Jackaroo. But he walked back in like a big boy and up the steps and everything was fine after that. I am not sure he watched much of the movie. He was very interested in his popcorn and drinking the pop with the straw. At one point I sat him in the chair next to me, which he wasn't heavy enough to make it go all the way down so he sat with his legs up and he thought that was the funniest thing. But he sat there with his legs up in the air and his bag of popcorn and he looked like such a little man.
We then went into the mall WITHOUT a stroller. Oh yeah that was fun. He was running through the mall squealing and man that kid can run fast. There is a reason for strollers I tell ya.
But a fun day all in all. Jim has been having weekends off and he just makes the weekends so much better by having him around.
I think we are off to a small country fair today, that is if it doesn't rain on us. But if it does, we are gonna play some board games and just have a good family day.
We then went into the mall WITHOUT a stroller. Oh yeah that was fun. He was running through the mall squealing and man that kid can run fast. There is a reason for strollers I tell ya.
But a fun day all in all. Jim has been having weekends off and he just makes the weekends so much better by having him around.
I think we are off to a small country fair today, that is if it doesn't rain on us. But if it does, we are gonna play some board games and just have a good family day.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
One Week Later
Well it has been one week since I started following the diet prescribed by the doctor I saw at the wellness clinic. And I am a true believer now! I waited until now to mention anything on the blog because I wanted to give it one whole week, but I can now say that I feel like a completely new person! It is truly amazing. Before, I literally thought that there was some dreaded disease wrong with me. I could barely function and walked around like a zombie not enjoying life at all. Everything was a chore, including just getting out of bed or playing with my son. I forced myself to trudge ahead and just do it.
But now, I feel like the weight of an elephant has lifted off my shoulders! Literally! I can't put into words just how much life has improved for me. I now jump out of bed at 6 am or before not feeling like I need another 10 hours of sleep, but feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. I have WHOLE days where I do not have ANY headache whatsoever. Before, there was never a minute that I did not have a headache. The headaches were just varying degrees of pain is all. I don't walk around in a mental fog and it literally hurt to think before. Now I am able to do my job so much better and efficiently. Kind of ironic that my boss gets on me about not being at work enough when I now FEEL good enough to work. HA! His loss.
I feel like my old self. My self that was BEFORE Jack invaded my body. I kept telling people that a year and half later, I still have not recovered from pregnancy and they would laugh, but it was the truth. I have read a couple of books (and this one) about this condition this week and both of them say that pregnancy is a factor in how this starts. Also my pre-eclampsia during the last 5 weeks of my pregnancy worsened matters. Part of that was my fault because during my 5 week bedrest (torture), I pretty much ate non-stop and all nothing but bad stuff.
The diet itself is pretty easy to learn, but hard to follow at least in the beginning. For the past week, I have had NO sugar of any kind, including natural sugars from fruit. I have had NO bread, pasta, dairy. I have had a lot of vegetables (any veggies except potatoes and corn), tuna salads, chicken breast (made some really yummy chicken the other night). I made fajitas last night and just did not have any tortillas. The first couple of days were really hard. We went shopping at the Commissary last Sunday and all the halloween candy was sitting there and I was literally salivating! But the last few days, I have no more cravings for sugar and in fact, am rarely even hungry! But I noticed that when I do get hungry, it comes on fast!
I have been taking vitamin supplements also that are supposed to help kill off the yeast in my system. I have even managed to lose about 4 pounds! Who knows maybe by the time Jack turns 2, I will actually be back to the weight I was when he was conceived!
My dramatic difference has shown itself in other areas. My house is cleaner, laundry is caught up, and I have made dinner almost every night this week. My disposition is much better also. The proof was last night when I took Jack and Laura to Toys R Us to buy diapers and check out stuff for Xmas. I saw that the play doh sets were on sale - buy one for $9.99 and get another for free. So I picked up 2 of them. When it was rang up, they charged me for both and the incompetant girl at the cash register was rude to me saying that it was no longer on sale. I argued that the sign was still up and I want my $10 back! Well after 15 minutes of a manager coming and going and doing who-knows-what, I finally got my $10 back. If this had happened before, I would of probably tried to get that poor girl fired. Everything would just set me off. Talk about permanent PMS!
So yeah, I highly recommend this diet to anybody who is feeling like crap and wondering why.
But now, I feel like the weight of an elephant has lifted off my shoulders! Literally! I can't put into words just how much life has improved for me. I now jump out of bed at 6 am or before not feeling like I need another 10 hours of sleep, but feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. I have WHOLE days where I do not have ANY headache whatsoever. Before, there was never a minute that I did not have a headache. The headaches were just varying degrees of pain is all. I don't walk around in a mental fog and it literally hurt to think before. Now I am able to do my job so much better and efficiently. Kind of ironic that my boss gets on me about not being at work enough when I now FEEL good enough to work. HA! His loss.
I feel like my old self. My self that was BEFORE Jack invaded my body. I kept telling people that a year and half later, I still have not recovered from pregnancy and they would laugh, but it was the truth. I have read a couple of books (and this one) about this condition this week and both of them say that pregnancy is a factor in how this starts. Also my pre-eclampsia during the last 5 weeks of my pregnancy worsened matters. Part of that was my fault because during my 5 week bedrest (torture), I pretty much ate non-stop and all nothing but bad stuff.
The diet itself is pretty easy to learn, but hard to follow at least in the beginning. For the past week, I have had NO sugar of any kind, including natural sugars from fruit. I have had NO bread, pasta, dairy. I have had a lot of vegetables (any veggies except potatoes and corn), tuna salads, chicken breast (made some really yummy chicken the other night). I made fajitas last night and just did not have any tortillas. The first couple of days were really hard. We went shopping at the Commissary last Sunday and all the halloween candy was sitting there and I was literally salivating! But the last few days, I have no more cravings for sugar and in fact, am rarely even hungry! But I noticed that when I do get hungry, it comes on fast!
I have been taking vitamin supplements also that are supposed to help kill off the yeast in my system. I have even managed to lose about 4 pounds! Who knows maybe by the time Jack turns 2, I will actually be back to the weight I was when he was conceived!
My dramatic difference has shown itself in other areas. My house is cleaner, laundry is caught up, and I have made dinner almost every night this week. My disposition is much better also. The proof was last night when I took Jack and Laura to Toys R Us to buy diapers and check out stuff for Xmas. I saw that the play doh sets were on sale - buy one for $9.99 and get another for free. So I picked up 2 of them. When it was rang up, they charged me for both and the incompetant girl at the cash register was rude to me saying that it was no longer on sale. I argued that the sign was still up and I want my $10 back! Well after 15 minutes of a manager coming and going and doing who-knows-what, I finally got my $10 back. If this had happened before, I would of probably tried to get that poor girl fired. Everything would just set me off. Talk about permanent PMS!
So yeah, I highly recommend this diet to anybody who is feeling like crap and wondering why.
The Obsession Grows
Jack's obsession with his stuffed animals is getting out of hand. Yesterday, I was trying to go to the grocery store. I was telling Jack that we were going bye-bye, which usually makes him run to the door and say "ready", which sounds like "why" coming out of his mouth, but it is his ready. But not yesterday when I wanted to do a quick run to the grocery store. No my child had to throw a temper tantrum for 3 minutes. The reason? I told him that his stuffed animals had to stay home. He now has 4 that he can not be parted from. There is Doggie, Murphy, Wiffer, and now Mr. Bear the latest addition from the zoo trip. And the boy can't even hold all 4 at once, which doesn't stop him from trying and ends up with handing one or two to me to carry for him.
Anyway, yesterday I could tell that he was visibly upset at the thought of leaving the stuffed animals at home - ALONE! I mean there were tears, real tears, coming down his cheeks! So I thought, why not and let him carry them to the car, with me carrying Murphy and Wiffer. So I get him all strapped in and pile the animals on top of him and he looked so cute. I had to take this picture of him with my camera phone. At least I figure, he is a bit safer with all that cushion in front of him!
Anyway, yesterday I could tell that he was visibly upset at the thought of leaving the stuffed animals at home - ALONE! I mean there were tears, real tears, coming down his cheeks! So I thought, why not and let him carry them to the car, with me carrying Murphy and Wiffer. So I get him all strapped in and pile the animals on top of him and he looked so cute. I had to take this picture of him with my camera phone. At least I figure, he is a bit safer with all that cushion in front of him!
Friday, October 14, 2005
Big Changes In Jackaroo World!
Big Big Changes! And no it is not another baby coming, although that would be a big change now wouldn't it. But, this big change is that I am QUITTING my Job! I am going to officially give my letter of resignation on Monday, but the decision has been made - I am going to be a Stay At Home Mother (SAHM).
I am scared and excited all at the same time. I am scared about the finances and not having my own paycheck is going to be pretty weird. I am very independent person and like making money! I am also scared if I can handle being a SAHM. Can I handle Jack 24/7? THATS a scary thought right there. I am dropping his daycare obviously and don't have any babysitters in my area, except for my friend Janet who is about 20 minutes away. I am going to start asking around to see if I can score a couple of good reliable babysitters in my neighborhood. I am feeling bad about taking him out of daycare because he does love it so much there and I know that the social interaction with the other kids is really good for him. He is such a social kid. I asked Pat, his daycare provider, if she does "drop-ins" where I can drop him off for the day, but she doesn't. She is usually running full capacity for kids. I know Jack is going to miss her a lot.
The reason for this big change, is because the work environment has changed a lot in the last month or so. I know that my boss wants a full-time person in my position and I just won't do it. I offered to go 4 days a week, but 6 hours a day. He said okay, but I know that he still is not happy with my hours. He said that my work is really good, but I just need to be there more often. He is the one who offered for me to leave and go on unemployment that he would okay. And after running the numbers of unemployment and comparing to what I bring home after daycare and gas, well the numbers were VERY close. So that got me to thinking and I came home last night and Jack is the one who made my mind up. He was so cuddly (something he very rarely ever is!) for some reason. It felt to me like he was feeling like he has not seen me very much this week and couldn't get enough of me. He kept walking up to me and giving me huge hugs and kisses and just sat and cuddled in my lap for like 20 minutes. So I made my mind up right then and there last night.
Jim is happy about me quitting. He has been after me for a long time to quit. I think that with me not working, life around here is going to be a lot easier on all of us. Less Stress and and more happiness!
I am scared and excited all at the same time. I am scared about the finances and not having my own paycheck is going to be pretty weird. I am very independent person and like making money! I am also scared if I can handle being a SAHM. Can I handle Jack 24/7? THATS a scary thought right there. I am dropping his daycare obviously and don't have any babysitters in my area, except for my friend Janet who is about 20 minutes away. I am going to start asking around to see if I can score a couple of good reliable babysitters in my neighborhood. I am feeling bad about taking him out of daycare because he does love it so much there and I know that the social interaction with the other kids is really good for him. He is such a social kid. I asked Pat, his daycare provider, if she does "drop-ins" where I can drop him off for the day, but she doesn't. She is usually running full capacity for kids. I know Jack is going to miss her a lot.
The reason for this big change, is because the work environment has changed a lot in the last month or so. I know that my boss wants a full-time person in my position and I just won't do it. I offered to go 4 days a week, but 6 hours a day. He said okay, but I know that he still is not happy with my hours. He said that my work is really good, but I just need to be there more often. He is the one who offered for me to leave and go on unemployment that he would okay. And after running the numbers of unemployment and comparing to what I bring home after daycare and gas, well the numbers were VERY close. So that got me to thinking and I came home last night and Jack is the one who made my mind up. He was so cuddly (something he very rarely ever is!) for some reason. It felt to me like he was feeling like he has not seen me very much this week and couldn't get enough of me. He kept walking up to me and giving me huge hugs and kisses and just sat and cuddled in my lap for like 20 minutes. So I made my mind up right then and there last night.
Jim is happy about me quitting. He has been after me for a long time to quit. I think that with me not working, life around here is going to be a lot easier on all of us. Less Stress and and more happiness!
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Thinking About Cold Weather
I was looking through the Lands End catalog this morning and I have to admit that for about 5 seconds I actually kinda sorta missed the cold weather that I grew up with in Michigan. I think what I miss is the snuggling up in warm clothes, but what I don't miss is the day in and day out living with snow and ice - yuck!
It is getting cooler here in California. It actually is quite chilly at night and in the mornings, but it has been in the mid-80's during the day. I guess I am missing the fall weather, not really the cold weather.
Speaking of cold weather, I have ordered Jack's "big" christmas gift. Jim finally got paid for his FEMA duty (YAY!) and thought I would get a jump start on Christmas this year. This is what I bought. I have been looking at them for some time now and for the money, this is really good. These train sets can go up to $500! No way I am going to spend that kinda money on the kid. I also am going to order Laura a couple of things and then put some money away so that Christmas isn't soooo hard this year.
Anyway, I am off today from work. I am going to go help my friend Mark who just started a new job and is having a bit of problems with the accounting part of it and well since that is my speciality, I said I would help out. He really needs it. Jack is being dropped off at his Aunt Janet's house to play with her other daycare kids.
It is getting cooler here in California. It actually is quite chilly at night and in the mornings, but it has been in the mid-80's during the day. I guess I am missing the fall weather, not really the cold weather.
Speaking of cold weather, I have ordered Jack's "big" christmas gift. Jim finally got paid for his FEMA duty (YAY!) and thought I would get a jump start on Christmas this year. This is what I bought. I have been looking at them for some time now and for the money, this is really good. These train sets can go up to $500! No way I am going to spend that kinda money on the kid. I also am going to order Laura a couple of things and then put some money away so that Christmas isn't soooo hard this year.
Anyway, I am off today from work. I am going to go help my friend Mark who just started a new job and is having a bit of problems with the accounting part of it and well since that is my speciality, I said I would help out. He really needs it. Jack is being dropped off at his Aunt Janet's house to play with her other daycare kids.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Sentences!
Jack's vocabulary is growing these days and he has learned to put more than one word together at a time. Now don't get me wrong, most of the stuff he says is complete gobbligook to me. But, every now and then something will get through and it amazes me what he says.
Last week we were watching Laura at her cheer practice. This is always a fun thing to do with the Jackaroo because he is constantly wandering off onto the practice mat where the girls are. But there is a big sign posted that no siblings are allowed on the practice mat. Anyway, he was standing on my lap and happened to glimpse Laura doing her stuff and he does his little squeal and points at her and says clear as day "Thats my Sissy". Even the other mothers around me were staring at him in awe!
And then tonight we were sitting on the floor playing with his legos. He walked away to go get one from across the room, he comes back and hands it to me and says again clear as day "Hi Mom".
It is amazing how the little things can just tear at your heartstrings and you think you can't love this kid anymore than at that moment. This mother thing is the best!
Last week we were watching Laura at her cheer practice. This is always a fun thing to do with the Jackaroo because he is constantly wandering off onto the practice mat where the girls are. But there is a big sign posted that no siblings are allowed on the practice mat. Anyway, he was standing on my lap and happened to glimpse Laura doing her stuff and he does his little squeal and points at her and says clear as day "Thats my Sissy". Even the other mothers around me were staring at him in awe!
And then tonight we were sitting on the floor playing with his legos. He walked away to go get one from across the room, he comes back and hands it to me and says again clear as day "Hi Mom".
It is amazing how the little things can just tear at your heartstrings and you think you can't love this kid anymore than at that moment. This mother thing is the best!
Monday, October 10, 2005
Problem Solving
Jack was playing with his dump truck tonight. It actually is a pretty good sized dump truck. He was pushing it all around the family room as Jim and I were watching tv. When he got to the coffee table, he tried to push it under the coffee table, but the truck got stuck and wouldn't go under the table. So my smart genius (future Harvard grad) son went around to the other side of the table and pulled it through from that side. Pretty good problem-solving capabilities if you ask me, especially for a 19-month old.
The next problem we need solved is HOW are we gonna afford Harvard?
The next problem we need solved is HOW are we gonna afford Harvard?
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Lazy Saturday
Today has been a lazy Saturday. Here is a picture of Laura and Jack watching cartoons together this morning. Notice the ever-present Doggie also known as Jack's best friend.
And here is a picture of Daddy and Jack watching drag racing together. The boy was totally mesmerized by the zoom zoom cars. Notice the presence of the other best friend known as Murphy. The boy loves his stuffed doggies.
And here is a picture of Daddy and Jack watching drag racing together. The boy was totally mesmerized by the zoom zoom cars. Notice the presence of the other best friend known as Murphy. The boy loves his stuffed doggies.
Friday, October 07, 2005
I Wasn't Going Crazy!
Today I had my appointment at the Wellness clinic and let me tell you what a difference between this place and pretty much every other doctor on the planet. I actually was able to sit down and have a conversation with the doctor at the clinic. She was so nice and just sat there and listened to what I had to say and did not brush me off or try to push pills on me to make me feel better. She asked questions about my pregnancy and the birth and the postpartum. I told her about my crazy schedule and everything that has been happening in our family lately. She sat there and listened to me for 45 minutes!! At the end she looked up from her notes that she was taking and said "I can help you". What a nice set of words to hear when you are basically feeling like shit and thinking you are going out of your mind.
She said that the reason I am having most if not all of my symptoms is because she thinks I have something called Candida. Below is just something that I copied from a website about Candida.
The most commom symptoms are: an incapacitating fatigue and problems with concentration and short-term memory, flu-like symptoms such as pain in the joints and muscle, extreme tightness in the shoulders and neck, hyper-acidity/acid reflux, brown colored mucus in the back of the throat, blisters in the mouth/tongue/throat, either white or "blood blisters," unrefreshing sleep, sore throat, white coated tongue, dark circles under the eyes, an aversion to being touched or jumping, "crawling" skin, chronic sinus problems and headaches including migraines, chronic dental problems.
Visual disturbances may include blurring, sensitivity to light and eye pain.
More of the physical symptoms may include chills and night sweats, shortness of breath, dizziness and balance problems, sensitivity to heat and/or cold, alcohol intolerance, gluten and/or casein intolerance, irregular heartbeat, irritable bowel, constipation and/or diarrhea, painful gas and abdominal bloating, low-grade fever or low body temperature, numbness, tingling and/or burning sensations in the face or extremities, dryness of the mouth and eyes, difficulty swallowing and projectile vomiting.
All the bolded items, are the symptoms that I have had and I thought that I was really going crazy. The doctor thinks that I have had this Candida since I was pregnant and has just gotten worse over the time. Basically what it is where yeast has gotten outta control in your body and has taken over your body. Hopefully with a good diet and vitamins, I can get back on track.
It was just nice to be taken seriously and know that there really is a reason why I have been feeling like I have been and not going crazy. I think my husband was about to call his brother who is a pyschiatrist and check me into the nuthouse! Yeah I was that bad.
She said that the reason I am having most if not all of my symptoms is because she thinks I have something called Candida. Below is just something that I copied from a website about Candida.
The most commom symptoms are: an incapacitating fatigue and problems with concentration and short-term memory, flu-like symptoms such as pain in the joints and muscle, extreme tightness in the shoulders and neck, hyper-acidity/acid reflux, brown colored mucus in the back of the throat, blisters in the mouth/tongue/throat, either white or "blood blisters," unrefreshing sleep, sore throat, white coated tongue, dark circles under the eyes, an aversion to being touched or jumping, "crawling" skin, chronic sinus problems and headaches including migraines, chronic dental problems.
Visual disturbances may include blurring, sensitivity to light and eye pain.
More of the physical symptoms may include chills and night sweats, shortness of breath, dizziness and balance problems, sensitivity to heat and/or cold, alcohol intolerance, gluten and/or casein intolerance, irregular heartbeat, irritable bowel, constipation and/or diarrhea, painful gas and abdominal bloating, low-grade fever or low body temperature, numbness, tingling and/or burning sensations in the face or extremities, dryness of the mouth and eyes, difficulty swallowing and projectile vomiting.
All the bolded items, are the symptoms that I have had and I thought that I was really going crazy. The doctor thinks that I have had this Candida since I was pregnant and has just gotten worse over the time. Basically what it is where yeast has gotten outta control in your body and has taken over your body. Hopefully with a good diet and vitamins, I can get back on track.
It was just nice to be taken seriously and know that there really is a reason why I have been feeling like I have been and not going crazy. I think my husband was about to call his brother who is a pyschiatrist and check me into the nuthouse! Yeah I was that bad.
How Sad Is This?
Today I have a doctor's appointment near LA. It is at a wellness clinic that checks you totally over and sees what they can do for you. I have been feeling pretty lousy lately, so I thought I would go do this and got an appointment. Hopefully they will just listen to me and my scheduled life to the nth degree and just tell me that it is all stress - who knows.
But anyway, in order for me to be able to actually go to the doctor near LA, Jim had to take the day OFF! Why? Well, you see, I couldn't take Laura to school and then who would take care of Jack because his daycare is not available on Fridays (I told her that I would have Jack on Fridays from now on and she has scheduled other kids that day). Oh yeah and Laura was getting out of school early today at noon, so there was that. In essence, with me being in LA for the day, meant that Jim had to take the day off. I am very grateful to him for doing that. He even mentioned the reason why to the Port Director (the Big Cheese) and he said that hope your wife feels better.
So that is what I am doing today...getting poked and prodded and hopefully come up with some reason why I am feeling lousy with a headache every single day.
But anyway, in order for me to be able to actually go to the doctor near LA, Jim had to take the day OFF! Why? Well, you see, I couldn't take Laura to school and then who would take care of Jack because his daycare is not available on Fridays (I told her that I would have Jack on Fridays from now on and she has scheduled other kids that day). Oh yeah and Laura was getting out of school early today at noon, so there was that. In essence, with me being in LA for the day, meant that Jim had to take the day off. I am very grateful to him for doing that. He even mentioned the reason why to the Port Director (the Big Cheese) and he said that hope your wife feels better.
So that is what I am doing today...getting poked and prodded and hopefully come up with some reason why I am feeling lousy with a headache every single day.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
How To Go From Zero To Mad In 3.6 Seconds
Have your husband call you at work and tell you that TPTB (The Powers That Be) are telling him that he has to go to Wash DC for 3 months starting in a week! Yeah. Can you say Mad? Jim called me on Monday to tell me this little bit of joyful news. It actually is a very big compliment because the big cheeses in DC really like what he does and they want him to show off. But, um, Big Cheeses, the man has a family and a life ya know. Do they realize how hard it is just to leave family and life for 3 months? But as it turned out the TPTB here in California actually wanted him MORE and said NO to the DC Big Cheeses. But, I have a feeling that is just temporary and in the near future his little trip to DC is gonna happen. I know that Jim loves his job and its a great job and important and all and provides us with a secure future, BUT it can be a major Pain In The Ass (PITA).
But because the TPTB here in California say he is so important to them, he has been put on the 8-5 shift instead of the 6-2 shift. I HATE that and so does Jim. It means that it can take over 2 hours for him to get home at night because of the oh so lovely traffic at that time. That means he never sees Jack during the week because a lot of the time, Jack is in bed or very close to bedtime when Daddy gets home. It also means that Laura is my responsiblity to take to school AND pick up from school. How one does all this AND try to keep MY job (which we kinda need if we wanna keep the house) is down right impossible. Oh and also get Laura to her cheer practice twice a week. All this and NOT going insane. Yeah. Mission Impossible.
In the Jackaroo News Department - He has been sleeping ALOT lately. It has become quite difficult keeping the kid awake much past 7pm these days. He is soooo tired around 6:30, that he will just stand and scream and scream and scream. When I ask him if he wants to "go sleepies" he nods his head and runs off to his room. He also doesn't wake up until 12 hours later! My thinking is that he is going through another growth spurt and will sprouting another inch or two very soon. Oh Yay, I get to buy more new pants for the boy.
He also has been talking a lot more, or I should say copying whatever we say. When I am yelling at one of the 4 leaches in our house (aka pets) he will go up to them and start yelling the same thing. So funny.
He also absolutely LOVES having his sister live with us. The first thing he says when he wakes up in the morning is "Sissy" and just lets out this squeal of delight when he sees her. I also think it is good for her to know that somebody loves her so much and unconditionally. The girl has been having some self-esteem issues lately and having a little brother squeal in delight when he sees her, helps in that area. The two are going to be very close when they are older, I think.
And today is his 19th month birthday. Good Grief. He is growing up so fast. 19 months is closer to 2 years old than 1 year old. Oh my gosh, he's going to be 2 in five months! So I guess when somebody asks how old he is, I can say "almost 2".
But because the TPTB here in California say he is so important to them, he has been put on the 8-5 shift instead of the 6-2 shift. I HATE that and so does Jim. It means that it can take over 2 hours for him to get home at night because of the oh so lovely traffic at that time. That means he never sees Jack during the week because a lot of the time, Jack is in bed or very close to bedtime when Daddy gets home. It also means that Laura is my responsiblity to take to school AND pick up from school. How one does all this AND try to keep MY job (which we kinda need if we wanna keep the house) is down right impossible. Oh and also get Laura to her cheer practice twice a week. All this and NOT going insane. Yeah. Mission Impossible.
In the Jackaroo News Department - He has been sleeping ALOT lately. It has become quite difficult keeping the kid awake much past 7pm these days. He is soooo tired around 6:30, that he will just stand and scream and scream and scream. When I ask him if he wants to "go sleepies" he nods his head and runs off to his room. He also doesn't wake up until 12 hours later! My thinking is that he is going through another growth spurt and will sprouting another inch or two very soon. Oh Yay, I get to buy more new pants for the boy.
He also has been talking a lot more, or I should say copying whatever we say. When I am yelling at one of the 4 leaches in our house (aka pets) he will go up to them and start yelling the same thing. So funny.
He also absolutely LOVES having his sister live with us. The first thing he says when he wakes up in the morning is "Sissy" and just lets out this squeal of delight when he sees her. I also think it is good for her to know that somebody loves her so much and unconditionally. The girl has been having some self-esteem issues lately and having a little brother squeal in delight when he sees her, helps in that area. The two are going to be very close when they are older, I think.
And today is his 19th month birthday. Good Grief. He is growing up so fast. 19 months is closer to 2 years old than 1 year old. Oh my gosh, he's going to be 2 in five months! So I guess when somebody asks how old he is, I can say "almost 2".
Monday, October 03, 2005
Jack In The Box
Let me just start this post out by telling ya a little bit about me as a child. I was afraid of everything. Not just one or two things, but EVERYTHING. And in particular Jack-In-The-Boxes. They scared me to death. I mean you really never know WHEN that clown is going to jump outta that box. And it is frightening!
Flash forward over 30 years. Jim brought home a Jack-in-the-box from MS. The kid LOVES the thing. He starts to laugh his little head off and wants to twist the crank over and over again. He even goes up and plays with the evil clown! Yeah just another proof that not much of me is in that kid. In this case, it is a good thing.
Flash forward over 30 years. Jim brought home a Jack-in-the-box from MS. The kid LOVES the thing. He starts to laugh his little head off and wants to twist the crank over and over again. He even goes up and plays with the evil clown! Yeah just another proof that not much of me is in that kid. In this case, it is a good thing.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Decisions Decisions!
Okay nobody told me going into this mothering, parenting gig that Halloween was such a tough holiday! I mean the decisions to make are sooo many. What shall my child wear for halloween? It seems like an innocent enough question doesn't it? But let me tell you, I have agonized over this very decision for the past 2 weeks. I have scoured online costume shops and catalogs in search for THE right costume. Really folks, it is NOT that simple!
First off, the sizes! It seems like all the cool costumes are made for the big kids like size 4 and up and the other category of costumes are for the babies like 12 months and down. What about for those kids in between? Seriously there are not a whole of options out there for the 24month 2T options. And you have to buy online or catalog because in the store - nothing for that size range.
Second, when you do find options in the appropriate size. The next question is WHAT is he gonna be. Do I wanna go all out with an elaborate costume? Believe me they are out there. Or something simple since it really is only one night and he won't remember it anyway.
So I pick option #2. Then there is there is the fact MY kid will NOT wear anything on his head. Period. Nothing. If it touches his head, it is coming off. So that narrows the costume choices by about 95%. Because they all come with a cute hat of some kind or another.
I tell ya, the decision was HARD. I did finally decide on something and ordered it online. No. You are not gonna find out what the Jackaroo is gonna wear for halloween until the time is right. I was just letting ya in on how HARD it was for ME.
First off, the sizes! It seems like all the cool costumes are made for the big kids like size 4 and up and the other category of costumes are for the babies like 12 months and down. What about for those kids in between? Seriously there are not a whole of options out there for the 24month 2T options. And you have to buy online or catalog because in the store - nothing for that size range.
Second, when you do find options in the appropriate size. The next question is WHAT is he gonna be. Do I wanna go all out with an elaborate costume? Believe me they are out there. Or something simple since it really is only one night and he won't remember it anyway.
So I pick option #2. Then there is there is the fact MY kid will NOT wear anything on his head. Period. Nothing. If it touches his head, it is coming off. So that narrows the costume choices by about 95%. Because they all come with a cute hat of some kind or another.
I tell ya, the decision was HARD. I did finally decide on something and ordered it online. No. You are not gonna find out what the Jackaroo is gonna wear for halloween until the time is right. I was just letting ya in on how HARD it was for ME.
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Zoo Day
We went to the San Diego Zoo today. All 4 of us. We had a really good time and was really good to spend the day with all of us together as family time. If anybody has been to the SD Zoo, you know that the place is full of up and down steep hills and is a total work out for those of us not used to such things (like me). A few years ago, they put in these moving walkways to go up the steep hills, which are a very good idea for those out-of-shape butts like mine. BUT the walkway wasn't working when we wanted to us it. Yeah that was fun walking up the VERY steep grade. Jim did it with Jack on his shoulders. The man is superman I tell ya.
But we had fun and saw all kinds of animals. Jack got a big kick out of it all. Even Laura had a good time, even being in her pre-teen girl mood that she was in.
I think the big highlight of the day for Jack was at the end when we took a ride on the miniature train. The kid totally got into the "choo choo". In fact after the ride was over, he got out and started looking all around the train, as if he wanted to check out how the thing was made. He then started to crawl back onto the train and was NOT happy when Daddy pulled him off screaming.
Oh yeah and we added to our stuffed animal zoo that seems to be multiplying as we speak in our house. Of course we can't take Jack anywhere near stuffed animals in a gift shop without him latching onto one like it is his long lost best friend of all time. And today was no exception. He latched onto a polar bear and would not let go. period. So being the parents that spoil their children to death, we bought the polar bear. And of course since we buy one for Jack, we have to buy one for Laura. The curse of having 2 children. And on the way home in the car they were playing together with their bears in the backseat. Pretty cute.
So now everybody has gone to bed and for once, I have outlasted them all. A first. Usually I am the one dragging my out-of-shape butt to bed before anybody else. So on that note, since I have the tv to myself, I think I might just watch something besides Disney, Spongebob, Sesame Street or The History Channel. Wow!
But we had fun and saw all kinds of animals. Jack got a big kick out of it all. Even Laura had a good time, even being in her pre-teen girl mood that she was in.
I think the big highlight of the day for Jack was at the end when we took a ride on the miniature train. The kid totally got into the "choo choo". In fact after the ride was over, he got out and started looking all around the train, as if he wanted to check out how the thing was made. He then started to crawl back onto the train and was NOT happy when Daddy pulled him off screaming.
Oh yeah and we added to our stuffed animal zoo that seems to be multiplying as we speak in our house. Of course we can't take Jack anywhere near stuffed animals in a gift shop without him latching onto one like it is his long lost best friend of all time. And today was no exception. He latched onto a polar bear and would not let go. period. So being the parents that spoil their children to death, we bought the polar bear. And of course since we buy one for Jack, we have to buy one for Laura. The curse of having 2 children. And on the way home in the car they were playing together with their bears in the backseat. Pretty cute.
So now everybody has gone to bed and for once, I have outlasted them all. A first. Usually I am the one dragging my out-of-shape butt to bed before anybody else. So on that note, since I have the tv to myself, I think I might just watch something besides Disney, Spongebob, Sesame Street or The History Channel. Wow!
The Boys Only Club
To kill time today before we had to pick Laura up, we decided to hit up Toys R Us, or also known as "The Two Boy's Heaven". Because my two boys (Jim and Jack) were just like two peas in a pod when it came to the cars, trucks, tractors, bulldozers, boats, and pretty much anything that made a rumbling sound. At one point I came around the corner and saw the two of them squatting down to check out a toy bulldozer that did about 28 different things and made about 56 different sounds. Oooohhh Aaahhh. It was so funny because when I saw the two of them checking out this "awesome" (Jim's word not mine) toy, I had a flash back to when I was pregnant and could only imagine that these times would happen. When the two of them would sit and play with guy stuff and leave me out of it completely. Yep that time has come. But I am not complaining because just watching the two of them is entertainment enough for me.
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