For Cole, this is sick day number 3. He seems to be the same. His nose is running like mad and he is so stuffy. Rhys isn't quite as bad but his eyes are puffy and he is stuffy too. To add to the discomfort, his teething is bothering him and he has a sore throat. I too joined the family in a "if you can't beat them" sort of way today. My throat is also sore and I am really run down. Chris stayed at home and worked again today. He took Cole for a lunch time hair cut while Rhys slept. Hopefully we will all be feeling tip top by Monday.
I am planning on going out tomorrow morning to a vendor event and then am going to keep my friend's son tomorrow night so they can go to a party. I am a bit lost because my laptop died and with it my calendar and some documents and pictures. I am hopeful that they can be retrieved soon and I can move on without a computer for a while. I hate to lose anything.
My Fridays seem to be a bit on the mundane side so I will leave with yet another Haiku:
Treating Sick Children
Orange Juice and Hot Chicken Soup
What else can you do
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Sick Day - Part Deux
Cole is still a snot factory today and Chris joined his production line. Rhys is stuffy too but not nearly producing the volume that Cole is managing. YUCK! I have the pleasure of experiencing, probably for the first time in my life, what it is like to be the one who is well. Chris credits my exercise. I just think I am a late bloomer and will be coughing up a lung on the long drive to SC next week. Let's hope not.
Anyway, Chris stayed home today and worked from here while I tried to keep Cole from running around too much. He had a really good nap and we ended up going out for dinner tonight because I wasn't really in the mood to cook and since Chris was home already, we got to the restaurant early and then after a quick stop at the drug store for some supplies, we were home early too.
Rhys is really struggling with his teeth and I feel so sorry that I can't do much to help him get through this. I felt helpless when Cole was going through it too but, thankfully, it passes quickly and he will have a nice set of pearly whites soon enough.
I got a double dose of sad news today. Firstly, my best friend's cousin was arrested for passing bad checks for jewelry at 8 different jewelry stores. It was shocking and sad. She is in jail tonight awaiting a bail hearing. I am very sad for her children and hope that she gets the treatment that she so needs. Something isn't quite right with the situation which leads us to believe that she is not a stable individual. I pray for strength for her family and for her children.
Secondly, I learned from a friend that my ex-father-in-law died suddenly yesterday. I am sad for the family and empathize with each of them. I remember all three boys' individual relationships with their father and know that they will all miss him for similar and yet very different reasons. I also can only imagine how shocking it was for his wife to find him "asleep" on the couch when she got home from work only to discover that he was, in fact, dead. What a tragic thing to experience. Conversely, when I am to go, I would really appreciate just passing away on my couch. I want to think that he was tired - not realizing something was wrong - and just laid down and drifted away. There is something comforting in believing that the person who has died didn't know it was happening. I want that and am certainly comforted that he probably went that way.
There has been so much sadness today and, although neither of these issues directly affects me, I feel for those closer to the pain and wish only the very best for them.
Anyway, Chris stayed home today and worked from here while I tried to keep Cole from running around too much. He had a really good nap and we ended up going out for dinner tonight because I wasn't really in the mood to cook and since Chris was home already, we got to the restaurant early and then after a quick stop at the drug store for some supplies, we were home early too.
Rhys is really struggling with his teeth and I feel so sorry that I can't do much to help him get through this. I felt helpless when Cole was going through it too but, thankfully, it passes quickly and he will have a nice set of pearly whites soon enough.
I got a double dose of sad news today. Firstly, my best friend's cousin was arrested for passing bad checks for jewelry at 8 different jewelry stores. It was shocking and sad. She is in jail tonight awaiting a bail hearing. I am very sad for her children and hope that she gets the treatment that she so needs. Something isn't quite right with the situation which leads us to believe that she is not a stable individual. I pray for strength for her family and for her children.
Secondly, I learned from a friend that my ex-father-in-law died suddenly yesterday. I am sad for the family and empathize with each of them. I remember all three boys' individual relationships with their father and know that they will all miss him for similar and yet very different reasons. I also can only imagine how shocking it was for his wife to find him "asleep" on the couch when she got home from work only to discover that he was, in fact, dead. What a tragic thing to experience. Conversely, when I am to go, I would really appreciate just passing away on my couch. I want to think that he was tired - not realizing something was wrong - and just laid down and drifted away. There is something comforting in believing that the person who has died didn't know it was happening. I want that and am certainly comforted that he probably went that way.
There has been so much sadness today and, although neither of these issues directly affects me, I feel for those closer to the pain and wish only the very best for them.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
sick day
I decided to take a sick day. No, I didn't have a day off. I just took advantage of Cole's head cold and decided we would all stay in comfy clothes and veg on the couch all day. The boys were good for it and when Rhys woke up from his first nap, I realized his nose was stuffy too. By the end of the day, they both are doing fine. Cole still is a bit snotty but Rhys seems to be no worse for the wear.
I am enjoying a glass of wine and hoping to have a relaxing evening with Chris. It seems like forever since we actually spent some time together. I always feel like we are ships passing in the night...passing children between us. Maybe sometime soon we can have a date night. I have some friends who are in similar situations and we are all co-oping babysitting. I am off to Amber's house on Saturday night to keep her son and she will watch our boys in December when we go to a birthday party.
I am excited to have friends who are available for this and am actually looking forward to getting some reading done after Amber's son goes to sleep on Saturday night. It will be nice to be in a quiet house where there is nothing for me to do - laundry, dishes, etc.
Rhys is doing okay with his sleeping but last night he was up a lot because of those pesky teeth. Cole did beautifully with the potty today...no accidents, no diapers. I am so pleased!
I am enjoying a glass of wine and hoping to have a relaxing evening with Chris. It seems like forever since we actually spent some time together. I always feel like we are ships passing in the night...passing children between us. Maybe sometime soon we can have a date night. I have some friends who are in similar situations and we are all co-oping babysitting. I am off to Amber's house on Saturday night to keep her son and she will watch our boys in December when we go to a birthday party.
I am excited to have friends who are available for this and am actually looking forward to getting some reading done after Amber's son goes to sleep on Saturday night. It will be nice to be in a quiet house where there is nothing for me to do - laundry, dishes, etc.
Rhys is doing okay with his sleeping but last night he was up a lot because of those pesky teeth. Cole did beautifully with the potty today...no accidents, no diapers. I am so pleased!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
What a day!
My mind was racing this morning at 6 so I drug myself out of bed. I actually chanted to myself over and over in my head like a group of cheerleaders were encouraging me along. "Go, Jenny, You can do it! Get out of bed!" I needed those inner voices yelling at me because it was below freezing and the bed was so warm and snugly. I managed to get into the bathroom and brush my teeth. I took it one step at a time...get clothes, change clothes, find gloves, put on gloves - take off gloves to put harness on dog, put on gloves - take off gloves to lace shoes. Finally, put on gloves and head out the door. The sun was coming up and the air was COLD! The leaves were matted with a fine powdery frost and they crunched under my feet and Sasha's paws. We were both glad that the cheerleaders worked today. Maybe I will have a hard time silencing them tomorrow too. Hopefully so.
After the 1.5 mile walk, I was welcomed home by silence. No one was stirring and I was able to get about 5 minutes of reading in before Cole announced that it wasn't "dark again." This is his way of saying that it isn't dark anymore. The Fios installation tech came at 9am and he was here until 2pm. It was exhausting and Cole wasn't at all interested in taking a nap while he was here. Cole did go down for a nap but I had to wake him up to go to the Preschool Preview Night. I had volunteered to help set up but was so glad that my absence didn't make a difference since the people who work at the preschool at the church set up the room before we got there. Phew! Chris and I walked around and narrowed the group down to 3 and now I will make calls and set up dates to visit our top 2. Hopefully, we will get Cole enrolled in the one we want and he will be all set to go for September.
We got home and had supper and I discovered that my beloved laptop has finally bit the dust. Over the past 4 months, it has had trouble starting up. We actually have to tap the bottom to get it to respond. Today, it didn't do anything. Chris, bless him, took the time to remove all of the tiny screws and clean it out, tighten up the innards, and put it all back together again. Unfortunately, his hard work was not rewarded with the familiar log-in screen...still nothing. It is flat-lining. We are lucky to also have a desktop so I have now made myself at home and, once again, we are sharing computer time. Oh well.
Tomorrow will be busy too so I must turn in for now.
Important Rhys update: We have the very first pins and needles that indicate that his bottom teeth are breaking the surface of his gums! TEETH!
After the 1.5 mile walk, I was welcomed home by silence. No one was stirring and I was able to get about 5 minutes of reading in before Cole announced that it wasn't "dark again." This is his way of saying that it isn't dark anymore. The Fios installation tech came at 9am and he was here until 2pm. It was exhausting and Cole wasn't at all interested in taking a nap while he was here. Cole did go down for a nap but I had to wake him up to go to the Preschool Preview Night. I had volunteered to help set up but was so glad that my absence didn't make a difference since the people who work at the preschool at the church set up the room before we got there. Phew! Chris and I walked around and narrowed the group down to 3 and now I will make calls and set up dates to visit our top 2. Hopefully, we will get Cole enrolled in the one we want and he will be all set to go for September.
We got home and had supper and I discovered that my beloved laptop has finally bit the dust. Over the past 4 months, it has had trouble starting up. We actually have to tap the bottom to get it to respond. Today, it didn't do anything. Chris, bless him, took the time to remove all of the tiny screws and clean it out, tighten up the innards, and put it all back together again. Unfortunately, his hard work was not rewarded with the familiar log-in screen...still nothing. It is flat-lining. We are lucky to also have a desktop so I have now made myself at home and, once again, we are sharing computer time. Oh well.
Tomorrow will be busy too so I must turn in for now.
Important Rhys update: We have the very first pins and needles that indicate that his bottom teeth are breaking the surface of his gums! TEETH!
Monday, November 17, 2008
No worse for the pancakes
I am happy to say that the Saturday morning pancake tradition is securely intact at the Harding house. I managed to NOT gain the usual weekend 3 pounds. I am not sure what was different this time because I certainly ate my share of tasty bad stuff throughout the weekend but somehow managed to stave off the gain. Maybe further study is required. I will keep you posted.
Today we had a MOMS Club activity and right before we went, Cole pooped on the potty. Once again, I apologize for all of the potty talk but this is noteworthy stuff. The end of diaperdom is a HUGE step in a person's life and we are celebrating the heck out of it around here. All day, he took himself to the bathroom when the urge struck and he had a full day without diapers and without accidents. Inside, I am doing a little pee-pee dance of my own...and not because I have to go but because I am so proud of him :) Just now, he took himself in the bathroom and Chris stuck his fingers under the door. Cole shouted, "I am going pee, leave me alone!" Chris said, "I am sticking my fingers under the door like you do." Cole shouted back, "Chill out!" We are both giggling about that.
So, I learned today about a fabulous new website/web group called freecycle.org. I registered to become a member of the Pasadena, MD group and am so excited about posting things and getting free stuff! My friend, Jessica uses it and got a whole bag of boy toys that she generously shared with us today. I got three Christmas gift worthy toys for Cole and couldn't be happier about the fact that they are free and used! Purchasing items from thrift stores and consignment shops is my way of stretching the budget and reducing our impact on the environment. I try to reuse as much as possible, recycle what I can't, and generally reduce our waste. Gently used toys are the best because there is no assembly or pesky twist tie packaging to impede your ability to start playing right away!
As an incentive for Cole to poo on the potty, I bought him a matchbox car track with a car. I bought it new from the grocery store because I needed something right away. After he was successful, I pulled it out and started the assembly process that included a full page of stickers and small bits of street signs and light posts. There was even a sticker that was destined to wrap around the caution cone! Honestly, "some assembly required" is usually not an issue for me because someone else paid full price for the pleasure of assembling the toys that we ultimately get a great deal on.
I have some really impressive thrifty friends and we find ourselves sharing our most memorable great deal stories. From coupons and rebates to thrift stores and yard sales, we all have our special tricks to surviving the budget constraints of being stay at home moms. Maybe the next Secretary of Treasury should consult us on the budget. We can pinch a penny until it screams and then toss it in a piggy bank for a rainy day.
Well, that is it for the day. I am three gifts heavier and not three pounds heavier and my purse hasn't been touched!
Today we had a MOMS Club activity and right before we went, Cole pooped on the potty. Once again, I apologize for all of the potty talk but this is noteworthy stuff. The end of diaperdom is a HUGE step in a person's life and we are celebrating the heck out of it around here. All day, he took himself to the bathroom when the urge struck and he had a full day without diapers and without accidents. Inside, I am doing a little pee-pee dance of my own...and not because I have to go but because I am so proud of him :) Just now, he took himself in the bathroom and Chris stuck his fingers under the door. Cole shouted, "I am going pee, leave me alone!" Chris said, "I am sticking my fingers under the door like you do." Cole shouted back, "Chill out!" We are both giggling about that.
So, I learned today about a fabulous new website/web group called freecycle.org. I registered to become a member of the Pasadena, MD group and am so excited about posting things and getting free stuff! My friend, Jessica uses it and got a whole bag of boy toys that she generously shared with us today. I got three Christmas gift worthy toys for Cole and couldn't be happier about the fact that they are free and used! Purchasing items from thrift stores and consignment shops is my way of stretching the budget and reducing our impact on the environment. I try to reuse as much as possible, recycle what I can't, and generally reduce our waste. Gently used toys are the best because there is no assembly or pesky twist tie packaging to impede your ability to start playing right away!
As an incentive for Cole to poo on the potty, I bought him a matchbox car track with a car. I bought it new from the grocery store because I needed something right away. After he was successful, I pulled it out and started the assembly process that included a full page of stickers and small bits of street signs and light posts. There was even a sticker that was destined to wrap around the caution cone! Honestly, "some assembly required" is usually not an issue for me because someone else paid full price for the pleasure of assembling the toys that we ultimately get a great deal on.
I have some really impressive thrifty friends and we find ourselves sharing our most memorable great deal stories. From coupons and rebates to thrift stores and yard sales, we all have our special tricks to surviving the budget constraints of being stay at home moms. Maybe the next Secretary of Treasury should consult us on the budget. We can pinch a penny until it screams and then toss it in a piggy bank for a rainy day.
Well, that is it for the day. I am three gifts heavier and not three pounds heavier and my purse hasn't been touched!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Books Brunch and Booze
We had a great day. I took Rhys with me to Silver Spring to meet up with the DC girls for Books, Brunch, and Booze. Basically, we swapped books, ate yummy brunch food, and drank Mimosas and Bloody Marys. It was a lovely time and wonderful to see everyone again. Rhys was a gem as usual and seemed to enjoy the stimulation of all of the women doting on him. He was so keyed up that he didn't sleep for the drive home and crashed when we got home. He slept for over 2 hours!
Cole did "bloke stuff" with Chris and they seemed to have had a good time too. Cole is on a television diet so we did a lot of game playing and book reading today. I hope to get time to start reading the books that I picked up at the swap today. I roasted a chicken and we had that for dinner and after the boys went to bed, Chris and I watched Casino Royale.
Tomorrow we head out for an activity in the morning so I am going to head to bed.
Cole did "bloke stuff" with Chris and they seemed to have had a good time too. Cole is on a television diet so we did a lot of game playing and book reading today. I hope to get time to start reading the books that I picked up at the swap today. I roasted a chicken and we had that for dinner and after the boys went to bed, Chris and I watched Casino Royale.
Tomorrow we head out for an activity in the morning so I am going to head to bed.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Another full Saturday
We started the day with pancakes and then went to Chuck E Cheese for Cole's potty training celebration. He was in under pants all day without any pee accidents. Unfortunately, he is still having a hard time committing to pooing on the potty but I have patience and he will get it within a few days. I am so excited for him and proud of him.
We came home for a break and lunch after a little light shopping and then went back out to Baltimore for the Brit Meetup.
I walked the dog when we got home and am settling down for the night. It was a full day and we had a lot of fun. I am looking forward to tomorrow and some time with the girls.
Happy Saturday!
We came home for a break and lunch after a little light shopping and then went back out to Baltimore for the Brit Meetup.
I walked the dog when we got home and am settling down for the night. It was a full day and we had a lot of fun. I am looking forward to tomorrow and some time with the girls.
Happy Saturday!
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