Me

I had thought I would sit down and update the blog with stuff about the kids. They are pretty much the same, actually, Rhys is almost 3 and has attitude and kindness all rolled into one. Cole is 5 now and is super independent but still wants me to help him do simple things and hold his hand. He wants to go to church every day so he can have alone time with me on the pew. I decided instead to give an update on me.

I am down to 1 physical therapy session per week, off antibiotics, and take ibuprofen less frequently than in weeks past. I am not convinced that any of the effort from the month of February is to be credited for the improvements, rather the weather has improved, I am exercising more because I am feeling better, and that positive cycle is creating an overall improved wellness for me. Did it hurt? No! I am sure it didn't. Was it a waste of time? Maybe. The jury is out on that but in the end, what is done is done and I did learn that my hip pain starts in my lower back so if I can strengthen and stretch my core and lower back, I will generally feel better.

I am going to school now and homework and studying at home is challenging. I am never in the mood and come up with ultra lame excuses to put it off. I am a hazard to myself, truly. It will get done - it always does. I feel like I need more accountability. Honestly, I don't know what needs to happen for me to do it. I will be spending some time at the library this weekend and hope that will help me to feel like more stuff is sinking into my brain. I just truly struggle to engage all of the neurons on the subject matter...ugh.

I am working still. I love, love, love it. I can't say much more. I love the challenges, I love that it is pretty easy to me because of the knowledge that has managed to sink in over the years. I love the people I work with and the girl who works for me. I love the opportunity that it gives me and the opportunity I give others. I love our babysitter. She is a blessing and I can't ask for a better situation for my kids.

I am planning a girl's weekend! So excited to get away with my friends and the friends of my children without our children...for 3 days! I am also planning family weekeng getaways and looking so forward to getting away from the house with people we love spending time with.

I am planning nothing for the summer. This may be a result of over-planning our Spring but at any rate, we have zippo plans for the summer months. I am sure something will present itself and the boys and I will escape, maybe even Chris will come along for some or all of it. This is likely to be the last summer that I have as much free time I as I will before I start working in the office more regularly. This is the last summer before Cole starts school so we really need to take advantage of the time as much as possible.

I am working out again. I am setting no goals and making no restrictions or obligations to myself but I am going when I can and enjoying it when I do. I am not dieting but I am eating on smaller plates and trying not to eat my childrens' leftovers. Trying...

I am struggling with my relationship with food and money and know that my patterns for abusing both of them are related. I hope to be more careful about how I treat both and the emotions that are involved with that. Just because I have the food, doesn't mean I need to eat it and just because I have the extra money, doesn't mean I have to spend it.

That is pretty much all there is to say. I am forever indebted to my friends for helping me have time to do things (like work) without worrying about the wellbeing of my kids. I am forever grateful that I have people in my life that really know me either because they have actually known me for my whole life up until now or because they know they will know me for the rest of my life. I am thankful for health and wellness even when I know I can't say that I have it myself.

The truth about poop

Cole and Rhys are different in most every way. Opposite, actually. The only exception was potty training. They were the same for potty training - to a point. Cole and Rhys both did great with peeing and pooping right away. Then refused to poop on the potty ever again but got into a habit of peeing on the potty over time. Cole overcame his fear of pooping on the potty with the promise of a great reward. Rhys didn't care about the reward and just simply refused. He did finally have a break-through yesterday. Who knew all we needed was for him to determine that needing to go to the potty was the best stall tactic for naps coupled with 2 Fiber One muffins for breakfast! Hopefully, dry nights are also in the near future. For now, pull-ups it is.

In summary: The poo has landed, voluntarily, at least once, in the correct place.

Congratulations, Rhys!

Next up: dressing yourself.

Happy Birthday Cole

My friend Kate does a great tribute to her kids on her blog on their birthdays and I was happy to follow suit. This was a long process that involved me getting butterflies in my stomach remembering how tiny he was and how big he has gotten. Chris calls him Munchkin Major, Buddy, and Cole. I call him Coleole, Colie, and baby... My sleeping new born Cole on his birthday.
Exploring the basement when he was first crawling

Enjoying his 1st Birthday Cake

Watching the goats at the petting zoo at Federal Hill Festival 2007

Showing his sunny face on vacation in OC, MD September 2007.

Enjoying Birthday Pancakes 2008

Our Snow Bunny Winter 2008

Handsome Lad Summer 2008

3rd Birthday

Playing in fountain after failed family photo shoot 2009

1st Day of Preschool

4th Birthday Cake (official party at Extreme Bounce)

Tee Ball Player 2010

Soccer Player 2010

Boy with his best friend (big bear) 2011

Cookies for School

Cole turns 5 tomorrow...amazing, by the way. He will also be at school tomorrow. Parents customarily treat the class with cupcakes. This is a habit that I am not entirely on board with since school goes from 9-12 and they get a parent-packed snack at 10:30. Cupcakes too?! I am all about a cupcake but would prefer it to be packed up and shipped home to enjoy after lunch. That's just me, though.

I wanted to participate in this activity: sharing Cole's birthday celebrations with all of his classmates. Especially since this year, I limited his party invitation list to 5 school friends. I decided to bake peanut-free cookies (since there are 2 peanut allergies on board), decorate them and wrap them up for his friends to enjoy at home.

I think they turned out pretty cute.

Pickin' and Grinin'

Cole ended the family game night early with a temper tantrum (he refused to acknowledge Rhys' win) the other night so Rhys had 1 on 1 time with Chris and I. We had a good time just responding to what he wanted to do and playing along with his games. Chris got the guitar down and I grabbed the camera to get a rare uninterrupted recording of his voice at (almost) 3.

Betime...a little thing

I really have to get better at documenting what we have going on. I have done so well with Facebook postings but I really am lacking in my blogging. I just looked over it and really loved checking out all of the old pictures and moments forever documented. I want to do better and I am going to try.

Right now: I am feeling not-so-great physically but am getting sweet kisses from my 4 year old as I type.

Right now: Rhys is telling Chris that he brushed his teeth front and back. He is rinsing and spitting.

Right now: It is bedtime complete with kisses, snuggles, competitions for affection, and loads of loving.

Right now: Rhys is snuggling Cole in his bunk bed and Cole is showing Rhys is secret weapon to be brave when there is a storm. I gave him a book light the last time we had thunder and told him that it was Daddy's secret light that keeps us all safe during storms and he is now responsible for it. He keeps it under his pillow.

Right now: Rhys is begging Chris for his nosey bear (a little blue bear with a loose thread on the nose that Rhys rubs across his own nose to go to sleep) and his pillowpet (a black and white cow that folds from being a stuffed animal into a flat pillow). It is well worn and was purchased partly with Cole's Christmas money in 2009.

Right now: Cole is telling Rhys that he has snuggled in his bed long enough and it is time for him to go to his own bed.

Niceties are falling by the wayside and Rhys is losing his temper. Too much love, too much of everything. Time for bed..

Good night boys. Sleep tight.

Antibiotic Side Effects and Physical Therapy

I started antibiotics to treat the Lyme Disease and have been experiencing some normal side effects and other not-so-normal side effects.
Nausea - was warned about this and still get it although I take it with food. Terrible heartburn feeling that subsides after about an hour.

1. Chills - ugh! I have never! I take one in the morning and get chills by mid-morning. I also take one before bed (not too close to bed since I have to take it with food AND the bottle instructs me not to lie down within 30 minutes of taking it). I sleep in fleece pajamas and wear two sets of socks and freeze - to the point that it actually wakes me up.
2. Weight loss. Yea! Probably a result of #1 but I am not complaining.

I had my first physical therapy session today. It was just a lot of being prodded and interviewed but I did manage to get a massage from it along with some time wrapped like a pig in a blanket. They wrapped my body completely around my hips with a thick stack of hot towels that were slightly moist...bliss. They are treating my Bursitis in my hips along with my lumbar which is contributing to the Bursitis. They will also treat my Fibromyalgia.

He knows that I need a lot of work and is looking forward to helping me. I am to start going 3 times/week. They have pretty flexible hours but the pool time is all in the middle of the day. To start, I have 2 days in the office and 1 day in the pool. I am trying to make this the priority but know it will be challenging to fit everything in. Truly, making myself well is the priority. Unfortunately, meeting the basic needs of my children (i.e. not leaving them unattended) is really the priority. Chris has work and I have some pretty crazy scheduling happening but I know I can make it happen but realize that I will have to reschedule some of these appointments.

It will all be fine. I have wonderful friends who have offered to help and I hope that I have enough folks to lean on that I don't have to keep going back to the same well. My insurance only covers 30 visits/year so I will surely be taking advantage of all of them.