C is just shy of 6 1/2 years old, and we are a tired bunch because, despite his age, C STILL does not sleep through the night. Business trips are when I get uninterrupted sleep, which usually still ends up interrupted with catch-up for work. Anyway, true to form, we heard C get up last night. The hubs and I were downstairs watching something on History International (hot Saturday night, I know) since I just wasn't sleepy (rare). And we heard C get up, but it sounded more like a thump, so we both ran for the stairs, afraid he fell out of bed.
No, the dear boy had not fallen. He had stumbled into the bathroom and there he stood in full glory PEEING IN THE LAUNDRY BASKET...FULL OF CLOTHES! I thought, "am I really seeing this?" And it was one of those long, did-you-swallow-the-ocean-today? type of pees. To top it off, he was still asleep. The boy SLEEPWALKED into his bathroom and let loose on the basket.
There are many ways to react to situation such as this, but really, what are you going to do? The hubs and I were so stunned, and so wiped out, that all we could do was laugh...belly-busting laughter...which woke C up...which means he turned to the sound of the laughter, and in doing so, continued to stream all over the bathroom floor. He opened his eyes and shouted "STOP LAUGHING AT ME!" all the while, still urinating all over the floor. He proceeded to pull his pants up, marched back to bed, and had absolutely no recollection of the event this morning. I may have been up until 2am doing laundry and scrubbing the floor, but I can say it was completely worth it for the laughter.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Surviving Craigslist
I've been looking for an elliptical that wouldn't cost me a fortune, so I decided to foray into the world of Craigslist. Now that our hot and humid summers are in full effect, I wanted a low-effort way to burn calories while keeping some creature comforts, namely AC and some TV/Netflix to distract me from workout torture. To Craigslist I went and found an elliptical listed for $50- just listed, while all of the others were $150-$300.
So, I emailed the owner, got my questions answered, and we decided to meet at the owner's house early this morning. The home was a few cities over from where I live, so naturally, I told the hubs he had to come with me, and we'd drive by first...to make sure it looked relatively safe. The whole drive to the home I'm wondering where this is, how safe is the neighborhood, etc. I felt even better when we saw one of the neighbors out doing yardwork and wearing a t-shirt from our church. Of course, I left the address with my parents, just in case I was headed to the home of Craigslist killers that were going to take us hostage. Natural fear, right?
We pull up to a home in an older, but well-kept neighborhood, and think "so far, so good" and ring the bell. And who answers the door? Not some hostage-taking, meth-making crazy, but a sweet older woman who is downsizing from a home to a condo and no longer needs the elliptical taking up space in a spare room. I think she was relieved we were fairly "normal" looking buyers too. She chuckled and told us she'd meet us in the garage, since she had "no idea who would show up" and asked her husband to lug the machine to the garage so they didn't have random people, from Craigslist, in the house.
$50 later, I am the new owner of an elliptical, the lady has one more thing cleared out of her home, I've already started burning calories and C is burning off extra energy. A win for all!
So, I emailed the owner, got my questions answered, and we decided to meet at the owner's house early this morning. The home was a few cities over from where I live, so naturally, I told the hubs he had to come with me, and we'd drive by first...to make sure it looked relatively safe. The whole drive to the home I'm wondering where this is, how safe is the neighborhood, etc. I felt even better when we saw one of the neighbors out doing yardwork and wearing a t-shirt from our church. Of course, I left the address with my parents, just in case I was headed to the home of Craigslist killers that were going to take us hostage. Natural fear, right?
We pull up to a home in an older, but well-kept neighborhood, and think "so far, so good" and ring the bell. And who answers the door? Not some hostage-taking, meth-making crazy, but a sweet older woman who is downsizing from a home to a condo and no longer needs the elliptical taking up space in a spare room. I think she was relieved we were fairly "normal" looking buyers too. She chuckled and told us she'd meet us in the garage, since she had "no idea who would show up" and asked her husband to lug the machine to the garage so they didn't have random people, from Craigslist, in the house.
$50 later, I am the new owner of an elliptical, the lady has one more thing cleared out of her home, I've already started burning calories and C is burning off extra energy. A win for all!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Friday Night Leftovers- The-No-Cute-Title Edition
I seriously could not even think of a title for this edition- my brain is spent!
Last week I was in Charlotte (business) but had a fantastic time catching up with friends, especially staying with a dear friend on Thursday that I had not seen in WAY too long. What is such a blessing is that we were able to pick up like we'd never left off...and we will not let this much time pass between visits. Stop by and give her some love at http://littlepapiandpunkin.blogspot.com
I hope this is one of my last posts without photos...fingers crossed we are laptop shopping this weekend.
C had a good time at camp this week and a fabulous time at VBS last week. I took next week off- not thrilled with the staycation idea for the week, but I do have Aruba to look forward to in August. We have some fun planned next week too, including a trip to the country to visit a family friend.
Trying to wrap up work prior to vacation is never a small event, nor is it enjoyable. I really need to get back to that.
Hubs and I have a date night tonight- actually headed to the movies! Any suggestions?
Want to be part of the FNL fun? Post a comment with a link to your blog, and don't forget to join the orginal FNL party at http://sippycupsarenotforstarbucks.blogspot.com
Friday, June 17, 2011
Friday Night Leftovers- The Random Edition
Still crazy busy around here...I don't know if I am coming or going and the house is a mess! Oh well, here it is...
The new deck is just about finished (LOVE IT!)...now to stain and seal it...and get some furniture for it. Windows should be in the next few weeks, so The Money Pit is looking better, but still has many more projects to go. Too bad my budget doesns't align with all of the project needs, but good thing we like the house and the neighborhood, because we'll be here a long time at this rate.
C finished Kindergarten yesterday and I don't know what it more bittersweet: watching him go off to school the first day, or having him come home yesterday to tell me he is now a 1st grader.
I've not printed photos since C was 9 months old...I am going to a crop tonight...you see my dilemma. Goal is to have 5th birthday trip to Disney completed tonight. 332 of 800+ photos selected and printing off at the lab now. God help me!
When you explode Red Curry Panang Tuna in the microwave, it takes a LONG time to clean up.
Still feels like I am never going to catch up with this house...between the projects and the clutter it's a complete time suck and that's the one thing I always seem to be short of: TIME! That's my big frustration these days.
2 months until Aruba!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Friday Night Leftovers- The Making a Comeback Edition
- I'm happy to be blogging again, regardless of how busy and crazy it is around here...and I look forward to reading all of the other FNLs out there...it's been way too long!
- You can now leave a comment...it's working (hint, hint)...for all two of my readers.
- The little guy makes me proud; he saved his birthday and tooth fairy money to buy a new bike. He's crashed three times in the first five minutes on it. If you know C, you are not surprised.
- I stocked up on Sara Bee wine today. Coincidence? I think not.
- There are many conversations I am not yet ready to have with C yet. Leaving the store tonight he tells me, "Well that's weird...those big-year-old kids were holding hands." I responded, "they must really like each other" and we left it at that.
- I accidentally dropped a can of sunblock on the shep's nose. Poor thing yelped and he is still giving me the stink eye.
- Henry Limpitt is on his last gills :(
- Tooth #6 fell out this week...it's amazing the kid still manages to eat.
- Final baseball game is this weekend, followed my some work in the garden.
- Read The Help in 48 hours: best book! Look forward to the movie this August and hope it stays true to the book.
- I had such a nice evening with my mama this week- manicures, shopping, and dinner...and pedicures this coming week. Woot! A little spoiling never hurt anyone, right?
Want to join the FNL fun? I don't remember all of this directions, but in a nutshell:
1. Comment with a link back to your blog and your FNL post (grab the image at the top here).
2. Stop by Sippy Cups are Not for Starbucks and leave some FNL love.
3. Check out all of the other FNL posters.
Almost Summer
A sure sign of summer on our horizon is the peak of strawberry season, and I think last weekend was the "it" weekend. It was a bountiful crop this year; the overcast sky and swift breeze kept it comfortable while we went to work. And for a kid who refuses to eat strawberries, he sure works hard at picking them!
Look at this beauty!
Perfection!
C guessed that we picked 10 pounds, I guessed 12, and we came in with 12.5 pounds! Pretty good estimation skills for a little guy.
C loves to check out all of the tractors and farm equipment. I like that we found a farm that is nearby!
Stopped by the park on the way home.
Is that a frog in front of those roses?
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Miracle Workers
Hard to believe it's been almost two months since my last entry...I know all two of my readers miss me, right? ;)
I recently spent this Mother's Day like each one prior for the past six years: so thankful to be "Mama" to my sweet, miracle boy. And as I considered just what a miracle this little guy is for us, I was reminded how even when we are at our lowest, our most desperate, God is working.
I used to wonder what the modern day "Lazarus moment" looks like...the miracles documented in the New Testament do not seem to find a home today, at least not in such a visual and tangible form. I wonder no more. I've not blogged much about it, but for those close to us, you know C had a terrible, freak accident on the eve of his birthday. He learned the tough way that you do not tackle and choke hold a sleeping German Shepherd to "hug" goodnight.
C had gone up to bed, I was in the kitchen washing dishes, and he snuck back downstairs for "one more hug and kiss goodnight." As his feet padded toward the kitchen I heard "goodnight 'koda," a yelp/growl, then screaming. I ran into the living room to see blood gushing out of C's head and what I could not tell was if the injury was to C's eye, head, or both. I lost it...as in lost-it-in-the-worst-way-in-front-of-your-kid lost it. I get the chills, sweats, and a stomach ache just writing this. I grabbed a dishtowel, put it on C's head, picked him up, then I started screaming and crying. Yep, totally lost it. M ran downstairs, saw the chaos, and off to the closest ER we went.
I was in a panic- still don't know how I got us safely to the ER while M was in the backseat with C. We opted not to drive to the Children's Hospital about 40 miles away; we figured with so much blood lost and not knowing if the eye was injured, we needed the closest ER. And I get so angry when I think about this, but still, God was working. The ER took us back almost immediately, despite not being able to find my insurance card and a jam-packed waiting room. And then we waited...and waited...and waited...and in 2.5 hours not only did my child not even get a BANDAGE for his head (thank goodness for the dishtowel), but we literally had to ask for pain relief. Finally, he was given codeine, antibiotics, and at least was getting doped up enough that he could calm down. He was pitiful, just pitiful.
All I could do at that point was pray...I was crying, and anger bubbling over inside...it's such a helpless feeling to see your child injured, in severe pain, and there is nothing you can do to make it better. I now understand how some folks just "lose it." Hounding the nurses and the ER docs didn't bring answers quickly- the docs were stumped. And while they should have made this call much earlier in the evening, not 2.5 hours later, the decision to transfer C to another hospital was the best ever. Thankfully, the ER staff did not want to attempt to repair the wound, a plastic surgeon was called, then paged, and he never returned the call, so the decision was made to transfer C to the Children's Hospital. And during this time, I didn't even know what to pray...I just asked that the right hands touch C, the right hands bring him the healing and relief he needed. Really a crude, simple prayer, but oh how God can turn that into something amazing.
One of the ER docs told me he consulted with the attending at Children's, C would be prepped for emergency surgery here, ambulance transferred to Children's, and taken in for emergency surgery. Great, now we have a plan. An IV was started, C's brand new shirt (he was so upset about this) was cut off him and a surgical gown put on. Do you know, the ER never touched C's wound? The paramedics who came to transport him to Children's were the ones who threw out the dishtowel and at least put a dressing on the gaping, and I do mean gaping, wound. Off C goes in the ambulance, I followed by car, and wow, it was humbling to arrive at Children's.
We arrived to an impromptu birthday party for C...three docs and three nurses singing happy birthday to him with presents to boot! Presents were "wrapped" in paper measuring tape, tied and curled to look like ribbon and Connor got to open presents while being evaluated by the three ER docs. I brought C's Bucky Bear in from the car, and Bucky was prepped for surgery to, and even got a matching bandage, just like C's. He (C) was also immediately put on morphine and topical anesthetic applied to the wound for some relief. Take about a night and day experience...we now had compassion and talent packaged together, ready to act. But it gets even better.
We're told the plastic surgeon was on his way in and C would be in surgery about 1.5-2 hours. Surgeon arrives quickly, I immediately like the man and feel confident leaving C in his care. Then the waiting room wait begins. Two hours later, I'm taken back to see C and I am amazed, thinking this man is not just a plastic surgeon, he is some kind of miracle working artist. He took an 8cm long, 2+cm wide gash that was almost down to the bone and made it a beautiful line of tiny stitches, layer upon layer. When I asked how many, he responded, "I stopped counting at 70-some."
When C came to, the staff was still just as wonderful and attentive, playing Disney movies for him, getting him a Slurpee, making sure he was comfortable, etc. until we were discharged. Not how we planned to ring in C's 6th birthday, but this team at Children's made the absolute best of a horrific situation.
And then, I began to see all of the answered prayers that evening, all of the miracle workers who lined up with us-
- My husband, who comforted our suffering son when I was in no condition to do so.
- My mom, who got our panicked call and rushed to the ER, to comfort C and calm me when I was inconsolable. She had already worked a very long day that started around 4:30 am, spent the night in the ER with us, sat with me in the waiting room while Connor was in surgery, and never left my side during that whole, awful ordeal, reassuring me that it would be ok, even if it didn't seem anywhere close to "ok" in the moment.
- My beautiful friend, who dropped everything to meet us at the ER, comfort C when I could not, and provide reassurance to us all...not to mention making sure those nurses were doing it right! I wish for each of you reading this to have a true friend like that- she had just worked a 12 hr night shift as a NICU nurse, spent the night in the ER with us, then offered to follow us to Children's...spent the night in constant communication with us while at Children's, contacted my work for me, and met us at home when we were discharged the next day, with birthday cake, presents, and new shirts for C (since he was so upset about the cut one). Wow- humbling.
- My compassionate co-workers who shared the load so I could focus on C, then surprised him with an amazing care package.
- The physicians at the first hospital knowing their own limitations and calling in the experts, even if that meant a transfer.
-The unbelievable team at Children's that balanced utmost competence with compassion that knew no limits...even the nurse who snuck us past the security guard and broke the "only two" rule.
- A dog that could have bitten and caused more harm than a freak collision, but did not.
- No impact to C's vision.
- And last, but certainly not least, the plastic surgeon, that we wouldn't even learn until the coming days what an answered prayer he is...
It was a rough few days post-surgery. Connor was in a lot of pain, slept through his family birthday party and my family performed a repeat the following night for C...it became a birthday week! We returned to the hospital for suture check and removal, but before we did, I did some research on our good doc. Of all the physicians you could awaken in the middle of the night to fix our kiddo we got:
- The ONLY pediatric plastic surgeon in the entire REGION
- His focus is facial injury and reconstruction
- He was voted a "Top Doc" in 2010 by his peers
Does that just give you chills? All I could pray for was the best of the best, and I got that and so much more. Truly, it was a night of miracles!
I recently spent this Mother's Day like each one prior for the past six years: so thankful to be "Mama" to my sweet, miracle boy. And as I considered just what a miracle this little guy is for us, I was reminded how even when we are at our lowest, our most desperate, God is working.
I used to wonder what the modern day "Lazarus moment" looks like...the miracles documented in the New Testament do not seem to find a home today, at least not in such a visual and tangible form. I wonder no more. I've not blogged much about it, but for those close to us, you know C had a terrible, freak accident on the eve of his birthday. He learned the tough way that you do not tackle and choke hold a sleeping German Shepherd to "hug" goodnight.
C had gone up to bed, I was in the kitchen washing dishes, and he snuck back downstairs for "one more hug and kiss goodnight." As his feet padded toward the kitchen I heard "goodnight 'koda," a yelp/growl, then screaming. I ran into the living room to see blood gushing out of C's head and what I could not tell was if the injury was to C's eye, head, or both. I lost it...as in lost-it-in-the-worst-way-in-front-of-your-kid lost it. I get the chills, sweats, and a stomach ache just writing this. I grabbed a dishtowel, put it on C's head, picked him up, then I started screaming and crying. Yep, totally lost it. M ran downstairs, saw the chaos, and off to the closest ER we went.
I was in a panic- still don't know how I got us safely to the ER while M was in the backseat with C. We opted not to drive to the Children's Hospital about 40 miles away; we figured with so much blood lost and not knowing if the eye was injured, we needed the closest ER. And I get so angry when I think about this, but still, God was working. The ER took us back almost immediately, despite not being able to find my insurance card and a jam-packed waiting room. And then we waited...and waited...and waited...and in 2.5 hours not only did my child not even get a BANDAGE for his head (thank goodness for the dishtowel), but we literally had to ask for pain relief. Finally, he was given codeine, antibiotics, and at least was getting doped up enough that he could calm down. He was pitiful, just pitiful.
All I could do at that point was pray...I was crying, and anger bubbling over inside...it's such a helpless feeling to see your child injured, in severe pain, and there is nothing you can do to make it better. I now understand how some folks just "lose it." Hounding the nurses and the ER docs didn't bring answers quickly- the docs were stumped. And while they should have made this call much earlier in the evening, not 2.5 hours later, the decision to transfer C to another hospital was the best ever. Thankfully, the ER staff did not want to attempt to repair the wound, a plastic surgeon was called, then paged, and he never returned the call, so the decision was made to transfer C to the Children's Hospital. And during this time, I didn't even know what to pray...I just asked that the right hands touch C, the right hands bring him the healing and relief he needed. Really a crude, simple prayer, but oh how God can turn that into something amazing.
One of the ER docs told me he consulted with the attending at Children's, C would be prepped for emergency surgery here, ambulance transferred to Children's, and taken in for emergency surgery. Great, now we have a plan. An IV was started, C's brand new shirt (he was so upset about this) was cut off him and a surgical gown put on. Do you know, the ER never touched C's wound? The paramedics who came to transport him to Children's were the ones who threw out the dishtowel and at least put a dressing on the gaping, and I do mean gaping, wound. Off C goes in the ambulance, I followed by car, and wow, it was humbling to arrive at Children's.
We arrived to an impromptu birthday party for C...three docs and three nurses singing happy birthday to him with presents to boot! Presents were "wrapped" in paper measuring tape, tied and curled to look like ribbon and Connor got to open presents while being evaluated by the three ER docs. I brought C's Bucky Bear in from the car, and Bucky was prepped for surgery to, and even got a matching bandage, just like C's. He (C) was also immediately put on morphine and topical anesthetic applied to the wound for some relief. Take about a night and day experience...we now had compassion and talent packaged together, ready to act. But it gets even better.
We're told the plastic surgeon was on his way in and C would be in surgery about 1.5-2 hours. Surgeon arrives quickly, I immediately like the man and feel confident leaving C in his care. Then the waiting room wait begins. Two hours later, I'm taken back to see C and I am amazed, thinking this man is not just a plastic surgeon, he is some kind of miracle working artist. He took an 8cm long, 2+cm wide gash that was almost down to the bone and made it a beautiful line of tiny stitches, layer upon layer. When I asked how many, he responded, "I stopped counting at 70-some."
When C came to, the staff was still just as wonderful and attentive, playing Disney movies for him, getting him a Slurpee, making sure he was comfortable, etc. until we were discharged. Not how we planned to ring in C's 6th birthday, but this team at Children's made the absolute best of a horrific situation.
And then, I began to see all of the answered prayers that evening, all of the miracle workers who lined up with us-
- My husband, who comforted our suffering son when I was in no condition to do so.
- My mom, who got our panicked call and rushed to the ER, to comfort C and calm me when I was inconsolable. She had already worked a very long day that started around 4:30 am, spent the night in the ER with us, sat with me in the waiting room while Connor was in surgery, and never left my side during that whole, awful ordeal, reassuring me that it would be ok, even if it didn't seem anywhere close to "ok" in the moment.
- My beautiful friend, who dropped everything to meet us at the ER, comfort C when I could not, and provide reassurance to us all...not to mention making sure those nurses were doing it right! I wish for each of you reading this to have a true friend like that- she had just worked a 12 hr night shift as a NICU nurse, spent the night in the ER with us, then offered to follow us to Children's...spent the night in constant communication with us while at Children's, contacted my work for me, and met us at home when we were discharged the next day, with birthday cake, presents, and new shirts for C (since he was so upset about the cut one). Wow- humbling.
- My compassionate co-workers who shared the load so I could focus on C, then surprised him with an amazing care package.
- The physicians at the first hospital knowing their own limitations and calling in the experts, even if that meant a transfer.
-The unbelievable team at Children's that balanced utmost competence with compassion that knew no limits...even the nurse who snuck us past the security guard and broke the "only two" rule.
- A dog that could have bitten and caused more harm than a freak collision, but did not.
- No impact to C's vision.
- And last, but certainly not least, the plastic surgeon, that we wouldn't even learn until the coming days what an answered prayer he is...
It was a rough few days post-surgery. Connor was in a lot of pain, slept through his family birthday party and my family performed a repeat the following night for C...it became a birthday week! We returned to the hospital for suture check and removal, but before we did, I did some research on our good doc. Of all the physicians you could awaken in the middle of the night to fix our kiddo we got:
- The ONLY pediatric plastic surgeon in the entire REGION
- His focus is facial injury and reconstruction
- He was voted a "Top Doc" in 2010 by his peers
Does that just give you chills? All I could pray for was the best of the best, and I got that and so much more. Truly, it was a night of miracles!
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