Monday, March 26, 2007

Relaxing weekend…

All the illness has been banished from our home! And I hope it stays that way for a long time! I don’t think I can take any more.

Friday, since I’d been sick all week, I decided Kyan and I wouldn’t do much. I got my house cleaned (yay!), did some laundry, and we ran over to the store to get stuff to make cupcakes! We watched far too much tv (I swear he’d watch all day long if I’d let him) and just got caught back up. Chinese for dinner and that’s about it. Nice!

Saturday, Jaben’s Cub Scout pack had their pinewood derby. Aunt Keli goes every year (she helps make the car!), so we picked her up a little before 10, got to the church and weighed in. Jaben’s car was dead on for weight, so we had an hour to kill. 2 hotdogs, 3 drinks, 3 bags of chips and 2 cookies later, they were ready to begin!

Jaben was called up to lead the pledge of allegiance and the Cub Scout promise!!!! Of course I suck and didn’t bring a camera, but he looked so grown up and proud up there… I wish I had pics to share. He didn’t know he was doing it, but he was very proud – he did a very good job!! As for the race, he lost his first heat, won his second and lost his third. So we left because I didn’t see any need to hang around to see who won and really, we were all done by then.

Went home, tried fruitlessly to get Kyan to take a nap, and around 2:30 left to the rec to go swimming. That was a lot of fun!! Jaben’s a fish, and Kyan - in his own words says, “I wuv it simmin’!” That made me laugh… my 2 little fishies! I was the same way as a kid, and Jaben and I decided it’d be fun to be mer-people and live in the water.

But, we got hungry around 4:30, so off to Burger King with us!

We’ve got 2 BK’s in town, but one play area is better padded and more Kyan-sized, so we went there. Conveniently right up the street from the rec center. We all ate and then the boys played for a while. More fun for Kyan than Jaben tho… being Kyan-sized it’s a little small for Jaben. I told him next time we’d go somewhere more suited to him.

Sunday, we took it easy again. Hung around in pajamas for a long time, did some laundry, then during Kyan’s nap time I forced Jaben out back to do some yard work. He didn’t do much, but I raked up tons of leaves and we cleaned up more trash than I’m willing to admit! Jabe frustrates me to no end, but at least the yard looks better. Not great, by any means, but better. For now I’ll take better.

Once Ky got up, we played outside for a while longer, then went for ice cream. Kyan ate an entire small vanilla cone! The whole thing!! I guess he was hungry. * guilty *

Once we got back from the ice cream place, we were done! Fend for yourself dinner (I did remember to feed Kyan!), lots of possibly inappropriate Fox prime time cartoons and bed.

I love this warmer weather and wish it would go ahead and stay this way. It won’t… we always get one snowfall in April… but I’d be fine with skipping that this year. It just feels like a more productive, restful, family kind of weekend when we can get out and do things.

Bring on summer!!

Friday, March 23, 2007

EW!

I was just reading on a message board, and this was what one poster wrote:

The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics both advocate breastfeeding as the best possible option for babies. The second best is pumped breast milk. Number 3 is another mom's milk. The last option is artificial baby milk.

For starters, I had pretty nasty PPD with my oldest that was exaserbated (sp???) by breast feeding. I stopped really early on an used formula. I didn't even attempt to nurse with the little one because I was already on antidepressants - the whole pregnancy - and knew it would be a horrible, horrible decision. I knew from the minute that little "PREGNANT" showed up on the stick that we'd be using formula. I get really sick of the nursing Nazis who compare formula to poison because they have never walked in my shoes, nor the shoes of any other woman who cannot breastfeed. For me, it was for psychological reasons, for others it's physical. And believe me, the psychological/emotional reasons are just as valid as the physical ones. Just ask any mom who's ever suffered from PPD. You do what you have to do, and for me, it was bottles and formula. I will never regret that decision, I would never go back and change it, and it doesn't make me less of a mom, or a worse mom, than one who breast fed. Bottom line is, for my kids and my family, formula was best. Quote the "pros" all you want, but that quote does not cover every family or every situation. Sometimes, breast simply is not best.

Sorry, went off on a little rant there.

That wasn't even what got me about that post. What got me was that they'd say that giving your child another woman's milk is better for them than formula. Okay, now say it with me --

EW EW EW EW EW EW EW!!!!!!!!!!

Can you IMAGINE feeding your infant something that came out of another persons BODY?? I don't care what kind of screenings they might have, that's just GROSS! Even with tests there are diseases and stuff that won't show up at the time of a test and that could put an infant at risk of some serious disease! I mean really, it's better to give a baby someone else's bodliy fluid than formula?? G.R.O.S.S. I think I ought to check to see if that's accurate... I just can't imagine why anyone would want to do that! You don't know that person, and even if you do I still wouldn't want my friends or family giving my child their breast milk. It's still nasty nasty nasty!!

I'm sure there would be people who'd tell me I might feel differently if I'd nursed (see above: I did, for a short time), but I don't think so. Regardless of how you fed your own children, doesn't the very idea of feeding them something that came out of another woman's breasts just make you gag?

If not, please tell me why not! And if it does, feel free to comment with some major EW's! I can't believe I'm the only one completely repulsed by the very idea.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Mmmmmmmmmints!

Kyan is doing world’s better now. No more vomiting, no more diarrhea. Wish I could say the same for the incessant whining. I’m not sure what’s up with that but it’s driving me and everyone else crazy. I don’t know if he’s still not feeling 100%, or if it’s due to his schedule being messed up for days on end, or if it’s just another phase I’m not going to like, but he’s being a major whine tit. I love the kid, don’t get me wrong, but somebody please tell me how to get him to stop whining!!

It doesn’t help much that I’ve caught his stomach thing. It hit me I think sometime during the night on Saturday night because I woke up with it Sunday morning. If it weren’t for my mom, I’m not sure we would’ve survived Sunday. I couldn’t get out of bed, literally crawling to the bathroom. Repeatedly. ‘Nuff said about that.

I still had to go to work on Monday, and was miserable the whole day. Food is not my friend. I’m also at work today (Tuesday), and managing to get thru it. Not happy about it, but I don’t have any choices. I started sucking on mints this morning because I remember someone telling me once (my grandma, maybe?) that sucking mints was good for nausea. And it is helping, some. I’ve blown thru probably half a pack of lifesavers wint-o-greens already, and if I run out before the end of the day I may need to make a quick run to the store to buy a bag of something minty to suck on.

I’m also (and this is our little secret -- shhhhhh) sitting with my jeans unbuttoned. Nobody can see, nobody knows but me (and anyone on the ‘net who cares), but honestly – when your stomach has been upset for a few days, you don’t want the waistband of jeans digging into it. And they do, when you sit, even if they’re loose. Which these are.

Or maybe that’s just me and my gut… but regardless, if nobody knows then it doesn’t matter and it’s soooooo much more comfortable!

My rockin’ mom, who saved my ass on Sunday taking care of J & K (incessantly whining and crying) made homemade chicken soup last night. And it was so yummy! But my tummy wasn’t quite ready, so that kind of sucked. I packed some up to bring for lunch today, but since food still isn’t my friend, I’m afraid it’s not going to get eaten. Which really is too bad because my mom makes the BEST chicken soup on the planet. I swear.

At this point, I’m just hanging on for warmer weather when the germies will likely leave us alone. I think we’ve had our share of sickness this year – and then some. Hopefully soon everyone will be feeling all better again and this sick season will be behind us!

Friday, March 16, 2007

30,000 blogs. One day. One voice.

Just a little something I read about over at I got two, babe. Sounds like something that could be very cool, so I signed up over at www.bravehumans.com. If you think you might be interested too, below is the text from bravehumans.com:


We want to see if we can gather 30,000 bloggers to act as a single voice for one moment in time. We want to see if such a thing is possible, and if so just how loud we can get.

Think Horton Hears a Who.

Here’s how it works:

Send an email to brian@bravehumans.com with the subject: Yop!

In the body of the email list the name of your weblog, and the URL.

Your weblog will be added to the list of participating weblogs.

Tell your friends who blog about it, and urge them to send in their weblog as well.

When the list reaches 30,000, a date and a word will be listed on the page. On that date, every weblog on the list agrees to make a single post with the word as the title. The content of the post should be about what you want for the world, whatever that may be. The purpose is not to make a particular political statement, but simply to make a noise.

If 30,000 weblogs all post the same unusual word, it WILL be heard.

Have you ever wanted to shout to the world? Here’s your chance.

Vomitus toddlerus & other things

So Kyan is still puking. In fact, he used his perfect aim to projectile vomit on Jaben this morning. Oh his face and upper body. To say Jaben was repulsed is a gross understatement.

Get it? Gross understatement? Yeah, I'm so damn witty.

I just don't know at this point what the hell is going on or what to do to help him get over this and not get sick again in another month. It's getting ridiculous, frustrating, and worrisome. He's got suppositories from the Dr to help with the nausea, but he's still not eating and barely drinking enough. It just seems like with everything doctors can do these days, there would be a way to get a toddler thru a virus (?) more quickly and with less pain than this. I know there are many people with truly sick kids and other loved ones, but this one is MINE and I want him better. Healthy. As in, no longer puking up everything that hits his little tummy.

**********************************************

Speaking of people with real physical hurdles........ I posted earlier about Erik's friend Uma and what she's been going thru after having an aneurysm burst. She is now back in California thanx to a ride on an air ambulance and according to all of Erik's updates, is making amazing strides. The treatment Uma needs is going to be costly and go on for quite a while. The air ambulance alone was $20,000, I think. I might have that wrong as I'm going from memory here. But regardless of the actual dollar amount it's a lot. There is also ongoing hospitalization, rehab, and basic living expenses once she's out of the hospital and back home, yet unable to work. She's making amazing strides, as I said, but it's going to take a lot of time. And money.

I can't personally help out in that way, but I thought I'd contribute in this way. They've set up a site you can visit to help with Uma's expenses. I love that they're not only doing this, but that it's working. People are sending money to help Uma, and on his blog, Erik has kept the updates current so we can all see how wonderfully Uma is progressing. If you haven't read about Uma's story, please go check it out. She's inspiring. And if you have a few extra $$, I know where it can be put to good use.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Kirk Is Yummy

Your 80s Heartthrob Is

Kirk Cameron

Update on Kyan

Ky seems to be doing a lot better today! We got a prescription for anti-nausea suppositories yesterday, and that, combined with the Tylenol had him acting almost like himself again. Thank God. It’s so hard watching a child that small who is so sick… they don’t understand and it’s just heartbreaking. Even before meds this morning, he seemed better. He got up while I was having a bagel before work (he’s with Grandma today – yay Grandma!), and wanted some so I gave it to him. As I was leaving, he asked Grandma for a bagel and milk, so she was giving him that too. I’m okay with the bagel, not sure if I’d have given him milk, but she seemed to be okay with it so I’m not going to worry about it. I did call a little while ago and she said it stayed down, but he’s still having a lot of diarrhea. Hopefully that’s just his little body cleaning out the “bad stuff” and he’ll be even better tomorrow. I’ve decided not to work tomorrow to make up time, I’ll just have it come out of sick or vacation time, because I feel he needs to be home one more day, so it’ll just be a bonus if he’s even better. We’ll just have to see. Either way, we have meds that we know help him feel better and the Dr is taking it seriously so I’m sure this won’t be a 2-week virus. Not this time!

Now if we can just keep Jaben from getting it, I’m hoping this will be the last of our winter germs. Someone tell the weather to warm back up so we can open windows and get back out more! We need spring weather to wash away all the nasty, nasty bugs!

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

The one with no title

Kyan is sick again. He started vomiting at the babysitter's yesterday morning and continued to vomit on and off until about 11:30 last night. Not to mention diarrhea. Oh wait, I just mentioned it. It hasn't been that long since he's been this sick so I think I need to call the Dr. I don't think they'll say anyting other than it's another virus, let it run it's course, but if he keeps getting sick like this I want it on record. I'm just really exhausted today from getting little to no sleep last night.

Not to be too much of a downer, I have a cute Jaben story...

I had to leave before him yesterday morning and when I need to do that I use the walkie-talkie feature on our phones to keep in contact with him and make sure he's okay and is getting everything ready for school.

After I dropped Kyan off at the sitter's, I 2-way'd Jaben like I always do to see how he was and let him know I was heading to work. I don't know if anyone else will find this funny, but he cracked me up... instead of answering me like he normally would, he just comes over the walkie-talkie with... "and theeeeeeennnnnnnn.........???"

That kid... lol... he knows exactly what will make me giggle. He did it the exact number of times to make me laugh, but not enough to piss me off, so he played it just right. I don't know if I should be letting a 10 yr old watch Dude Where's My Car (we LOVE that movie, cracks me up every time), but it was worth it, if only for this. He's so funny when he wants to be!

VisualDNA

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Yep, sounds like something I'd do...

Well, you have been spared the lengthy 100 things about me post. It seems I used my epic 100th post on a meme. I knew it was coming up, I was counting down and it just didn't happen. Guess you'll have to wait for 200. Or not.

So yeah, this is post 101.

In other news, Kyan slept in his big boy bed last night! I decided it was just time to move on. No real reason, beyond my being tired of being kicked in the back or the stomach (depending on which direction I was laying) all night long. So yesterday I washed the boys' bedding, flipped and febreezed mattresses (even cleaned their room!) and made up Kyan's big boy bed with the Blues Clues bedding (Spongebob blanket on top). He did okay in it for his nap yesterday, he only played and talked to himself a few minutes before falling asleep. But bedtime last night he didn't do as well. Cried for a while, tried to get into bed with Jaben... nothing unexpected, but no fits, which WAS unexpected. He was up at around 11, again around 1, then slept thru till 7. Each time I put him back to bed, so yay for me because I do tend to give in on things in the middle of the night.

Hopefully tonight will go better, but I don't expect so. Knowing him, I would expect some temper at bedtime and probably a few more night wakings. But eventually, he will sleep. And he needs to do it in his own bed. I need him to now, and he needs him to now. It's just time.

Now if only I can hold out and get thru the tough beginning part, he will be a happier toddler and I will be a happier mommy. Sleeeeeeeeeeep, baby, sleeeeeeeeeeep.

Friday, March 09, 2007

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by Tina over at Palm Tree Fanatic to post 5 reasons I blog...

1. I started my blog because I was reading several that I really enjoyed and I wanted to play too!

2. Because it's nice when people comment about things that are bothering me and make me feel better. I might not reply to the comments, but believe me, they mean a lot and do help (especially the one the other day, Ray-Ray!)

3. To show off my kids!

4. Sometimes it's honestly just because I'm bored at work.

5. This is a relatively new reason, but because of the amazing things I've seen come of Erik's posts about Uma's situation, I think that some day it might make a place where I could help someone who needed it.

And now I get to tag YOU! Specifically, I'm going to tag Erik and Ray-Ray, but if you're reading this and you have a blog... well then, TAG! YOU'RE IT!

Monday, March 05, 2007

the noise in the ceiling... among other things

I’m irritated. My Internet is down and I don’t like that. Not only can I not mess around online at work (bad girl, I know), but I can’t check my email, which I NEED to do for my job! Frustrating. The ‘net goes down around here all the time – but just on my computer. It’s usually only a couple of hours, but nobody knows why it does that and nobody seems particularly interested in fixing it. So, I’m bored. Not just because of the things I shouldn’t be doing but can’t, but because I need to be able to get to email to get a logo I need for a job, and can’t. So what do I do? Well I open Word, of course, and type a blog entry.

It sounds like there is something crawling around in the ceiling above my head – L swears it’s just the wind when someone leaves the door open – and every time it happens I swear the ceiling is going to fall down on me. If there is some kind of animal up there (we’ve had a bird once), I swear it’s going to totally freak me out. Ugh – animals belong outside!

****************************************

I read something in the paper the other day that bothered me. If I could get online, I’d get the exact quote, but since I can’t I’m going to have to go by memory. The story was about a boy who supposedly flipped off the transportation director after getting off his badly delayed school bus. Now the bus wasn’t delayed because of anything this particular boy did. It was delayed because another student was acting up. The bus driver called the transportation director who said he’d be right there and not to move the bus. FOURTY MINUTES LATER – he showed up and the bus got moving again. First of all, as a parent I’d be very upset if they kept my child on a bus that long for what doesn’t seem like a very good reason. That just seems irresponsible to me. I would expect my child home around the correct time every day and I would not expect the bus driver to make him late because of another child. But that’s not the point.

When the boy in question got off the bus, the transportation director, who was tailing the bus, said the boy flipped him off. The bus driver didn’t see it, the other boy who got off at that stop didn’t see it… nobody saw the boy do this except the transportation director. And so the boy got in trouble.

I think that’s wrong, but that’s not what bothered me. Later in the article, the superintendent was quoted saying something to the effect of the school being responsible for children door-to-door… meaning they are responsible for their conduct and safety until they reach home. This is a good policy. Or, it would be if the school actually followed it. Which they don’t, obviously except when it suits them.

When my son was attacked on the way home from school, I was told that between school and home is a gray area and the school would do nothing. Along with their false zero-tolerance policy, this door-to-door policy seems to be suitable only to the school’s needs. I find it absolutely ridiculous that they would use this “rule” to punish a child, with no credible witnesses, for something as innocuous as a finger, and ignore it in the case of two children attacking one child – with witnesses. The further my son goes in this school district, the more I wish we had choices. If there were somewhere else I could send him, I would seriously consider it. I just find it difficult to have faith in a school system that looks out for it’s own interests more than the safety of the kids. I simply do not understand why it’s more punishable for a child to * maybe * have flipped off an adult, than it is for two children to attack another.

I guess it’s okay to beat the tar out of each other… just don’t do it in front of the transportation director.

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Okay, this sucks

I’m about to prove what a big dork I am. I’ve got a raging addiction. To Diet Pepsi.

Yes, you read that right. I’m addicted to Diet Pepsi. Of all things.

I know there are much worse things, like, oh… say, heroin, but this sucks. It’s been going on for years… literally years. But it’s just gotten out of hand and it’s time to stop. It’s giving me stomach problems, I take it everywhere with me, it’s the only thing I drink, it is definitely my constant companion. And it’s gotten expensive as hell.

So it’s just got to stop.

But it’s soooooo not easy. I know I have to wean myself from the caffeine, but even so I woke up with a nasty caffeine headache this morning. I’ve had enough today to kill that, but I can feel the headache lingering around the edges. I’m going to have to have more in a little while to take it back down again, I know that. And I want to drink it. Oh how I’d love to have some! But I don’t want it. For every reason I just listed, I don’t want it. I actually feel a lot better when I just drink water, so I’d kind of prefer to just be able to put the damn pop away and drink water. But it’s just not going to happen that way. I can’t live with a headache for days, and nobody around me deserves to live with how nasty I’d get. Trust me on this one.

So, for the next week or so, I’m probably going to be back and forth between “I’ve got to just get over this” and “gotta have it!” It’s not going to be easy for me and wow what a stupid thing to get hooked on. I swear there are things in it that are at least as addictive, if not more so, than the caffeine.

Anyone ever been thru this? Are there tricks I don’t know about? I actually did a google search on it yesterday and it seems to be a pretty common addiction, but nobody has any neat tricks to stop. All I’ve found is that there will be headaches and stuff for a while and boo-hoo, you’ll get over it. Not so helpful.

Ah well. Encouragement is always appreciated. Or just feel free to make fun of me. Laughter is good for the soul and all that, so it’s got to be good for overcoming the dumbest addiction on the planet. Right?