Has anyone ever used a Neti Pot? I went to the doctor about my headaches. She prescribed a whole bunch of crap. At the end of the appointment, I asked her if she could just look in my sinuses, because the chiropractor had told me that he thought my headaches might be sinus-based. I knew I had a deviated septum and an enlarged right turbinate, based on past x-rays and my recent MRI. But the doctor said my right sinus looked terrible a I also have a large polyp in my right sinus. She gave me Biaxin for 10 days, a steroid pack, and recommended a Neti Pot and some other nose sprays. Come back in a month and we'll get a CT scan, and I might need to be referred for sinus surgery. An ENT had suggested a surgery 10 years ago, and I could not stand the idea of the surgery. But I don't know, now, it might be worth it if I could get of these headaches.
So I get the Neti Pot, and when I follow the directions it works perfectly one the first side, but the other side, there is no flow out. It just all goes down my throat and chokes me. I guess that side is just blocked because of all the problems? Or am I doing something wrong?
PS After my facial last night, my skin kept getting more and more inflamed, and this morning I woke up and it was painful and beet red. I am glad I did not do it right before the wedding.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Wednesday
Today was a good day. I met with Missy, who is going to co-coordinate the nursery with me, which I am super excited, not only for the help but I think she has some really great ideas and talents to bring to the ministry. I also think we will work well together. The meeting went well, we got some stuff done, some plans made and some problems solved. Then Sherry took us to lunch at Panera (yummm.. creamy tomato soup with asiago croutons).
I went back to my Mom's and we were very happy to find that Missy's son had a great time playing with my kids and my nephew. Then my mom's neigbors came over from across the street and helped me figure out what to do about Anna's dress. The blue one is now too small. We will go with the ivory and Marie (the neighbor) is going to make a really pretty sash and attach some of the ivory flowers from the sash that came with the dress. She seemed very confident about the whole thing, and very certain that the blue dress was way too small and that flower girls should be in white or ivory. So that's what I needed. Someone just to be kind of pushy and nudge me in the right direction (or any direction that means progress, really).
Then I spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out with the kids and T, my nephew. I came home and Dave had gotten Chinese for dinner (which Anna asks for specifially all the time; the kids wolf down the chicken and brocoli, white rice and wonton soup, I know it's probably too high in salt so we try to leave most of the sauce in the serving containers. I got mixed vegetables, just plain (I hate the gelatinous garlic sauce they normally use. I also ate a few pieces of Dave's general Tso's chicken, which is really nasty mystery meat but does taste delicious. The secret to eating it is to avoid making eye contact, and to never, ever cut it open with your fork. It makes me shudder just thinking about it.
Then I was off to enjoy my Mother's Day Gift: my first facial ever. I got the pumpkin pie facial. It's like an hour of heaven, except for when they paint the burning peel on your face, or when they extract all the gunk from your pores with this sharp metal thing. But it included some very relaxing massage to my chest, neck and arms, and face, and the steam was fabulous for my sinuses. It was just so entertaining! There were so many steps. Clean your face twice, soak with hot towel, examine skin closely, apply peel, apply foamy stuff, hot towel, extractions, toner, wash face, mask, massage, cleanse, tone, moisturize. And the lavender water cotton balls over your eyes! Then the warm aromatherapy pillow on your face. It was just so luxurious ! The room was so dark and pretty and quiet, and the music was a little more elevator than new age, which in my opinion is better. I seriously think I may have missed my calling. God knows how much I love products, and she had so MANY of them. Like a huge stockpile of Dermatologica.
And I adore, adore picking skin. To get to push blackheads out for a living? I mean, come on! I love it when Dave lets me pop a zit or work on an ingrown hair. I know it's not really just quirky, it's disgusting. But I love to pull splinters out, peel sunburns, oil my kids heads and scrape all the cradle cap off, pluck eyebrows, work on ingrown toenails....... Maybe I am just really a gross person. Probably. Most probably definitely.
Anyways, the facial was fantastic. I smell like a piece of pumpkin pie with a nice cup of chai tea on the side. I was so relaxed afterwards that I could barely figure out my credit card receipt. Then I just could not go home! I went to Wild Oats (they are closing, and EVERYTHING is 30% off. I browsed around, purchasing two tubes of tomato paste (the kind you keep in the fridge instead of the stupid can where you use a third of it and throw it away), a cooking magazine, and some body lotion. Next I went to Starbucks. For the first time ever, the coffee had no power over me. I have not had one ounce since Sunday, which is pretty awesome. I sort of had a revelation while I was chugging my latte and trying to avoid looking at a man holding a hungry homeless sign at the intersection. It just seemed absurdly wasteful and I decided I needed to get some control over my coffee/latte/americano addiction.
I got a black hot tea and a raspberry apricot jam scone. I sat for an entire hour and graded papers for my tutoring student. This was like heaven to me. Correcting grammar, yummy treat, no interruptions?????
So it's been a good day, even though my steroids are making me a little MANIC and HUngry and my antibiotic is making me sick and hurting my stomach. So it's like I am starving but I don't want to eat anything. Which I guess with my brother's wedding coming up so soon, may be a blessing. The tailors give me my final fitting on Saturday. They demanded I be there at 800 am. I had better fit into the dress, I am a little afraid of what they might say. THose are some pretty fierce old ladies.
I went back to my Mom's and we were very happy to find that Missy's son had a great time playing with my kids and my nephew. Then my mom's neigbors came over from across the street and helped me figure out what to do about Anna's dress. The blue one is now too small. We will go with the ivory and Marie (the neighbor) is going to make a really pretty sash and attach some of the ivory flowers from the sash that came with the dress. She seemed very confident about the whole thing, and very certain that the blue dress was way too small and that flower girls should be in white or ivory. So that's what I needed. Someone just to be kind of pushy and nudge me in the right direction (or any direction that means progress, really).
Then I spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out with the kids and T, my nephew. I came home and Dave had gotten Chinese for dinner (which Anna asks for specifially all the time; the kids wolf down the chicken and brocoli, white rice and wonton soup, I know it's probably too high in salt so we try to leave most of the sauce in the serving containers. I got mixed vegetables, just plain (I hate the gelatinous garlic sauce they normally use. I also ate a few pieces of Dave's general Tso's chicken, which is really nasty mystery meat but does taste delicious. The secret to eating it is to avoid making eye contact, and to never, ever cut it open with your fork. It makes me shudder just thinking about it.
Then I was off to enjoy my Mother's Day Gift: my first facial ever. I got the pumpkin pie facial. It's like an hour of heaven, except for when they paint the burning peel on your face, or when they extract all the gunk from your pores with this sharp metal thing. But it included some very relaxing massage to my chest, neck and arms, and face, and the steam was fabulous for my sinuses. It was just so entertaining! There were so many steps. Clean your face twice, soak with hot towel, examine skin closely, apply peel, apply foamy stuff, hot towel, extractions, toner, wash face, mask, massage, cleanse, tone, moisturize. And the lavender water cotton balls over your eyes! Then the warm aromatherapy pillow on your face. It was just so luxurious ! The room was so dark and pretty and quiet, and the music was a little more elevator than new age, which in my opinion is better. I seriously think I may have missed my calling. God knows how much I love products, and she had so MANY of them. Like a huge stockpile of Dermatologica.
And I adore, adore picking skin. To get to push blackheads out for a living? I mean, come on! I love it when Dave lets me pop a zit or work on an ingrown hair. I know it's not really just quirky, it's disgusting. But I love to pull splinters out, peel sunburns, oil my kids heads and scrape all the cradle cap off, pluck eyebrows, work on ingrown toenails....... Maybe I am just really a gross person. Probably. Most probably definitely.
Anyways, the facial was fantastic. I smell like a piece of pumpkin pie with a nice cup of chai tea on the side. I was so relaxed afterwards that I could barely figure out my credit card receipt. Then I just could not go home! I went to Wild Oats (they are closing, and EVERYTHING is 30% off. I browsed around, purchasing two tubes of tomato paste (the kind you keep in the fridge instead of the stupid can where you use a third of it and throw it away), a cooking magazine, and some body lotion. Next I went to Starbucks. For the first time ever, the coffee had no power over me. I have not had one ounce since Sunday, which is pretty awesome. I sort of had a revelation while I was chugging my latte and trying to avoid looking at a man holding a hungry homeless sign at the intersection. It just seemed absurdly wasteful and I decided I needed to get some control over my coffee/latte/americano addiction.
I got a black hot tea and a raspberry apricot jam scone. I sat for an entire hour and graded papers for my tutoring student. This was like heaven to me. Correcting grammar, yummy treat, no interruptions?????
So it's been a good day, even though my steroids are making me a little MANIC and HUngry and my antibiotic is making me sick and hurting my stomach. So it's like I am starving but I don't want to eat anything. Which I guess with my brother's wedding coming up so soon, may be a blessing. The tailors give me my final fitting on Saturday. They demanded I be there at 800 am. I had better fit into the dress, I am a little afraid of what they might say. THose are some pretty fierce old ladies.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Bad Mommy Confessions of the Week
Yesterday I let the kids color all of the ceramic tile in the dining room with markers. After that we had one last fling with the awful, awful Moon Sand (worst toy purchase EVER) where I let them pretty much throw and track it everywhere. When everything was both nasty and colorful, I scooped and swept it all up and put it in the trash. Then I had Anna help me clean the floor with wet wipes (she LOVES to clean). Bad Mommy, but sort of zany and fun at the same time.
I sort of had a mini meltdown yesterday and was crying a lot in front of the kids. I made an emergency appointment with my therapist, and then I took them to Wal-Mart and overindulged them because I felt bad about being so unstable and emotional in front of them. Jonathan said, Man, I must have been beary, beary good. I didn't even get all my stickers yet, did I Mama?
Bad Mommy! (Really, this is the sort of thing they will probably be in therapy about someday.)
Today I ran into a cart at Target. I was too tired and exasperated to get out and move it so I kind of just kept running into it as I pulled into the parking space. (Sorry, honey.)
I came home and glued my fingers together with nail glue. (I guess that's more like a dumb mommy confession.)
Right now Jonathan and Anna have taken a carton of Ben and Jerry's Phish Food into the living room and they are eating out of it with a spoon. Anna is licking the lid. I am pretending that I have no idea this is happening because they are leaving me alone.
Now Anna is walking around eating out of a jar of peanut butter and Jonathan is chugging out of a 64 oz jug of juice. I guess I had better summon some resolve and energy and get them to bed.
I sort of had a mini meltdown yesterday and was crying a lot in front of the kids. I made an emergency appointment with my therapist, and then I took them to Wal-Mart and overindulged them because I felt bad about being so unstable and emotional in front of them. Jonathan said, Man, I must have been beary, beary good. I didn't even get all my stickers yet, did I Mama?
Bad Mommy! (Really, this is the sort of thing they will probably be in therapy about someday.)
Today I ran into a cart at Target. I was too tired and exasperated to get out and move it so I kind of just kept running into it as I pulled into the parking space. (Sorry, honey.)
I came home and glued my fingers together with nail glue. (I guess that's more like a dumb mommy confession.)
Right now Jonathan and Anna have taken a carton of Ben and Jerry's Phish Food into the living room and they are eating out of it with a spoon. Anna is licking the lid. I am pretending that I have no idea this is happening because they are leaving me alone.
Now Anna is walking around eating out of a jar of peanut butter and Jonathan is chugging out of a 64 oz jug of juice. I guess I had better summon some resolve and energy and get them to bed.
Star Wars Philosophy by JonJon
I heard Jonathan playing with his Star Wars toys this morning, and I was sort of alarmed when he staged a very gleeful victory for Darth Vader. I asked him why? He shrugged his shoulders and said:
"Sometimes the good guys win, and sometimes the bad guys win.
Yesterday Jacob (a teenage boy we are friends with) said that the good guys always win, and that's silly, because what about when Darth Vader caught that princess? What's her name, Mama?"
"Ummm, Lea?"
"Yeah. Well, that time the bad guys won. So sometimes they have to win so then the good guys
can REALLY win."
"Sometimes the good guys win, and sometimes the bad guys win.
Yesterday Jacob (a teenage boy we are friends with) said that the good guys always win, and that's silly, because what about when Darth Vader caught that princess? What's her name, Mama?"
"Ummm, Lea?"
"Yeah. Well, that time the bad guys won. So sometimes they have to win so then the good guys
can REALLY win."
My First Date with Dave
The picture of me was after we had been dating 2 weeks. I had made Dave dinner for the first time. I was cracking up about something.
May 13, 2001 was our first date. We had just met online the day before, and had talked on the phone for hours that night. I can remember the first time I heard his voice. I felt like someone had literally squeezed my heart. All he said was hello, and I was already half gone. Our conversation felt so familiar, so easy, so fun. I felt like, Oh, it's you. I had seen one picture of him, and he had no idea what I looked like other than my description on the phone. I wore Calvin Klein blue jeans, sparkly black flip flops and a magenta blouse. I did my toenails this really funky color that changed depending on how you looked at it, and he actually noticed it. Major points there! Those of you who know me well know I am pretty vain about my feet.
I got in my red Pontiac Sunfire (my first car ever!) and went to his apartment. Which was stupid for three reasons: I had met him on the Internet; he was brand new to town and no one I knew knew
I got in my red Pontiac Sunfire (my first car ever!) and went to his apartment. Which was stupid for three reasons: I had met him on the Internet; he was brand new to town and no one I knew knew
him; and his apartment was on University, which is NOT the best area of town. He had just moved from Kentucky that weekend to take a job at Harris. He opened the door, and I can remember that image like it was yesterday, and not seven years ago. I remember he looked sort of frightened, and I was worried that it was because of my appearance. He told me later that I looked like some sort of angel standing there. After a brief introduction to his oldest and closest friend Kyle, who was lounging on the couch cussing at the Nintendo (I was put off at first but now I know he's a great guy), we got in Dave's car (a white Mustang Cobra) and I directed him to Papa Gallo's beachside. We both ordered the baked ziti even though we wanted something else because it's something you can eat without humiliating yourself (no spaghetti or cheese slapping your face and leaving track marks of sauce on your chin). Afterwards we went to the beach, and sat down on the stairs and just looked out at the ocean and talked and talked. I pretended I was cold so he would put his arm around me (it was May in Florida). I kept wishing he would kiss me. At the end of the date he hugged me, and because I am so much shorter than him, I sort of laid my head on his chest. I remember he said: You're just kind of finding your spot there, aren't you? And that is exactly what I was doing. I have found my place in Dave's arms, and everyday, even the bad ones, I thank God for giving me him as a husband. I am being totally serious. I cannot imagine for one moment my life with anyone else.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Mother's Day
Anna woke up at 4:00 AM on Sunday. She was chipper and requested popcorn and pancakes for breakfast. Yes to the popcorn, and are you kidding me to the pancakes? I was exhausted because she had also stayed up late the night before. We are still struggling with sleep issues even though she is completely done with nursing. We needed to get to church by 7:30 or so, so we woke up a very cranky Jonathan, who loves to sleep in (he's my child). Then Dave had them present me with my cards and gift. I wanted some pictures of this moment. Jonathan spent picture time throwing himself around on the floor and crying. Most of the pictures are me with this big artificial smile on my face with Jonathan pinned in a headlock that I am trying to pass off as a hug. We got to church, Jonathan had a huge fit, then I served in the nursery for the first service. Anna was dedicated this Sunday (she was the oldest kid up there I think) so I brought her in with me to second service. The little darling managed to fall asleep in the front row at our church, on the drum side, to some very loud and bangy (but very good) worship. I'm like seriously??? You can't sleep in a dim room with your silk-silk blankies and me rocking you and singing to you and reading five books and all of the other ridiculous goings on that you've been putting me through to punish me for taking away the boobs? It used to take about 30 seconds for her to fall asleep; now we have to go all out. So Anna slept through her dedication. Whatever.
Then I jump in my Mom's van, send the kids home with Dave, we race through the McD's drive-thru and I order a grilled chicken sandwich. I chomp happily on it until I reach the middle and realize it isn't cooked all the way inside. How is this even possible? Wasn't it like pressure-cooked and freeze-dried in 2003? No time to get anything else: my Mom and I are on a mission. We both need shoes for the wedding, and possibly some other accessories and makeup for my Mom. We both find shoes at the first place we stop (which considering what specific requirements we had, this is like a Mother's Day Miracle!), then we head onto Kohl's to make some other quick purchases. It's a good thing we are quick, because then we swing by Publix and pick up some stuff we need for a big family cookout. 2:45 we are back at her house, cleaning and cooking and cutting and chopping until 6:00, when we finally feed everyone (I think there were at least 25 people?). We don't leave there until 9:00. Both kids fall asleep on the way home. Jonathan transfers from the car and stays asleep. Anna does not. She keeps me up until at least 11:30. I am so exhausted I finally fall asleep before she does. Who knows, maybe she got up and went and did some paperwork, did her nails, caught up on some reading. I am so tired.
We were at the health food store this weekend. I wanted to get some Doctor Kracker flatbreads (so much like birdseed; yet somehow, so good) and also, some probiotics and aloe vera gel for my Mom's stomach. I spotted some homeopathic calming (Translation: sleep!sleep!sleep!)tablets for children with Curious George on the front. I snatched them up and said, oh we have got to get these! Dave said, What's in them? To which I replied, Do we care? He chuckled, and I was like, I am not kidding and threw them in the cart. Well the "monkey pills" aren't working. I gave them to her last night and she started running around pretending to be a monkey. So Happy, happy, happy Mother's Day to me. I think God was looking down and thinking, hey, you asked for this, and you got it. You're a Mom, with all the good and all the bad that comes with it.
But I am just soooooo tired. And so whiny. In case you did not notice.
Then I jump in my Mom's van, send the kids home with Dave, we race through the McD's drive-thru and I order a grilled chicken sandwich. I chomp happily on it until I reach the middle and realize it isn't cooked all the way inside. How is this even possible? Wasn't it like pressure-cooked and freeze-dried in 2003? No time to get anything else: my Mom and I are on a mission. We both need shoes for the wedding, and possibly some other accessories and makeup for my Mom. We both find shoes at the first place we stop (which considering what specific requirements we had, this is like a Mother's Day Miracle!), then we head onto Kohl's to make some other quick purchases. It's a good thing we are quick, because then we swing by Publix and pick up some stuff we need for a big family cookout. 2:45 we are back at her house, cleaning and cooking and cutting and chopping until 6:00, when we finally feed everyone (I think there were at least 25 people?). We don't leave there until 9:00. Both kids fall asleep on the way home. Jonathan transfers from the car and stays asleep. Anna does not. She keeps me up until at least 11:30. I am so exhausted I finally fall asleep before she does. Who knows, maybe she got up and went and did some paperwork, did her nails, caught up on some reading. I am so tired.
We were at the health food store this weekend. I wanted to get some Doctor Kracker flatbreads (so much like birdseed; yet somehow, so good) and also, some probiotics and aloe vera gel for my Mom's stomach. I spotted some homeopathic calming (Translation: sleep!sleep!sleep!)tablets for children with Curious George on the front. I snatched them up and said, oh we have got to get these! Dave said, What's in them? To which I replied, Do we care? He chuckled, and I was like, I am not kidding and threw them in the cart. Well the "monkey pills" aren't working. I gave them to her last night and she started running around pretending to be a monkey. So Happy, happy, happy Mother's Day to me. I think God was looking down and thinking, hey, you asked for this, and you got it. You're a Mom, with all the good and all the bad that comes with it.
But I am just soooooo tired. And so whiny. In case you did not notice.
Pump-It-Up Play
Left: Jonathan looking cute Right: Daddy checking Jon's foot
At left: Me carrying T. up the stairs to the slide.
Dave and I took the kids and our nephew Trystan to Pump-It-Up play on Friday. Jonathan calls it Pump a Dump. We love this place! For an hour and a half, adults and kids can play on all of this great inflatable stuff, like a huge slide, The Gauntlet (an obstacle course type thing with short slides, rock-climbing walls, etc.) and bounce in big bounce houses. We love it because it is cheaper than a movie, because Dave and I don't have to pay for ourselves but we have just as much fun as the kids. Not to mention, it is awesome exercise! We never spend that long at the gym. I mean who could stay on the elliptical for 90 minutes? Some sort of lunatic.
Trystan had never been, and he was a little hesitant (okay, pretty much terrified!) at first. So I carried him up the ladder to the big slide, and he went down all by himself! Then he was addicted, he wanted to do the slide over and over and over again. Next came the gauntlet. You have to crawl into it and it looks kind of dark inside. So I basically pushed him through the whole thing the first time, but then he was SO proud of himself. "I not scared anymore Aunt Jamie!" He was so sweet. He thanked me for taking him and when he was leaving our house he said "I had fun at that place." We left a little early because Jonathan had a minor injury (he jumped and sort of sprained something in his foot; he still has some issues with his feet and legs and jumping without shoes is not the best thing for him).
So this is our new favorite thing to do, it has replaced even the zoo.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Sticker Charts
Anna just got her hair done and teeth brushed and was putting up the stickers she earned!I started sticker charts for Anna and Jon this past week and have been very pleased with the results so far! Their daily chores/tasks are:
AM
Brush teeth
Brush hair (For Jon, this involves spraying his crazy bedhead down and combing; For Anna, this is not only brushing, but putting up)
PM
Pick up toys/ put clothes in hamper
Get Clean (Bath)
Brush teeth
Be HAPPY! (This was already on the chart; I don't think anyone can [or should]be required to be happy.)
So I am really only requiring the basics here; most of this stuff they have to do anyways, like brushing their teeth. It is just that it seems to be a more positive motivator for them (and me) then my nagging, (or on a bad day, yelling and making empty threats). At the end of the week, if their entire sticker chart is full, they get a small toy. We'll see how long this lasts!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
The Cuban Sandwich Express
I just had the most fantastic sandwich today! A Chicken Cuban from Cuban Sandwich Express. Like a regular Cuban, except for it had grilled chicken breast instead of pork. Like a regular Cuban, except better than any I've ever had. So fabulously delish! They give you a little tub of hot sauce (like buffalo sauce) with it. SO GOOD! And a "small" is only $5.25 and I think it is big enough to feed two people. They also had lots of other yummy sounding stuff on the menu.
It is next to the tailors who are altering my dress. A friend from church gave me a (GORGEOUS) dress for practically free and I am getting it altered, for the length and for the fit. I had to go last night to buy a girdle (utterly humilating and Weight Watchers inducing) and a bra because to quote the tailor, "That bra is doing NOTHING for your breasts! We need you to get something that brings everything in and UP!"
So then I went back with my undergarments of steel on, and tried the dress on for them again. They still were not pleased! Like a millimeter of bra showed in the back of my dress. So now I am going to Sears to get a bustier with an attached, strapless, low back bra. Anyways, how did I get on the subject of my breasts again? This was supposed to be about a Cuban sandwich. So if you are in the area, RUN, don't walk to the Cuban Sandwich Express on Wickham.
PS I just got the irony: I went and tried on a dress with a girdle on (and Spanx!) and then went and ate a huge Cuban sandwich. Later I accidentally flashed my brother Jason because I was picking bread crumbs (from the sandwich) out of my bra. (AGAIN with the boobs! bra! Why can't I stop??)
He was like, Uh, you might have an eating problem if ....
It is next to the tailors who are altering my dress. A friend from church gave me a (GORGEOUS) dress for practically free and I am getting it altered, for the length and for the fit. I had to go last night to buy a girdle (utterly humilating and Weight Watchers inducing) and a bra because to quote the tailor, "That bra is doing NOTHING for your breasts! We need you to get something that brings everything in and UP!"
So then I went back with my undergarments of steel on, and tried the dress on for them again. They still were not pleased! Like a millimeter of bra showed in the back of my dress. So now I am going to Sears to get a bustier with an attached, strapless, low back bra. Anyways, how did I get on the subject of my breasts again? This was supposed to be about a Cuban sandwich. So if you are in the area, RUN, don't walk to the Cuban Sandwich Express on Wickham.
PS I just got the irony: I went and tried on a dress with a girdle on (and Spanx!) and then went and ate a huge Cuban sandwich. Later I accidentally flashed my brother Jason because I was picking bread crumbs (from the sandwich) out of my bra. (AGAIN with the boobs! bra! Why can't I stop??)
He was like, Uh, you might have an eating problem if ....
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
What's Going On
I started my day off by dumping a freshly brewed 16 ounce mug of chai tea on my bed. I soaked the pillow, the mattress pad, down to the waterproof mattress cover. I forgot to strip the bed until later and when I sniffed the sheets, they smelled really... good, like some sort of spicy sweet candle. It's a good thing it wasn't coffee with milk. I am in my 70th hour without coffee. I had a terrible headache Monday night, Tuesday day and night, and oh, yes, let's see, Wednesday (today) also. I have been having some caffeine still, just from tea, and I did have one Diet Mountain Dew yesterday. I also have not had any alcohol since last Monday night. After my many drinks in Raleigh I decided to take a break. I am downing fruits and veggies and having strange cravings, such as oatmeal, or yogurt. I have been taking vitamins, which I never, ever do. What's going on, you ask? I really have no idea.
I went to my therapist on Monday and we were talking about the sleeping situation. Now instead of just co-sleeping with Anna in Dave and I's bed, we have started a new trend. Jonathan and I sleep on the air matress in Anna's (never been used) bedroom, and Dave and Anna are sleeping in Dave and I's (Dave and I's? Me's? That doesn't seem right?) bed. I told my therapist, I know it's not the best solution. And she said, no, actually it's a terrible solution. And I thought, yes, it really is both terrible and ridiculous. So I am proud to say that last night for the first time EVER, Anna and Jonathan slept together on the air mattress and Dave and I got to sleep together in our own bed! My ultimate goal (and this is gonna sound really crazy) is that we utilize all three of the bedrooms at the same time.
I went to my therapist on Monday and we were talking about the sleeping situation. Now instead of just co-sleeping with Anna in Dave and I's bed, we have started a new trend. Jonathan and I sleep on the air matress in Anna's (never been used) bedroom, and Dave and Anna are sleeping in Dave and I's (Dave and I's? Me's? That doesn't seem right?) bed. I told my therapist, I know it's not the best solution. And she said, no, actually it's a terrible solution. And I thought, yes, it really is both terrible and ridiculous. So I am proud to say that last night for the first time EVER, Anna and Jonathan slept together on the air mattress and Dave and I got to sleep together in our own bed! My ultimate goal (and this is gonna sound really crazy) is that we utilize all three of the bedrooms at the same time.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Update
Anna has officially been weaned! We have had success! She went through her booby milk detox successfully (and more notably, I think, so did I) and is now in her fifth day of "rehab." I have not caved! She has replaced me with Dora the Explorer. When she goes to sleep at night, she has to have Dora on. When she wakes up crying for nay-nay, she can be consoled with Dora. It distracts her just enough so she can eventually calm down.
She has developed a new way to keep me awake though. When it's 2:30 in the morning, she wants Dora, and she wants me to watch Dora with her. When I drift off to sleep, she actually pries my eyes open with her fingers, and says, Mama! You not watching Dodo with me!!!!!
This is insanely annoying. Dora is obnoxious even on a full night's sleep, but at 2:30 in the morning, she is positively unbearable. I have had some very dark thoughts about her. (Dora and Anna, to tell you the truth.)
So the past week has been an adventure. I had the MOST fantastic time ever in North Carolina. I don't think I have laughed so much in my entire life. Like laugh so hard your face hurts, your have side stiches, and you lose control of your bladder!!!! That kind of laughing. I so needed some time with my BFF. It was the perfect place for me to run away to. We did some major bonding! When I came home, Anna sort of just fell into my arms and immediately asked for nay-nay. This was sort of heartbreaking! But I think the whole weaning process has been good for all of us. I have actually gotten some solid stretches of sleep this week. I am feeling ever so slightly more sane.
And my worst fears did not come true. I had heard horror stories about what can happen to your breasts upon weaning, and I am relieved that mine look pretty much the same as they did before. (Pretty darn awesome! No, I am just kidding!)
My other concern was a little less rational. I was sure that Anna was going to reject me as her mother and simply refuse to speak to me when I came back home. Of course, this has proven to be a ridiculous fear. We have a great relationship that is based on lots of other stuff beside breastfeeding. Like building Potato Heads and playing Candyland, painting with watercolors, going to the playground, picking flowers, reading book after book after book, lots and lots of other stuff.
She has developed a new way to keep me awake though. When it's 2:30 in the morning, she wants Dora, and she wants me to watch Dora with her. When I drift off to sleep, she actually pries my eyes open with her fingers, and says, Mama! You not watching Dodo with me!!!!!
This is insanely annoying. Dora is obnoxious even on a full night's sleep, but at 2:30 in the morning, she is positively unbearable. I have had some very dark thoughts about her. (Dora and Anna, to tell you the truth.)
So the past week has been an adventure. I had the MOST fantastic time ever in North Carolina. I don't think I have laughed so much in my entire life. Like laugh so hard your face hurts, your have side stiches, and you lose control of your bladder!!!! That kind of laughing. I so needed some time with my BFF. It was the perfect place for me to run away to. We did some major bonding! When I came home, Anna sort of just fell into my arms and immediately asked for nay-nay. This was sort of heartbreaking! But I think the whole weaning process has been good for all of us. I have actually gotten some solid stretches of sleep this week. I am feeling ever so slightly more sane.
And my worst fears did not come true. I had heard horror stories about what can happen to your breasts upon weaning, and I am relieved that mine look pretty much the same as they did before. (Pretty darn awesome! No, I am just kidding!)
My other concern was a little less rational. I was sure that Anna was going to reject me as her mother and simply refuse to speak to me when I came back home. Of course, this has proven to be a ridiculous fear. We have a great relationship that is based on lots of other stuff beside breastfeeding. Like building Potato Heads and playing Candyland, painting with watercolors, going to the playground, picking flowers, reading book after book after book, lots and lots of other stuff.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
"We don't do that in this family"..., or Stuff I Wish I Didn't Have to Say
At my MOPS group this morning, one of the speakers said that the worst thing about being a mother is how sick you get of hearing your own voice. How true! Sometimes I feel like I say the same things all of the time, and most of the time they are things that should not even have to be said, like No, you may not wipe your booger on my shirt! Or, I'll be there in a minute to wipe your butt! Or, If you really have to pick your nose, go in the bathroom! More of my catch phrases: We don't say those words, spit food out on the table, hit/slap/bite/kick each other, stick stuff in each other's noses and/or ears.................
I am constantly trying to instill this sense of family identity or pride or unity or something, to somehow motivate my kids to act like young humans, rather than oranguatans. As in, when Jonathan says last night in a proud and gleeful tone, look, Mama, I can stick my finger up my butt!
To which I say in a weary and, yes, self-righteous tone, We don't stick our fingers up our butts. Go wash your hands.
Thirty seconds later, Anna squats down and very intentionally pees on the floor. My response: Anna, stop peeing on the floor! We don't do that in our family!
A hundred times a day I say things like this. Things I wish I did not have to say. Things that should be obvious. But sometimes there are influences beyond my control. For example, the reason Anna suddenly wanted to pee on the floor was that she had witnessed a giraffe taking a giant leak at the zoo earlier that day. She thought it was completely hysterical, which, to be honest, it really was pretty funny. My kids may act like animals most of the time; mothering may seem like a constant battle to tame my children, but there are moments that give me hope. Like today at MOPS, when I picked up Jonathan from his class, all of his teachers were just praising him, about how sweet he is, how well-mannered, how bright, what a wonderful singing voice he has, how good he is at sharing, how sweet he is to his sister.......
So I smile demurely in response, and say thank you to them, as if I am pleased, but not really suprised. Inwardly, I am thinking, really??? This nose-picking, butt-exploring, fit throwing little beast????
I guess I myself maintain better composure and display better manners in public then I do in my own home (or say, at my BFF Lara's house; her husband witnessed some VERY classy behavior on my part this past weekend). I guess the best I can hope for with a two and a four year old is that they act like angels at preschool and apes at home.
I am constantly trying to instill this sense of family identity or pride or unity or something, to somehow motivate my kids to act like young humans, rather than oranguatans. As in, when Jonathan says last night in a proud and gleeful tone, look, Mama, I can stick my finger up my butt!
To which I say in a weary and, yes, self-righteous tone, We don't stick our fingers up our butts. Go wash your hands.
Thirty seconds later, Anna squats down and very intentionally pees on the floor. My response: Anna, stop peeing on the floor! We don't do that in our family!
A hundred times a day I say things like this. Things I wish I did not have to say. Things that should be obvious. But sometimes there are influences beyond my control. For example, the reason Anna suddenly wanted to pee on the floor was that she had witnessed a giraffe taking a giant leak at the zoo earlier that day. She thought it was completely hysterical, which, to be honest, it really was pretty funny. My kids may act like animals most of the time; mothering may seem like a constant battle to tame my children, but there are moments that give me hope. Like today at MOPS, when I picked up Jonathan from his class, all of his teachers were just praising him, about how sweet he is, how well-mannered, how bright, what a wonderful singing voice he has, how good he is at sharing, how sweet he is to his sister.......
So I smile demurely in response, and say thank you to them, as if I am pleased, but not really suprised. Inwardly, I am thinking, really??? This nose-picking, butt-exploring, fit throwing little beast????
I guess I myself maintain better composure and display better manners in public then I do in my own home (or say, at my BFF Lara's house; her husband witnessed some VERY classy behavior on my part this past weekend). I guess the best I can hope for with a two and a four year old is that they act like angels at preschool and apes at home.
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