So we all have our "thing", right? I hope? You know, the thing you feel totally inadequate about (I guess I should use the word "things"...little more accurate). Well, I am here to confess to all of you what one of my major inadequacies is. I have thought a lot about this since I left a session yesterday of a client with an immaculately decorated and cleaned home and though I haven't come to terms with it, I want to. You know, it really stinks to have a list of things we feel we "should" do, or "should" be. Who decided these things anyways? I wish I was on that committee, because I sure would make it easier to live up to. Anyway, I digress.
So, I am horrible about keeping my house tidy. I have someone who cleans it every other week (a huge blessing and the only way I stay sane while working and having two little ones). I vacuum a few times a week. I make sure my dishes are done at night, but when it comes to things and clutter, I can't control it. I get on a binge and clean, organize and then slowly it all just returns to chaos. I get stacks of paper on my counters, nail polish bottles on the window ledge (out of reach of little hands, but not where it belongs), clean laundry on the couch, folded laundry that goes from my bed to my chest. And the toys...don't even get me started. I wish I could throw them all out at times. Sometimes I just wish I was someone else who could just stay on top of it all, who just took the time to put it away right after it was used. I wish I wasn't a packrat (I don't keep total junk, but if I see it having some future use, I keep it). It stinks to feel like that though, because I am me. I know this is how I am and I realize it will be a life long battle.
So, I am working hard to be okay with it. I don't want to apologize everytime someone stops by and my house is in disarray. If it bugs people, they need to give a heads up first and I will throw it all in the guest room and shut the door before they come.
So, there you go. I know I have many strengths and talents, but this is just not one of them and someday I WILL be all right with it. And, if you happen to be on the committee of how things "should" be...could you loosen up just a bit?
p.s. J's scab fell off today and it seems to be healing nicely. I will post the updates soon.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
J's ER Adventure...
Well, most have heard about this, but I thought I would record it anyway and give a daily or every other day update with pictures.
So Friday I took the kids to Dairy Queen because Miss P was dry all day (we will discuss her lazy little potty habits another time)and D was out of town do it would be a fun little outing. We had enjoyed a yummy treat and the kids had gotten up and were running around. I didn't see a problem with it since it was almost empty. I was cleaning up and a friend had called so I wasn't really paying attention. All of a sudden J man screamed and started bawling. He tends to be a little over reactive so I wasn't totally alarmed, but told my friend I had to go and ran over to him. As I ran over I noticed a pool of blood all over the ground. He was grabbing his face and I could see his nose was bleeding. There was a lady and son at the table right next to him so I asked for some napkins and they handed me a few. I went to stop the bleeding and when he took his hand down I noticed (and wanted to gag) that his lip was torn down right in the middle and about 1/2" below the bottom of his lip and bleeding profusely.
I am quite impressed that I was so level headed during the whole ordeal. I yelled to the workers that I needed some more napkins. They ran over and I told them that I needed to go to the hospital. An older woman who worked there offered to drive and I agreed. I helped J walk to the car as I held pressure and another worker carried P out. I was driving my brother's little Jetta and as I got to the car and started searching for keys I realized that there was no way I would be able to get there in the car. The two car seats make it impossible for me to fit between and there was no way I could leave J alone to apply pressure. I realized that my only alternative was to call 911. I called and walked J back in and laid him in a booth. The 911 dispatcher asked a series of questions while the ambulance came. J was hysterical this whole time. By the time they came in with the gurney, J had calmed down a bit and they were able to get him into the ambulance. Because I had P too, J had to go alone and I followed in my car. He was really brave. They gave him a basketball teddy bear (which he named "basketball sports"--creative, I know) which he LOVES.
We got to the hospital and they took us right to a trauma room. The dr. came right in, took a look and told us that it was beyond her scope of ability and that I could either call an OR doctor or a plastic surgeon. I opted for the latter. We had to wait about 45 minutes for him to arrive, but in the meantime they started an IV (that was not a fun event for J, though he calmed down quickly) and I told him a lot of really lame, made up stories (definitely not a storyteller). Finally Dr. Klomp came and after discussing different options, they gave J some Ketamine which is a conscious anesthesia. That was the first time I really lost it. It was so hard to see his little eyes flick back and forth and know how brave he had to be. I left and wandered the halls for a bit. I should mention that my friend Jen had come and picked P up--thank you, thank you. P knew this was serious because when I told her to sit on a chair and not get up, she didn't move. That is unheard of for her.
So, I finally came back in as the dr. was stitching the last layer. He had to stitch it in four layers for a total of 19 stitches in the lip and one on the roof of the mouth. He would have also put one in his gums, but said it would just tear through so didn't do it. He also had a bit cut on his tongue and really bruised upper gumline. The hard thing about repairing the lip is making sure the bottom lip matches all the way across...that is why I opted for the plastic surgeon. He was fantastic. He explained everything and assured me that I could call for ANY reason. That is nice, especially when you tend to be a little over protective.
It took about 20 minutes for J to come out of the anesthesia after the dr. was done. It was kind of crazy to watch him turn toward my voice but not be able to really see me. The first thing he finally said is, "I want my daddy" and "I want to go home." Later he asked, "Is this a dream." Oh, how I wish it had been. Then, later he looked at me and said, "mom, you have four eyes." He was having a little double vision. Douglas finally got to the hospital and J insisted on sitting up even though he couldn't hold himself up so we sat and help him up and laughed at all the crazy things he said.
Finally when he could hold himself up, the nurse brought a wheelchair and we took him home. He has really been very good considering all. He is a little drama about taking medicine and swishing his mouthwash, but has been relatively happy. The Dr. prescribed some Lortab and that helped a lot. The first day he spent the majority laying on the couch watching TV. He can't eat any hard food, use a fork or straw for 6 weeks. He can't get in any bodies of water for 2. The Dr. said that it takes six weeks for it to heal 90% and a year to heal the rest.
I have been somewhat of a basket case since we have been home. I had J sleep with me the first two days so I got little sleep. That one top of coming off a trip with little sleep, week with little sleep and emotional exhaustion has not suited me well. I finally don't feel like crying all day today which is nice.
It looks like J may be getting a little infection in his mouth now, so we go to the plastic surgeon tomorrow to get it checked out. The stitches should dissolve in 5-7 days which is crazy to me that our bodies heal that fast.
So, that is it. My first really traumatic event as a mother. It is amazing how our hearts can just ache for our children. I am so glad that we have the health care we do though and that I could opt for a plastic surgeon. Yes, it will cost a pretty penny, but I would make the same choice again and again. Let's pray our health care remains as great as it is!
So, here are some pics. The first few were taken with my phone, so the quality isn't great and the angle doesn't show the severity, but you get the point. It is gross, be warned.
Before:
Right after the surgery
Day Two:
Day Three:
Day Four:
So Friday I took the kids to Dairy Queen because Miss P was dry all day (we will discuss her lazy little potty habits another time)and D was out of town do it would be a fun little outing. We had enjoyed a yummy treat and the kids had gotten up and were running around. I didn't see a problem with it since it was almost empty. I was cleaning up and a friend had called so I wasn't really paying attention. All of a sudden J man screamed and started bawling. He tends to be a little over reactive so I wasn't totally alarmed, but told my friend I had to go and ran over to him. As I ran over I noticed a pool of blood all over the ground. He was grabbing his face and I could see his nose was bleeding. There was a lady and son at the table right next to him so I asked for some napkins and they handed me a few. I went to stop the bleeding and when he took his hand down I noticed (and wanted to gag) that his lip was torn down right in the middle and about 1/2" below the bottom of his lip and bleeding profusely.
I am quite impressed that I was so level headed during the whole ordeal. I yelled to the workers that I needed some more napkins. They ran over and I told them that I needed to go to the hospital. An older woman who worked there offered to drive and I agreed. I helped J walk to the car as I held pressure and another worker carried P out. I was driving my brother's little Jetta and as I got to the car and started searching for keys I realized that there was no way I would be able to get there in the car. The two car seats make it impossible for me to fit between and there was no way I could leave J alone to apply pressure. I realized that my only alternative was to call 911. I called and walked J back in and laid him in a booth. The 911 dispatcher asked a series of questions while the ambulance came. J was hysterical this whole time. By the time they came in with the gurney, J had calmed down a bit and they were able to get him into the ambulance. Because I had P too, J had to go alone and I followed in my car. He was really brave. They gave him a basketball teddy bear (which he named "basketball sports"--creative, I know) which he LOVES.
We got to the hospital and they took us right to a trauma room. The dr. came right in, took a look and told us that it was beyond her scope of ability and that I could either call an OR doctor or a plastic surgeon. I opted for the latter. We had to wait about 45 minutes for him to arrive, but in the meantime they started an IV (that was not a fun event for J, though he calmed down quickly) and I told him a lot of really lame, made up stories (definitely not a storyteller). Finally Dr. Klomp came and after discussing different options, they gave J some Ketamine which is a conscious anesthesia. That was the first time I really lost it. It was so hard to see his little eyes flick back and forth and know how brave he had to be. I left and wandered the halls for a bit. I should mention that my friend Jen had come and picked P up--thank you, thank you. P knew this was serious because when I told her to sit on a chair and not get up, she didn't move. That is unheard of for her.
So, I finally came back in as the dr. was stitching the last layer. He had to stitch it in four layers for a total of 19 stitches in the lip and one on the roof of the mouth. He would have also put one in his gums, but said it would just tear through so didn't do it. He also had a bit cut on his tongue and really bruised upper gumline. The hard thing about repairing the lip is making sure the bottom lip matches all the way across...that is why I opted for the plastic surgeon. He was fantastic. He explained everything and assured me that I could call for ANY reason. That is nice, especially when you tend to be a little over protective.
It took about 20 minutes for J to come out of the anesthesia after the dr. was done. It was kind of crazy to watch him turn toward my voice but not be able to really see me. The first thing he finally said is, "I want my daddy" and "I want to go home." Later he asked, "Is this a dream." Oh, how I wish it had been. Then, later he looked at me and said, "mom, you have four eyes." He was having a little double vision. Douglas finally got to the hospital and J insisted on sitting up even though he couldn't hold himself up so we sat and help him up and laughed at all the crazy things he said.
Finally when he could hold himself up, the nurse brought a wheelchair and we took him home. He has really been very good considering all. He is a little drama about taking medicine and swishing his mouthwash, but has been relatively happy. The Dr. prescribed some Lortab and that helped a lot. The first day he spent the majority laying on the couch watching TV. He can't eat any hard food, use a fork or straw for 6 weeks. He can't get in any bodies of water for 2. The Dr. said that it takes six weeks for it to heal 90% and a year to heal the rest.
I have been somewhat of a basket case since we have been home. I had J sleep with me the first two days so I got little sleep. That one top of coming off a trip with little sleep, week with little sleep and emotional exhaustion has not suited me well. I finally don't feel like crying all day today which is nice.
It looks like J may be getting a little infection in his mouth now, so we go to the plastic surgeon tomorrow to get it checked out. The stitches should dissolve in 5-7 days which is crazy to me that our bodies heal that fast.
So, that is it. My first really traumatic event as a mother. It is amazing how our hearts can just ache for our children. I am so glad that we have the health care we do though and that I could opt for a plastic surgeon. Yes, it will cost a pretty penny, but I would make the same choice again and again. Let's pray our health care remains as great as it is!
So, here are some pics. The first few were taken with my phone, so the quality isn't great and the angle doesn't show the severity, but you get the point. It is gross, be warned.
Before:
Right after the surgery
Day Two:
Day Three:
Day Four:
Little Miss P
Before I show the cute pics I just want to list a few of the things P did for me today...
turned the hose on and soaked herself
peed on her carpet
took her undies off countless times
covered my kitchen floor in water
squeezed Jackson's stitched up lip and made it bleed
got out a knife and attempted to use it to open three goguts in the family room
and the rest I think I have blocked out. You may ask yourself, "but where are you, Staci, when all this is going on?" Oh, you know, going to the bathroom, calling on the warranty on the fridge, putting makeup on. I guess the solution is to NEVER do anything but follow her around and be her entertainment committee...she walks around aimlessly if I don't. And, she WON'T watch any movies. None. Not for 2 minutes.
I am going crazy. Please remind me that they don't stay two forever and that I should just enjoy the cute things she does...because she is very cute, at times. Actually, don't remind me of that, because that would annoy me. Just give me sympathy. That is what I really want :).
And so, here is the cute side of her. She actually asked me to take her picture. WHAT?!?! We might have a bright future together if this continues. So here are the many faces of Miss P....
p.s. Can you believe her beautiful hair??
turned the hose on and soaked herself
peed on her carpet
took her undies off countless times
covered my kitchen floor in water
squeezed Jackson's stitched up lip and made it bleed
got out a knife and attempted to use it to open three goguts in the family room
and the rest I think I have blocked out. You may ask yourself, "but where are you, Staci, when all this is going on?" Oh, you know, going to the bathroom, calling on the warranty on the fridge, putting makeup on. I guess the solution is to NEVER do anything but follow her around and be her entertainment committee...she walks around aimlessly if I don't. And, she WON'T watch any movies. None. Not for 2 minutes.
I am going crazy. Please remind me that they don't stay two forever and that I should just enjoy the cute things she does...because she is very cute, at times. Actually, don't remind me of that, because that would annoy me. Just give me sympathy. That is what I really want :).
And so, here is the cute side of her. She actually asked me to take her picture. WHAT?!?! We might have a bright future together if this continues. So here are the many faces of Miss P....
p.s. Can you believe her beautiful hair??
Guatemala Day 1
hmmm...only 3 months late. This task has been a little daunting since there is so much to say. I will do my best at being thorough and remembering (not too good at that). We left for Guatemala Wednesday after D got off work. We headed down to Vegas to drop the kids off with my amazing aunt who had offered to watch them (I don't think she knew what she was getting herself into!). We also met up with my uncle and 14 year old cousin who can with us. We were on the red eye to Guat. with a connection through Houston. It was fairly uneventful. I think I slept most of the way. We landed in Guat. at 11am and once we were through customs etc. my mom took us back to their apartment to freshen up and then out to have lunch with my dad at a Mexican restaurant. (okay, so this is really travelogey...sorry.) After lunch we went to check out the embassy where my dad works. It was a much different than I expected. For one, I have seen the Saint and was really disappointed not to have guards on the outside that I could run up to yelling that I was an American and be protected from harm. In fact the embassy in Guatemala is a little ghetto. There are marines at the entrance (inside), but not as super coolish like the movies portray.
My mom showed us her office (she is a nurse there) and then my dad showed us around where all the other consulars and foreign nationals work. It was pretty interesting learning about how it all runs. Douglas opted to stay the rest of the day with my dad (he is a little obsessed with military books and govt. stuff--I think still holding to the dream that he will join the military). I went back with my mom and took a fat nap. It was just a slow evening to let us rest for the next few crazy days. I wish I had taken pics of my parents apartment. It was really cool and nice, but didn't even cross my mind. This is the only picture I took the first day...
better than nothing, I guess?
Part two another time.
My mom showed us her office (she is a nurse there) and then my dad showed us around where all the other consulars and foreign nationals work. It was pretty interesting learning about how it all runs. Douglas opted to stay the rest of the day with my dad (he is a little obsessed with military books and govt. stuff--I think still holding to the dream that he will join the military). I went back with my mom and took a fat nap. It was just a slow evening to let us rest for the next few crazy days. I wish I had taken pics of my parents apartment. It was really cool and nice, but didn't even cross my mind. This is the only picture I took the first day...
better than nothing, I guess?
Part two another time.
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