Vacation was nice and pretty uneventful. Oddly uneventful. So we came home and made an event.
Saturday morning we were getting back into our routine, washing clothes, organizing,etc. I put some eggs on the stove for an egg salad sandwiches and went to shower. Dusty was going to put some clothes away and closed the door in order to get into his closet. I rounded the corner in time to see him tugging diligently on the door handle. Twisting, turning, tugging and turning a different color. Hmmmm..what's the problem? The door isn't budging.
There are a few ways that I could react, of course I choose panic mode. We'll never get out, who will raise the children? Why did this happen to us? We're good people! We'll surely die before the days end!! Dusty is going through dresser drawers looking for his weapon of choice...im thinking..pants..shorts, what are you looking for exactly? I look on top of the bookshelf for the tiny screwdriver we have there due to Gus' habit of locking the bathroom door from the inside. I find the tiny screwdriver and get to work- by work I mean more panic. Our phones are on the other side, we can't call for help, oh God help us! Gus starts pulling on the other side and I explain to him that we are stuck and he needs to go tell Mammie that she needs to call Uncle. This means Gus is going to take the gate down and give Simon. Access to the stairs. Yay. So we find a regular screwdriver (for whatever reason it was on top of Dusty's nightstand-kinda alarming) and Dusty starts working.
I hear Mammie trying to open the door and explain to her what's going on. She goes upstairs to call Jeremy. Of course for those of you who know Mammie, you realize that this might take a minute. Also, there is the fact that she has a cordless phone but has to stand next to the handset in her mind. She will even set down the cordless phone to go find a phone number to recite to me as I wait on the other end.
I am still in panic mode and beginning to cry and rock back and forth if sitting or pacing. I yell for Gus and he's not responding...that means he went upstairs. So where is baby Simon? Is he alone? Is he scared? Is he halfway up the stairs? Dusty tells me" go over there Emily" in hindsight im wondering what good would 5ft away do? He felt as though he needed to be in control of an out of control situation. So I do what any out of control, panicked, worried mom would do-started chipping away at that door as hard and as fast as I could with the screwdriver. After about a minute Dusty took over while I resumed pacing and talking about the boys being raised while we were trapped in our room, how scared Simon must be and how much I would miss the sunshine. Dusty said here hold the screwdriver at an angle (very obviously not listening to me explain how our lives were OVER) so I did and kept on explaining our certain doom and pop, he pulled the door open.
Oh. That's it? We're out? I run upstairs and tell Mammie we're free and kiss my children. Mammie and Gus had each taken one of Simon's hands and drug him up the stairs:) I came back down and saw there was still 8 minutes left on the eggs...the timer was set for 15 minutes. Longest 7 minutes ever!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
Was that you?
We are gathered here today...what was the rest?
You know the ole American Dream? House, cars, kids, love, fences, hammocks, dog, lemonade, bbq's, evening strolls, summer breezes, etc. I think we have a few of those-I just can't find the time to enjoy them. "Stop and smell the roses" We have roses? That's been the past few months. Adding baby Simon has been like adding 5 new people. I don't know if it's because we had such a good routine and were 2 against 1, always out-numbering the little person, or if that's just what happens. This is a typical afternoon.
Dusty picks up Gus. I pick up Simon. We meet at the front door. Hello. Go in and Dusty unloads Gus' lunch box, I unload Simon's diaper bag. Usually there is a dirty diaper, so I wash it out and add it to the diaper pail. Dusty starts making lunches, I start making dinner. Oh, grab Simon a bottle. Put the bottle in the microwave, 31 seconds and...breaker tripped. Turn off the toaster, microwave bottle, it's 100 degrees-oh yeah, turn AC back on. Start some laundry, "I wanna go outside and play" let Gus out-make him swear to stay in the front yard, continue with dinner as Simon pulls on my shorts. Scream at Gus to get back in the front yard. BREAD'S BURNING!!
Sit down to eat dinner...Gus doesn't like it. What do you want...uh candy and ice cream. Ok, well just eat this instead. Dusty eats while Simon clings to me, I go eat while Dusty bribes Gus to eat bite by bite, then Dusty gets 2nds while I start cleaning.
We play.
I wash Simon in the kitchen sink, Dusty gives Gus a bath (or vice versa) WHERE IS SIMON'S towel? Breaker tripped. Did you put the clothes in the dryer? No, I thought you did. Bring me the wipes. Now I need diaper rash cream. You give Gus his medicine while I give Simon his. Wait, I already gave Gus his. No, you didn't. Well then I already gave it to Simon. Are you sure? No. Did you take your medicine today? No...me either.
Time to put on jammers-which for whatever reason is also a signal that the end of the world is upon us. "I wanna do it myself" "Fine, do it" "I need help" "Ok" "Don't help me""Ok" "I'm telling" "Fine, tell" "Mommy-Daddy won't help me" ???? Do you want help or not???? Simon is falling asleep in my arms and Gus screams and wakes him up. Ok, I'm going to lay him in his crib- the only safe place for him in our home. "OK, Simon is asleep" "Bringing Gus in" Gus comes in- "I wanna read a stoooorrrryyy" Oh, lookey lookey, Simon's awake. One of us read's "OTIS" the story about a tractor-the same story we read every single night, night after night after night, and then we get ourselves ready for bed.
We're laying there and Gus comes in. 1. I need to go pee pee. 2. I need to brush my teeth. 3. I just forgot to give you guys hugs. 4. I need water. 5. I forgot to check on you guys. 6. There's a monster in my room. 7. Uhm, baby Simon flewed up (threw up) 8. There's a dragon snake under my bed. 9. Turn your TV off guys. 10. Just checking to see if you guys were scared. (That's the top 10 of an infinity of things that could go wrong)
Was that you I passed earlier with poop in your hair? Yeah, was that you hiding in the closet? Thought so.
Come to think of it, he never asks how I got the poop in my hair, and I never asked why he was hiding in the closet-it's pretty safe guessing either way.
Looking forward to our day date tomorrow-Walmart, here we come!!!
You know the ole American Dream? House, cars, kids, love, fences, hammocks, dog, lemonade, bbq's, evening strolls, summer breezes, etc. I think we have a few of those-I just can't find the time to enjoy them. "Stop and smell the roses" We have roses? That's been the past few months. Adding baby Simon has been like adding 5 new people. I don't know if it's because we had such a good routine and were 2 against 1, always out-numbering the little person, or if that's just what happens. This is a typical afternoon.
Dusty picks up Gus. I pick up Simon. We meet at the front door. Hello. Go in and Dusty unloads Gus' lunch box, I unload Simon's diaper bag. Usually there is a dirty diaper, so I wash it out and add it to the diaper pail. Dusty starts making lunches, I start making dinner. Oh, grab Simon a bottle. Put the bottle in the microwave, 31 seconds and...breaker tripped. Turn off the toaster, microwave bottle, it's 100 degrees-oh yeah, turn AC back on. Start some laundry, "I wanna go outside and play" let Gus out-make him swear to stay in the front yard, continue with dinner as Simon pulls on my shorts. Scream at Gus to get back in the front yard. BREAD'S BURNING!!
Sit down to eat dinner...Gus doesn't like it. What do you want...uh candy and ice cream. Ok, well just eat this instead. Dusty eats while Simon clings to me, I go eat while Dusty bribes Gus to eat bite by bite, then Dusty gets 2nds while I start cleaning.
We play.
I wash Simon in the kitchen sink, Dusty gives Gus a bath (or vice versa) WHERE IS SIMON'S towel? Breaker tripped. Did you put the clothes in the dryer? No, I thought you did. Bring me the wipes. Now I need diaper rash cream. You give Gus his medicine while I give Simon his. Wait, I already gave Gus his. No, you didn't. Well then I already gave it to Simon. Are you sure? No. Did you take your medicine today? No...me either.
Time to put on jammers-which for whatever reason is also a signal that the end of the world is upon us. "I wanna do it myself" "Fine, do it" "I need help" "Ok" "Don't help me""Ok" "I'm telling" "Fine, tell" "Mommy-Daddy won't help me" ???? Do you want help or not???? Simon is falling asleep in my arms and Gus screams and wakes him up. Ok, I'm going to lay him in his crib- the only safe place for him in our home. "OK, Simon is asleep" "Bringing Gus in" Gus comes in- "I wanna read a stoooorrrryyy" Oh, lookey lookey, Simon's awake. One of us read's "OTIS" the story about a tractor-the same story we read every single night, night after night after night, and then we get ourselves ready for bed.
We're laying there and Gus comes in. 1. I need to go pee pee. 2. I need to brush my teeth. 3. I just forgot to give you guys hugs. 4. I need water. 5. I forgot to check on you guys. 6. There's a monster in my room. 7. Uhm, baby Simon flewed up (threw up) 8. There's a dragon snake under my bed. 9. Turn your TV off guys. 10. Just checking to see if you guys were scared. (That's the top 10 of an infinity of things that could go wrong)
Was that you I passed earlier with poop in your hair? Yeah, was that you hiding in the closet? Thought so.
Come to think of it, he never asks how I got the poop in my hair, and I never asked why he was hiding in the closet-it's pretty safe guessing either way.
Looking forward to our day date tomorrow-Walmart, here we come!!!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Mom wakes up from sickness and finds....
My dad has appropriately named us the "Sick family Robinson's" Out of 9 days, we have been to the dr 8 of them. Some days, two by two. It started with Gus on his birthday, went to Dusty-who never gets sick and I had to open my mouth. "If you get sick, me and Simon are really in for it" My throat started hurting and I kept putting it off. Simon got sick and there was talk of him being sent to Mission, so I put it off again. So I got all my little chickies sorted out and then I went to get myself checked out. Dr said my tonsils looked terrible...hmm..got my tonsils out in 2006...so they must look pretty bad by now. 2 days later I went back and got new meds since I'm allergic to the first meds and I'm feeling better & waking out of the hydrocodone coma.
At one point I remember saying something about the house, which was met with some grunting and glances. It looked like someone turned the house upside down and shook it, then set it right side up again. For whatever reason, the toy bins were completely empty. Some of the toys were outside on the sidewalk, they were of course all over inside surfaces/floors and even a few in the trash can. I know that taking on a house and 2 boys isn't easy but-why is there milk running down the oven? Has anyone..any one of you bathed? What have you been eating? Who had popcorn for breakfast? Not a single fruit or veggie is included in any of those items. You do realize there is an ant colony in this window sill? The blanket you've covered Simon with-is that the same one he threw up on that I had in the laundry basket? There is a pile of dollar store receipts on the counter and some art made out of Popsicle sticks.
Everyone is alive, The laundry is done, and dishes are washed-he's a good man, but I gotta laugh:)
At one point I remember saying something about the house, which was met with some grunting and glances. It looked like someone turned the house upside down and shook it, then set it right side up again. For whatever reason, the toy bins were completely empty. Some of the toys were outside on the sidewalk, they were of course all over inside surfaces/floors and even a few in the trash can. I know that taking on a house and 2 boys isn't easy but-why is there milk running down the oven? Has anyone..any one of you bathed? What have you been eating? Who had popcorn for breakfast? Not a single fruit or veggie is included in any of those items. You do realize there is an ant colony in this window sill? The blanket you've covered Simon with-is that the same one he threw up on that I had in the laundry basket? There is a pile of dollar store receipts on the counter and some art made out of Popsicle sticks.
Everyone is alive, The laundry is done, and dishes are washed-he's a good man, but I gotta laugh:)
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Sleepwalkers and babies don't mix
Maybe you readers are getting tired of poop stories, but in my house, they just keep coming.
We have finally established a routine with Simon for night feedings. The first time he gets up, Dusty goes in and gives him a bottle, props him up on the boppy and leaves the room. I go in on the next cry of starvation and gently rock him while feeding him and change his diaper and lay him back down. Last night was different. Very different.
Dusty was not feeling well so I took the first shift. Later in the night, Dusty took his turn of going in to give Simon a bottle. He came back and laid down and about 5 minutes later, Simon was still fussing. I roused and Dusty said-ughghgh, he needs a new diaper, he's peed through that one and it's all over the bed. Ok, if you knew that had happened, why did you not change him. He jumps up, slams the covers and goes in and I hear-"OH GREAT" Then he comes into the room holding Simon like a sack of potatoes under his arm-naked demanding "where are the wipes" So I just get on up and go into the boys room....squish. "Why is there poop on my foot?" "Cause that's where it was when I found it on him" "You found the poop on Simon as he levitated in the air beside his crib?" "No, I can't find the wipes" "Why is he naked, where is his diaper?" "You try changing a baby when you don't feel good" Ok, now I realize that Dusty is sleepwalking while holding the baby, and I have poop on the bottom of my foot with no wipes in sight.
I hop into the kitchen and get a paper towel to handle my situation for the moment, come back and ask Dusty calmly and gently to give Simon to me and go back to bed. So he sits Simon on the changing table-poop side down. Hmmph. Breathing. Breathing. Get Simon changed, clean the crib, clean the changing table, clean the floor, go clean my foot again for safe measure, and head back to bed. Cue alarm clock.
So I question Dusty about the mornings events and he bust out laughing about me stepping in poop.
We have finally established a routine with Simon for night feedings. The first time he gets up, Dusty goes in and gives him a bottle, props him up on the boppy and leaves the room. I go in on the next cry of starvation and gently rock him while feeding him and change his diaper and lay him back down. Last night was different. Very different.
Dusty was not feeling well so I took the first shift. Later in the night, Dusty took his turn of going in to give Simon a bottle. He came back and laid down and about 5 minutes later, Simon was still fussing. I roused and Dusty said-ughghgh, he needs a new diaper, he's peed through that one and it's all over the bed. Ok, if you knew that had happened, why did you not change him. He jumps up, slams the covers and goes in and I hear-"OH GREAT" Then he comes into the room holding Simon like a sack of potatoes under his arm-naked demanding "where are the wipes" So I just get on up and go into the boys room....squish. "Why is there poop on my foot?" "Cause that's where it was when I found it on him" "You found the poop on Simon as he levitated in the air beside his crib?" "No, I can't find the wipes" "Why is he naked, where is his diaper?" "You try changing a baby when you don't feel good" Ok, now I realize that Dusty is sleepwalking while holding the baby, and I have poop on the bottom of my foot with no wipes in sight.
I hop into the kitchen and get a paper towel to handle my situation for the moment, come back and ask Dusty calmly and gently to give Simon to me and go back to bed. So he sits Simon on the changing table-poop side down. Hmmph. Breathing. Breathing. Get Simon changed, clean the crib, clean the changing table, clean the floor, go clean my foot again for safe measure, and head back to bed. Cue alarm clock.
So I question Dusty about the mornings events and he bust out laughing about me stepping in poop.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Decisions
Who knew that making slight decisions would make such a huge difference. You would think that something that has a major outcome would take a sit down, talk it over, maybe even sleep on it decision making process. Not the case with kids.
It's more a fly by the seat of your pants and see what happens. I recently won the mother of the year award for one such decision.
Gus had a very bad day at school, and continued to have a bad day on the t-ball field. I needed milk, so the decision to stop at the grocery store was already made. I threatened Gus with his usual threats, and gave him some rewards to look forward to if he was good. Well, he was very good. He sat in the buggy, helped me stack some groceries and was very good to his brother. It all took a turn for the worse when we got to the parking lot. I unloaded all of the groceries while Simon sat in the buggy and Gus stood on the front. I grabbed my purse and Simon and went to put him in the car-"don't move Gus or you'll get hit by a car" turn, walk, "don't push the buggy Gus, you'll hit a car" turn back, "Gus stop doing that or you'll fly into that car" turn, put Simon in his seat, out of the corner of my eye, catch a flash of cart+Gus headed towards a car 3 spots over...run...rescue, turn the corner and cue Simon falling head over heals towards the pavement. I lunge forward and my purse goes sailing spilling out all of the contents into the gust of wind, fall on my knees and get my hand under Simon's......foot. Yay. I saved his foot and let his head hit the concrete. Perfect outcome.
Other people are walking through the parking lot looking at me like "How on earth did you just let so many things go wrong at one time" "Where is DSS when you need them?" I felt like the worst mom on planet earth, and planet 51. Which kid to save-the decision seemed easy-the one in danger. But as I'm learning, someone is always in danger. Usually, everyone is in danger when kids are involved. So everyone is fine except for my shin which suffered road rash.
It's more a fly by the seat of your pants and see what happens. I recently won the mother of the year award for one such decision.
Gus had a very bad day at school, and continued to have a bad day on the t-ball field. I needed milk, so the decision to stop at the grocery store was already made. I threatened Gus with his usual threats, and gave him some rewards to look forward to if he was good. Well, he was very good. He sat in the buggy, helped me stack some groceries and was very good to his brother. It all took a turn for the worse when we got to the parking lot. I unloaded all of the groceries while Simon sat in the buggy and Gus stood on the front. I grabbed my purse and Simon and went to put him in the car-"don't move Gus or you'll get hit by a car" turn, walk, "don't push the buggy Gus, you'll hit a car" turn back, "Gus stop doing that or you'll fly into that car" turn, put Simon in his seat, out of the corner of my eye, catch a flash of cart+Gus headed towards a car 3 spots over...run...rescue, turn the corner and cue Simon falling head over heals towards the pavement. I lunge forward and my purse goes sailing spilling out all of the contents into the gust of wind, fall on my knees and get my hand under Simon's......foot. Yay. I saved his foot and let his head hit the concrete. Perfect outcome.
Other people are walking through the parking lot looking at me like "How on earth did you just let so many things go wrong at one time" "Where is DSS when you need them?" I felt like the worst mom on planet earth, and planet 51. Which kid to save-the decision seemed easy-the one in danger. But as I'm learning, someone is always in danger. Usually, everyone is in danger when kids are involved. So everyone is fine except for my shin which suffered road rash.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
These days
Now that I'm back to work and life is going 100 mph, I've got time to blog:)
Being back at work is not as hard as I thought it would be. I guess once you've left the 1st one, the 2nd one isn't so bad. You realize that they will be there at the end of the day. I miss holding him while he goes to sleep and the sweet smiles and giggles. Simon is such an easy going kid. If I would have had him first, I would have told you I would have 10 more kids. Gus...however did not cause that same feeling.
He has loved being back in school and is excited to tell us his days events. He's equally excited if he goes into or avoids the grumpy seat. To him, pride can be for doing good or bad! He's starting to get the hang of it though. We signed him up to play t-ball and his world away from mom and dad has begun. He goes out on the field and listens to his coaches, throws a random ball, slides into 2nd, and leaves us behind. He does like to come over and get high fives after making it all the way around the bases. I have a feeling we are going to be spending a lot of time on the sidelines for the next 18 years (or longer if they apply themselves unlike their father...still hate seeing those recruiting letters from colleges) Gus is into baseball, football, soccer,basketball,volleyball,kickball,hockey,golf, and if I've missed anything-then that too.
Track is still going on. 2 kids made it to regionals and will compete on Saturday at WCU. I have the annual CF walk on Saturday morning and then will be headed up town to hang flyer's for the SSG Charlie Bagwell Memorial Scholarship fun, and then hopefully a little time with family. The following weekend will be our actual benefit, then the next weekend is Gus' birthday party and White Squirrel Festival. May is the never ending month, but I'm so glad to be a part of everything that I'm involved in.
Life may be going 100mph, but I have learned how to take the time for important things, like hugs, pulling snails out of the dryer and slobbery kisses!!
Being back at work is not as hard as I thought it would be. I guess once you've left the 1st one, the 2nd one isn't so bad. You realize that they will be there at the end of the day. I miss holding him while he goes to sleep and the sweet smiles and giggles. Simon is such an easy going kid. If I would have had him first, I would have told you I would have 10 more kids. Gus...however did not cause that same feeling.
He has loved being back in school and is excited to tell us his days events. He's equally excited if he goes into or avoids the grumpy seat. To him, pride can be for doing good or bad! He's starting to get the hang of it though. We signed him up to play t-ball and his world away from mom and dad has begun. He goes out on the field and listens to his coaches, throws a random ball, slides into 2nd, and leaves us behind. He does like to come over and get high fives after making it all the way around the bases. I have a feeling we are going to be spending a lot of time on the sidelines for the next 18 years (or longer if they apply themselves unlike their father...still hate seeing those recruiting letters from colleges) Gus is into baseball, football, soccer,basketball,volleyball,kickball,hockey,golf, and if I've missed anything-then that too.
Track is still going on. 2 kids made it to regionals and will compete on Saturday at WCU. I have the annual CF walk on Saturday morning and then will be headed up town to hang flyer's for the SSG Charlie Bagwell Memorial Scholarship fun, and then hopefully a little time with family. The following weekend will be our actual benefit, then the next weekend is Gus' birthday party and White Squirrel Festival. May is the never ending month, but I'm so glad to be a part of everything that I'm involved in.
Life may be going 100mph, but I have learned how to take the time for important things, like hugs, pulling snails out of the dryer and slobbery kisses!!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Blues
Some days are worse than others. Some weeks even. Last week was my "grey week". It was a combination of constant rain, Gus on his worst behavior, and Simon having several issues. He was teething, he was getting bullied and he was fighting sleep every chance he got. I quickly became overwhelmed and crawled inside myself unable to regain control. I think a lot of moms feel this way, but don't talk about it much. I felt like I was gonna explode. Like it was "groundhogs day". Being a stay at home mom, I start and end my day in the same place. 24/7. This job is not for everyone-including me. I was craving my desk, my computer, my office, my silence. Originally the plan was to go back to work in September. Then I decided August was a good month, and now the start date is July 1. We'll see if it changes again:) I know I will miss my boys, but I also know that I'll be home to see them at the end of everyday! I'm just not the "make my own play-doh, let the kids paint the walls, and every Tuesday is library day" kinda mom. I wish I could afford to do more things out of the house with them, but living off of a "generous" teacher's salary-I can't. Gus loves the structure of school. We are so pleased with Little Blessings Learning Center for all that they provide Gus. He is a different kid on the days he goes to school, so I'm ready for him to be full time like- tomorrow! Dusty will be home this summer, so he can hang with Simon till school starts. Then we'll piece together the remainder of the time till he gets to start at Little Blessings in September. Anyway, I tried the stay at home mom thing and for the most part, I have enjoyed it. I've loved my time with Simon as an infant. I didn't get to have that with Gus and knowing that we aren't having anymore kiddos, I don't regret this time at all. But I'm not built to sit inside while the rain pours down. I don't think that I'm a bad mom, or a bad person for wanting to work. Women put so much pressure on each other one way or the other depending on their personal beliefs/situations and it's not fair. Do you, and I'll do me...at an office...and then I'll come home to my boys who will love me just the same:)
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