Foraging Onward…

Well, now we have Rusty, our new dog…  He is an English Setter.  He’s a great dog…  This is our Rusty, he’s such a doll!

It’s a match made in heaven.  He’s such a great dog and a perfect fit for our family.  He soaks up all the attention we give him, and loves playing with the boys.  We spend a lot of time in the yard playing catch, and he even has a doggie pal that my friend from down the street brings over on occasion. 

Rusty LOVES my husband.  I think he craves male attention.  Speaking of male attention, my house is now completely full of males…  Our puppy was the only other female in the house, and now it’s all testosterone with the exception of little ol’ me.  {sigh}

 

And thanks to the Fourth of July…

 

My wonderful husband is home for three weeks without work or pay…  This isn’t to say that the holiday isn’t to be celebrated; we love having him home…  But he is basically being forced to take the time off without pay or given the ability to collect unemployment.  It’s very, very unfair.  But, it will be very nice to have him home.  Very nice. 

So now our house is complete again.  We have a dog.  The kids are happy.  It’s summertime.  We’ve been outside a lot.  The summer festivals are about to start, meaning fireworks and all that jazz.  These are the times we cherish.  Can’t wait to get them started!!
 

Has it Really Been a Month?

Wow, I am so sorry it has been over a month since I’ve written in this blog.  Do I even have readers?  If I do you’re going to have to comment me now, you know that…  He he. 

A LOT has happened, to say the least.  Yes, M was diagnosed with sleep apnea.  It does suck.  We had an appointment with with a really good ENT..  But…  They refused to see him since he still technically had Medicaid.  I had to have that cancelled and hopefully they’ll reschedule it for the beginning of July. 

Also, with M’s diagnosis, we revisited a problem that G has been having since birth.  He snores.  He dosen’t speak as clearly as other 3 and a half year old’s.  Sleep apnea is hereditary; his isn’t as severe as M’s, but he has it.  The ped is ordering him to have his tonsils and adenoids removed, and with M we’re still not sure what the ENT will want to do. 

On another note, we had to get rid of our doggie.  Our chocolate lab, Hershey.  She attacked me.  Well, that’s kind of a harsh way of putting it.  I tried to grab her by the collar to show her something she did wrong and she scratched and bit me…  Her claws got me much more and her teeth never punctured.  We miss her like crazy and our house is veeeeery empty with no dog… 

Not to mention now that we have no dog here that means we have no instant vaccuum…  Hence…  I’m sweeping up Cheerios 15 times a day…

 

There is, however, a good ending to this story; we are getting a new dog.  Yes, I know, that was fast.  Fate, it seems, is kind in this instance.  One of the very nice moms in a group I’m in wants to rehome her dog…  To a high energy family…  Can you say PERFECT??  That dog would fit right in here.  She’s been sweet enough to share pictures of the dog and everything.  We’ve already fallen head over heels and G just can’t wait to pick him up this weekend. 

On the Husband front…  J’s been gone for roughly three weeks now.  He was home for ONE day that whole time in which we had a nice BBQ steak dinner and ate outside as a family. God, do we miss him. It’s not so bad when he’s gone for a week/week and a half… But this long, well, it grates… Things get hard. You miss him. You get lonely and annoy the crap out of your friends. Luckily, I have some pretty awesome friends…      

Also, there has been construction on our street for the past couple months.  For going on two weeks now I haven’t been able to park in my driveway, or even in front of my own house.  They paved the road last week.  It took them a week and a half of preperation before they even paved it.  We have to park at the corner a half a block down the street.  This isn’t SO bad, but it is an inconvienence when you are me because…  Well…  I’m alone with two young children 90% of the time.  About two weeks ago I had to run them home in a storm with high winds and pouring rain because I couldn’t beat it home…  Also, try carting a 10 month old, a three year old, and groceries down half a block…  To add insult to injury…  Literally…  The other day they tore up the sidewalk.  So now we can’t even walk on a sidewalk.  I have to cart the stroller over grass.  And while cleaning the garage out two days ago I had a wayward drawer fall and the corner hit the top of my ankle badly bruising it down to the bone…  So pushing a stroller over grass {shit, even walking on solid ground for that matter} is a task…  And then I’m sitting outside the other night letting the boys play, and I see a cement truck drive over the newly paved road…  Yet we’re still not allowed to drive over it or even park in front of our own houses…  Urgh…  Makes me wanna …

I do have to say one thing, though, on the positive side..  The day they poured the concrete, the dudes were great.  The boys and I were out there and watched.  The big truck they have that makes the road is really cool; it forms the curbs as it goes.  And later, when we went to go do something, there was a guy out spraying cure on the road..  G asks “mommy, what’s he doing?”  I said, “I don’t know, baby, why don’t you ask him?”  Well, G was too shy, {surprisingly} so I asked for him.  The construction worker was nice enough to not only explain that what he was spraying was cure, but why the road needed it, what would happen if it dried too quickly, and how they used to do it 20 years ago.  I was really impressed that this guy could take 5 minutes to explain to a kid how things worked.  And he didn’t simplify it too much…  G understood it…  Basically, the guy didn’t act like G was a baby like some people do…  He probably had kids… 

Ok, well, I think this is all for now…  I can’t quite think of anything else.  I’m very very tired at the moment, to be quite honest and think I need to hit the sack a tad early this evening.  Goodnight, dear readers, if, in fact, there are any of you out there. 

Chaos and More Chaos

Well, things have been way more chaotic than usual around here.  Where to begin…  Hmmm…  Ah yes:

About two weeks ago the boys and I were napping.  I woke up because M was not breathing like usual..  {Yes, a change in my boy’s breathing pattern DOES wake me up.}  I noticed his belly going in far, and that when he tried to take a breath I could see his ribs.  {This is called retracting, BTW} Figuring that I should at least rouse him a little, I tried to wake him up.  In the midst of me trying this, unsuccessfully, G, the 3 year old, woke up too.  He also tried to wake M with me.  It took both of us a half hour and stripping M down to get him to wake up.  Called the doc, and was told he needed to be seen in the ER right away because that was not normal.

Hubby was on the road, in New Mexico at the time.  1600 miles away from his family.  I called my mother and had my dad come watch G while her and I took M to the hospital.  They diagnosed him with an ALTE {Acute Life Threatning Event} and wanted to monitor him overnight. 

Just a little insight: when you are on Medicaid your healthcare really BLOWS.  The doctors seem to be certified idiots. 

They wanted to monitor him for siezures or sleep apnea.  I’ve been trying to get him a sleep study for apnea for months now.  The ER doc told us that it was one of the two… 

So we were admitted.  It took us 2 hours to get a room.  First, they told my mother that they had a shortage of cribs…  When I inquired about the wait they told me they were waiting for his insurance to OK the admittance.  I then reminded the nurse that we cosleep, and told her that a crib would not be necessary; we’d just need a bed.  I got some major attitude about that, “That’s such a bad habit to start!” And some huff and puff.  After all the crap, they had the housing supervisor come up to see me and tell me that there was only one bed in the whole peds unit open, and as long as I was OK having to use a bathroom down the hall we could have that room…  I figured my kid sleeping was more important than my personal convienence. 

In the peds unit he wasn’t really monitored at all.  Sure, they had him hooked up to a little heart montior and pulse ox machine.  Everytime the alarm went off no one answered it.  It wasn’t feeding into a nurses station, no printout to be studied later…  Just an alarm; we were right across from the nurses station so there was no reason why they couldn’t at least come check on him when it did go off… 

The next day, when I finally got ahold of the staff pediatrician, I asked if we were good to go home, etc.  First thing he said is that there is no such thing as sleep apnea in babies {http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sleep/apnea.html check out this link and you’ll see just how big of an idiot this doctor was} and that we could go home, but had to call his ped to have them take care of the issue.

Long story short {to late, I know} M has since seen a Pediatric Neurologist, had an EEG to test for siezures, and siezures have been ruled out.  Tomorrow, the 14th, we go in for a sleep study to check for apnea or other sleep disorders, considering the neurologist felt that what M has is SLEEP APNEA… 

Meanwhile, G has developed a raging rash.  He’s sensitive to the heat, but we took him in to the doctors just to make sure.  This idiot doctor told me that he was allergic to the sun.  So, we kept him out of the sun for 3 days, and the rash got worse.  Then we’re told he’s got scarlet fever, even though he had absolutely no other symptoms…  Got a second, more trusted opinion.  NO scarlet fever.  Medicaid sucks.  It really does.  I’m beginning to think it’s population control.

So on with life as usual now.    Hubby stayed home with us for a week and a half after all this.  He needed it.  During the worst of it all he was 1600 miles away, his only connection to his kids or me a cell phone that had bad reception in a hospital room…  He’s now back on the road, hating his job and the fact that he had to leave his boys again.  He’s doing what has to be done, but he dosn’t like it. 

What a Weekend, What a Day

This weekend Hubby was home.  Now the house is a complete mess, and G got quite an attitude this morning when he woke up and Daddy was gone.  But, I made today a fantastic day, so he’s happy now.

We finally got a web cam.  Hubby can now video conference with us when he’s on the road, helping the kids to at least “see” him.  This way, he doesn’t feel like he’s missing out so much, either.  He feels like he’s missing out on their younger years being gone so much.

Our weekend was pretty good.  We hung out, went to the store, and reveled in each others company.  We also had some relatives over for a BBQ on Saturday.  God it was nice to have some BBQ again!  It was our first of the season.

Today was cool, considering Hubby was gone.  We woke up, and then had some breakfast.  Got the kids ready and then we all went outside.  The weather was fantastic.  Mid 70’s.  It didn’t feel all that hot.  The baby loved it.  We set up a blanket under the tree and played with toys while G played with his bikes on slid down the slide.  We had some friends over, too, and G played until he was completely pooped. 

Finally we took our midday nap.  When we woke up we were sunburned.  I am so crazy red.  So is G.  M, the baby, has a touch of red on his cheeks and nose, but otherwise he’s fine.  Whew. 

Oh, did I mention Hubby gave G a haircut?  We have one of those cool looking kids with a mohawk.  Yup, he’s three years old and has a mohawk.  He’s cute.  I love it.

Then this evening we had more friends over, and also I got to practice my Henna tattooing skills.  I suck.  I really need more practice.  Oh well.  At least we got tipsy drinking appletini’s.   

A Beautiful Day

Well, today was such a pretty day!  The whether was so nice out.  The temperature was in the 70’s.  This whether was loooong overdue.  And we enjoyed every second we could. 

Today was one of those days that I reveled in my boys.  We woke up and started in with the fun.  I took the kids to go to a playdate; only to find out that the playdate was cancelled.  It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. 

G wanted to play, so I took him to McDonalds for some lunch and some kids.  The playscape was full of children, all laughing, romping around and enjoying themselves.  G fit right in with them and played until everyone but us left.  Finally I decided we needed to go home; M was hungry and we needed naps.  We were at McDonald’s for about two hours!! 

We came home, hung out on the couch for a little bit while I fed M, and then we went upstairs to take a nap.  M played in his crib for a little while, smiling and laughing to himself, and G and I played cars in the bed {he has to take toys with him to bed} until M got sleepy enough for us all to lie down.  We took a nice, restful, cuddly nap.

We woke up and I figured I’d clean the house.  I honestly haven’t really had much time to clean in the last two days so the house was a little messy..  I got about a quarter of the way through the dishes, and my neighbor and her 3 year old boy, D, decided to knock on our door. 

Even though I was still in jammies, I let them in.  They wanted us to come outside and play, so I quickly got the kids and I dressed, put my Moby Wrap on, and we all went to the park.  The boys played, and my neighbor and I talked.  I stood there watching the kids play soaking up the beautiful whether and the wonderful, carefree sight of my son playing around. 

After the playground we came home and let the boys play in the back yard.  Then we went for a nice long, relaxing walk.  I love walking in the nice whether.  It is so zen.  M absolutely loves the outdoors, and he squealed with delight more than a few times. 

After our walk, G went over into the neighbor’s yard and played trucks in the dirt.  Yup, he got really dirty.  It was so fun!  I got such a kick out of watching G and D dig up dirt with their excavators and shovel it into the dump truck; only to have G take it a foot away and dump it.  So sweet! 

We topped this wonderful spring night off with Taco Bell for dinner, served at about 9pm.  It was great.  Then me, M, and G took a bath to get all the dirt off.  M has so much fun in the bath with G; he splashes and giggles. 

So, after this unproductive yet wonderful day, I am tired.  The good kind of tired you don’t really feel all that often;  the tired that says, “You had a wonderful, fun filled day today.  Now it’s time for you to relax, mellow out, then go to bed and have good dreams so you can do it all again tomorrow…”

 

Games, Pizza, and Chocolate Kisses

Today was so completely fantastic it was amazing.  I took G out with me alone.  We had the best day ever… 

I didn’t want it to end, but sadly my boobs were getting full and I knew M probably needed both a nap and some milk…

My wonderful, awesome mother in law took M today for a few hours while I got to go on a little “date” with G.  It was so great, as you’ve read. 

I had some tokens for Chuck E Cheese laying around here for years, and decided to put them to use.  We had pizza, played games, got some noisemaker toys, and all in all had a ball.  We raced cars, we whacked moles, we shot zombies, we ski balled, and we just ran around.  After the Cheese we went to get some ice cream, and I was treated to a very messy, chocolaty kiss from my oldest.  It was more than heaven. 

I miss the times that he and I had alone, when we were buddies.  I miss just being able to give him one hundred percent attention.  Don’t get me wrong, I am completely and totally in love with the baby, but today made me realize that I absolutely MUST take time out for G alone more often, even if I gotta just take him to the park and romp around.  And of course, when he’s a little older, I have to do the same with M… 

I reveled in the day today.  We got home and all of us were ready for a nap.  We took a late nap, then when we woke up, went to the grocery store to get some essentials…  Like milk.  {G goes through about a gallon every day if I let him; other parents are jealous, me – I wish he’d drink cheaper stuff since milk’s up to almost $4 a gallon!}  G got spoiled rotten today; the grocery store had some toys seventy five percent off, so he not only got a Superman figure, but a cool revv up truck and a Hot Wheels car. 

We concluded the day with a family bath, baby included… 

Gosh I wish today didn’t have to end.  Such a great day, such great boys. 

Random Musings

So, this is my first blog post.  I hope this works ok, and I hope I can keep it up…

Thoughts for today…  I’m lonely, Hubby’s gone for the weekend/all next week.  Just me and the kids.  Not that we normally go out on a Saturday night or anything, but today was particularly lonely.  I was so restless and just all around blah.  Called almost everyone I knew today, must have sounded totally pathetic!  Just wanted to be around other adults…  Even my mom wouldn’t talk to me today. 

Am I just pathetic, or what?  Taking the oldest out tomorrow for a day with just him and me.  I’m excited and can’t wait.  We both need this.  Baby takes way too much of my time, and it’s been awhile since G and I have had our time.  Missing it like crazy;  I’m so in love with him. 

Speaking of in love ~ I have been staring at these two boys for so long now, and you’d think that it might get old.  But nope, it don’t.  I keep wishing that I had a camera imbedded in my eyes, because I’d like to capture so many small moments that can only be seen at the times when you are least likely to have a camera…  Like when we’re all in bed, both boys are sleeping, and I look up and see the two most handsome, serene faces any mom could see.  Every time I think, “God I wish I had a camera!”  But know that if I were to get out of bed, that moment of serenity would be lost… 

{{Sigh}} 

What’s it Like??

So, what’s it like to be a trucker’s wife?  Hmmm, let’s see. 

I once read something somewhere online, I can’t quite recall where I actually read it, but it said, “A trucker’s wife is an independent, self sufficient, psychotic woman who can allow someone to walk in occasionally, mess up the house, spoil the kids and leave a mess only to stand at the door and tell that person she loves them.”  That one is me to a T. 

There are times when you hate being a trucker’s wife; then there are times when you love it.  There are times when you cry because you miss him; and times when you don’t mind that he’s gone. 

There are things that really really suck to do alone: ER visits with the kids, major health issues with the kids {especially when they’ve passed it on to you!}, shopping with a 3 year old and an 8 month old, paying bills, managing the money, making appointments, and generally running a whole household. 

Then, of course, there are things that are great to do alone:  it’s easier to keep the house clean, make time for yourself, plan dinners {my truck driver happens to have Celiac Disease so dinner without him is much easier to plan and cheaper too}, romp around with the boys, host playdates with my mom’s group, and generally just do things my way. 

It’s definately a lifestyle that takes adapting to.  I’ve known my Hubby for a lot of years; when we got engaged, he told me, “I’ll never stop driving a truck.  Can you handle it?”

Of course I can.  It’s a regular 9~5 job that kept him home every day that might be hard for me.  Shit, I’ll admit it; I’m hard to live with.  I’m set in my ways and I don’t want to change.  When I’m around ANYBODY for longer than a few days at a time I annoy them. 

Being with a trucker was HEAVEN…  Till we had kids.  Now it’s sorta like…  I dunno…  Purgatory.  Good but not good.  Bad but not bad.  The hardest thing, for me, is seeing my 3 year old try to deal when daddy leaves after a weekend home.  Sometimes it gets really hard on him.  That’s when I need to really step up my “mommy game.” 

Yeah, that’s when he gets spoiled.  I wish I had a better way to deal with his pain other than McDonald’s, hugs, love, and toy trucks; but that’s what currently works until I become more wise. 

Lastly, there is one stereotype I cannot stand about being a trucker’s wife.  I DO NOT CHEAT.  I never would.  I don’t have the desire…  Let alone the time.  Just because Hubby’s not around 24/7 doesn’t mean I’m a complete horn-ball who can’t contain herself until he gets home.  As it is now, when he is home, we have to sneak in the bathroom while the oldest watches a movie and the youngest is sleeping/in a playpen, but that’s a subject for another post…