I got my piano tuned this week. It's mellow, rich tones echoing through our house. Of course the challenge with getting the piano tuned is now I know that when I a chord I am playing sounds sour, it is me, and not my piano. Removes my excuses for letting a few wrong notes through.
Otherwise it is Friday. I felt pretty good most of the day. Then 7pm hit. I have been kinda tired and nauseous since 7. Before 7 I felt like I was antsie and kind of wanted to go so things. So, I took the kids to grandma's to borrow some movies and then to the grocery store for a chocolate ice cream run. And besides ice cream we also come home with ravioli. Yummy.
We have been having dinner lately about 5pm. That is when I demand to eat. Tonight we had french toast at 5. And then at 7 we had ice cream and at 8:30 I had ravioli. Clay baby ate 3 helpings of ravioli. The other kids haven't seen it yet. I also absolutely have to eat as soon as I get up (usually about 6:45) and then by 11, eat lunch at 12, and by 4,7,9 ish.
My kids are watching their kid movie right now. Mike and I have one to watch after we put the kids down- If I last that long. Ian is already asleep, it looks like Ewan will go out soon. Ian fell asleep just before dinner yesterday- right across the dining room chairs as I was setting the table. He slept all night and woke up happy at 7 this morning. Somehow, I just can't seem to build a desire to wake a sleeping kid for a cathing.
I stopped by my mom's today. She is now wearing my size clothing (yup, she kind of looked nice in those 18 talls). And I asked her if she will be smaller then me in a few months. At first she said no, but then I reminded her that I plan on my waist growing a bit before then.
That is one thing nice about pregnancy- no more hoping or hiding your belly curves away- it is a time to enjoy putting the nice round thing forward. Anybody who said curved weren't beautiful, obviously wasn't looking at a real woman.
Tonight mom went out again- to yet another fancy fund raiser dinner. I smiled when I told her that I was going home to a nice simple dinner and a quite evening (as quiet as it can be with 4 boys). She told me that I wasn't allowed to say that to Dad.
Poor Dad, he would have been content with a tuna fish sandwich and a good tv show (or internet search, or book or....) Luckily I was very able to turn down invitations for this holiday season. And it is a very good thing I did. Fund raiser dinners are bad enough to wait 1.5 hours for dinner (that is when the silent auctions are) when you are not pregnant- but to do that with how my morning sickness has been this time- I would have eating anybody who looked at me crosswise for an appetizer.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Sunday
IF there was ever a day to lay low it is usually a Sunday. As much as I wanted to get up and moving my brain and body were not cooperating with me today. Mom called at 9:30, we were all still in bed. And it took me until 1pm to even start the roast for dinner.
Isn't it interesting that the slower you move the faster your kids move? Like when you are carrying that turtle shell you babes are running at 100 mph. Right now I am trying to gauge how fast my children are moving, but my brain's built in high speed camera is not catching them. It sounds like some of them might have just crashed into each other. If I were to wish for anything right now it would be sunny skies. Then they could race around out side. Hasn't a month of rain been enough?
Isn't it interesting that the slower you move the faster your kids move? Like when you are carrying that turtle shell you babes are running at 100 mph. Right now I am trying to gauge how fast my children are moving, but my brain's built in high speed camera is not catching them. It sounds like some of them might have just crashed into each other. If I were to wish for anything right now it would be sunny skies. Then they could race around out side. Hasn't a month of rain been enough?
Thursday, October 18, 2007
pregnancy
Pregnancy does weird thing to your mind. It does weird things to your personal and professional interactions. It does weird (but glorious) things to your sex life.
First of all pregnancy plays with blood sugar. I used to be fine going from meal to meal with out an issue, now I act like my mother if I don't eat every hour.
Secondly, it makes you want to push any and almost everything that wants your time as far away as possible. It works in a circular effect. Those things closest to you (ie, your toddler, spouse) can still get time and cuddly and you are ok with it. The second circle- your immediate family you start physical distancing them "Off my lap." "Don't hang on me." ect. The oldest kids have seen a lot of times and they aren't bothered by it. Some of them even enjoy this some as it matches their desire for less parental control. There are always less apron strings on kids that have lots of younger siblings.
The third circle is you immediate social network. Parents, brothers, ect. They are people you still love, but you no longer feel it is imperative to keep track of them or hang with them. This also includes close business friends or customers. Their requests for your time have to wait until you can deal with it.
The fourth circle is the rest of the world, and most of them might as well not exist. Every invitation (that is not from the first 3 groups) is turned down. And most other activities or interactions with them become on a necessity basis only.
I believe most of these changes are the hormones preparing you self for the new baby days. When for about 6-12 m you will have to attend to the new little being for 18 hours per day.
Basically one is too exhausted to do all that is necessary the first several months, then in the last several months one is too big. And please do not ask the same question more then twice or make me tell you something more then twice. By the third time, my voice is almost always raised. And if you are requesting my time or input you better realize that I am taking time away from a nap for it and listen closely so it can go quickly. My mind may be telling me your involvement in my life is useful or valuable, but my body is tell me nothing is more valuable then food or a nap right now- and yes that does include baby Clay.
First of all pregnancy plays with blood sugar. I used to be fine going from meal to meal with out an issue, now I act like my mother if I don't eat every hour.
Secondly, it makes you want to push any and almost everything that wants your time as far away as possible. It works in a circular effect. Those things closest to you (ie, your toddler, spouse) can still get time and cuddly and you are ok with it. The second circle- your immediate family you start physical distancing them "Off my lap." "Don't hang on me." ect. The oldest kids have seen a lot of times and they aren't bothered by it. Some of them even enjoy this some as it matches their desire for less parental control. There are always less apron strings on kids that have lots of younger siblings.
The third circle is you immediate social network. Parents, brothers, ect. They are people you still love, but you no longer feel it is imperative to keep track of them or hang with them. This also includes close business friends or customers. Their requests for your time have to wait until you can deal with it.
The fourth circle is the rest of the world, and most of them might as well not exist. Every invitation (that is not from the first 3 groups) is turned down. And most other activities or interactions with them become on a necessity basis only.
I believe most of these changes are the hormones preparing you self for the new baby days. When for about 6-12 m you will have to attend to the new little being for 18 hours per day.
Basically one is too exhausted to do all that is necessary the first several months, then in the last several months one is too big. And please do not ask the same question more then twice or make me tell you something more then twice. By the third time, my voice is almost always raised. And if you are requesting my time or input you better realize that I am taking time away from a nap for it and listen closely so it can go quickly. My mind may be telling me your involvement in my life is useful or valuable, but my body is tell me nothing is more valuable then food or a nap right now- and yes that does include baby Clay.
Monday, October 15, 2007
notes
We are running 3 hour behind today in cathing Ian. We were supposed to do it around noon, but decided to put it off until we got home at 3. So then we did a 7 and now it is a 12. But I am waiting for him to get out of the tub, because his stool softener worked in a big way tonight.
The other boys fell asleep quickly tonight, and we have seemed to have done a good job misplacing Galen's homework and folders today.- Actually I am assuming it was misplaced Saturday Morning when they packed their bags for Duluth, but it is tonight that we cannot find it.
What else can I ramble on about? Let's see Clay has started singing songs with simple lyrics- like "Sha na na na, sha na na na, hey, hey ,hey bye, bye."
Well, Ian is out of the bath, and all his bedtime prep stuff is done- I even cathed him 1 person- mike was already snoring, but Ian has been very relaxed with it these last few times. Now er will have to get him to handle it himself- some day.
Tomorrow brings a trip to Brainerd, an x-ray and a school board meeting.
Gotta love busy fall schedules.
The other boys fell asleep quickly tonight, and we have seemed to have done a good job misplacing Galen's homework and folders today.- Actually I am assuming it was misplaced Saturday Morning when they packed their bags for Duluth, but it is tonight that we cannot find it.
What else can I ramble on about? Let's see Clay has started singing songs with simple lyrics- like "Sha na na na, sha na na na, hey, hey ,hey bye, bye."
Well, Ian is out of the bath, and all his bedtime prep stuff is done- I even cathed him 1 person- mike was already snoring, but Ian has been very relaxed with it these last few times. Now er will have to get him to handle it himself- some day.
Tomorrow brings a trip to Brainerd, an x-ray and a school board meeting.
Gotta love busy fall schedules.
Friday, October 12, 2007
In case you haven't heard
I now have another life with in.
It better be a girl. Due date June 16. Please whatever you do- do not expect a lot out of me for Christmas. Between it being the busiest season ever for RB and having to go back to the Mayo in Dec (and the impending nausea)- I refuse to promise much
It better be a girl. Due date June 16. Please whatever you do- do not expect a lot out of me for Christmas. Between it being the busiest season ever for RB and having to go back to the Mayo in Dec (and the impending nausea)- I refuse to promise much
Monday, October 08, 2007
Just for fun
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Does the center of our solar system count?
2. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Nope, but I do think some goats would be handy to control the length of the lawn.
3. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
It depends what kind of other person I was.
4. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Never
5. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS
Yes
6. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Only if all the slots for alligator wrestling were filled.
7. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Whole Wheat- that is the cereal I use in most things I cook.
8. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
It depends how much my feet have swollen since I put them on.
9. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Strong in what? Odor? Probably- should shower in the morning
Strong in personality? maybe
Strong in body? it was built to withstand.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
All natural anything
11. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
their clothes and their outfit
12. RED OR PINK?
The red ones are fully ripe, the pink ones need another week on the bush.
13. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
Mike, he always ducks when I start throwing things.
14. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
If they are up to late to know when to go to bed, I wouldn't mind reading their answers on the 5 minutes I have off each day.
15. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
I wear the skirt in the family.
16. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE ?
midnight snack- ants on a log with extra rasions
17. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
mike falling to sleep, my computer humming
18. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
I don't think I would be aware enough about my existence to care.
19. FAVORITE SMELLS?
New baby smell
Pumpkin pie
Mint
Lavender
20. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
I don't know, I answer the phone way to many times in one day.
21. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
it depends on if she is reading this or not.
22. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
DOes watching your husband wrestle your autistic child into his clothes count?
23. HAIR COLOR?
Looking more like my mother every day...with slightly lighter and redder highlights- in the right sun
24. EYE COLOR?
Blue
25. FAVORITE FOOD?
fresh organic.....(anything)
26. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
I like scary movies that have a happy ending, like the stuff M Night Shalamon does.
27. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
OR half movie I half watched? Cast Away- I watched half of it last night- kinda
28. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
pink is a safe bet- but when I look down, it is a plaid that contains, green, orange, tan purple and pink
29. SUMMER OR WINTER?
I'm sorry, that has to be stated in a form of a question.
30. HUGS OR KISSES?
it depends who is giving. nothing is sweeter nor sloppier then baby kisses
31. FAVORITE DESSERT?
1/2 bar of dark chocolate
32. WHAT BOOK( s) ARE YOU READING NOW?
I just read the Magic School Bus inside a Hurricane,Investigating Hurricanes and Tornadoes, Anne Gedde's The 12 Days of Christmas and Thomas the Tank Engine learns to be nice.- Can you guess which kid chose which book?
33. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
I am lucky if I can keep a mouse pad.
34. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
1/2 of Cast Away
35. FAVORITE SOUND?
kids snoring.
36. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Both are really bad when they go through your washing machine- but way worse in the dryer. That reminds me, I think one or the other got into my dryer today between loads, I am going to have to call a repair man.
37. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Emotionally or Physically?
38. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Well, I am getting pretty talented at catheterizing. (although it took my 5 tries to spell it).
Does the center of our solar system count?
2. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Nope, but I do think some goats would be handy to control the length of the lawn.
3. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
It depends what kind of other person I was.
4. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Never
5. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS
Yes
6. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Only if all the slots for alligator wrestling were filled.
7. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Whole Wheat- that is the cereal I use in most things I cook.
8. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
It depends how much my feet have swollen since I put them on.
9. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Strong in what? Odor? Probably- should shower in the morning
Strong in personality? maybe
Strong in body? it was built to withstand.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
All natural anything
11. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
their clothes and their outfit
12. RED OR PINK?
The red ones are fully ripe, the pink ones need another week on the bush.
13. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
Mike, he always ducks when I start throwing things.
14. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
If they are up to late to know when to go to bed, I wouldn't mind reading their answers on the 5 minutes I have off each day.
15. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
I wear the skirt in the family.
16. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE ?
midnight snack- ants on a log with extra rasions
17. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
mike falling to sleep, my computer humming
18. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
I don't think I would be aware enough about my existence to care.
19. FAVORITE SMELLS?
New baby smell
Pumpkin pie
Mint
Lavender
20. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
I don't know, I answer the phone way to many times in one day.
21. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
it depends on if she is reading this or not.
22. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
DOes watching your husband wrestle your autistic child into his clothes count?
23. HAIR COLOR?
Looking more like my mother every day...with slightly lighter and redder highlights- in the right sun
24. EYE COLOR?
Blue
25. FAVORITE FOOD?
fresh organic.....(anything)
26. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
I like scary movies that have a happy ending, like the stuff M Night Shalamon does.
27. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
OR half movie I half watched? Cast Away- I watched half of it last night- kinda
28. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
pink is a safe bet- but when I look down, it is a plaid that contains, green, orange, tan purple and pink
29. SUMMER OR WINTER?
I'm sorry, that has to be stated in a form of a question.
30. HUGS OR KISSES?
it depends who is giving. nothing is sweeter nor sloppier then baby kisses
31. FAVORITE DESSERT?
1/2 bar of dark chocolate
32. WHAT BOOK( s) ARE YOU READING NOW?
I just read the Magic School Bus inside a Hurricane,Investigating Hurricanes and Tornadoes, Anne Gedde's The 12 Days of Christmas and Thomas the Tank Engine learns to be nice.- Can you guess which kid chose which book?
33. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
I am lucky if I can keep a mouse pad.
34. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
1/2 of Cast Away
35. FAVORITE SOUND?
kids snoring.
36. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Both are really bad when they go through your washing machine- but way worse in the dryer. That reminds me, I think one or the other got into my dryer today between loads, I am going to have to call a repair man.
37. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Emotionally or Physically?
38. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Well, I am getting pretty talented at catheterizing. (although it took my 5 tries to spell it).
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Ian's new scheduel
I am beginning to believe urologists are dense and GI doctors are optimistic.
Ian's urologists insist that we cath him 4 times per day- because they insist he doesn't have any bladder control. But Ian has been completely emptying his bladder into the toilet for 5 days now. I have only noted him wetting his pull up once. And then we have been keeping a chart for all the things we "must" do for Ian and the chart has 4 spaces for cathing . But every time we cath, we draw just a few drops. It does indeed seem that he has been peeing very well. I have charted how much we draw and plan to present this to our nurses and doctors in a petition for a bladder scanner prescription. Which the urologists can not see the usefulness in it, because they believe he has no control at all in his bladder " the tests show...". How I long to explain to them how wrong the tests are. But I will have to show them instead.
Meanwhile the GIs believe that all they have to do is clear his bowels and they will start acting normally. This is our second time around this one. I refused to leave until they gave us a routine that should help keep his bowels clear. So his stool softener is doubled, and he sits on the toilets, but his bowels seem in no desire to kick into gear. And it is much harder to tract when and how much he is pooping and how much he should poop. And one GI intern even went so far as to suggesting that we need to feed him more high fiber foods. (every one is allowed to giggle now). Of course he never asked what our normal diet is. Ian lives off of fresh organic produce, fruits, nuts, beans and whole grains. A few years ago I was tracking what I was eating with my personal trainer and I averaged over 100 grams of Dietary fiber per day. (USDA recommended is about 35 grams).
So anyways, we have carefully selected a few cathings to skip (I record this on the chart too) and then see if it makes any difference in the cath next time (which so far it doesn't). And we keep assuring Ian that as long as his bladder stays empty the more we can hopefully stop cathing him in the future.
Ian's urologists insist that we cath him 4 times per day- because they insist he doesn't have any bladder control. But Ian has been completely emptying his bladder into the toilet for 5 days now. I have only noted him wetting his pull up once. And then we have been keeping a chart for all the things we "must" do for Ian and the chart has 4 spaces for cathing . But every time we cath, we draw just a few drops. It does indeed seem that he has been peeing very well. I have charted how much we draw and plan to present this to our nurses and doctors in a petition for a bladder scanner prescription. Which the urologists can not see the usefulness in it, because they believe he has no control at all in his bladder " the tests show...". How I long to explain to them how wrong the tests are. But I will have to show them instead.
Meanwhile the GIs believe that all they have to do is clear his bowels and they will start acting normally. This is our second time around this one. I refused to leave until they gave us a routine that should help keep his bowels clear. So his stool softener is doubled, and he sits on the toilets, but his bowels seem in no desire to kick into gear. And it is much harder to tract when and how much he is pooping and how much he should poop. And one GI intern even went so far as to suggesting that we need to feed him more high fiber foods. (every one is allowed to giggle now). Of course he never asked what our normal diet is. Ian lives off of fresh organic produce, fruits, nuts, beans and whole grains. A few years ago I was tracking what I was eating with my personal trainer and I averaged over 100 grams of Dietary fiber per day. (USDA recommended is about 35 grams).
So anyways, we have carefully selected a few cathings to skip (I record this on the chart too) and then see if it makes any difference in the cath next time (which so far it doesn't). And we keep assuring Ian that as long as his bladder stays empty the more we can hopefully stop cathing him in the future.
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