Having this rotavirus illness is awful. I hafta barf half the day, and the other half of the day, I'm having butt-splosions. When none of those is going on, I have such awful gas and tummy cramps that I just want to curl up and crawl in a cave somewhere. OMG....this is disgusting but I have to share: When the gas works its way out it's like the loudest butt-trumpet EVER. I can't believe my pants aren't ripped to shreds in the butt at this point! And I get to feel like this for two more weeks! O joy!
On the days that I have to work, I've been drinking Maalox by the gallon to control the gas and cramping, and eating very little. Today was a non-work day, and I was actually very, very hungry. We had promised to treat Milo to a lunch at McDs if he didn't get too upset being dropped off at daycare this week, so Corey and Milo went to McD's to pick up lunch and bring it back home. I polished off a double quarter pounder with cheese and large fries and a pepsi, and was fully expecting to pay dearly for the experience. Weirdly enough, my gut shut up for about three or four hours, and I actually felt sort of better. Then it all digested and I was back to the previous state of misery.
At any rate, now I understand why Milo was so cranky and miserable last week when he was going through the worst of this. Yeesh. The poor kid!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Another funny story
Milo went to preschool this morning over at the high school. When Corey went to pick Milo up, Milo's pants were on backwards. Corey asked Milo what happened, and he just shrugged and said "I peed on my pants a little bit, and then put them back on." Corey asked the teacher and she told him the whole story, which is much more involved. I came home shortly after they got home, and saw that Milo was wearing different pants than he had started out with this morning. So I asked him what happened, and this is the story that I got. (yep, it pretty much goes along with the story that Corey got from the teacher. The kid is a piece of work!)
Milo had to go poop, so he raised his hand and told Mrs. Heiss. Then one of the big girls took Milo to the bathroom, and let him go in the stall all by himself while she waited outside by the sinks. Milo did his business in the usual Milo way when a tall toilet is involved: He took off his shoes, socks, pants and underpants so he could climb up on the toilet. The girl asked if he was all done pooping, and Milo said yes. So she opened the door to the stall, and saw Milo standing there half-naked and shrieked "Oh my God, you're naked!! Put your clothes on!" Milo put his clothes back on, but because his pants got wet somehow (still not sure whether the floor was wet or if he did pee on them by accident) Milo put his underpants and his jeans on backwards, and then his socks and shoes the way they belonged. Then the big girl helped him wash his hands real good and they went back to class.
I have no idea at what point during school this transpired, but it cracks me up that nobody else even questioned the backwards pants, and that Milo was totally comfortable walking around like that. I also have to laugh thinking about what the big kids must have done when Milo announced that he had to poop. They probably all hid as fast as they could, hoping they wouldn't be the one Mrs. Heiss picked to take the kid to the bathroom. And then the poor girl that did get stuck with Poop Patrol....now she is scarred for life after putting up with it!
Milo had to go poop, so he raised his hand and told Mrs. Heiss. Then one of the big girls took Milo to the bathroom, and let him go in the stall all by himself while she waited outside by the sinks. Milo did his business in the usual Milo way when a tall toilet is involved: He took off his shoes, socks, pants and underpants so he could climb up on the toilet. The girl asked if he was all done pooping, and Milo said yes. So she opened the door to the stall, and saw Milo standing there half-naked and shrieked "Oh my God, you're naked!! Put your clothes on!" Milo put his clothes back on, but because his pants got wet somehow (still not sure whether the floor was wet or if he did pee on them by accident) Milo put his underpants and his jeans on backwards, and then his socks and shoes the way they belonged. Then the big girl helped him wash his hands real good and they went back to class.
I have no idea at what point during school this transpired, but it cracks me up that nobody else even questioned the backwards pants, and that Milo was totally comfortable walking around like that. I also have to laugh thinking about what the big kids must have done when Milo announced that he had to poop. They probably all hid as fast as they could, hoping they wouldn't be the one Mrs. Heiss picked to take the kid to the bathroom. And then the poor girl that did get stuck with Poop Patrol....now she is scarred for life after putting up with it!
The story of Princess Mommy
I was lying in bed the other day, feeling generally crummy and trying my best not to barf or have a butt-splosion, when Milo came in to check on me. I told him I was still sick, and so Milo came up and sat on the bed with me, and patted my tummy. Milo said, "I will tell you a story to help you feel better."
The Story of Princess Mommy
Once upon a time there was a beautiful girl named Princess Mommy who had brown and gray hair, and she lived with her parents, Granmom Dorothy and Granpop Jim. She also lived with her dogs Quinn and Lily and her cats Money and Bootchie. Sometimes a guy named Corey came around but he didn't live there yet. One day Princess Mommy got sick, and she was sneezing and coughing and barfing and having diarrhea, so her mommy and daddy took good care of her. The end.
After I got done laughing, I said thank you very much for the wonderful story, it did make me feel better because it made me smile. Then I asked some questions about Bootchie, who it turns out is a big old gray and white cat that seems cranky a lot. Sounds an awful lot like my dear, dear Batty, who Milo only knew for a year or two before Batty went on to the great scratching post in the sky. I'm surprised he remembers the ol' Batcat at all, because Batty really wanted nothing much to do with Milo.
The Story of Princess Mommy
Once upon a time there was a beautiful girl named Princess Mommy who had brown and gray hair, and she lived with her parents, Granmom Dorothy and Granpop Jim. She also lived with her dogs Quinn and Lily and her cats Money and Bootchie. Sometimes a guy named Corey came around but he didn't live there yet. One day Princess Mommy got sick, and she was sneezing and coughing and barfing and having diarrhea, so her mommy and daddy took good care of her. The end.
After I got done laughing, I said thank you very much for the wonderful story, it did make me feel better because it made me smile. Then I asked some questions about Bootchie, who it turns out is a big old gray and white cat that seems cranky a lot. Sounds an awful lot like my dear, dear Batty, who Milo only knew for a year or two before Batty went on to the great scratching post in the sky. I'm surprised he remembers the ol' Batcat at all, because Batty really wanted nothing much to do with Milo.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Rota-rooter
Milo's been having "bad bathrooms" for nearly two weeks now. We attributed all of his tummy troubles to possibly being lactose intolerant because Milo started drinking milk again, after not drinking it for nearly two years. Then yesterday I started throwing up and having bad bathrooms of my own, plus Milo had another bout of pretty nasty diarrhea in the morning. So I called out sick from work, called Milo out sick from daycare, and carted Milo off to the doctor, who told me that Milo is suffering from the rotavirus, and the effects of that virus can last for up to three weeks. That's just what I needed to hear, considering I was suddenly afflicted by the same troubles. There's nothing we can do about it except to let it run its course. The doctor also told me to expect Milo (and myself) to be sick with something or another until at least June, because Milo just started daycare and now that he's exposed to so much more illnesses, he's going to catch every single one of them before his immunity builds up. More great news! On the plus side, the doctor said if we only threw up a few times, we're lucky; lots of kids are coming in with the same symptoms but with lots more vomiting. I guess that's a good way to look at it. Milo is definitely on the mend, though...his appetite is back up to "horse" and his energy levels are back up to almost normal. It was worrisome last week when our active little boy spent a lot of time laying on the couch "just taking a little rest," as he called it.
When Corey came home from work yesterday, I attempted to eat dinner with him and Milo. Big mistake. I'm not going to be able to eat pot roasted pork for a few months now. I had made the roast in the crock pot, since my original plan yesterday morning was to go to work. It smelled funny to me all day long, because I wasn't in the mood for any strong odors. I ate a bite or two and that was enough for me. Then I tried to pack up the leftovers, and that's what did me in: cutting off the big hunk of fat just grossed me out and that was it, I was in the bathroom barfing again. I went to bed shortly after that and pretty much stayed there until 6:00 this morning. Milo came in to check on me a bunch of times, and to tell me stories so I would feel better. Corey took care of Milo's tubby time and read him stories and tucked him into bed. I got up around midnight to check on the state of damage in the kitchen, thinking I was going to have to suffer through doing the dishes and putting things away....and lo and behold, the dishes were done and everything was cleaned up! My dear sweet hubby even took out the garbage. I was still feeling a little grubby this morning, but I just ate crackers all day at work, and felt pretty much a-ok by dinnertime. Hopefully I will not have the long lasting aftereffects of this virus after all.
When Corey came home from work yesterday, I attempted to eat dinner with him and Milo. Big mistake. I'm not going to be able to eat pot roasted pork for a few months now. I had made the roast in the crock pot, since my original plan yesterday morning was to go to work. It smelled funny to me all day long, because I wasn't in the mood for any strong odors. I ate a bite or two and that was enough for me. Then I tried to pack up the leftovers, and that's what did me in: cutting off the big hunk of fat just grossed me out and that was it, I was in the bathroom barfing again. I went to bed shortly after that and pretty much stayed there until 6:00 this morning. Milo came in to check on me a bunch of times, and to tell me stories so I would feel better. Corey took care of Milo's tubby time and read him stories and tucked him into bed. I got up around midnight to check on the state of damage in the kitchen, thinking I was going to have to suffer through doing the dishes and putting things away....and lo and behold, the dishes were done and everything was cleaned up! My dear sweet hubby even took out the garbage. I was still feeling a little grubby this morning, but I just ate crackers all day at work, and felt pretty much a-ok by dinnertime. Hopefully I will not have the long lasting aftereffects of this virus after all.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
An early birthday present for me
Okay, so you're thinking: nice bunch of PVC pipes, but what does that have to do with anything? It's my new DRAIN VENT! Oh happy day!!! Corey got up early on Friday and made me a vent for the kitchen sink. While he was working on that, I used the snake to clear out the crud inside the big pipe that carries the water out of the house. When we were all done, we filled up the sink with water and TA DA, the water actually went down the drain. Success!!! I do the dance of joy every time I wash dishes now. You think I'm exaggerating, but I'm not. I will finally get to retire the plunger that has been living on the kitchen counter for the last six years; at last it can go in the cabinet under the sink where normal people get to keep theirs. HOOORAY!!
Yes, I keep dried up roses hanging from the basement ceiling. This is the interior view of how Corey attached the vent to the existing pipe that comes down in the basement from the kitchen sink. That yellow thing in the picture is a wing to a model airplane, in case you were curious.
And this is what the vent looks like on the outside of the house. Pretty awesome, huh? Who knew such a simple thing could make me so happy? Eventually this pipe will get painted a color that is close to the pukey siding color, so it will blend in better. Until then, I don't even care how it looks, as long as it works!
Yes, I keep dried up roses hanging from the basement ceiling. This is the interior view of how Corey attached the vent to the existing pipe that comes down in the basement from the kitchen sink. That yellow thing in the picture is a wing to a model airplane, in case you were curious.
And this is what the vent looks like on the outside of the house. Pretty awesome, huh? Who knew such a simple thing could make me so happy? Eventually this pipe will get painted a color that is close to the pukey siding color, so it will blend in better. Until then, I don't even care how it looks, as long as it works!The Big Snow
A week ago, we were suffering 20-degree weather and a blizzard. Yesterday and today it was practically 80 degrees. And some people say global warming is nonsense! We did not get to play outside after the big snow until last Thursday, because we had to go to work. Last Monday really and truly sucked: Corey, Milo and I all had to leave the house at 6:15 AM in the middle of the snowstorm, with at least six inches of snow on the ground, with more coming down. Corey had to go to work, despite the weather, and I had to go to a seminar for work that should have been canceled, but was not. Corey hitched a ride to work with a coworker, becuase his car is dangerous in the snow, and I had to use the truck. Milo and I made the slow and tedious crawl to Ewing so I could drop him off at daycare, and then I had the additional pleasure of driving up a very messy Rt 1 to the seminar. You have no idea how thankful I was that afternoon, when I left the seminar at 4pm, and the roads were pretty much clear and dry.
After we all got home that day (a little early, so there was actually some daylight) we did go outside for a bit, so Milo could stomp in the knee deep drifts, and Corey could finish snow-blowin' the driveway. It was cold as heck, so we weren't out there for long. Half of my shoveling job was already done that day by Lily; she ate most of the snow on the deck before we got home! Finally, on Thursday, Milo and I had the time to do some serious playing in the deep, deep snow. We built our first all-white snowman! (No mud involved...unbelievable!) We also built a snow fort and had a snowball fight. It was epic, and damage free, because neither one of us can aim for crap. I think the dogs took the brunt of the snowballs and Milo and I never managed to hit each other.
Milo's awesome "igloo." I wanted to build an igloo for him, and started out with every intention of doing just that, but it was taking forever, even with Milo's help. So he got a pretty big wall instead.
Our first all-white snowman. The big ball at the edge of the picture is Corey's giant snowball. After he rolled that, there was no energy left to do any more. Yes, I know our snowman doesn't have any eyes or a nose and is missing one arm, but he is sporting a jaunty mustache and goatee. He looks like a dashing Spaniard pirate, no?
After we all got home that day (a little early, so there was actually some daylight) we did go outside for a bit, so Milo could stomp in the knee deep drifts, and Corey could finish snow-blowin' the driveway. It was cold as heck, so we weren't out there for long. Half of my shoveling job was already done that day by Lily; she ate most of the snow on the deck before we got home! Finally, on Thursday, Milo and I had the time to do some serious playing in the deep, deep snow. We built our first all-white snowman! (No mud involved...unbelievable!) We also built a snow fort and had a snowball fight. It was epic, and damage free, because neither one of us can aim for crap. I think the dogs took the brunt of the snowballs and Milo and I never managed to hit each other.
Milo's awesome "igloo." I wanted to build an igloo for him, and started out with every intention of doing just that, but it was taking forever, even with Milo's help. So he got a pretty big wall instead. Our first all-white snowman. The big ball at the edge of the picture is Corey's giant snowball. After he rolled that, there was no energy left to do any more. Yes, I know our snowman doesn't have any eyes or a nose and is missing one arm, but he is sporting a jaunty mustache and goatee. He looks like a dashing Spaniard pirate, no?Saturday, February 28, 2009
you know you love someone ALOT when....
You spend a good hour cleaning barf out of their toybox and assorted toys. Yep, it was pretty much one of my worst germphobic nightmares come true, but I did it anyway. Milo had an upset tummy tonight (the first in a long, long time) and didn't know he was going to puke when he opened his toybox to get something....I heard the strange cough and knew right away that I was going to find something nasty in Milo's room. As for Milo, I think he was more upset about messing up his toys than the actual act of vomiting. I was able to save most of the affected items, but did have to throw out a few things that were just too gross to bother with.
Milo had several more bouts of the barfs afterward, but those were all contained in the bathroom and easy to clean up. He seemed to be okay when he went to bed tonight, and said his tummy didn't hurt anymore. I of course feel like a horrible mother for making Milo eat supper tonight, even though he told me he didn't want to! I guess Milo was feeling kind of crummy all day, since he was being a total couch potato, which is highly unusual, but I just passed it off as being from the stress of the week. Wrong!!
To top it all off, Corey is sick also, with some sort of flu bug. He's not barfing, just achy and tired, and generally feeling crummy. I'm surrounded by germs! Aaack! Good thing I am armed and ready with the Lysol spray. I think I'll start carrying around the Lysol in a hip holster so I can whip it out and spray any offensive objects at a moment's notice.
And to think that I was getting bummed out this morning because the annual ant invasion of our house has already begun, and I killed what I think was a cockroach in the kitchen...eww!! Little did I know what pleasures awaited me later in the day :)
Milo had several more bouts of the barfs afterward, but those were all contained in the bathroom and easy to clean up. He seemed to be okay when he went to bed tonight, and said his tummy didn't hurt anymore. I of course feel like a horrible mother for making Milo eat supper tonight, even though he told me he didn't want to! I guess Milo was feeling kind of crummy all day, since he was being a total couch potato, which is highly unusual, but I just passed it off as being from the stress of the week. Wrong!!
To top it all off, Corey is sick also, with some sort of flu bug. He's not barfing, just achy and tired, and generally feeling crummy. I'm surrounded by germs! Aaack! Good thing I am armed and ready with the Lysol spray. I think I'll start carrying around the Lysol in a hip holster so I can whip it out and spray any offensive objects at a moment's notice.
And to think that I was getting bummed out this morning because the annual ant invasion of our house has already begun, and I killed what I think was a cockroach in the kitchen...eww!! Little did I know what pleasures awaited me later in the day :)
Friday, February 27, 2009
A really good day
Today was just a really good day! Milo had an awesome time at preschool. His class walked over to the FFA building and fed and took care of the animals, plus Milo got to color a picture (and he colored in the lines!) and he brought home an FFA pin. Yesterday at preschool was a landmark day also: Milo learned how to blow bubbles all by himself, which is something he could never do before.
While Milo was at preschool, I got caught up on the laundry and Corey took care of the fish tanks. It was so nice and breezy out that I was able to hang a load or two of laundry on the clothesline. I love hanging clothes outside, because they always smell so fresh and sunshiny when they are dry.
Then Milo came home and we had lunch, and then Milo's friend Jack came over to spend a couple of hours with us. Milo and Jack had a blast playing together, and Milo did really well at sharing his toys and taking turns. Seems that preschool and Lakeview are teaching Milo how to be less grabby and selfish. Jack's mom was here for a bit also, so Corey and I left the kids with her and we zipped over to Lowe's to pick up some PVC pipe and appropriate drill bits to....ta da! Build me a vent for the kitchen sink! I am sooooo excited, you have no idea. Imagine, a kitchen sink that actually DRAINS when there's water in it, is in my future!
When we came back, Gina left to do her errands and I took the boys outside while Corey drilled a hole in the basement wall. Putting the pipes together will have to wait until Corey's next full day off. Milo and Jack and the dogs chased each other around the yard like wild Indians for an hour or so, until it got too windy, and then we all trooped back inside. Jack went home, and Corey made a delish pizza for supper. Milo actually ate his supper and then had fun blowing bubbles in the bath. I got to watch Wifeswap in relative peace. Life is good!
While Milo was at preschool, I got caught up on the laundry and Corey took care of the fish tanks. It was so nice and breezy out that I was able to hang a load or two of laundry on the clothesline. I love hanging clothes outside, because they always smell so fresh and sunshiny when they are dry.
Then Milo came home and we had lunch, and then Milo's friend Jack came over to spend a couple of hours with us. Milo and Jack had a blast playing together, and Milo did really well at sharing his toys and taking turns. Seems that preschool and Lakeview are teaching Milo how to be less grabby and selfish. Jack's mom was here for a bit also, so Corey and I left the kids with her and we zipped over to Lowe's to pick up some PVC pipe and appropriate drill bits to....ta da! Build me a vent for the kitchen sink! I am sooooo excited, you have no idea. Imagine, a kitchen sink that actually DRAINS when there's water in it, is in my future!
When we came back, Gina left to do her errands and I took the boys outside while Corey drilled a hole in the basement wall. Putting the pipes together will have to wait until Corey's next full day off. Milo and Jack and the dogs chased each other around the yard like wild Indians for an hour or so, until it got too windy, and then we all trooped back inside. Jack went home, and Corey made a delish pizza for supper. Milo actually ate his supper and then had fun blowing bubbles in the bath. I got to watch Wifeswap in relative peace. Life is good!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Another week in daycare...
I'm very happy at my new job; everything is going along fine and I get along well with my boss. I'm remembering stuff I haven't had to think about in years, so that's refreshing, and learning new things also, as I'm going along. So I'm totally cool with the new job.
Milo, however, is not. He had fun at daycare once I was finally out of the picture for the day, but getting him there was a trial. Monday was okay, not too many tears, but a little complaining. Tuesday was a total nightmare. Milo threw a tantrum about having to go to Lakeview pretty much from the minute he got up that morning. He calmed down on the ride to work, but then when we were walking into the building, the crying and yelling started again. Milo wants to help me do my work, even if it means he has to sit perfectly still all day long, is the gist of what he was yelling at me. Fortunately, one of the teachers stepped in and distracted Milo once I got all his stuff packed away, so I could leave. Otherwise I don’t think I ever would have gotten to work that day! Milo actually went and put his jacket back on once I took it off of him. He was determined not to stay there. My thoughts on the subject as I was walking over to work from Lakeview was that Milo was probably going to try to tunnel through the wall with a spoon, just to get out of there. Milo didn't tunnel through the wall, and he had a pretty good day, according to the teacher.
On Wednesday morning, it wasn't hard getting Milo out of the house, but once we got to Lakeview, it was very difficult getting Milo to let go of me. He asked if we could go home and get his Lightning McQueen chair so he could sit next to me at work. I said no. Tantrum ramps up into near hysteria and I had to make my escape as quickly as I could. As I was leaving, I saw Milo run to the coatrack and put his coat back on again. I hightailed it out of there and walked over to work. When I picked Milo up that afternoon, he was perfectly fine; a little teary at having been missing me throughout the day, but proud of himself for drawing a really cool picture and for trying to hula hoop and for falling off the slide and not crying even though he had a tiny boo-boo.
By now, we have had lots of conversations about why Milo is sad when he’s at daycare, and Milo said that he misses me and Corey, and that he wants to be with us all the time. I finally came up with “Well, we are always in your heart because we’re always thinking about you even when we’re not with you. So when you get sad, think about us and the fun we have together, and you’ll know that we’re thinking the same thing.” Milo thinks that is a great idea. Monday when I dropped him off, he gave me a kiss goodbye and said “Don’t forget that I’m in your heart, Mom.” Milo reminds me all the time now that he’s in my heart, so I hope that idea really is helping him cope. We'll see how it works out next week!
Milo, however, is not. He had fun at daycare once I was finally out of the picture for the day, but getting him there was a trial. Monday was okay, not too many tears, but a little complaining. Tuesday was a total nightmare. Milo threw a tantrum about having to go to Lakeview pretty much from the minute he got up that morning. He calmed down on the ride to work, but then when we were walking into the building, the crying and yelling started again. Milo wants to help me do my work, even if it means he has to sit perfectly still all day long, is the gist of what he was yelling at me. Fortunately, one of the teachers stepped in and distracted Milo once I got all his stuff packed away, so I could leave. Otherwise I don’t think I ever would have gotten to work that day! Milo actually went and put his jacket back on once I took it off of him. He was determined not to stay there. My thoughts on the subject as I was walking over to work from Lakeview was that Milo was probably going to try to tunnel through the wall with a spoon, just to get out of there. Milo didn't tunnel through the wall, and he had a pretty good day, according to the teacher.
On Wednesday morning, it wasn't hard getting Milo out of the house, but once we got to Lakeview, it was very difficult getting Milo to let go of me. He asked if we could go home and get his Lightning McQueen chair so he could sit next to me at work. I said no. Tantrum ramps up into near hysteria and I had to make my escape as quickly as I could. As I was leaving, I saw Milo run to the coatrack and put his coat back on again. I hightailed it out of there and walked over to work. When I picked Milo up that afternoon, he was perfectly fine; a little teary at having been missing me throughout the day, but proud of himself for drawing a really cool picture and for trying to hula hoop and for falling off the slide and not crying even though he had a tiny boo-boo.
By now, we have had lots of conversations about why Milo is sad when he’s at daycare, and Milo said that he misses me and Corey, and that he wants to be with us all the time. I finally came up with “Well, we are always in your heart because we’re always thinking about you even when we’re not with you. So when you get sad, think about us and the fun we have together, and you’ll know that we’re thinking the same thing.” Milo thinks that is a great idea. Monday when I dropped him off, he gave me a kiss goodbye and said “Don’t forget that I’m in your heart, Mom.” Milo reminds me all the time now that he’s in my heart, so I hope that idea really is helping him cope. We'll see how it works out next week!
Milo the money man
Time to dump the change bucket and count it up because it's full to bursting. It's not a chore I enjoy very much, so this time around I delegated it to Milo. He loved doing it. I showed him how to use the electric coin counter machine, and let him go to town. We made the task easier by sorting it into piles of quarters, nickels, dimes and pennies first, so Milo would only have to roll one type of coin at a time. When we ran out of the wrappers that fit inside the coin counter tubes, I had to help him wrap with the flat coin wrappers, but other than that, Milo did it all by himself. Final count: $375 counted, wrapped and deposited in the bank!
What I ate this week...by Lily the Garthog
We call Lily the Garthog because she's not a dog, she's a beast. And not just any beast, but the kind of beast that Coneheads battle in silly SNL movies. That beast ate everything in sight, and Lily does too.
Garthog. See the resemblance?
Anyway, here's what she ate so far this week:
1 beach ball
1 small area rug (completely decimated and reduced to shreds and bits of plastic backing)
1 babyproofing cabinet lock (but surprisingly did not eat the contents of the cabinet)
1 medium size terra cotta pot from the deck railing
Lots and lots of sticks and poop
Apparently, Milo is not the only one having trouble adjusting to having me away for long periods of time! I bought Lily and Quinn several new toys and "busy buddies" to keep them occupied while we're at work; but it's just not enough for Lily. I barely look at the dogs when I'm home, except to feed them and yell at them, but I guess that's the type of attention they crave rather than getting no attention at all. Quinn is doing fine with all the upheavals; he just comes around for an extra belly rub or two when I'm here and he's all reassured and confident again.
Lily
Garthog. See the resemblance?
Saturday, February 21, 2009
They call me Sniffles
There's nothing like rounding out a first week at a new job with a drippy head cold. Milo came down with a cold earlier this week, and now I am heading into the third day of sneezing, sniffling, coughing and generally being disgusting to myself and all others.
So anyway, our first few days of the new routine were a trial. Milo started at Lakeview on Tuesday. He was okay the first day, and even ate the food they offered. (Fish sticks and corn and something else, pears, I think, that Milo normally never even touches. He told me that the fish was chicken, which made me laugh.) By the time I came to pick him up at 5pm, Milo had had enough of that place, and was crying to go home. It didn't help that he didn't feel well, so between being foggy from being sick, and being put into a completely unfamiliar environment, no wonder the kid was a little cranky. Wednesday morning, Milo said he didn't want to go to Lakeview, that he wanted to stay home. I told him that he was going anyway, and packed our stuff up and took him there. I stopped in at lunchtime to peek at Milo's class, and Milo saw me. Disaster!! Much crying and upset-ness happened. I finally managed to peel Milo off me, and went back to work, feeling horrible for going to visit him and disrupting his day. When I picked Milo up at the end of the day Wednesday, Milo was sobbing that he missed me so, so much and that he doesn't like being without us all day. Break my heart, why don't you? Keep in mind that he still didn't feel well, which is a big part of the problem. Despite the rough start, Corey and I are both absolutely positive that by the end of next week, Milo will be fully into the swing of things and will be loving Lakeview and Miss Lindsay, his teacher.
As for my work, it's the same work I always do: administrative work for the big boss. The first day was pretty slooooow; there was not a lot for me to do, and I had to meet and greet everyone. After that, things picked up and I got right into the routine of making phone calls and appointments and typing up reports and stuff like that. I'm a pinch intimidated by the scope of the filing system that I have to organize. It's huge! My boss expected me to have it memorized by Thursday and wants me to start cleaning it up this week. This is a bit much for me to handle, but I have come up with a plan of sorts that I will put into action on Monday. We'll see how it goes. I was also a little intimidated at first by working with Word and Excel files; it's been 4 years since I've done a lot of that sort of work, and a lot of the fine details of working within those programs have escaped me. It started making more sense by Thursday afternoon, but at first I felt like I was in waaay over my head. It will all come back in due time, I suppose.
That's the scoop for now. I need to go chug some Nyquil so I can take an actual breath once or twice today.
So anyway, our first few days of the new routine were a trial. Milo started at Lakeview on Tuesday. He was okay the first day, and even ate the food they offered. (Fish sticks and corn and something else, pears, I think, that Milo normally never even touches. He told me that the fish was chicken, which made me laugh.) By the time I came to pick him up at 5pm, Milo had had enough of that place, and was crying to go home. It didn't help that he didn't feel well, so between being foggy from being sick, and being put into a completely unfamiliar environment, no wonder the kid was a little cranky. Wednesday morning, Milo said he didn't want to go to Lakeview, that he wanted to stay home. I told him that he was going anyway, and packed our stuff up and took him there. I stopped in at lunchtime to peek at Milo's class, and Milo saw me. Disaster!! Much crying and upset-ness happened. I finally managed to peel Milo off me, and went back to work, feeling horrible for going to visit him and disrupting his day. When I picked Milo up at the end of the day Wednesday, Milo was sobbing that he missed me so, so much and that he doesn't like being without us all day. Break my heart, why don't you? Keep in mind that he still didn't feel well, which is a big part of the problem. Despite the rough start, Corey and I are both absolutely positive that by the end of next week, Milo will be fully into the swing of things and will be loving Lakeview and Miss Lindsay, his teacher.
As for my work, it's the same work I always do: administrative work for the big boss. The first day was pretty slooooow; there was not a lot for me to do, and I had to meet and greet everyone. After that, things picked up and I got right into the routine of making phone calls and appointments and typing up reports and stuff like that. I'm a pinch intimidated by the scope of the filing system that I have to organize. It's huge! My boss expected me to have it memorized by Thursday and wants me to start cleaning it up this week. This is a bit much for me to handle, but I have come up with a plan of sorts that I will put into action on Monday. We'll see how it goes. I was also a little intimidated at first by working with Word and Excel files; it's been 4 years since I've done a lot of that sort of work, and a lot of the fine details of working within those programs have escaped me. It started making more sense by Thursday afternoon, but at first I felt like I was in waaay over my head. It will all come back in due time, I suppose.
That's the scoop for now. I need to go chug some Nyquil so I can take an actual breath once or twice today.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
New job, crazy new schedule
It's official, I start my new job next Tuesday. I'll be working three days a week to start, and pick up more hours as I take on more responsibilities. This means Milo will be in daycare while I'm at work. That's a big step for this overprotective mom, and we did end up choosing the daycare that will be next door to my work. Fortunately, the job will pay well enough to cover Milo's care, and my traveling expenses, with some left over, even at three days a week.
Thursdays and Fridays Milo will still be in preschool, which is why I'll be home those days, at least until June. If I do have to work those days, Corey can do the Milo-driving back and forth to school and to babysitters as needed.
To get Milo ready for daycare, he had to get updated on his vaccines, including the flu vaccine. I took him to the doctor today, and was expecting the worst: Lots of crying, traumatizing events, fear of needles, etc. As usual, Milo did exactly the opposite of what I expected him to do. I had explained to him what was going to happen, and that getting shots wasn't going to be any worse than when he "injects" me with the "needle" in his doctor's kit. Maybe a little pinch, but that would be it. Milo said "OK, so where are we going after this?" I didn't think any of my words sank in, but when the nurse came in with the needles, Milo just stuck out his arm and watched her do her thing, without even flinching. I asked Milo if his arm hurt, and he said nope. He was already thinking about the next thing, which was getting out of the doctor's office and on our way to Shoprite to pick up the stuff we needed to make brownies for his preschool class's Valentine's Day party tomorrow.
Thursdays and Fridays Milo will still be in preschool, which is why I'll be home those days, at least until June. If I do have to work those days, Corey can do the Milo-driving back and forth to school and to babysitters as needed.
To get Milo ready for daycare, he had to get updated on his vaccines, including the flu vaccine. I took him to the doctor today, and was expecting the worst: Lots of crying, traumatizing events, fear of needles, etc. As usual, Milo did exactly the opposite of what I expected him to do. I had explained to him what was going to happen, and that getting shots wasn't going to be any worse than when he "injects" me with the "needle" in his doctor's kit. Maybe a little pinch, but that would be it. Milo said "OK, so where are we going after this?" I didn't think any of my words sank in, but when the nurse came in with the needles, Milo just stuck out his arm and watched her do her thing, without even flinching. I asked Milo if his arm hurt, and he said nope. He was already thinking about the next thing, which was getting out of the doctor's office and on our way to Shoprite to pick up the stuff we needed to make brownies for his preschool class's Valentine's Day party tomorrow.
Friday, February 6, 2009
what's going on
It's been an interesting week. I've been in the process of interviewing for a new full time job as an executive assistant to the owner of a fitness center in the Ewing /Hopewell area. This puts us in the position of having to find daycare for Milo, since we don't want to burden our parents with the task of having Milo at their house from 7 in the morning to 6 at night three days a week, plus afternoons on school days. Up till now, we've never even considered daycare as an option, because my schedule was always pretty flexible.
The best thing about the potential job is that there is a daycare center right next door to it. I took a peek at it when I was at the interview and was very impressed with it. Then I inquired as to cost for three days a week and almost fell over when I heard the price. This inspired me to look at other daycare centers around here, and checked out one today that would be directly on my way to work, if I get the job.
Milo seemed to like the one here just fine, although he didn't get to be his usual noisy self while we were there. It was "downtime" and all the kids were either sleeping or reading. I know, I can't imagine Milo slowing down during the day for anyone. He gets to check out the chi-chi daycare on Monday, when I take him with me to speak to the teachers. I figured we would thoroughly examine our options before making any final decisions.
So that's what's been consuming my thoughts for the past few days. That, and we have to make Valentine's cards for Milo's classmates at preschool. He said he wants to make Wonderpets valentines, so that's my other mission: to find enough Wonderpets images online to print and cut out. Only three years old and already with the homework! We also have to make brownies for the party they're having next week. At least that's fun homework :)
The best thing about the potential job is that there is a daycare center right next door to it. I took a peek at it when I was at the interview and was very impressed with it. Then I inquired as to cost for three days a week and almost fell over when I heard the price. This inspired me to look at other daycare centers around here, and checked out one today that would be directly on my way to work, if I get the job.
Milo seemed to like the one here just fine, although he didn't get to be his usual noisy self while we were there. It was "downtime" and all the kids were either sleeping or reading. I know, I can't imagine Milo slowing down during the day for anyone. He gets to check out the chi-chi daycare on Monday, when I take him with me to speak to the teachers. I figured we would thoroughly examine our options before making any final decisions.
So that's what's been consuming my thoughts for the past few days. That, and we have to make Valentine's cards for Milo's classmates at preschool. He said he wants to make Wonderpets valentines, so that's my other mission: to find enough Wonderpets images online to print and cut out. Only three years old and already with the homework! We also have to make brownies for the party they're having next week. At least that's fun homework :)
Milo goes to school
Milo's first day of preschool was yesterday. He was so excited about going that he woke up singing several times the night before, starting around 4AM. Each time we went in to check on him, the question we got was this “Is it morning? Can I go to school?” We finally gave up around 6:30AM and let Milo out of his room. He proceeded to ping off the walls until 9:15, when it was time to go. We did the required first day of preschool picture of Milo standing by the front door with his backpack on, and then took him over to the school. Milo ran into his classroom, took off his coat and backpack and completely dismissed us once we helped him hang his stuff in his cubby. On the way out I heard Milo saying to another kid, “Look at my cool backpack,” and that kid saying back “Yeah, but look at my awesome lunchbox.”
We went back to get Milo at 11:15, and the minute he saw me come in the door, Milo dived under the table so we couldn’t get him. One of the girls tried to get him to come out, and he kept saying “It’s not time for me to go home. I don’t want to go home.” Finally Corey just scooped Milo up and carried him over to the cubby area, where we learned all about the groundhog that he had made that day as we got him into his coat and mittens. Milo is certainly making a name for himself over there already. As we were leaving the building, the high school kids were changing classes, and one of the girls walking by said “Hey Milo!” to him. That kid must just think that everywhere he goes, he’s just an instant celebrity!
The first thing Milo said to us when he got in the car, when we asked him how his morning was, was: “Well, I peed in the sink and I smacked all the kids.” What??? He also said that the little girl that is in class with him peed in the sink too. That’s how we figured out that he was making stuff up, especially since his teacher took the time to tell us that Milo did just fine in listening and following directions and playing with the other kids. When we got home, Milo was bouncing off the walls even worse than this morning, but we did manage to get out of him that they made hot dogs in class, and shared snacks, and played with play-do, and of course, made their groundhogs. He doesn’t know anyone’s names, he just went by their shirt colors. I asked him if there was anyone in class named Mung Pao, and Milo said “Yeah, that kid had on a green shirt.” So then I asked him which one was Bruce Wayne? And that was the kid with the yellow shirt. We were also informed that the girl’s name is Fluffy. (It’s really Sophia, I looked at his class list.) Poor Sophia is in a class with six boys; you can bet that poor girl is getting all kinds of questions about her private parts, because I’m sure that Milo is not the only one that’s not too shy about those questions.
Today Milo was excited to go back to school again, but not so hyper about it. Two days in and he's already nonchalant! When I dropped him off this morning, Milo was out of his coat, mittens and shoes before the door even swung shut behind him. JJ the big teacher boy (as Milo calls him) asked Milo to pick up his things...and Milo did it!! Holy cow. Improvements are being made already. Milo and I had a discussion on the way to school about how he should behave when I came back to get him. He was pretty good about not fussing, but it was very clear that he didn't want to leave. This time, Milo just kept putting his head down on the table and not talking to me. I just put his coat on him anyway, and eventually Milo got the message that it was time to go. He said that today they played bingo and used crackers for the bingo markers, and whoever won got to eat all the crackers. That's a pretty nifty idea. He also made a most awesome (and slightly disturbing) mask that Milo proudly displayed to all the ladies in the Bordentown library. We headed there on our way home to get some books about Valentine's Day.
At bedtime tonight, Milo asked if he can go to school again tomorrow, and he was disappointed when I told him that tomorrow is Saturday. It is so sweet that Milo loves school so much; Corey and I are both really happy that it's working out for him.
The official first day photos. Milo was really itching to get out the door and get in the car, and didn't want to be bothered with this nonsense.
The cool mask that Milo made. I figured out the hair and the mustache right away, but was having trouble with the pompoms. I asked Milo if they were chicken pox or pimples, and Milo said "No Mom. They're just....floppy balls!" and then cracked himself up with the giggles. Maybe this version of Milo has the measles? Oooh, I know, it's bits of toilet paper stuck to the cuts from the razor after he shaved.
We went back to get Milo at 11:15, and the minute he saw me come in the door, Milo dived under the table so we couldn’t get him. One of the girls tried to get him to come out, and he kept saying “It’s not time for me to go home. I don’t want to go home.” Finally Corey just scooped Milo up and carried him over to the cubby area, where we learned all about the groundhog that he had made that day as we got him into his coat and mittens. Milo is certainly making a name for himself over there already. As we were leaving the building, the high school kids were changing classes, and one of the girls walking by said “Hey Milo!” to him. That kid must just think that everywhere he goes, he’s just an instant celebrity!
The first thing Milo said to us when he got in the car, when we asked him how his morning was, was: “Well, I peed in the sink and I smacked all the kids.” What??? He also said that the little girl that is in class with him peed in the sink too. That’s how we figured out that he was making stuff up, especially since his teacher took the time to tell us that Milo did just fine in listening and following directions and playing with the other kids. When we got home, Milo was bouncing off the walls even worse than this morning, but we did manage to get out of him that they made hot dogs in class, and shared snacks, and played with play-do, and of course, made their groundhogs. He doesn’t know anyone’s names, he just went by their shirt colors. I asked him if there was anyone in class named Mung Pao, and Milo said “Yeah, that kid had on a green shirt.” So then I asked him which one was Bruce Wayne? And that was the kid with the yellow shirt. We were also informed that the girl’s name is Fluffy. (It’s really Sophia, I looked at his class list.) Poor Sophia is in a class with six boys; you can bet that poor girl is getting all kinds of questions about her private parts, because I’m sure that Milo is not the only one that’s not too shy about those questions.
Today Milo was excited to go back to school again, but not so hyper about it. Two days in and he's already nonchalant! When I dropped him off this morning, Milo was out of his coat, mittens and shoes before the door even swung shut behind him. JJ the big teacher boy (as Milo calls him) asked Milo to pick up his things...and Milo did it!! Holy cow. Improvements are being made already. Milo and I had a discussion on the way to school about how he should behave when I came back to get him. He was pretty good about not fussing, but it was very clear that he didn't want to leave. This time, Milo just kept putting his head down on the table and not talking to me. I just put his coat on him anyway, and eventually Milo got the message that it was time to go. He said that today they played bingo and used crackers for the bingo markers, and whoever won got to eat all the crackers. That's a pretty nifty idea. He also made a most awesome (and slightly disturbing) mask that Milo proudly displayed to all the ladies in the Bordentown library. We headed there on our way home to get some books about Valentine's Day.
At bedtime tonight, Milo asked if he can go to school again tomorrow, and he was disappointed when I told him that tomorrow is Saturday. It is so sweet that Milo loves school so much; Corey and I are both really happy that it's working out for him.
The official first day photos. Milo was really itching to get out the door and get in the car, and didn't want to be bothered with this nonsense.
The cool mask that Milo made. I figured out the hair and the mustache right away, but was having trouble with the pompoms. I asked Milo if they were chicken pox or pimples, and Milo said "No Mom. They're just....floppy balls!" and then cracked himself up with the giggles. Maybe this version of Milo has the measles? Oooh, I know, it's bits of toilet paper stuck to the cuts from the razor after he shaved.awwww, the kitty loves me
All I can say is, Monet is definitely working on her patience skills. I don't know if I would like to be carried around like that! She lets Milo flop her all over the place, and doesn't even blink an eye about it. Me on the other hand, if I so much as open the wrong type of canned food for the witch, she craps on my side of the bed. Go figure!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Back to the rink
Milo and I went ice-skating again today. He didn't want to go at first, but got all excited about it once we were in the truck. We stopped at a couple sporting goods stores on the way to the rink, looking for kiddie ice skates with double blades, but there were none to be found. Milo insisted on going skating anyway, that he would be brave and try to balance on the big kid skates.
We had technical difficulties in the beginning. I wanted to store stuff in one of the rent-a-lockers, so I wouldn't have my purse hanging off me, and I had major problems with the darn keys to the locker. The first locker ate my quarters, so I had to get change from the snack bar guy, and then I forgot that I have to feed quarters to the locker every time you open it, so I had to get more change. By the time I got my act together, Milo was practically ready to go home. He waited very patiently while I was fumbling around, and was happy to finally get out on the ice. He did great! Milo still can't move away from the wall much, and hangs onto my hand for dear life, but today he only fell about 10 times, as opposed to 150 or so.
We had technical difficulties in the beginning. I wanted to store stuff in one of the rent-a-lockers, so I wouldn't have my purse hanging off me, and I had major problems with the darn keys to the locker. The first locker ate my quarters, so I had to get change from the snack bar guy, and then I forgot that I have to feed quarters to the locker every time you open it, so I had to get more change. By the time I got my act together, Milo was practically ready to go home. He waited very patiently while I was fumbling around, and was happy to finally get out on the ice. He did great! Milo still can't move away from the wall much, and hangs onto my hand for dear life, but today he only fell about 10 times, as opposed to 150 or so.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
How does a redneck lock the bathroom door?
With a bungee cord, of course!! Well, if we were truly rednecks, we wouldn't even bother to close the bathroom door, but we do have some manners....believe it or not.
Anyway, as to our newfangled bathrooom door lock: I asked Milo to wash his hands before supper. He had just been in the bathroom, and I had heard him slam the bathroom door shut, but when I asked Milo if he washed up, he said no, so I sent him back into the bathroom. I was in the kitchen getting Milo's stuff together for supper, and I heard him frantically twisting the doorknob to the bathroom, to try to get in there. I asked what was the matter, and he said "I can't open the door, Mom, it's frustrating me." Ooookay. I thought that maybe Milo HAD washed his hands and they were wet and slippery, so I went to help him. I tried to open the door, and the door was locked. Somehow, Milo managed to flip the teeny little old-fashioned lock lever while he was in the bathroom before, and then when he came out and slammed the door shut, it locked behind him. (We have never showed Milo how to lock that door because there is no key, or keyhole, and we didn't want to be in exactly this situation.) I had NO IDEA of what to do, short of dismantling the doorknob, so I called Corey at work. Of course, this stuff always happens to ME when I am ALONE! He suggested using a credit card to pop the tongue of the lock back. I did that, and it worked fine, but then the guts of the doorknob fell out in my hand when I opened the door. Jeez o' crap says I, but at least we still have a doorknob. Only problem is that the door won't stay shut now. Hence the bungee cord arrangement, to be used as needed, until we get a chance to replace the doorknob.
Of course, one of Milo's friends is coming over tomorrow for the first time ever, and now I'm going to have explain to her mother that this is how we lock the bathroom door. Do you think she'll believe me when I say "This is only temporary; it's not how we really live, honest!"
Anyway, as to our newfangled bathrooom door lock: I asked Milo to wash his hands before supper. He had just been in the bathroom, and I had heard him slam the bathroom door shut, but when I asked Milo if he washed up, he said no, so I sent him back into the bathroom. I was in the kitchen getting Milo's stuff together for supper, and I heard him frantically twisting the doorknob to the bathroom, to try to get in there. I asked what was the matter, and he said "I can't open the door, Mom, it's frustrating me." Ooookay. I thought that maybe Milo HAD washed his hands and they were wet and slippery, so I went to help him. I tried to open the door, and the door was locked. Somehow, Milo managed to flip the teeny little old-fashioned lock lever while he was in the bathroom before, and then when he came out and slammed the door shut, it locked behind him. (We have never showed Milo how to lock that door because there is no key, or keyhole, and we didn't want to be in exactly this situation.) I had NO IDEA of what to do, short of dismantling the doorknob, so I called Corey at work. Of course, this stuff always happens to ME when I am ALONE! He suggested using a credit card to pop the tongue of the lock back. I did that, and it worked fine, but then the guts of the doorknob fell out in my hand when I opened the door. Jeez o' crap says I, but at least we still have a doorknob. Only problem is that the door won't stay shut now. Hence the bungee cord arrangement, to be used as needed, until we get a chance to replace the doorknob.
Of course, one of Milo's friends is coming over tomorrow for the first time ever, and now I'm going to have explain to her mother that this is how we lock the bathroom door. Do you think she'll believe me when I say "This is only temporary; it's not how we really live, honest!"
Monday, January 26, 2009
the word of the day
Today's word is "tether." Corey and I were eating dinner tonight (Milo had already eaten) and Milo came bopping into the kitchen with an army guy and a ball on a string. He said "When I tether this army guy to this ball, the ball can be his parachute." We asked "What does tether mean?" Milo said, "Here, I'll show you," and proceeded to tie the army guy to the ball with the string. We don't go around saying tether all the time, so we have no idea how he figured that one out. Besides that, what 3-3/4 year old uses that word? Milo likes to say "apparently" a lot also. Who knows what that kid is thinking at any given moment? That preschool teacher of his doesn't know what she's in for!
A visit to the shark tank
If you ever want to give yourself a screamin' headache, just go to Chick-fila on a Saturday, around lunchtime, and hang out in the kids' play area. Milo and I had a play date/lunch there, with his friends and their moms this past Saturday. Our kids were pretty good, but the other people's children.....UGH. There was this one kid who would not stop SCREAMING. I must have told that kid to chill out at least five times. His mom was just standing there staring at me like I was the rude one. Uh, hello, I do not allow my child to run up to other kids and shriek in their faces for no good reason.
Despite that, we all had a good time, and Milo even ate his food. It was great for me to catch up with my girlfriends, and fun for Milo to hang out with Brody and Autumn and goof around. Leave it to my kid, though, to take off his stinky socks way at the top of the playground thing, and throw them down the slide. Some other kids slid down the slide and Milo's socks came along with them, but without Milo. When I asked Milo why he felt the need to take off his socks in a restaurant, he said that his feet were hot. Good enough reason, I suppose, but still weird.
Despite that, we all had a good time, and Milo even ate his food. It was great for me to catch up with my girlfriends, and fun for Milo to hang out with Brody and Autumn and goof around. Leave it to my kid, though, to take off his stinky socks way at the top of the playground thing, and throw them down the slide. Some other kids slid down the slide and Milo's socks came along with them, but without Milo. When I asked Milo why he felt the need to take off his socks in a restaurant, he said that his feet were hot. Good enough reason, I suppose, but still weird.
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