What I've been up to...

I feel like a broken record! Life has been rough. However, one good thing about this week is that Hunter is at camp at school (8:30-3:30) and loves it! He comes home exhausted, which is also a good thing. I have not been feeling well. I think it's a combination of over-doing it, committing to too much, then getting sick last week, and still feeling badly. I finally called my dr today and they are calling me in a prescription for something (guess I'll find out when I get there to pick it up?). I am so tired and weak it's not even funny--I feel like I got hit by a truck. I still have shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing a bit, etc. Not fun. It's just dragging me down even more and I'm sure with my healing and weakened immune system from surgery, it is just making things worse. If I didn't have a job or kids, I would be in bed all day, but I don't have that luxury. I've gone to bed by 9:15pm for about 5 nights straight and no motivation to do laundry, clean my house, etc. Last night I actually had Jack change the laundry and help me vacuum. I actually felt a tiny bit guilty, but then I remember how much he loves to help his mama and do work around the house. He will make a good hubby someday and his future wife can thank me for that. Thank God for one easy child...not perfect, but in comparison, he's close to an angel. haha. I still love my Hunter no matter how sassy or mean he can be at times. Well, please pray that things get a little easier. Nick and I both feel emotionally and physically exhausted right now. Then I'm going to be out of town for three weekends in a row after this coming weekend...I should be excited, but right now I'm just wondering how I will have the energy to get through July. I never thought I'd be wishing summer vacations away. I'm not really a brat, but just a tired mommy in pain, crabby, tired, and too much on her plate. 

Here are a few pics from my iphone over the last few days. Nick took our camera in to get fixed for me (thanks honey). 

 Jack's first bee sting out on the deck. He cried for a few minutes and then was ok after cuddle time and a cold washcloth. He still points to the corner of the deck and says "bee" a lot. 

 Isn't he precious???

 Jack vacuuming the family room last night

 My day yesterday was not good. I was home b/c our nanny was sick. I am sick. Jack was playing with this stupid hamster on wheels while I was changing his diaper. He reached down to his wee-wee, turned it on, and a whole bunch of skin "down there" got caught. I panicked. I turned it off and had to carefully pull the skin out from the side of the wheel. Have you seen "Something About Mary"?? It reminded me of the scene where he zips his thingy in his pants on the way to prom and the fire department has to come to his date's house to help. But not quite that bad. I wish I would have taken a picture of it caught in there, but that would have been very mean of me and not blog appropriate anyway! 

Then yesterday this cast iron dog statue thing we have tipped over on my foot (don't ask, long story). I seriously tought for a while that I broke my toe. It's cut and badly bruised. I had to ice it and put it up for a while. The picture hardly does it justice but it HURT. At least I have nicely painted toes thanks to an awesome friend who took me for a mani/pedi a few weeks after my surgery!! These are the types of things that happen to me these days. It's like nothing goes right or my way!! LOL. 

Jack sleeping where?

Does this child think he owns our bed or what? A few times a month he'll wake up crying in the night. He wants OUT of his room. So we'll bring him back to our room, let him fall asleep, and then carry him back to his room. With my surgery, Nick having to carry him both ways, and being so exhausted due to "life" in general right now, we've fallen back asleep and then before we know it it's 6am and he's still there with us. Fortunately, unlike Hunter, he is a good boy and doesn't move and kick all over the place.  I just had to snap a few pics with my phone. 

 Between Jack spread out in the middle and the dog, there isn't a lot of room for Nick and I....even in a king size bed.  

A couple of days ago here he was again! I can't believe he sleeps through us getting ready for work, but he does :)

This is where he belongs--sleeping in his own bed....I had to wake him from a nap the other day and I just couldn't help but snap a picture. 

I hope my mom doesn't read this b/c she has made it very clear from the time I got pregnant she is against co-sleeping b/c we don't want him in bed with us when he's 5, but every now and then I can't say I mind when he snuggles with me! And he's just SO cute!!!

I hope to get back to blogging more soon. First, I need to get through this surgery recovery, get caught up in life in general (work, kids, other commitments, etc.). Then I need to get my darn camera fixed. I'm embarrassed to say, but a diet pepsi exploded in my work bag with my camera. I have not had time to get it fixed and that was one month ago...and three days before I went to the hospital. I have a good excuse! 

Last Day of School

Thursday (yesterday) was Hunter's last day of school. He had a tummy ache when I dropped him off. Ironically, he was absent ZERO days all year long. I got a call at 10am from Miss Claire saying I needed to come pick him up b/c he was having "issues" and was feeling terrible. I was sad b/c it was his last day. I drove up and got him....he had a little fever and diarrhea. Poor guy. I got to take pictures with two of his teachers, but not one of them. Maybe today. They have a picnic at Independence Lake from 3-6pm, so maybe we'll see him there. 

 Above his Hunter with his head teacher Miss Claire. She is WONDERFUL. He's been in her class for two years of pre-school. I am sad b/c I just found out she is not coming back next year for his Kindergarten year and he would have been in the same class again with her. The kids will be mostly the same, but all three teachers are having changes. Miss Claire is so quiet, patient, and I know she doesn't put up with his behavior issues, which is great. The boy across the street had her in pre-school and said she is "mean and strict". Coming from a 6 year old. Hunter loves her though and I know she is just what he needs! I am sad and hope that next year will be just fine with the transition. Change is hard for me, but I'm sure Hunter will do just fine. 

Above is Hunter and Miss Cathy. She was new this year (just from a different classroom) and one of the assistant teachers. I didn't get to know her that well, but she seems super nice and Hunter always said nice things about her. I didn't get a picture of Mr. Joshua, but maybe later today if he's at the picnic. He's been in Hunter's class for two year and a nice guy. You can tell he's great with kids. 

Overall, from our conference two days ago Miss Claire had nice things to say about him. We need to work on holding a pencil properly b/c penmanship will be big next year. I am excited for the fall and know Hunter is excited to be a "leader" in the classroom. He got good scores on everything. She thinks Montessori is a great fit for him so that makes me happy. He likes math and reading the most. Probably like his mom and dad---not into the creative stuff! 

Well, on another note, I'm doing ok. Still recovering, but coming alone. I won't lie and act like life is perfect. Nick is overwhelmed and I feel sad about that. My to-do list is five pages long and I just can't keep up. I want to go back to work next week...just need to get back into my routine and get work done. 

Please pray for Nick and his happiness...and a safe summer for the kids. And for continued recovery for me. 

Spirit Week and other stuff...

I don't even know where to start with catching up. I stopped in the office today and did a few things, so that was good. I am so glad I can work from home or I'd fall to pieces. I see now how retired people say they never had time to work. My to-do list is almost two pages long. Nick is so overwhelmed too, so there is no delegating to him. I took Jack to his first speech therapy appt this morning and it went well. The social worker thought he might need help past age 3 and I am not convinced of that. I honestly think in the next few months I think it will spill out and he'll be fine. Whatever, time will tell. I also can't believe tomorrow is Hunter's last day of school!! This week is "Spirit Week". I can't remember i I mentioned, but my darn nice camera is not working, thus the lack or pictures. If I had a few more hours in the day I would get it fixed. It's my goal in the next week. These are from my phone. Today was "Crazy Hair Day" so we did the mohawk and painted it. I think he looks cool. It was quite the production involving hairspray, hair dryer, and finger paint. We did the mohawk first with hairspray and then painted that blue. Then green around the edges....then dried it. He loves it and Jack was jealous. I love my little guy and can't believe he will be in Kindergarten next year. WOW. 

I had a conference with his teacher this morning and she said great things about him. We have to wrok on holding a pencil better. The worst news is that his teachers are not coming back. They have a meet and greet with the new ones tomorrow, so I want to go and check them out. I hate change. I know Hunter will be ok, but I don't like it! I love his teachers this year. Well, gotta run...need to rest more and get some things done. 

Life

Wow. Where to start. Things have been so crazy lately, to put it mildly. I am feeling pretty good, so I can't complain there. I feel like the recovery after this surgery has been a little easier than the last, but I also need to take it easy b/c I know I'm over-doing it at times. It's easy for people to say not to, but with a two and four year old, it's virtually impossible.Then I feel ok, like I can do more, and pay later. I don't want to get into that cycle. I came home last Saturday and I will say I have not picked Jack up once. Last Saturday/Sunday/Monday were very hard being with the kids after a week of rest. I cried a lot. I can't lift over two pounds for six weeks. Think about that!?!? It's tough!! The first thing I had to do was change purses and only put the bare necessities in there. Jack wants me to do stuff and I just can't. It breaks my heart. I will take Jack up to his room, change him, read stories, have cuddle time, and then call Nick up to put him in his crib. He cried for the first few days, but now he's doing ok. Hunter has been great. No hitting my back, jumping on me, and stuff that he used to do. I don't love how he tells people, "hey, do you want to see my mommy's boo-boo?" b/c it's kind of gross. They used this glue instead of stitches which is cool, but it's quite swollen still. I get worn out really easily. I take a shower and get dressed, do my hair, and I'm ready for a nap. It's pathetic, but then I keep reminding myself I'm only 10 days out of major surgery, so gotta give myself a break! I have to treat myself right so I can get better. Easier said than done.
The one true blessing is that my mom's group (MOPS) are helping to bring me meals. I brought a lot of meals this year to mom's with new babies and now I'm getting some help when I really need it. I have this feeling of guilt for people going out of their way to help me, but we truly need it and it's an AMAZING ministry that they do. When Nick comes home, food is here and ready, it's a true HUGE BLESSING. To have Nick walk in the door, the nanny leaves, Nick getting clothes changed, dinner, and dealing with kids is very stressful ad then when I can't help, it's even worse. To not have to think about what to make, me have to do it with bending or whatever or Nick doing it and me chasing kids, it's just awesome. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to bring us a meal or send flowers, candy, etc. It sure makes me feel loved and blessed that I have such nice friends and family.
I still have not quite figured out going back to work. I think I need to still build up some energy before going back all day long. I'm hoping I can go in a few days next week for a few hours and see how it goes. I can work from home which is awesome too. I know it won't be six weeks out of work like my last surgery, so that's a good thing! I just like to be in my routine and know my plan for the day and for now I've been winging it.
Well, wanted to document all this....I am still having some emotional issues with the fact that this happened and happened so fast and unexpectedly. I was against surgery, but had NO choice. I could not move and wasn't leaving the hospital until the fixed it--and the pain was flat out unbearable. I just hope and pray this is the beginning of the end of my problems b/c back pain and nerve pain especially really sucks. I have been dealing with this since August of 2005 and I'm SICK of it.
On another note, ironically, the day I went to the hospital I got an email from a church friend. She has three boys right around my kid's ages and was just diagnosed with cancer. It puts things into perspective that it could be worse. Please pray for her (Natalie) and her family. I can't imagine what that is like. I think her prognosis is pretty good, but it's scary as hell, that's for sure!

At least Nick is happy. While I was down and out and not at home, he decides to buy a sports car. Mid-life crisis in your mid-30's? I'm not sure. I need more life insurance on him.

Love,