Survival of Nasty Weather & Love and Logic in a Comic

Okay, all the nasty weather to hit the midwest has left us unscathed, for which we are very blessed and very grateful. I continue to feel TIRED, but this might be my state for the next 8 weeks. ugh.

In the meantime, Super J and I have been talking a bit about learning (well, ME learning) more about "Love and Logic"...a parenting style where you don't overreact but have some sort of logical response that allows the children to look inward and see the need to self correct. Hmmmmm. Yep. I think *I* definitely need to do some research on this. It tends to come more easily to men (I wonder why), such as my younger brother, The Bishop, suggesting that instead of me making an appointment to try to get released from my Primary Chorister Calling I should just sit, reclined, in a chair and lead the same song over and over and over. This is an example, right there. Why? Because, there's no way on this beautiful green earth that I'd be able to do that, but it does kinda put stuff into perspective.

Anyway, yet another favorite comic, Foxtrox, has a great example of this from their Sun, Jun 8 edition (if you click on the cartoon, it'll get bigger). Have a great day!!!!

A happy truth

Now that I got my sad truths out there, I started reading some of my favorite blogs, and my friend Katie has this story posted on her blog (which is also too cute for words). I think after these last few weeks, I needed to read it, so I hope if you have a minute, you'll read it, too. And have some tissues handy (and I hope you don't mind me linking to it, Katie!).

"This is an inspiring story."

In which some (somewhat sad) truths must be told...

Last night...er, well, I should say earlier this morning around 4:30ish, I am awakened by a scream of terror from Miss O. Yegads! I heft myself out of bed and waddle as well as my incapacitated right leg ligaments will let me (I swear, I look about 70 yrs old trying to walk because my right leg won't seem to work. Think Barbie [I know, that's being generous, but it's for the mental image] and how her legs connect to the torso by a single plastic bolt. Well, just imagine that plastic bolt NOT wanting to turn at all. Yes. This is the joy of walking if I've been laying down or sitting for any length of time and must, for any reason, hustle someplace else.)

Turns out that Miss O has gotten her arm stuck in one of the slats of her crib and has been awakened out of a deep slumber (and in a panic, has now awakened her mother from a deep slumber. Kinda a shame, because I was dreaming I was swimming free-style, through space. I dunno what that means, but it was very surreal to say the least). I get the arm free and go to make a bottle for her and get her settled and then try to go back to bed. A half hour later, she starts fussing again so I go in and end up rocking her (and falling asleep in the rocker) back to sweet sweet slumber. I wake up when I feel drool on my arm (her's, not mine...though, let's be honest. Who really knows) and I go back to my own bed around 6:00ish. Miss A joins me (remember, she's my early riser) around 7:15ish (late for her, but they didn't get to bed until 10pm last night) and about half hour later, Miss E joins us. I am finally roused for the morning around 8:00 when Miss O wakes up. And new baby starts kicking. It seems EVERYONE wants to get up, except for me.

Thus we arrive at the first (somewhat sad) truth that must be told: I am often the one that does not want to participate and do anything except SIT in front of a cold air source (even a fan going on high is appealing to me) with a nice beverage. I have reached that point of my pregnancy. I have arrived at the "I just want to sit and not move" stage. Hence one reason for all the great blogging I seem to be doing. :). I am 31 weeks. I have (hopefully) 8 weeks to go. More to go, I should say.

The second sad truth that must be told: After all my grousing about my pediatrician and my online guffaws at him suggesting we move Miss O to her toddler bed within the next two weeks, I must now admit that we might have to move Miss O into her toddler bed within the next few weeks. Not to make sure we squelch any jealous tendencies aimed at the new baby, but because if she keeps getting appendages stuck in the slats...well, that's just not safe.

A third sad truth that must be told:
My sister has found what sounds like a GREAT gift to send to my dad for Father's Day. The sad truth is that we were talking about how hard it is to know what to get him (does he need socks? A tie?), because we haven't seen him in years, and it's kinda hard to glean a meaningful something from some random phone calls. But she found a floral arrangement "from the fields of Germany" which sounds GREAT. I guess you'd have to know that most of my ancestors (especially paternal) have come from these said fields. So, it really seems a great idea. I hope the presentation lives up to expectations, though. :) And I hope he doesn't think it's too "girlie", but according to the site,

these exquisite blooms are accompanied by a ceramic, cream-colored vase that's finished using the Old World tradition of salt glazing and decorated with a gorgeous blue floral painting, the national color of Germany. It's a gift as unique as the country it's inspired by.

I think it's lovely.

A fourth sad truth to be told is that Miss O wipes my kisses off. I don't know why this bothers me, but every time I smooch her--especially a kiss on her little rosebud lips--she enthusiastically kisses me back and then wipes her lips with the back of her hand. What is that about. It's not like I lick my lips before planting one on her. If anything, that's what she does to me, because I've gotten plenty of slobbery smacks from her. Indeed, I don't see how a little kid who doesn't backwash in a cup can have such goopy smooches.

The fifth sad truth to be told: Some of you know that Super J has gone up to St Louis to visit with his Dad concerning his Mom, and Aunt D went with him. They were there to have an in-hospital "intervention" and finally face the elephant in the room: his mom needs some mental help. When we finally talked on the phone last night, I asked how it went and he sounded really optimistic, and said that it was kind of more an intervention for his dad (who was starting to have second thoughts) and a team planning meeting. What? says I. Turns out that they met with the psych doctor and actually had a great meeting about what it really means to have someone committed, how it's done, and had gained a realistic vision of what it means: it's not just a week getaway for Grandma Peters. The doctor said that this woman needed to be committed 30 years ago and there is at least 4 years of work ahead. It means that someone must become her guardian to get this accomplished. It means much more responsibility than just putting her in some building. It means...work.

I guess this reveals something that isn't really a sad truth, but just truth: all families take work. None of us are perfect, despite trying to portray and project that image. We all have ugly underbellies, somewhere, that would betray this faux perfect image we try to convince ourselves we actually have. Some of us are more upfront about that underbelly, but some of us don't want to face it...or the real extent of what must be done.

I mean, look at my side of the family. I have a brother who has just declared bankruptcy and foreclosure and his wife has never worked outside the home. To me, this is a HUGE elephant that needs to be addressed because there's an inequity to that...but that's for another post. All of my family has weight issues and none of us drink enough water or exercise enough or deal with the reasons behind this obesity. Heck! We don't even know what to get my dad for Father's Day because none of us have a consistent relationship with him. Now that is some sad truths being exposed. Oh. And my house seems like it cannot get and/or stay cleaned. That's less sad than just the way it is, but still...since I'm brimming with such honesty, let's call a spade a spade.

So, regardless of what happens with Grandma Peters, they are going forward with it and are letting the consequence follow. Super J said at least they aren't coming out of a vengeful place, but from a sincere hope that she can get and be helped. The consequences will happen, be they positive or negative, but they will happen because...that's what this life is about. And that, my Gentle Reader, is a truth both happy and sad.

Pig in Boots

My sister had this on her blog and I thought it was so funny. It's a real picture of a pig that was afraid to go into the mud until her "owners" found her these miniature wellies. It's good to know it's just not my girls who can be particular about getting dirty.

You should read the article, "Pig in Boots." Too cute.

Off we went...

...to the pool. After an hour and a half, we came home. I'm amazed we stayed there that long, to be frank and honest. The Girls did GREAT staying in the little 1 footer. Because of that, my confidence is bolstered and I forsee us going back on our own, some afternoon.

Anyhoo, Super J was mowing the lawn in the backyard, so all three girls went outside and played on the swing set while he mowed. And then Miss E and O came inside and poor Miss O, clearly fatigued, just started that exhaustion cry and laid on the kitchen floor, crying some more. So I fed her and got her in the shower (SHRIEKING) and then put her in her p.j.s (Shrieking) and then gave her some more medicine (whimper) and started rocking her with her bottle (sniff) and she was out within 1.5 songs (we listen to the same CD every day and night...it has 17 tracks, and she is normally out for nap time around track 4-5 and at nighttime around track 7-10, depending). This was at 6:45. Let's hope she decides to sleep through the night, else I'll be mad at myself for not insisting she take a nap.

That being said, there are 3 things you can't make a baby do: eat, sleep and potty train. Hmph. Let's just hope she sleeps.

And so it goes...

I just had to record for posterity that although her legs hurt like the dickens, Miss O has decided NOT to take a restful nap today. I feel a 7pm bedtime coming on. Indeed I do.

Maybe since she's already pooped for the day, I should take the girls to our little neighborhood pool. You know, to further tire them out????

3 Girls + 1 Mom + 1 Pediatrician + 2 hours =

OHHOLYCOW!

I am back from the pediatrician and all three of my girls got their boosters (Miss A had 4, Miss E had 1 [though she might as well of had 9 by the way she wailed when she got the shot], and Miss O had 3). They did SO great...and I mean it, because we were there F.O.R.E.V.E.R.

I know that doctors are supposed to spend time with each patient and, honestly, it does make us feel important. But I scheduled these three wellness appointments, hoping that I wouldn't have to be there so dang long! I mean, there's not a lot of fun activities you can do in the small waiting room, though we did a lot (how many times can you sing, "The wheels on the bus?" successfully with a 5, 4 and almost 2 year old? Turns out, quite a few times). So glad to get out of there!

And they did really well with the shots. I have to say, Miss A was practically stoic getting her four shots...I was so proud of her. I thought she was going to cry, but you could tell she was trying so hard to be brave, even when she bulged her eyes with each needle entry. That being said, we have now enjoyed about two hours of the blow-by-blow retelling of how brave she was indeed getting her shots and how her legs hurt and how it really really really really hurts getting shots. Miss E, who let out a tribal scream when she got her single shot, has not said a word about it since. Miss O...well, she cried, but got over the quickest and hasn't said anything. I, upon returning home, have dosed them all up with ibuprofen, just in case. And, for all that we had to wait to see the dr and then get the shots, they did give the girls popsicles and free books, so.....

However, here are some fun facts about the trip:

Highlight #1) Miss O pooped her pants MOMENTS before we were ushered into our small room. I had to run out to the car to get a diaper. Ugh. The nurse (who isn't my favorite, I just have to say...she's kinda gruff for a peds nurse) came in after I changed her and said, "WHOA! It's a bio hazard in here." Um...excuse me? Aren't you kinda used to this seeing how you deal with babies and toddler and such young people all day with your job?

Highlight #2) The doctor finally comes in and it's only been an hour since we had our scheduled appointment and he was like, "Wow! All three girls! Mom's trying to kill me, eh girls?"

How am I killing him by bringing in all three of my girls for WELL CHILD exams at once? I mean, these are the most basic exam to make sure everyone is doing well, for crying out loud... I think he "examined" all 3 in under 10 minutes? And the girls were TOTALLY well behaved the whole time. ugh. More like the wait was killing me...grouse, grouse, grouse.

Highlight #3) The doctor and I were chatting it up (he was Miss O's ped when she was born) about how time passes and I told him that I was expecting #4 and he was like, When?, and I said, "Aug 13 is the official due date, but all my babies come at least a week early" and he said, "Wow! You don't even look pregnant."

Hmmmmm.

So, that means I just look fat. Because I have gained at least 25 pounds since he last saw me in Dec with Miss O. Nice.

He did say try not to have the baby too soon because he's going to be out of the office mid-July (he's going to Hawaii...must be hard...but then again, he's taking his two kids who are 3 and 1 and that means a nine hour flight, so yeah...that actually could be hard).

ANYWAY!!!!

Highlight #4) When he asked if Miss O was still in her crib ("yes") he said that he prefers that they get moved into out of the crib 6 weeks before the new baby would be put into it so there's no jealousy issues, etc., so he said I probably need to do this in the next 2 weeks! Um...hello!!!!! In the next 2 weeks? I assured him that I had a bassinet for the new baby who would be in that for approx. 3 months, so I have a little bit more time.

Again: HELLO! This is my 4th time doing this. Or, as I've heard people say, "This ain't my first rodeo." sigh.

So, contrary to my rant, I DO like this doctor...he's very nice (very young)...but the wait and some of the comments kill me. It's one reason we like to go to Walgreen's nurse practitioner run "Health Wellness Clinics" when the kids are 18 months old. They've handled strep and other "sick" issues handily. Besides the fact that it's only a $70 visit, we are often out of there within 20 minutes.

Here's a question then. How long is acceptable to you to have to wait for the doctor before you feel it's time to find a NEW doctor? We waited maybe 10 minutes in the general waiting room, but then were in the other waiting room at least 50 minutes more. Too long? For/with 3 girls, it was dang close for me.

Why do I sense truth to this?

When I left on Friday to visit Mom, I got gas at a station for $3.69 (Ugh. Shocking, but still). It was the cheapest price I'd found and I was like, Wahoo! When I came home on Sunday, I got gas at the exact same gas station for $3.89. Jaw dropping. I think there is an "oil bubble" going on, much like the inflated housing market that existed when we lived in Las Vegas. It's TERRIBLE that there is a select few who are making BILLIONS off of this. Argh.

Found via CNN.com:

Saudi Arabia seeks oil price curb
Information Minister says current oil price is 'unwarranted' as kingdom plans meeting of producers and consumers.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) -- Saudi Arabia says it will call for a meeting of oil producing countries and consumers to discuss soaring oil prices and work to prevent an unjustified rise in prices.

Information and Culture Minister Iyad Madani says the kingdom will work with OPEC to "guarantee the availability of oil supplies now and in the future."

In a statement following the weekly Cabinet meeting on Monday, the minister said Saudi Arabia will also work to control "unwarranted and unnatural" price hikes.

He said that the current price of oil is unjustified.

She's got the feeeeever!

Miss E has a temperature. Started last night...I can't really decide if there are any other symptoms besides grumpiness that comes with fever. She does sound a little congested, but says nothing (throat, ears, etc.) is hurting. Hmmmm. 101.2. Could she have picked something up from the hospital on Saturday? Would it be that quick?????

Tomorrow I have appointments for all the girls to go to the pediatrician, but that's for a "well child" check (aka: get caught up on booster shots and have Miss A's kindergarten physical).

Oh well. Welcome home, me!

Ways I've been passing time...

What I've been listening to in the car:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Yes, I read it (voraciously!) when it first came out, but there's nothing finer than having 4.5 hours to LISTEN to the sublime Jim Dale read it to YOU. Man does a lone road trip FLY by (especially if you start the story towards the end since you know the basic plot). It seriously is so yummy! It's like the very best of movies in your head. LOVE IT (and it reminds me how super Super J really is, as he got the set for me for my birthday the year he had to be out of town on the actual day).

What I've been reading: Fablehaven is a GREAT series. This is #2 and I think better than the first. Both are worth the read.
<--I liked this. It was definitely Ok. I wanted to like it more than I did, though. Easy read.

--> I really liked this book. Had issues with all the running around in a cave, though. I mean, seriously people. Caves are Black Inky Darkness. You cannot see in front of you. I had issues, but overall enjoyed it.

Why does it always feel like...

...a getaway is too short? I had a very nice time at my Mom's (though the highlight was NOT my nephew puking at 3am on Saturday morning. Note to self to tell children when they are older: 3 sprites snuck out of the fridge and chocolate skittles does not a bedtime snack make!). Have you ever heard of those guys with their diet coke and Mentos ????

Well, just think of that in a 10 year olds stomach. Bless his heart.

Anyway, overall we had a very nice (and subsequently very short) visit and I drove home today (Sunday) just in time for Super J to go to a meeting and for yet ANOTHER severe thunderstorm to roll through (remind me to post about the CRAZED moment I had when my cell phone started ringing and I couldn't find it ANYWHERE. Oh my heck! I was not having a WWJD moment when I was ranting and then literally screamed in frustration when I couldn't find the blasted thing. And trust me, how safe is it for a woman driving the speed limit on the highway to be searching through her enormous black bag that has three big ol'pockets and NOT finding her phone, I ask you? Answer: probably not very! I finally gave up and then about 10 miles from home saw it on the floor between the seats. Heavy sigh. Hmmmmm...actually, now that I've told you, you probably don't need to remind me to post since I've already done so. Sorry.). The rain is battering the window even as I type, thunder and lightening every so often. I got the girls showered early and in their pj's so at least I don't have to worry about lightening and all during "bathtime." AND, I probably should have checked the weather BEFORE I watered my poor herb garden, which looked droopy and parched, but oh well. At least I know it drains well and hopefully tomorrow they'll be nice and perky.

On the other hand completely, while I was away, Super J and Aunt D took the girls to visit their Grandma Peters who is currently in the hospital four hours away with a severe case of cellulitis. I asked Miss A about it and she said, "Yep, we got to see Grandma. She has a big hole in her leg. And we even got to see her eat!" Not sure why the eating was so memorable, but okay. Only later at dinner did she also tell me that a nurse gave them Popsicles while they were at the hospital. Super J said that the girls did a GREAT job with all the travel and such, but today Miss O has been particularly squirrelly. Of course.

And speaking of Miss O, she is wanting attention so I shall bid you a fond adieu. Until tomorrow!!!! Stay safe and dry. I know we're trying to. :)