It takes a lot for me or the kids to get sick. For the most part, we are a very healthy bunch (knock on wood) and only experience maybe one or two colds through out any given year. I chalk this up to not keeping an extremely clean house and thus the germs help build up our immunity systems. I am definitely not one of those moms who freaks out when I hear a kid we just played with is sick or getting over being sick.
But boy did Ian and I get knocked down big-time this past Sunday. Fever? Check. Nausea? Check. Dizzy? Check. Can't move? Check. Throwing up? Check.
We were at a friend's house with a few other families on Friday night and received an email early the next morning from our host apologizing in advance for what might soon hit us. 5 out of 6 of their family members woke up in the middle of the night sick with this stomach bug. I immediately replied back and wrote, "Don't worry about it. I am sure we will be fine. Besides, you can never be certain when you get sick who contaminated you or them." These kind of emails come all the time after having play dates and finding out the kids your kids were playing with are now sick.
All Saturday we were fine. Ian did complain of a tummy ache Saturday night, but Jeff chalked it up to him having eaten dinner too quickly. As soon as the babysitter showed up, Ian was his cheerful self and was eager to play wii games for a few hours with Patrick. Jeff and I went to a party and had a great time. All was well. By the time the sun rose on Sunday, it was a very different story in our house. Within minutes Ian and I were part of the casualties this Burke stomach bug had taken as its latest victims. The rumor was that this bug will last only 12 hours, but I guess I got lucky as I was still throwing up a good 15 hours after it started. I hadn't eaten anything since Saturday night and obviously couldn't even hold down water. Jeff said it's bad when you throw up the medication to help you no longer feel nauseas. I don't throw up easily and never even did once with either pregnancy. Actually I can't remember the last time I threw up. But boy will I remember this day for a long, long time. It was bad. Very bad.
You know how bad it was? Even not having eating anything all day, anything close to resembling food or the thought of food on tv sent me racing to the bathroom.
Ian got off a little better. He only threw up once in the morning. But the rest of the time you would think we were matching lumps, close to comatose, unable to function.
It wasn't until the next morning that Ian and I faced a new day and could hold our heads up again. I kept Ian home from school so that he could take it easy and be ready for trick-or-treating that night. That was the important goal - be healthy enough to go out on Halloween. How sad to wait all year for this holiday and then have to miss it.
24 hours after Ian and I had it, Jeff got affected with a very minor case. Compared to me and Ian, you can't even call what Jeff had as having the stomach bug. He went to work a little late on Monday, but still managed to get to the office.
Sam, on the other hand, is one tough chick. She came out of this completely unscathed. I have a feeling the Burke stomach bug took one look at her and ran the other way.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Halloween 2011
This year Ian wanted to be Darth Vader and Sam was Super Girl. She really had no choice in the costume, as it was the one I ordered her last year and she refused to wear anything that year. The costume actually fit her perfectly this year and before she knew to ask to be anything different, she was saying "Super Girl to the rescue!!!!!!!!!" Next year I know I won't be able to convince her to be something I want her to be, but it was nice to get our money's worth out of the Super Girl costume.
Every year my cousin, Leslie and I send each other's kids fun Halloween packages. This year she sent Ian Halloween themed shrinky dinks. Ian had never seen shrinky dinks before and really had a blast making them. The kit had approx. 40 different shrinky dink designs and after baking, they attached to a 4 sided spooky-looking tree. It became a really cool centerpiece for our table.
We went trick or treating last night with some good friends in their neighborhood. When we came home, Ian was eager to hand out candy to the kids who were still out collecting. As the kids were picking out a few pieces of candy from our big candy bowl, Ian added, "Wait, I've got a surprise to show you." All the kids were taken aback by this and not sure what was going to happen. I was in the kitchen and listening as some responses ran the gamut from "Is something going to jump out at us?" to "Um, what kind of surprise?"
Every time we had more trick or treaters at our door, Ian quickly put the bowl of candy down and to a very nervously awaiting audience, pulled out his shrinky drink Halloween tree and showed it off. "I made this! It's shrinky dinks". Some kids were impressed. Some not so much. One father did think it was just as cool as Ian did and said to his little boy, "They're neat. We've got get some of those."
It was very sweet watching Ian be so proud of his art project and want to show all the kids. If you ask Ian, he'll tell you, you come to our house and you get more treats than just candy.
Every year my cousin, Leslie and I send each other's kids fun Halloween packages. This year she sent Ian Halloween themed shrinky dinks. Ian had never seen shrinky dinks before and really had a blast making them. The kit had approx. 40 different shrinky dink designs and after baking, they attached to a 4 sided spooky-looking tree. It became a really cool centerpiece for our table.
We went trick or treating last night with some good friends in their neighborhood. When we came home, Ian was eager to hand out candy to the kids who were still out collecting. As the kids were picking out a few pieces of candy from our big candy bowl, Ian added, "Wait, I've got a surprise to show you." All the kids were taken aback by this and not sure what was going to happen. I was in the kitchen and listening as some responses ran the gamut from "Is something going to jump out at us?" to "Um, what kind of surprise?"
Every time we had more trick or treaters at our door, Ian quickly put the bowl of candy down and to a very nervously awaiting audience, pulled out his shrinky drink Halloween tree and showed it off. "I made this! It's shrinky dinks". Some kids were impressed. Some not so much. One father did think it was just as cool as Ian did and said to his little boy, "They're neat. We've got get some of those."
It was very sweet watching Ian be so proud of his art project and want to show all the kids. If you ask Ian, he'll tell you, you come to our house and you get more treats than just candy.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Kaput!
The tv getting all quirky on us was just the beginning. In the next 24 hours that followed, all sorts of things decided it needed to retire:
1. Headlight on Jeff's car
2. One of the charging inputs for the iTouch
3. Dryer no longer has heat (but hey, it still turns on!)
4. Battery on Jeff's watch
Fortunately everything is minor and easily fixable. But how bizzare! Every time we turned around, we were discovering yet another thing not working. I guess that episode of the Twilight Zone just got picked-up for the whole season.
1. Headlight on Jeff's car
2. One of the charging inputs for the iTouch
3. Dryer no longer has heat (but hey, it still turns on!)
4. Battery on Jeff's watch
Fortunately everything is minor and easily fixable. But how bizzare! Every time we turned around, we were discovering yet another thing not working. I guess that episode of the Twilight Zone just got picked-up for the whole season.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Yep, this is me!
Many thanks to Jennifer Guirguis for forwarding this to me. Every time I look at it, I giggle.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Putting on my detective hat
I've been hard at work getting Sam to various doctors to see if there is a medical reason for why my little girl behaves the way she does.
In the last month, I've done the following:
Went to an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat specialist) to find out why she is getting nose bleeds and if there is anything I need to be concerned about. Also inquired about her erratic sleep and questioned whether or not she is getting a deep enough sleep or could possibly have sleep apnea.
Working with an Occupational Therapist to see if a Sensory Integration Disorder is coming in to play. She tends to overreact at the littlest things.
Visited the pediatrician and requested blood work to be done to see if she could possibly have Celiac disease or may not be getting the nutrients her body needs. Also, spoke to the dr about the incredibly frustrating pooping issues we are experiencing.
It was an A-HA! moment when Heather and I was talking on the phone one morning. She asked me what some of the symptoms of Celiac are. There are over 200 associated and I started listing them. Lo and behold, I was describing Sam! Nosebleeds, insomnia, constipation, irritability. Hey, maybe I couldn't see the forrest through the trees.
Right now I feel like I am spinning my wheels. Yes, this could all be nothing. And she could be your average, high-strung, strong-willed 3 year old exhibiting typical 3 year old behavior, but I need to exhaust all avenues. I want to go to sleep at night knowing I did all I could to see if there is a cause and thus, a solution for why she is challenging to parent sometimes, heck, most times.
The pediatrician thought I was crazy. I could tell that she thought I was off my rocker and I didn't recognize what a healthy 3 year old looks like. Apparently her daughter refused to poop on the potty until she was 8 years old. Really. So I guess I shouldn't be concerned that Sam poops a little in her underwear through out the entire day - up to 4 or 5 times a day, for the past 3 weeks straight. That alone is enough for a mom to get in her car and drive off a cliff.
As for the blood work, she did indulge my wishes and requested the various blood tests needed. We should have results back in the next day or two. I just know that if your body isn't operating like it should, your behavior and temperament could easily be affected. And Sam is too young to communicate effectively if she is feeling run down or maybe her iron is low or something similar. Plus, with my history of Celiac, there could be a real possibility that Sam has a gluten allergy too. It would completely suck if this is the case, but it would an easy solution to fix. I know that kids diagnosed with autism or aspergers are told to eat a gluten-free diet to help with their behavior. I KNOW Sam is not autistic or even close to being on the spectrum, but it doesn't hurt to give it a try and see if it can help her.
I am a mom on a mission. My detective hat is on and I am on the case. I hope at the end of the day, I am told that I am crazy and nothing is really wrong. But until that time comes, I will continue to look at this from every angle.
In the last month, I've done the following:
Went to an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat specialist) to find out why she is getting nose bleeds and if there is anything I need to be concerned about. Also inquired about her erratic sleep and questioned whether or not she is getting a deep enough sleep or could possibly have sleep apnea.
Working with an Occupational Therapist to see if a Sensory Integration Disorder is coming in to play. She tends to overreact at the littlest things.
Visited the pediatrician and requested blood work to be done to see if she could possibly have Celiac disease or may not be getting the nutrients her body needs. Also, spoke to the dr about the incredibly frustrating pooping issues we are experiencing.
It was an A-HA! moment when Heather and I was talking on the phone one morning. She asked me what some of the symptoms of Celiac are. There are over 200 associated and I started listing them. Lo and behold, I was describing Sam! Nosebleeds, insomnia, constipation, irritability. Hey, maybe I couldn't see the forrest through the trees.
Right now I feel like I am spinning my wheels. Yes, this could all be nothing. And she could be your average, high-strung, strong-willed 3 year old exhibiting typical 3 year old behavior, but I need to exhaust all avenues. I want to go to sleep at night knowing I did all I could to see if there is a cause and thus, a solution for why she is challenging to parent sometimes, heck, most times.
The pediatrician thought I was crazy. I could tell that she thought I was off my rocker and I didn't recognize what a healthy 3 year old looks like. Apparently her daughter refused to poop on the potty until she was 8 years old. Really. So I guess I shouldn't be concerned that Sam poops a little in her underwear through out the entire day - up to 4 or 5 times a day, for the past 3 weeks straight. That alone is enough for a mom to get in her car and drive off a cliff.
As for the blood work, she did indulge my wishes and requested the various blood tests needed. We should have results back in the next day or two. I just know that if your body isn't operating like it should, your behavior and temperament could easily be affected. And Sam is too young to communicate effectively if she is feeling run down or maybe her iron is low or something similar. Plus, with my history of Celiac, there could be a real possibility that Sam has a gluten allergy too. It would completely suck if this is the case, but it would an easy solution to fix. I know that kids diagnosed with autism or aspergers are told to eat a gluten-free diet to help with their behavior. I KNOW Sam is not autistic or even close to being on the spectrum, but it doesn't hurt to give it a try and see if it can help her.
I am a mom on a mission. My detective hat is on and I am on the case. I hope at the end of the day, I am told that I am crazy and nothing is really wrong. But until that time comes, I will continue to look at this from every angle.
Monday, October 24, 2011
My last long run
7 months ago when I decided to sign up for a marathon, it felt so far away that anything was possible. I could talk all the 'game' I wanted, but knew that I still had more than half a year before my foot had to actually cross the starting line. As of today, I've got just 26 days to go and the countdown is on! We are in taper city and the mileage I have to log now is reasonable and not nearly as taxing as what has been recently done.
I have discovered a lot in these past 6 months of training. The biggest thing I found out is that I am not cut out for long distance running. I think after I get to mile 12, I get seriously bored and am ready for the next activity. To keep going takes a huge amount of will power and determination. I've always known that once I am committed to something, I'll see it through to the end and this marathon training had me displaying that type of mental strength over and over again.
Some other discoveries include:
- It doesn't matter how much I run, I will never get faster. My pace stays consistently slow. Friends can start out with me at the same pace, but somewhere along the way, they get faster and I get slower.
- I'm okay not wearing underwear under my running shorts or capri running pants if it means I don't get any kind of chafing. I really thought I would be grossed out by this, but after the first long run trying it, it made a huge difference. (Sorry if this is TMI).
- Training for a marathon did nothing to help me lose weight. Actually, just the opposite. I've been gaining weight as the weeks and mileage progress. I really don't think I am eating more and any different types of foods, but for some reason my body is in starvation mode and doesn't want to let go of my excess fat. And believe me, I have enough excess to come off and not be needed.
- Running for hours on end in the months of July, August, and some of September really sucked. That's all there is to it. Me and heat still don't do well together.
- Going through the training process became a much more enjoyable experience when you have a friend or two to commiserate with. I can't imagine not comparing notes or venting or doing any of this without J.W. When you know you aren't in this alone, it becomes more bearable.
I admire all those who make a career out of running marathons. Those who do this year after year and of course the crazies who do multiple ones through out the year. I can't even imagine what that involves. I said this before at the beginning and feel it now more than ever -- I am only doing this once.
Don't get me wrong, I am so happy I decided to go for it. To prove to myself I can do this. Come November 20th, I am not going to be the fastest, in the top 50%, or possibly even in the top 75% of finishers, but I will go out there and enjoy it and give it everything I've got. The t-shirt I will be wearing will say, "You don't have to go fast. You just have to go."
Saturday, October 22, 2011
The tv just got quirky.
We are living in the Twilight Zone. Our tv in our master bedroom, which has been working perfectly for a little more than 7 years, has recently started doing some freaky things that defy logic. I turn the tv on and the picture comes on for a second, then goes blank. The sound stays on. We can change channels and the picture will come on for a second and then goes to a blank screen (not blue, but black). We turn the tv off and on and the same exact thing happens. The picture comes on for a second and then goes black.
So in an effort to test other devices, we put on the DVD player that has always been attached to the tv and see if we can get a DVD to play. The only one close by was Barney. On it went. Barney played with no problems and the picture never left the screen. With the DVD still playing, we switched the input on the remote and clicked over to regular tv. The picture stayed on! We could change channels and everything. Not a problem and it continued working like it always had.
Turned the DVD player off and the picture on the tv flashed for a second and went to a black screen. Turned the tv off and then on again, the same exact thing. Put the DVD player back on, the regular tv works again.
So incredibly bizarre. I hope Barney enjoys spinning around and around. Because he is never leaving our DVD player.
So in an effort to test other devices, we put on the DVD player that has always been attached to the tv and see if we can get a DVD to play. The only one close by was Barney. On it went. Barney played with no problems and the picture never left the screen. With the DVD still playing, we switched the input on the remote and clicked over to regular tv. The picture stayed on! We could change channels and everything. Not a problem and it continued working like it always had.
Turned the DVD player off and the picture on the tv flashed for a second and went to a black screen. Turned the tv off and then on again, the same exact thing. Put the DVD player back on, the regular tv works again.
So incredibly bizarre. I hope Barney enjoys spinning around and around. Because he is never leaving our DVD player.
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