Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Pearls of Wisdom

Sunday was my 29th birthday- yay me! I didn't have a party like I'd originally planned, but there is just entirely too much going on right now! No party is better than a half-baked attempt at a party.

My sis was teasing me about being old and asked what pearls of wisdom I could share with her thanks to my vast knowledge gained in my old age . . . did I mention she's a smart-ass?!

But maybe what I shared with her can be helpful to some other young 20-something. So, here are Stephanie's Tricks to Living Happy:

1. Don't rush through college in 3 years like I did. 4-6 years is perfectly acceptable. Just don't take 7-8 (for a 4 year degree) or then you're the creepy old person trying to hang out with young kids. There is no such thing as a real life Van Wilder, promise.

2. A "big girl" job isn't all its cracked up to be. Yes, its awesome to have a career and exciting to have an adult life at last, but I have three words for you- No Spring Break. No little mini breaks thrown in throughout the year. Vacation days are just not the same.

3. When you do finally get a "big girl" job, make it something that you love.

4. Live within your means. Credit cards can be your friend as long as you don't abuse them.

5. It's easier to stay in shape than it is to get back into shape. Just because you don't have to run 4 miles a day anymore doesn't mean you shouldn't. You'll regret it later when you promise a friend to run a 2K with her in a few months and you're still trying desperately to figure out how to run more than a mile without passing out . . . .

6. Tampon boxes are the best hiding places if there's something you don't want your boyfriend/husband to find. Most won't even go there, but if they do they'll have a tough time explaining why they were looking through your tampons in the first place.

7. Being a mommy is the hardest job in the world. But its also the best.

8. Being a working mommy is not easy. Those people that make it look super easy all the time are probably popping a few happy pills.

9. Surround yourself with people that you love and who love you. Let go of any friendships or relationships that are hurtful or bad. Those people are not worth your time or energy.

10. And most important of all- Trust and believe in God. Put your joys and concerns in His hands. I'm a worrier by nature and giving my problems to God is still something I struggle with everyday. But I'm working on it!

I have the following scripture in my office that I read whenever I find myself overwhelmed and it always helps:

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40: 29-31

So there you have it! My tips to living a happy life. Pay particular attention to number 10 folks, I saved the best for last for a reason!

XOXO

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Well, we had a good run . . .

Poor little Emma! Her asthma has been doing fairly well lately and it gave the hubs and I this false sense of security- that "maybe she's starting to grow out of it and maybe things will be better for her now" mentality.

WRONG!

Last Monday she woke up and her breathing was a little funny. Her "emergency" inhaler helped a little so I just continued to monitor her throughout the day (I was off work) and give her extra breathing treatments. Sometimes it will just flare up like that and can be managed. By 5 that evening she refused to let go of me for even one tiny second and the inhaler wasn't giving her any relief so off to the pediatrician's office we go. And an hour later were admitted to the hospital. Yikes.


This brings our total asthma related hospital stays to 4, poor little girl. This time was sooo much harder than any of the previous stays. She felt terrible and is at the age where she understands more and realizes that when nurses come in with needles its gonna hurt. 4 liters of oxygen, 3 attempts at an IV, and around a million tears later we were finally settled down for the night. The only way she would sleep was sitting on my lap in the bed.


It just breaks my heart to see her struggling to breathe, tubes and cords connected to her little body, and not understanding why she keeps getting poked with needles and has to wear the little oxygen thingy in her nose, which she absolutely hates. Some of the worst mommy moments ever.


By day 4 she was able to remove the oxygen for a little while during the day but her oxygen levels were still dropping dangerously low at night. We were able to walk through the pediatric unit for brief periods using a portable oxygen tank and dragging her IV tower with us. My little girl is a charmer and she made tons of friends on these daily walks. My boss sent her a present which she had to carry with her on our walks. Tissue paper, balloons, and all. Since the frog is almost as big as she is I wound up carrying it most of the time but Em wouldn't hear of leaving "Dora" behind. It was so sweet and funny watching her try to carry that giant frog around that I wound up laughing and crying at the same time.

She kept the nurses laughing too. One of the maintenance guys was riding around on a floor buffer and she started yelling "Mommy! Look out for the lawnmower! It's coming this way! Don't let it get me and Dora!"


Finally after 6 LONG days we were able to come home. Praise the Lord! It took an act of congress to get all of her get well soon gifts loaded into my SUV but we finally managed. She was so happy to be home she literally played with every single toy she owns that afternoon, no small feat I promise. Now that she's home we are still doing some extra breathing treatments and she tires out easily. Hopefully in a few days she'll be my happy, silly, little chatterbox girl again!


While I was staying at the hospital with Emma, Jeremy was playing Mommy for Seeley who had RSV. Double whammy right? Since he had RSV he was essentially quarantied for 7 days and this mommy didn't get to see him at all. Super tough. Jeremy and I had talked about trading off some but Emma is such a mommy's girl she would have only gotten more upset and we didn't want that when she was already sick. So, my mom would come to the hospital each day so I could shower (if that's what you can call it) and the in-laws would sit with Seeley each night after work so Jeremy could spend a few hours at the hospital with me and Em.


While I was MIA for a week Mr. Big learned all sorts of new tricks. He's no longer "kinda" crawling, he's a full on force to be reckoned with. As hubs so eloquently put it "he just won't stay where I put him anymore". (This was said in a very exhausted voice one evening over the phone.) And, he supposedly said his first word- dada. I say supposedly b/c I have not heard him say it yet and I'm holding out until I hear it for myself. I personally think it's a little unfair since Jeremy had the advantage of coaching him for a full 6 days.


Emma doesn't know what to think about Seeley's new mobility, especially since he's now getting into all of her stuff. I feel some sibling fights coming up in the near future. It's also funny to watch Seeley try to use Emma to pull himself up to stand. He's only a few pounds lighter than she is and everytime he tries it they both wind up falling onto the floor; Emma tries to help him but she just can't manage to do it without losing her balance!


Here's hoping everyone stays healthy and we can enjoy the pretty weather this weekend!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Love is a Battlefield

Preach on Pat Benatar!

Most husbands and wives argue about money or parenting techniques or even household chores. While hubs and I have our occasional "discussions" on these topics, our battles of late have revloved around two things:
That's right folks. Gauntlets get thrown when it comes to Dr. Pepper and Cadbury Eggs, two of the best culinary delights in the world. Our history with Cadbury Eggs is well noted, the Dr. Pepper is a recent addition to the list due to my desperate (and unwanted) need for caffeine.
See, the hubs suffers from gluttony. He just can't help himself. Or so he claims when I find him in a chocolate and caffeine induced coma.
I've recently made a big push to be healthier. Eat better, focus on getting into a good exercise routine. And I've had moderate success. I'm making it to the gym around 4 times a week (not great but good), I'm eating better meals, and my junk food and caffeine intake is at a minimum.
But for those moments when chocolate and caffeine are a must I have my "emergency stash". I can make a 4 pack of Cadbury eggs and a 6 pack of the mini Dr. Peppers last 2-3 months. Or I could, if hubs would stop stealing them. See when I need them, I NEED them and I've almost resorted to violence upon finding my last Cadbury Egg or Dr. Pepper missing. The only thing stopping the violence is potential jail time. I couldn't make it in jail. Too many germs.
I've managed to find hiding places for my Cadbury Eggs, but the Dr. Pepper is a little harder. So, if the next time you're at my house you find some Cadbury Eggs in a random place, say hanging out inside a box of tampons, just put them back and whatever you do, don't tell Jeremy!