The Christmas Spirit - Or Not

This afternoon, The Mr., the boys, and I were in a mall parking lot driving around to find a space to park. We were lucky enough to see a van pulling out, so we waited. As this person was pulling out of the space, they backed right into a parked car. The person in the van then pulled forward back into the parking space. I thought that maybe the driver would check out the damage to the car that she hit and then leave her insurance and contact information. Unfortunately not. The woman, instead, backed back out of the parking space and drove away. The Mr. and I decided to leave a note on the car that was hit with our name and number as well as the license plate number of the person who hit their car. As we got out of our vehicle to place our note, 2 other groups of people were also leaving information on said car as to the hit and run.

I was really appalled that a person would hit a parked car and then just drive away. I was very impressed that 3 groups of people, including ourselves, would leave information for someone we didn't even know informing them of what had happened. I don't know what the other 2 groups of people put in their notes, but from talking to the others, they were also doing what they felt was right. They also couldn't believe someone would do such a thing and seemed very impressed that so many people would help a stranger. It shows me that there are more people in the world willing to do what is right than there are people who do what isn't right. I hope the person who received all of our letters does something with the information and is able to get the damage to their car repaired, with no cost to them.

The Waiting Room Is The Worst Place To Be

Today we took Thing 2 to the urologist. He was born with hypospadias so could not be circumcised while in the hospital. We have gone through all of this before. Thing 1 was also born with hypospadias. He was in and out of the hospital in the same day. He had a tube coming out of his penis to allow him to pee and keep the swelling from closing up the opening. We had to double diaper him for a few days until the tube was removed. It was rough. That was the worst day...so hard to sit in the waiting room with tons of other parents whose children were in surgery. I remember watching the clock tick by. I sat up straight every time a nurse or doctor came into the room, hoping that it was my child that was out of surgery. Once Thing 1 was out of surgery and I was able to see him, it was difficult to watch my baby sitting there drinking juice. He just didn't look himself. He had been crying and he was drinking that juice like no one had fed him in days. Just looking at him made me cry. I had such a hard time dealing with it. I was scared and nervous. I felt like a horrible parent allowing someone to do surgery on him (even though I new it had to be done and it was best for him in the long run). The day after his surgery, I was home alone with him as The Mr. had to work. I was nervous being around him and trying to take care of him. I was so afraid I would hurt him each time I changed his diaper. We got through it and now you would never know Thing 1 had surgery. But I am not looking forward to going through this all again. This time with Thing 2.

Thing 2 had his first urology appointment back in June, where we were told he would need surgery to fix the hypospadias. We were also told it would be minor and he would be in and out in the same day. The surgery could not be scheduled until he was at least 6 months. We went to the second appointment this morning.

During the appointment today, the urologist stated that Thing 2 actually had chordee. The opening in his penis is actually in the correct spot, his penis is just a bit crooked. The doctor stated that the surgery would only take a half an hour and that one parent would be allowed back with him as he is drifting to sleep. After the surgery, each of us would be allowed to see him, separately, for about 20 minutes. Shortly after that, he would be able to go home. Thing 2 won't need the tube or the double diapering as the urethra won't be touched at all. The doctor stated that all that would need to happen after the surgery is an ointment would need to be put on at each diaper change. He sounded like this would be an easy surgery with no worries.

I know in the grand scheme of things, this will be an easy surgery. As for me, emotionally, it will be tough. I already told The Mr. that I can't go back with Thing 2 as he is drifting off to sleep. I cannot be there to watch as my little boy is going into surgery. It's hard enough for me to watch him get his vaccinations at each appointment! I know I will be worried and stressed. I know I will cry as my baby goes back to surgery and I know I will be nervous about taking good care of him after it is all over. I just hope he recovers quickly and the time goes by fast. I don't think I can stare at the seconds and minutes ticking by for very long.

Thing 2 is scheduled for surgery on December 23. I hope he is feeling better by the 25th so he can enjoy his first Christmas.

Seven Months

Seven months ago today Thing 2 was born. He sits without support, rolls over, babbles, and stands up with support. Thing 1 and Thing 2 are already starting to tag team their troublemakerness (is that even a word?). When we attempt to put them down for an afternoon nap, Thing 1 will jump around on his bed and play while Thing 2 turns himself around on his belly to face Thing 1 to laugh and 'talk' to him. We have spent many a weekend since then separating them for naptime or waiting until one is asleep before putting the other one down for a nap. I know already that I am going to have my hands full with Thing 2. He is very active as he wants to keep up with his big brother!

Tortilla Chips Are the Only Food

Thing 2 is starting on some real foods now. At his last appointment, the doctor gave the go ahead to start him on cheerios (which we had already tried once). So we have been allowing Thing 2 to randomly try foods that would be soft enough or would melt in his mouth. Each time we have tried a new real food, it will touch his lips or his tongue and he will start gagging. Now, if you were to watch him do this, you can totally tell that it is all for show. He hasn’t even tried to eat it yet. The food has gotten nowhere near the back of his mouth or his throat for him to swallow. We have tried cheerios, puffs, bananas, little pieces of bread. The only real food we have found him to eat is mandarin oranges. He seems to like those ok. And when I say he likes them, I mean he doesn’t gag at the thought of them going in his mouth. He usually eats two mandarin oranges in a sitting and then decides he is done with that.

Well, the other day, when Thing 2 had finished eating and was sitting in his high chair playing, The Mr. and I were eating sandwiches and tortilla chips. With each lift of a chip to our mouths, Thing 2 was staring. Finally, I held one out to him (knowing that he cannot eat a potato chip) just to see what he would do. He just stared at it. After intently observing us eat several more chips, The Mr. held out a chip to him. This time Thing 2 grabbed it and put it right in his mouth – no gagging! Of course we took the chip away. (He did not cry at this.) I just couldn’t believe that he would put a chip in his mouth without any issues but won’t eat a cheerio, a piece of banana, or bread! It’s not like he hasn’t seen us or his older brother eat any of these things!

So, sorry Thing 2 but you are much too little for tortilla chips. You need to learn how to eat other foods without gagging first! Oh, and a couple of teeth may also help with the chewing process when it comes to chips.

It's Time To Go

I am having some issues over here. We are having some financial issues (as probably everyone is). We have added a new baby into the house within the past 6 1/2 months. Things that never bothered me before are starting to bother me. I am really stressed out. Stupid little things are annoying me. I am angry with myself for feeling like this. I am feeling abandoned and betrayed by The Mr. having to travel all the time for work - leaving me alone without any support as we are so far away from family and friends. I feel guilty for feeling this way as he cannot help his job and we knew it would be this way when he took the position. I have talked to him about my feelings a lot the past few days. At first I don't think I was coming across well. I don't think he understood where I was coming from and I don't think I was explaining myself well. I was too emotional. After talking to my best friend on the phone yesterday for an hour and a half about my issue and then sleeping on it, I found that I was better able to explain myself and that my husband was better able to understand me. Yesterday and this morning before we talked, I felt like a wall was up between us. I was scared. I didn't know what was going to happen and feared the worst. After talking today, I am doing much better. We have decided to seek counseling. I have gone to counseling myself in the past and I know that it is time for me to go again. I felt that it would be good for The Mr. to go with me this time. I think that it will help strengthen our relationship and help us to communicate better. When I was in counseling before I learned that I confuse being stressed with being depressed. Anytime I get really stressed out, I start to get depressed. I start not eating and I sleep a lot. I wander around like a zombie, only doing things because I have to and not doing anything that I enjoy. I am starting to get that way again. This time seems different as I am now getting bothered by things that my husband does that he has always done. It's not fair to him and that is making me angry and upset with myself. I hope that we find a good counselor to help us through this and to help me get out of my rut.

I Did It

I did it. I went out during my lunch to my polling place. I have put in my vote for president. I encourage everyone to do the same, no matter who you decide to vote for.

If you know someone who isn't voting, you can always go here to have their name put into the video and e-mailed to them.

Halloween

The boys had a Halloween parade at daycare yesterday that both The Mr. & I went to. It was fun to see the boys and all their classmates walking around outside in costume. I noticed that superheros, particularly Batman, were very popular this year. In one of the classes, they had 3 children dressed up as a monkey! I didn't realize that monkey would be so popular!!

Thing 1 chose his costume as well as his little brother's costume. The day that the costumes were purchased, I was home in bed, sick with the beginnings of pneumonia. Thing 1 decided to be Mr. Incredible and picked out a bumblebee costume for Thing 2. The Mr. said that there wasn't much choice in the infant section when they went as there were only 3 costumes to choose from (bumblebee, ladybug, or chili pepper). I think it turned out well.

Thing 2 fell asleep before we ever started trick-or-treating so he was just pushed along the neighborhood in his stroller. Thing 1 really enjoyed trick-or-treating this year. He fully understood the concept (much different than last year where he kept trying to trade in the piece of candy he got at one house for a different one at the next house). He ended up with a lot of candy and we didn't even go to that many houses. The minimum number of pieces at each house was 2 and by the end they were giving out bags of candy!!

How was everyone else's Halloween experience? Happy Halloween!!