Well, I'm officially "out there" as a doula. I ordered a shirt and everything. I've had an average of a birth a month, (2 in may!) and I've been going on more interviews. The awesome thing, right now, is that I can pretty much work with most of the people who want to hire me. I haven't had to turn someone down due to over scheduling, yet. (although, I did turn someone down for a home birth. Which, just killed me. I just can't do it while midwife assisted births are still illegal in Alabama. Once that's legal, I'm all over it!)
I'm super excited because my next client who is due is attempting a VBAC! VBACs are especially dear to me because of my own VBAC experiences with my 3 youngest. Its not that every vaginal birth isn't special, its just that there's this amazing realization for a VBAC mom when she has her first (and second and third) baby vaginally that she's not "broken".
So, speaking of doula stuff, I have to already start thinking about how close to our Thailand trip I'll take clients. (Did you know E and I are going to Thailand?? For our 10th anniversary trip, even though it'll be close to 11 years.) We've started looking at hotels and are likely going in February. One of my dear friends is pregnant and due in the beginning. She hasn't asked me to be her doula, nor do I expect her to, but I want to make sure we're around if she needs anything from us.
There's this super long list of things I'd like to do before we go to Thailand. Thankfully, "lose weight" isn't on my list this year, (I hit 1 year as a life time member of Weight Watchers this week.) But, odder things made the list. Things that likely won't happen, but its a dream list. Here it is:
1. Get Lasik. I was going to get it done last year, but was hesitant to do it while I was still nursing Eliza. I'm still nursing her now, but will likely stop some time around age 2. Or will be down enough to go ahead with the surgery. I keep thinking about how nice it would be to not have to deal with contacts, cases, solution on a 40 hr trip over there and back. Plus, you know, not having to worry about salt water in my contact in the ocean.
2. Buy a super hot, non-momish, bathing suit that covers my stretch marked stomach. (Unless we some how hit the lotto and I get a tummy tuck and breast lift.)
3. Get a bikini wax. I've heard the more times you go, the longer it stays away and it hurts less. Not sure if I buy that, but I'm thinking about giving it a go.
4. Have bunion surgery. See. I told you it was a weird list. My bunion on my right foot has been hurting. It goes through spurts of hurting/not hurting. Its on a hurting spurt now. It hurts most after I run or walk long distances. Obviously, we'll likely be doing some walking on our trip. I'd love to be pain free.
Running. Yeah. I just put it out to the world via instagram that I'm planning on running a half marathon in the fall. I started training yesterday. I know. Its crazy. I am not a runner. Or, that's what I always thought. If my life was a newspaper, this story would read "girl who passed out at track meet and quit attempts to run a half marathon at age 31."
After training for my 10k, and not dying, or even feeling the need to die, I started to believe in myself a little. Maybe I am a runner. If I can run 6.2 miles with out much struggle, maybe I can run 8. Or 10. Maybe I can run 13.1. If I can't, at least I can say I tried, right?
Showing posts with label decisions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label decisions. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Thursday, December 13, 2012
my hotdog got run over by a reindeer grocery cart
Yesterday went like this:
Take Isaac to gymnastics. While at gymnastics, he has a coughing fit. I, then, realize that I forgot to give him his nebulizer. (crap!) Every one is giving us the stink eye. You know, because he's gagging from heavy coughing and sounds like he may vomit.
While we are at gymnastics, Eliza seems to be walking funny. Like crooked. She seems to be a tad congested, so I'm starting to wonder if she has fluid in her ears and is just thrown off.
I gather the children up and head to Costco. I love, love, and adore Costco. Love it. However, the major downside is that its on the other side of town. There's no "good" way to get there. Oh, there's a straight shot road from my house to Costco, but there's about 11 hundred stop lights between here and there. (They're almost always red. Especially when you're in a hurry!)
Eventually, I get to Costco. I have intentions of getting hot dogs for lunch (mine with out a bun to be dairy free!) and then cruise around for a few grocery items, a gift for a friend, and Isaac's cool chair for his birthday.
When I pull into the parking lot, I realized I forgot to pack Isaac's drink. It wasn't a huge deal, since they sell drinks with the hot dog meals. But, I usually bring him a sippy cup and forgo the pop/lemon aid and get him water. I check my email and find that I got another doula job! (woot!!)
I grab the kids, throw them into a cart, and head in to return something. We make our way to the food, buy our goodies, and move onward towards the awesomeness that is Costco at Christmas. I find Isaac's chair (I was so worried it would be sold out!) and am confounded as to how to get it into my cart with the kids. I move Isaac into the front seat, which he says he DOES NOT LIKE! While he's shouting, I'm finagling the very large box into our cart, and my phone starts ringing. I glance at the number and realize it is the big-kids' school. I set the box down, ever so gently (bawaawa!) and talk to the school nurse. O is crying/screaming/freaking out because her ear hurts.
While I'm on the phone, Isaac tries to "help" and put his drink next to mine, in the back of the cart. Except, he only has the arms of a 3 year old, and not Stretch Armstrong arms. The drink falls 2 feet short of the actual cart, busts open, and spills its, very full, contents all over the floor. I hang up the phone, after telling the nurse I'll be there in.... um.... its lunch time and I'm at Costco, so... 45 minutes to an hour? I have to find some one to come clean this mess up because my measly 10 paper napkins just isn't cutting it. I'm searching around, and even find a friendly lady who is willing to help me find a worker. I finally find a guy with a name tag, ask him if he works here, and tell him of my shame. Thankfully, he takes care of it.
Shortly after, I make O a dr. appointment for 45 minutes from now. That's all they have left. I'll never make it in time to pick her up AND head to the doctor. I enlist E's help. (which sucks since he had to be out all day on Monday for O's growth hormone testing.) He plans to pick her up and agrees to meet me at the doctor.
Meanwhile, Eliza takes my bun less hot dog that's wrapped like a burrito in a piece of foil and tugs on it. It rolls out of its packaging, and right onto the floor. As I'm moving forward to get it, another person's cart runs right over it. Cutting my hot dog in half.
I rush through the line, pay for my things (which, after upon returning home, realize I forgot over half of my things.) I have no lunch, and no time to buy a new hot dog. So, I eat dried fruit and nuts for lunch. Along with my diet coke. Lunch ofchampions mommies.
Eliza screams almost the entire time in the car. I make decent time, and get to the doctor on time. While in the waiting room, Eliza seems to be getting sicker. O's pediatric endocrinologist calls. I take the call outside, but I can hear Eliza screaming for me as I walk out the door. The doctor is calling to tell us that O's tests confirm a growth hormone deficiency. He wants to schedule a MRI as soon as possible and get moving on growth hormone injections.
I walk back into the waiting room, sort of in a daze. Our favorite nurse calls us back. She takes a few notes about O, glances at Eliza and says "oh no! she looks sick!" She is looking pretty sick. Running a fever, too.
Our pediatrician comes in, looks in O's ear, declares an infection. she also glances Eliza's way and says "she looks rather puney." I asked her if she could just glance in her ears because she was walking funny earlier. There's nothing in her ears, except Eliza's pure hatred of being messed with. at all. Especially when she's sick. the dr. listens to her chest and it sounds yucky. Eliza gets her finger pricked (which she also hates, in case you were wondering!) and we are left with a diagnosis of it being viral, but to call if her fever spikes or her walking deal doesn't resolve in the next day or two.
On the way home, I'm starting to reflect on the Endocrinologist's call.
We arrive home and lay the littles down for naps. When Eliza wakes up, her fever is up to 104. I call the doctor's office. Unfortunately, they left for the day ten minutes prior.
We medicate both girls, and bathe and nurse and cuddle. Praying prayers of thanksgiving for a treatable diagnosis.Praying tomorrow is filled with a peace that passes all understanding. Praying the best for my baby girl O, and all of my kids.
It ended like that.
Take Isaac to gymnastics. While at gymnastics, he has a coughing fit. I, then, realize that I forgot to give him his nebulizer. (crap!) Every one is giving us the stink eye. You know, because he's gagging from heavy coughing and sounds like he may vomit.
While we are at gymnastics, Eliza seems to be walking funny. Like crooked. She seems to be a tad congested, so I'm starting to wonder if she has fluid in her ears and is just thrown off.
I gather the children up and head to Costco. I love, love, and adore Costco. Love it. However, the major downside is that its on the other side of town. There's no "good" way to get there. Oh, there's a straight shot road from my house to Costco, but there's about 11 hundred stop lights between here and there. (They're almost always red. Especially when you're in a hurry!)
Eventually, I get to Costco. I have intentions of getting hot dogs for lunch (mine with out a bun to be dairy free!) and then cruise around for a few grocery items, a gift for a friend, and Isaac's cool chair for his birthday.
When I pull into the parking lot, I realized I forgot to pack Isaac's drink. It wasn't a huge deal, since they sell drinks with the hot dog meals. But, I usually bring him a sippy cup and forgo the pop/lemon aid and get him water. I check my email and find that I got another doula job! (woot!!)
I grab the kids, throw them into a cart, and head in to return something. We make our way to the food, buy our goodies, and move onward towards the awesomeness that is Costco at Christmas. I find Isaac's chair (I was so worried it would be sold out!) and am confounded as to how to get it into my cart with the kids. I move Isaac into the front seat, which he says he DOES NOT LIKE! While he's shouting, I'm finagling the very large box into our cart, and my phone starts ringing. I glance at the number and realize it is the big-kids' school. I set the box down, ever so gently (bawaawa!) and talk to the school nurse. O is crying/screaming/freaking out because her ear hurts.
While I'm on the phone, Isaac tries to "help" and put his drink next to mine, in the back of the cart. Except, he only has the arms of a 3 year old, and not Stretch Armstrong arms. The drink falls 2 feet short of the actual cart, busts open, and spills its, very full, contents all over the floor. I hang up the phone, after telling the nurse I'll be there in.... um.... its lunch time and I'm at Costco, so... 45 minutes to an hour? I have to find some one to come clean this mess up because my measly 10 paper napkins just isn't cutting it. I'm searching around, and even find a friendly lady who is willing to help me find a worker. I finally find a guy with a name tag, ask him if he works here, and tell him of my shame. Thankfully, he takes care of it.
Shortly after, I make O a dr. appointment for 45 minutes from now. That's all they have left. I'll never make it in time to pick her up AND head to the doctor. I enlist E's help. (which sucks since he had to be out all day on Monday for O's growth hormone testing.) He plans to pick her up and agrees to meet me at the doctor.
Meanwhile, Eliza takes my bun less hot dog that's wrapped like a burrito in a piece of foil and tugs on it. It rolls out of its packaging, and right onto the floor. As I'm moving forward to get it, another person's cart runs right over it. Cutting my hot dog in half.
I rush through the line, pay for my things (which, after upon returning home, realize I forgot over half of my things.) I have no lunch, and no time to buy a new hot dog. So, I eat dried fruit and nuts for lunch. Along with my diet coke. Lunch of
Eliza screams almost the entire time in the car. I make decent time, and get to the doctor on time. While in the waiting room, Eliza seems to be getting sicker. O's pediatric endocrinologist calls. I take the call outside, but I can hear Eliza screaming for me as I walk out the door. The doctor is calling to tell us that O's tests confirm a growth hormone deficiency. He wants to schedule a MRI as soon as possible and get moving on growth hormone injections.
I walk back into the waiting room, sort of in a daze. Our favorite nurse calls us back. She takes a few notes about O, glances at Eliza and says "oh no! she looks sick!" She is looking pretty sick. Running a fever, too.
Our pediatrician comes in, looks in O's ear, declares an infection. she also glances Eliza's way and says "she looks rather puney." I asked her if she could just glance in her ears because she was walking funny earlier. There's nothing in her ears, except Eliza's pure hatred of being messed with. at all. Especially when she's sick. the dr. listens to her chest and it sounds yucky. Eliza gets her finger pricked (which she also hates, in case you were wondering!) and we are left with a diagnosis of it being viral, but to call if her fever spikes or her walking deal doesn't resolve in the next day or two.
On the way home, I'm starting to reflect on the Endocrinologist's call.
I feel....relieved.
But, also nervous.
Relieved that all of the things we knew in our hearts were right. Like how my breast milk WAS fatty enough when she was a baby and didn't grow. How we DO feed her enough calories and fat. How she isn't just tiny.
But, nervous for what lies ahead.
Possibly daily injections. Until puberty.
Rapid growth.
Big changes for her. How will this affect her self image? She's always been the smallest. Always. I would think, after almost 8 years, it'd start to be part of your identity. How will that change when she starts growing 5 inches? How will she see herself? How will others see her? (obviously, we want her to be the height she should be. I'm not saying these things will change our course of action. It just has me thinking.) I imagine it would be similar to some one losing a lot of weight, or even gaining a lot of weight, in a short period.
But, again, relieved. Relieved to not have to do any more testing (other than the MRI.)
We arrive home and lay the littles down for naps. When Eliza wakes up, her fever is up to 104. I call the doctor's office. Unfortunately, they left for the day ten minutes prior.
We medicate both girls, and bathe and nurse and cuddle. Praying prayers of thanksgiving for a treatable diagnosis.Praying tomorrow is filled with a peace that passes all understanding. Praying the best for my baby girl O, and all of my kids.
It ended like that.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
slight birthday depression
I'm normally nostalgic around birthdays. Especially first birthdays. But, y'all, Eliza's birthday is coming up in 2 days and I'm almost bordering on depressed. I mean, I am glad she's alive, thriving, and turning one (obviously) but I've just been so sad.
I'm sure its a mixture of lots of things.
Isaac stopped sucking his fingers after his accident. It seems so grown up. Its sad. He's growing up. Which means Eliza WILL grow up. She's likely our last baby. When I think on that, I think about all of our babies that we'll never get to celebrate birthdays with.
Its a downward spiral into an emotional pit.
So, for once in several months, I'd like for my baby's birthday just to hurry up and get here already. So I can get over this funk.
See you Thursday.
Tracy
I'm sure its a mixture of lots of things.
Isaac stopped sucking his fingers after his accident. It seems so grown up. Its sad. He's growing up. Which means Eliza WILL grow up. She's likely our last baby. When I think on that, I think about all of our babies that we'll never get to celebrate birthdays with.
Its a downward spiral into an emotional pit.
So, for once in several months, I'd like for my baby's birthday just to hurry up and get here already. So I can get over this funk.
See you Thursday.
Tracy
Friday, August 10, 2012
"Woo hoo"s and "Boohoo"s
Woo Hoo:
~I'm back on the couponing wagon, at least for the kids' foods.
~I went on a girl's night last night. It was super fun! It was nice to catch up with friends.
~Isaac seems to be mostly potty trained!
~Eric took me out on Tuesday night and we got smart phones!!!! (I know, I know, welcome to the 21st century.)
~I'm listening to ocean waves music on Pandora via my new phone. Soothing music.
~I just drank a yummy dairy and soy free salted caramel latte, made by muah.
~Eliza is saying "mama"!
~Eliza is taking a few steps here and there. (It has happened more than once, so I guess I have to count it.)
~Eliza is waving, and saying "bye-bye".
~When Isaac spells his name aloud, he says "I-S-A-B-C" which cracks me up. He insists its a "b" and not an "A".
~Now that I've been soy free for a while, Eliza is giving me 4 hour stretches of sleep at night.
~I got a doula client! (This is a big woo hoo!) I'd been praying/thinking about when, or even whether, I should get back into attending births. Then, a lovely couple called me out of the blue- getting recommendations from two separate people.
~The day after my meeting with my new doula client, my OBGYN asked for some of my business cards to pass out in her office for people asking for doulas. Seriously!
~The weather is cooler this weekend.
~School starts in a little over a week. (See below in 'boohoo's.)
~I ordered one of these in the blue for Eliza for "school" (if she's walking). I got it for $15!
Boohoo
~I've had to do coupon shopping with 4 kids. Let me show you how it ended today. Its pretty self-explanatory.
~The reason for coupon shopping?? My kids are making us food poor. Its a good thing, that they're eating and all, but it seems non.stop.
~I've had a headache all day. I think from going out with my friends last night. I don't drink much, and I had some wine and sangria. I think I'm dehydrated today. Also, I had trouble falling asleep from socializing. I know. I'm weird.
~Isaac has runny poo. Fun for potty training. Also, just an FYI, pull-ups do not keep diarrhea in. at. all.
~My dairy and soy free salted Carmel latte had homemade caramel syrup. Which didn't turn out the way it was supposed to. Its not Carmel colored, and it turned into a candy type thing. This is what the pan looked like after I scraped as much out of it as I could.
~I'm back on the couponing wagon, at least for the kids' foods.
~I went on a girl's night last night. It was super fun! It was nice to catch up with friends.
~Isaac seems to be mostly potty trained!
~Eric took me out on Tuesday night and we got smart phones!!!! (I know, I know, welcome to the 21st century.)
~I'm listening to ocean waves music on Pandora via my new phone. Soothing music.
~I just drank a yummy dairy and soy free salted caramel latte, made by muah.
~Eliza is saying "mama"!
~Eliza is taking a few steps here and there. (It has happened more than once, so I guess I have to count it.)
~Eliza is waving, and saying "bye-bye".
~When Isaac spells his name aloud, he says "I-S-A-B-C" which cracks me up. He insists its a "b" and not an "A".
~Now that I've been soy free for a while, Eliza is giving me 4 hour stretches of sleep at night.
~I got a doula client! (This is a big woo hoo!) I'd been praying/thinking about when, or even whether, I should get back into attending births. Then, a lovely couple called me out of the blue- getting recommendations from two separate people.
~The day after my meeting with my new doula client, my OBGYN asked for some of my business cards to pass out in her office for people asking for doulas. Seriously!
~The weather is cooler this weekend.
~School starts in a little over a week. (See below in 'boohoo's.)
~I ordered one of these in the blue for Eliza for "school" (if she's walking). I got it for $15!
Boohoo
~I've had to do coupon shopping with 4 kids. Let me show you how it ended today. Its pretty self-explanatory.
~The reason for coupon shopping?? My kids are making us food poor. Its a good thing, that they're eating and all, but it seems non.stop.
~I've had a headache all day. I think from going out with my friends last night. I don't drink much, and I had some wine and sangria. I think I'm dehydrated today. Also, I had trouble falling asleep from socializing. I know. I'm weird.
~Isaac has runny poo. Fun for potty training. Also, just an FYI, pull-ups do not keep diarrhea in. at. all.
~My dairy and soy free salted Carmel latte had homemade caramel syrup. Which didn't turn out the way it was supposed to. Its not Carmel colored, and it turned into a candy type thing. This is what the pan looked like after I scraped as much out of it as I could.
~Eliza's still getting up twice a night. I'm still tired. Less tired than before. But, still tired.
~I'm so pumped about my doula stuff, but incredibly nervous at the same time. I ordered some things online (lavender massage oil and peppermint roll on stick) but I'm not sure what is best to bring. I've got a birth ball, music, those two oils, a messager, but I know I need more. Not sure what, though.
~ A is having his repeat sleep study tomorrow night.
~I'm still iffy on whether or not to send Eliza to "school" one day a week with Isaac. I can't decide. I hate decisions like this.
~Our state recently set a law that schools couldn't start back until after the 20th. We were supposed to start school Monday. My kids are suddenly extremely bored and naughty. I think parents should've been consulted before changing schools schedules to benefit "tourism". Either that, or they come save my sanity.
~Eliza is growing up. Too fast. I can hardly stand it. *sniff* I'm really boohooing.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
New tricks and teeth!
I'm sort of using this post as a test. I was/am trying to re-do my blog template. First off, I want to shoot my computer for not doing what it needs to do. Secondly, I'd like to scream at photo shop for not allowing me to bring my background of the banner to the fracken front with out completely blocking out my picture. Thirdly, I am this [ ] close to just calling it quits because I know it SHOULD work, I just don't know how to fix it. Lastly, I'd like to show blogger my wagging finger since it won't let me take the easy road and just insert a super cute, ready to go template.
Ahem.
Eliza has some new tricks.
Crawling like this. Its pretty funny.
Two new, very sharp, teeth!
She learned how to scrunch her nose and sniff. (Of course, I cannot get a clear picture of this, since she moves constantly when she does it!)
My favorite of the bunch is this new trick: making kissy noises and faces.
I die of the cute.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Our new ride
E and I are not the most decisive people when it comes to big decisions or big purchases. Big purchases are hard especially hard when you're handing over cash. We shop around, and around, and around. We get stressed. We get frustrated. We get irritated.
We also get UNdecisive. We waffle. We waver. We get wishy washy. Should we buy the newer van for twice as much, but half as many miles? Should we buy the older van, that costs half as much and is super clean? Save some of our car savings and put it towards a newer/nicer van in a year or two? Its a production that I, honestly, would rather avoid.
In the end, after much discussion and prayer, we are left with nothing but a sense of peace with our latest decision. Peace that surrounded us both after we left the car dealership and headed to a late dinner at McDonald's (where my kids, who were tickled pink, were rewarded for good behavior with their very first happy meals. They've shared one once or twice before, but never got their "own".) We both climbed into the booth, getting ready to dive in to a much belated dinner (after eating lunch much earlier than usual) and let out a collective sigh. A good sigh. One that said "I'm happy with our decision" while at the same time saying "I'm so glad this is over!'
So, now our new-van-owner selves venture onto the next big decision- the baby's name.
We also get UNdecisive. We waffle. We waver. We get wishy washy. Should we buy the newer van for twice as much, but half as many miles? Should we buy the older van, that costs half as much and is super clean? Save some of our car savings and put it towards a newer/nicer van in a year or two? Its a production that I, honestly, would rather avoid.
In the end, after much discussion and prayer, we are left with nothing but a sense of peace with our latest decision. Peace that surrounded us both after we left the car dealership and headed to a late dinner at McDonald's (where my kids, who were tickled pink, were rewarded for good behavior with their very first happy meals. They've shared one once or twice before, but never got their "own".) We both climbed into the booth, getting ready to dive in to a much belated dinner (after eating lunch much earlier than usual) and let out a collective sigh. A good sigh. One that said "I'm happy with our decision" while at the same time saying "I'm so glad this is over!'
So, now our new-van-owner selves venture onto the next big decision- the baby's name.
A and O getting ready to ride in the van for the first time
Our grandpa-gold van. It, in fact, was owned by a grandpa. Which, turned out to be a HUGE benefit for us. Its super clean, and very well taken care of.
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