"IDIOT" Stamped On My Forehead

Well, I am sure when all was said and done on Friday, I must have had "idiot" stamped on my forehead.

It all started Thursday evening. We went to Joel's sister's house for dinner with her family.  We were missing them desperately.  Last year we saw them almost every day. This year those days are few and far between.  Sarah and her kids spent the last week in Disney World.  So when she got back, I demanded that we have dinner together.  (It had been almost 2 weeks since we had seen them!)  Gus didn't really seem like himself over there.  Very clingy.  He is NOT a cuddler so I knew that he wasn't quite himself.  He felt a little warm but nothing to be too concerned about.  He wouldn't eat his food, but he would eat only applesauce.  He is still getting teeth in so I assumed that was the problem.  He didn't want to chew, he was a little warm and he was clingy.  Didn't think too much more about it, brought him home, gave him some baby medicine and sent him to bed.

Friday morning, around 9 AM, I got a call from Gus' sitter.  (Keep in mind I am a class advisor and it is Spirit Week so school is super crazy and as an advisor I am crazy busy during this week.)  Well, I was already frazzled before I got the call.  Stephanie was concerned because Gus' body seemed to be on fire and he seemed really lethargic.  Well, we all know that I am a hypochondriac...so I left immediately, barely grabbed my purse...no jacket.  Luckily, I was working in the counseling office at the time because I left so quickly.  I didn't even tell my boss until I was in the car driving over there.  I told him I may or may not be back so he may need to find a sub for the two classes that I teach.  I stopped at the drugstore on the way to buy a thermometer for Gus.  I wanted to know what I was dealing with.  Once I got to him, I noticed that his body was also really hot and he didn't want to move.  I took his temp...97??  That can't be right....stupid digital thermometers!!  I called the doctor anyway and they said to bring him in right away.  Well, of course this hypochondriac momma freaked out with the "right away". That must mean something serious.  So off we rushed to the doctor.

Turns out they said "right away" because they had an opening...not because of the severity of the symptoms.  Don't they know who they are talking to?!?  Really Gus' name should have flashing lights next to it.  "Warning....crazy momma!"

Gus clung to me like a koala bear (again, very unlike him).  I had to unpeel him when they tried to get his weight and temp.  I did feel a little better when his temp was still 97...but more concerned because his body was still hot.  The nurse left the room and the little koala and I hung out in the room and waited for the doctor.  I tried to grab some books from their shelf to entertain him.  He wanted nothing to do with them.  Then the door opened. ("Whew...so happy that she is finally here to figure out what is wrong with him.)

Dr: Hi Gus!  Are we not feeling well today?
Gus: HI! blah, blah, blah, blah.  (I'm sure it is very important, but we have no idea what this kid is trying to tell us.)

The doctor checks him out.  Only finds that he appears to have a sore throat.  She talks to me about how this could be the beginning of a number of things.  Talk about what to watch for, etc.  During this time, Gus has slid off my lap.  He is now pulling every book off their shelf and onto the floor.  With each one we hear, "Oh Oh" (Translation: "Uh oh")  Eventually these turn in to "hiya!" and he has begun hopping around the exam room.  He is full out jumping up and down and yelling with delight by the time we talk about what to watch for.  Lethargic?  I think not!!  So here I am turning bright red, embarrassed that my 1 1/2 year old has made a fool out of me.  It is at that moment that the doctor notices Gus' pajamas laying on the table.

Dr: Is this what he was wearing? Did he wear them all night?
Me: Yes.  We always take him to the sitter in his jammies and then she dresses him later.
Dr: Did you ever think that perhaps that is why his body was so warm and doesn't have a temperature?  Perhaps he is too hot.  And when we are too hot, we don't like to move.
Me: You have got to be kidding....Is this our official medical diagnosis?
Dr: Well, he is coming down with a cold or something, but I think that he probably was overheated this morning.
Me: Crap....

Back to the sitter Gus went and back to work I went.  Unbelievable!!

Saturday, however, I came home from my cheerleading meet to discover that Gus did in fact have a fever of 102.9.  Well, at least I know that I am not crazy....my kid is sick.  But now I have a sick kid.  :(  I left him home with his daddy while I went to chaperone the school dance. I was telling this story to a coworker who was also working the dance.  After laughing at me, she started talking about a student who had scarlet fever.....blah, blah, blah....

Crap...I hope that Gus doesn't have scarlet fever!  What are the symptoms for that?  I will have to check WebMD now and I may be calling the doctor in the morning....

First Day Back

Today was our first day back to school.  I love the first day.  All the hustle and bustle in the hallways, you can feel the anxiety hanging in the air as the new freshmen wander down the halls, new groups of kids who do not know me yet, old groups of kids who feel too comfortable with me and feel like they can get away with anything, a fresh start for everyone...I love everything about it.

Today was a fresh start for me as well.  I started in my new position as part time counselor/part time teacher.  It was perfect!  It was the best of both worlds.  I was a little apprehensive about starting as counselor.  It is a lot of pressure.  By not putting a kid into the right class, you can actually screw up their chances of graduating on time.  That is pretty heavy!  Luckily for them, I didn't have to make any earth shattering decisions today that would affect graduation.

Gus also had a new day today.  He started to go to Miranda's house today.  He will go there every Tuesday and Thursday this school year.  He gets to play with Miranda's nephew, Brodie.  It appears from the pictures I had sent to me, these boys are having a little too much fun.  And according to Miranda's Facebook post, the boys kept her on her toes!! 

So day one with Gus and Bro! Gus needs a nap, we take him up to Bros crib. Bro wants to lay in the floor and take nap too!I then have to trick Bro to get him to come out of the room.Then Bro gets pen marks on the couch.Gus throws a sprite in the toilet, discovered when Bro has to go potty!I then take two steps out of t...he bathroom to throw away his diaper to return to Bro getting his turd out of the toilet DISGUSTING! (From Miranda's Facebook status)

Thanks, Miranda, for loving our little boy!!  And for sending me the pictures today!!  Check it out!!   http://www.stapeshouse365.blogspot.com/

I wonder...

Gus, sometimes you are such a mystery to me.  Every day there is something new that I wonder about. 

I wonder....

...what on earth you are trying to say to me?  You talk a mile a minute but yet I can't understand your train of thought.  I am sure that you are saying really important things, I just wonder what they are.

...what are you thinking about when you stare at me with that "Perry the Platypus" expression.  (For you inquiring minds, Perry is from the TV show, "Phineas and Ferb".  I swear that my son makes the same face as this cartoon character!)

...why on earth you find it so exciting to pull every wipe out of the container.  What is it about that game that makes you happy?  Is it the fact that you like to throw them in the air or chew on them?  Really...that can't possibly taste good. Or is it the pure joy of wasting the good money that we have spent on purchasing the pack of wipes?

...why you are so picky about what kind of sippy cup you use?  Seriously, little man, they all have the same end result...juice.  But yet you have no problem eating grass...

...why is it that when you get really excited you like to bite your momma?  That is not the way we celebrate.  If you would please refrain from biting, I would really appreciate it.

...what you don't like about rolling any toy that is on wheels?  Why do you feel the need to slam it into the floor instead.  I promise that if you roll it, you will also have fun with those toys without denting the floor.

...why on earth you like to jump face first into your beanbag from the couch?  You scare the heck out of your mom now that you can climb up onto the couch and then you immediately turn to jump into the beanbag.  I shudder to think of the day that the beanbag (or Momma) is not there to catch your fall.

...what is it about the word "no" that causes one of two responses: an devilish grin with a sparkle in your eye or instant hysterical sobbing?  As much as I hate to be told "no", it isn't all that bad.

...how you are so smart at such a young age.  I know that every mother probably thinks that their child is a genius...but I'm serious.  You already have developed some fine motor skills by putting a straw into the lid of my Diet Coke.  You know that my keys unlock the door and you try each key on my key chain looking for the right one.  You put two words together the other day.  We heard you say, clear as day, "Hi dog!"  I am just amazed...what else can you do that I don't know about yet, I wonder.

...how your pudgy little hand in my hand as you walk down the sidewalk next to me can instantly bring me to tears of joy and pride.  I never want to let go of that hand.

...how on earth I will go back to work this fall, let you go to school, college or (gasp) get married?  I can't stand the thought of not being able to see your beautiful little face every day and hear that little belly giggle numerous times throughout the day...you make living life SO much better and you always keep me wondering!!

Oh crap....

....literally.  It finally happened...my son pooped on the carpet in the middle of having his diaper changed. 

I am sure this is one of the many gross things that I will encounter as a mom.  I should probably invest in a carpet cleaner.

On the upside, we went back to the doctor today and Gus got the clean bill of health.  No more bronchiolitis!  I am thrilled about that and thrilled that he doesn't need anymore antibiotics.  The antibiotics did not sit well with our little man.  :(  Yahoo!  No more sickness!

Picking Boogers

I don't pick my boogers.  This is why God sent us tissues.  So I am just as surprised as you are that I have been picking boogers lately.  Not mine of course, they are Gus'.  The poor kid hasn't learned how to pick his boogers or even blow his nose and yet he really needs to have one of these two skills right now.  So what's a mom to do? 

I have been using the "snot sucker", "boogie wipes" and in dire times of need...my pinky finger nail.  (And yes, to answer the questions my students asked when I told them about this, I wash my hands right afterwards.)  My poor little baby either has a cold or is starting to teethe.  I'm not sure which I would rather have right now.  Either way, I know that Gus is not a happy camper.  He knows what happens when the "snot sucker" comes his way and he does not enjoy that at all.  He isn't sure what to think about the "boogie wipes", which are saline wipes that are soft on little noses.  He doesn't quite know what to think when we use these.  He does, however, try to eat them.  But for some reason, my son does not mind at all when I pick his nose.  How strange!  And how gross!  Never would I have guessed that I would do this.  It is amazing what you do for your kid.

So...I'm picking boogers...

EEEKKKK!!!!

So there have been a number of times in the past six weeks in which I have screamed throughout the house to have Joel come rescue me. Just a few of those times are when I called for Joel with the umbilical cord (x2), really poopy diapers where I am gagging while trying to change Gus and a couple of other times...but I think today takes the cake. I was taking a shower and trying to get ready to go to my intership. As I was shampooing my hair I noticed the largest bug that I have ever seen was directly above me. When I am outside experiencing nature I have no problem with bugs...but in the shower?!?! That is where I draw the line! How did that bug even get in there?!? Anyway, I had to call Joel to come rescue me and get that bug out of there!! So, the bug is gone...my self dignity is as well. And now my husband has one more thing to tease me about...

Survival

Today is a bummer of a day. Gus got his second Hep B shot this morning. And he has been angry ever since. (He is giving us his very serious look.) We ran some errands this afternoon and then visited some friends this evening. It was only after we got home did the fever erupt. YUCK!! So now we are watching that fever and dealing with a crabby little guy. But the best part of today...Gus is now on our insurance!!! We had to wait until we received legal placement in order to put him on our insurance. After we got that call on Thursday we went into school to add him. Found out today that he is in fact on our insurance. YIPPEE!!! Things are starting to fall into place.

This weekend we went to Connecticut to visit the Swidorskis. It was such a short trip, it was so nice to see them. Uncle Joel was greeted by Ewan with a beer. I don't think a two year old ever served Joel a beer...too funny! At times in the Swidorski house there were 10 adults and 6 children under the age of 3. Never a dull moment!! I am so thrilled that we were able to be at the baptism of Ellie and Rachel. As their godparents I felt it was important for us to be there if we could. I am glad it worked out for us to go. We were so honored to be asked to be the godparents of the twins. This is such an honor for us and we love this family so much! We don't get to see them nearly enough but we are excited to watch our kids grow...and to watch Joel and Jacob get themselves into trouble!! (Sara and I never cease to be amazed by the trouble our husbands get into when they are together!)

We survived our first road trip as our little family. Gus did so good in the car. What a long trip for such a little guy. (And yes, his momma made him and Daddy pose for a picture at the Connecticut welcome center...gotta scrapbook it!) We survived Gus' first shot at the doctor's office and most importantly we survived that 5 week risk period until the birthmom signed off her rights. I am so thankful for everything in life right now and I am starting to calm down a little bit. Now we can begin to enjoy our life and the rest of the summer.

No more cord!!

So those of you who I have spoken to lately know that I am totally freaked out about the umbilical cord that has been attached to my son for the last 18 days. Well, today it finally fell off.

We were getting ready to take Gus to the doctor for his 2 week check up. Joel was in the shower and I took Gus into his room to change his diaper and get him dressed. After changing his diaper I picked him up to lay down the new clothes for the day out under him. When I laid him back down...it was gone!!!! I was wearing a black sundress today and I was very concered that I had an umbilical cord stuck to me. So like any irrational new mom, I started yelling for my husband to come help me. Being the good husband, Joel jumped out of the shower, quickly threw a towel around himself and came to my rescue. But instead of taking this situation to the same serious extent that I did, Joel proceeded to laugh hysterically at me. I told him that nobody was leaving until that cord was found! Luckily Joel found it quickly on the changing pad. And once he did, I proceeded to try to keep my breakfast down. SO GROSSED OUT!!

We only arrived two minutes late to the doctors office. She thought the story was pretty funny as well. I am sure this is one of the many times that my son will gross me out...not sure if I will ever get used to that.

On a fun note- Gus now weighs 9 lbs 11 oz. Exactly a pound more than his birthweight. What a chunky monkey!!