Today has been a challenge with little miss S. I'm hoping it's a temporary regression. She just wouldn't obey. She ended up throwing a huge tantrum in D's therapist's office. (No, we didn't end up talking as planned. Instead I took her out to the waiting room.) I held her in the waiting room and she screamed, "You're hurting me!" I was just holding her and she was mad. Luckily, I knew that no one there would believe her because they are used to kids like that. Then she started trying to hit me and bite me. Oh so lovely!
She screamed all of the way home for a treat. A treat didn't appear. Imagine that. But what did happen was an early bedtime after being held a bunch at home. She was so tense I was worried what she would do to C. So we stayed as close as peanut butter and jelly.
Tonight I went out running in the freezing (felt that way with the windchill) weather and managed to run 55 minutes. That's my best in over 6 years. It was slow like normal but it felt great to just keep putting one foot in front of the other. I almost put off my run until tomorrow morning but then I checked the weather. It says it will be SNOWING. What in the world? Isn't tomorrow May?
T had his first t-ball practice today. I hate to admit it but it was really cute. He has a good little arm but stood way to close to the T when batting. It's kind of funny that he struggled a bit with that because he can hit the ball if someone (not me) pitches it to him.
Positive Note- It would have to be that run. Oh how it feels good to move this tired body.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Just a public commitment
I am going to spark my comida today. I love sparkpeople.com. But I have this habit of sparking breakfast and then not doing much else the rest of the day. If you looked at my record you would think I was wasting away.
So today I will spark. If I can get a week down I will do much better. I had a horrible run last night and need a little motivation. I just couldn't keep myself moving. Then again, it was stormy outside and I was on my treadmill. I dread that treadmill now that I can run outside.
S got mad last night. She had eaten all of her dinner and was picking at crumbs on her plate (worry not, she was full and had eaten more than an adult should). I took the plate away and told her to go and brush her teeth. She went back there and then came out and said she peed her pants. Dh asked her why and she said it was because she got mad at me for taking her plate. She just pushed my buttons with that one so I put a diaper on her. Changed her into zipper jammies and walked to a friends house to deliver, of all things, a pull up.
We are starting over today.
Today I am going to talk to D's therapist about changing the type of therapy he is doing. I spoke with S's for a bit yesterday (and found out that he is D's therapist's supervisor) and he suggested talking to him about outcomes. I told him I really like D's therapist. He's a super nice guy. I just haven't seen improvements from therapy. So I will try to be a grown up today and be more assertive once again.
C just brought me fruit snacks. For almost six months I haven't had them in the house. They are too expensive for what little nutrition they offer. I scored some for a great deal and have since learned that C LOVES fruit snacks. I think we will be going back to a fruit snackless pantry.
Positive Note- Our plumbing is fixed in the basement.
So today I will spark. If I can get a week down I will do much better. I had a horrible run last night and need a little motivation. I just couldn't keep myself moving. Then again, it was stormy outside and I was on my treadmill. I dread that treadmill now that I can run outside.
S got mad last night. She had eaten all of her dinner and was picking at crumbs on her plate (worry not, she was full and had eaten more than an adult should). I took the plate away and told her to go and brush her teeth. She went back there and then came out and said she peed her pants. Dh asked her why and she said it was because she got mad at me for taking her plate. She just pushed my buttons with that one so I put a diaper on her. Changed her into zipper jammies and walked to a friends house to deliver, of all things, a pull up.
We are starting over today.
Today I am going to talk to D's therapist about changing the type of therapy he is doing. I spoke with S's for a bit yesterday (and found out that he is D's therapist's supervisor) and he suggested talking to him about outcomes. I told him I really like D's therapist. He's a super nice guy. I just haven't seen improvements from therapy. So I will try to be a grown up today and be more assertive once again.
C just brought me fruit snacks. For almost six months I haven't had them in the house. They are too expensive for what little nutrition they offer. I scored some for a great deal and have since learned that C LOVES fruit snacks. I think we will be going back to a fruit snackless pantry.
Positive Note- Our plumbing is fixed in the basement.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Spring Run
Tonight I decided to take our extra camera on my run. Here are some reasons to run in the spring. I did, however, learn a lesson about running photography. Don't jog in place while trying to take a picture. You'll notice some of these aren't so precise. It's because I was trying to keep moving.
I managed my 3 mile loop with the camera and walked almost 2 at the zoo today. I owe a couple of great ladies big time for watching my kiddos. Little boys at the zoo are so different from girls. Those dang boys just aren't interested enough in posing for cute pictures. T thought that the white alligator was a fake one because it wasn't moving. He started crying because he was scared to go on the train ride. Two other boys were sweet enough to let him sit in the middle so he would be more comfortable. It was fun to have a day with him. And, of course, it was nice to make sure he didn't find his way into the tiger exhibit.
I took C to the doctor today for her 16 month checkup. (Yes, I know it should have been 15 months.) She really has grown. Something happened and her feet pretty much skipped a size in the last month. That's because she is now in the 75% for height. I'm guessing she'll keep sprouting for another 15% or so and then slow down. No wonder she isn't looking little anymore.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Great little talk with D
The kids were playing ring around the rosie out in backyard and apparently when they all fell down D jumped on M and S. He came in and didn't want to claim anything. (This is normal and the therapist said it would take a lot of time and work to get him to claim things he has done.) He started throwing a huge tantrum. He has been throwing these multiple times a day lately. And although I tell him you never will get your way because of a tantrum, he still tries.
I told him to take a minute and have that tantrum and then his time was up. I said something about how he's doing this multiple times a day every day and it has to stop. He said something like, "Na uh, I didn't do it when I first came." I looked him in the eyes and just told him, "David, we love you and we are keeping you. We aren't going to send you to another family." His eyes perked up. I'm not saying the tantrums will just stop because I think they have become a habit for him. But for just a moment he looked relieved. Then we talked about apologizing and I roll played two ways to apologize. One was a muffled apology facing the opposite direction (his favorite way to apologize). The other was a look the person in the face and say clearly that you are sorry and you are going to try better. He couldn't quite do it with M but he managed to look near her while he apologized.
When M left I picked him up and snuggled him like a little baby for a minute or two and then sent him on his way to get an ice cream popsicle.
We call C 'carrot carrot' for some odd reason. Her hair isn't red or anything. Today she said that. It cracked DH and I up.
I told him to take a minute and have that tantrum and then his time was up. I said something about how he's doing this multiple times a day every day and it has to stop. He said something like, "Na uh, I didn't do it when I first came." I looked him in the eyes and just told him, "David, we love you and we are keeping you. We aren't going to send you to another family." His eyes perked up. I'm not saying the tantrums will just stop because I think they have become a habit for him. But for just a moment he looked relieved. Then we talked about apologizing and I roll played two ways to apologize. One was a muffled apology facing the opposite direction (his favorite way to apologize). The other was a look the person in the face and say clearly that you are sorry and you are going to try better. He couldn't quite do it with M but he managed to look near her while he apologized.
When M left I picked him up and snuggled him like a little baby for a minute or two and then sent him on his way to get an ice cream popsicle.
We call C 'carrot carrot' for some odd reason. Her hair isn't red or anything. Today she said that. It cracked DH and I up.
One 5k down
I managed to finish without walking. It was slow. I mean r-e-a-l-l-y slow. The course was a little more up and down than I am used to. But I finished with a family cheering me on. So now I need to work on speed a bit. This plodding along slower than many walkers is just not going to do the trick forever. I'm hoping to go a little faster at the 5k next month.
Oh, I almost forgot. I won a pair of pearl earrings. Not bad for some slow old lady!
Oh, I almost forgot. I won a pair of pearl earrings. Not bad for some slow old lady!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Night on the Town
Last night I got a break from everyday life. My good friend was in town (okay well about 10 towns away but still close enough) for a conference. DH agreed to let me meet him at work and swap the kids for an empty car.
So I headed up to meet her in silence. Actually, I chatted on the phone part of the time. When I got close I realized that I had forgotten to ask DH for some cash. It's not that I don't have access to money. It's just that I don't generally keep any cash on me. When I had arrived at DH's work he was taking a call. So he continued to talk and I mouthed goodbye. So anyway, downtown is a pay to park type of place and I had no cash except some Cheerio covered change from the bottom of my purse. Fortunately my friend said she had some cash.
We arrive at the restaurant and go to pay and see this really archaic looking money taker. You would just fold the bills up and put it in the rusted out holder. Hmm... friend had a twenty. She went in to break it in the restaurant. By the time she made it out I was down to 3 pennies because a clean cut looking guy came up and said he had missed dinner at the homeless shelter.
We had a great dinner. My friend ordered something new at PF Chang's and it was heavenly. It may just beat out my two favorites, beef a la sichuan and lemon pepper shrimp. It was some walnut somethingrather shrimp with melon balls. Talk about tasty!
It was so great to get out and down 3 or 4 Diet Cokes (okay, probably 4), eat great food, and have nice conversation all sans little ones spilling drinks.
And now to reflect on the rest of the day. D had therapy. I told his therapist that I was starting to feel more comfy with figuring things out. He surprised me and said I was doing great and he wished I could be a peer parent. What the heck? I told him we are just trying to survive as the happiness of our entire family is on the line here. I don't think we are doing the world's greatest job. We're definitely learning along the way. Dang, if I think our family is messed up right now then what in the world is going on with all of these other families in similar circumstances? It doesn't say much for the world. Maybe he just knew I needed a boost to have the courage to keep it up.
The kids had good violin lessons. T has finally matured enough that he needs 30 minute lessons starting this summer. She also said it would be a good time to start the other two if I wanted because her schedule is freed up a bit. While this is great it's also more $$$. So we have to think on it. Luckily we do own violins in each kid's size. M made it through her piece but still had crazy bowings.
M is at work with dad for today. It's take your daughter to work day and she is finally old enough to go. She was pretty excited. Of course he has meetings this afternoon and she requested to be back at school by 12:45 so she could finish her art project. What a little turkey!
Oh, I think I might do a 5k this weekend. There is one that is a race that benefits something to do with the blind. DH found the race for me because I have gotten so I can run 3 slow miles. It's the perfect race for me because I always worry that I will be last. It's not so much being humiliated (okay a little of that too as I am still too prideful) from being slow. It's more that I don't really want to have the cop on my tail as he keeps me safe, someone getting rid of arrows, and lastly, someone announcing for people (who finished and ready to go home) to cheer me on as I finish. The great thing about this race is that well, a bunch of sighted and blind people will be doing it. Most likely I won't be last. For heavens sake it is so much more of an accomplishment to finish a race when you can't see. And well, if I am last, not everyone will even know what I look like. So I think I am going to do it. The nice thing is that part of it is run through professional gardens full of tulips. Yippee!
Positive Note- Only a little snow came down this morning and it wasn't enough to even stick to the ground.
So I headed up to meet her in silence. Actually, I chatted on the phone part of the time. When I got close I realized that I had forgotten to ask DH for some cash. It's not that I don't have access to money. It's just that I don't generally keep any cash on me. When I had arrived at DH's work he was taking a call. So he continued to talk and I mouthed goodbye. So anyway, downtown is a pay to park type of place and I had no cash except some Cheerio covered change from the bottom of my purse. Fortunately my friend said she had some cash.
We arrive at the restaurant and go to pay and see this really archaic looking money taker. You would just fold the bills up and put it in the rusted out holder. Hmm... friend had a twenty. She went in to break it in the restaurant. By the time she made it out I was down to 3 pennies because a clean cut looking guy came up and said he had missed dinner at the homeless shelter.
We had a great dinner. My friend ordered something new at PF Chang's and it was heavenly. It may just beat out my two favorites, beef a la sichuan and lemon pepper shrimp. It was some walnut somethingrather shrimp with melon balls. Talk about tasty!
It was so great to get out and down 3 or 4 Diet Cokes (okay, probably 4), eat great food, and have nice conversation all sans little ones spilling drinks.
And now to reflect on the rest of the day. D had therapy. I told his therapist that I was starting to feel more comfy with figuring things out. He surprised me and said I was doing great and he wished I could be a peer parent. What the heck? I told him we are just trying to survive as the happiness of our entire family is on the line here. I don't think we are doing the world's greatest job. We're definitely learning along the way. Dang, if I think our family is messed up right now then what in the world is going on with all of these other families in similar circumstances? It doesn't say much for the world. Maybe he just knew I needed a boost to have the courage to keep it up.
The kids had good violin lessons. T has finally matured enough that he needs 30 minute lessons starting this summer. She also said it would be a good time to start the other two if I wanted because her schedule is freed up a bit. While this is great it's also more $$$. So we have to think on it. Luckily we do own violins in each kid's size. M made it through her piece but still had crazy bowings.
M is at work with dad for today. It's take your daughter to work day and she is finally old enough to go. She was pretty excited. Of course he has meetings this afternoon and she requested to be back at school by 12:45 so she could finish her art project. What a little turkey!
Oh, I think I might do a 5k this weekend. There is one that is a race that benefits something to do with the blind. DH found the race for me because I have gotten so I can run 3 slow miles. It's the perfect race for me because I always worry that I will be last. It's not so much being humiliated (okay a little of that too as I am still too prideful) from being slow. It's more that I don't really want to have the cop on my tail as he keeps me safe, someone getting rid of arrows, and lastly, someone announcing for people (who finished and ready to go home) to cheer me on as I finish. The great thing about this race is that well, a bunch of sighted and blind people will be doing it. Most likely I won't be last. For heavens sake it is so much more of an accomplishment to finish a race when you can't see. And well, if I am last, not everyone will even know what I look like. So I think I am going to do it. The nice thing is that part of it is run through professional gardens full of tulips. Yippee!
Positive Note- Only a little snow came down this morning and it wasn't enough to even stick to the ground.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
46 minutes!
I have yet to even see how far I went. (Don't worry, it won't be that far. I'm slow remember.) I just haven't been able to fit a run in the last few days. It was my turn to drive to ballet today so I dropped the kids off and 'dashed' off. (I'm laughing about the dashing part because that is so not the right word.)
My plan was to go out 25 minutes with 5 minutes of walking as a warm up and then turn around at the 25 minute mark and just head back. Of course I decided to take a short cut and cross some railroad tracks instead of huffing it over a bridge. I got to the tracks and saw a sign that said I could be charged with trespassing by Union Pacific. So I went around and that took more time. I also couldn't slack off because I would be late getting the girls so I had no choice but to run a little extra. But now I feel great.
I shall gmap-pedometer it in a few minutes. I love that website.
What else? S had a great therapy session. She finally quit the shy act and started acting like herself. Things went really well.
All in all, it was a pretty good day. The boys had a play date this morning. I found someone to watch S and D so I can go with T's class to the zoo on Monday. I still have to find someone to dump the baby on. I had planned on just showing up and not being an official helper. I figured I could take T around the zoo and still get some pictures. I guess they aren't really tolerating that now though and it really is a no other kid field trip. Anyway, I'm down to one kid. I'm hopeful.
Positive Note- S had a pretty good day. She is starting to act more and more attached. Whew! Maybe this is going to work. I had a friend tell me that 6 months is a magic mark. Although I am not expecting perfection I think she is right. The last couple of weeks have been much better.
My plan was to go out 25 minutes with 5 minutes of walking as a warm up and then turn around at the 25 minute mark and just head back. Of course I decided to take a short cut and cross some railroad tracks instead of huffing it over a bridge. I got to the tracks and saw a sign that said I could be charged with trespassing by Union Pacific. So I went around and that took more time. I also couldn't slack off because I would be late getting the girls so I had no choice but to run a little extra. But now I feel great.
I shall gmap-pedometer it in a few minutes. I love that website.
What else? S had a great therapy session. She finally quit the shy act and started acting like herself. Things went really well.
All in all, it was a pretty good day. The boys had a play date this morning. I found someone to watch S and D so I can go with T's class to the zoo on Monday. I still have to find someone to dump the baby on. I had planned on just showing up and not being an official helper. I figured I could take T around the zoo and still get some pictures. I guess they aren't really tolerating that now though and it really is a no other kid field trip. Anyway, I'm down to one kid. I'm hopeful.
Positive Note- S had a pretty good day. She is starting to act more and more attached. Whew! Maybe this is going to work. I had a friend tell me that 6 months is a magic mark. Although I am not expecting perfection I think she is right. The last couple of weeks have been much better.
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