Snot on My Sweater

You've heard of Rocks in my Dryer. Well, I think I should start a new blog entitled "Snot on My Sweater." It's quite appropriate. This week, "Puke on My Sweater" would have been equally appropriate, but it doesn't have the alliteration and, let's face it, it's pushing the envelope on gross, don't you think? Just a few minutes ago, I noticed some snot on my sweater from where our little girl was hugging me/using me for a Kleenex, and I thought, "Ah, that's nothin' compared to the last several days!"

We've all had a "tummy bug." Isn't that so much nicer than saying, "We've all had various versions of Puking and Diarreahing??!" Sorry. Once you've been thrown up on twice in two days (and done your own hugging of the Throne) all skittishness goes out the window. I think we are starting to get over it. Thank you, Lord! (and in the same breath I say, "Please let it be true, Lord!")

Back to the SOMS blog...Isn't that an appropriate summation of a mommy's (and daddy's) life some days? I swear there are times when I look at what I have on and think, "Where did that come from?!" (That smudge, that snot, that stain, that lack of fashion--okay, I never was a great fashion girl, but you know what I mean)

And since I'm already going nuts with the random thoughts in this post, can I just make a complaint? Have you noticed that in this great technological age, we have not made our lives any easier at all. Now, not only do I need to organize my kitchen, my closet, my little girl's toys, etc, but I now need to organize my digital pictures, my emails, etc. Today I have been working on reducing my 1,000+ emails in my inbox to my goal of 100. Ay Ay Ay!!!

I better go. My inbox is still at 784 items.

Our sweet, sick girl

We have all been sick with various forms of a tummy bug this week. Not fun. I had to brag on our sweet girl though...I had thought that Evie was just about over it (emphasis on thought...as you'll see later in the post, I was wrong). I on the other hand, was really tired this morning, so I shut all doors leading to other parts of the house and let Evie play in the living room (which doubles as a play room since her kitchen is in there). She played and I lay down on the couch to rest. (By the way, I really don't know if this was the "right"thing to do, but I don't know what to do when you don't feel good and need to rest but can't take the day off. For what it's worth, I really think our living room is pretty well kid-proofed and I know I didn't fall completely asleep. There. Disclaimer finished.) Anyway, I drifted in and out to the sounds of her playing and at one point I felt her patting me and when I opened my eyes she was standing right beside the couch with her upper body leaned over me (basically laying on me with her upper body) and patting on me. What a precious girl!! I asked if she wanted to lie down with mommy and I got her "Mm-mm!" response which is her enthusiastic version of yes, which we love. So we rested together on the couch.

Later, needing to get out of the house, we met my mom at El Fenix. Here's where I realized that Evie was not better yet. We got about halfway through the meal and she was eating more than she has the last several meals. Then she started coughing. Uh-oh. This was my warning so I got my napkin ready. Sure enough, she threw up all of her lunch (and breakfast too, by the look of it--sorry). I quickly covered it with my fabric napkin and I think I managed to do it quickly enough so none of the other customers noticed. At least I didn't see any horrified stares. I was certainly finished with my lunch at that point though. So now Evie is napping. I should probably go do the same.

Thank you!

Thank you, everyone, for your sweet encouragements regarding my last post. I really, really appreciate it! I did want to make sure that I didn't sound critical of Evie's PT, because we really do love her. It's so obvious that she cares for Evie and I know the questions she asks are for her good. That said, yes I get frustrated sometimes, but I know where she's coming from. Just wanted to clear that up!

Caring for a "Special Needs" kid

I rarely think of Evie as a "special needs" kid. I think it just seems like such a dramatic label to apply to someone who is able to do so much (not to mention the simple fact that it is indeed a label). But when I stop to think about it, it really is an appropriate description. I can't just let Evie play and read to her and she will learn all she needs to learn. The simple act of getting her to cruise takes a concentrated effort on both our parts.

She had her physical therapy today and some days I come away encouraged; other days (like today) I'm left with discouragement, frustration, self-condemnation and the desire for a good long pity-party. I feel so inadequate for this task. I can barely figure out being a mommy, much less a mommy caring for Evie's special needs. My inner monologue goes something like this: you don't do the PT stuff enough with her; if you did, she could walk by now; you should be spending more concentrated time with her during the day (instead of cleaning or running errands), you're not being observant enough (I feel this one especially strongly on PT days because Lori (her PT) will ask me all kinds of questions like "when she drinks from a straw, does she hold the cup with both hands?" which not only do I not know the answer to, but I'm guessing I probably just hold the cup for her so she won't drop it to the floor which leads to another thought: You do too much stuff for Evie so she's not gonna be able to do things for herself (Which I HATED as a Kindergarten teacher, thinking "teach your kid how to tie their shoes, zip their coat,etc).

I know that I do some things right. I know I have good days and bad days. Some days I just really wish I was better at juggling all my different jobs more efficiently. I wish wonderful things for my daughter and I would hate for her road block to success to be...ME! Thanks for letting me vent.

First Kiss

Evie had a very fun, busy day on Halloween. I'll post more on that later. For now, here's a picture of her first kiss! We went to our church's Fall Fun Festival and saw our friends Mike and Carrie with their son, Mason. He and Evie are buddies and he quickly leaned over and gave her a big ol' smackeroo. He did it several times right on the kisser...Christy grabbed this shot on about the 3rd or 4th kiss. I like how I look concerned about the kiss and Carrie is loving it. In reality we were both laughing about it...not sure if we would still be laughing if it happened at age 13. Ha ha! Although I'm sure Mason would be a wonderful catch for any girl. (They just have to wait until they're 30) :o)