Happy Valentine's Day. I hate Valentine's Day, but I felt I would be ignoring the obvious had I not mentioned the holiday. Scott set the bar low for the holiday when we began dating 20 years ago, so I have no expectations of flowers, treats or balloons. With after school faculty meetings, the introduction of new paperwork that needs to be completed by Monday and parent-teacher conferences lasting past 7 PM last night, I will be lucky if I get a grumpy "I hate Valentine's Day" when he walks through the door tonight.
Timmy, on the other hand, is all in on Valentine's Day. He spent the week drawing and decorating hearts and Valentine's Day themed coloring pages. He woke up with a huge smile while eagerly hugging me to say "Happy Valentine's Day." Every time he works on one of his heart creations he happily chats about the candy and cookies in his future.
While I would like to think that he has an affinity for hearts and love, I know that he is in it for the heart shaped cookies he has been eye-balling. He loves holidays, but this one he is definitely hijacking for the sweets. He is definitely my son!
Happy Valentine's Day.
About Me
- Peggy
- I am a below knee amputee. More importantly, I am also Mommy to two boys, a very active 10 year old (Robby) and an mischievous toddler (Timmy). I have learned that being a parent with a disability can create some unusual and sometimes humorous situations. This blogger is available for hire! Let's talk and learn how a blog can expand your business.
Friday, February 14, 2020
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Ferris Wheel
Although it continued to twinge throughout the day, my back pain waned as the ibuprofen began to take effect. It's a good thing that I could walk and move without constant pain because Timmy was full of energy and mischief. I think he is becoming weary being holed up inside due to the weather. With the rain over the past few days, he has been unable to run and play outside. Timmy with excess energy always equals mischief and mayhem.
In an attempt to break up the monotony, we started to work on a new building kit. Building wooden toys through crafting kits has become one of Timmy's favorite activities. He has a box overflowing with wooden planes, trucks, trains and boxes that he has assembled using the tools from his very own tool bag.
I knew that he would love putting together the ferris wheel, but as soon as I opened the box I regretted suggesting the activity. I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of tiny wooden pieces and the verbose directions. Undeterred by both the number of pieces and the length of the direction sheet, Timmy trudged forward.
After I showed Timmy how to assemble one piece, he set out to assemble the remaining eleven. We continued with this pattern for several hours, slowly working our way through the wheel. I was impressed by his attentiveness and determination to complete the wheel.
When we began I was certain that it was going to take at least a week to assemble the toy. By the time I needed to start making dinner, we had a fully assembled, motorized ferris wheel in the middle of our kitchen table. Timmy was absolutely delighted with his creation.
Who knows, maybe I have a future engineer or architect in my midst!
In an attempt to break up the monotony, we started to work on a new building kit. Building wooden toys through crafting kits has become one of Timmy's favorite activities. He has a box overflowing with wooden planes, trucks, trains and boxes that he has assembled using the tools from his very own tool bag.
I knew that he would love putting together the ferris wheel, but as soon as I opened the box I regretted suggesting the activity. I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of tiny wooden pieces and the verbose directions. Undeterred by both the number of pieces and the length of the direction sheet, Timmy trudged forward.
After I showed Timmy how to assemble one piece, he set out to assemble the remaining eleven. We continued with this pattern for several hours, slowly working our way through the wheel. I was impressed by his attentiveness and determination to complete the wheel.
When we began I was certain that it was going to take at least a week to assemble the toy. By the time I needed to start making dinner, we had a fully assembled, motorized ferris wheel in the middle of our kitchen table. Timmy was absolutely delighted with his creation.
Who knows, maybe I have a future engineer or architect in my midst!
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Ice and Ibuprofen
My woke up this morning feeling every year, month, day, hour and minute of my age. My back, specifically my lower back, is painful. Back pain is miserable, especially because it is omnipresent regardless of position. My goal is to find the least objectionable position and to stay there until the ibuprofen kicks in and the twinging subsides. Oh the joys of middle age.
Unlike phantom pain, I know the cause of my back pain. Yesterday my limp was more prominent, becoming more obvious as the day progressed. By the time I went to bed I was hobbling like Tiny Tim, hunched over and shuffling down the hall. Walking with a strong gait deviation undoubtedly caused undo stress on my back, which I am paying for this morning.
I was frustrated because I knew that my gait was off, but I couldn't walk "normally" without discomfort through my limb. I realigned and re-donned my prosthesis numerous times to little avail. My body fluctuates throughout the day, but the socket remains static. Most of the time my leg fits perfectly, but every once in awhile my limb retains water or has shrunk more than normal. On those days, I am reminded about the archaic designs of prosthetic sockets.
Innovators have been tinkering and trying to design a socket that dynamically adjusts to the wearer. I've worn several variations, but none of them have worked for me. So far all of the designs rely upon a series of cords and boa closures to provide adjustments. Every single time the cord has snapped within weeks, leaving me in a precarious and dangerous situation.
Certainly there has to be a better way! Until then, I'll continue trying to squeeze and contort my always changing limb into a static bucket. I'll ice my back and hobble through my day, because that is what I need to do to remain ambulatory and active. Hopefully the ibuprofen and ice work soon because I don't have time for this today.
Unlike phantom pain, I know the cause of my back pain. Yesterday my limp was more prominent, becoming more obvious as the day progressed. By the time I went to bed I was hobbling like Tiny Tim, hunched over and shuffling down the hall. Walking with a strong gait deviation undoubtedly caused undo stress on my back, which I am paying for this morning.
I was frustrated because I knew that my gait was off, but I couldn't walk "normally" without discomfort through my limb. I realigned and re-donned my prosthesis numerous times to little avail. My body fluctuates throughout the day, but the socket remains static. Most of the time my leg fits perfectly, but every once in awhile my limb retains water or has shrunk more than normal. On those days, I am reminded about the archaic designs of prosthetic sockets.
Innovators have been tinkering and trying to design a socket that dynamically adjusts to the wearer. I've worn several variations, but none of them have worked for me. So far all of the designs rely upon a series of cords and boa closures to provide adjustments. Every single time the cord has snapped within weeks, leaving me in a precarious and dangerous situation.
Certainly there has to be a better way! Until then, I'll continue trying to squeeze and contort my always changing limb into a static bucket. I'll ice my back and hobble through my day, because that is what I need to do to remain ambulatory and active. Hopefully the ibuprofen and ice work soon because I don't have time for this today.
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Juggling
The weather was dreary, Timmy had a fever (again) and my leg was achy from the cold rain. Yesterday was the perfect excuse for staying in our jammies and cuddling up on the couch in front of a fire. While Timmy occupied himself by watching Grinch and Polar Express (he is still full-on Christmas), I was able to curl up next to him while working on my laptop.
Being a work-from-home Mom isn't easy, but yesterday I experienced of one of the best perks. I am so incredibly lucky that I am able to stay home with him everyday, but it is especially poignant when he doesn't feel well. I know that many of my friends are not able to work from home, and yesterday I felt a huge surge of gratitude for my situation.
I love being able to stay close to Timmy while still being able to focus on my projects. Of course I wish that he were feeling better, but selfishly I have to admit that I accomplish so much when he is not quite as energetic. It isn't always easy juggling work commitments with motherhood, but it is worth all the frustrations, the exhaustion, and the hidden tears.
Being a work-from-home Mom isn't easy, but yesterday I experienced of one of the best perks. I am so incredibly lucky that I am able to stay home with him everyday, but it is especially poignant when he doesn't feel well. I know that many of my friends are not able to work from home, and yesterday I felt a huge surge of gratitude for my situation.
I love being able to stay close to Timmy while still being able to focus on my projects. Of course I wish that he were feeling better, but selfishly I have to admit that I accomplish so much when he is not quite as energetic. It isn't always easy juggling work commitments with motherhood, but it is worth all the frustrations, the exhaustion, and the hidden tears.
Monday, February 10, 2020
Growing UP
Even though the weather was favorable and unseasonably warm, I spent the majority of the weekend inside. Timmy wasn't feeling well (again), so he was content to play games and to watch Polar Express with me on the couch. I hate that he doesn't feel well, but I do love the extra snuggles and quiet time with my little guy.
While Timmy and I were resting inside, Scott and Robby spent a lot of time outside. The pair split and stacked nearly a cord of wood, setting us up for warmth for the rest of the winter. Of course, if the unseasonable warmth continues our need for fires will dwindle. (On an aside, I really wish we would have a huge snowfall this year!)
Facebook reminded me that ten years ago on Saturday we introduced Charlie Cat into our family. A photo of a three-year-old Robby, proudly snuggling his new kitten, popped onto my memory feed. My heart both leapt and sank simultaneously. How did a decade pass?
Robby is growing into such a strong young man. Sometimes I am sad that he is growing up so quickly. But then I look at the person that he is becoming, and my sadness morphs into pride.He is an awesome kid, even if he is now taller than me.
While Timmy and I were resting inside, Scott and Robby spent a lot of time outside. The pair split and stacked nearly a cord of wood, setting us up for warmth for the rest of the winter. Of course, if the unseasonable warmth continues our need for fires will dwindle. (On an aside, I really wish we would have a huge snowfall this year!)
Facebook reminded me that ten years ago on Saturday we introduced Charlie Cat into our family. A photo of a three-year-old Robby, proudly snuggling his new kitten, popped onto my memory feed. My heart both leapt and sank simultaneously. How did a decade pass?
Robby is growing into such a strong young man. Sometimes I am sad that he is growing up so quickly. But then I look at the person that he is becoming, and my sadness morphs into pride.He is an awesome kid, even if he is now taller than me.
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