Happy Birthday to ME!

Happy Birthday to me!

I'm not terribly thrilled about being 42, but I suppose it beats the alternative. I keep reminding myself to embrace the age, but that is easier said than done. I've decided to channel denial by avoiding thinking about the number. After all, the only way to stop aging is to die and that certainly is not an option!

Today I'm going to spend the morning playing outside with Timmy (the rain has finally stopped) before meeting my Mom for lunch. In the afternoon I'm planning an extra long bike ride with Robby, followed by a nice dinner (which I don't have to cook). In the evening I am going to yoga, finishing the day with cake.  I'm going to spend the day with my favorite people, which is the perfect way to celebrate.  

No Known Reasons

Between my leg jitterbug kicking all night and Timmy constantly waking up, last night was low on sleep. I have no reason to explain either factor although that hasn't stopped me from trying to figure it out. In the middle of the night while rocking an upset Timmy, my sleep deprived mind was churning.

I haven't changed sockets and I don't have any open sores on my leg so the typical jitterbug culprits aren't present. It is rainy, which sometimes impacts my leg nerves, but the weather has been wet for almost three weeks. My leg hasn't been impacted but perhaps a different weather front is at play.  In reality, I think it was just one of those weird amputee issues that pops up from out of nowhere to remind me that I shouldn't take the absence of pain for granted. 

As for Timmy's insomnia, I have even fewer theories. He didn't seem to be in pain, nor was he sick. His room wasn't too hot or cold, and he wasn't hungry or wet. The only way I could calm him back to sleep was to hold and rock him, so perhaps he was experiencing nightmares.

Whatever the reasons, it was a long night. We're in for yet another day of dreary weather which does not do anything to help my tired mood. Hopefully all of the stars will align, and we can both take a nap today.

Goats!

After more than two weeks, the rain and dreary weather has temporarily subsided. Sunday we were ecstatic to see blue skies and sunshine after seeing nothing but grey and rain. It was windy and cool, but we were all so happy to see the sun that we bundled up and ventured to the animal park. (Scott stayed home to bask in the quiet while watching a car race.)

Robby and his friend Jack ran around and played, only finding me when they needed a snack or more animal food. Although I know that it is normal for him to outgrow a Mommy companion, I have to admit that part of me was sad. I miss my little buddy.  Thankfully I have Timmy, who was my little companion as he went about happily exploring the zoo and play structures. He was so delighted to be playing outside that he didn't seem bothered that his brother wasn't around.

After flirting with the idea of feeding the animals, Timmy finally garnered the courage to approach the baby goats. (It helped that he was encouraged by Robby, who happened to stop by to pick up a bottle of water.) Seeing his brother feed the goats and wanting to be part of the action, Timmy took a small piece of food and carefully offered it to the animal.

He began to squeal with delight when the goat licked the food out of his hand. Despite his trepidation approaching the animals he spent the next 30 minutes meticulously feeding the baby goats, one piece of feed at a time, until our bucket was empty. It looks like history is repeating itself and that I will be spending countless hours standing in front of the goat stalls in the coming years.

Confession from a Young Biker

In preparation for Robby's big biking challenge, we have started to take nightly rides through the neighborhood.  Many times his friends tag along as we meander through the development. I'm sure that we are quite a sight as we ride by, a group of mismatched kids happily pedaling after a one-legged middle aged lady.

Robby has only been riding for a year but is handling the bike like a champion.  My heart still jumps when I see him taking curves quickly or going downhill fast. I know that he loves the feeling of speed, but I think I'll always worry about him falling.  I'm a Mom: worrying is what I do.

A few nights ago, while we were out on one of our nightly jaunts, Robby kept stopping along the road. He didn't dismount entirely but he kept stopping and standing as he straddled the bike. After the third time, I felt compelled to ask him if he was okay.

"Oh I'm good Momom. Sorry about that, I had to toot. I am worried that the velocity of my toots might propel me off of my bicycle seat. I don't want to take any chances, so I just take a toot break and then keep riding."

So there I was, on the side of the road trying to explain to my 9 year old son that he can toot and ride at the same time. That was certainly a conversation I never expected to have! Who would have known that our cycling challenge would be so enlightening? 

Thumbkin

Despite my aspirations of embarking on a calm and restful day, yesterday began as chaotic. Typical to his routine, Robby lamented going to school and procrastinated getting dressed until the last minute. When I finally told him that we were in the final countdown, he stormed to his room. I went to into the kitchen to put his lunch into a bag.

I heard the door slam, and then a moment later, I heard Timmy cry. He cries every  morning when Robby locks him out of his bedroom, so to be honest, I didn't think much of it. As the seconds ticked by, I realized that there was something different in Timmy's cry. I put down the vanilla pudding cups and went sprinting down the hallway.

My poor little Hamlet's thumb was pinched and trapped in the door jam. I immediately opened the door and scooped him up. I tried to look at this thumb while rocking him, but he was protective and wouldn't let me examine the ouchie. When his sobbing calmed to a whimper, I put him in the car to take Robby to school.

Timmy is my rough and tumble kid. He is adventurous and mischievous, a combination which often results in bumps and bruises.  He usually cries for a moment and then moves on. When he was still whimpering 45 minutes after the incident, I knew that something was wrong.  When I arrived at Robby's school I was finally able to glimpse his thumb. It was swollen to twice its normal size, and a disturbing shade of purplish red. 

I left Robby's school and drove directly to an Urgent Care office. It turns out that Timmy's little thumb is fractured. It is not dislocated, so a cast is not recommended. Instead we are to try to ice the appendage and provide ibuprofen for pain. The fracture should heal on its own, and we were instructed to follow Timmy's lead about use. 

Trying to ice the hand of a two year old is a fruitless task. He won't sit still long enough for any benefit. Improvising, I put the ice packs away and filled up the sink with water and ice cubes. He pushed the learning tower over to the sink and happily splashed and played in the cold water for 30 minutes. By the time he was finished, the ice was melted and water was all over my floor, my counter tops, and my little boy, but his hands were cold and the swelling was reduced.

I feel horrible that Timmy has experienced his first broken bone, but probably not as guilty as Robby. I venture to guess that he cried almost as much as Timmy over the incident. He is wracked with guilt for slamming the door and injuring his brother. I know that it was not intentional, and I have no doubt that the days of slamming doors are over. 

Recovery

Timmy is slowly starting to rebound from his bout with Croup.  His barking cough is beginning to quiet, and his voice is returning to normal. I predict that he will be fully recovered and back to his normal, active self by the weekend. 

Unfortunately, the string of sleepless nights have taken its toll on me. I am reminded that I'm no longer in my 20's, and that I can't drink a single cup of coffee to perk up when I'm sleep deprived. My Keurig has been getting a work-out, supplying me with a steady stream of liquid caffeine to keep me upright and mobile.

Today I have the calendar cleared during Timmy's nap time. Typically I take advantage of the quiet by schedule conference calls or Skype meetings. Instead of working, I'm going to completely unplug and disconnect so that I can take a nap. If I don't take care of myself, soon I'll be the one in a sick bed.

Croup Day 2

With Timmy still battling croup, yesterday was a long day. My little Hamlet didn't feel well, yet he wasn't sick enough to stay still and just cuddle. I could tell that he wanted to play, but once he started his illness quickly took over. Instead of stopping, he just became frustrated and sad. When he becomes frustrated he cries and screams, which in turn exacerbates his croup.  Much of the day was spent spiraling through this unfortunate cycle. 

As the day progressed his breathing became more labored and his fever rose. An afternoon visit to the pediatrician resulted in both a breathing treatment to help restore his oxygen levels and a steroid shot.  I'm hoping that this will help to ease his symptoms as the virus runs its course. I hate seeing him uncomfortable, and watching him gasping to breathe is terrifying!

We had another rough night, but I'm hoping that the steroids will start to work their magic soon. I know that Timmy is as tired as I am, and we could both benefit from a restful sleep. Fingers crossed that improvement is seen today, and that my little toddler returns to his happy and mischievous state by tomorrow.