Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Taking the plunge into becoming a SAHM

Today I informed my boss at Pfizer that I would not be coming back. I think he knew in the back of his mind that would happen but he was and is being generous at giving me the opportunity to stay with the company whatever way that works best for me. He was even was willing to let me work just 2 days. The temp they hired for my maternity leave is about to get a position within Pfizer out of another sales office. My boss is about to start a special project so he will be left with no support. He could lean on another person in the office but like I said he is being very generous. He is going to talk to his boss about letting me work essentially one day a week from home but the assignment will be flexible enough that I could do it when it fits in my schedule. We will see how that works out. Now in the mean time I'm figuring out what we need to do to get on Matt's insurance and when my last day should be at Pfizer for our health benefits sake.

As this whole scenario is going down with my boss, the kids got up from nap, we ate dinner and John's friend called to see if he could go over his house to play. This is where the fun and craziness comes in. I have John watching for his friend's dad's car, James in the bathroom - making him use the bathroom because he made the little plane on the pull up disappear, Patrick outside the bathroom in the hallway flipping the light on and off and Tommy fussing in the highchair because I'm sure he would rather be held at this point then sitting in the highchair. John's friend comes - I get him in the car. I'm out of the house maybe 3 minutes. Tommy is almost putting himself to sleep, Patrick and James in the bathroom together. Patrick has the potty chair that sits on top of the toilet and he is jamming it in and out of the water with James watching. I really wanted to scream but I remained calm and got them the hell out of there and got it cleaned up. I was thinking tonight as I was giving them a bath and remembering this incident that I wish them to have girls and boys (more girls than boys) because I would want them to be paid back with all the gross stuff they put me through. Then I thought maybe not because their poor wife would probably have to deal with it. It is amazing I'm sitting here and not having an alcoholic drink in my hand while I type. Hopefully I will get my fill when I visit my mom this weekend.

James was sad that John left. He was crying when we were getting in the car to run errands. I said what are you going to do when he goes to school? Of course this is when I mentioned - if you were potty trained at this point you could be going to school too - but I think this is where he tunes me out. Lovely. However, Patrick is loving the fact he gets to sit on the potty chair. I have him sitting on the potty just as many times I have James going to the bathroom. Patrick's final teeth are almost more than just spikes. Then its bye bye binky. I'm sure he will try and take Tommy's more.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

I am beat

What a weekend! Yesterday we went to Matt's company picnic at Wendy Park which is near Edgewater Park in downtown Cleveland. It was a great place for a picnic. You could see Lake Erie, the Cuyahoga River, the Cleveland skyline, all kind of freighter boats and planes coming in and out of town. The food was great and they had great giveaways for the kids to play with. John and James both got to fly a kite - we have been wanting to do that with them but have never had the chance. Last night it was almost 11 before I got to bed as Matt and I enjoyed people watching on our front porch and then our next door neighbor came home from a walk and talked to us for quite a while. With the picnic making nap time crazy we decided to go to church on Sunday instead of Saturday. I was hoping to go to the first one but Patrick slept a little later than normal.

I think I had 2 or 3 short naps today but I still am beat. Tonight to cap off our weekend we went to the Willowick Lakefront Park for a concert. We have been attending them for the past 3 weeks. The band that played tonight was pretty good. They played mostly summer and beach themed songs - rather anything that you might use a steel drum in. John and I agree that we liked last weeks band the best - I think he like the polkas alot - thank you Wiggles for that influence. A nice lady came up to us at the intermission while we were packing up letting us know we are very lucky to have such a beautiful family and she enjoyed watching us interact very much. It is so funny how we hear that most times when we are in public. Of course when we get home and Patrick is being difficult about getting his jammies on Matt cracks the comment "That lady should see how lucky we are now!" LOL!

On Friday I talked to my boss at Pfizer and he offered me a part time position with no job share. I think the offer was there because he is going on a sebattical for 6 months. It looks like I will be turning it down as it won't make sense to work between the cost of childcare, gas and my benefits (I would still have full benefits with working 3 days). I think this will be best as we won't have to flip a coin when the kids are sick and they won't have to get used to someone new coming into the house.

Ok - I'm off to bed - another busy week on tap - John has watershow practice on Tuesday and Friday evening, I have to run out to Mayfield Heights tomorrow for my virtual job, I'm taking the boys to the circus on Thursday since we scored 4 free kids tickets and oh yea we are going to visit my parents next weekend. The kids will probably realize Thursday or Friday because there is no way I'm going to try and secretly pack their bags. It was too hard last time.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Not bad for a Monday

We had a pretty good but hot weekend. Saturday night Matt and I went out. My brother in law, Paul, was having an opening of his photos at a local hair salon that displays artists pictures. Matt and I started out at our favorite Irish pub - Mick's, then we went to the art gallery, off to another bar, the bank for more money and then our last bar - Rumpus Room and home. It was so nice and relaxing to be out. I needed that so much that I can't wait to do it again. The only downer, which I knew would happen, is the kids get up early. I swear they wake up to make sure you are still there.

The boys got there haircut on Saturday. Matt took Patrick back to the chair and asked if I wanted the top short I said yes - but not thinking that meant butch. Patrick looks nice but I would have liked to kept it a longer for more of the summer.



Then after we got home he was playing in the living room and fell and hit is eye on one of the kid chairs. He scratched his eyelid pretty good and got a bump below his eye. I took him to the doctor - I'm glad I thought to call our pediatrician rather than the ER. It was not as expensive of a trip and just as fast.

Yesterday was pretty uneventful. It rained hard late in the morning and everyone was still catching up from the night out. We took the kids to the park for the concert. I liked this band the best. Matt said it reminded him of a "Stevens Family Reunion" (which is my Mom's side). It was very true - a nice mix of oldies, patriotic and polkas. We stayed for almost the whole concert (which ended at 8:30). It took a while for the kids to wind down even after they were in bed. It really made for a nice morning as they slept in and were in a pretty good mood until after swimming lessons. I think the heat was getting to them but we packed up a lunch and headed to the Splash Park which has cooled them off.

My back is about 90-95% healed. I was able to wash my hair in our utility sink which is a huge plus! I went to the chiropractor today and will go back in about 2 weeks. I think I will be able to make it but I always have the security of making an appointment.

I hope the rest of the day is a good one. John and James are playing Wii now so hopefully they won't be grouchy when I tell them turn it off.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Pretty Good Week

This week hasn't been bad I like my new chiropractor. I actually went to high school with him. I just worry about paying for the stuff the last chiropractor did that wasn't covered by the insurance and next week I finish the sterilization process so I'm sure there is more cost included there. As hot as it is I keep thinking about Christmas and what can the kids get and will Tommy really notice if he gets toys that we already gave to his older brothers??

We had a fun and hot morning at a friends pool. John is doing really good in the water. James could touch the bottom and still have his head above water and with water wings made me feel a little better. Patrick and Tommy seemed to enjoy the water too. James actually asked to go the bathroom a couple times. I think he really didn't go in the swim diapers. It would be nice if this made him turn the corner but he is my child and can be lazy!

Well I got to keep moving - can't stand or sit too long as my back stiffens up!

Friday, July 11, 2008

Good News, Bad News

Let's start with the good news - John passed Level 1 in his swimming lessons. He is quite pleased with himself. He had been trying very hard this past month. He will now try to learn the back float.

The bad news. My chiropractor told me today that she is no longer an "in network" doctor for my insurance so I'm a "cash patient". Maybe I should have switched when I started having trouble. I just assumed she was still in network and I went back because I was comfortable with her. I am super bummed out because I now owe them more money for my first few visits before this.

Yesterday the kids were playing in the driveway riding bikes and then disappeared to the backyard. John James and Patrick were all huddled around something. John told me it was a worm. Great. The next thing I know Patrick is picking it up. I just kept thinking please do not put it in your mouth.

Ok - I better go fold clothes before my back stiffens up too much from typing.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Hot and fun

We had a great Monday. After John's swim lessons for a change of pace I took the kids to the park at Manry where John has his swim lessons. After that we dropped off library books and headed to Dudley Park. This time I was prepared with my camera so I can get more "about our town" photos to submit to STO. The kids played on the playground while I fed Tommy. We then ate lunch and changed for the Splash Park. It was so humid I was dying to get a little wet which was hard to do with me carrying around Tommy. The kids did cooperate for a few photos. I was pretty beat as was Patrick and Tommy by the time we got home. John and James were not and not much later after we got home Tommy woke up. I kind of snoozed while holding Tommy. Unfortunately John and James took a nap much later - like almost 3pm and then they were very hard to get up when dinner was ready. Patrick on the other hand was up early but he also fell asleep early so it wasn't a win-win situation for Mom. Oh yea- Tommy took the late 4pm-6pm nap just for fun.

At dinner as John and James have their head down while I was patting their heads and tickling them trying to get them to wake up. Well Patrick thought that looked fun so he kept patting John on the head. I was amused as it helped me out.

I forget what happened but Patrick did something that earned him a timeout. He knew what that meant and he marched right over to the time out corner. Beautiful - you get the concept now you will be seeing a lot more time there! Also he keeps throwing the kids shoes off the steps - I guess just for fun but it annoys the hell out of me - anyways I yelled at him and then with his head down crying he picked up the shoes one by one and slammed them back on the steps.

Before bed the kids were playing and James was behind me. Matt said "James give Mommy a massage" So he put his hand on my back just right about where my bra was - I was actually waiting for him to snap it!

John says to James tonight "What do you want to do tomorrow?" Good question. It is going to be hot. Maybe a trip to the mall - we'll have to see. I enjoy hanging outside but I don't think I can get John to agree to the splash park again. The chlorine has apparently been high in the pool and splash park so John's eyes have been burning. Who knows - my back has been good again today - I think being in the warm weather has helped - so we shall see.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Great holiday weekend!

The weekend was fantastic both weather wise and time spent with the family. On Friday we went to the Zoo. The kids enjoyed it a lot. They were pretty worn out by the time we got to the car and home. Saturday was normal with shopping, church and visiting Matt's parents. Today we had a picnic at Dudley Park and played at the playground and splash park. We saw John's swimming lesson instructor and she said he is getting very close to doing the front float and his ball float is getting better as he is hold his breath longer.

The kids were pretty worn out again tonight with baseball being played on and off all weekend. We were sending John to time out when James went to the "time out" corner. Matt said James you aren't in time out. He replied "yes dad, I'm bad". Matt and I were in tears. Thursday night Matt and I were watching TV, enjoying some adult beverages and special philly cheese dip that I made. Not long after the boys were sent to bed John and James came down the stairs letting us know that they were aware we were having a "festival". They happily made themselves at home in their chairs in the living room looking for something to drink. We kindly gave them a small sip of water and sent them back upstairs.

The only bummer thing of the weekend is that my back is still bothering me. It was fantastic before I sat down to the computer tonight but I'm sure I be very sore in the morning again. I wish I knew when I will be pain free again. I want to be back to normal as soon as possible. Well I better get the clothes out of the dryer.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

This and that

It just seems like it has been a crazy couple of days. My back is still sore in the morning but I'm hoping it gets better fast. By the end of the day I have mostly pain free mobility. I'm ready to go back tomorrow to get cracked again.

John has been doing awesome in swimming lessons. I wouldn't be surprised if he passes to the next level but I'm happy to see the progress he is making this year. He decided he wanted to be part of the Water Show and he wanted to play Soccer this fall. I'm hoping he will make friends in Soccer that are in his class when he goes to school.

Patrick slept in this morning thank god. He fussed at different points early in the morning but managed to go back to sleep. It looks like the teeth are finally breaking the gum line. I hope this will help him settle down a bit. Today at the park the camp kids were playing on the big equipment and he was just going around them to go down the slide. At one point he fell (not off the whole thing just down a step he was climbing) - I ran over and he just got up and kept on going. The counsler who was watching the kids was quite impressed. Just by talking to the young lad it looks like being a counsler is good birth control for him. He was mentioning how the kids never listen- yep I know how that is.

Tommy is still a wonderful baby. He wants to see what is going on more and more. He is starting to army crawl on the floor. I mentioned to my mom today - great just what I need another kid storming the bathroom when I'm working with James. Eventually he will learn how to roll from tummy to back but he has perfected back to front.

I'm looking forward to the 4th of July. I think we might get crazy and load the kids in the car so we can watch fireworks at Classic Park. I think we'll just park it somewhere in a parking lot. I wish they were at my old high school then we could drink in our driveway and watch the fireworks.