1. My sister gave birth to a healthy as can be expected, baby girl, Samantha Leann at 30 weeks gestation while visiting PA from NC. Sammi was 17 inches long, 4 lbs. 2 oz., is breathing on her own, pooping, and sucking ever so lightly on a pacifier. She'll be in the NICU until she at least reaches 34 weeks gestational age, so Pat will be hanging in PA with the baby for the next month.
2. C had her appointment with her nephrologist, who has cleared her for surgery. We are currently looking for an automatic blood pressure machine with a child sized cuff so that we can monitor her blood pressure. This will help to determine if her high readings were stress related or indicative of kidney scarring. The Nephrologist noted that the right kidney is smaller than the left and may be scarred. This could cause high blood pressure and protein in her urine. Little to no risk of this turning into something that would cause the need for a transplant or dialysis. WooHoo!
3. We registered our big girl for Kindergarten. She is so thrilled and doesn't quite understand that she will have to wait for September for school. This month, she will play tee-ball for the first time, and next month, she'll have her dance recital for ballet and tap.
4. Baseball season has started for L (not for J, yet). This will be his first year in coach pitch, and he is finally excited. Originally, he was fearful of having to hit a moving ball, but he seems to be more excited as practices progress.
5. I got a "real" job. By real, I mean a full time, out of the office, job. I am working for a local healthcare BPO, as a process analyst. Boy, oh boy. There is a lot to do. I just hope I am as good as I sold myself to be. The people are all really nice and seem dedicated to doing the right thing, though, there is a mix of those that are looking for a free ride. Here's hoping this career is worth missing my babies.
6. As a result of getting a job, we also got a nanny. The kids love her, well, I think. J seems to be giving her some problems if she's told to do things she doesn't want to do. It pretty much sums her up, as she behaves the same way with me (until I lay the smack down ;-) ), so I will have to assume she feels comfortable around her. The thing that makes going to work easier is that Q just loves the nanny. She waves to her constantly and smiles in her presence. Though I don't want to be replaced, I am glad she feels safe and loved.
7. P and I are having a bit of a difficult adjustment to both of us working. The other day, we woke up and realized that there was no bread, no fresh fruit and not much in the house that the kids could or would eat. That night, we went grocery shopping and didn't get home until 9 pm. Don't worry. We won't be having that problem again. We spent a month's budget in one night. Here's hoping I can figure out a good schedule. If you've got one, please share.
I'm also having a hard time trying to figure dinner out. By the time I get home, I nurse the baby, then its 6 pm. The kids need to be in bed before 8, and 3 nights out of the week, we have "stuff" to do. We'll figure it out, but I'm guessing it'll take time.
8. Weight loss has been a challenge for me, to say the least. I am having a hard time making it to the gym or downstairs to the treadmill because Q has, again, decided she needs mommy by 6 am every morning. So, exercise has been pretty much non-existent. Again, ideas are appreciated. And, don't get me started on food. My new coworkers seem to have an addiction to sugar that is contagious. HELP!
9. Let me not forgot my baby Q's milestones. After soldier crawling for 2+ months, she has finally decided to crawl on all 4's, just yesterday. She doesn't do it if she's in a hurry, but she will if she's going somewhere ever so slowly. Oh, and now she's decided that she should climb the stairs, too. She loves to wave, even though I was trying to teach her the sign for "milk", and she turned it into a wave. She's just an amazing little girl, like all my kids
10. Today, we went geocaching for the first time ever. Basically, its a scavenger hunt. You are provided GPS coordinates to an item which you then seek. When you find it, you sign the sheet and celebrate your success. The kids LOVED it. It was great to do something outdoors as a family, and even better to do something that made us work together. If you've never done it, I recommend you give it a try. Visit www.geocaching.com and let me know what you think. This was recommended to me by a friend, so I am paying it forward by telling you about it.
To all my friends reading this: I love you and miss you, all! I wish we could chit chat more, and get together. Don't become strangers!
