The Foot Appointment. Wasn't my best look.

So, about that foot.  That mother flippin' pediatric podiatrist appointment.  I'm now allowing it to rest in peace.  But FIRST, let's tell a story...

Why COME, on the eve of every doc appointment, the hubby and I get to hear the sweet whining sounds of our little loved one at 3 IN THE FREAKING MORNING?

I SAID WHY COME!!

So, as 6am comes rolling around and I begin the 45 minute process of "the snooze button dance" (side note: it's called a dance because I have to actually get out of bed, stumble and swerve across the room to press snooze. Brilliant, eh?) every 9 minutes, all the while thinking, "let's reschedule the appointment."  The appointment that *I* think is unnecessary.  What's another week? Or month even? Let's go to the park instead! Marshmellows! Toast! YAY!

But, alas, the day has been scheduled.  Work and daycare have been called off.  It just wouldn't be right to sleep in and blow it all off.  Right? This is one of those "I'm not interested in adulthood.  Not really interested. AT. ALL.  Not today. Nope."

So, it's pretty clear that whatever the day brings, I'm not going to "roll with the punches." I'm not going to "grin and bear it." I"m not going to "Shut my face noone wants to deal with you and the psychoticism that eventually explodes in all kinds of green shades out of your ears."

So we buckle up and head north to what should be an hour and 15 minute or so drive.  As the rain pours down harder, the wheels on the car go slower...2 hours later we arrive to the CAMPUS that I totally underestimated.  And even though you can't really miss this hospital, I thought it wise to drive RIGHT PAST IT because THE DIRECTIONS IN MY HEAD TOLD ME SO.  BECAUSE I LOVE DOING THINGS THE HARD WAY.  So we turned around and the tension thickens...So, then, of course, we pick a random parking garage because we have NO IDEA WTF ANYTHING.  And  I need to get OUT of the car.

Then we find out we're in the wrong building.  Then we find out we need to take a shuttle. Then we find out the shuttle just left and it'll be another 15 minutes.  NO, I'm NOT walking.  And, NO, Milo won't stay in his stroller unless it is being strolled....

So stroll away I do as the wind is whipping and the rain is falling. Milo is still with the cranky whine and being a jerk face jerking movements. (we were under a covered awning, btw)

Oh, we've only JUST BEGUN...

So fast forward to check-in.  They have a lovely waiting area that is entirely child appropriate.  Meaning they have toys, art supplies, tv with cartoons flashing, wall art, wall games...ALL of which Milo really enjoyed for all. of. 3. minutes.

What does he prefer?  Elevators, random doors, water fountains, other kids faces, whining, flopping, kicking, hitting, biting, flailing, running, random hallways, DON'T YOU DARE PICK ME UP AND SHUSH ME, time out?  HAHA -AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN PEOPLE...

for 2 hours.  2 hours? 2 hours.  Really? 2 HOURS? Yeah. Yeah....yeah....

Those that follow me on Twitter or FB got to witness:

*no sleep. 2 hour drive. wrong parking deck. shuttle with screaming baby. 1 hour wait so far with said cranky baby. FML

11:03 AM 
 
*dear johns hopkins: a $10 gift cert to the gift shp does not make up for an hour and a half wait with an OfF THE WALL child!!

11:23 AM 
 
*peaceful calm blue ocean waves...peaceful calm blue...GoD DAMIT Johns!

11:32 AM

*did i mention my appt was at 10am? STILL WAITING

11:37 AM

So our number gets called at OH, I DON'T KNOW, NOON or so...and let's just skip to the point here and I quote,

"One foot is inverted 15 degrees and the other is in 30 degrees.  You're sons feet are fine.  In past generations, they would prescribe braces or special shoes.  But they found out that there wasn't enough evidence that they really worked.  So, just keep an eye on it, but his feet should straighten out on their own."

Blink, Blink.

"Any questions?"

I reply, "So nothing wrong with how he walks?  The x-rays looked good?"

"We're not seeing any issues at this time.  Feel free to come back if anything changes."

Blink. Blink.

So, in no time, we are out of there.  On one hand greatful for the peachy keen feet of our son, on the other hand....just SO DONE with the whole thing.

On the elevator down a bit of perspective hits me in the face: a young girl maybe 7 or so is on the elevator with her parents.  She's bald, frail, and very pale.  So things could be way, way worse.  I glance at my active, cranky, but healthy son, and I mentally write this in my gratitude journal...

So we find our way back to the shuttle stop.  And wait. For 15 minutes.  In the rain.  Awesome.
Milo quickly falls asleep on the ride home and I'm thinking: the only thing that will make this better is sushi.  So we drive to a restaurant just off the highway...

Guess what restaurant doesn't open for another 2 hours?  At this point, I was so tired, so hungry, and so wanting to blame the whole day on Hubby McParanoid because this whole "we need to get his foot checked out" was his Dr. McDreamy idea. But I am all done with conflict. There may have been some tears. Perhaps.

You know what makes someone even angrier?  Tell them to stop crying.  It took all my amazing coping and effective communication skills to tell him, "THIS IS HOW I'M CHOOSING TO DEAL WITH MY FRUSTRATION AND ANGER WITHOUT HURTING SOMEBODY.  MmmK?"

So then guess who woke up after a mere 30 minutes of napping? And then would not go back down once we got home?

Yeah. Yeah.  Yeah...

The End.

St. Pat's Comparative or Mood Disorder

Hi! I'm 8 months old!  I'm cute! I'm happy! Hi!

WHAT!? I'm 20 months old! Why did you put me in this onesie?! AGAIN?! This is stupid! 

*sigh*

potty time?

So for the past week or so there's been a new phenomenon during Milo's (pronouced My-low, not Me-low)  bathtime. During our nightly bath ritual, when Milo is ready to get out, he'll unplug the drain and then start splashing around, bidding adieu to the sudsy goodness.  And then, quite suddenly, he'll start peeing.  The first time this happened he looked down and was intrigued/shocked by what was happening. Then he looked at me confused and in desperate need for validation and explanation.

(cue happy squealing mama)

"Yayyyyyyy! You're peeing!  Out of your pee-pee!  Yeah, peeing! (clap clap clap!!) Keep going! Get it all out!! Peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyy!" 

And then he gets a big 'ol cheese grin on his face, looks down, and starts stomping/dancing around and laughing and saying "ohhhhhhhhh" like he's invoking and giving thanks to the Peeeeeeeeee gods.

So this has been going on all week.  Now, tonight, he drains the tub as usual.  He stands up to get out of the tub.  I say "Do you need to peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee?" Milo looked down, sqeezed in his stomach muscles several times and fully emptied his bladder.  Then he looked up at me and give me the "all done" sign.  Paired, of course, with the cheese grin and then he almost said, "Thanks for the reminder mom, I almost forgot!"

Hmmm...like I said....Potty time?

the upside of daycare: ME time!!

so today?

I had a training regarding nonviolent crisis intervention (super fun!) that ended early.  Like 4 hours early.  I then headed over to Panera Bread and ate at a leisurely pace (the. best. thing. EVER) And then I thought about getting my oil changed.  Then thought: Nah.

Thought about going to the gym. Then thought: Nah.

Thought about going to the grocery store.  Then thought: Nah.

Thought about Milo and wondered if he was napping right about now, like he usually does. Thought maybe I should call the daycare to see if he was napping and, if not, maybe go ahead and pick him up and try to get him to nap in his own crib. READ: a full 2 hours that he can only successfully do in his own crib at this time.

Then thought: Nah.

Thought about going home and taking a nap and then going to pick him up.

Best idea I had all day!!

I love today!

update: So after I had an amazing 2 hour nap, I went to get Mr. Milo...guess who didn't nap?! Again!? DAY 2 OF NO NAPPING!

You could say I had a smidge of guilt...

and then I thought: maybe he'll sleep through the entire night  LIKE HE DID LAST NIGHT HOW AWESOME WAS THAT PEOPLE!! WOOT!

and then I thought:

I love today! Again!

ps: Tomorrow is Milo's pediatric podiatrist appointment.  Wish us luck!

I gotta "thing" I gotta getta offa ma chesta

FACT: my (it's all) "about me" section still points to me as a SAHM.  And even though the young one is now in daycare and I work OUTSIDE THE HOME...I'm NOT READY to change my ABOUT ME section.

and I may be "trained" or "educated" as a mental health "professional"...but I. DON'T. KNOW. WHY  i'm not ready to change it...

but I'm leaning towards lazy. pinky swear.

and Dear Day Care Providers,

When I drop off my child in the morning looking FRAZZLED and IN A HURRY and my little darling is STILL IN HIS PAJAMAS and I also bring along a pair of pants and a shirt that look very DAY TIME WEARABLE....please change him into said clothes.

Because when I come back 8 or so hours later to pick up my little darling, I'd rather NOT see him in his PAJAMAS. THAT I PUT HIM INTO NEARLY 24 HOURS BEFORE!

AND THEN,

when my husband says to me, "It's not her job to dress him in the morning."  This does not (to quote Lilu) MAKE ME HAPPY IN THE PANTS.

And though it is not your job to make me HAPPY IN THE PANTS, this still doesn't make me HAPPY IN THE PANTS.

MY BAD for having a RUSH RUSH  morning with just enough time to put his socks on and a jacket to get him in the car and out the door!!!

and another,

When my darling young child comes home after  NO NAP AT FREAKIN' ALL WHAT THE FREAK FREAK FREAKITY FREAK...and then I'm dealing with an all out APOCOLYPTIC  LUNAR ECLIPSE-TASTIC ZOMBIE HYSTERIA BITING MANIAC...

I'm gonna need an explanation.

The only way I'm going to "GET THIS" and then "forgive and forget" is if he sleeps tonight.  LIKE THE WHOLE 12 HOURS THROUGH THE NIGHT HALLELUJAH BABY JESUS THAT WAS THE BEST SLEEP I'VE EVER HAD SINCE...

I WAS HAPPY IN THE PANTS.

And then?

you can do whatever the FREAKITY FREAK  and we can just forget about all this, yeah?

Gettin' his hair did

So haircut #2 happened the day before his 1st day of daycare.

I just strapped him into his booster seat, gave him a popsicle and I went at it...

The front turned out pretty well...

the sides turned out...marginally well...

and the back...?

I hope the kids didn't make fun of you too bad...

Next time, daddy may have to find his inner barber, or we're going to the nearest professional...

still kickin'

Bonjour Mes Amis!
So WOW, it's been a week and I haven't posted one. damn. thing.  Not even a Wordless Wednesday!  Turns out having a jobby job and a baby who CONTINUES TO BE INCONSISTENT WITH SLEEPING THROUGH THE HOLY NOT SO SILENT NIGHT, a husband who needed an ER visit to figure out why he's walking like he needs a V8 and feeling seasick to be diagnosed asVertigo, then 2 days later (Saturday) when all we wanted to do was move slow and enjoy "family time" over cartoons and pancakes instead we go get xrays for said baby who's walking with his right foot toed-in like MAJAH...can ALL be exhausting...and my brain goes "Hey! Let's write a post and update your faithfuls! And my then my body goes, "How about watching TMZ?"

(btw, the appt with a pediatric foot doc is next week.  Here's hoping that he doesn't need Forrest Gump leg braces for the next 5 years!!)

So short story kept short, daycare is going exceptionally well!  I only cried once.  Or maybe every morning.  Though Milo-man is still getting to know how to sleep his full 2 hour nap without climbing out of the pack and play and all the reports of how he is "so cuddly!" (read: clingy) he has been doing really well!  His sign language as well as his speech have been improving, which correlates to a decline of the whine. He is offered NO BOTTLES at day care! (I know, I know, what the HELL am I doing offering a 19 month old a BOTTLE!).  He easily takes the sippy cup with milk while he's there.  At home? Not-a-so-much!  Surprisingly she hasn't had to be put him in Time Out (yet).  And, honestly, I really don't worry about him during the day.  It feels so good knowing that he is doing absolutely fine!  I pick up my smiling little man who appears well-fed, (semi) well rested, and appropriately stimulated by his new friends and caretaker.

 Now the state of my bathroom? and laundry? and litter box?

whole other story...

we survived our first week of daycare! and the jobby job!