Friday, March 23, 2012

Ch-ch-changes!

I can't believe it's been two weeks since I've posted. I'm behind once again with keeping up with my blog. Not sure why, since I've had the opportunity. But I guess it's because I've been trying to keep up with Little Man and my mom and have been feeling quite stressed and unmotivated.

But I have big news.

Dude got a new job and starts on Monday, April 2nd. The best part is that it's in New Jersey and is less than 10 miles away from our house. He won't be commuting for 4 hours per day and he'll have more time with Little Man (and me) and hopefully will feel more relaxed with all the extra time. It's also a promotion and pay increase. So hopefully this is the start of something positive for our family.

*I* also need to find a new job. It's time and with the economy as it has been, I really have to get my tush in gear to help better our family. I should have been looking more seriously for months, but I haven't.  So I've decided April 1st (Sunday) is the day to get myself back on track. It's going to be hard and it's very scary, but I'll do what I can to better secure our future. If I don't, we'll be in trouble. If I do, we'll be OK. It's that simple.

I'm not cut out to be a SAHM/WAHM combo. I need to be one or the other. I wish I could stay at home but even with the cost of living as it is in our area, I can't. Plus we have debt. More than I care to admit. So a new job is in our best interests.

Wish me luck.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

What's That Sound???

The new thing that Little Man says to me every day since his myringotomy (ear tube surgery) last Thursday. I realize it's been a week and I haven't updated my blog. As you know, my mom is in a care facility after lung surgery and a feeding tube insertion from complications of Parkinson's Disease.

Anyway... last Thursday, March 1st, was the big day. Little Man was scheduled to be at the surgical center at 6:15 am. Since it was a half hour's drive, we had to be up at 5 am to shower and out of the door by 5:45 am. We got there right on time and found out that he was the first procedure.

The first issue was getting him in his surgical gown and these giant yellow socks (for a 2-1/2 year old). He did NOT like either. And even Daddy getting into HIS gown (to go into the OR with him) didn't make things better. What did?

STICKERS!

"Dowa! Dowa! Emmo! Bappap! Boots! Spiderman!"

We were told it would be quick but didn't realize HOW quick. I think his ENT was letting us know it went well only about 10 minutes after my husband came back from the OR (he stayed with him as the anesthesiologist put him out). Apparently there was a LOT of fluid in his right ear (less in the left) but it went well.  And when Little Man was brought out to us, he was SCREAMING.  My Little Man was PISSED OFF.  Apparently a common reaction post-anesthesia. It took him a good 15-20 minutes to calm down. It was us asking him if he wanted to go home that did it. He said "Outta here!" And so we went.  After we got him dressed, of course.

The last week has had it's ups and downs. The downs were A) putting antibiotic ear drops in his ears 3 times a day for 3 days. But we got through it. And B) bathing him. His ENT said no water can get into his ears and suggested either cotton balls with vaseline to create a seal or ear plugs. We did the plugs and he FREAKED. He literally was terrified by them and was shaking and crying. After two baths, I can't imagine doing it again. I'm not sure what to do.

BUT... the UPS. "What's that sound, Mama?"

He definitely can hear better. He repeats what we say. His words are clearer. And he's become even more of a chatterbox. So I feel glad that we helped him when he had a hearing problem. Hopefully his speech will improve even more over the next few weeks—and months. I'll let you know how it goes.