Anneliese and I are home today - my little peanut is sick. She's been coughing for two nights straight and spiked a fever this morning. I feel so bad for her - she looks as miserable as she must feel (puffy eyes, rosy cheeks, stuffy nose, cough) and I feel bad for my co-workers who have to scramble in my absence. :::sigh::: I hate the feeling of the tug in either direction - home vs. work. It sucks and never seems to get any easier. My first job here in CT was a constant struggle between Jessica's ear infections and my calling in sick to work to care for her. My boss made no bones about it: frequent call-ins were a problem. Even though my current employer is much more understanding, I hate the feeling that I am letting them down and that they might be thinking I am unreliable. One look at Anna, though, and it feels right. She's vacillating between her beanbag chair and *me*. She wants to be held, snuggled, and comforted. Little things are upsetting to her today and she's just not herself.
Thank goodness for the weekend.
In other news:
*Anneliese is registered to start Nursery School next September!! She'll go Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons. Two of her friends will attend the same session but they will be in separate classes. They'll have play time together before the classes start, so I am glad she'll have her buddies there.
*Jessica will be 7 on the 27th of February. She had been wanting a Bowling party and has now decided she wants a Princess Party. For girls only. No boys. This stresses me somewhat, as she is hoping to have Arielle come to her party. Spiffy.
*The EIP (Early Intervention Program) process has been started for Jessie at school. She did well for the 1st half of the school year, but now that the pace and workload is stepping up, she's having a hard time keeping up with it. She's very easily frustrated and has a hard time concentrating in school. This is part and parcel for her issues she has with her mood disorder, so I can't say I am surprised. She'll have a team of teachers helping to devise a plan for her, and best of all, it will continue into 2nd grade. I wish this could have been easier for her; it's hard to see her struggle. She's such a bright kid - the knowledge is there, it's just a matter of unlocking it.
*It looks like 2007 is the Year of Travel For The Couple That Hardly Ever Goes ANYWHERE: The grown-ups are going to San Diego in March. It still hasn't sunk in yet - I've never been and cannot wait to go! I'm not really looking forward to flying...but, I am sure I'll get over it, lol. I am looking forward to checking about 3-4 novels out of the good 'ole Southington Public Library and loading music on my iPod for the flight. Chris is officially there to attend a conference for work but it will still be fun. Two weeks after that I am headed to St. Louis for a long weekend with my KIT friends. A weekend without husbands or children?! Heh, heh, heh. AND I just found out the Annual Society of Nuclear Medicine Meeting (the mother of all Nuclear Medicine meetings) is being held in WASHINGTON DC!!!!!!! Can we say FREAKIN' CHRISTMAS???!!!! Since I graduated in 1997, I cannot recall a meeting that was even held on the East Coast so I am beyond thrilled. I am hoping the dates will jive with my niece's Graduation (it's usually in June) and I might even get to see some old friends while earning some continuing education credits.
So, that's all that's new and exciting here in Mom and Muffin land. :)
Friday, January 19, 2007
Monday, December 18, 2006
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year....
Honestly!
The tree is up, the house is sort of decorated. Well, not the "Christmas threw up here" decoarting of years past....I was sick for 2 weeks. But a sort of low key, only selective things were put out sort of decorating. It's festive enough for me, and gosh can you do a lot with candles!
For the first time in about 5 years, I sent out Christmas cards - shocker!! I am hoping I suprised an old friend or two (hellooooooo, Maryland!).
Here is the lovely photo of the girls that graced the card:
I was so happy to get one good photo. I had to take about 12 to get the one good one, and there was quite a ruckus and by the time we were done I had no voice left (it was halfway gone to begin with, but, still....)
Aside from being quite the uncooperative little photography subjects, the girls are doing very well. They both had their physicals this month and did very well. Anneliese suprised us all with a nice jump in her weight - she is now 25lbs. She's on her own growth curve, and they've decided she's pretty much just a little peanut. She's taking after her Mom, Gramma and Great-Grandmother: thin and short.
Jessica is loving first grade and everything that goes with it (except for the boatload of homework every night - ugh). She loves to get hot lunch and snack in the cafeteria and loves the school store. She seems to have a very good grasp at math, and can improve a little in her reading - but - she's READING. It's unbelieveable how much she can read and understand in just a short amount of time!
Both girls are excited about Christmas. What they don't know is that they'll be getting a visit from Santa (Daddy) on Christmas Eve. Last year we did a big party for Santa's visit, and even though we couldn't coordinate that this year, Chris doesn't want to miss out on playing Santa for them. I'll be sure to snap a few photos - and keep those fingers crossed he can pull it off for one more year!
The tree is up, the house is sort of decorated. Well, not the "Christmas threw up here" decoarting of years past....I was sick for 2 weeks. But a sort of low key, only selective things were put out sort of decorating. It's festive enough for me, and gosh can you do a lot with candles!
For the first time in about 5 years, I sent out Christmas cards - shocker!! I am hoping I suprised an old friend or two (hellooooooo, Maryland!).
Here is the lovely photo of the girls that graced the card:
I was so happy to get one good photo. I had to take about 12 to get the one good one, and there was quite a ruckus and by the time we were done I had no voice left (it was halfway gone to begin with, but, still....)
Aside from being quite the uncooperative little photography subjects, the girls are doing very well. They both had their physicals this month and did very well. Anneliese suprised us all with a nice jump in her weight - she is now 25lbs. She's on her own growth curve, and they've decided she's pretty much just a little peanut. She's taking after her Mom, Gramma and Great-Grandmother: thin and short.
Jessica is loving first grade and everything that goes with it (except for the boatload of homework every night - ugh). She loves to get hot lunch and snack in the cafeteria and loves the school store. She seems to have a very good grasp at math, and can improve a little in her reading - but - she's READING. It's unbelieveable how much she can read and understand in just a short amount of time!
Both girls are excited about Christmas. What they don't know is that they'll be getting a visit from Santa (Daddy) on Christmas Eve. Last year we did a big party for Santa's visit, and even though we couldn't coordinate that this year, Chris doesn't want to miss out on playing Santa for them. I'll be sure to snap a few photos - and keep those fingers crossed he can pull it off for one more year!
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
An Update
Ahem.
I am being told by a newly online member of my family (who thinks he's hot stuff in a Dixie cup with his new Dell) that I need to post more pictures. They'll be on by the end of the day, Mr. You-Know-Who.
Also - Happy Birthday to my Grampa (whom Jessica calls, "Grampa the Great!!!). I am not allowed to reveal his actual age, much to his delight. And he is pretty spiffy, as well as great.
Here is a long overdue update:
Jessie is doing well! (insert big silly grin here) We're still seeing lots of ups and downs, but she is also, ahem, very "6." Jessica us what I affectionately call "quirky" but I think it's in large part due to her personality. She is doing quite well in school - lots of days where she is coming home and telling me she was green all day, with no yellows or reds. On the (only) downside, she tends to be very reactionary to things - if something doesn't go her way, she'll spontaneously combust. It's like having a two year old tantrum, but in a 6-year old's body. That's sort of challenging when it happens, but Chris and I are trying to just be firm and matter of fact and usher her into something quiet when that happens. The almost funny thing about the meltdowns is that I can clearly see a glimpse of the future teenager. If this is karma coming back to kick me in the arse, then this is going to be.....interesting, at best. Jessie is doing Brownies this year, and I am co-leading her troop. She is having fun at the meetings and looks pretty cute in her Brownie vest. We're learning all about the history of Girl Scouting and just had a Birthday party for Juliette Low.
Anneliese is going to be 3 in one week! I can't believe it. This little sprout seems to know almost the entire alphabet, loves to sing, and has developed a sudden independent streak. She likes to take her socks off and put them back on again. She's learning how to pull up her pants (hellllooooo potty training) and adores my friend Kelly's son, Nicky. They play together a few times a week while Kelly and I crochet or just hang out. She has a new love for balloons - we can give her one and it can keep her entertained forever. She likes Max & Ruby ad nauseum. (Ruby is a sassy bossypants). Anneliese LOVES seeing Jessie come off the bus in the afternoon...lol.....and 15 minutes later they are screeching at each other. Gotta love sisters.
Halloween here was fun - we had Princess Jasmine and a Lady Bug. My pictures are still on my camera and I'll stick them on the blog today. The girls took turns ringing doorbells and they were very good about saying hello, please, trick or treat, and thank you to people. Which is always better than grabbing the candy and bolting. The weather was ideal, and this was the first year since moving here where we were completely out of candy by 8:20pm. Off went the light, and then the kids were off to bed.
Chris and I are doing pretty well. We just had a nice weekend on the Cape to visit his Dad while Karen had the girls and it was nice, but a long time in the car. We came home and went out to Nicky's 4th Birthday party - at the local gymnastics center - and Anna was asleep before we made it home! The girls were exhausted after such a fun weekend. They had so much fun at the gymnastics center, I am thinking about signing the girls up for a tumbling class.
Our back yard is a huge, glorious mess at the moment (septic system installation) and we're getting ready to buy some furniture for the living room....and plan for Christmas...so the budget is going sky high but at least we can flush the toilets without worrying and sitting on actual furniture. (Although, I have gotten several complements on the Care Bear furniture currently in place...oh, well). Hopefully the dust (and dirt) will settle by next week and then more on holiday planning.
On the holiday front, I started to batches of Amish Friendship Bread starter (one for me, one for Kelly). We're planning on boatloads of bread to bake and give as presents. I love to bake around this time of year and I am allready planning the recipes: eggnog bread, peanut brittle, candied nuts, cookies up the wazoo. I shall give the gift of calories this year. Chris and I also discussed the Griswold vs. Stuffy New England decor on the outside of the house, and I am slowly losing the bid to Griswold. I may sneak in something tacky at the last minute if I lose....otherwise it'll end up being little white twinkly lights, bows ang greenery. I have mini plastic snowmen and I am not afraid to use them.
Work has been good....on the 27th I start 2 days/week. I am learning a lot and it's a mix of being thankful for the education and a little overwhelmed with the responsibility. But, seriously, it's all good. I have never worked somewhere where the doctors actually sit and read with the technologist. I am used to presenting the films/scans and beating a trail out of the reading room. No the case any more: here we sit at the computer with the cardiologist, present the scan, and actually have a dialogue about the results. And I'm loving every minute of it!!!
Pictures coming soon - halloween and piles of dirt in the backyard.
I am being told by a newly online member of my family (who thinks he's hot stuff in a Dixie cup with his new Dell) that I need to post more pictures. They'll be on by the end of the day, Mr. You-Know-Who.
Also - Happy Birthday to my Grampa (whom Jessica calls, "Grampa the Great!!!). I am not allowed to reveal his actual age, much to his delight. And he is pretty spiffy, as well as great.
Here is a long overdue update:
Jessie is doing well! (insert big silly grin here) We're still seeing lots of ups and downs, but she is also, ahem, very "6." Jessica us what I affectionately call "quirky" but I think it's in large part due to her personality. She is doing quite well in school - lots of days where she is coming home and telling me she was green all day, with no yellows or reds. On the (only) downside, she tends to be very reactionary to things - if something doesn't go her way, she'll spontaneously combust. It's like having a two year old tantrum, but in a 6-year old's body. That's sort of challenging when it happens, but Chris and I are trying to just be firm and matter of fact and usher her into something quiet when that happens. The almost funny thing about the meltdowns is that I can clearly see a glimpse of the future teenager. If this is karma coming back to kick me in the arse, then this is going to be.....interesting, at best. Jessie is doing Brownies this year, and I am co-leading her troop. She is having fun at the meetings and looks pretty cute in her Brownie vest. We're learning all about the history of Girl Scouting and just had a Birthday party for Juliette Low.
Anneliese is going to be 3 in one week! I can't believe it. This little sprout seems to know almost the entire alphabet, loves to sing, and has developed a sudden independent streak. She likes to take her socks off and put them back on again. She's learning how to pull up her pants (hellllooooo potty training) and adores my friend Kelly's son, Nicky. They play together a few times a week while Kelly and I crochet or just hang out. She has a new love for balloons - we can give her one and it can keep her entertained forever. She likes Max & Ruby ad nauseum. (Ruby is a sassy bossypants). Anneliese LOVES seeing Jessie come off the bus in the afternoon...lol.....and 15 minutes later they are screeching at each other. Gotta love sisters.
Halloween here was fun - we had Princess Jasmine and a Lady Bug. My pictures are still on my camera and I'll stick them on the blog today. The girls took turns ringing doorbells and they were very good about saying hello, please, trick or treat, and thank you to people. Which is always better than grabbing the candy and bolting. The weather was ideal, and this was the first year since moving here where we were completely out of candy by 8:20pm. Off went the light, and then the kids were off to bed.
Chris and I are doing pretty well. We just had a nice weekend on the Cape to visit his Dad while Karen had the girls and it was nice, but a long time in the car. We came home and went out to Nicky's 4th Birthday party - at the local gymnastics center - and Anna was asleep before we made it home! The girls were exhausted after such a fun weekend. They had so much fun at the gymnastics center, I am thinking about signing the girls up for a tumbling class.
Our back yard is a huge, glorious mess at the moment (septic system installation) and we're getting ready to buy some furniture for the living room....and plan for Christmas...so the budget is going sky high but at least we can flush the toilets without worrying and sitting on actual furniture. (Although, I have gotten several complements on the Care Bear furniture currently in place...oh, well). Hopefully the dust (and dirt) will settle by next week and then more on holiday planning.
On the holiday front, I started to batches of Amish Friendship Bread starter (one for me, one for Kelly). We're planning on boatloads of bread to bake and give as presents. I love to bake around this time of year and I am allready planning the recipes: eggnog bread, peanut brittle, candied nuts, cookies up the wazoo. I shall give the gift of calories this year. Chris and I also discussed the Griswold vs. Stuffy New England decor on the outside of the house, and I am slowly losing the bid to Griswold. I may sneak in something tacky at the last minute if I lose....otherwise it'll end up being little white twinkly lights, bows ang greenery. I have mini plastic snowmen and I am not afraid to use them.
Work has been good....on the 27th I start 2 days/week. I am learning a lot and it's a mix of being thankful for the education and a little overwhelmed with the responsibility. But, seriously, it's all good. I have never worked somewhere where the doctors actually sit and read with the technologist. I am used to presenting the films/scans and beating a trail out of the reading room. No the case any more: here we sit at the computer with the cardiologist, present the scan, and actually have a dialogue about the results. And I'm loving every minute of it!!!
Pictures coming soon - halloween and piles of dirt in the backyard.
