On Sunday, two children were running a fever. We begin about 10 days of someone getting sick with a sore throat, fever and congestion. It's just what a jet-lagged mom needs! We had planned to visit Gramma, so I stayed home with Jackson and Alicia while the rest of the family went to visit. Ethan meets Gramma! She is so excited to meet him. It was a pretty short visit, but Rob said that Ethan did well. Gramma sent home some toys and Uncle Matt and Aunt Susan had left some gifts, too. They visited from Colorado while we were in China. Ethan likes toys and doesn't seem overwhelmed by the noisy ones, so he really enjoys them. I am amazed that he has a long attention span, longer than his siblings at 2. He can play with nesting blocks for a really long time without being bored. Maybe it's less tv, or less exposure to toys, but I try to leave him alone and let him play!
I had originally scheduled two doctors appointments about 2 weeks apart. However, the one specialist appointment was moved, so we had two appointments in one week. I don't recommend this because it was overwhelming for Ethan and for me. The first appointment was with the pediatrician. This was a long appointment and in the end, Ethan needed two needle sticks for blood and 4 immunizations. Ouch! I remembered being teary with my oldest at his shots, but after that, just a calm mom who soothes crying babies with the next three. By the time we got to Ethan's shots, 2.5 hours after arriving at the office, I did cry. I think I was still emotionally exhausted which didn't help. Overall, all of his tests are fine and it was a good check up. Our next appointment is in 6 weeks!
The second appointment, two days later, was with the orthopedic surgeon. He looked at Ethan's hands, took x-rays, and recommended a series of surgeries to separate his fingers. This one only took 1.5 hours start to finish. These new places and strange doctors took its toll on Ethan and he slept a lot this week--long naps, sleeping in late mornings.
On Saturday, Alicia was swimming in a meet out of town, so we--Alicia and a friend and I, spent the Saturday away. My middle child--the most middle-child personality of all of my kids, needed a day alone with mom. We got up at 4AM, drove to the meet and she was in the water at 7AM. Rob and the rest of the family had a nice day at home to relax and think about our next vehicle purchase. Yes, we finally need something bigger. We can't put it off any longer. I really overestimated my energy level and was really tired and crying on Saturday night. I want to able to do more, but I'm really not ready. I'm trying to be more careful for Ethan, but he's not the only one making an adjustment.
Overall, I ended the week wondering what I was thinking. I definitely did too much too soon. I haven't even written about our attempts to get schooling complete. All of the children are doing math and personal reading, but I'll take on more next week.
I had originally scheduled two doctors appointments about 2 weeks apart. However, the one specialist appointment was moved, so we had two appointments in one week. I don't recommend this because it was overwhelming for Ethan and for me. The first appointment was with the pediatrician. This was a long appointment and in the end, Ethan needed two needle sticks for blood and 4 immunizations. Ouch! I remembered being teary with my oldest at his shots, but after that, just a calm mom who soothes crying babies with the next three. By the time we got to Ethan's shots, 2.5 hours after arriving at the office, I did cry. I think I was still emotionally exhausted which didn't help. Overall, all of his tests are fine and it was a good check up. Our next appointment is in 6 weeks!
The second appointment, two days later, was with the orthopedic surgeon. He looked at Ethan's hands, took x-rays, and recommended a series of surgeries to separate his fingers. This one only took 1.5 hours start to finish. These new places and strange doctors took its toll on Ethan and he slept a lot this week--long naps, sleeping in late mornings.
On Saturday, Alicia was swimming in a meet out of town, so we--Alicia and a friend and I, spent the Saturday away. My middle child--the most middle-child personality of all of my kids, needed a day alone with mom. We got up at 4AM, drove to the meet and she was in the water at 7AM. Rob and the rest of the family had a nice day at home to relax and think about our next vehicle purchase. Yes, we finally need something bigger. We can't put it off any longer. I really overestimated my energy level and was really tired and crying on Saturday night. I want to able to do more, but I'm really not ready. I'm trying to be more careful for Ethan, but he's not the only one making an adjustment.
Overall, I ended the week wondering what I was thinking. I definitely did too much too soon. I haven't even written about our attempts to get schooling complete. All of the children are doing math and personal reading, but I'll take on more next week.
Hi! I have enjoyed reading your posts, and I appreciate your sharing about what you felt like you should/shouldn't do. We will be traveling soon for our sons, and I keep trying to tell myself not to schedule much. It is hard to keep the calendar clear, though. Especially with other children to consider. I am taking your BTDT wisdom to heart! :0)
ReplyDeleteHey Jan - yeah - hold onto this thought - you can do and do and do - and end up exhausted and no good to yourself and anyone else - or you can say no - and be worth something to everybody - yourself included.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to decide what to weed out - may I suggest a list (yeah - I hate them too - but) and on that list goes everything in three catagories Must - Should - and Want. Must's include eat, shower and sleep. Shoulds include dishes / laundry / clean. Wants include whatever - in my case read is high up there along with alone time and alone time with my Bride.
But here's the thing - 1) be brutal about keeping shoulds as shoulds (they tend to drift over to musts) - but most important, after the musts - absolutely you have to do a want - then a should. You'll feel better about your life and your self - and when Mom is happy so is the world! And ya know - the dishes will get done....
hugs - jet lag eases after a couple weeks and the fog clears - and the adjustment happens - then it's better!
aus and co.