Paging Evie

So it's no secret around here with the lack of posting that I have just not really been in the mood to write lately. It certainly isn't because we don't have anything going on. My head spins weekly trying to juggle swim, wrestling, gymnastics, tutoring, work, PT/OT/doctors and trying to fit in every last item on the summer list before we run out of time.

But by the time I sit down for the night? I have a million things I could be writing about, but pretty much just sit on the couch and stare at the TV. Hell, even I know I don't have time for that. I have about 2 and a half more weeks to clean out this entire house because it's going on the market. But somehow I can't manage to get anything done. Procrastination and my ADD at it's finest. I know it. I also know that I will cram it all into the last week. I will be miserable in the process, but I will get it done at the last second like I always do.

Tonight I actually shut the laptop down around 9pm - which is really early honestly. I checked the kids at 10 like I always do and got in bed to watch some TV. I felt my laptop calling me. To blog. So I started it back up because I have that overwhelming urge to pour out my feelings. And that hasn't really happened this summer before now.

This entire year was difficult for me for so many reasons. My oldest finally in full day school, my babies going to Kindergarten. I may be the only mom out there who is currently dreading the start of school. For close to 8 years now I have had at least one baby (sometimes two, sometimes three) home with me at least half days.

In two weeks? Both of my babies leave me at once and go to first grade.

For so many years when I was overwhelmed it felt like it would never get here. I have said it many times. And now I can't slow it all down fast enough.

I have this need to hit the breaks. To stop time. Yes, the house may finally be quieter ... the neighbors won't be listening to the ruckus that is always our house ... my work might even get done ahead of time. I will be able to take on more clients like I have wanted to.

But my heart is aching in a way I can not even describe.

With the Big Guy, it was tough - but I was more proud and excited for him because he was the oldest and I knew that he needed that independence that school brought from his brothers. I tell myself maybe I wouldn't feel so bad if the twins were not twins ... a year apart I could take. One goes, then the other. But when it's both of the 'babies' at once?

Killing me.

And I think what makes it even worse than that, is where we are. In just two weeks I have to return them to the very school that I again tried to permit out of just before they made the announcement permits would be denied. And for so very many reasons I won't even get into right now, it makes me ill because I want so much more for them. This house can not sell fast enough for me. If I could enroll the boys just about anywhere else in the meantime, I would do it.  It's somewhat of a comfort to know we will not finish out the school year where we are ... but it doesn't really make it easier right now.

How and when did these little chocolate covered faces that needed me for everything

grow up to be this big on me

Someone get me Evie Garland. I need her to stop time. I just can't do all three boys in full day school. And yes, I will be a mess the next two weeks. That I can guarantee.

Hasbro: It's a summer destination too!

We never did make it to the beach last week.

The next morning, the Doodle Bop woke up with blood sugar issues (from dropping weight earlier in the week I am sure) that I had not seen in over two years with him. Then? He started breaking out like crazy. We could only use the Benadryl every six hours, but less than four would go by and he would be all blotchy. I called the pediatrician and spoke with the nurse. They said I could not under any circumstances give him more Benadryl before the six hours was up and assured me he would be fine.

But he was looking like this...

And this. And crying that he was oh so itchy. As time went on, I started to panic.

I took the boys to Al's office because the Doodle Bop was missing Daddy. When I got there, Danielle called me to come over so she could take a look at him. Once she saw him, she agreed he should go to the hospital. These photos don't even really do what he looked like justice. She and her husband kept my other two guys and off to Hasbro the Doodle Bop and I went.

Everyone was so nice. They got us in immediately upon seeing him. I was showing everyone I could some of the photos I had taken of him as the week went along. I do document so many things with the boys, but not usually stages of sickness. Something about this time though, made me feel like I needed to keep photos of what I was seeing. Something felt so... off. Yes we had been to the doctor's office twice and I had called in on the other days ... but something made me store photos here and there on my cell.

The first doctor didn't seem very concerned, she told me the same thing my pedi's office had. It was the second doctor who finally put me at ease. I hear you have some pictures, he said ... and he asked me some questions before he took a look at them. As I answered, he was telling the intern with him it sounded like a classic case. He needed to see the photos to be sure.

I showed him what his throat had looked like, along with the progression of the splotches.

Yes, the other doctor's had all been right - the irritation he was having now was an overactive auto immune response to his body trying to fight off the germs. But what everyone else missed? Was that it started with Coxsackie. In his throat only.

Because of course. Because the Doodle Bop always has his two fingers in his mouth...which is how he got hand foot and mouth when he was two. I am always warning this child he is going to get sick from picking up germs like that.

While it would not have changed anything medically, had we known about the Coxsackie, I never would have exposed him to other kids that morning when we thought he was no longer contagious. I couldn't help feeling mad. How did 3 other doctors miss what another could tell just by looking at some cell phone photos (photos that 2 of those 3 doctors saw in person).

More Benadryl, a Popsicle and a few hours later, we were sent home with a script for something similar to Benadryl but stronger. And a warning that he would still be considered contagious till Monday. It was awful having to give up taking everyone to Boston on Saturday to see some old friends from college. We sent Al to represent the family and spent the day on the couch.

Today is the 9th day since the Doodle Bop got sick. The Big Guy fought off what I think was the start of the same thing, the Bunny Bee never got it. Tomorrow we can go back to our old routine. Tuesday means swim lessons, then wrestling practice. While I cancelled all appointments through today, I decided we were close enough and the boys had been stuck inside enough.

We took off to the beach for a few hours.

The crew.

They were all pretty low key today, but the water was cold and I think they were still moving a little slow from being home for so long. They actually asked to leave the beach. Usually it's me trying to drag three boys out who do.not.want.to.leave.yet.Mommy!

I think we will head back again tomorrow. For however long they want to stay - but not all day - because we have swim and wrestling to get back to. I think it will be good for them. No matter how sick they were over the last week, it never fully stopped them from randomly practicing wrestling and gymnastics moves.

I am so looking forward to being back in the swing of our normal routine, as busy as it is. I feel like I need to soak up every last bit of summer over the next few weeks. 

Sickie McSickensicks ... That's right... Two

So we last left off Sunday night - with a sick Doodle Bop. Who was convinced he was going to be sick everywhere - at all times. Because the last time he was really sick? Was in February. When he ended up in the hospital from that awful stomach bug. He associated it the same way, even though his stomach was fine.

Monday I was beyond grateful to have the twins six year checkup with the pediatrician. The Bunny Bee was healthy, but the Doodle Bop still had a high temp and brand new red spots all over his throat. Rapid strep came back negative but they sent it out to be sure. Oh yeah, and the only doctor the twins have ever had told us she is moving back to the Midwest where she is originally from. I about lost it.

By Tuesday? My poor Doodle Bop couldn't eat - at all - and the Big Guy had spiked a high temperature too. I was emailing Danielle (my good friend who also happens to be the Nurse Manager at a local hospital) asking when I could get a recheck, because I was Sure it should have been positive.

I called the doctor convinced we were looking at strep, but the test came back negative again. That night Al took our one healthy child to wrestling while I stayed home with the Sickie McSickensicks ... who put up one giant fight at bedtime.

Today? The Doodle Bop was eating just fine. Throat felt better. No temperature. I was ready to send him to gymnastics tonight with the Bunny Bee. The Big Guy still had a temp so he would be stuck home with me again. As I was helping the twins change for class I noticed some red around the Doodle Bop's neck. I took off his shirt to find giant red welts all over the place.

Because of course.

I snapped a few what the heck are these photos and sent them to Laura (who used to be a paramedic), then called the doctor to speak with the nurse. It was 15 minutes before they were closing for the day and they told me to bring him in immediately.

Cue me panicking. Day 4 stuck in the house with 2 out of 3 sick kids, two weeks since we have been to the beach (with the kids pointing it out and complaining daily - I have created monsters), and I was already having a hard time. The thought of something worse happening to the Doodle Bop freaked me out.

The poor Bunny Bee had to miss gymnastics as I ran out the door with the Doodle Bop as Al got home. I got there in record time, only to find the door locked by mistake. I don't know who freaked out more when it was locked - the Doodle Bop or me. Thankfully I only had to bang a few times before took us right in. After answering a million questions and checking him out thoroughly, we came to the conclusion that this is just left over from whatever mystery illness he had ... and the hives can go away shortly, or last up to 3 days. It was so bad he was given Benadryl right in the office.

And he lost 2 pounds in 2 days. TWO pounds in two days! This is my tiny kid to begin with. The one who could stand to gain some extra weight already. Even the doctor seemed surprised. I felt so bad, how could I let that happen. I know he was barely eating ... but it was just two days.

After dinner, we took the kids for milkshakes. Operation plump the Doodle Bop up has begun.

And you never know... depending on how the Big Guy looks (temperature wise) in the morning, I may just say the hell with it and trek us all to the beach. Like Laura says, salt water cures everything. And I think we all need a break.

Catching up and moving ahead

So I'm missing the old blogging machine that I was. Before Boston, before life and the end of the school year for the boys ... and so many other small dramas got in the way. Blogging is my outlet and I hate that I have let it go lately. It's been months since I was regularly posting on Buy-Her and lets be real, I only get a post or two a week up here. (And one of them happens to be Wordless Wednesday so that isn't really writing writing.)

Changes I am making. I am telling myself that by the end of the summer, I will find a way to combine Buy-Her with Cira's Lyrics here and maybe add some other things as well. That's right, I want an entire blog overhaul. A little bit of everything - all of the pieces of me - all in one spot.

The last few weeks have flown by. The week before boys last week of school? Al was on vacation and we took the boys out for a day and played hooky. Their first trip to the Boston Museum of Science. So much fun! Even before we went into the museum, the Doodle Bop was dragging us to the giant dinosaur outside for a photo.

The Bunny Bee wanted to look like he was floating in space. Do you see it?

School ended a week ago. My babies graduated Kindergarten and will advance to first grade. My oldest is now going on to second grade in the fall. That alone deserves an entire blog post or two, but right now I just can't even do it. Having a hard time even thinking about all three boys in full day school after the summer.

We took another trip to the Boston area (can you tell how much we love it?!) and visited Uncle Pete. He took head shots for the boys and it went great. Not only are the photos amazing (and I promise you will get to see them soon), but the boys had a blast.

It took us till the end of June, but we finally made it to the beach for the first time with Laura and the kids. We had to squeeze it in before her surgery - and hopefully in a few weeks there will be many more trips to come.

Last week was also Give and Glam. Me and Li Li below. Love her!

My adorable niece G ... who happens to be getting entirely too big. Look at that tiny ponytail! I can't handle the cuteness.

This one below? Came out smaller than I wanted. A few weeks back I bought the boys a $5 sprinkler at the Christmas Tree Shops. On super sale as I like to call it. An octopus that should have shot water everywhere. But it didn't. Which is what you get when you only spend $5 and I should have known that. We set it up for the kids this weekend and when it didn't work correctly they spent an hour or two chasing poor Captain America with it.

This morning he exacted his revenge. Chewed half of the tentacles off of it and ate them. Take that!

And the Big Guy's first Big summer injury. Had to happen sooner or later, right?

 

He was trying to take the dog for a walk - with help on the way - but the moment he opened the front door Cap went flying out and my poor guy got dragged down the driveway before we could even blink. And he never.let.go.of.the.leash.

 

Two scraped up elbows, a bloody finger, two bloody knees (one that required two giant bandaids). From tears to smiles. Just like that. And now we will look for one of those harness leashes that go around the body for Captain America. The boys can help us hold the leash, but at 2 days shy of only 5 months, this puppy has gotten too big for my littles to try and handle themselves.

 

Call me crazy but I think Cap actually felt bad.

 

And that's what you've missed the last few weeks!

 

Making it my mission to get a post up a day again from here on out. The boys have made their summer list, we have praying mantis (or 'pretty mantis' as the boys still say) egg cases hatching in a few weeks, and so many more fun things going on. I will be posting it all!

Summer's end

I can hardly believe that I have tucked the boys into bed, summer is over and school begins in the morning.  A whole new school for the boys.

I wanted to make today special for them, especially since I have spent so much time away this summer.  I dragged myself out of bed for a final summer day spent at the beach - but in the end I could only rally for a half day.  Crazy waves and the sky was a really pretty color that kind of melted in somewhere with the ocean.  I explained to the boys it was the hurricane coming up the coast that made everything look the way it did.

At first I hesitated about letting them get in the water.  I am not a strong swimmer and the waves were scaring me.  We settled on how far they were allowed to go out while I stayed in the water with them and they were off on their boogie boards.  Surfing.  The Bunny Bee kept yelling Mommy!  I am having the best day of my entire life!  And I tried to pretend I didn't notice as the Big Guy inched back further and further to catch a better wave.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the way home we hit up Dunkin Donuts for the Oreo filled special all around.  Once we were home and showered up, the new school jitters set in - beyond anything I have ever seen.  The Doodle Bop was teary and telling me how he did not want to go somewhere new, the Bunny Bee kept asking about his old friends... and the Big Guy actually put himself to bed.  For the entire afternoon.  The kid that will try refusing sleep when he has a high temperature and can barely keep his eyes open, just because.  That kid slept for a few hours in my bed, then put himself down in his until dinner.

At dinner we had a big family talk about how it will be OK being in a new school, that they will make friends.  The whole thing broke my heart for them.  After dinner we took a long drive by the farms and the water and the twins passed right out.  Getting home they all decided on their first day outfits and we put them to bed. 

I can hardly believe that in the morning, I walk my oldest over to first grade...full day school!  And that in the afternoon?  Al will stop home on lunch so he and I can walk our baby boys to Kindergarten. 

On fevers and not being at the beach

OK friends, things are back to being crazy - as usual. 

I have like 10 half finished posts almost but not quite ready to go... and the Big Guy is still sick.  I know, last we chatted it was the Bunny Bee that was sick.  (And before that, the Doodle Bop.)  It's been nearly 3 weeks of one kid sick at a time...and I am so tired. 

Sunday the Bunny Bee was finally better and that night I promised the boys that we would be beaching it in the morning - and the day after that as well if the weather stayed good.  Which you know means that the Big Guy woke us up early to say he had a headache.  He only gets those when he has a fever coming on.  And sure enough, the thermometer read 100.  I wanted to cry.  The temp has come and gone over the last 3 days ... from nothing to 102 to nothing again.  I would be worried if the Bunny Bee didn't just come off it.

The kids are miserable we have had to stay in.  Last night I didn't say a thing to the kids, but planned to get them to the beach for an hour or so this morning.  It wasn't going to be good weather, but at least I could get them there before the storms.  You know that means we woke up to torrential rain and thunderstorms. 

We will just have to see what we can squeeze in...away from other kids that is.  I need to get these boys off the couch that they have sort of made their new home base on.

Save up to $21 in Admission at Story Land

Living in New England, Story Land theme park in the White Mountains of New Hampshire is a pretty big deal with kids.  Geared toward ages 2-12, Story Land has a little something for everyone.  They created a village where storybook animals could live and storybook characters come to life.  And lots of fun rides - like the Polar Coaster.  My oldest loved that one. 

I loved that it was a place that my parents took me when I was younger and it was pretty cool to be able to take my own little guys one summer.  Right now you can save up to $21 in Admission with the promo below, thanks to the USFamilyGuide.com!!

Save Up To $21.00 Off Regular Admission!

$3.00 off each full priced admission for up to 7 guests. Ages 1 & 2 are free.Cannot be combined with any other offer. Some restrictions apply. Valid at Story Land only. Offer expires end of 2012 season. Code:USFG

Expires: 10/08/2012

Wordless Wednesday: 7-Eleven Free Slurpee Day

Today is 7-Eleven Free Slupree Day!  One of the boys favorite summer treats.  11am - 7pm while supplies last so hurry in!