We're back from spending over a week at the beach. (Incidentally, it was the same beach where we got married over five years ago. Awwwwww!) Perrin LOVED it! He played in the sand, buried my feet, got knocked over by the waves a few times, chased a few seagulls, and tried desperately to catch a giant crab.
Perrin rode home with my parents, so Trey and I had a few days of baby-free beach fun at the end of our vacation. The highlight was going jet skiing and coming across a group of about 15 dolphins. We also walked on the beach at night listening to live music, ate at lots of great restaurants, tried a ropes course that was waaaay more terrifying than I expected it to be, saw a magic show, and got great tans! We may be 20 pounds heavier now that we're back home, but at least we have a nice glow!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Busy busy busy day
It's 8:00 PM and I am sitting down to relax for the FIRST time today. Seriously. We all woke up this morning at 6:00, as usual. I fed, bathed, and dressed both me and Perrin and packed a lunch for Trey for work. Once Trey was gone, Perrin and I went grocery shopping. We came home and unloaded the groceries, watered the flowers, then headed off to the library to watch the Irish dancers. We came home, and I whipped up a quick lunch for Perrin then put him down for a nap. Then I clocked in on my work computer and worked for an hour and a half. I also roasted a butternut squash and made applesauce muffins for tomorrow's breakfast (Perrin woke up about halfway through the cooking). Meanwhile, I kept getting text messages from Trey saying he was in the ER with a kidney stone and might need me to come get him. Around 2:30, Perrin and I drove to Jacksonville so I could drop him off for a play date. Then I got a call from Trey saying he'd been discharged, and he did indeed need me to pick him up. So I drove all the way to Little Rock, picked up hubby, stopped on the way home to let him lean out of the car and puke, and finally made it home and put him to bed. Then I mixed some bleach and water and got on my hands and knees and scrubbed the tile floor in our kitchen and dining room--just because it desperately needed to be done. I realized I needed to go pick Perrin up, so I washed up, threw on some clothes, and drove like crazy back to Jacksonville. Once I got Perrin, I raced home and cooked a quick dinner for the two of us. Trey was writhing in pain by then, so Perrin and I took his prescriptions up to Walmart to get them filled. The pharmacist said it would be 30 minutes, but it was actually an hour. Perrin and I ran (literally-RAN) back and forth across Walmart for the entire stinking hour. I got us back home as quickly as possible, drugged up hubby, then got Perrin all ready for bed. Now he's in his crib talking to the wall and I am lying on the couch with hardly enough energy to write this blog. No clue about Trey... he doesn't seem to be writhing in pain anymore. Guess I ought to go check on him.
I've been wondering lately how hectic life would be with two children. I think I have an idea now.
I've been wondering lately how hectic life would be with two children. I think I have an idea now.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Book Babies
This summer I've been taking Perrin to a program called "Book Babies" at our local library. It's a story time designed for babies with lots of singing, hand motions, rattles, and fun. Unlike other story times we've been to, Perrin is one of the oldest ones in this particular group. If you put him in a room full of 2 or 3 year olds, he blends in pretty well. But put him in a room full of 6-12 month olds, and he seems downright aggressive. We've been to three Book Babies so far, and Perrin has already accomplished all of the following:
Threw a shoe at a girl
Gosh, when you look at it in a list like that, he sounds like a bit of a hellion, huh? The good thing is that none of the other parents seem the least bit phased by his antics. And he has his moments of sweetness too--he passes out the bells to everyone, he giggles when we sing the elevator song, and he tries to share his milk with anyone who comes within ten feet of us (it's only fair since he helps himself to anything that lands in his vicinity). I've also found that I'm much more tolerant of other people's kids these days. Hmm... funny how that happens when you become a parent.
Threw a shoe at a girl
Spilled about 50 cheerios all over the floor
Threw a cup at a girl
Stole another baby's toy
Ripped a page out of a book
Threw a cup at a girl
Stole another baby's toy
Ripped a page out of a book
Ran away from me about 5,397 times within a half hour span (one of those times he made it into the adjoining bathroom and put his hand in the toilet water before I caught up to him)
Stole another baby's snacks and started eating them
Gosh, when you look at it in a list like that, he sounds like a bit of a hellion, huh? The good thing is that none of the other parents seem the least bit phased by his antics. And he has his moments of sweetness too--he passes out the bells to everyone, he giggles when we sing the elevator song, and he tries to share his milk with anyone who comes within ten feet of us (it's only fair since he helps himself to anything that lands in his vicinity). I've also found that I'm much more tolerant of other people's kids these days. Hmm... funny how that happens when you become a parent.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Summer fun for cheapskates
These summer days can get rather long and boring, so I've been trying to come up with fun things to do with Perrin. We're taking full advantage of our library's programs--story time on Thursday mornings plus special events throughout the week. But I still have lots of free time to fill.
Today I decided I wanted to take Perrin on a mommy/son date. But where to go? There are actually LOTS of things to do--if you have money to spend. The tricky thing is finding stuff to do for free. So I loaded him in the car and drove into North Little Rock, not exactly sure what we would end up doing. Then I spotted Petsmart. Perfect! I gave Perrin the unofficial tour and let him press his face against the rodents' glass homes (he liked the guinea pigs the best). He was also rather fascinated with the lizards and birds. Then we visited the aquarium. He even said "fish!" (Well, sort of. He actually said, "ish" but I knew what he meant.) By the look on his face, you would have thought we were at the zoo. He had a blast.
Next stop: the indoor amusement park! Also known as Toys-R-Us. Against my better mommy judgment, I let him loose in the store instead of putting him in a shopping cart. There were a few times I had to straighten up an aisle after he'd gone down it, but for the most part he was pretty good. He tickled Elmo and danced with Micky. He threw a ball at me. He test drove a car and rode a rocking bull. I could almost hear him thinking, "WHY exactly have you never taken me here before?"
We were pretty hot and thirsty, and it just happened to be happy hour at Sonic. I ordered a large cherry limeade and brought Perrin into the front seat with me while we were parked to help me drink it. He was far more interested in pushing the buttons on my radio, so we ended up listening to lots of static and a few pieces of country songs. But whatever, it was his date so I left it up to him.
After a quick stop by a park to go down the slide once or twice, we headed back home. And of course, he threw a screaming temper tantrum along the way. It's a good thing because our date surely wouldn't have been complete without that.
Today I decided I wanted to take Perrin on a mommy/son date. But where to go? There are actually LOTS of things to do--if you have money to spend. The tricky thing is finding stuff to do for free. So I loaded him in the car and drove into North Little Rock, not exactly sure what we would end up doing. Then I spotted Petsmart. Perfect! I gave Perrin the unofficial tour and let him press his face against the rodents' glass homes (he liked the guinea pigs the best). He was also rather fascinated with the lizards and birds. Then we visited the aquarium. He even said "fish!" (Well, sort of. He actually said, "ish" but I knew what he meant.) By the look on his face, you would have thought we were at the zoo. He had a blast.
Next stop: the indoor amusement park! Also known as Toys-R-Us. Against my better mommy judgment, I let him loose in the store instead of putting him in a shopping cart. There were a few times I had to straighten up an aisle after he'd gone down it, but for the most part he was pretty good. He tickled Elmo and danced with Micky. He threw a ball at me. He test drove a car and rode a rocking bull. I could almost hear him thinking, "WHY exactly have you never taken me here before?"
We were pretty hot and thirsty, and it just happened to be happy hour at Sonic. I ordered a large cherry limeade and brought Perrin into the front seat with me while we were parked to help me drink it. He was far more interested in pushing the buttons on my radio, so we ended up listening to lots of static and a few pieces of country songs. But whatever, it was his date so I left it up to him.
After a quick stop by a park to go down the slide once or twice, we headed back home. And of course, he threw a screaming temper tantrum along the way. It's a good thing because our date surely wouldn't have been complete without that.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Just another day on life's roller coaster
This past week has been a whirlwind of emotions. I found out on Wednesday that I was pregnant. Four pregnancy tests just don’t lie, even though we weren’t trying to get pregnant and had taken what I thought were basically fail-proof measures to keep from getting pregnant right now. In those first few hours, my attitude went from shock to acceptance to a modicum of excitement. When Trey came home from work, we talked about how crazy it would be to become a family of four. We calculated my due date—February 7th, which would make our two children almost exactly two years apart. Another February baby! I barely slept thinking of all the changes that were coming up.
The next morning, I realized pretty early that I was most likely having a miscarriage. The bleeding continued throughout the day Thursday… then Friday… then Saturday… then Sunday. I told Trey that I was sure I had lost the baby. I kept taking pregnancy tests, expecting them to go from positive to negative. But I had another positive test. Then another. Then another. Dare I hope that I hadn’t actually lost the baby? I did some research online (always the perfect way to make yourself go absolutely bonkers), and read stories from women who’d gone through this exact thing and managed to have a perfectly healthy pregnancy. Was it possible? Had I grieved too soon?
I made a doctor’s appointment for this afternoon. The doctor confirmed what I already knew somewhere deep down—I had in fact miscarried.
I almost wished that I haven’t even taken a pregnancy test. I would have just assumed my period came a few days late. No big deal. No roller coaster of emotions. But then I had to ask myself, do I really wish I’d never known? And I think I have to be honest and say I’m glad I found out, glad I have the chance to honor and grieve the little life that grew inside me for such a short amount of time. I feel some sadness now thinking about what could have been—two kids exactly two years apart, something I didn’t think I wanted until I couldn’t have it anymore. But going through this has also made me hug Perrin a little tighter and feel thankful all over again for his good health and the blessing he’s been to us. He’ll make a good big brother one of these days.
The next morning, I realized pretty early that I was most likely having a miscarriage. The bleeding continued throughout the day Thursday… then Friday… then Saturday… then Sunday. I told Trey that I was sure I had lost the baby. I kept taking pregnancy tests, expecting them to go from positive to negative. But I had another positive test. Then another. Then another. Dare I hope that I hadn’t actually lost the baby? I did some research online (always the perfect way to make yourself go absolutely bonkers), and read stories from women who’d gone through this exact thing and managed to have a perfectly healthy pregnancy. Was it possible? Had I grieved too soon?
I made a doctor’s appointment for this afternoon. The doctor confirmed what I already knew somewhere deep down—I had in fact miscarried.
I almost wished that I haven’t even taken a pregnancy test. I would have just assumed my period came a few days late. No big deal. No roller coaster of emotions. But then I had to ask myself, do I really wish I’d never known? And I think I have to be honest and say I’m glad I found out, glad I have the chance to honor and grieve the little life that grew inside me for such a short amount of time. I feel some sadness now thinking about what could have been—two kids exactly two years apart, something I didn’t think I wanted until I couldn’t have it anymore. But going through this has also made me hug Perrin a little tighter and feel thankful all over again for his good health and the blessing he’s been to us. He’ll make a good big brother one of these days.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
The phone says it best
This morning was rough… I was getting a bath ready for Perrin and he snuck in behind me and threw his toy phone in there. The water made the phone somehow get stuck on the word “hello” and it kept saying it over and over again really fast, but it never quite got the whole word out so it sounded more like “Hellhellhellhellhellhell…” While I was drying off the phone and trying to get all the water out, Perrin began digging through the bathroom trash and throwing bits into the tub. I rescued as much of the floating mess as I could and suddenly realized that he stunk. So I went to change his diaper, and it was AWFUL. He squirmed away from me and got poop all over the blanket he’d been on. I cleaned him up and set him on the floor naked since I was getting ready to put him in the tub. While I was cleaning up the poop mess, he peed on the carpet. Meanwhile, the stupid phone was still in the background saying, “Hellhellhellhellhellhell.” I had to agree.
Anyone wanna babysit? Anyone?
Anyone wanna babysit? Anyone?
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
To whom it may concern
Dear neighbors: I'm sorry my son keeps finding the panic button on my keys and setting off my car alarm. I know you especially don't like it when he does that at 5:30 in the morning.
Dear husband: I'm sorry Perrin keeps smashing the remote on the floor or hiding it in weird places. Even now, I have no clue where it is or if it's still in one piece. I suggest looking in the pantry and the dog dish first. I pray it's not in the toilet (which is where I recently found his nasal suction).
Dear anyone who has had to change his diaper: I know it's nearly impossible to change an octopus. I don't know why he can't hold still for three seconds. My apologies to anyone who has had to chase his bare poopy butt across the floor in order to finish the job.
Dear Molly: I've tried to tell Perrin that the doggie doesn't like it when he pets your eyeballs, but he doesn't listen to me. Thank you for putting up with him. I know he makes up for it with all the people food he throws you from his high chair (even though I try to tell him to stop that too... but he doesn't listen to me).
Dear Perrin: I love you anyway, you rascal.
Dear husband: I'm sorry Perrin keeps smashing the remote on the floor or hiding it in weird places. Even now, I have no clue where it is or if it's still in one piece. I suggest looking in the pantry and the dog dish first. I pray it's not in the toilet (which is where I recently found his nasal suction).
Dear anyone who has had to change his diaper: I know it's nearly impossible to change an octopus. I don't know why he can't hold still for three seconds. My apologies to anyone who has had to chase his bare poopy butt across the floor in order to finish the job.
Dear Molly: I've tried to tell Perrin that the doggie doesn't like it when he pets your eyeballs, but he doesn't listen to me. Thank you for putting up with him. I know he makes up for it with all the people food he throws you from his high chair (even though I try to tell him to stop that too... but he doesn't listen to me).
Dear Perrin: I love you anyway, you rascal.
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