Surrender, or No Good Very Bad Day

You know how it goes sometimes - when it rains it pours. That seems to ring true more so in parenthood than any other time of life. Maybe because as the parent, you are more aware of each person in the house, what they're going through, who is affected by what, and so on. (Warning, this is a looong post - written mostly for venting purposes).

Yesterday morning five minutes before I had to leave for my last Wednesday class of Ladybug's spring session, Audrey puked. A lot. I heard her cry, "Mommy look at me". Everywhere. With wet hair I cleaned her up, cleaned the floor, the crib. Threw a bunch of stuff in a laundry bag, let the babysitter in the front door (apologized a bazillion times over to the babysitter), put my hair in a ponytail, laundry in wash, and ran to class. My poor Wednesday class - last week I was frazzled post-Audrey's surgery. This week frazzled post-Audrey throw up. Rushed home hoping she hadn't gotten sick on poor babysitter, but sadly she had. Wrote babysitter a big ol' check, cleaned up, and called hospital to see if they still wanted us to come in for Audrey's new cast. They said yes - she had to come in and get recast, regardless of throwing up. Poor Audrey. Poor me. Tyler was the lucky one who got to play with friends all day. I packed the craziest bag for the car full of Clorox wipes, baby wipes, towels, sheets, buckets for throw up, plastic bags, extra clothes, and off we went. Dropped Tyler off, drove to downtown, and waited...waited...waited. Appointment was 1pm, finally saw doctor at 3:51pm. During the time in the waiting room I grabbed my phone out of my bag (while cuddling sick Audrey on my lap) and it wouldn't turn on. Tears. Why is it the little things that make you tear up? I remembered cleaning barf that morning and my phone getting wet - thought it was okay - guess not. No nurses would let me make a long distance call to Adam's cell (since he still has a NYC cell number), no one could make change for a $5 for the pay phone. Finally a receptionist downstairs took pity on me and let me call. Lucky me Audrey didn't get sick at the doctor's office. She even ate a few pretzels and kept them down. Saw doctor. Got new cast. That part took about 20 minutes, and done! Now of course we had to face rush hour traffic, so I stopped at Chick fil A for lunch/dinner for this starving pregnant mama. Gave Audrey some Sprite and a few french fries. She fell asleep in the car, then after over an hour of traffic, 15 minutes from picking up Tyler, I hear her throw up (over and over and over) from the back seat. I kept saying, "It's okay, it's okay". Pulled over, cleaned off her mouth and the cast (because clearly that was most important), threw a sheet over her and drove on. Got to Tyler, shed a few more tears on my friend Sarah's front porch (thanks Sarah!), had her send Adam a text for me, and home I went. Laundry, a stinky kid, a gross car, and a pregnant mom trying not to gag and cry. Tyler was a trooper, poor Audrey fell fast asleep after her pseudo-bath (remember, can't get cast wet), I left most of the car mess for Adam and cleaned up the rest - dowsing my home in Lysol spray. Adam came home to let me know our health insurance kicked us out as of July 1st (tomorrow). So there is one more "to do" right smack in the middle of this broken arm, lots-of-doctor-appointments madness. (Not totally a bad scene as we had a lower-income health plan, and we no longer qualify. Yay for making more money. Boo for bad timing). After kids were asleep and mess was cleaned up, I got a good shower, and Adam and I settled in on the couch to Mad Men, Season 2.

At some point during all this I just felt myself surrender. The past month has been crazy, between Baby #3, Audrey's broken arm and surgery. A stomach bug is hard to handle on top of all that. And yet, it's here. Audrey is much better this morning. But you know how it is in an apartment of four when someone gets sick? You wonder Is it gone? Who else will get it? Will I get it? I can't get it! But yesterday as I was cuddling my girl, her throw-up hair in my face, breathing each others air, kissing her sweet cheeks for being so brave, I thought - Oh well, I surrender. Good news is today my phone works, and no one else over here has gotten sick yet. I am gagging a ton, but being 5 months pregnant I'm used to that at this point. Looking onward and upward to the next week or so (or month from now), when we say, "Remember when things were so crazy"? Hoping we get to the dinosaur museum tomorrow, but preparing Tyler just in case someone gets sick, (he's been counting the days). Car getting shampooed and cleaned this weekend for $125 - it is really gross. Taking vitamins, cleaning, airing out the apartment - thinking healthy thoughts, but letting go and accepting the crazy. After the past month, I'd say I'm ready for this third kid. Bring it on. I can handle it, juggle it, back-flip over it, all in the name of parenthood.

Hello Summer

We kicked off the summer this weekend with Cars 2 and lots of popcorn.

I also went on a super fun girls night with two of my loveliest friends. Forgot my camera, but Amber documented it pretty well on her blog. Check it out. Super 8 and Umami Burger in celebration of Emily's birthday. Perfect.

On the line-up this week:
Ladybug Music summer demo classes. Wanna come? Sign up here.
Midnight in Paris for me and Adam (a much, much needed night out).
Karate for Tyler, signing him up for basketball class, and finalizing Y membership.
Audrey's back at the hospital to get her cast on - again.
Natural History Museum and Butterfly Pavilion trip.
Hitting 20 weeks pregnant. Half way there!
Sandal shopping for me and the kids.
Figuring out Fourth of July plans.
We'll fit in groceries, laundry, lots of playing, maybe a library trip, apartment manager duties.
Hoping to find some me-time for a little maternity and summer make-up shopping.

Five Year Old Style

Tyler has started dressing himself in the morning, even before I wake up. I love that it's one less person I have to help get ready, but it sometimes means I have to bite my tongue, letting him express "Tyler" as only he can. Here is today's outfit:My train conductor. He is definitely true to himself. Can't help but smile. Now it's off to Cars 2 - I think he's been up since 7am counting the minutes 'til we head to the theatre.

Summer, Please Don't Kill Me

First official day of summer here at our house (meaning no school for Tyler), and it has been rough. Tantrums and fighting - mostly from the kids, maybe me, too. Now this week has been crazy and we are all thrown off, with hospital visits, extra babysitters, last day of school, exhaustion, all that stuff. So I will forgive the tantrums a little bit. But it's time to give myself a good ol' pep talk and get ready for summer. Some of our usual plans are temporarily on hold because we can't do water or sand play until Audrey's cast comes off. I'm trying to look at these restrictions as a way to keep summer simple. Here's my rough weekday plan:

Monday: Stay local, errands, library, catch up from the weekend. (Possibly do a bigger outing if we feel like it). Tyler basketball class.
Tuesday: I teach Ladybug Music, kids have fun morning with babysitter, or Adam if he's off work.
Wednesday: Ditto to Tuesday. Tyler karate.
Thursday: Big outing day, like museum.
Friday: Stay local again, music class for kids in the morning, library.

Somewhere in that plan is also apartment manager duties, grocery shopping, laundry. Here are some things on our to-do list, not all will get done I am sure:

Natural History Museum - pronto. Tyler is begging to go here.
Take the kids to their first play.
Speaking of firsts, first circus.
Huntington Library. We still have our membership until September, we'll just be skipping the children's garden and water play until August.
Lots of trips to our local library. Tyler says he wants to read "lots of books" this summer.
Music class.
We are joining the YMCA this month. Will sign Tyler up for swim class asap, maybe a few private lessons to start because he's pretty tentative in the water. (Hopefully Audrey in August).
Strolling the Santa Monica Pier when we need our beach fix.
Kidspace Children's Museum.
Farmers Markets.
The Playroom, still have a few free plays from an old Groupon purchase.
The Skirball and Noah's Ark.
Maybe a trip to The Getty, if Audrey seems cooperative enough to look at art.
Go to the movies! Cars 2 this Saturday, Winnie the Pooh next month.
Tyler is still taking karate, and maybe a basketball class. Audrey's dance classes are on hold until doc gives the ok.
Lots of play dates with friends.
Mall play area when it gets hot, or when mom needs to shop.
When we're home, I want to do more art and cooking projects with the kids. Thinking about getting a cheapo ice-cream maker.
Movie nights.
Do research on fun LA things to do in the summer, having nothing to do with sand or water. New museums maybe? Another subway ride? A trip to Krispy Kreme to watch them make doughnuts, stop at the craft store for art ideas.
Summer chores!

Sounds busy, but full in a good way. What are you looking forward to doing with your kids this summer? Please add to my list. And after we catch up on our sleep after this past week of surgery-madness, I think summer will be a lot of fun.

Today

This morning I dropped Tyler at school. Pajama Day! Thanks to our wonderful friend Michelle, Tyler had a great afternoon. She and her boys picked him up from school, went to the park, played trains all day, and fed him dinner. He passed out asleep when I brought him home, after feeding him a second dinner brought over by another wonderful friend, Diana. Have I mentioned how grateful I am for our Los Angeles family?Armed with the biggest princess balloon I could find at Ralph's (seriously it is huge), I raced to the hospital after pre-k drop off. I got to my sweet Audrey right before she went into surgery, waited with Adam during, and helped her through recovery afterward. Here she is coming out of the anesthesia, cuddled in my arms - so sweet. Such a strong girl.

The surgery went well, and in case you ever need an orthopedic hospital (which hopefully you never do), make sure you ask us for a recommendation because our doctors and nurses through this whole process have been amazing. Audrey and Adam finally got home around 9:30 tonight. She is perking up a little. Hoping she sleeps well. So grateful to have her home, and for a husband who spent over 24 hours by her side. Here's to a speedy recovery!

Crazy Day

Crazy for a couple reasons. First, it was crazy hair day at school today. At first Tyler didn't want to participate (surprise, surprise). I convinced him to let me spike his hair and spray it fire engine red, "like a fire truck". He took one look at the spikes this morning and said, "I like it combed over". In the end I think he looked a little more Ronald McDonald than fire truck, but I'll take it, and he was very happy once he got to school and saw all the other kids with their "crazy hair". Audrey had to participate, too. If you can tell, I sprayed her hair purple - her favorite. Tomorrow is pajama day. How fun is the last week of school when you're five?!Crazy number two?? We found out this morning Audrey has to get surgery on her poor little arm, and she needs it asap. The bone broke right above the elbow in two spots and it isn't staying in place on its own. I don't know all the details yet, but it looks like she and Adam will be spending tonight at a hospital in Santa Monica and her surgery will be tomorrow morning. They will put two pins in, splint it for a week, then recast it. UGH!!!!! Crazy! When all this is said and done, can Adam and I have a vacation please? Until then, these flowers I bought at Whole Foods for $2.99 have been making me happy:

Maybe I will just keep buying myself flowers... and getting facials... and pedicures, until this is all over. Here's to a safe surgery for brave little Audrey, and a speedy recovery. (PS - I will be offline for a bit so Adam can take the laptop to the hospital and work on his writing while he waits and waits. Will update as soon as possible).

Happy Father's Day

He is one of the very best out there, and we are so lucky.

Pre-K Grad

This morning was Pre-K graduation day. The am and pm pre-k classes put on quite a show for the parents in the auditorium. I was able to attend with my date, Audrey.They sang songs, danced, recited little poems. There was a slide show of the year. I only cried once or twice (blame hormones). Here's Tyler on guitar:

Tyler receiving his graduation certificate from his principal and teacher.

So proud!

Me and my little man.

The best teacher in the world, Mrs. K. with Tyler and Audrey. I just hope the pre-k program is still going on at this elementary school so we can enroll Audrey in another year.

Mrs. K's teacher's aide was Mrs. M. Here she is with Tyler and Audrey. I kid you not, every single day for at least the last three months or so, Tyler picks a flower in the morning for Mrs. M. He doesn't miss a day. I watch him run up and give it to her and she gives him a huge hug. I've said, "Do you want to pick a flower for Mrs. K, too?". "No, just Mrs. M", says Tyler. I think he might have a crush.

One more week of school, then summer! I can't believe Kindergarten is right around the corner. This class couldn't have prepared him better. I am so confident that he is ready for school, and so grateful for the experience he had this year. The program, teachers, other students and their familes were fantastic. Kindergarten here we come.

Father's Day

Yes, there are other things going on around here besides broken bones. Like Pre-K graduation, last week of Ladybug Music's spring session, and Father's Day. This year I was actually on top of it. Here's some of what we're doing for Adam this Sunday:

Making whatever he wants for breakfast.
Homemade cards by Audrey and Tyler, and a secret package of homemade art Tyler brought home from Pre-K. I think this homemade idea is cute if you have a dad who brings his lunch to work each day.
Photo card from Shutterfly.
A little something to help him relax after a crazy couple weeks around here.
A couple man products. (Not sure if he'll like this one, but he's not too picky and I had an awesome coupon. Going for a pampering theme here).
Homemade pizza night, his choice of toppings.
Something to drink along with dinner for our rootbeer lover - maybe I should go pick up a frosty mug. (I love this idea and am glad I went to BevMo for these vintage sodas. They have a huge selection. Good to know for future party throwing).
Favorite super easy toffee cookies.

Mostly I hope to make Adam feel special and give him a little break. We have been stretched thin this month, with baby stress, broken arm craziess, job juggling, not to mention he lives with a pregnant woman! This man needs some spoiling, and I hope that's what we're able to give him. Tyler, Audrey, and I are so grateful for everything he does around here - and lately it's been a lot. What are you doing to celebrate Father's Day? (PS - Can you tell my husband doesn't read my blog? Hope he doesn't pick this week to start).

First Broken Bone

Another parenting rite of passage I suppose. Broken right arm, just above the elbow. Purple cast as big as her head put on yesterday. This week has been nuts. I guess I thought we'd put the cast on then show up 6 weeks later to take it off. But no, there have been a lot of follow ups. Her arm broke in just a spot where they're concerned the bones could slip out of place, even with the cast on, and not heal properly. So we are heading back to the hospital several times to get x-rays and double check alignment. (PS - This hospital is in downtown LA, so needless to say, the drive - and traffic - is annoying. Bright side is Chick-fil-A is nearby.). Hoping the bones heal correctly, because the alternative is surgery to put in little pins to hold the bones in place. Really want to avoid that.

Audrey is such a strong little girl. The doctors and nurses kept commenting on that, and on how high her pain tolerance must be. They said she is so smart, and so brave. I love this girl. Today we went to music class and she got kinda depressed when she realized she couldn't play the sticks and shakers with two hands. Poor thing. I started to show her how I could help her, but she was so bummed, at some point I just let her be sad and cuddle in my lap. First adjustment of many over these next weeks. Lots of TV watching and popsicles, and I guess I'll be using my Old Navy Groupon to buy Audrey some tank tops to fit over this cast. Sadly we missed her dance recital, and I suppose we are now looking at swim class in August instead of July, and putting off beach trips - we'll just stroll the Santa Monica Pier instead. I am cursing bunk beds right about now.

Thank you to all our friends who have helped with babysitting, stopped by for a visit, or just sent a text or email asking if we need anything. We live far from family, but our Los Angeles family is very strong. So grateful for that. And grateful Audrey is ok. It could've been so much worse. At this point the process is more annoying that anything else. Interrupts the normal flow of life - but that happens with kids, and we keep moving forward.

Trooper

Two hospital visits in 24 hours. One last visit tomorrow to get rid of the splint and replace it with a cast. Tonight Capri and Alli came over to check on Audrey, and she perked right up. This is the first big smile I've seen since last night. Might've had something to do with the ice cream and cookies she had for dinner, too.

ER and Audrey

10pm on the couch tonight and Adam and I hear a blood-curdling scream, a sound unlike any we've heard our kids make. Ugh... I don't want to hear that scream ever again, it was chilling. From what we can tell Audrey was climbing down from Tyler's top bunk (not down the bunk bed stairs, but over the side - she is a little monkey), she must've slipped, lost her footing, and fell to the floor. So scary. Tyler was definitely freaked out as well. She wouldn't really move her right arm, was crying, it was swollen and a little bruised. After talking to a friend who is a nurse Adam took Audrey to the ER. They're there now, and I'm home with a sleeping Tyler - eyes wide open, waiting for texts and updates. Something in me knew this day would come, Audrey and a possible broken bone. I'm blogging because what else does a mom do while she's waiting for news from the ER at almost 11pm? Waste time on line, and watch bad movies or reality television until her little one comes home. Sigh.

Random Friday

I know some day (soon?) we will have a back yard. Until then, this will have to do:This morning was filled with apartment manager duties and laundry while the kids played on the balcony. It's officially summer when the balcony gets cleaned off and the water fun begins. Keeps Tyler and Audrey busy for hours.

Then a play date with two of our best buddies, Ashton and Jonah. A little lunch:

Poor Jonah, this is what my kids did to him while they were all "playing so quietly" in the bedroom. He didn't seem to mind.

I know on the east coast it's about 1,000 degrees, but out here we are in June Gloom. Pretty overcast in the mornings, with some sun poking through. 70s. If you're in the mood to make the easiest, yummiest soup, try this one from my friend, Claire. Tortilla Soup with Black Beans. So good with some added sauteed peppers and onion, lite sour cream, extra lime juice and avocado on top. Oh, and extra tortilla chips. Happy Weekend!

Goings On Lately

We have been pretty busy lately with the end of the school year, doctors appointments and the baby drama of the last few weeks, work, and most importantly - playing. My blog has been lacking a bit, but man - being pregnant with two kids while still working makes for one tired mama. Here's a little update, and hopefully this week I'll get around to taking some pictures.

Adam gets to meet this lady at work on Monday. So, so jealous!

He has met a lot of celebrities at work before (Will Smith, Jack Black, Nate Berkus, Eric McCormack, Jane Lynch, Jim Parsons to name a few), but this one really gets me - I love Michelle Obama. Oh, how I wish we could visit the iCarly set! She's going to be on an upcoming episode, and rumor has it security will be intense - so alas, no set-crashing for me and the kids. Sigh. I told Adam he must get a photo, and mention my name.

Adam has a role on this week's episode, playing some Russian mob guy - so that's pretty exciting, too. He's also Mr. Mom whenever he's home because by the time he finally gets home from work, my body collapses and I am useless for the rest of the night. This guy needs some serious spoiling for Father's Day, (and for once I'm on top of it! On line shopping - done.)

Tyler graduates from Pre-K next week. Bittersweet. So excited for him to start Kindergarten. So sad to leave behind the best teacher in the world, Mrs. K, (hoping Audrey will have her for Pre-K though, so we don't have to say goodbye forever). The school has a graduation ceremony coming up, so you know I'll get some good photos.

Audrey's dance recital is this Sunday. Seriously, I am dying over how cute these two and three year olds are in their matching tutus and leotards. One of the moms in the class is a seamstress and made the girls costumes. They're adorable. They are dancing to "School's Out for Summer" by Alice Cooper. Stop! Can you stand the cuteness? Another good photo op.

I am trying to keep up with my two crazies while pregnant. Whew! Let the record show you forget how hard it is to be pregnant. Can I just be one of those ladies who revels in pregnancy - loving every minute? Share your secret, please! I just bought our little boy a few new things, so that was fun. Can feel him moving around - even more fun. I am hungry all the time - obsessed with sandwiches, Justin's Peanut Butter (have you tried the chocolate almond? Thank goodness for the single-serving packets), anything salty or spicy (most recently I've discovered Trader Joe's Jalepeno Feta Flatbread... mmmmmm). Oh, and TJ's non-fat plain fro yo. So good. Trying to curb the cravings the healthiest I know how. (Don't you love how I can write an entire paragraph about myself - mostly having to do with food. Yes, I'm hungry!). Still exercising 6 days a week which let me tell you, is pure torture while pregnant. But I know it's good for me and little one. Ladybug Music is great. Apartment managing is tolerable. Planning summer fun for kids (another blog post in and of itself), counting days until we see family in August. Need to go shopping for maternity clothes (good times). Adam and I are curbing summer TV lameness by watching the first seasons of Mad Men and Friday Night Lights. I could also read, but let's face it - I really haven't read a book (meaning not a children's book) since Audrey was a newborn and she laid on my chest while I read the Twilight Series. So sad.

Oh, and the other night I treated myself to a facial by my wonderful friend Bekah. (She used to be a full-time esthetician, now does it out of her home). Oh my amazing!!! She used these fantastic products that I think I'm going to have Adam get me for my birthday because they are a bit of a splurge, but my face has never been happier. My skin is still thanking me. Facials with Bekah might be my monthly treat while pregnant. So worth every penny!

There's our life in a nutshell right now. Sorry so long. Photos to come. Ready to kick-off summer!

Exhale

Got the call from our specialist today. Baby boy is just fine. The test results came back 100% negative for Down Syndrome. Wanted to let everyone know who has been following along, sending us well-wishes and prayers, that he is a-okay. I think he's wondering what we're all fussing about, and pretty much wants to be left alone to do his business - like you know, grow and stuff. A little over 4 months pregnant today, and able to breathe again and move forward. If nothing else, these crazy few weeks renewed my faith a little, made me realize I am strong enough to face anything in the name of motherhood (even if I shed a few tears along the way), strengthened my relationship with Adam, reminded me how wonderful my friends are - near and far. Reaffirmed how much I love my family, and how much I welcome this little one into it. Made me realize how brave it is to just let yourself feel everything. No matter what. To let yourself love, even if it means spending about 24 hours crying after an emotional ER visit. But rest assured, we are healthy over here. I feel like I know this little one already - just a tiny bit, but still... these past couple weeks have bonded me to my guy in a way I didn't necessarily feel this early with Tyler and Audrey. I think it was just the unknown that bonded us - wondering if he was okay, worrying, hoping, imagining life with him, all the ultrasounds, watching him kick and move around. I'm feeling strong and optimistic, ready to head into the next 5 months of this pregnancy, and meet our newest Tait. Here's to a much less dramatic five months moving forward!