Saturday, April 28, 2012

I don't like it!

(Disclaimer:  this took place and was written in March, so far - Em is doing MUCH better)

For a few days now, my nearly 5yr old child has been complaining of tummy pain.  Not a stomach ache, not throwing up, or .. the other .. just pain.

"My tummy hurts momma" ... after eating, before eating, hours later, hours before, minutes later, minutes before .. it never seemed to matter what time of day it was, or what she'd eaten, or hadn't eaten .. there was always pain.   So we monitored her for 3 days, and when she spiked a random fever of 102.1 (and climbing) seemingly out of nowhere, we brought her to the doctor.

After a battery of tests, that all came back normal, we still have no idea what was causing her pain (it seems to have subsided now) and her fever broke on it's own, with no medicine around 830 that night, and hasn't shown up again.  Here's a little story on how the collection of material, for said battery of tests, went.

We arrive at the doctors office, a few minutes early, because we have to drop off her kindergarten paperwork (GAH!) and I'm unsure of the process, plus they have a new computer system, and all her stuff needed to be updated (even though, it has been exactly the same, for the past 5 years - literally) ... so there we are, me filling out the forms, for the millionth time .. and her .. playing on the slide to the play house that has sat in the waiting room for a century (okay, whatever, for ever then) - this story would be incomplete, however, if I left out the best part .. not only did Emily need to be seen, but so did Agnes (yes, Agnes) her stuffed dog that she made at Build-A-Bear Workshop in Portland ME last January.  This dog is now *real* (Velveteen Rabbit Real ... mmKay?) .. she gets dressed when Em does, brushes her teeth when Em does, she even eats at the table with us for every meal.  No Kidding.

Photobucket
Photobucket


Upon hearing her name called, Madame stood up, glanced at me - and then strutted down the hallway - I of COURSE had to carry her coat, and Agnes.   


"Hey, Uh Em.  What're ya doing?"
"Picking a room Mom.  Duh."

Usually, the nurse lets you through the door, and then, directs you where they would like you to go - Emily has decided, naturally, this is inappropriate, and she should be able to choose her own room .. this time, it was the "horse room".  After the initial weigh (35.4 Lbs!!!), we don't need to measure you - take her temp in the room and wait ... Dr. H came in and did his exam.   On Agnes too.

After which, he told me she'd need to pee in a cup.  
*groan* 
She had JUST gone when we first arrived, and normally, they let you know if they're going to need a sample, to make it as easy on the parent (to hell with the kid) as possible.

Imagine you're me - holding the little cup under your nearly five year old praying it's in the right spot - all the while she's screeching at you:
"I DON'T LIKE IT!!!!!! I DON'T LIKE IT!!!!!! I DON'T LIKE IT!!!!!!"

Me either Kiddo - Me Either.

Three Full Plastic Cups of Water and SEVEN Unsuccessful Trips to the Potty Later (in real terms, 1 hour and 22 minutes) we collected a lab slip, the negative rapid Strep Test (being sent off for further more in depth testing) ... and headed out to the lab.  Clear on the Other Side of Town.  No Joke.

Arrive, drop off what we needed to - and talk to the technician on duty, she explains about a "hat" for the toilet, it makes catching samples easier, cleaner, and quicker.  Sign Me Up.  She hands me the "hat" and away we go.

1/2 way home -- from the back seat:

E:  Mom, I need to go potty - right now, really bad.

We get home, and she finally - FINALLY - pees.  Legitimately fills the "hat" up ... and then, the specimen cup.  Awesome, you need to know this right?

We dropped it back off at the Doctors Office, and awaited results (all came back clear .. nothing showing infection, or any cause for concern - completely normal)

On the way home this is the conversation:

M:  Em, why did you suddenly have to go potty?
E:   I got to pee in a hat!
M:  Seriously?
E:   Yep.  I just wanted to pee in the hat.
M:  Seriously Eye Roll ... Sigh .... I See

Em is fine, the tummy pains went away, and the doctor seems to think she was having cramps and such because she was hungry, or ate something she didn't like ... great.  Awesome.  In other Words: We have no idea what's up - keep an eye on her, and let us know if it gets worse.

I don't like it.  Not one bit.


Wednesday, April 25, 2012

it's that time of year again!!

With all my .. issues .. this past year, I have seriously neglected my responsibility with regards to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life coming up in June.

This is the fourth year I'll be participating with my team.

This is also the only time I will post this on my blog (this year)

I am behind in my fundraising, and it is my own fault ... if there is any thing any of my 'readership' out there - can do to help me out, I would be most appreciative.

Even if you want to join my team, and walk with me - that'd rock too!!

Thank you in advance!
Amy
Captain - Team Tigerlilies


http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=11468953&pg=personal&fr_id=39909
(click here to donate, join or buy a luminaria)

Photobucket
The Angels that Clear the Track before the first lap of the Relay
not a sound, barely any light, so moving


Photobucket
The Luminaria that people purchase, decorate, and then we Illuminate
In Memory of those we've lost
or
In Honor of those who are still fighting




Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Starting Over

Imagine you're comfortable with your life.   Your house is the one you've always dreamed of, you finally have a "toy" of your own, that's reliable.  There is no car payment, and 2 - functioning - vehicles parked in your driveway.  You, your spouse and your off spring are relatively healthy, and happy.  Well adjusted.  Comfortable.

Now.  Imagine losing your job.  The one you've held, and grown in, for the past nearly 12 years.  Gone.  In what seems like an instant, but in reality it has been happening, in slow motion - for approximately one year.  The writing was on the wall, the signs were all there, it was predetermined to happen.

The beginning of March, I was laid off ... permanently.  I was told my parents company of nearly 17 years, was closing.  There was nothing further we could do to save it - we'd tried, and tried, and tried.  And now, we have to stop the bleeding, and begin rebuilding.

It sucks.  It's heartbreaking.  It's demeaning and demoralizing to have to walk into the local Unemployment office, and answer question after question after question - fill out form after form after form - all under the intense scrutiny of the government, because people who have filed before you - have ruined it for the rest.  Everyone is investigated (per say) - everyone is put through the paces.  Everyone has to go through the same demeaning and demoralizing process, just to get a small portion of the pay one was accustomed to receiving.

Now.  Imagine you're my parents.  Watching the business they built from the back bedroom of their old house fail, flounder and finally close.   After 17 years of hard work.  Nearly 35 Employees at the Highest ... Now, down to two ... the first two.  And soon, none.  Just a name will remain.

To say the past month and a half has been tough, would be an understatement.  To say the past year has been hard, would be a lie.   It has been downright impossible to sit here, day after day, and watch & listen to the comings and goings, and not cry.

Now.  Imagine having to start over.

it's not easy.  it's where we are at.


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Oh Dear ...

In a rather short time frame, I will be the mother of a kindergartner.

OMG I can't say that out loud, so I whispered it when I typed it - and quickly moved passed the word.  *shudder*

In a week, Emily will turn 5.  In September, she will start "real school".  The thought of this transition, terrifies, and excites me.  At the same time.  And often?  Hits me like a ton of bricks, when I'm least expecting it.

I know she's smart, and bright, and social, and I know she's going to do great.  BUT I also know that she is me, in miniature, and Change?  Is not something we like.  At All.  It will be a great adjustment for her, and an even bigger adjustment for me.   She will no longer be 3 minutes away from my office.  She will be 20 minutes away.  She will no longer be corralled in a cute little at home daycare center, with less than 25 kids.  She will be in an elementary school with Over 450 kids, 100 in her "grade" alone.

The adjustment?  Will be hard.

We're starting to tell her about it now, in preparation .. she will be going to the school at some point soon, to be "tested", in order to be properly placed in class.  I'm terrified for her.  I'm afraid she'll be so scared, she'll forget what she's learned .. she'll make simple mistakes, and she'll be "labeled" ... I don't understand this - testing.  But, on the other hand, I do understand it.  And I don't like it, but then, I don't have to.  But I have to submit to it.  So I will.  And I will cringe, and possibly sweat, break out in hives and be completely paranoid until it's over - and she is "placed".

However, I have to tell you - I sort of feel like I'm being judged here.  As a parent.  Will I be judged for having her skip preschool?  If it were necessary, wouldn't it be mandatory?  She's already learned everything they're teaching there, and retained nearly all of it (I know, 100% Retention would be impossible) ... But in reality, it's not.  So I saw no reason to rip her from where she was comfortable, pay nearly twice what I'm paying for daycare (with school type activities included)

I just refuse to admit my child is growing up, apparently, and rejecting every milestone that comes along - including this one.

Photobucket

To begin dealing with this - I called the school district where she will be attending yesterday .. I figured, I may as well get as much out of the way as physically possible.    So I called.   I was originally directed to the town hall, from there SAU, then from there  they directed my directly to the school.

We now have a registration date, the registration package, and a very excited nearly-5 yr old.

Momma? Not so much.   Momma is beside herself.  Momma doesn't like change.  At All.  Not even pretending, not even a little.  Not even at all.  I Don't Do Change.

Photobucket