did I mention that I don’t feel like blogging lately?
Blablabla. I started this blog when I was embarking on my stint as an ER social worker and adjusting to two kids vs.one: Old news!
In the meantime, I went though one of my more mopey phases ever—ADVISORY: blogging and moping should not mix.
Just in the last few weeks, my marriage, my identity and my perspective on both seem new again. I feel hopeful. But, I don’t feel like blogging.
Come visit me on Facebook!
new blog coming as soon as I’ve got something new to say!!
A “let’s get out of the house!” adventure
We’d been home all day & everybody was getting crabby. “Let’s take the Metrolink to the Arch!” Steven offered. So, off we went! Everybody but Maya got over their crabbiness. This might have had something to do with the putrid smell coming from her pants. Avery was wide eyed. Even I was excited, though this wore off a bit after holding squirming Maya for the duration. But I cheered after our unplanned side trip to Macy’s (Avery had a potty emergency–oh, the tyranny of poop and pee!)—the deserted downtown branch actually had cool Christmas clearance ornaments left. So, we even got souvenirs! Steven said it best when we rode home in the dark, cold.. “It had its’ highlights”. Overall, a grand adventure!
a little more
I was walking towards the nursing station to turn off the phones (we do this before group), and a patient, walking the other direction randomly hit me as she walked by. It hurt, but only for a few minutes.
I managed to escape to the nursing station untill I witnessed her get medicated. Definitely one of my more bizarre experiences.
Maybe it was just some sort of playground hazing type situation. I’ll be a little more prepared next time to (I guess) stand my ground, and what? say”That is INNAPROPRIATE!” ? I guess I’ll ask my supervisor for some tips. And maybe a helmet?
Hit in the Head
Where: Psych floor
When: Right before I led my first group (on stress management)
By Whom: A Patient
With What: Her fist, I think
The worst part: Getting speed-walked chased by her as she attempted to intimidate me afterwards (with some success)
Holiday Break
Can there be any better Christmas than Christmas with three year olds? It was a fun, relaxed Christmas for us, despite some vexing questions such as “Does the Christmas Spirit look like Santa?”, “Does he have a sleigh too?” Fortunately, Grandma fielded these quite well, with talk of invisibility, mystery and Generosity.
Going into 2009, we have a new kitchen floor, thanks to Steven’s dad, and are researching our way to a new mattress purchase (ours manages to be both slopey and lumpy.)
I have suddenly not been getting enough hours in the ER (the trouble with “as needed”? sometimes, you’re not needed), and I have not found a job with a more set schedule either (the VA job never materialized)— so off to the Psych floor I go!
I am getting trained on completing assessments and leading groups in the hospital Psychiatry ward (no, my depression is far from THAT bad!).
So far, so good. I like the clients and the staff with the added benefit that it’s much much saner than the ER. Plus, no nights.
Still looking for better childcare options.
I haven’t felt like blogging lately. Not sure why. but I appreciate you blogosphere friends out there. Your support has been surprisingly significant this year. It’s meant a lot. Thank you. Happy 2009 to you!!
Get ready Grandma & Grandpa: Santa questions coming your way!
My stance on Santa is to not confirm or deny. To me, telling Avery all about Santa would make me feel like such a LIAR! But, I don’t want her to be the kid telling everyone he doesn’t exist either. How have you other parents handled this one?
When I was a kid, a never-clearly-explained “Christmas Spirit” came and filled our stockings. So, when she was telling me all about how Santa was going to come down Grandma and Grandpas chimney (and bring her lots of presents), I mentioned that I thought the Chrstmas Spirit, not Santa comes to their house. Her face fell and I immediately regretted it. After a pause, she asked “Does that other person ride a sleigh?”
Since it is their house, I’ve referred all further questions on this issue to Grandma and Grandpa.
Upcoming: Mysterious disapearance of the Little Mermaid
The other day, after school, Avery confided to me “Oliver doesn’t really talk to me much” with this kind of disappointed look. She’s been talking about Oliver a lot lately. Then yesterday, she had a new outfit and said “Oliver will be surprised”. Do preschoolers have crushes?! After school, I asked her if he told her he liked her new dress? She said “boys don’t talk like that, mom. He just looked and was surprised.”
When I watched Little Mermaid again wiht her that afternoon (her latest favorite), we came upon the scene where Prince Eric sees Ariel dressed up for the first time and stares at her, instantly in love, and as Avery put it “surprised”. Is she somehow picking up from this movie that she’s supposed to be impressing boys with how she looks?? Or am I imagining things?
Anyway, I’ve resolved to emphasize her smarts vs. looks and take a break from the princess stuff. Any suggestions on movies and books that aren’t all about girls desperately trying to get their prince charming?!
“No” tone, but something feels like a new connection
Got a message on my machine yesterday about the hospital OB job.
It had a definite “so sorry to have to tell you this” tone, though naturally I had to call back for the actual no. I was disappointed. Surprisingly. I initially had thought there was no way I would consider full time. But, I had heard rumblings before the interview that they may have someone else who’d been in-house for years picked out.. so I wasn’t shocked.
Through interviewing for that spot, I’ve definitely moved closer to considering full time as possibly a better scenario than the stay at home/work part time choice for me. Now, I’ll be setting myself up to be better prepared the next time the right opportunity comes along, getting the girls on some center waiting lists, switching Avery to at least one all day day at the preschool (there’s a long waiting list for every day), applying again to the magnet schools for next year (all day, free!).
Still waiting for word on the VA job, though that’s an even longer shot than this OB one was. But, as Steven says, I’m in the game again now, and that’s what matters. I’ll keep you posted!
Flu shots not having much effect so far
Avery threw up again last night. multiple times. again. the last time this happened (just a couple weeks ago!), we all got it, even poor little Maya! I’m feeling fine so far & hoping it stays that way!
thanks!
thanks so much for your comments on my last post! I found them so helpful. Considering more options on what good mothering could look like for me is freeing. We’ll see if I get offered anything on this go round & I will keep you posted!
M
