ewer wondering...

Cups

Eric and Audrey are pretty enamoured with Anna Kendrick's Cups song and they play the video often.  He swears it's the song, but I suspect Anna's sweet voice and beauty have a little more to do with it! ;)  I caught them trying to master a little cups action themselves the other night...  Well, maybe just he was.  She was a little more into her ice cream!

Busy Busy

Here we are -- back in Boston for almost a week following ten days in Florida, and it has been one thing after another.  Those lazy afternoons spent napping by the pool are now a very distant memory and we've jumped head first back into real life.  (Truth be told, we only spent this one day being lazy -- the rest of the time we were hopping from one amusement park to another because Eric simply cannot sit still!  ;)

But real life does beckon, doesn't it?  And some of what's keeping us busy includes:

Taking care of puppy Julie, who was spayed yesterday.  She did great and is nearly back to her usual peppy puppy self, but our real challenge is keeping her still for the next 14 days.  It's already killing us -- she's not a hyper crazy dog, but she loves to be up and about, and she is the running queen.

Calling our many doctors and vendors, and setting up various annual appointments.  Nothing major, nothing exciting, nothing worrisome.  Just a bunch of things we need taken care of (dental cleanings, eye exams, spring yard clean-up, tire rotations, odd carpentry work, etc.).  Everything that takes time and management, and a lot of it.  You can probably guess who's making the calls and figuring out how it's going to happen.  ;) 

Eeek!  Look at that -- the list that just grows and grows!  It really never ends -- though honestly, does anyone's?  While working on a few things together, Eric's secretary joked that she should come and work for me.   Hell, yah. I say!!  What an idea!!!  Honestly, though, I doubt we'd get much done...

I'm also getting the boys ready for their spring flag football seasons.  Ironically they're on the same teams as last spring, with the same coaches and nearly all of the same kids, so it should be a fun familiar season for them.  Will hasn't mentioned his T1D once in conjunction with the sport, so I'm hoping that his short-lived basketball fears were put aside.  If not, well, we'll just face it head on!

And Jack is excitedly gearing up for his big birthday sleepover this weekend with six friends.  It's his first time hosting more than one buddy (which he's only done twice before anyway) and he has big plans.  Let's hope reality lives up to dreams!  This mama's sure trying to make it happen given his flop on the real day, but there's a big gap between what girls want at sleepovers (crafts, games, beauty) and what boys want (movies, pizza, candy, movies).  I know girl stuff personally, so you can imagine what I'm up against! LOL  I'm trying!!

Also Eric has been dealing with some major work stuff that's all-consuming.  Aside from vacation last week, he has been working upwards of 18 hour days, 6-7 days a week.  It will end, but there's been a lot of related stress on both sides, with the same amount of married single-parenting.  I can't decide if it's easier having him around or not!  Really. ;)

There's so so so much more, but it's all about as exciting as what I've just shared. Hoping to get on very soon with some vacation pics and more!   In the meantime, cheers to you!!

Jack is Ten

I recently took the kids and Jack's BFF to McDonald's for lunch following a community Easter Egg Hunt.  Jack and his pal grabbed their own table, telling me that since they were older, they needed their own space.  The two didn't stop talking, not once, completely in their own world. 

It brought me back to my own days of sitting with my friends, leaving my mother to fend for herself.  This right of passage we all go through.  Being independent but not completely yet.

Jack turned ten last week, celebrating oh-so-quietly with just us due to a number of unforeseen and not very exciting reasons (Eric's work schedule, doctor's appointments, school day and more).  He declared it a not-very-special day, and I definitely agreed.  Which is why his end-of-the month birthday sleepover party will be epic.  ;)

He's ten now.  Growing up and maturing so quickly, so I loved even more that they asked me if they could go into McDonald's play yard right after they finished (can you see them in there?).  There's still a little "little" in them, and this mama is holding on tightly.

Strategies

I saw this hanging in the kids' school adjustment counselor's office and had to snap a picture.  (Don't worry, I've been behaving.)  It really spoke to me at that particular moment, for though I'm pretty even tempered and level headed, there are a few in my immediate family who aren't always!  If only it were as easy as squeezing a pillow or bouncing a ball!  Getting there, though, we are slowly getting there!  And in the meantime, maybe I'll hang up a sign like this for my own loves!

Teddy Bear Diabetes Clinic

What fun the kids and I  had yesterday at Joslin's bi-annual Teddy Bear Clinic.  Children with Type 1 Diabetes were invited, along with their siblings, to bring their bears (or receive new ones) and learn how to best care for their disease.

Will checked out some other kids, but pretty much kept his distance, sticking with his brother.  I'd hoped to meet some fellow D-moms myself (what we call ourselves, apparently) but the others pretty much kept to themselves.  It killed me not to jump in front of them asking my millions of questions -- 'what foods do you like best for treating lows' or 'are you still checking your kid in the middle of the night' or 'do you ever relax' or my most favorite, 'how do you organize your D-supplies'.  Audrey made a friend, though, a fellow 8-year old who is two years into her diagnosis.  It was humbling, for sure.

The kids learned that flossing their teeth was important for more than just their dental health, that exercise keeps their bodies healthy and strong, what goes into an eye exam and that it's important to always choose the right foods.  Lessons on all the basics and so much more, but presented in a fun way!

We also had a chance to chat with Will's endocrinologist in a casual setting and bring her up to speed, and I really lucked out in recognizing Joslin's CEO from his photo and sharing our family's story.  With Will's next quarterly appointment being tomorrow, our chats were really more social than anything but I still feel better equipped going in.

Given that Will will be dealing with this disease for a lifetime, I am so happy he's receiving such wonderful care and attention.  And that he and we have a chance to be a part of such a giving community.

Right Now, I Am...

It's Monday again, two whole weeks since I've posted a thing.  We have been insanely busy, lots of everything and a ton of nothing.  It's that time of the year, when the kids' activities ramp up and then break.  Add to that a husband working 18-20 hours a day and a 6-year old running really high, and well, I'm just plain tired.  Could always be worse, though, couldn't it?  Right now, though, I am...

-wishing that this week wasn't such a short one.  Oh there's still the standard number of hours and days, but between Will's spring concert, his field trip, an early release day, three kid doctors' appointments and a near-absent husband, the hours are just quickly eaten up.

-looking forward to Friday night.  It's the kids' school's annual family dinner fundraiser and always a good time for them.  I'm also looking forward to wrapping up the Gift of Time raffle I've been organizing [again, with promises to myself that this will be the last year].

-thinking about Jack, who turns TEN this Wednesday.  TEN!  He's in the double-digits -- on two hands!  My little premature baby who wasn't supposed to arrive until mid-May came on his late great-grandfather's birthday.  The boy just couldn't wait.  And it was truly the last time he was ever early for anything!  We haven't made any major plans for him aside from talking about a small birthday celebration with friends later this month.

-remembering I have to get our taxes out to our CPA.  Like yesterday!  Blessedly he's also my father-in-law so he's a tad forgiving!

-appreciating Audrey, who fixed her little brother's breakfast on Saturday and counted out each and every one of his carbs.  She checked his glucose levels, too (or rather she had him do it) before waking me to dose him with insulin.  It was such an awesome and rare treat!

-thinking about my mother-in-law who fell down the stairs last week, breaking both of her wrists.  She had surgery late last week and is now facing a long and painful recovery.  Please send prayers and wishes her way, I'm sure she wouldn't mind and she sure could use them.

-feeling tired!!  Really tired.  And wondering why people would ever tell me that I do -- or to anyone honestly!  I know it, you can see it looking at my face, and it's clearly not a compliment.  Okay, off my soapbox now.

-glad to have filled three trash bags last week in an effort to regain control.  When you have a big house, you have more places to stash stuff.  We have a big house, and we have a lot of stuff.  I've been working on having less and finally Eric's on board, too.  2013 is the year of the Ewer Purge, I say!

-smiling because Friday Night Lights re-runs are playing on my iPad right now, and I just love Kyle Chandler (since he first appeared on the scene about 20 years ago).  I love Connie Britton, too, especially in her new role in Nashville.  I do not like Billy Bob Thornton in the movie version and am glad he wasn't cast.  Where is he these days anyway?  Actually, I don't really care.

-relieved our Florida vacation's only 9 days away.  I know we just returned from there six weeks ago, but it's been one helluva last few months.  And this time we're going to a different area altogether.  It's a big state! LOL

-pleased that everyone's healthy right now.  Knock wood.  Because I surely just jinxed us.

-planning to get birthday presents out to everyone this week.  I am so behind the 8-ball.  And to think I used to get off on being early!  To be fair, there are six family birthdays last week and this between Eric's and my families, which is a whole lot, I think.  Really, what happens in July to make so many spring babies??

So there you go.  Happy Monday again, my friends!  This was about all I could muster up tonight!

~ photo texted to Eric Friday night reminding him what our children look like,
it had been four days since he'd seen them due to his crazy heavy current workload~

Right Now, I Am...

-wishing that we had just one more day of weekend.  It was a great one, even though we didn't do anything of particular mention (game 1 lost of Jack's basketball tournament, Jack and Audrey to Gloucester with Dad, Will home with Mom during high glucose, organizing and cleaning out my office and Eric's workshop, yard play with the kids, family walks with the dog, visits to the beach, Buffalo Wild Wings lunch, and so much more!). 

-looking out the window at the geese on our pond.  They are mating, and it's very cool to see (and not in a pervvy way!).  They are so loud, long into the night.  I can't wait to see all the little goslings swimming around in a few months.

-thinking about Will.  He wouldn't eat any protein this morning, resulting in a breakfast of way too many carbs.  One call to the nurse should have taken care of my worries, but it didn't.  Of course.

-remembering that I STILL need to take Julie for her follow-up rabies and other shots.  She [still] doesn't have a dog license either, so she remains as illegal as ever, though I finally filled out the paperwork!  It will get resolved this week -- it has to!

-appreciating my husband.  He works so darn hard and is under crazy pressure right now.  And he hates it.  I wish he could start his career over and design/build cars the way he dreamed of as a child (because building buildings just isn't where he's at).  I appreciate that what he does allows me to live childhood dream of being home with our kids.

-thinking about a friend who is going through personal struggles right now.  I can't help her, and she hasn't reached out.  But she's in my prayers.

-feeling happy.  For no particular reason.  Isn't it great!!

-glad to have booked our Florida vacation.  I'm not a warm weather girl, but right about now (with more snow predicted for tonight) it's just what I need!  St. Pete here we come!!

-smiling because I get to do library today with Audrey's class.  It's been a long time and I love to see my girlie and all of her friends.  She's soaring these days, and it's just wonderful.

-relieved Eric's sinuses are recovering.  He is still in pain with discomfort, but he's now able to carry on normally and it's just a matter of time before it's all behind us.

-pleased that I lost three pounds last week!  I hate exercise.  I hate dieting.  But I hate my size even more!

-planning on planning Easter this week.  It'll be just the five of us again, so low key and mellow.  As always.  I've already alerted the Easter Bunny to Will's health changes, and he assures me that he has some great ideas for our traditional hunt.

So there you go.  Happy Monday, my friends!  What are you right now?

Eric's Sinuses

Last Tuesday was a very long day -- Eric had sinus surgery.  It was originally scheduled for 11 AM and later pushed back to 2:30!  The wait was a killer, he hadn't eaten a thing since 9 PM the night before, and he was hungry!!  Finally, though, it was time.  I kissed him goodbye, they rolled him away and about an hour later his surgeon emerged to tell me he'd removed 14-16 polyps during the procedure.  All were located in Eric's upper sinus cavity (you know, the area above your forehead) so he cautioned that the pain would extreme with beyond migraine-like pain.

The kids and I quickly visited him in recovery, and it was scary.  Eric's always so in-charge, and his being "out of it" was rather disconcerting for the kids (though not unexpected, -- we couldn't get a sitter, so knowing they'd be there, we had talked beforehand and forewarned them).  The boys booked it out of there pretty quickly once they knew he was okay, but Audrey stayed and held his hand for a long while.  She'd make a good nurse, I think (maybe like her Great-Grammie Corning.)

Overall Eric handled it well, though he neglected to follow the doctor's "You must chill" orders -- my beloved just cannot sit still.  He checked emails on the way home, despite being jacked up on Oxycodone, Vicodin and more, and forwarded the above photo to friends before I took his phone away telling him it was the equivalent to drunk dialing.  (Don't you just love Will's little face peeking in behind him.)

It took only one day of being home before he went in to work and life returned to semi-normal.  Every day gets better -- he's already telling me he can smell and taste things so much better.  (For the last ten years, his senses had been fading.  Me thinks it's probably time to start wearing parfum again! ;)

We'll be seeing Eric's doctor again soon, Jack's still experiencing multiple daily nosebleeds and so it's time for a follow-up visit to learn what's up.

Reg-gel-a

Because he still wants to be a "reg-gel-a" kid...

It's hard managing a kid's diet, let alone one with Diabetes.  As much as I try to control every bite that Will takes (and believe me, I do), he still wants to eat the same as his friends, of course.  Though I never really bought these much before his diagnosis, and having them around now makes even less sense, tucking them into his lunch now and again is really important.  Because sometimes, he just needs to be a "reg-gel-a" 6-year old.

~ when i pre-measure or ration out food, i label it with the carb counts to save time later ~

The Weekend's Over

Eric snapped this pic quickly as the kids were saying goodnight to Julie last evening.  The novelty of having a puppy hasn't quite worn off, though the daily care and walking surely has.  For all of us!

We had such a great weekend, I am sad it's over.  It literally started with a bang Friday morning when our patio furniture blew halfway across the deck.  About ten minutes later school was canceled.  Again.  The poor kids will be going to school in July at this rate!  Though it sure was fun having them home!!  We didn't do anything special, other than to shovel out the house -- 2-3 inches were predicted and in the end we got about 13!  Ugh.  Of course Eric was in Palm Springs and missed it all!  All I can say is it's a good thing I can run a snowblower or we'd have been up the creek!

Saturday afternoon the boys headed to Providence, Rhode Island to take in a fresh water fishing show.  They met some of the captains from Wicked Tuna, though not my old high-school friend, and partied into the evening at Dave & Buster's video arcade.  Audrey and I did some sea stuff of our own, but it involved eating!  Lunch at Legal Seafood followed by lots of girlie shopping.  We couldn't go as wild as we wanted -- we were in charge of the puppy -- but we both got some make-up and other treats (Audrey's just involves lip gloss, don't you worry).

Sunday we reversed things up.  Audrey went off with Eric to Gloucester to scout new boat yards (we're thinking of changing marinas this year) and the boys stayed with me for lunch at Panera.  It wasn't all work for Audrey and Eric -- they managed to "squeeze in" a visit to our favorite olive oil store (buying espresso chocolate vinegar and orange oil this time) as well as a sushi lunch.

I couldn't help but reflect how easy it is now that they are older -- it wasn't that long ago when they were 3, 2, and 1 and just getting out the door on time nearly killed me!  (Yeah, we still have trouble getting out the door, but it's a lot easier!!)

It was so great tossing our to-do list out the window, instead just enjoying the moment with each other.  It was equally wonderful spending the one-on-one type with our kids.  We are so "go go go" most of the time that it feels rare and special, especially since the week ahead will be a crazy one aagain (Jack's Science Fair, Audrey's Science Night, the kids' reading festival, Eric's surgery and so on).  So Happy Monday to you, and wishes for a great week ahead!!

~ Photo quality poor -- taken with our phones, just being in the moment ~