Lost and Found and Busy busy busy...

Today I realized something... I have too much happening. I had a total and complete freak out session at work because I lost some of my travel receipts from last week's trip back east. Now, at any other time of my life this would not be a big deal. But, for some reason the past month feels like it has been happening too fast and furious for me to keep up... and with me that's when I start to get absent-minded and I totally and completely lose things. You can ask my hubby... I usually know where something is and if I have forgotten it only takes a little bit for me to remember.

Lately, though, that little bit of forgetting has been adding up. At the end of October I was making little guy's Halloween costume and I KNEW we had craft glue (and a HUGE tube of it too). Searching everywhere I could not find it and with the deadline of Halloween looming, I had to resort to buying a small bottle of the glue. Of course, the first week in November I found the HUGE bottle of craft glue.

That's not really an important lost and found... the work receipts are much more important. Last week I had to travel back east for a conference. Although it was great fun to meet my SE clients and hang out in Savannah it was a whirlwind trip AND crazy all over the place.

Saturday morning I noticed I could not find my power cord or my nail file - obviously one of these has more monetary value but I did really like that nail file. After a couple calls to the hotel I have given up and resigned myself to the fact that it is in the LOST and UNFOUND category.

LOST and freaking out about it until found would be the receipts. So, I took some people to lunches and dinners and had to keep my Amex receipts. No dice! Cannot find them. Freaked out at work today... you know the feeling... the heart rate increases, blood pressure rises... where are they? I know I left them right here? In this pocket in my purse? Right? Didn't I? Didn't you, MG? Right? You didn't accidentally throw them out with your car rental brochure? Did you?

Well, folks, yep... I think I did! I think I threw them out... at least some of them. And they are in some heap of trash back east somewhere.

Other things feeling lost right now... missing ministry a TON right now. Missing my little guy during the day. Missing friends back east... you know the kind you can just hang out with and not have any plans... there doesn't have to be any organizing to the hanging out -- You just do it? Really lost that right now... and just this special season of advent with liturgy and friends and Christmas teas and Thanksgiving in Philly.

FOUND: My parents are here as of tonight, though, and this is HUGE comfort and FOUND. So, I will end on the things that are FOUND. Jesus has FOUND me rather should say I FOUND grace in Jesus. Little Guy is growing so well and is finding his way around this big world. FOUND a new preschool for Little Guy to start in Jan when we get back to the desert. FOUND an incredibly hubby who is ROCKING his classes! C'mon all As! C'mon grants! FOUND a brother who turned 30 yesterday... eeps maybe I want to lose that one it makes me feel OLD. FOUND, letting your toddler play in the sprinklers is such fun!

Cars, warranties...

Sunday morning we got up, had a lovely time together getting ready for church, headed down to the car and although it started the dreaded engine light came on. Now, the car sounded fine and it started but I don't know about you all if that light comes on I am NOT driving it. I mean, who knows what that means, right?
Fortunately, we are very blessed to have two cars. So, we hop out of one and get into the other to head to church (for which we will now be late) but we head off anyway. It's Sunday. It's lovely. It's God's day... but are you kidding me? We don't have the money to have the car fixed? We don't have ANY extra on a monthly basis right now?!? Oh, and did I mention the sermon series is on Finances. Trying not to be completely depressed as we walk into the nursery, we drop LG off and head to the sanctuary.

People are friendly, it's great worship music... and then it happens. The reality sinks in like a warm blanket after being out in the cold. The car is not mine. It's not my money to pay to get the car fixed it's HIS! We spend the next hour letting this truth sink in. It's not ours, it's HIS. I'm not mine... I'm HIS. My job, our life, my son, the car... all HIS. He has only entrusted me with the care of these things.

Let's backtrack a bit... when I was pregnant for some reason I really felt this fact. I really felt the humility and honor of carrying this little life that I knew that we had little to do with the miracle of making him. Even after he was born, I would sit up at night, rocking him and cuddling him, and just thank God that He gave me this little life to love and care for... and then I would spend a LONG time asking for HIS HELP in doing it! God blessed us with him... but then why, only 16 months later does it seems so hard to live this out. Not only with him but with so many other things - like the car's engine light.

Why do we do this? I mean, I don't think I'm alone here. I believe that Jesus is my Savior. I believe He is the only Son of God who came down from Heaven and was made man. But, why then am I totally freaked out about this silly car???

So, I have been thinking about this since Monday when I took said vehicle to the car Dr. It was, as we were dreading... not something tiny or minor. The first question, do you have an extended warranty on this car? NO, we are in grad school and when thinking about buying a warranty or moving your family for your husband's career, you do the move and not buy the warranty. Right? Well, in theory, yes. But, come to find out if we had bought the warranty (or one like it) it would have now practically paid for itself. GULP! So, what to do?

Cars are of this world... and like all things this side of heaven they are in a constant state of decay. With this in mind and thinking about that servant with his talents... I called a couple warranty places and talked to a few people that I trust (hubby, parents). The warranty we are looking into seems really good. But, warranties are like life insurance. You pay for them in the hopes that you won't need them, right? So, are we being the wise servant who invested their talents and made money... or are we burying it? We have 30 days to decide and will be praying about it...

And, as for why things like this freak me out - I think it goes something like this: The world tells me it's all mine! All I have to do is charge it and I can have it now. The world says cars say something about who you are. This world is always telling me things... and sadly sometimes I listen. Bottom line: need to hear less of this world and MORE of HIS! His Word says that He cares for the lillies of the field. He says that my treasure in his kingdom, not in this world. Mat. 6:20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."

And, he says, you are mine and I love you and I gave my life for you and I don't want you to worry about your car!

The magic cup!

I have been meaning to write about a great little invention that I have been utterly in love with for several months. In fact, when I originally sat down to create this blog, it was one of the initial topics I thought I would post. But, other things have popped up here and there and my list is growing... so I need to start crossing those older ideas off the list.

Here it is... the FooGo Thermos! So, I live in the desert, where up until 3 days ago the average temperature had been in the 90s (and the first 6 weeks we lived here, when the sun was up it was not BELOW 95). So, it's hot and we need to keep hydrated. Water and water bottles become close and fast friends out here.

Well, before we moved out here I heard about these FooGo things and read that they keep items cold for up to something like 12 hours. I have admit, I was skeptical but I knew LG would need something to keep him cool during this ridiculous summer heat (it is not really as bad because it is dry but hot is hot).

With 12 oz Foogo in hand, we headed to day care on the first full day. I brought the cup with me and forgot to bring it inside my office and LEFT IT IN THE CAR! Ok, so, it's early August, in the desert valley, although I am parked under a small tree there is still a pretty solid chance the car reached upwards of 120 deg., right?

Well, at 3PM I head to pick up LG. Water has been in car for approx. 6 hours. And, yes folks, it is STILL COLD!!!!!

So, I can personally attest to the fact that the Foogo is really quite wonderful! I highley recommend it and I am just really bummed they don't seem to make them in larger sizes. LG will drink two or three a day because it's only 12 oz.

Love the Foogo!

West, east and back again

One week ago, I spent the evening packing my small bag for my business trip back east. I checked the weather online and it was supposed to be in the low 70s and at night in the upper 50s. It was going to rain a couple days but... when we landed I had to call my friend to bring a fleece! It had been about 10 degrees colder than anyone expected -- especially me! I stepped off the plane wearing cas black pants and a nice fitted T. I was sweating when I got the airport in the Valley at 6AM! When I stepped off the plane, chills went up my spine... it was COLD!

Not really, it was actually beautiful. I never really thought I would think rainy and chilly was beautiful but I think because it was such an extreme contrast to the Valley, I really appreciated it.

Wonderfully, the trip back east was for work but I certainly took advantage of being in town to try and see EVERYONE I could. I still feel like I could have stayed for another week just to spend more time with some really dear, dear friends! But, on Monday, I was so missing my boys I was almost in tears. I just missed them so badly and had another whole day and a half.

I cannot end this posting without especially thanking A, PW, & KD, my dearest, sweetest ones for all of their love, hospitality and GAS! I also have to say how much I love Va Piano, Irish pub until 1:00AM, and sleeping in on a rainy Saturday until 10! So, even though I missed my boys it was the first time since LG was born that I went out to a bar past midnight and then slept in until after 10! It was wonderful and RAINY too! Yes, I have to mention again about how the contrast of the rain and wet to the sun and dry was just refreshing.

I love you all back east! I cannot wait until Christmas. I think we will back there for about 4-5 weeks!!!! WAHOO! Only about 11 weeks until we get to be back home.

Yes, today it was over 100, again.

CVS vs. Walgreens

CVS... we had one right down the street from our town-home back East and really lived there. It was so convenient and everything was laid out so nicely. The carpet is a nice touch. The one drawback was that if you were on one of the two-sided signs you needed to know Spanish. Si...

Well, we thought Walgreens would be similar, right? New store, in our nice desert neighborhood, right next to the hospital, easily accessible from a couple roads, convenient, has a pharmacy and other items one needs... So what is the difference!

CVS ROCKS and Walgreens -- at least this one -- is just not cool. The shelves are stacked up to the ceiling, the linoleum is just gross, and there just does not seem to be any signage.

Now, every CVS I have been to, on the other hand, the shelves do not go up over your head, nor are there items places above. There are signs everywhere - in multiple languages - and clearly written. The carpets are usually clean and things are just very organized.

Next time, I will drive the few extra miles (I think it's only 2) to hit the CVS!

Faith

Is such a tough concept. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

If you think about it, it's the biggest thing in our lives. Do we have faith in Jesus as God's son? Do we have faith that God is Creator and Justice and Mercy and Grace?

How does one get it? How does some one who seemed to have it, lose it or "misplace" it?

I ask these questions because my friend, whose mom is dying in Hospice care, sent an email to our little Bible study group today. She said "I am struggling with my faith. It's almost gone, but not yet"

What does one say to this? I mean I have called and emailed and tried to encourage... but what does a heart need to hear, really? I am not convinced it is that verse in Psalm or Revelation. I mean, maybe it is... I feel like it's something deeper. It's like a soul hug or a touch from the Father himself.

So, Father, touch her heart. Call her to your side. Comfort her and let her know you are REAL. You know she is hurting. You know she is angry. And you are the answer for all of it.

It's still the biggest question... how does faith begin? It's a question I pray about often also in regards to my own son.

It's a spiritual gift... to be able to communicate it (1 Cor. 13:2) but love comes with it. So can you love faith into some one? Oh, I just don't know.

Pink is one of my favorite colors

but not in the eye! LG went to bed last night really congested and just seeming out of sorts. I think he is suffering from allergies like his mommy. The dust, the dryness, the heat - it all adds to crud in the nose and eyes... Or is it pink eye?

I read on WebMD that pink eye is not so much the eye lids being red but the actual whites of the eyes being red. But what about the gunk? Gunk is listed as both an allergic reaction and with pink eye. What's a mom to do?

Thank the LORD I have a great and flexible job. I was able to get him into his new pediatrician -- who he just saw last week. And she said she thought it really was just allergies or a cold/virus. She also gave me the RX for the pink eye antibiotic but said to hold off on giving it to him unless it got worse. Better safe with the RX in hand than sorry and have to go back or have them call it in.

Now, the question is, what to do about Tuesday? Do I keep him home to make SURE its not pink eye (although that is what today was for)? And staying home he just naps better so do I keep him home one more day for the rest? Unfortunately, hubs has a crazy week of exams and studying so he cannot really stay home.

AURGH! These are the challenges of being this working mom. Getting to bed at a decent hour will help make the decision-making process in the morning easier. Right?

A new thing about living in the Valley

Last night I went to an American Business Women Association meeting. It was interesting... but that is not what this blog will be about. Nope, it's going to be about what I observed as I chatted with my mom on the phone in the parking lot of the country club where the meeting was held.

I had noticed on my 7 minute drive to the club that it got strangely cool and I was able to drive with the windows down and be comfortable, actually pleasant. It did not really look like rain, but the sky off in the West looked a little ominous. Rain? Monsoon? What could it be that is making the sky look so pink?

For fear of getting rained on, I got out of the car and went into the Club and continued to chat with my mom. Within seconds the trees outside looked like they would snap and everything looked...

DUSTY! Pinkish, orangish, brownish, DUST!!! Flying around everywhere!

It was a "dust storm"... I have never really seen anything like it. It looked like a terrible down pour of rain. Yep, nope, it's dust, people. It was wild and my friend just laughed and said you will see more of them while you are out here. Cool! Now that I know what they are it seemed like it would be cool to be in the car while one is happening. Next time, I will stay IN the car and watch it from all sides. Alas, I missed it last night because I did not want to get wet. Silly me...

Another cool thing about dust storms: this morning Hubby was helping get LG in the car and he was like, "why are there finger prints all over the door...

Turns out that in the Valley when there is a dust storm the oils from your fingers leave a normally invisible film on the car. But, when the pinkish/orange dust gets blown all over the place it sticks to the car and your finger prints. It was wild! It looked like the FBI had come and finerprinted my car.

Of course, now I have to get the car washed. Bye bye finger prints, until the next dust storm. I wonder if car wash places have "dust checks" like they have rain checks back east?

This world...

is a place of things that are not right. I mean, this world does not work the way God intended...

In February, I had to watch as my best friend said farewell to her mom. She was a wonderful, beautiful servant of our Lord. There is no doubt she is seated at his feet this very moment, just in perfect peace, no pain, no cancer, no treatments.

And, sadly, this is not the first of my dearest, closest friends who has lost a parent, especially a mommy, to some form of this disease. And, sadly she was not the last as I find myself preparing for it again.

This time, its my wonderful kindred soul buddy from a Bible Study that started on Sept. 12, 2001. It's a little interesting that this Friday will mark our 7 year anniversary when 7 strangers came together on Capitol Hill to pray, weep, and become the BEST, dearest, deepest friends I could ever have in my life!

And now, one of these tender souls is going through something that I fear... preparing to say good bye to her mommy. Words cannot express. There are no words to say. Mommy is the one who held, cheered, directed, guided, laughed... I mean, I cannot even begin to think of all of things my mommy means to me. And, so, I just pray that the Lord of all would be gracious on her failing body. Give the S family peace and HOPE and the time and space to mourn well the life of some one who means more than life.

Mommies should not have to leave their kiddos. In God's home, mommies and daddies get to be with their babies, forever. I praise you, Lord for that place... where there are no tears and no illnesses. Jesus, bring that world.

Aurgh...exercising

I used to be one of those people who went running every other day. We would run along the GW Parkway training for the Army 10 miler and it was great. The fall season was always our favorite time to run. I just love cooler weather running gear, too. And, when it got too cold or really frosty and icy there was always the Y.

Well, clearly moving to the desert and being land-locked prevents the whole scenic running along the river with lush trees and fall leaves changing... I should, rather, say that it changes the idea of scenic from green to shades of brown, which is really growing on me.

Since LG was born there has been NO RUNNING. I mean, it's sad but I actually stopped running when I was 4 mos pregnant. I continued to walk and get exercise but not running.

Even worse, I left my running shoes at my parent's house back in May because I took them with hopes of running along water BUT with the cut backs on how many bags you can check and having a baby... somethings had to stay. Somehow the running shoes were voted out of the suitcase.

Fast forward about 3 months from May and I find myself in DIRE need of exercise for several reasons. 1) the obvious, we all feel better when we move it! 2) although I run all over with the LG and hubby it's usually not for longer than 15-20 minutes so it doesn't really count (that whole 20 minutes of THR up thing); 3) I went to the Dr. and found out that although I am wearing my pre-baby clothes I do not WEIGH the pre-baby weight... by like 12 LBS! I mean, c'mon. I was thinking I was maybe 5 or so off but more like 12 is a lot more and requires movement AND the whole eating thing -- another blog posting for sure! With these things in mind, I have been trying to swim for at least 20 minutes every night.

Sadly, tonight it's actually raining. I mean... really! Of course normally I would be ecstatic about some rain (what with the whole desert thing) but when it interupts my exercise regime it means I need to find other modes of moving it.

We live in a great little community that has 4 brand new treadmills with personal screens, iPod holders, etc... They are really cool, apparently. I would not know first hand because, well, when you don't have the shoes to wear why go and check them out.

But, I have to get some running shoes. I need to get movin'...

In closing, it's just one more thing to add to this working mom's list of things she has to do in a day. And, I have had to add posting to my blog to that list. Although, I think exercise will take a couple points up the list from posting. Right?

Are you kidding me, acne at 32?

It must be some sick joke! I cannot get over how my face has just exploded overnight! I mean, really... how old am I again?

It's really all I can say this evening. I am in shock and disgust. And, to make matters worse, I have no creams or masks or anything. Why would I? I have not really had a break out in years!?!

Must resort to last possible option... toothpaste. While all of you ECers are slumbering soundly already I will go, wash my poor bumpilicious face and then schmear toothpaste all over the affected areas. Oh, who am I kidding... all over my face!

Good night. We shall see what tomorrow brings.

First Friday night as a 32 year old

My first Friday as a 32 year old consisted of the following:
- Early 7AM meeting with team in DC
- Meeting with Corporate Papa Johns Marketing reps
- Annual visit to the OB (that will probably be a posting in and of itself - shouldn't it be?)
- Playtime with LG
- Wings and beers for dinner
- A 30 minute swim

Yes, folks that's right... my Friday night has consisted of eating beers and wings with my boys, coming home, changing into my swim suit and swimming laps for 30 minutes while LG sleeps and Hubs tries to put a dent in some of his reading for next week.

And, I loved every stroke! I mean, it was 108 today but this evening was great. The stars are out. No one is at the pool except me and the laps!

I could swim and pray and relax and just enjoy moving in the water. Isn't water just amazing?

A salad from Sunday should not have been big enough to feed me 3 lunches, right?

Sunday night we were running errands out here in TOTAL suburbia (yes, we are now those people we used to make fun of who would go to Target, then Walmart, then BBB, and back to Target because you found it somewhere cheaper at the other place). We are those types! Seriously, within a 4 mile radius there is every possible food, shopping, service, medical, or other consumerism possible. It's like capitalism puked all over our neighborhood.

Now, I have to confess that before we moved here, we only knew 1 thing. Where hubs was going to be in school. You move where you know... and we thought it would be convenient to have all of these places close by. And it is... but it's like too convenient!

On Sunday, we were running those errands that we probably did not need to be running and we realized it was about dinner time. So, what to do? Certainly not head home and MAKE something?! I am 32 and it's my birthday weekend and I had been thinking about cheesecake.

Well, where does one get cheesecake but the factory itself, right? But who can go there, eat dinner and then still eat cheesecake. NOT US!

Thinking about portions and those 8 sizes I've mentioned a couple times, we decide to get salads. Of course, once they came we knew we should have only ordered ONE and shared it. I had left overs and though, yay salad on Tuesday at work. Just throw in a couple more pieces of chicken (since LG ate most of it from mine) and we are good to go!

So, today is Thursday. I have had the same salad the past 3 DAYS!!! This one salad - the "lean" Asian chicken one - has provided me with 4 meals! Who are we kidding? Is it really a lean salad when it comes in something like a serving platter?

Well, I will close with the lovely thought of the chocolate fudge, raspberry truffle slice of cheesecake I have also been nibbling at all week. It too has come to an end today. Sadness. I feel as though my birthday is over.

Oh, but not really, because now I am in search of the replacement yellow shoe that did not fit. Alas, there was no next size up or even two sizes up. And, the new pair I found were SOLD out of my online Nord's "shopping bag"!!! So, back to the internet in search of the fun 32 year old yellow shoes... of course they have to be at least 3.5 inch heals.

Working mom...

I have to write this thought out. Last night, after I wrote my post, I was laying in bed and I realized that my profile says something like "this working mom." I want to clarify... I have always been a "working mom." When I say working mom, I mean all moms work. They do more in a day whether they work outside of the home or are at home and with kids. Being a mom is a full time job, no matter how you slice and dice it.

I do, though, have to add that the moms who work full time outside the house AND help keep their homes going have some really special challenges. It's a unique world that I am just now uncovering. I am trying to figure out what they are because I feel like I encounter them on a daily basis.

So, let me know what some of those challenges are out there -- from moms that work in and out of the home...

Shoe sizes were not originally included in the 8 sizes mentioned...

When I thought of creating this blog over a year ago, it was definitely not shoes sizes I was thinking of. I will admit that my feet could barely fit into my big Crocs on the car ride home from the hospital postpartum; however after about a week they seemed to go back to "normal". And, well, since then I have continued to be a 7.5 or 8. I have to admit that I had SERIOUS fears that my feet would not go back to pre-pregnancy sizes. Thankfully this was not the case and the past year I have been happily back in my 4 inch heels.

My wonderful hubby remembered a pair of shoes that I had seen online several weeks ago and sweetly bought them for me for this week's birthday celebrations. He is so good! He checked all my shoes and knows that I am typically an 8!

Well, on Saturday when I opened them I could barely get my feet in them! SAD!

It's just strange to think that my feet could be changing sizes. Well, I have to admit I have some fear that I will wake up one morning and none of my fabbo shoes will fit!

Well, I am sure there will be many posts about the many things that change sizes when you go through the process of being a mom!

I just didn't think my feet would be on the list without there being some other little reason why...

Now the big question is, do I order the 8.5 or the 9. I mean the 8 is pretty small... What's a gal to do???

More on turning 32

I think a great birthday is not so much about the gifts (although the shoes and watch and dinner out were all great ways of celebrating) - it's more about making memories. And, I feel like this weekend we did that! We took LG to the zoo for the first time and we went exploring in the "historic district" of our little town.

The best part of being 32 is that you can get really excited about feeding the giraffes, hearing the little meerkat bark at us while we ate our sandwiches, and watching the ringtail lemurs jump around and not feel like you are being childish OR that you have to be an adult watching the slime drip from the giraffes tongue. I also just love watching God's creation in motion - the birds, reptiles, mammals, marsupials, etc... Each one is so unique. Wow!!!

So bark back at that little meerkat, sing "You've got to move it, move it" to the ringtail lemurs, and feed those incredible slimy-tongued giraffes! You are 32... And drink in life to its fullest!

So... 32 eh?

Friday night was not all too bad. I mean, little guy woke up a couple times in the night but since it was my birthday weekend, hubby got LG. I had balloons waiting for me, presents very sweetly wrapped, and lots of cards that I had been holding onto throughout the week. We had a great morning just reading cards, opening some gifts and then we went to breakfast.

I have a birthday tradition... chocolate pancakes. Only once a year (we don't want those higher numbers making another appearance into the closet unless there is another little person needing the space :-)). We went to a fun diner that has this whole bear, forest, Montana feel to it. And, although they did not have chocolate chip pancakes on the menu, the waitress said it would not be a problem. And, boy, she was not kidding. The were the biggest and yummiest choc. chip 'cakes I have ever had! I could only eat one and LG helped me with it. So great!

Then, we all came home and took naps! AHHHHH the birthday nap. Yes, I am now well into my 30s and a working mommy, a nap is like the best birthday present ever! Am I right folks?

Then, we went down to our fun little pool and just hung out. Oh, and our babysitters had to cancel on us. Fortunately, we had a back up! I was soooo thankful it worked out... once again, I just continue to feel so loved by my Heavenly Father... even in little things like providing a babysitter on short notice in a city where we know very few people.

Dinner was wonderful!!! A great bistro type place and it was BYOW! I love places like that. They are few and far between back east where we used to live. It was so nice that hubs had arranged everything. Also, he remembered a pair of shoes I had seen awhile ago. What woman doesn't love a man that will buy her shoes for her birthday! Oh, I love that man! And, the shoes are yellow!!!! Love it!

So, I am 32. I have not really thought too much about it... it only being a recent occurance. But, I know that being in your thirties is a great place to be. I feel as though I have arrived. I got through the transitions of dating and marriage and believe that being a wife and mommy and current working mom is this great role (although it's tough doing it all far from close family and friends.

Well, off to bed. But more thoughts on being 32 later...

Here we go

Thoughts for today:
I walked in to my month-old office after crying all the way to work. My little cubicle was decorated all over with Birthday wishes from a couple of my office mates. Wow! It was really what I needed. I am not sure they will ever really know how much it meant to me. This week has been really difficult being out West. My mother-in-law was in the hospital, my dearest friend's birthday was this week, and mine is tomorrow... all with them on the East Coast and us out here in the desert. It's funny how a little crepe paper, streamers, a birthday card, and some whiteboard well-wishes can make you feel "at home"... well sort of.

I left my office a little later than I wanted to. It's so funny how much I miss the Little Guy (LG) during the day. I know he is having fun, but I still am not convinced its the right place for him... but more on that later, I'm sure. So I was speeding to get him! I mean, I was running some pretty "orange" lights just so I could be there right at 3 to get him. He was pretty fussy and when I picked him up, I just knew it. FEVER! Yep, he had a fever. Of course. We have an event tonight for daddy/hubby and LG has a fever. I get him home, take his temp... 101.6. Put him in a tepid bath and begin squirting Baby Tylenol down his mouth. Giving him some juice instead of water to entice him to drink more, I let him play in the tube while he fusses, cries, laughs, and whines in the tub.

Call the peds office... yeah, no dice because although we have a well appt. scheduled, he is not a patient in their practice yet so we cannot bring him in. They suggest the urgent care. Not too thrilled about this reality but we have to make sure its not an ear infection or something.

We decide to go to daddy/hubby's event since there will be free food (did I mention he is in grad school so free food is nice and, well, its really not free! We are paying a pretty penny for it). Get free food, let him play and get nice and distracted, then take him to urgent care.

Urgent care: CREEPY at first. I mean, its 6:45Pm and there are about 6 people waiting... only one other mommy with kids. I think it was an injured finger or something... but she had her hands full. I was just thinking how glad I was to only have ONE on nights like tonight.

Places like that gross me out. I mean, I am not usually a germ-a-phob but who knows what these people have? So, he does not leave my lap. The bink falls several times so we run out of binks from the 4 in my purse. Ok, now we wait and listen to McCain talk about whatever and Obama promote himself on something. Who knows... we were waiting. A couple other little ones came in... then there was a woman who came in really angry about not getting pain meds or something. Fortunately the nurse called us back just then! Praises!

She was very nice, gave him a tongue depressor and a sticker with Nimo the fish on it. He was fine. Of course, I did not put him down in the examining room! Heck no! Who knows what's been in those rooms. In walks our Dr... or intern? I mean, I think he was easily 4 years younger than me, fresh out of med school... maybe. But, he was nice and he just let me hold LG while he checked him out. And, the best news of all. Just a cold! The fever, probably a virus! Ears look good so just watch him and make sure he drinks lots of fluids and gets lots of rest. YAY! No antibiotics! No ear infection.

Daddy calls on the way home. Is excited about the good news but all I hear really is chanting and singing and all that grad school camaraderie building that they do -- I guess.

One last note: we don't really know too many people in this desert valley. Babysitters are limited but we have one for tomorrow's birthday dinner. At least, I thought we did. While on the phone hubby lets me know there has been a friend's mom die unexpectedly and now potential baby sitters might have to cancel. UGH. No fun!

I will just have to see what happens this weekend! Happy labor day!

Not really sure what I'm doing

The idea of this blog came to me about a year ago. I had an almost 3 month old, I was in my closet, and I was counting the numbers of sizes... 4, 6, 8, L, XL, 14, 12, 10. And I won't even begin to mention the numbers and letters in my bra drawer. So, 8 sizes in a year was just a little thought. Well, since then, this year had taken me many places. And, now, I find myself sitting in front of my laptop at 10PM on the eve of my 32nd birthday. The love of my life is out with his grad school class and the other little love of my life is snoozing away in his crib. And I here I sit... thinking about what in the world I have to say about... 8 sizes in a year.