Imagine this...the Early family has had a change of plans:)!!! Yeah, I know, hard to believe, we are ALWAYS so punctual and stick to such a strict schedule. I guess everyone wavers now and then...HAHAHA.
I had a 4am wake up of the sound of someone throwing up over the baby monitor...YEAH! When I ran into Abbi coming to get me in the hall, I knew it was Kati. Poor little thing, she had thrown up all over her "key" (blanket) and was sobbing. She seems to be doing better, but now I am burdened with, "do I leave and take a chance of an encore" or "wait 24 hours and be safe, but make everyone sad"? I am SO torn.
The girls overheard me talking to Eric and telling him we may not leave until tomorrow and they both went into a crying fest. What to do, what to do...
I want to see Eric, I miss him so badly and after the last couple of days...I need another parent to help me out before I go all the way crazy. But, I can't stand the thought of car vomit...yuck...
So, back to the dilemma. I know, everything is a dilemma for me...I admit it, I AM a drama queen:). I just can't help it. Now with m confession out of the way, I had better go and check on my sickling.
If I don't leave today, I will leave tomorrow. I CANT WAIT!!!!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
One injury down...
We had our first trip to the doctor for an injury today, I don't know who is more traumatized, me or Abbi:)
Yesterday, while playing on the patio, Abbi tripped over a toy (some type of "learn to hit a baseball thing..long post with a giant rubber band running the length of it and a ball strapped in the middle) and got this giant rubber band apparatus wrapped around her legs (only God knows how) and fell onto the concrete on her wrist. She screamed and cried for a good little bit, but after icing it and a nap, she seemed fine. I asked her over and over if it hurt and she denied it did. Last night, while opening the door, she cried out and grabbed her wrist. I went and inspected it and it looked OK, but she said it hurt when she twisted it to turn the handle (uh oh). I gave her some ibuprofen and she was fine, no swelling to speak of and she had pretty good range of motion, so I decided to watch it. Today, she was fine until about 1:00, once again, she was turning the door handle and she screamed. I ran to see what happened and she was really crying hard. This time I decided to take her to the Dr. I called the pediatrician in hopes they would have an x-ray machine in the office, but no, they would have to send her to the hospital, so I decided to take her to the Urgent Care for one stop help. Well, that was a mistake... she was so out of character! She clammed up and would not talk to the doctor and when she did she giggled nervously. He was moving her wrist and pressing and he would ask if it hurt and she denied it, but all the while had tears rolling down her face. Was she scared or was it hurting and she did not want to say anything? I was so confused! I tried to talk to her and get her to relax and open up, but she just wanted me to hold her. He decided to take x-rays, even though she denied pain (I am guessing he saw she was in pain). She freaked when they went to take her to the x-ray room and held on to me like she would never see me again! I had to carry her down to the room and stand outside the door and talk to her while they were doing the x-rays. She really broke my heart! Well, the x-rays came back fine...HALLELUJAH! So we were only facing a sprain. He wanted to put a cast on it anyway, though, because he felt the sprain was bad enough it needed one to heal. Well, no way, he mentioned it to her and she started to cry and refused adamantly. I was in complete shock! What was going on with my strong, bold, self confident little girl??? He then suggested an ace bandage to her...no way, there was no way he was getting anything anywhere near her arm without a struggle. Again, in complete shock and slightly annoyed. Why did I bring her to the doctor, sit in the waiting room for 2 hours and worry myself?? Well, he sends me home with the bandages and tells me to ice it, bandage it, if she'll let me, blah, blah, blah. He asks her once again before we leave, is she SURE she doesn't want him to put a cast on it...it will make it feel much better and heal much faster...NO WAY, it doesn't hurt anymore...her exact words were "God healed me up". So we leave. Not two steps into the parking lot and she looks at the bandage in my hand and says, "mommy, will you wrap my arm when we get in the car". What?! I thought she was all healed up! I wrapped her arm and the rest of the day went off without a hitch, but I am still in as much disbelief as I was at that doctors office. What in the world happened to her today? She later mentioned she was afraid that she would have to have a shot when he put a cast on, but was she THAT afraid of a shot?? I even told her no shots...I still can't figure it out. I hope and pray this is the last little accident that requires medical attention that I cannot give at home, at least until Eric is back. I felt so sorry for her!
Yesterday, while playing on the patio, Abbi tripped over a toy (some type of "learn to hit a baseball thing..long post with a giant rubber band running the length of it and a ball strapped in the middle) and got this giant rubber band apparatus wrapped around her legs (only God knows how) and fell onto the concrete on her wrist. She screamed and cried for a good little bit, but after icing it and a nap, she seemed fine. I asked her over and over if it hurt and she denied it did. Last night, while opening the door, she cried out and grabbed her wrist. I went and inspected it and it looked OK, but she said it hurt when she twisted it to turn the handle (uh oh). I gave her some ibuprofen and she was fine, no swelling to speak of and she had pretty good range of motion, so I decided to watch it. Today, she was fine until about 1:00, once again, she was turning the door handle and she screamed. I ran to see what happened and she was really crying hard. This time I decided to take her to the Dr. I called the pediatrician in hopes they would have an x-ray machine in the office, but no, they would have to send her to the hospital, so I decided to take her to the Urgent Care for one stop help. Well, that was a mistake... she was so out of character! She clammed up and would not talk to the doctor and when she did she giggled nervously. He was moving her wrist and pressing and he would ask if it hurt and she denied it, but all the while had tears rolling down her face. Was she scared or was it hurting and she did not want to say anything? I was so confused! I tried to talk to her and get her to relax and open up, but she just wanted me to hold her. He decided to take x-rays, even though she denied pain (I am guessing he saw she was in pain). She freaked when they went to take her to the x-ray room and held on to me like she would never see me again! I had to carry her down to the room and stand outside the door and talk to her while they were doing the x-rays. She really broke my heart! Well, the x-rays came back fine...HALLELUJAH! So we were only facing a sprain. He wanted to put a cast on it anyway, though, because he felt the sprain was bad enough it needed one to heal. Well, no way, he mentioned it to her and she started to cry and refused adamantly. I was in complete shock! What was going on with my strong, bold, self confident little girl??? He then suggested an ace bandage to her...no way, there was no way he was getting anything anywhere near her arm without a struggle. Again, in complete shock and slightly annoyed. Why did I bring her to the doctor, sit in the waiting room for 2 hours and worry myself?? Well, he sends me home with the bandages and tells me to ice it, bandage it, if she'll let me, blah, blah, blah. He asks her once again before we leave, is she SURE she doesn't want him to put a cast on it...it will make it feel much better and heal much faster...NO WAY, it doesn't hurt anymore...her exact words were "God healed me up". So we leave. Not two steps into the parking lot and she looks at the bandage in my hand and says, "mommy, will you wrap my arm when we get in the car". What?! I thought she was all healed up! I wrapped her arm and the rest of the day went off without a hitch, but I am still in as much disbelief as I was at that doctors office. What in the world happened to her today? She later mentioned she was afraid that she would have to have a shot when he put a cast on, but was she THAT afraid of a shot?? I even told her no shots...I still can't figure it out. I hope and pray this is the last little accident that requires medical attention that I cannot give at home, at least until Eric is back. I felt so sorry for her!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Ready to head out
Oh my. This has been an interesting week with the girls. I can say, I remember the last time Eric was gone being a challenge and I remember wondering if I could do it alone, but I things must have really changed or I must have blocked out how it "really" was.
I have to say, the girls have not been bad, they have actually been pretty good. It's just me. A lot of things, really stupid little things, are starting to bother me. Kati accidentally spilled a pitcher of KoolAid on the kitchen floor today, while trying to pour herself a glass. I think I have a right to be a little upset, but it was an accident and she REALLY didn't mean to do it. I wanted to scream, though! I was so frustrated. I think I handled it the rational way, I had her help me clean up and told her to be sure to ask for help next time. But that was NOT my gut reaction. I just have to keep on my toes and not allow myself to become aggrivated over things they cannot help. It is hard, though.
I have been pretty busy trying to figure out what to do for the deck railing. It is a thorn in my side, but hopefully tomorrow I will have it finished and won't have to worry with it anymore. Since the pool is up, I worry about not having the decked fenced in, once it is complete, I will rest easier.
Speaking of pool, the girls are little water dogs! They love it more than I ever imagined. It is so funny, they will stay in it for hours. The other day, Roxie brought the kids over and they all played in it forever. Kati (up until that day) was very leary of being out of her "float boat", but when Christian (who is 6 months younger than her) got in the pool with only water wings (floaties) on, that was all it took. SHE wanted to only wear floaties. Then, she wanted me to take them off and just hang on the side. It was so funny. Now she won't hardly look at the float boat anymore, she just wants her pink ruffled floaties and off she goes.
I have been trying to work with Abbi on learning some basic swim techniques, but it is not going too well. She is extremely parnoid about her face getting in the water (not that I have her put her face in the water), but she stiffens so much that she makes it impossible for me to show her. I am not the one to do that, anyway. She doesn't respond well to me in situations like that. Maybe I will put her in swim lessons so someone else can do it:).
We are leaving at the end of this week for our first trip to Fort Knox. I am excited in a way...I really miss Eric and I know the girls will be thrilled to see him, but in another way, I dread the trip. I feel like we have been on the road so much lately and I am just getting into the groove of things here at the house. I hate to leave again and then have to start all over. Honestly, though, I need the break. The girls need a break from me and I need another parent to help with them. It will be good for all of us, once I can get past the 9 hour car ride:). Good thing Huntington is on the way to break it up.
Well, I better go, it's super late and I need my beauty rest:).
I'll write more later
I have to say, the girls have not been bad, they have actually been pretty good. It's just me. A lot of things, really stupid little things, are starting to bother me. Kati accidentally spilled a pitcher of KoolAid on the kitchen floor today, while trying to pour herself a glass. I think I have a right to be a little upset, but it was an accident and she REALLY didn't mean to do it. I wanted to scream, though! I was so frustrated. I think I handled it the rational way, I had her help me clean up and told her to be sure to ask for help next time. But that was NOT my gut reaction. I just have to keep on my toes and not allow myself to become aggrivated over things they cannot help. It is hard, though.
I have been pretty busy trying to figure out what to do for the deck railing. It is a thorn in my side, but hopefully tomorrow I will have it finished and won't have to worry with it anymore. Since the pool is up, I worry about not having the decked fenced in, once it is complete, I will rest easier.
Speaking of pool, the girls are little water dogs! They love it more than I ever imagined. It is so funny, they will stay in it for hours. The other day, Roxie brought the kids over and they all played in it forever. Kati (up until that day) was very leary of being out of her "float boat", but when Christian (who is 6 months younger than her) got in the pool with only water wings (floaties) on, that was all it took. SHE wanted to only wear floaties. Then, she wanted me to take them off and just hang on the side. It was so funny. Now she won't hardly look at the float boat anymore, she just wants her pink ruffled floaties and off she goes.
I have been trying to work with Abbi on learning some basic swim techniques, but it is not going too well. She is extremely parnoid about her face getting in the water (not that I have her put her face in the water), but she stiffens so much that she makes it impossible for me to show her. I am not the one to do that, anyway. She doesn't respond well to me in situations like that. Maybe I will put her in swim lessons so someone else can do it:).
We are leaving at the end of this week for our first trip to Fort Knox. I am excited in a way...I really miss Eric and I know the girls will be thrilled to see him, but in another way, I dread the trip. I feel like we have been on the road so much lately and I am just getting into the groove of things here at the house. I hate to leave again and then have to start all over. Honestly, though, I need the break. The girls need a break from me and I need another parent to help with them. It will be good for all of us, once I can get past the 9 hour car ride:). Good thing Huntington is on the way to break it up.
Well, I better go, it's super late and I need my beauty rest:).
I'll write more later
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Can I do this again???
Well, I am one week into the deployment...I have been at home, alone with the girls since Tuesday...I am still sane, I still have all of my hair (although, I may have a few new greys) and I don't feel incredibly worn out. Overall, I think we are managing pretty well.
It's certainly not been as bad as I had anticipated. After all, this time I am not pregnant, on bed rest, and taking care of a toddler. I started out a step ahead. I also have the fact that Eric is not overseas on my side, knowing his life is not in immediate danger is a huge relief. Yeah, overall I would say that this time definitely has the makings to be a much better deployment than before.
Here's the thing, though...he is still gone. I am still alone, raising the girls on my own. I am still (once again) a single parent, juggling all the responsibilities that come with having a family. And yes, it still really, REALLY sucks. Times like this I really hate living so far from our family. It would be so nice to have someone around to take the kids for an afternoon or over night. I know I could ask a friend, but I won't...I probably wouldn't ask family if they were here:). I am not trying to sound negative (I don't really feel all that negative), it's just an all around crappy situation and I wish that we did not have to do it.
I know I can do it, I know we will make it, I know that everything will turn out fine in the end. I know that God will not place me in a situation unless He knows I can handle it...so, I know I can handle it. But do I want to handle it? No...absolutely not.
I am always amazed at how single parents do it. No one really knows how hard it is until they have been there. I can't even classify myself in that category, because, I have an end in sight...some single moms and dads don't. I will give you an idea of how there are so many things taken for granted...
It's 8 a.m., the kids are up and ready to go...I am so tired, because I stayed up too late watching Nick at Nite, (after all, after the kids are in bed is the only "me" time I get). I stumble to the kitchen to start my coffee. Kati is tugging at the fridge door whining about apple juice, Abbi is on my heals complaining that "she is so hungry and she thinks that she will die if she doesn't get Fruit Loops RIGHT NOW". I stop my process to open the door for Kati and pull out the a.j. jug...less than a half glass left...great, this will cause a fight. I go to grab the milk to make Abbi's cereal and remember we finished it off at dinner last night. CRAP!! Normally, I could throw on a pair of running shorts and a sweat shirt, pull my hair in a pony tail and run out the the store to grab the few items I need and be back in less than 15 minutes...but I can't leave the kids at home alone. So, I take Kati screaming and crying, because she doesn't want to miss Sesame Street, into the bedroom and throw a dress on her, meanwhile, Abbi is having a breakdown because "her stomach thinks her throat has been cut" (remember, Abbi is my drama queen). I get Kati's hair brushed and send her looking for her shoes. I grab Abbi an outfit from her closet and help her get changed from her PJ's. I throw her hair in a clip and send her off to find her shoes while I get dressed. I'm done in 2 minutes, but both have to potty. Once potty break is over, we head to the car, only to notice that neither of them have shoes on. Back to the house, and take 15 minutes to find a matching pair of shoes for both of them (which I found in the playroom...not where they are supposed to go). Back outside and off to the car. Everyone gets buckled in their seat belts (after a fight of who gets in the car first) and we are finally off to the store. While there I have to redirect them from the doughnuts, candy, chips and ice cream, break up three or four fights over who gets to stand on the end of the cart, or who gets to help mommy push or whatever they feel like arguing about for the minute. We FINALLY get what we need and get out of there. On the way to the car, another argument breaks out. I end up having to raise my voice (which I am SERIOUSLY trying to not do) and inform them that there will be no more arguing or no one will have apple juice or cereal when we get home...all is silent. After buckling everyone in and loading the groceries, we head back home. We pull into the drive, get our bags, head to the door (it is now 10 a.m..). I fix apple juice, fix cereal, make my coffee and set down to look at the paper and drink my energy...just in time for Kati to spill her juice and Abbi to need seconds:).
I can laugh at this now, but this REALLY is one of my mornings. And let me tell you, I was NOT laughing at the time:)!
Yes, I know I am blessed beyond measure. I know my life is sweet and my home is full of love and laughter, I know that I could not ask for more...and I won't. I thank God for the life that He has given me every day. I know this much, though, I will appreciate my husband that much more when he gets home to help!
It's certainly not been as bad as I had anticipated. After all, this time I am not pregnant, on bed rest, and taking care of a toddler. I started out a step ahead. I also have the fact that Eric is not overseas on my side, knowing his life is not in immediate danger is a huge relief. Yeah, overall I would say that this time definitely has the makings to be a much better deployment than before.
Here's the thing, though...he is still gone. I am still alone, raising the girls on my own. I am still (once again) a single parent, juggling all the responsibilities that come with having a family. And yes, it still really, REALLY sucks. Times like this I really hate living so far from our family. It would be so nice to have someone around to take the kids for an afternoon or over night. I know I could ask a friend, but I won't...I probably wouldn't ask family if they were here:). I am not trying to sound negative (I don't really feel all that negative), it's just an all around crappy situation and I wish that we did not have to do it.
I know I can do it, I know we will make it, I know that everything will turn out fine in the end. I know that God will not place me in a situation unless He knows I can handle it...so, I know I can handle it. But do I want to handle it? No...absolutely not.
I am always amazed at how single parents do it. No one really knows how hard it is until they have been there. I can't even classify myself in that category, because, I have an end in sight...some single moms and dads don't. I will give you an idea of how there are so many things taken for granted...
It's 8 a.m., the kids are up and ready to go...I am so tired, because I stayed up too late watching Nick at Nite, (after all, after the kids are in bed is the only "me" time I get). I stumble to the kitchen to start my coffee. Kati is tugging at the fridge door whining about apple juice, Abbi is on my heals complaining that "she is so hungry and she thinks that she will die if she doesn't get Fruit Loops RIGHT NOW". I stop my process to open the door for Kati and pull out the a.j. jug...less than a half glass left...great, this will cause a fight. I go to grab the milk to make Abbi's cereal and remember we finished it off at dinner last night. CRAP!! Normally, I could throw on a pair of running shorts and a sweat shirt, pull my hair in a pony tail and run out the the store to grab the few items I need and be back in less than 15 minutes...but I can't leave the kids at home alone. So, I take Kati screaming and crying, because she doesn't want to miss Sesame Street, into the bedroom and throw a dress on her, meanwhile, Abbi is having a breakdown because "her stomach thinks her throat has been cut" (remember, Abbi is my drama queen). I get Kati's hair brushed and send her looking for her shoes. I grab Abbi an outfit from her closet and help her get changed from her PJ's. I throw her hair in a clip and send her off to find her shoes while I get dressed. I'm done in 2 minutes, but both have to potty. Once potty break is over, we head to the car, only to notice that neither of them have shoes on. Back to the house, and take 15 minutes to find a matching pair of shoes for both of them (which I found in the playroom...not where they are supposed to go). Back outside and off to the car. Everyone gets buckled in their seat belts (after a fight of who gets in the car first) and we are finally off to the store. While there I have to redirect them from the doughnuts, candy, chips and ice cream, break up three or four fights over who gets to stand on the end of the cart, or who gets to help mommy push or whatever they feel like arguing about for the minute. We FINALLY get what we need and get out of there. On the way to the car, another argument breaks out. I end up having to raise my voice (which I am SERIOUSLY trying to not do) and inform them that there will be no more arguing or no one will have apple juice or cereal when we get home...all is silent. After buckling everyone in and loading the groceries, we head back home. We pull into the drive, get our bags, head to the door (it is now 10 a.m..). I fix apple juice, fix cereal, make my coffee and set down to look at the paper and drink my energy...just in time for Kati to spill her juice and Abbi to need seconds:).
I can laugh at this now, but this REALLY is one of my mornings. And let me tell you, I was NOT laughing at the time:)!
Yes, I know I am blessed beyond measure. I know my life is sweet and my home is full of love and laughter, I know that I could not ask for more...and I won't. I thank God for the life that He has given me every day. I know this much, though, I will appreciate my husband that much more when he gets home to help!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Six month Count-Down!!
Well, Eric is officially gone...only six months to go!!
Lets see, since I have been TERRIBLE about keeping up with this, I will (once again) fill you in.
Since my last entry we have managed to accomplish an unbelievable number of things...
We finished putting down the hardwood floors (we may have already finished that...it's been a while since I wrote)
We insulated the upstairs bedroom/playroom/garbage pit--next step...Sheetrock!
We disassembled two porches and a large deck and reassembled them into one big deck
We fenced in a large portion of the back yard
We put up a pool (above ground frame pool, but the kids LOVE it...me, too:))
We bought a shed (since our other one is not finished), had it delivered and set up
Eric finally got his motorcycle (Murdercycle as I call it)
Ummmm...... I think that's about it.
We have worked ourselves to death on the fence, it was such a big undertaking, but it looks SO nice and it will pay off ten-fold now that Eric is gone and I am single parenting it for the next 6 months. I can open the door, set the monkeys free and don't have to worry about them getting hit by a car...or in our neighborhood, bit by a wild animal:)
As I have mentioned, Eric is gone. He left yesterday at 3:30...my heart was broke.
I have talked to him today, though. He is in his new apartment and says it is nice. I will let you know when I go and see it:) He can't wait for us to come visit (and I can't either).
Gotta go for now. Fill you in later!!
Lets see, since I have been TERRIBLE about keeping up with this, I will (once again) fill you in.
Since my last entry we have managed to accomplish an unbelievable number of things...
We finished putting down the hardwood floors (we may have already finished that...it's been a while since I wrote)
We insulated the upstairs bedroom/playroom/garbage pit--next step...Sheetrock!
We disassembled two porches and a large deck and reassembled them into one big deck
We fenced in a large portion of the back yard
We put up a pool (above ground frame pool, but the kids LOVE it...me, too:))
We bought a shed (since our other one is not finished), had it delivered and set up
Eric finally got his motorcycle (Murdercycle as I call it)
Ummmm...... I think that's about it.
We have worked ourselves to death on the fence, it was such a big undertaking, but it looks SO nice and it will pay off ten-fold now that Eric is gone and I am single parenting it for the next 6 months. I can open the door, set the monkeys free and don't have to worry about them getting hit by a car...or in our neighborhood, bit by a wild animal:)
As I have mentioned, Eric is gone. He left yesterday at 3:30...my heart was broke.
I have talked to him today, though. He is in his new apartment and says it is nice. I will let you know when I go and see it:) He can't wait for us to come visit (and I can't either).
Gotta go for now. Fill you in later!!
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