Forbidden Fruit

D had his surgery yesterday. Previous experience had me expecting that he would be groggy and take 12-24 hours to recover. I talked with the nurses about this, and they agreed that he should be admitted as an inpatient. The surgery doctor had a different opinion, though, so we had to "wait and see". So, after he was still sleeping 2+ hours after surgery, and still needing oxygen... they admitted him and we stayed overnight. He's recovered well and we were able to come home this morning. I was glad to be at the hospital overnight.

But... that left T home with the other kids. And he was about to pull his hair out! At work he has missed a lot of time this week so that I could take D to the various "car mechanic" appointments. And this on the week following his vacation, when things are backed up. And the kids at home... sheesh! At least knowing they are driving him crazy makes me feel not so bad! It's not just me!

I guess up until this past week they have been very busy with one camp or another. Now all we have going on are swimming lessons (and, apparently, fighting). I bet this is what my sister and I did to our mom, and I really regret it now!

So, with both of us at our wits' end, it was time to pull out the big guns! I promised a trip to the pool and then threatened not to take them if they didn't shape up! :) We actually made it to the pool pretty fast, but were only there less than an hour before we heard a loud rumble of thunder and they closed the pool! This absolutely was not long enough for T to get work done at home, not long enough for me to read at the pool, and certainly not long enough to wear them out! Plus they whined at *me* about the pool closing! Like I can control the weather! And all this while making snotty comments to each other and trying to make each other cry.

So I got creative... I forbid them to play with each other. Let them know that I'd bring them each up a box of toys from the basement, but they had to play by themselves for the rest of the day. And... it worked! The house was so quiet!! And by supper time they were begging to play together! (and I didn't give in!) After supper we played some cards together and had a good goofy time - and they were less hateful to each other!

So, now we have another tool in our parenting tool box. And another great memory was made, too. H has a habit of repeating lines from movies or tv shows. The thing is, they are often mispronounced or have words switched, and they are never spoken at an appropriate time. For example... tonight we were playing go fish. When H told T to go fish and he sighed at her she snapped back "Don't look at me! I'm a chicken wing!" And laughing with her about it just makes it a household phrase... it was used several times before the night was over!

Four for Four

So today was our fourth day with a visit to the children's hospital, and the mechanic finally heard the noise. The bad news is that D will need another procedure sometime in the next week. The good news is that he's off his home IV until the procedure... so no nurse needed. Much more of a normal kid scenario.

It never ceases to amaze me how surprised the doctors seem when parents are right. In this case I wish I'd been wrong... but at least we know what's going on now and they are making a plan to fix it. In the mean time I'll enjoy my tube free kiddo! :)

It's like taking your car to the mechanic

I can remember a time shortly after T and I were married when my car was having problems. I described to T what was going on. We even traded cars for several days. But the problem never happened when he was in the car. And soon it felt like *I* was the one with the problem. And now I'm feeling like that with D!!!

On Sunday I took him to the ER with a problem with his IV port. They saw the problem there, but needed us to come back Monday for an x-ray exam. When we got to x-ray the next day... you got it, everything was fine. So they sent us on our merry way. And today, Tuesday, problems again. 2:10pm I called the doctor's office. Ugh. D's nurse wasn't in. Talked to a sub. She wants us downtown asap. No way can I take the other 3 kids downtown. So I found a sitter, took all three kids to pick her up while D's nurse got him ready to go. Brought the sitter home (I love N so much!) Got D loaded up and headed downtown. I was there by 4pm - including the 45 minute drive. I called them on the way and the nurse was disappointed at how long it was taking me. Again. Ugh. I felt like I'd run a marathon, but "the doctor really wanted you here by 3:30". I bit my tongue, but I really wanted to let her know what *I* really wanted.

Among other things, I really wanted them to do the x-ray test the minute I got there. Instead we chilled in the waiting room and were finally taken back, weighed, measured, etc and then the vascular access team (IV/port experts) were called to take a look. Wow! The problem really was there, just like I said. But, oh no, radiology is closed. So I'll need to come back tomorrow so they can do the x-ray exam again! I'm betting he'll be fine again tomorrow...

At least I have enough notice to pack a bag with snacks and a good book to read while I wait. Because if there's anything else I'm sure of, it's that they'll have me rush into the hospital and then have me wait. On the bright side, if I was the one at home with the other kids my book would be on the shelf... :)

Catching up

Just a quick catch up post...

1. Tony started a blog. I like it. Link on the sidebar.
2. New home health nurse. I love her. She'll be leaving soon, but she's training in her own replacement. I think we may even be friends after she leaves. :) She's been a foster and adoptive parent to a kiddo with special needs.
3. Had a GREAT week at Camp Luther!!!
4. Met a couple at camp with their adult daughter with special needs. Had great talks with them and hope to stay in touch.
5. Feeling like God is sending us all the support we need to make a big decision...
6. Z, H, and G are taking swim lessons this week and next.
7. D has stayed out of the hospital so far this month... with the exception of an ER visit last night... doing fine today. False alarm, I hope.
8. Been a while since we talked with or seen J (he moved out last month... on good terms) I miss him.
9. Just three weeks until we go to Wisconsin to visit my family! Just five weeks until school starts!!!!
10. I read the Twilight books by Stephenie Meyer. I have a new obsession!
11. Did I mention I love Camp Luther??? We had a blast! (with very few exceptions...)

I'll try to post more soon.

No Nurse

So, after D came home from the hospital I had some issues with our home health nurse and finally decided I was done worrying about whether the care she was giving him was good enough. Now we have no nurse.

Our new nurse will start next Thursday. This will give me plenty of time with D, and I'm happy about that. I would guess that by the time she starts I'll be desperate to have her here. But right now I'm really enjoying being able to take care of D all the time! And hoping that I'll have a better relationship with our new nurse.