A day in the life of Sarah

So I sit down at the computer today, and I get an email 'nudging' me to post in LJ. With a slight groan I am somewhat indignant. Then I read that it has been 13 WEEKS since my last post! Okay. I didn't know that it had been THAT long.

Hmmmm. What have I been up to? I feel that I am in a somewhat cryogenic state. The temperature after all is -18C, which is ACTUALLY -27C with the wind chill. Here is the thing that I can not understand. Why is the name of Pete did human beings settle in a place that is so ridiculous! Too hot in the summer, and way to friggin cold in the winter. I can't express to you enough the depths of depression that I am fighting to avoid - being stuck here. This is just wrong, wrong, wrong!

Kyle has been really struggling with school. The teacher openly dislikes him, and his non-attentive manner (I would not refer to him as hyper...) I would homeschool him, except that his dad is not supportive of that, and we have joint custody. I am starting to homeschool Libby in the hopes that Kyle will be able to join us at some point. I have materials that I would like to supplement his school with, but I can't in good conscience make him work more on the school work outside of school. It already takes 5-8 hours a week-end to do his homework from the teacher.

He has been in snowboarding to try and improve his self-confidence, and he does enjoy it. So far it has been a really rewarding experience. I am happy to encourage what I can when we find something that he enjoys.

Jordan is almost nine months, and starting on solid foods. He is so funny with them! He is eating just bite-size pieces, so it is nice to not worry about the puree stage. Yeah breastfeeding! Right now our biggest problem with him is not treating him too much like a 'baby' and pick him up when ever he complains. Not that I like to make them cry, but there is a certain amount of frustration required to inspire them to crawl and walk. He is squirming around - and will sometimes wedge himself under the futon.

Libby resembles the girl with the curl unlike no other I have ever seen before. She is very sweet and like to float around on her toes like a princess, but screams like a banshee if things aren't going her way.

I have been fighting with gaining control over the house for quite sometime. I have a friend who has recently taken up the fight, and we just spent a whole weekend going through the house purging things. It is amazing the difference. I now have a certain sense of satisfaction when I tidy and clean the house. We aren't done yet - and I can't wait to do some more!

Well. That is about it for now. I will try to update again in less then 13 weeks!

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I have recently updated my OTHER blog...  Not that I update that one much either.  I was asked to speak at my church ladies group (80-100 people) on my personal experience with depression.  I posted my presentation.  Please enjoy.  My Depression  :o) 


http://thethingsdreamsaremadeof.blogspot.com/

So I haven't posted in forever and a day, so here goes.

I had a good birthday - Thanks Tracy for the birthday msg...  I did miss seeing Karen, but my birthday has always conflicted with school starting - so I am used to it causing issues of some sort.

We spent a few days in the Kawartha Lakes area, and had a GREAT time.  Hopefully we can go back this fall for a bit.

My friend Jessica is FINALLY moving because her husband is now gainfully employed - well as gainful as a Pastor can be I guess.  I am thrilled for her, but a little jealous.  :o)

We are potty training Libby, and although the first week was fantastic - potty training now consists of cleaning up a lot of pee and poop, and I am praying that I will magically get a new sofa in a year...

In an effort to regain control over my house and such I have started to correspond with a local flylady support group.  I am meeting the "fly people" this Saturday and am really excited.  I am hoping that this will help to get things back on track. 

I have taken on the 'meal ministry' at our church - providing meals for people in hospital and who have had babies...  I just didn't feel like I had enough on my plate.

I have found a new way to covet what I don't have (and have no means of having anytime soon).  It is www.eplans.com.

So as I ponder what to post - I remember that the name of my blog (which I actually don't like anymore) is "A Day In The Life of Sarah".

What did I do today?  I woke up with Jordan on my tummy - as usual - which happened one other time through the night...  I nest pillows on either side of me so I can't roll, and he sleeps on my chest, on his tummy.  He loves it  :o)  Kevin started out sleeping on the couch so that HE could sleep through the night (No one wants him to drive a tractor tired...  He is a bit narcaleptic...).    It is probably just as well since once you get me and the baby in bed - there isn't room for anyone else.  Especially Kevin - since he fights nightly battles in his sleep!  My dream  is to have a King size bed.  This dream should not exclude my dream to own a detached house, and to lose  60 lbs... 

I ate a 'breakfast' of milk and a granola bar.  That doesn't really bother me that much since I would hold off eating till 11 or 12 if I could...  I took Kyle to school, and went to the Park to meet the Upward Bound Gals (the Thursday AM group I went to till they ended for the summer).  It was okay, except I still end up nursing Jordan and not being able to watch Libby, which leaves me to try and get other people to watch her, which makes me feel like I am mooching...  At the same time I know that I need to get out and see people.  I don't FEEL depressed, but I know that I am starting to show signs of being depressed.  My shopping is shifting from purposeful to impulsive, and slipping into a slightly compulsive pattern.  My eating will be right behind it.  And my behind does NOT need that!

I came home, gave Libby a 'snack (lunch), put Libby down for a nap, then folded laundry.  Woke Libby up, picked Kyle up from school, and am now in a endless cycle of nursing and chasing Kyle around the house trying to get him to settle down.   (We did play at the park for 1/2 hour on the way home.

Right now I am heating up some supper, and still nursing and chasing... 

It doesn't seem like I should be exhausted, but I am...

Every once in a while someone will suggest that I blog - and I say "hmm, Funny you should say that..."  The latest is Kelly - who I am sure will be commenting soon.  I also know that occasionally Tracey would like to know that she is not the only one on LJ...

The truth is I have a baby crying - milk letting down, and two other kids ACHING to get into trouble - so I am not going to do a substantial post now, but simply state that I will attempt to post later....

Today 'we' had an appointment at the midwife.  When he was born Jordan was 6 lbs 9 ozs.  He went down to 6 lbs 4 ozs - two DAYS later he was up to 6 lbs 10 ozs - and today, a week later - 7 lbs 7 ozs!  That is almost 2 ozs of weight-gain a day.  That makes us all happy  :o)  I was really looking forward to today so I could get a feeling for how he was gaining.  I think I can safely not worry...

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Let me know in the comments how you did :o) I will say that there is a couple 'whatever' answers... :o)

As long as you look past the fat that I was still in a sports bra and night shirt when Sifton got here to fix our dryer - today is doing a bit of a turn around...  First of all - my dryer is fixed.  I am hoping that it will take less than 3 hours to dry a load, he emptied the gravel and beads out of the exhaust to stop it from making noise, and replaced a fuse that was interfering with the thermal controls.  It SHOULD work better now...

Other than that Libby has been tolerable, despite a horrible nights sleep, and she has resisted napping - which will hopefully result in a better nights sleep tonight...  She even sat quietly while I combed the knots out of her hair! 

I found another guppy baby in the fish tank - I thought I got them all out while Bek was here - but maybe we missed one.  It was a small one, but it might have been a small one from the other day...  I will have to look later and see if there are more or not...

There is a lot of work that I planned to do that isn't going to get done, but it will still be here tomorrow!

So last night in an effort to replace the piece with the screen on our bathroom faucet, Kevin broke the whole faucet.  SO today - I will have to get a new one...  Then Libby woke up the whole house crying at 1AM.  While she was STILL awake at 4, Kyle woke up AGAIN with the thunder storm...  Since I DON'T have the King size bed that I WANT (for times such as these) - I sent Kyle and Kevin downstairs, since they A) needed sleep, and B) needed to get up in the morning...  That way Libby and I could sleep in a bit, while they got up and out the door.

The peanut woke me up at 8:25AM to do the morning 'dash'.  The house was completely quiet, and I thought that Kevin and Kyle must have gotten out REALLY quietly...  I come downstairs, and they are BOTH still sleeping in the living room!  Needless to say I put together lunches - my son is at school with out breakfast (we didn't even have any snack bars!), I wrote a note in Kyle's agenda to say that I will send the homework tomorrow (it didn't ALL get done - so the plan was he would finish it this morning...).  I found some money so that Kevin can buy a sandwich for his lunch (all we had was nutella - and I used all the bread on Kyle) and some coffee and breakfast...

Let's hope things improve - but in my experience a day that starts on the wrong foot - stays there...

So the last few days have been...rough.  It is getting warmer - which I am ALREADY finding unbearable.  Every time I stand for very long, or do stairs, or a lot of bending down (laundry, getting in the fridge...), or walking -  I get monster braxton hicks (which hurt more when I am standing...).  As soon as they are over, the baby spends the next 10-15 minutes flipping around like he has a trampoline or something.  It doesn't help that I am so busy, and I don't have the option of slowing down...

I am also only at 35 weeks, and with Libby coming so early and fast I am nervous about going into labour TOO early.  (For anyone that doesn't know Libby was 2.5 weeks early, and active labour is recorded as being 36 minutes!)  This week I talked to the midwife about birth plans, and I am supposed to think about what I want to have happen when I go into labour if it is fast.  IF I think it is going fast I can have an ambulance take me to meet my midwife at the hospital, OR she can come to my house - and we may end up with a homebirth (in which case I should do some things to prepare to make things go as smoothly as possible).  I REALLY don't know what I want.  There is a part of me that has always wanted a home birth.  She was explaining that after the baby is born they put me and the baby in the tub while they change and make the bed.  Before the midwives leave the baby and I are tucked into bed with everything being cleaned in the washer (so I don't have laundry nightmares  :o)  I have always HATED staying in the hospital, so this sounds heavenly...  On the other hand, I need to think about where my kids would stay while I am in labour - since I am not the type that is comfortable with kids being exposed to their mother being in that much pain...  Secondly, I wonder how my neighbours would feel about it if they ended up hearing any noise...  (although the midwife assured me that they routinely deliver in townhouses and apartments with out any problems...).  I do trust the midwife to send me to the hospital if that becomes necessary, and it is not like you stay in the hospital long enough to make a difference to how well you can pick up with the housework etc. when you get home...  I am torn.  Maybe I should plan the hospital birth, prepare for the home birth, and whatever happens (fast or slow) is meant to be...

What I really want though is to go another 4 weeks without incident...

So.  I  again find that I haven't posted in a while...  To be honest I am still a bit sick.  Just a nagging cough that won't let up...  It is irritating though.  I have also been crazy busy!  Today is Kevin's birthday.  I had wanted to do more, but I have to settle for giving him clothes (boring) and making him a Toronto Maple Leafs hat cake... I will try and post a pic when I am done.

Last night Bek came up for a quick visit (cut short since she had a call for an interview...  good for her - bad for me, and Libby, and Kyle  :o)  She was getting my help to make a castle cake that was being attacked by a dragon.  The pic of that will be on Facebook...  :o)  It was the first time I used fondant - I would like to take a class or something and learn more about fondant and gum paste... Then I could do some really awesome creations!   FYI, my new favorite show is Ace of Cakes.  That is the kind of thing I aspire to  :o)

I thought I was going to BBQ something for supper, but then Kevin ate the Potato salad that I was going to use - and it is supposed to thunder storm, so I think planning to cook outside might be ill-advised.  I am back to square one...

I am desperately trying to organize my garden stuff... It is getting really late to start anything, and I need to figure out how to get the garden dug out without taking time from Kevin's work or school time.  I have high hopes.  I want tomatoes, spinich, pumpkins, beans, snow peas, three types of peppers, cucumbers, lettuce and potatoes.  OHH! and herbs...  All this in a townhouse yard! 

I had a midwife appointment yesterday.  I was talking to her about how fast my last labour was, and what the plan is if this one is fast too.  (I have planned to have a hospital birth).  Basically if the labour is fast she can either come, and if it is going quickly - to just deliver at home, or if I think it is going fast to meet me at the hospital in an Ambulance...  When she was telling me about the home birth option - I started wishing I could just do that...  I have typically not considered it because of living in a townhouse - and having neighbours who might hear me...  Then - since we live in a different city than our families - where would I send Kyle and Libby...  I KNOW that I am not cool with them being around.  I have a lot to think about, and I am hoping that I can talk to someone who has had a home birth...  She was telling me that at a home birth they have you put old sheets on top of  a shower curtain on your bed.  After the baby is born you and the baby go into the tub to clean up, and they put the sheets in the wash, and make your bed up.  Then they move you and the baby back into bed, and leave you in bed, with a drink and snack - to just sit, sleep, relax - not having to contend with hospital staff, or sharing a room with anyone.  I don't know about the other mothers out there - but that seems SOO appealing!

That is it for now...  I have to get going on cakes, and dinner and such... 

I am sick.  I don't remember EVER being this sick.  I am saying it here, and I mean it (the baby better not be reading this...)  I would RATHER be in labour than feel the way I do right now.  I have a sore throat, I can barely swallow, I have a fever (103-104), I am either sweating or shivering, I can't sleep without waking up choking in .5-1 hours, I have sore skin - everywhere, my joints ache, I'm weak, I feel like throwing up (but can't without anything to eat), I have coughing fits that end in gagging, and my nose is runny.  "Take some antibiotics" you say?  IT'S VIRAL!  Let's not forget that the strongest arsonol I can throw at this is extra strength Tylenol (AKA tic tacs) and halls.  That's right.  My loving family who gave this to me can take decongestant and expectorant and Advil.  Not me.  If this goes on another day I have to be assessed for dehydration - since that is the only risk to the baby.  It will harvest nutrients from my body, but if I dehydrate too much, it can reduce the amniotic fluid. 

Elizabeth has it right now too.  She isn't much better than me.  She is REFUSING to drink - which is posing potential problems.  Either way - she and I are headed to the Dr tomorrow.

Type "(your name) needs" into Google, and take the first 10  :o)

Sarah needs posts.
Sarah needs you.
Sarah needs us.
Sarah needs a cold shower.
Sarah needs to kick him in the nuts.
Sarah needs a banner.
Sarah needs to get her life back.
Sarah needs to be hooked up to a respirator in order to live.
Sarah needs a kidney.
Sarah needs batteries.

I know I haven't done a real post in ages - so here goes it.  What has had me so distracted from my regular posting schedule  :oP  Two words - squished into one word.  Facebook.  Yes it is addictive, and yes, it is awesome.  It, like LJ, I joined to maintain some contact with the sister who lives hours and hours away.  She USED to live hours and hours and hours away, but she moved mildly closer.  Just close enough that you can lull yourself into thinking 'Kingston isn't that far - I think I will try to visit Karen.  Then you get half way there, realize that you are only halfway, and think 'Yup.  She still lives really far away...'  Anyhoo - She started neglecting LJ for Facebook, causing Bek and I to follow her (c'mon Scangrade - you know you want to be on Facebook too...).  Ever since I have realized that EVERYONE is on Facebook.  People from the old neighbourhood, my friends, my husbands friends, friends from high school, you name it - they're there.  (Except Tracey - who I KNOW will join too, right?  How are you by the way?)

Anyway here is the Cole's notes version of what's up.

Kevin - still working away on the masters... Hopefully will be done *soon*.  Now the definition of soon is ever changing, but I am thinking by the end of the summer?  That kind of sucks because someone who interviewed him from Agriculture Canada last year emailed him a job posting.  The pay is only an extra $3000 a year, if that - but it is a foot in the door to the Government - which is hard to do...  He doesn't want to go for it because he feels like it would further draw out the Master's - which is probably true - but still sucks.  Hopefully in the fall (which is a big hiring time in the Ag industry) something huge and amazing will come up. 

Me - Not much has changed.  Still pregnant.  Increasingly so, actually.  On the other hand my midwife is actually getting concerned that I am not gaining more weight right now.  Concerned might be a strong word...  I can't say that I am too torn up about it - since the baby seems fine...  I have been exhausted.  Terrifically exhausted.  I have been trying to fight it by walking - but it has been freaking cold.  I can NOT wait for the weather to get better. 

Kyle - He is finally starting to read more, and write more.  Before it was like pulling teeth to get him to try - but now he is starting to put in some effort, and SOMETIMES initiates doing it himself.  Today we got him his membership to the Y, and he made me promise that he could go tomorrow.  Now he will be in swim lessons every Friday afternoon, plus whatever else he decides to do during the week.  There is soccer, basketball, floor hockey, volleyball, a rock wall,...  He is THRILLED.

Libby - I can't believe that in two weeks she is going to be two.  I feel like she is still a baby, never mind TWO!  She is talking more and more everyday.  I am hoping to get her to the Y too, but I am going to wait until after the baby is born.  Her membership includes the childcare while I work out - so in September or something I will get memberships for her and I.  I want to put her in a dance or music program too.  She LOVES music.  I looked into Kindermusik, and am thinking of it for the fall.  By the way - money towards the fall semester is at the top of her wish list... really.

Peanut - Moves a lot.  Especially at night.  No big surprise really.  I have gotten to the point where I just REALLY REALLY  want to see him.  It is encouraging that I am starting to get the nesting instinct.  I am thinking seriously that we need to pick up the Stroller and Car seat soon, and trying to get all the clothes washed and find homes for the 'stuff'.  I am actually due 2 months today - so it is coming...

That is most of it.  I need to run if I am going to accomplish anything before I fall asleep...  Talk to you all soon...

Okay - I swear I will stop reading craiglist... tonight...

The worst cat ever

I used to think that I was nuerotic - I now have much more perspective...

 

Public Restroom Standard Operating Procedure (PRSOP)

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Date: 2007-03-08, 1:14PM EST


I’m sad to say that the following is true. I may possible have OCD, but using the restroom in any other manner would be absolutely reprehensible to me. Allow me to explain. The following PRSOP ensures I emerge unscathed, and as pristine as possible.

After my lunch, I enter the restroom as soon as possible to avoid the risk of neighbors in adjacent stalls. Post lunch crowding is most detestable and can ruin an otherwise marginally tolerable experience. I begin with a survey of all available stalls making careful notes on cleanliness, seat condition, toiletry supply, lighting, and space for maneuverability. Once I have selected my stall I enter and close the door behind me using a small square of tissue to lock the latch.

Next I begin the cleansing process. I start with an initial flush using my foot to remove any particulate matter inside the bowl visible or otherwise. Once water movement in the bowl has ceased, I fashion a giant mitten the size of a softball by wrapping my hand in at least 10 yards of toilet paper. I then use said mitten to vigorously scrub the seat top, and any exposed surfaces of the underlying bowl, discard the mitten, and commence second flush. Once water movement in the bowl has ceased a second time, I fashion a smaller mitten that I use to remove any collateral splatter from the second flush before constructing my protective barrier.

The thin tissues provided by the janitorial staff are as much of a joke as their cleaning abilities. Instead, I line the seat with a series of 10 sheets of toilet paper varying from 4 to 6 inches in length. I start at the front of the seat, and work my way to the back carefully overlapping the previous sheet, and the seat’s edge to prevent even the slightest skin contact.

With the barrier in place I un-fasten my trousers and prepare to sit. I take special care to sit down directly as any lateral movement could cause the paper to shift, ruining the integrity of my protective barrier. I wrap my shirt tightly around my waist, tuck my badge in my shirt pocket, and check to make sure the cuffs of my pants are not touching the floor.

I pass my bowels.

I wait the pre-determined 5-minute recovery period, and then begin remediation. Mittens of various size are utilized until an acceptable level of cleanliness is perceived. I then stand pausing for a moment to admire my handiwork, and then resume remediation until I am certain that absolutely no undesirable matter remains on my posterior. This can take up to 30 mittens, with multiple flushes, and can be an extremely stressful process.

Convinced of my cleanliness, yet still feeling dirty I use another square to undo the latch, and exit the stall. I walk to the hand washing stations and roll out a small square of paper towel, leaving it attached to the dispenser. I then wash my hands twice, the first most vigorously, and the second as a lesser back up, before retrieving the square of paper towel to turn off the faucet. I then use the square to dispense enough paper towel (about the size of a volleyball) to dry my hands, and serve as a protective barrier while exiting the facility.

The whole process takes about 15 minutes. It is something of which I am simultaneously ashamed, and very proud.

• Location: DC