The Day My Baby Got "Fired": A True Story

A few of you have been privy to our recent debacle with daycare but for those of you who haven't heard, we got a two week notice last Friday. Our current provider said that she didn't think Keegan liked going there and would be better suited with a different daycare mom. Plus, he's too fussy for her. WTF! Are you kidding me?!?!

When she handed me the letter saying we had to be gone by August 15, I was completely floored. We got no warning that this was coming. She would ask me questions every few weeks like whether or not he sat and played with toys at home, how well he took naps, or if there was something we do at home to help with crankiness but not once did she say that if it didn't get better, we had to find new daycare.

Keegan is definitely fussy but he's no fussier than any other baby I've been around. He's 8 months old and teething so yeah, he's bound to be cranky. I think he just didn't meet her expectations of what a baby should be like so he got the boot.

Now, if you're like anyone else I've told this story to, you're baffled, annoyed, or Hulk-like angry over this. To be fair, the contract we signed does state that at any point she can give us a two week notice. But to "fire" an infant because he's too "fussy"? That's just cold-hearted and mean.

I spent most of last weekend in about 3 moods: angry because of the whole situation, sad because she thinks so poorly of my son, and panicking because it took me forever to find someone to watch him in the first place. Nobody has infant openings around here. I made several calls to home daycares in our area, to no avail. But then the angels must have heard my plea because we managed to find a new daycare on Monday!

We met our new daycare provider on Wednesday and I instantly felt at ease with her. She's got a kick-ass backyard, is so unbelievably nice, and genuinely appreciates kids for who they are. Plus, my best friend's kids go there (hence, how I found her) so Rowan and Keegan will at least know two of the kids.

What turned into an incredibly crappy situation has since turned around for the better. I don't dislike our current provider but I've never fully felt at ease with her so this has definitely been a blessing in disguise. Thank you to those of you who put the APB out and got us in touch with friends or acquaintances who would have been willing to watch our boys. It's so amazing knowing that I have friends out there who will drop what they're doing to help me out. I hope you know I'd do the same for you in a heartbeat.

Encouragement is Everything

I have to say, I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of positive thoughts, encouragement, and suggestions that have been sent my way since my blog post the other night. I truly have amazing friends and family and I couldn't be more grateful. I think getting the news that my blood pressure medication isn't working made me just a tad upset. I mean, you take a pill, you think it will instantly make things better but apparently blood pressure doesn't work that way. Who knew.

I was reminded of several things that really hit home with me. Taking things one day at a time can make all the difference. And it's ok if you screw up. You get back on track the next day and keep moving forward. And that getting mad at myself doesn't make things better. All it does it prolong the negativity. Most of all, I am reminded that I am not alone. While my head tells me I am an island of one, you realize there are five others out there who are in the same boat. Everyone has their struggles.

But struggling doesn't mean you're failing, which is something I need to remember. Tomorrow begins my journey. I'm not going to promise that I won't slip up. I am human after all. But I do promise to do my very best each and every day, even if my best is just getting out the front door in the morning! 

Why I'm Mad at Me

News flash: I'm a fatty. It's ok...it's true and I accept that. I hate that I'm overweight and I honestly don't know what to do about it. Why is it so hard to find the motivation to lose weight and get myself back on track? It's super easy to put the weight on, that's for sure.

I was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure and had to go on medication. Part of the cause is me being as heavy as I am. You would think that would be motivation enough but you'd be wrong. I for the life of me can't figure out why. High blood pressure is a serious thing. I have lost a few pounds over the last couple of weeks just by cutting back on the crap and running but it's not enough.

I hate everything about this. I hate looking at myself in the mirror. I hate that none of my clothes from a couple of summers ago (pre pregnancy) no longer fit. I hate that I have no willpower. Most of all, I hate that I let myself get to this point. I'm so unbelievably unhappy right now.

Let me be clear...I love my husband and my kids and our life together. That's not at all why I'm unhappy. I'm unhappy because I'm on a downward spiral that doesn't seem to end. I want to be around to watch my kids grow up and someday have grandkids of my own. But if I don't get my act together, this life I'm looking forward to may not be as long as I'm anticipating.

This is my cry for help. Motivate me. Yell at me. Take the damn cookie out of my hand if you have to. Be there for me as I try and figure this out. It may not seem like much but it's more than you realize.

Get Excited People...I'm Back!!

That's right people...I'm back! I took a brief hiatus from the blog and by brief, I mean a few months. We've been dealing with a touch of crazy at our house from having a baby to it being that crazy time of year at work to dealing with the renters from hell. You know...the usual stuff.

So you probably know that one of my goals for 2014 is to run a half-marathon. That will become a reality as I did sign up for the Mankato half-marathon in mid-October. 218 days to go! Glenn Jackson is being a love and running it with me. That means at some point over the summer I will grow to hate him as he continues to do things like make me eat my vegetables and actually make me run. Ugh, the nerve.

In all honesty, though, I'm really excited about this. So excited, in fact, that I actually got off my ass last night and went for a run. Woot woot! I haven't ran since the 10-miler a year and a half ago. Let me tell you, it wasn't pretty. I ended up walking a little bit, everything hurt, and I'm pretty sure I looked like one of those dogs with big jowls and loose skin that flops up and down when they run.

I am dying laughing as I type this

It was a completely pathetic run but the point is, I did it. I felt so awesome afterward. I know I need to get back on track but this run just solidified everything my mind has been telling me these past couple of months.

Forewarning, I will now become one of those annoying people who fills you in on their training and whether or not it was a good day or a bad day. Don't worry, though, I've got plenty of other crap to fill you in on so stay tuned.

I will now leave you with a couple of pics of my boys just because they are so damn cute!

Lessons I Learned in 2013

Like many others, I've sat back and reflected on the past year. 2013 was a busy year for us...new house, new baby, and everything in between. It was also full of a lot of lessons.

I learned that building a house can be a complete pain in the ass. We fought more this past year than we have in our entire marriage because of one stupid house. I can say now that I don't regret doing it but there were many times where I might have said differently.

 

I learned that second pregnancies are very different. So much that I didn't even know who I was anymore thanks to the numerous amounts of hormones. I struggled every day and there were times where I thought I was going to go insane but somehow you make it through. Because it's completely worth it in the end.

I learned that no matter how much life throws at you, you'll always be able to get back up. Every day is a new day.

I learned that being diagnosed with gestational diabetes was not a death sentence. I CAN watch what I eat without starving. I CAN poke myself in the finger with a needle 4 times a day. And I can completely appreciate the fact that people have to do that every day of their lives because they have no choice. You guys are rockstars!

I have been reminded that life is short. Many friends have dealt with heartbreak and loss, especially recently, and it's served as a reminder that life is precious and you need to live, laugh, and love every single day of your life.

I've learned that two kids are harder than one. Especially when the older one is 3 1/2. But I've also learned that you can love two kids equally. I wouldn't trade being a mom for anything in the world.

I learned so much in 2013, more than I've shared. I had more than my share of bad times but I also had plenty of good. And the good always outweighs the bad.

2014 is going to be a challenging year for me but not in a bad way. I'm setting lofty goals for myself. I'll have my usual goal of getting in shape (I know, you've heard it before) but this time is different. Getting gestational diabetes was a huge eye opener for me. If I don't get my weight under control, there's a good chance I'll end up with diabetes later in life and I'm going to make damn sure that's not an option for me.

I'm also going to try and accessorize more. Sounds stupid, I'm sure but I have a boatload of jewelry and belts and scarves that sit in my closet and do nothing. What's the point of having this stuff if I'm not going to wear it?

Glenn and I have a combined goal of creating a budget and sticking to it. We always talk about doing it and several times have in fact started one but we never stick to it. With two kids in daycare, it's something we definitely need to do.

My biggest goal is to run a half-marathon. I figure if I can survive the TC 10-miler, what's another 3 miles. It may not sound like a lofty goal but considering I haven't ran since the 10-miler (which was in October 2012), it's a big deal to me! I'm shooting to do one in the fall so expect to hear about the trials and tribulations of training throughout the next several months. I promise you'll enjoy it!

I hope 2014 brings you everything you're hoping for, wishing for, or aiming for. I'm definitely going to make the best of this new year and I hope you do, too.

An Update on Baby Jackson

Things are progressing nicely with Baby Jackson after a mild scare a couple of weeks. Ok, it wasn't even a scare so much as my doctor getting a little bit too concerned about my blood pressure. I'll explain that first since it plays into my update.

So a couple of weeks ago I was at a diabetes appointment to see how things were going and we discovered my blood pressure was up. Now to be fair, I had just gotten a bad cold a couple of days prior and had taken a Sudafed that morning, which, unbeknownst to me, can cause one's blood pressure to rise. So the nurse had a minor freak out and called my doctor but let me go home. A nurse called back and said to check my blood pressure on Friday and Monday and call with the results and they'd figure out where to go from there. No big deal.

So Friday comes and I get my blood pressure checked and go figure, it's still high. I hadn't taken any medication since Wednesday but my cold was still raging. I call in the results, grab some lunch for Glenn and I, and head home. Fast forward a half hour and my phone rings. My doctor herself is on the line and tells me I need to go to the hospital to get monitored. I, of course, freak out a little and call my mom so she can come and get Rowan from daycare because I have no idea how long I'll actually be at the hospital.

I was monitored for about an hour and a half, during which my blood pressure went back to normal. I was showing no symptoms of hypertension like last time. Baby was monitored, too. He had no issues other than he wouldn't cooperate and kept moving around so the fetal monitor couldn't always capture him. Bottom line...my cold was doing me in. So I saw my doctor last week and went on medication for my blood pressure. No big deal. At the time, she basically said she would "take him" at 37 weeks, most likely by induction.

I had another ultrasound and check-up yesterday where I learned that baby is doing just fine. He's about 5 pounds, 4 ounces, give or take a 1/2 pound, is measuring short (the poor kid was doomed anyway), has a big head (I am not surprised), and actually has a little bit of hair. There is no sign that the diabetes or my blood pressure is causing any issues with him, which is awesome. My blood pressure was also fine, which was a relief. And because of all these good things, baby boy may not be here quite as early as we were expecting. He'll be early...just not here in two weeks early.

I was definitely disappointed because my left hip is taking the beating of a lifetime and the poor guy has no room to move around, which causes mommy to be VERY uncomfortable pretty much all the time. I go back in two weeks and we'll see if I've started dilating or not. I've been having a lot of cramping, which I'm told is a sign of early labor. Yay! If he's showing progress at wanting to make an appearance, I could be induced in about three weeks. I'm pretty much going to beg and plead because these last 24 hours have been rough on me. I hate to bitch and complain because I want him to be healthy but I can only take so much more.

That being said, I would appreciate it if people would not ask when he was coming or how much time I have left. I've been getting a lot of that at work and it's driving me nuts. I don't know anything concrete other than he'll be here when he gets here. We just want him healthy and safe so that may mean he comes in two weeks or four weeks. At this point your guess is as good as mine!

The One Where Rowan Had Surgery

It's been a week and I'm just finally getting around to posting about Rowan's surgery. Little man had what one would call a hydrocele, meaning he had a tiny hole between his abdomen and his groin that would allow fluid to drain into his right testicle. The specialist said it could potentially go away on its own but surgery was the sure fire way to make everything all better. So away we went.

Getting prepped and ready to go

Rowan had surgery at Children's in St. Paul. He was such a trooper. I think it helped that he's so young. He knew he was having surgery but didn't fully understand what that meant. And the staff at the hospital were great. They were awesome at making sure we were doing ok and keeping us informed as to what was going on.

Mommy went to the OR with Rowan so I could be with him when he was put under. I tried my best to keep it under control but watching them put him to sleep was awful. Pregnancy hormones didn't help at all, either. Luckily it was a quick surgery and he was back with us in no time. The part he hated the most was having the IV in his hand. He wanted it out in the worst way but had to eat his whole popsicle before they took it out.

Post-surgery

Two hours after surgery we were on our way. Rowan walked out on his own and insisted on playing with toys before we left. Honestly, you couldn't even tell he had surgery. He was bouncing off the walls as soon as we got home. My parents and grandma were nice enough to come up and brought us supper so we didn't have to cook. It also gave mommy and daddy a tiny break from being the doting parents we are. You can go ahead and laugh. Sarcasm is my best friend, you know.

Saturday Glenn ran the Warrior Dash for me. I had signed up a year ago and didn't think I should try and do it at 6 months pregnant. He got me a decent time. I let him keep the medal but I took the t-shirt. It's only fair.

Glenn post Warrior Dash

Rowan wearing daddy's medal

Cooling down like everyone else

It was flippin' hot at 10:00 in the morning. Rowan decided it was appropriate to dump water on himself like all of the other runners. What a kid!

Rowan has since recovered beautifully. He's got 2 more days of wearing his waterproof bandage and then he's good to go. Thank god because he wants that thing off in the worst way. Mommy's glad everything is over, too. It's definitely no fun to watch someone deal with surgery but it's even harder when it's your own kid. I guess that's just one of the things you deal with when you become a parent. Rowan basically has no fear so I'm sure this won't be the last time we visit the hospital. I just hope he decides to wait a few years before we have to go back!