Two Thanksgivings Ago

It is hard to believe that two Thanksgivings ago we spent the day (week, 10 days, who's counting?) in St. John! We won't have this view this time but as long as we are with family and friends that we love I won't be complaining.

Wise Words

I loved this so much I had to post it here.

From 500 Pieces of Prudent Advice for my baby daughter

#213 Create a sense of family wherever you are.
Find people to love, and love them unconditionally.

It is such a wonderful sentiment and such a difficult thing to actually do or at least to do consistently. I find true unconditional love comes easy for me with my children. It proves a bit harder with others. But it is something I work on every single day of my life.

Feeling Much Better, thank you

Two days post-op and I feel like a new woman. The procedure went well and the healing is going smoothly. Tuesday was rough, Wednesday was better, today I remained home just to be sure all was well. I ended up sleeping most of the day. I think it took more out of me then I thought it did but I feel pretty good right now. I am, however, glad I didn't kill myself to get back to work and in the full swing of things too fast. The rest did me well.

I am so thankful for a great doctor and her great staff. They could not have been better. I am also so glad my mama came. I actually discouraged her because I didn't want her to take the time off and it really wasn't that big of a deal but she refused to hear it. She came anyway. And I am SO glad. There is no substitute for your mama. Hubbys are awesome. Mine is one of the best but they just don't think like a mama.

Mama's know that you need fluids and bring you water. They know your tummy might be upset and bring you gingerale and saltines. They know exactly what time you need to take your next dose of medicine. They just know. Thanks mama.

Nerves

For some reason I have a bad case of the nerves, as my grandma would say. Back in the day. Tomorrow I am having a relatively minor (so the doctor says) procedure to deal with what has become a pretty major annoyance and source of discomfort and pain in my life. It is bad and getting worse and of the 4 options presented to me the one I have chosen, while invasive, is minimally so. Doing nothing, aka option 1, is no longer an option. Option 4 is too extreme, at least for me, to consider at this point. While not ruled out entirely, it is ruled out for the near term. Option 2 is to go on medication indefinitely. I am not a fan. So option 3 it is.

Now, about 3 years ago this time I had been through one thorococentesis and was facing a second one. Though some could argue those were optional, I don't see it that way. They were for Max, I didn't hesitate. I got a bit nervous sure, but not in a "should I cancel this thing" way.

Arguably what I am about to have done could solve my problem 100%. There is a chance, small chance, that it won't help at all and Option 4 will come into play. There is a chance, very small, that it could make my problem worse. Hence the nerves.

Anyway, I am going to be nervous until after all is said and done and I have recovered. 1:30 tomorrow can't come soon enough because at least once I am there I won't be able or inclined to change my mind. I trust my doctor. This very procedure was recommended to me by my old doctor that I loved! When she retired she referred me to this doctor to do the procedure. I have scheduled it twice now, cancelling once. I have been told it is a good option for me 3 times. Why, oh why, am I still nervous and self-doubtful.

I think it is because I have had so much non-elective poking and prodding that it is difficult for me to CHOOSE to be prodded when it seems to truly be an elective choice. I could choose to do nothing. I could just live with my situation. It won't kill me, it just makes my life more uncomfortable. Less enjoyable. Painful at times.

Tell me you are going to stick an 8 inch needle through my abdomen and uterus and into my fetus to drain fluid that is compromising his lungs. No decision. Done. This, this makes me hesitate. When its just for me. I hesitate. I am not sure why. Tomorrow just will not come soon enough.

Dropping Trou

It is spelled "Trou" right? Like dropping trousers. However you spell it, doesn't matter, Max is becoming a master of it. Time to potty train. We have been loosely working on it for a few months and Max is proving himself to be fairly easy. He's great about letting us know he has to go, for the most part. Occasionally he's all "I have to go potty" except well, he already has. But that is becoming rarer.

What is becoming far more common is a little guy wondering around pantless. And pull-up-less. When he decides its time to potty everything from the waste down comes off. Like he's visiting the GYN. Pants off, pull-up off. All he needs is that paper apron thing that doesn't cover half your ass. Everything piled on the floor. He does his business. Stands up and off he goes.

We have to work on putting the drawers back on! We'll get there. Eventually.

And yes, I am fully aware he will use this post at his emancipation hearing when he is 13.

How to Make 2nd Grader Grin from Ear to Ear

Deliver cupcakes to her class fall party.

She really is pretty easy to please.

Halloween Retrospective