Connor would like to inform everyone that there are many, many ways to recycle. Shoes, for example, when outgrown, can become very fashionable hats. Don't be afraid to accessorize daringly!Right. Today was the day that my sister and I planned to do a whole lot of outdoor activities. Today was also the day it started raining again. Figures.
Jer and Connor stayed home and had a Daddy Day. My sister and I ended up driving down to one of my favorite little cafes in Tacoma and playing Scrabble for two and a half hours. I got my rear handed to me on a platter. Apparently I'm a little out of practice. Then we drove down to the Tacoma mall and wandered around for a while, observing the bizarre ceremonial dress and mating habits of the local teenagers.
We stopped by the store on the way home, after determining via a phone call to Jeremy that the chicken I had thawing in the refrigerator still bore a closer resemblance to a rock than it did to any sort of bird. I made spaghetti with sausage, and we watched Hook after dinner. Well, my sister and I watched Hook. Jer played World of Warcraft and Connor alternated between playing with his Gertie ball (which he highly adores and I would recommend to anyone with a child who has gross motor issues) and screaming with glee over nothing in particular. I love that little guy.
The next couple of weeks are going to be even crazier than usual. Monday and Tuesday are pretty free other than my sister leaving, sign class, and scheduling a bunch of appointments, but then things go kind of insane. Here's a quick run-down of my to-do list:
Wednesday: Connor's special education teacher comes and we have an appointment with anesthesiology at Children's Seattle. Buy food needed for party on Friday-- the party for 30-50 people I was informed by my husband yesterday that I would be throwing. I love the army.
Thursday: Visit the possible schools Connor might be going to (this will take about 6 hours as I will visit a morning and an afternoon preschool at two different elementary schools). Go get Connor's three year vaccinations and an updated copy of shot record, then comfort screaming, irritable child while making last minute preparations for the next day's party.
Friday: Go to Connor's nutrition appointment. Rush from there to Jer's office to set up for party. Attend army function. Host party. Rush home and frantically begin cleaning for guests that arrive the next day.
Saturday: Run around shoving everything into my closets. Mother-in-law and aunt arrive and pretend not to notice dangerously bulging closet doors and my totally frazzled appearance.
Sunday: Prepare for Connor's surgery, try and cram in as many touristy things as possible, as feel guilty for all activities occurring during relatives' visits. Lie in bed at night thinking about all the ways surgery could possibly go wrong.
Monday: Connor's surgery. Fight with husband over who gets to stay at hospital. Either spend the night on uncomfortable chair in hospital room, or at home on comfortable bed wishing I was on uncomfortable chair in hospital room. Sleep poorly either way.
Tuesday: Recovery from Connor's surgery. Resume touristy things. Possible frantic preparation for IEP meeting, which they won't call us about until the day before it happens.
Wednesday: Possible IEP meeting. Forget everything that I wanted to discuss due to extreme exhaustion. Realize later that have agreed to have invisible gremlins help Connor in classroom, which will be paid in bowls of milk left outside the shoe cupboard. Develop nervous twitch.
Thursday: Have Connor's last meeting with Family Conversations and his Deaf Mentor. Cry.
Friday: Connor's last Family Conversations play group. Cry some more.
Saturday: Mother-in-law and aunt leave. Continue to feel guilty over number of things they are either dragged to or times they are left at completely loose ends.
Sunday: Collapse in exhaustion. Vow to never leave bed again.
So as you can see, we have a busy couple of weeks ahead. If I survive, I may need a bit of a vacation. I'm thinking Bermuda. Think my bed will fit on the plane?
~Jess
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7 comments:
Good luck with that! I hope everything turns out wonderfully. That is SUCH a cute photo of Connor!
xxx
z
Hi Jess, I just discovered your blog since you commented on mine, thanks BTW. All I can think of to say is "WOW!" You are one amazing mom! How the heck do you do it all without a nervous breakdown...at least once a week? I truly admire your courage, your tenacity, and your perseverance. I am reminded that what I cope with on a daily basis is nothing compared to all that you are faced with. I have read some of your earlier posts and am so glad that I have found you and Conner. I look forward to visiting you again and again. YOU GO WOMAN!
Wow, I thought my weeks were busy! It's a wonder that you were able to figure in times of rest...whether you actually use them or not. I will say a prayer for your sons surgery that it not only goes well, but that you are successful in getting more adequate nutrition into him. Always a struggle...
Re: Monday: Wow, do I ever know what you're talking about.
Re: 2nd Wednesday: Your wit and humor keep me coming back for more - you are so inspiring!
I am very curious about Connor's preschool options. Even though X is younger and has far fewer challenges, I am already thinking about school. Sounds like you live in a good area for educational options? You're saying goodbye to Family Conversations and your Deaf Mentor because Connor will have similar help at school? Do post more details from your laptop on the beach;-)
Wow. That's it. That's all I've got. I don't even know how you are still standing with everything you have on your plate normally.
And look on the bright side, the air plane seats are probably more comfy than the hospital chairs (boy are those things miserable!!!!) so Bermuda sounds like a wise idea to me. :-)
Hang in there!
Zanda: Thanks! He thought the shoe on his head was pretty funny. You could tell he was thinking: "Silly Mommy! That is not where shoes go!"
Lora: Thanks. I think what you cope with on a daily basis is every bit as stressful and hectic as what I cope with though-- don't sell yourself short! In some ways I probably have it a lot easier than you, for that matter. For example: I can set Connor down, go to the bathroom, and when I come back he's in the exact same place instead of exploring the cat's litter box, playing with my permanent markers, or attempting to keep me company on the toilet.
I figure that if we weren't spending all this time going to appointments and what-not we would be just as busy doing other things: Kindermusik, Toddler Gym, actually cleaning the house... you know. As far as worrying about our children goes-- we may worry about different things, but the feeling is the same!
Michael and Michelle: Thanks for your prayers! We can always use more!
Michelle: We do have a couple of different options in the area, and if we don't like how the IEP goes we can pick up and move, which is nice. I know a lot of families don't have that option. The Family Conversations, Deaf Mentor, and Special Education programs are all Birth-To-Three programs and so they end on Connor's third birthday. School should hopefully pick up those therapies, though probably not with the intensity he was getting them before.
Kierstyn: I'd be willing to bet if you wrote out YOUR weekly schedule it would be just as busy, if not busier. I am, after all, only dealing with ONE child's schedule. You are dealing with three, and throwing home schooling in to boot. Mine just sounds impressive because I'm whiny and posted it on the internet.
Bermuda still sounds good though.
Come to France instead!
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