The Newest Member of Our Family

The Cecils have been busy watching frog TV. Max the frog is the newest member of our family. He has his own tank, picked out by The Little Person, along with a live plant, blue rocks, and a Spongebob figurine. The bet in our house is how long we can go before we have to buy a new frog...The kids are very happy to sit and watch Max, and it's killing them not to feed him constantly and tap on the glass. So right now he is on the kitchen table so they can be supervised and M and I can frog-sit.

Sam had a great day at school today. He even got up in the 5 o'clock hour, for a change. He is doing a little of the crazy laugh, otherwise known as inappropriate laughing. I know it sounds like a small thing, but he keeps coming over and hysterically laughing at Max the frog, very loud, in my ear, and it's driving me a little nuts. I can hear him laughing in the basement right now...

It's nice to have a weekend at home, and we are not going anywhere, but it's also a weekend largely without childcare. Fortunately, Babysitter Extraordinaire is coming to save us on Sunday night. Also, I am feeling TONS better, and a lot less exhausted since I started taking my medicine at night. Now I can stop Googling Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

I even managed to call a contractor to set up a meet and greet for our potential house renovation. Looking for a low-key, if not relaxing weekend of house/yard chores, and frog TV (and a little yoga...). We finally planted our vegetable garden, and it makes me happy to look at our little seedlings. Still working on security measures so that little creatures don't enjoy our strawberries before we do!

Next week, we meet with Sam's team to discuss the school purchasing an iPad for him. I am also exploring after school activities for him. I would like to find a good swimming situation for him again, and I have a wild idea about finding him a music teacher. On my longer term list is calling back the Dr. at the sleep clinic, but since I can't wrap my head around him having a sleep study, I have been procrastinating.

I have been too tired and as a result overwhelmed to even think about most of the things on my to do list, but now that I'm BACk, maybe I'll be able to take care of a few things. I am feeling guilty about not having done computer work with Sam after school in a while. Also, i need to find him a developmental pediatrician, and consider an eye exam. And did I mention he will need a spacer in his mouth since one of the teeth he got pulled won't come in for several years?

The Cecil Diet is going swimmingly. I haven't lost much weight, but I feel less squishy, if that makes any sense. I may have to cut out my current daily cheat-the chai tea latte one-cuppers that M bought me by accident instead of plain chai tea, and now I love first thing in the morning...

Working on a couple of mini-vacations, which give me something to daydream about at the crack of dawn, when I am up with Sam. I feel so lucky to be in a place with the kids and our life that I can even consider that. Reminds me of how far we've come and how many people we have to thank.

Day One

I have exactly 15 minutes to write this post before the kids go to bed, and as I am alone, you can bet your ass they are going to bed on time tonight. M is still en route to AK for a week of business and hopefully skiing. He left at 6 this morning, so I've pretty much been alone all day, except...Gram and Pop are back! Gram came over around noonish and took The Little Person until after Sam got home, so I had a few hours to relax. I didn't get anything done, but I did catch up on Real Housewives of New York, a guilty pleasure for sure.

Back at the ranch, things are going well. Had a little tune-up from The Therapist, to remind myself that I'm not insane and things really are okay. Actually, after we talked about my worries for a bit, I spent most of the time updating her on all the great things the kids have been doing. Plus, she told me about a new restaurant in Somerville, MA. I was telling her about my great experience with M at Solea, in Waltham. Love the tapas.

Took Sam to his first dentist appointment. It was just a first step in what they call "Familiarization" visits, so we'll continue them once a week for a while to get him used to the office, the dentist and all that they do there. Unfortunately, in the less than 3 seconds Sam let her look in his mouth, she things she spotted a cavity, in a place which may mean there are more (between his teeth, and big enough to see at a glance). I think for that, we will take him to a children's hospital (Franciscan), where they will put him under and they will fill the cavity(s), take x-rays, and do whatever else they need to do while he's out. I know it sounds harsh, but considering the time and trauma of getting him to the point of being able to do it easily in her office, it seems like the best choice. Hopefully, they can put some sealant on his teeth while he's there to prevent future cavities. I feel awful that I let this happen, but even though he is willing to brush, he mainly goes across the front, and anything else is a battle (one which I tackle, but obviously not well enough).

Speech at Children's for Sam continues to be postponed, this time until next week. And even then, it's not totally consistent. To be honest, I am not thrilled with the whole process there. After having had the appointment postponed twice, once after we had confirmed the appointment the day before and actually physically shown up for the appointment.

I have already broken my word twice now. Originally, I said I had 15 minutes to write this post, anf that was at 7:15PM. Now it's 9:54PM, and I said I would get into bed at 9 and try to be asleep by 9:30. At least I got into bed around 9:40 and i am no longer watching TV. Problem is, I'm not Sleepy Tired, and I don't feel like reading. Cruising the internet it is. Nite.