Asthma

Solomon has asthma. We spent 2.5 hours being checked out by a doctor/nurses, recieved his first breathing therapy, got his lungs x rayed, got prescriptions, and loads of stickers!
I had noticed his coughing especially after being active like playing soccer in class has been sounding worse and then he started coughing even without doing something physical. I made an appointment for him to see a doctor for May 14th to rule out allergy or any other reasons for excessive coughing. He started yesterday with a lot of consistent coughing- I thought it would get better overnight. This morning was really bad but I already had an early appointment for the boys to go to the dentists and so we planned to see a nurse afterwards. However, the dentist and her assistant both pointed out their concerns- the way his chest went all the way in so you could see the ridges on his rib bones, the coughing, and the right questions to ask Solomon to find out that he was having trouble breathing. Both women have children with asthma and encouraged me to take him to urgent care. So I re-scheduled their dentist appointments for next week and drove to the clinic. Solomon was checked out and given the diagnose of having asthma and he was experiencing an asthma attack. He got his first breathing therapy- and his numbers didn't go down as much as they would like so we are going back in Friday for a check-up. He one medicine that he is taking for 5 days and will make him "wound up" starting tomorrow to calm the inflammation down. An inhaler thing that he has to breathe in twice a day for about 2 months to help prevent the attacks. Then he has another inhaler [the one that non-asthmatic people know about] for those emergencies/difficulty in breathing moments and what he will take before a sport class or practice/game- I already had to use it because after the attack was mostly gone by the breathing therapy- it flared up after lunch [with the first medicine dose was given]. The boys are taking a nap after all that excitement. I am learning all about asthma with my cool readings from the doctor [the medical staff was great which is nice to have especially being new to this medical insurance].
Some kids do outgrow this so we'll see how he is doing in one month, two months, and a year from now...

Want a slice of pie?

Made another pie: Raspberry and Marionberry
I have to confess- learning to make pies is an awesome new year resolution and I can't believe I didn't like pies growing up- it was the packaged stuff that I don't care for. Recipe from my favorite book: Pie
My next adventure will be bread...
Yummy!

Tigers

In honor of poetry month:
William Blake. 1757–1827

The Tiger

TIGER, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies 5
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder and what art
Could twist the sinews of thy heart? 10
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand and what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? What dread grasp 15
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears,
And water'd heaven with their tears,
Did He smile His work to see?
Did He who made the lamb make thee? 20

Tiger, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

Fun, fun, & more fun

Friday afternoon, May 16th to Sunday afternoon, May 18th I will be "vacationing" at Oregon's coast. It is the steering retreat for my MOPS group that I will be returning for another year in the Publicity position. It will have work involved- mostly on Saturday- and there will be some fun times such as socializing with other women/moms, eating, taking a walk on the beach, etc

A very special thank you to my Dad who is coming up to spend time with his grandsons while Dan works that weekend- Dan will be able to help with dinner [take out of fridge and heat according to directions] and putting the boys to bed while I will be taking my much needed break!!!

So excited!!!

Creatures

Cyrus is very much into pretending to be a squirrel and at our favorite place: OMSI, there is a forest play area and Cyrus can dress up as one- store nuts, and otherwise being "squirrely"

Solomon getting "bug eyed" [glasses that allow kids to see how a bug sees]:

New Skill

I have just taught myself how to knit.
I am using a website: Knitting Help and a book: Stitch 'n bitch [The Knitter's Handbook] by Debbie Stoller
Check out my beginning skill:









Knitting is a great activity to be productive while watching television.

Happy Anniversary!

Dan and I are celebrating 6 years of marriage!

Happy Birthday!!!

Tomorrow is April 20th and my dear friend, M- 's birthday.

Happy Birthday!!!

I got your letter and writing one back. I will send out your box Monday!
Love you!
-M

A Saying

I don't know where he heard it but when Solomon is pleading for something he wants he'll say, "Pretty Please, With a Cherry on Top."
How cute is that! I get to smile when saying no- at least he is trying to be clever!

Busy Bee?

So I came across this link to a blog that had an excellent quiz: Too Busy Quiz, which is funny coming after my wishful thinking/post of sleeping/napping almost 16 hours a day!

Too Busy Test
Give yourself one point for each statement that you identify with:

I feel as though I am constantly trying to catch up at work.
I feel as though I am constantly trying to catch up with personal responsibilities.
My life feels out of balance.
My breathing right now is shallow.
I am regularly late to appointments and scheduled activities.
There's rarely a break in my schedule.
My shoulders are not relaxed right now.
I eat lunch at my desk at least once per week.
I sometimes work straight through lunch.
I have not had a vacation longer than seven days in the last year.
A seven day vacation? I have never had one of those.
I have not gotten together with friends for fun and conversation in over a month.
Keeping up with household chores is a struggle because of time constraints.
I am dissatisfied with the amount of quality time I am able to spend with my spouse or significant other.
I am dissatisfied with the amount of quality time I am able to spend with my child.
I don't take time to exercise.
I resent the things I do for family or friends because I have little or no time for myself.
The fuel light in my car has come on at some point in the last two months because I have not had time to fill it up.
My mail is piled up because I haven't had time to open or sort it.
I have missed paying a bill on time in the last three months because I was too busy to notice the due date had passed.
I sometimes run out of socks, jeans, or other laundry items because I haven't had time to do the laundry.
I don't have time to write thank-you notes.
My to-do list rarely gets completely checked off for the day.
I work late more than once per week.
At least once per week, I skip meals because I am too busy.

Now total your points up:
1-5 Points- Busy
Your schedule is challenging at times, but you are managing to get by. A few small changes will make a big difference towards helping you to take complete control of your time.

6-10 Points- Too Busy
Either life is becoming increasingly too busy for you, or you've been managing to get by but are starting to lose control. By taking action over these next 28 days, you can finally take charge of your schedule and decrease the stress that has been building.

11-16 Points- Too Busy & Frustrated
Life has been hectic for awhile and if you don't slow down soon and become more intentional about where and how you focus your time, you will soon burn out. It is essential that you begin to take steps now so you can get your life back.

17-25 Points- Out of Control
From the author, "I understand. I've been there. And it's possible for you to transform how you live so that your schedule is aligned with what's most important to you. It may require some big changes, but remember that change is about making choices."

I scored an eleven
[My work is SAHM and the babysitting/nursery work I do]

I am good about giving myself breaks even at the expense of not crossing off everything on my to-do list. I am dissatisfied with how my home looks but I know what it'll take and doing that isn't too bad although I haven't done it yet. A big improvement for me was a resolution that I made with myself just after Solomon was born was to be on time or early for appointments and scheduled activities and I have done really, really well on this. Now if I can get my volunteer work done before the deadline- that would be the best. I have already started taking steps to improve this area. I love the quality time question- it is an area that I have been improving slowly since September last year. Although I feel that I gave up my time in writing letters/calling family and friends to make sure I have breaks or as I justify it as quality time with myself and for quality time with my family so I need to give something else up to make this all balance out and yet I don't feel that my life is out of balance right now [probably helps that I don't think beyond this week otherwise I would be "Out of Control"! I can relate to the Too Busy and Frustrated feeling- around the first week of each month I have that so it is a good thing that I am taking this test mid-month.

Anyone else care to share what score you got?

To be Iggy...

I get my husband's fascination with lizards: "Wouldn't it be lovely to be a lizard?"
He sleeps about 16 hours a day.
He gets regular assortment of food: live crickets, worms [his favorite are Wax worms which we may start raising and second favorite are meal worms], and veggies [usually romain lettuce] that he hasn't really learn to eat along with water to drink. Occasionally a bath/soak.
We clean his poop pretty regularly- in fact after he poops- he looks up waiting for the hand with the napkin to take it away if that is not trained I don't know what is!
He does adore being handled for the most part and you have a hard time getting him off your finger when you are done. His newest favorite spot is on your shoulder.
He has this amazingly warm light that is on 12 hours a day and since I refuse to pay more in heating- we got a second night-time lamp because his tempature shouldn't fall below 65 degrees and it casts this red light that made for an interesting portrait.
Say hello to Iggy who is freaked out by the red light and is slowly learning to sleep with it:


In other weird news: Cate Blanchett named her third son Ignatius so I am not weird at all!

Quote

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe.


-- Albert Einstein

Einstein is amazing. I am getting a children's biography on him and we'll be starting an Einstein mailbox- where the kids can ask questions "Why is the Sky Blue?" for Einstein to answer aka Mom using the internet... Hopefully the kids start asking some great questions!

Q & A

What is the best part about your life right now?

Hot cup of tea, sleeping boys in the other room, and finding peace about not completing something I need to get done [tonight]... My first day of homeschooling went well and I still had time to play with the boys, go to an appointment, and clean parts of my home! It is a super day! Being mom is the best part overall even when Cyrus is easily prone to crying as he was today, it only meant more cuddles with him and a nap for sure tomorrow. That there seems to be a tomorrow to improve and make better than today.

What do you think the best part about the near future will be?

The sun. I miss your rays of light, warmth on my body, and those carefree days of summer [Spring is just not going well yet so we'll skip ahead to Summer...] when we can picnic in the park after playing in the playground, that I can wear my lovely assortment of skirts and feel so pretty, and my poor plants will be thriving or that I'll be attending 2-3 Farmer Markets a week instead...

What are you most afraid of?

This is a difficult question- I am not really afraid of much- I suppose I know that things can always be worst and better so why fear it. I do hate heights now [having two children has helped that fear fester] and of course it was a lot of fun to find out when riding a tram several feet above the ground in a little box- I had to give my kids to other people to watch out for while I mildly panicked! I did go back down which was a little easier than going up.

What are you a little worried about?

Doing it all! I have prioritize my list so it is not so overwhelming and I try not to beat myself up about the last 3 things or so not done on my list...

What do you dream of?

Well in my far fetch dream I win the Powerball: I would buy a house with history, take the kids and travel the US and the World, have a wonderful gal cleaning my home, and give back to the community.
My someday dreams are a better camera and taking some Photography classes- get back in touch with my wild and creative self. Finally studying ASL [American Sign Language] all the way to possibly getting an interpreter certificate. Of course watching my kids become upstanding men, citizens of the world, following their dreams, boyfriends/husbands, and fathers.
For now I am going to work on learning to knit and mothering/teaching my boys.

What questions do you have?

Can I ever do enough?
Will Dan take the boys out so I have an hour to myself this weekend?
Will it ever be warm and sunny?
What should I plan for our wedding anniversary?
Am I crazy?

What skills can you share?

I am really finding my peace and stride as a mother- my confidence that allows me to tell my kids "Bring it on!" because I can deal with it well. I am hoping to share my enthusiasm as a mother with others.
My volunteering skills are getting used as next year [starting Summer to beginning of school] I will be President of a MOMS Club chapter [can you believe that I was nominated by 3 people- oh the love!], Publicity [otherwise know as "Paper Girl"] in my MOPS group, return to the fundraising committee at O School, where Cyrus will be attending Preschool and I will be playing in the classroom periodically, and doing more with Oregon Food Bank. I would love to walk for Komen's Race for Cure but I need to join and use a gym first.
I have some skills in the kitchen as there are requests for "more please" and "you are the best cook"
I love to read- I would imagine after reading thousands of books that I am pretty skillful at reading...
It is hard for me to know what is a skill verses a nurtured talent... I often wonder if I have any talents left undiscovered and what they are?

Quote

The road to success is marked with many tempting parking spaces.


-- Unknown

Who has time?

Time means "Take Initiative for Meaningful Experiences"

Now let me repeat myself:

Take
Initiative for
Meaningful
Experience

Also the greatest excuse for cuddling up with the boys to read books, play a board game, or to save the princess from the 'bad guy knights' rather than cleaning my home.

We all have the same amount of hours and minutes in each day [unless you are travelling by plane across several time zones because then you are just messed up] so we need to stand up for those meaningful experiences and balance them with what needs to be done. Be present- to appreciate what we have today and to invest all that we can give because we can.

[On a sidenote- I am rather occupied with my children's lives that I can neglect my family and friends so here is doing more meaningful experiences with someone not named Solomon or Cyrus- hmmm starting tomorrow right?!!!]

Happy April Fool's Day!

Well I looked over my posts in March when I did a couple of updates and realized that I have been neglecting my poor blog- part of it is trying to figure what I want to do exactly with my blog- have you checked out any of them?!!! Some have specific themes and can be quite the learning experience- some are humorous or well written insights into different lives/families- some have a lot of visitors. Blogging can be a little intimating but really I am just going to do it for the fun of it!

Second reason why I haven't been posting much is because I have been researching and dealing with the changes and upcoming changes. It should be duly noted that I am a scheduler- I love making schedules [lists too!] and I am a Planner so everything is scheduled out in advance- several months- oh why haven't I just learned to go with the flow because life [especially little kids] requires more changes than my schedules can keep up with?!

So back to the point- what changes and what schedules?

First are the changes of my darling husband- his job has him in training right now and he is currently away during the week for the next 4 months. A rotating schedule when he is done with that- which shouldn't be too bad. Then he would like to work the afternoon schedule for work which is 4 days 10 hours starting at 4pm and going until 2am. Plus overtime here and there because my man likes to work [very good work ethics] and the job can be demanding. So I started thinking about how that would work with our family and its [wait for it...] schedule?

Second is my older son's school experiences: the first half of the year at this one particular school was a very poor fit for our family. We switched to our neighborhood public elementary which is a fine school [even has those high ranking marks you would want to see in a school even though I question the method of how we rank each school...] and it is going better but I don't love it. So I started thinking about homeschooling more and more- yes I thought about it when Solomon was 3 years old- put those thoughts away with an awesome Preschool when he was 4 years old and now I am convinced. I got to be crazy after being around nearly 24/7 the kids- my first one for 5.5 years and with two for almost 4 years that I don't want a break from them. Yeah I do, but I miss them even more when we're apart. A big issues is that I hated school and so far Solomon doesn't love it and it doesn't offer his favorite subject- Science. In fact science is almost absent in our area's elementary schools [don't argue with me- I checked out 15 elementary schools and time away from Blog equals time to do school research]. We are trying to get him by lottery luck into the one school that I would be thrilled to have him attending [it even has science] but we don't know yet if he got in or not [those things take time] so in the meantime I have been thinking about another plan, another schedule!

So I have been reseaching homeschooling, subjects, how to, socialization, how I have a small life too, etc I am really excited about this opportunity and I feel bad that Solomon is my guinea pig but we all have to start somewhere and with someone. Solomon likes this idea because we'll be studying things he likes: volcanoes, castles, dinosaurs, answers to why questions, along with reading [him and me to him], writing, art projects [never to young to start with Photography], those very important math skills [Solomon likes Math already so that is a great start!], storytelling, theatre, Geography, History, more time for physical education [Solomon loves being active], our Foreign Language will be Sign Language [perhaps Arabic in 2 years], music [lessons on something somewhere], Nature, and of course those important life skills like good manners, cooking, and doing work out in the community [we already donate our time at Oregon Food Bank].