We have a potentially busy week ahead. Hopefully everything will fall into place, but I feel like with us, you never know.
Oliver is sick (again). I took him to the dr. last Saturday and they told us he had a head cold. So I've been suctioning his little boogies with a nasal aspirator (I'll admit -- I kind of like it) and keeping the humidifier on all night. But it sounded like it had started to progress to a chest cold, so I took him to the dr. today, and it turns out he has a little wheezing. So it's back on the nebulizer for our little man. This normally wouldn't be too bad, but he has his surgery scheduled for next Thursday. If he has even a little congestion, they won't do it because he won't be able to go under anesthesia.
I have mixed feelings because while I'm not really looking forward to the surgery, I want him to have it. I am petrified of him going under anesthesia, even though he has already done it once and been fine. Although I am a big believer in and very trusting of the medical profession in general, I'm really starting to feel like less is more. Less medicine, less intrusion, less vaccinations. Ironic timing for this frame of mind, since we are constantly taking Oliver to the doctor for something. Since the surgery is only on his feet, I wonder if the risks are worth it. According to the dr. they definitely are. It sounds like the risks are actually minimal -- I'm just scared. And if we ever want him to have a chance at using braces to be mobile, it has to be done. I just hate the thought of putting a little baby, my little baby, under anesthesia.
So, Tuesday we take him in to the pediatrician for a recheck to make sure he is okay for surgery.
Wednesday I am heading out to Penn State Abington for my first on-campus interview! I'm so excited. I had a preliminary interview with them at the conference in Chicago and they called me back last night. So I have an interview with the chancellor, the search committee, and I have to teach a 45 minutes class in PR theory. Um...I don't really know what PR theory is. I have this weekend to figure it out.
Thursday, if we are lucky*, we have surgery (* indicates that the word "lucky" is used cautiously -- reference my rant above)
Friday holds more contingent plans. If I am lucky (and this time I use the term unreservedly) I get to present my pre-proposal, which is the first part of my dissertation. According to my committe chair, it is finally ready for semi-public consumption. This is pending approval of my second committee member, but Marya (my chair) was confident enough to put me on the schedule. So... yay!
On Saturday we have a birthday party for our friend Cole. He is the adorable son of my college roommate, Julia, and he is turning 3. I love for Mac to get in the playtime, and it gives me a chance to catch up with Julia. My other roommate Dana will be there with her 3 cuties, so I'm really looking forward to it.
On Sunday, Tim and I have a date!! This never happens. We are going to have dinner and go Christmas shopping for our little ones. This is the first time we have shopped together -- usually I pick out everything online. But now that Mac is older and wants every single thing she sees on TV, I feel like we have to shop and weigh our options in person.
And I have to fit in time to work next week, too. Luckily, much of that is mobile.
Okay, so I realize that this might be a bit too close of a look into our lives. Basically the only thing I left out is what I ate for breakfast this morning (oatmeal and starbucks). But I'm bursting at the seams with everything that is going on. Stress level on high, excitement notched up, and the only person home to ramble to is Oliver. He is a very good listener, but he is asleep (maybe he's pretending so he doesn't have to listen to me talk). So please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, and by the end of next weekend, we could have a job, successful surgery, a dissertation milestone, and a treeful of Christmas gifts.
