It's been a jam packed fall so far. To say that we have hardly a second of downtime is an understatement. Overall, things are good. The kids are well; we've had an ear infection and some spina bifida related issues, but we're pretty much back on track. Work is going well for me -- I really like Penn State, I'm getting into the groove of teaching, and I have three separate routes to school (just in case there is traffic). Tim has been competing in tournaments, and has taken a lot of firsts and seconds -- if he stays on this track, he will be able to compete for world champ again this year. I even competed in a tournament for the first time since before Mac was born, and got two third places and a second place. We also participated in our first annual Spina Bifida Stroll n Roll, which was so rainy that we actually spent the walk in a coffee shop instead of actually walking. At least we showed up -- maybe next year we'll actually participate.
As always, the kids keep me busy, and motherhood is always a learning experience. Some questions that I have gotten the answers to in the last few weeks:
Q: What happens when you cut yourself with safety scissors?
A: Mac was nice enough to figure this one out for me. The short answer is you bleed. A lot. Mac was making a birthday card for gram gram (my grandma), and I was mopping and running a bath for her and Oliver. So I was in the room, but not fully attending to Mac. Let me stop to say that she is usually trustworthy; way above doing silly and dangerous things. Never had a phase of putting things in her mouth (Oliver) or touching things she isn't supposed to. But when I looked over to tell her it was bath time, she had blood dripping down her chin. Scissors still in hand. Very calm. The second I asked her what happened, she started crying and didn't stop all the way through her bath until she was dressed. When I asked her what happened, she said "I wanted to see if it would cut." Well...it does. She has since recanted her story and said that she didn't do it on purpose. Mmmhmm.
Q: When is diarrhea not diarrhea?
A: Gross, but pertinent. Diarrhea is not diarrhea when you are so constipated that only mushy poop can leak out. Poor Oliver had to teach me that lesson. Constipation is a common condition with spina bifida, because the trunk muscles are often not strong enough to push the food through the intestines and colon in a speedy manner, which means that most of the water gets sucked out of the food, creating really hard stool. So Oliver is on a daily laxative. But when he started to have diarrhea, I cut back on the laxitive thinking it was too much. Wrong. One bloody diaper later, I have him at the doctors office, followed by x-rays, to find out that he was completely "backed up." Poor guy -- a week of enimas and a new, stronger laxative later, we finally got back on track. Who knew?
Q: How many times can you use the word "berry" to replace "very?"
A: In the average Strawberry Shortcake book, berry replaces very or fairy 10 times. Not to mention the literal use of the word, as in "berry princess" or "berry patch." Berry, berry annoying.
I'm sure I've learned more. But I'm too tired to remember. However, it hasn't been all work this fall. We've really tried to take advantage of seasonal activities, like pumpkin and apple picking, Octoberfest, and Homecoming. And we have some great plans coming up. Never dull, sometimes fun, always interesting.
