Ooops I did it again!

Yeah, so I did it again...... I was up late with the 'lil man, and I got sucked into another infommercial. No, I didn't buy, I didn't order, but I watched....... for way longer than I should have. Those are 10 minutes I'm never getting back, but..... let's just fantasize for a minute, shall we? I mean..... wouldn't it be amazing if all you had to do to lose weight was drink some coffee?

Why me Lord, Why me?

Is it my face? Do I just look like someone that you want to talk to about deeply personal things?

A couple of weeks ago…. I guess it’s about a month ago now, I was at the pediatrician’s office for the ‘lil man’s 9-month check-up. We got there a few minutes early….. honestly, I’m almost always a few minutes early…. I think it’s the polite thing to do.

Anyway, as we are sitting in the waiting room, another little girls starts making eyes at the ‘lil man. She was probably about 5 – she was very cute and the ‘lil guy couldn’t take his eyes off of her. As is standard, her mother asked – “Oh he’s cute, how old is he”? So I replied “Thank you, he’s 9½ months” – and then she asks me…. “Are you going to have any more”?

I often find this question off-putting, simply because it’s a very personal thing…. My mother hasn’t asked me if I plan on having more…. My sister hasn’t asked me if I plan on having more – I think they both know that I’d like to have one more, but it’s a very personal decision. So, to have this woman I’ve never laid eyes on before broadcast the question across a pediatrician’s waiting room…. Well, it kinda rattled me.

I responded that, “Yes, I hope to have another child at some point” -- Well, then I learned that, LUCKY ME, not only was she going to invade my privacy, but she’s also gonna do some sharing. “I’m not having anymore, I wasn’t supposed to have her, so I had a hysterectomy”.

What does one say to such a revelation? In my mind I was hoping that superheroes were real and that Captain Inappropriate was going to swoop in and save me, but no…. no such luck. I just said "Well, that makes her all the more of a blessing, doesn’t it?" – and prayed that if the Captain wasn’t coming to save me that a nurse would call us in soon….. and mercifully, she did!

It's Freaky Friday

The fellas over at DadCentric decided to turn the reigns over the their wives for the day.... so, head on over -- see what the gals have to say.... who knows, if the response is strong -- it could be a recurring feature.

They didn't get their money's worth today

If I work with or for you..... please stop reading, as my job will probably be in jeopardy.

I drove to work this morning..... I took my own sweet time, I didn't rush..... I was in no hurry. I stopped and got gas, treated myself to an iced coffee and then I went to the post office, bought some stamps and mailed a birthday card to a college roommate. When I finally got to work this morning, it was around 7:45 and I simply didn't want to be there. I started house-hunting..... we aren't in the market for a house -- we probably couldn't afford to move even if we wanted to, but it was fun to look at houses online that are 2-3 times the size of ours.... and that we could only buy if we win tonight's powerball -- hell, I even emailed a couple to the Big Dubya so he could join the fantasy with me.

Next, I started surfing the net..... I emailed Aunt P some suggestions for wedding favors -- then we proceeded to email back and forth..... mostly about stuff for her wedding. Around 11:30, I decided to take an early lunch break and run some errands -- I went to Bed, Bath & Beyond, Linens & Things, Pier One, Target and then I stopped at Subway and grabbed some lunch. I got back to work around 12:45ish and while I ate my lunch I started emailing Aunt P again.... describing what I was unable to find on my shopping excursion. At 1:00, I decided I'd goofed off enough and that I should get ready for my 2:00 meeting. -- then at 1:10, 'lil Dubya's teacher called.... he's got a fever and I need to go get him. So, I told my boss that I'd be leaving early and now I'm on the couch with my little man.

I'm not sure I earned my keep today, but..... I think it might put a dent in all the Sundays I've been putting in lately

It was a day of firsts

The Big Dubya and I have been married for a little over 4 years, we've lived in our house for about 2½ years. We have never been big Easter people -- we usually just stay home rather than trek to see our families in Boston and then get stuck in unruly traffic coming back on Sunday night..... and we intended this year to be no different. But then my parents (Granny & Granddad) announced that they'd like to come visit and Aunt P mentioned that she was staying home while Mr Tall Guy was headed to PA to visit his family..... so we invited them to join us -- it was after all the 'lil Dubya's first Easter.

It was kind of exciting..... before we moved to CT, I used to host both of our families for a chinese buffet (complete with too much to drink) on Christmas Eve, but ever since we moved..... nobody's wanted to come. I was a hostess with nobody to host -- so on Saturday morning, while we anxiously awaited their arrival, I busted out the china. Yes, 4 years of marriage and we'd never used the Wedgewood...... I had to take the labels off and everything. I then proceeded to set the dining room table..... Yes, 2½ years in our house and we'd never actually eaten in the dining room.

We had a lovely dinner (well, I thought it was lovely).... and it really did taste better in our newly christened dining room, on our newly christened china.

Now, let's see if they'll come for Thanksgiving too

How do you know when you are exhausted?

So.... how do you know when you are exhausted?

How about when you call the pizza place to order a pizza and when they ask for your phone number..... you stammer, and stammer and then simply declare that you don't remember.

Thank God they've got Caller ID

Miscellaneous Stuff

Sorry I've been out of the loop..... it's been the perfect storm in the Dubya house..... the 'lil guy's been under the weather and I'm in the process of changing jobs. You wouldn't think that changing jobs would take 6 months, but sometimes it does..... while I was on maternity leave my righthand person got offered and took a promotional opportunity.... so I've been without a right hand since September. So, when my own opportunity came along..... I was asked to stay on until they found a replacement for me (and the right hand) and of course, being a team player, I agreed. Well.... that was in November and I still haven't been replaced. Sometime during January or February, my new boss got frustrated waiting for me to transition over.... so he started assigning me work too. So, essentially, I'm doing three full-time jobs.... plus all the extra things I take on because I'm a type-A over achiever. As a result of this chaos, I've been working long days and most weekends for the past month..... (don't yu love corporate life?) and you guys have had very little to read from me.

Speaking of sucky corporations.... let's talk about the insurance industry, shall we? The 'lil Dubya was born premature -- and as the TV PSAs (Public Service Announcements) tell us, preemies are susceptible to RSV and should be vaccinated during the winter months (Nov-April). The NICU of the hospital where the 'lil man spent the first month of his life sent our pediatrician a letter saying that they strongly recommend the vaccination -- so the pediatrician supplied us with some info and after doing our own research, we agreed. Well, imagine our shock (because supposedly I have outsanding insurance) when our insurance company said they wouldn't cover the shots. So, (with an appropriate amount of attitude) I declared we'd pay for them out of pocket.... how much could they be, right? The nurse responded that it would be $1800 per shot based on his current weight -- and of course he's expected to gain weight, so it could be as much as $2,500 per shot by the time we were done. Okay people, I'm an accountant -- that's like $12,000!!!!!

I asked why they wouldn't cover it despite the fact that it was recommended by the hospital where he spent time in the NICU.... wouldn't they be in a position to make such a recommendation? They said that the 'lil man didn't have enough of the risk factors... he was one short..... what do you mean? I asked incredulously? He was born premature, asthma runs in his family, he goes to daycare..... all risk factors. The case worker kindly responded "Yes dear, but you and your husband don't smoke -- if you were smokers, he'd be covered"

So, my insurance company is penalizing my child because we live a healthy lifestyle.... AWESOME! We ended up getting the shots covered through my RX coverage... albeit with a hefty co-pay.

Lastly, these things are fabulous!

Ten Things Mrs Big Dubya cannot do

10. Well, it has already been well documented that I cannot fold a fitted sheet.
9. Hard as I try, I cannot stick to a diet or a budget
8. As much as I'd love to, I cannot sleep in...... even back in the day when all my friends were snoozin' until noon -- I was up and at 'em by 6.
7. I cannot, for some unfathomable reason, put on a black outfit withough smearing it with either deodorant or toothpaste.
6. I cannot stick to the speed limit -- I'm always pushing it just a little bit
5. I cannot keep stuff from piling up on our kitchen island or on our dining room table (mail, candles, boxes, UGHHH....)
4. I cannot paint my own nails -- toes, I can do okay (not great, but okay) -- fingers -- hopeless
3. I cannot have just one -- of anything.... potato chips, french fries, glasses of wine, beers.....
2. I'm running out of steam here..... I guess I can't come up with a list of 10 things
1. I cannot get the damn ointment into the 'lil Dubya's eyes

Yes friends, the 'lil man woke up this morning with his eyes gooed shut. Pink eye has hit everyone in his class..... 5 babies were sent home on Tuesday -- there are only 7 babies in the class. Four of them simply had fevers -- one ended up with bronchitis, pink eye and two ear infections. When the 'lil man woke up with his eyes gooed shut I wasn't overly concerned -- he wakes up with eye boogers from time to time -- we wipe 'em up and we're good to go. Well, today was different -- the more I wiped, the more boogers formed. The Big Dubya had to work today, so I was torn as to what to do -- there was no fever and no "pink".... doesn't "pink eye" have to involve some "pink"? But, I figured we could give the pediatrician a buzz anyway.... he's got Saturday morning hours and my logic said that I'd rather call him today, then wake up tomorrow wishing I had.

Have I mentioned that I LOVE our pediatrician? He's not hot or anything like Beth's, but he's just so kind and laid back and he's never made me feel bad for calling or bringing the 'lil guy in. I must be a pediatrician's worst nightmare..... first time mother, mother of a preemie, no family in the area to consult...... but he's been awesome since day one. In fairness to me, I don't call him with every little thing, and most of the time he's told me that we were right to bring him in -- so I reported to the pediatrician's office this morning with my eye booger ridden baby in tow.

Yeah, these need to be treated...... usually boogers of this caliber are the start of something bigger -- might just be a headcold, but let's keep an eye on him. He prescribed some ointment..... and that's when I learned how hard it is to get ointment into a 10-month old's eyes!

One dose applied...... 20 more to go (3 per day X 7 days = 21 doses - 1 dose administered this morning.... 20 to go)