Saturday, September 25, 2010

Sexist Shakers

I love a good garage sale find.  The other day I found a priceless set of salt and pepper shakers.

"Mother, you are the pepper upper"
(Mom taking care of children)
(Mom washing dishes)
(Mom ironing)
"Dad, you are the salt of the Earth"
(Dad reading the paper while smoking a pipe)
(Dad grilling a huge steak)
(Dad paying bills)


I had a couple other good finds, but these are my favorite.  If you come to dinner at my house we will use these.  


Monday, September 20, 2010

This Mom's Nightmare

The hardest part of being a mom is one that I didn't expect at all.  Worry.  It's one of my most recurrent prayer requests now.  I hate it because I understand that worry stems from fear and fear stems from doubt.  Doubt means I don't trust God enough.  That's a problem.  I'm tellin ya, this boy has rocked my world.

So, back to worry.  It all started when Will was a baby.  I noticed his little legs turned in a bit & mentioned it to someone.  "All babies are like that for a little while".  I moved on, but of course filed that little concern away to take back out later.  Fast forward a few months- to around 11 months- the beginning walking months, his feet are super pigeon-toed.  I chalk it up to being a baby, still growing, etc.  THen at his one year appt.  the doctor (a new ped we switched to) asked if Will was walking yet.  I told her yes, but that his feet really turn inward when he walks and he seems a little bowlegged too.  She told me that she had been looking at his legs during our visit and was concerned.  It wasn't just the turning in, it was the deep crease on the inside of each of his calves. I thought they were just more fat rolls.  (I mean she wasn't our doc then, so she had no idea how fat my kid was!)  She wasn't exactly sure what the problem might be, but wanted to research it and get back to me.  But "don't worry".  Right.  Does she know who she's talking to?

That is like the worst thing you can say to a person like me.  Of course I went home and cried.  I cried for a couple days.  Obsessed over it and had many pep talks from my husband- whose faith and trust in the Lord is amazing.

After a few days, I moved on.  But of course occasionally obsessed over in my mind and cried often.  I only told a couple of people.  I just really didn't even want to talk about it out loud.  If you don't talk about it, it doesn't seem as real.  Also, from that point on I stared at every other kid's legs I see.  All perfect.  All perfectly straight- brace-free little legs belonging to kids whose mothers don't know how thankful they should be that their kids have perfect legs.  (I've been a bit neurotic.  I'm working on it)

What didn't help was that during this time I got on the internet.  Bad.  I didn't know exactly what to look up and so my search was pretty broad.  I read about things that could be really terrible and things that would go away on their own.  Worst case scenario- it's something that gets worse and cripples him without some major surgery.  Best case scenario- it's just something he'll have to grow out of.  Everything in between included corrective shoes to leg braces.  In all cases- not something I want for my baby.

So it was time for our 15 month appt.  (Yes, Cooks Ped does a 15 month.  weird)  I actually put pants on him hoping the doctor wouldn't even see his legs and we could just not talk about it yet.  Talk about putting my head in the sand.  I just thought he needed more time.  I needed more time & wasn't ready to deal with it.    We had to take his clothes off, so there went that idea.  At the end of the visit, she brought it up again.  Again, it was the creases.  They were so deep that she wondered if he had amniotic bands.  But they were so symmetrical that that theory almost didn't make sense.)  She said that she'd been paying attention to other kids' legs and had never seen this before.  So she was referring us to an Orthopedic Specialist at Cooks downtown.

At least we'd have an answer.

It was time for our appt with the orthopedist.  We got to Cooks and I was overwhelmed.  I am the mom with the perfect child who doesn't know how good she has it and how thankful she should be!  I was completely humbled.  There are so many kids who deal with awful things every day.  Cancer, disease, deformity, etc.  I was immediately put in my place.  But of course, it's still me so I continued to worry.  I watched many kids in wheel chairs, walkers, and leg braces in the waiting room.  That's my future I kept telling myself.  Let me tell you, picturing your baby's future in leg braces is a terrible thing.

He's never going to run, play sports, and kids are going to make fun of him.

Will's name was called and we went in.  The doctor came shortly and had a look at his legs.  I watched his face for any telling signs, but this guy probably sees crazy things all the time so I couldn't read anything in his expression.  He sent us for x-rays to see what we were dealing with.  That experience was AWFUL.  Will freaked out.  I mean FREAKED OUT.  That's kind of his thing.  Both Steven and I held him down and took our hands off his legs at the last minute.  It was quick and the x-rays were available almost immediately.  We just had to wait for the doctor to come in and tell us his prognosis.

I literally held my breath.

"I think he's going to be fine."  He didn't see any curvature in the bone, his measurements were all good, and there was no evidence that the creases were anything at all.  Just extra fat.  (of course!)  "REALLY?!"  was my response.  I did not expect that.  I hoped for it, but didn't expect it.  Steven did.  (of course, hadn't he been telling me that all along...)  He told us he is just pigeon toed and it should straighten out over time.  Other than that, he's fine.

No surgery.  No leg braces.  No degenerative leg disease.  JUST PIGEON TOED!  and of course crazy extra fat on the inside of his legs that make creases that no other kids have.

I can deal with that.  What a huge burden lifted of my shoulders!  I felt a billion times better and was just so happy for Will.  He's going to be fine.  ;)

Now for the rude lady that I mentioned the other day:

We were at the park last Wednesday.  Will was playing on the playground and this mom that was there- who I had not been talking to at all- just piped up, "Is there something wrong with his legs?"  My head literally snapped around to look at her and she had this confused look on her face -furrowed brow, squinting eyes,...  My mouth was hanging open.  She continued- "I mean, his feet are turned in... and he looks bowlegged... and he's got those creases..."  She rattled off each of our issues and laid it right out there in the open.  I quickly replied, "NO."  ;)  "He's fine.  We actually just saw a specialist who said he's fine.  Just pigeon toed and basically chubby."  With that I turned my back and completely ignored her presence.  Don't get me wrong, I was shocked and wanted to put this woman in her place.  I wanted to comment on her lack of social tact and throw a rock at her.  You just don't do that!

My Mom and Dad showed up a little while later and I was still in shock at that lady's rudeness when I told them what she said.  I'm pretty sure Mom probably would have said something a bit more "loaded"- she is from New Jersey after all.

All day I couldn't get her comment out of my head.  I know it's noticeable.  I see people looking, but no one ever shoves it in my face like that.  But guess what I had to hold onto- XRAYS! "He is fine!"  So he doesn't look like every other kid.  It's ok.  He's healthy.  That's the most I could want.

Rude woman- if you're out there, I forgive you.  You don't know better.

So in conclusion, I'm thankful!  It was the best possible outcome of this situation.  For now, my worries are gone and my husband can have break from my crazies.

Thank you Father for your perfect faithfulness!

 

Friday, September 17, 2010

Really?!

This will be short and incomplete and will be finished at a later date when I have more time, but for now...

Have you ever had a complete stranger say something incredibly rude to you? Except she probably didn't even realize it was rude, it's just who she is. So rude that my jaw about dropped and still does in my mind when I replay it. Which I keep doing- replaying it. Wishing I hadn't seen this woman at the park at all. Because now she's in my brain and making me angry.

I'll explain later. Grrrrr

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Will's First Chore

I guess it's not really a chore.  He loves it and asks to do it.  Laundry.  Specifically putting clothes into the washing machine.  He loves throwing the clothes in while the water is pouring in.  I try to get him to take the clothes out of the dryer, but he just takes them out and then wants to put them right back in the washing machine.  He will even take the clothes out of his drawers and carry them to the laundry room.  

So yesterday I moved a stool over and his basket of dirty clothes and let the boy go to town.  He did it for awhile and kept saying, "Boom!" when he threw things in.  It was great!  

I hope this boy continues his love for laundry, because his Mama sure doesn't have it and would love to have someone share the duty.


I had a great video, but who knows why it won't load.  Maybe I'll try again tomorrow.  

Now if I could just teach him to mop, load the dishwasher, vacuum, dust, ...

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Bath Time!



 

What happened to Toodles?

Does anyone know what happened to Toodles? (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse) Steven and I are watching it with Will right now and are very unhappy with the apparent change for Toodles. He has a face and talks.

Oh Toodles! Please come back!


Thursday, September 9, 2010

Weird Phobias.. start laughing now

Yes, start laughing now. Of course if one of these phobias is yours, then you're probably just seriously nodding your head in agreement thinking, "Yep. Scary. Don't even want to think about it." And if you are, please let me know so I can laugh at with you. (I decided to look up phobias yesterday after Will freaked out about my robe)


Here are some of the strange phobias I found on this site:

Fear of going back in time, getting a disease that is curable now, but not then

Fear of large bodies of water because there might be shopping carts down there

Fear of gravity reversing itself

Fear of the Chubby Bunny Game

Fear of dying in a car crash with the radio stuck on a country station

Fear of the number 211 (Read here)

Fear of cannibal siamese twins

Fear of being mentally ill, but no one has told you yet

Fear of dying and having your pet blame itself


Yes, those are apparently real. I'm sure there are some strange ones I could identify with. I know that cannibal siamese twins do sound awful, but I'm not afraid of running into one. I bet the chance of that are pretty low. But I guess you never know.


I know I'm afraid of my toddler deciding he doesn't want to nap again. Now THAT is scary.


Please share your weird fears!



Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Our Labor Day Vacation Collage

This past Labor Day weekend we traveled to Eureka Springs, AK for a little getaway.  My aunt and uncle, Kathy and Steven, have a lake house there that we went to stay at.  It was gorgeous!  I have never been to Arkansas before.  The lake was so amazing, as was the weather.  Just perfect! 

We had the best time resting, eating, playing, swimming, boating, kayaking, grilling, reading, sightseeing, and just spending time outdoors.  We left on Friday morning around 5 am, it is quite a drive with a toddler. Will did really well b/c he got to watch videos the whole time.  We stayed until Monday, but I really wish we could have stayed longer.  Hopefully we'll get to go back soon.  If you haven't visited the town of Eureka Springs you definitely should.  It's a very unique and quaint little place.


Clicking on the collages should enlarge them.  I won't know until I publish this and try it for myself though.

I can't believe we're already so far into September!  October is right around the corner & I need to start thinking about Halloween costumes.  Fun!  I'm excited Fall is here.  I foresee and camping trip in the Lentz Family's future....

My Weird Kid

We have been gone since THursday for a long Labor Day weekend trip to Eureka Springs, Arkansas!  I will post about that soon, but can't find the cord for my camera... hopefully it didn't get left in ES.

Anyway, back to the weirdness...  This morning, while Will went to play in his room, I went and put on my white fluffy robe b/c it felt a bit chilly in the house.  Then I went into Will's room to check on him.  When he looked up at me, he got really upset- at me.  He started pulling on me and I squatted down, thinking he was cranky from getting up too early and wanted to be held or something.  Nope.  Not it.  He hated my robe.  Seriously, he started pulling on it and on the belt, trying to get it off.  He did not stop yelling at me until I took it off.  THen he went back to playing.  (For the record, I didn't take it off so he could have his way, I just really wanted to see if it was the robe or not)

Isn't that strange?  I put it back on and walked out.

Is there such thing as a fear of robes?

 

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Incredible Zoo Trip

Yesterday Will and I met my Mom at the zoo.  The zoo pass was a birthday gift for Will from her and my Dad and they haven't been able to go with us yet.  So I was really excited to get to share this with her.  

I don't know if it was the time of day we went or the weather or what, but it was great b/c all of the animals were perfect!  Sometimes when we go a lot of them are just laying around, sleeping, hiding, just not really interested in getting in a good spot for my one year old to see.  But yesterday most of them were very active and close to the glass where we could get a really good look at them.

Of course, I think Will noticed.  He's never ever been scared of the animals before, but today (maybe b/c he's getting older?) he was acting scared.  It was hilarious though b/c he noticed a gigantic python behind the glass and then started backing away, shaking his head no.  I got it on video, but who knows if I'll be able to upload it...  ok, I think it uploaded, hopefully it works
 Here's Will kissing a tortoise 
 Riding the tortoise
 The gharial letting us have a close look
 "Mama says alligators are hornery b/c they have all those teeth and no toothbrush.." anyone?
 Will screamed and ran from the turtle when it turned towards him!



 Baby Layla!  There is almost nothing cuter in the world than a baby monkey!  They hung out by the glass all day so we could admire the little one.  A lady there told me that last week the mom was holding the baby on her feet last week- playing airplane with it while the baby laughed!  Are you kidding?  I would love to have seen that.  I could have sat there all day next to that glass.

 Even the elusive gorilla let us have a close look.
 Will didn't like this either.  He was adamantly shaking his head "no" with a very serious look on his face.  Of course it made Mom and I laugh.
 A chimp playing hide and seek.  I'm tellin ya... the animals were very entertaining.
 A rockhopper penguin saying "hello". 
 And this guy!  He was freaking me out.  He kept running into the candy store.  The guy that works there said he comes in all the time and steals candy.  

 Will saw this glowing sign and thought it was a tv.  He sat down in front of it twice... probably waiting for Yo Gabba Gabba.  He cracks me up!
 A mountain lion.. I do not want to ever see one of those outside of the zoo.
  
 Mr. Squirrel making a run for some more candy.  It did make me nervous b/c Will was walking around in there too.  
At the end of the day, both of these nuts were exhausted.  They took a rest on the bench while I went to get the car.  It really was such a fun day.  Will was easy and happy and seemed to have a lot of fun, besides the fact of being scared sometimes.  

Of course he fell asleep immediately when we got in the car.  Usually I can get him in his bed and he'll sleep for 2-3 hours after the zoo.  After getting him down, I went to start getting dinner ready when I heard him saying, "Mama, Mama".  I was so confused b/c he was OUT not thirty seconds earlier.  So I went in and he was standing there.  When I asked what was wrong, he said, "I pooped".  And he did.  He has started telling me about poop.  I guess we need to buy a potty.  And that was it for the nap.  Thanks poop.

I'm so thankful for a wonderful day, wonderful son, wonderful mom... I am so blessed and grateful.