Josh and His Cast

I took Josh the the doctor yesterday because his right leg was bothering him around his shin area. He has been limping around, crying about having an owie, and wanting to be carried. Well we saw the pediatrician and did x-rays and then talked with the pediatrician about what to do. He said he couldn't see any hairline fractures, but that they don't always show up on x-rays. He also said that he did see something on the x-ray, but he didn't know what it was - so he said that we had three options:

• leave it be and see if it gets any better
• put him in a splint that night (last night) and make an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon for today or Friday
• put him in a regular cast

We made the decision to see the orthopedic surgeon and see what he said. So, we went to our appointment today, and long story short Josh got put into a boot (walking cast) and has to wear it until we go back on Wednesday & have the x-rays done again (because they didn't have the x-rays that we had done yesterday - Don't. Ask.) and then we'll see how it looks at that time and go from there. We waited in the waiting room for about 45 minutes and saw the doctor for about a minute. But, I guess that's the way it is. Luckily I had someone to watch Maddie - for 2 hours (so THANK YOU Heidi) and could concentrate solely on Josh. Let's see, what else? We have to treat this boot just like a regular hard cast. He has to wear it all of the time, can't even take it off for a bath (which Heidi pointed out - it's probably a good thing if Josh doesn't know it can come off), and the doctor said that he'll have to watch a lot of movies for a while. Um - I guess he doesn't know my kid. This might slow him down a little, but he's not going to stop!

So, it's going to be a long week - but we'll get through it, we don't have a choice! I'll post a picture of Josh in his little boot (more like a foot weapon) tonight.

Wednesday's Pool

These pictures are from yesterday. We had a pool playdate with our neighbors and it was really fun. Except for our little potty accident. Oops!

This picture is of J.T. and Maddie, they look so cute laying on their bellies together.

Back Online

Phew! Well we're finally back online and it feels fab! We just got our laptop back last night, too late to do anything with it. But after my moms group today, I just had to come home and get it up and running. I've been miserable/lost without my laptop. So we are up and running, our emails are working, and now I can post again when the kids are sleeping!

A lot has happened in a week, I'll tell you that much! It seems like the moment the hard drive crashed, about 10 different things happened. I've already written about the Dinosaur park, Josh starting to potty train, and about our computer. But one thing I had forgotten about was Brad and Josh going to see Space Chimps in the movie theater. That was Josh's first time going to see a movie, so we weren't quite sure how he would do. I stayed home with Maddie, so it was just the boys - but Brad said Josh did really good. They went to the first showing (which was at 10am) and there was no one else in the theater besides them. Josh got a little antsy a couple of times, but they made it through the entire movie. And when Josh got home, he kept saying - "space monkey, monkeys go in outerspace" and kept pointing to the TV to watch "space monkeys".

Let see, what else. Josh is doing really well with his potty training. We've only had one accident since Saturday - and it was a big one & unfortunately it was poop. But it was one accident, and he's done so well. Now he is even going on the big potty, instead of his little one. Which reminds me of another story. Yesterday Josh said he had to go pee, so I took him into the bathroom to go. And then he tells me that he needs to wipe his pee pee, so fine, we do that. I told him to throw the toilet paper into the toilet and then flush, while I put Maddie down for her morning nap. Big mistake! I come back and there is like a half a roll of toilet paper in the bowl and Josh has been holding down the handle to flush! Long story short, the toilet gets clogged (of course) and I spent at least 15 minutes trying to get the darn thing unclogged. Ugh! I needed a massage after that.

I'm taking Josh to the doctor today. He has been complaining that his right leg has been hurting around his shin. So I'm not sure if it is growing pains (but it's only on one side) or if something worse is wrong with his leg. I will write another post when we know for sure what's going on. I hope it's nothing serious and that this is all just in my head, but we'll see.

Nothing much else is going on. Maddie and Brad are doing well. We're just trying to survive the heat! As so far today and been a great day.

Potty Training

Well we are finally in the club, well maybe just being introduced to the potty training club - probably not a member yet. We're still in the trial part I guess. Brad has had the last four days off (being Pioneer Day and all), so he told me that he was really going to work with Josh on trying to get him potty trained. Josh does so much better with Brad on that kind of stuff, and it's so hard to try to do it during the week when I'm here by myself. So this was the weekend! It was slow starting, but I think (knock on wood) that he actually has the hang of it! He wore underwear all day yesterday and Saturday (well, except for naps and bedtime) and didn't have one accident. He wore underwear on Friday too, but had one accident (but I think that's because we went to the store and he just got so excited and peed right there on the floor - oops! But what can you do - nothing, so we just left).

And...he pooped on the potty on Saturday! He kept saying that he tummy was hurting and kept asking for a diaper - which, hello - red flag, but we wouldn't put one on him. So Brad took him into the bathroom, and just said let's stay on the potty and we're not getting out until you go poop. Well as soon as Brad took down Josh's pants, he started to go. And let's just say - there was a lot of it! It must have been 2 days worth of poop (probably because Josh didn't want to go in the potty). So here we are today. He has already gone pee twice, but I'm waiting for the poop. I know, I lead a very glamorous life!

So we'll see how it goes, but so far so good! This is so much better than diapers!

Dinosaur Park

Saturday we went to the Dinosaur Park in Ogden. It was so much fun and Josh absolutely loved it. He had a blast! On the way there we told him where we were going, and he just kept roaring and making claws with his hands. It was so cute. His new thing now is to say "Roar, Madison".

Then, when we got there - we did the outside part first (since it is so dang hot here), and at that point he became a little scared. I mean, if I were only 3 feet tall, I would be scared too. Some of the dinosaurs were like 2 stories tall (but don't quote me on that, I'm not good with measurements). There were huge dinosaurs in the park and boxes with speakers all over the place that kept making roaring sounds. For a while there, Brad had to carry him. But he got used to it after a while. They also had a huge playground for kids to play on and he loved that. It was so nice, but SO hot! I can't wait to take him when it's a lot cooler outside. Then we can spend even more time there. I have pictures - but will have to post them later (there is no way I'm setting up this computer with our newer camera, when the laptop will hopefully be back in service later this week, so it will just have to wait).

Next was the museum part, which was obviously inside. Ah - air conditioning! I don't know which part he like more. The actual park or the museum. They had so much stuff to look at and so much information, it was hard to take everything in! The grand finale though, was when we went upstairs. They had two huge dinosaurs (I think a Stegosaurus and another meat-eating one - I'm not good with dinosaurs either) that were moving and making noises! They looked pretty lifelike and Josh could not tear his eyes away from them. He didn't want to leave. And what was Maddie doing this whole time - sleeping! Awe.

So we'll definitely be back. And I will post pictures when I can download them!

Technology

Ok. So I've been MIA for a couple of days on the computer, and for good reason. The hard drive on our laptop fried, which I don't know what I did to deserve this - but it must have been something pretty bad (in my mind anyways). I'm the type of person who checks their email like three times a day. So, karma? This happened on Wednesday night. I called Hp that night, and they basically told me I was SOL. I had to get a new hard drive from them and my recovery disks. So I ordered those on Thursday, and the new hard drive (which we got for free because our laptop is still under warranty - it's less than a year old) arrived on Friday via FedEx. Now, as I was looking at the hard drive box, I'm wondering where are the recovery disks? No disks. So, I call Hp back. And they tell me in no uncertain terms - that I won't get the recovery disks until Aug. 1st because they are coming through regular mail! What?!? That doesn't even make any sense. Why ship (and spend the extra money) to overnight the hard drive, when I can't do anything with it until we get the recovery disks? Doesn't make any sense to me, but according to Hp - this is the process. Don't. Ask.

So all of our pictures of the kiddos from about February until now are lost. We can't get our data back unless we pay a hefty price to do so, and then we wouldn't have our computer for like 2 weeks because they'd have to ship it to Kentucky. Which anybody that knows me, knows that 2 weeks is a lifetime for me to go without my computer.

So long story short - I've been on the phone for what feels like a lifetime to try and get my computer fixed - which it won't be for at least another week. I don't want to talk to any more computer techs for a LONG time, and I've had to set up my old desktop - which feels like an ancient dinosaur compared to the laptop. So if anyone wants to get a hold of me via email/online or writes a comment about my posts - I'm not ignoring you, I just can't get online.

I have a lot more posts, but can't spend the time writing them - the computer is set up in Maddie's room - which is another whole story in itself. So look for more of my posts around Friday. There might be like 10 of them by that time. Ugh, technology - I have a love/hate relationship with it right now!

Work

Okay, so this post is not for the faint of heart. If you don't like hearing about blood, bodily fluids, CEs (cervical exams), etc. Stop reading. Right. Now.

I'm serious. Stop. Reading.

So I've really been missing work. Don't get me wrong, I'm so scared to go back - but I'm definitely missing it! I miss seeing (and touching - no I'm not a pervert) pregnant bellies, helping a mom through a difficult labor, and I know, I know - it's weird, but starting IVs. There is just something wonderfully cool when you hit the vein and know that you're in! I know, call me weird, but it's so cool to see that flashback and to be like - whahoo, I'm in. Ok, so that's one part that I miss.

Another part I miss, which is also weird, is being able to actually stomach stuff. I mean, when you're and l&d nurse, you can't really have a weak stomach. You have to be prepared for people (mommas and dads) to be puking (and getting it on you no less), be prepared for any bodily fluid coming (sometimes shooting out) at you, and for drama - baby and not baby drama. Trust me, I have some stories in the vault that would blow your mind! Crazy dads & even more crazy grandmas, and well patients for that matter!! As an l&d nurse, you have to be able to handle all kinds of crazy & sad moments - and moments that just tug at your heart.

So back to the stomaching stuff - it seems like the more I'm away from it, the less I can handle. I used to have an iron stomach - I'm talking about saying disgusting stuff, talk about anything at the dinner table (which is ALWAYS the best time to talk about that kind of stuff), see anything, smell anything - type of iron stomach. Now, I'm such a wuss! I still don't mind seeing blood - that will never bother me. But now, any little smells bother me - and if Brad talks about throwing up, I'm more likely than ever to gag. Which used to never happen. I've been sprayed with amniotic fluid, pricked with an IV that I'd just tried to put in a patient, and a whole lot more that I will kindly not mention. So, I guess I'm ready to get my stomach back - in more ways than one. But PS, I've never been a mucous type person. Trachs and lung butter really bother me. Yuck.

Ok, so totally off the subject too - but why, whenever you try to start an IV in someone do they always say - "oh, I don't like needles" - really, no shit! No one likes needles (well except for druggies) - and if you do, um sorry to say - but there is something wrong with you!

Sorry for the outburst. I also miss those really good/nice patients that remember you after they've had their labor. The ones that completely trust you to make the right decisions, and the ones that when their birth plan changes (which, all of us l&d nurses know - it will change, it's not if -but when it changes) they are willing to do what it takes for their baby. Also the labors when the patient goes natural (and I'm not talking about a vaginal delivery - which is what some people think it means by going natural), but what I mean is going without drugs - and you helping them all the way through it. Working with the labor ball, giving counter pressure, walking, being in the tub - everything. Those labors are so refreshing. It's hard when you get like 5 labors in a row when they start out on pit, need continuous monitoring, get an epidural, and are stuck in bed the whole time. Which, I know, I'm a walking contradiction - because that's exactly what I did with my last baby. But it's different when you're on the other side of things. And besides that, I'm a wuss remember!

So I guess that's it. I'm ready to go back to work, in a nutshell. Ha!

Josh

I took some pictures of Josh the other day, and he's being as silly as ever. His newest words and sayings are: snake sunscreen (when the sunscreen comes out of the bottle, it looks like a snake); yuckies poop (yeah, I know it's gross - but to see him put his John Deere boots and go and grab his shovel to pick up the dog "yuckies" is pretty cute); tank you, pease and come (for your welcome); and 1,2, 3 - time out mommy (not that that's silly, just a little funny the 1st time I heard it, but not anymore - what a little ape! Here he is after putting the yogurt cup around his mouth to make a "beard". The picture doesn't do it justice, but it was pretty funny!

And his newest thing is having to wear his "bird" shirt (a Seattle Seahawks shirt - Daddy's favorite football team) every day! He finally got a new one from grandma - so now he has two, but still. I guess Brad was the same way when he was little - except his shirt was a Dukes of Hazzard tee. So here is Josh wearing one of his bird shirts. Handsome boy!

Here he is wearing Brad's hard hat! I think he might be a lineman someday. He keeps saying "go look at poles, go climb poles" and he keeps picking up Brad's tools and his gaffs - yikes! But he is a daddy's boy and loves everything that Brad does.

Maddie

Yesterday we put Maddie her in little pool. We've put her in there before, but haven't gotten any pictures yet - well we finally did! Here she is in her little bathing suit that Julia let us borrow (thanks), before we had put any water in it. She loves being in her pool! She loves splashing around and getting water in her face. She just can't sit up yet on her own, which is why I have to squat down right beside her and hold her up. Even though, I don't think she'd mind if I just let go of her and let her "swim" on her belly.

She is getting so close to crawling it's not even funny. She's starting to do this move where she gets up on her hands and knees, falls forward (because she hasn't figured out how to move her arms at the same time yet), and then stretches her arms out and starts the whole process all over again. So she's moving, just very slowly! On another note, we finally got her 6 month pictures taken. Ugh! Nothing bad, it just took me forever to make the appointment and actually keep it. She's almost 7 months old! But they turned out soooo cute!!! I can't wait to get them back. I'll have to scan a couple of them and post them when I get a chance. Too cute :)

This is what she looks like after she has just woken up in the morning. She's so stinkin' cute, and is so happy in the morning. Her eyes are all squinty and she's got her little finger in her mouth. The way she does this is so cute! (And for those of you who are thinking it - no there are no pills in that bag, it's just the bag).

In this last picture, she had gotten so messy from eating that I just had to take a picture. She's really starting to grab at the spoons and trying to feed herself. Then she lifts her bib up, because she hates wearing them and I hate it when she doesn't wear them. She tries to rip her bibs off and play with the tags - so she's been getting pretty dirty!

Blessed

I must say that I don't know why I complain so much. There are days that that's all I do, is complain. There are plenty of people that have it much, much worse than I do. But it's hard to think like that when I'm having a bad day, selfish - I know.

I have 2 beautiful children, my health, a husband that loves me, a nice house, we have vehicles that are in good, working condition, and I have friends and neighbors that really care about me! I have a lot to be thankful for and need to start appreciating it more. Besides, who wants to be around someone who is always down in the dumps and complaining. No one. I need to start being more positive about my life and the things going on around me.

Facial

Today I was able to go to the spa again & use part of my gift card that Brad bought for me for Mother's Day. I got a facial this time! It was so nice, and very relaxing. I've only had a facial a couple of times before, and haven't had one in years - so I'd forgotten how nice they are. I almost fell asleep during the hour that I was there. I love this spa!

I have enough on my gift card to do one more thing at the spa (probably a massage), and I think I'll wait a couple more weeks to use it up. I could've done an entire day at the spa, but I wanted to spread it out a little bit. I wish I could have a spa service every week. I've realized just how important taking time for myself is, and pampering myself as well. A happy mom makes for happy kids. If I'm in a good mood, it definitely easier to take care of my kids and be nice to them.

I. needed. it.

It's been a tough week, and this was a great way to have it end! I love my husband for getting this gift card for me. What a relaxing day today, I feel like I can tackle another week now.

Friend Needed

As a mom you should have a good friend that you can talk to whenever you need to. You should be able to call up this friend crying and no matter what she's doing will stop everything and listen to what you have to say about what's going on in your life. When stuff is going on, you need a friend like this to cope with the emotions and thoughts that are rattling on in your brain. And luckily I have a friend like this.

We became friends in nursing school, so we're going on 7 years now. We've been friends through our grueling time in nursing school, the sucky NCLEX exams, our kids, working, etc. And Jen, you should know that it's you!

She's one of those people that you can tell anything to, and she won't judge you. She listens and she's caring, but she tells you like it is - and that's nice. She knows what to say and when to say it, when to hold back and when not to. Honesty and trust! Those are two important characteristics in any relationship. I can tell her anything and she knows exactly what I'm talking about and where I'm coming from. We don't talk too often, but when we do - we pick up right where we left off.

As a mom, you always need to have a good friend like this. So when you get one, hold on to her - because they don't come around very often! And this friend, for me, is Jen. I just wished we lived closer to each other. With both have Joshuas and they are only 2 months apart and everytime her and I talk we find out how much alike they are. And it's nice to know that I'm not the only one that has a jumping off couches, running around like a maniac, rough and tumble kind of boy.

So Jen, this is my ode to you!

I'm Pretty Upset Right Now

So as the title says, I'm upset right now. I'm pretty pissed off actually!

I just talked with Brad's mom and I happened to ask her when they are going to come down for a visit. Our arrangement that we have, started after Josh was born. We said that we would try to see each other every 3 months, so that it wouldn't be too long before they saw Josh again because kids grow up so fast. So they would take a turn driving and then it would be our turn, so all in all - we'd only have to drive back and forth twice a year to WA. Not too bad and definitely doable if you ask me. So they were here for Christmas and then in April, we drove up to WA to see them. And it's not an easy task driving 10 hours with 2 young kids. So it's at the 3 month mark, and I couldn't not ask her any longer -big mistake.

So I asked her and she gives me this big long winded answer, saying well this month is pretty busy (ok, there are only two weekends left in the month - I know they're not coming this month), and next month Brad's dad is going on a business trip (which he does EVERY year), so they are not coming then. And his dad starts teaching his classes again at the end of September, so maybe they could try to make it before then. Maybe they could make it? That's like 2 months away and it will be almost 6 months since they've seen the kids.

I guess I'm upset and pissed off for my kids. They (Brad's parents) are missing out on the experiences with their grandkids. And I feel this too because that's how it was with my family. My parents, sister and I lived pretty far away from my dad's parents and my dad's sister and her kids lived really close to them. Confused? But this is how it is with Josh and Maddie and their cousin, Erica (which is Brad's sister's daughter). Erica lives really close and they see her at least once a week. Well we don't get that luxury, and at best they see our kids every 3 months. This bothers me, because I know what it was like as a kid for this to happen. My cousins got a lot more stuff than my sister and I did (not that it's about stuff, but you know) and they just did more things period with my grandparents. A kid gets a little jealous of that. So I know how it feels. It's just frustrating. And they want us to move closer to home? Are they kidding? Why would we do that now? Why after living here for 4 years and them starting to taper off their visits, would we move closer to them when we decide to move? And sending pictures, why should I do that?

I know I'm upset right now and I will eventually feel differently about this, but I can't help but feel this way right now.

And you can say gas prices, cost of stuff going up, blah, blah, blah. But you should want to see your family as much as possible, especially when they live far away. But I guess we're just going to have to make our friends our family. Ok, done!

I Got to Sleep Through the Night

This is just going to be a quick post, but I actually got to sleep through the night last night. Oh, it was heavenly! Maddie is a pretty good sleeper (better than Josh ever was), but she has still be waking up once during the night. I just find with her, it's a lot harder to let her cry - so it's my own fault. But when you have 2 kids instead of one, I always fear that they're going to wake each other up. But I did get a lot of sleep and good sleep at that. So I start the day off feeling refreshed and energized and full of hope that today will be a good day.
When I don't get much sleep, I start the day off grumpy and moody (I need my sleep) - so maybe my bad days start off then. It's hard when you have a child that still wakes up in the middle of the night, and have another one that's an early riser. But that's motherhood, right? So today I was actually awake before Josh woke up, and that seems to be going good so far. We're all in high spirits today - and we actually have something fun to do today, so that always helps. I'm a planning kind of person - if I know we have something to do that particular day, the day goes by a lot smoother and I feel like I can make it through the week. That's all for now, we'll see how the rest of the day shapes out.

Bad Day

I guess I have to take the bad days along with the good. On a scale of 1-10, I guess 10 being the best - today was a 2. I have such a headache from yelling at Josh. He was doing so well this morning, but the day has gotten progressively worse since lunchtime. And of course, the one day I want to take a nap, both of my kids don't sleep well. How do they know because I swear they do? My eyeballs actually hurt, how does that happen? And on top of all of that, Brad is still working as we speak. I haven't talked to him all day, and I hate that. I never know if something is wrong, or if it's just because he's busy. Of course, I can't complain to him about it because he'll just say - well you're not the only one that has had to go through this (being him working late, dealing with 2 young kids, etc.) I might not be the only one having had to do this, but that doesn't make it any easier. And it doesn't make me feel better when he says that, it's not like he has any idea of what I go through. It's not like he's ever had to experience what I do on a daily basis. Guys (well I should say, most guys) just don't get it. And sometimes I think Brad never will. I love my husband, but sometimes he just gets on my nerves!

What would it be like to not have kids right now? Don't get me wrong, I love my kids very much and would never wish that I hadn't had them. But, I often think about what it was like before I had kids. I guess the main thought is about being able to go out to dinner and not having to worry about sippy cups, diapers, messes, crying, leaving, not eating my dinner, etc. And what about going into the store for one item, and it only taking 5 mintues, that's right, I said 5 minutes? In and out! You can't do that when you have kids, it takes at least 20. And then there's - going to see a movie in a theater again or sleeping in on the weekends. I love my kids so much, but I need a vacation. A vacation by myself - where I can go to a spa all day long, sip margaritas, sleep, and work on my tan.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. It can only go up from here, right? Because today was defintiely a bottom for me. I just pray for God to give me patience. That's the one thing I want for Christmas, only 5 more months to go!

A Good Mom Day

Today was a good day for me. Josh was so good, which it's not that he's bad - just some days are harder than others. I mean, he's only 3. We've been all over the place today running errands, and he's listened. Tonight we got ice cream and he picked out his own, and ate all of it - which he normally doesn't do because he eats it so slowly that it melts and we have to throw it away. We came home and sat on the porch, and ate our ice cream like a cute little family. Maddie has been so good too. She hasn't been fussy at all today. What a relief. It's the little things that get me by lately. Plus, Brad was home all weekend. No working!
I even got to clean. Not that I want to mind you, but it got done - which is more than I can say for most days. So for me, it was a good day.

Update on My Parents

Not everyone knows, but yes - my parents are getting a divorce. Our family has known since about May and things are starting to happen now. Their divorce papers have been signed, they sold their house, and the latest is that my dad just picked up his stuff from the house this last Wednesday. That was a big hurdle. He is now living in South Dakota and has a girlfriend, which he will probably marry. My dad and I haven't even talked since Mother's Day, and it feels weird not to think of my parents together. It's been difficult for my mom since she's the one that got left behind and my dad has had a chance to move on. Hell, they've been together for 30+ years. My mom has purchased a condo that she will move into the end of this month. She's also sold some of the furniture - which I think will be good for her if she just starts fresh.

I don't know what to make of it. I'm sad for my mom because of how everything happened, but I feel indifferent towards my dad. I am not mad at him, but I'm not waiting by the phone to hear from/talk to him. I think I'm just so far removed from it that it doesn't really bother me. Living so far away from my sister and mom, it doesn't effect my every day life. But we'll see what happens.

Stuff I've Been Forgetting to Write

Well I keep meaning to write a couple of things, and I always forget until I get into bed or whenever I'm away from my computer.

First, Maddie is already getting up on her hands and knees and really wants to crawl. I can't believe this because she just turned 6 months! She is pushing backwards and her poor little knees are so rug-burned it's not even funny. At first, she started doing this yoga move. She was making a plank with her body, and she hasn't even started sitting up on her own yet! Crazy.

Second, I don't know if everyone knows this but we got a dog. He is a 2 year old Lab and his name is Hawk. He's a pretty good dog and listens most of the time. Sometimes I think I have 3 kids, well maybe 4 counting Brad. He knows how to sit and stay and is really good with the kids. He hasn't tried to bite or nip at Josh, even after everything Josh does to him (pull his hair, tease him with his toy, etc.) And he loves to play fetch, which is a plus for Josh and me I guess - because Josh loves to throw the toy and Hawk likes to fetch it. It wears them both out!

Last, I think I'm starting to miss work. I've been reading a few L&D blogs and I'm starting to want to go back to work. And not just to get away from my kids! But I'm scared at the same time. Am I going to remember everything? Will it all come back to me once I start? What about starting IVs again or C-sections? It just makes me a little nervous, well alot nervous. But I guess I'll just have to cross that bridge when it happens. But I'm getting ready. So there it is.

Camping Out

Brad and Josh thought that they would camp out in our backyard last night, and let's just say THAT didn't work out so well. It doesn't get dark here until about 9:30 and that's only an hour and a half later then when Josh normally goes to bed. So I know he's already wound up from staying up late. Plus, he's so excited to be sleeping in the tent that he just wants to play around. He's slept in a tent before when we've gone camping, but not in a while. And he heard every little noise and kept asking Brad - "what's that, what's that?" In the woods, with a river near by, I think it helps him sleep and the fact that it's totally dark.

Needless to say - they ended up coming inside at a little after 10:30 and that was the end of that. Maybe we'll try again in another couple of weeks. So here are my boys trying to camp out and with everyone happy before trying to sleep.

The Carnival

Since Josh is getting older, we're definitely able to do more things now. And sometimes Maddie just has to come along for the ride. So we went to the city carnival tonight and it was the perfect today to do it, weather-wise. Not baby-wise. Maddie didn't take a good nap today and I thought she might fall asleep being pushed around in the stroller, but man was I wrong. Josh had a lot of fun - for the most part. He kind of got a little scared on the rides, but loved the Fun Slide :)

He went down that slide about 5 times and rode on a couple of different rides. He had so much fun. But the best part was when he went fishing. He absolutely loved that part. He won himself a little fish and was very proud. As were Brad and I. I'm so glad that we went, even though Maddie was pretty cranky - it was a lot of fun.

Dutch Oven Dinner

So last night we tried to go to a Dutch Oven Cook Out and let's just say that didn't work out so well. I was so excited (I know, stupid - right, it's just a Dutch Oven Dinner), but the main reason why I was excited, was that I didn't have to cook. So back to the story...we got there about 15 minutes early and the parking was packed. It was so hot and we had to park pretty far away, I thought my arms were going to fall off from pushing Maddie in the stroller. But we finally got to the area where they were having the dinner, and lo and behold, the line was like 3 miles long! We decided right then and there that we were bagging the idea of actually eating. So we just walked around and look at all of the classic cars that were around. And poor Josh, he just wanted to jump in all of the cars and drive them away. We walked around and let Josh play on the toys for a little over an hour. Poor Maddie too, because she was so hot in the stroller and was a little cranky from the whole ordeal. But we tried. I guess I didn't realize how big these things are in Utah.

7.9.08

Today I got together with my mom's group. It's so nice to be around other moms that feel or think exactly like you do. It's also nice to be around people that understand you and know just where you're coming from. We all have boys that are "boys boys" and are a bit on the wild side and it's nice to just let them work things out by themselves. Kids need that sometimes. If you always step in for your child, it's not doing them any justice later in life. And so far, it's worked out really well for everyone involved.

On a completely separate subject - it is so hot here that it's hard to even do anything outside. And my kids love to be outside - both of them. They are just happier when they're outdoors. That's hard at all times with a 3 year old and a 6 month old. I can't wait until they're a little older, and we can do more family trips and things along those lines. Josh is getting a lot better now when we go out a do stuff, now that he's getting older. So it will be nice when Maddie gets to be his age.

7.6.08

So, today my mom left. Brad has been working his weekend shift and she was here to help out with the kids. I’m so ready for his weekend shift to over with, I’m over it! And my mom coming to help was another story altogether. It felt more like work, than help. I took her to the airport and all she could talk about was my dad and their divorce. I almost don’t even want to hear about it anymore, but that’s all I do hear about.
It’s hard work watching the kids 24 hours a day and keeping myself sane. I hate to even admit it, but I’m not really enjoying motherhood at this point in time. Josh is just a bear at 3 years old and Madison needs my attention all the time, she needs me every waking moment. And it’s just draining - physically and emotionally. My nerves are shot by the end of the day. I count down until Brad gets home a little after 4, and if he’s late it’s like I’m not going to survive.
Just one of those hard mom days I guess.