So about 6 months ago, we thought it would be fun to get a pet. We're currently renting our house, as we couldn't sell our house in NY (don't even get me started on THAT), and the lease clearly states that no substantial pets (cats, dogs, etc) are allowed. So we got the boys each a betta fish. They require minimal care - feed every 2-3 days, change the water every 1-2 weeks - so it was a perfect match for a busy family. Ben and Logan each chose their fish, the colored rocks for the bowl, and a plastic plant. We got home, set the bowls up, and the boys named their fish. Ben named his Red Fish Blue Fish (a perfect name!) and Logan named his Sweetie Pie (such a lovebug he is).
Things went great. "Minimal care" is totally accurate - the fish have been fine. And the boys are still fairly interested in them, which is nice.
Fast forward to this morning. Logan woke up at around 5:30, as usual. He joined me in the bathroom while I showered (at what age is this considered inappropriate?!), and when I started to get dressed he announced that he was going downstairs. "Great," I said. "Turn on the TV. I'll be down in a few minutes." I was mostly dressed when I heard Logan yell, "Mommy! Daddy! I can't see Sweetie Pie!" Ugh. I immediately thought my little mischief-maker was up to something. I went downstairs and saw Sweetie Pie... in the bottom of his bowl, motionless. Then I noticed that the counter was covered in water. THEN I noticed the two clementine oranges and one hair elastic that were in Sweetie Pie's bowl. Oy.
My hubby came down, and I suggested he change SP's water, to see if that perked him up. It didn't. All day I was nervous as to what I would find when I got home. I ended up spending more time than I had planned for at my company's HQ, and decided to work from home this afternoon. I got home at around 3:45 and SP was still motionless, this time belly-up, on the bottom of his bowl. He's taking breaths every so often, and his teeny side fins sometimes move. (I have to admit that I briefly considered flushing Sweetie Pie and rushing out to PetCo to get an exact replica.)
A short while ago, I wondered if he'd be more comfortable not-belly-up, so I flipped him over (I used a plastic fork. Isn't that awful?!). His teeny side fins continued to flap, but his big top and bottom and back fins didn't move at all. I began to wonder if he was paralyzed. Then Logan, who was sitting at the island counter, which is where he was this morning, announced that he had in fact taken Sweetie Pie OUT of his bowl this morning. Ack! I'm no longer thinking that SP has suffered head trauma by Clementine - I now think that his poor little fish body was squeezed :( Poor thing!
So now I have the daunting task of explaining death to my children. I've already told them that Sweetie Pie is sick... very, very sick. I'm not sure if I should go into more detail than that right before bed. Perhaps when my hubby gets home he'll put the poor thing out of his misery and flush him. Death will be a little easier to explain tomorrow morning, I think. I wish there was an easy answer to this!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
My Sitcom Life
I swear, you can't make this stuff up. The boys, hubby and I were enjoying a fun game of Hide and Seek tonight. The fun ended when Logan found me and Ben in the bathtub... then turned on the water.
Doh!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Doh!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, July 18, 2010
2 Failed Bedtime-Related Endeavors
Failed Bedtime-Related Endeavor #1:
Last night, at bedtime, Logan said he wanted to sleep in Ben's bed. Then Ben said he wanted to sleep in Logan's crib. Logan clarified that he wanted Ben to sleep in Ben's bed too - a slumber party. The boys were so excited for this, and I thought that a Saturday night would be just perfect to try it out. We got them both settled in Ben's big bed, and put pillows on the floor around the perimeter - just in case. Steve and I came downstairs and chuckled together upon hearing the boys laughing and having a great time.
It lasted for about 5 minutes until the screaming started.
Turns out Logan "bonked" Ben in the nose with his sippy cup. The slumber party was aborted and two crying [screaming] boys greeted the Sandman from the comfort of their OWN beds.
Failed Bedtime-Related Endeavor #1:
Today, upon seeing Logan's joy and excitement over the prospect in sleeping in Ben's big-boy-bed last night, we converted Logan's crib into a toddler bed. All that really means is that we took off one of the long sides of the crib, so he can get in and out by himself. He was THRILLED with it and at bedtime couldn't wait to get in his new bed. We read stories, had hugs and kisses, and said goodnight. When the scraming began, less than 2 minutes later, I assumed it was because Logan wanted me to adjust his blankets, as he usually does at least 3 times each night. But no - he wanted to sleep on the floor, on the perimeter pillows. What? So that's where he's sleeping now - on the floor, NEXT to his new toddler bed.
Actually, I'm shocked he stayed there...
Last night, at bedtime, Logan said he wanted to sleep in Ben's bed. Then Ben said he wanted to sleep in Logan's crib. Logan clarified that he wanted Ben to sleep in Ben's bed too - a slumber party. The boys were so excited for this, and I thought that a Saturday night would be just perfect to try it out. We got them both settled in Ben's big bed, and put pillows on the floor around the perimeter - just in case. Steve and I came downstairs and chuckled together upon hearing the boys laughing and having a great time.
It lasted for about 5 minutes until the screaming started.
Turns out Logan "bonked" Ben in the nose with his sippy cup. The slumber party was aborted and two crying [screaming] boys greeted the Sandman from the comfort of their OWN beds.
Failed Bedtime-Related Endeavor #1:
Today, upon seeing Logan's joy and excitement over the prospect in sleeping in Ben's big-boy-bed last night, we converted Logan's crib into a toddler bed. All that really means is that we took off one of the long sides of the crib, so he can get in and out by himself. He was THRILLED with it and at bedtime couldn't wait to get in his new bed. We read stories, had hugs and kisses, and said goodnight. When the scraming began, less than 2 minutes later, I assumed it was because Logan wanted me to adjust his blankets, as he usually does at least 3 times each night. But no - he wanted to sleep on the floor, on the perimeter pillows. What? So that's where he's sleeping now - on the floor, NEXT to his new toddler bed.
Actually, I'm shocked he stayed there...
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Why I will never understand 3-year-olds
On the way home from school last night (yes, I still call daycare "school" because it eases my working-mother guilt), we had a conversation about dinner.
Ben: So, what are you making for dinner tonight, Mommy?
Me: Meatballs with pasta and sauce, yummy!
Ben: [Whiny voice going increasingly higher] Awwwwwwwwww but I don't LIKE meatballs!
Logan: Asta?
Me: Yes, Logan. Pasta. Ben, you've always liked meatballs when we've had them before.
Ben: Awwwwww but I don't LIKE meatballs anymore!
Me: Okay. What would you like for dinner?
Ben: Peanut butter and jelly.
Me: Okay.
Logan: Pasta! Meatballs!
We got home a few minutes later and I realized I didn't have any pasta sauce in the house. (I didn't make it to the grocery store last week because I had this crazy back pain that happens every few months. It's bad. Seriously. I'm not even exaggerating! On two occasions on Thursday it took me 5+ minutes to walk the bathroom in my house, and I was in tears along the way.)
Me: Oh... we don't have any pasta sauce. I can't make meatballs and pasta and sauce.
Logan: Meatballs?
Ben: [Whiniest voice ever] Awwwwwwwww but I WANTED MEATBALLS!!!!
Lol. Seriously?
Ben: So, what are you making for dinner tonight, Mommy?
Me: Meatballs with pasta and sauce, yummy!
Ben: [Whiny voice going increasingly higher] Awwwwwwwwww but I don't LIKE meatballs!
Logan: Asta?
Me: Yes, Logan. Pasta. Ben, you've always liked meatballs when we've had them before.
Ben: Awwwwww but I don't LIKE meatballs anymore!
Me: Okay. What would you like for dinner?
Ben: Peanut butter and jelly.
Me: Okay.
Logan: Pasta! Meatballs!
We got home a few minutes later and I realized I didn't have any pasta sauce in the house. (I didn't make it to the grocery store last week because I had this crazy back pain that happens every few months. It's bad. Seriously. I'm not even exaggerating! On two occasions on Thursday it took me 5+ minutes to walk the bathroom in my house, and I was in tears along the way.)
Me: Oh... we don't have any pasta sauce. I can't make meatballs and pasta and sauce.
Logan: Meatballs?
Ben: [Whiniest voice ever] Awwwwwwwww but I WANTED MEATBALLS!!!!
Lol. Seriously?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Dear Nana Rosie,
Thank you so much for sending the package. The boys were so happy to get the toddler utensils and loved the alphabet-themed cups. The socks you sent for me look so cozy and I'm looking forward to wearing them tomorrow.
We always love getting packages from you. But next time, PLEASE - don't pack the box with styrofoam peanuts. You'd never guess what tiny pieces those things break down into, and where said tiny pieces end up.
Thankfully,
Catherine
Thank you so much for sending the package. The boys were so happy to get the toddler utensils and loved the alphabet-themed cups. The socks you sent for me look so cozy and I'm looking forward to wearing them tomorrow.
We always love getting packages from you. But next time, PLEASE - don't pack the box with styrofoam peanuts. You'd never guess what tiny pieces those things break down into, and where said tiny pieces end up.
Thankfully,
Catherine
Thursday, February 18, 2010
A Little Break
What? So it's been a while since my last post? I was actually trying to make it exactly a year... so by writing today it's actually more frequently than I'd planned ;)
So I see my last post was in May. That is explained by the simple fact that as of June 29, 2009, I was no longer a stay-at-home-mom (which I suppose means I need to change the little byline thingie up at the top. I also have two toddlers now, rather than one infant and one toddler. Yet another necessary change.). Yep, I've gone back to work full-time, mainly due to the uncertainty at my husband's job.
A company that I worked for back in 2002-2004 actually took me back! I'm doing community-based social work and I'm part of a great team of people. Well, most of them are great. There's one that I really don't like and one who I don't even notice if she's there or not half the time. The job itself is going very well. And the working mom thing is AWESOME. It's so much easier than staying at home! (No offense to my two little angels, of course.)
As my work life took off my personal/social life deteriorated. That's why I've not posted. I have Thursdays off and tend to do errands such as laundry and grocery shopping those days. I also took a volunteer position in May - I provide weekly phone support to first-time moms for the first 12 weeks post-partum - and I make those calls on Thursdays.
I feel renewed passion in getting this thing going again, so be on the look out for new news!
So I see my last post was in May. That is explained by the simple fact that as of June 29, 2009, I was no longer a stay-at-home-mom (which I suppose means I need to change the little byline thingie up at the top. I also have two toddlers now, rather than one infant and one toddler. Yet another necessary change.). Yep, I've gone back to work full-time, mainly due to the uncertainty at my husband's job.
A company that I worked for back in 2002-2004 actually took me back! I'm doing community-based social work and I'm part of a great team of people. Well, most of them are great. There's one that I really don't like and one who I don't even notice if she's there or not half the time. The job itself is going very well. And the working mom thing is AWESOME. It's so much easier than staying at home! (No offense to my two little angels, of course.)
As my work life took off my personal/social life deteriorated. That's why I've not posted. I have Thursdays off and tend to do errands such as laundry and grocery shopping those days. I also took a volunteer position in May - I provide weekly phone support to first-time moms for the first 12 weeks post-partum - and I make those calls on Thursdays.
I feel renewed passion in getting this thing going again, so be on the look out for new news!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Relocation
Nope, we're not moving again.
The title of this entry refers to relocating the various pieces of Logan's elbow joint, which I, the Worst.Mother.In.The.World., dislocated tonight :(
It all started off so innocent! (Innocently? I have no idea.) Ben still can't jump, so every so often, over the past year, we play a game where we hold hands, bend our knees, then I jump up and kind of pull him up in the air with me. The kid is so light, he actually gets quite a bit of air. He *loves* this game. Well of course today Logan wanted in on it, too. I gave Ben 2 turns, then Logan 2 turns, then Ben 2 turns, then Logan 2 turns. On what turned out to be Logan's last turn, He squealed in pain after the jump, during which I felt something pop or snap in his left arm. I did the general soothing-type things that mommies do, but Logan stil cried. A minute later, I noticed that something was funny with his left arm - it was just hanging at a weird angle and he was holding it close to his body, not moving it at all. I turned into a diagnostician and held his paci out to his left side - he didn't take it. That was my definite indicator that something was not right.
Fortunately my mom is visiting so I asked her if she agreed that something wasn't right - she agreed. After a few frenzied moments of wondering if I should take him to the ER because I was sure his arm was broken, I got real and called the on-call pediatrician. She was sure it was just "nursemaid's elbow," not broken. She actually lives down the road from us, so told us that if we could make him comfortable for 1.5 hours, she could come by at 7:30. It was just after 6 when we talked. Logan was so pathetic and pitiful... the seconds ticked by so unbelievably slowly. I was so glad that my mom was here to help out with Ben - I really don't know how I would have handled the situation by myself - after all, it was dinner time and Ben still needed to be tended to.
The doctor finally turned up at 7:45, did a brief assessment, and promptly put Logan's elbow back together. He wailed for a few minutes, then was back to his old self. We were all so relieved! It was so disheartening to see him not be able to do the things he usually does with ease - even picking up a toy car had been impossible.
It's hard to believe that I've been a parent for over 2.5 years and this is the first real "incident" we've had. I've said from the beginning that Logan would be the accident-prone one - the one with the broken limbs and trips to the ER. I just didn't think his accidents would be due to my carelessness!
I'm glad he's better.
No more practicing jumping in this house!
The title of this entry refers to relocating the various pieces of Logan's elbow joint, which I, the Worst.Mother.In.The.World., dislocated tonight :(
It all started off so innocent! (Innocently? I have no idea.) Ben still can't jump, so every so often, over the past year, we play a game where we hold hands, bend our knees, then I jump up and kind of pull him up in the air with me. The kid is so light, he actually gets quite a bit of air. He *loves* this game. Well of course today Logan wanted in on it, too. I gave Ben 2 turns, then Logan 2 turns, then Ben 2 turns, then Logan 2 turns. On what turned out to be Logan's last turn, He squealed in pain after the jump, during which I felt something pop or snap in his left arm. I did the general soothing-type things that mommies do, but Logan stil cried. A minute later, I noticed that something was funny with his left arm - it was just hanging at a weird angle and he was holding it close to his body, not moving it at all. I turned into a diagnostician and held his paci out to his left side - he didn't take it. That was my definite indicator that something was not right.
Fortunately my mom is visiting so I asked her if she agreed that something wasn't right - she agreed. After a few frenzied moments of wondering if I should take him to the ER because I was sure his arm was broken, I got real and called the on-call pediatrician. She was sure it was just "nursemaid's elbow," not broken. She actually lives down the road from us, so told us that if we could make him comfortable for 1.5 hours, she could come by at 7:30. It was just after 6 when we talked. Logan was so pathetic and pitiful... the seconds ticked by so unbelievably slowly. I was so glad that my mom was here to help out with Ben - I really don't know how I would have handled the situation by myself - after all, it was dinner time and Ben still needed to be tended to.
The doctor finally turned up at 7:45, did a brief assessment, and promptly put Logan's elbow back together. He wailed for a few minutes, then was back to his old self. We were all so relieved! It was so disheartening to see him not be able to do the things he usually does with ease - even picking up a toy car had been impossible.
It's hard to believe that I've been a parent for over 2.5 years and this is the first real "incident" we've had. I've said from the beginning that Logan would be the accident-prone one - the one with the broken limbs and trips to the ER. I just didn't think his accidents would be due to my carelessness!
I'm glad he's better.
No more practicing jumping in this house!
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