bits and pieces

redshoegirl · July 2011

I haven't been able to post much lately, so instead of doing a bunch of little posts, I'll just put everything here...

First thing. Week #1 of living separately is over...in some ways it was easier than I expected, and in others it was harder. Easier because as long as I stayed disciplined (washing dishes and folding laundry ASAP vs putting it off, that kind of thing), everything went pretty smoothly. I did a big cook on Sunday, making 3 meals (split over 6 nights) for the boys and I to eat for the rest of the week, and it worked brilliantly - soooo glad that I didn't have to try to scrounge up a healthy meal every night the instant we got home! It worked so well that we're doing it again this week - I spent a couple of hours cooking today and everything is in the fridge/freezer, ready to go for the rest of the week.

Hard stuff...I knew it would be difficult emotionally, but it was even harder than I expected. I just MISS Ben. He's my best friend, and I really just missed hanging out with him at night. He was here over the weekend which was great, but of course it was hard to have him leave again tonight. Crying But I'm trying to focus on the fact that it's only temporary (we're aiming for the boys and I to move at the end of this month or mid next month).

Second thing. I am about to have a psychotic break over the boys gagging themselves. It's not anything physical, they're not choking or having difficulty eating - they just think it's really freaking fun to shove their fingers down their throats (they'll laugh when they pull them out again, so clearly it's a game and just a fun sensation to them). The reason it annoys me is because they'll do it until they throw up! I am SO over it. They've been doing it since about 12 months, but the vomiting is a more recent escalation. I've googled, but can't find anything beyond just letting the phase pass.

Third thing. Things at work are going from bad to worse to OMFG I HATE IT I HATE IT I HATE IT HEEEERE. I've been looking for a job in the town we're moving to so that I can leave ASAP, but it's a small place and there hasn't been a lot lately. I did find one position that would mean a career change (sort of an adjacent role to what I used to do, so not totally foreign but I still don't have direct experience with it) that I'm applying for this week. Wish me luck!

I'm sure I could write more but I don't want to turn this into a novel...anyone want to chime in with what you've been up to lately to catch me up? Smile

lelekay · July 2011

Oh my gosh, I don't think I could handle the gagging thing! That would drive me nuts. As it is, Henry has somehow discovered his throat, and has started making these gross growling sounds. I'm pretty sure he's just experimenting with his voice, but I hate the sound!

Good for you for making meals ahead of time. I do a lot of that during the school year. I'll make a big lasagna or something, maybe a pot of soup, and cut up lots of fruit/veggies on Sunday for the week. It doesn't cover all the meals, certainly, but it's much more likely that I'll grab something healthy if it's already made/prepped.

Good luck with the job application!

sanae78 · July 2011

Kaya gags herself, too! But she hasn't thrown up yet. Let me know if you find a solution. I don't get why they think that's fun.

inamra · July 2011

Wow, kudos for you for doing so well the first week! I'm sure I would miss MH like crazy too, so hang in there!!--you guys will be back together 24/7 before you know it!

OMG, I wouldn't know what to do about the gagging thing but that's pretty challenging to deal with! Hope they stop it SOON!

Sorry about your work too =( I hope all goes well with the job opportunity in the new town! Good luck and hope it works out!

mrspresley · July 2011

thanks for the update! i was wondering how things were going for you. i'm glad it has gone well for you so far. i think batch cooking is definitely the way to go, even if you aren't flying solo! so maybe you will find some great go-to recipes that you'll use even after you move

re: the gagging...i had no idea it was a common thing, i just thought Miss A was weird but now i see it must just be a toddler thing LOL she never progressed to throwing up....well, she did, but it was only once or twice and then she just did regular gagging with no vomiting. it was a brief phase and she still sometimes does it but just once in a blue moon. i'm not sure what you can do to curb the boys' behavior? if not already i'd make sure you don't react AT ALL, so if they are doing it to attract attention they do not get it. i'd simply say in a matter of fact tone "please don't do that" (or whatever phrase it is you want to say) and then go on to ignore them or even walk away. unfortunately i think other than that, you just have to ride it out

i'm sorry work is going from bad to worse but at least you get to leave that situation soon. just keep focusing on the light at the end of the tunnel

things here are good. we're in CA right now visiting the grandparents and having a lot of fun. Miss A is having some pretty intense stranger anxiety when she meets my relatives, which i find is a little odd b/c she doesn't get quite as upset when she meets new people at the Little Gym. she is shy/clingy but not terrified/crying (wonder if it's b/c there is so much fun to distract her there?). DH is doing a rotation in the PICU right now so I won't be seeing him much for the next month so it's good that we are spending part of that time in CA. things are a little bit better between us (we had a long talk) but we are definitely a work in progress and i still need to look into counseling.

HulaLove · July 2011

I hope the next few weeks fly by for you. I really do feel for you! I'm having a hard time with it lately myself. I've gotten into a groove of doing things myself, so much so that my routine is disrupted when Russ comes home. The part that's hard for me lately is the sad 'missing him' feeling.

Elyse hasn't done the gagging thing yet, but I too hate vomit. Her favorite new game is sticking food up her nose and then blowing it out. Protectile corn is quite gross.

Elyse has learned to wipe herself when she's sitting on the potty We're not potty training, but she likes to copy me and sit on the toilet then take toilet paper and wipe herself. It's pretty amazing how much they copy! It's funny/embarassing when she starts wiping herself with a receipt/kleenex/baby wipe in the grocery store. I got the side eye from one man... So we're working on understanding things we only do in the bathroom

I thought I read that you were going to SAH when you guys move? Or was that just an option?

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