Though I've Tried, I've Fallen

I haven't written for a few days because I have been a bit slower than usual. While I was at work on Tuesday, I was training a new Surgical Tech student in O.R. 8. We were turning over the room (cleaning up for the next case), and an orderly was standing at the door holding a wet mop. I walked out the door to get a face mask, and I slipped on the water that had dripped from the mop head. Things kind-of went into a fuzzy slow-motion, where I couldn't really believe or understand what was happening. I knew I had slipped, but I didn't think I was going to 'chew asphalt.' I tripped forward, and I'm pretty sure my legs and arms were flailing. I'm not exactly sure how I fell, but I hit my nose pretty hard, and I must have caught myself with my knee and hands with such momentum that I have bruises on all my extremities. My left knee was scratched up, and the muscles between my 4th and 5th carpals are pretty sore. The bridge of my nose is still a greenish purple color, and now that the swelling has gone down, I'm not entirely sure how straight my nose is. It still may be a bit swollen, but I'm having difficulties breathing out of one nostril, and it wasn't like that before. So . . . I'm going to have a CT of my sinuses on Monday. I'm fairly I sure I could benefit from sinus surgery anyway, so if I can get Intermountain to pay for it--so much the better. As a totally unrelated side note, I have downloaded Picasa 3.5 (and although Allen is asleep, I'm sure he's shaking his head subconsciously), which has a new face-recognition feature. It's basically going through all of my pictures, and sorting everyone into his or her own album. It's not 100% accurate (especially with Lily and Tess!), and I have to re-sort some of them, it will prove quite useful--I'll have nearly all of my pictures of each individual in one place! It's pretty cool! It is taking a while (because I have so many pictures . . .), but it will be worth it. :o)

If You Want To Destroy My Sweater

First off, here's a funny video from Noah's birthday party. It was funny to see Dave go after that piñata. And now . . . The Consignment Sale. Here's my booty so far: Here are the totals: 3 sets of footie pajamas 9 shirts 13 pair of pants 1 set of overalls 3 pair of shoes 5 sweaters 2 pair of snow pants 1 snow suit 1 hat 4 books 2 CDs 1 Halloween costume (isn't it precious!?) Yes, maybe it's a little excessive, especially since I'm not done yet, but it's such a great deal. How much do you think I should have paid for all that? $86. Not too shabby, since my goal was to keep it under $120. Rachael introduced me to it. The consignment sale at Hilltop Methodist Church in Sandy, Utah is held twice a year--in the spring and in the fall. I think I first shopped at it last year, and this spring was the first time I volunteered. When you volunteer to help out, you can go to the pre-sale, which is where I went tonight. IT IS CRAZINESS, reminiscent of Black Friday sales, except that a) you never know what you are going to find, b) it's not 5 a.m., and c) you can't use a visa (cash/checks only). But there are people lined up before hand, you may be forced to park illegally, the check-out line is insanity, and there's a lot of checking out what other people have found and debating on what you can and can't afford. What's funny is that you often pick up duplicates. At least 5 of the 13 pair of pants are blue, and 2 are tan corduroys. Oh well. Anyway, it is insanity, but you can find such great deals on really nice clothes for kids who will outgrow them soon enough. At least half of the clothes I picked up are from the Gap, including 4 of the 5 sweaters (the other is from Gymboree). Rachael is such a fan of this sale that she went through the craziness two days after she gave birth to T-rooney. Speaking of . . . here's a cute picture of Mach & Tess. So that's the story. I'm going to volunteer tomorrow, and I'll probably find more things. Even Allen says it's worthwhile. :o)

Don't Run Away, It's Only Me

I started writing this at work, and I was kind-of hiding out. Okay, not really, but a) I didn't have an assignment, because my room had already finished, b) I was logged in to O.R. resource on the Vocera (so I could hear if rooms were coming out and go help), and c) I was in the staff lounge. It was a little weird to be in there by myself, but oh well. At least I didn't have people looking over my shoulder. I usually try to make myself available, since I'd rather be busy and useful than lounge around, but sometimes I just want to sit in here instead. So sue me. We went to Logan this last weekend for Noah's 2nd birthday party. It was a good time, and we got to hold the sweet new babies.

From September 2009

From September 2009

Noah is so flippin' funny! That kid can wiggle his little tushy better than anyone else I know. Benji just adores him, and when Noah beats up on him, he just laughs and thinks it's great.

From September 2009

I watched Lily & Tessa (a.k.a. "The Divas") last week so Rachael could go to Bunko, and they were so good. Of course there was a little drama, and I think Lily hit Benji a couple of times. Don't worry--Benji does his fair share of 'beating up' too, but it comes mostly in the form of stealing whatever book/toy/snack/sippy cup someone else may let go for about two seconds, and he usually only picks on Tessa (since he's older than her, and she's big enough to fight back).but considering how attached T-Rooney is, she did very well. I can't believe she's going to be one next week! And she's already walking! I love that sweet girl. Lily was very good too. She is a little jabbermouth! She forms complete sentences and sings and refers to herself in the third person, i.e., "Get Lily down, please!" She cracks me up. After I gave the girls baths and put them in pajamas, I put Tess down . . . she was so tired, and didn't put up any kind of fight. Lily didn't really want to go to bed, but after I figured out that I was supposed to leave on the "Butterfly Light" (the lamp), and we said prayers and sang a song, I told her "Night, night, Lily," and she said "Night, night, Mary" in the sweetest voice. It just melted my heart. Can you tell how much I love my nieces and nephew? :o) Here's Lily with some exceptionally sweet bed-head.

From September 2009

I didn't get to see much of Ella-Boo or Mia-Babes or Baby Sabrina (thanks a lot, Beck), but we did have a nice visit. The kids were good in church . . . no real melt-downs or screaming matches or throwing of toys. I'm pretty sure I fell asleep a couple of times, too. At least I felt comfortable enough to be able to do so! And the weather outside was perfect for taking pictures, so I got a few good ones of Lily and Tess and Benji.

From September 2009

From September 2009

From September 2009

Good times, cute kids.

I Am The Warrior

Work was pretty busy today; why are Tuesdays always so crap-tacular? For some reason, Tuesdays are almost always busier than Fridays. Does that make sense to anyone? Not me, that's for sure. I work every Tuesday, and it gets pretty old. I am at a point in my life where something needs to change. Maybe it's work . . . although it's not like I'll be able to quit (or even go part-time) any time soon. Maybe it's church . . . I'd really rather not feel obligated to be there every week and feel guilty that I haven't done everything expected of me. Maybe it's family . . . I'm feeling the pressure/desire to start trying for #2, but I feel like I'm not being a good enough mother to #1. Maybe it's home . . . it's all I can do to keep up with the laundry and dishes and cleaning up after Mr. Destructo, and I hate that I'm never caught-up. There's just a lot of pressure on me at the moment, and it can be kind-of hard to deal with sometimes. I have started talking to a counselor (a social worker who is covered by my insurance). My doctor said he wouldn't prescribe me any more drugs for the ole' noggin unless I actually did something about the depression. So it is helping me gain some perspective, and look at things from above the waves, where I don't feel like I'm drowning. I'm going to see him again tomorrow, and thankfully my deductible will be met so I don't have to shell out the $75/hour. I hope that all of you who actually read my blog feel like you can talk to me if you need a listening ear, and I hope none of you feel like I should be talking to you instead of an LCSW. Sometimes it's just good to have a third-party opinion as a sounding board, who knows what questions to ask to make you think about things you'd rather not see in yourself. That's what's going on chez moi at the moment. I hope things are a little more calm chez vous.

Good Vibrations

We had a little get-together BBQ at Rachael's house on Saturday. It was so nice just to hang out and talk and let the kids play and eat Seuao's awesome chicken & ribs! My new camera takes pretty nice pictures outside, but the inside ones leave much to be desired. *sigh* I guess that I'll just have to try to get really good lighting inside. The ones of Phoebe turned out pretty well, because Mach was standing right by the window.

From September 2009

And as an update, Benji had his 18-month appointment last week. He weighs 29 lbs 9 oz (75th percentile), and he is 34.5 inches tall (90th percentile). Remember what they said last time? Well, apparently he has grown four inches in the last four months . . . is it any wonder that he has been grumpy for the past little while!? Anyway, according to their calculations, he went from the 75th percentile in February to the 25th in May (where he lost 1/4"), and to the 90th in September. Yeah.

From September 2009

He has also started going to Nursery. It doesn't change much for me, because I'm in Primary and I couldn't keep track of him; Allen had to try to keep him restrained/entertained, so it's nice for him. I think it's a good thing for Benji. He's not used to structured activity (i.e., he doesn't know how to sit still) and having to share toys and treats and such. I hope he starts figuring it out soon! I hope things are going well in your neck of the woods. Happy Labor Day!

I've Said Too Much

All right, friends. I'm going to make my blog private , so if you need an invitation, let me know. I'll try to post something more interesting soon.