They're coming to take me away Hee Hee!

I am formally declaring that by the time he turns 16 either Galileo or I will have been committed to an asylum. I have had a fairly fullfilling life, so I'm volunteering. Frankly, I could use the peace and quiet that sharing the common areas with a few psychotic co inmates would provide. ;-) Do you think if I rock, drool and blow rasberries constantly the men in the white coats would come any sooner?

OK. I will now remove tongue from cheek, suck down a protein shake, take my zoloft and start the coffee. 10 minutes to get snacks made, change the baby, shepherd the big boys through the rest of their morning routine and get out the door to school.

More Health Worries

Little Bit's tests from Thursday came back positive. UGH! Don't really feel comfortable sharing the details for all to see, but its a little scary and a big PITA. Hopefully the heavy duty drug he is on will get everything under control without too many side effects. Doc didn't return my call for results until 7pm last night. She is really nice, but not our usual doc and it was late, so I didn't even mention the neuro issues with Galileo. Hopefully I will have time at Little Bit's well child on Monday. In the meantime, I will check out the parent recommended neuro's to see if they are on my insurance and if we can get an appointment.

Now, I have 3 days worth of stuff to do, 3 hours of time to do it in and only about 1 hours worth of energy, so off I go.

Why oh why did I offer to chair the book fair this year?

I will get at least 1 more bag of toy clutter, 1 bag of clothes and one box of book clutter out of here before the Vietnam Vets pick up tomorrow!

Homework Hell

Actually the homework isn't hard for him, but getting Galileo to settle down and get it started is a killer. Maestro whining, Little Bit screaming, and Galileo stalling and then screaming at me made for a lovely evening. Add to that the horrible stomach ache/nausea caused by an increased zoloft dose and I am truly a mommy on the edge.

Craig worked from home today Thank God! I finally had to disappear upstairs before I took someone's head of or wrethed over someone's dinner.

Good to Be Home

I have spent way too much time on the computer all ready today and have accomplished nothing, so I will make this short and sweet. I want to head to bed early so I can get a lot done tomorrow.

We went to the allergist today and figured out why Galileo has not been doing well asthma wise. His symbicort daily inhaler has been out of medicine. Its one of the inhalers that still shakes even if the medicine is gone, so there is no way of knowing if it runs out unless you mark the doses on it somehow. We got a new script and I am hoping it will help. My newest worry is the staring spells he has. My brother had petit mal seizures as child and my mom says they looked a lot like this. I have been getting aggrevated with Galielo for ignoring me, not answering me, staring off into space when he needed to be doing something important etc. I made a comment about the staring over the weekend and he got really upset saying, "Mom, I don't want to be staring, but my brain won't let me stop!". Mom and I talked and she agreed I should get him checked out. She talked to my brother about it after we had left for home and he said "gee that sounds familar". I hope I am just over reacting, but I need to make sure. I asked the allergist if she knew of a pediatric neurologist. She agreed he should be checked out, but the neuro she would have recomended wouldn't be good for this. So, I will ask the pedi at Little Bit's apt next week if I haven't gotten a call in before then.

Ok, I said short and sweet. So, I'm out of here.

Failed All Ready

I was determined to do NaBloMoPo this month, but I was unable to post from my mom's computer or my Blackberry either one over the weekend. Ah well. I tried. I will continue to do my best to post every day for the rest of the month.

We had a good trip. My mom and the boys really seemed to enjoy each other. She is really beginning to feel her age (77) and isn't able to help as much as she used to when there was only one or two, but she still helped alot. We ended up not doing any of the big things I planned, but they still had fun.

Mom took the big boys on a shopping spree to Walmart one day while Little Bit and I napped. Walmart is a big deal since we don't have one. Its a treat to go to Walmart when visiting Grandma's. Since she is taking them, I don't have to do angst about Walmart's uncool business practices. The next day, I fell asleep nursing Little Bit so she took the big boys to the playground up the street from her. It really isn't much of a playground compared to the ones we have around here, but they love it. Mom laughed at what city kids they are. They loved rolling down a hill and wandering through they super tall grass. They also collected milk weed pods for making Christmas ornaments. That night, a friend of mine and my mom's came over with her sons. My boys love her 5th grader and he is actually really good with them and plays with them quite well.

Maestro also loved the dogs - a golden retriever and a bichon frise. Little Bit liked them too and was adorable giving the golden treats and hugs. Galileo could care less about the dogs and I think would be just as happy if they weren't there. Plus, his asthma seems worse when we are there. Probably a combination of the dogs and all the carpeting.

Now, we are home and the routine starts back up tomorrow. Time to head to bed and try to recover from the long drive. The kids were troopers and actually slept a lot of the way, but its still a long way to drive by myself with no good music.

Safe and Sound and Tired

Bill paying, a little cleaning, packing, rushing boy to doc, collecting other boys from neighbors, driving 4 hours, settling three boys to bed at Grandma's. Now, mommy must fight off the continued caffeine buzz and get some sleep. Grandma will be out in the AM, so no help then. We will either go to the Ithaca Science Center (about an hour away) the Corning Glass Museum, or the movie Madagascar. Or Bowling is another option.

Hopefully we'll get out of the house to do something or the boys will all be making us crazy by this time tomorrow!

Forgive me not making sense. I'm delirious.

Gratitude

I'm so grateful the last 8 years are coming to an end. So grateful that the victory was decisive. So grateful the election is over. Most of all I am grateful that someone is bringing hope to the United States again. I am proud to be an American today.

Happy Election Day

This day makes me feel all patriotic. I hope Obama wins and I pray he can live up to all the hype if he does. Before the results are announced though I like to just reflect on how good it is to be an American Woman in 2008. Sure there are a lot of things wrong with our country, but there are a lot of things right too.

Trying to get all patriotic in order to ignore the fact that the boys are out of school, are stalling on doing their homework, I'm developing a migraine to go along with the killer cramps and dh is working late yet again. BUT its all good. I saw my pusher for my happy pills, we upped my dose for winter and I have a new ambien prescription. It was warm enough for ice coffee today and my boys are shoving Halloween chocolate my way. Yep, its all about the chemicals!

I'm a Nervous Wreck

Galileo had a big second grade project and presentation due today. They had to create their "perfect pet", make a bed for it, and then get up in front of the class to talk about their pet. Galileo really did a great job, but he has developed a shy streak. His sensory issues also make him a little socially awkward. He wouldn't practice in front of us last night and said he didn't want his class to clap for him. They are not allowed to bring notes or anything to read from. This morning as we were walking out the door, he lamented "I didn't have time to practice". GRRR

I'm dying to know how it went/is going. I wish I were a fly on the wall. I typed his thoughts up for him just to get him started. As he was telling me what was special about his pet, he was baby talking. I so hope he doesn't do that in class! He did a great job on the pet itself. Its made out of a cardboard box with a paper towel tube for a neck and 10 legs made from cut up paper towel tubes. The head is a little toy basket ball. It also has "spikes" and wings made from egg cartons. He and daddy then spray painted it. I have to remember to get a picture!

Here is what he wrote about it.

My Perfect Pet

My pet is an imaginary animal called a “fly-t-apillar. His name is Snaky . He is special because he protects me from the scary things at night. He chases the scary things away. He acts like the worst monster ever, to protect me.
He has ten green legs to help him crawl up walls. He has a green head. He has 2 silver wings to fly. He has an orange belly that acts like an extra sucker foot to help him attach to the walls. He doesn't use it on the floor. He only uses it for climbing on walls and ceilings. He has spikes to protect himself. He is 17 inches long, 7 inches tall and 10 inches wide.
My pet sleeps in a cocoon and takes naps during the day. His cocoon is made out of a tough web that he makes with his feet.

Galeleo has been having a lot of issues sleeping at night due to anxiety and scary thoughts so I thought this was a pretty good creation! I just hope his presentation went ok.

Little Bit is not so Little anymore

Took Little Bit to get his 2 year old pictures today. Yeah, its 3 1/2 weeks after his birthday, but hey, its 4 1/2 weeks before his original due date so we are still in the correct - "this is your 2 year old picture" time frame.

Considering its the first time he has had a formal portrait taken, I think he did pretty well and we got a shot of his long silky hair before I get up the courage to chop it all off. Then again, who says boys can't have long hair?

Home Sweet Home

Just got back from 2 real estate open houses of houses in our neighborhood that I have been very curious about. Both made me realize that while it is small and needs some more improvements, our house is pretty darn good. We have done a lot of work to it and put a lot of money into it and it is almost just what we need. If I can purge more stuff, get rid of clutter and come up with a better routine for keeping it clean, then I think we can be quite happy here for a long time.
In an effort to stay accountable, I'm going to post my goals and my progress here.
This week, I will tackle mount foldmore. All clean clothes will either be put away or packed for our trip before the boys and I leave on Thursday. The kitchen will be clean and clutter free. The pile in front of my bedroom closet will be cleared away. There is more I want to do, but this is a good start.

Time to get to work!

Trick Or Treat

Didn't get a great pic of my boys together this Halloween and didn't take one of the Jack O'Lanterns because they just weren't that great. The boys had a good time and thats what counts.

Hoping NaBloPoMo will help me find my blog voice. Its hard to write sometimes because I don't have a focus. It seems the most successful blogs have a well defined purpose. From food blogs to adoption blogs to blogs about special needs kids. These blogs all have a reason for being that must make their writing easier. This started as a blog about surviving depression, but that got well depressing. I was writing about Galileo's challenges, but that felt like an invastion of his privacy. I could write about having a preemie except Little Bit is well on the way to being a completely normal, happy, healthy, stubborn 2 year old. His prematurity is beginning to fade from recent memory into the fables of our family. I can be a mommy blogger, but just don't write all that well and whats unique about a mom with 3 boys? Its a struggle to find out what is interesting and what I am willing to expose to the world. So much I could write about feels too personal and I'm not sure I'm ready to be that "out there".

I hope this month of writing every day will help me define this blog as well as getting into the habit of using it.

Happy Halloween!

This is the site that greeted us when we woke up. Last night was mischeif night. Last year the dead end across the street from us was covered in TP. It almost looked like snow. I know my boys felt left out, so I told the older neighbor boys (and their moms) that they had permission to do our house this year too. I would think having permission to do mischief would kind of take the fun out of it, but these are basically good kids.

Neighborhood politics and kids groups are both intriguing and baffling to me. By the time I was Maestro and Galileo's ages, we lived on the farm. There were still politics/a gang of kids etc, but it was different. It was also different times. From about first grade on, I roamed all of our farm and one of the neighboring farms basically at will. My friends and I had about 400 acres or so as our playground. Some things were off limits off course (whichever pasture the bull was in at the time comes to mind) but we still had a lot of freedom. My kids lives here in the burbs in the 21rst century are much more constrained.

When house hunting, we chose this house right across from the street from a dead end thinking it would be a great place for kids to ride bikes etc. Yet this is the first year that we have allowed them to go over there without one of us right there with them. There have been many challenges. There are basically two groups of kids. A group of older boys ranging from 4-6th grades and a group of boys around 4/5. Galileo is right in the middle. Because of his sensitivities, and social awkwardness he usually ends up running with the little boys. He seems happy with that, but it kind of breaks my heart. It especially hurts when one of his old preschool classmates is playing football and running with the big boys. BUT he has an older brother in the group and he is really into sports and comes from a very sports minded family. Sometimes I wonder if we are letting our boys down by not pushing sports more. Then again, maybe Galileo was born into the right family. If he was born into a football crazed household for example, he probably would have always been found lacking.

Helping him learn to negotiate the mass of kids over there has been a challenge. There is one boy in particular who is a real bully and loves to taunt Galileo. I even saw one of the boys who I always liked and thought was sweet mocking G. and making fun behind his back as the bully taunted him. I have no idea how to handle it. How much do I intervene? How do I coach G. to respond etc. I was very relieved when school started and there were less opportunties for all these social neighborhood pitfalls.

Anyway, long story made much too long, I encouraged the older boys to TP our trees to make my boys feel included and also to help the older boys see us as part of the group.

Now to go finish cutting Jack O Lanterns. Then off to the Halloween parade and then home for dinner and trick or treating. My mom hated Halloween. I think its kind of fun. Guess I'm living my childhood now with my own kids.

Practice for NaBloPoMo

I'm going to use this to try to get myself blogging regularly. So many times I think "I should blog this" and then don't get around to it until it seems to late. Of course just as often I think "why would anyone care" but thats another story.

Showing Off

We had a small family party for Little Bits 2nd birthday. Since I wasn't going all out for the party, I threw myself into making the cake. My mom was here and thought I was crazy, but it was so fun. She stayed up with me until 1 AM. We laughed and cursed and generally had a good time. When we were done, she understood why I went to all the trouble. There is a blue engine, a tender (with crushed oreos for the coal) a zoo car, a pumpkin car and a caboose. He loves his trains, so I think he liked it. He really seemed to enjoy his birthday and loved seeing Pop Pop!

Taking Joy in What I have

A friend is pg with #8! I knew it would happen, frankly expected the announcement months ago and yet when dh told me last night I felt so sad and envious. The stupid part is I was just reveling in the silence yesterday and in how much easier life is with one 2 year old around. Sometimes I want another baby, and yet it would put some many things I want to do with my older boys on hold again.

Then I heard about this pg and I wanted to cry. It stinks that I can't have any more. Irony of ironies, I am actually the most fertile I have ever been. My period is regular for the first time in my life, I can tell when I'm about to ovulate, etc. etc. BUT my current babies need a mom more than I need another baby, so its just not worth the risk to have another one. I can't say I didn't think about it going to ask the doctor how risky it would be though.

Ah well, I will just have to get my baby fix with this friends babies and then hand them back to her to deal with the spit up and the sleepless nights.

Carol Anne

The wheels on the mom go spin, spin, spin....

My big boys are back in school, my toddler is a dream-so easy to get along with. I have soooo much I need/want to do (including blogging regularly again) and I am just spinning my wheels.

Many blog posts have been running through my head in the last week, but I just couldn't get to the keyboard to get them down.

Best thing to happen lately is my sweet, funny happy go lucky little boy is back. Maestro was so anxious about kindergarten that he was a bear to be around all summer. I thought it might be kindergarten anxiety, but worried that maybe my sweet boy was growing up and the joy of my heart was gone. Last week he had 3 half days of school. On the second morning he informed me "Mommy you don't need to pack me a snack because I am not going". That afternoon when walking from the park back to school to get Galileo, he said "Mommy, I think I'll go to school tomorrow. It was sorta fun today. Mrs. Kelly is a fine teacher".

Maestro: First Day of Big Kid School

Galileo is having a hard go of it. Concentrating and focusing are hard for him which leave him saying the work is hard which is such bologna. I am going in to speak with his teacher next week just to give her a clue about him. I also want to encourage her to keep me informed how he is doing and enlist us in anyway possible to help him succeed. It may be just the sensory stuff, but thoughts of ADD are starting to rattle around in my head.

Little Bit is doing great! His vocabulary is growing every day although I am often the only one who understands him. Its exciting to see him use new words and to start putting words together.

We had a great camping trip at Raquette Lake. I hope to post more pics later. Only downer is that Craig came home with Lyme disease. :( We spent Labor Day weekend with his family at his parents' vacation house in WV. It was a lovely weekend, and every one seemed to get along with eachother which was refreshing.

Now, Little Bit must nap and I must organize myself so I can start to get something accomplished around here rather than just making big ruts with all my spinning.

Dancin' Fool

When Little Bit was learning to walk, we called him a "walkin' fool". Now he has a new nickname to add. We went to an event on our town hall's lawn that had a band. Took him a while to warm up, but then Little Bit really got into the groove.


In case you don't recognize it, thats Elmo's "Turn Around and Fall Down Dance" Oh, and the crazy feet in the sandals in the back belong to big brother.

I knew it had been a long time...

but I didn't realize how long. Its been a busy couple of months. There is definitely less time for blogging with all three boys home. Galileo did robotics camp and Maestro did gymnastics camp for two weeks. The first week I was able to car pool. The second week I was on my own. One day (most days actually) Little Bit and I spent 3 hours in the car shuttling.

Now were are in the mode of 3 day/week swim lessons, staying at the pool, fighting, TV, fighting computer, reading, fighting, playing in the yard, fighting. You get the picture.

I must say the slip n slide and Cranium's Mega Fort have been awesome today. The mega fort has encouraged more cooperative and pretend play than I have seen all summer. I have been feeling guilty that we haven't gone on more outings, but today when asked what they wanted to do the kids chose, slip n slide, fort and pool. Good for us parental units as I have tons to do in the house and Daddy is bone tired. He is napping the afternoon away. When the sun goes down a little bit more, I'm going to wake him so we can head to the pool. The boys and I are all getting way too much sun this summer no matter how much sun screen I apply.

I have also been dealing with some health problems the last few months. This has made it very hard to do more than just "survive". A lot of nights, I don't even cook dinner, when Craig gets home, I head upstairs and collapse. This leaves the poor man who has worked all day, commuted an hour plus in the heat to then come home feed children and get them to bed. He has been a trooper though. I hope to be on the mend soon and am all ready doing better. I just have to rest, eat well, stay hydrated and remember to take my meds. Those are always good things to do.

Anyway, I am sure I need to fold something, clean something or feed someone.

Mother's Day Part Two

By Maya Angelou

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
something perfect to wear
if the employer,
or date of her dreams
wants to see her in an hour...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE . .
a youth she's content to leave behind....


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill,
and a black lace bra...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
one friend who always makes her laugh..
and one who lets her cry...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a good piece of furniture
not previously owned by anyone else in her family...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .
a feeling of
control over her destiny..


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to fall in love without losing herself..


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without;
ruining the friendship.. .


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder...

and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...
but it's over...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do
for love or more...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....
how to live alone...
even if she doesn't like it...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table..
or a charming Inn in the woods....
when her soul needs
soothing...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW..
What she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...


Happy mother's day everyone.

Happy Mothers Day

My Mother's Day Gifts

And actually I think Galileo may have forgotten to give me something he made at school. Craig let me sleep in, scrubbed the kitchen floor and watched the boys for most of the day. I made my mom's pineapple chicken salad for my "Gourmet Gals" get together tonight. The theme was "Mother's Day" and we were supposed to bring a recipe of our mothers'. I was nervous about how to serve the salad. I knew we needed more appetizers, so I put it in endive "boats" and put a candied pecan on top. It was fun to cook and experiment when I didn't have to worry about cooking a whole healthy meal and when I knew people would be nice about it even if they didn't like it. It turned out really well, and I actually got some compliments. I'm glad I added the candied pecans as they were the complimented the most. We had good wine, good food and great conversation. This is only our second month, but I'm really enjoying it and so glad I went!

So glad Little Bit was well enough for me to go. He is finally mostly over his illness, although he is still really picky over what he will eat. I'm not sure I should send him to the baby sitter tomorrow just because he is still not eating much.

Home!

Little Bit is still sick, but he is well enough to be home. He is miserable, and it is looking to be a long night, but at least I will be in my own bed when he doesn't need me!

I got huge hugs from Maestro and Galileo. I actually got tears in my eyes as we were hugging and I realized just how much I missed them. Then, they started fighting on the way home from school and I thought "the hospital wasn't so bad" ;-)

I'm not sure hubby gets just how hard and exhausting it was. I starting crying when we got home for no reason - just exhaustion and letting out the stress I guess. He was sweet then in his understated way. I just hope he will be done working soon and be able to spell me. 3 hours sleep in 3 days does not a happy mommy make!

still here

It was a long rough roller coaster of a day. He seemed better, his labs were much improved, he was eating etc. Then he vomitted and the diarhea started again. They had stopped the IV, but then restarted it. The line blew the nurse had to take it out. They still haven't replaced it. Who knows if we will leave tomorrow?

Good news/bad news: we won't be getting a roommate because it is the highly contagious rotavirus.

Wearing down my blackberry battery. Post more tomorrow.

Poor Poor Little Bit

Posting from my blackberry so this will be short. Currently in the hospital with LB. He has a stomach virus and got really dehydrated. Poor thing lost a pound+ since Saturday. Doc sent us to the ER for IV hydration. His labs came back so low he had to be admitted. They said up to 48 hours. I've slept about 90 minutes in the last es hours. We got a new roommate at around 3 AM. I finally got LB back to sleep and now the other little one is sleeping so I guess I should too. I'm sure rounds will start soon. ;)

Ask and Ye Shall Receive

Since adopting from Ethiopia, a friend has become quite the cook of Ethiopian cuisine. We were there for dinner last night and when she asked how much pizza my kids would eat, I told her Galileo would actually prefer Missir Wet (a spicy lentil stew) and Injera (the spongy flat bread the food is eaten with instead of utensils) if she had any. He and I then both got delicious food including the missir, injera, shiro (a yummy concoction made from chick pea powder) and beef tibs. When I asked where she gets her ingredients, she gave me berbere (the spice powder), shiro a list of recipes and a mini cooking lesson. She also sent home some missir wet with us. Yummy! Thank you Randi!

I had asked my Ethiopian babysitter about berbere earlier in the day and she gave me a little tub of paste she makes from the berbere powder her friends bring her from home. Maestro and I stopped at a small Ethiopian restaurant and bought some injera for Galileo. He had wanted to take the Missir for lunch today until he realized we had no injera to eat it with. I think I can handle making the missir and shiro, but the injera may be beyond me. I may try with the boys this summer as a cooking/science lesson, but I'm not sure we will be successful. Anyway, I'm feeling a little silly since my only connection with Ethiopia is my friend and her adopted kids, but I'm still excited to learn. Mostly I'm thrilled to have a yummy way to get protein into Galileo that he won't complain about.

Unfortunately I won't get to try my cooking skills right away since we leave for my mother's right after soccer tomorrow, but hopefully sometime next week, I will be able to try.

Such A Sweet Day!

We met some good friends of ours at Hershey Park today for Springtime in the park. It was a great day. We just got in and got the boys to bed. I hope to share more tomorrow.

We took the Chocolate tour at the end of the day.
Little Bit completely passed out.
The adults are tired. The big boys are ready for more fun!

Well THAT was embarrassing

My car was a complete pit. Seriously, it needed to be condemned. I drove 3 other kids to preschool last week and was mortified. Tried really hard to grab them at the door and buckle them all in so the mom's wouldn't smell the fetid filth their children would be riding in to and from school.

So, I emptied it out today and had Craig take out the bucket seats in the middle row. I stopped at the car wash where they vacum the whole thing. Plus they wipe all down inside and out. Not a full detailing, but a lot more than my car has gotten all winter.

I wandered over to the vacum station thinking the guy must be finished. Just as I arrived, he moved from one side of the car to another. As he climbed in, I hear him exclaim "GOD DAMN! every time I think I'm done I find more SHIT!" I wanted to sink in a hole. It will probably be a long time before I go back to that car wash again! lol.

What a day!

This is long and boring, but was therapeutic to write.

Nothing really bad, just exhausting

Baby up and down all night. He has spoiled me by being a good sleeper, so I just don't know what to do with myself when he doesn't sleep.

Dh got up with him at 6ish (after I begged) so I could get a few more winks. Woke me up from a beautiful dream at 7:15 telling me he had a train to catch and I HAD to get up. Ok, no need to yell at me. Totally killed the gratitude I felt for the extra sleep.

Galileo took prednisone last night and this morning because we thought he was having an asthma flare. His behaviour on prednisone is horrid and as the doc reminded me its not his fault. Still hard to take.

Decided not to send him to school this morning because he had a 10:15 appointment to check on the asthma. Still had to get Maestro to preschool and baby to babysitter.

Wrong! Took baby's temp as we left the house. Fever. Called sitter to cancel. Realized how spoiled I am and how much I enjoy my 2 mornings a week ALONE!

Inform preschool teacher that we may have a tight window at pick up time. She lets me know that it is NOT ok to be even a minute or two late. Luckily another mom is willing to be a back up, but she is all ready car pooling and her car is small.

Run through dunkin donuts drive through as I am desperate for coffee and am unlikely to make it to the grocery store to get some to make at home. Spend way to much money on a smoothie for Galileo because he was so polite about asking and not begging etc.

Get home from drop off to find verizon fios tech here about to leave. He was 3 hours early. When does that ever happen?! Luckily it was a fairly easy fix and we were only a few minutes late to doc. I'm relieved to know I have the electronic babysitters to lean on later

Took Galielo to allergist. Sinus infection. Needs antibiotics no more prednisone. Hallelueah! Does need a chest xray just in case.

On a whim ask her to take a listen to Little Bit. He is wheezing and has rales. Even when he needed the nebulizer last spring, he has never wheezed. He also needs a chest xray, antibiotics and an asthma med. May have pneumonia probably also has asthma.

Race down the hill to get Maestro at preschool. We are late, but it all works out.

Call childcare at the center where we get xrays to make sure they have room for Maestro. McDonald's drive through for the healthy one and then off to center.

Drop M off in childcare, take the other 2 for chest xrays. They did well, but Galileo was so impulsive from the prednisone that he couldn't keep his hands off things. He did get to see the xray afterwards though.

Lots of phone calls from/to the pharmacy and the allergists' office.

Call mom to let her know we are canceling our trip to her house this weekend.

Little Bit is miserable- crying and nursing ALL day. Galileo is upset that he has to miss school tomorrow and weds is art day which is his favorite. Maestro monopolizing my computer, but at least he is quiet.

DH gets home. I run to CVS. The parking lot is completely full. I have to wait for a space and there are 3 cars ahead of me! Line at pharmacy is 6+ people long and they have to mix my meds while I wait. People are staring daggers into my back I'm sure.

Stop for milk and a bite of chocolate. Home to arguing, crying etc.

Dispense all the various meds. I have to hold Little Bit while dh holds the inhaler mask over his face. Not sure how one person will be able to do this.

Now, Maestro is begging me to come up and hug him goodnight. And Little Bit is crying to nurse.

So, off I go. I think the dishes will wait until tomorrow!

Heaven Help Me

All my men have been fighting a virus. Miraculously, I am the only one to have not gotten it. (knock wood)

Galileo has asthma but it was discovered early and has been very well controlled. Never had an "attack" per se. He is now fighting the virus and has the most horrible deep cough.

Anyway, I called the allergist and she wants him to start prednisone tonight.

Heaven help me! His behavior is always challenging on prednisone, he is hell on wheels.

I'm stretched thin on a normal day, don't know how we are going to manage. Someone send lots of patience my way.

And hope my poor baby is better soon!

Happy Belated Birthday Mom!

I can't believe my mom turned 77 Monday. Her she is yesterday with my boys.


Despite my fever, we made her the carrot cake she asked for. The boys did the decorating.

Poor woman had to cook her own birthday dinner though. I couldn't face a restaurant with a toddler and no one wanted me spreading my germs by cooking.

Snow Day

What a lovely day we had. Finally we got a snow day. I didn't get out when the big fluffy flakes were still coming down, but I did manage a few pics.

Baby let me sleep in a little later than normal. The big boys played Bionicles really nicely together and shared my computer with no fights. I took Little Bit upstairs for a nap, but ended up playing with him for hours. He was obsessed with one of the Hess Trucks. Putting its motorcycles in and out and in and out forever. We watched the rest of American Idol that I had recorded and then headed downstairs for lunch. After lunch Craig told the Big Boys to get dressed and he would take them sledding. Galileo took forever, but managed to get all his snow gear on with no issues or tantrums. He actually let me help him get things just right. Maestro had been outside shoveling all ready for the longest time. I swear I love that 4 year old and his attitude. I went out and helped uncover the car while Craig and the boys did our walks and those of several neighbors. (Little Bit was finally napping). My cough started up again and got so bad that Craig offered to get my rescue inhaler. When he gets concerned I know its time to hang it up. I went inside for a wonderful hot coffee with cocoa while he took the boys to the school sledding.

While they were gone, I baked bread and called his mom. She reached out yesterday with a call to Craig saying she missed us and felt distant from us. We have had our challenges in our relationship that I would like to try to mend. She is my children's Grandmother after all and I would like them to have a good relationship with her. We had a nice long chat and I'm hopeful things will improve. I have to remember to continue to reach out. I need to be true to myself and respectful of her and hopefully things will mend.

Anyway, the boys were gone for hours. I figured Craig must be an icicle since he didn't have snow pants and all the gear the boys did. So, after LB woke up, ate, played etc. I finally cleared the car and drove over to get them. We ran an errand to get more baking supplies and then came home for dinner and hot chocolate. The bread wasn't ready for dinner like I had hoped, so we had it afterwards. When I pulled it out of the oven everyone came to check it out. Galileo actually high fived me and said "Great Job, Mom!" woo hoo! Later while eating it he said it was the best bread he ever tasted in his whole life! High praise indeed. I have never baked bread before, but the kitchen aid mixer I got for Christmas made it easy. So easy in fact that I then whipped up a batch of cookies.

Thanks Mom!
(she gave me the mixer)

Craig and the boys started watching Star Wars while I was baking and I joined them after all was finished and cleaned up. Maestro has been playing star wars in school with one of his friends "who knows all about the movies and is teaching me". So he and I bought the first 3 movies while we were out yesterday (thank goodness Craig's bonus finally came). I thought 4 was a little young when Galileo's friends were all into Star Wars and wouldn't let him watch it. Maestro is a different kid though and did fine. He cuddled with me, clutched his toy light saber and made big claims about beating Darth Vader. Afterward he admitted he was a little scared and a little bored. We had such a nice night. I'm really glad the cub scout Blue and Gold Banquet was postponed.

Now, to sample a cookie and head to bed. I need to let Craig sleep in tomorrow and I have to beat this darn infection.

sick, sick, sick

This will be relatively short as I have a nasty sinus infection/bronchitis and should have been in bed hours ago.

Haven't updated in so long partly because the story of galileo's challenges was boring me and yet I felt compelled to finish it before I blogged about anything else. Some days have been so difficult that I just didn't have the energy to think about his issues anymore when I actually had the time and peace to blog. I have also had some health concers which have taken time and energy trying to figure out.

I'm re-thinkinking how much I should/want to share. The internet can be a scary place and I'm starting to do some serious thinking about privacy, internet security etc. Also not sure how much of Galileo's challenges it is fair for me to share. They are his after all not mine and maybe it isn't fair for me to put them all out there in a public forum. I don't have many readers, but as a strange comment I got a few weeks ago showed me, I just don't know what whackos may find this blog or what they might do with it once they find it.

Now, to bed.

Back to Galileo's Challenges

It was while he was a student in the 2 1/2 year old room that I finally started to figure out what the problem was. Someone posted "is my child just a brat" on the Parenting After Infertility board that I frequented at INCIID. In many ways this mom could have been describing Galileo, and yet I knew he wasn't a "brat". She got many responses. Several of them suggested she investigate SID or Sensory Integration Disorder which is more recently being referred to as Sensory Processing Disorder. OMG they were describing my child! I ran out to get the book The Out of Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz. So much of what I read made so much sense, not just for Galileo, but for me, my brother, and others in our family.

Unfortunately, but this time, Galileo was 3 and it was too late to have him evaluated by Early Intervention, so I called the school district. We went to the meeting that would decide if they would even evaluate him for special services through the district. He did great in the meeting showing how smart he is and how articulate. But, they also did see his issues. He especially showed his colors to the social worker with a major tantrum as we were leaving. I learned later that this difficulty with transitions is typical of a child with SPD. The OT also observed him in his nursery school. She found some significant issues that I didn't even realize were there. For example, he had such a hard time riding a tricycle due to his vestibular issues.

VESTIBULAR: the sense of movement; input from the inner ear about equillibrium, gravitational changes, movement experiences and position in space.

I hadn't even considered him having vestibular challenges since he had always been such a good climber. She also felt some of his interactions with other kids were affected by Proprieoceptive Problems

PROPRIOCEPTION: the sense of "positon"; input from the muscles and joints about body position, weight, pressure, stretch, movement and changes in position.

It all made so much sense. It was also very validating to hear. I was not a bad mother and Galileo was not a brat!

Unfortunately, he also did not qualify for services through the district. The OT felt his preschool placement was good for him, but did suggest we get private OT. As we were going through the district process, we also had evaluations by a pediatric neurologist recommended by our pediatrician and by a private OT (occupational therapy). The neurologist was really obnoxious. Didn't think any stay at home mom had any business knowing about SID and thought Galileo was defiant and on the verge of ADD. The way she described him was as a future psychopath. I was livid! Her manner with her was awful and all the things she was using to base her "diagnosis" on were related to his SID (not wanting to use her bathroom, not transitioning away from the toy he was enjoying etc.).

The private OT on the other hand did feel she could help him and I agreed. Of course a former friend pointed out that OT's have a bias to see sensory stuff, but my gut was telling me it was real and should be treated. We had to pay out of pocket and get only a portion reimbursed by insurance since the OT group was out of network. It made money very tight for awhile with the 2 and 3x/ week sessions, but I felt it was important enough to make it happen.

Sometimes I wondered if it was all hocus pocus and if it was really helping, but eventually, we began to see a difference. We could go into costco without him cringing in pain at the sound of the air conditioners, we had the occassional birthday party without tears, he started to participate in music class at school. We continued the private OT for over a year and met with a psychologist who specializes in Sensory Integration issues. Both really helped. We also helped Galileo learn how coping skills for when he was overwhelmed and stopped having power struggles over things like clothing. To this day, my motto is "if he is comfortable, I dont' care what he looks like. Peer pressure will start influencing him soon enough". He does know that there are few rare special occasions like family portraits or weddings when he will have to wear what is expected of him, but we work with him to make those outfits as comfortable as possible.

Oh wow, this has gotten way to long and I fear very boring. it is bath time now. I will continue and hopefully finish tomorrow. I may post date a few posts for continuity.

Was Hoping to Finish up today

I was hoping to finish up with what has been going on with Galileo today. Unfortunately, I feel down the cement steps at Maestro's school today (with baby in my arms of course) so I need to go put my leg up and ice it while baby is napping. Luckily baby is ok and there were other mom's there to walk M. in and get Baby back in the car. Craig is still at home (leaving for an onsite in an hour or so) so he was able to carry baby in from the car. Not sure what I will do about the Costco run or picking Maestro up from school. Hopefully my leg will be ok by then. There is a huge knot on my shin where I scraped it and my knee is really swollen. Of course its the one that I need to have surgery on at some point, but I am putting it off as long as possible (going on 5 years now).

OK, to the ottoman.

And Part Three

So, over the top reactions continued.

When I pregnant with Maestro, I was having a lot of preterm labor and Craig was working several states away. We decided caring for a 2 year old 24/7 on my own was not a good idea. As much as it broke my heart, I started taking Galileo to a day care center 3x a week. After the initial adjustment he really seemed to enjoy it. The toddler room head teacher was very warm and nurturing. He responded to her very well. Over the summer, he began transitioning to the preschool room upstairs. It was more typical "preschool" and less day care. He seemed to be doing ok with it, so I thought we would keep him there in the fall even though I had registered him in a local cooperative nursery school. Then September came. He HATED the preschool room. Would not go in if his life depended on it. In fact it was as though is life depended on not going in that room at any cost. He screamed and cried and ran and kicked and hit to such an extreme that I couldn't even hold him. I'm a BIG woman, fairly strong, and have worked with violent, emotionally disturbed kids. The fact that I couldn't "manhandle" him into that room told me something and we left the school to never return. He started a week late at the preschool he was originally registered at and did fine. He had his issues and tantrums etc, but over all he enjoyed going there. It was a small nurturing environment with lots of parent involvement and very little academic expectation. They were only 2 1/2 after all.

OK, Baby is NOT putting up with this. I will post more on this extremely long story later.

Challenging Child - Part Two

Feel a little like I dredged up ancient history yesterday and then just left it hanging. So, now while baby is sleeping I am going to ignore the laundry, the kitchen floor, the dusting etc and try to organize my thoughts. I'm hoping by writing this all down, I will come up with some ideas of what to do.

Anyway, throughout his babyhood, Galileo was a challenge. He didn't sleep on a regular schedule, only napped in the swing, screamed bloody murder when every time he rode in the car etc. Everything that was supposed to soothe a fussy baby just made him scream louder. He was a good solid food eater, but that was about the only thing that wasn't a struggle.

As he grew into a toddler, I started having more concerns. He walked rather late, but I kept telling myself it was because he could get everywhere he needed to go by crawling and climbing. He talked very late. In fact at one year old he became virtually silent. No babbling, no gesturing etc. I had him on a waiting list for a speech eval and was doing every autism spectrum checklist I could find. I knew he wasn't autistic, he was a social child, but he was never happy and I *knew* something was wrong.

In music class he would cry at the start and then just run in circles around the room. One or two other kids did it too, so I tried to convince myself it was OK. The teacher told me it was just a way that some kids react to the music and not to worry. He never tried to participate in the songs with motions, only wanted to be in my arms during the dancing and in general didn't seem happy to be there. I would have stopped torturing the kid by making him go, but he did like to listen to the cd's in the car and at home. In fact, they were the one thing that made car rides bearable.

In Gymboree, he never wanted to do what the group was doing and avoided the parachute like the plague. He loved climbing on all the equipment, but wanted nothing to do with doing the obstacle course with a group. By the end he almost always had a melt down. Yet he did enjoy a lot of his time there.

At birthday parties, he always had a melt down. He would scream and cry and tantrum over the most seemingly inconsequential thing. He usually couldn't tell me what was wrong. I would spend the time cringing with embarrassment and trying to cajole him out of his problems. After an activity was over, he would often get upset that he hadn't done it and yet at the time it was going on he would have nothing to do with it.

He was miserable in many of his messy art classes. If he got one speck of shaving cream, paint, glue, goop or whatever on his hands, he HAD to go wash it off. If I tried to get him to stay with the activity he would completely loose it. There were many a class that we had to step outside to calm down.

He had to quit a kids wood working class because he hated it so much. I knew then that he was sensitive to loud noises, so that one didn't surprise or upset me too much. He loved it the day they just did sanding and gluing, but the instant the hammers came out and the pounding started, he was out of there.

We could never go to places that I had looked forward to taking a child. Kiddie rides at amusement parks, the natural history museum, movies, chuckie cheese, somedays even Costco or the mall were all too much for him. He also hated swimming and his swim classes, although the bath tub was one of his favorite places.

It wasn't just that he had these quirks, it was his completely over the top reaction to them. (more later, baby crying)

My Challenging Child - Part One

I'm so worried about Galileo. He has always been a challenge. I came home in tears from a playdate yesterday. I fear the problems are getting worse instead of better as he gets older.

Galileo has always been challenging. He was a challenge to conceive - we did IVF. Luckily our first one took and except for having a vanishing twin, my pregnancy was really very easy. I ended up giving birth to him by c-section because he flipped from head down to breach at 38 weeks. Kind of indicative of the "my way or now way, Mom" pattern we have been in ever since. My doctor didn't believe me when I told him at the 38 week appointment. At the 39 week appointment the u/s confirmed it. He was born 10 hours later via c-section.

His babyhood was very challenging. He had difficulty nursing and I didn't know what I was doing. As a result, I started to lose my milk supply and for a few agonizing days, my baby was bascially starving. I had this blissful image that when baby cried I would put him to my breast and all would be right with his world. I would be the one person that could comfort him. Instead, I put him to the breast and he would scream and scream. That is until he became listless and lethargic with dehydration. When I first took him to the doctor, I was told to nurse, pump and supplement with pumped breast milk. The next time we went back, he was still losing weight so we we told to supplement with formula. I felt so horrible and so guilty for that for years. I felt like such a failure. In many ways and for many reasons that feeling has never left me where Galileo is concerned. (I'm over the nursing issues and he was not fully weaned until he was over 3 years old, so I guess I did OK there in the long run.)

I so want to write more, and will continue later. For now I have things I have to do before I go pick up the little boys.

And then there were 3

Galileo just succumbed. Wonder how long Craig and I have. I pray it will skip us, but am doubtful. Hopefully we can at least stagger it.

Thanks goodness Craig is home. He will camp downstairs with Galileo. I will stay upstairs with Little Bit and Maestro.

Forgive me if I'm scarce for a while.

2 Down, 1 to Go

Lysol wipes and pedialyte are this mom's best friends right now.

'nuff said

Another Curve Ball

OK, I'm editing this post because it was incredibly selfish and self centered. My baby was miserable and I was worried about housework and baking for friends? Where are my priorities?

Picture - I'll write more later

Mom is here ready to help me sort and fold piles and piles of laundry. So as the saying goes, I need to "make hay while the sunshines" (as a former farm girl, that saying speaks to me and makes me smile). anyway, I will try to write more about the weekend later, but wanted to share this pic.

Spiderman Cupcakes

So much I want to write, but I am desperate for my bed. 9 hours of sleep in 3 nights doesn't a happy mommy make! AND we have a big day tomorrow, so today will just post a pic of the cupcakes Galileo took to school today.



I'm pretty proud of myself. They are not nearly up to the beautiful cakes my friend, Robin, makes, but there are so much better than past efforts. And, when I showed Galileo this AM, he was thrilled and his whole face lit up. So, thats what counts! I hope to write more tomorrow, or more likely sunday.

really good day

I am actually going to bed feeling very good about my day. Called mom and warned her the house is a sty. So, she had a good attitude about it when she came. I did get a lot of picking up done in the living room and on the front porch. Cooked a decent meal.Had good interactions with my kids. Etc. Etc. Galileo was a joy. It is like jekyll and hide. Many theories on what is going on with him, but I am typing on my blackberry and its very slow going. I'll try to write more tomorrow, but its going to be harder with mom here.

Ugh Maestro is coughing so hard he just puked repeatedly. Poor kid. I thought about taking him to the allergist today, but didn't. Usually when he coughs this bad, she diagnoses a sinus infection. I was doubtful at first, since he was fine otherwise. But the antibiotics always cleared it right up. Unfortunately she is closed on fridays. I think I will take him to the regular ped. I so wish we had gone today. I want him to be well for the circus. Poor kid

"Mommy, I just don't like throwing up. It really isn't any fun.". And "This is the worstest night ever!"

Better Today

A couple days of sunshine have med the world of difference. Shows me I really do need to haul my ass out of bed in the morning to use the light box. Something that might help that is turning the TV off and getting my tush into bed!

Thanks Robin for pointing out I was being hard on myself, I didn't even realize it until you posted that!

Trying to live on the "its good enough" motto. Galileo's birthday is tomorrow and this is the first year we are not having a party for him. Last year's party was so stressful and expensive with classmates bringing uninvited siblings, kids not staying in the party room, being informed of food allergies the instant the pizza is served in an expectant way etc. That I told Galileo that Kindergarten was the last year for the large all class + other friends party. Anyway, we are taking him to the Big Apple Circus instead. We will take him to lunch before hand at Ekko, his favorite restaurant. Today he started asking if he could "Please have a party, please". Broke my heart. I started wanting to scramble to invite a few friends over after school serve pizza and cake etc. Then, I got a grip. My mother is coming down today to be here for his birthday and to go to the circus with us. I will take some killer spiderman cupcakes in to school so his class can sing to him tomorrow. He is going to the babysitting night at his old preschool on Friday (he chose to go). He certainly doesn't need any presents since he has yet to even open the boxes of some things he got for Christmas.

So, as long as my mom and I can manage not to fight about the dismal condition of my house and the baby can manage to not get any sicker (he has a cold), Galileo should have a great birthday weekend. Much more fun and exciting that one short 90 minute party. right?

For Alison & Al

I have been posting on various parenting communities for years. One places I have been a member of the longest is INCIID. I turned to INCIID when we were TTC our first and it wasn't coming easy. Now I post on the Parenting after Infertility boards. Anyway, one of our members lost her husband to colon cancer early Tuesday morning after a very valiant and difficult fight. Alison has shown such strength, courage and love through it all. I can only hope that if I am ever tested in such a way (please God, no) that I will have half the grace she has had.

Anyway, as I was cleaning over the weekend and listening to the radio, this song came on. It is so perfect for Alison and Al and their life together that I just sat down and sobbed for them. Isn't it strange how the tragedies of complete strangers are brought closer via the internet and yet I don't even know the names of the people 4 houses away?

Anyway, Alan, I hope you have found peace and I pray for continued strength for Alison and their children. Here's to you all


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Bad, Bad Blogger

21111rmSo many blog worth thoughts and moments that I just haven't captured. I need to learn to blog from my black berry. Here are snippets of what has been going on in my crazy, screwed up brain.

1. is my depression affecting my kids. Are they being so impossible because of me? Or am I just blaming myself unnecessarily?
   
2. should I finally give in and get gastric bypass? I have gained back most of the WW loss and just can't seem to get back to it.
3. will I even be elegible for gastric surgery. AFter all, OBGYN who delivered Little Bit told me to never let anyone operate on my stomach again.
4. HE DID IT!!! He doesn't realize it, but LB took 3-4 steps unassisted on Saturday. he did it again within the hour, but just looked at me like I was insane when I cheered and clapped.
5. Another Milestone: At his 15 month well child check, Little Bit finally registered on the growth chart for his actual age. Only at 5th percentile for weight, but thats ok he made the chart! Was a time he was only 5th percentile for his adjusted age, so I'm psyched.
6. Maestro's childhood is going to be gone before I know it and I will have wasted it. Kindergarten registration is in 2 months. Next sept., he will be away from me all day. If I want to build some amazing preschool memories with him, the time is NOW!
7. How am I going to find a shrink who I connect with who will really help me and not just be my pusher. A pusher is fine when I'm doing well, but I need someone who I connect with and feel "gets me" when I'm in a bad place like I am now.
   
8. How much longer is my poor knee going to hold on? I was told 4 1/2 years ago I needed surgery, but Maestro was exclusively breastfeeding so I put it off. My knee is painful all the time now and so creaky and crunchy inside that I fear it is only a matter of time before it locks up on me again. Do I go pursue surgery on it first or find a way to lose this extra person first?
9. Am I living my life vicariously through the internet too much? Is that contributing to the depression or a result of it? I can't live my own life when I am so busy reading about others lives on the boards and blogs.
   
10. Case in point, check out Randi's blog I await each new post with baited breath as she shares her amazing journey to Ethiopia to add a 5th child (a 15 year old boy) to her family. At least Randi is a former neighbor and IRL friend.
11. How do I get more close friends added to my family's life. Again I worry it is my depression that is keeping them away
12. I'm still (ridiculously) grieving the fact that there will be no more babies for us. I'm definitely reveling in Little Bit's growth and development and share moments of sheer joy with him nearly every day, but I do still feel a loss when another's pg is announced knowing I will never go down that road again.
13. What in the world should we do with our totsicles? Should we donate them to my friend in Seattle who lost all her embryos during the thaw? Can I deal with someone else raising my child? If I can't donate them what do I do with them? Pay $1200 a year for the next 5 years when they will be destroyed anyway on my 45th birthday?
14. Still kind of missing my fertile friend who's friendship I lost over above totsicles. She judged me about them when I was miscarrying rather than support me through a very difficult time. I know I can't trust her. This is not the first time she hurt me and yet I do miss her and her family. she helped me get started at WW and I it actually crossed my mind to call her and ask her to join WW with me again. Don't worry, L. I quickly squelched the thought!
15. Ooo, I could prune out one of these and then save this post for Thurday Thirteen!

OK, I think thats enough. Time to go get some sleep so I can try to start turning my life around in the morning. My house still languishes under the remnants of Christmas. I desperately need to restore order to my mind, my house and my family - not necessarily in that order.

PSA: Please check your carbon monoxide detectors

A close friend nearly had a major tragedy. A pipe to their furnace had clogged and flames were shooting out the front. Not only that, but the carbon monoxide was backing up into their house. She had checked the detectors recently, but somehow it got unplugged between then and now. I can't bear to think of all the horrible things that could have happened.

Please people (especially those of you who have been going through the cold snap with us.) Check your heating equipment and your carbon monoxide detectors.

Black Eyed Peas

Made Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens in the hopes of luck and prosperity in the New Year. Didn't have a recipe, so I want to type up what I did so I can repeat it. I got a "Wow this is GOOD Mom! Thank YOU!" from Galileo. I think my luck is all ready changing if the pickiest kid in the world can thank me for my cooking.

1 (16 oz) bag Black Eyed Peas ( I got the last black eyed peas in the whole store!)
Water
Kielbasa
Sweet Onion
Garlic
Thyme
dash red pepper
chicken broth
2 Bay Leaves.

1) Boil water. Rinse and pick over black eyed peas.
2) Place black eyed peas in boiling water for 4 minutes. Cover tightly and turn off heat. Let sit for an hour.
3) Slice and Sautee Keilbasa. Remove to large soup pot.
4) Chop onion and sautee in Keilbasa fat. Add minced Garlic, thyme, and red pepper.
5) Drain Black Eyed Peas and add to soup pot with Keilbasa.
6) Cover with Chicken Broth
7) Add Onion and spice mixture and Bay leaves.
8) Simmer for ~ 1 hour
9) Serve with Brown Rice, collard Greens and corn muffins

I didn't care for the collard greens much and neither did the boys, but Craig loved them.

I just sauteed onion, chives, a few jarred pimiento peppers garlic and a touch of tobasco in Bacon Fat. Added the collard greens. Added a little of the broth from the Black Eyed Peas above to steam. Threw in some apple cider vinegar and brown sugar and just cooked the life out of them. When they were dark green, I turned off the heat and left them covered to wait for the other things to finish cooking.

I'm proud of myself for creating something new and yummy and I think this will be a New Year's Tradition in this house now. Sitting down to a nice home cooked meal was a nice way to wrap up this school vacation. Now, time to sort clothes, clean the kitchen, pack lunches etc.

Happy New Year!!!