2 down, one to go...

It was a rare night at our house, especially considering that we aren't at home.  Baths were a little late (like 9:00 instead of 7:00) but the entire day was a little late (brunch at 11).  Abbie was in a coma by 9:30 (AMAZING!) and it didn't require that I threaten her within an inch of her life.  Maggie watch a little sprout and was down by 10.  I know you're probably thinking, good grief, they need to go to bed earlier.  Consider that we are on summer schedule and out of town.  Lydia woke up about the same time Maggie went to sleep, took an entire 4.5 ounces and is now lying wide awake in my arms as I type.  Go figure I have one that doesn't comply with the routine. 

Shopping and visiting with friends tomorrow.  Tentative Zoo plans on Sunday (really depends on the heat).  Monday holds no major plans as of right now.  Tuesday is early doctor's appointments and a LONG trip home. 

Maggie is enjoying swimming lessons -she has one more week in July.  As well as 2 weeks of VBS in July.  and a trip on an airplane.  It has been a busy summer for her.  She has developed a few tan lines from her swimsuit.  They're so cute!

Normal routine for Abbie - daycare.  However, in August, once Lydia has her 2 month shots, she and Abbie are changing daycare centers so that Abbie will have preschool and not just daycare.  Cost goes up, but Karan is a wonderful teacher and I'm really excited.  Hope the younger two enjoy it for the money that we are paying.

Summer school starts for me next week.  A&P II for a month every morning but Friday for 3.5 hours.  Only 6 students signed up so far.  It's pretty intense, maybe I won't be too hard on them.  Biology and A&P II at night in the fall (Tuesday and Wednesday).  Really have enjoyed being back in the classroom. 

Lydia is still awake, this may be a while...

So thankful for friends!

Today was our first meeting with our new study.  A group of women (5 of us) meet each Tuesday morning for Bible study at the church.  It's our chance to get out and someone watch our children (13 between us) for free.  This time we are working on The Virtuous Women.  It's based out of Proverbs 31.  I've always wondered how that woman does all that it says she does.  Guess I'll find out. 

This morning, since it was the first meeting, was more of an introduction so we got to spend a little more time talking and solving our child-rearing issues.  It is nice to know that other people have the same problems with their kids as I have with mine.  We discussed everything from coupons to getting our kids to stay in bed to discipline and the upcoming VBS. 

We laughed until we cried...it was so wonderful!

New baby and some reorganization

Lydia Allison Jacobs was born last Tuesday in Starkville.  8 pounds, 4.8 ounces, 18.5 inches with auburn-red hair.  Maggie absolutely adores her, Abbie is still trying to figure her out.  Terrific two's are NOT a good time to add a baby - just a word of advice...Anyway, Lydia is doing well, almost back up to birth weight but keeps a constant case of the hiccoughs. 

Maggie has decided to camp out or move in (I'm not sure which) with Mamaw and Papaw.  She has been there since May 27th.  I am hoping that she comes home sometime this weekend.  She has a day camp next week at her school and two weeks of swimming lessons after that. 

Abbie is going to daycare each day.  I am looking forward to changing daycares in August.  We will be going to the Episcopal church here in town and Abbie will be in a structured preschool for the better part of the day.  Maybe the regimen/routine will help calm her down!

As for me, no staples this time, just dissolving stitches.  I am doing as well as could be expected.  The inability to drive is mind-numbing, but I only have a few more days.  There is a lady staying with me and Lydia at the house 3 days a week.  She cooks and cleans and lets me sleep (the biggest plus!).  Summer school starts up in July four days a week in the mornings, so that will keep me occupied until school starts back. 

We have a trip to Vanderbilt for our yearly checkups on July 4th weekend.  Not sure how traveling with all the kids will work, but we don't really have a choice.  Two weeks of vacation bible school after that, a week off, and then school starts for all 3 girls. 

Where has the summer gone?

27 days and counting

Maggie and Abbie have been moved into their new bedroom with their matching twin beds and purple walls.  I have been moved into Maggie's old room which is now green.  Mom has taken up residence in Abbie's old room with Lydia (color has gone from green to orange).  Everyone seems to be doing well with the new arrangements so far.

As of my last doctor's appointment, I cannot drive more than 15-30 minutes and I cannot adjust more than 3 patients per day.  I am also supposed to put my feet up for 10-15 minutes three times a day (yeah right, who has time for that?)  He also said that if the baby had not come by 05/31, that he had plans to take her. 

What a crazy week at the office, I am so glad that Courtney decided to come back from vacation.  Monday was extremely busy (90 visits and 6 new patients) and I don't think I could take many more days like that!

Maggie is ready for school to be out and so am I.  It has become a struggle to get her up and ready each morning.  Plans for swimming lessons this summer for her.  Still trying to get her to decide about her birthday party. 

Back to work, patients starting to come in...

Almost a whole month?!

I have discovered that I'm really bad at this blogging thing. 

In the last month, my job responsibilities have changed at the office so I am at the front desk each day.  Waiting on Dr. M to hire someone to work the front desk so I can finally work on patient's notes in the adjusting rooms. 

Leaving tonight for Kansas City, Mom, Maggie and I for seminar.  Really looking forward to a getaway.  Abbie with the grandparents.  Next week, family trip to New Orleans, Maggie is very excited about riding the train.

School is going okay, Maggie got in trouble on Monday for disobeying her teachers and biting another child.  Abbie is doing well.   Hate to say this, but no one is on any medicine and right now, no one is sick :)

Personally, the situation right now is crazy.  Not sleeping again and can't seem to get caught up on anything.  My students are starting to think that I will never have their papers graded. 

On top of all this, somehow we have gotten a batch of fleas in the house - almost rid of them after 3 bombs, a trip by the exterminator, borax and daily vacuuming.  For some unknown reason, they only like me.  Such is the case with most bugs...

Post Spring Break Realignment

Okay, so spring break is officially over and it's back to the ole grind.

Both the girls have had this runny nose and sneezing stuff thanks to the sudden onset of warmer weather and pollen.  Abbie's tubes have been draining this green goo that looks a lot like snot.  It's gross to say the least, but at least we aren't on antibiotics for an ear infection. 

Everybody went back to school today, we'll see how it went this afternoon... Sleep is becoming harder the closer it gets to June. 

Not much planned for this week except a meeting on Friday.  Can't believe March is almost over.  Maggie keeps asking everyday when we are riding the choo-choo train.  Got her a calendar with the days numbered so we can mark them off each day. 

Planted some strawberries yesterday and had our first meal of the "summer" outside. 

Delayed

Sorry, I know I haven't written anything in a while, but life has been to say the least, busy.

Abbie was released from the hospital on the 28th and we saw Dr. Boldon again on the 8th.  Still has a sinus infection, still on antibiotics.  Hopefully through with the medication on the 19th.  He said that if she gets the stomach virus again in the next 3 months, he will test her for an immune deficiency.  Right now, she and her sister are camped out at the grandparent's house during spring break. 

Maggie has a runny green nose, but that's nothing new for her.  She is so excited that she and Abbie are going to the dentist on Wednesday.  Strange, I know, but my children love to see the dentist. 

Bowen (Brooke's little boy) that was born with club foot on both sides, is having surgery today.  They have already had numerous surgeries and braces and casts.  But the last time they went to LeBohneur (?), the doctors told Brooke they would have to start all over.  This time they will put him back in the hard casts for a while.  Poor little fellow, he has really been through a lot. 

Got the tickets for the train and the hotel reservations for New Orleans.  Maggie is so excited to ride the train to see the animals at the zoo and the goldfish.  I hope that the trip lives up to her expectations.  We are going Easter weekend with Mom and the grandparents.  Abbie is going too.

Otherwise, people are trying to convince me that what we are going through right now is not what is correct and that I am wrong in doing this.  I wish that if people were going to give their advice, that they would consider the entire situation and not just what they have heard or been told.  I am doing what I think is best for myself and my girls.  I know that it will not please everyone, however, using religious piety and condemnation are not the best way to convince anyone that they are wrong. 

Enough with this, today is Amelia's birthday and I have a birthday dinner to attend. 

Everybody Home

Abbie got out of the hospital Monday night still having diarrhea and after a bag of rocephin just in case.  Her stomach has still not been right and today was her first day back at daycare in a week. 

Maggie is doing great.  No one seems to have caught the stomach bug but Mamaw.  But on Tuesday night, I got up to get Abbie (she was crying) and kicked the door facing to her room.  I broke my little toe on my left foot. 

This has been the craziest last week that I can remember.  Headed to Starkville to the OB today for my glucose test and then to Columbus to spend the night before heading to Macon in the morning to see patients.

It is Josh's weekend for the girls, but he informed me yesterday that he did not have a vehicle.  Mom is going to watch them until I can get home tomorrow. 

Plans to plant strawberries tomorrow afternoon, I'm sure the girls will enjoy playing in the potting soil!

Abbie started vomiting Friday evening & diarrhea Saturday morning. After a trip to the AfterHours Clinic & the ER last night, we are in the hospital for fluids.

Needs a title

Abbie had her tubes done Thursday of last week.  She did okay with the surgery, the doctor said that he found an abscess behind her ear drum.  She did not do well with the Versed.  Apparently, she nor I can handle this medicine.  She was incoherent but screaming for the first 45 minutes after surgery.  Once she finally calmed down, she slept for 3 hours.  She seems to be doing okay now except for this cough that she has picked up. 

Maggie's conference at school last week was between myself, her teacher and the principal.  Maggie has not been eating at school (lunch or breakfast) and has been throwing temper tantrums.  The teacher suggested that she could be autistic or Asperburger's although I explained to her that she had been tested and she was not either of those.  Maggie finishes her work much faster than her classmates and from what I can gather, is getting bored at school.  I have talked to several friends of mine who have suggested that we have her IQ tested for a gifted program or something akin to the sort.  We have been referred to 2 psychologists in Jackson and I am waiting on a return phone call. 

Got my car insurance taken care of this morning.  Josh had not paid it (it was in his name) and the coverage had lapsed.  It is now in my name and everything worked itself out.  Also, I spoke with the credit card company yesterday who is willing to work out a 5 year payment plan.  Waiting on confirmation that my student loans have been deferred.  Received our SNAP benefits lats week and have put them to good use already. 

Josh had the girls this weekend and they didn't seem to come back any worse for wear except a few scratches here and there.  No big happenings this week that I am aware of...Jackson State game on Saturday at MVSU, Grambling on Monday. 

Tubes

Abbie had an appointment in Jackson on Monday with our ENT.  He scheduled her tubes for Thursday.  I have to call today and get our time to be there Thursday morning.  His nurse said they go in order of age, so I am expecting between 7-8 a.m. which means a really early morning for us. 

Academic Conference today with Maggie's teacher and the principal at school.  Just hope everything is okay and she can stay where she is.  She really seems to enjoy it and is learning a lot. 

Went to Bible study Tuesday morning - Beth Moore's revised study of David.  Hoping it will be a great time of fellowship and friends. 

Can't think of anything else major right now, but will update hopefully Friday about the ears and parent-teacher stuff. 

ENT Appointment and Snow

We went to the pediatrician on Wednesday for a followup about Abbie's ears.  The left one is still infected, the right is much better.  Doc scheduled our appointment with the ENT in Jackson on Monday.  It's the same one that did Maggie's ears a couple years ago.  We are on another antibiotic for now, hoping that will help.  3/4 of a tsp three times a day. 

No school or daycare on Thursday under 3.5 inches of snow.  It did melt somewhat, so now we have ice everywhere.  But we had school and daycare today. 

Got a call from the school on Tuesday that Maggie would not leave the cafeteria or eat her breakfast.  Come to find out, the TV is on in the cafeteria during breakfast.  So now we eat breakfast at home.  Also got a call from the principal to schedule an academic conference.  As of today, we have scheduled it three times and it is tentative for Wednesday of next week.  Not sure what this is about, as Maggie is usually really good about doing her schoolwork. 

Headed to Macon in the morning to see a couple patients then to MVSU for basketball games.  Hoping that the roads between here and there are not too bad. 

Monday, Monday...

Abbie started coughing again and her nose is running.  We have a followup from her ears on Wednesday, so maybe she can hold off until then. 

Got to the office this morning, actually by 8, only to call Medicaid and find out that we lost 6 months worth of claims.  Then we called the local office and the Provider Relations Specialist said he would try to take care of it.  Worse case scenario, we have to file 6 month's of claims on paper for 2 doctors.  Let's hope that is not the case. 

Nothing a little physical labor won't cure.  9 boxes of old files later, my mind feels better about the situation, my back - well - not so much. 

Josh has a doctor's appointment today.  He's lost almost 70 pounds since December 1.  Hope it's nothing serious. 

Plans for teaching Tuesday and Wednesday, Macon on Thursday,  Macon on Saturday, Church Sunday.  May have to take the kids to Josh on Friday, still waiting on word about that.  Maggie has next Monday off and it would work out better (he would have Friday through Monday) if we could swap weekends. 

We'll have to see...

Brrr...

Okay, so we don't have ice or snow yet, but it's so cold.  I brought the dog in last night and of course, we had poop in the kitchen this morning.  Not just a pile of poop, liquid poop all over the kitchen.  This poor dog has had diarrhea for the better part of a year.  Not sure that it's a digestive issue, because she has been on the same Pedigree dog food for 4 years.  Anyway, I just keep Lysol, paper towels and clorox wipes to clean up every morning after cold nights. 

Maggie and Abbie are doing better, no one has had any fever, but Maggie keeps a runny nose. 

Lydia Allison Jacobs has an expected date of arrival sometime around June 5, 2011.  Glad we got another girl, so we don't have to buy anything new except her own bed clothes.  Hand-me-downs are great!

Daycare is contagious

Abbie has been in daycare since we have been back in Greenwood.  If I counted it, she has probably spent more time out of daycare than she has in.  She spent 3 days in the hospital in Greenwood with the stomach virus in December.  Turns out she also had a ear infection appear in day 2 of the hospital stay.  We had 2 days of Rocephin for that.  They also sent us home with antibiotics.  One her followup two weeks later, she still had the ear infections so we had another shot of Rocephin and 10 days of Augmentin.  I took her by the pediatrician's office today because she has had a fever all week.  Guess what?  Another shot of Rocephin and 10 days of Augmentin.  Monday we go back to check them.  If the ears are no better, we got Rocephin shots on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  All this has to happen before we can see an EENT according to our insurance. 

Needless to say, I am beyond furious at this point.  It is completely insane to think that some suit in a office somewhere is telling our pediatrician how to treat my children!!

Life is a somewhat controlled chaos...

A LOT has occurred since I last posted. 

The girls and I are in Greenwood.  Josh is still in Macon.  It's a long complicated story and I will finish it later.  Maggie is enrolled in the Catholic school here and is starting to enjoy it.  Abbie is at daycare which I really don't like the idea of, but it was the most fitting solution.  The "new baby"  (we find out on the 27th hopefully) is due in early June.

Needless to say there are a lot of things going on.  I am teaching night classes on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Greenwood campus of MDCC.  I am still coming to Macon on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings to see patients. 

So much to update, so little time.  Will try to finish it tomorrow. 

Another Day in Paradise

It's been a while I know, but life has just been insane. 

We opened the office about a week and a half ago.  Doing pretty good, several patients and more to come.  Wish I had more time to spend there, but with school going on it's understandable. 

The girls are having a good time at school.  Took a little while for Maggie to get adjusted to pottying at school, but it's better now I think. 

Picked up my Master's degree last weekend in St. Louis - wish they had just mailed it to me, but it was good to see everyone again. 

Had a patient bring me goat's milk and goat's milk yogurt.  The yogurt was great - didn't get brave enoguh to try the milk though.  It's so funny that the kids here have had almost no exposure to culture.  They had no idea that milk could come from something other that hormone and steroid loaded cows and the hummus was chickpeas ground up. 

Slowly but surely bringing a little excitement in...several new students from the local public school - anxious to see how they are going to do in my classes.

Gotta get back to work...

Ugh, so tired!

Yesterday, Mom and I worked at the office - still not finished, but so very very close.  Waiting on the computer - it should be ready tomorrow.  Looking for a rug that will fit in a 9X14 room. 

First day of school today, wonder if the girls will be as tired as I am.  County wide peprally tonight.  Hoping to collapse on the couch afterwards, may not even make it to bed...

First Day of In Service

Today was our first day of in-service at Central.  Josh and I both were late to the faculty meeting even though Josh was not required to go.  It was also Abbie's first day at daycare here at the school. 

Going to pick her up in a little while...

Borrowed a staple gun from Coach Sciple to staple the fabric to the ceiling at the office.  Hoping to get that finished tomorrow.  Had my phone installed yesterday and got my modem in the mail this morning.  Talked to someone about letterhead, envelopes and cards today.  Will hopefully have a proof by the end of the week.  It may all come together despite all odds. 

The best thing about this entire situation is that my work as far as school is done - lesson plans, etc. - and there is someone to watch Abbie during the day.  The next several days should be pretty productive!  I have got to get my final paper finished and sent to Logan so I can graduate on the 20th.  That and the office are high priorities this week. 

Where's Maggie?  At my grandparents, enjoying her last long term time with them for a while.  Kind of somber about the whole thing...

Who are they?

I am pretty sure that I gave birth to 2 little girls.

Maggie has always had a habit of twirling her hair to put herself to sleep. Over the last year or so, she has pretty much stopped or the knots were really easy to get out. The last three or four mornings she has made knots with knots to the point we have had to cut them out of her hair! Of course she cries when you brush her hair and it's an early morning adventure.

Maggie, our great eater, has gone on what seems like a fast. She will only eat two or three bites off her plate. Her sister, on the other hand, has decided to gorge herself on anything she can find. She has an insatiable appetite lately. When she doesn't get fed soon enough, she grabs the tray of he highchair and shakes it and yells.

School is getting ready to start for Josh, Abbie and I next week. Maggie doesn't start until the 9th. I can't wait for her teacher to tell me about her saying "Otay" as the pad answer for everything!

For the next several days, I will be calling my children Buckwheat and The Hulk! Maybe I should tell people to refer to this blog for further explanation, or maybe I'll just be considered a nut!