Tuesday, November 18, 2008

one

One parent in charge of four children under the age of five.

One parent on a business trip luxury vacation 3,000 miles away.

One child that insists on wearing a Buzz Lightyear costume 18 hours out of the day.

One child that was placed on this earth to drive ME insane.

One child that poops in their underwear.

One toilet that was clogged with almost 1/2 a roll of toilet paper.

One kitchen cabinet that fell completely off it's hinges.

One baby that has been running a fever of 100 to 104 since early Sunday morning.

One mother that has held one crying baby almost non stop for three days.

One hour of consecutive sleep.

One Pediatrician that could find nothing wrong with one baby.

One bad virus.

One teaspoon of Tylenol alternating with Motrin prescribed every three hours.

One hour driving time to drop children off at school and return home.

One hour driving time to pick children up at school and return home.


One work laptop that has sat unopened in two days.

One house that looks like it has been dumped upside down and shaken hard.

One well rested husband that called at one particularly bad moment and temporarily lost hearing in one ear.

One more reason to live closer to family.

18 comments:

  1. Babe, I feel for you.

    Supportive thoughts coming from the UK

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  2. Poor Henry and mommy :( I hope he gets to feeling better soon. I know it must be frustrating to not know why he is feeling bad.

    And I have to agree with you on yesterdays post, what you had was not a vacation (sorry mom). Sounds like you need to call in some of that help for a while.

    Hope things get better fast!.
    Kathy

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  3. My husband travels a lot for work and whenever I hear him complain about being tired from traveling or sleeping in a hotel or whatever, it's all I can do to not respond with some sarcastic comment. While I'm glad I'm the one that nurses and cares for the children, some days, a chance to sit quietly on a plane and watch my iPod sounds like a day at the spa. And yes, someone is always either sick, puking on the bed, has stomach flu or something while he is gone.

    Anyway, I've been meaning to comment about the school thing for a few days. I would feel exactly as you do. I think brownies and Fruit Loops are totally 100% not acceptable. I think your reactions are totally appropriate and while I know you said you brought donuts a few weeks ago, I'm a little surprised that an entire donut is seen as an acceptable snack for a 3-4 year old.

    As an alternative, let me share just a bit about my kids' daycare/preschool. My husband is in the Army and because it is so cheap, that was going to be the one we choose. It turned out to be a fabulous place. So much so that it will be the only thing I will miss about this place when we move. I *love* those teachers and I know they care a lot about my kids. But back to the food a minute...the daycare is accredited by NAEYC and one of their requirements is that all food served comply with USDA guidelines. Perhaps you might ask about that at either the current school or any others you look into? I hope this doesn't sound like I'm super research mom or anything - I got very lucky that we just walked into a fantastic daycare. But now that I've had my kids there, I know what I'd ask about for any future place.

    By the way, I struggle with feeling guilty about leaving my kids too. The only thing that helps is that, for example, today my daughter was crying because she didn't want to leave her friends at school. That makes me feel a bit better.

    Okay, enough rambling...I guess I just empathize, a lot, with your current situation.

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  4. It's better than 4! Oh wait...

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  5. Yes, I did get an ear full from you today, and I'm not about to agrue that this trip is or is not a busines trip...it is. But that's not the point.

    Anyway, I feel really bad that Henry got sick the day (morning) I left, and that the curious three are growing horns and hoofed feet.

    I miss them (and you) desperately. In the end, I wish I was home with my family.

    I love you more today then yesterday, but as much as tomorrow.

    Get ready, because I'll be home Thursday.
    Love Charlie

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  6. Oh, Jen. I'm so sorry. I sure hope this week goes by fast and the rest of the clan stays healthy. And be thankful you don't have a trampoline, that's all I can say.

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  7. Oh Jen, I'm so sorry. I hope Henry is feeling better soon and you both get relief! If we were closer I'd come over to help (and add another toddler to the mix, I'm sure you'd love that)!

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  8. Charlie: AS MUCH AS TOMORROW?

    What's that supposed to mean? You're not going to love me MORE tomorrow than you do today?! Is it because of what I said during our conversation??

    Hurry home, love. We need you. I need you. I never realized just how much I needed you until this very moment.

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  9. one
    sincere wish that your day tomorrow goes much better.
    katie

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  10. Hmmm, I wonder if Henry has Roseola? Both mine had it a few months apart and it was a three to four day fever just like Henry's that then broke with a rosy rash. Of course, you won't know he had it until he gets the rash, and by then it is over, but mine were sooo cranky, sleepless and irratable with that same fever when they had it. My ped said it creates immunity, so if that's it, at least he got it over with. Hugs to you!

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  11. sorry jen. i hope charlie gets home soon and that henry's bad virus GOES AWAY! that is awful. can you call in some of your help to come let you rest for a little bit, or better yet, have them clean for you!

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  12. One singular sensation
    Every little step she takes.
    One thrilling combination
    Every move that she makes.
    One smile and suddenly nobody else will do;
    You know you'll never be lonely with you know who.
    One moment in her presence
    And you can forget the rest.
    For the girl is second best
    To none,

    And that Girl???
    Jen, mom extraordinaire

    Hang is there, maybe another glass of wine will help.

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  13. One fellow mom sending hugs your way.

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  14. I wish I were closer so I could come scoop up some of that chaos for you. So sorry - hang in there. You are doing a great job!

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  15. I totally feel you right now, go through it on a weekly basis.
    Add this to the mix, it will be all better:

    One bottle of wine to make it through the night.

    Keep up the good work, one more day left (2 1/2 more for me).

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  16. I just hope you have a lot of ice cream, chocolate and wine on hand!!!! ;-) Poor little guy. Hope he's better soon.

    Love, Marg.

    (we still love you Charlie!!)

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  17. If I lived closer (I'm in Missouri!) I would surely come and give you a break! You deserve a day at the spa with NO interruptions! SERIOUSLY!

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  18. Oh man... so sorry to hear about this!! Zack had that virus. His feaver was almost 104 when I took him to urgent care on Sunday. All they told me was it's a virus... nothing we can do... Gee thanks a lot!!

    Hope things get better soon!!

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