Ear Tubes for Alex

Alex had the most minor of all surgeries yesterday - having tubes put in his ears. It really couldn't have gone any better. When they first suggested it, they were sure to emphasize how simple and quick the procedure would be (about 10 minutes) but they also told me, "you'll have to come two hours before the surgery, and you can expect to be here for half the day". And of course I knew he would have to be under general anesthesia, which is always a bit scary. And then with him having to be fasting and knowing about his separation anxiety, I figured he would be screaming until the anesthesia kicked in, and screaming again as soon as it wore off.

Well, it turns out we only had to be there 90 minutes before surgery, and they started a little early, and it went perfectly, and he woke up pretty much right after they took him to the recovery room, and once they checked him out and gave him some apple juice we got to go home - so we were only there for a little over 2 hours! And he didn't even cry when they wheeled him away into the operating room. Of course he WAS crying like crazy when they brought us back after he woke up, ("Just follow the screaming," Steve said) but he calmed down pretty quickly after I held him. He wanted to be held for a little while after we got home, and then he was ready to play! I don't even know if he was really extra clingy or cranky because he's kind of been clingy and cranky a lot lately - so I'd say he was basically back to normal within an hour of getting home. Not too bad at all! We definitely feel like our prayers were answered.

I Could Not, Would Not (single parenting)

To all the single mothers out there whose kids are still alive - you are amazing! We barely survived the week without Steve. Which is kind of funny when you think about it - because really I'm home alone with them all day every day, but those few hours at the end of the day when Daddy is home make such a big difference! For all of us.

Okay, so "barely survived" might be a bit of an exaggeration, but still, it wasn't easy. And I yelled a lot more than I would like to admit. Especially around bedtime. Unfortunately that was when we got to "face time" (on the iPad) with Steve, so he probably thought I was totally losing it. Really I think I was an acceptable mother most of the day... I hope...

BUT - we did have some fun! And we kind of developed somewhat of a daily routine. I got up before the kids every day to shower, read scriptures, and get a head start on housework type stuff. We went to a park every morning for at least an hour. That was critical. I would have kept them out longer, but it was just too hot this week! And I didn't want to mess with sunscreen.

Afternoons consisted of the kids dancing to Toddler Radio on Pandora while I did chores, reading lots of books together and playing toys. Daphne watched one of her library DVDs (Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake this week) during Alex's naps while I had some quiet time, then we would play a game together, or do a puzzle, and read more books until Alex woke up. We really did read a lot this week. Like 10 books a day. Maybe more.

And the kids played in their little splash pool every evening while I watered the plants in the backyard, and sometimes watered the kids as well (at Daphne's request). Then we would pick and eat blueberries and raspberries. Then they'd have a bath, a late "dinner" (I didn't cook at all this week, unless toasting bread counts), a little playtime in the front yard, then off to bed! Thank goodness for bedtime.

Here are some other highlights of the week:

I've killed about 50 baby spiders in our downstairs bathroom since Monday. I think they may be coming in through the open window in the mornings, but I have yet to find the nest. Gross.

Alex had a check-up with his pediatrician. He is getting tubes in his ears next week. I'm not excited about that, but I guess it will be better than letting him continue to have ear infections and fluid in his ears all the time (which has been affecting his hearing, and therefore his speech development). I'm sure it will be good for him, but it's still SURGERY! And anesthesia. And I know he'll hate being left alone in the operating room. He doesn't even like to be left alone in our living room. Fortunately, we were able to get it scheduled before the baby comes. Well, as long as the baby doesn't come before Tuesday... (don't even think about it young lady!)

Speaking of babies coming, I had a check-up of my own. I gained a pound and a half in a week. The baby is head down and I am one cm dilated, which of course really doesn't mean anything at this point. But good to know she's getting ready!

AND I remembered to check the mail every day! (Steve always does that). Except today. Oops. Oh well. Too dark and scary out there now...

Sorry, no pictures. I was going to photo all the fun things we did while Steve was gone, but I didn't take even one. So if you are a single mother and your kids are alive AND you take pictures of them... wow! That's all I can say.