Yesterday we started a new chapter for our family. I went to work (teaching at the community college), Jackson went back to preschool, Matthew went back to daycare (after a year at home with me), Alyssa went to Kindergarten, and Darren went to work. For the first time in a year, we all had somewhere we needed to be at a particular time--a new routine for all of us!
I love teaching-- I teach Sociology, which is my passion, and I feel honored to share that with others. I teach 3 classes (2 introductory classes and 1 Marriage and Family), 30 students in each class. My Monday/Wednesday/Friday classes seem to be a bit lively, not surprising since they are mid-day. My Tuesday/Thursday class is first thing in the morning, and I'm thinking I will need a coffee pot installed in the classroom to get them going. It should be a great semester! I had always wanted to teach as my second career, and I never envisioned that this past year and a half would be the road to that chance. I can't believe how lucky I am to be doing what I love!
My only regret is that Matthew had sort of a rough first day back at daycare. Today was better, but he spent the time I was away with our dear neighbor instead of at school. He enjoyed that a lot more. I'm hoping he just needs time to adjust back to daycare. He's only there 12 hours a week (3 days a week), and if he doesn't adjust, we'll figure out another way. I'm just praying tomorrow is better for him!
Right now, all of this change still seems a bit crazy, but I do foresee us getting into a routine. I'm looking forward to it being our 'new normal'.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Streak is Broken
In all of the chaos with school starting, I jumped the gun on wishing Matthew a happy 18 months by a week. We still have a lot to celebrate! With Matthew turning 18 months yesterday, he has broken his every other month surgery streak!
Surgeries=
5 months- intestines
7 months- heart
9 months- skull
11 months- ear tubes
13 months- nasal fracture repair
15 months- urology
17 months- NOTHING!!
Yipee!! With the streak broken, I'm hoping Matthew can stay out of the OR for some time now!
Surgeries=
5 months- intestines
7 months- heart
9 months- skull
11 months- ear tubes
13 months- nasal fracture repair
15 months- urology
17 months- NOTHING!!
Yipee!! With the streak broken, I'm hoping Matthew can stay out of the OR for some time now!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
1st Week of Kinder
Alyssa had a great first week of Kindergarten! According to Alyssa, the highlights have been--
-going to the gym, which isn't like her preschool gym, because her new gym doesn't have toys.
-the science center, where they played with a color wheel, making new colors out of others.
-reading books, the classroom has a bunch of books we don't have at home.
-meeting the librarian.
-walking to school in the rain.
-playing with Cleo and TBone (stuffed animals from Clifford)
-the extra curriculars- PE, Art, Music.
From the mommy perspective, it was a great week. Alyssa was beyond giddy to go to 'big school'. And each day she came home excited, though a little tired (7 straight hours of kindergarten is a lot). Walking with her Thursday in the rain made my heart sing. She was just so excited to be going to school, AND to be walking in the rain. She asked if I would buy her some rain boots so she could jump in all the puddles next time, not just the small ones. (Thank you Cindy for the hand me downs!)
Every day of the week, she got more and more confident. The first day she let me walk her to her classroom. Tuesday she asked if I'd wait at the front doors. Wednesday she said she was fine once we got to the bike racks. Thursday she ran from the corner. Finally on Friday, before we left the house, she asked if I would wait across the street. At least she let me kiss her goodbye before she joined the herd of elementary kids crossing the street to the school, but she never looked back.
I love watching her and her friend Jack enter the school each day ready to conquer whatever may come to them and I equally love watching them come out of school with the big grins on their faces. I love kindergarten as much as Alyssa does!
-going to the gym, which isn't like her preschool gym, because her new gym doesn't have toys.
-the science center, where they played with a color wheel, making new colors out of others.
-reading books, the classroom has a bunch of books we don't have at home.
-meeting the librarian.
-walking to school in the rain.
-playing with Cleo and TBone (stuffed animals from Clifford)
-the extra curriculars- PE, Art, Music.
From the mommy perspective, it was a great week. Alyssa was beyond giddy to go to 'big school'. And each day she came home excited, though a little tired (7 straight hours of kindergarten is a lot). Walking with her Thursday in the rain made my heart sing. She was just so excited to be going to school, AND to be walking in the rain. She asked if I would buy her some rain boots so she could jump in all the puddles next time, not just the small ones. (Thank you Cindy for the hand me downs!)
Every day of the week, she got more and more confident. The first day she let me walk her to her classroom. Tuesday she asked if I'd wait at the front doors. Wednesday she said she was fine once we got to the bike racks. Thursday she ran from the corner. Finally on Friday, before we left the house, she asked if I would wait across the street. At least she let me kiss her goodbye before she joined the herd of elementary kids crossing the street to the school, but she never looked back.
I love watching her and her friend Jack enter the school each day ready to conquer whatever may come to them and I equally love watching them come out of school with the big grins on their faces. I love kindergarten as much as Alyssa does!
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| Alyssa came home her first day and wrote this note for me. |
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| Alyssa ready to walk to school in the rain. |
Friday, August 26, 2011
Rarely Boring
This week Jackson has been high maintenance as he recovers from having his tonsils out. Thankfully I think the worst is finally behind him, but he has a long way to go to be 100%.
And yesterday Matthew was being pretty high maintenance. First I noticed that he was just generally fussy. Then I realized he wouldn't stand, which was weird since that is all he has wanted to do as of late. Then I realized he wasn't crawling around. Finally it dawned on me that it was time to call the doctor. Darren took Matthew to the after hours pediatrician last night, and she suspected that Matthew may have a broken bone in his leg, ankle or foot. So, first thing this morning, Darren took him in to get x-rays. Surprisingly, we were able to get Matthew's renal ultrasound done at the same time instead of later this afternoon. And now we wait...to hear from the pediatrician about Matthew's leg and the nephrologist about Matthew's ultrasound and labs.
It is rarely boring in the Hoy House!
Mid-Day Update-- X-rays came back clean, so Matthew likely has a sprain or pulled muscle. If he's still struggling early next week, we'll take him to the pediatric orthopedist. Matthew's renal ultrasound was 'stable' meaning no change from the last time, but there was an abnormal reading in his blood work that they want to get rechecked (in hope that it was a lab error).
And yesterday Matthew was being pretty high maintenance. First I noticed that he was just generally fussy. Then I realized he wouldn't stand, which was weird since that is all he has wanted to do as of late. Then I realized he wasn't crawling around. Finally it dawned on me that it was time to call the doctor. Darren took Matthew to the after hours pediatrician last night, and she suspected that Matthew may have a broken bone in his leg, ankle or foot. So, first thing this morning, Darren took him in to get x-rays. Surprisingly, we were able to get Matthew's renal ultrasound done at the same time instead of later this afternoon. And now we wait...to hear from the pediatrician about Matthew's leg and the nephrologist about Matthew's ultrasound and labs.
It is rarely boring in the Hoy House!
Mid-Day Update-- X-rays came back clean, so Matthew likely has a sprain or pulled muscle. If he's still struggling early next week, we'll take him to the pediatric orthopedist. Matthew's renal ultrasound was 'stable' meaning no change from the last time, but there was an abnormal reading in his blood work that they want to get rechecked (in hope that it was a lab error).
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Beyond Crazy
I thought our life was crazy before--but now with Alyssa in elementary school, and next week, Jackson and Matthew going to preschool 3 days a week, and my teaching 5 days a week (in addition to the doctors appointments, therapy appointments, classwork, dance, tball, etc)--I am afraid crazy just doesn't do our life justice anymore. We have moved beyond crazy. I keep telling myself that we just need to adjust to the new routines. That we should be settled by mid-September. At least that is my sincere hope!
Yesterday was nutso! I ran in the morning, came home, threw on a different shirt, rode with Alyssa up to school, rode home, jumped in the shower, grabbed the boys and ran out the door...all before 8:15am. Matthew had a renal appointment at TCH yesterday. This is his typical 6 month check up for his 1 kidney, but it was good timing.
We are trying to eliminate all of the possible reasons for Matthew's increased sleeping/sweating and decreased liquid intake. We've ruled out cardiology (the pediatrician said the echo report was fine). So, yesterday we continued down the list to renal. Matthew had labs drawn, which is never fun. I always explain I need their best person because Matthew doesn't have radial veins in his arms, but somehow they never believe me until the first phlebotomist can't do it. This time it only took 2 sticks and 7 minutes of them digging for a vein, poor baby Matthew. But it was an improvement over last time! Matthew also has a renal ultrasound scheduled for Friday. Between the labs and the ultrasound, we should be able to check renal off our list and go on to neurology next (and then endocrinology). If we make it through these 4 specialties with no issues, I think we'll just chalk up these new symptoms as a Matthew phase...unless it gets worse.
So, yesterday, after the blood draw, we stopped by medical records to get a copy of Matthew's echo (which still had some out of range measurements, but nothing concerning), quickly fed Matthew and then Jackson and jumped in the car to get home in time to get on the bike to go get Alyssa at school (in the 100+ degree heat). Whew! And somehow, next week, I need to fit in teaching 5 days a week and prep work. I just keep telling myself-- mid-September. We'll be in a rhythm by mid-September!
Yesterday was nutso! I ran in the morning, came home, threw on a different shirt, rode with Alyssa up to school, rode home, jumped in the shower, grabbed the boys and ran out the door...all before 8:15am. Matthew had a renal appointment at TCH yesterday. This is his typical 6 month check up for his 1 kidney, but it was good timing.
We are trying to eliminate all of the possible reasons for Matthew's increased sleeping/sweating and decreased liquid intake. We've ruled out cardiology (the pediatrician said the echo report was fine). So, yesterday we continued down the list to renal. Matthew had labs drawn, which is never fun. I always explain I need their best person because Matthew doesn't have radial veins in his arms, but somehow they never believe me until the first phlebotomist can't do it. This time it only took 2 sticks and 7 minutes of them digging for a vein, poor baby Matthew. But it was an improvement over last time! Matthew also has a renal ultrasound scheduled for Friday. Between the labs and the ultrasound, we should be able to check renal off our list and go on to neurology next (and then endocrinology). If we make it through these 4 specialties with no issues, I think we'll just chalk up these new symptoms as a Matthew phase...unless it gets worse.
So, yesterday, after the blood draw, we stopped by medical records to get a copy of Matthew's echo (which still had some out of range measurements, but nothing concerning), quickly fed Matthew and then Jackson and jumped in the car to get home in time to get on the bike to go get Alyssa at school (in the 100+ degree heat). Whew! And somehow, next week, I need to fit in teaching 5 days a week and prep work. I just keep telling myself-- mid-September. We'll be in a rhythm by mid-September!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Saving for Disney
When Matthew was scheduled for his skull surgery last Fall, I was beyond myself trying to get a picture of the 5 of us before that surgery. I was worried it might be our last family photo. (Thankfully we have had and hopefully will have many more chances for our family of 5 photos.)
After the photo session, I came home and freaked out crying. I kept telling Matthew that just because we had the photo, it didn't mean he could leave us. That day, I told him that he has to fight to be here, and fight to figure out the world. I needed something for us to look forward to together. I promised Matthew that we'd take him to Disney World when he learned to walk.
Well, I better start saving up. With Matthew, we don't know what he will and won't do in time. But I'm pretty confident now that I can say that Matthew will walk. He's pulling up on the furniture, and trying to 'cruise' a few steps on his own. I am certain that he's going to walk! It may take him months or even a year to figure it out, but he's going to walk!!
After the photo session, I came home and freaked out crying. I kept telling Matthew that just because we had the photo, it didn't mean he could leave us. That day, I told him that he has to fight to be here, and fight to figure out the world. I needed something for us to look forward to together. I promised Matthew that we'd take him to Disney World when he learned to walk.
Well, I better start saving up. With Matthew, we don't know what he will and won't do in time. But I'm pretty confident now that I can say that Matthew will walk. He's pulling up on the furniture, and trying to 'cruise' a few steps on his own. I am certain that he's going to walk! It may take him months or even a year to figure it out, but he's going to walk!!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Jackson's Recovery
Poor Jackson. He's still recovering from getting his tonsils out. I expected him to bounce back in no time, but he hasn't. Up until this morning, he wasn't eating much and he was lethargic. And even though he seems a bit better this morning, he still just wants to be held. Overall, he is pretty high-maintenance, not himself. Yesterday I was really concerned, but today I feel like he's made improvement. Well, in almost all areas except for his breath, which smells like hot garbage. That was noted as a side effect of the surgery and healing process, but dang!
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| Jackson just wanted to lay in bed yesterday. Definitely unlike himself! |
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