Cute Kids

I live with some pretty cute kids. We included Yoon in our annual matching Christmas jammies.

It's been a festive couple of weeks. We decorated for Christmas.  Our new tree has the option of colored or white lights.  I fight a losing battle every day to have it be white lights.  The kids decorated tree, which means it looks kind of junky and includes ornaments made by yours truly when I was nine.

Robin and Eileen took advantage of the cleared space to make carpet angels and play with bubble wrap.

We helped out once again for the Figgy Pudding Contribution.  Our role is to go down and check in with the event organizers and set up our singing location.  My kids often function as the donation procurer.  Robin has it down to a science, "Please donate!  Thank you for your support!"

In a final dose of sweetness, I'm finally getting around to sharing official school pictures. These kids need to slow down!

It Started with a Limp

It all started with a slight limp.

On Saturday I was doing what I usually do, grocery shopping when I got a text from Dave.  He said that Robin was acting strange and asked if I had noticed him limping. A few minutes later I got another text informing me he had a fever of 101.4 and had just thrown up.  Being a veteran mom at this point, I was not overly alarmed.  Honestly, I was annoyed because we were supposed to go meet our new niece and now it meant we all couldn't go.  Dave opted to stay home with Robin. They read books, played quietly.  He threw up again and went to bed early.  Typical sick day.

Back from grocery shopping, I found him like this.

Sunday Robin was feeling better, just a little off.  We kept him at home just in case he vomited again.  He was still slightly limping.  We looked to see if he had maybe stepped on something or had a splinter.  Nope. Nothing.  We didn't recall any wrestling injuries.  Monday Robin went to school.  His limping was a little worse, but more notably he didn't eat his snacks. 

Tuesday his limping was significantly worse.  Dave and I wondered if maybe he overextended his ankle due to low tone, just another fun side of cerebral palsy?  I felt I needed to go to work that day, but I would take him into the doctor in the afternoon.  I warned his teachers he was still limping and that it was a little worse.  During school, Robin barely ate lunch and didn't eat either snack.  By the end of the day he couldn't walk.  The music teacher ended up carrying him at one point.  At the end the day, his teacher checked in with me, concerned.

At this point I decided I needed to skip the staff meeting and take Robin to Children's.  Eileen, Robin, and I drove all the way over to Children's to Urgent Care.  Turns out Urgent Care didn't open for another 2.5 hours.  They recommended going to a walk-in clinic.  My gut said take him to the ER, but my wallet and desire to not freak out told me to take him to the walk-in clinic.  So we drove all the way back to Shoreline.  We were seen very quickly and they told us we needed to go to the ER at Children's.  Seriously!?!  At this point, the three of us were very hungry.  We got snacks at Starbucks and drove once again to Children's.  Seattle traffic at this time of day is terrible and there is no quick way to get to Children's from Shoreline.

Both the docs at the walk-in clinic and ER suspected a septic joint. It was no fun getting an IV.  They blew a vein the first time.  Just seeing needles on a tray was very upsetting for Eileen.  She felt like she was going to vomit.  Childlife took Eileen away to distract her and get her a snack.  Another childlife person helped calm Robin so they could get his IV in.  Eventually, Dave and Linus showed up and took Eileen home.

Warming up his veins.

 A while later, Robin's labs came back.  His WBC levels were normal, but an x-ray showed inflammation and fluid.  His lower right tibia was warm to the touch.   When the pain was only slightly lessened with ibuprofen, the orthopedic doctors ordered an MRI.  At this point it was 1 am.  Robin was very brave.  They barely even strapped him down.  I had to watch as tears streamed down his face, but he didn't move. Luckily, it was just a quick MRI, about 10 minutes.  Within 20 minutes of the MRI we had a diagnosis, osteomyelitis. Robin needed to be admitted.

We got to our shared room around 2 am and both promptly passed out.  Thus began our in-patient adventure.  With pokes over, the only annoyance was being frequently woken up.  Our roommate was lovely and got to check out that first day.  He had the better side so we moved over.

Children's is an amazing place.  Everyone is so so so incredibly nice.  Robin began to enjoy his "arm hugs" (blood pressure checks).  There is a morning coffee cart with coffee, tea, and hot cider.  But also cookies, snacks, crayons, coloring books, books, toys.  It's pretty magical.  Santa was in the playroom in the afternoon so we went and visited him.

In the playroom, Robin and I played chess. He created a new version called, Santa Chess, using his new bendy santa he got as a present from the elf.    Santa chess involves bendy santa wrapping itself around Robin's guys, preventing attack.  It also allows the piece with santa to magically jump and attack any opponent piece.  He had the volunteers in stitches, explaining the rules.

Santa chess was a big hit.  When Dave took him to the playroom the following day, all the volunteers had already heard about the game.  I accused Robin of maybe having an unfair advantage.  He replied, "I'm just really good at Santa Chess."

Dave and I switched off who stayed with Robin.  Friends who worked at Children's visited.  Robin enjoyed unlimited tv, a personal ipad provided by the hospital, meals in bed, and a mom who let him order fun things like milkshakes. 

Linus sent his stuffed "Hobbes" to keep Robin company. Later he used his good choice points at school to get Robin is own little tiger, now known as Baby Hobbes.  It's Robin's new favorite companion.

Robin kept his humor and charm.  The nurses and doctors all got a kick out of him.

It's been a stressful week.  The outpouring of support from friends and family has been amazing.  I know everyone's prayers are why he only had to spend a few nights at the hospital.  We were lucky to avoid surgery and his body didn't metabolize the medicines too quickly. 

I'm so glad we took Robin in when we did.  We caught the infection early before it could spread and do more damage.  He still has a long recovery ahead: 4-6 weeks of antibiotics every 6 hours, weekly blood draws, weekly visits at Childrens alternating between orthopedics and infectious diseases departments.  He will continue to limp for a little while and needs to not push himself too much.

We are all so glad to have him home, knowing he is going to be okay.  Osteomyelitis is no joke and it could have been so much worse. It all started with a limp. If I learned anything from the experience, it's trust your gut.

Cedric

I have a new love in my life.  His name is Cedric Sebastian.  Doesn't the name just roll off your tongue?

He is my new Latin love, my little Argentinian Dulce de Leche.  I would eat him up if my sister would let me.

Cedric is not mine.   He belongs to my sister, Sally, and her husband, Gino.  Cedric decided to join the world at 42 weeks!  Sally was gracious enough to share her pregnancy with me, even inviting me to the birth.

I love birth.  In my next life, I will be a labor and delivery nurse.  I really tried hard to maintain space and boundaries.  After all, it wasn't my birth.  I was in awe of Sally as she crept past 11 days late.  I even called her to make sure she was okay.  Her level of zen scared me.  Most women in her place are just a puddle of tears.

Sally and Gino went in over the weekend to begin induction.  Her body seemed in no hurry to go into labor.  I kept myself busy with my own family, waiting to hear that labor was at a point where my support would be welcomed.  They went into the hospital at 8 am, but I didn't join them until 9:30 pm.  Gino was a rock, taking care of Sally.

Sally was tired, but in good spirits.  As the evening wore on, Sally's body continued to resist labor.  At the same time, the monitors showed the baby's heart decelerating more frequently.  I was really impressed with the midwife.  She was so caring and earnest, not over-reactive, but as a new reality set in, she still gave Sally options -- a controlled c-section or a strong possibility of an emergency c-section.  Sally was calm and rationale.  She recognized that she was barely contracting, she wasn't in labor and that things were not headed in a good direction.  The doula and I left the room so Sally and Gino could make a decision.  The midwife joined us out in the hall.  

When we returned, Sally was crying but knew that her baby needed her to have a c-section.  I was surprised by how quickly the staff of the hospital mobilized.

This is me telling Sally that I'm so proud of her and that I'm so sorry this is happening right now.

The doula and Gino went into the delivery room.  As much as I may have wanted to be in there, it wasn't my place.  My camera went instead.  I used the opportunity to sleep for a few minutes since it was 3 am.  The doula took some great pics.

This pic of the three of them is one of my favorites.

I held back tears when the nurses wheeled Sally and Cedric into the room. Sally's first words to me were, "You can't hold him.  I just got him."  Duh.  I wasn't going to even ask.  I knew I would get to eventually when Sally was ready.  It's HER baby.  I was just so incredibly happy for the both of them. I gave Gino the biggest hug.  I didn't have to wait too long to hold Cedric.

Cedric is beautiful.  He also looks a lot life new born Robin, if Robin weighed 3 pounds more and was 2.5 inches taller.  So, Robin on steroids?  Either way, he looks like one of my babies which makes me love him that much more.

 A c-section was the right choice.  Cedric had pooped lots of meconium and was completely tangled up in his cord (hence the decelerations).  Gino and Sally say that when he was lifted out he was holding onto his cord with his fist just like his gestational namesake, Tarzan.  Cedric, formerly known as Tarzan, also proceeded to spray everyone with pee upon being removed from Sally.

The doula left a little bit after the birth.   This meant is was my turn to step into a larger role.  The first one was unofficial photographer.

In the morning, I made a run to Mighty-O Donuts for coffee and nutty french toast donuts.  Gino looks like an old hand already--coffee, baby, relaxing.

I tried to help Sally and Gino as best I could, especially since her night nurse was not awesome.  It's amazing how much giving birth and being a mom gets you over all sorts of body issues.  I had no problem getting in there, grabbing a boob, and helping Sally nurse.  My hardest job of course was holding and rocking Cedric while his parents got some much needed sleep.

Sometime during the course of the day, I lost my car keys.  Dave had to drive home from work and then back down to Ballard to rescue me.  The upside?  He got to meet Cedric.

I'm so grateful to my amazing principal, who insisted I be with my sister despite not having a sub, as well as to him and all my co-workers, who covered my classes.  My other big job was taking care of Pee Wee, the dog.

Pee Wee and I have a complicated relationship stemming back to when I was pregnant with Robin and he lived at my house.  He pooped on my bath mats and purposely peed on my brand new mattress.  He also liked to snuggle under my very pregnant belly.  Pee Wee was so sad while his parents were gone.  He could barely look at me or Eileen (one of his favorite people).  Later visits involved lots of excited jumping and licking.  Going over to grab packages and care for Pee Wee was a fun job for Eileen.  She now has plans to be a zoo keeper.

Linus and Robin got to meet Cedric at the hospital.  Eileen opted to stay home.  She's more into animals than babies.  Linus was in heaven.  Robin refused to hold Cedric, but liked "playing with his little toes."

It's now been 48 hours since I held Cedric.  There is nothing like a new baby to make joy radiate throughout your body.   I'm going through withdrawals but I just remind myself that I need to give the new family space.  It's exciting to have a nephew living only 5 minutes away. Sally and Gino will be wonderful parents and I'm overjoyed for them.  Welcome Cedric Sebastian.

10 items of Thanks

Thanksgiving started with a bang.  Literally.  I woke up.  It was dark and I proceeded to walk into a door.  I managed to both hit my face and scrape the top of my big toe.  I collapsed to the ground, moaning, in a fetal position.  It was not the start to the day that I envisioned.

1st thing I am thankful for this year: my kids' love of reading
Luckily, the morning got a little better.  Around 6:30 in the morning, I heard noise next to me.  I looked down and found this.

I am thankful all my kids love reading.  Robin has developed an affinity for Calvin and Hobbes.  Eventually, I rolled out of bed and got myself coffee, ready to start the day.  

2nd item of thanks: my husband's family
The Dimocks are an easy going, flexible group.  I was not planning to host Thanksgiving this year.  We were supposed to go to my in-laws.  However, both my sister, Sally, and sister-in-law, Jenna, were due with babies in November.  Jenna had already announced she would not be at Thanksgiving.  I didn't want my sister to have the responsibility of hosting with a baby on the way, possibly a newborn.  In October, I asked everyone if they would be open to not doing Thanksgiving this year.  Everyone agreed.  No big deal.  My mother-in-law was happy to lend me her electric roaster once again. I am thankful for the wonderful family I married into.

3rd item of thanks:  Babies!

On Thanksgiving my poor sister was 10 days past her due date.  Jenna was about a week before her due date.  I spent the day messaging with both of them, wondering just exactly when I would become an aunt again.  I love babies so much.  Few things make me as happy as holding a baby, especially a newborn.  I'm thankful that these women in my life have shared their pregnancies with me.  Sally and Gino came to Thanksgiving, a surprise to all of us.

This morning (one day post Thanksgiving), I awoke to my message from my sister-in-law.  I have a new baby niece! She is beautiful.  I shocked myself by beginning to cry when I saw her.  Motherhood has made me a complete sap.

4th item of thanks: Target

I got both an awesome pilgrim hat and turkey hat in the Target dollar bins.  Robin spent the day "stuffing" the turkey hat and seasoning it with pretend sprinkles.  It was awesome.  I think I can rock a pilgrim hat pretty well.

I love so much of the new Target styles, both clothes and housewares.  Sometimes I wish I had a completely empty house and unlimited funds, just so I could redecorate with Target. 

5th Item of Thanks:  my fun family

Dinner this year was entertaining.  Yoon enjoyed his first Thanksgiving feast.  Turkey was his favorite.  Robin's favorite part of cutting food with a knife.  He did eventually cut a hole in a roll, stuff it with turkey and cranberry, and eat it.  Really, pretty ingenious.  Linus, Dave, and Eileen the Elder had their own idea of fun.

In addition to pies, my aunt, Eileen, brought a classy soup tureen which I opted to use as decoration versus having to wash another dish.

6th Item of Thanks:  Pinterest

I am thankful for Pinterest.  I was not a very good cook when Dave and I got married.  Pinterest sparked a desire in me to learn how to cook.  I've gotten better at improving/adjusting/merging recipes.  I've ventured outside my comfort zone to try making new things.  If it weren't for Pinterest, I would still be making most everything out of box.

Side note: my turkey rocked (as well as my other dishes)

7th Item of Thanks:  my kids love of costumes

I recently had the kids costume box.  It was hard to say goodbye to the amazing toddler size costumes, but I was able to give them to a friend who would definitely get use out of them.  My kids have always played with costumes. Even as they get older, all three still love to dress up. Thanksgiving was no exception.  

A forlorn grim reaper (not pictured is his ball and chain).

8th Item of Thanks: my husband

Dave is a truly good guy.  I love that he plays with our kids.  In the morning, he took all four kids to the park for an hour so I could prep food in peace.  Afterwards, he played board games with the kids.  I couldn't host Thanksgiving if I didn't have him quietly by my side, supporting me.

A lot of board games have been played in the last few days.  I finally got to sit down and play Ticket to Ride with them today.  Dave demolished all of us.  It was not even close.

9th Item of Thanks: my situation in life

This year Dave took a job at Blue Origins.  While the commute is less than ideal, it's an awesome job and makes Dave happy.  I like my job, the people I work with, and the students.  We have a nice home that is big enough for me to host holidays relatively easily.  Even if life is not always easy, I am grateful for what I do have.

10th Item of Thanks:  the nap I got today

Seriously.  The 3 days before Thanksgiving were parent-teacher conferences.  It is mentally exhausting.  Add in hosting Thanksgiving, sports practices, and multiple doctor appointments, and I was exhausted.  I asked Dave if he would mind if I laid down.  I then promptly fell asleep for an hour and woke up feeling 10 times better.

In the next few days, I hope to meet my new niece and nephew and we'll start to get into the Christmas holiday season.  I doubt I will ever have another Thanksgiving where I'm eagerly awaiting the birth of two babes at any moment.  It added a different feel to the day and for that I am thankful.

The Final Fall Birthday

This week marked the end of our annual run of fall birthdays.  Eileen is officially eight.  She is feeling a variety of feelings --excited and yet pragmatic at the same time.

I asked Eileen what she wanted for her birthday.  The conversation went like this:

Me: "Hey Eileen, what do you want for your birthday?"

Eileen:  "Besides a pet?  Oh, whatever someone thinks I might like."

See what what I mean?  She's practically a grownup.

Eileen had a great birthday.  She requested breakfast in bed, specifically cereal, strawberries, and bacon.  The night before I made cocoa rice krispy treats with mini m&ms for her class (gluten free/dairy free!).  Grandma joined her as a lunch guest.

She is looking more like a Dimock every day.

We attempted to go out to dinner at the new pub by our house, but timed it wrong.  Eileen, ever flexible, was equally excited for her back up choice -- McDonalds.  The rest of us were less enthused.

Back home, my parents, sister, and brother-in-law joined us for cake and presents.  My parents got her switcher skates (can be either quads or inline).  Eileen has asked for roller skates for a year now.  Sally and Gino know Eileen well.  In addition to a gift card to add books to her Kindle, they got her glowing cat ear headphones.  Dave and I got her a LEGO set, a cat chasing butterfly shaped bulletin board, and a nail salon set.  

Cake was brought to us by Dairy Queen, hot cocoa oreo blizzard cake. Oh. My. God!!!!!!  I may or may not have drunk the cake remains as it melted. I now know that hot cocoa should always be an ice cream flavor.  

Eileen finished the evening giving her new head phones a test run with a little screen time.  

 After school the next day, Eileen took her new skates for a spin.  Luckily, we keep a clean garage so she has a nice place to practice.

At 8, Eileen is still her own person.  She is joy and happiness and light.  She is a natural caretaker and enjoys doing small acts of kindness for others.  Eileen loves animals.  Eileen can often be found reading a book or creating a fantasy world in her room.  She enjoys art and loves school. Eileen also likes to play computer games and has recently gotten into coding and Tinkercad.  Eileen is a free spirit and does her own thing, sometimes to my chagrin.  Although I do admire her ability to ignore the complexity of social structures already forming around her.   I feel lucky to have an Eileen in my life.  She makes me sit back and breathe and take in the moment.  Other times, I have to breathe simply to survive her. 

The day before her birthday, her class went to the Woodland Park Zoo.  Another mom sent me this picture.  It completely captures the essence of Eileen.  Happy Birthday Eileen!