Monday, May 31, 2010

Pacifier Withdrawl?

Or something like that.

It's the only explanation I have for the insanity of the past 3 weeks.  Separation anxiety, nap problems, bedtime problems, behavior problems.  You name it.  We're going through it.  Hence why I've been up since 4:30 am on Memorial Day.  I'm not going to talk about who's ultimate decision it was to take away the beloved "baby 'fier" as Camren affectionately called it except suffice it to say it wasn't ME.  Although I'm sure that if he did still have it then he "would surely keep it until kindergarten."  Not to mention that we are in the busiest work months where many days I'm a single mom.  Or that he was already having a tinge of separation anxiety prior to the executive decision to terminate the baby (hmmm, maybe not a good time to do it, but hey what do I know?).  Of course baby 'fier was already just a staple at naptime and bedtime so that seemed reasonable to me.  And the pediatrician said he would give it up naturally but at a minimum we had discussed having some type of giving away ceremony.  Or at least I thought we did.  Maybe I dreamed it.  Maybe it wouldn't have mattered.  Maybe it's not the problem but since these issues are lingering on I'm sure looking for something to pin it on.

He only asked for it a few times after the initial termination.  But even though he's not verbalizing it I'm thinking actions speak louder than words.  Maybe I'm an enabler.  Surely when he's older I won't be giving him alcohol or drugs to help him deal with his daily problems (No, I'll be buying them for me probably in the near future.  Actually, that reminds me I haven't gotten that Lortab prescription filled from when I partially tore my Achilles last week in karate.  And that's a whole other blog post).    

Well, given the meaning of Memorial Day this is insignificant.  This too shall pass.  But when?

Monday, May 24, 2010

Karate Kid

I am now consumed with a new hobby - karate.  I have been asked to do this for a while and since they now have a daytime class and I worked out babysitting I am now a student of the martial arts.  Please don't ask me what kind as many have I just know that we wear gloves and protective foot gear (although I don't have any yet - ouch!) while hitting into mitts and pads of a partner and also this stationary pad thing that I call a reverse punching bag.  At first I was a little anxious about the time and money involved but after a couple of weeks I am full on Karate Kid.  I still don't know my interest level in rising up the belt system but it is a good workout and great for stress management.  It's nice to have a new challenge mentally and physically.  The mental part is an unfortunate reminder of my diminished brain capacity since having children.  It has improved but I still don't feel like my old self.  Of course my husband says the our children will be very smart because they each inherited half of my brain.  This might make me a bit angry if I didn't somewhat agree.  Something seriously happens postpartum.  I'm hoping by the time they graduate high school I might be back in the game brain-wise!  Of course there is a lady in my class with three kids and she seems to be sharp as a tack but I digress...

We had talked about our boys doing karate and since Conner is now five I figured it would be a great time to get him started.  After a slow start (it takes him some time to warm up in new situations) he is now a white belt karate student too.  Of course you get your white belt after one class but I sure was proud of him and appreciated the emphasis the instructor places on self confidence.  I was doing all I could not too majorly weep during his first group class.  He ended up doing three classes last week and can't wait to go back tomorrow.


In other news, Wednesday is the last day of pre-school.  We are gearing up for a busy summer with a trip to Hilton Head just around the corner and our summer work conference in Murfreesboro in July.  I'm also hoping to make a trip to California sometime in July. It will be a short summer as kindergarten starts AUGUST 2.  Wow....still can't quite get my head around that.