Adjusting to Normalcy

Dear readers,

I'm kindof in a funk, in a I'm-disorganized-and-don't-know-how-to-fix-it / I'm-not-sure-how-to-establish-a-routine kind of funk. My last year and a half has consisted mostly of dealing with crisis mode. My days have consisted of doctors appointments, surgeon appointments, therapists, tests, surgeries, hospital stays, playing nurse, and an endless number of specialized feedings. (In the early days of my crisis mode I spent approximately 9 hours per day in feedings; fortunately, that number has gradually decreased to approximately 4-5 hours a day - - not including food prep time -- heaven forbid I should actually make dinner!) Can I add in the hours I spent making payment arrangements with dozens of health-care professionals and figuring out insurance? More recently, things have been less dramatic but still time consuming. Five days of therapy per week plus lots and lots of feedings. Training Crew how to use his mouth. Coming up with incentives to motivate Mia to walk on "flat feet" as opposed to her tip toes so we can discontinue her therapy. For the last year and a half, my house has suffered. I won't tell you how infrequently I mop and vacuum my floors, let alone scrub my shower. I don't regularly make meals. I feel like I'm in a mostly constant state of disorganization. In my defense, I will say that not once have I forgotten or missed a doctor, therapist or other type of appointment. Not once have I let the bank account go into overdraft. Not too many times have I handled Crew's health care incorrectly. But crisis mode has been my state of mind.

Blessedly, we are leaving crisis mode behind. Crew has been discharged from all but one of his therapies. Mia is about to be discharged from her physical therapy. There are no surgeries on the horizon. Crew has learned to eat in six weeks time and we haven't done a g-button feeding in nearly 2 weeks. The medical bills have been paid. Doctor visits have become routine. And I am lost.

I don't know how normal mothers schedule their time. I'm so unused to having any extra time that I don't know how much to devote to Mia begging me to "play games" ALL DAY LONG. I don't know how much time to give to cleaning my house or making dinner or scrapbooking family memories or practicing the piano or reading a book or anything else for that matter. All I know is crisis mode.

SO.....I'm thinking a schedule is the solution? I'm looking for any and all readers out there to post their suggestions. How do you schedule your time? How do you schedule your kids' time? When do you do your cleaning/cooking? How much time do you give to your kids? Is your schedule set or flexible?

Looking forward to normalcy,

Nat

Snow in Texas

Last week we were hit with a big snowstorm (big by Dallas standards anyway). It snowed all day and left us with about 8 inches on our lawn. As soon as Mia saw the snow she wanted to go out and play. We don't have the right gear for snow so our play time was pretty short but she and Crew loved every minute of it. We made a snow man but then decided to make a slide which then turned into the highest mound we could manage. The kids' favorite part was splashing in a puddle of melting snow. Because snow is such a rare thing in our area, everyone with kids was outside playing and making snowmen. It was really fun to look down the street and see all the families and all the kids outside playing. Even the Bank had a snowman - there were snowmen everywhere.

You can imagine how long Crew's little sweater gloves and Mia's tennis shoes lasted in that puddle.

Mia's First Haircut

On January 16th, Mia had her first haircut. We went to a place that specializes in children's haircuts that has fun chairs and a movie with a prize at the end. Honestly, it wasn't as cute as the price would suggest and Mia wasn't impressed with the movie selection but all-in-all it was a positive experience. I seriously considered having it chopped and doing a cute little bob. However, I loved having LONG hair as a girl and am currently growing it out so I thought she should have long hair too. At least until she has an opinion about it.

This is the "before" shot. I know, I know, it helps if there is no hat...

Ta da! She has a cute layered look just like her mommy. Now should we dress up like twins?

A HAPPY Husband

Why is my husband so happy?

Because this is now gone.