April 30, 2009

Dada Who?

Here's a quick little story from today:

When I went to go get the mail this afternoon, Ryan wanted to come.  He wasn't wearing shoes, so I had to carry him out to the mailbox.  As soon as we got to the driveway, I saw there was a Soldier walking down the road in his ACUs (the camo uniform Pat wears to work everyday, for those non-military blog readers).  As soon as Ryan saw this guy, he started yelling, "Dada, Dada, Dada!" at him.  I felt so bad and had to tell Ryan that no, that wasn't his daddy.  Poor little guy is so used to seeing Pat come home in that uniform that he thinks anyone that wears it is his Daddy.  

April 29, 2009

Recovering

Ryan is starting to feel better.  His fever was way down today.  He hasn't vomited for at least 36 hours.  He's a little more playful, and sometimes happy.  He's not eating much, but hopefully soon that will change.  

Ryan was up at 5:30 this morning crying.  I know I've been this tired before, I just can't remember feeling this way.  With Pat being gone I've tried my best to revert back to the deployment schedule, which means dishes and cleaning get done after Ryan is in bed and little to no time for me to eat.  I thought I'd spend my nights enjoying myself, but I guess I forgot how much stuff there is to get done when Ryan is sleeping.  

We've been cooped up in the house for days now.  I'm starting to go stir crazy.  Depending on Ryan, I may go to target tomorrow to pick up some things for our vacation.  I'd love to get Ryan an Red Sox hat, but I know Pat would kill me if I did.  

Right now I'm just so looking forward to being asleep...Good Night!

April 28, 2009

LONG 36 Hours

Yesterday morning Ryan got sick in his crib.  At 7:30 a.m. he got sick in the kitchen.  At 1:30 p.m. he got sick after attempting to eat lunch.  After his afternoon nap he woke up with a fever.  At 8:30 p.m. he projectile vomited all over me and him and his crib.  This prompted Pat to decide that Ryan needed a trip to the ER.  (Now I personally think that the term ER is used loosely here at Ft. Campbell, it is definitely more like a medical clinic than the traditional ER.  Ft. Sill's ER puts this one to shame.)  It wasn't a bad visit.  We arrived back home at 11:00 p.m., and I got Ryan down to bed.  Pat finished packing for his trip to the field, and we went to bed around midnight.  I heard on the monitor that Ryan started to cry at 2:20 a.m.  I was ready to go get him, but he laid back down to sleep.  I was thankful to continue my much needed rest...that is until 2:33 when I hear a high pitched scream across the monitor and knew my little boy got sick again.  I ran in there and called Pat to see if he could help change the bed while I comforted a very upset Ryan.  I could tell Ryan wouldn't want to go back to sleep, so I put some Dora on TV and cuddled with him for a while.  By 3:20 a.m. Ryan and I were both back in bed.  Pat got up for his trip to the field at 4:40 a.m. and Ryan woke up at 6:30 a.m.  To say the least we are all exhausted.  Ryan still had a fever this morning so I made the appointment to follow up with his ped. like the ER recommended.  We did a pointless trip to the lousy pediatric office (which for all those who think off post is better, this one is off post and sucks in my opinion).  We're home and Ryan is finally resting.  His fever has broke and he seems a bit happier.  
The spare bathroom is filled with throw-up covered bedding and clothes.  The dishes Pat promised to do are still filling the sink.  I'm overtired.  Pat's gone for the week though so I know I'll find the time to get the mess cleaned up, but probably not until I get some rest myself.  Now I just have to hope that Pat and I don't get sick before our vacation.  Please cross your fingers for that.  

Oh, and happy 200th blog entry to me.  

April 27, 2009

Drinking

I don't drink enough--I'm talking about water, not alcohol.  I will unfortunately admit, I don't like water.  Many people don't understand that statement, but water just doesn't do it for me.  I've never been able to drink much on a daily basis, and that works just fine for me.  However, I'm finding an increasing need to drink more, but not an increasing desire to do so.  I think I'm going to have to force myself to drink more water.  Some people have claimed that they've forced themselves to drink more water and after a while it becomes a habit.  Maybe this will work for me.  Sometimes I think it would just be easier to get my water through an iv.  No, but I'm seriously going to work on it, and hopefully drinking more will help me feel better each day.  

April 25, 2009

Hit the Spot Blueberry Muffins

I love muffins. Recently I came across a blueberry muffin recipe that I had to try. It looked pretty healthy, so I definitely wanted to see how it would taste.

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 egg slightly beaten
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup milk (I used 1% because that's what I had, but the recipe used skim)
1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1 tbs sugar for sprinkling

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line muffin pan. In a large bowl mix flour, baking powder, and sugar. In a small bowl mix milk, egg, oil. Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients all at once. Stir just till blended. Add the blueberries and gently stir. *I noticed the batter was very thick and sticky. I used a pampered chef scoop to get batter into the muffin cups. It was enough to make 12 muffins. Sprinkle the tops with sugar and bake until muffin tops turn light golden brown. The recipe said 15-17 minutes, mine took several minutes longer. Just keep an eye on them to judge when they are done.
The Verdict: These muffins definitely hit the spot. They are not all that sweet but still give you the comfort of eating baked goods without feeling guilty. I could definitely eat more than one. I used frozen blueberries and would probably prefer them with fresh, but again I use what I have.

Kisses

Pat has duty today and won't be home until tomorrow morning.  He's also out in the field for most of next week.  Maybe I'll be able to do more blogging at night since he won't be around.  The pace we've been keeping (mostly Pat with work, although his long days are wearing on me too) has made me so ready for our upcoming vacation.  I'll post more about that later.   

This morning Pat was gathering things to bring to duty, and Ryan and I were following him through the house.  When we were in the hallway, Ryan was looking at the pictures I have on the wall there.  (There are only two frames, but my issue with hanging pictures is entirely another post too.)  At the first one, he looked at it and said "Dada" pointing at Pat.  The second frame is 3 photos of Ryan in various stages of smiling when he was about 3 or 4 months old.  When he saw this photo he got all giddy saying "baba" (baby) and started trying to kiss the baby.  This just warmed my heart and eased my fears about Ryan and a sibling.  He's really taken to giving out kisses.  I always feel very lucky when he'll give me kisses.  Sometimes Ryan likes to tease you and ask for kisses, but just as you are approaching his face he'll turn away and say no while giggling.  He tries to give Sammy kisses, but Sammy doesn't understand what Ryan is doing.  Bailey is a great kisser as anyone who has spent any time with him knows.  Bailey and Ryan have shared many kisses already.  It's very sweet to see him walk up to Bailey making the kissing noise and then share a kiss.  While Miss Abbey and Ryan haven't shared kisses, they bond in their own way over a game of fetch.  

Today looks like another great day in the 80s.  I'm looking forward to getting some fresh air while I play with Ryan.  We may take his fire truck outside, or if I'm really adventurous I could pull out his water table.  We'll have to see.   

April 23, 2009

The Wisdom of Body Wash

Since Ryan was born I tried not to use any body products that were too scented.  I rarely wore perfume and was careful when choosing body wash and lotion.  Ryan is much older now, so I don't worry about it irritating him so much.  Yesterday I needed a pick me up, and decided to pull out a body wash that I hadn't been able to use yet.  It is from a brand that I've come to like named Philosophy.  On each of their products they always have an interesting thought that gives me plenty to ponder while I rinse.  I liked the wisdom on this bottle so much that I thought I'd share.  
"How you climb up the mountain is just as important as how you get down the mountain.  And, so it is with life, which for many of us becomes one big gigantic test followed by one big gigantic lesson.  In the end, it all comes down to one word.  Grace.  It's how you accept winning and losing, good luck and bad luck, the darkness and the light."--amazing grace by Philosophy

April 20, 2009

Learning Curve

I'm always amazed by the things Ryan learns.  I remember feeling amazement when I realized Ryan learned to give hugs.  It's the things he learns that I didn't know I was teaching him that put me in a state of awe.  He learns so much by just watching what we do.  Before having Ryan, I never really thought about how a child learns everything.  I think I just assumed the parents taught them everything.  I guess I wasn't giving the child enough credit.  Recently Ryan put away groceries, showed me he knew how to vacuum too, knows that you blow your nose in Kleenex, and understands that you blow on your food when it's hot.  I know that none of the following things are actual milestones, but when he shows me something new he's learned by himself through observation, I'm just so proud of my little boy and how he's growing up.  Everyday is an adventure with him, and it always includes a smile on my face while I watch him.    

April 18, 2009

Lost

Recently, I've come to the realization that somewhere along the path I've been traveling I got lost. I definitely feel like I've lost myself.  It's a hard feeling to explain, but maybe some of you have felt this way and know exactly what I'm talking about.  The characteristics that make me who I am are no longer there.  I do not recognize myself anymore.  It isn't a case of changing and getting older.  I think it is more of a case of putting myself last and letting go.  

I'm determined to find myself again.  I know it is going to be a long process.  After all, I didn't lose myself in one day; it took years.  Many of the roads of life that led me to where I am today are the same roads on which I shed the parts of me that I am currently missing.  I've thought long and hard about this for the past week (while recovering from being sick), and have come up with a few ideas to help myself.  I know that I will be a much happier person when I am found.      

April 13, 2009

Sickness!

One morning last week, Ryan woke up early in the morning very upset.  He had a fever and was just miserable.  All he wanted to do that day was lay on me on the couch watching TV.  That alone is very odd.  Ryan never cuddles; we get occasional hugs, but he isn't very cuddly.  All day he was rather upset, but while I held him he found some comfort.  He woke up to be cuddled a few times that night, and went right back to sleep.  The next day he seemed to be getting better, but still not himself.  He was playing more, but still clingy and easily upset.  Then late that morning, he threw up his milk all over the two of us.  That afternoon his fever broke, and he was wanting to play.  The weekend came, and Ryan seems much better.  He now has a bit of a cough and his nose is still a little runny, but it seems like he's just about done with the sickness.  I'm hoping his appetite will return soon.  I hate to see my little munchkin not feeling well.  
Unfortunately Pat came down with the cough and chills, and I got the splitting headache, congestion, and sore throat.  We are quite the family to see at the moment.  I'm pretty certain I can say the three of us are miserable now.  Last night Pat and I were in bed around 8 p.m. However, neither of us got a good night of sleep.  Hopefully we'll be able to kick the sickness fast.    If I don't update for a few days, I'm hopefully recuperating.    

Easter Egg Hunt

Here are the photos from the Easter egg hunt that Ryan (and Pat) did the weekend before Easter.  Ryan was in the 1-3 year old age group.  This is a pic of the starting line.  Unfortunately people were not very considerate of letting the people in the back enter the egg hunt before grabbing all the eggs placed right at the start.  It probably would have been wiser of them to go to the farther parts of the field to collect eggs so that the others could start the hunt at the same time too.  It appeared the choice for people in the back like Pat was either let all the front people take all the eggs or trample them.  I had instructed Pat before he went out there to kick the parents if he needed, but he MUST help Ryan get just ONE egg.    
And they did get their ONE egg, and Ryan was so proud.  
Ryan thought that egg was the greatest thing ever.  
He was so happy, and I'll never forget the look on his face.  
After the hunt, Ryan loved running through the fields by himself.  He enjoys having his freedom, and is not scared one bit about losing his parents.  
Pat snapped this photo of me and Ryan at the end of the event.  Overall, it was a very fun day.  

April 12, 2009

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone.  I wanted to share photos from the Easter egg hunt Ryan did last weekend, but I caught a bit of whatever Ryan had.  In fact the whole house is sick still.  I'm too tired to post more, but I promise I'll get the photos up and make a real post sometime in the near future.  Hopefully we'll all be feeling better soon.  

April 10, 2009

Playing with the New Playset

When Pat's parents came to visit they bought Ryan a playset.  He loves playing with it.  However, he hasn't had much of a chance since he came down with a fever and hasn't been feeling well the past few days.  Hopefully this weekend we'll get to play with it more.  

April 5, 2009

Fire Truck 17


Grammy and Grumps sent Ryan Fire Truck 17.  He absolutely loves it.  Whenever we are in the house, he's sitting inside of it.  He's the cutest little fireman I know ;)

April 3, 2009

A Bit Off...Sorry

I haven't felt like myself lately physically or emotionally.  This fact can be seen in my last few blog posts.  I don't know what is going on.  Obviously I'm being rather negative.  I really need to start focusing on the positive.  I guess I'm finding it hard to be positive when I'm just feeling a bit off.    

Pat has duty tonight so he won't be coming home.  I'm hoping to spend the night catching up on sleep and just having some relaxing me time after Ryan is in bed.  We have a bunch of stuff planned for the weekend, so I'm hoping I'll find my positive voice to write about all that later.  

I'm sorry about my negativity lately.  I'm really hoping to snap out of it soon.  

April 2, 2009

Gone?!?!

Yesterday I heard some disappointing news.  The longest running broadcast drama in history has been canceled.  Yes, I do watch a soap opera.  I've watched Guiding Light since I was a child coming home from school.  My mother watched it at 3 p.m. when I was young.  I would return from school, and she'd fix me a snack while GL was on the TV.  When I got a DVR, recording it daily became my ritual.  When I had a free half hour, I'd be able to catch up on what was going on and could fast forward the commercials or story lines I wasn't so interested in.  Pat even grew to know some of the characters.  On September 18, Guiding Light will be no more.  I know it sounds weird for me to be sad by the end of a soap opera, but really it is more the loss of something that has been with me for a long time during many phases of my life.  I can equate it to reading a novel you really enjoy; you do not want to get to the end because your time with the characters will be up.  The network will likely replace GL with a talk show or game show because they are cheaper to produce.  I guess my days of watching daytime drama are coming to an end.  Somehow I know that I'll find something to keep me busy though ;)  

April 1, 2009

Shopping the Commissary

Pat had yesterday off, which was much needed time after a busy weekend with his parents visiting.  We went shopping at the Commissary yesterday.  That was my first time there even though I've lived here for over a year.  That might sound strange if you aren't familiar with this post, but those that live here know going to post can take a while from anywhere in Clarksville. I've always found it more convenient to run to Walmart or Kroger to get my shopping done.   My conclusion is that the drive to the Commissary is definitely not worth it.  Many of the prices were higher than Walmart, there were no coupons hanging on the shelves like at Ft. Sill (another reason to miss it there), and personally I think the set up of the commissary is a bit odd and hard to maneuver.  I will not be going out of my way to go shopping there again.      
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