And Bitterness Ensues

After nine days of crutch-walking and now hobbling, I am feeling a little bitter and a little bit of resentment towards four-legged friends. Poor Elsa probably gets the brunt of my anger as I yell at her to move. I can walk on it now. However, at times I look like one of the apes from Planet of the Apes (the older version). I went to the doctor today to have a follow up appointment and she said that it's just a really bad sprain and to continue resting it and use the crutches when needed. But who can rest when it's December. Not only do I have Christmas to think about, but I also have Matthew's birthday party too. And I have to work. Working last week nearly did me in but what else can I do? My knee also feels a bit numb in one spot on the inside. She said it was part of the sprain. Some sprain! Sigh, I really shouldn't feel so sorry for myself. I usually don't. There are people out there with much bigger troubles than I have right now. But, gosh I am bitter. I want to walk again without pain or fear that I'll make it worse. Natalie told me tonight to just run because I'll get faster. If it were only that easy.

Three Legged Race

Three Legged Race, Hop-a-long, Gimp are all nicknames I've been given. As funny as they sound, I am having absolutely no fun. This is much harder than I thought it would be. I've been working all week and it is tough. I pretty much stay in my room all day because that long trek to the office is brutal. My colleagues bring me the items in my mailbox. The kids have been mostly helpful, but it also makes them think they have a little leeway and they've been extra noisy. Then I come home and have my own little ones to take care of. Natalie had been a tremendous help, so much so that she's said, "I bet Santa will bring me lots of presents because I've been such a good girl." Matthew, on the other hand, doesn't really understand. He knows Mommy has an owie. If he bumps it and I tell him to be careful of my owie, he kisses it. Lately, though, he's had enough. He wants to, "Hold you," meaning he wants me to hold him and he wants me to carry him. Poor little guy. But, really, it's poor Me!

I've been trying to be tough and show no pain and do for myself, but it's hard. My arms are killing me. They are so sore. It's like I've way overdone it on weights; so much so that my arms feel like rubber. In the morning I can barely hold myself up on the crutches. And the chaffing! The top of my rib cage, where the crutches rub, are so red that I am expecting raw any day now. And while there are moments when I want to cry, I keep in mind that there are others in worse shape than I am. I give myself a quick pep talk and tell myself to quit my sniveling and I keep plugging along. But, I really am incredibly uncomfortable and in a lot of pain. Plus I am pretty helpless too.

A Turkey for Thanksgiving, But Don't Forget the Stuffing and the CRUTCHES!

And I am sad to say that the crutches are for me! It started out as a nice Thanksgiving. I had prepared my dishes the night before so our morning wasn't rushed. We headed out to my sister's only a little behind schedule but there was no traffic so we got there in good time. Dinner was great, the kids were good, and everyone was happy. Then it was time to clear the table and I was in the kitchen helping with dishes when I heard a squeal come from below. I assumed I had stepped on Julie's dog Cody. The cry surprised me and I tried to right it without even assessing the situation. I really don't even remember feeling him beneath my feet. Anyway, in my haste to move my foot stayed firmly planted on the ground while my knee turned to the right creating a popping sound and, of course, immediate pain. All I remember shouting is, "My knee, my knee!" I couldn't walk on it so I spent the rest of the evening elevating and icing it. My dad ran out with Joe to get me an ace bandage to wrap it which seemed to help a little as long as I didn't walk on it.

The next day Julie took me to a very nice Kaiser facility near her house where I had it x-rayed and saw the doctor. Unfortunately with x-rays you can't really tell if there's any muscle or ligament damage. The doctor thought that I probably just sprained it but then told me we wouldn't know for sure until it started to heal. If I had a meniscus tear (no link for you to see for fear that it will send me into a state of fear and panic), it wouldn't get better and I would feel pain when I walked after a week or two. If it's just a sprain, it should be better in a week with rest, ice, and eventually heat. If not, well an MRI ensues and possibly surgery. But let's keep positive!

So, I have a lovely set of aluminum crutches, two ace bandages, and a very helpless feeling. You don't realize how much you do until you can't do it! Today Natalie and Matthew helped me unload the dishwasher (which I probably shouldn't have done but I couldn't stand looking at the dirty dishes piling up on the outside). They did all the silverware (it's just tossed in the drawer, but that's fine with me) and the brought me things as I hopped over to the right cupboard. Ryan went out to the store and Matthew had a huge diaper blow out. Natalie got me diapers, wipes, and a towel and she's been making sure to cheer me up all day by telling me to smile. Santa must give extra points for that!

I am wondering how I will do at work this week. I am a little nervous because the crutches are already starting to hurt and I am not very good at them. On the good side, though, I do have a restricted duty paper saying that I should not do anything like playground duty for five days. A perk I guess.

What did I learn from all of this? Next time step on the dog!

Such a Sweetie!

Today was pajama day today; which. in itself, is pretty awesome. Who wouldn't love going to work in their jammies - clean jammies of course! Well, I also put my hair into pig tails to enhance the spirit day attire. As I was getting ready to leave Matthew said, "Mommy, your hair looks beautiful." Aw, my little guy is always the complimenter!

Gobble, Gobble

Matthew is so wiggly, wild, and crazy. I often call him a monkey but lately I've calling him a turkey because he's been a little stinker. When I took him and Natalie with me to an after hours work event he loudly proclaimed it was, "Time to go," over and over. He rolled and crawled all over the floor while kissing it and laughed as the principal spoke. I had to make a discreet getaway. Since then I've been telling him he's a turkey. Well, the other day he was been his wild and crazy self and I said, "Matthew, you are a monkey." He proudly replied, "No, Mommy, I am a turkey. Gobble, gobble!" You certainly are, buddy!

The Pony

You'd want one too.

A Pony for Christmas?

We were window shopping at Toys'R Us today testing out bicycles and tricycles and looking at toys. Butterscotch the pony really caught the kids' eyes today. They've seen her before. She was out last Christmas but the shoppers at our Target were a little rough and she didn't work very well. Today Butterscotch was putting her best foot forward, although she doesn't walk, and she was wooing the crowd. Natalie fell in love with her and decided that that was what was going on the top of her Christmas list. Now, it's our job to distract her or persuade her to forget all about Butterscotch because the pony's suggested retail price is $300 dollars. However, with internet searching and free shipping, she can be bought for about $225 plus tax. I know that I can be persuaded because I know and remember the love of ponies; I, too, was caught up in her charms (she looked right at us), and she's darn cute. Ryan, on the other hand, has no love of ponies. Besides, Santa's bringing other things as well, and he has his limits. I am wondering if she'd settle for this. Or perhaps a nice big stuffed horse that she could sit on at a fraction of the price.

Ryan just informed me a couple of things. One, I wrote about this pony before. I don't remember. Oh well, sorry if I did. Two, little Matthew was just as enamored by the pony. We have pictures to prove it.

Albertson's Through Matthew's Eyes

We needed milk so I took Natalie and Matthew with me to Albertson's after dinner. People are terribly crabby when they stop at the market after work. But that's a blog for another day. I certainly wasn't crabby despite Natalie's minor meltdown regarding the car shopping cart and it's seatbelt. Who could possibly crabby when there's a little two year old pointing to all the food and commenting. I especially liked this one: "Mommy, chips! I like chips." Or while looking up at the enormous stuffed bears and dogs on the shelf, "Look there's a bear. Another bear. Oh, another bear. Look there's a dog. . . " and so on. And, "Mommy, look balloons." Everything was exciting to the little guy. Gotta love that.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho It's Off to Work I Go, Even When I'm Playing

The other day I was playing princess with Natalie in her homemade castle courtesy of mega blocks and Daddy. I was the mom from the Fisher Price Loving Family who was starring as the queen. Natalie was the princess and the "king," the dad from the FP Loving Family was just allowed to sit there. After the royal family had breakfast, Natalie took my queen and drove her away from the castle. "What are you doing with my queen?" I asked. Natalie replied, "She has to go to work." And this is coming from the kid who screamed bloody murder the first two years of her life every day I left for work. She's gotten used to it. Sigh. Play emulates real life.

It's Starting Already

Last week we had to go to the RV dealership to finalize the paperwork. And although we had a scheduled appointment we had to wait an extraordinary amount of time which is way too long for small children. Bless their little hearts, they were very good considering the circumstances. Anyway, so after an hour of walking around and looking in trailers, jumping in puddles, and just plain walking it was our turn.

The kids sat behind us on a couch and doodled on their mini Doodle Pros while Ryan and I handled the paperwork. Natalie had also brought her plastic killer whale (or maybe it was Matthew's) and after having enough of drawing, decided to have the whale dive and swim on Matthew. Matthew, having a strong grasp of the English language said, "Natalie, don't do that! Not okay!" And he meant it!

Another time Natalie was bugging the little fella. She does her fair share of tormenting. He loudly stated, "Leave me alone!"

Aw, poor little guy. Well, he is also equally guilty. Yesterday (and this wasn't the first time), with just a few minutes to spare until bath time, he godzilla-ed her castle which sent her into hysterical tears.

And tonight as I was reading books I had Natalie immediately to my left on my bed. Matthew was happily playing with her Leappad further down on the bed. But didn't he come and squeeze himself right between us as soon as I started reading claiming, "my space."

It's definitely a fifty-fifty deal over here but at least the little guy can express his displeasure and take care of himself!