Jake's First Christmas

Santa almost had to visit Jake in the ER. I had taken Jake to the doctor on Monday because he had a horrible cough. The doctor finally gave him some medication. We left town on Tuesday for my mom's. By Wednesday Jake had gotten worse. Finally, that evening, we decided to brave the small town ER.

It was one of the worst days of my life. After basically laughing at me for bringing my baby in for "cough and congestion," they did nose swabs, throat swabs, drew blood and took x-rays. We had to basically restrain Jake. It was horrible. I was crying. He was screaming. He just kept looking at us like, "why are you letting them do this to me?" After they drew blood out of his little arm he was so angry. His hands were shaking and he kept making grunting sounds. I didn't think he would ever forgive us.

ER doc reported back that Jake had RSV and strep. They had to give him a shot of penicillin. He hated us for that too. But, he's much better. After a couple of days he was back to his normal, happy self. He had a follow-up visit to his regular doctor this past Monday. He put Jake on breathing treatments, and that has really seemed to help the little guy.

It seems like things never stop. The cycle just keeps starting over with some new problem. If it's not one thing, it's another! We were able to get some good pics on Christmas Day with Jake and his new toys. He was kinda sorta into it. He got a small, foam basketball and once he opened that...that's all he seemed to care about. It wasn't the ideal "first Christmas", but in spite of the drama/trauma, it was still fun.

New Job, Part 2

So, I'm still sitting here. I've had a few things to work on, but nothing too amazing. I've been introduced to a new game on MSN.com, Bubble Town. I've become addicted and get paid for it. Nice. Why am I complaining, you ask? Cause I'm tired of wasting away.

When I applied for this job, I also applied for one other job. This other job is three pay grades above what I currently make. It's also a job with the state schools and if you watch/listen to the news, then you know that the state schools are in a lawsuit right now. I really only applied for the job because a co-worker pushed me to, saying, "you'd be really good at that job." I got my current job and never thought again about the other one.

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving I get this call at 2:30 in the afternoon. This woman wanted me to come interview for the other job at 4:00 that day. Not only did I think that was rude, but she also said, "we're wrapping up our interviews and you're the last one." Why did they wait to call me? I just kept thinking they hadn't had enough interviews and were just trying to fill some slots with nobodies. I ended up interviewing the next morning.

I had decided to forget about it and not give any thought to that job. I mean, really, why would I get a job three pay grades above my current pay? It was just too good to be true, with day care and all. We've really been strapped lately. So, two weeks goes by. Then last Thursday I get an email from the boss asking if I can come in for a second interview. I went in Friday.

Now, with the legislative session starting in January, this job would be extremely important as they will be focusing on the state schools. While it's scary to think about, it's also very exciting. It would be a huge stepping stone for me and open other doors. It would be an opportunity I couldn't pass up. And, if I took the job and kept it for 6 months, then I could take any other job but keep the higher pay. Nice, right?!

So, the interview went pretty well. Out of 127 applicants he had it narrowed down to three. No pressure. I knew I had to be the youngest person he interviewed. Everyone that works here is like 102 years old. He promised he would call all three applicants on Monday (this past Monday) either way to let them know. Monday comes and goes, nothing. I have a friend up there in that department who has been able to keep me somewhat informed.

Yesterday afternoon I was really irritated by the whole thing and decided to email the guy and inquire about the status of his decision. I put a "read receipt" on the email so I would know for sure when he read it. Do you know that he has yet to email me back. Super nice!

I've been told, "I'll let ya know either way" several times and no one ever follows through. If you're going to be a manager, then have the balls to reject people. Seriously. Don't just leave people hanging like that. It's rude. I've pretty much accepted the fact that I didn't get the job and I'm okay with that. It wasn't meant to be. But for the love of all that is holy, have the courtesy to email a person back.

Sorry, had to vent!

A Little Girl!

Ryan and Laura found out yesterday they are going to have a little girl. I know Laura was really hoping for a girl. Ryan's only response was, "I don't care as long as it's healthy." I don't know why men are always so reluctant to say what their preference is. Mike was the same way. Well, except now he's saying he hopes our next one is a girl.

I'm so excited to go buy girl stuff. I know there's an abundance of girl things out there. It's always so irritating when I go to Target or Walmart, or really any store, and find that the girl section is four times the size of the boy section. Jake has become an advertisement for Carter's. I'm addicted to that store. I should buy stock. It's the only place I've found that has a decent sized boy section and isn't too pricey. Anyway, I'll now be checking out the other side of the store for girl stuff. Yea!!

Setting Boundaries

Why do I attract inappropriate conversation? Am I a magnet for this type of thing? I recently thwarted off a creepy man but have somehow found myself in the midst of another one. I don’t get it.

I was sitting at my desk, minding my own business, watching Jake at day care. This man, who I just met last week, comes into my cube and starts pointing out all the violations of a camera at a day care. I, of course, put up an argument. If you’re a parent and don’t like the fact that other people can see your kid while at day care, then go to a day care that doesn’t have a camera. Our day care has been awesome and such a relief. And, personally, I don’t even watch the other kids unless they’re interacting with Jake. Anyway, this man starts inquiring about why I chose the day care with the camera. I summarized my experience with the last day care. He then asked me, “do you live in fear?” Uh, no! But when I see my child being neglected, I get pissed. The conversation went from day care to religion. He repeatedly kept asking me what my religious background is. Three times I said, “I have a religious background, but let’s just say I don’t currently practice.” Any normal person would have clued in that I didn’t want to talk about it, right? “Your eyes tell on you,” he said. He kept pressuring me to answer him, and I crumbled. I was giving very vague information but he kept prying.

I explained that my relationship with God is between myself and God and not anyone else. Again, he kept talking about it. I told him that I don’t go to church because I don’t like being hounded by people about where I’ve been or what I’ve been doing. I kept thinking my words would somehow make him realize that this wasn’t something I cared to discuss. WRONG. It just kept opening doors for him. This man started preaching to me. “The devil pries your heart open with a crow bar. God knocks gently and waits for you to let him in. Can you hear God knocking?” WHAT? I can hear myself knocking on the door of the crazy home.

Yes, I believe in God. Yes, I admit I have issues with church. How is this the business of some random person? What about me said, “please, help me find the way to God?” How did it so quickly turn from a day care paranoia to a Bible banging session?

I don’t want another creepy person. It seems before I realize boundaries have to be set with certain people, they’ve already crossed the line. I don’t know what this guy does or who he is. Does he have any say in my job? I don’t know. I was just trying to be nice. I don’t want to be rude to people…especially if I don’t know how they affect my job. But, come on people. It’s like certain people forget to bring their filters.

I guess I have to realize that, with some people, I have to be very blunt. I just have a hard time picking those people out before it’s too late. I let people cross a line and then feel like I’m trapped to continue on. I don’t want to be ugly to people. I guess I feel like being blunt can sometimes be construed as being ugly.

THE Stocking

I finally took a few pictures of Jake's stocking and the Advent Calendar I recently finished. I finished the entire stocking at my old job. It took me a few weeks. The calendar took me a little longer. I started working on it at my old job but moved to my new job and figured it probably wasn't a good idea to start out sewing. The little ornaments took me for-ev-er. Each ornament took about an hour a piece to complete. I stabbed myself with the needle many, many times. I was glad to get that one finished.

My mom made our stockings when we were little. I remember my stocking being one of my most favorite things about Christmas. She also made a calendar. Ryan and I would take turns every night putting an ornament on the calendar couting down to Christmas. She still puts up that calendar. A few years ago I made a stocking for myself and Mike. I figured I'd better make Jake his stocking too.

I was so excited to get the stocking ordered. I couldn't wait to get started on it. It arrived, I took all the pieces out of the packaging and realized it was the most ginormous stocking I had ever seen. When I ordered it I hadn't realized it was 28 inches long. Jake could almost fit in the stocking. I still have no idea how we're going to fill that darn thing on Christmas. I hope he likes candy! When we decided on having another child, I figured I'd better go ahead and buy another ginormous stocking in case they aren't available when the second baby does come along. They only had one other 28 inch stocking, so I ordered it. It's just hanging out at the house, waiting.

Jake's stocking was too big to hang with the other stockings, so we hung it on his bedroom door. Every time we go in to or out of his room, he bats at it and watches it sway back and forth. He smiles at it, so I guess he likes it.

Jake's First Thanksgiving

Well, Jake hated the mashed potatoes and he threw up immediately following our lunch. We were so excited to see how he would react to the mashed potatoes. He started gagging the second they reached his tongue. Maybe he didn't like the texture on top of his very sensitive gagger. We put him to bed around 7:30 and by 9:00 he had thrown up in his bed. He proceeded to throw up on every one of us, every pair of pajamas, every blanket and all but one crib sheet. It was horrible. He got the stupid stomach bug AGAIN!

I ended up taking him to the doctor yesterday as he had continued throwing up pretty much everything he ate through Sunday evening. He's fine though. Thank goodness Ryan and Laura let us borrow their carpet cleaner. Between Jake and the dogs, it was bad. Yeah, the dogs got sick too. It was awesome. I've just been praying we don't get it. Nana Nee and Papa Frank both got it when they got back home on Saturday. We can all thank day care for that one!

Other than the vomit and poop, Thanksgiving was good. Even though Jake was sick, he was still smiling and having a good time playing. We got our Christmas tree up and he likes touching it. He loves looking at his ginormous stocking too. I still can't wait to take him to the Trail of Lights. Oh, and he likes the wrapping paper. He wants to unwrap while I try to wrap.

Hope you all had a Happy Turkey Day! Christmas will be here in 23 days. Yikes! We'll try to keep Jake's drinking down to a minimum (picture)!