The Musings of a Mom - bakomom's Blog - The Northwest Voice

The Musings of a Mom - bakomom's Blog - The Northwest Voice http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/bakomom Being a Mom is more than a job. Being a Mom is more than a job. en-us My dance with the elephants http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/bakomom/32056 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/bakomom/32056 <p>I thought I knew what tough days were until I just lived the worst couple days of my life. I am ever so grateful to be alive. Let me try and re-enact my life these past couple days.....</p> <p>Friday morning I woke up with a very sore back. I thought, oh no I hope this isn’t what I think it is. I don’t have time for any deviation from plan. I quickly took two Tylenol and tried to forget about what I knew deep down was going to be inevitable. Eager I continued packing and getting ready for my flight to Texas. I was going to Texas to see my Sister and nothing was getting in the way of this trip. <a href="http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/bakomom/28313">As her husband had been deployed to war two months prior.  </a>My trip to Texas to help her with her busy world as an Army wife. A world entangled with managing a 6 month old and a 2 ½ year old. On the way to the airport, I repositioned myself several times in the car trying to get comfortable.</p> <p>My airline flight was scheduled with one layover. Total travel time was 5 hours and 24 minutes. With an adequate amount of dread and anticipation, traveling with my 1 ½ year old daughter was going to be enough of a challenge. My back continued to hurt like I was being stabbed by some mean bully. Pop, there goes another Tylenol. The flight was excruciating. Not because the travel itself was grueling but because I had a 1 ½ year old climbing all over me. Normally, I wouldn’t complain about being a human jungle gym. However my back now felt like I had elephants dancing on it. At some point during the flight I also realized either someone turned the heat up to scorch or I had a fever. This was the deal sealer; I knew I had a serious problem on my hands. With the fevers, the feeling of being stabbed and elephants dancing on my back, I knew this problem that was going to need medical attention.</p> <p>My sister picked me up upon arrival to Texas. After the endearing hugs and the how was your flight routine, I broke the bad news. I told her about the fever and the pain. She could relate and knew exactly how I was feeling. You see my sister and I have more in common than blood. We also both have had what is called Pyelonephritis. Pyelonephritis is also defined as a kidney infection. We knew I had to seek medical help as this would just linger for days and get much worse. Possibly requiring admission to the hospital. We commiserated on how the pain possibly equates to that of child birth. Or as my sister can relate to getting a tattoo on your sternum. Driving to her house from the airport was the longest two hours of my life. The drive included but wasn’t limited to, one stop for the kids to get food and a stop to buy a thermometer to check my fever. 102 degrees it registered and that was after taking another dose of Tylenol. At this point I thought I was going to die from the pain and I knew Tylenol was no longer cutting it. Turn, reposition, turn, as I try to get comfortable during the ride.</p> <p>After the very uncomfortable two hour drive we arrived at her house, we gave the kids a bath. At which point my daughter decided she needed to unload her crap in tub she was sharing with her cousin. She has never taken a crap in the tub. I asked, why now God? Of all days to choose christening the tub, why today? Why right now? If you can imagine for a moment, cleaning up a crappy mess when you feel like you want to die. The elephants continued dancing on my back.</p> <p>The kids went down to sleep and my sister wrote driving instructions on how to get to the hospital. I took the car and left my sister with all the kids. Her instructions were clearly drawn on the little white piece of paper. Somehow I was delirious from the pain and I wasn’t reading the directions properly. I wish I had my GPS; Shelly is her name, here to guide me. The streets in this Texas neighborhood didn’t have streetlamps. I had such a difficult time reading the little green street signs; I nearly pulled over and called 911 just for a police escort to the hospital. The only thing that stopped me from calling was I concerned they may ticket me for being an unsafe driver. Finally, there in the distance I saw a tall building with a cross on it. I knew I had found the hospital. I think that cross was a sign from God. He led me to where I needed to be. Maybe I had died and gone to Heaven? I know at various times I thought that it sounded like a pretty good option at this point.</p> <p>The process at the ER seemed so antiquated. First I signed in with a man who appeared as though he ran the flow of the Emergency room waiting room. With his thick accent and big glasses, I followed his commands. Sit here, fill this out, and is this correct? Afterwards, I saw a triage nurse. The nurse took some information, quick assessments and vitals. She gave me a cup to pee in. Bring it back when you’re done, and then the doctor will see you. There after I was called to registration where they got all the payment information. I thought it was amusing how to registration guy wanted more information than the triage nurse.</p> <p>The real fun was about to begin, I waited and waited and waited to be seen by a doctor. I saw people getting called back, but no one called for me. Did I miss them call my name? I was there alone, and I could have missed it. The ER was filled with a lot of people. People that were very interesting to watch. It was a people watching smorgasbord. I kept waiting, I was starting to get cold and shivering. After much deliberation to not cause a setback, I got up from my hard as a rock chair and went to the man that oversaw the flow of the waiting room. Sir, can I have a blanket, I asked. With his thick accent, he inquired if I had a fever, I said it was a small one. He refused to give me a blanket on account of my fever. At that moment, I started to cry. The kind of hopeless cry where you just want to be held. The kind of cry that if you weren’t in so much pain would seem unreasonable. Hunched back from the pain, I hobbled back over to my corner, defeated. I waited an excruciating 3 hours until they called me back.</p> <p>After they called my name, I hobbled through the ER waiting room. It was like I was about to walk through the pearly white gates. Like winning the multi-million tri-state lottery. I knew at that point, I had made progress. Myself and my herd of dancing elephants managed to sit upon the gurney amongst all the beeps and clatter. The ER doctor came in and started asking me questions. Upon telling him my situation, he reviewed my pee lab report. Just as I suspected, infection. The treatment for the infection was a pain reliever, to settle the elephants, IV fluids as I was dehydrated, IV antibiotics and lab work. Normally I would be scared all alone in a situation like this. But somehow I was incredibly calm, as I was desperate.</p> <p>After another three hour stay on the gurney in the ER being treated by nurse, Heidi, I felt better. The elephants finally went to sleep. At this point, nearly being awake for 24 hours, traveling alone from California to Texas with a year and ½ old child, along with being in the ER for about 6 hours. I was toast. This truly was the longest and most grueling 24 hours of my life. At 3:00am I found my way back to my sister’s house and climbed into the bed she so lovingly made for me.</p> <p>The bed was so nice, until I woke 4 hours later with the elephants dancing again on my back. Is this a nightmare I thought? How could they come back so quickly? I knew I needed to get the pharmacy as soon as possible if I was going to feel human again. As I walked down stairs, half bent over, my sister told me I look like I need to be in the ER still. I knew I looked like I’ve been tortured.</p> <p>After barely surviving the painful drive to the pharmacy and back, I took my pain meds and snuggled into bed again. Thankful my sister was there to care for my daughter. All the while feeling guilty that I was adding extra work to her already exhausting life. I was here to help her, not be an inconvenience. The entire day was a blur as I was medicated with pain medication. She told me the following day, I was only awake for about 3 hours. I don’t remember any of it. The lack of memory I’m certain due to the delirious pain and the accompanied pain medication. I just know my daughter was taken care of and I’m so grateful for my sister during this time of my extreme need.</p> <p>With my dancing elephants now sleeping, I am ever so grateful to be alive.</p> Dulce Bebe Boutique $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/bakomom/30771 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/bakomom/30771 <p><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_UcPage1_lblContent"><strong><font size="3" color="#330099">Dulce Bebe Boutique $50 Giveaway<br /> </font> </strong></span></p> <p><a href="http://www.momenetwork.com/" target="_blank">Mom eNetwork</a> is doing another giveaway.  Here is the link:  <br /> <a href="http://momenetwork.ning.com/forum/topic/show?id=1642727%3ATopic%3A6079" target="_blank">Dulce Bebe Boutique $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway</a></p> <p> </p> <p><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_UcPage1_lblContent"> <div><a href="http://www.dulcebebeboutique.com/index.php"><img align="right" alt="" style="width: 152px; height: 109px;" src="http://www.dulcebebeboutique.com/images/logo.gif" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><a track="on" href="http://www.dulcebebeboutique.com/index.php" linktype="link">Dulce Bebe Boutique</a> specializes in fun, fashionable and functional items for children sizes newborn to 4t. Where you can find unique clothing, shoes, accessories and jewelry. So if you are looking for formal clothes for your little man or edgy fashions for your rock star in training this is the place. They also have the perfect tutu for your little princess. Your little fashionista will find nothing but the hottest, hippest and funkiest clothing around. Dulce Bebe also carries fashionable diaper bags for proud mamas and papas.</div> <br /> It's simple to enter: <div style="color: rgb(0, 51, 102);"> <ul> <li><a track="on" href="http://momenetwork.ning.com/forum/topic/show?id=1642727%3ATopic%3A6079" linktype="link">Post a comment on the Dulce Bebe Boutique</a> thread by July 30th 6:00pm PST. </li> </ul> </div> <div style="color: rgb(0, 51, 102);">Good Luck!</div> </span></p> <p> </p> mr.oscat - show & giveaway http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/bakomom/30234 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/bakomom/30234 <p>We first heard about <a linktype="link" track="on" href="http://mroscat.com/home.html">mr.oscat</a> from another mom, we were instantly  intrigued.  We had the privilege of seeing a recent show.  Words to described..... Fun!  Fabulous!  Silly!  Awesome!  and of course, we are still singing Quack! Quack!   The CD is sure to be on your favorite playlist!  The kids dance and sing. It is so entertaining for the whole family. So mark your calendar. There is an event tomorrow. Mom eNetwork is also doing a giveaway. <br /> <br /> <a linktype="link" track="on" href="http://mroscat.com/home.html">mr.oscat</a> is wrapping up the July mini-tour  <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>WHERE:     Southwest Library </b><br /> <b>ADDRESS:   8301 Ming Avenue </b><br /> <b>WHEN:       <i>TOMORROW </i>- Don't Miss It!!</b><br /> <b>DATE:        Thursday, July 17th </b><br /> <b>TIME:         4:30 pm </b><br /> <b>COST:         Free  </b><o:p></o:p></p> <p>You won't want to miss this gig. Make sure you bring your kazoo!  <a href="http://www.mroscat.com/">Check out mr.oscat's great website.</a> Where you can see the  video  Ducks In  A Row!  You'll be hooked just like us!  Singing Quack! Quack!<o:p></o:p></p> <p><a href="http://www.momenetwork.com/">momEnetwork.com </a>loves GIVEAWAYS!  mr.oscat wants to <b><i>giveaway a mr.oscat CD, Kazoo and Poster  </i></b>to a lucky member!  It's simple to enter. <a href="http://momenetwork.com/mroscat.aspx"><strong><span style="text-decoration: none;">Here are the details. </span></strong></a><strong>  You must registered to enter the contest.   </strong><a href="http://www.momenetwork.com/">Mom eNetwork</a> feels so honored to have the privilege of promoting this great band.  We only promote things we believe in!  Check out the gig tomorrow.   We'll see you there!<o:p></o:p><o:p><br type="_moz" /> </o:p></p>

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Credit: bakomom

Title: mr-02.jpg
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Credit: bakomom

mr-02.jpg bakomom A tribute to the troops http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/bakomom/28313 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/bakomom/28313 <p>The military troops fighting to defend "Lady Liberty" are in our hearts. Often we pray for their safety. We pray for their families. We pray for their safe return. We pray God keeps them safe while they are fighting for our freedom. There selfless-service to this nation should be an inspiration. Without them could we sleep each night as comfortable? Tonight when you lay you're head down on your soft pillow. Think of where some of our troops are sleeping. In self dug a hole? On the ground? Maybe they aren't even sleeping, keeping guard through the long, lonely dark nights. Yearning for a touch from family?   Dreaming of a hug or familiar smile from a loved one?  For some it's possible this freedom is taken for granted? <br /> <br /> I am ever so thankful for the freedom they provide us. I come from a very long family history of military. From great grandpas and grandpas to dad to step-mom to most recently, my Brother-in-Law. Born on a Marine base and raised in a military family, I know some of the sacrifices of seeing your family members go off to war.<br /> <br /> Although I appreciate there service and duty protecting this beautiful nation. With tearful eyes and a heavy heart, my brother-in-law is being deployed tomorrow. My sister will be left behind, with a 4 month old and a 2 year old far away from family. Please, when you lay your head down tonight. Remember the peace and freedom we have. And should not take for granted.  </p> <p>Thank you to all the service men and women. Please also say a pray for my brother in law, sister, their children and our family.  Remember there is a price for freedom. Veterans, Soldiers, and families have and are paying that price.</p> It's Hot in Bakersfield... Find Where to Cool Down http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/bakomom/27087 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/bakomom/27087 <center><a href="http://www.momenetwork.com/CoolDown.aspx" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://www.momenetwork.com/images/editorImages/cooldown247.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /> <a href="http://www.momenetwork.com/CoolDown.aspx" target="_blank"><strong>click here</strong></a></center> <p><span style="font-size: small"><font size="2">Just in time for Summer! We're pleased to announce a new resource on </font></span><span style="font-size: small"><a href="http://www.momenetwork.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#0066bb" size="2"><strong>Mom eNetwork</strong></font></a><font size="2">. Check out where to have "Cool" fun in Bakersfield. <br /> <br /> Whether it's at a </font></span><span style="font-size: small"><a href="http://www.momenetwork.com/WaterSprayParks.aspx" target="_blank"><font color="#0066bb" size="2"><strong>Spray Park</strong></font></a><font size="2">, a </font></span><span style="font-size: small"><a href="http://www.momenetwork.com/Swim.aspx" target="_blank"><font color="#0066bb" size="2"><strong>Pool </strong></font></a><font size="2">or </font></span><span style="font-size: small"><a href="http://www.momenetwork.com/coolfun.aspx" target="_blank"><font color="#0066bb" size="2"><strong>Ice Rink</strong></font></a><font size="2">.  Find where the "cool" places are to hang out!<br /> <br /> Enjoy! </font></span></p> Time Out http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/bakomom/26740 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/bakomom/26740 <p>I have started giving time outs to my daughter who is nearly 18 months old.  It started this past weekend.  She was beating my very patient dog, Princess Frankie, over and over again with her bald dolly.  I kept saying no and redirecting her.  To no avail, she continually made her way back to beating the dog.  Poor dog and dolly.  I thought now is good as any to start time outs.  I sat her on the floor right there at the point of impact.  Told her no, and informed her she as on a time-out.  She cried and cried.  Of course, my heart was breaking.  After a short moment in time, her time-out was over.    The dog hasn't been beaten since.  I'm sure it won't be the last however.  <br /> <br /> So, I was wondering does anyone else use time-outs?  How should I do use time-outs with an 18 month old?</p> <p>Next post idea.... Mommy Time Outs! :)  Much needed!</p> Mother's Day was Phat and Fat!! http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/bakomom/26503 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/bakomom/26503 <p>How did you get pampered for Mother's Day?  For me, Mother's Day is one of the most special days of the year.  A place when I can sit back, eat what I want, have my husband pamper me.  This Mother's Day was Phat and Fat.  <br /> <br /> <u>Phat </u>because it was truly a day where my husband served and showered me with love.  A day where my contributions and hard work is recognized.  A day where we went where I wanted to go and do.  That meant a journey to a craft fair and shopping. A day of pure loving and support.  Thank you husband for making it special.  A day without cleaning, without laundry, without any chores!<br /> <br /> First I must say that we have a low carbohydrate lifestyle.  So when I say I had a <u>Fat </u>Mother's Day.  I mean it to every letter! My husband got me all my favorite junk food I wanted for the day.  For breakfast he made me Belgium waffles and my favorite coffee.  For those that don't know me, I'm a coffee freak!  For lunch he made me BBQ ribs with his special homemade Texan BBQ sauce.  Texans know how to grill, they literally fell off the bone.  Yummy!  Then came dinner and desert.  For dinner he made me what's called a horseshoe.  We were introduced to these when we lived in Springfield Illinois.  That's where these heart-attack on a plate dishes were invented.  I love them!  A horse shoe is where take any meat, lay it on top of thick sliced bread, cover with French fries and beer cheese sauce.  In my case, I love buffalo style chicken.  Hot & Spicy!  Lots of French fries and pour on the cheese sauce.  What did I get for desert you may be asking?  Nothing better than a ding dong and a twinkie! Perfect mix of cake and cream!  <br /> <br /> I hope everyone else had a fabulous Mother's Day.  A day that we remember all year round! </p> Local Moms Recognized http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/bakomom/26408 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/bakomom/26408 <p>Yesterday morning, I wrote a personal blog on my website about a Stay at Home Moms' worth.  I'm the founder of the website <a href="http://www.momenetwork.com">Mom eNetwork</a>.  Here is the link <a href="http://momenetwork.ning.com/group/stayathomemom/forum/topic/show?id=1642727%3ATopic%3A2421">Mom's Worth</a>  story I blogged about.   Crazy enough, Channel 23 news last night interviewed and featued us in a story.  <a href="http://www.turnto23.com/news/16219265/detail.html">Here's the link.</a></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">It was a privledge to speak with them.  As I love being a SAHM and hope I did it some justice.  Of course, I mentioned my "other baby" Mom eNetwork. Our fabulous network of moms! This interview was so out of the blue. I'm talking no makeup, house isn't clean, I did my hair with one hand today, while holding Audrey in another! So don't be too critical. It was spontaneous! That is what makes us moms worth $117,000. If you ask me, I think priceless is more like it!</p> My Little Green Angel http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/bakomom/26066 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/bakomom/26066 <p style="text-align: justify">This morning was unique in that I was cooking.  Cooking is generally my husbands responsibility.  However, today I was cooking to bring tacos to my moms group Potluck.  My daughter was hanging out in the kitchen doing her thing.  Playing, drinking talking (babbling).  I went down the hall to the other end of the house to get something...... then from out of know where... she comes in crying and holding her hands out.  They were green.  I was completely flabbergasted.  Not your light, I got a snotty nose green.  Green like Shrek.  Bright green EVERYWHERE.  Her hands, her shirt, her shoes, her legs, in that cute little chunky fold on her thigh.  After reassuring her that it wasn't gangrene, I followed the green foot prints back to the scene of the crime.  Apparently she wanted to help me cook.  She located the spice rack in the cabinet and with a certain amount of precision opened the green food coloring.  Green food coloring was everywhere.  All I can say is thank God for Tile and hard wood.  Clean up wasn't horrible with the use of Windex.  My floors are clean now, she's still stained.  I'm now considering the possibility of using windex as a body cleanser.  Note to self (as I type this with green fingers) these are the days....... :)</p> The Dirty Snack http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/bakomom/26008 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/bakomom/26008 <p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;">It's official, my sweet toddler daughter ate dirt.<span style="">  </span>Having something so notably filthy in her mouth made me cringe.<span style="">  </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: navy;">Here's how it happened.<span style="">  </span>We were spending quality time, outside, the sun shining, birds singing.<span style="">  </span>It started like an ordinary day.<span style="">  </span>My daughter was helping me garden.<span style="">  </span>Sorting the big rocks from the little rocks and by color.<span style="">  </span>I look over, naturally, I think she is gifted, future valedictorian.<span style="">  </span>Sorting and arranging ever so gingerly and with such precision.<span style="">  </span>Then, from out of know where.... spit, spit, spit the way a toddler would spit...<span style="">  </span>She put in her mouth a handful of dirt.<span style="">  </span>Icky!<span style="">  </span>I remember reading about something like this in my nursing training. Geophagy, is the scientific name.<span style="">  </span>After I rinsed her mouth out.<span style="">  </span>I started thinking does dirt have good nutrients?<span style="">  </span>God knows she's hardly eating anything else right now.<span style="">  </span>I'm sure there are yummy vitamins or at least minerals in the composition of dirt.<span style="">   </span>Something to consider.<span style="">  </span>Maybe geophagy for a toddler is not a bad idea.<span style="">  </span>I will need to check if it's recommended by a dietitian!<span style="">  </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>