Broken

Disclaimer- This wasn't meant to point blame towards anyone.  It was meant to share about Aric's broken arm.  Ryan and I are completely aware that our child is "all boy" and then some.  In fact this morning he climbed up on a diaper pail to play with toothbrushes on the bathroom counter.  We fully realize this accident could've happened anywhere and would appreciate if others would not point blame either.

Yesterday after work, I headed to daycare to pick up the kids as usual, only to learn Aric had hurt himself sometime during the day.  No one has a clue as to what he was doing, either.  The kids were playing in a room, Autumn heard a commotion, Aric crying and said there was a crate in the center of it all.  Aric then spent the next few hours sitting on the couch watching Mickey Mouse and whining.

By the time I got home with the kids, I realized that something was indeed wrong with Aric's arm and made a doctor's appointment for him.  He was whiny, cradling his arm against his body and not using it for much of anything.  He also wouldn't let me look at it or touch it.  I piled the kids into the car and headed back into town.

Thankfully Laura watched Kellyn while Aric and I went to the doctor's office.  The doctor looked at his arm, decided that his hand and wrist were fine, but eventually discovered the problem was in his upper arm and shoulder area.  She sent us over to the hospital.  At this point I was extremely glad that Kellyn was not with us.  We waited almost 45 minutes to get into x-ray.

Did you know a two-year-old doesn't like x-rays?  Or at least mine doesn't.  I had to pin him down on the table and hold him still while they took x-rays of his arm.  It was quite the ordeal and the Cars stickers he was given were almost enough to make up for the experience.

We went home and waited to hear back from the doctor.  She called me at 9 to say she still hadn't heard from the radiologist and I should contact the pediatrician's office in the morning.  I did.

Aric fractured his upper humerus near his shoulder.  Instead of putting him in a cast I'm supposed to wrap his arm against his body with an ace bandage.  That might work well in theory, but doesn't work for very long when a squirmy two-year-old is involved.  On Tuesday morning we're supposed to go to the orthopedic surgeon to have his arm looked at further.  Hopefully there we'll find out more about the break and how long we're supposed to bind his arm.

It's going to be a long six weeks...

A New Start

My fitness regimen has been non-existent.  I can even look back on the calendar and pinpoint the exact date when working out everyday went out the window.  Lately I've been extremely frustrated that I'm out of shape, don't exercise, and can't seem to find the time to fit it in.

I have a treadmill sitting in the corner of my living room.  While it hasn't become a clothes rack, it has become a jungle gym for my kids.  That's not its intended use.  It was purchased for me to be able to run and get in shape in the comfort of my own home, since a gym membership with two little ones is completely out of the question.  I feel guilty not using it.

I've taken some steps to free up some time.  I'll spare you the details, but now I have a block of time in the morning that I can use for just me.  Yesterday I got up and used the time to run two miles.  This morning, not feeling as well, I used it to edit and e-mail some photos.  I don't feel defeated, though.  While I didn't get up and lift weights like I had planned, I can still fit in some form of exercise today.

Last weekend my sweet husband bought me a bike trailer for the kids.  I think after breakfast the kids and I will head out for a bike ride before the day gets too warm.

The Treadmill

I'm not sure what the fascination with the treadmill is.  At one point or another during the day one or both of them can be found playing on it. It's their little place to climb on or play with their toys. Whatever the reason it sure brings the two of them a lot of joy.

Starving

Dear Kellyn,

You were not abandoned in bed this morning. I know it might seem like no one hears you talking on the baby monitor, but we're actually listening. Usually we allow you to gently wake up and entertain yourself for a bit. Had I known your method of entertaining yourself this morning would be to devour your crib, I would've come sooner.  I'm sorry you were on the brink of starvation and had to resort to eating stain and varnish.  I'll try to free you sooner tomorrow morning.

Love,

Your Mommy

PS- For the record, I really hate refinishing furniture and I'm a little annoyed by the damage you've done to your convertible crib.  You'd better educate yourself on refinishing furniture because I'm going to expect you to help as soon as you are capable of holding a sanding block.  I wonder if they have a board book for that...

The Bread Aisle

Dear Ryan,

I've been thinking about writing for awhile, a couple of weeks actually, but just haven't made myself do it.  I still miss you terribly.  The last three-ish weeks I've thought about you constantly.  The ache seems unbearable some days, but I push it aside since I have too many other things I need to do.  Ryan thinks I've been grouchy, but truthfully I think I've turned the corner into the bread aisle.  Some days it's more than I can handle, which is probably why I've been short-tempered.

I've been busy with work, kids, family and millions of mundane chores around the house.  It's summer so it always seems like there's more to do.  I feel so busy, too busy.  And for some reason my house never stays clean for long after I've cleaned it.  It must be gnomes or little kids, either way they're messy and need to be taught how to mop, vacuum and dust.

Work is... well, as Jill always says, "a four letter word".  Rumors are flying at work that I'm leaving.  I'm not surprised no one there knows how to keep a secret or not-so-secret.  I keep getting asked by random people when I'm leaving.  It's kind of surprising because people that I really didn't think had an opinion on the subject tell me they don't want me to leave.  It won't be for awhile, though, we plan on moving next Spring.  I look forward to quitting, though, and having more time for Aric and Kellyn.

Aric is doing well.  He's big and fast and turning into quite the talker.  He usually refers to himself as "Awic".  As in "Awic's hungry", "Awic watch Caws", "Awic made mess", "Awic no wear pants" .  You get the point.  He's also a little jokester.  Our neighbors have horses, which we frequently point out when driving or walking by.

Me: "Look Aric, horses.  What do horses say?"
Aric: "No cows.  Moooooooooo."

Or as a car drives by:

Me: "Look Aric, it's a car."
Aric: "No, that's a twuck.  A big twuck!"

Lately Aric runs around the house saying "I'm getcha" as he throws himself into you at full speed and wraps his little arms around you in a hug.  At least he give a little forewarning to brace ourselves against his full speed attack.  He has so much energy!

Kellyn is good.  She's still slowly growing in her blonde hair.  I think it might have some curl like Aric's.  I hope so for both of their sakes.  I'd hate for her to be mad at him that he got the better hair genes.  Kellyn is now eating people food.  It's kind of strange to have a child who actually eats what's in front of them.  Last night we gave her macaroni and cheese, pieces of chicken and fruit.  She devoured it.  This morning I fed her a pancake and banana chunks.  Tonight we're going to attempt spaghetti.  I'm positive that will be a mess.  Kellyn has mastered crawling, is getting better at cruising and has started climbing.  We have to close the baby gate around the stairs again.  I caught her two steps up last week. 

Ryan is doing well.  Staying busy at work with training.  I think that's all they do, train.  Yesterday they let him leave early to come home and burn a pile of tree limbs.  I teased him about his lame excuse to go home.  He always seems to find a job that is flexible on letting him leave early for the oddest reasons.  Wish I could have a job like that! 

We really haven't been doing too much.  Just typical summer activities, chores and enjoying the kids.  I still look at the sky all of the time.  I pick up the phone to call you, find something to forward you, and feel heartbroken when I remember I can't do any of that.  I hope you're having a glorious time.  Kiss my babies and keep building those sand castles.

I miss you.

Playing with Her Food

Kellyn might be the better eater, but she definitely plays with her food as much if not more than Aric.