Showing posts with label Brodie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brodie. Show all posts

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Birthdays and Brodie and Doctors






February 25, 2010. My little sis turns forty today. Good heavens, she is FORTY. How is that even possible? When we were little she was the biggest pain in my neck...huge. We are ten years apart----and when I was fourteen and she was four..ugh. Little shit, always in my stuff. Always in my way. Always creating an uproar. And yet, even then, she was the light of my life. Still is. Happy Birthday, little sis. :)

This week has flown by, it's already Thursday, and we all know that I am a Thursday hater. But I will survive. I am hobbling along, this morning and all week, but I am upright. I saw a neurological chiropractor yesterday. I am not sure what to think of him or his ideas, but let's face it, what I have tried before hasn't worked, so I am trying to keep an open mind. He did very little yesterday, wanting to study my records, mri's, etc. I see him again on Monday. I liked him, a lot. Time will tell.
I'll leave you with a couple of pics of the newest light of my life. Have a happy day. :) okay...so I will begin with the pics, blogger won't let me move them.

Friday, February 05, 2010

Friday...ahhhh Friday

Okay, so today is better. I am taking a "mental health day" from work. Heaven knows, I need it. But, even if I wasn't off from the job today, I am better. Most days, I feel pretty happy, pretty lucky to be alive. Recently, not so much. But, I am getting my batteries re-charged, little by little. I generally don't let the little things get to me, but in the past few weeks, I have let that rule slide and look where it got me. So...I am back to talking myself out of it. It works, at least for me.

I feel for those in the south eastern part of the country---two feet of snow in DC? Good heavens, this winter has been wild. More snow for Iowa today, but nothing compared. However, we have already had our two feet, our one foot, two blizzards, two ice storms, about a thousand white knuckle drives to work so if it has to happen, I am happy that it's not going to happen here.

My beautiful daughter will be thirty, yes-I said 30 on Sunday. How can that be? I am only thirty...

For today, I think I will get to see my Brodie. What better way to cure the blues? If I don't I will spend a quiet day, reading. That too, sounds good. Plus, I am going to get my nails done, one way or another. Happy Friday!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Brodie

This is what I got to do all day yesterday.

Guess what? He thinks his Grandma is pretty funny.

Happy weekend. :)

Friday, May 15, 2009

This....and then, that.

As most of you know by now, when my life gets a little too hard to take I shut up. I can find nothing to say, nothing to write, and I even try to censor my thoughts. Whining is something I detest but find that I do (here) on a regular basis, even though I honestly do try to stop myself. So I apologize in advance, as this post will most certainly contain some (and perhaps all) whining.

Here goes-in no particular order:

Today I should know if I will continue to have a job. As all of you know GM is making their big announcement on who stays and who goes, today. I can think of no reason that they wouldn't be left standing after the bloodbath, but after Chrysler's big announcement yesterday, and the surprising results, who the hell knows? Either way, I am okay ---- it isn't exactly as though I have years of my life invested in this place, and you all know how I feel about the job in general. However, whether we stand or fall really makes no difference. This whole thing is making me cry. The only business that I know, the only business that I have ever loved and truly understood, is now completely UN-understandable. This country seems to be going to hell in a handbasket...(btw--where on earth did that saying come from?)...and there seems to be nothing that any of us can do about it, but wait for the fallout. If this announcement today does not affect me directly, you can bet that it will affect me in a million different ways indirectly, and actually---all of you, too. Major business losses, major job losses in our country will have a most devastating effect on every one of us, no matter what business you are in. Okay, I need to stop myself before I get political here, no one needs any more talking heads. Enough said.

Once I finish what I know will be a long hard day at the garage, I get to go and work my tail off in the land of the dutch. Save me. Tonight and tomorrow both--aren't you all jealous and don't you wish you could be me?

It's raining again. Storms today, actually. Just a short distance south of here, a huge (GM) dealership that I know well, was literally blown away Wednesday night. A half mile wide tornado took all of it and dumped it in a field behind. Cars stacked on top of one another...twelve foot high plate glass windows blown clear away - car parts (sheet metal) hanging from trees nearby. I know the place well and know the owner. Oddly enough, with the current business climate, I can't help but wonder if he won't come out better than the rest of us when it's all said and done.

I have had a really hard week emotionally. I am losing it friends, in a big, big way. I have called the appropriate parties for help, but can get no call backs. I finally give up and will wait until next Wednesday to see my regular doc.

Mothers day was a total disaster in my world. First of all, it was my first without my own mother, and that hurt, even more than I thought it would. I tried all day long to see the good, but finally managed to argue with my middle child, because he was the one in front of me, I suppose. I don't argue with anyone, ever. There are too few things worth the negative feelings left for everyone involved. However, on that day, I got mad. I have been too good a mom, whether they agree with me or not, to be put off (or completely ignored) the way I was. There were some valid reasons, there were some not-so-valid reasons. Either way, I was and still am hurt. I got a grandma card - my first ever, of course. But I did not get even one mothers day card. I didn't see any of my kids that day until nearly five, although I got a text or two, wishing me a happy day. None of them seem to understand that on that day, on MOTHERS DAY, the only happy way to spend it, is with your kids. To be fair, Janelle and Brodie brought me a card and a framed photo, about six that evening. By then, I was past even trying to pretend that I was happy to see them. In fact, I asked them not to come, as I was certain I would cry and carry on, and that's just what I did. I made her feel bad, and then I felt bad for doing so. My youngest called me, sometime after that, it had to be nearly seven that evening, saying he thought he might come and see me. Ummm...no. I was in no mood, and politely told him that another day would work better. Did I act badly? Yes, I suppose I did. Perhaps on any other day, I could have contained myself. I had sat here most of the day alone, waiting, because each of them had told me they would be over. I honestly thought they knew the day would be a rough one for me. But---and I still feel this way ---- when all of your kids live within twenty minutes of their mom --- and no matter how little money they have to spend---no matter what the hell is going on in their lives---they can buy a damned card. And that goes for husbands that are living in their wives apartments, too, even though I am well aware that "I am NOT his mother". It is my own fault, I know this - that I put each and every one of them first. They do not make me do that. And I have learned an extremely valuable lesson here. And I found out the following day that complete strangers that work with you will ask how your mothers days was. People that I hardly know. And I also found out that I can lie rather well. "It was wonderful!". Enough said here, too.

The rest of my week is kind of a blur. I don't remember ever being so exhausted. But, I think I say that all the time, so I am guessing this is my lot in life. I have slept alot, but it doesn't seem to help. Depressed much? umm..yeah.

I finally got to see Brodie when he wasn't asleep! Janelle tells me if I want to see him awake, all I need to do is visit at two am..I had to laugh. She is doing a wonderful job, she is an awesome mom. We found out that my grandson is quite is uniquely talented..he peed in his own ear. I thought I had seen it all, but that was a new one on me. I can't wait to tell him that story on the day I meet his new girlfriend. Oh, I can see the joys of grandma-hood now. Happy Friday, I'm out. :)

Friday, May 08, 2009

Friday



Here are a couple of pics, taken Monday night, right after Brodie was born. I think Janelle looks beautiful. How can a mother go through so much and still look like that?
I have to say...God knows what He's doing when he gives the babies to the young. I don't recall ever being this tired, and for ME to say those words..that's saying something. This week has been both one of the best of my life, and one of the hardest. My job blows---I have had to be at work, on time, and as for the work load - it has never been bigger. But I have managed and produced and stayed upright throughout the days-and then the nights. Mark and Craig and Nick are taking care of the Ice Cream Store in the evenings and this weekend. I am doing baby duty will Janelle, although---to tell you all the truth, she doesn't need my help. For all the times I asked God "what are you doing, giving a baby to this daughter of mine that can't even take care of herself?", I'm sorry. She has proven me (delightfully) wrong.
And now I have to get up and going...I overslept this morning, just turned that alarm right off. And now of course, I am late. Happy Friday to you all.

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Baby stories

When I got to the hospital last evening, after a terrifically horrendous day at work, I might add--and no sleep the night before, I braced myself for the worst. Brodie was still in the nursery unit, and being checked over by a team of doctors, I stood there and watched through the wall-sized window for awhile, watched him be poked and prodded and suctioned and stuck and...ugh you name it. After awhile, I couldn't just stand there and watch any longer, I went into Janelle's room. She looks beautiful by the way...stressed and worn out, but beautiful. She is feeling well physically, and that is truly a blessing. I could see the worry about her baby all over her, though. She has had too many visitors, and no time to rest. The little time that she has had with her baby alone, has been spent worrying about him---since he was born he has been making these little sounds - constant, continual "grunting" noises (that's the medical term - it doesn't really sound like a grunt, more like a painful sigh). That noise has had everyone on the medical team distressed and caused many tests--x-rays, blood work, constant suctioning of his stomach--ugh the poor little guy. But last night, when I finally got my hands on him for the second time ever, he was like a completely different baby! He was peaceful and sleepy and the sweetest thing I had ever put my hands on, not counting my own babies. I could not believe the difference. I was lucky enough to have come at just the right time, as the neo-natal icu dr came in to talk to us. There had been some question from his own pediatrician whether or not to have him transferred to that unit. The dr said that he has looked him over from head to toe and cannot find anything wrong...NOTHING WRONG. He said that his lungs are still a litle wet-and that some babies have a harder time transitioning from inside to outside and he honestly felt that was the problem here. He said that he was apparently born with a HUGE bubble of air in his stomach and that was causing discomfort. He said the air bubble could actually be seen on the xrays that they had taken. I surmised that because his entry into this world was so rough - and I am here to tell you, it was unlike anything I ever experienced, and because he did swallow so much ucky stuff while getting from in to out--that caused most of his problems. The dr left with very specific instructions that should he begin making that noise again, she let him know right away. I don't believe I have ever felt such relief all at once before. I had to leave shortly after that and I did not hear from Janelle again last evening, I told her I wouldn't bother her, if she wanted to talk to me to call---she so badly needs some rest. So this morning I assume that he is still doing fine. They should go home today or tomorrow - and you all know that's when the real work begins. His little bruised head - from the vacuum - is improving, too. It was so swollen and red upon his arrival, it really had me worried..but last night, it looked so much better, too---I am just thanking God this morning, for what seems to be the most beautiful baby boy, ever. Well, not counting mine...

As for me, the timing couldn't be worse. I am trying to close the month of April and we are having one of those stupid-scam-come in and see if your key fits in the ignition to win the car sales, and my place of employment is crawling with people. My employers don't give a damn what's going on in my life, just get he damned work done. You know, I get that I have a job to do and in all my years, that's what I have done---but they can kiss my backside. My job is no longer my life, and I just don't care. I wanted SO badly to be able to take a couple of days off and spend them with Janelle and Brodie but that isn't going to happen. So I am going to try and spend my nights with her but I can already see the writing on the wall - I will be a mess during the days, being up with a baby all night. Just once, can't things work out..just once? And that is not even mentioning that this weekend is the festival of all things dutch and I have NO ONE to cover the Ice Cream Store...breathe in, breathe out, things will all work out.

Frankly my dear...I just don't give a hoot. Brodie is here, and he is going to be fine. I'm out.

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Now you can call me Grandma

It's late and it has been a very difficult day - but i am now a grandma. He is absolutely beautiful, just in case you wonder...and he looks like his daddy a whole lot - and even though I hope he soon looks like his momma too, I like him, and think I'll keep him. His name is Brodie, short for Broderick, and he weighs 8 pounds, fourteen ounces...and he is twenty inches long. He is having some issues, but so far, we are assured that he is in good shape. He had a rough go of it - I don't think it was his idea to make his first appearance today, but since he kicked really hard and broke the "pool" he was lounging in, it was time. I cried outside the door, listening to the pain and suffering going on inside that room, and I wanted so badly to barge in and do it for her, I think she must have pushed for more than two hours...but she is in great shape, although worn all the way out. Please say a prayer for my little Brodie, he needs to be in perfect health...for all of us. Happy BIRTHDAY, Brodie. I love you.