Monday, December 19, 2016

Sickness, Who Has Time For That?

As busy people, we don't have time to be sick. It's hard and I think it especially harder on a mom. For about the past week in a half we have battled sickness in the home. It all started with the toddler getting sick. Over a week ago she woke up and throw up all over the bed. It was not fun. At first I thought it was the spaghetti I had made, but no one else got sick. As she started to feel better, I started to feel worse. My stomach did not feel right. I was nauseated and my stomach made weird noises (tmi?), but nothing else. Then the baby daddy came down with the full blown stomach flu, and last the 9 year old. It was not fun.

This week we're all pretty much back to "normal". We ventured out last Sunday to see Santa. It was the first time that we all got out the house to do something fun. I was worried that the toddler wouldn't like the man and I feared how she would react. I also feared for what my 9 year old would say. For the past few years she has been questioning if there's any truth to Santa. I think she knows that Santa isn't real, but still plays along with me. Next year I will sit with her and break the news. It makes me sad because she's quickly growing up.



I haven't been working out as much either. I just felt too tired and pained. Yesterday I finally did some yoga to get my muscles stretched out and it felt great! Today I'm hoping to get some strength training in and then wake up tomorrow morning at 5am to get a quick run in. I haven't gained any weight (it's so easy for me to gain), but it's probably because I was sick. I do feel stressed to the max, but I blame that on the no exercise.

Thursday, December 1, 2016

First Night Away

As a working mom, my job at times requires me to travel. I have been lucky that the first year of the toddler's life I haven't been asked to. Earlier this fall my boss called me into her office and informed me that I would be attending a conference in Indianapolis. I was excited, as I've been to this particular conference in the past and I knew it would be a good one. However, at the same time I was nervous. I knew the girls would be in good hands as they were staying with their Dad. The toddler still wakes up at least once at night to nurse. She still loves her nursing sessions. Many people have told me to end them, but honestly, I am ok if she continues until she is ready to wean.

My coworker and I left for Indy early Tuesday morning. I had set the girls clothes out and made my oldest lunch and left it all ready for the day. Once we arrived, it was a busy day. Workshops were about an hour and a half long with 30 minutes in between them for a break. During the break I rushed to the next one as they filled up quickly and I didn't want to be stuck with a workshop I didn't want to attend.  The day flew by.

I called home and checked in a couple of times and all was good. The toddler whined a little when she got home (she usually nurses) but was easily distracted with food and toys.

The coworker and I skipped the reception and went out for a meal at Weber's. I was torn between ordering steak or bbq. I am more of a bbq fan than I am a steak fan. I went ahead and ordered a combination of ribs and brisket. I had a hard time choosing sides, but in the end I chose to stick with the yummy carbs, garlicky mashed potatoes, and mac n cheese.




Afterwards, we decided to brave the cold night, in a city we really do not know, and head to a local bar for a drink. We both ordered the special, long island ice tea, boy was it powerful!!! One was plenty. We quickly headed back to the hotel after our drink and sat in the hotel bar area and ordered one more beer before calling it a night.

I was really hoping the drinks would help me relax. I called home once more and said my good nights. At 1:30 I woke up and frantically searched for the toddler. Then I remembered where I was at. I called home once more and they were all asleep. I fell back to sleep and before I knew it, it was time for another day full of workshops.

My night away from home wasn't too bad. The girls did fine. I was told at home that the toddler woke up once screaming her head off, but was quickly settled back to sleep with a warm bottle of milk. We shall see what happens next time.

All in all, I'm glad to be home.