According to a newspaper article I read this morning, being happy causes people to have lower incomes and perform more poorly academically. They had surveyed people and found that the people who identified themselves as completely happy tended to have lower incomes and worse academic careers than those who did not. They concluded that being happy causes poor performance. They also noted that happy people do more volunteer work (being happy causes people to want to volunteer). Therefore you should not strive to be happy.
Clearly, I dropped out of college to get married and be a stay at home mom because I was just too happy.
Where were these people back in math class when they taught "correlation is not the same as causation".
Of course, it would be incorrect to say that I am completely happy. How could anyone be completely happy when there are people in this world attempting to fend off starvation by eating mud. Seriously, I was also reading in the selfsame newspaper, about how in Haiti many of the people cannot even afford to buy rice. So they are mixing mud with salt and shortening and cooking it. It's not a long term solution, but hopefully they can get by for awhile this way. And I guess it makes starvation less painful.
I am feeling rather heart-broken about this. And I am not prepared to sit idly by and mope. I've got to do more.
.............................
An update: Sammy's soccer was canceled because there weren't enough children signed up.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Soccer Mom
Today I become a soccer mom! Gasp!
Sammy starts soccer at "The Dome" tonight. It should be a lot of fun. And I will hopefully get to have adult conversation on the sidelines. I am hoping that the other moms are not a yuppie as most of the gymnastics moms. I really don't need more practice smiling and nodding while others talk about their country clubs.
And in case you were wondering, the weather in Fort Wayne is nice and warm. It's a steamy 9 degrees now. This is about fifteen degrees warmer than when I awoke this morning. Paul wore his carhart coveralls to work today so he wouldn't freeze to death on his walk from the car to ITT.
And I suppose I should let you all know that Paul survived Axe Day. Lay offs were announced on Monday, and only one person in his department was laid off. I think Paul is both relieved and disappointed, since the severance package looked pretty sweet.
Sammy starts soccer at "The Dome" tonight. It should be a lot of fun. And I will hopefully get to have adult conversation on the sidelines. I am hoping that the other moms are not a yuppie as most of the gymnastics moms. I really don't need more practice smiling and nodding while others talk about their country clubs.
And in case you were wondering, the weather in Fort Wayne is nice and warm. It's a steamy 9 degrees now. This is about fifteen degrees warmer than when I awoke this morning. Paul wore his carhart coveralls to work today so he wouldn't freeze to death on his walk from the car to ITT.
And I suppose I should let you all know that Paul survived Axe Day. Lay offs were announced on Monday, and only one person in his department was laid off. I think Paul is both relieved and disappointed, since the severance package looked pretty sweet.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Adventures in Mommyland
This is a picture of Sammy with the cake I made for his Birthday. He's certainly come a long way in three years.We're going to Saigon tonight.
Okay, so we're actually going to Saigon Vietnamese restaurant, but doesn't that sound cool. We have been watching a video series about the underground church in Vietnam with our Sunday school class. So tonight we will be taking the youth group out for Vietnamese food. Then after dinner we will be going to St. Patrick's Catholic church to listen to the priest who is a Vietnamese refugee. I am really excited and am praying that we will have a good turnout.
Nana and Papa will be coming over to watch the kids. Sammy is sick with Bronchiolitis. At least his lungs sound clear. The interesting thing is that when the doctor listened to him she noted that he has a heart murmur. She'll listen to him again in a couple of weeks and decide if he needs an echocardiogram (basically an ultrasound of the heart).
Naomi also had to see the doctor today. She has blood in her stool. Maybe from giardia. Maybe from a protein allergy. Maybe from an anal cyst (which was discovered on examination). Maybe intestinal irritation from overfeeding (she's gained 1.5 pounds in the last two weeks).
And just so you know exactly how all together I am. I completely forgot the diaper bag when we went to the doctor. Fortunately, they have extra diapers there. Now I just have to remember to mail in the copay.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
No! Me!
Me (holding the baby): Isaac, is mommy holding the baby?
Isaac: No! Me!
Me: Do you want me to hold you?
Isaac: No!
Me: Should I put the baby down?
Isaac: No!
Me: Should I keep holding the baby?
Isaac: No! Me!
This went on for quite awhile until I finally figured it out. Isaac was trying to say Naomi it just sounded like No! Me! (two of his favorite words).
In other news:
I hope I'm not spreading news I'm not supposed to be passing on... We got a call from runnerdave Sunday night. He wanted to know what sort of plans we had for early summer. It turns out he and Leann will be getting married sometime this summer. Congrats!!!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
My little princess
This is the dress Abigail will be wearing for Aunt Cheryl's wedding in June. Isn't she darling. And sorry, I don't know how to rotate it.
How Naomi got here.
It was a dark and stormy night...
Oh wait, no it wasn't. It was a cold and snowy morning. I'd been having contractions for about 4 days, and my amniotic fluid was leaking. I had a scheduled doctor's appointment, so we set off for Dr. Wheeler's office. I was thinking that I would go out shopping with my mother and the kiddos that afternoon (thinking maybe walking would help the baby come).
When we got to the doctor's office (after some waiting and watching the Backyardigans). I was informed that my membranes would be stripped that morning. Then I was checked, I was still at two centimeters, despite all of the contractions. Then the doctor stripped my membranes (ouch!). Then he performed an ultrasound to see how the baby was doing. Baby Naomi was just fine, and in the right position (thanks for your prayers). But my amniotic fluid was low, and Dr. Wheeler knew that if he did not get me into the hospital soon that there would not be a room left (there was only one available room in Labor and Delivery). Plus, he didn't want to risk the baby turning backwards again. He predicted we would have the baby at 5 o'clock.
So he sent us straight to the hospital with a note that told the nurses to start pitocin and break my water at 11:30. When we got to the hospital, I told Paul to park in the parking garage. Then I proceeded to take the longest possible route (that was at least sort of reasonable) to the labor and delivery floor. I was hoping that the walking would make contractions pick up.
After arrival at L&D, we were sent to a room where I was made to put on a lovely hospital gown (designed by Mr. Seymour Hiney). Then I sat on the hospital bed while the nurse hooked me up to monitors. Then I had to answer a bazillion questions, but my nurse got called away to assist another delivery. We could here the woman screaming... it didn't sound fun.
Paul tried to distract me from the screaming by drawing pictures on the white board. Since it was about a week before Christmas he decided to draw a nativity scene. The baby Jesus looked kind of like a crippled goat.
My new nurse finished asking questions, then she attempted to start an IV. The endeavor ended with an IV specialist being called.
But eventually my IV was started and the pitocin drip. It didn't take long for the contractions to become stronger and closer together.
I found sitting upright to be the most comfortable position, but for the rest of the day nurses kept coming in and making me lay down so the monitors would read better. After they left, I would wait about a minute and sit back up. The only time I really got to move around was when I needed to use the potty. (this is one of the worst things about induced labor)
Then the nurse attempted to break my water. All she was able to do was snag it. Three times. So we were stuck waiting for that until the doctor arrived (and he ended up being an hour late).
By the time Dr. Wheeler arrived I was at 4 cm. And the baby had descended considerably.
About this time I start forgetting the details. It was painful. My mom showed up around this time (Papa took off work to watch the kids).
She brought Paul lunch.
The nurse wondered how I was doing. I told her I needed drugs. She gave me some nubane.
I like nubane. It made me really happy (and sleepy). So I would fall asleep and wake up every few minutes for a contraction (they still hurt but not so bad).
The next thing I remember the contractions were intensely painful (the nurse kept upping the pitocin). I said I needed an epidural. She checked me and said I was 6 cm.
The anesthesiologist came in. So did Dr. Wheeler. He checked me and told me to go ahead and get the epidural. About this time I started feeling really cold and shaky. And like I was going to die. So the anesthesiologist got the epidural set up. Then Dr. Wheeler came back and told the nurse to prep for delivery. It turns out that when Dr. Wheeler had checked me I was at 8 cm already (he just didn't tell us). So there I was at 10 cm, already pushing. Having been given an epidural, but not having a drip on for it. It hurt, but it all happened really fast. When she was actually born it felt wonderful. Then the doctor put Naomi on top of me and handed Paul scissors. Paul cut the cord, in the process spraying blood all over me.
This didn't get cleaned up for about an hour.
And there was my beautiful precious Naomi. Born at 6:03 PM.
Oh wait, no it wasn't. It was a cold and snowy morning. I'd been having contractions for about 4 days, and my amniotic fluid was leaking. I had a scheduled doctor's appointment, so we set off for Dr. Wheeler's office. I was thinking that I would go out shopping with my mother and the kiddos that afternoon (thinking maybe walking would help the baby come).
When we got to the doctor's office (after some waiting and watching the Backyardigans). I was informed that my membranes would be stripped that morning. Then I was checked, I was still at two centimeters, despite all of the contractions. Then the doctor stripped my membranes (ouch!). Then he performed an ultrasound to see how the baby was doing. Baby Naomi was just fine, and in the right position (thanks for your prayers). But my amniotic fluid was low, and Dr. Wheeler knew that if he did not get me into the hospital soon that there would not be a room left (there was only one available room in Labor and Delivery). Plus, he didn't want to risk the baby turning backwards again. He predicted we would have the baby at 5 o'clock.
So he sent us straight to the hospital with a note that told the nurses to start pitocin and break my water at 11:30. When we got to the hospital, I told Paul to park in the parking garage. Then I proceeded to take the longest possible route (that was at least sort of reasonable) to the labor and delivery floor. I was hoping that the walking would make contractions pick up.
After arrival at L&D, we were sent to a room where I was made to put on a lovely hospital gown (designed by Mr. Seymour Hiney). Then I sat on the hospital bed while the nurse hooked me up to monitors. Then I had to answer a bazillion questions, but my nurse got called away to assist another delivery. We could here the woman screaming... it didn't sound fun.
Paul tried to distract me from the screaming by drawing pictures on the white board. Since it was about a week before Christmas he decided to draw a nativity scene. The baby Jesus looked kind of like a crippled goat.
My new nurse finished asking questions, then she attempted to start an IV. The endeavor ended with an IV specialist being called.
But eventually my IV was started and the pitocin drip. It didn't take long for the contractions to become stronger and closer together.
I found sitting upright to be the most comfortable position, but for the rest of the day nurses kept coming in and making me lay down so the monitors would read better. After they left, I would wait about a minute and sit back up. The only time I really got to move around was when I needed to use the potty. (this is one of the worst things about induced labor)
Then the nurse attempted to break my water. All she was able to do was snag it. Three times. So we were stuck waiting for that until the doctor arrived (and he ended up being an hour late).
By the time Dr. Wheeler arrived I was at 4 cm. And the baby had descended considerably.
About this time I start forgetting the details. It was painful. My mom showed up around this time (Papa took off work to watch the kids).
She brought Paul lunch.
The nurse wondered how I was doing. I told her I needed drugs. She gave me some nubane.
I like nubane. It made me really happy (and sleepy). So I would fall asleep and wake up every few minutes for a contraction (they still hurt but not so bad).
The next thing I remember the contractions were intensely painful (the nurse kept upping the pitocin). I said I needed an epidural. She checked me and said I was 6 cm.
The anesthesiologist came in. So did Dr. Wheeler. He checked me and told me to go ahead and get the epidural. About this time I started feeling really cold and shaky. And like I was going to die. So the anesthesiologist got the epidural set up. Then Dr. Wheeler came back and told the nurse to prep for delivery. It turns out that when Dr. Wheeler had checked me I was at 8 cm already (he just didn't tell us). So there I was at 10 cm, already pushing. Having been given an epidural, but not having a drip on for it. It hurt, but it all happened really fast. When she was actually born it felt wonderful. Then the doctor put Naomi on top of me and handed Paul scissors. Paul cut the cord, in the process spraying blood all over me.
This didn't get cleaned up for about an hour.
And there was my beautiful precious Naomi. Born at 6:03 PM.
Monday, January 14, 2008
I'm still here.
-Sammy has been diagnosed with giardia again. Ugh! Everyone else is being tested. If you have been in close contact with my children, you may want to be tested also.
-Paul got a new camera (Canon Rebel XT) for his Birthday. I am so glad to have a digital. No more film developing!
-Naomi is four weeks old today.
-This is Sammy's last week in the First Steps program. He will have all of his therapies one last time. Then once he turns three (the 19th) it will be over.
-I am tired. And I barely have time to think. But really things are going well.
-And yes, I do still plan to write about labor and delivery.
-Paul got a new camera (Canon Rebel XT) for his Birthday. I am so glad to have a digital. No more film developing!
-Naomi is four weeks old today.
-This is Sammy's last week in the First Steps program. He will have all of his therapies one last time. Then once he turns three (the 19th) it will be over.
-I am tired. And I barely have time to think. But really things are going well.
-And yes, I do still plan to write about labor and delivery.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
Baby Dedication
Yesterday we had baby Naomi dedicated. Dedication is a ceremony in which the parents pledging to raise the child according to the Christian faith and the church is pledging its support. The basic idea is that we are showing God that we realize Naomi is really his child, and we are entrusted with her care.
It's a little hard to explain. But dedication is a little bit like baptism (infant baptism anyway), but it's not a sacrament, and it doesn't involve water.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
If it doesn't have a tale...
... it must not be part of the story of my life. So does that mean the story of my life is a monkey? Or am I simply combining Silly Song lyrics?
Anyhow, this weekend was quite the saga. But just the highlights. I spent the weekend leading into New Year's in Ft. Wayne. Two different parts of town, courtesy of multiple Rose friends in the area. In fact, all of the blogs authors were in Ft. Wayne for New Year's (but never in the same location at one time). It was a good time to see random Rose folks (and some random non-Rose folks).
The end of the year is also a good time to remember things that I know I've learned before but can always use a reminder. Like how children's books can really boil down some big ideas in life and present them in a simple matter that even I should be able to understand. Also, that family has more to do with legalities. My own technical official family has always been large, but since beginning college my unofficial family has grown considerably. We seem to be continuously challenged to be at the same place at the same time, but as the Christmas song says "someday soon we all will be together" but we'll muddle through somehow until that day comes. And, for the sake of argument, we've never all been in the same place at the same time. (I need to keep reminding myself of this last part, it reminds me to be thankful over the folks I do see rather than mourning something that 's never happened).
Back to the holiday weekend. It was nice to see to new baby, and I hope everyone is feeling better soon. My goddaughter is walking and likes to try to pet kitty cats. And I didn't have to listen to computer gaming talk all of New Year's eve, which was a concern of mine. So, all in all, an enjoyable weekend. Well, with the exception of the sick folks-- both those I saw and didn't see due to illness. I hope you are all feeling better soon.
Now off to shovel snow. There probably really isn't enough snow to be worth shoveling, but it makes me feel like I've done something useful if I take care of the matter. The snow shovel doesn't have a tail... does that make it an ape?
Anyhow, this weekend was quite the saga. But just the highlights. I spent the weekend leading into New Year's in Ft. Wayne. Two different parts of town, courtesy of multiple Rose friends in the area. In fact, all of the blogs authors were in Ft. Wayne for New Year's (but never in the same location at one time). It was a good time to see random Rose folks (and some random non-Rose folks).
The end of the year is also a good time to remember things that I know I've learned before but can always use a reminder. Like how children's books can really boil down some big ideas in life and present them in a simple matter that even I should be able to understand. Also, that family has more to do with legalities. My own technical official family has always been large, but since beginning college my unofficial family has grown considerably. We seem to be continuously challenged to be at the same place at the same time, but as the Christmas song says "someday soon we all will be together" but we'll muddle through somehow until that day comes. And, for the sake of argument, we've never all been in the same place at the same time. (I need to keep reminding myself of this last part, it reminds me to be thankful over the folks I do see rather than mourning something that 's never happened).
Back to the holiday weekend. It was nice to see to new baby, and I hope everyone is feeling better soon. My goddaughter is walking and likes to try to pet kitty cats. And I didn't have to listen to computer gaming talk all of New Year's eve, which was a concern of mine. So, all in all, an enjoyable weekend. Well, with the exception of the sick folks-- both those I saw and didn't see due to illness. I hope you are all feeling better soon.
Now off to shovel snow. There probably really isn't enough snow to be worth shoveling, but it makes me feel like I've done something useful if I take care of the matter. The snow shovel doesn't have a tail... does that make it an ape?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
