Emergency room- What a week!!!!

Well I knew this week was going to be tough. Besides working I had soccer tarining sessions scheduled for Weds, Thursdays and Fridays. I also have a sinus infection that I have been fighting for a week now. So on Weds, I left my house at 630am and did not return until 845. Yesterday I was suppossed to train from 4-6. Well I get a phone call at 420. It is John- He tells me that he thinks Alex broke his arm. He said he is taking him and Mackenzie( Dylan was at soccer with me) to the emergency room. I asked him... Can you handle it and he said yes. Call me at 6pm when you are done. So with that, I am a nervous wreck and plan on finishing my training, afterall he is a stay at home dad, and if it were me, I would just handle it too. SO with that the phone rings about 15 minutes later, He then tells me mackenzie has puked 2 times so far. Once at home and then in the car on the way to the hospital. He said she has a stomach bug. With that I know I need to get there. SO I left the training early and went straight to Monmouth medical Center. When I arrived They were cleaning up the emergency room area that mackenzie just puked in!! So They take Alex for Xrays, and it turns out he dislocated his elbow, and it had to be popped back in place. By the time we got home, I was a mess. I thought about taking a day off of work, but then quickly came to my senses... It is much easier to be at work right now than to deal with mackenzie and the stomach virus. John is earning his money this week!!

Great weekend

Well after 2 glorious snow days, we had a nice long weekend for presidents day. Yesterday my mom came over after going to the mall and took Dylan and mackenzie with her home for the night. It was great. It was John, Alex and me. We felt so free we did not know what to do with ourselves. We went to foodtown for a couple items and then vistited his dad. Once we got home it was 6pm. Alex took a bath and was in bed by 650! It was like a free night alone. There was no officiating the fights that take place on a nightly basis between Dylan and kenz. One minute they are best friends and then the next-- bitter enemies. there were no monkeys on the bed! It was great. John is doing great at home with the kids. Alex now knows 6 different shapes and knows about 6 colors! He is talking up a storm. His little voice is so damn cute I cant stand it. I cant believe he is almost 22 months. He will be two before i know it. I was at the party gym with the kids today and saw a few little babies( 2-6 months), and was amazed that I had all big ones now. Alex seems giant compared to the little tiny immobile babies! Luckily I got my tubes tied or else, I would probably be pregnant with number 4! Dylan just got his report card and got 14 E's. It was a great report card!! So my mom told him she would give him 10 dollars for such a great report card, and his response was... It should be 14 because I got 14 E';s Told you he was smart! Mackenzie wants to get married. I have performed 2 mock ceremonies already. She keeps marrying Dylan or Alex! It is too cute. They do grow up so fast though. I wish every weekend could be like this one. It was terrific. In 2 weeks I will start praying for another snow storm!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow- or ice!

2 full days off-- no school!! This is what every teacher dreams about in the winter, the phone ringing at 5am and another teacher informing you there is no school!!! There is no better message. There are very few calls that early in the morning that are positive- so Thanks Barbara Allen for this one!!

I want Snow Miser!

I am so tired of the cold weather, I can't stand it. Everyday it is 10 degrees or less, and no snow. I feel that if we have to deal with such frigid temperatures, please bring on a snow storm. I would like one to begin on a Sunday- Thursday night and be enough to give us a day off of school. The anticipation of a snow day, gets us teacers through the month of march( the one without a single day off). Mother Nature--- Please Bring on the Snow. Snow miser where are you??

37 years old? Is this a joke?

Okay... So when did I become 37? It seems very old just to write it down. To put this in perspective when my mom was 37 she had a 19 year old, 17 year old and a 12 year old. WOW!! Can you imagine, I certainly can't. As I look at my 3 young children, I can't imagine how she did that at such a young age! I keep telling myself that 37 is really like 27. I keep telling myself that age is just a number. I am listening to myself loud and clear. I do intend to fight the aging process every step of the way though. So........Off to the gym I go!

I need a babysitter!!!!

Frustrated is the word. With Samantha going on Ski trips every Saturday. There is absolutely no one that can watch the kids so we can have a night alone. My best friend in the world- Dawn has been busy and has kept them overnight on occasion in the past, but lately her kids have been sick and she has been running around like a mad woman so I dare not ask her. Most all of the HS kids are only 17 and have the restricted liscence so they cant be on the road late at night, so basically we are screwed. It sucks that even on a Saturday night, we cant use our gift card and go out to dinner, because we have no sitter. My mom works every Saturday night in the winter and John's mom passed away 2 years ago, so we are really left with no options. It just sucks when your birthday is coming up and you cant go out and celebrate on a Saturday night, thats all. Sorry for the vent, but it is frustrating! On another note-- Alex's MRi showed that he did not have fluid in his brain! Big relief. We also found out that we have no cost share for early intervention. If John was still working our cost share would have been 416 a month. So not it is 0. Alex is progressing nicely. mackenzie started tap and ballet dancing and absolutely loves it. It is all she talks about. We sign up Dylan next week for Tee ball, so spring is coming. I would like one big snow storm, so we get a couple days off from school. Thats about it.

Hello 2007

Well 2007 was ushered in with a bang. I got a stomach virus at about 240am, and basically spent the rest of the night in the toilet. Just a suggestion- buffalo wings taste terrific going down but are hell when one has to vomit all night! So I have spent the entire first full day of 2007 sleeping, and recovering. I have to go back to work tomorrow to boot! 2006 turned out to be a very good year. It started and ended with uncertainties about Alex, but overall it was a good one. A few noteworthy highlights that I can think of right now...
1. Alex walking at 13 months! This was huge.
2. Dylan turning five, and graduating from preschool with a broken wrist.
3. Mackenzie starting pre school
4. Although I recieved my "additions" late December, I consider 2006 my first year as a well endowed woman!
5. I am obsessed again with working out, and can wear a size 4 or 6. I am finally back to my prepregnancy weight
6. John becoming a stay at home dad, had radically changed all of our lives... for the better!

Thats about all I can think of.. But I have 5 very happy, healthy people in my immediate family.. and that really is all one can ask for!

HAPPY 2007!!

MRI???

WEll we had our much anticipated Neurology visit on Thursday. The doctor seems a bit concerned about the size of Alex's head and that he has some veins in his forhead that are prominent. So he said we can not avoid the MRI any longer. It will be pedi day stay at the hospital. He will then discuss the results with me the next day by phone. I have not found out when we are going, but the appointment will be set within the next 6 weeks. I am trying not to worry. But try googling, hypotonia, macrocephaly and prominent or bulging forehead veins, and see what you find! I asked him again about the static encephalopathy diagnosis, and he said- yes that is what he has. I asked about CP and the doc told me that he does not like to use that for Alex's condition, he said Alex would have hypotonic CP, but prefers static encephalopathy as well. I guess the MRI will tell all. My little guy is doing great. he says about 100 words and is suprising me more and more each day. His favorite song is Thunderstruck by ACDC( this is not a joke) He even says Thunder every time he hears the music- and specialists are telling me he has hearing issues-- I DON"T THINK SO! he knows the words to HEY YA and Thunderstruck and can sing it! He tells me to push him in the swing and he kicks the soccer ball on command. My little fighter is defying every odd! That is why I was disappointed when the doc told me he was still quite hypotonic. I thought we fixed it, I thought all of the activity and therapy and gymnastics took care of it. I thought when I was told initially that it was life long that it did not apply to my son. I thought some how I was going to go to the neurologist and he was going to marvel at my son and say-- well Alex has beaten it, you have won!! So yes, despite my happy exterior and positive attitude, I am hurting inside. I am filled with wonder and worry for my little boy. I also know that Alex has two parents that love him more than anything, and will give up anything to assure that he gets all that he needs. I believe in my heart that the MRI will be fine, I also believe that yes, he has this condition, but he also has the heart and spirit of a warrior and will not accept any limits! I love my little trooper more than anything- You should see him dribble the ball- QUITE a sight-- " Athletics and physical activities will always be hard for your son," as told be numerous therapists--- I say -- Someone forgot to tell him that!!

Breakfast with Coach U

well this morning I had the opportunity to have breakfast with one of my favorite coaches of all time. Mind you... I have had alot of them, but this man ranks number 2 sandwiched between Mr. Curci and Bob Turner. All of my other coaches have been soccer coaches and were always very nice to me, but these three men taught me how to be a better person. Mr Curci- well besides being a great friend and surrogate father, is just to special to put into words. Bob Turner coached me on travel team for only about a year, but made a lasting imprint. He cared about his players as human beings not just superior athletes. But the Coach who is right behind Mr. Curci is Coach Uhrich. I always loved running for Coach U, but it was not until I became a High School coach myself, did I begin to realize what he did for me. I did not even start running until winter track junior year. Now we had an already established strong team, and instead of just relegating me to the status of other athletes who ran track to keep in shape for their main sport, he gave me a chance. He allowed me to be a part of the top relay teams and participate in high profile events. yes- I had to earn my spot, but he saw that I had talent and pushed me. There were other second sport athletes that were never pushed. He also put up with the fact that I would have to leave meets early to go to a soccer game or whatever. Do not get me wrong, I would not miss a race, i just would not get to stay for the marathon Saturday at jadwin gym, watching all of the other athletes get their turn. When I decided to run cross country my senior year, he and the team welcomed me with open arms. Even though, I was going to eventually take someones spot. I just knew I ran, I liked being part of a group that won meets, I never knew how they scored them etc. As the season went on, there were 7 of us that would practice for the big meets. . Although I ran to better my time and for the team to win, it always took a back seat to soccer, we ended up winning the State Group III title that year. i remember bringing home my medal and showing my parents but never realizong how big of an accomplishment that was until I became a coach. Coach U has won 8 of these championships! What still is most astonishing to me is how he was able to keep the peace between all of the girls on his team, especially when an outsider like me came in. That is the mark of a great coach. One who is able to get the best out of each and every player and keep them happy at the same times. Seeing him today brought back those great memories. HS Soccer- although a team sport, I played for me, trained for me, and scored for me . While running Cross Country I was one of 7 runners that scored in a race run by individuals, even though I was not the number 1 runner, I still felt like an integral member because of my teammates and Coach. He taught me how to be a team player. Coach U knew that having the top runner was not going to win a state title, but having 5-7 runners who were very good would. He trained us and inspired us, I believe he taught each and everyone of us. Thanks Coach U-- for breakfast and for the life lessons!!

How ironic?

Well yesterday, I experienced a big dose of irony. I am reading Dylan's notes from his folder and there it is... A note from his kindergarten teacher saying that she is pregnant and is due in early June. I immediately thought... How could she?? Couldn't she time it so she had her child over the summer so my son would not have a substitute for his final month of kindergarten? Wasn't she thinking about the educational impact of her leaving, on her students? Then the biggest sense of shame hit me... I have done this 3 times. 3 times I have left my students mid year to leave them with a substitute for months at a time. How could I be upset with her? What kind of person am I? Look at what I did to my students. I guess this is the price we working women have to pay. Ms. Snyder is going to learn the cruel reality of a teacher mom.... My children or my students?

Santa Claus is coming to town

This is my very favorite time of the year. My kids are so excited for christmas, it is just phenomenal. I hope they like all of their gifts. My class is trying to sleep right now, I am not kidding they are really trying to sleep. We are studying states of consciousness and we have discussed that many teens are sleep deprived. We will know if they need sleep if they can fall asleep in here. I have shut off all of the lights and we will conduct an experiment to see how many kids in my period 9/10 are sleep deprived! My guess is that 7 of them will fall asleep, who knows. 1 week until christmas, I cant wait. Alex has another ear infection, he and John were back at the docs today. His tubes are still in so I cant understand how he got another infection... oh well. We have his neurology appointment next week. So I will update you all(mom) on his condition. I have a few gifts left to buy, so I am going to hit the mall on my way home from school today!!

Can a mom be replaced?

Well the past few weeks there has been quite a shift in the Haar household. I found out a lot about my husband and his ability to do many of the typical mom duties. Last week all three of the kids were sick. It started with Alex coughing a lot on saturday, and then John decided to take him to the docs on Monday. He even dropped off the prescription and picked it up and gave Alex his nebulizer 4 times per day! Then Dylan gets sick on Tuesday, so he loads up the car, drops Makcenzie off at school and proceeds to take Dylan to the doctor with Alex in tow. John finds out that dylan too has a double ear infection and needs antibiotics, so again he does the entire pharmacy thing by himself, and medicates the sick kids each day, and still remembers to pick up Kenzie from school each day... I am sure you know where this is going, I got an email from mackenzies teacher saying after her nap her temp was 101. Since it was 15 minutes before dismissal, they did not call home... But yes-- The trifecta, was about to take place, ALL 3 with ear infections and Alex also had bronchitis. John has to take Makcenzie to the docs with the other 2 with him. This is no small feet even for the most experienced mom, yet he passed with flying colors. He even made the judgement call to keep her home from school on Thursday because he thought she was coughing a bit too much and her mucus was still green. He made the call!!! So anyone reading this would say that he has earned his mommy stripes this week. But there are so many other subtle changes that have taken place especially regarding his charge, Alex. For example.. Only John does the nebulizer, he knows how to get Alex to take it. He told me that Alex likes twix bars too, and now has concocted a high calorie protien shake for Alex to drink. When Alex gets upset, he cries daddy, daddy , daddy. I have to admit to beging jealous at first( I am still a little jealous but oh well). He tells me what books Alex likes him to read, and has really taken his new job seriously. Guess what I have learned through all of this... Men, if given the chance, can do the job of a mom. Mom just has to be out of the picture, so they get the chance. Ladies... go away for an entire day( 8 hours) or a weekend, and let your husband take over. Do not leave them any instructions( nobody ever left you instructions right?) They will figure it out, and probably love every second of it like we do!

Thanks

I love thanksgiving. It marks the beginning of the Holiday season. My kids get so excited looking at all of the lit up houses and christmas decorations, it is awesome. They can't wait until Santa comes and are excited at the prospect of any gift. They are at an age where the wrapping paper and the thought of a gift matters much more than the gift itself. I could buy them all toys from the dollar store and they would still be happy. That being said, I purchased Dylans Heelys today(60 bucks!) and I got mackenzie a disney princess cash register that teaches math! It retailed for 30 dollars and I got it for 12.00 the disney store was having a one day sale- it was great! So we do have a limit this year. 150 per child and nothing for each other( maybe 30 bucks max), but that is it. Christmas will still be great and we will all be happy, healthy, and together so that is all that matters. I am thankful for a lot this year, some of the few things that come to mind.... Alex's therapists, they have been wonderful and he is doing great. MY husband, for being such a great father. Alex now looks for him first at the gym pick up, and asks for daddy every morning. Yes I am jealous, but thats what happens when one parent is home and the other is working! Dylan.. for getting an outstanding report card. mackenzie for always making me laugh, she has something about her that I just can't put into words but she is truly.. one of a kind! My mom, for always answering the phone at 645 am. I am thankful for all that I have and more. I love the holiday season!

Lots of words!

Well I think Alex is really loving his time with daddy. he is always happy and no longer has separation anxiety when we go to the gym. He has now increased his vocabulary to about 30 words or so. It is amazing, John has helped Alex in so many ways. he says slide and swing. he asks to go out and play, it is amazing! If only he would eat better, but baby steps are fine! Life is much less hectic and easier. I am loving having my spouse at home whicle I am working. it is just awesome! John takes Alex to the gym every day. they go to open play gym 2 times per week, in addition to his gymboree class, so they keep quite busy. Grandpa Jack has been over most days to help out when it is time to pick up mackenzie at 130. Mackenzie refers to these days as most days... as in most days grandpa will be over! Jack has been great, due to his willingness to sit at our house for 30 minutes, we have not had to alter Alex's nap schedule. Alex still gets to nap from 1230-330! All is well in the Haar household

Teacher Convention!

This is by far the best four day vacation of each year. On the first day of school all teachers( that are normal and have lives!!) look at the calendar and circle it. We are all thinking that yes, we can get through september and October because November is a great month. besides June it is the greatest month of the school year. We have 2 four day weekends! Tiime to do things, and just hang out. Some actually go to AC, but most do not. We look at it as a well-deserved 4 day vacation. By the way- I thank wholeheartedly all of those teachers that do go to AC, because of you... we keep getting these 2 free days off! So keep gambling down there and have a blast. I for one will be doing the normal mom activites for the next couple days. I am training a team tomorrow though- cant pass up 90 dollars for 75 minutes worth of work!, but thats about it. One full week next week and then another 3 day week. I love November

Four years old!

My little girl will be 4 tomorrow. I can't believe it. She is the smartest, cutest little girl, and already has 2 boyfriends. Just ask her, she loves Sean Michael and Joey. She is so funny. Tomorrow she will open up her presents, we got her an easy bake oven and a six pack of princess shoes. I even told her she could have ice cream for breakfast tomorrow. It is amazing how time flies. Children grow so fast before your eyes it is amazing. She keeps telling me that once she is 4 , she will be pick and will stop sucking her thumb. She also will go off the diving board this summer. To her being 4 is such a big step. Happy 4th birthday Mackenzie!!

Mr. Mom

Well it is official! As of today my husband is a stay at home dad for 3 young children. I checked in with him today to find that he successfully fed and dressed all 3 kids and had them packed in the car at 7"15 am. He dropped mackenzie off at pre-school, then Dylan to Kindergarten. He then took Alex to the gym from 8-845. When he got home Alex had physical therapy at 9am-10am. They went to the park from 1015-11am. Thats all I know now. But John has to make him lunch and then pick Mackenzie up at school at 130. I am sure Alex will nap from 2-330, so John will not have a minute alone to himself! he is looking forward to the challenge. he knows it is no easy task to be a stay at home parent, and is looking forward to spending alot of quality time with the kids. I am tired just thinking about his day!!

Panic Attack!

Well i never thought I would have a full blown panic attack but here goes... Last week I started getting chest pains and shortness of breath out of nowhere. I even left my spin class early on Sunday because I wanted to get aspirin in case i was having a heart attack. So the on Tuesday, I called the doctor and he did an ekg on me and said that I seem to strong to be afflicted by anxiety. he said that I handled jail and a marathon, and thought my chest pains were due to pulling a chest muscle. So after a week of being scared to death about my husband and kids. John had a student threaten to kill him( yes the kid is 11 but has gang ties!!) the kid went at him with a stapler and then keyed up our car with it. Not normal kids right!! The kid only received 2 weeks suspension. Do you believe it. He will actually be placed back in my husbands classroom. Then I founf out that this kid has a younger sibling at dylans school and sees John pick up dylan every day. So yes a gang kid knows who my son ( 5 yrs old) is. I am paranoid, and tell john to pick up dylan 15 minutes early each day. This kid is suppossed to be on house arrest mind you, and is probably going to jamesburg jail next month. His own mother wants him in jail. What does that tell you. So John is miserable at work and I am paraniod that something will happen to him or my kids. I still have Alex's hearing eval on Weds and it is just so much stress it is unbelieveable. So I read the paper on Thursday morning about the Asbury school shooting and it did it. I started walking around school like a zombie and then proceeded to lose my breath and my throat felt as if it were closing. I got my friend Bob to help me and we called my mom. I was faint and dizzy and incoherent for about 1 hour. It was aweful. So there it was a full blown panick attack. i teach about these things but have yet to experience it... not anymore. They suck. Then I take Alex to the docs on friday and the doctor sat with us for 40 minutes. I love her and proceeded to tell me that Alex also has macrocephaly( abnormally large head) and it could all be realted to this still yet to be named syndrome due to his static encephalopathy. She also thinks Alex will be better off with one on one care. 18 months to 3 yrs is critical for language. Since John hates his jobs this is an easy decision.. he can stay with Alex and the kids and look for another time while on leave. If he finds another job-- great and if not atleast he still has one if needed. the only downside is pulling the kids out of the school that they are in and Dylan will have to change kindergartens mid year. And we have to live on my salary for a about 6 months. I think it will be okay. Who knows. I guess anyone who ventures to read this can see why I had a panic attack. there really is just so much the human body can take both mentally and physically.

ON a roll!

Well my soccer team has been on a roll. We have won the last 4 games and went from 1-6-1 to 5-6-2 in the last 2 weeks. Winning makes everything so much better and easier to deal with. The kids have been great. Dylan and mackenzie both love their respective schools and Alex is very happy at the babysitters house. It is starting to get a bit easier each day. Today after practice, i am going to casa comida with a bunch of work friends. What can be better than a great margarita and a big plate of nachos? I can't think of one thing! My mouth is watering already! I know I have to miss the gym today but I will make up for it tomorrow with 3 minutes of hard cardio followed by 1 hour of a weight lifting class, and Sunday with 60 minutes of Spin. Spin class is the hardest class ever, you feel like you are going to die during it and when it is over, you leave a wet sweaty mess, but I love it! I cant wait for teacher convention week. 4 glorious days off- what will i do with myself! I do not know as of yet but can't wait to find out

What else can one take??

Well Monday was suppossed to be a lovely day off. Alex had a check up at the ENT to see how the tubes in his ears were working and for a follow up hearing test, We all figured that fluid was the reason for his flat tympanograms, so I did not even think of it as a major deal. Well it is a major deal. he still has a moderate hearing loss. We have to get one of those sedated hearing tests where the put electrodes on his head to see if he has senory neural hearing loss. The doctor said he might need a hearing aid as well. How much more can this poor little guy take. Well actually it is me, his mom. How much more can I take? I do not know. Between teaching, coaching, and being a mom life is difficult enough, please do not let him be hearing impaired. Both for my sake and his. he already receives alot of therapy as it is. So now we will get speech 2 times a week from early intervention. Thats it for now