making visits to the doctor easier on our little ones

Yesterday, my son and I went to his pediatrician for his 5-year old wellness checkup. Doctor Singh is a popular lady around these parts, so wait time at her office is always lengthy. After waiting for an annoyingly long time in the waiting room, we wait again for what seems like an eternity once we're in the examining room. My son handles these doctor visits as best as he can at his age. I always arrive at Dr. Singh's office armed with snacks, a few small toys, my son's Leapster, and some crayons and coloring books. Even with so many activities to choose from, my dear boy still gets restless all penned up in a small room with no windows for so long.

So, I'm wondering, what do you do to make visits to the doctor a bit easier for your young child? The best trick of the trade I've come up with so far is to let the rolled out paper on the examining table be my son's art canvas. Yesterday, he and I created a very detailed beach and underwater scene complete with (at his urging) a killer whale, a shark, an electrical eel, a Nemo fish, Dory, a palm tree with coconuts, and sunbathers. Dr. Singh was duly impressed that my son was familiar with so many sea creatures...and that the sunbathers had a bottle of sunscreen, SPF 70, sitting next to them in the sand. :-)

What Should I Do With My Hair

I am going through a mid-life crisis. I am turning 40 in 2 and a half months. I haven't dropped the weight I have wanted to lose. I don't have enough money to throw myself a great party. I got an application for AARP. My doctor asked me if I had experiences hot flashes yet. And, I am on two inhalers (one of which I have to gargle after so I don't get throat fungus!). I am a pathetic mess and I need a change.

I want to cut my hair...off!! It's thick, it's hot (with hot flashes coming hot is the last thing I want my hair to be) and it takes to long to do. So, here is what I look like now:

And here is what I am looking at doing:

So, what do you think? Which one?

Our Apples Aren't Keeping the Doctors Away

You know the saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"? Well, we eat our apples but our doctors are still on speed dial!!I know I have been talking a lot about health (or lack there of) lately but I am just so frustrated right now.

I am frustrated with myself. I haven't had an asthma attack in 10 years and one little bronchitis later and I am huffing and puffing on my inhaler like there is no tomorrow.

I am also frustrated with my youngest's health right now. This is the third round of antibiotics that she has been on THIS YEAR!! Yikes!! The pediatrician said that there isn't anything to worry about. She has missed 8 days of school this year...10%!! If I were paying tuition, I would want 10% of my money back.

So, here are some questions for the masses...how much school has your kids missed this year? Is it me or is this the worst year ever for colds?

Spring has Sprung but...

...where am I? Sick as a dog:-(

There is nothing worse than having a gorgeous day outside and being stuck inside because you have been sick all week. No fun:-(

I am so frustrated with my health. Everytime I have a good workout routine going, literally every 30 days, I get sick....without fail!!! Any ideas on how to break the cycle?

An Ode to a Crashing Computer

My computer hit the dust

And now I am lost.

I have to fix quickly

No matter what the cost.


I am so far behind

I can not see the light.

A To Do list longer than my arm,

With no end in sight.


So remember me fondly

When you come around.

I will be looking for my sanity.

In the lost and found.

Is It March Yet?

I am so over the cold.

I am so over the snow.

I am so over the doctor's appointments.

I am so over the pomp and circumstance of the birthday season.

I am so over it.

Carlisle

Long time, no see! I have neglected my blogging duties terribly these last several months. Thanks to Sue and Kari for keeping things alive and kicking around here! I was really overwhelmed by the holiday season this year. Trying to keep myself organized with getting ready for Christmas and ending the semester at two schools which I work at part-time really did me in. And just when the new year arrived and things should have settled down, my son turned 5 and there were more presents to buy and celebrations to plan. When I finally came up for air, my semester at the community college started again and so I dove right back into syllabi, lesson planning, and teaching. Whew!

It doesn't stop there. On Sunday, my son got a big Valentine's Day surprise. A new dog! His name is Carlisle. He's a poodle-terrier mix whom we purchased from the Poodle Rescue of Houston. So far, we are already reaping the many benefits of having a dog in the family. Our exercise routine went up a notch immediately! We are taking at least two walks a day with Carlisle in addition to some pretty active playtime with him indoors as well. My son has enthusiastically taken several chores upon himself: feeding Carlisle and holding onto his leash for much of the time that we walk him. Valuable lessons concerning responsibility are being learned. We are also simply enjoying laughing and playing together with our new addition to the family!

Here is a picture taken on Valentine's Day of me with Carlisle at the shelter when I picked him up to bring him home.