Eli & Ivy

Havent they changed so much!? This is Eli's friend Ivy... Ivy's mom and I met in moms group and I just cherish her friendship so much! We're different and come from different places, but we just click! Larissa went back to work a few months ago so we havent had the chance to see each other as much as we'd like, but on Saturday we got together for coffee and cinnamon buns! It was so neat to see Ivy and Eli play together, like actually play together! I cannot believe how much they've grown up! They look like little people now, compared to the babies they were in the first pictures!!

Larissa, thanks for such an awesome time on Saturday!! I'm totally blessed by our friendship!

The Verdict

Eli woke up at 6:30a.m this morning! Quite out of character... generally he's been sleeping in until 8:30ish! A nice treat for me! I left him in his crib to see if he'd go back to sleep until 7:10a.m and he had no intentions of going back to sleep. All of the soothers had fallen out of the crib and well I guess he couldn't figure out how to get back to sleep this morning without it. Great!

So we went off to the ENT throat specialist, and the verdict is he needs tubes. We're on a waiting list, and the Dr's receptionist is supposed to call us with a date. It should be sometime over the summer, however she couldnt tell me even when the receptionist might be calling so Im feeling a little in the dark. I know it'll all work out though, it has up until this point. Eli has some fluid in his ears, and the specialist said generally when a baby has an ear infection before 6 months thats a sign right there that he will need tubes. Good! I feel relieved.

The part I dont feel so relieved about though is this. I asked about Eli's soother situation (obviously, he looooves his soothers!!) the dr said sometimes they can contribute to the ear infections and we should try to get rid of them! Aaah man! This is going to be hard, but its something Im going to have to do. So, I think its going to have to be cold turkey. Or maybe he can just have it for naps, and bedtime? I dont know....

ENT Specialist

So tomorrow is the big day! Here I was thinking we'd have to wait 6 months to a year before we get in to see an Ear, nose and throat specialist... at least according to our pediatrician! Well, we didn't... we had our appointment within 6 weeks of having the referral sent in! This is something I've been praying and praying about, and its just really awesome how God is so faithful.

I know someone who is a nurse at the stollery, and she asked which ENT specialist we see, I told her Dr. Eksteen, and she had nothing but good things to say about him. She said he's one of the best there... Thank you Lord! She said he's gentle, kind, and will only give a child tubes in their ears if he/she really needs them! This is great to hear, because I have a feeling our pediatrician prescribed Eli antibiotics at the slightest sight of pink in his ears. Its a good thing we go tomorrow because Eli has been tugging at his ears the past few weeks, and has been quite moody! There is a part of me that is hoping he needs tubes, because maybe it will be a means to an end! It will be hard on me if he does because it means that he has to be put under for it, but its a 5 minute procedure and its done. Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated it!

I'll let you know what happens tomorrow afternoon when we get home!!

Out of Character

You might've learned at this point something about me... well maybe a few things, but one of them being I'm a pushover. Too nice, I let people walk all over me.

Today I did something out of character! I have to get this off my chest, because its something that has been bothering me for too long and I'm tired of it!

As my mother in law and I were walking into Sears today there was a shoe sale going on outside the door. This made the area quite congested with people (mostly older woman, a few of them being seniors) as my mother in law and I went to head into the store she was pushing the stroller and I opened the door and held it for her. After she went in I held the door for a few people coming, a few being 3 or 4. Out walked the first one, not even a smile let alone a thank you. Out came the second one . . . same thing, and same with the third and fourth!! I couldn't believe it! I was well beyond shocked by the time the second person walked through without acknowledging me or even saying thank you. So I reacted. "You're welcome!" "You're welcome!" "You're Welcome!" One of the ladies looked at me like she was blown away that I would give her attitude as she walked out the door! What happened to being thankful and respect!? My mother in law said to me, "Oh, did they say thank you?" I simply replied "Nope, not one of them... thats why I said 'you're welcome.'

About a month ago, Andy and I were out for a walk with Eli in our neighborhood, we came across an older couple walking on the same side of the sidewalk as us... we pushed the stroller down the curb so they could stay on the sidewalk and continue walking. Not even a thank you, a smile or did they even acknowledge that we existed!! I was blown away! I get really tired of older people & seniors saying how the younger generation is so rude and disrespectful... yes there are alot of people who fall into the category that alot of seniors are talking about, but there are alot of younger people who do not! Not all young people are rude, disrespectful, screw ups! I feel thats what alot of us are labelled!

Two weeks ago as Andy and I were talking down Whyte Avenue we were walking behind a young couple... yes young couple, probably about our age, maybe a bit younger. They had been munching on some candy and the girl passed the wrapper to her boyfriend to toss into the garbage. Instead of throwing it into the garbage, which is on about every block he simply dropped it on the ground and kept walking. I quickly picked it up and said "Excuse me, you dropped this." They stopped as I handed it to them, and he said "Oh did I!?" And I said, "Yeah." And we kept walking. Call me fiesty, but how lazy can you be!?

I'm just so sick and tired of how disrespectful people can be... young and old! What happened to holding the door for someone in front of you who is pushing a stroller, especially someone who has a child and knows what its like to struggle to hold the door open as you push your stroller through?! Andys told me before that when he is out with Eli pushing the stroller around people treat him differently because he is a man pushing a stroller instead of a woman. Seriously!? What happened to saying thank you to the person who holds the door for you, or lets you go ahead first?! What happened to throwing your garbage into the garbage can instead of dropping it onto the ground!? I dont get it! I honestly dont!

Is it only me that feels this way!? Am I over reacting!? I've decided that from now on, I'm not going to let people walk all over me, I'm not going to let people take advantage of me, or treat me like dirt! Theres a difference between standing up for yourself & not letting people walk all over you and being rude and disrespectful back.

Any thoughts??

When is enough enough?

The past little while (since Summer started!) Ive been feeling extremely lonely. Chances are its because all of the things we've done over the past year are over for the summer... but do you ever have it where you feel like you put alot of effort into a friendship and no matter how hard you try it isn't reciprocated? Im totally feeling this way! Often times theres always an excuse as to why someone cant do something or along those lines. How long do you try for before moving on? I have a few great friends, but lately I've been feeling like Im the one putting all the effort into the relationships. Or what about the friends that you thought you were fairly close with, but after awhile you realize thats not the case.

Im very blessed to have an amazing husband who is my best friend, but I think its so important for woman to spend time together. Since all of the programs I was involved in are done until September Im not getting out as much (except for quick trips to walmart, which seem like a daily occurrance!!) Scheduling around nap times can get tough, but what happens when the other person always has an excuse? Nap time for their baby, plans already, football game, friends visiting, date night, too tired, not up to it, not answering the phone, not returning your phone call . . . and the list goes on, again... how long do you try for before you move on?

As I laid in bed last night, shedding a few tears, I remembered what it was like to be in highschool, and summer was a blast! No responsibilities, sleeping in, hanging out with friends, staying up as late as you want, etc . . . who would've though being an adult and making time with friends would be so hard?

I suppose I'm feeling sorry for myself today, and I've been feeling really lonely the past few weeks, however its hard when you know that the friends you'd like to spend more time with are spending their time with other people. It gets tiring hearing every excuse in the book after awhile.

*I have to mention that this post is in no way directed at any one person*

Almost walking!!

Eli slept in until 8:30a.m this morning after going to bed the night before before 8:00p.m. We went off to church this morning and then came home and relaxed. This afternoon we got groceries. I like grocery shopping with Andy, I feel like its a bonding time!

We were so excited when we got home and encouraged Eli to walk. He took a few steps 4 weeks ago, but really hasn't done alot since then. Well tonight was another story! We'd pass his favorite ball that he got for his birthday back and forth and he'd go for it if we held it out. Back and forth he went. Every now and then stopping in between and then taking a few more steps! I think if we encourage him this week, he'll be walking no problem by the end of the week! I cant believe our little boy is almost walking!! He just gets so excited and off he goes!

This week we have Eli's ear nose and throat appointment. I feel relieved and cant wait to see what the dr says. He's been tugging at his ears this past week so we'll see what happens. Keep you posted!!

Tired

I'm tired today! Yesterday we had a wedding to go to. It was a beautiful wedding, and we really enjoyed it. I dont know the couple very well, but Andy knows them. I felt quite honored that we were invited because it was a very small wedding maybe 60 people or so. There were alot of guys there that Andy hangs out with and knows from highschool so it was a nice chance for him to let go and relax. The dinner was a 4 course meal, and was very good!! A small little program and then a dance.

I dont know whats gotten into my husband but this guy just cant stop dancing! I used to have to get a few drinks in him and drag him up onto the dance floor to dance with me... and now its me going to take a break because Im tired or thirsty! I cant get him off the dancefloor, and he's sober while doing it too!! It was fun though. We stayed out too late and didnt get in bed until close to 2a.m, and then my crazy husband got up at 6a.m to go golf 18 holes!!! Eli woke up before 7a.m, but there was no way I was getting out of bed... so he fell back asleep until 9am! lucky me!

Its going to be a quiet day in the Hope home, however Eli is not wanting to go down for a nap even though he is tired and crabby! So we'll see what happens!
Hope you're all enjoying your long weekend!!

Happy Canada Day

Last night Eli woke up 4 times! I attribute it to the shots. He woke up each time and cried for a bit and then would fall back asleep. Finally, at 4:30a.m he woke up crying and screaming. I got him up, gave him a bottle, changed his diaper and back down he went. Quietly.

He only had one nap today because we were all out and about taking in the festivities. It was a nice morning, I spent it with my family as Andy was working. He did get off work an hour early, and we all took a good afternoon nap and then went back out for a walk. It was a nice evening.

Cross our fingers that Eli sleeps well tonight. He's still awake, playing aroud in his crib so we'll see what happens. Andy has the day off tomorrow, and we have a wedding to go to so it'll be a busy day!

Enjoy the long weekend!!