We're gonna get blood work, it's gonna be a good day...

Because of little K’s autoimmune diseases—hypothyroidism and vitiligo, I am constantly wondering if certain behavior is normal 7-year-old stuff or a health problem. She has always been emotional and sensitive, and she definitely doesn’t live to eat. Often I have to remind her to have a snack or eat more at mealtime in order to avoid a low blood sugar episode. We’ve had a fair share of those. Could it be hypoglycemia? Who knows. I’m too chicken to prick her finger to get her glucose levels. Instead, I just make sure she eats every few hours.

Salt cravings, moodiness, loss of appetite, among others, are symptoms of Addison’s Disease, which is a cortisol insufficiency. Cortisol is a hormone that helps your body use sugar and fat for energy, and it helps the body manage stress. Cortisol levels can be affected by physical or emotional stress, strenuous activity, infection, or injury. Addison’s would require daily medication for the rest of her life. And she’s already on thyroid medication.

We can't know anything without blood tests. So I recently took her screaming into the outpatient lab for blood work. I anticipated her reaction as we walked up to the hospital. I was hoping she would have outgrown it, but she took one look at the building and stopped dead in her tracks. Before she could make a run for it (because she's done that before), I picked her up and carried her inside to a quiet lobby full of people. It wasn't even 8 am. Fortunately, when I told her her screaming was going to freak out all the people, she quieted to an angry whisper and a chant - I'm not doing it, I'm not doing it - directly in my ear. After an hour of waiting, we finally got called to "check in". As I sat at the desk, she was behind me laying on the sofa, rolling around and getting herself stressed. I could see her crying and talking to herself about not doing it. My heart was breaking. It can't wait until she's older so she can understand all of this.

After more waiting, the nurse took us back, all peppy and cheery, and asked Kyra how she was doing.

"Not good." she replied sharply. Then she proceeded to tell the nurse that she hates this place and wants to go home now.

Well, at least now the nurse knew what she was in for.

As usual, I have to put little k in my lap and wrap myself around her. The strength of this child in this moment when they prep the needle is unreal. She has no inhibitions screaming at the nurses: Get off me! Don't touch me! Get me out here! I would love to see the faces on the people in the lobby. And, as usual, she refuses to look away, insisting on watching the entire process.

This time we were doing more than the thyroid test. We were testing her cortisol levels for Addison's and testing for celiac disease, which runs in my family. Lots of blood filled vials. In fact, it was the first time, they offered her juice and asked us to hang out for a bit.

My husband and I take turns bringing her in. It's that traumatic for us. She'll have to go back in two months, which will be worse because it will be fresh in her mind.

Fortunately, the only change is that her thyroid medication needs to be increased. We expected as much. She's grown, and she's been on the same dosage now for 3 years. The first time she was put on medication, they started her at this higher dosage. It turned out to be too high. Her hair was falling out. She was constantly wired and jittery. She wasn't sleeping and was up in the middle of the night starving. It was horrible to witness. And of course, our doctor was on vacation with no back up in place. That was the last time we ever saw him.

This recent experience just solidifies for me the fact that as a parent, you have to educate yourself and be an advocate for your child's health. We weren't in for a routine doctor visit. We noticed something was off and asked to have her tested. If her thyroid levels continued to be too high for too long, she could have permanent developmental problems.

So, be vigilant. And don't be afraid to ask for what you want.

Letting them go

My oldest is newly 9 years old. She's going into 4th grade in the Fall. Something about the jump from 3rd to 4th is significant. I don't know what it is, but there's a big difference, and everyone else I've talked to with kids at this age feels the same way.

Hello, parents out there with kids older than mine, where is the heads up?!

This realization brings new responsibilities for her, and less for me!

Dear Daughter,
Let me introduce you to the microwave. Want some popcorn? Grab a bag, read the directions and voila! Just like that you have a snack for you and your friends. You know where the bowls are and what to do with the empty bag. Have a go!

Breakfast? No more customized orders. Cereal is in the pantry. Milk is in the fridge. Extra pancakes can be heated in the microwave, which you now know how to operate. Waffles can be toasted. Just don't dump the entire bottle of syrup. Have fun!

Lunch time? You know how to climb up on the counter. I've seen you do it. Bread's on top of the fridge and so's the peanut butter. Get a knife and a plate and you're good to go. Chips are in the pantry.

Want a playdate? Let's practice your phone etiquette. Because that's the only way you're getting some playtime. I am no longer making your schedule. (I'm sure I will be regretting this in about a year or two when the phone bill comes in.)

Outfit for the day? Pick the clothes out yourself. I have been training you to match for three years now. If it hasn't sunk in, then you're on your own. Peer pressure may be more effective.

You and your friends are thirsty? You are officially tall enough to get a cup and fill it. Congratulations.

And that's about where I draw the line. Staying home alone for more than 5 minutes? Not quite there yet. Biking around the block without an adult. Nope, not there either. An iTouch with texting?  No chance.

I've talked to friends and neighbors who let their youngins ride bikes around the block or walk several blocks to a friend's house. Maybe I'm just paranoid of the crazies out there, but I don't trust the world. I don't like when my kids play out front and I'm in the shower. Maybe in another year or two, but at 9 and 7 years old? Not happening.

I'm comfortable passing on kitchen and household chore responsibilities though.

That's why we had kids, right?

Life Lesson: Nature is not a vacation

 

Rain. On a mountain vacation? Time to pack the bags and get the hell out.

A few things were wrong with this trip.
1. There was no one around. As in, nearly deserted. This apparently is a weekend place.
2. We did not have a boat. You can't go to a lake without a boat. Ever.
3. We don't fish. And what else is there to do if you don't fish, don't have a boat and no one is around?

You can, instead, enjoy the nature, and wildlife at your doorstep.

I'll just chalk this up as a life lesson.

Zoos & Deep Fried in the mountains

It's our third day in the Lake Wallenpaupack area and we are besieged with rain. As this trip has become a comparison to our usual beach vacation, I feel that a rain day at the beach is acceptable...a perfect excuse to hit the movie theater. However, here, in the mountains, when the movie theater is 51 minutes away according to Google, it's just not an option.

Let me emphasize that...the nearest movie theater is FIFTY-ONE MINUTES AWAY. I can barely comprehend that. Where the fuck am I?

I think this is the first time EVER in my life that I have been 51 minutes away from a movie theater.

Thankfully, there is a zoo just seven minutes away.

You read that right ... A ZOO...7 MINUTES AWAY...is any of this making sense?

I'm sure you're wondering...if you're not even close to a movie theater what kind of zoo could this possibly be? ... I wondered the same. But it was something to do in between the rain storms. And because, people, everything else is 51 minutes away!

Claws 'n Paws here we come!

Before we get into the zoo experience, I would like to demonstrate how I feel about zoos, in general.

Political statement: wild animals belong in the wilderness. Just sayin'.

Now on to Claws 'n Paws...

Lo' and behold, it was impressive. I mean it was small and intimate, but it was perfect for those of us with short attention spans.

They had a bald eagle. I mean, does just any ol' zoo get a bald eagle?

 

And, a white tiger. A freakin' TIGER at an obscure ZOO in the Poconos! The Philadelphia Zoo doesn't have a white tiger.

There were lots of exotic birds and small animals, including foxes that apparently have body odor that smells like skunks - just an fyi. A baby wolf and a baby fox, super cute. But what was most impressive were the cats!

Two African lions! I mean, King of the Jungle lions. Plus,  a black panther and black jaguar and a cougar.

What I thought was really great about this zoo, though, was how involved they get the kids. They can pet and feed the animals that won't rip a limb off.

Feed a giraffe. Have you ever?

Hang out with the turtles. By the way, did you know they can feel everything you do to their shells?

They also have the obligatory petting zoo...goats, sheep and domesticated deer.

Of course, not all animals are exciting, such as these alpacas....

We made it out of the zoo, and more importantly out of the zoo junk shop without total meltdowns. Then the rains ensued and we were driven to board and card games for the rest of the day.

I've also experienced this strange phenomenon - the canopy of trees cuts off most direct sunlight. So when you think it's dark and dreary, it's really not ... you just have to drive 20 minutes or so to emerge from the depths. It's like another world out from under the trees...

 

I made the hubs pull over for this picture. There are some beautiful images out there but my phone camera didn't do it justice. I did, however, bring home a baby slug on my toe. Fun!

Such is our experience here.

Since we're all about trying new things this week ...deep fried oreos and Twinkies are a heart attack disguised as a dessert.

Evidence #1:
Deep fried Twinkie. I'm not sure why I thought this would taste good. I love Twinkies - haven't had one in about 15 years, but I also love funnel cake. How could I go wrong?

So, as I tried the Twinkie, Jeff tried the Oreos...

 

 

The waitress delivered them with enthusiasm, exclaiming these desserts as her all-time favorite EVER! And was downright shocked that we had never experienced such an exquisite finish to a meal. 

Now, my expectations have been set. This better be mind-blowing. One bite, and I feel my arteries close. The taste? 

What taste? It's fried effing dough! That's all you taste!

Thursday is our last day. Depending on the weather, we plan to stop at Bushkill Falls on the way home. Things can only get better. Right?

We are alone in the mountains

As the vacation experiment continues, our feelings haven't changed. We are not mountain people. Plus, we are left wondering, where the hell are all the tourists?

We are the only ones here...

I'm sure some of you would think having a lake to yourself would be pretty relaxing. No annoying people anywhere in sight. While, yes, this is heaven. It is a little weird to be the only ones on the beach and at the pools. With the lifeguards staring at just you.

At least I don't have to worry about someone sitting in my personal space.
 

 

We are missing our comfort food in Ocean City, but we scoped out this barbecue joint yesterday when we stopped in for ice cream. 

 

We decided to try it for dinner Tuesday night only to find that the "open year round, 7 nights a week" did not include tonight. If you read my last post you'll know that getting to anything around here is a 20 minute drive. So the fact that we drove to it, with two exhausted children who swam for 5 straight hours, to find it wasn't open was yet another dagger in the mountain vacation.

Of course, my disappointment didn't stop me from snapping this photo. Just to let you know what kind of joints we like to patronage. We're classy like that.

It should be no surprise, that when we did actually find a semi-suitable restaurant - and I say that ever so loosely - I was in dire need of a lifesaver. Come to mama!

 

The one bonus about this remote area is that this puppy cost only $13.95. In Philly? $21. And it was filled to the brim! I am so sad to report it was more wine than I expected (who thought that could be possible?), and I had to walk away from some of it. Refrain from sending hate mail. 

Of course, it's not vacation if you don't pig out on ice cream every night...

And ice cream is not hard to come by around here. Yay? I don't think you'll find this chair in the travel books as the largest Adirondack in the US, but the small size ice cream we ordered sure as hell would be considered an extra, extra large anywhere else.

Oh well. The saga continues.

We are not mountain people...

...As said by my husband no less than 24 hours after arriving in the Poconos and at Lake Wallenpaupack.

The previous four years, as soon as the girls were done with school, we packed up the car and headed straight for Ocean City, NJ. As soon as we spotted water, we rolled down the windows to smell the sea air. Most mornings, we'd run to Browns for hot donuts, then linger on the beach late into the afternoon. Each night, we strolled on the boardwalk ending up at Wonderland. We have our favorite take out places and miniature golf too.

We know what we're getting.

Our first time in the mountains? Not so much.

Because we also vacation at the beach with family and friends two separate times, we figured we'd mix it up. Three beach vacations is a bit overkill.

I did some cursory research on the area, rented a cute house in a private community with a couple pools and lake beaches, even near a zoo. The first thing we noted- it's a long drive from just outside Philadelphia and the last part is on two-lane, windy road. Will we ever get there?

Not seemingly so if you get stuck behind a slow driver on mountain time.

Other things we noted:

• The term "nearby" means something completely different to city people. Nearby in the mountains means at minimum a 20 minute drive. On two-lane, windy roads. And hopefully not behind someone on mountain time. If you are a city person, or very impatient as I am both, you will realize what a big deal this is. Road rage alert!
• You must drive everywhere. Unless you have a golf cart. But even then? Driving.
• If you brought, let's just say the wrong size sheets, there is nowhere even "nearby" to go for the right size. Instead you must rely on your creative genius. FYI: a full-size fitted sheet can fit on a queen size bed. Scissors are involved. (And lest you think I'm a complete idiot and didn't look at the lease, the full size bed is going unoccupied as we put the girls in one of the queens.) 
• Access to the greater world via wifi is also on mountain time, if at all. 

Yesterday, we found our way to a grocery store and made it into a pool. Today, we plan to get in a boat, and maybe visit the zoo.

We're feeling our way around, but I'm not sure there will be a repeat visit. Let's see how today goes.

Stay tuned.

Welcome to Summer

The last two weeks of school have been busy with plays and poetry readings, and a years worth of paperwork, artwork and workbooks, even pencil nubs with no erasers arriving home on a daily basis. But today was the offical last day for the girls. The last day of first grade, and the last day of third. Little k exclaimed that she wanted to stay in first grade forever. Imagine if the world operated on a first grade level.

Yeah, nevermind.

Unfortunately, I couldn't be around to celebrate the beginning of summer with them so I tried to make it as special as humanly possible with my limited time...

A couple weeks ago, I treated myself to a Silhouette. I'm still a little intimidated by it but I'm working through it. If you don't know what a Silhouette is, and you love to make ... well, anything ... this will blow your mind. Me and the craft store will soon become one. In short, it's a die-cutting machine. And. It. Cuts. Everything. Including temporary tattoos - holla!



I just made these for a little breakfast celebration...trying to pysch them up for the last day! I wanted to tie them to their stools with ribbon but it was late and I could barely keep my eyes open. Good thing I wasn't operating with a bare of scissors!

Unfortunately, it made little K sad. I need to work on focusing on the positive. No homework!

I hope you have a great summer!

What's happened?

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For the last two months, I have hit a record low on the number of posts I've written. I started a few, but could never find the energy or the inspiration to finish them. It's bothers me, the fact that I've had this blog for so many years, and now it's just adrift. The problem is I've completely lost sight of the point of social media - at least as far as my blog is concerned - it serves no real purpose, nor does my Twitter account. It's a fun distraction. It's enabled me to meet some great people. But what's the higher purpose? What good does it serve me, or anyone?

Even as I type this post, I struggle to finish it. I can't make my thoughts cohesive. I feel a certain pressure that I can't explain. Judgement? Criticism? I don't know. But it's paralyzing me.

Mom blogs are a dime a dozen so maybe what I need is a blog with a purpose. Something that makes a difference to someone, or inspires them in some way. I would miss my bloggy friends too much to disappear completely, so I'll just lurk in the background until I come up with my new brilliant blog. Or at least some renewed inspiration for this one.

Until then...