Pumpkin is sick again. I was so hoping that we were done with this now that the cold weather is starting to break. But no such luck.
She was fine Wednesday when she went to bed, other than a slight cough that she had had for a couple of days and I had attributed to allergies. But about 4:00 on Thursday morning, she woke us up saying that she had a headache. She got in bed with us, then decided that she would rather lay on the couch. She ended up vomiting a couple of times. Hubby’s mom watched her while I worked, and I made an appointment to take her to the doctor after work.
I felt sure she had this awful stomach bug that has been going around. But the doc said it was strep, and gave her antibiotics. I stayed home from work with her on Friday, and already had the weekend off anyway. She’s still feeling pretty bad. If she’s not doing much better by tomorrow evening, I’m taking her back to the doctor on Monday.
I hadn’t even heard that strep was going around. But her teacher’s assistant called on Friday to check on her, and when I told her what was wrong she said that a lot of kids had had it. In a way I’m glad it was strep instead of the stomach bug, because I’ve heard some pretty bad horror stories about that one. I’ll just be so relieved when she gets all better.
When I was younger I didn’t mind it, but these days I just can’t stand to feel like I’m running around like a chicken with its head cut off. And for the past few days, that’s exactly what I’ve felt like.
Yesterday in particular was a doozy. I worked a full day, picked up Pumpkin from school, took her to Hubby’s parents’ house, then went back to work for a meeting. That lasted an hour and a half. As soon as that was over we had to take Pumpkin to basketball practice. When that was over, I picked up some dinner and headed home. I scarfed down my meal, then gave Pumpkin a bath and put her to bed, somehow managing to wash and dry two small loads of clothes in between. Then I took a shower and hit the hay.
I know plenty of people who live life like that every day. But I prefer to do things at a slightly slower pace. Maybe it’s just old age.
I had a rough time getting Pumpkin ready for her basketball game this morning. She wanted to wear her hair a certain way that would not hold up well during the game, wear jewelry, and such… just being difficult in general. She asked me why I had signed her up for basketball, and I reminded her that she had said that she wanted to play.
I got her to the game, and she wanted to stay right by my side. The coach asked her to play one quarter, but she refused. She didn’t want to play the last quarter either, but I told her she needed to get out there and do her part. So she got out there on the court, but she just wouldn’t pay attention or anything.
We had a little talk about it. She said she just wasn’t good at basketball. I know she could do much better than she is if she would just pay attention and try. But it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen. I’m thinking about taking her out of t-ball as well, because if she isn’t even going to try it seems like a waste of time and money. And we don’t have much time or money to waste right now.
I signed her up for basketball because she seemed interested in it, and I thought it would help her gain self-esteem and learn about teamwork while having a good time. But I’m just not seeing those kinds of results. Advice, anyone?
A couple of days ago I heard a tiny knock at the back door. I answered it to find my landlord’s granddaughter standing there. She said she had an invitation for Pumpkin to her birthday party. It will be tomorrow, and I will be working, but Hubby can take her.
Today at Pumpkin’s basketball game, one of her good friends came up to us and asked if she could come to her birthday party today. Hubby knows her mother very well, and said she would be there. I get to take her to this one, because Hubby is busy.
So I need to get some cards made and some gifts together. I wouldn’t bother going, but I know Pumpkin has got her heart set on it. And I promised myself when she was born that I was going to do my best to see that the kid had a fun childhood, because isn’t that what being a kid is supposed to be all about? So partying we shall go.
There were lots of things I didn’t like about being pregnant when I was expecting Pumpkin. My feet swelled terribly. I was pregnant during the summer with no air conditioning. And I broke out in this itchy rash that my doctor simply called a pregnancy rash, and I couldn’t take anything to alleviate it. And need I mention those awful maternity clothes?
I was pretty lucky because I didn’t have to buy any maternity clothes. There was a huge plastic tub of maternity clothes that was being passed around in my family at the time, and I got use of them. They were pretty decent looking for maternity clothes, but they were nothing like the stylish clothes that I was accustomed to wearing.
I wish I could have had some of the hip & cool b-buckles that are available now when I was pregnant. They’re these neat little things that you can put on your pre-pregnancy jeans that allow you to wear them for the whole nine months. It’s said that celebrity moms like Gwyneth Paltrow and Julia Roberts are big fans of them. They come in some really cool designs- I particularly love the Mom tattoo one.
Pregnancy is a beautiful and miraculous thing, but there are some things about it that are tough. With b-buckles, at least you won’t have to give up your sense of style any more when you’re expecting.
I’ve never been a single parent, but I know plenty of them. It’s got to be tough raising children on your own- it’s hard enough in this day and time even if you do have help.
Dating can also be tricky for single moms and dads. That’s why SingleMomsAndDads.com came along. It’s a dating site where single moms and dads can meet other single parents. It’s great that someone finally saw the need for such a site. If you’re a single parent looking for love, or just a date, check it out. It’s free to sign up.
I love to go camping. I never really discovered how fun it was until this past summer. Now I can’t wait until it gets warm again so I can go back.
I wish I could be a kid again and go to summer camp. That’s something I didn’t do when I was young, and really didn’t have much desire to do. But now that I have experienced the joys of spending time in the great outdoors, I wish I could do some of the organized activities that are offered in summer camp.
Maybe it’s not too late. Lonehollow, one of the fine Texas summer camps, offers programs for families as well as for children. With over 3,000 acres they have a wide variety of activities, from basketball to kayaking to horseback riding. Their cabins are air conditioned and have awesome views. It looks like a great idea for summer vacation!
Maybe in a couple of years we can load up and go. I think it would be a great experience for us as a family. And maybe when Pumpkin gets a little older we can consider sending her for the summer camp for boys and girls. No sense in Mom having all the fun, right? 
Pumpkin brought home a painting she had done at school yesterday. I was quite impressed. It was very much abstract, but it rivaled much of the abstract art I’ve seen from real live artists. Of course I’m not prejudiced or anything.
Today she has spend a lot of time painting with watercolors. Each one she does is better than the last. I think I need to consider enrolling this kid in art classes. I’m all about encouraging her to do positive things that she enjoys.
Pumpkin spent a lot of time throwing up last night. We didn’t send her to school today, and I took her to the doctor this afternoon.
I was well aware that she probably had a virus that has been going around, but I had planned on taking her anyway because she was still coughing so much. The doctor said that the vomiting was indeed a virus, and gave her some stuff to help ease her stomach troubles. He also gave her a different type of antibiotic for the sinus infection/bronchitis stuff, and some nasal spray for her allergies. All that added up to over $100 just for the meds. We can’t afford that at all right now, but it will be well worth it if it gets her feeling better.
I went to the school today to sign Pumpkin up for basketball. It just doesn’t seem possible that she’s big enough to be doing such things.
I need to talk to my boss about being off on Saturday mornings for her games. I don’t know how well that will go over, but it shouldn’t be too big of a problem. I get quite a bit of time off on the weekends already.
In a way I dread having to get her to practice and games and all, but I know that it will be good for her. She needs to get involved in something with other kids outside of regular school, and she has been asking about playing basketball every since school started. So I hope she enjoys it.
