Toast 2 Mom

Get That Over With

Well our first day of summer ended up with a trip to the urgent care last night. After a lovely day of going to the park, swimming and a play-date with friends, it ended in my sweet Cheekers getting clocked quite hard in the mouth resulting in a very deep cut on her tongue. For lack of gruesomeess, we had a messy drive to the doctor. And her tears lasted longer than any Mommy wants to hear. 

Convinced that stitches were going to be the answer, the doctor ended up just recommending it heal on its own. The tongue is a tricky thing to mend. Unless it had cut all the way through or had something missing, it was best to let it heal on its own. But the doctor was tempted, because it was a very deep cut. 

So we got through last night on ice-cube filled wash clothes and Tylenol. Sleep was restless and a lot of whimper sounds while sleeping. I do selfishly admit I like taking care of my baby.....but I don't like to see her hurting. And we're all a bit tired today from the restless night.

This morning her appetite is still none. I even offered her ice cream, and she said no. :( It's going to be a lazy day, I think. Maybe that's our sign to recognize it's summer - and it's time to slow down a bit anyway. Our day yesterday was quite action packed. 

My hope is that we got our injuries over with for the summer. If this is all we have to deal with, I will be fine with that. 

Today Was Better

I have been riding a very fast moving train for about three months. And yesterday I had to finally blow off some steam.

Building a business, preparing for our home to be on display for an open house, running a household, raising two girls and all that involves and being a decent wife (and about to celebrate 10 years) has been building and building and building on my sensitivity. And all of a sudden, but not out of no where, the waterworks showed up yesterday - and I just had to let it out. 

Though I'm trying to start this cookie business to show my daughters another side of me - I feel like I've been failing as a mother. Every day they say, "mommy, you're so busy." Though I've been working my tail off researching right and left and trying to line up all the steps to this business, there are several pieces still missing and I think, how will I get this all figured out? 

And something I failed to mention in my blog recently - in the last couple weeks I broke my toe and I bumped Vanna into another car in a parking lot and dented in my bumper. Typically I share all these goofy moments that happen with me day to day. But my head has been so heavily weighted down - and I simply just didn't have time. 

Today was better though. My mind just needed some space. When I get stressed, I feel really insecure and paranoid. It's a horrible feeling and very unproductive. But eventually I start to see the light.... And the light was some much needed quality time with my girls today. I got lots of business stuff accomplished today - but even better I got some extra carved out one-on-one time with my girls - where I really listened to them, not multitask listening. I worked with them, not helped them while I was doing something else. And best of all I did lots of things WITH them not just FOR them. 

And I feel like maybe I'm going to get some decent sleep tonight....

When There's No One Around

Today when we picked Sydney up from school, Cheekers went up and gave her big sister a BIG hug. Some days big sis needs a bit of space after school is out. Instead of using any words, Syd just pushed Cheekers off of her and said, "get OFF me!" Cheekers turned to me and said, "but I just love her so much!" Cue the tears. 

This is just one of the reasons I am looking forward to summer break. When the two of these girls are around, no school, no older kid influences - just two sisters being creative today, playing together, working together - they are the best of friends. And that's exactly how I like it. 

My heart aches in those grouchy moments to see one missing the other. But fortunately, those moments are pretty short lived. A simple drive home. A wardrobe change. A snack to share. And a push on the tire swing can create the most magical of sisterly smiles.  And a big mommy smile too.

Cat Drama

I know I'm going to write this and think - how trivial....but this situation is drama to us. 

We have taken in a new cat - as introduced a couple weeks ago. Her name is Penny - as in Lucky Penny. She is still beyond precious. But our household is in a bit of a cat nightmare right now. Having three cats, now four - it's next to impossible to know when one of them does something naughty - which one it was. Over the past year, we have had household interruptions - home remodeling, house guests, travels, parties, loud running around children, etc... Add those circumstances to aging felines - and "accidents" happen. Cats are complicated little critters. And despite the fact that they have a reputation of not caring about their owners - compared to the demonstration dogs put on - they do care.

So over the past year we have had some outside of the litter box potty incidents. I'm not going to lie - it sucks. And right now we're dealing with more of those situations. The fact that this new Penny showed up isn't helping. But it seems as if there have been unknown reasons for the cats acting out for a few years now. And sadly, we're currently not asking ourselves who to let go - but who should we even keep.

We love our cats. We love animals. But more than one of them has been causing potty problems that we simply do not want to deal with. But when you love your critters, this is a position I simply don't enjoy being in. I keep hoping that time will resolve the unsettled household. I hope it unsettles in time. 

A Picnic and the Park

A few weeks ago I was driving downtown, and I drove by this park I had taken the girls for a picnic when they were young(er). Sydney was a little over four and Natalie was a little over two. As I was driving by I felt this pain/warmness in my chest. I assume it was the memory of being there with them and remembering how young they were when we were there - and how long it's been and how old they are now.

When we first moved to Austin, we spent a lot of time exploring the city. It was perfect to have my two young buddies with me to visit this spot and that spot around town. Now that the girls are older, we have school now and lessons now and other stuff now. Getting a chance to just hit the park and have a picnic doesn't seem to be as easy as it once was. And I assume that's why my chest hurt. 

Remembering that feeling from a few weeks back, I knew I definitely wanted to find time during this spring break to make time for a picnic. Today was that day. I had planned to go back to the park where we went, now, years ago. But instead Sydney wanted to go to the "pink slide park". It is another oldie, but goodie. So off to the pink slide park for a picnic lunch and play time we went. 

I feel so much better now....

 

A New Furry Visitor

Two nights ago I met a friend out for dinner. When I got home, I found a little kitty-cat friend on our front porch. She was initially skittish - but turned out to be quite sweet. She and our Eddy cat were having a "conversation" through the front glass doors of our house. I said hello to the kitty, went inside and did my thing. I walked by the front door several times, only to find her still sitting there, just looking in. "Hey, whatcha guys doin' in there?" she seemed to say. I wondered where she lived, but then went to bed. 

Yesterday I thought about that little kitty and wondered if she made it home.

Last night she came back again. This time I grew suspicious that she might not have a home. Ron, more likely a bigger sucker than I am, brought out a cup of food and gave it to her on our front porch. She devoured it. She then devoured another cup after that one. I think our furry friend is trying to find a new home. 

I ended up leaving her on the porch again. She looked inside our house for over an hour and did her little wimpy meow until I couldn't handle it anymore....

Last night we brought her into our garage. She got a blankie, water, some more food and a litter box. Our other three cats, ages 11, 15 and 16 are aware of her but seem to be sleeping right through it all. I took a picture of her and sent out a neighborhood email. No one has claimed her yet. 

Sigh. So right now we have a new friend, that Sydney and Natalie are quite tickled at having. I don't know what we'll do with her yet. Does she have another home? Did she magically appear so we can be that weird family with four cats? I don't know. She is super, duper sweet though. So, we'll see what unfolds over the next day or two....

Meanwhile, here's our new furry visitor.

Sissy Love

Here's my view most mornings....as one sister heads to school for the day, the other waves good-bye and begins the endless loving remarks, "I miss my sister." 

Warms my heart to no end....