Not Chopped Liver, Totally Steak & Lobster

I need to address an anonymous comment left on my last post.

I was excited about Esther being here. I was relieved to have some long-term help. What I forgot to mention was that my sweet Mom took two weeks off work to help me when I got home with the baby.

When I blog, I leave out a great deal of important things that go on in my life. Mostly, it's because we have a busy, exciting life and I don't have all day to sit at the computer and chat about it. I pick snippets here and there. When I look back at my old posts, often I see huge gaps missing and I hope that when I read this when I'm old and grey, I don't think this was it.

Mom came to the rescue when I was recovering from a complicated c-section with Zane. She stayed with me for four whole weeks - helping with the children, doing laundry, cooking, scrubbing, you name it! This time - a much less complicated recovery - she stayed with me for two weeks. Both times were a large sacrifice to her...time off work and time away from Dad. But she's a trooper and we loved having her.

The reason I blogged about Esther and not her is because I didn't get that panicky feeling this time when Mom's departure was looming - I had a long-term helper coming. Also, with paid help, there is no guilt with asking for toilets to be scrubbed or making special requests. When someone is helping because they love you, you take what they're willing to give. when you're paying...well, it's just different.

So, I'm sorry to sound ungrateful. (Some people's children!) I'm totally not.

But...for the record, I've asked Mom to quit her job and be full-time Granny. She hasn't taken the bait quite yet. I guess we have to wait a little longer for steak & lobster!

I love you, Mom!



Pinch Me, 'Cause I MUST Be Dreaming

Dwayne has been trying to get me to find somebody to help me with my home and with the children.

For months.

Pride - I can do it myself, darn it - and finances have stopped me.

At the end of our first day home with all the children, Dwayne said it again. "I know you can do it yourself, but why? I want to come home to a relaxed wife, children that have had one-on-one time with their mom and a clean house that you haven't had to stress over."

I caved.

I made a call to Esther, an 18-year-old from Ontario that I had met last year. Would she be remotely interested?

Less than 2 weeks later, we picked her up at the airport.

Esther is just what I needed. She helps with my home and and helps with the children. She is chipper and cheerful. She fits right in with our family.

On Thursday, I went to a funeral and took the baby. I came home to happy children, three clean bathrooms and a delicious supper. Somebody pinch me...

And thank you, Dwayne, for being the most understanding and gracious husband ever.


Have You Been Pooped On or Puked On Lately?

We went to the city yesterday. Among our stops was an appointment with our accountant.

Yes, I know, I'm an accountant too. Sometimes, though, with the layerings of companies and tax-planning strategies for the next year, you've gotta pull out the big guns that specialize in the corporate stuff. Our 'big gun' - Ron - is a partner at a great accounting firm.

On the way there, Chance managed to poop and puke on me. For some reason, Dwayne found this hilarious.

"What're you laughing at?" I ask.

"I was just thinking of the days when you wanted to chase your career and now you're in the backseat of the truck, nursing a baby, getting pooped on and puked on."

"If you keep laughing, I'm going to ask Ron for a job and chase my career again!"

During our appointment with Ron, I brought this up.

His response? "Just stay where you are and keep doing what you're doing. We all get 'pooped on' and 'puked on' in our jobs - just in different ways."

I'll have to keep this in mind on those days when the grass is looking a little greener on the other side...


Our Baby Chance

He finally came...
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Chance Jaxon
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8lbs 4oz
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20 1/2" long
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1 1/2 hour delivery - start to finish
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He didn't even wait for Daddy to get to the hospital!