A little Monday unloading

Today was Dr. day. Caleb had his two year apt. at 8:30am. And he woke up at 5:50am. So we let him stand at the door in his room till about 6:20ish, when Dave got up for work and brought Caleb out for breakfast. And I got to sleep in till 7:15. Have I mentioned how amazing my husband is? Everyday. He does so much to help me out. I took a nice hot shower while he got both boys ready for the day. (He does this almost every single morning) I'm a lucky girl.
We dropped off Dave and then with only 20 minutes until our Dr. apt, I decided we'd just head right over. But first I ran inside the house to grab a little breakfast, a banana and some orange juice, which had I known what the next two hours would entail, I probably would have sat down and had a little more to eat!
Lucas in the ergo, and Caleb holding my hand, we headed inside the dr's office. And all was fine and dandy. Caleb now weighs 34 lbs and is 37in long! Finally his length is more than his weight. :)
He got his vaccination, and did good. Meanwhile I had to take Lucas out of the ergo to nurse, and was trying to hold him and help Caleb put on his pants/calm him down after his shot...while listening to dr...you get the idea, juggling act-story of my life.
We then had to head over for blood work (which I was not expecting, but didn't want to have to go back)
At this point, Caleb had taken his shoes off while I wasn't looking and we had to walk outside and over, but Lucas was back in the ergo already, and this was a battle I wasn't ready to have at 9am in the middle of the sidewalk, on a Monday. So...we headed over, Caleb holding raisins and barefoot. Me holding Elmo and shoes, and brother in the ergo (thank goodness for the ergo, couldn't imagine trying to carry a car seat on top of everything else)
We arrive to the lab (only 2 sec distance, but felt like a mile) and the lab tech requests an ID and insurance card, which of course, were still in the car and I only had my debit on me. When I asked if this would work (silly me) she, not so kindly, informed me that a debit doesn't have ID on it. Thank you for pointing out the obvious missy. So back to the car we go. Now, I not only have Elmo, shoes, brother, but also a toddler who wants to be carried as well. I told him he could walk or wait for me. He chose to wait(in a spot where I could clearly see him from the 2sec distance to the car) So he sat in the middle of the sidewalk outside and fussed while I grabbed the insurance card and ID. A nice lady thought his mommy was missing, as I called to him letting him know I was right there. And did I mention, still barefoot. Do I get worst mother of the year award yet?
Finally we got back inside. I filled out paperwork, while trying to calm Lucas who only got to nurse on one side at the dr's and was a little fussy. Trying to keep Caleb from climbing onto table while I'm filling out paperwork.
We go to the room for the blood draw and the fun begins. The tech told me Caleb needed to be in my lap, right around the exact moment I flashed back to his last blood draw at 9mo, where I held him, screaming and squirming, in my lap and Dave closed his eyes so he wouldn't have to watch. So, I plopped Caleb on my lap, re-arranged Lucas so he was on my left side, tried to get the binky in so Lucas would be calm. And sat there trying to hold 34 lbs of toddler while a needle dug into his arm and whispered soft words of encouragement while tears streamed down his face, and Lucas' head bobbed as he watched brother crying-and for 5 minutes no blood came out. Hello. Nothing was coming and the lab tech (not so kindly) told me we couldn't get anything if he was moving. (Trying to keep a toddler still for 5 minutes with a needle in his arm-not so easy) so she tells me we can switch arms and try the left side. Yay! Could we have not tried that 4 minutes ago maybe? So, I re-arrange Lucas on the ergo to shift sides, put Caleb on my other leg, who at this point is so upset he's trying to use his words to tell me all done, but it comes out more as jibberish in tears, and I'm still trying to calmly soothe him as tears fill my eyes. No blood was coming out for another 2 minutes. Lucas started fussing, Caleb was crying, and I was trying not to join in. I had both legs wrapped around Caleb's legs to keep him still and one arm around his arm to keep his arm down, and the other around Lucas'. We were a sight. Finally the blood was drawn and Caleb was ready to fly to the door and escape! He wanted out. As did I.

Sweet Lucas who stayed calm amid the caos this morning
Making sure Lucas has his blanket on
Such a brave boy. 3 battle wounds from the dr. visit today.


We made it back to the car and back home where I sat on the couch to nurse Lucas and watch Caleb play happily with his toys. I drank some water and was trying to breathe deeply to stop shaking from the morning. And then, the doorbell rang, we had unexpected visitors....need I go on? The next hour Caleb who was just so darn tired, TT'd and got upset every time his friend used one of his toys, until the last half hour before they left. And how do you kindly send people out of your house? I pretty much had to today. Lunch and (the much needed) nap got a late start, and the unexpected visit from friends finally ended. Our knight in shining armor walked into the front door at noon and I practically cried tears of joy. He ate his lunch, put both boys down for a nap, gave me a lot of encouraging hugs and kisses. And I now sit, with my pumpkin spice candle burning, and the keyboards taping. Both boys are sleeping. And I am finally not shaking after eating lunch four hours after my piddly banana breakfast.
Sigh. Some days I feel like I have too many moments where I forget to sit and eat, go to the bathroom, and drink water. Which is horrible! I know I need to take care of myself, and I do. Long hot showers in the morning and evening; walks around the neighborhood at sunset, by myself; relaxing with music and a candle burning in the kitchen while the boys nap; taking a nap myself during the boys' nap; savoring those moments in the evening when Caleb and Lucas are sleeping and Dave and I are sitting close together on the sofa watching a show; moments with Caleb and Lucas where I slow down and just watch as Caleb holds Lucas' hand or where Caleb is playing with his toys. I savor those peaceful moments as much as I can because there are plenty of hurried and rushed moments where I do forget to stop and just breathe.


Going to try and savor the doing a little more, and the getting it done a little less.