Surgery tomorrow!

I'm a little nervous about tomorrow.  I'm having surgery to fix my hand (deQuervain's tendinitis).  The surgery essentially releases the fibrous sheath over the tunnel (where the tendons live) which relieves pressure on the tendons.  A few looser fibrous layer will form which will be less constrictive.  This will hopefully take away the pain and numbness!  My doctor said it actually takes him about 10-15 minutes.  So I wonder why I need to be there 60 minutes before surgery? 

I've opted out of the feel good drugs.  If I wasn't breastfeeding I'd take them.  I'll take my ipod instead and listen to some music.  I dusted off my Kindle and bought a new book as I might have a minute or two to read while I am twiddling my thumbs (or thumb).  

I think I'm nervous about the aftermath mostly.  I won't be able to use my hand for a while which of course isn't ideal with a 3 month old and a 2 year old.  I'm also worried because it is my dominant hand....and then my mind goes to crazy places where everything goes wrong.  It's the nurse in me, so I talk myself back from the crazy place.

Anyway, I'll take my nervous energy to bed now.  I'll post when I've had a successful surgery. 

Robbie O'Neil (2/1/51 - 8/18/11)

On Thursday, August 18th the world lost one of the funniest people I've ever known.  My father-in-law, Robbie O'Neil. 

I am almost at a loss for words here.  The range of emotions that I've felt over the past almost 2 weeks (wow, it has already been that long) is incredible. 

I met Robb (I called him Dad) when I was 15 years old.  He was nothing but kind to me and he could make me laugh like no one else could.  His sense of humor was priceless and his one-liners are classic.  When Ryan and I were dating, at dinner (I was 16 years old), Dad threw out one of his famous one-liners and milk came spraying out of my nose.  Dad of course laughed, pointed and said "She's got milk coming out her nose."  It still makes me smile thinking about it. 

The man I got to know loved his family like crazy.  He always told my mother-in-law and his kids (including myself) he loved us.  When I left he always said two things, "Drive safely and I love you." 

Dad loved cars.  I didn't know someone could be as passionate about cars like he could.  His funeral procession was full of classic cars and was lead by two of his cars, a '69 Camaro and '64 Chevy Truck.  He would have loved it. 

The past few years were a struggle for him to put it nicely.  He grappled with alcoholism.  My brother-in-law I think said it best - He couldn't swallow his pride and admit he had a problem.  Watching his downward spiral was awful.  We tried so many times to get him help.  The man we knew was disappearing and it was heart breaking to see.  On some level his passing was odd in the fact that it seems like we had lost the Dad we knew years ago.  It is difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that now there is no longer hope of him conquering the disease.  

Ryan and Matt both spoke at his funeral.  I did not but would have said something like this.  Thank you for making me laugh.  You had the ability to put a smile on anyone's face.  Thank you for raising two great sons.  I will be eternally grateful for you giving me Ryan.  I pray you are at peace now and no longer suffering.  I love you. 

Goodbye 20's, Hello 30's!

Hello 30.  Seems weird.  And yet I have no idea why.  I also feel like I should care more about turning 30.  Maybe I am too busy and tired to care.  When I think about it my 20's were pretty awesome.  I was in college at the best university ever, University of Wisconsin - Madison.  Go Badgers!  I got my first "real" job at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin and still have that great job.  I married the love of my life.  We bought a couch, our first major purchase together....I was so nervous and it was less than $1,000.  We traveled the world, a few times!  We bought a house and I think I was less anxious about that than the couch.  We got new cars.  And of course we had two beautiful children! 

When I think about it, my 30's could seem a bit uneventful in comparison.  And yet with two young kids and Ryan as my hubby I have a feeling my 30's will be just as exciting as my 20's.  I am looking forward to the next decade.   

Back to work!

Euan was 12 weeks old on Monday.  Those were some of the quickest 12 weeks of my life, wow!  This milestone meant it was time to go back to work.  My first day back was Tuesday.  Ending my maternity leave I had mixed emotions.  While I would absolutely love to spend all my time with Fiona and Euan we need insurance so I have to work.  I don't want to dwell on something I can't change so I try to look at the bright side.  I have a job that I really enjoy for a variety of reasons (I work with great people and take care of great kids and families).  It also gets me out of the house which makes me feel adult-like for lack of a better phrase.  I appreciate the time I have with the kids a bit more too. 

I would have to say the first day back was a success.  It was nice to see my friends again and know I can still do my job.  I also was a bit less nervous about leaving the kids.  Probably because my parents are awesome and there couldn't be two better people to care for Fiona & Euan.  There isn't a better feeling than coming home to beautiful smiling faces and a little girl who says "Ma Ma." 

Euan & Dairy = Bad Day

On Monday we saw the allergist for Fiona (we did a skin test for soy & eggs which were both negative as they have been previously).  We will be doing a food challenge in September and I will keep my fingers (and toes) crossed.  While we were there we brought up the issues we had with Mr. Euan.  When his issues started I eliminated dairy for about 10 days and we thought we may have seen improvement in his demeanor, vomiting and pooping.  Once I eliminated soy everything was back to normal.  Based on that we were not sure if dairy was really a problem or not.  Ryan and I had discussed introducing dairy to see what happened and Dr. Lustig was supportive of that.  He said if it went well, great but if not he'd like to see him around his first birthday and he told us to let him know what happened.  Such a great doctor.  
Monday night I had some cheese in the form of my moms famous cheese dip.  It was heavenly and Fiona loved it too.  It was her first experience with it.  Her response was licking the tortilla chips clean and saying "Mmmmmmm" with a huge grin.  I didn't go crazy with the dairy as I was too nervous to do so.  Tuesday I had some cheesy lasagna, yummy!  I was feeling optimistic about it all and excited to eat cheese again.  Then Wednesday came along.  

Our happy guy (taken tonight)! 

Wednesday morning I noticed my happy little guy was crabby, gassy, wanting to eat every hour and not sleeping.  My Dad was here and we both were thinking the same thing.....dairy.  It was an obvious difference in his usual self.  Damn.  So of course I didn't eat any dairy on Wednesday.  Yesterday I noticed the changed in his pooping which had turned into diarrhea.  He had a few happy moments but was still very gassy.  Today was an overall good day, seems like the dairy is getting out of my milk and his system and we are getting our smiley guy back. 
We'll try again at a year but until then I will maintain my supply of rice milk and other dairy & soy free goodies. 

deQuervain's Tendinitis

I'll keep this post short as my hand is decently numb and hurts like heck! 

deQuervain's tendinitis.  Never heard of it?  Neither did I until Fiona was a few months old and my wrist and hand started to hurt.  I saw my primary care doc who suggested a brace and ibuprofen.  When it didn't improve I saw a specialist, Dr. Greg Watchmaker.  I got a cortisone shot in April 2010 and had great results.  It wasn't long before I forgot about it all together. 

When Euan was a few weeks old I began to remember.  At first it was not a big deal, just a bit of soreness and pain.  Last week it was getting decently uncomfortable so I made an appointment to see my friend again.  By Tuesday morning it was incredibly painful, very weak and decently numb.  There were bouts of pain that I swear made me see stars and then of course I puked.  I got another cortisone shot Tuesday afternoon.  I am still waiting for relief and hoping to see improvement soon.  Surgery was discussed but I really don't have time for that. 

Making Date Night a Success!

Celebrating 5 years
of marriage (2009).
Canoe Bay

Over the years we've figured out a few things that make date night successful and I thought I'd share what works for us.

1) Pick an appropriate place.  We choose to have date night over dinner.  Trying to have a serious conversation at 6:00pm on a Saturday night at BW3's (while yummy) might not be the best option.  Our favorite date night location is Mia Famiglia in Hales Corners. 
2) Plan ahead.  Make sure you both know when it is and allow enough time for good conversation.  Know where you will be going and if you need a reservation, make one. 
3) Make a list.  If you think you'll forget what you want to talk about write it down or tuck it away in the back of your mind.  We usually always discuss if there is anything we're doing that we would like to improve or anything we really appreciate as well as future short, and long term goals.
4) Put the cell phone away.  Nothing is more important than time with your spouse.  Facebook, friends and work will wait. 
5) Tell your waiter/waitress you are not in a hurry.  We make it clear we are happy to have a slow dinner and not in any rush (best to go later so you don't hold up the whole place of course).  Most good servers will get the hint and leave you be.  If not, tell them to go away. 
6) Have an open mind.  This is the time to bring up anything and everything.  Don't get defensive.  This is your spouse and their feelings and what they are saying is purely out of love for you (if not maybe you should look for a different partner).
7) Listen.  Enough said.
8) Hold hands.  Seems like an automatic way to calm down and connect.  Makes me smile just thinking about it. 

Since having kids I've found a few more things to add to the list:

1) Get a good babysitter.  If you don't trust the person your kids are with you won't be able to enjoy yourself. 
2) Pump before you go.  Any breastfeeding mom can tell you that life is much better when you are not engorged. 
3) Answer the cell phone only if it is the babysitter.  Instead of leaving it in the car, bring it with you but only answer for the babysitter.  Everyone else will wait. 
4) The kids.  Of course you will talk about them but make sure they are not the only topic of discussion.  This is date night after all.
5) Don't stay out too late.  A bit of a late night is fun, but don't close the bar or no one will be pleased with the middle of the night feeding.

We always go home happy and look forward to the next date night.  I'd love to hear what are your favorite things about date night.

Happy Dating!