Gingerbread House

Nadia made her second gingerbread house today. About 11 months ago she made her first after I purchased a kit off a clearance rack. This year we used two of Ian's milk cartons, graham crackers, homemade frosting (egg whites plus powdered sugar), and some candy (spicettes and Skittles) to make one. It's definitely not going to win any awards, but she had fun, and she enjoyed licking the frosting off her fingers and eating some candy along the way. Considering her age and my lack of artsy/craftsy talent, I think we did just fine. Although we were busy working on this gingerbread house at noon, I did remember to call the Pediatrician today. They wouldn't give a referral. It seems they don't have a favorable view of the OT clinic that EI recommended. I asked which OT would he recommend, and he said they only refer children with a feeding disorder to a feeding team. So we're probably going to be treading water until he's admitted to Hershey in about 2 months. This is one of those times when I wished we didn't live in a rural area.

As for eating, Ian did a little better this weekend. I think it has a lot to do with what I feed him. Today he did better with handling texture than he has lately, but he screamed and fought me a lot more than he did the past two days. Karen isn't coming this week or next week, but it's been awhile since I felt like she was a help with his feeding issues.

As for sleeping, after months of going down at night without crying, he's back to screaming in bed at naptime and at night. It's harder on my nerves now that he's more verbal as sometimes he yells my name over and over again. It's hard not to go in, but doing so just prolongs the crying (I am speaking from experience here). He's doing really well sleeping through the night, and his nap is on average 30 minutes long. Up until a few days ago, Nadia had never missed her nap more than 2 days in a row. Today was her fifth day of not napping in her bed. She did fall asleep in the car around 4:15pm on Thursday en route to going to Perkins for dinner. She also fell asleep in the car last week at 3:45 on the way to ballet. I'm trying to decide whether to just make it a "room time" for her or to insist she stays in her bed for more of a "quiet time." I had hoped she wouldn't give her nap up this early, but I guess at 3 1/2 she no longer needs a nap on a regular basis.

I've had trouble sleeping the last three nights. I don't have trouble falling asleep, but whenever I wake up in the morning, I can't go back to sleep like I usually do. Instead I lie there going back and forth in my mind as to what I should do if the President denies my request for childrearing leave. I vascilate between thinking I should resign or that I should ask for 10 student teachers plus 2 night classes and attempt to work FT next semester. I really don't want to work FT though. My main concerns are who will be able to feed Ian while I am at school and how I would possibly juggle working FT while caring for a 3.5 year old while my 2 year old is in the hospital for a month (especially as that hospital is almost 2 hours from our home). I really, really, really wish he'd approve my request, but from some things that happened on Friday, I am feeling quite certain his answer is going to be "no." To be honest, even teaching 2 night classes will be a challenge. I wish I could continue my current schedule (of teaching 2 online courses), but our department isn't offering any online classes next semester. I'm scheduled to teach 2 online courses next summer, but that won't happen if I end up resigning. The university will be closed next week so if I don't hear this week, I won't be hearing anything until January. I haven't stared working on my syllabi, haven't made childcare arrangements, etc. It's really stressing me out because normally I'd be working on those now since the new semester begins in about one month. I'd greatly appreciate prayers that I'll hear the President's decision this week, and that if his answer is "no" that I'll have wisdom to know what I should do.

This morning I picked up a refill of my bcp. I just have five more pills to take (last one will be Saturday), and next week I should start stabbing my belly. I also picked up fluoride tablets (for Nadia) and drops (for Ian). I didn't owe a dime for any of those, which was nice. I also haven't been paying any co-pays for Ian's doctor appointments now that he has both Blue Shield and Medicaid.