Wishing you a very Happy Easter from our family to yours!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Coming Out of Hibernation
I am completely delinquent on my blogging (as pointed out by several people - thanks Mom and Kim!). No excuse really except just busy and focused on other things lately. Trying to get back on track. Here is what is new at the Lambert household:
Me: Work, work, work seems to be my mantra and has been in the past few months. Despite the down economy I am thankful that I have a job and that I have work at that job. It is just lately it has been shall we say overwhelming? I can never quite get enough done each day try as I may to squeeze every ounce out of the time I spend at the office. Cloning myself is not an option so no light at the end of the tunnel. I started my running class again this week and am trying to head off the IT band issues from the start with proper stretching before and after. So far I feel great and as last year, LOVING it. School is still on my agenda with a June start. That may get pushed back dependent on financial aid but I shall keep you apprised.
Bill: Union, budget, union, budget. That is his life these days. With state aid to cities being cut Bill has spent these past few months in endless meetings with city leaders (mayor, city council, etc.) trying to work with them on the budget woes and advocate for the Fire Department. It has been a very bumpy and emotional roller coaster to say the least. Last word the prognosis was grim again with proposed cuts to staffing being on the table. Bill has also taken up dancing with Anna. At Anna's dance recital each year the final number is a father/daughter number that is positively the highlight of the show. He and Anna are participating this year with the song/theme being Greased Lightening. He is actually having great time with it (but wants no one to know this).
Ryan: He is doing great with his braces but got the wires on this week so he is a hurting boy right now. He brought home another straight A report card so we are so very proud of him. This month he decided to re-read the entire Harry Potter series and finished it in a record 23 days. The boy has an appetite for reading like none I have ever seen and it is not unusual for him to be reading multiple books at any given time. Crazy!
Anna: Anna has likely been our biggest challenge these past few months. She has not slept through the night since right after Christmas and ends up on the floor of our bedroom every night. We have had a plethora of tests done including EEG and CT with all looking normal thankfully. At the end of May we are scheduled to see a doctor at the Pediatric Sleep Disorders Clinic. Until then a solid night sleep is not in any of our futures. Ugh. She too brought home a great report card and seems to have really taken off with her reading and writing this second half of the school year.
I guess that about it sums it up at our house. Of course we are all desperately awaiting the arrival of SPRING to Minnesota. Where oh where can it be hiding?
Me: Work, work, work seems to be my mantra and has been in the past few months. Despite the down economy I am thankful that I have a job and that I have work at that job. It is just lately it has been shall we say overwhelming? I can never quite get enough done each day try as I may to squeeze every ounce out of the time I spend at the office. Cloning myself is not an option so no light at the end of the tunnel. I started my running class again this week and am trying to head off the IT band issues from the start with proper stretching before and after. So far I feel great and as last year, LOVING it. School is still on my agenda with a June start. That may get pushed back dependent on financial aid but I shall keep you apprised.
Bill: Union, budget, union, budget. That is his life these days. With state aid to cities being cut Bill has spent these past few months in endless meetings with city leaders (mayor, city council, etc.) trying to work with them on the budget woes and advocate for the Fire Department. It has been a very bumpy and emotional roller coaster to say the least. Last word the prognosis was grim again with proposed cuts to staffing being on the table. Bill has also taken up dancing with Anna. At Anna's dance recital each year the final number is a father/daughter number that is positively the highlight of the show. He and Anna are participating this year with the song/theme being Greased Lightening. He is actually having great time with it (but wants no one to know this).
Ryan: He is doing great with his braces but got the wires on this week so he is a hurting boy right now. He brought home another straight A report card so we are so very proud of him. This month he decided to re-read the entire Harry Potter series and finished it in a record 23 days. The boy has an appetite for reading like none I have ever seen and it is not unusual for him to be reading multiple books at any given time. Crazy!
Anna: Anna has likely been our biggest challenge these past few months. She has not slept through the night since right after Christmas and ends up on the floor of our bedroom every night. We have had a plethora of tests done including EEG and CT with all looking normal thankfully. At the end of May we are scheduled to see a doctor at the Pediatric Sleep Disorders Clinic. Until then a solid night sleep is not in any of our futures. Ugh. She too brought home a great report card and seems to have really taken off with her reading and writing this second half of the school year.
I guess that about it sums it up at our house. Of course we are all desperately awaiting the arrival of SPRING to Minnesota. Where oh where can it be hiding?
Saturday, February 21, 2009
A Million Dollar Smile
This past week was a milestone one at our house. Ryan got his braces on! I am still trying to comprehend that I have a child old enough to have braces. Kids get braces much younger today than when I was growing up. With the type of correction Ryan needs, in his case, the timing of his age and where he is at in development was perfect. The type of overbite he has is one that would require surgery to fix plus orthodontics had he matured too much.
No it really isn't a million dollar smile . . . only several thousand dollars so far . . . but I keep telling him it will be worth a million bucks when he is all done. He has been such a trooper for this despite his mouth being sore and having to learn to eat and talk with all this hardware in his mouth. He is also doing remarkably well with his brushing and care of them.
In addition to the braces brackets, he has something in the roof of his mouth called an expander and it basically does what the name says. Each night we have to use a little key to turn it one very small, yet still very painful turn. It is essentially spreading his palate in the roof of his mouth. Bill did it the first couple days but last night Bill was back to work and I was on my own. I could hardly stomach it but I did finally succeed and Ry was so patient with me.
I think the really neat part of this is that (and maybe it is because he is so much younger getting braces) but the kids at school haven't picked on him or called him tinsel teeth or anything like that. Rather, they think everything is "cool."
Sunday, February 15, 2009
A Sizziling Hot Valentine's Day Lambert Style
Valentine's Day had an interesting twist at our house this year. Things really heated up. In fact temperatures soared. Oh stop it - it's not what you think!
Anna came down with body aches and a high fever on Thursday afternoon that carried on to Friday and to Saturday. The aches were so bad she cried. The fever . . . it seemed Advil was no match for it. We all had flu shots but I assumed that she either had a strain not covered by the shot or a mild case of one covered by it. In the back of my mind was the note that had come home from school earlier in the week that there was a second case of strep in her classroom.
Late in the afternoon on Valentine's Day Anna spiraled downward and her fever jumped over 103. So instead of enjoying a family Valentine's dinner it was off to urgent care. The diagnosis - strep. Ugh. Anna got to pick between one shot or 40 does of antibiotics (4x/day for 10 days). She of course opted for the medicine and although she doesn't like it she is taking it like an obedient little soldier. Now we are on strep watch for the remaining three of us. Unfortunately I Bill and I seem to have a disagreement over who is more likely to come down with it. We have both been sneezed and sniffled on countless times not knowing what germs were being shared with us.
And so, that is how you have a sizzling hot Valentine's Day in the Lambert house.
Anna came down with body aches and a high fever on Thursday afternoon that carried on to Friday and to Saturday. The aches were so bad she cried. The fever . . . it seemed Advil was no match for it. We all had flu shots but I assumed that she either had a strain not covered by the shot or a mild case of one covered by it. In the back of my mind was the note that had come home from school earlier in the week that there was a second case of strep in her classroom.
Late in the afternoon on Valentine's Day Anna spiraled downward and her fever jumped over 103. So instead of enjoying a family Valentine's dinner it was off to urgent care. The diagnosis - strep. Ugh. Anna got to pick between one shot or 40 does of antibiotics (4x/day for 10 days). She of course opted for the medicine and although she doesn't like it she is taking it like an obedient little soldier. Now we are on strep watch for the remaining three of us. Unfortunately I Bill and I seem to have a disagreement over who is more likely to come down with it. We have both been sneezed and sniffled on countless times not knowing what germs were being shared with us.
And so, that is how you have a sizzling hot Valentine's Day in the Lambert house.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Sweet Dreams Are Made of This
Today was a happy happy day at our house. Our new Select Comfort, Sleep Number Memory Foam topped bed was delivered! I can't tell you how excited I was this morning to strip our old spring mattress of the bedding and prepare it for its removal. Heck even me who gets sentimental about the DUMBEST things didn't feel even a pang of sadness when I left the house this morning knowing I would never have to see or sleep on that mattress ever again. I know it will take a bit of time to get used to the new bed and find my magic "sleep number" but I am sure it won't be long and I will no longer wake up stiff, sore and more often then not with a headache.I think Anna was likely the most sad to see the mattress go. She likened it to her own personal indoor trampoline (which no doubt contributed to its demise). Of course for all the times I caught her jumping and asked her to stop today was the only day she ever actually asked if she could jump on it. Bill captured her having a last hurray.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Running on Empty
It has been a long two weeks at the Lambert house. My work was crazy last week but settled into a more manageable pace this week. However last week's craziness did lead to playing catch up this week. Bill - well if you read my post from last Friday it won't surprise you when I say "Bill who?" Yep this week really wasn't much better in terms of the face time I got with Bill. Hmmm let me think. Monday night - nope at work. Tuesday night - nope at Union Meeting. Wednesday night - nope took Anna to dance. Thursday night - nope, not feeling well so he slept the evening away on the couch. Do you see the pattern here??? I did get to have dinner with him last night and got the budget update and I am sad to say it really isn't much brighter than my report last Friday. He meets with the Mayor at 4:30 today so it goes without saying but in terms of seeing Bill tonight - nope not home. :-(
To top it off Anna STILL is not sleeping through the night. After a lengthy conversation with the Pediatrician I resorted to a sticker chart on Wednesday night with the prize after 7 nights of sleeping through the night in her own bed the Webkinz of her choice. She bought it hook, line and sinker . . . for one night. Wednesday night was the first night in over a month that not only did Anna stay in her bed the whole night, but she also slept the whole night. My back patting was premature to say the least. Last night Bill and I were up with her for well over an hour from about 1:30 - 3:00 while she had a temper tantrum. Fortunately Ryan slept through it, how I will never know. Bill did finally get her to admit she is afraid of "monsters." So now I have to figure out a way to exterminate the monsters and get her to actually buy into that I did this. Needless to say NO more scary stories, movies or books for Ms. Anna. Ugh
The "highlight" of the week was Ryan's trip to the Orthodontist on Monday. We have officially started down the path of beautiful teeth for Ryan. The good news is the investment isn't as bad as Bill and I expected. And Ryan is actually approaching this with a very positive attitude.
Me - I have been hanging out on Facebook a lot reconnecting with long lost friends. If you haven't given it a try - I say go for it! It is very fun.
To top it off Anna STILL is not sleeping through the night. After a lengthy conversation with the Pediatrician I resorted to a sticker chart on Wednesday night with the prize after 7 nights of sleeping through the night in her own bed the Webkinz of her choice. She bought it hook, line and sinker . . . for one night. Wednesday night was the first night in over a month that not only did Anna stay in her bed the whole night, but she also slept the whole night. My back patting was premature to say the least. Last night Bill and I were up with her for well over an hour from about 1:30 - 3:00 while she had a temper tantrum. Fortunately Ryan slept through it, how I will never know. Bill did finally get her to admit she is afraid of "monsters." So now I have to figure out a way to exterminate the monsters and get her to actually buy into that I did this. Needless to say NO more scary stories, movies or books for Ms. Anna. Ugh
The "highlight" of the week was Ryan's trip to the Orthodontist on Monday. We have officially started down the path of beautiful teeth for Ryan. The good news is the investment isn't as bad as Bill and I expected. And Ryan is actually approaching this with a very positive attitude.
Me - I have been hanging out on Facebook a lot reconnecting with long lost friends. If you haven't given it a try - I say go for it! It is very fun.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Rough Times Are Headed Our Way
Today my heart is breaking for Bill and for his fellow union officers and the entire St. Paul Fire Department. As I am sure every one of you who follow this blog will attest to - the economy is extremely brutal right now. This week Gov. Pawlenty came out with his proposed budget cuts. The City of Saint Paul is being hit hard - very hard. I know they aren't alone and I also know that the cuts could have been even worse. As Bill told me the other day - it is at about 80% of the worst case scenario they had been warned of. Literally this week I have seen Bill for about 1.5 hours since he left for work early Monday morning. When not working he has pretty much been in non-stop meetings crunching numbers and trying to work WITH the city to help determine how best to go about cutting the $7 million they have been told needs to be cut from the Fire Department budget.
The goal all along has been to try to avoid lay offs and cutting companies. Moves like this hurt on multiple levels for a Fire Department. Obviously first and foremost is the loss of jobs for these individuals. It is not likely that those laid off could just go and get another fire job somewhere else and is in fact nearly impossible. Many if not all of these individuals have families - wives, children, mortgages. Secondary to this is that running with less people will have a direct impact on the level of service the department can give to the city. In a profession where seconds and minutes count, longer response times can truly mean the difference between life and death, between saving a property from a fire and losing one to it. And lastly, the thing with the most impact to me, is that running short affects the safety of Bill's job overall. The chances of him being hurt or heaven forbid worse increase dramatically with less people. I have always prided myself on being able to bid him good bye each day and not worry that he wouldn't be coming back through the door the next day. I can't say I would be able to do that any longer.
I feel bad for Bill too because I can sense and hear the toll this is taking on him. He knew when he ran for Union treasurer that the job would be much like a marriage - you know for better or worse, for richer or poorer. But I don't think though that any of us could have really foreseen the magnitude of the impact the tanked economy would have on us all.
Tonight when I put the kids to bed and we say prayers we will send out extra blessings to the fire department and all the people being impacted by everything going on. I hope you will too.
The goal all along has been to try to avoid lay offs and cutting companies. Moves like this hurt on multiple levels for a Fire Department. Obviously first and foremost is the loss of jobs for these individuals. It is not likely that those laid off could just go and get another fire job somewhere else and is in fact nearly impossible. Many if not all of these individuals have families - wives, children, mortgages. Secondary to this is that running with less people will have a direct impact on the level of service the department can give to the city. In a profession where seconds and minutes count, longer response times can truly mean the difference between life and death, between saving a property from a fire and losing one to it. And lastly, the thing with the most impact to me, is that running short affects the safety of Bill's job overall. The chances of him being hurt or heaven forbid worse increase dramatically with less people. I have always prided myself on being able to bid him good bye each day and not worry that he wouldn't be coming back through the door the next day. I can't say I would be able to do that any longer.
I feel bad for Bill too because I can sense and hear the toll this is taking on him. He knew when he ran for Union treasurer that the job would be much like a marriage - you know for better or worse, for richer or poorer. But I don't think though that any of us could have really foreseen the magnitude of the impact the tanked economy would have on us all.
Tonight when I put the kids to bed and we say prayers we will send out extra blessings to the fire department and all the people being impacted by everything going on. I hope you will too.
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