Work

I went to work this morning.  The schedule looked weird.  I found out one of the PTs was laid off.  He was the newest one, not too long out of school.  I feel bad.  Then I checked my email and saw my boss wanted to meet with me later in the morning.  So I assumed I might be getting laid off too.  I wasn't, but my hours were cut.  I was (only) working 12, now I'm only working 8.  Down from MWF to WF.  I texted Aaron to let him know.  He said are you sad or happy?  I said "I feel unaffected".  I really do.  I'm a little sad that I'm somewhat disposable, but I suppose that's true of nearly all jobs.  But I was secretly thinking not too long ago that I wouldn't mind working less.  It came at a good time though.  My job was essentially paying for our (me and Bertie) insurance.  And with Aaron's new job, our (the whole family) insurance is essentially free (under $40 a month).  So the money from my job is kind of a bonus.  Plus Aaron's pay will increase in August, so it's fine.

Yesterday I took Bertie to get his one year pictures done (only a month late, more on that later).  I went to Picture People at the mall.  My experience was terrible.  Here is a copy of the letter I'll be mailing tomorrow:

To the manager,

I wanted to inform you of an unfortunately disappointing  experience I had at your store.  

On Monday, 30 March I went in, in the afternoon, to make an appointment for the next day.  I was helped by Carl.  He was nice, helpful, and seemed interested in the pictures for my son's first birthday, and had some helpful suggestions for outfits or props to bring from home.  

I came in the next day (31 March) for my son's appointment, and was helped by Vanessa and Michelle initially.  They had to get all my information again, despite having provided it the previous day.  Michelle was my photographer.  Things started out ok.  She didn't really have a lot of suggestions for positioning him.  She was not good at getting his attention, or having him look the right way.  I will concede that  my son was not his normal happy self that day, but he was not overly uncooperative, especially at the beginning of the shoot.  As the session went on, his patience ran out.  She didn't suggest we take a break, or do anything that might make him happier.  I knew there wouldn't be a lot of workable images at the end.  

Towards the end, it became obvious that my son wanted to nurse, I told him I would nurse him once we were finished.  At the end of the shoot Michelle said “We have a bathroom if you want to nurse him”. I ignored this.  Once we were all packed up, and she was going to edit the images, she again said “The bathroom is just down the hall, so you can nurse him.” At this point I said “I don't feed my son in the bathroom.” It seems like your store should have enough babies/nursing mothers come in that your employees should be aware that suggesting that a mother feed her baby in the bathroom is gross, and insulting.  Not to mention California Civil Code 43.3 the right to breastfeed in any location, public or private.  

We waited for our images to be finished.  Vanessa called me over to look at the images. As I mentioned, I knew there wouldn't be a lot of usable images, but I was surprised that there were only 17.  And the majority of these were not anything I would choose for a professional picture.  Most of the close up shots that were really cute had the top, or side of the head cut off.  A few of the full shots that were good clearly showed the plastic “wood” flooring pealing up.  Vanessa didn't say anything and seemed really bored to be there.

I was apprehensive about getting my son's pictures from Picture People to begin with, and apparently for good reason.  I won't be returning to your store, or chain, and will definitely dissuade others from going there.

Yeah, it was terrible. Fortunately, I only spent $20,

Originally, we had pictures scheduled with Abby, a girl I know from church. (I say girl, but she's probably just a couple years younger than me). We were scheduled mid-March, but then Bertie and Aaron were sick. So we moved to the next Saturday. But then the baby they were adopting came five weeks early, so she and her hubby had to rush out to Ohio. She just updated her facebook today, the birth mom changed her mind. When I read that, my gut sank. I'm heartbroken for them. They were involved from the very beginning. I went down to tell Dennis, since he knew about the adoption. I was telling him, and he reacted as anyone would. At that moment Janet walked up and asked what happened. (She's never met Abby, and doesn't know her). I told her, and she started crying. (For those who don't know, Aaron was adopted at birth. Janet and Dennis are his parents. He didn't meet his bio-mom until he was 24). This, of course, made me cry. There's nothing you can say, or do. It's human nature to want to help, but this is a helpless situation.

On to better things.

Aside from the terrible news above, today was a pretty good day. I had an early start. Bertie woke up at 3, I let him fuss for 15 or 20 minutes (he was more whining than anything else). Then I went in, changed him, nursed him, and laid him back down. I couldn't go back to sleep. I got up a little after 4. I left for work at 6. Work was normal. When I got home, Bertie was sleeping, but woke up as soon as I went in the house. He was sleeping on the floor. His eyes snapped open, he looked at me, and crawled right over. He also crawled up the stairs twice! That's the first time he's done that. We went to Safeway and got Seltzer water (I'm nearly 2 weeks diet coke free!). Then I decided we would go to Red Lobster for lunch, I had a gift card. I got 1.5 lbs of crab legs. Bertram is usually a bottomless pit, so I assumed he'd eat a lot. He did eat two biscuits, but only a little crab. So we'll have lunch tomorrow. I thought he was tired (I know I was), so we went home. I laid down with him, and then put him in his bed. He didn't sleep. We then went for a nice walk. When we got back, I laid him down again. I got dinner started. I made a Mexican casserole. He still didn't sleep, so I drew and bath, and we both got in. Aaron came home, we got dried and dressed, and ate dinner. Aaron didn't like it, I thought it was good. We walked the dogs. And Bertie went to bed. I'll be doing that same soon.

Today

Today was Tuesday, so I didn't have to work.

I had planned to sleep in, which I guess, technically, I did; since I slept later than 5.  But I would have liked to sleep til 9, but the dog woke me, which woke Bertie.  So we woke up around 8, but didn't get going til 8:30.  We got up, I had cereal, Bertie had pancakes and cherrios.  He had major bedhead this morning. We played a little, but he went down for an early nap.

I started cleaning, and folded laundry.  But Baby B only slept for about 45 minutes.  I was almost done cleaning when we awoke.  I cuddled him for a couple minutes, and then took him down the street to see his grandma so I could finish.  I, then, finished the counters and swept the kitchen and living room.  While sweeping the living room, I found some ants, then I had to spray.  I got dressed and got Bertie.  Then he and I had lunch.  He had strawberries and cheese.  I had a salad and some cottage cheese.

I got Bertie dressed and he and I went for a bike ride.  He loves his new bike seat.  We rode to Kirk Park, he played in the swings, because that's his favourite.  He was getting tired, so we rode back home.  I started the tub, while getting him undressed, then getting myself undressed. It had been a while since I'd bathed with him.  He loves bath time. Nursed a lot in the tub.  Then I put him back to bed again.  It was about 2pm.

I did a little more laundry, and mostly just relaxed.  I watched some daytime tv.  We were scheduled to meet Aaron's mom, dad and aunt at the Cheesecake Factory at 5:30.  I was planning on going there early, so Bertie and I could walk.  But he actually took a really good nap: 2.25 hours!  And he would have slept longer, but I had to wake him. because...

Last Wednesday Aaron's car wouldn't start at work.  I picked him up, and his car was towed to our mechanic.  We borrowed my dad's spare car (dad said keep it indefinitely (aka until he needs in again)) and told the mechanic that he didn't have to hurry, so he didn't (which was fine).  I think his car was done yesterday, but we weren't able to get over there.  Aaron called me and asked if I could go pay for the car.  So...

Bertie work up at 4:15ish (after I prodded him a little, since it was getting late).  We headed to the mechanic, which took a few minutes.  Then we had to go across town, and I decided to take the freeway (which could have been a bad idea, but since I had baby with me we took the carpool lane.

We got to the restaurant around 5:20.  We got a table.  Aaron met us there.  Then the others came.  We had nice a time.  Bertie ate a lot (as usual). Our server was awesome, and brought Bertie his own appetizer plate with small pieces of bread and sliced banana.    We also ordered Bertie his own food.  Sometimes we share with him, but Aaron got a burger, and I got french dip, so it's hard to share that with a baby.  He had grilled chicken and mashed potatoes.  Aaron and I got a piece of cheesecake to go (smores, my choice), because his mom made a pie.  (We'll eat our cake tomorrow).

When we came home, we went for our nightly dog walk.  Bertie got to bed around 8.  I watched Hell's Kitchen, and Aaron went to pick up his car.  And here I am!

Blah blah blah

We finished our taxes and got money back.  Yay!  It's going to be used to pay off my $900 crown and my $481 Humira.  But I got a couple fun things too: a bike seat and helmet for Bertie.  And I'm going to buy myself a new pair of running shoes, since it's been a while.

I really need to get back into exercising again.  I've just been getting my steps in everyday.  It's hard to work in exercise around Bertram's schedule.  He doesn't always nap, and when he does, it's not for a set amount of time.  The only thing I could do would be get up early on Tuesday and Thursday, and I'm not likely to do that.

And now Bertie is awake.  That was quick

And then...

My sister pointed out that I hadn't blogged in over a month.  I've been thinking about blogging, I just never got to it.

Everybody came to visit. Mom was here for two week, Boy and Nate came for a week.  I love when everyone is here. Bertie's birthday was great, he got a lot of gifts.  I made him a no sugar added smash cake.  We did some tourist-y stuff while everyone was here; San Francisco, Santa Cruz.

I had a Crohns flare-up for a bit, since I had to space out my un-affordable Humira.  But it seems to be mostly better now.

I'll do a more complete blog soon.  I need my day by day journal, I can't remember all the things I wanted to touch on.

Too much

My dad had a small heart attack last week.  We went to the hospital for chest pain, and ended up having an angiogram.  He had a stent put in, but one vessel is still blocked.  I went to his follow up with the cardiologist today.  That was when I found out about the heart attack, I thought it was just chest pain.  Here is what else I found out:

• The vessel that is still blocked is called the "widow maker".  
• Because he still has two working vessels they call that "nature's bypass".
• He is still having some minor chest pain.  So he'll be put on an additional pharmaceutical.  Then he'll follow up with the cardiologist in 3 weeks.  If there is still pain, then it'll be time to discuss trying another angiogram.
• It's hard to successfully stent a completely blocked artery.

So it was kind of a scary day.  I have power of attorney should anything catastrophic happen.  He's not even 70 yet.  And the worst part is he's lived a healthy life.  He has always exercised, eaten well and has never been overweight.  Yet here we are: Crohns, that lead to a colectomy, and then heart disease.  You do everything right, and still...

Anyway, he's on an additional heart medicine.  And he's going to try to continue to take Lipitor, but he hasn't done well with statins in the past.  We go back in the beginning of March.

On to something more pleasant

I got my permanent crown yesterday.  Bertie came along, and did pretty well.  My tooth is still sensitive, but it doesn't hurt like the temporary crown did.  That was very expensive, around $700.  But our new insurance will start soon, so hopefully I won't have that kind of issue again.

We started our taxes.  It's looking good, and I haven't done our deductions yet.  We might be able to use itemized deductions this year, due to Bertie's birth, and having to pay for our insurance our of pocket for half the year.

I'm getting excited for Bertie's birthday.  My mom will be here next week, and my sister the week after that!  He's been getting good at crawling.  He's still doing a modified army crawl, but he's fast.  He's starting to pull up, but only in his crib so far.  He has 6 teeth.  He is a good eater, and likes most anything we feed him.

I've been feel a lot better.  I think my depression is lifting.  I'm still tired, a lot.  But I'm not as sad, and unmotivated.  

Aaron's new job is going well.  The first two months is all training.  I really love that he's home by 5:30 every night.

Now Bertie is awake, so I have to stop for now.

A big change, dental work, and catching up

I can now put it in type: Aaron has a new job!  It's something I've been wanting for him for about 2 years.  (Since about a year after he started his current job).  It's nice to work for the boy scouts and all.  And there were some good things, well one that I can think of: his day time hours were flexible.  He could be with the baby for a while in the mornings I had to work.  He could come to doctor appointments, etc.  But otherwise, it wasn't great.  The hours, while flexible, were long.  Lots of nights, and quite a few weekends.  Answering emails, and phone calls when he wasn't working.  No overtime for these long hours.  Having to run the summer camp 3+ hours away.  (Which was hard when we had no kid, but would have been dreadful this summer).  The benefits were terrible.  There were family benefits, which were kind of expensive, for terrible coverage, with no choice of provider.  As in, we would have to meet our $5000 deductible in January just to pay for my Humira.

I told him when looking for a new job, there are 3 criteria; 2 of which must be met.  Better pay, better hours, better benefits.  The new job currently hits 2, but will hit 3 before much time has passed.  Aaron will be working for the Social Service Administration for the county of Santa Clara.  The pay is a little worse, but there is paid overtime.  And there is an automatic raise after the first six months (which will match his current pay).  The hours are 8-5, no weekends, no nights.  The commute is the same.  The benefits are AMAZING! The benefits are free for us.  We get to keep our Kaiser.  But everything is a $10 copay.  ER visits are $35.  Hospital admission is $100.  $100!   That means next time we have a baby it will cost $100.  Period. And my stupid Humira will be $10 a month.  His last day with the scouts in Monday.  And his first day with the county is the following Monday, so he'll have a few days off.

Last Thursday I broke my tooth.  I had a dentist appointment already scheduled for Tuesday.  But they weren't able to verify my benefits, which I wanted to know ahead of time.  (I'd never used them before, I have a different plan before).  And, we weren't sure when Aaron's awesome new benefits would start.  I was hoping they might start February 1st, so I could wait a couple more days, and have my crown paid for.  But alas, they don't start til March 1st.  Then last night more of my tooth broke, so they were able to squeeze me in today.  My in laws, who usual provide my childcare, as needed, are away on a trip.  So Bertie came with me.  He did really well.  They had to take him away from me, into the front office, while they drilled (mercury dust and such).  Now my mouth hurts a bit, but the actual procedure wasn't bad at all.  The financial portion, however, was pretty bad.  It's going to be about $700 after my insurance. And, there is no payment plan.  I put $200 on my credit card today.  The rest is due when I go back for the permanent crown.

In the afternoon, Bertie and I went shopping for groceries.  I like to give him things to hold while we shop.  I gave him a banana to hold, and he kept trying to eat it, peel and all.  It has several bit marks.  Then, while I was looking at other fruit, he picked up a kiwi off the display and tried to eat it.  I thought maybe I could find him a ripe one, but none were ready.  I found a squeezie yogurt

It tasted good, not overly sweet, like a lot of kid yogurt.  And it said it was spill proof.  But by the end of our shopping trip, we both had quite a bit of yogurt on us.

Until next time!