Navigating the Medical Underworld

My kids have big noggins'. It's pretty obvious and due to genetics. It's an understatement to say I was terrified of childbirth when pregnant with my boy after hearing the war stories of my father's and my brother's birth. But I survived mostly due to the wonderful epideral (I know to much information)


For the most part after labour there has been very little difference in my life with the regards to their head size. Perhaps, I've been known to buy clothes a size bigger or to ensure that they have button down shirts. Also choosing a hat to fit their heads is always a challenge. Mostly I just share my own ball caps with them ;)
So despite my continued assurances to our doctor regarding our family propensity for large craniums she scheduled an appointment for a pediatrician to assess sweet little T.
A month later we were scheduled and after working out all the workplace / daycare logistics (always a difficult task) I scooped her up early and made it to the medical center early. It was an unseasonably hot day so we didn't linger in the car too long. We trudged our way to Dr C's office only to find that she did not work there anymore - hadn't in fact worked there for over a year. What!! It was the address the receptionist had given me over the phone. I tried to call but of course no answer. Another receptionist directed me to the hospital. T and I ran across the street and were sent on a wild goose chase through the hospital trying to find pediatric services. Five different staff members, though pleasant and helpful, gave us five different sets of directions. By this time I was completely dripping with sweat in my business suit and T was getting a little perturbed by the racing around. We did finally manage to find pediatric services (not that I could ever find my way there again). I was really nervous that the doctor wouldn't see us as by this point we were late (and ironically doctors hate to be kept waiting).
We get to reception only to be informed that Dr C has no appointments and is not back from her surgery recovery until June. What! I had called to confirm! Sweat drips down my back as I realize this logistical nightmare was all for nothing. Five minutes later the receptionist finds a piece of paper that states all referrals are suppose to go to Dr E. She eyeballs me and kindly asks if I would like a glass of water. I decline and realize I must look quite dishevelled since she offers the water two more times.
Luckily the wait isn't too long but am surprised that this gruff, unfriendly dr is in pedriatics. Not really sure how he wins over his pint size patients. He opens T's file only to find that my GP's office forgot to send T's head charts!!!! What!!!! He couldn't assess without all of the statistical trending data. At this point I could do nothing but smile... This day was totally ridiculous...

My sweet little monkeys

Although the weekend did have a rough start I must admit I do love being with my two little monkeys. Being a working mom with a 1 hour commute each way leaves very little time during the week to enjoy them for too long. I absolutely love the daycare and honestly feel they get a great early education there. Everyone is much better off that I'm working and that they are at an awesome care facility. Having said all this I still really miss them... When I'm with them I definetly appreciate it more than when I was a stay-at-home mom during my maternity leaves.

There's just something about their smiles, hugs and "I love you's" that just make it worth it. Despite that M is not feeling all that great - it was wonderful to play with them all day yesterday and today. It's finally nice enough to go to the neighbourhood park and drama queen T can actually go down the slides this year! Wow they grow so fast!

Single parent

And so begins my long weekend as a single mom. Hubby is off at a bacholor party that lasts all weekend. Did Imention that it's the May long weekend? Eek.... How did I get here? A couple of years ago I would be going camping and drinking beer and sleeping late and than drinking some more beer...



Instead - hubby's been gone an hour and the drama queen T is having a major meltdown. Oh boy...Fastforward to 2 hours after hubby left...cryboy M is spiking 103fever. Is the weekend almost over?

On Sunday we were traveling along the 401 highway on our way home. Due to the daily hustle and bustle of our family life sometimes things just get forgotten. I know that McKay had died at the age of 24 just before returning to Canadian soil. The news had caught my attention on Friday because of the fire chief connection but it's not until you really see all of the people lined up on the highway of heros that it really hits home with full impact. What must it be like to say goodbye to your son as he leaves on his tour of duty and never know if it's the last time you will see him?

I cannot believe all of the firemen and citizens that lined up to pay their respects on such a beautiful day. They must have had many other things to do...gardening, golfing or just plain relaxing. Instead they wait patiently for hours for the body to make it's way along the 401. It just so wonderful that people still care and respect the lives of all these Canadian soldiers. The memory of Sunday still makes me teary...

My university roommate recently competed her very first fitness competition. Many of my colleagues are competing in marathons. This has brought about a self-realization that I’m not giving fitness the high priority I used to. My last half marathon was in 2004. I am using motherhood as an excuse not to take it to the next level.
I am proud to say that I worked out daily until I delivered both of my children (albeit in the 38th week with baby #2 it was more of a waddle than a power-walk). I have lost all my baby weight (and than some) but unfortunately this is due more to working mom stress than to strenuous workouts. During both of my year long maternity leaves I ended up using jogging as my main exercise (and reason for leaving the house for much needed breaks from the babes). Upon returning to the world of work I have discovered a new fitness love: Spinning!

But what happened to my competitive spirit? What happened to my fitness goal setting? It’s definitely time to get back in the game so to speak.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’ll just commit a goal of setting a goal by the end of summer J After all having time to hug my kids are definitely higher priority.

No more baby....

On Friday sweet little T had her last day in the infant room at her daycare. She is more than ready to move on to toddler time...question is...is mommy?

With a heavy heart I realized with finality that this means no more little baby. With my older child I was super excited to go on to the next stage. However, with my youngest I'm dragging my feet and trying to wallow in what little is left of her "baby" hood. Not completely sure why...since I'm not overly fond of the terrible two's and am completely enjoying my older 4 year old conversationalist.

However, as my hubby says, "The money we are saving by moving her on to the next daycare room let's us afford the more expensive beer." :)