Our Five Ring Circus: Life Actually

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Life Actually

Mom bloggers are frequently accused of being too positive.  I have been the subject of that accusation.

Positivity is my mindset. I CHOOSE to be positive.  I CHOOSE to focus on all the good that surrounds me. I don't feel the need to apologize for that. I can either let all the little things bring me down or I can be hopeful and positive, and believe that everything will work out.  Somehow, it always has.

While I am extremely happy and blessed, it's not all unicorns and rainbows all the time.

So here I am, keeping it real.

Our family had a frustrating bout of sickness over the past month, which is rare for us.  We had to deal with a UTI, pink eye, pneumonia, 2 cases of strep, colds, and now, a double ear infection.

Dylan and Lexie bounced back quickly after a few doses of medicine, and Lily only had a mild cold, but Liam was hit the worst. On the last day he had to take his antibiotic for pneumonia, he ended up with a cold and double ear infection. My typically happy, healthy baby is absolutely miserable, and it breaks my heart that he's feeling so yucky. 

My refrigerator rivals a pharmacy, I can barely keep all the medications straight, and I believe we paid our pediatrician's salary for the month. I think we just experienced our first family epidemic.

The Positive?  Everybody is starting to feel better.  Good health for all of us is within reach.

Let's talk sleep.  It isn't happening.  While I don't think it's fair for me to complain, considering all my newborns have slept, and never caused me to experience those sleep deprived newborn days, it's still rough.  I haven't slept more than a 30 continuous minutes since Liam got sick a week and a half ago.  It's really taking a toll on me. I just want an entire night of uninterrupted sleep!!!

The Positive?  Liam cried a bit less last night.

Our amazing doctor at the Down Syndrome Center is not happy with Liam's weight gain.  However, Liam's pediatrician and occupational therapist ARE pleased. I realize he's very small for his age, but he has had some fantastic weight gains recently.  While he was sick with pneumonia, he managed to have his biggest weight gain in a 2 week span..  In 8 days, he gained 5 ounces! 

I know Liam's doctor wants to make sure that there isn't anything else going on.  So, on February 12th, we will spend the entire day at Children's Hospital.  Liam will have his cardiology appointment that morning, then see his doctor at the Down Syndrome Center, then have an appointment with the feeding team again. 

I do worry that something will pop up.  His only issue has been slow weight gain.  We have been so blessed with his good health.  Have we been TOO lucky?

The Positive?  We will cover three appointments in one day instead of having to go 3 different times.  Plus, his doctor really does have Liam's best interest in mind and I do praise him for being on the ball with Liam's care. 

Moving on to my husband's job.  Or lack thereof.  Grant's company was bought a few months ago, and he has been watching all his fellow workers get laid off . He knew it was coming, but it was just a matter of when.  He was one of the last few remaining, and was officially let go on Monday.

He couldn't leave the company prior to this because he signed a non-compete agreement, but now that they laid him off, that agreement is void.  He has another job prospect that is supposed to begin in the next 30 days. 

Even though I know it will work out, I still get stressed over the fact that he doesn't have an income for the next few weeks.  I know a new job with a more secure company is the best choice, but I really am hoping the time frame is sooner than 30 days!!!

The Positive?  We made it through an unemployed time period before, and things worked out for the better.  I have faith that it will happen that way again. 

While we're on the subject of finances, we were supposed to receive a good sum of money by the middle of January.  That hasn't happened yet.

The Positive?  When the check does finally come in, it will be at a VERY ideal time!!!

That's enough reality for now.  Reality really does bite at times, but instead of letting it all bring me down,  I'm going to CHOOSE happiness. I'm going to cuddle my baby, think about all the times my kids made me smile today, watch a show with my husband,  and think of all the blessings in my life.

This is only a brief hiccup in our life story.  Life keeps going, and we will hold our heads high and focus on all the good things to come!

8 comments:

  1. I love your positive attitude! Very encouraging! I pray that everything works out for your family. Sometimes the road just stinks for a moment. But like you said you choose to be happy. What you think about, you bring about!

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  2. Oh I'm so sorry it's been rough lately! I'm sending good thoughts your way! We've had a horrible Winter with stomach bugs, lingering coughs, ear infections, sinus infections, and now hand foot mouth.

    I have always found you to be so refreshingly positive...maybe it's just that there is so much negativity in the world but every time I read a post of yours, it's like a ray of sunshine. Don't stop being the sunshine lady! xoxo

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  3. You are amazing!!!! love this outlook despite all the things happening lately. I wish you were close . . I would happily come cuddle Liam so you could sleep! Here's hoping to good things to come!

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  4. I love how you have such a positive attitude!!! Everyone has hard times, but it is how you look at it that really makes a difference! Glad everyone is feeling better!!!

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  5. Oh man, sorry to hear about his job. Fingers crossed for you!

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  6. Having a positive attitude can make or break a situation! Hopefully Liam starts sleeping better for you. xoxox

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  7. Glad your all starting to feel better. I'm the same way, I try to focus on the positive - my husband gets lost in the negative. This makes us a good fit because it makes me try harder to focus on the positive and share that with him.

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  8. I love your positive attitude! It is a good reminder to me! We keep moving, and sometimes I find myself feeling sorry for myself instead of feeling grateful for all of the good! And I hope you sleep soon... not sleeping is rough. Even though all 3 of my kiddos are stinky sleepers, I will never begrudge you any sleep after the pregnancies you survive :)

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