Slow Ride

Yesterday the little man had a dentist appointment. Nothing earth shattering-just a cleaning and check up. It was the first time he has been to the dentist that he didn't freak out. In the past, he was the worst patient-wouldn't allow x rays, etc. etc. Yesterday, he was the model patient. I am so proud of him!
The best part of all...no cavities!!
I want for my son to be comfortable with the dentist. I myself, am terrified every time I go in, and I attribute that to the fact that I didn't go regularly as a kid. I also attribute the lack of regular dental care to the fact that I've had so many dental issues as an adult. Research has shown that poor dental care and gum disease increases a person's cardiovascular risk. The deck is already stacked against me (heart disease, high blood pressure and hyperlipidemia all run in my family of origin)and I don't need anything else to make it worse.
So...mission accomplished with him liking the dentist. He was very excited to get a new toothbrush and strawberry flavored toothpaste (don't like mint, too sour). I am so happy I don't have to nag my kid the way I hear other moms tell me they have to.
I spent some time yesterday coming up with some ideas for the youth group for next year (well, actually starting in June when they come back from the pilgrimage). I love helping plan out lessons, but on some levels I feel marginalized. The two interns, who are nice enough people, are not 100% behind the new curriculum we are using. That makes my job harder, because I am asking them to teach something they don't believe in. Neither one had attended an Episcopal church prior to taking on this role, so there's a bit of a learning curve. I don't know what traditions they came out of, but hopefully they share the same doctrine. At this point in my life, I am comfortable with planning stuff for the kids...but I don't know how much energy (and commitment) I have with actually working with the kids up close and personal.
At one point in my life, it was a little different, but I was a lot younger then. My main priority right now is my son and my husband.
Tomorrow night I'm having a few friends over to make photo frames for the NICU babies for Easter. Right now, it looks like 3 folks so it's not very scary. Have some chips & dip, some Carribean wontons, cheese & crackers. I'm not very stressed out by this all either, I'm just rather looking forward to the weekend. Its been a bad week, and I just want it to be DONE. I don't have any real weekend plans, other than grocery shopping and a program at the library for the little man on Saturday; church on Sunday. I don't plan on anything else, just want to hang out and relax.
I do have to plan next weeks meals so that I have a framework to go grocery shopping:
breakfasts: me: cereal, toast, fruit little man: cereal, chocolate milk big man: not quite sure what one eats at 1:30 in the morning
lunches: pop tarts,juice. fruit and a little treat for the little man. me: frozen dinner and salad, fruit and iced tea. big man: I think he takes fruit for a snack at work, and I don't know what he eats when he gets home.
Dinners I can put some certainity on:
Saturday: burgers and oven fries, broccoli slaw,corn and brownies
Sunday: chicken parm, pasta, garlic bread, broccoli, tiramisu
Monday-3 bean burritos, Spanish rice, corn, tres leches cake
Tuesday-chicken stir fry, rice, veggies, egg rolls, orange jello
Wednesday-soup dinner at church (need to bring soup)
Thursday-waffles, sausage & fruit salad
Friday-tuna noodle casserole, leftover desserts
Saturday-hot dogs, macaroni& cheese, broccoli, brownies
The Big Man has been battling some sort of crud for the last few days and I wish I could make him feel better. I think its a combination of exhaustion and the week we've had around here. I admire the fact that he gets up at 1:30 in the morning, every day, goes to work at 3 so he can be there after school with our son. I think he's a hero for wanting to be an involved dad. I am glad that he's wanting to be a great father to our son, and be there for him. I like the fact that there's a lot of bonding going on, and that they are developing a great relationship. I know that he has sacrificed a lot (most notably sleep) to be there for the little dude. I don't know how he does it...but I'm glad he does.
I woke up insanely early this morning, and could not fall back asleep. So I laid in bed, listening to radio trying to get a few more zzzz's before my alarm went off. Right now, I don't feel much like going downstairs on the treadmill because Buddy spent most of her time down there. Its a little lonely not seeing her. Every morning I would go down there and she'd greet me, I'd give her a belly rub before I'd run. Its not the same right now and I need a few more days before I can muster up the courage.
However, life does go on and I need to get my day started. Little Man is already up and eating breakfast while he plays. I need to take my shower and get myself ready. Its Thursday and the weekend is nearly here. Plus, I need to make sure the big man is feeling ok before we scoot out the door. So much to do, so little time in the AM.