House of Estrogen

Heart.Stopped.Beating

I was sitting at my desk this afternoon when I glanced at the clock and realized Elise would be getting off the bus any minute. J.C. typically meets her at the bus stop, but he hadn't touched base with me to let me know he was heading home which he often does. Then I remembered my manager had stopped by my office about an hour earlier to say he was leaving to go biking with J.C.. Putting two and two together left Elise getting off the bus by herself. We have conscientious neighbors who also meet their children at the bus stop and a very responsible bus driver, so I felt certain she would be taken care of if we weren't there. On my way out the door, I called one neighbor and left a message asking her if she could bring Elise home with her if J.C. wasn't at the bus stop. Then I rushed home. I got there about 10 minutes after the bus would have come by. I found Elise's backpack on the front porch. I looked in the garage, on the back porch, and yelled her name. She wasn't at the house, so I called the same neighbor I had called earlier. Nobody answered, and their car was not in the garage. I know they sometimes have after school activities, so I figured they had gone through the carpool line today before heading to ballet or choir. I ran to another neighbor's house whose children ride the bus, and they weren't home either. About this time, J.C. got home. He drove to another neighbor's house to look for her while I knocked on another door and called the one neighbor a third time. When I finally knocked on the door of someone who was home, as I tried to ask him if Elise was there, I fell apart in tears on his doorstep. He was on the phone, but immediately hung up and came outside to help me look for her. We both walked around the cul-de-sac yelling her name. It was like a nightmare... a really sick, awful, horrifying, wake-you-up-in-a-sweat nightmare... the kind that makes you run in your child's room to check on them in the middle of the night... but it wasn't night. I wasn't in bed. This wasn't a nightmare. It was my life.

You know that feeling when you lose sight of your child for an instant in a department store or on the playground... how your heart stops beating, and adrenaline floods your entire body? Try that on for size for 10 or 15 minutes. I felt sick, physically sick. I ran up to the porch to her backpack to see if she had left a note. Nothing. I went back in the house to check the answering machine. Nothing. I got ready to call the school in hopes of talking to the bus driver. If that hadn't panned out, I really didn't have any other ideas besides calling the police. My.   Child.   Is.   Missing... mine... MY CHILD... MY FAULT... MISSING... an Amber Alert...  My mind kept going there which just made me feel even more nauseated. I felt so helpless.

I really thought I might puke, but I had to keep looking. But where?  Finally, J.C. called and said he had found her. She was at the home of the neighbor who I had called three times and left a message with who never answered the phone. The kids were playing and having a great time. The dad was busy lugging stuff in and out of the attic.

Elise had even left me a note in the mailbox telling me where she was. What a great kid...she didn't know I would be having a panic attack, but she knew I would check the mail... a perfectly logical, reasonable place to leave a note. If only logic and reason hadn't been ejected from my brain the minute I got home, I might have found her note.

She's home. She's safe. She's fine. I am not. I still haven't recovered. I know I shouldn't let my mind wander to the what ifs, but I'm not very good at controlling that. The what ifs make me even more sick.

This just rocked my world today. I want the day to end, and I want this out of my mind.

CPSIA Blog-In Day

Some folks over at Etsy have organized a "Blog-In" event to try to raise awareness about the new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act going into effect next month. I think this is an important issue, and one I have already written my congressman about. Not everyone knows about it though, so I thought I'd join the blog-in. The text of my post below was provided by some Etsy Sellers. While I think that some of the examples below are probably over-the-top alarmism, I think others are very real and valid. All of the examples are within the scope of the law the way it is currently written. The link at the very bottom contains information about how to write your representatives, petitions to sign, and other ways to take concrete action against the current incarnation of CPSIA. While this act certainly had excellent intentions in trying to keep our children safe from the lead-tainted toys from China, its wording has far-reaching unintended effects. The Wall Street Journal and Forbes articles linked below are excellent.

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And his update to that original article: http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/22/cpsia-waxman-cpsc-oped-cx_wo_0122olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

You can get a badge (and tons of other helpful info) in the Etsy CPSIA Action Kit:
Download the PDF file here.
http://www.etsy.com/storque/media/bunker/2009/01/CPSIA-Etsy-Resources.pdf

Letter to Nina, 5 Years

Dear Nina,

 

Five years – what a great age! After weeks of asking the all-important questions, “How many days ‘til my birthday?”, “How many days ‘til my party?”, and “How many days ‘til we can get the High School Musical 3 DVD?”, you looked a bit shocked and incredulous when I told you happy birthday this morning. You quickly got over the surprise though and moved on to full bore excitement. You went running to the bus stop yelling, “I’m five today! I’m five today!” with a smile on your face and a spring in your step. This afternoon, we had your classroom party for which you did all the planning… a craft accompanied by Oreos – double chocolate Oreos and mint Oreos. You also dictated your birthday dinner menu, “macaroni and cheese, meatballs, and pizza.” I did a slight variation on that with a little broccoli thrown in for good measure, but that seemed to suffice. You always have strong opinions and aren't shy in expressing them.

 

 

You are the child who takes me to extremes. You make me smile and laugh like nobody else in one minute, and in the next, you are painting your doll with fingernail polish or dragging your baby sister around the house by her feet.

 

Your sense of humor is priceless… it isn’t always what you say, but more often your tone, voice, or delivery. You definitely make us laugh every day. This past weekend, while we were out for breakfast, you got up to retrieve a straw, and upon returning to the table announced with a grin, “I jollied right back here just like a little elf!” I don’t know where you come up with this stuff, but it makes me smile.

 

 

Your mischievous side will be the death of me though. Last week, you were coaxing Addie to climb the stairs saying, “Come on Addie… up here! Come on up the stairs!” When I rescued Addie and said, “Don’t encourage her to go up the stairs. She isn’t good at stairs yet, and she could fall and get hurt.” You replied, “I didn’t do that.” “Uhh yeah… you did. I heard you say, ‘Come up here.’” Then you sheepishly responded, “I didn’t think you heard that.”  Nice.

 

 

The doll painting episode will probably forever be seared in your brain as “the time that mom got really, really insanely mad.” I figure that’s not entirely a bad thing though. I very clearly remember the time when I tried the bold faced move of telling my parents that I would swallow some foul tasting medicine if they left the room and didn’t watch. The bright pink syrup left as evidence in the white porcelain sink exposed my brilliance, and that was the day my dad got really, really insanely mad. I still remember that day. Maybe you’ll look back on this day and just realize that your mom was human. We all blow a gasket occasionally, and that’s OK as long as we pick up the pieces.

 

This year will bring a lot of change in your life - starting kindergarten, riding the bus, and going to track-out camp. You are both excited and nervous, but I know you'll do great. Transitions have always made you anxious, and perhaps always will, but I know you're ready for kindergarten and will love it!

 

Thanks for all the laughs, Nina! Happy 5th Birthday!

 

Love, Mamma

4178

4178 - That is the number of boxes of Girl Scout cookies that is going to make my head explode. I have to get our troop's order placed tonight (along with every other cookie mom in the universe) and if the online ordering system locks out my order one more time, I can't be held responsible for the new vocabulary words my girls are going to learn from their mother tonight.

The Simple Woman's Daybook, January 26

 

 

For Today...

Outside my window... it is cold and cloudy, just a dreary January day.

I am thinking... that I hope Elise feels well enough to make it to the end of the school day today. She was sent home early on Friday and Saturday. I hope today is better.

I am thankful for... my mom's visit. She came to visit for my and Nina's birthdays, and it has been really nice having her here. Also, as an added bonus, she did all my laundry! Yes, I'm 30-something and perfectly capable of doing my own laundry, but she knows how much I despise that chore!

From the kitchen... a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for Elise's lunchbox is about as much as I've tackled or even planned yet for today.

I am wearing... Levi's, a cozy Santa Fe sweatshirt, and those same black shoes with milk splatters on the side. I should really do something about that!

I am creating... Nina's 5 year letter for the blog.

I am going... not much of anywhere today. Nina's pink eye looks atrocious, and she is contagious, so we'll be laying low today.

I am reading... Parenting, Inc. by Pamela Paul and People magazine with a great picture of the Obamas at an Inaugural ball on the cover.

I am hoping... that Nina's pink eye doesn't spread to anyone else in the family.

I am hearing... Addie sitting on the kitchen floor having a marvelous time pulling diapers out of the diaper bag and Word Girl on the TV Nina is watching.

Around the house... piles of clean laundry my mom has washed just waiting to be put in drawers and closets.

One of my favorite things... all of the New York Times online being free now. I used to pay the online subscription fee to be able to read all the op-ed sections, but now it is all free!

A few plans for the rest of the week....  getting girl scout cookie orders entered on time, picking up cookies on Friday, Nina's preschool party on Tuesday, and her regular party on Sunday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... my mother and my daughter making cookies (and memories) together.

       

To read more Daybook posts or learn how to participate, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.

A Stomping Good Time

Nina's birthday is later this week, but we let her open one gift today. Weekdays don't allow much time for outdoor play this time of year with the short daylight hours and cold temperatures, so we let her open this present early... a stomp rocket. We took it out this afternoon and all had a blast! (Pun intended)

   

     

 

Happy Not Your Birthday!

This was how my morning got started...

Elise: "Good Morning, Mommy! Happy Birthday!!"

Nina: "Happy Birthday, Mommy!"

J.C.: <mumbling in a still half-asleep state> "Happpy <unintelligible mumbles> Birthday!"

Ann: "What?"

J.C.: "Happy Not Your Birthday!"

Ann: "Huh?"

J.C.: "Isn't today the 24th?"

Ann: "Uhhh.... no... it's the 25th."

J.C.: "Oh #$*&%@!!!   Oh, well then... Happy Birthday!  Can we do your presents tonight instead of this morning? Today was the day the girls and I were going to go shopping for your birthday tomorrow."

Ann: "Sure... that's fine, moron."

Oh well, this is a big improvement over two years ago when he forgot my birthday COMPLETELY! At least this year he was only a day off... just gotta look at it with the right perspective. Everything is relative, right?

Teething, Times Two

What are the odds that without twins I would have two kids acquiring molars at the exact.same.time?? Seriously!  Is this somebody's idea of a cruel joke? I have a cranky, irritable, waking up during the night 13 month old and a cranky, irritable, whiny 7 year old both with giant bulges of gum-covered molars in the back of their mouths. Anybody out there have a great teething remedy besides the mother running away and not coming back until the teeth have cut through?

Addison Park, part 2

We're about a month late in getting Addison's one year Addison Park picture, but better late than never, right?

   

I'd say she's grown a bit since this shot 6 months ago!

Notice Anything New?

 

As I watched Elise during her eye exam last week, floundering to read the letters on the wall, I thought to myself, "The doctor is surely going to recommend glasses. She can hardly see a thing!" When the doctor finished the exam, she said, "Well, she is absolutely, completely, totally borderline. Since she says she isn't having trouble seeing the board at school, you can wait a year if you want, or you can get glasses now. Either is fine. I'll go ahead and give you the prescription in case she starts having symptoms or complains about not being able to read the board."  I left the appointment completely stumped... Glasses? No glasses? Was there some benefit to waiting? Was there good reason to get them now? Would her natural eyesight improve or deteriorate pending this decision?  I had no idea.

Fast forward two days.... Elise typically comes home from school every day with some tale told in dramatic fashion about a friend who said something snooty on the bus, or how her feelings were hurt by a friend at school. I think it is just part of her dramatic nature to want to recount these little altercations each day. The story for that day was about how she couldn't read a word on the board because it was written in light green marker instead of dark green marker. She had to ask a friend with help with spelling the word, and then Elise used her most obnoxious tone and voice to repeat what the girl had said to her... "It's on the board!"

So, while Elise thinks that she doesn't have any trouble seeing things on the board, her detailed account of her day revealed otherwise!  Glasses? No glasses? We had our answer.

She got them today, and she is thrilled!