Welcome Home Kyle Party

I haven't posted for a couple weeks...my daughter Devin gave up her naps which has totally bummed me out. It's my only "me" time to get things done... emails, reading, yard work, or watch a DVD. So, I haven't had a chance to post. Plus, I went back to work 2 weeks ago. I have to say... I love being back to work. Taking care of two toddler is HARD! I have to go to work so I can rest. :) Kyle is doing great at childcare. He & Devin go together to a homecare (Miss Julie's) and they are both doing well. I think it has helped having them together. Plus, it's easier on me to only have one place to pick up & drop off at.

Last night, my brother Eric & his wife Krista had a "Welcome Home Kyle" party. It was a great success. My sister Katherine surprised me and flew from San Fran to attend as a surprise. They pretended to need to borrow a cooler on Friday night to come over to my house. It was definately a surprise... I had no clue... and I'm a hard one to pull a surprise on. It was after- work, I was in my grubbies with hair in pony-tail, house not so clean, and eating popcorn and a beer for dinner. I know that sounds bad... but I DID feed the kids a nutritious meal! Do as I say...not as I do! haha. Katherine spent the night and stayed with me on Saturday to catch up and get to visit with Kyle.

On Saturday night, we had a great time at Kyle's party. There were a lot of friends and family there. Kyle did great. He is standing and cruising and using his walker. He will be walking very soon. He has 8 teeth in now and is quite a biter (happy or teething bites... but bites all the same.. OUCH). He did very well for the big crowd. He gets a little intimidated by a lot of people ...but took it in stride. He can now say Mama and Dada... directed towards Me & Jack. Devin was a bit wound-up yesterday b/c of Katherine visiting and the party. She is sacked out on the floor right now (1st time she's napped for me in 3 weeks). Today, we opened all the gifts for Kyle and everyone was so generous... lots of nice clothes, books, and toys. I will use some of the gift cards to buy him a new car seat. That's all for now... the little Dude just woke up....

Super Mom- NOT!

I have some good news to toot my own horn... I was selected as a recipient of the 2008 University of Delaware Presidential Citation for Outstanding Achievement. This honor is given to graduates who exhibit great promise in their profession or public service activities. Wow. My Animal Science professor, Dr. Lesa Griffiths nominated me for this award. She found me through my clinic website... www.durangoequine.com. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the awards banquet in October since I just got back from Vietnam and plan on going back East for Christmas to visit family (and have family meet Kyle). Plus, I already committed to work to take appointments that weekend since all the other doctors will be out of town. So, my parents will attend for me and read a blerb I will write up.
Another Mom recently asked me, "How do you do it? How do you balance career and two toddlers, all my animals and everyday tasks?" Well, that's because I'm super Mom.... he he he.... gave myself a little chuckle there.... definately NOT! Stephanie, from my Mom's club summed it up the other day... "It's easier to broker million dollar deals with a bunch of difficult old men then to try to negotiate with a toddler." Seriously! At least the men don't throw themselves on the floor when the don't get their way and wail uncontrollably for 10 minutes. Well, I do get things done... but certainly not with finesse. There are quite a few things that gotta give when you have a career and kids (especially toddlers/ babies)....

House not immaculately clean.... just not gonna happen around here. Fortunately, we have a house cleaning lady who comes every other week to "deep clean" the house. My house is still messy, but at least it's not filthy. :)

No gourmet meals. Martha Stuart, I am not. Quick, easy meals. Better yet, Bertoli's stove-top ready made meals are the best and taste good too. I'm not a member of the recipe club for a reason... don't have the time or inclination to cook fancy meals. And even if I did have the time, I'd rather do something else. Sorry Jack.

Late. I'm usually barely making it or a little late. Heck, I'm happy if I show up at all. Even if I get up early or have plenty of time... I just can't seem to make it on time... right when I'm just about out the door... Devin needs her doll, Kyle's got a poopy diaper... it's always SOMETHING. I have a very difficult time being on time.

Always a little frazzled. I used to wonder why my sister Katherine always looked worn out and a little frazzled when she had toddlers.. now I know why. Can't have a conversation on the phone uninterupted to save my life.

Looking a little frumpy. Yup, since I've been home for the last month with the kids... I'm starting to look like the frumpy housewife. Sorry Jack. You know the look.... big shirt, baggy pants or jean shorts, hair in a pony tail, no shower, little or no makeup. LOVELY.

Not enough time to work-out or ride my horses. I finally got on a good work-out schedule with Devin and now it's all upside down again. I haven't taken Kyle to gym yet b/c not sure how he will do in childcare.... will wait to see how he does at Julie's this coming week (my home-care lady).

Well, as you can see, I am not super-mom. There is no such thing. Something always has to give. You can't do it all. I am back to work on Monday. Kyle & Devin will be going to daycare together. I hope everything goes ok. He has already visited a few times and she has all his stuff ready to go. By the way, did I mention Kyle can say "Mama"- it's awesome- and directed to me. Tonight, Jack and I are going to his best friend Steve's 50th birthday party.. 70's party... costume required. We got a babysitter and are ready to party.... it starts at 9pm (my bedtime- haha)...so hope I don't poop out. Should be fun.. will post pictures later. Well, gotta go feed Kyle and do "Mom things".

Kyle Home for 3 weeks

Kyle playing with Dad...

Devin & Kyle having their milk together before bedtime... so sweet.

Well, Kyle has been home for 3 weeks now and we have had him almost 5 weeks. Hard to believe. Time flies. He is doing well now. We have the night sleeping done pretty well. He still wakes up frequently, but we can soothe him down pretty quick. He is now taking naps and sleeping in his crib. He is eating well and eating 2-3 large jars of baby food a day. I did switch him to Soy formula a couple weeks ago as well as put him on a course of flagyl. We saw immediate improvement in the odor of his poop. It went from a toxic wasteland odor to normal in 1-2 days. The diarrhea took another week to resolve. Now, he has normal "BM's". Thank God for that. Jack would gag everytime he pooped before... which means I've had to change all the poopy diapers for the last month... not it's time to share that responsibility. Also, his face rash/ blotchiness resolved after about a week after the switch as well. All is well... so we will leave him on soy formula for now.

Got all Kyle's test results back... all normal and negative. Our doctor had the following tests run... HIV, Hepatitis B &C, syphylis, CBC, liver/kidney enzymes, TB, hepatitis antibody titers and fecal parisitology tests. They were all negative or normal. Yea!!! Since we know nothing about his parents... its a huge relief to know he doesn't have any underlying disease. Also, his antibody titer for hepatitis were positive... proving he had the vaccine they claimed he did and his body has immunity. I also had his hearing checked last week. I know he can hear...but he never had an auditory exam at birth like they do in the US. They check his tympanic membrane integrity and hearing on various levels. Everything was completely normal.

When we got him, he had 5 teeth already in... 2 upper and 3 lower. Well, he is now "teething" and 3 teeth are coming in at once!! Poor guy. He was teething so bad yesterday he bit his lip and started to bleed. Had to give him some ibuprofen this morning.. he was very grumpy. It really helped a lot. Speaking of teething... he bites. He just started doing that a few days ago... he gets so excited when we play with him and wants to chew on everything.... and them "chomp." It really hurts b/c he has teeth! Gotta break him of that habit quick! I also had his haircut for the first time last week. He did very well and no fuss at all when they buzzed his head. His hair was "old man's hair" ... long in back & on sides... short on top with a comb over. It looks really cute now. Took him to the public pool for the first time yesterday. He LOVED it.... couldn't slow him down. The boy has no fear- just the opposite of Devin. I took them both to the mall the other day too. Got some photos done at Kiddie Kandids. I got Devin's 4 year old pictures done and then had one taken of them both. It was an ok picture... not great b/c we couldn't get them both looking at us and smiling at same time. Tried to get Kyle's done by himself , but that didn't work this time. Will try again when he is 1 year old in a couple months.

I am finally figuiring out how to use my YouTube. I have posted 2-3 videos. The first 2 are when we first met Kyle at the orphanage in Vietnam. I am trying to download a new one of Devin & Kyle playing peek-a-boo at the house. You can watch them by going to: www.youtube.com/user/thhulse.

Devin & Papa & Grandma Hulse.