"It could only happen to Andrea"

Oh my goodness!  It has been waaaaay too long since my last post (not the way to gather a following, that's for sure!).  I have started (and will eventually finish) several posts in the last 6 weeks but things have been hectic.  We went through a solid two week stretch of time where everyone was sick.  We had a whole mix of illnesses going on - strep, bronchitis, sinus infection, cold.  OIY!!!  Thankfully, we are all back to normal and the kids and I have been getting back into our routine. 

My mom has been visiting the last week which has been wonderful.  It's great to see the kids play and interact with Nana, and it's nice to get a break and regular adult interaction!

Since today was my mom's last full day here, Bruce and I made plans for a date night.  My mom offered to hang out with the kids in the afternoon so I could have some "me time".  I was in desperate need of a pedicure, so I decided to hit the nail salon in the mall.  I had been there once before - 4 days before my C-section with Michael.  I almost gave everyone there a heart attack when they asked when I was due and my response was "Wednesday".

I was sitting in the chair, enjoying my pedicure and watching a movie on my ipod.  I had one ear bud in and one out so I could hear the guy if needed.  About 2/3 of the way through my pedi, I became aware of some commotion on the other side of the salon.  I vaguely heard the woman next to me saying something about irritating someone's eye and needing to get it checked by a doctor.  I started paying more attention when I heard "do you need us to call 911?"  I decided I should turn off the ipod and see what was going on.  What I was able to put together was that a woman had gotten something in her eye and then it was still irritated and she was not feeling well.  Someone else called 911 and the woman next to me went across the hall to get security.  Next thing I know, the woman is pulling an epi-pen out of her purse and trying to get someone to give it to her.  The several employees and few other customers were looking scared and saying they didn't know how to use it.  Next thing I know, I hear someone say "My daughter has an epi-pen.  I know how to use it".  I then realized the words had come out of my own mouth!!  I got out of the massage chair and very carefully walked across the salon with my soaking wet feet (no need for 2 ambulances!!).  Just to be safe, I asked the woman if she needed me to give the epi-pen and she said yes.

I should insert an aside here and admit that while I am well aware of how to administer an epi-pen and have used the practice one several times - on myself, my friend, and Bruce - I have never actually administered one to a person in need.  I decided this was information that did not need to be shared in the moment...

I gave the woman her epi-pen and we saw almost immediate results.  She was even able to thank me.  Shortly after, the paramedics arrived and took over.  In the midst of everything, I was given several "thank God you were here", "It's a good thing you knew how to use that", etc.  The woman left with the paramedics, but was walking/breathing/seemed to be okay.  We concluded that she most likely had some sort of reaction to the adhesive glue on the fake eyelashes she was getting.  (Good thing Izzy has her daddy's gorgeous eye lashes and no need for fake ones EVER!!).

When I texted my mom to tell her the craziness, her response was "only you" which is pretty typical for my life.  I am definitely one of the "if something ridiculous and unbelievable can happen, it will happen to me" sort of people (another blog for another day...).

Even though my relaxing afternoon turned out a lot more crazy than I expected, I was glad that I could help someone in need.  And as selfish and horrible as it sounds, I was also kind of relieved that my first epi-pen stick did not have to be on Izzy.  The sad reality of having a child with food allergies is that it most likely isn't "if" I ever have to stab her, but "when".  At least I can now have confidence in my ability to do so properly.  And I pray that if Izzy is ever in a similar situation, a random stranger is willing and capable to help her out as well! 

I should also give credit to the several other random strangers who were willing to help in whatever capacity they were able.  It always restores my faith in humanity a little when I see people being selflessly kind to one another.

Little Girl, Big Personality

I started this post last week when Izzy was having one of her overall best/sweetest weeks ever.  This week started off a little rough, but I keep reminding myself that she is almost 2 and it seems to be some sort of rite of passage for parents. 

Regardless of her "typical" 2 year old behaviors, it is amazing the little person she is turning into.  She is no longer a baby, but a tiny person (I realize babies are tiny people but not my point).  Her vocabulary is blossoming like crazy and it seems that every day she is saying new words or animal sounds.  She has also started repeating almost everything she hears which keeps me on my toes.  She dances along to the radio and mimics movements on TV (I think I enjoy watching her as much as she enjoys watching Little Einsteins).

I could go on and on about her cuteness.  The one thing that is both the coolest and also most frustrating is that she has now started picking out her own clothes.  I recently learned the hard way that gone are the days of throwing her into the first outfit I grab and running out the door.  She now requests things like "Minnie shirt" or "other jeans" (Yes, she has a preference of certain pairs of jeans over other ones!).  Yesterday for church I picked out an adorable grey and black dress for her to wear.  Bruce had to wrestle her into her black tights only for her to freak out about the dress, yanking on it and crying.  I told him to just let her put on whatever so we could get out the door.  What did she wear to church?  Her black tights, a pink and blue striped dress, her windbreaker, and just for good measure - her multicolored winter hat (tho it was 60 degrees outside).

On one hand I wonder if I am creating a monster by allowing her to dictate what she will and will not wear.  But at the same time, there are days I will put on 6 different shirts or 3 pairs of pants till I find one that feels and looks right.   Guess she is just starting out young!

Cooking 101

Anyone who knows me well knows that I have never been a big fan of cooking.  I am not necessarily a bad cook, I have just never found it enjoyable.  I'm sure it doesn't help that I have also never had much confidence in myself when it comes to trying new recipes or being creative.  In recent months I have been really trying to find more joy and satisfaction from cooking.  And I must say that my overall attitude about it is changing.  I have been trying new recipes and even straying away from the recipes occasionally.  The most joy comes from knowing that I have provided my family with a nice, homemade meal.

All that being said, I still have one major complaint about cooking - the "prep time" that most recipes give you.  I don't think there has ever been a time when I was able to get a meal all put together in the amount of time it is supposed to take.  Even putting aside the fact that I often have crying, whining, or clinging children "helping" in the kitchen, it usually takes me at least twice as long as it's supposed to for the dinner to be actually in the oven (stove, slow cooker).  I think the only way I could ever get a meal prepped in the suggested amount of time was if I had my own personal sous chef who did all the chopping of vegetables and browning of meat! 

I also wouldn't complain about a bus boy to clean up the dishes and mess once I was finished cooking...

; )

Blogging?

Writing a blog was something I had always considered doing.  Anyone who knows me well knows I always have something to say.  But I was nervous whether anyone else would want to "hear" what I had to ramble on about.  Then last month I was inspired/encouraged by a friend to give it a shot.  And I decided why not add blogging to the list of new year's resolutions.


So far the most challenging part of this new venture?  Trying to come up with a blog address that wasn't already in use.  After 30+ failed attempts, I went with the ever creative "andreatoohey".   Hopefully my posts will be more enlightening than that!  Thanks for joining me on this journey.