Coffee Pot 1 - Ethan 0

Tuesday began like many other Tuesdays have at our house. Josh was home from work and we were planning on having some friends visit in the afternoon. I sent Emma up to wake Josh up around 8:30 to help me straighten up the house for our guests.

Josh came down and we got into our routine to feed everyone and start our day. I turned the oven on to start making cinnamon buns for breakfast. Josh started his little one cup coffee pot. I do not like coffee so Josh has this little coffee maker that makes coffee directly into a travel mug.

Josh went back into the living room to wait for his coffee to brew and Emma asked me for some juice. I went back into the kitchen and Ethan followed me in. I turned away from him to get the juice out of the frig and then I heard him scream. I turned and I don't really remember what I saw or what I said. Then next thing I remember was scooping him up, feeling him hot, putting him into the sink and turning the water on. Josh was then next to me ripping off his clothes.

Ethan had pushed Emma's step stool over to the counter and climbed up on it to reach the counter. He pulled the coffee cup over and it spilled over the counter and then down the front of him.

His skin looked like he had a terrible, peeling sunburn. Ethan was just inconsolable and just wanted to be held. Josh tried to call the doctor but it was busy. We decided it was best to have him checked and got everyone into the car and take him to Hasbro Children's Hospital. Emma was wonderful through this whole time. She is three and acts like a three year old quite often. Not on this day though, she did everything we asked and listened really well.

We got to the hospital within about 30 minutes of the accident and they rushed us right in. I really did not think it was all that bad at this point. I thought that they might give him a shot and dress it and send us home.

The nurses came in to start his I.V. then he would have some Morphine to help with the pain. The burn doctor came in and examined him and they began to wrap his wounds. He felt much better already and this is what he looked like after:

It's tough to see your little man hurting so bad but he was so brave and strong the whole time. The doctors told us that he would have to be admitted to the hospital to help with is pain management and the changing of his dressings. It was hard to hear that but it was what was best for him. Soon we were heading up to the 4th floor to Ethan's room.

For the rest of the day they monitored Ethan and made sure he was comfortable. Everyone there was so wonderful to us and really took wonderful care of little man.
Soon Ethan was moving around and walking the halls. He ended up finding the toy room, it really didn't take him all that long. I had to chase him around with his I.V. pole while he tried everything out. He was naming everything he knew and it was great to see him feeling so much better already.

One of the nurses, that wasn't even Ethan's nurse, nicknamed him "the mayor". He would just walk around saying, "Hi"to all the babies and anyone else he bumped into.

I stayed with him that night and he slept fantastically. When he woke up the next morning we began the wait to for the dressing change. Josh and I were really nervous about it. We knew that it would hurt Ethan and we were scared to see what it looked like.

Just after lunch it was time and we went into the treatment room. Ethan didn't like it at all but soon it was over. We were so relieved to see that the doctors were able use a new product on Ethan. It looked like a large sheet of felt and it had silver embedded in it. Keith, the Physician's Assistant, and Dr. Harrington explained to us that bacteria cannot grow where ever there is silver. Once they applied the sheet to Ethan's burn it would stick and harden. He can keep this bandage on for 10 days to 2 weeks.

This was great news. Before we were going to have to go through that painful dressing change everyday and a visiting nurse was going to have to come to do it. Now we could just take care of him on our own and he could be discharged that day.

Before we knew it we were on our way home with our little man.
It was the best feeling. Our little family could be back together and Ethan could heal at home. Ethan adores Emma and could not wait to be with her. The next morning, he tried to cuddle his sister while they ate their breakfast.
Luckily, Ethan should recover just fine from this. The doctor said that when we go to see him in 2 weeks most of the burn should be healed. Their might be one spot on his side that might take a little longer but he will be well very soon.

Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers for our little man. He is a well loved, special little guy.

What a difference a week makes...

Last week at this time I was thinking that I had two more weeks of summer school and then I would have to start my new job at the preschool.

Last week at this time I was still worrying how we would afford Emma's preschool, ballet, and Ethan's gymboree classes.

Last week at this time I was sad that I had to spend most of my summer working. (I went to school to teach after all)

Then Tuesday came....

I received an email from the president of union explaining that their *may* be a position for me after the job fair on Thursday. I could NOT believe it! This past February at a union meeting I was told that if Oak Haven closed there was no way I would be working. Oak Haven did close so I thought there was no possible way I would work. I have been on layoff since 2005. I was starting to think I would never get a full time job again. I spent the next two days trying to think of every possible scenario as to what might happen once job fair came.

I really wanted to get the first grade position at Washington Oak. There are a few reasons for this....I really like working at Washington Oak and feel like it's my home school since I have worked there the most. Also, it is a late starting school so I would be able to be a mommy each morning and drop Emma off at preschool. The last reason is because at the end of last year I finished teaching first grade so it would be a wonderful first to teach the same grade level twice in a row.


Then Thursday finally came...

I sat in the auditorium of Coventry High School nervous as can be. I kept texting Josh updates every few minutes. There were 9 positions on the list that I was eligible to teach. They went though High School positions, Middle School positions, and finally Elementary positions.

As they called out each position I held my breathe. I figured I needed about 5 to stay open in order to get called back. It was amazing to see positions remaining open. Then there were five open, then six, then seven! I could not believe it. After the job fair was finished the president of our union announced that there were 8 elementary teachers on layoff and 7 positions. I started to get real nervous. All of the teachers on lay off were asked to go to the front of the auditorium and we would be able to pick positions by seniority.

I rushed up to the front knowing that I was really low in seniority and asked whether I was number 7 or 8. No one would answer me, I had to be patient. I had been patient since Tuesday when I received the email. I had been patient for the past 90 minutes watching others get jobs. I just wanted to know now.

They then told us the order that we would get to pick. I was number 5 (I was quite proud of myself for estimating correctly in the first place). I would get to pick from 3 positions! When it was my turn I looked at the list and was so happy to see: Grade 1 Washington Oak School (1 year only). One year is better than nothing and I scooped it right up! I think I floated out of the auditorium. I was so happy!

Now this is my last week of work until school starts. I get almost 3 weeks off!

Now we can afford Emma's preschool, ballet, and Ethan's Gymboree classes.

Now I don't have to start at the preschool making peanuts.

There were some positions left after the job fair so we actually will be having an additional job fair on the 17th of August. I plan on staying in my grade one position unless I can get a position that isn't one year only. I don't see that happening but you never know what can happen.

It's been a long 4 years for my family and I but we got through it, maybe a little stronger and a little more appreciative of all that we have.

Back to Disney; Day 4

This was a big day for Emma. We went to downtown Disney to make it to Emma's appointment at the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique.





First Emma had to choose which princess hairstyle she wanted. She ended up picking the Fairy Tale Princess. Which is perfect for our little lady.

A sprinkle of pixie dust:

Emma's first makeup
(She is still using that makeup kit)

Makeup finished

The princess makeover is complete

Every princess signs their name in the princess book.

After the makeover we went back to the Magic Kingdom. Emma became a star in the Monster's Inc. show. They said, "Do you want to see something cute? A princess!" Emma's picture then appeared on the huge screen and what do you think my little princess did? She stuck her tongue out. That's my girl!

Feeding the duck our free popcorn

Ethan still loved the characters

Emma pretending to be Fancy Nancy

Emma's favorite ride, It's a small World. Emma and I rode it 7 times during our week in Disney, no kidding.

Our favorite part of the ride, Hula Girls!

In Cinderella's Castle

What a fun day!

It all started with a trip to Lowe's

Our little Ethan is turning into a full blow toddler and a sneaky one at that. He has figured out our outside gate and tried to escape twice the other day. I watched him stroll right over to it, open it up, go outside and close it behind him. Josh changed the lock that day but we decided to go to Lowe's too look at some vinyl fencing.

We were walking around the lawn and garden department and Josh asked me if I heard something. I listened and I could definitely hear a cat crying. I started poking around in the shelves and this is what I saw:
Emma was instantly in love. We tried to capture her for about twenty minutes or so and it just wasn't going well. We reluctantly left the garden department and got into our car. Emma refused to get into her carseat. She was crying that we couldn't just leave the little kitten there all by herself and she was probably hungry. We got some crackers and headed back into the store.

It only took us a few more minutes and she was ours, well Emma's. Emma is just in love with her new kitty. We named her Lola in honor of Lowe's and she has been hanging out in our closet and bedroom until she gets used to being around people. We have had her since Sunday and she has already been to the vet and she is really warming up to us. The vet gave her a clean bill of health and thinks she is about 10 weeks old.

You never know what you will get in a trip to Lowe's. Come by and see her sometime. She is really cute!

I interupt this Disney trip for some Ballet!

Our little ballerina had her first recital this weekend. She did awesome and we couldn't be more proud of her. My mommy goggles might be 3 feet think but I think she looked beautiful in her costume.

Emma is in the way back of this photo from the dress rehearsal

Now for the show!
Sorry for the poor picture quality.

Emma's arabesque. She said that when you do an arabesque you need to look at the pretend diamond on your hand. So sweet!

The performance...

We are taking the summer off from ballet but Emma said she would like to continue in the fall. She really does enjoy it. You can tell how much she truly enjoys it from the way she jumps up and down at the end of her dance. I am so happy that Josh signed her and I up for that Mommy and Me class last Mother's Day. You're the best, Josh!


Thanks for stopping by. More Disney to come!

Disney Day 3, Character Breakfast and Animal Kingdom

For our third day in Disney we headed over to The Beach Club to have a character breakfast at the Cape May Restaurant. It was so pretty there. Maybe someday we can actually stay at The Beach Club.

Looking over towards the Boardwalk

The Beach Club

Emma found a partner in crime while we waited for our table.

The breakfast was really good. The buffet is absolutely huge and had everything you could ever want, right down to the Mickey shaped waffles. We were visited by Donald, Goofy, and Minnie Mouse. Emma really enjoyed it, Ethan still was a little scared of the characters.

Goosing Goofy

Minnie and her wiggling nose.

We then went over to Animal Kingdom to have some more fun. Emma was actually in a "taking pictures mood", so we took a bunch.

Pretty Girl!

Full tummy + Comfy seat = Sleeping boy

Ethan playing the drums

Then Emma was done with pictures. Josh had no trouble volunteering to pose with Pocahontas.

The Safari Ride

Emma LOVED this ride. She is still talking about how we saved the baby elephant.

Everest...the Coolest Ride EVER!

Animal Kingdom is one of the smaller parks so we spent the rest of the day swimming back at the hotel. Day 4 coming soon!

Disney Day 2!

We woke up on April 30th to another day of beautiful weather. This was the day that Josh and I were looking forward to the most because we were heading to the Magic Kingdom. We thought Emma would just love all of the princess and stuff never mind the castle.

Ethan crawled right in the stroller in the morning, I guess there is no doubt that he was ready for the day!

Emma must have been overwhelmed with the whole situation because she refused to get her picture taken and kept asking to go home. Our day wasn't going as we expected so far but Ethan couldn't have been better.

This is the face Emma had most of the day, beautiful huh?

Both kiddos really enjoyed the Winnie the Pooh play park. Here is Ethan peeking in a honey pot:

Emma still loved meeting the characters. This day was princess day for us.

We finished up the day with some AWESOME fireworks!