Inquiring Minds Wanted To Know

I'm not the biggest fan of "update" posts, but several of you have asked for updates about how things are going around here with the new job and Eli's medical issues.  Seeing as how spring break put a crimp on my writing schedule and we've got a busy couple of weeks ahead of us (heellooo beach and annual girls' trip!), an update post suddenly seems quite convenient.

How are we faring now that Mike wears pants and is receiving steady paychecks?  I hesitate to say that it's been a difficult transition, because difficult seems a bit over the top.  It certainly hasn't been breezy, either.  What kind of word describes a middle place? Because that's where we are.  Each of us has had our own ups and downs, our own transition.

I can't speak directly for Mike, but I do know that the first couple of weeks he was downright exhausted.  He'd get home, we'd do dinner and then each take a kid and do our bedtime rituals, and before we knew it the clock said 8:30.  Where we'd normally catch up on a few shows, or he'd play online for a few hours, he was ready to call it a day.  We don't expect sympathy – this is real life for most people each and every day.  Still, after 14 months of working your own schedule, reality is exhausting.  He's trying to figure out how to work his coaching obligations and poker playing time into this new routine, and I imagine it will take a while to figure out a good balance.  

He did get some exciting news recently.  He's been an online coach over at Stox Poker, producing videos for them from time to time.  The website recently folded, but in the process he was asked to do the same thing for CardRunners.  It's a much bigger website, and people who know poker say it's a big deal.  I, of course, know diddly-squat about poker, so I believed them and gave him a high five and big gold star.  If you're interested in that sort of thing, or know someone who is, send them over there to get some poker smarts from my man.

The kids have really missed having Mike around.  Elena especially misses their guitar time together.  Mike always sat in on her guitar lessons and practiced with her at home.  They were both learning together and they loved it.  Eli still doesn't quite get it that daddy's work isn't at home anymore.  It's getting better, but he was asking me, "Where Daddy go?" at least a hundred times a day.  I'd say that Daddy was at work, and he'd head up to the office looking for him.  Being 100% boy, this daddy-being-gone business is really okay, because we now have a giant truck parked in our driveway every night.  A ride or two in the truck totally makes up for it in his mind.

As for me, I'm realizing how convenient it was to have Mike around all day.  I have to plan my mornings to make sure that I have Eli home for his nap at a certain time, otherwise I'll have to wake him up to go get Elena.  I used to spend his nap time working on blog stuff, or simply relaxing, but now I find myself feeling pressure to get as much dinner prep done as possible.  Mostly, though, I miss having him around just to talk to during the day.  Again, I don't expect sympathy – this is real life.  And even this new reality is a cushy life for most – I get to stay home with my kids, for pete's sake.  Still, after 14 months of having my best friend just around the corner, reality is a bitter pill to swallow.

Thankfully, one thing we haven't had to worry much about in these last couple of weeks has been Eli.  Well, other than his brief reappearance in the ER, he's been doing great.  Thanks to the urologist's suggestions, he hasn't had any significant flare-ups of pain.  His surgery is scheduled for Tuesday morning (April 13).  Between having previous experience with anesthesia and the helpful suggestions of families who have been through this particular procedure before, we feel very at ease about his surgery.  Still, your thoughts and prayers would be most appreciated on Tuesday morning.  It's still surgery, and he's my baby boy, after all.  We love him to pieces and pieces and just want him happy, healthy and wreaking havoc as usual.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  I have the best readers in the world, and I'm continually grateful that you read my words and care about my family.  I've got some fun stuff coming up, including a fabulous Mother's Day giveaway you won't want to miss, so be sure to check in frequently!