Everything I've learned, I learned through Mr. Bean

My Avtar

Yes, my son is almost 2

Photo 10
Originally uploaded by kelly's World2007

Most people who know us, know our little Peter's piercing scream. He's very spirited and when he wants to let us know he's unhappy, scared, etc, he resorts to his scream.

Now, if I walked into a store and heard his sort of scream coming from another child, I would probably look too. It's the sort of thing that gets your attention! I don't want to worry any of our friend; don't feel like you need to walk on egg shells in regards to your reaction when Peter screams. It bothers me too! However, I'm a bit tired of the stares, the people that look at us like, " why can't you control your child."

Here's another good one, we were at the park the other day with the kids. Peter was going down a little toddler slide. He went down a bit too quickly; there was another child about his age who was still sitting at the bottom. I was just a few feet away, but I went over quickly to make sure Peter wasn't going to slide right into the other little boy. To my shock and surprise, the other mother looked at me in disgust, and said, "Oh nice, your son just spit on my son". I couldn't believe those words were coming out of her mouth. First of all, I've never known a 23 month old to be able to "huck one" at another child. That's not a skill a 23 month old generally has. What he was actually doing, is what many toddlers do. When he's excited, he often does that thing where he sticks out his tongue and makes a cute sound. Yes, some saliva does fly out. Anyhow, I looked over and saw that this ignorant lady also brought the family husky to the park. I'm sure her child's never gotten any germs from the family pet. Anyhow, the only thing I could muster up at the moment was, "you're kidding, he's not even 2". (Of course I thought of a whole bunch of things later :)

Interestingly, a few moments later, the same lady's toddler (not sure if "lady" would be the right name for her) was having a melt down. She became quite upset with him. I was very tempted to go up to her and say, "so, you can't control your child?"

What ever happened to having empathy for those with little ones? As most people know, it's a hard job at the best of times. I'm not perfect, but I'm proud of the way Paul and I have been raising the kids. If you ask them, I bet they'd tell you they're pretty happy too!

I don't want to go through the kids different stages thinking, I can't wait until they grow, I can't wait until this is all done. It's all part and parcel of them growing up and learning. So, for now, I guess I'll just have to ignore the ignorant stares. If anyone can think up any clever things to say to an ignorant onlooker, please let me know.

There's always someone worse off than you

sharing
Originally uploaded by kelly's World2007

Yesterday, when I arrived home after my night shift, I stumbed across (literally) the local newspaper. On the front page was a story of a young family of 12 from Somalia. The youngest child being 2 and the eldest 19. The article described the horrors the family left behind in Somolia and the hardships they now face as immigrants to Canada.

In Somalia, their home was burned to the ground by armed guerillas. They spent 15 years nomadically moving from one refugee camp to another. In September 2005, they were chosen by the federal government for resettlement in Canada. During their first year in Canada, the government barely provided enough for the family to get by. The money that was given to them for food had to be used for shelter because they didn't have enough for rent. They currently live in a small 3 bedroom apartment with broken down "third-hand" furniture and appliances. Above their fridge sits a box of Cheerios and in their kitchen is a table with three broken down chairs. To add injury to insult, the family's been asked to move once again (they keep moving from place to place) due to noise levels and "excessive" use of electricity. (I'd be having ''excessive" use of electricity issues too with 10 kids!)

I couldn't go to bed without first calling the paper to find out what we could do to help. I thought about what it would be like to continuously worry about how I would put food on the table for Isabella and Peter and to not have enough clothes for them to wear. This family had already been to hell and back. They deserved a break and a litlle Christmas in August.

After a bit of phone tag, I got a hold of Umoja, the outreach program the family had been dealing with.

I explained the situation to Paul and Isabella. Caught up in my enthusiasm of wanting to help, I unfortunately forgot to tone down the story for Isabella. She started having tears falling down her cheeks. She made me very proud!

So, today Isabella and I went through our stuff to see what we could share and made a trip to the grocery story. Workers at Umoja delivered our things this evening.

Merry Christmas Hirsi family!

I know I can do it.

mommytrackd
Originally uploaded by kelly's World2007

Most people know by now that I'm a nurse and that I've just spent the last 6 months training to work in the ICU. I've finally finished orientation on the "unit", and today I did my first shift flying solo (although I was surrounded by a very supportive staff that seem to want me to do well). Here starts my career in ICU!

During the past 6 months I learned at nauseum about such things as advanced hemodynamic monitoring, adminstering inotropes and vasopressors, etc (it's payback time to my "techy" friends and family members....I'm finally speaking in a language they can't understand). Anyhow, I've been fixated on the many technical aspects of the ICU, and I've been anxiously awaiting the time I would be applying my new skills on my own. Today was D Day and I have to say it was a great day! At the risk of sounding like Mary Poppins, I'm pleased with the great nursing care I was able to provide. I fell back on what I know best, caring for people. Everything else just kind of fell into place. The truism of "you know more than you think" rang true today.

After my 12 hour day shift, I came home to my family (and a warm dinner to boot.... I love my husband:) Paul says that ever since I've started working in the ICU, I don't look exhausted at the end of my shifts. I think it's true. I don't know what it is. Maybe I was no longer enjoying where I was working and I've found the place for me. Who knows (I hope it's true after finishing the last 6 months of training.....doing papers till the wee hours of the morning and then heading off to clinical in the morning, etc).

When I get home from work, the balancing act ensues....making sure I say hi to everyone, giving everyone a kiss hello, making sure the kids have fun in the bath (not just doing a rushed cleaning job), and spending enough cuddle time with Peter, Isabella and Paul. I love my family and I'm so lucky that they're all patient with me.

Tomorrow begins my night shifts. Anything can happen on nights (and usually does). This is the great thing about my job; I can work a bunch of 12 hour shifts in the week and still manage to make it out to play time at the rec centre.

My family

family photo shoot
Originally uploaded by kelly's World2007

I've been married to my wonderful husband, Paul, for almost 7 years now. In 7 years we've accomplishment a lot together. We're fortunate to live in a great neighborhood, and have 2 healthy children. Isabella is 5. She'll be 6 in November. She loves Piano (like her dad), and anything artsy. Starting in September she'll be all day in school; grade 1 (yikes). Peter, our son, turns 2 in September. He's a typical 2 year old. He's very vocal and very busy. They're both great kids; lots of fun! My husband Paul is a music, computer, instructor kind of guy (I've always hated it when people ask what my husband does for a living. It's not a straight forward kind of answer). In short, you could call him a creative genius. If you check out his podcast, Inside Home Recording, or his website, Garay Music, you'll start to understand why.

I work part-time as an ICU RN. I love my work. I've got the best of both worlds. I still love going to work and I love coming home at the end of my day.