--> Late last week, I received 2 phone calls -- one from the genetic counselor at the Naval Medical Center San Diego and a second from a corpsman calling to schedule our tribe to see the brand-new-to-NMCSD geneticist. Naturally, the latter call disintegrated into me saying that none of the appointment times really "work" for me. Lo and behold, the doctor has the corpsman transfer me to her -- this NEVER happens at the hospital -- and spends at least 10-minutes chatting about her philosophy, specialty, etc. I liked her the minute she admitted to having some challenges figuring out when to stop and stand still (during colors) and when it was okay to get on-the-move again. (This is very tricky because of the acoustics within the hospital grounds. Sometimes, truly, your only hint is that folks 50-yards in front of you are halted, like some weird freeze-tag). But I knew it would be worth the effort of dragging the Dirty Allbritton Gang to see her when she acknowledged that it might take 6-months to undo the reputation of geneticists among the patient population, thanks to her predecessor. (Dr. Faux, not his real name, was renowned among my circles for being able to take a maternal-line-only history and then pronounce the genetic problem solely caused by the mother).
So, Dr. W. continues by saying that she wants to see the boys all eventually, but we can do that however it best works for our family. HUH?! She MUST be new to Navy medicine. She clearly had done her homework and volunteered that the Fetal Assessment Team, the genetic counselor, and herself had cheered with the news of a girl baby...that, together with all the good-news tests, was promising. Then she said, "But we haven't met your little girl yet." She's all over meeting the boys and then being on stand-by to meet the latest model. Happy Mother's Day to me.
--> Aunt Patty Cake has taken the eldest three boys to Mass. Whilst I was blogging (i.e., not paying close attention), Charlie inhaled 2/3 of a package of Rolo chocolate-caramels. I told him in a stern, anti-Mother's-Day voice, "You're going to have a tummy-ache! That is too much candy!" He smiled, rubbed his chest, and said, "I feel better."
--> I sensed that Mother's Day was looking a bit different this year. Jack is in middle school and, apparently, middle school doesn't "support" Mother's Day. How grim a realization! Tim, also in middle school for part of the day, clearly leaves his Non-Public School before "art"/"Mother's Day activities". I searched (nay, burrowed) through his backpack -- yes, in a pathetic act of desperation, thinking there must be something to open today -- but, alas, there was nothing to be found save multiple iterations of IEP goals for my input. A Mother's Day gift of invited parental involvement will have to do. In fact, it's not a bad present at all.
--> O Happy Day, Patty Jenny-across-the-street (vice Patty Jenny-next-door) had made 3 more personalized charms AND an upgraded silver chain so my Mom's Day gift is no-longer the "Jamie necklace" but rather a complete rendering of my trials. It is beautiful and I'll be sporting it at IEPs this week. Hooray! How generous of Patty-Jenny-"ATS".
--> Aunt Patty Cake returned from Mass with each of the eldest bearing gifts. From Jamie, a candy bar. From Jack, replacement box of Von's sugar cookies since he finished the last box off (and I do mean FIVE cookies in one sitting...not a world record for me). From Tim, 5 balloons (4 blue and 1 pink). Apparently, Tim picked balloons and "FIVE" in a hulking voice (while jumping) at the balloon barista. Erin came home, practically in a sweat from the effort of herding the three through the store. Bagels and doughnuts for all the lads.
--> Naturally, Charlie assumed immediate ownership of the balloon bouquet. As one might also predict, within 15-minutes, POP! Aunt Patty Cake comes flying, "That better NOT have been the pink one!" (It wasn't.) Having established that it was "just a blue", Jamie observed drily, "Charlie just popped himself."
--> A natural consequence for this behavior was to have the remaining balloons removed from circulation for a short period of time. Charlie kept charging into Aunt P.C. to update her. "Balloons on the DVDs!" He started to climb upon the TV to reach, but was foiled by a merciless but bitter-over-the-spoiled-balloon aunt. Moments later: "Help with balloons please!" Still more news briefs: "Need a net!"
That one perked our ears and piqued our curiosity. Seconds later, he comes running with one of Ben's white undershirts. He proceeds to fling it about, much like a parachute. In praise of his resourcefulness, Aunt P.C. helps him extract ONE blue balloon, and he's on his way back to Joyfulness.
--> One of our sitters came special today so that Aunt Patty Cake and I could get out of the house. We hit the nail salon for pedicures...ahhh. I'm now sporting what can only be called pansy purple.
--> Neighborhood moms (4 without spouses, 1 whose spouse (Ken) was designated to gofer take-off) and Aunt PC and our 15 kids -- plus another couple of kids whose mom evidently felt their kids joining our group (i.e., free supervision by others) was just part of her Mother's Day relaxation schedule -- for picnic. Weather was overcast and chilly, but Cafe Athena (Greek food) together with Little Caesar's (cheap!) was quite tasty. Hats off to Patty Jennifer and Patty Amy for bringing dessert and to Patty Kiki* for organizing the whole thing. Patty Jenny ATS warrants extra kudos for Ken's service!
--> After giving kids medicine, I was in bed by 7 p.m. Aunt P.C. managed the two middle boys. It's good to be the Queen! (at least for a day)
* Not her real name, but you may recognize her for her Ivy League-calibre organization skills. To my bewilderment, there was no visible spreadsheet today.
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