Moved Locations

After a couple years at wordpress a couple things began to bug me so I moved my host. If you arrived here please go to www.amanamongmommies.com to see my updated blog

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!!!

Well I am updating everything from the look to the host…  The next few days will see lots of changes and the most important will be my full return to the blogosphere!  So much catching up to do and so many new milestones to share!

AMAM

I am ALIVE!

Back to Blogging

With my rather intense school/kids/work schedule the past couple months my desire to blog has gone the was of the dodo.  School has kicked me in the teeth with the amount of homework and studying I had to do with the two classes.

Work has been going well and I have adapted to the night schedule rather well.  It does get a little difficult after my long week, but overall not too bad.  The experience at the hospital has been exactly what I need before I get into the nursing program.  I am currently a PSC (Patient Safety Companion) at a local hospital which is basically a “Sitter.”  I sit with patients that are fall risks, suicide risks or a danger to themselves or others.  Since I am a big guy I tend to get put with the difficult more violent patients.  this has been fine and it keeps me busy.  One I get into the nursing program and see what my schedule will bring  I plan on becoming a “TECH” on the floor and work with more patients.  I want to keep that experience going in a positive direction.

School went well and my A&P class I got an “A” and should get an “A” in my Lifespan Development class.  Next up A&P II and a Communications class.  Then I will have the summer off and if everything goes as planned start the nursing program in the Fall 2011!  Moving along quickly!

Kids

With the holidays coming up the kids are gong a bit crazy.  Getting some great days and frustrating days especially with the 6 year old.  With my work schedule and need for sleep at odd times I rarely see the 6yo during the week.  He and 10yo come home from school and I go to bed shortly after.  I see the oldest at his bedtime before I go to work.  We are in the middle of rearranging rooms with the oldest taking the really nice basement bedroom so the other boys will also have their own rooms!

More to come… I promise!

“Take it one day at a time!”

“It is what it is!”

 

Best Laid Plans of Men Among Mommies.

Someone can sleep ANYWHERE!

Well the little guy really takes after his mom.  He can go to sleep anywhere at anytime.  I missed getting the picture of him UNDER the coffee table.  He had preschool today and is really worn out.  School takes a lot of a little guy.

Working Dad.

Well I finished my first full week of my normal schedule and I am alive.  The 11:00 PM to 7:30 AM shift is rather quiet and the biggest struggle is staying awake.  Since I am not like my little guy who can sleep anywhere that struggle is not to bad.   I did catch a short nap in the back of the Van last week while my little guy was in preschool.  Was enough to make it through the day.  I even took on a partial shift Saturday night for good measure.

Lego Land Discovery Centre.

We took our three lego maniacs to the LDC on Sunday and they had a blast.  I was expecting a bit more and felt that it was a little pricey for what was there.  In the end that did not matter since the three boys had a wonderful time.

Balancing Act.

With school and the new PT job it has been an interesting balancing act.  I am very glad I took one online course since that saves me the time driving to and from.  I am doing as well as I should be doing in both classes. Maintaining that “A” average.  I push push push for those “A’s” but need to remember if I get a “B” it is not the end of the world.

DA BEARS!!!!

Well the Bears are 3-0 after taking out the Packers last night on Monday Night Football.  My prediction at the beginning of the year was Bear 10-6.  People looked at me like I was smoking something.  I don’t think they are Super Bowl ready, but they are a lot better than many have given them credit for.

The 5

1. Life Span Development – My online Psy Class is very interesting.  It is kind of strange that in many ways I have been doing so many of the things I am reading about in the book. (Not all bad either. )
2. Halo Reach – Oldest and I have been playing it, lots of fun.  We need to play through the game in Co-Op mode next.
3. Lego Bricks – Well now all three boys are completely into the world of LEGO.  Even the little guy likes to play with his brothers.
4. The little hider – The little guy has been putting things in the strangest places and loves to shove toys behind the couch cushions.  Every day is an adventure.
5. Sleep – Working nights has been interesting and I am still finding time to sleep!

“Take It One Day At A Time!”

A new schedule, a new focus…

Well again I found myself hard pressed to blog at all.  With the kids starting school, all the house stuff that needed to get done BEFORE I started my new job and of course starting school myself made it really difficult.

A New Schedule, A New Focus.

I had training all last week which made things really interesting.  Training was during the DAY!  Thanks to my neighbor and my father I was able to go to the training without worrying about the boys.  The little guy was not overly happy with going to the neighbors, but he really does like her.  Now that I am being pulled in even more directions I have found I need to be a little more scheduled. (Wife is jumping up and down since she thinks I need better scheduling)

Family

Well we are going to have to make some adjustments with me working Part Time overnights at the Hospital.  The biggest adjustments are when Dad needs to nap, especially before a shift during back to back days.  Hopefully taking the overnight position will allow us to keep a good family balance.

Work

I started working at a local Hospital as a PSC (Patient Safety Companion) during the 11:00 pm – 7:30 am shift.   It is part time and 48 hours every two weeks.  Basically I stay with patients that are a safety risk to themselves or others.  I had my first shift Sunday Night and it went well.  I was worried I would fall asleep, but it was not bad at all.  There was enough to keep me busy and paying attention.  Monday was actually not too bad either.  I ended up taking a nap with the little guy after lunch and that was enough to keep me going until bedtime.

School

Well another semester started and things are going well.  I have Anatomy & Physiology I and Lifespan Development (psy 220).  I am currently maintaining an “A” in both classes with A&P at a 98% overall!  Hopefully I can keep the pace and maintain the grades throughout the semester.

The 5

1. Halo Reach – Awesome Game… Waiting for a few friends to get it to play more online!
2. Naps- Awesome thing with my new schedule.
3. To Better Health – With the new schedule I will also be adding more exercise to keep me going.
4. Da Bears – Bears are 2-0 and I am still standing behind my prediction of a 10-6 season!
5. New Kitchen Aid Mixer – My old one died last week.  It was old and had been my mothers.  Wife got me a new one and a slightly better model.  Apple Sauce and Tomato sauce complete!

“Take It One Day At A Time”

Away way too long…

Well as it always seems to happen in the summer I was away from my Blog a little bit.  Between my summer school (Microbiology UGH!) and of course summer activities I hardly had time to breath much alone sit and type anything out.

So where to go from here?

Monday the 16th

The first day of school for the kids as well as my middle guys 6th Birthday!  I can not believe he is 6 years old and in 1st grade.  He is a very YOUNG 1st grader seeing as the cutoff for school was September 1st.  One of his friends is actually 11 months older than him.  His first day at school was a little emotional for him with it his birthday and many of his friends from his last class are with different teachers.  Tuesday went well for him but it has been a long week for him.

Back from Vacation

Last week we were on Vacation.  We rent a cabin in the Northwoods of Wisconsin and spend the week actually relaxing.  We spent time biking, swimming, fishing and just relaxing.  The kids absolutely love the cabin and the beach.  This year was one of the hottest years up there so we all spent a ton of time in the water.  There are many families up there that come each ear so we see a lot of the same people.

• Swimming -There is a nice raft and the little kids started playing king of the raft, then the older kids got involved then the High School/College kids got involved then I got involved.  I was able to hold my own against a group of 18-23 year olds that are in a LOT better shape then me, that being said I paid for time as KING the next day…OUCH!
• Fishing – I got my own gear and everything this year since my 10yo really enjoyed fishing and the 6yo was getting started.  Well 10yo after about an hour of fishing stopped wanting to fish. (Great) 6yo on the other hand had a blast fishing off the pier and catching pan fish.  He caught over 100 fish easily!  5 perch and the rest Blue Gill.  I had a Small Mouth Bass, 5 Perch and a ton of blue gill.  I had a 2 foot Northern Break free at the pier as well a a large Walleye.  Would have loved to bring in the Northern, but less then a couple feet away it splashed free from the hook!
• Swimmers Ear- I came back from vacation with swimmers ear.  Not fun at all… I felt like my ears were going to pop!  4th day on drops and it is now under control.  I have a new respect for the little ones when they get ear infections!

Broken Washer

Sunday after getting most of the laundry done the Washer Broke!  Motor went.  We thought about replacing, but will just fix for now.  The cost to fix is better then replacing it and we really do not want to have to RUSH out and buy a washer.  Now we can take our time and find a Washer and Dryer we want at a time when we want!

Quiet…Too Quiet!

The house is so quiet now that the two older boys are in school.  2.5yo and I are getting into our own routine, which will change when I start my job at the Hospital in a month.  For now he and I are enjoying a little piece!

The 5

1. Lego Harry Potter - What a blast of a game to play.  10yo and I have been playing it a lot together and apart.  Fun family game!
2. Clash of the Titans – Watched the remake this week.  Fun movie, but rather different then the original.  The FX were amazing and the cast was really good, but it was a little short on the story telling.
3. Ready for Work – I am starting to prepare myself for the over nights.  Will be a big shock at first to be on that schedule, but am looking forward to it.  Work and still be home with the boys!
4. Housework – I need to get the spring cleaning done… Before FALL!!
5. School! – I start classes again soon.  Will be an interesting time getting through class and a new work schedule.  Might be a balance of time I am not used to.  Granted Summer school was a tough balance this semester should be a breeze!

I am Back Taking It One Day At a Time!

Happy 10th Birthday

Well my oldest son turns 10 today.  I can hardly believe it has been 10 years since he was born.  It seems so quick and yet so far away. Happy Birthday!

Lego Landslide

10 Year Old under 90% of our Lego Bricks

We have so many Lego Bricks we decided to see what a Lego Landslide would look like.  10 year was buried alive!  This is some 30 plus years of Lego Products.

Schools Out For Dad!

Well last night was the last night of my very brutal Summer School Schedule.  Microbiology Monday thru Thursday each and every night for eight long weeks.  There were 2 tests last night and I think I did just fine.  I had a 95% going into the last night so unless I messed up I should still have that “A”.   The class was actually extra long since it was so compact that there were quizzes and tests all the time.  We had our “Lab Unknowns” the past few days and I was able to identify all three of my Bacteria. YEAH!

Working Man

Well starting in September I am now a Patient Safety Companion at a local hospital.  My basic duties will be to stay with at risk patients.  I have all my paperwork done, had my physical and of course was finger printed.  My shift will be the overnight shift from 11:00pm-7:30am which will still allow me to be At Home Dad.  I will also only be working Part Time so that will make a difference.  This will be very good experience while I finish school and become an RN.

Little Swimmer

Well the little guy a whole 2.5 years old might be part Fish.  He absolutely loves the water and loves to float.  He has one of the swim suits with the flotation device built in and he prefers to be let lose in the pool.  He swims around, spins and is funny to watch.  I don’t let him go it alone, but he would love it if I did.

Saturday Sleep Over

Well we are done with the big parties for my oldest.  So tomorrow night he is having 3 friends sleep over for his birthday.  They will be up all night playing video games I am sure.  Especially the new ones he is getting today.  With them all being 10 I will NOT be up with them.  They can stay up and let me sleep!  I am however making Homemade Deep Fried French Fries and Milk Shakes… My oldest two favorite foods.

The 5 (Time Will Tell Edition)

1. Scheduling Conflicts – With my schedule the way it has been I have hardly had time to catch my breath let alone Blog.
2. Time After Time – I find it harder and Harder to Blog.  I hopefully will have a bit more time to fit this in.
3. Burnt Out – After studying for hours the last thing I ever want to do is get back on the computer.  This has made it difficult to keep up with the blog.
4. Sleep – Might be at a premium when my new job starts. We shall see.
5. Behind – With the past eight weeks behind me I realize I am way behind on other things.  Hopefully I can play catch up before school starts again.

“Take It One Day At A Time”