Lissa and I joined mom and dad at the ER for a majority of their time there. Once we knew she would soon be checking out we headed back to the house.
By then most of the families were awake. (Our family was on a different schedule all week ;) And there was lots of chatter going around. And not just about mom.
Evidently one of the couples had found a small bug in their bed. They must of suspected it to be a bed bug so it got saved (alive) in a plastic bag. Their suspicions were slightly confirmed by internet search. UGH!! So we called the rental place.
The company said they'd send someone out to check. This was not the first time we called the company. We had been short towels and a coffee maker and dirty return vents (don't ask). So as you can imagine they weren't that happy to hear from us again. Not to mention it was Sunday.
At 2:30 the pest control person arrived and confirmed bed bugs. That meant each room had to be checked. All the items in a room with bed bugs would have to be bagged and checked for bed bugs. Fun vacation day, right?
Unfortunately, the 1 contaminated room also had a twin size bed that we had moved to the 3rd floor for my cousin that is in a wheel chair. It needed to be done b/c the other room wasn't easy to navigate with a wheel chair. Sure enough that bed had signs too.
Are you itching yet?
The rental company gave us 2 options. We could have the 2 rooms exterminated and they would put those couples in a hotel room for the night and reimburse our entire week's rate. Or we could switch houses that day.
We all agreed we didn't want to take any chances, so the house search began. Still day 1.
We had to have an elevator for Lindsey and at least 8 bedrooms so the house choices immediately dwindled. The only 1 (they let us know about) that fit our requirements was in Corolla. A hour drive. The house was a definite upgrade although further from the ocean and an further hour north.
After re-packing, loading all 24 of us and driving we pulled in 7:00 p.m. The families gave us the biggest room with an attached and enclosed sitting room for Ryan's pack n play. It was awesome!
The rental company also provided us with dinner (at my cousins suggestion). All in all they were amazing to us. It was a huge ordeal for them as well as us. The company agreed to wash all of the clothes that had been in the 2 contaminated rooms. I don't even want to think about how late those ladies stayed up doing the laundry. Plus the whole house was searched a fumigated.
The re-start to our vacation sort of made the week seem longer for some reason. The house was great. If it hadn't been for the fact that my mom's arm was still broken the next morning, it would have been perfect.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Just the Beginning
Before I get to more pictures from our trip. I must share the craziness that was our first full day in Nags Head. All 5 of us were sharing a room for the week. Thankfully Ryan's pack n play fit in the bathroom and there was a powder room nearby we could use if he was asleep. Owen was up first as usual. He and I sneaked out and joined my parents for a bike ride. I didn't even tell EJ where I was going. Fortunately mom had her phone.
It was a great morning for a ride. The jogging/bike path began directly across the street from our house. Owen took off. I am not sure how far we rode but it was farther than usual b/c we didn't have Mason in tow. About 15 minutes down the road we turned around to head back to the house. Owen was in front, I was second, then mom and dad. I rode around a jogger and through a slight mist from a sprinkler. A few seconds later I heard mom scream. I was really hoping she was just surprised by the sprinkler. Turns out the jogger I had just passed tried to "jump" out of the way of the sprinkler cutting mom off. Mom and her bike crashed into the young woman. The woman was fine, but my mom was not. Thankfully she fell mostly on grass or it would have been far worse.
She knew something was definitely wrong with her upper left arm or shoulder. Dad rushed to the house to get the car and I stayed with mom and Owen and waited. And waited. And waited. Okay, so it wasn't that long, but it felt like forever. My mom was being so stoic that it made me even more nervous. So many people stopped and asked if they could help. I was afraid she was going to pass out. All the while I was praying that my American Red Cross (expired) certification training would come back to me if needed. Fortunately that wasn't the case.
Dad came back with the car and she managed to get inside. They left me and Owen with 3 bikes and no cell phone (oops). Supposedly my sister was on her way to get me, but I couldn't just sit around. I started walking (what took 15 minutes by bike) with both mom's bike and my bike. As I walked, I wrestled with God about why my mom had fallen of her bike and injured herself on the first day of vacation. Couldn't she just have a week to relax and enjoy herself?
He was quick to remind me that nothing is out of His control. He would be with my mom and us. I can't remember now what song came to mind, but he did give me a new one. I had words from Him and not my anger.
Lissa did find me, but not until the house was in sight. I got plenty of exercise that day!
The ER x rays and Dr. confirmed a fracture in the humerus bone (upper arm below the shoulder). She was put in amiserable special sling to keep her arm from moving. Thankfully no surgery was needed.
By 10:30 she was back at the beach house ready to collapse from pain meds.
My mom is amazing. I know she complained in her head and probably to my dad but we never heard her complain! She has an incredibly high pain tolerance and was such a trooper. I know as her child I am not privy to all of who she is as a person. She is my mom. There are just somethings a child doesn't see in their parents. I am trying, but I am also still the kid. I know my kids miss out on a lot about me. Most of the time that is a good thing. Now, that I am an adult, a mother myself, it seems like I should see her differently.
She doesn't like being taken care of. I got to remind her how long I was on the couch and she cared for me :) She didn't sit back long. Her occupational therapist skills are already kicking in. Thankfully she is right handed, but having 2 arms really is very very helpful.
I have a lot to learn from my mom. She is an incredibly strong woman. But so humble you'd never know it.
I know this week (summer) won't have the memories she expected. But I am glad that she didn't have to take care of us for a change. She can be served this time! I love you mom! You are a ROCK star. I can't wait to see how dad is styling your hair now that I am off duty ;)
It was a great morning for a ride. The jogging/bike path began directly across the street from our house. Owen took off. I am not sure how far we rode but it was farther than usual b/c we didn't have Mason in tow. About 15 minutes down the road we turned around to head back to the house. Owen was in front, I was second, then mom and dad. I rode around a jogger and through a slight mist from a sprinkler. A few seconds later I heard mom scream. I was really hoping she was just surprised by the sprinkler. Turns out the jogger I had just passed tried to "jump" out of the way of the sprinkler cutting mom off. Mom and her bike crashed into the young woman. The woman was fine, but my mom was not. Thankfully she fell mostly on grass or it would have been far worse.
She knew something was definitely wrong with her upper left arm or shoulder. Dad rushed to the house to get the car and I stayed with mom and Owen and waited. And waited. And waited. Okay, so it wasn't that long, but it felt like forever. My mom was being so stoic that it made me even more nervous. So many people stopped and asked if they could help. I was afraid she was going to pass out. All the while I was praying that my American Red Cross (expired) certification training would come back to me if needed. Fortunately that wasn't the case.
Dad came back with the car and she managed to get inside. They left me and Owen with 3 bikes and no cell phone (oops). Supposedly my sister was on her way to get me, but I couldn't just sit around. I started walking (what took 15 minutes by bike) with both mom's bike and my bike. As I walked, I wrestled with God about why my mom had fallen of her bike and injured herself on the first day of vacation. Couldn't she just have a week to relax and enjoy herself?
He was quick to remind me that nothing is out of His control. He would be with my mom and us. I can't remember now what song came to mind, but he did give me a new one. I had words from Him and not my anger.
Lissa did find me, but not until the house was in sight. I got plenty of exercise that day!
The ER x rays and Dr. confirmed a fracture in the humerus bone (upper arm below the shoulder). She was put in a
By 10:30 she was back at the beach house ready to collapse from pain meds.
My mom is amazing. I know she complained in her head and probably to my dad but we never heard her complain! She has an incredibly high pain tolerance and was such a trooper. I know as her child I am not privy to all of who she is as a person. She is my mom. There are just somethings a child doesn't see in their parents. I am trying, but I am also still the kid. I know my kids miss out on a lot about me. Most of the time that is a good thing. Now, that I am an adult, a mother myself, it seems like I should see her differently.
She doesn't like being taken care of. I got to remind her how long I was on the couch and she cared for me :) She didn't sit back long. Her occupational therapist skills are already kicking in. Thankfully she is right handed, but having 2 arms really is very very helpful.
I have a lot to learn from my mom. She is an incredibly strong woman. But so humble you'd never know it.
I know this week (summer) won't have the memories she expected. But I am glad that she didn't have to take care of us for a change. She can be served this time! I love you mom! You are a ROCK star. I can't wait to see how dad is styling your hair now that I am off duty ;)
Sunday, July 17, 2011
The Beach Bums are Back
Last weekend we left for a week in the OBX with my side of the family. My mom has 4 first cousins from her mom's side and we've been vacationing with their families almost every summer for as long as I can remember. A lot has changed over the years: the location, the number of people and the number of houses. The cousins I used to play with on the beach (younger by 10-16 yrs) are now playing with my kids! Crazy.
We were headed for Nags Head. Being like my father I wanted to leave bright and early hoping to avoid the dreaded beach traffic. We were on the road by 8:30. Not super early but considering we couldn't get into the house before 4, it seemed early enough!
We got to Nags Head around 12:15. Perfect! But we had lots of time to kill and a 1 year old that would soon want a nap. We got lunch in a terribly slow, but yummy restaurant and then headed to Roanoke Island for a look around. I had done a bit of research and thought it sounded like a great place to hang out. It truly was! Our destination Roanoke Island Festival Park.
We went aboard the Elizabeth II, a 16th century representative ship.
We explored an American Indian town exhibit, an English settlement site
It was so great to start our vacation with time just for the 5 of us.
Because soon we would be staying in 1 house with 16 other family members.
Which went amazingly well. More photos soon.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Beans Beans
A few months ago, Owen planted a "weed" at school. At least that's what he called it when he brought it home, the annual sprout in a cup. Which I hate by the way b/c they are messy and I always over or under water them and they usually get knocked over and I toss them when no one is looking.
Well, Grandma beannapped rescued this one and took it to their new yard. She planted it for him near his pumpkin plant. This week, she came to visit and dropped of 3 string beans! Not a weed after all ;)
I steamed them (all 3 of them) and he ate them as an appetizer. He is quite proud and would not share.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Bedtime Conversation
Mason (nervous) : "Sometimes I have monsters in my dreams, so then I think they are real"
Mommy: "Have you ever seen a monster?"
Mason (giggle): yes!
Mommy: You have?
Mason: "God. You know the Holy Monster"
Mommy: "uh, what? oh you mean the Holy Ghost?"
Mommy" "you've seen God, what did He look like?"
Mason (more laughter)
Too much laughter in the bed to explain that The Holy Ghost is not the same as a Scooby Doo Monster (if that is what he is picturing?). I will save that easy explanation (ha) for another day. At least I distracted him from being nervous. It's thundering outside. He doesn't like storms. That is probably the real reason for his nervousness.
Mommy: "Have you ever seen a monster?"
Mason (giggle): yes!
Mommy: You have?
Mason: "God. You know the Holy Monster"
Mommy: "uh, what? oh you mean the Holy Ghost?"
Mommy" "you've seen God, what did He look like?"
Mason (more laughter)
Too much laughter in the bed to explain that The Holy Ghost is not the same as a Scooby Doo Monster (if that is what he is picturing?). I will save that easy explanation (ha) for another day. At least I distracted him from being nervous. It's thundering outside. He doesn't like storms. That is probably the real reason for his nervousness.
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