Sarah started tenth grade on Tuesday. I planned to get up at 5:05 so I could get her up at 5:25 with everything ready for breakfast and the cat fed. Her body clock decided that 4am made more sense as a waking time Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday she had a bit of phlegm and throwing up because of the phlegm. Luckily, when you start at 4 am there is time to move through feeling crappy and then feel good again in time for the bus.
Sarah loves her bus driver and has been enjoying school. I had been so worried about what our new bus situation would be, given years long past when we had unreliable and ever-varying drivers. Last year we had an incredibly reliable and timely driver. I didn’t think it could get any better. In fact, we have just as dreamy a situation as ever!! Sarah’s driver this year (through zzztrip – the Pittsburgh taxi company) gave me his card with his direct number, he is a graduate of Sarah’s new school, and when he was a senior that was the first year the St. Anthony Program was established at the school. He was specially picked to be one of the students to help the St Anthony students feel connected and welcome. He loves Sarah’s enthusiasm about the drive and school and life. Sarah loves to tell him about her day and to do the red light dance when they have to wait at a light. She was delighted when they got stuck in the Liberty tunnel one afternoon because another car had broken down. I feel so beyond blessed to have such a wonderful bus situation to bookend Sarah’s school days.
Friday after school the girls and I drove to Philadelphia. We only stopped once and I had made dinner packs so we could eat in the car. We made the best time ever, which was fortunate considering that we couldn’t get into our Airbnb. It was 9:30pm, we were tired. I have never had such a situation, but there we were. The code I had been given worked to open the dead bolt, but the knob was locked. I sent a message to the host, but I had no number to call, and there was not an instant reply to my message.
I was upset and frustrated and confused. Sarah was ready to be done with the day so she proceeded to scream. A neighbor came out to ask what was going on. Finally, after being a tight and unkind mom, I got Sarah back to the car. I called my mom in tears. She and my stepdad hastily prepared an air mattress and sofa bed for us, and we settled in for the night.
The next day I had a message from the Airbnb host, full of apologies and refunding that night. The knob was now unlocked. We were ready to try again, so mid morning we went back to the Airbnb. I told everyone to wait in the car because I didn’t want to get our stuff out until I was sure of the situation. Rightly so. This time there were large, loudly barking, jumping dogs on the porch right next to the door I needed to reach. The dogs looked like they could easily jump the railing to rip my throat out. I went back to the car and tried calling the host, but got no answer. Luckily, a few minutes later I noticed that the dog owner was now on the porch and the dogs were calm. I approached again and all was well. We got settled and then went out for lunch with my mom and stepdad, followed by a walk in the woods and ice cream. Whew! I have never had such a stressful Airbnb experience.
We have had a lovely visit with my mom and stepdad. Before heading home we will also have a short visit with my dad, stepmom, brother, and uncle. When we get home on Monday, Carl will be arriving home after an incredibly beautiful and adventuresome time in the Dolomites.
Overall the week went well but also felt generally stressful regarding parenting decisions. I’m working on keeping Sarah dairy-free to hopefully help her phlegm situation, although that may be impacted by one of her anti seizure meds. I tried lowering the dose but it didn’t seem to change her slight morning cough, which has been constant for months, and her nighttime startle seizures really increased in frequency. So I started slowly increasing the meds again. Each night I pray that she will sleep soundly. But each night I’m a bit scared.
I worry about how I am parenting regarding Amy and one of her school friends. When Amy was maxed out with stress and feelings about her brace, aligners, lack of classes with her bestie, and missing school for medical appointments related to scoliosis, then she mentioned how the teasing from a “frenemy” in her friend group hurts her feelings. My inner mama bear was floored and angry about the things being said to Amy. I was ready to confront the situation head on but wanted Amy to have the chance to stand up for herself. She said she would but she hasn’t yet. And apparently there is still play and laughter with this friend so I’m not sure what to do. I did email the teachers. I can’t tell if this is bullying behavior or if Amy is actually content with the banter as long as she is feeling strong in other ways. And yet, I think the comments do not help her feel good. I will give it a bit more time before reaching out to the mom of this other kid.
Sarah continues to love being the Blue Hat Green Hat turkey or elephant. My mom got a blue hat and green hat for her and Sarah especially loves the blue one. Meanwhile, Amy donned her shoe as a hat. Oh turkey! At least with all of the stressful moments, we are also still having lots of laughter and snuggles.
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