This is week 7. Justin has been on strike for 7 weeks! It's a weird/lovely/tough time for us right now. Justin is home a lot (only picketing 4 hours a day), but our income has taken a huge hit. Thankfully we have my mat benefits and his strike pay to cover most bills, but we feel like we are under house arrest and working hard to only spend money on essentials.
This week Justin's schedule is from 6-10 AM, and although it's 9pm now I sent him to bed because he hasn't been sleeping well. I think the stress of it is getting to him. I was sitting here in the living room alone thinking that I needed to blog and vent. I could feel the worry and uncertainty weighing down, and the thought hit me. I need to pray. I got a feeling of being so small and God picking me up and carrying me, just like I carry Callum. Thank you Lord for this picture and this peace.
There's a lot coming up. We are going to the Philippines!!!! :) :) :)
(had to stop here because Callum was crying in his crib-turns out he had a couple hives and was very itchy....I suspect white potatoes, he had some a couple hours ago and this has happened before. boo.)
So yes, Callum's allergies. I don't know if you saw on facebook, but Callum is anaphylactic when it comes to eggs and peanut and probably dairy. I did not even know how to pronounce anaphylactic when we were at the allergy clinic. I mumbled the end of the word when I asked the doctor, "so...does this mean Callum is anaph....?" He had a skin test about two months ago, and two weeks ago we brought him in for a peanut challenge, where I fed him peanut butter at increasing amounts every twenty minutes. He had about a teaspoon of peanut butter and had hives all over, a runny nose and threw up. They kept giving him benadryl and it wasn't working and then after he threw up they gave him epinephrine. We were at the hospital for four hours. I didn't feel stressed or worried or anxious, Callum was a good sport for the most part, but afterwards I was so shaky and exhausted. I've completely gone off eggs, peanut and dairy (I was hanging on to butter) and his skin is doing so much better.
I am so sick of pumping!! I was hoping to have Callum weaned by the time we go to the Philippines (Aug 16th) but the formula he would need is pretty pricey and benefits would cover it but Justin's were going to kick in, but since he's on strike they haven't. So onward I pump. It's getting better though, I have a manual pump now and don't have to pump as often. It's a lot more discreet and easier to pump anywhere.
I'm also job hunting and my mat benefits end in August, so I would like to start beginning of September, but that means I need a job and interview before we leave for our trip.
haha, here God is my wish list! I was so stressed, but after praying I feel very at peace right now. I felt I didn't need to even voice my prayer, he just knew.
There are some things I am really enjoying now and am very thankful for. Our good friends from when we lived in Kingston just moved to London and now live less than a mile away! They both got jobs in the area and just happened to buy a house near us. They moved last weekend, and I can't believe that we have such dear friends living so close and we are all planning on being here for a good chunk of time.
I can't get over the fact that I'll be in the Philippines in a month and a half. It is unreal.
Well, I was going to post more pictures of some of my sewing projects but Callum woke up and I had to deal with his reaction, so not this time. I have been doing a ton of sewing! Last night I sewed Callum two pairs of scratch sleeves, I was going to buy some because Callum had been scratching so bad when he slept and when I looked into it, I knew I could make some. I made a prototype to see if they worked and last night I made a couple adjustments and finished the final product. I'm also sewing gifts now (working on a tea cozy for my sister-in-law) and catching up on mending.
ok, I really should go. I need to pump and then sleep. Thanks for reading! :)
Whoa! Didn't know Justin's was on strike! That is crazy!!! I'm glad he still gets some pay though. I assume it's the union?
ReplyDeleteI am so sad about Callum's allergies and his itchiness. Poor little guy! I'm glad you learned his allergies though. Sorry you can't eat butter =(
I'm so happy you get to visit your childhood home and experience all the memories!!
Oh my goodness I didn't know Justin was on strike, that does sound quite stressful when you aren't enjoying the extra time you have him home to help with Callum.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry about Callums allergies, I am so proud of you for pumping for so long! I totally hear you on the expensive formula option, I know friends who have switched off breastfeeding because of one problem or another and the formula cost for their babies (both needed some super special stuff that came through the drs office) was so expensive but they just couldn't keep up with the demands of nursing or pumping.
So excited for you to go to the Phillipines!! Praying for you and your job search as your count down to vacation commences.
I can't wait to see all your sewing projects! You and Becca both inspire me with all you make!
Wow, I hope the strike ends soon - that must be such an odd change of pace, and I totally know what you mean about the "house arrest", especially since when trying to conserve resources. I love the imagery of God picking you up - you always point to what you are being taught in these hard situations you face and it is such an encouragement to read.
ReplyDeleteIt is tough to deal with allergies! I don't know firsthand, but after seeing so many close to me struggle with their little ones, all I can do is say you are one strong mama - pumping for so long and giving up so much for your sweet boy. Those scratch sleeves look like such a genius design, I hope they help! Glad to hear a snippet of what is going on in your world. Excited for you and your trip to the Phillipines!