Bonk Heads

In a desperate attempt to find space in this house I decided that Holden and Oliver are ready for bunk beds. I've always been hesitant with regard to bunk beds. I've read and heard of so many different incidents revolving around bunk beds that result in injury or death. Bunk beds scare me. But now that Holden is 7, and they have at least seen bunk beds before, and they know other people's rules about bunk beds, I decided, not without a bit of trepidation, that we were ready.

I scoured Craigslist searching for just the right bunk beds. Wood not metal, not too high, ladder must be attached, must have guard rail, must have thick sturdy planks of wood...and eventually the right bed appeared. We emailed the woman back and forth for about a week. She was an older woman who had the bunk beds for her grandchildren who did not use them. I don't think she was online much. I don't think she fully understood how email correspondence works. She didn't really answer questions completely, did not provide a phone number, did not call the phone number I provided her with, and days would go by before she'd reply to a question with a non answer. Eventually she agreed to meet with us on a Saturday.

Bunk Bed woman lived a bit farther out there than we'd anticipated. But we decided that for the price it was worth the drive. So after we hollowed out the mini van Jeff took off on the hour plus drive while I extricated toddler beds and moved twin beds into the twins' room.

Moving furniture around was a bit more involved than I'd anticipated. Two dressers no longer fit in the twins' room so one had to go into the boys' room. Of course then I had to rearrange all the clothing so the twin's clothes could all fit into one dresser. The toddler beds were now in the middle of the living room floor.

We talked a lot about the bunk beds. I wanted Oliver to understand that he would have a new arrangement. I showed him pictures and explained his bed was on the bottom. Holden euphorically spoke of the joys of top bunk. Apparently " Top Bunk" is a destination point. Griffin and Laurel became excited too. They had no idea what a bunk bed was but became caught up in the euphoria.

I made the twin beds with princess sheets and truck/helicopter/car sheets. It was all very intriguing.

" I have bonk heads!" Laurel announced with glee.

Jeff finally arrived home with the bunk beds and it took the better part of the afternoon to assemble them. Several trips to the local hardware store were necessary, but eventually the beds were assembled.

Oliver went right to his bed.
" Time to sleep" he said, clearly understanding which bed was to be his.

Holden went on a top bunk power trip. He was the oldest, the inhabitant of Top Bunk. He alone would sleep in Top Bunk. He could keep his special things in Top Bunk. Top Bunk is so cool.

Everyone is pretty happy with the new arrangements. Griffin loves his helicopter sheets. Oliver seems to like the coziness of the lower bunk. Laurel remains convinced that she too has a " bonk head", and Holden has even invited people up to the inner sanctuary of Top Bunk.

Bunk beds are actually pretty good. What was I waiting for?

I'm Sick

There are many things I never thought I'd do.

Throwing up with an audience is definitely one of them.

I've had a horrible deep cough forever. I keep hoping it will go away since the logistics of getting to a doctor without kids is in tow is quite complicated. So I've ignored it. At this point I have no idea how long I've been sick. My cough is painful and persistent and emanates from deep within my chest.

The kids aren't the only reason I have not wanted to go to the doctor. I don't particularly like my doctor. She doles out advise not only about my health but about the way I live my my life. I need to just hire a nanny. Apparently she thinks the only reason I don't have a nanny is because it didn't occur to me. I should invest in home gym equipment so my new workout routines can be fit in around any schedule. I tried to explain that we have a very small house and there is no space for home gym equipment, even if we could afford it. She helpfully explained where there is a will there is a way. I suppose I could put it on the front lawn.

Unfortunately I have had to admit to myself that I am sick. I have made an appointment for tomorrow morning. I have the good fortune to find that my doctor is on vacation and I will see another doctor in the practice.

In the interim, I am still sick.

I started coughing during dinner tonight. I could not stop coughing. I went into the bathroom, asking Holden to take care of all second helpings etc with his siblings. I coughed so much I started throwing up. A lot. Oliver came in to observe. He sat about an inch from the toilet, watching me vomit with interest.

" Mommy is sick." I stated. I have to take every opportunity to narrate things for him.

" Sick." Oliver said.

Finally my stomach calmed down. I have not stopped coughing.

" Mommy?" Holden asked.

I made an attempt at saying yes? but it came out as more of a wheeze.

" I don't think your cough drops are working."