The alarm sounds at 5:50am and I am jolted from bed. My adrenaline begins to rush, as I couldn’t be late for practice, yet I was up all night with a sick child. In fact, that was the second night in a row in which I saw 11pm, 12pm, 1:30am, 2:15am, 3:30….you get the idea.
On Sunday night, the pretext was an allergic reason to Ian’s medicine. It was not your typical allergy; swollen body parts or a rash. This reaction was nothing other then diarrhea.
It is not fun being a parent and changing diapers every hour but it is much worse when your helpless baby is crying in agony because his little butt cheeks are red, raw, and causing him so much pain that he can’t sleep. Ughhhh!
But, we made it. Morning came and with the help of Destin, he was beginning to feel better. His little cheeks still showed signs of discomfort, especially in those cute little rolls that wash over his butt like waves, but it was evident that he was not in too much pain.
The next night arrives and my goal was bedtime at 7pm. I desperately needed sleep and I was sure that the boys could use a good night’s rest too.
At 8:30pm, I was woken, not by an alarm but rather the sounds and smell of puke. Not just any puke but curdled milk and beans puke.
Yes, I bet you want to gag just reading it.
This time it was my little Xavi. And, a viral stomach bug was soon-to-be the reason for the sleepless night that was on the horizon. There we were, mother and her sick little boy. Every hour we were both awake, as my weak rag doll was throwing up.
I tried to place a bucket under his mouth, as I knew what was coming. But, he continually pushed it away. Rather then change the sheets and scrub the floor every hour, I just picked him up and stood in the bathroom with him. Eventually, he puked on my shoulder and fell right back to sleep.
Yes, you read it correctly! He puked on me. Time and time again! I guess that is what mother’s do for their children.
I would rip my shirt off, through it away and then return my sick little man to bed. Clean myself up and eventually crawl back under the sheets waiting for an hour to pass until it was time to repeat that same scenario.
Who would ever believe this story? Certainly not my friends/teammates because it is definitely something that only a parent would understand. I know that to be true because I can assure you if someone were to tell me this same story 3 years ago, I would think it was nuts.
When the alarm sounded at 5:50am, it was time to replace my motherly hat with the hat of an athlete training for the Olympics. For the next 8 hours it was about hockey. I was tired yet so happy that my boys were there with me (regardless of the past two nights) but I couldn’t wait to get back on the turf and take a little break from motherhood.
This scenario sounds normal for some working mom’s. But, as I drive to work (aka: national team training), I knew that the day is going to be physically exhausting. It also occurs to me that the events of the prior night are one’s that none of my teammates could truly relate with.
Then it dawns on me! I don’t “work” with any other parents.
For a split second, it was a very lonely feeling. When I arrived at the Chula Vista training center, I saw the faces of my friends and teammates and realized one thing. They might not truly apprehend but they care!
Looking back, I wish I had majored in Business Logistics. It appears that such a degree would highly benefit me at the moment.
The last few days have been packed with numerous logistical concerns; concerns about how to balance the life of a field hockey athlete with a team in San Diego and the responsibilities of motherhood with a family in Ohio. I would be lying if I said that my anxiety is not raised by merely typing such a sentence.
As my heart begins to pound harder, I remind myself that “where there is a will, there is a way.” At least, I will try to prove that old statement true.
Now, back to focusing on “the way.”
There are two solid facts that will not change in this equation. First, if I want to play, I have to dedicate myself to full-time residency in San Diego. Secondly, I have to see my kids. I struggle being away from them for two week and two months is simply not an option.
Many people tell me that they are too young to remember much. But, the reality is that I will remember and I will certainly not enjoy this process without them in my life. And, after all, it’s all about the process, right?
So many people have asked me how this will all work. The truth is, I am not 100% sure yet, but I will give you an inside look on some possible options.
First, I need to find a home in San Diego. Some place that I can unpack my bags and more importantly, allow my children to comfortably sleep at night. This is a short-term stay and I would prefer not to purchase new furniture for a five-month visit? So, my apartment criteria is; “furnished, short term.” Needless to say, this severely narrows my options.
Secondly, who is going to watch the kids while I am training all day? This factor has yet to be solidified. I have some wonderful options and need to get commitment from all parties involved. With a small budget, I am not able to hire someone full-time, but I am extremely lucky to have people in my life that are willing to help. All I can do is cross my figures that it all works out.
Thirdly, the flight arrangements need to be planned and orchestrated. This piece of the puzzle is more difficult. The boys will not be here all the time, so who is going to bring them west and who will fly them back east.
I am so grateful for a supportive and loving husband and amazing parents. Both parties are willing to do all they can to help put this puzzle together and I can assure you that I will add to their frequent flier miles over the next few months.
My Mom wants to fly out here and get the boys settled. My husband will have to fly back out and transport them east when necessary. And, so the story goes!!
And finally, I must ship the car…and don’t forget the car seats. I never thought I would say this, but I actually miss buckling the boys in their Peg Pergo seats right now.
So, there you have it. I brief glimpse into the logistical puzzle that has yet to be completely marshaled. I will keep you posted as all the pieces unravel and I certainly hope that you enjoy this crazy ride with me.
My best,
Keli
Here I am! Back in San Diego, California. Many, many, many miles from my family in Ohio and Pennsylvania and my club girls in Virginia. I am daydreaming about my boys, what else! It seems to be the norm these days.
I arrived last Tuesday and it’s been a whirlwind, until today, that is!
The training schedule has increased as the London Olympics are just on the horizon and the Australian national team is arriving in less then a week. We pushed through the week; a three-day week that consisted of four practices, one lifting session, two conditioning sessions and one dreaded running test.
I find the week very hectic and physically exhausting, but it’s only been four mouths since Ian’s birth and I need to be patient. I wake-up early and stay on east coast time. Mainly because my stay is less then 3 weeks long but more importantly because the morning is the best time to catch up with my family.
I can talk to Inako over my morning coffee, tell Xavi that “I love him” before he arrives at daycare and send Ian kisses over the phone before his morning bottle. But, also because the days seem extremely busy.
We have tough trainings and this old lady needs time to take care of her body. So, in addition to everything on the schedule the last three days, I had one message, three ice bathes, one contrast bath (1 minute in an ice bath and 2 mintues in a hot tub and repeat 5 times) and three sessions in the “magic pants” (30 minutes in the amazing invention of NormaTec Pants). I am not embarrassed to say that this is what an athlete at the age of 32 years old with two kids needs to do to stay healthy.
So, to use the word “busy” to describe the week is a bit of an understatement.
And then Saturday arrives……errrrrrkkkkkkkk. Everything came to a streaking halt once I finished my Saturday morning 85 minutes jog, that is!
Now what? My life is back east. My husband and boys are over 2,500 miles away and here I sit……
….so, my attention walked 800 meters down University Avenue in the cute neighborhood of North Park. First to a funky salon where I got my haircut and dried. It’s tough to do something as simple as this with two boys under the age of two years-old. Then, I proceeded four additional blocks north to Starbucks, where I sat for four hours. I logged onto their free wireless connection and sat down with my cup of coffee, love it! It was time to focus my energy on my girls in Charlottesville, the girls from my club that I am also unable to be with this weekend.
So, there I sat for hours, online doing administrative work and on my phone trying to keep up with every detail of their tournament. Which, by the way, I am very proud of their improvements! They played great today!!!
Then, I walked back home and spent one of the best hours of my whole week, on Skype with my boys. Just watching them play and every once in awhile, throwing me a kiss through the computer screen.
Everything is a juggling act at the moment but I am very happy for my weekends!! And, very thankful for all those in my life that are helping me and supporting me through this exciting but difficult time!
Love to all,
Keli