Andrew's preschool does conferences very late in the year...for my tastes anyway. I had my scheduled meeting with one of Andrew's teachers today at 10:20. Not to complain, but I drop him off at school at 9:15 and have to be back to get him at 11:45. I don't think there could be a less convenient conference time than 10:20.
So here's how the morning went. Just count how many times poor Michael had to get in and out of the car seat. I got all the kids in the car and went to the drive thru Duncan Donuts...I think I passed 2 other Duncan Donuts on the way there...but you just can't beat the drive thru. Andrew was bringing in donuts to celebrate his birthday. We drive back to his school and I unload all three kids out of carseats, put Lily and Andrew's coats on, and trek through the construction to take Andrew into school. After kissing Andrew goodbye, I half drag Lily (she wants to walk, and holding my hand means she is NOT walking, but I insist she hold my hand in the parking lot, so she screams and goes limp, but I can't pick her up with her huge winter coat on, etc etc) and Michael back to the car. Take off Lily's coat and strap her in. Strap in Michael. Drive back to our town to go to playgroup. Unstrap Michael and Lily and put Lily's coat on. Get inside and take off coats. Spend a half hour acclimating Lily to playgroup. Leave Lily with playgroup, strap Michael back into carseat and drive all the way back to Andrew's school. Take Michael back out of carseat and go back into school. Talk to Andrew's teacher for 5 minutes. Go back out to car and strap Michael in. Drive all the way back to playgroup, to find Lily sobbing uncontrollably and a poopie diaper on the front stoop that those poor women had to change for me. I leave Michael asleep in the car, and go in and out of the house checking on him every 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, strap Lily in and head back to Andrew's school. Get there too early, so take Michael out and nurse him in the car while Lily watches a movie. Put Lily in a stroller this time and Michael in the Bjorn and go in to get Andrew. Lily releases herself from the stroller and takes off running. I whack Michael's head as I try to haul her back into the stroller. Talk to Andrew about his day as the two little ones scream in hysterics on the way through the parking lot. Strap them all back into the car for the 10 minute drive back home. And then we start our crazy lunch/nap prep rushed routine as usual.
5 minute conference. 5 minutes. She showed me the worksheets they have all the kids do kind of sheepishly. "Andrew recognized all these shapes. But I'm sure you knew that. And he knows all his letters. Again, I'm sure you knew that." etc etc. He is doing sooooo much better with his fine motor skills...they aren't worried about him at all. Socially he is doing great, nice to all the kids, never has fits when things don't go his way, follows directions, etc. She basically summed it up at the end saying, "We just have no issues with Andrew. He is a delight. You are very lucky to have him."
Ah. So nice to hear. But as much as I enjoyed my 5 minute compliment of Andrew, I kind of wish they could have pulled me aside in the morning and just told me very quickly. No, I shouldn't complain. Good conference. Be grateful.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Making memories
Ah...the holiday season. I have so many wonderful childhood memories of this time of year. Little traditions that made each year special. I used to be weird about these traditions...and I'm sure my family is chuckling at the "used to" reference. I'm sure that if I had stayed in Ohio, I would still be going to my folks' house on Christmas Eve, expecting all the same things to happen. But moving far away and having a quarter of a dozen children has hindered my ability to be home at Christmas. (doesn't that sound more impressive? Not 3 kids...a quarter of a dozen). Or, rather, it has forced me to make my own home instead.
I worry that my kids won't have the same types of hallowed traditions. How does one START a tradition? Will they remember their childhoods fondly or will it just seem like a generic Christmas...nothing unique and special about the way our family does it. Do the parents have to do it consciously, or do they naturally develop from seemingly random events? Will I ever be able to spell consciously without spell check? So many questions this morning.
Here are some of my favorite holiday memories and traditions from childhood:
1) Santa always came to our house on Christmas Eve. How special were we that he came to us first!?!?! We would go to church, look at lights on the way home, and then stay up all night opening gifts. Or probably until 11-12... I loved coming home on those cold evenings and finding our house all filled up with presents. And then the delicious torture of having to change out of our church clothes before opening all those gifts. And then Dad would take FOREVER getting a garbage bag for the wrapping paper and setting up chairs...I swear it was torturous. And then we would open gifts as slowly as possible...each person opening a gift at a time, while we all ooohhhed and aahhhhed. Even as very young kids we took patient turns.
2) My mother told me about Santa when I was in 3rd grade. I think she was embarrassed that I still believed. But I KNEW he existed. In 2nd grade, I made sure I was the last person out of the house on the way to church. And then I was the very first person back in the house...and all the presents had been laid out. My parents were sitting next to me in church the whole time...so there MUST be a Santa.
3) My older sister Kate and I had a great time making our little sister Andrea believe in Santa. We were desperate for her to continue to believe, because we knew that Christmas wouldn't be the same after she stopped believing. I remember her saying finally, "You guys, I KNOW there isn't a Santa." and we were all, "Okay, okay. But just make Mom and Dad THINK you still believe."
4) My parents would take us for long drives after church Christmas Eve night. Serious torture. We would beg to go home and Mom would say, "Oh, let's just go down this street." and Dad would turn down. And we would always see Santa up in the sky (aka helicopters).
5) After the gluttonous opening of gifts (my parents always spoiled us rotten), we would sadly sit back and realize it was over for another year. But then...STOCKINGS! Our tree was in a different room than the fireplace, so out of sight out of mind. And I swear, the toothbrushes and pens and little trinkets were just as exciting (if not more) than the gifts under the tree. While we were really excited about getting presents, I remember really enjoying watching other people open their gifts. One of my earliest memories is picking out a beret for my sister...I was so excited for her to open it. And the year my dad got my mom a ton of perfume samples for Christmas. And how every year my parents would chide each other for spending too much money on each other...but it happened every year.
Oh, I could go on and on. I love all that family time at Christmas Eve...and it was almost always just us 5, with maybe a grandparent thrown in there occasionally. A few years of my childhood, we spent Christmas away from home...and it was always a disappointment. Ironically, those are the years my older sister enjoyed the most. I guess you never know what your kids will like.
So far our traditions are not putting up the tree until after Andrew's birthday and our whole ornament putting up tradition (Giselle makes fun of Jeff's ornaments, Giselle gets tickled, Andrew defends Daddy's crappy ornaments, Giselle tries to hide them on the back of the tree, gets tickled some more, etc etc). Those aren't very exciting. I miss the Christmas Eve tradition...we are doing Christmas morning with our kids. Hopefully our own fun things will develop...
I worry that my kids won't have the same types of hallowed traditions. How does one START a tradition? Will they remember their childhoods fondly or will it just seem like a generic Christmas...nothing unique and special about the way our family does it. Do the parents have to do it consciously, or do they naturally develop from seemingly random events? Will I ever be able to spell consciously without spell check? So many questions this morning.
Here are some of my favorite holiday memories and traditions from childhood:
1) Santa always came to our house on Christmas Eve. How special were we that he came to us first!?!?! We would go to church, look at lights on the way home, and then stay up all night opening gifts. Or probably until 11-12... I loved coming home on those cold evenings and finding our house all filled up with presents. And then the delicious torture of having to change out of our church clothes before opening all those gifts. And then Dad would take FOREVER getting a garbage bag for the wrapping paper and setting up chairs...I swear it was torturous. And then we would open gifts as slowly as possible...each person opening a gift at a time, while we all ooohhhed and aahhhhed. Even as very young kids we took patient turns.
2) My mother told me about Santa when I was in 3rd grade. I think she was embarrassed that I still believed. But I KNEW he existed. In 2nd grade, I made sure I was the last person out of the house on the way to church. And then I was the very first person back in the house...and all the presents had been laid out. My parents were sitting next to me in church the whole time...so there MUST be a Santa.
3) My older sister Kate and I had a great time making our little sister Andrea believe in Santa. We were desperate for her to continue to believe, because we knew that Christmas wouldn't be the same after she stopped believing. I remember her saying finally, "You guys, I KNOW there isn't a Santa." and we were all, "Okay, okay. But just make Mom and Dad THINK you still believe."
4) My parents would take us for long drives after church Christmas Eve night. Serious torture. We would beg to go home and Mom would say, "Oh, let's just go down this street." and Dad would turn down. And we would always see Santa up in the sky (aka helicopters).
5) After the gluttonous opening of gifts (my parents always spoiled us rotten), we would sadly sit back and realize it was over for another year. But then...STOCKINGS! Our tree was in a different room than the fireplace, so out of sight out of mind. And I swear, the toothbrushes and pens and little trinkets were just as exciting (if not more) than the gifts under the tree. While we were really excited about getting presents, I remember really enjoying watching other people open their gifts. One of my earliest memories is picking out a beret for my sister...I was so excited for her to open it. And the year my dad got my mom a ton of perfume samples for Christmas. And how every year my parents would chide each other for spending too much money on each other...but it happened every year.
Oh, I could go on and on. I love all that family time at Christmas Eve...and it was almost always just us 5, with maybe a grandparent thrown in there occasionally. A few years of my childhood, we spent Christmas away from home...and it was always a disappointment. Ironically, those are the years my older sister enjoyed the most. I guess you never know what your kids will like.
So far our traditions are not putting up the tree until after Andrew's birthday and our whole ornament putting up tradition (Giselle makes fun of Jeff's ornaments, Giselle gets tickled, Andrew defends Daddy's crappy ornaments, Giselle tries to hide them on the back of the tree, gets tickled some more, etc etc). Those aren't very exciting. I miss the Christmas Eve tradition...we are doing Christmas morning with our kids. Hopefully our own fun things will develop...
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Stuck
-sigh- I think I'm ready to go back to work full-time. Do you know anyone hiring a full-time position for the next week? No, make that 2 weeks...Andrew has a week off school starting next Tuesday.
Positives for today: Andrew had school. Book club was taken from my house by my friend, so I don't have to worry about cleaning and prepping food for tonight. Michael only got up twice last night. My house still smells like the gyros I made for dinner last night. That's right, I made gyros. Honey Homemaker, here.
Negatives for today: I am wearing a rut in my floor from walking Michael around a circle in my house. Lily's eyes are so watery and puffy that she has been crying all morning, poor baby. I have to get ready for this stinkin' birthday party in 3 days. I'm bored. Andrew is bored.
Okay, enough wah-me. Lordy...I'm just too bored to write in this today. Baby's crying again. I've got to go rock him...poor little pitiful thing.
Positives for today: Andrew had school. Book club was taken from my house by my friend, so I don't have to worry about cleaning and prepping food for tonight. Michael only got up twice last night. My house still smells like the gyros I made for dinner last night. That's right, I made gyros. Honey Homemaker, here.
Negatives for today: I am wearing a rut in my floor from walking Michael around a circle in my house. Lily's eyes are so watery and puffy that she has been crying all morning, poor baby. I have to get ready for this stinkin' birthday party in 3 days. I'm bored. Andrew is bored.
Okay, enough wah-me. Lordy...I'm just too bored to write in this today. Baby's crying again. I've got to go rock him...poor little pitiful thing.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Thank heavens for frequent posters
This whole November posting challenge has been both a blessing and a curse. (I refuse to call it the NaBloPoMoDoToReallyLongLongerThanMostTitlesInFact... because I find it more confusing and irritating than an abbreviation should be).
A curse because I probably wouldn't have written about this little thing that happened last week. And then none of you would be any the wiser...except for my mother, and it's really fun to make her crazy, so that would still be okay.
A blessing because I have been trapped in my house since last Thursday with 3 children...and it doesn't look like it will be changing anytime soon. And since all of you have been blogging so faithfully, I feel like I'm still talking with adults and socializing and all of that. So thank heavens!
Michael slept better last night. I think I was only up rocking him every 3 hours instead of every 2 like the night before. Lily woke up and CUDDLED with me...so I'm thinking she must feel like death warmed over. Andrew is feeling great and hyper and cooped up...a great mix with the other 2 draggers. Jeff and I are healthy...although I can't imagine I won't catch this bug, what with all the sleep I'm getting and the snot drying in my hair etc etc. Oh, the glamour of being a mother.
And now a Public Service Announcement. I did call a doctor yesterday. What you all need to understand is, I am NOT being difficult about going to the doctor. I don't HAVE a doctor. I haven't seen anyone other than an OB/GYN since college. If you move as much as we do, and need doctors as infrequently as we do...there is just little motivation to get a doctor. So I needed a recommendation, and my friend that has raved about her doc's was in jury duty last Friday. So I didn't even have the name of a practice until late Friday afternoon. I called first thing Monday morning, and was told that they would "get back to me in a week" with an appointment (a new patient thing). So I WILL get a doctor...hopefully in the next week...and then I will tell them about this whole thing. There are no urgent cares in this part of the world (a fact I still don't understand), so it's not like I could have zipped in there to see a doctor. And I am NOT waiting 10 hours in an ER for a headache that happened last week. I promise I am symptom free and have been since Friday. It's all good. Thank you for your concerns.
A curse because I probably wouldn't have written about this little thing that happened last week. And then none of you would be any the wiser...except for my mother, and it's really fun to make her crazy, so that would still be okay.
A blessing because I have been trapped in my house since last Thursday with 3 children...and it doesn't look like it will be changing anytime soon. And since all of you have been blogging so faithfully, I feel like I'm still talking with adults and socializing and all of that. So thank heavens!
Michael slept better last night. I think I was only up rocking him every 3 hours instead of every 2 like the night before. Lily woke up and CUDDLED with me...so I'm thinking she must feel like death warmed over. Andrew is feeling great and hyper and cooped up...a great mix with the other 2 draggers. Jeff and I are healthy...although I can't imagine I won't catch this bug, what with all the sleep I'm getting and the snot drying in my hair etc etc. Oh, the glamour of being a mother.
And now a Public Service Announcement. I did call a doctor yesterday. What you all need to understand is, I am NOT being difficult about going to the doctor. I don't HAVE a doctor. I haven't seen anyone other than an OB/GYN since college. If you move as much as we do, and need doctors as infrequently as we do...there is just little motivation to get a doctor. So I needed a recommendation, and my friend that has raved about her doc's was in jury duty last Friday. So I didn't even have the name of a practice until late Friday afternoon. I called first thing Monday morning, and was told that they would "get back to me in a week" with an appointment (a new patient thing). So I WILL get a doctor...hopefully in the next week...and then I will tell them about this whole thing. There are no urgent cares in this part of the world (a fact I still don't understand), so it's not like I could have zipped in there to see a doctor. And I am NOT waiting 10 hours in an ER for a headache that happened last week. I promise I am symptom free and have been since Friday. It's all good. Thank you for your concerns.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Open bar
When my kids are sick, the rules kind of go out the window. Want juice 5 times a day? OK! Want Popsicles and fruit snacks and applesauce for dinner? OK! Want to watch tv for most of the day? Oh, wait...that's normal.
For Michael this means an open bar at the milk cafe. I HATE sick babies...they are so pathetic and sad...and you can't explain to them why they feel so uncomfortable...and you just can't do much to help them. It's horrible. Michael is just miserable...can't sleep and be left alone for one solitary minute. He just looks at you with those watery eyes pleading for some relief. And the one thing that I can do that always makes him feel better is nurse him. And it really works for him this time around...he is instantly comforted and content. This makes my leash even shorter than usual, but I'm glad I can give him even a little contentedness.
I slept from 11-2 last night. That's it. Lily woke up coughing and grouchy this morning. Michael can not seem to nap...except for 15 minute spurts in my arms now and then. Andrew is doing markedly better...so at least he'll get to go to school. I'm supposed to have book club at my house Wednesday night. Yea, we'll see if the house is clean or not. I literally can't put Michael down for more than 5 minutes (he is sitting on my lap whining at the moment), so that floor just ain't going to get vacuumed...
Anyhoo, enough complaining...this is par for the course with children, so it's just what we do. I'm blessed to have mostly healthy children, so I really should just keep my mouth shut.
So here's question for all of you... Which do you think is better, everyone getting sick at once, or passing it around one at a time? I can see benefits (and lots of detriments) for each, but I'm curious what you think?
For Michael this means an open bar at the milk cafe. I HATE sick babies...they are so pathetic and sad...and you can't explain to them why they feel so uncomfortable...and you just can't do much to help them. It's horrible. Michael is just miserable...can't sleep and be left alone for one solitary minute. He just looks at you with those watery eyes pleading for some relief. And the one thing that I can do that always makes him feel better is nurse him. And it really works for him this time around...he is instantly comforted and content. This makes my leash even shorter than usual, but I'm glad I can give him even a little contentedness.
I slept from 11-2 last night. That's it. Lily woke up coughing and grouchy this morning. Michael can not seem to nap...except for 15 minute spurts in my arms now and then. Andrew is doing markedly better...so at least he'll get to go to school. I'm supposed to have book club at my house Wednesday night. Yea, we'll see if the house is clean or not. I literally can't put Michael down for more than 5 minutes (he is sitting on my lap whining at the moment), so that floor just ain't going to get vacuumed...
Anyhoo, enough complaining...this is par for the course with children, so it's just what we do. I'm blessed to have mostly healthy children, so I really should just keep my mouth shut.
So here's question for all of you... Which do you think is better, everyone getting sick at once, or passing it around one at a time? I can see benefits (and lots of detriments) for each, but I'm curious what you think?
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Play house
Some of you may not have known me 2 1/2 years ago, but I was...um...less than stoked about having a little girl. Frightened. Feeling inadequate. I quickly got over that once Lily made her grand appearance, although I still often feel like she really has gotten the short end of the stick when it comes to mothers. I went out with some ladies, and they were discussing all the cute dresses and dress coats their daughter have (and the price tag on those items). I love looking at Lily in dresses, but I honestly would rather she be comfortable. I wouldn't want to freeze my bottom in tights when I could be wearing thick warm sweatpants. Why would I make my daughter? Other than the fact she is deliciously cute in tights.
Anyhoo, I digress. I am really really enjoying the toys and play style of a little girl. It makes me realize how annoying it is that playing pretend with a little boy ALWAYS ends up in violence. Here's an example of playing with the dollhouse (Lily's favorite thing to do).
Lily: Mommy be mommy, Eee-ee be baby.
Andrew grabs the Mommy. Lily screams: No! No! No!
Giselle: It's okay, Lily. I'll be the daddy and Andrew can be the mommy. We all have to share..blah blah blah (you know the drill)
Lily: Wah wah. Baby eat oatmeal.
G: Here's your breakfast, baby. Daddy has to go to work.
A: (Throws mommy doll into the air) Mommy just jumped out the window! Let's pretend she's dead!
G: No, Andrew. We don't pretend that people are dead. How about we all have a dance party?
Lily excitedly starts making her doll dance. I less excitedly make my doll dance. Andrew makes his doll hit her head repeatedly on the roof of the house making screaming noises.
Do you get idea? -sigh- I fear that soon Lily and I will be outnumbered.
Anyhoo, I digress. I am really really enjoying the toys and play style of a little girl. It makes me realize how annoying it is that playing pretend with a little boy ALWAYS ends up in violence. Here's an example of playing with the dollhouse (Lily's favorite thing to do).
Lily: Mommy be mommy, Eee-ee be baby.
Andrew grabs the Mommy. Lily screams: No! No! No!
Giselle: It's okay, Lily. I'll be the daddy and Andrew can be the mommy. We all have to share..blah blah blah (you know the drill)
Lily: Wah wah. Baby eat oatmeal.
G: Here's your breakfast, baby. Daddy has to go to work.
A: (Throws mommy doll into the air) Mommy just jumped out the window! Let's pretend she's dead!
G: No, Andrew. We don't pretend that people are dead. How about we all have a dance party?
Lily excitedly starts making her doll dance. I less excitedly make my doll dance. Andrew makes his doll hit her head repeatedly on the roof of the house making screaming noises.
Do you get idea? -sigh- I fear that soon Lily and I will be outnumbered.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Call off the dogs...
I need an audience, did you guess that? Thanks to my little sister's rather late appearance when I was 7, I am a quirky mix of a youngest and a middle child. I like to think that I don't like attention...I hate parties for me, didn't really want a wedding, can't stand even Christmas parties where everyone will be watching me open a gift. Yet...I like to make people laugh and entertain them.
I know I need an audience for a journal. Evidence is in the blank pages of my written journal, that I knew would have an audience of 1 versus my blog...which has 590 entries in the last 3 years. I like to think I don't care that people are reading this...it is for my future self. Which is true, except that I try my hardest to make you laugh or wince or shake your head at me...even if I don't know you're reading.
If I were a true blue middle child, I probably wouldn't have written that last post. I wouldn't have wanted to worry you about it. Writing it out was very much a youngest child thing to do. Youngest children tend to need validation for their every move in life...everything is a little more dramatic. Who could blame them...they're at the tail end of a family...you gotta do what you gotta do to get attention. ;) I think that I needed validation in this little episode. I think that deep down I'm worried about what happened, and I kind of wanted to get your reaction, to justify my own reaction. Make sense?
Anyway, your reaction has been duly noted. For the record, I have gotten the name of a doctor's practice, and I will be calling them on Monday. If I can remember. Definitely by Tuesday. See, that's the darned middle child coming out again. ;)
I know I need an audience for a journal. Evidence is in the blank pages of my written journal, that I knew would have an audience of 1 versus my blog...which has 590 entries in the last 3 years. I like to think I don't care that people are reading this...it is for my future self. Which is true, except that I try my hardest to make you laugh or wince or shake your head at me...even if I don't know you're reading.
If I were a true blue middle child, I probably wouldn't have written that last post. I wouldn't have wanted to worry you about it. Writing it out was very much a youngest child thing to do. Youngest children tend to need validation for their every move in life...everything is a little more dramatic. Who could blame them...they're at the tail end of a family...you gotta do what you gotta do to get attention. ;) I think that I needed validation in this little episode. I think that deep down I'm worried about what happened, and I kind of wanted to get your reaction, to justify my own reaction. Make sense?
Anyway, your reaction has been duly noted. For the record, I have gotten the name of a doctor's practice, and I will be calling them on Monday. If I can remember. Definitely by Tuesday. See, that's the darned middle child coming out again. ;)
Friday, November 14, 2008
Holy crap...I think I had a stroke
Let me start off by saying that I am an annoyingly healthy person. I haven't had a doctor for 10 years, because I honestly haven't needed one. I think 2-3 times in 10 years I've needed to go to urgent care for a bladder infection. I don't wear glasses. I live strictly by the code, "Wait a week. If it is still bugging you, go to the doctor." And -so far- nothing has lasted a week.
Yesterday was one of the scariest moments of my life. I was happily whining the day away with a sick almost-5 year old male (we all know that gender distinction makes a difference) and a bipolar 2 year old girl (again...gender) and a happy-go-lucky perfect baby. We were at the grocery by 8 am to stock up on Popsicles and juice and cough syrup and donuts and other sick foods...well maybe not the donuts, but did I mention the bipolar 2 year old? We played house a million and one times, I made dinner in the crock pot, Michael went down for a nap, and I called my friend Annie while I made lunch for the crew. I had a lovely conversation with her, and by the end of it I had noticed this little nagging ear/behind the left eye pain. I got off the phone with her and ate my lunch, hoping I was just hungry.
15 minutes later, I was reeling. Nauseous, dizzy, the works. I decided this felt like a migraine...I've never had one, but the eye distortion and stabbing head pain made me assume this. I decided to call Jeff to moan to him, but I couldn't remember his phone number. You know, the one that I call numerous times a day. Then I almost threw up. I didn't, for some reason, but now I was feeling tingly numbness in my extremities. I literally thought maybe I was having a stroke. I couldn't get full sentences out when speaking to the children. Lily's nap time came and I said something like, "Lily say goodbye goodnight good to you Mi to your And to go to bed" and stumbled upstairs with her, seeing spots the whole time. I grabbed the phone again and literally had to punch in the numbers while using my other finger to follow along Jeff's business card. I left some kind of rambling message, because, again, I wasn't able to complete sentences. I corralled Andrew upstairs for his sick-day nap. Thank God the children went down without a fuss. Michael had just woken from his nap, so I put him in the swing and sat in front of the toilet. Jeff came home, I went upstairs, threw up my lunch and tried to will the pain away. While I "slept", Jeff apparently looked up my symptoms and decided it was weird for me to have a migraine, since I've never had one before...perhaps I had meningitis. I must have freaked him out good, since he came home from work without question and then was ready to take me to the emergency room.
I did fall asleep for a little while and got out of bed after a few hours to feed Michael (boy's still got to eat!). My head and ear ached all the rest of the day, but I never felt that tingly feeling or the disorientation again. Thank heavens. Unpleasant. Scary. This morning I have a haunting ache threatening behind my ear and eye. It doesn't even really hurt...it's just threatening to.
Ugh. So I think this was a migraine. I was shocked at the speed it hit me and the complete body collapse it caused. I cannot imagine how people with chronic migraines function in normal society. I was not able to take care of my children. What would I do if this happened frequently. Which makes me worry why this has happened now. What if that last pregnancy just through my hormones into a place where THIS is my new PMS symptom. I still haven't gotten my period back, but perhaps this is the sign it is coming.
AAAACCCCHHHH! Maybe I should be putting in a call to my primary care physician. ;)
Yesterday was one of the scariest moments of my life. I was happily whining the day away with a sick almost-5 year old male (we all know that gender distinction makes a difference) and a bipolar 2 year old girl (again...gender) and a happy-go-lucky perfect baby. We were at the grocery by 8 am to stock up on Popsicles and juice and cough syrup and donuts and other sick foods...well maybe not the donuts, but did I mention the bipolar 2 year old? We played house a million and one times, I made dinner in the crock pot, Michael went down for a nap, and I called my friend Annie while I made lunch for the crew. I had a lovely conversation with her, and by the end of it I had noticed this little nagging ear/behind the left eye pain. I got off the phone with her and ate my lunch, hoping I was just hungry.
15 minutes later, I was reeling. Nauseous, dizzy, the works. I decided this felt like a migraine...I've never had one, but the eye distortion and stabbing head pain made me assume this. I decided to call Jeff to moan to him, but I couldn't remember his phone number. You know, the one that I call numerous times a day. Then I almost threw up. I didn't, for some reason, but now I was feeling tingly numbness in my extremities. I literally thought maybe I was having a stroke. I couldn't get full sentences out when speaking to the children. Lily's nap time came and I said something like, "Lily say goodbye goodnight good to you Mi to your And to go to bed" and stumbled upstairs with her, seeing spots the whole time. I grabbed the phone again and literally had to punch in the numbers while using my other finger to follow along Jeff's business card. I left some kind of rambling message, because, again, I wasn't able to complete sentences. I corralled Andrew upstairs for his sick-day nap. Thank God the children went down without a fuss. Michael had just woken from his nap, so I put him in the swing and sat in front of the toilet. Jeff came home, I went upstairs, threw up my lunch and tried to will the pain away. While I "slept", Jeff apparently looked up my symptoms and decided it was weird for me to have a migraine, since I've never had one before...perhaps I had meningitis. I must have freaked him out good, since he came home from work without question and then was ready to take me to the emergency room.
I did fall asleep for a little while and got out of bed after a few hours to feed Michael (boy's still got to eat!). My head and ear ached all the rest of the day, but I never felt that tingly feeling or the disorientation again. Thank heavens. Unpleasant. Scary. This morning I have a haunting ache threatening behind my ear and eye. It doesn't even really hurt...it's just threatening to.
Ugh. So I think this was a migraine. I was shocked at the speed it hit me and the complete body collapse it caused. I cannot imagine how people with chronic migraines function in normal society. I was not able to take care of my children. What would I do if this happened frequently. Which makes me worry why this has happened now. What if that last pregnancy just through my hormones into a place where THIS is my new PMS symptom. I still haven't gotten my period back, but perhaps this is the sign it is coming.
AAAACCCCHHHH! Maybe I should be putting in a call to my primary care physician. ;)
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Andrew's worst nightmare
Today he can't speak! Can you imagine!?!?! The poor kid has come down with a terrible chest cold...and it's just sitting on his vocal chords. I feel so bad for him...he doesn't have a runny nose or anything. He just can't talk and when he tries to cough it is a bark...just not loosened up yet. Oh, and he has a fever if I don't give him Tylenol. But the not talking is driving him MAD. We can't even play neighbor... (I grin evilly). Hopefully tomorrow it will loosen up a bit so he can at least get my attention. And hopefully tonight he will be able to sleep....last night was a long one.
So a day of TV! How unusual for my kids...
BTW...I took all 3 kids for flu shots yesterday afternoon. It went amazingly well, thanks to gummy bears and the fact that Michael didn't react at all to the shot. Kind of guilted Andrew into not crying. Now I'm the only one who hasn't gotten one. I saw a sign at Target last week that they were giving flu shots Oct 16-19. Gee. Thanks. Maybe someday I should actually get a doctor so that I can take care of things like this. -sigh- Like I can even imagine going to the doctor with 3 kids tagging along. Or even 2. Or 1.
So a day of TV! How unusual for my kids...
BTW...I took all 3 kids for flu shots yesterday afternoon. It went amazingly well, thanks to gummy bears and the fact that Michael didn't react at all to the shot. Kind of guilted Andrew into not crying. Now I'm the only one who hasn't gotten one. I saw a sign at Target last week that they were giving flu shots Oct 16-19. Gee. Thanks. Maybe someday I should actually get a doctor so that I can take care of things like this. -sigh- Like I can even imagine going to the doctor with 3 kids tagging along. Or even 2. Or 1.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Why I don't do crafts
Scene: My kitchen, around 10am, yesterday.
Players: Andrew, Lily, and me...Michael was taking a morning nap, after protesting it for 45 minutes
Michael decided to be especially difficult, so I neglected the other 2 children horribly. Also, I was frantically cleaning for some friends coming over that night because her youngest just learned to crawl...and my house is a stewing pit of choking hazards. Once Michael finally decided to sleep, I wanted to be a good mommy for once and break out the painting supplies. I set up the easel, put up paper and squirted paint into paper cups. I had wet paper towels ready for spills. I had different tools to paint with...to promote experimenting with the materials, toothpicks, sponges, brushes, plastic letters, etc. I was up for the Super Mom election! Or at least the Do What is Expected Mom election!
Lily- "Yay! Paint! Me paint!"
She runs over to the cup of red paint and starts vigorously painting a bloody scene.
Andrew stands blankly in front of his plain canvas.
Lily begins screaming, "Wash Ands! Wash Ands!". As I rush to her, there is a dime sized amount of paint on her hands.
Mommy says (foolishly), "It's okay, Lily. Get all messy and we'll wash up at the end."
"NOOOOOOOOOO! Wash Ands! NOW! Wash Ands!" She drops to the ground (with a full paint brush in hand) and starts flailing in a full-on tantrum.
Mommy pries the paint brush from her fingers and drags her to the bathroom.
"Wash Ands, Mommy. Myself. Bubbles. Wash bubbles." Mommy tries to squirt soap into Lily's hands. "No, Mommy. Bubbles myself!" Lily grabs the soap dispenser and futilely tries to squirt the soap out. It doesn't work. "Mommy, BUBBLES! Wash Ands!" Mommy quickly squirts some soap on Lily's hands before the tantrum ensues. Lily refuses to leave the bubbles and water, so Mommy goes to check on Andrew.
Andrew is still staring blankly at his canvas.
Lily coming out of the bathroom and slips on a wet puddle left over from washing hands. Screaming pain cry (over exaggerated). Boo-boo bunny needed.
Andrew is still staring blankly at his canvas. He starts to cry quietly.
Lily wants to paint again. She picks up the red paintbrush again. Mommy suggests another color, which makes Lily start to breathe heavily again...Mommy backs off.
Mommy checks in with Andrew. He begins crying hysterically that he can't think of anything to paint. Mommy pleads that it is just supposed to be fun...he can paint a design or a picture or he can just play with the colors and paint. "No, I need something to paint."
Lily begins screaming, "Wash Ands! Yucky paint! Wash ands!"
Repeat the bathroom scenario of above.
Andrew starts painting a lovely picture of the beach.
Lily comes out of the bathroom to find a fresh piece of paper waiting for her. She goes into her blue period, after a brief tantrum because Andrew is using her red paint. Soon...you guessed it...we are back in the bathroom fighting over who controls the soap.
I decide to pack up the paints during this bathroom interval. I've had enough of the schitzo. Andrew starts to cry again as I pack up the paints, because he has finally found inspiration.
Lily throws a huge tantrum (joining Andrew's cries) as she realizes we aren't going to paint anymore.
So, my dearest children, if you are reading this someday, YOU are the reason we didn't do anything creative.
And I'll leave you with a sweet story. This morning I was dressing Lily and I heard Andrew singing something to Michael. I peeked into the room where Michael was on the floor. Andrew was stroking Michael's chin singing a tuneless kind of made up song, "Oh, thank you God, thank you God for sweet cute little Mikey. Thank you God for Mikey." Michael was just gazing up in adoration as Andrew crooned to him. Oh, help my heart...it just about died from the sweetness.
Players: Andrew, Lily, and me...Michael was taking a morning nap, after protesting it for 45 minutes
Michael decided to be especially difficult, so I neglected the other 2 children horribly. Also, I was frantically cleaning for some friends coming over that night because her youngest just learned to crawl...and my house is a stewing pit of choking hazards. Once Michael finally decided to sleep, I wanted to be a good mommy for once and break out the painting supplies. I set up the easel, put up paper and squirted paint into paper cups. I had wet paper towels ready for spills. I had different tools to paint with...to promote experimenting with the materials, toothpicks, sponges, brushes, plastic letters, etc. I was up for the Super Mom election! Or at least the Do What is Expected Mom election!
Lily- "Yay! Paint! Me paint!"
She runs over to the cup of red paint and starts vigorously painting a bloody scene.
Andrew stands blankly in front of his plain canvas.
Lily begins screaming, "Wash Ands! Wash Ands!". As I rush to her, there is a dime sized amount of paint on her hands.
Mommy says (foolishly), "It's okay, Lily. Get all messy and we'll wash up at the end."
"NOOOOOOOOOO! Wash Ands! NOW! Wash Ands!" She drops to the ground (with a full paint brush in hand) and starts flailing in a full-on tantrum.
Mommy pries the paint brush from her fingers and drags her to the bathroom.
"Wash Ands, Mommy. Myself. Bubbles. Wash bubbles." Mommy tries to squirt soap into Lily's hands. "No, Mommy. Bubbles myself!" Lily grabs the soap dispenser and futilely tries to squirt the soap out. It doesn't work. "Mommy, BUBBLES! Wash Ands!" Mommy quickly squirts some soap on Lily's hands before the tantrum ensues. Lily refuses to leave the bubbles and water, so Mommy goes to check on Andrew.
Andrew is still staring blankly at his canvas.
Lily coming out of the bathroom and slips on a wet puddle left over from washing hands. Screaming pain cry (over exaggerated). Boo-boo bunny needed.
Andrew is still staring blankly at his canvas. He starts to cry quietly.
Lily wants to paint again. She picks up the red paintbrush again. Mommy suggests another color, which makes Lily start to breathe heavily again...Mommy backs off.
Mommy checks in with Andrew. He begins crying hysterically that he can't think of anything to paint. Mommy pleads that it is just supposed to be fun...he can paint a design or a picture or he can just play with the colors and paint. "No, I need something to paint."
Lily begins screaming, "Wash Ands! Yucky paint! Wash ands!"
Repeat the bathroom scenario of above.
Andrew starts painting a lovely picture of the beach.
Lily comes out of the bathroom to find a fresh piece of paper waiting for her. She goes into her blue period, after a brief tantrum because Andrew is using her red paint. Soon...you guessed it...we are back in the bathroom fighting over who controls the soap.
I decide to pack up the paints during this bathroom interval. I've had enough of the schitzo. Andrew starts to cry again as I pack up the paints, because he has finally found inspiration.
Lily throws a huge tantrum (joining Andrew's cries) as she realizes we aren't going to paint anymore.
So, my dearest children, if you are reading this someday, YOU are the reason we didn't do anything creative.
And I'll leave you with a sweet story. This morning I was dressing Lily and I heard Andrew singing something to Michael. I peeked into the room where Michael was on the floor. Andrew was stroking Michael's chin singing a tuneless kind of made up song, "Oh, thank you God, thank you God for sweet cute little Mikey. Thank you God for Mikey." Michael was just gazing up in adoration as Andrew crooned to him. Oh, help my heart...it just about died from the sweetness.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
The mini-van
Because Erin asked, and because I don't have any great ideas for a post today, I will proceed to tell you the scintillating details of our mini-van set-up.
Last February, we traded in our faithful Ford Escape for a Honda Odyssey. We just couldn't fit 3 car seats in the Escape. Other than being depressed to have to find my gold mini-van amongst the sea of others in every parking lot, I am thrilled with this purchase. I highly highly recommend this particular car, for its ease in maneuvering, it's quiet ride, and all the fun little features it comes with. (Honda, you may send me a free mini-van any time for this free advertising).
So, seating arrangements. We have a middle set of captain's chairs and a back bench. We have taken out one of the captain's chairs. Andrew and Lily are on the back bench together. Michael is facing backwards in the remaining captain's chairs. This is why we do it this way:
1) No one is alone. With a sensitive little soul like Andrew, it was devastating to be back in the back alone. So Lily keeps him company, and Michael can watch them both.
2) I can load all the kids through one door. This is particularly wonderful during rainy weather, busy parking lots, or in our garage (which barely fits the van).
3) Where the missing captain's chair was, I am left with a large flat space. This is an excellent space for changing diapers, placing groceries, and occasionally even having a picnic.
4) When we suddenly need another seat for an adult, it is really easy to just pop in the captain's chair, and no body has to climb in the back.
5) With the missing chair, it is very simple for me to reach the back seats to buckle everybody in...I just climb in the car.
6) I can't reach Lily or Andrew to give them stuff. This was only a problem for about a week, and now they know that once the car is moving, I can't hand them stuff. Oh, how I love not being harassed for books, toys, snacks as we are driving.
So there you have it. The perfect set-up for our family.
Last February, we traded in our faithful Ford Escape for a Honda Odyssey. We just couldn't fit 3 car seats in the Escape. Other than being depressed to have to find my gold mini-van amongst the sea of others in every parking lot, I am thrilled with this purchase. I highly highly recommend this particular car, for its ease in maneuvering, it's quiet ride, and all the fun little features it comes with. (Honda, you may send me a free mini-van any time for this free advertising).
So, seating arrangements. We have a middle set of captain's chairs and a back bench. We have taken out one of the captain's chairs. Andrew and Lily are on the back bench together. Michael is facing backwards in the remaining captain's chairs. This is why we do it this way:
1) No one is alone. With a sensitive little soul like Andrew, it was devastating to be back in the back alone. So Lily keeps him company, and Michael can watch them both.
2) I can load all the kids through one door. This is particularly wonderful during rainy weather, busy parking lots, or in our garage (which barely fits the van).
3) Where the missing captain's chair was, I am left with a large flat space. This is an excellent space for changing diapers, placing groceries, and occasionally even having a picnic.
4) When we suddenly need another seat for an adult, it is really easy to just pop in the captain's chair, and no body has to climb in the back.
5) With the missing chair, it is very simple for me to reach the back seats to buckle everybody in...I just climb in the car.
6) I can't reach Lily or Andrew to give them stuff. This was only a problem for about a week, and now they know that once the car is moving, I can't hand them stuff. Oh, how I love not being harassed for books, toys, snacks as we are driving.
So there you have it. The perfect set-up for our family.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Remember what they look like?
Michael is a big thumb sucker now. Have I mentioned that he is napping well? It is all due to this thumb.
Seriously can't get pictures of this girl. My sister can attest to it. Impossible.
Is there anything cuter than a baby wrapped in a towel? I think not.
Andrew climbed a tree! With Aunt Sara! And Lily! Way back a month ago!
The boys.
They have a real love affair.
No bib has even been more accurate.
Michael with a death grib on Shadow's collar. Since sitting up, he has become aware of her, and now loves her like his siblings.
Poor Uncle Jeff.
Seriously can't get pictures of this girl. My sister can attest to it. Impossible.
Is there anything cuter than a baby wrapped in a towel? I think not.
Andrew climbed a tree! With Aunt Sara! And Lily! Way back a month ago!
The boys.
They have a real love affair.
No bib has even been more accurate.
Michael with a death grib on Shadow's collar. Since sitting up, he has become aware of her, and now loves her like his siblings.
Poor Uncle Jeff.
Halloween pictures
Finally! Some pictures!
My little Cookie Monster. Please don't notice the horribly disgusting mini-van in the background.
The 3 little munchkins.
Eating popsicles on the swing. If not for the poor lighting, this may have been our holiday card. I don't know if I'll be able to do better...
More on the swing:
Andrew at his class party. 2 other boys were football players (because their "real" costumes were too scary/violent for the party. Andrew was not able to wear his ninja costume for that reason)
My little Cookie Monster. Please don't notice the horribly disgusting mini-van in the background.
The 3 little munchkins.
Eating popsicles on the swing. If not for the poor lighting, this may have been our holiday card. I don't know if I'll be able to do better...
Andrew drew a face on his pumpkin. I went upstairs to feed Michael. I came down to find that Jeff had carved the pumpkin EXACTLY as Andrew had drawn it. I would have been too lazy to try and carve out those tiny eye and ear holes on that giant pumpkin...but good old Jeff did it. So we have a 4-year old's Jack-O-Lantern:
More on the swing:
Andrew at his class party. 2 other boys were football players (because their "real" costumes were too scary/violent for the party. Andrew was not able to wear his ninja costume for that reason)
I've included this one so you can see how much bigger Andrew is than his classmates. It's pretty shocking, really. Kind of looked like Andrew had gotten in the wrong class line.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Forced materialism
Andrew has a birthday coming up (5!?!?). And then exactly 4 weeks after that is Christmas. Which is a whole lot of presents in a short period of time. And he wants nothing. With a capital N.
We have scoured catalogs. We have wandered through toy stores. All I can get from him is a disinterested shrug or a unenthusiastic point at a random toy when pressured. We saw Santa at the mall yesterday (already?), and Andrew eagerly ran up to him to say hello. But he just wanted to chat and ask Santa how he was and introduce him to Lily and Michael. When Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas, Andrew just shrugged and smiled nervously. So this wise Santa asked Andrew what he was going to get me for Christmas. And my sweet little boy instantly got talkative, telling Santa what he got me last year and what he thought Michael and Lily would like. I don't think Andrew could remember one thing HE himself received, but he can recount almost every gift he gave last year.
So how hard do I press him? How far down his throat do I really shove the greedy spirit of modern Christmas? It is so fun to go shopping for kids, but I'm spending a lot of money on children who don't even really want a lot of gifts. How dumb is that? I think this year I will try and play into his enjoyment of Christmas, and spend time with him choosing gifts for others rather than pouring over catalogs trying to pick things for him. I still have to talk to Jeff about it, but I think we will limit gifts to 5 for each kid this year...1)big gift from Santa 2) something small from Santa or what they ask Santa for 3)toy from us 4) book(s) from us 5) something small from us, like pjs or a movie or coupon book (see below).
So now some ideas from you. Do you limit your Christmas spending? How do you make it "fair" for your children (comparing gifts to each other)
One thing I've decided to make for him is a little coupon book...I think he'd get real kick out of it. I've already thought of "date with Dad" and "date with Mom" and "ice cream for dinner" and "PJ day" and "good for one gift shop item" (since we never get anything from museum, etc. gift shops). Any other ideas?
We have scoured catalogs. We have wandered through toy stores. All I can get from him is a disinterested shrug or a unenthusiastic point at a random toy when pressured. We saw Santa at the mall yesterday (already?), and Andrew eagerly ran up to him to say hello. But he just wanted to chat and ask Santa how he was and introduce him to Lily and Michael. When Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas, Andrew just shrugged and smiled nervously. So this wise Santa asked Andrew what he was going to get me for Christmas. And my sweet little boy instantly got talkative, telling Santa what he got me last year and what he thought Michael and Lily would like. I don't think Andrew could remember one thing HE himself received, but he can recount almost every gift he gave last year.
So how hard do I press him? How far down his throat do I really shove the greedy spirit of modern Christmas? It is so fun to go shopping for kids, but I'm spending a lot of money on children who don't even really want a lot of gifts. How dumb is that? I think this year I will try and play into his enjoyment of Christmas, and spend time with him choosing gifts for others rather than pouring over catalogs trying to pick things for him. I still have to talk to Jeff about it, but I think we will limit gifts to 5 for each kid this year...1)big gift from Santa 2) something small from Santa or what they ask Santa for 3)toy from us 4) book(s) from us 5) something small from us, like pjs or a movie or coupon book (see below).
So now some ideas from you. Do you limit your Christmas spending? How do you make it "fair" for your children (comparing gifts to each other)
One thing I've decided to make for him is a little coupon book...I think he'd get real kick out of it. I've already thought of "date with Dad" and "date with Mom" and "ice cream for dinner" and "PJ day" and "good for one gift shop item" (since we never get anything from museum, etc. gift shops). Any other ideas?
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Baby babbles
So Mikey is at the cutest stage ever. Seriously. I have always maintained that every age and stage with kids comes with a balance of good and bad. Like Lily is completely and totally psychotic and bipolar, but with that comes a budding sense of humor and her adorable emerging language skills. Andrew is super fun to play with and have real conversations with, but he also likes to talk about eyeballs and tuna fish sandwiches and today cocker spaniels. As in, "What do you want for lunch?" "Cocker Spaniels..." (insert out of control giggles here).
But I am at a loss to find the bad about 7 months old. Michael is sleeping AWESOMELY, with an hour or 2 of napping during the day and 11 hour stretches at night. He is suddenly loving his solid foods, and does that fantastic baby bird mouth. He is squealing and cooing and babbling to his heart's content. He can sit up. He is not mobile AT ALL. All it takes to make him happy is someone talking to him or something he can bang.
I love this stage. And I love it the most this time around because I really am not worried that he isn't rolling over, etc etc. I can tell there is nothing wrong with his muscles...he's just not into physical movement right now. He is very busy advancing verbally. Lily said her first syllable at about 7 months. I remember it well, because it was while we were visiting Texas, and it was one of the sweetest moments I've ever had with my brother-in-law (big tough bachelor was sooooo excited to hear her utter those first sounds). Michael will be 7 months tomorrow, and he is saying Muhmuhmuh and Dahdahdah and Dihdih and A-ta and Tihtihtih and Guh and Buhbuhbuh, and squeals... So he'll get there with the movement. One thing at a time.
I am also the most sad this time around. Michael is my last baby. I know I will always love holding babies, but there will never be another that looks at me with those adoring, "You are my mommy" eyes. Oh, my heart is breaking a little even writing that. I love babies. I love my kids, and despite my complaining, I really have tried to relish my time with them. I also know I don't want a 4th. I really want to enjoy each of my special wonderful kids, and already with 3 I feel stretched. I worry that I wouldn't enjoy them the same way if I added another. And I know that in any case I can't keep having babies. There will always be a last baby.
So don't grow up so fast, kiddo. Just take your time and let Mommy memorize every moment. I'll need it to last me for a long while.
But I am at a loss to find the bad about 7 months old. Michael is sleeping AWESOMELY, with an hour or 2 of napping during the day and 11 hour stretches at night. He is suddenly loving his solid foods, and does that fantastic baby bird mouth. He is squealing and cooing and babbling to his heart's content. He can sit up. He is not mobile AT ALL. All it takes to make him happy is someone talking to him or something he can bang.
I love this stage. And I love it the most this time around because I really am not worried that he isn't rolling over, etc etc. I can tell there is nothing wrong with his muscles...he's just not into physical movement right now. He is very busy advancing verbally. Lily said her first syllable at about 7 months. I remember it well, because it was while we were visiting Texas, and it was one of the sweetest moments I've ever had with my brother-in-law (big tough bachelor was sooooo excited to hear her utter those first sounds). Michael will be 7 months tomorrow, and he is saying Muhmuhmuh and Dahdahdah and Dihdih and A-ta and Tihtihtih and Guh and Buhbuhbuh, and squeals... So he'll get there with the movement. One thing at a time.
I am also the most sad this time around. Michael is my last baby. I know I will always love holding babies, but there will never be another that looks at me with those adoring, "You are my mommy" eyes. Oh, my heart is breaking a little even writing that. I love babies. I love my kids, and despite my complaining, I really have tried to relish my time with them. I also know I don't want a 4th. I really want to enjoy each of my special wonderful kids, and already with 3 I feel stretched. I worry that I wouldn't enjoy them the same way if I added another. And I know that in any case I can't keep having babies. There will always be a last baby.
So don't grow up so fast, kiddo. Just take your time and let Mommy memorize every moment. I'll need it to last me for a long while.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Not lost
So my friend Annie noticed that two of my posts this week were titled Lost. Very creative, Giselle.
Oh, and the library books are STILL lost. Andrew is not lost anymore. I'm pretty sure I have lost my mind. I have not lost any weight. I like to watch the show Lost.
Okay, now I am not inspired today...not particularly so. So I'll bring up a question someone else asked:
How did you find the transition from 2 to 3 children in terms of finance. I don't need your 1040 form or anything too personal, just a general idea of how it worked with your budget. My kids are 2 and 1...I personally would LOVE to have one more but finances are not in prime condition to say the least. Did you guys feel the pinch financially or were you able to work it out?
Well, let's first point out that Jeff and I didn't plan this 3rd one exactly. So there was no forethought about finances. It is what it is. And so far, we have been lucky...it hasn't impacted us too much. No new childcare costs, since I was already a stay at home mom, I am exclusively breastfeeding, I have lots of hand-me-down clothes, we already had a 4 bedroom house, and we have good insurance, so the birth only cost us $15. But I anticipate quite a bit of budgeting and tightening of the belt as we approach a 3rd set of braces, 3rd set of extracurricular activities, and -gulp-, a 3rd college tuition to help with. But we'll get there someday.
As far as just general difficulty adjusting, I think everyone's experience is different. So so much depends on the personality of the children that you get. For us, I think that the transition from 0 children to 1 has been the most challenging. I had to adjust to not working and being isolated from the rest of the world and the fact that the kid NEVER.GOES.AWAY, and not sleeping in, and trying to plan outings around a child, etc etc etc. For us, the easiest transition was from 1 to 2 kids. We still could do the "man-to-man defense" (not that I know what that means exactly...I've just heard it said before), I was already immersed in the mommy lifestyle, etc. The hardest thing was moving to a new state...having a new baby paled in comparison. The transition from 2 to 3 has been quite difficult. Again, I was already in mommy mode, but suddenly we are outnumbered, and I can't stress enough what an adjustment this was for me. Taking 2 kids out alone is challenging but manageable, 3 children out alone is daunting...although manageable. I imagine that the transition to 4 kids would be easier (just adding to the chaos), but the outings alone must be quite rare. I just can't imagine. And of course the spacing of my first 2 kids versus the second 2 kids contributes to my difficulties.
Of course, all this is different from family to family. Perhaps you worked full-time with the first child, or perhaps you had the 3rd child much much later than the 2nd, or perhaps you had 2 at the same time, or perhaps your 2nd child was colicky and angry...you get the idea. Which is why when people ask me if it is hard to have 3...because they are thinking of having 3...my response is always, "I can't even pretend to know anything about it. You kind of just have to try it and find out." Which is a terrible response.
Oh, and the library books are STILL lost. Andrew is not lost anymore. I'm pretty sure I have lost my mind. I have not lost any weight. I like to watch the show Lost.
Okay, now I am not inspired today...not particularly so. So I'll bring up a question someone else asked:
How did you find the transition from 2 to 3 children in terms of finance. I don't need your 1040 form or anything too personal, just a general idea of how it worked with your budget. My kids are 2 and 1...I personally would LOVE to have one more but finances are not in prime condition to say the least. Did you guys feel the pinch financially or were you able to work it out?
Well, let's first point out that Jeff and I didn't plan this 3rd one exactly. So there was no forethought about finances. It is what it is. And so far, we have been lucky...it hasn't impacted us too much. No new childcare costs, since I was already a stay at home mom, I am exclusively breastfeeding, I have lots of hand-me-down clothes, we already had a 4 bedroom house, and we have good insurance, so the birth only cost us $15. But I anticipate quite a bit of budgeting and tightening of the belt as we approach a 3rd set of braces, 3rd set of extracurricular activities, and -gulp-, a 3rd college tuition to help with. But we'll get there someday.
As far as just general difficulty adjusting, I think everyone's experience is different. So so much depends on the personality of the children that you get. For us, I think that the transition from 0 children to 1 has been the most challenging. I had to adjust to not working and being isolated from the rest of the world and the fact that the kid NEVER.GOES.AWAY, and not sleeping in, and trying to plan outings around a child, etc etc etc. For us, the easiest transition was from 1 to 2 kids. We still could do the "man-to-man defense" (not that I know what that means exactly...I've just heard it said before), I was already immersed in the mommy lifestyle, etc. The hardest thing was moving to a new state...having a new baby paled in comparison. The transition from 2 to 3 has been quite difficult. Again, I was already in mommy mode, but suddenly we are outnumbered, and I can't stress enough what an adjustment this was for me. Taking 2 kids out alone is challenging but manageable, 3 children out alone is daunting...although manageable. I imagine that the transition to 4 kids would be easier (just adding to the chaos), but the outings alone must be quite rare. I just can't imagine. And of course the spacing of my first 2 kids versus the second 2 kids contributes to my difficulties.
Of course, all this is different from family to family. Perhaps you worked full-time with the first child, or perhaps you had the 3rd child much much later than the 2nd, or perhaps you had 2 at the same time, or perhaps your 2nd child was colicky and angry...you get the idea. Which is why when people ask me if it is hard to have 3...because they are thinking of having 3...my response is always, "I can't even pretend to know anything about it. You kind of just have to try it and find out." Which is a terrible response.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Lost
I am missing 2 library books.
It is driving me CRAZY.
I teeter on the edge of chaos every day. But I am so busy holding onto sanity, that I don't notice how close to the edge I actually am. I fool myself into believing that I am juggling everything very well.
And then I can't find 2 library books. And I suddenly see how many holes are in my net.
I am making too many analogies. Too many metaphors. This isn't going to make any sense.
Back to the library books. Seriously. My only thought is that Lily threw them away.
Why would she throw books away? She loves books. It would be like throwing her night-night away. Inconceivable.
What the heck? I always check out exactly 10 books. I keep them in the computer room, away from all our other books. We have a special library bag so that I can keep them separate.
I looked in the car.
Under all the furniture.
Oh. Dear. God. I think I'm cracking.
I can see the news article now:
Mother Sent to Mental Hospital
A 31 year old Pennsylvania woman was carted away from her home this afternoon after losing her mind. She was found by her husband wandering around the house looking inside teacups and fishbowls muttering, "Maybe they are in here?" Her 3 children were screaming to be fed while sitting on an impossibly dirty and sticky floor. Authorities suspect her mental demise began with a lost library book. Due to the state of the house, it is assumed that she lost the library books months ago, a figure estimated from Dust-dating (a process similar to carbon dating).
Ugh. At least I have to start cleaning for playgroup tomorrow...that should distract me a bit.
It is driving me CRAZY.
I teeter on the edge of chaos every day. But I am so busy holding onto sanity, that I don't notice how close to the edge I actually am. I fool myself into believing that I am juggling everything very well.
And then I can't find 2 library books. And I suddenly see how many holes are in my net.
I am making too many analogies. Too many metaphors. This isn't going to make any sense.
Back to the library books. Seriously. My only thought is that Lily threw them away.
Why would she throw books away? She loves books. It would be like throwing her night-night away. Inconceivable.
What the heck? I always check out exactly 10 books. I keep them in the computer room, away from all our other books. We have a special library bag so that I can keep them separate.
I looked in the car.
Under all the furniture.
Oh. Dear. God. I think I'm cracking.
I can see the news article now:
Mother Sent to Mental Hospital
A 31 year old Pennsylvania woman was carted away from her home this afternoon after losing her mind. She was found by her husband wandering around the house looking inside teacups and fishbowls muttering, "Maybe they are in here?" Her 3 children were screaming to be fed while sitting on an impossibly dirty and sticky floor. Authorities suspect her mental demise began with a lost library book. Due to the state of the house, it is assumed that she lost the library books months ago, a figure estimated from Dust-dating (a process similar to carbon dating).
Ugh. At least I have to start cleaning for playgroup tomorrow...that should distract me a bit.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
So long, Colin and Aunt Cake
Today we went back to normal. Kind of. It was time to take Kate, "Aunt Cake", and cousin Colin to the airport. It was such a good week. The cousins had a great time with lots of fighting spread right in. Colin did so well...it was quite a week of changes for him...new house, no daddy around, suddenly having to share and compromise with 2 other little needy beings. I thought the most telling example was when we were driving somewhere and Lily wanted to listen to the Elmo CD...again. Colin kept asking us to turn it to the Cars CD (right on, Colin G), but we did make the boys take turns picking the music with Lily. Colin reacted with shocked outrage, and I thought, of course! He doesn't have to listen to crappy Elmo music in his car. Poor kid...he'll go home thanking his lucky stars he doesn't have a little sister so he has to listen to that crap. ;) Or watch the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse instead of his favorite show. Really, he did so so well. I'm proud of you, Colin!
I think he was ready to go home, but I also think he had a great time while he was here. It just makes me wish that we were closer so we could get together for the afternoon or the weekend, and then go back to our safe comfortable routines quickly. But since this is the way it is for our family, I am very very grateful that Kate brought herself and Colin to us. We had a terrific time! We miss you already!
I think he was ready to go home, but I also think he had a great time while he was here. It just makes me wish that we were closer so we could get together for the afternoon or the weekend, and then go back to our safe comfortable routines quickly. But since this is the way it is for our family, I am very very grateful that Kate brought herself and Colin to us. We had a terrific time! We miss you already!
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Lost
We went to this museum yesterday with the whole crew. It was awesome. Kate will have the full story with pictures and everything as soon as she's home. I am overwhelmed by the 140 pictures now downloaded, so it will be a little while until I get pictures up on this thing. So I will tell you a quick Andrew story from the trip.
We got to the museum, and quickly divvied up the kids. Kate was in charge of Colin, I was in charge of Lily, and Andrew was in charge of staying near either Kate or me. I pulled Andrew aside and reminded him that if he couldn't find one of us, he should ask one of the employees, and I pointed out the purple-shirted people walking around. We have had many discussions about getting lost, and who to ask for help. Andrew knows to try and find an employee, but if that isn't working, he should find someone with kids. I figure they are more likely to help a lost child if they have children of their own...you know...they like kids.
So at one point, Andrew couldn't find us. I had gone to the bathroom and was changing Michael's diaper, and while Kate was watching the other 3, Lily went and banged her head or something, and Colin tipped over a shopping cart of pretend food, etc etc. Anyway, he looked up and neither of us was around. So he calmly asked a purple-shirted employee to help him. Aunt Cake (as Lily has named her) found Andrew just at that moment, so crisis was averted.
I was praising Andrew for keeping his cool and doing just what we have always talked about. This is huge for Andrew, because he can be a nervous kid. He was telling me (very earnestly) about how he had found an "owner" of the museum because he just couldn't find any grownups with kids.
Huh? At a children's museum?
If he can't find any adults with kids at the Please Touch Museum, perhaps I need to come up with a better option for him. If he can't find them when 100% of the adults had kids, what will he do when only 50% have kids?
Oh, and thank you for all the comments on my last blog entry. Whining DOES work, no matter what they say ;) Actually, I'm quite content with the amount of commenting on this blog...I don't feel it is too shabby normally. I just know that my questions to the unknown masses usually go unanswered. Which is why I will continue to steal from Kelsey. Stay tuned tomorrow for my favorite color. I know, it's going to be hard...but I think you can do wait!
We got to the museum, and quickly divvied up the kids. Kate was in charge of Colin, I was in charge of Lily, and Andrew was in charge of staying near either Kate or me. I pulled Andrew aside and reminded him that if he couldn't find one of us, he should ask one of the employees, and I pointed out the purple-shirted people walking around. We have had many discussions about getting lost, and who to ask for help. Andrew knows to try and find an employee, but if that isn't working, he should find someone with kids. I figure they are more likely to help a lost child if they have children of their own...you know...they like kids.
So at one point, Andrew couldn't find us. I had gone to the bathroom and was changing Michael's diaper, and while Kate was watching the other 3, Lily went and banged her head or something, and Colin tipped over a shopping cart of pretend food, etc etc. Anyway, he looked up and neither of us was around. So he calmly asked a purple-shirted employee to help him. Aunt Cake (as Lily has named her) found Andrew just at that moment, so crisis was averted.
I was praising Andrew for keeping his cool and doing just what we have always talked about. This is huge for Andrew, because he can be a nervous kid. He was telling me (very earnestly) about how he had found an "owner" of the museum because he just couldn't find any grownups with kids.
Huh? At a children's museum?
If he can't find any adults with kids at the Please Touch Museum, perhaps I need to come up with a better option for him. If he can't find them when 100% of the adults had kids, what will he do when only 50% have kids?
Oh, and thank you for all the comments on my last blog entry. Whining DOES work, no matter what they say ;) Actually, I'm quite content with the amount of commenting on this blog...I don't feel it is too shabby normally. I just know that my questions to the unknown masses usually go unanswered. Which is why I will continue to steal from Kelsey. Stay tuned tomorrow for my favorite color. I know, it's going to be hard...but I think you can do wait!
Monday, November 03, 2008
When I grow up.
Kelsey asked her readers for ideas about what to write during this November challenge (write every day in the month of November). I would ask you all, my patient readers, but you are always completely SILENT when I ask questions. I don't know if you don't know about the comment button, or don't want to admit that you read my retarded blather, or you just don't care, or nobody is actually reading it. I don't really care to know the answer to that last one, by the way ;) Anyhoo, I'm just going to steal ideas off of Kelsey's readers...so if you happen to read both of our blogs...sorry for you. ;)
This question is: What do you plan to do when the kids grow up? And how grown up do you intend for them to be before you do it? How does that prospect make you feel?
I haven't entirely decided what to do when the kids grow up. I have to stop having kids so that they have an opportunity to grow up first :) Seriously, though, my mother didn't have a job outside of the home for my entire life. Selfishly, I loved it. It was like having your own personal valet/chef/house cleaner/counselor/confidante all the time. Now that I'm an adult, I wonder how personally fulfilling it was to her...did she get lonely for adult time? Did she feel she was wasting her brain? Maybe these feelings get better as the kids get older? Anyway, I would love to stay at home forever with my kids. But there are several problems I see with this:
1) Stay-at-home mom is a dying breed. I feel like MOST people go back to work at some point because of the financial aspect of raising children. So let's say I didn't go back to work. Who would I hang out with? Would I get stuck always being the room mother? Or the one taking care of the other 14 latch-key kids in the neighborhood.
2) I am a social beast. I need interaction. Right now I get a limited amount through playgroups (which are TOTALLY for the moms, not the kids), but what happens when the kids go to school and the moms go back to school? Yikes, I think I will need to work just so I have friends
3) We had our kids young. When Michael graduates from high school, Jeff and I will be just 48. That's almost 20 years of childless years before Jeff retires. I think I would like to have a career...something that interests me, etc.
4) Jeff's mom worked during his childhood. Which makes Jeff just assume I will go back. Because that's all he knows.
5) I don't like to clean house. Or cook. Or do crafty projects. Or any of the other things I would be expected to do if I was at home while the kids were at school. I need some excuse for a dirty house...working would fulfill that!
So our plan right now is to wait until Michael is in 1st grade. Then I will look for a part-time position in a school district, so I can have similar hours and holidays as the kids. If nothing is available, I think I will probably go back and get my master's degree in library science. I really loved being a school librarian...I'd like to be able to do it for real. I would like to work part time until the kids graduate, and then move into full time.
And I feel pretty good about this plan because it's not really a plan yet. We just have a flexible wait and see kind of attitude.
This question is: What do you plan to do when the kids grow up? And how grown up do you intend for them to be before you do it? How does that prospect make you feel?
I haven't entirely decided what to do when the kids grow up. I have to stop having kids so that they have an opportunity to grow up first :) Seriously, though, my mother didn't have a job outside of the home for my entire life. Selfishly, I loved it. It was like having your own personal valet/chef/house cleaner/counselor/confidante all the time. Now that I'm an adult, I wonder how personally fulfilling it was to her...did she get lonely for adult time? Did she feel she was wasting her brain? Maybe these feelings get better as the kids get older? Anyway, I would love to stay at home forever with my kids. But there are several problems I see with this:
1) Stay-at-home mom is a dying breed. I feel like MOST people go back to work at some point because of the financial aspect of raising children. So let's say I didn't go back to work. Who would I hang out with? Would I get stuck always being the room mother? Or the one taking care of the other 14 latch-key kids in the neighborhood.
2) I am a social beast. I need interaction. Right now I get a limited amount through playgroups (which are TOTALLY for the moms, not the kids), but what happens when the kids go to school and the moms go back to school? Yikes, I think I will need to work just so I have friends
3) We had our kids young. When Michael graduates from high school, Jeff and I will be just 48. That's almost 20 years of childless years before Jeff retires. I think I would like to have a career...something that interests me, etc.
4) Jeff's mom worked during his childhood. Which makes Jeff just assume I will go back. Because that's all he knows.
5) I don't like to clean house. Or cook. Or do crafty projects. Or any of the other things I would be expected to do if I was at home while the kids were at school. I need some excuse for a dirty house...working would fulfill that!
So our plan right now is to wait until Michael is in 1st grade. Then I will look for a part-time position in a school district, so I can have similar hours and holidays as the kids. If nothing is available, I think I will probably go back and get my master's degree in library science. I really loved being a school librarian...I'd like to be able to do it for real. I would like to work part time until the kids graduate, and then move into full time.
And I feel pretty good about this plan because it's not really a plan yet. We just have a flexible wait and see kind of attitude.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Roll on, my friend...
Michael is officially rolling over. He doesn't quite know how to get it done, but he does it. Make sense? Last night I heard him screaming in bed at 2:15. He does not do this, so I gave him 20 minutes to cry it out before I would go into him. After 15 minutes he was quiet, so I fell back asleep without checking on him. At 4:30, he woke up crying again, and I figured that 10 hours of sleep deserved a milk fill-up. I reached to get him, and realized he was on his tummy, desperately trying to flip back over to his back... Poor guy probably got himself into that predicament back at 2 am. He sure is lucky to have such a caring mommy. ;)
So, yay! He's rolling. And he ate a whole bowl of cereal/banana mixture today...no choking or spitting! Yay, Michael.
And I don't want to write more...I have 29 more days to fill...yikes.
So, yay! He's rolling. And he ate a whole bowl of cereal/banana mixture today...no choking or spitting! Yay, Michael.
And I don't want to write more...I have 29 more days to fill...yikes.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Halloween
We had one of the best Halloween's in my life last night. And the few days leading up to it were pretty fun too. My sister Kate is visiting, and she LOVES Halloween. So it has been like a Halloween fairy has visited, bringing lots of holiday cheer with her. She carved pumpkins, made mummy hotdog wraps, played hours of zombie with the boys, and just generally made it all fun.
Last night was a mad rush for the door. We were eating dinner and the neighbors kicked on their loud Halloween mood music. The boys (Colin and Andrew) went INSANE. Unfortunately, I still needed to feed Michael and lay him down so that I could go walking around with them. So while I was upstairs, Jeff and Kate somehow managed to wrangle the 3 kids into their costumes. In the midst of this, neighbors began coming for candy. Which Jeff had hidden from me...and since I was upstairs, I missed the grand reveal of his hiding place. DARN!
I rushed downstairs and we began the walk. Lily had been prepped earlier in the day, but there's no way she comprehended what was about to happen. She followed Andrew and Colin to the first house, and said her "Trick or treat"...which didn't quite sound like that, but I can't figure out a way to type it the way she said it. After receiving her mini bag of M&M's, she was finished. So I put her in the stroller and we went to the next house. She said trick or treat from the stroller and was given another treat. HOLD THE PHONE. The next house she was a bit more enthusiastic. And by the 4th house, she was out of the stroller and charging up to doors with her brother and cousin. She wasn't afraid of other kids, or scary music, or big inflatable Jack-o-lanterns. She charmed everyone with her little "Tank-oos" after each treat. She must have done 15 houses without complaint. Seriously, her almost 4 year old cousin puttered out before her. She was on fire.
Andrew and Colin were cute too. Colin got props for the best costume. Everyone was commenting on it. Although Kate was a big upset that everyone was calling him "Maverick". She preferred "Goose", thank you very much. Andrew made me proud...he waited for us slowpokes without complaining, he didn't cry when there were no Skittles to be found anywhere, he was just fun fun fun. He was a bit intimidated by the other kids, but not the houses. No worries, next year Lily will protect him ;) Even I was amazed at the sheer volume of chocolate for this poor boy. He does NOT like chocolate. So when we went through his bag, he was left with a few rolls of Smarties and a sucker. But no complaints or whining. I think I may just go out and buy him a stinkin' bag of Skittles.
After the sugared up kiddos went to bed, Kate, Jeff and I had some spiked coffee and relaxed. But even though we went to bed late and with lots of excitement...I am up listening to my 2 oldest in the monitor at 5:45. They are sharing a room this week (Kate and Colin are bunking up in Andrew's room). They are having fun...a little too much fun. My light sleepers wake each other up with every cough and snore...and are more than happy to talk and sing to each other rather than sleep. So far they haven't been too grouchy during the day...just Mommy is.
I hope you all had a nice Halloween also! I will post pictures of my Cookie Monster, football player/ninja, and leopard when I finally get that program up and running on our new computer. And I must post pictures of Mikey sitting up...he looks so grown up! Finally, I will be trying to post every day in November...just as a fun challenge. I just love disappointing myself, so let's set it up ;)
Last night was a mad rush for the door. We were eating dinner and the neighbors kicked on their loud Halloween mood music. The boys (Colin and Andrew) went INSANE. Unfortunately, I still needed to feed Michael and lay him down so that I could go walking around with them. So while I was upstairs, Jeff and Kate somehow managed to wrangle the 3 kids into their costumes. In the midst of this, neighbors began coming for candy. Which Jeff had hidden from me...and since I was upstairs, I missed the grand reveal of his hiding place. DARN!
I rushed downstairs and we began the walk. Lily had been prepped earlier in the day, but there's no way she comprehended what was about to happen. She followed Andrew and Colin to the first house, and said her "Trick or treat"...which didn't quite sound like that, but I can't figure out a way to type it the way she said it. After receiving her mini bag of M&M's, she was finished. So I put her in the stroller and we went to the next house. She said trick or treat from the stroller and was given another treat. HOLD THE PHONE. The next house she was a bit more enthusiastic. And by the 4th house, she was out of the stroller and charging up to doors with her brother and cousin. She wasn't afraid of other kids, or scary music, or big inflatable Jack-o-lanterns. She charmed everyone with her little "Tank-oos" after each treat. She must have done 15 houses without complaint. Seriously, her almost 4 year old cousin puttered out before her. She was on fire.
Andrew and Colin were cute too. Colin got props for the best costume. Everyone was commenting on it. Although Kate was a big upset that everyone was calling him "Maverick". She preferred "Goose", thank you very much. Andrew made me proud...he waited for us slowpokes without complaining, he didn't cry when there were no Skittles to be found anywhere, he was just fun fun fun. He was a bit intimidated by the other kids, but not the houses. No worries, next year Lily will protect him ;) Even I was amazed at the sheer volume of chocolate for this poor boy. He does NOT like chocolate. So when we went through his bag, he was left with a few rolls of Smarties and a sucker. But no complaints or whining. I think I may just go out and buy him a stinkin' bag of Skittles.
After the sugared up kiddos went to bed, Kate, Jeff and I had some spiked coffee and relaxed. But even though we went to bed late and with lots of excitement...I am up listening to my 2 oldest in the monitor at 5:45. They are sharing a room this week (Kate and Colin are bunking up in Andrew's room). They are having fun...a little too much fun. My light sleepers wake each other up with every cough and snore...and are more than happy to talk and sing to each other rather than sleep. So far they haven't been too grouchy during the day...just Mommy is.
I hope you all had a nice Halloween also! I will post pictures of my Cookie Monster, football player/ninja, and leopard when I finally get that program up and running on our new computer. And I must post pictures of Mikey sitting up...he looks so grown up! Finally, I will be trying to post every day in November...just as a fun challenge. I just love disappointing myself, so let's set it up ;)
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
My big girl
Lily had her 2 year old check-up this morning (finally). I asked if I should be giving her any nutritional supplements, since she eats NOTHING. The doctor went into this long explanation of how they watch the growth curve, and a significant drop would make her recommend supplements. But that at 2 years old, most kids' percentiles drop because they move from the infant growth chart to the "big kid" chart...which makes them look smaller. After all this, she proceeds to tell me that Lily actually jumped in percentiles, despite the chart switch. So she could have just said, "no." But I like a doctor that explains stuff, so I shouldn't make fun. But then I wouldn't be me. So I will. And just did.
Weight: 28 lbs (50th percentile)
Height: 36 1/2 in. (97th percentile)
Oh, and I'm really not enjoying dragging all 3 kids to appointments. It is old...already...and we are only on the 2nd of many this winter. Today, it was pouring when we went in, so I parked, jumped out and put Michael in the Bjorn, then zipped him up under Jeff's rain coat, ran to the other side of the car and helped Andrew out the back, then unstrapped Lily and zipped up her raincoat, then ran inside...half dragging Lily because, "NO RAIN! NO MOMMY, NO RAIN". Then get inside and hang up coats on hooks while Lily plays happily with the bead toy, then get hustled back a room only to wait for 30 minutes with NO TOYS. Oh, except for when Lily needed to get weighed, so I had to drag her onto the scale (with Mikey still attached) while Andrew got in the way trying to figure out how the scale worked and asking the nurse a million questions about her chart. After an hour in the office, Michael was crying because he was over tired, Lily was crying and flailing because of her shot and Andrew was whining that he didn't want to go home. But the BONUS of the day was when I corralled the kids back into the waiting room to put back on coats...I noticed it was...wait for it...snowing. -sigh- If the 2 year old was freaked by rain, imagine dealing with the first snow of the season just after having been shot with a needle.
Indeed, I bow in homage to those mothers of 4 or more children. I am unworthy. 3 will be the end of me, I swear it.
Weight: 28 lbs (50th percentile)
Height: 36 1/2 in. (97th percentile)
Oh, and I'm really not enjoying dragging all 3 kids to appointments. It is old...already...and we are only on the 2nd of many this winter. Today, it was pouring when we went in, so I parked, jumped out and put Michael in the Bjorn, then zipped him up under Jeff's rain coat, ran to the other side of the car and helped Andrew out the back, then unstrapped Lily and zipped up her raincoat, then ran inside...half dragging Lily because, "NO RAIN! NO MOMMY, NO RAIN". Then get inside and hang up coats on hooks while Lily plays happily with the bead toy, then get hustled back a room only to wait for 30 minutes with NO TOYS. Oh, except for when Lily needed to get weighed, so I had to drag her onto the scale (with Mikey still attached) while Andrew got in the way trying to figure out how the scale worked and asking the nurse a million questions about her chart. After an hour in the office, Michael was crying because he was over tired, Lily was crying and flailing because of her shot and Andrew was whining that he didn't want to go home. But the BONUS of the day was when I corralled the kids back into the waiting room to put back on coats...I noticed it was...wait for it...snowing. -sigh- If the 2 year old was freaked by rain, imagine dealing with the first snow of the season just after having been shot with a needle.
Indeed, I bow in homage to those mothers of 4 or more children. I am unworthy. 3 will be the end of me, I swear it.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Bud Light and Levitation
Proof that Andrew is watching too much football with his father on Sundays...and Saturdays. Jeff was making lunch today, and Andrew and Lily were playing with the pretend kitchen. And then Jeff heard this come from Andrew's mouth:
"Hey Lily! Do you want a Bud Light?"
Jeff immediately asks Andrew to repeat himself. "I asked if she wanted a Bud Light. You know, like on the commercials."
Another story of the day:
Sunday is swim lesson day. Lily goes first, and then she has to wait 45 minutes while Andrew has his lesson. It was Jeff's turn to entertain her, so as I was drying her off and dressing her, I tried to plant an idea in her head. The conversation went like this:
G- Lily, do you want to go show Daddy the letters upstairs? (these are the letters of a sign on the admissions desk that she loves to read off)
L- Yes! Yetters!
G- Are you going to take the elevator? Do you want to push the elevator button?
L- NO! NO E-ATOR
G- Oh. So you are going to walk up the stairs?
L- NO! NO MOMMY! NO STAIRS!
Jeff- (sarcastically) I guess we're going to levitate somehow.
L- NO! NO LE-I-TATE!
Just proof that a 2 year old will disagree with everything...even things she can't understand.
"Hey Lily! Do you want a Bud Light?"
Jeff immediately asks Andrew to repeat himself. "I asked if she wanted a Bud Light. You know, like on the commercials."
Another story of the day:
Sunday is swim lesson day. Lily goes first, and then she has to wait 45 minutes while Andrew has his lesson. It was Jeff's turn to entertain her, so as I was drying her off and dressing her, I tried to plant an idea in her head. The conversation went like this:
G- Lily, do you want to go show Daddy the letters upstairs? (these are the letters of a sign on the admissions desk that she loves to read off)
L- Yes! Yetters!
G- Are you going to take the elevator? Do you want to push the elevator button?
L- NO! NO E-ATOR
G- Oh. So you are going to walk up the stairs?
L- NO! NO MOMMY! NO STAIRS!
Jeff- (sarcastically) I guess we're going to levitate somehow.
L- NO! NO LE-I-TATE!
Just proof that a 2 year old will disagree with everything...even things she can't understand.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
A library card
Today was a very exciting day. Andrew got his first library card! This may seem really lame to many of you, but I have had a long love affair with the library. For as long as I can remember, I have loved walking down aisles of shelves full of books. Just the smell of books makes me happy. And it is free! Oh! The joy of the library! It is a cheap girl's dream! I watched Oprah last week and she was talking about the Kindle (electronic book) and I was totally hooked. It looks awesome. Oprah lost me when she started talking about how much money you would save on books by buying this thing, though. Why spend $400 of the machine and then more money on each book? I can read for FREE at the library. Sure, sometimes I have to wait a week or two for new releases. But it is FREE.
You get the idea. I drag all 3 of my kids to the library each week...because I find it peaceful and wonderful and I just love the library. And we don't even have a very nice library...you people in Ohio are SPOILED. Today I took just Andrew because I am OUT. OF. BOOKS. and it is driving me crazy. And we decided it was time. And as pathetic and lame as it sounds, I was brimming with pride as I watched him write his name on the little white space on his library card. And it makes me so happy that HE was so thrilled. He picked out 3 books and was so excited to hand his card to the librarian to check them out all by himself. He even ran inside once we got home to show Jeff.
Want more proof that I am lame? I was almost giddy with excitement today when I found ground turkey for $1.50 a pound. Giddy. I bought a ton (it is stew/chili/soup/meatloaf season!).
Oh, yes, and I was almost kissing Michael to suffocation because he actually swallowed 2 bites of cereal this morning.
Lily? She hasn't really excited or thrilled me this week. It's been a LONG week. To just sum it up in one conversation with her, here's an excerpt from this morning.
"EAT! ELSE TO EAT!"
"Okay, Lily, waffles are ready. Let's get in your chair to eat the waffles!"
"AFFLES! DIP!"
"Yes, I'll get the syrup to dip in. Come here, Lily, let's get in your chair."
"NO! PLAY LETTERS!"
"Okay, well I'm going to eat."
As I sit down, she comes yelling over to me, "EAT! CHAIR! AFFLES!!!! AAAAAAHHHHHH!" I try to pick her up to put her in her chair and she flails and fights me.
"Lily. Do you want to eat? Yes or no?"
"YESNO. YESNO. YESNO."
-sigh- 50 weeks to go until she's 3.
You get the idea. I drag all 3 of my kids to the library each week...because I find it peaceful and wonderful and I just love the library. And we don't even have a very nice library...you people in Ohio are SPOILED. Today I took just Andrew because I am OUT. OF. BOOKS. and it is driving me crazy. And we decided it was time. And as pathetic and lame as it sounds, I was brimming with pride as I watched him write his name on the little white space on his library card. And it makes me so happy that HE was so thrilled. He picked out 3 books and was so excited to hand his card to the librarian to check them out all by himself. He even ran inside once we got home to show Jeff.
Want more proof that I am lame? I was almost giddy with excitement today when I found ground turkey for $1.50 a pound. Giddy. I bought a ton (it is stew/chili/soup/meatloaf season!).
Oh, yes, and I was almost kissing Michael to suffocation because he actually swallowed 2 bites of cereal this morning.
Lily? She hasn't really excited or thrilled me this week. It's been a LONG week. To just sum it up in one conversation with her, here's an excerpt from this morning.
"EAT! ELSE TO EAT!"
"Okay, Lily, waffles are ready. Let's get in your chair to eat the waffles!"
"AFFLES! DIP!"
"Yes, I'll get the syrup to dip in. Come here, Lily, let's get in your chair."
"NO! PLAY LETTERS!"
"Okay, well I'm going to eat."
As I sit down, she comes yelling over to me, "EAT! CHAIR! AFFLES!!!! AAAAAAHHHHHH!" I try to pick her up to put her in her chair and she flails and fights me.
"Lily. Do you want to eat? Yes or no?"
"YESNO. YESNO. YESNO."
-sigh- 50 weeks to go until she's 3.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Pause
I'm quickly putting in a post while Jeff has his computer hooked up here at home. Our computer has crashed 3 times in the last week...I think Jeff has finally admitted that it is time to buy a new motherboard (or something...). I don't know when he will actually find the time to do that this week, so posting is going to be non-existent.
We are enjoying the company of Jeff's sister, Sara, visiting from Texas. My MIL and Jeff's grandma have driven out as well to overlap her visit. My kids are delirious from all the attention.
Quick, kid stories...
Lily is a total drama queen...nothing new there. But lately she will run and then stop and put her hands on her knees, kind of bent over. And she will pant, like she's really tired. She also likes to cover her mouth when she laughs. And she covers her mouth and pretend coughs and then says, "Cuse me."
Andrew and I have a new game, where we make up a story together. I'll start and then stop in a critical point and pass it to him to continue. Then he does the same. Except he really just likes me to make up the story. So it goes something like this,
G- Once upon a time there was a brave knight who was scared of...pass it to you.
A- the...pass it to you.
G- No, Andrew, you're supposed to make up something he's scared of.
A- I don't want to.
Fun game, eh?
Also, Michael is now taking a regular afternoon nap in his crib. It only lasts about 40 minutes...but you gotta start somewhere. Morning naps are RIGHT OUT. Which I can hardly blame him, since he only gets the opportunity to take a morning nap in his crib about twice a week. Since he now will take an afternoon nap, I am officially not doing ANYTHING that takes us out of the house during that time. I am fully fostering this new practice. So beware, Aunt Kate and Cousin Colin. When you come next week...we are glued to this house ;)
Hopefully we'll be back on-line by the end of the week!
We are enjoying the company of Jeff's sister, Sara, visiting from Texas. My MIL and Jeff's grandma have driven out as well to overlap her visit. My kids are delirious from all the attention.
Quick, kid stories...
Lily is a total drama queen...nothing new there. But lately she will run and then stop and put her hands on her knees, kind of bent over. And she will pant, like she's really tired. She also likes to cover her mouth when she laughs. And she covers her mouth and pretend coughs and then says, "Cuse me."
Andrew and I have a new game, where we make up a story together. I'll start and then stop in a critical point and pass it to him to continue. Then he does the same. Except he really just likes me to make up the story. So it goes something like this,
G- Once upon a time there was a brave knight who was scared of...pass it to you.
A- the...pass it to you.
G- No, Andrew, you're supposed to make up something he's scared of.
A- I don't want to.
Fun game, eh?
Also, Michael is now taking a regular afternoon nap in his crib. It only lasts about 40 minutes...but you gotta start somewhere. Morning naps are RIGHT OUT. Which I can hardly blame him, since he only gets the opportunity to take a morning nap in his crib about twice a week. Since he now will take an afternoon nap, I am officially not doing ANYTHING that takes us out of the house during that time. I am fully fostering this new practice. So beware, Aunt Kate and Cousin Colin. When you come next week...we are glued to this house ;)
Hopefully we'll be back on-line by the end of the week!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Michael's doc. appt.
17lb 7oz (50th percentile)
27 1/2 in. (75-90th percentile)
What is with the 75-90th percentile thing. That seems kind of like a large range to me. In comparing to the other kiddos, Mike is a little bigger than Lily at 9 months and smaller than Andrew at 6 months (Andrew was 20 pounds at 6 months...little porker). He is long and lean. ;) Doctor didn't seemed concerned that he won't swallow his cereal or fruit and veggies. He certainly has no problem swallowing my milk, so she thinks he just isn't interested in anything else. And he's growing just fine on breast milk only, so there ya go. She did a little ouchie procedure on Mike's little -ahem- private area...poor guy. And he got 3 shots...yea for them combining 3 vaccines into one shot, so he got less pin-pricks! No one is too concerned he isn't rolling over yet...yay. And he is sitting up alone for about 10 seconds or more, so she was pleased about that. All in all, a very healthy, happy kid...thank heavens for that blessing!
On another note, I'm expecting a personalized parking space at the doc's office. I will be there in 2 weeks for Lily's 2 year appt., then 2 weeks after that for flu shots, then 3 weeks after that for Andrew's 5 yr appt, then 4 weeks after that for Michael's 9 month. And those are just well visits...let's hope no one gets sick enough to need to go to the doctor in between all those. It looks like a lot of suckers in my kids future. Suckers=bribery for being good for Mommy at appointments.
27 1/2 in. (75-90th percentile)
What is with the 75-90th percentile thing. That seems kind of like a large range to me. In comparing to the other kiddos, Mike is a little bigger than Lily at 9 months and smaller than Andrew at 6 months (Andrew was 20 pounds at 6 months...little porker). He is long and lean. ;) Doctor didn't seemed concerned that he won't swallow his cereal or fruit and veggies. He certainly has no problem swallowing my milk, so she thinks he just isn't interested in anything else. And he's growing just fine on breast milk only, so there ya go. She did a little ouchie procedure on Mike's little -ahem- private area...poor guy. And he got 3 shots...yea for them combining 3 vaccines into one shot, so he got less pin-pricks! No one is too concerned he isn't rolling over yet...yay. And he is sitting up alone for about 10 seconds or more, so she was pleased about that. All in all, a very healthy, happy kid...thank heavens for that blessing!
On another note, I'm expecting a personalized parking space at the doc's office. I will be there in 2 weeks for Lily's 2 year appt., then 2 weeks after that for flu shots, then 3 weeks after that for Andrew's 5 yr appt, then 4 weeks after that for Michael's 9 month. And those are just well visits...let's hope no one gets sick enough to need to go to the doctor in between all those. It looks like a lot of suckers in my kids future. Suckers=bribery for being good for Mommy at appointments.
Monday, October 13, 2008
1 hour, 15 minutes
Holy crap.
Michael just slept...in his crib...for 75 minutes.
Saturday he took a 30 minute nap in his crib. Sunday a 30 minute nap. Today...75 minutes.
Before Saturday, I think he'd taken a total of 2 naps in his crib in 6 months time. Neither were more than 30 minutes.
Please, PLEASE let this be a new trend. It feels unbelievably freeing to have no baby around for a short while.
Yay, Michael!
(In other developmental news...Lily apparently is learning the sounds of letters. She was spelling out the letters in Jeff's "Louisville" t-shirt this weekend and she started saying, 'I. I says ih. S. S says sssssss.' Jeff and I just about wet our pants we were so surprised. Score one for fridge letters! Also, Andrew is starting to read. Officially. We have the beginning readers, kind of. I don't know what the heck I'm doing. How am I certified to teach elementary school...I have no idea about the younger end of the spectrum. He seems to be wanting to do it in spurts, so hopefully I'll be able to just follow his lead...I don't know...)
Michael just slept...in his crib...for 75 minutes.
Saturday he took a 30 minute nap in his crib. Sunday a 30 minute nap. Today...75 minutes.
Before Saturday, I think he'd taken a total of 2 naps in his crib in 6 months time. Neither were more than 30 minutes.
Please, PLEASE let this be a new trend. It feels unbelievably freeing to have no baby around for a short while.
Yay, Michael!
(In other developmental news...Lily apparently is learning the sounds of letters. She was spelling out the letters in Jeff's "Louisville" t-shirt this weekend and she started saying, 'I. I says ih. S. S says sssssss.' Jeff and I just about wet our pants we were so surprised. Score one for fridge letters! Also, Andrew is starting to read. Officially. We have the beginning readers, kind of. I don't know what the heck I'm doing. How am I certified to teach elementary school...I have no idea about the younger end of the spectrum. He seems to be wanting to do it in spurts, so hopefully I'll be able to just follow his lead...I don't know...)
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Help with transitions
Mother Nature really tries to help get mothers ready for major transitions with our children. The longer I am a mother, the more convinced I am of this.
The second trimester of pregnancy is fun for most people. You look pregnant, not fat. You can feel the baby move and you generally feel good. But for the last month (or more) you are unable to sleep for long stretches. You may accidentally pee when you laugh or walk quickly. You can only eat small meals because your stomach is so cramped. Baby comes. You are unable to sleep for long stretches. You may accidentally pee when you laugh or walk quickly. You can only eat small meals because the baby is so damn needy there is no time for a long leisurely gluttonous meal. Mother Nature has prepared you in some small way for this transition.
Nursing a baby at 5 months old is heaven. Everybody knows what they are doing, there is no pain, and the baby can get it over and done with quickly...no more marathon 45 minutes nursing sessions. There is much cuddling and bonding and much satisfaction that you are supplying the baby with everything he or she needs. You can't imagine ever stopping, because it is just so friggin' fabulous. Then the solid foods and the mobility and the teeth comes and the baby is pulling off suddenly and exposing your breast to all of humanity and stretching your nipple off as he tries to nurse and look around and -ach- trying out those teeth on your most tender body part. And by the time a year comes around, DAMN, you are ready to stop nursing. Or if you are me, that happens around 9 months. Mother nature has prepared you.
But, see it never stops. The wonderful elementary age makes you love your child so much that you somehow don't kill your pre-teens. I'm sure the crazy teenage years make you all too ready to boot your darling baby out the door to college. For the last year, Andrew has been so much fun. I like talking with him and playing games with him, etc etc. But he is getting more restless and bored with our games. He craves the attention and companionship of other kids his age. He gets easily frustrated and angry when I try to teach him anything. He refuses to leave the house without a fight, and then acts bored and needy when we're at home. Is my child turning into someone I don't want to be with? I prefer to think it is Mother Nature once again, preparing me for the start of Andrew's full-time school career. By the time Kindergarten comes, I'll eagerly and happily wave him off to someone else, so they can entertain him and educate him for 6 hours a day. Wait, there's only half day Kindergarten here? That means only 2 1/2 hours of school. That's just like now. I have to wait another 2 years until the full day school?
Wait! Mother Nature! You've started the preparation WAY too early. How am I to survive/let Andrew survive that long? I'm prepared now!
The second trimester of pregnancy is fun for most people. You look pregnant, not fat. You can feel the baby move and you generally feel good. But for the last month (or more) you are unable to sleep for long stretches. You may accidentally pee when you laugh or walk quickly. You can only eat small meals because your stomach is so cramped. Baby comes. You are unable to sleep for long stretches. You may accidentally pee when you laugh or walk quickly. You can only eat small meals because the baby is so damn needy there is no time for a long leisurely gluttonous meal. Mother Nature has prepared you in some small way for this transition.
Nursing a baby at 5 months old is heaven. Everybody knows what they are doing, there is no pain, and the baby can get it over and done with quickly...no more marathon 45 minutes nursing sessions. There is much cuddling and bonding and much satisfaction that you are supplying the baby with everything he or she needs. You can't imagine ever stopping, because it is just so friggin' fabulous. Then the solid foods and the mobility and the teeth comes and the baby is pulling off suddenly and exposing your breast to all of humanity and stretching your nipple off as he tries to nurse and look around and -ach- trying out those teeth on your most tender body part. And by the time a year comes around, DAMN, you are ready to stop nursing. Or if you are me, that happens around 9 months. Mother nature has prepared you.
But, see it never stops. The wonderful elementary age makes you love your child so much that you somehow don't kill your pre-teens. I'm sure the crazy teenage years make you all too ready to boot your darling baby out the door to college. For the last year, Andrew has been so much fun. I like talking with him and playing games with him, etc etc. But he is getting more restless and bored with our games. He craves the attention and companionship of other kids his age. He gets easily frustrated and angry when I try to teach him anything. He refuses to leave the house without a fight, and then acts bored and needy when we're at home. Is my child turning into someone I don't want to be with? I prefer to think it is Mother Nature once again, preparing me for the start of Andrew's full-time school career. By the time Kindergarten comes, I'll eagerly and happily wave him off to someone else, so they can entertain him and educate him for 6 hours a day. Wait, there's only half day Kindergarten here? That means only 2 1/2 hours of school. That's just like now. I have to wait another 2 years until the full day school?
Wait! Mother Nature! You've started the preparation WAY too early. How am I to survive/let Andrew survive that long? I'm prepared now!
Thursday, October 09, 2008
6 months
Our computer is dead...again. But I have to post (on Jeff's work computer) because my baby is 6 months old.
Half a year.
And, just like the other children, I find myself thinking that I can't believe that it has already been 6 months and I can't believe it has only been 6 months. Feeling amazed that it has already been half a year at the same time I can't believe that I've only known this person for half a year. Doesn't make any sense, but there it is.
I don't want to beat a dead horse, but I am constantly amazed at my love for this child. It sounds horrible, and I know that I've pondered about it on here before, but, again, there it is. I look at him and kiss his sweet soft cheeks and smell his curly sparse hair and watch that face break into a big dimply grin and I am amazed at how I was ever scared of this. He gurgles and snuggles and blurps up on me after a big satisfying meal of breast milk and chews on my knuckles and I honestly can't imagine why I thought my life would be over when he was born. I watch Andrew tickle his tummy and talk in sweet baby tones and I watch Lily say, "so coot" and "Muck-le talkin' to me" and pat his head and delight in his big slobbery kisses and I can't understand how I ever thought I was ruining their lives by bringing another child into this family.
There are definitely hard moments. And I won't lie and say that I don't sometimes think how much easier it would be if... But there is no way no how that this baby, my Michael, doesn't belong here. Life is more wonderful than I ever imagined it could be. Our family feels more complete than I ever imagined it could be. Michael is more than I ever could have imagined him to be.
I love you Michael. Perhaps I feel the need to reiterate this again and again because I feel so guilty about all those posts from last year. Perhaps I just can't believe how lucky I am, that sometimes you get what you don't want only to find it is everything you needed.
Half a year.
And, just like the other children, I find myself thinking that I can't believe that it has already been 6 months and I can't believe it has only been 6 months. Feeling amazed that it has already been half a year at the same time I can't believe that I've only known this person for half a year. Doesn't make any sense, but there it is.
I don't want to beat a dead horse, but I am constantly amazed at my love for this child. It sounds horrible, and I know that I've pondered about it on here before, but, again, there it is. I look at him and kiss his sweet soft cheeks and smell his curly sparse hair and watch that face break into a big dimply grin and I am amazed at how I was ever scared of this. He gurgles and snuggles and blurps up on me after a big satisfying meal of breast milk and chews on my knuckles and I honestly can't imagine why I thought my life would be over when he was born. I watch Andrew tickle his tummy and talk in sweet baby tones and I watch Lily say, "so coot" and "Muck-le talkin' to me" and pat his head and delight in his big slobbery kisses and I can't understand how I ever thought I was ruining their lives by bringing another child into this family.
There are definitely hard moments. And I won't lie and say that I don't sometimes think how much easier it would be if... But there is no way no how that this baby, my Michael, doesn't belong here. Life is more wonderful than I ever imagined it could be. Our family feels more complete than I ever imagined it could be. Michael is more than I ever could have imagined him to be.
I love you Michael. Perhaps I feel the need to reiterate this again and again because I feel so guilty about all those posts from last year. Perhaps I just can't believe how lucky I am, that sometimes you get what you don't want only to find it is everything you needed.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Sweet charming birthday post...
...will hopefully come soon.
Right now I have to go upstairs and get my birthday girl. I can hear her over the monitor, saying,
"Mommy. -pause- MOMMY!!! -pause- Happy Birt-day? Mommy? Happy Birt-day to you, happy birt-day to you..." and on into the birthday song.
God, I love this girl.
Right now I have to go upstairs and get my birthday girl. I can hear her over the monitor, saying,
"Mommy. -pause- MOMMY!!! -pause- Happy Birt-day? Mommy? Happy Birt-day to you, happy birt-day to you..." and on into the birthday song.
God, I love this girl.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
A birthday party
We celebrated Lily's birthday today...even though it's not until tomorrow...because both sets of grandparents came in from Ohio and are leaving tomorrow. It's rough being so unloved. I mean, seriously, drive and fly hundreds of miles to spend just a few days with a 2 year old? And then watch her open a few presents? And eat cake?
My parents and In-laws don't have blogs, but I think the title of theirs would read "So Totally Worth It."
I wish I could adequately describe Lily on this blog. There is no picture that has captured her yet. She is unfortunately not photogenic. Or perhaps Lily's charm isn't in her looks at all. Because you just can't "get" Lily until you've had the live show. She has crazy cute facial expressions, she has inflection in her words that just make you crack up, and she can just be the sweetest/most psychotic kid. She makes everyone she meets fall in love with her. I may be biased.
So Lily's birthday was today (even though its really tomorrow). We woke up and got ready for swim lessons. The whole family loaded up in 2 cars to go to the athletic center to watch Lily (and Andrew) have their lessons. There is a teeny tiny observation room...which we filled like a can of sardines. I'm pretty sure the lifeguards were looking around for a famous person, because it was obvious that someone had let the paparazzi in for the day. Ridiculous. Lily had a blast, as she always does during swim lessons. She got out and got dressed while Andrew started his lesson. After a snack, she went home with me, Mike, and the grandmas. While we waited for the boys to come home, Lily colored quietly in a coloring book while I got everything ready for her to go to Sesame Place with Grandma and Grandpa and Andrew. Soon, the four of them left for a day of fun with Elmo and the whole Sesame gang. I don't think anything could be better than that for Lily. While she was gone, Jeff put together her gigantic Little Tykes kitchen, I wrapped her present from Michael and Andrew, and Memere and Pepere unloaded all the grandparent gifts. We decorated her cake (and then went out to lunch...so easy to go out with just one kid!).
The Sesame Gang came back and we attempted to put Lily down for a nap. Jeff brought home some pizza. She took a very short one and blew out her diaper. I brought her downstairs and told her happy birthday. She proceeded to tell everyone else "Happy Birt-day!". She mentioned that she was hungry but angrily refused pizza. So we decided it was time to start presents. The second gift was a set of pretend doughnuts (Doh-dohs). She was eager for me to open the box, saying over and over, "Eat doh-dohs." I explained that they were pretend, but she didn't believe it until she grabbed one and clinked her teeth into the hard plastic. She was disappointed, but she didn't lose it...yet. As she opened present #3, I started taking the rest of the doughnuts out of the box. She saw me and yelled, "NO!!!! MY DOH DOHS!!!" and threw a huge fit. She was apparently starving, and only doh-dohs would do!
Luckily, we had one stale doughnut left from the day before (when Memere and Pepere brought them). We split it between Andrew and Lily, and she quieted down. The rest of us ate delicious hot pizza...but not Lily...nothing but stale doughnut for her! She opened the rest of her gifts...although she was a little confused. When I told her to thank someone for a gift, she thought that meant it belonged to them, so she would deliver it and say, "Thank you. Happy birthday!" In fact whenever someone wished her a happy birthday it went something like this:
"Happy Birthday, Lily."
"Happy Birt-day, Memere."
"No, Lily, it's YOUR birthday today. Happy birthday, Lily."
"NO NO NO NO. HAPPY BIRT-DAY MEMERE. MEMERE BIRT-DAY."
"Okay, okay...thank you Lily."
She loved her cake (homemade by momma), and especially the plastic Elmo cake toppers I bought. After the cake she played with those and the doughnuts. Forget the gigantic play kitchen that talks. Cake toppers.
Anyway, it was a lovely birthday for a 2 year old. I'm so glad that we just have family parties for this age. I can't even imagine trying to structure a party around her psychotic-ness.
Tomorrow...she's 2!!!
My parents and In-laws don't have blogs, but I think the title of theirs would read "So Totally Worth It."
I wish I could adequately describe Lily on this blog. There is no picture that has captured her yet. She is unfortunately not photogenic. Or perhaps Lily's charm isn't in her looks at all. Because you just can't "get" Lily until you've had the live show. She has crazy cute facial expressions, she has inflection in her words that just make you crack up, and she can just be the sweetest/most psychotic kid. She makes everyone she meets fall in love with her. I may be biased.
So Lily's birthday was today (even though its really tomorrow). We woke up and got ready for swim lessons. The whole family loaded up in 2 cars to go to the athletic center to watch Lily (and Andrew) have their lessons. There is a teeny tiny observation room...which we filled like a can of sardines. I'm pretty sure the lifeguards were looking around for a famous person, because it was obvious that someone had let the paparazzi in for the day. Ridiculous. Lily had a blast, as she always does during swim lessons. She got out and got dressed while Andrew started his lesson. After a snack, she went home with me, Mike, and the grandmas. While we waited for the boys to come home, Lily colored quietly in a coloring book while I got everything ready for her to go to Sesame Place with Grandma and Grandpa and Andrew. Soon, the four of them left for a day of fun with Elmo and the whole Sesame gang. I don't think anything could be better than that for Lily. While she was gone, Jeff put together her gigantic Little Tykes kitchen, I wrapped her present from Michael and Andrew, and Memere and Pepere unloaded all the grandparent gifts. We decorated her cake (and then went out to lunch...so easy to go out with just one kid!).
The Sesame Gang came back and we attempted to put Lily down for a nap. Jeff brought home some pizza. She took a very short one and blew out her diaper. I brought her downstairs and told her happy birthday. She proceeded to tell everyone else "Happy Birt-day!". She mentioned that she was hungry but angrily refused pizza. So we decided it was time to start presents. The second gift was a set of pretend doughnuts (Doh-dohs). She was eager for me to open the box, saying over and over, "Eat doh-dohs." I explained that they were pretend, but she didn't believe it until she grabbed one and clinked her teeth into the hard plastic. She was disappointed, but she didn't lose it...yet. As she opened present #3, I started taking the rest of the doughnuts out of the box. She saw me and yelled, "NO!!!! MY DOH DOHS!!!" and threw a huge fit. She was apparently starving, and only doh-dohs would do!
Luckily, we had one stale doughnut left from the day before (when Memere and Pepere brought them). We split it between Andrew and Lily, and she quieted down. The rest of us ate delicious hot pizza...but not Lily...nothing but stale doughnut for her! She opened the rest of her gifts...although she was a little confused. When I told her to thank someone for a gift, she thought that meant it belonged to them, so she would deliver it and say, "Thank you. Happy birthday!" In fact whenever someone wished her a happy birthday it went something like this:
"Happy Birthday, Lily."
"Happy Birt-day, Memere."
"No, Lily, it's YOUR birthday today. Happy birthday, Lily."
"NO NO NO NO. HAPPY BIRT-DAY MEMERE. MEMERE BIRT-DAY."
"Okay, okay...thank you Lily."
She loved her cake (homemade by momma), and especially the plastic Elmo cake toppers I bought. After the cake she played with those and the doughnuts. Forget the gigantic play kitchen that talks. Cake toppers.
Anyway, it was a lovely birthday for a 2 year old. I'm so glad that we just have family parties for this age. I can't even imagine trying to structure a party around her psychotic-ness.
Tomorrow...she's 2!!!
Friday, October 03, 2008
A good mommy moment
I don't think I'm a bad mom. I manage to feed and clothe my children on most days. I occasionally bathe them. We read books. And play neighbor. (shoot me, please shoot me). But usually I don't feel like a great mom. I feel like I put them in front of the tv too much, or shoo them away too much. Sometimes I feel like I should really be on the floor with them just enjoying that crap out of them because this is such a fleeting time in their lives. Or at least my house should be cleaner if I'm not spending time with them.
Yesterday I had 2 good Mommy moments. That's when you do something and immediately think, "Wow. That was awesome. Good Mommy." I know. 2 in one day. I should just take early retirement and move to Florida now, because it ain't going to get better than this.
Mommy moment #1: I walked into the family room and found Lily elbow deep into my glass of ice water. I took it away from her, gently chiding her that we Do. Not. Play. In. People's. Drinks. (we are barely teetering on the edge of civilized society over here). She was, understandably, PISSED OFF. She was stomping and screaming and pulling out her hair and just generally in the throes of a huge tantrum. Rather than ignoring the tantrum (which I usually do), I got down on her level and looked in her eyes and said, "Are you mad? Are you mad at Mommy for taking your ice? Can you say, 'I am mad'?" And Lily nodded and paused her screaming and said, "I mad". I repeated my annoying sentence, and she really calmed down and said again, with more feeling, "I mad." And then I told her I had a book about being mad, and we dug out the Little Critter book, I Was So Mad, and we read it. By then end she was totally calm and using the new words, "I mad." It was a delightful way to end a tantrum and to teach her how to use words instead of screaming. Good Mommy.
Mommy moment #2: Andrew has really been bugging me to teach him how to read. Apparently there is a little girl in his preschool class that reads aloud to the class, and it has really inspired him. Of course, he thinks I just have to reach in the back of his mouth and turn on the "reading" switch. So knowing my easily frustrated boy, I've been trying to mentally prepare him that it will take a lot of work to learn to read. We got some sight words books to start with. We tried to read the first book ("I see cats. I see dogs." with big pictures of cats and then dogs...you get the idea). He immediately won't sound out the word see and throws a huge hissy fit. We put the books away. A few minutes later I asked him to show me how to do a "v" sit. He leans back on his arms and easily lifts his legs into the air. I cannot do this. I have no abdominal muscles. None. It's amazing that I can lift myself out of bed in the morning. So I get act a little frustrated. And I said, "It really bugs me that you can do this so easily but I can't even do it a little. This must be what you feel like when you try to read. I can do it so easily but its really hard for you." And Andrew said, "But the V-sit is so easy, you just do this." And he throws those legs up in the air. And I replied, "But reading is just so easy..." and I picked up a book and started to read. I literally saw the light bulb go off in his head. He then said, "How can you get better at the V-sit? Will you ever be able to do it?" So I explained again how everything takes practice and it just takes a while to build up to it. And he brought me his stack of reading books and asked to try again. And we got all the way to book 6 with him being very willing to sound stuff out. Good mommy.
In other updates...
Andrew has made his decision for the election. After took him to the polls with us for the primaries, he's been very interested. Especially because Jeff and I are registered with different parties. ("teams" as we've explained to Andrew). He's been putting a lot of thought into which candidate he likes better. We had to explain that Senator McCain and John McCain are the same person. We have yet to explain the House of Reps to him...we figure learning about Senate and presidency is enough for a 4 year old. Anyway, I know you're dying to know. Andrew is voting for John McCain. Because, "John is my middle name. So I'm voting for John McCain." I knew I should have pushed harder for Andrew Barack to be his name...
Michael is still not sleeping. I hate this.
Lily is seriously so cute I think I die a little each day dressing her. I love boy clothes...but I am really enjoying dressing Lily.
I have started to exercise. Because I'm having irregular heart murmurs at night. They scare me. But since I don't have a doctor (or time to go to the doctor), I'm going to exercise instead. I figure it will either solve the problem or kill me. Each option sounds appealing depending on the type of day I'm having.
Yesterday I had 2 good Mommy moments. That's when you do something and immediately think, "Wow. That was awesome. Good Mommy." I know. 2 in one day. I should just take early retirement and move to Florida now, because it ain't going to get better than this.
Mommy moment #1: I walked into the family room and found Lily elbow deep into my glass of ice water. I took it away from her, gently chiding her that we Do. Not. Play. In. People's. Drinks. (we are barely teetering on the edge of civilized society over here). She was, understandably, PISSED OFF. She was stomping and screaming and pulling out her hair and just generally in the throes of a huge tantrum. Rather than ignoring the tantrum (which I usually do), I got down on her level and looked in her eyes and said, "Are you mad? Are you mad at Mommy for taking your ice? Can you say, 'I am mad'?" And Lily nodded and paused her screaming and said, "I mad". I repeated my annoying sentence, and she really calmed down and said again, with more feeling, "I mad." And then I told her I had a book about being mad, and we dug out the Little Critter book, I Was So Mad, and we read it. By then end she was totally calm and using the new words, "I mad." It was a delightful way to end a tantrum and to teach her how to use words instead of screaming. Good Mommy.
Mommy moment #2: Andrew has really been bugging me to teach him how to read. Apparently there is a little girl in his preschool class that reads aloud to the class, and it has really inspired him. Of course, he thinks I just have to reach in the back of his mouth and turn on the "reading" switch. So knowing my easily frustrated boy, I've been trying to mentally prepare him that it will take a lot of work to learn to read. We got some sight words books to start with. We tried to read the first book ("I see cats. I see dogs." with big pictures of cats and then dogs...you get the idea). He immediately won't sound out the word see and throws a huge hissy fit. We put the books away. A few minutes later I asked him to show me how to do a "v" sit. He leans back on his arms and easily lifts his legs into the air. I cannot do this. I have no abdominal muscles. None. It's amazing that I can lift myself out of bed in the morning. So I get act a little frustrated. And I said, "It really bugs me that you can do this so easily but I can't even do it a little. This must be what you feel like when you try to read. I can do it so easily but its really hard for you." And Andrew said, "But the V-sit is so easy, you just do this." And he throws those legs up in the air. And I replied, "But reading is just so easy..." and I picked up a book and started to read. I literally saw the light bulb go off in his head. He then said, "How can you get better at the V-sit? Will you ever be able to do it?" So I explained again how everything takes practice and it just takes a while to build up to it. And he brought me his stack of reading books and asked to try again. And we got all the way to book 6 with him being very willing to sound stuff out. Good mommy.
In other updates...
Andrew has made his decision for the election. After took him to the polls with us for the primaries, he's been very interested. Especially because Jeff and I are registered with different parties. ("teams" as we've explained to Andrew). He's been putting a lot of thought into which candidate he likes better. We had to explain that Senator McCain and John McCain are the same person. We have yet to explain the House of Reps to him...we figure learning about Senate and presidency is enough for a 4 year old. Anyway, I know you're dying to know. Andrew is voting for John McCain. Because, "John is my middle name. So I'm voting for John McCain." I knew I should have pushed harder for Andrew Barack to be his name...
Michael is still not sleeping. I hate this.
Lily is seriously so cute I think I die a little each day dressing her. I love boy clothes...but I am really enjoying dressing Lily.
I have started to exercise. Because I'm having irregular heart murmurs at night. They scare me. But since I don't have a doctor (or time to go to the doctor), I'm going to exercise instead. I figure it will either solve the problem or kill me. Each option sounds appealing depending on the type of day I'm having.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Halloween dreams shattered
For the record...I'm not a big Halloween person. That was always left to my sister, Kate. Actually there seems to be theme to our personalities in relation to holidays. She always enjoyed the creative, decorating, festive parts of holidays (dying eggs, wearing costumes, hunting for baskets, creating elaborate scenes outside our house) while I always enjoyed the candy. And nothing else. ;)
But how can you resist little kids in costumes? When I worked in schools, I always dreaded dressing up for Halloween...just not my thing. I was always a witch (and that last year I was a very very pregnant witch). But I really enjoyed watching the parade of classes walk through my library. Just cute. I had visions of my own children wearing cleverly constructed costumes that transformed them into amazing visions. Cleverly constructed by the Halloween fairy, of course.
Then came my own children. Andrew has picked up my enthusiasm when it comes to the decorating, etc. part of holidays. He doesn't care what he is for Halloween. He would be a football player every year...he may end up being that again this year. I had planned to take him to Target and let him pick something. My priority for Lily was a costume that had no headpiece...my previous 2 year old experiences have taught me that much. And I knew Michael would be cute in whatever...so no worries. I've been thinking about this since July, when Halloween season started. There I was, innocently shopping for suntan lotion for vacation (OUT OF SEASON SALE...in July), when I was bombarded by the...what?...Halloween aisle. Whatever...you guys live in America too, you experienced similar things, I'm sure.
Last week, my friend dropped off a costume for Michael. Her son wore it, and I'm the only person with a little boy baby that she knows. It is a dalmatian, complete with a little tail, floppy black ears, and a red collar. Andrew immediately said he could be a fireman and Michael could be his firedog. My imagination began working overtime, in spite of my -meh- attitude about Halloween. Oh, how cute this would be. I'd make Lily a firewoman, and then we could deck out our wagon like a fire truck, and take pictures of the 3 little ones...our very own fire crew...
This Halloween bliss lasted for exactly one week. Last night, I tried the doggie costume on Michael. He was beyond cute. In true Michael fashion, he was giggling and beaming out from under the doggie head/hood. Andrew was laughing at him, and then he said:, "Yea, Mom, I decided I don't want to be a fireman anymore. I want to be something scary like a ninja."
-sigh-
2 seconds later...as if on cue...Lily wanders into the family room carrying a Cookie Monster head. My MIL had bought a costume from a garage sale way back in Andrew's toddler years, and we've been holding on to it. She exclaimed, "Cookie Monta!", we tried on the headpiece, and she LOVED it.
-sigh-
My firehouse has quickly gone to the dogs. So much for coordinating costumes. I guess that's just for magazine families that have very compliant children.
But how can you resist little kids in costumes? When I worked in schools, I always dreaded dressing up for Halloween...just not my thing. I was always a witch (and that last year I was a very very pregnant witch). But I really enjoyed watching the parade of classes walk through my library. Just cute. I had visions of my own children wearing cleverly constructed costumes that transformed them into amazing visions. Cleverly constructed by the Halloween fairy, of course.
Then came my own children. Andrew has picked up my enthusiasm when it comes to the decorating, etc. part of holidays. He doesn't care what he is for Halloween. He would be a football player every year...he may end up being that again this year. I had planned to take him to Target and let him pick something. My priority for Lily was a costume that had no headpiece...my previous 2 year old experiences have taught me that much. And I knew Michael would be cute in whatever...so no worries. I've been thinking about this since July, when Halloween season started. There I was, innocently shopping for suntan lotion for vacation (OUT OF SEASON SALE...in July), when I was bombarded by the...what?...Halloween aisle. Whatever...you guys live in America too, you experienced similar things, I'm sure.
Last week, my friend dropped off a costume for Michael. Her son wore it, and I'm the only person with a little boy baby that she knows. It is a dalmatian, complete with a little tail, floppy black ears, and a red collar. Andrew immediately said he could be a fireman and Michael could be his firedog. My imagination began working overtime, in spite of my -meh- attitude about Halloween. Oh, how cute this would be. I'd make Lily a firewoman, and then we could deck out our wagon like a fire truck, and take pictures of the 3 little ones...our very own fire crew...
This Halloween bliss lasted for exactly one week. Last night, I tried the doggie costume on Michael. He was beyond cute. In true Michael fashion, he was giggling and beaming out from under the doggie head/hood. Andrew was laughing at him, and then he said:, "Yea, Mom, I decided I don't want to be a fireman anymore. I want to be something scary like a ninja."
-sigh-
2 seconds later...as if on cue...Lily wanders into the family room carrying a Cookie Monster head. My MIL had bought a costume from a garage sale way back in Andrew's toddler years, and we've been holding on to it. She exclaimed, "Cookie Monta!", we tried on the headpiece, and she LOVED it.
-sigh-
My firehouse has quickly gone to the dogs. So much for coordinating costumes. I guess that's just for magazine families that have very compliant children.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Yay! October!
Lord, how I love October. All the nice refreshing fall air without the stress of the holidays impending. The only downside is the bees go CRAZY, but every season must have its downers, right?
Next week is Lily's birthday. We finally went shopping last weekend for her present. Actually, we ordered her present on-line, but Andrew needed to go shopping for her. We're just getting her one thing. Is that horrible? It's a big thing (a new Little Tykes kitchen), and I just remember Andrew being so overwhelmed at his 2nd birthday. I know she's going to take one look at the kitchen and not want to do anything else. PLUS, the grandparents will get her gifts. PLUS, her brothers each got her a gift. PLUS, our house is already overflowing with crappola toys. At least I can buy Lily more girlie toys (although the kitchen isn't really that...but whatever). Poor Michael is literally going to get a card and a pat on the back for his birthdays.
Um, do you have some time for bragging? Lily is astonishing me with her language. I no longer read books about child development...okay, I never actually did. I'm pretty sure what she is doing is quite normal for her age, because I hear other kids her age doing similar things. But don't burst my bubble, okay? There's no need for me to realize that she is just average...elementary school will make me see that. So for now I am still ASTONISHED. I really thought that it wouldn't be exciting the second time around. Like, "Gee, wow, you know your ABC's. Well, whoopdie-doo. Your brother is learning to read. How about THEM apples?" But I find that I watch Lily with equal enthusiasm as I did Andrew. She has been singing her ABC's for a couple of weeks now. Very very cute in her little voice. Impressive that she knows a whole song...but let's be honest. She was just memorizing a song that we have repeated a billion times. Then she went one step further to astonish me. Last Sunday, we were wandering around the athletic center waiting for Andrew to finish swim lessons. Lily eagerly approached the customer service desk and began pointing at the sign. She first pointed and said, "O". Which she has recognized for a while. Then she pointed at the C. I asked her what is was and she was correct. Actually, out of the whole two words, "customer service" she only missed the U. I was completely shocked. And it's like that sign opened up a floodgate. She does it ALL THE TIME now. The cutest is how she says "Dubba-you". Apparently she really does know her letters.
Michael is taking a break from his nice sleeping pattern. For 3 weeks he was sleeping from 6 pm to 6 am. The first few days I crept around trying to replicate our bedtime routine so precisely in the hopes he would again sleep well. Then I got more relaxed. I started staying up later because I knew a good night's sleep was in store. I planned evening outings with friends, because, again, I knew I could stay up a bit later. Then I made a fatal error last Thursday. I had a friend over to cross-stitch after dinner (I know, rockin' and cool...go ahead and judge me, see if I care). I was bold enough to actually speak the words, "Oh, yes, Michael sleeps great now. Usually 12 hours." And Thursday night he was up every 3 hours. On the button. Friday night was the same. Saturday. Sunday. I am weeping over here. I was so enjoying feeling human again. MICHAEL! You're in big trouble, Mister. Grrrrr.
Um, what else not funny or interesting can I tell you? Ach, I don't know. Will. be. more. inspired. tomorrow. (If Mikey sleeps...)
Next week is Lily's birthday. We finally went shopping last weekend for her present. Actually, we ordered her present on-line, but Andrew needed to go shopping for her. We're just getting her one thing. Is that horrible? It's a big thing (a new Little Tykes kitchen), and I just remember Andrew being so overwhelmed at his 2nd birthday. I know she's going to take one look at the kitchen and not want to do anything else. PLUS, the grandparents will get her gifts. PLUS, her brothers each got her a gift. PLUS, our house is already overflowing with crappola toys. At least I can buy Lily more girlie toys (although the kitchen isn't really that...but whatever). Poor Michael is literally going to get a card and a pat on the back for his birthdays.
Um, do you have some time for bragging? Lily is astonishing me with her language. I no longer read books about child development...okay, I never actually did. I'm pretty sure what she is doing is quite normal for her age, because I hear other kids her age doing similar things. But don't burst my bubble, okay? There's no need for me to realize that she is just average...elementary school will make me see that. So for now I am still ASTONISHED. I really thought that it wouldn't be exciting the second time around. Like, "Gee, wow, you know your ABC's. Well, whoopdie-doo. Your brother is learning to read. How about THEM apples?" But I find that I watch Lily with equal enthusiasm as I did Andrew. She has been singing her ABC's for a couple of weeks now. Very very cute in her little voice. Impressive that she knows a whole song...but let's be honest. She was just memorizing a song that we have repeated a billion times. Then she went one step further to astonish me. Last Sunday, we were wandering around the athletic center waiting for Andrew to finish swim lessons. Lily eagerly approached the customer service desk and began pointing at the sign. She first pointed and said, "O". Which she has recognized for a while. Then she pointed at the C. I asked her what is was and she was correct. Actually, out of the whole two words, "customer service" she only missed the U. I was completely shocked. And it's like that sign opened up a floodgate. She does it ALL THE TIME now. The cutest is how she says "Dubba-you". Apparently she really does know her letters.
Michael is taking a break from his nice sleeping pattern. For 3 weeks he was sleeping from 6 pm to 6 am. The first few days I crept around trying to replicate our bedtime routine so precisely in the hopes he would again sleep well. Then I got more relaxed. I started staying up later because I knew a good night's sleep was in store. I planned evening outings with friends, because, again, I knew I could stay up a bit later. Then I made a fatal error last Thursday. I had a friend over to cross-stitch after dinner (I know, rockin' and cool...go ahead and judge me, see if I care). I was bold enough to actually speak the words, "Oh, yes, Michael sleeps great now. Usually 12 hours." And Thursday night he was up every 3 hours. On the button. Friday night was the same. Saturday. Sunday. I am weeping over here. I was so enjoying feeling human again. MICHAEL! You're in big trouble, Mister. Grrrrr.
Um, what else not funny or interesting can I tell you? Ach, I don't know. Will. be. more. inspired. tomorrow. (If Mikey sleeps...)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)