Knock, knock
Who's there?
Car.
Car who?
Knock,knock
Who's there?
Car.
Car who?
Knock, knock
Who's there?
Car.
Car who?
Knock, knock
Who's there?
Airplane.
Airplane who?
Aren't ya glad I didn't say banana?
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Flower Power
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| I did a quick photo shoot with Annika the other day. I added the big flower to capture the difference between the one month pics I took. For the record, she is 5 months. |
 |
| Her brothers came in and were being silly trying to get her to smile. She loves them. |
 | ||
| Then they wanted a picture with Annika. I didn't dress them up or comb their hair, just laid them on the bed and snapped some pics. I think this is one of the first I took. They love her. |
Levi has started telling everyone "Dis my sishter!" And "Where's my sishter?"
Annika, you are one loved baby girl. Your brothers all dote on you, tell you how beautiful you are and love to make you smile. They delight when you roll over, smile at them or giggle. You have added a new dimension to this house of boys, a really great dimension. I still look at you and think, "I have a girl! I can't believe it." Somehow, you have turned into a really perfect baby. You are just calm and content all the time. You rarely fuss in your car seat anymore. You love to be in your jumper thing and watch the action. You're content to swing while I fix dinner. When we grocery shop, I always carry you in the Ergo and you will often take a little cat nap. If we are going in somewhere quick with just a few things to get, I'll leave you in the car seat and you are content to sit in the cart and see the world. You enjoy facing out in the stroller. The last two days, I've laid you down wide awake for a morning nap and you haven't fussed, just fallen asleep. You wake up one or two times a night, you're pretty unpredictable. But, I love to get you and bring you into our bed where you nurse/sleep for about an hour and then I take you back to your bed. I won't complain when you do decide to sleep through the night, but I won't complain now either, I really like those snuggly times.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
My Titles Are Getting Lame
You know how the other day I wrote about my day? Yeah, when I started, I thought, what would be a really fast post? I'll just write what we did today. 2 hours later, I pushed publish.
2 hours! 2 hours of my life I won't get back. But, oh the memories!
Needless to say, I won't be writing about my day tonight.
I write posts in my head all day long, but when I have time to write my mind goes completely blank.
Some funny Levi stories:
I was feeding Annika and Levi came over and she of course, stopped eating, looked at him and smiled.
He said "She all done, your p**is!" (Read that in a high pitch voice and picture a little smile on his face.)
I mumbled something about it not being that and go play with your toys.
Drew made Levi go to the bathroom before he went to bed. Levi went. Then said "Your turn!"
2 hours! 2 hours of my life I won't get back. But, oh the memories!
Needless to say, I won't be writing about my day tonight.
I write posts in my head all day long, but when I have time to write my mind goes completely blank.
Some funny Levi stories:
I was feeding Annika and Levi came over and she of course, stopped eating, looked at him and smiled.
He said "She all done, your p**is!" (Read that in a high pitch voice and picture a little smile on his face.)
I mumbled something about it not being that and go play with your toys.
Drew made Levi go to the bathroom before he went to bed. Levi went. Then said "Your turn!"
Monday, January 17, 2011
That Was Fun
My husband has an arm span of 6 feet 8 inches.
That fact is interesting when the commentators on ESPN talk about a college basketball player having a span of 6'6.
He ain't got nothin on my man!
Except a college basketball scholarship.
How's that for random?!
That last post was fun, thanks for all the comments! And the use of craptastic apparently was appreciated. My mom taught me that word. Just kidding.
I'm going to write out what we did today just because some day I want to remember what our days were like.
Sage didn't have school today but Kolby did. Go figure.
I started the day at 7 when the boys are allowed out of their room. That's right, I said allowed. We have a Good Nite Lite. It's a moon all night and then it turns to a sun (a time set by you) when they are allowed to get up. We do allow them to get out of bed and use the bathroom but they have to get back into bed until Mrs. Sun comes up. (I don't get any money if you click that link and buy it.) Also, we didn't discover it, our friends did and shared the wisdom.
No, I will not be delving into all the details of everything that I type.
And actually, I had been up with a certain, sweet girl from 3:45 to 4:45 but that doesn't count as starting my day.
Where was I?
Right, I got up at 7, with the boys.
Actually, they got up and went downstairs to look for Drew. Because he's way better than mom.
When they didn't find him, they started wreslting in the living room.
I came down and offered breakfast. No one seemed to hear me.
I switched the laundry. And offered breakfast again. Still no response.
I emptied the garbage.
Then they ran obnoxiously loudly up to their room to do who knows what.
I followed telling them to be quiet and not wake up Annika.
And offered breakfast again. And told Kolby to change his pullup. And went downstairs.
To convince Levi to use the potty. And change his pullup.
He does a number two! I had to tell him I was getting a clean pullup and then take a little bit to get back.
Sage came downstairs dressed.
I labored over pouring cereal and making hot chocolate. And made coffee.
I went back upstairs to see what Kolby was doing.
He was dressed in shorts and a t-shirt playing with something.
I got out a pair of jeans, told him to change and come downstairs, his hot chocolate was ready.
When everyone was eating, I went upstairs to get dressed.
I sent Sage back downstairs to monitor Levi and help take his bib off. (Levi will yank it off, thus defeating the purpose of the bib when he spills the contents all over.) Best. Bib. Ever. He's used it since about 9 months, he's 2. Well worth the money. Anyway!
I heard all 3 of them come upstairs to play in their room. Or hide under my covers and try to scare me.
I hear Annika talking in her room. (YES! She's in her own room! She still sleeps in the pack-n-play.)
I get Levi dressed.
I get Annika dressed and change her diaper. I realize her clothes are too small.
I take her downstairs to nurse her. I contemplate keeping her in the outfit even though the pants are right below her knees.
I finish nursing her.
I decide to change her clothes.
I put her in a new outfit and think she looks like a boy. I find a white bow. And a pink bib. (She is a drooly mess.)
I get the grocery bags. And check my list again. And put it in the diaper bag.
I tell everyone to get socks and shoes on.
I buckle Annika in the carseat.
I tell Kolby and Levi to get their socks and shoes on.
I get Levi's socks and shoes and make him sit down and put them on him. I tell Kolby to get his shoes on.
I take Kolby's shoes and put them on him.
I spend 5 minutes getting rain jackets out for everyone and making sure they are on. (It didn't rain all day)
Everyone is standing by the door as I get my jacket and shoes on, get my keys, make Sage carry the grocery bags, make sure Kolby's backpack is in the van (yes, from Friday), pick up the dry cleaning and the letters I need to mail and Levi runs back to the living room protesting that he needs his truck.
I explain that the truck has to stay home, he can take The King.
He throws a fit. I tell him we're leaving.
I open the door. He's still throwing a fit. I say good bye.
He cries harder and louder and runs in front of me yelling "Nnnnooooo!!!!"
I pick up the garbage to take out.
I tell him to stop throwing an ugly fit.
We walk to the van while everyone proclaims that it's raining on their hood. It was misting.
I tell Levi to be careful walking down the stairs.
I tell Levi not to jump in the puddles.
I tell Levi to get in the van, get in his seat and sit down.
I throw away the garbage and then put Annika in the van.
I put the diaper bag and dry cleaning in the van and put the grocery bags out of the way.
I walk around and buckle Levi who hasn't sat down yet and gets mad when I pick him up to sit him down.
I get in the van. It's 8:41. AM. Success! Kolby will be on time to school!
We drive to school. Praying for our day as we exit the freeway. (I like to pray for the kids before we drop them off and exiting the freeway is my cue)
We drop Kolby off. And drive to HEB.
I put Annika in the Ergo. Get Levi out of the van. Make sure the door gets shut and we have the diaper bag and grocery bags.
We get a car cart. And get our groceries. Doubling back a couple times after I forgot something and then changed my menu.
We made one bathroom pit stop for Levi. It was a half success. Damp pullup and he went a little.
Finish getting groceries.
Walk through the toy aisle.
Pay for the groceries. Do the Buddy Buck. Sage gets 10 points. Levi gets an Instant Winner.
Turn the cart around to collect his prize.
It's a bracelet.
Wheel the cart to the van, get Sage and Levi in the van.
Unload the groceries. Buckle Levi.
Return the cart. Take Ani out of the Ergo. Buckle her.
Drive through the parking lot, across the street and go to Costco.
Repeat process of getting Ani into the Ergo, walk into Costco, get a cart.
Milk, eggs, bread, butter and gogurt. Peruse the clothing. Get Sage a pair of shorts.
Pay. Decline getting pizza at 10:30. No ice-cream either. Or a churro.
Drop some things at Goodwill. Mail letters. And drop off dry cleaning.
Get home. Get kids inside. Annika into the bouncy seat. Set the boys up with yogurt.
Carry groceries inside.
Get Levi a banana.
Tell Levi he has to eat the banana since he asked for it. Tell him to stop throwing an ugly fit.
He cries. He tells me he's all done crying and eats most of the banana. Give up that battle. Wash his hands.
Put groceries away.
Make 3 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Pack Cheetos naturals, blueberries and a yogurt for me. 3 Capri Sun lemonades, leftover from taking half birthday treats to Sage's class on Friday, and a Diet Dr. Pepper.
Tell the boys it's time to get shoes back on and pick up Kolby.
Drive to pick up Kolby and think about all that is undone at the house. Dishwasher full of clean dishes, dirty dishes on the counter, 2 loads of laundry to fold.
Pick up Kolby. Drive to therapy.
Set lunch out for the boys. Get Annika out of her carseat.
Nurse her. Eat my lunch at the same time.
Notice Levi doing the duty in his pullup. Remember I only have 1 clean pullup.
Finish nursing Annika.
Give Kolby his shorts to change into.
Help him with his knot in his shoe.
Change Levi telling him he needs to use the potty like a big boy.
Send Kolby back. Pack everyone up. Head to Wal-Mart.
Stand in line to return some things. Get out of line to take Levi to the bathroom. Talk to Sage about his attitude. Get back in the line that hasn't moved but added people.
A lady talks to Annika and touches Levi's hand. Pray to help me love people instead of getting irritated that she touched my child.
Smile at her and nod (she didn't speak English). She plays with Levi a little.
Sage and Levi pretend to eat pretend money.
Peruse Wal-Mart. Get a good chunk of Bunco ready for February.
Look at the toys.
Sage convinces me to help him buy a creator Lego set. (He had $5 burning a hole in his wallet, he's been bring it everywhere.)
Annika is done with her carseat. I get her out, hold her and push the cart one handed.
Use the self checkout, while holding Ani, and helping Sage pay.
Do two transactions.
Wrap Annika in her blanket. Get outside and realize the sun came out and now it's really warm.
Remember that I haven't changed Annika's diaper since that morning.
Change her in my lap in the van.
Sage says he has to go to the bathroom really badly.
Tell him to hold it.
Realize we have about 1.5 hours until we pick up Kolby and we are probably 25 minutes from home. Realize it's not worth going home.
Drive through McDonalds to get us a treat.
Pull into a parking spot to get a bib on Levi and stir the McFlurry's. (Isn't the point that they come all mixed together?)
Think about how I would have never given Sage a McFlurry in his carseat or anywhere else when he was two.
Drive back to therapy.
Sit in the van and listen to Adventures in Odyssey.
Think about how badly Sage had to go to the bathroom.
Go into therapy. See Kolby, who tells me he isn't done.
Look at a West Elm catalog. See a rug I like, and throw pillows and curtains, a side table, a basket. A new shower curtain and bath mat for the kids' bathroom, new duvets for the boys' room. And think Shiny! And how materialistic I am. And how I really don't need any of it. Take the catalog to show Drew.
Nurse Annika.
Wait and wait some more.
Trace Levi's hand. And his other hand. His foot. And his other foot.
Still nursing Annika.
Kolby comes out! His OT said he did great. Asked about transitioning with him. She gave me an idea to give him a ticket when he transitions well. Think about all the work that sounds like, think it sounds like a good idea, think it sounds like a lot of work. Think about talking to Drew about that.
Help Kolby get his shoes on.
Watch Levi hit Kolby. Kolby cries.
Scold Levi. Tell Kolby to use his words. Tell him what words to use. Levi says "sowwy."
Think oh man.
Get everyone out the door and to the van.
Kolby cries because there are gummy bears on his seat, he blames Sage. I explain that they were there from last time at therapy, on Friday.
Buckle Levi. Notice Annika's carseat is not level. Fix it.
Listen to Levi yell and Kolby cry because Levi's yelling. Think about how it's only 4. Wonder when Drew is getting home.
Explain to Kolby to use his words. Tell him what words to use.
Call Drew. He says 6. I say 6?! He says 5:30 or 6. I say when should I have dinner ready? He says 5:45.
Take a longer way home so I don't have to pay the toll.
Levi falls asleep. Consider driving around so Levi can sleep. Realize that would defeat the purpose of not paying the toll.
Get home. Unbuckle Levi. Tell the boys to carefully climb around him.
Tell Kolby to get his backpack and his jeans. Tell Sage to carry the lunch bag.
Collect the diaper bag, my phone, and the Wal-Mart bag.
Make Levi wake up to walk in the house. Hold his hand. Get yelled at for holding his hand.
Get inside. Finish nursing Annika, check email on the iPad.
Hold Annika and talk to her. She fills her diaper. Get stuff to change her.
Realize it's been a week since she got a bath.
Take her upstairs to give her a bath. She pees on the rug. Give her a bath. She cries (weird, I must have had the water too chilly).
Get her pajamaed and lotioned.
Realize it's 5:30 and I need to make dinner.
Settle her in her swing.
Start browning hamburger. Eat the last brownie.
Listen to Annika cry thinking she'll fall asleep.
Get Levi to leave Kolby and his legos alone.
Help Kolby use the words to ask Levi to leave his legos alone.
Get Sage to bring Levi's Megoblocks downstairs.
Get Levi to leave Kolby and his legos alone.
Direct Levi to the living room to play with his Megablocks. Watch as he dumps them out. Walk away.
Notice that he walked away too.
Finish browning the meat. Drain. Add taco seasoning.
Get out lettuce. Cut it up. Wash it. Dry it off. Put it in a bowl.
Notice Kolby cleaned up his legos without being asked.
Decide to make queso. Get velveeta and Rotel out of the pantry. Chop up velveeta, add Rotel and put it in the microwave.
Set the table. Get out the yogurt, salsa and cheese. Put a jar of olives by Drew's plate.
Drew gets home. Give him a kiss.
Call the boys to the table. Pour milk.
Eat dinner.
Annika wakes up crying. Shove a couple more bites into mouth. Pick her up.
Ask Drew to take her so I can eat one more taco.
Eat two.
Take her back.
Ask everybody's high/low for the day.
Tell Kolby to not talk with food in his mouth.
Tell Kolby to not take a bite until after he answers.
Listen to Kolby cry and tell me that I hurt his feelings.
Tell him he hurt my feelings by crying at me instead of answering my question.
Figure out he says no casts for his high! And his low.
Try to explain highs and lows. Again.
Ask Sage. High: getting his Lego creator set. Low: didn't hear it.
Finish dinner.
Ask Drew to hold Annika while I put the taco meat in the fridge.
He tells Kolby and Sage to get pajamas on.
He tells Levi to go upstairs. He tells me he's going to go change.
He takes Annika.
I put away the meat.
Then put the cold stuff in the fridge.
Then clear the table.
Put the dishes in the dishwasher.
He comes back downstairs.
I make a bad joke about how everything cleaned itself up. And I just finished putting the meat away, while I wash the pan I made the taco meat in.
He hands me Annika.
I say I didn't get to wipe the table off.
He cackles and leaves.
I follow.
He reads to Levi.
I chat with the boys and tell them good night.
I take Annika downstairs. Change her diaper. Nurse her to sleep. Read blogs on the iPad.
Think about the toys on the floor as a blessing, not an annoyance tonight.
Pray for Joanne and family.
Cry a little.
Hold Annika a little longer.
Drew comes downstairs.
Lay Annika down.
Wipe off the table. Sweep the floor.
Get a load of laundry out of the dryer. Put one in the dryer and start another one.
Fold two loads of laundry.
Reply to a couple emails and some comments.
Post my verse to the LPM blog.
Start writing this. Realize it's now 11.
Carry my wear self to bed. Praise Jesus that tomorrow won't be exactly like today.
And trust him for the grace and patience to get through tomorrow.
(I'm not going to go back and edit, not even spell check.)
That fact is interesting when the commentators on ESPN talk about a college basketball player having a span of 6'6.
He ain't got nothin on my man!
Except a college basketball scholarship.
How's that for random?!
That last post was fun, thanks for all the comments! And the use of craptastic apparently was appreciated. My mom taught me that word. Just kidding.
I'm going to write out what we did today just because some day I want to remember what our days were like.
Sage didn't have school today but Kolby did. Go figure.
I started the day at 7 when the boys are allowed out of their room. That's right, I said allowed. We have a Good Nite Lite. It's a moon all night and then it turns to a sun (a time set by you) when they are allowed to get up. We do allow them to get out of bed and use the bathroom but they have to get back into bed until Mrs. Sun comes up. (I don't get any money if you click that link and buy it.) Also, we didn't discover it, our friends did and shared the wisdom.
No, I will not be delving into all the details of everything that I type.
And actually, I had been up with a certain, sweet girl from 3:45 to 4:45 but that doesn't count as starting my day.
Where was I?
Right, I got up at 7, with the boys.
Actually, they got up and went downstairs to look for Drew. Because he's way better than mom.
When they didn't find him, they started wreslting in the living room.
I came down and offered breakfast. No one seemed to hear me.
I switched the laundry. And offered breakfast again. Still no response.
I emptied the garbage.
Then they ran obnoxiously loudly up to their room to do who knows what.
I followed telling them to be quiet and not wake up Annika.
And offered breakfast again. And told Kolby to change his pullup. And went downstairs.
To convince Levi to use the potty. And change his pullup.
He does a number two! I had to tell him I was getting a clean pullup and then take a little bit to get back.
Sage came downstairs dressed.
I labored over pouring cereal and making hot chocolate. And made coffee.
I went back upstairs to see what Kolby was doing.
He was dressed in shorts and a t-shirt playing with something.
I got out a pair of jeans, told him to change and come downstairs, his hot chocolate was ready.
When everyone was eating, I went upstairs to get dressed.
I sent Sage back downstairs to monitor Levi and help take his bib off. (Levi will yank it off, thus defeating the purpose of the bib when he spills the contents all over.) Best. Bib. Ever. He's used it since about 9 months, he's 2. Well worth the money. Anyway!
I heard all 3 of them come upstairs to play in their room. Or hide under my covers and try to scare me.
I hear Annika talking in her room. (YES! She's in her own room! She still sleeps in the pack-n-play.)
I get Levi dressed.
I get Annika dressed and change her diaper. I realize her clothes are too small.
I take her downstairs to nurse her. I contemplate keeping her in the outfit even though the pants are right below her knees.
I finish nursing her.
I decide to change her clothes.
I put her in a new outfit and think she looks like a boy. I find a white bow. And a pink bib. (She is a drooly mess.)
I get the grocery bags. And check my list again. And put it in the diaper bag.
I tell everyone to get socks and shoes on.
I buckle Annika in the carseat.
I tell Kolby and Levi to get their socks and shoes on.
I get Levi's socks and shoes and make him sit down and put them on him. I tell Kolby to get his shoes on.
I take Kolby's shoes and put them on him.
I spend 5 minutes getting rain jackets out for everyone and making sure they are on. (It didn't rain all day)
Everyone is standing by the door as I get my jacket and shoes on, get my keys, make Sage carry the grocery bags, make sure Kolby's backpack is in the van (yes, from Friday), pick up the dry cleaning and the letters I need to mail and Levi runs back to the living room protesting that he needs his truck.
I explain that the truck has to stay home, he can take The King.
He throws a fit. I tell him we're leaving.
I open the door. He's still throwing a fit. I say good bye.
He cries harder and louder and runs in front of me yelling "Nnnnooooo!!!!"
I pick up the garbage to take out.
I tell him to stop throwing an ugly fit.
We walk to the van while everyone proclaims that it's raining on their hood. It was misting.
I tell Levi to be careful walking down the stairs.
I tell Levi not to jump in the puddles.
I tell Levi to get in the van, get in his seat and sit down.
I throw away the garbage and then put Annika in the van.
I put the diaper bag and dry cleaning in the van and put the grocery bags out of the way.
I walk around and buckle Levi who hasn't sat down yet and gets mad when I pick him up to sit him down.
I get in the van. It's 8:41. AM. Success! Kolby will be on time to school!
We drive to school. Praying for our day as we exit the freeway. (I like to pray for the kids before we drop them off and exiting the freeway is my cue)
We drop Kolby off. And drive to HEB.
I put Annika in the Ergo. Get Levi out of the van. Make sure the door gets shut and we have the diaper bag and grocery bags.
We get a car cart. And get our groceries. Doubling back a couple times after I forgot something and then changed my menu.
We made one bathroom pit stop for Levi. It was a half success. Damp pullup and he went a little.
Finish getting groceries.
Walk through the toy aisle.
Pay for the groceries. Do the Buddy Buck. Sage gets 10 points. Levi gets an Instant Winner.
Turn the cart around to collect his prize.
It's a bracelet.
Wheel the cart to the van, get Sage and Levi in the van.
Unload the groceries. Buckle Levi.
Return the cart. Take Ani out of the Ergo. Buckle her.
Drive through the parking lot, across the street and go to Costco.
Repeat process of getting Ani into the Ergo, walk into Costco, get a cart.
Milk, eggs, bread, butter and gogurt. Peruse the clothing. Get Sage a pair of shorts.
Pay. Decline getting pizza at 10:30. No ice-cream either. Or a churro.
Drop some things at Goodwill. Mail letters. And drop off dry cleaning.
Get home. Get kids inside. Annika into the bouncy seat. Set the boys up with yogurt.
Carry groceries inside.
Get Levi a banana.
Tell Levi he has to eat the banana since he asked for it. Tell him to stop throwing an ugly fit.
He cries. He tells me he's all done crying and eats most of the banana. Give up that battle. Wash his hands.
Put groceries away.
Make 3 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Pack Cheetos naturals, blueberries and a yogurt for me. 3 Capri Sun lemonades, leftover from taking half birthday treats to Sage's class on Friday, and a Diet Dr. Pepper.
Tell the boys it's time to get shoes back on and pick up Kolby.
Drive to pick up Kolby and think about all that is undone at the house. Dishwasher full of clean dishes, dirty dishes on the counter, 2 loads of laundry to fold.
Pick up Kolby. Drive to therapy.
Set lunch out for the boys. Get Annika out of her carseat.
Nurse her. Eat my lunch at the same time.
Notice Levi doing the duty in his pullup. Remember I only have 1 clean pullup.
Finish nursing Annika.
Give Kolby his shorts to change into.
Help him with his knot in his shoe.
Change Levi telling him he needs to use the potty like a big boy.
Send Kolby back. Pack everyone up. Head to Wal-Mart.
Stand in line to return some things. Get out of line to take Levi to the bathroom. Talk to Sage about his attitude. Get back in the line that hasn't moved but added people.
A lady talks to Annika and touches Levi's hand. Pray to help me love people instead of getting irritated that she touched my child.
Smile at her and nod (she didn't speak English). She plays with Levi a little.
Sage and Levi pretend to eat pretend money.
Peruse Wal-Mart. Get a good chunk of Bunco ready for February.
Look at the toys.
Sage convinces me to help him buy a creator Lego set. (He had $5 burning a hole in his wallet, he's been bring it everywhere.)
Annika is done with her carseat. I get her out, hold her and push the cart one handed.
Use the self checkout, while holding Ani, and helping Sage pay.
Do two transactions.
Wrap Annika in her blanket. Get outside and realize the sun came out and now it's really warm.
Remember that I haven't changed Annika's diaper since that morning.
Change her in my lap in the van.
Sage says he has to go to the bathroom really badly.
Tell him to hold it.
Realize we have about 1.5 hours until we pick up Kolby and we are probably 25 minutes from home. Realize it's not worth going home.
Drive through McDonalds to get us a treat.
Pull into a parking spot to get a bib on Levi and stir the McFlurry's. (Isn't the point that they come all mixed together?)
Think about how I would have never given Sage a McFlurry in his carseat or anywhere else when he was two.
Drive back to therapy.
Sit in the van and listen to Adventures in Odyssey.
Think about how badly Sage had to go to the bathroom.
Go into therapy. See Kolby, who tells me he isn't done.
Look at a West Elm catalog. See a rug I like, and throw pillows and curtains, a side table, a basket. A new shower curtain and bath mat for the kids' bathroom, new duvets for the boys' room. And think Shiny! And how materialistic I am. And how I really don't need any of it. Take the catalog to show Drew.
Nurse Annika.
Wait and wait some more.
Trace Levi's hand. And his other hand. His foot. And his other foot.
Still nursing Annika.
Kolby comes out! His OT said he did great. Asked about transitioning with him. She gave me an idea to give him a ticket when he transitions well. Think about all the work that sounds like, think it sounds like a good idea, think it sounds like a lot of work. Think about talking to Drew about that.
Help Kolby get his shoes on.
Watch Levi hit Kolby. Kolby cries.
Scold Levi. Tell Kolby to use his words. Tell him what words to use. Levi says "sowwy."
Think oh man.
Get everyone out the door and to the van.
Kolby cries because there are gummy bears on his seat, he blames Sage. I explain that they were there from last time at therapy, on Friday.
Buckle Levi. Notice Annika's carseat is not level. Fix it.
Listen to Levi yell and Kolby cry because Levi's yelling. Think about how it's only 4. Wonder when Drew is getting home.
Explain to Kolby to use his words. Tell him what words to use.
Call Drew. He says 6. I say 6?! He says 5:30 or 6. I say when should I have dinner ready? He says 5:45.
Take a longer way home so I don't have to pay the toll.
Levi falls asleep. Consider driving around so Levi can sleep. Realize that would defeat the purpose of not paying the toll.
Get home. Unbuckle Levi. Tell the boys to carefully climb around him.
Tell Kolby to get his backpack and his jeans. Tell Sage to carry the lunch bag.
Collect the diaper bag, my phone, and the Wal-Mart bag.
Make Levi wake up to walk in the house. Hold his hand. Get yelled at for holding his hand.
Get inside. Finish nursing Annika, check email on the iPad.
Hold Annika and talk to her. She fills her diaper. Get stuff to change her.
Realize it's been a week since she got a bath.
Take her upstairs to give her a bath. She pees on the rug. Give her a bath. She cries (weird, I must have had the water too chilly).
Get her pajamaed and lotioned.
Realize it's 5:30 and I need to make dinner.
Settle her in her swing.
Start browning hamburger. Eat the last brownie.
Listen to Annika cry thinking she'll fall asleep.
Get Levi to leave Kolby and his legos alone.
Help Kolby use the words to ask Levi to leave his legos alone.
Get Sage to bring Levi's Megoblocks downstairs.
Get Levi to leave Kolby and his legos alone.
Direct Levi to the living room to play with his Megablocks. Watch as he dumps them out. Walk away.
Notice that he walked away too.
Finish browning the meat. Drain. Add taco seasoning.
Get out lettuce. Cut it up. Wash it. Dry it off. Put it in a bowl.
Notice Kolby cleaned up his legos without being asked.
Decide to make queso. Get velveeta and Rotel out of the pantry. Chop up velveeta, add Rotel and put it in the microwave.
Set the table. Get out the yogurt, salsa and cheese. Put a jar of olives by Drew's plate.
Drew gets home. Give him a kiss.
Call the boys to the table. Pour milk.
Eat dinner.
Annika wakes up crying. Shove a couple more bites into mouth. Pick her up.
Ask Drew to take her so I can eat one more taco.
Eat two.
Take her back.
Ask everybody's high/low for the day.
Tell Kolby to not talk with food in his mouth.
Tell Kolby to not take a bite until after he answers.
Listen to Kolby cry and tell me that I hurt his feelings.
Tell him he hurt my feelings by crying at me instead of answering my question.
Figure out he says no casts for his high! And his low.
Try to explain highs and lows. Again.
Ask Sage. High: getting his Lego creator set. Low: didn't hear it.
Finish dinner.
Ask Drew to hold Annika while I put the taco meat in the fridge.
He tells Kolby and Sage to get pajamas on.
He tells Levi to go upstairs. He tells me he's going to go change.
He takes Annika.
I put away the meat.
Then put the cold stuff in the fridge.
Then clear the table.
Put the dishes in the dishwasher.
He comes back downstairs.
I make a bad joke about how everything cleaned itself up. And I just finished putting the meat away, while I wash the pan I made the taco meat in.
He hands me Annika.
I say I didn't get to wipe the table off.
He cackles and leaves.
I follow.
He reads to Levi.
I chat with the boys and tell them good night.
I take Annika downstairs. Change her diaper. Nurse her to sleep. Read blogs on the iPad.
Think about the toys on the floor as a blessing, not an annoyance tonight.
Pray for Joanne and family.
Cry a little.
Hold Annika a little longer.
Drew comes downstairs.
Lay Annika down.
Wipe off the table. Sweep the floor.
Get a load of laundry out of the dryer. Put one in the dryer and start another one.
Fold two loads of laundry.
Reply to a couple emails and some comments.
Post my verse to the LPM blog.
Start writing this. Realize it's now 11.
Carry my wear self to bed. Praise Jesus that tomorrow won't be exactly like today.
And trust him for the grace and patience to get through tomorrow.
(I'm not going to go back and edit, not even spell check.)
Friday, January 14, 2011
My Attitude Has Been...
Craptastic.
Ever since I wrote my last post.
I'm not blaming it on the post.
In fact, I've been struggling for awhile.
Maybe it's the 4 kids thing. Maybe it's the I just had a baby thing (5 months ago, that counts as "just" right?). Maybe it's the adjusting to kindergarten routine thing. Maybe it's the adjusting to a new normal of lots of therapies thing. Maybe it's all of them combined.
I do know that I've been craving chocolatey cakey something all week and I just put a pan of brownies in the oven.
I do know that I felt better last week when I was exercising some. (I started the Couch to 5K running program, by started, I mean I did it like 3 times last week and loved doing it and just haven't had time this week).
I do know that I would love to know who's read this little ole blog! And according to some, it's National Delurking Day!
So, tell me a little about yourself. How did you find my littlecorner slice itty bitty piece of the world wide web? What do we have in common? Tell me anything, what you ate for breakfast, what your favorite snack is, what your favorite color is. Just tell me something!
Ever since I wrote my last post.
I'm not blaming it on the post.
In fact, I've been struggling for awhile.
Maybe it's the 4 kids thing. Maybe it's the I just had a baby thing (5 months ago, that counts as "just" right?). Maybe it's the adjusting to kindergarten routine thing. Maybe it's the adjusting to a new normal of lots of therapies thing. Maybe it's all of them combined.
I do know that I've been craving chocolatey cakey something all week and I just put a pan of brownies in the oven.
I do know that I felt better last week when I was exercising some. (I started the Couch to 5K running program, by started, I mean I did it like 3 times last week and loved doing it and just haven't had time this week).
I do know that I would love to know who's read this little ole blog! And according to some, it's National Delurking Day!
So, tell me a little about yourself. How did you find my little
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
I Don't Know What To Title This
If you've read my Twitter updates, you're already in the know. But here's the rest of the story. Paul Harvey, anyone, no? Ok, moving on.
We drove to the big D on Sunday. We planned to get up early and be there about 12:30 so we could lunch with my aunt and uncle. But, then the alarm went off, or it didn't and all we heard was rain, lots of rain, raining.
Sleeping in until the kids woke us seemed like the better option. A whole hour later (insert something sarcastic here), we got up.
Drew loaded the van while it poured rain and then came in to shower and get dressed.
And it stopped raining.
And we loaded the kids making sure we had the essentials of Diet Dr. Pepper (for me), gum (for Kolby- he is addicted- something about a sensory thing- okay the others like it too, but he always asks for it, like always, like he wakes up in the morning and asks for gum, chews a piece for an hour, spits it out and asks for another, maybe it's because it is was the first word that he could pronounce correctly so he got it whenever he asked for it or the sensory thing, whatever), suckers (for Yebi), the laptop, the iPod touch and the iPad (all for our sanity). We also took (without realizing) Adventures in Odyssey. (I listened to these growing up, on the radio, they are so good- entertaining and makes you use your imagination.) Drew and I enjoy listening to them too. Anyway.
We drove through some hazardous weather conditions, we almost called off our lunch but we made it. Yes, we are from the midwest and we tend to hunker down when we see sleet and a temperature of 32. And we get nervous about the other drivers on the road, obviously, we are superior being from the midwest.
We made it. We ate lunch. We were glad we stopped. Not only were my aunt and uncle there, but both of their kids and most of their families. I hadn't seen them in at least 10 years. And sadly, I've lived 4 hours away for almost 3. My bad. Also, my aunt is an amazing cook, she had turkey, yummy potatoes that my grandma used to make and my mom makes, corn, peas, cheesy broccoli, rolls and then 3 different desserts. Her grandson ratted her out when I said how yummy the chocolate cake was when he said "Oh it was just from the freezer."
We stopped by our hotel and dropped off our luggage and then headed to The Village Church Northway Campus. We were about the oldest people there. And we're not old, or so we tell ourselves! Also, our kids made up 50% of the childcare. And, it was the first time we put Annika in the nursery. In a different church, I'm kind of strange like that.
Now, I'm skipping straight to the doctors appointment the next day at 11, because my word, I've used a lot of words.
He watches Kolby walk then run then takes some x-rays of his feet. Then he talks to us, for about 20 or 30 minutes. It comes down to, we took Kolby out of his night brace about 2 years too early. I really want to defend us and say that we were told to discontinue use of the bar. And then I want to follow that with, we weren't seeing a Ponseti certified doctor. (IF YOU CAME TO MY BLOG BECAUSE OF CLUBFOOT, CLICK THAT LINK!!!) And now, back to what the doctor was saying. He said that the casts that we did with Kolby this summer helped tremendously. He said that Kolby has really good dorsiflexion in both feet. It could be better, but for a CF kid, it's really good. He also said that yes, Kolby has an awkward gait. And that just may be the way he walks. And it's not a big deal. He said the one thing that we could do to improve the dorsiflexion would be to lengthen the Achilles tendon. He said if it were his kid, he wouldn't do that right now. The risks don't out weigh the reward. For now. We're not ruling it out for the future. We just have to see what happens. He also said he doesn't like the orthotics that Kolby was wearing (for only 2 weeks, whew), they hold his foot, his muscles and tendons in a position that is bad for CF kids. With CF kids, we want the foot turned out at as much as possible, we want those muscles to be stretching, not held in one place.
I didn't let myself dream for one second that we would all walk out of the doctors office.
I didn't let myself think through details/logistics of what life with a wheelchair would be like.
I had determined to wait and see. And I had such peace about it. A peace that surpasses understanding. I did worry, but I kept giving it back. I physically lifted my arms and told God, this is Yours, You say to come before you with all requests with thanksgiving. I told Him I would praise Him, no matter what. Not to my glory, but to Yours.
I literally wanted to shout "WAHOOO!!!!" in the parking lot. I constrained myself.
But, my heart was shouting.
Thanks for caring, for reading that long, too many details review. It was the best doctors appointment ever. Also, Kolby was disappointed that he didn't get casts. Go figure.
We drove to the big D on Sunday. We planned to get up early and be there about 12:30 so we could lunch with my aunt and uncle. But, then the alarm went off, or it didn't and all we heard was rain, lots of rain, raining.
Sleeping in until the kids woke us seemed like the better option. A whole hour later (insert something sarcastic here), we got up.
Drew loaded the van while it poured rain and then came in to shower and get dressed.
And it stopped raining.
And we loaded the kids making sure we had the essentials of Diet Dr. Pepper (for me), gum (for Kolby- he is addicted- something about a sensory thing- okay the others like it too, but he always asks for it, like always, like he wakes up in the morning and asks for gum, chews a piece for an hour, spits it out and asks for another, maybe it's because it is was the first word that he could pronounce correctly so he got it whenever he asked for it or the sensory thing, whatever), suckers (for Yebi), the laptop, the iPod touch and the iPad (all for our sanity). We also took (without realizing) Adventures in Odyssey. (I listened to these growing up, on the radio, they are so good- entertaining and makes you use your imagination.) Drew and I enjoy listening to them too. Anyway.
We drove through some hazardous weather conditions, we almost called off our lunch but we made it. Yes, we are from the midwest and we tend to hunker down when we see sleet and a temperature of 32. And we get nervous about the other drivers on the road, obviously, we are superior being from the midwest.
We made it. We ate lunch. We were glad we stopped. Not only were my aunt and uncle there, but both of their kids and most of their families. I hadn't seen them in at least 10 years. And sadly, I've lived 4 hours away for almost 3. My bad. Also, my aunt is an amazing cook, she had turkey, yummy potatoes that my grandma used to make and my mom makes, corn, peas, cheesy broccoli, rolls and then 3 different desserts. Her grandson ratted her out when I said how yummy the chocolate cake was when he said "Oh it was just from the freezer."
We stopped by our hotel and dropped off our luggage and then headed to The Village Church Northway Campus. We were about the oldest people there. And we're not old, or so we tell ourselves! Also, our kids made up 50% of the childcare. And, it was the first time we put Annika in the nursery. In a different church, I'm kind of strange like that.
Now, I'm skipping straight to the doctors appointment the next day at 11, because my word, I've used a lot of words.
He watches Kolby walk then run then takes some x-rays of his feet. Then he talks to us, for about 20 or 30 minutes. It comes down to, we took Kolby out of his night brace about 2 years too early. I really want to defend us and say that we were told to discontinue use of the bar. And then I want to follow that with, we weren't seeing a Ponseti certified doctor. (IF YOU CAME TO MY BLOG BECAUSE OF CLUBFOOT, CLICK THAT LINK!!!) And now, back to what the doctor was saying. He said that the casts that we did with Kolby this summer helped tremendously. He said that Kolby has really good dorsiflexion in both feet. It could be better, but for a CF kid, it's really good. He also said that yes, Kolby has an awkward gait. And that just may be the way he walks. And it's not a big deal. He said the one thing that we could do to improve the dorsiflexion would be to lengthen the Achilles tendon. He said if it were his kid, he wouldn't do that right now. The risks don't out weigh the reward. For now. We're not ruling it out for the future. We just have to see what happens. He also said he doesn't like the orthotics that Kolby was wearing (for only 2 weeks, whew), they hold his foot, his muscles and tendons in a position that is bad for CF kids. With CF kids, we want the foot turned out at as much as possible, we want those muscles to be stretching, not held in one place.
I didn't let myself dream for one second that we would all walk out of the doctors office.
I didn't let myself think through details/logistics of what life with a wheelchair would be like.
I had determined to wait and see. And I had such peace about it. A peace that surpasses understanding. I did worry, but I kept giving it back. I physically lifted my arms and told God, this is Yours, You say to come before you with all requests with thanksgiving. I told Him I would praise Him, no matter what. Not to my glory, but to Yours.
I literally wanted to shout "WAHOOO!!!!" in the parking lot. I constrained myself.
But, my heart was shouting.
Thanks for caring, for reading that long, too many details review. It was the best doctors appointment ever. Also, Kolby was disappointed that he didn't get casts. Go figure.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
I Don't Know Where to Begin or End
We've been potty training for 9 days. Monday night, I gave up. I found an old pull up of Kolby's and put it on Levi. I thought it would at least do the job until I could get the right size Tuesday morning.
Tuesday, he woke up dry. I bought pull ups anyway. I opened the package and put two in the diaper bag.
That day, he continually peed in the potty. I was almost convinced he just wanted me to waste that $10. But, alas, he didn't! He has done so incredibly good but I have been happy to throw that pull up away twice today! So, we're not stopping with the potty training, we're just going to drag it out awhile. I was hoping to get 'er done in three days but knew that he's still quite young. And I'm totally okay with it.
Although, tonight, he yelled from his bed that he had to pee. 4. times. I think somoeone has figured out how to control the flow.
So, remember when I wrote The Next Step? We got the orthotics and Kolby adjusted amazingly well. I don't know why I was so amazed, he has adjusted amazingly to everything that he's gone through. Anyway, we just went to see his physical therapist after 2 weeks vacation, and the first time to see her after Kolby started wearing them. I admit that I was a little excited because Kolby had adjusted so well to them and thinking she was going to gush about how perfect they were and how much they were going to help.
"Well?!" I said.
After a long conversation, she explained that Kolby has been walking on the outside of his foot, like toward his ankle. And the orthotics that we just got and paid a really pretty penny for (okay, insurance did, but whatev) are holding his feet in that position. Awesome. Not really, not at all. At the end of an even longer conversation, we agreed that we needed to get Kolby seen by a doctor. I talked through with her that I was so underwhelmed with our doctor here. He just kind of was like eh, they look as good as they'll get. While at the same time, not really watching Kolby walk all that long. So, we decided to call the doctor that we saw when I was 38 weeks pregnant with Annika.
And to make this long story a tad shorter, we're going on Monday to see him. The physical therapist says that most likely, it will be both feet that need casting, that most likely we'll need a pediatric wheelchair with leg rests, that most likely, it will be 6 weeks.
These are not for sures. These are worst case scenarios.
On a lighter note, because I want to change the subject and not draw out all my thoughts on that last subject, Sage told Annika the other day that she is the prettiest girl in the whole world, even if she is bald!
Sage made a calendar at school for us for Christmas. The other night, he was writing family members birthdays in it. He started looking for Aunt Krista's birthday, Oct. 20. He said "Hey! Who wrote 50, 51, 55, 53...?!" He had written the 2's backwards and then couldn't read them and tried to blame it on someone else!
Sage received his first Bible for Christmas. We gave him an ESV and Drew had told him that Pastor Gregg uses a different version as they talked about following along in church. The other day, Drew said something about the same thing being in his Bible. Sage asked "How come it says the same thing, you said everyone uses a different version?!"
Levi sat in his car seat today, grabbed one hand with his other hand and started hitting himself and saying "Why you hitting yourself, Yebi?"
Then he counted to eleven tonight at dinner.
Kolby is always the first (read: only) kid to notice when we take a different road than normal in the car. He seems to have every route we drive regularly, memorized!
I look through the pictures on our camera and want to cry for all that I haven't written about. I am an amazingly blessed mommy! And please know that I have been taking pictures of our sweet girl. She is quite adorable. Let's take a minute to brag on her. She rolls from tummy to back and back to tummy. And she's been doing it since she was 3 months old. Although, she hasn't figured out that she can do them both. Like she rolls from her back to tummy when she is on the floor and then she cries. She is ready with a smile for almost anyone. She wears really cute bows. Not everyday, but often enough to make my heart happy. Today, she wore a pair of zebra print skinny jeans. I had to shake her into them and peel them down, but oh, the cute! She is finally enjoying rides in the stroller and tolerates the car seat (she even falls asleep, but don't let her know that makes me happp). She wakes up twice a night. (Don't talk to me about that.) She loves to sleep with me. I really love for her to sleep in her own bed. (I wake up so stiff from sleeping in such weird positions as she is always cradled in my arm.) She has slept two nights in her own room. I miss her. I might bring her back. It's not like it's helping her (or me) sleep better. She drools all. the. time. She sucks/chews on her hands, fingers, blanket, burp rag, shirt, or her favorite giraffe. She is starting to spit up less (wahoo!). We discuss almost daily if her eyes are going to be blue or brown. Maybe she'll end up with one of each! The small amount of hair she has looks darkish, although it is starting to look blondish, or it could be just the light reflecting off her bald head!
I had told myself that I would start writing when we get the kids to bed. I had told myslef that I would make this a happy only blog. But, life isn't always happy, so I'm going with what we have. And guess what? It's pretty stinkin great.
Tuesday, he woke up dry. I bought pull ups anyway. I opened the package and put two in the diaper bag.
That day, he continually peed in the potty. I was almost convinced he just wanted me to waste that $10. But, alas, he didn't! He has done so incredibly good but I have been happy to throw that pull up away twice today! So, we're not stopping with the potty training, we're just going to drag it out awhile. I was hoping to get 'er done in three days but knew that he's still quite young. And I'm totally okay with it.
Although, tonight, he yelled from his bed that he had to pee. 4. times. I think somoeone has figured out how to control the flow.
So, remember when I wrote The Next Step? We got the orthotics and Kolby adjusted amazingly well. I don't know why I was so amazed, he has adjusted amazingly to everything that he's gone through. Anyway, we just went to see his physical therapist after 2 weeks vacation, and the first time to see her after Kolby started wearing them. I admit that I was a little excited because Kolby had adjusted so well to them and thinking she was going to gush about how perfect they were and how much they were going to help.
"Well?!" I said.
After a long conversation, she explained that Kolby has been walking on the outside of his foot, like toward his ankle. And the orthotics that we just got and paid a really pretty penny for (okay, insurance did, but whatev) are holding his feet in that position. Awesome. Not really, not at all. At the end of an even longer conversation, we agreed that we needed to get Kolby seen by a doctor. I talked through with her that I was so underwhelmed with our doctor here. He just kind of was like eh, they look as good as they'll get. While at the same time, not really watching Kolby walk all that long. So, we decided to call the doctor that we saw when I was 38 weeks pregnant with Annika.
And to make this long story a tad shorter, we're going on Monday to see him. The physical therapist says that most likely, it will be both feet that need casting, that most likely we'll need a pediatric wheelchair with leg rests, that most likely, it will be 6 weeks.
These are not for sures. These are worst case scenarios.
On a lighter note, because I want to change the subject and not draw out all my thoughts on that last subject, Sage told Annika the other day that she is the prettiest girl in the whole world, even if she is bald!
Sage made a calendar at school for us for Christmas. The other night, he was writing family members birthdays in it. He started looking for Aunt Krista's birthday, Oct. 20. He said "Hey! Who wrote 50, 51, 55, 53...?!" He had written the 2's backwards and then couldn't read them and tried to blame it on someone else!
Sage received his first Bible for Christmas. We gave him an ESV and Drew had told him that Pastor Gregg uses a different version as they talked about following along in church. The other day, Drew said something about the same thing being in his Bible. Sage asked "How come it says the same thing, you said everyone uses a different version?!"
Levi sat in his car seat today, grabbed one hand with his other hand and started hitting himself and saying "Why you hitting yourself, Yebi?"
Then he counted to eleven tonight at dinner.
Kolby is always the first (read: only) kid to notice when we take a different road than normal in the car. He seems to have every route we drive regularly, memorized!
I look through the pictures on our camera and want to cry for all that I haven't written about. I am an amazingly blessed mommy! And please know that I have been taking pictures of our sweet girl. She is quite adorable. Let's take a minute to brag on her. She rolls from tummy to back and back to tummy. And she's been doing it since she was 3 months old. Although, she hasn't figured out that she can do them both. Like she rolls from her back to tummy when she is on the floor and then she cries. She is ready with a smile for almost anyone. She wears really cute bows. Not everyday, but often enough to make my heart happy. Today, she wore a pair of zebra print skinny jeans. I had to shake her into them and peel them down, but oh, the cute! She is finally enjoying rides in the stroller and tolerates the car seat (she even falls asleep, but don't let her know that makes me happp). She wakes up twice a night. (Don't talk to me about that.) She loves to sleep with me. I really love for her to sleep in her own bed. (I wake up so stiff from sleeping in such weird positions as she is always cradled in my arm.) She has slept two nights in her own room. I miss her. I might bring her back. It's not like it's helping her (or me) sleep better. She drools all. the. time. She sucks/chews on her hands, fingers, blanket, burp rag, shirt, or her favorite giraffe. She is starting to spit up less (wahoo!). We discuss almost daily if her eyes are going to be blue or brown. Maybe she'll end up with one of each! The small amount of hair she has looks darkish, although it is starting to look blondish, or it could be just the light reflecting off her bald head!
I had told myself that I would start writing when we get the kids to bed. I had told myslef that I would make this a happy only blog. But, life isn't always happy, so I'm going with what we have. And guess what? It's pretty stinkin great.
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