A week from today, we will be signing the contracts to sell our current house and buy a different house. (Lord willing.)
A week from tomorrow, the movers will show up to pack up our house and (Lord willing) move us into our new house the same day.
A week from Monday, Kolby and Levi start everyday swim lessons for 2 weeks. (great timing)
A week from Thursday, I will have a 7 year old. (I don't want to talk about this. For a myriad of reasons. 1)I'll have a 7 year old. 2)We have bought him one gift. 3)We may or may not be moving into a new house the day before. We may be moving on his actual birthday. )
Sage lost his second tooth on Monday, the 4th of July. We went to Lowe's to get the final things needed to finish fixing our house for the buyers and he showed me how his tooth could lay down flat. I told him I wouldn't pull it but I wanted to touch it. Then I told him I take it back, I did want to pull it. I put my fingers on it like I was going to yank and it fell out in my hand! I pulled his tooth in the middle of Lowe's.
Levi is fully potty trained! You probably already thought I did that back in December. We gave it a really good try but he just wasn't quite ready. He went back to diapers after a week. We kept talking about how when Sage and Kolby were done with school, he'd start wearing underwear all the time. I kept thinking we'd do the 3 day method again. And then I looked closely at our calendar and realized that we didn't have 3 days at home. I decided to just go for it. And he did so great! I expected accidents and there were some, but nothing horrible. I'm not so sure having him potty trained is easier, I would say it's more difficult to take him to the bathroom out in public while trying to hold Annika, but I love not changing the diapers!
Annika. She has 6 teeth and crawls everywhere. She looks exactly like Drew. Except prettier. She shakes her head no to make us laugh and also when we tell her no, no, usually about putting something in her mouth or touching the stereo. She waves, blows kisses, signs milk and all done.
Sage swam on a swim team this year! He started knowing how to swim but not the greatest. It was a modified doggy paddle. One arm would come out of the water and one arm stayed under water. By time trials, after a month of practice 6 days a week, he was swimming a good front crawl. He would bring his head straight up to take a breath instead of rolling his head to the side. He swam a 25 yard freestyle in 34 seconds. His first meet, he was in the second heat of swimmers (meaning the heat ahead of him were all faster swimmers and his time didn't count toward team points) and he got first place! He was so excited. He moved up to the first heat for the rest of the meets. He continued to improve all season and was invited to the Meet of Champs! He swam the fastest he had ever swam in the semi-finals, 23.4 seconds and got 7th out of 34 boys! He got to swim the next day at the finals and got 8th out of 8. His relay got 6th out of 8 in the finals.
We are so proud of him. I was nervous about signing him up for such a big commitment. For the month of May, we picked him up from school, had a snack in the van and headed to swim team. Kolby and Levi played outside on the swing set and in a huge pile of sand. When school got out, he switched to morning practice, so for the month of June, we were at swim practice every morning at 8:30. I told him when I signed him up, that I didn't want to fight him on going to practice, we would be going everyday and there would be no arguing or complaining. Not once did he complain about going to practice! I was proud of the way he would listen to his coach's instruction (and mine!) and then improve. He loved it so much that we're looking into doing swim team year round. (He asked)
I have high hopes of writing more.
I also have high hopes of waking up at 5:30am so I can start running again.
I also have high hopes of Annika sleeping through the night without me forcing it.
I also have high hopes of decorating our house really cute and showing you all the before and after pictures.
I think I need to sleep less.
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Sunday, June 05, 2011
I hope this comes out right
This morning was our last Sunday at First Baptist.
We loved our time there. Our first day was June 8, almost 3 years exactly. When we came, we felt like we were drinking from a fire hose after being in a drought for 3 years. That first Sunday, I was worried that people wouldn't have room in their hearts for one more friend. 3 years later, I can't count the number of friends from First Baptist. The people are incredibly wonderful.
Our Sunday school class this morning sent us out with a prayer time. Drew and I got up front and Drew started to tell them how much we love and appreciate them. He got choked up. I said a few things after being adamant that I wouldn't say a word. I told them how they have spurred us on in our faith, how they are a class that is pursuing hard after Christ and they bring everyone along with them. We love and appreciate every, single person.
Drew told them that we weren't leaving because we needed a new church, we love our church. We are going to start Bayou City Fellowship because the city needs another church, the city needs more people to know about Jesus. This new church isn't for us, it is all for the glory of Christ!
It is with great sadness that we close this chapter at First.
It is with great excitement that we start this new chapter at Bayou City Fellowship.
Appropriately, we met with our core group for Bayou City Fellowship tonight. It soothes the sadness of the morning. It ignites the excitement.
We are believing and expecting Jesus to do great things.
When Drew and I were babies, still in college, not married or even engaged, we came to Dallas (with other people) and went to a conference called Destinations. Towards the end of the conference, they asked people to commit to living in a big city and serving God. We stood up.
Here we are Lord, use us!
We loved our time there. Our first day was June 8, almost 3 years exactly. When we came, we felt like we were drinking from a fire hose after being in a drought for 3 years. That first Sunday, I was worried that people wouldn't have room in their hearts for one more friend. 3 years later, I can't count the number of friends from First Baptist. The people are incredibly wonderful.
Our Sunday school class this morning sent us out with a prayer time. Drew and I got up front and Drew started to tell them how much we love and appreciate them. He got choked up. I said a few things after being adamant that I wouldn't say a word. I told them how they have spurred us on in our faith, how they are a class that is pursuing hard after Christ and they bring everyone along with them. We love and appreciate every, single person.
Drew told them that we weren't leaving because we needed a new church, we love our church. We are going to start Bayou City Fellowship because the city needs another church, the city needs more people to know about Jesus. This new church isn't for us, it is all for the glory of Christ!
It is with great sadness that we close this chapter at First.
It is with great excitement that we start this new chapter at Bayou City Fellowship.
Appropriately, we met with our core group for Bayou City Fellowship tonight. It soothes the sadness of the morning. It ignites the excitement.
We are believing and expecting Jesus to do great things.
When Drew and I were babies, still in college, not married or even engaged, we came to Dallas (with other people) and went to a conference called Destinations. Towards the end of the conference, they asked people to commit to living in a big city and serving God. We stood up.
Here we are Lord, use us!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
I'm giving myself 5 minutes
5 minutes to write whatever comes to mind. 10:02. Go.
This morning, we took pictures of our house to get it on the market (it's been a slow process). And by we, I mean, Drew took them and I went from room to room clearing it out before he got to it and then I went back and put everything back in its place. So, what will be depicted in the pictures, will not be real life. It will be what we would love for real life to look like except, not so much, because that means that we wouldn't have 4 little people in our lives or if we did, they would be robots or cats, maybe cats would make more sense and then they wouldn't be people, because they'd be cats. You probably saw where I was going with that, didn't you.
Anyway. The pictures were taken and we think the listing will go live Saturday. Except maybe not because that was before Drew was taken out by some strawberries at dinner. Or so he thinks. He ate some strawberries for dinner. I took Annika on a quick walk (that makes me sound cool and healthy except this was the first time it has ever happened and it was seriously a 5 minute walk, much like this blog post). I came home and gave her a bath and started nursing her (which means I nursed her as long as she wanted and read blogs on the Ipad). And then I kept hearing the boys laughing and talking loudly and kept wondering why he wasn't putting them to bed. It was, after all, inching towards 9! Yikes, that's late for our kids. Finally, I decided Ani was done nursing (which means, I read all the blogs that I wanted to) and I took her up to her bed. And then I checked on Drew. And quickly determined that I didn't want to be too close to him and then read the boys a Franklin book and 2 short chapters about Hudson Taylor from Hero Tales. Google that. It's a really neat book.
10:09.
To summarize, we took pictures, Drew got sick. The end.
This morning, we took pictures of our house to get it on the market (it's been a slow process). And by we, I mean, Drew took them and I went from room to room clearing it out before he got to it and then I went back and put everything back in its place. So, what will be depicted in the pictures, will not be real life. It will be what we would love for real life to look like except, not so much, because that means that we wouldn't have 4 little people in our lives or if we did, they would be robots or cats, maybe cats would make more sense and then they wouldn't be people, because they'd be cats. You probably saw where I was going with that, didn't you.
Anyway. The pictures were taken and we think the listing will go live Saturday. Except maybe not because that was before Drew was taken out by some strawberries at dinner. Or so he thinks. He ate some strawberries for dinner. I took Annika on a quick walk (that makes me sound cool and healthy except this was the first time it has ever happened and it was seriously a 5 minute walk, much like this blog post). I came home and gave her a bath and started nursing her (which means I nursed her as long as she wanted and read blogs on the Ipad). And then I kept hearing the boys laughing and talking loudly and kept wondering why he wasn't putting them to bed. It was, after all, inching towards 9! Yikes, that's late for our kids. Finally, I decided Ani was done nursing (which means, I read all the blogs that I wanted to) and I took her up to her bed. And then I checked on Drew. And quickly determined that I didn't want to be too close to him and then read the boys a Franklin book and 2 short chapters about Hudson Taylor from Hero Tales. Google that. It's a really neat book.
10:09.
To summarize, we took pictures, Drew got sick. The end.
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
A Rare Evening
It's 9:00.
I'm sitting on the couch. I've been on my laptop since 8. This is so weird.
I finally added a picture and changed my name on twitter.
And, I might post something in the middle of the week! I know!
Maybe you aren't as excited as I am. That's okay. It's the little things in life for me.
Annika might be crying. She is. Dang. Maybe she'll go back to sleep.
She's not stopping.
I'm hitting publish.
And then I'll go check on her.
Which will lead to laying down in bed to nurse her.
Which will lead to falling asleep.
I'm still publishing this.
Sorry for wasting your time.
Until the next rare evening!
I'm sitting on the couch. I've been on my laptop since 8. This is so weird.
I finally added a picture and changed my name on twitter.
And, I might post something in the middle of the week! I know!
Maybe you aren't as excited as I am. That's okay. It's the little things in life for me.
Annika might be crying. She is. Dang. Maybe she'll go back to sleep.
She's not stopping.
I'm hitting publish.
And then I'll go check on her.
Which will lead to laying down in bed to nurse her.
Which will lead to falling asleep.
I'm still publishing this.
Sorry for wasting your time.
Until the next rare evening!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Friday Five: Change
1. We're planting a church! The quick, basic details are that we are planting a church, here in Houston with our good friends, Curtis and Amanda Jones. It's so fun to look back and see how God has been preparing our hearts for this for a long time, like since before we were married long. It is an exciting journey of faith and keeping our hearts and minds focused on Him. Not for our glory but for Christ! You can read Amanda's story in three parts here: A New Vision Part One Part Two Part Three
Hopefully, someday, I will write out our back story and how our story weaves into theirs.
2. Sage and Kolby will be starting a new school! We will be doing a school that is a classical, university model school. On Mondays and Wednesdays, they will go to school and on Tuesday and Thursday, I'll be teaching them at home. It was a hard decision and an easy decision all rolled into one big decision! I'm nervous and excited!
3. We're getting our house ready to put on the market! By that I mean, packing up books and toys and moving some things into storage so our townhome looks nice and clean and spacious!
4. We have an offer on a house! It could very well fall through still but we're taking steps to move out of our townhome and into a house! I'm really excited. And could get overwhelmed. But, I'm really trying not to.
5. Annika is so close to crawling! She is inchworming her way around and is this (imagine me pinching my thumb and pointer finger together) close to crawling. She gets up on all fours, rocks back and forth, moves a knee, moves the opposite arm and then goes to her tummy and reaches for the desired object.
Hopefully, someday, I will write out our back story and how our story weaves into theirs.
2. Sage and Kolby will be starting a new school! We will be doing a school that is a classical, university model school. On Mondays and Wednesdays, they will go to school and on Tuesday and Thursday, I'll be teaching them at home. It was a hard decision and an easy decision all rolled into one big decision! I'm nervous and excited!
3. We're getting our house ready to put on the market! By that I mean, packing up books and toys and moving some things into storage so our townhome looks nice and clean and spacious!
4. We have an offer on a house! It could very well fall through still but we're taking steps to move out of our townhome and into a house! I'm really excited. And could get overwhelmed. But, I'm really trying not to.
5. Annika is so close to crawling! She is inchworming her way around and is this (imagine me pinching my thumb and pointer finger together) close to crawling. She gets up on all fours, rocks back and forth, moves a knee, moves the opposite arm and then goes to her tummy and reaches for the desired object.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
It's Not You, It's Me
Dear John,
Just kidding! I'm not writing a break up later two months after I stopped postin. See, I didn't mean to stop posting. I just don't know what happened. I wrote and then I didn't write anymore. I wrote one post and then got overwhelmed with trying to add pictures, so I stopped.
I keep over thinking it. How do I start writing after 2 months? What do I say? It has to be spectacular. I need to have a reason as to why I haven't written. But, I don't have a reason. The reason is, I just didn't get on my computer to write. I guess the words haven't been there.
And I started thinking about my blog and what I should want it to be. I would love for it to be a record of our family and the things we do, the places we go, the stuff we see. And it is, but then I compare it to others and think I'm not doing that great of a job. And then I think I should be making money with my blog, after all, I have been writing on it for nearly 5 years. Is that right, 5 years, maybe almost 6. Yikes! And I start comparing myself to other bloggers who have been blogging for that long.
See that nasty word up there? It isn't a 4 letter word but it should be. Compare. When I compare myself, my blog, my decisions, my looks, my clothes, my kids' clothes, even my relationship with God, I fall short of everyone. Lies run through my head like a little kid on a merry go round. It starts out slow, with one or two lies and then the lies just keep spinning around and around and around and around in my head. And when I finally jump off, the merry go round of lies doesn't stop, it just keeps spinning and I'm left laying on the side with my balance messed up. I try to shake off those lies and walk away but I don't walk straight. I sway to the left and to the right, I stumble, I might even trip. And those lies are still swirling around right behind me. They are at the top of my mind, but worse, they have sunk into my spirit.
Whew, that feels better! See, I write to find out what's going on in my head. And there it is. Kind of ugly, huh?
Just pretend this last sentence is a pretty little bow on top of this jumbled post. I'm going to post it and try to get back to writing. As always, not everything will be serious and not everything will be pretty and fun, but it's me and my life. And you're welcome to come along for the ride if you want!
Just kidding! I'm not writing a break up later two months after I stopped postin. See, I didn't mean to stop posting. I just don't know what happened. I wrote and then I didn't write anymore. I wrote one post and then got overwhelmed with trying to add pictures, so I stopped.
I keep over thinking it. How do I start writing after 2 months? What do I say? It has to be spectacular. I need to have a reason as to why I haven't written. But, I don't have a reason. The reason is, I just didn't get on my computer to write. I guess the words haven't been there.
And I started thinking about my blog and what I should want it to be. I would love for it to be a record of our family and the things we do, the places we go, the stuff we see. And it is, but then I compare it to others and think I'm not doing that great of a job. And then I think I should be making money with my blog, after all, I have been writing on it for nearly 5 years. Is that right, 5 years, maybe almost 6. Yikes! And I start comparing myself to other bloggers who have been blogging for that long.
See that nasty word up there? It isn't a 4 letter word but it should be. Compare. When I compare myself, my blog, my decisions, my looks, my clothes, my kids' clothes, even my relationship with God, I fall short of everyone. Lies run through my head like a little kid on a merry go round. It starts out slow, with one or two lies and then the lies just keep spinning around and around and around and around in my head. And when I finally jump off, the merry go round of lies doesn't stop, it just keeps spinning and I'm left laying on the side with my balance messed up. I try to shake off those lies and walk away but I don't walk straight. I sway to the left and to the right, I stumble, I might even trip. And those lies are still swirling around right behind me. They are at the top of my mind, but worse, they have sunk into my spirit.
Whew, that feels better! See, I write to find out what's going on in my head. And there it is. Kind of ugly, huh?
Just pretend this last sentence is a pretty little bow on top of this jumbled post. I'm going to post it and try to get back to writing. As always, not everything will be serious and not everything will be pretty and fun, but it's me and my life. And you're welcome to come along for the ride if you want!
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Groundhog Day 2011
Wednesday, Kolby told me about the groundhog.
He told me that the groundhog lives in a hole.
And goes to the bathroom where he lives, in his bedroom.
And he didn't see his shadow.
This might be insignificant to you, but a huge step for us. You see, I really have no idea what Kolby does at pre-school everyday. Sure, I know the letter of the week, it's not hard to figure out that they are going straight through the alphabet. But his day to day activities, he doesn't tell me much. And the little bit that he tells me, I don't always understand. I usually listen to a monologue coming from the back of the minivan and at the end I nod excitedly and say "Cool! Neat, bud!" I read his facial expressions for what he thought of his day and hope that I haven't agreed to something that I shouldn't!
So, yesterday when we were talking over Dominoe's for dinner, he told us about the groundhog. And then he told us what he would do if a robber came into our house. He would get the gun and shoot him. (The gun, being his finger) Sage's plan is a little different, he would pee and poop on the robber.
Through this whole speech delay thing, my main concern has been that Kolby will shut down, that he would stop trying to talk to us. I have worried that he agrees to what we interpret him saying instead of us understanding.
But, now, now we're getting somewhere!
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
I See You
I see you looking at me
as I walk through the mall
pushing a huge double stroller
that carries a car seat
and a screaming toddler
while my two boys follow along.
I pretend not to notice
you watching me
as my toddler screams.
I pretend his screams
don't affect me.
But they do.
I'm annoyed.
I'm frustrated.
I'm frazzled.
He's disobedient.
He's disrespectful.
He's two.
I pretend not to hear him
hoping he'll stop.
I pretend to be peaceful
hoping I will be.
I pretend to be what I'm not
hoping to become what I'm pretending.
So much of life is like that.
as I walk through the mall
pushing a huge double stroller
that carries a car seat
and a screaming toddler
while my two boys follow along.
I pretend not to notice
you watching me
as my toddler screams.
I pretend his screams
don't affect me.
But they do.
I'm annoyed.
I'm frustrated.
I'm frazzled.
He's disobedient.
He's disrespectful.
He's two.
I pretend not to hear him
hoping he'll stop.
I pretend to be peaceful
hoping I will be.
I pretend to be what I'm not
hoping to become what I'm pretending.
So much of life is like that.
 | ||
| November 2009. Not much has changed. Except he's louder. |
Sunday, January 30, 2011
A Joke, By Sage
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?
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?
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Flower Power
 |
| 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.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
If You Came To My House Today
You would see a 2 year old in Lighting McQueen undies.
You would see a red Ikea potty in our living room.
You would see a roll of paper towels and 409 at the ready.
You would see a missing rug in the living room.
You would see some sort of childrens show on tv.
You would see crumbs under my table.
You would see Legos on half of the table.
You would see girlie blankets draped across various pieces of furniture.
You would see children and their mom still in pajamas.
You would see toys scattered around the floor.
You would see a pile of Christmas cards that didn't get hung.
You would see mail waiting for the post office.
You would see a mess.
And I'm okay with that.
What would I see at your house?
You would see a red Ikea potty in our living room.
You would see a roll of paper towels and 409 at the ready.
You would see a missing rug in the living room.
You would see some sort of childrens show on tv.
You would see crumbs under my table.
You would see Legos on half of the table.
You would see girlie blankets draped across various pieces of furniture.
You would see children and their mom still in pajamas.
You would see toys scattered around the floor.
You would see a pile of Christmas cards that didn't get hung.
You would see mail waiting for the post office.
You would see a mess.
And I'm okay with that.
What would I see at your house?
Saturday, December 11, 2010
The Next Step
I feel like I need to catch my blog up to date so when we come back to read this someday,everything will make sense.
We decided to send Kolby to the sweet, little preschool after talking to the director and his teacher. September brought teacher conferences and we faced a harsh reality. He's doing wonderfully in school, he's smart and learning what he should. We have always wondered if we were missing something with Kolby. We could never really describe it, we couldn't put our finger on it, we could barely describe it, we just weren't quite sure.
We had already scheduled Kolby for evaluations at a therapy center. I was confident that he could use some physical therapy to help strengthen his calves. (A side effect of club foot is small calves.) And of course, speech.
The preschool teacher confirmed our suspicions. She mentioned that Kolby had an awkward gait comparitively. (Remember, we were coming off 2 weeks of a casting and that reallly made his gait awkward) When we told her we were getting him evaluated, she was very glad. It confirmed our thinking and at the same time made me sad.
So, we did the initial evaluations and came back with a low muscle tone diagnosis.
Kolby has been doing 2 hours of physical therapy, 2 hours of occupational therapy and 3 hours of speech each week (2 at the therapy center and 1 through the public schools).
His teacher said she has seen big improvements in his big motor skills.
At the same time, his physical therapist noticed that his feet arent working quite right. I'm not sure how to describe it, but his heel isn't really hitting the ground all the time when he walks. She suggested getting some orthotics. We went today to get the castings of his feet, next Saturday we'll get the orthotics.
Honestly, when she showed me the orthotics that Kolby is going to wear, I welled up with tears. I wasn't expecting this. I've always thought that we would be able to put club foot behind us. And they just keep coming back. The orthotist today said he would describe Kolby's feet as resistant club feet.
There is so much I could say about Kolby. And so much I don't know if I should. So, I'm going to stop.
Just know, that I love him with my whole heart. I love his resistant feet and all his quirks. He challenges me in ways he doesn't know. He makes me more dependant on Jesus.
We decided to send Kolby to the sweet, little preschool after talking to the director and his teacher. September brought teacher conferences and we faced a harsh reality. He's doing wonderfully in school, he's smart and learning what he should. We have always wondered if we were missing something with Kolby. We could never really describe it, we couldn't put our finger on it, we could barely describe it, we just weren't quite sure.
We had already scheduled Kolby for evaluations at a therapy center. I was confident that he could use some physical therapy to help strengthen his calves. (A side effect of club foot is small calves.) And of course, speech.
The preschool teacher confirmed our suspicions. She mentioned that Kolby had an awkward gait comparitively. (Remember, we were coming off 2 weeks of a casting and that reallly made his gait awkward) When we told her we were getting him evaluated, she was very glad. It confirmed our thinking and at the same time made me sad.
So, we did the initial evaluations and came back with a low muscle tone diagnosis.
Kolby has been doing 2 hours of physical therapy, 2 hours of occupational therapy and 3 hours of speech each week (2 at the therapy center and 1 through the public schools).
His teacher said she has seen big improvements in his big motor skills.
At the same time, his physical therapist noticed that his feet arent working quite right. I'm not sure how to describe it, but his heel isn't really hitting the ground all the time when he walks. She suggested getting some orthotics. We went today to get the castings of his feet, next Saturday we'll get the orthotics.
Honestly, when she showed me the orthotics that Kolby is going to wear, I welled up with tears. I wasn't expecting this. I've always thought that we would be able to put club foot behind us. And they just keep coming back. The orthotist today said he would describe Kolby's feet as resistant club feet.
There is so much I could say about Kolby. And so much I don't know if I should. So, I'm going to stop.
Just know, that I love him with my whole heart. I love his resistant feet and all his quirks. He challenges me in ways he doesn't know. He makes me more dependant on Jesus.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Morning to Evening
Dinner is cleaned up.
Lunches are packed for tomorrow.
Baths have been given.
Drew is putting the boys to bed after he rocked Annkia to sleep (she hopefully will be waking up to eat once more).
And the house is quiet.
Ahh.
I have moments of pure bliss. The thought "I could have another one." totally swims through my head. Followed by, "I want to homeschool."
Then, I have moments of "What in the heck am I doing?! I can't handle these kids."
The moments that I think what in heck are the moments when I'm a) trying to get something done (laundry, sweep the floor, etc) and keep getting interrupted or b) when I'm trying to do something for myself (like on the internet for myself, not go to the bathroom kind of thing).
So, basically, when I put my kids and their needs first, I feel great and they feel great. When I try to put my desires before their needs, we spiral downward. Those are extreme statements but generally true.
Does that make sense?
There must be a deeper lesson that I am too tired to convey.
This morning, I really wanted to go on a walk. We took Kolby to school and then when we got home, I fed Annika and tried putting her back in her carseat to go in the stroller. She got mad. I put shoes on Levi. She was still mad. I got the stroller out of the van. Still mad. I loaded Levi in the stroller. Still mad. I put her in the stroller. Really angry. We walked 100 feet and I turned around and came home. Except I got mad. Mad at the baby who wouldn't stop crying, mad because I wasn't getting to do what I wanted to do. {Am I 2?! Don't answer that.}
We got in the house, I took her out of her carseat and she instantly stopped crying. I held her for a bit and then put her in her bouncy seat. Where she proceeded to fall asleep. Really, she couldn't have fallen asleep in the carseat in the stroller? I had let it go by that point. And I did get stuff done around the house. So, there's that.
After picking up Kolby from school, Levi had fallen asleep in the car and Annika had screamed the whole way there, while waiting in line and the whole way home. She's persistent. I got her out of her car seat and she instantly stopped crying (see a trend?). Then I tried to get Levi out, except he wasn't waking up. So, I had Annika in one arm and Levi in the other and an SUV slows way down and a lady hands me a business card and says "Maybe I help you?" She's a cleaning lady. Wonder why she thought I needed help!
Lunches are packed for tomorrow.
Baths have been given.
Drew is putting the boys to bed after he rocked Annkia to sleep (she hopefully will be waking up to eat once more).
And the house is quiet.
Ahh.
I have moments of pure bliss. The thought "I could have another one." totally swims through my head. Followed by, "I want to homeschool."
Then, I have moments of "What in the heck am I doing?! I can't handle these kids."
The moments that I think what in heck are the moments when I'm a) trying to get something done (laundry, sweep the floor, etc) and keep getting interrupted or b) when I'm trying to do something for myself (like on the internet for myself, not go to the bathroom kind of thing).
So, basically, when I put my kids and their needs first, I feel great and they feel great. When I try to put my desires before their needs, we spiral downward. Those are extreme statements but generally true.
Does that make sense?
There must be a deeper lesson that I am too tired to convey.
This morning, I really wanted to go on a walk. We took Kolby to school and then when we got home, I fed Annika and tried putting her back in her carseat to go in the stroller. She got mad. I put shoes on Levi. She was still mad. I got the stroller out of the van. Still mad. I loaded Levi in the stroller. Still mad. I put her in the stroller. Really angry. We walked 100 feet and I turned around and came home. Except I got mad. Mad at the baby who wouldn't stop crying, mad because I wasn't getting to do what I wanted to do. {Am I 2?! Don't answer that.}
We got in the house, I took her out of her carseat and she instantly stopped crying. I held her for a bit and then put her in her bouncy seat. Where she proceeded to fall asleep. Really, she couldn't have fallen asleep in the carseat in the stroller? I had let it go by that point. And I did get stuff done around the house. So, there's that.
After picking up Kolby from school, Levi had fallen asleep in the car and Annika had screamed the whole way there, while waiting in line and the whole way home. She's persistent. I got her out of her car seat and she instantly stopped crying (see a trend?). Then I tried to get Levi out, except he wasn't waking up. So, I had Annika in one arm and Levi in the other and an SUV slows way down and a lady hands me a business card and says "Maybe I help you?" She's a cleaning lady. Wonder why she thought I needed help!
Monday, November 15, 2010
How you doin?
Today was busy. But, mostly because I made it busy. I went to three different Targets to find a shirt. I saw someone wearing it yesterday at church and had to have it. It's perfect. An open, drapey cardigan, super soft like a sweatshirt and I was in love. I found it in heather gray at the first store but thought I wanted black. The second store didn't have any of them. And the third store had two in black, both the wrong size. So, I bought the gray. And I'm going to wear the threads out of it.
Tonight I said "Holy Cow!" Sage told me I said a bad word. First, I had to ask him what I said. Second, I had to ask him why it was bad. I was genuinly confused. He said "It doesn't honor Jesus. And you're saying a cow is holy and it's not." Um, put in place by a 6 year old. Dang.
This weekend, we had some friends from college come visit. Last time we saw them, we had two kids and she was pregnant with their first. Now, they have two. It was so fun! We ate and talked and talked and ate some more. We played remember when and encouraged each other regarding our parenting skills. I loved having them here and it just wasn't enough time. We didn't even take any pictures. So pathetic.
We're getting our family pictures taken this weekend. I think I've got our outfits figured out. I totally over thought them. That's what I do. I solicited advice from friends. That's what I do. I kind of wish someone would say, here, wear this. And we'd all look totally fabulous. You know, put together but not matchy-matchy. I have a hard time thinking not matchy-matchy. So, we'll go matchy-matchy this time, but next time, I'm gonna make Annalee help me more. She did give advice and I did take it. And that's all I'm gonna say about that.
Tonight, we played trust falls. You know, where one person falls and the person behind them, catches them. Kolby thought it was so hilarious when Drew caught me. At first, the boys couldn't fall. I had to coach them to be stiff as a board. They got it after I held their feet a couple times. Drew totally dropped Kolby the first time I held his feet. Not bad, but it made me laugh. And Kolby got up and tried it again. I'm not sure he even realized Drew dropped him.
Whew. I feel like I just talked a mile a minute. {Breathe out.} How are you?
Tonight I said "Holy Cow!" Sage told me I said a bad word. First, I had to ask him what I said. Second, I had to ask him why it was bad. I was genuinly confused. He said "It doesn't honor Jesus. And you're saying a cow is holy and it's not." Um, put in place by a 6 year old. Dang.
This weekend, we had some friends from college come visit. Last time we saw them, we had two kids and she was pregnant with their first. Now, they have two. It was so fun! We ate and talked and talked and ate some more. We played remember when and encouraged each other regarding our parenting skills. I loved having them here and it just wasn't enough time. We didn't even take any pictures. So pathetic.
We're getting our family pictures taken this weekend. I think I've got our outfits figured out. I totally over thought them. That's what I do. I solicited advice from friends. That's what I do. I kind of wish someone would say, here, wear this. And we'd all look totally fabulous. You know, put together but not matchy-matchy. I have a hard time thinking not matchy-matchy. So, we'll go matchy-matchy this time, but next time, I'm gonna make Annalee help me more. She did give advice and I did take it. And that's all I'm gonna say about that.
Tonight, we played trust falls. You know, where one person falls and the person behind them, catches them. Kolby thought it was so hilarious when Drew caught me. At first, the boys couldn't fall. I had to coach them to be stiff as a board. They got it after I held their feet a couple times. Drew totally dropped Kolby the first time I held his feet. Not bad, but it made me laugh. And Kolby got up and tried it again. I'm not sure he even realized Drew dropped him.
Whew. I feel like I just talked a mile a minute. {Breathe out.} How are you?
Thursday, November 11, 2010
No Years Old
Levi's birthday was yesterday and I've been meaning to write a post all about Levi since he was about 15 months old, so I started writing this about a month ago!
The thing is, putting words on Levi is like picking up a raw egg off the floor. It's so slippery, it can't be done. I'm afraid that describing him with words just won't be enough. And weirdly enough, I'm afraid it will sound like I'm bragging, like "Look what my kid can do!"
So, look what my kid can do!
Levi, you are 2 years old or a better definition, No years old.
You have adjusted to Annika beautifully. You love to hold her (you say hol her?) and bring me diapers. You also love to climb into my lap while she nurses. Sometimes I read you a book, sometimes we just talk. Mostly me telling you that I love you. And you saying back "I yove you, Mom." Melt my heart sweet.
You can be super sweet. You give lots of really good hugs and kisses. You eagerly tell us you love us. You yell good night from your crib. When Drew leaves for work in the morning, you are often sitting in your chair at the table, and yell while he is opening the door "Yove you dad!"
Speaking of your chair at the table, you can buckle and unbuckle it. You started unbuckling yourself right after Annika was born. Unlucky for your mama who needs you to be safe and in one spot sometimes! Luckily, you haven't figured out your car seat buckles!
You talk! A lot! And repeat everything! You have been talking since right around a year, maybe earlier. You have amazed us with your talking. You know how or at least you used to say mine correctly but now you say mise. I have a hard time correcting that one because who wants their kid to say mine all the time? You say never all the time. It makes Kolby so mad. But when someone asks a question, usually to go somewhere or eat something you respond with "No. Never."
For a couple of months, you were crying when we put you to bed. It was just about 10 minutes but we couldn't figure out why you were crying. And then we went on vacation and you slept in the same room as Sage and Kolby and you didn't cry. When we got home, we moved your crib into the boys' room and you stopped crying! (This was a month or two before Annika was born.)
Then you started crying again. We would tell you to climb into your crib and watch as you tried so hard to get into bed. And then we'd laugh a little and lift you in. We soon realized that you were upset that you couldn't get into your bed like your brothers did. So, now we make sure to lower the crib rail, you climb in and no crying!
You count to nine. I'm not kidding and no I didn't teach you. We were driving home after dropping Kolby off at school and I hear your little, high pitched voice counting to nine. I couldn't believe it. I made you do it again and you couldn't. Then a week or so later, you did it again. You love to look at books and count things in the book. You also know some colors. Again, I didn't teach you. You know blue, green and red every time. Sometimes you get yellow and purple.
You point out every school bus and motorcycle you see. You used to point out every car or truck. So, when I was driving you would look out the window and say "Car, truck, truck, car, car, truck." On and on. And you were excited about everyone that you saw!
You can name a monkey, tiger, squirrel, giraffe, elephant, bird, snake, dog, and cat. You love to tell us what they say. I love to ask you what a monkey says because I love the way you say ooh, ooh, aah, aah.
You like to pretend that you are a dog. You crawl around and bark, which is more like a yap. If you were classified, you would be one of the annoying yip yap dogs! And you lick us when you are pretending to be a dog.
You have also been seen pretending to be a frog. Hopping around on all fours saying ribbit!
When you play with your trains and track, you yell "All aboard!"
You have been pretending for a long time, since around 15 months. You would feed us pretend food from pretend dishes.
You can name everyone in our family from a picture or when someone points to them. You call Kolby, Bolby. (Sage used to say Holby) You say Anka.
When asked:
What's you name? Yebi!
How old are you? BIG!
How old are you? One.
Who made you? God.
Where is God? Everywhere. (while spreading both of your arms out)
You love cheese sticks. You will literally eat as many as I let you. You eat whole grapes and have for a long time. I would cut them up and you wouldn't eat them because they didn't look like the ones on your brothers plate.
You chew gum. It rarely makes it to the garbage, you swallow it first!
You want to do everything your brothers do and generally, you keep up and do what they do!
You are either Kolby's best friend or worst enemy. You enjoy antagonizing him. If he yells yes, you yell no. If he yells no, you yell yes. It' s really fun in the van as you make Kolby cry just because you are yelling the opposite of whatever he is saying. (Totally sarcastic.)
As soon as you are sitting on the time out step, you yell "Sowwy mom, sowwy!" Sometimes, it gets you out early.
So many times a day, you say "Noise?" And then you answer yourself "Anka cwying?" Or you start guessing other people's names. Or if we're in the car, you say "Car honking?" And you look at me with a questioning look on your face and will continue to guess until I tell you the source of the noise.
Levi, you are complete sunshine, except when you're laying face down on the floor crying. But, even then, I still (usually) smile and laugh a little, but not while you are looking at me. I look forward to you waking up in the morning. You make me laugh. You make me smile. You are the perfect third born son. I love you to the moon and back.
The thing is, putting words on Levi is like picking up a raw egg off the floor. It's so slippery, it can't be done. I'm afraid that describing him with words just won't be enough. And weirdly enough, I'm afraid it will sound like I'm bragging, like "Look what my kid can do!"
So, look what my kid can do!
Levi, you are 2 years old or a better definition, No years old.
You have adjusted to Annika beautifully. You love to hold her (you say hol her?) and bring me diapers. You also love to climb into my lap while she nurses. Sometimes I read you a book, sometimes we just talk. Mostly me telling you that I love you. And you saying back "I yove you, Mom." Melt my heart sweet.
You can be super sweet. You give lots of really good hugs and kisses. You eagerly tell us you love us. You yell good night from your crib. When Drew leaves for work in the morning, you are often sitting in your chair at the table, and yell while he is opening the door "Yove you dad!"
Speaking of your chair at the table, you can buckle and unbuckle it. You started unbuckling yourself right after Annika was born. Unlucky for your mama who needs you to be safe and in one spot sometimes! Luckily, you haven't figured out your car seat buckles!
You talk! A lot! And repeat everything! You have been talking since right around a year, maybe earlier. You have amazed us with your talking. You know how or at least you used to say mine correctly but now you say mise. I have a hard time correcting that one because who wants their kid to say mine all the time? You say never all the time. It makes Kolby so mad. But when someone asks a question, usually to go somewhere or eat something you respond with "No. Never."
For a couple of months, you were crying when we put you to bed. It was just about 10 minutes but we couldn't figure out why you were crying. And then we went on vacation and you slept in the same room as Sage and Kolby and you didn't cry. When we got home, we moved your crib into the boys' room and you stopped crying! (This was a month or two before Annika was born.)
Then you started crying again. We would tell you to climb into your crib and watch as you tried so hard to get into bed. And then we'd laugh a little and lift you in. We soon realized that you were upset that you couldn't get into your bed like your brothers did. So, now we make sure to lower the crib rail, you climb in and no crying!
You count to nine. I'm not kidding and no I didn't teach you. We were driving home after dropping Kolby off at school and I hear your little, high pitched voice counting to nine. I couldn't believe it. I made you do it again and you couldn't. Then a week or so later, you did it again. You love to look at books and count things in the book. You also know some colors. Again, I didn't teach you. You know blue, green and red every time. Sometimes you get yellow and purple.
You point out every school bus and motorcycle you see. You used to point out every car or truck. So, when I was driving you would look out the window and say "Car, truck, truck, car, car, truck." On and on. And you were excited about everyone that you saw!
You can name a monkey, tiger, squirrel, giraffe, elephant, bird, snake, dog, and cat. You love to tell us what they say. I love to ask you what a monkey says because I love the way you say ooh, ooh, aah, aah.
You like to pretend that you are a dog. You crawl around and bark, which is more like a yap. If you were classified, you would be one of the annoying yip yap dogs! And you lick us when you are pretending to be a dog.
You have also been seen pretending to be a frog. Hopping around on all fours saying ribbit!
When you play with your trains and track, you yell "All aboard!"
You have been pretending for a long time, since around 15 months. You would feed us pretend food from pretend dishes.
You can name everyone in our family from a picture or when someone points to them. You call Kolby, Bolby. (Sage used to say Holby) You say Anka.
When asked:
What's you name? Yebi!
How old are you? BIG!
How old are you? One.
Who made you? God.
Where is God? Everywhere. (while spreading both of your arms out)
You love cheese sticks. You will literally eat as many as I let you. You eat whole grapes and have for a long time. I would cut them up and you wouldn't eat them because they didn't look like the ones on your brothers plate.
You chew gum. It rarely makes it to the garbage, you swallow it first!
You want to do everything your brothers do and generally, you keep up and do what they do!
You are either Kolby's best friend or worst enemy. You enjoy antagonizing him. If he yells yes, you yell no. If he yells no, you yell yes. It' s really fun in the van as you make Kolby cry just because you are yelling the opposite of whatever he is saying. (Totally sarcastic.)
As soon as you are sitting on the time out step, you yell "Sowwy mom, sowwy!" Sometimes, it gets you out early.
So many times a day, you say "Noise?" And then you answer yourself "Anka cwying?" Or you start guessing other people's names. Or if we're in the car, you say "Car honking?" And you look at me with a questioning look on your face and will continue to guess until I tell you the source of the noise.
Levi, you are complete sunshine, except when you're laying face down on the floor crying. But, even then, I still (usually) smile and laugh a little, but not while you are looking at me. I look forward to you waking up in the morning. You make me laugh. You make me smile. You are the perfect third born son. I love you to the moon and back.
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