Everything happens for a reason and I had a drama-filled day at work on Thursday that ended with me lying in bed SEETHING with anger all night! At 3am, I finally decided to just call off work on Friday. No way was I going to let this place ruin my birthday - my one day a year that it is, truly, "all about me."
This was the best decision I've made in a looooong time! I rested a lot and, since it was my birthday, Chris took the kids and didn't even complain about it. We met Owen up at school for some cafeteria food at lunch and then came home to possibly the best part of any day: the nap! The whole family got to sleep for at least an hour and I woke up feeling refreshed and didn't even think about work, really, for the rest of the day!
We dropped the kids off at church for the almost-free babysitting and then went to the most DELICIOUS dinner ever! A friend at work recommended this little diner in Lake Geneva that was NOTHING to look at, but oh, the food!!! AND it was the first time in forever we were able to eat a meal without telling anyone else to eat, sit still, stop talking about poop, etc. RELAXATION! Then, to top it all off, we were able to wander through Target for about an hour before we went to pick up the kids.
Coupled with the large volume of Happy Birthday phone calls I received on Friday, I really think this turned out to be one of the best birthdays I've had in about 5 or 6years. Thanks to the BEEEYOTCH's at work for making it all possible!!!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wobbly Walker
It's finally happening - William is starting to be interested in walking and taking a few faltering steps! I know from past experience that once they start trying to walk, they keep trying and trying until they get it so now that he is finally interested, I know it will only be a couple of weeks until there's no stopping him!
As much as I've wanted him to walk because he's getting soooo heavy, I will miss my little crawler I've had for so long. He's been crawling with his tummy off the floor since October, so almost 6 months! And before that, we had about 4 months of him doing his "combat crawl" like a little inchworm. Oh, how these baby days pass so quickly! But I am excited to see him wobbling toward me with excitement one day very soon when I get home from work. What a precious time in our lives to be witnessing these changes!
As much as I've wanted him to walk because he's getting soooo heavy, I will miss my little crawler I've had for so long. He's been crawling with his tummy off the floor since October, so almost 6 months! And before that, we had about 4 months of him doing his "combat crawl" like a little inchworm. Oh, how these baby days pass so quickly! But I am excited to see him wobbling toward me with excitement one day very soon when I get home from work. What a precious time in our lives to be witnessing these changes!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Upcoming "Celebration"
Well, my birthday is just a few days away now and Chris has made reservations for us as a restaurant in Lake Geneva that comes HIGHLY recommended. Childcare is taken care of so it's all set, right?
No way am I going to spend $100 just to say we went out to dinner on my birthday! I have had Chris cancel the reservation because I know that that $100 will cover groceries for the whole family for a week, not just one meal for the two of us! So instead we are going to have a quiet evening without the kids and watch a movie together. I mean, really, that's what it's all about anyway - spending time alone with Chris. I will say that I'll miss my boys, though, and we'll probably end up picking them up earlier than 9pm when the childcare ends. When it comes down to it, there is no better way to spend my birthday that with my precious little family!
No way am I going to spend $100 just to say we went out to dinner on my birthday! I have had Chris cancel the reservation because I know that that $100 will cover groceries for the whole family for a week, not just one meal for the two of us! So instead we are going to have a quiet evening without the kids and watch a movie together. I mean, really, that's what it's all about anyway - spending time alone with Chris. I will say that I'll miss my boys, though, and we'll probably end up picking them up earlier than 9pm when the childcare ends. When it comes down to it, there is no better way to spend my birthday that with my precious little family!
Monday, March 23, 2009
William's Competition
I volunteered at the church nursery last night while they had their annual Passover Seder dinner. This is an event my husband and I were able to enjoy last year thanks to the free childcare, so I thought it was only appropriate for me to volunteer my services this year so that another couple might be able to take part.
Of course I had to take the kids with me. Owen was sick, but Sammy and William were happy to spend a couple of hours in the playroom. Normally when I leave William in the nursery during church services, I don't even bother with a pager since he is so good and never cries. Well last night he sure did! There was a 2 year old girl in there who had evidently missed her nap and was a sobbing mess from the minute her grandma dropped her off. She was inconsolable but seemed to calm down only when sitting on my lap in the rocking chair with her blanket cuddled to her face.
Well once William spied this other baby on my lap, he threw a fit! He saw us from across the room where he had been playing happily and started BAWLING! Then the other volunteer had to pry this little girl off my lap, kicking and screaming, while I tended to my own baby. Of course this made me wonder how he's going to adjust to Baby #4's arrival in September. Truth be told, he doesn't even like it when Sammy or Owen sit on my lap but a new baby that is smaller and demands a lot more of my time? Well that might be enough to put him over the edge!
I hope he'll be past this stage in 6 months but if he's not, what the heck am I going to do? I already feel like he gets jipped on time with me because I work so much. Poor little guy!
Of course I had to take the kids with me. Owen was sick, but Sammy and William were happy to spend a couple of hours in the playroom. Normally when I leave William in the nursery during church services, I don't even bother with a pager since he is so good and never cries. Well last night he sure did! There was a 2 year old girl in there who had evidently missed her nap and was a sobbing mess from the minute her grandma dropped her off. She was inconsolable but seemed to calm down only when sitting on my lap in the rocking chair with her blanket cuddled to her face.
Well once William spied this other baby on my lap, he threw a fit! He saw us from across the room where he had been playing happily and started BAWLING! Then the other volunteer had to pry this little girl off my lap, kicking and screaming, while I tended to my own baby. Of course this made me wonder how he's going to adjust to Baby #4's arrival in September. Truth be told, he doesn't even like it when Sammy or Owen sit on my lap but a new baby that is smaller and demands a lot more of my time? Well that might be enough to put him over the edge!
I hope he'll be past this stage in 6 months but if he's not, what the heck am I going to do? I already feel like he gets jipped on time with me because I work so much. Poor little guy!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Happy Spring!
Wow, what a loooooong winter it's been for us in S.E. Wisconsin! It's been so very cold this winter, maybe not as snowy as years past, but definitely colder. The kids are itching to get outside to play, especially William. He SCREAMS if he sees the outside but then you deny him access to it. It's heartbreaking, really.
I am hoping he starts walking soon because it's not like I can let him out in the yard to just crawl around, especially when it's "mud season" out here. He did take a couple of steps last night which was exciting. Was he trying to get to Mommy or Daddy? Nope, he was making his way toward the cute baby he saw reflected in the fireplace glass. He knows what he wants!
Spring cleaning will be commencing soon and that means an exorcism of many, many toys. It's so hard to wade through the mess every morning just to get to the kitchen so we are going to be confining the few toys we keep upstairs to the kids' bedroom and no more in the living room. I am excited to see what Chris does today in the way of cleaning. Woo Hoo!
Just one week until my birthday and Chris still isn't sure what he wants to do. I'm so fortunate we have free babysitting at our church that night from 5:30pm-9pm. I guess that was God's way of saying "Happy Birthday" to me. It will be interesting to have a night out with just the two of us. I think the last time we were out together alone was in October for my friend, Erin's, wedding. Wow! We are WAY overdue!
Happy Spring to Everyone!
I am hoping he starts walking soon because it's not like I can let him out in the yard to just crawl around, especially when it's "mud season" out here. He did take a couple of steps last night which was exciting. Was he trying to get to Mommy or Daddy? Nope, he was making his way toward the cute baby he saw reflected in the fireplace glass. He knows what he wants!
Spring cleaning will be commencing soon and that means an exorcism of many, many toys. It's so hard to wade through the mess every morning just to get to the kitchen so we are going to be confining the few toys we keep upstairs to the kids' bedroom and no more in the living room. I am excited to see what Chris does today in the way of cleaning. Woo Hoo!
Just one week until my birthday and Chris still isn't sure what he wants to do. I'm so fortunate we have free babysitting at our church that night from 5:30pm-9pm. I guess that was God's way of saying "Happy Birthday" to me. It will be interesting to have a night out with just the two of us. I think the last time we were out together alone was in October for my friend, Erin's, wedding. Wow! We are WAY overdue!
Happy Spring to Everyone!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
SICK!
Well, poor Chris has been sick for the last two days. Last night he couldn't sleep at all due to a throbbing headache and was unable to take anything for that because his stomach is still so upset. I did the best I could to take care of the kids last night and this morning, getting Owen fed, dressed and off to the bus stop but I'm not sure how much that really helped. When I left he was laying on the couch and I suspect his best friend today will be the Wii. Hopefully he'll be able to at least keep William out of trouble! I have to work late, too, and most likely won't be home until after the kids are in bed.
It's amazing to think we will EVER get out of "the trenches," as I have affectionately termed this phase of our lives. When people tell me about "sending" their kids to take a shower or having the house to themselves while the kids are at a sleepover somewhere or even a child fixing his/her own meal, I drop my jaw! Will that ever really happen for us??? After 5 1/2 years of this life, I don't think I even remember anything else! People tell me it goes by so fast, but that's hard to believe when you're in the thick of things and there's no end in sight. With another baby on the way, too, I know we're in for a long haul!
It's amazing to think we will EVER get out of "the trenches," as I have affectionately termed this phase of our lives. When people tell me about "sending" their kids to take a shower or having the house to themselves while the kids are at a sleepover somewhere or even a child fixing his/her own meal, I drop my jaw! Will that ever really happen for us??? After 5 1/2 years of this life, I don't think I even remember anything else! People tell me it goes by so fast, but that's hard to believe when you're in the thick of things and there's no end in sight. With another baby on the way, too, I know we're in for a long haul!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Owen and Sammy
No real reason for this post, but I wanted to show off one of my favorite pictures of my two oldest boys. Aren't they hilarious? I probably take more pictures of them in the bathtub than anywhere because they are confined to one small space so there's not just a blur of action. Anyway, just wanted to share the cuteness. Enjoy!
The Art of the Deal
Oh, that Sammy. He's at it again. I should have known better than to introduce him to the concept of "making a deal." I guess I didn't realize it would come back to haunt me EVERY DAY because he manipulates every situation to his own benefit, a wonderful trait in a 4 year old.
He is OBSESSED with the Wii. It's ridiculous. Seriously, if he could play it for 8 hours a day every day, it would still not be enough. Chris is better at limiting his time with it now, but a few weeks ago I would come home from work and his eyes would be BLOODSHOT from focusing on the Star Wars game for hours on end.
Anyway, I thought I could use his love of the game to my advantage one night when he was BEGGING to play it. We are STILL having a problem with him wanting to sleep with us, so I told him I would let him play the Wii for an hour IF he promised he would sleep in his own bed the whole night. He quickly agreed and kept up his part of the bargain that night, much to my delight.
Since then, however, there have been deals thrown on the table every day. He tells me "I will do what you want me to do, if you let me play the Wii." WHAT??? "I will eat my dinner, if you let me play the Wii." "I will get dressed, but only if you let me play the Wii." "I will sleep in my own bed, but only if you let me play the Wii." I've created a MONSTER! He's using these against Chris, too. "I will let YOU play Wii Tennis if you let ME play Wii Star Wars first. I know how much you love Wii Tennis, Daddy." What a total scammer!
He is OBSESSED with the Wii. It's ridiculous. Seriously, if he could play it for 8 hours a day every day, it would still not be enough. Chris is better at limiting his time with it now, but a few weeks ago I would come home from work and his eyes would be BLOODSHOT from focusing on the Star Wars game for hours on end.
Anyway, I thought I could use his love of the game to my advantage one night when he was BEGGING to play it. We are STILL having a problem with him wanting to sleep with us, so I told him I would let him play the Wii for an hour IF he promised he would sleep in his own bed the whole night. He quickly agreed and kept up his part of the bargain that night, much to my delight.
Since then, however, there have been deals thrown on the table every day. He tells me "I will do what you want me to do, if you let me play the Wii." WHAT??? "I will eat my dinner, if you let me play the Wii." "I will get dressed, but only if you let me play the Wii." "I will sleep in my own bed, but only if you let me play the Wii." I've created a MONSTER! He's using these against Chris, too. "I will let YOU play Wii Tennis if you let ME play Wii Star Wars first. I know how much you love Wii Tennis, Daddy." What a total scammer!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Potty Mouths!
It's always hard to go back to work on Mondays after spending a great weekend with the boys. Especially with the semi-nice weather, we had a really good time together.
The only thing that was troubling, was the incessant talk about poop, butts and toots all weekend. All Owen has to do is say one of those words and Sammy HOWLS with laughter and vice versa. This weekend I had full realization of being surrounded by boys. Thankfully little William isn't into that stuff....yet....
We did get to invite our former neighbors over yesterday - they have FOUR girls! - and the kids all played together very nicely and then we had pizza for dinner. It was quite refreshing for me to have a little "pink" in the house after all the "blue" language!
The only thing that was troubling, was the incessant talk about poop, butts and toots all weekend. All Owen has to do is say one of those words and Sammy HOWLS with laughter and vice versa. This weekend I had full realization of being surrounded by boys. Thankfully little William isn't into that stuff....yet....
We did get to invite our former neighbors over yesterday - they have FOUR girls! - and the kids all played together very nicely and then we had pizza for dinner. It was quite refreshing for me to have a little "pink" in the house after all the "blue" language!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Apparently, the kids like the new car!
In the car last night on the way home from AWANA, we had this exchange:
Owen: “Ok, Mama. Can you try not to hurt this car because we really like this car.”
Me: “Yes, Owen. I will try.”
Owen: “Thank you, that will be very good.”
Owen: “Ok, Mama. Can you try not to hurt this car because we really like this car.”
Me: “Yes, Owen. I will try.”
Owen: “Thank you, that will be very good.”
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
My little "snowman"
Here's the first image we have of Baby #4, taken last week at my appointment with the midwife. I was so happy to see only one baby, I didn't really get a chance to examine it. I sent it to my mom and she asked if it was the "two circles that look like a snowman." Yup, that's it! These things are difficult to decipher, even at the standard 20+ weeks but this baby is only 12 weeks so even tougher.
I already love this little baby more every day and really can't wait to have a family of six stuffed into our little house.
Speaking of stuffed, I am going to have to break out the maternity clothes pretty soon! What a hassle to bring them all out of the basement, wash and iron them. I guess that will be a weekend project either this weekend or next weekend for me. I swear, by Monday I always have the weekend project all lined up for myself. Does it ever end???
Monday, March 9, 2009
Springing Forward
Wow, don't I wish this would have been the scene at 9pm last night...or 10pm...or even 11pm. Our little guy is not adjusting well to the time change so far, so it was PARTY TIME until after midnight! Poor mom!!!!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Heart Attack!
I had my first appointment with my midwife this morning. She is not the same one that delivered William at home; she delivers in the hospital where Chris works.
Anyway, she had a student with her (older lady) who is learning to be a midwife and the two of them went through my medical history and just basically got to know me and how I wanted everything to go. Finally, we got to the part I was looking forward to which was hearing the baby’s heartbeat. Especially after my recent car accident, I was really feeling like I needed to be reassured that everything was ok.
So I laid back on the table and bared my tummy so they could put the goop on and run the machine. The midwife immediately asked “How far along are you? You’re measuring REALLY big – have you measured big before?” She had a HUGE smile on her face and the student lady also got very excited when she felt how high up my uterus is. The midwife said “You do know what we’re thinking, don’t you?” I started sweating and freaking out right away! She ran the Doppler to hear the heartbeat but was unable to hear anything so she ran to the back to see if the ultrasound room was open. Thankfully it was...
It was a long walk back there, thinking about how on earth would we fit TWO more kids into our house! We would clearly have to adopt William out. (any takers?) She set me up for the ultrasound and found that there is, in fact, only one baby in there. WHEW! I swear, it was the most nervous/excited I have EVER been in my life! Anyway, that’s my heart attack for the day.
We got to see the baby kicking around and moving, so all is well. He/she is already looking really cute. We are so excited!
Oh, and we got a car last night. It’s a 2005 Honda Pilot and we LOVE it! It has seating for eight, so will fit all the kids even if we do end up having twins next time! (just kidding!)
Anyway, she had a student with her (older lady) who is learning to be a midwife and the two of them went through my medical history and just basically got to know me and how I wanted everything to go. Finally, we got to the part I was looking forward to which was hearing the baby’s heartbeat. Especially after my recent car accident, I was really feeling like I needed to be reassured that everything was ok.
So I laid back on the table and bared my tummy so they could put the goop on and run the machine. The midwife immediately asked “How far along are you? You’re measuring REALLY big – have you measured big before?” She had a HUGE smile on her face and the student lady also got very excited when she felt how high up my uterus is. The midwife said “You do know what we’re thinking, don’t you?” I started sweating and freaking out right away! She ran the Doppler to hear the heartbeat but was unable to hear anything so she ran to the back to see if the ultrasound room was open. Thankfully it was...
It was a long walk back there, thinking about how on earth would we fit TWO more kids into our house! We would clearly have to adopt William out. (any takers?) She set me up for the ultrasound and found that there is, in fact, only one baby in there. WHEW! I swear, it was the most nervous/excited I have EVER been in my life! Anyway, that’s my heart attack for the day.
We got to see the baby kicking around and moving, so all is well. He/she is already looking really cute. We are so excited!
Oh, and we got a car last night. It’s a 2005 Honda Pilot and we LOVE it! It has seating for eight, so will fit all the kids even if we do end up having twins next time! (just kidding!)
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