Wednesday, December 31, 2008

(not completely)Wordless Wednesday ~ Snow Play

She can walk...
Top of the man made hill...
At the bottom!

Helping dad make a snow fort.
making a snow man...
helping with the snowman.
jumping in the snow.
almost finished product.

and down she went and I of course, had to get a picture.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Pigtails!

Peanut finally has hair long enough for pigtails. I am totally digging the cuteness of her pigtails. However she likes to take them out for some reason so I only got a few pictures. Behold her cuteness! The pictures were taken a few days ago and Red kept trying to get in them....little stinker ;) Also in the last day or two she has started putting on head bands...my or GG...also too cute! The video is from today I finally got it on video!!! So does she sound like she is singing Happy Birthday?



I just realized that I should of gotten her saying YES on camera because it is hilarious. Next time I will. She says "yes" for everything you ask her and J has asked her if she wanted to be hog tied! Her response was yes.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

another update...

I just can't seem to keep up with this blog when the kids are home with me. I haven't even uploaded the pictures from Christmas and beyond onto the computer. Trust me there are some really cute ones! Yesterday was the last of the Christmas celebrations making it five total this year.

I mainly wanted to update because GG and Monkey got to go skiing today with J and my dad. They got semi private lessons for an hour to start the day off. Then Monkey went down the hill with my dad one time and my dad ended up falling on him. I'm glad he didn't get hurt from being landed on by a person who weighs about 200 pounds more then him. I was also told that GG almost fell off the chair lift. Her and J were going to the top of the hill and J sat down and she got caught on the chair and was being dragged by it until J noticed and pulled her to safety. I take it the above happened in a matter of seconds. All in all the kids had a great time and I believe they didn't fall too much to deter them from wanting to go back. While they were gone the little kids and I went to church and then my step mom came over and we watched Mama Mia and hung out until it was time to meet them for dinner at Panera!!! Yum YUM :)

Friday, December 26, 2008

What we've been up too!

Well I will say that I did get to clean and purge the rooms and the boys got a new bunk bed and so now we have 4 beds for the kids!!! Exciting, I know ;) Christmas Eve we went to my mom's to celebrate and then we went to the church I went to youth group in and were J and I got married for the Christmas Eve service. Then we came home and the kids to go open one present before they went to bed. Guess what they were??? New Pajamas!!! It was really cute because after they opened them we told them to go get in bed. Monkey said, "But mom you need to wash them first." I looked at him and said, "I already did!" He got the biggest smile on his face he got Spider man pj's. Then Red was cracking me up because he got Incredible Hulk and he kept calling him Incredible Honk.

Christmas morning the kids stayed in their rooms and read books. Ha! Now they are going to listen to me and read books until we get up...silly kids. J got up before me and got the kids out of bed. I came out a few minutes later and suggested that we let the three open their stockings and Peanut could do hers when she woke up. I was told no. We let her sleep another 20 minutes and the kids were going bonkers. I finally went in and woke her up about an hour and a half earlier than she would of gotten up. Oh well. She did a great job opening her presents without assistance. I was very happy about that. The kids all loved their gifts, just like I knew they would! Then I opened all my gifts and I loved them all too. After I finished with the last gift I was sad. The only thing I had asked for was a heated blanket for our bed because my feet are always cold at night and I can't fall asleep with them cold. I didn't open any heated blankets. Then J jumps up and grabs another present that was hidden. When I opened it it was a HEATED BLANKET. I was so excited. J laughed while opening the presents from me. I mostly gave him money for his new guitar. I thought of different ways to disguise the money! I thought I did pretty good but by the four present he was on to me.

Today GG and I did a major shopping trip. We needed many things from the store I believe we only had 2 rolls of toilet paper left. And of course groceries. We were gone for 2 hours, I couldn't believe it. After the kids naps we got them all bundled up and took them outside for some snow play. Peanut was too stinkin cute in her snow suit. She could barely walk but she could do it. We had a snowball fight, made snowmen, built snow forts and went sledding down a daddy made hill. Great fun. Then we decided to take the kids to Gino's East for pizza. We have been talking about taking them there for at least 2 years now it just felt like the right time to go! Now it is bedtime for the kidlets. They have been up way too late the past few nights and I can tell by their attitutes/behavior/demeanor that they are tired. J and I are going to play the Mario Kart for the Wii...

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

What was I thinking...

We are now on day two of the room swap. I cleaned and purged all their books, toys and clothes yesterday and put all the stuff in the living room. We have 4 garage bags to donate and we threw another bag full away of broken stuff and unusable stuff. Today we began the moving of furniture. The girls new room is almost done. I just need to get J to make book shelves in the closet for their books so we can get rid of the bookcase we have been using. Another thing I hope to convince him of tonight is to just get the girls bunk beds now. When Peanut turns two she will be moving out of our room so it is only 9 months away. Then we don't have to take down the bed in the room now to move them we can just put the new bunk beds up in the boys room. I know J doesn't want to spend the money now though. I'll use my Christmas money for now and then reimburse myself later :) Can you tell I want the bunk beds now? Well both the little kids are sleeping in my room now...I was on the internet until they fell asleep. Must get back to the room swap!!!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Christmas #2 done...

We just got done celebrating the 2nd family Christmas with J's family. Yesterday we celebrated with my dad. We get two days of a break and then we go to my mom's and then it is the actual day of Christmas. I'm tired to say the least but also having so much fun. My goal for this break is to get the boys and girls' rooms switched so that the girls get the bigger room and Peanut will actually be able to play with the big girl toys like the kitchen and baby stuff that GG has in her room but since it is so small it is always a mess and little pieces everywhere. I want to get them switched and organized so that I am at peace with the rooms and all the kids are happy! I would just love to buy a bigger house but that isn't going to happen anytime soon unfortunately so we are trying to make due with what we have been blessed with.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Snow Day

What was to be the kids last day of school turned out to be a snow day. So they will get to have their Christmas parties and program (pre-school) in January when they return. That should be fun! It was a little interesting this morning with all 4 kids home because I needed to make so many cookies and brownies for various events and gathering over the next few days. They did really well playing together and keeping Peanut occupied so I could cruise on the baking. I got everything done by lunch time. I made 6 dozen chocolate chip cookies, 5 dozen snicker doodles and a double batch of butterscotch brownies! I only ate one cookie too. I left the cookies for our families consumption on the table with no lid on it and the next thing I knew Peanut had it on it's side and had two cookies, one in each hand! I was being nice and let her have one of them but I ended up eating the other since she took a bite out of both of them I couldn't put it back in the container. When she saw me coming she tried to run from me with both cookies and ended up braking them each in half. I have been trying to get her singing on video because I swear she is singing the Happy Birthday song. When I get it you'll have to let me know if I am crazy or if she really is singing that!

Tonight J told the kids he was going to take them sledding so we'll see if that happens. He said to me that he wanted to clean the house since we won't be home tomorrow and Sunday we are having company over. I am thinking that I will stay home with Peanut and clean and he can take the other three? We'll see. I would like to go and take Peanut for the first time. She has a really cute purple snowsuit though she can't stand in it! And I'm so excited because right now my nephew and bil and sil are on there way here. They have to drive 15 hours to get here but they'll be in town by tomorrow and my older brother and his family are coming in tonight. I will get to see them tomorrow for the whole day! I just wish they lived closer. Maybe one day. If I'm not on here much it is because I am enjoying the company of family.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

The Love of my Life!

***Warning this may be mushy, not really sure where I'm going with this yet***
Today marks 9 years of marriage for J and I. This will be our last year in the single digits so exciting. I've always felt if you can make it to the double digits you are on the right path! Over these past 9 years we have gone through many good times (the births of our children to name a few) and many hard times (loss of baby and other junk). We (I) are currently struggling through my health issues, J has been my rock. When I'm hurting he just takes over doing what needs to get done without complaint. I know he wants me back completely healthy and we are working on getting to the problem but it is just taking SO long and I'm getting frustrated, it's been a year now. I've learned to cope with the pain but I don't want to just get by, you know. I can honestly say he is not the same person I married 9 years ago he is a better, stronger, wiser version of him! God truly blessed me the day I got married to J he knew we were the right person for each other. But like I said earlier we've had our downs and they were really down but the ups have far outweighed those bad times. I look forward to many more fun and exciting years ahead with this man, Lord willing!

Oh yeah we went out to lunch yesterday to celebrate and we got a joint gift of a new video recorder. The one we had was 8 years old...we bought it right before our first was born!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

today is Tuesday right?

I don't believe I mentioned this but yesterday I moved all the Christmas presents in our room to make some room for the crib mattress to go in the corner so that Peanut will have a bed of her own to sleep in. She has been waking up for 2 to 3 hours a night for the last 2 weeks and we are both exhausted. Well last night she started out in her little bed until about 1am. Then she woke up and instead of walking to our bed she started walking through the house crying. I got up and got her to bring her to our bed. I quick nursed her (I know I was backsliding) and then handed her over to J's side of the bed. She quickly went to sleep and slept the rest of the night!

This morning after taking the two older kids to school Red, Peanut and I went to our friends house to play. Her oldest turned 4 at the end of October so he is about 7 months older than Red but they usually play pretty well...except for today. They had this love/hate relationship they basically hated each other the whole time we were there until I said it was time to go. Then they clung to each other for dear life. BOYS. We were the first to leave because we needed to get to Peanut's doctor's appointment.

At her doctor's appointment Red was a holy terror...I thought about making the appointment for when he was in school but that would be in January and I wanted to get it done so I went today. Since she was a new patient I had so many papers to fill out and Red was climbing on the wheelchairs and playing with the drinking water and bringing Peanut down with him. So annoyed. I even told him at the beginning when we got there if he could be a good boy I would take him out to eat for lunch. Well that didn't happen. Ok back to her appointment. The doctor checked her motion in her hips and he said that looked good. She showed him how she walks and then he had her get an xray. That pretty much freaked her out. They had me take her diaper off and lay her on this cold metal bed and then hold her chest and legs down. The xray showed that everything looked good. The doctor wants to see her in 2 months just to make sure everything is the same or better. That is so good to know that there isn't anything majorly wrong with her hips.

As for me I have decided that I need to start working out. I am so active in the summer and I feel good during those months and then it gets cold and I shut down most phyiscal activity. I did a 20 minute work out today and will probably be really sore tomorrow but tomorrow I'm going to do 30 minutes. We'll see if this helps me. Just wanted to document when I started this journey.

Well going to go serve dinner that just got done and then it is family movie night with Babes in Toyland! Oh yeah couch snuggle time :)

Monday, December 15, 2008

Sunday and Today

I was able to go to church, though we had to be there super early, for the kids to have their last Ark show. I must say that they kids did a great job. They really enjoy performing and I really love hearing how well they did. I had so many people compliment me on GG's singing voice and just how sweet she sounds. Monkey didn't have a solo this time but maybe next semester he will get one too! But I did have a mother tell me how well behaved Monkey was during all their practices, she was a helper so she was there. That was nice to hear as well.

Today Peanut and I only had to make one run to the store because we went grocery shopping yesterday as a family. I figured that since she is feeling well I should take her in for her 1st year appointment...only 3 months late not too bad! Once she started walking I noticed that she pushes her left hip out when she walks. I asked the doctor about it since they told me to be aware of her hips because of her being breech. She now has an appointment tomorrow with a specialist to see if there is something wrong with her hip. I think she will have to get an xray done but other than that I'm not sure what else to expect. I really hope they tell us she will out grow it or that it can be fixed with physical therapy. I will try and update you tomorrow.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Christmas Party

Today J had his department Christmas party. We got there and ate lunch and then they started the entertainment of this guy on different size and types of bikes. This was the smallest bike he rode and it was tiny.
He called up a bunch of volunteers and this time he called GG for help! She was pretty excited. He has her hold a red ball and he had the other one and when she opened her hand she was holding both the red balls.
Then he called Monkey up. He showed everyone how he could put a whole in his shirt and then fix it. Monkey was hilarious when he sat back down he was checking out his shirt, like how did he do that!
Then Santa came out and called each kid up one by one with a present for them. As you can see Peanut was then the excited to be near that strange man. But she did real well opening up her present!
This little girl is a goof...she says you brought that present because it is the same wrapping paper we have at home. I couldn't believe she remembered that. Stinker!

Of course after he got his present he said the exact same thing...not sure if he heard his sister or he picked up on it on his own.
This one practically attacked Santa when he called his name. It was really cute.
Here is my crew with the big jolly guy. Peanut still isn't liking the thought of being near him even with big sister with her.

This is the whole group of kids at the party today.
So the two older kids were already suspicious about Santa and then at dinner J asks the kids how they liked their presents from Santa and then proceeds to tell GG that there was a darker pink colored shirt but it wasn't the right size for her. I looked at him and said, "What are you doing?" He gave me this look like "oops" and I laughed. GG says, "See you bought us those presents." J tried to cover it by saying that Santa came to the department to buy them for the kids. It was just too funny. Those are the only presents my kids get from Santa because he doesn't stop at our house.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

So much better!

I woke up this morning feeling like I could eat! What a wonderful feeling. I did have J take the kids to school when he went to work which meant they had to go to morning care for about 20 minutes. I felt bad doing that but I knew I needed to get that extra hour of sleep and it sure did helped. I have to brag on my kids. When Monkey came home from school yesterday he said, "Mommy we prayed for you at school today and I'm going to ask if they can pray for you tonight at church." What a sweet little boy, he truly hurts for the hurting. I also learned from reading my hubby's blog that last night when they were walking out to the van J slipped and fell holding Peanut. Being the good dad he is he maneuvered his body so that she was safe. Though he got hurt pretty bad and is going to his doctor tomorrow, he twisted his knee and landed on his elbow. He never goes to the doctor. As soon as he went down GG yelled for help, he said no one heard her but he did and that speaks volumes to him and me. And all the kids rallied around him to help him up and with Peanut. I love my kids so much and I am so blessed that God placed them in my care. I love seeing them give each other hugs and kisses just because and winking at each other which in our family means I love you. The sweetness that comes from them far outweigh the days they can be annoying a handful.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Bogus

That is what today was...I woke up at 4am with the worst stomach ache and when I went to the bathroom I knew I was in for a rough day. Without too much info let's just say I wasn't able to keep anything in me all day, it came out one way or the other. I will say though that Peanut did an awesome job having a sick mommy take care of her. She slept from 9:30am to 11:30am and then again from 2:45pm to 4pm when everyone came home. In between naps she cuddle with me on the couch. She also went poop in the potty again today. This evening J took all 4 kids to church and I stayed home and tried to sleep but my tummy was hurting so much I wasn't able to actually fall asleep. I really hope I can sleep tonight. I felt so sad about missing Monkey and GG's first Ark performance at church but I am getting a copy and I will hopefully get to see it live on Sunday morning. Well my hubs and kids are home with some Sprite for me. Later...

Wordless Wednesday ~ Shades




She was having so fun with big sister's sunglasses!

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Seriously

I don't understand my baby girl! Since I put that picture of her on the potty pooping she has gone maybe 10 more times in the potty. I'm totally not starting to potty train her it is just a matter of me catching her poop face...you know the one your kid makes as they are trying to push it out! Well this morning she got up too late for me to change her out of her pj's before I had to take the kids to school. Which was fine because I was going to give her a shower with me when we got home. Well we got home and I took her diaper off, the one she wore all night, and it was completely dry. I was shocked because she had been up for an hour by this time. Literally, two seconds after the diaper was off of her she started peeing on the bathroom floor. I called her name and she stopped. I put her in the tub so I could clean it up. She finished peeing in the tub. Fast forward to this afternoon right before the kids need to be picked up she needed to poop. Well she didn't make the potty this time but as I laid her on the ground she peed all over the floor AGAIN. Twice in one day is way too much for me. She isn't even 15 months old. Though I will say she knows when she is peeing because each time today she looked down at what she was doing and then she stopped when I called her name. Is she ready? I think the better question is am I ready? Oh it would be so nice to be done with diapers....

Monday, December 08, 2008

Things that make me day...

Last night on the way home from church J wanted to the kids to be quite. So he told them the one who was the quietest the longest would get to be the last one in bed. Well Red being 3 years old only lasted about 3 minutes of the 20 minute drive home. It was quit funny listening to his commentary. He says things like, "Oh Peanut is the first one out, she loses." "You talked mom your out." To which I replied, "Red you've been talking the most and you are completely out of the game now." He wasn't very happy with that fact. So he says, "Ok ready, set, go! Now be quite." Thinking he is starting the game all over again since he lost the first one. Then starts all the comments again about who is out. It was just too stinkin funny...J and I had to cover our giggles!

In other random news I filled my van up with gas for 26 bucks! It was 1.64 I was so excited as this is completely obvious. If I would of gotten a car wash it would of been 1.29 a gallon. I almost got the van washed :)

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Update

First that isn't our Christmas card picture in the post below! I have so many things in my head I want to get blogged so bare with me! Yesterday we had a funeral for J's Aunt Judy and it was an all day event with Awana clubs at church putting us home at 9pm last night. Tonight J and I are going to our church Christmas Banquet we get to get all dressed up and hang out with church friends very excited about it.

Today Red and I, with Peanuts very little help we made cookies for our cookie exchange tomorrow morning. Red was so excited to help and he did a really good job if I do say so myself. I only got pictures of the kids cooking as I was taking the pictures and no one was home to take one of all three of us!

He is wanting to eat the carmel chips...
Peanut just glad to be on a step stool! Look at that cheese of a smile :)

Well I didn't get this posted yesterday and it still isn't completely done but I don't care. I did get a few pictures of J and I before we left for the banquet. Have a great weekend! I will be busy yet again. We have a birthday party Saturday and we're going out that night bowling with church friends!

Monkey took this last picture and I think he did a good job!

This morning Peanut and I went to church and I had my last Bible study for this year...we had a huge breakfast and did the cookies exchange. I now have so many cookies!

Monday, December 01, 2008

Back into the swing of things...

Poor J got out of bed way earlier than normal so he could go shovel the driveway and sidewalks. I really don't feel that bad for him he LOVES the winter weather the best. I just feel bad because Peanut didn't sleep well last night so neither one of us slept well last night but I got to sleep a little longer since I didn't have to shovel. I so did not want to leave the house to take the kids to school and then run the many errands Monday mornings usually bring. But I can happily say that our cupboards are loaded for the week and I don't have any more errands to run for the rest of the week. Which is good because the only other day that I do stuff is Wednesday and we are going to be busy with family (a funeral) that whole day and that evening is Awana Clubs at church. Peanut is sleeping and I am trying to decide if I should join her, clean, or read my Bible. I think I will read and then go join her...cleaning can wait! What a boring post...sorry...too tired to be funny or witty ;)

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thankful for...

Oh where or where do I start? I am thankful that everyone is feeling better after having the stomach bug earlier in the week. I am thankful that GG and I never got it...over the last year I have tended to get every little stinkin' sickness the kids got but not this time! I got to take care of the 4 pukers and YES I am thankful for that. I am thankful for a God who loves me and takes care of every little detail in my life! I am thankful for a wonderful loving husband that works so hard to provide for our family so that I can stay home and be mommy and homemaker. I am thankful for 4 beautiful healthy babies that once again God blessed us with, He knew they should be in our family ;) I am thankful for extended family, church family and friends. I could go on and on and that I am thankful for as well. I hope everyone has a blessed, safe, and wonderful Thanksgiving.

Monday, November 24, 2008

A Day of Friends!

This morning we got up and I made a quick call to one of Monkey's friends and we were on our way to pick him up and meet GG and Red's friends at an indoor play place. There is also a baby girl in their family that Peanut was playing near but not really with! I forgot to bring my camera but the kids had great fun together. The 4 older kids included the two 3 year olds in their play which was so nice. Naturally when the place closed at noon none of the kids wanted to leave each other. We took Monkey's friend home and came home and ate lunch. Then the two little ones took naps. GG and Monkey did a great job staying quiet so that they could sleep.

After dinner GG and I jumped into the car for mom/daughter playdate with her friend Crafty and my friend Kristin. I was totally going to bring my camera but as we were half way there I realized I forgot it. Kristin to the rescue she brought hers :) We didn't tell the girls were we were taking them all they knew was that they got to see each other. On the way GG kept trying to get me to tell her what we were doing and where we were going. I did end up telling her the name of the place so she could help me find it. It is called Color Me Mine and she said, "Color Me Mine? What kind of place is that? That is a funny name." It was really funny the inflection she had in her voice too! As soon as we pulled into the parking lot and she could see in the store she squealed, "Oh I love this kind of a store!" I just went to see if I could pull some pictures from her site and she has updated yet so I will post them when I get them. I want to leave you with this funny video of Red that we took on Sunday. I feel like I must mention before this video was taken Monkey ate a war head and Red saw his reaction to the sourness of it and he still wanted to try it! My sister in law took the video and when he runs out he is running to me and his dad...

Friday, November 21, 2008

She might not appreciate this later in life...

Thursday night GG had her cheerleading performance at the basketball games. Don't worry I got pictures and video! But first I wanted to tell you a funny little story that happened during the game. My friend M came to watch GG perform her routine, she used to be a cheerleader in highschool. While the game was going on my friend had to use the bathroom so I told her how to get there. She came back laughing. Then proceeded to tell me that when she went into the bathroom there were two little girls going to the bathroom with a stall empty between them. The girls were talking while using the potty and talking about a book they had read as if it was a soap opera. She also said that they were passing gas and not even skipping a beat in their conversation. Then she said one of them asked the other one if they knew who came into the bathroom. They responded "no". So one of them decided to say Hi to the person and said, "Hi person who is in the bathroom." She said, "Hi" back to them. And they said, "Oh your not a little person you are a big person." As she had finished telling me this story GG came walking into the gym with another little girl. I asked her, just by chance, if she had just gone to the bathroom. She smiled weird at me, like how did you know? And said, "Yes." I thought that was just too funny and it totally sounded like something she would do while going to the potty! So here are a few pictures I took and then a video of her dancing and cheering!

some friends...
The cheerleaders that thought her!
The girls posing for the camera :)

She is in the middle, back row...

Hope you enjoyed watching my little cheerleader! She sure enjoyed herself.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Heart attack...

That is what Monkey almost gave me yesterday. GG has cheerleading this whole week so she hasn't been going him to our meeting spot. Monday and Tuesday he went with a boy from his class because they walk together those two days. Well yesterday was the first day that he needed to get there by myself. I pick up Red from school and take the two little kids out to the van and get them strapped in and by that time the kids are usually coming out the door. I looked up and no Monkey I get into the van and wait 5 more minutes thinking that maybe he was taking his time since no one was with him. It is now 3:55 and school got out 20 minutes ago. I drive around to the other side of the school so I can find GG and ask her where he is. She didn't see him after school because she went right down to cheerleading practice. Panic kids in...where is my boy? I go to the office and they call all the different places he could possibly be and he is not at any of them. I leave the two youngest with a high school girl who is friends with my sister in law and has babysat for us before. I start running through the school looking for him and stop to catch my breath and yell his name hoping he will answer me. This school the kids go to is HUGE. It was the towns old High School building. They have 3 gyms! It's big. I went up to his classroom and the hall was empty of kids and there was one teacher. The pit in my stomach moved to my throat. I asked the teacher if she had seen my boy and his teacher heard me asking and came out and told me that they sent him to after care. I just came from there and he wasn't in it. Now there are many ways to get there so maybe we missed each other. On my way back to the after care another teacher sees me and tells me they took him to the office. 40 minutes after school gets out I finally have all my kids. That was the worst feeling in the world. I asked him where he was suppose to be and told him "Don't you know that you are my favorite Monkey and I don't want to lose you." He was pretty upset that I was so scared. Today he better be where he is suppose to or he will not see tomorrow ;)

After that whole episode I got a call from J telling me he wouldn't be coming to church with us. It was Dad's Night at Sparkies. I made a few calls and grandpa A to the rescue! J wasn't home when I went to bed at 10:30 so I'm not even sure what time he got home. Needless to say it was quite a day. I'm ready to start this new one ;)

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Wordless Wednesday ~ Oldies but Goodies

Here are my kids around the same age! Can you guess who is who???
#1
#2
#3

#4

Monday, November 17, 2008

Is she your first?

On the days I only have Peanut because the kids in school are the days I do my shopping and running around. Peanut is such a smiley and outgoing little girl, always waves and says Hi to people! Naturally, people stop to oh and ah over her. I couldn't tell you how many people ask me if she is my first. We just got back from Walmart and she was being cute with the check out lady and she asks me, "Is she your first?" This time I said, "No, she is number 4." I normally don't say that because in the past I got responses like, "YOU have 4 kids? You look too young to have that many." or my favorite "Really? You are just a baby yourself." Yeah cause that is what every mom wants to hear :) So I just stop saying she is my fourth and leave it at no she isn't my first. I was surprised that the lady today didn't say anything along those lines but that her having older siblings must be the reason she was so happy and outgoing. I really didn't have the heart to tell her my oldest was the same way 'cause that would of messed up her logic and I'm nice like that ;)

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Co-sleeping

We started the co-sleeping with our first when she was about 3 weeks old and she stayed in our bed until she was ready to leave and has been a great sleeper. We have co-sleep with each child after her and it has been wonderful. The boys each left our room when they were ready for their own bed and have also been good sleepers. Now I mentioned before that Peanut has been waking up every 2 to 3 hours at night to nurse. J and I decided it was time to nighttime wean her. We moved the bed rail to J's side of the bed and have for the last two nights put Peanut on his side. The first night she woke up about an hour after I had gone to sleep and she was crying as J held her because she wanted me and she wanted to nurse. I was so tired I could feel myself about to give in and tell him to just give her to me so I could nurse her, so I got up and slept on the couch. He got her back to sleep within 5 minutes and I didn't hear her cry the rest of the night. Though J told me the next day she woke up throughout the night. I slept :) Last night I nursed her to sleep and placed her on J's side. I didn't hear her wake up at all! Once again J said that she woke up a few times. She didn't cry or anything and he was able to get her back to sleep peacefully. Once she gets the sleeping through the night down we will put her back in the middle or on my side so I can cuddle her! I really love having my kids in my bed where they feel safe and secure until they are ready to be in their own rooms. I will say even though Peanut didn't wake me up last night Monkey had a bad dream and was calling for me from his bed. I got up and went into his room to find out what was wrong. He told me he had a bad dream and I reassured him he was safe and asked if he wanted to come to our bed. He said, "No." He just wanted to know he was safe normally he would of come into our room instead of crying but the dream really scared him and he was too scared to get out of bed. I hate those types of dreams. I can't even remember the last time one of the kids had a bad dream like that.

Peanut walking update: She has gotten really good at walking and is trying to run now which is just too funny. She will get going and then fall and instead of getting back up she'll just start crawling. I will say her favorite mode of transportation is walking now. So glad as she is close to 22 pounds!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

International Babywearing Week!

Steph at Adventures in Babywearing is hosting a fun contest with a sling from Nonny & Boo as the giveaway! I love me some slings :) She is asking us to show, tell or give tips about babywearing. Click on her name to go to the page to enter and read the rules! So here are some pictures of some babywearing going on it our family :)



Just like mama carrying baby!

The most recent picture of my babywearing Peanut. She is so snuggly!

This is my watersling that I love and though I really don't like this picture it is the best one of my carrying her in it.

As for tips if you are struggling with getting the baby in the sling or getting comfortable ask someone who uses one or contact your local La Leche League, they are so helpful. Also do research on the different kinds (there are so many) and ask around! Now I hope I win a sling...

Wordless Wednesday ~ Caught




Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Much better!

Today was much better. Got the kids to school in plenty of time I was actually able to walk in with them so I could talk to Monkey and GG's teachers. The kids are doing really well in school. Though before I left the building GG was having some girl drama and I just don't know how to handle her sometimes. She gets upset about some of the smallest things but they are HUGE to her. I don't want her what she feels is wrong but I want her to see the big picture. So hard. Anyways, we had playgroup at our house today which was nice. Then the little kids and I met a friend who is in town from Hawaii, yeah I know what is she doing here in the cold! Also my friend Kristin and her kids came and J took a half day and met us there as well. It was a lot of fun and they got so many new games and rides but they also took some of our favorites away. Oh well. Got the kids from school and the rest of the day has been pretty normal...homework, dinner, showers/baths, family devotions, and to bed. Oh yeah and Peanut is still waking up so much in the night time. She sits up and hits my chest and says, "mo" for more. No more kid, all gone! I really need to wean her from the nighttime nursing. I'm tired and she is almost 14 months time to give it up! During the day I'm all yours but I want my sleep ;)

Monday, November 10, 2008

Can we start today OVER?

You know when you wake up in the morning after very little sleep and within the first hour you can tell whether you day is going to be good or bad? Well today it was very clear that today was not shaping up to be a good one. The kids were noting getting ready this morning and I had to keep repeating the things that needed to get done. Now I wish I would of kept my mouth shut and just taken them to school they were they were. Next time, hopefully I will remember that. Yesterday I started a list of things needed at the grocery store. I had planned my meals for this week and started a walmart list as well. This week is different because we are hosting playgroup at our house which means extra food for that and also I'm making a meal for a family who just had a baby also extra food needed for that. This morning as I was getting ready I remembered a few things that needed to be added and I added them. But when it was time to leave for school I couldn't find the list ANYWHERE. I wanted to scream. We were already running late as it was because they kids weren't getting ready. I got them to school 2 minutes before the bell rang and told them they must run to class FAST. I came home to look for my list AGAIN in depth this time looking for about 20 minutes. I needed to get going otherwise Peanut's nap was going to royaly be messed up. I quickly jotted down things that were a must get and I went. I am now home from shopping with all the cold stuff put away and Peanut sleeping. I need to clean and cut all the fruit and start the prep work for dinner tonight. The last store I went into this morning after the lady rang everything up I started walking away without paying. It just added to my day but that part was funny! I'm hoping the rest of my day will be relaxing and Peanut will take a 3 hour nap like she has been the last few days and I can get tons done! Did I mention the list still hasn't shown up? I think one of the kids took it, but who knows!

Sunday, November 09, 2008

Been thinking...

Peanut has been teething lately and so she has had a hard time sleeping at night. Which being awake in the wee hours of the morning has given me time to think. (I'm not talking deep thoughts!) GG has lost her two front top teeth, can you tell where I'm going with this? Well I was thinking that this will be the only time that I can say both of my girls who are 6 1/2 years apart are teething at the same time! I will say I much prefer the 7 year old teething to the 14 month old :) Also Peanut has 4 teeth and GG has lost 4 teeth. My girls, I love them so much and they are just so fun and I have too much time at night to be thinking about these things!

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Want to SCREAM!

Do you remember me talking about the collection agency that has been calling us? Well things came to a head today with them. The guy I talked to today was a complete JERK and refused to send me documentation of the so called outstanding bill we owe. A bit shady if you ask me. I had told him on the phone that we have start consulting with a lawyer to which he says, "Fine then by the end of this week you will have a credit mark on your credit report." The JERK tried to intimidate me. Last Friday I had gotten a called from the collection agency and after I got off the phone called the hospital who said they don't show any delinquency on my account but to call the Radiologist department to which they gave me the number. I call them and same thing. No outstanding balance on either account. Making everything seem even more shady. I have to give great props to my hubby for standing up for me today. I called him after I got off the phone with said JERK and he immediately called them and talked to his supervisor and then wrote a letter to her about the whole situation. Oh yeah, and his callings with different people today he was told that the Radiologist department had called the agency and resolved my account. Hmmm? Interesting. Now we are armed with tons more information so we'll see where this leads.

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Peanut's Birthday pictures...finally :)

Here she I am opening her presents!
She likes baby dolls...
See she helped!
Love her expression here!

Cake time!
She picked the cake up and down it went!

I know these are a little late but I have nothing else I want to talk about so here are the pictures! Enjoy :)