I've continued the list I started earlier:
1) It's just going by so fast! (you have no idea how relieved I am that it is for one of us)
2) Cankles are sexy.
3) You kind of remind me of a weeble. (you know...I wobble but I don't fall down)
4) You don't look like you are going to make it to August!
5) Oh, you have to go thru the hot summer months. (If I had a nickel for every time I've heard this one...)
6) Now, are we sure it's not twins?!
7) You must be carrying a girl...you've got bags under your eyes.
8) I just knew it was a girl...you're carrying all over.
9) Do you really think you should be eating that?
10) My best friends sisters co-workers second cousin is due when you are and she is barely even showing.
Smile and nod.
Smile and nod.
Smile and nod.
Any others you'd like to add to the list?
Or any clever replies that I could give? (Briana...don't fail me now)
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
The Great Room Rearrangement and Toy Purge of 2011
Without further ado...
The kids room - BEFORE
The kids room - AFTER (now the office/Zoe's room)
Technically, Zoe gets a closet. And we are going the whole pack-n-play route instead of a crib this time around too, because I couldn't fit a crib in the closet. Poor poor 4th child syndrome. (Although, if we are going to get technical about it...her closet is the same size as a bedroom in NYC or Tokyo, right?!)
The old downstairs office - The BEFORE before picture.
What it looked like when we 1st moved in, cinder block walls, baseboard units and all:
The old office - AFTER (Now the boys room)
Please notice the lack of toys...only books and 1 basket of cars now reside in their room. They are just as content and keeping their room clean is SOOOO much easier. Also please notice Eli's beloved pillow pet residing on his bed. I banished it to the bed after hearing too much "pillow pet talk." And the photographer in me hates these photos and the lighting...but, alas...I was not wasting any more time waiting for better lighting. The wall color is much more orange/brown...not the puke color that the photo reflects.
The basement playroom - BEFORE
The basement playroom - AFTER
Again, the photo is terrible. But, it does show you all the open space we have available now for the massive sword fights/forts/obstacle courses/wrestling matches that go on these days in the hambrick household. And don't make fun of my hideous orange/plaid $4 yard sale chair. I love it and that is all that matters.
The During Photo's
Just because it was such a big undertaking that I had to include some. You know you are jealous that you didn't get to be a part of the fun. We went through every single closet and toy bin and purged about 60% of our toys and ALL of the boys old clothes. How in the world did we accumulate so much stuff? I'm not even a stuff kind of person.
And finally, a few ending notes. We are keeping a monitor in the boys room in the effort to catch any of their mischievous ways. It's not always so successful. Ella had a big girl room made up for her several months ago, which didn't get much use as she "missed her brothers" too much and just continued to sleep with them. Now she is actually sleeping in her own room because it is right across the hall from her brothers and as long as her door is open to hear them she is a happy camper.
Ta Da.
The kids room - BEFORE
The kids room - AFTER (now the office/Zoe's room)
Technically, Zoe gets a closet. And we are going the whole pack-n-play route instead of a crib this time around too, because I couldn't fit a crib in the closet. Poor poor 4th child syndrome. (Although, if we are going to get technical about it...her closet is the same size as a bedroom in NYC or Tokyo, right?!)
The old downstairs office - The BEFORE before picture.
What it looked like when we 1st moved in, cinder block walls, baseboard units and all:
The old office - AFTER (Now the boys room)
Please notice the lack of toys...only books and 1 basket of cars now reside in their room. They are just as content and keeping their room clean is SOOOO much easier. Also please notice Eli's beloved pillow pet residing on his bed. I banished it to the bed after hearing too much "pillow pet talk." And the photographer in me hates these photos and the lighting...but, alas...I was not wasting any more time waiting for better lighting. The wall color is much more orange/brown...not the puke color that the photo reflects.
The basement playroom - BEFORE
The basement playroom - AFTER
Again, the photo is terrible. But, it does show you all the open space we have available now for the massive sword fights/forts/obstacle courses/wrestling matches that go on these days in the hambrick household. And don't make fun of my hideous orange/plaid $4 yard sale chair. I love it and that is all that matters.
The During Photo's
Just because it was such a big undertaking that I had to include some. You know you are jealous that you didn't get to be a part of the fun. We went through every single closet and toy bin and purged about 60% of our toys and ALL of the boys old clothes. How in the world did we accumulate so much stuff? I'm not even a stuff kind of person.
And finally, a few ending notes. We are keeping a monitor in the boys room in the effort to catch any of their mischievous ways. It's not always so successful. Ella had a big girl room made up for her several months ago, which didn't get much use as she "missed her brothers" too much and just continued to sleep with them. Now she is actually sleeping in her own room because it is right across the hall from her brothers and as long as her door is open to hear them she is a happy camper.
Ta Da.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
saturday hash
I missed Thursday thoughts...and Thursday thoughts on Friday. And no. I didn't have the baby. I just got busy the last few days and didn't have any motivation for much beyond the basic survival needs around here. Blogging sunk to the bottom of the priority list.
My husband grew up eating hash for breakfast. Corned beef hash. I, personally think it is nasty stuff...but, hey, I grew up eating sauerkraut at every holiday.
Did this week fly by for anyone else? Here we are at Saturday already! And whew, it was a hot one here in North Cackalacky. I'm not complaining though...I was ready for some heat. And ready to break out all my summer maternity clothes. It was like going shopping without spending any money.
I passed out in my doctors waiting room yesterday. Like flat on my back out. Thank goodness there was only like a FULL waiting room to view my dramatic episode. Apparently, my body didn't like the glucola sugary drink this time around. I was feeling fine and then...bam, lights out. It reminded me of the time I passed out after I'd donated blood at a red cross blood drive in college. Thank goodness there was only like a FULL room of my college peers then too to view my sorry self. And when I came to, my sister and friend told me I had peed my pants. Isn't that the meanest thing you have ever heard?
I'm still not over that.
And I'm not sure I'm ever going back to my doctors again.
We have had a lot of messes around here this week. But they were born out of cooperation and creativity...so, I totally didn't mind. In fact, they are my favorite kind of messes.
We are a few nail holes away from being done our great room arrangement and toy purge of 2011. Stay tuned for pictures next week!
Happy Saturday!
My husband grew up eating hash for breakfast. Corned beef hash. I, personally think it is nasty stuff...but, hey, I grew up eating sauerkraut at every holiday.
Did this week fly by for anyone else? Here we are at Saturday already! And whew, it was a hot one here in North Cackalacky. I'm not complaining though...I was ready for some heat. And ready to break out all my summer maternity clothes. It was like going shopping without spending any money.
I passed out in my doctors waiting room yesterday. Like flat on my back out. Thank goodness there was only like a FULL waiting room to view my dramatic episode. Apparently, my body didn't like the glucola sugary drink this time around. I was feeling fine and then...bam, lights out. It reminded me of the time I passed out after I'd donated blood at a red cross blood drive in college. Thank goodness there was only like a FULL room of my college peers then too to view my sorry self. And when I came to, my sister and friend told me I had peed my pants. Isn't that the meanest thing you have ever heard?
I'm still not over that.
And I'm not sure I'm ever going back to my doctors again.
We have had a lot of messes around here this week. But they were born out of cooperation and creativity...so, I totally didn't mind. In fact, they are my favorite kind of messes.
We are a few nail holes away from being done our great room arrangement and toy purge of 2011. Stay tuned for pictures next week!
Happy Saturday!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Parenting: The Privledge of Choice(s)
Geesh, parenting these days is a complicated matter.
To vaccinate on schedule, to delay vaccinations, to selectively vaccinate, or not to vaccinate at all?
To breast feed or formula feed? (and if you choose the bottle route...BPA free or glass or regular bottles?)
To cloth diaper, use disposable diapers, or practice elimination communication.
Co sleep or crib?
Stay at home or work at home or work outside of the home?
To schedule or go with the flow?
and my personal favorite (because it gets everyone's panties in a wad)...to let your child cry it out or not?
Of course then there are all the side issues once you get out of the baby stage:
Twinkies or dried camp berries?
PBS or Pixar or nothin' ?
Extracurricular activities?
Public school or private school or homeschool or unschool or .... ?
And so on and so forth. A blessed myriad of choices.
Obviously, since I am the mom of three (soon to be four) kids, I have been faced with a lot of the above mentioned choices. And while I do feel pretty passionately about some of the choices we have made, the goal of this post isn't to expound on why I feel my choices are the best.
The goal of this post is to recognize the fact that I get to parent the way I do because I am privileged.
In fact, just about every parent in America and the rest of the modernized world is extremely privileged. We not only have choices, we have the legitimate means for researching our choices. We have pediatricians. We have on call nurses available 24/7. We have books. We have support groups. We have support groups for our support groups. And of course, we have the inestimable power of google and Gramma.
Moms in Haiti aren't choosing not to feed their kids organically, or choosing not to let them watch television, or losing sleep worrying about the fact that their children might get autism from a mmr vaccination. They are too busy surviving. Food. Clean water. And glory be, a roof over their heads. Those are the things that consume a moms mind in Haiti. Choices aren't even on their radar. They are too busy surviving.
Our good friend Sherrie Faussey, missionary in Haiti, just wrote of a mumps outbreak among their orphanage.
Mumps.
Yes, I had to go google what mumps are. Mumps aren't even on my radar. Or my kids.
And these issues aren't contained to Haiti but repeated and repeated (and repeated) all over the world.
It's not that I care what choices you makes as a parent.
You may do things one way.
I may do things another.
Chances are you have your reasons.
So do I.
Tomatoe.
Tomato.
Its that I have been plagued with this overwhelming sense that maybe our privileged first world way of over complicated parenting choices is creating a generation of parents that are:
1) parenting with an impaired sense of perspective
2) too adamant about the particulars of their parenting choices
3) are too sure every decision will set their kids on an unalterable trajectory.
There are a lot of ways to legitimately screw up your kids...and I don't really think it has anything to do with the above written choices.
Feeling guilty because we live in a privileged world isn't the answer either. A lotta good that does. Instead of feeling guilty...pray about what God would have you do to make a difference in the lives of others. And then act on it.
So lets take the opportunity to stop judging other moms for the choices they make, garner some perspective, be thankful that we even have these choices, and remember that ultimately your kids will remember your character and what you did to alleviate the suffering of others WAY MORE than your rules regarding television and high fructose corn syrup.
To vaccinate on schedule, to delay vaccinations, to selectively vaccinate, or not to vaccinate at all?
To breast feed or formula feed? (and if you choose the bottle route...BPA free or glass or regular bottles?)
To cloth diaper, use disposable diapers, or practice elimination communication.
Co sleep or crib?
Stay at home or work at home or work outside of the home?
To schedule or go with the flow?
and my personal favorite (because it gets everyone's panties in a wad)...to let your child cry it out or not?
Of course then there are all the side issues once you get out of the baby stage:
Twinkies or dried camp berries?
PBS or Pixar or nothin' ?
Extracurricular activities?
Public school or private school or homeschool or unschool or .... ?
And so on and so forth. A blessed myriad of choices.
Obviously, since I am the mom of three (soon to be four) kids, I have been faced with a lot of the above mentioned choices. And while I do feel pretty passionately about some of the choices we have made, the goal of this post isn't to expound on why I feel my choices are the best.
The goal of this post is to recognize the fact that I get to parent the way I do because I am privileged.
In fact, just about every parent in America and the rest of the modernized world is extremely privileged. We not only have choices, we have the legitimate means for researching our choices. We have pediatricians. We have on call nurses available 24/7. We have books. We have support groups. We have support groups for our support groups. And of course, we have the inestimable power of google and Gramma.
Moms in Haiti aren't choosing not to feed their kids organically, or choosing not to let them watch television, or losing sleep worrying about the fact that their children might get autism from a mmr vaccination. They are too busy surviving. Food. Clean water. And glory be, a roof over their heads. Those are the things that consume a moms mind in Haiti. Choices aren't even on their radar. They are too busy surviving.
Our good friend Sherrie Faussey, missionary in Haiti, just wrote of a mumps outbreak among their orphanage.
Mumps.
Yes, I had to go google what mumps are. Mumps aren't even on my radar. Or my kids.
And these issues aren't contained to Haiti but repeated and repeated (and repeated) all over the world.
It's not that I care what choices you makes as a parent.
You may do things one way.
I may do things another.
Chances are you have your reasons.
So do I.
Tomatoe.
Tomato.
Its that I have been plagued with this overwhelming sense that maybe our privileged first world way of over complicated parenting choices is creating a generation of parents that are:
1) parenting with an impaired sense of perspective
2) too adamant about the particulars of their parenting choices
3) are too sure every decision will set their kids on an unalterable trajectory.
There are a lot of ways to legitimately screw up your kids...and I don't really think it has anything to do with the above written choices.
Feeling guilty because we live in a privileged world isn't the answer either. A lotta good that does. Instead of feeling guilty...pray about what God would have you do to make a difference in the lives of others. And then act on it.
So lets take the opportunity to stop judging other moms for the choices they make, garner some perspective, be thankful that we even have these choices, and remember that ultimately your kids will remember your character and what you did to alleviate the suffering of others WAY MORE than your rules regarding television and high fructose corn syrup.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
From Poppyseed to Pumpkin: Chinese Cabbage Week
Why, hello third trimester! You are very welcome in my life.It seems as though my little Zoe is now not so little anymore, pushing past the 2 lb mark and is almost 15 inches long. She can blink now, with eyes that are sporting lashes, no less. How cool.
I am good, in the pregnant sense of the word. I am feeling very tremendously supremely huge at this point, which is a little scary considering I have 12 more weeks to go. Unless of course I have 7 or 8 more weeks, as is more typical of my pregnancies. Of course, no one is hoping for that. Of course.
This little baby is more than a mover and a shaker. More than a rocker and a roller. I've considered the possibility of her being a crack baby, except for the fact that I am not on crack. She moves ALL THE TIME. Her movements (star jumps, cartwheels, and forward rolls) even wake me up throughout the night. Oi.
I have been craving crushed ice lately. Mmm. If you ever want to go through the sonic drive thru and just bring me a big cup of their ice I will love you forever.
My nesting urges are still here...but I seem to have completely run out of energy. I have her nursery about 1/2 finished. Yep, that means I still have 1/2 way to go. One of these days...
And as promised, a 7 month belly shot. This one was taken last night as we were heading out to our anniversary date. Which, on an unrelated note was to the melting pot, our first trip there...and it was fabulous.
Bring on the last trimester!
Monday, May 23, 2011
8 years.
today marks 8 years married to mr hambrick.
we've lived a lot of life (and made a lot of life) in these awesome 8 years.
i wouldn't trade a second of our life together for anything.
anything.
or anyone.
or anywhere.
happy anniversary jeremiah.
i love you.
I, Jeremiah/Jennifer,
take you Jeremiah/Jennifer,
to be my wife/husband.
I choose this day to deny myself for you,
to commit my heart and eyes to you alone,
to support,
encourage,
and love you,
in good times and in bad times,
in rich times and in poor times,
in sickness and in health.
I will challenge you to be God's best,
I will work to be God's best for you,
and I will love you unconditionally.
This is my covenant with you and my God.
p.s. For whoever started that 7 year itch rumor...well, it is just a bunch of balarney. our 7th year has been a great one for us...one of our best.
bring on 77 more.
we've lived a lot of life (and made a lot of life) in these awesome 8 years.
i wouldn't trade a second of our life together for anything.
anything.
or anyone.
or anywhere.
happy anniversary jeremiah.
i love you.
I, Jeremiah/Jennifer,
take you Jeremiah/Jennifer,
to be my wife/husband.
I choose this day to deny myself for you,
to commit my heart and eyes to you alone,
to support,
encourage,
and love you,
in good times and in bad times,
in rich times and in poor times,
in sickness and in health.
I will challenge you to be God's best,
I will work to be God's best for you,
and I will love you unconditionally.
This is my covenant with you and my God.
p.s. For whoever started that 7 year itch rumor...well, it is just a bunch of balarney. our 7th year has been a great one for us...one of our best.
bring on 77 more.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Homeschooling: Beyond the Basics - Music
Since Ella has always shown an interest in music, and I strongly believe in capitalizing on what she is interested in learning (duh!), we spent some time this year incorporating that into our homeschool.Here are the very formal and complicated ways we did this:
(you did detect my sarcastic tone in that line, didn't you?!)
Every few weeks during our trip to the library (yes, i feel no shame in being a library nerd) we would head over to the cd section and pick out a handful of the classical composers to listen to. Then throughout our school week I would let her pick one out to put on and very informally talk about what the composer's name was, the name of the composition, the key instrument he was known for (if there was one), etc., and then we'd just listen to it throughout the morning. And we might have thrown a few dance parties into the mix as well.
I've been amazed at what she has picked up (ok, and myself...probably more than my music 101 class in college, ha!) by this very informal way of incorporating music into our lessons. She can name and tell you a little about the classic composers such as Tchaikovsky, Bach, Beethoven, Vivaldi, and Mendelsson as well as some of the more modern composers such as Copeland and Ellington.
And to give a glimpse of her personality, she adamantly declares that she loves Bach...just because she knows I don't. At all.
We also started her in weekly piano lessons. Now, at first, I will admit she was somewhat hesitant to start them...as she really (really) wants to learn to play violin. But after a good discussion with her daddy (our resident music expert) about how learning the piano and the notes is a great foundation to branch into any instrument later, she came around. And now she loves it!
Sidenote: I am really happy to recommend a GREAT piano teacher for any of you in the D-town area. My good friend Kristen has over 23 years experience in playing the piano, as well as 5 years in teaching. Really, people...she's great! Lessons cost $12 a half hour, plus the cost of the book, and students need to be 5 years old, or starting kindergarten this fall. Email her at kksnyder77 @ gmail . com (no spaces) if you are interested.
And because I am always looking for new ideas...I'd love any suggestions you have about incorporating music into homeschooling!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Thursday Thoughts
...reason # 79,452,900,872 that my kids think their dad is the best in the world.
He made them a swing this week. A three seater. Oh, the fun.
...my Harris Teeter triple coupon run picture.
Spent around $20. Saved around $80. Score.
The last 10 things I have googled:
1) how to keep tadpoles alive
2) homemade thumb guards
3) is tylenol pm safe for pregnant women
4) coloring pictures of jesse from toy story 3
5) raspberry tea for uterine health
6) nc homeschool convention
7) where can i watch reruns of mtv's best dance crew
8) what does febrile mean
9) free photoshop action sets
10) pictures of animal habitats
You can tell a lot about a person from what they've been googling.
I know, I know...I lead a tremendously interesting life.
The boys thought it would be a fabulous fun idea to sneak our bucket of beans into their room and fling them everywhere. And when I say everywhere, I mean everywhere. This is them an HOUR into the clean up. I kid you not.
...reason # 79,452,900,873 that my kids think they have the best dad in the world.
I'd have to agree with them.
Did you notice that Ella's training wheels are not in use...yep, she has set her sights on riding independently.
Happy Thursday!
He made them a swing this week. A three seater. Oh, the fun.
...my Harris Teeter triple coupon run picture.
Spent around $20. Saved around $80. Score.
The last 10 things I have googled:
1) how to keep tadpoles alive
2) homemade thumb guards
3) is tylenol pm safe for pregnant women
4) coloring pictures of jesse from toy story 3
5) raspberry tea for uterine health
6) nc homeschool convention
7) where can i watch reruns of mtv's best dance crew
8) what does febrile mean
9) free photoshop action sets
10) pictures of animal habitats
You can tell a lot about a person from what they've been googling.
I know, I know...I lead a tremendously interesting life.
The boys thought it would be a fabulous fun idea to sneak our bucket of beans into their room and fling them everywhere. And when I say everywhere, I mean everywhere. This is them an HOUR into the clean up. I kid you not.
...reason # 79,452,900,873 that my kids think they have the best dad in the world.
I'd have to agree with them.
Did you notice that Ella's training wheels are not in use...yep, she has set her sights on riding independently.
Happy Thursday!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Eli Update: 10 months
It's hard to believe, but we are here...crouching ever closer to that one year mark.
Eli Cade. Oh, Eli Cade. Where oh where to begin?
He is a sweet and silly and oh so stubborn boy who has come so far.
As of last week he weighed 35 lbs. Compared to the tiny 27 lbs he was at homecoming. And he is at equal height with Ezra now. I won't be surprised to see him overtake his brother within the next year.
He is a jumping fool these days. Couch, coffee table, sidewalk, out of the van, fireplace edge...any ledge will do. He actually went all the way up the McDonald's playground by himself last week for the first time. And climbed up a straight ladder at the park. Without prompting or encouragement from me. Stronger, for sure.
We started official speech therapy once a week about a month ago and we are still deciding on how it is going. He is still testing his boundaries with the therapist (I told you he is a stubborn one!) and I think once the therapist is able to establish her authority we will see progress begin. We also are on track to begin occupational therapy to help him with some of the physical and everyday area's that he needs to develop a bit more. This whole therapy thing is a new one for me and I have to admit I am learning as much as he is, probably more.
His surgery to fix his severe plagiocephaly is set up for June 24th. Approximately one month away. We are still at odd's with our insurance company regarding who is paying for this surgery, but numerous reasons prompted us to go ahead and move forward with it, regardless of the outcome of the insurance appeal. God didn't provide every single penny we needed to bring him home to just stop now. And we are trusting in that.
We are yet one step closer to ending our seemingly never ending stream of paperwork. Last week we filed our final adoption papers with the state. Which, I've come to find out is quite different from the "petition" to file final adoption papers that we did several months ago. Sigh. But please don't get me started on the inefficiency of our government offices.
He LOVES his pillow pet. Seriously. It is his first love that he sleeps with and communicates with and wrestles with and would take everywhere if I would let him. I might have some jealousy issues with his furry friend.
He has honed his fine art of annoying his older sister. He can now "copy" her (you other moms know what I'm talking about), sit directly in front of her when she is trying to watch tv, and learned how to sneak into her room just to rearrange her barbies.
Ezra and him really get along just like regular old brothers now a'days. They play and fight and fight and play. They are such polar opposites on the personality fence that I actually think they won't have a lot of competition between them, despite being only 6 months apart in age.
And as for the whole attachment thing...well, I am learning just how much of a dance it is.
Sometimes he is moving forward and I am moving back.
Sometimes I am reaching forward and he retreats back.
Some days are effortless and joyful.
Some days are (still) painful and awkward.
But the longer we dance together...the more comfortable and natural we become with each other.
And that is a beautiful thing, 10 months in the making.
Eli Cade. Oh, Eli Cade. Where oh where to begin?
He is a sweet and silly and oh so stubborn boy who has come so far.
As of last week he weighed 35 lbs. Compared to the tiny 27 lbs he was at homecoming. And he is at equal height with Ezra now. I won't be surprised to see him overtake his brother within the next year.
He is a jumping fool these days. Couch, coffee table, sidewalk, out of the van, fireplace edge...any ledge will do. He actually went all the way up the McDonald's playground by himself last week for the first time. And climbed up a straight ladder at the park. Without prompting or encouragement from me. Stronger, for sure.
We started official speech therapy once a week about a month ago and we are still deciding on how it is going. He is still testing his boundaries with the therapist (I told you he is a stubborn one!) and I think once the therapist is able to establish her authority we will see progress begin. We also are on track to begin occupational therapy to help him with some of the physical and everyday area's that he needs to develop a bit more. This whole therapy thing is a new one for me and I have to admit I am learning as much as he is, probably more.
His surgery to fix his severe plagiocephaly is set up for June 24th. Approximately one month away. We are still at odd's with our insurance company regarding who is paying for this surgery, but numerous reasons prompted us to go ahead and move forward with it, regardless of the outcome of the insurance appeal. God didn't provide every single penny we needed to bring him home to just stop now. And we are trusting in that.
We are yet one step closer to ending our seemingly never ending stream of paperwork. Last week we filed our final adoption papers with the state. Which, I've come to find out is quite different from the "petition" to file final adoption papers that we did several months ago. Sigh. But please don't get me started on the inefficiency of our government offices.
He LOVES his pillow pet. Seriously. It is his first love that he sleeps with and communicates with and wrestles with and would take everywhere if I would let him. I might have some jealousy issues with his furry friend.
He has honed his fine art of annoying his older sister. He can now "copy" her (you other moms know what I'm talking about), sit directly in front of her when she is trying to watch tv, and learned how to sneak into her room just to rearrange her barbies.
Ezra and him really get along just like regular old brothers now a'days. They play and fight and fight and play. They are such polar opposites on the personality fence that I actually think they won't have a lot of competition between them, despite being only 6 months apart in age.
And as for the whole attachment thing...well, I am learning just how much of a dance it is.
Sometimes he is moving forward and I am moving back.
Sometimes I am reaching forward and he retreats back.
Some days are effortless and joyful.
Some days are (still) painful and awkward.
But the longer we dance together...the more comfortable and natural we become with each other.
And that is a beautiful thing, 10 months in the making.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Not Me Monday
I did not turn a timer on to remind me to check on the chicken. Because my sharp mind does not require the use of such devices.
And I did not go to a spot in my house where I could not hear the timer. Because...well, because that would just be silly.
Therefore I did not emerge from said spot in the house where the timer could not be heard to see billowing smoke filling up the kitchen.
And of course I would not make a statement like, "a few more minutes and I would have to be calling the fire department" within ear shot of my children. Which of course would not have been met with deer in the headlights big eyeballs and excited, "oh can we Mom?!! can we?!!"
I did not open every window of the house and turn on all the fans in attempts to clear out the evidence.
And a major thunderstorm did not come through about five minutes later.
And it did not near flood the inside of my house because of the above mentioned open windows.
Of course, then, I did not have a smoky, smelly, damp house full of children with big eyeballs and disappointed hearts.
And we did not call for pizza.
The end. (Just felt like that story needed an ending)
Nope. Never happened. Not me.
And I did not go to a spot in my house where I could not hear the timer. Because...well, because that would just be silly.
Therefore I did not emerge from said spot in the house where the timer could not be heard to see billowing smoke filling up the kitchen.
And of course I would not make a statement like, "a few more minutes and I would have to be calling the fire department" within ear shot of my children. Which of course would not have been met with deer in the headlights big eyeballs and excited, "oh can we Mom?!! can we?!!"
I did not open every window of the house and turn on all the fans in attempts to clear out the evidence.
And a major thunderstorm did not come through about five minutes later.
And it did not near flood the inside of my house because of the above mentioned open windows.
Of course, then, I did not have a smoky, smelly, damp house full of children with big eyeballs and disappointed hearts.
And we did not call for pizza.
The end. (Just felt like that story needed an ending)
Nope. Never happened. Not me.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Lost and Found
Ella ran away to the neighbors house last week. She told me she was thinking about it earlier in the day and I just sort of acted nonchalant about it and then told her about the time I ran away as a little girl. Of course, I only made it to the end of the driveway and decided I was hungry and turned around.
Later that afternoon I was working in the office and she came and told me that she was going to run away then.
I said ok.
Because I really thought she was kidding, people. Not because I actually thought she was going to do it. And who tells their mom they are running away and then actually does it?
I heard the kitchen door shut and then reopen. And shut again. And reopen. This went on (off and on) for the next 10 minutes or so and I just figured she was playing on the side porch.
Until I went into the kitchen and saw that the door was unlatched and that the wind was making it open and shut.
Ooops.
I looked outside for her and didn't see her a.n.y.w.h.e.r.e.
Crap.
I yelled for her and didn't get an answer.
Double crap.
Insert terrible mom guilt at this moment. And a slight bit of panic.
I start to think about my options and glance out the window one more time. This time I see her turning back into our driveway from the road, dragging her blanket and pillow pet behind her.
Shew.
By the time she makes it in the door she is crying. And we have a nice long talk about some important things. You know, what would be a better choice to take to pack if she ever really wants to run away. Toothbrush and clean underwear were my suggestions. And where would be the most fun place to run away to. I personally would go to the beach.
But mostly I talked about how much I would miss her if she ever decided to run away again.
Silly girl... (who learned a very valuable lesson that day.)
Silly mom... (who learned a very valuable lesson that day.)
Later that afternoon I was working in the office and she came and told me that she was going to run away then.
I said ok.
Because I really thought she was kidding, people. Not because I actually thought she was going to do it. And who tells their mom they are running away and then actually does it?
I heard the kitchen door shut and then reopen. And shut again. And reopen. This went on (off and on) for the next 10 minutes or so and I just figured she was playing on the side porch.
Until I went into the kitchen and saw that the door was unlatched and that the wind was making it open and shut.
Ooops.
I looked outside for her and didn't see her a.n.y.w.h.e.r.e.
Crap.
I yelled for her and didn't get an answer.
Double crap.
Insert terrible mom guilt at this moment. And a slight bit of panic.
I start to think about my options and glance out the window one more time. This time I see her turning back into our driveway from the road, dragging her blanket and pillow pet behind her.
Shew.
By the time she makes it in the door she is crying. And we have a nice long talk about some important things. You know, what would be a better choice to take to pack if she ever really wants to run away. Toothbrush and clean underwear were my suggestions. And where would be the most fun place to run away to. I personally would go to the beach.
But mostly I talked about how much I would miss her if she ever decided to run away again.
Silly girl... (who learned a very valuable lesson that day.)
Silly mom... (who learned a very valuable lesson that day.)
Friday, May 13, 2011
margarita's and bridge
Ok. So, maybe it was only memory and the lovely concoction of ginger ale and orange juice...but Ella and I have found a delightful way to spend an afternoon while the boys (pretend to) take a nap.
And let me tell you...my girl can kick some memory boo-tay.
______________________________________________________________________
For some reason my Thursday post, as well as the posts I had written and saved (sigh) on Thursday have undergone a mysterious disappearance. Of course, they would be the ones I had actually put some time and serious thought into. And I even used some big words.
Oh well.
Happy Friday everyone!
And let me tell you...my girl can kick some memory boo-tay.
______________________________________________________________________
For some reason my Thursday post, as well as the posts I had written and saved (sigh) on Thursday have undergone a mysterious disappearance. Of course, they would be the ones I had actually put some time and serious thought into. And I even used some big words.
Oh well.
Happy Friday everyone!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Thursday Thoughts: Boy Obsessions
Since about 10 months old Ezra has been obsessed with cars, trains, and planes. However, in the last few months we have seen a slight shift into allowing other things into his world. We went through the paper airplane stage. And now he is starting to branch out into the world of tools.
Safety first, of course.
Eli is slightly obsessed with band-aids. I have never had a kid before who liked band-aids. In fact, I think Ella and Ezra are more afraid of band-aids than the actual boo-boo. So, this is new territory for me. For now, I am happy to oblige as it gives me lots of opportunities to be the one he brings his boo-boo's to.
He may be using me for the band-aids, but it's a price I am willing to pay.
Happy Thursday!
Safety first, of course.
Eli is slightly obsessed with band-aids. I have never had a kid before who liked band-aids. In fact, I think Ella and Ezra are more afraid of band-aids than the actual boo-boo. So, this is new territory for me. For now, I am happy to oblige as it gives me lots of opportunities to be the one he brings his boo-boo's to.
He may be using me for the band-aids, but it's a price I am willing to pay.
Happy Thursday!
Child Labor Laws
This one has soap box potential. Consider yourself warned.
We had just gotten home from the grocery store with a van full of food to bring in and put away.
It was past dinner time.
Nobody had napped.
Jeremiah had to work late so I was by myself.
I was having numerous contractions and knew I needed to lay down.
And so, I asked every kid to help carry in the groceries with me and then asked Ella if she would get the boys in their pajamas while I worked on putting away the groceries and starting dinner.
She did a stellar job.
And we all got to eat dinner a little sooner.
And I got to lay down a little earlier.
I have read and overheard on several different occasions lately of other mothers proudly announcing their opinions that it was "unfair" to "burden" their older child(ren) with caring for their younger child(ren).
Ahem.
To put it nicely, I just sort of scratch my head at this train of thought. I don't get it. I feel absolutely no angst or guilt about expecting all family members to do their share of work and help each other out when necessary. I don't see any benefit in the whole coddling thing, and I make no apologies for it.
While I am careful not to delegate any responsibilities relating to safety to Ella (at least at this age) I can only think of the good things that come about from her sharing in the responsibilities of the family in age appropriate ways. Or possibly in some maybe not so age appropriate ways, as I don't know many other five year olds that can get their younger brothers ready for bed.
Then again, I don't know of any other five year olds that have a four and three year old brother either, ha!
I can, however, think of numerous character flaws that might arise out of raising a child to grow up thinking that they shouldn't be made to carry any responsibility within a family.
I can't wait for the day that Ella can actually baby sit for us. Or for the boys to cook dinner for me. And you had better believe they will all be pitching in with laundry. Glory hallelujah, I can see a day coming!
I am trying to raise self-sufficient children, after all.
Ok, stepping off my soap box here.
Am I completely off my rocker here? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this issue...
In the meantime, I have to go check on my son who is currently cleaning my living room.
**Actually, he is just fulfilling his "consequence" for deciding it was a grand idea to break his pretzels up into little tiny pieces and fling them all over my living room.**
We had just gotten home from the grocery store with a van full of food to bring in and put away.
It was past dinner time.
Nobody had napped.
Jeremiah had to work late so I was by myself.
I was having numerous contractions and knew I needed to lay down.
And so, I asked every kid to help carry in the groceries with me and then asked Ella if she would get the boys in their pajamas while I worked on putting away the groceries and starting dinner.
She did a stellar job.
And we all got to eat dinner a little sooner.
And I got to lay down a little earlier.
I have read and overheard on several different occasions lately of other mothers proudly announcing their opinions that it was "unfair" to "burden" their older child(ren) with caring for their younger child(ren).
Ahem.
To put it nicely, I just sort of scratch my head at this train of thought. I don't get it. I feel absolutely no angst or guilt about expecting all family members to do their share of work and help each other out when necessary. I don't see any benefit in the whole coddling thing, and I make no apologies for it.
While I am careful not to delegate any responsibilities relating to safety to Ella (at least at this age) I can only think of the good things that come about from her sharing in the responsibilities of the family in age appropriate ways. Or possibly in some maybe not so age appropriate ways, as I don't know many other five year olds that can get their younger brothers ready for bed.
Then again, I don't know of any other five year olds that have a four and three year old brother either, ha!
I can, however, think of numerous character flaws that might arise out of raising a child to grow up thinking that they shouldn't be made to carry any responsibility within a family.
I can't wait for the day that Ella can actually baby sit for us. Or for the boys to cook dinner for me. And you had better believe they will all be pitching in with laundry. Glory hallelujah, I can see a day coming!
I am trying to raise self-sufficient children, after all.
Ok, stepping off my soap box here.
Am I completely off my rocker here? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this issue...
In the meantime, I have to go check on my son who is currently cleaning my living room.
**Actually, he is just fulfilling his "consequence" for deciding it was a grand idea to break his pretzels up into little tiny pieces and fling them all over my living room.**
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Strawberry Picking 101
1. Pick a great farm.
2. Dress the kids in red or multi colored dark clothes.
3. Stuff your face and your buckets with red ripe strawberries.
4. Take lots of pictures.
5. Go home and eat strawberries till you are sick of them. Then make the rest into strawberry jam.
