We wanted to do something fun this weekend with the boys since we won't be able to next weekend for sure, and the next couple of months are iffy. Unfortunately, it is cold and rainy today, so we could not do anything outside. We had seen that the boat show was in Baton Rouge though. We went to one in Dallas, back when we lived in Texas and the boys really liked it, so we thought we would take them to that.
All four of the boys got a free Scooby-Doo fishing pole (the first 100 kids every day got one). They carried them proudly through the show, checked out all the boats, got free goodies, etc. It was no where near the show that was in Dallas, very small and not many vendors, but the boys still had a good time.
When we got home the older three took their fishing poles out back to practice fishing. Other than one of my brand new rose bushes being caught by Caleb, I don't think there were any problems (which is kind of amazing with three boys ALL casting lines at the same time).
Next weekend we will be taking, what I am sure, will be one of our last road trips until after the baby comes. We are going to Arkansas to do some painting and work at the house. It is going to be a long hard weekend, but I always look forward to going back to Arkansas!!
Our hopes are for nice weather next weekend in Arkansas. I will need the boys to be able to play outside and to have windows open so we don't all get high on paint and cleaning chemical fumes. We also hope that I will not go into labor while we are there!!
Paul has Friday off and is taking Monday off. Hopefully we won't have to spend ALL of the four days there, but we will see.
We are to the point of unpredictability with what our weekends will be like. I did not sleep last night because of horrible backpain, which I am still having. Things like that make it hard to go have "fun" with the kids. Hopefully, they will have some more fun adventures before the baby comes, but we wanted to make sure and get some time in now.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
You Might Be a Mom of Boys...
If your fireplace mantle is "decorated" with about 10 hot wheels, 3 game boys, nightlights, knex (and other small choking hazards), etc.
We won't even discuss all of my husbands fishtank accessories that are littering the mantle.
Those are all the things I just cleaned off the mantle that has been confiscated recently. Andrew likes to drive his cars on my wood coffee table. Does a lot for the finish (but nothing good).
We won't even discuss all of my husbands fishtank accessories that are littering the mantle.
Those are all the things I just cleaned off the mantle that has been confiscated recently. Andrew likes to drive his cars on my wood coffee table. Does a lot for the finish (but nothing good).
Andrew Milestones
I just thought I would post a little about what Andrew is doing. He is doing so many new things at one time now, it is hard to keep up with them all. I think this is the stage where you see the most growth in learning. It is amazing.
He is still interested in potty training, although we are not making it anywhere very fast. He has not actually pottied in the potty since the first day we started, but he IS telling us right after he goes. He will come up and say "peepee YUCK" or "poopoo YUCK" and pull at his diaper. If you don't get it off of him quick enough (like immediately) he will take it off. He is also still asking to sit on the potty all the time and prefers being naked over having anything on. I am not pushing him on this. He is not even two, so I am just going along with him on it.
We have been playing the body part game for some time now. It has been I will ask him where his....(insert body part) is and he would point to it on him. Then it got to where he would point to it on him and everyone else around him. Now, he says the body part and points to it. This morning he was at the table and kept saying "No. No. No. No." over and over. He has been saying no a lot lately, so I thought that was what he was doing, but he was doing it very calmly. Usually if he is saying no to or about something he says it with a lot of feeling. I turned around and he was pointing to his nose. When I acknowledged it was his nose, he started "mou" and "ear" and "belbow" and "knee", etc. After he went through all of it he started doing it to me.
His vocabulary is still growing daily. I can't even keep up with what all he is saying now. "Jo" is a new one, he says for Curious George. He says "I wub you", "ni-ni" (night-night) and waves when it is bed time, he says "byebye" to EVERYONE, not just a collective bye bye. He wants noone to feel left out so as we leave stores or drs or whereever, he says bye bye to EVERY individual person. Of course, he gets a LOT of attention that way. This mornings new word is "alligor oh no!" (alligator)' There are many other words he is saying, but I can't think of them all right now.
He has such expression when he talks. That is one of the things I love to watch about him. He makes a face with everything he says. Frequently, he will just walk up to you and make faces at you and then start giggling and want you to make them back. He is pretty funny!
I think the cutest thing he does at this point is his obsession to my belly and his sister. I absolutely love the way he says Mady's name. He says it with such sweetness and tenderness. He talks to her all the time. He "gives" her his toys (puts his toys in my shirt and says "Maudy") and if I try to give them back to him he yells NO NO at me and puts it back. He loves to lay his head on my belly and get kicked. When she kicks him, he sits up and says "No No Maudy" and then laughs and puts his head back down (harder each time she kicks). It is a game they play with each other. I only hope that when she is OUTSIDE my belly, he loves and adores her as much as he does while she is IN my belly.
I also love that he still loves to cuddle. He is quite content to sit or lay on the couch with me most of the time. Especially if you turn on "Ming Ming" (Wonder Pets), Backyardigans, Curious George or any of the old cartoons (Popeye, Pink Panther, Tom and Jerry). His favorite thing to do it we are watching those is to sit in his DADDY'S lap. I would say out of all of the boys at this age, he is the most a Daddys boy. When he hears Daddy come home he is the first one at the door to greet him and get a foot ride across the kitchen. He gets SO excited when Daddy comes home. He dances at the door yelling DADDY until the door opens.
Now for the not so good stuff.....he can throw some killer temper tantrums! He h as them mastered already. He also says NO at everything, which is very annoying and frustrating to his parents! He likes to go from one thing he knows he is not supposed to do, to another. I think it is his way of keeping us moving and the attention on HIM.
To end it on a good note, he still wants to take the trash out every chance he gets. Gotta love it while it last!!
He is still interested in potty training, although we are not making it anywhere very fast. He has not actually pottied in the potty since the first day we started, but he IS telling us right after he goes. He will come up and say "peepee YUCK" or "poopoo YUCK" and pull at his diaper. If you don't get it off of him quick enough (like immediately) he will take it off. He is also still asking to sit on the potty all the time and prefers being naked over having anything on. I am not pushing him on this. He is not even two, so I am just going along with him on it.
We have been playing the body part game for some time now. It has been I will ask him where his....(insert body part) is and he would point to it on him. Then it got to where he would point to it on him and everyone else around him. Now, he says the body part and points to it. This morning he was at the table and kept saying "No. No. No. No." over and over. He has been saying no a lot lately, so I thought that was what he was doing, but he was doing it very calmly. Usually if he is saying no to or about something he says it with a lot of feeling. I turned around and he was pointing to his nose. When I acknowledged it was his nose, he started "mou" and "ear" and "belbow" and "knee", etc. After he went through all of it he started doing it to me.
His vocabulary is still growing daily. I can't even keep up with what all he is saying now. "Jo" is a new one, he says for Curious George. He says "I wub you", "ni-ni" (night-night) and waves when it is bed time, he says "byebye" to EVERYONE, not just a collective bye bye. He wants noone to feel left out so as we leave stores or drs or whereever, he says bye bye to EVERY individual person. Of course, he gets a LOT of attention that way. This mornings new word is "alligor oh no!" (alligator)' There are many other words he is saying, but I can't think of them all right now.
He has such expression when he talks. That is one of the things I love to watch about him. He makes a face with everything he says. Frequently, he will just walk up to you and make faces at you and then start giggling and want you to make them back. He is pretty funny!
I think the cutest thing he does at this point is his obsession to my belly and his sister. I absolutely love the way he says Mady's name. He says it with such sweetness and tenderness. He talks to her all the time. He "gives" her his toys (puts his toys in my shirt and says "Maudy") and if I try to give them back to him he yells NO NO at me and puts it back. He loves to lay his head on my belly and get kicked. When she kicks him, he sits up and says "No No Maudy" and then laughs and puts his head back down (harder each time she kicks). It is a game they play with each other. I only hope that when she is OUTSIDE my belly, he loves and adores her as much as he does while she is IN my belly.
I also love that he still loves to cuddle. He is quite content to sit or lay on the couch with me most of the time. Especially if you turn on "Ming Ming" (Wonder Pets), Backyardigans, Curious George or any of the old cartoons (Popeye, Pink Panther, Tom and Jerry). His favorite thing to do it we are watching those is to sit in his DADDY'S lap. I would say out of all of the boys at this age, he is the most a Daddys boy. When he hears Daddy come home he is the first one at the door to greet him and get a foot ride across the kitchen. He gets SO excited when Daddy comes home. He dances at the door yelling DADDY until the door opens.
Now for the not so good stuff.....he can throw some killer temper tantrums! He h as them mastered already. He also says NO at everything, which is very annoying and frustrating to his parents! He likes to go from one thing he knows he is not supposed to do, to another. I think it is his way of keeping us moving and the attention on HIM.
To end it on a good note, he still wants to take the trash out every chance he gets. Gotta love it while it last!!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Field Trips
I sure wish I could go on the field trips the boys are going on! Unfortunately, they frown upon siblings going anymore. :(
Isaac is taking his awesome field trip to a wildlife refuge the end of April. He gets to ride on a chartered bus with a tvs and bathrooms. Believe me, the parents are paying for it. It has to be the most expensive field trip I have ever paid for!
Bryce brought home a permission slip today to go to a wildlife refuge the beginning of March. They will get to cane pole fish, see different sizes of alligators, learn water safety, etc (yep....it IS Louisiana) and then enjoy a bbq lunch.
It is frustrating to be a stay-at-home mom and not be able to go. Among the MANY reasons we chose for me to stay home was so that I could do things like this with the kids. The schools make it difficult for parents like me that want to be involved because they want us there all the time, but never with siblings. I don't have the luxury of having someone to send my younger child to while I am doing things like this! It is getting hard to even be able to go to their parties and class "stuff".
Isaac is taking his awesome field trip to a wildlife refuge the end of April. He gets to ride on a chartered bus with a tvs and bathrooms. Believe me, the parents are paying for it. It has to be the most expensive field trip I have ever paid for!
Bryce brought home a permission slip today to go to a wildlife refuge the beginning of March. They will get to cane pole fish, see different sizes of alligators, learn water safety, etc (yep....it IS Louisiana) and then enjoy a bbq lunch.
It is frustrating to be a stay-at-home mom and not be able to go. Among the MANY reasons we chose for me to stay home was so that I could do things like this with the kids. The schools make it difficult for parents like me that want to be involved because they want us there all the time, but never with siblings. I don't have the luxury of having someone to send my younger child to while I am doing things like this! It is getting hard to even be able to go to their parties and class "stuff".
Alien Baby?
Paul says it is gross to watch my stomach. It is constantly moving. It is like someone is pushing it from one side to the other. Oh wait, SOMEONE IS!!!
He says it looks like an alien is trying to push through my stomach. There are times my whole stomach moves and there are times that it is like someone is nervously tapping their fingers from the inside. Maybe she is bored and IS tapping her fingers.
I am making the prediction that she will arrive sometime the week of April 13th. The boys are on Spring Break that week and noone is planned to be here "in case" so she will decide to come early and I will have to deliver by myself!
Paul does not want her to come early. He isn't the one carrying her, so that is easy for him to say. They are doing another turn around at work. I won't get into what that is, but it is when he has to work two to three weeks, 7 days a week, 12 hours a day. No telling what shift he would end up with. Last time he got lucky and had the 5am to 2pm shift. If I have the baby at the scheduled time, he will miss the turn around!
He says it looks like an alien is trying to push through my stomach. There are times my whole stomach moves and there are times that it is like someone is nervously tapping their fingers from the inside. Maybe she is bored and IS tapping her fingers.
I am making the prediction that she will arrive sometime the week of April 13th. The boys are on Spring Break that week and noone is planned to be here "in case" so she will decide to come early and I will have to deliver by myself!
Paul does not want her to come early. He isn't the one carrying her, so that is easy for him to say. They are doing another turn around at work. I won't get into what that is, but it is when he has to work two to three weeks, 7 days a week, 12 hours a day. No telling what shift he would end up with. Last time he got lucky and had the 5am to 2pm shift. If I have the baby at the scheduled time, he will miss the turn around!
Out of the Mouths of Babes....
Bryce got up this morning and said my tummy didn't look as big as it did. Hmmmm.....thanks?
Isaac asked how a girls tummy gets bigger. I said there was a baby getting bigger inside of it and it makes my tummy get bigger to make room for her.
"Yeah, and she is attached to a stem." Bryce added.
Isaac asked how a girls tummy gets bigger. I said there was a baby getting bigger inside of it and it makes my tummy get bigger to make room for her.
"Yeah, and she is attached to a stem." Bryce added.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Alarm Clock in Boys Rooms
As I previously said I was going to do, I got alarm clocks for the boys bedrooms last weekend. I had two boys that had decided to have a race to see who could be up first and they were getting up before Daddy left for work or right after he left (so between 5:30 and 5:45). This was my ONLY quiet, alone time I get and I NEED it!! On top of that, they had too much extra time to fight in the mornings and were cranky at night from being tired.
I set up the alarm clocks and told the boys they could not get out of bed until 7:00. The first morning went pretty well other than Bryce changed the time on his clock and got up, but it was about 6:45. Every morning until this morning they have made it until 7. Andrew is sleeping later (imagine that)! This morning Caleb did not wait until 7. He got up around 6:30 and got in the shower. That would be fine, except when he gets out he has to start antagonizing his brother which makes him scream. So, Bryce AND Andrew were actually sleeping and Caleb came out of the bathroom (right outside their bedroom door) making annoying noises and dancing. Needless to say, he woke them up...BUT THEY STAYED IN THEIR ROOM UNTIL 7!!!!
Caleb said that him getting up at 7 does not give him enough time to get ready for school. Yet, he still had time to mess with his brothers, work on homework (hmmmm???), eat breakfast and stand around for 30 minutes.
I am afraid I will have to stick to my guns on this one. If I can't get away, I at least need some time for me!!
I set up the alarm clocks and told the boys they could not get out of bed until 7:00. The first morning went pretty well other than Bryce changed the time on his clock and got up, but it was about 6:45. Every morning until this morning they have made it until 7. Andrew is sleeping later (imagine that)! This morning Caleb did not wait until 7. He got up around 6:30 and got in the shower. That would be fine, except when he gets out he has to start antagonizing his brother which makes him scream. So, Bryce AND Andrew were actually sleeping and Caleb came out of the bathroom (right outside their bedroom door) making annoying noises and dancing. Needless to say, he woke them up...BUT THEY STAYED IN THEIR ROOM UNTIL 7!!!!
Caleb said that him getting up at 7 does not give him enough time to get ready for school. Yet, he still had time to mess with his brothers, work on homework (hmmmm???), eat breakfast and stand around for 30 minutes.
I am afraid I will have to stick to my guns on this one. If I can't get away, I at least need some time for me!!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Clean Bedroom!
I think I just taught the boys a valuable lesson. Never cross your nesting mother!
After everything we went through yesterday with them misbehaving and fighting, you would think they would have gotten up and been good. I guess they really LOVE their room?
After a lecture about team work and getting their room cleaned up, they finally cleaned their room...kinda. They did their typical throwing stuff in corners and closets and drawers.
Mom took care of that though. They have a closet built into their bunk bed (behind the desk). It is the length of the bed and probably two feet wide. That is one of their prime "cleaning" spots. As in, that is where they throw everything when they are told to clean.
I went and pulled EVERYTHING out of that closet. Then I went to put something in their closet and saw that, although they said it was clean, it was far from it. Pulled EVERYTHING out of there. Then I figured "why stop there?"
By the time I was done, I had pulled everything but their clean clothes out of every nook and cranny in the room and sat there while they cleaned - FOR REAL. I turned around at one point and Caleb quickly closed a drawer. I went and opened it to find that he had put all the toys I had taken OUT of the drawer back in it. Let's just say, I don't think he will try that again.
Caleb is now out pulling weeds so some flowers can be planted in the flowerbed.
If the only way they can behave is to be busy, I can keep them busy. Unfortunately for them, I am nesting AND have spring fever. Good luck boys!
After everything we went through yesterday with them misbehaving and fighting, you would think they would have gotten up and been good. I guess they really LOVE their room?
After a lecture about team work and getting their room cleaned up, they finally cleaned their room...kinda. They did their typical throwing stuff in corners and closets and drawers.
Mom took care of that though. They have a closet built into their bunk bed (behind the desk). It is the length of the bed and probably two feet wide. That is one of their prime "cleaning" spots. As in, that is where they throw everything when they are told to clean.
I went and pulled EVERYTHING out of that closet. Then I went to put something in their closet and saw that, although they said it was clean, it was far from it. Pulled EVERYTHING out of there. Then I figured "why stop there?"
By the time I was done, I had pulled everything but their clean clothes out of every nook and cranny in the room and sat there while they cleaned - FOR REAL. I turned around at one point and Caleb quickly closed a drawer. I went and opened it to find that he had put all the toys I had taken OUT of the drawer back in it. Let's just say, I don't think he will try that again.
Caleb is now out pulling weeds so some flowers can be planted in the flowerbed.
If the only way they can behave is to be busy, I can keep them busy. Unfortunately for them, I am nesting AND have spring fever. Good luck boys!
Getting Andrew Ready for Baby
I wish I knew exactly how much of the baby Andrew understands. He is so sweet the way he loves on my belly and plays on it. He pulls up my shirt and lays his head on my belly, patting it, kissing it and saying different variances of "Mady" (Maudy, Mauny, etc). It is so cute.
Yesterday he had been carrying around a certain car all day. He came up to me and pulled up my shirt. He kissed my belly and said "Maudy car", then he put my shirt down and left the car. When I tried to give it to him, thinking he forgot it, he said "NO, MAUDYS" and put it back.
It might look strange me walking around with a car in my shirt all the time!
I am really trying to explain things to him when I am taking care of her stuff. I have been nesting the last few days, since we went and got the rest of her stuff Friday. When I am washing sheets, clothes, etc or putting together her swing or stroller, we talk about Mady and how she will be a baby sister and coming home soon, etc. She has a pink teddy bear that makes womb sounds that he likes to carry around. I try to keep it away from him because I don't want him to think it is his, but I might have to go get him one of his own! He seems to like the sounds it makes. When we are out and he sees babies he gets excited and talks and points. I also take those times to explain that that is what Mady will be like in a couple of months.
Yesterday he had been carrying around a certain car all day. He came up to me and pulled up my shirt. He kissed my belly and said "Maudy car", then he put my shirt down and left the car. When I tried to give it to him, thinking he forgot it, he said "NO, MAUDYS" and put it back.
It might look strange me walking around with a car in my shirt all the time!
I am really trying to explain things to him when I am taking care of her stuff. I have been nesting the last few days, since we went and got the rest of her stuff Friday. When I am washing sheets, clothes, etc or putting together her swing or stroller, we talk about Mady and how she will be a baby sister and coming home soon, etc. She has a pink teddy bear that makes womb sounds that he likes to carry around. I try to keep it away from him because I don't want him to think it is his, but I might have to go get him one of his own! He seems to like the sounds it makes. When we are out and he sees babies he gets excited and talks and points. I also take those times to explain that that is what Mady will be like in a couple of months.
The Whole Mardi Gras Thing
I would have never known how big Mardi Gras really is until we lived here. I probably STILL DON'T know really how big it is, but I have enough of an idea now. Not only have there been weekends of parades, followed by DAYS of parades (I think there have been numerous parades daily since Friday), but city/parish offices and banks are actually closed today.
This is what I think is the funniest part. So, Mardi Gras is the time leading up to Ash Wednesday and beginning of Lent. The schools, offices, etc are closed for Mardi Gras, but everything opens back up on Ash Wednesday. Closed for the days leading up to the actual holiday this is all for.
I might have a better understanding for WHAT it is, but I don't know that I will ever understand it.
Today is Fat Tuesday. Do you say Happy Fat Tuesday to people? HMMMM....still so much to learn.
This is what I think is the funniest part. So, Mardi Gras is the time leading up to Ash Wednesday and beginning of Lent. The schools, offices, etc are closed for Mardi Gras, but everything opens back up on Ash Wednesday. Closed for the days leading up to the actual holiday this is all for.
I might have a better understanding for WHAT it is, but I don't know that I will ever understand it.
Today is Fat Tuesday. Do you say Happy Fat Tuesday to people? HMMMM....still so much to learn.
Ice Cream for Andrew
Last night Daddy and Bryce went to Sonic (because I wanted a Strawberry shake). They came home with ice cream for both of them and me (the older two boys were already in bed from the BAD day). Daddy decided to let Andrew have some ice cream. This is a rarity, because of his lactose intolerance. He might get a small bite every now and then, but he has not been put in his high chair with a spoon and bowl in over a year.
He loved it. The only problem was that he was SO excited to get to eat ice cream, he was eating it way too fast. He kept grabbing his face and crying. Hard to make an almost two year old that never gets to eat ice cream understand the concept of brain freeze.
After he got all he could get with his spoon, we heard slurping. I looked to see him with the bowl at his face, drinking what he could and then licking the bowl clean. Can we say DEPRIVED?
He took Culturell with the ice cream. We will see how is tummy handles it today!
He loved it. The only problem was that he was SO excited to get to eat ice cream, he was eating it way too fast. He kept grabbing his face and crying. Hard to make an almost two year old that never gets to eat ice cream understand the concept of brain freeze.
After he got all he could get with his spoon, we heard slurping. I looked to see him with the bowl at his face, drinking what he could and then licking the bowl clean. Can we say DEPRIVED?
He took Culturell with the ice cream. We will see how is tummy handles it today!
Monday, February 23, 2009
When Will I Learn?
I bragged this morning to my husband about how good the kids were being, how well they were playing together.
I KNOW NOT to do that.
Either it will jinx it and they will quit behaving or they were not behaving to begin with and I will find what they were doing later.
Today was BOTH!
I told the boys to play quietly while AJ took his nap. After playing quietly all morning, they decided they were done with that. So, I made them lay down for a bit. After lunch, I let them go outside, but told them to stay on the porch because yesterday they were running over the rose bushes Paul had JUST planted for me, among numerous other things they KNOW they are not supposed to do. They sat out there and fought. I made them lay back down so AJ could finish his nap.
I go in to Isaac and Caleb's room because I hear Isaac screaming at Caleb to stop spitting on him. I go in and notice that the CD drive in their computer is partially open. After a quick look, I notice why. When did a 10 or 7 year old (and I KNOW which one did it) decide a CD drive was a good place to hide GUM?
I go back to my work on the kitchen floor. I was mopping and hear a dripping sound. I look under the sink to see that the sink is leaking. Not just a small leak. A very fast leak! The sink was plugged (I was mopping!!) but somehow the water was leaking through that and out the pipe.
This is turning out to be one of THOSE days that you wonder if this was the kind of punishment you had in mind when you decided to have kids.
Is it bedtime yet?
If I am lucky, they are just trying to fit in and do the whole Mardi Gras thing. That means by Wednesday they have to start being angels for Lent.....right?
Updated at 4:20 Let's top it off with Andrew "coloring" my wood coffee table with a SCREW....the sharp pointy end OF COURSE!
I KNOW NOT to do that.
Either it will jinx it and they will quit behaving or they were not behaving to begin with and I will find what they were doing later.
Today was BOTH!
I told the boys to play quietly while AJ took his nap. After playing quietly all morning, they decided they were done with that. So, I made them lay down for a bit. After lunch, I let them go outside, but told them to stay on the porch because yesterday they were running over the rose bushes Paul had JUST planted for me, among numerous other things they KNOW they are not supposed to do. They sat out there and fought. I made them lay back down so AJ could finish his nap.
I go in to Isaac and Caleb's room because I hear Isaac screaming at Caleb to stop spitting on him. I go in and notice that the CD drive in their computer is partially open. After a quick look, I notice why. When did a 10 or 7 year old (and I KNOW which one did it) decide a CD drive was a good place to hide GUM?
I go back to my work on the kitchen floor. I was mopping and hear a dripping sound. I look under the sink to see that the sink is leaking. Not just a small leak. A very fast leak! The sink was plugged (I was mopping!!) but somehow the water was leaking through that and out the pipe.
This is turning out to be one of THOSE days that you wonder if this was the kind of punishment you had in mind when you decided to have kids.
Is it bedtime yet?
If I am lucky, they are just trying to fit in and do the whole Mardi Gras thing. That means by Wednesday they have to start being angels for Lent.....right?
Updated at 4:20 Let's top it off with Andrew "coloring" my wood coffee table with a SCREW....the sharp pointy end OF COURSE!
Name Game
We are to the name-that-body-part period in the pregnancy. She pushes out hard enough and is big enough we can get a pretty good guess of what she is trying to push out of my stomach!
Yesterday I grabbed either her arm or leg. She likes to stick her butt out too!
Yesterday I grabbed either her arm or leg. She likes to stick her butt out too!
Two Big Birthdays Before the BIRTHday
Andrew and Daddy both have birthdays coming up before the scheduled arrival of Mady.
My "baby" turns two on April 11th! It is SO sad! What is sadder is the fact he already acts like he has been two for a while!!
Then, just five days after Andrew turns two, Daddy turns the big 3-0!!
He will be 30 and I will still be a twenty-something!! :)
April is going to be a BUSY month in this house!
My "baby" turns two on April 11th! It is SO sad! What is sadder is the fact he already acts like he has been two for a while!!
Then, just five days after Andrew turns two, Daddy turns the big 3-0!!
He will be 30 and I will still be a twenty-something!! :)
April is going to be a BUSY month in this house!
Duck Lips
Andrew hit an end table last night and gave himself a fat lip. He looks like he has a duck mouth this morning - especially when he is sucking his thumb.
Luckily, he did not hurt his teeth! He was quite annoyed by the swelling though. He spent the evening wiping his lip like he was trying to get something off of it.
Luckily, he did not hurt his teeth! He was quite annoyed by the swelling though. He spent the evening wiping his lip like he was trying to get something off of it.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Our First Mardi Gras in LA
We were leaving Baton Rouge yesterday, headed home from errands, around lunchtime. We got on the interstate to come home and there were cars parked EVERYWHERE. Miles of the shoulder of the interstate, all the entrance/exit ramp shoulders, any grass medians, etc were bumper to bumper cars. This was all for the Mardi Gras parade that was taking place downtown. The interstate does NOT go through downtown, people were hiking because there was no where else to park. Doesn't seem to safe to me!
We heard on the news this morning that there was a guy killed when he fell off his float (after the parade route) and the float ran over him. It sounded like there was some alcohol involved.
These are two reasons enough for us NOT to go to the parades.
We sat down yesterday and explained to the boys why we were not going to the parades. We explained that it is not a typical parade like what they see at Christmas time. There would be people drinking, throwing things, etc and it would be really crazy. We never heard anything else from them about going.
It is celebration enough for THEM that they get the next two days off of school for Mardi Gras.
We heard on the news this morning that there was a guy killed when he fell off his float (after the parade route) and the float ran over him. It sounded like there was some alcohol involved.
These are two reasons enough for us NOT to go to the parades.
We sat down yesterday and explained to the boys why we were not going to the parades. We explained that it is not a typical parade like what they see at Christmas time. There would be people drinking, throwing things, etc and it would be really crazy. We never heard anything else from them about going.
It is celebration enough for THEM that they get the next two days off of school for Mardi Gras.
EIGHT MORE WEEKS!!!
Yes, the countdown has begun (truthfully, it has been going on all along). Eight more weeks (or less) until the baby. I went Friday and finished getting everything we should need for a while as far as the baby goes. I tried to even remember things that Daddy has always had to run out and buy right after we get home with the baby.
I posted the other day all the "symptoms" I was having at this point in the pregnancy. I forgot a big one. I am HOT ALL THE TIME. It does not matter what the temperature in the house is, I am burning up. I cannot sleep with blankets at night and I still wake up hot. You might be saying that is normal, but for me it isn't. With all four boys I was always cold. It could be 80 and I would be under blankets.
I was not going to get a double stroller. We were hoping that we would not have to get one, but Andrew is just too two! I hate double strollers because they are so big! Instead of a typical double stroller, I found one that has the regular seat in the front, that will take and infant car seat and the back has a seat and a place to stand. The seat is like a bench seat, but it has a safety belt. If he wants to stand he can, it has bars for him to hold onto and a belt that goes across the back to keep him from falling out. I chose this one because I compared the length of this one to the length of all the other double strollers and it is quite a bit shorter. Also, without the second normal seat it folds to the size of a regular stroller.
I put it together today to see how Andrew would do with this different type of stroller. I put the baby seat on the front and showed him how he could sit or stand and ride. He kept trying to crawl over the back of the front seat and into the carseat. He likes the standing part, not to keen on the sitting with the belt on, though. We will have to "practice" with it.
I posted the other day all the "symptoms" I was having at this point in the pregnancy. I forgot a big one. I am HOT ALL THE TIME. It does not matter what the temperature in the house is, I am burning up. I cannot sleep with blankets at night and I still wake up hot. You might be saying that is normal, but for me it isn't. With all four boys I was always cold. It could be 80 and I would be under blankets.
I was not going to get a double stroller. We were hoping that we would not have to get one, but Andrew is just too two! I hate double strollers because they are so big! Instead of a typical double stroller, I found one that has the regular seat in the front, that will take and infant car seat and the back has a seat and a place to stand. The seat is like a bench seat, but it has a safety belt. If he wants to stand he can, it has bars for him to hold onto and a belt that goes across the back to keep him from falling out. I chose this one because I compared the length of this one to the length of all the other double strollers and it is quite a bit shorter. Also, without the second normal seat it folds to the size of a regular stroller.
I put it together today to see how Andrew would do with this different type of stroller. I put the baby seat on the front and showed him how he could sit or stand and ride. He kept trying to crawl over the back of the front seat and into the carseat. He likes the standing part, not to keen on the sitting with the belt on, though. We will have to "practice" with it.
Friday, February 20, 2009
First Mardi Gras Experience
The kindergarten class had a Mardi Gras parade this morning. Parents were invited and the first graders went and watched. The kindergarteners threw Mardi Gras beads and candy to those watching.
We (Daddy and I) did not go. They were not letting parents park on campus and there is only a small park close by to park at. Bryce dressed up as a shark (the kids wore costumes). They were allowed to bring decorated wagons to use as "floats" and there were older kids pulling the wagons.
I sent a gallon size Ziploc bag full of Mardi Gras beads. I think the boys brought at least that much home between the two of them. I probably have 10 pounds of beads around MY neck right now. And, if you remember these pictures of Andrew last summer with the beads, he still loves the beads. He immediately started pulling them out of Isaac's bag when he realized he had them.
The boys REALLY want to go to a Mardi Gras parade this weekend, but we aren't. The thought of trying to keep up with four kids in a sea of people that are drunk and crazy does not sound appealing to me. They are all going to be SO crazy and crowded and the mere thought of going exhaust me at this point!
They get off school on Monday and Tuesday for Mardi Gras. TWO DAYS off for Mardi Gras!
We (Daddy and I) did not go. They were not letting parents park on campus and there is only a small park close by to park at. Bryce dressed up as a shark (the kids wore costumes). They were allowed to bring decorated wagons to use as "floats" and there were older kids pulling the wagons.
I sent a gallon size Ziploc bag full of Mardi Gras beads. I think the boys brought at least that much home between the two of them. I probably have 10 pounds of beads around MY neck right now. And, if you remember these pictures of Andrew last summer with the beads, he still loves the beads. He immediately started pulling them out of Isaac's bag when he realized he had them.
The boys REALLY want to go to a Mardi Gras parade this weekend, but we aren't. The thought of trying to keep up with four kids in a sea of people that are drunk and crazy does not sound appealing to me. They are all going to be SO crazy and crowded and the mere thought of going exhaust me at this point!
They get off school on Monday and Tuesday for Mardi Gras. TWO DAYS off for Mardi Gras!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Morning Walks
Monday I took Andrew for a walk around our neighborhood. The road through our neighborhood is one circle, houses on outside and inside of the circle, one entrance/exit and lined with sidewalks. Andrew loves being outside, so I decided it would do us both some good to go for a walk.
We have gone every day since. As soon as we put the last brother on the bus, we do our walk. Andrew trys to walk up every sidewalk and driveway to every house. I just figured out on this mornings walk that the only other time before this week that he has walked the entire neighborhood (as opposed to being in a wagon or on a tricycle being pushed) was Halloween, when they walked up every driveway or sidewalk for candy! Of course, that walk we were spending the whole time TELLING him to walk up to every house!
A lot of the houses in the neighborhood don't have fences around their backyards. Yesterday and today he started noticing EVERY playset in the yards and trying to take off to them, as well as the sidewalks and driveways. Our walks wear me out! We have to get him something to play on outside!
He is so cute though, he runs to the door after Caleb leaves (he leaves first) and starts pulling on the door knob saying "WA" (walk) over and over. He can't wait for his brothers to leave! He spends the walks exploring too. It is not that far of a walk, but it takes us a minimum of 30 minutes. He has to pick every flower weed and stop and look at every bug. If he hears a bird or plane or cow or car he has to stop and look for where the noise is coming from. I love watching the excitement in his face and voice as he explores all the new things he doesn't get to see in the backyard.
He is just growing up too fast!
We have gone every day since. As soon as we put the last brother on the bus, we do our walk. Andrew trys to walk up every sidewalk and driveway to every house. I just figured out on this mornings walk that the only other time before this week that he has walked the entire neighborhood (as opposed to being in a wagon or on a tricycle being pushed) was Halloween, when they walked up every driveway or sidewalk for candy! Of course, that walk we were spending the whole time TELLING him to walk up to every house!
A lot of the houses in the neighborhood don't have fences around their backyards. Yesterday and today he started noticing EVERY playset in the yards and trying to take off to them, as well as the sidewalks and driveways. Our walks wear me out! We have to get him something to play on outside!
He is so cute though, he runs to the door after Caleb leaves (he leaves first) and starts pulling on the door knob saying "WA" (walk) over and over. He can't wait for his brothers to leave! He spends the walks exploring too. It is not that far of a walk, but it takes us a minimum of 30 minutes. He has to pick every flower weed and stop and look at every bug. If he hears a bird or plane or cow or car he has to stop and look for where the noise is coming from. I love watching the excitement in his face and voice as he explores all the new things he doesn't get to see in the backyard.
He is just growing up too fast!
30 Week Update
I have begun sleeping better without the use of the Ambien lately. I was not using it very often, just times I didn't think I would make it another day without some sleep. I think at this point it is just pure exhaustion! I still get up several times throughout the night, but I am usually able to go back to sleep fairly quickly. It is definently not because I am any more comfortable at this point. The exhaustion is catching up with me, I am crabby a lot (yeah, I admit it - four boys, terrible twos, potty training, a five year old that never stops talking, normal daily duties that don't end because I don't feel well, etc...!!). I nap every day that I can when Andrew naps, but it never seems like enough!
She has been pushing outward a lot. My stomach is rock hard most of the time. What are the odds I can keep a rock-hard belly after I have the baby? Yeah, I know...zero, but hey a girl can wish. I am anxious to see how big she is. I was the biggest, most active out of four. She definently fits the most active category, and she feels like she is huge, but that might have something to do with her constant kickboxing and gymnastics she performs inside of ME! She even amazes Daddy with how active she is.
She is also still sitting low. I am just going to assume that she is quite happy there and will remain there until she comes out.
I have been getting nauseaus again, off and on for the last couple of weeks. Nothing too bad though, it is just annoying. I have started my cranberry/apple juice kick that I have always gotten on before I have babies and usually continue well after. Mostly, I have been drinking LOTS of water. I crave it, which is odd because I am not usually a fan of plain water.
Overall everything is going about typical for last trimester. We are all very excited and ready to meet this little girl!
Oh, just a funny tidbit....we were watching Family Guy the other night (one of Paul's favorite shows). The dad was out buying a "car" for his daughter. He opted for a tanker...literally an army tank. Paul looked at me and said "that will be us when we go to get her a car." I pointed out that if she had a car she could see boys. You could see him rethinking her having a car. He said there would be a GPS on her at all times so he always knew where she was.
I wonder if it has really hit him yet that he is about to have a DAUGHTER?
She has been pushing outward a lot. My stomach is rock hard most of the time. What are the odds I can keep a rock-hard belly after I have the baby? Yeah, I know...zero, but hey a girl can wish. I am anxious to see how big she is. I was the biggest, most active out of four. She definently fits the most active category, and she feels like she is huge, but that might have something to do with her constant kickboxing and gymnastics she performs inside of ME! She even amazes Daddy with how active she is.
She is also still sitting low. I am just going to assume that she is quite happy there and will remain there until she comes out.
I have been getting nauseaus again, off and on for the last couple of weeks. Nothing too bad though, it is just annoying. I have started my cranberry/apple juice kick that I have always gotten on before I have babies and usually continue well after. Mostly, I have been drinking LOTS of water. I crave it, which is odd because I am not usually a fan of plain water.
Overall everything is going about typical for last trimester. We are all very excited and ready to meet this little girl!
Oh, just a funny tidbit....we were watching Family Guy the other night (one of Paul's favorite shows). The dad was out buying a "car" for his daughter. He opted for a tanker...literally an army tank. Paul looked at me and said "that will be us when we go to get her a car." I pointed out that if she had a car she could see boys. You could see him rethinking her having a car. He said there would be a GPS on her at all times so he always knew where she was.
I wonder if it has really hit him yet that he is about to have a DAUGHTER?
The Toothpaste Look
When Caleb came out after brushing his teeth this morning I asked him what was all over his face.
"Toothpaste, I got it on my face."
I guess he thought it was a good look. He knew it was there and did not see a need to wash it off until I said something about it.
"Toothpaste, I got it on my face."
I guess he thought it was a good look. He knew it was there and did not see a need to wash it off until I said something about it.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
LEAP Practice Test Scores
Caleb has to take the LEAP test in April, which is the state test to see what the kids are learning. They have been doing practices packs all year and took a practice test in January. He brought home the results today:
Writing: 10/12
Reading and Responding: 17/18
Information Resources: 10/10
Proofreading: 8/8
Total Language Arts: 45/48
Math: 17/17
Science: 29/31
Social Studies: 22/22
I don't know if you remember the state test, but they are LONG and not easy. I am very proud of him and hope he can do as well on the real test.
He has also been doing his "in-depth" GT testing. They did an initial testing to see if he qualified for the "in-depth" testing, which he did. The poor kid is being tested out the wazoo! I am glad he test better than I did in school. I NEVER tested well, no matter how prepared I was and how much I knew the information.
He never ceases to amaze me and blow me away!
Writing: 10/12
Reading and Responding: 17/18
Information Resources: 10/10
Proofreading: 8/8
Total Language Arts: 45/48
Math: 17/17
Science: 29/31
Social Studies: 22/22
I don't know if you remember the state test, but they are LONG and not easy. I am very proud of him and hope he can do as well on the real test.
He has also been doing his "in-depth" GT testing. They did an initial testing to see if he qualified for the "in-depth" testing, which he did. The poor kid is being tested out the wazoo! I am glad he test better than I did in school. I NEVER tested well, no matter how prepared I was and how much I knew the information.
He never ceases to amaze me and blow me away!
Terrible Two's...Head On
HOLY.
SMOKES.
BATMAN!!!!
It has hit this house HARD in the last week!
I am wondering if I will survive the terrible twos again. Especially since we are still in them with our FIVE year old!
Between the constant NO's and the temper tantrums and the potty training.
It is time for a nap....for ME!
SMOKES.
BATMAN!!!!
It has hit this house HARD in the last week!
I am wondering if I will survive the terrible twos again. Especially since we are still in them with our FIVE year old!
Between the constant NO's and the temper tantrums and the potty training.
It is time for a nap....for ME!
This is Cool, but I Don't Want One!
The state of Louisiana is discussing new license plates. They will be a specific color and stand out from the plates they currently have. These plates will be reserved for sex offenders and possibly repeat DWI offenders (different color for different crime). I think this is an AWESOME idea. I have not heard much arguement about the sex offender one, but I have heard some about the DWI.
Sorry, if you are someone who repeatedly puts others lives in danger by drinking and then getting behind a wheel or if you are someone that could possibly sexually assault someone, you have lost the right to be anonymous. As far as I am concerned, you should have a tatoo across your face to warn EVERYONE!
I hope this passes!
Sorry, if you are someone who repeatedly puts others lives in danger by drinking and then getting behind a wheel or if you are someone that could possibly sexually assault someone, you have lost the right to be anonymous. As far as I am concerned, you should have a tatoo across your face to warn EVERYONE!
I hope this passes!
What Happened to My Mornings?
I don't do well if I have to wake up to kids fighting and argueing and screaming, etc. That is why I get up when Paul does, at 5 in the morning. The idea is, I am up and ready to go and had some quiet time before the boys get going.
Isaac and Bryce have, I guess a competition, going on to see who can be the first one up. They are getting up right after Paul leaves. This morning I told Isaac to go back to bed. He did for about 10 minutes. Then he came to my room.
The mornings are getting earlier and earlier and I am getting shorter and shorter with the kids every morning (not to mention the boys in bad moods because they are not getting enough sleep). So, when I go grocery shopping next I am buying two alarm clocks. One for each of their bedrooms. Noone is allowed up until the alarm goes off. There is no reason for the kids to be getting up before six every morning!!
Isaac and Bryce have, I guess a competition, going on to see who can be the first one up. They are getting up right after Paul leaves. This morning I told Isaac to go back to bed. He did for about 10 minutes. Then he came to my room.
The mornings are getting earlier and earlier and I am getting shorter and shorter with the kids every morning (not to mention the boys in bad moods because they are not getting enough sleep). So, when I go grocery shopping next I am buying two alarm clocks. One for each of their bedrooms. Noone is allowed up until the alarm goes off. There is no reason for the kids to be getting up before six every morning!!
Wasteful
Somehow the boys went through an entire bottle of shampoo in 3 days. I guess that explains why Andrew's bath Monday was a bubble bath, even though I did not put bubbles in it!
We will have to go back to the baby stuff. I guess the smell-good stuff is too fun!
We will have to go back to the baby stuff. I guess the smell-good stuff is too fun!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
First Full Day of Potty Training
Well....he decided he loved the idea of not wearing a diaper, or anything else! So, he will put on underwear or a diaper, then immediately yell no, take it off and sit on the potty. He would not peepee in the potty though. After most of the day of playing this game, I put a diaper on him and let him go outside and play. He was outside for about 2 minutes and came running inside holding himself saying "nono, nono, nono"
Progress I guess, he never would have noticed or said anything before.
Today, we were gone this morning and he came home and went to bed, so we are just now starting on it today.
Progress I guess, he never would have noticed or said anything before.
Today, we were gone this morning and he came home and went to bed, so we are just now starting on it today.
30 Week Appointment
Just got back from my 30 week appointment. THIRTY WEEKS!!! Almost there, no more than nine weeks left to go!
I did not see the dr this time, she was doing a c-section. I opted to let the nurse listen to the babies heartbeat as opposed to waiting for her to get back. Her bpm were HIGH today. She said it is not high enough to be concerned though. It is usually 150-160 bpm, today it was 178 bpm. That is a sign of how active this girl is! She, again, spent the time the nurse was trying to get her heartbeat moving away from her. To think, I at one time was concerned because she was not very active at the point in pregnancy when the boys were. She is making up for lost time, I guess.
I have switched my appointments from every other Tuesday to every other Friday. Paul has every other Friday off, so we are getting it to where Paul can start going to the appointments. I will go again in two weeks, then two weeks after that and then every week. So, from 34 weeks on it will be weekly.
I did not see the dr this time, she was doing a c-section. I opted to let the nurse listen to the babies heartbeat as opposed to waiting for her to get back. Her bpm were HIGH today. She said it is not high enough to be concerned though. It is usually 150-160 bpm, today it was 178 bpm. That is a sign of how active this girl is! She, again, spent the time the nurse was trying to get her heartbeat moving away from her. To think, I at one time was concerned because she was not very active at the point in pregnancy when the boys were. She is making up for lost time, I guess.
I have switched my appointments from every other Tuesday to every other Friday. Paul has every other Friday off, so we are getting it to where Paul can start going to the appointments. I will go again in two weeks, then two weeks after that and then every week. So, from 34 weeks on it will be weekly.
BYE-BYE
When we were leaving the doctor's office this morning, Andrew decided he needed to say "bye-bye"and wave to EVERY. SINGLE. PERSON.
I mean, the waiting room full of people, he could not do one overall "bye-bye", he had to look at each individual and wave and say it. Every room we passed, occupied or not, he waved and said bye-bye. Every person we passed in the parking lot.....bye-bye.
It was cute, but almost like a parade coming. That child doesn't do much quietly.
All of the bye-byes apparently wore him out. He fell asleep when we were almost home. I brought him in and put him down and he ran to his bed and crawled in it. Haven't heard him since.
I mean, the waiting room full of people, he could not do one overall "bye-bye", he had to look at each individual and wave and say it. Every room we passed, occupied or not, he waved and said bye-bye. Every person we passed in the parking lot.....bye-bye.
It was cute, but almost like a parade coming. That child doesn't do much quietly.
All of the bye-byes apparently wore him out. He fell asleep when we were almost home. I brought him in and put him down and he ran to his bed and crawled in it. Haven't heard him since.
My Trash Man
Andrew took the trash out again this morning. Had to carry it a little further because it is at the road (trash pick up day). He ran out in just his jeans and shoes. No shirt. Trash in one hand, sucking his thumb on the other hand.
TOO CUTE!
TOO CUTE!
Slick, but Not Slick Enough
We don't allow the boys to play their Wii or other games during the week. When they think they can, they rush through homework and don't do it all or do it right. We also get conduct folders every day for the younger two and every Friday for Caleb. If they do not get perfect conduct for the week they don't get to play on the weekends either. They know how they are supposed to act and maybe I expect a lot, but that is the rules.
Last night, I went to make sure the house was locked up, etc so I could go to bed. I noticed that Isaac and Caleb's Gameboys were not on the mantle where they were. I went to confiscate them, but the kids were asleep already.
This morning, the Gameboys were sitting EXACTLY where they were before they snuck out of their rooms and took them. I told the boys they were grounded from their Gameboys and they both innocently ask why. I told them I knew they had taken them last night. They both said "No we didn't. That is exactly where they were when we went to bed."
I simply replied "If you would like to continue to lie to me, we will make it two weeks."
They both fessed up.
They are good, but not THAT good! Always remember, Mom's have eyes EVERYWHERE and she sees all!!!
Last night, I went to make sure the house was locked up, etc so I could go to bed. I noticed that Isaac and Caleb's Gameboys were not on the mantle where they were. I went to confiscate them, but the kids were asleep already.
This morning, the Gameboys were sitting EXACTLY where they were before they snuck out of their rooms and took them. I told the boys they were grounded from their Gameboys and they both innocently ask why. I told them I knew they had taken them last night. They both said "No we didn't. That is exactly where they were when we went to bed."
I simply replied "If you would like to continue to lie to me, we will make it two weeks."
They both fessed up.
They are good, but not THAT good! Always remember, Mom's have eyes EVERYWHERE and she sees all!!!
Too Much Alcohol
Bryce made a comment this morning about the fact that his heart was beating very fast. Caleb immediately begins lecturing him about how that is a side effect of too much alcohol and why alcohol is bad for your body.
Why would a ten year old immediately suspect a five year old of drinking? I guess he needs some more PE and Health classes to learn that there are other reasons you can have a racing heart!
Hopefully, it has nothing to do with my heart issues!
Why would a ten year old immediately suspect a five year old of drinking? I guess he needs some more PE and Health classes to learn that there are other reasons you can have a racing heart!
Hopefully, it has nothing to do with my heart issues!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Big Guy
We have two small trashcans in our kitchen. I was pulling out the trashbags and knotting the bags to take them out. The back door is open and AJ is going in and out playing. He came in, saw one of the bags of trash and took off with it. He went straight to the outside trashcan. 
How come the not even two year old can see something that needs to be done and do it, but his older brothers can't?
For Sale
The house was officially put on the market last Friday morning - sign in yard, MLS online. Friday afternoon I heard they were showing it Saturday morning.
We just got an email from our realtor. He told us it was shown four times this weekend and three that are thinking about offers!
Fingers crossed. Sounds like the market there is booming and we just had it listed at a horrible time last time. The two houses that were across the street from us for sale, had sold signs put out last Friday when we were on our way up there.
We just got an email from our realtor. He told us it was shown four times this weekend and three that are thinking about offers!
Fingers crossed. Sounds like the market there is booming and we just had it listed at a horrible time last time. The two houses that were across the street from us for sale, had sold signs put out last Friday when we were on our way up there.
Why Projects Take So Long to Finish
Paul's new tank has plants in it. He has had problems with it since he set it up with algae. He is trying this new thing with changing water every week. He has this hose called a Python that you hook to your sink and it syphins the water out and you flip a switch on the hose and you can fill the tank back up.
Yesterday, Paul was working on taking water out of the tank. It got clogged up from what he thought was algae. He went outside with the part of the hose that was clogged and stood on the backporch swinging it trying to unclog it. This is what happened....
That is right, the hose flew off and went OVER the roof. This is the side of the house, he was in the back of the house. He got out a ladder and climbed up to get it. I picked it up and looked in it. The clog wasn't from algae, it was from a huge snail. He simply needed to push the snail out of they way and it worked fine!
See, even HE has blonde moments!
Yesterday, Paul was working on taking water out of the tank. It got clogged up from what he thought was algae. He went outside with the part of the hose that was clogged and stood on the backporch swinging it trying to unclog it. This is what happened....
That is right, the hose flew off and went OVER the roof. This is the side of the house, he was in the back of the house. He got out a ladder and climbed up to get it. I picked it up and looked in it. The clog wasn't from algae, it was from a huge snail. He simply needed to push the snail out of they way and it worked fine!
See, even HE has blonde moments!
My Other Christmas Present
Paul ordered this for me in October or November, but it is Amish made and they do not start making it until you order it - so it takes a while. He was hoping to have it by Christmas, but they take time off around Christmas and we just got it last month. I know I am slow getting it on here. 
It was even better than we thought it would be. We knew it would come with the handmade baskets, but they are on gliders!! I actually planned on taking those out and putting in something the kids would not tear up, but they just don't use them right now. Andrew has a tendency to open and lean on or sit on drawers and I really don't want him to ruin them. So far, he hasn't messed with them.
The boys have always walked in the door and thrown their backpacks and coats on the floor. They are all in the walkway and getting tripped on, Andrew going through them, etc. This has worked GREAT!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Potty Training....Round Four
We have been back and forth about whether to start potty training with AJ or wait until after the baby comes (he isn't even two yet). But, between the constant taking his diaper off and then today during naptime he got up and peed in the back of a toy truck (I think he was sitting on the truck and peed), I decided we would go ahead and start tackling it. Other than a drs appt on Tuesday, I don't have too much going on this week so we will spend most of the time at home.
We have been working on it for about two hours, he VERY quickly figured out that pee = reward. Mr. Smarty-Pants decided that he would pee ONE LITTLE DROP and expect a reward. I fell for it the first couple of times, because I wanted him to connect the two, but we quickly stopped that.
He stands up and claps everytime he dribbles any. He has had one small accident and immediately ran to the potty, other than that he has done a great job.
His reward started off being cherry heart candy, but they are big and chewy and were coming way too quick. So, I found some banana flavored bee cookies that are really small and are working well. We wills ee how quickly he gets bored with the reward and actual pottying. Hopefully he hates diapers enough that he will get it easily.
We have been working on it for about two hours, he VERY quickly figured out that pee = reward. Mr. Smarty-Pants decided that he would pee ONE LITTLE DROP and expect a reward. I fell for it the first couple of times, because I wanted him to connect the two, but we quickly stopped that.
He stands up and claps everytime he dribbles any. He has had one small accident and immediately ran to the potty, other than that he has done a great job.
His reward started off being cherry heart candy, but they are big and chewy and were coming way too quick. So, I found some banana flavored bee cookies that are really small and are working well. We wills ee how quickly he gets bored with the reward and actual pottying. Hopefully he hates diapers enough that he will get it easily.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Valentine's Day Hearts and Blood
I made heart shaped pancakes for the boys for breakfast this morning. I had some frozen strawberries that I thawed and put on top of them. Typical of me trying to do something loving and sweet, I get comments like "the red from the strawberries is the blood from the hearts."
Gotta love having a house full of boys!
Gotta love having a house full of boys!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Boomerang TV
Our cable company has a channel called Boomerang. It shows OLD (as in from when I was young and older) cartoons. Cartoons I had completely forgotten about until Paul found this channel. The boys love these cartoons more than the "modern day" cartoons. We have seen Yogi Bear, Tom and Jerry, some others that I don't remember, but we got excited when we saw them!
Andrew only has a few shows he will sit down and watch whenever it is on. They would be Wonder Pets, Backyardigans and Curious George. He has a new favorite now. Tom and Jerry. He LAUGHS through the whole show. It is hilarious to watch him watch it.
How did those of us that grew up watching that show not end up worse people than we are? I forgot how violent (in a not-so-serious-or-violent-compared-to-todays-world) some of the old cartoons could be. For example, yesterday there was a duck crying because he read the Ugly Duckling. He was putting himself on bread, and going to Tom and telling him to eat him. Or getting in Tom's food bowl and putting salt all over him for Tom to eat him, etc. Of course, Jerry would rescue him just in time every time. A suicidal duck.
Andrew only has a few shows he will sit down and watch whenever it is on. They would be Wonder Pets, Backyardigans and Curious George. He has a new favorite now. Tom and Jerry. He LAUGHS through the whole show. It is hilarious to watch him watch it.
How did those of us that grew up watching that show not end up worse people than we are? I forgot how violent (in a not-so-serious-or-violent-compared-to-todays-world) some of the old cartoons could be. For example, yesterday there was a duck crying because he read the Ugly Duckling. He was putting himself on bread, and going to Tom and telling him to eat him. Or getting in Tom's food bowl and putting salt all over him for Tom to eat him, etc. Of course, Jerry would rescue him just in time every time. A suicidal duck.
Caleb's Valentine
As I posted, Caleb made his girlfriend a Valentine. I am kind of confused though. He said he was signing it "your secret admirer". If she is his girlfriend, wouldn't she expect something from him?
Anyway, he came home yesterday and said he delivered the Valentine to her on the bus. She was sitting a few seats in front of him and he made an airplane with it and it landed behind her head. He saw her grab it and said he thought she heard the swish as the airplane landed by her ear.
Anyway, he came home yesterday and said he delivered the Valentine to her on the bus. She was sitting a few seats in front of him and he made an airplane with it and it landed behind her head. He saw her grab it and said he thought she heard the swish as the airplane landed by her ear.
Valentine's Day in a House of Boys
I asked my husband if there was anything particular he wanted for Valentine's Day. He said he didn't realize that Valentine's Day was a gift exchange holiday.
Wow! Since when had it NOT been? I guess because he is normally out of town with work on Valentine's Day, he forgot how it works. Someone needs to retrain him!
The problem with this household....noone cares about Valentine's Day, other than the party and candy. You can walk in any store and find anything girly for VD. But, not much for boys. They don't care about love and romance. They don't have time for any of that. I am outnumbered! I SHOULD be able to sleep in in the morning and not have to do ANYTHING tomorrow with me being the only "girl". I could get away with doing nothing tomorrow, but I will make up for it Sunday when I get up and it is all still there!
I have a LOT of training to do. These boys will eventually have girls. I need to think of them!
Wow! Since when had it NOT been? I guess because he is normally out of town with work on Valentine's Day, he forgot how it works. Someone needs to retrain him!
The problem with this household....noone cares about Valentine's Day, other than the party and candy. You can walk in any store and find anything girly for VD. But, not much for boys. They don't care about love and romance. They don't have time for any of that. I am outnumbered! I SHOULD be able to sleep in in the morning and not have to do ANYTHING tomorrow with me being the only "girl". I could get away with doing nothing tomorrow, but I will make up for it Sunday when I get up and it is all still there!
I have a LOT of training to do. These boys will eventually have girls. I need to think of them!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Isaac's Field Trip
Isaac gets to go on what sounds like will be an AWESOME fieldtrip. I wish I could join them, but I will have a newborn baby when they go.
They are going here. They get to take a safari tour, pet the animals, feed the animals, etc. It sounds like the coolest field trip ever.
It is going to cost $24 a STUDENT! They are letting us know now so we can save up! They are taking a chartered bus with bathrooms and tvs! The field trip just got even more awesome, huh? It only cost $7 a student to get in (according to the website) and I have to send a lunch or pay for a school cafeteria lunch. I guess most of it is paying for the chartered bus.
They are going here. They get to take a safari tour, pet the animals, feed the animals, etc. It sounds like the coolest field trip ever.
It is going to cost $24 a STUDENT! They are letting us know now so we can save up! They are taking a chartered bus with bathrooms and tvs! The field trip just got even more awesome, huh? It only cost $7 a student to get in (according to the website) and I have to send a lunch or pay for a school cafeteria lunch. I guess most of it is paying for the chartered bus.
Crying Substitutes...Nothing
He is going to send his MOM running crying.
Bryce thought it would be a great way to top off his horrible day by writing ISAAC in huge letters on his wall. He learned how to write all of his brothers names yesterday while making Valentines for them.
I sure hope tomorrow is better than today for him, or.......
Bryce thought it would be a great way to top off his horrible day by writing ISAAC in huge letters on his wall. He learned how to write all of his brothers names yesterday while making Valentines for them.
I sure hope tomorrow is better than today for him, or.......
Bryce in Trouble at School
Apparently, Bryce is the kid that sends the substitute teacher home crying.
I got a phone call around 3:30, before school was even out. I had turned my phone off when I laid down, so I did not know she called, but got a very long message. She was obviously very worked up and had problems with him today. Her message did not say much, just repeated over and over.
He was pretty hyper this morning, so I was expecting a problem day, but not a phone call. :)
She said that he was spitting water at other children. When she asked him why he was doing it he told her his brother told him to do it before they got on the bus this morning. She said he had "many other behaviour issues" this morning, but did not say what they were. There is a note in his conduct folder for me and he got timed out. Not sure EXACTLY what that means, but I guess we will see.
This all in the midst of our governor announcing that he is working to make it easier for "problem children" to be removed from their class by their teachers.
Someone is NOT going to have a good evening, that is for sure!!
I got a phone call around 3:30, before school was even out. I had turned my phone off when I laid down, so I did not know she called, but got a very long message. She was obviously very worked up and had problems with him today. Her message did not say much, just repeated over and over.
He was pretty hyper this morning, so I was expecting a problem day, but not a phone call. :)
She said that he was spitting water at other children. When she asked him why he was doing it he told her his brother told him to do it before they got on the bus this morning. She said he had "many other behaviour issues" this morning, but did not say what they were. There is a note in his conduct folder for me and he got timed out. Not sure EXACTLY what that means, but I guess we will see.
This all in the midst of our governor announcing that he is working to make it easier for "problem children" to be removed from their class by their teachers.
Someone is NOT going to have a good evening, that is for sure!!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Daddy and Bryce were working on Bryce's Valentine box tonight. I walked in and saw Caleb drawing and asked what he was up too.
"I'm just making a Valentine for my girlfriend."
Daddy stopped what he was doing and looked up. "Girlfriend?"
I asked who she was, he said he wasn't telling. I asked if it was the sister of his friend here in the neighborhood that he has had a crush on for a while. He said yes.
She is in fifth grade.
Going for the older women I guess.
"I'm just making a Valentine for my girlfriend."
Daddy stopped what he was doing and looked up. "Girlfriend?"
I asked who she was, he said he wasn't telling. I asked if it was the sister of his friend here in the neighborhood that he has had a crush on for a while. He said yes.
She is in fifth grade.
Going for the older women I guess.
100th Day of School
On January 30th, Isaac and Bryce had a 100th Day of School Celebration. They counted 100 of different things, had crafts, etc. along with snacks.
Today, on February 11, it is still the 100th day of school. Everyday since BEFORE they had their celebration, Bryce has talked about it being the 100th day of school. I tell him everyday it is not still the 100th day and that there can only be ONE 100th day of school every year.
He doesn't care. Everyday is the 100th day!
Today, on February 11, it is still the 100th day of school. Everyday since BEFORE they had their celebration, Bryce has talked about it being the 100th day of school. I tell him everyday it is not still the 100th day and that there can only be ONE 100th day of school every year.
He doesn't care. Everyday is the 100th day!
Caleb's Way of Talking
We get a kick out of how Caleb words things. This morning he had several funny lines coming out of his mouth. He just words things in ways that most people would not.
"You have a huge population of dead clovers." (I don't recall hearing many people talk about plants, dead or alive, in populations.)
"There are a lot of people stirring up the neighborhood this morning." (I guess we live in a pitcher of lemonade?)
"You have a huge population of dead clovers." (I don't recall hearing many people talk about plants, dead or alive, in populations.)
"There are a lot of people stirring up the neighborhood this morning." (I guess we live in a pitcher of lemonade?)
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Strangers and Opinions
Our family has always drawn a lot of attention. Whether it be the four kids or that they are all boys or that there are four boys......whatever. We get comments all the time. They don't bother me much, I just ignore them.
However, when I have complete strangers (passport lady) talking to Andrew and about the baby and asking if I had any other kids. I said I had four boys and one on the way. She grabbed my passport application and looked at my age. Then she asked if I was going to have my tubes tied, and that I REALLY need to have my tubes tied.....
I basically told her that I was not having my tubes tied and that we had planned a big family as long as we had been together. I continued by telling her that our "big" family was quite happy, thank you.
Why do strangers think they can tell other strangers what they should do to their body and how many kids they can have? Even if this was an "uh-oh" pregnancy for us, it was all in God's plan and we could not be happier. I am not asking these people to take care of my kids, by babysitting or financially. We don't ask for government assistance. We pay LOTS of taxes. We depend only on ourselves. Why is it any of their business?
So, to put the questions to rest.....
No, I am not getting my tubes tied. I had five kids....I have done my part, enough said.
Yes, we have always planned a big family.
No, we are not planning anymore kids. We were not planning on this baby. With that said, I would not trade any of my kids for the world! The fact that anyone would expect me to say I wish I did not have one or several or all of them or that they were not wanted.....GET REAL!
Our life might be a crazy whirlwind, but it is the crazy whirlwind I have wanted as long as I can remember and it is OUR crazy life! It is not always the quietest, calmest life, but we love our life and could not be happier (most of the time). We don't just sit at home because we don't want to deal with taking all of our kids out. We go everywhere as a family....even grocery shopping.
Okay, my rant is over now. PEOPLE: get a life of your own that does not include meddling in complete STRANGERS lifes!
However, when I have complete strangers (passport lady) talking to Andrew and about the baby and asking if I had any other kids. I said I had four boys and one on the way. She grabbed my passport application and looked at my age. Then she asked if I was going to have my tubes tied, and that I REALLY need to have my tubes tied.....
I basically told her that I was not having my tubes tied and that we had planned a big family as long as we had been together. I continued by telling her that our "big" family was quite happy, thank you.
Why do strangers think they can tell other strangers what they should do to their body and how many kids they can have? Even if this was an "uh-oh" pregnancy for us, it was all in God's plan and we could not be happier. I am not asking these people to take care of my kids, by babysitting or financially. We don't ask for government assistance. We pay LOTS of taxes. We depend only on ourselves. Why is it any of their business?
So, to put the questions to rest.....
No, I am not getting my tubes tied. I had five kids....I have done my part, enough said.
Yes, we have always planned a big family.
No, we are not planning anymore kids. We were not planning on this baby. With that said, I would not trade any of my kids for the world! The fact that anyone would expect me to say I wish I did not have one or several or all of them or that they were not wanted.....GET REAL!
Our life might be a crazy whirlwind, but it is the crazy whirlwind I have wanted as long as I can remember and it is OUR crazy life! It is not always the quietest, calmest life, but we love our life and could not be happier (most of the time). We don't just sit at home because we don't want to deal with taking all of our kids out. We go everywhere as a family....even grocery shopping.
Okay, my rant is over now. PEOPLE: get a life of your own that does not include meddling in complete STRANGERS lifes!
Another Day of DMV and Passport
I had to go spend another hour at the DMV this morning. Yesterday afternoon I noticed that they put the wrong birthdate on my drivers license. They had my birth certificate and my Arkansas drivers license and got my birthdate wrong. It was only a day off, but....
That is all taken care of now. I went to get my passport after that. Last night it dawned on me that Mady might need a passport too. I did some research and sure enough, she does. When I went today and got mine, I asked the lady about Mady's. I told her the baby would be here the end of April and our trip was the end of May and what the best way to get a passport for the baby in time for the trip would be. She kind of looked at me funny and then said she didn't know if I could get one in time. She said we didn't know when the baby would be here. I told her again, April 20th. She says "there are no guarantees when your baby will come, it could be May." I said the baby would be here NO LATER than April 20th because if she did not come on her own before then, they would make her come. Glad the stranger knows more about my pregnancy than I do!!!
So, I can pay an extra $60 and have her passport expedited. She told me I didn't really need too, because they are only taking about 2 weeks for applicants to receive them. However, the govt says to allow like 10-12 weeks. Not sure I want to take a gamble on receiving it on time.
It really makes no sense to me. Her passport will be good for five years. A one week old and a five year old are not going to look much alike. Her height and weight will be different. Knowing our kids, by five her hair color is probably going to be different (assuming she has hair at one week).
That is all taken care of now. I went to get my passport after that. Last night it dawned on me that Mady might need a passport too. I did some research and sure enough, she does. When I went today and got mine, I asked the lady about Mady's. I told her the baby would be here the end of April and our trip was the end of May and what the best way to get a passport for the baby in time for the trip would be. She kind of looked at me funny and then said she didn't know if I could get one in time. She said we didn't know when the baby would be here. I told her again, April 20th. She says "there are no guarantees when your baby will come, it could be May." I said the baby would be here NO LATER than April 20th because if she did not come on her own before then, they would make her come. Glad the stranger knows more about my pregnancy than I do!!!
So, I can pay an extra $60 and have her passport expedited. She told me I didn't really need too, because they are only taking about 2 weeks for applicants to receive them. However, the govt says to allow like 10-12 weeks. Not sure I want to take a gamble on receiving it on time.
It really makes no sense to me. Her passport will be good for five years. A one week old and a five year old are not going to look much alike. Her height and weight will be different. Knowing our kids, by five her hair color is probably going to be different (assuming she has hair at one week).
Monday, February 09, 2009
Another Great Weather Day
Bugs are not bad yet, so I have been leaving the door open (and windows). Andrew comes and goes in and out as he pleases. I am not sure who likes it more - me or him (or the dog). I am so glad we finally got our fence and he can play outside without me worrying about him and the road!
My Monday AM and a Word of Advice
This morning was a typical Monday morning. You know "Monday" mornings.....
Andrew comes in my room this morning with no pajama pants on and pulling his shirt as far down as he could. That is a dead giveaway that he has taken off his diaper. I take him to his room to get a diaper and Bryce hands me the diaper from last night. It was dry. I figured he had taken it off last night and peed all in his bed. I check his bed. It is dry. I don't know when the diaper came off, but he stayed dry ALL night. I went to get him to take him to the potty. He was between his bed and the window (in a space I cannot squeeze into right now). I got him to come out by asking if he wanted to go to the potty. TOO LATE!! After staying dry all night....he PEED ON HIS FLOOR. If only I was a few seconds earlier!!
The button fell off Caleb's brand new, never worn before, uniform pants as he was getting dressed this morning.
I told Caleb to stand at the kitchen window and watch for his bus, our daily routine. Bryce could not find his shoes or belt so I was "helping" (as in I was doing it all) him search for his shoe. WOW - it was actually in his closet where it goes, no wonder he couldn't find it.
I had gotten onto Caleb several times for playing with the faucet at the kitchen sink and playing around at the window instead of watching for his bus. I hear Isaac say he heard a bus and Caleb say it wasn't his (although it was the time his comes every morning). I asked Caleb if he saw the bus and he said he heard something but didn't see the bus. The fact that he missed his bus because he was standing at the window and NOT watching is more frustrating than when he misses his bus because he is in slow-mo!! I dropped him off at 8:19, school starts at 8:20. Luckily, the other bus came early so I did not have to take Isaac and Bryce too.
Paul is going to a convention in Toronto in June. My parents are keeping the boys so I can go with him. So....I need a passport. To get a passport I need a Louisiana drivers license. My plan was to get there early this morning so I didn't have to wait in line. Taking Caleb to school kind of threw that plan off. I get there and they are on number 44 and I am 52. I guess that isn't TOO bad, but I did have Andrew to entertain!!
I get in to get my license. I really wanted to wait until after the baby because I did not want a pregnant picture on my drivers license for four years (not to mention forever on my passport - but that won't get used much). Not only do I have a pregnancy picture on my drivers license, they made me put my PREGNANCY WEIGHT on the drivers license too. Guess it is a good thing I am not 9 months pregnant - just 7!!
I am ready for a nap!
Tomorrow I will go do my passport fun. :)
Andrew comes in my room this morning with no pajama pants on and pulling his shirt as far down as he could. That is a dead giveaway that he has taken off his diaper. I take him to his room to get a diaper and Bryce hands me the diaper from last night. It was dry. I figured he had taken it off last night and peed all in his bed. I check his bed. It is dry. I don't know when the diaper came off, but he stayed dry ALL night. I went to get him to take him to the potty. He was between his bed and the window (in a space I cannot squeeze into right now). I got him to come out by asking if he wanted to go to the potty. TOO LATE!! After staying dry all night....he PEED ON HIS FLOOR. If only I was a few seconds earlier!!
The button fell off Caleb's brand new, never worn before, uniform pants as he was getting dressed this morning.
I told Caleb to stand at the kitchen window and watch for his bus, our daily routine. Bryce could not find his shoes or belt so I was "helping" (as in I was doing it all) him search for his shoe. WOW - it was actually in his closet where it goes, no wonder he couldn't find it.
I had gotten onto Caleb several times for playing with the faucet at the kitchen sink and playing around at the window instead of watching for his bus. I hear Isaac say he heard a bus and Caleb say it wasn't his (although it was the time his comes every morning). I asked Caleb if he saw the bus and he said he heard something but didn't see the bus. The fact that he missed his bus because he was standing at the window and NOT watching is more frustrating than when he misses his bus because he is in slow-mo!! I dropped him off at 8:19, school starts at 8:20. Luckily, the other bus came early so I did not have to take Isaac and Bryce too.
Paul is going to a convention in Toronto in June. My parents are keeping the boys so I can go with him. So....I need a passport. To get a passport I need a Louisiana drivers license. My plan was to get there early this morning so I didn't have to wait in line. Taking Caleb to school kind of threw that plan off. I get there and they are on number 44 and I am 52. I guess that isn't TOO bad, but I did have Andrew to entertain!!
I get in to get my license. I really wanted to wait until after the baby because I did not want a pregnant picture on my drivers license for four years (not to mention forever on my passport - but that won't get used much). Not only do I have a pregnancy picture on my drivers license, they made me put my PREGNANCY WEIGHT on the drivers license too. Guess it is a good thing I am not 9 months pregnant - just 7!!
I am ready for a nap!
Tomorrow I will go do my passport fun. :)
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Another Beautiful Day
This is the time of year to live in Louisiana (this part anyway). We had another beautiful day. Perfect weather. Upper 70's, breezy, no clouds. It is hard for me - I want to work outside!
After going and getting Caleb and Bryce some new uniform pants (they have done some growing) and getting groceries, we spent the day outside. We had the windows open, the back door open...it was great.
I worked on another one of our island flowerbeds. I did not remove this one completely, just got rid of the sweet potatoes, cannas and elephant ears. I took a chair out and sat while I pulled up the plants. Then Paul went out with the ax and hoe and got the roots and sweet potatoes I could not get. Now, we just need to decide what to plant there, it is a pretty good sized flowerbed and right at the end of the driveway so it is seen by all that drive by.
I have been contraction free all day:) That is actually kind of impressive because I have regular Braxton-Hicks contractions (which are irregular contractions....make sense?) since the last time I worked out in the yard. I am trying to take it easy, but not go crazy too!
We are going to go in the next week or two and get some patio furniture. I CAN'T wait. It has been so nice actually having our back porch with no dogs on it, but I have really wanted some furniture out there to enjoy it on. I can't wait!
The rest of the week is supposed to be in the 70's but we have a chance of rain most of the week I think. Maybe it will miss us - I LOVE this weather!
After going and getting Caleb and Bryce some new uniform pants (they have done some growing) and getting groceries, we spent the day outside. We had the windows open, the back door open...it was great.
I worked on another one of our island flowerbeds. I did not remove this one completely, just got rid of the sweet potatoes, cannas and elephant ears. I took a chair out and sat while I pulled up the plants. Then Paul went out with the ax and hoe and got the roots and sweet potatoes I could not get. Now, we just need to decide what to plant there, it is a pretty good sized flowerbed and right at the end of the driveway so it is seen by all that drive by.
I have been contraction free all day:) That is actually kind of impressive because I have regular Braxton-Hicks contractions (which are irregular contractions....make sense?) since the last time I worked out in the yard. I am trying to take it easy, but not go crazy too!
We are going to go in the next week or two and get some patio furniture. I CAN'T wait. It has been so nice actually having our back porch with no dogs on it, but I have really wanted some furniture out there to enjoy it on. I can't wait!
The rest of the week is supposed to be in the 70's but we have a chance of rain most of the week I think. Maybe it will miss us - I LOVE this weather!
Boys and Magazine Covers
I am getting to where I don't feel like I can go to the store with my boys. Caleb has gotten to where he reads the fronts of magazines while we are standing in line. This morning we were in line for way too long. Paul nudged me and nodded at Caleb. I looked down at Caleb and he is shaking his head yes, with a grin on his face, checking out the barely covered girl on the cover of Cosmo. You can imagine the headlines, the same that are always on the cover of Cosmo.
Something really needs to be done about the magazines that are sitting at checkouts. Couldn't they at least put those type on the top in the back instead of down low on the sides of the aisle? I mean, let's make it a LITTLE less obvious.
As for me, I guess from now on when the kids are with us, I will turn over all of the magazines so the boys cannot read and see the covers. I can't stop them from being boys, but I don't have to encourage it either.
Something really needs to be done about the magazines that are sitting at checkouts. Couldn't they at least put those type on the top in the back instead of down low on the sides of the aisle? I mean, let's make it a LITTLE less obvious.
As for me, I guess from now on when the kids are with us, I will turn over all of the magazines so the boys cannot read and see the covers. I can't stop them from being boys, but I don't have to encourage it either.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
NE.CES.SI.TIES for Traveling with Kids
Two days in a car and hotel with kids. Here are some not as often thought of necessities for traveling with kids.
A DVD player
A Nintendo 64
Gameboys
Books
A sunroof
A DVD player
A Nintendo 64
Gameboys
Books
A sunroof
We were able to keep the kids pretty entertained with the above listed items. We took their Nintendo 64 and hooked it to the DVD player in the car. We only have two controllers, but they had other things to keep them busy. I have fallen in love with a sunroof for selfish reasons. It is great for drowning out the boys argueing and goofiness when the games or movie get boring (better ensure it isn't raining before you open it so you don't LITERALLY drown out the noise or kids). The last hour of the way home we had the sunroof open and the boys could talk all the neverending nonsense they wanted!
I would recommend, however, that if you have any sanity BEFORE you go....leave it at home. If you don't, you probably will not return with it. Especially if, on top of the drive you stay in a hotel room with four little boys!
It has been a long two days, we are very glad to be home. The house is listed again, so pray it sells quickly! We are really comfortable with the realtor we are using this time around. He came and presented a full marketing plan and all kinds of comparisons and charts and graphs. All of that work and we had not even told him we were for sure listing with him.
The market in the Little Rock area is the best market for trying to sell houses in the nation. That is not according to the realtor, that is according to Forbes and I heard about it on ABC not to long ago, which is partially what spurred us into relisting now. He did say he had sold more in the last two weeks than he had in the last three months. Sounds promising, but we will see.
Friday, February 06, 2009
I am up.....it is 11:30 pm and I can't sleep and I didn't bring my Ambien. I haven't used them in a couple of weeks because I just don't feel comfortable with the unknown of what it does to the baby. But, I don't mind the occasional use if all else fails. That kind of sounds like an addict talking - don't worry...I am not one!
I am sitting in a hotel room, two queen beds, two adults and four kids! Somehow from the time we went to bed to now, we went from three kids in one bed to two kids on the floor and one in the queen size bed by himself. Andrew was in bed with us. The only way he would lay down long enough to go to sleep was with his hand and head on my belly. I don't know what he is going to do in a few months when that is no longer there. Put his head on Mady, I guess.
He sat up not too long ago and threw himself against Paul's head. I was startled by the sudden cry out in pain from Paul. The head bang, nor the cry out even got a flinch from Andrew, much less woke him up.
About 30 minutes from arriving here yesterday I got a phone call from the friend that is renting our house. We came up here to meet with an agent and relist the house. He had told us that houses sales were picking up and we should list asap. She called to let us know that the house that was listed right after ours across the street from ours sold today. Also, the house next door to that that they are in the process of building sold. We get in our neighborhood and see that there is a house the next street over that has a sale pending. It SHOULD make me feel better -houses are selling - but it doesn't. If we had kept our house on the market I think ours would have sold before the other two on our street. It is bigger and we had it listed cheaper. Oh well. We will just have to hope for someone to buy it soon.
I am going to continue to sit in this chair in this dark room because it is more comfortable than lying down is right now.
I am sitting in a hotel room, two queen beds, two adults and four kids! Somehow from the time we went to bed to now, we went from three kids in one bed to two kids on the floor and one in the queen size bed by himself. Andrew was in bed with us. The only way he would lay down long enough to go to sleep was with his hand and head on my belly. I don't know what he is going to do in a few months when that is no longer there. Put his head on Mady, I guess.
He sat up not too long ago and threw himself against Paul's head. I was startled by the sudden cry out in pain from Paul. The head bang, nor the cry out even got a flinch from Andrew, much less woke him up.
About 30 minutes from arriving here yesterday I got a phone call from the friend that is renting our house. We came up here to meet with an agent and relist the house. He had told us that houses sales were picking up and we should list asap. She called to let us know that the house that was listed right after ours across the street from ours sold today. Also, the house next door to that that they are in the process of building sold. We get in our neighborhood and see that there is a house the next street over that has a sale pending. It SHOULD make me feel better -houses are selling - but it doesn't. If we had kept our house on the market I think ours would have sold before the other two on our street. It is bigger and we had it listed cheaper. Oh well. We will just have to hope for someone to buy it soon.
I am going to continue to sit in this chair in this dark room because it is more comfortable than lying down is right now.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Future Polar Bear Club Member
We are headed to Arkansas this weekend to put our house back on the market. We usually stay in a hotel in West Little Rock that has an indoor pool, but they were booked this weekend. So we decided to just stay in one in Bryant and not have to spend anymore time in the car than we have to.
This morning the boys were all up packing their bags with toys (toys they don't play with) to take on our trip. We had already told them no toys, but they are going to try anyway (we are leaving tomorrow and coming back Saturday). To keep from having to much chaos, I packed their stuff while they were at school. Caleb just got home and said he was going to pack. I told him I had. He said he was going to grab his swimsuit. I told him the hotels pool is outside.
"What's so wrong about that?"
The daily coat arguement is not enough!
I can see that boy participating in the Polar Bear Club!!
This morning the boys were all up packing their bags with toys (toys they don't play with) to take on our trip. We had already told them no toys, but they are going to try anyway (we are leaving tomorrow and coming back Saturday). To keep from having to much chaos, I packed their stuff while they were at school. Caleb just got home and said he was going to pack. I told him I had. He said he was going to grab his swimsuit. I told him the hotels pool is outside.
"What's so wrong about that?"
The daily coat arguement is not enough!
I can see that boy participating in the Polar Bear Club!!
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
28 Week Dr Appt
I just got home from the dr. Mady still seems to be doing great - good measurement, 150bpm. Mady, however, decided to show the dr just how stubborn she really is. Usually the dr can get the heartbeat pretty immediately. Today, it took several minutes. The dr finally commented that the baby was not cooperating and moving around a lot. I told her that when Mady does not like something, she lets me know it. I pointed out that she does not like anything pushing on my belly, driving across my belly, light shining on my belly (including Andrew's new favorite past time of shining a flashlight on my bare stomach), loud noises on my belly (like AJ's and Daddy's raspberries they LOVE to irritate her with).
When I got up to leave, Andrew immediately tried to pull my shirt up. The dr started laughing as I told her he is obsessed with my bare belly.
I discussed the Braxton-Hicks contractions, which I am having pretty frequently since Saturday. Paul is somewhat concerned, but there is no consistency to the contractions. The dr said those that have them usually start getting them around 30 weeks. I am 28 and she told me to get used to them (not sure that will happen). Last night was pretty much one constant contraction. The pain would ease up and get bad again, but for a couple of hours it never went away.
Mr. Man did great as normal. He is such a flirt with the nurses and they all eat it up. Not to mention all the other pregos in the office oohhing and aahhing over him. He sat in Mady's stroller because his is in Daddy's Jeep at work. He LOVES Mady's stroller. It is much bigger than his (he had a small one because a regular size would not fit in our old car) and he took advantage of the space, placing his monkey next to him and covering them both with his blankie, holding several books, milk in his cupholder and snack on the tray. He did not want to get out of it and usually he can't get out quick enough. I hope he can get over someone else being in it!
When I got up to leave, Andrew immediately tried to pull my shirt up. The dr started laughing as I told her he is obsessed with my bare belly.
I discussed the Braxton-Hicks contractions, which I am having pretty frequently since Saturday. Paul is somewhat concerned, but there is no consistency to the contractions. The dr said those that have them usually start getting them around 30 weeks. I am 28 and she told me to get used to them (not sure that will happen). Last night was pretty much one constant contraction. The pain would ease up and get bad again, but for a couple of hours it never went away.
Mr. Man did great as normal. He is such a flirt with the nurses and they all eat it up. Not to mention all the other pregos in the office oohhing and aahhing over him. He sat in Mady's stroller because his is in Daddy's Jeep at work. He LOVES Mady's stroller. It is much bigger than his (he had a small one because a regular size would not fit in our old car) and he took advantage of the space, placing his monkey next to him and covering them both with his blankie, holding several books, milk in his cupholder and snack on the tray. He did not want to get out of it and usually he can't get out quick enough. I hope he can get over someone else being in it!
Monday, February 02, 2009
Super Bowl
We watch the Super Bowl every year, even though we don't watch much of the season games. We set up a blanket on the living room floor for the kids to sit on and eat while they watch and we put all kinds of food on the coffee table.
It is exciting for them for a while, and then they get bored and go off and play. This year, though, Caleb actually wanted to watch.
We are not "fans" necessarily of either team, but I like to root for the underdog, so we were cheering on the Cardinals. Caleb was right there with us, until the score was 20 -7. Then he suddenly swapt to being a Steelers fan!
They did not get to stay up for the whole game (school night!!), but when he got up this morning he asked who won. I told him Steelers, and he started jumping up and down saying he KNEW the Steelers would win. I had to call him on it...you can't just swap teams to the winning team!!
It is exciting for them for a while, and then they get bored and go off and play. This year, though, Caleb actually wanted to watch.
We are not "fans" necessarily of either team, but I like to root for the underdog, so we were cheering on the Cardinals. Caleb was right there with us, until the score was 20 -7. Then he suddenly swapt to being a Steelers fan!
They did not get to stay up for the whole game (school night!!), but when he got up this morning he asked who won. I told him Steelers, and he started jumping up and down saying he KNEW the Steelers would win. I had to call him on it...you can't just swap teams to the winning team!!
Caleb's Coat Drama
As you may know, I have to fight Caleb to put a coat on any time it is cold outside. He doesn't like his "big" coat (he says it is too small, but really just wants a new one, it fits perfect) so he always just wants to wear his sweatshirt.
Last week when he had his field trip to see Rodin's sculptures, we had the arguement again. I knew it was supposed to be pretty cool and they were spending a portion of their trip outside. He kept argueing, trying to sneak out in the sweatshirt, etc. Finally, I just told him he didn't need to watch for his bus because I was going to take him to school so I could personally tell his teacher he could not go on the field trip because he would not wear a coat. He put his coat on, that was the end of it.
Today, it is supposed to be cool and raining. I told him to get a coat (but didn't specify because it isn't that bad out). He said "I will get my blue sweatshirt because I can transport it with less energy."
Who talks like that (other than Caleb) and is that really an excuse he thinks I would buy if it was really cold out?
Last week when he had his field trip to see Rodin's sculptures, we had the arguement again. I knew it was supposed to be pretty cool and they were spending a portion of their trip outside. He kept argueing, trying to sneak out in the sweatshirt, etc. Finally, I just told him he didn't need to watch for his bus because I was going to take him to school so I could personally tell his teacher he could not go on the field trip because he would not wear a coat. He put his coat on, that was the end of it.
Today, it is supposed to be cool and raining. I told him to get a coat (but didn't specify because it isn't that bad out). He said "I will get my blue sweatshirt because I can transport it with less energy."
Who talks like that (other than Caleb) and is that really an excuse he thinks I would buy if it was really cold out?
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Sweet-Potato-Eating-Dog
As I mentioned in the previous post, the guy that lived here before used sweet potatoes as a ground cover in his flower beds. Our cocker spaniel, Trip, likes to carry these HUGE sweet potatoes around in his mouth. He will put them down, roll around on them, carry them around some more. He does this over and over until he eventually starts knawing on them.
I need to find out if sweet potatoes hurt dogs!
I need to find out if sweet potatoes hurt dogs!
Contractions
It is very hard here to accept it is winter when we have more warm days than cold ones. Yesterday and today are in the 70's and I have Spring Fever. I am ready to start planting and taking care of flowerbeds!
Yesterday, I went and worked outside, much to my husbands dismay! He had planned on working out there already and I was going to go out there for "moral support". I am so tired of not having any energy and not doing anything, that I started working. We have an island flower bed (the guy that lived here before put flowerbeds EVERYWHERE) that is the dogs area and next to their house. We have been wanting to pull up everything but the two trees and do away with the flowerbed. It is a pain to mow around all the beds!
I decided that I was going to start by pulling up all the cannas and elephant ears that have been there for YEARS. The roots were deep and did not want to move. So, I started using a hoe to break up the bulbs and sweet potatoes (the guy used sweet potatoes as ground cover in all of his beds).
We got all of the big island bed up, and a small island bed that had a couple of rose bushes in it. The end result was a feeling of getting a lot accomplished yesterday, and....Braxton-Hicks contractions all evening and a few this morning.
Paul won't allow me to do anything now. I will be stuck with spring fever and baby fever at the same time. That is better than a really early baby arrival, but I WANT MY ENERGY BACK!!
11 more weeks....
Yesterday, I went and worked outside, much to my husbands dismay! He had planned on working out there already and I was going to go out there for "moral support". I am so tired of not having any energy and not doing anything, that I started working. We have an island flower bed (the guy that lived here before put flowerbeds EVERYWHERE) that is the dogs area and next to their house. We have been wanting to pull up everything but the two trees and do away with the flowerbed. It is a pain to mow around all the beds!
I decided that I was going to start by pulling up all the cannas and elephant ears that have been there for YEARS. The roots were deep and did not want to move. So, I started using a hoe to break up the bulbs and sweet potatoes (the guy used sweet potatoes as ground cover in all of his beds).
We got all of the big island bed up, and a small island bed that had a couple of rose bushes in it. The end result was a feeling of getting a lot accomplished yesterday, and....Braxton-Hicks contractions all evening and a few this morning.
Paul won't allow me to do anything now. I will be stuck with spring fever and baby fever at the same time. That is better than a really early baby arrival, but I WANT MY ENERGY BACK!!
11 more weeks....
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