Mads is in the blue bedroom and my two youngest are in the pink bedroom now!
I had to do some rearranging of bedrooms this weekend in hopes of getting Madys to sleep better.
Mady is not sleeping much at all during the day and doesn't sleep great at night either. The problem is that he brothers will not stay quiet during the day for her to nap. When it is just Andrew home he goes barging in her room while she is sleeping the second my eyes leave him.
Her room is next to Caleb and Isaac's room. When all of the boys are home and going in and out of their bedroom (slamming doors, yelling, rough housing, etc), they wake her up.
Some other issues with her room is that it was at the front of the house and any noise from outside would bother her. Her window is also on the west side of the house and when you need a DARK, QUIET room for sleeping, all of the issues add up to NO SLEEP!
Bryce and Andrew's room was at the other end of the hall. I did not want to put the two boys in her room because it is a lot smaller, but they don't have much furniture and they rarely play in their room, so if it means she sleeps (which in turn means I sleep) than it just might have to be this way for a while.
I spent ALL day yesterday moving endless amounts of toys, clothes, furniture, etc between the two rooms. I had lots of "helpers" until forgotten toys were uncovered and they disappeared until that toy became boring again. By bedtime, rooms were changed, set up and cleaned!
Today, Mady took two good naps. That is pretty amazing considering she is sick! I put a baby gate in the middle of the hall (right past the bathroom door) so that the boys could use the bathroom, but noone could get to her door. Her music was up and the CD was on repeat.
Now, we will see if I can get her back on a good schedule, including the two naps (morning and afternoon) a day that she so desperately needs. Hopefully, this will lead to a her sleeping through the night!
If it works, I will repaint bedrooms. If it doesn't I will spend ANOTHER day putting kids back where they were. I am uncertain as to which I would rather have to do (energy wise)!!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
And the Streak Is Over
March 2008!
That was the last time we had a sick child.
Until now. Now I have TWO sick kids. Mady has been under the weather for going on a week, but she has been running a fever since Friday. Yesterday and today it has gotten bad. She seems okay first thing in the morning, then she takes a nap and wakes up with a fever. Today, when she got up from her nap her temperature was 104.5! With meds I can get it down to around 101-102. When she has fallen asleep and missed meds she wakes up really high again.
Isaac spent most of yesterday afternoon and all of today sleeping. When I checked his temperature the first time it was 103.5. He gets a little bit of energy when the meds kick in, but quickly goes back to lying down.
They both have a cough and Mady has congestion/runny nose. But that is it for symptoms. Isaac's throat hurts when he coughs, but that is the only time.
Needless to say, at 7:00 tomorrow morning I will be calling the drs office to talk to a nurse and see if we need to come in.
Miss Velcro Baby is more like duct tape on a hairy arm when she is sick! I thought she was clingy when she got her teeth (the two she has)....luckily Daddy was home this weekend to help and he did nighttime duty with her!
I will update when I figure out what is going on.
That was the last time we had a sick child.
Until now. Now I have TWO sick kids. Mady has been under the weather for going on a week, but she has been running a fever since Friday. Yesterday and today it has gotten bad. She seems okay first thing in the morning, then she takes a nap and wakes up with a fever. Today, when she got up from her nap her temperature was 104.5! With meds I can get it down to around 101-102. When she has fallen asleep and missed meds she wakes up really high again.
Isaac spent most of yesterday afternoon and all of today sleeping. When I checked his temperature the first time it was 103.5. He gets a little bit of energy when the meds kick in, but quickly goes back to lying down.
They both have a cough and Mady has congestion/runny nose. But that is it for symptoms. Isaac's throat hurts when he coughs, but that is the only time.
Needless to say, at 7:00 tomorrow morning I will be calling the drs office to talk to a nurse and see if we need to come in.
Miss Velcro Baby is more like duct tape on a hairy arm when she is sick! I thought she was clingy when she got her teeth (the two she has)....luckily Daddy was home this weekend to help and he did nighttime duty with her!
I will update when I figure out what is going on.
Friday, January 29, 2010
I met OPRAH WINFREY and MICHELLE OBAMA today!!!
Actually, today I met so many famous people I could hardly keep up! I met Babe Ruth, Kathleen Blanco, Norman Rockwell, Joan of Arc, Rosa Park, Elvis Presley, Betsy Ross, Michael Jackson, Madam C. J. Walker and Michael Jordan.
I was a day late to meet Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Barak Obama, Walt Disney, Maya Angelou, Sacagawea, Janet Jackson, Abrahan Lincoln, and Pocahontas.
Most importantly and the one I was most excited about, I met Paul Neal "Red" Adair.
See, today I went to Bryce's school to see him do his first biography (although, I don't remember biographies in first grade). They had to dress up as the person they were doing their biography on. He wanted to dress up as a fireman, so we looked up famous fireman and Red is THE most famous! He even had a John Wayne movie (Hellfighters) made about him!
I thought they were pretty good choices for first graders! They were not allowed to have two people doing the same person. The kids had the chance to ask questions after each biography. After every one, SOMEONE would ask if the person was dead. They are seemed very interested in that (they would even ask if it was answered in the biography).
Actually, today I met so many famous people I could hardly keep up! I met Babe Ruth, Kathleen Blanco, Norman Rockwell, Joan of Arc, Rosa Park, Elvis Presley, Betsy Ross, Michael Jackson, Madam C. J. Walker and Michael Jordan.
I was a day late to meet Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Barak Obama, Walt Disney, Maya Angelou, Sacagawea, Janet Jackson, Abrahan Lincoln, and Pocahontas.
Most importantly and the one I was most excited about, I met Paul Neal "Red" Adair.
See, today I went to Bryce's school to see him do his first biography (although, I don't remember biographies in first grade). They had to dress up as the person they were doing their biography on. He wanted to dress up as a fireman, so we looked up famous fireman and Red is THE most famous! He even had a John Wayne movie (Hellfighters) made about him!
I thought they were pretty good choices for first graders! They were not allowed to have two people doing the same person. The kids had the chance to ask questions after each biography. After every one, SOMEONE would ask if the person was dead. They are seemed very interested in that (they would even ask if it was answered in the biography).
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
By Golly I Think We Got It!!
Andrew started asking to sit on the potty since he was a year old. I let him whenever he would ask, but never really pushed it because it was more of a "everyone in this house uses a potty...I should sit on one too" type of thing. Then when he was a little over two, I started to get serious about him using the potty and he, for the most part, wanted NOTHING to do with it. Until lately.
He has been peeing in the potty for a couple of weeks now. But, until recently would not attempt to poop in the potty. For a LONG time now if you asked him where you go poop or pee he would say the potty, but he would not follow up with it.
Then Spike came along. Spike was supposed to be a birthday present (AJ wanted it for Christmas and didnt get it. Then after Christmas he was clearanced and more than half off). His brothers showed him the box (which was kinda hidden to where he wouldn't find it) and I have heard about Spike everyday since.
So, I made a "deal" (call it a bribe - whatever. If it works....) with him. I told him if he would start pooping in the potty ALL. THE. TIME. he could have the dinosaur. Otherwise, he had to wait until his birthday.
Now, he is two still. That is a pretty hefty deal and I didn't know how much he really understood it. BUT, he pooped in the potty. He asked for Spike, I again explained that he had to be out of Pullups before he could have Spike. We had this conversation a couple of times and he stopped asking for Spike and asked for "big boy treats". He would still say "I poopie in big boy potty so I have P-Rex, so I guess he was starting to understand.
He periodically still has stomach issues when he has lactose and lately he has been. Amazingly, he has been able to tell us he needed to go potty most of the time and has been making it on time. There have been a couple of accidents, but overall he has been doing great.
He has gone with Dad several times the last couple of weeks to run an errand or two wearing underwear with no accidents. He is either telling me he needs to potty (pee or poop) as he is walking to the bathroom or he just goes and then I hear him yell with excitement that he has pottied. He has been waking up from naps dry and frequently wakes up in the mornings dry (although he is still in Pullups at night).
I think today he is going to get Spike. He has been doing SUCH an awesome job and I am so proud of him, so I think it is time to reward him.
FOUR DOWN AND ONE TO GO!! I hear girls are easier. But NOTHING has been easier with Madeleine, so I am going to mentally prepare myself for the potty training challange of my life. I will NOT go in with the attitude that I am a potty training master (after potty training four boys) because I am pretty certain she will not let it be easy!
He has been peeing in the potty for a couple of weeks now. But, until recently would not attempt to poop in the potty. For a LONG time now if you asked him where you go poop or pee he would say the potty, but he would not follow up with it.
Then Spike came along. Spike was supposed to be a birthday present (AJ wanted it for Christmas and didnt get it. Then after Christmas he was clearanced and more than half off). His brothers showed him the box (which was kinda hidden to where he wouldn't find it) and I have heard about Spike everyday since.
So, I made a "deal" (call it a bribe - whatever. If it works....) with him. I told him if he would start pooping in the potty ALL. THE. TIME. he could have the dinosaur. Otherwise, he had to wait until his birthday.
Now, he is two still. That is a pretty hefty deal and I didn't know how much he really understood it. BUT, he pooped in the potty. He asked for Spike, I again explained that he had to be out of Pullups before he could have Spike. We had this conversation a couple of times and he stopped asking for Spike and asked for "big boy treats". He would still say "I poopie in big boy potty so I have P-Rex, so I guess he was starting to understand.
He periodically still has stomach issues when he has lactose and lately he has been. Amazingly, he has been able to tell us he needed to go potty most of the time and has been making it on time. There have been a couple of accidents, but overall he has been doing great.
He has gone with Dad several times the last couple of weeks to run an errand or two wearing underwear with no accidents. He is either telling me he needs to potty (pee or poop) as he is walking to the bathroom or he just goes and then I hear him yell with excitement that he has pottied. He has been waking up from naps dry and frequently wakes up in the mornings dry (although he is still in Pullups at night).
I think today he is going to get Spike. He has been doing SUCH an awesome job and I am so proud of him, so I think it is time to reward him.
FOUR DOWN AND ONE TO GO!! I hear girls are easier. But NOTHING has been easier with Madeleine, so I am going to mentally prepare myself for the potty training challange of my life. I will NOT go in with the attitude that I am a potty training master (after potty training four boys) because I am pretty certain she will not let it be easy!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Madeleine's Nine Month Stats
Mads appt was Friday...she got two shots and that made her a not-so-happy chickie all day!!
She was 17 pounds 10 ounces, 27 3/4inches long.
Her weight has really jumped up on the growth chart. I think she is in about the 25th percent for weight and right on average for length. The dr said he likes to see on the growth chart that their weight is one line under their height, which is exactly where she was.
Everything looks great and she is growing perfect!
She was 17 pounds 10 ounces, 27 3/4inches long.
Her weight has really jumped up on the growth chart. I think she is in about the 25th percent for weight and right on average for length. The dr said he likes to see on the growth chart that their weight is one line under their height, which is exactly where she was.
Everything looks great and she is growing perfect!
Velcro Baby
I just read an interesting article by Dr. William Sears called Handling the High-Need Baby in the Feb 2010 edition of BabyTalk.
He had three boys and then a girl. He was describing how his daughter acted, how she was always clingy, always wanted to be held, cried non-stop until she got what she needed, etc.
He described Mads perfectly, and I loved the term they used....Velcro Baby - SO MADY!!
He gave ways to soothe a Velcro Baby. I must say that most of them I have figured out and do (although I thought I was just being a bad mom :))
Basically, he says to respond to their needs, it is the only way to get rest. Mady still does not sleep through the night. She does not get up to play, she basically just wants to see that someone is still there. I think that if she were to sleep in our room still she would probably be able to sleep all night (but I am more scared of trying to break her of sleeping in my room than I am of loosing sleep right now). I go in her room, give her a small bottle and she is good the rest of the night. Letting her cry it out like the dr told me to do, NEVER worked. She might fall back asleep after crying forever, but she would wake up several times a night, each time more upset. I really tried for many nights, it just never worked and I was getting even less sleep than just getting up with her the one time.
She has always been a high-need baby. She still had to be swaddled up to about 6 months old to go to sleep. She needed her womb environment MUCH longer than any of my boys did (in fact for the most part my boys did not want to be swaddled and I NEVER made the house quiet for them to sleep - and they sleep through anything now). She is VERY particular of how her room has to be to sleep (dark, quiet except for her lullabies and cool with a blanket close by). She often gets carried in the front carrier, still, while we are at home because that is the only way I can get stuff done.
He says not to worry about spoiling and it will actually make her more trusting and you will have a closer relationship. We will see about all of that. As for now, I am just doing the best this mom can do with the challange that has been presented to her. I have tried what the "books" and drs have tried and they have not worked for THIS baby. It is reassuring to read a pediatrician/nurse duo have had the same struggle I am having. It is even more reassuring to know that they did the same thing I am doing and their daughter turned out great!
Mady is getting better. She still wants to be held a LOT, but she has periods of time where she wants to crawl and play and I do as much as I can in those periods. However, when she is down playing, Daddy or I still have to be in her sight at all times. Otherwise she quickly tracks us down - crying the whole way.
Here is to all of the Velcro Babies, and even more to the parents of Velcro Babies. May God bless us all with unlimited patience (PLEASE) and the ability to function on little rest (so, please don't let anything happen to my espresso machine). Just remember, God doesn't give you more than you are capable of handling! (If this is giving me practice for what lies ahead, I might need to tattoo that to my forehead!)
Now, my Velcro Baby calls from her VERY short nap (her brothers are home)! Through all of this, I can still say with complete honesty that I LOVE having a baby girl, velcro and all! I would not change a thing about her!
He had three boys and then a girl. He was describing how his daughter acted, how she was always clingy, always wanted to be held, cried non-stop until she got what she needed, etc.
He described Mads perfectly, and I loved the term they used....Velcro Baby - SO MADY!!
He gave ways to soothe a Velcro Baby. I must say that most of them I have figured out and do (although I thought I was just being a bad mom :))
Basically, he says to respond to their needs, it is the only way to get rest. Mady still does not sleep through the night. She does not get up to play, she basically just wants to see that someone is still there. I think that if she were to sleep in our room still she would probably be able to sleep all night (but I am more scared of trying to break her of sleeping in my room than I am of loosing sleep right now). I go in her room, give her a small bottle and she is good the rest of the night. Letting her cry it out like the dr told me to do, NEVER worked. She might fall back asleep after crying forever, but she would wake up several times a night, each time more upset. I really tried for many nights, it just never worked and I was getting even less sleep than just getting up with her the one time.
She has always been a high-need baby. She still had to be swaddled up to about 6 months old to go to sleep. She needed her womb environment MUCH longer than any of my boys did (in fact for the most part my boys did not want to be swaddled and I NEVER made the house quiet for them to sleep - and they sleep through anything now). She is VERY particular of how her room has to be to sleep (dark, quiet except for her lullabies and cool with a blanket close by). She often gets carried in the front carrier, still, while we are at home because that is the only way I can get stuff done.
He says not to worry about spoiling and it will actually make her more trusting and you will have a closer relationship. We will see about all of that. As for now, I am just doing the best this mom can do with the challange that has been presented to her. I have tried what the "books" and drs have tried and they have not worked for THIS baby. It is reassuring to read a pediatrician/nurse duo have had the same struggle I am having. It is even more reassuring to know that they did the same thing I am doing and their daughter turned out great!
Mady is getting better. She still wants to be held a LOT, but she has periods of time where she wants to crawl and play and I do as much as I can in those periods. However, when she is down playing, Daddy or I still have to be in her sight at all times. Otherwise she quickly tracks us down - crying the whole way.
Here is to all of the Velcro Babies, and even more to the parents of Velcro Babies. May God bless us all with unlimited patience (PLEASE) and the ability to function on little rest (so, please don't let anything happen to my espresso machine). Just remember, God doesn't give you more than you are capable of handling! (If this is giving me practice for what lies ahead, I might need to tattoo that to my forehead!)
Now, my Velcro Baby calls from her VERY short nap (her brothers are home)! Through all of this, I can still say with complete honesty that I LOVE having a baby girl, velcro and all! I would not change a thing about her!
Friday, January 22, 2010
New Year's Resolution
I have heard about this one word resolution several times now and when I heard about it on the radio this morning, one word came to my mind. So, my New Year resolution (a little late) is:
PEACE
First off, I need to be at peace with God. I need to remember that HE is in control and that He knows what is best and when is best for everything in my life. Until I remember this, ALL the time, I will NEVER be at peace with anything. I need to give everything to Him and let Him teach me how to handle situations.
I want to be at peace with myself and where I am in my life. I sometimes struggle with this. I have been a stay at home mom for more than EIGHT years. Most days, I love my job. I love that the only schedules I have to conform to are my childrens and husbands. I love that I get to see all of my childrens firsts. I love that I get to go to my childrens awards ceremonies, and make goodies for their classes (would love to go on field trips...but siblings are not allowed). I just LOVE being at home taking care of my family.
But, there are those days where I wish I was somewhere else. Somewhere where there are other adults. Somewhere where I can have a break from disciplining and changing diapers and cleaning the same messes EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Several times a day.
My family is exactly what I wanted. I always wanted a big family and I am SOO in love with my husband. I could not ask for anything more. I just need to remember this ALL the time. I have been SO blessed to have a husband that works so hard so I can stay home (which is what I have ALWAYS wanted to do). I just need to be at peace with the fact that THIS is where I am in my life. I also need to remember that it will change so quickly and my kids will be grown and gone, and then I will wish I was back where I am now.
I need to be at peace with my children. They learn what they see and if they see an uptight mom who can never slow down from the daily grind to sit down and play a game with them, or play in the sandbox or whatever, that is what they are going to learn.
I need to teach peace to my children. They need to learn how to get along with each other. If they need time alone, they need to know that is okay and to find a place and be alone. Whatever they need to do to be at peace with themselves and who they are.
I could go on and on, but I think you get my point. This year I strive for peace in every aspect of my life.
PEACE
First off, I need to be at peace with God. I need to remember that HE is in control and that He knows what is best and when is best for everything in my life. Until I remember this, ALL the time, I will NEVER be at peace with anything. I need to give everything to Him and let Him teach me how to handle situations.
I want to be at peace with myself and where I am in my life. I sometimes struggle with this. I have been a stay at home mom for more than EIGHT years. Most days, I love my job. I love that the only schedules I have to conform to are my childrens and husbands. I love that I get to see all of my childrens firsts. I love that I get to go to my childrens awards ceremonies, and make goodies for their classes (would love to go on field trips...but siblings are not allowed). I just LOVE being at home taking care of my family.
But, there are those days where I wish I was somewhere else. Somewhere where there are other adults. Somewhere where I can have a break from disciplining and changing diapers and cleaning the same messes EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Several times a day.
My family is exactly what I wanted. I always wanted a big family and I am SOO in love with my husband. I could not ask for anything more. I just need to remember this ALL the time. I have been SO blessed to have a husband that works so hard so I can stay home (which is what I have ALWAYS wanted to do). I just need to be at peace with the fact that THIS is where I am in my life. I also need to remember that it will change so quickly and my kids will be grown and gone, and then I will wish I was back where I am now.
I need to be at peace with my children. They learn what they see and if they see an uptight mom who can never slow down from the daily grind to sit down and play a game with them, or play in the sandbox or whatever, that is what they are going to learn.
I need to teach peace to my children. They need to learn how to get along with each other. If they need time alone, they need to know that is okay and to find a place and be alone. Whatever they need to do to be at peace with themselves and who they are.
I could go on and on, but I think you get my point. This year I strive for peace in every aspect of my life.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
The Many Faces of Madeleine
After 13 days of below freezing temps and then having some dark and gloomy days, we have ALL been needing some sunshine and warmth. Today we got it! It hit 70 degrees with nothing but sunshine! Needless to say, after nap we hit the outdoors! Andrew has been itching to play with the scooter Santa brought him!
I prefer taking pictures outside because the lighting is so much better (I am not good at taking pics with flash). So, I couldn't pass on taking the camera out with us. Madeleine was hamming it up for the camera. She was making faces I had never seen her make before!
The first picture looks like she is holding a phone....I don't know what she was doing!
I prefer taking pictures outside because the lighting is so much better (I am not good at taking pics with flash). So, I couldn't pass on taking the camera out with us. Madeleine was hamming it up for the camera. She was making faces I had never seen her make before!
The first picture looks like she is holding a phone....I don't know what she was doing!
NINE Months Old
My baby girl is NINE months old today! :(
She goes to the dr Friday, so I will post her stats then.
But here is what she is doing:
She is eating ALL the time. I finally got her taking a cup without her even really thinking about it. She is taking one bottle a day, when we are trying to wind her down and get her calm for bed. I will be ending that bottle shortly (hopefully). She will only eat stage 3 baby food and she enjoys all of the graduate snacks. Her favorite though is what ever we are eating! Oh, she LOVES LOVES LOVES clementines!! Sadly, we found that out as they were going out of season!!
She is wearing 12-18 month clothes for the most part (6-12 month jeans). Size 3 diapers (still HATES dirty diapers on her...hopefully that will help me out in the future). Size 4 shoes.
She has hair and it is getting really thick, but she doesn't have much length to it. It appears as though she MIGHT have her Moms hair!
She still only has two teeth! I am beginning to think she is forever going to be a two tooth wonder! She doesn't let that slow her down when she is eating though!
She is walking!!! Only holding on to things (thank goodness) and it is still pretty new so she is kinda slow at it. She loves to explore the house and get into everything! She also found my computer yesterday (which explains the earlier post if you saw it). I can no longer holder her while I type. She takes over.
She has a LOT to say. She talks all the time (I have NO idea where she gets that from). And, I guess she has decided the computer is also a good outlet for her voice! She is saying dada, mama, bye bye, no (especially to her brothers) and hi (which she just started today). She waves when she says hi and bye. She blows kisses (slobbery kisses since she sticks her tongue out and slobbers on her hands before she sends the kisses flying). She loves to clap. If you start singing "Mady Cake" to her she will get a huge smile and start clapping (usually even if she is screaming she will stop if you sing this to her), And she likes Peep a boo.
We also started putting her in the wagon instead of stroller when we go for walks in the neighborhood, She really likes the wagon!!
That is all I can think of right now. She is getting big and busy!!!
My "Used-to-be" Friend
I used to have this really good friend. We were REALLY close. It did not matter where I went, I had NO problem finding my friend. Until about a year to a year and a half ago.
My friend never visits anymore.
My "used-to-be" friends name is Sleep. It eludes me now. ALL. THE. TIME.
Used to be, I could lay my head down anywhere and be out. ESPECIALLY in the car! Sleep LOVED to visit me and stayed until I could not stand to be around Sleep anymore.
But then it happened. Or should I say SHE happened. Or, should I say Madeleine happened! Madeleine scares Sleep off. Ever since about half way through my pregnancy with her Sleep quit visiting. And, when Sleep DID visit, they were very short and uncomfortable visits.
When I had Mady, I expected Sleep to go away for a while. But, NINE. MONTHS. LATER. and Sleep still makes infrequent visits. I guess Sleep and Mads don't get along.
Actually it is not Mady that Sleep has a problem with. Mady has a better friend named Awake. Awake is Sleeps enemy and I guess Sleep doesn't like that Mads is friends with Awake. I am caught in the middle of Sleep and Awakes bitter fight. Sleep and I had such a great relationship, but Awake and Mads relationship is ruining it! Awake is much stronger than Sleep and ALWAYS wins.
Sleep TRIES to be friends with Mady. Every now and then they get a really good visit. Rarely, Sleep beats Awake and keeps Awake away ALL night! But, those nights are few and far between and I cannot see an end to Awake in sight.
I think Sleeps lack of good, quality visits is beginning to mess with my head!!
I miss you Sleep. PLEASE come back to me and become stronger than Mads friend, Awake. We would ALL appreciate it!!
My friend never visits anymore.
My "used-to-be" friends name is Sleep. It eludes me now. ALL. THE. TIME.
Used to be, I could lay my head down anywhere and be out. ESPECIALLY in the car! Sleep LOVED to visit me and stayed until I could not stand to be around Sleep anymore.
But then it happened. Or should I say SHE happened. Or, should I say Madeleine happened! Madeleine scares Sleep off. Ever since about half way through my pregnancy with her Sleep quit visiting. And, when Sleep DID visit, they were very short and uncomfortable visits.
When I had Mady, I expected Sleep to go away for a while. But, NINE. MONTHS. LATER. and Sleep still makes infrequent visits. I guess Sleep and Mads don't get along.
Actually it is not Mady that Sleep has a problem with. Mady has a better friend named Awake. Awake is Sleeps enemy and I guess Sleep doesn't like that Mads is friends with Awake. I am caught in the middle of Sleep and Awakes bitter fight. Sleep and I had such a great relationship, but Awake and Mads relationship is ruining it! Awake is much stronger than Sleep and ALWAYS wins.
Sleep TRIES to be friends with Mady. Every now and then they get a really good visit. Rarely, Sleep beats Awake and keeps Awake away ALL night! But, those nights are few and far between and I cannot see an end to Awake in sight.
I think Sleeps lack of good, quality visits is beginning to mess with my head!!
I miss you Sleep. PLEASE come back to me and become stronger than Mads friend, Awake. We would ALL appreciate it!!
Princess Pooter Tooter
Lovely bruise on her forehead, huh? That was her first. She now has a matching one on the other side of her forehead!
Monday, January 18, 2010
A Message From Mads
r v47tg nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnbv4ym8y463fr33333333f3555553 yubritttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt5 mr tn56666nb mkiufuuuuuuuuuuu hthgy5 bg6 gmvutygg bjyjst 435iu toob6h7gh
Love,
Princess Pooter Tooter
Love,
Princess Pooter Tooter
The Quest
We have entered the keep-all-the-blinds-in-the-house-pulled-half-way-up-at-all-times phase with Mady's quest for independence! Which means we have also entered the buy-stock-in-windex phase again.
I would keep the handprints and slobber marks, but I have to make room for her to make more!
I would keep the handprints and slobber marks, but I have to make room for her to make more!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Cups....Finally!
I gave Madeleine a cup when she was about six months old to see what she would do. She instantly drank out of it. Not just an accidental-she-didnt-know-what-she-was-doing drink, a real drink. Ever since, when I give her a cup she takes a sip, wrinkles her nose and throws it down.
She knows how to drink out of the cup, just refuses, as she does with so many things! Well, yesterday I decided to tackle the cup with her. I was expecting a major battle, and she didn't let me down. Over an hour of her screaming and me offering her a cup. Finally, she was so exhausted from crying that she drank her formula from the cup and fell asleep.
Now, everytime I give it to her she looks at the cup and looks at me like she is deciding whether it is worth the battle. I say "Be a big girl and drink from a big girl cup" and she always smiles and starts drinking from the cup. Don't know why she likes that, but it works.
She had one bottle yesterday and DADDY gave it to her (but it was at bedtime).
She knows how to drink out of the cup, just refuses, as she does with so many things! Well, yesterday I decided to tackle the cup with her. I was expecting a major battle, and she didn't let me down. Over an hour of her screaming and me offering her a cup. Finally, she was so exhausted from crying that she drank her formula from the cup and fell asleep.
Now, everytime I give it to her she looks at the cup and looks at me like she is deciding whether it is worth the battle. I say "Be a big girl and drink from a big girl cup" and she always smiles and starts drinking from the cup. Don't know why she likes that, but it works.
She had one bottle yesterday and DADDY gave it to her (but it was at bedtime).
Big Boy
Andrew has never been a fan of showers. He LOVES the bath, hates the shower. On rare occasions he has HAD to take a shower, because we are in a hurry or things are just that bad.
I said this afternoon that I was going to take a shower (yes, Paul is working from 5am-2pm shift 7 days a week and I cannot leave FIVE kids unattended long enough to jump in the shower. And when kids are getting up at 4:15 am I dont get a chance to jump in the shower BEFORE they get up, so it was THIS EVENING before I made it to the shower...but, I digress). Andrew jumped up and said he wanted to take a shower. Usually, he will SAY he wants to, he will get undressed, but as soon as he SEES the shower on, he runs away! I figured that is what he was going to do, so I played along.
Nope. He got in the shower. He got his hair wet and scrubbed his body with the wash cloth. I put shampoo in his hair and washed his hair and he rinsed it all out.
Top that with the fact that he has been wearing underwear ALL day and had ZERO accidents (yes, still kinda working on potty training too) and he is just turning all grown up!
There is a remote control dinosaur sitting in the bathroom he uses still in the box that he REALLY wants. I told him when he was using the potty ALL the time, he could have it. Otherwise he had to wait until his birthday (in April). He reminds me everytime he pottys that he still wants the dinosaur!
He knows what to do and when to do it, he just never wants to stop what he is doing to actually go to the bathroom!
I said this afternoon that I was going to take a shower (yes, Paul is working from 5am-2pm shift 7 days a week and I cannot leave FIVE kids unattended long enough to jump in the shower. And when kids are getting up at 4:15 am I dont get a chance to jump in the shower BEFORE they get up, so it was THIS EVENING before I made it to the shower...but, I digress). Andrew jumped up and said he wanted to take a shower. Usually, he will SAY he wants to, he will get undressed, but as soon as he SEES the shower on, he runs away! I figured that is what he was going to do, so I played along.
Nope. He got in the shower. He got his hair wet and scrubbed his body with the wash cloth. I put shampoo in his hair and washed his hair and he rinsed it all out.
Top that with the fact that he has been wearing underwear ALL day and had ZERO accidents (yes, still kinda working on potty training too) and he is just turning all grown up!
There is a remote control dinosaur sitting in the bathroom he uses still in the box that he REALLY wants. I told him when he was using the potty ALL the time, he could have it. Otherwise he had to wait until his birthday (in April). He reminds me everytime he pottys that he still wants the dinosaur!
He knows what to do and when to do it, he just never wants to stop what he is doing to actually go to the bathroom!
Allergy-Ridden Head Lice
We had this conversation with Caleb (11 years old) at dinner. I guess I should consider this a clean dinner conversation compared to some others I have heard!
"I think I have head lice."
"Why do you think you have head lice?" I asked
"But they must be allergic to pollen." he said
"Why do you think you have head lice that is allergic to pollen?" I asked laughing
"Because my head itches when I go outside and I am allergic to pollen so they probably are too."
"So these allergy-ridden head lice only make your head itch when you go outside and they start sneezing from the pollen?"
"That is the only thing I can figure."
Because THAT makes PERFECT sense!!!!
And, for the record, he does NOT have head lice, with or without allergies.
"I think I have head lice."
"Why do you think you have head lice?" I asked
"But they must be allergic to pollen." he said
"Why do you think you have head lice that is allergic to pollen?" I asked laughing
"Because my head itches when I go outside and I am allergic to pollen so they probably are too."
"So these allergy-ridden head lice only make your head itch when you go outside and they start sneezing from the pollen?"
"That is the only thing I can figure."
Because THAT makes PERFECT sense!!!!
And, for the record, he does NOT have head lice, with or without allergies.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Perfect Ending to a Busy Day
Last night Daddy was giving Andrew a bath. While he was playing in the tub, Daddy sat next to it drinking an ice cold water. He poured some on Andrew and Andrew started laughing (I mean body shaking laughs). Then he pulled a fish out of the bubbles and squirted hot water on Daddy (who was NOT expecting it). This made the body shaking laugh turn into a not breathing laugh.
This went back and forth for about 20 minutes. Before too long everyone was in the bathroom checking out what all the laughing was about. There bathroom seems like a decent size until you squeeze a family of seven (even Mads crawled in to see what all the commotion was about) in there. His laugh was contagious and in no time the entire family was laughing as hard as he was. What a perfect ending to a busy day!
This went back and forth for about 20 minutes. Before too long everyone was in the bathroom checking out what all the laughing was about. There bathroom seems like a decent size until you squeeze a family of seven (even Mads crawled in to see what all the commotion was about) in there. His laugh was contagious and in no time the entire family was laughing as hard as he was. What a perfect ending to a busy day!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
YUM!!
Paul and I worked together on a SCRUMPTIOUS dinner tonight! We made peppered shrimp (chicken) alfredo. I don't eat seafood, so we made it with chicken, took some out and added shrimp to it. OH. MY. GOSH!! It was awesome!!
shrimp and chicken
chicken only
shrimp and chicken
chicken only
Sweet(?) Baby Kisses
As I have previously mentioned, Madeleine is VERY stingy with her sweet baby kisses. She blesses us with them occasionally, but usually keeps them to herself, no matter how much we make her giggle with our kisses.
This morning while we were playing, she wouldn't quit kissing me. Except the kisses were more like gnaw-moms-mouth-off type of kiss. After a while she stopped. Then, later, she did it again. I quickly realized WHY she was giving me these "kisses."
I have been using Burts Bees lipbalm, as this cold weather is not agreeing with my lips. This stuff works great. It is beeswax, vitamin E and peppermint. SHE was going after the peppermint! When the peppermint smell was gone, the kisses were gone as well. It usually last a long time, but when someone is trying (and doing a pretty good job at it) to eat your lips off the lip balm seems to fade a little quicker!
I guess I just take what kisses I can get while I can get them and try to avoid the biting and the baby tongue in my mouth!
This morning while we were playing, she wouldn't quit kissing me. Except the kisses were more like gnaw-moms-mouth-off type of kiss. After a while she stopped. Then, later, she did it again. I quickly realized WHY she was giving me these "kisses."
I have been using Burts Bees lipbalm, as this cold weather is not agreeing with my lips. This stuff works great. It is beeswax, vitamin E and peppermint. SHE was going after the peppermint! When the peppermint smell was gone, the kisses were gone as well. It usually last a long time, but when someone is trying (and doing a pretty good job at it) to eat your lips off the lip balm seems to fade a little quicker!
I guess I just take what kisses I can get while I can get them and try to avoid the biting and the baby tongue in my mouth!
Thursday, January 07, 2010
You Might Live in the Deep South if.....
they cancel school tomorrow because "there is a potential for bad weather"!
What ever happened to getting up and watching the news when you wake up to snow or ice?
Which, by the way, we are NOT supposed to get!
Apparently, when you live this far south, they cannot go to school when it is THIS cold?
I was actually starting to get naps back on track too!
What ever happened to getting up and watching the news when you wake up to snow or ice?
Which, by the way, we are NOT supposed to get!
Apparently, when you live this far south, they cannot go to school when it is THIS cold?
I was actually starting to get naps back on track too!
Weight Comparison
Mady is starting to get some chunk on her, so I thought I would weigh her today. She weighed in at 17 pounds 5 ounces.
I started wondering what Andrew weighed at this age (and since they were born the same month, it is VERY easy to look up January of 2008 on this great blog!!) Since I had two drs that considered him FTT (failure to thrive) because he was not gaining weight fast enough, I was just curious the size difference.
Andrew WEIGHED MORE!! He was 17 pounds 8 ounces at the beginning of January and 18 pounds 2 ounces at the end of January (that is when we started the Pediasure diet).
Kinda makes you wonder! Especially since, when we moved here and took him to see the pediatrician the first time, the dr looked through his chart and said he was NEVER FTT!!!
This is where I tell you that a mothers instinct is a very special thing and you should follow it!
I started wondering what Andrew weighed at this age (and since they were born the same month, it is VERY easy to look up January of 2008 on this great blog!!) Since I had two drs that considered him FTT (failure to thrive) because he was not gaining weight fast enough, I was just curious the size difference.
Andrew WEIGHED MORE!! He was 17 pounds 8 ounces at the beginning of January and 18 pounds 2 ounces at the end of January (that is when we started the Pediasure diet).
Kinda makes you wonder! Especially since, when we moved here and took him to see the pediatrician the first time, the dr looked through his chart and said he was NEVER FTT!!!
This is where I tell you that a mothers instinct is a very special thing and you should follow it!
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
AJ has been so excited about his new scooter and helmet that he wears the helmet ALL the time. He also has his shoes on all day (even when he naps) and stays dressed warmly (in his pajamas as much as possible) JUST in case someone decides to go outside so he can ride his scooter.
He always has hair sticking out of the holes in the top of his helmet
He always has hair sticking out of the holes in the top of his helmet
Yet ANOTHER Laundry Disaster!
Last week I was finishing up laundry and had a rather depressing discovery. I was washing light clothes (yes, you know where this is going). I had Mady's Christmas dress and monogrammed "panties" and also the little white outfit she came home from the hospital in. I was going through some stuff last week and came across it and noticed a little stain. I wanted to try to get it out because that is one of the things I would like to keep for her.
Well, as we have learned in this house, light clothes in the dryer usually equals a crayon of some color also in the dryer. The boys had not been going to school so I did not have school pants to check (so I thought) and those are the only light color pants the boys own. I have gotten a LOT better at checking pockets lately!
Apparently when I had made the boys clean their rooms, someone found some school pants and put them in the laundry. I did not notice the ONE pair of pants when I was putting clothes in the washer and there are no signs of crayon until they go in the dryer and MELT. ALL. OVER. EVERYTHING!!
So, I go to change out the laundry. I open the dryer and pull some clothes out and notice the RED SPOTS on the laundry. I frantically dug to find the "special" clothes and see the damage. It wasn't TOO bad on the socks and underwear, so I just hoped.
You know my luck! Those THREE special items of clothes got the worst of it. Bright red. THey were not even spots. They were GLOBS! Each glob was surrounded by greasy stains. I was in tears (I know....goofy thing to be in tears about). I immediately got the Shout (whoever invented this stuff should get the Nobel Peace Prize...it has more than once saved some kids in this house from having to run around NAKED all the time)!!! I sprayed and sprayed. I sprayed over 30 ounces and most of that was on those three pieces of clothing, I let it sit over night (which I don't always do, but I followed the directions EXACTLY this time). I got up and put them in the washer with some Tide Stain Releaser and waited.
After two washes, EVERY bit of the stains came out and I was rejoicing!! Her clothes are now safely tucked away and I am in AWE!!!
Well, as we have learned in this house, light clothes in the dryer usually equals a crayon of some color also in the dryer. The boys had not been going to school so I did not have school pants to check (so I thought) and those are the only light color pants the boys own. I have gotten a LOT better at checking pockets lately!
Apparently when I had made the boys clean their rooms, someone found some school pants and put them in the laundry. I did not notice the ONE pair of pants when I was putting clothes in the washer and there are no signs of crayon until they go in the dryer and MELT. ALL. OVER. EVERYTHING!!
So, I go to change out the laundry. I open the dryer and pull some clothes out and notice the RED SPOTS on the laundry. I frantically dug to find the "special" clothes and see the damage. It wasn't TOO bad on the socks and underwear, so I just hoped.
You know my luck! Those THREE special items of clothes got the worst of it. Bright red. THey were not even spots. They were GLOBS! Each glob was surrounded by greasy stains. I was in tears (I know....goofy thing to be in tears about). I immediately got the Shout (whoever invented this stuff should get the Nobel Peace Prize...it has more than once saved some kids in this house from having to run around NAKED all the time)!!! I sprayed and sprayed. I sprayed over 30 ounces and most of that was on those three pieces of clothing, I let it sit over night (which I don't always do, but I followed the directions EXACTLY this time). I got up and put them in the washer with some Tide Stain Releaser and waited.
After two washes, EVERY bit of the stains came out and I was rejoicing!! Her clothes are now safely tucked away and I am in AWE!!!
Adopted Dog
Paul has been researching for a dog that was good for backpacking, hiking, kayaking, etc. for quite some time now. Even since before his dog had to be put down over the summer. There was also other criteria that had to be met before a dog was going to be brought home. Like, it had to be a male (females don't normally do well together and we already have a female), had to be friendly, had to have short hair that required little more than an occasional bath, etc but most importantly....it had to be POTTY TRAINED ALREADY!!!
SO, this past weekend we set off to go find him a dog. Probably was not the smartest idea to do this at the END of the two and a half weeks off, but I digress!
After looking online, at pounds, adoption places, etc Saturday and Sunday morning, we found one. It is a spaniel mix (looks like he has a lot of Pointer in him). So far the only downside to him (other than he is still scared) is that the lady that fostered him let him sleep in her bed with her! I am not a big dog-on-the-bed kinda person!
So, this is Paul's new dog.
He is approximately two years old, house trained, laid back, QUIET dog. He loves to play outside and she says he loves water. He is really under weight because the other dogs at the foster home really beat up on him. I don't think they allowed him to eat much! Just in the few days we have had him he has already started putting on weight.
Did I mention he was quiet? He has barked once since we got him and that was when Caleb came home from school yesterday!
The first night he kept trying to get in our bed. We finally convinced him to stay on the floor and he took over Bella's bed. So, Monday morning we went and bought him his own bed!
When we got him his name was Bobby. Paul and I don't really care for the name (and there are too many B's with Bella, Beaux and Bobby) so Paul has been trying to find a new name for him. Last night he decided he was going to call him Krypto (that is the name of Superman's dog and Paul is a big Superman fan
Today he made the name fit very well! It was his first time to be left home alone. Paul put him in the big black wire kennel when he left this morning. When I got home he was out. The tray from the kennel was out, the kennel was pushed back the length of the kennel. SOMEHOW, this scrawny, little, QUIET dog BENT the bottom of the wire kennel and got out.
He did nothing to the house. He was VERY well behaved, except for the escape. I don't know how he did it other than he must be Superdog! Superdog is not such a cute dog name, but Krypto fits!
SO, this past weekend we set off to go find him a dog. Probably was not the smartest idea to do this at the END of the two and a half weeks off, but I digress!
After looking online, at pounds, adoption places, etc Saturday and Sunday morning, we found one. It is a spaniel mix (looks like he has a lot of Pointer in him). So far the only downside to him (other than he is still scared) is that the lady that fostered him let him sleep in her bed with her! I am not a big dog-on-the-bed kinda person!
So, this is Paul's new dog.
He is approximately two years old, house trained, laid back, QUIET dog. He loves to play outside and she says he loves water. He is really under weight because the other dogs at the foster home really beat up on him. I don't think they allowed him to eat much! Just in the few days we have had him he has already started putting on weight.
Did I mention he was quiet? He has barked once since we got him and that was when Caleb came home from school yesterday!
The first night he kept trying to get in our bed. We finally convinced him to stay on the floor and he took over Bella's bed. So, Monday morning we went and bought him his own bed!
When we got him his name was Bobby. Paul and I don't really care for the name (and there are too many B's with Bella, Beaux and Bobby) so Paul has been trying to find a new name for him. Last night he decided he was going to call him Krypto (that is the name of Superman's dog and Paul is a big Superman fan
Today he made the name fit very well! It was his first time to be left home alone. Paul put him in the big black wire kennel when he left this morning. When I got home he was out. The tray from the kennel was out, the kennel was pushed back the length of the kennel. SOMEHOW, this scrawny, little, QUIET dog BENT the bottom of the wire kennel and got out.
He did nothing to the house. He was VERY well behaved, except for the escape. I don't know how he did it other than he must be Superdog! Superdog is not such a cute dog name, but Krypto fits!
Monday, January 04, 2010
I was sitting on the couch and Mady was lying against me drinking her bottle. She fell asleep. I could not move so I asked Daddy to take her to her bed.
"She is out. She is okay there for a while."
I told him I couldn't even change positions and if she was out she could get in bed.
"But, I REALLY enjoy just watching her!"
Have I mentioned how much I love my husband?
And, yes - she is lying on the couch next to him sleeping!
"She is out. She is okay there for a while."
I told him I couldn't even change positions and if she was out she could get in bed.
"But, I REALLY enjoy just watching her!"
Have I mentioned how much I love my husband?
And, yes - she is lying on the couch next to him sleeping!
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