Definitely Unbalanced

So..I just have to take a minute to write a few things down.  Maybe so I can remember in a few years when I wonder what it was like to have four kids.  And one of them tiny in diapers. ; )

Ethan has had a fever since Friday, so he's in bed.  We knew last night that he'd need to stay home today since he was sick plus feverish.  He obviously feels pretty good since he was standing on his bed, slamming his door this morning.  He was looking down into the kitchen..and another slam.  I had to have a talk with him, and I put a book between the door and the jamb.  This way...hopefully no slamming.  

Mary Claire woke up with the same symptoms Ethan has had..sore throat, not so good.  She is also in her room (they are confined to their rooms now that there are two..and it must be contagious!).  They have televisions we've moved in there from other rooms (they normally don't have tv's in their rooms!), and I got a couple videos today for them to watch.

Carter had a well-visit (9 months) today, so I had to wake him up this morning, try to fill him with milk so he'd weigh a few ounces more, change him, and race to the doctor's office.  These days I'm always late.  It's really tough to plan for myself and for the kids.  There just isn't enough time in the day.  (Especially right before an appointment.  Time speeds up before appointments, and slows down those five minutes just before dinner.)

When I got there, they told me he didn't have an appointment.  Yep, I just randomly added a 9:10 appt. on the blue bears side onto my calendar for the fun of it!  Not.  So..they rescheduled us for 11:20, and they wanted to go ahead and sign me in (umm..I have plenty of other things to do for the next two hours!  ..so I came back home).

I made the kids some turkey and dumplings (since there was just a little bit of Christmas turkey left).  I used frozen dumplings since I thought it'd be faster, but then the layers all stuck together while my broth was getting hot, and I got so frustrated.  I was stabbing between the little sheets with a steak knife to try and separate them.  The cardinal rule is that they can't be two-thick or they make super tough dumplings.  I worked at those for a while while Carter got into Ches' bike (..and into the bike chain) (..and into the bike grease) (..and in his new shirt, the "Love Bandit" ready for the doctor's visit).  (It's super cute with a little gray raccoon that's wearing an eye patch with a heart on it!)

I got this new vacuum, the iRobot Roomba for Christmas, and he was cleaning up the floors and entertaining Carter while I was soup-making and opening windows since we are experiencing a miracle 70 degree day in January.  I visualize the fresh air sweeping out the nasty viral germs plaguing my kiddos.  Somehow, I know it's just in my head, but I love open windows.  Except when Carter digs his fingers into the "window gutters" where all the dirt, dust, and dead bug carcasses live.  I have to turn my head and visualize germs flying out the window.

Two hours later, we had this déjà vu experience.  We were back at the doctor's office..only this time?  We had an appointment.  Miracles.  I took him to the restroom to change his poopy diaper.  While I had him ready to change, I  heard the nurse call his name.  Lovely. ; )  I went on out there, and she processed us: strip him to his diaper, head circumference, length, and went out to weigh him (I'd already told her he needed to be changed!).  What's the worst?  Laying your poopy baby up on that scale.  I wiped and wiped, and put on a fresh diaper.

He is still in the lowest percentiles... Dr. asked about nursing, my milk supply (still fine, thank-you-very-much, I guess he's forgotten the two-month appointment when he told me to feed him less.), and told me that it wasn't criminal activity to give him formula if I wanted.  I told him I think formula stinks.  (like..as in it smells bad.  would you drink it?)  He said it's not unusual for moms to supplement if it helps them nurse longer.  Two things.  Formula will end up decreasing your milk supply since there is less nursing/demand.  And how will that help you go longer?  (Has he not read all the books/pamphlets/websites?  You nurse more to make more.)  I am obviously willing to consider it since I bought some ready-to-drink formula at the store afterwards (I do usually wean around a year..and he only nurses well at home).

But the more I think about it..I don't think I'm ready to stop nursing quite yet.  I have to say eating all the extras would definitely come to an end.  I can enjoy steak with bacon on top (Saturday night), a brownie (Thursday), pasta (Friday night), and have relatively no regrets.  If I stopped..all those calories are mine alone!  And also?  I like being able to feed him late at night or early in the morning, all cozy, just us.  No bottle, no extra five minutes to make him something.  Just us.  And I like when he goes to sleep on me all comfy, with his fingers curled around my shirt.  He just relaxes right into peaceful sleep.

We went to the store after his appointment since I needed a few things (more tissues, cough drops, drinks, some lotion for eczema on his back.. and my first formula purchase.  boo.)  Maybe I'm worried formula means I can't do it all. (*Newsflash!!*)  Must investigate self further.

Anyway, he has no interest in nursing if we are out in public (in the van, in a restroom, dressing room, around friends, etc.), so he wouldn't eat when we got to the store.  I gave him some baby food, and we had a good shopping trip.  Except for the apples and chicken I discovered on my pants in the store.  And the green ink pen he lost on the fruit aisle.  I'd say it was still successful.  He stayed mostly inside the cart, the food stayed mostly inside the cart, and neither of us had tears. : )

I'm still learning to:
a.  use the restroom with a baby not in a car seat.  (They have to sit on your lap..then 
       what?)  And I couldn't wait any longer.
b.  wash one hand at a time.  dry one hand at a time.
c.  b.r.e.a.t.h.e when they wake up after a twenty minute nap, and I'm worn out from the
       last six hours!
d.  take care of two upstairs, sick, and one downstairs, well.  keeping all separated for
       their health.  and pray for the well one at school, that he remains well!
e.  balance my life.  I want a clean house and clean laundry, but I can't have it while
       meeting everyone's needs.  Every day there is a new priority.  And sometimes, it's
       just to make someone feel loved and comfortable.
f.  accept it when the pediatrician tells me I'm doing a good job, he can tell I'm an
       intentional parent, but now he can tell I'm more comfortable, and I've relaxed.
       Umm..so what was I the last three times?

I'm super-imperfect.  Really trying to figure out four.  Well, trying to figure out life with four with some balance for me and marriage..and maybe manage some friends or down-time too?  I have learned it crystallizes what's important.  There is no more time for the frivolous or meaningless.  I'm fall-on-my-knees thankful for my health-I couldn't do it any other way.  Maybe I'm doing something right!

Hug your babies, ya'll!  These days don't last forever.

Brakes? Who needs brakes?

I have a free minute, heehee!  Well, it's after bedtime..so that's why.

It's super normal here..except for my van's brakes going out on Wednesday!  Just so you don't think our life is too perfect (SOOO far from it!), these things happen.  I was headed out on Wednesday morning, and I sat at a stoplight.  Slowly, my van started to creep forward.  Then, I pushed the brakes harder.  Then..it went a little farther.  You know, when you are actually distracted, and the vehicle is moving?  Well..it wasn't that!

I thought I was crazy, so I kept going.  Then, it kept happening!  I would push it slowly to the floor at every light, until I decided someone had cut my brake line!  (You know, being all dramatic and everything! haha)  I called Honda and told them I needed some help.  They asked how soon I could get it in (being all trying-to-avoid-death-and-lawsuit and everything!).

First, they were going to drive me home..  But I was all four-kids and lots-of-errands and it's-why-I-keep-a-new-vehicle to them..  Then, they were going to loan me a vehicle (a really smoky one!)..  Finally, I got a new loaner car.  Thankfully, it still had vinyl-lined floor boards since it was a misty-rainy kinda day.  And I have the three kiddos climbing in and out!

So..then I had to take Mary Claire to the doctor (HIGH blood sugars after ending an antibiotic the day before, changing her site, AND her insulin..no dice.), and since flu is really bad here now, and I couldn't find a babysitter, the boys sat in the car.  Then we got a new (the THiRD!) prescription for her ongoing ear infection, and took the kids to PRE.  Ches and I shared some dinner with Carter, and I had ..wait for it.. a girls' night!  We are super wild and crazy and shared some hot chocolate and coffee! ; )

It was really nice to just sit and talk and catch up with the bible study girls since we haven't all seen each other in a long time!  

Anyway, I lived, and got the van back with a repaired master cylinder (I talk like I know all about them).  And?  bonus..it stops! (oh, and stays stopped!)  Yes, I totally researched the lemon law.  Don't worry, I got this. ; )

K, got a crying little one.  It's only midnight..party's just getting started!  Hugs, ya'll!

Apparently things that make me cry.

Yep, I decorated!  I did what I could the first week of December, then I stopped.  I think I needed some time to just enjoy what was finished, and to prepare for Christmas..mentally.  It isn't the shopping, it's a big ol' chance for renewal!  I'm praying I'm ready.  (to be clear..decorating does not make me cry. heehee)

And the one sweetest thing (please don't let this be bragging..) this year?  All the hand-wrapped presents with handwritten tags from my children.  I began by letting the kids wrap things for each other, then I have left out the wrapping paper, scissors, tape, and tags on my bedroom floor (yes..all month.).  What I've learned is that they go work in their rooms, then emerge, and wrap.

There are all sorts of beautiful packages under our tree.  And I love it.  They weren't purchased or ordered.  They were dreamed into existence.  They have bought a few things for a quarter or a dollar here or there, or used whatever savings they had.  But really, like Clay made mustaches for Mary Claire (it's a big fad here, it'll probably be over next month, ha!)...I can't wait till she sees them!  They are made from some leftover white furry fabric I had that he was using to make Carter a blanket.  They will all be so excited.  They are pretty good to appreciate time and effort. 

So..yes, it's all the same room!  It's almost midnight, and I can't turn on lights anywhere else in the house without waking up a peaceful child.  Maybe I'll get a good shot of my Charlie Brown tree tomorrow.  In the daylight! : )

I want to give them all handwritten notes.  I was listening to a show today, and I learned that people really like to hear heartfelt words, I mean..don't we all?  And it usually means so much more than a gift.  I hope we can all write to each other this year.  I remember doing that in my classroom years ago.  It's great for the kids to know all the nice things that others think.  Sometimes kids just make up this perception of how others think of them, and it seems real.  They need to see it in writing to validate themselves.  I still have a file of all the precious cards and letters I've received over the years with sweet words.  Some make me cry..but in a good way. ; )

I want them to know that I value that they want to give to e-v-e-r-y-one, that they want to read to their brother, that they respect people's privacy, that they love to play on the trampoline together, that they can make up their own games and make their own *forts* outside, and that they want to sit with Santa for their little brothers even when they feel too big.  And I like that they still tell me they believe in Santa, even when they know he has lots of helpers.  Wink, wink.  Oh, kids are a mixed bunch, incredibly imperfect, but aren't we?  At least I can be thankful for the good I can find. : )

We took the kids one night when Clay was camping, and Mary Claire didn't want to sit on Santa's lap.  (He's the best Santa by the way.)

Santa tries to look over his glasses and look jolly.  He was super sweet.  I really liked the couch for the bigger kids. : )

I digress!  I think all the wrapping started when we began by book wrapping.  We wrap a bunch of Christmas books (that we already own!), and each night we unwrap one (or two), and then read it.  The kids are getting to unwrap (which fills a child's need!), and we get to spend time snuggled together.  We read The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree last night (which seriously makes me cry! ..and Ruthie told me all of this), and this morning we read the Polar Express (which also makes me cry..does the bell still ring for you?), and tonight was the Berenstain Bears Meets Santa Bear..which didn't make me cry. ; )  The kids want to read The Gift of the Magi, and I hope we have some more time now that school is out.  Ethan is into big books (read: no pictures!)..we have been reading the Wizard of Oz.  He says he can still look inside and find sight words.  Ha!

I hope you are blessed with precious packages and sweet little people.  Merry Christmas.  Let us celebrate baby Jesus' birthday with joy and honor Him with our hearts and words.  Hugs!

Can't Wait!

Hi, I'm Holly, and I'm addicted to Pinterest.  ..I'm dying to decorate for Christmas!  We kinda skipped fall/Halloween since we had people looking at our house.  I had all the tubs out with decor...but then I got a call, and it seemed wrong to leave those dusty things all stacked up everywhere.  So..we piled them right inside the attic door (like 2" inside!), then locked the door.  And, what do you know?  They wanted to see inside the attic the next time they came.  People are intrigued by a locked door!

They probably thought we were non-celebrating people.  Like lazy or anti-Halloween.  But we are all Martha Stewart-wannabe-decorate-it-if-it-doesn't-walk!  (with red, lights, burlap, glass balls, whatever!)

I'm also shopped out after Black Friday and Cyber Monday (But I got some stupendous good deals!  Seriously, the entire Tommy Hilfiger store was 50% off, and I got an extra 25% off shopping before 10am.  See?  Good.)  (Also?  Carter's entire store was 50% off, and I got extra 20% off with my coupon.)  (So, when you see my kids wearing these brands every day, look away and pretend you aren't the one person who reads this.) ; )  ha!

So, how shall we decorate?  Same as always? Mix it up this year with new stuff?  Whew.  I'll let you know how it goes.  Baby steps, friends.  I have a BABY!!  Who is very nearly crawling.  You can come hold him so he doesn't grab all the tree lights. ; )

And meet my husband, Ches, who refuses to come to AA.  He's currently addicted to baseball cards.  And can't admit it yet.  He is now shopping Dave and Adam's and Blowout Cards' hourly sales, and promises to sell some of his current cards.  But. . . (crickets chirping..) . . . none sold yet.  He has relics (fabric/bat knobs), autographs, printing plate, etc.  And we need a new storage facility for them.

Ok, I'm one to talk.  I have stores of stamps, scrapbook stuff, fabric, ribbon, embroidery thread, magazines...and I really like shoes. ; )  Excuse me whilst I go pluck the log out of my eye.

Hope you have a h-e-a-l-t-h-y addiction.  Stay away from Pinterest!  (and its recipes and homes and organization and clothes and crafts and decorating and arty quotes. . )

Hugs and Happy Holly-days! 







“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to  remove the speck from your brother’s eye.  Matthew 7:5  (this?  is me!)