At long last

After what seemed to me like months of false labor, November 3rd finally arrived. I was originally due on November 10th, however my doctor was leaving the country on the 11th. He asked if I wanted to be stared, I didn't even hesitate, I think it was more like 'Yes please!' Everything about this pregnancy just seemed harder on me and labor was no different. My last two labors went very quickly, and my last one was almost easy! This little girl had plans of her own. So after my water was broken we waited, and waited. The two hour mark that I had not passed with previous pregnancies came and went. The nurse said I was right on target progressing just like I should. By the forth hour I was done. How do woman labor for so long? I started asking for the epidural and they kept saying are you sure? Maybe it was because I kept saying I think I want the drugs now, maybe I did not sound urgent enough for them. When I was told it takes about ten minutes for the epidural to set in I was sold. All I could think was in ten minutes I will be out of pain, I can relax, then I don't care when she decides to come. Turns out she only needed about ten more minutes. At 1:47 on November 3rd my life was changed forever when my baby girl was placed in my arms.

Eden Marie

7lbs 3oz

19 inches

Shop till someone drops

When I was young I loved going to the store. I enjoyed grocery shopping and making a million stops getting in and out of the car. Okay so maybe my memory is a little hazy, but I most definitely did not torture my mother at every corner, whining with every stop, making running errands the most torturous endever for her, did I? My kids are not errand runners. They hear the word and cover their ears screaming "nooooooooooo, not today!" So this morning as exahasted as I was became determined to get all of my earrands, (which included haircuts for two kids) done with one stop. So of to the dreaded Walmart we went. I have to say I dislike Walmart for a lot of reasons, but today I loved them as I not only got everything done, but done in an hour and a half without a single meltdown! Now that is an accomplishment in my book. Thank you Walmart for having so much at one stop, for once having everything I needed, and especially for opening up a few more check out lanes so we were not stuck at the dreaded check out forever!

My big annoncment

Everyday I feel like I need to blog because as much as I think I will be taking care of babies for the rest of my life they are growing up, I will forget. I'm not a journal keeper. I need to blog and turn this in to my record for posterity. We've been busy with tumble bus, dance camp, and a growing two year old with a growing vocabulary and very strong opinions. Yesterday the whole family went to my twenty week ultra sound appointment. We are having a healthy baby girl! Caden was hillarious the first thing he said was "it looks like a turtle!" He wanted a monkey, (he is currently obsessed with a video game called Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz. He wanted a brother so we could name him Monkey Ball, I informed him we would only use that name if it was a monkey.) Through the course of the ultra sound he saw an alien, a robot, even the galaxy! Complete with stars and the planets. Sophia of course beamed with the knowledge she is getting a little sister, I'm not sure she understood the images on the screen were actually her new sister. Luke just wanted his mom the whole time. He knew I was the one getting attention he likes to be where the attention is. It was one of those moments you want to etch in your brain forever, to see my four children together. There are no words, I will tell you there were tears though, the good ones.

March

In March Caden got his first stitches, and knowing him probably not his last.

I had a blast with old friends from collage, (some I hadn't seen since collage!) and our kids met.









Spring tried to come


And this guy just keeps getting bigger!

BFF

My two oldest children declared the other morning that they are best friends. I found this picture and had to smile. I have to remind my self of these moments as I referee their arguments.

Where has the time gone?

Someday I'll update this blog. But right now it is lunch time and mommy duties are calling, literally "Mom I am hungry for lunch right now!"
I'm off before I have a peanut buttered floor.

Flash Back Friday for Luke

October 1, 2009
In my mind I didn't feel like it was time, there were no contractions, no pain, no sense of anything really. Just the simple fact that my outwardly protruding belly kept me from seeing my toes, left a constant ache in my lower back, and threw my equilibrium way off. I had put in the time, I was done, ready for it to be over. Yet I could not shake the gloom of guilt that hung over me for choosing the day my son would enter the world. I had a fear of being induced, even felt like a bad mother for forcing a natural process. I had gone in to labor twice on my own before, I knew my body could do it. Still I agreed to end the pain and discomfort the pregnancy was causing me, praying that my baby would be healthy and strong.
At nine o'clock that morning they started my pitocin. By now my body had started to contract on it's own. They were few and far between and I hardly felt them. With the help of medication they became more frequent but no more painful. At about nine thirtyish the doctor broke my water. Contractions started coming more frequently and with more intensity. I heard a newborn cry from the next room and suddenly I wanted to hold my baby, to hear his cry. I closed my eyes as the contractions began coming much quicker and were now becoming painful. I breathed, I focused, I continued to tell myself I could do this. The nurse began preparing the room and informed the doctor that I was having a baby very soon. My husband paced, talked softly, and would gently move my hair from my face between contractions. Then I hit that place were I think I can not bear it for another minute. I looked at the nurse begging her to tell me there was still time for an epidural even though I knew that window had long since been closed. I asked anyway and as I did the doctor came in. It was time. On October 1st 2009 at 11:05 am Luke was born into our family. I had known he was coming for so long and he was finally here. Mine forever.
Happy Birthday Luke.

My kids fight more then yours! So there!

Sibling rivalry, currently the ache in my head. Why oh why can't they just get along. Who started the I wish you were not part of my family business. I am tired of it, you guys love each other! Yes we are happy Jesus created your little sister. Yes your brother is your friend. No your sister is not weird, well maybe, but that makes her good not bad. Start your prayer over and this time bless your brother/sister (depends on who said the prayer). Say you're sorry and give her/him a hug. Now this time smile and screaming I'm sorry does not count.

Oh the bright side when they do get along they are the best of friends.

The little lady

She started her first year of preschool. I say first year because next year she will do it again. I was hesitant, her dad thought she was ready. I thought for sure she would cling to me. She was not as brave as her big brother, this was my little girl. I walked her in and braced myself for her tears. In my mind I saw myself peeling her off of my leg, hugging her, reassuring her I would be back. Immediately after we enter she gets lost in the scuffle of little kids and clinging parents. I felt out of place, she seemed right at home showing her teacher her Princess and the Frog backpack. Alas no big pealing her off me scene I feared, she hugged and a kissed me and excitedly waved goodbye. She came home thinking she was the stuff because she is a big girl and goes to school.

Day one

He didn't want me to walk him to school this morning. "I'm big you know mom," he informed me. He already knew were his class was, he had already met his teacher, he did not need me. I walked him. He didn't cry, he barely even looked up as I left. Tears welled up in my eyes as I left him. How did he get so old?

Dear Disney,

Would you kindly refrain from plastering your princesses on everything from fruit snacks to shoes. You and I both know that Sleeping Beauty does not make anything taste better, and Cinderella doesn't know anything about comfortable shoes (glass slippers, really?). However I know a certain three year old that believes she must have all things princess. She believes that her life would not be complete without the princess shoes, you know the not so cute but much more expensive ones.
Regards,
MJ

The winds of change

I have never been a fan of change. Almost immediately after I changed the look of this blog I missed the old layout the one I was comfortable with and knew. I have a comfort zone and I hate leaving it. My life is about to change, I am going to have a schedule. My oldest will soon be in kindergarten and my middle child in preschool. No more lazy mornings of we'll get there when we get there. Now we have places to be. Come on wind bring on the change...I think I can manage.

My pick me up

He can turn any frown upside down. We have grown attached. He hasn't even been in this world for a year yet and I can not imagine my life without him. The truth is it was love at first sight, life was changed the second I looked at him. He kept me up all night, and this morning I may be tired, but I still smile thinking of his toothy grin. I dare you to look at him and not instantly have a better day!

FIVE

He has very specific requests for his parties. Lately they do not include licensed characters. Last year he wanted a Wipeout party. He still LOVES that show but this year he requested a water party. He has been planning since early May. I showed him a picture of a water park cake and it was over that was to be his cake. It was worth the effort after hearing "Wow mom you did a good job. I am impressed!" And just like that I have a five year old!

I cut it!

So after months of trying to grow out her bangs, and watching her literally look at me through her hair, I could take no more. She made it nearly impossible to brush, refused to let me put anything in it, and never seemed to mind it bouncing off her lashes. So I caved... I cut it...myself. My husband misses the old hair, I laugh every time I look at her, but it is just hair after all, it grows back right!

Three and thriving

Every year I tell myself it will be small, I'll keep it simple, he is only three after all. So how did I end up with 15 plus kids, a ton of food, and a pinata? I can't help it I like birthdays, parties are fun, so I guess from here on out party on! He'll always have big birthdays.

Oh joy

Three reason's to shout for joy:
1. I have seen evidence that my children love each other and do listen to me. . . sometimes! The other day my son gave his very treasured Buzz Lightyear toy to his sister.
"Here Fia you try," he encouraged.
When she got the laser to work he beamed with pride.
"Good job Fia, good job!" he exclaimed.

2. My little guy is quite the little helper and is always asking if he can help with whatever we are doing. He likes to feel useful and we are trying to encourage him to do things. He is great at cleaning ears of corn!


3. I can put my daughters hair in itty, bitty ponies! Unfortunately she has something against things in her hair so they never last more then a minute, but she did leave them in long enough for me to capture proof that it is possible!

Driving Mommy Crazy

The other day my two year old runs in to inform me he is driving me crazy. I laugh, tickle him and tell him, "silly boy you make mommy happy." He looks at me smiles and says again "I make mommy crazy." I follow him out to where my daughter is playing. He grins big, takes a giant swig of strawberry milk and then proceeds to spit it out as if he is a water fountain and says, "I driving Mommy crazy." I have to hand it to him he knows how to drive this mommy crazy.

Mommy Roller Coaster

I have been trying hard to give my son choices. So instead of taking toys away from him before bed I tell him, he has a choice to make he can give mommy the toy in exchange for some snuggle time, or he can kiss me goodnight and just keep the toy. Last night he picked the toy. I was crushed, snuggling with mom had come in second (a close second I might add he was tempted I could see it in his eyes). I felt so rejected, I mean was I second to a toy, really? I am a failure.
Then this morning when I gave him his vitamin he looks up at me and says "thank you mommy" I don't think I could have been any prouder. To make my head just a little extra large he has kept it up all day and has thanked me for everything I have done for him without even so much as a look from me prompting him to do so. I am a success!
Oh how fast lows turn to highs, I am just riding the mommy roller coaster.

No crying over spilled milk

There is defiantly crying involved in motherhood, for me there is anyway, but I have increasingly found there is no crying over spilled milk. Not to sound to cliche` or anything but you can't sweat the small stuff. Yesterday I was upstairs getting ready for the day as I listened to my kids gleefully playing downstairs. I let them be for a while longer and continued to make my bed and get some things done upstairs, I mean they sounded so happy downstairs. I only wish I had my camera as I came down the stairs because the scene was truly amusing. In the middle of the floor my son's cup sat upside down, this would not be a problem had it been empty, or of the non spill type. No, it was of the very leaky type and it happened to be full of strawberry milk. The fact that there was a huge puddle of strawberry milk spilled all over the kitchen floor was very entertaining to my children. My daughter was belly down, lapping it up and swimming in it. I had to hold back the laughter as I told them I know this seems like a lot of fun, but we really shouldn't spill milk to play in. As I was cleaning up the mess (unfortunately before I ever thought to take pictures) I thought to myself how as a mother I am leaning to not get upset over things like spilled milk. It is amazing how all of a sudden you find yourself wiping poop smears off the wall, scrubbing bright pink throw up off the carpet, and going out in public wearing your black shirt that has been used as a snot rag all day long, (not the best idea but I am guilty of doing it more then once without even noticing!) and thinking this is normal.