Way to go Ethan!

Ethan came home last week very excited. He had an invitation for us to come to the school awards ceremony. We put it on the calendar and called the Grandmas to tell them the good news. He was definitely counting down the days.

The morning of the award he was very concerned about what to wear and made sure that I made his hair look "handsome". Rand and his Mom and My Dad came to see him get his big award. As soon as he saw us he was waving like a champ. He received his award for Scholar of the Month and was very proud. We were really proud of him too. His recent parent teacher conference could not have gone better. He is doing really well and working hard. His teacher thinks he is such a great kid! He has recently become more excited about reading and reads every sign we drive by and any words on the T.V. We are currently reading the wimpy kid series together at night and we all get a good kick out of it. I got Ethan a little card and a little surprise for his working so hard in school. We are proud you Ethan!

He had to make sure nothing was in his teeth before I took this picuture. What a funny guy!

Baby Kate

For the first year of Kate's life or so she was never just Kate, but "baby Kate" even friends and neighbors called her that. While I hope she will always be my baby, very soon "baby Jane" will be on the scene. Kate has suddenly and not surprising coming into the terrible two streak. Why is it always right when you're about to have another baby that you think holy cow what on earth is going on? She really lets you know what she wants and on top of all that normal stuff she has become quite a little dare devil monkey. I often find her climbing up on something. I have had to find all different places to hide Easter candy and the like. In low places mind you because she has learned to pull up a stool climb onto the counter and then stand on the counter top to find things. She has even learned that if she hangs on the fridge doors and slowly walks up the fridge eventually the door will open.

She is such a cutie pie but she sure keeps us on our toes. The other day at play group a little 11 month old girl was walking along the couch by me and touched my knees, and Kate literally took her hand off my knee and said "I don't like her". I almost couldn't believe she had actually said that but she did. I hope she reacts a tad better when our own baby makes her debut.
Our cute girls
not a great picture but we took the kids to one of those new yogurt places with a ton of toppings and they get to pick. They loved it.

all tuckered out. Too bad this is nap and not nighttime. Since we put the girls together this weekend night time is a new challenge.
some of her favorite things: oatmeal, books, bananas(she calls them blananas)
proof of her climbing and getting into things!

Better

I'm feeling better today. Not so ornery. Maybe it's because yesterday I decided that energy or not I needed to get some things accomplished.

I remember when I was a little girl and my Dad would come home from work my Mom would proceed to tell him all the things she had accomplished that day. At the time I didn't get it and thought to myself "why would he care"? Now that I am a stay at home Mom myself I find myself doing the same thing at the end of each day. It even bothers me that I have to list off the things I "accomplished" that day. Even worse is how those things that I did took all day but once listed don't often seem like that big o' deal. I realize now that I need validation for him to see that while this or that may have gone undone that there were other things actually got done. I wish I didn't need that praise and validation but I do so what ya gonna do about it?

So When Randall got home yesterday and I had been cleaning for 4 hours straight I gave him my list:

-cleaned and organized linen closet
-cleaned the upstairs bathroom, even with a toothbrush around the toilet
-cleaned one of the downstairs bathrooms
-changed and washed the sheets on Kate's bed
-cleaned Kate's room
-dusted all the down stairs
-Vaccuumed downstairs and up
-put the clean laundry away

I'm tired today but at least I got some things off of my "to do" list and now the house is pretty clean for the weekend. Too bad Rand will be gone most of the weekend for scout training:( At least I'm feeling better about the house. Too bad I still have this large protuberance hanging off my body! 4 more weeks. I hope I can do this!

ornery

I'm not quite sure that's how you spell ornery, but it's definitely how I'm feeling. I just feel so completely unproductive. Other than the fact I guess that my own body is producing another human being inside of it. I have a list a mile long of things I would like to be doing, like washing windows and blinds. Organizing the linen closet. Changing all the kids bedrooms. Yes we are rearranging everyone. Anna and Kate will share the big bedroom which is scaring me more than anything, but I think a necessary evil. I just hope we aren't crazy for making that decision. Ethan will move into Kate's room and Jane will go into Anna's room since it's already painted pink. We will keep Jane downstairs with us I assume for the first few months or so but I just want to have everyone in their place soon so we have some transition time before Jane actually arrives. I also want to plant some flowers, touch up the crib with some paint. After all it's been through 3 kids and it's looking a tad beat up. I need to put the baby's things somewhere too rather than stuffed in bins and shopping bags in the back of the closet. I still have yet to buy a diaper or a burp cloth, or socks for that matter. We do have a car seat though so I guess if she comes we could at least get her home, we would just have to stop at the store for some diapers. According to Randall when I'm not pregnant I am always nesting. So now that it's time I'm just not feeling it. I want to but can't muster up the energy. Yesterday I did get the changing table washed sanded primed and painted. It looks much better. That's about all I accomplished other than a Dr. appt and the usual stuff. I keep telling myself I will have more energy once she comes, until I realize I will be up all night with feedings and crying and all that fun stuff. I'm hoping that in about 6 months I just may feel like myself again. Only time will tell.

A big day

Today was kindergarten registration for Anna. Can you believe it? I think with it being my 2nd child entering "real" school it's a little easier, but still hard to believe. It was one of those surreal moments really. I felt excited and nervous all at the same time. It is such a pretty spring day today and walking onto the school grounds reminded me of my spring days in grade school. The days that neared the end of school were some of the most exciting. Did you have field day? We did and I loved it. I always tried so hard to win a prize. I usually did best in the softball throw and obstacle course. I remember buying that big old fashioned taffy. That's the excitement I felt today going to school. It's strange to think Anna will be gone every single day. I'm excited for all the new friends she will meet and the new things she will do and explore.

Then came a big decision. Morning or afternoon? In the past there wasn't a choice so it was easy, but today when the decision was mine to make I felt panicked. If she goes in the morning she rides the bus to school with Ethan and then I have to pick her up...every single day. If she goes in the afternoon she rides the bus to and from school. The guilt crept in and I felt like a terrible mother thinking of the ease of her riding the bus both ways. But, that's what she wants. She has been waiting and wanting to ride the bus forever. So I did it. I signed her up for the afternoon. She will ride the bus to school with just the kindergarten students and she will love it. On the way home Ethan will be with her and he's excited to be her protector. I'm happy that she wants to be independent and so I figure while she's feeling independent I should encourage her. If she were afraid I wouldn't push. She wants this. Admittedly with a new baby this year it will be nice to not interrupt naps and feedings and all the rest to make sure I get to the school in time to pick her up. Besides I would feel even worse if she went to school all morning just in time to come home for "quiet time". I would feel like I could never rest because it wouldn't be right for me to not spend quality time and attention once she was home. This way she will be home in the morning with "the girls". Then once she's on her way we can rest(hopefully) and have some quiet time and I will know that she is happily learning away at school.

She's ready. She's excited. I know when the time comes and I watch the bus pull away from the curb with my little girl on it I'll be sad, but excited too. Wow, what a big day.

Someday soon

I will be able to:
-wash dishes facing the sink
-get clothes out of the washer without using a hanger to reach them
-paint my own toenails
-sleep without a thousand pillows
-stop eating antacids like they're candy
-hug my husband facing forward
-get up from sitting without moaning audibly
-drive without my stomach touching the steering wheel
-close a public restroom door without having to straddle the toilet first to make room
-sleep through the night (a girl can dream right?)
-see my feet
-wear short sleeves(I like to keep my chubby arms covered)
-eat chocolate without heartburn as a side effect
-get up off the floor without lots o' help
-run
-read stories to the kids without getting short of breath
-sleep on my back or tummy or however the heck fire I want
-not have comments like "do you feel as uncomfortable as you look" on a daily basis, especially when I think I look just fine.

All these things are completely worth it, knowing in just a few short weeks we get to hold and kiss and smell and love our new little bundle!

Nostalgia

Without fail before each new baby comes I have some feelings of sadness. It's hard not to somehow feel as if there is a small period of mourning. I love my kids and am thrilled with each new baby. When each new child comes to the family it feels as if they have always been there. We can't imagine our life without them. But...until the safe arrival of that new bundle, I can't help but feel a little sad for the life I am leaving behind in a sense. Our Kate has been such a sweetheart, and brought so much joy to our family. I have been trying to hold her a little more as of late. I don't want her to feel sad or out of place when a new little girl comes to take the place of "baby".

I was just looking at our family pictures over the last 6 months. So much joy, fun and happiness. So why do those pictures of 4th of July and Disneyland and ice cream in the summer time make me feel sad? I think while the arrival of a new baby opens a new chapter in our lives I feel like it also closes one. That closing chapter has been one of my favorites. Ethan in t-ball and Anna losing her first teeth. Kate sitting on the potty like a big girl. Fishing on the river as a family and our first garden planted together. All I have left to remember my children growing up are those picture and the many wonderful memories that have been made. At times that just doesn't seem like enough. I know there are many more wonderful times to come, and that with this new little baby we'll have even more joy. I just can't help but cry a little today. I can hardly believe that our big 7 year old boy was once a small little baby swaddled in our arms.

If only these precious moments didn't have to pass quite so quickly...

Tired

or maybe the more appropriate word would be exhausted. Just 6 weeks left til the old due date. I am trying to brave it this time and go into labor on my own rather than my usual method, induction. Induction brings a baby sooner and probably a tad smaller than if I went on my own but it's not particularly pleasant. At times I feel like I am so tired and just want her to come but then I realize that once she comes I actually have to consciously feed her, and several times a day and night I might add. I also have to soothe her, change her, and stuff like that. Don't get me wrong, I am very anxious to meet and see and snuggle and kiss this cute little person, but with that little meet and greet comes a very cute but very needy little babe that just may keep me up ALL night. Right now I'm not up ALL night, just some of the night. Right now I can actually get a nap once in a while while my girls nap or play quietly. A wee one may not be as accomodating. These are the things I remind myself when my pelvis hurts, my hips hurt, my heartburn is raging it's ugly head and my feet are fat and puffy. Not to mention my enormous body that is housing this little soul. It will all be worth it and I'm excited, but for now I'm quite content being pregnant for maybe just a little longer.

Mirror Mirror on the wall I am my Mother after all!

My Mom and I saw that that quote in a shop one day and had a good laugh. I was thinking about that today when I heard myself saying things like "settle down or somebody is going to get hurt!" I am realizing lately that my kids are doing some of the same annoying things I did as a child.

Ethan often claims he can't find his socks. I know why since the other day I was helping him pick up his room and found socks all over his room. Not in plain site of course but in the most random of places. Heaven forbid he actually put them in the dirty clothes basket. It takes a lot more thought and effort to think of a great "hiding place" for each pair.

I've also noticed that my children must think that in, by, over under all mean the same thing. I will ask them to do something like put the books in the bag or homework in their folder or something in the garbage and inevitably those things end up on the bag, by the garbage and so forth. It's highly annoying. Why is it so much harder to put laundry in the basket instead of right by it? It often even touches the very thing it actually belongs to. I remember that my Mom used to get mad about these same things when we were kids. I guess at least it's a good reminder that my kids are at least normal right?

P.S. For dinner tonight i made a calzone sort of thing with homemade bread with eggs and veggies and turkey and cheese inside. Ethan looked in the oven and saw just the bread baking and said to me "you made bread for dinner? How in the world is that supposed to fill us up?" I just may consider a dinner strike. Yet another thing my Mom occasionally did when we were kids complaining about dinner!

Holy Smack!

OK, so I've actually never heard that expression before "Holy smack". That is until today when I was sitting in a chair at Ethan's school and a woman walked in, saw me and exclaimed "Holy Smack!" Thankfully I take all of these fine comments in stride and none of them bother me. Thankfully I find them all amusing. I could write a book of the interesting things mostly woman have said to me over the years. I find it interesting that it is women who give these strange comments when they themselves have most assuredly been pregnant at some time and probably didn't love the comments they received.

When I was visiting San Antonio I was in a jewelry store and a woman approached me and told me how cute my belly was, and then proceeded to rub it. Mind you the rubbing was not just once around and then done, but again and again, around and around. It was almost dizzying. Admittedly, I actually don't really mind when people touch my tummy. It's so big and out there I almost don't feel as if it's a part of me anymore. I also don't really enjoy it either. The woman who saw me this morning also asked me if she could "touch it". I found it interesting that she referred to my tummy as an it. I guess I don't know what else you would call it but somehow it made me think I should start a circus side show and charge people to come and see the huge pregnant lady and for an extra charge they could even "touch it".

Funny kids...

Today you would think it was my birthday. I got so many text and calls that it was amazing. Only problem is it's not my birthday, not even close. But...Kate got a hold of my phone today and somehow in her 2 year old way sent a pre-written text that said "call me when you get this" with a little added gibberish to the end and somehow sent it to my ENTIRE address book. I don't even know how to do that! So needless to say I received some calm and some not so calm calls from people all over the U.S. wondering if i was OK, or having the baby or something. I was so embarrassed and felt so bad and considered sending a follow up text explaining the mistake, but again I don't know how to do that! What a funny little girl.

In other news, today Anna came to me about 11 saying she was "STARVING" and begged me to make her a snack. I told her it was almost lunch time and I would soon be making lunch. So lunch rolls around and she takes 3 bites and is done. I said "I thought you were starving?" and she said "I was only starving a little." Figures.

Dead chicken for dinner

Tonight we picked up a rotisserie chicken for dinner. On the way home we were discussing that chicken comes from chickens, beef from cows etc. Anna suddenly asked if what we were eating was chicken then how is it possible that we eat it? I explained to her that the chicken was dead and was cooked. Let's just say it made for some interesting conversation with a plethora of disgusting questions. The kids kept asking how the chicken dies and if we were eating it's guts etc. Ethan was sure the chickens get stabbed with a pitch fork or something like that. He obviously wasn't bothered by eating a dead bird. By the time dinner was over I was so grossed out I wasn't sure I was going to be able to keep my dead chicken dinner down!

A funny

Ethan brought home his report card yesterday. I opened it and was pleased to see an "x" marked in the exceptional category except for one. The one outlier was an "x" between satisfactory and exceptional and it was in regard to Ethan's attitude in class. I complimented and praised him for doing such a great job pointing all how well he had done and what a great report he had. Then I told him there was just one area that he needed to work on a little bit. His response? "So, what are you saying Mom that I just totally suck!"

Needless to say I was a tad taken aback. Maybe he doesn't have a problem with attitude after all???

Disclaimer: We do not generally use the word "sucks" in our family which makes this even more funny.