A doctor friend who works with Robbie emailed me yesterday about how he could only imagine that our children had reached fever pitch with excitment toward Christmas. Today as they ran around the house singing with glee, I thought of that comment. So true! Tonight, once we finally got everyone to bed, Henry's voice rang out with a loud, "Mommmmyyyy!" I went to him, and he wanted to potty....again. While he used the restroom, I explained the importance of getting into his bed and going to sleep so that maybe Santa will bring him a Lightning McQueen (from Cars) toy. He looked at me seriously and said, "I been naughty or nice? I want presents, Mom." I laughed. Once I put him back to bed, I said, "I love you, Henry. Jesus loves you...and so does Santa." "That's funny!" he replied.
Well, some red wine and some caramel popcorn helped ease the pain of our 7 pm mass. Granted, our two youngest go to bed at 7 pm. Robbie and I are educated adults, yet we decided to go ahead with our 7 pm plan. It was a disaster. We arrived 45 minutes early, and Robbie and Olivia entered to save us some seats. I kept the little ones in the van with the special treat of a Christmas DVD movie to watch. We only watch movies in our vehicle on highway trips, so this was a big deal. Henry got upset once it was time to exit the van. He wanted to take some Lightning McQueen holiday window clings into church with him, and he tried to throw himself on the wet ground while I held Vivian (in her red winter pea coat), the diaper bag, and keys. It wasn't pretty. Once inside he went limp again a time or two, and I couldn't find Robbie in the packed house. A friend saved me by showing me the location of my husband, and I just left upset Henry in the aisle so I could drop off the baby to Robbie. People were staring. During mass we sat much closer to the front that usual, and Henry noticed a Christmas vest on the woman behind us. "Hey, that's RUDOLPH!!" he announced. He started asking her questions about her outift, and then he said, "Mommy, can I have a Rudolph shirt too?" The baby was good for 3/4 of mass, then she'd had ENOUGH. She started crying, and even the kind old woman next to us who let Henry touch her red gift earrings and pet her fur coat couldn't cheer my baby. The big girls were good. Actually, Evelyn earned our highest honor, Gold Star Behavior. She was an angel. I think she was too tired to act up in mass.
However, once home she completely and absolutely freaked out with fear that we were not getting her to bed fast enough. She was convinced Santa was going to pass our house, and she was crying and almost screaming for somebody to please unzip her dress. "For the love of God, get this thing off of me!!" I think she would have added, had she had the phrase in her vocabulary. Now, we haven't heard a peep out of her since lights out, and that's no short of a miracle. The funniest part about her tantrum was that once I finally got her to open her special Christmas Eve package, the box was Robbie's Kashi Go Lean from Costco. She was furious. She actually threw it on the floor, and said, "I don't want that!!!!!!" I know it seems naughty, but it was hysterically funny. Robbie and I laughed hard, and we understood her fear of missing Santa and his magic. "Why would I want a box of dry old cereal, parents?! I need to GO TO BED RIGHT NOWWWW" her little mind flew. I got it. The others opened gifts and found snowflake PJs, all coordinating. Evelyn figured it out, and she dressed herself in the new clothes faster than the others.
I love Christmas. My parents made it so special for us. We hope to create the same excitement and wonder for our four. I kept reminding the kids about Jesus' birthday too. They are young, but I think they get it. My favorite mass of the year is Christmas Eve, and my favorite song is Joy to the World. When it plays, I think of my dad. He belts out that tune, and I just love it. It isn't Christmas without Joy to the World. This year Dad and I weren't together. I missed his singing. However, Vivian kept things exciting. She screamed during the entire song. I re-entered the church before that final song. I couldn't be without my family during it. I just couldn't. Baby girl cried real tears, and nothing helped. I was so distracted that I didn't cry my usual Christmas Eve tears from missing my dad. Maybe that was Vivian's gift to her mommy.
Mama's tired. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! God speed, Santa!!!!!!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
"Do you think our Elf on the Shelf has a tiny little penis?"
The kids have been so funny lately. First, the baby moved to the dark side yesterday. She turned 10 months on the 8th, and yesterday she was in full "baby on the move" mode. She opened a kitchen cabinet and threw things on the floor. She opened the drawer under the oven and tried to get to pans and lids. She cleared the bottom bookshelf of books and ripped an entire page from one. She got a cookie sheet and banged a cup against it to make a huge clatter!
This weekend Robbie was on the phone with his dad. Robbie doesn't do too much phone talking at home, and we have opposite styles. I talk while I unload the dishwasher or fold laundry. Robbie rests while he chats. After a LONG time, I began to wish he'd get off the phone. I needed to talk to him before I left the house, and he seemed in no hurry to end the call anytime soon. Just as I decided to interrupt him, Olivia handed him a note. It said, "Get off the phone right now for goodnise sake you have been on the phone sinse 10:00 to 12:18 you promised me you would tackle me!!!!!!!!!!" It worked. He got off the phone. They wrestled. He's such a good guy.
I went out to finish our holiday shopping, and I returned to homemade chicken and dumplings. It was amazing! The smell filled our home, and the food warmed me to the core after fighting crowds in store, cold air between stores, and unkind drivers. Gosh, it was good!! The next morning he used the dumpling recipe to make a giant biscuit for breakfast. The kids devoured the food, and I was completely thankful for a cooking husband. He even made sausage gravy!
Last night when the kids asked for dessert, Robbie suggested I make some dark chocolate brownies. I tried to make them molten cupcakes, and they were not well formed after much time in the oven. Henry ate his, and Robbie said, "Henry is the messiest human alive." His face was smeared with chocolate. It was all over his hands, his shirt, the table, and his chair. I thought the same thing when I found so many crumbs under his chair from his lunch today. How does one create so many crumbs? I think it requires special skill.
Okay, I hear somebody crying upstairs, but I must continue...
Evelyn came into our bathroom recently after searching for Porton, our Elf on the Shelf. He goes to the North Pole each night and tells Santa how our children behave. This means he tells Santa how they tease each other and leave their PJs on the floor. Anyway, Evelyn said, "Mama, do you think our Elf on the Shelf has a tiny little penis?" Now, Porton is smaller than a Barbie, and I laughed out loud. Robbie was in the shower, and he laughed too. I said, "Yes, Ev, I'm sure he has a little penis. He's a little elf, and that's how boys go pee pee." She then asked if Santa has a penis.
I have another hair cutting story and one that totally explains Ev's personality, but Vivian calls! You'll have to wait.
This weekend Robbie was on the phone with his dad. Robbie doesn't do too much phone talking at home, and we have opposite styles. I talk while I unload the dishwasher or fold laundry. Robbie rests while he chats. After a LONG time, I began to wish he'd get off the phone. I needed to talk to him before I left the house, and he seemed in no hurry to end the call anytime soon. Just as I decided to interrupt him, Olivia handed him a note. It said, "Get off the phone right now for goodnise sake you have been on the phone sinse 10:00 to 12:18 you promised me you would tackle me!!!!!!!!!!" It worked. He got off the phone. They wrestled. He's such a good guy.
I went out to finish our holiday shopping, and I returned to homemade chicken and dumplings. It was amazing! The smell filled our home, and the food warmed me to the core after fighting crowds in store, cold air between stores, and unkind drivers. Gosh, it was good!! The next morning he used the dumpling recipe to make a giant biscuit for breakfast. The kids devoured the food, and I was completely thankful for a cooking husband. He even made sausage gravy!
Last night when the kids asked for dessert, Robbie suggested I make some dark chocolate brownies. I tried to make them molten cupcakes, and they were not well formed after much time in the oven. Henry ate his, and Robbie said, "Henry is the messiest human alive." His face was smeared with chocolate. It was all over his hands, his shirt, the table, and his chair. I thought the same thing when I found so many crumbs under his chair from his lunch today. How does one create so many crumbs? I think it requires special skill.
Okay, I hear somebody crying upstairs, but I must continue...
Evelyn came into our bathroom recently after searching for Porton, our Elf on the Shelf. He goes to the North Pole each night and tells Santa how our children behave. This means he tells Santa how they tease each other and leave their PJs on the floor. Anyway, Evelyn said, "Mama, do you think our Elf on the Shelf has a tiny little penis?" Now, Porton is smaller than a Barbie, and I laughed out loud. Robbie was in the shower, and he laughed too. I said, "Yes, Ev, I'm sure he has a little penis. He's a little elf, and that's how boys go pee pee." She then asked if Santa has a penis.
I have another hair cutting story and one that totally explains Ev's personality, but Vivian calls! You'll have to wait.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Winter Magic
This morning began in a lovely way. Evelyn was the first one up, and I found her curled up on the couch quietly and happily looking at Olivia's book. Henry eagerly joined his sisters, and the three of them sat close to one another under a big blanket on the couch while watching a t.v. program called Little Bear. Little Bear is dear to me because I often turned it on during the dog tired days of my early pregnancies when I felt sick and needed to rest with my other children. Classical music plays throughout the show, and it always has a sweet theme.
Our neighbors the Scarboros joined us for mass, and the girls had excellent behavior. The sermon dealt with joy, and at one point Vivian let out a delightful giggle with her daddy. Others nearby turned and smiled, and I couldn't help but lean to Mary Jane and whisper, "Now that is joy." She agreed. Henry said all the way to church, "I don't like Santa. I don't want to see him!" We enjoyed Breakfast with St. Nick, and Vivian amazed us by being our first little baby to not cry while sitting on Santa's lap for a photo. She happily smiled and tried to reach his bells. She is the best little baby I have ever had, and today just reinforced the statement.
We ran an errand to the store after mass, and Henry kept kissing little Vivian. She had on a new red wool pea coat with a matching beret from Grandma Mary and Grandpa Mike, and she looked like a baby from years gone by. An Indian man who was offering samples of juice saw the four children, and he commented on how cute the girls looked in their red coats. "Such pretty little girls. You are very blessed." He almost brought tears to my eyes. I am blessed indeed.
Now I have a moment to blog while the three oldest children are outside playing in the new fallen snow. Magical!! The temperature today is frigid, so I don't expect my children to last long outdoors. Lucky for them, I have a pot of water heating on the stove for good old hot chocolate. I have been working on Christmas cards, football is on the t.v. for Robbie, and the Christmas tree lights are twinkling. Winter can be so much fun.
Our neighbors the Scarboros joined us for mass, and the girls had excellent behavior. The sermon dealt with joy, and at one point Vivian let out a delightful giggle with her daddy. Others nearby turned and smiled, and I couldn't help but lean to Mary Jane and whisper, "Now that is joy." She agreed. Henry said all the way to church, "I don't like Santa. I don't want to see him!" We enjoyed Breakfast with St. Nick, and Vivian amazed us by being our first little baby to not cry while sitting on Santa's lap for a photo. She happily smiled and tried to reach his bells. She is the best little baby I have ever had, and today just reinforced the statement.
We ran an errand to the store after mass, and Henry kept kissing little Vivian. She had on a new red wool pea coat with a matching beret from Grandma Mary and Grandpa Mike, and she looked like a baby from years gone by. An Indian man who was offering samples of juice saw the four children, and he commented on how cute the girls looked in their red coats. "Such pretty little girls. You are very blessed." He almost brought tears to my eyes. I am blessed indeed.
Now I have a moment to blog while the three oldest children are outside playing in the new fallen snow. Magical!! The temperature today is frigid, so I don't expect my children to last long outdoors. Lucky for them, I have a pot of water heating on the stove for good old hot chocolate. I have been working on Christmas cards, football is on the t.v. for Robbie, and the Christmas tree lights are twinkling. Winter can be so much fun.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
It Smells Terrible, So Terrible
This has been a very hard week. As soon as Robbie and I decided to go to bed early Sunday night, Henry threw up in his crib. He cried out to me, and I hurried to his room. The telling smell hit me once I opened the door, then my bare foot confirmed my nose's discovery. So gross. I took over with Henry in the bathtub, and Robbie took over with the floor, crib sheets and blankets, PJs, etc. The laundry was already backed up, so this sealed the deal. The diarrhea started the next day with Henry and the baby. I changed a ton of nasty diapers. Evelyn complained she didn't feel well after she got home from preschool. The kids have been whining, fighting, fussing, and overall making me want to tear my hair out of my head all week. I'm tired and emotionally drained from the stamina required to be "on" 24/7. Henry keeps throwing clothing fits...he wants the football monkey PJs, he doesn't want socks, he wants Yaya's cleats, he doesn't want a coat, and on and on it goes. The girls have been fighting A LOT, and a mama only has so much patience for such nonsense.
We put up the Christmas tree on Friday, and Henry will not leave the thing alone. I caught him with a broken unbreakable Christmas bulb ornament and a plastic candy cane. He was golfing. He keeps tossing stuffed animal dogs into the tree, and he keeps insisting I call him Henry the Baby T Rex. At least the nickname fits! He also showed me how he climbs onto his diaper changing area to get out of his bed, and he said as he lowered himself carefully to the ground, "See Mommy. I hold on right here." He thinks he's such a big shot.
Robbie got a root canal on Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Read...dollars down the drain right before the holidays. Yesterday after work he fixed the ceiling light in the baby's room, which was falling out of the ceiling. He had to go into the attic to figure out the problem, and I prayed he would not fall through a ceiling somewhere. I also discovered a leaky pipe in the basement yesterday, so Robbie had to go the hardware store for parts. We were still working on fixing the house after 9 pm, and I was so ready to be DONE.
This morning the baby woke up at 5:12 am to nurse. Henry went to get Robbie out of bed to take him potty. Once I fed Vivian and returned to our warm bed I found two big girls in it. Their fighting began over whose legs were where, and I was too tired for it. I just wanted to curl up with my sleepy husband and snooze for 30 more minutes.
Well, this morning my stomach is unsettled. Henry just absolutely filled his diaper with liquid poop, then he used the potty with more #2. As I helped him, he said, "It smells terrible, so terrible." Finally, God gave me some comic relief. Henry was totally right, but the fact that he verbalized it at age two was hilarious.
We are really excited for Dad and Jane to arrive from Illinois tomorrow, but I have a laundry list of things to get done before that time. I need some stamina, and I need to feel better. I sat looking at my upside down house this morning and wondered if there is some service that provides a Mary Poppins type person to come in and take over the joint. Why can't mommies get sick days? I need to rest in bed, and I also need some clean diapers. I think I am almost out of Henry's, and this is not a good problem to have right now. God help me.
On the "glass is half full" side of things, Robbie did a grocery run for me last night, and we are no longer on the verge of being out of milk and fruit. I do not have to take any sick kids to the store, and that is a beautiful thing. Also, the baby has been her sweet self. She's scooting herself all around the floor, and I think she ate some real Christmas tree leaves from the branches.
We put up the Christmas tree on Friday, and Henry will not leave the thing alone. I caught him with a broken unbreakable Christmas bulb ornament and a plastic candy cane. He was golfing. He keeps tossing stuffed animal dogs into the tree, and he keeps insisting I call him Henry the Baby T Rex. At least the nickname fits! He also showed me how he climbs onto his diaper changing area to get out of his bed, and he said as he lowered himself carefully to the ground, "See Mommy. I hold on right here." He thinks he's such a big shot.
Robbie got a root canal on Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Read...dollars down the drain right before the holidays. Yesterday after work he fixed the ceiling light in the baby's room, which was falling out of the ceiling. He had to go into the attic to figure out the problem, and I prayed he would not fall through a ceiling somewhere. I also discovered a leaky pipe in the basement yesterday, so Robbie had to go the hardware store for parts. We were still working on fixing the house after 9 pm, and I was so ready to be DONE.
This morning the baby woke up at 5:12 am to nurse. Henry went to get Robbie out of bed to take him potty. Once I fed Vivian and returned to our warm bed I found two big girls in it. Their fighting began over whose legs were where, and I was too tired for it. I just wanted to curl up with my sleepy husband and snooze for 30 more minutes.
Well, this morning my stomach is unsettled. Henry just absolutely filled his diaper with liquid poop, then he used the potty with more #2. As I helped him, he said, "It smells terrible, so terrible." Finally, God gave me some comic relief. Henry was totally right, but the fact that he verbalized it at age two was hilarious.
We are really excited for Dad and Jane to arrive from Illinois tomorrow, but I have a laundry list of things to get done before that time. I need some stamina, and I need to feel better. I sat looking at my upside down house this morning and wondered if there is some service that provides a Mary Poppins type person to come in and take over the joint. Why can't mommies get sick days? I need to rest in bed, and I also need some clean diapers. I think I am almost out of Henry's, and this is not a good problem to have right now. God help me.
On the "glass is half full" side of things, Robbie did a grocery run for me last night, and we are no longer on the verge of being out of milk and fruit. I do not have to take any sick kids to the store, and that is a beautiful thing. Also, the baby has been her sweet self. She's scooting herself all around the floor, and I think she ate some real Christmas tree leaves from the branches.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving and the Diaper Eater
Our Thanksgiving started off with a 4 am call from a patient with an eyelid issue. Robbie was in a dead sleep, and he had a hard time waking up to ask and answer medical questions. I thought back to the days of residency, and I remembered all of the middle of the night pages he received. The sound of that beeper used to startle us out of sleep like little else. I'd lie there and pray that he wouldn't have to climb out of our warm bed and drive at 3 am down to take care of a drunk patient who got his eye socked in a fight. I was so worried about him while he was away from me. Things are much easier now. Even if it is hard to shift from sound asleep to "on" for a suffering patient, at least his trips to help them have decreased. We spoke about how thankful we are to be out of the residency years. However, I wouldn't trade them. I am glad that I was by Robbie's side through all of it. I think he has a wonderful and worthwhile profession, and he didn't get there overnight. It was a long and sometimes hard process, and I think we can appreciate each small improvement in our lifestyle more having paved the road together. He shared some thoughts about how he loves and appreciates me this evening, and they were among some of the nicest words he's ever spoken to me. I am very lucky in love.
I couldn't go back to sleep after the phone call. Anthony has an appetite like no other. He has been with us for two weeks today, and it has been really fun having him around. He ordered pizza and shared it with us right before we went to bed, and I woke up thirsty, thirsty, THIRSTY. I made my way to the kitchen, which helped cool my hot legs. It sounds so silly, but once my legs and feet get hot in bed, I'm toast. I can't sleep with hot legs. Henry will call out to me in the mornings, and he often says, "Where are your pants, Mom." My answer is always the same. "My legs got hot. I took them off." Life was good this morning. The girls came into our room and started talking to us as though it were the middle of the day, but we went right back to sleep as they played in the living room. Henry and Vivian slept until 7:40 am. Unheard of. However, we were VERY thankful.
I made strawberries and cream bread yesterday to serve this morning, and Henry ate five slices. Robbie and the girls really enjoyed it too. I used Uncle Lee's bread pan and thought of him. Hubby injected the turkey with ingredients from an Emeril recipe, then he grilled it. I thought it was amazing. I think I honestly love my husband a little bit more each time he cooks something really good for me. We used the Really Good Cornbread recipe from the newest Ann Lund cookbook, and it made Robbie's stuffing from Grandma Gloria's recipe even more delicious. It was Henry's favorite part of the meal. I prepared a whipped sweet potatoes recipe from that cookbook too, and Robbie raved about it. I took my friend's advice and used a small pie pumpkin to process the pulp for my homemade pumpkin pie. I used Emily's mother's recipe for pie crust, but I never think I get it just right. It was too thick or something. I need Nada or Emily to help me perfect pie crust. That's the whole reason I eat pie...for the crust. Anyhow, we had other food too, and it was a great meal. Anthony was with us. We each reflected on and shared something for which we were thankful. Little Henry said, "My daddy and you, Mom."
Yesterday I caught him climbing out of his crib. He's done it twice after being placed there for time-out. His method sent me into a laughing fit while I was on the phone with Robbie. He climbed from his bed to a small shelf of his changing table/cabinet bookshelf on his tummy. He looked like a slithering snake. He then crawled onto his changing pad near his diapers. It was incredibly dangerous. I should not have laughed, but I was so shocked that I couldn't help myself. He did it after I put him to bed, and he announced that he didn't want to "go sleeping." We are almost in toddler bed territory, God help me. Henry keeps me hopping. Yesterday I found him in his crib after naptime without a diaper. He also had part of the diaper tabs ripped off, and he was chewing on them. What in the world would put that idea in his head, and why would he then execute the crazy thought?
Ant has been videotaping the kids. He has Michael Fat Leg footage, Gwen. I'll have to get it for you. He caught Vivian attempting to crawl for Henry's Lightning McQueen remote control car this evening while the girls were away with Robbie on a daddy-daughter date to see Tangled. Things get so complicated with a little baby on the move.
I told Henry at bedtime tonight that we are going to get a Christmas tree tomorrow for our own house. He said, "Our house will be so happy." Our little guy is such a treasure.
I'm so happy with my little family. I told Robbie that I love how each child is at such a different stage. It won't always be this way. We have Olivia, a true school girl. She can read and write and play soccer and go to gymnastics and help me make green beans for Thanksgiving dinner. I have a sweet little preschool girl who still has some babyishness to her look. She says I'm her favorite mommy she's ever had. She's all about writing letters and cutting and using glue. Henry is two and a half. He's a boy. Need I say more, dear blog readers? I will. Henry is charming and smart and active. He makes life funny and exciting. Vivian is my doll baby. As soon as I gave her the pink blanky tonight, she stuck her thumb into her mouth and burrowed into my neck. I said, "I love you, my little snuggle bug." When I hold her in the glider, classical music plays in the room, we're snuggled up under a cozy blanket, she nurses and looks up at me, my heart feels so lovely. Those moments are what pregnant first time moms imagine before their baby is actually born.
I think that after spending so much time with me during the days while Robbie is away at work, Anthony has a new perspective on my role as mother of four. He walked in one day, and we five were going wild to Just Dance, a Wii game. It was so much fun. The baby was jumping up and down in her exersaucer. He's also observed temper tantrums, loud crying, sassy back talk, terribly stinky poop diapers, demands for warm milk, corn bread lunch explosions, laundry piles that rival Mt. Everest, and sibling rivalry. He caught me as I put my hands to my head in frustration and breathed deeply one morning, and he later said, "They're driving you nuts today, aren't they?" Yes, sometimes they do. After watching the symphony that is homework hour, dinner prep, baby's time to nurse, pantless mad Henry, he said, "I don't know how you do it." My honest response was, "Sometimes I don't do it very well." Good and bad. Happy or sad. I love each of these little ones, and on this Thanksgiving night, I can't imagine not having one of them in the family. I hope God blesses us with more love, laughter, and good health. Those are life's true riches.
I couldn't go back to sleep after the phone call. Anthony has an appetite like no other. He has been with us for two weeks today, and it has been really fun having him around. He ordered pizza and shared it with us right before we went to bed, and I woke up thirsty, thirsty, THIRSTY. I made my way to the kitchen, which helped cool my hot legs. It sounds so silly, but once my legs and feet get hot in bed, I'm toast. I can't sleep with hot legs. Henry will call out to me in the mornings, and he often says, "Where are your pants, Mom." My answer is always the same. "My legs got hot. I took them off." Life was good this morning. The girls came into our room and started talking to us as though it were the middle of the day, but we went right back to sleep as they played in the living room. Henry and Vivian slept until 7:40 am. Unheard of. However, we were VERY thankful.
I made strawberries and cream bread yesterday to serve this morning, and Henry ate five slices. Robbie and the girls really enjoyed it too. I used Uncle Lee's bread pan and thought of him. Hubby injected the turkey with ingredients from an Emeril recipe, then he grilled it. I thought it was amazing. I think I honestly love my husband a little bit more each time he cooks something really good for me. We used the Really Good Cornbread recipe from the newest Ann Lund cookbook, and it made Robbie's stuffing from Grandma Gloria's recipe even more delicious. It was Henry's favorite part of the meal. I prepared a whipped sweet potatoes recipe from that cookbook too, and Robbie raved about it. I took my friend's advice and used a small pie pumpkin to process the pulp for my homemade pumpkin pie. I used Emily's mother's recipe for pie crust, but I never think I get it just right. It was too thick or something. I need Nada or Emily to help me perfect pie crust. That's the whole reason I eat pie...for the crust. Anyhow, we had other food too, and it was a great meal. Anthony was with us. We each reflected on and shared something for which we were thankful. Little Henry said, "My daddy and you, Mom."
Yesterday I caught him climbing out of his crib. He's done it twice after being placed there for time-out. His method sent me into a laughing fit while I was on the phone with Robbie. He climbed from his bed to a small shelf of his changing table/cabinet bookshelf on his tummy. He looked like a slithering snake. He then crawled onto his changing pad near his diapers. It was incredibly dangerous. I should not have laughed, but I was so shocked that I couldn't help myself. He did it after I put him to bed, and he announced that he didn't want to "go sleeping." We are almost in toddler bed territory, God help me. Henry keeps me hopping. Yesterday I found him in his crib after naptime without a diaper. He also had part of the diaper tabs ripped off, and he was chewing on them. What in the world would put that idea in his head, and why would he then execute the crazy thought?
Ant has been videotaping the kids. He has Michael Fat Leg footage, Gwen. I'll have to get it for you. He caught Vivian attempting to crawl for Henry's Lightning McQueen remote control car this evening while the girls were away with Robbie on a daddy-daughter date to see Tangled. Things get so complicated with a little baby on the move.
I told Henry at bedtime tonight that we are going to get a Christmas tree tomorrow for our own house. He said, "Our house will be so happy." Our little guy is such a treasure.
I'm so happy with my little family. I told Robbie that I love how each child is at such a different stage. It won't always be this way. We have Olivia, a true school girl. She can read and write and play soccer and go to gymnastics and help me make green beans for Thanksgiving dinner. I have a sweet little preschool girl who still has some babyishness to her look. She says I'm her favorite mommy she's ever had. She's all about writing letters and cutting and using glue. Henry is two and a half. He's a boy. Need I say more, dear blog readers? I will. Henry is charming and smart and active. He makes life funny and exciting. Vivian is my doll baby. As soon as I gave her the pink blanky tonight, she stuck her thumb into her mouth and burrowed into my neck. I said, "I love you, my little snuggle bug." When I hold her in the glider, classical music plays in the room, we're snuggled up under a cozy blanket, she nurses and looks up at me, my heart feels so lovely. Those moments are what pregnant first time moms imagine before their baby is actually born.
I think that after spending so much time with me during the days while Robbie is away at work, Anthony has a new perspective on my role as mother of four. He walked in one day, and we five were going wild to Just Dance, a Wii game. It was so much fun. The baby was jumping up and down in her exersaucer. He's also observed temper tantrums, loud crying, sassy back talk, terribly stinky poop diapers, demands for warm milk, corn bread lunch explosions, laundry piles that rival Mt. Everest, and sibling rivalry. He caught me as I put my hands to my head in frustration and breathed deeply one morning, and he later said, "They're driving you nuts today, aren't they?" Yes, sometimes they do. After watching the symphony that is homework hour, dinner prep, baby's time to nurse, pantless mad Henry, he said, "I don't know how you do it." My honest response was, "Sometimes I don't do it very well." Good and bad. Happy or sad. I love each of these little ones, and on this Thanksgiving night, I can't imagine not having one of them in the family. I hope God blesses us with more love, laughter, and good health. Those are life's true riches.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Twenty Bucks
Robbie and I try to be responsible with our money. I have made some changes in my grocery shopping locations to save where I can. Today I took my Thanksgiving shopping list to ALDI, which is a discount food seller. The carts require the insertion of a quarter to unlock from one another in an attempt to keep them in one location. The temp was 34. I strapped Vivian to my chest. I held the small hands of Henry and Evelyn. Ev had the quarter. As we approached the carts, Henry's shoe fell off. I needed to help Evelyn put the quarter into the cart to release it from the others. Henry doesn't put his shoes on by himself too well, and all of this had to happen while maneuvering with a 9-month-old attached to my front. Not good.
As God smiled down at me on the pretty sunny day, COLD, yet pretty, a woman exited the store. She took one look at me and went into help mode. Her friendly demeanor and face reminded me of a very nice lady at Robbie's office named Debbie. This woman said her daughter had three children in Syracuse, and she knew things looked hard at the moment. She insisted we take her cart without receiving our quarter in exchange. She picked up Henry's shoe and put it on his thick foot after I lifted him into the seat. I thanked her and we wished each other a happy Thanksgiving.
I started down the main aisle and began to check off my list...flour, sugar, brown sugar, pretzels, fruit spread, and on it went. I had almost made it to the dairy section when the same lady came up next to me. She seemed very nervous. I still don't know how her gift made it into my hand, but she said, "Take this. Don't think I'm weird." She then rushed away from me. I was dumbfounded. I looked down and found a folded twenty in my hand. I said, "Oh, no. No, no. Ma'am. Please come back. Ma'am!! Take this." She was already halfway down the next aisle, and she was speed walking. Another shopper came up to me and said, "What happened? Are you okay? What did she give you?" I said, "She gave me money." I must have looked shocked and confused, which I totally was. The lady said, "Well, and I bet it made her feel good to give it to you, and it makes you feel good to receive it. This is the spirit of Thanksgiving."
My mind started racing. All I could think about was how the gift giver looked like SHE needed the money. Yes, we try to stretch our funds, but we are quite far from poor. I then reflected upon our appearance. True, I had planned to workout before our grocery run. That didn't happen, and I hadn't showered and put on any make-up. My khakis were from my teaching days in the late 90s pre-kids, and there was a hole in one knee. However, my kids wore nice, warm, clean coats from Land's End. Their hair was combed. I then thought, "This is ridiculous. Evelyn is carrying a $100 doll, and this lady just gave me money and ran away". I was embarrassed. In my mind I laughed and told myself that the money came because Evelyn's doll's long hippy hair was such a disaster. If the woman waivered at all about whether or not to give us some money, then Julie the American Girl doll from 1974 sealed the deal. If I didn't have a conscience I'd take Julie to the doll salon, and yes, they really have one, and spend the $20 on getting her hair done. It needs it.
I kept shopping. Evelyn decided to give me a run for my money. She was VERY naughty, and rather than fix her misbehavior, she kept doing more and more to get into trouble. Consequences abounded. First, no American Doll girl for the rest of the day. Next, no t.v. Finally, no marshmallows as a treat upon our return home. Then she had to stand in the store in time-out for five minutes. I was so close to spanking her in public. Fear of appearing on the news probably stopped me. The trip was totally brutal. Totally!!!
My cart was completely full. At ALDI they have no shopping bags, and you're on your own to get your items to your car. There's no drive up service at that place. I started sacking my stuff into the cloth bags I brought along, and the lady who spoke to me after the gift started helping me. Again, I was surprised. Her name was Marge, and she looked a bit like my Aunt Vicky who passed away. I told her all of our names, and I thanked her. I told her she reminded me of Aunt Vicky too, and that created a huge smile on her face. She said, "I hope you like her." I said, "Oh, yes. I do."
Now I need to figure out a worthy charity to share the lady's $20. I figure it needs to be one that has a focus on helping mothers and young children. I'll add this to my mental To Do list, but this is a pretty special task. I doubt I'll ever forget this day. I must pay it forward. Again, I say, life is good. However, I can't help but question the motive. Did something happen with her own daughter, and her gift was a sentiment toward her love for that child? Did I have a deer in the headlights look out at the front of the store? What in the world inspired her to bless me with a random act of kindness? God only knows, and clearly, there is one.
As God smiled down at me on the pretty sunny day, COLD, yet pretty, a woman exited the store. She took one look at me and went into help mode. Her friendly demeanor and face reminded me of a very nice lady at Robbie's office named Debbie. This woman said her daughter had three children in Syracuse, and she knew things looked hard at the moment. She insisted we take her cart without receiving our quarter in exchange. She picked up Henry's shoe and put it on his thick foot after I lifted him into the seat. I thanked her and we wished each other a happy Thanksgiving.
I started down the main aisle and began to check off my list...flour, sugar, brown sugar, pretzels, fruit spread, and on it went. I had almost made it to the dairy section when the same lady came up next to me. She seemed very nervous. I still don't know how her gift made it into my hand, but she said, "Take this. Don't think I'm weird." She then rushed away from me. I was dumbfounded. I looked down and found a folded twenty in my hand. I said, "Oh, no. No, no. Ma'am. Please come back. Ma'am!! Take this." She was already halfway down the next aisle, and she was speed walking. Another shopper came up to me and said, "What happened? Are you okay? What did she give you?" I said, "She gave me money." I must have looked shocked and confused, which I totally was. The lady said, "Well, and I bet it made her feel good to give it to you, and it makes you feel good to receive it. This is the spirit of Thanksgiving."
My mind started racing. All I could think about was how the gift giver looked like SHE needed the money. Yes, we try to stretch our funds, but we are quite far from poor. I then reflected upon our appearance. True, I had planned to workout before our grocery run. That didn't happen, and I hadn't showered and put on any make-up. My khakis were from my teaching days in the late 90s pre-kids, and there was a hole in one knee. However, my kids wore nice, warm, clean coats from Land's End. Their hair was combed. I then thought, "This is ridiculous. Evelyn is carrying a $100 doll, and this lady just gave me money and ran away". I was embarrassed. In my mind I laughed and told myself that the money came because Evelyn's doll's long hippy hair was such a disaster. If the woman waivered at all about whether or not to give us some money, then Julie the American Girl doll from 1974 sealed the deal. If I didn't have a conscience I'd take Julie to the doll salon, and yes, they really have one, and spend the $20 on getting her hair done. It needs it.
I kept shopping. Evelyn decided to give me a run for my money. She was VERY naughty, and rather than fix her misbehavior, she kept doing more and more to get into trouble. Consequences abounded. First, no American Doll girl for the rest of the day. Next, no t.v. Finally, no marshmallows as a treat upon our return home. Then she had to stand in the store in time-out for five minutes. I was so close to spanking her in public. Fear of appearing on the news probably stopped me. The trip was totally brutal. Totally!!!
My cart was completely full. At ALDI they have no shopping bags, and you're on your own to get your items to your car. There's no drive up service at that place. I started sacking my stuff into the cloth bags I brought along, and the lady who spoke to me after the gift started helping me. Again, I was surprised. Her name was Marge, and she looked a bit like my Aunt Vicky who passed away. I told her all of our names, and I thanked her. I told her she reminded me of Aunt Vicky too, and that created a huge smile on her face. She said, "I hope you like her." I said, "Oh, yes. I do."
Now I need to figure out a worthy charity to share the lady's $20. I figure it needs to be one that has a focus on helping mothers and young children. I'll add this to my mental To Do list, but this is a pretty special task. I doubt I'll ever forget this day. I must pay it forward. Again, I say, life is good. However, I can't help but question the motive. Did something happen with her own daughter, and her gift was a sentiment toward her love for that child? Did I have a deer in the headlights look out at the front of the store? What in the world inspired her to bless me with a random act of kindness? God only knows, and clearly, there is one.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Michael Fat Leg a.k.a Michael Flatley
Henry is wearing a black sparkly leotard with a built-in twirl skirt. He looks like a figure skater. All of our children have been Irish dancing after the Scarboros exposed them to Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance VCR tape last night while Robbie, Anthony, and I went to a museum and a bar. Anthony woke up to what must have sounded like rapid gunfire in the basement as the children's feet pounded the floor. They held out as long as their little bodies could contain themselves, then they unleashed. Evelyn and Henry thought the main guy's name was Michael Fat Leg, which we grown-ups found hilarious.
Henry has fallen in love with Olivia's new American Girl doll named Lanie. Olivia's Grandma Mary and Grandpa Mike took her to the Americal Girl store, and they returned with a soccer outift for the doll. She has her own mini cleats and shin guards to wear with her soccer jersey. Henry obsesses over it. The doll is the only one of us he'll kiss on the mouth. He asks for Lanie over and over again. He said to Anthony with desperation, "I want to hug Lanie!" Ant said, "Seriously?" Lanie even wears #2 like Olivia has on her soccer uniform.
One of our fun family games lately is for Robbie to lift Henry into the air and announce that he's Henry Man the superhero. Little guy then yells, "To the rescue!!!!" Robbie adds, "Able to run up and down the hall 60 times in one minute," and the girls laugh and laugh. My brother, who has been sleeping in our basement for a week, doesn't laugh about this part. Anthony has been making up songs about the kids as he plays his guitar. The girls enjoy it. Henry gets upset. "Uncle, don't sing that to MEEE!" I heard him yell today. Ant's song is about Henry's handsome look and his dislike of pants. He sings of how he runs everywhere he goes.
I introduced the children to air drums in the van. Henry really jams out, and I love it. When a song with great drums plays, I always tell him to play them. I think he likes Hot for Teacher the best.
I took down some Halloween decorations and noticed that Olivia made a haunted house that said "BOOOOB!" instead of "Boo!" She made it in first grade last year, but we never noticed the extra B.
As I diapered Henry and sprinkled baby powder on his bottom he wiped some of it with his finger. I reminded him that powder is not food and does not belong in his mouth. He thought I said, "pouter." He said, "Pouter. Like when Yaya (Olivia) goes to her bed?" I said, "Powder is this white stuff. Pouting is like this," and then I stuck out my lower lip and imitated his big sisters.
Vivian loves my brother. He smiles at her, and the girl totally lights up. She smiles with her whole face at him. I feel so lucky that he has been healthy for the last ten years. My children are so lucky to have him as a part of their lives.
Finally, food for thought. I feel like a bad mommy when it is past 8 pm, the girls are in goof off, rather than going to bed mode, Robbie is gone, and I want to push the "OFF" button on my girls. I lose patience, and I just hate it. However, I lose steam after 8 pm. I thank God every single day for the gift of my husband to my life. Now, you know what makes me feel like a good mommy? Making muffins. It sounds so silly, but it is totally true. When I bake up some nutritious muffins, and Ev says, "Mommy, these are the BEST muffins EV-UH!" I feel like a million bucks.
Henry has fallen in love with Olivia's new American Girl doll named Lanie. Olivia's Grandma Mary and Grandpa Mike took her to the Americal Girl store, and they returned with a soccer outift for the doll. She has her own mini cleats and shin guards to wear with her soccer jersey. Henry obsesses over it. The doll is the only one of us he'll kiss on the mouth. He asks for Lanie over and over again. He said to Anthony with desperation, "I want to hug Lanie!" Ant said, "Seriously?" Lanie even wears #2 like Olivia has on her soccer uniform.
One of our fun family games lately is for Robbie to lift Henry into the air and announce that he's Henry Man the superhero. Little guy then yells, "To the rescue!!!!" Robbie adds, "Able to run up and down the hall 60 times in one minute," and the girls laugh and laugh. My brother, who has been sleeping in our basement for a week, doesn't laugh about this part. Anthony has been making up songs about the kids as he plays his guitar. The girls enjoy it. Henry gets upset. "Uncle, don't sing that to MEEE!" I heard him yell today. Ant's song is about Henry's handsome look and his dislike of pants. He sings of how he runs everywhere he goes.
I introduced the children to air drums in the van. Henry really jams out, and I love it. When a song with great drums plays, I always tell him to play them. I think he likes Hot for Teacher the best.
I took down some Halloween decorations and noticed that Olivia made a haunted house that said "BOOOOB!" instead of "Boo!" She made it in first grade last year, but we never noticed the extra B.
As I diapered Henry and sprinkled baby powder on his bottom he wiped some of it with his finger. I reminded him that powder is not food and does not belong in his mouth. He thought I said, "pouter." He said, "Pouter. Like when Yaya (Olivia) goes to her bed?" I said, "Powder is this white stuff. Pouting is like this," and then I stuck out my lower lip and imitated his big sisters.
Vivian loves my brother. He smiles at her, and the girl totally lights up. She smiles with her whole face at him. I feel so lucky that he has been healthy for the last ten years. My children are so lucky to have him as a part of their lives.
Finally, food for thought. I feel like a bad mommy when it is past 8 pm, the girls are in goof off, rather than going to bed mode, Robbie is gone, and I want to push the "OFF" button on my girls. I lose patience, and I just hate it. However, I lose steam after 8 pm. I thank God every single day for the gift of my husband to my life. Now, you know what makes me feel like a good mommy? Making muffins. It sounds so silly, but it is totally true. When I bake up some nutritious muffins, and Ev says, "Mommy, these are the BEST muffins EV-UH!" I feel like a million bucks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)