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Saturday, November 22, 2008

Thursday, November 20, 2008

What To Do With Pent Up Energy

I have so stumbled upon a great way to entertain Thomas. And be productive. All while sitting on my rear with a camera pointing and clicking. Seriously, does it get any better than this?



Naturally, Sarah Grace had to have her turn. She is just a tad bit short to truly manipulate the machine, but made a valiant effort, none the less.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Sew Crafty

I have this streak in me that desires to be Suzy-Homemaker, Martha Stewart, June Cleaver. You know, any of those ladies who seem super-human with their abilities to do this and that and the other. I guess this might not be such a bad thing since it presses me on to learn how to do new things. Hands on, crafty, homemaker types of things.

Today, I tackled burp cloths for Baby Anna. I found this super easy recipe for making burp cloths, fail proof if you will, and decided that I just had to give it a whirl. Today was the perfect day. Joshua and Granny and the two older kids went to the lake house to winterize it before the cold sets in, I put Elizabeth down for a nap, and then I set about making burp cloths! I washed and dried the material, ironed it, made my pattern, then went to cutting and pinning and sewing. And, viola!!! In very short order, I had managed to make 3 adorable (if I do say so myself) burp cloths for Baby Anna.


Aren't they cute? Just don't look too closely at the seam lines on those rounded corners. They ain't exactly all that rounded! However, my theory is that these cute little cloths will be used for catching spit up and drool. Most folks aren't going to be concerning themselves with those not-quite-rounded corners.

And if it matters to anyone, my rounded corner skills got a smidge better with each cloth. I still have plenty of material left to practice with!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

This Kid Is So Mine


If there is a gene for 'smart alec', Thomas got it. However, there is an innocent twist to it. His smart alec-y-ness is sincere. He's not just goofing. He just calls it how he sees it. As if his comment last night didn't have me rolling, he busted out with another one tonight.

After a l.o.n.g. day of a lot of talking and questions coming from the children, oh, and the 4,286 times I heard my name...FROM EACH CHILD!...I had nearly lost my sanity. While at the dinner table, the children must have forgotten that there were two other adults at the table to fire their questions and comments towards. About half-way through the meal, Thomas and Sarah Grace were both vying for my attention, calling 'Mommy...Mommy?...Mommy...' I announced that I was just about ready to change my name.

Silence.

For about four seconds, that is.

Then, then, THEN, Thomas looks sweetly over at me and says the following. With sincerity, love, and respect.

'Well, tomorrow, I think I will call you 'Mother' a lot more.'

As if that solves all my sanity issues. Thanks, son!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

It's All About Perception

One of the buzz phrases around our home right now has reminded me how literally children translate the English language. There has been much talk about how Mommy needs to 'cook' or 'bake' Baby Anna a little bit longer before her arrival. This is a conversation that took place just this evening.

'Mommy, is Baby Anna done cooking yet?' asked Thomas.

'No, Buddy, she still needs a little bit longer.'

'Well, I sure wish she was done being cooked,' he replied.

'Oh, meeeee toooo, Buddy. Me, too.'

And then, with the utmost love and innocence in his eyes, 'Well, why don't you just get in the oven with her and make it really hot and get her done cooked?' he inquired.

Stinky Kids

My children are suffering from my lack of stamina. I am generally the type of Mom to bathe them daily, or at least every other day. But recently, my brain can't remember who was bathed when. I pretty well know that Thomas will get a shower Tuesday and Thursday mornings, because Joshua sees to it. Sarah Grace will shower with me occasionally, but mostly prefers bath tub time, and then there is Elizabeth.

I picked her up the other day and sat her in my lap, only to be utterly repulsed by the way the poor child smelled. As my Sarah Grace is known to often comment about smelly diaper...Elizabeth was 'stankie'. I vowed to bathe her after dinner that night. No sense in doing it in the middle of the day, when she still had the opportunity to smear one more meal through her hair. Elizabeth went to bed smelling much better that night.

Apparently, along with their sporadic bathing lately, Thomas has decided that changing clothes is optional. He approached me yesterday and informed me that he thought he would just stay in his pajamas for three weeks. We struck up a deal whereby he is allowed to wear the pj's for three nights, but must change into play clothes during the day.

And take an occasional bath...

Monday, November 10, 2008

Another Baby Due To Arrive Soon

You see, the thing is, my daughter is with child. That's right, Sarah Grace, the three year old. The bigger my belly gets and the closer it gets to Anna's due date, the bigger Sarah Grace's belly gets and the more she talks about life with 'Baby Maffew'.

Along about the sixth month of my pregnancy, when my belly really started to become it's own entity in our family, Sarah Grace informed us that there was a baby in her belly, too. As the weeks have gone by, she has been known to sidle up next to me and ask to compare belly sizes or allow me to feel Baby Matthew kicking in her belly after she feels Baby Anna kicking around in mine. Baby Matthew is also the reason she needs to eat as well as she does, or the reason that she is tired. Upon occasion, she will tell us that Baby Matthew isn't in her belly right now, she is playing/running/whatever it is she wants to be doing.

Oh, if it were only that easy, my darling little girl.

Along with her anticipated arrival of Baby Matthew have come questions concerning just how it is that Baby Anna will make her appearance. She caught me totally unprepared for this line of questioning one day as we sat at the OB's office waiting for Daddy to get there and for me to be called back for my appointment.

'Mommy, how does Baby Anna get out of your belwee?'

There was a grandmotherly type sitting across from us. She had been resting her head back on the wall with her eyes closed, occasionally peeping out to smile at some little something one of the kids said. At this question, she slid one eye open, eyed Sarah Grace and then me. Waiting.

My mind spun into overdrive as I tried to come up with an age appropriate answer. One that I was prepared to live with. One that would hopefully put a stop to the questions immediately. I just wasn't ready to have The Talk with my three year old!

'Welllll, Sarah Grace...' I drawled out, stalling for more time. 'Well, Jesus has a special way for Baby Anna to get her. A special magic way of getting her here.'

Grandmother Lady slid her eyes closed again, with a faint smile on her face.

I could see her little mind spinning, indeed hear the cranks and cogs whizzing. She looked up at me and said 'Kind of like how God made the Earf with his special magic?'

'Um, yes. Kind of like that, sweetie.'

Grandmother lady broke into a full grin at this point. I guess she approved, or she was just blatantly laughing at us. I guess either is acceptable. I guess neither really matter!

Sarah Grace is not generally the type to let things go. She is the quintessential little kid. Questions have to be answered to her liking, or the the follow up is 'Why?' Thankfully, she seemed satisfied. She has more or less let it go and accepted the answer.

I, on the other hand, have kicked myself repeatedly for saying magic instead of miracle. I have wondered if Sarah Grace sees God as some great wizard with a wand and pointy hat and spectacles. I have determined that I won't bring up the subject, but rather wait for her and then re-explain things better to my liking.

In the mean time, we wait patiently, in not somewhat uncomfortably, for Baby Anna to be born and for Baby Matthew to arrive. Promise to keep you posted!

Saturday, November 08, 2008

Guessing Game

It's that time again, folks! We are getting to the point with Baby Anna's expected arrival that it's time to play the game again. Simply click on the Expect Net button in the right hand column and enter your guesses as to the details. No points for guessing the correct gender, this time, though. That one is a gimme...unless the ultra-sound tricked us all. =)

It's only fair to tell you the stats of the other kids, and a little pertinent information there. So, here goes.

Thomas was induced (an experience I intend to never repeat). He came at 38 weeks, weighing in at 7lbs, 13 ozs and 21 inches long. He was born about three in the morning.

Sarah Grace came at 37 weeks, weighing 7 lbs, 1 oz and 20 inches long. She was born around one AM.

Elizabeth came at 36 weeks and weighed 7 lbs, 11 ozs and was 20 inches long. She was born at 8 AM.

The due date is December 15, so I am just a shade over 35 weeks along with Baby Anna.

There were no problems with any of those pregnancies, although Baby Anna has kicked it up a notch, and gave a half hearted effort to come about two weeks ago. However, now that I am officially to the point where she can go ahead and get here, the contractions have all but stopped completely. Go figure.

That should just about cover it. But if you have any questions, post them in the comments section and I will do my best to scrounge around in the depths of my memory for details and facts pertaining to each child.

There is to be a prize for the winner, of course. Just a little something for fun. Winner can choose between Amazon, Target, or Wal-Mart, depending on their shopping preference.

Happy guessing, ya'll!!!

The Growing Family

There's a new baby in our family! My sister, Kimberly, gave birth to a sweet faced baby girl named Layla Jade on Thursday. Thomas and Sarah Grace were sufficiently impressed with their new baby cousin. They oohhed and aahhed and commented on how sweet, precious, and beautiful she is. For her part, Layla Jade looked at them with sweet little newborn eyes.



Then it was Elizabeth's turn to hold her new cousin. Elizabeth had been waiting rather impatiently for her turn, reaching out her hands and demanding 'Baby!' every few seconds or so. Once she finally had the bundle of baby in her arms, she held on tightly and gazed at Layla Jade. Elizabeth very contentedly sat there, quiet at last, and held onto that little baby. When I deemed her visiting time to be over, Elizabeth tightened her grip and hollered 'Baby!' 'Mine!' 'No!' until at last Layla Jade was pried from Elizabeth's maternal, albeit small, arms.


Elizabeth cried a bit before going to stand at the feet of my Mom, who had Layla Jade, reaching up her arms and begging 'Pfease, baby, pfease?'

Somehow, I think that Baby Anna will be a welcome addition in Elizabeth's eyes.

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

High Time


Um, you know how they say you take less pictures of your children the more you have? I think it just may be true. Because here is the first official belly shot of the pregnancy...unless you count Lora's Belly Buddies pic. It was take around 26 weeks. This one is today, at nearly 35 weeks. Hello, Baby Anna!!!

Resting

I recently finished a book (one that I will not call by name because it is not worth your time to read it) where a family had a live-in music teacher and a live-in school teacher and a nanny for their 8 year old, as well as a live-in nanny for their 2 year old. Oh, and a cook. The setting was relatively modern (only about 20 years ago) and the family was not particularly well-to-do. I commented to Joshua several times on how much time this must free up for the Mother and Father, to have someone seeing to all the nitty-gritty needs of their off-spring, and how relaxed the Mother must feel, knowing that her children are being cared for even if she doesn't feel like Mommy-ing on a given day. One would imagine that any time a Mother like that got with her children, she would be refreshed and at her best, and isn't that what we all want to give our kids? Our best?

With that in mind, you would think I would have been somewhat excited about the directions from my OB last week to take it easy. I was progressing too quickly towards delivery, and I needed to keep my feet up and rest while I tried to bake this bambino for a couple more weeks.

It just isn't so. Resting is something I like to do on my terms. Okay, fine, I like to do mostly everything on my terms. This resting stuff is just something we can add to the list. The first couple of days, I was more or less okay with the resting business. The fact that I was contracting pretty heavily helped me to keep things in perspective. My friend Lora managed nine weeks of bed-rest, surely I could handle two or three of just 'taking it easy.'

Diane, my precious mother-in-law, stepped in and took over the kids routines, all the meal making, all the house keeping, all of it on her shoulders. All this with hips that are making it painful for her to do what she normally likes to do, which is go ninety to nothing. Again, you would think I would be more than happy to relinquish my role as Mommy and let her take over.

No. I sat in my chair and was aggravated that she had all this on her plate and that in order for me to be the best Mommy I could be to Baby Anna, I needed to sit and be still as much as possible. I was frustrated because there are things that I want to do before the baby gets here, and errands that I want to run. Not hand them off to someone else.

Along about Wednesday, I mellowed out and accepted that I needed to rest. I was good all day long Wednesday, Thursday, and again on Friday I was good. Although Lora tends to disagree with my own special brand of good.

She humored me and brought her crew by for an afternoon filled with, well, sitting and directing from our chairs. Mostly. And every time I moved, she groused at me. Mother-hen. But I love her, all the same.

By Saturday, I'd had it. I loaded up the girls and took off to my parents house. In part, to be obstinate. But mostly so I could attend my baby sister's baby shower. Which I did. Then I promptly went to my parents house and crashed for three solid hours. I was good on Sunday, I did only what I had to do on Monday, and today it is back to the doctor's office for another check-up.

A part of me hopes that I managed to not progress much this past week. I know that each day Baby Anna stays in my belly equivalates to better health for her. A part of me is ready to just have her, because I am selfish and want things to be as normal as possible. Oh, and I am anxious to meet her. Alas, I am only 34 1/2 weeks along. I know she should be baking a tad longer.

But oh, I am so tired of that recliner. And I still haven't picked up the art of day-time television. And I can't concentrate to read, unless it is Dr. Suess. And I have crocheted until my fingers are near blistered. And I am tired of poking around online. And I would really like to give my room a thorough cleaning. And whine, whine, whine.

Yeah, I don't' know what I would actually do with myself if I had nannies and cooks and maids and school teachers all living in my home. Perhaps spend more time, um...whining?

Monday, November 03, 2008

Just This Morning

Everyone was breakfasted by 7:30. And banished to the girls room to play while Mommy cleaned up in the kitchen. And put laundry on to start processing. But before I could get very far along in those ideas...I heard much wailing coming from the back of the house. Thomas was on the hall-way side of the door, and the noise was on the bedroom side of the door.

And the door was locked.

The girls were on the other side of that locked door, screeching because they couldn't get out. Let the day begin. I tried to get Sarah Grace to twist the 'belly button' on the door knob, but she was completely distraught and I was only wasting my breath. I poked around and trotted up and down the steps trying to find the secret to unlocking the doors in this house. Finally, I found the perfect little something to stick in the hole and release the lock. The girls came out all teary eyed, but otherwise unscathed.

I assigned them to play in the living room while I went downstairs to get my laundry. When I came back up, Thomas and Sarah Grace were giggling and rolling about in a pile of pillows and stuffed animals. Elizabeth was not to be seen. I glanced about for her as I made my way through the kitchen to the laundry area. And I stepped in a pile of grit. Ick. I dropped the dirty laundry in the washer and got it started then went back to examine the grit that I had tracked across the kitchen floor.

A trail of salt led out of the kitchen, into the dining room, across the foyer, into the office, out of the office, back into the foyer and into the living room. Where Elizabeth stood with a ceramic salt shaker shaped like an apple tucked under her arm. She smiled up at me and said 'Ah-pull? Ah-pull?'

I couldn't help it. As irritating as the clean up was going to be, she was so proud of herself. I just had to smile and giggle. Just a little bit. Plus, it was just a blessing she hadn't dropped the salt shaker and shattered it into a ga-jillion pieces, thereby endangering everyone's bare feet.

I hauled out the vacuum cleaner, but before I could start it up, the phone rang. Almost immediately upon hanging it up, it rang again. By then, my bladder was being pressed upon by the jumping bean in my belly. Before I could even get to the potty, the phone rang again! I had to let it go.

After my quick bathroom break, I vacuumed the front of the house and refilled the salt shaker. In the meantime, the kids moved half their library and their blankets and pillows into the closet where the vacuum cleaner is stored. So that when I went to put the vacuum away, I had to wait until they moved out!

And then the phone rang again. And the contents of that conversation caused me to need to make a phone call. As soon as that conversation was over, I found Elizabeth downstairs. As I was hauling her upstairs for her nap, the phone rang. As I was trying to change her diaper, the phone rang again. I finally got her diaper changed, and tucked her into her bed for her morning nap. Guess what happened? You got it. The phone rang.

It was only 9:30, and the day has already produced much cause for running around. Now I am sitting in my chair catching up on email and blogging. Thomas and Sarah Grace are watching Word World, and Elizabeth is sleeping.

Blessed are the quite moments.