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Last week was full of anxiety. We finally moved SC out of our room. We had already done this with the others by the time they were her age, however, I just didn’t feel any need to rush with her. … Continue reading
Summertime
As we began our summer, I gathered everyone in our ever shrinking toy room to go over how our summer was organized and what was expected of them. Every week had a theme, so projects, crafts, and field trips were … Continue reading
Halloween
Some people wanted to judge me harshly for not letting my kids go trick-or-treating this year. I’m sure some of you may want to now as well. But let me explain.
This past Thursday night, there were crazy high wind speeds where I live. Also, there was so much rain, our front sidewalk was flooded. If we had let them go, all of us would have gotten soaked and at least one of us would have gotten sick.
Instead, the kids all got dressed in their costumes and CJ and I set up trick-or-treating stations around the house. At our manned stations, the kids were asked math or reading questions in order to earn a piece of candy. At unmanned stations, they had to preform a physical activity (like jumping jacks) in order to earn candy. As an added bonus, this also helped tucker them out for bed.
Everyone had tons of fun and no one got wet. Win-win as far as I’m concerned. Just because you don’t participate in the “norm,” doesn’t make you a bad parent. As long as your kids are happy, that’s all that matters.
Update
Excuses. I’ve got plenty of them. But that’s all they would be.
I attempted to plan the summer as much as I could to keep us on the go. It was my first summer with four kids and I wanted to do things instead of just being at home all the time. Each week had a theme and events go along with it. I took a road trip with all the kids, by myself, to see the in-laws. Then summer exploded when my sister got a job and I ended up with seven kids all day, every weekday.
Now that school has started, I have my nieces and nephew in the mornings before school and all day whenever there’s a day off. I joined a new committee and was settling in to that. I was working on an event for my kids’ school. It’s just been constant. But that’s my life now with four kids and I have to stop using that as an excuse to do the things I need to do for me; this blog being one of them.
So, in an attempt to return to normalcy, here we go.
Q-isms
The past few weeks have been full of the preparing for and then after care of a surgery for Q. Amid all that, we were trying to squeeze in end-of-the-year picnics at school and for Cub Scouts, while also trying to get some planning done for the first full week of summer break. I know it may be a little early for this, but so far, so good. (Hopefully I don’t kick myself for that later.)
Over the past little while, Q seems to have really kicked up her silliness. I mean, she is like the most amazingly weird person I have ever met. I have decided to share a few of her more recent Q-isms so everyone can delight in this crazy little girl.
Q: When I grow up, I want to work in a hospital.
Me: Awesome! You want to be a doctor? A nurse?
Q: No. I just want to give kids shots.
Me: …
*Upon making Worms in Dirt*
Me: *taking a picture* Alright, babies. Give me your best wormy smile. Q, what’s with that face?
Q: *Dead pan* Worms don’t smile.
Well, she wasn’t wrong.
*Singing along to Disney tunes*
Q: Mommy, sing! Why did you stop?
Me: I don’t know the words.
Q: Yes, you do.
Me: Sweetheart, no one really knows the words to Circle of Life.
Q: Can I make up words?
Me: That can be dangerous territory, my love.
Q: Let’s just skip it.
Forever my backseat DJ.
*Upon listening to Dolly Parton in the van*
Q: Mom! Turn it off. I hate it.
Me: Seriously? But, but…
Q: I no longer like music.
Such harsh criticism from a five year old.
Me: *hiccup*
Q: Mommy, what’s wrong? Why are you sick?
Me: I’m not sick. I just have the hiccups.
Q: Should we talk about rainbows? Will that make them go away?
Me: Absolutely, girlfriend. Let’s talk about rainbows.
Because rainbows always make everything better.
For those of you who know her, isn’t this just so totally her? And for those of you who don’t know her, you’re definitely missing out. 🙂
From the Mouths of Babes
I believe all parents have encountered a moment where the unfiltered mind of their young child has led to a comment that was either embarrassing, unintentionally funny, or maybe a combination of both. My personal favorite to date occurred this weekend.
Q and I were at the grocery store. She was being her usual, friendly self; saying hello to anyone and everyone. While searching the shelf for the item I was after, Q drew my attention with, “Look, Mommy! He’s covered with stamps.” She then proceeded to run toward a gentleman to inform him: “You shouldn’t do that. Stamps only go on paper.”
The poor man was genuinely confused, as he did not realize Q was referring to his tattoos as stamps. I, on the other hand, had a really difficult time containing my laughter. It was good to know though, she remembered just where stamps belong. 🙂
Last night was an adventure. My brother-in-law spent some time in the ER and my sister was with him. Therefore, I had seven children in my house. Seven. I had to get everyone ready for bed, find a place for them all to sleep, get everyone dressed and fed in the morning, then get them all to two different schools. Thanks goodness CJ was such a good helper. Seriously, rockstar quality.
Multiple incidents like these have kept me absent lately; only involving my own health. Not all of my health issues were resolved upon SC’s delivery. It has taken me up to this point to even feel like a semblance of myself. I feel the more I continue to follow doctor’s orders and return to my household and writing routine, the better I will feel.
So tonight, while my children snub their noses at my delicious (if I do say so myself) chicken pot pie in favor of peanut butter and jelly, I bring you this update that is long overdue. Thanks for sticking with me.
Happy
It’s hard to believe the baby is almost two weeks old. We’ve been having to work a little to adjust as SC has some day-night confusion. This is not new to us as MJ had it as well, but that was almost seven years ago now and not only were we younger as we were operating on less sleep, but there also weren’t any other kids at that point.
I am surprised with how well the three older ones seem to be sleeping through the night, considering how they act during the day if they hear the baby cry. Once she starts to fuss even a little bit, at least one will shout “the baby!” and run down the hallway to rescue her from her bed.
SC is indeed a lucky girl, with a big brother and two big sisters who love and adore her so much. My heart is full. I am one happy mama.
I sit here in this hospital bed, knowing I should be asleep, but finding it alludes me once again.
On Monday at 8:23pm, we were blessed with another beautiful daughter. SC is such a content and happy little girl, but I find I just feel so guilty about this whole thing. I fought with the midwife during delivery over who knew my body best. I won, SC did not. SC is currently undergoing light therapy for jaundice which she was a greater risk for because of being delivered early. She has had to undergo intensive blood glucose testing over a 24hour period because of the medication I was on because of the high blood pressures. My issues, which were supposed to be eliminated upon her birth, linger.
So my question is, why did I even bother? Why did I not just continue walking around as an uncomfortable zombie in order to avoid all this falling on the baby instead? Also, why did not one single medical professional I have seen over the last two of three months feel it necessary to inform me an out the glucose levels in my baby? Like really? No one? I was infuriated with this one, on top the the guilt I was already experiencing over everything else.
I have received a verbal promise we will both go home tomorrow, but I’m not letting it get my hopes up. I don’t really believe a word they tell me anymore. I Just want to take my baby home…
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