This time next year...

Just realized that this time next year I'll be signing my little girl up for Kindergarten! Crazy!

On the Mend...

Hallelujah, me and my family are finally on the mend. The pressure on me ear has finally subsided after 2 weeks. I still haven't regained all hearing, but I wait on that with great anticipation. My littlest, W, is still coughing a good bit which breaks my heart. This was his first real illness. But I must say I'm actually thrilled that he is doing so much coughing cause it seems to be very productive. I'll be fully relieved when he ups his appetite again. Hubs never got fully sick. Though he still has the sniffles, and a great deal of snoring, he seems to be managing to avoid the full blown whatever it was. My girl, M, is still doing Mucinex Cold at night, but she too avoid the full fury of this monster illness. That's a big yippee from me!

If it weren't for a small visit from my mom, I may have lost my sanity in the midst of the last 2 weeks. Not only have we been too sick to do much of anything, it has been too cold to get out. I even got to go and have a massage on Friday just before mom headed back to N.C. Used my Christmas gift card! It was just what the Dr. ordered. I recommend April from Massage Envy on Pelham (for all those of you that are in town). Which I could afford to sign up for the membership! Ha!

I am going to turn in early as W has been an early riser as of late. But I will soon post his 6 month pics and some fun ones from a princess party M attended Saturday.

Another One Bites the Dust...

Well, not really, but apparently whatever this is has now spread to my little man, W. I had to cart him off to the Dr. today and we really dodged a bullet doing so, cause I was going to try and wait. Good thing we didn't cause even after his meds this afternoon...tonight he didn't want his bottle in much the same fashion that M didn't want hers whenever she had an ear infection. ugh. here's hoping we'll all be better soon.

Still sick

Well, on thursday I began to feel a bit better, so I figured I was on the upswing. Unfortunately, by supper time that night my left ear was completely clogged and I could barely hear out of it. Then when I attempted to sleep I couldn't for the pressure and the ringing that had ensued. At that point I was admittedly desperate. I looked up on the internet, natural remedies for ear infections (i was assuming that I had one). I remembered my midwife saying something about garlic in your ear. Sure enough I found the info I needed, but didn't have any fresh garlic. It did say that you could substitute onion and get basically the same results.

Here I am at 12:30 in the morning, cutting an onion and taking a tiny piece, wrapping it in tissue and stuffing it in my ear! ha! you know you're desperate when... And actually it did help take the pressure off which remedied most of the ringing. It wasn't my favorite sleepy time smell though.

So I went to the Dr. on Friday to report both a sinus and ear infection. Medicine (3 to be exact) which I filled at a new small town pharmacy (which I love and is now my fave). And sure enough I wake up this morning with pink eye! REALLY! Anything else? Haha. So, i get yet another medicine and am resigned to washing my hands like I'm OCD so as not to spread any of this to my kids or hubs.

Still can't hear much, but I don't hurt. I feel like I'm in another world, but that's not surprising. Hoping to feel better by Sunday night/Monday morning. Next post will be Wyatt's visit! What a big boy!

Score One for FINE

So 2009 is the year of FINE. I haven't even begun to exercise seeing as I have come down with some dreadful cold/sore throat...but, I did do something for myself today. I used my $25 walmart gift card to buy some new, attractive pajamas. I thought it was about time I traipsed around the house in something other than mismatched old t-shirts and yoga pants. I'm surprised my hubs still finds me attractive. So, tonight I got two pajamas...one sleep shirt type thing that is red and silky (nothing over the top I assure you as I'm as much into comfort as the next gal), and one top and pant combo made of some other ultra soft fabric.

I'm actually wearing the combo now and loving it. Still donning the cozy socks my SIL got me for Christmas though...they don't really match but what's a girl to do on a cold winter's night?!

I feel I'm headed one step in the right direction. I always though my sis had the best pj's...fun and flirty, but not over the top...and not some old t-shirt and yoga pant combo. Givin it my best go.

out sick

well, it seems i'm out sick again! I don't usually get sick this many times in one season. I don't think it's going to be as bad as my last bout with whatever, but I hate when I can't give 100% to my family. Still, my 3 yr old is the best at being considerate when someone doesn't feel well. She doesn't understand, however, that illness doesn't just go away in a few minutes or after one nap. I think little W's body may be fighting it as well, cause he slept a lot today. I'm double dosing my vitamins and doing 1500mg of Vitamin C. That should help us both. gotta get to the store to do the honey/cinnamon thing that is said to help shorten such illnesses. ran out of honey. loving my hot tea too.

Sad to say, i went to alot of trouble to make cream of asparagus soup and was disappointed at the outcome. Not sure what to do with it either. Not sure I want to eat it all...no way could i. so i forfeited on dinner tonight, and having leftovers while hubs and M are out for daddy daughter date night. W decided that an entire jar of carrots and an entire jar of pears would make a splendid sup. The boy can eat, i'll say that! Now he's enjoy Baby MacDonald video while I write and eat. I'll be knodding off early tonight again...for sure. Will write more, when things get better. Actually, will probably update after W's appt. on Thursday.

New Years Resolutions?

I used to make these and then I stopped. I'll tell you why...my life, no matter how perfectly I attempt to plan it, seems to elude normalcy and any type of plan seems to go another way. I know why. God is in control, not me...I get that. Just funny how He continues to remind me. Constantly. Just yesterday someone commented that "Katrina" had really messed everything up for us. And I totally understood what that person was saying...and certainly there was probably a time when I looked at it that way. But I'm over it. I'm past that. I get that there are numerous pretty hefty events (and some small ones too) that have changed the course of our lives. So I chose to respond saying that I don't like to look at it as messing up our lives, but turning our lives in a different direction. I mean, if all that hadn't happened, whose to say all the good things would have happened. I like who I am today and who I am becoming, and all of that is due in part to all that I have been through. Battles with nature, motherhood, depression, job loss, health issues, the church...it has all changed my perspective. For better or worse, who is to say? I like to think better.

All that to say maybe I will try a New Years Mantra this year instead. I had a friend in New Orleans who did this. I believe the year of 2004 was the year of more. Well for me, 2009 is the year of FINE! Now interpret that as you may, and there is no spiritual significance. I simply think that I've been fighting the motherhood frump long enough. Recent pictures posted from my yesteryear on facebook indicate that I think I was smokin' hot in college (though I probably didn't think so at the time). I think I can look pretty good now...when I have the time and energy to give it a try. BUT for my own sake, my husbands sake, and the sake of any other person who has to look at me, it is time to do it up right.

I would like to bring back the blonde. For simply money and upkeep I have gone gradually more brown over the years. Girls, I'm just a blonde...Not in the intelligence sense, but in the coloring sense. I think from seeing pics that it better suits me. Now don't get me wrong, I won't blow the wad trying to get my hair did...I'll still get J to dye it for me, but as I go blonder if it doesn't come out quite right, I believe I'll work it into the budget to have a few visits to my gal Alyssa. Besides...she only charges $55 for a cut, color, and style! That's as cheap as you can get for a real salon!

Though I have lost pretty much all of the recent baby weight...thanks to the holidays I still have some of my first baby's weight...I'd love to lose about 20 pounds. Really its less about weight as it is about my shape. You gals no that things change when you have kids. Well, I'd like to lose some flab and gain some muscle tone. Not to mention stamina and strength. Taking care of kids isn't easy and its extremely exhausting, but I think it is even more so if you are out of shape. So...on with that. Not exactly sure how to work in all the exercise yet, but I did get an exercise ball that I will begin working with after the inlaw visit is all wrapped up.

Been cooking up a storm in the kitchen...from scratch. Lots of fresh veggies...very little fat and VERY little sodium. J is predisposed to high blood pressure and has been experiencing some as of late. We are certain it is due to stress and weight, but we are drastically reducing the amount of salt we all eat. Trying new recipes may be raising my blood pressure though, cause its a lot of work and half the time we don't even like the outcome! But so far there are two dishes we have REALLY liked and are very low sodium. So in changing eating habits for him, I am actually eating better too. And he has lost 10 lbs in the last month! That's great for him and me...less snoring!

so now you have something to hold me too...2009 is the year of FINE! (and wine) haha! couldn't help myself. I really thought of saying 2009 the year to wine and dine but that will be the year we finally get entirely out of debt!

Phew!

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act just issued a statement today that allows for the consigning and resale...to continue without having to test for the lead levels and such! Hallelujah, let thrift continue on! Seriously was really worried about this! Bring on the kids consignment sales my spirits are lifted!

"Some of you were aware and have expressed some concern of the new law called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. It is a law that would require lead testing in all children's clothing and items 12 years and under. Originally we thought that in the terms of the law that it would include resale and consignment shops. As of today there was a press release issued that we are not required to test items to be sold."

This was in an email I received from one of my fave consignment sales!

Best Christmas Gift!

This gift is one that is so delicate and perfect! So longed for and prayed for and cried over and dreamed about. This is the best Christmas gift that I've heard of in a long time. Go to my sister's blog to hear more.

Day After Christmas Syndrome

No surprise, but M had a day after Christmas that beat any behavior I've ever seen out of her. I kept my cool for the most part though. I tried to remember a lot of my Love and Logic things that I learned and calmly responded to her utter disrespect and rudeness with quiet words such as, "uh oh. I'm so sorry you made that choice (or you chose to behave that way). " Then I'd dole out the consequence. Bless her heart, on the day after Christmas I had to take away the entire Rose Petal Cottage and all its accessories. She was to have to do 3 chores to earn it all back, but she didn't want to, so we waited until she realized she might like to do a chore after all...much later that night.

In fact, she lost her privilege with that early in the day and it go worse! In fact, her new phrase when she is in that mood is (said with enthusiasm much like you would see in one of these princess movies she enjoys), "Never!" For example:

me: "Uh oh. I'm sorry you made that choice. That will be three minutes on the naughty spot. go on now and I'll set the timer.
m: No! I won't!
me: M. You need to get up and sit on the naughty spot now or mommy will have to get mr. sad spoon.
m: "Never!"
me: (out comes mr. sad spoon)
m: "I won't do it!"
me: carrying my almost 40 lb, 3 1/2 yr old to the spot while she is flailing.
m: She sits...kicks and has a fit, but remains there none the less.

when the time is up we typically say our apologies and briefly run through the choices that lead to the consequence. We didn't get very far with it all this time cause mr. nasty reared his ugly head again. And thus it was time for bed...with no supper mind you, but we had given her the option to make the right choice and she did not.

After taking her to her room and laying her in her bed twice and turning off the light...shutting the door all the way (listening to her tantrum) twice...hubs heard her talking out loud to herself about what the right choices would be. Then she pulled herself together, opened her door and came to me and said, "I got it together. I'm sorry that I acted so ugly. Can I please not go to bed? (mind you it is only about 5:30 or 6)"

me: "you'll have to go talk to your daddy about that.
m to her daddy:"I'm sorry for disrespectful. I got it together now. Can I please not go to bed yet? That's the right thing to say. I talked about it in my room and that's the right choices."

OF COURSE we let her say her sorries and gave her forgiveness and kisses and love. She was able to stay up a bit more for supper and some short Arthur movies that she got for Christmas. But she, herself, decided that she was tired. So last night, for the first time ever...we had both kids in bed before 8 pm. That is unheard of around here. Well, it was pretty close to that tonight as well, but she was much better behaved.

So behaved was my little girl that she did her 2 remaining chores to earn her house back. She was sweet almost all day, so I let her skip quiet time and we (just she and I) went to walmart, aldi, and starbucks. I even bought her some purple flowers she wanted (mums) cause they were 1/2 off of $5. We returned a toy that we got two of, took the cash from the return to buy some groceries for J for when we are out of town next week. We went to Starbuck cause I had a coupon for a free drink and just enough on a gift card to get M an apple juice and a sour cream donut. The whole escapade cost me a grand total of $0! Fantastic!

Bah-Humbug

When you have to wake M up...she tends to be a little on the grumpy side. And that's what I got to deal with all morning. I took her to school today so hubs could get to work early (so he could sneak away to her Christmas Program at 10:30). She is decked from head to toe (minus the pink dora crocs that she insisted on wearing) in Christmas attire...but no Christmas music folks! As we were on our way to school I thought it'd be fun to hear some children's Christmas music that my SIL gave us. Boy was I wrong. She crabbed at me cause it wasn't Backyardigans. Then she says, "I don't like Christmas!" To which I replied..."That's o.k. I'll just give your presents to other children who love Christmas."
"I like presents...i just don't like Christmas."
"well," i say, "that's sad cause children that don't like Christmas don't have any need for presents."
Then I hear her quietly say, "I really do love Christmas"
"Mommy loves Christmas cause that was Jesus' birthday!"

In the same car ride she randomly says, "I wish I had a real pony. A real pony of my very own with wings that was a pegasus!"
"Really! if u did would you pick mommy up for a ride cause i've never done that before?"
"yes, but you would have to hold on tight...to his wings."

and this discussion about the best way to ride a pegasus continues on...

Happy Anniversary

This goes out to itsamomthing. I believe its their anniversary today...AND I didn't actually post on my anniversary which was Monday the 15th, so it goes out to me and my hubs as well.

7 years has gone by mighty fast...i was tempted to say without a hitch, but that wouldn't be very true. I mean for heaven's sake! We moved every year of our marriage for the first 3 or 4 years, then came Katrina, after which multiple more moves occurred. Just before that lovely natural disaster came even lovelier M! She was but a mere 6 weeks at the time of our evacuation! Man was her nursery adorable! Actually our whole seminary apartment was pretty awesome...all decorated the way we wanted it. (All 706 sq. ft. of it!)

We've been through a lot and I have to say I wouldn't have rather been through any of it with any other person! I still think he's funny, hunky, adorable, sweet, kind, se*xy, and manly. He has come a long way, as have I I'm sure. He is so much more considerate and conscientious with me and the kids. He takes care of us. I love that. And I just wanna say that I can't wait for many more years to come.

A Tid bit

M: (wearing her wedding dress up) "I have a baby boy in my womb...
me: thinking hmmm...and your getting married ok. "really?"
M: "yeah so when I push him out we can get married."
me: "oh. interesting!"
thinking that explaining how many ways this was wrong would not be worth the effort!

"S"

"S" is for :

1. Shhhh...because I just put the baby down for his morning nap.
2. Sick because I have been extremely that since wed/thurs
3. Sleepover because that is what M and her daddy played friday night with miniature marshmellows on bamboo skewers over a candle flame. they also pulled out the trundle bed and read books by the light of a camping lantern.
4. Special, how I feel when my husband takes such care of me and the children in the wake of my illness.
5. Sleep, something I got alot of yesterday in order to beat this illness.
6. Sinus infection, what I think I'm being treated for, though I must say it feels alot more like the flu.
7. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious...because M is seriously into this movie.
8. Step In Time...because this is her favorite part (you should see her interpretation of the dance!)
9. Same...because I'm tired of seeing the same thing over and over (even though this too is one of my favorite movies)
10. Silly, the Fred Claus movie we rented to watch last night. Good thing is was only a dollar.
11. Santa, our tree is insanely full of presents and I'm not sure how.
12. Santa, in whose lap M sat yesterday, made her picture and told what she wanted for Christmas at a friends birthday party.
13. Sad, cause she can't make up her mind what she wants for Christmas so it doesn't appear that she'll be getting anything she asked for...
14. Saint, cause that's what my friend Brooke is for stealing my M away for the day so that I could rest!
15. Stockings, cause for the first time in my married life I actually HUNG the stockings on the mantel.
16. Spelling, cause I'm not certain I ever knew how to spell #7 and seem to have forgotten how to spell mantle...or is it mantel.
17. Spell Check, cause it doesn't seem to be much help on those two words.
18. Soy, the formula I just tried out on W because he has been unbearably gassy and uncomfortable
19. Sanity, that I apparently must have lost in thinking that going to walmart during this season was a good idea
20. Sorry that I couldn't come up with one more to make this an even 20.
    

haven't posted in 8 million years

Sorry, I've been sooooo slack! Right now my kids are in a place where in they need more of me, so they come first on my priority list. Then when all is calm and quiet all I want to do is go to bed! Ha! I know you other mothers understand...can I get an amen!

Not to mention we have been in and out of town a good bit lately. What with visiting my sister, thanksgiving with the young's in b'ham, and now Christmas program in North Carolina with my parents and brother...we have kept ourselves pretty busy.

Here is an update. M is dying to be in control and it is often very unpleasant and not very pretty. It certainly makes me think of God and the way he must feel with us when we are dying to be in control. (that's next to impossible to explain to a 3 yr old). She has shown out several times while here with Nani and Cuz! Sad too cause I want to allow her time with them, but her punishment is time away. She was so close to biting me tonight in the midst of one of her fits. I gave her the look and told her to bite me and see what happens. We don't do much spanking anymore, but I've had to give her 2 good ones over the last 2 days. Boy does she have a temper. Still I think when she gets out some of the venom, she better understands that it is her choices that have brought her here and her choices that can make the situation better or worse.

On top of that, W has had issues adjusting to his formula supplements. don't get me wrong...he takes them just fine when he wants them, but he seems to have a good bit more gas, and sometimes appears to have trouble going #2! Oh boy, those of you that know may recall the major issues with that we had with M! One of my least favorite things to have to worry about and certainly one of the issues that can frazzle me the most! SIL suggested trying soy formula. That's my next step. He once was such a great sleeper. waking but once a night for a feeding and then immediately back to sleep. about 1 in 4 nights he'll still do that...but the other 4 are generally more up and down. Making a very tired mom! Shout out to itsamomthing cause I know my issues don't compare to your nights of up and down!

Other than being tired...I'm doing great! My 7 yr anniversary is coming up and hubs and I had a date...alone...dinner AND a movie all for the low price of $30.00 thanks to discounted movie tickets from our credit union and restraunt.com for a huge savings on a $25 off of $35 purchase at Flat Rock Grill! Nice! Free babysitting thanks to mom.

AND I'm just about ready for Christmas present wise. we try to simplify and not go overboard...but it is hard. I don't think it has much to do with the hype of commercialism as it has to do with, I just love to give gifts to the people I love...especially my children. Still, for M, I'm sure I overbought and I need to do inventory. I'll save some gifts for her birthday. For W, I didn't really know what to get and was a bit worried about have little or nothing for him under the tree. Then I went to a kids consignment sale with my mom that was unlike most I'd ever seen! I got just about everything for a dollar! most of the toys I purchased were 75% off! I'm telling you I can't wait to post a pic. I got clothes for a dollar, bottles, pacis new in their packages, and lots of baby toys and crinkle books! So now I'm excited! Just a few more gifts (mostly gift cards) and that should do it.

when I get home, I'll do my best to post a pic of all my finds from the consignment trip, and a pic of our oh so lovely tree. For now I'm off to bed, hoping for a fantastic nights sleep.

W is 4 months!

My little one is 4 months...my how that just flies by. we had his visit and got some vaccines, but they said he isn't growing like he should be. Of course they said not to worry but bring him back in 2 weeks for a weight check. Well, what mother wouldn't worry about that. So I've been trying to figure out what is going on...is he full after he nurses or is he not eating more cause I'm not producing any more. Seems to be the latter from what I have figured out. We've been giving him a supplemental bottle of mother's milk after he nurses. That boy can eat! Now to bring some resolution to the whole situation...He was 13.10 and 26" long. Still the sweetest thing...so happy.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Halloween!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Been Missin You A Long Time...

Sorry about the length between posts. Life has been busy for sure, but when is it not with two kids. Me and the kids went on a long trip with my mom, so that was the initial delay. it was sort of unexpected. We had planned to go to NC to visit the family for all of their birthdays...and the remainder of the trip was fuzzy from there. We wanted to visit aunt minnah since she can't really break away due to medical things AND she hadn't seen W since he was born, but weren't sure how to do all that by myself.

Well it worked out that mom could come and thus she offered to come pick me up and drive me around to all these adventures. I'm so glad she did cause I don't think I could have done it alone. We had a great time seeing everyone! So fun to get M and Stone back together...they were beside themselves! Love going to Minnahs. It is always so cozy it feels like home and I never want to leave. Miss my sisters (shelby and meredith) wish they were closer.

Here's a little slideshow of our fun.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Pumpkin Fun-kin

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Things about Me (W)...

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

I'm three months old and I'm full of my very own personality. Things you might like to know about me are:

1. I love the ladies...my fave time of the week best mom can tell, is at mom to mom. I smile and smile at the ladies. I think they like me too.

2. Dad says I really get into Bill O'Reilly with him. It calms me down.

3. I like my bouncy seat, but only if the toy/sound part is removed so I can keep dibs on mommy.

4. I love to watch my sissy when she is still long enough for me to do so.

5. Loud noises make me scared...I have a specific very sad cry for this.

6. I'm balding...but only in a ring all the way around my head.

7. I love to chew on anything...except a paci. (maybe i'll get a tooth pretty soon)

8. I don't like to be held like a baby for long. Stand me up, or turn me around. I wanna see what you see.

9. I love to have my bottom patted.

10. I love to be worn in the slings almost anytime (even during housework)

11. I love...and I mean LOVE, my mommy!

12. I'm discovering my voice and I really like to make silly, loud, high pitched squeals. It seems to get the most reaction from the grown-ups.

13. I already love blankies, but I'm not yet particular for one.

14. I already love a schedule too...I know when things are off and that is not o.k. with me.

15. I love to be outside.