The Groft Zoo

We've moved!

2011-01-06T14:28:00.000-08:00

The blog that is.

I will no longer be posting our family blog on blogger here, I have it hosted myself again at www.groftzoo.com. There are plenty of new posts over there! Check it out!

What I did today:

2010-10-26T20:43:00.000-07:00

It's the kind of day that needs a good, old fashioned Success List. I need to see in black and white what I get done today instead of the ever-lengthening list of things I need to do. So here goes:

1. Only hit snooze twice, woke all kids up, checked email, sat like a zombie, decided against working out because I don't want to blow dry my hair again after and because I have so much to get done.
2. Got Lily dressed, discussed at length what shirts possibly go with her wacky hippy pants.

3. Shower, get dressed.
4. Tell Max to tuck in his shirt and put his shoes on.
5. Look for Lily's shoes, force her to wear sandals since her other tennis shoe is apparently in Narnia.
6. Tell Max to tuck in his shirt and put his shoes on.
7. Unsuccessfully attempt to sync my iPhone so we can listen to Screwtape Letters in the car.
8. Tell Max, again, to tuck in his shirt and put his shoes on.
9. Give up on iPhone sync, load everyone in car, drive to all schools, return home with only two kids and my favorite McD's breakfast (Birthday money! Woot!)
10. Switch laundry
11. Remove Molly's hands from toilet, blockade bathroom.
12. Put away Molly and Lily's clothes so I will have room to fold more.
13. Set up the laptop and Netflix so that my old buddy Dr Who can fold some clothes with me.
14. Start Shirley Temple Video for Lily and Molly. Google how to make Shirley Temple's curls.
15. Take water bottle away from Molly.

16. Start cleaning my bedroom.
17. Remove water bottle from Molly again, change her clothes since she was soaking wet, nurse Molly.
18. Help Lily find a skirt to wear to dance along with Shirley Temple.
19. Return to cleaning my bedroom. FINISHED! It is not dusted or swept, but it is clean enough that I could do either of those.
20. Tidy up my bathroom. FINISHED!
21. Molly pooped. Change her diaper/clothes AGAIN, nurse again, and put her down for a nap. For the record, it is now 9:30am.
22. Switch laundry
23. Fold clothes, watch Dr Who. Lily plays barbies for a while until it is time for the...
24. Next clothing change (Lily)

25. Molly is awake! 45 minute nap, not too bad for her. Nurse and snuggle.
26. Snack time, peanut butter crackers.
27. Change Lily back into outfit #2.
28. Fill dishwasher with last night's dishes, wipe counters, ignore floor.
29. Molly knocks over recycle bin. Pick up all the stuff and take to the outside bin.
30. Lil and Mol play with toys and alternate climbing on and off my lap while I check message boards and facebook for a bit.
31. Make lunch, feed girls.
32. Finally get iPhone successfully synced.
33. Switch laundry
34. Read book and nurse, put Lily down for a nap. How is it possible that it is only 12:30?
35. Fold a little more, nurse a little more.
36. As of 1:05 I have two sleeping babies! Yay!
37. Well that didn't last long. Molly only slept in her bed for 10 minutes. Then I nursed her through the rest of her nap.
38. Molly woke up, I had a nice phone call with Lucy, folded some more clothes and then BAM! It was time to go get the kids - so we were off and running again.
39. Get kids at one school, then at another and another, then to Safeway, then home and snack time.
40. Nurse the baby, make kids put away clothes and tidy kitchen after snack. It is now 4:15.
41. Fold, Fold, and Fold. Finish Dr Who Season 2!
42. Switch laundry last time, start diapers.
43. Put away ALL of my clothes, a first in a while.
44. 5:06pm - Change diaper, get everyone's shoes on, and out the door for dinner at Hot Dog on a Stick Family night. Free hot dogs for the crew! It may not be a healthy dinner, but I don't have to pay or cook, so I'm sold!
45. Feed all the kids at the mall at Hot Dog, get to help stomp lemonade. Molly has her first french fry. Try to keep Lily from climbing the furniture.

46. Arrive home, upload photos.
47. Kiss Jay goodbye, head off to Auction Meeting, drop James off at a friend's house not so on the way.
48. Home at last, nurse baby. Finish post. Stick a fork in me I'm DONE.

Zoo Week in Review

2010-10-23T22:25:00.000-07:00

This past week was a busy one - but then most weeks are - this just had a different flavor of busyness. There was a storm that blew through the city and dropped a little rain, leaving the air with a cooler feel and the skies darker. Around here, things just felt stormy as well.

A few tidbits:
There is almost $4000 damage to our van from the recent hailstorm here, but everyone has their car in the shops already so we are waiting a week or two to send ours in. At least it wasn't totaled. Some of our friends found themselves car shopping once the insurance had a gander at their cars. For now we are just a big gray golfball, hurling through the city.

We endured a fair bit of drama from Ben's school this week. It seems that my jokester son and a couple of his friends had tried to reach out and include a child they judged as lonely, which can aparently get a person in trouble for "Bullying". The school conceded that it was probably more like "Pestering", which, knowing my son, is not so far out of his league. To me, Bullying encompasses threats, fear, and physical harm. Pestering, on the other hand has more to do with unwanted fart noises and other 13 year old boy jokes. So after many hours of discussions, phone calls, written accounts, emails, and commiserating with other parents, the issue is declared DONE and we can all move on. But it sure ate up a lot of my week.

My birthday was this week! (I'm not 40 yet. That's all I'll say!) A few years ago I managed to finally give up my childish idea that my birthday should be a national holiday and just came to expect a normal day with a few nice surprises in it. And so it was. Mostly. A friend brought me chocolate, my mother in law gave me a little money to spend on myself, and Paisley stopped by with a chai latte and flowers. Jay took me to lunch and got me more flowers and a card. (Lest you think that was all he did, he also schlepped all around my favorite mall with me last Saturday and got me a nice pair of shoes.) So my day was going along swimmingly until I opened my email.

In my email was a notice from the older kids school (yes, the one I was already having issues with this week) informing the families that they had selected a new campus. Yay for them, Boo for me. This new campus is two and a half times further from us than the current one. I already spend 2.5 hours per day just in getting my kids to and from schools and the thought of extending that... Ugh. How can I look at my younger children, learning about the world and developing their bodies and tell them that they have to spend 3-4 hours per day strapped down in the car?

For this and other reasons, this just would not be a feasible arrangement for us. So I proceeded to freak out entirely. (Which involved crying for about 2 days.)

Since then I have calmed down quite a bit, and all is not settled with this move for this school. There is still quite a bit of time before I will really need to panic (or otherwise figure out what to do) and I am resolved once again to let the future be the future.

In other news around here, Molly has added in several baby signs. She signs: nurse, eat, drink, dog, thank you, cat, bird, more, shoes, and I think she has done all done and blanket at least a couple times too. She has grasped this concept that she can communicate with us so readily that she wants to be able to tell us more. She will fling her arms around trying to tell us something, but she can't figure out which sign to use. Then there was grocery shopping. Because she can tell us what she wants now, she is more likely to get it, so she got so frustrated when we walked through an aisle with lots of cups and she couldn't understand why I wouldn't give her a drink when she signed it over and and over!

She also really likes baths and was on a mission to get one today. She fell into the (empty) tub once, and then later managed to remove her diaper and try to climb into the toilet while Posy was in the bathroom curling her hair.

Molly also experienced her first oreo cookie today. I hoped she would get all chocolated and gross, but she was a pretty dainty eater. She first removed the top cookie, proving she is a genius, and licked at the filling a little.

She decided she didn't like that a whole lot, so she scraped that off the bottom cookie and just worked on eating that part.

Finally, she got to the cookie part. She made a little slobbery mess with it, but not too bad. I guess the real mess with have to wait for her First Birthday Cake. (Two more weeks!)

In other news Max and Tessa got rave reviews at their teacher conferences, although Max's teacher said he has a hard time remembering not to sing all the time.

Jay hurt his back again, and has been hobbling around in pain all week.

And I managed to mess up the garage a little more in and effort to clean the garage. Which I know sounds counter-intuitive, but is really progress. I have to dig out all the clutter-infection to clean the wound so to speak.

And that, if you can believe it, is just a small sampling of what went on around here this week.

Checking in

2010-10-13T21:14:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to start this post with another apology that it has been so long since I posted and make a bunch of excuses about it. My whole life is an excuse not to write while at the same time being ripe pickings for juicy blogging goodness. So here I am, taking a few not-so-spare moments to check in here.

The last post was about Molly's ailments. I am happy to report that we have some resolution to a little of those. About a month ago she tested negative to all her previous positive allergy tests. She was still having trouble swallowing food at the time and tended to choke and vomit when she tried to eat. But with the lifting of the threat of an allergic reaction, we were able to offer her a wider variety of foods and came up with some she was willing to practice her eating on. That was victory number one. Next she underwent an endoscopy to check for the extent of her GERD, gastrointestinal allergies, eosinophilic esophagitis and celiac. We just got the results back today that she is clear of all of those, except the GERD. This was the best possible news we could get from that test. Victory number two.

And while I don't want to claim it yet as victory number three, I just got her to go to bed without nursing to sleep. (Silent cheering!)

I would love to say that the rest of my life is boring right now, but it is only boring in the typing of it. My days are filled with driving the big kids here and there and spending the quiet moments sitting on the floor with Molly and Lily and enjoying their littleness. It is so tempting to get pulled away from that to go do things that look more important, but given the choice this is still where I want to be. Getting to the end of the day and finding that my to do list has grown instead of shrunk is not any big problem (although it can be frustrating) and a day will come soon when I have plenty of time to clean my house and no nursing and rocking left to do.

Which reminds me, just tonight, as I rocked and nursed Molly, she stopped nursing, sat up and gave me a kiss. Then she giggled and went back to nursing. She did it two more times right after that. It was very sweet.

The Medical Mystery That is Molly

2010-07-25T12:43:00.000-07:00

Miss Molly has been a puzzle from day one. First, she broke up the whole girl, boy, girl, boy pattern. Then there was the medical drama of her first day, and she hasn't quit trying to keep us on our toes ever since.

She began as one of those run of the mill fussy babies. Screamy might define her a bit better. From birth she could be heard across the house even without a baby monitor. She is a zero-to-sixty crier. She is either content or screaming. There is no middle ground. Her cry is something between a fire alarm and the screeching of a Ringwraith.

Around 2 months old she added coughing to her repertoire. Her cough was dry, breathy, and most troubling of all - constant. I have heard that cough before in asthma kids after running or jumping around. I asked around to see if she could have environmental allergies, but was assured by many people that it takes 2-3 seasons of exposure before those kinds of allergies can develop. We waited a bit to see if it was just a mild cold , but after a couple months we caved in and took her to see an allergist.

During a grueling two hour appointment, Molly was tested for both environmental and food allergies. Many of the environmental ones came up strongly positive. (One of the allergists later told me she had the worst environmental allergies of any baby she has seen.) And the big surprise was that she tested strongly positive for several foods as well. She was 4 months old at the time. We left the allergist office with several prescriptions including asthma medications and an Epipen Jr. and one very shocked mommy. Around the same time we also began (with great success) treating her for GERD, which reduced her fussiness.

Over the last couple of months we have dealt with two major asthma attacks, some asthma misinformation from a well-meaning pediatrician (which caused the second attack) and muddled conclusions with regards to the food allergies.

So for now we have established an asthma baseline for Molly's maintenance medications, and her GI doctor and Allergist both agree that she should remain Top 8 Free with regards to foods for at least her first year, if not longer. (The Top 8 Food Allergens are: milk, soy, eggs, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish, plus apples and chicken, which she has tested positive to, and pears which she seems to have failed on trial.) It has been hard to get used to having to give daily medications to a child who looks so well, but we have seen the repercussions of taking her off the medications. The truth is that she is well because of those meds.

Other than that, Molly is doing amazing! She is nearly 9 months old now, completely uninterested in solid food, crawling fast, and determined to figure out how to walk. She waves Bye-bye and says Mama, Dada, Buhbuh, and Nana - which may or may not mean anything depending on what she is pointing at and who she is talking to. She is a serious baby and saves her smiles for those who really earn them, and she LOVES to swim. When we put her on the top step in the pool she will scooch her butt off the step and into the water and "swim" to us. It's very cute!

It's a Random Post Kind of Wednesday

2010-07-21T23:19:00.000-07:00

Today you get to look in our windows and see what is up at the Groft house.

Currently the kids are scattered far and wide - Posy is in Kentucky visiting relatives, Tessa is shopping with Nana, and who knows what Paisley is up to. Last I heard she was planning a day trip to Flagstaff. The rest of them are home in varying stages of undress.

This morning's plans were interrupted by an appointment for me, so I am now contemplating at 2pm the chores I would otherwise have done at 9am. But such is the flexibility of a family. I had intended to to them before leaving this morning, but the night was interrupted by reflux, asthma, teething, or all of the above and so I had a lazy morning instead.

Lily (2) is supposed to be going to sleep in her bed, Max (5) has just had a complete meltdown over Super Monkey Ball or some video game and Ben is holding Molly so I can get this started. James is hoping he is off the hook now since he babysat this morning. So here we go, starting again at 2pm - this post is for the random thoughts that occur to me along the way.

1. I am going to tidy my bedroom. Because then, when I melt down later today I can come in here and pretend the house is clean. I fully realize that I may not accomplish any other quantifiable task today.
2. Flashlights show up in interesting places. This one was in the cloth diapers.
3. I am trying to reconfigure my blog and it's not going so well. So far today I have made it so it doesn't show up at all and then I collapsed groftzoo.com as well. One call to tech support and I can see why I messed it up so badly. It seems you have to stand on your head and click through seventy-two screens, then back through four to actually make the changes I as going for. Whew! At least I was confused for a reason. Anyway, it looks as if this post, and all the rest will be viewable in the next 24 hours (give or take...). Ah, Technology, you make our lives so much easier!
4. Lily took a nap, Tessa came home, and now everyone has popsicles. Yay!
5. I finally, after 8 months, finished Molly's birth story and posted it.
6. I did a bunch of loads of laundry. Like 5 or 6, and didn't fold a lick of it. But I am pretty sure that it won't go anywhere without me, so I can do it tomorrow.
7. We visited Nana's and Papa's house, where we had some nice conversation and Max was attacked by ants. A dip in the pool and some benadryl and I am pretty sure he will live, if I don't kill him for all the whining.
8. Stopped at Carl's Jr to pick up dinner and realized that aside from ketchup, I haven't fed my kids any real vegetables today. And since I don't really count ketchup...
9. Paisley stopped by - she wants her dresser back, which is currently holding all of Molly's clothes. So now I have to find a dresser for Molly. But in all fairness, I offered it to Paisley.
10. And eventually, with much help from James (who cleaned the kitchen) and Ben (who read a book to the littles) we got the younger bunch in bed and then suddenly it was 11pm and I have no idea how that happened. I didn't even finish watching the TV show I started earlier.

So this Wednesday is over, and Boy Howdy, has it been random. The whole point of this has been to stretch my posting muscles again and get the writing juices flowing. It felt good. Maybe the next one won't be just boring randomness and will be more funny and interesting. Until then... Goodnight.

Molly's First Day

2010-07-21T16:27:00.000-07:00

Sort of a continuation of her birth story:

Once Molly was out and breathing well and we had all settled into bed, the midwife mentioned that she heard a heart arrhythmia. She had heard it during my labor but had thought it was just Molly moving around. So she hung around for quite a while - the whole rest of the night and checked up on Molly periodically. She left sometime between 8 or 9am and told us to get Molly in to see the pediatrician that day to check out her heart sounds.

We took Molly to see one of the pediatricians in our practice (not one we usually see, our first mistake) and had him take a look. He said she sounded fine, but didn't specify if he heard the arrhythmia. And we didn't ask. (Our second mistake.) So we went home thinking all was fine and tried to get some rest. Carol (midwife) came to check up on us at 7pm and wasn't at all satisfied with the pediatrician's reaction. She could still hear the arrhythmia (and so could we, it was pretty obvious) and really wanted Molly to have an EKG. Apparently as babies switch from womb to outside, there can be a little trouble for some little hearts. She was really concerned that Molly was headed for such trouble.

Off to Phoenix Children's Hospital Urgent Care we went. They did a 3 line EKG, but weren't satisfied that Molly was out of the woods. They called ahead to get Molly a spot in the PCH NICU and sent us there so that Molly could have a 12 line EKG and see a cardiologist. By this point I had been awake for over 42 hours with just a few snoozes and had given birth besides. To say I was beside myself is such and understatement. I SOBBED the whole way to the hospital. I had no tissues and had to use my sling to wipe my face. I was worried about Molly and I was so tired I couldn't even think straight anymore.

We arrived at PCH a little after 11pm. We were ushered through the flu-infested ER straight to the NICU and to a cozy little corner to call our own. I had a recliner to sit in and a little barrier to provide some privacy. Molly's little isolette was right in our area and her nurse had a desk right there as well. The lovely nurse-practitioner did her best to calm me down and answer all of our questions. We decided that Jay should go home and get some sleep and come back to the hospital after getting the other kids off to school in the morning.

Molly was hooked up to all sorts of monitors and we settled in for a breastfeeding marathon and the long night began to tick by moment by moment. I was informed that I could not sleep in the recliner while holding Molly. But every time I set her down in the isolette she would cry. So I held her through the night and caught 10 minutes of sleep when the nurse wasn't looking.

Getting a 12 line EKG on a newborn is no easy task. Her skin had not been washed yet and so the adhesives didn't stick to her well and the probes would fall right off. Then she was moving around and not wanting to be put down, so they couldn't get a good read on her. We tried three separate times (about 2 hours apart) before we finally got her still enough, and we still had to hold each and every probe on her. She also got a rash from the contact with the adhesive. Great. But we finally got enough of a read on her and then I just waited for morning and for the cardiologist. It was a very, very long night.

The cardiologist came through early in the morning, 6am I think, and talked with me and cleared her. He said the arrhythmia was just a little hiccup in the top part of her heart and that she could have it her whole life and never suffer any ill effects. But if it had been in the lower part then it would have been a concern and could be serious, so it was good that we brought her in.

Around 8:30 Jay came in. I don't think I have ever been so happy to see him in my life. Finally I changed clothes and told him all about my night. By 9:30 we were on our way home with our healthy little girl, ready to finally get some sleep.

Molly's Birth Story

2010-07-21T16:26:00.000-07:00

Well, she's 8 months old now, it's about time I got this posted.

November 3rd - I woke up and noticed throughout the morning that my usual braxton hicks contractions were different. They had a sharper, more painful quality to them. They didn't seem to be coming any closer, and I didn't feel like timing them to see it they were. I figured that if they really started to grab my attention I would start timing them. But the contractions were persistent, even if they weren't all that painful, so in the early afternoon I called Carol, my midwife, to let her know what was going on - that the contractions had changed, and I really thought that labor would begin in earnest in the middle of the night. She told me to keep her posted and I went about my day.

I picked the kids up from school as usual and found that being in the car made the contractions not only stronger, but settle into a timeable pattern. While I was driving they were about 6-7 minutes apart, still light enough to talk through. At about 4pm I told Posy that things were probably started and I canceled our dinner plans. Jay was already home from work and had started getting the pool set up. I called a friend and asked if the kids could come to their house for dinner to give us some down time and see how things developed. By 5:30pm, when we were supposed to have friends over for dinner, the contractions were good and strong and I knew for sure we were on our way.

But my labors have a way of hesitating, so I wasn't sure I wanted Carol to come over just yet. But since she had missed Lily's birth, she convinced me to let her come over then and check me and just be there with us for a while.

My labor built very slowly through the evening. At some point the kids came back home and were put to bed in their own rooms. I labored on the birth ball a lot and paced when I felt like it. Around 9:30pm, Carol siad she would like me to try laying on my left side for a while to see if that helped the labor or at least let me get some rest. I had wanted to keep moving to keep the power in the contractions, but I agreed with her that some rest would be a good idea.

Wow. Once I was on my left side there was no rest to be had. Jay laid down with me and dozed, but my contractions took off like crazy. They immediately went to about 3 minutes apart and took all my concentration. Sometime around 11, I decided that if I had this lovely pool all ready to go to help ease my pain, I might as well use it.

I got into the pool and Jay supported me from outside of it. I labored in there until past midnight and eventually started pushing. But the water was on the hotter end of birth pool temperatures (probably 101-102) and I was working hard, so I got very hot and uncomfortable. It finally started to make me a bit dizzy. Jay said that seemed to alarm Carol when I said I was dizzy. She told me to get out of the pool and finish pushing the baby out on the floor or bed. But as soon as I turned over to move and get out, Molly moved down a bunch. It was too late to go anywhere.

So I knelt, facing the wall of the pool and pushed like crazy. I kind of roared as she came out. The position I was in made it very hard for the the midwife to catch her, so Molly popped out, almost all at once, just into the water. As soon as she was out the midwife could reach her and she pulled her up out of the water while I turned over. Pushing had only lasted about 15 minutes once I got serious about it. She was born a little after midnight on November 4th.

Molly was retracting some and snorting, so we moved out of the pool right away and they cut the cord and gave her some oxygen. Immediately upon receiving the oxygen though she recovered and started to breath properly. She was a teeny little thing at only 6 lbs, 12 oz, 19 inches long.

Summer Update 2010

2010-07-18T16:33:00.000-07:00

Well, I promised again that I would start to keep things up to date and it never happened. Time to write has been non-existent the whole year! But it is summer now, and I am taking a deep breath and sitting down for at least a few moments before I take the kids for a swim. I am not going to attempt to rewind and get you all caught up, this update is strictly where we are now and what is going on this week. I don't want to overwhelm either you as a reader or myself as a writer by trying to catch up on all the doings not recently chronicled.

So here we are, 3rd week of July and in the very thick of summer. And BOY is it summer. Today was honestly the first day that even walking outside made me just want to turn around and run for A/C. But it did. Standing around and talking after mass nearly made me melt, and then we still had to go to the store on the way home. That made me downright grouchy. But we made it.

So this week is a big week for us, we celebrate our 20th anniversary! We went out to dinner last night and even left the baby (big first there!) and had a nice time reminiscing and list our favorite and not-so-favorite moments of the last 20 years. Only God could have brought us through all the garbage we have lived through and still stayed together. Overall, it has been a very happy 20 years. :)

The kids are enjoying their summer. I deliberately underscheduled us for summer and am so glad I did. We needed this down time and the summer provided its own busyness. If I had scheduled stuff too we would have been on the go all the time. Ben, Max, and Tessa have been seeing a friend or two when they can and swimming the rest of the time. I can't tell you how much I love having a swimming pool during the summer. It is just heaven to always have something for the kids to do.

We haven't done any official swimming lessons but I have worked with the kids myself. That is going well. Lily can swim and is learning how to come up for a breath, Max is a complete fish now and only uses a floatie to jump off the diving board. Even Molly is in on the action. When we sit her on the top step she will scooch her butt to the edge, take a deep breath and lean/fall in and kick her way to me or Jay. She loves the pool and gets excited just seeing it.

Paisley has moved out again, after living at home the last 7 months. James has graduated and is preparing to start community college and is working part time. Posy is busy as a bee with her little circle of friends.

All in all, summer has been just what we needed - a slowing down from the incredibly hectic pace of the last school year.

We are gearing up to start again, but with two fewer schools to deal with, things should be at least a little calmer.

At least a girl can hope...

The Parking Letter

2010-05-19T22:18:00.000-07:00

After spending the year dealing with multiple school parking lots, I have a few things that I have left unsaid all year.

Dear Preschool Parents,
The rules for drop off here are simple. Park in a parking space and walk your child in to class to sign them in. If you have other children with you in the car, they have to come along too. I know it is a pain, but it does create some order and a measure of safety.

Don't park in a place that is not a parking space. It really doesn't save you any more than a few seconds to walk past 3 or 4 parking spaces and it really annoys everyone else when you act like you are a special snowflake who doesn't have to follow the same rules everyone else does. Go ahead, time yourself.

Don't leave your kids in the car. It really isn't any safer than leaving them sitting in the middle of a parking lot outside of a car.

Do always have your children in appropriate safety seats. This one drives me even more crazy than the parents who think they don't have to park in a space with the rest of us. I know you probably live close and think it is not that big a deal to make a quick trip to the preschool without a car seat or booster. But it is. Since this is a preschool there is not a child here (or younger sibling for that matter) who should not be in some form of car seat. The legal minimum weight in our state is 50 pounds, but there are seats that keep kids safer at much higher weights than that. For more information on keeping your kids safe visit carseat.org.

Thanks,
Me

Dear Grade School Parents,
There are only a couple things I would add to the above. First, when you are dropping off in the morning and using the drop off lane, this is not the time to go through your child's backpack. Sure, we have all gotten to school and realized that there is some leftover business to deal with. But if there is go and park and take care of it, don't hold up the entire line of cars. Second, at pick up, if someone is not directing traffic, be nice and let people in. Where two lanes come together try to go every other car. That lets everyone out faster.

Thanks,
Me

Dear High School Parents,
The only thing I would add to the above two letters is: Please don't double park on the pick up lane. I know you just saw your kid, but she's still deep in conversation with her friend and mine is all loaded up and I was about to leave. But now you have blocked me in until your child figures out you are there.

Thanks,
Me

And to all of the other parents in cars at schools,
I know we all annoy each other at times. I mess up on these things too. But if we all remember that we are trying to be considerate and keep things moving smoothly then even unexpected delays will not be as frequent or annoying.

Easter picture

2010-05-02T21:58:00.001-07:00

What Bird?

2010-05-01T15:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday as I was sitting at the computer doing bills and balancing the checkbook I heard a commotion in the bathroom. Max was at school and Lily and Molly were asleep, so it could only be the cat, Oscar. It wouldn't be that unusual for him to knock something over trying to get a drink in the sink, but the noise continued. Several things had been knocked over by the time I went to investigate.

When I went into the bathroom, I saw a small bird on the floor and the cat, who had apparently been trying to get the bird out of hiding, about to pounce. In this rare moment of quiet in the house, I really didn't have time to chase down a bird. I needed to get some work done. So I grabbed the cat and closed the bird safely in the bathroom. And promptly forgot about it.

Later in the day, when the kids and Jay were all home, Ben went to use the bathroom and was surprised to find the bird, calmly sitting on the floor. Jay came to the rescue and carefully moved the bird to a safe spot outside, and our little wildlife excitement was over.

But today brought a funny little sample of how our family communicates, sometimes poorly, but we always seem to know what we mean. While Paisley was preening in the bathroom she came upon a little something left by the bird... poop. She puzzled over how or why or even if it was in fact bird poop on the bathroom counter, because she had not been around during the excitement of the previous day, and finally asked Ben, "Why is there bird poop in the bathroom?" To which he replied, "The bird pooped in the bathroom?"

We don't have a bird, so this response didn't make much sense to Paisley. So she asked Jay, "Why is there bird poop in the bathroom?" And he said...

Wait for it...

"The bird pooped in the bathroom?"

"WHAT BIRD?" Paisley wanted to know. So we let her in on the whole situation, which really wasn't a big deal. But we all had a good laugh over the somewhat nonsensical answer that two family members gave her when she was trying to find out what happened.

Mass Hysteria

2010-03-07T11:05:00.000-08:00

Last week Sunday mass went very well. The kids were slightly less squirrelly than usual and I actually heard the homily.

I should have known that couldn't last.

This week was an adventure.

It began as we started to get out of the car in the parking lot. It was a cold, rainy Sunday and none of my kids brought coats.

So we got inside, only a little damp, and got seated. Mass began and Molly decided it was time to fill her diaper. Loudly. So I made my first trip back to the bathroom, luggage in tow, and changed the baby who had miraculously not soiled her beautiful outfit. (Yet.) Back up the aisle, seated again, I fought with Lily who was in rare form (in a bad way) and was making me wonder exactly how to discipline her in a very quiet way in mass. I seemed to alternate telling her to GET DOWN (from climbing the pew in front of us) with GET UP HERE (as she tried to slink away under the pew to get behind us) throughout the whole mass.

Then at one point she decided mass was over and just LEFT and started to walk out. I chased her down and brought her back.

Soon after, during the consecration, Tessa turned to Lily and said, "That is Jesus's blood." Lily said, "JESUS'S BUTT? That's not Jesus's butt! It's Jesus's BLOOD!"

While all of this was going on Molly was nursing on and off and crabbing about life in general and sucking her fingers. Which is all par for the course UNTIL she gagged herself with her two fingers and threw up all over me. And I mean ALL over. There were puddles on the pew and on the floor and - and this is the grossest part - in my bra, and it just kept coming. I was soaked. SOAKED, I tell you. Thankfully I had two blankets with me, one cotton afghan and one receiving blanket. So I wiped up everything I could with the afghan and covered myself up with the receiving blanket and back we went to the bathroom. Just for reference, we sit in the front, the bathroom is in the back. So I make my way, luggage, baby, puke, and all, back to the bathroom.

I changed Molly and wiped myself off as well as I could and got back to mass, which was thankfully only a moment or two from being over. I zipped up my jacket over my wet shirt, because we were not going home, we had a breakfast over in the hall to attend, and I was not going to miss it just because I smelled like sour milk.

And breakfast was lovely anyway.

What I have been doing when I haven't been blogging:

2010-03-07T10:24:00.000-08:00

I have been mini-blogging via facebook status updates.

Here are some status stats:
Total Status Updates: 610
Oldest Retrievable Status: is cleaning the kitchen and NOT YELLING AT ANYONE! posted Wed August 27, 2008, 6:15 pm
Total Words: 10900
Most Used Words:
#1: lily used 67 times
#2: max used 40 times
#3: today used 35 times
#4: little used 29 times
#5: kids used 28 times

All Status Updates So Far:

Sat March 6, 2010, 7:27 pm: Tis the season to watch Darby O'Gill!
Sat March 6, 2010, 8:00 am: really hates to spend time with people who dislike her.
Thu March 4, 2010, 7:29 pm: is very exited to have a mother's helper coming tomorrow. Maybe I can get something done!
Thu March 4, 2010, 12:26 pm: Molly @ 4mon: 13.5lbs, 24in. Perfectly healthy (except for a little cough) and on target for development.
Thu March 4, 2010, 10:03 am: Off to Molly's 4 month dr visit!
Wed March 3, 2010, 8:29 pm: spending some quality time with Quicken and bills. Yuck.
Wed March 3, 2010, 10:34 am: Posy is getting her braces!
Wed March 3, 2010, 8:28 am: 20 years ago today I became a mommy. Happy birthday Paisley!
Tue March 2, 2010, 12:21 pm: may not cry over spilt milk, but I will bawl my head off over spilt cereal.
Mon March 1, 2010, 12:14 pm: Comfort food for lunch.
Mon March 1, 2010, 8:41 am: So tired of scrambling.
Fri February 26, 2010, 5:44 pm: SOUP SUPPER!!
Fri February 26, 2010, 12:21 pm: Lily: ("reading" a book) "this is the man... who hides in the city.... and suppers the women... Impossible!"
Fri February 26, 2010, 11:49 am: is having one of those everything is urgent kind of days- baby crying, toilet overflowing, spill in the kitchen, phone ringing with bad news... and on and on,
Fri February 26, 2010, 8:54 am: People who feel the need to slam on their brakes and inch over a speed bump should have their SUV's taken away.
Thu February 25, 2010, 1:20 pm: Life lesson for the day: Sometimes you have to sort the pieces of the puzzle before you even try to put them together.
Thu February 25, 2010, 12:46 pm: And why is there no chocolate in this house?
Thu February 25, 2010, 12:46 pm: Molly simply will. not. tolerate. the folding of any clothes today. Not helpful.
Wed February 24, 2010, 7:24 pm: Guess how many water bottles were found in the shoveling-out of the van tonight.
Wed February 24, 2010, 1:27 pm: Max wants a kweez pisk for lunch. Take a guess at that one!
Wed February 24, 2010, 1:04 pm: Lily: (finds me in the bathroom) sorry I knocked over the lamp. Me: you knocked over a lamp? Lily: no.
Wed February 24, 2010, 6:29 am: has a baby who resembles a glazed donut.
Mon February 22, 2010, 7:03 pm: One of my children had to have a talking to about wiping poop on the walls. Yeah...
Mon February 22, 2010, 9:12 am: Girl scout cookies: breakfast of champions. Or of tired moms. One of those.
Sun February 21, 2010, 11:09 am: This morning during mass an announcement wasade that included "the Diocese of Phoenix". Lily turned to me and said, nice and loud, "She said PENIS!"
Thu February 18, 2010, 2:36 pm: is just embracing the crazy today.
Wed February 17, 2010, 8:45 pm: wonders how she can do so much and accomplish so little.
Wed February 17, 2010, 11:29 am: Decluttering for Lent: 40 bags in 40 days.
Wed February 17, 2010, 11:28 am: So far this morning, in addition to child care duties, I have: arranged two door estimates, made two eye appointments, made one orthodontist appointment, paid bills, balanced checkbook, emptied dishwasher, filled dishwasher, wash diapers, dried diapers, washed one other load... um, I think that is pretty much all of it.
Tue February 16, 2010, 12:43 pm: The stand-off has begun. How long can we go before someone caves in and washes the bacon pan?
Sun February 14, 2010, 7:58 pm: Nursing Molly is like holding a wet cat.
Sat February 13, 2010, 8:00 pm: I know you are but what am I?
Fri February 12, 2010, 3:42 pm: Going to Ikea with the goal of some bowls and a cushion.
Fri February 12, 2010, 7:34 am: is digging in the laundry mountain to find clothes. I want some as close to jammies as possible on the off chance I get to take a nap.
Thu February 11, 2010, 10:19 pm: You know you're old when...
Thu February 11, 2010, 9:39 am: And I've never bathed in yogurt and I don't look good in leggings...
Wed February 10, 2010, 7:12 pm: Holding a crabby, whiny baby who doesn't want to nurse or sleep.
Wed February 10, 2010, 1:24 pm: Crisis Management Specialist (aka: mom)
Wed February 10, 2010, 6:50 am: Scrubbing stickers off the kitchen counter. This is why I need adult contact.
Wed February 10, 2010, 6:46 am: Is FB fixed yet? Seriously, they can't mess around with my contact with the grown-up world out there!
Mon February 8, 2010, 10:37 pm: thinks she may have bitten off more than she can chew.
Mon February 8, 2010, 4:26 pm: Still need bricks and nails. Anyone want to send me some?
Mon February 8, 2010, 9:34 am: Lily is seewious!
Sun February 7, 2010, 1:26 pm: Why are only about half of people's status updates showing up in FB today? On my ipod I can see them all, but on the computer, not so much. Why, Facebook, why do you have to go and suck again when I was just getting used to your old suckage?
Sun February 7, 2010, 12:06 pm: Molly smiles and sometimes giggles when I put her on her blanket to swaddle her.
Fri February 5, 2010, 7:15 am: is tired of seeing snot on little faces.
Fri February 5, 2010, 7:15 am: Well Hello, Postpartum hair loss. I haven't missed you.
Fri February 5, 2010, 6:48 am: On you mark, get set, GO!
Wed February 3, 2010, 4:53 pm: What happened to the rain in the forecast?
Mon February 1, 2010, 9:42 am: evidently needs a better hiding place for her chocolate.
Mon February 1, 2010, 8:34 am: Max says he wants Spanish bagels for breakfast. I think he means English muffins.
Sun January 31, 2010, 4:45 pm: Taxes are D-O-N-E !!!!!!!
Sat January 30, 2010, 1:30 pm: No wonder we have no working DVDs. The kids try to sharpen them into weapons!
Sat January 30, 2010, 8:06 am: Tackling Mt. Washmore.
Fri January 29, 2010, 9:14 am: Why am I so hungry? Could it be because I have been up over 3 hours and haven't eeaten breakfast yet?
Wed January 27, 2010, 8:32 pm: Liar, liar, pants on fire.
Wed January 27, 2010, 7:27 pm: was just spit up on.
Wed January 27, 2010, 7:17 pm: is ignoring the State of the Union Address.
Wed January 27, 2010, 3:58 pm: Molly needs to open up those fists so she can suck her thumb!
Wed January 27, 2010, 2:06 pm: Cebuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!
Wed January 27, 2010, 1:49 pm: If Molly is any indication, I make pure cream instead of milk. She gained 12oz in the last week. No wonder I am so hungry!
Wed January 27, 2010, 6:41 am: Finally got around to starting to get my blog up to date. I haven't blogged in *4 months*!
Tue January 26, 2010, 7:55 am: It's cold enough for me, thanks.
Mon January 25, 2010, 10:23 am: knows how to fix a Monday. I made brownies.
Mon January 25, 2010, 8:58 am: Ever have a kid who will go to twice as much trouble to NOT put something away as it would take to just put it away where it goes?
Sun January 24, 2010, 6:26 pm: Why is the Internet such a tempting escape? Because sometimes real life is so freaking unpleasant.
Thu January 21, 2010, 4:02 pm: Yikes! Big bad storm!
Wed January 20, 2010, 8:02 pm: Choices for my evening: clean stuff, watch The Office, fold laundry while watching The Office... What to do? Wish I had some chocolate.
Tue January 19, 2010, 9:05 pm: My house seems to look the same whether I work hard on it or just ignore it. So what would you do in my place?
Tue January 19, 2010, 12:34 pm: has a busy day and a messy house!
Mon January 18, 2010, 6:27 am: Croup.
Fri January 15, 2010, 10:00 pm: I'm not snoring. I'm so happy to be asleep I'm purring.
Fri January 15, 2010, 2:00 pm: Be excellent to each other.
Fri January 15, 2010, 4:45 am: 3:30am is cruel and unusual punishment. Only it's not all that unusual.
Thu January 14, 2010, 1:15 pm: doesn't like to be told what to put in her status.
Wed January 13, 2010, 6:28 am: loves her slippers.
Tue January 12, 2010, 1:26 pm: Do you believe in the Loch Ness Monster?
Tue January 12, 2010, 12:53 pm: has some very wound-up preschoolers today. I have no hope at all of getting the baby to take a real nap with all the drumming, running, and screaming going on.
Tue January 12, 2010, 11:38 am: It's 11:40 and I haven't accomplished much of anything yet today. I rewashed some stinky clothes and planned dinner... That's about it.
Fri January 8, 2010, 7:52 am: Somebody decorated the garage floor with black shoe polish.
Thu January 7, 2010, 5:52 pm: Time for skabetti!
Thu January 7, 2010, 3:34 pm: Diaper rash was gone for a whole day but now it's back. This one has me stumped.
Thu January 7, 2010, 3:27 pm: Black!
Thu January 7, 2010, 1:31 pm: Lily said: mom, I have an idea. We can frow the potty in the pool! That would be siwwy!
Thu January 7, 2010, 10:13 am: has seen the devil and his name is Humana Health Insurance.
Tue January 5, 2010, 8:50 am: Happy New Year is apparently comminicated by our insurance by jacking up our co-pays. Boo hiss!
Tue January 5, 2010, 6:20 am: Today's agenda: take kids to school, take James to school, take Max & Molly to Dr., Posy's teacher conference, appointment for me... That will put me at about 3pm, and then the real fun begins - kids' homework.
Sun January 3, 2010, 3:43 pm: Back to the grind tomorrow. I am so not ready.
Sun January 3, 2010, 12:57 pm: was attacked by a little vomit monster during the Bishop's homily.
Fri January 1, 2010, 1:38 pm: Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning.
Thu December 31, 2009, 10:19 am: Oh, so it's going to be THAT kind of day. In that case, I quit.
Thu December 31, 2009, 9:50 am: 2009, don't let the door hit you in the behind on your way out!
Wed December 30, 2009, 2:51 pm: Molly is a roly poly little thing! She weighed in at 11lbs 3oz at the midwife today. (8wks old). She started at only 6lbs 12oz.
Wed December 30, 2009, 9:37 am: Calgon? Where are you?
Tue December 29, 2009, 6:34 pm: You can't nurse and chew gum at the same time. Really, Lily, unless you want to make momma very unhappy.
Tue December 29, 2009, 2:50 pm: has cesspools in her sinuses.
Tue December 29, 2009, 8:38 am: Cinnamon rolls for breakfast! Mmmmm.
Sat December 26, 2009, 12:44 pm: We found a swingset that will fit in our dinky yard! Now to go buy it, remove a pesky tree, and put it together. Or maybe I should say- watch Jay put it together.
Sat December 26, 2009, 8:44 am: My Paisley comes home today. I'm so excited!!!
Fri December 25, 2009, 6:53 pm: Ack! Christmas ate my house!
Fri December 25, 2009, 9:24 am: Bitty baby is now, like every other doll in this house, buck nekkid.
Thu December 24, 2009, 11:29 pm: Santa's been here!
Thu December 24, 2009, 6:33 pm: Max: "Columbus is spanish for George Washington."
Thu December 24, 2009, 7:49 am: Happy birthday, Max!
Wed December 23, 2009, 11:06 pm: is really not ready.
Wed December 23, 2009, 7:49 am: must Must MUST go grocery shopping this morning.
Tue December 22, 2009, 8:51 pm: Hey Posy, want to make caramel?
Tue December 22, 2009, 8:41 pm: Max said, "mom if we have too much stuff we can just get Space Bags!"
Tue December 22, 2009, 4:59 am: 4AM wake up call from the little bulemic princess.
Mon December 21, 2009, 4:10 pm: She's asleep. Now I must fold. Fold like the wind.
Mon December 21, 2009, 3:28 pm: Next year I will be ready for Christmas early. Or maybe the year after that...
Mon December 21, 2009, 1:51 pm: Does anyone know how to convince a baby that she can be put down or held by someone who is not momma?
Mon December 21, 2009, 10:19 am: anyone wnat to come hold a crying baby so I can edit these blasted Christmas pictures?
Mon December 21, 2009, 8:50 am: Good earth tea is just so yummy!
Sun December 20, 2009, 7:49 pm: may have to kill a few kids if they don't start doing their chores. Srsly, I can not juggle a screaming baby and do all the work around here.
Thu December 17, 2009, 1:51 pm: sniffle. (There, is that better?)
Thu December 17, 2009, 1:21 pm: 99 gallons of snot in my nose, 99 gallons of snot. Blow my nose, toss it away, 98 gallons of snot in my nose...
Thu December 17, 2009, 6:23 am: can't do laundry fast enough to keep up with her regressing 2 year old.
Thu December 17, 2009, 6:13 am: is having one of those "crawl in a cave" kind of days.
Wed December 16, 2009, 9:34 am: drat. what a time to have a broken wii! Anyone know of any wii deals?
Wed December 16, 2009, 6:03 am: slept 5 hours in a row last night! Amazing!
Tue December 15, 2009, 4:03 am: Is pacing floors and wishing for sleep.
Mon December 14, 2009, 7:17 am: Dentist day for kids!
Sun December 13, 2009, 12:53 pm: Lily is hosting a whine and cheese party. Anyone want to come?
Sun December 13, 2009, 12:37 pm: Pacifier, you are dead to me. Thanks for nothing. Love, Molly.
Sun December 13, 2009, 7:20 am: Some days the only thing that saves you is a long, hot shower.
Sat December 12, 2009, 2:21 pm: Anyone else get wild sugar cravings while breastfeeding?
Sat December 12, 2009, 10:24 am: wants to go to Ikea. But it's busy around here, it probably won't happen until after Christmas.
Fri December 11, 2009, 10:01 pm: Death by laundry.
Fri December 11, 2009, 6:48 am: Hiccupping baby - sounds like a squeak toy.
Thu December 10, 2009, 6:10 am: So Happy It's Thursday!
Wed December 9, 2009, 9:57 pm: Bills, laundry, dinner, and much more: done. So tired...
Wed December 9, 2009, 9:28 am: Getting 3 car-seated kids in and out of the car is no small task.
Wed December 9, 2009, 6:20 am: Someday I will be one of those people who gets to be awake on purpose.
Tue December 8, 2009, 5:51 pm: Max is laying on the couch not feeling well and Lily said, "Max needs a bank-wet!"
Tue December 8, 2009, 12:49 pm: As a wise person once said: Shit happens. Yes, it does, oh yes.
Tue December 8, 2009, 9:28 am: is addicted to holding a snuggly, sleeping baby.
Tue December 8, 2009, 8:08 am: Oh the irony that Max is sick today and not yesterday.
Mon December 7, 2009, 7:33 pm: Time to reread "The Christmas Box"
Mon December 7, 2009, 3:44 pm: is so thankful for good friends and family!
Sun December 6, 2009, 9:45 am: missing mass again. Molly was up from 3 to 5:30. I'm TIRED.
Sat December 5, 2009, 7:34 pm: Barney's dog!
Sat December 5, 2009, 4:15 pm: Christmas tree time!
Sat December 5, 2009, 11:49 am: Who hijacked my Saturday and made it a Monday?
Thu December 3, 2009, 8:10 am: Starting again at sparkpeople.com. Anyone care to join me? Look me up, I'm jengroft on the site. 40.5 pounds to lose. I lost 17 pounds this time last year using it.
Wed December 2, 2009, 12:54 pm: Max just found the little people baby Jesus. In the fridge.
Tue December 1, 2009, 10:12 am: And while I am stuck on the couch, endlessly breastfeeding and complaining into facebook via my iPod (thanks, nana! It's a sanity saver!) I thought I would share a Lily-ism. Abracadabra = habba-too-babba.
Tue December 1, 2009, 10:03 am: needs a nap. Or chocolate. Or an I.V. of chocolate while I take a nap.
Tue December 1, 2009, 9:39 am: can put up with annoying children's programs when the 2 year old grabs the 4 year old's hands and says, "Dance wis me!" And he does!
Tue December 1, 2009, 9:18 am: Oh goody. Christmas Barney. With rapping midgets, er, I mean Little People.
Tue December 1, 2009, 5:46 am: Has anyone ever died from lack of sleep? No, wait. Don't answer that.
Mon November 30, 2009, 7:45 pm: How old were your thumb suckers when they could get their own thumb?
Mon November 30, 2009, 10:29 am: is cutting collars off of baby sleepers.
Mon November 30, 2009, 6:10 am: Thank God for advil on a sinus headache kind of morning!
Sun November 29, 2009, 8:25 pm: Does it have to be Monday tomorrow?
Sun November 29, 2009, 2:04 pm: Do pillowcases breed in the linen closet?
Sun November 29, 2009, 10:54 am: After Jay got Lily dressed for mass, Max looked at Lily in her dress and said, "you look as pretty as a tiger!"
Sun November 29, 2009, 7:32 am: Paisley comes home today! Yay!
Sat November 28, 2009, 10:07 pm: might give up on the paci. Molly gags on it and often throws up.
Fri November 27, 2009, 8:59 pm: forgot how frustrating it is to have a huge list of things to do and a baby who can't be put down.
Fri November 27, 2009, 6:42 am: Would be on my 2nd or 3rd store if I was shopping. Instead I am just rolling out of bed.
Wed November 25, 2009, 6:52 pm: Molly, you can keep the milk I give you. No need to keep returning it.
Tue November 24, 2009, 10:17 am: Postartum weightloss stalled out already. Probably has to do with being the 8th time and all. Time to get serious. Right after I finish these M&Ms.
Mon November 23, 2009, 4:43 pm: Argh!!!! 4:30pm- it's the witching hour.
Mon November 23, 2009, 11:17 am: Just had an amazing friend come over. She made us chicken soup and brownies and cleaned my bathroom. Thank you, Patti, you are my hero. You make everyone around you a better person.
Mon November 23, 2009, 8:03 am: Yawn. How can it be morning? Miss Molly has an awake time from 3am to 5am each morning. It's wearing me out! Esp. on mornings like this when I have to be up by 6am.
Sun November 22, 2009, 1:40 pm: Is in diaper bag hell. No diaper bags are made to hold cloth diapers. They all have itty bitty pockets for disposables.
Sat November 21, 2009, 9:15 pm: needs a bigger diaper bag. My jujube be spicy is overflowing and cramped. Recs?
Fri November 20, 2009, 4:49 pm: needs to just bulldoze the whole house and start again. ARGH! What a mess!
Fri November 20, 2009, 7:58 am: is in a holding pattern; hold the baby, hold the toddler, hold my temper...
Thu November 19, 2009, 9:30 pm: Why is it that anytime I notice that my fingernails are all nice and long and healthy they start breaking the very next day?
Thu November 19, 2009, 2:33 pm: got some amazing sleep.
Wed November 18, 2009, 8:00 pm: really should put the littles to bed.
Wed November 18, 2009, 12:06 pm: is having a crappy day. No money for bills, nothing good to eat, quarantined in a messy house for too many days with sick kids.
Wed November 18, 2009, 10:39 am: Why is there no chocolate in this house?
Tue November 17, 2009, 8:05 pm: must fold some clothes if I want to be able to wear any tomorrow.
Tue November 17, 2009, 12:38 pm: No really, where is the lunch fairy?
Tue November 17, 2009, 9:13 am: hot chocolate is just a way of eating marshmallows.
Tue November 17, 2009, 8:56 am: Just. So. Tired.
Tue November 17, 2009, 5:13 am: Good morning, Merry Sunshine, what makes you rise so soon? You scared the little birds awake and shined away the moon.
Mon November 16, 2009, 5:43 pm: Can someone help me find baby socks that stay on? Target no longer carries my favorite baby bobbie socks.
Mon November 16, 2009, 1:38 pm: Ack! Who made this mess? Oh nevermind, it was me.
Mon November 16, 2009, 1:06 pm: needs a one handed pepper grinder.
Mon November 16, 2009, 11:53 am: Parenting is not for cowards.
Sun November 15, 2009, 11:48 am: Molly has discovered the two types of people in the world: momma and not-the-momma.
Sun November 15, 2009, 10:10 am: Is it a sin to eat a donut while watching mass on tv? ;)
Sun November 15, 2009, 8:23 am: didn't get much sleep. Between a crabby 2 yr old with pinkeye and a crabby baby with gas.
Sat November 14, 2009, 1:49 pm: hates this part. I have all my maternity clothes and all my regular clothes and NONE of it fits. Argh!!!
Sat November 14, 2009, 9:09 am: Krispy kreme for breakfast. Yum!!!
Fri November 13, 2009, 10:23 pm: "You were just abducted. Of course you need crepes!" = best tv line EVER.
Fri November 13, 2009, 6:02 am: is due today. :-)
Thu November 12, 2009, 1:06 pm: may change Molly's name to Old Faithful. This child sets a new standard for spitting up. And she has still managed to gain 12 oz in her first week!
Wed November 11, 2009, 9:50 pm: Is rocking her clingy little Molly-monkey (and loving it.)
Wed November 11, 2009, 8:10 am: Molly was just declared "little and a half" by Lily.
Tue November 10, 2009, 7:19 am: and can you get me a drink of water while you are up?
Mon November 9, 2009, 1:19 pm: Pacifier boot camp.
Sun November 8, 2009, 6:08 pm: has her hands full. Well, almost anyway.
Thu November 5, 2009, 9:44 am: GOING HOME!!!! What an ordeal. But better safe than sorry.
Thu November 5, 2009, 9:10 am: Oops, sorry for trile post.
Thu November 5, 2009, 9:08 am: Cardiologist says arrhythmia is okay. Hoping to get out asap.
Thu November 5, 2009, 8:08 am: Midwife still heard arrhythmia, sent us to urgent care, who then sent us to pch nicu for ekg.
Wed November 4, 2009, 3:04 pm: Good news: just back from the doctor, who could not hear the arrhythmia at all, everything checks out great and Molly is a healthy girl. Stats: 6lbs, 12oz, 19in, born in the water, she is tiny and beautiful and she has dark hair. She is nursing great. Thank you everyone for your congratulations and prayers!
Wed November 4, 2009, 2:56 am: Molly Catherine born 12:37am. Heart arrythmia, please pray.
Tue November 3, 2009, 8:08 am: has nesting to do.
Mon November 2, 2009, 11:12 am: Am I the only one who thinks that the snow monster in Return of the Jedi looks an awful lot like the Abominable Snowman in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer?
Mon November 2, 2009, 9:52 am: Lily plays a mean air guitar!
Mon November 2, 2009, 9:16 am: OOOOOOOOH! A new Krispy Kreme opening at Arrowhead today!
Mon November 2, 2009, 6:37 am: Leggo my eggo.
Sun November 1, 2009, 8:12 pm: X-rays taken, I couldn't see any broken bones, but we'll see what the dr says.
Sun November 1, 2009, 2:15 pm: Max jumped off a pillow and now can't walk on his foot. Giving him a couple hours to see if it improves and then we will see what we need to do.
Sun November 1, 2009, 9:56 am: hears water running. I think it has been running for a while... Yep. Lily was washing her hands. And her hair. And her dress. And the floor. And the counter. And...
Sun November 1, 2009, 8:36 am: is not in labor, just in hiding.
Sun November 1, 2009, 7:25 am: Take a guess what my house looks like today if my garage is nice and clean.
Sat October 31, 2009, 5:32 pm: Halloween. This long walk had better get me closer to labor.
Fri October 30, 2009, 4:39 pm: Mess, mess, and a little more mess to go with it.
Fri October 30, 2009, 2:23 pm: had a wonderful (but slightly too short) nap with Lily, all snuggled up together.
Fri October 30, 2009, 11:18 am: Lily has a new way to say her name - it sounds for all the world like "Lowly". Too cute!
Fri October 30, 2009, 10:26 am: Going for a walk with Lily.
Fri October 30, 2009, 9:59 am: can't figure out what happened to half my music on iTunes when switching computers. I can't find it on the old hard drive or the new one and I *KNOW* it was there. I used it from the old one.
Thu October 29, 2009, 12:08 pm: Off to see the costume parade!
Thu October 29, 2009, 6:41 am: Hello old friend prodromal labor, I am actually glad to see you. Please be a good pal and speed things along for the real event, okay?
Wed October 28, 2009, 8:54 pm: Was cheated out of her time alone by a little pee-in-pantser. It is so cruel to have that dangled in front of you and yanked away.
Wed October 28, 2009, 5:58 pm: is just an hour away from having the whole house to herself for over an hour! :)
Wed October 28, 2009, 11:14 am: Does anyone have some size 24mo/2T girl clothes to trade for size 2T-3T boys clothes? For the boys stuff I have jammies, pants and shirts in good condition.
Wed October 28, 2009, 7:08 am: is looking forward to a day or so of nice, COOL weather! Yay! I even have long pants on. (As opposed to shorts.)
Tue October 27, 2009, 8:12 pm: Poor Lily just broke out in head to toe hives from the lotion I let her use.
Tue October 27, 2009, 1:53 pm: Well the bills are done. I wish I could say I am happy about that. :-P
Tue October 27, 2009, 9:45 am: Where to start? How about folding laundry with my pal Judge Judy?
Tue October 27, 2009, 8:31 am: has a lot of tidying up to do.
Mon October 26, 2009, 1:00 pm: Naptime!
Mon October 26, 2009, 8:51 am: Last night was a rough one. Lily was up about a dozen times and the cat - THE CAT, for crying out loud, woke us up even more often than Lily did.
Sun October 25, 2009, 5:33 pm: Had a wonderful Fall Festival and spent ... er, Donated, lots of money. The kids had a blast. Now I want a nap.
Fri October 23, 2009, 4:56 pm: red beans and rice with smoked sausage for dinner. Yum.
Fri October 23, 2009, 7:45 am: got to sleep in until 7am this morning! My headache is finally gone!
Thu October 22, 2009, 9:38 am: has a headache.
Wed October 21, 2009, 7:38 pm: is dilated to 1+ (not quite 2), 50% effaced, -2 station. Midwife guesses another couple of weeks.
Wed October 21, 2009, 8:26 am: U2 was so amazing, but I sure feel old.
Tue October 20, 2009, 8:25 am: Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes! Taking it easy today and then going to see U2 tonight!
Mon October 19, 2009, 11:45 am: Slow and stead wins the race. Or so I've heard. I sure hope so because I couldn't move much slower!
Mon October 19, 2009, 7:41 am: Mondays are made of crazy.
Sat October 17, 2009, 7:04 am: is trying to keep the kids out of the paint. Jay is painting the Living Room. He bought the paint for me for Christmas. :)
Fri October 16, 2009, 8:54 am: 36 weeks!! I am officially in the home stretch and now need to re-nest because my house totally fell apart over the last 2 weeks of flu around here.
Thu October 15, 2009, 8:12 pm: this baby has more hiccups than I ever thought possible!
Thu October 15, 2009, 6:20 am: declares herself victorious over the piggy pox.
Wed October 14, 2009, 1:32 pm: hates Book-it. My kid reads every day, (quite a lot actually!) why do I have to keep track of exactly how many minutes? Do I not have anything else to do?
Tue October 13, 2009, 2:11 pm: is sick of sickness.
Sun October 11, 2009, 7:02 pm: now has the resident plague. Because I wasn't uncomfortable enough.
Sun October 11, 2009, 4:59 pm: another week of temps in the 90s. Ugh.
Sun October 11, 2009, 11:36 am: is home from mass and putting her feet up. (For a minute at least!)
Sat October 10, 2009, 4:03 pm: mommy's night out tonight!
Fri October 9, 2009, 6:29 pm: wonders if cabin fever is terminal?
Fri October 9, 2009, 5:33 pm: Next one to bite the dust = Jay. Just me and Max left.
Fri October 9, 2009, 4:15 pm: just wants everyone to know that there is this really cool box in the kitchen. You can put stuff in it that you don't want anymore like emtpy wrappers.
Fri October 9, 2009, 12:32 pm: did a sample install of baby's carseat - works great!
Fri October 9, 2009, 11:56 am: is lanolizing tiny wool covers.
Fri October 9, 2009, 10:21 am: After a very rough night with Lily, I got to sleep in until 9am! I haven't done that in forever!
Thu October 8, 2009, 7:19 pm: Waiting at the minute clinic in hopes of tamiflu for James.
Thu October 8, 2009, 6:46 pm: Another one bites the dust.
Thu October 8, 2009, 8:11 am: cleaning up this mess - as much as my little sicky will let me.
Wed October 7, 2009, 6:33 pm: "Max go get in the bath! Wait, leave the french fries at the table!"
Wed October 7, 2009, 7:55 am: It's raining, it's pouring. The pregnant lady is snoring. She went to bed and got up to pee (5 times) and couldn't get up in the morning.
Tue October 6, 2009, 8:42 pm: ow.
Tue October 6, 2009, 7:22 pm: While I was making dinner tonight Lily came in. After standing in the middle of the kitchen for a moment she took off her panties (the only clothes she was wearing) and declared, "I want different panties!" (And no, they weren't wet. I guess a girl can just change her mind sometimes... )
Tue October 6, 2009, 2:13 pm: Newborn diapers are about the cutest thing in the world - except for maybe the babies themselves.
Mon October 5, 2009, 3:58 pm: this pregnancy has rendered me completely incapable of bullshit.
Mon October 5, 2009, 12:50 pm: needs to plan something for dinner.
Sun October 4, 2009, 10:52 am: got a totally new pregnant 'comment' today: I can always tell you are pregnant because your nose gets bigger with all the extra fluid in your body.
Sat October 3, 2009, 12:07 pm: got the first "Haven't you had that baby yet?!" of this pregnancy. Nope. I haven't, I have 6 weeks to go.
Sat October 3, 2009, 10:07 am: The nesting monster has arrived. Anyone want to help paint?
Fri October 2, 2009, 8:15 pm: 34 weeks. Only 6 to go, hopefully less. Time now to get the baby stuff together!
Fri October 2, 2009, 6:22 pm: Friday! (I have nothing more interesting to share.)
Fri October 2, 2009, 1:26 pm: Lily's new skill - emptying the lead out of mechanical pencils.
Fri October 2, 2009, 6:57 am: is pondering. Do I run around all day shopping and skip naptime or do I stay home and let Lily get some much needed sleep.
Wed September 30, 2009, 8:25 pm: somehow can't find the thing I need but can find a million other things that I certainly don't.
Wed September 30, 2009, 5:22 pm: forgot to make an important phone call today. Oops.
Wed September 30, 2009, 6:34 am: needs to clean up around here today.
Tue September 29, 2009, 6:21 pm: Those 3 week old mashed potatoes sure do have an interesting smell. But I could live quite happily never having to smell that again.
Tue September 29, 2009, 11:41 am: is disgusted with my rosarita refried beans. Why on earth would they need to stick msg in these?
Tue September 29, 2009, 10:57 am: is washing muffin tins. That is why I hate making muffins. Argh!
Mon September 28, 2009, 3:53 pm: needs to go put the lasagne in the oven.
Mon September 28, 2009, 10:35 am: needs some umption in her gumption.
Mon September 28, 2009, 6:56 am: What sense of humor? I'm 8 months pregnant. If you try to joke with me now I will either yell at you or cry.
Sun September 27, 2009, 8:25 pm: 5 kids in Ben's class with swine flu - what are our chances now?
Sat September 26, 2009, 11:13 am: To Mac or not to Mac. That is the question.
Fri September 25, 2009, 2:17 pm: could really go for a really good steak. Too bad I have chicken thawed for dinner.
Fri September 25, 2009, 8:29 am: Traffic is funny. If I leave the house at 7:05, we get everywhere on time or even early. If I leave the house at 7:07 we are at least 10 minutes late. (7:06 is a toss up.)
Thu September 24, 2009, 7:38 pm: Good grief, is it really only 7:30? It feels like 11pm at least!
Thu September 24, 2009, 4:50 pm: Husband out of town all week = pizza night.
Thu September 24, 2009, 10:57 am: Well, I skipped two days if that tells you anything.
Thu September 24, 2009, 9:54 am: Laundry, laundry, laundry. Then possibly some more laundry, with a side of laundry on that.
Wed September 23, 2009, 5:42 pm: Brownies: edge or center? What is your preference?
Wed September 23, 2009, 7:17 am: "Myfelf! Mylfelf!!!" "Lily, you can't buckle yourself in." "Yes, MY DO IT!!!"
Tue September 22, 2009, 5:38 pm: Why do my children, who hate to do schoolwork, stockpile the school supplies like they are preparing for the end of the world?
Mon September 21, 2009, 10:06 am: This is like a Monday times 10. Everything I try to do gets ridiculously complcated in some way. I feel like I am running into a brick wall every time I turn around!
Sun September 20, 2009, 7:31 am: Molly has Godparents!
Fri September 18, 2009, 7:02 am: just keep driving, just keep driving... Take Posy, take Ben and Tessa, go home, take Max, go to Tempe to certain store, get Max, get Posy, get Ben and Tessa, get Posy's friend, take Posy and friend back to Ben and Tessa's school, go home. That will get me to 2pm.
Wed September 16, 2009, 6:18 pm: Seriously, what is up with the pregnant clumsiness? I have dropped more things, spilled more things, knocked over and broken more things while pregnant than at any other time in my life. ARGH!
Wed September 16, 2009, 9:20 am: Can it be? Projected temp today UNDER 100?
Tue September 15, 2009, 6:41 am: is so tired she dreamed about sleeping all night long.
Sat September 12, 2009, 5:45 pm: R.I.P. Piece-O-Crap computer.
Sat September 12, 2009, 4:59 pm: needs a break.
Sat September 12, 2009, 10:12 am: Max quote: I can cough on MY stuff.
Fri September 11, 2009, 7:28 pm: Max getting stitches on his chin.
Fri September 11, 2009, 1:53 pm: Computer update: it's not the monitor or the cord. Seems to be the connection to the computer. Now what?
Fri September 11, 2009, 6:47 am: Ice cube trays, water pitcher - are they really that hard to fill?
Thu September 10, 2009, 8:21 pm: 63 days. Tick tock, tick tock.
Thu September 10, 2009, 4:04 pm: Am I the only one who finds cleaning under the table to be worse than cleaning the toilet?
Thu September 10, 2009, 2:13 pm: Paperwork or dishes or laundry or mop, which should I... Oooooooh we have chocolate chips!
Thu September 10, 2009, 10:08 am: Blessed are those who are patient with the irritating. Maybe God will be patient with them. - From the Gospel according to Pammy
Thu September 10, 2009, 7:21 am: Doesn't understand motorcycles or convertables. But then I'm a windows up kind of girl.
Wed September 9, 2009, 8:18 pm: Now one of our stupid computers is freaking out. It will turn on but won't interact with the monitor. So the monitor just thinks it is sleeping. I NEED THAT COMPUTER!!!! Stupid thing. I should just go back to keeping up with the checkbook on paper.
Wed September 9, 2009, 4:18 pm: What's on your mind? Stupid facebook is screwing up again.
Wed September 9, 2009, 10:08 am: walked to the other side of the house to get ground beef from the freezer and found myself standing in front of my closet asking "What was I looking for again..."
Wed September 9, 2009, 8:38 am: is rich in many ways. None of them are monetary.
Tue September 8, 2009, 10:22 am: 10 day forecast: Mostly hot with a little extra hot thrown in for the weekend. 4 or 5 clouds might be seen if you look carefully in the next 3-4 days.
Tue September 8, 2009, 6:52 am: is not a Stepford wife. Just thought you should know.
Fri September 4, 2009, 7:11 pm: Has it been 9 months yet?
Fri September 4, 2009, 6:20 am: Friday, how I love thee.
Thu September 3, 2009, 9:44 pm: sometimes the discomforts of pregnancy are truly a pain in the butt.
Thu September 3, 2009, 2:27 pm: Which came first, the drums or the headache?
Thu September 3, 2009, 10:31 am: I started a load of wash. Is that enough?
Wed September 2, 2009, 1:20 pm: It is SUCH an ordeal for a 4 year old to settle on which Star Wars movie to watch. We had to discuss random scenes from each before he was really sure. (We ended up with ESB.)
Wed September 2, 2009, 9:53 am: wants to take a nap, but I have to get back in the car in 15 minutes.
Tue September 1, 2009, 9:35 am: really, really doesn't want her palm trees trimmed. Honest.
Mon August 31, 2009, 10:42 am: "Lily, how old are you?" Lily replied, "PINK!"
Mon August 31, 2009, 6:36 am: One, two, pick up all the shoes. Three, four, wipe the stickies off the floor. Five, six, pick up lego bricks. Seven, eight, fold the laundry nice and straight. Nine, ten, do it all again.
Sun August 30, 2009, 9:49 pm: Monday is nearly here. I have a crazy-long list of stuff to do, not sure if any will actually get done.
Sat August 29, 2009, 5:20 pm: How is it that I can make such a big mess while cleaning the house?
Sat August 29, 2009, 3:07 pm: wishes Lily would keep her clothes on.
Sat August 29, 2009, 7:21 am: Saturday - time to get this house in order. We've been on the run all week just leaving a trail of destruction behind us. The mess is unprecedented!
Fri August 28, 2009, 7:37 pm: kids are out of the pool, now for an ice cream bedtime snack.
Fri August 28, 2009, 6:18 am: has found a whole new level of tired.
Thu August 27, 2009, 12:29 pm: is sitting in the car dealership waiting for her service to be done, trying to prevent the little people from going crazy or making others crazy.
Thu August 27, 2009, 12:07 pm: If buying happy meals, just note that the current girl toys are WAY less fun than the boy toys.
Thu August 27, 2009, 10:21 am: Please keep prayers coming for baby Joachin and his mommy, Amy. Joachin is on a heart-lung machine to let his body heal and keep him stable. Also, keep little Gigi in prayer - she has been diagnosed with leukemia. More tests before they'll know what kind/what stage.
Wed August 26, 2009, 6:46 pm: is praying hard for Joaquin and Amy. Joaquin coded at birth and has been transferred by helicopter to another hospital. Please add your prayers! And for little Gigi, age 3 who was diagnosed with Leukemia today.
Wed August 26, 2009, 11:50 am: 28.5 week midwife appointment good, passed GTT, measuring fine, baby head down. Now to just live through another 10 weeks or so...
Tue August 25, 2009, 2:07 pm: successfully bought Max of the Sensitive Feet some real closed shoes. And he even likes them.
Tue August 25, 2009, 11:10 am: Mall playground.
Tue August 25, 2009, 9:12 am: So is this another Monday?
Mon August 24, 2009, 9:50 am: Lily - singing with veggie tales: "Loving means lending a can."
Sun August 23, 2009, 11:57 am: is washing tiny baby clothes. But I need to go to the grocery store and buy stuff for lunches. Does it have to be Monday tomorrow?
Fri August 21, 2009, 7:05 am: needs to stop at about 5 different stores today. I don't think I can put it off any longer. I hate going to a store when I only need ONE thing there. It takes longer to get everyone in and out of the car than to do the actual shopping!
Fri August 21, 2009, 6:33 am: AAAAAA-Chooooo. Ow.
Thu August 20, 2009, 1:47 pm: needs a chai frap to go with her pumpkin muffins.
Thu August 20, 2009, 12:25 pm: is going to pretend it's fall and make pumpkin muffins.
Wed August 19, 2009, 8:28 am: when's naptime?
Tue August 18, 2009, 5:12 pm: Max quote: While driving from school Max noticed a church. He said, "Wow, there are TWO churches in this town!" (Meaning ours and this other one.)
Tue August 18, 2009, 3:56 pm: is mostly useless today, except for making dinner and taking Lily to the dentist and ferrying the kids to and from school - oh and the parent meeting tonight. Besides that I am not getting anything done.
Tue August 18, 2009, 11:07 am: Back from the dentist with amazing results: Upon being put in the papoose, Lily went RIGHT to sleep. Dr. Jane said her eyes started to close right away. (I wonder if this is because she took so much comfort from swaddling until she was 9 mon old.) Then she didn't need a root canal after all - two cavities filled while she napped away.
Tue August 18, 2009, 6:40 am: Please pray for Lily today, this is the first of two big time dentist appointments for her root canal. She's going in at 9:30am.
Mon August 17, 2009, 4:48 pm: needs to pull $191 out of... who knows where by tomorrow. Why is it that as soon as I get the bills and budget all settled and figured out extra bills roll in?
Mon August 17, 2009, 10:18 am: Poor Lily misses Max, she will be so happy when he gets home from preschool.
Mon August 17, 2009, 8:51 am: wants to close her eyes for just a minute or two.
Sat August 15, 2009, 2:48 pm: Returned from a two-cartfull trip to costco and took a little nap.
Fri August 14, 2009, 4:19 pm: Just keep folding, just keep folding...
Fri August 14, 2009, 10:33 am: Big belly house cleaning = kicking things into piles before bothering to bend down and pick anything up.
Fri August 14, 2009, 8:26 am: Crap. Croup.
Thu August 13, 2009, 6:26 am: 2nd day of school for the littles and they all woke up sniffling and coughing. Let the fun begin!
Wed August 12, 2009, 5:01 pm: Forgot to feed the fish today, but remembered to feed the kids.
Wed August 12, 2009, 4:55 pm: Just bought a bottle of 90 prnatal vitamins. I wonder if baby will be here before they are gone...
Wed August 12, 2009, 10:00 am: I have a roast I could make for dinner, but I can't dislodge it from the ice in the freezer.
Wed August 12, 2009, 6:24 am: 3rd school starts this morning!
Tue August 11, 2009, 9:53 am: really, really hates balloons. They are the cause of more sibling wars in this house than anything else.
Tue August 11, 2009, 7:46 am: is just. so. tired.
Mon August 10, 2009, 6:13 pm: Chillin at chikfila while the kids play.
Mon August 10, 2009, 6:18 am: feels like the William Tell Overture is playing as her soundtrack.
Sat August 8, 2009, 1:55 pm: Who made this mess?
Sat August 8, 2009, 11:18 am: Jeff needs an update. My feet are itchy.
Fri August 7, 2009, 5:51 pm: is taking a break in the middle of cleaning the kitchen.
Fri August 7, 2009, 3:57 pm: Poor Lily needs a root canal.
Fri August 7, 2009, 11:28 am: Where's Lily? "My right here."
Thu August 6, 2009, 4:42 pm: Gah! I hate walmart.
Thu August 6, 2009, 3:22 pm: Who wants to go to the store with me?
Thu August 6, 2009, 1:49 pm: Singing is not sleeping. Now put your head down and go to sleep.
Thu August 6, 2009, 12:46 pm: Keep the shredded cheese off the floor.
Thu August 6, 2009, 12:23 pm: Put the gum in the trash. No the bulletin board is not the trash.
Thu August 6, 2009, 12:16 pm: Me: Max, get dressed! Max: but Ben is watching TV!
Thu August 6, 2009, 12:14 pm: What happened in here? I JUST cleaned up this room!
Thu August 6, 2009, 12:09 pm: Today's status is going to be all the mom things that I say no matter how pointless.
Thu August 6, 2009, 8:26 am: feels like she is starting a marathon.
Wed August 5, 2009, 8:55 pm: If you mop it, they will spill.
Wed August 5, 2009, 2:00 pm: is seriously bummed that she won't get to take the CPST class after all. :(
Wed August 5, 2009, 9:10 am: Bills? Done.
Wed August 5, 2009, 8:16 am: is a little freaked out at the prospect of driving to four schools this year.
Tue August 4, 2009, 5:25 pm: Used uniform sale, picked up immunization records, office of Vital Records, Posy's school, Target, Staples, then home. I'm beat.
Mon August 3, 2009, 3:24 pm: If you don't want me to comment on your girth, please don't comment on mine. I'm just saying....
Mon August 3, 2009, 2:31 pm: had a wonderful weekend of camping, but now has to deal with the aftermath.
Sun August 2, 2009, 2:18 pm: is home.
Fri July 31, 2009, 10:03 pm: is camping at the comfort inn after a fun day at Oak Creek. Back to the creek in the AM for breakfast.
Thu July 30, 2009, 1:36 pm: is packing for camping.
Thu July 30, 2009, 9:18 am: has hit the point in pregnancy where sleep is nearly as hard as picking things up off the floor. Is it naptime yet?
Wed July 29, 2009, 3:59 pm: Make dinner, swim with the kids, read every one their books, and off to bed early. Lovely Summer nights!
Wed July 29, 2009, 2:53 pm: wishes she was out of this limbo and knew what was coming next.
Wed July 29, 2009, 7:41 am: Wednesday. Really? How did that happen?
Tue July 28, 2009, 1:50 pm: now has to list the laundry basket WAY over her head to fit through the door with it.
Tue July 28, 2009, 1:12 pm: just made a swamwich without the cwust.
Tue July 28, 2009, 12:14 pm: needs to sort yet ANOTHER pile of clothes that seemed to come out of nowhere. C'mon Jodi, talk me into tossing/donating them!
Tue July 28, 2009, 8:41 am: registering my son for his SENIOR year of high school.
Mon July 27, 2009, 8:43 am: Well, let's just say that my carpet won't be getting sunburned today.
Mon July 27, 2009, 8:29 am: Monday morning - start your engines. I got the laundry rolling (now I just need to keep it that way) and am trying to dig myself out of my bedroom. Then I am taking the kids swimming. And THEN on to the real work of the day...
Sun July 26, 2009, 6:13 pm: I just found Lily with a bottle of Biosilk, she was pouring a little onto her fingers and blessing herself in the name of the Fodder, the Son, and the Hody Spidit.
Sun July 26, 2009, 1:42 pm: is budgeting. Urg. I think I would rather clean out the garage.
Fri July 24, 2009, 12:49 pm: A/C guy is here - problem is electrical, we'll see how long this takes. Thankfully we still have our home warranty!
Fri July 24, 2009, 4:10 am: A/C is out. It's 4am and the house is already getting hot.
Thu July 23, 2009, 5:35 pm: When someone says "Oh my goodness" Lily replies "No MY goodness!"
Thu July 23, 2009, 4:21 pm: Jesus, I trust in you. (because I sure can't figure any of this stuff out!)
Thu July 23, 2009, 8:35 am: finally got a good night sleep - no one was puking - and I feel like a human being again!
Wed July 22, 2009, 5:50 pm: 3 nights no sleep = pizza for dinner.
Wed July 22, 2009, 11:41 am: Another one bites the dust. Next kid just started with the virus.
Wed July 22, 2009, 11:27 am: This virus seems to be 12 hours of puking, followed by a mild fever and 2 days of diarrhea. I just REALLY don't want to catch it myself. In other news - 24 week midwife appt went great, measuring a couple cms big, but then we already know there is only o
Tue July 21, 2009, 10:12 pm: Two more down with the virus from hell.
Tue July 21, 2009, 3:14 pm: is envious of people who can spend time outside during the summer.
Tue July 21, 2009, 7:42 am: What is this wet stuff falling from the sky?
Mon July 20, 2009, 9:15 pm: is all sticky from microwave cooked smores.
Mon July 20, 2009, 7:38 am: It is 7:37, so far today I have: 1. Ate breakfast, make iced tea 2. Bible study 3. Start load of wash, start load in dryer 4. Give bowl to Max BEFORE he threw up 5. (And I get major points for this one!!!) pile up things in garage so that the VAN ACTUALLY
Mon July 20, 2009, 7:01 am: It's Monday and I couldn't sleep last night. Grrrr...
Sat July 18, 2009, 8:10 am: Max's quote du jour: "Whoa! I slept like a deaf man!"
Fri July 17, 2009, 12:56 pm: 23 weeks down, 17 to go.
Fri July 17, 2009, 11:06 am: Max's question du jour: "Mom, have you ever seen poop-apple pie?" (as he was apparently building one with legos)
Fri July 17, 2009, 8:16 am: And one more little kids swear before I get to work around here - "What the feesock?" has somehow replaced "what the heck" around here thanks to Max's mishearing of a phrase from the movie Get Smart. Even Lily says it when she is perplexed.
Fri July 17, 2009, 7:54 am: Lily just came to me and said, "Tessa be mean, said 'veggie-toe'!" and Tessa explained that James told her it was a bad word.
Fri July 17, 2009, 7:22 am: is up. I plead the 5th to the rest.
Thu July 16, 2009, 12:42 pm: really needs a house elf.
Thu July 16, 2009, 9:16 am: has to go to the dentist today and really, REALLY, doesn't want to.
Wed July 15, 2009, 9:29 pm: is very pregnant and reserves the right to be irritated at any one for any reason.
Wed July 15, 2009, 5:09 pm: Swedish pancakes for supper. Yum!
Wed July 15, 2009, 2:34 pm: thinks that chocolate should count as a vegetable.
Wed July 15, 2009, 8:40 am: discovered that her 7 year old can do a remarkably good job sweeping the floor.
Tue July 14, 2009, 7:22 pm: Max's question du jour: Do elephants like eggs?
Tue July 14, 2009, 5:17 pm: Fixed the insole of Lily's shoe, paid bills, made brownies, folded 2 loads, held an injured child, made dinner, cleaned kitchen. And much more.
Mon July 13, 2009, 5:59 pm: is watching her kids discover Ed Emberley's drawing books.
Mon July 13, 2009, 4:52 pm: because the ADD housekeeping is not getting me much of anywhere right now. Well, I did get the entry cleaned up, that counts for something, right?
Mon July 13, 2009, 4:51 pm: needs to unplug and get something done.
Mon July 13, 2009, 10:33 am: into the pool with the littles.
Mon July 13, 2009, 8:08 am: Lily woke up in a bad mood today. When I asked her if she was grouchy she yelled, "MY HAPPY!!!!" and stomped off.
Sun July 12, 2009, 3:36 pm: wants too get started making some new diapers.
Sun July 12, 2009, 3:33 pm: hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot
Fri July 10, 2009, 8:44 pm: Had a lovely swim with the kids and now my loving husband is at the store getting me some ice cream.
Fri July 10, 2009, 2:59 pm: where did all these blasted crickets come from?
Fri July 10, 2009, 1:00 pm: needs a nap.
Thu July 9, 2009, 7:08 pm: just returned from Ikea. Kids played in Smaland, Jay and I shopped, then we all had dinner. And it was cheap too.
Thu July 9, 2009, 2:08 pm: needs to find some *cheap* activities to do INSIDE but not in our house. Everyone has cabin fever, not just me. Swimming is great but you can only swim so many hours a day (especially when trying to keep track of non-swimmers!)
Wed July 8, 2009, 8:29 pm: is going more than a little bit stir crazy. Cabin Fever. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy... etc. BAH!!!!
Wed July 8, 2009, 8:40 am: is going to tackle the monster - er, I mean Garage. I think I have about 20 minutes left to drag a few boxes inside before it gets too blasted hot.
Tue July 7, 2009, 10:57 am: just watched Max and Lily play for 15 minutes straight with a skirt hanger and a piece of ribbon. Why do we have all these darn toys?
Mon July 6, 2009, 7:31 pm: Jay's back has been in severe pain for a full week now. Please pray for him to get relief.
Mon July 6, 2009, 9:53 am: $350 to fix the track on our sliding glass door. Sigh. We don't really need to use the backyard do we?
Mon July 6, 2009, 8:12 am: AM Routine: Laundry (take Lily potty), clean up my bedroom (take Lily potty), clean up kitchen (take Lily potty), more laundry (take Lily potty), clean Little's room (take Lily potty), etc.
Sun July 5, 2009, 6:19 pm: Should have started dinner 45 minutes ago.
Sun July 5, 2009, 4:36 pm: Tomorrow is Monday - Anti-procrastination day. And I am craving HUGE amounts of chocolate right now. Mmmm...mmm...mmm.
Sun July 5, 2009, 10:46 am: one toddler + one mass = 4 trips to the potty.
Fri July 3, 2009, 4:58 pm: is making dinner with the help of a naked toddler.
Thu July 2, 2009, 6:53 pm: Max at dinner: grabs bowl of pineapple, removes serving spoon, licks spoon and sets it aside, then reaches into the bowl with his hand to retrieve some pineapple.
Mon June 29, 2009, 11:57 am: Watching swimming lessons in a million degrees.
Sun June 28, 2009, 3:44 pm: is home from a wonderful retreat.
Fri June 26, 2009, 10:24 am: Doesn't want to do dishes.
Fri June 26, 2009, 8:21 am: Needs to do laundry so she has some clothes to wear on the retreat this weekend.
Thu June 25, 2009, 9:56 pm: Apologizes to her dinner guests for her exhibitionist toddler- but had a nice time besides that.
Thu June 25, 2009, 1:46 pm: Molly wins.
Wed June 24, 2009, 5:35 pm: Off to the Dbacks game with the fam. Potty training fun at the ballpark!
Tue June 23, 2009, 1:37 pm: Name poll: Molly Catherine or Rose Elizabeth? (Comment to vote)
Tue June 23, 2009, 10:23 am: keeping feet up today. Lily's potty training is going well. She woke up last night twice to go potty on her own and thus woke up dry this morning. Yawn.
Mon June 22, 2009, 9:28 am: Lily's accomplishments on a Monday morning - pooping in the potty! We are starting another day in panties. Then she found the gummy vitamins I had stashed in my diaper bag. She managed to break through the unopened packaging and was working on the inne
Sun June 21, 2009, 8:18 pm: Lily made it all day in panties with no accidents! Do I dare hope this continues? She still needed plenty of reminders, but this evening she initiated about 4 potty trips.
Sun June 21, 2009, 6:08 pm: At BRU yesterday Max saw a cute toy and said "Holy Moly!" to which Lily replied "Holy Moly Batman!"
Sat June 20, 2009, 11:09 am: Saturday laundry with a bit of shoppoing thrown in for good measure.
Fri June 19, 2009, 7:59 am: Summer movies here we come!
Thu June 18, 2009, 4:33 pm: GIRL. Looks like we broke the pattern!
Thu June 18, 2009, 2:47 pm: is waiting on pins and needles.
Thu June 18, 2009, 11:24 am: Today is the big U/S. 3pm pac time.
Wed June 17, 2009, 11:31 am: $12.59! For a gallon of raw milk. Whoa.
Wed June 17, 2009, 9:59 am: Errands. With the crew.
Tue June 16, 2009, 8:46 pm: cheats at nonograms.
Tue June 16, 2009, 11:44 am: Housecleaning the ADD way - wander from room to room looking like I am doing something.
Sun June 14, 2009, 3:47 pm: wonders why my kids will spill chocolate pudding on new gymboree clothes the first day they wear them but can keep thrift store clothes clean for months on end.
Sun June 14, 2009, 11:02 am: is recovering from mass with her (psychotic?) children with some m&m's.
Sat June 13, 2009, 10:11 pm: is ready for bed after swimming (and freezing) with the kids this evening. Max and Lily are turning into little fish!
Fri June 12, 2009, 11:55 am: is home from a kid free vacation and has a lot of catching up to do!
Sat June 6, 2009, 3:29 pm: loves her little red Safety Turtles.
Wed June 3, 2009, 9:34 pm: is rereading The Half-Blood Prince.
Fri May 29, 2009, 11:32 am: is tired and unmotivated and SOMEONE stole my starbucks gift cards out of my wallet.
Fri May 29, 2009, 9:01 am: Last day of school! Woohoo!
Fri May 29, 2009, 8:37 am: has taken one too many quizzes written by teenage girls who can't spell and who use too!!!! many!!!! exclamation!!!!! points!!!!
Thu May 28, 2009, 2:48 pm: How does one get gum off of the inside of the dryer?
Thu May 28, 2009, 12:50 pm: Inside of cabinets DONE!
Thu May 28, 2009, 10:16 am: got the outside of the dining room cabinets arranged - now to do the inside of them and get my dining room table back. Next on the list after that - basic tidying of my bedroom and bathroom. I wish I could find the right spot to stash my giant laundry s
Thu May 28, 2009, 9:25 am: needs to get to work. Seriously.
Thu May 28, 2009, 7:31 am: So Happy It's Thursday.
Wed May 27, 2009, 3:11 pm: is feeling lazy.
Wed May 27, 2009, 11:08 am: Home from the midwife - strong heartbeat, measuring right on target. About 4 more weeks until U/S.
Wed May 27, 2009, 8:47 am: was totally surprised by swimming lessons last night. Max, who was terrified of getting water on his face just last week, swam like a fish. Lily, who would happily jump in the pool and splash all over, cried her little eyes out.
Tue May 26, 2009, 1:15 pm: is cleaning carpets. Folex, how I love thee.
Tue May 26, 2009, 8:51 am: If there is gum, Lily will find it. If there are shoes, Max will lose them.
Tue May 26, 2009, 8:02 am: needs to get her act together and he house cleaned up! (And stop at Target for more goggles and maybe some M&Ms too.)
Mon May 25, 2009, 7:27 pm: A sad goodbye to the long weekend... Only a few more days of school left.
Sun May 24, 2009, 7:49 pm: needs ice cream.
Thu May 21, 2009, 5:28 pm: Kid #2 down with mystery illness.
Thu May 21, 2009, 8:21 am: Off to the doctor for Max's mystery rash.
Thu May 21, 2009, 6:50 am: is awake. But I'm not happy about it.
Wed May 20, 2009, 10:47 am: Don't want to do laundry. Pout.
Wed May 20, 2009, 7:16 am: New crazy parenting sentence: "Girls can't pee through fences!"
Tue May 19, 2009, 11:37 am: Tis the season ... for solid milk in sippies.
Tue May 19, 2009, 8:03 am: is feeling much more human these days and is getting s-l-o-w-l-y caught up with housework.
Mon May 18, 2009, 6:26 am: You know you're tired when you dream about going to sleep.
Sun May 17, 2009, 6:46 pm: The fever fairy hit. Poor Max.
Sun May 17, 2009, 5:12 pm: wonders who let the paper monster back in her house. It seems to have brought its friend the Laundry Alligator which has eaten up all her couches as well.
Sat May 16, 2009, 9:54 pm: loves the tiring effect of the swimming pool on the kids. Bedtimes this summer are going to be SO easy.
Fri May 15, 2009, 4:03 pm: now owns a 2009 Toyota Sienna.
Thu May 14, 2009, 3:56 pm: Looks like it's new car time. It would cost over $2K to fix the van, it is hazardous to drive right now (exhaust leaking into cab) and it will probably need another $2500 in repairs in the next 6 months. We concede.
Thu May 14, 2009, 10:55 am: Laundry, Kitchen, Bedroom - that is my morning routine that I am trying to get back to. I was more or less successful this morning, first time in a couple months!
Thu May 14, 2009, 6:41 am: will be taking the van in today to see if it is worth putting more money into or if it is time to concede and get a new one. Not sure which one I am hoping for! Not having a car payment sure is nice!
Wed May 13, 2009, 7:01 pm: is watching Ben's band concert.
Wed May 13, 2009, 6:25 pm: wonders what it feels like to be caught up. I don't know that I would recognize it if it ever happened. The good news is - the carpet is nearly dry and nothing was damaged. The bad news is - there is even more mess than before!
Wed May 13, 2009, 12:08 pm: has removed a large part of the water in the carpet, gone to Target for Posy's last minute trip supplies, made Egyptian punch for Posy's class (and delivered it) dropped kids off at two different schools, one picked up from one of those. Is it naptime ye
Wed May 13, 2009, 6:37 am: is a moron. Left the hose running in the pool and now my family rm is flooded.
Tue May 12, 2009, 10:00 am: gets very, very angry when people let her children down.
Tue May 12, 2009, 8:13 am: is drinking sweet tea and checking email and message boards to the background music of Little Einsteins.
Mon May 11, 2009, 8:47 am: Monday began with Max throwing a temper tantrum at the foot of my bed. When asked what was wrong he replied that James would not let him eat a brownie for breakfast.
Sun May 10, 2009, 5:16 pm: is tired and nauseated.
Fri May 8, 2009, 1:43 pm: "We don't salt the dictionary!" is added to my list of sentences that no one should ever have to utter. "Please don't touch your penis with your fork." is another.
Thu May 7, 2009, 10:07 pm: wishes money grew on trees.
Wed May 6, 2009, 8:43 pm: Lily pooped in the potty tonight!
Wed May 6, 2009, 7:06 am: needs to slay the paper monster today. And keep Lily from killing herself. All at the same time.
Tue May 5, 2009, 1:33 pm: 1:10pm Lily decorates herself with a marker. 1:11pm Lily is sent to the time out bench. 1:13pm Mommy investigates Lily's quietness and finds her chowing down on sister's Singulair chewables. 1:14pm Call to poison control, count all the pills left, maximun
Sun May 3, 2009, 6:27 pm: Where did the weekend go?
Fri May 1, 2009, 9:45 am: is 12 weeks today.
Thu April 30, 2009, 9:21 am: This mess is so wide and so deep and so tall, I can not pick it up there is no way at all!
Wed April 29, 2009, 11:18 am: heard a beautiful sound this morning, baby's heartbeat is loud and clear!
Tue April 28, 2009, 10:24 pm: needs stories of how people got through college on their own. (Not having parents pay for it.)
Tue April 28, 2009, 5:09 pm: ordered pizza for dinner.
Mon April 27, 2009, 8:26 pm: Lily loves Tawbebbies and Boobebbies
Sun April 26, 2009, 5:09 pm: just endured a torturous venture to Stride Rite. I have no idea how to get Max a pair of shoes he will actually wear.
Fri April 24, 2009, 9:18 am: has a lemon slush.
Fri April 24, 2009, 6:13 am: wants another Lemon Slush.
Thu April 23, 2009, 12:20 pm: Oh no! Lily has figured out how to ask "Why?"
Thu April 23, 2009, 11:47 am: just wants to take a nap.
Tue April 21, 2009, 2:03 pm: is going to report her children to OSHA for creating an unsafe work environment.
Sun April 19, 2009, 11:38 am: is giving spring break a sad goodbye and hoping for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Fri April 10, 2009, 8:35 am: is turning off the computer for Good Friday.
Thu April 9, 2009, 12:07 pm: is counting down the days to a heartbeat.
Wed April 8, 2009, 9:56 am: is no longer getting hit by waves of nausea. I'm swimming in a sea of it.
Thu April 2, 2009, 3:17 pm: is going out to dinner.
Wed April 1, 2009, 8:46 pm: is snuggling with the cat.
Tue March 31, 2009, 8:23 am: has nearly tamed the paper dragon.
Mon March 30, 2009, 1:58 pm: just wants a nap.
Sun March 29, 2009, 5:55 pm: can't sit at the computer without Lily on her lap.
Fri March 27, 2009, 6:18 pm: is going to lie down on the couch all evening.
Fri March 27, 2009, 8:03 am: is showing Lily the kitties on Icanhascheezburger.com. She laughs like she understands the captions.
Wed March 25, 2009, 6:40 am: is having her annual Lenten Temper Tantrum.
Mon March 23, 2009, 9:40 am: just put dinner in the crock pot. At least I got something done today.
Sat March 21, 2009, 4:57 pm: finished taxes and is off to the school auction.
Fri March 20, 2009, 8:17 am: wonders when it was that weekends ceased to exist.
Wed March 18, 2009, 6:47 pm: is filling up the giant gray gas hog.
Tue March 17, 2009, 5:55 pm: gives up and is joining a nudist colony that has self cleaning kitchens.
Tue March 17, 2009, 8:01 am: is going to go and dig herself out of her kitchen and laundry back up, then take Lily to the Dr, then go to the St Pat's Carnival.
Sun March 15, 2009, 9:53 am: is gestating.
Fri March 13, 2009, 8:47 pm: just finished watching Darby O'Gill and the Little People with her kids.
Fri March 13, 2009, 12:16 pm: wonders why croup always hits on a weekend.
Thu March 12, 2009, 12:54 pm: is going to scrub her nasty bathrooms.
Wed March 11, 2009, 9:17 pm: Oh I found them.
Wed March 11, 2009, 9:15 pm: is confused and wonders where everything is now. Where'd my notes go?
Wed March 11, 2009, 12:36 pm: is embracing the ickiness.
Tue March 10, 2009, 8:03 pm: is watching James' choir concert.
Tue March 10, 2009, 8:52 am: can't wait for more new Fringe episodes. I've already rewatched all my recorded ones.
Sun March 8, 2009, 5:12 pm: is not ready for another Monday.
Wed March 4, 2009, 10:37 am: is so grateful to Dasha for her help yesterday!
Tue March 3, 2009, 5:09 pm: is making Swedish pancakes.
Tue March 3, 2009, 8:03 am: says happy birthday, Paisley! (Because sometimes she can type properly.)
Tue March 3, 2009, 8:01 am: says haapy birthday, Paisley!
Mon March 2, 2009, 10:08 pm: hoping everyone gets a good night's sleep so she can get one herself.
Mon March 2, 2009, 4:10 pm: is picking up kids here, there, everywhere.
Sun March 1, 2009, 11:33 am: got a good night's sleep last night.
Fri February 27, 2009, 8:17 pm: has forgotten another important event. Has anyone seen my brain?
Fri February 27, 2009, 1:59 pm: is waiting impatiently.
Thu February 26, 2009, 6:46 am: wonders WWSD. (What Would Supernanny Do?)
Wed February 25, 2009, 6:55 pm: is giving up her sanity for Lent.
Tue February 24, 2009, 11:07 am: is making mac & cheese for the littles so she can go out to lunch with friends.
Mon February 23, 2009, 9:28 pm: is going to bed.
Sun February 22, 2009, 12:36 pm: is updating websites then heading to Nana's for Sunday dinner.
Sat February 21, 2009, 3:24 pm: is not doing what she is supposed to be doing.
Tue February 17, 2009, 12:02 pm: is wishing for sleep.
Tue February 10, 2009, 2:08 pm: is cleaning out her black hole of a diaper bag.
Fri February 6, 2009, 11:19 am: is cleaning up the pyrex bowl that she just cracked 5 eggs into before Lily tossed it.
Thu February 5, 2009, 6:44 pm: is practicing violin and not squeaking too much.
Thu February 5, 2009, 4:58 pm: is testing again with better grammar.
Thu February 5, 2009, 4:57 pm: Testing her mobile skills on facebook.
Thu February 5, 2009, 4:38 pm: Testing out my tweeting
Thu February 5, 2009, 4:30 pm: is procrastinating. Posy is playing piano, Max is making valentines, Lily is ripping Valentines, Ben is sneaking some TV, and Tessa is putting on makeup.
Tue February 3, 2009, 8:43 am: is having another Monday.
Tue January 27, 2009, 4:57 pm: is making dinner.
Sat January 24, 2009, 10:17 am: is scrubbing, putting away, washing, folding, nursing, cooking.
Fri January 23, 2009, 8:12 am: is now down 15 pounds. **15 POUNDS!!!**
Fri January 16, 2009, 7:02 am: is holding a sick baby.
Fri January 9, 2009, 6:07 am: is watching one fly the coop. We will miss you around here, Paisley!
Tue January 6, 2009, 9:38 am: is fretting about money, but still going out to lunch anyway.
Fri January 2, 2009, 9:09 am: is eating her kashi and laughing at failblog.
Tue December 30, 2008, 10:48 am: is not doing much.
Mon December 29, 2008, 6:00 pm: is letting (ha!) her kids clean up after dinner.
Mon December 29, 2008, 12:10 pm: is cleaning up the Christmas carnage.
Sat December 20, 2008, 8:56 am: is down 9 pounds and hoping to hold there through Christmas!
Wed December 17, 2008, 3:56 pm: is down 6.5 pounds
Wed November 12, 2008, 9:36 pm: is going to watch Fringe on Tivo.
Sat November 8, 2008, 10:30 am: is doing laundry
Sat September 27, 2008, 10:11 am: is cooking without cookware, doing laundry without a washer.
Sun September 21, 2008, 10:02 pm: is hoping to move this week.
Mon September 8, 2008, 9:34 am: is packing up her house... again. (Thanks, kids, for unpacking a bunch of stuff this weekend.)
Sat September 6, 2008, 3:33 pm: is doing ONLY ONE more load of laundry
Fri August 29, 2008, 3:08 pm: is pouting about her house-selling situation
Wed August 27, 2008, 6:15 pm: is cleaning the kitchen and NOT YELLING AT ANYONE!

Random thoughts on a Wednesday

2010-03-04T12:03:00.000-08:00

1. Apparently what Molly needed for a happy commute this morning was bare feet and a full tummy. After starting the ride at full tilt screaming, she calmed down somewhat after Ben removed her socks and was fully content after we parked and I nursed her.

2. Overheard in the car:
Lily: Is "stupendous" appope-wee-it?

3. Overheard in the car the other day:
Max: Mom, can we have ice cream when we get home?
Me: Maybe...
Lily: She said yes!

2010

2010-01-26T21:22:00.000-08:00

Is it Twenty-ten or Two thousand ten?

Either way it is a new year and time to put in an update around here. As is my custom, I have slacked off entirely on writing for a while - some four months to be exact, which is a bit of a record slack off around here. But I have lots of lovely (and a few not so lovely) excuses.

1. Molly Catherine was born at home, in the water, on November 4th.

2. Molly is a handful. She started out with a bang by sending us to the NICU for her first day with some heart arrhythmias that needed to be figured out. Thankfully all was well. But she has kept us hopping by being very vocal about her needs. I suppose one has to be vocal, being an 8th child. But she is beautiful and healthy and is now settling nicely into life outside the womb.

3. Besides taking care of a newborn, we have 4 schools to contend with this year. I may have mentioned it before on the blog, I'm too lazy to go back and check right now, but this has been just as much work as I thought it would be. And then some.

4. And this one is the doozy: When Molly was just a month old, I was involved in an accident that resulted in a fatality. We are all physically fine, and I was not at fault, but it has been a lot to grapple with and I didn't feel that those details belonged on the internet.

And now, as a reminder list to me and to give you a teaser of what may be to come look for posts on a few of these things:

Molly's Birth Story Check!
Baby stats and pictures
General Kid Updates
Updated format to the GroftZoo main page Check!
More Random Thoughts posts Check!
Lists of what I did (and didn't do) in a day

And plenty of other stuff, I am sure.

To Clean a Shower

2009-09-16T13:48:00.000-07:00

Twice now I have bought some super-high-powered, fairly expenseive (in my mind anyway) cleaner to get my disgusting shower really clean and twice now someone has knocked it down and broken the nozzle and made it unusable.

So I found a bottle of Tilex in the kids bathroom (that, incidentally was bought so long ago that it is covered with soap scum. Is it just me or is that a little ironic?) and dumped it out to replace with one of the broken-nozzle cleaners. Done. Spray shower. Leave to sit and let the nasty chemicals do their work.

Later on, I walk into the bathroom and see my reflction in the mirror. Two big, white bleach spots on one of my favorite maternity shirts - one of the few that is actually long enough to cover my entire basketball sized belly.

Argh! I can't win.

A Sad Day

2009-08-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

I have been enjoying Lily's misuse of pronouns lately. There are few things so cute as their exploration of language and playing with the proper words. Mostly she has just been replacing the word "I" with "my" with adorable results.

For example, when I told her yesterday that I was taking her to Nana's house, she replied, "My love Nana! Oh yes, my do!"

Another one that has been common for her is that when she wants to show something to me she will grab my hand and lead me to it saying "Show me, show me, show me..." all the way there.

But today she brought me a book and said, "See the spiders? Let me show you!"

One more stage of babyhood left behind.

A Monday Success List

2009-07-20T07:30:00.000-07:00

"Things to Do" is so depressing. Today we are going with "Things Done!"

1. Ate breakfast, make iced tea
2. Bible study
3. Start load of wash, start load in dryer
4. Give bowl to Max BEFORE he threw up
5. (And I get major points for this one!!!) pile up things in garage so that the VAN ACTUALLY FITS! Now granted, there isn't enough room for anyone but the driver to get in and out, but at least it is in the shade. I can pull it into the driveway to load up kids.
6. Sit on couch like a zombie for 20 minutes
7. Reboot laundry, it's now 8:30am
8. Load/start dishwasher
9. wash other pots and pans, put them away
10. Bleach sink, wipe of counters and stove, ignore nasty floor
11. Make bed, pretend that makes my room clean
12. Clean out puke bowl, watch a little Zaboomafoo with Max
13. Shower and get dressed, FINALLY
14. Reboot laundry, fold 2 loads
15. Snack time, hummus and pretzel chips with a side of Iced Tea
16. Move boxes in from garage (4 of them) and fold up table, now you can access all sides of van when in the garage.
17. Go to grocery, remember as I am checking out that shopping while hungry was probably NOT a good idea. My Amy's Organic Burritos are bagged with my Hershey's Chocolate. I won't even tell you what the marshmallows got bagged with.
18. Reboot laundry
19. Hang picture
20. Eat lunch
21. Make a kid empty the D/W, I pile dishes on counter, run James to a friend's house (and the van was so nice and cool after being in the shade!)
22. Put Lily down for a nap
23. Take a nap myself
24. Awaken to disgusting virus problem*
25. Start more laundry - I had stopped for the day, but am restarting now. How can it be almost 4pm?
26. Try to disentangle my registration for CPST course so I can pay and be official (it worked!)
27. Get mail - put on new blender blade
28. Hand out popsicles
29. Move last (Please???) load to dryer, fold two more loads of clothes

And here - at 4:53pm - is where I am going to stop today's list. Not because I am done or anything, but things are about to get much more busy as we move into evening. Still to come: Make dinner, clean up kitchen, take kids swimming (except the sick one!), shower everyone off, feed bedtime snacks, put away a few stacks of clothes (maybe...), brush all teeth, put everyone in bed (which is a major process in and of itself!), and stay up until Posy gets home.

*Just a note: I left out various stomach virus related details from the list because they were too gross for even me (and that is saying something!) and I left out the several times I sat down to update this list and blew a few minutes on Facebook or whatnot. Also not mentioned, taking Lily potty about 150 times. But so far today she has stayed dry.

Some Recent Max Quotes

2009-07-18T08:23:00.000-07:00

Upon waking in the morning: "Whoa! I slept like a deaf man!"

While building with legos: "Mom, have you ever had a poop-apple pie?"

Pondering at the dinner table: "Do elephants like eggs?"

Checking in

2009-07-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

It has been a while - in the flurry of baseball season, summer swimming and every other thing in the world, I have been lax on updating around here. I am not going to write out a huge, long update post now - it is Sunday afternoon and naptime is calling. But I do plan to jump in a little more here and there.

Oh and baby number 8... is a GIRL.

Aquaphor

2009-04-30T20:48:00.001-07:00

When I started figuring out that the skin rash that Lily fights all the dang time is probably eczema, I got lots of suggestions here for aquaphor. But I resisted. I was trying really hard to avoid petroleum based products and just generally had good and healthy intentions.

Her skin has gotten particularly bad over the last few days and last night was really bugging her. So I put her on the bed and slimed her up with her usual stuff (Burts Bees Body Butter) which had been miraculous when we first used it. Suddenly she was WRITHING all over the place, grabbing at her skin saying OWIE OWIE OWIE. Yikes - right into the shower she went and we washed (just water and a soft cloth) all of that off her body. We're done with that one! Gee, I wish I hadn't JUST BOUGHT that container YESTERDAY! Anyway, I had a tiny sample of aquaphor laying out so I slathered her up while she was still wet. This morning she woke up and her skin, while not clear, was at least 75% better than last night.

Time to 'Fess up

2009-03-24T12:35:00.001-07:00

#8 is on the way.

We have announced on Facebook, Delphi, in person, and every other way, now it is time to add it to the family history on the Blog.

In other news, Lent is in full swing with all the extra singing and masses for Jay, Baseball season will soon be starting up with its own brand of busyness, Paisley is out and on her own now, living in a dorm at her school. She loves her new found freedom and hates coming home and being dragged down by the rest of us now. We miss her though!

Me!!!

2009-01-23T09:07:00.000-08:00

It's been a while.

Here is a cute story to tide you over for now.

We often ask everyone around the house things like, "Who wants popcorn?" or "Who wants to go outside?" of course everyone in earshot will raise their hand and say, "Me!" So when Lily asks to nurse ("Nuh, nuh, nuh) I will ask her, "Who wants to nurse?" and she will raise her hand and say "Me!"

Well lately she has dropped the "nuh" part of it and just starts out by raising her hand and saying "Me!"

It has gotten so ingrained that last night she did it in her sleep! She was in the middle of our bed and I had my back to her. I heard her saying, "me, me, me" so I turned over and she was raising her hand and saying it but was still mostly asleep. As I pulled her in to nurse her she gave a little happy giggle.

I can't make this stuff up.

2008-12-04T19:11:00.000-08:00

This morning I got to sleep in. I got nearly 20 minutes of extra shut-eye and it is a good thing because I needed every single minute of it to get me through my morning.

Lily woke up around 6:45 and I changed her into a new bumGenius and put her jammies back on. A few moments later my 11 year old came up to me and pulled up his shirt, revealing a lovely speckled rash. Hmm... that is a trip to the doctor for sure. I already was keeping my six year old home, she needed a chance to sleep in because she had been up coughing much of the night.

I took some of the remaining kids to their respective schools and returned home in time to grab a slice of banana bread while I waited on hold for the doctor's office. When I finally got through, they gave me an appointment for both sickies, but I had to be there in 15 minutes. Only enough time to brush my teeth and grab kids and go. I should have changed Lily's diaper then, but it had only been a little over an hour at this point. Hindsight is 20/20.

I didn't bring my diaper bag, just my purse. My diaper bag was under a box (don't ask why) and with my hands full and running out the door... aren't those famous last words?

So we wait in the doctors office. And wait. There is some problem with my health insurance that takes a while to unravel, but eventually it is smoothed over. And as a pungent scent hits me I realize I am going to regret not having my diaper bag with me.

Normally I would have stashed a diaper, a wet bag, and some wipes in my car, But as luck would have it, I cleaned out my car yesterday and removed everything so that my son could vacuum it out.

My 11 year old is diagnosed with strep and the 6 year old is treated for asthma, which is a new thing in and of itself, and then the 6 year old realizes that this is a Very Special Day at school and she should not miss it. (She missed the last Very Special Day like this.) However she is still in her jammies, not in a school uniform. So I call my mother in law, who goes to my house and gets her uniform. I drop Tessa off at her class - in her red and white striped pants, orange baseball shirt and flip flops and leave to take the rest of the kids home. My MIL bring Tessa her uniform and shoes and Tessa gets to participate in her Very Special Day in spite of being a little tired.

I drop off prescriptions, only adding about 5 minutes to the total morning and head for home and a clean diaper, finally. Lily is changed and asleep in no time.

Then the phone rings. The shoes we left for Tessa to change into are too small. So I have to make yet one more trip to the school to bring Tessa her correct shoes. But Lily is finally asleep! Surely Tessa can live with the shoes she has (the school secretary says she is back in her flip flops since the other ones were so small) until Lily wakes up from her nap.

About 20 minutes later, Lily wakes up and we head out the door - again - to take Tessa her shoes. As I walk towards Tessa across the playground after lunchtime, I realize that I did not send Tessa with either a lunch or lunch money. I totally forgot since she wasn't going to go to school that day until we decided on it later. So I guess I owe the school the price of a lunch now.

And all of that was before noon.

I need a nap. Seriously.

Colorized

2008-11-18T07:53:00.000-08:00

I learned how to colorize a photo! I had had the capabilities all along and didn't even know it. Here is my first shot:

Yes, I fully confess I upped the blue in her eyes. But the original color photo was taken under such yellow lighting (stained glass) that it really muted the blue in her eyes.

Some weeks are like that.

2008-11-12T07:30:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it is a doozy of a day that can get you, sometimes it is a whole week. I have been extra busy mostly because of a week I had last week - it started of with a bang. Tessa came home from school with a fever the bloomed into full blown croup, and by the end of the day Max had it too.

On Wednesday the littles were still sick, nothing new there. But then James was hit by a car on his way to school! Talk about a heart stopping phone call. Thankfully, he was the one who called me - laying in the street, waiting for the paramedics, he called me. So I knew he couldn't have been too hurt. Still, I rushed over there and saw my poor baby in a lot of pain, being loaded into an ambulance. After a short stay in the ER, we discovered that he is very bruised and has a hairline fracture in a lumbar vertebra. There isn't a whole lot they could do for that, just tell him to get lots of rest and not jar his spine around.

Thursday began bright and beautiful with a visit from the vomit fairy. Three kids down with that one. It was a short virus though - only about ten hours. But still... little people who cannot understand that we puke in the toilet or a bowl can make a HECK of a mess.

It was interesting to discover that Max had some kind of vomit sensor for Lily. He would say, "Mom, Lily is going to throw up!" and 30 seconds later, I kid you not, Lily would fountain up her stomach contents. By the end of the day I learned to listen to him when he said that.

While it sounded like a horrible week, it was an easy week to focus on the good and to be thankful. James accident could have been so much worse in so many different ways. But he is fine (if sore) and the kids are all well again.

Lily is ONE!

2008-11-06T19:08:00.000-08:00

A slightly belated one year update for Little Lil.
Like I mentioned in my last post, things have been a bit on the busy side, so Lily got her one year check up with the pediatrician at 13.5 months. Oh well, close enough to call it good.
Her official stats:
Height: 28.5 in (15%)
Weight: 19.1 lbs (10%)
Head: 18.25 in (75%)
So now we know why she is always falling on her noggin! She is top heavy!

Lily is fantastically smart. (But I am sure all parents think that!) She knows lots of signs and even more words. She loves to run and - even better - climb. She is upwardly mobile in the worst way. She is absolutely driven to scale anything that is near her and is even remotely climbable. She also likes very much to empty things, which you would think might be a help in getting the house unpacked, but it really isn't. It really, really isn't! Any time I walk out of the room for even a moment to do something frivolous like change the laundry she immediately commences one of her search-and-destroy missions. She has great talent with toilet paper and can get it to reach nearly across the house without breaking.

At this pediatrician visit we discovered that she has genuine doctor anxiety. She started freaking out the very moment we walked into the exam room. Poor baby. We postponed any shots just to keep this visit light and easy for her.

She is still nursing at least a hundred times a day and still happy to spend most of her time in my arms when she is not climbing. She loves being outside and she loves all of her big brothers and sisters, but she especially loves James.

It has been a busy couple of months!

2008-11-06T18:58:00.000-08:00

The short version of this post is that yes, we have finally moved. We are (slowly) settling into the new house and trying to fit all our stuff in with slightly less room than before. Tricky job, that one!

The long version...
Nah, I don't even want to give the long drawn out version of our house closing because it was pure hell and I never, ever, EVER want to move again. Good thing too, because this house is about the perfect location. We closed on this house six WEEKS (and one day) late. Six very long weeks. But they are behind us now and the relief everyone in the family felt about it was palpable. So if you don't have our new address and want to send us a Christmas card this year, be sure to contact us and get the new info!

We are still living with a lot of boxes around, but lets face it, life with 7 kids can be kind of BUSY. Yes, it's true. I haven't even had time to write lately. I hope to get back to it. For now I will just tell you that there is some BIG NEWS on the way. (No, I am not pregnant. Yet.)

Baby Laughter

2008-09-16T19:09:00.000-07:00

We were waiting for our food this evening in a fast food place. It was just me, Lily and Posy out at the mall (buying glasses). I was playing with Lily, eliciting a string of giggles from her. Everyone around us was just transfixed by the sound of baby laughter.

And I realized that there are so many people who don't get to hear baby or young child laughter every day of their lives.

I thought about how empty my life will feel when that sound is not something that I hear every single day. Thank God I can hear it today and many years to come. I hope that when I have grandchildren they are nearby so that I can hear their laughter as well. You just can't be sad when a little one is laughing.

Baby Sign Cuteness

2008-09-02T13:22:00.001-07:00

Lily has really caught on to using baby signs and several words in the last week. She regularly signs more, eat, drink, all-done, bye/hello, book... there may be a couple more but I can't think of them right now.

This afternoon I was putting her down for her nap and she didn't want to nurse because she knew that would make her sleepy. So I turned her around and just held her on my lap and she starts signing "All Done" over and over while trying to slide off my lap.

Current words she is using are mama, dada, cat, dog (says is and signs it at the same time), cheese (chs), shoes (shs), brother (bubba) Tessa (Tuh) and probably a few more that I can't think of. She tries to say a lot of things but doesn't use all of them regularly.

Cold Shoulder? Or Hot?

2008-08-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

Me: Max, why is your shirt off?
Max: Because my shoulder was hot in it.

Moving Troubles

2008-08-24T09:16:00.000-07:00

Things have been a little bumpy around here lately, which is why I haven't been able to post much. First let me say - our Realtor has been AMAZING. This has been a difficult deal to say the very least and she has done all of her work, plus that of at least three slacker.

Background: We were supposed to close on both houses on August 20th. (Please glance up now and notice today's date.) We have not closed yet. Exactly 10 days before our closing date we called our Realtor, Danielle, and told her that the buyer on our current home had not done an appraisal yet. This was worrisome since we were in the week before closing and their loan had obviously not come close to finishing up. And so the days start ticking by. Each day - no appraisal, and each day - Danielle is trying to get answers from the buyer's Realtor and loan officer. But for some reason they don't like to respond to either emails or phone calls. So in the blink of an eye, it is the 19th of August, the theoretical day before closing. Still no appraisal. But finally, I get a call at 4pm that day saying that they are coming to do the appraisal at 5pm. Way to wait to the last minutes, guys! Of course within the next couple days we get the request from our buyers (their Realtor, really) to postpone closing until September 5th. There were lots of other details in the regarding how awesome our Realtor is and how sucky theirs is, but that will bring you up to speed on where things stand.

And now, my letter to those who have caused all of my current problems - the buyer's Realtor and Lender:

Dear Sirs: (And I use that term very, very loosely)

I would like to remind you that it was you and your clients who chose the August 20th closing date for this house. It is also you who is supposed to know the sequence of a real estate deal and follow a professional time line to meet the dates that you chose. If there is a problem with those dates on your end, it is YOUR job to contact our Realtor to advise her of the details and what you are doing to remedy things and keep them on track. It is NOT HER JOB to have to babysit you and call you every day because you won't return phone calls or emails. Nevertheless, you have dumped your job in her lap and left us all wondering constantly about what will happen with this deal. We are buying a house contingent upon selling this one and you have jeopardized that deal as well.

Because we are trying to be conscientious adults about our end of the deal, knowing that if we did close on time we would have to hand over the keys and be out of the house on that day, we took steps to make sure that we could hand over an empty and clean house on the expected day of close.

So, on the 16th, the Saturday before the expected day of close, we moved 90% of our belongings out of our home and into storage. We left only our mattresses, our dining room table, and the bare minimum of kitchen items to get us by for what should have been less than a week. Then we find out that it will not be one week. It will be nearly THREE weeks.

Now I know how easy it is to put off making a phone call. But the procrastination of these "professionals" has put my family in a very uncomfortable situation for a fairly long period of time and has caused us undue stress.

Allow me to enlighten you on how your unwillingness to do your job has made our day to day life harder.

I have seven very bored kids hanging around my house, since all of their stuff is packed up. Have you ever tried cooking meals for 9 people with very little kitchen stuff?
I had all of our utilities scheduled to change over on the day of/day after our closing day. This took me several hours to arrange (see above 7 kids) and then I had to go and undo it all, and will have to do it all again when we are sure what our closing date will be.
We purchased our storage units for the month of August, confident that we would be able to have them emptied again by Sept 1. We will have to pay another full month.
One of children switched schools to be near the new house. He started at the new school since there was only one week between our expected closing and start of school (school started first). But right now I have to drive far out of my way to get him to school every morning and afternoon, costing me plenty in both time and gas.
The stress this has caused us is taking its toll. My hair is falling out and neither my husband or myself are able to sleep as we wait with bated breath for you to do your job.
And numerous other items that are small in and of themselves but add up to a lot of time and trouble on our part and impact our daily life. I will refrain from listing them here.

In summary, there has been plenty of extra stress, cost, and work caused to my family because of this, which could have been avoided if you had simply followed up on your end of the deal to begin with. I feel bad for our buyers who are stuck with you through this as well. Rest assured that I will be following up after everything is through to make sure that your employers and others know the way you choose to do business. Your disregard for the families whose everyday lives you impact is troubling indeed.

Yours Truly,
Prisoner in Her Own Home

More Maxisms

2008-08-23T15:35:00.001-07:00

While riding in the car earlier today Max asked if he could tell us a story. It was kind of hard to hear the story with the air conditioner on (and since Max sits in the 3rd row) but we could tell it was about a little boy and things he was doing.

Jay: What is the boy's name?
Max: Penis-boy
Jay: (trying really hard not to laugh) Maybe we should think of a different name...
Max: No
Jay: How about Peter?
Max: No, I like Penis-boy.

Ahem.

Then, later on we were shopping at Lowes. Max saw a big jacuzzi tub. He started throwing an all out fit because we wouldn't buy it on the spot. He actually continued with it for quite a while after we left the store. Throwing a fit because we wouldn't buy him a new bathtub... never heard of that one before.

This is it.

2008-08-08T13:28:00.000-07:00

This is the day that I finally go out of my ever-lovin' mind.

The phone keeps ringing and every single call is something else for me to do - more paperwork or signatures for the house, someone to pick up... etc.

I just realized that I packed some important house papers when I wasn't really paying attention.

The house is such a mess that I can't even pack anything until I clean it up but half of the stuff has already been packed anyway.

I need drugs. And Chocolate. In large quantities. Now, please.

Calgon? Are you there, Calgon?

Maxisms

2008-08-01T07:57:00.000-07:00

This morning he came up to me and told me, "Somebody said cake!"

The other day he noticed that Jay was about to go out back and do some yard work.
Max: I have to go outside and get my boots on!
Jay: Are your boots outside?
Max: No.

New words:
Ski-spool (Preschool)
hoppy-tocko (Helicopter)

Now this is exciting!

2008-07-26T12:02:00.001-07:00

12 FREE bumGenius Diapers for one lucky duck out there.

Packing Frenzy

2008-07-25T21:30:00.000-07:00

19 boxes packed today, bring the total to 36 boxes packed. (Not all of them are books.)

Bibliophile

2008-07-24T09:21:00.000-07:00

17 boxes packed so far, all books.

Our new lodgings!

2008-07-23T08:44:00.001-07:00

Sorry to have been sparse around here lately, things have been busy, busy. Our house finally sold and we are getting ready to move!

Chinese Fire Drill: Catholic Style

2008-07-11T16:21:00.000-07:00

Picture this: 4 moms trying to go somewhere. Between them there are 14 children (present) of which 9 are in car seats or boosters of some sort, 5 are big enough for regular safety belts and one is still safely in utero.

Now picture these 4 moms trying to arrange these car seats into two vehicles (one seats 11, one seats 8) in such a way that all car seats can be reached and everyone has a good spot. While you are watching the car seat juggling in your head, take a glance at the thermometer, which reads "Hotter than Heck". And keep in mind that we are all running late to get to open gym where the little munchkins can run amok in (relative) coolness for a while so play the whole thing in fast forward in your head.

You now have your entertainment for the day.

Well almost - one more funny thing to share: When we arrived at open gym, Max took off his shoes and handed them to me. I turned around to put them in a cubby and figure out where to put my diaper bag and sling. When I turned back around Max was only wearing his t-shirt.

I mean he was ONLY wearing his t-shirt.

His underwear and shorts were on the mat next to him.

I screeched, "What are you doing????" and he calmly answered that he was getting ready to go swimming. While I dressed him again I explained that there was no swimming pool here, that there was a FOAM "pool" that you could jump in, but he didn't need to change clothes for that.

And then I had a heart attack as he happily ran off to play.

Baby Steps

2008-06-25T22:41:00.000-07:00

Toddlerhood, here we come!

The Next Step

2008-06-22T21:50:00.000-07:00

Today Lily took four slow, well contemplated steps. (And then would not repeat the trick.)

Running is not far off!

She is 9 months and 1 week old.

Lily @ 9 mon

2008-06-18T20:39:00.001-07:00

Weight: 17lbs, 1 oz. (25%)
Height: 25.5 in (5%)
Head: (50%)

Lily is fast on her way to walking, she stands alone all the time, she runs around in her walker, and she crawls like lightning.

She has added two baby signs in the last few days, she signs Potty and More.

She loves baths and showers and had her first dip in the pool yesterday. She was completely delighted to be in that much water!

She loves cheese and cheerios and not much else. She is just learning to drink a bit from her sippy.

A Moment of Grace

2008-06-18T20:13:00.000-07:00

I don’t put much on the Groft blog, in fact I don’t think I ever have. I tend to leave it all to Jenni. But I had a moment of grace yesterday (6/17/08) that I felt like I needed to post about.

If you know our family you probably know I work for our family business, testing the integrity of fuel systems and certifying the monitoring and leak detection systems associated with them. I have been with Mom and Dad for fifteen years now and they have said on several occasions that when they retire or, God forbid, pass away the business will be mine. It is a nice niche market but of course with any small business there are ups and downs. There are six fulltime employees and we are all related.

Summertime is a tough time in the industry especially here in Arizona. Most of the testing we do is during the day and is for the most part in the middle of the parking lot where there is little to no shade.

This past week my parents went back to Louisville, KY for a family reunion and at the last minute my brother Andy, who also works with us, decided to go back with them. I tried to keep a positive attitude about the whole thing, but after driving three hours to Yuma and doing a split shift, the devil got the best of me and I started to feel sorry for myself. I started wondering: “How can the company survive when half the employees go on vacation at same time? Am I the only one who cares about the future of the company? Are we in the right industry? How are we going to pay for the kids’ tuition this year?” I literally made myself sick worrying about everything.

I then remembered a magazine I had picked up the day before on sale at a catholic book store. It is called Magnificat and it has all of the readings for the days of the month. I opened to the morning readings for the day and started reading and when I got to the gospel it blew me away.

Matthew 6: 26-30
Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?

Thank you, God. I am sorry for doubting your promise.

Diplomacy

2008-06-18T08:05:00.001-07:00

A diplomat is a person who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you actually look forward to the trip.
- Caskie Stinnett

Rough Times at Mass

2008-06-15T10:39:00.000-07:00

This morning's mass was seriously a rough one. Lily started showing her mood this morning when I couldn't finish putting my make-up on before she started throwing a fit. She wanted to be held. By me. And no one else.

We arrive at mass, choose our seats, and I take Max and Lily back to go potty and change Lily's diaper. When we got back Lily began warming up her vocal chords and testing out the acoustics. She was singing, "mamamamama" but in the church it sounds like "MAMAMAMAMA". She has also hit the point where, while she only wants to be held by me, she can slither and squirm at an unbelievable pace. It is like holding a wet cat through mass. A noisy wet cat.

Mass began. Max was sitting on one side of me, squirming quietly and Lily-the-wet-cat was thrashing around in my lap. During the songs the whole church is loud and I can stand up and bounce so we made it through that pretty easily. But then the readings began and we need to sit still and quiet. Lily was just not having it. She was winding up more and more, whining and thrashing and working up to a full cry. We make our escape just as the Psalm is ending. The next reading goes by in a flash. I bounced Lily near the door, hoping and praying that chaos didn't break out in our pew in the mean time. Max, Tessa, and Ben were there all alone. And while I can count on both Tessa and Ben to sit still, I can't count on them to not get into a full out brawl with Max if Max decides to act up.

Then I hear the music start for the Alleluia.

Oh, shoot. I picked a bad time to leave mass! Max thinks the Alleluia is a party! He stands and sings it/yells it at the top of his lungs and sometimes gets up to try to climb the pew in front of us or dance in the aisle. His exuberance is delightful - as long as I am right there to moderate it a little bit. But now I have Lily fussing on the sidelines and I have to make a run to get back to our pew before my little Pentecostal gets all excited.

So I run. I get there just in time to stop him from climbing over the pew in front of us, but unfortunately I scratched him with a hangnail while trying to pry him off that pew. So instead of singing he spent the Alleluia pouting, even after I kissed it an apologized (all the while still wrestling Lily-the-wet-cat).

Then the homily. Ben asks if he can go get a drink because he feels sick to his stomach. Um, yes. Lily settles in to nurse and drifts off to sleep. Oh, thank you God. Now I can sit still for a moment and maybe hear something that Father is saying since I have completely missed the readings. Nope. Max keeps trying to get as close to me as he can and is bumping and waking Lily. Jay has come from the choir to sit with us and tries to occupy him by drawing him a picture. One more moment of peace. But just as Lily falls into a deep sleep Max bumps her and she bites down. Hard. So I carefully remove her from my breast, trying not to scream out myself, and she starts crying all over again.

So I take her out again, climbing over Jay and Max just to get to the aisle. I calm her down through the Creed and then come back to sit with the kids.

Sometime during the Consecration I discovered that the song sheet kept her fairly happy. So I let her tear one up and play put-this-on-my-head-let-it-fall-off for a few minutes until she started trying to eat it. Then I had to take it away and give her a toy, which she threw on the floor at least seven hundred times before we went up to receive Communion.

Through all of this Max was alternating sitting on the pew and the kneeler, asking me when it was time to go, and if there were donuts afterwards.

And then suddenly mass is over. How did that happen? I missed the whole thing again. I had a couple moments of prayer in there, the kids experienced the mass, and I certainly got to practice my Patience, so it must not have been a complete loss. But I tell you, I just need a nap now.

Sleep Trouble

2008-06-11T07:10:00.000-07:00

The past few nights I have been waking up and sitting bolt upright in a panic, convinced that Lily is about to crawl off the edge of the bed. I frantically feel around the blankets only to discover that she is sleeping peacefully either in the pack and play or right next to me.

It finally occurred to me this morning at 4am when it happened again what this is all about.

Paisley is in the process of moving out.

It is not my youngest daughter that I am hunting for frantically in my half-sleep, but my oldest. This wide span of milestones has finally just fried my brain.

As of right now I have one child moving out, one learning to drive, one who is newly a teenager, a couple in normal childhood, one who is potty training, and one who is learning to walk and becoming more mobile all the time. No wonder my sleep is disturbed!

Waiting for a Sign

2008-06-10T07:20:00.000-07:00

Lily can say a few words now. She says mama, dada, ball, car, cat and probably a few that we haven't decoded yet. But at this stage of the game what I am really waiting for is for her to start signing. That is when language just takes off - at least it has for the last two kids.

She seems to be doing some "sign language babble" and moves her hands in specific ways that mean something. But just like verbal baby babble, it seems that one motion can mean several things and basically what she is saying (signing) is "I'm trying to tell you something."

For now though, we have a little foreign language speaker and we wait each day for her to start speaking our language. Someday soon it will happen, but right now we are in the communication waiting room, waiting for that moment when her face lights up and she knows we can understand what she is saying to us.

R.I.P. Ringlets

2008-06-09T22:23:00.000-07:00

I cut Tessa's hair. It was so dry on the ends, it had to be done. But I hoped that cutting it would remove some weight and the curls would perk up more.

I was wrong.

She just has (lovely) deep waves. The ringlets are GONE.

Before:

After:

A Sad Goodbye:

She is still my vivacious beautiful Tessa, she just has a little less hair to show for it. But she loves her hair and it is much easier for her to deal with now.

Car Seat Information

2008-06-07T22:44:00.000-07:00

During the last year I have been reading up on Car Seat Information. I even briefly considered taking the course to become a Certified Car Seat Safety Technician, but the class fell on a week when I was 36 weeks pregnant and one of my babies was starting kindergarten... I just couldn't miss that!

In an effort to help get the word out, I am going to collect links and information as I find them and keep them here - so that I can have access to them and others can too.

Stay tuned, I will be adding links as I find them!

First off: Arizona Car Seat Laws (which are very minimal!!!)

But better yet: Car Seat Usage Recommendations (more info coming soon) 2008 AAP Recommendations (note that they recommend rear facing as long as possible)

Study done in December 2007 at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.

Findings:
Children 0–23 months were less likely to be severely injured when using a rear-facing car seat (RFCS) than a front-facing car seat (FFCS).
The benefit of an RFCS was particularly great in side crashes.
Children 12 months to 23 months old are five times less likely to die or suffer serious injuries in a crash when riding in rear-facing car seats than those in forward-facing seats.
Abstract: http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/13/6/398

Booster Info:
Seatbelt vs. Booster (PDF)
Seatbelt vs. Booster with more detail
Booster with only a lap belt?

Videos:
The Importance of Rear Facing
Adult Belt is Not Enough (for a child who should be in a booster)
5 point harness vs. Booster
Compare a Rear Facing Crash Test to a Forward Facing Crash Test and see for yourself if extended rear facing is worth the trouble.
Toni's Legacy (Sad story)
The Importance of a 5 point harness for children under 5

To ask a question from someone who really knows GO HERE.

48

2008-06-05T08:06:00.000-07:00

Max asked me at breakfast this morning, "Mama, what's 48?"

It took me a few moments to understand what on earth he was saying but after he said it a few times I told him that it is a 4 and then an 8. How else do you answer that one?

Then he asked, "What comes next?"

"49," I told him, "and then fifty after that."

And then he laughed.

Who knew numbers could be so funny?

Our EC Journey

2008-06-03T22:04:00.000-07:00

Now that my graduation post is finally written, I will swing back to the other end of the spectrum and discuss baby stuff.

I have read about EC (Elimination Communication) for some time now, but never thought is sounded realistic. But things changed last week.

Since we are hoping for some kind of potty training miracle to fall from the sky and hit Max, was have potty chairs littered around our home right now in hopes of never missing an opportunity. Last Monday, I think it was, when Lily woke up first thing in the morning, I was changing her diaper on the floor. Right next to me was a little potty chair, so I figured, why not put her on it, she very often poops within the first few moments of waking up in the morning, maybe I can get away with not having to change one poopy diaper.

Well she didn't poop in it, but she did pee in it right away. Over the next several days, I put her on the potty each time she woke in the morning or after a nap and sure enough she peed every time!

I have also caught at least the first half of her morning poops most morning since then. The second half is trickier since it happens about a half hour later.

Yesterday and today she has started something new, sometimes when I try to put a diaper on her she thrashes around and pulls at it while I am changing her. If I put her on the potty then, she will pee right away and then she is fine having her diaper put on. A couple of times now I have been nursing her to sleep only to have her wake up and start thrashing and crying, fighting me like crazy, so I put her on the potty, she peed and then was perfectly willing to go to sleep.

My mind is so boggled by all this.

In the mean time Max is making a real effort to go in the potty. Since there is obviously no pressure on Lily to actually go in a potty, it has been easier for me to let go of some of the pressure I have been putting on Max as well. He has been spending part of each day in big-boy- pants and has had reasonable success in those. When things get really busy though, he is still in a diaper. There is a coveted yo-yo ball waiting for him atop the fridge for his first poop on the potty.

And just so you don't think I am certifiable, my goal with Lily is not to get her into panties before a year. I figure it is a few less diapers to wash and will keep her in touch with her body's signals of when she needs to eliminate. That is what this is all about. Most days we have caught 2-8 pees and 1-2 poops. she still goes in her diaper, and I would not expect her to hold it until I got her to a bathroom. But it is much easier to keep her dry and happy this way. It really hasn't taken any extra time, either. I have to change her diaper anyway...

After checking out a book from the library on Elimination Communication (The Diaper Free Baby) I realized that I have done this to some extent with most of my kids, I just didn't start this early. Usually I would introduce a potty chair shortly after a year old and put the child on it upon morning waking, before or after baths, or when Jay or I would go. Within a few months they all seemed to get the basic idea and most of them were fully trained by age 2. (Max was obviously an exception to this, but then there is always an exception to the rule, isn't there?)

But and 8 month old? This is completely new territory for me, but we are enjoying it all the same.

It began with mozzarella

2008-06-03T21:33:00.000-07:00

When I was pregnant with Paisley, I craved mozzarella sticks from Denny's all the time. As we drove away from her graduation, we stopped at Denny's again and had a nice round of them with Posy and Ben and I thought, how fitting, to finish off Paisley's childhood in a similar way to how it began, with mozzarella sticks.

The busyness of the last few months has kept me from really focusing on the hugeness of the changes that are afoot. There has been the usual Spring craziness of Lent and Easter, and there has been the rush to finish up college and financial aid applications and a little bit of surliness left to assert who is an adult and who is not. I kept getting a glimpse of what I was going to have to face - that my oldest child is... nah, I can't say it yet - I haven't had time to process any of what was going on.

Last Wednesday was the Baccalaureate mass for her class. They have been together to celebrate mass over the last few years so many times and now this was it for them. They left with a song about praying for each other and it left me wondering what things will be like for each of them when they come back for a reunion ten years from now. That mass was very special and showed me that all that sacrifice for tuition was well worth it. (When asked, Paisley's take on it was that it was cheesy and lame, but I think it meant more to her than she was willing to say.) At one point I got all teary eyed and worried that I might become a quivering puddle of tears, but Jay's mom fixed that by leaning over and whispering that one of the girls looked trashy. That was it, my tears were gone as I stifled a laugh.

Then Thursday was the graduation. It was hot in the church and the speeches were hard to hear, but it was amazing to seem my little girl, a high school student no more. Just that morning she had attended her Freshman Orientation for college. She graciously posed for pictures afterwards and then went off with her friends. I felt so happy for her, but so sad that my little girl was... nah, I still can't say it.

I am grappling with the reality that one of my children is moving on to the next stage of life. Just when I was kind of getting the hang of having teenagers, THIS comes along. I remember being pregnant with her. It seemed like that first pregnancy would last a lifetime, I just couldn't really imagine having a real baby to care for all the time. It was a totally alien experience and I wouldn't know what it was about until I was there. Now here I am at the bridge to adulthood for her, feeling the same way. I can't even imagine what it might be like to have one of my children grown, no longer under my roof. I know I will be her mother forever, and my job as a meddling, annoying, bossy, parent is still in full force, but it seems there has been another umbilical cord to sever. And it hurts.

This time is full of joy and tragedy, pain and excitement all at once. I am sure there will be more to discover as the summer moves on.

Cinderella Before the Ball

2008-05-29T08:25:00.001-07:00

Whenever we have an event to go to, I always feel like Cinderella before the ball. There are a million things to be done and I need to get everyone else presentable first. By the time I am done with that I run into the bathroom and finally get a look at myself.

I look like the ugly stepsisters ripped me apart.

My hair is mussed up, I have graham cracker goobers and snot all over my shirt, and there is very little left of whatever makeup I managed to put on in the morning. Oh, and I stink too by this time. Sigh.

So I start trying to piece myself together as fast as I can. A quick spritz with body spray and new deodorant, clean clothes, touch up the makeup, my hair will just have to get re-pony-tailed. I have this fantasy of getting to actually style my hair one of these days But it only happens every couple of months or so. By this time the natives are getting restless and I need to make a run for it. I head out the door one more time looking like somebody's mommy who threw herself together, which is entirely true.

Glamour is something that comes with a Fairy Godmother I suppose. (And not having to get a bunch of kids ready as well.)

Laundry Nightmare

2008-05-28T08:44:00.000-07:00

Laundry is just be bane of my existence. The sorting and washing is not so bad, but I can NOT keep up with the folding right now. Lily wants me to be in sight of her at all times and I just can't find the time to keep up with the folding of what I have washed.

After folding about half of what I needed to get done last night I gave up and made dinner. Time was running out on a busy evening and dinner held priority. The uniforms were clean so that was all that really mattered.

Last night, after falling into bed completely exhausted, I had a laundry dream. My entire house was covered in piles of laundry. Huge piles. There was even one on my stair well that was easily 15 feet high. You couldn't step anywhere in the house without stepping on a laundry pile. So I thought to myself (in my dream) "I'll just really have to stuff the washer full."

Now I have been trying to wash slightly smaller loads since pant legs always get all tangled in my front loader (Whirlpool Duet, how I love thee...) but this was a laundry emergency. It could only happen in a dream, but I got ALL that laundry done in two loads. Thank goodness I woke up before I had to fold it all!

Spic and Span: Step 1

2008-05-22T10:43:00.000-07:00

The house is on the market again. Last year we put it on the market and set the listing to expire two weeks before my due date with Lily. That turned out to be a good thing since she was born just a couple days after the listing expired.

So this year we will list it again in hopes of moving closer to school and church since we are forever driving there anyway.

In spite of the fact that no one is looking at this point, we still need to keep the house ready to be looked at, and I admit it, I like having the house clean. It is a more peaceful place when thing are done and reasonably picked up.

My morning routine now needs to include three things:
Getting the kitchen clean
Getting the laundry under control
Tidying up the upstairs (bedrooms)

Each day I will check in and let you know if Step 1 is done. No computer or email until it is. Maybe that will keep me in line.

Baby Numbers

2008-05-18T12:16:00.002-07:00

How long have I actually nursed?
Paisley 20 mon
James 33 mon (actually 36 months but was tandem for the last three mon)
Posy 27 mon (actually 48 mon but tandem from 27 mon to 4 yrs)
Ben 33 mon
Tessa 28 mon (I think…)
Max 22 mon
Lily 8 mon and counting

For a grand total of 171 months or 14 years and 3 months.
That is a loooong time!

I also figured out that if you throw in being pregnant in with that I have NOT been either pregnant or nursing for somewhere between 7 and 10 months of our marriage. We will be married for 18 years this July.

CHOMP

2008-04-23T12:24:00.000-07:00

Guess who got a tooth a few days ago?
Guess who appears to be getting another one?

Lily Goes Vertical!

2008-04-15T12:54:00.000-07:00

Lily is growing and developing by leaps and bounds, she has recently begun to crawl and pulling up has followed closely behind it.

Just today she mastered pulling up all on her own:

Step one - find something low to reach up to.

Step two - Once your hands are up off the floor, straighten your legs.

Step three - Look around for where to go next.

Step four - Go for it, you're almost walking now!

So not only is she pulling up, but she is already, as you can see, trying to cruise furniture.

Then... if that wasn't enough, she achieved another balance milestone tonight. She hates crawling on the tile, and will usually just cry when she gets to the edge of the carpet. But tonight she REALLY wanted to get to me, and I was about four feet beyond the edge of the carpet, so very carefully and very slowly she crawled on her hands and FEET. She had to set her knees down a couple of times to get her balance but she only did it when she had no other way to keep moving.

Tooth Fairy Scam

2008-04-11T12:57:00.000-07:00

Tessa lost her first tooth a couple days ago. She was so excited, she actually pulled it out herself! We got it all ready in an envelope and put it under her pillow, but a few minutes later she came to me and said, "I want to take it to school for show and tell before I give it to the tooth fairy." So I said okay, and told her to go put it in her backpack.

Then last night, she did put it under her pillow. I didn't remember it was there and apparently my husband didn't either, so when she woke up and checked, she was just destroyed. The tooth fairy hadn't come.

So Jay went and got a couple of dollars and went to go help her look for it and see if maybe the Tooth Fairy had just left the tooth, since it was her first tooth and all, she might want to keep it. He reached behind her bed and pulled out the $2 and said, "Oh, here it is!"

Tessa replied, "No, that is just the money I took out of my piggy bank."

So he had to leave her with the $2 and we have to try this ALL OVER AGAIN tonight. (Drat! Why do we never have any cash around here?)

That Tooth Fairy, she is a busy gal! Sometimes it can take a few days before she picks up your tooth!

Little stinker! She is going to get paid twice!

Posy's Family Poetry Assignment

2008-04-09T13:00:00.001-07:00

Biography

Lily
Small, smiley, cute, wanting to move around
Loves our cat and dog, mirrors, and Peek-a-boo
Who needs to learn to swallow baby food
Who fears not seeing mama
Who wishes she could crawl.

Max
Ambivalence, hungry, loud, energetic
Loves Thomas the tank engine, show-tunes and the outdoors
Who needs to potty train
Who fears diaper rashes
Who wishes he could go on an adventure with the Little Einsteins.

Tessa
Pink, silly, curly haired, all girl
Loves to read, sing, color, and play the violin
Who thinks she needs more books and craft supplies
Who fears being alone in a room at night
Who wishes she was a princess.

Ben
Ticklish, stick-thin, creative, funny
Loves fish sandwiches, the wii, and comedy
Who needs to gain weight, and stop procrastinating
Who fears being tickled
Who wishes he could be a snack-a-tarian.

Character

I am a family photo;
With faces big and small.
A smile. A blink. A "not ready" face.
I sit in your house, un-looked at, untouched.
Dust is collecting on my broken frame.

Haiku

The sky grows darker.
Both laughter and sorrow fades.
The family sleeps.

Field Trip

2008-04-04T13:02:00.001-07:00

Today was a lovely day for a field trip. I dropped Max off with his Nina (Godmother) and Lily and I went to join Tessa's kindergarten class at the science center.

But a simple trip is never nearly as easy as it sounds. Halfway there I realized that I had no cash and was going to have to park downtown. I called Jay, the Human Map of Phoenix and asked him where the nearest bank was. Money, check. On to the parking garage.

We drive a large vehicle. A very large vehicle. We drive a Ford 15 passenger van (with the back bench taken out to make room for multitudes of stuff) and it is very tall. I am not sure how tall, but I know that I have squeezed into parking garages that said 6 feet 10 inches and have hit the bar in ones that say 6 feet 6 inches. I have been to the Science Center many, many times. They have a nice parking garage that the van fits in and, when you get your ticket validated at the science center, it only cost $1 to park. Not too bad! But today when I pulled in to park in that garage, the bar said 6 feet 6 inches. WHY ON EARTH would they lower the allowed car height? I know my van can fit in there, but now it won't fit under their stupid bar at the entrance.

This is the SECOND time this has happened to me this year. Just a few weeks ago I had to take Max to a specialist appointment at Phoenix Children's Hospital. I have parked in their garage a dozen times at least but they had changed their allowed height and put a bar in the entrance that measured 6 feet 6 inches. In fact, that is where I learned that I couldn't fit under it. Shh, don't tell. At Phoenix Children's Hospital though, there is NO OTHER PATIENT PARKING. None. Zip... well, except for handicapped. I looked and looked for a place to legally park and could not find anything that did not have either a handicapped sign or say "Reserved for Dr So-and-so". So I parked in Dr So-and-so's space and hoped that I didn't get towed. What is a girl to do when there is NO OTHER PARKING?

Anyway, back to today. I couldn't park in the Science center parking garage so I had to go across the street and park (for TEN dollars!) in the Civic Plaza garage. Whatever. We made it in on piece and got to take part in the field trip.

We used to be members of the Science Center, but now I remember why we are not any more. First they charge you either membership or entrance fee. No problem (except that it is super expensive!) but then they have taken up huge chunks of their floor and exhibit space for special features that you have to pay extra for. So even if you are a member you will have to fork over a whole 'nother wad of cash to get access to the few exhibits that have not already been there for more than ten years. To me it sounds like a bit of a r-i-p o-f-f. Take floor space away from the membership paying public and put it all towards events that their membership doesn't cover access to. I was actually thinking that we should renew our membership just the other day so that I could take Max there more often. We won't be doing that. They took away the little children's area to put in... you guessed it, a paid exhibit.

But the field trip itself was lovely. The kindergarteners had their sixth grade buddies with them (so Tessa really didn't spend much time with me, but she wanted me there anyway) and they got to see an Imax movie as well. I kind of got to watch it, I saw the parts that I could see when Lily wasn't grabbing the 3-D glasses off my face. Then we all went to the park for lunch. A bit of an adventure, but a lovely day nonetheless!

Clean Dirt

2008-03-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

We found Max yesterday in the backyard squirting a bottle of hand sanitizer onto the dirt. He had already gone through half the bottle. When asked what he was doing, he replied:

"My ground is dirty! Someone spit on it!"

Received in the Mail Today:

2008-03-18T13:05:00.000-07:00

And envelope that read "FREE Pre-Paid Cremation!"

Makes you wonder...

Lily 6 Month Update

2008-03-17T13:08:00.000-07:00

Stats:
Height: 24.5 in (20%)
Weight: 14lbs, 14oz (25%)
Head 16.5 in (50%)

I can't believe six months is already here. Lily is doing well, although we have the beginnings of anyone-but-mom-is-the-devil. She still has kind of a needy temperament, but if I carry her a lot she is happy and super sweet.

She smiles all the time and her smiles are changing over the last few days to be more like a regular smile instead of the wide open mouthed baby smile.

She can sit for a couple of minutes on her own and is starting to get up on all fours a bit. She would probably do it more if she ever let us put her down! She is just starting to get the idea that she can move her body to get something she wants, but doesn't yet know how to coordinate all those movements. She loves the bath and will kick and splash and laugh all the way through it. She loves to give big open mouthed kisses and playing with her toes.

Don't hate me, but she is back to sleeping almost through the night. I think it is mostly because naps are so hard to come by. She can't nap if we are out and about unless she is in the car. She really needs to be at home in her own bed or swing to get a decent nap. She still loves to be swaddled for sleeping, but she can sometimes escape the miracle blanket by morning. She doesn't love the car, but doesn't hate it anymore and no longer needs to be swaddled for car rides.

She has sampled solids (rice cereal) but for now is happy with just playing with spoons while we eat.

James Entertains Lily

2008-03-13T13:16:00.000-07:00

I asked James to watch Lily the other day while I folded some laundry, then I heard him playing guitar and was going to go yell at him to take care of his sister. It turns out he was doing a wonderful job taking care of her! She was spellbound!

I need this...

2008-03-13T13:13:00.000-07:00

...like I need a hole in the head.

Paisley brought home this little cutie the other day. We haven't had the guts to evict her and Tessa and Max have fallen head over heels in love. Little Josie may be a part of the family after all.

Teenagers and the Pope

2008-03-11T13:23:00.000-07:00

As I am cleaning up the house tonight and steaming a little bit on the inside about how stubborn and rude one of my teenagers is, my eyes fall across our new picture of the pope. It occurs to me that he has to put up with a lot of people moaning and whining about the way things are done and what is whose job and so on.

Poor Guy, he definitely needs our prayers.

Random Thoughts on a Monday

2008-03-10T13:42:00.000-07:00

After looking at the calendar this weekend I realized there are no free days left at all until after Easter. I need to find it somewhere inside of me to be super-organized.

Posy is one step ahead of me. I was looking at the giant piles of undone laundry last night while prepping the kids for bed. I told Posy to go and round up a uniform skirt (clean or dirty, it didn't matter) for Tessa, because I knew that Ben had clean uniforms. She informed me that she had made sure there were skirts for Tessa when she put the clothes in the dryer. How many 13 year olds can think ahead like that even for themsleves let alone for someone else.

I made it to the first of four sessions of the parish mission today. Well, I kind of made it. I got there right on time if it was starting at 9:15. But it had started earlier. And it was in the Church instead of St Bridget's Room like it usually is. SO it probably wasn't appropriate for Max to be eating his cheez-its and drinking juice. Oh well, I'll be better prepared tomorrow.

Lily had her first try at playing violin yesterday. She watched all through Tessa and Max's lesson intently, so Dasha put the violin (Max's 1/16th size) against her shoulder to see what her response would be. She immediately turned her head and sucked on it. Okay, so maybe she is not a prodigy. Yet.

We introduced Max to Star Wars. C3PO is now known as Seepah-wee-ah-doh. R2D2 is just plain R2D2.

I have dinner planned up to (but not including)Thursday and I even have all the groceries to make the stuff. Go me!

A Friday in March

2008-03-07T13:45:00.000-08:00

I am going to grab moments as they hit me today and post what I can think of:

The garage is underway! We have been working on it and slowly but surely it is getting almost un-embarrassing. But you don't get pictures until it is done.

I found Max a little while after breakfast eating right out of the cereal bag in his sisters' room.

Thursdays would be a really nice day to have a clone of myself to be in two places at once. Bedtime and picking up Posy from choir (40 minute car trip) happen at the exact same moment. But I really can't think of a day when it would be BAD to have another one of me around. Like today, one of me could hold the baby while the other one does vast quantities of laundry. Then when the baby goes to sleep, that one of me could mop the (sticky, gross) floor.

Lily likes to suck on her toes. I can't think of anything cuter than a baby sucking on their own toes.

While I nursed Lily down for her nap, Max found a Sharpie. 'Nuf said.

I received an email from someone interested in my rosaries!

Just found while cleaning the kitchen: a cup of water with three q-tips soaking in it. It boggles the mind...

Also found: two mostly empty juice boxes put back near-but-not-in where the juice boxes go.

As of 11:30 AM, I have washed two loads of laundry, folded/hung up two loads, tidied the family room, cleaned the kitchen, fed Max lunch, and about a hundred other small jobs not even worth listing. But the list of what I haven't gotten done is still FAR longer. There, the dryer calls!

Garage, not Junkyard.

2008-02-15T13:47:00.000-08:00

The time has come. The time is now.

I MUST stop my house from vomiting into my garage anymore. It's getting ridiculous.

As the toys and clothes continue to multiply and try to take over every square inch of living space, we gather them up in baskets and throw them into the garage and slam the door before they can sneak back in the house.

But it does. It gets back in.

As the Flylady says, "You can't organize clutter."

And how!

So, this is day one. It may take a while, it may take a whole year for all I know. BUt from here on out at least one of Lily's naptimes per day will need to be dedicated to the garage. And here, for posterity is the proof of what it looks like right now:

First: the view directly from my Laundry room door. This is what I see when I go in there to take something out of the freezer... it's enough to freeze the blood.

Swing your eyes to the left a little, still standing in the doorway and your eyes are greeted with this:

Now let your eyes glide to the right from the same spot. I kid you not there really is a ping pong table there. It has stuff under and over it to disguise it. Clever, eh?

Finally, if you continue to actually WALK to the right (be careful about where you step!) you will find this, one small swath of real, live garage floor, as yet untainted by our crud.

So now you have seen it. You have living proof of what a slob I am. And now I have to either clean it or kill you for having seen it. Hmmmm..... let me think about that one.

I have been slacking off!

2008-02-14T13:48:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted here in a bit... I have been busy sending all my posting energy over to CottonBabies and the blog over there, where I am writing twice a week. In the mean time my own blog has been gathering cobwebs. But since I have a readership of like two people, I figured it wouldn't make too much a difference. (Hi Tiffany!)

In the mean time we have been going through the Great Illness Influx of 2008. It seems like every 3 or 4 years we have a string of illnesses that seems to stick around for months. There hasn't been a week yet in 2008 when I didn't keep at least one kid home from school one day. First there was a nasty stomach virus that took out Max, Posy, Ben, Me, and Jay. Then there was the Real Flu, that awful respiratory stuff that lasted for over a week. That took out Max, James, and finally hit Posy, leaving her with pneumonia. Then last week Max introduced a new one to the household: Hand, Foot, & Mouth Disease. I am still hoping that Lily doesn't catch it, we are not quite out of the incubation period yet. If we can make ti to Sunday with no one else getting it, I think we can emerge from our self-induced quarantine.

What a Week!

2008-02-01T13:49:00.000-08:00

This week:

Jay was out of town for three days.
Posy had pneumonia, and missed the whole school week, poor baby was so sick!
I spent 9, count them NINE hours on the phone with tech support trying to fix a very stupid problem on my computer. Thank the Lord it is FIXED!
Today I get a new grown up adventure, something I have never tried before: getting my car emissions tested with baby and toddler in tow. I am waiting for Lily to get sleepy so she will hopefully snooze through the whole thing.

This was a good week to practice being thankful for things in my life.

Because you want to be...

2008-01-27T13:50:00.000-08:00

Saturday I had a chance to wander around a book store, something I hadn't done in a while. While there a book caught my eye, and I had to get it. It summed up the problems with our money so well and at the same time so many other things. "You're Broke Because You Want to Be..."

I haven't finished it yet, but so far it is plain unadulterated common sense, stating that wanting to change is not enough to change. You have to get off your butt and take action. You (ahem, *I*) have to make the changes that start you on the road to what you want. My actions speak louder than my words about what I want, and if I say I want something and yet all my actions are working against that, then what do I really want? What do I really expect?

There are so many ways I need to apply this -

You are only ________ because you want to be:

Fat - wanting to be thin isn't enough, wanting to change my eating habits and exercise won't make me thin. Stopping junk food and getting off my butt might.

Broke - well that is what the book is about. If I want to get out of debt but don't save money, then will I ever get out of debt?

Messy - there are so many jobs I ignore, put off, and let gnaw at my subconscious. What could I do about that?

A Yelling Parent - See all of the above, my frustration and lack of peace leads me to take out my feelings on those around me, my children and myself.

A Substandard Wife - see the Yelling Parent part.

Does it sound like I am getting down on myself? Maybe I am a little, but all I want is to be the kind of person that I would look up to. I think I am much closer to that than I was 10 or even five years ago. But that doesn't mean I should stop working on myself to be a better person. I like me, most of the time anyway. I don't know if this book was worth what I spent on it in full, but sometimes you just have to see the obvious in print in front of your own nose, at least I did. Hopefully I won't forget it again too soon.

So here begins the journey (or continues one abandoned or procrastinated in the past) of connecting my actions to what I really want.

Mom Fantasies

2008-01-20T13:51:00.000-08:00

Being able to walk into a room and sit down on a couch without moving things out of the way first.
Step into the shower without stepping on a Lego
4 hours of sleep IN A ROW
Car seats that buckle themselves

I will post more as I think of them...

Lily 4 Month Update

2008-01-08T13:52:00.000-08:00

Lily's 4 month check up:

12lb 10oz (50%)
23.5 inches long (50%)

Not yet rolling or grabbing things, but very strong. She loves to be in her Jumperoo, and she still loves to be swaddled a lot.

Smells like What?

2007-12-24T14:28:00.000-08:00

This morning we picked up a few groceries from Trader Joes. On the way out I noticed the real evergreen wreaths by the door and said, "Mmm... lets smell the wreaths!"

I took a deep breath and they smelled so lovely and fresh and evergreen-y.

Tessa smelled them, wrinkled up her nose and said incredulously, "They smell like TREES!"

I'm not sure what she was expecting!

2007-12-19T14:29:00.000-08:00

Christmas Greetings from the Groft Zoo! Things are crazy around here as always, but here is a brief update about what we have been up to.

Paisley – A senior at Bourgade this year, she is looking forward to turning 18 in March and moving out to begin living the college life. She is working two jobs right now as well as keeping her grades up. She directs two children’s choirs and is working at a skateboarding shop. In her free time she shops and hangs out with her friends.

James – 15 now and itching to be 16 and drive! He is active in the youth group and continues to make trips a few times a year to help build houses for the poor in Mexico. He plays bass, guitar, and piano as much as he can, and has been performing monthly at an Art Walk downtown.

Posy – Nearly a teenager! She will be 13 in February. Posy loves to help people, she is always at her Nana’s helping her out, and she is invaluable around here. She works very hard in school to keep up her grades. She loves to read and hang out with her friends. She is involved in two choirs, one with her Grandpa and one at our parish.

Ben – 10 years old and always has his nose in a book! He has a wonderful imagination and way with words. He is always a joy to be around. He started band in school this year and is playing the trombone.

Tessa – started Kindergarten this year! She is so grown up and is definitely all Girl! She loves to play dolls and house and has discovered arts & crafts. Her favorite activity right now is coloring. She loves to give her creations to anyone she cares for. She recently began violin lessons.

Max – turns 3 on Christmas Eve. He loves to talk, although his lisp makes him hard to understand sometimes. He is very loving and very much a little homebody. He also began violin lessons with Tessa. We were blessed to find a lovely teacher who is working patiently with both kids.

Lily – the newest Groftling. Lily is now 3 months old, she was born on September 14, delivered by her daddy because the midwife hadn’t yet arrived! Thankfully the midwife arrived only a few moments later. She is a beautiful baby who loves to be swaddled and snuggled. Her siblings all adore her.

Jay & Jenni – Jay is working hard testing tanks and every spare moment Is taken up by singing. He is putting together a CD and hopes to have it out early in 2008! Jenni stays home with the kids and tries to keep the peace and keep the house from being condemned. She sews, scrapbooks, and reads when she can but those times come seldom with a tiny baby in the house.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you! May you be blessed and safe in the coming months!

Lily @ 2 months

2007-11-25T14:31:00.000-08:00

At 2 months:

10lbs, 14oz

22 inches long

15.5in head circumference

50% all around.

One of THOSE Kind of Days

2007-11-14T14:34:00.000-08:00

toddler who can't say anything without whining, won't let me change his diaper (in spite of diaper rash)
baby who will not be put down without crying (even in the swing!)
house that looks like it exploded

Need I say more?

Am I justified in ordering pizza for dinner yet?

Amazing!

2007-11-14T14:32:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday, while we were waiting for mass to begin, Max was watching the violinist warm up. So I let him go out into the aisle to watch her a little closer. She motioned to him to come and touch her violin.

He walked over, ever so tentatively, and touched it. Then she handed him the bow and showed him how to move it over the strings. While he did that she helped him play "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". He was enchanted! Then she looked up to me and said, "I have started children as young as two and a half before."

Well, I thought, we can't just pass on an opportunity like this! This past summer I had started trying to find a Suzuki teacher for Max and Tessa but they were all too far away so I gave up. This nice lady may not be a Suzuki teacher, but I figured she had experience with very small children. So Jay and I talked and decided that we would do whatever it took to get the kids into lessons with her.

I called her last night. I am so amazed at how blessed we are.

She will start them this Saturday.
She will come to OUR HOUSE to teach them.

AND... (drumroll please) she is certified in the Suzuki method.

I am totally doing the happy dance!

So what did YOU do today?

2007-11-05T14:35:00.000-08:00

Since I feel like I am spending way too much time doing NOTHING (AKA sitting on the couch nursing, walking the baby, etc... although those DO count as work!) I decided to keep a list today of the things I did get done.

Yes I just need to feel like a productive individual today. Yesterday was a rough one, Lily cried through mass (Sunday evening) after fussing all afternoon. I had Jay pick up dinner on the way home because I as starving (hadn't eaten any lunch since I had been juggling said baby all day), then he held her while I ate, and then he cleaned up dinner and the kitchen and got the rest of the kids ready for bed... while I juggled Miss Fuss some more, then he gave me a backrub. ;) All this after he had sung three masses and worked about 2 hours on his CD.

So by 12:30pm this is what I had done today -

Got up/ got kids up/got ready for the day
made cream of wheat
did Tessa's hair
took kids to school
changed diapers - 5 so far
nursed Lily - 6 so far
collected empty hangers - 3 bedrooms
brought down laundry
loads washed - 2
loads folded/hung - 2(saturday's laundry)
cleaned (disgusting!) sliding glass door
got Max and Lily dressed
cleaned sink in downstairs bath
made bed
load/start dishwasher, wiped counters
took kids for short walk (when will it not be hot?)
heated soup, ate lunch
read a book to Max
put littles down for naps

I guess I do get a few things done.

The Swing (AKA Neglect-o-Matic)

2007-10-31T14:36:00.000-07:00

With other babies, when I had a swing (which was not even with every baby) it was in use for 15-30 minutes a day.

Lily is in LOVE with the thing. Last night she screamed and screamed and nothing we did made any difference... until we put her in the swing. Then she let out a big sigh, turned her head and went right to sleep. And she just did the same thing this morning. I feel like I am leaving her in there too much, I feel like I am depending on the swing too much, I feel like I am holding her too little.

Guilt just comes at us from all sides when parenting, doesn't it? Holding too much, holding too little; feeding too much, feeding too little; sleeping too much, sleeping to little; not doing enough of this, doing too much of that... on and on it goes.

But she is sleeping and that is a good thing, right?

(And how can she love the swing and the car? I don't get THAT at all!)

I feel so, I don't know... un-AP right now.

(Not that I feel like I have to fit under certain AP guidelines, but I have always been a baby-wearing, snuggly type of mom. This is a puzzle to me.)

I do worry that she should learn how to sleep on a flat, non-moving surface, but maybe that just needs to wait until after this fussy stage is past.

Ah parenthood. Just when you figure it out they change all the rules on you! :)

Lily's Baptism

2007-10-07T14:38:00.000-07:00

Lily in the dress Tess and Posy wore

Lily was baptized at the TV mass today! She did beautifully. We are very grateful to have our friends Steve and Ann O. as her Godparents.

Lily's Birth Story, the Long and Short of it

2007-09-26T14:43:00.000-07:00

I guess things really began at my 38 week appointment on September 12. My midwife stripped my membranes and said I was dilated to 4 and about 75% effaced. After that appointment, I spotted the rest of the day and my contractions changed in character and never really went back. They were neither regular nor very strong, but they were more painful and just felt different. Knowing I could still be in for a week or more, I went home and went about my usual business.

That night I woke up about 1am with strong contractions that I couldn’t sleep through anymore. They weren’t terribly regular, ranging from 7 minutes apart to as close as 2 minutes apart. At around 2am I woke Jay up and we called the midwife. Jay set up the pool and we got all ready for the birth. When my midwife arrived around 2:45, I was only dilated to 5, and realized we could be in for a long ride. My contractions would stay regular and close as long as I moved around, but when I stopped they would space out again often as far as 15 minutes apart. This is exactly what happened with Max’s birth. I was really disappointed. I knew I could keep my labor going strong if I squatted through contractions and walked non-stop, but that would also really wear me out for the pushing phase and for the recovery period. So I made the conscious choice to just let things die down. I lay down on the couch and dozed in between contractions, trying to take this time to just rest up and save my energy for the upcoming birth. My midwife went home between 6 and 7am.

The kids got up around 6am to get ready for school and were all excited to see the pool all set up and everything ready. I told them not to tell anyone at school what was going on because I didn’t want people to be calling and checking in on us. Jay and I rested as much as we could on Thursday, knowing we could have a long night ahead of us again, at least if we were following in the trend of Max’s birth. All day long I had strong, painful but not regular contractions.

Thursday we crawled into bed around 9:00 and watched some TV. Jay fell asleep, but I continued to watch until about 10. At 10 I turned off the TV and tried to go to sleep, but almost immediately realized the contractions were stronger. I lay in bed and tried to relax again, but found myself really having to concentrate to breathe through the contractions. At 11 I woke Jay up and asked him to time them. After timing the contractions (average of 3 minutes apart, lasting 60-90 seconds) for a half hour we decided it would be safe to call the midwife again. I dreaded the idea of calling her again for a false alarm or I might have called sooner! But it is a good thing we called when we did!

Jay jumped into a quick shower, and I decided to try a contraction on my hands and knees leaning over the rocking chair. I thought that I should keep moving if I could because I didn’t want the midwife to get there and find out I was only at 5cm still – that was my biggest fear right then. I SHOOK all through that contraction. Jay came out of the bathroom and I told him I needed help to get back on the bed. He helped me get back on the bed and as soon as I lay down another contraction began and my water bag popped. (This is the first time in all my labors that my water bag broke on its own.)

I felt like I needed to go to the bathroom, but was still reasonably sure it wasn’t the urge to push, but I knew I was close, so Jay helped me down the stairs so we could get near the pool. I wanted to be able to get in as soon as the midwife got there. I tried to go to the bathroom, but nothing happened except for a really miserable, long contraction. So Jay helped me go and lay down on the couch.

Jay had our living room set up so well for the birth. The pool was on top of a tarp in the middle, but since the tarp was so big, he had run it up over the couch as well and covered that up (on the couch) with a quilt. He had towels in strategic spots all around the room and the birth kit was on the other couch already organized.

So I lay down on my left side on the couch, trying to relax as much as possible through the contractions while Jay pulled together a few more details in between breathing with me through contractions. At some point I pushed for just a second or two during a contraction and the pain STOPPED. Pushing felt so much better. At that point I told Jay, “She’s not going to make it!” (meaning the midwife.) He said yes, she will get here and just kept comforting me. After another contraction and a few more little pushes, I felt the baby really move down and told Jay, “No, she REALLY isn’t going to make it – she’s (the baby) is coming NOW.” I was listening so hard to hear the midwife’s car door close outside!

Jay took a look and realized Lily was already starting to crown. He told me that I had better turn over (onto my back) because I couldn’t have her on my side with my legs together. And he got into position to catch her. He coached me through easing her head out while supported my perineum and tried to prevent any tearing. He checked for the cord once her head was out and, not feeling it there, asked me if I wanted to finish pushing her out. I said yes, and in a couple more pushes her shoulders and body slid out and he put her up on my stomach. He reached behind him and grabbed one of his strategically placed towels and began to massage her and cover her up. She really didn’t cry, but pinked up right away.

I told him to go check the time, it was 12:05am. Then there was a knock at the door. Jay answered it and told the midwife, “You missed her!” She laughed and said everyone says that. Then she saw me on the couch with the baby and realized he really meant it! So she was still there in time to assess the baby and deal with the placenta and all that.

Lily was smaller than my last three babies by more than a pound. 7lbs, 5oz, and only 19 inches long. She is a little peanut. I had no tearing and no complications. Our rented birth pool went unused.

Lily's Newborn PIctures

2007-09-26T14:39:00.000-07:00

Taken by a special friend with an amazing talent for pictures. (Thank you Kathi!!!)

She's Here!

2007-09-15T14:46:00.000-07:00

Lily Cecilia was born Fri, Sept 14 at 12:05AM. She weighed 7lbs, 5oz and was 19 in long. She was delivered by her daddy, as the midwife had not yet arrived! Full birth story to follow soon!

Where Did Max Go?

2007-08-28T14:47:00.000-07:00

The evil twin is here, but Max is nowhere to be found. My previous Max, who threw fits a couple times a week has spent so much time screaming this morning that by the time we left for school (7am) his voice was already scratchy and hoarse. Not that it stopped him from continuing to scream.

He is a little happier now, we are home and the TV is on... Bella Dancerella is playing while he flies Buzz Lightyear off the ballet barre. Whatever works at this point!

Update: He also spent some very happy minutes emptying Tessa's dresser and taking all the drawers out.

More Reasons to Avoid Walmart

2007-08-27T14:48:00.000-07:00

... as if I needed more reasons.

One of the things on my list today was razor refills for James (Yes, he shaves now!) so, obviously I go to the aisle labeled SHAVING that has a lot of shaving equipment in it. I hunt high and low, there are a million kinds of disposable razors, plug-in electric razors, but no refills for standard razors. I shop around a bit and return to the aisle thinking that I MUST have missed it, since there is NO OTHER AREA IN THE STORE LABELED "SHAVING".

But luckily there was an employee there stocking the shelves and I asked her where the Fusion Razor refill might be.

"Oh, those are in checkout aisle 15."

DUH. Why not?

Another thing on the list was a flashlight. There are NO flashlights in the tool section, or even in the lightbulb or lamp section. Luckily, I figured this one out on my own. ALL flashlights are in the CAMPING section. I was so proud of myself for deciphering the Wal-mart Code of Hiding Merchandise on this one.

My Shopping Cart Story

2007-08-10T14:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had to run to the grocery store to deposit a check at the bank and pick up some dinner. When I arrived the parking lot was littered with carts (no corrals right now the lot is under construction) but I wasn't about to grab a cart from outside lest I burn my hands. (AZ sun...)

So I walked into the store... NO CARTS ANYWHERE. Humph, fine, I will get my bare minimum stuff and go. I got toothpaste, mac-n-cheese, and smoked sausage. I did NOT get the watermelon that was calling my name because there was no way I could carry it out to the car - or even to the checkstand - without hurting my hugely pregnant self.

I took my stuff up. The cashier, who was about 12 years old, I swear, brightly asked, "Did you find everything you need?" I said, "sure, except for CARTS. You might want to call for someone to do a round up."

Her (vapid, vacant) response?

"Oh yeah. The guy who was supposed to get the carts didn't come in today so we are all trying to figure out what to do about it."

Um, how about send someone ELSE out to get the carts????

(Just so you know, they were not understaffed. There were several checkstands open and several people stocking shelves around the store, some of whom were actually just standing around.)

Oh well, it is my least favorite grocery store anyway.

No Paparazzi, Please!

2007-08-09T14:51:00.000-07:00

Max was looking all cute and clean this morning, so I thought I would take (or try to) a REAL picture of him... like a portrait. Ha. He didn't think so:

But in the end - after letting him take pictures of me - I got some lovely little pictures. :)

Mission accomplished!!!

Some Days are Like That

2007-07-19T14:52:00.000-07:00

Picture this:

What you hear: *splat* *crash* *wahhhhh*

What you smell: chocolate

What you see: 2 year old who has vomited the m&m's he stole this morning (splat), stepped in it, slipped and fallen into it (crash, wahh), rolled over and is trying to navigate out of the vomit (which he is now covered in head to toe) while crying hysterically.

What you realize: the washing machine is beeping because it is *again* malfunctioning.

How hot is HOT?

2007-07-17T14:53:00.000-07:00

Tessa started swimming lessons, which involves me sitting out in the heat for about 40 minutes (in the shade!) But by the time I get home, or if I go anywhere else during the day, I have to lay down and recover for almost an hour just to feel normal (not puky and dizzy) and relatively cool again.

I loathe the thought of leaving the house! Even to go swimming, because it involves getting into the hot car and driving someplace. Even if that place is cool, I still have to get back in the hot car and drive myself home. ARGH!

And I can't even complain to my husband, because he works out in the heat ALL DAY LONG. (Of course he isn't 8 years pregnant right now... but still!)

HOW WILL I SURVIVE 10 MORE WEEKS???

The high tomorrow is supposed to be 112, which is down from where is has been since the humidity is starting to go up a bit. (We did have a lovely monsoon storm last night, but it only made it yuckier today.) I was watching the news while it was raining and they reported that the pavement was SO HOT that the rain wasn't sticking. It was drying as soon as it hit. Now that only lasted for about 10 minutes, but STILL! That is REALLY HOT!

28 week appointment

2007-07-04T14:54:00.000-07:00

Good news all around!
Lily is head down, I passed my GTT with flying colors (88), am only mildly anemic, weight up 20 from start which is more than I would like but oh well. Measuring 2cm bigger than weeks...

Next appt in three weeks then down to two week intervals!

Now I just need my house to sell!!!!!

Avoiding Gossip

2007-07-01T14:55:00.000-07:00

Someone on the NFP board posted this, I thought it was good enough to keep around.

Closed lips: 10 ways to avoid gossiping
1. Be positive: When a person talks about the moral failings of another person, think of something positive to say about that person.
2. Look before you leap: Carefully consider your words before you speak.
3. Avoid idle banter: Ask yourself, "What are we accomplishing by this conversation?" and don't chime in.
4. Beware of the "News Flash": Don't let juicy news eat you up. Just bite your lip and prayerfully challenge yourself to be strong in resisting the temptation to gossip.
5. Question the source: When you hear something that sounds unreasonable, say so.
6. Change the subject: Find a reasonable way to steer the conversation to something edifying.
7. Avoid gossips: If you know a person has a propensity to gossip, avoid that person or suggest he or she thinks about the harm he or she is causing others.
8. Give people the benefit of the doubt: Go out of your way to think the best of others.
9. Turn to prayer: Suggest that those gossiping about someone turn their attention to praying for the other person, rather than just talking about them.
10. The buck stops here: When you hear gossip, make a commitment not to spread it.

Call me Old Fashoined...

2007-06-27T14:56:00.000-07:00

but when I (a very round pregnant woman with several small children in tow) walk into a hardware store, I want a kindly gentleman to meet me right away, so I can dump the broken pieces of *whatever it is* into his hands and say, "I need the stuff to fix *this*." Then he shows me where it is, I buy it and bring it home to figure it out or let Jay figure it out.

Hardware stores are categorized like men's minds, not women's. I can never find a darn thing no matter how many signs are up.

Now Target on the other hand fits my brain just perfectly and I can whizz through in a flash and get everything that Jay couldn't find.

Walmart, however, is completely random and annoying.

"Eeew Gyoss" says Max

2007-06-26T17:02:00.000-07:00

Great. The kids just re-informed me that we have ants. And Max’s popsicle (his breakfast) seems to have gone AWOL. Probably melting between couch cushions. I have to take Paisley to stupid-overpriced-Duke for her yearbook photo today. Hell will freeze over before I buy actual pictures from them – even if I can *SAVE $340* on a graduation package. Give me a freaking break. You know what I need? I mean besides to really mop my floor and find the popsicle? I need some peanut butter m&m’s and some Hansens soda. But why can’t those be sold at the same store? Noooooo I have to go to two separate stores just to get a flippin’ junk food fix. Sorry, I will get off of my unfounded persecution complex now.

While I have been typing this, Posy decided to kill the ants by spraying them with air freshener. At least it smells better than Raid.

I Finally Realized...

2007-06-26T14:58:00.000-07:00

why I can't remember ANYTHING.

It's because there are just too many things to remember:
-the last time my toddler pooped
-each child's birthday, age, height and weight (stupid insurance forms!)
-when each of my two kids with jobs works next, what time they get off and what their weekend plans are.
-what my husband is up to and needs me to do
-the activities of every other child around here
-who walked at what age and when they cut their first tooth, etc.
-does the car need gas?
-the chores I need to do most importantly
-whose birthday is coming up next, including friends and extended family
-etc.

And sometimes I even need to remember that I, too, need to use the bathroom on occasion. And THAT, folks, is why things slip through the in my addled brain. My brain has so much thrown at it that it often can't decide what the important bits of information are. So when I forgot the other day to take Ben to his friend' slumber party until two hours later and got home from finally delivering him there to find my 17 year old daughter incensed at me because she was supposed to be at work RIGHT THEN (5pm) instead of at 7pm like the idea had somehow pegged itself in my mind... is it really all my fault?

27 Weeks

2007-06-26T14:57:00.000-07:00

Well, 27 weeks tomorrow - only *92* days until my due date!