Today is Valentine's day. I almost let it go by without acknowledging it. I just did not want to do all the extra stuff that I normally do, knowing that its sorta not appreciated by my family as much as I'd like them to. You know, they don't oooh and ahh over it the way say, a little girl would. I'm not sad about that, just sorta not into my holidays as I used to be. Heck. I didn't even decorate for Valentine's Day this year. I used to love to decorate for most holidays, obviously Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, Spring, Summer, Fall and Thanksgiving. I own trinkets and decoration for each. I however, am thinking of retiring them. But that's another topic for another day.
I didn't want to do Valentine's this year, simply cause well, I'm lazy (and its not appreciated). I'm not talking about plans with Scott, we already had a fun dinner out LAST night to celebrate and it was divine. It was only the second time we've been out without kids since J has been born. So any way, I felt like I needed to shower my kiddos with Valentine's Day activities that I always dreamed I would do for my kids and I ended up loving it.
This is what we've done:
-Wrote on paper hearts things we love and posted them up on the door. (this was Janet's idea).
-I made pink pancakes and even spelled out I *heart* U with the pink batter. I'm too cute that way.
-Gave little trinkets to the boys. (Monster Trucks, how romantic).
-Read love themed books. (3 of them to be exact).
-Made heart shaped cookies complete with icing. (this one was partially for me, cause I'm craving some sweets;)
-Gave them pink juice with lunch. I almost made them heart shaped sandwiches, but I forgot last minute. But the intention was there right?
While Q was sorta not really helping me with the cookies he said to me "Mom, thanks so much for Valentine's Day. I really like the monster trucks and the pancakes." It blew me out of the water because, I hate to admit it, but my boys aren't very grateful when it comes to getting gifts or me doing anything special for them. Him thanking me was a gift.
B has an awful cold and is quite miserable today, but we've had some lovely bonding time with the T.V. between him screaming for a tissue "I HAVE A BOOGIE!!!!!", and demanding the lights be turned off. For some reason his eyes hurt?
Scott took them shopping for me to get me gifts last week and this is what I got:
-A magnetic note pad for the fridge.
-A marshmallow Peep that is shaped in an I *heart* U.
-A necklace glow stick
-Another marshmallow peep
So funny. Q said to me, "You always wanted a necklace glow stick didn't you mom!" Ha.
It turned out pretty nice, this Valentine's thing. And despite my lazy self, it was worth the effort to make my little boys feel loved.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
A Great Reminder
I often get frustrated with the fact that I'm not organized and cannot keep up with housework and all that cleany/neat/orderly stuff. I have gotten better, but there's still so much to work on.
I recently decided that my kids are almost out of control and I need to do something about it. We have started praying for direction and I'm reading a book I swore I'd never read. (I have never read any parenting books or baby books or anything that was going to tell me what to do. You know, since I don't like being told what to do and all. Ha!)
But anyway. As if to confirm my decision to kinda stop focusing on all the organization stuff I WANT to do and focus on my kids, a friend of mine sent me this link.
It just happens to be one of the sites I love for a quick devo.
What a great reminder to stop focusing on the minute things of today and focus on what is unseen and eternal. Just what I needed to hear. I love how she writes about housework is seen, and my kids upbringing is eternal...
Also, when I get so focused on the today, like J's flat head, I tend to ignore the eternal "unseen" things. Like, my Savior's love for J, and the gift that he is, flat head and all.
I recently decided that my kids are almost out of control and I need to do something about it. We have started praying for direction and I'm reading a book I swore I'd never read. (I have never read any parenting books or baby books or anything that was going to tell me what to do. You know, since I don't like being told what to do and all. Ha!)
But anyway. As if to confirm my decision to kinda stop focusing on all the organization stuff I WANT to do and focus on my kids, a friend of mine sent me this link.
It just happens to be one of the sites I love for a quick devo.
What a great reminder to stop focusing on the minute things of today and focus on what is unseen and eternal. Just what I needed to hear. I love how she writes about housework is seen, and my kids upbringing is eternal...
Also, when I get so focused on the today, like J's flat head, I tend to ignore the eternal "unseen" things. Like, my Savior's love for J, and the gift that he is, flat head and all.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
I'm Obsessed
Today I'm obsessed with a couple of things.
1. J's head. He's got a flat spot on his head and I'm desperately trying to make it not get worse. So I've been holding him every minute he's awake. I think about his flat spot so much, I dream about it. I really don't want him to wear a helmet. So I hold him, and if I'm not, I'm obsessing about the fact that because I'm not holding him, this flat spot is worsening by the second. But I'm also desperate to put him down. Someone told me to put him to sleep on his belly, but this kid hates that and probably would not sleep, so I'm caught. Do I need sleep or a round headed baby?
2. Money. Tax return money and how much I just want to take that money and stinking spend it on what ever we freaking want (like a mini van or a new bathroom or new furniture or something else stupid according to Dave FREAKING Ramsey).
3. My terrible, horrible self-indulgent attitude. We have so much but see#2. I want more. We have so much it actually gets me mad when I trip over the junk we have eccess of. I'm very aware that we (meaning my family) are over-indulged and ungrateful. I'm currently dwelling every other second that I'm not thinking about baby's head, and what I want, about what I can do to be content and to teach my kids to have grateful hearts.
#2 and #3 are a vicous cycle. A battle of the spirit and the flesh, I think.
and now, on to search the internet for some sort of device to unflatten J's head.
1. J's head. He's got a flat spot on his head and I'm desperately trying to make it not get worse. So I've been holding him every minute he's awake. I think about his flat spot so much, I dream about it. I really don't want him to wear a helmet. So I hold him, and if I'm not, I'm obsessing about the fact that because I'm not holding him, this flat spot is worsening by the second. But I'm also desperate to put him down. Someone told me to put him to sleep on his belly, but this kid hates that and probably would not sleep, so I'm caught. Do I need sleep or a round headed baby?
2. Money. Tax return money and how much I just want to take that money and stinking spend it on what ever we freaking want (like a mini van or a new bathroom or new furniture or something else stupid according to Dave FREAKING Ramsey).
3. My terrible, horrible self-indulgent attitude. We have so much but see#2. I want more. We have so much it actually gets me mad when I trip over the junk we have eccess of. I'm very aware that we (meaning my family) are over-indulged and ungrateful. I'm currently dwelling every other second that I'm not thinking about baby's head, and what I want, about what I can do to be content and to teach my kids to have grateful hearts.
#2 and #3 are a vicous cycle. A battle of the spirit and the flesh, I think.
and now, on to search the internet for some sort of device to unflatten J's head.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
I Want to Listen to His Brain
Lately, B has been coming over to me while I nurse J and asks to "Listen to his brain." Ok? So then B puts his ear on J's little head and 'listens' for a minute. "Sounds good Mom." Ok. Good to know.
B is a funny duck. He thinks he's funny too. I however, do not appreciate his humor at times. Lately, he likes to call things and people "poo poo". For example, "Hey poo poo, I want some milk." "Oh its a poo poo." The inflection on how he says poo poo is strange, and I can't explain it. He is not referring to poo in general, he calls poop something else. He also likes to say poo poo a lot when we ask him to pray. I'm convinced he does this, just to anger me. I used to wash his mouth out when he said this poo poo thing, but it only increased the frequency in which he said it. Now he takes to laughing about it. "A poo poo, a poo poo, a poo poo, ha ha ha." Hmm. My dearest middle child. He also likes to make up songs about poo poo. They have nothing to do with poop. Just poo poo. Have I lost you, poo poo?
A couple of weeks ago, B was jumping on the couch and disobeyed his father's warnings to stop and continued jumping. The jumping ended when he jumped off and smashed his face onto the desk and split open his lip. We went to the E.R. and got in and out within an hour without stitches. It looked totally nasty, but has healed nicely.
B has also taken to ask me to play with him a lot. This didn't used to happen before J was born. I know he's struggling to get attention appropriately. It makes me sad that he may feel neglected or overlooked. I have created a middle child. Poor B'zle. I'm sorry little man.
He has a new obsession with Monster Trucks. Obsession may be an understatement. Both big boys play Monster Trucks all the time now. They have been to a MT Rally and Scott has DVR'd some on the t.v.. So now, not only do they know the trucks names, but the name of their drivers. B wakes up talking about them and goes to sleep talking about them. He demands to take them with him everywhere and demands to take them to bed. Once his collection of monster trucks is complete with him in bed and all is quiet, I hear them one by one drop on the floor randomly through out the night. It never fails by 4 am and all of them have fallen to the floor, I hear him calling me..."Mom! My monster trucks!"
B still has a great appetite and will eat or try most food. Lately, he has taken to eating raw carrots and celery (which do not bode well with his digestive system). He does not prefer sweets like Q does. He will eat a pound of bacon or sausage before eating a cinnamon bun.
I realized the other day, that B and I are a lot alike in personality. You never need to guess how either one of us feels about anything. Our emotions run high and are never masked. We lack patience and often tact. And wow! I do not like these qualities that we share. I must be annoying.
B is a great kid. We went out to dinner a while ago, just him and me. I was blown away by what a sweet and smart kid he is. We sat and had an actual conversation over Olive Garden bread sticks and colored his menu together. So sweet. He's so different one on one. Oh the guilt I feel that he acts out for my attention.
I want to, have to, take more time to 'listen to his brain.'
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Changes
It has been 12 weeks today that J has joined our family. Twelve weeks ago, I was sending Q off to school and waiting for my mom to get here and drive to the hospital to forever change our lives.
Its been a big change. Biggest change-no nap time. I haven't been able to get a nap since leaving the hospital with J. I have seriously fallen off the face of the earth too, I don't have time to myself at all anymore, and don't get to do all the things I used to during the kids nap time, like nap, or talk to friends or anything. I'm still waiting for J to fall into a sleep routine during the day. He often sleeps thru the night, but figuring out daytime naps is a challenge. Maybe I'll get 20-30minutes from him, but I cannot predict it. If my one diligent friend didn't call me every so often to see if I'm among the living, I'd have no contact with the outside world. She is tolerant of me yelling at my kids mid conversation, and provides me with important Facebook status of everyone at church. I'm so thankful she hasn't give up on me, so thanks Janet, if you still read.
I try to get to Bible study and MOPS, but often wonder why. I spend my whole time there trying to keep the J kritter quiet and am often stressed about it.
Another big change for me is getting out of the house. Before J was born, I would almost panic if I didn't have someplace to go everyday. I don't like being couped up, and would go out almost everyday. But now, I almost dread leaving the house. It mainly has to do with the car and getting everyone in it. It makes me sweaty and angry every time. I'm trying not to be a spoiled brat here, but I wish I could video my get in the car routine. It would not be half as bad if it weren't for the snowy tundra around here and winter coats. (dude, I'm really ready for spring as we are expecting another snow fall tonight!). It wouldn't be bad either if B didn't think it was funny to kick me in the face as I buckle him into the back seat, or if he didn't think it was funny to run down the street if I don't carry him to the car.
Another big change for me too, is I actually leave the house to take Q to school without being showered or have makeup on. Yikes. That is huge for me. I'm saying this is only a temporary thing. I really don't like leaving the house feeling so raw and naked (and I'm aware how prideful and vain I seem).
There are many more changes that have come along with J. I just don't have time to write about them cause J is fussing and B needs some attention.
Its been a big change. Biggest change-no nap time. I haven't been able to get a nap since leaving the hospital with J. I have seriously fallen off the face of the earth too, I don't have time to myself at all anymore, and don't get to do all the things I used to during the kids nap time, like nap, or talk to friends or anything. I'm still waiting for J to fall into a sleep routine during the day. He often sleeps thru the night, but figuring out daytime naps is a challenge. Maybe I'll get 20-30minutes from him, but I cannot predict it. If my one diligent friend didn't call me every so often to see if I'm among the living, I'd have no contact with the outside world. She is tolerant of me yelling at my kids mid conversation, and provides me with important Facebook status of everyone at church. I'm so thankful she hasn't give up on me, so thanks Janet, if you still read.
I try to get to Bible study and MOPS, but often wonder why. I spend my whole time there trying to keep the J kritter quiet and am often stressed about it.
Another big change for me is getting out of the house. Before J was born, I would almost panic if I didn't have someplace to go everyday. I don't like being couped up, and would go out almost everyday. But now, I almost dread leaving the house. It mainly has to do with the car and getting everyone in it. It makes me sweaty and angry every time. I'm trying not to be a spoiled brat here, but I wish I could video my get in the car routine. It would not be half as bad if it weren't for the snowy tundra around here and winter coats. (dude, I'm really ready for spring as we are expecting another snow fall tonight!). It wouldn't be bad either if B didn't think it was funny to kick me in the face as I buckle him into the back seat, or if he didn't think it was funny to run down the street if I don't carry him to the car.
Another big change for me too, is I actually leave the house to take Q to school without being showered or have makeup on. Yikes. That is huge for me. I'm saying this is only a temporary thing. I really don't like leaving the house feeling so raw and naked (and I'm aware how prideful and vain I seem).
There are many more changes that have come along with J. I just don't have time to write about them cause J is fussing and B needs some attention.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
What We've Been Up To (in pictures)
Watching the Eagles lose. Getting Big. Smiling. and.....MONSTER JAM!!!!!!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Reflection
I just found a verse that perfectly fits 2010 for me.
1 LORD, you are my God;
I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness
you have done wonderful things,
things planned long ago.
Isaiah 25:1
When I think back to the events of 2010, I am in awe of God's faithfulness.
-Getting pregnant without trying, and having no complications with the pregnancy, and ultimately a perfect, sweet baby boy.
-A new job for Scott that allows him to be home approximately 6 hours more per day.
-Protection from not one but TWO car accidents while pregnant.
-A brush with cancer with an entire boatload of lessons to come with it. Still having my mom here and in good health.
-Having God show me how he has provided for me even more with friends and a church family.
-Seeing HIM in the little things in my day. Tiny things, like B cooperating with me when grocery shopping, knowing only God can make that two year old compliant when I ask HIM for help with him.
-Oodles and oodles more.
God is Good.
Praises!
1 LORD, you are my God;
I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness
you have done wonderful things,
things planned long ago.
Isaiah 25:1
When I think back to the events of 2010, I am in awe of God's faithfulness.
-Getting pregnant without trying, and having no complications with the pregnancy, and ultimately a perfect, sweet baby boy.
-A new job for Scott that allows him to be home approximately 6 hours more per day.
-Protection from not one but TWO car accidents while pregnant.
-A brush with cancer with an entire boatload of lessons to come with it. Still having my mom here and in good health.
-Having God show me how he has provided for me even more with friends and a church family.
-Seeing HIM in the little things in my day. Tiny things, like B cooperating with me when grocery shopping, knowing only God can make that two year old compliant when I ask HIM for help with him.
-Oodles and oodles more.
God is Good.
Praises!
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