I've been a tad remiss as of late when it comes to recording funny things said and done by the kids. It's just that the popular social networking site I visit is such an easy place to share stuff, but I need to do it here, as well, since this is going to become a permanent record of such things (as soon as I can manage to make the blog into a book, that is).
During this pregnancy and subsequent business with a newborn, I have allowed myself to take the route of convenience rather than taking the more difficult and verbose route of blogging. It doesn't have to be verbose, I guess, and I don't set out for it to be so... I suppose it's just that I am prone to be that way.
Plus, I guess it feels a little repetitive, since many of the people who enjoy (I hope so anyway) my blog also are friends with me on that other place. I don't want them to get tired of reading everything twice. But, I've decided that they'll just have to get accustomed to it and laugh twice.
Big has said two funny things recently and neither one of them made it here on the blog. I posted them on that other place, though. I would hereby like to apologize to Big and his funny statements. I will try to begin to make amends by posting them now.
Big was playing with Ginger and I overheard him say, "My name is Kevin, but people seem to call me 'Fevin' a lot." He appeared to be quite upset that people can't get his name right. And, no, his name is not Kevin. Today his name is 'Raja'.
Big is just getting over a cough, and the other day when I reminded him to cough into his sleeve so he doesn't give it to someone else, he said with dismay, "You mean, I have to keep it?!" He doesn't have the cough anymore, and none of us have it, so I'd like to say 'sorry' if he gave it to you just so he could get rid of it. He's a sly one, that Big.
Anyway, so I'll try to be better at blogging. At doing justice to the crazy life I lead. Then when I'm old and recount stories to my friends in the home, my kids can correct my outlandish exaggerations because they'll know the truth from reading my blog that I made into a book for each of them. Or maybe I'll just write outlandish exaggerations from the start...
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Parenting with Blinders On
Disclaimer: If this post is disjointed and makes no sense, it's because I typed it one-handed, while nursing Edith and mediating disagreements between the kids. Multi-tasking at it's finest!
For the last 6 weeks I have been in a bit of a quarantine. With Edith on oxygen and under strict instruction not to take her anywhere until May, we've been hanging out in our little corner of the family room, tethered and tied down. I have emerged a few times, but in general it is a very Edith-centric and sheltered life I lead.
Oddly enough, though difficult, this has been a bit of a relief for me. The situation I find myself in has given me a break from the nagging feeling that I often have that I should be more and do more as a mom. I am being forced to accept the fact that there's only so much I can do.
I am more limited in what I can offer these days, and do you know what? My little family's world (okay, big family) hasn't been shattered. In fact we're thriving. In a much better way, even.
Instead of us quickly going back to a normal where I shouldered maybe too much of the burden, yet still felt as though I don't do enough, the rest of the family has had to step up. There is a much more equitable distribution around here these days, and I plan on it being our new norm.
And because I've been living such a sheltered existence I have been unable to make so many of the comparisons I am guilty of. Those that make me feel I am not doing enough. You know, those comparisons where I look at other mothers and assume they are doing a much better job than I am and their children must be so much more happy and fulfilled than mine.
(Well, except when I look at those mothers who berate and yell at their children in public. They should know that such things should be saved for the privacy of home. I mean, any good mother knows that.)
It's kind of like I'm parenting with blinders on, able to see only what's right in front of me.
I know of some people who have as many children as I do (Yes, there are others besides me who are crazy enough or are just plain stupid about birth control), and I hear of them taking all of their kids and sometimes even a gazillion of their kids' friends to the zoo or a park every day of the week without their husbands and then on a mini-trip over the weekend, and I feel guilty. Bad mom.
I see these women in the blogosphere who have cute, craft-filled homes and cute, clean, headband-wearing children and babies, who have planned crafts and games to fill up their children's entire day (nay, lives!), and I feel guilty. Bad mom.
I know moms who go with the flow.
Moms who don't cry over spilled milk and never feed their kids chicken nuggets.
I am not that mom. I am anal and high-strung. A schedule is my friend. I cry over spilled milk (well, you would, too, if the house you were living in had carpet in the kitchen).
I am the mom of children who will never get to have a friend over because she tells them their room has to be clean first!
But, I am also the woman whose children are well-behaved (generally) because they have been fed on-time and are well-rested.
My children are able to amuse themselves because they haven't had their lives scheduled, and we most certainly aren't going to go anywhere that will do it for them.
My children know that sometimes chicken nuggets will have to do.
My children know they should learn to get along with their siblings because they'll never get to have anyone over.
My children are good readers because they have lots of time to fill. To read. (Athough, if they used that time to clean their rooms, instead, they'd get to have a friend over...)
My children know not to spill their milk or Mom will cry.
Crocodile tears. And swear words.
But, seriously, what I've focused on the past 6 weeks is only what I see here at home. What I experience. My kids are great. They are thriving. Sure, I'm not perfect and there is plenty more I could do, could be, but I don't have to do and be everything. And not all the time.
I will do what I can for now and strive to be better, but I won't strive to be like someone else as I parent (who knows, maybe they feed their kids Pixie Stix for dinner and make their daughters sleep in curlers). I am going to be the mom that works for me and my family. I am going to parent with blinders on.
For the last 6 weeks I have been in a bit of a quarantine. With Edith on oxygen and under strict instruction not to take her anywhere until May, we've been hanging out in our little corner of the family room, tethered and tied down. I have emerged a few times, but in general it is a very Edith-centric and sheltered life I lead.
Oddly enough, though difficult, this has been a bit of a relief for me. The situation I find myself in has given me a break from the nagging feeling that I often have that I should be more and do more as a mom. I am being forced to accept the fact that there's only so much I can do.
I am more limited in what I can offer these days, and do you know what? My little family's world (okay, big family) hasn't been shattered. In fact we're thriving. In a much better way, even.
Instead of us quickly going back to a normal where I shouldered maybe too much of the burden, yet still felt as though I don't do enough, the rest of the family has had to step up. There is a much more equitable distribution around here these days, and I plan on it being our new norm.
And because I've been living such a sheltered existence I have been unable to make so many of the comparisons I am guilty of. Those that make me feel I am not doing enough. You know, those comparisons where I look at other mothers and assume they are doing a much better job than I am and their children must be so much more happy and fulfilled than mine.
(Well, except when I look at those mothers who berate and yell at their children in public. They should know that such things should be saved for the privacy of home. I mean, any good mother knows that.)
It's kind of like I'm parenting with blinders on, able to see only what's right in front of me.
I know of some people who have as many children as I do (Yes, there are others besides me who are crazy enough or are just plain stupid about birth control), and I hear of them taking all of their kids and sometimes even a gazillion of their kids' friends to the zoo or a park every day of the week without their husbands and then on a mini-trip over the weekend, and I feel guilty. Bad mom.
I see these women in the blogosphere who have cute, craft-filled homes and cute, clean, headband-wearing children and babies, who have planned crafts and games to fill up their children's entire day (nay, lives!), and I feel guilty. Bad mom.
I know moms who go with the flow.
Moms who don't cry over spilled milk and never feed their kids chicken nuggets.
I am not that mom. I am anal and high-strung. A schedule is my friend. I cry over spilled milk (well, you would, too, if the house you were living in had carpet in the kitchen).
I am the mom of children who will never get to have a friend over because she tells them their room has to be clean first!
But, I am also the woman whose children are well-behaved (generally) because they have been fed on-time and are well-rested.
My children are able to amuse themselves because they haven't had their lives scheduled, and we most certainly aren't going to go anywhere that will do it for them.
My children know that sometimes chicken nuggets will have to do.
My children know they should learn to get along with their siblings because they'll never get to have anyone over.
My children are good readers because they have lots of time to fill. To read. (Athough, if they used that time to clean their rooms, instead, they'd get to have a friend over...)
My children know not to spill their milk or Mom will cry.
Crocodile tears. And swear words.
But, seriously, what I've focused on the past 6 weeks is only what I see here at home. What I experience. My kids are great. They are thriving. Sure, I'm not perfect and there is plenty more I could do, could be, but I don't have to do and be everything. And not all the time.
I will do what I can for now and strive to be better, but I won't strive to be like someone else as I parent (who knows, maybe they feed their kids Pixie Stix for dinner and make their daughters sleep in curlers). I am going to be the mom that works for me and my family. I am going to parent with blinders on.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Friday Favorites
Another week has gone by already?
1. I made it through last weekend with Rophone gone. I not only just made it, but I even fed the kids. I'm such an overachiever.
2. Edith is still eating better. She continues to struggle a bit, but at least a few feedings each day go off without a hitch. It's such a relief when they do.
3. Rophone took Big to work with him this morning. It is so nice to be able to focus only on Edith for a little while (when it's not the middle of the night). Now if she'd only sleep so I can get some things done...
Ummm.. yeah. That's about it for this week. Sorry folks.
1. I made it through last weekend with Rophone gone. I not only just made it, but I even fed the kids. I'm such an overachiever.
2. Edith is still eating better. She continues to struggle a bit, but at least a few feedings each day go off without a hitch. It's such a relief when they do.
3. Rophone took Big to work with him this morning. It is so nice to be able to focus only on Edith for a little while (when it's not the middle of the night). Now if she'd only sleep so I can get some things done...
Ummm.. yeah. That's about it for this week. Sorry folks.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Friday Favorites (belated, oops!)
I can't believe that I forgot to do this yesterday! The week has been a little off, and I was trying to maximize my time with Rophone yesterday since he's gone all weekend, so a day late will have to do.
1. Big was really great this week. He's just so happy to have his sister, Edith, here. I hope the transition from being the youngest to being a big brother continues to go so well.
2. I took Edith to the doctor on Thursday for a weight check. The good news is that she gained 4 ounces in the last week, the bad news is that it was a 24/7 endeavor to get that. There's no way that I'll be able to keep up that pace just to make sure she gains weight every week. I tried to nurse her while we were there, and after the doctor saw how much pain Edith is in and how difficult it is to get her fed they decided to add Zantac to go with the Prevacid she's already taking. A very good thing, it seems.
3. Now that Edith is on Zantac, feedings are better and she can do tummy time without screaming in pain from the pressure on her tummy. Hallelujah!
4. I was getting sad about how little Edith was smiling because of the pain she was in, but now she's smiling more (and so am I!)
5. Because of the super long hours Rophone is working this weekend (bah) and a few long days during the week, he was able to take Tuesday and Friday off to hang out. Hopefully he'll be able to do the same next week.
6. Rophone and the boys ran some errands yesterday and when they came home they brought me some tulips. My favorite! They just wanted me to know they love and appreciate me. I am so happy that Rophone is raising our boys to appreciate the women in their lives.
7. We have had some good weather days this week so the kids could get in some good outdoor play. They are so much happier when they get to run around outside. I got out a little, too. Just sitting in the sun for a bit was a great stress reliever.
8. It has once again been reaffirmed to me that I am lucky in love. I am married to my best friend. What could be better?
1. Big was really great this week. He's just so happy to have his sister, Edith, here. I hope the transition from being the youngest to being a big brother continues to go so well.
2. I took Edith to the doctor on Thursday for a weight check. The good news is that she gained 4 ounces in the last week, the bad news is that it was a 24/7 endeavor to get that. There's no way that I'll be able to keep up that pace just to make sure she gains weight every week. I tried to nurse her while we were there, and after the doctor saw how much pain Edith is in and how difficult it is to get her fed they decided to add Zantac to go with the Prevacid she's already taking. A very good thing, it seems.
3. Now that Edith is on Zantac, feedings are better and she can do tummy time without screaming in pain from the pressure on her tummy. Hallelujah!
4. I was getting sad about how little Edith was smiling because of the pain she was in, but now she's smiling more (and so am I!)
5. Because of the super long hours Rophone is working this weekend (bah) and a few long days during the week, he was able to take Tuesday and Friday off to hang out. Hopefully he'll be able to do the same next week.
6. Rophone and the boys ran some errands yesterday and when they came home they brought me some tulips. My favorite! They just wanted me to know they love and appreciate me. I am so happy that Rophone is raising our boys to appreciate the women in their lives.
7. We have had some good weather days this week so the kids could get in some good outdoor play. They are so much happier when they get to run around outside. I got out a little, too. Just sitting in the sun for a bit was a great stress reliever.
8. It has once again been reaffirmed to me that I am lucky in love. I am married to my best friend. What could be better?
Monday, March 28, 2011
One Month with Edith
I can't believe Edith is one month old already! The last 4 weeks have been a bit of a blur, but we have managed to survive intact. Mostly. The sanity has taken a smidge of a hit, but there's nothing wrong with a little crazy. It spices things up.
I posted two weeks ago about some things we've learned about Edith, and now we've noticed a few more things we can add to the list:
Two weeks ago, Edith strongly protested having her diaper changed but loved the bath. These days you can expect the exact opposite-- she lounges docilely while having her diaper attended to, but acts as though she's being tortured while in the bath. It will flip flop many more times, I'm sure. Yup. Kids are fickle.
Edith has a stronger grip with her left hand than her right. A leftie, perhaps?
Right at the 3 week mark, Edith's reflux really kicked up a bit. Add that to her tendency to be gassy.... well, let's just say feedings have become a bit of a challenge. Gone are the days of gaining a pound in a week. Now we're just focusing on making sure she gains weight at all. I'm working on it with her.
Edith smiled and laughed at her dad this week. The smiles are still few and far between, but they're awfully cute. Her grin is a bit of a wry one, tilting up more on one side than the other. I can't wait until we see it more often.
She is really tracking things well with her eyes now, and interacts a lot more with the people around her. I think she may be in love with the light box in the kitchen.
Edith's nasal cannula is the bane of my existence right now. Trying to keep the thing in is a full-time job. Edith is a smart cookie and has figured out that if she presses her chubby cheek against something she is able to pop it out. I put it in, she pops it out. Repeatedly. Often, the cannula ends up across the bridge of her nose, visor-like, a la Geordi Laforge.
Not that I have a problem with a guy who wears a banana clip hair accessory as glasses, but Edith is waaay cuter. Hands down.
See?
Well, I think so, anyway. Happy one-month, Edith!
I posted two weeks ago about some things we've learned about Edith, and now we've noticed a few more things we can add to the list:
Two weeks ago, Edith strongly protested having her diaper changed but loved the bath. These days you can expect the exact opposite-- she lounges docilely while having her diaper attended to, but acts as though she's being tortured while in the bath. It will flip flop many more times, I'm sure. Yup. Kids are fickle.
Edith has a stronger grip with her left hand than her right. A leftie, perhaps?
Right at the 3 week mark, Edith's reflux really kicked up a bit. Add that to her tendency to be gassy.... well, let's just say feedings have become a bit of a challenge. Gone are the days of gaining a pound in a week. Now we're just focusing on making sure she gains weight at all. I'm working on it with her.
Edith smiled and laughed at her dad this week. The smiles are still few and far between, but they're awfully cute. Her grin is a bit of a wry one, tilting up more on one side than the other. I can't wait until we see it more often.
She is really tracking things well with her eyes now, and interacts a lot more with the people around her. I think she may be in love with the light box in the kitchen.
Edith's nasal cannula is the bane of my existence right now. Trying to keep the thing in is a full-time job. Edith is a smart cookie and has figured out that if she presses her chubby cheek against something she is able to pop it out. I put it in, she pops it out. Repeatedly. Often, the cannula ends up across the bridge of her nose, visor-like, a la Geordi Laforge.
Not that I have a problem with a guy who wears a banana clip hair accessory as glasses, but Edith is waaay cuter. Hands down.
See?
Well, I think so, anyway. Happy one-month, Edith!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Friday Favorites
1. I am so happy that another week has gone by. That means we're getting closer to when life will feel more normal again (a schedule is my friend). I'm taking it day by day right now-- each that goes by feels like some sort of victory.
2. Big helped me with the dishes yesterday. We had a good time. He is a really good worker and it makes him happy.
3. Pen got straight A's for the term. Good job, Pen!
4. I love the fact that Bud has really been bitten by the reading bug. He usually reads 200+ pages a day (and still has plenty of time to play-- he's quite the speed reader). It's just fun to see.
5. Ginger made brownies all by herself and even let Bud be her assistant. They turned out great.
6. Edith smiled and laughed at her dad this afternoon. So cute. She was so happy to see him when he picked her up. She laughed again just now, in fact. Awesome. I can't wait until she does it to me.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Friday Favorites
1. I made it through the week with Rophone back at work! Barely, but I made it. Admittedly, Rophone is still doing all the drop-offs and pick-ups of the kids so I have it pretty "easy", but I'm still counting it as a victory.
2. Edith's 2 week appointment went well.
3. I know I haven't mentioned this before, but I have been experiencing high blood pressure/low heart rate issues since I gave birth (for the third time-- it happened after Bud and Big, too). Anyway, I was proactive this time and the blood pressure meds are doing their thing and I'm glad. The heart rate is still a little wonky, but I know that will even out over time. So, I'm glad for medicines that can make us feel better.
4. It's parent/teacher conference time again and all of the kids are doing fantastically in school. I'm proud of Pen and how involved she is with her own educational experience. She's not afraid to stay after to clarify things with her teachers if needs be, either to receive help or to make sure she receives a fair shake-- something I never would have had the guts to do.
5. A nice neighbor brought us some homemade bread this afternoon-- a built-in snack for the kids that they were eager to eat. Thanks, neighbor!
6. I managed to wash dishes, clean the bathrooms, and do several loads of laundry this week. It's amazing how the things I used to dread are feeling like sort of an escape-to-normalcy right now. But, whatever. I'll take it, and it gets things done.
7. Rophone came home a little early today. It's been a rough one. Thanks, Rophone.
2. Edith's 2 week appointment went well.
3. I know I haven't mentioned this before, but I have been experiencing high blood pressure/low heart rate issues since I gave birth (for the third time-- it happened after Bud and Big, too). Anyway, I was proactive this time and the blood pressure meds are doing their thing and I'm glad. The heart rate is still a little wonky, but I know that will even out over time. So, I'm glad for medicines that can make us feel better.
4. It's parent/teacher conference time again and all of the kids are doing fantastically in school. I'm proud of Pen and how involved she is with her own educational experience. She's not afraid to stay after to clarify things with her teachers if needs be, either to receive help or to make sure she receives a fair shake-- something I never would have had the guts to do.
5. A nice neighbor brought us some homemade bread this afternoon-- a built-in snack for the kids that they were eager to eat. Thanks, neighbor!
6. I managed to wash dishes, clean the bathrooms, and do several loads of laundry this week. It's amazing how the things I used to dread are feeling like sort of an escape-to-normalcy right now. But, whatever. I'll take it, and it gets things done.
7. Rophone came home a little early today. It's been a rough one. Thanks, Rophone.
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