Stitches

I have to laugh that it was, of course, on the very last day of Mr. Man's absence that we had our first stitches! Big J merely tripped on the sidewalk... but her knee was gashed open quite nicely! Four stitches later, my brave girl is doing much better and is proud to have joined Mommy and Daddy in the "stitches in our knees" club!


We are also glad to have Daddy joined back home with us!

Congratulations are definately in order!

When Big J was born not only was I quickly initiated into the realms of new motherhood, I also felt a substantial push to join a group I had never before considered: scrapbookers. I half-heartedly began compiling a book for her, cutting and pasting and using stickers of every shape and size. Amy was my scrapbooking buddy and we spent many a night watching Friends and racing to get our pages planned, prepared and perfected. Looking back at those 8 1/2" x 11" scrapbook pages, I am embarrassed at my absolutely horrible beginner attempt... and yet Big J constantly pulls out her book and treasures it more than anything. I decided I would grace my children with a one year scrapbook and then I simply put their pictures in albums with written explanations beside.

When Mr. T came, I threw my heart into my scrapbooking and truly learned to enjoy it. Bigger pages, less stickers and more thought. Expecting another baby just 13 months after his birth kept me both inspired and working to finish his book so that I wouldn't forget the moments and memories.

Somehow life with three caught me off-guard and while I've kept busy, I haven't kept scrapping. I enjoy making cards a little more, and Little E's album has remained quite empty. When the other two pull their books out, he will often point to the baby pictures and ask if it's him. This is our biggest gap between children, and also my largest stall in completing a one-year album for my little one. However, hitting 35 weeks made me a bit frantic and I've been cutting, gluing and journaling my heart away! Little E may be just over 3 years old, but his one year scrapbook is finally complete! The little guy is thrilled to have his special book, and honestly, I'm thrilled to be done!!!

For a couple of months I can enjoy the break in both diapers and scrapbooking!
I'm considering online scrapping for this fourth one!

Some thoughts on sleeping with people...

When I think about who I slept with last night, not only am I full of regrets – as we didn’t even wake up together, I am also covered with bruises and contusions. Lately I’ve been sleeping with all sorts of people other than my husband – all of whom are related to me. Last night it was Big J. That girl just keeps rolling and rolling, her arms and legs flailing and kicking as she goes. I was slapped in the face, kicked in the stomach and at one point all the contents on Mr. Man’s bedside table were whipped onto the floor in one foul swoop of the accused arm. At first I would lovingly move her over, stroking her hair out of her face and whispering that I loved her and needed her to stop kicking me. Soon push turned to shove, and I knew that in order to save what was left of our relationship, I would need to finish the night out on the couch.

A few nights ago I awoke feeling a little squished and literally on the very edge of the bed. At first I thought it was due to the dozen or so pillows I use to keep my leg propped and my body in at least a state of believable comfort. Nope. Instead all my children had at some point crawled into bed with me and completely snuggled into me. Little E is the sneakiest and nuzzles so near that you almost think it’s just your arm. Mr. Man has awoken many a morning in the past thanking me for the back rub that ultimately was his son trying to knead him awake with his little feet!

Last week I had Mr. T and his fever in bed with me. I could feel the heat off of his little body, and if he weren’t so warm I would have found more of the humor behind his outbursts and hallucinations. I suppose you could say we “didn’t” sleep together.

Several weeks ago when my sister was here, I slept with her little 4 month old in our room as a nice reminder of the numerous awakenings that will continue after the pressure on my bladder has been relieved. My sister and I slept on my bed and never did a single body part touch… we were glued to our sides! She reminded me of days when we were much younger and on family vacations where we stayed in hotels I would kick and push and she hoped I had changed. The truth escaped my lips, and I asked her if she remembered what happened shortly after those experiences. She did. From that time on, I always got my own bed, because my reputation had surpassed me and nobody would dare sleep with the kicking devil. I’m surprised nobody had figured me out, but I can completely remember staying up and purposely wreaking havoc, tossing and turning so that I would be able to get my own bed!

Truly I love sleeping all by myself. I love the covers tucked in as tight as can be. The fan turned on full-blast, and the sheets fresh everyday! Mr. Man hates when I suggest we get two single beds so that I can have my own… but truth be told, I am missing sleeping with him. It makes me wonder if my daughter will ever be co-sleep worthy. Is it something you grow into, a skill you develop, do you have to find the right person to sleep with? Regardless I’m tired. Tonight I don’t think it will matter whom I sleep with… and only 2 more sleeps till my real sleeping partner returns and kicks everyone else out!

Single Parenting Revolution

I have always held a deep respect for those who have to parent single-handedly these tiny human beings who demand so much and deserve all the love they can get. Every time I am forced to be a single parent for short periods of time, my respect turns to amazement and wonder and truly I label some of you amazing single parents as saints. I don’t know how you do it. Never having that morning off to sleep in, not having someone to turn over bedtime to on one of those days… I know I’m not the only “single-parent” shedding the occasional tear and praying for relief. I admire your dedication to this clearly insurmountable task.

And yet sometimes I think it would be easier to be a single parent if I actually were one. It seems that every day I am reminding three young prodigies of their role and my role – and the fact that they differ, and I get to be the mom right now. How do you curb the bossiness of the eldest “mother” all the way down to the demanding three year old? Yes I need their help now more than ever… but honestly, will my home ever be the same? Why am I no longer the only one using middle names or quoting our family rules? The other day when I was reminded to get my elbows off the table, I immediately worried about mutiny. So my hat goes off to you who are able to preserve some form of parental authority within a single-parent home. Currently our status is comparable to anarchy. Yes in a week the commander in chief will return, but then shortly the odds will turn as we add another little boss to our ship! Wish me luck!

Summer is Heating Up

Yesterday we celebrated the first day of summer! Yeah! This week has brought with it a different kind of heat as Mr. T has been battling another of his long-term fevers. Monday night’s high was 105.7 – so instead of hitting the pool or being outside, we’ve been enjoying lots of movie watching and popsicles on the inside. Big J started her art camp this week and is LOVING it! I think she picked a very appropriate summer camp, as it is the perfect outlet for my little creative firecracker.

While I’m exhausted from nights of keeping Mr. T’s fever as low as possible, we’ve all been enjoying having Mr. Man’s 15 year old sister here to help out and play all day long. I am very much considering a live-in nanny now! However, I would require a driver’s license in the future J We’ve also been very spoiled with meals coming in every night this week. Tonight we were preparing for tacos and yet when a car drove up Mr. T ran to the window saying, “I think our dinner’s here!”

The countdown is now on till our new little guy makes his entrance as I’m 34 weeks! We have a cabin booked for the second week in July, and my doctor suggested getting my deposit back now, as he wasn’t comfortable with us being up in the woods so close to my due date. We’re not quite as concerned, since I doubt I would deliver 3 weeks early, however we are using this as another excuse to purchase our first cell phone!

Everyone is now in their beds and I’m looking forward to a lazy Saturday morning filled with cartoons and waffles! The kids grew excited when I reminded them at bedtime that they could watch cartoons in the morning – you see they equate that tradition with Daddy. One more week…

Pee On; Pee Off

Mr. Man and I have explored several different titles for this post. From “This little piggy goes wee wee wee” to my inappropriate “Pissed Off”… I finally settled on the above. This is a true account and makes me just a “wee” bit nervous about adding a third boy to my two.

Last night after putting the boys to bed (after giving Little E another bath and changing his PJs since he had run off to hide and do his poop in his underwear after convincing me he absolutely did NOT need to wear a pull-up to bed anymore) I was sitting downstairs and could hear the pitter patter of little feet. Annoying little feet which should be fast asleep. I hollered up for those little feet to run in the other direction directly to their beds. Mr. T yelled back (yes, I’m creating wonderful habits) that he had to go pee. After which I heard him telling his little brother to get out of the bathroom because he needed his “privacy”. Then came a hushed, yet insistent, whisper: “Get out of here NOW! I have to pee and I need my PRIVACY!” Next I heard the steady ream of a full bladder being emptied, and I too felt relieved to know he was doing this now rather than in the middle of the night. The noise stopped for an instant and then resumed. Strange. Then the shouting. Little E was furious and yelling over and over, “HE PEED ON ME!” Could it be? Would my sweet little boy actually do such an utterly disgusting thing?

I ran up there, dragging my bad leg behind me, and asked Mr. T if he had done such a thing. However, he had wisely disappeared. I looked at Little E and the answer was obvious. I threatened Mr. T out of his hiding spot where he quickly claimed innocence. One step into the bathroom and I had even more evidence to the contrary. Urine was EVERYWHERE! Apparently the pause was simply a shift in direction. “YES YOU DID PEE ON HIM!” I yelled. But even more importantly, “WHY?!!!” The answer seemed obvious to my four year old, and I truly think he thought it validated the act, “He didn’t give me any privacy, so I peed on him.”

Little E was changed into his third pair of pjs. Mr. T had to help clean up the mess. And life went on. They went to bed, with my preaching of, “We don’t pee on people!”

Mr. Man (who is once again a million miles away) laughed hysterically, and wants to know if Little E will give him privacy now. My sister-in-law says this reminds her of her brothers. And my mother-in-law says that this is a normal four year old reaction and not to worry, but to try to curb the habit before they hit their twenties and it’s no longer excusable.

Tonight the pitter patter was again heard, and my first holler consisted of – “Don’t pee on anyone!” I think it may be time for a new family rule. At any rate, I’m a little more excited that for at least the first two years, my new little guy will be confined to a diaper!

Family Building

My sister brought us a fun little building project that I put Mr. Man and the kids up to this morning. It was a tool box, and everyone really got into it - I think we're going to need to do more building projects together! Mr. Man is talking about building a house.... I'm thinking more along the lines of a birdhouse for now!!!
Little E had his own ideas about how the pieces should be glued and nailed together... he got out his glue stick (notice the blue) and really went to town!

After the building was complete, we of course had to paint our tool box! Hindsight says we should have stripped down the kids before they undertook this activity, but instead we had to strip them down and hose them after the fact!


Fun times!

He Made It!

A little after 3am Mr. Man made it through the front door in time for 3 hours of sleep before the kids awakened us with cheers and cries for cartoons! What a reunion! We are now spending a relaxing – though very productive – weekend together trying to catch up on all that hasn’t been done and prepare for our trip to Kansas next week. It is beyond me how much having this man in my house and in my presence makes me feel so secure, so happy and so utterly and completely loved. How I have been smiling!!!

Mr. T (middle with pink brace) had his last t-ball game yesterday. (We’ve missed about half his games due to his fevers – from his Trevor’s disease - and my inability to get him there.) It took a lot of convincing, but he finally made it on the diamond and had a great time! We all enjoyed cheering him on, and I was so glad that his Daddy could be there to help him and motivate him. Later, after Mr. Man cleaned my house, ran my errands and made my lunch, we went to the pool to relax. The pool is definitely our family friend… everyone enjoys it and though I’m not getting my recommended 6 hours a day, my tan is starting to look rather good!!!

Last night, after I had a nice long nap – during which time Daddy bathed all three kids and put them to bed – I decided to attempt to deep-clean our microfiber couch – which has gotten filthy and has been staring at me from across the room just begging me to clean it. On the floor, with my foot up, I tried several recommended processes (from hours of online research) and ultimately was relieved to find that my Bissell did the best job ever! I just did the cushions for now, and they look oh so beautiful! When I have a little more standing time, I’ll be anxious to do the rest of the couch.

So I have my man, and my clean couch… and my list of nostalgia from last summer makes me realize how truly blessed I am to be where I am this summer – even though it’s from a rather difficult position. Pray for low estimates on our van repairs and a safe and fun family trip to Kansas… with no early baby!

Your love is better than ice cream...

Today we bid farewell to my sister and her baby girl.
My kids adore her, and she will be missed!

Unfortunately, due to inclement weather and flight delays, Daddy may not be making his grand appearance this weekend. I think I'm the most distraught over this news. A bit of ice cream and peeking in on my sleeping angels is getting me through though... aren't they adorable?!


The ice cream isn't bad either!

We miss you Mr. Man!

Stranger than Fiction

Another event took place today that only testifies to my doctor’s insistence that I be on bed rest. In fact, I’m starting to think I should probably just not get out of bed in the morning at all – and maybe life will go a bit smoother. Not to bore you with all the intimate details of my life, and mostly because I prefer to internalize them and take out all my frustrations in my journal which then enables me to lightly scope out a pretty picture of my life online----but I do have admit that I had my first car accident today. And the other vehicle was parked too.

We were on our way to the pool (which I actually never even got in because I was so shaken up) and just in backing out of my parking space with a little too much enthusiasm, I hit a parked truck. I got out of my nice new van, after uttering some choice words, and walked over to the truck and its owner (a construction worker who has been working on the siding on our building the last week or so) and thrust at him all the contents of my glove box (first aid kit and all) apologizing profusely and telling him to take my insurance information… blah blah blah. Mostly I was bawling. It was a final straw to a ream of overwhelming emotions and I let loose on this poor man. He was so nice and said he was pretty sure the headlight had already been smashed and that the scratches didn’t look fresh and that basically it was an old work truck and he didn’t think I’d done any damage. I knew he was lying and I bawled at him to please just ignore all my crying and just take down my information, because I wasn’t trying to get out of this and I was just a stupid emotional pregnant lady. That started him apologizing. About my van, about my kids in the car – yes all my kids and my sister’s four month old. Basically I walked away with the hiccups that come after nonsense crying, and not having to pay for this man’s truck to be fixed. My van will be another story. The trunk won’t open, and that’s just the beginning. Pictures will not be shown and neither will future estimates be shared. This is not the sort of thing a wife looks forward to explaining to her husband on their once a day phone conversation late at night. Mr. Man is wonderful and loving and can I just say again how wonderful he is?! (The man took my Oma and her boyfriend out to dinner last night all on his own accord – how absolutely sweet is that?!) The kids are counting down the sleeps until he is home for a visit between his work weeks, and they now want to know that since the new van is broken if they can eat in it now!

So life.

I’m not over this silly day yet and I still may burst into tears if any of you bring this up to me. But I may also burst into tears if you tell me I look nice in my maternity swim suit, or that my kids are well-behaved. Who knows. I’m an emotional wreck. I stink.

My sister and I rented “Stranger than Fiction” tonight. Mr. Man and I loved this movie. It has the numbers for him and the literary aspect for me (Staggs – you may like this too!). What gets to me is this line, and if you don’t want the movie spoiled, you may not want to read it:

“It’s a book about a man who doesn’t know he’s about to die and then dies. But if the man does know he’s going to die and dies anyways, dies willingly, knowing he could stop it, then… I mean, isn’t that the type of man you want to keep alive?”

I LOVE this line. And while some of you may question my negativity in ending my posts on a somewhat positive light, I needed this line again today. It distinguishes to me the reality of our Savior’s love for me, for all of us, and it enables me to think of Him as really the most awesome hero that could ever be – both in reality and in literature. It makes my experience today no less horrible to me, but it makes it part of a bigger picture, one in which a man was kept alive so that I can live now, and forever.

If I can just get through today…