Pressing On

(just one girlfriend!)


It’s been a rough week. Last Tuesday was Mr. Man’s birthday and in the midst of the celebrations my little brother was in a horrendous car accident. Needless to say there’s been a lot of stress and my body is finally starting to relax and the anxiety that having someone you love in a coma induces is decreasing as his recovery progresses. With hopes of going up to visit my brother before school commences, we had discussed with my doctor being induced tomorrow. Today I went in for my check-up and without giving gross specifics on the internet… my body is NOT ready to give birth. My doctor refuses to “torture” me and was pretty certain with what drugs he feels he could give me (since I’ve had a c-section) I would be in the hospital for two or three days before making enough progress to even have my water broken. So all my well-made plans are distraught, and our celebrations for my last day to be pregnant are awash. Meanwhile I may actually take up my Mom’s crazy idea of doing jumping jacks as I await my next check-up that will be on my birthday! So now comes the enduring to the end… and I’m going to try my best to do as my friend suggested and endure it well.


(Talking on a CD for Uncle Kyle)

Quote of the Day

Little E came up to me limping at the pool today:

"Mommy. I'm hurt. Ethan Aspy asked me if I was okay, and I said yes... but, but I'm not."

My tough little guy still needs me!

Oh baby, baby...

No little baby yet. For a little update, I still have plenty of fluid –except for down by his head which is so low and he apparently pushed out whatever fluidy cushion he may have previously enjoyed. Tough luck for him, but it’s also uncomfortable for me, so I hope for everyone he doesn’t decide to make his stay in my uterus too long. I’m going to try to wait it out – amidst so many of your cries for an induction! Time will tell.

Mr. T had another one of his fevers this week, and now we’re being referred to an immunologist. His white blood cell count was fine, but he did have blood in his urine. It’s just becoming rather strange that for the past year (at least that we’ve kept track of) he has had a fever over 104 every 3-4 weeks that lasts from a couple of days to a week. So time will tell… yet again!
My true purpose of this blog was to boast about my fabulous husband. I recognize all my moaning and groaning that occurred in his absence, and I feel like he has been foiled in the praise that he deserves upon his return. Oh how I love this man… and oh how I love him being in my home. While I mentioned everyone doing swimming lessons at the same time, I failed to mention that Mr. Man is doing swim lessons with Little E! The only DAD in the class the others have re-named, “Mommy and Me” (though it is a politically-correct “Parent Tot” Class), he is stellar! Yesterday he took the kids on an all morning adventure at the Farmer’s Market, where he concluded that he doesn’t feel at all like he fits in without being pregnant, sporting a tattoo or wearing Teeva’s . They had the greatest time – and all came back covered in paint from some sort of painting of a truck that occurred! Also he has been absolutely wonderful on the nights when I was too tired, or too sore to stay up any longer with Mr. T’s fevers and hallucinations, and then lets me take long naps the following day! I also want to boast that Mr. Man is back on his bike and “safely” working in long bike rides which have resulted in him already losing five pounds just last week! I could go on and on… for now I’ll just stop so I can go kiss my sweetie!

PS – The picture is of one of the sunflowers Mr. Man brought home for me from the Farmer’s Market!

Nine Months

After having a scare last night where I gushed out a ton of fluid, I have since sealed up - or else the baby's head is so low he is blocking any more leakage - we rushed taking some quick full-term pictures. Even though rushed and looking awfully tired from a night of anticipation, they turned out beautifully (thanks Joy!!!) Right now whenever I am up it feels like little one is going to just fall right out of me - so MUCH pressure! Tomorrow I go in for a sonogram to see how my fluid is doing. My doctor said I can choose an induction date if I'd like since my body is proving so ready, however if all is well with little one I'd like to try to wait and go in on my own.

Swimming!

We basically lived in our swimsuits all last week! The kids' swimming skills greatly improved, and I enjoyed being weightless and being able to be upright! Today the kids have asked numerous times if we can go to the pool, or the beach - it's hard to realize it's not just two minutes away anymore!!! Thank goodness we did start swimming lessons today! For the next two weeks everyone has lessons at the SAME time! It's a miracle! They may end up missing a day, however, if the little guy swimming in me will please make his entrance within the next two weeks! Speaking of which... we're starting bets on the day, time and weight of baby boy... wanna take a guess?!

Family Vacation

So we’re back… and all in one piece too! We had a most relaxing enjoyable trip. Maybe a little too much family together time, but nonetheless we are refreshed, tanned and smiling to be back in our own beds! (In fact we checked out last night instead of this morning because Mr. Man and I – the epitomes of discomfort – refused to sleep another night on “those” beds!)

Since we planned our little getaway a bit last minute, there weren’t any cabins available for the whole week and so they arranged for us to split our time between two different cabins – the “Optimum Cedar Cabin” and the “A-Frame Chalet”. Let’s just say that our first three days in the optimum were absolutely divine! Hosting a hot tub and jacuzzi, a fireplace and plenty of space and beds for all! It was super clean, sported a great kitchen with a full-size fridge and stove and was off on its own turf hidden from all the other cabins. We were spoiled. We never would have picked this cabin on our own, but we would choose no other again! Mr. T was heard to say, “Can we stay here forever?!” When we moved to the dark and scary A-Frame, we basically felt like we were camping. Enough said.



We spent most of our time outside at the resort’s pool, the local beach and the kids and Mr. Man taking hikes and walks to the lake. We had campfires, smores, and lots and lots of ice cream! I didn’t wear my watch all week (and for those of you who know me, this is an anomaly) and we weren’t on any schedule of any sort. On a couple of rainy afternoons we watched some fun new (to us) kid movies, and then there was the time Mr. Man won the beach battle and we stayed under a covering for over a half hour waiting for the downpoor that was “sure to blow over without us getting a drop”! We went through a whole bottle of sunscreen for how much we were outside in the beautiful summer sun! This was our first family vacation (besides camping) that we’ve taken on our own – not visiting other family! We will definitely be doing this kind of thing again – yeah for family vacations. However, after five days we were all pretty much ready to come home, so we may make it a day or two shorter! We were a bit limited with what we could do around the area, mostly because of Mr. Man’s need for recovery and my need to keep my leg up, so after a while our “relaxing” activities became a bit monotonous for the kids, and I think they all started to miss their toys, beds and space. While we were away our van has been repaired, Mr. Man's bike is being repaired as are his wounds slowly healing. We only had one bee sting, one sunburn, one pulled muscle, one fever and stomach bug and one grossly enflamed ear from a allergy to a bug bite - so not bad for a family of almost six in a weeks time!!! Still, absolutely no regrets (let’s not talk about the scary A-frame), and a second hurray for fun relaxing family vacations!


Today in primary the kids had to draw a picture of something their family does to follow Jesus Christ in faith. Mr. T's picture was shared with the group, and his teacher quoted him as saying that one way to do this was to "go on vacation and sit in the hot tub with your family". So apparently we made some memories too!

The "Gimpy" Family

We are a wreck! One glance at us and you may think we were in some kind of a wreck – each and every one of us. I am one wobbly pregnant lady with a gimpy leg and enough whining to accompany it all that you would think I was “seriously” injured. Big J has her share of bumps, bruises and splinters, and had her stitches out today only to show her knee off to her brothers by practically ripping it back open! Mr. T has a split lip that has fortunately lost some of its fatness from a run in with his brother’s head. Not to mention the bruise on the side of his face, his bug bites he had an allergic reaction to and are swollen and icky looking, and oh, his ankle’s been hurting. Little E kissed the sidewalk the other day carrying wood to the backyard and split his lip all the way up to his nose… no stitches were required, and it’s healing nicely… but still…

Mr. Man obviously felt a little left out, and so he had to go and outdo all of us. Last night he left for a nice relaxing bike ride and returned quietly claiming that he was hurt. That was an understatement. Going down a hill at 45 mph his front tire blew and though he tried to brake, he was able to unclip himself and miss the miles of mailboxes and merely fly through the air and hit his whole right side on the asphalt – slamming his head on the pavement. Thankfully, his helmet took the brunt of it, and his head just hurt and had a couple of “lacerations”. After feeling completely overwhelmed at all of his injuries we began cleaning out all the asphalt and treating each and every wound we could. The bruising is so severe and I just ache when I think about what his body must feel like. After an uncomfortable night and lots of prodding from an anxious wife (and we’re supposed to be leaving for our cabin on the beach tomorrow) he went to the hospital this morning for x-rays and treatment – which included some stitches on his elbow that had still not stopped bleeding. Apparently all the doctors and nurses who treated him after he was “admitted” described him as “tough as *$@%”. He sure is tough, and thankfully nothing is broken except his bike and helmet! I don’t even know how to describe all his injuries – his shoulder and whole right side down to his ankle look like they will never be the same. Mr. Man exclaimed last night, “so this is what road rash looks like”. He’s hoping he’ll be well enough by Tuesday to enjoy the beach. Mostly we’re all grateful that this accident didn’t prove much worse, given the circumstances, and that he is all in one piece – including his brain and mind! Here’s the one picture I have permission to post…

Our first aid kit has been restocked and is ready for a relaxing trip at the beach! See you in a week!

In Our Own Backyard

This is one of our first times to be at home during July 1st (CANADA DAY!) and July 4th. Typically this is when Mr. Man and I take a trip together.alone.without.any.children. Unfortunately this year that is an impossiblity. So, the kids and Mr. Man voted on a camping trip. While at first adamantly opposed, I finally compromised on a camping trip out back behind our house (so that I could still sleep on the wonderful bed upstairs!) The tent was set up (I forgot to get any pics of it) the trampoline, I mean air mattress blown up, and a chiminea purchased so that we could do our own roasting of hot dogs, and smores in our own backyard! The kids had a blast! We had three nights of staying up hours and hours past the kids bedtime, friends over to share in the fun, yummy food, sparklers, fireworks and even time to catch a movie during a rainy afternoon! So even though we have to keep Big J dry and relatively safe (with no bike riding too!) we've been able to have a fun week! (Though I'm not suggesting we give up our weekend away tradition in the future!!!)

My Bags are Packed, I'm Ready to Go... almost

Apparently I’m not the only crazy pregnant lady who has strange dreams; it’s listed as a “side-affect” in many a book. If anything my dreams lose even more of their plausibility and yet become much more vivid. When I was pregnant with Big J, I recall dreaming over and over of giving birth. Each time she would be born she would be this HUGE bundle and the doctor, nurses and I would have to strip her out of numerous bulky snowsuits before we could see the tiny, hopefully perfect, little baby underneath. The irony of it all was that she was born in Hawaii.

Lately I’ve been dreaming I’m having a girl. Last night was probably my “longest” baby dream I’ve had in a while. There’s no way I can re-write all the details that the dream fairy took so long to incorporate… but I will attempt to get at least the gist of it across. You see apparently there was some sort of summer Olympics event taking place in the field behind my backyard. We had several friends coming and going, since we had ideal (and free) seats to view the events. Mr. Man was at school working on his dissertation, and it was getting dark and all my kids were already sleeping. A few of our friends were still over and that’s when my labor started… while the Olympic people were taking down some of their apparatus outside for the night. My baby became very active and suddenly pushed down really hard… so hard I could suddenly feel “her” down by my knee! (I can still almost feel this – it was so strange and so real!) I was freaking out and our friends were so helpful and calm, calling an ambulance and my doctor, leaving a message for Mr. Man to meet me at the hospital, asking little tidbits about caring for my kids… I was running around freaking out trying to pack a bag with odds and ends and mostly worried that since the baby was in my knee and leg (my sore right leg of course) that I would inevitably need another c-section. “You think?” replied my friend! (So I guess even in my dream this was a little strange.) The end of my dream kept playing over and over, changing slightly each time as I attempted the perfect ending. Once I gave birth in the ambulance and I’m pretty sure we both died. Another time they had to cut off my leg to get the baby out. A third time the children were present while I was trying to give birth and I asked them to duct tape my mouth so I wouldn’t be screaming and scare them. Sometimes Mr. Man was there, and sometimes he wasn’t. I never had any of my “laboring” music with me and that was VERY bothersome to me… It went on and on. I woke up in a sweat and a little nervous. Today I’m going to pack my bag and make my “plans” for where our kids will go, etc. I think my sister-in-law may have induced this dream… she called last night right before I went to bed to let me know that one of her friends who is due July 31st gave birth on Saturday. I want two more weeks please! That should give me plenty of time to figure out every possible crazy dream situation.

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!