six pack

Ask and you shall receive...

2009-09-09T14:57:00.000-05:00

on the way to work today I realized I was going to buy a milk crate to put my stuff in for the day to transport it to where I needed to be for the day. I had an oh crap moment before I got there and yet again forgot to bring one. I walked into the office and there was one on the table with a note that said,"Susan all the staff got one of these as a gift, I didn't think you got one yet." Thanks for throwing me the bone God!

Words of Julia

2009-05-22T14:41:00.003-05:00

So I got a call from the school system wondering if I would be interested in working about 10 hours per week next fall in the same school I was in last fall. Well the country roads are icky in the winter and the speed limit is tough and scored me two speeding tickets in three months but, all and all still a great opportunity so I said I would consider it. Well my future boss told me that the information she gave me could change once she talked to the other OT's. I prayed about it and asked Julia what she thought of it and she said "only if it is in my school mom" I told her it wouldn't be and she said, "then no you can't." Ten minutes later my boss calls yep it is at Julia's school across the street from our house, YAHOO! It is meant to be. Steven is confident he can rearrange his work schedule to be at home with the kids and me I get to be with some adults. I will be working with kindergarten and first grade, my favorite, you are still cool at that age. Plus they are paying me very generously!

now onto kids:
Julia: thinks she is a princess and everything she touches is hers. Lois got a new toothbrush and Julia threw hers away thinking it was ment for her.

Jacob: is eighter really naughty or really good, lying is starting to become an art with him.

Lois: Turned three today and is going on a date with Steven and I to celebrate.

Simon: learning to dance, tries to run away when we are outside, UGH!

Emma: is the boss of the house telling people to "TOP" stop what they are doing because she thinks she is in charge and pushes Simon around.

Andrew: Growing like a weed he started cooing today for Jacob and I

Pictures are here

2009-04-12T23:12:00.001-05:00

Drugged

2009-04-06T20:52:00.000-05:00

Of course everyone knows that drugs will make you do things you normally wouldn't do well here is some more evidence. Our sweet little Emma is still not walking however scales many things that aren't meant to be climbed. Tonight she was given cough syrup with codeine because of a bad cough and while under the influence she walked all around the living room like second nature. This is the second time this has happened and probably like before she will forget the progress she made in the morning. Her not walking is proven to be an anxiety issue so maybe I should get her some anti-anxiety medication. Well she will just need to stay away from all substances later on in life because of her hang loose tendencies while under the influence.

He is here

2009-04-02T18:32:00.000-05:00

I slept restless last night and woke up with contractions every 3-5 min apart at 6:00 a.m. now keep in mind I have been having daily contractions since the beginning of March so I was waiting for them to tapper off. I gave the kids breakfast, fixed there hair and folded some laundry. During that time I did call labor and deliver and told them I may be coming in, called my mom who was planning on coming in around 9:00 and asked her to come an hour earlier just because I may not make it that long. I was not convinced I was having a baby until they put the name band on me. It was 3 hours of very intense contractions then at 1:42 Andrew Michael came to this world weighing in at 7 lbs 8 oz and measuring 20.75 inches. Everything went well. No c-section and a very healthy boy who lets you know when he is hungry and already likes to snuggle. No joke I have tried to lay him down a few times and he cries instantly. Well kids more over because there is a baby on the block who loves his mama.

Hanging in there

2009-04-01T19:14:00.000-05:00

Well I am still pregnant but have support all around. Daily I have contractions that are at times intense then tapper off after a couple of hours. The support I get is humorous, Julia telling me, "go in mom" like if I go to the hospital they will not let me leave until I have a baby and Jacob and Julia both telling me to walk around to "get into labor." Once I told Julia I didn't have the energy to walk around so she took it upon herself to bolt laps around the house and came back and asked me if I was in labor.

Stay tuned I will hatch sooner or later.

Still Pregnant

2009-03-19T16:30:00.000-05:00

Yes, I am still pregnant at 37 weeks today I am frustrated that they stopped labor twice now this baby won't come out. Just a lot of contractions that pick up to be as close as 5 min apart and then tapper off. UGH! These contractions have been going on for 3 weeks now. Oh well just another reminder I am not in control and in all reality I really would rather be pregnant and uncomfortable than have a baby in the NICU.

So on a lighter side last night after I was asleep I am awakened by Lois who is naked and wants help getting jammies back on, this is good she has stripped before and not asked for help and wet the bed, now I ask her were her diaper is and she said, "it hurting my butt" so I get a new one on and get her jammies back on and send her on her way. This morning twice she complained about her butt hurting and I take her to the bathroom to see if she poops. No poop. Then she asks for some butt cream and I think oh she is sore. I pull her pants down to find two small specks of blue toothpaste on her butt. No wonder why she was complaining. Then I say Lois did you put toothpaste on your butt? "yeah last night" mystery pain solved. Poor girl but she will never do that again.

Ready or Not

2009-03-10T17:00:00.000-05:00

Well earlier than I anticipated we may have a baby. For the second time yesterday I went in to have contractions stopped. After tomorrow they will just let me go. The downside or is it an upside since I was in the hospital last night by the time I was discharged interstate was closed we tried taking the back roads but quickly realized that was not wise. Luckily my husband scored us a healthy discount at a local hotel who is one of his customers. So now we are both hanging out stranded again for another night. Interestingly enough a few items that I wished I had right now I thought about packing but said, "nah I won't need them" should have taken that gut feeling a little more seriously. However I did wish to spend more time with him and I guess we should be careful what we wish for. So currently we both have laptops and watching TV as I am continuing to have contractions however I am taking it easy until tomorrow then it is free game at the early age of 36 weeks gestation. I will keep you posted as things develop but keep in mind I will be a busy mother of SIX!

Maintance Mode

2009-03-01T14:12:00.001-06:00

Knock on wood we are still healthy, we have stopped sanitizing the pews at church now that we think we are safe. I just wonder if our immune systems were just bogged down they could never fully recover. Well just in time because it is about a month away until we bring home baby. So the count down begins with an endless amount of time spent in the basement locating clothes and organizing the existing clothes we are on our way of being ready. As some of you know Catholics pray to saints for a little extra help in what area of speciality that saint is know for. Well St. Anthony is know for finding missing things and we gave him a workout. There were a half a dozen things I was looking for and I found them all in a half hour. Things like a car seat cover and Julia just walked up to me and handed it to me. Needless to say I was amazed. In a couple more weeks I will have another ultrasound to see the size of this baby and to see the density of my c-section scar then we will know more about when this bun will be done.

This last week Simon started walking, finally! Now Emma is getting more brave and struggles with he bro stealing the show. Peer pressure can be a good thing.

Right now my mom has Julia and Steven has Lois and Jacob "going for a drive" to scope out a new town they may be hooking up with Internet access. I am besides myself as to what to do. Simon and Emma are definitely enjoying the quiet time they are playing with vigor and alone.

Wahoo!

2009-02-17T21:27:00.000-06:00

We have had many wahoos! in our life recently. Steven has recovered very well from surgery. We are ALL healthy. First time since September, I am not kidding. Plus I am growing a very healthy baby boy. At 30 weeks I was measuring 35 weeks. I was freaking out, I did have one ultrasound and it showed only one baby right? Well the Dr. thought he was reassuring me and said it may be how you are carrying or it could be extra fluid. So history told me to go with the less desirable option because he down played the possibility of me having twins. I got home and googled excessive amniotic fluid. Best case scenario was me being diabetic well that was quickly out of the running the next was cleft palate, nerotubal defects (family history there), hydrocepaly and downs syndrome. All right enough said as an OT I was doomed and gloomed. I felt like I had been dodging a bullet thus far with all 5 kids being healthy at birth that I was finally in for it. So I prayed and lost sleep as any neurotic pregnant women would. Last week I had an UT showing one huge baby. Almost 5 pounds at 32 weeks. Well that scored me an induction when that time comes. That time will be sometime after St. Patrick's day so now it is just count down. WAHOO! Our lives are great.

another bump in road

2009-01-21T10:46:00.000-06:00

Well we are all healthy still, wahoo however Steven is having hernia surgery today which translates into no lifting over 10 pounds for at least 3 weeks. While it is no fun to watch someone you love in pain. I am going to have to step it up even more. I have some troops coming in for back up for bedtime routine and occasional baths. Hopefully things go smoothly and he can take care of himself.

Ahhh!

2009-01-15T21:30:00.000-06:00

Do I dare say we are healthy, the babies are teething so they have some runny noses but all is fairly well. Just in time for Steven to have hernia repair sugery next week. Tomarrow is my last day as on OT in the school system, well for now. It would be really nice to have a position in the school system. God will decide if that is in His plan not mine. So now it is back to diapers and refereeing. I do miss being at home but getting out is nice too. I have been blessed with a wonderful nanny that made this all possible.

Now on to the next adventure, baby number 6. I have been putting the thought off but due at the beginning of April and an ever growing tummy it is hard to ignore. So in my "spare" time I will prepare the house and myself. It just means with baby number 6 I become even more helpless and further away from independence. I will need to rely on those around me more. I am very apprehensive of who will watch the ruggers as I deliver this child however my sister said, "remember if you have a planned c-section I am coming up there" well I didn't want to hold her to her comment but, I guess I have more options than my neurotic mind allows me to view.

Well all 5 kids have been tucked in and asleep for over an hour. Wahoo now if only I could bend over and clean up all those toys. I surrender, bed it is.

Thank you!

2008-12-20T23:17:00.000-06:00

I am feeling better, I just had a shower without coughing up half a lung. I am just fatiuged and need to rest after doing anything. I do mean anything. Put clothes on two kids requires laying down. So that will take some time my body has been through the wringer. So thank you for your prayers. I keep counting my blessings because it could have been worse, I could have not had my nanny scheduled and had to scrambled to find help and that would have been Steven and my mom.

By the way my nanny hasn't hit the blog yet, wow she is a gift from God she is wonderful. Handles things so well takes the kids on outings to Chuck E Cheese and Dino land. Plus is great at discipline. Few times I have seen her frazzled and that took Simon smearing poop all over the bathroom, the kids dumping my purse, and to top it off... dumping a five pound bag of flour all over the living room and playing in it. A fine dust wall to wall. On a couple dozen toys and three very naughty children. She is wonderful and has taken care of me and my kids very well. As I was sick she without asking or being asked brought me food and water in bed and every time I came downstairs she would ask what I was doing and how come I wasn't in bed. The antibiotics and her are the main reason why I recovered so quickly. Oh I know the prayers were a factor too.

Ment to be?

2008-12-17T22:30:00.000-06:00

Well last week out of stupidity I canceled my OB apt or was it. Tonight I saw my regular doctor (for an OB apt.) and since I have been feeling worse only with less of a fever, only around 100. it was a blessing because I found out I have pneumonia. Please pray that I get better quickly if not I will be in the hospital Friday. Thanks!

Paging Dr. House

2008-12-16T00:56:00.000-06:00

I know my last post has only had to do with being sick well lets just keep up that theme. We have continued to be sick. Julia with round 5 of pink eye prompted a visit to the opthamologist resulting in knowledge of an infection in the eye lid, no more pink eye but eye hygiene for 4-6 weeks twice a day, UGH!

As for me had a fever starting Saturday night and peeked yesterday at 104.2, I called the hospital and had them page the on call doctor who happened to be my doctor, he said it was strange because I had no other real symptoms and reassured me I was not cooking a baby. With the weather being so crappy I couldn't get in until this afternoon today. After an almost 3 hour visit I left with an antibiotic. On the way into the clinic I prayed that I would be served with a competent gal. The only appointment available in the whole system was a PA who did occupational health, I figured it was better than the walk-in. It was when I got there I felt like a patient of Dr. House off the show House. A half hour of questions, what I thought were unrelated. Sleep, appetite, fluid intake. Well crap, crap and crap. After her bringing in a colleague and running many tests and being prodded in every (almost every) orifice they came to the conclusion that it was a sinus infection and bladder infection. In pregnancy UTI's don't always show symptoms. Since it was causing such a high fever I am glad I can't feel it, ouch! Well this may be an answer to prayers because all last week I was having lots of abdominal cramping and pain. I was thinking bed rest time this baby is working its way out, maybe not it was probably the bladder infection. Thanks God I will take that over bed rest. So extra prayers would be nice to ensure I won't have to do bed rest and everything will be fine. Oh the moral of the story is last Wednesday I had an appointment, OB, they always take urine, I canceled it because Steven had plans of finishing a shelf in the basement with a friend, an opportunity then it turned out he couldn't then he was going to clean for me, well not so much either. Stupid move on my part it could have prevented all this. My Nanny Amanda was very frustrated for my stupidity.

Well when it isn't so late I will post more on the kids here is a quick update:
Julia: little helper stepping up to challenges
Jake: Very helpful or very naughty can charm his mommy
Lois: Potty trained when she wants to, she is either screaming or gleaming
Simon: Climbing on everything, can push chairs to reach the sink, silverware drawer and food but, not walking.
Emma: becoming Lois' buddy, not walking, very sweet and rolls with the chaos of the house.

2008-11-08T15:38:00.000-06:00

Well we all continue to be sick with colds, pink eye and Simon now has chicken pox. Simon has about 50 pox on his face, including eye lids, nostrils, ears and more. Poor guy. Thank goodness for Benadryl and Tylenol.

This past week I trained with an OT in the school system, I will be covering her maternity leave when she has her twin boys. I actually remembered stuff from school and excited to be doing it. It is a whole new area I have no experience in but, feel comfortable with it. Plus there is an OT at the school across the street from me who has been an OT for longer than I have been alive. She would be retiring this year however she has a lot of her retirement in the stock market. We all know where that went, down the tubes. So she is going to wait at least another year. Fine by me in another year I will have two kids in school and one in preschool. The coordinator of the services said to me, "I hope you keep us in mind when that position opens up." Heck yeah! What a sweet gig, nice hours, nice pay and no driving. I can hear the school bell from my house. Oh do I need to mention summers off and holiday vacation.

Ta ta for now!

Afraid to Wake up

2008-10-22T17:12:00.000-05:00

Well I am afraid to wake up tomarrow and see what is in store. Monday Julia went to the doctor with pink eye. Tuesday Emma was vommiting with high fever. Today Emma has Chicken Pox. UGH!

Just when I thought life is more managable and I am less pukey.

I did it!

2008-10-06T12:35:00.000-05:00

I don't know if I was brave or stupid but last Friday I took all the kids shopping by myself to Sam's and Wal-Mart. I didn't beat the kids they were all good. I would have beat the next person that had a comment, "do you run a daycare?" or "You have your hands full" The check out lady at Sam's asked me if I needed help going to my car, twice! I finally said, "I do amazing things everyday that people don't think I can." SO in other words Buzz off thanks for being helpful but, I can do it myself.

I pretty much have Lois potty trained. There was only a few accidents and she was grossed out by the pee on the floor and that was the last of it. Now she fights wearing a pull up to bed she said they are icky.

Simon has learned how to crawl up stairs and has done it when nobody was looking. Thanks Guardian Angel for that one.

That's all for now, I am going to put ruggers to bed. As I hear Polly Pockets being dumped out, nice.

Wage of Staying at Home

2008-09-13T12:48:00.000-05:00

It is well known that being a stay at home mom does not have a good salary but the benefits rock. Well yesterday Julia walked towards me gleaming and handed me some change and said, "Mom since you don't work here is some of your own money to buy something of your own and not for all of us kids." I reassured her that Steven shared his earnings very well however she insisted so all day I carried around the change.

A Lot New?

2008-09-02T21:21:00.000-05:00

Well since it has been almost two months, I figured I should update everyone.

Simon is just about crawling he has made it a few inches on all fours today and Emma will be a few weeks behind him.

Jacob is growing out of his naughty behavior, well I am seeing more angelic little boy. Although he did spit at Julia tonight.

Julia will be going to pre-school and holy cow can she dish out some sas. Some of the lines echo of me though, so we both need to work on that.

Lois is hanging out in the middle becoming more obsessed with princesses and dresses. Oh bother I was hoping for a tom boy.

Steven is working even more, he keeps upping the ante. Hey you thought I worked too much before watch this... Just kidding it bothers him as much as it does.

And for me I am accepting that God just does not want me to work, I was considering working and boom I am pregnant. Yep number six is on the way. Overnight I went from clicking along in my routine to puking feeling tired and questioning how much TV is OK for the kids to watch.

Well that is all for now. I guess I am going to have to update 5 ruggers to 6 is enough or maybe just 6 ruggers.

More pics.

2008-07-06T21:48:00.000-05:00

This dress was two bucks at a rummage sale and has bloomers, Emma kept the hat on too!
Emma has Julia's hair that she had chopped off last winter, looks like a little China Doll huh.
Our friend made this cake and two doll cakes for Julia and Lois' birthday, 12 hours work gone in five minutes. Very memorable though.
Simon is getting bullied out of his bottle by cousin Joseph who is 4 days younger. Well actually Simon is the boy who takes everyones toys although this weekend Emma fought back.
The babies adore brother Jacob and this is just one time he requested to have a snuggle session. The love is mutual 90% of the time.

2008-07-04T22:40:00.000-05:00

Well today was the first day in a long time we spent the whole day together as a family. NO work by my husband, except for now but everyone is in bed so it has to get done sometime why not now. I went all out with decorations for the bike parade at MSUM and the older kids sucked it up, Julia was waving to all the on-lookers. Although by the end of the day if I heard, "Oh you must have your hands full" or "Are they twins?" I was going to loose my mind. It is just one of the many frustrations of making a "public appearance." The kids enjoyed barrel train rides, games and music. Julia watched fireworks on TV with her dad since our family is a little to young.

Now that I have pictures on I have no idea how to format them and it is 11:00 Steven is working and I am tired from lack of sleep because Emma is struggling with teeth and Simon is following suit making sure he gets attention too. Good night and maybe sometime I will work on this more.

2008-06-05T20:30:00.000-05:00

Sorry I haven't updated lately I have been holding off until I can gets some pics on here. Oh well it will have to wait...
I went back to work for a couple of days and it was refreshing I wasn't as shabby as I thought I would be. Daycare was tag teamed by my mom and a high school girl and the kids were happy and the house was clean when I got home.

A few quick things:
Emma is the proud owner of two teeth. Working very hard at learning how to sit up. We have had her in twice for possible ear infection and she is supposedly clear however I am not convinced.

Simon is following suit with sitting up and has bulging gums. Temper, temper, temper.

Lois went potty for the first time tonight in the toilet, she said excuse me after she did it. Julia asked her if she wanted to wear panties and she pushed her away. I asked if she wanted to call grandma and she declined. I asked her if she wanted to do again tomorrow and she angerly said no.

Jacob is maturing nicely, he still has some behavior problems but controllable. Yesterday we were driving and Julia sneezed on him and he scoffed "you got bless all over me." It must be called bless because when they sneeze we say bless you.

Julia is a little helper, sometimes a little to much. She has her heart set on a trampoline, daddy chickened out and said he wanted to wait until the kids got bigger but, we already told her we were getting one so we need to have those thoughts prior to speaking. He needs to understand I am as excited as the kids, I will be wearing a size 3 diaper so I don't wet my pants.

Steven is working a ton and feeling pressure from Julia to be home more. I am more ok with him working on days I work, we ride together so we have our chatting time and I see other adults.

2008-05-21T21:40:00.000-05:00

Well life has been fairly good we have our moments when I think I am going to loose my mind but all and all ok. The kids are easily accepting of our new routine consisting of going outside daily. It is amazing how they adhere to our routine so easily. I am going back to work for a day while a co-worker enjoys a day off, this will be my first day back since October, ugh I think I will have to work on my verbal skills before I do that. When a patient is being icky it will be hard not to count to three, ha, ha.

Everything is status quo. Jacob and another boy mooned Julia at the playground today. Jake spit on Lois' butt in the bath tonight. Lois is starving for attention, well Julia too. Can she have enough dance performances. Babies are rolling over and working on sitting up. Head bangs on hardwood floors will stunt that progress.

Today was the day...

2008-05-05T21:09:00.000-05:00

We were able to walk to the park and play for an hour and a half, the babies were great. Everything worked like a charm. Even better everyone was asleep by nine o'clock tonight. I have looked forward to this day since bed rest last fall, when things were tough I would just tell myself, "hang in there this summer you can go to the park daily with all the kids."

I was reminiscing about the tough times and I just had to laugh at one of the worst moments. I was in the hospital and sleep deprived I was on day 3 of only a couple hours of sleep, cumulative and fell asleep nursing babies in a rocking chair away from the call light. I awoke with a huge cramp in my neck, who knew my ear could actually touch my shoulder. I struggled to make it over to the bed, recovering from c-section, carrying two floppy babies and tripping over a nursing pillow. I made it only to plop Emma down on the bed less than gracefully. I hit the call light and a nurse quickly responded. As I pick Emma up, my gown fall the floor and my huge body is naked as the nurse enters. I am at tears and freaking out. The nurse says to me, "hey didn't you go to University of Mary?" I waited a moment to answer her with clothes on, come to find out she was a classmate. She was always laid back and would say compulsively, "it's all good" well ironic IT WASN'T ALL GOOD! She encouraged me and said I was doing great and in report the nurses said, "she isn't sleeping at all but, still smiling." I guess sometimes you have to smile or you cry. Wahoo! I made it, all down hill from here.

Take care I am going to fold laundry.

2008-04-26T22:14:00.000-05:00

Well things have been fairly stable aside from some sleepless nights due to colds of almost everyone. Last night Simon would only be happy being held. At 5 a.m. my brain woke up and gave him Tylenol and then he slept soundly. Today was filled with busy mom and kids, over the course of five hours I managed to make monkey bread and carmel rolls. It was exhausting I had to grieve for a moment that I used to bake all the time and it was much easier. Steven reminded me that the needy children will grow older so this too shall pass.

UPDATE ON THE KIDS: As we having gotten our third spring time snow fall Julia reminded us, "I am frustrated I do not like this snow, I am a summer girl." I have forgotten to write last week Jacob pooped and said "look mom it is a rocket." That boy is obsessed with bodily functions. I have successfully out smarted Lois: our closet in the entryway has been her favorite hang out, trying on shoes (I know my daughter, huh) in the process there is frustration of shoes not fitting and fingers getting pinched in the sliding doors. After many attempts I wedged a rubber spatula in between the doors and ha no opening that one. She only tried once today, mumbled to herself and moved on the the next mess to be.

It is no surprise I have no time to train for the 5K run so next year...

Not a College Student Anymore

2008-04-21T18:58:00.000-05:00

Well this last weekend about 350 mothers of multiples got together an partied hard. Ok not that much drinking but we were all excited to be free to only think of ourselves. The food was awesome and frequent. With only three hours of sleep I walked the runway on the catwalk in their fashion show. I can see now why models have eating disorders because they are so focused on size and shape comments like, "suck it in more" and "Oh no that is all wrong for your figure" There was an obnoxious fitting Friday night of an hour and a half. I am used to if it fits wear it attitude. I won over $50 in door prizes. I put in $40 dollars in raffles with no luck so we are even.

This weekend was good for everyone, me to get away and Steven to realize how difficult it is to sleep when your spouse is out and about at all hours of the night. My mom watched the ruggers on Friday and was overwhelmed, I guess that will make her realize how much I really do appreciate all her help.

Today I am still recovering from lack of sleep, I am not in college and can't nap whenever I want. Of course my mom came to the rescue this afternoon and I got an hour power, wahoo!

So dealing with one child teething is not fun but, three is even worse. Lois is finishing up getting 4 eye teeth. Simon and Emma are just starting getting there eye teeth. This morning there was two hours of Jake and Julia watching as much TV as they wanted and me holding the both babies at once as Lois hugged my leg crying. Ok have to admit I got teary and really wanted to be somewhere else at that point. Finally the babies let me swing them in their car seats and Lois was still an ankle bitter so occasionally got whacked in the head with a car seat. Well we all survived and the kids don't seem to be wounded.

I Can See Clearly Now!

2008-04-17T22:52:00.000-05:00

I got my new glasses today, it is no wonder I have head-aches almost everyday. It was a whole new world. I enjoyed reading billboards on the way home, letters on our cluttered dryer and more awe moments. I have been missing out. Now that I did the math my glasses were 6 years old this June, UGH! I am enjoying the new frame style to. I hated the old ones. I would cringe every time I looked in the mirror.

So I frequently have to lock the kids out of the office as I put Simon and Emma to sleep. I did that tonight like I usually do. I was afraid of what was going to happen since Lois was extra irritable so I told Julia she was the babysitter and to keep Lois happy. I heard silence, I said a prayer because that is usually a bad sign. I walked out and Julia put a blanket on the floor and made supper for Lois. Julia said, "Mom look I made our first picnic in the house." The entree' was turkey, pulled apart into small pieces, bread with peach jelly and two tippy cups of water, "Just incase she ran out" per Julia. I was so impressed I got teary eyed, and I am not even hormonal. What an awesome help. That was the most Lois ate all day.

Well Friday night and Saturday I will be living it up with other Mothers of Multiples so I better go to bed so I can fully enjoy the experience.

Maintance Mode

2008-04-16T21:29:00.000-05:00

Well nothing major has happened to write about, there is the same old stuff. Julia pretending like non other, Jacob being naught most of the time and Lois pitching fits. Simon and Emma are just hanging out, loving to be held, dang they like attention.

Tonight Jacob licked Lois' butt cheek in the tub and I scolded him his response, "what it is clean." Stuff like that happens all the time around here. However I must say this week there are more and more "boring" moments. Which is a good thing, it gives me a breather and then I just wait five minutes and there is trauma to deal with.

Well my running around the house like a mad women is paying off, I am now fitting into my "skinny" jeans. Which to me is an oxymoron because skinny means size 1/2 or 3/4. Gotta start somewhere. For those of you that don't know prior to having the twins I worked hard to loose weight, dropped 15 pounds and went down a size. I enjoyed that new size for 2 weeks and then found out I was pregnant. Little did I know I would be back there a year later. Hopefully the downward trend continues.

CHOW!

Colds and coughs

2008-04-12T23:19:00.000-05:00

So we all have colds, I have successfully kept mine at bay however with lack of sleep I feel it coming on. Simon and Emma are pitiful, Emma coughs like a smoker and Simon has lost his voice, his cry is easier to listen to now but very said. He was doing a muted coo today. Poor guy. Jacob has a very runny nose and for heaven's sake I forgot to bring Kleenex to church tonight so I look over and he has used his black sleeve as one and has snot all over his face. I use the rest of his shirt to finish the job off as I am cringing wondering who is watching. Jacob said, "Mom why are you doing this when we can't do it at home." I was thinking son it is called desperation.

Oh another thing happened in church, at the sign of peace Lois bit Jacob, no peace there!

My kiddos last week went on a nap strike. On Friday I even attempted to put them down for a second nap, when Jake was up for only a couple hours and spent most of the time in time-out and lost toys/mater blanket. I knew it was my sanity or him. At least it bought me some time to regroup. Sometimes I feel like I am at war and just need to retreat to get my ducks in a row.

I got my eyes checked last week, even more blind. As I sat in the exam chair I noticed the apparatus had make-up all smudged all over it, I kept my millimeter distance and compulsively wiped my face afterwards. I wasn't going to say anything the guy was the age of my grandpa and was very sweet, he probably looked it as an immune system building experience. I get my new glasses next Thursday and successfully got what I wanted with anti-reflective lenses for under $200.

My sister who has twins called today and she reminded me it is all state of mind, so even during my bad moments I just need to remember, "Summer while come soon enough or I can eat tons of chocolate later."

Well Steven stayed home all day with us, wahoo! It was like a holiday, actually better because he didn't work an ounce. After three weeks of main communication being e-mails and phone calls I got my day. Now everyone is asleep and it is my turn.

NO DOGS ALLOWED!

2008-04-04T11:15:00.000-05:00

Yesterday my mom has the older three kids outside and all of a sudden I hear a lot of screaming. I think nothing of it and blame the noise on Jacob being naughty. My mom came in to tell me two dogs were in our yard, they had been around the neighborhood for the last few days so I decided to call the Sheriff. Since they were busy doing real police work my mom and I lured them into our garage until they came. Both had collars one with no tags.

People who let their pets roam is a huge irritant: I don't like the cat poop in the sandbox for my toddlers to play with, the dog poop on our sidewalk, the messed up garbage and plus my kids are terrified of dogs so it puts a damper on our summertime fun.

Well Steven is stuck working late again tonight, money, money, money however I really do miss the guy. It is supposed to be crummy weather out this weekend so maybe we will see some of him.

Jacob farted in the Suburban yesterday and Julia said, "Jake did you just say excuse me because you farted?" he said "yep I farted" She said "Oh great it is going to stink in here and I am stuck here."

Lois is cutting three teeth at once, she has put herself on a puree diet and is a Tylenol junkie. She is really irritable and knows how to get everyones goat.

Well it is decided, I am going to run a 5K with my cousin. It is something I have wanted to do just to have the accomplishment and she is willing to do it with me. I have no running history and I have the body that has had 5 kids in 5 years but here we go... Think of this 5K while having 5 kids 5 years old and under, do you see the theme. The monk in me likes the theme.

Speaking of Monk, if you guys don't know what I am talking about it is the show on USA where he is a homicide detective and OCD. My style!

Ahhh!

2008-04-02T14:02:00.000-05:00

More and more each day the kids and I are getting into a routine. The babies go down for a solid nap in the morning so today the kids and I went outside for 10 minutes, it was really windy so we came inside. I am looking forward to many nice days that we all can be outside. Being in the routine of things, Steven was working late last night (clocked 15 hours yesterday) so I single handily gave 5 kids baths and it went off without a hitch. I didn't even feel like I need a drink afterwards. However Mr. Simon wanted some love and cried every time I put him down and Emma would then cry because I wasn't picking her up. So I call reinforcement a.k.a. Grandma Alexia to help with bedtime routine because if I don't do it just right they ruggers don't go to sleep well at all, no drop and runs at this house.

Today I made brownies, and washed 4 loads of laundry, made supper and the day isn't even done. All and all life is easier since I have been at home. No panics of what is for supper, no have to do laundry I am out of underwear, no hurry up and take a bath. I don't have moments were it would be nice to be at work so I could just focus on me however I will have my turn this summer when I pick up some days.

Oh something I found cute, since I have been stepping up on the oral hygiene so have the kids. Jacob and Julia call dental floss, "dentist floss" too cute to correct. I tried and Julia said, "no it is dentist floss because they use it at the dentist.

Washer workout

2008-03-30T22:33:00.000-05:00

Well our wash machine has gotten a work out this weekend since Lois and Jacob had the stomach flu. Do they make wash machines with garbage disposales? Both vomited only twice and nobody else got it (yet). Jacob informed our teenage babysitter "Kaylee vomit is disgusting." (little does he know cleaning it up is the also very disgusting) Only a child can puke and immediately act like nothing ever happened. Today Lois was begging for food and "waa-wee" water and I was reluctant. I gave Julia a small breakfast and told her that she would probably vomit so lets make it something small, an hour later she said to me, "Mom I haven't puked yet and I am still hungry can I please have some more food." How pitiful.

Simon and Emma are getting easier to get to bed. Here is how great it is lay Emma in her car seat, that's the end... Simon we still rock the car seat and then we transfer them both to the crib.

Speaking of bedtimes: Julia is going to bed so well these days. I am reading a book from a fellow twin mom and the strategies work. we do quiet time were we speak quietly, a rigid routine and read a book or tell story of when Steven and I were dating. She has only once in the last few weeks gotten out of her bed with some lame excuses. Julia was so sweet tonight she said to Steven, "can I still sit on you lap even though it is quiet time."

Growing up: Jacob said him and Steven are going to be firemen when he gets bigger, he thinks his dad is cool, how great. Julia put a load on laundry in the wash and transferred it to the dryer without being asked. She was excited to fold it and put it away however it was bedtime. Oh how disappointing, she recovered quickly when I told her we can do more laundry tomorrow.

It is amazing to me how every day I am more in love with Steven and memories without him seem like a distant past. We have almost known each other for 11 years. He is my best friend and am so lucky to have him. When he proposed to me he asked me if he could take care of me forever and he has followed through on that.

What a contrast from my last blog, lesson good and bad days come and go quickly.

Finally an End to This Day

2008-03-27T21:45:00.001-05:00

I slept like crap last night and today's events didn't help with my mood. Simon and Emma slept no more than 30 min. at a time since 2:00 p.m. they screamed if they weren't being held as well. Since Steven was working pretty much all night grandma came in to rescue me, for the third time today. Emma puked all over her and then smiles. Jake went to bed early tonight for spitting in my face, preceded by many other naughty things. I discovered Julia cut her eyebrows, "Mom it didn't happen today though" OK so your mom is a little slow to notice, she confessed it happened Sunday she did it because, "I thought they were getting to long." I am not talking about getting my eyebrows waxed in front of her anymore. Lois went to bed as scheduled however not before she played in the toilet and when I said, "LOIS!" she put that hand in her mouth. It was "clean" water. So both babes are sleeping before 10:00 and Steven said to me do want to sit and talk to me while I work, that was a big "nope, I am going to bed."

I just have to write these things down so when I think about having another child I can refer back to these days. Good night!

That wasn't me

2008-03-27T12:55:00.001-05:00

So Steven decided there should be equality with pictures among our children and posted those pictures. Later we will have a spelling lesson so he can learn how to spell SIMON! I will give him credit for trying to help me out and it was late at nights. Also I can't figure out how to edit pictures and I have a diaper to change so chow for now.

OK Fine

2008-03-26T14:19:00.001-05:00

So now that I know people are actually reading this I will put more posts up.
Easter: Flew by only one major freak out on my behalf which is a great improvement. Steven actually finished painting, well for the most part some touch up work is left. Hey you can never "finish a project" it just isn't right. Steven was on call and had worked the night before so spent most of the time working and sleeping. More than ironic I think he planned it that way. There was no scars on the house and I didn't even have to mop. My mom was on sticky patrol and every hour would walk around with the broom. I think here next job will be at a fair sweeping up people's crap. It was funny everyone (felt like all 30 of us) we jammed in the kitchen dishing up lunch when my mom said "Stop everyone there is a sticky spot" and expected everyone to stand still while she cleaned it up.

Dentist: Today Jake, Julia and I went to the dentist. Jacob had lots of questions on the way in, (Julia has been there before) "Like how big are the tools they use?" He was nervous and did great they got a full cleaning done and after he got tons of loot he said, "going to the dentist is fun" the hygienist said, "you just keep thinking that all your life." I didn't fair so well I have four cavities and 7 more starting. It is because of all the puking I did when I was pregnant. OUCH. He started posing suspicious questions, like he thought I had an eating disorder, LOL. Just another toll on my body. Those dang kids better appreciate life! :) On the way home from the dentist the kids and I were jamming to Dora music, even Dora sounds good with a Bose sound system Jacob said, "I like Dora too loud this is fun mom." Teaching them how to blowout eardrums at an early age.

Babies: Simon and Emma no longer like to lay flat they do those pitiful baby crunches and like to sit up however there buts are too round and make us laugh how they slowly fall over. They slept from 10:30 to 8:30 this morning. Ok now it is really hard to feel sorry for me right? After seeing my nephew who is four days younger than the babies I got it good. He screams 75% of the time.

Al Bundy anyone: Lois has her hands in her pants most of the time, taking her pants and her diaper off. GRRR! It is quite the scene, thumb in mouth with pointer finger up the nose and other hand in pants. I guess we need to quit watching Married with Children in front of the kids, just kidding...

Forgive my grammar/spelling errors!

Another day

2008-03-19T22:20:00.000-05:00

Well another day is done, I took the day off from cleaning and enjoyed my kids. Going to be tonight with a sink full of dishes but they don't mold overnight.

Some more cute things:
Jacob: while on toilet pooping he yells "mom if I am on the toilet do I have to say excuse me when I fart?"

naughty things:
Lois: continues to take her pants off during nap/bedtime and sometime the diaper too. I looked at her today and said harshly, "Lois" she grabbed her diaper and tried to put it back on and said, "no, no, no." This maybe the start of potty training.

Things I am grateful for: I got a shower today and the older kids were awake and I didn't find anyone hurt or in chaos when I got out. AMAZING I know.

catch up

2008-03-19T05:47:00.000-05:00

So since my last post went off without a hitch here comes another. The babies are sleeping more on a schedule and burping easier. They are enjoying time in the exasaucer and are easily tickled. Simon likes the interaction of siblings however has a concerned look if he isn't being held by mom while they are talking to him, smart boy.

Well last Friday was my birthday, adult birthdays are no fun. Julia asked me when my friends were coming over, I asked if she was going to do the cooking and cleaning for that one, she looked and me and said "I don't know how to cook." Julia did say to me, "Mom why are you so damn crabby." Learned behavior compliments of her father. I was very crabby some contributing factors were last week was when I should have gone back to work and Steven backed over our triple stroller with the suburban. Brand new used for less than two hours and smashed. I found an ok replacement for cheep through MOM's. However I was jacked about having a stroller with a tray and a cup holder. Oh well I guess my marriage is more important.

Well I have successfully just finished our "night feeding" and Emma is back to sleep. I will put on my resume can type and rock baby with foot simultaneously.

Gotta Love Grandma

2008-03-19T00:40:00.000-05:00

So my mom requested that Easter dinner be at my house for the benefit of her stress level. After I reluctantly said yes she said "oh why did I even think to ask someone with 5 young kids" Here is what I get out of the deal, her help with a clean house, not having to pack up 5 ruggers and the updating of the house I have been wanting to do. Entertaining really lights fire under the butt to do projects. Steven is painting like a mad man. I have cleaned in places that haven't been touched in over 4 years. We really are pigs. I am such a cleaning mode I have set aside food and laundry. Hey what is wrong with eating chicken nuggets and fries daily if I give the kiddos vitamins. So for the last how many weeks my mom has been coming over daily to help clean, allow me to shower or just socialize with me some days I am as happy as a puppy to see her. My kiddos to, you know on Cheers how Norm would walk in and everyone would say "Norm" well that is how it is with grandma and it doesn't matter how often they see her. Well it is getting to be my bedtime. I really need to retrain myself to go to bed earlier however I like starting the day at 9:00 a.m.
Later folks!