Chciago...My kind of town!

Todd and I went down to Chicago on Wednesday of this week for what was probably one of the most enjoyable 24 hours of my life. We went to the MAPS exhibit at the Field Museum, had dinner at N9NE Steakhouse, and saw The Phantom of the Opera, which is an incredible musical. On Thursday, we went to Millennium Park, walked around the Christkindlmarket, and shopped at the original Marshall Field's on State Steet--which is now Macy's but for one day I refused to call it that. We had a blast.

It was so nice to reconnect with each other as "Debbie and Todd, the couple" rather than just Mommy and Daddy. All we needed was 24 hours, though. We were both ready to get back to the kids and give them big hugs.

Me under the "Bean" in Millennium Park:



Our Hotel room:



The view from Hotel Monaco:

Winter Days...Busy Days

It's been a while since I have blogged and there are many reasons for that. I wasn't in the talking mood for awhile and then things got crazy busy with the holidays coming. But, here I am catching this blog up on the goings on in my life.

We had a major snow/ice storm last week and school was canceled a day after my sister and niece arrived. To say that my house was chaotic is an understatement. But, the kids get along wonderfully and are having a blast being with a baby, again, so it's been fun. They also love playing out in the snow so that keeps them busy as well as wearing them out, which is always good.



Wyatt had his Christmas concert at school and while it was enjoyable, there was something about this year's that wasn't as enjoyable as last year's. He, however, was as into the songs as he has ever been and sang like there was no tomorrow. I love watching him perform in these pageants. He has so much fun in them and makes it fun to watch. I can't wait for next year when Henry will be in them, too.

We also had our cookie making day this past Saturday and it was so much fun with LC this year. She was all about helping out and loved putting the M&M's in the pretzels. I love the age that she is at and love that she is becoming more and more actively involved in activities we do as a family. Once again, I am wishing I could freeze time. The kids are at such fun ages and stages that it makes my heart smile.







Merry Christmas, everyone. Have a safe and blessed Holiday!

Rough days...

Friday was a very, very rough day for me. One where I felt very alone and like I had no one to talk to. I spent a good part of the afternoon upset over some things and tried to hide the fact that I had been crying from the kids. However, being as astute as they are, they knew. The two littlest wanted to sit with me and cuddle and how could I resist. I was willing to take the comfort they were giving without them even being aware of it. Henry sat on one side of me and LC sat directly on my lap. Henry grabbed my hand and held on while LC tried to hold on, too. She grabbed a finger since Henry had the whole thing and wouldn't let go. We sat this way for at least a half hour as Wyatt sat in front of us watching a show. I grabbed my camera because it was something I wanted to capture and knew the kids would enjoy hamming for me. Wyatt thought it was funny that I was trying to take the picture myself so he tried to help me out. It is not the best picture, quality wise, but it captured what I so desperately needed at the moment. Love.

Trick or Treat...

And what a treat it is to see these kids in their Halloween costumes. Wyatt and Henry were NASA Astronauts and LC was the cutest little Ladybug you ever did see. This is probably the last year that Wyguy will be wearing this costume, but as you can see Henry has a couple to go in his.

They are all out right now with their dad walking the 'hood while I sit waiting for the doorbell to ring. We were out for an hour together and they just dropped me off at home so I could pass out our own candy. I asked if anyone wanted to stay home with me to help but they all, including LC, opted to go with daddy to more houses. Needless to say, I am not surprised at their choice.:)

It's such fun to watch them have the confidence to walk up to the houses and yell "Trick or Treat" and then so nice to hear them say, "Thank you" just as loudly. They are having a blast and I love seeing that.

Here's a pic of the back of LC's costume. I bought it on Monday at the new Old Navy for $11.00 She absolutely loves it and has worn it all day.

Swimming Lessons...

We signed LC up for her very first swim lessons a couple of weeks ago. This is about the age we started Henry and after a couple of incidences of LC being a little braver than she should have been over the Summer, we decided to do it earlier rather than later. I am of the strong opinion that swimming is not an extracurricular activity but rather a life lesson that must be taught as early as possible. Henry and Wyatt's teacher has been bugging me about getting LC signed up for about a year now, and I decided that now is the right time.


The teacher is a 60 year-old woman who is also the coach of the local swim team as well as running the swimming program at one of the local high schools. She has been teching lessons for over 40 years and doesn't take any guff from the kids. In fact, her favorite saying is "dry it up" when the littler kids get whiny or teary over doing something they don't want to do. I love that about her.

LC was a little unsure at first but after her initial anxiety she became all smiles and even jumped in at the end. I think it helped that her older brother was in it with her and was able to show her how it's done. It is amazing how well he swims for being only 4. The kudos all go to BJ for having the patience to teach the kids as young as they are.

Christmas Card pics...

It is that time of year, again, when the family makes its pilgrimage to local spots to try and get the perfect picture for our Christmas cards. Last year's cards are going to be hard to beat, if I do say so myself. I absolutely loved them with the way the kids looked, the background and the blue cards...they were beautiful.

This year, we went back to the State Park since it is a natural backdrop and we also tried out Illinois Beach State Park. That was a trial. It was warm at home, but once we hit the beach, it was cold and blustery. Poor LC was shivering by the end of it but all the kids were such troopers about it. There was little complaining and valiant efforts at holding poses and smiling brightly.

I am bound and determined to get my cards out by the first of December, so the hunt is on for the perfect one. I am scouring the internet and have 3 possibilities, I think.

Here's a taste of one of the pics. It is not the one we are using but is still one of my favorites...

Harvest Fest...

Yesterday was Harvest Fest at the boys school and we had a BLAST! It is the first year they have done something like this and it seemed like a huge success. Usually the school sponsors a Halloween Fun Night the Friday before Halloween and this was so much better. There were horse-drawn wagon rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, face-painting, a cake walk, 3 bouncy tents, and games galore. The weather was great for it.


Some pics of the kids from the day:





And some more:





That pic of Wyatt is one of the only ones we have since he was off and running with his friends.

Cousins...

Heather, Justin and Olivia came for a visit this week and my kids are in heaven. If they could keep her here forever, they would. Vivi is smiling up a storm and cooing all the time so it is really fun to interact with her. But, while it is nice to get a baby fix, it is even nicer to either hand her back or roll over in the middle of the night knowing I don't have to get up.;)

Dear God,

I don't ask for much. Whenever I pray, all I ask for is the health and safety of my family. Tonight, I ask for a much bigger favor.

Please.

I beg of you.



For the love of all that is holy, Let. The. Cubs. Win. I really don't think I can live in this house, with the boys I live with, if you don't give me this one favor this year. Seriously. Todd was reading me an article about 4 generations of Cubs fans and we both got so verklempt it was a little pathetic. And Wyatt. That precious boy is too young to have his heart broken.

So, if you could just give all Cubs fans around the world this one little favor this year, I would greatly appreciate it.

Kthnxbye.

An Entry for Uncle J.J...

Two years ago, Santa brought a huge Lego set that makes both an aircraft carrier and a destroyer. 1200 freaking pieces. I don't know what the fat man in the red suit was thinking because it sat in our crawl space for forever while the boys forgot about it. Until two weeks ago when they found it and begged daddy to "help" put it together which translates to doing it all himself since Wyatt nor Henry have the patience for Lego's. Seriously, aren't all little boys supposed to love those things? Mine like them as long as they are cooperating but the minute they run into trouble...tears because of frustration. I am hoping it is something they will grow out of. Or maybe not...then I won't be stepping on the little pieces anymore.

Anyways, the above picture is the monstrosity that the boys put together. They are so very proud.

My Little Fashionista...

I have a huge jewelry chest in my bedroom that is full of junk---and I do mean junk--jewelry, courtesy of my maternal grandmother. It has oodles of necklaces, bracelets and clip-on earrings to try on and model. Oftentimes, while I am getting ready in the morning, Lauren goes into it and tries on anything she can fit around her neck. Today, though, she found the earrings and this is the look she came up with:



Don't you love how the jewelry perfectly coordinates with her outfit? She gets that from me.

Woo-Hoo!!! First Day of School...

Yes! Success! Wyatt woke up fever-free this AM with a slight headache so we pumped him up with allergy meds and some Advil and off he went for his first full day of school in his new uniform colors. He was glad to be going back and being with his friends. I am hoping the meds last all day for him.



Henry's first day today was just a visit/play day where he met his new classmates and got re-acclimated with his classroom and teachers. There are 4 more boys in his class than there were last year for a total of 8 boys and 12 girls. He played wonderfully with his old buddies without much interest in the new ones but I am sure that will change as he gets to know them.

First Day of School....

Insert your own picture here because we don't have one. Why, you ask? It's not because I was an irresponsible mom and didn't get the picture. Nonono, that would be easier to accept. There is no picture because there was no first full day of school for Wyatt. The poor kid spiked a fever--AGAIN--yesterday afternoon after arriving at the dentist. I tried to chalk it up to a migraine from the stress of school starting and having your teeth poked at, but nope. The poor boy is sick with allergies. It's my own fault. He should be on Mucinex every day but I haven't been giving it to him because he hates the taste of it and had been feeling good. I really should know better and now Wyatt is paying the price by missing his first full day of school.

Poor kid.

Oh, What a Night...

It was, as Wyatt declared it to be, a perfect night. We went to the Kane County Cougars baseball game and had a blast. The rain that we have been having for the last 10 days finally held off and the game was held. We specifically chose this game because Birdzerk was going to be there and he always promises to be a good time and he didn't disappoint. LC loved it when he danced with the umpire and the boys thought it hilarious when he stole the 3rd baseman's glove. The night was topped with a huge fireworks display that the kids absolutely loved. And the best thing of all, the Cougars won 5-0 which absolutely thrilled Wyatt since, being a Cubs fan, he doesn't usually get to see a team he roots for win.

So, after we had our fill of hot dogs, nachos, cotton candy, elephant ears, and lemonade we headed home knowing we had had "The Perfect Night."

Little Fishy or Bathing Beauty?

We went swimming at my mom and dad's place today and Lauren can't get enough of the water. She was trying to do "kickers and scoopers" just like Henry and Wyatt do. The girl is worse than Henry in that she has absolutely no fear of the water, whatsoever. She loves being in there and dunking her head and jumping off the side, and she's in heaven if you are swinging her around while she is on her back while holding your hands. We will be starting her in swimming lessons this fall, which I fear may be too soon, but we're at least going to give it a try.

Forget Cell phones. Ban the kids...

So, today we are on out way home from a playdate at a park and the kids ask to listen to my Ipod. Wyatt asked first for his song, but then Henry piped up that he wanted "Lauren's song"--note, the kids have favorite songs. Wyatt's is Thanks for the Memoriesby Fallout Boy and LC's is Girlfriendby Avril Lavigne. Don't ask.

As I am listening to them bicker and trying to find the songs, I come to a stop at a stop light and then proceed on as if it was a stop sign. *sigh* "Ummm, Mommy. That light was red," Wyatt pointed out. CRAP!! I blew the red light. Well, not really blew it as much as disregarded it. Ughhh. I found the song and then said, "that's it. No more fighting about Ipod songs."

I swear...legislators want to ban cell phones and make it illegal to talk on them while driving. WHAT ABOUT THE KIDS?--yes I am shrieking--They are so much more distracting to me than anything else in the car and I suck at tuning them out or ignoring requests..."Mommy, I dropped my plane." "Mommy, sippy cup. JUICE." "Mommy, can I have #4 of the Cars Cd playing?" I'm just lucky the little buggers haven't ever told on me. Nope. I admitted to Todd myself that I was a law breaker today. He threatened to get me a chauffeur.

I'd rather have a cleaning lady.

Sensitivity...

So today Wyatt got some early homework in the mail from his new teacher asking him to put 5 things in a paper bag that represents him and his family. We went through all the suggestions, i.e. a baseball, a picture of he and his siblings, a picture of him and the Russian Sailors and I suggested his Star Wars book. Wyatt immediately piped in that he can't bring that because Star Wars wasn't allowed anymore. He then got that look on his face that he gets when he is trying to control his emotions. I asked him if that upset him and he said, "yeah, it's not fair because ALL the boys get in trouble because one person can't play nice." I told him that I can understand how frustrating that is and that maybe this year would be different, all the while he is struggling to not cry. Obviously this is something that has been bothering him since last year and I am now only hearing about it. Did I not talk to him enough? Am I unapproachable? Or, is he going to be the type of person who keeps it bottled up until it bubbles over. I really think it is the latter and I just don't know how to get him to open up more.

Now, Henry...he is completely another story. Oy Vey, that kid doesn't stop talking.<3

That is the biggest challenge of parenting, I am coming to realize. Altering my styles to fit the different personalities that are my kids.

Soon to arrive...

*A DIFFERENT PICTURE ADDED!*

*Update Below!!*


I was jarred awake at 3:05am this morning to be told that my niece has decided to make her arrival today. Heather's water broke and they headed to the hospital where she is now 6 cm and resting comfortably thanks to a handy dandy epidural.

I'll update when I get news...


*Update:

Olivia Marie was born at 1:02pmEST weighing 7-13 and 20.5"

Congratulations Heather and Justin! I am so happy for you and love you both!

Where does the time go?

Already it is August 7th and Summer is 2 weeks away from being "over." What have we been doing? Busy, busy, busy is how I would describe us. We have gone to Great America, went on vacation to Virginia Beach, started and finished swimming lessons, had a visit from Granny and shopped for uniforms and school clothes.

Great America was a lot of fun for the boys this year. Wyatt was tall enough for a few of the roller coasters so he decided to conquer The American Eagle and the Demon. He liked them both but I don't think he'll be going on The Eagle next year. It was just a little too intense for him but he was brave and tried it which I couldn't be prouder of. Henry loved the rides he could go on and couldn't get enough of ALL the water rides. He also loved the Whizzer and had to go on a second time in the front car. It is so much fun to take the kids to a place I grew up going to and riding the same rides with them.

Virginia Beach was also so much fun and a great vacation. We stayed with Aunt Heather and Uncle JJ and had a blast going to the Aquarium and touching the rays and the horseshoe crabs and some other ugly looking thing. The kids loved the beach and swimming in the surf although I think Todd could have done without the anxiety it created for him. We also saw Colonial Williamsburg which was right up Wyatt's history-loving alley. Henry loved the sea-shell sidewalks. It wouldn't have been a trip out there without the tour of Oceana NAS. Holy cow were the boys in heaven with all the FA18 flying overhead and being able to see not 1 but 2 aircraft carriers as well as a British, French and Russian Destroyer. Wyatt even had his picture taken with some "Ruskie sailors." For my military loving boys, it made the trip a huge success. I just loved being able to spend time with my pregnant little sister and LC doing girlie things like shopping.


Wyatt also finished up his first year of instructional baseball and loved being able to be pitched to instead of hitting off a tee. He wasn't the best player on the team but he has a lot of hustle and heart.


We went right into swimming lessons where Henry was jumped up a level and did WONDERFULLY. He is swimming so well and is trying his darndest to do even better. He started off hating the backfloat and in tears every time he had to do it. We progressed to no tears, but a loud "whoa" every couple of feet and today he actually was doing the back stroke with arms and kicks and no arguments. We'll start again in the fall on Saturdays with LC joining Henry in class while Wyatt plays fall ball.

Granny came for a visit last week and left this afternoon. The kids had a good time playing with her--Henry especially. She is probably glad to be spending a kid-free week at Uncle Don's since we ran her ragged while she was here.

We're almost set for school--uniforms are bought for Wyatt and so are outfits for the fall for the youngest two. Orientation is in 2 weeks and then school starts a week after that and we are back to the bump and grind of the school year.

It is amazing how fast the time seems to pass by. It seemed like our vacation was never going to get here and now here we are days away from my new little niece being born. Time really does fly when you are having fun.

Biting and lying and stairs...Oh, my.

So, it's been awhile and things are just plugging along. The Summer is half over, baseball is done and swimming has begun. And the kids are in hugely different phases, two of which befuddle me.

LC has started biting. Constantly. If she is frustrated she bites and she is always frustrated. Henry is usually on the receiving end of her wrath so ends up in tears while LC ends up in her crib. Unfortunately, Henry usually deserves to be bitten because he has a very bad habit of getting in LC's face and invading her personal space. Those two can not leave each other alone. Today, Henry was trying to keep her away from his "aircraft carrier" and ended up pushing her down the stairs. He was promptly sent to his room while I tried to comfort a shrieking LC. It wasn't a good start to the day.

Henry was then punished for lying...a habit that is becoming quite chronic so we are trying to nip it in the bud before school starts. He has also started crying whenever he doesn't get his way which is very uncharacteristic for him. I don't know if it's his age or just a stage he is in but it will not fly in PS. For awhile he was getting so much easier and now he seems to be getting more difficult, again. I just don't know how to handle a kid who basically doesn't care what we have to say. If he wants to do it, he doesn't want to hear "no."

Time will tell how all of this plays out. Oh, the joys of motherhood.

You are My Sunshine...

Every night I rock LC to sleep and sing that song to her just like I did for the boys. Tonight, though, she decided she was going to try to sing along with me. Every time she tried to sing a line, she would giggle which in turn would make me giggle, which them had us both in hysterics. It literally brought tears to my eyes because I know the time is limited we will be doing this. The boys never tried to sing along with me, let alone stay still long enough to be rocked. Having a girl is so different and so...fulfilling. Don't get me wrong, I love my boys and love having boys, but there is something about having a daughter that is so different. She actually relates to me, looks for me, wants me, instead of running for her dad at first site like the boys do. She is also a total girly-girl at only 2 years old. She loves dresses, necklaces, purses and dollies. IT is so fun to watch her.

It's a dream to be the mother of these kids.

105.6

No, that is not a radio station.

That is what Henry's temperature got to last night after having had a fever for 2 days and a diagnosed ear infection earlier in the day...105.6 I have never, in all my years of having children and being a nurse, seen a temperature go that high. Unfortunately all I could do for him was give him a tepid bath, dose him with Advil and Tylenol and then sleep with him to make sure he didn't go into febrile seizures.

I was so hoping his fever would be gone today so that he wouldn't have to miss his preschool picnic. He had perfect attendance all year. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be. He just was not himself this morning and then he spiked another fever before nap of 102.1. He woke up all sweaty and clammy which I was hoping meant the fever broke and he was on the mend. No such luck. The Hankster spiked another fever before bed of 102.6 which means that if he has another one tomorrow, I am placing another call to the doctor for a different antibiotic as the ZMax obviously isn't working. I should have asked for the Omnicef in the first place. I am so worried that this is the start of another run of problems for him with his ears.

I sense another night of obsessively kissing his forehead in store. I pray he is better in the morning.

Mother's Day

I have been so busy that I completely forgot to blog about my absolutely perfect Mother's Day. It was the first one since becoming a mother where it was all about me and not having to be shared or split with anyone else.

It started out with the kids coming in and wishing me a happy day where they gave the card they made with Todd and the gifts they made at school. Henry gave me a poem with his handprint on it and Wyatt gave me a flower pot with a geranium in it. Todd bought a sitting and portrait at Studio West since we still have to have an updated family picture taken. I can not wait to get that done. We have no picture with Henry and LC in it so I hope to get that set up soon.

We then went to Mass where the kids (and Todd) were well behaved and the homily wasn't too long. Brunch was next at a resort up North followed by naps for all and Sushi for dinner.

It was relaxing and enjoyable and the best Mother's Day I can remember having.

A perfect ending...

April 23,2005. A beautiful Spring day 9 months in the making. Todd took my picture the night before by the Rhododendron for a belly picture for what would be my last pregnancy and he took it right on time since I went into labor later that night. I had had 2 episodes of preterm labor where I went in thinking I was in labor only to be told to go home, I wasn't ready to deliver yet. I had never been so frustrated. I had been having contractions all day on the 22, but nothing that was regular or made me think this was finally it. I went to bed late, after Todd, and when I laid down the contractions started. Strongly enough to make me breathe through them every 5 minutes. I laid there for an hour timing them when I finally decided I needed to wake Todd up and call the doctor. They immediately told me to come in---after yelling at me for not calling sooner. What? They were immediately 5 minutes apart. I wasn't calling unless I knew for sure.-- so we called Heather and Justin to meet us at the hospital. Again. I knew this time would be different, though. We had to wake the poor boys up and load them into the car and arrived at the hospital at 12:15am.

Dr. Benson came into the room and examined me and informed us that we were staying and then asked if I wanted an epidural. One 1/2 hour later, I was resting comfortably and awaiting the arrival of our third little one, gender as of yet unknown.

I tried to rest and did sleep occasionally in between checks from the nurse and pitocin hook-ups and Dr. Benson's final check before Dr. Harris came on(yay!). I was 6cm at 6:00am, so we though we had awhile to wait.

Dr. Harris arrived at 7:15 and decided she would change clothes, break my bag, do rounds and then check back in. She started all this at about 7:45. Around 8:00 or so, my epidural line came dislodged, so I paged my nurse to come take a look since I couldn't see behind me. In the mean time, I felt another gush of water when I changed positions. My nurse came in at the same time as Dr. Harris, around 8:10-8:15, and while the RN fixed my epidural line, Dr. Harris tried to check my progress. However, when she went to do so, she found the baby's head right there. And then the scramble begun. Dr. Harris rushed to get changed, and the nurse prepped the baby's isolette.

At 8:20, Dr. Harris told me to give a little push, so I literally coughed the baby's head out...no big pushes, just a teeny cough. When the head was delivered, I gave another gentle push to deliver the shoulders at which point Dr. Harris told me to grab the baby and help to deliver it. After the baby was out, Dr. Harris held it up and said, "well, tell us what it is." I looked and it took me a second to realize there was NO PENIS! "Oh, my God! Forrest, we have a little girl. Oh, my God! It's a girl", were my exact words. Lauren Christine was delivered at 8:25 on April 23,2005, weighing in at 7-12 and 19 1/4". What a miracle.



What kind of baby was LC? So, different from her brothers, that's for sure. She was the most laid back baby, that whenever someone asked if she was a "good baby", I was afraid to answer for fear of jinxing us. She never cried, unless she was wet or hungry. She was so happy and so mellow, it was hard to believe. She loved her brothers, right from the start.

She followed all the milestones, but was a little peanut of a thing. She was still in 6-9 month clothes at her one year birthday, and didn't walk until she was 14 months old. She closely resembles Henry, but at other times favors Wyatt. Some say she looks like me, but i don't see it too much.



What a pistol she became in her second year, though. Smart as a whip and what a personality. It is still hard for me to believe, at times, that we have such a precious little girl in our lives. What a ray of sunshine she is and is still in love with her brothers. If she is awake, then they need to be, too. When they are at school, she is asking to pick them up. She follows them around, especially Henry, like a little groupie. She is fiercely independent, yet a complete mama's girl. She loves shoes and wearing new clothes, yet getting dirty in the mud. She is the perfect little girl, IMO. Just enough girlie-girl mixed with the ability to hold her own.

Lauren, you are the perfect ending to our little family. You complete us like no one else could and I am so, so grateful that I have the privilege of watching you grow up. I can not wait for the years to come and so hope that we have the same special relationship then that we do now, pretty girl. I love you.

I'm going back to bed...

We had a rough morning, today. It is snowing up a literal storm which means that Wyatt needed his snow gear for school today. Unfortunately, he couldn't find his hat right when we were trying to leave. His hat is always supposed to be with his gloves so that we can grab them and go without a production of finding things, so, to say I was a little annoyed is an understatement. I hate lost things. It drives me nuts when items go missing, especially when we are rushing and I am stressed about driving in snow.

He kept insisting that he left it on his seat in the van but it wasn't anywhere to be found and he was just standing there arguing with me about it, when I yelled at him to either find it or he's going to school without it. He started crying and then yelled, YOU ARE BEING MEAN It stopped me in my tracks. I then went inside and checked the kitchen and his room, and there it was on his bed. I handed it to him and then got in the car and started driving to school. I apologized for yelling, again. I really need to find a way to stop that.

The roads were freaking horrible, as they always are out here, and I was gripping the wheel when I looked in the back seat and noticed LC wasn't buckled in. In the ruckus of finding Wyatt's hat, I had forgotten to latch her in her car seat, so I pulled over and buckled her in and then had a hard time pulling out of the snow back onto the road. We got Wyatt to school right when he needed to be there, so I headed home instead of going to Debi's to help set up for the garage sale. The roads are just too bad to go over there, right now.

On the way home, I started to slide at one point, so I slowed down which made the stupid SUV in back of me start to tailgate, which made me more nervous. However, we passed 3 cars in the ditch so they decided to back off after they saw that.

I am now home, watching The Wiggles---after I cleaned off the satellite--and I am not leaving until this stupid snow stops.

Is the week over yet?

It's only Tuesday and I am feeling extremely overwhelmed. We have to go to Debi and Richard's today to help set up for the garage sale I am doing with Debi on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I also have to go tomorrow to help, as well. Tomorrow night, Henry has Daddy Dinosaur Night and Wyatt has his first baseball practice. Thursday is the first day of the sale, so Todd has to swing by Debi's to pick up LC before he picks up Henry from school. Friday will be the sale, again, while I figure out what I am doing with Henry and LC for the afternoon. Saturday is the last day of the sale, while Henry has swimming, Wyatt has baseball AND swimming. LC will be hanging with me, again.

I, admittedly, don't do well with routine changes and it wreaks havoc on the kids which stresses me out even more. I am so hoping that things go smoothly and that this garage sale proves to be worth the effort.

Good friends and Good God...

Yesterday, LC, Henry and I went to my very, very good friend Andi's house for a playdate and to meet her new baby, Grace, who is only 7 weeks old. Mason and Henry played wonderfully together because of their common obsession with Star Wars and LC was happy playing with the baby stuff. I was a little worried about LC and the baby because she has never been around one before and she can be-oh, who am I kidding, she is--a mama's girl. As I was holding Gracie and trying to burp her, LC came over and started doing the same things to her I was doing--patting her back, rubbing her back, tapping her bum. Whatever I did, she did and she was soooo gentle. It struck me yesterday as it was happening, but I think I buried the feeling. Today it resurfaced, which brings us to the "Good God" moment.

I am sad that we are not going to have any more babies. Not because I want more, but because LC is the last one. She won't have a little sister. She won't get to be a big sister. I won't get to see her nurturing a baby like I saw Henry and Wyatt do. She is the baby of the family and it makes me sad to realize that and makes me second guess just a teensy bit the decision to be done. I know deep down that we are, but it still gives me little pangs at the strangest times. There is a light at the end of the tunnel that I can't deny, though. With LC getting older, we are feeling so much more freedom and making plans that we haven't been able to in 7 years, so it solidifies the decision. I am just disappointed for her, at times, that she won't have a sister.

Just some random thoughts.

Thunder storms...

Last night we had some horrible storms come through that were loud and electric. At about 2:15, little footsteps could be heard coming into our room. A little voice tells us that it is really loud and bright outside. We tell him that it's o.k. and nothing to worry about and let's go back to bed. He tears off running before I can even get up, so I follow him to his room to check on him. He is curled up on his bed in a teeny fetal position and is fighting back tears. I cover him up and then sit next to him and rub his back, all the while telling him that everything is o.k., the thunder and lightning can't hurt him and to not be afraid. I sit with him for a few minutes to make sure he is calm and almost asleep, remembering my own fear of thunderstorms as a kid. I was so terrified of them I would wake up my little sister to come get in bed with me, so, I didn't want to leave him alone too soon knowing he shares the same fears.

I am exhausted today, but it is worth it knowing I calmed Henry's fears last night.

My little Super Heroes...

Henry started using his blankie as a cape awhile ago, and now Lauren is following suit, except tonight she added her own special touch of adding a hat. Henry then followed her lead. They call themselves "SuperHero Henry and baby", since Lauren can't pronounce her own name. Those two always make me giggle.

On Friday, I had to go to the grocery store because Wyatt asked for pancakes for breakfast on Saturday since they didn't have lessons. So, as I was pushing Lauren in the cart down the aisle, Henry was saying, "hey, wait up." I started to walk a little faster and said, "catch up, buddy. Catch us if you can." Henry and Lauren thought that was the funniest thing and giggled down the whole aisle and I couldn't help but laugh with them. We then turn and go up the next aisle and there was an older woman standing there watching us with a smile on her face. I couldn't help but think that we reminded her of another time in her life.

On Saturday, we went out with friends to dinner in Milwaukee...without the kids. We left them all at Matt and Joyce's with their kids and a babysitter. I would be lying if I didn't admit that I was extremely nervous since this was LC's first time with someone other than family. They all did great though and the girl told us how well-behaved our kids were. It was a relief. I may have to bite the bullet and find one around here.

It's the little things in my life, like giggling in a grocery store or a good night out or super hero costumes, that make me realize I need to stop and enjoy life as it happens.

Not a good start to the day.

Wyatt came down with the same cold that everyone else had, and unfortunately he got hit with it the worst. For some reason, the last two times he had a cold, it has started draining out his eyes so that he wakes up with them goop over and red. We start out the day with warm compresses and cleaning off his long lashes and end the process with Saline drops...which he absolutely hates. As soon as he sees the bottle he reverts to a 3 year-old and won't open his eyes and is just sobbing and it doesn't matter how much time I give him to calm down, which we don't have a lot of in the AM when we are trying to get ready for school. So, this morning we went through the ordeal once, again and once again, I start yelling. I hate that I yell. Absolutely hate it. It is one of my worst faults and I would give anything to change it. It does nothing to help the situation and it only makes the kids and me feel worse.

When I was finally able to get the meds in his eyes and cold compresses back on, I got the littlest ones ready for breakfast. I went back upstairs and helped Wyatt get ready for school and then apologized for yelling and gave hima hug and told him I love him. We also had a talk about why I have to do the meds in his eyes. I think he finally understands that if he doesn't do it, they won't let him in because they will think he has pink eye.

I really don't know which is harder...being the parent or the child. Unfortunately, we have to learn together. Let's hope the kids turn out o.k. in spite of me.:(

PSA:...

Do Not, I repeat, Do Not schedule an eye exam 45 minutes from home when you have to drive two children and feed them lunch at the same time after you have had your eyes dilated. It is one big safety hazard for everyone involved. And then do not have to go out and pick up third child from school when your eyes are still dilated 3 hours later. This has been a friendly Public Service Announcement.

Oy Vey. I have a headache.

Success...

Every year, Wyatt's and Henry's school sponsors a night out for the school families to a water park and every year we have been unable to make it because of the fact that Todd is out of town and 3 little ones in a water park by myself is a daunting task. Last year we we had our tickets and then Henry got sick and with no one to watch him, I had to devastate Wyatt and cancel our plans to go. It was heartbreaking.


This year, Todd's conference was moved to a different time frame so we made plans to go and spend the night. Wyatt was so excited and had been hearing about the park from all his friends so he was bouncing off the walls. I was just keeping my fingers crossed that no one would get sick. Henry, LC, Todd and I had a sinus thing last week so I was expecting Wyatt to come down with it any day. He never did and everyone else was coping so off we went.

Henry and Wyatt were so excited to get to that park, they could barely contain themselves. We picked Wyatt up from school and then came home to change their clothes and load up the car. We got up there at about 4:00 and checked in at the same time as all of our friends. After we got to the room, Todd, LC and I changed into our suits and we were on our way. It was the last time we would see Wyatt unless we sought him out. That kid was off and running with all his buddies that he couldn't care less about us. Thank goodness for all the swim classes he has had, we didn't have to worry that much. He had a blast going down all the big slides and doing the water obstacle course and the lazy river and the hot tub and being with his friends. At 8:00, I finally nailed him down to eat a slice of pizza for dinner. He swallowed it down and then was off like a rocket because god forbid he miss anything.

Henry and LC spent the bulk of the time in the kiddie pool, or as Henry called it, "The Cat Pool", but Henry did go down some of the mid-size slides while Todd waited for him at the bottom in the pool. He made friends with all the other kids his age at the little slides, though, while LC entertained herself with the fountains. She loved those things and would get her hands wet and then wipe herself down. A couple of times she got a face-full of water and then would go back for more. It was so funny to watch.

The pool closed at 9:00, so we went back to the room to change into pj's and put LC down. Todd stayed with her in the room while Hank, Wyatt and I went to a friend's room to continue the good time. The kids loved running the halls and watching a movie until 11:30, which is when I finally dragged them back to our room to get some sleep.

Promptly the next morning at 7:15, all three were awake and ready to get started. I fed them the breakfast I had packed for us and we all changed back into our suits and started it all over, again. We stayed at the park until about 1:30, when we decided to get going so the littlest ones could get a nap in. And nap they(we) did.

What a WONDERFUL time we had. I am so glad that the stars aligned (finally) and we were able to go. To see the pure joy on the kids faces was worth it. I love that the boys' school organizes this every year and can not wait to go next year.

Happy Valentine's Day, to me....

We don't celebrate Valentine's day here. I have no problem with that, either. in fact this morning before Todd left for work, I specifically told him to not feel obligated to get me anything, especially flowers. I love flowers but hate the thought of money being spent on them for them to just die in a few days. It seems like such a waste to me. Anyways, Heather called this morning and we were chit-chatting and she mentioned registering for her baby shower and I lamented how I wished I could go shopping with her as I love baby products. I love them. I really do. I love how they keep coming out with cuter, nicer, more practical things to make a mommy's life easier. Well, Heather suggested I come out the week of her spring break for a couple of days to relax and go shopping. So, I checked airfare and it didn't seem too outrageous, so, I called Todd and he said to go for it and even found me a better flight. We finished the conversation with him saying, "Happy Valentine's Day." I love that man. He is so kind and generous and so much more than I deserve. How did I get so lucky to have found him so early in life and for him to have been so perfect?

Nights out...

We have gotten a ton of snow in the last 24 hours, so Todd decided to take Wyatt skiing last night at Wilmot. They were gone for a good 3 hours, while I entertained the littlest two. Henry, Lauren and I had McD's and played Legos Star Wars on PS2 while we waited for Wyatt and Todd to come home. When they got home, Wyatt immediately came running in to tell me he went down a blue run, which is "harder than a green." He had bright red cheeks and twinkling eyes. He said that he fell down a few times but he got good at getting up towards the end. He was so excited and proud of himself for going up the chair lifts and skiing down on his own and his dad was super proud of him too. Todd has plans to take Henry next week for a lesson so that he will be able to enjoy the fun with them.

Wyatt also had a playdate at his friend Cameron's house this afternoon and didn't get home until almost 7:00. Henry was so anxious for him to get home and kept saying how much he missed him. I will admit, I missed him, too. After barely seeing him yesterday, not taking him to school this morning and then him being gone this afternoon, I feel like I've barely talked to him lately. He, however, is having the time of his life, being this busy and active and social and it warms my heart.

Sick Babies...

It was inevitable. We have had way too long of a run with out someone getting sick, so I knew it was going to happen soon. And so it did. LC came down with a nasty cough and cold late last week and has been miserable and cranky ever since. And when I say cranky, I mean cranky. Today, she bonked Wyatt on the head with her sippy cup for no reason after she hit Henry in the mouth with a PS2 game case. Needless to say, she was put in a timeout and cried like there was no tomorrow.

Tonight, though...she was a cuddle bug. She had a hard time staying asleep so I brought her downstairs to rock and the above picture is what I looked down at. It made my heart hurt a little bit. You see, for the entire first year of her life, LC would not take a nap without being held for the duration of it. If you tried to put her down, she would be up 1/2 hour later. It was frustrating and maddening at times. I would be lying if I didn't tell you how relieved I was when she started taking a nap on her own--finally--at 13 months old.

However, now 9 months later, I can admit that I miss those days of holding her close and watching her sleep and feeling so needed and wanted, so it felt good to rock her to sleep tonight and keep her with me for just a short time longer all comfy cozy under the blanket.

Let's just hope she stays asleep. And...if the other two are going to get it that they get it quick. We have an outing next week that Wyatt will be devastated if we miss it.

7 years...

How can 7 years go by so quickly? It seems like yesterday that I was newly pregnant. Those 9 months seemed to take so much longer than the last 7 years.

Today is Wyatt's 7th birthday and we just finished his birthday party. We had all his classmates and 2 of his cousins out for a bowling party at the new Raymond's Bowl. I think it went very well. It seemed like the kids had fun and everything ran smoothly. The important thing to me, though, is that Wyatt had fun, which I think he did. He is such a special kid that I think he would have had fun doing just about anything. Seriously. How did I manage to get so lucky as to have had a child like him? He is so eager to please, such a rules kid and such a nice boy. I hear it from everybody and it is evident in the way his friends treat him. His brother and sister look up to him, as well. They both light up when he gets home from school and can't wait to play with him.

Wyatt represents so much for our family. He came at a difficult time in his dad's life. Todd had just lost his father and was grieving over that fact, so, I think he helped him to heal. I remember Todd coming in the day after he was born and just hugging us and crying and telling us how important we both were to him. I had never seen him express emotion of that caliber. Todd also looked at him in amazement and commented about how this was the first person he "knew" who was blood-related to him. It surprised me that he made that comment. Luckily, Wyatt looks just like his dad.

The day I went into labor with Wyatt, Thursday, January 26th, I was working at Dr. Lakemaker's office. My contractions started at about 9:45 am and were every 6 minutes. I called my doctor at about 11:30 and they told me to go get checked. I called Todd and told him and he asked if i wanted him to come right now. I told him to go have lunch and then call me. The contrx never stopped so i had him come get me and we headed to the hospital. I was definitely in early labor, and I think the doctor took pity on the worst rash she "had ever seen" and kept me to help things along. I was so not ready, though. I was 15 days early and had nothing packed. My poor SIL had to wade through my dirty bedroom to get the stuff I needed.

It was a long night of labor and Wyatt was finally born the next morning of the 27th at 5:47 am. He was such an adorable baby with a head full of really dark hair. Everyone came to see him at the hospital. It was exciting, yet overwhelming at the same time. I could not believe that this little miracle had just been born. I knew things were never going to be the same.

And here I am, 7 years later, with one of the most incredible people that has ever come into my life. Happy Birthday Wyatt. You make me proud every day of your life. I hope to someday be the kind of person you already are. I love you.

Happy Birthday, Henry...

Today is my middle guy's 4th birthday. That age is so strange for me because he is no longer a toddler, in my eyes, once he's past 3 but he is not a "big boy", either no matter how much he insists he is. Four is like the limbo of ages--not a toddler but not a school aged child, either. I know that makes no sense...I have a hard time explaining it to myself.

Henry is my special boy. It took him awhile to join our family, but when he did, he did with fireworks. His pregnancy and labor are things I will never forget about him. We had a difficult time concieving after Wyatt was born and finally after 16 months and 2 miscarriages, Henry was on his way. His pregnancy was pretty uneventful, but his labor!

I will never forget the day I went into labor with him. I had gone shooping with Debi, Spencer and Wyatt and spent the whole morning at Woodfield. I headed home about 1:30 and immediately the contractions started. I got home, put Wy down for a nap and laid down with a glass of water and the contractions didn't lessen. At 6:00, we decided to head for the hospital and got there about 7:15. They told me they were going to keep me and we then had to find someone to take Wyatt. We were finally able to get ahold of Heather and Justin. In the meantime, my doctor decided to break my bag before my Epidural was in place. Never, again. I turned into an evilina. Heather walked in with Wyatt to see how I was doing and the only thing I said was "Get him out of here." She and Justin promptly left. Luckily his labor and delivery were very quick and pretty easy once the meds kicked in. He arrived at 10:57 that night.

His first month with us was rough. The poor baby had reflux something fierce and it wasn't until we started giving him cereal in his bottle on the advice of the doctor, that things started to get better. He was like a different child. He has always been very independent and stubborn....simply feisty. He has a mind of his own and no one will tell him any differently. He sticks up for himself and like his brother has a strong sense of right and wrong.

Henry started school this year and it seems to be going well. We have our first conference next week and I'd be lying if I didn't say I wasn't nervous. It will be interesting to hear what an outsode perspective is of Henry and I'd be lying if I didn't say I wasn't a little defensive of him. I am afraid of him living in his brother's shadow and hate when people compare the two. Our families have a bad habit of doing this and I know that teachers have a tendency to do it, too, so I'm apprehensive. I'm sure everything will be fine. It always is.

Happy Birthday, my blonde, scrappy, little boy. No matter what you say, you ARE my baby and always will be. There are so many things I love about you besides what I listed above. I love how fiercely loyal you are to your family--you always stick up for anyone you feel is being wronged. I love how affectionate you are and how you love to cuddle. I love your independence. I love how your personality is like your dad's. I love and admire you and am grateful you finally came into my life.

My little Lector...

The school that Wyatt goes to has a weekly Mass that the whole student body attends. Each week a different class does the readings, responsorial psalms, intentions and gift-bearing. This was the second time that Wyatt was picked to do a reading. Mrs. Rysso sends home the reading a week ahead of time so that we can practice at home, which we do. Wyatt has a tendency to fidget and rock back and forth. The kid is always moving. So, when we practice I am telling him, "Stand Still. Speak Clearly. Louder." because he also has a tendency to mumble. He was getting so frustrated that Todd and I backed off of him.

Yesterday, Wyatt went up to the microphone and BELTED out his reading. His dad and I just looked at each other and kind of giggled because he definitely spoke loudly and clearly. I looked at Todd and said, "well, he's got that covered." He did wonderfully, though. He was a teensy bit louder than he should have been, but spoke so clearly it was easy to hear him from the back of the church.

I am so proud of that big, little guy. I should have had faith that he would do well since he has already done it. I, unfortunately, projected my own nervousness onto him which is a stress that my sensitive guy does not need. It is something I am really aware of and am trying to work on.