My day was insane from the moment I got going. I woke up peacefully this morning. Got the kids breakfast, worked with the baby, and then remembered it was Sunday, and that meant my coupons were waiting patiently on my driveway. I got really excited, but I didn't want to change out of my robe just to go get them. When I looked outside I noticed the ground was dusted with snow, and it was extremely foggy. Since I could hardly see the house across the street I went out in my robe to get my papers. That was only after I tried to send Jack out to get them. He made it two steps down the porch before his poor little feet froze through his pajamas. I'm such a bad mom.
After looking through my coupons with glee, I decided to get moving on the massive project that it is to get my herd ready for church. Seriously people, I've never been so thankful for 1:00 church in all my life. I poured Alivia's bath and took the time to enjoy her enjoying her bath. Her two favorite places in the whole world are her bath, and her changing table. I think she just likes being naked. She smiles and talks to me the entire time she is in either of these places. We were about 10 minutes into her bath when Shawn called me from his meeting at church. His was reminded by our home teacher that they were coming home teaching today, right now. Shawn said, "I'm on my way home, and they are following."
Well, remember how yesterday we were working in our yard? Do you know what yard work does for your house? Nothing is the answer to that. It takes so much energy out of you that you feel justified in slacking on the dishes and mopping the floor. So remember that huge breakfast we had yesterday? Yeah, still here. Oh, and me? I'm still in my bath robe. My kids are still in their pajamas, one is poopy I'm sure, and one is naked and in the tub. It was one of those moments where you say "Oooookkaayy. I've gotta go."
After hanging up the phone, I scrubbed Alivia as quickly as humanely possible, rushed her to her changing table and slapped a diaper on her bum. Then I ran down stairs, changed Jack's bum, and scrambled around my living room like a mad man picking up lose ends. Lucy was my little super hero here, she was such a help. Then I raced upstairs, threw Alivia in a dress, and jumped into one myself. I even got makeup on before our home teacher's showed up. I felt like Super Women.
We had a great lesson with the home teachers who happen to be our really good friends. We were even planning on going to dinner at their house that evening, but they had to cancel because Sheryl was sick. Once our home teachers left, we showered the kids, and tried to put Jack down for a nap. It didn't take, and thus beings our Sacrament Meeting Portion of our journey.
We got to church about mid way through the opening hymn. Shawn was about halfway sitting down when he realized there was only one priest up on the stand to bless the Sacrament. Shawn quickly recruited another Brother from our ward, and headed up to the front. At that moment Alivia started crying, and I got a wiff of Jack's bum. Yes, stinky diaper #2 of the day, and we hadn't even started the second verse of the opening hymn. So, I turned to Lucy and asked if she could wait here while I went to change Jack's diaper. She was not going for that. She didn't want to be left alone. Thank goodness her old Sunbeams teacher Sister Gaardner noticed my need for assistance and came my rescue. Much to Lucy's delight, she sat with her while I went and took care of the other two kids.
When I came back after changing Jack and feeding Alivia, Shawn was sitting with Lucy again because the Sacrament was over. We sat down and started to breath when Jack tripped over Lucy's foot and face planted into the chair leg. Shawn quickly took him out. A minute later Lucy had to go potty. The lady sitting behind me offered to hold Alivia while I took Lucy. When I came back, Shawn was walking the halls with a now crying Alivia who was apparently scared of the stranger. Shawn spent the rest of the meeting in the foyer. Jack and Lucy did better after this, if you don't count the 75,000 times they dropped their crayons on the floor making other people pick them up. Oh, and for the last 15 minutes of the meeting there was no containing Jack who could see his daddy out in the foyer, so he just kept wandering back and forth, in and out. Oh, and there was one "Jesus Christ! Amen!!!" yell from Jack in there too. Oh well. I apologized profusely to everyone we interrupted around us. Thank goodness they all seemed very understanding. I swear my kids have found humor in chaos, and they wait for the most inconvenient moments to unleash.
When I dropped Jack and Lucy off to Nursery and Primary, I came back into Sunday School and thought to myself, I have never been more thankful for Primary and Nursery in all my life. I enjoyed about 15 minutes of the lesson before Alivia was awake and ready to eat again. I spent the remainder of my time at church today in the mother's lounge.
When we came home we enjoyed a delicious roast dinner. I've never seen Lucy eat so many carrots in all my life, and I'm not going to complain! She left zero left overs. After dinner we sat down and watched "The Emperor's New Groove" together as a family. I love that movie and couldn't pass it up when I saw it at Walmart last night. The kids loved it too, and now we have a stronger connection with my family in Idaho, that is their favorite movie of all time.
Later tonight I went over to Jessica Stoddard's house because it was her birthday and her husband was working and she wanted to do some sewing and have a girls night. So that is what we did. I worked more on Project #4, which I'm getting very very close on, and I consider today as a whole to be Project #7, because that is what it was, one massive project, which I survived.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Day 54: Goodbye Bushes!!
Saturday was the day of project #6. So far so good, I've accomplished 6 projects in 6 days, and I'm loving what I'm getting done (I know, I know, project #4 was not finished yet, why are you people so critical?). Today (Saturday) I wasn't so sure which project to tackle. I had just decided to start on one when Shawn called me on his way home from choir practice. He was itching to do a project too. PERFECT! Shawn's idea was better than mine, so he stopped at the Home Depot and picked up a saw, a hedge cutter, and a good rake.
An hour later, after I cooked us all a smashing breakfast of french toast, hash browns, and bacon, we were outside taking out all our anger over our terrible back yard, on the hideous bushes that occupied so much of our space back there. Seriously, who ever thought that pine bushes were a good idea? They are terrible! I'm so not a fan of pine. I'm hoping to tackle our two large pine trees next weekend, but Conference might make that a little difficult. Moving on. Our 4 ugly bushes that I've hated since the day we toured our house, are no longer in our yard. We are slowly, ever so slowly making progress on that useless piece of our property. This is what we call sweat equity people. We're doing it!
After owning our bushes, I did a quick run to King Soopers where I hooked myself up with 12 free chocolate bars, 5 free bottles of Franks Hot Sauce, and a few other coupon hits. Then I headed to Walmart and picked up some meds for Shawn's acid reflex, and a Red Box. I was a big fan of the movie "The Next 3 Days", Russell Crow doesn't mess around. I think I just really enjoyed spending a night with Shawn and no interruptions. We've been so busy lately it just felt incredible to stay home and watch a movie together.
I leave you today with a picture of Lucy in her work gloves standing in front of what use to be our bushes, at least one of them. She was so excited to help us. It was so cute to watch her sit on her bum like me and use her legs to help us get the roots out of the ground. Some day I know I am going to miss the say she narrates everything that is happening around her. She is one stinking cute stinker.
An hour later, after I cooked us all a smashing breakfast of french toast, hash browns, and bacon, we were outside taking out all our anger over our terrible back yard, on the hideous bushes that occupied so much of our space back there. Seriously, who ever thought that pine bushes were a good idea? They are terrible! I'm so not a fan of pine. I'm hoping to tackle our two large pine trees next weekend, but Conference might make that a little difficult. Moving on. Our 4 ugly bushes that I've hated since the day we toured our house, are no longer in our yard. We are slowly, ever so slowly making progress on that useless piece of our property. This is what we call sweat equity people. We're doing it!
After owning our bushes, I did a quick run to King Soopers where I hooked myself up with 12 free chocolate bars, 5 free bottles of Franks Hot Sauce, and a few other coupon hits. Then I headed to Walmart and picked up some meds for Shawn's acid reflex, and a Red Box. I was a big fan of the movie "The Next 3 Days", Russell Crow doesn't mess around. I think I just really enjoyed spending a night with Shawn and no interruptions. We've been so busy lately it just felt incredible to stay home and watch a movie together.
Day 53: A Little Late
Friday was 1, 2, 3 days ago. My bad. It's been a little hectic around here with my projects. Still, Friday was a good day. Alivia did amazing with her sleeping schedule, which makes me one happy mom. Alivia put herself to sleep in her cradle again, only she did it twice! I'm so pumped! So I was easily able to work on Project #5, which was making Alivia's growth chart board. I love these things, I have one for Lucy and Jack, so it was only fair that I get Alivia's all set. I'm happy with how it turned out.
I'd include more details about my day on Friday, but when you get 3 days behind, it gets hard to remember details. So, you'll just have to enjoy Alivia's chart as much as I do. What's funny about Alivia's chart, is that in my mind I've decided Alivia is a very formal, elegant, dainty little girl, even though she is too young to know that. So I feel like this chart might be too bubbly for Alivia. I think it might fit Lucy's personality better, and Lucy's is more elegant looking, so maybe her's fit's Alivia's better? Meh, Lucy's pretty dainty herself, she can't walk without shaking her hips or dancing around like a ballerina, so it all works.
I'd include more details about my day on Friday, but when you get 3 days behind, it gets hard to remember details. So, you'll just have to enjoy Alivia's chart as much as I do. What's funny about Alivia's chart, is that in my mind I've decided Alivia is a very formal, elegant, dainty little girl, even though she is too young to know that. So I feel like this chart might be too bubbly for Alivia. I think it might fit Lucy's personality better, and Lucy's is more elegant looking, so maybe her's fit's Alivia's better? Meh, Lucy's pretty dainty herself, she can't walk without shaking her hips or dancing around like a ballerina, so it all works.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Day 52: Frustration.
Today was a day of frustration.
I'm frustrated BYU lost. Not so much frustrated, more heart broken that Jimmer's days with BYU have come to and end.
I'm frustrated that I sewed two left sleeves for my shirt, and could not finish my project today as a result.
Those are really my only frustrations. Day 4 Project was to work on my shirt I am sewing for myself. It's super cute, and I can't wait to finish it. The only problem is that I am inexperienced. It would take someone who is inexperienced to sew two left sleeves. I was shooting to finish it today, but when I hit that speed bump I realized I had to cut out a new sleeve, a new lining and start all over on my right sleeve. That's like 15 steps in case you were wondering. My motivation was killed.
On a happy note, Alivia took two naps today IN HER CRADLE!! And she put herself to sleep! Glorious! I'm so excited, and crossing my fingers that it wasn't a fluke. (That was my nick name in High School BTW.) I'm hoping she is starting to buy into my routine idea. Another happy note: I got 12 Dove Chocolate bars today for free. I will be getting at least 12, maybe 24-36 more for free tomorrow. Love those coupons!
Just so you all know, Project #4 will continue and be finished within my 20 day deadline, but I had to walk away from it for a time, just like you have to set a crying baby down and walk away sometimes. I also need to buy some super cute buttons for it anyway, so I really couldn't have finished it tonight even if I were experienced. But you better get excited for some pictures of it, maybe I'll even model....maybe.
I'm frustrated BYU lost. Not so much frustrated, more heart broken that Jimmer's days with BYU have come to and end.
I'm frustrated that I sewed two left sleeves for my shirt, and could not finish my project today as a result.
Those are really my only frustrations. Day 4 Project was to work on my shirt I am sewing for myself. It's super cute, and I can't wait to finish it. The only problem is that I am inexperienced. It would take someone who is inexperienced to sew two left sleeves. I was shooting to finish it today, but when I hit that speed bump I realized I had to cut out a new sleeve, a new lining and start all over on my right sleeve. That's like 15 steps in case you were wondering. My motivation was killed.
On a happy note, Alivia took two naps today IN HER CRADLE!! And she put herself to sleep! Glorious! I'm so excited, and crossing my fingers that it wasn't a fluke. (That was my nick name in High School BTW.) I'm hoping she is starting to buy into my routine idea. Another happy note: I got 12 Dove Chocolate bars today for free. I will be getting at least 12, maybe 24-36 more for free tomorrow. Love those coupons!
Just so you all know, Project #4 will continue and be finished within my 20 day deadline, but I had to walk away from it for a time, just like you have to set a crying baby down and walk away sometimes. I also need to buy some super cute buttons for it anyway, so I really couldn't have finished it tonight even if I were experienced. But you better get excited for some pictures of it, maybe I'll even model....maybe.
Day 51: Project Overrun
If you thought that I forgot to post last night, you would be wrong. If you thought that I forgot to do my project for the day, you would be wrong again. The problem occurred when I tried to do both. My project took longer than I expected as projects often do, and since I had gone for a good run I found myself to be exhausted. When I finished working on my project I thought, "I should write my post." But then I decided, "Nope, I'm going to bed."
Anyway, today (Wednesday) was pretty calm. I owned my house, except for vacuuming, that get's tricky when you are trying to keep kids asleep. I have this rule with my projects that I cannot start my project until my house is good to go. I also got dinner all made and in the oven just in time for Shawn to get home so I could go for a run. My run felt incredible! I only did 2 miles, but it felt so good. I'm getting in shape so my lungs and my legs don't tire as quickly. Time to up my mileage.
Once we finished dinner I got going on my project. Huh, it just hit me that Shawn didn't have mutual, that was a nice break, and neither one of us mentioned it and I only just now realized it. Funny. Anyway, my project for the day was making my kids Jimmer Fredette shirts. They both wanted Jimmer shirts, and they both wanted them to say "Teach me how to Jimmer". So, I made them teach me how to Jimmer shirts. Jack's is awesome. Lucy's tee shirt was too big, so I tried to alter it for her, and I did it really quick. It bugs me, so I'll have to work on it some more, but I for sure don't have the motivation to do it now. But here are the results.
Anyway, today (Wednesday) was pretty calm. I owned my house, except for vacuuming, that get's tricky when you are trying to keep kids asleep. I have this rule with my projects that I cannot start my project until my house is good to go. I also got dinner all made and in the oven just in time for Shawn to get home so I could go for a run. My run felt incredible! I only did 2 miles, but it felt so good. I'm getting in shape so my lungs and my legs don't tire as quickly. Time to up my mileage.
Once we finished dinner I got going on my project. Huh, it just hit me that Shawn didn't have mutual, that was a nice break, and neither one of us mentioned it and I only just now realized it. Funny. Anyway, my project for the day was making my kids Jimmer Fredette shirts. They both wanted Jimmer shirts, and they both wanted them to say "Teach me how to Jimmer". So, I made them teach me how to Jimmer shirts. Jack's is awesome. Lucy's tee shirt was too big, so I tried to alter it for her, and I did it really quick. It bugs me, so I'll have to work on it some more, but I for sure don't have the motivation to do it now. But here are the results.
Pay no attention to the cheetoes smeared all over Jack's face, this is a day later, post BYU Game Day Party.
See, it's too long, and the sleeves are a mess. Easy fix, just don't know when.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Day 50: Does Chaos Follow?
Wow, I can't believe I have been doing this for 50 days now. No, I have not been 100% on one post per day, but there has been a post for everyday none the less, I'm just a little late sometimes. It's honestly only happened about 3 times though, and two of those were because our computer is exploring it's retirement options.
So, Shawn texted me today to inform me that Chili's had a kids eat free special tonight. It doesn't take a lot to talk me into eating out. I should put my foot down more since I run the budget around here, but in my mind I was thinking "If Shawn want's to, then it must be alright." So, off to Chili's we went.
Shawn and I ordered off the 2 for $20 special, and the kids were free. Things were looking good, right up until we got our orders in. Then Lucy could not understand why her food didn't magically appear before her, and Jack learned to jump on our bench, which I'm sure annoyed the heck out of the people behind us. This is also when Alivia decided she had enough of smiling and being adorably sweet (something I have titled, the ten minute warning), and remembered that all that smiling puts her in a bad mood. So, she started crying. All this happened between the time we ordered our food, and when they brought out the queso.
Since our food hadn't come yet, I took the opportunity to run and nurse Alivia in the bathroom (something that is far less than pleasant, but she was sleeping when we left). When I came back the kids were happily snacking on chips and salsa and queso, so I joined in. Alivia was happy right up until the waitress arrived with our food. You might think I'm being dramatic, but this was the exact moment Alivia started screaming again. That was probably because the waitress accidentally dumped my salad on the floor and shattered the plate. I was totally fine with it, I understand, but what Shawn and I were not cool with was all the cussing that followed. We so didn't need her swearing up a storm in front of our kids, and that is exactly what she did.
Chili's did a great job, they had me a fresh salad in less than 5 minutes. Shawn was able to eat his food for that long, but as soon as salad #2 came, and I took one bit, Lucy said "I need to go potty!" So, I passed a screaming Alivia off to Shawn, and took her potty. I later heard that those 7 minutes that we were in the bathroom were the most humiliating minutes of Shawn's life. People all over the restaurant were looking around to see who had the screaming baby, but Shawn couldn't go anywhere because of Jack. So as soon as we got back, Shawn loaded Alivia into her car seat and went driving while the kids and I ate. I felt so bad. Our night out as a family was a total disaster. Needless to say, we will never be going out to a restaurant with our kids again. Not until they are 25 and older.
I will focus on the positive here though, because of the kids eat free deal, and the salad smashing on the floor, we were able to feed our entire family for the price of one. When they brought our bill out, Chili's paid for my salad, and for all our food we were billed $13. I did give our waiter a good tip because he handled everything so amazingly (and he didn't bring out our food, it was some chick, and she would not have gotten a good tip since she started swearing up a storm). I guess chaos is good in some ways?
The reason I ask if chaos follows is because I also tried to take the kids to Walgreens today. Lucy and Jack were OUT OF CONTROL!! Seriously, since Alivia was born, these two feel like they need to turn the volume up 25 notches at all times. Jack is constantly screaming at ear piercing levels, Lucy doesn't have an indoor voice (I'll be sitting right next to her on the couch and she yells everything she has to say right in my ear), and they are constantly, constantly running around! In the store Jack ran into the shelves in the isles 3 times! One of those times he was looking right at it and still walked right into it, to be honest, I'm a little concerned about his depth perception. Lucy also walked right into the cart because she wasn't watching where she was going. I'll be honest, I found this to be hilarious, but she is dramatic and all the screaming and tears made it far less entertaining. So in answer to my own question, no chaos doesn't follow. We are chaos.
So that was my day. But don't worry, I didn't forget about 20 projects in 20 days. Day 2's project was Jack's name for his room. I bought these letters when he was about a month old. They have sat in a hobby lobby bag every since. Today, I finished them off. I love how they turned out. No, they are not up on the wall yet, but no worries, one of my scheduled projects is to hang everything on the walls that hasn't made it up in the last year and a half since we bought our house. I know I'm pathetic, but I still have a box in my garage of framed pictures and wall hangings that hasn't even been unpacked! I'm finally going to give up on the dream of getting the walls painted first.
One last note: Please pray for us that our house doesn't blow away tonight. We've had INSANE winds since we moved here, but tonight easily takes the cake as the strongest, and therefore scariest winds so far. Our big living room window is squeaking so bad it sounds like it's slowly shimmying itself right out of it's opening. I've also never heard the winds shake our interior fireplace. The chimney has always done it's fair share of whistling and howling, but I'm hearing the metal insert in my family room shaking tonight. It's intense! Maybe we should sleep in the basement.
So, Shawn texted me today to inform me that Chili's had a kids eat free special tonight. It doesn't take a lot to talk me into eating out. I should put my foot down more since I run the budget around here, but in my mind I was thinking "If Shawn want's to, then it must be alright." So, off to Chili's we went.
Shawn and I ordered off the 2 for $20 special, and the kids were free. Things were looking good, right up until we got our orders in. Then Lucy could not understand why her food didn't magically appear before her, and Jack learned to jump on our bench, which I'm sure annoyed the heck out of the people behind us. This is also when Alivia decided she had enough of smiling and being adorably sweet (something I have titled, the ten minute warning), and remembered that all that smiling puts her in a bad mood. So, she started crying. All this happened between the time we ordered our food, and when they brought out the queso.
Since our food hadn't come yet, I took the opportunity to run and nurse Alivia in the bathroom (something that is far less than pleasant, but she was sleeping when we left). When I came back the kids were happily snacking on chips and salsa and queso, so I joined in. Alivia was happy right up until the waitress arrived with our food. You might think I'm being dramatic, but this was the exact moment Alivia started screaming again. That was probably because the waitress accidentally dumped my salad on the floor and shattered the plate. I was totally fine with it, I understand, but what Shawn and I were not cool with was all the cussing that followed. We so didn't need her swearing up a storm in front of our kids, and that is exactly what she did.
Chili's did a great job, they had me a fresh salad in less than 5 minutes. Shawn was able to eat his food for that long, but as soon as salad #2 came, and I took one bit, Lucy said "I need to go potty!" So, I passed a screaming Alivia off to Shawn, and took her potty. I later heard that those 7 minutes that we were in the bathroom were the most humiliating minutes of Shawn's life. People all over the restaurant were looking around to see who had the screaming baby, but Shawn couldn't go anywhere because of Jack. So as soon as we got back, Shawn loaded Alivia into her car seat and went driving while the kids and I ate. I felt so bad. Our night out as a family was a total disaster. Needless to say, we will never be going out to a restaurant with our kids again. Not until they are 25 and older.
I will focus on the positive here though, because of the kids eat free deal, and the salad smashing on the floor, we were able to feed our entire family for the price of one. When they brought our bill out, Chili's paid for my salad, and for all our food we were billed $13. I did give our waiter a good tip because he handled everything so amazingly (and he didn't bring out our food, it was some chick, and she would not have gotten a good tip since she started swearing up a storm). I guess chaos is good in some ways?
The reason I ask if chaos follows is because I also tried to take the kids to Walgreens today. Lucy and Jack were OUT OF CONTROL!! Seriously, since Alivia was born, these two feel like they need to turn the volume up 25 notches at all times. Jack is constantly screaming at ear piercing levels, Lucy doesn't have an indoor voice (I'll be sitting right next to her on the couch and she yells everything she has to say right in my ear), and they are constantly, constantly running around! In the store Jack ran into the shelves in the isles 3 times! One of those times he was looking right at it and still walked right into it, to be honest, I'm a little concerned about his depth perception. Lucy also walked right into the cart because she wasn't watching where she was going. I'll be honest, I found this to be hilarious, but she is dramatic and all the screaming and tears made it far less entertaining. So in answer to my own question, no chaos doesn't follow. We are chaos.
So that was my day. But don't worry, I didn't forget about 20 projects in 20 days. Day 2's project was Jack's name for his room. I bought these letters when he was about a month old. They have sat in a hobby lobby bag every since. Today, I finished them off. I love how they turned out. No, they are not up on the wall yet, but no worries, one of my scheduled projects is to hang everything on the walls that hasn't made it up in the last year and a half since we bought our house. I know I'm pathetic, but I still have a box in my garage of framed pictures and wall hangings that hasn't even been unpacked! I'm finally going to give up on the dream of getting the walls painted first.
One last note: Please pray for us that our house doesn't blow away tonight. We've had INSANE winds since we moved here, but tonight easily takes the cake as the strongest, and therefore scariest winds so far. Our big living room window is squeaking so bad it sounds like it's slowly shimmying itself right out of it's opening. I've also never heard the winds shake our interior fireplace. The chimney has always done it's fair share of whistling and howling, but I'm hearing the metal insert in my family room shaking tonight. It's intense! Maybe we should sleep in the basement.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Day 49: 20 Projects in 20 Days
I've decided that I need to spice up my blog. It's so great to have all these stories of everyday written down, but seriously, a picture says a thousand words. So starting today, I'm going to try to take a picture a day to help illustrate my life. Some days will be simple pictures of the kids, most days will be pictures of messes, and for the next 20 days, there will be pictures of projects! Get excited.
Today was a pajama day. Lucy came down with a little cold yesterday, so I knew we weren't going anywhere today. Jack was a little under the weather today too, so we spent the entire day in our pajamas. All of us, Alivia, Lucy, Jack, and I. As I spent my day in comfort, I did a lot of cleaning. I tend to keep my house in control on a level to level basis. I've been doing well with the main level, but the top floor has spiraled out of control this week. I hate my kids bathroom, do you hear me? I HATE IT!
While cleaning I happened to notice that I am TERRIBLE at finishing projects! I found no fewer than 12 half finished projects around the house today, and I've decided I absolutely have got to finish these. If I just get them done my house will feel so much more organized and under control. So, here you have it. I wrote down a list of 20 projects that I have started or have meant to start, and I will finish one a day for the next 20 days. Get excited, I know I am. I also know I'm in over my head, but I intend to make a lot of progress. Some of my projects are bigger than others. Some of my big projects are half done, so that helps. I was going to write my list down on here, but I've decided to keep it on a day by day basis, I find the suspense to be riveting!
Today's project was a planter box for my kitchen window which I planted basil, parsley, chives, and cilantro in. I've been meaning to get this thing started for 2 weeks now, but haven't known where to start. So tonight when I went to the Home Depot to have some boards for some other project's cut and to pick up some new closet rod hangers (our closet rod fell down in our closet because we have too many close and the weight broke the bracket), I saw the herb planter kit and was so excited. So after day one, project one is successfully completed! The seeds are planted and now I just have to watch them grow.
On another note, as I was cleaning today, I kept coming across Jack carrying around the center of a cinnamon roll. I didn't think much of it, we made cinnamon rolls yesterday. When I came down to the kitchen a while later, this is what I found. I thought it was too funny not to take document.
And the high light of my day... HALEY IS COMING!! I'm so excited! My best friend Haley is going to be out in Denver for a wedding the weekend of April 8th. When I found out about this I asked if there was any way I could see her. That's when she decided to come stay with me for a few days. I am so excited that the word excited does it no justice! I miss her so much and I'm so looking forward to all the fun we are going to have. You better believe I'm taking her dumpster diving for coupons, and we'll do it Haley style, the really fun way. Shawn is going to love us!
Today was a pajama day. Lucy came down with a little cold yesterday, so I knew we weren't going anywhere today. Jack was a little under the weather today too, so we spent the entire day in our pajamas. All of us, Alivia, Lucy, Jack, and I. As I spent my day in comfort, I did a lot of cleaning. I tend to keep my house in control on a level to level basis. I've been doing well with the main level, but the top floor has spiraled out of control this week. I hate my kids bathroom, do you hear me? I HATE IT!
While cleaning I happened to notice that I am TERRIBLE at finishing projects! I found no fewer than 12 half finished projects around the house today, and I've decided I absolutely have got to finish these. If I just get them done my house will feel so much more organized and under control. So, here you have it. I wrote down a list of 20 projects that I have started or have meant to start, and I will finish one a day for the next 20 days. Get excited, I know I am. I also know I'm in over my head, but I intend to make a lot of progress. Some of my projects are bigger than others. Some of my big projects are half done, so that helps. I was going to write my list down on here, but I've decided to keep it on a day by day basis, I find the suspense to be riveting!
Today's project was a planter box for my kitchen window which I planted basil, parsley, chives, and cilantro in. I've been meaning to get this thing started for 2 weeks now, but haven't known where to start. So tonight when I went to the Home Depot to have some boards for some other project's cut and to pick up some new closet rod hangers (our closet rod fell down in our closet because we have too many close and the weight broke the bracket), I saw the herb planter kit and was so excited. So after day one, project one is successfully completed! The seeds are planted and now I just have to watch them grow.
On another note, as I was cleaning today, I kept coming across Jack carrying around the center of a cinnamon roll. I didn't think much of it, we made cinnamon rolls yesterday. When I came down to the kitchen a while later, this is what I found. I thought it was too funny not to take document.
And the high light of my day... HALEY IS COMING!! I'm so excited! My best friend Haley is going to be out in Denver for a wedding the weekend of April 8th. When I found out about this I asked if there was any way I could see her. That's when she decided to come stay with me for a few days. I am so excited that the word excited does it no justice! I miss her so much and I'm so looking forward to all the fun we are going to have. You better believe I'm taking her dumpster diving for coupons, and we'll do it Haley style, the really fun way. Shawn is going to love us!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Day 48: Sunday DA DA DAAAAA!
Today was one of those Sundays when Shawn is gone ALL day in meetings. He left this morning by 9:00 for his first meeting. He came home for his second meeting at our house at 10:30, and then left for his third meeting at noon. Church was at 1, we were home by 4:30, had a quick dinner, and then he left again at 6:15 for a fireside. I felt bad for him that it was so none stop, and so not a day of rest, but to be honest, I felt more bad for me. Where is my day of rest? I only feel more bad for me because I can relate to myself and my situation way better than his. When I look at his schedule, I almost get a little jealous. To me he get's to go hang out with a bunch of people and socialize, all be it work.
Alivia was cranky again today, I only got to sit through Relief Society (which I'm so grateful for) at church. Jack colored on a lot of walls today and pooped at church twice. Lucy is coming down with a cold that I knew one of my kids would pick up if we went to Denver. Mom knows best. On a happy note: all my kids were in bed by 7:30 tonight!!! Lucy and Jack were in bed by 6:30 (in bed, not asleep) due to a terrible night of sleep last night, no naps, and a cold. This I could get used to. Now that Shawn is home and the kids are in bed, I'm pretty sure I'm going to cut this short and embark on throwing my evening away to nothing but wasted time, and I'm going to like it.
Alivia was cranky again today, I only got to sit through Relief Society (which I'm so grateful for) at church. Jack colored on a lot of walls today and pooped at church twice. Lucy is coming down with a cold that I knew one of my kids would pick up if we went to Denver. Mom knows best. On a happy note: all my kids were in bed by 7:30 tonight!!! Lucy and Jack were in bed by 6:30 (in bed, not asleep) due to a terrible night of sleep last night, no naps, and a cold. This I could get used to. Now that Shawn is home and the kids are in bed, I'm pretty sure I'm going to cut this short and embark on throwing my evening away to nothing but wasted time, and I'm going to like it.
Day 47: COUGARS!!!
Today BYU officially qualified for the Sweet Sixteen. It was so exciting! My bracket was slaughtered today mercilessly, so even though I picked my bracket a little differently, I'm cheering now more than ever that BYU takes it all. Not that I wasn't before my bracket was destroyed, but now, it's as if I had no bracket. I picked Pittsburgh to take it all, and they lost tonight.
Shawn was of course at the game, and he LOVED it. He didn't go with anyone and sat all by himself, but he didn't care. To be honest, as I was watching the game, I was so happy he was there. But it was so much nicer for me to be up in Denver with his family and not suffering though my kids on my own.
Another perk to being up in Denver was that I was able to get my stack of papers from Adriana. Always a happy thing to get my hands on. Adriana also gave me some pasta coupons she had left over so I could get 42 boxes of pasta for free! LOVE IT! I hit King Soopers twice today and I was able to get 42 boxes of pasta, 9 top roman packets, 9 bottles of hand soap, 3 bottles of Olay body wash, 2 tubes of Olay Regenerist facial cleanser, 1 package of Olay Regenerist facial wipes, and 8 packets of tuna all for $12. $2 of that was tax, $4 was for the tuna to meet sale requirements for the free pasta (it's complicated), and the rest was what I actually paid for the products. I'm so hooked on this it's ridiculous. Then best part was that I was able to hit the store twice with no kids, and you know how I feel about that.
I also learned upon cutting out my coupons from last week that I hadn't cut that I have 24 more coupons for Wonka Chocolates! I'm so excited and hope to get back to the King Soopers on the other side of town to use some of those up. Hopefully they still have a ton so I can use all my coupons and get all that chocolate for free. My storage room downstairs is looking AWESOME!! It's one of my pride enjoys.
Shawn was of course at the game, and he LOVED it. He didn't go with anyone and sat all by himself, but he didn't care. To be honest, as I was watching the game, I was so happy he was there. But it was so much nicer for me to be up in Denver with his family and not suffering though my kids on my own.
Another perk to being up in Denver was that I was able to get my stack of papers from Adriana. Always a happy thing to get my hands on. Adriana also gave me some pasta coupons she had left over so I could get 42 boxes of pasta for free! LOVE IT! I hit King Soopers twice today and I was able to get 42 boxes of pasta, 9 top roman packets, 9 bottles of hand soap, 3 bottles of Olay body wash, 2 tubes of Olay Regenerist facial cleanser, 1 package of Olay Regenerist facial wipes, and 8 packets of tuna all for $12. $2 of that was tax, $4 was for the tuna to meet sale requirements for the free pasta (it's complicated), and the rest was what I actually paid for the products. I'm so hooked on this it's ridiculous. Then best part was that I was able to hit the store twice with no kids, and you know how I feel about that.
I also learned upon cutting out my coupons from last week that I hadn't cut that I have 24 more coupons for Wonka Chocolates! I'm so excited and hope to get back to the King Soopers on the other side of town to use some of those up. Hopefully they still have a ton so I can use all my coupons and get all that chocolate for free. My storage room downstairs is looking AWESOME!! It's one of my pride enjoys.
Day 46: Bipolar?
I'm starting to think that Alivia is bipolar. She could not have been any worse for me yesterday, and today, she has been the sweetest baby I've ever encountered in all my life. So either she is bipolar, or one of the following explains her complete 180 in personality and mood today.
A- Alivia had her 2 month check up today. She is 75% for height and 50% for weight. She got some good old vaccinations today, so it might just be that something has always been hurting her and having a steady dose of Tylenol in her system is the solution to our colic problem.
B- Alivia thinks that her shots are a punishment for her behavior yesterday, and she has now been poked into shape.
C- Shots make Alivia drowsy, and as it turns out, if she sleeps all day her windows of opportunity for fussing and crying are dramatically limited. Not to mention all that sleep is bound to help her mood. Sure wish she would figure that one out and decide that naps are worth it.
I don't know what has caused Alivia to be so good today, but she is seriously a completely different baby. I won't complain, I will just enjoy it.
Shawn took Lucy on a Daddy Daughter Date tonight. It was their 3rd annual date to Disney On Ice. This year was especially special because the theme was Disney Princesses. You can guess how excited Lucy was about this. Lucy and Jack were invited to a birthday party earlier today, and when it was time to leave Lucy made sure to run to her friend Colby and say "Sorry Colby, we have to leave because my daddy is taking me on a daddy daughter date to Disney on Ice." She was obviously beside herself with excitement.
In the mix of the birthday party and the Daddy Daughter Date, we also fed the missionaries tonight. We had taco soup, always a hit. Once the missionaries were fed and out the door, I had the brilliant idea of dressing Lucy in her Sleeping Beauty dress for their date. We put on the dress, curled her hair, and topped it all off with a tiara. I love the way she walks when she knows she is pretty. She holds one hand out to the side with the wrist bent in such a way that her hand is held out. She purses her lips, and walks with a slight shake of the hips. I'm not sure where she picked this up, but that is what she does every time she knows she looks good. It's too funny.
While Shawn and Lucy were on their date, Lucy had to go potty. Shawn was a little nervous about taking her into the men's room, but he had no choice. When he went in there he was surprised to find at least 15 other dad's with all their little girls dressed in their little princess dresses. It was pretty funny I'm sure. When Shawn and Lucy got home, Shawn's first word's were "I'm a softy." Then I noticed Lucy carrying her new little glass dome wand that has spinning lights inside when you push the button. Lucy loved it so much, and she better because it was $20. Shawn was sporting the crown that the cotton candy came in, which we will be giving to Jack. Nothing like spending $10 on cotton candy for your little girl only to remember what you learned last year when you bought her this treat, she doesn't like it. Too funny.
A- Alivia had her 2 month check up today. She is 75% for height and 50% for weight. She got some good old vaccinations today, so it might just be that something has always been hurting her and having a steady dose of Tylenol in her system is the solution to our colic problem.
B- Alivia thinks that her shots are a punishment for her behavior yesterday, and she has now been poked into shape.
C- Shots make Alivia drowsy, and as it turns out, if she sleeps all day her windows of opportunity for fussing and crying are dramatically limited. Not to mention all that sleep is bound to help her mood. Sure wish she would figure that one out and decide that naps are worth it.
I don't know what has caused Alivia to be so good today, but she is seriously a completely different baby. I won't complain, I will just enjoy it.
Shawn took Lucy on a Daddy Daughter Date tonight. It was their 3rd annual date to Disney On Ice. This year was especially special because the theme was Disney Princesses. You can guess how excited Lucy was about this. Lucy and Jack were invited to a birthday party earlier today, and when it was time to leave Lucy made sure to run to her friend Colby and say "Sorry Colby, we have to leave because my daddy is taking me on a daddy daughter date to Disney on Ice." She was obviously beside herself with excitement.
In the mix of the birthday party and the Daddy Daughter Date, we also fed the missionaries tonight. We had taco soup, always a hit. Once the missionaries were fed and out the door, I had the brilliant idea of dressing Lucy in her Sleeping Beauty dress for their date. We put on the dress, curled her hair, and topped it all off with a tiara. I love the way she walks when she knows she is pretty. She holds one hand out to the side with the wrist bent in such a way that her hand is held out. She purses her lips, and walks with a slight shake of the hips. I'm not sure where she picked this up, but that is what she does every time she knows she looks good. It's too funny.
While Shawn and Lucy were on their date, Lucy had to go potty. Shawn was a little nervous about taking her into the men's room, but he had no choice. When he went in there he was surprised to find at least 15 other dad's with all their little girls dressed in their little princess dresses. It was pretty funny I'm sure. When Shawn and Lucy got home, Shawn's first word's were "I'm a softy." Then I noticed Lucy carrying her new little glass dome wand that has spinning lights inside when you push the button. Lucy loved it so much, and she better because it was $20. Shawn was sporting the crown that the cotton candy came in, which we will be giving to Jack. Nothing like spending $10 on cotton candy for your little girl only to remember what you learned last year when you bought her this treat, she doesn't like it. Too funny.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Day 45: Up and Down
It was another one of those days that starts off pretty good, and then ends with an explosion of chaos. It was the first day of the tournament, so Shawn took the day off. He's taking tomorrow off too. Shawn bought tickets to the games for the first two rounds of the tournament since they are here in Denver AND BYU is playing here. I was a little bummed because he wanted to go to both games so bad that I gave up my ticket so that he could. As bummed as I am, this is Shawn's dream come true, so I'm so glad that he could go to the game tonight, and even happier that BYU won and is moving onto the next round so that Shawn can watch his team instead of some other team playing in BYU's place. I just wish I could go with him so that 1- he doesn't have to sit all by himself, because at that is what he is going to do. And 2- because Jimmer Fredette is legendary, and I hate missing out on this. I hate that in 20 years when we are telling our kids about this we won't be able to say "We went to that game." But it was too danged expensive for me to go too.
Anyway, since Shawn was going to the game today, and taking the day off, I told him (got that, I told him, it wasn't a question) that I was sleeping in this morning. Not only was I exhausted in general, but I can't remember the last time I got to sleep in. I guess I've slept until 9 a time or two since Alivia was born, but that was only as a result of being up for about 2-4 hours with Alivia. So as I laid down last night I was so excited that I was going to sleep in. Turns out though, Alivia had a different plan. She woke up at 4:30 this morning, and was awake until 7. As a result, so was I. Then Shawn got up with the kids sometime between 7:30 and 8, and Alivia was up again at 9. I was so mad that my sleeping in was ruined that I took her out to Shawn and went back to bed and didn't feel guilty about it for one second. Unfortunately, I don't feel rested at all today.
When I did wake up, Adriana filled me in on the latest coupon deals for the week. It's an AMAZING week for coupons. Then I came down stairs to find Alivia being an ANGEL in her swing, awake and happy, not making a peep. Lucy and Jack were playing in the play room, and Shawn was peacefully enjoying his day off. Why don't they do that for me? I was glad that Shawn was able to relax and enjoy a much needed day off, but honestly, it's a little annoying that they are so good for him, because they ARE NOT for me!
Shawn left today at about 1. As he kissed us all goodbye, Alivia was smiley and happy, something I love, but I have also learned that it's the 10 minute warning. Shawn shut the door and backed out of the drive way, and that's when Alivia started crying. She didn't stop until about 8:30 when I put her down and made her cry it out. Honestly, today might have been the worst she has ever ever been. She cried and cried up until we left for dance at 2:45. Then I thought she fell asleep in the car, but turns out, she didn't. So when I dropped Lucy off and ran to the store, guess what Alivia started doing again? Crying.
Crying the entire time Jack and I were are Target. Then she really freaked out when I put her back in the car. She cried the entire time I carried her down to Lucy's studio and back up to the car. She stopped crying long enough to eat, but started right back up when I buckled her into her seat. She cried the entire time we were at King Soopers, and became hysterical when I was checking out. I got the kids out to the car when I learned that Lucy had to go potty. So back into the store we went, Alivia crying all the more. I was okay with going back in for 3 reasons. 1- Lucy getting to a potty is always better than an accident in the car. 2- I've already mastered tuning Alivia out when she get's like this. 3- I saw some Wonka candy on clearance as managerial special, and I had coupons out in the car that made it free, so I got to go back in and get those. I'm going back for more tomorrow because I got 3 big old chocolate toffee Wonka bars, and I was actually paid $.20 to take each one. I also got 3 big old bags of the same kind of chocolate in bite size pieces for $.26 a piece, but when you subtract the $.20 I was paid for the bars, I only paid $.06 a bag. It was beautiful.
Back to Alivia. She cried half of the way home, and then I thought she finally drifted off, but nope, not yet. So when we got home she cried the entire time I fed the kids dinner and ate a bowl of Lucky Charms myself. Then I fed her again, and she started crying again. I put the kids to bed at 6:45 tonight. They were so good, but I could not handle all 3 by myself when Alivia was like that. At this point I decided to do the only thing I could think of to keep Alivia quite, so I nursed her the entire time I watched the BYU game. She eventually drifted off to sleep, but when I took her up to bed, the second I laid her down, she started crying even more. Then she puked an unbelievable amount since I nursed her so long. Then I held her a little longer while she cried and cried, and then I just made her cry it out. I'm glad she has a check up tomorrow so I can ask her doctor if this is normal, she is out of control.
Shawn will get home in the morning. I'm on my own tonight. Meh. At least they are all sleeping and I have more free chocolate to look forward to tomorrow. And as hard as it has been, I really am glad that Shawn got to go to these games. The timing is TERRIBLE, but this really is a once in a life time thing for Shawn, so I'm glad he can do it. When he get's back, I'm thinking about starting my own career so he can be a full time stay at home dad for a year, just to help him understand me on a deeper level.
Anyway, since Shawn was going to the game today, and taking the day off, I told him (got that, I told him, it wasn't a question) that I was sleeping in this morning. Not only was I exhausted in general, but I can't remember the last time I got to sleep in. I guess I've slept until 9 a time or two since Alivia was born, but that was only as a result of being up for about 2-4 hours with Alivia. So as I laid down last night I was so excited that I was going to sleep in. Turns out though, Alivia had a different plan. She woke up at 4:30 this morning, and was awake until 7. As a result, so was I. Then Shawn got up with the kids sometime between 7:30 and 8, and Alivia was up again at 9. I was so mad that my sleeping in was ruined that I took her out to Shawn and went back to bed and didn't feel guilty about it for one second. Unfortunately, I don't feel rested at all today.
When I did wake up, Adriana filled me in on the latest coupon deals for the week. It's an AMAZING week for coupons. Then I came down stairs to find Alivia being an ANGEL in her swing, awake and happy, not making a peep. Lucy and Jack were playing in the play room, and Shawn was peacefully enjoying his day off. Why don't they do that for me? I was glad that Shawn was able to relax and enjoy a much needed day off, but honestly, it's a little annoying that they are so good for him, because they ARE NOT for me!
Shawn left today at about 1. As he kissed us all goodbye, Alivia was smiley and happy, something I love, but I have also learned that it's the 10 minute warning. Shawn shut the door and backed out of the drive way, and that's when Alivia started crying. She didn't stop until about 8:30 when I put her down and made her cry it out. Honestly, today might have been the worst she has ever ever been. She cried and cried up until we left for dance at 2:45. Then I thought she fell asleep in the car, but turns out, she didn't. So when I dropped Lucy off and ran to the store, guess what Alivia started doing again? Crying.
Crying the entire time Jack and I were are Target. Then she really freaked out when I put her back in the car. She cried the entire time I carried her down to Lucy's studio and back up to the car. She stopped crying long enough to eat, but started right back up when I buckled her into her seat. She cried the entire time we were at King Soopers, and became hysterical when I was checking out. I got the kids out to the car when I learned that Lucy had to go potty. So back into the store we went, Alivia crying all the more. I was okay with going back in for 3 reasons. 1- Lucy getting to a potty is always better than an accident in the car. 2- I've already mastered tuning Alivia out when she get's like this. 3- I saw some Wonka candy on clearance as managerial special, and I had coupons out in the car that made it free, so I got to go back in and get those. I'm going back for more tomorrow because I got 3 big old chocolate toffee Wonka bars, and I was actually paid $.20 to take each one. I also got 3 big old bags of the same kind of chocolate in bite size pieces for $.26 a piece, but when you subtract the $.20 I was paid for the bars, I only paid $.06 a bag. It was beautiful.
Back to Alivia. She cried half of the way home, and then I thought she finally drifted off, but nope, not yet. So when we got home she cried the entire time I fed the kids dinner and ate a bowl of Lucky Charms myself. Then I fed her again, and she started crying again. I put the kids to bed at 6:45 tonight. They were so good, but I could not handle all 3 by myself when Alivia was like that. At this point I decided to do the only thing I could think of to keep Alivia quite, so I nursed her the entire time I watched the BYU game. She eventually drifted off to sleep, but when I took her up to bed, the second I laid her down, she started crying even more. Then she puked an unbelievable amount since I nursed her so long. Then I held her a little longer while she cried and cried, and then I just made her cry it out. I'm glad she has a check up tomorrow so I can ask her doctor if this is normal, she is out of control.
Shawn will get home in the morning. I'm on my own tonight. Meh. At least they are all sleeping and I have more free chocolate to look forward to tomorrow. And as hard as it has been, I really am glad that Shawn got to go to these games. The timing is TERRIBLE, but this really is a once in a life time thing for Shawn, so I'm glad he can do it. When he get's back, I'm thinking about starting my own career so he can be a full time stay at home dad for a year, just to help him understand me on a deeper level.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Day 44: Too Tired
I know I've pulled the tired excuse once or twice before, but seriously, it's at a whole new level today. I was rocking Alivia, who refuses to nap these days, at about noon when I realized there was no way I heck I was going to stay sitting in that chair when I fell asleep, which I'd already done twice and woke up while falling. So I told Lucy I was going to go lay down with her. Jack was in his bed, and he was suppose to be napping, but he wasn't asleep. That was fine because if I fell asleep, and then he did, that would mean we'd all get great naps. I never fell asleep. Alivia, Jack, and Shawn made that impossible.
Alivia was in and out of sleep for the entire hour I was laying down. After about 20 minutes I heard Jack's little voice behind me asking for water in his yellow sippy cup. When he was back in his room, I heard a lot of yelling. Not angry yelling, just yelling. Then more Alivia. Then more yelling. Then a phone call. Then Lucy bringing me my phone. Then a text message, then another phone call. That's when I gave up. Shawn needed me to buy him tickets for the BYU games (hopefully plural).
Now I'm exhausted. Shawn is taking the day off tomorrow for March Madness. I don't think he realizes it yet, but that means I get to sleep in, something I can't remember the last time it happened. I won't be running until I dang well feel like it, and he will have do deal with it. I'm not waking up at 6:45 to run, I'm sleeping in. I'm sleeping in. I think I'll go get started.
Alivia was in and out of sleep for the entire hour I was laying down. After about 20 minutes I heard Jack's little voice behind me asking for water in his yellow sippy cup. When he was back in his room, I heard a lot of yelling. Not angry yelling, just yelling. Then more Alivia. Then more yelling. Then a phone call. Then Lucy bringing me my phone. Then a text message, then another phone call. That's when I gave up. Shawn needed me to buy him tickets for the BYU games (hopefully plural).
Now I'm exhausted. Shawn is taking the day off tomorrow for March Madness. I don't think he realizes it yet, but that means I get to sleep in, something I can't remember the last time it happened. I won't be running until I dang well feel like it, and he will have do deal with it. I'm not waking up at 6:45 to run, I'm sleeping in. I'm sleeping in. I think I'll go get started.
Day 43: Things I Look Forward To
I have a lot of things I look forward to someday. I like to call them things I won't miss.
I won't miss lunches smeared all over my table, chairs, door knobs, and walls.
I won't miss countless sleep interruptions every night from multiple children.
I won't miss crying over toys being taken from a sister due to overtiredness.
I won't miss lifting, buckling, unbuckling, and unloading 3 children from the car just to run inside the bank.
I won't miss scribbles on my walls and furniture.
I won't miss picking up goldfish that have spilt for the thousandth time today.
I won't miss crayons. I hate crayons.
I will miss the little hands that are so soft.
I will miss the sound of little feet running on hard wood floors.
I will miss Jack's "Well Moooomm".
I will miss Lucy's soft, sweet hugs for no particular reason.
I will miss kisses from little lips.
I will miss the smell of freshly bathed kids.
I will miss my babies.
I won't miss lunches smeared all over my table, chairs, door knobs, and walls.
I won't miss countless sleep interruptions every night from multiple children.
I won't miss crying over toys being taken from a sister due to overtiredness.
I won't miss lifting, buckling, unbuckling, and unloading 3 children from the car just to run inside the bank.
I won't miss scribbles on my walls and furniture.
I won't miss picking up goldfish that have spilt for the thousandth time today.
I won't miss crayons. I hate crayons.
I will miss the little hands that are so soft.
I will miss the sound of little feet running on hard wood floors.
I will miss Jack's "Well Moooomm".
I will miss Lucy's soft, sweet hugs for no particular reason.
I will miss kisses from little lips.
I will miss the smell of freshly bathed kids.
I will miss my babies.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Day 42: Girl Scout Cookies and the Music of My Heart
On Saturday I went to Safeway. It happened to be the last day of the last weekend that the Girl Scouts were out in full force selling their cookies. They shamelessly pulled out all the stops. As I walked out of the store, the sweet little girl in the wheel chair pulled me in. I bought two boxes. I'd love to see their sales stats for that weekend in comparison with the other weekends when they had the completely healthy and slightly annoying girls out there.
Moving on... today was one heck of a day. I did some shopping in the morning, and didn't get home until just after 1. I fed the kids lunch and all that jazz. My day was very busy, but fairly calm, up until 4:00. 4:00, oh how I hate you. At 4:00 I decided to hurry and get a load of laundry in while all the kids were happy. As I loaded the basket, Alivia started crying. I ran down stairs to put the laundry in my machine and left Alivia laying on the floor crying. As I was leaving the laundry room heading for Alivia, I got a whiff Jack. Man, that boy STINKS when he stinks. So, I had to change him before I could save little Alivia's life.
Upon taking off Jack's diaper, and doing all I could to remain conscious, I discovered that his feces were an unusual texture. No, he hadn't been sitting in this stuff long (trust me, the smell made that option obsolete), but this stuff was IMPOSSIBLE to wipe off, it was like trying to get sand off of you when you are still wet at the beach. Six wipes later, and not at all cleaner (keep in mind Alivia is SCREAMING this entire time) I finally faced the fact that this was going to require a shower. So, I stripped the little boy down to his socks, and we headed into the bathroom.
At this point Alivia is hysterical, and I'm getting pretty stressed out, baby screaming does that to me you see. As I'm fiddling with the shower curtains and the water temperature, Lucy asks me if she can pick Alivia up. I love that little girl, she always knows just what to do and when to do it, and she is so obedient, follows all the rules, and always asks first. I was so relieved to hear her asking if she could help out with Alivia, so I said "Yes please!" Then I put Jack into the shower and started spraying off the appropriate areas. That is when I heard a thud. I was bent over the side of the tub spraying Jack off, so I looked in between my legs where I could see Lucy picking Alivia up off the floor. That is when Alivia reached a level of crying I have never heard and never knew was possible.
When Lucy picked up Alivia, she was sitting on the floor in the hall. She followed all the rules and just sat there carefully. She didn't move, but she was trying to hold Alivia over her shoulder, that is where we went wrong. As I was spraying Jack off, Alivia did the old arch the back maneuver and threw herself right out of Lucy's arms. I did not see this happen, but I heard about it. Luckily for me, I kept my cool. I handed Jack the shower head and let him finish cleaning himself off. Then I went and picked up Alivia and calmly asked Lucy what happened. Lucy told me, and she didn't get in trouble because she was just doing her best to help and she did nothing wrong. It helped that I knew that Lucy was just sitting on the floor so Alivia fell all of 10 inches. I took Alivia into my room and closed the door and started nursing her to try to calm her down. She was hyperventilating for a good 15 minutes.
I felt so terrible. I looked at the clock at this point and it was only 4:15. All that happened in 15 minutes. I tried to think of something that I did wrong to make such a mess is such a short amount of time, but I couldn't think of anything I would have done differently. I guess I shouldn't have let Lucy hold Alivia, but there have been so many times she has saved me in moments like these, that I still probably would have. For the first time since Alivia was born I had a feeling that I was in way over my head. I totally felt like I literally didn't have enough hands to juggle everything I have to do in a day. I felt like such a terrible mom. Then Jack started calling for me because the water was getting cold, so I had to jump right back in it and get him out.
Through all of this, and the hours that followed, I had a few songs running through my head. I think each song would be appropriate background music in the movie of my life for their corresponding times. From 4:00 to 4:15, my theme song was:
I do have to give Shawn credit, he was just singing this song in the kitchen, and I'll assume it was directed to me, even if he was singing it because I was singing it and got it stuck in his head. While the whole song is my self imposed mini therapy session (especially since Shawn is singing it in my mind), I especially focus on the following two lines.
Moving on... today was one heck of a day. I did some shopping in the morning, and didn't get home until just after 1. I fed the kids lunch and all that jazz. My day was very busy, but fairly calm, up until 4:00. 4:00, oh how I hate you. At 4:00 I decided to hurry and get a load of laundry in while all the kids were happy. As I loaded the basket, Alivia started crying. I ran down stairs to put the laundry in my machine and left Alivia laying on the floor crying. As I was leaving the laundry room heading for Alivia, I got a whiff Jack. Man, that boy STINKS when he stinks. So, I had to change him before I could save little Alivia's life.
Upon taking off Jack's diaper, and doing all I could to remain conscious, I discovered that his feces were an unusual texture. No, he hadn't been sitting in this stuff long (trust me, the smell made that option obsolete), but this stuff was IMPOSSIBLE to wipe off, it was like trying to get sand off of you when you are still wet at the beach. Six wipes later, and not at all cleaner (keep in mind Alivia is SCREAMING this entire time) I finally faced the fact that this was going to require a shower. So, I stripped the little boy down to his socks, and we headed into the bathroom.
At this point Alivia is hysterical, and I'm getting pretty stressed out, baby screaming does that to me you see. As I'm fiddling with the shower curtains and the water temperature, Lucy asks me if she can pick Alivia up. I love that little girl, she always knows just what to do and when to do it, and she is so obedient, follows all the rules, and always asks first. I was so relieved to hear her asking if she could help out with Alivia, so I said "Yes please!" Then I put Jack into the shower and started spraying off the appropriate areas. That is when I heard a thud. I was bent over the side of the tub spraying Jack off, so I looked in between my legs where I could see Lucy picking Alivia up off the floor. That is when Alivia reached a level of crying I have never heard and never knew was possible.
When Lucy picked up Alivia, she was sitting on the floor in the hall. She followed all the rules and just sat there carefully. She didn't move, but she was trying to hold Alivia over her shoulder, that is where we went wrong. As I was spraying Jack off, Alivia did the old arch the back maneuver and threw herself right out of Lucy's arms. I did not see this happen, but I heard about it. Luckily for me, I kept my cool. I handed Jack the shower head and let him finish cleaning himself off. Then I went and picked up Alivia and calmly asked Lucy what happened. Lucy told me, and she didn't get in trouble because she was just doing her best to help and she did nothing wrong. It helped that I knew that Lucy was just sitting on the floor so Alivia fell all of 10 inches. I took Alivia into my room and closed the door and started nursing her to try to calm her down. She was hyperventilating for a good 15 minutes.
I felt so terrible. I looked at the clock at this point and it was only 4:15. All that happened in 15 minutes. I tried to think of something that I did wrong to make such a mess is such a short amount of time, but I couldn't think of anything I would have done differently. I guess I shouldn't have let Lucy hold Alivia, but there have been so many times she has saved me in moments like these, that I still probably would have. For the first time since Alivia was born I had a feeling that I was in way over my head. I totally felt like I literally didn't have enough hands to juggle everything I have to do in a day. I felt like such a terrible mom. Then Jack started calling for me because the water was getting cold, so I had to jump right back in it and get him out.
Through all of this, and the hours that followed, I had a few songs running through my head. I think each song would be appropriate background music in the movie of my life for their corresponding times. From 4:00 to 4:15, my theme song was:
The words that were really hitting home during this time were the chorus and the forth verse:
[CHORUS]
I am in misery
There ain't no other
Who can comfort me
Why won't you answer me?
Your silence is slowly killing me
Girl you really got me bad
You really got me bad
I'm gonna get you back
Gonna get you back
I am in misery
There ain't no other
Who can comfort me
Why won't you answer me?
Your silence is slowly killing me
Girl you really got me bad
You really got me bad
I'm gonna get you back
Gonna get you back
Why do you do what you do to me, yeah
Why won't you answer me, answer me yeah
Why do you do what you do to me yeah
Why won't you answer me, answer me yeah
Why won't you answer me, answer me yeah
Why do you do what you do to me yeah
Why won't you answer me, answer me yeah
On a much brighter note, I do have another song that helps me snap out of my downer moments. I sing it to myself several times a day, and I pretend that Shawn is singing this to me. See in my mind, he's much more romantic than in real life, which really is a good thing for him, he doesn't even have to try.
I do have to give Shawn credit, he was just singing this song in the kitchen, and I'll assume it was directed to me, even if he was singing it because I was singing it and got it stuck in his head. While the whole song is my self imposed mini therapy session (especially since Shawn is singing it in my mind), I especially focus on the following two lines.
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are
And that, in combination with a full sleeve of Girl Scout cookies is how I made it through the 4:00 hour at my house today. Now I will be singing to myself for the remainder of the night, just as soon as I get the kiddos in bed, where they are safe from each other and the world.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Day 41: Busy Busy Busy
I decided today that Shawn and I have entered the time in our life when we are insanely busy. The problem about this realization is that I know it's only beginning, and it's only to get crazier from here. What's funny about this epiphany coming to me today is that Shawn was actually home this morning and had no meetings. Still, today, like everyday for the last few months, was just none stop. I wasn't running to stores or trying to get to dance or doctor's appointments, but my day was still filled with one thing after another.
I'm incredibly tired today. Shawn was lucky enough to sleep in a little today. I'm glad he got to, I can't remember the last time he was able to do that. But as a result of him sleeping in today, I'm going to bed, and it's 9:30. I'm that tired. Oh, and let it be known, kids so don't handle day light savings time very well. My kids actually did pretty good, they all slept an hour later (which means Alivia was up at 6am). But Jack could not figure out why we were putting him down for a nap today at 10:00 his time. He didn't fall asleep until 12:15 real time, and we had to wake him up to leave a half hour later. The kids in Primary and at church were all basket cases, mom's were all tired. I didn't get to sit through more than 20 minutes of church today, but that really didn't have anything to do with day light savings.
At the end of the day, I'm exhausted, and Shawn is pumped about the opening ceremonies of March Madness. I couldn't think of a more appropriate name for the event as I know that I'm about to lose my husband for the next several weeks. I will give him some credit, he's been doing his best to be extra helpful today, my dishes are done and he didn't complain or hesitate once when I asked him to do something for the kids. He's chipper and happy, and I know he feels terrible when he realizes it's the second time I've tried to get his attention. I'm seeing effort here, and that is encouraging. And I am excited about BYU's 3rd seat ranking, we're looking into going to the games (since they are here in Denver), and I'm going to make poster sized brackets for Shawn and I. Now to plan our week and try to keep Shawn grounded to reality.
I'm incredibly tired today. Shawn was lucky enough to sleep in a little today. I'm glad he got to, I can't remember the last time he was able to do that. But as a result of him sleeping in today, I'm going to bed, and it's 9:30. I'm that tired. Oh, and let it be known, kids so don't handle day light savings time very well. My kids actually did pretty good, they all slept an hour later (which means Alivia was up at 6am). But Jack could not figure out why we were putting him down for a nap today at 10:00 his time. He didn't fall asleep until 12:15 real time, and we had to wake him up to leave a half hour later. The kids in Primary and at church were all basket cases, mom's were all tired. I didn't get to sit through more than 20 minutes of church today, but that really didn't have anything to do with day light savings.
At the end of the day, I'm exhausted, and Shawn is pumped about the opening ceremonies of March Madness. I couldn't think of a more appropriate name for the event as I know that I'm about to lose my husband for the next several weeks. I will give him some credit, he's been doing his best to be extra helpful today, my dishes are done and he didn't complain or hesitate once when I asked him to do something for the kids. He's chipper and happy, and I know he feels terrible when he realizes it's the second time I've tried to get his attention. I'm seeing effort here, and that is encouraging. And I am excited about BYU's 3rd seat ranking, we're looking into going to the games (since they are here in Denver), and I'm going to make poster sized brackets for Shawn and I. Now to plan our week and try to keep Shawn grounded to reality.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Day 40: A Downhill Day
My day had all potential to start out terrible. Alivia hasn't been doing so hot at night for the 4-5 days. She's been waking up for a feeding at 3ish, and then she is up at 5. She's been sleeping through the night until 5/5:30 for a couple of weeks now, so this waking up for a feeding isn't okay with me. I've been going to bed later than I should too, so it's not all her fault, but I'm exhausted. So when Alivia woke up at 3, and then 5 and didn't go back down, I wasn't all that excited about getting out of bed at 7:30 with Jack. Shawn was up and running, literally, and I had no choice but to take care of my kids.
As I got Lucy and Jack breakfast I had every intention of going back upstairs and putting Alivia down for her morning nap, which I would take advantage of by sleeping a little more myself. Alivia had different plans. She would not go back to sleep! Here this little thing has been up for 3 hours now, and she will not take a nap. So I forced myself to face the hard reality that I wasn't going to get more sleep and my pathetic and very interrupted 4 hours of sleep would have to do for today.
Once I made that choice, I was in good spirits. I finally got Alivia down an hour later and got a shopping trip all planned out. When Shawn came home it was time for me to go running. So, I loaded up all my coupons and headed to the local Middle School's track. I ran a good two miles (no, I didn't time myself, I don't need the reminder that I'm pathetically out of shape, my lungs were reminder enough), which I was very happy with, I even kicked on my last lap! After walking a cool down lap I headed to Safeway, a store which I've decided I don't hate after all.
Today I paid $35 for 21 cans of Hormel Chili, 4 boxes of pasta, 3 64 oz bottles of grape juice (ummm, that sounds yummy right now), 6 packages of Kraft Singles Cheese, 4 loaves of Whole Grain (really healthy) bread, two tubs of butter, and two bottles of peanut butter. I saved 68%! Not too shabby. I'm telling you, this couponing thing is life changing.
When I got home I was in high spirits! The line from Legally Blond kept running through my head: "Exercise creates endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot there husbands." I was thinking I really need to make sure I'm exercising everyday because I am noticing a huge difference in my mood. That's when Alivia must have gotten wiff of my joy because she decided to do everything in her power to crush my spirits.
We drove up to Dave and Adriana's to watch the BYU Mountain West Conference Championship game. As soon as we walked in, Alivia started crying. And she didn't stop, not once for the next several hours. I just don't think she liked being there, you know how newborns get weird when they are in new places. Well, she knew she wasn't home and she was not okay with it. I had a great time and I'm happy we went, but man, Alivia took a toll on me tonight. BYU lost miserably, and that didn't help. And then you would think Alivia would get better when we got her in the car and headed home. Nope. She screamed for the first 10 minutes in the car. Then she was quiet for 45 minutes, and then picked it right back up when we got home.
By the time I got the other two kids in bed and fed Alivia I started to get really frustrated that she was so wide awake. I took her up to our room and turned out all the lights to try to drop the hint that it's time fore bed, but she kept crying. When I noticed that I was starting to sway a little faster and with more vigor, I decided it was time to put her down and let her cry it out. I've been down here for an hour and 14 minutes and she is still crying up there. Aren't babies suppose to cry themselves to sleep? I'm kinda getting worried about her stubbornness. I mean how can she even still be awake at 10:45, and how in the heck can she remember that she is mad after all this time? She will be a fun teenager.
So as I sat down and tried to decided what to write about tonight, I reviewed my day in my head. Even though I was going on little sleep (which btw, I can hardly keep my eyes open right now) I was so optomisitc this morning. My day only got better as I went running and then on a successful shopping trip. But from that point on, my day has seemed to tumble out of control like a snowball on a downhill course. I'm tired, I want to go to bed, Alivia is still crying, so I can't go to bed. I guess I'll go drink some of my grape juice I paid $.77 for.
As I got Lucy and Jack breakfast I had every intention of going back upstairs and putting Alivia down for her morning nap, which I would take advantage of by sleeping a little more myself. Alivia had different plans. She would not go back to sleep! Here this little thing has been up for 3 hours now, and she will not take a nap. So I forced myself to face the hard reality that I wasn't going to get more sleep and my pathetic and very interrupted 4 hours of sleep would have to do for today.
Once I made that choice, I was in good spirits. I finally got Alivia down an hour later and got a shopping trip all planned out. When Shawn came home it was time for me to go running. So, I loaded up all my coupons and headed to the local Middle School's track. I ran a good two miles (no, I didn't time myself, I don't need the reminder that I'm pathetically out of shape, my lungs were reminder enough), which I was very happy with, I even kicked on my last lap! After walking a cool down lap I headed to Safeway, a store which I've decided I don't hate after all.
Today I paid $35 for 21 cans of Hormel Chili, 4 boxes of pasta, 3 64 oz bottles of grape juice (ummm, that sounds yummy right now), 6 packages of Kraft Singles Cheese, 4 loaves of Whole Grain (really healthy) bread, two tubs of butter, and two bottles of peanut butter. I saved 68%! Not too shabby. I'm telling you, this couponing thing is life changing.
When I got home I was in high spirits! The line from Legally Blond kept running through my head: "Exercise creates endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot there husbands." I was thinking I really need to make sure I'm exercising everyday because I am noticing a huge difference in my mood. That's when Alivia must have gotten wiff of my joy because she decided to do everything in her power to crush my spirits.
We drove up to Dave and Adriana's to watch the BYU Mountain West Conference Championship game. As soon as we walked in, Alivia started crying. And she didn't stop, not once for the next several hours. I just don't think she liked being there, you know how newborns get weird when they are in new places. Well, she knew she wasn't home and she was not okay with it. I had a great time and I'm happy we went, but man, Alivia took a toll on me tonight. BYU lost miserably, and that didn't help. And then you would think Alivia would get better when we got her in the car and headed home. Nope. She screamed for the first 10 minutes in the car. Then she was quiet for 45 minutes, and then picked it right back up when we got home.
By the time I got the other two kids in bed and fed Alivia I started to get really frustrated that she was so wide awake. I took her up to our room and turned out all the lights to try to drop the hint that it's time fore bed, but she kept crying. When I noticed that I was starting to sway a little faster and with more vigor, I decided it was time to put her down and let her cry it out. I've been down here for an hour and 14 minutes and she is still crying up there. Aren't babies suppose to cry themselves to sleep? I'm kinda getting worried about her stubbornness. I mean how can she even still be awake at 10:45, and how in the heck can she remember that she is mad after all this time? She will be a fun teenager.
So as I sat down and tried to decided what to write about tonight, I reviewed my day in my head. Even though I was going on little sleep (which btw, I can hardly keep my eyes open right now) I was so optomisitc this morning. My day only got better as I went running and then on a successful shopping trip. But from that point on, my day has seemed to tumble out of control like a snowball on a downhill course. I'm tired, I want to go to bed, Alivia is still crying, so I can't go to bed. I guess I'll go drink some of my grape juice I paid $.77 for.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Day 39: What a Headache
Wow, today was a long day. I woke up with a terrible headache, the kind that make you nauseous. I don't think it was a migraine, I've never had one of those and had no other symptoms that would indicate a migraine. I actually had this headache when I went to bed last night, but I figured I'd sleep it off instead of taking something for it. Bad idea. I don't know why I ever think that will work because I've done that about 6 times in the last year and I always wake up with a worse headache than I went to bed with. I think I can finally say lesson learned.
I first woke up with Alivia at 5, her favorite time to start her day, and my head was killing me. I woke up for the second time just before 7 with every intention to go for a run, but the bone splitting pain in my brain changed my heart real quick and I decided to go back to sleep. It actually hurt to lay my head on a pillow, but I couldn't think of any other way to rest. I woke up for the third time at about 7:45 and my head still hurt, maybe even worse. I tossed and turned for a good 20 minutes before I decided to stop being stupid and go take something. I don't know what my problem is, but I never want to take a pain killer. I'm not worried about getting hooked on them, that's stupid. I guess I worry about using them so much that my body builds an immunity to them and then when I really need them they won't work. I'm mental.
Anyway, after I took 4 Tylenol (yes, this was a 4 pill headache, and really I wanted to take about 92 to make sure they helped me out), I went back upstairs and laid in bed for another half hour waiting for the meds to kick it. I did have to jump out of bed no less that 10 times to control the circus (aka my children) down stairs fighting over chap stick or in the bathroom banging the door against the wall, or crying for no apparent reason. As I laid (or tried to lay) in my bed, I kept thinking to myself "How do mom's get sick days? There is no boss to call into, no pause button on toddlers, and no husband to pawn the kids off on when they are at work." I was really worried about how I was going to handle this day when my meds started working a little. After that I was able to function and I tackled my day.
I spent the rest of the day clipping coupons which I am proud to say I finished. As happy as I am to be done with the organization part of it, I'm realizing that this will never end. Sunday I get the next batch, but that will be easy, it's just a couple papers. Tuesday I get a ton more papers, and whenever I head up to Denver I get even more! It's crazy. But it's worth it. Now that my coupon clipping project is under control, I need to get moving on my etsy shop. I'll have to start tackling that project tomorrow.
Jack had a hard day. I don't think he's been feeling 100% for the last few days. He wakes up from his nap SO cranky. Today he was inconsolable. I'm happy to say I kept my cool (which is easier to do when Jack is having a freak out moment than when Lucy has one because I feel like she knows better, or should by now), I took him back and forth from time out seriously 15 times in a half an hour. He just would not stop crying. He'd start crying again, for no apparent reason after a 10 second break (not exaggerating here), and I would tell him if he keeps crying he's going to time out, if he stops then I would hold him. So he would stop cold, trying so hard to be tough. Then he'd start crying again 10 seconds later. Finally we calmed him down. I think he's just having a hard time adjusting to being a big boy. He misses his eye-yi still sometimes, I think especially when he wakes up from his nap, and my heart still hurts when I think of him looking for his pacifier and not finding it and his little heart breaking. I hate it. Poor little guy. I wish I didn't have to take it away, but I have to. He has me so wrapped around his finger.
Now, if you will excuse me, I have got to go figure out what the heck that smell is in my house. My coupon clipping has caused a little neglect on my house work. Better neglected house work than neglected kids. I think our trash stinks and it is driving me crazy, so I need to go tend to it.
On last note: Jimmer Ferdette: 52 points tonight, we beat New Mexico (finally, they beat us twice this season for 2 of our 3 losses), and we are now moving on to the Conference Championship Game. Bring on the brackets!
I first woke up with Alivia at 5, her favorite time to start her day, and my head was killing me. I woke up for the second time just before 7 with every intention to go for a run, but the bone splitting pain in my brain changed my heart real quick and I decided to go back to sleep. It actually hurt to lay my head on a pillow, but I couldn't think of any other way to rest. I woke up for the third time at about 7:45 and my head still hurt, maybe even worse. I tossed and turned for a good 20 minutes before I decided to stop being stupid and go take something. I don't know what my problem is, but I never want to take a pain killer. I'm not worried about getting hooked on them, that's stupid. I guess I worry about using them so much that my body builds an immunity to them and then when I really need them they won't work. I'm mental.
Anyway, after I took 4 Tylenol (yes, this was a 4 pill headache, and really I wanted to take about 92 to make sure they helped me out), I went back upstairs and laid in bed for another half hour waiting for the meds to kick it. I did have to jump out of bed no less that 10 times to control the circus (aka my children) down stairs fighting over chap stick or in the bathroom banging the door against the wall, or crying for no apparent reason. As I laid (or tried to lay) in my bed, I kept thinking to myself "How do mom's get sick days? There is no boss to call into, no pause button on toddlers, and no husband to pawn the kids off on when they are at work." I was really worried about how I was going to handle this day when my meds started working a little. After that I was able to function and I tackled my day.
I spent the rest of the day clipping coupons which I am proud to say I finished. As happy as I am to be done with the organization part of it, I'm realizing that this will never end. Sunday I get the next batch, but that will be easy, it's just a couple papers. Tuesday I get a ton more papers, and whenever I head up to Denver I get even more! It's crazy. But it's worth it. Now that my coupon clipping project is under control, I need to get moving on my etsy shop. I'll have to start tackling that project tomorrow.
Jack had a hard day. I don't think he's been feeling 100% for the last few days. He wakes up from his nap SO cranky. Today he was inconsolable. I'm happy to say I kept my cool (which is easier to do when Jack is having a freak out moment than when Lucy has one because I feel like she knows better, or should by now), I took him back and forth from time out seriously 15 times in a half an hour. He just would not stop crying. He'd start crying again, for no apparent reason after a 10 second break (not exaggerating here), and I would tell him if he keeps crying he's going to time out, if he stops then I would hold him. So he would stop cold, trying so hard to be tough. Then he'd start crying again 10 seconds later. Finally we calmed him down. I think he's just having a hard time adjusting to being a big boy. He misses his eye-yi still sometimes, I think especially when he wakes up from his nap, and my heart still hurts when I think of him looking for his pacifier and not finding it and his little heart breaking. I hate it. Poor little guy. I wish I didn't have to take it away, but I have to. He has me so wrapped around his finger.
Now, if you will excuse me, I have got to go figure out what the heck that smell is in my house. My coupon clipping has caused a little neglect on my house work. Better neglected house work than neglected kids. I think our trash stinks and it is driving me crazy, so I need to go tend to it.
On last note: Jimmer Ferdette: 52 points tonight, we beat New Mexico (finally, they beat us twice this season for 2 of our 3 losses), and we are now moving on to the Conference Championship Game. Bring on the brackets!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Day 38: Memory?
Wow, it took me a long time to recover from one simple down mouse. But it is nice to be back and up to date. For the record, any posts that I wrote in the last few days that were "catching up" were only catching up in the digital form . I had those written down so that I could make sure to remember some of the highlights of my day. Turns out that was a good idea because my memory is TERRIBLE! I couldn't even remember what I had written, so reading them to type them up was very exciting, I didn't know what was going to happen next!
Speaking of my terrible memory, I thought of something really cleaver and funny to write in here today, but I can't remember what it was. It's on the tip of my brain, I can almost think of it. Hang in there, maybe by some miracle I will remember it by the time I am done with my post.
I ran again today. It was good, and I always am so satisfied with myself by the time I am done, but man I can't remember anything about satisfying results while I am running. I'll just have to blame that one on my bad memory too. But I do plan on going again tomorrow. I find myself extremely exhausted today, but not too sore, so I must be doing something right.
Other than running I spent my entire day converting my coupons into my new method of organization, and I didn't even get a quarter of the way done. I think I'll finish it all up by Saturday at this rate. Thank goodness I found baseball card dividers at Walmart, they are much cheaper there then Hobby Lobby. The kids were good while I went to Walmart, and Jack and Alivia tagged along with me to King Soopers where we purchased 11 energy bars for $.15. I really wish I Colorado would take after Montana and eliminate sales tax. Then I would really be getting things for free. (I'm only kidding Colorado, please keep our sales tax so our property taxes can be manageable.) Still, it's so nice to find use for all my extra pocket change. It'll feel so good to clear that out one day and have to restock it from our jar in the bathroom instead of the other way around.
Lucy didn't join us at King Soopers because she was at dance. This is where I come full circle because I have to retouch on the subject of my terrible memory again. A few weeks ago, Shawn came home and asked me how dance went. I had totally forgotten that it was Thursday, so Lucy completely missed dance. I felt terrible. She's been in dance for almost 2 years now, how do I just forget it? Well, I did. As a result, I'm super paranoid that I will forget other things. I already did forget one doctor's appointment, but I think that was pre-Alivia. My friend called today to tell me about a coupon exchange tomorrow, and I'm thinking about it now, but I'm certain I will forget by morning. I've become so paranoid about forgetting that I have started leaving myself post-it notes on my mirror to help me find my brain. I'm serious, this is a problem, I'm thinking about taking that One A Day supplement that is suppose to help your memory.
Oh a good news note, I though of my funny though earlier today, that has to be a good sign for my brain. Look at me exercising all my muscles and my brain like a good girl. Anyway, I was thinking about Jack and potty training. Shawn asked me last night why I wasn't trying with potty training any more. I told him he just wasn't connecting the dots and he was starting to get frustrated so I backed off for a month or two. As I sat thinking about this situation today, it occurred to me that Jack is picking up on potty training like I am picking up on Quantum Physics. It's not looking too promising.
Speaking of my terrible memory, I thought of something really cleaver and funny to write in here today, but I can't remember what it was. It's on the tip of my brain, I can almost think of it. Hang in there, maybe by some miracle I will remember it by the time I am done with my post.
I ran again today. It was good, and I always am so satisfied with myself by the time I am done, but man I can't remember anything about satisfying results while I am running. I'll just have to blame that one on my bad memory too. But I do plan on going again tomorrow. I find myself extremely exhausted today, but not too sore, so I must be doing something right.
Other than running I spent my entire day converting my coupons into my new method of organization, and I didn't even get a quarter of the way done. I think I'll finish it all up by Saturday at this rate. Thank goodness I found baseball card dividers at Walmart, they are much cheaper there then Hobby Lobby. The kids were good while I went to Walmart, and Jack and Alivia tagged along with me to King Soopers where we purchased 11 energy bars for $.15. I really wish I Colorado would take after Montana and eliminate sales tax. Then I would really be getting things for free. (I'm only kidding Colorado, please keep our sales tax so our property taxes can be manageable.) Still, it's so nice to find use for all my extra pocket change. It'll feel so good to clear that out one day and have to restock it from our jar in the bathroom instead of the other way around.
Lucy didn't join us at King Soopers because she was at dance. This is where I come full circle because I have to retouch on the subject of my terrible memory again. A few weeks ago, Shawn came home and asked me how dance went. I had totally forgotten that it was Thursday, so Lucy completely missed dance. I felt terrible. She's been in dance for almost 2 years now, how do I just forget it? Well, I did. As a result, I'm super paranoid that I will forget other things. I already did forget one doctor's appointment, but I think that was pre-Alivia. My friend called today to tell me about a coupon exchange tomorrow, and I'm thinking about it now, but I'm certain I will forget by morning. I've become so paranoid about forgetting that I have started leaving myself post-it notes on my mirror to help me find my brain. I'm serious, this is a problem, I'm thinking about taking that One A Day supplement that is suppose to help your memory.
Oh a good news note, I though of my funny though earlier today, that has to be a good sign for my brain. Look at me exercising all my muscles and my brain like a good girl. Anyway, I was thinking about Jack and potty training. Shawn asked me last night why I wasn't trying with potty training any more. I told him he just wasn't connecting the dots and he was starting to get frustrated so I backed off for a month or two. As I sat thinking about this situation today, it occurred to me that Jack is picking up on potty training like I am picking up on Quantum Physics. It's not looking too promising.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Day 37: Teething
Lucy and I had a fun day today. She helped me with a little coupon organization project I just got underway today and will be working on for the rest of my life. She was just so excited that I was letting her help me. It was so cute. Oh, and we worked out together today. I was using the medicine ball to do some ab workouts, and then I set it down and started doing other stuff when I looked over and Lucy was making up her own exercises with the ball. I love that girl. She is a fun workout buddy, she always had something to say.
Today, Jack woke up from his nap with a 102 fever. I felt so bad for him because when he woke up I was feeding Alivia and he wanted to rock so bad, but she had been screaming and I had just sat down to feed her when I heard him wake up. He was such a mess. So as soon as I could I handed Alivia over to Lucy who did such a good job helping me. I swear there are some days I know I would not be able to do this without her. Thank goodness she LOVES helping or I would be in big trouble.
So I held Jack and took his temperature, and gave him some Tylenol to start knocking that fever down. He kept saying that his tummy hurt, but I think he was just achy. Earlier today he would start crying and pointing to his check say that it hurt. That's when I realized he could be getting his 2-year old molars. So, I told him to open up and I reached back and touched his gum with the intention to push on it to see if I could feel a tooth. Yeah, he pulled away so fast, he did not want me anywhere near there. Poor little guy. Then he kept saying "Mowf huurt."
Luckily he perked up a bit once the Tylenol worked into his system. We spent a lot of time cuddling today wrapped in his favorite blanket. He was more than ready to go to bed by 6:30 and climbed in all by himself. He was out like a light when I checked him 10 minutes later. I hope this tooth pokes through soon, I hate when my kids are sick because I just want to make it all better and I can't, I have to be patient. Shawn was gone all day today too. Wednesdays are hard with Young Mens, but we're used to it. I just know Shawn hates days when he only sees the kids for dinner. So he spent about 20 minutes with Alivia just cuddling up in our room when he got home tonight. I got to do the same thing for about 30 minutes before he got home, so Alivia is feeling the love tonight. She was one cute little girl today. She is really starting to get social and she's had a couple of near laughing occasions. I love this stage as they build up the anticipation. She smiles a lot, but over all I think she is a pretty serious baby. Oh, and her checks are getting pinchable, and her eyes are the most amazing deep blue you have ever seen! She is plumping up and I love it!
Today, Jack woke up from his nap with a 102 fever. I felt so bad for him because when he woke up I was feeding Alivia and he wanted to rock so bad, but she had been screaming and I had just sat down to feed her when I heard him wake up. He was such a mess. So as soon as I could I handed Alivia over to Lucy who did such a good job helping me. I swear there are some days I know I would not be able to do this without her. Thank goodness she LOVES helping or I would be in big trouble.
So I held Jack and took his temperature, and gave him some Tylenol to start knocking that fever down. He kept saying that his tummy hurt, but I think he was just achy. Earlier today he would start crying and pointing to his check say that it hurt. That's when I realized he could be getting his 2-year old molars. So, I told him to open up and I reached back and touched his gum with the intention to push on it to see if I could feel a tooth. Yeah, he pulled away so fast, he did not want me anywhere near there. Poor little guy. Then he kept saying "Mowf huurt."
Luckily he perked up a bit once the Tylenol worked into his system. We spent a lot of time cuddling today wrapped in his favorite blanket. He was more than ready to go to bed by 6:30 and climbed in all by himself. He was out like a light when I checked him 10 minutes later. I hope this tooth pokes through soon, I hate when my kids are sick because I just want to make it all better and I can't, I have to be patient. Shawn was gone all day today too. Wednesdays are hard with Young Mens, but we're used to it. I just know Shawn hates days when he only sees the kids for dinner. So he spent about 20 minutes with Alivia just cuddling up in our room when he got home tonight. I got to do the same thing for about 30 minutes before he got home, so Alivia is feeling the love tonight. She was one cute little girl today. She is really starting to get social and she's had a couple of near laughing occasions. I love this stage as they build up the anticipation. She smiles a lot, but over all I think she is a pretty serious baby. Oh, and her checks are getting pinchable, and her eyes are the most amazing deep blue you have ever seen! She is plumping up and I love it!
Day 36: Ahhh, Tuesdays
Tuesdays are the day that I gather more coupons. Today Shawn had to drive the CRV again, so my plans were foiled. That is until Shay (my couponing buddy) came to the rescue. She called and asked if I was planning on going for more coupons today, and when I told her my situation, she said, "I'm coming to get you, I don't want to go alone." So she drove to my house, we loaded all 3 of my kids in her car, and we all headed to the Gazzett to get our coupons.
It's such a rush when we get coupons, it's kinda embarrassing, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. Shay also introduced me to thekrazycouponlady.com. Yeah, this is my go to site now. Love it. But it is making me rethink my couponing strategy. Now I'm going binder style. I totally hate that idea because it takes a lot more time, but as Shay and I headed home today we stopped by Safeway where she bought 4 things that she was able to get for free because she had her binder right there and had everything she needed. She saved 81%!
Tonight I had my own couponing success story and I made a quick run to a couple different stores. I bought 6 things of toothpaste, 12 energy bars, 2 mentos candies, and 3 bottles of body wash for Shawn, and I paid less that $3, and most of that was because of tax. I had 4 receipts, one said I saved 91%, and the other 3 said I saved 100%. I'm looking forward to some other good deals that are sure to come in the next few weeks here.
It's such a rush when we get coupons, it's kinda embarrassing, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. Shay also introduced me to thekrazycouponlady.com. Yeah, this is my go to site now. Love it. But it is making me rethink my couponing strategy. Now I'm going binder style. I totally hate that idea because it takes a lot more time, but as Shay and I headed home today we stopped by Safeway where she bought 4 things that she was able to get for free because she had her binder right there and had everything she needed. She saved 81%!
Tonight I had my own couponing success story and I made a quick run to a couple different stores. I bought 6 things of toothpaste, 12 energy bars, 2 mentos candies, and 3 bottles of body wash for Shawn, and I paid less that $3, and most of that was because of tax. I had 4 receipts, one said I saved 91%, and the other 3 said I saved 100%. I'm looking forward to some other good deals that are sure to come in the next few weeks here.
Day 35: Sewing Class
I have never been more excited in all my life to go to my sewing class. Granted, I've only had 4 sewing classes in my whole life, and the 4th was tonight. But none the less, I've never been more excited.
Today was one of those hard days when you kind of feel like your kids met in a huddle just before you woke up and drew up a game plan to find a way to push you past your brink. Oh, and I almost felt like the weather was in on that huddle too because we had a big storm blow in today (which I do love, as we all know), but that meant that Shawn had to drive the CRV because our Corolla can't be driven on bad roads as we learned in the infamous snow storm of December 30th. So I was trapped at home all day, with kids that were conspiring against me to see what amazing lengths I could be extended to.
There wasn't even anything that stands out in my mind as any one bad moment, my day was just a constant of tag team crying. Alivia covered most of the ground with this, but any moment she decided to tap out, Jack was right there to pick up the slack, and Lucy orchestrated it all nicely too. She was just extremely whiny and high maintenance. Jack was clumsy and tired, so he was constantly crying that something hurt, even if he didn't actually hurt himself, I think he cried about his head hurting because his blanket fell on it.
Once one o'clock hit, Jack finally drifted off to sleep and I was working on Alivia down. I'd successfully gotten her asleep about 50 times up to this point, but every time I even got within 10 feet of her cradle or tried to lay her down, she was wide awake and screaming. That's when I decided to give up. I didn't know what Lucy was doing, and I really didn't care at this point. I curled up on the couch, cradled Alivia in my arms, and watched her fall asleep. I knew I couldn't put her down, so I fell asleep with her.
When Shawn got home, his first comment was "Are you going to go to that tonight? The roads are pretty bad." I looked at him and said "I'm going. I AM GOING!" He just laughed and said, "Okay, have fun." There really is only so much crying you can take, and I took it today, but by 7:00 when my sewing class started, my patients quota was filled and then expired.
Today was one of those hard days when you kind of feel like your kids met in a huddle just before you woke up and drew up a game plan to find a way to push you past your brink. Oh, and I almost felt like the weather was in on that huddle too because we had a big storm blow in today (which I do love, as we all know), but that meant that Shawn had to drive the CRV because our Corolla can't be driven on bad roads as we learned in the infamous snow storm of December 30th. So I was trapped at home all day, with kids that were conspiring against me to see what amazing lengths I could be extended to.
There wasn't even anything that stands out in my mind as any one bad moment, my day was just a constant of tag team crying. Alivia covered most of the ground with this, but any moment she decided to tap out, Jack was right there to pick up the slack, and Lucy orchestrated it all nicely too. She was just extremely whiny and high maintenance. Jack was clumsy and tired, so he was constantly crying that something hurt, even if he didn't actually hurt himself, I think he cried about his head hurting because his blanket fell on it.
Once one o'clock hit, Jack finally drifted off to sleep and I was working on Alivia down. I'd successfully gotten her asleep about 50 times up to this point, but every time I even got within 10 feet of her cradle or tried to lay her down, she was wide awake and screaming. That's when I decided to give up. I didn't know what Lucy was doing, and I really didn't care at this point. I curled up on the couch, cradled Alivia in my arms, and watched her fall asleep. I knew I couldn't put her down, so I fell asleep with her.
When Shawn got home, his first comment was "Are you going to go to that tonight? The roads are pretty bad." I looked at him and said "I'm going. I AM GOING!" He just laughed and said, "Okay, have fun." There really is only so much crying you can take, and I took it today, but by 7:00 when my sewing class started, my patients quota was filled and then expired.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Day 34: Alivia's Blessing
We blessed little Alivia today. It was so great to have Shawn's parents, Dave and Adriana, Chris, Steff, and two of her roommates down from Denver to celebrate this time with us. Alivia was BEAUTIFUL, even if I'm bias. We decided to do something a little funny with the blessing. Since we have 1:00 church and a storm was moving in, we decided it would be best to get together as a family before church and have a little brunch. Pam and I got it all planned out when we remembered that it was fast Sunday. We decided to go with it anyway and we'll all fast next week.
Before we headed out for church, Adriana and I got talking coupons. Adriana hooked my up with a ridiculous amount of coupons for which I am so grateful! Now I have to come up with a new strategy for sorting and storing, but I can't think of a better problem to have. I especially love getting coupons from her because they are the Denver coupons which turns out are much much better than the ones we get here in Colorado Springs.
After Sacrament Meeting all the Denver people headed north. I was so happy they could come. For Jack's blessing everyone got sick, so only Bob and Pam could make it. We were so grateful to have them, but it felt much more official to have everyone here today. Oh my goodness, Alivia was just heart melting! I wish my camera was working better so I could have gotten more pictures of her, but I'm sure I have plenty. It was just such a happy day. I'm so blessed to have my 3 babies and a husband who is worthy of the priesthood and dedicated to his family. I love seeing the man Shawn becomes as he turns 100% of his attention to his family and his church callings. I wish life would allow us to always focus on the most important things, but of course there are other areas that demand attention from us too, like jobs, and cleaning the house, and other mundane tasks. Oh well, what can you do? Besides, if we were always able to devote 100% of our attention to these things, we'd totally take it for granted. At least this way we can treasure the precious moments. I guess that's why they are precious.
Before we headed out for church, Adriana and I got talking coupons. Adriana hooked my up with a ridiculous amount of coupons for which I am so grateful! Now I have to come up with a new strategy for sorting and storing, but I can't think of a better problem to have. I especially love getting coupons from her because they are the Denver coupons which turns out are much much better than the ones we get here in Colorado Springs.
After Sacrament Meeting all the Denver people headed north. I was so happy they could come. For Jack's blessing everyone got sick, so only Bob and Pam could make it. We were so grateful to have them, but it felt much more official to have everyone here today. Oh my goodness, Alivia was just heart melting! I wish my camera was working better so I could have gotten more pictures of her, but I'm sure I have plenty. It was just such a happy day. I'm so blessed to have my 3 babies and a husband who is worthy of the priesthood and dedicated to his family. I love seeing the man Shawn becomes as he turns 100% of his attention to his family and his church callings. I wish life would allow us to always focus on the most important things, but of course there are other areas that demand attention from us too, like jobs, and cleaning the house, and other mundane tasks. Oh well, what can you do? Besides, if we were always able to devote 100% of our attention to these things, we'd totally take it for granted. At least this way we can treasure the precious moments. I guess that's why they are precious.
Day 33: Under 20
(Due to computer issues, I have not posted in four days, our mouse wasn't working, and as it turns out, a computer is worthless if you don't have to proper tools to navigate it.)
Today I was sick. I was also trying to get the house ready for Alivia's blessing which is tomorrow, but it was pretty hard to get anything done when I didn't feel well. All and all the kids were really good, and I even got to leave them home with Shawn while I went shopping ALONE! Oh, it's been so long!
Actually, the annoying thing about going shopping alone today was that it was Saturday. I try my hardest to avoid Costco at any cost on Saturdays, but I had to go today. I had to take my vacuum back that I got in December (my Christmas gift from Grandma Turner) because it totally lost suction. Thank goodness Costco is awesome about returns even without a box or receipt. I got the same one, so hopefully it won't cause more problems, but if it does I'll take it back for a better one.
To start my day today, I woke up at 7:20 and took off to go run a two mile race. I was a little unsure of this due to the fact that 8 weeks ago I was pregnant! But I absolutely have to start training for this Epic Relay Shawn and I are doing in July or I will in fact die. So, I woke up, and jumped in my friend's car and off we went. It was a lot of fun (before we started running) because we had several people from our ward there, so we were all laughing and joking and in good moods. My goal was to run the whole thing. I have to be honest here, I have not run since Jack was about 6 months old, and I haven't been in shape since high school This race is the only realistic way I can see myself changing that. So, other than to run the whole thing, my expectations weren't all that high.
This was a 2 mile run that is held the first Saturday of every month. They give you a number and time you and everything, and then they compare your times to last months and the person who shaves the highest percentage of time off from month to month is the winner. I like my odds here, I have to be honest. I am happy to report that I did not walk, GO ME!!! And I was simply hoping for a time under 24 minutes (my expectations were really really low). But I did better than I thought I would do, but in admitting my time, I will admit to the world how terribly out of shape I actually am. I ran it in 18:58. I have to post that so that I have to post next month's too, so that I have to train, so that I don't humiliate myself again. Keep in mind this is a humiliating time for someone who once accidentally went to state in the two mile race. With that, let the training begin!
Today I was sick. I was also trying to get the house ready for Alivia's blessing which is tomorrow, but it was pretty hard to get anything done when I didn't feel well. All and all the kids were really good, and I even got to leave them home with Shawn while I went shopping ALONE! Oh, it's been so long!
Actually, the annoying thing about going shopping alone today was that it was Saturday. I try my hardest to avoid Costco at any cost on Saturdays, but I had to go today. I had to take my vacuum back that I got in December (my Christmas gift from Grandma Turner) because it totally lost suction. Thank goodness Costco is awesome about returns even without a box or receipt. I got the same one, so hopefully it won't cause more problems, but if it does I'll take it back for a better one.
To start my day today, I woke up at 7:20 and took off to go run a two mile race. I was a little unsure of this due to the fact that 8 weeks ago I was pregnant! But I absolutely have to start training for this Epic Relay Shawn and I are doing in July or I will in fact die. So, I woke up, and jumped in my friend's car and off we went. It was a lot of fun (before we started running) because we had several people from our ward there, so we were all laughing and joking and in good moods. My goal was to run the whole thing. I have to be honest here, I have not run since Jack was about 6 months old, and I haven't been in shape since high school This race is the only realistic way I can see myself changing that. So, other than to run the whole thing, my expectations weren't all that high.
This was a 2 mile run that is held the first Saturday of every month. They give you a number and time you and everything, and then they compare your times to last months and the person who shaves the highest percentage of time off from month to month is the winner. I like my odds here, I have to be honest. I am happy to report that I did not walk, GO ME!!! And I was simply hoping for a time under 24 minutes (my expectations were really really low). But I did better than I thought I would do, but in admitting my time, I will admit to the world how terribly out of shape I actually am. I ran it in 18:58. I have to post that so that I have to post next month's too, so that I have to train, so that I don't humiliate myself again. Keep in mind this is a humiliating time for someone who once accidentally went to state in the two mile race. With that, let the training begin!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Day 32: Moving
Today I spent the day taking apart cribs, and beds and moving all the toys out of the kids room. No, we're not moving or getting new carpet, heck we're no even getting the carpets cleaned. I just couldn't wait another day to set up Lucy's new bed and get Jack in his bed. I could not be happier with the results! It was a lot of work but has been a breath of fresh air. Jack's little room is so adorable with that little bed in it. We bought Jack a sports themed bed set (of course), and he LOVES it!
Lucy's room was a bit more of a challenge. Just to get the bed into her room, I had to take out pretty much everything in it. I quickly realized that not only was there not enough room for over half her toys, but the same went with Jack's room. So, I filled, and I mean FILLED our living room with the kids toys. Then I finished assembling Lucy's bed, which turned out adorable by the way, and set up the crib in her room, and moved on to the basement.
I had the idea weeks ago to turn the basement into a play room, I mean it's all finished except for carpet, why waste it? I knew there was no way we could get a twin bed in Lucy's room without losing most of her toys. I also knew how ugly it was going to be if I tried to get rid of any of these toys (I've gotten rid of several, but I have to do it slowly and in secret), so the only other place to put them was the basement. So as of this evening at 5:30, our basement is officially a play room. I had to go down and sweep it all up again (which is a pointless since there is a layer of construction and concrete dust that will NEVER go away), then I tried to mop it, but that doesn't work too well on concrete. Then I moved all the toys down. The basketball hoop, the car street rug, the kitchen, table and chairs, all the balls, the strollers, the dress up, puzzles, art stuff, cars, Little People set, you get the picture, everything! The kids spent about 3 hours down there tonight, they thought it was Christmas. I'll go clean it up again tomorrow.
But the kids rooms look great, and I am so happy with how it all turned out. That, and it will be so much easier to keep their rooms clean and cute now that 90% of the toys are out. Jack took an awesome nap this afternoon on his "Gig boy bed" and Lucy loved helping me set her bed up. I have never seen that girl more excited for bed than she was tonight. We watched our friends kids for them so they could go out on a date, and the kids played until 9 in the basement. But once our friends got here, Lucy didn't even want to say bye, she took off up those stairs and got in her pajamas so fast it was unbelievable. I can't blame her, I have the same giddy feeling, and I don't know why. I guess this is just something I have been trying to plan out since I found out I was pregnant with Alivia. It was one of my biggest concerns, how to get two girls in that room, and it just is so satisfying to see it now, and not just picture it. What a satisfying day.
Lucy's room was a bit more of a challenge. Just to get the bed into her room, I had to take out pretty much everything in it. I quickly realized that not only was there not enough room for over half her toys, but the same went with Jack's room. So, I filled, and I mean FILLED our living room with the kids toys. Then I finished assembling Lucy's bed, which turned out adorable by the way, and set up the crib in her room, and moved on to the basement.
I had the idea weeks ago to turn the basement into a play room, I mean it's all finished except for carpet, why waste it? I knew there was no way we could get a twin bed in Lucy's room without losing most of her toys. I also knew how ugly it was going to be if I tried to get rid of any of these toys (I've gotten rid of several, but I have to do it slowly and in secret), so the only other place to put them was the basement. So as of this evening at 5:30, our basement is officially a play room. I had to go down and sweep it all up again (which is a pointless since there is a layer of construction and concrete dust that will NEVER go away), then I tried to mop it, but that doesn't work too well on concrete. Then I moved all the toys down. The basketball hoop, the car street rug, the kitchen, table and chairs, all the balls, the strollers, the dress up, puzzles, art stuff, cars, Little People set, you get the picture, everything! The kids spent about 3 hours down there tonight, they thought it was Christmas. I'll go clean it up again tomorrow.
But the kids rooms look great, and I am so happy with how it all turned out. That, and it will be so much easier to keep their rooms clean and cute now that 90% of the toys are out. Jack took an awesome nap this afternoon on his "Gig boy bed" and Lucy loved helping me set her bed up. I have never seen that girl more excited for bed than she was tonight. We watched our friends kids for them so they could go out on a date, and the kids played until 9 in the basement. But once our friends got here, Lucy didn't even want to say bye, she took off up those stairs and got in her pajamas so fast it was unbelievable. I can't blame her, I have the same giddy feeling, and I don't know why. I guess this is just something I have been trying to plan out since I found out I was pregnant with Alivia. It was one of my biggest concerns, how to get two girls in that room, and it just is so satisfying to see it now, and not just picture it. What a satisfying day.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Day 31: Eggs
Today was insane! There is no better more appropriate word to describe my day. Alivia decided she liked waking up at 5 so much yesterday that she went for it again this morning. Shawn was up by 5:30 and out the door by 6:15 to work. He had a crazy early interview this morning, which I totally don't understand the logic behind, I'm sure the candidate didn't come until 7, and they all had to be there by 6:30 to be ready, but seriously, I don' think the candidate was all to thrilled about coming that early either. I was exhausted this morning, but it was my own fault, I did stay up until 1 last night.
I finally got going by 9:30, and that's when I found out Lucy's new bunk bed had arrived at our local Walmart. Seriously, is there a better idea in all the world than free shipping from site to store? It makes online shopping possible. But the bed arriving meant it needed to be picked up. It also meant that I needed to purchase a mattress, and bedding for said bed, since Shawn and I haven't owned anything in the twin size in our entire married lives. Then after Jack's insanely long nap (and I put him down at 10:30 and he slept till 2, he was one tired little guy), we began our day of crazy shopping. We stopped at Safeway on the way to dance, and I remembered why I hate that store. Even when you feel like you are getting a really good deal, you're not, they are way too expensive. Then we quickly dropped Lucy off at dance and I ceased my window of opportunity to go to a store with 2 instead of three kids.
Our first stop was TJ Maxx. TJ Maxx is possibly my favorite store in the world for home goods. I LOVE it! I found a duvet cover that I fell in love with, and the pillows and all that fun stuff. It was all I could do to not buy it, but I would have dropped $110 on the duvet, and 3 pillows, so I knew it wasn't an option. But I did find Lucy a comforter in my first stop, so I was happy. Then I ran and made a car payment and rushed back to get Lucy. Once she was loaded we headed to Walmart to pick up our bed. I decided I should get all the other items I needed at Walmart before picking up the bed, so I grabbed a couple groceries, and headed to the bedding section. Do you know how expensive it is to move your kid out of the toddler bed into a real bed? It's ridiculous! First you have to buy the bed, then the mattress, then a mattress pad, pillows, and bedding. It really added up!
Anyway, we were in the bedding section at Walmart, and I was letting Lucy pick out her sheets since I picked out the comforter. She had it narrowed down to the Disney Princess sheets and some flower ones that matched her bed spread. Lucy heard me say that a pillow case was included as I read the back of the flower set (which really I was just checking to see what was included), and apparently that solidified her decision. She wanted nothing more to do with the princess sheets, even after I tried to talk her into them. As I turned to put back the princess set, I heard Lucy say "JACK!!! NO!!! Mom, Jack is eating an egg!" I went to the cart and sure enough, Jack has an egg in his hand that is totally mangled, and oozing all over the place. Yeah, my two year old boy took a bite out of a raw egg, shell and all. His face was really funny. He was pretty concerned about what had just happened. He was asking me with his eyes what was wrong with this egg, why was it all gooey and clear and shelley. I guess it never occurred to a two year old that you have to cook eggs to make them actually taste good, oh, and we don't actually eat the shells. This is something I thought he would have learned in all our baking days, but apparently he's always too anxious to pinch the batter to notice me throwing out the shells.
From there we pick up our beds, brought them home, and I went and bought a mattress without the kids. We'll probably set the beds up on Saturday, which is when we'll pick up the mattress too. That is if I can wait that long. I'm sure I'll bust into the box tomorrow and get Lucy's bed set up while Shawn is at work. I'm so impatient. I just don't want to do it all on Saturday because we are blessing Alivia on Sunday and I need Saturday to prepare for that. We'll see. I guess I'll go clean the house now so I can clean the basement out tomorrow and turn it into a play room. I'm excited.
I finally got going by 9:30, and that's when I found out Lucy's new bunk bed had arrived at our local Walmart. Seriously, is there a better idea in all the world than free shipping from site to store? It makes online shopping possible. But the bed arriving meant it needed to be picked up. It also meant that I needed to purchase a mattress, and bedding for said bed, since Shawn and I haven't owned anything in the twin size in our entire married lives. Then after Jack's insanely long nap (and I put him down at 10:30 and he slept till 2, he was one tired little guy), we began our day of crazy shopping. We stopped at Safeway on the way to dance, and I remembered why I hate that store. Even when you feel like you are getting a really good deal, you're not, they are way too expensive. Then we quickly dropped Lucy off at dance and I ceased my window of opportunity to go to a store with 2 instead of three kids.
Our first stop was TJ Maxx. TJ Maxx is possibly my favorite store in the world for home goods. I LOVE it! I found a duvet cover that I fell in love with, and the pillows and all that fun stuff. It was all I could do to not buy it, but I would have dropped $110 on the duvet, and 3 pillows, so I knew it wasn't an option. But I did find Lucy a comforter in my first stop, so I was happy. Then I ran and made a car payment and rushed back to get Lucy. Once she was loaded we headed to Walmart to pick up our bed. I decided I should get all the other items I needed at Walmart before picking up the bed, so I grabbed a couple groceries, and headed to the bedding section. Do you know how expensive it is to move your kid out of the toddler bed into a real bed? It's ridiculous! First you have to buy the bed, then the mattress, then a mattress pad, pillows, and bedding. It really added up!
Anyway, we were in the bedding section at Walmart, and I was letting Lucy pick out her sheets since I picked out the comforter. She had it narrowed down to the Disney Princess sheets and some flower ones that matched her bed spread. Lucy heard me say that a pillow case was included as I read the back of the flower set (which really I was just checking to see what was included), and apparently that solidified her decision. She wanted nothing more to do with the princess sheets, even after I tried to talk her into them. As I turned to put back the princess set, I heard Lucy say "JACK!!! NO!!! Mom, Jack is eating an egg!" I went to the cart and sure enough, Jack has an egg in his hand that is totally mangled, and oozing all over the place. Yeah, my two year old boy took a bite out of a raw egg, shell and all. His face was really funny. He was pretty concerned about what had just happened. He was asking me with his eyes what was wrong with this egg, why was it all gooey and clear and shelley. I guess it never occurred to a two year old that you have to cook eggs to make them actually taste good, oh, and we don't actually eat the shells. This is something I thought he would have learned in all our baking days, but apparently he's always too anxious to pinch the batter to notice me throwing out the shells.
From there we pick up our beds, brought them home, and I went and bought a mattress without the kids. We'll probably set the beds up on Saturday, which is when we'll pick up the mattress too. That is if I can wait that long. I'm sure I'll bust into the box tomorrow and get Lucy's bed set up while Shawn is at work. I'm so impatient. I just don't want to do it all on Saturday because we are blessing Alivia on Sunday and I need Saturday to prepare for that. We'll see. I guess I'll go clean the house now so I can clean the basement out tomorrow and turn it into a play room. I'm excited.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Day 30: Breaking My Rule
Alright everybody, I'm WAY breaking my own rule about being on the computer past 11, it's 12:30. I'm terrible. I really need to crack down on this one. Shawn was on here until just after 11 (so he broke my rule too), and I just spent the last hour and a half clipping coupons and planning my shopping for tomorrow. I honestly am so not kidding when I say I'm obsessed with this coupon thing, just in case you didn't figure that one out yet. Looks like I'll be loading up on more free toothpaste and body wash tomorrow, and I'll also get a great deal on some refried beans (if only one can), batteries, free toothbrushes, and pretty good deal on chips, diapers, applesauce, and my favorite apples. And that's just at Safeway and King Soopers. I won't even go to Walmart or Target tomorrow, where I have plenty of other awesome deals planned.
Today was kind of slow. Alivia had a great night last night, so I can't blame her for my 4 hours of sleep. She slept without waking up from about 8 or so until just before 5. Problem is, that at 5 she decided she was ready for her day, even though I wasn't. That's what I get for going to bed at 12:30 last night. Apparently I didn't learn my lesson because I'm about to be worse tonight. So I was up by 4:45 this morning. Then Shawn got up just before 7, and so did Jack. So I took care of Jack, and Lucy, then Alivia decided she was more than ready for her morning nap. So I laid down next to her (since if I put her down she wakes up after 3 minutes max, but if she falls asleep with me laying next to her, and then I get up and leave, she'll sleep for 2+ hours, we're working on setting bad habits here), because I knew she would be out in 2 minutes, and she was, only I was out in about 30 seconds. Next thing I knew it was 9:45. I jumped up to check on the kids who were being all too quiet. I came down stairs to find Jack had eaten a bread bowl on my family room rug, and Lucy decided to help herself to some dry oatmeal, which she also helped Jack dish out. You should have seen my dining room floor. Hey, at least they kept it at the table, and under it. Jack was also stinky, but it couldn't have been for long because I changed him at 8. I'm a terrible mom.
The rest of my day was spent tidying up, going to a couple furniture stores in search of a mattress for Lucy, and playing outside in an attempt to keep my house some what under control. Alivia was an angel today, and her little smiles melt all of us to puddles. Jack decided it was very important to stick his hand in my tail pipe again today, I don't know why he ALWAYS does that, but it's so annoying. He started doing it when he was about 18 months old. Stinker. Today he decided that sticking his hand in it wasn't enough, so he let go of the rock he was holding while his hand was in the tail pipe. Yeah, turns out getting a rock the size and shape of a golf ball out of your tail pipe isn't as easy as you might think it should be. Luckily I got it out, and HOPEFULLY Jack has learned this time that we can't do that, but I have my doubts. Jack also threw a brand new roll of toilet paper (yes, still on the roll) into the sink where I was soaking a blow out shirt of Alivias. Toilet paper didn't make it, but Jack did, even if it was just by the skin of his teeth.
Wish I could write more, but we're nearing the 1:00 hour, so I REALLY have to go to bed. Thursdays are crazy for me, and I'm trying to make tomorrow as crazy as ever in an attempt to get some shopping done with only 2 kids (while Lucy is at dance) instead of 3, so I really need my rest.
Today was kind of slow. Alivia had a great night last night, so I can't blame her for my 4 hours of sleep. She slept without waking up from about 8 or so until just before 5. Problem is, that at 5 she decided she was ready for her day, even though I wasn't. That's what I get for going to bed at 12:30 last night. Apparently I didn't learn my lesson because I'm about to be worse tonight. So I was up by 4:45 this morning. Then Shawn got up just before 7, and so did Jack. So I took care of Jack, and Lucy, then Alivia decided she was more than ready for her morning nap. So I laid down next to her (since if I put her down she wakes up after 3 minutes max, but if she falls asleep with me laying next to her, and then I get up and leave, she'll sleep for 2+ hours, we're working on setting bad habits here), because I knew she would be out in 2 minutes, and she was, only I was out in about 30 seconds. Next thing I knew it was 9:45. I jumped up to check on the kids who were being all too quiet. I came down stairs to find Jack had eaten a bread bowl on my family room rug, and Lucy decided to help herself to some dry oatmeal, which she also helped Jack dish out. You should have seen my dining room floor. Hey, at least they kept it at the table, and under it. Jack was also stinky, but it couldn't have been for long because I changed him at 8. I'm a terrible mom.
The rest of my day was spent tidying up, going to a couple furniture stores in search of a mattress for Lucy, and playing outside in an attempt to keep my house some what under control. Alivia was an angel today, and her little smiles melt all of us to puddles. Jack decided it was very important to stick his hand in my tail pipe again today, I don't know why he ALWAYS does that, but it's so annoying. He started doing it when he was about 18 months old. Stinker. Today he decided that sticking his hand in it wasn't enough, so he let go of the rock he was holding while his hand was in the tail pipe. Yeah, turns out getting a rock the size and shape of a golf ball out of your tail pipe isn't as easy as you might think it should be. Luckily I got it out, and HOPEFULLY Jack has learned this time that we can't do that, but I have my doubts. Jack also threw a brand new roll of toilet paper (yes, still on the roll) into the sink where I was soaking a blow out shirt of Alivias. Toilet paper didn't make it, but Jack did, even if it was just by the skin of his teeth.
Wish I could write more, but we're nearing the 1:00 hour, so I REALLY have to go to bed. Thursdays are crazy for me, and I'm trying to make tomorrow as crazy as ever in an attempt to get some shopping done with only 2 kids (while Lucy is at dance) instead of 3, so I really need my rest.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Day 29: A Happy Day
I think I'm finally starting to consider myself adjusted to life with 3 kids. Yeah, it's hard, that's for darn sure. But honestly, the hardest part is just adjusting. Everything takes twice as long, especially getting in the car. I always think that I'm doing great on time to get anywhere, and then I remember that I have to load them all in. It's wicked crazy how challenging it is. But hey, in no more than 9 1/2 months, we'll upgrade to a minivan. I'm totally stoked about that! The thought of opening doors with the push of a button and watching Lucy an Jack climb into the car themselves pretty much brings a tear to my eye. That and I won't have to get annoyed whenever Shawn drives the car because I won't have to move the driver seat up to put the baby in. Yes, there is much to look forward to in my future with a minivan.
Today was full of Yoga, which yeah, still love it, and a massive coupon hunt down with my new friend Shay. I met Shay at church at the end of October. Then she was out of town for the entire last two months of the year, and I was gone the entire first month of this year, so I re-met her on Sunday. That is when we learned that we both share a new passion for coupons. When I saw her at Yoga today I mentioned that I was going on a coupon hunt down and she instantly volunteered to come with me. It made for a very fun morning, which yes, included digging through a recycling bin. We had mucho success! It will happen every Tuesday now I'm pretty sure.
Once we got home I continued to enjoy my clean house, and had such a great day with the kids. There were still plenty of tears from Alivia, Lucy still chatted up a storm, and Jack was pretty whinny today due to lack of sleep because of a missing pacifier, but the day was so perfect. I love my kids, I love being home with them, and I love getting to focus 100% on them. Now that I've just accepted their current challenges, I'm sure they'll dish up a whole batch of new ones to adjust to tomorrow, but hey, we can roll with the punches. I do think that a big key to my current optimism is that Shawn was able to stay home a lot more this weekend. That helped me so much, I needed that, even though I still feel bad that I asked him to miss his choir practice on Sunday night, it made a world of difference, so I owe him.
And now it's past 11, so I have to go. I've got a run to do in the morning. I'll let you know how that goes. Not going to lie, I'm really nervous about that, but I can't stand my stomach any more, it's totally making me sick. That and the small little Epic Relay that I have to start training for so it doesn't kill me in July. I can't die, I have three kids depending on me, so I better get my butt in gear and start training. Maybe I'll just get the throwing up over with tonight so I have one less thing to do in the morning...
Today was full of Yoga, which yeah, still love it, and a massive coupon hunt down with my new friend Shay. I met Shay at church at the end of October. Then she was out of town for the entire last two months of the year, and I was gone the entire first month of this year, so I re-met her on Sunday. That is when we learned that we both share a new passion for coupons. When I saw her at Yoga today I mentioned that I was going on a coupon hunt down and she instantly volunteered to come with me. It made for a very fun morning, which yes, included digging through a recycling bin. We had mucho success! It will happen every Tuesday now I'm pretty sure.
Once we got home I continued to enjoy my clean house, and had such a great day with the kids. There were still plenty of tears from Alivia, Lucy still chatted up a storm, and Jack was pretty whinny today due to lack of sleep because of a missing pacifier, but the day was so perfect. I love my kids, I love being home with them, and I love getting to focus 100% on them. Now that I've just accepted their current challenges, I'm sure they'll dish up a whole batch of new ones to adjust to tomorrow, but hey, we can roll with the punches. I do think that a big key to my current optimism is that Shawn was able to stay home a lot more this weekend. That helped me so much, I needed that, even though I still feel bad that I asked him to miss his choir practice on Sunday night, it made a world of difference, so I owe him.
And now it's past 11, so I have to go. I've got a run to do in the morning. I'll let you know how that goes. Not going to lie, I'm really nervous about that, but I can't stand my stomach any more, it's totally making me sick. That and the small little Epic Relay that I have to start training for so it doesn't kill me in July. I can't die, I have three kids depending on me, so I better get my butt in gear and start training. Maybe I'll just get the throwing up over with tonight so I have one less thing to do in the morning...
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