I tell myself it is life and you cannot always control what happens as I try to keep at bay all of the anxiety that will wash over me if I let it - daddy is out of town all week, the week during which is probably one of my busiest with work by far. Each minute of the day I have to remember to think directly ahead to what I need to do next and do NOT let myself become overwhelmed with an entire week as I normally would.
Day one of getting out the door with all 4 and getting to work on time - CHECK!
That is a chore, my hubby has done it for my travels before and now it is my turn to do so and support his career. I don't mind but I truly think that my kids behave differently for mommy than they do for daddy. Not to mention, I miss my husband. I would never get through this week - or next - without the support of our families so thank you again for all that you are doing. The kids, they are hanging in there. Maggie is quite sad that her daddy is gone but she is helping out and being a great big sister. Caden is "in CHARGE" per daddy's directions and helping out nicely. He even help Memaw Donna unload the car after dance last night. Cale and Mallory - well they are fighting for mommy's attention but we did enjoy our impromptu dance party last night and they did not fight getting ready this morning.
I know that this is nothing new to our routine but the weight of being the one parent which they will rely on all week can be overwhelming, especially when I know I have to be at work on time everyday to attend my meetings. However, since I have some pretty awesome kids I am sure they will be good and have only a few melt downs.
What this really means is that I have to keep a level head, do not worry about what I cannot control and remember to breathe!
Lastly, it means I am so looking forward to a good time with great friends, a few ponies, drinks and bets on Friday!
Hurry home Matthew, we miss you but I know we can do this - just 3 more mornings to go - oh yeah then next week too - oh well I will cross that bridge when we get there.
Here is to a great week for all and safe travels for Matthew!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
It was a perfect Christmas!
Yes you may say that this post is out of date, but as a working mom of 4 I think I am doing great by posting about Christmas within 30 days of the actual event!
This year Christmas was quite possibly one of my favorite! Each year there is something special about celebrating that Christmas, the first one Matt and I did as a married couple, the first one as parents to two awesome little darlings, the first one as a family of six and I have to say this one - as the first one when Caden and Maggie had a toy that they were asking for over and over and could not wait until Christmas morning to see if Santa delivered!
Both Caden and Maggie took a better liking to Santa this year. They wrote letters to Santa rattling off their wishes and they interacted with him when we went to visit. Each of them had one item that kept coming up whenever someone would ask them.
For Caden - it was Beyblades, yes those tops that spin and you can battle your friends with, they are marked for ages 8 or older but he had to have them after he saw them at his buddy Preston's house.
For Maggie - it was a Jessie outfit and a pink circle hat, yes Jessie's hat is red but Miss Maggie wanted it to be pink.
And so I say that this Christmas was perfect because the look on their faces when they each opened their gift they had been waiting for was priceless. What a feeling as a parent to know that all of their expectations were met - I am pretty sure I won't ever feel that way again. I know as we get older our expectations of things grow and change and at times become so big that reaching them all is not always possible but it was on this day. I will take this one day and those few moments when all expectations where satisfied and we were together as a family.
Cale and Mallory had a great Christmas too - they didn't ask for anything - they are only 18 months after all but there were a few hits for them. I do need to note that while they loved to say "Santa" and walked aroudn saying "HO, HO, HO" when it came time to get close to Santa there were blood curdling screams and they held onto tight to mommy or daddy - it wasn't happening, there was not sitting on Santa's lap!
Cale LOVES his pony that he and Mallory received from Santa. He is evening learning to climb up on it by himself now. We though for sure that the pony would be the reason for our trip to the ER in the future - not the kitchen chair. He will wear Maggie's pink cowgirl hat and ride his pony all the while with a look of concentration in his eyes and giggles rolling out of his mouth. Cale could really have cared less to actually open the gifts and was quite content after the first one, he played with that and we had to convince him to come and open the rest!
Mallory could really care less for the pony, she has screamed every time we try to put her on it. She LOVES her slippers she received from mommy and daddy - although we have missed placed one right now -she looks cute as a little old lady in her jammies and slippers. However, her FAVORITE gift is probably her baby doll she received from Memaw Donna and Papaw Chris. She loves to carry her baby and feed her a bottle, of course she has to have milk (we use water but Mallory says milk). Mallory is a present opening MACHINE, she wanted "more, more" but she really did enjoy playing and opening every gift.
Each one of the kids received a recordable book from mommy and daddy - they love that they can turn the page and hear our voice.
They also each get an ornament each year to remember the year by:
Caden: he received a Tow Mater with rockets ornament - for we saw Cars 2 as well as the space shuttle launch this year and he LOVES the shuttle launches - he is still watching the recording on the DVR with daddy.
Maggie: she received a Belle ornament as she, myself, Memaw Donna, Aunt Nicole, Elizabeth and Aunt Kelsey went to see Maggie's first Broadway performance this year - she loved it and looks so cute in her Belle costume
Mallory: she received a replica of the Fisher Price Little People House - every morning for months while we were getting everyone ready she would play with that house and still does when we play Little People
Cale: he received a Fisher Price Fire Truck, he absolutely loves to sit and play with Caden's fire truck.
I have visions that one day when they are grown and are putting up their own family Christmas tree they are getting out their ornaments from each year and remembering why they got those for that year - yes I am making a list for them as to the reason for each one being!
This year Christmas was quite possibly one of my favorite! Each year there is something special about celebrating that Christmas, the first one Matt and I did as a married couple, the first one as parents to two awesome little darlings, the first one as a family of six and I have to say this one - as the first one when Caden and Maggie had a toy that they were asking for over and over and could not wait until Christmas morning to see if Santa delivered!
Both Caden and Maggie took a better liking to Santa this year. They wrote letters to Santa rattling off their wishes and they interacted with him when we went to visit. Each of them had one item that kept coming up whenever someone would ask them.
For Caden - it was Beyblades, yes those tops that spin and you can battle your friends with, they are marked for ages 8 or older but he had to have them after he saw them at his buddy Preston's house.
For Maggie - it was a Jessie outfit and a pink circle hat, yes Jessie's hat is red but Miss Maggie wanted it to be pink.
And so I say that this Christmas was perfect because the look on their faces when they each opened their gift they had been waiting for was priceless. What a feeling as a parent to know that all of their expectations were met - I am pretty sure I won't ever feel that way again. I know as we get older our expectations of things grow and change and at times become so big that reaching them all is not always possible but it was on this day. I will take this one day and those few moments when all expectations where satisfied and we were together as a family.
Cale and Mallory had a great Christmas too - they didn't ask for anything - they are only 18 months after all but there were a few hits for them. I do need to note that while they loved to say "Santa" and walked aroudn saying "HO, HO, HO" when it came time to get close to Santa there were blood curdling screams and they held onto tight to mommy or daddy - it wasn't happening, there was not sitting on Santa's lap!
Cale LOVES his pony that he and Mallory received from Santa. He is evening learning to climb up on it by himself now. We though for sure that the pony would be the reason for our trip to the ER in the future - not the kitchen chair. He will wear Maggie's pink cowgirl hat and ride his pony all the while with a look of concentration in his eyes and giggles rolling out of his mouth. Cale could really have cared less to actually open the gifts and was quite content after the first one, he played with that and we had to convince him to come and open the rest!
Mallory could really care less for the pony, she has screamed every time we try to put her on it. She LOVES her slippers she received from mommy and daddy - although we have missed placed one right now -she looks cute as a little old lady in her jammies and slippers. However, her FAVORITE gift is probably her baby doll she received from Memaw Donna and Papaw Chris. She loves to carry her baby and feed her a bottle, of course she has to have milk (we use water but Mallory says milk). Mallory is a present opening MACHINE, she wanted "more, more" but she really did enjoy playing and opening every gift.
Each one of the kids received a recordable book from mommy and daddy - they love that they can turn the page and hear our voice.
They also each get an ornament each year to remember the year by:
Caden: he received a Tow Mater with rockets ornament - for we saw Cars 2 as well as the space shuttle launch this year and he LOVES the shuttle launches - he is still watching the recording on the DVR with daddy.
Maggie: she received a Belle ornament as she, myself, Memaw Donna, Aunt Nicole, Elizabeth and Aunt Kelsey went to see Maggie's first Broadway performance this year - she loved it and looks so cute in her Belle costume
Mallory: she received a replica of the Fisher Price Little People House - every morning for months while we were getting everyone ready she would play with that house and still does when we play Little People
Cale: he received a Fisher Price Fire Truck, he absolutely loves to sit and play with Caden's fire truck.
I have visions that one day when they are grown and are putting up their own family Christmas tree they are getting out their ornaments from each year and remembering why they got those for that year - yes I am making a list for them as to the reason for each one being!
I love Christmas time, not for the gifts but for the time to honor Jesus and to spend the day focusing on family and our many blessings. While our day did take a turn for crazy when we had to rush Cale to the emergency room that morning of gifts with my kids, hubby and father in law was AWESOME and moments I will forever treasure.
I am blessed, what appears as chaos to others is my security blanket, and I definitely would not trade it for the world. I am so glad that Santa helped us to deliver the expectations that they each had on their gifts.
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| Caden and his Beyblades |
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| Miss Maggie as Jessie - check out those boots |
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| Cale and George taking a horsey ride |
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| Caden checking out the new horse! |
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| The Little Ones with Daddy and Papaw Casey |
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| Mallory looking to get in on Maggie's gift opening action |
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| Maggie trying out the horse Cale and Mallory received |
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Our first ever trip to the E.R.
Matthew and I are lucky enough to say that Christmas Day was our first ever trip to the emergency room with any of our children. Considering that we have 4 kids and have not been there yet in 4 years I will count us as lucky people. But by no means am I looking forward to another trip there anytime soon.
The setting: Christmas morning, after we had opened gifts and the kids were having a little breakfast.
As Cale reached over to try to get to Maggie's cereal he fell out of his high chair and into the arm of the chair which Maggie was sitting in. He hit his head on that arm and it split it open. He was dangling from the high chair as he had wrapped his feet around the foot rest bar and as I picked him up thinking great a new goose egg, I realized he was holding his breath, pulled him off my shoulder to get him to breathe and then the blood came. It was gushing and I was shaking. Thankfully my father in law Casey was there to grab the baby and instruct me to get a towel, I couldn't think or move and I am very happy he could tell me what to do. He and Matt got the bleeding under control, Cale got a nice bandage - way to use what we had on hand daddy - and off to the E.R. we went. That was at 10:37 AM.....
So we arrive at the local hospital and as we pull in there are already two ambulances there however, no one waiting to be seen in the waiting room, so I thought okay not so bad. Boy was I wrong.
Cale was acting fine in the waiting room, playing with the toys and laughing - he looked quite cute running around in his footed Christmas jammies - I was still shaking but beginning to calm down, Matt was trying to make sure he didn't hit his head again.
They got him in the system, he did not want his vitals taken but they did get us back and into a room rather quickly. It was just then we had to wait, 2 more ambulances and some seriously sick folks being tended to by the doctors. Thank goodness he took a nap because I do not think we could have made it for 2 hours of waiting while chasing him around.
Once it was determined he would definitely need stitches we got started and I must say that holding down your baby is one of the worst experiences in the world. He got 6 stitches but because how the cut was it was really 9 - she had to start over twice and took out 3. We finally got them in and were able to calm him down, he was a sweaty mess from trying to fight us and really just traumatized from being held down while someone was trying to stitch him.
We are so thankful for Papaw Casey, Memaw Jo and Big Papa as they totally stepped up to interrupt their day and stay with the other kids while we were away.
We left the hospital at 2:25 - and finally arrived at Memaw Donna and Papaw Chris's at 4:00 5.5 hours later than we had started to begin our day of family Christmas outings. He was FINE, I not so much and could not stand to see him running around being all boy that he is - daddy helped lots in keeping him off the stairs and making sure he wasn't falling down hitting his head.
Five days later his stitches are out and he looks good - he will have a scar but at least he won't mind that much and what a story to remember! Our baby Frankenstein for Christmas!
I am sure this is not our last trip to the emergency room, especially with this child but I sure do hope that there is not another one for a VERY long time!
Please bear with the photos - I used my Blackberry, I thought it was tacky to bring along the camera.
So we survived our first trip to the emergency room and our first stitches, it wasn't fun, but he did great and we are almost back to normal. (Mom is still a nervous wreck when he climbs on anything!)
The setting: Christmas morning, after we had opened gifts and the kids were having a little breakfast.
As Cale reached over to try to get to Maggie's cereal he fell out of his high chair and into the arm of the chair which Maggie was sitting in. He hit his head on that arm and it split it open. He was dangling from the high chair as he had wrapped his feet around the foot rest bar and as I picked him up thinking great a new goose egg, I realized he was holding his breath, pulled him off my shoulder to get him to breathe and then the blood came. It was gushing and I was shaking. Thankfully my father in law Casey was there to grab the baby and instruct me to get a towel, I couldn't think or move and I am very happy he could tell me what to do. He and Matt got the bleeding under control, Cale got a nice bandage - way to use what we had on hand daddy - and off to the E.R. we went. That was at 10:37 AM.....
So we arrive at the local hospital and as we pull in there are already two ambulances there however, no one waiting to be seen in the waiting room, so I thought okay not so bad. Boy was I wrong.
Cale was acting fine in the waiting room, playing with the toys and laughing - he looked quite cute running around in his footed Christmas jammies - I was still shaking but beginning to calm down, Matt was trying to make sure he didn't hit his head again.
They got him in the system, he did not want his vitals taken but they did get us back and into a room rather quickly. It was just then we had to wait, 2 more ambulances and some seriously sick folks being tended to by the doctors. Thank goodness he took a nap because I do not think we could have made it for 2 hours of waiting while chasing him around.
Once it was determined he would definitely need stitches we got started and I must say that holding down your baby is one of the worst experiences in the world. He got 6 stitches but because how the cut was it was really 9 - she had to start over twice and took out 3. We finally got them in and were able to calm him down, he was a sweaty mess from trying to fight us and really just traumatized from being held down while someone was trying to stitch him.
We are so thankful for Papaw Casey, Memaw Jo and Big Papa as they totally stepped up to interrupt their day and stay with the other kids while we were away.
We left the hospital at 2:25 - and finally arrived at Memaw Donna and Papaw Chris's at 4:00 5.5 hours later than we had started to begin our day of family Christmas outings. He was FINE, I not so much and could not stand to see him running around being all boy that he is - daddy helped lots in keeping him off the stairs and making sure he wasn't falling down hitting his head.
Five days later his stitches are out and he looks good - he will have a scar but at least he won't mind that much and what a story to remember! Our baby Frankenstein for Christmas!
I am sure this is not our last trip to the emergency room, especially with this child but I sure do hope that there is not another one for a VERY long time!
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| Playing in the waiting room |
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| Running down the halls while waiting - looks in pain huh? |
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| Not so patiently waiting with daddy and George and of course blankie |
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| All Smiles now that we are riding home! |
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| see my boo-boo? I am so sleepy |
So we survived our first trip to the emergency room and our first stitches, it wasn't fun, but he did great and we are almost back to normal. (Mom is still a nervous wreck when he climbs on anything!)
at 18 months they sure are growing fast
Last week, Memaw Jo and I took Cale and Mallory in for their 18 month check up and they are doing just great but growing way too fast for my liking.
They turned 18 months on Christmas Eve and are quickly becoming little people. They are talking more and more each day. They definitely are learning favorite toys and foods - NANAS (bananas)! They laugh lots but yet can throw a fit with the best of them. Cale does an amazing imitation of Jennifer Beals in Flashdance and Mallory can turn on the drama filled tears with the best of them. We are working on our colors - Mallory thinks everything is Yellow - as well as our numbers - Cale counts to 3 before jumping in the ball pit or off the stairs.
Here are our measurements for 18 months:
Mallory:
I sat there the other day watching them and remembering last year when they just sat there in exersaucer not quite mobile - WOW how time is flying by.
I could not imagine our lives without these two little people.
They sure are amazing and can quickly turn a bad day GREAT!
They turned 18 months on Christmas Eve and are quickly becoming little people. They are talking more and more each day. They definitely are learning favorite toys and foods - NANAS (bananas)! They laugh lots but yet can throw a fit with the best of them. Cale does an amazing imitation of Jennifer Beals in Flashdance and Mallory can turn on the drama filled tears with the best of them. We are working on our colors - Mallory thinks everything is Yellow - as well as our numbers - Cale counts to 3 before jumping in the ball pit or off the stairs.
Here are our measurements for 18 months:
Mallory:
- Weight: 25.63lbs
- Height 32.5 inches
- She has grown 1.5 inches in 3 months and gained less than a pound, she is very proportional but still has her mama's thunder thighs!
- She doesn't have much hair but has a few curls in the back and hopefully will get some soon
- Weight: 29.31 lbs
- Height 34.5 inches
- He has grown 3.25 inches in 3 months and gained 2.5 pounds - he weighs only 2 pounds less than his sister who is 4!
- Cale did great getting his stitches out - if you don't know about those post is to come shortly behind this one.
- And no I am not ready to cut his hair - almost but I hate to lose the curls
I sat there the other day watching them and remembering last year when they just sat there in exersaucer not quite mobile - WOW how time is flying by.
I could not imagine our lives without these two little people.
They sure are amazing and can quickly turn a bad day GREAT!
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