Catch Up

Been awhile since I have posted.

1. Took Baby J to the dr last Monday - he weighed 8 pounds 8 ounces. He gained 25 ounces in 21 days.


2. Thursday night we took the kids for a bike ride. Daddy Piper rode his bike and pulled them to the church parking lot. Then they took their bikes from the back of van and rode around for awhile. L had to potty and Daddy Piper took her down in the ditch to squat and pee and she pottied all over herself! It was super funny since a similar situation happened a few weeks ago but with me and S. I couldn't figure out how to have him pee outside without peeing all over himself. Guess we need to help the same gender go potty :- )


3. Friday during the day was a table leader meeting for MOPS and that was fun. It feels so great to be joining a group that seems to have such neat women. The bonus is the kids program for the children. I hope they make some wonderful friends too!


4. Friday night I was attempting to take a bath alone when S came in the room. He seemed lonely so I felt bad banishing him from the room and he joined me. A few minutes later, Daddy Piper brought J in for his bath and then L came in.... so I had all 3 kids in the bath with me. We tried to make room for Daddy Piper but he declined to join us :-) (and a similar occurrence tonight!!)


5. We went to a friend's son's birthday party last night. It was so fun - for both the kids and the parents! There was a Cars bouncer thing so the kids were well entertained with that and the food was super yummy. It was our first family outing with Baby J so our friends were happy to see him. He slept the entire time.


6. Today was a day full of errands (so was yesterday morning now that I think about it). Then I got J's birth announcements done finally so those will go out tomorrow.

Here is a cute pic of me wearing Baby J (I wear him in the Snugli, in my Moby and in my Over the Shoulder Baby Holder) and S needed his mama to "holdge" him. S turned to to me and said "I Love you Mama" just as Daddy Piper snapped the picture.
Yes my arms are full but boy do I LOVE it!!

I just feel so overwhelmed with life right now. It is so crazy busy with 3. A good busy. Baby J has completed our family. My heart feels happily full. He is just a perfect little baby. And the whole economic situation is very stressful. Life is just not perfect and this is really the first time I have felt that way. Usually I say that I would rather have my life like it is now than any other time - I couldn't say that honestly right now. I think the money thing is the most stressful thing about being an adult - everything else is great... the being a wife and mommy part ROCKS! I need to have more patience and be a more "fun" mom. I need to treasure each moment more and spend less time on this electronic time sucker called a computer. These kids are growing waaaaayyyy too fast :- (

Hiking

I took the kids hiking today at a local mountain park. Let me back up and say that I only had 3 hours of sleep in the last day and a half - and that wasn't continuous sleep either!

We were going to do this a couple of week ago when Grandma was here but it didn't work out so we headed out today to do this easy hike. It was easy and fun and a great way to get out and enjoy our awesome weather. Our friends, the K Family, had told us about it before and how much fun it was for our age kids. Both kids really enjoyed themselves. About halfway through the hike, there is a playground so they played there for a bit and then we finished the trail. The whole experience lasted a couple hours and ended in a picnic lunch. The ants invaded us during our lunch so we grabbed our food and headed home. We even ran into 2 moms from our homeschool group that did the organized hike earlier in the morning. J did well on the hike. He rode in the stroller some and in the sling some. He has been super fussy lately. I think he is going through his 6 week growth spurt. He is 6 weeks old. This 6 weeks has FLOWN by, sadly :- (

We saw a lizard within seconds of being on the trail.

These kids really love each other. I am interested in seeing Jack fit into this tight twosome in the years to come.

Here is a cute pic I took with my self-timer.

It was a very fun day - even with no naps since the kids napped in the car on the way home. I took advantage of the lack of naptime and got a ton done around the house. Then tonight after Daddy Piper came home, we spent some needed time as a family doing the bike ride thing in the church parking lot (where L had to potty and tried to potty in the desert and went all over her panties!!)

Another great day!!

Cars, Cars, Cars

We had a Car party with our homeschool group today. It wasn't a Disney Cars party but a "any type of car" party. We gathered at the home of one of the mom's mom's house (she has land like we do) and let the kids outside to run wild. Most everyone around here lives in a subdivision so they really enjoy when the kids have an acre or more to run free. After letting the kids ride on their motorized cars (*sidenote below), we went back inside and had lunch together, making our burritos into cars with pretzels and cheese. One of the mom's painstakingly cut cheese into circles to achieve the tires for our car burritos - so nice of her!!

This group has already produced some wonderful friendships. It is rare that a group of women get together and there is no drama and even after quite a few events, there is still no drama. It is so NICE!! We have quite a few events coming up together. I love that the kids are all about the same age (except no one has #3 yet but us) and I love that we are like minded in the homeschooling aspect and what that brings. Fun times, Ya'll - Fun Times!


*Our kids don't have a motorized car. They really enjoyed driving around the other kids' cars. I think we are going to get them a John Deere Gator. L did a great job driving, only getting in trouble once for ramming another vehicle. She was hesitant to drive, only wanted to ride with another driver but eventually she hopped in the driver seat and there was no holding her back. Even S got in on the action and drove. At one point he was a passenger and another little girl, J, was in the driver seat and she was steering while S was pushing the gas.

Friends

I count my blessings with the friends I have made since moving back here in '04. I never really had close, true friends until I was an adult. I made some wonderful friends in MN that I miss dearly and then lucky me, I made some more truly wonderful friends here.

We went to a local pizza joint with one of those friends today and her girls - the K family. This pizza joint opens up 30 minutes early upon request for make your own pizza day. They let the kids make their own pizzas and while they are cooking, there is a play area for them. It was fun and cheap! $5 for a pizza and a drink. The kids really enjoyed it!

After the pizza fun, we went to a local farmers market type of store and got some fresh fruit and veggies. This was an adventure in and of itself. 4 kids and a baby made for a chaotic (but enjoyable) shopping trip. The kicker - I ran into my English teacher and Student Council Leader from junior high!!!

Surprise!

We surprised the kids today and took them to the IMAX to see Madagascar 2. It was such FUN! They really enjoyed the movie and so did we :- ) Both L & S sat through the entire thing. It started out kinda loud and I was worried since both kids seem to be sensitive to loud noises. But they ended up being fine since the movie wasn't as loud as the previews were. Baby J slept through the whole thing. I had him snug as a bug in my sling. He woke up about 20 minutes before the end and wanted to eat. I tried to nurse him in the sling but couldn't get his mouth lined up with my nipple and he went BERSERK on me. I snuck out of the row we were sitting and sat on the floor by the door and nursed him and finished watching the movie :- )

edited to add: Tonight after putting the kids to bed (which Daddy Piper read the bedtime stories so I could watch Desperate Housewives - what a great guy!) anyway after putting them to bed, we hear both S & L singing "I like to Move It, Move It" from the movie earlier today. It was so cute to hear them singing it!!!! Guess they really enjoyed the movie. So I went on iTunes and bought the song (love how a buck song will make them so happy). They will be so surprised tomorrow when they hear it in the van!!

Friday Fun

I actually had a pretty good night sleep last night. Baby J slept from 11-3... a long time for him. So when I woke up today to make Daddy Piper's lunch, I just stayed up instead of going back to sleep like I normally do. This made for a very productive morning!! We were all dressed, had breakfast, a load of laundry done, schoolwork done and dishes done by 8:30 - WOOHOO!

So it was off to the mall to take Baby J's one month pictures. I should have just stayed home. It was so much work. Let me back up a minute. I started out doing monthly pics with L and continued this with S (only missing one month with S, not too bad). Now - it's so much work! Let me recount how the whole process went:

1. Loaded up the kids in the van and left the house.
2. Got to the mall 30 minutes later.
3. Unloaded said kids, realized that the piece to hold the carseat on the stroller was missing so put Baby J directly in the stroller - he's a bit too small but we made it work.
4. Got everyone inside and down the elevator to the photo place.
5. Filled out paperwork while older 2 ran around and played like wild animals.
6. Started pictures - had to explain and set up the photos how I wanted (why can't these photo places actually train their photographers. It's true that you get what you pay for.)
7. Got done taking the pictures - figured they would be okay - not great but okay.
8. Now they make you wait 15 minutes while they process the digital photos.
9. Go get coffee and sample of raspberry smoothie stuff to pass the time.
10. Remember I forgot to order decaf so toss the $3 coffee - WAHHH!
11. Get everyone back to the photo place to review pics.
12. They put a ton of options (read: expensive) together for my review.
    
13. While reviewing, L has to go potty.
14. Take L (and S and Baby J) up the elevator and back to the potty.
    
15. Make everyone go so we don't have to come back in 5 minutes.
16. Come back to review pics. Decide to use my coupon and only spend $20 (yea for me!!).
17. Off to ride the carousal.
18. Pass chicken place handing out samples. Now must eat their chicken for lunch. (good advertising!)
19. Get the tokens for carousal.
20. Get in line.
21. Get the older 2 on the carousal and on their requisite animals (while trying to fight off the only other rider from grabbing L's animal) all while trying to watch Baby J in his stroller down below.
    
22. Run down and grab him and run back on the carousal since the older 2 aren't big enough to ride alone.
23. Get dizzy riding said carousal (getting old sucks!)
24. Off carousal and to get the above mentioned chicken.
25. Order chicken and wait while they cook it.
26. Just before the order is ready, S has to potty.
    
27. Load all kids back up and find the bathroom,
28. Again make everyone go so we aren't repeating this in 5 minutes.
29. Grab order and sit kids down to eat just as Baby J decides he his hungry.
30. Feed all 3 kids while stealing bites for myself in between.
    
31. Leave mall.
    
32. Load everyone up and head home.
33. Best part? Singing songs together to keep kids awake on the drive home so we can all nap together at home.
    

It was so much work! I really don't think monthly pictures are in Baby J's future.

The afternoon wasn't much better. I wanted to nap but didn't get to. I gave it up so I could bake cookies with L. Cut-out cookies no less. I didn't get a much needed nap until later when I threw a fit with Daddy Piper and stomped into my bedroom and laid down for an hour.

Best part of the evening - decorating cookies with the kids!

Chaos

http://raisingfive.blogspot.com/2007/03/ever-feel-out-of-control.html

I read this today and could really identify with it. I feel totally out of control right now with this transition from 2 to 3. Life is so chaotic around here. I can't get things done like I am used to. I have never been a fanatical housecleaner but still the bathrooms got cleaned more than once a month :- ) I can't even finish a book in a week or more, a very rare for me. I hope things get a little more routine-y around here soon. Even if not - I am still VERY happy to have my 3 children. Baby J has filled my heart and completed my family.

Errands

So we got the cereal deal from Target, jammys back to Gymboree & new shoes for Liz (cute pink ones that cannot be passed down. I was informed this was an inefficient way to spend money - WHATEVER!). Now I am watching Grey's Anatomy (which is dumb!) and trying to recount my day. S loves to sing "Monkeys in the Bed" Very cute to hear his little voice singing all by himself. Another favorite is Skidamarink. Baby J was awake for awhile tonight. It was very nice to see him awake and alert. I think the pain pills I had been taking for my extreme c-section pain are finally coming out of his system. L had a fun time playing with another little girl on the playland at the mall today. I kinda wished she went to preschool or something like that to be able to have other little girlfriends. Even the homeschool co-op we joined is full of boys. Oh well - whaddya do?!?

All in all a very nice day with no nap due to poop wiping, boy not sleeping and other drama :- )

Off to sleep!

Wonderful Wednesday

We had a fun day!

We started the day out with a trip to the park with some homeschool friends we made through the co-op that we joined (and then we broke off and made our own group). This was very enjoyable. It is nice to be with like minded women and just have great conversation while the kids play. S fell off the play structure. He leaned forward to shimmy down the fireman pole and fell about 4 feet. He didn't cry - just said it hurt his head. I would think so buddy :- ) Then we had to get S's haircut and I had to take some jammys back to Gymboree. I forgot my credit card for the return so that part of the trip was wasted. S's haircut turned out nice and then a yummy lunch at a pizza place next door where the kids eat free on Wednesdays. Free is always good!

We got home later than I anticipated so it was a rush to lay down for naps. Everyone napped great today - all 3 kids and mommy! I got the house vacuumed and the dishes put away while the kids finished napping. I am finding that as time becomes more precious, I have to take advantage of every free moment to do chores so it doesn't cut into my time with the kids.

Daddy Piper got home late from work so we had a late dinner. It was yummy steak, corn on the cob, beans, roasted potatoes and strawberries.

As I type this I feel contented with life. That is most unusual for me. I have always found myself wanting more, wishing for something else, coveting what my neighbor has. I am trying to work on that. I have everything a woman should ever want or hope for - a loving husband, wonderful children, great friends, my health, a roof over my head, plenty of food to eat, clothes to wear and the ability to stay home and mother my children and make a home for my husband - all the necessities and more. Lucky me - lucky me - lucky me!!!

Park Day

We went to the park today with the K family. All 4 older kids did wonderfully listening. It turned into a great experience for everyone! I borrowed a sling from Mama K and I think I am going to like it better than the Moby. We'll see if I can get Baby J into it by myself tomorrow when I take L to dance class. Back to the park. We brought bread to feed the ducks and fresh fruit to feed the kids and had a mini picnic. All the kids played well together. Mama K helped them do the zipline thing since a) I had Baby J on my chest and b) I am just too plain short to reach the darn thing :- )

S had a hard day. He hit his head while playing on the splash pad thing at the park - twice. Then he got in trouble when he decided to put his new green soap all over the white bath mat in the bathroom during bathtime and then he twisted his knee while goofing around at bedtime with Daddy Piper. Hope tomorrow goes better for him. I know things have been super rough on him since the new baby came along. He feels left out. I truly hope to be a better mommy to him and keep reassuring him that he is just as special and as wanted as before Baby J entered our family. This is so hard - this mothering 3 and making sure they all know they are loved and wanted.... any advice is welcomed!

I hope I get some rest tonight. L snuck out of her bed during naptime and came to lie down with me and just as soon as she was asleep, S woke up. Not kidding - about 8 minutes after I saw her close her eyes, S woke up screaming like a fire alarm, ready to be awake for the afternoon. Joys of motherhood - they really are wonderful even on minimal sleep!

Love this Poem

Song for a Fifth Child
The following is by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton and was published in the Lady's Home Journal in 1958

Mother, oh Mother, come shake out your cloth,
empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
hang out the washing and butter the bread,
sew on a button and make up a bed.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I've grown shiftless as Little Boy Blue
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).
The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew
and out in the yard there's a hullabaloo
but I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo
Look! Aren't her eyes the most wonderful hue?
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
for children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

Happy 1 month old Baby J!

Happy 1 month old to my Baby J. I can't believe how quickly this month passed us by. He is still a sleepy baby but is awake more and more each day. He is also a pretty content baby but he'll take a snuggling anytime he can get it (he is hanging out in my Moby as I type this) : -)

I have been trying to encourage tummy time - here he is "enjoying" it!

Love you Baby J!

They Survived!

Daddy Piper and L and S stayed outside all night! I couldn't believe it when I got up at 2:30 to feed Baby J and they weren't back in from their camping adventure. Daddy Piper said they all enjoyed their campout and missed Mama and Baby J. I promised we would participate in the next one (I guess that will be next weekend!) They had a great time sleeping out under the stars. Daddy Piper said they woke with the sun and restarted the campfire and only came traipsing in about 8 because they were hungry.

What a great memory for the kids and their daddy!!

Camping

Daddy Piper is camping out tonight with the older 2 chitlens. They set up a tent in the front of our property, by the campfire, and they are camping out. They invited Mama to join in but I told them Baby J had to sleep in his bed in the house :- ) Can't wait to see if they actually spend the whole night outside!