January Review

January started with a snow storm and a hasty exit for Grandma and Grandpa who were -justifiably- worried about getting across the mountain passes before the weather got too bad.  It was Sunday and since we don't have snow plows, or the experience to drive in the snow church was cancelled.  The kids spent most of the day expressing their gratitude for the Earth we've been given by sledding and playing in the snow.  Sadly I did not take pictures.

ccccccccold mama

Except this one which was immediately followed by C stepping onto the wood floor with his shoes on and slipping right onto his back.  He was repeatedly warned but some people have to try things for themselves.
The following day was a snow day for school where the kids studied the properties of melting snow and ice some more.
Finally after several late start mornings we got back into a regular routine.  A regular week for us is 5 days of school for the 3 bigs.  Karate on Monday and Wednesday for D.  Scouts on Wednesday for D and Roy. Homework and friends every afternoon for the girls.  Naps at noon for the rest of us (me, C and L).

Saturday the 16, Roy and I went to dinner at a friends' house.  We left D to babysit K, A and C since it was only 5 minutes away.  We left them with my phone so they could call.  Roy and I had a delightful time, staying longer than we expected.  When we got home we discovered the kids had tried to call but because of a setting on my phone they had been calling Roy's work phone instead.  Turns out A had gotten sick (too much junk food, I suspect) but they had been able to take care of it themselves.  I was really proud of them for managing to take care of things and deal with a non-emergency emergency.

Roy and D had an opportunity to go watch the Blazers and Lakers play this month thanks to a partner at Roy's office.  Blazers won and no cars were towed (at least in our family) so we consider this a good game.  Roy got some extra inflatable noise bangers for the kids so the rest of the month has been occupied with sword fighting and noise making.  Thanks, Honey.

K went to a play with the activity day girls in our ward.  She really loves going to ADG.  They usually do something crafty or go on fun outings.  The play was Alice in Wonderland.  She had a great time.  She took some money for herself to buy a snack at intermission and some money to share with a friend who she didn't think would have any money.  I'm pleased that she wanted to share.

A had 2 birthday parties this month.  Both were very fun.  The first was a surprise party.  A was pretty excited to get to hide then jump out and yell, "SURPRISE!!"  The second was a cowgirl party.

Yee-haw!

 This was our impromptu cowgirl costume.  Turns out there were actual ponies to ride and feed at this party.  Fun!  I wish I had pictures of A riding the pony but I wasn't there.  It was her first pony ride.  We are definitely city people.  At least she's seen, fed, and pet horses before!

Our neighbors got their roof redone.  I thanked them for providing C with a fantastic surprise.

 Plus they did it on garbage day so at one point his view looked like this:

As Sue (his nursery leader) put it the only thing missing was a fire truck.  I don't know if we could have handled that much excitement!

All in all, been a pretty good month.  Everyone is in good health and happy.  What more can we ask for?

Baby mullet!

Well played subconscience.Well played.

This morning (reeeeaaaalllly early this morning), after feeding L, I had a nightmare.  This was a production my subconscience should be very proud of.  It had all the elements -- and I mean ALL the elements.

• Mass destruction in the form of a space shuttle crashing into downtown while I observed from a near-by (but not too near-by) office building
• excessive stair climbing throughout the entire dream
• a falling elevator with me inside (and a small child)
• exchange student we couldn't keep
• unpassable and uncleanable clutter
• children I couldn't save
• reverting back to being a child myself
• a witch with mind control powers that I'm immune to
• an ally who turns out to be a traitor
• attacking an assailant who cannot be injured or stopped
• repetitiously calling for my mom
• an entire school bus of children I have to sacrifice to the mind controlling powers of the witch
• a drawn out chase scene where I'm unable to run, fight, or reason with my attacker

This resulted in me waking up thinking, "What the........... huh."  I'm sure there are all kinds of psycho-analytical meanings hidden in there.  Probably repressed such and things.  You've got to be a few cards shy of a full house if you think I'm going to Google any of it!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a nap.

Not very flattering but a pretty accurate reflection of how I feel.
(yes, I was asleep with the baby on my lap -- multitasking at its most useful)

And So It Begins

We are quickly leaving the realm of put-the-baby down-and-come back-to-find-him-exactly-where-you-left-him and entering the watch-where-you-step-at-all-times realm.  Sunday L rolled over a few times.  By this morning (Wednesday) L is fully in roll-over-at-every-opportunity-then-cry-until-someone-helps-get-him-off-his-stomach mode.
It makes me a little sad to leave the immobile stage. First of all, convenience. Second of all it seems a small hop to this:

Rolling over is the gateway drug to uncatchable mobility.

Enjoying toddler/baby-dom

This morning has been such a pleasant morning.  I didn't do most of the things I should have done but I've done good things that I wanted to do.  After the initial flurry of activity that naturally accompanies getting breakfast, lunch and out the door for four family members I leisurely ate my cold waffle while checking my email.  Little C was playing downstairs because I cleaned the toy room yesterday.  I really need to remember that clean toy room = more playing downstairs because there's room to play and bins to dump!

After L woke up C and I gave him a bath.  C found the sweet spot of cute helpfulness without spilling over into aack-please-leave-me-alone-and-let-me-get-this-done-ness.  He helped take off L diaper. He brought some cars for L to watch C play with in the tub.  He wanted to help with lotioning but was content with one small dab of lotion instead of needing dab after dab after dab ad nauseam.
After the bath, L and I played Chase The C-Dog a bit before heading down to play for a few minutes in the aforementioned playable playroom.  This resulted in tummy time for L and an audience for C and a few minutes of peace for me.

 The culmination of this morning was being able to nurse a soft, clean baby while the toddler watched PBSKids.  Especially when said nursing turned into a dozing, cuddling nap in the rocking chair while the toddler did NOT make a mess or engage in life threatening behaviors.  I love snoozing with a baby on my chest -- so snuggley and warm.

And now the magic glitter dust is starting to settle.  PBS is no longer holding C's attention and he's content to be right at my elbow saying, "mommommommommommommommommommom".  L is awake again. The dishes are still strewn over the counters and table.  I'm cold because my baby heater is no longer on my chest.  But at least we had that brief trip into an alternate universe.

Baby L: 4 months

This guy is four months old!  He had a doctor appointment two days ago where he weighed in at 14 lbs 6 oz and 25 inches long.  He's healthy and happy.  He has rolled off his tummy to his back once of twice but mostly by accident.  So not mobile yet and that's okay by me!

L is very social.  He likes to look at faces and has the biggest smile! He also giggles almost constantly when being played with.  The other kids like to play with him and get him giggling.  D really likes to do "Head Shoulders Knees and Toes".  The girls like to hold him and kiss his little head.  C will lay by him on the floor or try to hug him.

 Feeding is going well.  L likes to eat!  Sleeping is good too. L sleeps anywhere from 5-8 hours a night which is FABULOUS!  He still sucks his fingers which is probably why he's sleeping so well.

His hair is getting so long - in the back especially.  It is a baby fine mullet.

We're all so glad to have a baby L in our family!

Humorous and Hubris

This morning was a 2 hour delay start for the schools. We had a snow storm Monday morning that's throwing everyone for a loop. Well this late start really threw me off because I had an appointment for the L to go to the doctor. After some fancy arranging I managed to leave for the doctor before the bigs left for school while feeling confident they would all make it to school. The appointment went well. I'll post L's stats later.
All this is back story to get to the funny.  When we were walking out of the office and into the waiting room, C rushed over to a woman sitting between two other people. He said something to her then began hugging her legs.  She was shocked but pleased and the other two people with her were chuckling. C was saying something I couldn't quite understand but thought maybe he was saying blue because the woman's coat was blue. As we started walking away I realized he had been saying, "My Sue!"  He was excited because he thought it was his nursery leader- who he adores. But he realized his mistake because on the way to the elevator he said, "That's not my Sue." No, it's not.

"I frently!"

After we got home, C and I went to get the mail. The sidewalk was a bit icy so we walked on the road. We navigated the stairs, sidewalk, driveway and back. Then I decided to take the recycling out to the curb. I had both hands full. I navigated down the stairs and began the trek across the driveway. Mentally I was congratulating myself on making it down the stairs and being so agile. I was also thinking how glad I was I hasn't fallen since the recycling would no doubt go all over. I believe there are several cliches that could be employed at a time such as this. Platitudes such as, "Don't count your chickens before they hatch" and "Pride goeth before the fall".
I managed to put one foot on the sidewalk before becoming a cartoon on a banana peel. Recycling went flying and I sat stunned for a minute. I came to two conclusions.
1. Perhaps the late start wasn't as unwarranted as I'd thought.
2. The occasional kegel isn't sufficient after 5 babies.
I hoisted myself up and gathered the recycling as casually as possible before scurrying into the house. I think I'll stay in until June.

It's too cold out there anyway.