Our girl is a mover and a shaker!! Once she figured out how to crawl she has gone forth with a gusto! It is so amazing watching little ones explore the world around them and realize that they are not stuck in one place anymore!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Four blessings....
Not sure why I am this blessed...but I am so very grateful for each of these children!!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
What to Expect....the Truth
There are all these books out there giving advice to new and expectant mothers on what their new found role likely will entail....and often times when you read these books it sounds like having a baby, being a mom will be fairly easy.
The thing is that many of these books just don't tell it like it is...probably because if they did they might cause mass hysteria!! :) So after my particularly interesting afternoon(a story in itself) I thought I would share some of those things that no one wants to tell you. Maybe I am the only mom on the planet to experience some of this....so if that's the case sit back and enjoy the show!!
My experience with labor and delivery (Keep in mind this was MY experience) with Isaac we did the classes, learned what to expect in the stages of labor and how to breathe. When the time came the breathing went out the window within 20 minutes. Labor hurts. Plain and simple. For me there wasn't anything wonderful and empowering about the process of labor - it hurt, I cried and I apologized for crying. I am a big weenie though...so it isn't surprising to me! Kudos to the women who labor gracefully!!
The best advice I got for pushing was from Dominic's aunt Monica...she said imagine you are pooping out a watermelon when you are pushing. I did and all 4 kids came with only 15 minutes or so of pushing. Picture the watermelon - it works!! (Sorry if that is too much information!!)
I nursed all of my babies...each one different lengths of time and I recognize that nursing can't or isn't the best option for everyone. But one thing the books would never tell you is that for the 1st few weeks it will be quite painful. I wanted it to be this wonderful bonding time between me and baby...and it was but for the first few weeks I cried through many of the feedings - stressful!! This doesn't last forever though and it will get easier if you can hang in there. And when you quit nursing and your daughter...um I mean baby gets their first ear infection the same week try not to blame yourself!!
Babies poop A.LOT. And when they grow so does the volume and size of the poops. When they are 2 and are refusing to use the potty, but hate to have their diapers changed it will be a power struggle. And often times the poop wins. All I can say is Thank God for soap and hand sanitizer.
You will get less sleep as a mom than ever before and somehow you will manage. Every sound, little noise will wake you up and you may go months or years before you sleep through the night again.
You will learn to eat meals quickly. The babies will inevitably need to be fed right as you sit down for dinner. Older kids will need help cutting their food, or will need someone to watch them to make sure they aren't feeding the dog. I tend to inhale my meals these days!!
Cheesecake or any other dessert can be a complete dinner if you don't feel like cooking for yourself (not that I have ever done this) and kids can live off hot dogs for a couple of days in a row if necessary. I bet even June Cleaver had a hot dog dinner every once and awhile!!
Kids will never "behave" like you want them to, when you want them to.....but they will usually never be as bad as the people watching think they are. My perspective is always jaded and my expectations usually too high. Why is it that I have way more grace for others kids than my own??
Not all kids love car rides and may just scream the entire trip. In these instances set your cruise control....your tendency will be to speed to get home quicker and this will keep you all safe.
Every milestone will be one that you want to remember forever and if you don't write it down and are like me...you will have trouble remembering all of the details later on. Take lots of pictures and if you like - journal the good stuff. I wish I could remember half of the stuff my kids say..they can be quite hilarious!
From the moment they are born they take a piece of your heart. Don't expect to ever be the same. And don't be surprised when you are ok with poopy diapers and temper tantrums and 200 episodes of Bubble Guppies. I didn't expect most of what the last 14 1/2 years would be as a mom....and I am so fortunate to have experienced every moment of it.
The thing is that many of these books just don't tell it like it is...probably because if they did they might cause mass hysteria!! :) So after my particularly interesting afternoon(a story in itself) I thought I would share some of those things that no one wants to tell you. Maybe I am the only mom on the planet to experience some of this....so if that's the case sit back and enjoy the show!!
My experience with labor and delivery (Keep in mind this was MY experience) with Isaac we did the classes, learned what to expect in the stages of labor and how to breathe. When the time came the breathing went out the window within 20 minutes. Labor hurts. Plain and simple. For me there wasn't anything wonderful and empowering about the process of labor - it hurt, I cried and I apologized for crying. I am a big weenie though...so it isn't surprising to me! Kudos to the women who labor gracefully!!
The best advice I got for pushing was from Dominic's aunt Monica...she said imagine you are pooping out a watermelon when you are pushing. I did and all 4 kids came with only 15 minutes or so of pushing. Picture the watermelon - it works!! (Sorry if that is too much information!!)
I nursed all of my babies...each one different lengths of time and I recognize that nursing can't or isn't the best option for everyone. But one thing the books would never tell you is that for the 1st few weeks it will be quite painful. I wanted it to be this wonderful bonding time between me and baby...and it was but for the first few weeks I cried through many of the feedings - stressful!! This doesn't last forever though and it will get easier if you can hang in there. And when you quit nursing and your daughter...um I mean baby gets their first ear infection the same week try not to blame yourself!!
Babies poop A.LOT. And when they grow so does the volume and size of the poops. When they are 2 and are refusing to use the potty, but hate to have their diapers changed it will be a power struggle. And often times the poop wins. All I can say is Thank God for soap and hand sanitizer.
You will get less sleep as a mom than ever before and somehow you will manage. Every sound, little noise will wake you up and you may go months or years before you sleep through the night again.
You will learn to eat meals quickly. The babies will inevitably need to be fed right as you sit down for dinner. Older kids will need help cutting their food, or will need someone to watch them to make sure they aren't feeding the dog. I tend to inhale my meals these days!!
Cheesecake or any other dessert can be a complete dinner if you don't feel like cooking for yourself (not that I have ever done this) and kids can live off hot dogs for a couple of days in a row if necessary. I bet even June Cleaver had a hot dog dinner every once and awhile!!
Kids will never "behave" like you want them to, when you want them to.....but they will usually never be as bad as the people watching think they are. My perspective is always jaded and my expectations usually too high. Why is it that I have way more grace for others kids than my own??
Not all kids love car rides and may just scream the entire trip. In these instances set your cruise control....your tendency will be to speed to get home quicker and this will keep you all safe.
Every milestone will be one that you want to remember forever and if you don't write it down and are like me...you will have trouble remembering all of the details later on. Take lots of pictures and if you like - journal the good stuff. I wish I could remember half of the stuff my kids say..they can be quite hilarious!
From the moment they are born they take a piece of your heart. Don't expect to ever be the same. And don't be surprised when you are ok with poopy diapers and temper tantrums and 200 episodes of Bubble Guppies. I didn't expect most of what the last 14 1/2 years would be as a mom....and I am so fortunate to have experienced every moment of it.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
The Joy of Being a Boy
When you are a boy, and a 2 yr old boy at that the world is your playground! And every thing is filled with joy and wonder and maybe just a little pouting!!
Friday, August 5, 2011
You Are Beautiful
This isn't an original idea. I am following suit from my friend Amanda. She posted the following with a beautiful picture of her daughter.
I had heard this Mercy Me song once before but hadn't really listened to the lyrics.
You must listen to them here. Read the lyrics...let them sink in, believe them, hold them in your heart because you are beautiful!
What do you see when you look in the mirror?
Regardless of what is in that reflection...grey hairs, wrinkles, scars, extra weight etc...can you see how beautiful you are to your Maker?
For a long time when I looked in the mirror I saw something hollow and empty and ugly. But God transformed me, my husband, my family....He has made beauty from ashes.
PRAISE GOD!!
And although I may not be the version of me that the world says I should be...I can see beauty - His beauty.
Today - look in the mirror and praise God for His beauty - YOU!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Garage Sale Find and a Cool Freebie
Karlena doesn't realize it but she is getting a glimpse of a future Christmas gift!
I found this handmade wooden cradle at a garage sale for $10. It is in great condition and just needs a little mattress, blanket and of course a doll!!
She won't be ready for this for a few years but I had to just get a couple of pictures with her in it so that when she does get it we can remember how small she once was!
Elijah just being a ham. He wanted me to take his picture and this is him saying "cheese"!
A few weeks ago I won a free canvas print from Canvas People. - it was a rush contest and I had to choose a picture really quick. I was the 1st person to find and use a freebie code...but I had to download the 1st picture I could find and the one of Elijah above was the one!
It actually turned out pretty cute and Elijah loved seeing a HUGE picture of himself. He kept saying "That Elijah"!! I typically never win stuff like this so it was fun to get something for free! And the canvas's they make are really nice quality. We have several in our home and if I could afford it I would make more. I typically take advantage of their free canvas deal when you just pay shipping. If you haven't ever tried it you should check them out!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Bath Time
Today Karlena took her first "real" bath! I know she is 7 months already but she either took a shower or a bath on this seat thing we had for the tub. Today though she sat in the water all on her own.
She wasn't sure it was for her...
Unlike her brothers, she hardly splashed at all!!
She was more interested in her hands and how they looked under the water!
I did manage to get one smile from her!
And she tried to stop the water from draining out! Maybe tomorrow she will get into it a little more!
Happy Monday from our little duckie! :)
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