It's a Friday night.
It's a Friday night that I was SUPPOSED to be sitting in Denver, on the patio at a friend's house, drinking a cold one after traveling with three children the last couple of days.
Instead, I'm on my own couch. Drinking a cheap sangria that tastes like Kool-Aid (seriously, so nummy I can't believe it was $2.50 - seriously, THAT cheap!!). I've got a cake cooling and another one in the oven for some extended family.
Why aren't I in Denver? Because of water. Water water everywhere. And since DH is in the military, he was called up to help fight the influx of water. He ended up being gone from the house for a little over a week - not bad in the grand scheme of things, but long enough that we had to delay our summer vacay.
Have you ever tried to explain to an almost-7-year-old that our vacation has been pushed back? Deleting the line from our calendar on the door and saying that we WILL be here for his tee-ball games...he didn't get it. I didn't want to say it. Honestly, I think I was more disappointed than him though. Even though I'd be irritated approximately 23 minutes into a loooong car trip, I was so looking forward to seeing friends and visiting and relaxing.
I'm trying to be the grown-up. I really am. But I just wanna whine. I wanna be out of here. I just hope that we can reschedule for next month without an issue!!!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
babes in toyland
So I had a life-changing procedure done today. "Procedure" - could mean so much.
For me, it meant surgery to have no more babies. On one hand, this was an easy decision. We have three wonderful boys. For health reasons, I can't be on hormonal birth control. DH can look at me and I can get pregnant and he kept saying he wouldn't get it "taken care of" until he was 40. Um, yeah, that could be three more children by then, so no thank you. Raising kids is expensive and no, I didn't want to "try for a girl".
On the other hand though....it means no more babies for us. No more snuggling a small, beautiful bundle of love. My boys are getting further and further away from wanting to snuggle with mom. Sure, I get hugs and kisses, but not too often do I get someone curled up on my lap or under my arm, just wanting to sit with me for more than a minute or two. The smell of a clean baby. The look of pure love in their eyes when they see you. It's heartbreaking to know that I'm making a decision not to do this again.
But, I got annoyed with DH not wanting to do it, even though I had THREE BABIES with that man. ;) So I bit the bullet and scheduled an appointment. I was surprised at how easy it was. My first dr appt was about 10 minutes, if even. My pre-op appt was even shorter. It took longer to draw blood for some tests beforehand. Ok. Man, this is easy.
Reported at 6:00 this morning to the day surgery unit. Did you know that they now have hospital gowns that they will hook up a heater to? Holy crap - AWE. SOME. Last I remember, I was breathing with a mask on my face and then I wake up in recovery. I'm tired, thirsty and can barely keep my eyes open. I snooze for about another hour. Then am sitting up, eating toast (made a mistake and asked for pb toast first, but it was just too sticky on my cotton mouth and I had to do regular butter). Try to pee and I'm out of there by 10:30. Woah!
I slept most of the afternoon (like 11:00 to 3:00) and now am catching up on my blogs and my emails and reconnecting with the world. Again, I'm surprised at how easy this was. I'm expecting pain to come later today or tomorrow. So far, so good.
I know there will be times when I regret this decision, or question if I should have waited longer. Basically, every time I see a baby, I will think about it. I know this. But it's also the best thing for our family, our marriage, our lives.
For me, it meant surgery to have no more babies. On one hand, this was an easy decision. We have three wonderful boys. For health reasons, I can't be on hormonal birth control. DH can look at me and I can get pregnant and he kept saying he wouldn't get it "taken care of" until he was 40. Um, yeah, that could be three more children by then, so no thank you. Raising kids is expensive and no, I didn't want to "try for a girl".
On the other hand though....it means no more babies for us. No more snuggling a small, beautiful bundle of love. My boys are getting further and further away from wanting to snuggle with mom. Sure, I get hugs and kisses, but not too often do I get someone curled up on my lap or under my arm, just wanting to sit with me for more than a minute or two. The smell of a clean baby. The look of pure love in their eyes when they see you. It's heartbreaking to know that I'm making a decision not to do this again.
But, I got annoyed with DH not wanting to do it, even though I had THREE BABIES with that man. ;) So I bit the bullet and scheduled an appointment. I was surprised at how easy it was. My first dr appt was about 10 minutes, if even. My pre-op appt was even shorter. It took longer to draw blood for some tests beforehand. Ok. Man, this is easy.
Reported at 6:00 this morning to the day surgery unit. Did you know that they now have hospital gowns that they will hook up a heater to? Holy crap - AWE. SOME. Last I remember, I was breathing with a mask on my face and then I wake up in recovery. I'm tired, thirsty and can barely keep my eyes open. I snooze for about another hour. Then am sitting up, eating toast (made a mistake and asked for pb toast first, but it was just too sticky on my cotton mouth and I had to do regular butter). Try to pee and I'm out of there by 10:30. Woah!
I slept most of the afternoon (like 11:00 to 3:00) and now am catching up on my blogs and my emails and reconnecting with the world. Again, I'm surprised at how easy this was. I'm expecting pain to come later today or tomorrow. So far, so good.
I know there will be times when I regret this decision, or question if I should have waited longer. Basically, every time I see a baby, I will think about it. I know this. But it's also the best thing for our family, our marriage, our lives.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Dude. Sweet.
Random post. Sorry. :)
I feel like I'm getting old. I'm 33. I look at Senior Pictures on Facebook and think they look so young. Kids I remember are getting married. Aren't they still like 8 or 9? No? Ugh.
Prom season as well. Makes me happy to have boys. Yes, the girls look gorgeous. But man, I'd worry about my daughter. I guess I will get to worry about my nieces instead. :)
Been on the hunt for bargains lately. Not sure why, as I'm trying to de-clutter my house. I'm taking the 30-day challenge from IHeart Organizing and am CLEARING out the clutter! I've got so much that has moved with us from ND to CO to ND again and I do not need it all! I'm also feeling the need to be craftier (or crafty even) other than cakes. I don't know that I'd want to put a bunch of stuff in my house, but I'm kinda tired of bare-ish walls. I will be doing a gallery wall though soon, a la Young House Love. :) Just need to work out some details and start nailin.
I don't know why my husband will carry a glass around with him and put it on the end table when he goes to bed instead of taking 10 steps and taking it to the kitchen. Is it really that hard? I think not.
I've got a few cakes on the line for upcoming events. How do I quit my job and make cakes full time? I need more practice but I'm loving the cakes! :)
K, I think my randomness is done for right now. Later gator.
I feel like I'm getting old. I'm 33. I look at Senior Pictures on Facebook and think they look so young. Kids I remember are getting married. Aren't they still like 8 or 9? No? Ugh.
Prom season as well. Makes me happy to have boys. Yes, the girls look gorgeous. But man, I'd worry about my daughter. I guess I will get to worry about my nieces instead. :)
Been on the hunt for bargains lately. Not sure why, as I'm trying to de-clutter my house. I'm taking the 30-day challenge from IHeart Organizing and am CLEARING out the clutter! I've got so much that has moved with us from ND to CO to ND again and I do not need it all! I'm also feeling the need to be craftier (or crafty even) other than cakes. I don't know that I'd want to put a bunch of stuff in my house, but I'm kinda tired of bare-ish walls. I will be doing a gallery wall though soon, a la Young House Love. :) Just need to work out some details and start nailin.
I don't know why my husband will carry a glass around with him and put it on the end table when he goes to bed instead of taking 10 steps and taking it to the kitchen. Is it really that hard? I think not.
I've got a few cakes on the line for upcoming events. How do I quit my job and make cakes full time? I need more practice but I'm loving the cakes! :)
K, I think my randomness is done for right now. Later gator.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Sons and Mothers
"A son is a son till he takes him a wife, a daughter is a daughter all of her life." ~Irish Saying
Today, I had a visitor in my office and we got to talking about families and she said she had four sons. And then she teared up and said the saying above and how true it really is and how heartbreaking for the mother.
I've thought of this in the past, because a dear friend of mine also has only sons and she's worried when they grow up and get married that she will lose them. I always laughed because why would she worry about that now, be happy and let them grow up and welcome a new daughter into your life when they find that right girl. But to see this woman today, 58 years old, in tears in my office because she has no one at home to take care of anymore and they don't call her for advice like a daughter would - really opened my eyes. Last spring, when Samalander was born, an aunt included a letter to me in her baby gift - talking about boys and their moms and the bonds that you can build with them. I need to find that letter and re-read it.
I think about how many times I call my own mom when I have problems or just want to chat. Pretty soon it's been 45 minutes and I have no idea what we talked about but it's time to go. I don't know how often my brother calls my mom. I know DH doesn't call his mom very often, he always calls his dad. Why is this?
Right now, I am THE WORLD to our youngest boy. He will bypass his dad and beeline for me, every time. DH will be playing with him and if I walk through the room, he turns his head like an owl to see me and then will end up following me around. When does that end? I don't know that I want it to (except of course when it's with tears and him standing there with his arms up begging to be picked up - or he'll sit on my feet if I'm at the counter in an effort to get me to pick him up rather than continue what I was doing).
I guess I can only hope that my three boys will end up with a wonderful girl who will want to drink wine and play Scrabble with me. Is that too much to ask? I don't think so.
Today, I had a visitor in my office and we got to talking about families and she said she had four sons. And then she teared up and said the saying above and how true it really is and how heartbreaking for the mother.
I've thought of this in the past, because a dear friend of mine also has only sons and she's worried when they grow up and get married that she will lose them. I always laughed because why would she worry about that now, be happy and let them grow up and welcome a new daughter into your life when they find that right girl. But to see this woman today, 58 years old, in tears in my office because she has no one at home to take care of anymore and they don't call her for advice like a daughter would - really opened my eyes. Last spring, when Samalander was born, an aunt included a letter to me in her baby gift - talking about boys and their moms and the bonds that you can build with them. I need to find that letter and re-read it.
I think about how many times I call my own mom when I have problems or just want to chat. Pretty soon it's been 45 minutes and I have no idea what we talked about but it's time to go. I don't know how often my brother calls my mom. I know DH doesn't call his mom very often, he always calls his dad. Why is this?
Right now, I am THE WORLD to our youngest boy. He will bypass his dad and beeline for me, every time. DH will be playing with him and if I walk through the room, he turns his head like an owl to see me and then will end up following me around. When does that end? I don't know that I want it to (except of course when it's with tears and him standing there with his arms up begging to be picked up - or he'll sit on my feet if I'm at the counter in an effort to get me to pick him up rather than continue what I was doing).
I guess I can only hope that my three boys will end up with a wonderful girl who will want to drink wine and play Scrabble with me. Is that too much to ask? I don't think so.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Insane Clown Posse
A few weeks back, we went to the circus. Friday night was free for kids and I ended up getting a free ticket as well. Score! Though I knew that it was good that we got in for free, as I would be dropping some change inside. Darn carnies.
We met my seester and her son, and my seester-in-law and her two girls (it was just me and the two big boys. DH took Samalander home). As soon as we walked in the door, we were assaulted with flashing lights from the GREATEST THING EVER (if you're a 4- or 6-YO boy). Light-up swords with a globe on the end. OOOOH aaaaahhhhhhh. And a whopping $10 each. Seriously? So the boys were super excited and I said - this is it, nothing else if we get these. OK!! Sigh. Fine.
So we start to meander towards some seats. Everywhere we go, it's full. Or there's onesies and twosies available. Um, we've got 5 kids and 3 adults. Crap. We eventually find a section towards one end but we can still see all three rings fairly well. BUT we can't sit together. A couple in one row, a few in another and the other three in another. Sigh. Oh well, we want them to WATCH the circus anyway rather than play with each other and be generally annoying. This might be a good thing.
Right in front of us were the elephant rides. Elephants take big poops. My boys were amazed by it. And had to tell everyone around us about it. And the shovelers. And what was in the garbage cans. I guess that's what happens when you have boys.
I had a master plan to cut out at intermission. Of course, the Ringmaster (freaky dude by the way) kept saying that the show was NOT over. Way to undermine me buddy. I appreciate it. The boys were being super good anyway and so yes, I decided we could stick it out. They went with their aunt to the bouncy slides and forked over $5 EACH to go down the slide 3 TIMES. They must make a boatload of money at the circus for what they charge.
By the end of the night, I was amazed to realize that they hadn't begged for food, for more toys, for elephant rides, or a ring of fire. Since when we watch cartoons, there's a cacophony of "I want that" all the time, I was truly surprised. :) All in all, a good night was had.
Oh, and the swords broke the next day.
We met my seester and her son, and my seester-in-law and her two girls (it was just me and the two big boys. DH took Samalander home). As soon as we walked in the door, we were assaulted with flashing lights from the GREATEST THING EVER (if you're a 4- or 6-YO boy). Light-up swords with a globe on the end. OOOOH aaaaahhhhhhh. And a whopping $10 each. Seriously? So the boys were super excited and I said - this is it, nothing else if we get these. OK!! Sigh. Fine.
So we start to meander towards some seats. Everywhere we go, it's full. Or there's onesies and twosies available. Um, we've got 5 kids and 3 adults. Crap. We eventually find a section towards one end but we can still see all three rings fairly well. BUT we can't sit together. A couple in one row, a few in another and the other three in another. Sigh. Oh well, we want them to WATCH the circus anyway rather than play with each other and be generally annoying. This might be a good thing.
Right in front of us were the elephant rides. Elephants take big poops. My boys were amazed by it. And had to tell everyone around us about it. And the shovelers. And what was in the garbage cans. I guess that's what happens when you have boys.
I had a master plan to cut out at intermission. Of course, the Ringmaster (freaky dude by the way) kept saying that the show was NOT over. Way to undermine me buddy. I appreciate it. The boys were being super good anyway and so yes, I decided we could stick it out. They went with their aunt to the bouncy slides and forked over $5 EACH to go down the slide 3 TIMES. They must make a boatload of money at the circus for what they charge.
By the end of the night, I was amazed to realize that they hadn't begged for food, for more toys, for elephant rides, or a ring of fire. Since when we watch cartoons, there's a cacophony of "I want that" all the time, I was truly surprised. :) All in all, a good night was had.
Oh, and the swords broke the next day.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Victory will be mine...
There are a lot of random, useless knowledge that DH and I will throw around the house. Can you name all 7 dwarfs (I could)? Which leads into naming the Supreme Court Justices (I couldn't). If I for sure want to stump my DH though, I should ask him for the Von Trapp Family names. Because HE WON'T KNOW IT. He has never seen The Sound of Music!
I don't know if he was under a rock while growing up, but how can he not have seen this movie? It's a classic! It's been on TV a ton! Beautifully restored and digital image-tized (totally made that word up). But you know what I'm saying.
This past weekend, I was reminded of this fact when Grease came on VH1 and he said something about never seeing it either! What the what!??! I feel like I don't know him at all anymore! Ok, sorry, I feel melodramatic tonight. I guess I shouldn't be shocked, but c'mon.
So now....how do I get him to watch both the Sound of Music and Grease without letting him know that I've made it my mission?? Because he is as stubborn as I am. Worse in some ways. So if he knows that I'm trying to do this, he'll totally buck the system and then relentlessly mock me for even attempting to dupe him.
Do I make sure it's on the big screen that he just got? Entice him with some Pizza Corner Pepperoni pizza and an ice cold Mellow Yellow in a frosty mug? (seriously, it'd probably work better than a beer or a Limon/7). Or do I pull out the big guns - bribe one of the boys to say they want to watch it with him? ;) (well, that's only for The Sound of Music - I don't think I'll let a 6YO watch Grease yet).
Any tips to try to get him to watch these with me!??
I don't know if he was under a rock while growing up, but how can he not have seen this movie? It's a classic! It's been on TV a ton! Beautifully restored and digital image-tized (totally made that word up). But you know what I'm saying.
This past weekend, I was reminded of this fact when Grease came on VH1 and he said something about never seeing it either! What the what!??! I feel like I don't know him at all anymore! Ok, sorry, I feel melodramatic tonight. I guess I shouldn't be shocked, but c'mon.
So now....how do I get him to watch both the Sound of Music and Grease without letting him know that I've made it my mission?? Because he is as stubborn as I am. Worse in some ways. So if he knows that I'm trying to do this, he'll totally buck the system and then relentlessly mock me for even attempting to dupe him.
Do I make sure it's on the big screen that he just got? Entice him with some Pizza Corner Pepperoni pizza and an ice cold Mellow Yellow in a frosty mug? (seriously, it'd probably work better than a beer or a Limon/7). Or do I pull out the big guns - bribe one of the boys to say they want to watch it with him? ;) (well, that's only for The Sound of Music - I don't think I'll let a 6YO watch Grease yet).
Any tips to try to get him to watch these with me!??
Friday, March 4, 2011
UNO!
One year ago tonight, I was resting "comfortably" in a hospital bed, my DH by my side. We were anxiously awaiting the birth of our third (and final) child. We weren't sure if we were having a boy or a girl, though everyone tried telling me it had to be a girl - must have been wishful thinking. Deep down, I never was able to get on board with that idea - just didn't feel right.
Nurses coming in and checking things out, helping things along if need be. Not the most restful night, but I guess it was prepping us for when we got home again. Decided at 5:30am to start the pitocin - let's get this show on the road. My water broke an hour later - by itself in a very weird egg/bubble type of episode that the nurse had never seen before in her career (I'm awesome, what can I say) and then I started getting sick. Sick sick sick to my stomach. My very large, very swollen stomach.
While it seemed like forever at the time, the process went pretty darn fast. I guess kiddo number three will do that. Samuel Grant was born at 8:30 that morning (gonna be a "Sam" regardless of gender was our idea). He was a good two pounds heavier than his older brothers were - what the heck!??! How does that happen?? Our doctor (yes, my doctor is also his pediatrician) hefted him up and said "oh we've got at least a nine-pounder here." NO FRICKIN WAY. But yes, he was 9lb 6oz. Compared to the 7lb 12oz and 7lb 3oz that his brothers were - this was INSANE!
But even with his size, things went well. We went home the next day, rather than spend another night in the hospital. Call us crazy, but we just wanted to get our family home.
He has turned out to be a wonderful baby (must be the parents). He sleeps, he eats, he laughs, he plays, he entertains and he loves. He's into everything possible and will squeal with displeasure if you take something away - but it's adorable. A-dor-a-bull.
So tomorrow we will celebrate Sam (Samboni, Samalander, Hot Sam & Cheese, Sir Sam-a-lot, Samburgler, Moons over my Sammy, etc) on his first birthday. We will have cake (lovingly made my moi) and ice cream and pizza and we will have fun and be merry. He won't remember a moment of it but first birthdays are for us anyway. ;)
Nurses coming in and checking things out, helping things along if need be. Not the most restful night, but I guess it was prepping us for when we got home again. Decided at 5:30am to start the pitocin - let's get this show on the road. My water broke an hour later - by itself in a very weird egg/bubble type of episode that the nurse had never seen before in her career (I'm awesome, what can I say) and then I started getting sick. Sick sick sick to my stomach. My very large, very swollen stomach.
While it seemed like forever at the time, the process went pretty darn fast. I guess kiddo number three will do that. Samuel Grant was born at 8:30 that morning (gonna be a "Sam" regardless of gender was our idea). He was a good two pounds heavier than his older brothers were - what the heck!??! How does that happen?? Our doctor (yes, my doctor is also his pediatrician) hefted him up and said "oh we've got at least a nine-pounder here." NO FRICKIN WAY. But yes, he was 9lb 6oz. Compared to the 7lb 12oz and 7lb 3oz that his brothers were - this was INSANE!
But even with his size, things went well. We went home the next day, rather than spend another night in the hospital. Call us crazy, but we just wanted to get our family home.
He has turned out to be a wonderful baby (must be the parents). He sleeps, he eats, he laughs, he plays, he entertains and he loves. He's into everything possible and will squeal with displeasure if you take something away - but it's adorable. A-dor-a-bull.
So tomorrow we will celebrate Sam (Samboni, Samalander, Hot Sam & Cheese, Sir Sam-a-lot, Samburgler, Moons over my Sammy, etc) on his first birthday. We will have cake (lovingly made my moi) and ice cream and pizza and we will have fun and be merry. He won't remember a moment of it but first birthdays are for us anyway. ;)
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