Quick Takes - The What I'm Loving Right Now Edition

~~1~~

8 month olds who stare wide-eyed with all the curiosity in the world at those strange things on Mommy's head, otherwise known as sunglasses.

~~2~~

2 year olds who don't just ask for a snack, but specifically ask for CHOCOLATE! With a please, of course.

~~3~~

4 year olds who ask Mommy to sing "Silent Night" again.

~~4~~

A scheduled dinner with a girlfriend next week.

~~5~~

My new club volleyball team. The girls seem so eager to learn and improve their game, all with a smile.

~~6~~

A husband who is so excited about this book that he can't wait to get whatever job done so he can get back to reading.

~~7~~

Christmas Cards!!!

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Quick Takes - The Photo Edition

This week's Quick Takes is sort of a catch up on what's been going on that I haven't quite gotten around to blogging about, all in pictures. Enjoy!

~~~1~~~

Alexis turned 2! (I'm really late on posting this.)

~~~2~~~

My little "Cover Girl" found my makeup bag and the mascara in it. At least she knows mascara is for her eye, right?

~~~3~~~

I already posted the video here, but I just love this picture of my ballerina!

~~~4~~~

I have been waiting to do a post on Maire's baptism, but I still don't have the words to do it justice. I'm still so emotional about it.

Maire is Irish for Mary.

~~~5~~~

Maire is 2 months!

~~~6~~~

The girls helping daddy out in the yard.

~~~7~~~

This is my first year to be back in Colorado Springs for graduation day in over 5 years. I was really surprised how many memories and emotions came back to me. I also realized how much the graduation ceremony itself affected the local area. I knew to stay away from the stadium where the ceremony was held, but I didn't realize how things like, oh, the vice president being on the highway, could stop traffic off base. Of course, the most exciting part of graduation day was the Thunderbirds! It turned out to be a perfect day for them to fly. Here are a few of the pictures I took. It's a day like this that makes me hope a better camera is in our future!

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7 Quick Takes - The Struggles Edition

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~~~1~~~

I don't mean to get too down in the dumps with the title here, but this has been a hard week, unexpectedly. I think, maybe the sleep deprivation has caught up with me plus 2 major events are over with, so I think my body is crashing from the adrenaline rushes.

~~~2~~~

Probably the biggest source of my struggling right now, is potty training. You know how some people don't "do" blood? Well, I don't "do" bodily functions that require a toilet. So, this is an extra difficult "trench of Motherhood" for me to navigate. Isabel has made progress, but I really feel like I'm at the end of my rope and out of ideas on how to get her to be fully successful.

~~~3~~~

My biggest struggle with Alexis right now, besides the fact that she is TWO and acting every part of it, is her sleeping. She gets out of her bed a gazillion times, both at bed time and nap time. It's frustrating because she has always been a good sleeper, we didn't have any issues when we transitioned her to her toddler bed. I also get really upset when the other two girls are down and I could be doing something productive or sleeping myself.

~~~4~~~

After I passed my 6 week check-up, I was so ready to start working out. I got off to a great start with the 3 mile MS Walk, and then a couple of good workouts with my friend, including an amazing stair workout (I'll have to post a picture later). But then events got in the way (Isabel's recital, Maire's baptism) and I dropped the working out off of my to do list. And last week was such a hard one, I turned to food. It didn't help that I had all of the leftovers from the baptism party. Nothing left to do but start over again this week.

~~~5~~~

I've decided to take the girls on a World Tour. I needed some direction to help me with activities for the girls (an area I desperately lack in) and came across this and was very excited. Of course, then I got really serious about getting it perfect and my stress level increased. So I've been struggling with the details and probably been a little too obsessive. I just need to remember that anything the girls take out of it is a plus and there is no formal requirements to be met.

~~~6~~~

If you haven't read this post by Kate yet, go read it! It hits so close to home!

~~~7~~~

Maire has been a wonderful baby. She sleeps well and so far has only really cried if she is hungry or needs to be changed. This is where I make up my own Mommy guilt and feel bad that I may be taking her laid backness for granted and taking advantage to get things done. I'm also reading some books that are making me second guess some of my parenting "techniques" and this isn't a good thing when you are already emotionally drained and having a "bad week."

I started writing this last week, but of course, it was put on hold, like so many other things. I'm glad I decided to finish it, though. It has helped me to wrap up the bad week and start fresh again today.

7 Quick Takes - The Catch Up Edition

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Before I put it off any longer, I need to announce the winner to this contest. Congratulations Barbara! She wins the $20 gift card plus an extra $5 for being within half an inch of Maire's birth height.

~~~2~~~

I finally really hit the wall yesterday. I plan on writing more about it in a different post, but let's just say that my children had defeated me before I got out of bed yesterday morning. I'm trying to make today better.

~~~3~~~

We've made some real progress on our yard. I hope to post some pictures later, when things are a little more finalized, but I'm excited about the progress and being able to enjoy it all.

~~~4~~~

I'm trying to make all of the arrangements for Maire's baptism next week. The planning so far has been a bumpy road, so I'm hoping it is a little smoother this week.

~~~5~~~

Speaking of Maire, she is 6 weeks old! Can you believe it? I don't think I can. I'm also planning another post to catch you all up on her first 6 weeks. (I'm planning a lot of posts, huh?) For now, let me just say she is a beautiful blessing!

~~~6~~~

I'm struggling with cleaning out the girls closets. It's just not something I am enjoying. Alexis is between sizes, so I can't just clear all of the old and the weather has been all over the place, so I haven't been able to take all of the winter stuff out yet. (Did I mention we had two major snowstorms in April?) Progress is finally being made, though, and I hope to be done with it tomorrow.

~~~7~~~

And finally, tomorrow the whole family will be participating in the Walk MS fundraiser. This will be our first time and I am excited to get all five of out there to get some fresh air and exercise while supporting a good cause. Please pray for good weather and if you are interested in learning more or donating, you can go to this website.

Happy Mother's Day!

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7 Quick Takes - The Emotional Roller Coaster Edition

~~~1~~~

Obviously, my week started off with some bad news. I haven't received any further information, so I just keep praying. And while, yes, my fears for my own upcoming delivery have been raised a little, I really just can't stop thinking about what my friend must be going through, not being able to do anything for her newborn baby.

~~~2~~~

Minutes after receiving the details of my friend's baby in the NICU, I received an email from another friend with pictures of the first sonogram of her new baby. This friend miscarried her last baby, so I was so full of joy to see her healthy baby boy. The two vastly different emails made me think about just how much God is in control.

~~~3~~~

My doctor's appt. was a little disappointing this week. After hearing my "status" last week, I had higher hopes for this week's status. There was no change this week :( I know that really means nothing about when the baby is coming, but I was a little discouraged nonetheless.

~~~4~~~

After returning home from my appointment, my husband got the news that he has been selected for promotion! Woohoo! As he says, "I'm guaranteed a job for the next few years." As great as this news was for me, it was a little bittersweet. This will be the first promotion I won't be sharing with my husband, and many of our friends as well. So my pride took a little hit and I had to refocus on why it was I separated from the military in the first place. Luckily, I have 3 very obvious reminders with me at (almost) all times.

~~~5~~~

We finalized most of the baby details, like the room, choosing a name, and godparents. A HUGE weight has been lifted off of my shoulders by doing this. I even had a little Mommy fun and bought matching dresses for all 3 girls.

~~~6~~~

Alexis has an ear infection, again. This stresses me out because 1) I obviously want my children to be healthy 2) Isabel has never had an ear infection, so I have all of these questions about why Alexis would be getting sick and 3) it's not an ideal situation with a newborn on the way.

~~~7~~~

I am soooo ready to have this baby.

7 Quick Takes

~~~1~~~

Me: "She's naked."

Tom: "Who?"

Me: "Your eldest." (Although, technically, I guess his youngest is naked as well. :)

Tom: "Why are you naked?"

Isabel: "I'm a gorilla. Gorillas don't wear clothes."

Oh.

~~~2~~~

As you can see from Wednesday's post, we have a little construction going on. Tom is finishing the basement. When all is finished, we will have a storage area, guest room, Tom's office, and a play room which will include a spot for me to do scrapbooking and other crafts. I've been amazingly hands off, except for some consulting in the carpet and paint departments, and I'm kind of okay with that. I have missed my hubby though, as he has spent all of his free time down there. It has been a little humorous as well, watching my cool, calm, unstressable husband feel a little bit of urgency to get this all done before the baby comes.

~~~3~~~

Speaking of baby, my appointment went well yesterday. My weight and BP were good which was a relief after a little (self-induced) scare earlier in the week. And this appointment marked the beginning of the end, so to speak, with the signing of some forms, the scheduling of my LAST 3 appointments, and receiving my "Stork Parking" pass. The nurse-midwife even took a little peak with the in-office ultrasound to see if baby's head was down. It was! As I told Kristina last night, I guess that means that things are moving in the right direction. :)

~~~4~~~

I found Michelle's post very funny, considering I have been asking myself all week why Alexis' ever growing vocabulary sounds as if she has a French accent, especially when she says "weasel" (as in Pop Goes The...).

~~~5~~~

We've had some hints of spring here, with some beautiful weather, animal sightings, and a definite increase in chirping birds. I am fighting hard not to get my hopes up though, as I know March is known for lots of snow. I am definitely ready for spring, though!

~~~6~~~

I've been surprised lately, to find that some of my most inspiring moments for what to blog about have been in the shower. I guess, even though it is still noisy with the water running and fan on and everything, you can kind of chalk these up to background noise, which don't require any brain energy, versus the constant use of brain energy involved with the care of small children. I definitely hear what I'm thinking much better in the shower. Why don't I post more then, you ask? Well, I'm still working on that whole from the brain to the computer concept.

~~~7~~~

You know you are near the end of your pregnancy (and look it) when your husband sees you squatting down to speak eye-to-eye with your child and says, "Get up! I don't want you popping anything out yet!"

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Quick Takes - The "I'm tired" Edition

I'm tired...

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...of being sick and not being able to function at full speed.

~~~2~~~

...of forcing myself to eat even when I don't want to, just so I don't throw up.

~~~3~~~

...of unsuccessful potty training efforts.

~~~4~~~

...of being disappointed by people, especially when it's my fault for having unrealistic expectations.

~~~5~~~

...of childrens' irregular sleep habits these days. I will be glad to have my bed back.

~~~6~~~

...of worrying about the arrival of the new baby (when, where, how, names, godparents, announcements, etc...).

~~~7~~~

...of being in such a crummy mood all of the time and feeling like a horrible mother.

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Quick Takes

~~~1~~~

I think the girls and I are finally on the road to recovery from our illnesses. They definitely had a resurgence in energy yesterday afternoon. Mommy, not so much.

~~~2~~~

My baby appointment went well yesterday. I'm measuring well and the heartbeat sounded great. We even started talking a little bit about details for the birth. (This will be my first time delivering at this hospital.) The excitement is definitely building.

~~~3~~~

Of course, getting closer to the due date is adding a little stress because we have not settled on a name yet, or godparents. We are definitely praying for the good Lord's guidance in these areas.

~~~4~~~

Another prayer of ours was answered this week, however. We went to two different Catholic pre-school open houses and it was very obvious to both Tom and I which would be better for our family. I wrote a little bit about this here, and am still wondering about what our school choice will be for Kindergarten (Catholic/public/home), but for now, I think we have settled on sending Isabel to a Catholic pre-school next year to see how it goes.

~~~5~~~

Due to Isabel's cold, and a little bit because Alexis and I aren't well either, I kept Isabel home from dance class today. It was surprisingly difficult for me to do this. Isabel LOVES dance class and I love watching her learn. But I had to remind myself of the misery that comes with having a sick child and how I didn't want the other mothers to have to deal with that.

~~~6~~~

I came across the site, String of Pearls, thanks to The Bodman Family blog. This site will truly touch your heart. Please visit it and while you're at it, say a prayer for all of the families who have to deal with this difficulty.

~~~7~~~

I think all of this illness has been a big whack on the head to slow down a little bit. I have SOOO much to do, still, the house isn't completely moved into, the girls' room isn't completely decorated, the baby's room isn't completely finished, tons of things still need to be done before the baby gets here, not to mention projects I want to do that aren't urgent. But I've also realized that there were some hidden blessings. I've seen what a wonderful caretaker my husband is. I actually rocked Alexis to sleep in the glider a couple of times. I haven't done that in over a year. I've been able to just sit and cuddle with BOTH of my children. They usually don't stop long enough to complete a hug before they are off again. Not only have I been able to reminisce a little about their time as babies, but I think it has also prepared me a little bit for the coming of our newest blessing. I'm just grateful that I was able to recognize this as the gift it is, and stop stressing over all of the other things I "should" be doing.

7 Quick Takes

So I'm joining the Quick Takes bandwagon, thinking that if I post a few quick tidbits, it will help me get back into posting. I've been overwhelmed where to start back into it, so here goes...

~~~1~~~

I am very grateful that the Christmas season has passed. This is an unusual feeling for me. I'm usually overly excited for any holiday, especially Christmas. But this year I definitely had a Scrooge streak in me. I was just overwhelmed with a lot of stuff, finishing the house, making everything "special" for the girls, our little bout with the stomach virus, and an overabundance of emotional breakdowns. I am definitely feeling a little more peaceful now that all of the decorations and presents are put away.

~~~2~~~

Speaking of emotional breakdowns, this has definitely been the most emotional pregnancy for me. And it's stressing me out. Basically, I'm stressing out about stressing out, amongst the other things I stress about. It hasn't been pretty. My poor husband. He's been a wonderful supporter though, thank God!

~~~3~~~

I've also entered a stage where I'm very nervous/anxious about things. Two nights ago, for example, I lost a lot of sleep worrying about my doctors appointment yesterday. There was no solid reason for worrying, I just had a major case of the nerves. The appointment went well. I will be 30 weeks tomorrow, am measuring right on, did my glucose test, and got a flu shot. I managed to feel quite accomplished as I left the hospital.

~~~4~~~

Back to Christmas...while it may not have been MY merriest, we did do a lot of fun things to celebrate. I hope to post a recap with pictures soon.

~~~5~~~

Another post I'd like to write soon is about passing a certain age milestone. I did this over Christmas as well, which I fear had something to do with the added emotions, as hard as I tried to be realistic about it.

~~~6~~~

I am currently reading Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood by Sheila Kippley. Even though I have 22 months of nursing under my belt (I know, not a long time to some of you), I am still learning a lot from this book. It really has my brain spinning about a few things. I will definitely be giving it as gifts to friends when they become pregnant.

~~~7~~~

And finally, what is probably the biggest news in our house right now, Isabel has made tremendous progress potty training. I am so excited! We have had some major setbacks and I was starting to become very frustrated (I'm not much of a bodily functions kind of girl to begin with) and feel quite defeated. But now she is basically doing everything by herself, we just have to make sure she goes to the potty. She still doesn't tell us when she has to go and averages about 1 accident a day, but I will take it after this long journey we've been on. The other good news is that Alexis seems to be taking it all in, and my gut, which I don't listen to all that often, tells me that she will be much more agreeable when her time comes.


HAPPY NEW YEAR!