Tiny Talk Tuesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house! Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs. Then be sure to link to the blog carnival on this post so more bloggers can join in the fun.

The guidelines can be found here if you need them.
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I was taking a walk with D (age 2)...

D: I cute.
Mom: Yes, you are cute.
D: I funny.
Mom: Yep, you are funny.
D: It is wet.
Mom: Yes. It rained, didn't it?
D: Here's a stick.
(the random conversations of a two year old)
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K: Since I am 5 years older than C, when he is 100, I'll be 600.

*OK, so much wrong with this...beginning with the fact that she is 6 years older than C...
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D (age 2) was eating a popsicle...

Mom: How does that taste? Does it taste like yellow?
D: No. It tastes like a popsicle.
(duh mom)
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The girls made some lego cars and named them "Funker Dunkers" cause they were "fun" and they "dunk" you.
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Your Turn:

Five years ago...

Birth...

One...


Two...


Three...


Four...


Five...


Five years?

More like five minutes.

Yes, my dear Tricia, I blinked and you turned five. I tried to talk you into staying four, but you adamantly refused. I think you partly wondered how serious I was.

You are a beautiful girl, both inside and out. You bring so much joy to our lives everyday. And no matter how big you get, how much you can do on your own, and how independent you grow...you'll always be my baby.

Happy Birthday my dear Tricia!

Having it all together?

It was clear from the comments and emails I received after this post that some of you are under the very mistaken impression that I have it all together.

LOL.

Uh...no. I don't. Though it is nice to know I appear that way.

Remember that this is only my blog. I love to record the wonderful moments of raising my kids. I also write about things that I am doing or thinking. But I usually avoid telling you about things that I am no good at, such as my cooking, because there is very little to tell. I mean, do you really need recipes for pancakes?

Motherhood is full of good days, bad days, peaks and valleys. And by the grace of God, He carries me through all of it.

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lam 2:23-24)

And He knows that right now I need His compassions to be new EVERY morning! I am so thankful that they are.

But let me take a moment to assure you that this is a very normal house. There are attitude issues, temper tantrums, sleepless nights, crying babies, messy floors, unfinished laundry, and much more. In fact, there is probably a lot more of that in my house right now than anyone of your homes because I am blogging on my one free night instead of taking care of it. *wink

And right now, I am completely overwhelmed by the birth of our fourth child.

I wake up and often neglect my two older children while I try desperately to get some extra sleep. My two year old is watching way too much TV so I can remain sane. I have to step over laundry baskets regularly just to get around my living room. And let's not even talk about the bathrooms...

Things are spiraling out of control quickly!

Two days ago my husband received a phone call at work with me in tears. There was no good reason to be crying other than the fact that I was overwhelmed. I believe the conversation went something like this:

Me: Hey. How are you?
Eric: Fine. What's up?
Me: (silence as the tears began to form)
Eric: You OK?
Me: (through the tears) Yep. (pause...deep breath) Just so overwhelmed.
Eric: Do you need me to come home?
Me: (still crying) Nope. I'll be OK. It just never ends.

I got off the phone and sobbed. Then my 6 year old came down, needing me to settle an argument over Bar.bies. Of course, I had to finish feeding the baby first. Then I wanted to check on the NON-napping 2 year old.

And then, the baby didn't sleep. It was a long 2 hours until my husband walked in.

Thankfully, as soon as the hubby walked in the door, he sent me to bed. An hour and a half later, I felt a little more able to face the world.

Pancakes for dinner anyone?

Wordless Wednesday

Computer time is lacking cause it can't compete with this...

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house! Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs. Then be sure to link to the blog carnival on this post so more bloggers can join in the fun.

The guidelines can be found here if you need them.
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T, who turns FIVE today, had her party this weekend. My parents got her a brand new Bar.bie bike and Ts comment takes the cake this week...

Out comes the bike...


and T immediately grabs the water bottle...


And exclaims, "A WATER BOTTLE!"



We all cracked up. Here is this great new bike and the child was so thrilled about having her own water bottle on her bike.

Happy Birthday little T! You are one of my favorite Tiny Talkers!
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Your Turn:

It is getting easier...

I was reading my own blog the other day, searching for a post that I needed to link to when I came across this wishful desire I posted about 2 years ago.

I had to laugh because both of my girls now successfully pour their own water, milk, chocolate milk, and juice.

Of course, I did get smaller containers for the milk and I keep juice boxes on hand for moments that we need them.

But they can do it. WOO HOO! It truly is getting easier whether I see it daily or not.

Life is changing. It is certainly fun to have it recorded and peek back on the days I had only three little ones...

(For those of you who don't want to look up the old link, it was a post where I complained about no one in the house being able to fill up their own drinks. I longed for the day that would happen)

Welcome Baby

About two weeks ago, my family had a baby shower to welcome C to the family. It was a nice time to all get together and chat while celebrating another family member.

Our little guy is a month old already and it is hard to believe how fast it goes by.


My sweet little girls were looking foward to it all week! They couldn't wait for the baby shower. The day before the shower, K (age 6) decided that she wanted to make a gift for the baby and I. T got in on the action as well.

On the day of the shower, they added their homemade gifts to the pile. T (age 4) wrapped up our letter books in a scarf from the dress up bin. My girls began that a long time ago when they wanted to play gifts and it has stuck as a way to give a gift.


K (age 6) had worked hard the day before on a few drawings. She had asked me for a gift bag and a card to write in. I had no clue what she had put together because she did a great job of keeping it quiet.

Included was a piece of twisted yarn for baby C, a little picture for me, and then a big picture for both of us. The big picture is shown below...and yes, that would be tears in my eyes.


While the picture is great, it was the handwritten note from my little gal that had me in tears.

Her words are so sweet and true and I love how she is the one holding the baby in the picture.


Absolutely precious.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house! Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs. Then be sure to link to the blog carnival on this post so more bloggers can join in the fun.

The guidelines can be found here if you need them.
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We use silly names when we talk to my son, D (age 2). Apparently, he has picked up on it...

Today his sister was bugging him and he said, "Stop it you weasel head."

(I think we need to stop with the silly names.)
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He isn't talking, but he is tiny:



And he is cooing these days, which is some of my favorite Tiny Talk!
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Your Turn:

A little dose of reality

My husband and I knew that this would be one of my hardest years. We talked about the challenges of four children under the age of 7, balancing two homeschooling schedules, controlling a two year old in the house with tantrums, and suffering from the lack of sleep a newborn brings.

But it was all talk.

Until now.

I am in the midst of living that reality and it is a lot harder in the doing than it was in the talking.

And my mood finally shows it.

The adrenaline has worn off. The constant help disappeared. And life kicked in gear MINUS any good sleep to help deal with it.

The reality of four little ones in the house has sunk in. On top of it, I am trying to work out two homeschool schedules this year. Which might be easier without interruptions from a 2 year old and baby.

I knew this would be difficult. And it is.

It feels as though I have no time to think. No time to engage any sort of thought beyond what has to be done. I am constantly caring for someone, disciplining someone, feeding someone, educating someone, cleaning after someone, etc etc. OR I am planning to tackle one of those tasks when I can motivate myself to get to it.

But I have started running a few times a week. I am training to run a 5K in October and the time spent exercising is a nice realease. But that is really motivated in part by my final complaint of the evening...

My wardrobe!

A summer baby has not worked out so well. You see, summer clothing tends to be a bit more fitted. There aren't a whole lot of sweaters and sweatshirts to hide under, so NOTHING in my closet fits. NOTHING people. N.O.T.H.I.N.G.

With the exception of:

1. two pairs of cotton athletic shorts that are not very attractive (one gray, one navy blue)
2. one pair of elastic waist denim capris from pregnancy #1
3. T-shirts. And I don't mean cute ones. I mean ones from VBS, swim team spirit wear, and Human Relations Day in high school. The kind of stuff you wear to paint or mow the lawn.

That's it. And it is truly getting to me.

I think I finally hit the wall this weekend after my hair dryer broke. I had just gotten my hair cut the day before and was so excited to have a new way to style my hair. Afterall, if your clothing looks like you are going to spend the day weeding out back, at least your hair can say something trendy. But then that was taken.

So I headed off to church with flat, frizzed out hair and a too small dress with too small heels. Because apparently my feet have grown as well.

*sigh

If you aren't getting the picture here, let's just say that my attitude hasn't been bright and shiny.

Thankfully, my very concerned husband picked up on my attitude. Though, admittedly, it probably wasn't hard after the hair dryer incident this morning.

Poor man.

But he rocks. And today he sent me out after church to just go do whatever I needed to do. And what I needed to do was to get out of that too small clothing.

So I put on my gray pair of athletic shorts and my purple tie-dyed swim team mom spiritwear and I went shopping. Without a doubt, any teenage daughter would have run far away from this totally uncool mom, but thankfully I don't have a teenage daughter right now, so I sported the outfit and left the house.

I was determined to fix the wardrobe issue.

After all, the solutions to my other difficulties involve getting rid of children and that isn't realistic. (kidding...sort of)

The time out was much needed and after shopping, I took a walk with a friend. Then I returned home, a bit refreshed and ready to face my reality.

Thankfully, I was able to face it in kahki shorts and a cute navy blue shirt. Which helped, at least temporarily.

Then I fed the baby while the hubby heated up leftovers. I cleared and cleaned the table while he put the two year old to bed. I put the girls to bed while he grocery shopped. I rocked the two year old (upset about his passies which are now gone) while the hubby sorted laundry. I fed the infant while the hubby started laundry....

Reality.

So I wish I had a happy twist for this post. Some clever thought or lesson I have learned. But I don't.

It's just where I am in life. It's frustrating at times and definitely difficult, but I just keep putting one foot in front of the other, completing one task at a time, and enjoying the moments with my kids while they are little.

And attempting to not let the little things get to me.

But admitting that sometimes they do.

Wordless Wednesday: Thank goodness for Iced Tea

Mommy is living on caffeine these days...

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house! Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs. Then be sure to link to the blog carnival on this post so more bloggers can join in the fun.

The guidelines can be found here if you need them.
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We have continued on our bible reading this summer and it has sparked some great discussion. It has also sparked some hilarious comments...

We were reading about Jacob at the time God told him to return to his home. Of course, Jacob was scared to see Esau and we were talking about that situation.

Mom: Jacob did what we should all do when we are scared. What do you think he did?
K (age 6): Panic!
(that would be...PRAY...but panic seems to be our more common response)
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Later we were reading about the death of Rachel. Jacob built a memorial to her at her burial site. Later, the town of Bethlehem would be built in that very place...

K: (very excited) So Mary and Joseph walked on top of Rachel!
(I guess they did...)
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K (age 6): What does tragic mean?

Mom: Ummm...sad.

K: D is tragic a lot of the time.

Mom: (laughing) Well, it is more like an event that is sad. If something happens that is sad or horrible, then we say it is tragic.

K: Like the War of 1812?

(uh...yeah...just like that...)
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Your Turn:

Precious Moments

Our entire house is sick. We got hit with a nasty cold virus complete with sore throat, headache/fever, and a grouchy mood. K kicked it off and passed it to D. Then mommy, daddy, and little C received it as K and D were getting over it. Finally, T has caught it while Eric, C, and I are finally on the upswing.

So nighttime has been eventful for the last few nights.

Two nights ago, T woke me up with her stuffy nose at 4:18 AM. I was in a deep sleep, complete with dreams and BAM...there she was. As I was trying to get back to sleep, she appeared again about 4:45 AM, still unable to sleep. I walked her back down the hall again.

At 5:15 AM I heard D begin moving around in his crib and coughing some. About 4 minutes later, C woke up ready for his bottle.

I grudgingly got myself out of bed to make him a bottle.

As I walked down the hall I could hear...

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus...

Apparently my little T had turned on the Hymns CD in her room so that she could get back to sleep. I continued to make C's bottle and then sat and fed him in his room.

I could still hear her CD and it did wonders for the moment. Instead of feeling so overwhelmed and frustrated at 5:30 AM, after being up for over an hour, I was able to sit and pray. The quiet hymns reminded me to turn my heart to God and to be thankful, even in less than desirable moments.

So I'll cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it some day for a crown

I sat and listened and thanked God for our family, even in sickness. I prayed for each one of my special little ones and thanked God for their purposes in our family.

I thanked Him especially that night for a little one who woke before me and turned on sweet music. She made a moment that would usually find me grumbling, tired, and discontent into a sweet memory of rocking my little guy and praying for my kids.

Then I headed down the hall to take care of D, who was still coughing. He greeted me with a smile and one of his cars in his hands. And that time, even at 5:57 AM, I smiled right back.

May He continue to use every moment to turn our hearts toward Him.

500th Post: C delivery story

I can't believe I have typed 500 posts on this blog. (Well 506 to be exact) You can see the previous landmark posts over there on the sidebar. Since there is a story about becoming a mom and one about D's ultrasound, I thought that at this point in my life I'd share C's delivery story. (I mean, the poor guy is 6 weeks old and I have yet to share his story)

Anyone keeping up with me here or on F.ace.boo.k knows that I had a rough few weeks leading up to C's birthday.

It began around week 34 when a pain in my right side continued to get worse and worse until I ended up in the hospital. I truly thought I had appendicitis. Of course, I didn't have anything wrong with me that could be medically fixed. I just needed to take it easy.

For the next two weeks (so I could make it to week 36) I had help with me every morning until D went down for his nap. And when it was my mom here, she stayed all day.

The pain went away!

But at that point, the contractions began to kick in. And I began to dilate. So I kept taking it easy until week 37. At that point, I figured that the baby could come when he was ready.

Little did I know that I would suffer with prodromal labor and have intense contractions on and off for the next three weeks. It was as emotionally draining as it was physically draining. But we made it through!

On Friday June 26th (C's due date!) I woke about 5 AM with consistent and intense contractions again. I told Eric to stay home until my mom got there. I really thought this was it.

Of course, I had already been through thinking that before and by 8 AM fell asleep so we sent him to work at 8:30 AM, assuming it wasn't real. But I had a nagging suspicion it was. Unfortunately the experience with prodromal labor had me all messed up in the head and I felt bad constantly thinking this was it. And it wasn't.

I believe I was sitting in tears on the chair debating whether or not to call him back home when my mom told me to call. I believe she said something along the lines of, "It doesn't matter if this doesn't end up being the real thing. You don't need to worry about that. It is OK." I took a deep breath and told him to come home. That was 10 minutes after he just left. So he turned around and called work again to tell them he wasn't coming in.

I called the midwife and we headed to the office for them to check me. I was 4/5 cm and about 80% effaced. I wasn't ready to head to the hospital. (I hate being strapped to all those monitors and made it sit down) So Eric and I went to the local mall since it is about 2 minutes away and we walked for 2 hours.

Things continued to get more intense, so around noon we called the midwives and they told us to go ahead over to the hospital. We ended up sitting in the waiting room because every single room was full! Some poor first time mom waiting for her ultrasound did not enjoy seeing the look on my face during a contraction. I assured her it would be OK and we chatted in between contractions.

Finally they put me in a recovery room. I was there about an hour and then moved into a true delivery room. It was about 2 PM at this point and after getting a bit of monitoring, they let me walk the halls for awhile.

Things got really intense by 4 PM. And for those of you unable to read between the lines, I am using the word "intense" to mean "painful". And it was getting quite painful!

*I am going to give a little background here so you understand my mental state. My third delivery, D, was a natural delivery. I arrived at the hospital at 7 cm and had D within the hour. It was intense for sure, but it was an amazing experience. I wanted to have a natural delivery again if possible.

So, even though things were tough, they checked me and I was measuring 7 cm. In my mind, we were near the end. I was sure it would be quick now, so I kept going without drugs.

Whew. It was not as quick as I hoped. Soon we realized the C was facing the wrong direction. His head was down, but it was sideways. The attempts to get him to turn did not work, so he was going to remain that way through the delivery. Unfortunately, this position of the head makes it feel like your hips are being pushed apart in amazingly intense pain.

My midwife was great about helping me work through it. I took a hot shower, tried standing and sitting in different positions, and she helped provide counter pressure on my hips as we pushed them in toward each other.

At 7:30ish, it was time to push C out! I rememeber wondering to myself, "What do they do when you can't do it." I really didn't think I had it in me to go through the pain I was feeling. But somehow, I managed because you have to. C was at 7:56 PM.

The pain during that time period was like nothing I have ever experienced. I actually had vivid nightmares that night because of the intensity of the pain. BUT, it is all quickly forgotten as you begin to get to know and hold your new little one. And I slept soundly on the second night.

The entire birth experience amazes me every time. There is something indescribable about holding a baby that was once inside your body. I can't get over it. Without a doubt I am convinced of the power of God everytime it occurs. It is truly miraculous.

A precious life joined the world and I can't wait to see what God has in store for this little guy.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house! Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs. Then be sure to link to the blog carnival on this post so more bloggers can join in the fun.

The guidelines can be found here if you need them.
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So the little guy in this house has finally decided that he likes the Disney movie, Cars. (one of my favorites)

The Car Movie characters have been in his bin of matchbox cars for a long time. Now he has seen them "come to life" on the big screen and he loves it.

So heard this week...

* D (age 2) was running up the stairs and saying, "I gotta get the Mater!"

* It was naptime for D so he was gathering his toys and asking, "Where is my Mack? Where is my Mack?"

* He keeps requesting, "I want a Frank. I want a Frank." (that would be the big machine that runs them down)

* D: Lightning the Queen

* He loves to watch the movie for 5 minute clips, then go play with his cars. It is so adorable!
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At bedtime D picks up his book and requests, "Read the Armor of God" as he brings it over.

Then on the second page he repeats me, "Jesus died for my sin."

I love hearing the truth speaking to his heart even at this age!
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The girls attended the first annual Cousin Camp this week! They loved it! Cousin Camp was a week at my parents house with their cousins. Children over 5 are invited, but T was allowed to attend because she turns 5 next month.

As soon as they got in the car after camp was over...

T (age 4): When do we get to do Cousin Camp again?
K (age 6): Mom, will we do it this winter?
Mom: No. Probably not. It is cold and there isn't as much to do.
K: Then how about this fall?
(Hmmm...that would be nice....)

What were your favorite things at cousin camp?
K: Fort McHenry and candy rain.
T: Candy rain and swimming underwater.

*Candy rain consists of my parents standing on the deck and throwing candy to the children who were standing below.
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D (age 2) was having a hard time going to bed. Eric went in the room and was sitting in the rocking chair while D was in his crib.

Everytime the chair creaked, D would sit up and say, "Hey Daddy." Eric would tell him, "Shhhhh...". Then D would say, "OK" and lay back down...over and over and over...
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Your Turn:

So much to think about...

but no time to blog it...

Because on top of the new baby and three other children, I have decided to train for a 5K and began working out last week. I am all set with new shoes and ready to go.

Since I have very little time, I'll post a quote on my mind:

I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please. Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine. I don't want enough to God to make me love a black man [or gay man] or pick beets with a migrant. I want ecstasy, not transformation. I want warmth of the womb, not a new birth. I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack. I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please." - Wilburn Rees

Combined with my thoughts reeling in my head about inconvienent love and God in the little issues over at Jennifer's, I've had a lot to pray about and ponder.

Sometimes, I think God is too small in my life and I am too big.