8 Month Pictures

Lincoln

Gavin

Vaughn

Christmas

Santa Claus came Saturday night. The girls got a Barbie Jeep. The boys...well...there were a couple bowls and spoons in their stockings. Figure they don't need much. Lucy was about to have a nervous breakdown on Saturday night. She was petrified that Santa Claus was going to eat all our food while we were sleeping. Not just the cookies and milk we left out for him...but all the cookies we made and were planning on taking to Nanas house. The girls were excited to get the jeep...but either they're still just too young...or it's because we don't put tons of presents under the tree and don't focus on Santa much - because they just didn't get it.
Family Dinner. I assume Lincoln will be scarred for life since he was sleeping and wasn't there.

Decorating cookies for Santa.

Girls in their Barbie Jeep.

My Christmas Blessing

Last night the Ellmers came over to celebrate Christmas. The house was clean (at least the kitchen, living room and nursery), the presents were wrapped, and I had quit yelling at my children thanks to the incentive Lucy offered (a penny). They came, we ordered pizza (is that 3 or 4 times this week?), and hung out like we always do. It's so comforting being around them. Jenny just picks up where she left off with us. She loves my kids...and they love her. When I told Lucy that someone was coming over tonight and gave her the hint "It's someone that loves you very much"...she guessed right away, "Is it Jenny?". Jenny jumps right in and doesn't ask...she plays with the kids, changes diapers, gets milk, feeds bottles and does all the things a mother does. It is such a HUGE, HUGE help. And we pick up our conversations right where they left out without a guarded word. It's no surprise to get the best Christmas presents from her. She knows me so well.

We've never lived in the same town...but remain best friends. We know that God brought us together and we are blessed having each other.

Here's a picture of the candles she got me.

Lucy's Christmas Program

Tuesday the 19th was Lucy's Christmas Program. Thank goodness I remembered when I woke up Tuesday or she'd have gone in jeans and a sweater...and I wouldn't have been there. Mona and Grandma James came. During the middle, Gracie escaped and ran up screaming "Luuuuuuuccccccccyyyyyyyyyyy" and gave her a big hug. It was actually pretty cute. No good pictures of the program - I didn't have my good camera and the flash doesn't work well on the camera I did take.

These were the only pictures I got from the whole thing.
Lucy with her teachers.

Lucy and Mona

Grace and Grandma

Grace

Lunch Disaster

Took the girls to Diamond Daves a couple weeks ago when I had no girls. Lucy had to go to the bathroom so I walked her 20 steps there. When I came back. The table was empty. I didn't even look, but held my camera under the booth and took this picture of Grace.

Lunch was a disaster...I had expected it to go much better without the boys. I ordered both girls a meal. Grace ate a little. Lucy ate a little of Grace's - none of her own. Lucy chose the restaurant...but neither wanted to be there and neither would sit still for a minute.

Christmas with the Ellmers

Ellmers were on their way. Boys were screaming. House still a mess. Me in my pjs. Lucy says she'll give me a penny if I quit yelling.

Happy Birthday to??? Us!

Last night Gracie wasn't feeling well. She just kept moaning and calling from us from her bed. So finally I brought her to bed with us. Well she was driving me crazy tossing and turning. She slept by Jamie for a little while. He got up and changed her diapers and clothes...hoping that would help. When he brought her back to bed she kept tossing and turning and singing happy birthday. She sang happy birthday to each person in our family...Mommy, Daddy, Lucy, Lincoln, Gavin, and Vaughn. Finally we just took her back to bed.

I can't think of one night where she spent the entire night in our bed. She HAS to be in a crib/pack n play to sleep.

We think she may be a bit obsessive compulsive. She will spread a blanket on the floor and have to have it completely spread out with no wrinkles. Once my mom's dog walked over her blanket and she got up and started yelling at the dog and then straightened the blanket back out. She does lots of weird things like that.

Lucy Said Today....

"Mommy, I don't like our house. It's always messy."

life as we know it

This Week

Been a busy week.

Monday the Steve, Donna and Kim came over to watch the kids. Instead, we ordered pizza and all just hung out together. Great time!

Tuesday we had dinner with the Batchelors and Beckers. Beckers just had a baby boy. He's a cutie. Great chance for us to get to know some couples in our small group a little better. Ali watched the girls and Jackie, Jean and Brad watched the boys.

Wednesday was spent making Oreo truffles, breakfast casseroles, and getting ready for Christmas. Still no presents wrapped though. Although as I sit and look...I don't really have many to wrap. Good thing!

Yesterday I took all the kids to where I work after I picked them up from Debbie's. Peggy spoiled all of them with Christmas presents. Lots of toys and stuffed animals. Of course the girls loved the presents so much that they spent the rest of the evening fighting over them! Like most kids, both of them only wanted the toy that the other child had. Fun times.

Christmas Letters are done!

Well I stayed up until about midnight Tuesday and finished my Christmas letter!! Yay! I have envelopes ready to go and they'll be mailed today. Hopefully people will get them BEFORE Christmas this year!

Christmas Pictures

Christmas

Spent Christmas at mom's this weekend. Can't believe Christmas is here already. Although I do feel some relief of pressure. Got to hook up this weekend with my brother Jason, his wife and two girls - they hadn't met the boys yet; brother Justin and his girlfriend; sister Susan, her hubby and two girls; sister Linda is California and couldn't come. Was great to see everyone again. Jason caught the flu bug that we all had. Will spend the rest of this week putting away stuff that we brought home from mom's - clothes, presents, etc. Off to work now.

Gavin

Gavin has two teeth now too. Center bottom.

Lincoln

Lincoln has teeth! He's getting his two bottom ones in.

Jamie

I never tell my husband enough how proud I am of him. But I am. Tuesday night we were on our way to small group. We stopped at Fareway to pick up some food. As I was running in, I saw a friend who looked a little sick. She was ringing the Salvation Army bell with her daughter. She said several members of her family were sick...two of them were in the van in the parking lot (in plain view). I offered to take them with me but she didn't want to spread anything. I briefly thought...I should stay and ring the bell so she can go home. But, like most people...I didn't offer. I just kept on going. I had a babysitter. I selfishly wanted to go to small group and hang out with some big people. When I got back in the van I told Jamie what was going on and he went in and sent our friend and her sick family home while he stayed and rang the bell for her. Jamie is such an example to me of what it means to be Christ-like. He is always doing things like that. Things that most people think - Oh, that would be nice, but maybe some other time, I'm busy now. Many of us are willing to help in a way that is convenient for us. But he truly sacrifices for other people and helps them where they need it. I love him so much and feel very blessed that he's in my life.

Gracie or ??

While we were in the van yesterday Lucy said, "Mommy, something smells. It stinks in here...do you smell it? It really, really stinks." I jokingly said, "Well it's not me." And she said with disgust, "It's either Gracie...or...a pig."

The Boys

The boys are all home and well. They all slept GREAT last night. Things are running so smoothly this morning that I'm even able to blog a little. Missed my little guys. Vaughn - Mr. Intense - definitely seemed the happiest to see me...his big smile and kicking feet were so welcoming. That's just his personality though.

Pee Pee in the Potty

That's what we chant when our kids use the potty while they are learning. That's what we were chanting Sunday night when Gracie used it on her own - with maybe some encouragement from Lucy. She was in the bathtub and Lucy started yelling that Gracie went potty. We thought she peed in the tub. She hasn't gone again since...but she's tried. We told Lucy that every time she helps Grace, when Gracie goes they'll both get pee pee candy. So Lucy has been very motivated to help her.

All Mommy Wants for Christmas is a Silent Night

Jamie's mom knows me well. She bought the boys these cute onesies! Darling!!

3 Days Down, 39 To Go

Jamie's sister Jenna took Lincoln Saturday and Sunday night. It really was a huge help. Although I can't believe how hard it's been without Jamie helping. Not only can he not lift more than 5 pounds for 6 weeks, he did just have surgery so I don't want him doing much of anything except sitting on his tush for a few days. He feels bad and is trying to help as much as he can.

So the truth...I'm such an unsympathetic person of other people. When he says...can you get me a glass of water...my first thought is, "Why, is it more than 5 pounds." He always bends over backwards when I'm sick. But with him down, it's been so hard that he is given the leftovers of my energy...and unfortunately I don't have even to survive...let alone give leftovers. He needs me too...so I need to put my selfishness aside and give him more than just the leftover energy I have.

Went to Circa 21 last night. Jenna had Lincoln, Kim had Gavin, Steve and Donna had Vaughn, Mona had both girls. It was completely stressful getting them all ready to go. BUT...it was so worth it. I really didn't think it would be but I had so much of a better attitude the second I got in the car from dropping of the last child!! It was nice to have a six hours without any children. And it was so great picking them back up again and knowing how much I missed them.

Today, Jenna and Jamie's dad came to help Jamie take the boys to their eye appointment at the University. Afterwards, Jenna took Vaughn and they dropped off Lincoln and Gavin at Mom's house. So, I'm without babies until Wednesday. I've never gotten rid of all three for more than 24 hours before...so it really feels weird. I almost wish I would have kept one. But today, Lucy, Grace and I went downtown and had lunch at a little cafe. Walked through the shops, went to the library and just had a nice time together.

Lucy is really into roll playing these days and Gracie follows her lead. Lucy loves to play teacher, grandma or grandpa, mommy, etc. And she loves to "read" books. She makes up fun little stories. We have the best times together.

Gracie loves to sing. Her favorite songs are ABC's and the Witch song that Lucy taught us from preschool. I've noticed that I can't seem to understand her very well at all. I don't remember not being able to understand Lucy. She really talks a lot. Long sentences and I have no idea what they mean. But she's a little lover. She loves to hug and cuddle. I just adore her.

I wish I could video tape an entire day of the girls. I love them so much and hate that I won't remember all the adorable things they do. Shoot, I can't even remember them long enough to blog them at night.

Tonight we went to the local nursing home with 3 other moms and 2 of their daughters. All the girls were staggered in their ages. It's so sweet how the little girls adore the big girls and the big girls adore the little ones. Everyone seemed to have a good time at the nursing home and it reminded me once again how I have to hang on tight when they are so little. These precious moments are going to be gone so quickly. The folks we visited were so excited to have people come by. It must be very lonely this time of year.

Alrighty...off to bed. Looking forward to a full night's sleep!!

Happy Birthday Jamie

When you wait until 7:30 pm, this is the only design you can get in a white cake at HyVee.


The girls were very excited to decorate daddy's cake.


This is Jamie with his 38th birthday cake. Even Boston helped decorate it. Yes, he carved out some on the right side of the cake.


Happy Birthday to the most wonderful man I've ever known. I'm so blessed to have you as my husband and the father of my children.

Hungry?

I picked up the kids yesterday. As we were driving home I told the girls I was hungry. Lucy said, "Do you want some ice?" I said, "Ice?" She said, "Yeah, from my shoe." And as I turned back I saw her picking and eating ice off of her shoe.

Jamie's Surgery

Jamie's surgery went fairly well. Another long day. At the hospital at 9:30 am. Home at 4:30 pm. He had some problems after the doctor was finished...no one told him exactly what happened but he stopped breathing and had some sort of esophagus spasm. They gave him some medication to get him breathing and some demorral to stop him from shaking so badly. He was so out of it he's not sure what happened and he never saw the doctor after the surgery so he wasn't able to ask. He is fine now and in bed.

Will spend his 38th birthday in bed tomorrow :( Happy birthday honey! Olive Juice.

Lincoln

Lincoln seems to be having the most pain from the surgery. Two nights in a row now I've had to sleep in the uncomfortable rocking chair in their room and rock him for part or all of the night. The first day after the surgery I thought this would be a piece of cake. But tomorrow will be a week since the surgery and almost every evening we have to listen to crying for several hours at a time. I know...boo hoo. Our boys are in pain and I'm whining about the crying. Our house is chaotic and I'm on the verge of insanity. Truly. We feed them bottles at 5. We feed the girls. We feed the boys solid food. We change diapers. We give baths. It's time to feed the boys a bottle again. We put children to bed. It's now 9 or 10 pm. I thought our days would just get easier and easier through the first year...but they are getting harder and harder. More and more demanding. I'm tired. I'm always tired.

Life As We Know It

We expected pictures to go bad...but we never expected it to go as badly as it did. Not one good picture of the 5 of them. Gavin, our always-happy-child, started everyone off with a full blown fit. When he wasn't crying, Grace was. She wanted her binki and couldn't understand that if she would just smile for one or two pics she'd get it back. They had no props for our boys to help them sit. So they're laying on the floor in almost all of them. At one point the gal had Jamie sit Indian Style of the floor and she threw a sheet over him. He was supposed to hold the three boys and the girls were going to sit next to them somehow. Yes, it looked as stupid as it sounds and even if it had looked ok, didn't come close to working. So at lunch we decided that maybe we'd just buy a picture with the most children crying to represent our life. When we went back to view the pics we only got to view the ones the photographer preselected...so we didn't even get to see the "bad" ones. We ended up with a panoramic shot of 5 squirmy kids with the title "Life As We Know It".

I've Ruined My Daughter's Life

As we were leaving the mall today, the balloons we got from Flash were blowing in the wind. Lucy started freaking out because she was afraid we were going to lose them. I told her we were throwing them away anyway because we get one every time we come to the mall and we don't need it. She kept freaking out because they were blowing...so I let them loose. She was crying - very dramatically - and screamed "You ruined my life! You ruined my life!"

Gross

Removed Lincoln and Gavin's bandages last night. One of the grossest things I've ever had to do. They looked gross, they smelled gross and I'm glad Jamie was there. I can't believe how well they took it. I think it may have been more painful for Jamie and me than for them.

The Polar Express

Took the girls to the "Polar Express" in Mt. Pleasant yesterday. It's a train ride to the "North Pole". Didn't come close to meeting my expectations and we won't do it again. But, it was an OK time for the girls.

December?

December? Already? Seriously?

Every year I swear it is not going to be like last year. We are NOT going to be busy every single night of the week every single week of the month. So why is this December no different. Every year I swear I'm going to slow down. Enjoy the season. Enjoy the reason for the season. This year proves to be no different. I'm not sure whether I'm coming or going. Our schedule is jam packed until Christmas. Except for tonight...

Tonight is a free night. Our plans: to put up the tree, enjoy hot apple cider, glazed donuts and eggnog. Well...Jamie will enjoy eggnog. I think it's nasty. We'll sing Christmas carols, add Mary to our Nativity set and read the Christmas story out of the bible. We'll watch a Charlie Brown Christmas. If we don't do it any other night of the month...we will tonight. We will love on our family, talk about Jesus and enjoy the night together. I'm so excited. I'm even going to cook supper tonight!! Nothing fancy...but one of my favorites and simple...tacos. Looking forward to a peaceful evening.

ps...I know I'm setting myself up for failure. But this time it will be different.

Lincoln and Gavin

They seem to be doing good and are in very little pain. Continue to be on Tylenol with Codine, 2 other pain medicines and an antibiotic. Cut back to regular tylenol and ibuprofen tomorrow. Real troopers!

No Kidney Stone - Yay!! Diverticulitis - Boo!!

So after three hours at the doctors office, a CT scan and two blood draws...I've been diagnosed with Diverticulitis. Symptoms are very similar to the flu and is probably why I've been sick all week. The pain in my left side has been getting worse...but the percocet has been helping. I am on two antibiotics for 10 days. Hoping that will cure the problem. My best explanation of Diverticulitis is that they are pockets in your colon that get infected. The doctor said that I am pretty young to get it. If the antibiotics don't work I will need to be hospitalized and put on an IV, with the possibility of surgery to remove the part of my colon that is infected. However...most likely the antibiotics will work. My white blood cell count was good and I didn't have a fever...very good signs. I need to go back next week.