Unexpected Long Weekend

I am home today with a sick kiddo... and so it begins.  Again.  Poor Brennan has had monthly fevers since he was two years old, mostly because he cannot keep his hands out of his mouth.  I feel like he is just as oral as he was when he was a young toddler.  Last year he missed ten days of school, and I got a letter from the school about his attendance.  It was heart-breaking, mostly because I can't change anything.  His oral tendencies are completely subconscious, so harping on him doesn't make any difference at all.

The good news is that today is Friday, so B will definitely be back in school on Monday.  And so today I will do what I can to keep everyone happy until Daddy gets home.  Right now, that involves Caillou and computer games until breakfast.  And so, while everyone gets their daily allotment of screen time, I blog.

Yesterday was my second day having Cora in preschool for five hours.  It was awesome.  Honestly, I felt giddy, being able to run errands with just one child.  And when I got home and Seth took a nap, I dove into an organizing project I have been itching to do for a while.

It is no secret that I get pleasure out of being organized and efficient.  This is especially true in my home.  My house is never completely clean or picked up, (I do have three kids!!) but I do have lots of systems in place to make my life simpler and help everyone stay on track.  My mother-in-law comments every time she comes to visit that I have a new system in place, and she is always learning new tricks from spending time in my home.  She said she loves it because she always knows where to find things and how to step in and help me.  She told me I need to post some of my organizational strategies because they just don't come naturally to everyone.  I thought this sounded like a good idea, so next week I am going to post photos and tips on organization for life with little kids.  If they are obvious, forgive me.  But if they are helpful to even one person, I'm glad to share.

In the mean time, I'll share some photos of yesterday's achievements.  The closets in our house have been driving me crazy for some time.  I picked up a few plastic shelving units at Home Depot yesterday, and voila!  Instant organization.

Brennan's closet before:

... and after:

Seth's closet before:

...and after:

I'll talk about some of the things in the kids' closets during next week's post.  Until then, I'll leave you with some photos.

Brennan and Cora were both supposed to bring family pictures to school, and we realized we hadn't taken one since we were in the hospital when Seth was born.  We threw up a black piece of fabric, set the timer on the camera, and took a few impromptu pictures after church (Jim had been home with the sick baby, so he isn't as dressed up as the rest of us).

Look who is sitting up?!  Oh, wait!  That's a picture of Brennan!  Well, it's awfully hard to tell them apart.  Thank goodness for dates on digital pictures because they are nearly identical at this age.  Check out Seth!!

Have a great weekend!

Seth: Four Months Old

Seth is four months old, and he is such a joy.  Just this past week I had a super hard day, and at the end of the day I was able to sit face-to-face with Seth for about fifteen minutes, smiling, making faces, and "talking."  His laughs, coos, and slobbery kisses filled my heart with so much pleasure I all but forgot the day I had just endured.

Sleeping Patterns:  Seth is still a pretty great sleeper, but lately we have had an issue.  He is an unhappy roller.  He starts out every night being laid on his back, and he immediately turns onto his side and sticks his thumb in his mouth.  During the course of the night he continues to roll onto his tummy, and I don't know if it is just practice or an attempt to locate his thumb, but he hates being stuck on his tummy and can't get back, so he wakes up crying.  I have heard about kids that lose sleep because they have to practice new tricks like rolling, crawling, standing, etc., but I have never had a child who did those things.  Now that I have lived through this phenomenon, I no longer think it is funny.  It is only cute the first dozen times.  Last week there was a night I had to get up to flip him over about every two hours.  And by the fifth time that night, flipping him back wasn't enough.  He was awake enough to discover that he was hungry.  I'm looking forward to him being able to roll in both directions!

Eating Habits:  Seth is still eating every two and a half to three hours during the day because he sleeps so long at night.  I wish he could go longer stretches, but I'll take the sleep without complaint.

New Discoveries Made:  A few days ago, Seth discovered his ear.  He kept grabbing it and pulling it like, "What is this thing attached to my head?!"  (Don't worry, seasoned parents... I had his ears checked at his check-up a couple of days ago, and they're fine.)  Seth has also discovered his voice and loves to make lots of noise.  Most of the time it's pretty cute.

Accomplishments:  Besides being a seasoned roller-overer now, Seth really wishes he could crawl.  He can turn in circles on his tummy to look at things, and he is trying desperately to get his knees up under him and propel himself forward with his toes.  I know things will become super hard when he crawls, but I am proud of his determination.

Places We Went:  We haven't been to any exciting places, as I wrote about in my last post.

Memorable Events or Holidays: Jim and I celebrated our 12-year wedding anniversary, and Seth joined us for a day of shopping while we left the big kids with Grandma.

Baby's Weight Gain:  Seth weighed in a few days ago at 14 pounds, 12 ounces.  This was a bit of a loss on the growth curve (he hasn't lost weight, he is just growing slower), but he is still an average, healthy baby.  Most people who see him think he's a chunk because of his round face and big cheeks, so it's surprising to me that he's "average."  Anyway, the doctor said he usually sees a drop when babies sleep long night stretches, and he is still growing beautifully, so I am pleased.  

Mommy's Weight Loss:  I had a better month than I thought I would, and I have lost 52 pounds total.  I am 8 pounds away from my starting weight, and I am hoping to be back into my fall clothes by Seth's six-month birthday.  I went a week ago to try on new shoes and discovered that my feet are larger than they were (I've been wearing flip-flops all summer).  I am seriously praying my feet fit back into my boots this fall, or I am going to be really, really sad!

We Survived the Summer...

I have told several people now that I may look back on this as one of the hardest summers of my life.  Having a baby several weeks before school let out for the summer was difficult enough, but add to that record-breaking temperatures and the fact that I had to pull Cora out of Mother's Day Out because of some changes we didn't like, and we had a recipe for real cabin fever.  On top of all of that, I had no computer.  I was home all summer long with three little kids, we couldn't leave the house because it was SO HOT, I couldn't get any work done, and we were paying off more medical bills making date nights, shopping, and other luxuries impossible.  It was super hard. No, that's a lie.  It was enough to make me a crazy person at times.

There were days I dreaded waking up in the morning.  I knew the kids would fight, the house would continue to be a mess, and I would feel painfully lonely.  I wanted routine.  I wanted my body back.  I wanted to complete a grown-up conversation.  I secretly resented people who could afford big vacations.  I felt jealous of those who could spend the whole day with their children at the pool.  I wanted my kids to be happy and didn't know how to make that happen.  It was so tough.

Brennan started first grade yesterday.  He was so delighted to be back in school, and I was so happy to have him there.  The start of school represents all that's right in the world for Brennan.  He loves to learn, he loves to create, he loves routine, and he loves to socialize with the other kids.

We have a fantastic elementary school, and although a lot of people take it for granted, I thank God for it often.  So, on Thursday night, as I thought about Brennan heading off to first grade the next morning, I should only have been happy.  But after the kids were all in bed and I collapsed onto my own, worn mattress, I started to cry.  Why?  Because I felt like I had failed my children.  I have several friends who love summer and treasure the opportunities to make memories with their kids, but what did I do for my kids this summer?  I survived.

Today, as I got Cora out of the bathtub and saw her brown little legs, I forgave myself a bit.  I genuinely did the best I could for my family this summer, and although we didn't make as many trips to the pool as my kids or I would have liked, we hardly sat at home and watched paint dry.  We went to dance classes, Brennan went to Encore summer camp for a week, we participated in Vacation Bible School, Brennan took swimming lessons for two weeks, we went to a puppet show at the library, we met a friend at the splash pad, we "ate more chikin" at Cow Appreciation Day at Chick Fil A, we watched family movies, and we built lots of forts out of blankets.  My kids were not terribly deprived, and I'm guessing they will do more than survive to tell about their summer experiences.

I am really excited about fall - maybe more so than I have ever been, and I always look forward to my favorite season.  I am ready for cooler weather and more opportunities to be outside.  I am excited to have both kids back in school (Cora will be going to preschool two days a week), and I am looking forward to pumpkin spice lattes and our first family vacation this October.  More than anything, I am looking forward to feeling like things in my life are somewhat under control and I can be the kind of mom I want to be.  I am completely ready for a new season, both figuratively and literally.

Back in the Game!

Guess what?!  After spending the whole summer without one, I have a new computer!!!  

Gosh, I feel like I haven't had the freedom to blog in forever, and it feels so good to sit down at my computer and have everything at my fingertips!  However, having to survive without a computer all day, every day for months really taught me a lot.  I have learned to focus more on my kids and stop wasting time.  I have gotten a lot done around the house and made the little time I could spend on Jim's computer really count.

While I have been absent from the world of blogging, our family has kept busy with more traditional pastimes, like...

Coloring:

Sleeping:

Grocery Shopping:

Roller Skating:

Learning to Curl Hair (Thanks to Hair-Savvy Teenage Friends):

Rolling Over:

And Sewing:

This is the first outfit I have ever made for Cora! :-)

Also, I mentioned in my last post that we started redoing the kids' bathroom a few weeks ago.  Well, it's done, and it is exactly what I envisioned!  I love it when a plan comes together!!

Jim took this photo, and I commented on the towel being askew and the toilet paper being nearly empty. I think he wanted to have me committed for noticing every. little. thing.  :-)

Check out the before and after pictures!

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

I may do another post with the bathroom details if you're interested in knowing more (let me know in the comments if you have questions you want answered).  In the mean time, I'll leave you with one more picture of my little girl before church this past Sunday:

Have a great day! :-)

Seth: Three Months Old!

I can't believe Seth is three months old.  Time is flying by!!  I don't get to savor the daily moments the way I did with the other two kids, and sometimes it breaks my heart.  I try really hard to take in every moment he is awake, but it isn't always possible when we're running to dance classes, swimming lessons, and birthday parties.  Still, when I get to just sit and make faces at my little guy and I am rewarded with smiles and coos, the whole world stands still.

Sleeping Patterns:  Seth is a remarkable sleeper.  I put him down after his last feeding at about 7:30 PM, and I have to wake him up to eat between 6 and 7 AM.  (Believe me, as a breastfeeding mom, I can't wait much longer for him to eat!!)  I don't know too many three-month-old babies that sleep for 11 hours at a time, but I honestly feel like I have earned this.  At this age, Cora was still waking every two hours at night and I never got more than an hour and a half of sleep at a time until she was close to five months old.

Eating Habits:  Seth eats about six times a day.  It usually works out to about every three hours, but sometimes he does a four-hour stretch and sometimes it's two.  It all evens out at the end of the day.  Breastfeeding stopped hurting at around two months, and I am really enjoying it now. (!)  I look forward to the quiet feedings in his room at the start and end of each day because they are special, uninterrupted times when I can just stare at his round little cheeks, pray for him, and listen to the ticking clock.

New Discoveries Made:  Seth has discovered his thumb, and he loves it.  We can't get him to take a pacifier, but the thumb is doing the trick.

Someone's pants are a little big! :-)

Accomplishments: Giggling, blowing bubbles, cooing, and smiling.

Places We Went: Swimming lessons, birthday parties, dance classes, play dates, and stores.

Memorable Events or Holidays:  We celebrated Independence Day by working on the kids' bathroom.  We have been planning to paint and put up beadboard since before we moved in two years ago, and we finally got started.  Here is a little sneak peek.  The lighting (and therefore the appearance of the paint color) is totally off because Jim took out the light fixture and we just have a lamp in the room with a bare bulb.

Baby's Weight Gain:  At his two month appointment, Seth weighed 13 pounds.  If I had to guess, I'd say he's probably around 14 pounds right now.  He's a chunk, but I'm not complaining because it helps him sleep.

Mommy's Weight Loss:  Jim and I started following a Weight Watchers plan about three weeks ago.  It has been awesome to have someone else help keep me accountable.  It makes meal planning and grocery shopping easier, and it keeps me honest.  So far we have lost a combined total of about fifty-five pounds!!  I have seventeen left to go to get back to my starting weight, and I am fighting for every one of them.  I have been alternating yoga and barre classes (one mid-week and one on weekends), and it feels great to see my body getting stronger. (I will be sad when my Groupons run out in a few weeks because I can't afford to keep going at the regular rates, and it's too hot to exercise outside.)

I sold some of my maternity clothes today, and although I was happy to see them go, it was weird to know that I won't pass this way again.  I am trying to enjoy every moment.

iNeed a New MacBook

It pains me that I haven't blogged in so long.  This whole not-having-a-computer thing stinks.  Big time.

I have come to the sad - but necessary - conclusion that the chunk of change I had saved for my camera needs to go toward a new computer.  It hit me the other night when I snagged Jim's computer after dinner and worked on it until bedtime, that not one thing I was doing was wasteful.  I wasn't surfing the internet or watching YouTube... I was responding to emails that had been sitting in my inbox for five days, I was doing research for Women's Ministry stuff for church, and I was setting up a meal calendar for a friend who had a baby.  Even though a great camera would be a wonderful investment and an awesome creative outlet, a computer is a necessary tool for me.  At this current point in my life, I can't use a camera to serve God the way I can use a computer.  God has blessed me with the gift of administration, and I haven't been able to use it!

So, I need to keep saving to get a new laptop that will allow me to fulfill my Etsy orders, store my whole photo library, and basically pick up where I left off.  I have explored my options, and I know now what I need.  I am just hopeful that I can get something before Jim's classes really take off this fall and I am left high and dry.  I wouldn't say I'm striking a deal with God (because that doesn't seem so biblical!), but I certainly am asking Him to honor my decision.  As of right now, any extra money is going toward medical bills, so it would definitely take some divine intervention for this to happen.  I certainly don't know God's plan, but I'm not counting against that possibility.

Finishing Cora's Room

A few weeks ago I finally got around to tackling a house project.  It felt SO good to be back in the game!

One of my house goals was to paint a few pieces of furniture this year, but I had to wait until sweet baby boy was out of my tummy.  Here is furniture piece number one, Cora's nightstand, before I got my hands paintbrush on it.:

And here it is after:

I chose a shade of white that matched the existing furniture (which is not true white or ivory), and I bought a pink drawer pull at Hobby Lobby.  I'd love to tell you this was super cheap, but the project cost a little more than I had hoped because I had to buy special primer, some new rollers, and a few other things.  At least now I will have those things to tackle my next two paint projects.

Before Seth was born, I managed to paint a piece of artwork for Cora's room.  It isn't totally done because I want to go back and clean up the stripes at the bottom of the painting, but in case that never happens, I should probably go ahead and post some pictures of it in its current state:

Here are a few other views of the room:

Other than touching up the canvas, this room is done!  At some point I'd love to add seating under the window that connects the two bookshelves (and shorten the curtains to the necessary height), but I have other things in the house I need to do more.  I also know the bookshelves will fill up on their own as Cora grows, so I'm not in a huge hurry to accessorize them.

It's a beautiful day... I think I may have to get the paintbrush out again in another room!!  :-)