March 2010

Where to begin . . . According to my calendar at the beginning of the month, March was looking pretty calm. Funny how things aren't what they appear. In my crazy hormonal state I suggested to Paul we either camp or get a hotel room at the beach since we would be near there already for my niece's baptism. Unfortunately he took me up on it. Actually, it wasn't all bad. In fact, the only bad part was trying to eat dinner at Mo's in Newport. Paul's mom and niece met us at the aquarium where we got to see all kinds of fun water animals, and then we went to dinner. Anyone who has been there knows Mo's is an extremely tight fit of diners and staff. I had Bree asleep on my chest and Paul was trying to wrestle with Darcy. She threw the bucket of garbage, her color crayons, and finally her chocolate milk on the floor. I had had enough of her, her cries, the stares of the other customers, my life, the universe, etc. so I left Mo's with a baby on either hip and a death stare that had people running to get out of my way. We hung out in the car till the others were done with dinner. My family just isn't ready for dining out in a sit-down establishment. Give us a drive-through and we are good to go! That night we stayed at a hotel and swam in a freezing pool. The next day we walked on the beach and Drew wrote our names in the sand. We also hit the outlet mall in Lincoln city to try to clothe my children who are exhibiting weed-like tendencies. Thank goodness for summer when they can run around in shorts and bare feet and it doesn't matter if their clothes or shoes fit.

My Breezy is now 2 months old. Wow time flies! I will officially dub her my most difficult baby. Drew had that distinction up till now but Bree has blown her out of the water. Bree is absolutely adorable and so kissable and smiling and cooing and as soon as you set her down she turns into a screaming maniac. I have never seen a baby act like this. If she is not being held she is screaming. And I have tried to let her cry it out but the screams only get louder and more intense till you are sure she will burst. I would love to sit and hold her all day but unfortunately I have other responsibilites. She was also extremely backed-up for about 3 weeks but fortunately her system is working better now. She makes for a stressful time. I am so proud of my other kids for the patient way in which they deal with her. Sometimes Mason will cover his ears and yell at Bree to be quiet but mostly they have been extremely understanding.

Paul's mom, sister, and nieces all came to visit and play with Bree. Believe it or not, we do like visitors at our house and we had a great time with them. We have a HUGE family and always appreciate the time spent with them.

Ahhh, the bunkbed. This was Paul's project. He worked on this for weeks. I thought maybe buying a bunkbed would be easier but Paul took it upon himself to make them. The kids loved every minute of the process. I guess their memories are worth more than the time it took to finish them. And let me just say, if we ever have an earthquake you will find me hunkered down on the bottom bunk. Nothing can harm this massive stucture! They turned out beautiful and the kids play on the top bunk night and day. Thanks daddy!

Paul's birthday was a much anticipated even by the kids. Mason walked around for 2 days with the cake mix box and we had all kind of plans for the celebration. Fortunately it doesn't take much for the kids to think it was a rip-roaring party. Poor Paul, he doesn't ever get much of a party or surprise gifts since he only wants computer stuff and I have no idea what anything is or what he would need so he always has to buy his own gift. Same with Christmas. But at least I know he is getting what he really wants. When Mason is older he is going to ask why we let him make such crazy faces in every picture we have of him for 2 years. The funny thing is that he thinks he is making a nice smile for the picture. I sure love my little guy!

Darcy moved into a big-girl bed two nights ago. Well, she was supposed to anyway. She is in the room with Mason and Drew now so I can move Bree out of my room into the crib. Darcy is quite a bit younger than the others were when they moved out of the crib and the first night we layed with her for an hour and a half trying to get her to fall asleep. I left Paul snuggling with her and a little while later it was quiet so I thought he had been successful in getting her to sleep. I walked in the room and was trying to spot Darcy in her mass of blankets when I heard the plastic chewy rings moving that Drew uses as a gate at the top of the bunkbed. I looked up and there was Darcy at the top trying to get through the gate. Paul was blissfully asleep on Darcy's bed. It was so darn funny, if not a bit scary, that we gave up for the night and put her back in her crib. Last night she succumbed to sleep after fighting it for only an hour. She did great! She only fell out of her bed once, I think, and didn't have any bruises to show for it this morning. I call that a success!

My calendar for April is full already. I have signed up to work just about every week-day afternoon and Drew has t-ball games to keep us busy. I am under no illusion that April will be any easier than March. But, that's what makes life fun I guess.

Mason's Big Day

Monday was Mason's first visit to the dentist. Saying he was a bit nervous is an understatement. He forgot how to dress himself, put on shoes, connect his seatbelt, push an elevator button, use a drinking fountain, etc. Luckily Paul was able to take the three girls to the park while I dealt with Mason. I'm not sure what I am telling my kids about the dentist leading up to the visit, but when he climbed up into the chair his mouth immediately popped open and stayed that way till the hygienist forcibly closed it for him. Drew was the same way at her first visit. Its all I and the hygienist can do not to laugh at these poor, frightened little bodies. He was loving the cool sunglasses and almost made it out the door with them but had to give them back in the end. He was given a clean bill of health, no cavities! He also got to choose a toy out of her treasure box and my little boy chose a sparkly star "magic wand" as he is calling it. Paul has some concern in that Mason has also started carrying around his sister's pink purse. We have to tell ourselves its a "man bag." Now Drew is excited to get to go to the dentist so she can get a magic wand too. I haven't told her yet that Mason took the only one left in the box.

Here is Miss Bree, already a month old! At least I think she is. I'm all confused. With my other kids it was easy to know when they were a month older. On the 20th or the 8th. But Bree was born on the 31st and not all months have 31 days so now I don't know when to take her monthly picture! I guess on the last day of each month makes sense, right? Who knows. All I know is she is gaining weight like a pro (look at that double chin already!), she is starting to lift her head up and push away when I am holding her, she is still a HORRIBLE sleeper at night which I will forever hold against her, and she has the lung capacity of an opera diva. This girl can scream like no other baby I have ever heard. And she screams often. Bree is not my easiest baby to say the least. Its a good thing she is so darn cute with fat, kissable cheeks to make up for it! Mason still seems to be her biggest fan out of the older kids. Darcy will actually pet her head and call her Baby B but she hasn't kissed her yet. She gets close but then turns and walks away. I am proud of how Darcy has adjusted. She still has her tantrums and her crazy business at church, but overall I think she adjusting pretty well and she seems to like me again, thank goodness! Paul and I are adjusting too, I think. 4 kids is A LOT of work but I just keep telling myself I never have to do this again and each day it gets better and more of a routine for me I think. Though I really look forward to when Paul walks through the front door at 6pm for some help!

We like to start the brainwashing early in our house. Here is my sweetheart in her Beavers garb and she is only a couple weeks old! Thanks Grandpa!