The Rambling Post

O, shouted out the window the other day, to the boys principal no less...."See ya wouldn't wanna be ya"! Yep, that's my 4 year old.

M, after dancing like a maniac at my brothers wedding, was walking to the car with me. I stopped him and told him that he was a dancing fool. He looked at me, with all seriousness and told me: "Mom, I told ya I got the moves!". He does have the moves too!

O has taken to asking, since we drove through 6 states in 12 hours, on the way to my brothers wedding, if we are in Michigan all the time. If we drive for more than 10 minutes, he wants to know if we are still in MI. Poor kids confused I think!

The boys were great travelers. I'm quite sure they did better than Matt and I!

I wish I didn't struggle so much with motion sickness. I find it is getting increasingly worse. I hate it.

I've decided that my dream home will have a first floor laundry room and two bathrooms. My wants are simple.

I've become increasingly grateful for my husband. The man works hard and comes home and plays with our children, helps around the house AND is working on his Masters.
The Lord has richly blessed me with a wonderful husband and father.

We can't decide on whether or not we should get the boys DS's for Christmas this year. We are pretty anti video game around here, but think that having these little games might be nice for the kids. We'd have to put some strict limits on them with the boys....who knows. I will ashamedly admit, that in the back of my mind, I've thought it would give me leverage as a punishment sometimes. I'm a mean mom.

I'm thrilled that we've found another babysitter. A responsible young lady from church, who is able to care for M's needs. She grew up with a mother who had Type 1 diabetes, as well as an insulin pump. She's no stranger to the signs and symptoms of hypo/hyperglycemia. It's so wonderful to have someone else to call for help!

I bought my boys a $5 movie while away for the wedding. It was Flushed Away. We'd never seen it. I think my boys watched it 4 times on the way home. I've never heard such belly laughing in all my life. I love that sound...except for when we've been in the car for 11 plus hours....then it gets a little old.

I love Glee, but was a bit "put off", but their photo shoot for GQ, though not surprised. I was MORE outraged, by the fact that, a photo that my sons would have NEVER seen, a photo that was meant for a magazine that we would never purchase, was plastered all over my TV screen all day long, on channels that are often on for us to check weather and such. At one point, I had to quickly turn it off when I saw my 8 year old son glued to the TV set.

I also had an interesting conversation with my boys last week. They had some questions about someone that we saw at my brothers wedding. There were some questions as to a guests gender and the way that they were behaving. The kids wanted to know why a boy would want to look and act like a girl. I was thankful, after a brief prayer, that I was able to answer the boys in a way I felt proper. I told them, in a nutshell, that we should be thankful for the gender that God made us. That he made boys to act/look like boys, etc. I told them that we need to be sure that we act/dress like the sex that we are as well. I was also sure to tell them that although we don't agree with their choice, we don't hate people who choose that life style, nor do we make fun of them or call them names. They responded very well.

I am happy with the pictures I was able to get of my brothers wedding and of our boys while we were there. It was fun to be able to get some nice pictures of my children, instead of someone elses for a change!

Mouth of Babes

O, asked me last week if I could change his brain to blue. He informed me that he was done having it red and would like me to paint it blue. Alrighty then.

M, after getting all ready for picture day at school, looked int he mirror and proclaimed...WOW, I really look like a man mom!

S, told me that my idea for his costume this year was, in no uncertain terms, LAME. Lame...seriously. He's 8...isn't everything lame when your 8?!?!

O, told me that when he grew up he wanted to be big like me. When I told him, he would probably be bigger than mommy, he said, he wanted to be big and fat just like me. Yep...big and fat.

M, informed us that all of the kids think his shoes are "sweet" and that is why they all play with him and want to follow him around. He's also convinced that it their was a power outage or a lock down drill that they would call on him to have his "sweet Sketcher Illuminators", lead the way through the dark!

O, told us that his favorite Grandma is Grandma Venita...not because she loves him or spends time with him or anything like that...it's because she has a "Hi phone" - translated I phone.

S, told us that he was moving in with some family friends. When I asked him why...his answer was simple - they have TWO I phones, a Wii, lots of ice cream, and a HUGE snack basket that you can get stuff out of whenever you want. I told him I wanted to move in there too. He didn't think it was funny.

Just a FEW of the things my kiddies have been saying lately.

Murphy's Law

I TRY...really I do...to be a positive person. I try to find good in most things, to enjoy life as it comes. It doesn't always work. Last week, I had one of those mornings. You know the type. A day when, if it can go wrong, it will. It was almost the stuff reality TV shows are made of, or at least a comedy of some sort. At the time, I was NOT laughing. Now, it's a bit more humorous.

M had an appointment at Children's Hospital, downtown. The appointment was at 10. This would give me enough time to get S to school, get all of us packed for what could be a three hour appointment, get gas and head down there. To park often takes quite sometime too.

The drive down is sometimes interesting too. When there was construction last summer it took me 25 minutes to get there one time and then over an hour to get there the next!

This appointment was with Hematology. It was an appointment I was anxious to have, as it was to discuss the B12 levels M has had and to see if we could pinpoint why he wasn't gaining weight like he should. The nurse who booked his appointment didn't help put my mind at ease with her answers to my questions..."The doctor wants you to come in and speak with her"...I hate that answer. Is my kid ok or not!?!?! Turns out he's fine...just a bit of a medical oddity!

I drop S off at school and M and O, and I are off. I tell the boys we have to stop and get gas. Instead of going to the gas station right at our corner, I decide to go a bit further down the road to the cheaper station. We live directly off a freeway exit/entrance ramp and the gas prices are often quite higher than the stations another 1/2 mile down the road!

I pulled in, put $10 in the tank and then decided I'd get the boys and I a drink. We still had a little bit of extra time. I started the car and moved it away from the gas pump so someone else could pump gas.

We went in, bought our drinks and walked back to the car. I buckled O in his seat and tried to start the car. It wouldn't start! I started talking to the car... and tried starting it three more times. I noticed a REALLY strong gas smell and hopped out to see if I could see something wrong...drivers side of the car was fine...passenger side was NOT! Gas and antifreeze was dumping out from underneath my car!

I quickly grabbed the boys and moved them away from the car and told them to sit down while I ran to get the car seats and my purse from the car. The whole time I was thinking, I hope a smoker doesn't come and toss a lit cigarette near me"...with visions of my car exploding, flowing through my mind!

The objects were retrieved with no incident. I ran in to tell the cashier that gas was all over the parking lot and she came out to pour that stuff they pour on it when gas spills.

I called my husband and we began calling everyone within a 10 mile radius to come and retrieve us. No one answered. Seriously...no one answered their phone. My dear husband, finally got a hold of his mom...and sent her to the wrong gas station! No big deal right?!?! We are in the age of technology - we'll just call her...except she left her cell phone at home!

My brother in law/father in law are going to leave and try to catch up with my mother in law...only they forgot to reattach the bed of the truck - they had removed the "cab", the night before and hadn't reattached the bed yet.

My mom calls me back...she's going to come and rescue me. I call her after a few minutes of thinking she should be there. She went to the wrong gas station! No lie. I tell her where I am...fighting back tears the whole time.

How on earth can TWO people go to the wrong place! Is that even possible! By this point, I've called Children's twice to let them know we are running late, begging them at the same time to not cancel M's appointment. It's so difficult to get in there and I didn't want to miss it.

My mom pulls up at the station at the exact same time my father/brother in law does...my phone rings at that same second and it's my mother in law. She's driven back home to get her phone. Everyone came to my rescue...all at the same time. I can't help but chuckle just a little bit.

I loaded the boys and ran my mom back home. I receive a phone call that sends me over the edge and the tears start flowing. One problem, I'm a HORRID crier...ugly, messy, nasty crier. I gag and dry heave by the end of it - it's rough. I'm trying to regain my composure and drive my boys at the same time - thankfully, I brought it under control in a timely manner.

We pull into the parking garage at Children's - drive up all 14 levels and back down again. The whole structure is full. In the 3.5 years we've been going to children's AT LEAST 5 times a year, it's never been full...NEVER. Today, it's full.

I pull up to the valet who quickly tells me that I need to get locks on the rims of my car (which happens to be my dad's AWESOMELY sweet red Impala) because people STEAL THOSE RIMS all the time. What?!?! Someone's going to steal my dad's rims while I'm here was my response to his statement...his answer...a shrug.

To make a very long story...just a little less long....

His appointment went well - much better than I had expected. His odd blood work is just that...odd. Nothing to worry about. He gained a little weight and actually grew a little too!

The rims were still on the vehicle when I returned.

The funniest part of the whole story is this:
Matt got home from work and started looking at the car. He couldn't see anything wrong. He got in the car and it started right up. No problems...do leaking...nothing. We've tried to recreate this "issue" to no avail. The car is fine.

So - the moral of the story is...well...I have no idea. I'm certain the Lord was trying to show me something that day...possibly patience and reliance on Him. I'm learning Lord.

Lessons of Motherhood

I watched a video about what first time mothers would tell themselves if they could go back to before their first child was born...got me thinking...what would I have told myself...

DONT weigh yourself when you first get home from the hospital. It won't help you feel better about yourself. If you retained ANY water during pregnancy and had IV fluid during your hospital stay, you WILL NOT come home any lighter. It takes a week or two for you body to adjust...THEN weigh yourself.

Sleep is optional...especially at night.

Sleep when the baby does - at least once a day.

If you don't breastfeed, your children will not be learning impaired, sick all the time and allergic to everything - including air.

You are NOT a failure or love you baby any less if you choose to give them a bottle. You are however a champ if you stick it out and nurse...just not a better mother for doing it.

You are not a failure if you have a c-section. The goal is a healthy baby...regardless of how their entry is made.

Drugs during labor were MY friend - they are not everyones.

Your heart will now beat outside your body.

Your mother and your mother in law know more than you about newborns.

Trust your instincts

Your baby will get sick. You will panic. You will call people at all hours of the night to see how you use that boogger sucker outer thingy.

You will realize that you are capable of a love much deeper than you ever thought possible.

You will deal with more bodily fluids than you ever dreamt of...and none of them will gross you out like you thought they would.

You will love your husband more truely and deeply than before.

Don't google any odd things your child does or has...it will only panic you.

You will cry as much as your child during their first set of shots.

You can't die from not sleeping.

Your child will EVENTUALLY sleep through the night.

Sleep at night helps you handle just about anything during the day.

Sometimes babies cry for no reason.

Pacifiers are your best friend...and your worst enemy...all at the same time.

Learn to swadle.

Babies don't need shoes.

Those gowns are all you need for night time sleeping with a newborn...no buttons or snaps at night!!

Baby boys will pee on their face at some point...you will be baffled as to how he does that...there will even be a point where their will be pee everywhere, BUT, in the still dry diaper.

It will take you 1 hour longer to do anything or go anywhere.

You will wonder what you ever did with all of your time before your little one comes.

Free time is no longer in your vocabulary.

Mommy guilt is real.

Mommy guilt SUCKS.

Never say the words...my child will never...it's dangerous.

You WILL buy character clothing/shoes...even if you said you wouldn't.

One will look just like you. One will not.

It is possible and ok to think your newborn is ugly.

You might have to take a bit to bond with your little one before you feel like a momma!

Your husband may say: " I CANT BELIEVE THEY ARE LETTING US LEAVE WITH IT!!!"...you will agree and laugh!

Seven

My middle boy is seven. Seven long years have passed since he came into this world - after a brief attempt at being born at 36 weeks - he held out until 39 weeks. He weighed in at a whopping 7lbs and 15ounces - 1 pound smaller than his big brother and ten days earlier! He cried right away and helped to put his momma's mind at ease. That day, my heart grew bigger than I thought it could. I was so concerned about how I'd love another person as much as I loved S...but it came naturally. I felt more at ease as a mother and better equipped to handle a newborn.

M, was NOT the easiest infant. He slept through the night around 8 weeks..not to shabby. He woke to eat every 4 hours through the night - which wasn't bad. During the day, for the first 12 weeks, it was another story! He was what my mother in law refers to as a "lap baby". He wanted to be held...all the time. Even holding him didn't always cut it. He was our fussy boy. After 3 or 4 months though, something changed. He turned into a content and easy going little one. He still is an easy going guy. Goes with the flow and often has fun by himself.

M, has a wonderfully vivd imagination. He is kind and protective of his little brother and shares his things quite well. He's HORRIBLY picky eater and extremely strong willed. He once sat at our kitchen table for 3.5 hours because he wouldn't eat a bite of banana!

He is extremely intelligent. He knew his letters and sounds by the age of two and taught himself to read by 4. He has surprised me many days with the things that he knows. His common sense though isn't quite up to par though!! He has often been seen wearing his shirt, inside out and backwards, his shoes on the wrong feet and his coat inside out! We are thankful, he's stopped wearing his pants backwards!

He has handled his diabetes with the grace and strength of a warrior. He rarely complains about his finger pokes and he's more than learned the functions of his pump. He still hates bloodwork..despite the frequency of it. He's small for his age...but has stayed on his growth curve.

I look forward to his healing in the near future.

Our life has been richly blessed, but the VERY unexpected arrival of Mr. M! He was not planned, but more than what we could have asked for!

Now Recording

I'm going to make a recording of all the things I need to say to my children each day. I have begun to feel like a broken record.

Put your glasses on.
Where are your glasses?
Stop looking over your patch.
**These three phrases are heard at least 42 dozen times a day in our house.
Get out your pump.
Check your sugar.
Did you dose yourself?
It's 27 carbs....
**These phrases are also said multiple times a day...more than the glasses phrases I would venture to guess!

Some others...
Don't hit your brother.
Get your hands out of there.
Don't touch that.
Stop flipping over the furniture.
Quit jumping on the bed.
Put your sheets and pillowcases back on the bed.
Turn off the TV.
Stop whistling.
Stop yelling.
No you can't have a THIRD Popsicle.
Brush your teeth...with toothpaste...and water...and a toothbrush.
Wash your hands...did you wash your hands...your hands are disgusting.
Stop walking along the top of the couch.
Put that back.
No, you can't go to grandmas and play Wii.
No, we are NEVER buying a Wii...or any video game system for what it's worth.
You can't only eat peanut butter sandwiches...you need other food to live.
No more junk.
Ouch...pick this up...the ouch is from where I've stepped on various Legos, Hot Wheel cars, etc.

Just a few of the things that I say on a daily basis. Makes you wonder why kids think I'm mean...I sure have to tell them no a whole lot!

Interviewing my boys

I interviewed my three boys...there answers are labeled. Funny boys, barely made it through all the questions!

1. What is something mom always says to you?
S - No and sometimes yes.
M - I love you
O - Don't take off your glasses.

2. What makes mom happy?
S - When our room is clean
M - When I listen to you
) - When you tell me I can play trains


3. What makes mom sad?
S - When our room is dirty
M - When we don't clean our room
O - Don't clean up

4. How does your mom make you laugh
S - When we fall on the ground.
M - When we say "cowabunga"...insert fart noise.
O - When I smile.

5. What was your mom like as a child?
S - Clumsy and lovable
M - you played with daddy?!?!
O - Mrs. Fart Pants

6. How old is your mom?
S - 31
M - 31
O - 60 ...I'm four and Roy is four too.

7. How tall is your mom?
S - 28 feet
M - 30 feet tall
O - 60 30 30
**clearly we need to work on heights

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
S - Mowing the lawn
M - Go to the store
O - Fart - so the four year old has farting on the brain.

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
S - Have fun, don't miss us and laugh
M - Miss us...and I miss you!
O - Laugh

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
S - Lawn mowing service
M - Have a lot of money
O - Lawn mowing or swimming

11. What is your mom really good at?
S - Lawn mowing
M - Taking pictures
O -

12. What is your mom not very good at?
S - loving us....sometimes you only tell us "I love you", every few hours.
M - I don't know....
O - Punching.

13. What does your mom do for her job?
S - Take pictures
M - Take Pictures
O - Help daddy

14. What's your mom's favorite food?
S - He refused to answer...his 8 year old attitude kicked in on this question.
M - Hamburgers
O - Eating and drinking...any food. He's so right!


15. What makes you proud of your mom?
S - I don't know.
M - That you might take us to the dollar store
O - Burping...again with the bodily functions

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
S - Jerry - from Tom and Jerry
M - Princess Peach from Mario
O - Catwoman

17. What do you and your mom do together?
S - Lawn mowing
M - Play UNO
O - hold hands and see shooting stars...we do hold hands...the shooting star thing hasn't happened that I recall. It sounds nice though.

18. How are you and your mom the same?
S - We both have feet
M - because when you got to the store I go to the store.
O - He named a bunch of video game characters that we could all play


19. How are you and your mom different?
S - We aren't the same size
M - When you take pictures, we don't go.
O - Swimming...I don't swim in the big pool.

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
S - because you give us hugs and kisses and say you love us.
M - all the time you say you love me.
O - because she gives me cereal

21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
S - to the store
M - to take pictures.
O - to the Children's Hospital