You are currently browsing the monthly archive for October, 2007.
Voila! My Beehive hair! Yes, that is my real hair, braided together with yellow yarn, adorned with bees and butterflies and all sorts of creatures. It was fun! Can’t take credit for the idea, though- I got it from Kage’s post in Tales- which linked to Martha Stewart’s website. What can I say? The woman has mad ideas. Or at least she pays well the people who do.
The boys are super-wild ninja wolverine creatures, and Abby is a bee girl. We are now officially the M’s house of Sugar Insanity and Mayhem. Heaven help us all!
Have a fun (and reasonably safe) night, everyone!
Yet another reason to use only natural products to clean your home! Honestly, you can’t turn your back for a minute…
Today was housecleaning day, and I was on the warpath all day- so just before dinner when Abby came in the kitchen sucking on a squirt bottle of spray cleaner, I completely freaked out, dumped her in the sink, and speed-dialed Poison Control. Turns out, the cleaner I use, EcoSense Tough n’ Tender by Melaleuca is absolutely safe. Not that I suggest letting your kid drink it, but the Poison lady was amazed that nothing in it was a danger. Hooray!
So mamas: get that Poison Control number plastered by your phone! Oh, and switch to non-toxic cleaners for you home- because while in an ideal world I would follow Abby around gazing at her marvelousness and never evereverever leave a spray bottle on a window sill when the phone rings, the truth is, well, it’s not pretty. My brain doesn’t always work, and sometimes I do dumb stuff.
Really, you would think, after two and a half years and almost 600 posts, there would be nothing left I have to hide. Ha! You would be wrong! Jen at Mythbuster Beauty tagged me to share seven things you don’t know about me:
- I HATE the smell of peanut butter. Positively loathe it- and peanut butter is all Beanie will eat. Go figure.
- One of my top front teeth is fake. I knocked it out roller skating when I was 12 on Super Bowl Sunday.
- It makes me absolutely nuts when a fly gets in the house. All activity has to stop until the fly is either smooshed or let outside. Squirting them with window cleaner is a great way to knock them down, then squish them, just in case you feel like I do.
- I’ve never, ever seen a horror movie. Of any kind. Period.
- At my wedding reception, we had small wooden figures of Adam and Eve on top of the cake, and gave out apples for favors.
- Red or blue food dye makes me itch like crazy, and I think I’ve passed that little quirk onto Beanie.
- I say I don’t collect anything, and I’m adamant about that, but I have soft spot for antique egg-cups and, it’s a secret, but I love glass birds on my Christmas tree. Don’t tell anyone!
I wish you could have seen how darling Beanie looked for our Primary program today! He marched right up the podium and held his picture high over his head, Norma-Rae style, and just grinned out at all the people. He didn’t say anything, just smiled and smiled and smiled. Then waved at me and said “Hi Mom!” It was pretty dang cute.
Jeffrey actually spoke during church today, too! It’s been his habit to crawl under the podium as soon as he gets up there and sees all the eyeballs, but not today- he did wonderfully, and is now filled with the confidence of a boy who had conquered a personal dragon.
It’s been a friendly week at the M’s. Busy. Hectic, but friendly. Monday was watching kids for friends. On Tuesday, Mo came over and showed me how to actually use the piles of make-up I’ve accumulated over the years- and she’s good, people, just for the record. She made me look pretty! Friday we had friends over for dinner, Saturday was soccer day, and Sunday we went to some other friends’ house for lunch after church. Busy.
Abby has suddenly morphed from my sweet, cute, mild-mannered baby-girl into a mountain climber. Nothing is safe. She scales the bookshelves, the chairs, moves furniture to get what she want, and positively loooooooves the computer. The other day I caught her on my desk- she had seventeen different windows open- pleased as punch. I also caught her on the dining room table, swinging the chandelier back and forth, but we won’t talk about that. She’s wearing me out!
Dude! Pumpkins were eight bucks a piece at Safeway this week!! I’m glad we have a u-pick place- three monster squash, six bucks. That’s all I’ve go to say about that.
I’m about ready to ask Jeffrey be moved to another teacher. Anyone have any experience with that? While I don’t want my kid pegged as a son of a troublemaker, I’m less and less pleased by his milquetoast of a teacher.
The Red Sox just swept the World Series! Go Sox… although, I have to admit, I’m not as verklempt as I was last time.
Jeff scored six goals at his soccer match on Saturday. Beanie huddled in my lap to try and stay warm, while Abby pulled her socks and shoes off, and kept insisting on running onto the field.
I’m at Mommy Wars today.
On my mantle is a small framed antique embroidery that says: Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of what you already have.
When I was a younger woman, I wanted so desperately to be smaller. I wanted tiny cute feet that fit in normal shoes, ladylike hands, manicured nails and a poised demeanor. Fact: that’s not me- and each time I’ve tried on the that shoe, it has pinched so badly it figuratively flew of my foot and shattered a window across the room. Not doing it anymore. I’m going to sing a song of praise, I’m going to stop buying into anyone else’s notion of what it means to be a woman, and embrace myself.
I’m overweight. Always have been. The fact is, being overweight is what helped me deliver three healthy babies while losing 20 pounds each time because of hyper-emesis. If I had been skinny, who knows what would have happened to my babies.
My feet are big. Like, size 12 big. Yeah, not kidding. My hands are big. My toes are freakishly long. The fact is, these big hands make beautiful things, calm babies, cool fevered brows and paint anything my mind imagines. My enormous feet look right on my body, and they move me through the world. My toes look just lovely with shiny red polish. My German roots are showing, and I love them.
My hair is insane. I feel so unkempt most of the time, because of the nest of curls. When I want to feel sleek and put together, I iron the crap out of it. But it always reverts back. It gets complimented and noticed more than anything about my appearance, and I’ve never seen anyone with hair just like mine. While the craziness bugs me, I also know it can be startlingly pretty; it’s one of my vanities.
So there it is. The things I’m most self-conscious about. The things that used to make me feel like a bull in a china shop, but now are just part of who I am. One of the best things about getting a little older, getting a few more years under your belt, is a certainty of who you are. A calmness and confidence in what you do- and how you do it.
Contentment is the realization of how much you already have.
We actually had one tonight. Remember in Stand By Me? It happened at our dinner table! Abby choked on a piece of potato, and threw up all over herself, her high chair and her plate.
While I was running for a towel, Beanie looked at Abby’s piles o’ barf and promptly tossed his dinner onto the table. DH and I both stood there, mid-move, like deer in the headlights, as we watched the waves of barf overtake our dining room.
Grabbing a roll of paper towels, I covered Beanie’s pile to avert any further contributions, and began to clean Abby- and by clean, I mean strip her down. When I did so, I inadvertently got barf in her hair, too. Turning to grab the paper towels, I accidentally nudged the towel off of Beanies pile, which Jeffrey gazed at and began to promptly gag.
DH is upstairs bathing Abby, and I have a giant, hefty super-stretch bag o’ barf in the garage. Wanna come over for dinner?
We don’t live in California anymore, but holy heck, things are bad down there. I just got off the phone with my Uncle Freddy and his car had 1/8″ of ash on it after work (he works at Disneyland). He said the dome of the sky is brown and hazy, the light is crazy and the air is thick. People are displaced and frightened and the situation is hot.
Thoughts and prayer and good hopes for anyone caught up in the fires- especially the firefighters, pilots, guardsmen and homeowners in the path of the fire. Here’s hoping for a cooling rain and an abatement of the Santa Ana’s.
I’m cleaning my house today. I am. I am. I AM. Nothing is going to distract me. Nothing is going to draw me off course- I will get the nineteen loads of laundry done, I will get all four bathrooms spic-n-span, I will get all the dishes done, the sheets on five beds changed (thereby contributing to the nineteen loads of laundry), I will get the bookshelves dusted and the floors mopped. I will I will I willwillwill!
I hate housekeeping. I love home, but I positively HATE house cleaning. Especially with three kids, each of whom takes it as a personal challenge to immediately UN-do whatever I have just DONE.
Thankless, unending, never-ending, always more, unless you live in a museum, but even then you still have to dust, housework. Ugh.
So here I sit. Chin resting on my hand, gazing morosely around my kitchen and desk. There are fragments of toast, a washcloth, a stuffed pig and a little plastic ring from a gallon jug of milk under the table. Nevermind that I swept last night. I’ve already done one load of dishes, and there is as least another in the sink. On my desk are my scriptures, two half-full glasses of water, a pile thiiiiiiis-high of papers, two pull-ups, some wipes, a pair of Buzz Lightyear underwear and the new Brandi Carlile disk.
I just don’t want to deal. Mostly it’s the laundry. Good golly, is just never ends. I can deal with basic upkeep fine- but the laundry? There are only five of us, but you would think there were fifteen. Even with a high-capacity front loader, I will be doing laundry until it’s dark. Seriously. Then I have to fold it all, only to have the kids empty their drawers and closets looking for that particular pair of “pretty pants”. Grrrr. Nothing makes me feel more irritated and unappreciated than laundry.
Of course, this may really just be a problem of modern excess. I suppose if we were more like our ancestors, with only a few items of clothing each, it wouldn’t be such an issue. And at least I don’t have to haul our stuff in a basket on my head down to the river and beat it on the rocks. Right? But then, they didn’t bathe daily, either, so I really don’t want to go there. I would suck as a pioneer. Of course, the point is moot, because I would have died in childbirth. Had I even made it to adulthood.
I don’t suppose asthmatics did so well in the wild, wild west.
*Sigh* I really am going to clean my house. Really. Any minute now…
As promised, the above link will take you to my pattern for making the tote bags. Yesterday, for my three classes, I made each of my kids a trick-or-treat bag- as evidenced by the above bag, which belongs to the Abidoodle. The smallish toile bag was winging-it at my last class, and shows how, once you get the gist of making them, you can make them, literally, in ANY size you need.
If you can sew a straight seam, you CAN make these. Honestly. I promise. If anyone has any problems, e-mail me. This is seriously a high-success, not-much-experience needed sewing project.
Oh- each bag cost less than $5 in supplies. Have fun and let me know how you do!
Tomorrow is Super Saturday Craft Day at our church. Only it’s on a Thursday. Am I the only one thinks that’s just weird? Obviously I’m not in charge.
I’m been wrangled to teach three classes. Yes, I know. I know. “No” needs to become a part of my vocabulary. I also have carpool for two of my own and two other kids and I have Abby to contend with. Really, really hoping someone thinks she is just SO cute they have to help me watch her.
I’m teaching ladies how to make handled-bags. Tote bags, grocery bags, scripture bags, diaper bags, whatever you want to use them for, bags. It really is the totally easiest pattern ever, and I’ll post it, if I can figure out how, tomorrow night when I get home.
Did I mention the classes go until 11? Yes. Thats’ p.m. Starts at 9 a.m. My last class starts at 6, so I ought to be home by the kids’ bedtime. At least that’s the plan. It’s gonna be a loooooooong day.
Word to the wise: Do not, repeat- do NOT try and navigate your curved, carpeted stairs in new shoes. I totally bailed going down the stairs this morning- and I was holding Abby.
While my knees are a little (ok, a lot) purple, my side is scraped and my shoulder hurts, Abby only got a small bump on the back of her head. Thank heavens for those mama instincts. It happened in slow motion- I felt myself lose my footing, I thought about it for a second, reached out to hold on, thought I recovered, then whooooosh- nope, I’m going down. All I could think of was not hurting Abby. Nevermind me- really, it’s strange when something like that happens, you don’t- even for a second- think about what’s going to happen to you.
We’ve been Asthma-Central here for the last few days- I’ve had it and dealt with it all my life, and until now, it looked like the boys were clear. Nope. Monday night, after playing in the piles of leaves in the backyard, Jeffrey had his first bona-fide attack. Crap.
When I fell this morning, I was actually rushing to get to the doctor. Figures, right? Anyway, both boys are headed for allergy testing to see what the triggers are- *sigh*. I had really hoped to dodge this bullet- but, I suppose the up-side is that the treatments and medications are so much better now than when I was a kid.
Anyway, we’re fine. That’s what going on in Dodge. What’s the haps in your neck o’ the woods?
Oh, splendid is the solitude! OK, so there wasn’t much solitude, but I sure did enjoy not being Mama for two and half days. Oh. My. It was heaven. No one, all weekend, used me as a napkin or a kleenex, and my clothing stayed clean for more than an hour!
Friday morning I picked up my fancy rental car (didn’t seem wise to strand DH without a kid-capable vehicle for the weekend) and headed out. The kids were boisterous and happy and waved me on my way- no tears anywhere. Meeting up with some friends who were also heading to Seattle for the weekend, we hit the road.
Taking the scenic route was nice, but added a few hours to the total drive-time- but hey, who cares when there are no Monkeys in the backseat to riot. It was a lovely drive, and we stopped in a cute little town and splurged on some excellent expensive chocolate and fancy cheese. Mmmmmmm.
When we hit Seattle proper, my friends went their way, and I went mine. I had dinner with some other friends, and stayed up way too late, but it was so enjoyable. Saturday morning broke with dense fog and dampness, but I was determined to look put-together for the conference panel I was taking part in, so I flat-ironed the crap out of my hair and headed off to the venue. Fog and my hair are not compatriots. By the time I got there, I’m sure I looked like a blondish Brillo pad.
The talk, I think, went well, but I can’t say for sure what I said. I had made an outline the night before, but since I was last speaker, I filled in a lot based on what others had touched on, and kind of winged it. Public speaking used to make me feel ill, but now, I really don’t mind so much. Chalk it up to the benefits of getting older and more confident. Yay! Oh, and I got to meet a lot of really, super cool people.
After the panel was over, a group of us went out for lunch and socialized a bit, then I was able to head off to Trader Joe’s and Ikea. Yes, I came home with a trunk full, and I do mean FULL of stuff. The only drawback was the lack of a space to put refrigerated things, but even so- it was so stinkin’ much fun!
Saturday night there was a dinner and social for the people in town for the conference, and while I showed up for a little bit, I was really tired and begged out early.
Sunday morning, suddenly missing my family, I headed home. The boys followed my progress towards home using Google Earth, which just makes technology so COOL.
And what do you suppose I found when I got home? I will tell you: My children were happy, clean and playing quietly. The dishes were done, the floors were clean, the laundry was done, folded and put away, and my husband was cleaning the kitchen as I entered the house. Yes, I am serious.
Talk about making my heart go pitter-patter.
I’m so leaving more often. Only next time, I’m taking DH with me. I waited too long to do this, and my advice for anyone who hasn’t taken a break- do it. And do it now. Your kids will survive, and you will be a happier, healthier mama.
Just got home from Seattle and my first totally grown-up weekend since becoming a mama- Details forthcoming… Playing with my kids right now.
All right, it’s been a while since I did a Meme… and this one is kinda fun. It’s about being a mom. So read. Or not. I understand either way. Cause I’m a mom. That’s why.
1. How long have you been a Mom?
6 years, 42 days, and about 10 hours. Give or take.
2. How many children call you Mommy/Mom/Mama?:
Three, incessantly. Sometimes I tell them to call me Gladys.
3. Girl? Boy? or both?
Two sons and a daughter who has no choice but to be a tomboy. Poor thing.
4. Did you know what you were having?:
All three times. Although, I really didn’t believe Abby would be a girl until I saw for myself.
5. How old were you when you became a Mom?
29
6. How long were you in labor?
Jeffrey, 18 1/2 hours, Beanie 6 hours, Abby about five minutes.
Apparently question #7 is missing. ?????
8. What was your least favorite thing about labor?
Ugh, this is a joke question, right? I mean really, who doesn’t like body-siezing cramps, the entire world looking at your bits every five minutes, strangers sticking their fingers in your bits while you cramp, stitches in your bits and pushing out 8+ pounds of human through what would normally be a very small opening? Really? Who doesn’t? I did get me some baby out of all that though, so I guess it wasn’t all bad.
9. Do you want more kids?:
Always did, but DH and my OB say no way. Something about me and barf, but I can’t quite remember what, though…
10. Do you plan on having more soon?:Noooooooo.
11. Does daddy change diapers?
Absolutely. Always has. Why wouldn’t he?
12. How many times have you been peed on?:
This is a joke, right? We were supposed to keep track of that, along with all the other crap that was supposed to go in the baby book? Oh crap, now I’m really a sucky mom.
13. Barfed on?:
Bwa-hahahahAHAHAHAHA!!! Anyone ever met my oldest son, Jeffrey? He barfed everyday of his life, like 3 or 4 times a day- until he was two. He still barfs if he cries or laughs or coughs too hard. Buckets of barf. Legions, even. Barrels. Barf. He he he. Do I know barf… sheesh. Don’t get me started.
14. Is your child named after anyone?
.Jeffrey is names after DH, Beanie is named after both my brothers, and Abigail is named for my Grandma who passed away a few years ago.
15. How did you come up with their name(s)?Argued a lot. Beanie and Abby were nameless for quite a while. No one had a name in utero.
16. When your child(ren) gets in trouble, who is the bad guy?
We take turns. But really, dad has the big guns.
17. And who is the good guy?
I always heard the good guy was the man in the white hat. Or was it yellow?
18. What is the longest you have been away from your child(ren)?
Never have been away. But tomorrow… tomorrow, lalalallalalalalala!
19. Kids bedtime routine?
Lot of screaming and running around, usually some potty humor and a few magic tricks, splattering of toothpaste on the mirror, kisses, hugs, prayers, lights out. Getting up to get a drink of water. I have to pee pee! Mom, I can’t find Yellow Bear. Where’s Cowy? I need water! Mom, I think I have to cough. MOooooom! Can I have a sheet? I had a bad dream. You haven’t been asleep yet… Go to BED! NOW! Lights out. Repeat. And Again..
20. Are your toes painted?
Always always always. RED. I don’t think my toes have been natural in a million years.
21. Last movie you saw in the theater?
The highbrow and sensitively cinematographic film noir, Over the Hedge, for the children’s matinee this summer…
22. Last time you had a date?
Oooh, we had a good one about two weeks ago for our anniversary. Fancy restaurant, lovely blue box with a trinket inside…Very nice indeed.
23. One thing you will not give up just because you are a mom?
My identity? Hmm, nope that’s pretty much gone. My wardrobe? Yup, that’s gone too. My figure? Well, three babies in a little over four years, and well, that’s pretty gone too. Hmmm. My creativity? Oh, that’s it! It’s funny what happens in your mind when you get no sleep! look at all the pretty colors…. Lalalalala….
24. One thing you did give up now that you’re a mom?
Oil painting. Sharpie markers anywhere in the house. Long flowing clean hair. Clothing with real waist bands. Smelling fresh as a flower. Cooking things that are green.
25. Best Mom you know?
Oh, no way. This is a trick question, and while my mind may be on the fritz, no way am I putting my head in that noose. Uh-uh. Nope. No way.
Play along if you want to, but let me know in the comments so I can laugh at you, too.
Shhhhh…. I don’t want to say it too loud, because of what happened last time, but I’m planning to take a little trip this weekend. This will be, if all goes as hoped, my first night away from my kids EVER.
My darling husband made the mistake of equating “being in the hospital having another baby” as being a night away, but I dispatched him of that idea posthaste. Otherthan having another baby, this will be the first night away from my home since becoming a mother. About time, eh?
What we really need is a few nights away together, but for now, DH is staying home with the Monkeys- and they are dancing in circles because Dad promised ice cream for dinner on Friday night. And for breakfast Saturday. Yeah. I went to the market and bought a few frozen pizzas and snacks- DH is a disaster in the kitchen, and it’s either I provide easy things he can microwave, or they really will eat ice cream for all their meals.
It’s been more than ten years since I’ve been to Seattle- I wonder if I will even be able to find my way around! I’m visiting some friends and going to a conference, but I’m most excited about hitting Ikea and Trader Joe’s. All. By. Myself. There also was a restaurant in the U-District that I loved once upon a time, back in my student days, and if I can find it, I’ll go there, too. It was called Salute- anyone know of it?
I can’t remember the last time I could do whatever I want- What’s it going to be like to actually put on some nice clothes and have them remain clean? Will I be able to function without being a human napkin and kleenex? How will I remember to wake up in the morning, alonein my bed? Ohhhhh, delicious! I can’t wait!
( I miss them already)
These cinnamon rolls are the closest thing you’re ever going to make at home to the real deal. I say that with absolute certainty and calm. They. Are. It. I’ve held this recipe close to the bone for a long time, mamas, but I will now divulge the secret:
Pudding.
That’s right, you make the rolls with vanilla pudding as your primary liquid. That, and a lot of butter. I have no idea what the nutritional breakdown is, but to be on the safe side, and out of kindness to your heart, I suggest making them only 2 or 3 times a year. Without further ado, I give you,
My Cinnamon Rolls!
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 2 packages dry yeast
- 2 Tbsp sugar
Bloom the yeast with the sugar in the warm water, waiting for froth and bubbles.
- 1/2 cup instant vanilla pudding powder
- 1 c warm water
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 2 lightly beaten eggs
- 1 tsp salt
- 5-6 cups all-purpose flour
In a large bowl, with a wire whip, mix the pudding powder with the water until well combined and smooth. Add the butter, eggs and salt, whisk to combine well.
Add the bloomed yeast/sugar/water mixture and combine well.
Add flour, one cup at a time, until the dough comes together, and is still soft, but not sticky. Knead until smooth. It will feel like fat baby thighs.
Let rise in a warm, covered and lightly oiled bowl until doubled in size. About 2 hours.
Punch down, and knead again.
With a rolling pin and a lightly floured board, roll out the dough to a 34 x 22 inch rectangle. Keep moving the dough as you roll, to keep from sticking to the board.
- 1 cup melted butter
- 2 1/2 cups light brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp cinnamon
Melt the butter and pour the whole cup on your rolled out rectangle of dough. (I told you only a few times a year!) In a separate bowl, combine with your impeccably clean hands, the sugar and cinnamon, then cover the butter-drenched dough rectangle in an even and delectable layer of cinnamon sugar.
Starting at the 22 inch side, roll the entire thing into a nice, long cinnamon tube. Seal the edge with a little bit of water on a pastry brush or your fingers.
With a serrated knife, (or even better, a piece of thread or dental floss) cut the log into 2 inch segments, and carefully move your giant cinnamon treasures to a glass pan. Put no more than 8 in a large glass Pyrex casserole dish. Do not crowd them- they will rise almost double. Whatever baking dish you use, deeper sides give the rolls a softer exterior = better.
Cover in a warm place and let them rise again until fat and happy- about two hours.
Bake at 350* for 15-18 minutes. Really, only that long. Do not over-bake. You want them to be soft, yet set, in the middle. The house will smell divine.
Icing:
- 8 oz. softened cream cheese
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3 cups confectioners sugar
- 1 Tbsp cream
Whip all ingredients together and smear on top of still warm rolls.
Remember, only a few times a year!! (For us, it’s Christmas and General Conference- the grand-poo-bah of all Mormon meetings) Your taste buds will rejoice, your heart will need a serious, sweat inducing walk afterwards. Enjoy!!
Sorry for the slacking. It’s been a long, sick week, but it looks like we’re at the tail-end. Hopefully…
Jeffrey scored his first goal in his soccer game yesterday. He was pleased as punch with himself. Beanie has pretty much quit soccer- he feels like he’s played, and isn’t really interested in being part of a team. He’s pretty young, and I probably should have waited anyway.
My birthday was lovely, thank you all very much for your kind wishes. Once I got over the idea of doing anything for “me” I actually enjoyed the day at home in jammies. Lately, it’s rare to spend a whole day at home.
Uncle Freddy was up for a visit this week- it’s always good to spend time with him, and we had a nice lunch out, sans kiddies.
I’m struggling a little with disappointment- I was scheduled to have some more family visit this October, but it’s all pretty much fallen to the winds. My kids just miss their grandparents terribly.
The plan is for me to travel next weekend. By myself. I don’t want to say that out loud, because of what happened last time I tried this… But that’s the plan anyway. I’m headed to Seattle for a conference I’m scheduled to take part in, and it will be my first night away from my kids. Ever. Keeping fingers crossed.
I love General Conference weekend. Love it. (General Conference is the grand poo-bah of Mormon church meetings- it means we don’t go to church, can stay home all weekend, and watch the broadcast on TV or online, in our jammies.) I just have to say, for anyone who watched Saturday, Elder Wirthlin brought me to tears. Holy cow, talk about perseverance and focus. And seeing Elder Nelson holding him up, while he was talking about the love of Christ buoying us up, was amazing.
Making cinnamon rolls and funeral potatoes for today. Mmmmm mmm mmm.
We are experiencing our second case of someone getting hold of our credit card numbers this year. Grrrrr. Thankfully, we had put a fraud-watch on our names after the last time, so the bank caught it before it was really rung-up. What a nightmare.
Ending on a more positive note, I got a big paper pickle in the mail from my brother for my birthday, a lovely boquet from my husband (who already did right with the Blue box for our anniversary two weeks ago), a fabulous package with beautiful surprises from Emily and tons of well wishes.
It’s my birthday.
Perhaps I belong upstairs sleeping- it is 2:20 in the morning- but since I’ve been up and down all night anyway, writing sounded more therapeutic than sleep.
Both boys are curled in their beds, buffeted and swaddled in clean towels, round three. Their bathtub has become the repository for the linen casualties of the stomach flu that is trouncing through our house. Three pairs of jammies, two sets of sheets, one comforter, four towels and two pillows down, sleep finally finds their weary heads, and their tummies allow them respite.
Abby had four immunizations today (yesterday? it’s all rolled together) and has been fitfully sleeping and crying-out much of the night. As much as I try to keep the keep the sick bugs isolated and wash up, I fear making her sick to, as I move between my children in the low lamplight of the wee hours.
Does anyone ever have any idea how intimate they will become with barf before they are mothers? One may have been the most delicate flower before motherhood, but once that baby comes, there is no room for squeamishness or fear of fluids. It’s all you, mama.
Originally, I the idea I would get a sitter and do fun stuff for myself today. Instead, I have the privilege of caring for my sick children in my warm house in a safe neighborhood, and I will count my blessings. It shouldn’t be too hard- actually, I already know- it will be an embarrassment of abundance.
For I am richly blessed indeed.
Thank you, Mamas, for all of your love an support and prayers and goodness you send my way. I appreciate each of you who checks in with my ordinary life. Once upon a time, I would gift my friends with bouquets of flowers on my birthday to show my love for them. If I could, I would do so for you, so many of whom have become gems in my life.
SOMEONE, while sitting on the potty, had busy little fingers and TORE several LARGE chunks of my French toile WALLPAPER from the bathroom wall. . No one is fessing up. And Beanie has blamed Abby.
All bets are off until I get a confession. Anyone want odds?
Yesssssssss! From here on out, it’s all downhill. Besides the fact that October is my birthday month, I love it because it’s the beginning of the Holidays. There is so much crammed into the next three months, and it’s all things I love.
It really starts at the very end of August- Jeffrey’s birthday- then right on his heels is Beanie’s birthday, and the next day is DH and my wedding anniversary. Then, only two short weeks later, in October, my birthday. Then comes some random friend’s birthdays….ehem…. then Halloween. Then in November we have a family birthday every single week. And they’re big ones too- my brother, my dad, and my cousin, then Thanksgiving, and as soon as the dishes are done on Thanksgiving night, I can get out the Christmas stuff! Hooooooray!
Not to hurry things along or anything. I’m just excited. I’m looking forward to having Christmas in our new house. I think that may be what it takes to finally feel this is home. And I love Christmas in the Northwest… I miss my family in California, but there is nothing better than waking up to snow on Christmas.
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