Random Pictures from this week

Enjoy!

Deep Breath

I would like to go on record by saying this... Trying to prepare to go to college was a lot easier when I was 1)Still in high school and had teachers, my parents, guidance counselors breathing down my neck to fill out all my applications for schools, scholarships, etc. 2)Younger and felt I had my whole life ahead of me and all the time in the world and 3) I was living with my parents.  If I had a question or wanted help getting the ball moving all I had to do was ask them.  Now that I'm 7 years from my high school graduation and 5 years from my *first* college graduation I feel completely lost.  Like where in the world do I start?  How do I get this ball moving?  I know once it's all said and done and I'm holding my degree all this will be worth it.  But it's stressful thinking about how I'm going to do this.  How am I going to juggle being a wife, mother and student?  Where is the money going to come from (do they sell those money trees yet?)?  How will the kids react to me not being around as much?  And when will I find time to study?  Good gracious alive.  Where to start.. where to start.. where to start...

To:

Nathan-

You completed our family.  You are my baby boy who tipped the scales at 8 pounds, 3 ounces.  In the short 4 months and 20 days that you have been here, you have enriched my life more than you will ever know.  You have taught me that the heart is never too full, that there is always room for more love.  You have shown me that each child is different and with each child there are new challenges and new blessings.  You, my sweet chunky child, have the prettiest, gummiest smile.  Your cheeks are plump and gorgeous.  I love to smell the top of your sweet baby head while you nurse.  Moments like that I hope to hold in my heart and treasure for always.  You give your cuddles sparingly but it's makes it all the more wonderful to enjoy when you do cuddle up for a nap.  My littlest man you have a lifetime ahead of you and I wish and hope for many good and wonderful times in your life with a few bad.. just to make you appreciate the good times.  Thank you for allowing me to be your mommy and thank you for being my son.

Love,

Momma

Sweet Potatoes

Nathan had his first taste of sweet potatoes today.  He didn't really show a negative or positive reaction to them, so I couldn't really tell you if he liked them or not.  He ate about 1/4 of the jar.  We'll try again tomorrow.

Perhaps a new adventure

With full support from my husband I'm possibly going to be embarking on a new adventure come January 2009.  If the money falls into place and the planets aline just right... I'll be starting school.. again.  (Ha, ha, ha.. daddy bet ya didn't see that coming!)  I am going to go talk to the school's counselor and see if my credits from my accounting degree will transfer over to some point and see what all I still need to get a nursing (my Aunt Karen Kay just perked up.. lol) degree.  I'm wanting to get my RN and then transfer over to either Jacksonville State or UAB and get my bachelors in nursing.  When it's all said and done I want to be an OB nurse.  I guess you could say I was inspired by Kent's sister by her decision to do the same.  It's amazing how an 18 year can do that to an elder (ha!) like me.  I was telling Kent that I just really want to do this and feel it's the right thing.  I had such a good experience with my OB nurses with all my kids and I would love to give someone else the same good experience.  It will take a lot of work to do this, especially with 3 kids and a husband but I know it can be done.  It will take time and I'll graduate eventually...  I just hope we can figure out a way to make the money end of all this work.  So anyway, there is it...  I think I may just have lost my mind!

At least it's her favorite color...

Pink.  As in pink eye.  That's what Zoey has.  The doctor said that she is pretty sure that's what it is but if the eye drops that she prescribed Zoey didn't start making the eye look better by tomorrow, to call her tomorrow and get her reseen because it could be something else that is more serious.  She also put Zoey on antibiotics.  Jon Kent has an ear infection in his right ear.  He is also wheezing again and does with every cold he gets.  We have been putting it off for awhile now to actually say in writing that he has asthma but she finally wrote it in his charts today.  So he is "officially" diagnosed with asthma now.  He is on two puffs of his inhaler a day until Spring and then we will recheck him then.  For now he is on breathing treatments every 4 hours and also on an antibiotic.  Jon Kent goes back in 3 weeks with Nathan to have their ears rechecked.

Frustrated Wuss

We'll be going back to the doctor tomorrow.  :::HUGE sigh:::  The kids came home this afternoon and Zoey's left eye was runny with green gunk.  By the time bedtime rolled around it was pretty bad and her whole left side of her face was swollen.  So after JUST being at the doctor's today I'll be there tomorrow.  I'm going to take Jon Kent too and let the doctor give him the once over as well.  Might as well because if I don't, I'll just have to take him before the week is over.  Not to mention he has been complaining today of his stomach hurting and he is coughing, snotty nosed, etc.  It's not even winter and all this junk has started.  I was talking to a friend of mine and she said her daughter has the green gunky eye and my nephew also has it as well.  The common link in all this.. they all go to the same daycare.  I don't know if it's going through the kids there or if my kids picked it up from a store or a playground or what.. but it's not sitting well with me.  They don't HAVE to go to the daycare.. it was just more of a luxury for me and a socializing thing for them.  But if they are going to get sick from going there.. well the wussy, over protective mommy that I am will just give up her two free days and keep them home.  I'm going to wait to see what the doctor says tomorrow as to what she thinks it is.. so I'll make my final decision on that later.  I just don't want to go back to the cycles of going to the doctor every few weeks like we did last winter... at least if I can help it.  Blech... 

Ear wax troubles

I had to take Nathan to the doctor today.  He has had a cough and rattling in his chest for a few days now.  I thought it was better to be safe than sorry and go ahead and take him in.  He got weighed again and was 18 pounds and 15 ounces.  He is almost 19 pounds!!  Wow!  Anyway, the doctor gave him the once over and his chest and lungs sounded fine.  She looked in his ears and then had to clean them out because of all the ear wax.  (Side note: Nathan gets his ears cleaned every night but by the next day he has more.  I swear if there was a market for selling ear wax that boy would make us millionaires!)  Once she got them all cleaned out she looked at them and one was infected and the other was starting to get infected.  So she put him on a round of antibiotics for 10 days.  We have to go back in 3 weeks.

In other news, it is raining and raining and raining here.  We need it though so I'm not complaining.  I'm just not used to it.  We are dealing with the remains of tropical storm Fay.  It made for an interesting morning while trying to get to the doctor.  A tornado warning was issued for my county and then the county that the doctor's office is in.  It really did make for fun times.  We are supposed to be getting rain from this same system for at least another full day, if not two.  I need to find some things for the kids to do... or we will all go crazy! 

I'll take that in a size...

SIX!!!!  Woot-woot!!!  I'm in a 6 again.  Woohoo!!!  :::Takes my bow:::

I'm not saying I still don't have a long way to go to get my body back to what it once was (if it will ever be that way again for that matter) but it sure feels good to be back to a six. 

Now back to your regularly scheduled entries...

"I just cried a little."

I went to pick the kids up this afternoon and they were both perfectly fine.  In fact, Jon Kent didn't even realize I was there because he was running around playing with another little boy.  Once he did realize I was there, he came running to me telling me how much fun he had.  His teachers said he did great for the rest of the day.  Once he got calmed down, he was fine.  Figures.  I stressed all day about him and he was off having fun.  I'm glad though.  I'm hoping it will just get easier and easier.

I have yet another video of Nathan.  This time I captured him rolling from his back to his belly.  He is rather good at doing it now, too.  Whenever I lay him down he will automatically roll over to his belly.  And while he knows how to roll from his belly to his back, he gets mad and refuses to do it.  Silly little boy.

The pictures above are from tonight.  Kent's sister's boyfriend left his car unlocked.. and all I can say is that he should've locked it.  LOL. 

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Good Grief!

I took the kids to "school" this morning.  Before the car was ever in park Jon Kent starts crying.  I told myself over and over that I HAD to make him go.  He has to learn there is a world outside of me and outside of our small circle of friends and family.  He HAS to learn.  His 2 year old sister has learned it and has LOVED it, so he needs to as well.  He cries all the way down the hall and into the room.  Once we are in the room he starts getting louder and louder.  I'm trying to fill the drop off paper work as quickly as I can, so that I can get out of there and removed myself from the situation.  Hoping it would calm him down.  I kissed him on the forehead and told him to go play and kissed Zoey and told her bye.  By the time I got through the door to leave he was SCREAMING and SCREECHING and stomping his feet and flinging his arms.  As I walked down the hall other teachers were opening their doors, looking out to see what in the world was going on.  I gave an embarrassed smiled and kept on walking.  I got outside to my car (it was parked near the door) and could still faintly hear him.  I felt like the absolute worst mother in the world for 2 reasons.. 1) I just left my first born screaming and probably feeling abandoned and 2) I was mad at him for embarrassing me and making this seemingly easy thing so hard.  He knew he was going, he said he wanted to go, said he wasn't going to cry, knew I was going to pick him up later, etc.  He knew all of this and still just loses it.  It makes me wonder if I am doing the right thing.  Or if all the things in the past I did were wrong by making him need me so much, by not letting them spread their wings more.  But how can that be when Zoey loves going and loves doing new and different things, with or without me.  I know it has a lot to do with personality but good gravy..  I don't know.  It just wasn't a good morning.

Archives of First Feedings

It's amazing how all my kids look a lot alike at about the same age but also have different features as well.  Of course none of them look like me.. I'm not bitter, really I'm not.

A Day of Many Firsts

Today started off like any other day.  We got up, I cooked the kids' their breakfast and we got ready to take the olders to "school".  As I was walking back and forth through the house Nathan was in the floor playing on his mat.  I walked through the living room at one point and he was on his belly.  The boy flipped from back to tummy and I didn't see it!  But it still counts as his first time doing it.

So, I get all the kids loaded up and ready to go to school.  The whole way there Jon Kent keeps telling me he doesn't want to stay and he doesn't like it.  It's breaking my heart and stressing me out all at the same time.  I told Jon Kent over and over the consequences of him not staying at school and going home with me.  1) He would have to go grocery shopping (which he HATES), 2) When we get home he is going straight to timeout, 3) No trip to see his Granny and Paw Paw the next time they ask for him.  He was fine with it all.  I couldn't believe it.  So we drop Zoey off at school and off we go.  And I kept my word too.  And on top of that he had to clean up all his toys and Zoey's toys.  Not only did he enjoy himself all day, he thrived on being alone.  It was weird, if I'm to be honest.  So I don't know what I'm going to do about the whole school thing.  Maybe just let Zoey go.. I don't know.

While I was cleaning up the house Jon Kent was playing with Nathan and acting silly for him.  Nathan got such a big kick out of it he was belly laughing.  It was hilarious.  Jon Kent loved the fact that Nathan was laughing at him.  He kept acting silly for the longest.  Here is a video of that.

And lastly, today I fed Nathan cereal for the first time.  I said I was going to wait but I just wanted to see how Nathan did.  If he fussed with the spoon or spit out more than he ate I was going to just quit and start in another two weeks or so.  But he did very well and ate half of the bowl I made for him.  We'll do it again tomorrow as long as he doesn't react badly the rest of the day to it.  Here is a video of that as well.  Also, enjoy the pictures from it too.

 

PS: The first video is still "processing" so you may have to revisit it once it's done.

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Giggling and Rolling Videos

Two videos for you to enjoy.  One is of Nathan laughing while Kent was playing with him and the other is of Nathan rolling from tummy to back.  Ignore my annoying voice in the rolling video.. it was keeping Nathan from crying so he would roll on camera for me.  I sound super stupid.. but I'll still share the video with you.  ;o)

 

Soccer Try-outs

The try-outs went well.  The kids went right along and didn't hesitate or cry or anything.  We told Jon Kent to take care of his sister but Zoey ended up taking care of Jon Kent in making sure he followed the group.  It was cute.  A lot more kids showed up than I was expecting.  There had to be at least 25-30 kids in just the 6 and under group.  The coaches are going to pick teams Tuesday afternoon and we'll know that night what team we are on and when practices will start.  The first game is September 13th.  The league manager also mentioned that basketball sign-ups start in November.  That is something to look forward to for Jon Kent.  Zoey doesn't care for basketball one bit.. takes after her mother.. smart kid.

Ugh.

I dropped the kids off at "school" this morning and Zoey was good to go.  Jon Kent screamed... and I mean SCREAMED.  It was that ear piercing scream that makes your skin crawl.  One of the workers took him out and I said my good-byes to Zoey and high tailed it.  When we went to pick them up they were both happy and excited to see us.  The teacher said that Jon Kent even made friends with another little boy (Gunter, I believe was his name) and he did fine.  As we were getting into the car Jon Kent told me he didn't want to go back to school.. ever.  That he was put in time out, again.  I asked him why he was put into time out and he said, "Because I was crying for you."  Ugh.  Make me feel as small as an ant, why don't you...  He has since told me repeatedly that he doesn't want to go back to school.  Zoey does, but he doesn't.  Part of me just wants to keep him at home so he doesn't cry and scream anymore.  It was pretty heart breaking.  But another part of me wants him to get used to it.  Because next fall we are going to put him into a pre-K class at one school or another.  And once he is in there he is staying, period.  I just don't know what to do.  I'm torn about it.  He would benefit so much from the mother's day out because he is socializing with other kids.  He is such an anti-social kid (sadly he gets it from me).  But once he gets in there and gets going he seems to be fine.  I just worry that if we keep pushing him he will start resenting "school" and not look forward to it anymore.  I don't know.  What should I do?

Gearing Up For Soccer

We signed Jon Kent and Zoey up for soccer this season.  "Try-outs" are tomorrow morning at 9am.  We got both of the kids their cleats and shin guards the other day.  They were really excited about it and have been practicing kicking the ball into the goal.  Jon Kent is more interested in the actual game of it.  Zoey just likes the "new shoes" and dressing the part.  They are both cute in all their gear though.  I'll try to remember my camera tomorrow so that I can take some pictures of their try-outs.

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Nathan's 4 Month Check-up

We went today for his 4 month appointment (6 days late...).  He weighed 18 lbs, 3 oz (90th %); 25.5 inches (75th %); 17in (50th, I think, %) for head.  He got his shots and all that.  Said we could start him on cereal, yellow or orange veggies, etc.  She said to start feeding Nathan with a spoon and I was like "hmmm ok...?"  She thought I had been giving him cereal in a bottle since he was getting so big.. LOL.  I was like he is just breastfed we haven't even started any type of foods.  She was like, "Oh, well good because I was going to tell you to stop putting it in his bottles." LOL  He is just a big chunk of baby loving, all on mommy's milk!  We go back in 2 months.

Reporting

Well, at 2pm I was pacing.  My house was clean, Nathan was worn out from playing solo with mommy all day, clothes were washed and I still had an hour left...  I was missing my babies and just wanted to know how their day went.  So finally it was time to pick them up and they both came running to me with HUGE smiles on their faces.  They had a good time.  YAY!  Jon Kent and some little boy (the boy with orange and black stripes on his shirt.. as Jon Kent says) had to be put in time out earlier.  They were throwing blocks at each other...  Sorry I laughed when the teacher told me.  Ooops.  Jon Kent told me that the little boy threw blocks first...  Zoey must have turned on the charm because she was obviously the teacher's pet because the teacher said that Zoey ate ALL her sandwich.. wanna know why...  because the teacher FED it to her.  LOL.  Then the teacher wanted to know why I didn't put any cantaloupe in Zoey's lunch box but I did Jon Kent's because "she wanted some too."  Zoey doesn't usually eat cantaloupe but apparently since Jon Kent had some she thought she should too.  They both said they had fun and played with all the kids there.  There were a lot more kids there when I went to pick them up than was there when I dropped them off.  The only disappointment was that they didn't get to play on the playground.  But they understood that they couldn't because it was raining.  Maybe on Friday they can.  So, that was their first day of "school".  I'd have to say that it was a really good day for me too.  I was able to take my time grocery shopping and Nathan got some good one on one time with me.  We played and laughed.. it was good for all of us. 

First Day Pictures

The kids (Jon Kent and Zoey) had their "First Day of School" today.  Really it's just a Mother's Day Out program but it was their first day away from me and being kept by strangers.  It started off OK.  Jon Kent started crying at first but he wasn't hysterical.  He calmed down quickly once he learned he would get to play on the playground and do all sorts of fun things.  Zoey was Zoey.  She jumped right in and told everyone her name and Jon Kent's name.  When I left they had found a huge box of toys and were playing with another little girl.  I'll be back later to update again after I pick them up and see how their full day went.  Here's hoping it went well!!!  By the way, I didn't cry!  I wanted to and almost did but I swallowed the lump in my throat instead and went to buy groceries in peace.

I really...

... want to chicken out.  Tomorrow is the big day.  The first time the kids have ever been kept by strangers.  They are off to "school" tomorrow.  Oh how I hope Jon Kent doesn't cry.. heck I hope *I* don't cry.  Goodness.  I'm more nervous than they are.  They are excited and talk about it all the time.  I, on the other hand, can't stop thinking about them needing something and not getting it.  I won't be there to hold their hands or pick them up if they fall.  Goodness.  BUT.. I am excited for the day to myself.. or at least to myself with Nathan.  We are going grocery shopping (if it's not raining) after we drop the olders off.  Then it's home to do the housework in peace and play.  Nap time will be quiet that is for sure.  Kent will get off at 2pm and I guess we'll all go to pick the olders up at 3pm.  I'm hoping when we do they will still be excited about school.  If not, well.. there is always homeschooling....

To:

Zoey-
My sweet surprise.  You were the girl I dreamed of having since high school.  I always wanted a "Zoey" and you fit the bill.  You are full of life and spirit.  You are sweet, loving, caring and forgiving.  You are more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.  But you aren't all neat and pretty.  You love to get dirty with the best of them and that's what makes you, you.  You love to makes messes, but I'm coming to see that's how you learn.  You have to get your hands dirty and break a few things to figure it out.  You have made me so proud and my heart full.  When you sing and dance it always puts a smile on my face.  Your innocence is pure and beautiful.  You find the simple things in life the most comforting.  Each morning as we snuggle in bed and you play with my ear is a memory in the making.  One that I hope to never forget as you get older.  You have brought more to my life than you will ever realize and I'm hoping as the years pass that we can have more than a mother-daughter relationship, that we can have a friendship as well.  I love you sweet princess, always have and always will.

Love,

Momma

I.. like.. totally forgot

Yesterday was Nathan's 4 month birthday.  With all the excitement of Zoey's crazy acts at the dentist office, I completely forgot to put it into my journal.  Maybe he won't hold it against when he is older. ;o)

I got the kids into a local "Mommy's Day Out" program.  It's on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:30-3.  We'll see if it pans out though.  I'm so afraid of Jon Kent getting hysterical when it's time for me to leave.  They both seem really excited about it.  I think I'm the one dreading it the most.  I mean I want them to go and I'm looking forward to having those two days to just be with Nathan and to get things done around here.. but at the same time I've never done this before.  It's just always been us and if anyone kept them it was family.. not strangers.  I don't know.  I know several people who use the same daycare and they like it so we'll just have to see.  I'm going to and get the kids some back packs and nap sacks sometime this weekend.  Off to "school" they go...

She's a funny drunk

Zoey had to go to the dentist today to have 4 cavities filled and one of her back teeth rebuilt.  The dentist said the best way to handle these types of procedures was to give her a little bit of calming medicine in sprite.  So that's what we did.  The nurse said it would take about 10-15 minutes for it to take effect.  So we went back out into the waiting room and she went over to the blocks and was playing other there with some other kids.  I was keeping an eye on her making sure she wasn't stumbling around.  Ten minutes passes and she was still acting fine.  About the time I told Kent it had already been 10 minutes I look up and Zoey is doing the tilting sideways walk and then she falls over.  I run over to pick her up and she is laughing.  So I take her over to where Kent was sitting and she is just giggling and having a grand ole time.  Kent shot the video of her about that time.  Kent says, "Zoey I love you."  She then follows up with "I looovvvvvvvve...." then laughter.  The waiting room had some people in it and we were the show for the morning.  The nurses were laughing.. it was just funny.  After it was over I went back to talk to the dentist and he said Zoey did wonderfully through it and she even giggled during it.  He said he couldn't have asked for better and she was one of the best he has seen.  When Zoey came out they had a gauze thing between her teeth and it was poking out through her lips and she says to me, "Look momma, my lips have a pillow."  I about died.  She said that in the sweetest, drunkest voice ever.  The dentist said, "Yeah, I told her that her lips were asleep."  It was so funny.  She was loopy for about another hour and then was fine.  She doesn't even remember seeing the dentist.  She just remembers drinking the sprite and after that nothing.  Too funny. 

PS:  The video is a little grainy because it was taken with a cell phone.

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Family Portrait

These are the pictures that we took today.  There are a lot of them!  Enjoy!

Nathan's First Time...

...swinging.  At least in a big swing.  At first he didn't know what to think of it, but after a few swings back and forth he got to enjoying himself.  Jon Kent pushed him for awhile and Zoey too.  I remember the first time I put Jon Kent in that same swing and Zoey too.  Zoey laughed her head off the entire time.  She loved it and still does.  Here is a video of Nathan's first swing:

Last night's bed changes didn't go so well on the Nathan end.  He was up not once, not twice, not even three times.. he was up FIVE times.  FIVE!  I think he just isn't used to the biggness of the crib.  I'm hoping he adjusts soon.  I can handle getting up twice but not five times.  I'm one tired momma this today!

We are going tomorrow to have pictures made.  This will be Nathan's first professional pictures since his hospital picture.  We are getting a new family picture made, since the last one we had done Zoey was 11 months old.  We need an updated one with our new addition in it.  I'm hoping the kids behave. 

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Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes

Zoey is out of her converted crib/toddler bed and is in a big girl bed.  The crib/toddler bed was coverted back into a full crib and is now ready for Nathan.  He was out growing his cradle by the day and his arms were hanging out of the slats.  I hope he likes the crib, it's his only choice for awhile. 

Yes, he can breathe

 

He is too funny.  This is the way he likes to sleep.  I will put the blanket around his waist and legs and he will kick it until it's over his head in one form or another.  Jon Kent told me that Nathan looked like an ice cream cone.  Which I didn't notice it before, but once he said something about it, I could see it too.

To:

Jon Kent-
All my hopes and dreams were born in a 5 pounds, 8 ounce screaming package.  You were so small but so strong.  It took time and is still taking time, but I'm coming to learn the lessons you were sent to teach me.  Patience, compassion, love for the uncontrollable, mercy, humility.  You are teaching me those things.  You have taught me to see things just as they are.  A paper messy with finger paint is really a work of art.  Two straws are really battling figures or swords.  A stick found haphazardly in the yard can be used for sword fighting, pretend fishing or as a bat.  There are times I wish I had more time to just be your mom and that you didn't have to share me.  Not because I love your sister or brother any less but because I want to enjoy each of you for as much and as long as I can.  My heart hurts when I feel like I can't give you enough of my time or energy.  When all you want is for "You to hold me" but I can't right then.  It hurts.  You deserve to be held until my arms fall off.  I wish you could have me all the time.  You deserve that and so much more.  Jon Kent in the last 3 years, 8 months and 19 days you have blessed me with more memories than you could ever imagine.  I love you with all my heart.  I may not be able to hold you forever but you will always, always have my ear for listening, my shoulder for leaning, my hand for holding and my heart for loving.  You deserve that and you will get that. 

Love,

Momma

One Year Ago

It was this time last year that Kent and I made public to family, friends, j-land that we were expecting our third child.  It's wild to think that it's been a whole year.  We have since had a healthy little boy who is full of smiles.  It just doesn't seem like it's been a year.  Wow.

Today we took the kids shopping for fall/winter clothes.  It's tax free weekend here so we took advantage of it while it was there.  They all still need a few more things but for the most part they are set.  They actually enjoyed going with us.  They seemed to have had a good time.  Nathan was pleasant the whole time.  He just rode and looked around or slept.  He has been in such a good mood today.  Then early this evening Kent and I went to the movies to watch the latest Batman movie.  It was alright.  I'm not one for those kinds of movies but Kent enjoyed it, so that's all that matters since it was for his birthday.  About 10 minutes after we got home from the movies my county got put under a tornado warning.  The lightening was pretty intense and it got windy.  But it didn't last too long.  All is quiet now.