Our last day in 2008

It was a good one. Kent was off.. the kids played hard. Took good naps. And are now currently cleaning up there toys getting ready for bed. Here are a few snap shots of what we did today.

Zoey let me make her hair look "silly"

Nathan watching his big brother rock out in his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle underwear.

Nathan looking at his daddy who was off to the side.

Nathan being tortured by his big brother. That's what big brothers do.. right?

Zoey's "fathead" Cinderella

Jon Kent's "fathead" Spiderman
Kent ordered the fatheads months ago and we were going to give them to the kids for Christmas. We totally forgot about them when Christmas finally rolled around. Kent remembered them today.. lol.. oops!

2008 in Review

Well, another year has come and gone. It really is true that the older you get the faster time flies. I can't believe it is already the end of the year. So let's see what happened this year..

I had a baby.

That's about it. =X

This year wasn't our usually frenzy of craziness, but we did have a lot of good moments. We, of course, added to our family in April. Nathan was born on the 7th and he completed our family. He is learning and developing beautifully. Well.. you know.. minus the sleepless nights. But hey.. it's something we can reminisce on next year and laugh about as he snoozes away.. right? Jon Kent went from being a toddler to a little boy. His mannerism have changed from toddler to little boy. He is just growing and learning. It's so amazing. Zoey grew 5 inches over the last year. She has learned to ride a bike and swing herself in a swing. She also got her ears pierced. She is smart, sassy and beautiful. She is also leaving her toddler ways and becoming more of a little girl as each day passes. Kent and I celebrated another year of marriage.. taking it to a grand total of 6 years so far. Which in this day and age is saying a lot. Especially considering the ages we got married at. 18 (me) and 20 (Kent). I believe this year we experienced more growth in our marriage than ever before. It's not something we planned and set a goal to do.. it just happened and we embraced it.. or at least I believe we did. Can't really speak for Kent. Also, as this goes to "press" we may be making one of the most drastic changes.. moving. Kent applied and submitted for a new job that would move us to South Carolina. There's no telling what 2009 has in store for us. But we will just keep on keeping on. God has been good to our family this year. We are healthy, we have family and friends who love us, we have shelter and clothes, we have employment.. or at least Kent does. So we have been blessed.

And to end this random review of 2008 my 2009 resolutions:
Start back to school this Spring.
Get accepted into the nursing program.
Get over the house not being perfectly clean all the time.
Do more activities with the kids.
Do more educational things with the kids.
Don't let life overwhelm me so often.
Become more active.
Give more time to my quiet times.
And lastly and possibly importantly.. get 8 full hours of sleep before the end of 2009.

My Daddy

My daddy has opened an eBay store. Here is the link to that. Poohba's Collectibles. He will be adding more things as he gets more time to do so. So please go check him out and see if he has anything you might be interested in. I'll try to get a link up on my sidebar soon.

Prayers for Stellan

As many of you already know, Stellan is proof of how God still does miracles. God healed Stellan of heart failure while still in the womb. This blogging community came together and prayed and prayed and prayed and God heard and answered our prayers. Now it's time to pray again. Stellan is back in the hospital because of severe RSV. He is currently in the PICU and if he isn't better after tonight they will probably have to put him on the vent. Please say a prayer for him that his body will fight this and that God will give him the strength to do so. He is a sick little boy right now and he needs us to pray for him. So please do. Also, go over to MckMama's blog (by clicking the above button) and read all the updates!

***Edited to Add***
My nephew is also in the hospital with pneumonia. Please pray that he will get better soon as well.

Much to do about nothing

We have all just been recovering from Christmas. I finally opened up the last two toys that the kids received for Christmas today. Yes, it's taken me that long.. I swear whoever packages toys must not have kids. That's all I'm saying.

Saturday evening Jon Kent and Zoey spent the night with my parents. Kent, Nate and myself all went out and did a little shopping with the gift cards we received. I got some new clothes and Kent bought himself a XBOX 360. When we got home it was past time for Nathan's bath (usually at 8pm) so I threw him in the bath really quick and then fed him. After he was done nursing I could tell he wasn't tired so I let him play in the floor while Kent was messing around with the XBOX. Finally, around 10pm (late I know) I put him to bed and he was out. The child didn't wake up until 4:10am. 6 hours people, SIX HOURS! It was like a late Christmas miracle. I didn't really mention it to anyone for fear of having to learn my latest lesson all over again. And I most certainly wasn't going to blog about it. It was just going to bask in the 6 complete hours of sleep that was had by all.

Then last night.. wait for it.. up every 2-3 hours. Yep, heeeeeeeee's baaaaaaaaaack. At least it was for a quick nurse and back down.

I will say this.. in the last 3 or 4 days he has been such a happier baby. I think the probiotics are really working and doing wonders for his belly. I'll probably continue to do that with him even after we are done with the antibiotics.. which today is the last day for that.

***

Can you believe that there are only 2 more days of 2008? Crazy. I am going to go dig through my old journal and see what my New Year's resolutions were for last year. Should be fun seeing if I kept to them.

Well, I'm gone. 2 out of my 3 are sleeping.. can you guess which one isn't?

Taken 2 minutes ago.

Lesson #3067

Sweet face, huh. Riiiight. Although that "sweet face" was screaming at 4:30 this morning and didn't stop until.. oh I don't know.. 5:36. Yeah.. And he was up 3 times before then. So I learned my lesson.. don't brag on the baby unless you want them to do a complete 180 and make you look like an idiot.

Hi, my name is momma and I'm the idiot.

Seriously, I'm baffled by my 3rd child's sleeping woes. Jon Kent was no sleeper either.. but at least he gave me a few nights here and there where he slept all the way through. Zoey at this point was sleeping through the night, every night. Nathan.. hasn't slept through the night once. Not. One. Single. Time. Bah!

ZzzzZzzzZzzzZzzzz

Oh, sorry.. fell asleep there for a second. Yawn.

Nathan, Nathan, Nathan

All of you know Nathan has been giving me.. frustration in the sleep department for months now. Well.. that hasn't changed. He is still not sleeping well at night. Although in the last two nights I have gotten him to eat every 3 hours instead of every 2. Improvement, no?

Yesterday he had a really bad day. He was off his nap routine which made for a miserable day for him and for the only person he wants.. me. I told Kent that sometimes babies have a really bad couple of days before meeting a new milestone. And apparently that's what yesterday was..

Because Nathan has since stood alone, starting feeding himself and actually eating other foods (happily!!!) and now does patty cake. Can you believe it? All in one day! He was a totally different baby today than he was yesterday. He took 2 great naps. Was just a pleasant baby all day.

I have a video of him feeding himself. In the video he wasn't doing what he was just a few minutes before.. and that was grabbing at the puffs and growling, grunting and shoving them in him mouth like he hadn't eaten in months. It was funny. But you still get a general idea in the video.

***

In other happenings.. our house has been "unChristmasfied". As has my blog. I don't know. Once Christmas is over I'm done with the decorations too. Before Christmas all the decorations make everything seem cheery and homey and cozy. December 26th comes and it all just looks like clutter. It's amazing what a day can do..

O'ville Christmas

We had a good Christmas. We spent time with family, ate, opened gifts and just enjoyed it all. The kids were absolutely spoiled.. completely. Everyone was really good to us all. It's wonderful to have so many people who love us and love our kids.

It took us forever to get the kids to settle down Christmas Eve. They were just so excited. And Nathan wasn't feeling too well (antibiotics have his tummy messed up) so he wasn't going down easily. Finally they all went down. Kent and I exchanged gifts. I got him 2 shirts, some underwear (it's an every year thing), 2 gift cards, a watch and then of course his PSP. He got me 2 books, a robe, some perfume and a mother's ring with the kids' birthstones with each of their names beside their stone. The ring is beautiful. I.Love.It! All in all this Christmas was great. There were a few "bumps" but that's life. I can't believe we are in the last week of 2008. Time flies.

Merry Christmas to all!

Merry Christmas

From the O'villers to You!

Luke 2:1-14 (English Standard Version)
Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus Christ 1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels 8And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

Gingerbread House

Better

Today is a much better day than yesterday. Yesterday I was just overwhelmed. I was tired.. although I'm still tired now it's not the same. I guess I just looked at all I had to do, then looked at my kids and knew they still needed me to do for them and take care of them and then looked closer at Nathan and realized the poor little baby still wasn't feeling great and it just felt like the weight of the world was on me. I started to get tense and just worked myself into ball of nerves. I hate it when I do that, because I do it completely to myself. I know things will get done and everyone will be taken care of.. things always work themselves out. I know that. But knowing and accepting it are two different things. Anyway, after Kent got off of work we went to what was supposed to be Jon Kent's first basketball practice but they closed the gym (without telling us). So we went and grabbed a bite to eat and then came home. I cleaned the kitchen while the gingerbread baked. Kent gave the kids a bath and then we decorated the gingerbread (as yall have already seen). The night ended with Kent with his PSP and me with my book. It was great. Relaxing.

Today is just a lazy day. The kids are all still in their PJs and the only reason I'm not is because I have to grab one more gift and then get my eyebrows waxed. My daddy is coming over after lunch to watch the kids for me until Kent gets off of work.. which is an early day for him (2pm). Tonight will be just family night and we are going to build our gingerbread house. It should be a good time. I'll be sure to post some pictures later. Then after the kids are all snug in their beds I plan on curling back up with my book and finishing it.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve (I.Can't.Believe.It). We are going to have Christmas Eve supper with my parents and brother and nephew. I'm looking forward to it. I'm making chili and ham rolls. We may or may not do something with Kent's family earlier in the day. I need to call and see what the plans are there. Since Kent's sister is seriously dating this other guy she is having to squeeze time in with two sets of families. Ahhhh.. I remember those days.... anyway... I can't wait though until tomorrow night.. the kids all excited in their beds.. wondering if Santa is here or not.. Getting to play Santa and setting everything out.. can't wait!! I love being a parent.. especially during times like these. We plan on reading to the kids about the birth of Jesus (the whole, complete and only reason there is a CHRISTmas) and then "The Night Before Christmas" before sending them to bed. Just another tradition we have started and want to keep doing in our family. I hope, when the kids are older, that they look back fondly at their childhood.

Well, this post ended up longer and completely more random than I first intended. Sorry! I hope to be back later with some pictures!! Stay tuned!

Gingerbread Boy.. or Girl

After supper the kids and I made a gingerbread.. person. They helped mix everything together and then decorated it all by themselves minus the eyes and smiley face. I did that to show them how to use their icing bags. I think for 4 and 3 year olds they did a great job. But note to self.. let the gingerbread cool completely before decorating.. duh!

This Ain't Gonna Be Pretty

I'm tired. I'm tired. I'm tired. Not just physically tired but everything else tired. I'm tired of getting up at least 3 times a night. I tired of having to nurse around the clock. I'm tired of Nathan not eating baby food or table food or any food other than me. I'm tired of 45 minute naps. I'm tired of cooking, cleaning, washing, folding, ironing. I'm tired of trying to figure out what to do next. I'm tired of being called momma. I'm tired of hearing momma every 15 freaking seconds. I'm flat out tired.

But yet I still have to truck on. No sick days, no vacation day, not even a lunch break. Just keep trucking on...

That's what being a stay-at-home-mom does..

But some days.. I just wish I had a job that required me to leave the house.. just so I could breathe.

Can anyone else tell I'm have a really, really bad day?

:::Bangs Head:::

Someday I will actually get through a whole month without seeing a pediatrician.. I can just feel it.

So, Nathan and I were at the doctor's office this morning. He was running a fever and not sleeping (REALLY not sleeping.. not just his usual.. normal not sleeping) and pulling at his ears, waking out of the blue screaming, etc. So she looks him over. He has an ear infection and his wheezing is still very present. She gave us a Rx for an oral steroid and another antibiotic. We also have to continue the breathing treatments. Wonderful. She also advised that I talk to his primary pediatrician (she was just on call today since it was Saturday) about getting him referred to a lung specialist (this is where I started freaking) because his wheezing has been habitual most of his short life. So, when we go back in January for his 9 month (!!!) and a recheck of his ears and wheezing I'm going to bring it up. Also, if the wheezing isn't better by Monday we are to bring him back in because 1) RSV and 2) just in case it is something a bit more serious we would get seen before the Christmas rush and madness starts. Hopefully he will be better by Monday. And we are to immediately start "probiotics" so that hopefully the antibiotics won't hurt his tummy so much this go around.

*Whew*

This momma is tired and could really use a nice long nap.. or better yet.. a full night of sleep.

Christmas Mouse

OK, so when I was little we had the "Christmas Mouse" come about a week before Christmas to leave us a little something in our stockings. That way we knew we were on Santa's nice list. It was just one of those traditions that my momma and daddy did. Well, at first Kent thought it was a crazy idea. So we didn't do it Jon Kent's first Christmas. In fact, I think last year was the first time we did it. Anyway, we did it this year for the kids and they thought it was the greatest thing ever. It was just a little something in their stockings and they were thrilled. They had a ton of questions like how did the mouse get in their stockings? Was it a big mouse or a little mouse? How did he get to our house.. on the reindeer? It was pretty cute. So in light of the Christmas Mouse coming to see the kids, he must also see the mommy and daddy.. right? In other words, Kent wanted a present.. lol. So he got one. I told him to pick a number between 1 and 4 (because that's how many gifts I had wrapped for him) and he picked 4 which was.. his PSP. Spoiled husband he is. So he got his "big gift" already. But I don't mind. He is enjoying it.. even as I type. And bonus.. Jon Kent can play it too. Zoey didn't care anything for it. Kent gave me a present too.. two books by Nicholas Sparks including his newest one. I can't want to dive into that one. I love allllll his books!

In other news, we had our first family Christmas gathering tonight. It was with Kent's side of the family. Aunts, uncles and cousins, etc. We had a ton of food and we decided to only exchange gifts with the kids this year. The kids were totally spoiled. They loved all that they got. And I forgot my camera. So yeah.. no pictures.

In other news that doesn't have a thing to do with Christmas... yesterday was college registration. Didn't go. Since it is possible for us to not even be here in a few months because of Kent putting in for a job in other state I didn't think it would be wise to start something that I couldn't finished and would waste money if I had to with drawl. It stinks, but all along I have prayed that God would just provide a clear path and that I would know I was supposed to do it or not. I still feel led to be a nurse but it just may not be as soon as I would have liked. If we stay here I will start in the summer if we don't stay here then I will look at colleges where we move to and start as soon as it is possible. But the desire to be a nurse is still very much on my heart. So we'll just have to see where God takes me.

Well, that does it for me tonight. I'm off to watch my hubby play his PSP.. or maybe start my book.

Yay or Hey

Nathan is saying one of the two.. but not sure which one it is. He will say "yay" when he is clapping his hands and will say "hey" when we walk into a room and say it to him. Hmm, so which should I put into his baby book??? Oh and I have been trying to get him to say "mama" even getting the older two to keep saying it to him over and over.. little stinker won't say anything but on the few occasions where I say "dada" he will say "ahh". So, I'm not going to say "dada" anymore. I can't ruin my perfect record of having the kids say "mama" before "dada". I mean it's the least they could do since you know.. I do EVERYTHING for them.

What I learned today

Mint chocolate brownies are gross. Paula Dean is a great cook but those brownies.. notsomuch.

I found another pro for moving to add to my pros and cons (rather Pop's cons) list.

• When packing all our stuff up. A lot of the junk will be thrown away!

When I tell the kids "No!" they think "I'm mad". So today I told Zoey no about something and she says.. "Momma, why are you always mad?" So apparently.. I say no a lot. =X

I still don't know what to say in most social situations when people say nice things to me or about me. I still just smile and stumble over my words.

Homesick

Kent's grandfather is trying to talk us out of moving. He is 70 years old, set in his ways and loves my kids to pieces. He has literally been Jon Kent's best buddy since the day we brought Jon Kent home from the hospital. Kent's grandparents, my kids' GREAT grandparents, are the sweetest, nicest people you will ever meet. They love my kids to death and they love, love, love taking them off my hands to give me a break. I never have to ask them, they just do.

When we broke the news to them that we may be moving, Kent's grandfather turned pale, the smile vanished. He immediately thought the worst. "We'll never see the kids again." I've told Granny over and over and Pops (that's what I call him, he's PawPaw to everyone else) that they were welcomed over at our house whenever they wanted and for as long as they liked. Our doors are always open. But it still makes Kent's grandfather's heart sick. Which makes me sad. I understand why he feels that way. He has an unexplainable love for Jon Kent (he loves all my kids, but there is just a bond with him and Jon Kent that is unique) and he will miss his best buddy. Kent's grandparents are both retired and they use their mornings to get things done around the house, run errands, do whatever they want just so they can have the afternoons with my kids. I honestly feel guilty some days because they do want the kids so much and the kids love going over there. But I feel like I'm getting away with something wrong.. does that make sense? Anyway, back to the point at hand.. Tonight Kent's grandfather was listing and relisting and relisting all the reasons why we shouldn't move. "A new house payment, no one to help us, no family, having totravel to see family, property taxes will be higher, cost of living will be higher.. ect. We could wait it out a few years and Kent could get the same position here, if we would wait." All of which have some truth to them. But in the long run it would better us to leave. In 5-6 years we could come back and we would be better off. It's hard for Kent's grandfather to see that, because he is up in his years. I honestly think he thinks if we move he will never see the kids again or at least not as much as he would like. That he is getting older and his years fewer. It really does make me sad. Not only for my kids but a little bit for myself.

See.. Pops is a grandfather to me as well. I only knew one of my grandfathers for a short period of time, although he taught me lessons through his death that I carry with me today. Pops is my grandfather too and while we may not be blood related I still have a love for him and especially for Granny that is also unique. I will miss them something trouble as well.. as I will miss all my family. To think about not seeing my own parents whenever I like is hard to swallow sometimes. To know that I won't be able to sit down at church and be surrounded by people who are literally family and people who have known me since I was in diapers. It does make me homesick, even now. But this is a chapter that Kent and I have to write together.. alone. All the other chapters in our lives have been written, in a small part, by others.. as well as ourselves. But this one.. this one is ours. We have to do this for us. To do what is best for us. And while it may hurt hearts, ours included, it will be for our best.

From Nathan

Hi everyone. It's me, Nathan. You know, the incredibly adorable 3rd child of the world's greatest mommy and blogger. My mommy is always writing about me and how cute and wonderful I am. How I'm her favorite (What? She didn't write that? She tells me that alllll the time!). Anyway, back to my point. Lately she has been experimenting with my hair. Spiking it, mohawing it, parking it to one side, etc. But this my friends takes the cake. She has me looking like nerd. Yes, my own daddy called me a nerd. I'm beyond embarrassed. What are all the chicks out there in blogging world going to think of me now? This totally ruined my stud muffin image. I am just so upset. I think this calls for a 1am wake-up call, then a 2am wake-up call, 3am, 4am and 5am wake-up call. Yeah.. that should do it. Then she will be too tired to be creative with my hair. Off to my crib I go.. to pretend to sleep until she gets all nice and cozy in her bed and then.. bwahahaha! Teach her to mess with my head.

Where to begin...

Let's see...

Took the kids to the dentist. They cried at first but once they were back there it all went smoothly. No cavities so no repeat of this. They both have sparkling white teeth now.

"Jane" was indeed the talk of the prison today. I still can't believe it. I mean really.. seriously? I still want to kick her face in.. only because the guy she did that too could've been my husband.. and well, I don't take too kindly to women showing my husband their whoha.. but hey, I'm weird that way.

I made some awesome chicken fingers tonight for supper. I got the recipe from Paula Dean. I was just casually watching her show this past weekend and just saw her making it. So, I took what I remembered and just winged. Turned out pretty good. Kent said he liked it, so that's success to me. I'm going to wing making some brownies that she also made on that show. Hopefully it will turn out well.

After supper the kids and I made "Monkey Munch". If you watch Jon and Kate Plus Eight then you know what I am talking about. It's also known as "Puppy Chow". It's very good and a quick and easy thing to do with the kids. It makes a pretty big bag that we snack on for days.

Well, on the moving front.. if we were to move we would be moving to South Carolina. Still in the south so I'm good.. lol. We are still a ways away before we know anything. It will be probably the end of January or early February before we know anything. A good thing about this is that since the housing market is the pits currently, there are some really nice houses for "little money". Sweet. But still.. it's a ways off. And since all this is still in the air.. I don't know if I will be able to start college. Which does stink.. but hopefully in the long run it will work itself out. Just another thing that I am perfectly fine with leaving it in the hands of God.

Nathan is growing and learning so much these days. His newest thing is cruising the furniture. He just picked that up in the last day or two. Scary to think about how once he figures out he can let go what he will be getting into. He also will clap his hands together when you say, "Yay, Nathan!". It's the cutest thing.

Earlier tonight I was talking on the phone with my daddy and hanging up clothes in Zoey's room and I heard Zoey say, "Maaaaaaaamaaaaaaaa... yooooowhooooooo". I went to see what she wanted and she had opened the door and was out in the garage and Nathan was one more crawl away from going down the steps. It's only 3 steps.. but still.. it would have let a nice little mark. Zoey got in trouble for it and hopefully learned her lesson about opening doors without permission.

Well.. I think that about does it. Sorry about all the randomness!

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Come tomorrow around 9am CST you will be able to hear two very loud screams and cries.. as I will be taking 1 & 2 to the dentist. And oh how they hate the dentist. I'm dreading it already...

She did what?

Good gracious...

So, I'm back from Kent's work's Christmas party. Yeah, it's 11:15pm.. I left early... Had to get home to the kids. Kent is still there since he is the president of the employee's club. He has to stay until the last drunk leaves.

So.. speaking of drunks.

I don't drink. Never have. I just never had a desire to and just don't see the appeal of it. Anyway, everyone at the party was drinking minus.. probably 2% of the rest of us. I was talking to one of the other officers' wife and she told me that another officer's wife was 3 sheets to the wind drunk.. then she said no.. she's 6 sheets to the wind drunk. I asked what happened. (I knew who she was talking about and let's just say..... this woman likes her alcohol and likes to make a scene) She said that "Jane" (I'll call her) went up to another guy and said, "I don't have any panties on." The other guy (not her husband) said, "Oh really?" She says, "Yeah.. see!" And lifts her dress to reveal.. TaDa!!! Yeah.. so I told Kent if I see her anywhere near him or even hear that she was anywhere near him I was kicking her face in...

There is just no reason for that. No reason. That's why I don't drink. You have no control over yourself and I know I don't need to be the prison's gossip come Monday morning. The emails will be flying about her for the rest of next week!

Check out my "I'm taking it off" section

I'm almost there!

Sorry ladies.. he's taken.

Kent was in a "Womanless Beauty Pageant". The really sad thing about all this.. he was 1st Runner-Up. Talk about a proud moment of mine as his wife....

"Contest #5"

Doing his talent. "Ballroom" dancing with another contestant.

Nathan was too embarrassed to even watch. Or maybe he was asleep...

The weekend

Is here... or at least in a few short hours it will be. Although this weekend will be far from relaxing. After the kids wake up from their naps (and if I'm able to shower in time.. you know cranky baby doesn't want his mommy to shower today) I need to make a Wal-Mart run. We are out of just about everything. I need to grab some things to get us through the weekend. Monday is my big grocery shopping day.. so.. just a few things and we should be able to manage it. I also need to pick up our Christmas cards (I am sooo late this year) that I ordered. I'm hoping they are there. I really need to get them addressed and sent out. Then tonight I have a Sunday School Christmas party to go to. Nathan is now nonfeverish but still an ill pot for sure. I want to believe he would be fine here without me.. but you know.. I just can't quit worrying about it. As for tomorrow, Jon Kent has basketball try-outs, Kent has to set up for his work's Christmas party and then we have the actual Christmas party to go to. Somewhere tomorrow I'm hoping to get my cards addressed and sent out. Sunday is church. And then it will be back to Monday and the long week will begin again.. such is my life.

Snot again..

Nathan is sick. Apparently his little immune system is shot. Poor baby. Stinks having older siblings who give you all their germs.. It started as a cold.. but now he has a fever. It was 102.4 the last time I checked it. He is currently passed out in his bed. Poor little one. I really hope this is a 24 hour thing. I have a Sunday School Christmas party tomorrow night to go to.. but if he isn't any better I can't stand to leave him. Not to mention he only nurses (won't take a bottle and will take a sippy cup but not a lot) so if I leave Nathan with Kent, he will probably have a meltdown (Nathan.. well Kent might too.. lol) and I will feel bad that I wasn't here. Not to mention I would worry myself to death the whole time.. Being a mom sometimes isn't all it's cracked up to be. I love it and I love my kids.. but sometimes.. I just want to get away.. guilt free or have someone say.. "Don't worry.. I'll handle whatever he throws at me. You just go and have a good time. You deserve it." Bah... I'm in a funk.. going now.

I have some incredibly funny pictures to share later.. when I am in a better mood.

U-Haul

Now that all our family knows..

Kent is probably going to apply for a computer job with another institution. If he were to get the job we would be moving.. 5 hours from here. It would be a huge, huge change. And I'm not one to take to change too kindly. I hate it. However, it would be a great opportunity for Kent with his career. And it's only 5 hours away.. right? Family could easily travel that and so could we. But still.. No family, no friends.. A new place.. an unfamiliar place. New church, new doctor, new dentist, new house.. All new. I'm excited about it but scared. The good thing about this is that the government would buy our house and reimburse us all moving costs. The bad thing is this house, our house, would belong to someone else "outside" the family. That's the big downside. I'll let y'all know how it turns out. The job doesn't close until the end of the month and then it will be probably another month before the decision is made.

Great News

Nathan doesn't have C-diff!

Check-ups, Check-ups, Check-ups for Everyone!

Jon Kent and Zoey had their yearly check-ups today. Nathan had to have a recheck of his lungs and ears. Here are the stats for Jon Kent and Zoey.



Jon Kent is 35 pounds, 39 and 1/4 inches tall. This time last year he was 32 pounds and 36 inches tall. He is average for weight but below average for height. We are going to keep an eye on his growth and make sure that he does stay on the curve because Kent's brother has a growth hormone deffieceny, so it does run in the family. There are a lot of hormone woes in the family actually.. anyway... otherwise Jon Kent checked out perfectly.



Zoey is 34.2 pounds, 39 and 1/8 inches tall. This time last year she was 28.8 pounds and 34 inches tall. She is above average on both. She shot up 5 inches in the past year. The pediatrician was amazed. Zoey also checked out well and got a clean bill of heath. God is so good to have blessed us this past year with healthy children!



Nathan got a recheck of his ears and lungs. Both are fine now. I did mention the sleepless nights and his poops being very watery without any substance (sorry.. TMI!!!). She asked how long it had been going on (3ish weeks) and when it started (when he went on the steroids and then the antibiotics). So she said she wanted a stool sample (Nathan gladly obliged). She wants to test him for Cdiff. Since all this started when he was on the antibiotics it is likely.. but I'm really hoping it's not. They will call us in a few days to let us know. What we will do from there if he does have it, I'm not really sure. So keep Nate in your prayers.



I'm doing better today. My nose is more clogged but Nathan did sleep a little longer last night.. 4 and half hours. So that was nice. I'm hoping he will get a routine down soon. And Bridgett.. I'm a cry it out kind of mom too (no flames!) when everything else has been done and none of it has worked.. but.. he's in our room.. so I can only handle so much.. ya know? Our only other option is to move him into the room with his brother, but I don't want to do that to Jon Kent. So we are toughing it out.. for now. Kent asked me the other night if Nathan's crib would fit into our closet.. lol.. But it won't.. trust me, I thought about it. We'll get it worked out eventually.. I hope.

Monday Moan

Good grief! If you are a cheery person don't read this.. Because I'm about to complain and moan about my life and quiet frankly.. I don't like your cheerfulness around... OK, so I'm kidding.. sorta.



Jon Kent has a cold. And so far it's only a cold. Although with him it can be a cold today and pneumonia tomorrow. Good thing he and Zoey both have their yearly check-ups tomorrow.. huh. So, since my eldest son is sooo loving.. he kindly gave me his cold as well. I haven't had a cold to really get to me in.. well.. I was pregnant with Nathan. But yesterday around 4pm I couldn't keep my eyes open (although there is more to it than that.. we'll get to that later..) and my body was just flat out on empty. Kent and the kids went to church while I stayed at home. I laid out on the couch and watched a movie and just rested. It was nice. I felt better with just that little bit of rest. I even went to bed early to try and catch back up on my sleep.

Now.. we all know I love my littlest baby boy. He is a wonderful baby. He laughs, he smiles, he plays, he takes great naps.. He is truly a treasure to have.. truly. But lets face it.. he is an awful.. AWFUL nighttime sleeper. I've tried it all.. cosleeping.. he doesn't like it. Rocking him.. or rather swaying him.. because once you sit down.. he's mad. He loves for me to cuddle and sway him. And honestly so do I.. but not a million times at night. Now if he would actually go to sleep it would be different.. but no.. he will quiet down and then when I try to lay him down.. he is mad. And I mean MAD. The ear piercing screams that make you want to go to the nearest cliff and jump. So I give in and feed him.. every two hours. It's the only way he will go back to the sleep. The only way. But he is 8 months old.. there is no reason for him to be getting up that many times at night to eat. Once yeah.. twice.. occasionally. But not 4 times. That just ridiculous. I'm at my wits end. I'm tired, my energy level is nothing.. my patients is gone. I have headaches a lot now because of lack of sleep. It's stressing me out because I keep thinking maybe something is wrong.. but what? I don't know.. but there is something off. I just don't know what it is. You would think after having two other kids I would know more.. but I don't.

I'm just tired.. really, really tired.

Happy 8 Months to Nathan

Nathan is 8 months old today. So hard to believe that we are nearing the one year mark. He is growing and thriving. We were truly blessed when he came into our family. Here are a few of the things he is doing.

• Super fast crawler.
• Eating some table foods. Cares nothing about baby food.
• Somewhat drinking from a sippy cup.
• Still only has 2 teeth.
• STILL getting up 2-4 times a night.. every night.. ZzZzZzZzZz
• Pulling himself up.
• He has cruised the furniture once.
• Loves to play with his siblings' toys and follow them around the house.
• Still only having breastmilk.. unless he sneaks a sip from his brother or sister's cups.

Happy 8 Months, Nathan!!

Breakfast with Santa

Kent's work did a breakfast with Santa thing today. The kids had a good time. Nathan even took a nap while we were there. They had the police there getting fingerprints to put in their data bases and Ident-a-kid was there as well.. taking pictures of the kids, scanning their fingerprint, getting their height and weight, eye color, hair color, etc. so that in case there were ever lost or kidnapped (hopefully never) they would have a record of the kids. It was all pretty neat. By the way, Kent works for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Anyway, then all the kids got to eat breakfast with Santa, take their picture with him and got a $10 gift card. They are looking forward to getting a toy with it.. lol. I was pretty proud of my hubby.. because he and the rest of the employee's club did the whole thing. He is the president of it.. Anyway, it was a good time. They plan on doing it each year that way Ident-a-Kid can update their profiles as they grow.

Complete Randomness

It's Friday, so I'm free to be as random as I please...

I'm amazed at the imagination of kids. They can take the simplest toy and find a hundred and one ways to play with it.. for example:

To us it may just look like a Cinderella tea cart. But no.. it doesn't stop there. It can be used to serve tea and crumpets.. yes.. but it also can serve as a baby stroller, a baby bed, a grocery cart (buggy for my southern readers) and a race car. Yes, my friends a race car. Just take the tray off and get in the middle.. bam.. your turning the corners at the nearest NASCAR track. Seriously.

I swear Nathan gets his little baby kicks by keeping me up at night.

Tomorrow Kent and I are playing Santa and doing our Christmas shopping for the kids. We are also buying all the door prizes for his work's Christmas party. Can we say "money to burn" and double bonus.. it's not mine!

I was reading one of my favorite blogger's blog (Julie) and she had a link to a NY Times article. Now the article is pretty good in and of itself. Long but decent. Anyway, I had trouble really getting through it because of the pictures. I mean.. hello????... who takes pictures like that and lets them be published. It totally made the whole article seem so... full of it. Trust me.. if nothing else.. just look at the pictures. Geez! Here

Nathan is finally eating table food or baby food puffs consistently. Yay! I'm hoping this means I can leave him for more than a few hours at a time without worrying myself to death that he is starving and giving his sitter (OK grands or great grands.. sitter just sounded more... snooty) a hard time.

I love my husband.

It is cold outside. To be in the south it sure is cold. But watch.. it will be 70 degrees Christmas.

My daddy just IM'ed me. He loves me. I'm his favorite.. daughter. Haha, thought I was going to be all stuck up there for a minute.. didn't ya?

My hunky hubby just called.. twice. I love him.

Well.. I do believe that's all my randomness thoughts for the day. Going to go talk to my daddy. And pray that Nathan is still asleep despite the fact that his daddy called twice and thusly.. the phone rang twice.

Crud.. he's awake. Thanks a lot Kent!

Gone

'Tis the season for haircuts. I always seem to chop mine all off right after Thanksgiving. Because that is exactly what I did two years ago. But no fear.. it always for a good cause. Last time it was for Locks of Love. This time it was for Beautiful lengths. So, if you are sick of your long hair.. go chop it off and give it away to a good cause.

Don't mind my lack of make-up. Or my funky layer of clothes. What? I've got style.. didn't say it was good style..

There is my clump of hair. It's at least 8 inches. Hard to tell here because it's wet.

Shhh!

Don't tell the hubs.. but I have baby fever. Good thing he is fixed, huh?

I'm sure it will disappear once Nathan gets up for the 5th time around 3am.

Zoey's Birthday in Review

Zoey had a good day. She got showered with presents from everyone. We took her out to eat for lunch and then to play games at the mall. She also got to talk to Santa Claus. She was pretty excited about that. Then after supper, we went to our town's Christmas parade. We had a blast. Then the great grands asked if the kids could spend the night, so that's how the birthday girl ended her day. I can't believe she is 3!

Happy Birthday, Zoey!!

12.2.05

12.2.06

12.2.07

12.02.08

It was 3 years ago today (at 7:07am) that I gave birth to our sweet surprise. Zoey weighed in at 6 pounds, 13 ounces. She was (and is) our beautiful princess. She came into this world sunny side up because (as we would soon see) she had (and still does) to know exactly what was going on the second she entered this world. Over the last 3 years Zoey has grown into an amazing little girl. She is sweet and full of life. She is truly one of a kind.

Zoey in the last 3 years you have given me more than you will ever realize. Your smile is precious and loving. You have a spark to you that lights up the room. You are smart, beautiful and inspiring. I hope that in the years to come that all your dreams come true. Until then I hope you enjoy your 3rd birthday. You are a wonderful little girl and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Not Me! Monday

You know the drill..

*I did not lose a pound over Thanksgiving. And even if I did, I would not proudly boast of said lossage to everyone who would listen.
*I do not secretly wish that I could go to work just to get some adult time.
*I do not think that my husband should be able to read my mind at all times.
*I did not sleep in every day last week instead of getting up early to go to the gym.
*I do not get up at least 3 times a night to get the baby back to sleep or feed said baby. And even if I do get up that many times, I do not secretly wish that I was the daddy instead of the mommy so I could just blissfully still be asleep.
*I am not afraid of going back to college. I'm afraid of nothing I tell you.. NOTHING!
*I did not love sleeping with my precious last baby last night... even it wasn't only for 15 minutes.
*I am not way behind on my house cleaning. I'm more motivated than that!

Your turn. What did you not do this week?

Nathan as a Santa Baby

"Ho, Ho, Ho!"

This Santa Baby is one jolly fellow!

"Looking for a Mrs. Claus"

(Note from Momma: "Ahem.. only after he can actually grow his own beard and is finished with college)

Christmas Decorating Pictures

Black Friday Survivor

So I did it.. I did the "Black Friday" thing. Although I wasn't one of the early birds.. but I did go early enough. I dropped all the kids off at my parents' house (thank you daddy!) and went off in search of my hunky hubby's Christmas gift(s). It was around 10am when I pulled into the packed (no signs of a weak economy there!) parking lot. I went into the first store.. got what I wanted and stood in line for about 10 minutes. Went to the next store, got what I wanted and stood in line for about 2 minutes. Went to another store, got what I wanted and stood in line for 45 (!!!!) minutes! There was only 4 other transactions in front of me.. but the cashier was soooo slow. I didn't think it would take that long.. but sure enough it did. Anyway, I then went to my next place and got what I wanted and stood in line for about 5 minutes. So all in all it wasn't all that bad. I was back home in under three and half hours. AND I got all the kids their Christmas outfits and their Christmas PJs. AND I'm done (unless I find something else along the way) with Kent's Christmas. WOOT!

Happy Thanksgiving

I'm thankful for my salvation. For the gift that God so freely gave, His Son. I'm thankful for my family. They love me and my children. I'm thankful for the hands that made the delicious food that I ate all (yes, all) day. I'm thankful for my husband. He loves me despite my faults.. he loved me through my darkest days. I'm thankful that out of all the people in this world that God made me one with Kent. We are truly, without any doubt soul mates. I'm thankful for my children. They are all healthy. They are all beautiful. They are all currently playing with their news toys that people so graciously gave them. I'm thankful for the men and women who sacrificed this day with their family to insure freedom for my family... our military. I'm thankful for my freedom. Today, as I think about all I'm thankful for my heart (and stomach) is full. It was a good day.. a really good day.


Happy Thanksgiving!

Wordless Wednesday