Monday, June 23, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
the day of sabbath and not a lot of rest
The Day of Sabbath, traditionally known for a day of rest. I wonder when, exactly, that particular tradition ceased to exist. In today's society, weekends are exceptionally busy for most, each person trying to cram all they possibly can into two short days. Each hour planned down to the minute, so that time can be used efficiently and productively. And in the end, this cycle creates more chaos and stress, which is ironic, considering the weekend is our supposed "time off."
I'm not one to talk, because Saturdays and Sundays tend to be my busiest days. My husband's job requires him to travel sporadically during the week, but more often than not, he's gone on the weekends. While most are anxiously awaiting Friday's arrival, I dig my heels in, knowing the craziness has only begun. And Monday, the day dreaded by all, happens to be my favorite day. It's usually the day we welcome the man of the house home, with open and very tired arms. So yes, weekends are busy for me and I have no option but to stay busy, making it impossible to enjoy a day of rest.
While most may think I'm crazy, I don't mind being home alone with my children. I much prefer a busy day to a day of doing nothing, and of course, being home alone with three little ones under the age of 4 keeps me on some very busy toes. I try to keep it fun and interesting for my girls, though I do keep in mind that children benefit from having a day of rest and relaxation more than anyone. That is why, when contemplating loading my girls up for the weekend and driving them 3 hours north, less than a day after getting home from spending a week with the Grandparents (or in Chloe's case, toted around the nation), I opted to stay home with them. It was a hard decision for me, knowing that staying home meant not running in the 10k race I had signed up for, but I knew in my heart of hearts it was the best decision...for them, at least.
So yesterday, our Sabbath, was in a way, a day of rest, though it began bright and early at 5:00am. After going to church and working in the nursery all morning, me and the girls enjoyed some quality time at home. We ate a relaxing not-so-relaxing lunch together, because really, how can you relax when you're trying to feed a 4 and 2 year old who don't understand the concept of sitting still at the table, all the while trying to puree peas and bananas for the hungry little baby, who in the end, gagged on the peas and only nibbled on the bananas. Somehow I found the time to mix together a quick lunch for me, but I can guarantee I ate that lunch standing up, between throwing food on the table for the older girls and attempting to squeeze food between Chloe's pursed lips.
The afternoon and evening were much more enjoyable. Britten and Chloe took good naps, while Ella and I put together a puzzle and enjoyed interesting conversation. When they woke up, I decided it'd be fun to make cookies together, all 4 of us! Why on earth I thought it'd be fun is beyond me, but it did turn out to be an interesting little endeavor, and at least the end product turned out scrumptious. Here's a little taste of our afternoon:
It began a little like this....
...and with the help of these big girls...
...and this little one (given the fact Chloe is 7 months old, she did not actually participate in the measuring or mixing of the ingredients, but she did a darn great job of sitting quietly in the laundry basket* and looking cute)!
It came together like this...
...and ended like that!
I'm not one to talk, because Saturdays and Sundays tend to be my busiest days. My husband's job requires him to travel sporadically during the week, but more often than not, he's gone on the weekends. While most are anxiously awaiting Friday's arrival, I dig my heels in, knowing the craziness has only begun. And Monday, the day dreaded by all, happens to be my favorite day. It's usually the day we welcome the man of the house home, with open and very tired arms. So yes, weekends are busy for me and I have no option but to stay busy, making it impossible to enjoy a day of rest.
While most may think I'm crazy, I don't mind being home alone with my children. I much prefer a busy day to a day of doing nothing, and of course, being home alone with three little ones under the age of 4 keeps me on some very busy toes. I try to keep it fun and interesting for my girls, though I do keep in mind that children benefit from having a day of rest and relaxation more than anyone. That is why, when contemplating loading my girls up for the weekend and driving them 3 hours north, less than a day after getting home from spending a week with the Grandparents (or in Chloe's case, toted around the nation), I opted to stay home with them. It was a hard decision for me, knowing that staying home meant not running in the 10k race I had signed up for, but I knew in my heart of hearts it was the best decision...for them, at least.
So yesterday, our Sabbath, was in a way, a day of rest, though it began bright and early at 5:00am. After going to church and working in the nursery all morning, me and the girls enjoyed some quality time at home. We ate a
The afternoon and evening were much more enjoyable. Britten and Chloe took good naps, while Ella and I put together a puzzle and enjoyed interesting conversation. When they woke up, I decided it'd be fun to make cookies together, all 4 of us! Why on earth I thought it'd be fun is beyond me, but it did turn out to be an interesting little endeavor, and at least the end product turned out scrumptious. Here's a little taste of our afternoon:
It began a little like this....
...and with the help of these big girls...
...and this little one (given the fact Chloe is 7 months old, she did not actually participate in the measuring or mixing of the ingredients, but she did a darn great job of sitting quietly in the laundry basket* and looking cute)!
It came together like this...
...and ended like that!* In case you're wondering about the laundry basket, I find it to be a more comfortable place for Chloe to sit while we're in the kitchen together. She finds her highchair confining, and because of a few instances of her head hitting the hard, tile floor, I needed to find a better and safer alternative to sitting on the floor.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
colorado
We're back! We've actually been home since late Thursday night, but between settling back into our normal routine, unpacking and cleaning our house and my husband leaving town again, I haven't had a spare minute to post anything about our trip.
In a nutshell, the trip was great. The main purpose of going to Colorado was to visit our friends, Kris & Natalie. Kris is my husband's best friend from his college years, and Natalie and I became really close while my husband and I dated. Sadly (for us), they moved away to pursue other things around the time my husband and I married and have since had 3 kids (sound familiar?!). When they settled in the Boulder area two years ago, we vowed to visit them.
My worries and stress about traveling with Chloe were all in vain. She was, hands down, the best baby in the world and handled everything, and I mean everything, in stride.
Here's an example of how well Chloe did on trip out to Colorado. In fact, both there and back, she nursed on the runway, filling her tummy for the trip home, fell asleep the instant we took-off, and woke up, two and a half hours later, the moment the wheels touched the ground. I was absolutely amazed and so was everyone around us! We were so proud of her!
Kris and Natalie went above and beyond the call of the "gracious host" duty! Between allowing us to stay at their home and being our personal taxi, and the fact that we used our frequent flier miles to buy our airplane tickets, this was the cheapest vacation ever! They also planned our days with fun "Colorado" adventures...
...and it began the very night we arrived by going to a Colorado Rockies baseball game!
As you can see, Chloe was a huge fan...
..and despite being a little tired from our trip, loved every minute of the game!
We spent the next day in Estes Park, seeing the beautiful sites, visiting the historic Stanley Hotel where the movie "The Shining" was produced, and enjoying the best darn pizza and homemade ice cream I've ever eaten in my life!
Here's the view from the porch of the Stanley Hotel. Notice the handy contraption on my husband's back? We borrowed that from our neighbor, who coincidentally, used to live in Colorado. They assured us, that after using that backpack for a few days, we'd love it so much we'd want to have three more kids...
Not. :)
We spent our last night in Colorado hanging out in downtown Boulder. It was, by far, the coolest atmosphere and some of the most fun we've had in a long time. Notice the red double stroller in the background? This was "home" to Chloe and Jocelyn, Kris and Natalie's 2 1/2 month old, for most of our trip. 
Boulder is such a unique city, with live music and street entertainers lining the corners. They also had a farmer's market, where we enjoyed some wonderful food and did a little wine tasting.
Here we are...The three of us. Enjoying our last night together before heading home to reality.
Chloe was plum wore out by the time we left, not even moving a muscle while sleeping on the trip home.
Like I said, it was a great trip with memories we'll cherish! It was nice to get home, though, and reunite with Ella and Britten. We missed them to pieces, and though it helped to fill the void by spending time with Kris & Natalie's kids, we aren't complete unless we're a family of 5!
In a nutshell, the trip was great. The main purpose of going to Colorado was to visit our friends, Kris & Natalie. Kris is my husband's best friend from his college years, and Natalie and I became really close while my husband and I dated. Sadly (for us), they moved away to pursue other things around the time my husband and I married and have since had 3 kids (sound familiar?!). When they settled in the Boulder area two years ago, we vowed to visit them.
My worries and stress about traveling with Chloe were all in vain. She was, hands down, the best baby in the world and handled everything, and I mean everything, in stride.
Here's an example of how well Chloe did on trip out to Colorado. In fact, both there and back, she nursed on the runway, filling her tummy for the trip home, fell asleep the instant we took-off, and woke up, two and a half hours later, the moment the wheels touched the ground. I was absolutely amazed and so was everyone around us! We were so proud of her!Kris and Natalie went above and beyond the call of the "gracious host" duty! Between allowing us to stay at their home and being our personal taxi, and the fact that we used our frequent flier miles to buy our airplane tickets, this was the cheapest vacation ever! They also planned our days with fun "Colorado" adventures...
...and it began the very night we arrived by going to a Colorado Rockies baseball game!
As you can see, Chloe was a huge fan...
..and despite being a little tired from our trip, loved every minute of the game!
We spent the next day in Estes Park, seeing the beautiful sites, visiting the historic Stanley Hotel where the movie "The Shining" was produced, and enjoying the best darn pizza and homemade ice cream I've ever eaten in my life!
Here's the view from the porch of the Stanley Hotel. Notice the handy contraption on my husband's back? We borrowed that from our neighbor, who coincidentally, used to live in Colorado. They assured us, that after using that backpack for a few days, we'd love it so much we'd want to have three more kids...Not. :)
We spent our last night in Colorado hanging out in downtown Boulder. It was, by far, the coolest atmosphere and some of the most fun we've had in a long time. Notice the red double stroller in the background? This was "home" to Chloe and Jocelyn, Kris and Natalie's 2 1/2 month old, for most of our trip. 
Boulder is such a unique city, with live music and street entertainers lining the corners. They also had a farmer's market, where we enjoyed some wonderful food and did a little wine tasting.
Here we are...The three of us. Enjoying our last night together before heading home to reality.
Chloe was plum wore out by the time we left, not even moving a muscle while sleeping on the trip home.Like I said, it was a great trip with memories we'll cherish! It was nice to get home, though, and reunite with Ella and Britten. We missed them to pieces, and though it helped to fill the void by spending time with Kris & Natalie's kids, we aren't complete unless we're a family of 5!
what it means to be a nurse
The following conversation is one that I shared with Ella about her time spent at Grandma Patty and Grandpa Dave's house:
Me: "Ella, did Grandma Patty take you and Britten to the hospital to visit with old people?"
Ella: "No. But after we leave, Grandma is going to work at the hospital and help nurse people." (Grandma Patty works as a nurse.)
Me: "Do you know what it means to be a "nurse?"
Ella. "Yes. Grandma is going to help nurse babies."
Me: "Ella, did Grandma Patty take you and Britten to the hospital to visit with old people?"
Ella: "No. But after we leave, Grandma is going to work at the hospital and help nurse people." (Grandma Patty works as a nurse.)
Me: "Do you know what it means to be a "nurse?"
Ella. "Yes. Grandma is going to help nurse babies."
Monday, June 16, 2008
and we're off!
We officially began our vacation last night by dropping the older girls off with Grandma Patty and Grandpa Dave. We met halfway to avoid either us of us having to make the entire 5 hour trek, and fortunately for us, we were able to stretch our legs and fill our tummies at the Golden Arches.
By the look on my face, it's pretty obvious I wasn't too thrilled about the idea of scarfing down a greasy cheeseburger, but the girls certainly didn't mind the food and of course, LOVED the Playland.
Grandma & Grandpa got the girls home by 11:30pm, and after talking with them first thing this morning, we learned they crashed and went right to sleep after the long drive. Even so, they woke up bright and early, rearing to go, at 7:30am. As always, Grandma Patty was prepared with an itinerary of a fun-filled day.
First things first. Clean off the playhouse!
Then they were off to take their new "wheels" for a spin!
Like I said, already a fun-filled morning! I love seeing their smiling faces! Is it pathetic to admit that I already miss them to pieces!
We haven't left yet for Colorado, but we leave for the airport in an hour or so. I'm hoping to to blog from the mountains, but I'm not sure time will allow for such a thing!
For those of you wondering, I AM going to try and run while we're in Colorado, but I'm afraid of the altitude kicking my butt! We'll see what happens!
By the look on my face, it's pretty obvious I wasn't too thrilled about the idea of scarfing down a greasy cheeseburger, but the girls certainly didn't mind the food and of course, LOVED the Playland.
Grandma & Grandpa got the girls home by 11:30pm, and after talking with them first thing this morning, we learned they crashed and went right to sleep after the long drive. Even so, they woke up bright and early, rearing to go, at 7:30am. As always, Grandma Patty was prepared with an itinerary of a fun-filled day.
First things first. Clean off the playhouse!
Then they were off to take their new "wheels" for a spin!
Like I said, already a fun-filled morning! I love seeing their smiling faces! Is it pathetic to admit that I already miss them to pieces!We haven't left yet for Colorado, but we leave for the airport in an hour or so. I'm hoping to to blog from the mountains, but I'm not sure time will allow for such a thing!
For those of you wondering, I AM going to try and run while we're in Colorado, but I'm afraid of the altitude kicking my butt! We'll see what happens!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
spoiled
I'm the first to admit that I'm the stricter parent between me and my husband. Whether it's discipline or snacks, the girls much prefer Daddy's method to Mommy's. Daddy has a hard time saying no to his girls, when they give him the doe eyes and say "pretty please." So when one of them complains that their sippy cup is "too cold to hold," Daddy goes above and beyond (as always) to please his little princesses:
In case you're wondering, this is Britten's sock stretched over the cup (and somehow, he's managed to use Chloe's little socks for this same purpose before). Oh, Daddy, you've outdone me again!
In case you're wondering, this is Britten's sock stretched over the cup (and somehow, he's managed to use Chloe's little socks for this same purpose before). Oh, Daddy, you've outdone me again!
Friday, June 13, 2008
traveling not-so "light" with a "light"weight in tow
Our trip to Colorado next week will be the first vacation in which I've flown with one of my children. I know that seems impossible, considering we have a 4 1/2 year old, but really, it's true. I can count on one hand the number of times I've flown since having children, and when I have, I'm flying strictly for childless vacation purposes.
I always end up sitting next to a mom and her baby, or right across the aisle from a family with small children. I can assure you I am not the person rolling my eyes or grumbling under my breath about the crying baby or the screaming toddler. I am the understanding mother, trying my best to relieve the tension with an empathetic smile. But under that smile, I am always pondering the same thought, "Someday that will be me - the frazzled mom with a screaming baby or a tantrum-throwing toddler - and I absolutely dread that day."
That dreaded day has finally come, and truthfully, I'm excited about traveling with Chloe. I think she'll manage fine with the flight and our Colorado adventure. Chloe's very adaptable and is known to "go with the flow." But as I prepare for our trip, I'm becoming absolutely overwhelmed by the amount of "baby stuff" we need to bring in order to sustain Chloe for 4 measly days. I thought it was rough for me, as a woman, to travel light ("Yes, hubby, I NEED 8 pairs of shoes, because you just never know, you know?!"). But for some reason, my 18 pound baby puts my packing habits to shame. Here's what I mean...
Things to pack for Chloe:
I always end up sitting next to a mom and her baby, or right across the aisle from a family with small children. I can assure you I am not the person rolling my eyes or grumbling under my breath about the crying baby or the screaming toddler. I am the understanding mother, trying my best to relieve the tension with an empathetic smile. But under that smile, I am always pondering the same thought, "Someday that will be me - the frazzled mom with a screaming baby or a tantrum-throwing toddler - and I absolutely dread that day."
That dreaded day has finally come, and truthfully, I'm excited about traveling with Chloe. I think she'll manage fine with the flight and our Colorado adventure. Chloe's very adaptable and is known to "go with the flow." But as I prepare for our trip, I'm becoming absolutely overwhelmed by the amount of "baby stuff" we need to bring in order to sustain Chloe for 4 measly days. I thought it was rough for me, as a woman, to travel light ("Yes, hubby, I NEED 8 pairs of shoes, because you just never know, you know?!"). But for some reason, my 18 pound baby puts my packing habits to shame. Here's what I mean...
Things to pack for Chloe:
- 4 summer outfits
- 2 winter outfits, because in Colorado, it could snow in June
- 4 onesies
- 2 pair of socks
- shoes/sandals
- 3 sets of pajamas - 1 warm, 2 cool
- coat
- sweatshirt
- bathing suit
- swimming diapers
- sun hat
- sun screen
- hair clips - you know, to keep her "wisps" out of her eyes
- baby shampoo
- diapers
- wipes
- ointment
- medicine (Tylenol & teething medicine, because you just never know!)
- 2 nuks
- baby food, because in recent days, Chloe's been eating food
- baby spoon
- bib
- a few toys
- car seat for the rented car
- baby back-pack carrier, borrowed to us by our wonderful neighbors
- nursing cover, though it does little to no good nowadays, as Chloe gets SO irritated by it and ends up pushing it out of her face.
- burp cloths
- pack'n'play
- booster seat
- stroller
- breast pump, because you never know when that would come in handy!
- nail polish to paint her cute little toe nails (I'm kidding on that one. I'll be packing nail polish for sure. :) j/k)
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