Kids

I love my kids. Like a lot.

I think we are probably done having more kids and that makes me sad, but happy.
Total private information, but since when am I a private person?

I guess I am just ready to move on to the next phase of motherhood.
Am I the only one who flip flops about this decision?

I'm going to be 35 this year and once you turn 35 you're considered to be a geriatric maternity patient. I don't want that.

I guess I don't really want to get fat and crabby again either. Or get less sleep than I already don't get. Or be stuck inside - because my babies don't really super love being run ragged.

I like that the kids are all getting older and easier. Our lives are more unified at this point - instead of everything revolving around a baby.
We all eat the same food and drink milk. No more baby food, or breastfeeding, or bottles.
We all can speak English and express our thoughts and feelings.
We can travel and camp and watch movies together.

It's getting to be fun.

It just feels like the whole baby thing went by so fast.

Is this how it's going to feel when the kids are all in high school and don't want to have anything to do with me? Like I blinked my eyes and time jumped ahead of me? Because that's how I feel now, like I blinked and my babies turned in to kids.

(sigh)

Atleast I have friends with babies that I can hold and goo-goo-ga-ga to and smell.
And that makes me happy.

Now I just have to learn how to understand sisters.

"My Dad's Side"

This past week was full of fun, family and - of course - my cousin's wedding!

My Dad is one of seven siblings and I am the oldest of 17 or so first cousins. With that many people in one family it is an extremely rare occasion that the majority of us can get together at one time. But, when we do, you better watch out!

Last week I got to see both my brothers (from Portland and FL) and also my aunt, uncle and cousins from Texas. And we had a blast.

My Dad and some of his siblings have overcome hardships in their lives that some people would never believe. There has been hurt and immense sadness. The reason I'm sharing this is because it shows how people can overcome the obstacles in their lives and come together to share in something good, exciting and happy.

I'll be the first to admit that we're all a little bit nutty, but we love eachother for it.

I have so much love and respect for each person in this family and I'm so glad I got to see everyone and share so many hugs and laughs throughout the week and weekend.

The wedding was so beautiful and so heartfelt - I cried through the whole thing! (thanks Mike!)

We danced and drank and told stories. It really couldn't have been any more fun!

I would like to offer a BIG congratulations to Mike and Andrea on their marriage - you make a beautiful couple and I'm so excited to have yet another cousin!

Pictures

I have a lot of fun stories and pictures from this last weekend, but my camera is dead and charging up.
In the mean time, enjoy these.

So Help Me....

I'm going to go crazy. So help me God, it's true.

Three kids and I can barely keep from losing my mind. How do those (you) Moms do it with 4,5,6 + kids?!?
I suppose I should be more specific. It's not the "regular" stuff like dinner and laundry and baths and what not - I actually enjoy that part. It's the screaming and fighting and tantrums and crying and not listening and talking back and whining that gets me.
I have been trying for 6 1/2 years to not let that stuff bother me. I so badly want to be one of those Moms who keeps her cool and is able to diffuse the situation with a hug and kind and gentle words. Not only is that not exactly natural for me, but it really doesn't seem to work with my kids anyway.
Take last night for example: BOTH Laila and Delaney were melting down because they wanted a bag of chips that they saw on the counter at dance class. Laney goes in to this high pitched crying/whining and Laila follows suit with louder and LOUDER requests as we're walking out the door. I'm carrying the bag of shoes and all CeCe's costumes (it was dress rehearsal) and Laila decided to go boneless and throw herself on the floor.

Boom: I'm angry.

Without saying a word I scoop Laila up under my arm and haul her out like a bag of dog food all while she is going in to her blood curdling scream mode. Laney is still trying to cry and whine at me, which I can barely even hear over the screaming, people are looking around to see if a child has just cut their finger off or something and then quickly realize it's just Laila and then their gaze turns to pity on me.
We get to the car and I tell the big girls through clenched jaw to get in their carseats so I can wrestle Laila in to hers. She is still screaming and it is so loud it actually hurts my ears - seriously, just ask Bill. I get her in and come around to buckle Laney and she's still trying to cry at me over the bag of chips. So help me.
I get in the front seat, turn the car on, turn up the radio and attempt to ignore it. I can't. I turn around and tell EVERYONE TO JUST STOP SCREAMING AND LOOK OUT THE WINDOW!

Wow. What a great example. It's no wonder my kids are the way they are.

There's got to be a way to diffuse some of these situations before they get to that point, but I feel like by the time I figure it all out my kids are going to be moving out and attending regular therapy sessions because their mother couldn't get a grip.

Of course, by the end of the night it was all forgotten. The kids were playing kitchen in the porch and Bill and I were their customers and Cecelia was showing us all her things she got to bring home from her last day of school.

.....but then it was time for bed......

No Rest for the Weary

I'm bummed because I can't find the cord that connect my camera to the computer (thanks Laila).
So, I guess you'll just have to get a wordy post on what we've been up to in the last month or so.

May was full of busy weekends with visits from family and friends. We had a wedding shower for my cousin the first weekend and had the Tortorice clan here over Mother's Day weekend and all went to the Twins game. The majority of us only made it through the first two innings..but that a whole 'nother story!
Between work and school and playdates and birthday parties and doctor appointments we barely have a minute to breath. I'm sure you can completely relate.

Next week BOTH my brothers are coming to town and we'll be heading to Moorhead for my cousin's wedding. I haven't seen Jimmy since last Halloween and haven't seen Dave since who knows when.
Let me just say to those of you who get to see your family all the time that I envy you and I hope you cherish that luxery!

So, that's it for now.
Has anyone seen my camer cord?

Delaney's Birthday Story

Four years ago I was 40 weeks pregnant with our second child. We didn't know if she was a boy or a girl, but I hoped like mad that he/she would have their father's brown eyes. She was due on June 3rd and we were getting down to the wire. We had 20 days to find and purchase a new home before we had to be out of our old one that had already been sold. No pressure.

Clare and I and 2 1/2 year old Cecelia were out househunting and came here, to 17th Terrace, on a whim to appease my husband who really wanted a house with a pool. After looking at Lord knows how many houses, this one was definitely more bang for the buck. I loved it enough to make it our new home. Acting as our own real estate agent I called the sellers and told them we'd be sending a purchase agreement their way the next day.

That night I printed off all the necessary paperwork but felt "wierd" so put it off to go to bed early. Now, wouldn't you know I went in to labor that night. 2:00 a.m. it all started. By 5:00a.m. I woke Bill up. I asked him to time my contractions and fill out the purchase agreement by basically copying off a different purchase agreement and changing the numbers.

Very shortly after we were at the hospital. Luckily, Bill's cousin was my broker and she took the paperwork off of our hands. We were literally buying a home and having a baby at the exact same time. She was faxing paperwork from the hospital. Not kidding.

Our little - surprise! - baby girl came in to the world quietly and easily. I barely even remember being in the hospital. I do remember those big brown eyes, though, and the fact that she knew how to nurse right away.

Delaney was the world's easiest baby. When my Mom came to visit when she was two weeks old we couldn't figure out why she was being so fussy at 9:00 at night. I brought her up to our room and as soon as it was quiet and dark she calmed down and went to bed. From there on in she went to bed every night at the same time. She woke every couple of hours to eat and would sleep in until 9:00 in the morning (my kind of girl!). She slept so much that I even questioned the doctor about it a couple of times. Seriously, 16 hours at a time. Turned out we were just lucky.

I still feel lucky, 4 years later. Even though I wouldn't necessarily still describe her as "easy" she is a big, HUGE source of joy and love for our family. Nurturing and curious, she is our perfect middle child.

Happy Birthday Monkey!