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!

Sandy Girl: The Smiling Dog

We had to put down our VERY beloved dog Sandy today. Things happened to quickly I can't even quite wrap my brain around it. We had brought her in last week because she was limping. It turned out to be bone cancer (she had lyme's disease as well, apparently). Over the last few days she deteriorated quickly - not eating, shaking and panting constantly. Then, her leg broke this morning - just snapped because of the brittle bone. Bill brought her in to the vet and they discussed her issues and determined that the pain she was in was just too much to bear.

We sat with her, kissed and hugged her while she passed in our arms. Our hearts are broken and we will miss her more than she'll ever know.

Bon Jovi - Hallelujah

Weight & Lifestyle

For full disclosure, this is in no way a "you should" or "how to" post, but more of a "this is just me."

About this time last year I took off the last 20 pounds of my pregnancy weight. I mean, I wasn't going to bother in between children when I was just going to gain it back again!
I do, on occasion, get questioned about my frame. So, I thought I would share just a couple of things that have helped me feel good in spite of bearing 3 children in 5 years and also getting older.

1) Good genes. This is important for me to say because I really do feel that this is a HUGE factor in your body type and how easily a person can gain/lose weight.

2) I almost am always either standing or walking. If I was stuck behind a desk like I used to be every day this would not be possible. I would suggest atleast trying to stand as often as you can even if you are stuck in front of a computer all day.

3) Play w/ your kids. Tossing them in the air, playing tag, chasing them around the park, etc. If you can keep up you are in good shape. Also, I am usually pushing a stroller when out and about. If you are not in this category then perhaps ankle and wrist weights would be the same?

4) 1 diet coke a day (usually). They say it contributes to belly fat which is where I gain my weight. I also drink beer and I'd rather allow myself 1 pop a day vs. 1 beer. I mean, duh.

5) Meal portion control. I eat one sandwich at lunch vs. two. I portion my food on my plate and only have seconds of the fruit and veg. I also stick to water w/ my meals instead of pop or whatever. I do the same w/ dessert - it's all about size for me - like 3 oreos or 1 giant chocolate chip bar. Also, when I eat chips I put them in a bowl, but that's mostly because I don't want greasy hands from reaching to the bottom of the bag :)

6) My newest favorite thing to do is eat a salad before each meal. Not just any salad, a spinach salad with strawberries, feta cheese and Annie's organic "Goddess" dressing. You will L.O.V.E it!!

7) Own a scale. Before we got our scale last year I was very, very, very anti scale. I figured weight was just a number and it was more about how your clothes fit. But, after having a broken scale last month for 2 weeks and instantly gaining about 6 pounds I realized a scale keeps you in check.

8) Last thing (that I can think of) is that I wear a swimsuit almost every day during the summer. If that doesn't motivate a girl, I don't know what will.

So, take it or leave it, those are sort of my tricks. Now, if there was only a way to magically erase loose belly skin...........