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Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Rocking
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Oh. My.
M: Mommy, what does predicament mean?
Me: Some kind of problem or situation that happens to someone. Where did you hear that word?
M: I read it in my Pooh Bear book.
Me: What was the predicament?
M: Pooh Bear was stuck in Rabbit's hole and couldn't get out because his tummy was full of honey.
Me: Some kind of problem or situation that happens to someone. Where did you hear that word?
M: I read it in my Pooh Bear book.
Me: What was the predicament?
M: Pooh Bear was stuck in Rabbit's hole and couldn't get out because his tummy was full of honey.
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Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Monday, May 02, 2011
A lesson for Leo (and me)
Madeleine loves to lay with Baby Leo in our bed when I'm getting ready in the morning. She brings a stack of books to read to him. This morning, I walked in to find her reading Graceful Parenting, Simple Advice for Raising a Gentle and Loving Child to him. She was reading in a totally animated voice like you would read a book to a baby, "Yelling doesn't work. You don't need to yell to get your point across. Don't yell at your children and don't yell in front of your children. Don't yell at their brothers and sisters, and don't yell at your husband, wife, relatives or friends. Children copy what they see around them. If you don't yell and people around them don't yell, your children will not learn to yell. If you feel like yelling, stop for a moment and get control of yourself. If you need to leave to do this, excuse yourself from any children present before you yell."
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
John Paul at 2
This kid is indescribable :) He is a hilarious, adorable, intense, loving, frustrating, dramatic ball of energy. I don't think I've ever met a funnier kid. He makes me laugh every single day!
Yesterday we were driving and he said, "Mommy, I'm not a kid." I said, "What are you, John Paul?" He said, "I'm a MAN!"
The other day we were in Starbucks. For some reason, he thinks he owns the place. So he was walking around and he went behind the counter for a minute. I stood up to go get him and a few minutes later the barista came from behind the counter and handed me a grande water. I asked what that was for and he pointed to John Paul and said, "He ordered it!"
At his 2 year old doctor appointment, he weighed in at 27 lbs and 34 inches. 25th percentile for weight at 50th for height. The doctor asked if he said 50 words and put two word sentences together, and I just about laughed out loud. He probably says 500+ words and says 8-9 word sentences! I'm not sure I've EVER heard a kid talk like this, even Madeleine who I thought was very advanced :) He talks in paragraphs and can say just about anything. He has an amazing sense of humor for a 2 year old!
He carries his "kiki" (blanket) everywhere. He's very attached to it, and never sleeps without it. Lately it's been developing quite the personality. "Kiki is crying. I can help!" "Kiki is hungry." "Kiki wants to go to the dragon cave (Starbucks.)"
He can't stand to see a tower of blocks or toys neatly lined up by his sister without coming through like a hurricane and smashing it to pieces. Luckily Madeleine is VERY patient with him about this. She does know how to push his buttons though - and they are quite easy to push! It doesn't take much to get him to scream his fool head off!
He is also such a loving little boy! He comes up randomly during the day and hugs and kisses me. He loves to sit on our laps and says "Mommy (or Daddy or Grandma) hold you!" He loves his big sister and is starting to pay attention to his little brother.
He is nearly impossible to take to church (or really anywhere.) He is always busy and gets into everything! He doesn't like to be contained. He likes to do everything "by self." But he is a wonderful little boy and we just love him so much! He probably doesn't get in trouble as much as he should - it's hard to get mad at that little face!
All pics by Julie - THAT is talent!
Yesterday we were driving and he said, "Mommy, I'm not a kid." I said, "What are you, John Paul?" He said, "I'm a MAN!"
The other day we were in Starbucks. For some reason, he thinks he owns the place. So he was walking around and he went behind the counter for a minute. I stood up to go get him and a few minutes later the barista came from behind the counter and handed me a grande water. I asked what that was for and he pointed to John Paul and said, "He ordered it!" 
At his 2 year old doctor appointment, he weighed in at 27 lbs and 34 inches. 25th percentile for weight at 50th for height. The doctor asked if he said 50 words and put two word sentences together, and I just about laughed out loud. He probably says 500+ words and says 8-9 word sentences! I'm not sure I've EVER heard a kid talk like this, even Madeleine who I thought was very advanced :) He talks in paragraphs and can say just about anything. He has an amazing sense of humor for a 2 year old! 
He carries his "kiki" (blanket) everywhere. He's very attached to it, and never sleeps without it. Lately it's been developing quite the personality. "Kiki is crying. I can help!" "Kiki is hungry." "Kiki wants to go to the dragon cave (Starbucks.)"
He can't stand to see a tower of blocks or toys neatly lined up by his sister without coming through like a hurricane and smashing it to pieces. Luckily Madeleine is VERY patient with him about this. She does know how to push his buttons though - and they are quite easy to push! It doesn't take much to get him to scream his fool head off!
He is also such a loving little boy! He comes up randomly during the day and hugs and kisses me. He loves to sit on our laps and says "Mommy (or Daddy or Grandma) hold you!" He loves his big sister and is starting to pay attention to his little brother. He is nearly impossible to take to church (or really anywhere.) He is always busy and gets into everything! He doesn't like to be contained. He likes to do everything "by self." But he is a wonderful little boy and we just love him so much! He probably doesn't get in trouble as much as he should - it's hard to get mad at that little face!
All pics by Julie - THAT is talent!
Prayer Buddy Reveal
This Lent I had the honor of praying for Grace in my Heart. I've "Known" her for a few years now so it was great to be able to pray for her!
I prayed a lot when I was up in the middle of the night. It is really hard for me to get up and pump at night, especially the second time. I offered up this inconvenience for her, and prayed the divine mercy chaplet for her intentions during that time.
I hope you had a great Lent, L!
I prayed a lot when I was up in the middle of the night. It is really hard for me to get up and pump at night, especially the second time. I offered up this inconvenience for her, and prayed the divine mercy chaplet for her intentions during that time.
I hope you had a great Lent, L!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Happy Birthday John Paul!
Happy 2nd birthday to the little boy who stole my heart from the moment I met him, who makes me laugh out loud every single day and is just about the most adorable little boy I've ever seen!
Two years old
1 week old
One year old
Two years old
We love you so much John Paul! Happy Birthday!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Mass with Three
Most wives give their husbands gifts on their birthdays. I gave Ken an assignment :)
Thanks Ken and Happy Birthday! We love you!
My dear spouse has asked that I fill in for a night to share with you, her loyal readers, the experience of hauling three children to church. Why she would choose my birthday to share with you the exhausting marathon of child management during what used to be a rather simple event that not only an lasted hour, but also only SEEMED like an hour, I guess I’ll have to leave that to her.
I suppose the story begins, as with all stories, at the beginning. But in this story, the beginning has a prologue.
ACT 1: Did we remember all the kids?
Preparing for church takes almost as much time as Mass itself. It usually begins with an announcement that it is time to get ready for church, followed by a two year old and a four year old running in separate directions (never underestimate their ability to war plan) while a once-quiet newborn, evidently having too much CO2 in his lungs, decides to unload it to the world, carried along by a frequency known to fracture skulls.
At this moment is when I again realize what idiots we are, as for some reason we have had amnesia and forgot that this is what happened last week, and forgot how late we were. So we next find ourselves chasing two kids around the house, upstairs and down, with two mismatched socks (we’ve discovered over time that only brand new socks come in matching pairs; all other socks are a mixture of his and hers, theirs and mine, and occasionally one or two from the neighbor kids). Now, capturing the little varmints might seem like a simple task, just as catching a greased pig also seemed like a simple task before some yokel in Kentucky actually tried it for the first time. However, they are wily creatures, kids, and I have witnessed them confound the smartest and nimblest parents with their quick-change directions and total lack of disregard for theirs or their parents’ safety. Besides, catching them is only half the battle: KEEPING them is the hard part.
You see, a two year old and four year old are experts at diversion. Especially as they have no shame. Bodily functions, random acts of violence upon each other, high-pitched siren screams, toy throwing … and worst of all, being cute (there is no defense; no matter how determined one is to slap on a diaper, or brush hair, a cute song or the A-B-C’s or an adorably mispronounced word, and your whole rhythm is shot).
Now, bear in mind, on top of this there weighs the tiny but oh-so-significant presence of nearly 14 pounds of unapologetic need, also known as Baby #3. You can discipline (or at least feel like you tried) at two years and four years – but there is just no reasoning with a baby. I have learned this the hard way after trying desperately to convince my newborn at 2:00 a.m. of the value of sleep and how much he would benefit if he would only let me have some.
ACT 2: We’re going to be late!
Act 1 is really only an introduction to the chaos and head-splitting frustration to come (and in the spirit of brevity and out of compassion for those with weak constitutions, I have spared you the grueling heartbreak of packing a “church” bag full of toys to occupy your kids, only to arrive at church and realize that your spouse [or maybe me, but I’ll never admit it] forgot to bring it).
You see, there is a deadline to meet, one punctuated by church bells signaling the beginning of Mass – though any more I can only guess that Mass starts after the bells ring, as I have only heard those bells while traveling in the car on the way to church (on a possibly related note, it is also now my belief that the Catholic Church must have eliminated the Old Testament reading because I haven’t heard one in two years).
So typically, it goes like this: shout that we’re going to be late, gather the kids, put them in their car seats, fight for three minutes to buckle the one with the funny buckle (were some of these designed by the Nazis? I swear we have the Evenflo “Eichman” model), run back in the house to get the blankie we forgot, run back to the car, run back into the house again to get the tithe (to the sound of church bells, I might add), start the car and pull out of the driveway. Phew!
Once at the church parking lot, the process reverses.
“Can I have my puzzle book, daddy?”
“We didn’t bring it, sweetie.”
“But I NEEEED it.”
“I know, but mommy forgot the church bag.”
[from the other side of the van] “What!”
“Nothing, I didn’t say anything.”
After extricating our tots from the minivan and pocketing as much pedagogical and poop-related paraphernalia as possible, we repeat stern warnings about holding hands in the parking lot, about watching for cars, and – “WAIT! Did you get the baby!?!?! Oh, good” – more importantly, we begin in earnest to beg our brood for good behavior before going into church. Bribes, blackmail - nothing is off limits. They respond to our pleas in one of two ways: with looks of astonishment (“What? Moi? Cause a disturbance in the middle of this most holy of ceremonies?”) or, more often, with looks of distraction (“Pipe down old man, I’m plotting over here ….”).
Finally, we enter the church (I call it entering, but laden with two kids, a baby in a car seat, a diaper bag the size of a dumpster, and usually at least one or two other items we inexplicably grabbed in the chaos [“Honey, I don’t think we’ll be needing jumper cables?”], it more resembles a small medieval army crashing through a fortified draw bridge with a battering ram).
ACT 3: We’re so, so sorry.
Those of you with multiple kids will understand this next part: the walk of fear. Bear in mind, we’re now the only ones standing having missed the beginning of Mass. All eyes are glued on us, and row after row of parishioners glance furtively, and with dreadful anticipation, at us and our runny-nosed, coughing, drooling, flatulent cargo.
Eventually we pick some suckers – ahem, people – to sit by. They move down. We move down. They move further. We sigh.
Now, because churches can’t afford off-site mobile homes with satellite uplinks of the Mass, they usually provide “crying rooms” where families with cranky children (or parents made cranky BY their children) can sit so as only to annoy the crap out of those who actually deserve it: other nincompoops with kids.
We generally choose against this option. Our kids are difficult enough; we have no desire to form a “misery club” with others. More importantly, the crying area is too close to the exits and we know better than to provide ourselves that much temptation. It’s part of the Lord’s Prayer, right? Couldn’t tell you right now, I don’t think I’ve heard it in its entirety since #2 was born.
Having found a seat, we enjoy about 2 minutes of relative quiet. It is the last the time we will experience it for the remainder of Mass. By the time the Gospel rolls around, I will have gotten up three times to chase my two year old boy. I truly believe that, despite my best efforts, he will someday make it all the way to the sanctuary and I will find myself playing ring around the altar (genuflecting each time I pass the tabernacle, of course) in a vain attempt to get one finger under the strap of his overalls.
Also, with three kids you should know that the noise and misbehavior is not a constant, with each kid in a perpetual state of caterwauling. Frankly, it would almost be better if it came all at once. But no, instead it comes at you like the wave during a sporting event, like dominos of discord falling one kid after the other, allowing for brief microseconds of false hope only to be followed by the OTHER kid crawling under the pews, crying, or pooping (sometimes all at once).
And the presence of the baby complicates all of this because it takes one parent out of commission completely if he needs to be fed, or held. I am utterly convinced that my older kids speak baby, and he is now in cahoots with them, timing his hunger and bowel movements to coincide with the moment the other parent is at his or her most vulnerable. It is indeed a fiendish consortium they have. And we are helpless to try and match wits. We can only pray for mercy.
ACT 4: My Act of Contrition
Despite the ear piercing noise, the wiggling, the poking, the chasing, the changing, the stinking, the scolding, and the inability to catch anything that actually happens during the Mass, there are also some bright spots. Like when the people in the pew behind us smile at the baby and he smiles back, or when the 2 year old says “peace be wiff you” and everyone laughs, or when the four year old finishes a puzzle faster than I can do it, much to the awe of people around us.
So while my post certainly accurately portrays the (barely) controlled chaos of a trip to church with three kids four and under, I am compelled to offer that it is not without its joys. In the end, while I usually miss the Gospel reading, I nonetheless feel completely connected with God; and though my mind isn’t always focused as it should be on prayer, I know that offering God the freedom to create life is also a prayer of its own; and finally, I have to remind myself that I have prayed often for God to teach me patience, and he has responded in spades. And I can’t think of a better way to learn it.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Request
Can someone who knows how to chart while breastfeeding email me? Thanks!
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Monday, April 11, 2011
4 Months
Poor third child. I did monthly updates of both of the other kids but he has yet to have one!
Leo turned 4 months old a few days ago. I hate to jinx myself but I think he might have FINALLY turned a corner with his sleeping habits. It has only been a few days but he has slept in his cradle, and even fallen asleep by himself in there! For naps and everything! It's SO nice to have him sleep upstairs instead of in the swing. I don't have to worry about the kids waking him up (as much). He still gets up usually about twice a night, and eats about 5 oz at a time. He is definitely growing and getting big. I just switched all his 0-3 month clothes out and he's now in 3-6.
He is really such a sweet baby. He hardly EVER cries, he is easy to please, fun to hang out with. Of course when he does cry, he is by far the loudest of the three. Ken and I took JUST HIM to mass on Sunday (we had a very bad experience taking the older two the week before, so we left them with Grandma.) I took him out of his carseat and everyone around us, front and back, were staring at him. He smiles so easily he attracted a ton of attention. I think it's the hair. Everyone just loved him.
He is doing great with his special needs bottle and he also likes his pacifier. He's my first kid to take one. He is not very good at keeping it in his mouth though. I hope he improves with that pretty soon. He really enjoys being carried in the Moby and the Ergo. Thank goodness for the carriers, as I have another little guy who started to enjoy walking "by self." So it's great to have free hands for that one!
Leo's brother and sister just love him. Madeleine especially is a huge help. She puts his paci in his mouth, talks to him, smiles at him, covers him up, puts his socks on and he adores her. Her favorite thing to do in the morning is lay in my bed with him while I'm getting ready. She usually covers them both up and holds his hand and just stares at him. I tell her that God answered her prayer for a baby and gave us Baby Leo.
I have been holding him pretty much since he was born! I was a little worried at first that since I couldn't nurse him, we wouldn't bond as well. That has not been the case at all. I love him SO much, and I am proud of myself that he has had nothing but breastmilk his whole life. I will admit, it is hard to pump every three hours and it's especially hard to get up (twice) at night. But I think of both the milk and the sacrifice as a gift to him. I'm taking it day by day and still have the goal of making it at least a year. I think I can do it!
Happy 4 months Leo Michael!
Leo turned 4 months old a few days ago. I hate to jinx myself but I think he might have FINALLY turned a corner with his sleeping habits. It has only been a few days but he has slept in his cradle, and even fallen asleep by himself in there! For naps and everything! It's SO nice to have him sleep upstairs instead of in the swing. I don't have to worry about the kids waking him up (as much). He still gets up usually about twice a night, and eats about 5 oz at a time. He is definitely growing and getting big. I just switched all his 0-3 month clothes out and he's now in 3-6.
He is really such a sweet baby. He hardly EVER cries, he is easy to please, fun to hang out with. Of course when he does cry, he is by far the loudest of the three. Ken and I took JUST HIM to mass on Sunday (we had a very bad experience taking the older two the week before, so we left them with Grandma.) I took him out of his carseat and everyone around us, front and back, were staring at him. He smiles so easily he attracted a ton of attention. I think it's the hair. Everyone just loved him. 
He is doing great with his special needs bottle and he also likes his pacifier. He's my first kid to take one. He is not very good at keeping it in his mouth though. I hope he improves with that pretty soon. He really enjoys being carried in the Moby and the Ergo. Thank goodness for the carriers, as I have another little guy who started to enjoy walking "by self." So it's great to have free hands for that one!Leo's brother and sister just love him. Madeleine especially is a huge help. She puts his paci in his mouth, talks to him, smiles at him, covers him up, puts his socks on and he adores her. Her favorite thing to do in the morning is lay in my bed with him while I'm getting ready. She usually covers them both up and holds his hand and just stares at him. I tell her that God answered her prayer for a baby and gave us Baby Leo.
I have been holding him pretty much since he was born! I was a little worried at first that since I couldn't nurse him, we wouldn't bond as well. That has not been the case at all. I love him SO much, and I am proud of myself that he has had nothing but breastmilk his whole life. I will admit, it is hard to pump every three hours and it's especially hard to get up (twice) at night. But I think of both the milk and the sacrifice as a gift to him. I'm taking it day by day and still have the goal of making it at least a year. I think I can do it!Happy 4 months Leo Michael!
Friday, April 08, 2011
Embarassing my child
This post has self destructed, so as not to further embarrass the poor child. Sorry if you missed it! It was quite disgusting!
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
On Sleep
Little Man has totally regressed over here. He eats SO much at night. Last night he ate 17 oz between midnight at 8 am. 3 full bottles plus a little extra. I spent the entire night laying next to him, either holding the bottle or the paci in his mouth just hoping for a little shut eye. Whenever he wakes up, I go pump and Ken feeds him his bottle. Ken tries to put him back to bed. He feeds him, then rocks him until he is FAST asleep. But about 5 minutes after he puts him down, he's squirming around, then is wide awake.
I'd think I'd be totally dragging since I really haven't had much more than a 3 hour stretch since he was born, and the past few nights I've probably gotten 3 hours total of non consecutive sleep. But I actually don't feel too bad. Maybe my body is used to it by now!
He's getting big, so I'm hoping he's just having a big growth spurt and will start sleeping longer at night. But, he's totally worth all the extra effort, pumping, feeding, waking up at night. I really don't mind it all too much. I love him so much.
I have had SO many people ask me if I'm DONE now that I have 3 kids. Seriously. Strangers ask me this just about every day. No way. I'm 31 years old. I'm just getting started ;)
I'd think I'd be totally dragging since I really haven't had much more than a 3 hour stretch since he was born, and the past few nights I've probably gotten 3 hours total of non consecutive sleep. But I actually don't feel too bad. Maybe my body is used to it by now!
He's getting big, so I'm hoping he's just having a big growth spurt and will start sleeping longer at night. But, he's totally worth all the extra effort, pumping, feeding, waking up at night. I really don't mind it all too much. I love him so much.
I have had SO many people ask me if I'm DONE now that I have 3 kids. Seriously. Strangers ask me this just about every day. No way. I'm 31 years old. I'm just getting started ;)
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
My little "helper."
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Monday, March 28, 2011
Vying for the favorite
Madeleine: Aunt Christy has never met Baby Leo because when we were there for Thanksgiving, he was still in your tummy!
Me: Yep, do you remember how big Mommy's tummy was then?
Madeleine: Yes but now it's nice and flat like it was before!!
(I love that kid.)
Me: Yep, do you remember how big Mommy's tummy was then?
Madeleine: Yes but now it's nice and flat like it was before!!
(I love that kid.)
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Quick takes
1. John Paul got really sick again yesterday with breathing issues. This happened last year and he ended up in the hospital. At least this time I knew it was getting bad and was able to get him into the doctor in time. He's on steroids, antibiotics (just in case it was triggered by an infection) and breathing treatments every 4 hours.
2. My mom is out of town so I called one of my favorite neighbors and asked if I could leave M and L with her while I took JP to the doc. I was SO glad I did since we ended up waiting over an hour for the doctor in the tiny waiting room. It was kind of nice to be able to give him some one on one attention. He was totally charming the nurses and they gave him a popsicle and extra books while we waited. I've never left the kids with anyone but my mom so I was pretty proud of myself ;)
3. An old friend wrote me a very encouraging message, saying she had exclusively pumped for her daughter for a year. She gave me hope that I can do it too!
4. Leo is eating SO MUCH I can barely keep up. I started taking fenugreek and blessed thistle this week and today finally I have extra without having to borrow from tomorrow's supply. Whew!!
5. I love the newborn phase but I also really love where he is now. He is sturdier, easy to carry around, loves being "worn" in the ergo or Moby, and is starting to coo and smile ALL the time.
6. Madeleine and John Paul were making silly noises the other day and Leo laughed out loud! They rushed over to him and made him laugh again and again. It was SO awesome. Baby's first laugh is a sound straight from heaven, and it's even better when all the siblings are laughing together.
7. We celebrated the Feast of the Annuniciation today with coloring pages and the Bible story. Hopefully some of it sunk in!
Have a great weekend!
2. My mom is out of town so I called one of my favorite neighbors and asked if I could leave M and L with her while I took JP to the doc. I was SO glad I did since we ended up waiting over an hour for the doctor in the tiny waiting room. It was kind of nice to be able to give him some one on one attention. He was totally charming the nurses and they gave him a popsicle and extra books while we waited. I've never left the kids with anyone but my mom so I was pretty proud of myself ;)
3. An old friend wrote me a very encouraging message, saying she had exclusively pumped for her daughter for a year. She gave me hope that I can do it too!
4. Leo is eating SO MUCH I can barely keep up. I started taking fenugreek and blessed thistle this week and today finally I have extra without having to borrow from tomorrow's supply. Whew!!
5. I love the newborn phase but I also really love where he is now. He is sturdier, easy to carry around, loves being "worn" in the ergo or Moby, and is starting to coo and smile ALL the time.
6. Madeleine and John Paul were making silly noises the other day and Leo laughed out loud! They rushed over to him and made him laugh again and again. It was SO awesome. Baby's first laugh is a sound straight from heaven, and it's even better when all the siblings are laughing together.
7. We celebrated the Feast of the Annuniciation today with coloring pages and the Bible story. Hopefully some of it sunk in!
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
I held out as long as I could.
Don't worry, I took it right out ;)
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Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Growth spurt
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Monday, March 21, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Feast of St Joseph
St Joseph inspires Christian men to be the best men/husbands/fathers they can be.
Do you have an example of true manliness remimiscent of St Joseph you've seen in the past week? This could be in Your families, TV, anywhere.
Mine is this: Ken gets up every single time Leo wakes up at night to give him his bottle so I can go downstairs and pump. I could not do this without him.
Do you have an example of true manliness remimiscent of St Joseph you've seen in the past week? This could be in Your families, TV, anywhere.
Mine is this: Ken gets up every single time Leo wakes up at night to give him his bottle so I can go downstairs and pump. I could not do this without him.
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Friday, March 18, 2011
Quick Takes
1. I got a new laptop! Unfortunately, it was right at the beginning of Lent, and I gave up getting on the computer and phone when the kids are awake. This has been great for me and the kids but bad for the blog ;) So this is only about the third time I've been on it. It's great though! We also got a wireless printer so I've been able to print out coloring pages for the kids really easily. St Joseph tomorrow!
2. Ken and I were just watching Brian Regan stand up and I was laughing so hard I kept waking Leo up.
3. Yesterday the kids and I went downtown to the St. Patrick's Day parade. We had a great time and the kids got plenty of candy. Unfortunately Leo also got a little sunburn. I felt terrible and called the doc today. They said to put aloe on it and it was nothing to worry about. Poor Baby. We also had corned beef and cabbage and rye bread and cinnamon rolls last night. Yum!
4. I tried a new chart system for Madeleine this week. We are really working on obedience. She hasn't been doing well at all. Either she will keep doing whatever I tell her to stop, or just ignores me when I tell her to do something - or whines about it. So we talked about how important it is to obey - all the way, right away, the happy way. This week, every time I asked her to do something and she said "Yes Mommy I'd be happy to!" and actually did it, she got to put a mark on her chart. At the end of the week I will give her a penny for every mark. She did amazing this week. She was so helpful and cheerful! I hope this lasts and it's definitely worth every penny :) I still have to do her 4 year old post!
5. John Paul is THE funniest kid I've ever met in my life. He makes me laugh out loud every day. He is so expressive and his vocabulary and verbal skills are absolutely amazing. Today we had a water softener guy here and he was cracking up at him, and said he was like an adult in a tiny little body. The ladies in the nursery at church (during mom's group they stay in there) love him and every week they tell me how amazed they are at how well he talks. He is so expressive and dramatic, does different voices, memorizes books and "reads" them, and has very intense emotions. He comes up and hugs me multiple times a day. Love that boy.
6. Leo is growing like a weed. He is definitely in 3-6 month clothes now. He is very long and getting much sturdier. We had a week or two when he was waking up 2-3 times a night and eating 4-5 oz each time. I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep up with him but so far I have! So glad I'm doing ok on pumping and he's thriving. I definitely cannot have dairy though. I cheated last weekend and totally regretted it. The past two nights he's only woken up once. That is so much better.
7. My kids are obsessed with Little Red Riding Hood, the Three Pigs and especially the Big Bad wolf. A friend of mine made 3 pigs and a BBwolf hand puppets for JP for his birthday. They turned out amazing and I can't wait to give them to him!
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
2. Ken and I were just watching Brian Regan stand up and I was laughing so hard I kept waking Leo up.
3. Yesterday the kids and I went downtown to the St. Patrick's Day parade. We had a great time and the kids got plenty of candy. Unfortunately Leo also got a little sunburn. I felt terrible and called the doc today. They said to put aloe on it and it was nothing to worry about. Poor Baby. We also had corned beef and cabbage and rye bread and cinnamon rolls last night. Yum!
4. I tried a new chart system for Madeleine this week. We are really working on obedience. She hasn't been doing well at all. Either she will keep doing whatever I tell her to stop, or just ignores me when I tell her to do something - or whines about it. So we talked about how important it is to obey - all the way, right away, the happy way. This week, every time I asked her to do something and she said "Yes Mommy I'd be happy to!" and actually did it, she got to put a mark on her chart. At the end of the week I will give her a penny for every mark. She did amazing this week. She was so helpful and cheerful! I hope this lasts and it's definitely worth every penny :) I still have to do her 4 year old post!
5. John Paul is THE funniest kid I've ever met in my life. He makes me laugh out loud every day. He is so expressive and his vocabulary and verbal skills are absolutely amazing. Today we had a water softener guy here and he was cracking up at him, and said he was like an adult in a tiny little body. The ladies in the nursery at church (during mom's group they stay in there) love him and every week they tell me how amazed they are at how well he talks. He is so expressive and dramatic, does different voices, memorizes books and "reads" them, and has very intense emotions. He comes up and hugs me multiple times a day. Love that boy.
6. Leo is growing like a weed. He is definitely in 3-6 month clothes now. He is very long and getting much sturdier. We had a week or two when he was waking up 2-3 times a night and eating 4-5 oz each time. I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep up with him but so far I have! So glad I'm doing ok on pumping and he's thriving. I definitely cannot have dairy though. I cheated last weekend and totally regretted it. The past two nights he's only woken up once. That is so much better.
7. My kids are obsessed with Little Red Riding Hood, the Three Pigs and especially the Big Bad wolf. A friend of mine made 3 pigs and a BBwolf hand puppets for JP for his birthday. They turned out amazing and I can't wait to give them to him!
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Girls are trouble, John Paul
In other church news, we started reading and explaining the Gospel to Madeleine before we go. Then I'm able to point out to her When the priest is reading the same Scripture we've already talked about. She's asking questions and paying more attention. Oh and in case you're wondering, there's an app for that!
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Saturday, March 12, 2011
Quick Takes
1. I'm not sure I'll make it to 7 but you never know.
2. I read part of The Baby Whisperer today in Barnes and Nobles. She recommends an Eat, Play, Sleep routine. I've never tried this before but I might with Leo. She also said parents feed their babies too often and not enough, and it's better if they eat more every 3-4 hours. I'm totally not a "schedule" parent but I tried this today anyway. I fed him a 5 oz bottle, then he was awake, then he took a good nap, he woke up hungry and we started over. He was happy all day. Hm... this Baby Whisperer lady might be onto something.
3. I love the book Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day. I have a bowl of Brioche dough in the fridge and I'm making something delicious tomorrow for breakfast.
4. We played outside at a playground today for the first time this season. The kids loved it even though it was a little cold and windy. Then they went right to sleep. Ahhhh I love wearing them out outside.
5. Yeah.... not gonna make it to seven.
6. Oh, I'm not a fan of Daylight Savings time. I wish we could go back to NOT changing our clocks, like the way we grew up around here in Indiana.
7. I made it! Going to bed now!
2. I read part of The Baby Whisperer today in Barnes and Nobles. She recommends an Eat, Play, Sleep routine. I've never tried this before but I might with Leo. She also said parents feed their babies too often and not enough, and it's better if they eat more every 3-4 hours. I'm totally not a "schedule" parent but I tried this today anyway. I fed him a 5 oz bottle, then he was awake, then he took a good nap, he woke up hungry and we started over. He was happy all day. Hm... this Baby Whisperer lady might be onto something.
3. I love the book Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day. I have a bowl of Brioche dough in the fridge and I'm making something delicious tomorrow for breakfast.
4. We played outside at a playground today for the first time this season. The kids loved it even though it was a little cold and windy. Then they went right to sleep. Ahhhh I love wearing them out outside.
5. Yeah.... not gonna make it to seven.
6. Oh, I'm not a fan of Daylight Savings time. I wish we could go back to NOT changing our clocks, like the way we grew up around here in Indiana.
7. I made it! Going to bed now!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Little Red
I have to say, I'm so glad she's into real books and stories and fairy tales, as opposed to the princesses and Disney movies. She's actually never seen a Disney movie. She has her shows she likes but truly enjoys reading books and she's amazing at reading.
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Tuesday, March 08, 2011
3 months
Picture by Julie
Thank You Julie! I will post more tomorrow.
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Sunday, March 06, 2011
Friday, March 04, 2011
Last day of 3
I decided to give her the Little Red cape this morning for an early present. She. LOVED. it. She wore it all day and cried her eyes out when I made her take it off for her nap. It came out so cute!
We went to the mall for lunch to meet Julie and went to a candy store to get the candy needed to decorate her bike cake (which I haven't done yet.) We actually had to go to 3 different stores to find all the kinds of candy I needed.
I tried to take her picture and she decided to pretend to sleep, complete with snoring.
I caught her in mid "bothering her brother" mode. She does this a lot. Of course, all she has to do is barely touch him and he SCREAMS. This cracks her up.
My beautiful birthday girl.
We went to the mall for lunch to meet Julie and went to a candy store to get the candy needed to decorate her bike cake (which I haven't done yet.) We actually had to go to 3 different stores to find all the kinds of candy I needed.
I tried to take her picture and she decided to pretend to sleep, complete with snoring. 
I caught her in mid "bothering her brother" mode. She does this a lot. Of course, all she has to do is barely touch him and he SCREAMS. This cracks her up.
My beautiful birthday girl.
Thursday, March 03, 2011
Madeleine's birthday
is coming up on Saturday. Every year I decide to make her something at the last minute. This year it was a little red riding hood cape. She loves Red Riding hood and asked for a cape. I got this book from Barnes and Nobles this past weekend, and bought fabric and ribbon and a button. I spent the last 3 naptimes sewing this thing and finished it today. I really do not like sewing. I don't like tracing, cutting, ironing, pinning. But I love the finished product. I LOVE it. I can't wait to see her face when I give it to her. I will definitely post pictures. Now I need to figure out how to make a Big Bad Wolf for John Paul - although that may be way over my level of expertise.
We are getting her a bike for her birthday. I decided on this one because it got the best reviews on Amazon. We've totally slacked off in this department. She's never had a bike or even a trike. I know she'll love it.
I have a few ideas for a cake - I hope it comes out well! I gotta get that done tomorrow. I'm going to try to find all the candy to make this one.
I just hope I can make her day special for her! She definitely deserves it ;)
We are getting her a bike for her birthday. I decided on this one because it got the best reviews on Amazon. We've totally slacked off in this department. She's never had a bike or even a trike. I know she'll love it.
I have a few ideas for a cake - I hope it comes out well! I gotta get that done tomorrow. I'm going to try to find all the candy to make this one.
I just hope I can make her day special for her! She definitely deserves it ;)
Monday, February 28, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
More on feeding Leo
Are you guys getting tired of hearing about this yet?
He's doing so well with his Special Needs feeder, gaining weight, eating well and going through a growth spurt right now apparently. I'm definitely keeping up with pumping and produce more every day than he eats, so I have quite the supply in the freezer. So that is all going well. I gave up dairy to try to help his fussiness. It seemed to help, he started sleeping better during the day and night and was more alert, happy and calm when he was awake. I cheated a few times this past weekend and TOTALLY regretted it - he was so fussy. So I won't be doing that again.
The other day I tried a regular bottle nipple with him, thinking for sure he would be able to do it. But he could NOT do it! I was totally shocked. I guess I shouldn't have been, but I was. He couldn't get anything out of the bottle. I put his regular nipple on that bottle and he sucked it right down. I guess it's just weird to me because he LOOKS totally normal. I forget he has a big issue. Sure it's fixable but it won't be fixed for over a year. I'm nervous about his surgery and recovery on one hand, but on the other I can't wait for it to be over.
As much as I miss being to breastfeed him, there are definite advantages to him taking a bottle. Madeleine sometimes feeds him for me especially if we are trying to get out the door. I put him in his carseat and she loves holding the bottle in his mouth. Ken can feed him in the middle of the night while I pump. If he wakes up twice, Ken finishes feeding him and gets him to bed once, and I take over after pumping the second time. It's really nice to be able to go straight back to bed after pumping the first time! I was able to take the two big kids to the dentist and leave Leo with mom, without worrying he'd be hungry. I'm finally really getting used to pumping as part of my day, and I'm comfortable taking the hand pump if I'm going to be away from home for more than 3 hours. I have pumped in numerous places - maybe embarrassed my mom a little at the Children's museum ;) I've gotten through 11 weeks of exclusive pumping and I know I can make it at least a year. There are definite issues I never thought about as well. For one thing I am never sure how much to give him. Sometimes he eats 4-5 oz and sometimes he eats 2 1/2. And sometimes he just wants a LITTLE bit. I don't want to waste any so I usually end up refilling his bottles several times a day. Also I am really not sure if I'm going to be able to use my freezer supply, since it's only good for 3 months. I'm afraid to give it up in case he needs it, but I am also running out of room.
OH, and I don't know if it's all the pumping or the dairy-free diet, but I now weigh less than I did when I got pregnant with Madeleine. Hopefully I can lose at least another 15-20. I'm feeling good!
He's doing so well with his Special Needs feeder, gaining weight, eating well and going through a growth spurt right now apparently. I'm definitely keeping up with pumping and produce more every day than he eats, so I have quite the supply in the freezer. So that is all going well. I gave up dairy to try to help his fussiness. It seemed to help, he started sleeping better during the day and night and was more alert, happy and calm when he was awake. I cheated a few times this past weekend and TOTALLY regretted it - he was so fussy. So I won't be doing that again.
The other day I tried a regular bottle nipple with him, thinking for sure he would be able to do it. But he could NOT do it! I was totally shocked. I guess I shouldn't have been, but I was. He couldn't get anything out of the bottle. I put his regular nipple on that bottle and he sucked it right down. I guess it's just weird to me because he LOOKS totally normal. I forget he has a big issue. Sure it's fixable but it won't be fixed for over a year. I'm nervous about his surgery and recovery on one hand, but on the other I can't wait for it to be over.
As much as I miss being to breastfeed him, there are definite advantages to him taking a bottle. Madeleine sometimes feeds him for me especially if we are trying to get out the door. I put him in his carseat and she loves holding the bottle in his mouth. Ken can feed him in the middle of the night while I pump. If he wakes up twice, Ken finishes feeding him and gets him to bed once, and I take over after pumping the second time. It's really nice to be able to go straight back to bed after pumping the first time! I was able to take the two big kids to the dentist and leave Leo with mom, without worrying he'd be hungry. I'm finally really getting used to pumping as part of my day, and I'm comfortable taking the hand pump if I'm going to be away from home for more than 3 hours. I have pumped in numerous places - maybe embarrassed my mom a little at the Children's museum ;) I've gotten through 11 weeks of exclusive pumping and I know I can make it at least a year. There are definite issues I never thought about as well. For one thing I am never sure how much to give him. Sometimes he eats 4-5 oz and sometimes he eats 2 1/2. And sometimes he just wants a LITTLE bit. I don't want to waste any so I usually end up refilling his bottles several times a day. Also I am really not sure if I'm going to be able to use my freezer supply, since it's only good for 3 months. I'm afraid to give it up in case he needs it, but I am also running out of room.
OH, and I don't know if it's all the pumping or the dairy-free diet, but I now weigh less than I did when I got pregnant with Madeleine. Hopefully I can lose at least another 15-20. I'm feeling good!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Cootie
Madeleine and John Paul LOVE playing their Cootie game. And It's so fun to play a family game after supper! Today I had put it up on the hutch and Madeleine thought she could stand on a chair and get it. Ken's briefcase was on the closest chair.
M: Daddy, could you please move your purse off the chair?
(I about died laughing!)
Ok time for American idol. And Fr. Dan gave me some Irish cream for Leo's baptism. Is he not the coolest priest EVER??? Then Ken bought me some butterscotch schnapps so...
Ill see y'all later ;)
M: Daddy, could you please move your purse off the chair?
(I about died laughing!)
Ok time for American idol. And Fr. Dan gave me some Irish cream for Leo's baptism. Is he not the coolest priest EVER??? Then Ken bought me some butterscotch schnapps so...
Ill see y'all later ;)
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Monday, February 21, 2011
Buddy trying out the miracle blanket
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Monday, February 14, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Leo's first Sacrament
Hallelujah!!!
Fr. Dan has baptized all of my children. And we lived at the Newman Center together in college ;) (Separate houses, but we all still called each other "roommates.")
Leo Michael, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Godparents Dominic and Jenny.
Fr. Dan and my sweet Leo Michael
It was such a beautiful day. Leo slept through the entire baptism. We celebrated with family and friends. "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).
"Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God’" (Luke 18:15–16).
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
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