standing still

I don't know how to get more time in the day to do things. I must get up earlier! Now that the kids have changed schools, it means we don't have to get out the door until 8:30-8:40 (vs. the 7:20am mad dash). So, with the later delay, it means that my day goes by that much quicker! Today for example, I have a huge list of things I want to get done (like put the groceries away instead of blogging, fold two loads of laundry, mop/vacuum all the floors, start starching/ironing Jared's shirts, research some menus for the week, paint my fingernails, go to the library before piano lessons start), etc. With early release at 1:40pm today, hardly any of those things will get done.

I remember back when I used to roam the El Paso Mall b/c I was bored and had nothing to do with my little toddlers. I used to go to story time at the libraries and make park dates. Now? Levi and Isaac will be lucky if they ever get a story time! I am too busy running around trying to get the house back in order for a few hours, dinner done, laundry sorted, homework started, practices attended, etc.

How do I forget the little things about my kids? I am going to write them down before I do!

Wesley: Won't listen to me! I feel like I am talking to the wind most conversations. Really hoping

Austin: Quite a fireball. Stubborn and disrespectful lately. He has stressed me out. I even got a canker sore! I am worried that I am not disciplining him the correct way, the way that works best for his little soul. Here are some examples of his behavior:

"Austin, come read to me, I am bored" (from being on bed rest with my sprained back). His response, "No, I don't want to read. Just keep on being bored" and walks away.

"Austin come eat your breakfast."
"No, I don't want to eat."
"Ok. Then you can go back upstairs to your room."
"Ok." (and goes to his room without eating)

"Austin don't get a water bottle from the garage, we have some at home"
Austin ignores dad and goes in for the water bottle.

Isaac: new words and phrases; help me, ok fine (if you ask him to do something), I'm done, I (want) lunch, other side? (getting into car), I dressed, I get up, I (don't want) pajamas, sburn (spooners), schoo, chuch. He repeats everything I say, including anything in a book with a huge grin. He still loves any super hero and insists to sleep with them for nap time (including changing his clothing back into his pajamas each time. That takes quite a bit of effort as I am usually nursing during this). He recognizes his colors really well too. He loves a song before falling asleep, "Son! Sleep!" The other day he saw "Jezs (Jesus)" and said, "hands hurt." Really! Many times when we get into the car, he will tell me, "no seatbelt." The struggle starts there.

Levi: Rolling from his back to front! He lifts his butt up and pushes his legs up until he flops over. He then cries until he finds his two fingers and slobbers all over them. At 4 months old, I am now thinking it's time to let him cry it out? I feel so bad though! I thought I was giving him more time to "cry it out" as a newborn, but I am realizing that my every 3 hour feeding during the night, really is just what I have done with ALL my kids. When I am really tired during our feedings, he will come into bed with me, but then my arm falls asleep!

I have forgotten how hard it is to figure out their sleeping patterns. I need not compare myself to any other large family (Duggard family of #20 kiddos!), b/c my kids are all unique and different...but, it doesn't make it any easier. He has some great chunky thighs and a huge double chin. He HATES his car seat and cries the majority of our car trips...unless the other brothers can distract him and not smother him.

Crooked...again...

I am feeling frustrated. I feel as though I have spent years maintaining a healthy lifestyle, especially doing weights and classes at the gym. I worked out during the entire pregnancy with Levi...which I am now finding out was NOT helping me.

I ran some hard sprints on Wednesday. I was feeling awesome! 8.7 on the treadmill!

Came home, showered for a playgroup. Was sitting with Levi...when I stood up with him...a familiar pinch doubled me over in pain.

I have had this pain before. I have had this sprain before. Only 2 months ago. 7 months before that one. This is the 3rd time in 9 months!

I iced my back. I tried to not haul Levi around TOO much (impossible, he is only 4 months old). Crawled vs. walked around from room to room. Sat to cook dinner vs stand.

Chiropractor says that I have a pelvic and lower spine injury. My spine is now crooked and I have some arthritis in my left pelvis bone. What??? My high impact cardio has been detrimental to my joints.

Received an adjustment...pop pop pop. Received some massage therapy...serious pain as he grinded my hip sockets and fleshy butt cheeks with his elbow. Tears were brimming as I laid face down on that table.

That night...mastitis crept up in my right boob. Seriously? Sweat, chills, fever.

So...here I am now. In my pink robe for the second day. Bent over. Boob throbbing. Trying to maintain peace amidst four active children.

Levi has been up every 2 hours the last 2 nights wanting to nurse. A growth spurt? Bad milk? At least I am able to get the mastitis out.

What a dose of humble medicine. Health cannot be taken for granted. Who cares if I feel like my muffin top is unbearable or I have 5 more lbs to lose. Having a healthy back and spine is way more important than how I fit into jeans or how many calories I consume in a day. Lesson learned.

Back to bed. Messy house will continue. Kids will run wild while I am stuck in bed upstairs.

Ugh.

School Days

We are trying to make some decisions about school. ACA vs Marley Park:

uniform vs regular clothing
later start at Marley Park (9am) ; scriptures, homework, piano??
new friends
new homework packet?
ACA curriculum vs. Marley Park
PEC vs Marley? Would we pull them out if they got into PEC?

My boys:
disrespectful Austin :( running across street, not listening to mother, "you are not my teacher" defiant to Tio Alex

Wesley; doesn't listen in the am...takes 10 min to put on shoes

Isaac; throws crackers on the floor, yelling to go potty after I ask him to go, "buzz!!!" naptime takes 10 x's of water, books, potty, etc

Also, Levi; up 2 x's a night, spits up every time,

Family pics 2011

It was stressful. It was crazy. Boys were fighting. I was feeding Levi in the backseat of the car with my dress pulled up. We arrived 30 min. late b/c of "trophy" day at the Baseball game only one hour before photo shoot time.

Black clothing in a dirt field by a warehouse= one hot mess.

Do we look as frazzled as we felt?

October pics

Our month in a flash:I really like dressing my boys up in matching things. This time it was baseball caps and soccer jerseys...all four were adorable!

Isaac loves to pick up Levi. I do NOT like him to do that! He has taken him from the swing all the way to the first step going upstairs. I am so glad he didn't drop him on the wood floor. Sweet big brother. Poor Levi. I can't leave him alone or turn my head for anything! He is now 3 months old. Isaac also spilled out the Ovaltine powder on the floor. I took a picture and then practiced patience as I cleaned it up.

The boys made a "job list" of things to do before they can watch a movie or play video games. The first few days they were so excited...we'll see when that novelty wears off.

Took the boys hiking during Fall Break up to White Tanks Mountain with Tasha Stringham. Really beautiful weather. Not ideal for an umbrella stroller, but we persevered. Pretzels, water and bugs made the hike fun for the boys. The Fall Break was SO long, and I was trying to do something fun!

Went up to Prescott for a weekend to watch the Patience children. Fun to get to know their personalities. A lot of work on my end with 6 kids, but happy to help out.

New stuff

We have been shopping and redecorating our home. Here is our new kitchen table, including a glass top and fun bench. Jared fell in love with a new armoire for our TV. It's large with chunky legs. Our bedroom set is black. We now have a zebra loft (accents of red to come soon). I LOVE my piano room, based off of a Mr. Owl (yellow) who really inspired the rustic look. The bench is really great and I love the pillows.