Gas

Well today has been an adventure. Well at least the morning was. 

Viola had her second dentist appointment back in Des Moines at 8 am. Ugh! Why I agreed to that beats me! I took all the kids in their jammies and myself not showered and in all my glory! I walked Viola to her room and held her hand until they put the gas on her. 

This was that moment. She had Rio on above her so she was set! She did great. Cavity filled and seals on her molars. 

This kid hasn't slept well all day. I'm convinced it's gas. He's been eating/sucking on and off all day. He has been sleeping peacefully in his car seat finally comfortable since 5-it's now 730. Hopefully he's gotten it all out. 

Henrys been missing Ryan all day. He walks to the garage door, taps it lightly and says dada. Cute and kinda sad. Haha 

We've had a somewhat better afternoon. Just hanging out and trying to get Adrian cozy! 

Until tomorrow! 

Room down-literally

If you want to know how fast sisters can destroy a room-give them a small amount of time and it's done. Any time I tried to sit down today I was pulled away by something like this:

Bedroom vomit. Every blanket, pillow, stuffed animal and every item out of their dresser. Not to mention they ripped and destroyed their frozen wall stickers and posters. 

And all toy buckets on the bed. I am so upset. Not so much about the clothes and toys but the decor. That's just wasted money now! How many kids seriously do this? My spirit has been somewhat crushed. I want to replace it all...but why should I? Oh well. Time will tell! No lie though-I locked them out of their room for a while. I didn't know what else to do!! 

Adrian has been kind of fussy tonight. He's tooted a lot so hopefully gas drops help him. 

Until tomorrow!! 

4 kiddos and the dentist

So mommys day with the brood consisted of three dentist appointments for the kids. Obviously Adrian wasn't in on it and slept through it all. 

I was most nervous for Viola. I knew her teeth were iffy (especially her molars).  She actually did awesome! She let the tech clean her teeth with no issues! 

And when the dentist was digging around checking, she did good! She has one cavity. We go back Wednesday to get that filled and caps on her molars! I was very glad she checked out as well as she did. I'm not the best at making sure they brush well, so I was ok with one cavity!

Iz went first so the other two knew what to expect. 

She and Henry both were cavity free! 

Taking 4 kids to the dentist was a lot but it was actually smooth and simple! 

Adrian wore his outfit from Jessamy today; he was upset and hungry here but he had a good day! 

Until tomorrow!

Farm life

We spent the day at Ryan's parents. We had a good lunch and quality time with all the cousins! I had a great time chatting with Kristy the whole afternoon! Good sister bonding time!

I didn't take one pictire either! Oh well!

Until tomorrow!

Mommy wants

If there were two things in this world I wish would do themselves is laundry and probably dishes. I hate standing there washing and folding. Annoys me. I washed blankets and bedding today and it just takes so long! I won't lie though, there is nothing better than fresh bedding! 

And I lied. I wish all diapers (poopy ones) changed themselves too! Oh well. Mommy life will never get what mommy life wants. 

Cleaning I don't so much mind-it's become a stress relief for me. I get annoyed though when something or someone dirties my just mopped floors. I have recently decided to hate the bathroom though. I do not know why-but cleaning it irritates me. So maybe I'm up to four things now! And again-mommy life will never get what mommy wants. 

One thing I LOVE about mommy life-nap and bedtime. Why? The quiet time to myself has finally arrived. Those sweet blissful two hours during the afternoon or the hour I fight to stay awake at night to enjoy tv...bliss! I love my kiddos, but days like today I can't wait for my alone time! 

I love each of these people in a different way. Iz will always be my first. My first baby, my first kid to go to school, fall off a bike, get sick and do on. 

Viola is my stubborn and sassy one. She will always and forever think on her own terms. 

Henry-he's so easy. Laid back and does whatever. 

Adrian-

He has a lot of growing and getting stronger to do right now. My life is consumed with keeping him healthy and strong. 

Ryan-I love him. A lot. Each day I can learn something new from him. I know how to check my oil levels because of him! Highs and lows we are always going to be strong in our crazy child-run life. 

My mommy life may look good from an observer view-but trust me...we are FAR from perfect and some days we hardly have it all together! We make it work! How-your guess is seriously as good as mine!! If I can do this, you can too! 

High fives to all mommies and mommy victories!! 

Until tomorrow!! 

Snip snip

Well Ryan went in to the doctor today and was officially snipped. We will no longer have babies. I know nothing is never 100% effective, but we both knew and agreed Adrian would be the last. We wanted him, but wanted to wait longer-he had other plans. 

So Ryan feels ok. He's actually cleaning the garage right now. While he snoozed a bit this afternoon I did some thinking. 

1-no more being pregnant. Ever. It's weird to think. I won't feel baby kicks or jabs ever again. Have cravings. Breastfeed after Adrian's done (that part is kind of ok with me), get sick or have swollen feet! 

2-it's really neat to look back and see how different and alike each pregnancy was. Adrian made this last time a trip! Coming out with a bang sealed the deal for us! I don't ever care to be in a hospital setting like that ever again! 

3-the amount of love I have for each person we've created grows more each day. Even though most days I wanna pull my hair out, small moments make my heart grow more. Today-Adrian actually focused his eyes! Kind of a big deal to me.

And finally

4- I'm glad Ryan loves me enough to do that. Taking pills is annoying and now we really know we won't have to worry! So thanks babe! Side note-when we had Adrian we had papers signed for me to tie my tubes if I needed a c-section. Obviously that didn't happen. 

So like I said Adrian focused his eyes today. Not on the book (he actually still can't see that far), but when Iz popped up in his face, I noticed he did a quick 1-2 second focus. I was/still am a little nervous with his focusing as of yesterday. I feel like one eye looks lazy and I told our AEA worker yesterday. So we're watching it. I could have victory danced!!  

Until tomorrow!! 

Preemie services

We had one of our first preemie services visit our house today. The AEA heartland offeres free services to those who are in the nicu. We met Julie, and she evaluated where Adrian is at for a one month old and by his adjusted age of 38 weeks gestation. He's doing well. Right where he should be for what all he can do. Eat and sleep. :-)

She'll be back in three weeks to see how much father along he is. The nice thing about these services is that if he were to need physical, occupational or speech therapy, they send those people to our house! It's all free too! Good benefits even if he doesn't end up needing much!

In other developmental news, we had Isabelle's first kindergarten conference tonight. She's doing awesome. 

Some of her art!!

 

The reading they have here is called fast track. I don't know much about it. I can tell you for fall, they want her to score a 34...she got a 38! She's meeting every expectation she should be! Her teacher wants her to be able to count to 100 by the end of the year; so far she can get to 25! Only 75 to go! As well as feeling more comfortable asking for help if needed or talking in a larger group setting. She's shy like her mommy was! 

So like I said, she's right on track. Sorry if you can't see the picture well, but that's her report card! So strange to have a kid with a report card! 

It was a fairly predictive and busy day!! 

Until tomorrow! 

Apple boy!! 

Reunited!!

Today has been very crazy. Very busy. I went to Des Moines two times! Trip one was for my six week postpartum check up. We spent more time driving than at the office itself!

Trio two was to see my long lost and very excitedly found friend, Jessamy! We haven't seen each other in almost a year already! She was in the Des Moines area with all the kids, so we had a quick but very much needed play date/mommy get together! 

We were both very excited to meet each other's new babies! Kate is so adorable and was very curious about Adrian! 

She already tried making moves on him! 

Henry was equally as curious about her, too!

All of the kids (minus Philip) used the hand sanitizer in the play area and smeared it all over the giant climber. Over and over again. It's all they did!

At least they were clean and playing on a cleaner surface. 

It was so, so good to catch up. Jessamy said it so well last year. It's hard to find that one friend when you move...and it's true. It's like she had never moved when we were together today. Just picking up where we left off. 

I miss you already, dear friend!! So until we are together again next time-you've got this! You're an awesome mommy and a strong person! 

Until tomorrow!! 

Paradise life

I tried hard to figure out a way to get a picture of Adrian "hearing" story time this morning. Epic fail. It's too complicated so I went with Viola. They listened to a counting story. I don't know this lady's name, but she's a lot more interactive and I enjoyed her. 

The activities are still pretty limited within the library, but at least they love going! 

This is how he listened. I was worried about his white finger tips. My mom showed it to her school nurse. It's pretty normal I guess. They did pink right back up after we left. 

We had lots of milk comas today. This kid loves to eat. He still has me very paranoid. I don't know how to explain how I feel. I've been overwhelmed with mixed feelings lately. Like I'm having my nicu postpartum after the nicu life. I've read a lot of moms go through it. 

I've been dealt a lot these past few weeks with four kids. 

Today I had to clip finger nails. For Viola it's like murder. Iz is like a light switch with her mood swings. Henry is starting to hit-a lot, and me, I'm an exhausted mommy with almost no fuse. It's just another day in paradise. 

Until tomorrow! 

Congested

Someone woke up a little congested sounding this morning and sneezing. All my mommy alarms are in high alert today. He ate fine and hasn't sneezed or coughed or anything since then. Maybe it's the temp changes? Who knows. I'll be paranoid for a few days though! 

Until tomorrow 

Outdoorsy

We had an awkward day. The kids just want to do nothing but play outside. Not a huge deal now that the weather is nice. 

They got to go for a ride around the block. 

And Adrian supervised from the garage. 

Something new I did today...I made a taco bake for dinner. It was very good!

Until tomorrow! 

Sluggish

I had the most sluggish morning. In my defense I woke up with a headache. I've been battling that all day. 

So Adrian and I snuggled. I dozed in and out of sleep. Then he pooped. 

Iz stayed busy drawing pictures. 

She drew a turtle, flowers, sponge bob, herself running, and a waffle. I did the butterfly. She's quite the artist. 

We went to and celebrated Emma's 5th birthday. The kids loved the cake! We left Adrian at home with my mom. I'm still in my nervous germ stage. 

This kid loves to wear headbands now, too!

Until tomorrow!

Emotions

I think I've felt every emotion made known to man today. 

I feel like when I look around me I'm not getting anywhere. By that I think what I'm trying to say is house work, kid-parent interaction, spouse time. I've never felt so overwhelmed before. I really do not get time to stop and think. If there were more hours in a day it would be better.

My biggest issue is the balance. I know I mentioned it before, but this week has been extra hard, and I think it's because I'm so aware of what I want to do and better it but can't figure out how- is driving me mad. I want to have alone time with each kiddo, but that time balance is still an issue with me. I'm trying hard, but today I feel like a failure. 

I found myself asking myself what's happening here. It feels like the kids are running me and I hate that. I'm trying hard to hold my ground, but it's exhausting when I'm alone for most of the day. 

Ugh

I don't know how to say it all without sounding selfish or mean. I love my kiddos a lot, but lately it's just down right rotten to be around them when they're in a mood. I know all parents alike feel this, but it's just been heavy on my mind today. 

Looking back and reading this I know it's one hundred percent a venting blog tonight. For that I apologize. I need to get it out. 

The one thing I enjoyed most today-the storms. It thundered literally all day. I love, loved it! 

Until tomorrow!!

Weight check day

I would have gotten a picture of Adrian getting weighed today...but he decided to aim his pee right and me and then the nurse! It was quite chilly in the doctors office this morning. Anyways...I was certain he was around, if not, 7 pounds. He was 6 pounds 7 ounces! So in two weeks he's gained a pound! 

Tiny, mighty and determined to grow! Should be interesting to see how much he gains in two more weeks!   

Viola wore her Elsa shoes everywhere we went today. So why not the playground too. 

Each kid looks alike in their own ways. Tonight I thought this pic of Iz looked a lot like Adrian from when she was a baby. 

Until tomorrow!! 

Iz asked for her hair like this...I was successful. Haha 

Big girl

Yesterday was international dot day. Isabelle's school participated by dressing in clothes with dots. She also got the chance to decorate a dot here at home and take it back to her art teacher. Today she came home with a creativity certificate. 

I'm sure everyone who colored a dot got one. She also got a certificate on her reading packet for completing her first unit!! I've never seen a kid more excited about homework than she is!! 

So a couple of proud mommy moments today!! Her school pictures came in also, and they're so good! 

The other three and I kinda bunkered down inside since it got so warm out today! 

We enjoyed the breeze waiting for Iz to get out of school, though!! 

Until tomorrow!