Give Up!

I just feel like the worst mother in the world! I was very ill to my kids tonight! I almost dropped down to my knees and cried! I can't say that something horrible has happened! I just had an overwhelming moment! Getting the kids ready for Marley's volleyball game. Trying to find costumes for the kids! I am a cheap mom and went all over today(I know at the last moment) looking for costumes but found nothing. They were almost out of everything and the costumes that were left were $29. And I just wouldn't pay that! I wanted Sadie to be Dora, Carpenter to be Diego, and Rowan to be Swipper because that fits his personality. Marley is the only one that is who she wants to be and that is a veterinarian. And that is because Gran found it and bought it for her!

Reflecting on the day.

Ashamed of my behavior.

Tailbone is killing me.

And tomorrow is another busy day.

Carpenter's speech

Carpenter's speech therapist, Liz, is with him now. I am usually in there with them during therapy but he was closing his eyes, pretending she wasn't there! This continued with other "I don't want to do therapy" games! So I got up and left the room! He is talking like crazy, since I left the room! Speaking sentences, wants, and Halloween stuff. I am so happy to hear him conversing! And also a little upset! My feelings are a little hurt that he would not do great therapy with me in the room! But whatever works! I am happy to type and blog in the kitchen and listen to my little man talk!

Cheetah Girls!!!

Last night, Jon and I took Marley and Milli to the Cheetah Girls! We had a great time! It was fun to hear all the girls sing in unison to the Cheetah girls! Jon and I just looked at each other and laughed! You know it is not a concert if you don't hear "Somebody, Anybody, SCREAM!!!" That made me think back when was the last time I heard that at a concert? New Kids on the Block! The cheetah girls had two opening acts! I am getting to the age where I am like lets just get this over with! Let's see who we came here to see! I know everyone has to get their start somewhere but man! If you went to the concert your ears would have been deafened by the scream contests from each act, all saying that we are the best audience ever! I was glad to see Marley and Milli have so much fun and talk about who was their favorite! And the cheetah girls had pretty good dancers too!

on the way to the concert

at the concert

look how happy Jon is!!!

Milli watching the group 535 and not too excited about it!

Marcy and Ryan(in the orange)

notice what Jon is doing

Marcy and Lilly

Cheetah Girls in their flying chandeliers

Milli and Marley

Cheetah Milli, Cheetah Mom, Cheetah Marley

Jon has some embarrassing video of Marley and Milli singing and dancing but I haven't got it from him yet!

What happens when you want to sleep 30 more minutes:

So this is what happens when you want to sleep thirty minutes more! Jonathan was watching the kids but on the laptop! And apparently they know when to ask dad for things! Jon just says yes when he is on the computer! Sadie asked Jonathan to open up the tub of special lotion for Carpenter (he has really dry skin)! We'll you can see the consequences to that action here:

HSM 3

Taylor And Marley (they were too cool to pose by the HSM stuff)

Yesterday, I had the wonderful privilege of taking two special girls in my life to see HSM 3! Taylor and Marley had a wonderful time! This is the first HSM Taylor has seen! She is soo out of the loop! I tried to tell Taylor it would be packed, so we needed to hurry! We ended up sitting on the third row!!! Taylor and I laughed at every corny line: "I love you, Wildcat" and "You're crazy Wildcat!" But Marley thought this was the best one yet!

Prude note:
Maybe it is just me and I am getting older but the girls dresses could be just a little bit longer! If you see it you will understand! Too many flashes!! That was my only complaint so far!

Sleep Habits

Okay, so here are some pics of Carpenter from this past Saturday night! When we put all the kids in the bed, everyone went to sleep except Carpenter! It was like he knew that mom and dad wanted to watch the Carolina game in peace! With out hearing complaints about wanting to watch something else, or having to get the kids something, or just life in general! We thought, "yeah, the game is a night and game and we will be able to watch it my ourselves!"

It was like Carpenter could sense it, literally! Jon and I fought with Carpenter the whole entire night! Constantly putting him back into his bed! He did go to sleep around 10 pm. But then I got a little excited, if you watched the game, it was when Garcia threw that deep pass to K. McKenley, that was so awesome of a catch that it deserved a little yell! We'll that did it! Jonathan glared at me right then, I knew I had woken him up! I didn't mean too! I was good all night, but I do get a little excited when I watch football!

He didn't go to sleep until around 11:45! It got soo bad that I finally got the baby gate and put it on his door! The crying got louder but at least I did not have to get up every 15 seconds!

Here is what we found we things got quiet for a while:


his lip was turning purple!

Where did this GUT come from?

LOOK AT THAT GUT! AND WHERE DID IT COME FROM?

I knew that I had put some weight on. But I really didn't notice it until my mom posted pictures from Rowan's Birthday party! You see, my mother didn't regard herself to edit the posting of pics to flatter myself! I always do such a thing!

I thought to myself that I have to get real about losing 15 - 20 lbs! So why not do it on my blog? To really put my embarrassment out there! And hopefully I will respond!

I just can't seem to lose that little amount of weight! I don't gain any weight during pregnancy, in fact I loose it! But while I am breastfeeding I eat and eat!

I hope I won't be shooting myself for posting this tomorrow!

I am just trying to keep it real!

What does a dream mean?

Okay, so last night I dreamt that I drowned in my washing machine!

Don't Laugh!

So, in my dream, I was loading clothes into the washing machine! I was wondering how much room was left in the washing machine, to know how much more clothes to put in there. I push my arms, for some reason both of them in there deep! And because I am short my legs went up in the air! Then the wet clothes started sucking me in! And I drowned! I woke up gasping for air, trying to get out!

I know I have been doing alot of laundry lately! I do alot usually because we have a six person family! But getting all of the clothes packed up and organize has been alot!

"Oh, What a Beautiful Morning! Oh, What a Beautiful Day"

We'll my mom taught me alot about the art of appreciating musicals! I loved "Oklahoma" and "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers!" As I sat down to think of the title for my blog, the "Oh, What a beautiful morning" song came into my head!

Oh, what a beautiful mornin',
Oh, what a beautiful day.
I got a beautiful feelin'
Ev'rything's goin' my way.

That is not what I felt this morning! It was very ironic that that song came into my head, my morning was everything but that! I could of label my blog "the Morning from Heck!"

First, we had an appointment with our genetic doctor, Dr. Geer! I got up in plenty of time! Raced to put the kids into the car and proceeded to back out the driveway forgetting that Jonathan was parked behind me in his brand new Toyota Tundra! To tell you the truth, I completely forgot it was back there, I didn't even think about it! But luckily, there was no damage to either van/truck!

So, that really rattled me! I would like to say that was the first time! But I backed out onto Jonathan's jeep one time! I know, he never lets me forget that! To tell you the truth, I was mad at Jon for parking behind me! He knows I get out first in the morning! "How dare he park behind me! He should park on the street!" But then reality came back to home and I couldn't blame it on him! No matter how hard I tried to in my head!

Did I mention the doctor's appointment was at 8:30? So I was driving on my way to Dr. Geer's office, I ran into two separate wrecks along the way! It seemed like several people were having a wonderful morning like I did! So that put me even more behind but I got there 8:45. That's not too bad considering!?!

Brief story about last years appointment:

So I had the geneticist appointment last year for Carpenter, Rowan was like 1 week old! So I didn't know that they had moved there offices upstairs! I parked in what I learned was now the basement! So here I was toting Carpenter, Sadie, and Rowan in the car seat container up these rickety iron rotted stairs! Trying to get two little walking one's up these steps while carrying a diaper bag and car seat holder with Rowan in it, praying that no one would fall down the cracks, was an event! So we went up the two flights of stairs! And finally got into the office! So during the visit(I had just had Rowan the week before) I started leaking! A bunch, I mean really bad! So I was trying to help Dr. Geer with Carpenter, while Rowan was in the car seat and Sadie was going everywhere! So I stole the blanket from Rowan held it over my milk stained shirt! I bet he must of thought I was crazy, holding that blanket over me the whole time! Praying he didn't notice! For I would have died from embarrassment! But you know he had too! Then out we went, back down the flights of stairs and into the van! Whew!
It took me a year before I could write about that story!

Back to today's visit:
So I put every one's shoes on in the car, because the first things the kids, all of the 3 little ones, do is take off their socks and shoes! Then we head into the office! I had to fill out paper work because I forgot it in my rush! Then we did all the weight and measurement stuff including medical history from last year!

Picture a circus! Really! All three kids walking, crawling, reading books, wanting to wash their hands, opening drawers, while I try to listen to what Dr. Geer said! I have to say that Dr. Geer is one of my favorite doctors, he is super smart, but still relateable! You have some doctors, that are very intelligent but have no personality! I am never afraid to call him with what I need!

So picture this, Dr. Geer sitting on the exam table, Rowan crawling under it! Then Carpenter and Sadie running an Olympic trial of climbing up onto a chair then getting on the doctors table, getting tickled and squished by Dr. Geer, going down to the end of the table, jumping into a chair to get themselves down, and running it over and over again! So in between the races we talked about what to do with Carpenter's schooling and issues that are very important to me!

Then I let them play before we leave, then my worst nightmare happens! I am holding Rowan and Carpenter and Sadie split up! Carpenter goes right, Sadie goes left, and both of them could fall down the balcony or steps! I promise I am not this bad of a mom! Usually I am firm, you have to be firm, and they listen to me! Today, no way! It was what they wanted to do! I guess they figured it would be icing on my cake for the day!

Thank you Dr. Geer by not being daunted by all the kids! He has four kids himself so he knows what it is like! I love this yearly visit, I look forward to it! Dr. Geer is a specialist in all genetic things, I learn so much each trip!

I had to write this entry while the actions of the morning were fresh in my head! The children we sitting down for lunch but no have all the cushions off the couch playing games!

I am in a Funk!

I am in a funk right now! We went to church and had a great morning! Everyone took a nap except me but I was able to get alot of housework done! And then my parents took the kids for 2 hours! I got all of the kids winter clothes organized! It took several weeks of just finding the time I could to do it! I had to put away 4 kids summer clothes! And then go through old clothes of Carpenter's and Marley's for Rowan and Sadie! I had to wash all of the clothes and hang them up! It was neat going through all the clothes! I remembered when Marley wore that outfit and when she got her pictures taken in others(because she was the first child she got her pictures taken alot)! Also it seems like just yesterday Carpenter was wearing 12months sized clothes! I was so proud of myself! I worked my badonkadonk off!

But now the kids are asleep, I am very tired! And I seem to hit a low note when I am home alone! If I see an adult with special needs on TV or something, I lose it! I can not explain it! It happens every time and the tears start running! Why can I not handle this? What the heck is wrong with me?

This will pass! I am going to get ready for bed! I need to iron all the kids clothes first and lay them out on the coffee table to be ready for in the morning!

Rowan's 1st Birthday Party

Rowan had a great first birthday party! The weather was truly beautiful! We had some great moments! One time, I couldn't find Carpenter, I could hear him but could not see him! He had turned the water hose on and soaked himself! Luckily Gran found an extra outfit for him! Also, Carpenter did not understand why Rowan had a personal cake and he did not! So he did swipe some of Rowan's cake! Thank you Gran and Pop-Pop for letting us have the party at your house! All of our kids had their first birthday at the Long's house!

Isn't that cake adorable! It is a Noah's Ark Cake! And a Jonah Whale cake for Rowan's individual! Remember Carpenter's farm cake! Tonya Whitley made this one also! Isn't it great! And tastes good too!


























Rowan's Happy Birthday song:


Rowan eating his cake:

Please ignore me fussing at my husband!

Random Children TV Thoughts

Here are some random things I have come across by watching to much TV with my children!

1. I knew Dora had a larger head, ever since Marley was in love with Dora! It never seemed to bother me until lately. Dora's head is WAY too large! Especially when she is on the screen with Diego and the rest of her family! She really sticks out! Why doesn't everyone have a large head?

2. How can Franklin want a pet dog when he is a turtle? I mean Franklin is a reptile! Why is a dog always a pet no matter what if the characters are animals! The same thing happened on Aurthur!

3. Lazy Town really freaks me out! The faces on the non-real human characters is soo creepy! I can't stand to watch it! Jon doesn't like it either!

4. How can there be a whole village of Smurfs with only one girl? Smurfette!

5. Why does Moe always pull the rope? Carpenter can do the "Get on the Bus" dance from the Doodlebops!

6. I love the fact that Sesame Street uses children with special needs! "Count Me In," I love that song!

7. I think Yo Gabba Gabba is for tripped out adults! Who can sit there and watch the show? Those are the creepiest/strangest/weirdest characters! What about the song "Try It, You'll Like It!" See how that backs me up on my hypothesis!

Anniversary

Today is a very special day to me! And many of you might not even know it! Four years ago, we brought our oldest son, Carpenter, home from the NICU! He spent 24 days in the NICU! Like, I have said before you never imagine while you are pregnant that your son will be 5 weeks early and have to stay in the hospital 24 days! That first night home was very hard on me! I ached for Carpenter!

I was really never worried about his life! Carpenter was just working on feeding and growing! When I ride by the hospital, I often think about my time there! Everything was so routine, I would often forget my trek up to the hospital! I went to the hospital two times a day! I probably would have spent the night there if I didn't have Marley at home! I almost stayed at the Ronald McDonald house, but I knew other families would need to stay there more! I had to take Marley to school and try not to let her life be too altered because Carpenter was in the hospital! I often look up at that hospital and think of all the families that are there right now with their kids! I would often want to go up there and help, I would love to be a support person there! Be able to talk to parents! That hospital was a great deal like a home for Carpenter and myself! I loved Carpenter's nurses! What sweet people! But I longed to bring my baby home! So this is a special day, a day my son came home! A day I will never forget and a day that I am so grateful for!

To all of those parents who may be there now, my thoughts and prayers are with you!

I look back on that time and see that my life was given an even greater purpose with Carpenter! I know that sounds all corny but it is true!


Carpenter crying! He had the cutest little cry! You can see in the background a list of able visitor's! Only 6 people could visit Carpenter! Jon, myself, my mom, and dad, and Gary and Suzanne! They were able to be at the hospital when I wasn't able to be! I am so grateful! Not even Marley was aloud to go see him, once I got to hold him up through a rear glass door and show Marley her brother!

Look at that beautiful face without wires! I can not fully verbalize what it is like to hold your son without gloves, gown, and wires! It was amazing!

First outfit way too BIG! Needed something smaller!

Jon, Marley, and Carpenter

Look how tiny Marley was!

Little Man!

Jon and his babies!

Gran, Marley, and Carpenter

Daddy's boy from the beginning!