An Outing for the Brave (or Insane)

The girls and I went to Mom's Group (that's not what it is, but that's what we call it) this morning, then got lunch at Burger King (shh . . . don't tell the health nuts). Ruby and Claire played for 20 minutes in the nasty play structure (am I alone in totally grosing out about fast food play structures? Does anyone else find themselves having to not think too much about it in order to not throw up and race out in sheer terror? I have NEVER seen a play structure that was even moderately clean. Of course, the reason I am so very disgusted is because when Ruby was little I'd go in with her, and I've been in a few times with Claire, so I see up close and personal just how vile things are in there. You moms who have never ventured into a structure: proceed with caution. Perhaps it is better for you to remain happily ignorant of their absolute state of horrificness. I am totally blown away by the parents who let their kids play BEFORE eating---and don't even make their kids WASH UP before eating their fries with their filthy fingers.) Okay, I'm done now. After our flirt with danger, we went to get the oil changed in the Pilot in preparation for our upcoming trip. Anyone with three little ones (or even one) knows that's pretty much asking for trouble to try to do that many things one after the other. We only had one fit by one child (when I announced it was time to leave BK). Otherwise, it was fairly smooth sailing. Of course, I'm glossing over the fact that it is truly a feat to get 3 children 3 and under safely in and out of a car (each time I add another child, I have to figure out the whole "getting in/out of the car safely" thing), thorough a parking lot, and through the doors to wherever we're going (two of the places had kind people who took mercy on us and got the door for us). Then there's the difficulty of a trip to the potty with all three kids, or getting drinks, food and children to the table, or, like happened with the oil change--the mechanic needed to show me something, so all 4 of us trapsed out there to look. It took several minutes to just get out there!

At Mom's group, the ladies are always getting on me to not pick up my chair (we stack them after we meet)--a whopping 10 pounds or so, when I almost always am sure to walk out 5 minutes later, carrying my (probably by now) 10 pound baby--in her car seat--AND the overstuffed diaper bag (with all the activities, diapers, cups, snacks and whatever toys the girls have left for me to carry) AND my purse, and perhaps a few incidentals under my arm, hanging from fingers, or piled onto the diaper bag. Even my toddler is at least twice as heavy as the chiar, and I find myself lifting her quite often. What of all THAT lifting I'm doing? It makes me laugh at such a light item as a chair. Does any mom actually accomplish the whole "six weeks without lifting anything heavier than the baby" business?

I found it interesting that in two conversations I had with other moms today, we had all three come to the same solution/conclusion for the difficulties we encounter, but for different reasons. All three of us find it is just best to stay home most of the time. One mother said it was just too much effort to get out of the house. By the time she gets herself and her children ready, hours have passed and she's exhausted. My sister-in-law (over the phone) mentioned that in order to keep her children on their nap, etc. schedules (she has a 2-year old and 6-month old twins), she ends up doing things like getting together with friends at home more than at other places. My difficulty has to do with the danger of being in a public place when a melt-down (a euphamism for an out-and-out fit of rage) by one of my toddlers happens in full-force without the chance of a quick escape. My girls are being quite challenging and I find it is best to stay home to deal with these shenanegans.

Four Generations

Gram & Haley at 2 1/2 weeks


Four Generations with Ruby: February, 2005
Four Generations with Claire: July, 2006

When my mom was here the other week, we went to visit Gram to get our traditional Four-Generation pics with Haley. It is very special to me to have these pictures. Not everyone has the privilege of having 4 generations alive at once or being able to come together, so I count myself very blessed. My Gram and my daughters have a special bond, so it makes those pictures even dearer.

Birthday Blessings

I am officially 32 as of yesterday (barely). Casey and I celebrated at home (it was more relaxing than taking all 3 children on an outing) by renting a movie and having our "usual" (as in the one we usually order, not usual like we get it every day) Cold Stone treat: "Gotta Have It" cake batter ice cream with cookie dough in a chocolate-dipped, sprinkled waffle cup. Pretty decadent. We have a Cold Stone less than 5 minutes away, so our old tradition of going there one to two times a year has turned into 4 times since we moved here (averaging once-a-month--yikes!).

Anyway, my friend recommended Bella the other day, and I've really liked past recommendations from her, so we watched it tonight. It was very moving and well-done. Casey and I both liked it alot.

I meant to take a picture of us doing something today, but never got a chance.

This probably seems like a really lame birthday, but Casey let me run the errand to get the movie and ice cream, and that was a special treat to get out of the house and be by myself for a few minutes while he put the girls to bed. I guess when you get to this age (and are in this particular situation:) it doesn't take much to get a thrill!

Picture Link for Starving Viewers

In Lieu of adding pictures to this blog (or until I start doing a better job of including pics in my posts), I'm adding this link for anyone who veiws the blog and finds it lacking, visually. http://picasaweb.google.com/casey.cowart There are some pictures of our family, but this is Casey's photography choice, so you will find pictures of other things besides people. (People are not his favorite subject matter for photography, much to my chagrin!) Actually, a few of the pictures are kinda random, but may be refreshing compared with what this blog currently offers. Ones who appreciate artsy stuff may enjoy some of his "non-people" pictures. I don't think I'm biased when I say that Casey has a good eye for photography. Visit the site and tell me if I'm imagining it!

Oh, and Haley is exactly one month old today. We have yet to take one-month pics and the day's almost over. I just realized we haven't done her footprints yet, either. Need to get to that before her long feet are even longer!

Eleven Postpartum Things I Thank God For

June 2, 2008. 11 days old

A fabulous mother-in-law and mom who postponed my introduction to reality for 3 weeks combined

My cuddley, sweet-smelling baby all nestled on my chest. (She eats, sleeps and is healthy and growing)

Two precious toddlers who give me numerous opportunities to work on my temper and to apologize when I fail—always forgiving

My hubby—a hands-on parent—jumping into our evenings after getting home from a long day at work

Generous friends and near strangers who brought dinner for those first 2 weeks

Sleeping on my tummy

Sleeping on my back

Climbing the stairs—for the first time since moving to our new house—without getting a contraction as a result. I looked forward to the day for almost three months!

No more contractions, period!

(Speaking of period) not having one; AND not being prego

Kegel exercises

On My Own (Preview)

Mom left at 10 this morning. Aside from a few hours the other week, this is my first day on my own. Except it is not really on my own, since Mom got up with the girls and let me sleep in one more time and put dinner together before she left. All I had to do was put it in the oven. What a great Mom! The house is picked up and clean, and all dishes were done, so we're starting off ahead. Let's see how long the house stays this way.

Ruby and Claire are both going through adjustments with the new addition. They really love Haley, but they are challenging and difficult throughout the day. Ruby is on one minute and off the next with her attitudes, but Claire is pretty consistently grumpy and obstinate. And I really have to keep a keen eye on Haley with both girls, since they are young enough that they don't realize what is okay to do or not to do with her. This morning, they were hugging (after one got in trouble for hitting the other and needed to apologize) and fell on her. I was near enough to slightly break their fall, but they still kinda landed on her. I have to work hard to protect her, and it really cuts down on doing much else when I need to keep her out of their reach or at least in my sight. I end up holding her alot. How ironic for a thrid child! (I find I get more and more tender-hearted about the whole holding and comforting thing as each child comes along. Not usual with subsequent children, but crying breaks my heart way more with Haley than it did with Ruby.)

So, how did our first day go? We said goodbye to Nana, had a mid-morning snack and took a nap--all four of us. Claire in her bed, Ruby, Haley and I in mine. I got dressed around 2 p.m. and we had a light lunch (so we'd be hungry for dinner when Daddy got home) and we made a thank-you note and colored pictures for Nana (and had numerous discipline and training opportunities) and the girls played on the back porch for a bit. I actually remembered to put dinner in the oven on time and Casey made it home around 5:15. We ate and Casey put Claire to bed (already a basketcase by then) and I did a few dishes and folded some laundry. Ruby, Haley and I went for a short walk while Casey got on a conference call with the side business he's doing (yes, another side job. It will always be something:). I put Ruby to bed and spent the evening marathon-nursing Haley (she's 3 weeks old--growth spurt?) and playing x-box. Yeah, I know. There are numerous other things I should have been doing. I'd really love to have blogged then, but I find I can't really type while I nurse (I'm amazed at the things I can do--or at least find myself doing, like walking around, tending to the other girls, disciplining, getting things for them, etc.), and I was pretty tired again by tonight anyway.

12:15 and time for bed.

Babies, Barf and Blow-Outs

Haley is 2 weeks today. We've just been hanging out at home most of the time. Sandy (MIL) left last Friday night and my mom came in on Sunday night. We've also been getting dinners brought to us these two weeks, so I haven't had almost any sense of reality since Haley was born. I had a slight dose of it (reality) last Friday evening after taking Sandy to the airport. Casey wasn't going to be home till later that night. We weren't in the door 5 minutes before all three girls had, shall we say, "blow outs." I've heard that women who live together will synchronize on their cycles. Could my girls be synchronizing on bodily functions?

So, the update on our 3rd daughter is that she is a real sleeper and an eater and spits up more than my other two did. She had her initial well-check with Dr. Tom today and weighed in at 8 lb. 8 oz. Of course, she had a blowout right there in the room while we waited. (The only TRUE blowout she's had so far--not bad for being 2 weeks old--I blame Huggies. Never have had good experiences w/ those diapers--always leaking out the legs w/my girls. This wasn't just a leak, though. Serious business.) Good thing they needed her clothes off anyway, because she remained sans clothing until we returned home 2 hours later.

Ruby and Claire ask several times a day if they may hold "she." They really love Haley, but life has been slightly disrupted for them. It doesn't help that Claire is teething. She has not gotten ONE tooth without throwing up at least once before it comes in, and, though I see no evidence of 2-yr molars, she is teething for sure, evidenced by various bouts of vomiting this past week.

We actually made it to church on Sunday: just in time to rush in and get a seat. As the opening prayer began, Claire (sitting on my lap) let loose and puked all over Casey and me and herself. We cleaned up with baby blankets and baby wipes and got out of there before the prayer was over. Poor Claire kept saying "I sawy." "I sawy." We laughed all the way home about how ironic it was that we made it on time to church with a newborn, only to leave minutes later for something totally unrelated to Haley or me. I wonder what people must've thought when we were there one minute and gone the next. We can move pretty fast for a family of five!