Saturday, July 31, 2010

I have my battered pink pants on

and if you know me, that means I plan to stay in all day tomorrow and enjoy the old, battered and holey pants.  Today was a good day, kids woke up happy, I got the majority of my work done, kids helped straighten and the bulk of the laundry was washed.  We headed out around 4 to the Fallon's for dinner then on to a birthday party at the pool.  It was a little chilly for Teagan and I to be in the water too much, but the big kids had a blast and Teagie sucked up well to the birthday girl's family and scored plenty of bites of cupcake from them, so she was happy.  I got to chit chat which after a week of no hubby, was a welcome brush with adult conversation.

Tomorrow I plan to relax and rest.  I have some writing to do and will need to feed kids etc, but I am going to really try to lay low and take a day to myself, laundry and work be damned.  Monday we will do house stuff and football, Tuesday we are heading to the fair with the hubby, Wednesday we are going to the waterpark.  The kids are looking forward to a fun week and I am looking forward to enjoying some family time, some down time and some time with friends :)

Friday, July 30, 2010

Ah the joys of having a brood

Sitting at football watching my poor son who is lost as can be and really unskilled being that this was practice number 3 for him when Baby Five Alive aka Finn decides to kung fu my stomach. As he accosts my very empty stomach, my girls were off pushing the baby in the stroller and I did not want to leave my post watching Gray's practice especially since he had just been flattened a few minutes earlier. So I sat there, and Finn kept bashing that sweet spot that made me want to hurl and thankfully my girls came back just in time for me to remove myself from the masses to get sick.  Of course Haven with Teagan in tow followed me to see what I was doing :)

Thankfully Britt recognized the look on my face and was wise enough to hold down the fort, well our chairs, and watch over her little brother so I could deal with the effects of ongoing all day sickness.  Now THAT makes for a fun evening, is the hubby off yet?

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Just for posterity

Pregnancy gives you wicked and weird dreams that are so real you question if they happened at all.


Here is the doozy I had last night:
I was not married and had no kids and was planning to attend some big work conference in a few weeks.  I met up with an ex boyfriend from HS (who in actuality was someone I went to HS with, but never dated and never wanted to date).  He and I hung out for the weeks leading up to the conference and then he popped the question and I accepted although I have no idea why and the ring was obviously plastic.

Then the conference came and we had to drive through a bunch of gates to find the building I needed to go to on this big corporate retreat campus.  He was driving my car which I think was my old Nissan Sentra and he wouldn't stop at the gates!  I was getting pissed since I needed to know where to go and I needed a parking pass, etc but on we went.  I then saw people from work, so we got out at that building and I told him I was going to go check in and get my name tag, which in the dream was VERY important to me, and he could entertain himself.  I couldn't find where to check in and it was taking forever and I was walking all over when I finally found some friends from work so I stopped to chat.  As we were chatting and they were telling me where I could get a name tag, the boyfriend/fiance came running through being chased by police, and he ended up getting away.  Police told me he was wanted for murder!  I was so in shock and embarrassed in my dream and still didn't have my damn name tag!  Finally they caught him and he was wearing a Rangers knit cap (?) when they got him.


So dream analyzers, WTH?

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Back off Burglars

We are home and have been since the wee hours of Monday morning, so any would be robbers need to think twice before they try to nab my tube TVs.

Here is the lowdown...
1. We went to Long Island
2. We stayed with my husband's father and his girlfriend, it was hot as Hades and there was limited air conditioning and no food in the house
3. We indulged in loads of yummy LI food, I went to a picnic with folks from HS (hi guys, lets do it again next year!) and ran into my old Greek bosses who slipped my kids cash :)
4. It was too hot, I was too tired and not feeling well, so much to hubby's dismay and a nasty little argument, we headed home early
5. We made it home in one piece with all family members in the same vehicle, and the nasty fight is over because we really have better things to do with our time
6. We had an ultrasound yesterday, the baby is a boy, he will be Finnian Ryan and we are very excited.  We also learned he has enormous ears and feet, so he will resemble Grayson when he was born.  Good thing he grew into both the ears and the feet.
7.  Seems he has a little cyst in his brain, we assume it is nothing as did the perinatologist and the geneticist, most likely it will simply dissipate.
8. I am swamped at work so that is all I can write for now

Friday, July 23, 2010

Whew...crisis averted

Well we are not home, and as I always state when we are not home, we have four kids and a huge dog who IS home and we are an unpredictable sort with a house sitter and you will never know when we will return or if we are far or close or if someone will vomit or bleed or be awful forcing us to return. Plus the only valuable things we have are the kids, the car and our computers....which are all with us.  Seriously, we still have the old tube TVs with the HUGE backs on them, Mama is cheap :)



So b/c we are not home but may return today or tomorrow or three weeks from never, my husband had to sit in a car with me.  Sitting in a car with me when I have no name for a baby and he is very tired equates to torture for him, so he decided that for Baby Five Alive he would give in and allow me to name him as I please, hooray!  Then he said I owed him and I laughed and laughed and laughed!  I then proceeded to explain how many months I have been pregnant, how many months I have nursed, that this is my FOURTH c-section and baby number one who came the traditional route was 9 lbs 6 ozs!  I reminded him of the two units of blood after Brittan's traumatic birth and that a mere two years later I went on to try again with our first son.  Seems he is now reminded of who owes who what and I am pretty sure I will be getting breakfast delivered this morning.


So should there be a little boy in there, he will be Finnian, which we find a tad ironic being he will be our last child and will be called Finn...think French "fin"...the end, the finale, our final curtain call!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

I need to name this baby!

I have never gone into my 20 week ultrasound without a name for a baby.  For Haven, she was named two weeks after we found out we were pregnant we were armed with our girl and boy name.  Brittan took some negotiation, but she was named before her big unveiling and Grayson as well.  With Teagan I didn't even HAVE a boy name I was so sure I was having a girl, and lo and behold, Teagan Jayne sleeps away in her room.

This baby, this little unexpected surprise is still officially nameless and my "big official" ultrasound is next Tuesday!  Now should the early ultrasound be wrong, and I am harboring my fourth baby girl in there, we had already easily agreed on the name Matilda.   However, if the little tagalong is a boy, as I suspected all along and the doc believed the babe to be at my early ultrasound, he is No Name Kelley.

Now I have a name for him. The kids like the name I have for him.  Friends like the name for him.  Husband does not like the name so much.  Ugh, fingers crossed on our long ride tomorrow I can convince him to name the babe to be what I want :)

Just because

Just because I can juggle everything and you can count on me to get things done, doesn't make it right to put it all on me.

Just because I try hard, in everything I do, doesn't mean you don't have to try at all.

Just because I don't whine, bitch and complain (often) about how hard it REALLY is most days, doesn't mean it is easy.

Just because I seem to get it all done, doesn't mean I couldn't use a hand, shoulder or kind words.

Just because you don't feel like it, doesn't mean it should fall on me.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Pregnant and sick sucks

I have been under the weather the last few days, not sure what it is exactly, but it is a cold/sinus/hit by a truck type thing and it is making me miserable.  Being pregnant again and no spring chicken, I am already prone to being sore and tired, but the last few days I am sneezing, coughing, have a headache and no desire to eat anything which then makes me feel weak.  While all this is going on, the baby has had an on and off fever and I am trying to get us ready to leave on a trip while also working full time.   I am just hoping we both start feeling better soon, but I think I am getting a fever now, so only time will tell if the other kids get sick or if I feel well enough to travel.  Ugh, I just want to feel normal pregnant uncomfortable again!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

This was a long, long week

I am so very happy that this week is over, that the hubby is off through Wednesday, and then only works Wednesday night and is off again until the following Wednesday.  Between his four 12 hour shifts, two kid's birthdays, general running around and pregnancy induced exhaustion and hip pain, it has been a tough week.  The girls had good birthdays in spite of some hiccups, and we are *supposed* to go to dinner tonight for both birthdays since the girls did not get to celebrate with their dad at all.  I feel like I have been hit by a truck, achy, headache, tired and no energy, and some kids are whining about headaches and aches, but I am hoping we are just run down and not sick.  If the kids perk up, I will drag my rear to dinner for them.

This morning I have a laundry list of chores, and no desire to do them. Teagan is taking her nap and I did some work work, but still need to do the dishes, put the diapers in, vacuum, mop and dust the living room.  I don't want to get up and do it, but being that I am the only grownup here, I guess I have no choice.

On a weird side note, my father in law called last night for Brittan's birthday (after a number of reminders) and he seems actually PREPARED for our visit this week.  He put a pool alarm in and bought new pool toys for the kids and claims they have beds and such for us...strange.  I am expecting that I will need to go to the store when we get there to get the necessary rice milk, organic milk and nut free items, but the fact that they not only remember we are coming but attempted to prep for the kids is a huge deal.  Now if only we can stay well!

Friday, July 16, 2010

Brittan is turning 8!

Our birthday week is continuing tomorrow with Brittan's 8th birthday.  Brittan is such a sweet kid, she was always smiling as a baby unless someone came too near and then she would wail. Content to sit and watch the antics of Haven, Britt often hung back and was late to speak.  I was always afraid she didn't like us or have a connection to us, but now I know she does.

Tomorrow she turns 8 and she is an interesting, chatty, loving kid who loves school, especially math!  She makes friends easily and puts herself in the role of protector of Grayson and Teagan, although I think Gray outweighs her now :)  She is a little thing with the most gorgeous green eyes and she can make my day with a huge hug.

Happy Birthday Bubbles, we love you so much and are so thankful that you are in our family!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Tomorrow

Tomorrow we celebrate Teagan's first birthday and I cannot believe a year has gone by since she joined our family.  I feel so lucky to have her, she is a joy, quick with a smile and silly beyond belief.  At one, she is a walking fool, has a few words but still mostly yells gobbledy gook, and eats more than any baby I know.  Tonight for dinner she ate two slices of steak diced up teeny tiny, some chopped up grape tomatoes, some of the potatoes I made and some home canned apple slices. 

Teagie loves the pool, Rosie the dog and her siblings.  She is a smart little one and knows how to get what she wants from each of us, and she is happy to play with her toys on her own most days.

My only baby with a dimple, Teagan came into our lives and fits right in.  I couldn't imagine life without her, and cannot wait to see the little girl she will grow into.

We LOVE you Teagie Jayne and Happy Birthday sweetpea.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

When good days go bad

Today has been bleck, blah and ugh.

It was set to be a good day...it was planned to be a quiet day...it wasn't.

Nothing BAD happened, hubby and I are not fighting or anything and the kids have not been horrible, but still today was not the calm, relaxing day I hoped for. Instead it quickly became overwhelming, stressful and full of yucky unexpected work and snippiness.

So BLECK to today!

Friday, July 9, 2010

The makings of a good day

Today started a touch rough with Teagan waking at just after 6 after I had only gone to bed around 1 am, but we made a nice breakfast for the big kids and the day began without much fuss.

Did some work, cleaned up a bit and then around 1 we hit the pool with friends.  I cannot tell you how nice it is to go swimming and have the weight of my pregnancy belly lifted.  The kids all love the pool, their friends are there to play with and the baby is thrilled to splash and float.  After a two hour swim, we headed home and I treated the big kids to sundaes, and then came home and put the baby up for a much needed nap.  Before we left to go to the pool, the water had gone off due to a line break down the street...it went off after I shaved one armpit, YIKES!  When we came home, the water was working so I could start laundry and plan for dinner.  All in all, today has been simply nice, calm and fun.

Tomorrow Gray has a football meeting, and the hubby is off, so we will work on getting the house organized and I will make a nice family dinner.  Summer is really good this year.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

World's most boring blog post

Well, we have been pretty content over here.  Hubby took an extra day off this week, and it is his short week, so he works tonight and tomorrow and then is home again until Wednesday :)  Kids have been enjoying the pool out back being that it has been unbearably hot here, and I have been hanging n the very comfortable air conditioned house.


My work break is about over, so I will need to head back to the FT gig next week, but thankfully I can do it from home in my PJs since I am dead tired and wiped out most of the time.  This pregnancy is kicking my rear and I need to find a way to muster more energy or I am not going to make it to December.  I headed back to the iron pills, so I am hoping that is part of the issue, and I have allowed myself rest time each day, which is also helping me a little. 


So there it is in all its boring glory...I cook, clean, wash and organize as I am supposed to, and generally life is calm right now, and for that I am thankful.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Happy Independence Day!

Wishing everyone a happy, and SAFE Independence Day!  While I do not always agree with the rulings and regulations of our government, I do appreciate that I have the right to voice my concerns or misgivings without fear of retribution.  I am also thankful for the world my children get to grow up in, while not perfect, they are allowed freedoms that other nations only dream about.

OK on to the fun :)


Ryan is home for the first time in I don't know how many years and it is going to be a beautiful night.  I am spending my morning baking treats to bring to the fireworks, currently I have red, white and blue cookies being baked and I will be making muffins as well.  I also set up the little pool in the backyard for the kids since it will be very hot the next days.

Tonight we will have a nice all American meal of burgers and corn on the cob before heading down to the Air Force Memorial (thanks for the tip Em) to watch the fireworks.  I am hoping that the skies stay clear and the firework display is fantastic and the crew is happy and doesn't fight :)

Saturday, July 3, 2010

The tribe members are getting big

Here are some pics of the kids at a park in North Carolina by my parent's house.  The goofy look on Haven's face is spot on for her personality and we tried to take a picture of Britt without Teagan, but my little Mother Hen is never far from her baby sister.  They are getting so very big!

Friday, July 2, 2010

There is always room

Oh my I miss my girls, words I will surely eat by midweek when they are all running amok and being loud.  It is weirdly quiet here, both during the day and the night.  Ry has been working, so it is just Teagan and Gray who both are generally content and quiet.  As I write this, Gray is happily playing legos and Teagan is napping after our morning of errands.  I miss the chaos that I have come accustomed to, but also know that chaos will only grow when Baby Five Alive enters the mix.

I have started to sit at the Dining Room table more when I work and I love to look out the front windows.  With all my complaining about our house, I never share the truly special attributes it has.  The view from the Dining Room and Living Room is simply beautiful.  Our front yard is split by a creek and we have many large and mature trees which make it look like a park from these rooms.  Both rooms are also fairly spacious, and should we be here a few more years, I have plans to combine the Dining Room and Kitchen to make one large (and  large family friendly) eat in Kitchen.  The Family Room is my favorite in the winter when we have a fire going, and the kid's Playroom is under construction with new paint and carpet being completed this summer.  Bedrooms are good sizes, my older girls share the largest of the three extra rooms, the second largest is Teagan's room that will be repainted and she will share with the new baby for a while, and Gray has the smallest bedroom, but he loves it and has all he wants and needs there.  The Master bedroom is large, and once the bathroom is completed, it will be much more comfortable, for now we are all sharing the kid's bathroom upstairs which could make me crazy if it persists much longer.

One of the best features of this house is my pantry,  It is a full sized room, about 12 X 10 that houses my extra fridge and freezer as well as all the shelves for my supplies and our food storage.  It too will be getting a little makeover soon, with new floor tiles going in, a new shelving system to organize things better and a new door to the garage.  The laundry room....well, it stinks and is too small for our family, so it is not a positive :)

So there are good points, and when we paint this fall I will love the outside of our house and it will better match the hills and greenery of our property.  I can hang here a little longer, just keep the crazy tornado warnings and wicked thunderstorms away or I get scared the huge trees are going to crush the house.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

I am pulling out my inner optimist, kicking and screaming all the way

I decided to control what I can control today.  I have my two littles home, we are not going anywhere and everything should be pretty calm. 

Today I plan to accomplish things.  I want to do a bunch of laundry.  I promised Gray I would bake him brownies, so those are already in the oven.  I have to make some bread, and I am making the hubby and Grayson stuffed rigatoni for dinner.  I also prepped some navy beans and will be making one of my all time comfort meals, ham and beans, which I will have for dinner and the crew will get for lunch tomorrow.  Cleaning is on the list including a good floor scrubbing during Teagan's afternoon nap, and I may even try to work on the playroom paint...we will see :)

Today I will look on the bright side, try to rest and relax with Grayson and Teagan and enjoy the time I have with them.  I will be a good wife and make sure Ryan has what he needs for work, since I know the 12 hour shifts and long commutes are hard and he desperately misses seeing the kids in the evenings.  I will miss my two big girls, but enjoy their chattery phone call tonight when they share the busy day that they had, and I will open the windows to this beautiful breezy day.

We are so very lucky here.  While I may not like our house, it is big enough to hold us all comfortably and keeps us safe and secure.  While my husband's job situation is precarious, we have the means to survive for quite a while and my work is secure.  We have healthy little people whom we love and adore, and a strong marriage....it is all good.