IT TAKES A VILLAGE

After having a few long and deep and heart wrenching felt discussions with other mothers who's opinions I value, I've come to a conclusion that I thought only existed in me; It's not always roses being a full time mommy.  In fact, sometimes we down right despise it.  Doing even the simplest of tasks like changing a diaper, or reading a book can make you see red.  WHY??? I don't know.  But I do know it's ok to feel that sometimes.  And as long as it's only sometimes and not all the times, I know I'm doing a damn good job.  Or at least the best I can.  Kids are stressful and taxing!  Some days I wake and get absolutely nothing accomplished, and yet I'm exhausted by 4 pm.  Add to that making dinner, cleaning up dinner, cleaning up toys, bed time, and then what is supposed to some sort of intimate time with your partner, and I'm pretty sure I should be medicated.  Some days I half-ass it.  Some days the kids win and they get to sit on the couch and watch Dora all day long.  And eat PB&J for lunch, and maybe a quesadilla for dinner, with out the sight of one veggie or piece of fruit (ok, maybe sometimes this happens for more than one day at once...).  There are days that  the screaming, whining, crying, fussing, hitting, throwing, pushing, &  "NO"'s make me want to pack a bag and head out of town.  These days I think not nice things about people that I love, and never mean a word in those thoughts.  I then end up thinking not nice things about myself, which is the worst possible thing for the mental well being of a mommy.   I firmly believe that this is directly related to, with out getting into too much of the psychiatric nonsense that no one wants to hear, the fact that long ago our ancestors had the help of all loved ones.  Really, not even that long ago this was common.  You know that saying, "it takes a village to raise a child"?  it really used to, and it really still does.  In fact I was at a wedding last month and an older lady asked me where my kids were.  When I told her they were at home with daddy, she replied, "you sent some family over to help him, right?".  There ya go.  Problem solved.  This lady (and all you other mothers, lol)is not meant to do all this by herself.  I have a strong admiration to those women and men raising kids in a city with out any support system.  I couldn't imagine where I would be if I didn't have the help of both Ryan and my parents.  Actually, I know where I would be.  In a padded room with a straight jacket and a numbing pill cocktail.  Sometimes, that sounds really, really nice.

But, MOST of the time, I look at my kids and remember that I am their leader, and how I respond to them will teach them their future responses.  If I can just walk away when I see red, and not let them know I am seeing that color, then I can come back in 5 minutes and start fresh.  I often tell my kids and husband that Mommy needs a time out.  In fact I know I need it way more often than the kids do.  Time outs coupled with the unconditional support of my husband give me the small amount of sanity that keeps me from running. 

In short - not really, right? - it's ok to not always be Susy home maker.  Some days you have to be Big Bad Bertha. 

SUMMER TIME AND THE LIVIN IS CRAZY

Summer means busy time!  June and July flew by, and it's already a week into August.  I'm not even sure what we've been doing, but every day we do something (everything) and by 9 pm I'm lucky to have enough energy to flop on the bed and will my shoes off. 

Keenan has left us, we have a void, but he is off having fun in Disney World before he starts his Sophomore year of highschool.  I still can't believe it.  In my mind he still likes remote control cars and is shy (he is SO NOT SHY).

Branson is a little boy.  Fully potty trained, on his own accord, and speaking as if he is an adult.  He and Noa are starting to interact, and sometimes it's even sweet.  But mostly he is discovering that "his" toys are not just "his" anymore.  Thats fun!

Genoa...this little girl is going to have me running.  With in the last 2 weeks she has gotten 2 teeth, started sleeping in her own room, is crawling, pulling up on things and trying to stand.  Lord HELP ME.

Ryan is busy with work, and running a little less.  Which he shouldn't be, since he is going to run a 72 mile race in October.  I'm pretty sure that is the definition of insane.

Me - well.  I'm exhausted.  I'm tired.  I'm good, I'm happy and going crazy all at once.  Kids do that to you, you know.

Hope you enjoy the pictures from our anual family photo shoot, by www.jessilemayphotography.com

BIG HEADED KIDS! SO WHAT?

Well I'm a little late, but here is the update on baby Noa's 5 month check up.  Here are the percentiles:

weight - 13.9 lbs - 25%
length - 25 inches - 50%
head - here's the doosy - 43.4 - 90%

Of course, her big head is to hold all those amazing brains she has.  Just like her brother.  Our kids have big heads; fact.  The good news is, the Dr. said she is well beyond her age in milestone wise, which we already knew.  She is rolling all over the place (that started at 10 weeks), loves tummy time, is trying to figure out how to crawl, and is starting to be interested in big kid food.  She loves to watch her brothers, and I can tell you already that she will be Branson's biggest cheerleader, especially when it comes to mischief.  Too cute, really.  The Dr. also noticed that Noa is very attached.  To me. Like extremely.  The girl will not let me out of her sight.  The only person that she might let console her is Ryan.  But if it's after 6 pm and she can't see me?  FORGET ABOUT IT.  My poor babysitter doesn't know what to do, she's never met a baby she can't soothe.  It's kinda cute and endearing, really, but it makes getting anything done impossible. 

Branson is doing great.  He is so smart.  Knows all his letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and has started saying amazing things like, "don't yell at me!" and "I don't want to go home, never ever ever EVER!!!!".  Pretty cool, huh?  Really though, he is the light of my life.  the boy is just a roller coaster of emotions for both him and me, and I wouldn't have it any other way.  He is cautious but daring, smart and witty, sweet and mischievous all at once.  The best part is that a few weeks ago he decided that people food is kinda cool.  Like taco's, enchilada's, salads, steak.  Thank GAWD we aren't limited to corn dogs and chicken nuggets anymore. 

Keenan is almost done with school, and it will be a bitter sweet summer.  He has decided to go back to St. Louis next year for school.  We were so happy to have him here, and he knows the door is always open for him to return.  We are all going to miss him, but I have to say it will be so nice not to nag him about chores and homework anymore!  We will get to have him and spoil him for vacations now, which is always a good time :)

Ryan is running his second 50 mile race this weekend.  He's just crazy.  And we love him.  He is in killer shape, and is such an inspiration to me!  I've hired a trainer to try and catch up with him.  Wish me luck!

SPRING IS HERE!

And spring time is here!  What a beautiful day.  This whole last week has been amazing.  The kids are happier, mom and dad are happier.  So much joy!  And my yard is just GORGEOUS right now!
 

So much to report on, I'll try to keep to short points.

*Ryan ran his 50 mile race on Easter weekend.  He KILLED it. 


*We spent easter with his family in Sacramento for breakfast, then headed home for a quiet afternoon.  Everyone was pooped out!


*We celebrated easter at our house the weekend after, when Keenan was home.  It was a lovely brunch.  Genoa slept the entire time :)



* Genoa is teething.  What happened to my happy girl???? (she's 4 months now!)


*Our photographer made a website for Genoa.  It's amazing.
http://www.genoawinterpeel.jessilemayphotography.com/

*Branson started Gymboree and LOVES it.  He has been so happy lately.  Fewer tempertantrums and lots of love.

*Keenan has decided to move back to St. Louis next year :( we will miss him, but will be excited to have him here on holidays and vacations! 


*My very best friend Chrissy is now Dr. Lamun!  Congrats on finishing dental school!  We can't wait to see you in a few weeks.

MY FAVORITE SALAD

Spring and summer (really anytime of the year) have me craving a big healthy salad.  It's so easy to take whatever you have in your cubbards and fridge and throw it all together with greens and dressing.  I have a few staples I add to mine every time, like beets, hearts of palm, celery and tomatos.  But I also love to throw in leftover rice, roasted/steamed veggies, hummus or bbq'd meat.  Use your imagination!  I think the key to the whole thing is to find your favorite lite dressing.  For me it's a toss up between Newman's Own Light Semsame Ginger, or Braggs Organic Ginger and Sesame. 

"LOOK, MOMMA!"

I had my first poop insident as a mom last week.  I laid my sweet little innocent boy down for a nap in just his t-shirt, socks and diaper.  We had been playing hard and he was hot so i thought it would help him sleep better.  2 hours later, I hear him in his room talking to himself as I was nursing Noa.  Usually this just means he is taking his time waking up, maybe reading a book or playing with a toy in his room.  For some odd reason, even though he is in a big boy bed now, he still won't come out of his room when he wakes up with out me going in to get him.  Anyhow.  I finished nursing the baby and go in to get him.  Half way down the hall I smell what must have been the biggest poopy diaper EVER.  I walk in the room, take one look and a boy, a bed, and everything on the bed covered in s-h-you know what.  He says, ever so cutely really, "Look Momma!  Poop EVERYWHERE!".  Yes, yes it was.  I think I stood there for a full 30 seconds not knowing quite what to do.  Do I strip him first?  Do I strip the bed? Do I throw everything including him into the car wash down the street?  Finally my maternal instincts kicked in, I got Branson in the shower (where he screamed like I was torturing him.) with a lot of soap, got him out and dressed, and told him, "DO NOT COME IN THIS ROOM WHILE I CLEAN UP! POOP STAYS IN YOUR DIAPER OR IN THE BIG BOY POTTY!!!!!".  His reply was a sweet smile with, "momma clean up poop everywhere!".  Yes, yes I did.  I had to throw away his favorite turtle/star night light (thank God he found Genoa's ladybug one, or I would have had to go to the store after that), I Clorox wiped everything even if it was 10 feet away from the poop and had none on it, and then I started the 3 loads of laundry, which I had just done the day before.  All the while Branson was all smiles, as if he knew this was something I had to experience as a mom to a terrible 2-er.  Of course I was FUMING.  When my life saver (aka the babysitter) got here I think I said something to the effect of "me go gym" and I left.  30 minutes later and sweat pouring down my back, I got in my car and had a good chuckle about the situation.  Branson proceeded to tell EVERYONE what he did, and that now he knows poop stays in the diaper or big boy potty.  And everyone had a good laugh at my expense.  Including myself.  I'm pretty sure almost every kid does something like this.  Especially a 2 year old boy, who is really almost potty trained and really into anything and everything.  I'm just thankful he didn't eat it.  At least I don't think he did.

2 MONTHS

Yesterday my baby girl turned 2 months old!  We had a nice visit to the Dr.  Ok, it wasn't so nice because she was getting her shots, and it hurt my feelings a little more than it hurt hers.  She is 10 lbs 10 oz's, and 23 inches long!  Big girl!  Healthy though, of course.  Dr. Pat said I should obviously not worry about her reflux too much, since she is growing so well.  So she got her shots, and later that evening had a terrible reaction.  He leg was swollen, hot, red, and in pretty bad pain.  She would scream at the slightest movement or touch, and ran a fever of about 100 until 2 am.  We also took Branson with us because I was pretty sure he had a sinus/ear infections.  Which he does.  But he also "might have a foreign object in his ear".  WHAT???? "It kind of looks like a BB.  Perfectly spherical."  Holy SH*T!  Dear lord lets hope not!  So we go back to get that checked out in 2 weeks.  Yay.  Can't wait.


Here is Noa at 2 months old! Smiley Girl :)