Another day

I am feeling a little better from my gallbladder troubles. It was a rough couple of days. I feel like my doctor doesn't realize how bad it is. On the Internet research I've done it says that gallbladder attacks usually last 1-4 hours. I WISH my attacks would last 4 hours. That would be tons better than two days! I still feel weak but hope to feel back to normal soon.

Hunter has been getting up super early lately. The other day he was up before 6, and the other days this week have been from 6-6:30. I am really having a hard time getting up that early. I know lots of people get up way earlier than that, but by about 10:30 I am dragging. (I feel its just being pregnant that makes me more tired, I (perhaps unrealistically) think that when I'm done being pregnant my energy levels will skyrocket. They might not, but at least I can caffinate myself then!) I have napped the last two days while the boys took their naps. We have been waking Hunter up from his naps in hopes that he would sleep later, but it doesn't really seem to work. Today he is with Brent and Ben in Brainerd picking up some cleaning supplies, so hopefully he won't sleep at all and we'll see if that makes a difference. I would cry if he can't take naps anymore. But on the other hand its not the end of the world, either. He does a great job of entertaining himself, and I plan on still having some quiet time for him so I can get a few minutes break. It seems like this waking up early thing has started since he got his Christmas presents. Its like he just can't wait to get up and play with them.

I feel like I can't get anything done around the house anymore. Today I just sat and played with the kids all morning b/c I knew nothing would get done. Its hard to find a balance between interacting with the kids and getting my housework done. Tate has been really clingy lately, and has been following me around everywhere either undoing the work I've been doing, or standing with his hands up wanting me to hold him. I'm not sure why he's so clingy, maybe more teeth?

Speaking of Tate, it is becoming quite clear that he and Hunter are COMPLETELY different! People always say that your kids will be the total opposites of each other, and I am finding that to be very true. The discipline methods I used with Hunter don't work at all on Tate. I have to be on top of my discipline game with Tate at ALL times. I can't let him get away with anything, or he gets into everything. He is very stubborn and sly. He is so not what I expected him to be. I thought that since I'd be home with him he would be shy, clingy and quiet. He is so not those things!(maybe clingy just right now) I absolutely LOVE his personality(both of the boys) but it surprises me. He is so outgoing and friendly. He smiles all the time and I can tell he cares about how others are feeling and he is a TOTAL ladies man, such a flirt! BUT, he is 150% ornery all the time! I have never seen anyone(and I used to work at a daycare) get into things as slyly and quickly as Tate. He is a handful, but I really enjoy him. Hunter is good with people, too, and outgoing. He really likes doing things with his friends and Brent and I, and I am noticing he is wanting to be more independent. This week he started dressing himself. I'm sure he could have started dressing himself ages before this, but I always did it for him. He is so proud of himself when he gets dressed, its really cute. I need to start giving him some age appropriate chores b/c I know he really likes feeling like he's helping and contributing something. This morning we made some blueberry muffins together for breakfast. He really really really likes to cook! Also, we took off his booster seat on his chair this week b/c he wants to sit in a "big boy" chair now.

Brent said the other night that Tate took a dirty diaper(without being told) and put it in the garbage. I'm so happy that he's getting more aware and helpful. Just in time for the baby! He says baby now, and has been saying more things lately. Well, I'm sure this is getting long. Hunter's been cracking me up lately, but I will have to start writing the stuff he says down first, b/c I am forgetting them. Here's something funny he said the other day: I thought I should get him used to the idea that I'll be nursing the baby and what that means, so when he asked me what the baby would eat at lunch the other day, I said that the baby would be eating from my chest. He looked at me with the blankest look and said in the most funny tone, "What?!" I have been laughing about that all week, his tone and expression were so funny! He also said something cute the other day while we were looking at some new pictures I'd had developed of the boys, when we came to one of him he said, "Oh, who's that cutie pie?"

Husband bragging.

I have to do some husband bragging, but first I have to say how much I HATE MY GALLBLADDER!!!!!! I am in the middle of having an "attack" and it stinks! I wish so hard that I would never have another again! I wish I could do something to make it go away. I've been watching what I eat, but I guess its just the pregnancy that is making it difficult. I was on a pregnancy message board that had some ladies on there who also suffer from this and it was sort of comforting to hear them talk about how awful it is. I'm pretty sick from this one. Luckily(and this is where I start to brag) Brent was home all day b/c he is working nights these next couple days. He was WONDERFUL. He watched the boys for me and helped make supper and let me rest upstairs. He brought me all the TV shows on DVD I would want to watch and was very sympathetic and sweet. He even got me a rose! I came downstairs and immediately plopped on the couch, and he had it sitting on the table. I was so sick I didn't even notice it, so he finally came out and gave it to me. He is so sweet. I don't know what I would have done without him today(well, today and everyday, I found a good man) So I have to brag him up, b/c not all guys are as awesome as he is. I just hope this pain ends soon.

I mentioned it to the doctor at my appointment this morning, but he said there wasn't anything that could be done till after the baby. I asked him to make sure that the baby wasn't being hurt by this, and he said no, that is wasn't. Just me. The appointment was otherwise unexciting. I go in two weeks and every two weeks now. I saw my MOPS friend at my appointment, so it was fun to chat with her while waiting. Ok, I feel horrible so I am going to go. A funny Hunter saying: at breakfast this morning he was trying to eat his muffin with a fork, but unsuccessfully, and he said to me, "Mom, this cinnamon roll is not cooperating!"

Nice day!

Today and yesterday the weather has been VERY nice. I hate January and February, and crave spring and summer about now, so its good to have a few nice days. The boys and I were able to go outside this morning for about an hour(it took as long to get them ready, also) Hunter loves the snow so much more than last year at this time. I remember taking him out last year, and he just hated it. This year he loves it. I got out his backhoe loader and dump truck and he enjoyed scooping up the snow and loading it into his truck. He called the snow piles mountains and like climbing up them. Tate on the other hand, doesn't enjoy it. Well, I think he WOULD enjoy it if his boots and snow pants fit him. He likes the outside part, but not the walking around part. He liked to eat the snow. I got out the wagon and pulled him up and down the driveway and he liked that. The neighbors two (huge) dogs were barking at us a lot, but the kids kind of liked it. I will admit I was a little scared that they would jump their fence and come after us, b/c they are so big! As I was walking Tate down the driveway once Hunter called after me, "Mom, come back here, you will get killed by those dogs!" So maybe he's not so fond of them as well. Our hour in the snow ended with Hunter taking Tate's face and pushing it into the snow. Boys.



Hunter was up at 6:15 this morning(or at least that's when I heard him) He has been getting up earlier and earlier. I have a hard time with it, b/c the earlier I wake up the higher the chance I'll have morning sickness. He had woken Tate up, but I went down, turned the light off in their room and told Hunter not to bother him and Tate went back to sleep until a little after 7:30. I tried to go back to sleep until at least 7 myself, but I wound up laying there awake wondering what Hunter would be getting into, so I got up. I was pretty grouchy.

I had planned on getting back into my normal cleaning routine today, but I could tell early on that wouldn't work out too well. So instead I cleaned what I could and then had fun with the kids. Hunter has been wanting to paint, so I got out the paints for him and a water paint sheet for Tate. Their masterpieces are now hanging on the fridge. Then they had a bath and played with every toy they owned again. They have been not so good in the putting the toys away department, so I think I'll have to have them practice it a lot until they get better again.

I am pages away from being done with Harry Potter book number 5. It has been my least favorite by far. I get sucked in too easily to the characters. But...I will start book 6 really soon. Got to get them read before the baby!

Speaking of the baby, I'm pretty sure she's trying to kick her way out. I can't believe how strong she kicks. She doesn't spaz around like Hunter did, she doesn't roll like Tate did, she just kicks like a karate expert. I'm getting quite uncomfortable, which is unfortunate seeing as I have 9 weeks left. Oh well, I just need to keep thinking how much easier they are to take care of inside. I go for my appointment on Wednesday. Here is a picture of Brent and the boys that I took tonight. They were laid all cutely on top of each other and I had the camera ready to take the picture when Tate bit Hunter and then it went downhill, so this is the best I got.

wearing me out

The boys just went to bed and I am still out of breath. They were running around here wrestling and going crazy. Nothing like a wild wound up before sending them to bed! Tate was very tired, though, he was cuddling with me, which I really enjoy.

It was a great weekend. Kind of busy, but good busy. We got to go to our friends Jason and Leah's on Friday night, and since S & D kept the boys overnight we stayed out until 1. They had some youth and college kids over, which is really fun. We played Gestures and Scatergories and had pizza. I overexerted myself a bit at Gestures. My word was grave, and I laid down really fast on the floor. I think that brought on a bit of braxton hicks contractions(which I think I've been feeling lately) So I had to take it easy for awhile. It was so fun, though. We always laugh a ton when at Jason and Leah's.

Then yesterday we went to Hunter's friend Caleb's 3rd birthday party. All of his friends were there, so they had a loud wild fun time. Hunter got him a small pack of cars, and actually did really good in not wanting them for himself. He asked Caleb after he'd opened them if he liked them and was really cute the whole time. Last night we had the Loukota's over and attempted to play a game while the kids watched a movie.

Then today we went to the National Treasure movie in the theatre with the Loukota's and another couple(again S& D watched the boys, we are lucky to have them around!). It was a really good movie, I liked it a lot. I forgot how fun it is to go to the theatre. After the movie we had the Loukota family here again for some pizza. The kids were wild tonight. After they left Hunter and Brent played a couple games and I goofed around with Tate. Its nights like these that I get concerned will be gone for good with another kid. I just think its nice to have one on one time easily with each kid, but I'm sure we will figure out how to be with all three enough time. Brent and Hunter also planted Brent's Christmas gift of a Chia pet. Its a family joke, but Hunter is excited to watch it grow. I asked him what he wanted to name it (its a dog) and he said daddy.

As I was putting Hunter's pj's on tonight he pointed to his nipples and asked what they were. I have already told him what they were, so I asked what he thought they were called. He said they were his pineapples. I thought that was funny.

Praise the Lord for naptime!

This has been an interesting day. I was ready to throw in the towel and head to bed, but the day is looking up! I try not to let the circumstances of life or of the day dictate whether or not I am happy, but sometimes it is hard. The saying of "when momma ain't happy ain't nobody happy" also carries on to "when your toddler ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." Here is a couple pictures of my darlings: Do they seem ornery to you?




Brent asked how the day was going when he got up this morning(he gets up an hour or more later than we do) and I said it was going to be a long one. He said he noticed that Hunter had that ornery attitude b/c Brent went in the playroom to say good morning and Hunter didn't say a word but instead stuck his foot out and tripped Tate. I have been SEARCHING high and low for the last two days for this dumb library book, and was convinced it would never be found, so I decided to tear everything apart in search of it today. I was actually really ambitious b/c I also planned to clean the whole house(ha!) and go to the bank and make some bars for tonight. I got to the bank. Anyway, Tate got into a whole bunch of things. I decided to go through the toys and get rid of some while I was searching for the book. Here's why I went through the toys:


Anyway, while I was doing that Tate got into a tissue box that I thought was at a safe height. I came around the corner to throw something away and found this:


I was still cleaning this mess up when Hunter came up to me and said he'd wet his pants(something he hasn't done since I believe October) so I had to go clean up THAT mess. Then they were fighting over toys and all that normal stuff. But, then things started going right, and I am very thankful for that. I had many talks with God today.

Here's whats going right: I found the library book! Praise the Lord! I was changing Hunter's sheets and thought I'd lift up the mattress and pull out the bed some(even though I'd looked under there several times) and I found it. I feel a special bond to the woman in the Bible who found her lost coin:) So now I can get more library books, b/c I couldn't check any out till it was found. I try to keep them together, but usually at least one gets carried off and I have to go through everything. That lifted my spirits considerably. Then the kids ate a great lunch. I made hot dogs(which I never make, but we had some that Brent had picked up that needed to be eaten today) and the kids chowed down! Hunter said he wouldn't eat them at first, but he ate two! That was good b/c I seriously don't think I could have handled another lunchtime whine fest. Then, I got my Christmas presents that I got with my Christmas money in the mail today. I had ordered this CD that I wanted, and got it in time to listen to it on the way to the bank and back, which made me happy. Also, at the bank I was asked out to a movie with my old coworkers, which I am excited about b/c I actually want to see this movie, AND we got asked to a movie on Sunday(so if I go see both of these movies it will equal about the total of movies I've seen in the theatre in a years time) AND Brent and I are going out tonight(hopefully, we're still not positive on the child care part of it) I am really excited for that. Also, I got a new teakettle at WalMart last night that I really like.(it doesn't take much to get me excited) So the day is looking up!

Back to reality...

Today was the first day back on our old schedule. We have actually been without our normal routine for about 2 weeks or so, since we have had family around off but mostly on since the middle of December. I actually didn't mind being busy and out of the routine of things. Normally I get tired of it and want to be back to normal, but it was nice having everyone around and being in Iowa. I think the kids are ready to be back in their routine. They were pretty excited when we got home last night. Hunter was up long before 7 this morning playing with his toys. Also, tonight at the Lifecenter he saw his friends, and I could tell he had missed seeing them. He actually told Isaiah that he loved him, so it is nice that they can be back in their routine and around their friends again. They have really been fighting alot today, though, over all the new toys. I think they've been a bit spoiled, but that's OK.

Hunter and I had our WIC checkups this morning. They usually do them every three months for me and maybe 6 months for the boys. They weigh and measure the boys and ask about any concerns we have and that kind of thing. Hunter has grown 1 1/2 inches since September!!! He is in the 91% for height and the 56% for weight. That is his highest percentiles to date. I can tell that he's been growing. He is getting SO heavy to lift and looks more preschool like than toddler like. I've gained 19 lbs so far in the pregnancy. I got a prescription for a nice breast pump and am going to be working with a lactation consultant to see if they can help me to pump. I am skeptical but hopeful.

After the WIC appointment we went to Jerry's, and Hunter raced his Lightning McQueen all over the store. When we got to the checkout he told the lady that when he grew up he was going to be a race car. Not a race car driver, but an actual race car. He sure likes Cars. After that we went home and the kids got into everything. Its a good thing I cleaned up last night, b/c I for sure wouldn't have gotten anything done today. Tate cut open his bottom lip(again!) and it was bleeding all over the floor. Lip injuries really tend to bleed tons! After lunch Hunter and I decided to make some pumpkin bread. I had all the ingredients out and was showing them to Hunter, and Tate got up on the chair with Hunter and made quite the mess. I know the kids enjoy baking with me, but it is stressful! Tate got the baking soda and dumped it all over the floor and counter, then he kept sticking his hands in the shortening. Hunter did a really good job dumping everything in. He likes to be involved in every process, he even holds the mixer while I mix.

Tonight at youth group Hunter sat on the drums, and was doing pretty good. I would actually be excited if one of my kids wants to play the drums, I think drums are really cool and would like to play them myself, so I plan on living vicariously through the kids:)

I made "the appointment" for Brent today. At least the first of two. I called to schedule it, and the receptionist actually asked me if he knew I was making this appointment! I said of course! I would think Brent would catch on pretty quick to the whole thing when we went in if I was trying to hide it from him. I thought that was amusing.

As I was getting Tate ready for bed tonight I noticed that he is getting 4 teeth in right now!!! Three of them are molars, too. He's been pretty good for having that many teeth coming through. I just hope this means the drooling will stop soon. He's been saying more and more words. Just today he's said sock, juice, yes, and night night. Also, while I was changing him before youth, I asked him where his eyes, ears, hair, lips, nose, feet and belly button were and he got them all right. Then he started clapping for himself. I just love it that he's becoming more aware and communicative. Well, I'm off to read Harry Potter.

Happy New Year!

Well, this will probably be a bunch of this and that, its been awhile since I've blogged, that due to the busyness of the holidays. I cannot believe it is already 2008!! The years go by faster and faster for me. My New Years resolution is to not get pregnant this year. Its attainable I hope:) (Especially since I'll be calling the doctor for an appointment for Brent tomorrow!) I have no other resolutions, but I do have a few goals I'd like to meet before I have the baby. I would like to 1)finish the Harry Potter series, I am on book 5. And, 2) I'd like to get all my pictures scrap booked and caught up so that I can start fresh with the new baby. I would also like to go through all the stuff in the basement, but I think I'm being too ambitious there.

Now that the holidays are over and there is nothing exciting on the horizon anytime soon I feel like the baby being born is coming sooner. I was just looking forward to Christmas, but now that its over the next big thing is the baby, which is actually not that long from now. I will be 30 weeks tomorrow. I'm tired of being pregnant only b/c I want to be slim like my husband. He has been working really hard and I'm proud of him, but he better not get to weighing less than me. I have been thinking all along that this baby seems calmer than the other two movement wise, but I take that back now. This child moves like a spaz!!! This morning I was laying in bed and the baby was actually making my whole body move it was kicking so hard! This one can punch my bladder and kick my ribs all at the same time. I don't have much experience with rib-kicking b/c the boys were so low, but I've got to say, its very uncomfortable. Especially when sitting in a car for 8 hours straight. My friend Mariah had a girl in April of 2006 and she let me look through all her clothes last night, so I feel pretty set for clothes for the first couple months at least. I'm thankful for that.

We got back at 6 tonight from Iowa. It was really really fun. I am actually homesick. Sometimes its alright to come back, and other times its hard, and this is a hard time. I worked off my homesickness by picking up the house tonight. I took down the Christmas tree and all the Christmas decorations. I put away all the clothes we didn't wear and all the new toys and all the other stuff we brought back with us. Then I did 2 loads of laundry. It is much easier for me to wake up to a picked up house than to just leave it till morning. Brent is cleaning Schaefers anyway right now, so I've been home alone.

The kids did really well in Iowa. We didn't do too much, so that was nice. We had my aunt and uncle down on Friday night, and some friends on Saturday night. Then last night we went to the school gym and played awhile(which was great for the boys, and my friends mom made authentic Dutch letters for which I crave all the time, so I ate them all mostly) and then had Nette and Nick over to watch the ball drop. They had to wake me up, I was really tired and was in and out of consciousness. I'm pretty pathetic.

The ride home was VERY LONG. Tate just doesn't like to travel. I'm not sure what to do about that. Even food lost its excitement for him on the way home. Hunter is the best traveler ever, he is content to look out the window at tractors and the scenery. We did play a couple videos in our portable DVD player(which I am beginning to think is the best invention ever!) I'm sure that Tate will get to be a better traveler as he gets older. Meanwhile I have a crick in my neck from being constantly turned around the way back.

Some funny Hunter sayings I can remember:
-to Brent as we were pulling into Pine River: "Daddy, thank you so much for driving us!"
-to Brent as he started drinking an energy drink: "What kind of drink is that?" Brent said, "Its a vitamin drink." Hunter replies, "Oh, I've never heard of THAT before. Is it fuzzy?" (Fuzzy is what he says about carbonated beverages. I think he means fizzy.)
-to me, "Mom your stomachs getting bigger and bigger!"

I know there was a lot more, I am just too tired to remember them I guess...