Well, though I've not been good at posting, I've been pretty good at writing things down...so, that's an improvement! ;)
Last week, the kids and I headed outside to play kickball for a little while before lunch. I got a good workout in since I was playing pitcher, outfielder, the person standing on all bases, and occasionally a kicker myself - and the kids? Well, they all took about a 2 1/2 hour nap! Lovely. I think we should play kickball more often! ;) Then, when the woke up from their nap, they silently went about playing with clothespins and the dog leash for quite some time. Of all the things to play with. In fact, I think it was Ruby that had the dog leash wrapped around her waist first, and then Isaac came into the kitchen a little later with it around HIS waist. And there hadn't even been World War 20 to let me know they were switching! Incredible.
The kids have really taken a liking to dancing around with dresses on lately. Yes, all 3 of them. I'm not sure why, but Isaac in "his" purple dress does disturb me a bit. =O But I still took pictures...and maybe a video. ;) The first day, Ruby was saying it was too bad that Selah wasn't around, because Selah likes dancing. Ruby informed me that Isaac looked like "superman" when he was dancing. Then, when they were done, they said, "that was fun", and Ruby said, "wish you coulda danced, Mom" and Isaac interjected, "wish you coulda worn a dress." ;) Since then, they've danced several more times. One day, Jadelyn had on a very long dress (one of Ruby's), and it was decided that she was getting married or was a "queen". Who knew classical music and dresses could be so much fun?
For some reason, we were talking about who's hair was what length when we lived in Indiana. Probably because Ruby talks about getting her hair cut quite a bit since my chopparoni. Anyways, Jadelyn let us know that she had "short hair in Indiana. 'Cause I was a boy then." Ohhhhhh!!!!!
One day, the kids were a little slothful in their pick-up duties, so lunch time was shortened a bit. Time was up, but I granted them 3 more minutes of grace so they could get their bellies full. When Isaac was finished, he came over and gave me a spontaneous kiss (NOT the norm around these parts). I asked what that was for, and he said, "for giving me grace." Awww....
I think I've written it before, but I just love Isaac's giggles. They are too sweet, and VERY contagious. I was thinking the other day, about whether Isaac's giggles would always sound like that...and then I realized - oh, no! His voice is bound to change at some point! =O Horrors. I must get a good recording of his 5 year-old giggle. Things that have sent him (and then the 3 of us girl's join in) off on a giggle fest lately are: Ruby's apple dropping out of her mouth, Jadelyn fake coughing, and most often, a good burp or "passing of wind" from any of the kids. See....we've purposely not used the FART word in front of our kids. Because, well, it just doesn't sound nice. David's term has been "gas" or "passing gas", I just don't talk about it, and we've tried to be real non-chalant about it, but lately, the older two have really thought it is HILARIOUS. And they come up with their own way to describe it, since they don't use the FART word. Ruby sometimes says "gas", but other descriptive terms (mostly from Isaac, but Ruby uses some, too) include: "air coming out my bottom", something like "stinky coming out of my bottom", and today's newest phrase, "a burp coming out of my bottom". Maybe FART is better. =P Good grief. How's THAT for too much information? And even though it's rather gross and stuff, I'm sure I've joined in the giggles, because....well, Isaac's laugh is contagious! =O
Ruby is really the little fashionista, only her fashion will hopefully never catch on. =) Lately, she's been wearing her dresses that she wore while in a cast over her other clothes. And rarely does she match. When at Grandma's house a couple weeks ago, she was wearing pink and multi-colored-striped pants with a pink and yellow flowered shirt. Grandma told her she "looked terrible", which made Ruby feel "sad". I must confess, I've learned to overlook her colorfulness for the most part. When she was younger and just starting to dress herself, I would choose her clothes for her when we were going out in public. But you know what? Who cares if she is mismatched? What does it really matter? For the most part, I forget how "special" she looks when we're out and about. ;) At Wal-Mart last week, the nice lady who put a new battery in my watch complimented Ruby on her outfit of choice (a blue and white striped sweater with pink pants and a blue and green plaid dress over top). That Ruby sure is an individual. Although her "style" may be catching on to Jadelyn. =O Well, when Ruby's allowed to play a part in the choosing of Jadelyn's clothes, that is. Today, Jadelyn is wearing bright pink pants, a yellow, green, purple, and pink striped shirt with a blue jean dress over the top. Yai. =)
During the aforementioned Wal-Mart trip, the girls wanted to walk instead of ride on/in the cart, so they followed me, holding hands with each other. Isaac was sitting in the "baby seat" and kept an eye on them. I just love it when my kids hold hands with NO FIGHTING!!! =)
Isaac often has a hard time when he loses at a game. A really hard time. One day, after an outburst of some sort, I was telling him how life is like a game. Sometimes things go the way we want, and sometimes they don't. Isaac then insisted that his life would always go the right way, because his Mom would fix all his problems. I said something like, "I'm going to fix all your problems after the way you're talking to me?" He said, "no, my OTHER Mom." I told him, "I'm the only Mom you have!" He was not to be dissuaded. He continued in his assertions until I realized he was talking about his future WIFE. So, his future wife (aka "other Mom") will fix all his problems and make life dandy. Huh. I wonder where he got THAT idea from? ;)
I was playing Memory with Jadelyn for her "special time", and when it was Ruby's turn for her "special time", she wanted to play Memory, too, but she wanted to sit where I had been sitting. I moved so she could have my previous place, and she commented that the floor was "warm here. Because you're heavy." Thanks for the vote of confidence, Rubes!
Speaking of nicknames, Ruby has let me know that her favorite nickname is "Youby". Not Rubes, Dooby, Squirrelly, Rubalicious, Ruby Dooby - nope. "Youby". And sadly, that's probably one that I use the least. =O
During worship one day, we were talking about how we can share things that we can't see. Ruby said that "love" was one of those things. Jadelyn had another idea - she could share the "sickness in my mouth" or "belly". Yes, another thing we can't see that we can share. But probably shouldn't! Ha! That kid cracks me up.
Jadelyn was telling me the other day that Satan hits us and has spots on his face. And the girl Satan has spots on her face, too. Really have no idea where all that came from. Random child.
Jadelyn wanted to me to watch her chew the other day. So I did. Then I said that it looked like she was a "horsey", since she was chewing with side-to-side motions. "NO!" she said, "like a CAMEL!" Now why didn't I think of that?
David was giving Jadelyn her good-night hugs recently. After which, Jadelyn asked, "can I squeeze your head?" David gave his approval, and Jadelyn proceeded to "squeeze" his head. Crazy head-squeezin' gal. ;)
Jadelyn wants to go to church. All the time. Most every day. Today, I think, she was obviously thinking about church when she asked me, "do 'church' and 'day' rhyme?" Guess we'll have to keep working on that concept. ;) Then she wanted to know if we were going to church today. I told her no, it is Wednesday. "Oh, it's Wednesday, so we go to church today." she responded. Well, at least she likes church....even if she doesn't get the concept of different days yet. That gal.
Ruby's been feeling a bit under the weather yesterday and today. Feels sick to her stomach and a sore throat, but I haven't noticed a fever. Poor gal. She's been laying around a lot, eating VERY little and overall being very quiet. (Strange.) She's also been wanting lots of cuddles, which is very okay by me! The other day as we were cuddling, she suddenly said, "I'm glad I have you". Awww....and I'm so glad I have her, too!
Today, the kids sat in a circle and passed around and "read" books/Little Friends/Primary Treasures for probably around 2 hours. With only 2 little tifts that I can remember. It was lovely. Just lovely. ;)
Isaac and Jadelyn helped me make Chex Mix and Granola Bars today. Ruby was banned, due to her sickness. =( She was very sad. =( But to the happy part - Isaac was letting Jadelyn help him stir the Chex Mix and they worked together on smoothing the granola bars out. I told him if there was a super brother award, he would get it. He's just been super sweet this morning. But a little later, I think he would've had to forfeit his award. =O Why the swings in behavior, I ask, WHY THE SWINGS?!?!?!?
Don't worry, I still love 'em all. And always will. Crazy kids.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
These Crazy Kids
Last night, I was finishing up supper prep with an unusual helper in the kitchen. My little man, Isaac, was there with me – not assisting, mind you, but racing cars under the non-working-propane-gas-stove-burner-thingys. Complete with noises and play-by-play descriptions. He also very carefully moved the not-hot bread pans from one side of the stove to the other with hot pads. While looking very pleased with himself. Gotta love that guy. =)
I run a little hair-cutting-service on the side of my homemaker job. Okay, really, it’s just part of it. =P Anyhow, it’s really a full service place. Come on in, get your hair cut, get your clothes washed as you go clean off in the bath, and of course, I’ll clean up the mess that resulted from your haircut. Last night I had a cute little customer who covered his eyes with his hands during much of the haircut. He was DYING to be done near the end, but you know, that happens. At least there was no crying or screaming involved. ;) Anyhow, when the haircut was finished, he just off and went to the bath. No pay for my great hair cut, no tips, not even a kiss! Silly little guy…I’ll have to catch him later – now that he’s not all hairy. ;)
Last night during worship, we were reading along, when all the sudden Ruby got very animated while searching for the right words, "Oooooo!!! OOOOOOoooo!!!!! There’s something like a bat swimming in the lake!" Or something like that. I figured there was just another dead bat on the porch until she got to the part about swimming. Yes, the kids saw their first muskrat in the wild last night. ;)
As I was tucking Ruby into bed last night, she was playing with my hair, telling me that it looks like Aunt Tracy’s and would look just like it if I had it cut straight across in the front a little shorter. Then she asked me to tuck it behind my ears again, ‘cause it is "cute like that". Awww.....
When I sing to Jadelyn at night, she often says, "giggle me!" as I sing. What fun to watch a giggling, squirming little girl! =)
Just before naptime today, I had the distinct displeasure of changing yet another poopy diaper for my 3 year-old. But this one was different. This one had "dog poop" in it. For you see, she was being a dog when she pooped. Good thing she clarified for me, ‘cause I was really wondering how dog poop made it’s way into her diaper. ;O
As I was tucking Jadelyn into bed for naptime today, she bit my nose without using her teeth. Then informed me, "I ate you up. Now we don’t have a Mom." "Why?" I asked. "’Cause I’m a lion", she stated, like that was perfectly normal and explained everything. Crazy kid.
I run a little hair-cutting-service on the side of my homemaker job. Okay, really, it’s just part of it. =P Anyhow, it’s really a full service place. Come on in, get your hair cut, get your clothes washed as you go clean off in the bath, and of course, I’ll clean up the mess that resulted from your haircut. Last night I had a cute little customer who covered his eyes with his hands during much of the haircut. He was DYING to be done near the end, but you know, that happens. At least there was no crying or screaming involved. ;) Anyhow, when the haircut was finished, he just off and went to the bath. No pay for my great hair cut, no tips, not even a kiss! Silly little guy…I’ll have to catch him later – now that he’s not all hairy. ;)
Last night during worship, we were reading along, when all the sudden Ruby got very animated while searching for the right words, "Oooooo!!! OOOOOOoooo!!!!! There’s something like a bat swimming in the lake!" Or something like that. I figured there was just another dead bat on the porch until she got to the part about swimming. Yes, the kids saw their first muskrat in the wild last night. ;)
As I was tucking Ruby into bed last night, she was playing with my hair, telling me that it looks like Aunt Tracy’s and would look just like it if I had it cut straight across in the front a little shorter. Then she asked me to tuck it behind my ears again, ‘cause it is "cute like that". Awww.....
When I sing to Jadelyn at night, she often says, "giggle me!" as I sing. What fun to watch a giggling, squirming little girl! =)
Just before naptime today, I had the distinct displeasure of changing yet another poopy diaper for my 3 year-old. But this one was different. This one had "dog poop" in it. For you see, she was being a dog when she pooped. Good thing she clarified for me, ‘cause I was really wondering how dog poop made it’s way into her diaper. ;O
As I was tucking Jadelyn into bed for naptime today, she bit my nose without using her teeth. Then informed me, "I ate you up. Now we don’t have a Mom." "Why?" I asked. "’Cause I’m a lion", she stated, like that was perfectly normal and explained everything. Crazy kid.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Kiddiokies
So, I started writing stuff down again. One point for me! =)
The other day, Isaac was telling me again how he is going to live with me forever. I told him that as much as I love him, it is okay for him to grow up and move out...as long as he comes back and visit. He was not easily dissuaded. I told him that his wife would probably not appreciate living with me, so as much as I am glad that he loves me, he probably should re-think his plan and just come for visits instead. I still could not convinced him. No siree. He told me that his wife would want to live with me, too, because he would make sure of it before he married her. Ha! I love you, Buddy, but I-don't-think-so! ;)
The other day, as the kids were playing babies, as they so often do, I overheard Isaac tell Ruby in baby-talk, "I keep you safe, sista!" Hope he always does!
Ruby and Isaac were playing the other day. I was in the kitchen and could hear Ruby exclaiming, "I'm an acrobat!" She insisted that I come see. So I did. She would lay on top of the big blue blow-up chair (that David just HAD to get from a yard sale =P), and Isaac would push it over. Well, the one time I watched, she came down and instead of a graceful acrobatic flip, she crashed the side of her foot or ankle onto the rocking horse rockers. Ouch. Luckily, it appears nothing is broken. But it has stopped Ruby's acrobatic aspirations...for the moment, at least. Or maybe just toned 'em down. For I think she has still been doing somersaults. =P
I made some vegan "fried rice" (which turned out more like yummy oily rice with vegetables and Fri-Chik, so I guess that's probably not vegan, 'eh? =O) and some broccoli for supper on Friday night. Isaac was not impressed. And proceeded to grumble about it. I told him that if he had nothing nice to say, he shouldn't say anything at all. I completely expected to hear more grumbling and then have to implement some consequence. But instead, Isaac said (albeit in a slightly grumbly tone) something like, "thanks for making broccoli, Mom." Whoo-hoo! What a nice surprise! =) And I do love that he likes his broccoli. ;)
Jadelyn informed me the other day that she came back to Isaac and Ruby's bedroom to rub my back, as I lay on my side. I don't remember any backrub before she hopped onto my side and started singing, "riding on a horsey, a horsey!" ;P Guess that's slightly better than the other day when she informed me at some mealtime that I was a "cow". Ha! That time, she told David that HE was the "horsey". Normally, she'll say, "Mom? You're a Jew and I'm a Samaritan". Or a Gentile. Or something. I think she likes to hear herself talk. ;)
I love that Ruby describes cold things as being "like Lake Michigan". The other day, we went for our first bike ride with our new-for-us Adams tandem trail-a-long. We went around the entire lake, much to the kid's delight. I loved watching Ruby and Isaac pedal away. It went quite well until we switched who was in front about halfway around. Ruby was then in front, and thus in charge of the gears. Isaac wasn't all about it. And then, Isaac was like, "Wooby, you need to pedal!" and "Wooby!" this and "Wooby!" that. ;P As we were coming back down the driveway, Ruby was saying something about her hands being "like Lake Michigan". Or maybe breeze on her hands was like that. Something. Anyways....
During worship on Sabbath night, we were talking about how Isaac was complaining about Daddy's driving on the way home from church (which for the moment anyways, wasn't bad ;D). David asked him if he would rather walk than ride with Daddy-o, and Isaac said he would rather walk. So, David stopped the van. Isaac started to get very worried. We told him to unstrap. He was getting REALLY worried. Out of the van he went. David went with him. And they started to walk, while I took over driving and took off down the road. We went for a ways, then went back and picked them up. So, during worship, we were talking about this, and why did David walk with Isaac? Had David complained about his driving or done anything that needed to get him kicked out of the van? No. Then why? Isaac piped up, "because he loves me". Then, we got into a big talk about how Jesus loves us so much that He left heaven to save us from our sins. He died for us, though He had done nothing wrong. He went back to heaven to get a place ready for us, and will soon come to get us. And He will live with us forever and ever and ever. The kids were really into it (well, except Jadelyn after a while...she's a bit distracted, still...) and were really quite insightful. Talking about Jesus' love is a good thing. Then, Ruby asked, "what does love feel like?" Huh...where do they come up with this stuff? Who really thinks about what love feels like? Apparently Ruby does. ;)
This morning, I was cooking/baking up a storm. Partially to warm the house up, partially so we'll have food to eat, and partially (probably) so I could mark some stuff off my to-do-list. ;) Anyways, I made Chex Mix and Granola Bars, so the kids got to choose if they wanted one of those or some crackers for their lunch filler. Jadelyn excitedly let me know that she wanted "monkey bars!" much to Ruby and Isaac's (okay, mine, too...) delight. Ruby and Isaac then let me know that they wanted "monkey bars", too. So I told them that okay, I'd get their monkey bars. That really cracked 'em up. Who knew I was so funny simply by saying what they were? =) Then at lunch, Jadelyn said all breathlessly, "I'm so excited!" because of the "monkey bars". I think granola bars may have been renamed at our house. ;)
And that's all for now, folks!
The other day, Isaac was telling me again how he is going to live with me forever. I told him that as much as I love him, it is okay for him to grow up and move out...as long as he comes back and visit. He was not easily dissuaded. I told him that his wife would probably not appreciate living with me, so as much as I am glad that he loves me, he probably should re-think his plan and just come for visits instead. I still could not convinced him. No siree. He told me that his wife would want to live with me, too, because he would make sure of it before he married her. Ha! I love you, Buddy, but I-don't-think-so! ;)
The other day, as the kids were playing babies, as they so often do, I overheard Isaac tell Ruby in baby-talk, "I keep you safe, sista!" Hope he always does!
Ruby and Isaac were playing the other day. I was in the kitchen and could hear Ruby exclaiming, "I'm an acrobat!" She insisted that I come see. So I did. She would lay on top of the big blue blow-up chair (that David just HAD to get from a yard sale =P), and Isaac would push it over. Well, the one time I watched, she came down and instead of a graceful acrobatic flip, she crashed the side of her foot or ankle onto the rocking horse rockers. Ouch. Luckily, it appears nothing is broken. But it has stopped Ruby's acrobatic aspirations...for the moment, at least. Or maybe just toned 'em down. For I think she has still been doing somersaults. =P
I made some vegan "fried rice" (which turned out more like yummy oily rice with vegetables and Fri-Chik, so I guess that's probably not vegan, 'eh? =O) and some broccoli for supper on Friday night. Isaac was not impressed. And proceeded to grumble about it. I told him that if he had nothing nice to say, he shouldn't say anything at all. I completely expected to hear more grumbling and then have to implement some consequence. But instead, Isaac said (albeit in a slightly grumbly tone) something like, "thanks for making broccoli, Mom." Whoo-hoo! What a nice surprise! =) And I do love that he likes his broccoli. ;)
Jadelyn informed me the other day that she came back to Isaac and Ruby's bedroom to rub my back, as I lay on my side. I don't remember any backrub before she hopped onto my side and started singing, "riding on a horsey, a horsey!" ;P Guess that's slightly better than the other day when she informed me at some mealtime that I was a "cow". Ha! That time, she told David that HE was the "horsey". Normally, she'll say, "Mom? You're a Jew and I'm a Samaritan". Or a Gentile. Or something. I think she likes to hear herself talk. ;)
I love that Ruby describes cold things as being "like Lake Michigan". The other day, we went for our first bike ride with our new-for-us Adams tandem trail-a-long. We went around the entire lake, much to the kid's delight. I loved watching Ruby and Isaac pedal away. It went quite well until we switched who was in front about halfway around. Ruby was then in front, and thus in charge of the gears. Isaac wasn't all about it. And then, Isaac was like, "Wooby, you need to pedal!" and "Wooby!" this and "Wooby!" that. ;P As we were coming back down the driveway, Ruby was saying something about her hands being "like Lake Michigan". Or maybe breeze on her hands was like that. Something. Anyways....
During worship on Sabbath night, we were talking about how Isaac was complaining about Daddy's driving on the way home from church (which for the moment anyways, wasn't bad ;D). David asked him if he would rather walk than ride with Daddy-o, and Isaac said he would rather walk. So, David stopped the van. Isaac started to get very worried. We told him to unstrap. He was getting REALLY worried. Out of the van he went. David went with him. And they started to walk, while I took over driving and took off down the road. We went for a ways, then went back and picked them up. So, during worship, we were talking about this, and why did David walk with Isaac? Had David complained about his driving or done anything that needed to get him kicked out of the van? No. Then why? Isaac piped up, "because he loves me". Then, we got into a big talk about how Jesus loves us so much that He left heaven to save us from our sins. He died for us, though He had done nothing wrong. He went back to heaven to get a place ready for us, and will soon come to get us. And He will live with us forever and ever and ever. The kids were really into it (well, except Jadelyn after a while...she's a bit distracted, still...) and were really quite insightful. Talking about Jesus' love is a good thing. Then, Ruby asked, "what does love feel like?" Huh...where do they come up with this stuff? Who really thinks about what love feels like? Apparently Ruby does. ;)
This morning, I was cooking/baking up a storm. Partially to warm the house up, partially so we'll have food to eat, and partially (probably) so I could mark some stuff off my to-do-list. ;) Anyways, I made Chex Mix and Granola Bars, so the kids got to choose if they wanted one of those or some crackers for their lunch filler. Jadelyn excitedly let me know that she wanted "monkey bars!" much to Ruby and Isaac's (okay, mine, too...) delight. Ruby and Isaac then let me know that they wanted "monkey bars", too. So I told them that okay, I'd get their monkey bars. That really cracked 'em up. Who knew I was so funny simply by saying what they were? =) Then at lunch, Jadelyn said all breathlessly, "I'm so excited!" because of the "monkey bars". I think granola bars may have been renamed at our house. ;)
And that's all for now, folks!
Friday, September 21, 2012
So, it's been a while....
And these kids are still crazy as ever!
Ever had one of those days when you're emotionally drained from the kids' fighting before 8:15am? When the kids have been up for less than an hour? Before your husband has even had the chance to leave for work? =P Today was one of those days. I'm sure it's my emotional state that's the problem, rather than the kids. When I abound in patience, problems don't seem so big.
Take yesterday, for example. Ruby was being disrespectful (yeah, we struggle with that a LOT around here). I sent her for a trip around the basement (punishment for disrespect around these parts since we lost the garden in the move...oh, yeah. We moved since last post. More on that later. Maybe). Oh, wait. It wasn't just A trip. It was 3. Because she was disrespectful x3. So. Off she went. Last week or so, I caught her sitting on the top step to the basement after stomping her feet on the stair (to make it sound like she was going down, I presume?) followed by catching her partway down the stairs when I sent her again. After she finally did her trips that time, I pretty much didn't address it again until bedtime, when I quietly told her that we should always, always, always tell the truth. She seemed responsive. I was hoping the grace of it all worked. Anyways, I thought I'd check in again to see if she EVER does her trips. (I was convinced she was SOMETIMES, because last time, I asked her how she did the trips, and without hesitating, she told me.) So, I watched and watched and watched for her to come around the corner and walk in front of the bottom of the stairs. I watched some more. Eventually, she showed up, grabbed her quilt and pillow that were down there and headed up. I met her at the top like nothing was wrong and asked her to please bring those to her room, which she did. Then I asked her how many trips she had taken. "3", she quickly answered. I informed her that I had watched and not seen her going by the bottom of the stairs (in the middle of the basement) at all. She started to panic, saying that she'd go more times than the 3 she was supposed to. I reminded her of how we had talked just recently about always, always, always telling the truth. I told her she was going to have to have a spanking for lying. She screamed, of course. Strangely, I was completely calm. After the spanking, I held her. She screamed and yelled and screamed some more. She squirmed so much it was hard to hold on to her. She screamed some more. Strangely, I was completely calm, though I must admit, I did giggle a little at how hard it was to hold on to her. This went on for a long time. I don't know - maybe 15 minutes? Eventually, she calmed down, relaxed, and after a while, fell asleep. I woke her up (hey, it wasn't naptime, yet!) and we had a talk. I asked her if her temper scared her. Nope. Though she WAS scared that she might lose her voice! ;P We talked about how I love her all the time. Even when she's screaming and throwing a fit. About how I have yelled when I shouldn't have, but I'm trying to learn to do things Jesus' way. Etc., etc. We talked about how lying is a sin, and we are always happier if we tell the truth. Ruby seemed very receptive. Then I told her I needed her to go for 6 trips around the basement instead of 3 - because lying never pays. And wouldn't you know, the crying started again. Ai yai yai. Still, I was very calm. I held her a little. Sang some songs. She kept on whining. I took her hand and took her to the stairs. She went down and did her trips. And when she came up, she was a new person - kind to Isaac and Jadelyn and willingly helping pick up something she didn't play with. So, I don't get it - why was I so calm yesterday and so irritable today? And how can I get emotionally drained from OTHER people fighting. Oye. =P
Anyways, the kids really had several nice days this week. It was lovely. For David had to work late for 3 days, and yeah....I rely on his back-up when he makes it home, so it was nice to not be so drained. One of the days they even played nicely for like 3 hours (!) straight! =O My deck is a disaster. For they've been playing by bringing sand up and dumping it all over. It was super cute last Friday. They made little "ant hills" ALL over the deck. They wanted to leave them there 'til the next day to see if there would be any ants. I figured it was a good experiment, and then we could talk about how ants make their own hills. But alas, they decided they didn't want a deck full of ants, so they squashed all the "ant hills". ;)
Jadelyn has been a crack-up lately. I really need to start writing things down again. Over the past two days, I tell myself something to the effect of, "remember this to blog about". But do you think I did? Nopers. =P
She DID tell me the other day, "I like you so much that I love you."
David was hanging Ruby upside-down by her ankles and she was like, "look at me, look at me, I'm a bat!" Then David hung Jadelyn upside-down by her ankles, and she was like, "look at me, look at me, I'm a mouse!" Huh. ;)
Oh, good grief! Is that REALLY all I can remember?!?!?!?!?! =O Yes, I MUST start writing things down RIGHT AWAY!!! =P
Okay, for a re-cap of other events in the past 4 months. Ruby readjusted to life in her cast. David got fired. (VERY soon after he confronted his boss for the boss wanting David to lie on several occasions, which he wouldn't. Happenstance? I don't think so. =P) David got a new job. Ruby got her cast off. We stayed home for a week until her intensive physical therapy (2x's a day for 4 days - would've been 5, but some holiday was in there) was done. Said goodbye to our church family and the sweetest neighbors on the planet. Moved north (after MUCH packing help by my parents - thanks, Mom and Dad!). Ruby started walking independently 1 week and 3 days after getting her cast off. Incredible! Have been looking for a house like CRAZY (as in we've driven by well over a hundred houses and went in 20-30 or so? with the realtor) without much luck. We've tried to put bids in on FOUR (yes, count 'em - 1,2,3, FOUR!) houses, to pretty much no stinkin' avail. We've GOT to be our realtors NIGHTMARE. =P Our house in Kentucky hasn't sold yet, either. Which I did NOT anticipate. 'Cause it's the BOMB, and anyone that walks the property should want to plop down some cash and inhabit the place, but you know, to each their own! ;P Anyways, I'm struggling lately with what God's plans are. I know He is in control and He has a plan, but man...He hasn't let me in on that, yet, and I'm floundering. David's job here has been CRAZY and DEMANDING, and well, we miss him. We're renting a house on a lake here, but are pining away to have our own, private place in the country again. I'm trying to learn the whole "peace in the midst of a storm" thing - trusting Jesus though I don't GET IT, and sometimes I think I'm getting there, and then I just start going crazy again - wanting to know the plan so I can work the plan. =P Anyways, I'm trying to calm down and be still and relish the moments. But failing pretty badly, if you must know. =P
OH! On an up-side, I got to have a "girl's-day-out" with my sisters on Sunday. That was nice. Uninterrupted sister-time. Precious. ;) (I figured you'd like that, Smell - "precious!" =P)
Okay, I'm off. I really, REALLY need to do better at writing things down that the kids say/do. OBVIOUSLY my memory STINKS! =O
Adieu!
Ever had one of those days when you're emotionally drained from the kids' fighting before 8:15am? When the kids have been up for less than an hour? Before your husband has even had the chance to leave for work? =P Today was one of those days. I'm sure it's my emotional state that's the problem, rather than the kids. When I abound in patience, problems don't seem so big.
Take yesterday, for example. Ruby was being disrespectful (yeah, we struggle with that a LOT around here). I sent her for a trip around the basement (punishment for disrespect around these parts since we lost the garden in the move...oh, yeah. We moved since last post. More on that later. Maybe). Oh, wait. It wasn't just A trip. It was 3. Because she was disrespectful x3. So. Off she went. Last week or so, I caught her sitting on the top step to the basement after stomping her feet on the stair (to make it sound like she was going down, I presume?) followed by catching her partway down the stairs when I sent her again. After she finally did her trips that time, I pretty much didn't address it again until bedtime, when I quietly told her that we should always, always, always tell the truth. She seemed responsive. I was hoping the grace of it all worked. Anyways, I thought I'd check in again to see if she EVER does her trips. (I was convinced she was SOMETIMES, because last time, I asked her how she did the trips, and without hesitating, she told me.) So, I watched and watched and watched for her to come around the corner and walk in front of the bottom of the stairs. I watched some more. Eventually, she showed up, grabbed her quilt and pillow that were down there and headed up. I met her at the top like nothing was wrong and asked her to please bring those to her room, which she did. Then I asked her how many trips she had taken. "3", she quickly answered. I informed her that I had watched and not seen her going by the bottom of the stairs (in the middle of the basement) at all. She started to panic, saying that she'd go more times than the 3 she was supposed to. I reminded her of how we had talked just recently about always, always, always telling the truth. I told her she was going to have to have a spanking for lying. She screamed, of course. Strangely, I was completely calm. After the spanking, I held her. She screamed and yelled and screamed some more. She squirmed so much it was hard to hold on to her. She screamed some more. Strangely, I was completely calm, though I must admit, I did giggle a little at how hard it was to hold on to her. This went on for a long time. I don't know - maybe 15 minutes? Eventually, she calmed down, relaxed, and after a while, fell asleep. I woke her up (hey, it wasn't naptime, yet!) and we had a talk. I asked her if her temper scared her. Nope. Though she WAS scared that she might lose her voice! ;P We talked about how I love her all the time. Even when she's screaming and throwing a fit. About how I have yelled when I shouldn't have, but I'm trying to learn to do things Jesus' way. Etc., etc. We talked about how lying is a sin, and we are always happier if we tell the truth. Ruby seemed very receptive. Then I told her I needed her to go for 6 trips around the basement instead of 3 - because lying never pays. And wouldn't you know, the crying started again. Ai yai yai. Still, I was very calm. I held her a little. Sang some songs. She kept on whining. I took her hand and took her to the stairs. She went down and did her trips. And when she came up, she was a new person - kind to Isaac and Jadelyn and willingly helping pick up something she didn't play with. So, I don't get it - why was I so calm yesterday and so irritable today? And how can I get emotionally drained from OTHER people fighting. Oye. =P
Anyways, the kids really had several nice days this week. It was lovely. For David had to work late for 3 days, and yeah....I rely on his back-up when he makes it home, so it was nice to not be so drained. One of the days they even played nicely for like 3 hours (!) straight! =O My deck is a disaster. For they've been playing by bringing sand up and dumping it all over. It was super cute last Friday. They made little "ant hills" ALL over the deck. They wanted to leave them there 'til the next day to see if there would be any ants. I figured it was a good experiment, and then we could talk about how ants make their own hills. But alas, they decided they didn't want a deck full of ants, so they squashed all the "ant hills". ;)
Jadelyn has been a crack-up lately. I really need to start writing things down again. Over the past two days, I tell myself something to the effect of, "remember this to blog about". But do you think I did? Nopers. =P
She DID tell me the other day, "I like you so much that I love you."
David was hanging Ruby upside-down by her ankles and she was like, "look at me, look at me, I'm a bat!" Then David hung Jadelyn upside-down by her ankles, and she was like, "look at me, look at me, I'm a mouse!" Huh. ;)
Oh, good grief! Is that REALLY all I can remember?!?!?!?!?! =O Yes, I MUST start writing things down RIGHT AWAY!!! =P
Okay, for a re-cap of other events in the past 4 months. Ruby readjusted to life in her cast. David got fired. (VERY soon after he confronted his boss for the boss wanting David to lie on several occasions, which he wouldn't. Happenstance? I don't think so. =P) David got a new job. Ruby got her cast off. We stayed home for a week until her intensive physical therapy (2x's a day for 4 days - would've been 5, but some holiday was in there) was done. Said goodbye to our church family and the sweetest neighbors on the planet. Moved north (after MUCH packing help by my parents - thanks, Mom and Dad!). Ruby started walking independently 1 week and 3 days after getting her cast off. Incredible! Have been looking for a house like CRAZY (as in we've driven by well over a hundred houses and went in 20-30 or so? with the realtor) without much luck. We've tried to put bids in on FOUR (yes, count 'em - 1,2,3, FOUR!) houses, to pretty much no stinkin' avail. We've GOT to be our realtors NIGHTMARE. =P Our house in Kentucky hasn't sold yet, either. Which I did NOT anticipate. 'Cause it's the BOMB, and anyone that walks the property should want to plop down some cash and inhabit the place, but you know, to each their own! ;P Anyways, I'm struggling lately with what God's plans are. I know He is in control and He has a plan, but man...He hasn't let me in on that, yet, and I'm floundering. David's job here has been CRAZY and DEMANDING, and well, we miss him. We're renting a house on a lake here, but are pining away to have our own, private place in the country again. I'm trying to learn the whole "peace in the midst of a storm" thing - trusting Jesus though I don't GET IT, and sometimes I think I'm getting there, and then I just start going crazy again - wanting to know the plan so I can work the plan. =P Anyways, I'm trying to calm down and be still and relish the moments. But failing pretty badly, if you must know. =P
OH! On an up-side, I got to have a "girl's-day-out" with my sisters on Sunday. That was nice. Uninterrupted sister-time. Precious. ;) (I figured you'd like that, Smell - "precious!" =P)
Okay, I'm off. I really, REALLY need to do better at writing things down that the kids say/do. OBVIOUSLY my memory STINKS! =O
Adieu!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Rough, Rough Surgery Day....or at least AFTER surgery day....
So, I wrote this out yesterday, and was almost done when the post magically disappeared. Lovely. I was too disheartened to rewrite it, so just posted pictures to Facebook instead. =P Right now my lovely little lady is having herself a good nap (she's been resting, but very fitfully all day), and I would go to sleep myself if I knew I wouldn't be interrupted every 15 seconds. Or half an hour. Or whatever inbetween there might be reality. I think that after I started writing this there was a 45 minute lapse in interruptions - guess I SHOULD'VE taken that nap. =P I DID fall asleep earlier today. Sitting on Ruby's wheelchair by her bed, with my hand on her back. Until the nurse came a knockin' on the door and woke disoriented me up. I'm tired.
But! Without further adieu...onto yesterday's happenings...probably followed by today's happenings. If this doesn't mysteriously disappear again. =P
Okay, so we got to the hospital yesterday morning with a rather cheerful gal. She talked some to the nurses - normally she goes into shut-down mode, so her talking surprised some of them - one lady even commented on how Ruby was actually talking this time. Yes, she does talk. Just not apparently very much at the hospital. =O Anyhow, things were going fantastically. We had play time in the rec room. We had worship. Ruby had her finger prick...okay, that didn't go so great. You'da thunk they were killing her with the scream she let out. =O After that, she talked to Isaac, Jadelyn, and Gram on the phone. Then, we went down to the OR "holding tank". Ruby continued to do fantastically - visiting with the nurses, being a silly goose with her surgery hat, you know...stuff like that. She picked out a whitish/yellow color for her cast, but the nurse talked her out of it since that color gets dirty so easily. Ruby settled on pink. PINK, pink. BRIGHT pink. But you know, I have to let her have some choices in life. =O The nurse gave her some "happy juice" which made her so relaxed last time that she could hardly hold her head up. This time, I didn't notice any for-sure effect from the medication. When it got closer to the time to head back to the OR, I saw Ruby looking worried. I asked her if she wanted to pray one more time. She said, "I want you to stay with me". Way to tear your Mommy's heart out, Rubes. Soon after that, they wheeled her away. Ruby screamed bloody murder down the hall and around the corner. We left the "holding tank" and heard her for a little in the other hall. Not too happy. I think she told me that she kept screaming until they put her to sleep. Or something. I'm tired. Did I mention that, yet? In fact, I'm falling asleep at the keyboard. At 2:15 in the afternoon. Oh, boy.
Anyhow...surgery went better than last time, even. The bone graft took spelendidly and so they didn't need to use any screws or pins again. Which means we don't have to come back and get them out, which was Ruby's big fear of surgery. Yee-haw! =)
We got to see Ruby again about 5 hours after they wheeled her away. She looked rough, like last time, but it soon became apparent that she felt even rougher than last time. Not too long after being back in our room, David noticed that one of her poisitioning pillows was wet. Lovely. We both smelled it. It didn't smell of urine, so we figured the catheter wasn't leaking. We were worried that it was an epidural leak like I had heard about on a support group on Facebook. The first shift nurse put a diaper in the hole to see if the catheter was leaking or not. Not. Dr. Montgomery, the anesthegiologist, came by and checked out the inside of her cast as far as he could reach. He determined that it wasn't wet. So Ruby continued her epidural meds, but quite often was in a lot of pain, still. Later, during another turn with the night nurse, we discovered ANOTHER big wet spot on a positioning pillow. The nurse called Dr. Montgomery, who could come in at 9pm. In the meantime, the epidural was shut off and Ruby began just getting morphine (I think) through her IV.
Around 4pm or so, Ruby was feeling quite good and decided that she was feeling up to visitors. David and I foolishly went along and asked Gram to bring Isaac and Jadelyn up when they woke up from their nap. By the time they got here, Ruby wasn't feeling so hot and was very tired. Isaac let me know early on in their visit that he had been praying for Ruby. Melts my heart. =) Isaac was goofing around at some point and it made Ruby want to laugh, but it hurts her when she laughs, so she didn't. She told me that we have to "be careful" about funny stuff. Soon after they got here, Ms. Hannah and Ms. Judy from church showed up with supper for us - awesome! So the kiddos and Daddy-o ate, we all visited, and Ruby? Well, she went to sleep in the midst of it all. They all left around 7:45pm, and I kept Ruby awake waiting for Dr. Montgomery, figuring she'd do better with him if she stayed awake rather than being woken up from her drugged sleep. It was a struggle to keep that gal awake, for sure! Second shift nurse, Rhonda, called Dr. Montgomery up and got Ruby's pain meds increased, as she was consistently rating her pain as an 8 or 10 on a scale of 10. Dr. Montgomery finally came around 9:20pm. Said that he figured in the OR that the epidural had gotten bumped when putting the cast on. Now, I don't understand why if he figured that is what happened, why didn't he draw the conclusion of a leaking epidural sooner, and why did he not do something to fix Ruby's pain problem sooner? AH!!!! Anyways, supposedly her cast didn't get soaked with the epidural leak, so should be okay and not need a new cast.
Last night we had some "good" periods and some bad periods. All related to pain management. She is supposed to hit her button every 6 minutes for pain medication, but as you can imagine, that doesn't happen so well when you're asleep. =P And I can't hit it for her, so we relied on the nurses to come in and hit it. It happened sometimes, and other times I don't think it did (I was sleeping, too =O).
Today, Ruby has been in lots of pain. Pretty consistently rating it still as an 8 or 10. Dozing most of the day, but only for a few minutes at a time (which actually came in handy so I could have her push her button), but now she's been sleeping for nearly 2 hours. Poor, exhausted girl. And the morphine is making her scared. She doesn't know what she's scared of, she's just scared. She's scared sometimes just laying in bed with me right by her, sometimes she's scared if I have to leave her for a few minutes to go to the bathroom or to go grab some food from the parent lounge. Someone came to fix the part of her cast around her pottying area, as the hard shell was touching her skin. She screamed and screamed and screamed (though not NEAR as loud as normal, as her chest is still not cleared up.) It didn't make logical sense. I kept telling her that her medicine is confusing her, and that explanation seemed to help a minute amount. =P When I ask her to tell me what face she is feeling, she started showing me one face for her "scared" and one for her hip. And she's a 6 on the scared scale she made up. Rotten.
Her oxygen has also gotten as low as 80, and her heart rate got to well over 170 when they were finally taking the epidural out. One tube down...4 to go. Few more days of this mess and then we'll go home and recuperate...=)
 |
| Playing with silly Daddy-o in the rec room |
 |
| "I like my hat!" |
Anyhow...surgery went better than last time, even. The bone graft took spelendidly and so they didn't need to use any screws or pins again. Which means we don't have to come back and get them out, which was Ruby's big fear of surgery. Yee-haw! =)
 |
| "My IV hurts, Mommy." |
 |
| Doosey of a cast |
Around 4pm or so, Ruby was feeling quite good and decided that she was feeling up to visitors. David and I foolishly went along and asked Gram to bring Isaac and Jadelyn up when they woke up from their nap. By the time they got here, Ruby wasn't feeling so hot and was very tired. Isaac let me know early on in their visit that he had been praying for Ruby. Melts my heart. =) Isaac was goofing around at some point and it made Ruby want to laugh, but it hurts her when she laughs, so she didn't. She told me that we have to "be careful" about funny stuff. Soon after they got here, Ms. Hannah and Ms. Judy from church showed up with supper for us - awesome! So the kiddos and Daddy-o ate, we all visited, and Ruby? Well, she went to sleep in the midst of it all. They all left around 7:45pm, and I kept Ruby awake waiting for Dr. Montgomery, figuring she'd do better with him if she stayed awake rather than being woken up from her drugged sleep. It was a struggle to keep that gal awake, for sure! Second shift nurse, Rhonda, called Dr. Montgomery up and got Ruby's pain meds increased, as she was consistently rating her pain as an 8 or 10 on a scale of 10. Dr. Montgomery finally came around 9:20pm. Said that he figured in the OR that the epidural had gotten bumped when putting the cast on. Now, I don't understand why if he figured that is what happened, why didn't he draw the conclusion of a leaking epidural sooner, and why did he not do something to fix Ruby's pain problem sooner? AH!!!! Anyways, supposedly her cast didn't get soaked with the epidural leak, so should be okay and not need a new cast.
 |
| Checkin' in on Rubes |
Today, Ruby has been in lots of pain. Pretty consistently rating it still as an 8 or 10. Dozing most of the day, but only for a few minutes at a time (which actually came in handy so I could have her push her button), but now she's been sleeping for nearly 2 hours. Poor, exhausted girl. And the morphine is making her scared. She doesn't know what she's scared of, she's just scared. She's scared sometimes just laying in bed with me right by her, sometimes she's scared if I have to leave her for a few minutes to go to the bathroom or to go grab some food from the parent lounge. Someone came to fix the part of her cast around her pottying area, as the hard shell was touching her skin. She screamed and screamed and screamed (though not NEAR as loud as normal, as her chest is still not cleared up.) It didn't make logical sense. I kept telling her that her medicine is confusing her, and that explanation seemed to help a minute amount. =P When I ask her to tell me what face she is feeling, she started showing me one face for her "scared" and one for her hip. And she's a 6 on the scared scale she made up. Rotten.
Her oxygen has also gotten as low as 80, and her heart rate got to well over 170 when they were finally taking the epidural out. One tube down...4 to go. Few more days of this mess and then we'll go home and recuperate...=)
Monday, May 7, 2012
2 More Nights....
Two more nights at home until the next hospital round. One more day at home. I thought I wasn't going to get nervous this time around, but it's finally starting. Good grief...I'm about to turn into a mess! =O
Ruby is handling it all like a champ. She tells people about how her next cast will go down to her toes on both legs and how it will have a "stick" in the middle. She tells me that she doesn't want all the "tubes" again. Hoping her good attitude will continue through the morning on Wednesday when she gets her blood drawn, and when we have to put her into a gown (since this doggone cast makes it so she can't dress herself).
I thought I was brave and strong now. I thought wrong.
Ruby is handling it all like a champ. She tells people about how her next cast will go down to her toes on both legs and how it will have a "stick" in the middle. She tells me that she doesn't want all the "tubes" again. Hoping her good attitude will continue through the morning on Wednesday when she gets her blood drawn, and when we have to put her into a gown (since this doggone cast makes it so she can't dress herself).
I thought I was brave and strong now. I thought wrong.
Mom of Multiples Introduction....
 |
| Getting "Married" =) |
A month later, I went back to the doctor. They did a pregnancy test (which I didn't know at the time...I was naive, I suppose), but it came back negative. A few days later, I took a test at home (with my husband present - they wouldn't let him back in the room at the doctor's office because he showed up late) and it was positive! When we were just a few weeks along we had an ultrasound that let us know we were having twins. The doctor was teary. My husband was teary, and I just said, "I don't know how to take care of one baby - how am I going to take care of two?!?!?!" Ha.
Later in the pregnancy, my sister, who is an ultrasound technician, did an ultrasound and found a cyst on "Baby B"'s brain. She told us it would probably go away, but to tell our doctor. So we did. We were referred to a maternal-fetal specialist, as it was a "high-risk" pregnancy. Like my sister predicted, the cyst went away, and "Baby B" was fine. But during one of our many, MANY appointments with the specialists, we were told that the blood flow to our little girl, "Baby A", was stopping and that she had really low amniotic fluid, and due to the blood-flow issues, she would probably not survive. In fact, the doctor told us that after they were born, they could perform tests on our little girl to see what caused her death. And then proceeded to walk out of the room, taking a cell phone call from "Walter" (funny how we can imagine such little things) and acting like nothing was wrong. My husband and I sat in shock. We went home. We cried (or at least I did =O). We prayed. Other people prayed. A pastor and some others came to our house and annointed me and prayed for our little girl. Next time we went back to the specialist, we were told that "Baby A" still had low amiotic fluid, but the blood-flow issue was resolved. The doctor told us that he didn't know what we were doing, but to keep doing it. I told him we were praying. ;)So, my twins, Ruby and Isaac, were born on Dec. 12, 2006. Big kiddos now. =O And what do you know? We, who were unable to conceive, received a BIG surprise when later we found out we were unexpectedly expecting ANOTHER little girl, and our little stinker Jadelyn is nearly 3 now. ;)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)