Mommy Tears & Fears

When you have a baby, your life is changed for the better in so many incredible ways. We all know this. However, someone should tell you when you have a baby that you will forever have feelings of guilt and that you will only be as happy as your least happy child. Over the past week I've had many of these feelings. Last Friday E's class had a "read in" where parents came in at the end of the day to read with their child. Since we live in a city with no family around I did not have anyone to watch K, A & W to attend this. I called her teacher and told her to talk to E and tell her that I couldn't find a sitter (they are all in class themselves) and that we would do a special "read in" together over the weekend. I was already feeling so guilty and sad about this but when I picked up E she said that she was sad and that there were only a couple of boys that didn't have parents there. Ouch.

We did have our special "read in" together...sitting in my closet in the dark with pillows and blankets and a flashlight and reading an entire chapter book. I don't think it's the same though...I don't think it makes up for it but what am I to do? I also miss fieldtrips which she seems to understand but I would still love to go on them. Then, later that day E ran off to a slumber party for 15 hours without giving me a hug goodbye or even looking back. I am happy to see her having fun but... ouch again.

W became sick over the past weekend and was running a fever Monday night. It is so sad to see your extremely laid back and happy baby not happy and not feeling well. He is doing much better now. Now, A is sick with a high fever. She is such a trooper and being a good sport about it but I feel so badly for her when I see her little face with watery eyes and flushed cheeks.

My intent today is not to write a negative post and complain. I know that there are many other families with much larger worries and that we are some of the lucky ones. Throughout all of this, K has been coming up to me very frequently giving me hugs and saying "Mommy, I love you" and "you're the best mommy in the whole wide world." My intent is to remind myself to cherish all of the time we have together. Also, wondering if anyone out there has any good mommy advice they can post...or maybe someone knows a daytime sitter?

Someone please sign me up for extensive therapy on the day that each of them go off to college... or maybe I'll just book a trip to Hawaii in advance. :) And... please say a prayer that K doesn't catch this illness in time for her 5th birthday party this Saturday.

Because a post is incomplete without pictures, here are a few from the past few weeks.

Who could resist a hug?


K worked so hard on this puzzle. Every state is a different piece.


E introducing W to the lovely world of Baby Mozart.


W is all smiles as usual.


A introducing W to his new penguin toy from Aunt Erin and Uncle Jay.


While I was enjoying sleeping in, R let K give W some of his bottle.

Opportunity Knocked

This morning we took the girls sledding. We are fortunate to have a prime 'sledding venue' at the end of the cul-de-sac. Ok, Ok, we know there isn't that much snow in these pictures but opportunity only knocks once or twice a winter here it seems. The sun was out, the temperature was in the 40s and there was just enough snow...until it started melting quickly. We all had a great time although R came home feeling a little 'snow deprived' and missing Cleveland.

Here is a video and some pics from the fun!

Video

At the top of the hill...

Here we go...

E is ready to go...

K sporting a smile...

A saying "wheeee" all the way down the hill...

Bringing the sled back up is such hard work...

R and I pretending we are at a ski resort...

Mommy gets a turn...and I didn't even break the sled!

Four Months Old Today!

J Cooper Photography

W is 4 months old today...very hard to believe...except that when you look at him you'd think he is actually older than 4 months. Weighing in at almost 19 pounds, he is a big boy...and his heart is just as big as his chubby arms and legs! W is such a sweet boy with a smile to melt your heart. He is so easy going and even when he cries it is more of a little 'whimper'. He is in love with his big sisters who always keep him entertained. He has become very curious about the world around him and loves to giggle!

The above picture and pictures below were taken this week by a good friend of mine. When I saw these pictures among many others she took that morning, I felt like a little kid on Christmas morning. More of her fun pictures can be found at www.jcooperphotography.com

Also, the cute 'W' polka dot outfit was made by the same friend of mine. You can find some of her super cute designs at www.takeabowcreations.com


J Cooper Photography

J Cooper Photography

J Cooper Photography

Who Needs NYC?

Why spend the time and money to go to New York City for Fashion Week? You can get all the fashion tips you need right here on our blog. Yesterday as I was making dinner (ok, ok, it was a frozen pizza), the girls told me they were having a fashion show. A few minutes later Miss LaLa (aka E), Miss Rose (aka K) and Miss Pose (aka A) were marching through the kitchen with their plastic high heels and stylish outfits. After one round, they would go back and change for the next show...E was in charge of the designs.

So, here's what you have all been waiting for....the best fashion tips for 2009 from Miss LaLa, Miss Rose and Miss Pose!

First, whatever you're wearing, always be sassy!

Sparkly crowns, glasses missing their lenses and candy apple red lipsticks are a must!

When in doubt, throw on a red cape...

Wide brimmed hats paired with purple boas make a great pair!

Don't forget your magic wand!

Shower caps with kitties on them.....SO THIS YEAR!

If all else fails, just throw a red bandana on your head and look cute!

"At First I Wasn't So Sure About That Guy..."

K is in love with W. All of the girls seem to be very fond of him and are having so much fun watching him learn new things. I love to watch all of them play with him and hear how they talk to him. I want to be sure to capture these memories in photos and on video so I'll be making more posts about these "sibling relationships" in the future.

When W was a month old, I asked K what she thought of her new brother. She said "At first I wasn't so sure about that guy" and then said something like, "but now, I love him." It is obvious how much she loves him. She is the first to run to him when he begins to get a little unhappy. She loves to talk to him and show him toys. She loves when he smiles back at her and is proud of him when he does something new. She even asks for "slobbery" kisses from him.

Here are some pictures I took this week of them playing together. Also, I've posted a new Holiday Fun slideshow on the left side of the page. You can view it in the small window or double click on it to see the pics larger.

Telling secrets...

Trying to get a smile...

Telling him stories...

Trying to get his hair to stay down...

Cousins, Cousins & More Cousins

On our Christmas vacation trip, the girls and W were able to see many of their cousins! To begin, we were in St. Louis and spent time with cute cousin Jack. They are only 5 days apart and had fun just looking at each other! On Christmas day, we went to Aunt Brenda and Uncle George's house where W and the girls visited with more cousins, well, second cousins. I've never completely understood the whole first cousin/second cousin/third cousin/removed thing and when I ask others they don't seem to know for sure either so I have looked it up and here is a link incase you are also curious...

http://www.genealogy.com/16_cousn.html

Moving right along...we saw cousins Grant, Zach, Nicole and Jacob in Indiana. W is the ninth grandchild on my side of the family...5 boys, 4 girls.

"Hmmm....who is this person that is my size wearing matching jammies?"

"Ahhh, they say he's my cousin Jack and my future roommate at the University of Dayton."

"I think we are going to be great buddies!"

Great Grandma W with her grandchildren and great grandchildren (missing 2 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild).

Cousins on the B side of the family...missing cousin Ryan. :(

W meets cute and soooo funny and chatty cousin Zach!

W meets sweet and cute cousin Grant...wait, he's 13, can I still say that? That is probably not so cool anymore.

Crowns,Candles and Cakes

K turned 5 on December 26th! We celebrated her birthday during lunch at Grandma and Grandpa H's house. K requested "Grandpa's noodles" (aka Beef Stroganoff) for her special lunch. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa H...it's always 'fun' to get up early the day after Christmas and prepare Beef Stroganoff by11am!

We then drove to Grandma and Grandpa B's house and K had another party the next day where she had requested McDonalds. Grandma B baked a delicious chocolate cake with caramel icing...a family favorite. She shared her special heart cake with cousin Zach whose birthday is also December 26th. Next, is her birthday party at our house with friends...date to be determined. Lucky girl to have so many parties!

Here is a video of K blowing out the candles at Grandma and Grandpa H's house and some pics from both parties.


The birthday girl in the morning with her special crown and button from Grandma and Grandpa H.

E showing K her special gift from her and A and W...a Cinderella plate with K's picture on it.

K with her cake at Grandma and Grandpa B's house.

K counting her one dollar bills from Grandma and Grandpa B.