I adore my children. They are wonderful and amazing. Here is only a small list of why each one is awesome.
H:
- he's learning Spanish (and he's bringing it home which I love)
- he's trying to sound out words and read them
- he loves his brothers and can be very sweet with them
- sometimes he picks his outfits based on how they match his underwear
- he wants every child in the world to have jello, and he's willingly to be the person who makes it and gives it to them
G:
- he loves each of his brothers and he shows it in different ways
- he has a smile that makes me melt
- he loves books
- he still likes to be held
- he wants to be more independent (getting dressed and putting on his own seatbelt)
- he colors inside the lines (and has for a while now)
J:
- he always wants to know where his brothers are and will ask
- he's a klutz and doesn't let that stop him from doing things I think he shouldn't do, like climb
- he doesn't often smile for pictures, so most pictures of him with big smiles are pictures of real smiles
- he doesn't care about coloring in the lines
- he knows the color black
- he loves his.boots and looks adorable in them
W:
- he's two months old (9.5 weeks to be exact)
- he puts himself to sleep
- he doesn't use formula 99% of the time
- he's beautiful (and sometimes reminds me of a cabbage patch doll)
- he doesn't talk back, get into things he shouldn't, etc (I know the day is.coming but I'm treasuring that it isn't right now)
- he's a cuddler
So, that's just part of why my boys are awesome. I never pictured myself a mother of four boys age 5 and under, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I can't say I've felt this amorous about it all day. They have exasperated and worn me out, but that's what they do. I still love them, and sleeping boys are so peaceful and perfect looking it makes it easy to forget the bad and remember the good.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Random tidbits of life
So much going on lately (and yet it feels like we don't do much at all). Here are some highlights of our last 2-3 weeks.
1. W is growing. At his 5 week check up he was 9 lbs 5 oz and 23 in long. And, as I'm am super excited about this fact, that is without having to use formula on a consistent basis.
2. H is getting an award at school tomorrow. I'm not sure what it's for, but I'll find out. I think it may have to do with passing his second sight-word list early, but I don't know.
3. We met with H's teacher for a conference on Monday. She is extremely happy with his progress over the last two weeks. That might sound funny to say, but he has improved since the beginning of the year, and even more so over the last two weeks. He went from knowing how to count to 5 in Spanish (and that was it) to knowing some of the letters and their sounds and being able to count to 10. He's understanding directions better, writing neater, and completing more classwork. He's also bringing words home. He always calls his backpack a mochila, says salud when we sneeze, and throws out other words as it suits him. Probably the most exciting things is hearing him try to sound words out. I am one super proud mama.
3b. H's teacher also shared that there was a student in class who was having a hard time making friends and who had been absent for several days. When he returned H walked up to him and told him he was glad he was back and that he had been missed. She said the little boy's face lit up as H turned around and went back to his seat. It makes me even more proud that, despite his very five-yr-old-boy attitude sometimes other people see his kind heart. Being at home with him and his brothers (and not getting very much sleep) I sometimes forget how much he cares about other people. This story made me more proud than any work he could ever do in school.
4. H wants to be a firefighter when he grows up. He used to want to be a policeman, but now he's changed his mind.
5. The twins are talking more and making sense. They often repeat the last word or two that you say when answering them or giving them directions. They talk to us, they talk to each other, and they talk to those with whom they feel comfortable.
6. The twins are potty trained. I only have one child who's diaper I change, and he's six weeks old. I can handle that.
7. D returned to work. It's sad (turns out it was really nice to have both of us home all the time), but he's happy to work and I'm happy he has a job.
8. I'm getting things done, maybe not all I want to, but things are getting done. I may not have it all down, but I feel like I can handle this thing called parenting four children 5 and under and still kind of run a house. I made a healthy dinner last night, and plan to again tonight. May not seem like much, but I'm sure Husband is glad we aren't eating cereal, nuggets, or leftovers and I know he's glad we aren't spending money on going out to eat.
9. Husband found some lizards while doing yard work yesterday. The twins enjoyed looking at them and then were quite happy to let them go. I'm glad they have a chance to see lizards and a dad who is glad to catch the lizards for them.
10. We went to a Bug and Reptile day at a local nature reserve. All of my boys touched or held a snake (I guess that makes me happy, though I had nightmares that H picked up a venomous snake that night) and were so excited to see the wildlife (in cages) and run around.
11. Climbing...in places they should and shouldn't (and yes, I tell them to get down frequently).
12.Almost forgot, Husband is going to get his eyes "blazed" as H says. He has lazer eye surgery in less than a eek and he is very excited about that.
1. W is growing. At his 5 week check up he was 9 lbs 5 oz and 23 in long. And, as I'm am super excited about this fact, that is without having to use formula on a consistent basis.
2. H is getting an award at school tomorrow. I'm not sure what it's for, but I'll find out. I think it may have to do with passing his second sight-word list early, but I don't know.
3. We met with H's teacher for a conference on Monday. She is extremely happy with his progress over the last two weeks. That might sound funny to say, but he has improved since the beginning of the year, and even more so over the last two weeks. He went from knowing how to count to 5 in Spanish (and that was it) to knowing some of the letters and their sounds and being able to count to 10. He's understanding directions better, writing neater, and completing more classwork. He's also bringing words home. He always calls his backpack a mochila, says salud when we sneeze, and throws out other words as it suits him. Probably the most exciting things is hearing him try to sound words out. I am one super proud mama.
3b. H's teacher also shared that there was a student in class who was having a hard time making friends and who had been absent for several days. When he returned H walked up to him and told him he was glad he was back and that he had been missed. She said the little boy's face lit up as H turned around and went back to his seat. It makes me even more proud that, despite his very five-yr-old-boy attitude sometimes other people see his kind heart. Being at home with him and his brothers (and not getting very much sleep) I sometimes forget how much he cares about other people. This story made me more proud than any work he could ever do in school.
4. H wants to be a firefighter when he grows up. He used to want to be a policeman, but now he's changed his mind.
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| When I grow up I want to be a firefighter. |
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| J and G |
7. D returned to work. It's sad (turns out it was really nice to have both of us home all the time), but he's happy to work and I'm happy he has a job.
8. I'm getting things done, maybe not all I want to, but things are getting done. I may not have it all down, but I feel like I can handle this thing called parenting four children 5 and under and still kind of run a house. I made a healthy dinner last night, and plan to again tonight. May not seem like much, but I'm sure Husband is glad we aren't eating cereal, nuggets, or leftovers and I know he's glad we aren't spending money on going out to eat.
9. Husband found some lizards while doing yard work yesterday. The twins enjoyed looking at them and then were quite happy to let them go. I'm glad they have a chance to see lizards and a dad who is glad to catch the lizards for them.
10. We went to a Bug and Reptile day at a local nature reserve. All of my boys touched or held a snake (I guess that makes me happy, though I had nightmares that H picked up a venomous snake that night) and were so excited to see the wildlife (in cages) and run around.
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| H |
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| G |
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| J |
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| Following H's lead |
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| Checking out the neighbor's party |
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| Talking to the neighbors |
Monday, October 8, 2012
Things I love a lot right now
There are tons of things I love a lot right now, especially in relation to my boys, so I thought I'd "jot" them down.
1. I love that all my boys call Dumbo Jumbo (the name his mama gave him).
2. I love that my boys love "Jumbo" and don't feel sad watching it.
3. I love how J adores W and wants to hold him and comfort him all the time (now to work on a better solution for not crying than putting his hand over W's mouth).
4. I love that H is doing well in school and starting to better understand and learn Spanish.
5. I love our friends - we have amazing ones.
6. I love the drawings that H does - they are so funny and creative. This is especially true on his homework - those are the best!
7. I love my husband and how he takes care of us and that he was super excited to be a daddy again.
8. I love that I was able to drop H off at school this morning with three other kids in tow. I can do this!
9. I love my sister and how frequently we talk (not as often since W's been born, but still).
10. I love that my brother and I have a good relationship even though we don't talk very often. Maybe I should work on that...
11. I love that I have four boys.
12. I love this face.
13. And this face.
14. I love that I'm able to stay home. I have no idea how long it will last, but I'll take it for as long as I can.
15. I love nap time! I especially love it when it takes place wherever they drop.
16. I love that the twins are content with water cups when we go through a Starbucks drive-thru.
17. I love how the twins, especially G, want homework because H has homework.
18. I love hearing my boys tell Husband, "Read, Daddy" and "Sing, Daddy."
19. I love hearing H retell stories he heard at school - his current retelling is The Three Billy Goats Gruff.
1. I love that all my boys call Dumbo Jumbo (the name his mama gave him).
2. I love that my boys love "Jumbo" and don't feel sad watching it.
3. I love how J adores W and wants to hold him and comfort him all the time (now to work on a better solution for not crying than putting his hand over W's mouth).
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| J and W |
4. I love that H is doing well in school and starting to better understand and learn Spanish.
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| H brought these too me and told me that one was pequeño and one was grande. |
6. I love the drawings that H does - they are so funny and creative. This is especially true on his homework - those are the best!
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| A shark that ate a bathtub (rotate left) |
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| H dreaming of a paintbrush (rotate left) |
8. I love that I was able to drop H off at school this morning with three other kids in tow. I can do this!
9. I love my sister and how frequently we talk (not as often since W's been born, but still).
10. I love that my brother and I have a good relationship even though we don't talk very often. Maybe I should work on that...
11. I love that I have four boys.
12. I love this face.
13. And this face.
14. I love that I'm able to stay home. I have no idea how long it will last, but I'll take it for as long as I can.
15. I love nap time! I especially love it when it takes place wherever they drop.
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| G |
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| H |
17. I love how the twins, especially G, want homework because H has homework.
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| H doing his homework |
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| G and J doing theirs - I draw things in highlighter for them to trace, color, or whatever they desier |
19. I love hearing H retell stories he heard at school - his current retelling is The Three Billy Goats Gruff.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
2 weeks
Little W made his appearance two weeks ago. I can hardly believe it has been this long. His brothers adore him and love to hold him. They want to be around him and kissing him all the time. We're working on gentle touches and how to love on babies so that they don't scare him.
He's such a mellow little guy. He likes to eat and sleep, but rarely cries. When he's awake he'll lay in bed (or the floor, or our arms, or "sit" in his fully reclined high chair) and watch all that's going on around him. He tolerates all the noise and crazy of our house so well. Even when he jumps, he doesn't usually fuss. We're settling into a routine, and trying our best to work it around an existing one. Of course, some things can't be rushed and I'm glad we had time with my mom and have time with Husband home to get things fine tuned before we are left on our own, just Mama and four boys, to figure things out.
He prefers to sleep on his tummy, though he doesn't mind his side and sometimes tolerates his back. Even knowing he sleeps longer this way and could possibly give me an even better night's sleep (he does at least one 4 hour stint), I still can't bring myself to let him outside of nap time. Probably because nap time takes place in a cradle in the living room right were I can see him. I don't know how long stopping him from sleeping on his belly will last. He's managed to wiggle his way to his tummy from his side several times now.
Husband did note that he doesn't smile too much (except for in his sleep). He does appear to be more pensive than all the others. I'll attribute that to coming into a chaotic world instead of the more calm and serene of no children or one child the other's had. Regardless, he's sweet and precious and perfect and I am so glad he's here and loved by all, completely accepted into our family by all those around him.
He's such a mellow little guy. He likes to eat and sleep, but rarely cries. When he's awake he'll lay in bed (or the floor, or our arms, or "sit" in his fully reclined high chair) and watch all that's going on around him. He tolerates all the noise and crazy of our house so well. Even when he jumps, he doesn't usually fuss. We're settling into a routine, and trying our best to work it around an existing one. Of course, some things can't be rushed and I'm glad we had time with my mom and have time with Husband home to get things fine tuned before we are left on our own, just Mama and four boys, to figure things out.
He prefers to sleep on his tummy, though he doesn't mind his side and sometimes tolerates his back. Even knowing he sleeps longer this way and could possibly give me an even better night's sleep (he does at least one 4 hour stint), I still can't bring myself to let him outside of nap time. Probably because nap time takes place in a cradle in the living room right were I can see him. I don't know how long stopping him from sleeping on his belly will last. He's managed to wiggle his way to his tummy from his side several times now.
Husband did note that he doesn't smile too much (except for in his sleep). He does appear to be more pensive than all the others. I'll attribute that to coming into a chaotic world instead of the more calm and serene of no children or one child the other's had. Regardless, he's sweet and precious and perfect and I am so glad he's here and loved by all, completely accepted into our family by all those around him.
Friday, September 21, 2012
#4 has arrived, and he has a name
Well, #4 made his appearance a little early (about 2 weeks), but given his size I'm glad he did. We went in on Sept. 11 with some contractions (6 min. apart), pain, and a worried mama. I expected to be sent home. Our doctor decided to do the c-section rather than get called in a midnight (something we may have done to him almost three years ago). So, #4 was here earlier than planned. He arrived at 6:17pm, weighted 8 lbs. 3 oz. and was 21 in. long. He is my biggest baby, and I was quite surprised as they called out the weight and length. Still, when you add an extra 3 inches, the extra pound doesn't seem that huge. He is the spitting image of his oldest brother, H, and everyone is excited he's here. He eats well (not a surprise considering) and sleeps through the boys playing and noise extremely well. Already he's been kind enough to give me a few nights that have included a 4 hour stint in them. If he keeps this up, I might actually get a full night's sleep before he turns a year, what a dream that would be.
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| Wyatt Isaiah |
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| Mama and baby - Look at those thighs, he's our first with chubby thighs |
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| Cheeks |
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| Cheeks again |
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| All curled up - his favorite thing to be (besides held) |
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| Family reading time (W is in the lower right) |
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| Sweet boy |
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Mickey Mouse
Many months ago H told his preschool teacher that he was having a baby brother. She happened to have season pass to Disneyland, a place he likes to pretend we go to all the time, and one day he told her we were going there just like she was. He proceeded to tell her that we were going to buy some Mickey ears for his baby brother (nevermind that the twins don't have any and we haven't been there for over two years) and he was going to come home looking like Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck (not sure where that came from either). H's imagination cracks me up sometimes. Still, from that conversation between a 4-yr-old and his preschool teacher came an idea that I have wanted to work out for a while now. I've seen all sorts of cute Mickey outfits for newborns on Pinterest. Most of them are crocheted or knitted and most of them cost money.
I'm cheap, and I was sure I could find a pattern where I could quickly sew something together. Yeah, right. With nothing coming up through Pinterest or Google, I started gathering ideas in my head to do it myself from my own head. This is where things always get tricky. I think my mom, Husband, and sister-friend all get a little scared when I say I'm going to do things from my own head. My ideas don't always work, and I usually make them more complicated that they need to be, but it's always an adventure for everyone involved.
I decided I would make a hat, onesie, and booties. A friend of mine tried to help out and buy some yellow booties for us. They're cute, and I'm sure I'll use them, but I still want to make my own (I already have the perfect color material).
I got out a hat from when the twins were born. I know this hat will fit and stay on. It will be the pattern for my hat (of course, I'll be adding ears - no name on the back...maybe I can ask Husband's mom to do this at a later date). The onesie is a little trickier. I can use an existing one to make a pattern or use a freebie pattern from online (none of these are newborn size though and I tend to have small babies). I was originally going to make it black with a red bottom. Now that seems like an awful lot of effort and I'm thinking about doing a onesie and red shorts instead. Don't ask why I don't buy a pack of white onesies and die one black. I have thought about this. With about 2 weeks to go, it may be what happens, but part of me found it easier to sew one instead (see why ideas from my own head can be a lot of effort and a little scary). At this point I think a diaper cover/shorts is the way I'm going to go. Then there are the booties. They'll be cute. I think they should be easy. I have some patterns in my pattern box, so I won't be going totally out of my head on this one. Still, they should only take three pattern pieces and I have a feeling they'll be the easiest part of the entire endeavor.
My sister-friend is coming over today to help me prep our bedroom and get the bassinet all set up. After that, depending on how much time is left before a birthday party Husband and I have at 6:30, I may attempt to get started. It really is a now or never type of project. The hat is my biggest focus. If all we come home with that is "special," it has to be the hat. I don't know if H remembers saying that, or if he even still has that idea in his head, but I don't think anything will make him more excited (except maybe a Batman mask because he has decided that is what we will name the new little one - one crazy mommy idea at a time).
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| Click picture to go to an etsy shop for someone with some amazing talent |
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| Click picture to go to an etsy shop for someone with some amazing talent |
I decided I would make a hat, onesie, and booties. A friend of mine tried to help out and buy some yellow booties for us. They're cute, and I'm sure I'll use them, but I still want to make my own (I already have the perfect color material).
I got out a hat from when the twins were born. I know this hat will fit and stay on. It will be the pattern for my hat (of course, I'll be adding ears - no name on the back...maybe I can ask Husband's mom to do this at a later date). The onesie is a little trickier. I can use an existing one to make a pattern or use a freebie pattern from online (none of these are newborn size though and I tend to have small babies). I was originally going to make it black with a red bottom. Now that seems like an awful lot of effort and I'm thinking about doing a onesie and red shorts instead. Don't ask why I don't buy a pack of white onesies and die one black. I have thought about this. With about 2 weeks to go, it may be what happens, but part of me found it easier to sew one instead (see why ideas from my own head can be a lot of effort and a little scary). At this point I think a diaper cover/shorts is the way I'm going to go. Then there are the booties. They'll be cute. I think they should be easy. I have some patterns in my pattern box, so I won't be going totally out of my head on this one. Still, they should only take three pattern pieces and I have a feeling they'll be the easiest part of the entire endeavor.
My sister-friend is coming over today to help me prep our bedroom and get the bassinet all set up. After that, depending on how much time is left before a birthday party Husband and I have at 6:30, I may attempt to get started. It really is a now or never type of project. The hat is my biggest focus. If all we come home with that is "special," it has to be the hat. I don't know if H remembers saying that, or if he even still has that idea in his head, but I don't think anything will make him more excited (except maybe a Batman mask because he has decided that is what we will name the new little one - one crazy mommy idea at a time).
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Homemade Shake-n-Bake
I remember seeing the commercials for shake-n-bake as a kid and thinking it looked like fun. My mom never bought it. Fast-forward a good number of years. My then new husband asked me to make shake-n-bake and is stunned to find out I've never made it, eaten it, etc. Nearly nine years of marriage later and I can't tell you how many times we've had it. I love it. There's something in the seasoning and it is wonderful. Pair it with some mac-n-cheese and steamed veggies and you've got one awesome meal.
I had some chicken breast in the fridge that I was going to use for dinner (who knows what I was going to make) and Husband requested shake-n-bake. Only problem, we don't have any in the pantry. So, we looked up some recipes online and decided to try and make our own. It was yummy. I enjoyed the taste. It isn't shake-n-bake, but I'd definitely make it again. I don't know how it would pair with mac-n-cheese, but it was great with pasta that had a creamy tomato sauce. I think it would probably make a pretty good chicken parmesan because it tasted great dipped in the left over sauce on my plate.
There aren't any pictures. It looked like any other breaded and baked chicken cut up into nugget sized pieces (I knew that would mean less time for the oven to be on and possibly a better way to entice the boys to try it). I ended up combining a few recipes. Here's what we used.
1 sleeve of Ritz crackers
about 1/8 cup of dried parsley flakes
about 1 tbsp paprika
about 2 tbsp dried oregano
about 2 tsp of celery salt (when I do this again I'll just use one)
about 2 tsp of garlic powder
about 2 tsp of onion powder
fresh ground pepper (I have no idea how much - probably about 1 tsp. I just kept grinding until it looked good to me)
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut up (there was plenty of mix made to use more chicken)
Crush the crackers in a gallon sized ziplock baggie. Combine all other dry ingredients in the gallon ziplock bag. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Add chicken to bag (it can be cut up into bites, strips, or left whole - you can also use skin on, bone in). Shake until coated. Place on cookie sheet lined with foil (because no one wants to wash extra dishes if you don't have to). Cooking time depends on size of meat pieces. I cooked the nugget size pieces for about 15-18 min. An uncut breast takes about 30-45 minutes depending on size and thickness. Cut it open or use a meat thermometer and check for doneness.
Here are the recipes I used to get an idea of what to do.
All Recipes
Hillbilly Housewife
Dinner, a Love Story
**You can use bread crumbs or saltines if you'd prefer. I was aiming for about 1 1/2 cups of crumbs. I was using what was on hand (that was the purpose of the exercise). If bread crumbs didn't require the use of our oven (and if it hadn't been so close to dinner time already), I might have made some.
I had some chicken breast in the fridge that I was going to use for dinner (who knows what I was going to make) and Husband requested shake-n-bake. Only problem, we don't have any in the pantry. So, we looked up some recipes online and decided to try and make our own. It was yummy. I enjoyed the taste. It isn't shake-n-bake, but I'd definitely make it again. I don't know how it would pair with mac-n-cheese, but it was great with pasta that had a creamy tomato sauce. I think it would probably make a pretty good chicken parmesan because it tasted great dipped in the left over sauce on my plate.
There aren't any pictures. It looked like any other breaded and baked chicken cut up into nugget sized pieces (I knew that would mean less time for the oven to be on and possibly a better way to entice the boys to try it). I ended up combining a few recipes. Here's what we used.
1 sleeve of Ritz crackers
about 1/8 cup of dried parsley flakes
about 1 tbsp paprika
about 2 tbsp dried oregano
about 2 tsp of celery salt (when I do this again I'll just use one)
about 2 tsp of garlic powder
about 2 tsp of onion powder
fresh ground pepper (I have no idea how much - probably about 1 tsp. I just kept grinding until it looked good to me)
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut up (there was plenty of mix made to use more chicken)
Crush the crackers in a gallon sized ziplock baggie. Combine all other dry ingredients in the gallon ziplock bag. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Add chicken to bag (it can be cut up into bites, strips, or left whole - you can also use skin on, bone in). Shake until coated. Place on cookie sheet lined with foil (because no one wants to wash extra dishes if you don't have to). Cooking time depends on size of meat pieces. I cooked the nugget size pieces for about 15-18 min. An uncut breast takes about 30-45 minutes depending on size and thickness. Cut it open or use a meat thermometer and check for doneness.
Here are the recipes I used to get an idea of what to do.
All Recipes
Hillbilly Housewife
Dinner, a Love Story
**You can use bread crumbs or saltines if you'd prefer. I was aiming for about 1 1/2 cups of crumbs. I was using what was on hand (that was the purpose of the exercise). If bread crumbs didn't require the use of our oven (and if it hadn't been so close to dinner time already), I might have made some.
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