Dietary Needs

Should I be worried that my daughter is eating everything except real food??? Today was the cardboard box. Most other days it's napkins, paper, playdough, etc. This is normal - right?

Redecorating

Campbell is always my helper. Today while emptying the dishwasher she decided it was time for a little redecorating. Thankfully my measuring cups bounce back.

New Me!

It was time for a change. Time for a new me. I used to be that 5"10" tall, blonde hair, blue eyed girl; and then somewhere she got lost. I have been "growing out" my hair since Feb. 2008 hoping to have long hair again. That hope will just have to fade away because after 14 months, this is about as long as my hair will get. My hairstylist, Lori, said "you are done growing your hair out." So on to Plan B. Blonde Highlights & a more sassy style. Yesterday the new me was created. Now let's just hope this new me can take the ball and run with it. Funny thing is Cooper and some friends didn't even notice the change.

Some R&R

I'm lacking the essential "decision making" skill that allows us women to make completely irrational, spontaneous, and extremely girly plans and ideas. Why is it that I have to be so "right-brained" all the time. Why do I need help when shopping for clothes to actually be able to buy something? Why do I need advice when trying on a new hairdo? Why can't I understand the concept of having more than one purse, pair of shoes, or lots of jewelry? I'd like to say I'm low-maintenance or just simply a minimalist. But whatever it is, it's hindering me from choosing a great destination for a "girls trip."

So if you have any ideas send them my way. I need some quailty R&R with my girl friends. ;o)

Men

*Advisory-This post will most likely contain TOO MUCH INFORMATION.*

I've always heard that life is not fair, but really why is that?

Man Surgery.
The topic of this discussion has been present in our house for 2 years now. I didn't want to force the issue, but at the same time wasn't it time for him to step up to the plate and do something to alter his body?

Seeing that I have altered my body THREE times. Gained weight, couldn't eat certain foods, couldn't drink certain drinks, gestational diabetes, clothes didn't fit, shoes didn't fit, sleepless nights, change my sleeping position, going to the bathroom four times a night, pain, headaches, ear infections, nausea, tired, exhausted, dr appts, specimen cups, shots, blood draws, stretch marks, and never again being the same I was before. Also, throw in the exposure to drs, nurses, and any other person in the room, having to wear a terribly ugly gown, sitting on a pillow for weeks, tending to your own bodily issues along with tending to the new little person's as well, and just the feeling of pressure that because your a woman you should KNOW what to do and be able to do EVERYTHING.

So here it was, he finally made the consultation appt. Painless but embarrassing. Finally made the real appt-which they only do on Fridays so they have the weekend to recover. Chauffer him to his 30 minute appt. Yeah, it's over in 30 minutes. Again embarrassing and a little painful. (Chad has a high tolerance for pain.) Pick him up from his appt only to receive the prescription from the doctor "to peel grapes and feed them to him, along with as much drink of his choice." (Obviously a joke - we know the dr. very well.) Still beyond that, I had his patient room waiting for him. Magazines, books, dvds, computer, water, medicine, ice packs, etc. He was "allowed" to lay in bed for 3 days straight, our bedroom, door closed, oblivious to anything that was going on in the household and just laying there and relaxing. He was brought his lunch and dinner. He was able to avoid all husband, father, and household duties. For three days!!! And to top that off, he wasn't allowed to shower for 2 days and he can't lift anything over 10lbs. for two weeks. Really, let me tell you that rules out a lot of duties. Can't take out the trash, can't lift boxes at work, can't lift the girls, can't work out, can't play tennis, can't mow the yard, can't move or walk fast. Geez, that equates out to sit, watch tv, go on the computer, and relax. Again, all in the name of not being able to produce children any longer.

Follow Up.
So another appt, a week later. Then the embarrassing specimen cups for the next two months. And I'm sure you know that every man thinks this will be great for him. And at this point do you think I feel sorry for him, feel any sympathy for him, feel any compassion for him...the answer clearly is NO!!!!!!!!!!!

Why is life not fair I ask? Could it be because women are just stronger by nature and we can handle anything thrown at us? Could it be that women do and take care of everything and everyone? Could it be that due to expectations and outcomes we've learned that we get the short end of the stick?

Please someone, sign me up for 3 days of relaxing, uninterrupted, maid & chef service where I can do what I want and when I want and for how long I want. ;o)

Sorry for the crazy, TMI, post! Thanks for listening.

**Side notes-I love my kids more than anything and would of course not have changed having them.
**For Chad-Thank you for doing this for our family. Glad my nursing days are over. LOL.
**For Kris-enjoy the pregnancy ride & Congrats!! Disregard all the bad stuff I said. LOL.

Easter 2009

This year Easter was very nontraditional. Our usual routine would have been to go to my mom's house, have a big egg hunt out in the yard, color eggs, open Easter baskets, and eat a big dinner. We have done that for the past six years. Although last year we did go to my dad's house first and then back to my mom's house.

This year was different for a couple reasons.
1. My mom & stepdad Butch are in Hawaii celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary.
2. Chad was out of commission this weekend due to his "man surgery." *I'm sure you know what I'm talking about, but if not just ask.*

So this is how Easter went for us this year. Thursday night we colored eggs. Friday Cooper was out of school and we took Chad to his doctor appt. We picked Chad up about 1 1/2 hrs later and thus began my weekend of nursing duty. Saturday I got the girls ready to go to the mall to take our annual Easter Bunny picture with the Hitchings girls. We have taken this picture each year since Cooper and Teagan were born. Well needless to say Campbell, the big bully, chickened out and cried and threw a fit and DID NOT stand in for the picture. This makes mommy very mad/sad. After picking up a frosty for my patient, home we went. Sunday Cooper was up before 7am and Campbell held off until about 7:30. Then it was full on Easter time. Baskets and egg hunts inside the house due to rainy cold weather. We had lunch at the Hitchings house and then dinner at Chad's parents house. All without Chad! I'll have to post my thoughts about this whole "surgery" another time. After dinner, it was time for baths, clean up the house, and get ready for the week. It was definitely a "nontraditional" Easter for us. Here are some pics of our weekend.


Coloring eggs


Cooper ready to see the Easter Bunny.


Campbell ready to see the Easter Bunny.


Easter baskets in the morning.


Hunting for eggs around the house.

Back to Normal

Chad arrived home safe and sound last night to three very happy girls. Cooper and Campbell jumped out of bed to give big hugs and lots of kisses. So nice to see that they really did miss him. Of course next they wanted their souvenirs. I smiled quietly and thought, "yeah daddy is home and things are back to normal." Off to bed they went.

How does 1 person do it all?

This week is a very trying and busy week for me. Chad is in California and I have to run the store while he is gone. I haven't done "real" 9-5 work in LONG time. And it's not that I don't like to work, because I really do. What is causing all the fuss is that I have to do the "real" work along with ALL my other work I usually do. So I ask the question: How does one person do it all?

I really don't know if I'm coming or going and it's only Monday night. I've been up since 5:30am and the list of things I've done today is WAY too long, but I still have more to get done tonight after the girls are "asleep." Which could be a battle itself as Campbell usually fights going to sleep and most nights has a bad dream or needs a diaper change or something to drink; which Chad is always good at doing during the middle of the night. Now it's all me. Also, Cooper wants to sleep in my bed while Chad is gone and I don't mind because there will be one day when she doesn't want to do that anymore and so right now I'm savoring that special moment between us.

Bottom line is, I just need a place to vent. A place to list all the crazy things I've done so far and all the things I still have to do. I need that unbiased but real opinion out there telling me I can do it.

So while you read, just think of me doing these fun tasks. Getting girls up, packing lunches, bus stop duty, opening the store, daily paperwork, stocking items, cleaning the MESSY store up (those guys are BOYS), taking & picking up from school, making dinner, laundry, dishes, feed the pets, listen to 2 redheads fight & argue about EVERY LITTLE THING possible, get taxes ready, price items for the consignment sale, putting girls to bed, and some how find a few minutes of quiet solitude for myself to take care of me. Yeah right - impossible!

Thanks for listening.

Matilda Jane

A few weeks ago, Michelle and I went to a Matilda Jane clothing home show. Now my girls (especially Cooper) throw a fit anytime I want them to wear something "cute" but Michelle's girls are totally into the cute fashion trends. I made my purchase with family pictures this summer in mind, so you'll be seeing these cute outfits again later.

www.matildajaneclothing.com

There are lots of great things about the clothes.
1. Mix & Match very easily.
2. Loose fitting, so won't be outgrown too quickly.
3. Sizes are flexible, so pants can be pants for Campbell or capri's for Cooper.
4. Halter tanks can be also worn as skirts.
5. Tanks have adjustable straps, just redo the knot to make bigger/smaller.
6. Cute styles that are different from the norm.
7. High resale value on Ebay. Of course cute clothes aren't cheap.






Campbell wanted to wear her new clothes to the mall to take a picture with the Easter bunny.

Playing Dress Up

The beauty of having another girl is that she can now play with everything that Cooper has outgrown. Today was a dress up day. She loves to put on the jewelry, make a big mess, and is perfecting her smile. Say "cheese."


Campbell loves the camera.