I have a love/hate relationship this time of year. I love Girl Scout cookies! On the other hand, they were invented by an evil, sadistic person wanting to destroy all my hard work in living a healthy lifestyle because I can literally inhale a box in one sitting. No lie, I've done it before.
I want some type of credit for all my effort. Andrew didn't seem to be too impressed when told him, but I am wholeheartedly proud of myself. Hence the reason I'm writing this post.
About 3 weeks ago (give or take), we bought 5 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to support our neighbor. Currently sitting in my pantry are 4 full boxes! Only 1 box has been eaten. Yes, one box. And that box was eaten by myself and three other people. Whoop, whoop!
I am 33 weeks pregnant, and I have yet to inhale a box or even more than 2 cookies in a sitting/day. Seriously, I feel as though I deserve a medal for all my self control.
I thought I would put it out there because I am proud of myself. No medal or award is deserved. I just feel a huge sense of accomplishment for having those four uneaten boxes left in the pantry.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
First Crush
It seems Jackson has his first little crush. So sweet and innocent are the days of the young.
I've noticed for the past few weeks Jackson goes out of his way to tell a certain little girl named Shayla in his preschool class goodbye every day. He also talks about them playing together along with other kids. I was pretty sure what was going on, but actually had complete confirmation last night.
Jackson was telling Andrew about his day at preschool and kept mentioning Shayla's name. I looked at Andrew and said, "I'm pretty sure your son has his first crush on a little girl named Shayla."
Ever the skeptic, Andrew wasn't completely convinced until he remembered a conversation he had alone with Jackson last week.
On his way to gymnastics class, Jackson asked Andrew, "Daddy, when you love someone you buy them a gift right?"
"Sure son," Andrew replied completely confused, "Do you want to buy someone a gift?"
"Oh no, she's going to buy me a gift!" Jackson said with absolute confidence.
Andrew had no idea what was going on until he put two and two together after my crush revelation.
I asked where he would get the idea of buying someone he loves a gift. Andrew could only guess it was when he came home a little early one day after I was having a bad day. He took the kids to HEB and bought flowers for me. Cullen and Jackson each presented me with a small bouquet of flowers when they came home. It was really sweet!
After I was told about this conversation, I was in near hysterics. How cute is that?! Jackson has so much confidence in his little crush. It is pretty darn adorable!
Now I have to teach him, yes, it is good to buy a girl a gift every now and then. We like it!
I've noticed for the past few weeks Jackson goes out of his way to tell a certain little girl named Shayla in his preschool class goodbye every day. He also talks about them playing together along with other kids. I was pretty sure what was going on, but actually had complete confirmation last night.
Jackson was telling Andrew about his day at preschool and kept mentioning Shayla's name. I looked at Andrew and said, "I'm pretty sure your son has his first crush on a little girl named Shayla."
Ever the skeptic, Andrew wasn't completely convinced until he remembered a conversation he had alone with Jackson last week.
On his way to gymnastics class, Jackson asked Andrew, "Daddy, when you love someone you buy them a gift right?"
"Sure son," Andrew replied completely confused, "Do you want to buy someone a gift?"
"Oh no, she's going to buy me a gift!" Jackson said with absolute confidence.
Andrew had no idea what was going on until he put two and two together after my crush revelation.
I asked where he would get the idea of buying someone he loves a gift. Andrew could only guess it was when he came home a little early one day after I was having a bad day. He took the kids to HEB and bought flowers for me. Cullen and Jackson each presented me with a small bouquet of flowers when they came home. It was really sweet!
After I was told about this conversation, I was in near hysterics. How cute is that?! Jackson has so much confidence in his little crush. It is pretty darn adorable!
Now I have to teach him, yes, it is good to buy a girl a gift every now and then. We like it!
Friday, January 17, 2014
Children are a Special Kind of Stress
I heard on the news Monday morning married couples who have no kids are happier than married couples with children. My answer to this study... no kidding! It doesn't take a genius or scientists who have nothing better to do than perform a study that is a no brainer to know the answer to the question they posed.
Let me tell you why.
Kids are stressful. Any kind of stress put on a marriage makes a marriage harder which can eventually lead to not being as happy as possible. Take away the stressful situation, and voila! People can be happier.
Children are a special kind of stress. A stress lasting years and never quite goes away.
Doesn't matter if you have one or a dozen. Granted, one is easier to manage than say 6, but every child causes stress on a parent. It starts from day one with decisions such as breast or formula fed. Organic or non-organic. Cloth or disposable diapers. Someone always has an opinion on what you should do and how you should raise your kids. That's a lot of pressure especially for first time parents.
Fast forward, now you have a walking toddler. How far should a parent baby proof the house? What age is the right age for potty training? Potty training is a living hell all parents have to go through that deserves its own section of stressfulness. I will forego that today.
Couples with no children are capable of running simple errands without it becoming some epic Lord of the Rings journey. I don't even remember what it's like to go to the grocery store alone. That magical place with all kinds of food and temptation for your little ones saying, "Can we get this?" And you saying, "No put it back" and praying that is the end of the conversation. To be able to run in and get milk without having to load up the kids, unload them, get a cart, get everyone situated in said cart, walk to the back far corner of the store (because heaven forbid you don't have to walk the entire length to get the only thing you need), keep said children with you at all times, grab the milk, go back the entire length of the store to check out, keep said children with you at all times again, checkout, walk to your car to load the kids back up, return the cart, and head home. That is what happens when you have kids. And yes, it is stressful.
Couples without kids do not have to worry about someone waking them up at all hours of the night with sicknesses, growing pains, teething, nightmares, night terrors (yes, there is a big difference), or just the fact your child decided to be wide awake at 4am. Couples without children get a full night's sleep. I'm not even sure what that is anymore. I've been sleep deprived for years!
Couples without kids do not have not worry about scheduling or picking up child #1 while taking child #2 over to whatever activity they are participating in. Scheduling is wide open with no children. No childreners can actually go out on dates at the spur of the moment and go to fancy restaurants. Those were the days (nostalgic sigh).
Eating meals without having to tell a little person to sit their butt down in the chair and put food in their mouth would be heavenly.
Having kids is stressful on married couples. I can this without a study showing me.
But you know what. As stressful as my life is having kids in it, my marriage is still going strong. I'm crazy happy with my husband. With all the negatives having kids can bring, they also bring a tremendous amount of joy to us.
Seeing them grow up amazes me everyday. Watching their personalities develop over time is something no one else can give you.
I ask Andrew at least once a week if there is a return policy on our kids. He just shakes his head at me and says, "No, but I wish sometimes." It takes a lot of work and sacrifice to raise little ones, but in my eyes, it's worth it.
For all the married couples without children, enjoy what that freedom gives you. Be happier than me according to this study. Live your lives being able to run the grocery store for 1 item, and it not be an adventure. I applaud you for your freedom mainly because there are a lot of days I wish I had it!
As for me, I'll continue with the craziness that is my life of having three little ones and one on the way. I'll continue my epic journeys to the grocery store. I will be stressed out and give up my freedom. It's my choice, and I don't regret it for one minute.
Let me tell you why.
Kids are stressful. Any kind of stress put on a marriage makes a marriage harder which can eventually lead to not being as happy as possible. Take away the stressful situation, and voila! People can be happier.
Children are a special kind of stress. A stress lasting years and never quite goes away.
Doesn't matter if you have one or a dozen. Granted, one is easier to manage than say 6, but every child causes stress on a parent. It starts from day one with decisions such as breast or formula fed. Organic or non-organic. Cloth or disposable diapers. Someone always has an opinion on what you should do and how you should raise your kids. That's a lot of pressure especially for first time parents.
Fast forward, now you have a walking toddler. How far should a parent baby proof the house? What age is the right age for potty training? Potty training is a living hell all parents have to go through that deserves its own section of stressfulness. I will forego that today.
Couples with no children are capable of running simple errands without it becoming some epic Lord of the Rings journey. I don't even remember what it's like to go to the grocery store alone. That magical place with all kinds of food and temptation for your little ones saying, "Can we get this?" And you saying, "No put it back" and praying that is the end of the conversation. To be able to run in and get milk without having to load up the kids, unload them, get a cart, get everyone situated in said cart, walk to the back far corner of the store (because heaven forbid you don't have to walk the entire length to get the only thing you need), keep said children with you at all times, grab the milk, go back the entire length of the store to check out, keep said children with you at all times again, checkout, walk to your car to load the kids back up, return the cart, and head home. That is what happens when you have kids. And yes, it is stressful.
Couples without kids do not have to worry about someone waking them up at all hours of the night with sicknesses, growing pains, teething, nightmares, night terrors (yes, there is a big difference), or just the fact your child decided to be wide awake at 4am. Couples without children get a full night's sleep. I'm not even sure what that is anymore. I've been sleep deprived for years!
Couples without kids do not have not worry about scheduling or picking up child #1 while taking child #2 over to whatever activity they are participating in. Scheduling is wide open with no children. No childreners can actually go out on dates at the spur of the moment and go to fancy restaurants. Those were the days (nostalgic sigh).
Eating meals without having to tell a little person to sit their butt down in the chair and put food in their mouth would be heavenly.
Having kids is stressful on married couples. I can this without a study showing me.
But you know what. As stressful as my life is having kids in it, my marriage is still going strong. I'm crazy happy with my husband. With all the negatives having kids can bring, they also bring a tremendous amount of joy to us.
Seeing them grow up amazes me everyday. Watching their personalities develop over time is something no one else can give you.
I ask Andrew at least once a week if there is a return policy on our kids. He just shakes his head at me and says, "No, but I wish sometimes." It takes a lot of work and sacrifice to raise little ones, but in my eyes, it's worth it.
For all the married couples without children, enjoy what that freedom gives you. Be happier than me according to this study. Live your lives being able to run the grocery store for 1 item, and it not be an adventure. I applaud you for your freedom mainly because there are a lot of days I wish I had it!
As for me, I'll continue with the craziness that is my life of having three little ones and one on the way. I'll continue my epic journeys to the grocery store. I will be stressed out and give up my freedom. It's my choice, and I don't regret it for one minute.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
The Epic Clogging
It took the third child to finally clog a toilet with a toy.
And I had absolutely nothing to do with it.
Sunday night, Sawyer was screaming and crying from somewhere inside the house. Andrew and I couldn't find him at first. Eventually he was found in the downstairs half bathroom where Cullen had locked him. Nice brotherly love there.
Monday afternoon, Cullen says, "Mommy, the toilet paper won't go down."
I'm in the middle of plucking the meat off a rotisserie chicken, so I say, "Just leave it, and I'll look at it in a minute."
Before I had a chance, Jackson decides to go poop in the same toilet. Afterward, I clean him up and flush the toilet. I just see water rising in the bowl.
The toilet clogging is not an uncommon occurrence in our household. I was completely prepared with a plunger sitting in the corner.
I plunge and flush. A little goes down, but the water rises back again. Plunge and flush. Most goes down, but the water rises back up again. Plunge and flush. Plunge and flush. Plunge and flush. Plunge and flush.
By this time I'm thinking 'what the hell is wrong with this toilet?!'
I'm starting to get really frustrated and call Andrew. His response, "Oh, I guess I need to figure out what toy I flushed down the toilet this morning." What?!?! Apparently he was not awake this morning and didn't see the toy sitting in bottom of the bowl until after he flushed.
Andrew comes home early to fix the problem he caused. I'm not sure what exactly he did. I was dutifully staying out of the way and keeping the kids outside playing. All I know is it involved the plunger, a few pitches full of water, the snake, and lot of elbow grease.
About 30 minutes later, he comes out of the house toy in hand, looking triumphant.
Let me describe this toy. It was probably at least six inches long and two inches wide. It had a rattle on each end, connected by two twisty things. It was a big toy, something a person should not miss seeing at the bottom of the toilet.
The toilet is unclogged and working normally. I threw the poop soaked rattle away, and Andrew has learned to always double check the toilet bowl for toys. All in all, not too much damage was done besides everything just being gross for a little while.
And I had absolutely nothing to do with it.
Sunday night, Sawyer was screaming and crying from somewhere inside the house. Andrew and I couldn't find him at first. Eventually he was found in the downstairs half bathroom where Cullen had locked him. Nice brotherly love there.
Monday afternoon, Cullen says, "Mommy, the toilet paper won't go down."
I'm in the middle of plucking the meat off a rotisserie chicken, so I say, "Just leave it, and I'll look at it in a minute."
Before I had a chance, Jackson decides to go poop in the same toilet. Afterward, I clean him up and flush the toilet. I just see water rising in the bowl.
The toilet clogging is not an uncommon occurrence in our household. I was completely prepared with a plunger sitting in the corner.
I plunge and flush. A little goes down, but the water rises back again. Plunge and flush. Most goes down, but the water rises back up again. Plunge and flush. Plunge and flush. Plunge and flush. Plunge and flush.
By this time I'm thinking 'what the hell is wrong with this toilet?!'
I'm starting to get really frustrated and call Andrew. His response, "Oh, I guess I need to figure out what toy I flushed down the toilet this morning." What?!?! Apparently he was not awake this morning and didn't see the toy sitting in bottom of the bowl until after he flushed.
Andrew comes home early to fix the problem he caused. I'm not sure what exactly he did. I was dutifully staying out of the way and keeping the kids outside playing. All I know is it involved the plunger, a few pitches full of water, the snake, and lot of elbow grease.
About 30 minutes later, he comes out of the house toy in hand, looking triumphant.
Let me describe this toy. It was probably at least six inches long and two inches wide. It had a rattle on each end, connected by two twisty things. It was a big toy, something a person should not miss seeing at the bottom of the toilet.
The toilet is unclogged and working normally. I threw the poop soaked rattle away, and Andrew has learned to always double check the toilet bowl for toys. All in all, not too much damage was done besides everything just being gross for a little while.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
No Cookie for You
Over the holidays, I baked quite a bit. I baked cookies, bread, pies, cheesecake, and a few other things. I enjoy cooking and baking, so I always tend to go overboard during the holidays. Plus, I get a larger than normal sweet tooth during pregnancy. It's a great excuse!
With all the sugar being poured, I'm quite conscious of how much I let the kids have. Sawyer practically gets nothing. I just don't see the need except if it's a special occasion. I've become a little more lax with Jackson and Cullen, but it is definitely far from a free-for-all in my house. My kids are already active enough without sugar. There is no need to torture myself by getting them all hyped up and having to deal with that particular fall out.
The boys had gotten into the habit of having a cookie after dinner if they finished it all. Yes, one cookie. Aren't I generous?! With the holidays wrapping up, Andrew and I decided Jackson and Cullen needed to be broken of the habit of having a cookie every night after dinner. Good parents that we are, we just started flat out denying them sweets.
One night after dinner, Jackson and Cullen were being very persistent about getting their cookie. I told them no at least three times, as did Andrew.
Cullen decided to take it upon himself to go into the pantry and get himself out a cookie. He really wanted that cookie. Jackson, being a typical big brother, didn't actually touch anything but was within inches of Cullen at all times and was telling him what to do.
"No cookies," Andrew stated for what felt like the dozenth time.
"Yes!" exclaimed Cullen while trying to pry open an almost empty pack of Oreos.
Then it happened. I witnessed it from the other side of the breakfast counter. Andrew took the last three or four cookies out of the Oreo packet and shoved them in his mouth. Then slammed the empty Oreo packet into the trashcan.
"See! Now, there are no more cookies. I ate them all, " Andrew said around munching on the cookies.
I couldn't help it. I started laughing and had to walk away. The look of utter devastation on both kids faces was horrifyingly priceless.
But hey, they've stopped asking for a cookie after dinner time.
With all the sugar being poured, I'm quite conscious of how much I let the kids have. Sawyer practically gets nothing. I just don't see the need except if it's a special occasion. I've become a little more lax with Jackson and Cullen, but it is definitely far from a free-for-all in my house. My kids are already active enough without sugar. There is no need to torture myself by getting them all hyped up and having to deal with that particular fall out.
The boys had gotten into the habit of having a cookie after dinner if they finished it all. Yes, one cookie. Aren't I generous?! With the holidays wrapping up, Andrew and I decided Jackson and Cullen needed to be broken of the habit of having a cookie every night after dinner. Good parents that we are, we just started flat out denying them sweets.
One night after dinner, Jackson and Cullen were being very persistent about getting their cookie. I told them no at least three times, as did Andrew.
Cullen decided to take it upon himself to go into the pantry and get himself out a cookie. He really wanted that cookie. Jackson, being a typical big brother, didn't actually touch anything but was within inches of Cullen at all times and was telling him what to do.
"No cookies," Andrew stated for what felt like the dozenth time.
"Yes!" exclaimed Cullen while trying to pry open an almost empty pack of Oreos.
Then it happened. I witnessed it from the other side of the breakfast counter. Andrew took the last three or four cookies out of the Oreo packet and shoved them in his mouth. Then slammed the empty Oreo packet into the trashcan.
"See! Now, there are no more cookies. I ate them all, " Andrew said around munching on the cookies.
I couldn't help it. I started laughing and had to walk away. The look of utter devastation on both kids faces was horrifyingly priceless.
But hey, they've stopped asking for a cookie after dinner time.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
O Unholy Night
It's been awhile since I've been able to write anything down. The holidays descended upon us as did grief, stress, frustration, family, and some fun. Not in any particular order.
The wrapping was done, but the presents were spread out all over the dining room table because a certain 13 month old, Sawyer, would have ripped open everything had they been left under the tree. I was waiting on Andrew's last Christmas gift to arrive and was really worried it wouldn't get here on time. It was supposed to be delivered the 19th, but got delayed when the ice storm hit Dallas. I was one of the lucky ones whose package arrived on the 23rd. Go me for having the foresight to buy all my gifts early in December!
Our family decided to attend the 4pm Christmas Eve Mass. I am not the kind of person who gets to church an hour early to reserve a seat in the church. I just don't see the point. I arrive 15-20 minutes early and just go sit in the Parish Hall. Andrew, the kids, my brother, Matt, and I pick out premium back row seats in the Parish Hall where one of us can escape with a child if necessary. You can never be too cautious sometimes. As we are waiting for Mass to start, the kids are really good. Jackson and Cullen are sitting quietly looking at a few books or asking questions. About 10 minutes into Mass, all hell breaks loose. Sawyer is now a full time walker, doesn't want to be held anymore, and just wants to walk around. Cullen is playing musical chairs because he can't figure out who he wants to sit by while asking a zillion questions or stating obvious facts. Jackson meanwhile is making Sawyer laugh and has ants in his pants. Plus, Jackson feels the need to tell me about a dozen times that it's Jesus's birthday tomorrow. Normally, I have no problem with him telling me this but it gets really old after three days of the same thing. All three of us are juggling a kid. About half way through Mass, I lean over to Jackson and say, "I'm going to call Santa and he will give you nothing but rocks and coal if you aren't quiet and behave!" The look of absolute horror on his face was one not to forget, but he at least calmed down to a manageable level. I was desperate! After Mass, we headed home in completely silence since the kids knew they were in trouble for misbehaving at church.
Once home, I make our annual Christmas Eve dinner of Shrimp and Grits. It's not hard or time consuming, but I do have to pan fry the bacon in order to cook the shrimp in the bacon grease. Once dinner is on the table, Cullen refuses to eat it. Yes, he has had it before and likes it. He has some kind of monumental breakdown induced by the fact he had no nap. In the end (and it was a long way to the end), I ended up giving him the delightful dinner of chicken nuggets and corn. And he ate it all by himself in isolation.
Before bed time, Jackson and Cullen put out cookies and milk for Santa. Both boys helped me bake peanut butter cookies with Hershey Kisses on top that morning, so Santa enjoyed freshly baked cookies. The boys sprinkled reindeer food out in the lawn. I read them The Night Before Christmas book which I found out was my brother's and mine from when we were kids. It had 'Read along with the cassette tape' in the front; dead giveaway it was far from new. The boys crawled into bed, and the lights were out.
At long last, the house was quiet. We moved all the presents under the Christmas tree. Andrew popped in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and Andrew and Matt drank homemade egg nog. I obviously couldn't have any, so I had a cup of hot chocolate.
It was an early night since Santa had to come, and the boys would get up early.
Christmas morning wasn't too bad. Jackson slept in 'til 7am, and Cullen woke up at 7:30. That's sleeping in in our family. I got up and started breakfast while Andrew entertained the boys with their presents Santa left. We eventually opened presents after coffee was poured. Don't ask us to function without coffee. It was so much easier and faster this year with Jackson and Cullen being able to open all the presents by themselves. Sawyer had a ball ripping wrapping paper and playing in boxes.
With all the unholiness our family amassed in church the night before, Christmas ended up pretty low key and nice.
I can say I am glad the holidays are over. I'm ready to get everyone back into our regular routine. And I'm ready for preschool to start again, so I can have a small break from the kiddos.
The wrapping was done, but the presents were spread out all over the dining room table because a certain 13 month old, Sawyer, would have ripped open everything had they been left under the tree. I was waiting on Andrew's last Christmas gift to arrive and was really worried it wouldn't get here on time. It was supposed to be delivered the 19th, but got delayed when the ice storm hit Dallas. I was one of the lucky ones whose package arrived on the 23rd. Go me for having the foresight to buy all my gifts early in December!
Our family decided to attend the 4pm Christmas Eve Mass. I am not the kind of person who gets to church an hour early to reserve a seat in the church. I just don't see the point. I arrive 15-20 minutes early and just go sit in the Parish Hall. Andrew, the kids, my brother, Matt, and I pick out premium back row seats in the Parish Hall where one of us can escape with a child if necessary. You can never be too cautious sometimes. As we are waiting for Mass to start, the kids are really good. Jackson and Cullen are sitting quietly looking at a few books or asking questions. About 10 minutes into Mass, all hell breaks loose. Sawyer is now a full time walker, doesn't want to be held anymore, and just wants to walk around. Cullen is playing musical chairs because he can't figure out who he wants to sit by while asking a zillion questions or stating obvious facts. Jackson meanwhile is making Sawyer laugh and has ants in his pants. Plus, Jackson feels the need to tell me about a dozen times that it's Jesus's birthday tomorrow. Normally, I have no problem with him telling me this but it gets really old after three days of the same thing. All three of us are juggling a kid. About half way through Mass, I lean over to Jackson and say, "I'm going to call Santa and he will give you nothing but rocks and coal if you aren't quiet and behave!" The look of absolute horror on his face was one not to forget, but he at least calmed down to a manageable level. I was desperate! After Mass, we headed home in completely silence since the kids knew they were in trouble for misbehaving at church.
Once home, I make our annual Christmas Eve dinner of Shrimp and Grits. It's not hard or time consuming, but I do have to pan fry the bacon in order to cook the shrimp in the bacon grease. Once dinner is on the table, Cullen refuses to eat it. Yes, he has had it before and likes it. He has some kind of monumental breakdown induced by the fact he had no nap. In the end (and it was a long way to the end), I ended up giving him the delightful dinner of chicken nuggets and corn. And he ate it all by himself in isolation.
Before bed time, Jackson and Cullen put out cookies and milk for Santa. Both boys helped me bake peanut butter cookies with Hershey Kisses on top that morning, so Santa enjoyed freshly baked cookies. The boys sprinkled reindeer food out in the lawn. I read them The Night Before Christmas book which I found out was my brother's and mine from when we were kids. It had 'Read along with the cassette tape' in the front; dead giveaway it was far from new. The boys crawled into bed, and the lights were out.
At long last, the house was quiet. We moved all the presents under the Christmas tree. Andrew popped in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and Andrew and Matt drank homemade egg nog. I obviously couldn't have any, so I had a cup of hot chocolate.
It was an early night since Santa had to come, and the boys would get up early.
Christmas morning wasn't too bad. Jackson slept in 'til 7am, and Cullen woke up at 7:30. That's sleeping in in our family. I got up and started breakfast while Andrew entertained the boys with their presents Santa left. We eventually opened presents after coffee was poured. Don't ask us to function without coffee. It was so much easier and faster this year with Jackson and Cullen being able to open all the presents by themselves. Sawyer had a ball ripping wrapping paper and playing in boxes.
With all the unholiness our family amassed in church the night before, Christmas ended up pretty low key and nice.
I can say I am glad the holidays are over. I'm ready to get everyone back into our regular routine. And I'm ready for preschool to start again, so I can have a small break from the kiddos.
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