Saturday, November 22, 2008

my name is mom

Over the past almost 5 years this has been not only my "name" but my job title. There are days when it is over-rated...but most days under-rated. I don't think I could even name off all of the things I've learned to do. I can think of a few things that I get to do that I could do without doing...bathroom duty comes to mind.

I get tired of hearing my name being repeated to me over and over and over again. Just like I get tired of saying yes or what in response but getting no answer. I only seem to get an answer when I start shrieking or yelling. And I get real tired of hearing myself talking at full volume.

I'm good at functioning on little, poor quality sleep as long as you don't ask me something too difficult. You might have to prompt me because sometimes my thoughts disappear out of my head before they make it to my mouth. And then I can't find them again. That is so frustrating!

The whole point of this today - being a mom does not make you a plumber.

And diaper sprayers that boast easy install - ha! Perhaps if your bathroom is shiny and new with easy access and brand new pipes. When the bolts are rusted to the pipes and you can barely see what you are doing - my advice is step away before something bad happens.

The bad that happened to me (cause why would I blather on if something good happened? where's the lesson in that?) - I got bumped from behind by a 16 month old that was "trying" to help. Which made me bang the old pipe. Which started to break off at the wall. Which caused water to spray everywhere unless I held it a certain way. Which included being hunched over the toilet while 16 month olds played in the water and the almost 5 year old used papertowels and an empty cereal box to mop the water up.

I did finally get my cousin on the phone who got my aunt. She came over and shut the water off to the entire building (sorry everyone!). We were able to get the pipe of the rest of the way by snapping it off. Which meant instead of a spray water was flowing. But eventually it stopped.

The water is now turned off only at our apartment. And I know where to shut it off in case I ever flood things again (or someone else does). The fix is actually pretty easy - a new connector and a new shut off valve.

My name is mom...I am not a plumber.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

project time

Waiting....

Today Alexa had a friend over for a playdate. Ellie is the little girl my aunt takes care of. We've known her since she was born and visited occasionally over the years. Alexa loves having a girlfriend her age (Ellie is one week older than Lex).

I decided to whip up some dough for ornaments. My helpers shared pouring the ingredients in (4 c flour, 1 c salt, 1 1/2 c hot water) as well as mixing and kneading. Their kneading ability was a bit questionable...it involved a lot of banging and slapping. And they weren't too good with the rolling pin. They could make it go but it wasn't effective!

Jacob and Elizabeth were quite excited by the goings on. So I whipped up some edible playdough for them. It took some searching to find a dairy free recipe - ended up with 1 part water, 1 part flour, 2 parts oatmeal (I did 1/4 c and 1/2 c). They definitely preferred eating it despite the fact that it tasted nasty...or at least very, very bland!

Because they decided to eat their artwork I know not to give them any regular playdough or finger paints anytime soon. Not unless I want them to have major bellyaches.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

happy birthday Nokomi

Yesterday's was my mom's birthday. I've been wanting to make a cake but not wanting to have to eat it myself. So making one for her was a brilliant choice. Alexa helped me with the cake part and decided on the frosting color (green).

Of course it seemed to take forever to get everyone dressed and ready to go. Then to actually get there. First Alexa had to make a picture for her Nokomi. And wanted it to be a family picture but drew herself too big to allow room for anyone other than Jacob and Elizabeth. She was supposed to make a card...oh well.

My brother picked up her gift for us. A buy one get one free 1 hour massage. I was a bit confused at first because he said each massage was $50 so I owed him $50. But it turns out that's $50/30 min. Money's tight but mom most definitely deserves it...I think every mom does!

The kids had fun playing once Elizabeth settled in. We haven't been to her house in awhile so the dogs were a bit much at first. I'd say it was while eating lunch that it started to fall apart. My 4 y/o nephew decided to tell Alexa he was taller. He just comes to Alexa's chin. Of course this upset Alexa b/c it wasn't true. And he kept saying it. Eventually they were fighting over everything. The last straw was when I caught them fighting over one of the dogs. They were each on one side of Tiger and getting ready to starting pulling on her (action to go with the words "no she's MINE").

Too bad b/c Alexa and Ivan lost out on a sleepover. But I've learned that's just how it is with kids. At each other's throats one visit, hugging and as lovely as can be the next!

last November

this November

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Halloween

The Wednesday before Halloween we finally got around to carving Alexa's pumpkin that she'd gotten at school (thank you Kelsie's grandma!). Dad had given me a folder full of carving kit printouts as well as a little drill and saw. We scooped the insides (saving the seeds to snack on) and chose our pattern.

We went with a ghost and I was quite impressed with how well it came out. I've never actually used a carving kit before. Usually I go at it with a sharp knife or let Chris do it.

But for Alexa one side carved wasn't enough. We had to do a "scary" face on the other side.

I was successful in talking her out of carving anything else on it by explaining there would be no pumpkin left!

Halloween day was spent hanging around the house watching Aunt Brenda and (cousin) Ian install the new ceiling in the twins bedroom. Chris had to work the night shift (I can't help but wonder if he requested this...I know I would!). The candy I ordered from Oriental Trading never showed so we had to decide whether to go buy more or just not hand any out. We went with the latter. And just as well because we didn't have a single visitor.

No...I'm not crazy enough (yet) to take the kids out by myself. I ended up going with my cousin and her little boy, as well as her mom and ex-boyfriend. I got everyone dressed into their costumes and we headed out.
getting ready to go trick or treating!

The going was slow. The stroller is not light these days with 2 20lb kids in it! And I had just come down with a lovely chest cold that made any activity seem strenuous.

enjoying the view and the ride

On our way back home Brenda had the job of searching for Jacob's hat which he'd tossed overboard. Luckily we found it right by town hall. Alexa and Dylan had to be spoken to a few times about running through dark yards. Apparently tripping and almost smacking their faces into pavement courtesy of a raised walkway wasn't lesson enough.

We went to just enough houses to fill the pumpkin bag. Alexa was only slightly interested in the candy once we got home. She wanted a freeze pop instead.

Now we get to look forward to next year which will be a completely different experience!

candy crew ready to go

Jacob's milestones

  • weight/length @ 7: 55.6lbs, 48.75"
  • weight/length @ 5: 42lbs, 43.5"
  • weight/length @ 4: 36 lbs, 39+"
  • weight/length@ 3: 32lbs, 36.5 inches
  • weight/length @ 2 years: 26lbs, 33.5 inches
  • weight/length @ 1 year: 18lbs, 29 inches
  • walking: 11/17/08
  • standing: 3/31/08
  • crawling: army, 2/5/08
  • first time rolling: 9/30/07, belly to back
  • first smile: 9/7/07
  • birth date/time: 7/8/07, 12:49am
  • birth length: 19.5 inches
  • birth weight: 6lbs, 1oz

Elizabeth's milestones

  • weight/length @7: 53lbs, 47.75"
  • weight/length @ 5: 40 lbs, 42.25"
  • weight/length @ 4: 34lbs, 38"
  • weight/length 3 years: 28lbs, 35.5 inches
  • weight/length 2 years: 24lbs, 6oz 33 inches
  • weight/length 1 year: 18lbs, 1oz 27.5 inches
  • walking: 9/1/08
  • standing: 4/4/08
  • crawling: army 3/16/08
  • sitting alone: 2/29/08
  • first time rolling: 11/23/07, back to belly
  • first smile: 9/7/07
  • birth date/time: 7/8/07, 12:50am
  • birth length: 18.75 inches
  • birth weight: 5lbs, 8oz

Alexa's milestones

  • weight/height @ 10 (really 10.8): 186, 5'3"
  • weight/height @ 8.4 years: 113 lbs, 55.5 inches
  • weight/height @ 5 years: 61lbs, 4oz 45.25 inches
  • weight/length @ 4 years: 49lbs, 42 inches
  • weight/length @ 3 years: 38lbs, 38 inches
  • weight/length @ 2 years: 32lbs, 8oz 35.75 inches
  • weight/length @ 1 year: 22lbs, 3 oz 29.5 inches
  • 1st day of preschool: 9/3/08
  • solo somersault: 3/4/08
  • whistling: 3/2/08
  • potty training: 10/7/05
  • walking: 12/21/04
  • standing: 8/23/04
  • crawling: 8/21/04, only a week, then became a butt scoot
  • first wave: 7/27/04
  • rolling: 5/2/04, belly to back
  • sleeping thru the night: 3/1/04
  • first smile: 1/20/04
  • birth date/time: 12/4/03, 10:41pm
  • birth length: 20 inches
  • birth weight: 7lbs