Friday, March 28, 2014

Two Steps Forward...

One Step Back.

Remember that post about finally getting some rest? Some much needed rest? And how I was going to go conquer the world? Yeah, that didn't happen. Not even close. Why?

I ended up with a headache to beat all. I know this is going to sound completely crazy...but I think I get headaches when I actually get sleep. How can that be possible?!? I've started tracking my headaches again and there definitely seems to be a correlation between getting more sleep (or changing my sleep pattern) and having a bummer of a headache the next day or two.

So tomorrow's Saturday...my day to sleep in...and I'm going to put my theory to the test. I'm going to force myself up out of bed like I normally do. Stumble to get my slippers on. Go pick up the baby. Rub the sand out of my eyeballs. Get the toothpicks to prop the ol' eyelids open with.  And begin the morning ritual of demanding that my eyes start to focus.

Who's with me??

*crickets*

Okay then, so I guess it's just me.

Tooth Fairy Time

Lily, who just for the record is 5 1/2 years old exactly, has now lost a total of 3 teeth already.

She lost her first two when she was 4.

And she has 3 more wiggly ones ready to take their turn at falling out.

This one just occurred this morning...



Horray Lily!

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Rest

Aahhh. Rest.

It's amazing what a night a sleep can do for a person. I had forgotten what it felt like to wake up in the morning feeling rested.

I'm more used to the sand-in-your-eyes, need me some toothpicks to prop the ol' eyes open with kind of feeling. (I wish I were exaggerating.)

But last night...oooohhhhh...last night was wonderful. Amazing. Sublime.

Hattie was only up once. Yes...once. One little ol' time. Singular. Uno. The big ONE.

After 11 months of waking up mulitiple times a night (were talking 2 on a very good night...6 on a bad night...and 12ish on a "I'm about to cut a tooth" night), only waking up once seemed like such a gift. A much needed reprieve. A blessing. A miracle. A kick-up-your-heels way to start your day.


So thanks, Hattie-Cakes. Big kisses from Mama...mmmwwwwaaaaa!

And World, ya better watch out cause here I come! You got nothing on me today!

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Chompers

The day has arrived. Hattie's first tooth has officially popped through. These pics were taken March 9, 2014.


We spent a few days prior to that with some poor sleep and a few crabby moments, but overall, she was mostly her normal self. Hattie doesn't normally drool and I expected her to do this when a tooth would push through, but must to my amazement, she never did. I have so many girl bibs and I haven't had to use any of them. This girl is just not a drooler.

I should have logged the exact day in on the blog, but somehow (go figure) life got busy and I forgot. Today...tooth number 2 has just cut through. You can't see it much yet, but you can feel it. Poor girly has been a little crankier these past couple of days and again, sleep was disrupted. I knew what to be on the lookout for so this time I wasn't one bit surprised when I checked in her month and felt the little chomper. Wowza, they are razor sharp.


And because I love sepia. :)








Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Under The Weather

Still alive...just under the weather the past few days.

I managed to catch me a bug of some sort. It's been a wicked headache, nauseated tummy, and tender swollen glands on the left side of my neck.

Hoping to be returning to regular scheduled programming tomorrow.

Friday, March 14, 2014

A Budding Artist

Lily has an affinity for crayons. Or markers. Or colored pencils. Or anything art related.

True Story.

This girl wakes up asking if she can draw a picture. I'm not exaggerating. She could spend all day drawing and needs some sort of creative outlet each day. We honestly have gone through reams and reams of paper.

Today was no different. She asked, as always, if she could draw a picture. Lily grabbed a book and started trying to copy the page. I was so impressed. What do you think? And remember...she's only 5.

We are going to a family art day next weekend and I can't wait for her to take part. I just know she is going to be smiling from ear to ear.



1st draft


 
2nd draft...added more detail



Ps...sorry for the blurry pics...I had one very squirmy baby trying to get her paws on the camera. :)
 
 
 
Here's another, just cause it's cute.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Hattie Joy - 10 Months Old

 
I can hardly believe that Hattie is 10 months old already. The time has just flown by. My baby isn't such a baby anymore...and her first birthday will be here before I know it. *sniffle*
 
This little one is so much fun. I am absolutely loving having a baby in the house yet again. I am trying to bank up these memories in my heart, knowing that is will be my last baby. There are so many moments to savor and treasure.
 
 
 
Each night, I am the one who puts Hattie to bed. I love being the mama, the one who gets to nurse her to sleep, the one who gives her her last snuggles before drifting off to sleep. There's just something magical about being in a dimly lit room, rocking and snuggling in the rocking chair. Everything is peaceful, everything is quiet. It's my most favorite time of the day. Just the two of us, enjoying each other's company.


 
Hattie is on the go. All. The. Time. She is crawling faster and faster with each passing day. She can pull herself up to standing by hanging on to almost anything. Chairs, couch, piano bench, a leg...whatever is in her way. I'm guessing it won't be long until she has tired of crawling and wants to do more of the walking. I can already feel the ache in my back. 


 
Hattie loves to dance. She cracks us up as she starts bopping up and down as soon as there is music. There's nothing cuter than the be-bop of a baby.


Her newest thing: Rocking her own baby. Once a baby-doll is put in her lap, Hattie will gingerly and lovingly give it hugs. Then she will start rocking back and forth, smiling all the while. She loves to rock her baby.


 
Hattie is starting to sign already. She knows "all done" and has just started signing "nurse". She hasn't signed "more" yet, but if you do it to her, and it's what she is trying to tell you, she will smile from ear to ear as if to let you know "Good job! That's right!"


These days are fleeting, the memories so precious. I don't want to miss even one of them. I want to be intentional. Intentional to take the time to play with her. Intentional to give her kisses and tickle her tummy. Intentional to soak in her babyhood. No matter the state of my kitchen, the piles of laundry, or the sight of my sticky floors. Yes, these days will be gone all too soon. 

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Tuesday Tidbits

 
Yesterday was awesome! The weather was amazing. 50 degrees can feel so incredibly warm when you are used to below zero temps. The kids all put on their coats and played on the back porch for quite a while. I was hoping the fresh air would wear them out, but instead Cora woke up at 6:35 this morning. Apparently she didn't get the memo to sleep in...or at the very least sleep until regular time. *sigh*
 
 
We made the most incredible creamy chocolate avocado smoothie to go with our lunch today. I added some frozen strawberries in as well and it was a huge hit. The lunch table was so quiet. You know it's a good meal when the chitter-chatter is kept to a mimimum. I would almost venture to say that lunch left me feeling a little relaxed. Almost.
 
 
We lost our cat 13 days ago, amazing how it feels like so much longer than that. I just had a friend tell me that they have to put their dog of 14 years down tomorrow and she asked for prayers. I let Ella know since she is good friend's with her oldest daughter and that she could pray for her friend broken heart. Ella's eyes welled up with tears and she quietly said "That's really hard stuff." Her tender heart was breaking for what she knew her friend is going to have to go through tomorrow. A pet can teach you so many things...including compassion and empathy.
 
 
Hattie took a record 9 minute nap yesterday. Yes, nine minutes. No, that's not a typo. That's not even enough time to check on the other kids, go use the bathroom, and start to look for a snack. Seriously, why doesn't this child like sleep? If anyone would like to have a sit-down with her and explain to her the beauty of naps, just let me know.
 
 
I'm going to log it in today's blog that I want need to do a blog post or two about Hattie's birth. It was such an amazing experience and I don't want to forget even the tiniest of details. So by putting it down here, I'm comitting to working on it in the next week ahead. There's so much to document that it will take me a bit, but so important to be able to look back on. So hold me to this, okay?!
 
 
Jason came home yesterday from work and said "Wanna hear something crazy?" Hmmmm...that usually means I'm not going to be excited about what comes next. Anywho, he got invited to a Wild hockey game this Thursday by a client who just so happens to have a suite there, complete with a personal chef making the food. When asked if I got an invite too, he sheepishly said no. So I guess by "crazy" he meant "I get to have a night out without children, have somebody else cook for me, and watch a hockey game...while you are being asked to log in some overtime." ;) Good thing my job comes with perks of it's own...like smiles, hugs, and phrases like "I love you, Mommy."
 
And some pics of some kiddos enjoying that smoothie. Ben had sucked his down so fast, he had left the table before I even had a chance to get my camera out. But seriously, you should go make one for yourself. Now.
 
 







Monday, March 10, 2014

Nom Nom...What's for Lunch?

I am usually pretty proud of my kids and what they will eat. I wouldn't classify them as picky eaters, but as more adventurous ones. Usually. We all have our bad days, but for the most part they are willing to try new things and have fun with it.

I'm fairly convinced that being "picky" is more of a nurture thing that a nature thing. It amazes me what they like. I've always tried to expose them to lots of different tastes and textures. Here's just a sampling of some things that a "typical" child might turn their nose up at that my children love and even request:

* blue cheese dressing
* sardines
* roasted red peppers
* sushi (Cora's favorite bday meal)
* sun dried tomatoes
* seaweed (always a favorite)
* sauerkraut (I made some homemade and the kids absolutely love it)
* anything with mushrooms, onions, or green peppers
* salads (Ben asked today if he could make a giant salad for lunch...filled with all sorts of veggies. We routinely have this for our main meal in the summertime and it's met with many smiles)
* Kimchi
* Goat cheese
* Fresh herbs in soups, salads, pasta salads, etc.
* Hummus

I'm sure the list could go on. :)



Friday, March 7, 2014

Snapshot #2


Outside my window: Dreary, but warmer. I don't mind if the sun doesn't shine as long as it is 35+ degrees outside!
I am thinking: that I must be at least a few days behind in sleep for the week. Hattie has been working on her first tooth (at least that's what I am blaming for the rough nights of sleep) and I have been up with her at least 2 hours of each night, off and on, for 3-4 days now.
 
I am thankful for: daylight savings time coming this weekend! I am looking forward to it being lighter later. We don't plan on changing things for the kids...as far as their internal clock goes. So instead of the clock saying 8pm...it will now say 9pm. I'm hoping that they will now stay up later and night and sleep in later in the morning. I'm exciting that the kids will get more "daddy" time in the eveings soon.
 
Last 3 purchases: Do groceries count? I haven't been out this week. My only purchase was a stainless steel sippy cup for Hattie. Which took me 45 minutes to decide to buy. Why? Cause those things are expensive. I've been reading that whatever they have replaced the BPA with in plastic cups is actually no better than the BPA that was originally in there. Truth be told, I lean a little more towards the crunchy, granola life with each passing day.
 
Dinner plans: Since it's the end of the week and I'm plum tired...left-overs it is. I made 9 chicken breasts last night for supper (extras for today) knowing that I would be thankful for a night off from cooking. Three cheers for mustard glazed chicken breasts, rice, and brussel sprouts. Bonus that the kids love this meal.
 
Future plans I'm looking forward to: Parade of Homes. I'm hoping to get out for a bit tomorrow and look for some ideas for the basement. Jason will most likely be working so I am going to need something to keep the kids busy with.
 
Kid Funny: Lily came down the stairs the other day, crying, saying that Cora had thrown a toy and hit her in the head. When Cora came down the stairs, I asked her if it was true. She threw her hands up in the air and said "YES! I threw it at her head and it bounced off right into the bin!!" She couldn't have been prouder of her accomplishment and was mistified why I couldn't see the sheer genius behind this idea.
 
I am reading: Gone-Away Lake. With Ella. At bedtime. This book is so cute and I am really loving it.
 
In the kitchen: homemade (gluten free) monkey muffins. It's the first batch of muffins I've made without coconut flour in the past 6+ weeks. I forgot what a fluffy muffin is like. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. And judging by the sighs and mmmm's at the table, I think my children did too.
 
Watching: State High School Hockey tournaments. I'm not allowed to change the channel, Jason's orders. :)
 
Snacking on: coconut flakes with chocolate chips, my newest obsession. Or peanut butter with chocolate chips, the ol' stand-by. And bone bront...cause I gotta be healthy for some part of my day.

**Disclaimer: And if this font size, layout, etc looks goofy...blame blogger. It's not my friend lately.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Throwback Thursday

 
 
Hattie Joy




 
 
Cora Jihee





 
Lily Jeeah




 
Benjamin Jae
 



 
Ella Jane

All my ones of Ella as a wee little one are on a different hard drive...will have to fish them out for next week. :)

Wordless Wednesday...A day late.

I'm going to claim "better late than never" as my motto for today. I had every intention of posting yesterday and before I knew it...I woke up and Wednesday was over and I was starting a new day. In my defense, my parents are down and that means lots of loud squeels and oodles of ruckus from the kids. It's easy to get side-tracked when there is so much activity in the house. Besides...when the kids finally settle off into dreamland and the house becomes quiet, it's easy to get caught up in adult conversation. Oh, how I love me some adult conversation. You know...the ones that don't start with "MOMMY....Ben took ALL the legos from me!" or "MOMMY...Lily made a mad face at me!" or "MOMMY...Cora won't give me my pony and it was MY birthday present! (from a year ago) or...well, you get the idea.

Anywho...onto some pics, shall we?

Some of these are from the christmas timeframe. Remember my motto? Yeah, me too.


Lily and Cora wanted me to take pics so bad of them in front of the tree. Love their cute pixie cuts.


They really do get along this good...sometimes. :)




And this one...found it from the summer. Can't wait until Auntie is holding a wee one of her own!! One year later from when this pic was taken and she will be cuddling her own little love. Who knew this pic would be so foreshadowing!!


Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Tuesday Tidbits

 
 
Hattie is on the go these days. Her crawling is getting faster and faster. She now pulls herself up to standing on almost anything. I caught her hunched over her carseat yesterday. It was on the floor and she had crawled over to it and pulled herself up to standing. Only problem was it was a little short and she was sort of hunched over and couldn't figure out how to get herself back down. :)
 
 
Speaking of Hattie changing, she's getting heavier and heavier. It must be from all the cream cheese and avocodos she consumes. Add in rice and you have her three favorite foods in all the land. Actually, you have about the only 3 foods she will even consume. The Trifecta. It makes me want to pull my hair out every meal time as I offer her lots of healthy and nutricious options, but in the end she will scream until she gets her favorites. Such an opinion these days. But I digress...she's getting heavier which is pushing me to change out her baby carseat for a big-girl one. My back can't take carrying her around anymore in the infant one...but my heart doesn't want to admit that she is not that wee little baby anymore.
 
 
Although the Sochi Olympics are over, the race for gold on HublerPlanet is still alive and well. I'm not sure how much more ice dancing I can take. It is Cora's absolute favorite pasttime these days and once she starts, all her siblings jump on the bandwagon. I find myself having to be the commentator for multiple routines. "Wow, folks, an amazing routine by this young skating duo...here come the twizzles. They landed them perfectly. And now a triple sowcow. Oh...they have really put the work in and they are just so fluid looking... and on...and on...and on...and on...." You get the idea, I won't bore you to tears any further. I can only imagine what it will be like when the summer olympics arrive.
 
 
I spent a good portion of Saturday cleaning up the basement. Doodle had taken up residence on the down comforter on the couch down there in his last months. I think it offered him much needed peace and quiet. No children poking at him or waking him up. Needless to say, it was pretty hard to pack things up, do the cat chore one last time, and get his food dishes put away. Tomorrow will mark one week and I'm not looking forward to it one bit.
 
 
I picked up the permits from the city yesterday...so this weekend begins the Family Room Project. Here's hoping we won't lose too much steam and will get this thing done within the allotted year. It would be so nice to have the extra space downstairs all finished. I'm finding that 5 kids can
a) make a lot of noise
b) make a lot of mess and
c) make a lot of noise and mess.
 Looking for an area to be able to send them when they need to be a little more wild.
 
 
I currently have about 8-10 quarts of bone broth slowly simmering on the stove. It smells divine in my house right now.
 
Our furnace is moaning and groaning today...with an occasional whining session. I'm not sure what's going on, but praying that it's a simple fix. And that it doesn't die on us....um...cause that would be bad. I changed the filter, which was needed...but it is still rather noisy. I am so thankful for heat when the thought of going without surfaces. Hoping that's not in the plans for this week.
 
 
 
 


Monday, March 3, 2014

Mamama ma ma mama ma



Getting so close to saying "Mama"... ;)