4 Year Olds Suck!

I swear this kid is going to be the death of me. Nope, not talking about Alex this time. It's Max. He has been running so hot and cold lately I don't know which way is up. He desperately wants to wear underwear to bed but he keeps having accidents because he sneaks into the bathroom after we go downstairs and drinks water. I don't mind changing sheets, but this is getting old. He knows he gets a TV in his room when he can last a week, but he doesn't seem to want it very badly, I guess.

And that's just the beginning. He's been acting up at preschool too. We all know he's a very active child, but aside from being hyper, he's usually pretty good there. Last week we got a note sent home saying that he had grabbed scissors from another child and stabbed at them with it. Not only that, but later the same day he had to go back to the office because he was out of control not listening. Today they mentioned that he was uncooperative and wouldn't keep his hands to himself. I ask him daily if there is something there to make him unhappy. Does he like his teachers? Yes! Do you want to keep going? Yes! What don't you like? Cullen! Cullen is a little boy Max's age that makes fun of UofM all the time. Only makes sense when we live in the land of Notre Dame. Max thinks Cullen is mean. But instead of ignoring him and playing with other kids, he lets it get to him and gets himself into trouble. Odd though, his incidents with other kids never involve the one person he doesn't like. Hmmm? I don't get it.

Anyway, he has been acting up more at home too. Part of me thinks its jealousy. Alex has been so needy lately with teething, his ear infection, and just being the age that he's at. I don't know how to explain that to Max, but I'm sure he feels slighted. He acts up to get attention (I did the same thing as a teenager) but it only causes me to get angry and yell rather than sitting and talking with him or doing something with him so he doesn't feel slighted. Then when I have time to think about it later, I just feel like a shitty mom. This parenting thing is so much harder than I ever could have imagined. And surprise of all surprises, Tim is amazing and can redirect Max so easily. Why don't I have that ability?

Anyway, tonight was no different. I sat and watched The Wizard of Oz with him after I put Alex to bed. We had a nice time and some little talks about bad dreams and how they aren't real. He was so good and I really enjoyed the time. Tim came home in plenty of time to do story and bedtime so I told Max we would both read to him. Then bedtime came. I told him to go upstairs and brush his teeth. When he was done we would watch TV in my room until Tim got out of the shower. He threw a tantrum, didn't listen, and whined uncontrollably. I thought I might go insane. Tim got out of the shower in time to help, but Max worked himself into a corner and was told he didn't get books at all. His whining then got him tossed in bed with the door closed and he hadn't brushed his teeth yet. The problem there, we told him, to get him to brush his teeth, that they would rot out if he didn't brush every night. He freaked from his room that he didn't want his teeth to fall out. I waited until he calmed down and went and talked with him. He finally got to brush his teeth and then Tim came in and we did more family talk. I hope we got through to him, but I'm sure it won't last. I just feel so helpless sometimes not knowing what to do or say to help him.

I do think a huge part of his problem is lack of sleep. At preschool they wake the kids at 2 if they aren't up on their own before then. Max doesn't do so well being woken up. Plus, he doesn't go down early enough to get the two hours that he needs. He has also had a very off schedule week staying up too late most nights. Top that off with the fact that he either wakes at 5 to go to the bathroom, or wakes at 5 because he wet the bed. He doesn't go back to sleep anymore when this occurs like he did when he was younger. Tim and I decided that from now on, Tim will wake him to go potty when he goes to bed. That way hopefully Max will get into the habit of going in the middle of the night and go back to sleep, maybe sleeping in longer. In general, he does not do well when he's tired. Add all the other stuff to it and it makes for a monster child who's mommy can't deal.

I'm thinking we should pick a day, sometime soon, when Tim is off and I don't have to work the night before to have Max's day. A day where we can do whatever he wants, get some extra sleep, and be with mommy and daddy alone without Alex always needing something. I just hope that sort of schedule comes up soon. I hate to have him think he's entitled to stuff like that, but given how good he had been doing, we need to do something to get him back on track.

Ahh, it feels good to get all of that out. Now I'm exhausted and I want to go to sleep. Too bad I have to work in less than 2 hours and I leave in about an hour. Guess I'll go relax for a bit, but I'm sure I'll be around again soon!

I'm officially bored!

I haven't worked since Sunday night and I'm going crazy. I am getting too much sleep and it's making me LAZY! I did 7 loads of laundry in the last few days, but other than that I mostly just sit around and stare at my computer screen. I did scrapbook a few new pages and I've been playing with my blog, but mostly I just click aimlessly hoping somewhere someone posted something new. I think I need a hobby! Of course, as soon as I get one work will be busy as all heck and I'll be too tired all the time. I really need to go through the house and start getting rid of junk and preping for this spring's yard sale. I just don't feel like it though. Again, man am I LAZY! Haha!

My parents are coming for a visit this weekend and I'm really looking forward to it. They are leaving for a road trip to Arizona and Florida for the next two months. This will be our last chance to see them for awhile. Max is looking forward to it too. He keeps asking me when are they going to be here. Well, he had been saying that until last night. Last night his response was "Again?" Cracked me up because they haven't been here since Thanksgiving. I'm wondering if he's thinking of grandma and grandpa. Either way, using their coming as a threat to pick up his toys has not worked. I've been putting off doing it myself all week long thinking eventually he'll give in and help me, but now I'm thinking he probably won't.

In other news, Alex has his 15 month appointment next week and I'm curious to see how that goes. He doesn't seem to have gained any weight at all since his 12 month appointment, and even then his doctor was slightly concerned because he had dropped some in the percentiles. I'm praying it's because he is so active and nothing more serious. He eats everything in sight so it isn't like we don't feed him. This morning he got out of bed and demanded food. He knows the sign for "eat" and forcefully points to his mouth, grunting and pointing at what he wants. It cracks me up, but I hope that isn't a sign of what's to come. This child is turning out to be far more trouble than Max ever thought of being.

Not much else to report so I'll leave you with the scrapbook pages I just completed.

I'm a blog addict

So, many of you know I've always been addicted to my message boards. I'm on BabyCenter and 2 private boards that I post on regularly. When I started blogging it was simply to have record of what my kids were doing and keep our family up to date. I love it though. I keep changing my layout and trying to keep things interesting.

Recently someone started a thread on the Bargain Board at BabyCenter so I added mine. I think I got a few hits from there, but mostly what it did for me was give me something to do. I read a few here and there, but then I started clicking blogs that were linked from other people's blogs. Now I can't stop. There are a few women out there who really are great writers. It's also nice to see how other mom's have it to know my kids are completely normal, albeit insane.

So, I guess the reason for this post is to tell you that I love reading blogs. Mostly just the ones that have something in common with my life, but I feel hooked and I can't stop. I've added the links to several of my favorites on the right side of my page. Check them out if you are ever bored. If you see this and have a blog not listed, let me know and I'll add it. Feel free to add me to your blog lists as well. I love reading and being read, although I'm certainly not as good at writing as some. I'm more of a free spirited rambler who sometimes doesn't know when to shut up.

I got canceled from work again last night. Well, two nights ago and then last night I volunteered to go because we still ended up with an extra person on. I know I need the money and I should be going, but when the choice is home sleeping or at work trying to stay awake, it's so hard not to chose sleep. That is until I learned that it has become normal for my kids to get up at 5am. I thought yesterday morning was a fluke. Guess not, Tim said it's becoming normal. Now I'd rather be at work so I KNOW I can sleep when I get home. Haha, how horrible is that for poor Tim. He is such a great dad though!! Anyway, back to work. I volunteered to go in tonight if they need me since I had the last two days off. I won't know until later tonight if I'm going in though, so I'll probably have to take a nap this afternoon just in case. I also have to finish laundry, change sheets, and pick up toys. I did some yesterday, but the kids trashed things again.

I guess I really don't have much else to say now but I'm sure I'll think of something later! Have a great Hump Day!

Time to clean

My parents are coming this weekend and the house is a mess so I need to get to cleaning. However, I promised pictures from this weekend so I am here to deliver. Got them all online this morning. I'm just going to post the highlights here. You can also check out DropShots for the rest. I think we had almost 200 pictures in all. But that includes the drunken, no way I'm showing them pictures and the tattoo pictures that Debbie already posted on her blog.

Caige and Max shortly after Debbie got here with the boys.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
Our matching tattoos

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
Boys will be boys

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
This is what we were going for

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
most of the boys are in this picture

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
Max golfing on the Wii! He loves this game!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
Alex proving he can keep up with the big boys by taking down poor Trace

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
The kids got me up at 6, give me a break ;)

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
Bath time for the littler ones

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
And the bigger ones

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
Sharing a sleeping bag. This didn't last, but it was cute

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
Dawn's second trip to Hooters! Tim taught her how to get all the grease off!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
The three amigos having a blast!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
Karaoke. Notice I'm not up there?? No way jose!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
Me and my man

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
Making out *blush*

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
All of us at Bleachers

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
Alex wouldn't sleep well for Alli. This is where we found him when we got home

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
Ahhhh! The mess!!!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
We wore him out this weekend

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

And that's all she wrote. I'd love to post more, but you'll have to check them out on the other link. Also, keep watching Debbie's Blog for updates. She is an awesome writer and I know she'll get some good commentation going with the pictures! All I know how to do is post them.

I must go hit the laundry now. Lots of toys to pick up as well. Why oh why don't I just make the kids do it??

Yikes, behind again!

So, Alex ended up with an ear infection from his lovely cold. At least it was something we could treat. The night after he started antibiotics he started sleeping great again. I worked alot last week and we were really busy so I think I actually got more sleep than Tim did. I sorta feel bad, but not really .

Over the weekend we had some guests. Dawn and Debbie came for a visit with their boys. Count them, three 4 year olds, one 6 year old, one almost 3 year old and Alex. Holy testosterone Batman! They had their little boy disagreements, but for the most part they got along great. Alex was definitely able to keep up with the big kids, although he went to bed much earlier than the rest.

To start off the visit, Debbie arrived and showed me some Dixie Chick pictures of chick feet tattoos that they have. I thought that was kinda neat considering we belong to a message board of 8 very close friends called the "Rambler Chicks." Hmm, so anyway, she said we should all talk about getting tattoos like that. The last time I got a tattoo, Tim said he'd leave me if I ever got another one. Somehow, I got his clearance though. I think he knows how much my group of friends means to me and what this would mean to us. Anyway, we (I) was very impulsive and we jumped in the car and headed out right then. We put the boys to bed first and sped toward a tattoo place I found online. Read Debbie's blog for details and pictures!! She tells the story much better than I can, and I have a bunch of pictures of the kids I want to post so I hate to overload you with both.

So, Saturday we headed to the mall while we waited for Dawn to arrive. We did a bit of shopping, but the highlight was taking the boys to play in the Kid Digit area. I love Alex being so small because when he's out there keeping up with the big kids, the other mom's just look on in amazement. They can't believe he isn't scared or doesn't hurt himself. Haha, I have one brave little man. Anyway, after the mall we headed back just in time to greet Dawn. We played Wii all afternoon, letting the kids take turns. Dawn is awesome at Guitar Hero. I didn't even attempt it. My fingers and brain can't do that many things at the same time.

Saturday evening Alli offered to babysit when she got home from a birthday party. We tossed the boys in the bathtubs after dinner and got them all cleaned up. Except Tommy who pointed out that he was too old to take a bath with the "babies." Alex and Trace got the little tub since they are afraid of the jets, and the bigger boys got the jetted tub in our room. They had so much fun!! Every one of them was sparkly clean when we were done with them. After bathtime we got them all into bed...just in time for Alli to come home. She watched all 6 of them by herself, with only Caige, Trace, and Alex not staying in bed all night. I am thinking it was 3ish when we finally got home. I don't really remember because I was so drunk. I get to do that once or so a year and I just can't hold my alcohol. It sure was fun though!! Lots of pictures from the bar, but I'm not sure I can share most of them here.

Sunday morning my kids got poor Dawn up before 6. Fortunately she's an amazing friend and took good care of them. They got changed, butt wiped, and fed. I got up once, but ended up going back to bed because I thought I would be sick again. Eventually we were all up and around. Lunch before everyone had to pack up and head home and then they were out the door. I was sad to see them go, but I also needed to nap something awful since I worked last night. The nap was just what I needed though and I made it through no problems.

This coming weekend Nana and Papa are coming to visit. They are heading to Arizona and Florida for the next two months so they decided to come spend their last weekend with us. I can't wait to see them again and I know the boys are excited.

I need to head to bed now. I am hoping to get an hour nap before I leave for work. Pictures are not loaded onto the internet yet, but I'm hoping to do that tomorrow and get them in here for you to see. Some of them anyway, there are almost 200. Again, check out Debbie's blog which is linked from here because she has already told the tattoo story and will probably post pictures from the rest of the weekend soon!!

Have a good night and I'll be back soon.

They are sick again!

But fortunately this time it's just colds. Max is coughing like crazy and Alex is a snot monster. I kept him home from daycare today because he had a fever last night and this morning, but he seemed ok when I put him to bed. Well, except for the snoring because he can't breath through his nose. Poor thing. Max keeps telling me he's really sick. I told him he can stay home, but tomorrow is Gym-in-it. He decided that was far more important than staying home! It's his favorite day of the week. I really need to find him some sort of tumbling class outside of preschool too. I know he would love it.

In addition to the cold, Alex got his third tooth. I noticed it last night. It's on the top and looks sharp as all heck. I feel so bad for him. All he ate all day today was Popsicles and I think he had 4 of them. I also offered him as much juice as he would drink. Anything to keep him hydrated with all the Benadryl I've been pumping into him. Nothing seems to work though. Max on the other hand does great with nighttime cough medicine. I wish they still made it for babies.

Other than that there isn't much new to report. We have all been lazy bums lately. The weather is crazy being warm one week and freezing the next. The end of this week is supposed to be really cold and the snow has already started. I don't think we are getting that much though.

This weekend Debbie and Dawn are coming for a visit with their boys. I can't wait!! So far we've only had family visit that I can remember. Not sure what we'll do, but just letting the kids play and hanging out with other adults works for me! I'm working on Tim to make chicken noodle soup on Friday because Debbie has been asking for it and wants to learn his recipe. He acts like he doesn't want to, but secretly I think he loves cooking for people that really appreciate his food. He made Sheppard's pie last night and while it was good, there were too many peas so I didn't love it. If anyone that liked peas would have eaten it, they would have been in love. Even Max agreed that it was pretty good, but he only ate one bite.

My parents are coming in two weeks. They are heading to Arizona for a month and then to Florida for a month and they wanted to see the kids for a weekend before they head out on the road. I'm excited to see them. I know we were just up in MI a month ago, but it feels like forever. Since we've moved I don't know that we've gone more than a month without some family here or us going there. It's good because that was my whole reason for wanting to move back to the midwest!

Hmm, I didn't realize it was after 8 already. I have to run. Need to get in my nap before I have to head to work. Have a great night and I'm sure I'll have pictures after this weekend if not before!

2007

I saw this on another blog I read (Debbie's) and thought I would steal it! I hope my blogging friends do the same ;)

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Moved across the country with 2 kids after living with my parents for almost 5 months because Tim lived in a hotel.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I never make them because I haven't figured out how to keep them.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Sam had Aidan
Dawn had Autumn
Laura had Junior

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Autumn, daughter of a dear friend.

5. What countries did you visit?
Never left the US this year, but I sure did travel to a lot of different states!

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
confidence, money, patience

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
1-16-07, started my first job as a nurse!
Sometime in March, Tim announced that he had the job in South Bend if he wanted it and we agreed it was the right move for us
9-26-07, we closed on our new house and began a new chapter in our lives.
11-25-07, Alex landed himself in the ER after eating AquaDots and getting the date rape drug in his system from it.
12-19-07, Autumn's birth...

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
All of it. I survived living in a different state from Tim for 6 months, living with my mom, moving with 2 kids, Alex trying to kill himself with Aquadots, and starting 2 new jobs!

9. What was your biggest failure?
I don't have enough patience with my children and that makes me feel like a failure as a mom most days.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing major, but Alex did (see Aqua Dots story)

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Our new house!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Tim's because he dealt with all of my loneliness, depression, and driving back and forth to see us. As well as the fact that he missed his kids and did whatever he had to to see them as often as possible. He went over and above this summer to help keep us happy all while doing a kick ass job at work!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Many of the stars who are in the public eye and either need to hide or straighten up!

14. Where did most of your money go?
Selling our old house at a loss, travel expenses, and zoos to keep Max happy!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Moving and living in the same state as Tim again.

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
I'm going to have to say Watching You by Rodney Atkins. Reminds me of Tim and Max

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or b) sadder?
Probably a little of both. I'm happier in the respect that I love our new house and area, but I miss my friends alot and get depressed sometimes because of that.

b) thinner or fatter?
definitely thinner. I lost 20lbs when we moved!

c) richer or poorer?
a little of both. We make alot more money now, but we are poorer from the bills we ran up during the move.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
played with the kids more on regular days when we weren't out doing something fun

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
travel across country with 2 kids, complain, stress

20. How did you spend Christmas?
With family. I had to work Christmas night but I had the eve off. We had a nice weekend at home, Tim made dinner 3 nights in a row, and we just enjoyed each other. Christmas morning was spent playing with new toys

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
already fallen

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Lost and Dexter

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
The only person I can think of is Tom Cruise. I didn't pay much attention before, but as time goes on I like him less and less.

24. What was the best book you read?
What is reading? I haven't done that for pleasure since before I had kids

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Nada, I just wish I had seen more Rockapella when I lived near Donna and had someone to go with.

26. What did you want and get?
A big house

27. What did you want and not get?
an engagement ring and proposal

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Departed or Ratatoullie

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 31 and spent it with some of my greatest friends. Debbie and I stayed for the weekend with Dawn. We went out to the Rocket and Tim joined us at the last minute as a surprise. It couldn't have been a more awesome birthday!

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not having all of the stress that went along with moving

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Mommy wear. I'm very boring

32. What kept you sane?
Knowing that it would all end soon and we would live together again eventually

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Rockapella!! I saw them at least once last year and they are always the highlight of my life.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Yeah, I don't pay much attention. I let it all go over my head. Just one more thing to stress about.

35. Who did you miss?
My friends from VA

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Hands down, Alli!! She has been amazing with the boys and helps keep me sane

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
That I can survive as a "single mom" although I have no desire to ever do so

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Hmm, I stink at songs. I'll have to google and see what I can come up with. If I figure something out I'll come back and update.

OMG We had a mouse!!!

OMG!!!! We just had a mouse in the basement!!! I heard something, but I ignored it at first, but then I kept hearing it and I knew Max wasn't moving so it couldn't be him. I stood up on the couch and it ran along the edge of the wall out from behind Alex's toddler couch. I started to freak, but Tim shushed me. I looked at Max and told him only girls are scared of mice. When Tim started talking about finding something to bash it with, I took off for upstairs and let the boys deal. Max came upstairs with goggles on and a pillow on his chest and said it was his mouse hunting gear. I heard a few jabs at the floor and then Tim came upstairs with it wrapped in paper leftover from moving boxes. Max actually helped him wrap it up. EWWWWW! I'm so totally grossed out and Max won't stop talking about how cool it was. At least he'll have a great story to tell tomorrow at school! I'll be having nightmares and I won't even be asleep because I have to go to work!

More pictures and ramblings

Ah, I'm killing myself with homesickness! I've really been missing the radio morning show I used to listen to in VA. So, it finally occurred to me to get online and listen when I'm awake in the morning. I'm either just coming home from work, or if I was off I got the boys off to school. So, this morning I got to listen to Elliott in the morning for the first time since leaving VA. It really did make me homesick to hear them doing the traffic report and talking about all the places I used to go. But, it was refreshing to listen too. It's odd that I couldn't wait to move away from the hustle and bustle of city life, the traffic, and the high cost of living, but since I've been gone I miss it like crazy. Maybe I miss my friends (that's a given) and maybe it's Naila whom the boys loved, but I'm dying to go back for a visit. I'm sure it will be awhile before I'll be ready for that drive, but I hope to get there at least once this year. I want to see Donna and make sure she's doing ok and trying to get away from her icky job and I want to see Jay, Kelly and their family along with the rest of our old neighbors. Every time I check Kelly's MySpace or Dropshots pages I get depressed seeing the things that we are missing out on by not being there. I also want to see Laura's new baby that was born just after we left. By days which really stinks. We were so close to meeting him, but had to get to IN to close on the new house.

I digress, I love the midwest, I'm just lonely. I need to find me some friends. There are plenty of nice girls at work, but no one that I feel like I've clicked with enough to hang with outside of work. I want someone to gossip and shop with, who has kids that will play with my kids. I am sure I'll find that eventually, maybe in the summer when we can spend more time outside. We shall see.

In the meantime, Tim gave the boys a bubble bath the other night in our jetted tub. Cracked me up. The water had to be pretty high and for the first time Alex looked a bit afraid of the bathtub. He had fun, but he dunked himself twice and then actually wanted to get out. So not like him, but it was funny. I got some good pictures, as well as a few of Alex "helping" Tim unload some computer desk stuff. Max is anti-pictures lately and rarely lets me take any of him where he's looking at the camera. I need to figure out how to get him back into being cute for the camera.

Here you go....


















Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Thanks for looking! Check out dropshots for the rest!!