I had peace ... for a moment

Yesterday I made a neat discovery. Sometime since Chris deployed, they instituted a child supervision hour at the fitness center on base. I had no idea! It is 3 times a week for 2 hours. During this time they play with the kids while the moms work out. They bounce balls and chase each other and dance. I never looked into going on base to work out because I didn't think that they ever had childcare. Now I know better.

So I went today. I refuse to expose how very out of shape I am by saying what all I did, BUT I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was a peaceful moment, and I will be taking advantage of it every chance I get.


On the way home, I ran to the bank. I grabbed the kids out of the car and ran inside. There was no line and thought I'd be out in 10 minutes at the most.

I never noticed the golf-pencil in Kairi's hand. She frequently takes them from church and leaves them in her car seat. And I never imagined that I'd have to spend 10 minutes cleaning her writing off the wall at the bank. Of course, they never asked me to clean it off, but I was not about to let Kairi think she got away with it. I made her help me clean it. And made her say she was sorry to every person in there that I could find.

I think that Friday I'll take advantage of my peace again....

The Magic of Mommy's Bed

When Kairi was first born, we placed a cosleeper in our bed and she slept there for a while. We eventually moved her to a bassinet and when she was a few months old I finally consented to putting her in her own room in a crib. I enjoyed sleeping w/ my baby. I just wish she had enjoyed sleeping with me. From the time she was a few weeks old on, every noise in our room woke her up. Chris' snoring, my rolling over, either of us getting out of bed for any reason -- they all woke her up. The day we moved her into her own room, her sleeping times stretched waaaay out. We loved it.

There were times when I tried to take naps with her or would need her to sleep with me because of bed space -- but it never worked out in my favor. She would thrash and yell and scream and cry for her bed. She needed the walls of the bed. She needed her own space. And she needed quiet. Apparently none of those were to be found in my bed.


Fast forward to today. Kairi still loves her bed. She sleeps no where else, except for the occasional moment in her carseat. But this morning, we had to be up at 4am. Chris had to have a ride to work, and he had to be there by 5. We got home shortly after 5am. I knew it wouldn't work, I just knew it, but I had to try.

First, I put Alex in his bed. I didn't think he'd go back to sleep. But he did! I thought about putting Kairi back in her bed, but thought about the amount of toys in her room. I didn't think that that would work. So I did it ... I took a risk.

Mommy: Kairi, would you like to sleep in mommy's bed?
Kairi: No.
Mommy: Are you tired baby?
Kairi: Yes, Mommy, so tired.
Mommy: Do you want to sleep in your bed or mommy's bed?
Kairi: Mommy's bed! Mommy's bed! Mommy's bed!
Mommy: Ok, but you have to be a really big girl. Can you do that?
Kairi: Yes Mommy! I a big girl!
Mommy: Can you hold really still and be quiet?
Kairi: Yes Mommy! I steeeeeel.
Mommy: Ok, we'll try it. Go climb into Mommy's bed.

It was magical. She held more still in my bed than she does in her own. She didn't freak out about the airplanes, or the garbage truck, or the car next door. Instead, she laid there and stroked my face until I went to sleep. A few minutes later I woke up with her hand still on my face, but she was sound asleep. And every time I woke up, she was sound asleep but touching me.

When I finally did wake up for the day, she was wide awake but laying next to me very still. She patted my face one more time, and said "Good. You wake up. Let's play now. Ok?"


I have no idea when my bed transitioned from the evil thing that a year ago she freaked out about having to be in to the amazing experience we had today, but I'm so thankful that that transition happened. And the next time she won't nap in her own bed because of the airplanes or trucks that are "soo scarwy Mommy!" I'm going to snuggle her up in my own bed and we'll take that nap together.

The Secret is in the Sauce: Win a Keurig Platinum Brewing System and $50 worth of K-cups

I know what you're thinking ... another giveaway? Esp if I recently sent you to a link for a few other giveaways that I recently was excited about, but decided not to post for fear of overwhelming you with links. But this one is cool. And I want it. Oh, how I want it.

Do you see this?



It's really cool. It's called a Keurig Single Cup Coffee Maker. No, I don't drink coffee. I can stand the way it tastes and will probably always feel that way. BUT it doesn't just make coffee. It does hot tea, chai, etc. Now, I am addicted to both of those. And some of my favorite chai brands make K-Cups. K-Cups are quite simply a cup of your tea/coffee that is also a filter. You simply put the cup in the machine, add water, and turn it on. In less than 60 seconds you have a steaming cup of ___inset whatever you drink here___. ;)

Would you like one? SITS is giving one away! So visit them HERE and enter their giveaway.

In Case You Needed Proof....

Alex really does know how to throw a fit. He just doesn't do it very often.

Very Very Interesting

43 Things Personality Test

I took the 43 Things Personality Quiz and found out I'm an

Organized Self-Knowing Self-Improver

It says that I am a Organized Self-Knowing Self-Improver, but it should read Trying to Be a Organized Self-Knowing Self-Improver. It's a goal ... but I'm really not sure that I'm there yet. Actually, I know I'm not. :)

On the Right

You'll see a link to a really cool blog. It's called Rock and Drool, and Melissa has a great giveaway going on over there.

Now, I'm not discussing the details of the giveaway, b/c that's just not the content you usually find on here right now, but you will love it. At least, I'm 90% certain you will.

So go to http://www.rockanddrool.com/?p=585 and enter the giveaway. Ok? Good.

How I Know It's Monday

Ever had one of those mornings where you have no idea what day it is? When I woke up this morning I was in one of those dazes. No one was in my bed with me, and that confused me. (Chris had duty yesterday; I just couldn't seem remember that at the time.) Alex was crying, but it was so dark outside -- it couldn't be time to get up yet. I couldn't remember what was so important about today, but I had a vague feeling that something was important enough that I should be up. Dreams segments flashed through my mind and I struggled to separate them from reality. I shook my head, told myself that it had to be Sunday, Chris was already up with the kids, and that if I didn't hurry I'd be late for church (although, why Chris would be awake before me on a weekend I'll never know as that has only happened once in the last 5 1/2 years we've been together).

I pulled myself out of bed, turned the baby monitor off, and stumbled through the house into Alex's bedroom. I got him up just in time to hear Kairi start to whine about wanting out of bed. I opened her door, turned on her light and told her to come on.

And then I walked into the living room. At that moment I knew it was Monday.

~The living room floor is covered in toys and clothes from changing out of morning wear to play clothes for Sunday night's services. (When we finally get home from church Sunday night I just go to bed and leave the mess for the next morning -- I hate that I do that too.)

~There are 2 loads of laundry to be folded waiting for me on the couch.

~Movie cases are spread out in front of the tv from where Kairi couldn't decide which movie she wanted us to watch together for our Sunday afternoon movie.


My journey continued into the kitchen.
~Lunch dishes are still piled in the sink.

~More toys on that floor.

~Nothing pre-prepped for breakfast.


Yup, it's definitely a Monday. Back to the madness, while recouping from my Sunday slacking. (Hehehe ... there's a tiny bit of alliteration there. ;) ) Ok, I'm off to strip all reminders that it's Monday from my house.

Something terrible happened....

Friday I had a baby. He and his sister colored together for a while. They (mainly he, she just took over) even invented a new use for one of Daddy's computer parts. He was such a sweet baby.







Then yesterday -- he suddenly grew up. Here he is this morning. We had dropped Daddy off for duty. We go to Sonic and at least get drinks if not breakfast every time we drop Daddy off for duty. It's our special tradition. One that both kids love, and I have to carefully budget for.



A half-hearted "hi"


Yup, that's right. His hair is cut. It's cute. I like it. But he looks so old!

And for good measure -- Kairi and Alex sharing a laugh.




I have a new love -- stay tuned for details.

Do you know about

the Crockpot Lady?

If not, you should. Go visit:

http://www.crockpot365.blogspot.com

Seriously, amazing meals and so easy. Read her extra info links on the side b/c you can learn so much about crockpots. Enjoy!

A relaxed morning

Breakfast was cereal bars.

TV is playing The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything aka Pirate Tales, although the kids aren't watching it. You know, I really should just buy this movie and send the copy I have back to netflix.

Alex is "cooking" in Kairi's room. Kairi's prancing around the house in nothing but her boots. And I truly mean absolutely nothing else is on that body.

The cat is curled up in my lap.

The dog is asleep in her bed.

Chris will be home around one this afternoon, which means that I actually get to see him today.

Supper will be in the crockpot soon.

All the laundry is done.

Kairi's room needs to be recleaned, but it can wait till this afternoon.


*sigh* Peace. It's nice to have it in this house again. :)

Another Picture

One more pic to add in addition to the earlier post.



I walked into the kitchen because Alex was suddenly quiet. He had been eating lunch. Not anymore.

Pictures

While not much is going on here at the house, I have had a moment to take a few cute pictures.


Clickable pics





Mommy, pictures were NOT what I had in mind when I asked you to help me. I'm STUCK. Get me out.



Pretending to take a nap.


Seriously, Mom, I'm "seepin" -- Stop the pictures!


Bedhead at it's finest -- on top of Mommy's clean laundry.

Lack of Motivation

It's been a long week, and it's no where close to being over in this house. That makes for me to have little motivation to blog. There's also not been a lot to blog about.




Chris got home early last night -- 6pm. The rest of this week it's been 7 or later. He is working tomorrow. He has duty Sunday. Wednesday they leave. They'll be home either Friday night or Saturday morning. Not that it matters because he has duty Saturday, so I won't see him again till Monday. Again, and they wanted him to reenlist? He'll have one day off in middle of 3 weeks of work -- 3 weeks of 12 hr days. And they think that he's going to volunteer to do this again? Probably not. Just sayin'.


Chris's grandmother isn't doing very well. There will probably be a funeral in the next couple of months -- possibly in the next 2 weeks. And that scares me because we HAVE to go, and I have no earthly idea how we'll be able to afford it. We're just now getting to the point where we're feeling stable budget wise. I don't need to throw another expense into the mess.


My paternal grandfather was admitted to the hospital in Dallas last night. His feeding tube keeps coming out and when it doesn't come out it's leaking stomach acid all over him. He has spent nearly every day for the last week in the er in Midland. And he's not had food in days. His doctor in Dallas insisted that he be taken out there so that he could assess him himself. I have so much more faith in that doctor than any of them in Midland. I half-joked that he needs to move to Dallas permanently -- better doctors, better care. Or you know, he could move out here. Beaches Baptist is just right around the corner, and Mayo is less than 30 minutes from my house. That'd be better care and he'd be warmer. It'd be the first step in my plan to get all my Texas-folk to Florida so that I don't have to move but can still have family around.


My maternal grandfather was recently diagnosed with hemochromatosis, a genetic disorder that affects your bloods ability to use iron. He's going through genetic testing to determine exactly where the genetic mutation took place, and those type details, as well as how they can make him less anemic so that they can drain some blood from him because treatments is simply draining blood every few days/weeks. Stay tuned because this may offer us more information on some of my problems, seeing as how if he has it, chances are so does my mother and therefore so do I. I need to schedule a blood test to get this figured out I suppose.



Ok, so other than lots of work for Chris (meaning little family time for us) and lots of sick grandparents, there's not much going on here. Kairi is still mischievous. Alex is as well, but he's a charmer and makes you think he's not. And I'm tired. See? No changes here.

They didn't think things through....

Today Chris was informed that he wouldn't be home until after 1800, every day this week will be that way, and that Saturday will be a work day.

This same day those chose to ask him to reenlist.

Take a wild guess at what he wants to say to them.

An update of sorts

As mentioned before, my laptop is not currently working so my only chance to check in is when Chris isn't home and I can use his desktop. That means that this weekend, I had practically no internet access. That also meant that this weekend I had a million and one blog ideas, most of which I don't remember at the moment. But I do remember one, I wanted to give a short update on both kids.

Alex

1. Alex is now speaking! Not in complete sentences or anything of that nature, but he is saying a few words and a LOT of babble! I cannot describe not only the joy but the relief hearing words and babble come from his lips gives me. His current words are hi (his favorite), bye, none (all done), yay (as in "Yaaaay Alex!" after he says anything), dada, ga (good), na (no), and ni-ni (night-night).

2. He's responding to questions and participating in Bible class! Another huge step for us. He shakes his head yes and no to answer questions, and knows what's expected of him in class. His teachers keep repeating how much more in tune w/ everything he seems to be. :D Nothing makes me happier to hear than to hear that he loves his Bible class and is able to participate.

3. Alex has recently begun to throw fits. I think it's a combination of being frustrated with not being able to talk, and entering the stage where he expects Mommy to immediately obey and doesn't know how to respond when she doesn't. On a similar note, he's beginning to learn the word "obey" and comes at least 50% of the time when I tell him to obey me immediately. We're still working on the other 50%, but it's progress! :D But the point of this bullet to was to share how cute he is when he's throwing a fit. He keeps his feet on the floor, and then puts his hands and head on the floor so that he creates a triangle effect while screaming. Eventually he falls to the floor. And the entire time, Mommy laughs. I think it's cute and compared to his sister's fits (then and now), it's nothing. I love it. ;)

Kairi

1. Kairi's imagination still runs wild! In the past week she has been a kitty, a pig, a cow, a frog, a spider, a princess, and a pirate. My favorite was when she was a princess pirate. She had me put on her tutu and her red princess shoes, and then she grabbed her "sword" (think plastic play shovel that really should be outside) and then she pretended to sword fight with me (I had the vacuum cleaner extension) while she hollered "pincess py-it is hewo! pincess py-it is da besssssst!". Of course in the end, Mommy surrendered her sword and the princess pirate won. She's such a good hero. ;)

2. Potty training is going great! There were next to no accidents yesterday -- she even went potty at church several times! I am so very proud of her. And she's proud of herself which is awesome. I'm going to buy her a ring to sit on the big potty as that's the next step in this process. I can't wait till I'm not dumping potty seats anymore. :)



Ok, that's as far as I'm going to get it looks like as I need to get dishes washed and toys put away so that I can go grocery shopping -- let's see how far I can make this money stretch!