Twas the Day After Christmas

Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the house,
There were boxes, and presents, all thrown about.
Toy Geo Trax, plastic fruit, kitchen items galore,
Opened and scattered all over the floor.

Parent proof packaging crumpled in a ball,
Meant for trash in the basement, but still in the hall,
Boxes from and Lego sets, Bakugan too,
Many for me, and for them, and for you.

Mom got her slippers, and boy they are nice,
Cause I’ll need to be standing on them more than twice,
There’s turkey pans, platters, and many a plate,
To be put away quickly before it gets late.

Not too many dishes, Dad saved me from those,
He stayed up late washing, while I cleaned the kids’ toes,
Cause Anna had candy cane stuck in her hair.
I guess once a year she can have them, that’s fair.

It was overwhelming when we came down the stairs,
And 42 tools, doctor sets, dolls and their wares,
Were mixed with the boxes, and books and all those.
But all in good fun it’s ok I suppose,

For Christmas is time for sharing and fun,
And toys are a plenty, when there’s not much sun,
We have Winter Solstice so up go the lights,
To twinkle, and sparkle, and attract our sight.

For nothing is better than seeing the eyes,
Of boys and girls wondering what is the surprise,
That arrived in the night when they were asleep,
Along with lots of good things they can eat.

One hundred forty two pictures we take,
So we can remember the smiles they make.
We love them so much, and they love us too,
The children and family, Merry Christmas to you!

Home With Baby!

Today my husband brought our newborn baby and I back from the hospital. After four days, of having my blood pressure, temperture, and vital signs checked every couple hours, it is good to be home. Baby is sleeping on our king size bed, where she is safe, and can not role away. No one is telling me to not sleep next to her, and I can nurse her and leave her there, and not have to have her wake up because I had to move her to a crib.

Today when the children came home from school, I saw their faces light up with pure smiles when they met their new sister for the first time. They were very excited to hold her, and could barely wait to see her as soon as they came in the door. The paused long enought to take off their shoes and coats and wash their hands, before dashing upstairs to see her. Eventually they noticed me also and said hi.

As I lay in bed taking a nap with the baby this afternoon, I listened to the sounds of my family downstairs. I heard the older boys doing homework with Grandpa, while the younger asked Grandma to change her diaper, and Dad clanked around in the kitchen, cooking dinner. Anna clomped around the house in my shoes, about 10 sizes to big for her, while proclaiming, "oos! Oos!"

This is my quiet life for a week, while I am being taken care of by my family, before Grandma and Grandpa go home, and Dad goes back to work. Now I just worry about feeding that new baby, upstairs, in bed, while life goes on without me downstairs, as I listen in the distance.

Time and Energy

I have free time, but not energy. Wish I had some energy to do stuff, now that everything I have to do is done, but I am nothing but tired. I’m nine months pregnant, and just a mother-ship for this little baby that is taking all my energy, and space. I lie on my side to sleep, because there is no other way to lie. I do the basic things in the house during the day, but no extras. Walking up the stairs can wear me out. I compile trips up and down stairs to when I have to go for more than one reason. Lucky I have a chore happy 6 year old who likes to take out the trash.

I love and adore my 21 month little girl. No matter how worn down I get by my three boys, she always makes me happy and fills my heart with love. She is so sweet, and wonderful, and perfect for me. I love her presence in my life.

Tonight my 6 year old made a beautiful painting. It has a lot of blue, which is my favorite color, and I love to look at blue paintings. I am glad he is an artist. I am glad he is so sweet. I am listening to the happy sound of him and his older brother building and playing Legos together. They are talking about what they are building and having a great time. It’s Friday night, and I love Fridays, because there are no homework battles, and no schedules to follow. The only problem is I am so tired. I want to be creative, paint or work on my scrapbook, but I don’t have the energy. It’s going to building arms and legs, fingers and toes, lungs and brain. Energy going to her, so she can be creative one day, and swim, and play, and paint, and love. I can feel good about that. Energy well spent.

I love the beach!

This summer we have been taking trips to the beach, pond, and lake. Every time it is a blast. The kids have the greatest time just playing in the sand, and swimming out in the shallow water. It is the easiest and most relaxing activity for us, since every one is happy, everyone gets along, and no one fights or argues! Even little Anna is starting to get used to the sand. At first, she was trying to wipe if off, and making unsatisfactory noises. But today she played in it. She also triumphantly tromped along in the water, and smiled; holding my hand of course.

The seen is the same every time we've gone. The three boys playing in the sand at the water's edge, with their shovels and buckets. They build castles, and dig holes. They take trips in to the water to fill the buckets, and dump water on their creations. Sometimes they meet other kids to play with and they all play together.

Then they swim, and my oldest practices floating. They are not afraid of the gentle water. No matter what, I love the beach!

Honestly Mom....

For dinner today I made home made pizza. My five year old got to the table and said, "Mom, I don't want pizza, I want mixed up vegetables!"

Klondike to the Rescue

Tonight as I was getting dinner ready, I put the salad and the dressing out on the table. I put the salad in everyone’s bowls.

I walked into the dining room, to find my 3 year old had left the living room and sat down at the table. He poured two bottles of salad dressing into his bowl. One I had just made. I was a little angry.

At dinner, we had rice and steak. He decided he wanted to hide his steak in his rice. He continually got frustrated when the steak would peak out from the rice he was eating. I was silently plotting what I could do with him. He was whining and getting more frustrated. Several times I mentioned I would put him to bed if he didn’t stop. After a trip to the corner, he did stop, and proceeded to eat. Needless to say he is still alive; I didn’t kill him. I have de-stressed by taking a few bites of a Klondike bar. We don’t normally have Klondike bars, but the other day at the baseball field, I gave my son a dollar to buy a hot dog, and he bought a Klondike bar. He knows he can’t eat them; he’s lactose intolerant. I held onto it and brought it home; I knew it would come in handy for an emergency.

Speaking of unauthorized ice cream purchases, today my two sons bought Popsicles from the ice cream truck without asking me. Now, they have been waiting for the ice cream truck to come at the right time for days. So I couldn’t really be mad. It was kind of cute actually. They got their own money to buy them. Patrick spent four of his five dollars from his wallet. I am glad that he shared with his brother.

Now they are playing legos. And I have started to clear the table. But, since we had rice, I have a lot of rice to clean off the floor. Better get to it.

A Very Grumpy Day

Today, the 14th day of rain in a row, (or what seems like at least 14 days) has just been too, too grumpy. Having to be inside most of the day with the boys, (who did go outside when it stopped for a while), is just too much.

Then there was the ant problem. Yesterday, my son took out the trash like he usually does. But instead of putting the trash in the can, he just left the bag on the floor. So today, I went downstairs, and there was a trail of about a million ants from a crack in the garage floor, over to the trash bag. Grrrrrrr. Needless to say, he is now down in the garage, cleaning up dead ants with paper towels. I sprayed the ants with Windex to kill them, but they are still on the floor.

I tried to take a nap today. This was while the kids were outside with the babysitter, who came to watch the kids while I went to the Dr. for my appointment and ultrasound. I had her stay a little while after lunch to play with the boys while Anna took a nap, and I tried to nap. But when it started to sprinkle out again, they came back in and played hide and seek. She tried to keep them on the first floor, but they were excited and made a lot of noise, so I awoke.

So in general, I think I am just flustered with so many rainy days in a row - in June, with school out. We have not used the pool in at least two weeks, have played outside as little as the weather allowed, have been the library, and the McDonalds play place, but we can not go there every day. I am hoping tomorrow is really going to be dry like the weather promised. Otherwise, I might have to check into a mental institution.

Well, one interesting thing did happen today. I saw my new baby in ultrasound. I didn’t find out the sex yet, I am waiting till tonight when my husband gets home. I had the technician write it down on a piece of paper for us to discover together. I am really hoping for a girl, but when she was measuring the legs, I thought I might have seen a boy, but I could be wrong, that could have been the umbilical cord. Well just have to wait and see, hope he is not home to late tonight!

Well, now I am off to the garage to check the ant cleaning progress, and help a little. Just part of my grumpy, grumpy day!

***

A couple good things happened recently. This past weekend, Anna started to walk all by herself. She had been doing it holding on to our hands, or furniture, but she finally took independent steps on Sat. and then really got the hang of it on Sunday. She was so excited and happy and proud of herself. And we were so proud of her. Mike and I sat opposite each other, and she walked back and fourth between us. Then we moved farther apart, and she took more steps. Now she is walking all over the house, still with her arms up in the air for balance, it is very cute!

Also, yesterday was the first day she went completely without nursing. I had been gradually cutting down on her nursing for months, and had put her to bed before without milk, but never gone a whole day without nursing. It has been a little hard for her going to bed without the nursing, but she is getting used to it. Tonight she has been having a hard time, but I just gave her some milk in a sippy cup and hugged her some more. It is 8:15 now, so hopefully she will stop crying and fall asleep soon. She is 17 months now, so I don’t feel bad. She is the only child who was learned to walk and weaned at the same time. The boys all walked at much younger ages, but that’s ok. I’m glad she is walking now!

Pregnancy Number one......Versus Number Five

Pregnancy Number One

Receive lots of attention at work, because everyone is so excited that you are going to have a baby. Receive surprise baby shower at work. Spend time looking through baby name books, and decorating the baby's room. Visit family for another baby shower.

A few weeks before the baby is supposed to be born, start maternity leave. Spend the days napping, relaxing, talking on the phone, taking walks, and doing occasional housework uninterrupted. Shop for maternity clothes, and start collecting baby gear. Receive phone calls from husband during the day to ask how I am doing.

Pregnancy Number Five

Get up at 6:30 to rescue one year old from her crib. Bring her into our room to try to pacify her for a few minutes until the sun comes up. Hear chatter of two boys playing in the next room. Hope that the oldest sleeps for a little while longer.

Spend the day keeping kids happy and occupied and playing referee, cooking, going to library and playgrounds, and anywhere to keep us from being stuck at home all day. Try to fit in laundry and dishes along the way, and keep the house reasonably clean. Refill sippy cups, hug the tearful, and keep going on....

At 6 pm receive phone call from husband that he is going to be working late.

At 7:00, having put the baby to bed, feel incredibly tired and lay down for a few minutes. Briefly fall asleep, then wake at 7:30 to reluctantly start another bedtime routine with younger two boys. Get their teeth brushed, change them to pajamas, read them stories. Tuck them in and then, just as you thought you were done, get them water, because they are begging as if their life depends on it.

Come downstairs to try to maybe relax for a minute. Oldest son sees you and announces that he is hungry. Sit on the couch and tell him to find something in the fridge, and let him microwave it himself. Tell him to clean up after himself. Walk into the kitchen and see that he has already gone upstairs. Put the leftovers away. Then give him a bath and supervise teeth brushing, and make sure he puts on pajamas. Tell him goodnight.

Come downstairs and see that it is now 9:30. Just another 15 hour day.

Jamaica

Interesting Signage


On the way to Negril from Montego Bay Airport


On The Beach


Walk on the Beach


View from the room

The Lonely Hour

I am skinning chicken, cutting it, and seasoning it. The skins fall into the sink and I look out the kitchen window. The light is fading, the sky turning less vibrant. Earlier, as I was feeding the baby in her room with the curtains closed, the bright light burst through and the room and was unusually luminous. The bright burst before the light starts to fade.

As I get ready to peel potatoes, the clean dishes I just washed drying in the strainer beside me, I feel the lonely sadness of darkness washing over me. This is the lonely time of the day, the transition to evening. The kids are watching Curious George, quiet now, after the days noise and excitement has calmed. The library books we collected this afternoon sit on the bench waiting for us to read after dinner. For now, everyone is quiet, and hungry, their fuel tanks almost empty. Soon I will peel the potatoes, put them in the water to boil, but for now I pause to feel the glumness of the lonely hour. I start thinking about my husband coming home. Will he be here for dinner tonight? Or will he be working late, and I will eat alone with the kids again. I hope the baby sleeps for a while so I can at least feed the kids in peace. Only a couple more hours now for the kids to be awake. Soon enough it will be time to bath them, and change them into pajamas. Then rub their backs, sing them a song, and say prayers. Then I will be able to sit down for a while, read a book maybe, after I do the dishes and clean up a little. I will have accepted the night by then, officially dark, it’s less lonely than this gray time, not light, not dark – the lonely hour.

Crazy over Pokèmon

It all started with the bookfair. Last year, I sent my 4 year old son to pre-school with 5 or 10 dollars to buy something with his class. He came home with a book about Pokèmon characters. My son was in the habit of carrying his current favorite possession every where he goes, so I didn’t think anything of it when the new book accompanied him to bed, to meals, safely tucked under him in his chair at dinner, to baseball games, and just about everywhere. This went on for about two weeks. The book was tattered and bent within the first few days, and it looked like it had been around forever. At night when putting him to bed, or during the day, he would ask me to read a few pages from the book.

As time went by, he stopped carrying the book everywhere, but still always knew where it was. One day in the toy store, we picked up a small package of Pokèmon cards. When we got home, him and his brother, not knowing how to play the real game, invented their own version, and acted it out. They talked about Powers, and Pikachu's, and all kinds of things.

The Pokèmon cards were kept safely in a drawer, but accessed often, and very popular with the boys. At some point, they became lost in our house, a phenomenon that is not completely foreign to us, as every so often a sneaker, or a library book, or something coveted will mysteriously disappear. Anyway, when Christmas time came around, Santa brought the boys each a Pokèmon trainer deck, and my son (now 5) a Pikachu stuffed animal. So the day after Christmas, Dad sat with the boys, read the rules, and explained the game. He helped them play a few rounds. He seemed to have fun, and I was glad that the boys were playing together, and I had nothing to do with it.

That night however, wanting to be able to play with another grown up, he said he wanted me to play a game with him. I reluctantly agreed, hoping it would be over soon, so I could go to bed. But when we started playing, a funny thing happened, and I actually enjoyed the game! It was fun. I wanted to win. I got competitive. Over the next few days of Christmas vacation, my husband and I played a few more games. Then one night, he and the boys came home and stuck something under the tree. “I got you something,” my husband said. We put the youngest to bed, and then I opened it, I was my own Pokèmon deck. I was feeling a little silly, but strangely excited, this was not a trainer deck, it was a real deck, and it was mine. That night, we tried it out. He used one of the kid’s decks and I used my new deck. It was far superior. I liked it! I won most of the games.

Every time we got a new deck, my husband checked the value of each card. He found a few that were worth a few dollars, and put them aside. A few days after giving me my deck, he came home with a deck of his own. Then we played each other with our decks to try them out together. His new deck was pretty powerful, and quite superior to mine. I didn’t stand a chance. We played a few more games, and talked about how we could really get into this, and buy individual special cards, and spend a lot of time on it. He mentioned that there are Pokèmon tournaments, with real serious players. We decided that we would not be buying any more cards, or spending any more money on the game, but still, we saw how fun it could be. Soon after, his vacation ended, and he went back to work. We stopped playing Pokèmon. But the kids still like it, and ask us to play with them, or they play a game together. Mostly, they just act it out, and play their imagination games, my younger son holding his Pikachu. On school library day, the kids sometimes bring home Pokèmon books from school. Pikachu rides to school in my sons backpack every day, and comes out every night, and is thrown around and played with. So, all in all, the kids are crazy for Pokèmon. And I can’t really blame them!

The Power of Food

My mom always said “Don’t tell a man any bad news before dinner.” This I have found to be good advice. My husband always comes home hungry, and I always have his dinner ready before he arrives. It makes for a better evening.

As for the kids, I have just witnessed a 180-degree turn around in their attitude and behavior after feeding them dinner. My two sons arrived home on the bus and went over to play cars on the cars rug. Immediately, my tired un-napped three year old starting crying, and there was yelling and arguing. I sent one child upstairs, then still some more crying from the three year old. Nothing seemed to be working. I brought Thomas upstairs to try to put him to sleep, maybe a late nap is better than none? I brought Joe back down and the two older kids started playing some board games.

After a few minutes, I started getting some questions about dinner. I got the meatloaf into the oven a little late, because the baby was tired, and had to be nursed. So by five they were all getting loud and starving. The three year old was back downstairs, refusing to go to sleep again. There was arguing, and short tempers, and repeated, “Mom, he…(insert problem here)….” I was starting to get worried. What has happened to my family? I wondered where have I gone wrong? I thought I had taught them well, taught them to share, and be nice or at least civil to one another.

Eventually, my oldest couldn’t wait. “Where is the meatloaf?” he asked, rather shortly. “It’s coming, it’s cooking,” I told him. I brought out the side dishes, and made a box of mac and cheese to tide them over. Joe sat down and started eating. He told his brothers dinner was ready. He was still a little grumpy, but his empty tummy was filling up. I made some suggestions about being nice, about talking kindly to each other, about not yelling and caring about your brother. When he finished eating, he said, “Now I am going to read some books.” Ok with me.

I started feeding the baby her jar food. I looked over into the living room. Joe was sitting nicely, reading a book to my three year old. So sweetly, showing him the letters. How kind I thought. These are my wonderful children. He is teaching his brother, and they are happy together. It amazes me how I can have such opposite emotions toward my children in such a short period of time. How I can go from hopeless, to delighted, all in the span of a few minutes.

Now they are making music together. Playing on the keyboard, making songs. There is cheerful talking, excited conversation. I love my children, I can be proud of them, now that they are fed.

I sat at the dinner table and made myself a list.

1. Put Thomas down for a nap by two pm.
2. Have a good snack ready before the school bus arrives.
3. Have dinner ready by 5 pm.

I don’t know if I will follow it. Things don’t always go according to plan. Some days then come home hungry, and will eat a snack. Other days they will wait for dinner. In any case, food makes everything better. And naps help too.

Augmentin and Bananas

The woman behind the counter at Burger King must have thought my three boys needed to get in touch with their feminine side, because she gave the three of them Mini Cabbage Patch dolls for their kids meal toys. I thought about exchanging them for boy toys, but I really didn’t want to wait in the lunchtime line just for that. I asked the boys if they wanted to give the dolls to Anna, Joe said yes. In the car, I gave out the dolls and the younger boys said they liked them. They will play with them for a day, then they will loose interest, like every other kids meal toy. Then Anna will have three dolls just for her.

I don’t know how, but Anna managed to get a second ear infection while taking antibiotics for an ear infection in her first ear. Her right ear has had several ear infections already, but how she got another one while on medicine, I don’t know. Yesterday, on the 11th day after the start of antibiotics, she went to the Dr. for an ear check. They looked in both ears and said she was fine. She looked fine to me too, and was happy, with no ear drainage, which had cleared up on the 2nd day of medicine.

However, yesterday afternoon, Anna would not take a nap. She nursed to sleep, but as soon as I put her in her crib she awoke. Then last night, the same thing happened. I brought her downstairs with Mike and I to watch a movie. She played for a while, and usually when she is with us, I can get her to sleep, but it didn’t work. I brought her up to her room, nursed her to sleep and went back down to finish the movie. Of course, when it ended and we came to bed, she cried again. I was too tired to sit with her in her room, so brought her to my bed to nurse. She tried, but cried a loud cry, and would not settle down. This went on, till Mike got frustrated and went to sleep on the couch. I got frustrated too, and went back to her room and tried to nurse her some more. Eventually, I just put her down in her crib where she cried for a while and then fell asleep.

This morning the ear drainage was back and she felt warm. I knew right away the infection was back, so called the Dr. I rounded up the boys and off we went to the Dr’s office, after a stern warning for them to be on their best behavior. They agreed, and we actually got a good parking spot today. I was really glad we did not have to park in West Bumbleland, as is usually the case lately at the Dr.’s office. Today is Saturday, so they were not as crowded. I am really glad the office is open on Saturday’s because I didn’t want to go though two more nights of crying.

When we got into the office and checked in, the kids went to the fish tank, and we got called in quick. The Doctor looked at Anna, and found that both ears were now infected. She was surprised that the nurse practitioner had found Anna ok yesterday. I told her she did look fine yesterday. So, the Dr. prescribed Augmentin, an antibiotic that works well on those who are antibiotic resistant. I remembered Anna using this once before, when the first amoxicillin treatment didn’t work. I mentally kicked myself that I had not asked for this in the first place 11 days ago when I brought her in with the first infection. But after all, they are the Dr’s, it’s their job to notice these things on her chart isn’t it? Now maybe I will remember this next time, I hope, but when we are at the Dr. I usually have at least one more child with me, and can’t always remember these things. And the Dr. has many patients to see, and probably doesn’t spend adequate time analyzing Anna’s history on her chart. So, I have to be her advocate.

The boys were very good at the Dr.s office. On the ride over, Joe produced a Dollar bill and a coin, and asked if we could get a Whopper Junior. I said maybe and took a mental note that I would bring them burgers after the apointment if they were good. So, after dropping off Anna’s prescription, we went over to BK and got three kids meals and I got a Whopper Jr., fries, and drink from the dollar menu. Joe was still hungry after he finished, so I let him go up to the counter and order another burger, and pay with his dollar and change, as I watched from our booth. The kids were good at the restaurant too, so the Saturday morning I was dreading turned out to be good. When we got home, Anna ate a jar of bananas laced with Augmentin, and she is happy. Hopefully by tonight, with two doses of medicine in her, she will sleep. Now, I have to go about folding and putting away laundry and dishes and all that jazz. Mike will be home for dinner after his day of Scout Leader training, and we can have a normal Saturday night. Hopefully, this will be Anna’s last ear infection of the season, and Spring will come soon. Now, about that laundry....

Far off Dream........

I wonder when I will have time to sit down and read a book, or paint my nails, or do something without being interrupted. It is 7:46 and I just got three kids into bed. My oldest is still up, and he is reading, so I don't have to worry about him for the next 10 minutes. Soon I will bring him upstairs, get him ready, and he will go to sleep. Then I might come back down, try to watch TV, or read, but I will only last a few minutes before I fall asleep on the couch.

I would like to go on vacation, without kids. I wonder how many years it will be before that will happen? At this point, I would be happy just to go somewhere where I can relax, and spend an entire day our two without cooking, washing dishes, doing laundry, paying bills, taking a kid to the bathroom, and refereeing over toys. Instead I would like to spend my day swimming in a heated swimming pool, eating in a fancy restaurant, going to the spa, playing tennis, reading a book by the water, or laying on a beach. Oh yeah, and my husband can come too.

Undecorating

I undecorated the Christmas tree today. It was sad, not always fun to take cheer out of the house, but necessary. Christmas can't last forever. So, for now, our cheer is stored in plastic bins, to be put away till next season. They will sit on a shelf in the basement, dormant, for 11 months, until they come to life again next December.

My three year old son helped me take ornaments off the tree. Putting up the tree and taking it down, are the only two times we really stop to look at each ornament. He was excited to identify each one as he took them down; the house, and the bears, “the man” (a nutcracker), and the ornaments his brother’s made. The rest of the time the tree is in the background, or lighting the room. We see the collection of ornaments and decorations, but don't stop to examine each one. Each year when putting the decorations up, we stop to notice our favorite ornaments. Our tree is a collection of decorations from each of our childhoods, new ornaments we bought as a couple, and now ornaments that our kids have made. It evolves every year, with a few new ornaments each season. There are name ornaments for each child, and since this was Anna's first Christmas, we added her first ornament, a little snowman globe, to the branches.

We were so excited to start decorating this year, to hang stockings over the fireplace, and set up the crèche. We went around the house, looking for places to put the wreath, and other door ornaments, and I put out Christmas towels in the bathroom. We waited till the week before Christmas to put up the tree, because of the baby, who we knew would be interested in it’s beauty. So we were ready by the time it went up to welcome it into our living room.

I remember back to my childhood, walking past the living room at night, to the still quiet of the Christmas tree. The cold room, the pine smell, and plugging the lights into the floor to see the colors light up. I would stay there a few moments, soaking it in, and noticing the new presents put there by my siblings when no one was looking.

My baby was good this year, and great around the tree. She would look at it, but she didn’t touch. For the better part of 2 weeks she left the tree alone. It wasn’t until the last couple days that she started to pull ornaments down.

So, this last weekend of our Christmas vacation, we started to take down the tree. Tonight the plastic bins came back up from the basement, and I filled them up with ornaments. The tinsel and the lights are still up; my husband will pack them away tomorrow. And now that everyone has gone to sleep, I just might go back into the living room, turn the lights on, and enjoy the still quiet of the Christmas tree one last time.