The -Ing Family

Valentine's Day Eve

2012-02-13T18:30:00.000-08:00

Okay, I know Valentine's Day is kind of not a real holiday. I KNOW.

But I can't help but enjoy getting into it a bit.

First, could February drag ANY WORSE? Seriously, there is a reason it's so short.

And Valentine's Day right smack dab in the middle (except this year with it's extra day) is a nice way to keep it moving.

And my kids LOVE it.

So, we got started today with a home school group Valentine's Day card exchange. It was great! The boys really REALLY loved it.

From February 2012

(Smudgy camera, sigh)

From February 2012

(Candy!!)

From February 2012

(MORE CANDY!)

Then I made some felt decor to jazz up the house. The boys thought this was FABULOUS. I had them paint "Valentine's pictures" which really turned into regular painting.

From February 2012

Tomorrow we'll have our Valentine's Breakfast and one more Valentine's party.

Plus tomorrow is our (as in Derek and Myself's) 10th anniversary of our first date. Silly, I know, but still fun to remember.

So yeah, I like V-Day. Sue me.

Happy Day Tomorrow, Lovers!

Boredom?

2012-02-07T08:39:00.000-08:00

From February 2012

Our days here are pretty ordinary. They revolve around meals and nap times.

Yesterday EVERYONE needed naps. But in the end, I only succeeded in napping 3 out of 4 (darn that Henry thinking 6 is "too big" for a nap!).

So rather than attack the dishes/laundry/dirty floors, Henry and I had some one-on-one math time. I realize that sounds really lame and kind of weird, but Henry really digs math and especially when you add in manipulatives. He really "gets" it, you know?

From February 2012

My interest waned long before his did, and eventually his counting, organizing and pattern-making shifted into castle/house making, Spencer woke up and joined him, and I got the laundry sorted.

Yes, that's how our days tend to go, flowing from one to another moment. Here and there.

I know some people think stay-at-home moms must be bored. They must not have much to do.

I can honestly say, that even with the most mundane of tasks, I'm rarely bored. I'm kept on my toes by boys who ask endless questions, who disappear into the bathroom and organize all the soap (Spencer... who knows why?!), meals to prepare, budgets to keep (yuck) and things to do! (Poopy diapers x 5 yesterday! YES! I need to potty-train OLIVER! I KNOW! I KNOW!)

It's not glamorous, nor does it vary much from day to day.

But it's my life and my choice. And I do love it. More than I think I could have guessed.

And on days when boredom IS threatening, well, then there's the rec center for "raquetball" (Ezra's favorite thing of all time, next to basketball).

Or, today's grand adventure: Target to buy baby wipes.

I KNOW!

If I'm a very good girl at the store, I might even stumble upon a Diet Coke on the way home. (YES! I have mostly given up the dark drink of the devil, BUT every now and again, it's a lovely prize for getting to and from the store with all four children present, accounted for and in one piece!!!)

Yes, friends, the life of a stay-at-home mom is NOT fancy or full of accolades.

But it's good stuff, nonetheless.

Into the Land of Picky Eaters

2012-02-06T08:20:00.000-08:00

From Drop Box

Well, folks all good things must come to an end.

And my streak of children who eat most things is over.

Henry has been developing a picky-streak in relation to veggies for a while, but he can still be coaxed into them on most days. (Like, "You want a piece of bread? The peas have to go first," style).

But then there is Ezra. What is up with this kid? He doesn't eat MOST things. I don't understand it.

He will eat the following:
Cereal with milk
Pretzels
Crackers
Crackers with peanut butter/jelly
Apple slices
Oranges
Bananas (kind of maybe)
Cheese
Potatoes
Sometimes rice
Sometimes beans
Sometimes noodles

ANNNNDD that's it.

(Please note the distinct lack of meat. He started out liking them and now just throws them on the floor.)

He doesn't like bread of any kind most days (Randomly he ate a quarter of a peanut butter sandwich yesterday. Progress?)

Ezra thinks veggies are gag-worthy (raw, cooked, sauted, NO! NO! NO!)

It's hard only because we do the whole "offer lots of healthy variety" thing and it hasn't worked. All my other kids appreciated a huge range of things and only Henry has gotten remotely picky about stuff.

I don't quite know what to do with him. It goes against everything in my little Morgan-heart to offer foods to children that are not "the meal". Yes, I know he's 14 months old, but this a NEW problem, after three other kids.

(Spencer has eaten exactly ONE THING he didn't like and it was mushrooms. I don't blame him. Oliver is pretty steady, he likes most stuff.)

Anyone have some brilliant ways to convince a baby to try new things?

Nosy Kids Can be Nice

2012-02-02T19:49:00.000-08:00

Henry and Spencer are EXCELLENT listeners. When I don't want them to be.

Isn't that fun?

Derek and I will have a conversation that we think is all hush-hush, and then one of them will walk up and say, "I heard you and Mommy talking about (insert random thing here)."

Derek's first line of action is to say to them, "DON'T LISTEN!"

We decided that wasn't an option we wished to perpetuate. I mean, beggars can't be choosers ifyouknowwhatImean.

So instead, we are learning to keep important, non-little-ears convos to after bedtime.

Other times, we don't even realize it's happening.

Case and point: The other day Derek was saying how much he liked this funny kitchen thingy:

From Drop Box

But gosh wouldn't it be better if it had some measurement markings on it?

A while later I wandered back into the kitchen (I do that a lot. I'm HUNGRY) and found this:

From Drop Box

Yes, friends. Henry had overheard and taken it upon himself to add measurement markings to the weird, pour-y-spout-y kitchen cup thing.

Thanks Bud. That will help SO SO much! My baking will never be the same.

Nosy kids=awesome.

Clocking Out

2012-01-31T13:55:00.000-08:00

From Drop Box

Thing are continuing onward (and upward? Maybe? I hope?), and I find that MOST days I blink and I'm whisking small boys off to bed and bidding them a "goodnight, I love you, NO NOISE!" as I close their doors.

Then I think, "PHEW!"

And then we do it all again.

Ezra still wakes up way more than I would prefer, starting two hours after I put him to bed (so roughly 9pm) but I do get two blissful hours of quiet. Most nights, Derek isn't here. He's off working, so it's REALLY REALLY quiet.

I love my job. I love each day's challenges and rewards and stupid little mundane things.

And I love clocking out.

I love when they are all asleep, looking perfectly cherubic. I can forgive their indiscretions and forget the petty dumb things I was upset about earlier.

It's quiet.

I like that.

I also like eating foods I have no interest in sharing (as in ice cream) after they are tucked up in the bedrooms fast asleep.

We've had sick kids for a few weeks now. And so my evenings are often filled with a kid (or two) who didn't quiet get the memo that bedtime is SACRED.

Last night Ezra was up coughing like crazy, but happy to enjoy destroying my kitchen otherwise. I was thoroughly enjoying his antics, except, I wished he'd quit coughing and go to bed.

I'm missing my nightly veg.

I have found that I rely on it.

I don't mind when a kidlet has needs to be met. But I'm looking forward to getting my two hours of down time back.

Because I do not like sharing my ice cream.

Twins?

2012-01-26T19:15:00.000-08:00

So this little womb-dweller of ours is a stinker!

When I went in to see the midwives (I see a hospital-based midwife group as my "back up" if a home birth doesn't work out for whatever reason) the first time a couple of weeks ago, I got a quick ultrasound to assure that there really was a baby in there.

And there was.

Then the sweet midwife said, "Hmmm. Do you normally keep weird things in your uterus?"

"Um, not usually. WHY?" I asked, wary.

"Well, I said there was only one in there, but that might not be true."

Guys, if I'd been standing, I would have needed to lie down. As it was, the room got a bit spinny.

Basically, there was a "twin-marker" but she couldn't find another baby.

"Ah, well. Come back in a month. We'll figure it out," said she.

I agreed, until I left. Then I realized a month was too long to sit and wonder how many people I had squatting in my uterus. Amazingly just as I was thinking that, the midwife called to say the doctor wanted to rule out twins immediately.

24 hours and a doctor-ordered very full bladder later (do not make a pregnant woman drink 32 oz of water an hour before her "appointment" and then make her wait an additional HOUR! I was uncomfortable to say the least) it was confirmed:

JUST ONE BABY.

I was surprised at how unspeakably relieved I was.

Twins would be wonderful, I'm sure. But as it stands, I'm going to have five children in less than 7 years. It's enough for now. One at a time is a nice deal.

So, now we've got just the one in there. (Confirmed again today after a scare. NOT fun.) So, we can move forward, with just the one.

I don't want to sound ungrateful. Twin would be a blessing. But so is just ONE baby at a time.

Good baby, way to have not split into two when you were just a blastocyst. Thank you, sweetheart.

:)

More Whining (Feel free to skip this post)

2012-01-24T08:35:00.000-08:00

In all this sickness, we've lost our flow. Meals have been toast and hot chocolate. Bedtimes have been all over the maps. Naps happen in arms or multiple times a day (depending on who you are). It's only Tuesday, but I feel like I've lost a week of my life!

The fevers have lifted, except for in my wee-littlest. He was up from 2-3 this morning while awaiting his medicine to kick in.

Then as he drifted back to sleep (ON MY PILLOW) I heard Spencer get up.

Spencer has taken to waking up in the 3:00 hour to sneak down and watch TV.

I was furious. Spencer and I have a tenuous relationship in the morning as it is. 6:00 is nearly impossible for him to wait for before leaving his room. Usually 5:30 is all I can hope for.

But 3:35? Sorry, Dude. I won't allow it. And it's becoming a habit. I am unimpressed. And please remember, once Spencer is up for the day, there is no going back to sleep. So is he's awake at 3:00 that's it. I'm screwed.

Thus began the battle royale over staying in your dang bedroom until there is a 6: on the clock.

I camped myself on a pillow with a blanket outside his room. Again and again I sent him in. I gradually moved to the couch around the 4:30 time frame.

About 5:30 Ezra (who needed to remain asleep having decided HIS bedtime last night was 9:30) was requesting my presence so I gave up and went back to bed. Within seconds I heard Spencer leave him room.

The battle was lost but I had stuck my ground for 2 hours.

And so our flow is REALLLLLLLY messed up. I'm beyond exhausted. Spencer is insanely whiny (YA THINK) as is Ezra (HUGE SURPRISE). People are snotty and coughing and generally disgusting.

I am lacking serious motivation,and frankly all I want is for everyone to go away and let me nap. I don't care about the trashed house, the laundry, or anything really at all. I just want a nap.

Down and Out (Too Much Information?)

2012-01-23T07:54:00.000-08:00

From Drop Box

We have the plague.

I don't like it.

Mostly because my children keep acting like they are ALLLLL better. Then they vomit again or spike a fever. Or cry because they want popcorn at 8:30 in the morning.

I mean, we ALLLLL missed church and my grandma's birthday dinner yesterday because I decided to be polite and keep our digustingness to ourselves. I thought a day of quarantine would suffice. By yesterday late afternoon Spencer was happily eating a ho-ho and then proceeded to puke all over everything this morning again.

(sidenote: My children had never had hohos until yesterday. Spencer kept referring to them as "hohohos" and they thought they were awesome. My children are reaping the benefits of my pregnancy cravings. BUT hohos are disgusting. I was bitterly disappointed. I have high in the sky hopes for Little Debbie's swiss cake rolls though.)

Henry has been sick since well, Saturday (maybe Friday night?) and I can't figure out WHY he still has a fever. Still sick, that's for sure but WHY???

Ezra started this whole thing. He's still sick. I LOVE a baby who doesn't nap/sleep unless he's in my arms. It makes it HARD TO ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING.

And Oliver? So far so good. I'm waiting patiently for him to yak-a-doodle and finish us out real nice.

Aren't you glad you just read all that? Don't you wish you were here visiting? You're welcome to come over and stay a while. My dishes need doing afterall.

Home School Half-Time Report

2012-01-19T12:52:00.000-08:00

When I embarked on this year of home-education, I felt like I was VERY prepared. I had read a book about setting appropriate expectations for yourself and your kids during the first year of homeschooling (I counted last year as practice.) I was prepared to change things up, rearrange schedules and curriculum and all that.

Basically I had a plan, and I figured it would change.

And change it has.

1. Schedule

We began our year sort of trying to loosely mirror the traditional idea of "get up, get ready and go to school."

I think that lasted MAYBE two weeks.

Mornings here are NOT for school. Derek tends to work less in the mornings and more after lunch. For some reason, when Dad is around, other things tend to need to be accomplished instead.

Plus because Derek works until after bedtime, we have our big "dinner" meal at lunch time. I can't possibly cook a full meal and teach reading at the same time.

So, now, we don't even try for school until after lunch. It makes for a nice smooth morning-into-afternoon for everyone. Babies go to bed and school can happen.

2. Curriculum
We're still working toward literacy. I knew it was going to be a long haul. I also knew that Spencer would progress as fast (if not faster) than Henry. And those have both proven true.

However, both boys have made huge leaps and are now reading some words and understand how sounds go together. The fact that I can SEE the progress motivates me to keep pushing them.

We do far less Art than I thought we would. While my Pinterests are full of delightful art projects, the reality is my boys get easily frustrated by art that includes step-by-step instructions. Typically the prep time is at least 2x as long as it takes for the project to get done.

But when I hand them supplies and say "the only rule is to keep the glue off the floor" then they will cut and paste for an hour. (See the picture above.)

We go on far fewer field trips than I thought we would. For one thing, the littles' naps cut into the day. For another, I feel like they are a bit young for most of the educational experiences available to us. They are small. We have YEARS to explore the world around us in a "formal" way. For now, the library and the park and walks suffice.

The boys love math. It shocks me. They like to add and subtract. Henry thinks dividing is SO cool. I have no idea where they came from.

The boys' "kid lessons" continue to be a favorite. "Mom, can we learn about (insert random thing here)?" is a daily request. We spent over a week learning about robots. It's my favorite as much as it is their's.

We still read books by the dozen. They can't get enough.

Day To Day:
Some days are better than others. Some days we miss school entirely or only get a fraction of what I wanted accomplished done.

Some days are blissful, and I feel confident in our progress.

Other days I wonder why we ever thought this was a good idea.

My house is frequently trashed. The kids are learning to do chores, to help, to clean up. But it's like pulling teeth. And since we're ALL here all day (except Derek who escapes!) the mess adds up fast.

I keep the kitchen clean and the clothes washed. I try to keep up on bathrooms and vacuuming.

I don't get laundry folded or sorted or put away more than once a week. Right now there are clean clothes that have been clean and in baskets for a month. (I'm blaming that on pregnancy nausea!)

I cook exactly one meal a day. It's usually lunch, like I said. I've accepted that cereal for breakfast most days is not the worst. I know it's far from ideal, but concessions have been made.

I don't get a lot of time for anything other than kids. It's not their fault. They are good boys. But it means that bedtime remains firmly at 6:30pm. Ezra makes sleeping challenging because frequent night-wakings. So I'm tired. Always.

Due to exhaustion sometimes I'm lazy. I try to not be because I think school teachers don't get to be "lazy." So we push through.

But there are days...

All in all, we're doing well. We're getting educated. We're learning. We still all love each other.

It's hard. I won't lie. It's not all sunshine and roses and hippie granola crunchy meals. Sometimes it's dirty kids and frustrated Mama and the McDonald's playland.

But we're on the right path. So, that's something right?

I Sure Have My Hands Full

2012-01-16T20:44:00.000-08:00

I read a story, many years ago, on the internet about a woman who was snuggling her baby in a church meeting. An older woman came up to her and asked, "Is this your first?"

The mother laughed and said, "No, it's my 11th, but it's my first 'Hayden'."

As a young mother to just one, that story deeply impressed me, especially since I couldn't imagine loving anyone the same or as much as I loved my one and only Henry.

And now, as a mother of four, I can attest to the truth of it: each baby is worth loving as much as the first.

Because each baby is a person. As Dr. Suess mused, "A person's a person, not matter how small!" A person and a child of God. He knows their name. And He loves them like that mother loved her 11th baby. As an individual.

I only pray to make sure my children each know of my (and their daddy's) individual love for them, exactly as they are, regardless of whether they are first or fourth, second or third.

I also read recently of a woman receiving a lot of crap from friends and family for having her THIRD baby (mind-boggling!).

In an effort to put it in perspective, her father said to her, "You will never regret having another child."

I don't know, but I think...I hope it's true.

That I will never regret having another child.

And I will love our fifth baby as deeply and fully as I love my first, second, third and fourth.

We are so thankful to have been blessed with the opportunity to make room for another little one.

I know people will judge us. I know people will scoff.

I'm not sayin' 20 babies are in our future. But I will have the babies meant for our family.

Right now? That means we're expecting our newest mid-August.

From Drop Box

Because yes, my hands are full.

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home

2012-01-11T18:18:00.000-08:00

Or in this case, doesn't leave for work until after lunch!

I had to be some places this morning, and the kids weren't invited. So I got food in the crock pot and dug clothes out of the clean laundry for everyone and ran away.

Two and a half hours later, upon my return, I found 3 boys in Spiderman costumes and lunch on the table.

SUCH fun they'd had with their daddy. They had gone in their costumes to the grocery store for tortillas for lunch. There had been FREE COOKIES for sampling, and CAR CARTS FOR DRIVING. Basically, they had a ball.

At the grocery store.

Daddies are just the best aren't they?

A Gem

2012-01-09T13:50:00.000-08:00

I am feeling a bit cotton-headed-ninny-muggin-like today. Little sleep for days, sick kids, croup, colds, snot noses, phew.

So, rather than bore you with that grossness, I give unto you the scene upon which I stumbled today.

They were having a "meeting." What was on the agenda, I don't know, but I did overhear some discussion of gender roles. "Mommies nurse the babies, Daddies go to work." Lately? At our house? Um, yup, sounds about right.

It was darling.

So there. Mommy-blogging in full force.

Happy Monday!

Just a Regular Day

2012-01-05T18:02:00.000-08:00

Today was just a regular day. It was Thursday. Sometimes Thursday feels very weekend-y, and other times (like this particular Thursday) they just feel like a part of the boring old same week.

Weekends around here are pretty much the same as weeks minus church so Thursday feeling "week-ish" isn't really news.

ANYWAY, we hadn't even left the house all day. I did run to the library to grab a book on hold for school today while Derek was home for lunch, but other than that NADA.

I have no need or Diet Coke runs anymore, so I hadn't even done that! Tragic.

I really REALLY wanted to turn on a movie for my children. Sometimes I do cheat and let them watch during the week, maybe once every three weeks? But I couldn't bring myself when Utah is sort of under the impression that it is spring.

Hello, 55 degree weather, how are you?

So we went a'wandering instead. The big boys were an actual blur, hence the blurry picture.

Ezra has/had been a cranky-pants all afternoon and an attempt at a second nap had failed. So I thought the change in scenery would do him good. And it did. He was quiet and content the entire walk. Cutie baby.

And Oliver? Well, he stuck close and wore socks on his hands and basically chatted about life, the universe and everything as we walked. Two year olds, when not shrieking, are absolutely delightful.

Sometimes pretending it's spring when it is really only January 5th is the only option a mother has.

And I lost count of the number of robins we saw. IT'S NOT SPRING, GUYS!

We're ALL going to be bit sad when winter actually decides to start. I haven't even pulled out winter coats yet.

So, we walked and walked and collected pine needles that now litter my floor.

And I *might* have still turned on the tube for 30 minutes while I prepped gourmet grilled cheese and fruit salad.

It was a Thursday. That's it. Just a regular day.

When You've Got Big Plans

2012-01-04T20:04:00.000-08:00

Henry has become his own person.

I kind of find this to be offensive.

And perfectly natural too.

The other day, he walked right up to me and said, "Mom, I have plans on Monday."

Oh really tiny man?

"Oh, and what are your plans?" I asked trying to hide my smile.

"I have to go swimming on Monday," he answered.

And not for naught because we did indeed end up going swimming that very Monday.

His plans aren't limited to just Mondays, he's got all kinds of plans for his life.

It's lovely and scary all at once.

Slow down little man. Oh please be small.

Do you see why I find it to be offensive?

Stinker.

2011 Woah

2012-01-02T08:32:00.000-08:00

I could post a million links and tons of photos but suffice it to say that things changed a lot in 2011.

We went from a newborn to a 1 year old. (and from 1 to 2 and from 3 to 4 and from 5 to 6!)
We went from three jobs to four.
We went from old teeny house to younger bigger (but still old).
We went from one city to another.
I went from chub to lean.

2011 was a good year.

2012? Well, I have some big plans, and I'm not sure how it's all going to pan out, but suffice it to say we've got some resolutions, and I am QUITE resolved. So, we'll see how it goes.

I'm giving up Diet Coke.

I know. I know.

Try not to die of shock.

There are other things too, finance-related and health-related. I'm serious when I say, BIG changes.

And that makes me nervous because as all humans, I tend to start off well and sort of dwindle down to my previous state. I can't say for sure that this year will be any different, but I *want* it to be different. I *want* these goals to come to fruition.

So, we'll just see how it goes.

Dave Ramsey will be SO proud.

When Good Naps Go Bad

2011-12-28T18:58:00.000-08:00

Oliver, my very very best napper has started skipping naps.
Sigh.

I don't have children like some of my friends do, that nap every day until kindergarten. Sometime after their second birthday all my babies give up the great institution of napping.

I'd never ever give it up if I was them.

Anyway, so Oliver is over 2 and a half and therefore my oldest napper.

Yesterday, yes nap.

Today, no nap.

That picture there is Christmas Day. He missed his nap in his bed because he was Skyping his Grandparents and about 3:00 all the excitement had caught up with him.

So, I'll watch his naps dwindle and fail and be on life support for a couple of months until I declare "Turn off the machines" and that'll be the death of the great Ollie-nap.

(We never call him "Ollie" by the way, but that just flowed real nice like. No, you may not call him "Ollie." Sorry.)

It's a sad truth. Sad indeed.

Happy Boxing Day

2011-12-26T08:41:00.000-08:00

Well, hopefully your Christmas was merry and bright.

The -Ing Family

Valentine's Day Eve

Boredom?

Into the Land of Picky Eaters

Nosy Kids Can be Nice

Clocking Out

Twins?

More Whining (Feel free to skip this post)

Down and Out (Too Much Information?)

Home School Half-Time Report

I Sure Have My Hands Full

I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home

A Gem

Just a Regular Day

When You've Got Big Plans

2011 Woah

When Good Naps Go Bad

Happy Boxing Day

This is Brought to You by Migraine Medicine

An Early Christmas Present

The Mess

Rules for Holiday Driving

The 12 Days of Christmas, with a Twist

While I was Washing

Can't NOT Post This

Ezra is One.