Fruits of my Life

Oh, where to start? It's been so long since my last blog that I don't even know if I still remember how to write things other than Nursing Diagnoses, Patient Care Plans, and of course, Facebook status updates.  Thanks to Uncle Sam and his generous tax return we were finally able to purchase the laptop we've been wanting.  So, now I have no excuse not to blog, at least that's what Jon keeps telling me.  The past month has gone by in a blur... I am thankful to God for keeping our family safe and healthy during this extremely busy time. Nursing school is definitely not easy, not on me, the kids, and especially not on Jon. They try to forewarn you that it's going to be difficult and that your "significant other" will have to do a lot of the extra work around the house...and that is most definitely true. It's funny because so many people that I'm in school with don't even have a job...let alone a spouse or kids. So, its definitely a challenge for us and things like this blog often are the first to be neglected. But, in the long run, I know this is the right decision...especially now, with the uncertainty of the financial world, it's nice to know that we are 1 year away from a solid second income.

So, what's new?

Hannah (My Love)

Hannah's 5th birthday is fast approaching and I just cannot believe that she is so old! FIVE! Five is like, grown up. Definitely not a baby anymore...or a toddler...or a preschooler. She will officially be a kid! We had our parent teacher conference a week ago with Mrs. Chase, Hannah's teacher. Let me just say that Mrs Chase has a special gift from God to be able to control 20 Hannah's at once :) I need her to come over and show me a couple things.
Mrs. Chase says Hannah's favorite thing to do is play in the loft with all the other kids. She says that Hannah is extremely social and a great communicator. She also said that Hannah has the "world by the tail, and an excitement for life and that she is certain that Hannah will grow up to be something amazing." I'm sure she says that about all the kids but I know that she is right about Hannah. She is going to do whatever she wants in her life...I know it. She is strong-willed at times, but what I like about that is that she is strong. I think maybe future president or secretary of state, or at the very least lawyer. She is an excellent debater. Especially in matters of snacks and/or bedtime. Last night she got out of bed just to tell us that her laundry basket was full and that would we mind doing her laundry?
Of her many talents, big sister ranks near the top. I recently learned that when I'm at school, it is Hannah who puts Calah down for her nap (minus the lifting into the crib thing). But she covers her up, gives her her blanket and animals, and makes sure her fan is on. And if Calah is upset when I'm leaving, Hannah holds her hand and makes her feel better. 60% of the time, I love seeing them together. The other 40%, well, they are driving me nuts with their fighting!  There is just no way to sugar coat it...they are siblings and the reality is they're gonna be fighting for years.  Now, its over ridiculous McDonald's toys.  In 5-7 years, its going to be over clothes, and in 10-15 years, I'm sure Hannah's crush with ask Calah out on a date and they won't talk for a month.  Wait, that was my life...

The other thing about Hannah lately is her obsession with dogs. She loves them...our babysitter even brings over a leash and they play dogs for hours on end...taking turns walking each other.

There is nothing Hannah wants more then a real life dog.  I think its gonna be one of those things that we consider when she is older and can actually help out.  At this point, I don't need another ounce of responsibility!

Calah (My Peace)

Calah turned 2 on January 23rd and we had a party for her the following weekend with my family and some friends. Jon made an Elmo cake and we had buffalo wings and watched the Superbowl. I call Calah snugglebug because she loves to cuddle. She is such a sweet little girl, typical second child, always wanting to be included in what's going on. Today, Jon was taking Hannah to school and Calah put on the saddest face ever and said "Daddy....take....me". Then she put on her coat (yes Hannah has taught her the coat trick where you flip it over your head and put it on, so she can do it herself), and then she put on Hannah's shoes and waited by the window for Daddy to come home. Yesterday, I had to go to the dentist to get one of my wisdom teeth pulled because it had become badly infected. All morning Calah was saying "UP A Mama" (means pick her up) and then she'd say "Mama...Dentist....Cared (scared)...cry...OK". Earlier that morning I had told the girls that I was going to the dentist and I was a little scared but that I would be OK. It's so funny how fast she is learning, and how much earlier she is learning certain things because of Hannah. She is such a sensitive little soul. When she gets in trouble (which isn't that often), if she gets a little spanking or her hand slapped, she starts this sad little pout and says "no hit me". It's very sad and hard to keep from melting into a puddle on the floor.

She is also very nurturing.  She loves to take care of her babies and wash the dishes and... ok this is a little gross...the other day I was going to the bathroom and she was in the room with me (of course).  After she finished picking up my stuff and putting it away, she came over, ripped off some toilet paper, and tried to wipe my back.  It was adorable. 

Jacob (My Joy)

I absolutely love having a boy.  He is an absolute sweetheart and also a little ham.  He just sits back, watches his crazy sisters, and occasionally joins their screaming matches.  Jacob's trademark is his HUGE cheesy smile.  He tilts his head back, squints up his eyes, and puts on a smile that spreads across his entire face.  Sometimes he even exhales through his nose when he's doing it.  It's hilarious and makes my every day.  

Poor Jakey...came down with a nasty cold about a month ago which turned into RSV Bronchiolitis. He was so sick...fever, nasty cough, not sleeping, and then he started to wheeze and he was breathing 60 times a minute. (average for a baby is 20-30). We took him to the MD and he was given a nebulizer and instructions for use at home. He seemed to get better in a couple days, but then a week later was wheezing again with no apparent cold symptoms. So back to the doctor he went. He was diagnosed with Reactive Airway Disease which can be a precursor to asthma, but they typically don't diagnose asthma until childhood. Most babies have some form of reactive airway...and most get over it by the time they reach preschool. So, they put him on an inhaled steroid for 4-6 weeks and then they are just going to monitor him for the rest of the year to see how he does. Some babies do wheeze with upper respiratory infections, so we'll just have to wait and see if anything else triggers wheezing like season changes, or animals, etc...

But through it all, he is always so happy....he has the best little personality. He is always laughing and trying to talk to his sisters and be involved with what they are doing. He can stand alone for a short period of time, but isn't walking yet. When I try to encourage him to, he seems like he'd rather crawl...it's faster. I can't believe that in a short month, he will be 1 year already. For some reason, our kids are not big fans of baby food and go right from formula/cereal to finger foods. He is eating pancakes, toast, bananas, peas, carrots, cheerios, and fruit puffs. As soon as I get it on his tray his gigantic hands can't get it to his mouth fast enough. And then he just looks at us and gives us the enormous cheesy grin.  

As for sleeping...well...Jacob is stubborn and will not give up his 4-5 am feeding. Of course he doesn't need it and of course we could stop giving it to him, but at this point, I give up! :) If we let him cry he SCREAMS and wakes up the other two...and it doesn't seem to work. He cries for an hour and doesn't go back to sleep. So it just seems easier at this point to take 15 minutes, feed him, and go back to sleep. Jon wholeheartedly disagrees and I'm sure he is right...it's funny the battles you choose not to fight anymore when children outnumber adults.  

Jon (My Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control)

Ok so obviously I had trouble picking just one for Jon, probably because I couldn't decide which one best described his value in my life.  And mostly because I have not done a good job lately of showing him how much I appreciate everything he has done for our family during these past few difficult months.  I was thinking I might write a book called:

 The Best Ways to Test the Strength of your Marriage:  If you get thru this, you'll be together forever.  

Chapter 1: Get Pregnant a Month after your Wedding

Chapter 2: Have 3 Children in 4 Years

Chapter 3: Attempt to Complete Nursing School with 3 Children still under Age 5

Chapter 4: Go Actual Years without having Complete, Uninterrupted Conversations 

So anyway, Jon is the reason I have not checked into the mental hospital yet.  Here's why~

Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness:  Generally speaking, most people only get one of these traits.  Jon somehow inherited them all.  

Faithfulness:  Ok, if I was married to me, I'd be gone a long time ago.

Self Control:  In nearly 6 years of marriage and 8 years of being together, I still haven't found how to make him mad.  (If anyone knows, please tell me, its exasperating).  

So, here's the part where I usually make some sort of empty promise to keep up with my blog........................................................................................................................................

The End