Support, Stickers, and Strawberry Donuts on Sunday

I officially started Nursing school this week and had my first classes yesterday. I had class from 12:30-2:30 and then from 5:00-7:00. This is what I came home to...

 

 

What a wonderful hubby I have!

When I asked Hannah if she missed me, she said "No, I didn't miss you because I wanted you to do really good in school...AND...I here are some stickers for doing your homework!"

 

Strawberry Donuts on Sunday!

 

 

 

Big Surprise--Jacob loves to eat!

Some may not find this surprising since Jacob weighed a little over 17 pounds at just 4 months...but, he loves to eat! To give a little perspective, Calah and Jacob are now in the same size diapers. It is so funny because I couldn't wait to start solid foods with Hannah, but with Jacob I have delayed it as long as possible as it is another thing I have to add to the list of things to do during the day :) Also, Calah gets insanely jealous when I put Jacob in "her" high chair...even though she hasn't used it in 6 months. Anyway...can't believe he is 5 months already. I am really blessed to have such laid back babies. Obviously that is because I am married to Jon...Sometimes he is so calm, I wonder if he is still alive. Here are some recent pictures:

Calah vs. Jello

2 Looks

It is quite a sight to behold. Me, going anywhere alone with all three kids. I'm usually dressed in an upgraded version of my pajamas (upgraded=bra), no make-up, glasses, pushing the giantic double stroller with Hannah somehow hanging off the side. After the usual double-take (because people don't really believe that there is a third in the baby seat behind Calah), women usually give me one of two looks. Look #1: The I've-Been-There-This-is-a-Sweet-Time-but-I'm-Glad-it's-Over Smile or Look #2: The You-Poor-Woman-You-Must-Be-Crazy Half-Smile. For some reason, I always feel flustered with both. I don't really know why...maybe because I don't like to draw attention to myself, especially when I haven't showered and have barely combed my hair. Sometimes, on really bad days, I suddenly get panicked when in the middle of a store, I wonder if I remembered to put on pants that day. What if I'm just standing here in my underwear right now, I think? And I'm always relieved when I look down and see that I did, in fact, get completely dressed.
Today was a test for my self-confidence for sure. I decided to go to the College of DuPage bookstore with all three kids to buy Nursing books for class that starts this week. For those who have never been to COD, it's kind of like a mall, but with teachers. Most of the students there during the day are between the ages of 18-22 , carrying nothing more than designer purses and maybe a notebook, dressed like they just got off the runway, and maybe going to class but probably not...(I was a student at COD 10 years ago so I know this first hand).
So here's me with aforementioned kids and outstanding outfit...trying to get the world's biggest stroller out of the trunk while avoiding being run over by all the 21 year old guys driving 50 mph in the parking lot who are kind of paying attention, but not really because they can't hear anything over the bass of their gangsta rap. (I used to date these guys, so I know first hand about this also...)
After making it into the building safetly with all three kids, I have to take the elevator down 1/2 floor to the bookstore. But Hannah accidentally hits the wrong button so first we have to ride all the way up and then all the way back down again. We finally reach the bookstore, and it is also made for 18-22 year olds as the aisles could not possibly be any narrower and almost impossible to navigate with said stroller. I find my books and then have to steer stroller with one hand and hold gigantic Nursing books with the other. Then, I get to the checkout, which can't be easy either. A straight line? No, airport thingys that make you weave around and around. There was no one in line and about 12 women behind the desk all just staring at me trying to navigate through the windy thingys. Look #1---Look#2----Look#1----Look#2---my face started getting hot. Finally, I just gave up and grabbed the windy thinging and unhooked the belt, snapping it back into the pole. I announce decisively that "I am NOT going to go thru the Windy Thingys!" and unhook all in my way and proceed to the checkout.

"That's OK", says one of them, "As long as you put them back".

Ummm...OK, I'll get right on that. As soon as I grow a third arm.
Look #1---Look#2----Look#1----Look#2--Look #1---Look#2----Look#1----Look#2
Once at the checkout, despite the looks, they were all very nice. But I still felt like running away! Just a day in the life of me...

Hard Questions

"Mommy, today at the park I was hanging on the monkey bars and the girl said what I was doing wasn't cool. Why did she say that?"
"I don't know Hannah...that wasn't a very nice thing to say. How did you feel when you were hanging on the monkey bars?"
"Good!"
"Then don't worry about what someone else says. They probably don't know what they're talking about."
"But it made me SAD!"
"I'm sorry, that wasn't very nice of her."

I wasn't sure what to say. I knew that these questions were coming, but I didn't think they'd be here at age 4. How do I teach my daughter to be confident and strong and not to worry about what others think? The truth is, I haven't mastered the art either and I'm nearly 30. I am secretly a little scared because I know how hard it is to be a girl. Especially now. Boys may be aggressive with each other, but girls are just mean. Part of me just wants to keep Hannah zipped up tight in her giraffe tent that sits atop her bed and protect her from all the mean words and hurt feelings that she is sure to experience as she gets older. But, I know that is silly. I made it and so will she. She is definitely becoming more aware of others and as a result, she is more aware of herself. I just want to protect her little girl soul for as long as I can. It is such a beautiful thing and I thank God everyday that I get to witness in my daughter what He intended us all to be like. Is it hopeless to believe that she will hold onto it forever?

Positavid of the Day: The following was a conversation I overheard yesterday between Hannah and Calah:
Hannah: Calah, if you hit me one more time you're not going to church, OK?!
Calah: uh-ha
Hannah: Here honey, lets get your shoes on.

SO PRECIOUS!

Fiesta Mexicana

Here are some photos from the all-girl Mexican Fiesta: It was so much fun and I am so glad I was able to go.

Here is a view of the gigantic pool. You can't really tell from this picuture, but it extended all the way back...the entire length of the resort.


Andrea and I on the dance floor...


Sistas...


The group posing on the burro outside the Mexican Restaurant


This picture is hilarious. Andrea & Erica sitting in special seats in Cancun...


Maxin and Relaxin at the Disco...


The outside of the section of hotel where we stayed


Me displaying my peek-a-boo skills...


Relaxing by the pool on our first day...


Right before we almost died on the banana boat...


Jonna, Hat, Me


OH, I miss this so much!


Beutjer Sandwich!

Back to Life Back to Reality

Well, I'm back...and still recovering from a trip with five women...
Group dynamics is really an interesting concept.
More on that later...

The Iberostar Paraiso Lindo was BEAUTIFUL. By far the nicest resort I have ever been to. We decided to do an all-inclusive, which I've never done before, and it was the best. For five days straight, all I did was eat, drink, and eat some more and I never had to worry about money. There was delicious food everywhere, ice cream, crepes, drinks, guacamole, fresh salsa, chips, huge breakfast/lunch buffets, 15 different restaurants for dinner, 24 hour room service, and a full service snack station right on the beach. It was heaven.

The pool was gigantic and stretched the entire length of the resort including lazy river, wave pool, swim-up bar, 5 different waterfalls, and tons and tons of lounge chairs under grass umbrellas. Throughout the open-air lobby and entrance to the hotel, the walkways were lined on both sides with streams complete with fountains and lights. The beach was also beautiful...it ranked right up there with the Mediterranean beaches in Europe. There was not a rock or shell on the white beach and the water was an awesome blue-green. There was also an ENORMOUS open air theater where each night the workers would put on Dirty-Dancing like shows. (Not dancing dirty, but like the movie Dirty Dancing where each night at the resort all the guests would gather and watch the performances). At first they were kind of cheezy, but quickly became addicting and something we looked forward to every night. Then we would head over to the Star Wars themed night club (also cheezy/addicting) for some dancing.

It was a great vacation and I'm very thankful for Jon, Rachelle, and Ruth for holding down the fort here while I was gone. Never once did I worry about the kids because I knew they were in the best hands. I was really able to disconnect from mommy-land for a substantial chunk of time and recharge my batteries. I was so great to lay by the pool/beach all day and just rest. And at every meal, I was always the last to finish because I ate as slowly as possible, trying to savor every uninterrupted bite. I took naps when I wanted to and went out every night not having to worry about waking up with the kids. I don't want to say that I didn't miss my kids, because I did. But honestly...not that much. I know in the depth of my soul that I needed this time away. I was really burned out. I had forgotten what it was like to be alone with myself. Just to be with friends and talk, laugh, and do silly things gave me the energy boost I really needed. I actually started AND FINISHED a book. I read The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. I credit this book for also helping me to remember what is important and that the time we have here is unpredictable and finite. The author just passed away a couple weeks ago from pancreatic cancer at age 48. He leaves behind a wife and 3 very small children. The book outlined his view on life, especially in light of knowing that he only had 6 months to live. Because he wanted to live as normally as possible, his kids didn't even know he was sick until the final days. More on that later too...

More pics and stories to come...still need to unpack and get stuff in order. Nursing school offically startes next week!

Relaxation Ahead

In 24 short hours I will hopefully be here:

Floating on a tube...with nothing but my own thoughts to distract me...

No whining (at least none that I'm responsible for), no lunch making, no diaper changing, abundant amounts of sleep, adult conversation, and fun nights out.

The only thing I'm sad about is that I'm not taking this trip with my hubby. We could really use a trip away together, but of course this is really not in the cards for the next couple years. 2 kids are an acceptable amount to ask grandma/grandpa to watch for the weekend...3 might kill them. So, for now, we will resort to seperate vacations. Jon is planning some huge exotic trip into the Amazon or Australia for next summer. One where he can grow a beard, sleep under the stars, and remember his adventurous side. I prefer to lay on the beach and drink fruity beverages.

I did venture to get a spray tan to even out my tank-top farmers tan and I must say I'm kind of orange...yikes. I hope after I shower today it will kind of tone down a little. My body is OK, but my face looks like Magda from Something About Mary. I didn't really realize it until Hannah asked me if I fell on my face.

What else? Mr. Jacob is rolling all over the place and reaching for everything. He continues to be an amazing sleeper and for that I must thank Baby Wise...the best book ever written. And maybe formula too. Not to mention his very mellow personality. Whatever, I'm just really glad to be in the land of the Sleeping Thru the Night...for the most part.

Hannah has been reunited with her friend Spencer, who has returned from summer camp and Calah is talking so much now. Her words include: mailman, poo-poo, more, out, elbow, juice, milk, bath, ball, truck, pool, phone, mama, dada, Hannah, baby, uh-uh (shakes head no), uh-ha (shakes head yes), bubbles, shoes, snack, mmmmwwwa (kiss)...lots more I can't think of now.

Sorry for the boring update-type blog. I've worked 5 out of the last 7 days and haven't had much time to be creative.

Positavid of the Day: Every morning the girls get into Hannah's bed (now complete with tent) and read books together. I love listening to their imaginations!

Beautiful Blog

In my reading, I came upon an inspiring and beautiful blog...

http://www.mycharmingkids.net/