The schedule

I am a planner. I like things organized and I like to know whats going to happen next, unless its a surprise party for me with lots of gifts of course. So with my children, I put together "the schedule". With Zak, this was perfected. My entire day revolved around "the schedule". He had a nap at 10 and 3 everyday and went to bed at 8 every night. He was an excellent baby and slept through the night at 4 months and has continued to do so. I owe it all to "the schedule". With Paige, I implemented "the schedule", but decided it could be a little more flexible. I didn't need to be so rigid. She still had the same nap times and bed times but I fed her a little longer in the middle of the night so she didn't really sleep through the night until around 6 months. Because, you know you have to buckle down and let them cry so they understand they can't be feasting all night long into adulthood. Poor Rene', I had all the good intentions to put her on "the schedule". She is #3 and well, #3 is on whatever schedule the rest of the family is on. So naps are not consistent and they are frequently taken in the preschool drop off/pick up line. And for some reason I can't seem to let her cry in the middle of the night so she is STILL eating at 8 months. These days, I value sleep more than consistency. This is bugging me to no end. I have got to get a grip and just let the girl cry. I know from previous experience it only lasts a night or two and then she'll be a great sleeper like the others. I just can't buckle down for some reason. I keep telling myself this will be so much harder to do when she's one so I have to do it. So this weekend is the chosen weekend. I'm going to let Rene' cry in the middle of the night until she realizes meals are during the day, not in the middle of the night. She's had some random full nights of sleep so I know its not a hunger issue. Those who have seen her know that most definitely isn't the case. Some may think I'm harsh, I know, but the benefits of children who sleep through the night are my motivation and I've experienced it before and I'm determined to experience it again. So if there are a few posts in the middle of the night this weekend, you'll know I'm trying to get my mind off the crying child in the other room.

Its a big week

Its a big week. Its abc premiere week. I'd like to say I've got some great books I'm going to read this fall, but its just not true. My book review posts will have to come at a later date. One reason I love the fall so much is that we can light a fire in the fireplace, grab some blankets and coffee and watch TV. 3 of my favorites are back this week. First off is "Dancing with the Stars". When this first came on, I was not a fan. I thought it sounded totally dumb. Then, Ian Zering from 90210 was on last season, and I wanted to see him dance since I was a huge 90210 fan. And then I was hooked. Although my loyalties changed to Apollo Ono (I know that's not how you spell his last name). This season, I'm looking forward to Jeannie Garth - another 90210 alum. Next up after "Dancing with the Stars" is "The Bachelor". Now I hear the snickers and see the roll of the eyes but every ounce of girl in me likes to watch this for the sheer romance of it. No one ever stays together and there is always one psycho one. But those dates they go on are so fun! And I am always trying to figure out who he really likes the most. So everyone can head over to my house for a Bachelor finale party. And lastly, is Grey's Anatomy. I'm just sucked in. Now the show I am most anticipating isn't coming back until January. That is "Lost". Its just plain wrong to go a year without a new episode, but I'll be there with popcorn in hand when it does come back. That's what I'm doing this week. What are your favorites?

The Dinner Ritual

This began like 2 weeks ago. And anytime we are all at the dinner table together, about 4 out of the 7 evenings, it happens. Daddy comes home and everyone's excited. Especially me! I've usually got dinner timed just about perfectly to being ready when he walks through the door. We're all at the table, except for Andy, because well, he needs to do about 10 things before he can sit down. And I see it - the fly. I have usually killed about 2 flies in the process of making dinner because they hover around my head for some reason. (no laughing or snide remarks) That purple fly swatter I bought at Wal Mart has the battle scars of my wrath. Its missing a few slats. For some reason, I stink at trying to kill them. I try to ignore them until I can't take it anymore. I am always positive I've gotten every last one until that moment when Andy sits down at the table. They must all be in the same family and think they're funny, because its at the exact same time every night. Or maybe they are wanting revenge for killing their brother, sister, mother, grandfather, I don't know. I try not to think I've hurt they're family. Okay, anyway, it becomes quite the game of "Where is the fly"? We each try to spot it before the other. It always lands somewhere on the table or the light fixture. And of course, you can't swat it on the table or light fixture because then it could bounce onto someone's plate. So it takes a good while to get the fly. But I'm going to brag on my husband here a minute. He can swat a fly in mid-air and kill it. I know, I'm a lucky gal. While its been a fun game, I'm getting tired of it. But I wanted to pass this info along to you if you're looking for a family bonding game to play at the dinner table, just open the back door and let the bonding begin.

Monk and Neale Madness

Okay - today is the day that the new Monk and Neagle CD comes out. If you'll remember I posted an ever so professional review of their new CD here. You can take a listen to a sampling of it right here. Enjoy!!

The weekend in review

The weekends never seem to be dull around here. I'll just share the top 3

1. Rene' ever so gently pushing over the large drink at the counter at Chick-fil-A, splashing all the customers behind us with Dr. Pepper.
2. Zak asking me how I would call him for dinner when he was in outer space.
3. Rene' turning blue Saturday morning and me calling 911 for the first time in my life. (she's fine - don't know what that was about)

But God sees the heart........uh, oh

All 3 of my children have snotty noses. But if I had to pick out of all the germs/illnesses to have, I'd take the snotty noses any day. But for poor Rene' that means long sleepless nights as she doesn't get to sleep on a pillow and her favorite way of eating requires breathing through her nose. So it was a long one last night. But as this is #3 and I am now officially used to only running on 4-5 hours of sleep, I woke up in fairly good spirits.

About 30 minutes later I got a call from Andy's cousin's wife. Her babysitter is sick and she needs to be at work in 30 minutes. I felt for her so I said sure, bring the girls over (they're 3 year old twins). They are very good girls and the kids all play together well so I buckled down for a day with 5 kids under the age of 5.

Thirty minutes into the day long play date, I'm feeding Rene' and thinking to myself - I'm good. I've got this down. The older kids were playing together nicely. The baby was happily eating. Then I heard it. That sound that makes me shudder. Vomit. I look over and see poor Ali vomiting all over my couch and carpet. (I silently thanked God that Andy made me upgrade the carpet in our house). Snapping back, I realize, Its me, with 5 kids, one puking, and the rest just staring. I really felt for poor Ali, but COME ON! I whisked her off to the bathtub, stripped her down and put her in. Her beautiful long hair got it the worst. Bless her heart, she was such a good sport. At this point, I'm sure trying to be. After draping a towel over the bodily fluids (I figured out of all the things, that could wait) I bathed her, called her mom, and stuck all the children in front of the TV on a blanket. This wasn't quite how I had planned to spend the day. And my sympathy for her mom in needing a babysitter was dwindling to pretty much, nothing.
Their dad came and picked them up and then I had to address that stuff under the towel. I really want to give you the details of smell and consistency but I'll spare you.

As of today, I'm officially quitting my job as babysitter.

(And I'm pretty sure, since I'm so annoyed about the whole thing, God will decide to humble me and the next time I need to drop my kids off at a friends, they'll throw up.) (But at least I won't be cleaning it up)

Worth every minute

This - is my 2nd gutteral laugh of the day
(Thanks Tricia for the first!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uISuvTiTYJA

Martha, its all about you baby

I got the homemaking gene. I think it is one, because well, everyone doesn't have it. There is also the creative gene, that I do NOT have. My mother got the gardening half of homemaking, but definitely not the cooking half. She passed that one on to me. And tonight, I proudly exercised it. It was a nice cloudy day here, almost fall, if it wasn't for the 80 degree heat and 99% humidity. Anyway, I had this whole chicken I had bought and it absolutely had to be cooked today. And like a proud mom, I've posted my kitchen artwork. If I had a really great digital camera, you could see the specks of fresh basil under the skin. I have never roasted a whole anything and I even stuck my fingers between the skin and bird and rubbed my homemade seasoning. I was tempted to begin my cooking show persona I developed as a small girl making boxed macaroni and cheese for the camera, but I refrained. And the thing I am most proud of is the gravy. I actually made gravy....from the pan drippings.....on the stove. I added some mashed potatoes and green beans and called it good. Paige just ate the green beans and Zak the potatoes, so I'd call it a hit in the toddler world. I can't promise anything more than cereal tomorrow night.

And I hope you've noticed my new blog picture to the right. It expresses my heartfelt feelings about coffee. I heart coffee - get it?

To Dallas and back in 24 hours

On Friday afternoon at about 4pm I made the spit second decision to whisk away my 3 kids to Dallas for their cousin's 4th birthday party on Saturday. Oh the craziness. But I have to say, it felt good doing something super spontaneous like that. Well, it wasn't completely spontaneous as we were planning to go but Zak threw up that morning so I called the trip off. But by 10 that morning he was back to his old self and well, I just can't pass up a party so off we went. Andy had to work so we hit the road with Damma, Dampa, and Uncle Chris.

The trip was actually non eventful, thanks to a little thing called a portable DVD player and many, many, Wiggles videos. And of course Zak loved the princess birthday party. He did comment that there were too many girls around but he thought they all looked "gorgeous" in their princess dresses. And of course Paige was decked out in hers. It was a great party! It was at Sloan's aunt Debra's house that is in the downtown area of Dallas where big old houses have been redone. That, for me made the trip, getting to see her fabulous house!

We pried ourselves out of bed this morning barely making it to church, but of course I was so glad we had decided to go. Now my house is in complete shambles and I should be doing my Sunday sprint of cleaning, but I'd rather blog. I just hate to start the week out with a messy house.

Well, there's a nice dull "what we did over the weekend"post. I'm sure this week will produce some blog fodder as I've over committed myself, yet again.

A little sense knocked into me

For those who are wondering where my previous post went, I had a very kind friend talk some sense into me and made me realize that one of the "friends" I spoke of just might read this blog, because I'm lucky like that. And you know, I need more drama like I need more poopy diapers to change, so its gone. If you read it, consider yourself privileged to view my heart on my sleeve. Ha.

On a lighter note, We hit a huge milestone today. Zak thew up in the toilet...twice, not on the floor, bed, or me. That's the benefit of an almost 5 year old. I can see the light...

A fresh coat of paint

We painted our living room/dining room area chocolate brown a week or so ago. I'm loving it. Nothing says "welcome home" like the color of a chocolate bar.