Monday, October 19, 2009
Shopping Trip
Just in case any of you kiddos ever wonder if we ever went out - yes, we did, a lot. Before Hadley started school we used to do this quite often. Today, Hadley was home sick so I decided for old times sake we should do it again. I take all four of you to Wal-mart and then to a small mall that is connected to it. Lauren in the cart, Gentry in the sling and Hadley and Vincent walking alongside. It is crazy and very hectic but I gotta say that I love how well-behaved these outings require you all to be. And you are. I've seen other kids or talked to other moms about how they wouldn't dare taking their two children out to run errands. But you are all so good and well-behaved. What could be considered bribery is really just a reward for your behavior. Sure it was complicated today with Gentry screaming and me feeding her while pushing the cart with one hand (my arm still hurts) but it was fun to have everyone together again like it used to be before school started. I missed having you all with me! Thank you for being such good children for running errands. Maybe one of these days we'll all go to Disneyland again. Believe it or not, we did that too before Gentry was born. I would take you three little ones and nurse Lauren at intervals.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Helping Hands
Whenever I pick Vincent up from nursery each week, the teachers comment on what a terrific helper he was. EVERY week they say this. Funny, b/c at home he is only a helper if he decides to be one. It does help that he is one of the oldest kids in nursery. The rest of children seem like babies compared to him.
Today was Lauren's first day in nursery in our regular ward. She's gone to Upland's ward but it has a tiny nursery of about 3 kids so it was different with about 18 kids. She went in fine however, like we expected her to. She loved all the different toys. She is our first child to willingly go into nursery without really turning back. It might help that she has her brother in there as well.
So today when I went to pick Vincent and Lauren up from nursery I got the same reaction from the teachers - what great helpers they are. I was a bit early so they were still cleaning everything up but when I looked closer there were Vincent and Lauren wiping down the tables with a wet wipe. The rest of the kids were playing with the big toys and my little ones were cleaning up.
I've concluded one of two things: either they just really do like to clean and help or this is all they see me doing all day and are just emulating me. I'm not quite sure this is what I want my kids to take after me. Well, not the only thing. Tomorrow's to-do list will have snuggling and laughing on it for them.
Today was Lauren's first day in nursery in our regular ward. She's gone to Upland's ward but it has a tiny nursery of about 3 kids so it was different with about 18 kids. She went in fine however, like we expected her to. She loved all the different toys. She is our first child to willingly go into nursery without really turning back. It might help that she has her brother in there as well.
So today when I went to pick Vincent and Lauren up from nursery I got the same reaction from the teachers - what great helpers they are. I was a bit early so they were still cleaning everything up but when I looked closer there were Vincent and Lauren wiping down the tables with a wet wipe. The rest of the kids were playing with the big toys and my little ones were cleaning up.
I've concluded one of two things: either they just really do like to clean and help or this is all they see me doing all day and are just emulating me. I'm not quite sure this is what I want my kids to take after me. Well, not the only thing. Tomorrow's to-do list will have snuggling and laughing on it for them.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Babes
All of the kids have had distinctly different personalities as babies. Here's hoping to capture or remember some of the similarities and differences:
Hadley LOVED to swing. I mean LOOOOVED it. From day one. In fact, up until she was way too old to be in infant swings she still wanted to do it. She slept in the swing, watched Baby Einstein in the swing, just sat and enjoyed the view while in the swing, anything was great while she swung. Neither Vincent or Lauren much cared for the swing and it appears as though Gentry appears to be following in their lead which is quite bothersome to me. I do however have a theory -
Vincent, Lauren and Gentry sleep on their tummy, not on their back like Hadley did. This is always very stressful for me and I remember hoping that Gentry would not sleep on her tummy like the last two b/c all the literature and pediatricians today will tell you, no insist that you put babies on their back due to SIDS. I slept next to Vincent for the first three months because it made me so nervous. Then I would go to bed worrying about them. I got a little bit more used to it with Lauren, but it still makes me nervous.
Hadley loves a pacifier. Vincent and Lauren like their thumbs and blankies.
A lot of people refuse to sleep with their babies or share their bed with them but looking back, Chris and I both agree it was the best thing we ever did with Hadley. She was such a cuddler when she was in bed with us. It got us over the nighttime feeding hump, and she would always know it was time to go to sleep with us. Of course this wasn't as ideal when she was supposed to sleep on her own or without us but I wouldn't trade all the cuddling with my first child for the world.
Vincent never really liked sleeping or being near anyone when it was time to sleep. In fact, I remember when I discovered that his newborn crankiness was just a need to sleep. By himself. In his own space. If we were desperate we could bring him in our bed and ignore him as much as possible until he would peter-out and fall asleep.
Lauren does not cuddle. At all. She likes her crib. She rarely, if ever, will fall asleep with us. I admit she never had as many opportunities to cuddle with us but even now she will jump and play around in our bed when we try to get her to sleep.
The word that would best describe Hadley as an infant is Content. She was the most content, happy, easy baby ever. I of course only know this now after having subsequent children. She was soooo easy to appease and rarely cranky.
I nursed (am nursing) all of you. Hadley was the hardest b/c she was my first but I have to admit, it didn't get much better with the rest. I just knew what to expect. Latching on was a problem as was getting thrush with Hadley, Vincent and possible Gentry. Lauren was probably the easiest one to grasp breastfeeding and became the most portable. I've never been great at breastfeeding with one arm or being mobile but I remember with Lauren, that I could get up and walk around if necessary. Hadley self-weened about two weeks before her first birthday. I weened Vincent at about 14 months because I was pregnant. I also weened Lauren at about 16 months because I was pregnant.
Vincent was the opposite of Hadley. I remember how crabby he would be after waking up from naps, before being put down and often in between time. I struggled with finding what would appease him most of the time.
Lauren was less difficult than Vincent.
So far, Gentry is most like Lauren.
Hadley never crawled on her knees but used her hands and feet instead. Vincent did the army crawl on his tummy. I'm realizing that I can't remember about Lauren so my guess is she was the first one to crawl the ordinary way. Now I am glad to be writing more of this down . . .
Hadley LOVED to swing. I mean LOOOOVED it. From day one. In fact, up until she was way too old to be in infant swings she still wanted to do it. She slept in the swing, watched Baby Einstein in the swing, just sat and enjoyed the view while in the swing, anything was great while she swung. Neither Vincent or Lauren much cared for the swing and it appears as though Gentry appears to be following in their lead which is quite bothersome to me. I do however have a theory -
Vincent, Lauren and Gentry sleep on their tummy, not on their back like Hadley did. This is always very stressful for me and I remember hoping that Gentry would not sleep on her tummy like the last two b/c all the literature and pediatricians today will tell you, no insist that you put babies on their back due to SIDS. I slept next to Vincent for the first three months because it made me so nervous. Then I would go to bed worrying about them. I got a little bit more used to it with Lauren, but it still makes me nervous.
Hadley loves a pacifier. Vincent and Lauren like their thumbs and blankies.
A lot of people refuse to sleep with their babies or share their bed with them but looking back, Chris and I both agree it was the best thing we ever did with Hadley. She was such a cuddler when she was in bed with us. It got us over the nighttime feeding hump, and she would always know it was time to go to sleep with us. Of course this wasn't as ideal when she was supposed to sleep on her own or without us but I wouldn't trade all the cuddling with my first child for the world.
Vincent never really liked sleeping or being near anyone when it was time to sleep. In fact, I remember when I discovered that his newborn crankiness was just a need to sleep. By himself. In his own space. If we were desperate we could bring him in our bed and ignore him as much as possible until he would peter-out and fall asleep.
Lauren does not cuddle. At all. She likes her crib. She rarely, if ever, will fall asleep with us. I admit she never had as many opportunities to cuddle with us but even now she will jump and play around in our bed when we try to get her to sleep.
The word that would best describe Hadley as an infant is Content. She was the most content, happy, easy baby ever. I of course only know this now after having subsequent children. She was soooo easy to appease and rarely cranky.
I nursed (am nursing) all of you. Hadley was the hardest b/c she was my first but I have to admit, it didn't get much better with the rest. I just knew what to expect. Latching on was a problem as was getting thrush with Hadley, Vincent and possible Gentry. Lauren was probably the easiest one to grasp breastfeeding and became the most portable. I've never been great at breastfeeding with one arm or being mobile but I remember with Lauren, that I could get up and walk around if necessary. Hadley self-weened about two weeks before her first birthday. I weened Vincent at about 14 months because I was pregnant. I also weened Lauren at about 16 months because I was pregnant.
Vincent was the opposite of Hadley. I remember how crabby he would be after waking up from naps, before being put down and often in between time. I struggled with finding what would appease him most of the time.
Lauren was less difficult than Vincent.
So far, Gentry is most like Lauren.
Hadley never crawled on her knees but used her hands and feet instead. Vincent did the army crawl on his tummy. I'm realizing that I can't remember about Lauren so my guess is she was the first one to crawl the ordinary way. Now I am glad to be writing more of this down . . .
Ages & Stages
Hadley 5 years - Still really sweet as can be . . . most of the time. Since starting Kindergarten I've noticed her confidence level has increased along with a little bit of, dare I say, attitude. She really still is such a help to me and I miss her being gone during the day. Not only is she more willing to help out and pitch in but she is such a great imaginative playmate for Vincent. I wish I could give her so much more of my undivided attention and read great books and stories with her. Fortunately, Hadley is extremely patient and understanding that I am stretched thin right now.
Vincent 3 and a half - Vincent is a lover of all things sport. He will watch any sport he can find on television but is current favorites are baseball and golf. He loves to play catch or hit the ball. I've tried my best to find time to play outside with him each day. He can still be very sweet and nurturing. I love when he asks to hold Gentry and caresses her hair.
Lauren 1 and a half - Lauren is a little firecracker who thinks she is indestructible. She copies everything little thing her older siblings do. She enjoys jumping off of furniture like them but lands in a big plop every time. Her favorite words are no, yes, and a deep throaty geh-guh for Gentry. She also loves to hold the baby and points to her nose, eyes and mouth. She is helpful and will always find the baby's blanket when needed. Lauren loves shoes more than anything. We should have known something was odd when she used to always lick the bottoms of a certain pair of Vincent's shoes. Now she just carries shoes around, wears any shoes she can find or brings you your shoes and insists you put them on or she'll have a tantrum.
Gentry 5 weeks - Gentry is starting to chunk out. Something I only remember Lauren doing as well but not quite this early. Maybe it is because she is my fourth but I notice the changes she makes more than I remember the other children. So far we've discovered that: she likes sleeping on her back and she HATES the car seat!
Vincent 3 and a half - Vincent is a lover of all things sport. He will watch any sport he can find on television but is current favorites are baseball and golf. He loves to play catch or hit the ball. I've tried my best to find time to play outside with him each day. He can still be very sweet and nurturing. I love when he asks to hold Gentry and caresses her hair.
Lauren 1 and a half - Lauren is a little firecracker who thinks she is indestructible. She copies everything little thing her older siblings do. She enjoys jumping off of furniture like them but lands in a big plop every time. Her favorite words are no, yes, and a deep throaty geh-guh for Gentry. She also loves to hold the baby and points to her nose, eyes and mouth. She is helpful and will always find the baby's blanket when needed. Lauren loves shoes more than anything. We should have known something was odd when she used to always lick the bottoms of a certain pair of Vincent's shoes. Now she just carries shoes around, wears any shoes she can find or brings you your shoes and insists you put them on or she'll have a tantrum.
Gentry 5 weeks - Gentry is starting to chunk out. Something I only remember Lauren doing as well but not quite this early. Maybe it is because she is my fourth but I notice the changes she makes more than I remember the other children. So far we've discovered that: she likes sleeping on her back and she HATES the car seat!
self-titled
and it came to pass . . . and it came to pass . . . and it came to pass. need to keep reminding myself of this with a newborn in the house. keep wondering if i'll ever really miss this stage? this too shall pass . . . just hurry please.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Kindergarten
Today Hadley started Kindergarten. Has it finally come to this day? I've always loved the beginning of school when I was younger. I loved the Fall season approaching and back-to-school sales. I imagined today that someday Hadley would one day be leaving home to go to college for the first day of school. I am so confident in her abilities to achieve so much.
I managed not to cry even though I so desperately wanted to. I knew that I would scare Hadley more if I cried or acted anxious so my approach has always been to be very matter-of-fact about school if not excited. I could sense her apprehensions a couple of times as we waited outside for the teacher to let us in the classroom but all in all, I think she was prepared for today to happen.
When I picked Hadley up from school, I wish I could say she ran to me with open arms and a smile with excitement about what they did. But she was very nonchalant and when I gave her a hug and asked how it went her only reply was disappointment that they didn't learn anything (as I had promised) but it was all 'rules rules rules.' And that was it. She didn't want to discuss anything else or talk anymore about her day.
We'll see what tomorrow brings . . .
The night before Chris gave Hadley a beautiful Father's blessing about all the good she can do and the example she can be to others. This is so true of Hadley. She is such a sweet spirit that I miss during the day when she is not around. She entertains her siblings, plays with them and helps me take care of them. My only hope is that school does not spoil her character but strengthens it.
I managed not to cry even though I so desperately wanted to. I knew that I would scare Hadley more if I cried or acted anxious so my approach has always been to be very matter-of-fact about school if not excited. I could sense her apprehensions a couple of times as we waited outside for the teacher to let us in the classroom but all in all, I think she was prepared for today to happen.
When I picked Hadley up from school, I wish I could say she ran to me with open arms and a smile with excitement about what they did. But she was very nonchalant and when I gave her a hug and asked how it went her only reply was disappointment that they didn't learn anything (as I had promised) but it was all 'rules rules rules.' And that was it. She didn't want to discuss anything else or talk anymore about her day.
We'll see what tomorrow brings . . .
The night before Chris gave Hadley a beautiful Father's blessing about all the good she can do and the example she can be to others. This is so true of Hadley. She is such a sweet spirit that I miss during the day when she is not around. She entertains her siblings, plays with them and helps me take care of them. My only hope is that school does not spoil her character but strengthens it.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Implosion
Ever felt like you might implode? That is what it feels like to be on the verge of moving to a new house, having a baby, oldest child starting school, oh, and all the while, being pregnant with a bad haircut. All of this is happening within the next three weeks. The reason I feel like I might implode versus explode is because I am on my own in the sense that people can and have offered to help but really, only I can unpack myself or know where to put my things, I have to have the baby myself (especially that darn IV), I am the one that has to juggle the emotions of Kindergarten. I'm trying to take it day by day and not get stressed and actually think that I've done a pretty good job at it. I know that stressing or having anxiety will not help me. My kids have forced me to slow down and just accept that it may take a loooong time to unpack. We'll survive and look back on this period with a sigh of relief.
Thank you everyone for you kind offers of help and sympathy. Know that I appreciate it all. Honestly, the best thing I need is for stuffed crust pizza from Pizza Hut to be left on my doorstep with a liter of Root Beer.
Thank you everyone for you kind offers of help and sympathy. Know that I appreciate it all. Honestly, the best thing I need is for stuffed crust pizza from Pizza Hut to be left on my doorstep with a liter of Root Beer.
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