Sandman

Dear Mr. Sandman,

I am writing to inform you that you missed your stop at our house last night. I realize that you have a huge job and I am sure that the whole "fall back" thing adds to your pressures but skipping my house is completely unacceptable. Please forgive me in advance if this letter sounds bold and for any typos or grammatical errors. You see I DID NOT SLEEP LAST NIGHT. Allow me to further illustrate my households need for your services on a regular and routine schedule.

Cute little baby "R" was awake eating, burping, farting, half smiling, and wiggling until 3am. Now I must admit that I enjoyed it for the first several hours but it started getting a bit old but 3am. I finally traded off to Hubbs in the hope of getting a bit of shut eye.

No sooner did my eyelids shut did "" wake up with not one but two asthma attacks. Once I treated those he had decided that he was up for the day and insisted on watching Disney channel. Oh did I mention that he would only watch Disney channel in my bed.

"W" must have heard the TV on. His brotherly "its not fair" meeter went off and he awoke and was sure that someone was having fun without him. He then was also in my bed watching Disney at 4am. The problem is that those two in a cramped bed together started touching each other, and breathing too close to each other etc. etc. etc. The bickering and fussing started.

That commotion must have been what woke up "D" who not to be outdone but his older brothers promptly took off his diaper and peed on the bedroom floor.

By this time the sun was up and no was was returning to sleep. Now Mr. Sandman I didn't sleep at all. You see a mommy is required to be awake when her children are awake. If not the do crazy things like try to make their own breakfast or feed the fish. Not good.

Please sir I am begging you. Please come tonight! zzzzzzZZZZZZ

Gunna party like its 1999

In July 1999 I was a junior in college in upstate New York. I had just completed the most difficult year of nursing school. I decided to stay in town over the summer instead of going home to work as a nursing assistant in a nursing home. My schedule at the nursing home was mostly everyday from 3pm until 11 pm. I would then promptly return to my apartment shower and change and head to the clubs with my friends. We would be out all night and sleep all morning. This was the life.

This same summer a hottie from the Dominican Republic was playing minor league baseball in this same town in upstate New York. He was also hitting the club after games.

We met one night at the club and talked and laughed. He spoke mostly Spanish and I spoke NONE. I wasn't much of a sports fan and he was in love with baseball.

It only took one night of talking and we were in love and inseparable. He learned English. I learned to love the Detroit Tigers.

We met in July and were married 4 months later (to the day). My parents didn't know (his did). My friends thought that I was crazy. I didn't care.

November 3rd 1999 I married my best friend. They said it wouldn't last. 10 years later and we are still going strong.

Happy anniversary babe! Love you now more then ever.

Treats

Halloween was fun and full of overindulgence as usual. I am already tired of the boys waking up and asking for candy at 7am. I am almost inclined to give it all to them at one time and be done with it...almost. We have been allowing one piece after lunch and dinner with good behavior. Would love to hear the post Halloween candy rules at others houses.

The Max costume. You know Max from the book Where the Wild things are. Hector originally made the costume for William to wear at the storybook parade at school but William loved it so much he decided to wear it on Halloween too. I love that it was homemade (i.e. cheep).


A.J. was Batman. A hand me down from William from one Halloween or another. He refused to wear the cape or mask so he looked more like a man in black clothing. He was happy so I was too.


Donovan was Nemo. This is another hand me down from years past. I spent 30 bucks on it back then but it has now been worn for three Halloweens (with another kid still to go) so I would say I got me $$ out of that one.


Reese was himself. Reese was a Reese get it. I crack myself up.


I can't believe that it is November already! Counting down the weeks until Christmas. Have a great week my friends.

My little pumpkins

I had originally wanted to visit a pumpkin patch with the boys and let them pick out huge pumpkins. I envisioned carving them out and even roasting the pumpkin seeds. This so did not happen this weekend. I chose to take a nice long nap after church instead. I did buy these little pumpkins at Publix and let them color on them with markers. They had fun and I got a nap so it was a win win situation in my opinion.

Donovan kept trying to eat his pumpkin. He thought that it was a huge apple or something. Daddy helped him decorate it. The then carried it around and dropped it on the cement several times. I fear this pumpkin will not last until Halloween.


A.J. loved his pumpkin. He decorated his in a very abstract fashion.


William is a the artist in the family. He colored on his very meticulously. He chose the classic "mean face". He added touches of red for effect.


Reese couldn't have cared less about the entire ordeal. I did spend a long time trying to get a picture of him with his eyes open. I was only partially successful. William thought that it was funny that the pumpkin was a big as his little head.


The finished products.


Off to make a "max" costume from the book Where the wild things are for William to wear to school for the storybook parade. Any suggestions or ideas welcomed.

All eyes on me

It is completely impossible...



to take a picture...



with all four of my boys...



looking at the camera!



Just Gotta Love em!

I must have done something right.

I was recently asked to describe my mother in just 15 seconds. It was surprisingly much more difficult then I thought it would be. Next the speaker reminded us that someday my children could be asked to do the same thing. What would they say about me in 15 seconds. What is the legacy that I will leave with them? What will my grand kids hear about me when I am gone? It took me a while to process this and I have really only began to scratch the surface of what type of mother I desire to be. This realisation has light a passion in me. I was kind of bummed out thinking about all the times I have yelled and my kids or broke a promise to them. Then last night a scary episode helped me to see that maybe the things I have showed my boys so far have made an impact.

Hector is ALWAYS home from work promptly at 4:30pm. I am usually counting down the minutes from 2:00 pm on. He arrives home and the household dynamics shift. I have another adult to help keep watch and wipe butts. 4:30pm feels good, SO DARN GOOD! Last night Hector arrived home at his usual time but with a little announcement. He was going back to work. GASP. I am very pro-overtime especially this time of year but it was 4:30 and I needed to breath.

He left a short time later and I was faced with and evening with four kids sans hubby. It is not that I can't do it, I just don't like to. In order to complete meal preparation, I sent William outside to play with A.J. I almost never allow them outside without Hector or I, but there was a group of about 6 kids the same ages as mine playing football so I caved.

I could hear and see them from the kitchen. I kept checking frequently and reminding William to keep and eye on his little brother. It is so true that it only takes a second for something to happen. I suddenly hear A.J. crying. William is walking with him back towards the house.

"HE WAS OUT BY THE STREET" William yelled. He was red faced and his lip was quivering. "Someone could have hurt him", "I was scared", "I know I shouldn't have went in the street after him but I didn't want him to get hurt", "I grabbed him and pulled him home by his shirt", "I was playing with him and a second later he was just gone". At this he started crying.

I stopped cooking to comfort both of them. Once things had calmed down and I returned to the kitchen, I hear William quietly call A.J. over to sit down next to him. He explained exactly why he had pulled A.J. from the street and why it was wrong that he was out there. A.J. says " I sorry William. Love you". They then hug and William explains to A.J. that he is not angry with him but just scared. Then William leads A.J. in a prayer to God for safety.

Needless to say I was a big old weepy mess overhearing this. I couldn't resist interrupting to ask William how he knew just what to say to A.J. William replied "I said to him what I thought that you would have said to him". I must have done something right. Realizing that I am leaving a legacy behind really pushes me to mother my children with a passion.

Check out writers workshop withMama Kat to see what others are writing about this week. The topics are all based on the theme Motherhood.

One loss and one gain

Yesterday was full of milestones here at our house.

First Reese lost his umbilical cord stump and was able to get his first bath in the baby tub. That little stump is such a pain in the bottom to take care of and I am so happy that it is finally gone. Reese loved his first real bath in the tub. He kept falling asleep and only cried when I took him out.





Donovan took his first step toward independence at bath time last night as well. He sat on the toilet and went pee. He is not even 2 years old yet so I am not getting my hopes up regarding potty training, but still. It is surely a step in the right direction.

I enjoyed showing off the baby at MOPS this morning but fear that I did to much to soon. I am wiped out and am worried that Donovan may been starting to get sick. He was crying all the way home in his seat. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it is just due to the change of weather and not anything more serious.