To Baby Z

Today I caught you staring at me. Just looking so intently at my face as if you were trying to figure me out. I couldn't stop staring right back at you. I want so much not to forget any second of your sweet life. I know how it goes...I will forget lots of the details I so desperately want to hang onto because we will make new memories, you and I together. But I know I will remember how your face looked today. I wanted to capture it for everyone to see, but alas, it is only a picture imprinted on my heart. I love you, my sweet little girl. Mom

PS: you are 4 weeks old tomorrow! I still can't believe you are here.

What More Can Happen

Monday a glass bottle broke as I was trying to get out the door. I stayed calm.

Tuesday, we discovered the dog was gone as we were trying to leave. We finally had to leave to get the kids the school. We last saw her in front of psycho lady's house.

This morning, some guy hit me with his Honda accord. No damage to my car, some to his. Happened a block away from school, major language problems.

Daybook~Winter

For Today...January 10, 2011

Outside my window...it's cold again. You can look outside and sense the dreariness. I actually love this weather. The only problem when it gets this cold is bringing in all the potted plants. Thankfully, I can still say I'm not supposed to lift anything heavy. Have fun boys! Speaking of boys, I swear, Squirt tried to wear shorts to school today.

I am wearing...blue sweats and a longhorn fleece.

I am listening to...the boys sing. Love their voices!

I am grateful...that I met my husband and had our first date on 1/9, for No David's mischievous smile, coffee and DVD's.

The most romantic thing I did...was yesterday, and it might not seem romantic to most. Lance and I saw two movies on our first date. These days, despite my love for movies, I rarely watch movies with Lance. Last night, we sat together and did nothing but watch an Oscar contender together. We used to recreate our first date, but this year we can't do that so this was just as nice.

I am thinking...about this quote: "It is above all in the home that, before ever a word is spoken, children should experience God's love in the love which surrounds them." I need to find ways to give God's love to my family each day. Period.

From the learning rooms...we're onto L week...the Lonestar State, Ladybugs, long vowels and patterns. And patience.

Around the house...no projects for now. Soon though we'll be trying to figure out the rooms again. Who sleeps where and so on.

From the kitchen...menu planned again. I like what I have planned, but now I think I need to add a soup since it's so cold outside. The Baby Hulk wants hotdogs and a picnic. That doesn't sound like a bad idea to me.

Towards Rhythm and beauty...so I had a bad day and a half, but I feel much better. We're settling into somewhat of a routine around here. Of course, that changes once we get back to the gym, but for now, we enjoy dropping the kids off at school, then snacking, then school.

No David...I must starve this kid. Yesterday he was being super cute hiding in the pantry, only I finally realized that he was eating the entire time he was being cute. There were crumbs everywhere. Friday night we caught him doing something very similar.

Happy to report...that I have seen three movies and started another. At the rate I will have seen all the Oscar hopefuls by the end of the month. YAY! Need to see True Grit, 127 Hours, The King's Speech. I am super behind on docs, but if I can at least finish the main categories soon, I will be happy.

Sad...that Chelsea left for school today. She isn't coming home for Spring break, so we won't see her until May. I think all the boys around here are going to miss her.

A few plans for the week...swim lessons, movies, napping?

One of my favorite things...my new Gucci purse! Super excited about it except for the fact that one side kind of droops. SO I am taking it back this afternoon to exchange it. They are going to think I am crazy because it is barely noticeable, but I notice and it is killing me.

And no pictures for the week...how sad, I have this beautiful family, but I don't have time to load pictures.

Sinking

Three weeks in, and I'm finally tired. And cranky. The crankiness is made worse by people, meaning family members, asking what's wrong. My first impulse is to scream, "what the eff do you think is wrong?" Do I need to remind you know that I just had a kid, and that school started and I'm getting up for the day at 6, showering, pumping, feeding a baby who screams pretty much all the time, plus getting kids ready to school, plus coming home and teaching the Baby Hulk. Without any help at all. Side note: I hate when people assume that my 15 year old is a great help. Yes, he is a great kid, amazing kid, but helper he is not. At all.

So yes, I'm a bit cranky and sorry that the great mood I've been in since birth seems to be ending. I honestly can't wait to return to the gym. That hour of alone time working out will do wonders. I hate to sound ungrateful because I am thrilled with our new baby, but I so wish she would sleep in her crib. I have never wanted to co-sleep, and yet five kids down the line, here I am just so that I get some sleep. I don't know how people do it. Both Lance and I were commenting that while we are sleeping a bit, we have yet to really fall asleep because we worry about rolling onto her.

And I know this phase will soon come to an end, and I'll be lamenting the end of it, feeling sad that I won't have an infant in my arms, but for today, I'm tired, have no interest in pumping, listening to boys fight, No David fuss nonstop. I do feel slightly bad, I normally relish in motherhood, but for today I'm tired. And I think that is understandable. If not, there is always Xanax.

Donuts versus King Cake

Today is the actual Feast of the Epiphany. I managed to make a super simple version of a King cake. And by simple, I mean I opened a can of Cinnamon rolls and shaped them into a circle, frosted it, then put colored sugar on it. It tasted good, looked decent except the purple sugar turned out black.

I was pretty excited to share this with the kids tonight until Goose decided he wanted a donut. When I turned him down, he decided he was going to pout to get his way and when that didn't work, he didn't talk to me while driving home from the store. He told me he didn't want my cake, didn't like it, refused to remember what it was and so on. He continued sulking and proceeded to hit the Baby Hulk in the face when he dared to enter the playroom. What nerve.

He was finally able to leave the room and once he saw the King Cake, he realized that he did indeed like it and told me that he would have a piece. When I told him he wouldn't have a piece, he decided tears were in order. He gave a good effort, but in the end, he will have his piece tomorrow. I think he's over being mad at me, but I haven't checked to see if he turned his pictures of me in his room around. That's what he does to show me who is really boss.

Daybook~Hello 2011

For Today...January 2, 2011

Outside my window...it's dark and chilly outside. I love this weather, although it's a bit harder to enjoy with a two week old! I worry about it being too cold for her.

I am wearing...black pants and a black shirt. I can't wait until I fit into my clothes. I am not a fashionista, but I am over wearing maternity clothes!

I am grateful for...these past two weeks. Thank goodness Baby Z arrived when the kids were out of school and they could spend some time with her! We have had the best Christmas break. The boys are in love with their new sister and have alternated between singing to her and running outside to play football.

Also grateful...that I have such an easy time after my c-sections. I have been fine since leaving the hospital less than 48 hours after surgery and am ready (I think) to get five kids up and out of the house on Tuesday. But let's say a prayer just in case I'm not ready...

I am listening to...Liz Phair.

I am thinking...we are so not the Holy Family. A resolution of sorts is to become a better family from the top down to the bottom.

Speaking of resolutions...I resolve to start watching Breaking Bad. Lance loves this show, and I have only watched two episodes. I promise to watch if only to know why Jon Hamm keeps losing the Emmy to the guy on the show. I also resolve to go see a movie with Lance at least once a month! And then there is that patience thing...I'll work on that too.

On keeping home...All of the decorations are packed away. I never take down decorations before the Epiphany, which is January 6th. I figured since the Church celebrated the feast today, I could too. So everything is packed away and in the attic. I am so glad that I didn't unpack all my stuff this year. It was much easier to put away. As it was, I still had several tubs of decorations. Now comes the deep clean again. I keep telling Lance he doesn't realize how lucky he is that his wife is so neat and clean. And that I heal from my sections so well...because let's be real, I am the one who has kept this house clean despite being told to take it easy for the past two weeks.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty...is there a real rhythm in the house when you have a newborn? I guess next week, we'll start with a schedule because kids have to be at school, but other than that we're at the mercy of the baby as it should be for now. The beauty is staring at me every time I hold her. I am so thankful for this baby!

I am creating...plans for Baby Hulk and No David. We'll take it easy this week, but then we'll be back in business the following week. In looking over my blog from last winter, we really had a great time celebrating the saints and I hope to make some plans for that as well.

From the kitchen...menu planned and back to a regular diet. We finally went to the grocery store after not going for two weeks. I have no idea how we lasted that long.

One of my favorite things...Castle. My mom bought me the first season on DVD, and I have been able to catch up on everything I have missed. Normally, I wouldn't like a show like this, but I love it. Both Lance and I find ourselves laughing out loud.

The most romantic thing I did recently...danced with Lance to our wedding song. I was listening to Lenny Kravitz earlier and our wedding song, Heaven Help, came on and we both had the same idea!

A few plans for the week...show off the baby to the ladies at the gym. (No I'm not working out, just going to show her to the caregivers.) playdate, back to swim lessons, clean and enjoy my kids.

A picture thought I am sharing...


This is the picture I used for her announcement, which has yet to arrive. I am totally annoyed because I did the combo Christmas card/birth announcement and now it will arrive possibly on the 5th, one day before Christmas ends.

2010, A Year To Remember

While 2010 wasn't perfect, it did end on the most positive note ever: the birth of our first daughter. Everybody is in love with her, and while we can't imagine a life without her, there was indeed a life. So here is my "Best Of" for 2010. Happy New Year and many blessings for 2011!

Such high hopes before reality set in.

We celebrated the liturgical year so much as a family, but the Feast of St. Joseph is one of my favorites.

Proudest moment of 2010.

One of five visits with our favorite people in the world.

My favorite thing to complain about is obvious.

A love note!

The ultrasound that changed everything!

My 40th birthday.

This kid hasn't changed one bit, might be into even more now.

Best Date Night of the year.

The one football highlight of the year. Despite how low the Longhorns went this year, I still laugh at Nebraska.

Kids.

My two favorite posts of the year about my kids and raising them.