Thursday, February 28, 2019

Cole: 3 months

Baby Cole is three months old!


He still hates tummy time and will get upset when "abandoned" too long. He's quite talkative, cooing a bit and making barking sounds when he's trying to get my attention. Music is fun, he likes when I dance around with him and the current favorite is "You Spin Me Round" by Dead or Alive. He doesn't like pacifiers unless they're a last resort, but even then, he's only tolerating them until a boob is available. This kid absolutely HATES having a dirty/wet diaper and is so cooperative when we need to change him. I think Leah was like that, but it's just so funny. Breastfeeding seems to be the 100% effective soother regardless of what the distress is. When he calms down, he'll smile up at me and dribble milk all over the place. Sometimes he'll laugh while he's nursing, which is even more messy, but so cute. He found his hands and we've been trying to introduce random toys for him to explore. Elias' musical bunny is a current favorite.

Saturday, February 23, 2019

Date Night

The church offered to host a date night for parents as part of an outreach to bring more people in. Not a bad idea, really. Luckily, we were able to drop off three of our kiddos (Cole got to hang with us cool parents) so we could get about two hours of quality time.

We decided ice cream would be best. Not a long wait time, no kids to ask for their own, etc. so we headed to Baskin Robbins for waffle cones. I should mention it was POURING DOWN RAIN. I sat in the car with Cole while my sweet husband jumped out into the weather to get us ice cream and run back to the car, soaking wet.


Pistachio = good; Bourbon Street Pecan Pie = not so good. It was too sweet and tasted more like a pecan cheesecake to me. Oh well. We walked around Target with our tiny one to kill some time and get a few groceries (and surprise treats for the kids) before heading back to the church. The kids were covered in glow-in-the-dark bracelets, filled with pizza and soda and candy, with a promise that they were worn out and would sleep (LOL). They were a little jealous that we had ice cream without them (because why not? Kids, amirite?) so we gave them their surprise treats: sour Skittles for Jac, chocolate assortment for Leah, and a toaster-shaped Hot Wheels car for Elias. Turds.

Friday, February 22, 2019

Muscles

So, Friday I did some sit-ups... I was fine Saturday, but Sunday my neck was sore. I figured I slept wrong. By Monday night I was contemplating going to the ER because I was in so much pain. I suffered through the next few days taking hot showers, using a heated rice pack and taking Ibuprofen, and this morning I could sit up without making a face. I'm hoping I'm almost better. It's been rough not being able to look around and being shocked by pain if I made a sudden movement. Serves me right trying to exercise. No more! I'll stick to Pilates, I guess. More stretching and less vigor.

Sunday, February 17, 2019

Pictures

We planned to go to church this morning. I woke up at 8:30 and nursed Cole, but somehow dozed back off until 8:56. Zac jumped up Home Alone style and woke the kids, got Elias dressed and we were in the car by 9:15. Church is only five minutes away, so we weren't that late. I was impressed with how fast everyone got ready, but more impressed that I didn't lose my shit when Jac started making a bowl of cereal as we were WALKING OUT THE DOOR. He's still alive and well, don't worry.

After church, we picked up Popeye's and headed to Mom's for lunch. I went through some of her junk with her and helped her clean off her bed. Lots of pictures of Emily, lots of pictures of Dad. I found a few of Dad I'd never seen before, mostly when he was in his 20s or when Karen was little. This one is my favorite.


I had Zac print out a few pictures of the kids tonight because Granny gave me a bunch of frames and they've been sitting empty for a few weeks now. It's nice looking around and seeing their little chubby faces from what doesn't feel like that long ago. I don't have nearly enough pictures of Cole, but he's still new. I managed to get them all outside for a present-day picture and they even coordinated their clothes. The footprint pictures are my favorite, though.

Saturday, February 16, 2019

C-Spire

This month's C-Spire had a mystery tournament which turned out to be Move or Die. Zac and I did our own thing, but Jac and Leah signed up. It's a crazy game where you literally HAVE to keep moving or you die. They loved it. Even Elias had fun playing Smash Bros. until he wanted to just sit in a big chair and watch Paw Patrol. My friend, Ash, gifted me 30 days of WoW time, so I've been playing that a bit off and on when I've got time. I kinda missed it, but doing the same raids, dungeons, and daily quests gets boring. I've been doing the "Love is in the Air" event in hopes of obtaining the Love Rocket mount. I've been trying to get it for about six years now. My cousin, Anna, wanted to come to the event also, but had to work, but she's hoping to go to the next one. I'm still trying to convince Alex to join us. Added bonus this month: GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!!!


We stopped by Mom's when we got back into town. Granny had another box of things for me to go through, so more doilies and bobble heads. Elias loves the bobble heads, so I'm keeping those for him, but with my declutter kick, it's easier to leave things in the box and not bring it home.

Friday, February 15, 2019

Doctor and Workouts

I brought my little boys to the doctor to get Cole checked for thrush. Zac took the big kids to work with him and was pleased to report they were practically invisible with how well-behaved they were. As for my Bug, Dr. Y didn't see any thrush, but prescribed more Nystatin (plus two refills) just as a precaution to keep us from passing it back and forth. I'm anxious to get rid of all the yuck.


In other news, I started working out again. My movement is limited because of my knee (no high-impact moves), but I'm looking forward to getting back into shape. I had best results with 30 Day Shred, but haven't worked out since 2014, so it's going to be rough.

Saturday, February 9, 2019

Dramatic Sigh

Guess who's back
Back again
Thrush is back
Tell a friend.

It's difficult to look in Cole's mouth unless he's screaming, so I haven't been able to see his tongue in order to check if it had cleared up. It still had some watery white color on it, which I assumed was milk because I was breastfeeding fine with only a slight pinch now and then. Today, it hurt to nurse and his tongue has what looks like cottage cheese on it. 

Yay.........................

I'm going to call Monday to see if I can get a refill on our Nystatin or if we're going to have to go in again. I am so sick of all these aggravations.

On a positive note, aside from thrush, I've been feeling really great lately. I've been able to stay on top of keeping the house tidy (just don't look at my bedroom plz) and have had more energy all around. I get restless from sitting too long, when before I couldn't seem to have any motivation to do anything at all. I'm wondering if my probiotics have made me feel better, as they're supposed to, or if it's the weather changing. Who knows, but I dig it.

Thursday, February 7, 2019

Bday

Mom turned 64 today. She invited us over to her house for Chinese food and Rachel bought a cheesecake. I brought over the boxes from Granny that I'd sorted through and helped her organize some drawers and cabinets. She has a tendency to hold on to a lot of items she doesn't need or isn't using. We (I) made a bit of progress, but there's more to be done.

I baked a cake for her birthday, but since Rachel bought a cheesecake and Mom needed to go out anyway, she came to our house for the cake and a short visit.


It's also Katie's birthday, but I don't think she reads blogs anymore, ha.

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Saint-like

I should've expected unsolicited comments after becoming a mother for the first time, starting with asking if I planned to add a daughter or sibling to my then-only child that we were still getting used to as first-time parents. But the comments followed after adding a daughter/sibling that we didn't need anymore since we had one of each and were *blessed*. But, did they have the same father? Jac is fair-skinned like me while Leah is noticeably darker so asking such questions in front of them is perfectly appropriate, as is asking "really??" after I say that yes, they are from the same father.

Now that I have four kids, it happened. I was in Hobby Lobby because I've decided to take the plunge into candle-making. I'm very much excited about it and it's something I've been wanting to do for a while now. I headed to the checkout with Jac and Leah in front of me following Zac. Cole was strapped to my torso, and I was pulling Elias by a measuring tape he insisted he needed and refused to let go of. A woman and her husband passed the big two, but paused next to me with her mouth agape.

"Are they all four YOURS?"
- Yes ma'am. *smile*
"My goodness, you are a SAINT. I could never." *places hand over heart*
- Yep. *awkward*
"Well, you certainly have your hands full. Good luck to you!" and she walked away, shaking her head.
- You too...?

I'm not offended, but mostly amused. I had heard of the fourth (and subsequent) kid "concerns". I'm proud of myself that where she "could never", I can. I'm lucky my hands are full because there are plenty of people out there whose hands are empty. Am I a saint? Don't ask the kids because they'll probably give an unsavory answer after a concerning hesitation and a glance in my direction.

Monday, February 4, 2019

Louisiana Trip

We arrived at Sean's close to midnight on Friday and met his cousin/roommate, Celeste. She has an outgoing personality like Sean and helped with Cole so I could get the other three kids to bed while Zac unloaded the van. We stayed up late hanging out, which is hard to do these days if it's not accidental.


Saturday, we actually arrived to the birthday party for Jacob on time. I had told Katie that we are always late since there are now six of us and bladders are unpredictable, but we made it. The kids roasted marshmallows over the fire pit and we ate hot dogs and red beans and rice. Cole was passed around so much, he was a bit overwhelmed and Elias bid farewell to each guest who left by shouting, "Wait! You forgot to hug and kiss me!" We had a fun time.


We headed back across the lake to do some minimal grocery shopping for dinner and the little boys were exhausted. I also finished the January section of my temperature blanket (finally!). It's super tacky and ugly, but so is winter in the south. I'm tempted to frog it and start again with just different shades of one color (like orange or purple) instead of rainbow because it's not at all pretty. I've seen some beautiful versions online, so it's an idea. I just haven't had much time to crochet for long sessions, but Cole has a baby swing from a couple at church and he absolutely loves it. I've been able to sit without him in my lap and get up when I need to. Hopefully I can get more crochet (among other things) done.