hooligan

crazy for the last two nights:

E screaming her head off and not going to sleep for over two hours at bedtime. Both nights I was of course trying to spend time with people. doesn't go so well with a screaming child.

Today right before nap she was sitting on the potty contentedly looking at books waiting for. . . well, you know. What a two year old sits on the potty waiting for. After about 10 minutes, I go back to check and the book is in pieces all over the floor. She has done this before and knows the consequences. So, she just looks at me and laughs. I spank her bottom. She cries for, oh, two minutes maybe. I look at her and firmly tell her that is not okay to destroy things. (very angry tone from momma.) She laughs. And laughs.

Oh. My. Goodness.

I think I should start posting my craziest moment of the day. There is usually at least one a day. So, I have to prioritize, but here goes.

Today's Crazy:

Elloree pooped her diaper instead of falling asleep during nap time.

NM put down in bed for nap so I could try to change E. NM screaming about being in bed.

JG tries to be his sweet helpful self.

I lay E down on her bedroom floor to change her.

Discover poop has escaped diaper confines.

Poop has discovered the carpet.

JG is given the mission to bring me a cup of water so I can begin to clean the carpet right away. (he has proven he can easily fill and carry a cup of water.)

JG uses stool to get up to sink to fill water cup. Cup full. Stool slips.

NM status: screaming in bed

E status: poop on back, poop on dress, poop on carpet, wiggling around trying to do get poop on something else.

JG status: screaming on bathroom floor with water strewn on walls, cabinets, floors.

T at work early May. Doing something. In the snow. I can't remember what. Snow Sliding or some thing like that. But, he had a good time, I'm sure. He has some great coworkers and they have quite a sense of humor. Sometimes we think, man, we really have lived a charmed life in Colorado!

My three on Easter. Can't seem to take photos of my kids ever. This one is by my sister. Thank you, Boone! And, not sure why NM has that look on her face. I think she is frightened of E. And JG?? He is just sooo silly three! AND, I made those d*** smocked dresses. Yeah, I'm a little proud of it. So what if they wouldn't close in the back! (I told you that in case you thought I had it all together or something.)

thirsty

My evening drink choices. I usually choose the door on the right.

Rock pile!

JG and E playing in the rocks T bought for one of the umpteen house projects we've been doing for the last . . . 9 years.

Love

"JG, do you know why Daddy loves Mommy?"

"Because you wear brown and sweaters like this. [cardigans]"

Knockers?

JG: "Mommy, I'm going to draw some knockers for daddy."

Me: Eyebrows raised. "Really?"

JG: "Yesth. And some for Elloree. And you too. What color knockers do you want, Mommy?"

I never knew I had a choice, but am envisioning purple....

Me: "Well, what do knockers DO, exactly, JG?"

JG: "They have a stwing on them and you can look through them and sthee things."


Ahhhh. BiNOCULARS.

My Happy....and not so happy

My Happy today:

The wild lilac and rose bouquet I picked on a walk with the children that is now adorning my bathroom. Oh, how happy Spring can make me.

Not so Happy:

Finding the pile of clean laundry my husband stuffed under our bed (?) for our house showing today. Must now mostly be rewashed from the dust under that bed. I'm mad at him. . . but then I suppose I should have dusted under the bed. And put away the clean laundry in between nursing my baby, mothering and disciplining my toddlers and cleaning the house top to bottom. Oh, to have endless amounts of time and energy and motivation.

Manners

Manners are the mask of decency that we employ at need, the currency of fair communication; their flower is a common grace, and their fruit not seldom friendship.

-Stark Young

a hit

the fish sticks were a hit.

Of course, when we finished off the box, I thought to myself, I wonder if I could make my own. . .

I have three children under four. It's been done before. No big deal.

But I can't walk through a few rooms in my house due to the toys.

I rock out with Steve Green in my S-U-V and three car seats in the back.

I went to WalMart. With the three. It feels like trying to run under water.

I made it home with a glue gun. some 'inspiring hair accessories' for a 2 year old. Fish Sticks (???).

Forgot: the diapers. whole reason I went to walmart.

I haven't had a drink of water since. . . oh, yesterday.

Memory

My sweet boy is 'mixing cement' in the sandbox and yelling at the top of his lungs: "GOD IS LOVE! GOD IS LOVE! GOD IS LOVE!" and "LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS. . . . AND SELF CONTROL!"

I am TWO. (next week) And got spunk like you can't imagine.

I am three and enjoy making faces at the camera.

I am two months and will smile and coo at anyone who makes eye contact with me!

(Except for big sister, because I'm worried she is going to squish me with all her enthusiasm.)

Action on Corona street last weekend: this SUV making a u-turn in our street got bumped from behind by a car and flipped right over! Kinda crazy. No one was hurt.

Enjoying the "show" of the SUV being righted.

They are so sweet to baby NM. I love these three.

Winters last stand

March and April are tough months (for me) in the Colorado Rockies. One day you think, Spring is here! And the next it will snow. Yesterday it was 65 and deliciously warm. Today I was grumpy all day as winter returned with snow all day and temps in the 30's. Peaks and valleys. In nature, in life. Since the first day of Spring is in a week, but I know I won't taste it fully until May, here are my winter musings. I actually wrote these in December.

Summer seems like a
dream that you can scarce recall
frozen by the snow

Lawn chairs hibernate
and look forlorn under their
cold, white bed covers

Manufactured Heat
stirs, clanks, revs, hums its warm song
into your winter.

Fondly recalling
the heat and sun, respecting
the cold and the dark.

Round the corner

Still round the corner there may wait
a new road or a secret gate.
And though I oft have passed them by,
A day shall come at last that I
shall take the hidden paths that run
West of the Moon, East of the Sun.

J.R.R. Tolkien

Consistent. Faith.

Well, it may be safe to say that NM is sleeping 11-12 hours now. We've been going strong on that schedule now for about a week! (So, in answer to the letting your 7 wk old cry it out from my earlier post...) I can't believe it. I prayed and prayed while she was in my womb that she would be a great sleeper and I'm always amazed at how God answers my prayers. I am realizing more and more His provision simultaneously with my own lack of faith. I lack faith when I worry about what tomorrow will bring or what will the next season of my life be like or will my children and husband remain healthy or will we have enough money to live on. . .

Lillies of the valley and birds of the air. Remember, remember His promises.

Have Faith, my children. Have Faith, their mother. Be at peace for I will exceed your expectations and my Love is greater than you are able to conceive.

Last Night

• I got five hours of uninterrupted sleep!

• NM slept from 7:30 pm until 3:15 am, was given her passy and slept again until 6:15 am!!!

• That is eleven hours between feedings!

• Woo Hoo!!!
  

Check it out!

Love this gal. And her blog too: http://savvynest.blogspot.com/

How long?

Should I let my 7 week old "cry it out" to go to sleep?

I served this to my husband the other morning. Eggs poached in a creamy cheese sauce served on bacon and toast. He liked it, of course. Here's my little secret though, the eggs alone had 20 grams of fat each. That doesn't count the bacon and toast. He doesn't know this detail and ate two. Should I up his life insurance?

Book Club this month

One. If you aren't coming to book club, you should consider it. We have a blast and it is a great mind improvement activity. You know, if you're into that sort of thing.

Two. Read Hannah Coulter. Seriously. I loved it. And I read it in three days. (And I have a 3 year old, a 22 month old and a 1 month old, so you can read it.)


Have you ever read a book written as if by a woman narrator and the author is a MAN, but you wonder. Hmmm. How did he peg womanhood so spot on? How can HE know that?

Wendell Berry talks about the membership of the small town where this book takes place. Membership is like community, but we don't have many (or any?) instances of this in our present time. Or place. Is this something that can only occur in a country or rural setting? Where everyone has needs? Or do we urbanites also have needs? Think about your own independence and what it does to community. Port William was a place of Knowledge. Love. Compassion. Imagination.

"Kindness kept us alive. It made us think of each other. I could think of myself, of course, with no trouble at all. Justly enough, I could feel sorry for myself. I was a young wife who had been married going on four years, and I had not yet lived a full year with my husband. And now perhaps, possibly, very likely, almost certainly, my husband was dead. Perhaps, possibly, very likely, almost certainly, I was a widow with child by a man now dead, and this child of my love living inside me had become half an orphan before it could be born. . . .
Love held us. Kindness held us. We were suffering what we were living by."

Marriage. Hannah talks about how her marriage was long enough to have the troubles that the vows foresaw. That often their own sense of loneliness drove them into arguments. For it was better to at least be talking mad than not talking at all. And do husbands really think, if you can't get her hot, get her mad? It reminds me of God talking to His people and telling us to be either hot or cold, but don't be lukewarm. Apathy is the surest killer of faith and marriage. And possibly many other things.

If I could be a child in Heaven.

I would play on the floor while I smell supper cooking.

I would run and jump and crawl and wrestle. And never get sore. Or tired.

I would be a deep sea diver in the bath tub.

I would make bubble wonderlands.

I would mismatch my socks and put my shoes on the wrong feet. And be proud that I put them on myself.

I would be silly at the table. And burp out loud even when company comes. Because I don't know to be ashamed and it just feels good.

I would blow bubbles in my milk with a straw.

I would build sand castles with moats.

I would sleep on a pile of cozy blankets in a closet.

I would play imagination games with my bestest friends and siblings and cousins all morning long.

I would take three hour naps every day.

I would change my outfit at least four times a day just to wear all the prettiest dresses.

And I would twirl in them.

What would you do?

When I am a Newborn. . .

I will love falling asleep while eating.

And falling asleep anytime I want. Anyplace.

I will appreciate that I never get a crick in my neck despite sleeping anywhere.

It will be so fun to see people delight in me.

Wouldn't it feel good to have someone smell the top of your head and kiss you all day long?

I will love curling up in someone's arms.

I will want to be sung to and rocked and adored.

bath funhouse

My sweet girls

Praise the Lord, my baby is sooo sweet and calm and amazing. She just goes with the flow, likes her bed and sleeps. A lot. Yay!! So, tonight, JG was playing with NM and she filled her diaper. He and I were having a good chuckle over the funny noise she made filling the diaper. We got to laughing pretty hard. EG was in the bathroom using the potty with the help of her daddy and as soon as she heard me and JG laughing, she starts laughing too and insists on getting down so she can run into the room where we are and join in the laughter. Then, when it seemed the humor had died down, she proceeded to run from mommy to daddy and fake laugh until she got us laughing again. Oh, my darling children. I love them so. I got a great picture of the three of them the other day. I'll try to post it soon.

Nancy Mae at 1 week old

8 days

NM is already 8 days old today. Yesterday was her due date, but I cannot imagine having to be pregnant for this whole last week! We are adjusting, but are sooo grateful to friends and family. We've been provided with wonderful meals (including my mother in law who called in chinese take out for us, even though she lives in Wisconsin!), and my sister has generously fed us and maintained my sanity. Although she has slipped in to her role as eldest sister:

On my way to Costco on NM's 5th day of life, with JG and EG also in tow, I called to tell Boone something or other. I had to leave a message (because when you both have three children, your communication exists through messages or texts only). I conquered Costco and got back to the car to find I had missed 6 calls and 3 VM from my dear Boonie. Panicked, I did not wait to listen to the messages but called her back immediately, worried that something horrible had happened.

And all I got was a great big lecture about how I shouldn't be going to Costco with all three of my children so soon after having a baby and how DARE I over do it when she is in town and will watch my children and I better go home and rest and not even think about repeating my folly. I feel so loved.

Home Coming

Nancy Mae

We are so proud to welcome our newest addition,

Nancy Mae Flippin

Born January 6, 2010 at 2:02 pm, weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounces and 20 inches long. Nearly an eighth of her length is in her freakishly long toes.

Seriously, we couldn't be more pleased! Now, about the name: Nancy Mae means many things to me. First, it means Gracious Spring Growth, which is how I view God's means in bringing about my sanctification. It is often hard or trying, but growth is good and so gracious of our God, so new and refreshing like a newborn baby or springtime. It is kinda surprising every spring that the world can be green and warm again after a long, cold, brown winter! That is my response to how I grow after a trial. My pregnancy with NM was trying and hard, but so gracious and growing at the same time. And look at the outcome of that growth!

Nancy has always been a name that I love. Obviously, my sister Nancy is so dear. She is carefree about life in a way I never could be but I envy. She is an amazing sister, wife and mom. She laughs and makes me laugh in ways no one else can. But beyond the sister named Nancy, the name Nancy represents all three of my amazing sisters who I couldn't imagine life without. Who have always known me and always will, they know my worst character flaws, my quirks, my annoying habits and know first hand how selfish I am (not sharing my legos and stealing birthday presents or having no sympathy for the sister who forgot to bring her shoes to school), and yet. They still seem to love me. I am honored by their love, by their commitment, by their beauty. And since Nancy Mae comes into this world as a sister, it's just fittin'.

Nancy is the name of one of my favorite aunts, and everyone should have an Aunt Nancy like her! Bold and funny and caring. Nancy is such a youthful, feminine name. There are other Nancys in my life who I have been touched by and they are always young for their age, and have a joy for life. So, that is the story behind the naming of Nancy Mae.

Comparisons

JG - October 3, 2006

EG - April 1, 2008

NM - January 6, 2010

New Year. . . Come on New Baby

The New Year is here! Yeah! Our baby is not here yet! Booo!

For those of you who don't know or haven't guessed, I am not a big fan of pregnancy. I wish I could embrace it and be proud of what my body can do. And I actually can almost convince myself to feel that way for about 8 weeks of my pregnancy--right after horrible nausea and just before grotesquely huge belly takes over. This pregnancy has been difficult. Nauseous for the first 19 or 20 weeks, then respite, and now back pain and insomnia for the last two months that has limited my activity. I do NOT like limits to my activity. But, if I walk around a little too much one day, the next day or two I can't put weight on my right leg without horrible pain, so. Enough ranting and raving about pregnancy. At least you get miserable enough to WANT to go through labor! We are so excited to welcome our new baby girl. SOON, Lord, please!

New Year's Resolutions:

1. Don't get pregnant again
2. Definitely avoid pregnancy
3. Have this baby (I always like to include at least one resolution I can't break)
3. Enjoy the great gift of this new baby while continuing to relish my two previous babies!
4. Beach Body for June beach week - Hah! Maybe just buy that slimming suit from Lands End.
5. Strengthen - spirit, mind, body
6. Encourage friends and family more often and more intentionally.
7. The book list. With its usual carry over from last years list. Sigh. I get so distracted.

What are your New Year's Resolutions?

At a wedding this Fall in NC. EG lost her clothes when she spilled water all over herself, but she still enjoyed dancing with her mommy and daddy.

Catching up on some photos

EG in gloves

At the Nutcracker in Denver the beginning of this month. About 35 weeks pregnant.

Loving a bubble bath!

Todd at 'work', ice climbing this past week. Chipped off about a quarter of one of his front teeth with the ice ax.

Candied Orange Christmas treat!

Just some sillies

"That snow is fat."

Listening to Christmas Carols in the car, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen comes on.
"Mom, why did God have to rescue Mary?"

Court house

T recently started volunteering at the Court House with the DA's office in town. On Tuesday, I was explaining to JG that Daddy was going to the Court house.

"What's Daddy going to DO at the whore house?"

T and I just about lost it.

three - isms i don't want to forget

hospital: hosipal

snowman: no man

that's silly. silly jack greer.

Quick Poll Follow Up

I LOVED hearing everyone's advice!! Thank you so much for taking the time to share what you are doing in your lives! Here's what I gleaned so far:

1. Seems that my pregnant friends are looking to get H1N1. And maybe for some of your toddlers/babies. Me included. I really don't want to go wait in line with masses of people though. Maybe my OB's office will have it available when I go in this week. Anyone in CS gotten it yet?

2. Toddler questions: A few of you encouraged asking the question back. I tried this very early on and it worked for about. . . one or two days and then he got all frustrated with me and would just tell me that he wanted ME to tell him. Then, I try the listen and if you listen well, you'll get a stamp on your chart. That works well if I remember, act all happy and giddy about how exciting the chart is and generally sell my soul. Or, I just give up and answer once. Thanks for giving me some freedom in that, Elizabeth! Glad to hear I'm not alone. Maybe JG will answer some of E's questions when we get to that stage with her.

3. I just got a whole bunch of cloth diapers from a friend that I can try out for free. No up front investment, so I'm gonna give it a whirl. No environmental conviction, to be perfectly honest, just trying to save a buck. I am a Baker. If it turns out to be a real pain in the bahooty, I will go back to my Walmart favorites.

4. So, I saw a chiropractor. I was desperate. Turns out I'm in the 5% of people with one leg shorter than the other. Half an inch shorter. So, years of back pain may be resolved by a small heel lift in the shoe. Wish I'd looked into it sooner! The chiropractor was great, very straight forward and not trying to get me back for multiple adjustments, in fact, he didn't even adjust me. Said there was no point to doing anything until I get the heel lift.

5. Breakfast, breakfast: So, we've got muffins, fruit, yogurt, bagels, casseroles, eggs, toast or waffles with toppings (cheese/peanut butter). Ahhh, thanks for some refreshing new menu options. Still need recipes from Lauren and Molly, please. I'll add to that my staples of Cream of Wheat or Oatmeal made with milk, fruit (dried/fresh), cinnamon, brown sugar, Grits with cheese, and Pancakes. I freeze l/o cooked pancakes and reheat in the toaster oven. One thing I wish could be a staple but it is too unhealthy -- biscuits with gravy. Mmmm.

6. Seriously, I am savoring the delicious flavor of Marquez' words in Love in The Time of Cholera. I mean, just listen to this quote and tell me if it resonates with you as it did me: "her beauty purified by the restraint of maturity". Just an example. If you are looking for a book to read that is like a pot de creme as opposed to jello pudding, pick it up.

Nerd, Glutton, Escapist.

So, I think I have become MORE of a nerd in my 'old' age. If that is even possible. Those of you who knew me in high school may find this shocking. But, it is true. Now I walk my children to the library with my giant belly garnering stares the whole mile and a half there. Then, I trapse through the doors and detectors just barely because my stroller is the double wide version. Everyone kinda holds their breath for me as they watch or offer to open an additional door. (As I smile and think to myself, 'you can't really widen those detectors and aisle for me could ya?') If you haven't picked up on the nerdy aspect yet, just hang on.

Then I practically skip to the holds section. And look at the bottom shelf. Because usually I have too many books on hold to fit on the shelf where my last name would place them. And there is a thing of beauty. (Of sorts, though according to Kant, I may even be tempted to call it sublime as I am appalled at my own amibition.) This week it was a pile so big I wasn't sure it would all fit in the stroller for the trek home. You know, when you won't let your kids out of the stroller because it will tip backwards without their counter weight. And the variety, oh the wonderful variety. From Margaret Wise Brown, Allan Ahlberg, Eric Carle and company to James Joyce, Immanuel Kant, George Eliot, Greg Epstein and Elizabeth Edwards. I still haven't finished my last round of indulgence from the library. And like a glutton I'm back at the Ryan's cafeteria line for my umpteenth helping of fried okra and mac and cheese.

I tell myself that it is just one of the ways I cope with this stage of life. The lonliness that comes from being around toddlers all day every day and many nights home alone while husband works fighting fires. Sometimes I need the distraction, sometimes the deeper mental engagement than comes with made up words and tent building and sometimes, I realize this is quite possibly more of an escape than a coping.

But I don't mind one bit.

Lost

JG: "Mom. Mom. Mom. Excuse me, Mom."

(he really is far more patient with me than I with him)

me: "Yes, JG?"

JG: "Why is Elloree crying?"

me: "Because she lost her footing and busted open her lip. Poor girl."

EG: "WAAAAAAHAAAAHAAA HAWAHHHHWHHHAAAAA"

JG (incredulously): "She LOST her FOOT?"

Quick Poll

I'm just curious, so I'll put out a couple questions. Anyone feel free to comment and help enlighten me:

1. Who wants to get the H1N1 vaccine this year? Who most decidedly doesn't?

2. Does anyone else get really fatigued from answering toddler questions? Nonstop? All day long? Every day of the week? Examples: What's that called, what's that do, why does that do that, why, how does it do that, and then repeat the questions, often for the same object. I swear my answers are not even heard!

3. Cloth Diapers. Who does it, who doesn't, why?

4. Best remedies for back pain during pregnancy.

5. Breakfast ideas. Warm foods excluding oatmeal and cream of wheat. No cold cereal responses allowed ($$$, and it's cold), please. :)

6. Who has read Gabriel Garcia Marquez and LOVES his writing? Me!!

Okay, just thought I'd ask. Have a lovely Thursday.

Halloween

So, there are no pictures for Halloween because. . . well, the children went to bed without any costumes at 7:00 pm. (They did get dinner, however.) Mommy went to bed around 8:30. Really, I was too tired, worn out, lazy-whatever you want to call it- to think about Halloween this year. I know I should have, but they are 3 and 1 1/2 and hopefully won't hold it against me. I need to start checking for sales now on costumes for the THREE children next year. Honestly, Halloween is so taxing in part because there is a level of creativity expected that I simply do not have.

The day following Halloween, we gave JG a fun-sized candy bar. He'd never had one that we can recall. I explained that it was called a candy bar. After consuming it delightedly, he exclaimed, "Mom, is there any more of that bar cake?"

I can't tell

JG: "Mommy, Daniel caught a bug. He put it in a jaaR"
me: "Really, what kind of bug?"
JG: "I can't tell." [translation: I don't know]


**Flashback**
me to nephew G (Daniel's big brother) on Sunday: "G, tell Daniel and Caroline to stop catching bugs so we can spend time together soon." Apparently, I was overheard.

**Flashforward**
Oh, THAT kind of bug. I wish they kept in jars instead of bodies.

The cast:

Big, Bad Three Year Old Brother

Sweet, Innocent 18 month Sister:

What you don't hear in this picture is the "May I have some, Please?" that did precede the following scenario:

Don't think she is so sweet as she proceeded to storm after him screaming "MINE":

Then, the 3 yr old delighted in aggravating, resulting in the following scenario:
Timeout.

Sister comes to keep him company.

They'll figure it out by the time their adults and be best friends.

Hopefully it will happen a little sooner...

In the meantime, I'll play referee and laugh a lot behind their backs.