"It's Just What Boys Do"

A few weeks ago, Michael was being excruciatingly loud.  We kept discussing the volume level for inside and he was welcome to go outside with that voice....blah blah blah.  After what felt like the 100th time, he looked at Mike and said, "It's just what boys do!  We're loud."  Not sure where this came from, but he has said it about quite a few things lately.

He pulled Isabelle's hair, "That's not nice."  "It's just what boys do!"

He was jumping on my couch, "Where is it ok to jump?"  "It's just what boys do!"

Bathroom talk at the dinner table, chasing, belching, making a mess in the bathroom, throwing toys, hitting, being a pesky little/older brother...the list goes on, "It's just what boys do!" Is his automatic response when he looks at me, like it will get him out of trouble or something.

It always makes me giggle inside, because so many of them really are just things that boys do.  However, I'm not about to admit this to him.  So instead, I just keep my chuckles to myself and attempt to raise this boy. Needless to say, some days are more successful than others.

A few other funnies from him lately...

I put door knob covers on the doors for Luke and he came to me, "MOM!  I don't like all those traps you put out!"

Anytime he's feeling tired, he says, "I need more energy!"  He guzzles some water and comes back, "OK!  I've gotten more energy!  Water gives you energy!"

Clothes...He loves to wear his one cars shirt.  It's long sleeves.  It's summer.  We live in Florida.  He doesn't seem to care one bit.  If it's not his cars shirt, it has to be a t-shirt, preferably one with a pocket or a picture.

Never a dull moment with this boy around!

Rescued by the Mother In Law

I have been taking almost no pictures lately!!!!  The only picture I have of her here with the kids was the snickerdoodle one!  SO bummed!  It doesn't mean we didn't appreciate her or love having her here!  Thank goodness for help!!!!! When I started having problems, Mike's parents already had the Daytona trip planned.  I called to see if Mike's mom could stick around another week after the reunion to help me. I knew we would be coming home from vacation, Mike would be out of town, it was the first week of school for the kiddos and I still can't do anything.  I knew I was going to need some extra help 24/7. She changed her flight home and boy am I glad!!!!! Sure enough, I wouldn't have made it without her help!!!! This is Mike's busy season.  He flew out the morning I started having really bad contractions (29/30 weeks) and other than weekends, has been gone since. This week makes 4 of the last 5 weeks he's been gone, and I've been on modified bed rest the entire time.  Can I tell you how awesome that combination is?! (I'm 100% aware of the fact it could be way worse and plenty of women have survived far worse, it doesn't mean it hasn't been an adventure. An adventure that just has to be added to this entire Florida life adventure we seem to be on.)

Last week was wonderful!  We got to eat on real dishes, no paper anything!  Mike's mom made delicious meals for us, my house was picked up the way a mom would pick up at the end of the day.  I had someone chase the toddler and fight the toddler when he didn't feel like walking to his room to go to bed (yeah, how often does that happen?).  She was able to get kids in and out of the car for school pickup and drop offs.  She was here to push the grocery cart, and just do everything I can't right now!  She was also here for babysitting, dr appointments, school orientations, and so many other things that were going on that week. Although I'm not super pleasant when I'm pregnant, and even less pleasant when Mike is gone, I'm sure she'd have rather gone home to recover from vacation herself.  But instead she put up with a grouchy pregnant lady, her unruly children, and worked like crazy.  I'm so grateful for her help!   We are at the final stretch.  35 weeks.

Perfect Part 1

For Mike's family reunion this year we did Daytona Beach. We stayed right on the beach and the place we stayed had a bunch of different pools.  It was a perfect week.  We spent our mornings sleeping in (kid permitting), then hit the beach until we ran out of snacks.  Headed to our condos for lunch, then Luke and I took naps while everyone else hit the pools.  We made it down after he woke up and we all swam until we were too hungry to play anymore.  Dinner and then evening fun.  The little girl cousins wanted sleepovers every night.  After kids were in bed we visited and played games.  It was so much fun and relaxing.

Mike's family was fantastic for me.  I was nervous going that I would end up doing too much and going backwards baby wise.  But from the second I walked in the door I was told to sit, and not move.  People fed my kids, brought me food, refilled my water, and wouldn't let me carry anything down to the beach or pool.  Packing and getting ready to go was more than I should have done. By time we got there Sunday night and then Monday, I definitely had overdone it.  But after just a day or two, thanks to the family, I was in good shape again. I did miss out on quite a few events and therefore didn't get very many pictures.  Once I have them all, I'll do a picture post.

Both of Mike's sisters have had babies this year, little Cassidy is 4 months old, and Joshua is only 2 months.  The babies were so fought over. My kids are so excited for a baby around here!

Luke was wherever Joshua was.


One afternoon after beach and pool, getting some much needed downtime.


Michael busted his chin open Wednesday night on the stairs at the pool.  Just a few days later, Sarah busted her chin in the exact same spot but in the pool itself.  Another trip to the er.  The dr. she had did dermabond and steristrips instead of stitches.


My kids playing "puppy."  Isabelle is the human and the boys are her puppies, she puts them in places and locks them up and brings them treats while they bark.


Waiting for Mike and Grandpas planes to leave, we hit up miniature golf.  Well, they did, I sat. :)




Tons of other fun pictures and stories to come....this is all i had on my camera!  I'm so grateful to be a part of such a wonderful family.  I always have so much fun with them!  Wish we lived closer.

Sad Day Part 2

(This was written last week.) Today was a rough day for this mommy that loves having her little kiddos home.  Not only did Luke move out of the crib today, but kids started school. My kids are getting big.  While I know this is good and exciting, it's still hard to grasp that my kids are growing up.

Isabelle started Kindergarten.  It's all day here.  I'm devastated my right hand woman is gone ALL DAY! I'm not sure how I'm going to survive this "modified" bed rest with her gone. She is ridiculously excited about her Barbie backpack and only let me take one picture without it.  She loved her first day but was exhausted. She got in the car bubbling with excitement and then seconds later burst into tears over a locked seat belt.  She cried pretty much the rest of the day over the funniest things.  Definitely a long day for a little girl.  She'll get used to it in a few weeks or so, until then I'm prepared for lots of tired tears and early bedtimes.  She insisted on dressing herself and fixing her own hair.  This outfit was infinitely better than her choice for day 2.  Haha.  I didn't have time to walk her in because of Michael's start time. I pointed to the door and off she went.  She was so brave.



Michael started preschool.  I wasn't going to put him in this year, but since I haven't been able to go to the gym, he is really needing something.  He has been going to the gym 3-5 times a week since he was 6 months old and is definitely used to getting out.  He has had a very rough month with me on bed rest. So I took the plunge.  He wanted to pose by this tree and insisted in front of the green box.  He was funny.  I had an orientation for his school after his school started, so I had to park and walk in.  I offered to walk him in.  "No mom, you drop me off by the playground!"  He knows the daily drill from Isabelle's preschool last year and didn't bat an eye.  Off he ran! He loves his teacher and played with "new girl friends and boy friends."


We came home from our first day of school and made snickerdoodles to celebrate starting school.  SO grateful Mike's mom is here to help out while Mike is out of town again.  Today (and the whole week) would not have gone well with my limited solo self.   Michael woke up from a really loud thunderstorm and was up from 4-5:30ish am, so when it was time to actually get up, he was a beast!  I was supposed to take both kids and drop them off, but he was screaming, naked, and unfed when I had to leave for Isabelle.  So I took Isabelle, and came back for Michael, who was fed, dressed, and somewhat happier when I came back.


Happy school days start for me!  Here's the beginning of the next chapter of my life for the next 20 years.  I'm not looking forward to parent pick up line, fewer kids at home, or making lunches daily, but I'm sure I'll find parts I love.  So far I love the excitement on my kids faces at the end of their days.

Sad Day Part 1

Alright, I have quite the backlog to blog here.  The last couple of weeks have been busy. The same day Isabelle and Michael started school (Sad Day Part 2 coming), Luke decided he was done with his crib.  I haven't been able to lift him in quite a few weeks and consequently helped teach him how to climb in and out of his crib.  In general he gets stuck in the corners and cries in his sleep and is just getting too big for it.  He loves to lay in Isabelle, Michael, or our beds anytime we tell him it's bed time.  Tonight, I said bed time, and he ran for Isabelle's bed not wanting the crib.  I took the side off and he stayed in, didn't move and LOVED it!  This is one milestone that always makes me sad even when I need it to happen. Getting him all the way out is next week. The good news....it's always been because it needed to be emptied out for another baby. :)  So grown up!

It's Time

The time has come, I'm making my blog private.  The purpose behind my blog is my family journal of sorts and I have found myself editing more than I want for an "unknown" audience and it's not quite what I would blog for me. I'm happy to still share with people I actually know.  If you would like to keep up with us, please leave me a comment with your email address or email me at juliemae11@gmail.com and I'll add you to the list.  Thanks!

Another ER visit

So I've decided Florida is cursed for us medically.  Other than burning my hands in our first year of marriage, we have not had medical stuff other than baby stuff.  Well, in May Luke went because he bit through his bottom lip (useless trip), end of June/beg of July was Mike's grand adventure, and now August was Michael's turn.  He was wrapped up in a towel leaving the pool and tripped on the stairs resulting in 3 stitches on his chin.  Awesome. Of course this happened at Mike's family reunion at Daytona Beach (future post after I get all the pictures collected!)  Nothing like missing out on fun. Who's September?  We're hoping the only hospital visit is to deliver a fully baked, ready to go baby.

They had a hard time keeping him still to get the shot and stitches in, but they managed.  The doctor put in stitches and then dermabond on top so he could swim after 24 hours.  Well after about 12 hours, not only was all the glue gone, so were 2 of the stitches. He would not stop picking at it.  Despite all that, it's looking great.

Oops! (Sorta)

Apparently I bumped the thermostat down too far.

"Handy"

With all my down time, I've been BORED OUT OF MY MIND!!!!!  I have a book close, and kiddos are obviously all over me, but I'm seriously having a difficult time coming up with stuff to do.  I feel yucky enough I don't want to concentrate.  I thought of picking up crocheting or knitting again, but meh, too much thought to re-figure it out again, not to mention some serious digging to find hooks and needles.  And so I'm grateful once again for too much technology.  I've downloaded a bunch of brainless new games on the tablet and iPad.  One of which is Candy Crush.  A fun game the entire family is enjoying.  My kids love to sit and watch and try to play too.  Luke specifically thinks it's his game.  Anytime he sees a tablet he starts going crazy, "Handy! Handy!" (Candy).  He sits and loves to watch things go crazy when he is successful in actually matching something up. He will cry for quite a bit when you take it away from him. 

Survival Mode

Where have I been?  Well, I've been literally sitting at home trying to keep this baby in. While this pregnancy in general has been physically very difficult, the last 2 weeks have been hard, and last week was even worse. On Monday, I had to start timing contractions because they are coming often enough I actually have to pay attention.  I'm only 30ish weeks along and the best part was Mike was out of town all last week. As long as I don't get up, they keep to 1-2 an hour during the day and go to 3-4 at night.  If I'm up and moving at all they get much worse. We are officially in survival mode. Do you know how hard it is to sit with 3 small children running amuck and a household to run?!?!?!?!?!? I didn't realize just how OCD I was until this week. This week has been challenging to say the least.  I lay in bed, I sit on the floor to play with kids more, and I sit on the couch or my playroom chair even more and watch the mess expand exponentially.  It's quite adventurous really.  My kids have been ANGELS considering the circumstances! We have implemented lots of extra routines that have helped, but there is no Mom going around constantly picking up the extra things. My house is only somewhat destroyed, and no one has died yet.  We are good. :) When Mike is in town, he's picking up lots of slack.  He met me at Costco for his lunch break before he left last week to get kids out of the car, push the cart around, load the kids and stuff into the car.  When he's out of town, we are getting pretty creative.  This last week with Mike gone, each night I bribed the kids with ice cream to pick up the whole house since I literally can't do any of it!  They thought it was awesome they got ice cream 4 days in a row, and I didn't even care because I found myself much grumpier and snappier than necessary just because of the mess.  I'm much nicer sitting if I'm not staring at that one piece of garbage that just needs to get thrown away or a few stray legos hanging out.  I really didn't think those things bothered me.  It's one thing when I'm choosing not to do it, it's a completely different scenario when I CAN'T!  SO frustrating!

I usually love just sitting in my playroom with my kids around playing.  Or all of us sitting in my one rocking chair together to read a story, but this week I found myself saying, "Stop touching me"  "You're breathing on me," "Scoot over"  "Go play" and so many other phrases that are not regulars for me.  I'm determining it's attributed to the fact I'm bored, I'm uncomfortable, my body is DYING for a good workout, or even just a walk I think, and I'm tired of "easy" food.  Luckily we are stocked up on fruits and veggies, but there are still lots of things Isabelle isn't big enough to prepare yet.  She can pull out baby carrots, wash grapes, or peel an orange, but she can't exactly prepare cucumbers or cantaloupe yet.  A couple of nights friends showed up with food for dinner which was SO good to have real food! But one night goldfish, carrots, cheese, and blueberries counted for dinner. Sure enough, they were all alive in the morning. :)

I'm kind of a cereal snob for various reasons I won't get into now, but we don't eat it much.  I told the kids to grab cereal for the 3rd morning in a row and Isabelle about had a cow.  "MOM!  That's not healthy!  We can't have cereal 2 days in a row, for sure not 3!"  To which I explained what the term "Survival Mode" means.  "We are making sure nobody dies here.  No one will die by eating cereal 3 days in a row.  Eat it, or get something you can fix yourself."

I've had more time to sit and watch my kids play and their personalities.  On that note, it's been a great week.  They are so funny to just sit and watch.  Luke's vocabulary is really growing like crazy.  He LOVES basketball and cars. And will now sit and watch a little tv!  Which has been a huge blessing!  He likes Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or Backyardigans.  He loves to dance to all the music.  Michael, when you can tear him away from a tablet or the tv, he loves to play baseball and soccer and cars, but has a short attention span for anything that doesn't plug in.  Isabelle is just a mom all the time if not to her brothers, to her dolls.  She still just loves to mother everyone around her, which has helped me a ton.  Together all 3 love to read, dance to the music on our keyboard, and will play with the GeoTrax forever.

This is just the beginning (hopefully) of some long weeks.  I hope I can not get discouraged or overwhelmed and stay optimistic that another day sitting is another day of baking for baby. I'm so grateful for help from neighbors, friends, our ward, and Mike.