Where's the Party?

Samantha is at the age where she doesn't want to miss a thing. So when I feed her, I'm competing with Ryan's singing, her sisters dancing, an airplane going by . . . you name it!

About a year ago is when we discovered we would be having a sweet baby girl joining our family. :) It was also when I was told I had placenta previa, and we had no idea what that meant. We really didn't estimate just how greatly our lives would be affected by it. I remember reading that some women have to start bedrest around 32 weeks or so. I remember thinking 32 weeks!! That's so early! Aaaahh. I had no idea. (It ended up being 24 weeks for us.) So grateful that our little gift was protected!

I Want Bite!

A moment came yesterday that has been long-awaited. Yet I didn't think it would happen this soon. My boy used a pronoun! This is such a big deal. I was making dinner, and he walked up to me with a dried fruit snack and said "I want bite."

God is so good! Just wanted to share that with all of you. :)

Costumes

We didn't do Halloween growing up. So I have mixed feelings about it. I want my kids to enjoy trunk-or-treat at the church. I want them to have a blast dressing up. But ... I can't imagine buying costumes. They just seem so expensive. This (or something similar) is what my girls want:

I however, think I could probably manage something like this . . .

Or this . . .

Aren't those more fun? Sheesh. Who wants to dress up like a princess every year? So I don't know what we'll do this year. I don't even know if we'll go to the church as a family because it's usually fairly difficult with Ryan. He doesn't do so well in big crowds. Maybe he could be a hamster in a cage, and that way wherever he goes he can just mow anyone down around him. He'd love that! ;) We'll see . . .

In the Midst Of It All

This has been a particularly trying week. We had family pictures done on Tuesday night by the lovely and talented Andrea F! That was actually the highlight of the week. Now Samantha and I both have pinkeye, although we have been using the eyedrops since Wednesday so I think we're on the mend. (Giving eyedrops to an 8-month-old is NOT on my list of fun things to do!) Ryan crashed into our fireplace Wednesday night and cut his head open. There was blood spurting everywhere. I thought for sure a visit to the ER was in order but luckily it didn't need stitches. Oh, and I learned a GREAT tip from my neighbor, a former nurse. She said if you ever need stitches like that on a little girl, take the strands of hair on either side of the wound and knot them so they hold the wound together. Makes sense, right?

Ryan has not stopped this phase he's going through, or whatever you want to call it. He has been screaming several hours of the day and has gone back to biting anyone close by. The dr. couldn't find anything wrong so we are going to try to get into the specialist next week. His occupational therapist gave us a small brush and an instruction sheet on how to use it with him. It's supposed to help kids who are "tactically defensive". It makes him giggle, so at least that's a positive step. I think (hope) I am learning to be a better mom to him and the others throughout all of this.

Pillow Pet for President

This week we have been touching on the history of governments around the world. The kids are starting to learn the various functions of the government and responsibilities of the people. After some discussion on the topic, I let them form a mock government with their pillow pets (their new favorite stuffed animals). They decided to have an election for president. (Oh Boy!) I had them plan and present a speech of what their pillow pet would accomplish as president. Here's what they had to say . . .

Allie (2nd grade) "I will lower taxes and fix the mistakes that Obama made!" (uh, oh . . . guess we have some listening ears around our house)

Emily (1st grade) "I will protect the people and give them places to hide from danger and make our military strong!"

M. (kindergarten) "I will make up the rules and SMOOSH anyone who disagrees!"

So, basically M. plans to be a dictator. :) What kindergartner doesn't, right?

Can't wait to hear their opinions on the same topic in a few years!