Saturday, September 26, 2009

Moving Forward

We are packing up our house and moving this weekend. I can't believe that after over three months we will finally be moving into our wonderful dream home. It is very exciting. And a bit overwhelming.

I have never moved this much stuff before. I've only moved from apartments where I had next to nothing. This is crazy. I don't ever want to do it again. Especially while taking care of a 6, 4, 2 year old and a newborn. Because that is just plain loony. Seriously. Lock me up now.

Luckily we have the help of our awesome families. My sis and sis in law are doing much of the boxing up because it is a bit difficult to do anything with a 6 week old attached to me. And my mother in law is taking the boys all day tomorrow so that should help too. Hooray! Still. Moving really sucks. Remind me to NEVER do it again.

The boys seem to be a bit stressed about it. Tommy woke up from his nap today crying hysterically that he didn't want to leave this house. My dear, sweet, emotional boy. I completely understand. I must remember too that this could be pretty traumatic to my boys, watching as we pack up our life and leave behind the only house they've ever known.

I thought I was so done with this house and being in limbo that I wouldn't even get emotional about it, but I was wrong. There are just so many wonderful memories that I was silly to think I would feel anything but melancholy about the whole move. Yes, of course I am very excited to get into the new house, but I've loved this house. This home. What a wonderful, warm, cozy, haven this house has been for us. In the good times and the bad.

The boys took their last bath in our beloved clawfoot tub last night. After it was done and the boys were in bed I cried. I understand this is just a house, and that we make it a home, as we will do with the new house. But it also signifies a closed chapter in our lives. A sweet, gorgeous, happy chapter. And though we will have many more fabulous memories to make in the new house, it is hard to say goodbye.

So, my friends, please forgive me if I am missing from bloggy land for a while. I will be busy packing, moving, unpacking, and wiping a few tears. I will get the pictures of the new house up on my blog as soon as we are settled in and Todd has my computer hooked up again.

See you soon!

Monday, September 21, 2009

I'm A Babywearer


In support of National Babywearing Week I thought I would post a pic of Grace and I. I just love wearing Grace, and clearly she loves it too. The minute I put her in the sling she is out like a light. And it is such a lifesaver. I wouldn't be able to take the boys to the park or even make their lunches some days if it weren't for my sling.

Let's hear it for babywearing!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Sleep, Sweet Sleep

There is nothing like a sleeping baby to make me all swooney. Especially my precious, sleeping baby.

*sigh*

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

One Month

Grace,

In just one short month you have managed to capture our hearts. Your big brothers adore you. Your daddy is smitten. And I feel like you have been with me all my life. A little angel that has come to life. You are a dream come true. An answer to all of our prayers.

You have grown so much, and have accomplished so much for such a young lady. You've been to the county fair. You've been to church, school, and all the local parks. You have had your first bath, your first smile, and you can hold your head up like a champ. You eat like a pro and are gaining weight like a good little girl. And just recently you slept for 5 and a half hours in a row at night. Thank you.

But more than all of that you are Grace. I can't believe I have my baby Grace. I knew that was the perfect name for you the minute I saw you. You are patient and sweet. You are engaging and social. You are like sunshine. Everyone melts in your warmth. You are all smiles all the time. You have so quickly become a part of this family that it is difficult to remember a time when you were not with us. Perhaps because you were always in our hearts. What a blessing you are.

Happy one month birthday, darling. It has been one absolutely precious month to me.

Thank you, Grace, for being my little girl. I love you so much.
Love,
Your Mumma

Monday, September 14, 2009

Holy Frigging Crap!

Could I BE more excited?

I think I may have just peed my pants a little.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Life has been busy, busy, busy around here and blogging (and showering, and eating, and showering) has now taken a backseat to feeding, clothing, and entertaining four little ones. Some days it is all I can do to get the boys to school on time and then remember to pick them up at their separate times. Ugh.

My mom pointed out that "they" (the experts?) always say the four most stressful things in life are 1- death of a loved one, 2- moving or building a house 3- having a baby and 4- going through a divorce. We have gone through 3 of the 4 in the last couple of months, and we are working hard not to lead to number 4. Ha! I have had a few meltdowns, but for the most part Todd and I have been a strong team all along. I know some day we will look back on this time in our lives and wonder how in the H-E-L-L we ever made it through.

The days are moving at ultra lightening speed and in less than two weeks we should be in our new house. I can hardly believe it. It doesn't seem real. Friends and family members have been helping us with the painting and staining this weekend and all of the lighting fixtures and faucets are going in too. It is starting to really look like a home now. The boys are getting so excited seeing their new rooms begin to look like actual bedrooms. Yet they still are sad to leave this house. I know the feeling.

It is funny to me that the one thing I worried about most, having Grace sleep in my room with me, has actually turned out to be a blessing. Sure, Todd has been sleeping on the couch for the last four weeks because he doesn't want to wake us up when he has to get up early (or during one of his hacking fits that has seemed to hang on for the last few weeks), and we thought one of us should try and get a bit of sleep during the night. But overall, it has gone really well. It helps that Grace is turning out to be the most pleasant baby on the face of the planet. She rarely cries unless completely famished. Even when she gets up in the middle of the night and I strip her down and change her wet clothes she just lies their and smiles at me instead of wailing and crying. Such a good girl. The boys have rarely been woken up by her cries at night.

Yes, God had it all planned out long ago. The timing of the move has turned out to be perfect. Of course. I don't know why I ever doubted. Yes, life has been really crazy around here for quite some time. But it is just as it should be. And I am so grateful.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

A Good Reminder

Today was Grace's two week check up at the doctor's office. I knew she was doing well, but to hear that she has already gained over a pound and a half since she left the hospital has me pretty giddy. I did laugh out loud when the nurse asked how well Grace is sleeping at night. I mean come on. I don't think they should even ask that right now. She is a newborn. Isn't it just assumed that newborns don't sleep much? Well, I suppose that isn't fair. She does have a three hour stretch now and then. That has to count for something.

Life has been nutty around here. Not just the sleep deprivation but also trying to get the new house finished up so that we can be out of here in a few weeks. Todd has been over there every waking moment painting and staining. We have been short a daddy around here, and the boys have been punishing me for it. Throw in a new school schedule and some puking boys and we have a grand ole time on our hands.

Still. I'm not complaining. I'm really not.

Today has been a very good reminder of just how fast time passes us by. It seems like just yesterday Joey was having his two week check up and today he started first grade. He looked so grown up and so little all at the same time. The whole family ushered him into school and to his classroom. It was quite the parade.
So, life may be crazy, and at times it may seem unmanageable, but I'll take it. And I'll not wish it away. I'll take the sleep deprivation as it comes. Because all too soon Tommy (and then Ben, and then Grace) will be starting 1st grade, and then before I know it my babies will be off to college.

Words To Live By

Be grateful for each new day.
A new day that you have never lived before.
Twenty-four new, fresh, unexplored hours to use usefully and profitably.
We can squander, neglect, or use them.
Life will be richer or poorer by the way we use today.
Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could;
some blunders and absurdities crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.
Tomorrow is a new day.
You shall begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be
encumbered with your old nonsense.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson