Zeke gets in on the action

Eli pets the real cat and the fake one.




And Miranda offers Zeke a lollypop

3 in the car

Grandma Reads

Grandma Judy took Parker to the library today. When they returned, she showed him how to read a regular watch and then read the new books to the kids. Parker picked up the watch thing fast, which surprised me since I had been trying to teach him for a while now. And all the kids loved the Spike Lee book, Please, Baby, Baby.

Bunk Beds

No, we didn't get bunk beds. But we did talk about them this morning which led us to make some for Ted and Lion. Parker helped with the taping. And Ted did a great job climbing the ladder.

The sleep saga continues

It seems that bedtime is definitely getting easier. Last night, after books and songs (and peeing), the girls fell asleep on their own in a few minutes. No hysterics from Miranda. No getting out of bed. Not sure if it was the several days of working on it or Grandma Judy's efforts on Sunday night (it took 7 times that night), but I think they are finally getting it.

Unfortunately, the middle of the nights are a literal nightmare.

Usually it's only Miranda who get's up 5-6 times each night and then 'wakes up' at 5am screaming. But last night we had the triple whammy. Miranda woke up first around 11:30. I was still awake after sleeping most of the day so I went and put her back in bed. About an hour later, Elizabeth woke up and came to the door. When I tried to take her hand to put her back in bed, she flopped to the ground and started screaming NO, NO, NO. Michael got up to help since I couldn't pick her up. He put her back in bed where she continued screaming bloody murder. Sure enough, Parker woke up and started screaming. This went on for a few minutes and surprisingly, Miranda didn't wake up. Parker's screaming outlasted Eli's but soon they were all back asleep.

Then about 30 minutes later (yes, I was still awake), Miranda got up again and came to the door. I put her back, watched a bit more TV and then went to bed.

About two hours later, she did it again and an hour later, again. Then, at 5ish, she was awake. Although I'm not sure what exactly happened as I was upstairs, Michael let Miranda and Eli come lay on the couch with him. That lasted a few minutes until Parker got up at 6. I got up a few moments later to relieve poor Michael.

And unfortunately, this is all been very typical for the last couple weeks. Pure hell. Almost wished we had newborns again...

Bad news, good news.

Apparently, there is something worse than a UTI. And that thing is a kidney infection. And I have one. I went to the doctor this morning and she tells me this and then tells me to 'rest' and did I need a note for work. I said No note, but was she telling me to rest because she's a doctor and that is what they are suppose to say or did I really need to rest. ie was this is a serious recommendation. She looked me straight in the eye and said, "This is very serious."

Since Michael not only can't take work off tomorrow and is getting sick himself AND because Parker is sick too, my mom is coming up to take care of everyone. Thank God.

And since we are looking for any good news these days...Eli has pooped in the potty for three days now. She seems quite happy about it now. Not sure what changed her mind, but are liking it.

Reading

Julia

Just found these on my computer from last weekend. Must be from Amy's camera...

Speaking of Julia, today in the bath, the kids were asking for more bubbles ("Mo babble pees!") Then Miranda said, "Mo Ooolia Pees!"

Child Labor?

The girls have started to ask to carry their own bags. I think it's great.

Oh joy.

Because my life isn't exciting enough, I got a UTI last night. Fun. Fun. There isn't much worse than an UTI except going to the doctor to get it treated with three kids. Luckily Kaiser was able to prescribe something over the phone which allowed me to skip the appointment. Unfortunately, I still had to stand in the non-moving line to pick up the medication. It went something like this:

Everyone go pick a chair and sit down. Mommy has to stand in this line.
Elizabeth, no hanging on the rope.
Parker, no climbing over the chair.
Miranda, just sit down.
No sit down.
Parker if you can't just sit down, you can stand with me.
You can sit down? Oh good.
Elizabeth, no hanging on the rope.
Elizabeth, stop pushing your sister.
Parker, sit down.
Elizabeth come with me since you can't stop pushing Miranda. (BIG CRYING EPISODE IN LINE).
Elizabeth, don't touch that.
Don't.
Stop.
Please.
Ok, time to go.
Now.
Miranda, everyone is going now.
We're leaving.
You want to stay?
you can't.
We have to leave now.
Time to go to the bathroom (since I have to go every 3 minutes and the line we just waited in was much longer than that.
Let's go!

Ahhh...

Why no blogs?

I haven't posted a new blog in a day or so because I've been napping when the kids naps. The combination of getting up every day at 5 to work out and Miranda being up all night is getting to me and I'm taking some time during the day to sleep. It helps, but it isn't enough. Getting up every hour to put Miranda back in bed is a drag. Eli and Parker sleep right through it, but I can't.

The good news is that I am finally losing the weight I gained during my undetected and untreated thyroid problem. Still have a ton to go, but it's a start.

And some super nannying at bedtime seems to be working a bit. Two nights ago, Michael put Miranda back in her bed 32 times before she stopped. Last night, it was down to 13. Progress?

Bath time

The After Party

After everyone went home yesterday the kids went down for naps. After naps they all went back into the jumpy house. They ran up and down the slide. Julia laughed with delight each time she slid down. And Amy helped the girls do flips. The girls sure do love Amy and Julia. Since they left, they have been asking about them every hour or so. "OOOLiA?? "Amy a Ourpt?" It's quite sweet and makes me glad they came up to visit.

Party Time

The party was a success. With the help of Amy and a fancy french bakery down the street, we had a nice spread of brunchy foods and fun filled backyard. I think at one count there were 20 kids and just a few less adults. Short of a few head bonks and a bee sting, there were no problems and everyone had fun. The little ones liked the cup cake decorating and Lincoln really liked the spin art machine. The adults liked the fancy cakes and of course the jumpy houses were used all day long. The kids are back jumping in it now with Amy (who did a flip in it) while we wait for them to pick it up.


The adults got fancy cake while the kids decorated their own cupcakes and then ate them. Or if they were Eli, licked the frosting off and the refrosted it.


The coffee station.


Scones, muffins, fruit, etc.


Spin art. Better for 6 year olds and their parents.


I got two bouncy houses this time. One regular and one slide.


The kids liked to climb up the slide instead.


Bubble machine was going at one point.


Isaac and Owen snack.


Julia and Fletcher hung out at the trains most of the day.


Craig and daughter Sydney played inside too.


Eli was sad for a moment. Overwhelmed with the party, I guess.


Julia decided to nap on the kitchen floor.


The cupcake table. Allison, Fiona, Beck and Eli loved it.


Allison fell in love with sprinkles.


Fiona was happy about the frosting.


Fletcher snacked on fruit.


Beatriz (from Parker's preschool) and Miranda enjoy cupcakes.


CAKES!


Sheehan drove down for the event. Sans kids.


Singing happy birthday.


She tried to blow out the candle, but Bauer had to help her.


Yum!


Juliana likes sprinkles too. Or is it Sophia?

Isaac and Owen's turn at the cupcakes.


Parker didn't notice the cupcakes at first, but was happy when he did.


Julia and Parker decorate.


Lincoln flies down the slide.


Parker follows.


Shari came a bit late due to baby issues, but AJ was in good spirits when he woke up.