Wuv Oooo

So with three kids, it seems like there is something to keep track of everyday.  The other day I was so excited, my son spoke to me so clearly I could understand him.   His sister was talking so fast, it seemed as though he was never going to talk.  So I was so very shocked when I picked him up out of the crib and he told me, "Morning."  Every morning when I get the kids out of bed I tell them good morning, ask if they slept well and tell them that I love them.  I want those to be the first words they hear so that its out of the way.  So I can never say they left without me saying I loved them. I was even more shocked when Ryan climbed up in my lap,  laid his head on my shoulder, and put his thumb in his mouth.  Then I said, "I love you Ryan."  and he said, "Wuv Oooo!"  My heart melted.  I think that I even shed a small tear.  I can't wait for the other one to say it. 

Patience is a Virtue

So my three year old has really been trying my patience lately.  No matter what the circumstance, she refuses to listen.  I've taken everything away from her and looking at that, she has way too much.  Not that she gets to play/use them everyday but these are things at her disposal when she wants them.  So we have taken away the TV, Movies, DS, playing outside with friends, playing her keyboard and all other toys.  She still is stomping her feet and giving me attitude.  She thought she was slick the other day and called her grandmother to see if she could spend the day with her since she was in so much trouble here at home.  Of course, grandma said yes and she had a wonderful time.  The thing she didn't realize was that when she came home, she would still have to have the punishment when she gets back.

The Many Uses of Vanilla Extract

While standing in line at the grocery store the other day, I happened to get in line behind a man who was very knowageable about the many uses of vanilla extract.  I had got it for french toast for breakfast.  He told me that if you mix vanilla extract and water you can use it for bug spray.  He also informed me that you can put it on your light bulbs and it will keep the bugs away from the light at night and also, it will make your house smell like vanilla.  I never knew you could do so much with vanilla. Try them for yourself and see how they work.

Surviving the Heat

So with three kids who really like to go outside, this week has been killing us.  The heat is so unbearable, I don't even want to go outside to do the small things like take out the trash and  checking the mail.  This morning it was so hot I didn't want to go for my morning walk, but I did.  So instead of sending them out in the extreme heat, we've been chilling out in the cold.  Our basement.  We have converted one of our rooms in the basement into a playroom for the kids.  They love it.  They can kick their balls around and watch movies.  They have a little room to run and they get to get out all of that energy that they usually expell when they are outside.  Not sure what we are going to do about this when the weather gets cooler, but its great for now.  So now their room is just for sleeping and reading.  No TV watching in there.  This will help Ryan because when it is time to go to sleep, that is what he wants to do, SLEEP.  Usually Aleesia is there watching a movie and he will cry and whine until the lights and the TV go off.  Yesterday, Aleesia fell asleep in the basement.  Savannah hasn't had too much fun down there yet.  I don't like her on the floor since its so cold.  She sits in her chair but tries to get out to play with her siblings. 

So off we go to the basement, to enjoy our hot day in the nice cool....

Carpal Tunnel

Is it possible to get carpal tunnel from changing diapers? I have this terrible pain in my left hand when I hold up my kids legs when I am changing them.  I have been changing diapers almost everyday since December 2007.   I would say in that time there were maybe two full weeks where I didn't.  Days when I didn't have the kids.  And my diapering days are not over yet.  I say I still have another good two years to change diapers.  It has really started to get bad here lately.  The older one who is in diapers, likes to move around and try to grab himself while I'm changing him.  So I find myself holding his legs and his arms at the same time.  And the little one just discovered how her body can move and it takes all that I have to keep her from rolling over while changing her.  All I know is that the lower part of my thumb is killing me and I'm not sure if I can put up with this for another two years.  I know, I know, go see the doctor about it.  I've got that planned, but wanted to know if any other mothers have experienced this problem.

Sleeping In!

Before I had kids and was a working woman.  I looked forward to the weekends and holidays when I could sleep in.  Those days, sleeping in meant that I didn't have to move from my bed until 9 or 10 or sometimes even later.  These days, sleeping in until 8 is a miracle and I feel great if I can make it to 7:30.  My how times have changed.  If I ever get the chance to sleep to 9 or 10 in the very near future, I am definitely going to cherish it.

I've Lost My Identity

So it has finally happened.  The thing I have dreaded since I became a parent.  I have lost my identity.  I used to be me, and just me.  Now the other day one of Aleesia's friends called me, "Aleesia's Mom."  OK, I know that is part of my identity, but not exactly how I want to be identified.  My mom said something to me once we all moved out that she was no longer Lorrea and Donna's mom, but back to being herself.  I see it now, I guess I have the next few years to get used to all of that.