Shopping trip fun

Stella, Haddie and I had to make a Target run this morning after Sami went to school.

Haddie did some version of this (mostly screaming, didn't sound much like crying) the entire time. You know how you feel like everyone around you is watching and judging and criticizing?  Ya, me too. 

Back-to-School Night!

Sami had Back-to-School Night tonight, met her teacher, found her locker, and is ready to start FIRST GRADE on Thursday! 

Things I've learned as a mom

In no particular order (and to be continuously updated):

1. Spill-proof sippy cups are not spill proof after being in the hands of a toddler for 5 seconds.

2. Doing a thorough, on-the-knees, deep clean of the bathroom usually means that within 24 hours someone will pee, poop and/or puke on the floor.

3. If my house is 'clean,' it is from 10pm-6am. 

Mommy's WHAT?!

This beautiful, big eyed little lady is so misunderstood. The most recent misunderstanding:

At the table yesterday Stella started repeatedly saying 'Mommy dumb.' I let it go the first few times because I don't deny it. But she kept saying it so matter of factly and she got frustrated as she said it. I was hurt. My TWO-year-old thinks I am dumb. I started saying 'no, Stella, not nice' and she would repeat while nodding her head and pointing at me 'yah, mommy dumb.' I was so offended, I didn't know how to handle it. She kept pointing at me and saying it. This kid has many expressions to go with her words and she was giving me the 'I am right!' expression as she said this.

Did I mention I was hurt? I sat there chewing my gum trying to figure out how to handle this (I am dumb, after all), when I realized I was chewing gum!!!! Mommy gum! Not dumb! (Well, that can be argued, but let's focus on the fact that my two-year-old does not yet think so).

In Loving Memory

My Darling Keurig,

It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to you. You did so much for me, I don't know where to even begin. You saw me through sleepless nights, lifted me up during early (and I mean EARLY) mornings. For most of our time together, I couldn't have you all that I wanted. My bosom belonged to another. I felt awful, wanted you more at that time than I let on. I started seeing the signs that you were giving up on me long ago and I ignored them, too tired to put any effort into you. And I know I wasn't the only one who enjoyed your company. There was another who used you; pushed you to your limits, demanding more and more. Then I did the same. I lost respect for who you really were, a single cup kinda brewer. I wanted a full pot and I tried to change you, always asking for more. Then you started giving me less and less until you couldn't take it anymore.

In the week since you've been gone, my life has been a mess. I'm not thinking rationally. I dropped my phone in my bowl of cereal, sent my child to school without lunch, and more. I doze off randomly and think of you often.

I went through the stages:
Denial: I kept trying to get something from you, even though you didn't respond.
Anger: I got violent. I hit you, repeatedly. I thought I would bring you back.
Bargaining: I begged you to come back. Promised that I would take care of you.
Depression: I was so sad. Still am.
Acceptance: today I pulled the plug. It wasn't easy, but I did it.

I went out and got a coffee pot today. One that can handle my needs. I hope you understand; I had to move on.

You were truly a gift, and I will never forget you.

All my love,

Kate

Haddie's 2012

Rather than doing a 'Christmas Letter,' I am going to do one post for each kid reviewing the year past.  I don't have time to do them all at once, so tonight I will start with Haddie.

Haddie (a/k/a  Cubby, Hads, Hadster, Hadelina, little monster, little nugget):  She came into this world screaming during the morning of January 18, 2012.   She weighted 6 lbs, 7.7 oz. and was 19 inches tall.

^ Haddie - then ^

 ^ Haddie - Now ^

  ...Some things never change.  Haddie is the quickest developer of the three girls, having started crawling at seven or eight months and pulling herself up shortly thereafter.  She is walking along furniture and just might be walking on her own very soon.  Or not, because I just jinxed it.  She has the Most Amazing fine motor skills and eyesight.  I can't believe that she doesn't have glittery, sequins poop after all of the tiny little pieces of that stuff (glitter and sequins, not poop - although it's bound to happen eventually) that she finds hidden on the floor and puts in her mouth.

Haddie loves to bug her older sister, Stella, in a variety of ways. These include hair pulling, swatting, toy stealing, and others.  She is also very stubborn.

Don't get me wrong, she has a sweet and silly side, too.  She has a big, cheesy smile and a sweet little laugh that can turn a bad day better.

P.S.  Amber beads are a crock.

Happy Halloween 2012

Last Halloween

So easy (I had no idea)

 This Halloween

So chaotic (I am fully aware)

I'm excited to see what next year's Halloween photo looks like!

Sami is super excited because she gets to go on a field trip this morning (to a play, taking a bus) and then they are having a Halloween party in the afternoon. She is going to be SuperGirl for Halloween. She was going to be a ghost, then decided she wanted to be a zombie but when we were at the store getting face paint she saw the pretty pink super girl costume and there ya have it. Plus, that way she gets to dress up with her class this afternoon.

Stella is going to be a cow (hand-me-down from Fluge cousins) and Haddie is going to be a skunk (yes, the same skunk that Sami was and then Stella was).

Maybe I'll get some better pictures of the three of them when they are all dressed up tonight. 

Lunch Date

Today I had lunch with Sami at her school. It's funny how something so simple makes a kid feel higher than the clouds. Joe and I try to take turns having lunch with her a few times a month (which will probably change to once a month), for a few reasons: 1)it's the highlight of her day; 2) it's the highlight of our day 3) it gives her time with one of us without her sisters, so it's all about her.

It's good for me to see the other kindergarteners because it reminds me just how small and innocent Sami is. I lose sight of that at home because she is the oldest child and I think I age her a little bit, or expect more from her than I should.

It was a good 25 minutes of sort of bonding. Bonus: the lunch ladies were all nice today and the food was good!

Wow!!!

It's amazing what six consecutive hours of sleep does for a girl's attitude! (I would be the girl I am speaking of.)

I was awakened at 5:00 this morning by a screaming baby (or, more likely, it was my bladder that woke me and the baby happened to be screaming, also). As I was rushing into the bathroom, I realized that it was the first time I was up. So, I looked at Joe (who was getting ready to take Cash out for his morning bike run), and said "is this her FIRST time up?!" to which he replied something along the lines of "well, she's been screaming for a while now, but I thought you were letting her cry it out." and we determined that YES!! this was possibly her first time up. Or Joe and I are so tired that we slept through her cries all night.

Regardless, I GOT SIX CONSECUTIVE HOURS OF SLEEP LAST NIGHT!! And what a wonderful place this world is when I am somewhat rested. I used to think I needed at least eight hours of sleep in order to be a decent human being. Now, six is a blessing. Funny how our perspective changes with kids.

Thanks, Haddie. Or, I'm sorry if you screamed all night.

Kate

Crabby Haddie

This little girl is wearing us all out. Me especially. How can such a cute little baby scream and shriek and cry so much. Our house isn't big enough for the attitude she has.