Teething baby

Maggie has had a lot more trouble with teething than Ellie had.  Ellie was never awake in the middle of the night because of pain.  Poor Maggie was up about 7 times last night.  It is really taking its toll on me too.  I just can't keep up around the house because I am so exhausted from being up at night with her.  I just want her to sleep thru the night...what is the trick?  How do you get a baby who is on solids and is breast fed to sleep for more than 5 hours at a time.  I hate doing it, but I think it is time for the tough love.  I just can't do this much longer.  I am grouchy with my husband and my children because I am at my wits end.  I need to change something so we can return to normal life. 

Growing up so fast!

Every time I look at my kids they seem to grow up right before my eyes!  Yesterday was the first time that my youngest daughter knelt in her crib holding on to the bars.  Today, she was standing up!  How did she figure that out so fast!   It was a good thing that I lowered the mattress just the other day.  If I hadn't we would have had a baby falling out.  She is almost crawling too!  I just can't believe how fast she is learning :)

My other daughter, who is 2 and a half, went the whole night without peeing in her diaper.  That was a great thing, and I would have been happy about just that.  But...she surprised me even further...she went all day without peeing in her panties.  It was a shocker!  She has never even come close to that sort of accomplishment.  Normally we have at least 2 accident by the end of the morning.  I was blown away!  We are ACTUALLY on our way to getting her potty trained.  Hooray!!!  I am one excited mama.

Gumbo

Today was a good day for our household.  I played with the kids in the morning.  Ellie loves to pretend with little people and stuffed animals.  I love that she has an imagination.  Maggie, as always, was very content playing with her toys and exploring her ability to scoot across the floor.  At one point today, Ellie and Maggie were playing together  :)  That was a first!  Maggie was sitting on the floor and Ellie would back away from her really slowly on her hands and knees.  Then crawl quickly towards her...Maggie just giggled and giggled.  It was nice to see them interacting a little more. 

We also made a trip to the local goodwill store and I found some amazing deals.  I got a couple gymboree pieces for a little over a dollar per item.  I also found a girls bike helmet for a dollar, which will be prefect for our newly acquired bike trailer.  I was happy with what we found and the price tag as well.

The rest of my day was occupied with trying to get dinner prepared.  I made gumbo for the first time and it was quite delish.  It was a good thing too...we had company over.  My friend and her 4 kids came to eat because her husband was out of town.  The kids seemed to even enjoy the meal.  Sometimes they are the ones most difficult to impress.  I think it is a recipe that I will end up making again, a few times each year.  Here is the link if you would care to try some.  http://www.food.com/recipe/gumbo-32042  There was one thing that I did differently.  As a mother knows, you can't stand over the stove stirring for 15 minutes straight...the kids won't let that happen.  So, I used the Alton Brown method of making the roux.  I mixed the flour and the oil but then placed it in a 350 degree oven for an hour and a half stirring only occasionally.  Then I completed the recipe as directed. 

Suprise!!!  I got flowers from Jon for Valentine's day...They are BEAUTIFUL!  I love my husband...not only because he gave me flowers.

Another day done and one soon to follow.  Tomorrow should be good...my folks are coming into town for a visit.

Weekly Commissary Trip

One thing I hate is going to the grocery store more than you have to.  I ended up going 3 times a week because I forgot odds and ends for recipes I was fixing.  I have found a solution to that problem...meal planning.  Yes...it takes up a chunk of time all at once to plan.  After you have the meals planned though, you don't have to waste time thinking of what you could have later in the week.  This week we are going to have shrimp and sausage gumbo, leg of lamb with asparagus and rolls, carne adovada and corn, leftovers,  chicken with zucchini parmesan, and spaghetti and meatballs.  I got everything I needed that I don't already have in the freezer or the pantry.  I also picked up what we needed for lunches and breakfast items.  All in all, we end up spending less than $90 weekly which I think is pretty decent for a family of four.  You couldn't go out to eat for a week and spend that little.  $90 might cover you for maybe 2 days eating out for every meal.  I don't understand how people can afford to do that. 

I feel blessed that I can cook.  I have my mother to thank for that.  She is a wonderful cook and baker.  She took the time, from when I was really little, to teach me how to read recipes and interpret what I need to do.  I can't thank her enough.  I just  need to take the time to teach my girls when they get a little older.  I have already started with my 2 yo.  She loves to help me make cookies...really anything in the mixer.  After I measure the items, she pours them in the bowl for me.  My big helper!  My hardest challenge is to have patience with her and to remember that she is only 2 yo.  She is so big for her age, that sometimes I forget and treat her like an older child. 

For seven days, I don't have to worry about what I am going to make for dinner.  It will give me more freedom to work around the busy schedule we keep and not forfeit a yummy, healthy meal for my family.

Long day...

For some reason, it seems like every moment of everyday is busy until  my children are in bed...and sometimes, even then, it doesn't end.  Today we went from bible study, to the doctors (Maggie's 6 month check-up) and then I worked out, made dinner (breakfast tonight), and cleaned up the house.  It might have seemed extra long today because Ellie didn't get a nap at all and Maggie didn't get a very long one.  Ellie did surprisingly well for not getting her quota of shut-eye.  She lasted until about 6:30 without a break down...but then all hell broke loose and she wouldn't stop crying.  It was just a race to see how fast I could get her in bed.  I am hoping she sleeps in a little tomorrow morning...I would love a few extra minutes of precious rest.   

At bible study...I have just recently volunteered to be in the nursery.  Before today, they had had only one or two babies in the nursery at a time.  Lucky me, I had 4...all under the age of 9 months.  Needless to say it was a little over whelming.  It gives me a new found respect for mothers of twin, triplets, and more.  I don't know if I could do that constantly every moment of every day.  Yikes...it makes me thankful I have 2 children of different ages.  I enjoyed being with the kiddos though...I guess I just love babies.

Maggie's 6 month check-up was uneventful.  She is right on track physically and mentally.  She is a little bigger than most 6 month old babies, but I think she really has no choice...it doesn't help when both of your parents are over 6 feet tall!  I am just blessed to have a happy and healthy baby girl.

My workout today consisted of a Jillian Michael's workout video.  "The Shred" really works you!  I did the video this afternoon and I already feel my muscles hurting a little.  Even though it hurts...it feels good.  I love the way exercise makes you feel.  I can't wait to do something active tomorrow!

As for dinner...I love the ease of breakfast for dinner.  When I have run out of time to thaw or make a real supper, breakfast is a winner with my family.  Ellie LOVES the pancakes, Jon LOVES the bacon, I just love breakfast in general, and Maggie even enjoyed her first taste of pancake.  I try not to let breakfast happen more than once a month because I almost feel like it is a cop out or I didn't try hard enough.

I just thank God for my healthy family, for the ability to keep fit,  and the many blessing he bestows on me each day.

Challenges in Clovis

Clovis is a small town, and for a woman that comes from a larger city, it can be difficult.  There aren't many shopping options and not many facilities that provide fun things for kids.  I have had to become creative to make life more exciting for my two year old, who is ALWAYS on the go.  She gets cabin fever if we spend the day at home.  She constantly asks if we are going somewhere and if I tell her "no", she wants to know "why?"...(which seems to be the only question she knows right now).   Luckily we have a family that we have become really close to.  We get together with them sometimes 3 or more times a week.  My daughter even prays for them EVERY night before bed.  I feel blessed to have found such good friends for my children, a wonderful friend for me and a family that my husband actually enjoys spending time with.  Today for instance, we went over to their house, and while the mommies exercised, the kids all played together.  Everyone was happy (except for a couple fights over toys and such).  I felt energized for the afternoon of making dinner and cleaning, and Ellie and Maggie were exhausted from all the commotion and ready for their nap.  Today was a great day for all of us.  I can't wait for tomorrow...because everyday is an adventure no matter how small :)