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Wednesday, July 1, 2009

This Could Send Me to a Nursing Home in Ten Years

Is it already Wednesday? I had good intentions of posting about our weekend on Monday...

This week has flown by, with Caleb being in Dallas at a training and Opa getting in a car accident yesterday (he's okay, but pretty sore), and a BIG EVENT coming up on Saturday (nope, not Independence Day- although doesn't that just add to the excitement?), and my brother and Beth and Sage coming to visit tomorrow for a little firework, Canton, waterskiing fun.

It certainly has not been challenging to catch up on laundry, clean the upstairs for our guests, find a dress to wear for the BIG EVENT and try to get four children to nap simultaneously.

Speaking of which, in case you are interested in how this is done and for my personal records when I am laid up in a nursing home at the tender age of 42...

I put Reece on her tummy for some tummy time and while she screams, I put McClaine on the toilet and beg him to go so a BM doesn't interrupt his precious nap.

Then I put Audrey on my shoulder and sing, "Before the Throne of God," and lay her down (she is a breeze to put down for a nap). All the while Avery is coating her face with a heavy dousing of Maybelline.

Then I turn Reece on her back, wipe her tears, insert paci, take McClaine off the toilet and put on his diaper, wash my hands, wash Avery's face and tell her to get into bed.

Then I pick up Reece and nurse her while I read McClaine and Avery a story. Then I sit and nurse Reece and rock her to sleep while giving Avery and McClaine the serious mommy eye- if they dare speak or move a muscle...

Then I carefully lay Reece down. There is no babywise or CIO for this dear child, it would mess up everything I have done so far. Then I go back and check on Avery and McClaine and break up their shenanigans.

Then I put Avery in my bed because I can stare McClaine to sleep but she takes a little more convincing. Okay, 3/4 sleeping.

I interrupt this post because I thought that all my children were sleeping when I started this post and just now heard a THUD on the floor above me. Avery, "now can I get up? I slept for four hours."

I go into my room and doctor Avery's 60 boo boos that are preventing sleep and then I stand there for 10 more minutes with my arms crossed, listening to the whimper, "but my eyes sting when I close them. But, but my armpit itches. But, but I'm not sleepy.

And then I hear that heavy breathing. The breaths that say thank you for putting me in a soft bed with cool a/c and allowing my busy little body to rest. Or as indicated by the statement above in orange, "I am such a good faker, my mommy thinks I am sleeping and as soon as she goes downstairs and engages in blog land, I am out of this bed, I have a lot to do today, and this napping stuff is for the birds."

And that is how it goes, every single day. It usually takes about an hour and a half to get them all to sleep and about 20 minutes after they are all asleep, Reece or Audrey wakes up.

You know, if I end up in a nursing home in ten years, my kids will all be teenagers, and a nursing home sounds pretty appealing.

Anyway, here are a couple of pictures from our weekend in Dallas!

This is my very best girl friend, Adrianne. She is awesome. And take a moment to check out my awesome boots that Caleb made me for Christmas and I am just now blogging about!

Adrianne's mom, Sara, with Reece

Adrianne's daughter, Kayla, sang a sweet lullaby to Reecey and put her to sleep.

Adrianne's younger daughter, Kenya.


We went to a super fun water park for McClaine's birthday, and got to go after hours, so we had the whole place to ourselves. You may not see a pic of Avery because we couldn't slow her down.




This may be the only picture you will ever see of me in a swimsuit. And yes, it is my maternity suit. Not quite ready for the itty bitty teeny weeny bikini.

I better hit publish, or this may not get published until Thursday and then I am going to have to remember how to do strikethroughs on the word, "wednesday."

9 comments:

Patrice said...

Wow! You certainly have been busy, haven't you?! Who knew kids kept you so busy!!? lol

Unknown said...

That nap routine would require ME to take a nap! ; )

Glad you had a good visit to Dallas. Are you feeling settled in your new place yet?

We leave for LA tomorrow! ACK! : )

Loukia said...

Good heavens! That sounds brutal, trying to get all 4 of them to sleep! I can't even begin to imagine that routine, I need both me and my husband to put our boys to sleep - we each take one and there ya go, and that's not even that easy sometimes!

amanda said...

i seriously don't know how you do it!!

and LOOOOVE the boots :)

Genny said...

You are one busy mama! I read the title of your post and got very curious...too funny! Hope you get some peace and rest!

Angela said...

Looks like you had a good time in Dallas. Your swimsuit is really cute! Maternity or not :)

And I love reading stories like this about your kiddos. Even if they are painful-for-you stories.

Pineapple Princess said...

You are a saint! So patient while getting all the kids down.
You look totally cute in your suit!! :)

Carol said...

Oh naptime how I miss you.

That is a lot of hard work for 20 whole minutes of collective peace.

My kids stopped napping at 18 and 15 months so enjoy while you can my love.

Katrina said...

That is quite a production. I am sure that I will use these tips in the future. Next time you are in Dallas, I would love to play. Is that Jack Carter that you went to to swim?