[loveable] chaos

It's been a rough week...

2012-01-30T16:26:00.004-06:00

If we're friends on Facebook, you know it's been a rough week. If we're not friends on Facebook than just know that I have four sick kiddos (upper respiratory infections so not too bad), that on Wednesday Bubba had an allergic reaction that resulted in an ER trip and he's now a carrier of an EpiPen Jr; both with us and at school. But all that aside, we're moving into our house! I figured the fastest way to show our house would be a video but on the sloooooooow internet connection here at the hotel, I had to split it into parts.

And I lied; Downstairs is the main entry to the house, as well as the laundry room and another bedroom. (and a very tiny [but clean and not creepy] cellar. We are tentatively planning on using this room as a guest bedroom but we have to see how hot/cold it gets/stays.

And part 2 (and rest assured that the ''uh-oh's'' at the end of part 1 were Pook's concern over his sissy opening all the kitchen cabinets). No one was in danger during the making of this video.

And that's pretty much our house...

Overdue update on Peanut

2012-01-23T16:57:00.000-06:00

Obviously right now our life is more chaotic than it usually is and I'm pretty proud of myself that during this time of chaos, I've still managed to find the time to blog. Granted a paragraph or two then a photo collage isn't great but it's better than nothing (and honestly, blogger is pissing me off loading individual photos lately so the collages are easier). But I realized today that we've had milestones come and go without me acknowledging them at all! Okay, I acknowledged them but not on my blog. Geez, what kind of mother do you think I am!?

Back in summer and even early fall I was lazily attempting to potty train Peanut. He was almost three, he was full capable physically (holding it at naptime, able to pull his pants up and down, would tell me when he was dirty/wet) but he simply didn't want to. When Nanaw and Papa visited in July, he had it down. For almost two weeks he did awesome with the peeing part. Then Bubba started school...and right about the time Bubba was getting attention for that, Peanut stopped using the potty. He would pee in his undies, on the floor, in a diaper/pull up, anywhere. He wanted his ''kid diapers'' back (sissy's diapers were a different size so he said those were ''baby diapers'' but his were ''kid diapers''...he was NOT a baby if he wore the kid ones...at least in his mind. So after a few days, I threw in the towel. I realized that he wasn't ready. I was stressing myself out more than what it was worth. I knew that he would train eventually and I let it go. Sure we left his little potty out and if he went, we praised but we didn't make a big to-do either way.

Fast forward to October. He's really almost three now and I was feeling the societal pressure to get him out of the diapers. Well again, he let me know he had other plans. Some days he would do awesome and the next day he just wouldn't care. At this time, we got our moving dates and I decided to drop it and pick it up once we got settled here.

Well, apparently Peanut had other plans. See he decided to wait until the first week of December to ''want'' to go on the potty. He didn't even tell me or ask me to go, he'd run in there, use the potty then come back out and need me to button his pants and want a high-five. We had a few ''uh-oh I gotta go potty now" instances where we didn't make it to the potty in time but those happen. A few days after this is when we moved into the hotel. In the hotel, I did not have a little potty and he requested that I just give him diapers. Well that wasn't happening since I hadn't brough his ''kid'' diapers. Hours into day 1 at the hotel, he agreed to sit on the big potty and he (unintentionally) went #2 on the potty. Where my other kids were kind of scared to do that, Peanut thought it was SO cool. He loved using the big potty suddenly and it didn't matter where we were at, he'd yell ''I gotta go poop...now!" Honestly it's not even that embarrassing by kid number 3...I was just so proud of him for sticking to it!

So while I was nervous about a full day of flying/traveling with a newly ''potty trained'' kiddo, it went really well. He's completely trained, day and night (though I do make him wear a diaper still at bedtime; only because he's sleeping on a hotel mattress and if he had an accident, I don't want to deal with that). But yeah, so Peanut potty trained himself. Completely and if you don't count all the pressure that I put on him (granted off and on, but still) he trained himself is about three days. So basically I've learned that until Sissy is ready, I'm not stressing myself out nor wasting the time. Besides, one kid in diapers is pretty good considering at one point not too long ago, I had three in diapers at the same time.

a cheap thrill

2012-01-23T15:39:00.000-06:00

In Italy it seems that those 50 cent ride on toys are the latest rage. Every grocery store and mall has several and they range from odd (an elephant steering a boat) to modern, Tow Mater or Scooby Doo for example. The kids LOVE them and for 50 cents, we usually oblige. Well today we finally went up to the second story of a mall and it was, and I quote bubba ''the funnest place on earth''. Move over Disneyland, my kids were impressed by mechanical trains, baby go-carts that are 50 cents for three minute rides and giant toy monster trucks.

And every single ride pictured was really just .50 euro (roughly $.75USD).You win this one Italy, well played!

2012-01-20T07:00:00.000-06:00

We've now been in the hotel for 32 days. While most of the time I feel like I'm going to lose my mind, all in all it's not too bad. I mean six people and one dog in one hotel room for over a month...things could be going a lot worse! But all in all, things are falling into place. We chose our house and sign the lease next week. We got our overseas health insurance (as we are not eligible for Tricare because we aren't active duty) and I'm waiting for our insurance cards. Our van arrived last week and we quickly realized that while we could try to be a one car family, it would be difficult. It's about 30 degrees and we'll be living over 5 miles away. Way too cold for B to bike to work. He could have my van but then if I wanted to take the kids to storytime or do anything else on post, we'd have to walk to the bus stop, ride for awhile, switch buses, then ride the rest of the way to post...all in all it'd make a 20 minute trip take an hour. We needed to find him a car and he started looking weeks ago. We had some money saved up to buy something outright, as long as it wasn't more than $5000. He had fallen in love with the Mini Coopers so that's what he'd been looking at online. Bookmarking listings that we wanted to go look at.

Well as luck would have it we found a solider right here on post who was moving and needed to sell his. It was older than what B had been looking at but much, much cheaper. The kicker? It's a 1993 but looks much older (in a vintage/classic way, not junky). He drove it to the hotel for B to check out and B loved it. It needs a few smaller things (new tires, new muffler) but is completely driveable, runs great! We made the guy an offer later that night and yesterday, it was signed over to B. It's officially his!

Because we got such a great deal on it, B has the extra funds to turn it into a hobby. While he has to buy new tires and a muffler, he's also ordering the logo hub caps and in the spring time, will probably have it re-painted. (the body paint is in great condition...the racing stripes are peeling off). He wants me to make him seat covers once my sewing machine gets here, etc. I think he will have a lot of fun with it. And trust me, I passed him on post yesterday...he looks SO happy driving it. Just grinning from ear to ear...it's just a car that makes you smile. And the boys? They LOVE it. They call it "daddy's luigi car'' after Luigi from Cars:

Luigi was a 1959 Fiat but they don't know that!

Me? It reminds me of Mr.Bean's car! While I can't picture B sitting in a recliner on top of it, I can see why Mr. Bean needed too. This car is tiny.Much smaller than the new Mini's. The thing can't be wider than maybe 4 feet and possibly 4 feet tall. But it is perfect for B who tops out at 5'5''. It's a hobby, a commuter car and it's economical. I think it has a 9 gallon gas tank and insurance is a whopping $16/month. Che bello!

Here is his car next to my van:

Local Markets...

2012-01-19T04:06:00.001-06:00

This weekend we ventured out to the nearby town of Camisano to visit the market that comes in each week. We had heard wonderful things and since our swaggerwagon FINALLY arrived (never in my life did I imagine being so excited to see a minivan!) we headed over. We were not disappointed!

The market has everything. Clothing, accessories, dollar store type items, purses, shoes, produce....oh the produce! It's amazing! The above pic of the strawberries...we got the entire flat for 4 euro...that's about $5! And they were the freshest, sweetest strawberries we had ever eaten. They were delicious! And the oranges are everywhere. We did not buy them simply because the quantities were too much. 3kg (7.5 lbs) for 4 Euro...amazing deal but we could not eat almost 8 pounds of oranges. You could buy a flat of pineapples...8 total for 3 euro. The kids (and B) were so excited about the strawberries (fragola in Italian) that they ate them on the spot.

please excuse the poor quality, i only had my iphone with me!

If you're in the area, be sure to check them out. And Peggy over at pcsitaly.wordpress.com did a great write up on where the markets are each day. You can find that post here. I am so glad we have our van now. And I am super excited to go to the market where they sell antiques!

It's been almost 3 weeks but...

2012-01-17T09:08:00.001-06:00

I finally uploaded Christmas photos! There isn't much, the kids just opened their gifts in the hotel room. They ripped through everything so quickly that Peanut was done going through his stocking and on to his presents by the time I got my camera! But here is a quick overview....

Their favorite gift was there LeapFrog Explorers. Nanaw and Papa got them the gamers, Nanaw Phew Phew bought them each 2 games and we bought the cases (plus other presents). Those Explorers are life savers! Kids are learning, having fun and being fairly quiet! Which when six people are living in one hotel room...is a huge blessing!

Wordless Weekend Wrap-Up #2

2012-01-16T13:49:00.001-06:00

"It's not bad, just different!''

2012-01-10T07:01:00.001-06:00

My friend Amy (whom I met here in the hotel, doing laundry...she has four kids too!) was telling me how she catches herself saying this when referring to being here, in Italy.

"It's not bad, just different'' and I think that's the best way of describing it. I haven't been here for very long and in all honesty, I haven't seen very much in the grand scheme of things but so far we are enjoying ourselves. A lot of what we do on a day to day basis is similar to life in the States. We're on the military base so we go to the PX, the commissary, eat a mediocre lunch at Burger King...pretty much the same thing you can do on any military base. But off post, things are different. Not bad, just different.

When we first arrived here and ventured out, I was kinda shocked at how old and (for lack of better word) trashy parts of our new country looked. Dilapidated houses, dogs and cats roaming freely, abandoned buildings, laundry lines everywhere, billboards/advertisments in random places...but then it kinda hit me. It's not trashy....it's old. Italy is waaaaaaay older than the United States. Vicenza (the biggest city near us) was settled in the third and second centuries BC. In 49 BC Vicenza received Roman citzenship. We're talking about a place, a city that is over 2000 years older than the States. The area is very rich in history and these "dilapidated/abandoned'' houses are here because here, they don't always upgrade. They're passed down from generation to generation. Many of them look abandoned but in actuality, people live there just fine.

I was trying to explain this to Bubba, who on Saturday asked how old these buildings were downtown, near the Piazza dei Signori...

There was a plaque explaining that the Church (on the right side) was constructed in 1560-1565... So I explained to him that it was almost 500 years ago. I told him how when these buildings were constructed, America wasn't even the United States yet! He asked if these buildings were older than the Alamo and I told him, "yes! Much, much older...by over 200 years!" He was floored! We explained to them how the bricks and stone that made up the road were just as old. As were most of the bridges and lots of the buildings. It was really hard for him to grasp how Italy could be so much older.

And it isn't just the buildings and construction. Everything is kinda stuck in the past (except fashion... definitely not in the past!) Italy isn't a country obsessed with having the latest and greatest in everything. Even technology is waaaaay behind the states. The Italians all use phones that I swear, T-Mobile was giving out as free phones five years ago! I'm talking phones that have one screen that is just the green backlight with the grey numerals/letters. It's not a bad thing, it's just different. The cars are all very small and I'd say about 1/2 are at least over 20 years old. Not restored as antiques, but just that old. They still work so why buy a new one? An attitude that could definitely be a lesson to many Americans!

Here are some other differences we've noticed or gotten used to:

-Grocery stores don't take debit cards or credit cards...everyone pays in cash. Everytime we plan on hopping on a bus and going somewhere you'll always hear Ron or I ask each other ''Did you take out Euro yet?". Gone are the days of just grabbing the debit card and heading out!

-Public toilets here have two buttons for flushing. One button is for number #1 and another for number #2, it's to conserve water. The boys have learned that they need to push the bigger button so they don't waste water.

-Trash is divided into 5 categories: glass, plastic/aluminum, paper, dry waste and then organic. In some parts, recycling is mandatory and punishable with a fine or jail time if you're caught not separating!

-When you go into a small grocery store, you DO NOT handle the produce. You tell the owner what you would like and how much. He will put on a pair of disposable gloves, then get the produce for you.

-Having four kiddos is rare here. Even more so than in the States. Italy is small, for the most part. Smaller houses, smaller cars, smaller families. While yes, there are the stereotypical ''big'' Italian families...it's usually made up of extended family members. I have quickly learned that anything that sounds like "Mama mia! Sono tutti e quattro i vostri bambini?" is responded with "Si, sono madre a quattro". Yes, I am the mother to all four. I get asked this on the bus, sightseeing downtown, in restaurants and usually the next question (though I'm not sure what they are saying, I can tell by the word 'femme') is something along the lines of 3 boys and just one girl.

-Not a lot of Italians know English. Luckily when shopping, several store owners know just enough. Gelato stands know enough to help you order (at least the time we did it!). Restaurants are hit or miss but usually pointing and displaying fingers of 'how many' works just fine. Most of the Italian food words, are the same words. Spaghetti, pizza, calzone, cappuccino. Ragu means a sauce with meat. Prosciutto is ham. Formaggio is cheese then obviously parmesan, mozzarella, ricotta....are all the same. When ordering water make sure to say naturale, otherwise you will get carbonated and while some people like it, I think it's gross!

Oh and word to the wise if you have kids, get ready to push their bedtime back. Italians eat late...like restaurants don't usually open until almost 7pm and service is slow. Not bad, just different. Italians take their time eating. You're not rushed to give up your table. They won't even bring you your check until you ask for it.

While eating late was fine for us over winter break, now we're back to cooking as much as we can during the week and then going out on the weekends. I just can't keep my littles up that late regularly.

-Drivers here are nuts. I'm used to the "Motorcycles are everywhere...LOOK twice'' mentality of the states. In Italy it seems to be the "oh look a motorcycle in my lane...i'll just stay here, drive 2 inches from their handlebars and then HONK because they are in my way''. It seems like the lines painted on the roads in Italy are merely suggestions. I've seen people make a one lane into two. They do not stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk unless there is a light telling them to. They will come within inches of pedestrians as well, so word to the wise...do not walk in the streets and when you have to, walk as close to the curb or the parked cars as possible.

I know that there are more differences that we encounter each day and I'll continue to share those as we go. Until then, I leave you with this sign to ponder...

Yes this on post, but being a joint post (meaning the Italians are sharing it with the United States...both Americans and Italians work here) we see quite a few new signs!

Wordless Weekend Wrap-Up

2012-01-09T06:10:00.002-06:00

all photos taken in Vicenza, Italy

This is our new town...

2012-01-07T10:27:00.000-06:00

Today, we ventured downtown. When it's as easy as hopping on a bus and pressing a buzzer to stop when you see something worth stopping for, it's hard to resist. I took a ton of pics and I'll post more soon but had to post this one. Just a little bridge over a small canal. This is Italy!!!

The kiddos!

2012-01-06T17:09:00.000-06:00

I've been blogging tons about Italy; the food, the house, Venice but everything has been from my point of view. I thought I would mention how the kids are doing.

Bubba started school this week. I have to say that when I went and enrolled him, I was very impressed. We met the registrar, filled out paperwork then met with a counselor. She talked to Bubba about what he liked best about school, had him color a picture, write his name, etc then (working with current class sizes) placed him in the class that she thought would be the best fit. Bubba loves to color, write, read and draw...he impressed the counselor immensely with his ability to write, that he can identity and write all 26 letter of the alphabet, upper and lowercase and that he can count to 100 and write up into the 30's. Shortly after assigning him a teacher, we got a tour of the school. It's new and just really nice. Good layout, great policies regarding attendance and security (his last school was nuts!) and most importantly, Bubba was impressed. Their room has it's own bathroom and a door to the playground...that's a big deal when you're five!

So after getting up earlier than he's had to in weeks (school starts at 8:10 here, in Texas it STARTED at 7:20!) he was off. Thursday afternoon I met one very excited kindergartener at the bus. He loved it! First, he got to ride the bus (it picks him up and drops him off at the hotel for now) and he loved that. Then he got to go to his classroom. He got to play outside even though it was cold (in Texas they had indoor recess anytime it was cooler than 45degrees) and he couldn't believe it. From the bus, the school, his teacher, the meals in the cafeteria...he loved all of it. I feel much more confident in this district than I did our last (we were considering pulling him out and homeschooling) and now Pooks is beyond excited to go next year. I'm hoping he gets Mrs. M as well. She sent home so much info to keep me informed and at ease. Plus she wants to have a meeting to introduce me to herself and her classroom. She even wrote a note that said ''Love, love, love your son! He is a very capable child!". His last teacher was nice but this one is above and beyond...and it's only the second day!

waiting for the bus!

And the younger kids? They're doing great too. This week we've had more issues with tantrums and whining but I think it's a combination of the hotel losing it's appeal and they are waking when Bubba wakes...which is too early for them. The two boys *want* to nap (seriously, Peanut asked to go lay down) so I let them for about and hour-hour and a half and guess what? Bed time was hell. Horrible. They didn't go to bed until almost 10pm which fed into a vicious cycle when they woke at 7am again this morning. I cannot wait to get to our house, get settled and for bubba to be able to get up and get ready without disturbing them.

Prior to the last few days, things were even better. They love all the new foods. Gnocchi with cheese sauce and pizza are their favorites though they have tried almost everything that we've offered. They love bread with olive oil drizzled on it, inhaled the fresh Parmesan-Reggiano that I grated on their pasta (and it was sharp...I was taken back on how different it tastes to what we're used to) and know that when we go to restaurants there are no kids meals, no to-go cups. It's water in a glass and they have to be very careful.

They love being able to see the mountains and whenever it's really clear out, they ask to go upstairs and ''take some pictures''. Me with my phone, them with their toy phones. They are amazed at how some days you can see the mountains, some days you cannot!

So far, no one has complained. They occasionally say they miss Nanaw/Papa, their friend Alivia...but overall they've adapted. They are very, very excited about our new house! Bubba especially is insanely excited about having a house with a fireplace!

Food items that are more awesome in Italy, that you wouldn't think would be better but they are!

2012-01-03T18:05:00.001-06:00

When one moves to Italy you expect certain things to be better. Pizza, olive oil, wine, grapes, cheese, gnocchi...I mean, they *should* be better here. Hello, it's ITALY. We have been amazed by the deliciousness of all of the above. But then there are the things that you would never expect to even be different, let alone better.

Case in point: Yogurt. Let me introduce you to a new found love called Froop...

Now you may notice it's not Italian...it's actually German. The other brand that I don't have a photo of is from Deutschland (and while good, it's not near as amazing). The layer at the top is fruit and then you have the yogurt...but this yogurt is not like Yoplait. It's so thick it's practically a custard and when you mix it with the fruit layer it's melt-in-your mouth delicious. Oh, and the fruit layer isn't chunky either, it's whipped and fluffy. The container is also bigger than what the yoplait/dannon ones are...it's amazing. And just in case you thought it was just me, the kids like it better and even B loves it, which he hated yogurt in the states. We stir it all up and the boys will each eat an entire container. In fact they had one after dinner the other night and declared it their dessert! Froop also more choices for fruit flavors. (I've never like coffee flavored yogurts or the pies/cake ones..blech!) Pictured is strawberry (which is my favorite) but the boys love the cherry and the mixed berry, B loves the mango. They have even more, apricot, lemon, etc and for $.65 a serving, they're not a bad price either.

Food item number 2 is: Pepsi (or Coke or Fanta...soda in general)

I will fully admit that I love soda. And I knew moving to Italy that soda isn't near as popular as it is in the states especially while dining out. Wine is cheap...at our local place, I can get a 1/4L of wine for 1.8 euro...about $2.40. A glass of soda however is 2 euro for a small or 4 euro for a ''large'' and you get no ice. (The "large" is maybe 12oz). That's about $5.32 for essentially a can of pop. And it's not a fountain drink either...it's a 1L bottle that they open and pour into a cup. Ridiculous. Needless to say I've been drinking a lot more wine and a lot less soda.

But if you go to the Italian market, it's priced much more reasonable. (obviously it's cheapest if you're shopping at the commissary but I mean when shopping on the economy. At the commissary it's just regular American soda). I bought a 1/4L of Pepsi for .87 euro (a little over $1) at Emisfero, which is best described as an Italian version of Wal-Mart. A can of Pepsi is cheaper at .44 euro. And the neat part is when you buy it in cans, it's individual cans, not a case (you rarely find anything in bulk off post because most Italians walk, bike or have tiny cars so smaller is better) and each can has a special foil lid.

source

It's a sanitary thing, to keep the lids clean. It simply peels back; there is no seal or glue. It's just a little Pepsi hat. And it just keeps getting better. Once you open that Pepsi and take your first sip you'll notice something different. The Pepsi is better! A quick look at the ingredients and you'll see why: soda here is made with zucchero, sugar. Not high fructose corn syrup but sugar and man-oh-man can you tell. It's so much better tasting! And I think all sodas (that you can buy on the economy...not at the comissary) are made with sugar instead of HFCS. I haven't been here very long, nor have I drank that much but from what I can tell, it sure seems that way. And fruity drinks like Fanta...I couldn't even stomach them before but here, Fanta actually tastes like oranges. It's not so fizzy and it's more fruity (plus Italians love some Fanta, it's everywhere).

And lastly *for now* the number 3 thing that is 'more awesome' in Italy:

McDonalds. It could be the weeks we've gone without it but we caved and went to the mall this weekend. The food was ah-mazing. We went because we were curious about what an Italian mall would offer but secondly the dang McDonald's logo is on bus stops, the sides of buses, etc all pointing you to the mall where one is located. The kids noticed one in Venice and I downright refused to eat there but since we were going to the mall anyway, we told them we'd have lunch there. The menu is similar (the kids all had chicken nugget happy meals with fries, fanta and a toy) but slightly different (the happy meals also include a drinkable yogurt). I had a sandwich called a ''Crispy McBacon'' which was similar to a double cheeseburger but the cheese was a sauce and it had bacon...no ketchup, mustard, pickle, dehydrated onions. The fries were AWESOME. I don't know if it's a difference in oil or what but we chowed down on them. Oh and ketchup? Forget about it, you have to pay per packet here! I'm not sure how much as I couldn't understand the guy but I did understand that it cost money!

Part 2, getting settled!

2012-01-01T16:19:00.001-06:00

**warning, I have started and stopped and restarted writing this post going on 4 days now. If it seems choppy, just know that it is! Sorry!**

So we have now been in Italy for two weeks. It's actually flying by already! We have spent these two weeks living in a hotel...it's on the Army post and while you may think "Geez, 14 days in a hotel?" there are others who have been here anywhere from one week to three months! How long you live in the hotel is dependent on how quickly you find a house. Initally, you can't go look at houses right away. It's a ton of briefings, getting ID cards, etc before the actual housing process begins. For us, it was delayed even more due to the holiday(s). So we're getting pretty cozy in the hotel.

It's a 'suite' I suppose; there is a living area, a kitchen area, a bedroom and a bathroom. Rascal is allowed and we are actually in the pet-friendly wing so there are other furry friends around too. Sleeping arrangements are quite comfortable despite the lack of space...Bubba and Pooks are on the pull out couch and Peanut is on the roll away bed, all situated in the living room. B and I are sharing the queen and Sissy is in the mini crib (who am I kidding...she's in our bed. Her blanket and stuffed monkey are in the mini-crib). Rascal sleeps in his crate and it's working out quite well. The most annoying part is the clutter/toys everywhere. It's not that the kids are messy, it's just there is no where for it all to go.

Well as luck would have it, this week B had his housing briefing. Then Tuesday I had to go with and we looked at houses on a website. It has a pretty specific search and we could narrow down our must haves (pet friendly, extra bedroom) to our would like to have (close to post, not an apartment). We picked two houses that we ''liked'' (honestly I didn't like either but we HAD to choose two. Each day, sometimes several times throughout the day, the pickings change because as one family chooses a property to see, it becomes unavailable for others to view. Once they decide yes or no, it can be released and others can view it as an option).

So Wednesday we went and looked at the two that we weren't thrilled about and needless to say, we were underwhelmed. They were nice but each had an issue (the first had no grass. A yard of gravel and pavers...no grass. We have 4 kids and a dog, we need grass. Even just a tiny bit....the second was on the side of a cliff. Seriously the drop off was intense and the one laned dirt road leading to it was terrifying, I don't think the swaggerwagon could even make it up!). We returned to the office feeling defeated. While there, I hopped on the computer and started a new search to see if there were any new listings. There was one! And it seemed perfect. Four bedroom, 2 bath...it was about 5 miles away which might be too far for B to bike to work like we had hoped but otherwise it was perfect. And it was a house, not a duplex or apartment. We went and saw it later that evening.

It truly was beautiful on the outside and more space than I ever dreamed having on the inside. Seriously it was listed as 4 bedrooms but there is one downstairs off the entryway and another off of the kitchen that were considered ''entry'' and ''study''....in actuality they are just extra bedrooms. It's got everything on the required list (even has a fireplace and HUGE terrace...seriously it's like the biggest terrace you have ever seen. No joke, the terrace is bigger than the living room in our last house. The whole time we were looking at the house, the boys were running the terrace). It also has a private gate and driveway, there is even a little camera on the phone so when someone buzzes at the gate, we can scope them out before letting them in.

The two ''cons'' would be it's distance from post and how dated the tile is on the inside. The distance is do-able we had just hoped to find something closer so B could bike to work. It's not that he can't now, it's just these Italian back roads are narrow, winding and Italians drive crazy. I mean petal to the metal, making two lanes when there is barely room for one. They don't yield to pedestrians, or look twice for motorcycles. It is nuts. (and to think, I have to get a drivers license while here...eek!)

And the tile? Well, Italians love tile...and I don't mind it. Our last house was nothing but tile and I grew to love it. But this house was built in 1975 and it is full of bad 70's tile and it's everywhere. The backsplash in the kitchen is tile but it's not the same tile that's on the floor. And the kitchen tile doesn't match the hall tile, which doesn't match the living room tile, which doesn't match the bedrooms, etc. And it's not a solid color either but a gaudy print over and over and over. I have no clue how I'll decorate! B says ''Rugs...lot's of rugs". And the bathroom tile...geez, just wait til you see pics!

So as you might have guessed, we went with house number three. While it was a no-brainer to B and to our friends whom went with us, it took me longer to come around. I've always lived in a 'cozy' house. Nothing big, just enough for what you need. This house is not cozy. I had pictured a small Italian house that was cozy. This is nice, but big. There are 2 stories...the bottom floor is the entry, the laundry room, the spare room, a small cellar and then you go upstairs to a landing. Off of the landing is several doorways. One is to another spare room, one to the kitchen, one to the living room (complete with fireplace and wet bar), one is the hallway to the bedrooms. Once in that hall, there is a bedroom door, then a bathroom, then 2 more bedrooms, then on the other side another bathroom and the master bedroom which is so big we could EASILY upgrade to a king sized bed. Hell, we could probably fit the king and the queen bed in there together. (I kid but it would fit). So it's a lot of house and I'm not used to that. (Though I am extremely excited that one room will be my craft room/ an office!! WOOHOO, kid free zone!! Once I really talked it out, looked at the pics, thought about the cute cafe down the street, the school close by...I quickly decided that I didn't want to let it go.

We won't move right away. We'll probably be in the hotel for another month. We have a meeting on the 11th with housing for pre-negotiations, then we'll have a lease signing, then we'll get a move in date. Since our household goods probably won't be here til mid February, there really isn't a rush. (The army provides loaner furniture but I'm not wildly excited about that).

The day after Christmas....

2011-12-27T16:44:00.001-06:00

we went to Venice! It involved a 15 minute bus ride to the train station, an hour long train ride and boom we were there! We had an awesome Christmas and I promise I will get pictures up soon! I took all those pics on my DSLR and I can't find the cable to transfer the photos. So when we went to Venice, I made sure to take my point and shoot, immediate uploads for those who are missing seeing the kids' faces.

less than a month ago I was in south Texas driving through Starbucks...now I'm drinking tiny little cappuccinos in Venice?! Man life is strange!

Move over hot apple cider, this is hot spiced wine! AMAZING!!!

The boys loved Venice. All the ''rivers'' that they got to ride in a bus, then a train, then a boat...the whole day was pretty awesome to them too.

Sissy finally woke up by lunctime at a Pizzeria. It was good, but had nothing on the local place we like to eat at...we may be biased already! Although sissy did eat an entire slice by herself!

I'll be honest, I can't even remember what the significance of this statue is, but with the clouds lined up like this, I couldn't not take a photo.

Peanut and Pooks especially loved all the pigeons. Watching them, chasing them, it didn't matter.

Ciao!

The journey to Italy....

2011-12-22T09:20:00.002-06:00

We left Texas ~~bright and~~ early Monday morning (try leaving for an airport at 4am with 4 kids, I dare you!). It was 1 dog in a soft sided carrier, 2 adults, 4 kids, 4 carry-on bags + a laptop bag + 2 diaper bags (one full of diapers and pullups, wipes and bibs, one full of things to entertain Sissy as well as my wallet, ipad and kindle), 4 carseats (which we checked) and NINE pieces of luggage. Needless to say, navigating the airports 5 days before Christmas was a challenge but luckily all of that allowed us to skip the extremely slow and long security lines...suddenly we were ushered off to the side and though it took us forever to get everything in bins and on the belt, we were through the line in less than five minutes.

We ate breakfast at McDonalds, sipped on my last Starbucks drink for a long while (caramel brulee latte, hope it still exists when we return!) and pre-boarded after a small wait due to arriving early. We loaded the plane and it was off without a hitch. The kids LOVED it and settled in quickly. Sissy nursed during take-off and fell asleep. She ended up napping for a little over half of a hour, then woke and played on my lap, then B's before falling back asleep. Peanut watched some shows on my iPad and was asleep within the first hour and a half and slept up until the pilot announced decent into New York. Bubba fell asleep at some point (not sure when, he was sitting by B) and Pookie only slept for maybe half an hour. He had little dark circles under his eyes when we arrived at JFK!

JFK wasn't even stressful, boring and long but it went okay. We arrived in one terminal, had to take a shuttle to the international terminal which in itself isn't a problem. But the pet relief area was in the terminal we landed in. However to get to it, you had to leave the airport and reenter, of course going through security. That was not going to happen as the lines were RIDICULOUSLY long. So Rascal had to hold it until after our shuttle ride to the new terminal. Then B took just him out (no kids, no bags) and re-entered through the international security (which was much shorter so early in the day). Then we waited. From noon until our flight left at 6pm. This was the most challenging part of the trip. After eating lunch there wasn't much to do but walk the dinky terminal. I would have loved to hit up a Starbucks, see the shops, etc but I wasn't going to go through security again so we stayed. Played games, drew pictures, ate and ate some more. Finally it was time to pre-board. The kids were doing well, Pooks was exhausted. Once we boarded, he fell asleep before we even took off! He remained asleep until breakfast was served (7 hours later). The other kids also fell asleep quickly. At some point after the dinner service (tortellini in a creamy sauce, side salad, roll, cheese chunk, and blonde brownie) I slept as well though not very good. I couldn't get comfortable at all, the people diagonal from me were awake and talking loudly, in Italian. I was surprised (though I'm not sure why, lol) our flight was fully packed and the majority were Italian nationals not touristy Americans like I had expected. Everyone was nice and it was good flight. Minimal turbulence and we ended up landing a full hour ahead of schedule. Surprisingly even only getting maybe 4 hours of interrupted sleep, I still felt semi rested.

The worst part of the flight, hands down was the arrival process once we were in Venice. The kids were still tired and didn't want to carry push their carry-on or wear their little backpacks so B and I had to do that in addition to all the other carryons and the dog. I was wearing Sissy, he was wearing Peanut, then we were strapped down with everything else. We had to ride this escalator down from our gate and it was a challege. The pilots and crew were with us and offered to help which sounds amazing but then somehow we ended up at the bottom of the escaltor readjusting all of our stuff and realized we were missing Peanut's carry-on. No time to worry about that at the moment, we had to show our passports and proceed to get our other luggage which was freakishly fast coming down to baggage claim. B was trying to quickly grab all of our luggage, I was trying to keep the kids back, get the dog to stop barking, keep an eye on our carry-ons and try to calm Peanut down who was upset about his lost bag. B needed a cart to carry luggage and they only accepted Euro, which we didn't have. So B continued to grab carseat and shove them off to the side when suddenly the empty carousel we were standing by, suddenly started moving and we had to move all of it again. While he used a machine to get Euro change while watching the kids, I walked around to find the US military liaison. No luck. Apparently the liaison is outside of security. I returned to B, helped him load up all nine bags on three carts, and (with people staring) pushed everything out into the main part of the airport. B looked around for his sponsor but didn't see her. Not a huge surprise since our flight was over an hour early! We finally spotted a sign that was a ''Welcome" sign for our installation with an arrow to the liaison booth. We drag everyone and everything over to discover that the booth is empty.

At this point we were tired, thirsty, in a place where we couldn't speak to dang near anyone and the kids who had been wonderful were starting to lose it. They were sick of sitting, sick of being patient and sick of airports. B went and bought a bottle of Limone! Gatorade, it was 3 euros for one 1/2L bottle...apparently Gatorade is a hot commodity over here! Then B let Rascal out to go potty, then look for his sponsor again. I wrangled up the kids, the luggage and parked it near a bench. Boy were we a sight, lol. I ransacked all our our bags coming up with a bag of animal crackers. It bought me some time but not much. As I'm standing there completely frazzled, the liaison approached me. Apparently we screamed ''desperate Americans!". He called B's sponsor (who was on her way) and then allowed me to call my parents and let them know we made it safely. While the liaison and B were talking, I went over to the the ''lost luggage" station to see if they had Peanut's lost carry-on....they did! With his carry-on in hand, I went back to the booth to find that our sponsor had shown up too! The guys quickly loaded up the luggage, installed the car seats and we were on our way to our new home!

Part 2, our arrival to post and our first outing, will be written shortly!

Hotel living

2011-12-16T21:08:00.002-06:00

It's rough, but some of us don't seem to notice...

Sorry for the lack of posting, things are getting pretty hectic. One hotel room, 3 beds, 4 kids, 11 pieces of luggage...it's crowded and doesn't leave a lot of time for blogging!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Here comes Santa Claus...

2011-12-09T22:42:00.000-06:00

Well, statistically three out of four isn't bad...

Merry Christmas!!

14 month milestone

2011-12-07T21:01:00.000-06:00

Sissy you are now 14 months old and I cannot believe how much your personality has exploded in the last month. You're walking, running and now climbing! You love to get down from the sofa and the bed all by yourself. You like to find your brothers' step-stool, a wipe box, anything that you can carry...take it to the middle of the living room and then proceed to stand on it. Of course, you only really do this if you have an audience.

At 14 months old....

you now weigh 19lbs 5oz! You gained an entire pound in just one month! Which really does prove that you're an active toddler who when hit with a double ear infection, just didn't feel like eating. I am so thankful that you are growing and thriving after your little scare of losing weight.
love to dance. You shake your shoulders, wiggle your hips and grin to any music.
are starting to stack blocks. I don't remember your brothers doing this until they were older but you stack three high and then laugh as you kick them down.
are drinking whole milk, through a straw cup between meals. You still nurse when you wake up, before nap(s), before dinner and before bed, but if we're out and busy you'll easily skip a feeding and never notice.
are mimicking not just actions but words. In one night you repeated ''daddy, papa, love you (wuvv ewe), and said "utsdat?"... baby speak for ''what's that?"
wear 12-18 jeans/pants/dresses, 12 month onesies and can fit into size 4 shoes if you have socks on
still wear a size 4 diaper
love to give kisses. you'll walk around the house saying ''muah. muah. muah." until someone leans down and lets you kiss them.
are starting to use your spoon and fork. we can now give you your food on a plate and you don't throw it!
as soon as you see a camera or phone pointed in your general direction you start saying ''CHEESE"

Sissy you are really just a lot of fun right now. Sure you have your toddler moments (every day this week you have refused/kicked/screamed and thrown yourself every time I try to put you in a shopping cart) but you are just such a happy baby!

Geesh, with the lack of posting around here you'd think I was moving half way across the globe

2011-12-07T20:15:00.000-06:00

Oh wait, we are!

When you have four kids (heck, any number of kids really) life is busy. Factor in school, the holidays and an international move...things are beyond busy. They are down right hectic. We have all our paperwork done and ready for Italy. They came and packed our unaccompanied baggage (household stuff that will get there shortly after us, before our big shipment of all our stuff arrives), we sent the van off back in November (it's in route, somewhere in the Atlantic now) and our movers come MONDAY. This week is all about de-cluttering, trashing what is trash, donating what we don't need and grouping like items so the movers don't pack one shoe in one box because it was in the bedroom and the other in a different box because it was in the hall. It sounds simple enough but grouping everything, going through every junk drawer, the linen closets, tossing out 1/2 full bottles of old lotion/shampoo, using up the rest of the freezer food and snacks (last night we had grilled chicken {used up the marinade}, roasted potatoes {used up the potatoes left in the 5lb bag}, glazed sweet potatoes {in freezer} and corn {in pantry}. Random and starch heavy but it worked.

We had a garage sale last Saturday. It was EXHAUSTING. I opened the garage at 6:30am, thirty full minutes before our start time of 7am that was on every sign, and as I was waiting for the door to open 3 cars were waiting. It was busy and rainy and dreary but we sold almost everything (whats left fit in 2 totes) and we made almost $500! That was just our family, two neighbors also each made $100. It was an awesome success! Definitely worth the years it took me to get the courage to have the dang sale.

So garage sale done. Donations are in the van, waiting to be delivered. More suitcases have been purchased (we now have 4 carry ons, 5 full size suitcases, 1 oversize duffel, a dog carrier, a diaper bag) and are waiting to be packed. I've finished my Christmas shopping for the kids, Nanaw, Papa, Nanaw Phew Phew have all shipped their gifts here (which will go in a suitcase), Papa Barry sent money (bless him, we'll need it while living in the hotel & in the airports) and all that's left is to opening it all from it's childproof packaging, add the necessary batteries, toss in a few rolls of wrapping paper and lock that bag up so the kids can't open it in the hotel. The boys haven't decided what to ask Santa for yet, hopefully they narrow that down before the flight!

This weekend we will start moving some of the luggage and such to the hotel, the movers come Monday, Bubba has school that week but B is off to stay at the house with the movers. By next Friday, we'll have done our walk through and be counting down the hours til Italy!

Our Elf...

2011-11-26T18:35:00.007-06:00

is back. Tex showed up the Monday before Thanksgiving. While I didn't snap a pic that day, he brought with him the kids Christmas pajamas and Christmas books. This year he is much more mischievous this year. Last year he hung out on shelves, on top of the kitchen counters, a picture frame or two. This year, he is getting into everything and the kids LOVE it. As soon as they wake up they are off to find the elf.

Does it really help remind them to act nice and not naughty? Eh...depends on the kid and the day. But overall it helps make it feel like Christmas, which considering we aren't pulling out all our decorations, is nice. They enjoy the story and loved the 30 minute movie that aired last night. I like that it really brings out the imagination...wondering when Tex flies, where he'll be tomorrow, if he'll bring a letter...so much fun!

Updated:12-10-11 adding more photos...

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-23T12:01:00.001-06:00

"Mommy doing her job with us kids'' by Pooks

"I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want

2011-11-20T22:58:00.002-06:00

So tell me what you want, what you really really want,

I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna really

really really wanna zigazig ha"

Ahem. Now that I have that out of my system (and stuck in your head, ha!) I have been thinking that this year I have seen more stuff out there that I would want for Christmas than ever before {well since become an adult/mom}. Ironic since I will be spending this Christmas is Italy! It's like ''geez lady, isn't that enough?" and it is. I am ecstatic actually. But my point is, it seems like every year there isn't that one thing that I just have to have. I mean, sure I come up with something when prompted or asked but usually it's a last minute ''oooh that'd be nice!" like a Starbucks gift card or something practical like a new knife block, a bedding set, etc. But this year, I have an entire list of stuff that is just for Shannon, not mom-ish or house-wifey but just stuff I would want. Now granted, I know beyond a doubt I won't get most if any of it and that's perfectly fine. It's just funny the way life works out.

This is the first year since B and I got married that we have made a ''no gifts for each other'' rule. With moving it's just too much. Too much logistics, takes too much time and planning and too much to fit in our luggage. Our gift to each other is this move. It is taking advantage of getting to live in Europe. It's taking day trips to Venice and weekend mini-vacays to Switzerland or Germany. And that is more than enough, more than I could have ever imagined. I mean, I've never even been to LA or NYC and they are in the continental United States.

But besides all of that, in no particular order, here is my list for Santa. If all else, use as a gift giving guide :)

1. Jo Totes camera bag:

Seriously how cute yet functional is this camera bag? So much better than the gray and black Wal-Mart one that you know, looks like a camera bag, that I bought four years ago for maybe $15. This is adorable. And while trekking all over Italy, adorable and functional are necessities. Well, to me they are. Or should be.

And speaking of cute yet functional....number 2 on my fantasy list:

Grey UGG Classic Cardy Boots- I know, I know...you're thinking really Shannon? Uggs?? But if you haven't seen these in person, you should. They are gorgeous. So soft and warm, perfect for pulling up over some skinny jeans and while not AT ALL practical in South Texas (despite the gobs of people wearing them) they are completely practical for Italy. It's gets cold there. In fact, we'll be just south of the Dolomites (thats a mountain range folks). You can see them from the hotel on post. If that isn't boot weather/location, I don't know what is! *and they are much cheaper than that several places online...which is even better*.

On to number three...I don't know that I ever blogged about my Keurig but I love it. I'm using the word love. I've drank espresso Starbucks drinks for awhile. But I didn't start drinking coffee at home until after Peanut was born and then it was only when desperate. B likes his strong, dark, extra bold. I like mine not so tar-like, with cream and sugar. Maybe a bit of vanilla syrup. I drink it to wake up, sure but I like to enjoy it as well. So we got a Keurig back in the spring and it's perfect. He gets his cup of tar, I get my French Vanilla fix. Seriously amazing. But the thing I lack is a way to store all those k-cups. We have several different boxes open so it'd be nice to have a way of storing and showing those off that is better than this system:

Yeah, that's an old utensil organizer propped up on the boxes of kcups, sorted by flavor, inside my cabinet. So...hence why I got down right giddy when I found this:

It's PERFECT right!? It holds 18 k-cups, is adorable and practical (are we noticing a theme here) and only $25. That's cheaper than the Keurig stuff you can buy in the stores. I want it.

And last but not least, if you are any sort of crafter or blog follower of any craft blog, I know a Silhouette is secretly on your Christmas list. These things are ah-mazing. Cute and practical? Not so much. But fun and could make cute and practical things? Yes.

The Silhouette is a digital cutting machine that connects to your computer and cuts designs and fonts with a small blade. There are tons of possibilities creating with the Silhouette - home decorating, decor, DIY projects, paper crafts, iron-on's and more. No more using an Exacto knife for freeze paper stencils...this bad boy will cut it right out. You can even make tattoos and vinyl decals for your walls or car. Totally amazing!

So that's my list. Nothing to extravagant. Everything is somewhat practical even if not truly necessary. Any the y are gifts that I can't share or use or spend on the kids...that's an improvement for me!

Happy 3rd Birthday Peanut!

2011-11-20T15:27:00.001-06:00

Yesterday Peanut turned three years old. I cannot even believe that my ''baby boy'' is three. Time really does fly by. He wanted a Batman cake and when asked what he wanted for presents he simply said ''TOYS!" He is such an easy kid to please. I spent the morning frosting his cake while Peanut and his siblings played with the 20+ balloons I had blown up the night before and placed all over the floor of his room.

We took him out to Red Robin for lunch, which he requested...his eyes were on the ice cream sundae.

After Red Robin we came home, took a two hour long family nap, then woke up and played outside. By this time it hit me that I never made or even thought about dinner. Whoops! So we asked the birthday boy where he wanted to eat dinner and he said ''Taco Cabanie" so off to Taco Cabana it was. After we stuffed ourselves there, it was back home for presents and cake. Of course we called Nanaw and Papa so they could be with us via Skype:

After cake it was on to playing with his new toys. We went pretty light on the gifts this year, not just with Peanut but with all the kids. While their birthdays are a big deal and a very special day, we like to treat them special all day not just with presents. We don't want the main focus of any day to be just about gifts but rather spending time with people who love you and celebrate that you are here. He chose what was for meals, he got to be first (big deal with all these siblings, lol) and he had a lot of fun. We love you Peanut!!

(and in case I forget, you truly are a little peanut! At your 3 year check up you weighed in at 28lbs 4oz and you were 36.25 inches tall. That's the 17th percentile and 34th percentile, respectively. She said you looked great but needed to start using the potty all the time, not just when you feel like it!)

It's a small, small world...

2011-11-16T21:53:00.000-06:00

So, we're getting even closer to our big move to Italy. By the 16th of next month (in just 30 days) this house will be packed up, our belonging on their way to Italy. We will do our final walk through on the 16th. Bubba will finish his last day of school on the 16th. Hard to believe that in 30 days we'll be done with the stuff I am currently stressing out about.

We get to Italy just a few days before Christmas. In fact, I am just hoping that the jet-lag wears off by then. I know it kinda stinks that the kids won't get a ''normal'' Christmas.We'll be in a new country, in a hotel, tired and everything will still feel a bit off. But I'm doing all the preparations that I can to assure that Santa will be visiting us at the hotel. (Hey, blame the airlines they are allowing us a crazy amount of baggage since we are on military orders). I've decided to take one suitcase and use it to safely transport our gifts to Italy. I really can't trust to mail them ahead of time, mail isn't always reliable. I can't send them with our household goods because it will take, quite possibly months for those to get there. So, in baggage it is. And if the airline loses the bag, heaven help them because I will lose it.

So Christmas, obviously it's more than just gifts. For us, it's all about family. I mean hello, last year we opened presents via Skype so my parents could be there too.

So for me, that was the hardest part about having Christmas is Italy. Will it be gorgeous? I'm sure. They have an amazing Christmas festival and market. But I know me and I know I'll get homesick. So imagine my surprise when a few weeks ago I discover that I have a 2nd (3rd??) cousin on my dad's side that....are you ready for this? Lives in Italy. Not just Italy, but the same town we're moving to! Her husband is stationed at the same base that B will be working out. And lucky for us, she is not some 60 year old cousin but she's also in her twenties. With a daughter who is just two months older than Sissy. How freaking cool is that??

How did I find out? My dad was at our family reunion at the end of September when he was talking to family about us moving to Italy when come to find out, my dad's cousins daughter lives there too. He explained everything to me, even mentioned that he knew we had met as kids (though I don't remember...there were always a ton of kids at the reunions). So naturally I did what anybody does nowadays, I messaged her on Facebook. Nothing like a ''I know this sounds odd but I guess we're related'' email, right? Well come to find out the news spreads fast because she knew exactly what I was talking about. So we've ''friended'' each other and talked a bit here and there. This weekend we were talking and she invited us over for Christmas dinner. How truly amazing is that?? It really is a very small world in the grand scheme of things! And in the midst of all this chaos of moving, it's nice to know that I do know someone over there already!

I really really have to give Facebook credit; while we may bitch about the constant changes and joke about being addicted, it truly is a blessing. I've been able to connect with a cousin I didn't even know I had, I joined a private Facebook group for spouses on post who are just amazing. They answer any question, offer to help in any way possible. They give you the ''inside'' story on how long it'll take your stuff to arrive, good areas to live, the bus schedule, the activities going on around post. Which doctors are good, which ones to avoid. What hours the PX and commissary are open..it's just truly amazing the support that they give each other. I think that is one of the things I am looking the most forward too; because there aren't a ton of Americans over there, the ones that are really go above and beyond to help each other out. Everyone has been there. Every knows what in-processing is like, how hard it is to wait months for your car and belongings to arrive. What it's like to live in a hotel for weeks. To be overwhelmed with culture shock. And how lonely it can feel. I love the fact that even though I'm still stateside, I'm already making friends. It makes all the stress and anxiety over moving, worth it in the end.

Meet Gotti:

2011-11-14T11:02:00.001-06:00

Yesterday, B went out front to grab the newspaper and this little guy came right up to him. He had been in our yard, walked straight up to B and wanted petted. He was very clean, no collar but just the friendliest dog. I had B put him in the backyard so he wouldn't get ran over. In the meantime we gave him food and water and he was very thristy/hungry. (He drank two bowls of water immediately!) While he was eating, I printed up two posters saying ''found dog'' with our phone number and placed them at the entrance of our subdivision. We live in a gated community with only 2 ways in...so the odds were pretty good he was from the neighborhood. I drove around asking people who were out walking, if they were looking for a dog. No one was.

I came home and the dogs were getting along. Rascal was immediately protective any time the new dog got near him, I or the kids (who were watching from the window). Didn't attack the new dog or anything, just growled. The new dog, would back up and just look at Rascal like ''Okay, I get it." Ron and I looked the dog over. We're pretty sure he's a Boston Terrier, he was neutered, clean. Short nails, no sign of fleas or matting. We introduced the kids to him and he did great. So after a while outside, we let him in. He stayed off the furniture, he knew commands like ''sit'' and when I said "I'm gonna take a picture, say cheese'' he actually smiled!

By afternoon we still hadn't heard anything. I called the animal shelter but they weren't open. During nap-time, Rascal is put in his crate so he won't bark and wake the kids. I dug out an old crate from the garage and placed the new dog in it. He laid right down and didn't bark or make a peep. The dogs were kenneled for about two hours and both were good.

By this time, I made a listing on craigslist. I put our subdivision, that we had found a dog who weighed approximately 20-30lbs and to respond to the ad to identify. Three emails later and still no one was missing him. (though I feel horrible for the 3 people who may have gotten their hopes up). I took him on a walk and while many people stopped to admire, no one recognized him. I let him lead, saying ''lets go home'' but he never did. We came home and he settled right in, sleeping on the pile of dirty laundry.

So we decided to just keep him overnight and Monday morning I would take him to see if he was microchipped. Fast forward to his morning and I was there right at 8am. They scanned him and he has a chip! They logged into the chip company and reported him as found. His name is Gotti, he is a 24lb boston terrier. He had not been reported as missing. So I left my number, they called the owner and left a message saying the pet was found, with my contact info.

I opted not to leave him at the shelter. Firstoff, it's a kill shelter so if he isn't claimed or adopted within x amount of days, it's lights out. Secondly, he was happy and adjusted with us, so it seemed less stressful to just let him stay...for now.

However, based on where tag registration says he lives the animal shelter thinks that either the people moved and now live in my subdivision (which if they did, why didn't they call me?) or he may have been dropped off and abandoned in our neighborhood. His address is about five miles away, with two interstates and many big roads in between. Since he was clean and uninjured, it's unlikely that he ran away and made it that far. Since I walked around, drove around and then walked around yesterday and NO ONE recognized him and he didn't walk home, that seems a bit unlikely as well. Legally, if the owner doesn't contact me within five days, we can keep him.

So, now we're thinking...do we want to keep him? I mean we never planned on getting another dog after parting with Tito. But he is trained..he's not a puppy but not that old either. He has super short hair and doesn't seem to shed much. Animal control guessed around 3-5yrs old. Would we be crazy to keep him? Fours kids, two dogs and Italy?? Yeah...that seems kinda nuts. For now, we're keeping him because the alternative is the shelter. But I talked to Papa Barry and he might be interested in adopting him. He's been looking for a dog and since this one is already trained, doesn't barely bark, stays off the furniture and needs a home...it seems like a good fit. I have a crate for him, he walks on a leash well, he hasn't been digging in the yard or anything. The only issue is obviously Papa lives 12 hours from us. So we're gonna see if the owners claim him or not. If they don't Papa might come down for Thanksgiving and take him back to Kansas. We'll have to see how it all pans out. If Papa decides that he doesn't want him, we might just keep him.

Yeah, we'll have to pay the vet for shots and yeah, we'll have to pay for the plane ticket to Italy. It's not the greatest plan but the kids are smitten with him, as of now Rascal is ''tolerating'' him. I mean, they are curled up napping together but they aren't killing each other either. Gotti is good with the kids and the noise and the running and it seems kinda odd that a perfectly trained dog shows up on our doorstep who is good with kids and named Gotti...I mean, that's pretty Italian! Maybe it's a sign!? We'll see...but between you and me, I hope Papa can take him :). (B is totally wanting to keep him...how strange is that!?)

**UPDATED**3:31pm
We were able to return Gotti to his family. Apparently the side gate was left open and they didn't know it. He was very excited when his owner picked him up so as much as we liked him, I'm glad he is home.

Oh Pinterest, how I love thee!

2011-11-12T22:12:00.002-06:00

So a few months ago, I discovered Pinterest. It's a virtual pin board...you see something you like on another blog or website you ''Pin It" {like bookmarking} and it shows up on your pin boards. I have a button on the right hand column that says ''Follow me on Pinterest''. If you click that, you can see what I mean.

But, I digress.

I freaking love pinterest. Yes, it can be a major time suck but used wisely, it's also so informative! I started out using it as a means of bookmarking things for Sissy' birthday party. I used a bunch of those ideas {circle garland, pennant birthday sign, rainbow themed} at her party so it was win-win. As I was pinning things for her party, I started seeing recipes and craft projects....gradually I pinned those too. Hence, our ''monster pillows'' inspired by the ''Pajama Monsters" I found pinned by a friend...

I used Pinterest to get ideas as to what to wear for our family photos; what colors coordinated and pose ideas for all of us. I don't think I used any of what I pinned {it's hard to remember and apply in the situation!} but it made me realize that as long as we were all happy, the camera would catch that...and that was most important.

Like I said, if you aren't on Pinterest, you should be. It's amazing. I try to pin things that i will actually use/do/try so while I've been on for months, I haven't really pinned that much considering. I've tried a few of the recipes (chicken bacon ranch mac & cheese, cheeseburger soup, frozen pureed banana), learned a few photo and organizational tips. It's amazing. Did I say that already??

So on to today. I'm sick...or getting sick. Woke up with a sore back, headache, sore throat and that general blah feeling. My ears feel like there is fluid in them and sufficed to say, I didn't want to even leave the house today. So this afternoon, I was checking my usual ''YAY it's nap-time!" things {email, facebook, blog list and pinterest} I was reminded of a project that I had pinned weeks ago. I didn't forget it because it wasn't that important, it was just that life got in the way and I didn't have time to get my sewing machine out. And it was something I needed to make. So it's naptime, it's quiet and I figured better now than never.

What did I make? Why a Bapron (baby apron) or two,

And Sissy using one of hers....

It's a tutorial that I pinned from Craftiness is not optional, and I love it! Sissy has been yanking bibs off for months now. She'll yank til the velcro comes undone, then throw it to the dog. So this is perfect. There are arm holes to slip it on, then you knot it in the back. It's nice and big, when she sits it comes down past her waistline, keeping her pants clean too!

Please excuse the horrible lighting, it's dark by dinnertime now...Flash=crappy pics

The best part is how quick they are to whip up! I made two in about an hour...and I had to make the brown bias tape. Everything I needed, I had on hand. This one was made from leftover nursery bedding fabric, the other is a cupcake fabric with leftover store bought, double fold white bias tape. Both are backed in flannel for absorbency. Though I would love to make one in oil cloth or laminated cotton...so easy to wipe down. They really are perfect and Sissy doesn't even realize it is a bib. She didn't fight me putting it on or try to take it off while eating. I think because I slip it on her arms, she thinks she's getting dressed and just leaves it alone. Total bonus! The barpon...who knew right!? Thanks Pinterest!

So I ask ''How many kids do you want when you grow up?"

2011-11-12T11:52:00.001-06:00

Bubba responds: "10. I want ten kids."

Peanut says "I want a LOT." Well, how many is a lot? "Like TWO!"

As I turn to Pooks he says ''I want zero kids mom. Zero. None. Not any."

"Pookie, you don't want any kids? What if your wife wants kids?" I ask.
"I don't want any kids. I don't want a wife. I want just me.''
"Well won't you be lonely? Living all by yourself with no wife, no kids?"
"I not be by myself. I'm gonna live in our house with you and dad."
"Oh...like you'll have a room in the basement?"
"No, I'm gonna live in my room, with my big kid bed and all my animals."
"Well if you're all grown up, you won't fit in your bed. You'll need a grown up bed. Pooks how come you don't want any kids? Don't you like having brothers and sisters?"
"I will too fit in my bed when I growed up. Daddy fits in my bed. And I want no wife in my bed. And no kids because I do not want to have to share my toys. I not sharing my toys with my kids. I not sharing my food with my kids. I want no kids. I just want Rascal and dat's it."
By now I am laughing out loud.
"Pooks when you're all grown up you won't have so many toys. And when you do have toys you don't have to share them with your kids. Daddy plays poker but you boys are not allowed to play with that stuff. Mom likes to sew and make things but you kids can't play with that. Besides you'll get to take your kids to the park and the zoo and play with their toys. I play with your toys all the time."
"No. I want no kids. I want my animals. I want my big kid bed. I want ALL my toys and I not share. I not getting married. I'm not having kids. I'm gonna live here forever!"

In 40 days...

2011-11-10T22:50:00.001-06:00

We will be in Italy.

In an attempt to prepare myself mentally, I've been reading blogs of military wives (usually) who are stationed in Italy and Europe in general. Some are single, some have kids but they are all fascinating. I love to look through their blog archives and see how their feelings were when they first arrived in Italy, how they changed while there, what obstacles they've overcome, what they like, dislike, what they miss. I've even read a couple where they were in Italy and they're time was up and now they are back in the states missing Italy. It's funny when they come home for a visit and they have to go to Target, Chick-fil-a, Starbucks...oh how I know I will miss those! I've read several articles on flying with children, tips for the airport and airlines. I called Delta to confirm that Rascal was on our flight and to have them make a note that we were traveling with minors. The agent was SO nice. She regrouped our seats and now we are all sitting together (you would have thought they would have done this when we booked them, but no). On both flights we will be 3 across in 2 rows; perfect so B and I will each sit in one row with two kids. Previously we were 2 seats in 3 rows...like I'm letting two of my kids sit all alone with strangers?! I think not.

As for what else we still need to do? Not much. We have our official date of travel, we booked the movers for the week before, reserved our hotel for that week while they are packing. {We'll have two sets of packers; one for our overseas stuff and one for the things that will stay here [fridge, washer, dryer, childhood keepsakes, a ton of our outside toys]}. Next week I am paying the tags and taxes on the van so that it can be shipped (it has to have valid tags and registration but ours expire at the end of Nov). B has reserved a rental minivan from Enterprise for us to use after we turn in the van and until we leave. We have our passports, visas, Rascals paper work is finished. We need to gather up our items for unaccompanied baggage as they come in 12 days to pick that up. It'll be some bedding, towels, pots and pans, some kids toys, extra clothes, pack n play,etc....ideally it is suppose to arrive shortly after us so that we have some stuff while we wait for all of our belongings to arrive. B's sponsor requested the school registration packet so that I can begin to get bubba enrolled in school. While it isn't ideal to move so close to Christmas, it will be nice that he'll start right after winter break with the other kids.

I still need to sort some of our stuff. I know I'm not taking our baby things since we're done having babies. Gotta get rid of the bouncer, the big highchair, all 4 years worth of maternity clothes...it's not a huge deal if I never get it done; they'll pack it and I'll sell it or donate it once in Italy. There is a thrift store on post so I will get rid of it eventually....I would just like to be more on top of things!

We also had a big talk with the boys about going through their toys. We talked about how Christmas is coming and how not all kids will get new toys for Christmas, so it would be really nice of them to go through and pick some of their nice toys that they don't play with anymore, to donate. Also we have A LOT of toys and that's why Mommy is always having to tell them to clean up...they want to play with a certain toy but have to move 15 others to get to it. I explained that if we got rid of those, I wouldn't be bugging them near as much to clean up all the time. Pooks starts picking up happy meal toys and saying they can have those. Which is a great start but we have a playroom full of toys, 2 toy boxes in the big boys room full of toys, some in Peanut/Sissy's room and some in the garage. It's just too much. So I will give them a few more days to go through things, then I'll do a final sweep. I know what they like and what they play with once in a blue moon...it'll be freeing to get rid of some clutter.

And it's not just the kids. Besides clothes, I really want to sort through my kitchen stuff. I have so many pans, food storage containers, a bread machine, an extra microwave and a toaster that we don't use....many of which wont even work overseas without a converter. I've been told that a lot of those are easy to find so if I do want one again, I'll be able to get it there.

So naturally instead of actually starting on sorting, I've been instead compiling a list of things I want to do while overseas....this is just the beginning!

I want to see all the touristy Italian icons: leaning tower of Pisa, the Colosseum in Rome, Venice, the vineyards, Tuscany, Cinque de Terre, I want to see the works of Van Gogh and Di Vinci.
Travel to Spain, Germany, France, Ireland, Croatia and Greece. For starters.
Learn how to make authentic Italian foods. Top of the list is lasagna, homemade sauce and real Alfredo...you know, not from a Classico jar.
Become ~~mostly~~ fluent in Italian {after 5 years of Spanish in High School, I'm hoping I'll ''get'' it}
Learn about, sample and drink the wine!
Take the boys to a real ~~soccer~~ futbol game
Become friends with as many locals/neighbors as possible; help give Americans a good name :)
Ride on a Vespa! Preferably on a cobblestone road
Become more open-minded about my food, try new things and encourage the kids to as well.
Remember that we will get homesick. I will wonder if we did the right thing. And remember that this opportunity won't last forever, make the most of it and leave with little regrets.

If you can't live in the place you love, then love the place you live.

13 months...

2011-11-06T00:38:00.000-05:00

Sissy I cannot believe that you are over a year old! You're walking, heck you're RUNNING. You truly are a toddler. I love the age you are at now. So full of spunk and curiosity but still wanting mom (or Dad) close as well. You're hair is getting longer (and curlier) and you're personality is shining through as well. It amazes me that at such a young age you are already showing ''girlie'' tendencies. You love picking up your stuffed animals and dolls and giving hugs and kisses. You love Abby Caddaby and shoes. If i say "go give bubba/pooks/peanut a kiss" you grin so big and hurry over to them. At 13 months you...

are walking, running, dancing stopping and going without falling
are bending over to pick things up
are falling asleep without nursing immediately before...aka, having to fall asleep ''on the boob'' (yes, I am to blame for that one as I let you do it because it's easiest and I like to cuddle)
are a huge imitator. if your brothers start laughing, you do to. if they clap, you clap. if they stick out their tongue you better bet that your tongue is out just as fast.
love to dance. you have a ''so yummy'' dance that you do in your highchair if you like something we are eating
now say ''mama, dada, papa, ball, Lo-Lo, bite, want-that".
you point to things you want, shake your head yes or no, sign more, milk and all done.
can put your finger to your lips and mimic me saying ''shhh''
when asked where your head, belly, toes or teeth are you can point to them correctly
weigh in at 18lbs 5oz and are 29.25 inches in length (6th percentile & 38th percentile)

We had your 12 month check up a day before you turned thirteen months and the doctor was just floored by what you could do and how happy you are, even when sick. You didn't get any of your vaccines because (while mommy thought you had a cold) you had ear infections in both ears, a viral infection and needed an inhaler for wheezing. Geesh, I barely knew you were sick! You are so tough.

Overall you are in great health. The doctor was amazed at how much you are still nursing (at least 4 times during the day for 5-10min and twice at night). She thinks it's great and said we should continue on for as long as we feel comfortable/want too. Honestly I don't you'd let me stop even if I tried and I don't mind. I like the cuddle breaks :) There is a little bit of concern regarding your weight. You are a petite little thing and while there is nothing wrong with that, she wants to keep an eye on you because at 10 months you weighed 18lbs9oz...so in two months rather than gaining you lost a little weight. She said it could be do to how active you are now, the fact that you are sick or you may just be a skinny little kid but regardless since you lost weight but keep growing taller, we need to try to 'fatten' you up a bit.

While I am to continue breastfeeding, she does think if I could get you to drink whole milk at meal times, it would help tremendously. I have tried before. You take a sip, take another sip, let it all run out your mouth and then throw the cup. She suggested that I sweeten it a bit with Ovaltine or syrup...the benefits of the milk outweigh the sugar. So we did that and guess what? You'll drink a little! Now granted, I fill your 8oz sippy cup with Organic Whole Milk & a bit of hersheys (no, I'm not a whole food snob...you wouldn't drink regular milk at all, even with syrup!) at breakfast and give it too you just at meals {refrigerating it between, obviously} and by dinner time you've drank almost the entire 8oz. It's not much, but it's a start.

Honestly, I almost didn't continue these monthly pics and check in's but for now, I think I'll keep doing it. I'm amazed at how much longer your hair is getting in each one :)

Today was the kind of day where...

2011-11-06T00:04:00.002-05:00

I wanted to drop my kids off at a drop in day care and pick them up, oh...next week. Maybe??

The rational side of me says ''Shannon, you've been traveling a lot. Things are changing, they're young, each going through new challenges and phases...you're going to have bad days''.

And the other side says: "Geez woman, your kids are nuts''.

I mean seriously. Today they were the whiniest, greediest, over the top complainers and we did FUN stuff today. You would have thought that I had locked them in their rooms, gave them only the crusts off of bread and then left them in the dark. (Don't worry, that may be on the agenda for tomorrow). Ahem.

But no, we went to SEA WORLD today. Granted it's not the "funnest place on earth" but it's Sea World. They got up, played, ate breakfast, got dressed, played and then hurriedly cleaned up. We loaded up the van, stopped and grabbed lunch. They complained about lunch and that we didn't let them play in the play place. I felt like screaming ''WE ARE GOING TO SEA WORLD. DO YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH COOLER THAT IS THAN CHICK-FIL-A???" Then I made them drink Gatorade instead of Root Beer. How the humanity? How could I possibly force them to drink something that wasn't full of carbonation and sugar!?

We finally get to Sea World, get through the gate and pick up the double stroller I had rented ahead of time. Pooks immediately starts saying he's too tired to walk. "Really, cause we can go back to the van?" and suddenly he's fine.

We walk TEN feet and the ''I'm starving. I'm so hungry my tummy hurts. Can we get popcorn?" starts. Seriously!? I tell them that at the Sea Lion show I will get them popcorn if they stop asking for it. So I ride the Shamu express with Bubba while Ron takes the 3 littles on the carousel.

By now we gotta hurry toward the Sea Lion show. Oh look the Count and no line? Totally need a picture...

would have been perfect if she hadn't blinked!

All of us wanted to see the sea lion show because it's the only show we had never caught...well, we saw the Christmas version and they loved that, so we were hoping they'd like the regular Clyde and Seymour show too. Which they did, once they finally had popcorn.

Sissy however, loved it without the popcorn. I think she stood on mine or B's lap the entire show.

After the Sea Lions we headed toward Shamu's show. While we have seen Shamu twice, I really wanted to see the new show ''One Ocean''. Yeah, that didn't happen. The boys didn't want Shamu, they wanted cotton candy. And Elmo. They wanted Churros and the playground.

Dude, I can buy you a freaking churro at Costco and we have a playground less than a block from our house. Sea World = Shamu.

Nevertheless on my way back from the bathrooms, I get them their damn cotton candy. And less than five minutes into One Ocean....''I don't like Shamu. I want Elmo.""Can we go play now?""I'm too tired.""I need Pepsi". "Can we just leave?"

So glad you asked because yes, yes we are. Sorry I'm the mom and we never get to actually do anything that I *want* to do. But I will not sit here and let you ruin the show for the people around us by your whining. So I grudgingly remind myself that they are just little kids. The newness has worn off and that I won't be seeing Shamu. I look at the map and the Elmo show starts in 10 minutes, so we head over there.

Sissy is immediately in LOVE with this. She's out of the stroller. She can walk around. She can dance!? Actually, Bubba, Peanut and Sissy were all in love with the Sesame Street show. Pooks however? Not so much. "Dey just fweak me out and I don't want to see Elmo!" Well, too bad kid. Too bad. I wanted to see Shamu but that didn't happen. Now you have to see Elmo (which keep in mind he was ASKING for 5 minutes earlier).


"But they just freak me out".

And yes. My four and a half year old sat in that stroller for the entire 15 minutes show. Peanut was mesmerized but didn't want to get too close. Sissy and Bubba? Couldn't get enough.

Bubba, after he high-fived Elmo"

After the show the characters come out for pictures, high fives, hugs...that sort of thing. Sissy was over the moon excited for Abby Caddaby. When we went up near the stage during the song, she was grinning and trying to get her hair. When we went to her to get pictures she just had this permanent little smirk and couldn't stop staring at her. She just loved it and it was by far, the best part of the day.

After that, it all went down hill again. Pooks started saying he was hungry. Again. Conveniently just as we passed a dippin' dot stand. So not happening today. He was still riding in the stroller at this point. Bubba would not hold my hand so he kept getting 10 feet behind us (and we were sloooooow, peanut was walking!) then would come running up with tears in his eyes saying we were leaving him behind. At this point it looked like it was going to ran, B and I's patience were beyond thin and we called the whole thing done. Got to sea world a little after 12:30, gone by 4:00. I am so glad we have season passes and didn't forfeit the cost of a ticket for that little 3 hour jaunt!

the logistics of moving across the globe

2011-11-01T23:53:00.000-05:00

Today was a hectic day. First day back to ''normal'' after our vacation. We were gone from the 13th to the 31st...while I loved almost every.single.minute of our trip, I'm glad to be home. I'm not glad for the laundry, the housework, the sorting, packing, purging and clutter. It's starting to sink in though that this won't be home for much longer. The strange thing is, I can't even accurately pinpoint how this makes me feel! It's all so surreal. We're moving to Italy. We've been in Texas almost an entire year and that hasn't even fully sunk in yet and now we're just moving across the world. It's insane.

Like Bubba exclaimed to Nanaw a few days ago...''We're movin' to Italy....It's not even IN america!"

I am excited, don't get me wrong. But it's very hard {for me especially} to put so much faith into the unknown. I mean, this is completely unknown. Each day I read a little more, get a little more comfortable. Plan a bit more...but pretty soon there won't be anything else left to schedule or plan, we'll just be waiting to GO. It's exciting and yet terrifying.

We have our flight booked. I can't remember if I mentioned that or not. It's booked one week to the day, before B starts his new job. It was a very easy process in terms of actually getting a flight. We went to SATO gave them 2 copies of B's orders, they asked us what day we'd like to fly out. When we got home, B had a confirmation email with our flight, scheduled for the day we had requested. We were fortunate enough to get a flight with just one stop from here to Venice so hopefully that will help with the kids sticking to routine. It's almost a 9 hour flight; leaving early evening stateside and landing at 9am there. I just hope and pray that they sleep on the flight! As soon as we received that confirmation email with our flight number on it, I was able to call the airline and secure Rascal a spot in-cabin with us. It's a fee of $200 but my sanity {and his safety} is worth that. I don't want him to end up a horror story, getting left out on the tarmac in 20 degree weather.

We are getting him a thundershirt this weekend, hopefully he'll react well to it and it will help keep him calm in the airport. I'm not worried about him on the plane, I know he'll settle down and sleep easily. I'm extremely worried about how he'll do in the airport, around all the people and the hustle and bustle. The long layover...I'm overthinking it, I know but the anxiety is there nonetheless.

We got our passports back, as well as our Visas. Luckily there was no set back getting those! Now we have to schedule the movers/packers (cross your fingers but that should be done tomorrow) and send the van over. Ideally you want to send your vehicle over as soon as possible as it can take six weeks (or longer) to arrive. We're hoping to send ours out within the next 2 weeks...that would be almost a full month before we even arrive, to lessen the time we would have to go without in Italy. With four kids, I'm nervous not having a vehicle but from what I've read the buses are easy to learn and most of the other Americans have already gone through what we'll be going through, and are happy to help with rides and such. The only reason we're waiting two weeks is because of course, our van's tags & taxes expire this month. We have to go pay that lovely fee before we can send it anywhere. I also have to get a letter of approval from our lien holder (as we have a loan on the van) stating we can take it overseas and we have to switch to USAA. Which I sorta hate as I've had State Farm insurance since I first got a drivers license but they do not insure internationally. Bummer!

It's been 2 months since B accepted the job and in that time we've:

-Applied for and received our passports. (almost six weeks)
-Applied for and received our visas. (almost three weeks)
-Received our official orders, booked our flight and our hotel stay upon arrival in Italy
-Received our APO address.
-Had a tearful and heartfelt goodbye with our families back in Kansas (so hard, but so lucky to have been able to spend so much time with them)
-Did necessary and preventative maintenance on our van (it's cheaper here than there!)

In the next six weeks I need to:
-Sell and donate unnecessary toys and baby items. Get rid of all maternity clothes and baby clothes.
-Sort, purge and pitch all this clutter in kids rooms, kitchen and pantry.
-Start to separate belongings into the ''take/pack to Italy with us/leave in storage here/let movers pack'' piles.
- Use up the food in the freezer so not to have it go to waste later.
-Have a birthday celebration for Peanut (can't believe he's turning THREE!)
-Have a traditional Thanksgiving meal, dig out our 'Elf on a Shelf' who will be flying in our suitcases, begin mailing gifts to our APO so they are there for Santa. It's really important to me that we keep things as 'normal' as possible for the kids during this transition. Especially since it is happening smack in the middle of the holidays, our household goods won't be there in time for Christmas and we're still very much believers in Santa. I want them to embrace this and remember it fondly, not hate it because it took away something they look forward to for so long.

So yeah, we'll be busy!

Family portraits!

2011-10-29T23:12:00.001-05:00

So you may have noticed from the new blog header, we had family portraits taken. It was a really great opportunity, he captured some amazing photos and just an example of a "well the worst they could say is 'no'."

I should interrupt myself here and mention that while I wanted professional family portraits for awhile, we are in the midst of moving, currently on vacation before that move and don't have the extra $200+. But we have a family friend who is a graphic designer and has started doing more photography. He does it commercially. Photo shoots of dance warm ups, coaches jackets, etc. Well I messaged him and asked if would be willing to take our photos while we were in town. I didn't care when or where, I didn't care if he used his Nikon and fancy lenses or my Canon Rebel and one of my two lenses. I just wanted one decent family photo. Oh, and I could only pay him in gratitude, compliments and food. He immediately messaged back and said sure. He'd never done family photography and would love to be able to experiment with us, see what to do and what not to do, etc.

So one Friday afternoon we met up, he let us do what we do (no posing or cheesiness) and captured some great shots of our family. He took all of the photos, processed and edited a few and left the editing up to me on the rest. (We were tight on time since we were leaving town; we're now into part/town 2 of our vacation). I love editing so it wasn't too hard for me to invest some time into our pictures. A couple I probably won't share as they will go on our Christmas cards but here are a few that I liked...

And our outfits? Well not what I had envisioned but I had only packed the boys Converse All-Star shoes. I wasn't about to go buy three new pairs of shoes so instead I ran to Wal-Mart and found these thermals/t=shirts. I think it fits our family better than the Polos and long sleeve shirts/layers I had originally planned. I was pumped that Ron and I had packed clothes that coordinated, Miss Moo got her outfit for her birthday and it worked perfect. The boys' shirts were $5.50 each so it was win-win!

Tim if you're reading this, thanks bunches! We had a blast and love the photos!

Exhausted!

2011-10-26T00:02:00.000-05:00

We've been on vacation for 11 days now and I already feel like I need a vacation when we get home. We've done birthday parties, family portraits, visited grandparents, gone to the park, eaten just about everywhere I think I might miss at some point in the next 3 years, had issues with the flippin' swaggerwagon that resulted in unplanned spending (both of time and money) and on top of that, apparently going from 80+ degree weather to Kansas' range of 52-80degrees means we are all, or have all been sick.

Whew.

Sorry if that was a huge run on sentence. In my mind, everything is running together.

Don't get me wrong, most of it has been a LOT of fun. But the kids' sleep habits? Not so much. We're split into 2 rooms here at my parents house. "My" room is for B and I with a pack n play for Sissy. The other bedroom has 2 beds, one for Bubba and Pooks and one for Peanut. It sounds ideal.

However, Peanut won't actually sleep in said bed. Every night one of the adults has had to rock him or snuggle with him until he falls asleep. Then once asleep, he usually wakes by 1:00am SCREAMING for B or I. Then he ends up one of two places: on the couch with B or in my bed with me. Where he ends up depends on if I'm already up with Sissy. Who is teething, going through a growth spurt and out of her element and is waking anywhere from once a night to NINE times. And she doesn't just wake up, no no....that would be too simple. She wakes wanting to nurse. Which I don't plan on stopping anytime soon, but man oh man is tiring.

Last night I was up with Sissy til one am, then up with Peanut trying to settle him with Sissy woke back up. I had her to my right, latched on and nursing with Peanut on my left, curled up against me while I combed my hands through his hair. I finally got them both to sleep, shut my eyes when Pooks came into the room and woke me up to tell me that there was a fly in his room and that he needed water. Got him settled down, laid back down and it was 3am. Finally fell asleep when next thing I know, Nanaw is waking me saying that Bubba is really coughing and needs cough medicine. So I handle that, then go back to bed. Up with Sissy at 5am who of course, wants to nurse again. She and Peanut wake up for good at 8am when I promptly hand them off to B (who was forced to sleep on the couch due to lack of bed space for him). I then slept til 9:30 when I got up for good.

Less than five hours of sleep and it wasn't even uninterrupted. Ugh.

I love my kids. I knew what I was getting into when we decided to have each of our little ones. I do not regret my decision. Most days, it's great. We have fun, they get along fairly well with each other most of the time and I am grateful. But that witching hour before bedtime hits with the tiredness and whining, then a rough night like the one last night and I'm beat. My back is sore, my sinuses are killing me and yet I can't take anything. I am constantly starving (due to the huge increase of sissy nursing) and because my older two no longer nap and my younger two are unpredictable in theirs, I am up all day.

I keep reminding myself that this too shall pass. That soon enough my kids will all be big and I'll be begging, pleading and yanking them out of bed. I know that one day I will look back and miss them being little.This I know for a fact.

Yes, I have a five year old, a four year old, a soon to be three year old and a 1 year old. And of course, I will have days (in this case, a week) where I am utterly exhausted. I expect that. Hell, in the last six years I've only spent 11 months of it {split into 5 months and then 5.5 months} NOT pregnant and NOT breastfeeding. The last six years of my life can be summed up by this:

July 2005-March 2006: Pregnant with Bubba
April 2006-Sept 2006: Breastfeeding and then, pregnant again.
Sept 2006-May 2007: Pregnant with Pooks
May 2007-Nov 2007: Breastfeeding
Dec 2007-Mid March 2008: FREEDOM!!
April 2008-Nov 2008: Pregnant with Peanut
Nov 2008-Aug 2009: Breastfeeding
Sept 2009-Jan 2010: FREEDOM!!
Feb 2010-Oct 2010: Pregnant with Sweetcheeks
Oct 2010-today....Still going strong breastfeeding

Yeah, the exhaustion should certainly be expected huh?

The difference a year makes

2011-10-22T22:52:00.002-05:00

October 16, 2010

October 22, 2011

It's amazing to me that we moved 750 miles away but the kids got to go to our hometown Pumpkin Patch. I just love that. More pics later (if I remember).

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Life is busy and hectic...

2011-10-22T00:35:00.006-05:00

But so much fun and as overwhelming as it is (especially right now) I wouldn't change a thing!

A week ago we left the Lonestar State and headed "home" for Sissy's first bday party, to visit family, to attend a wedding and generally just relax before our move. I have a ton of pics but it's virtually impossible to upload them all via my iPad.

Sissy had an AMAZING 1st Birthday. Such a good turnout and she did great with all the family and friends. I was nervous since it had been almost 6 months since our last visit home but you would have never known.

Okay, so that was a very very brief overview, lol.

We were also able to take a new family pic:

Right now we're at nanaw & papa's house, next weekend we'll be at the in laws and attending Ashly's wedding. We're making sure to eat at all of our favorite restaurants, see our old friends and coworkers, keeping up with the kids, spending time with the grandparents and I don't think I mentioned it on the ol' blog but we officially have a walker now:

YouTube Video

So that keeps us on out toes too! Tomorrow we're planning on going to the pumpkin patch so we'll stay busy, busy, busy for awhile!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Easy Halloween Costumes

2011-10-09T16:48:00.002-05:00

With all the hectic-ness that is my life right now, we're going for super easy Halloween costumes this year. And by super easy I mean "cheap/free and no hassle''. On October 31st, we'll actually be driving back from Kansas (only 5 more days left until we head home!) and the kids won't get to go trick or treating. Hence the main reason why I'm not shelling out the time and/or money for "real" costumes. Secondly, they have so many dress up toys at home, that this was too easy:

And Sissy's was just as simple...

Part of me feels really guilty because I usually go all out for Halloween. Themed costumes, hand-made, I mean something a bit more thoughtful than this but you know what? The older boys are ECSTATIC to be ''home depot'' guys and Peanut chose to be a Conductor all on his own when we found the overalls (in the garage, inside a tote...forgot I even had those!). Sissy will either be an OU cheerleader or a chicken, just depends on the weather. Her chicken costume is Bubba's old costume but pretty stinking adorable.

She may not agree though. Those pants were ticking her off pretty fierce.

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY SISSY!

2011-10-04T21:17:00.002-05:00

Today Sissy is a whole year old! It seems like just yesterday that I was wondering if these contractions were ''real''or not. I knew I would absolutely love her, but I couldn't have imagined just how much I would love simply having a daughter. It is so much more than just pink clothes and hair bows. She was definitely the missing puzzle piece to our family. Happy Birthday Sissy, We love you SO much!

Here is a look at how far you have come.

On this day last year, just a few hours old... {to bad I didn't take the bear to the hospital!}

And then, monthly....

At 12 months old you...

   -are now walking! Well, toddling to be more precise. You take steps all on your own but so far the most is 10 with an average of about 5-6 steps before stopping and just crawling. Can't blame you, you are a super fast crawler! You can stop, bend over to pick up something, then go back to walking though!
   -are still in that size 4 diaper, and wearing size 6-12 shirts/dresses, 12 month pants and 18mos leggings. You must have big feet though, you need a size 4!
    -shake your head yes and no, correctly.
    -are finally growing some hair! You usually have a small ponytail on top your head, but you are better tolerating hai rbows...at least for short lengths of time.
    -are signing ''all done'', have made up your own sign for drink, and give kisses and hugs without prompting.
    -are a little copy cat. If your brothers yell, you yell. If I stick out my tongue, you stick out your tongue.
    -love to look at books. Upside down or backward, doesn't matter, you love flipping pages. You recognize your favorites (which at this time seems to be Elmo/Sesame St).
    -are becoming more picky about what you eat. You do try everything and eat a variety but you have preferences now. You LOVE tiny little champagne grapes (black corinth is the technical name), strawberries, mango (still!), bananas, corn, green beans and bread. Of course being the fourth kid you also love the little bites of ice cream, chips, and m&m's that we've sneaked you ;)

Today we took you out to dinner at Red Robin. You loved the clapping, singing and ice cream! Your big party with family and friends is in 11 days and I can't wait. I love you baby girl, Happy Birthday!

Kindergarten

2011-10-03T22:59:00.000-05:00

Bubba has been in kindergarten for six weeks now, man does the time fly by. We're at the end of the first six weeks and that means Parent-Teacher conferences. I'll just go ahead and say that kindergarten sure as heck isn't the same as I remember. Gone are the days of 1/2 day kindergarten. There is no longer nap time, it's more like what first grade was to me. Each day bubba comes home excited to tell me what he did that day. Used scissors. Got to go to PE. Checked out his first book from the library. Had pizza for lunch! But never did he mention ''oh yeah, I learned how to read''. So imagine my surprise when 2 nights ago I'm reading some bedtime books (in this case the ''pigeon'' books) when Bubba says ''Hey, those are sparkle words....'to' 'do' 'the'...." and points out a bunch of words on the pages. I was kinda floored, up until this point he noticed words like his name, family members names, "Lightning McQueen", car...mainly words that interested him or words he saw frequently. I had no clue he was learning sight words.

Now that it's the end of the first six weeks, he will now come home each day with homework. Every Monday he's sent home with a homework folder and on Friday it's due back. Today's assignment was to write the words ''you'' and ''see'' ten times each, then find those words in books/magazines (in our case, the iPad) and use them in a sentence. ''Mom...you see me!!" I was SO proud of him as I watched him write the words over and over. He did so good too! Such concentration.

He really is just growing up! He even knew how to write the date without being prompted. At age 5!

bananas, b-a-n-a-n-a-s, bananas

2011-09-30T20:08:00.000-05:00

This morning we went grocery shopping, like usual. We did go with our friends (who happen to be our neighbors) so Peanut and Livi rode in one cart, Pooks and Sissy in the other. They had a blast in those rocket ship carts but even funnier was the way Sissy would smile and make this panting noise while driving. I had to get a picture! She was hysterical. So like any parent of 2011, I take the pic and upload it to Facebook. It isn't until I start reading the comments that it hits me. What I failed to notice prior to this pic is the INSANE amount of bananas that HEB has. This wasn't a special occasion or anything, just the amount they always have. I never noticed just how many their are. And they do market them differently. It's organic bananas, plantains, regular bananas and the ''ready in 2-3 days'' bananas. Crazy right? (Maybe not as crazy as sissy looks though!)

We have a report date for Italy...

2011-09-28T12:06:00.000-05:00

B applied for the job back in July, in August he had a phone interview. First week of September he was offered the job. Now at the very end of September he was finally given a report date. Whew! It's quite the process.

While he was given an exact date, I will share that it is mid December! Before Christmas but after Thanksgiving, so I'm grateful for that.

Let me just say that this whole process is confusing, overwhelming and long but I know it will be worth it. Just to give you an idea of what's happened thus far:

Very first thing we did was apply for Passports. This should have been simple but I didn't have my birth certificate, my parents still did. So they sent that to me. We gathered up everyone's birth certificates, citizenship papers, social security cards and oh wait, B's is missing. We tore this house apart and could not find his SS card. Awesome. So he had to go to the social security office and request a new one. We finally had all of the required paperwork. We chose to take the photos ourselves, have them printed, and then we had to go on post to turn those in. All four kids had to be with us and we took the oath. (Not the kids, we just signed for them.) That was the second week of September.

After the passport fiasco, I started researching what we need to do to get Rascal to Italy with us. Trust me, for a 10lbs dog, it gets complicated. First all pets coming into Italy must be up to date on their rabies shot (which he is) and be microchipped (which he is not) and have had an annual exam no sooner than 21 days before entering the county but no longer than one year. He also has to have a health certificate deeming him healthy and free of any diseases, he has to have an airline approved pet carrier that he can stand up in, turn around in AND that can fit under the seat in front of us.

So I set to work. Started researching carriers, which ones are best for in-cabin and least likely to get refused at the ticket counter/by the flight attendant. Not an easy task because each airline has strict requirements but they vary, as does the carrier sizes. Some are $20 some are $120. I know we'll be using it internationally, for at least one round trip flight but I also know that I'm going to be paying a huge amount at the vet. I want something durable but not over $50 if I can work it. Meanwhile, I get him in to get him micro-chipped at the animal shelter (just $10!). While there, I was looking around and they had used kennels and carriers available for donation. Imagine my surprise when one of the carriers was the EXACT same thing I had been looking at the day before online (http://www.petco.com/product/8232/Sherpa-Roll-Ups.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch). Only the animal shelter was asking just $10! So I was able to get him microchipped, then get his airline approved bag for a total of $20. The next day, I took him to the regular vet and had his annual exam, vaccines, a new rabies shot (they must be vaccinated for rabies AFTER being microchipped), a heart worm check and talked to him about flying with a pet. Total spent on all of the above mentioned things for Rascal to be ready to fly: almost $200. Plus the airline will be charging us $125 for him to ride in-cabin. Whew! So now that is done.

Rascal with Tito (who is no longer with us but apparently I have no photos of just Rascal)

Moving forward...

Wait. We can't.

We cannot book flights, schedule movers, send the van, nothing without official PCS orders. Well just this week, the lovely Italian office calls B and says ''Hey I need the kids' birth certificates to cut your orders with the kids on the orders''. Well that's just great because we sent ALL of our birth certificates with the passport stuff to the state department. While I have copies of the older boys', I didn't think to make copies of the younger kids'. Okay, not a big deal, we now have to wait to get our passports back (should be done mid to late October), once we get those we can apply for our Visas and get our PCS orders. Once we have our orders we can do the above mentioned things like book flights (which because we're flying in cabin with a dog, we're suppose to do as early as humanly possible) and schedule the movers. Once we have the movers scheduled, I can call our landlord here and give her the mandatory 30 days required notice that we are not renewing our lease. Once I do that, then I will finally really feel like we are moving.

The passport office called today, there are four steps left until our passports will be done and ready to pick up. I'm not sure how many steps there were to begin with but at least we're processing!

So that's where we're at, a full month in from accepting the job. I'm not sure if it's more or less complicated due to us being DoD Civilians who are PCSing or if it would be the same ups and downs if we were Active Duty.

Well that's a first..

2011-09-26T20:30:00.000-05:00

Sissy walked for the first time today! It was only about 4 steps but she walked from B to me, while visiting him at work. She has been standing up all on her own and lifting her feet without going anywhere but today she actually took the steps, hands free, on her own. I'm guessing it will be at least another week before she has the confidence to really take off but it'll be soon!

Oh also another first today, I put her hair in pigtails for the very first time:

Thomas and his friends....

2011-09-26T10:25:00.003-05:00

Pooks loves to sing. This was taken the other morning after dropping off Bubba at school. I was not driving, but parked. He does a really good job! In case you were trying to understand what he was saying (my cell phone video feature is less than stellar) here are the lyrics:

They're two they're four they're six they're eight
Shunting trucks and hauling freight
red and green and brown and blue
they're the really useful crew

All with different roles to play
'Round Tidmouth sheds or far away,
Down the hills and round the bends
Thomas and friends

Thomas he's the cheeky one
James is vain but lots of fun
Percy pulls the mail on time
Gordon thunders down the line
Emily really knows her stuff
Henry toots and huffs and puffs
Edward wants to help and share
Toby, well let's say, he's square

They're two they're four they're six they're eight
Shunting trucks and hauling freight
red and green and brown and blue
they're the really useful crew

All with different roles to play
Round tidmouths or far away
Down the hills and round the bends
Thomas and friends

A dinner date...

2011-09-25T18:16:00.001-05:00

has a whole different meaning when you go with the kiddos instead of the hubs. B is working late every.single.night until the end of the fiscal year so some nights, it's just easier to grab something than it is to try to cook with four helpers. So earlier this week we made an impulse stop for dinner at Firehouse Subs. It was a first for us. While I love sub sandwiches, I despise Subway and Quiznos. There isn't a Mr. Goodcent's in these parts so I've just made do without.

Firehouse, while not as good as Goodcents, fills that void.
The subs were pretty good. There was meat and not just 5lbs of lettuce. The bread was fresh. While the sandwiches didn't totally overwhelm me, the atmosphere was perfect. The inside was total Firehouse motif. The kids were each given a free hat and received Oreos after finishing their meal. I think they each had a favorite part:

Bubba and pooks both loved the free hat(s).

Peanut was all about the GIANT pickle spears...he ate two!

And what was Sissy's favorite part? I mean really what does a sandwich shop have to offer a one year old? How about an Oreo....

Well if that isn't a look of approval, I'm not sure what is!

Overall, two thumbs up! I felt like we spent more money than we would have at Mr.Goodcents and received less food but if I didn't hold Goodcents on such a pedestal, I'm sure I would have LOVED Firehouse. So if you have one near you, you should check it out. Guarantee the kids will love it!

Sissy's birthday photos

2011-09-23T07:05:00.001-05:00

Sissy will be celebrating her first birthday in just 12 days. Today we went to Portrait Innovations and had her "One Year" pictures taken. I have had both Pooks and Peanut's first birthday photos taken there as well so it's a rite of passage of sorts. I knew I wanted the basic white background and luckily for my wallet, there weren't too many overwhelmingly cute ones. Sissy is obviously adorable and she was in a great mood but she did not want to sit still. She did not want to just sit on that backdrop. That dwindled down the ''good'' shots. We tried a bunch of other backdrops and such but I wasn't impressed. Greyish brown? Um, no thanks. I did like the black backdrop but unfortunately Sissy was over it by then. I had given myself a $50 budget and I stuck to it so overall, no complaints. I love there value package for just $9.95! Total I ended up with an 11x14, (2) 8x10s, (12) 5x7s, (8) 3.5x5s, and 48 wallets in three different poses, 2 different outfits. Can't beat PI's prices and that fact that the photos were done and in my hands within 15 minutes!

So without further ado, here are two of them. Keep in mind I scanned these...not the greatest quality, they are OVERLY exposed and a bit too bright/washed out. (not in real life, but in the scanned computer copy)

Now I'm gonna save my favorite shot for her Birthday post (Oct 4th). Her party will be October 15th, so we'll have party pics up shortly after that!

Geez, I still can't believe she's almost a "toddler"!

So you think we're crazy for moving to Italy?

2011-09-19T10:29:00.002-05:00

First off, if you missed this news you can read about it: here

But if you did read that we're moving, then rest assured that we're not crazy. It does seem insane. I'm very much a ''small town'' girl. I lived in Kansas my entire life, up until 10 months ago when we moved to ~~this desert~~ South Texas. If you would have told me 1 year ago we'd be moving to Italy, I'd say that you're dead wrong. It's so completely out of character, for me, that it is hard to believe. So what changed?

Well, quite a bit. First off, living in Texas has been a mixed blessing. It is 13+hours from our family and was a hard adjustment. It's hot. The culture is different, so many Mexican and Spanish influences. The food is different, the grocery stores are different (good-bye Dillons/Hy-Vee/Ray's Apple Market, hello HEB, HEB, HEB and oh yeah, HEBplus) the speed limits are different (seriously only 65mph at night?!). A lot changed moving here. Little things like our entire house being tile and bigger things like it not raining for over 90+ days (it will drive you mad!), driving on the highway with warning signs up that say "EXTREME WILDFIRE DANGER", learning about the stages of water restrictions and learning that your son doesn't get recess this week due to excessive heat warnings & poor air quality. Definitely a change up from our indecisive, but tolerable, Kansas weather.

But despite all the new but not so great things, we've learned a lot. Yes, it's hard being away from friends and family, but we're doing fine. (Yes, I realize we have been fortunate enough to have a lot of visitors!). Sure we don't have Mr. Goodcents, but how else would we have learned that our kids LOVE mexican food. Borracho beans, flautas, quesdillas and breakfast tacos.

Most importantly though, we've learned to adapt. We've learned to try new things, to do things we normally wouldn't. To explore and see what's around us. In some ways, I feel like Texas was the baby step to bigger things, like moving to Italy. If one year ago, right after giving birth to Sissy, B had said ''Hey, I got a job in Italy" I would have refused to go. It would have been a ''Either turn it down or have fun going by yourself" situation. I was VERY comfortable in Kansas but our finances were not. We needed to move, to let B ''move up the ladder'' so to speak, to be able to pay off debt, save up money and get out of a 2 bedroom house with our four kids. So, we did it. With an 8 week old baby, we up and moved 750 miles away where we knew almost no one.

The silver lining was, we actually don't mind living here. B is getting paid more, cost of living is less. We have more house (almost 500sq feet more) for only a bit more rent. We made friends, got to know our neighbors (something we never did back home). We are much more comfortable here financial than we were in Kansas. Are we debt free? No. Are we no longer paying just the bare minimum? Yes. And that is a big step when you have some credit card debt, student loans (but no degree) and a car note. We were also able to do fun things like get a Sea World pass, explore a whole new area, take our kids to the gulf or ''ocean'' as they call it. We bought a new washer & dryer (our old set was on it's last leg but we made it work for over a year, running everything for 2 dry cycles and sometimes washing one load of clothes twice to get the detergent stains out) and got Peanut a big bed...something we wouldn't have even had room for in our old house.

So if we're so comfortable here, why move? Well, in short, because we can. Because an opportunity like Italy, comes up once in a lifetime if you're lucky. We didn't think we'd really like Texas, we thought it would be hard on the kids and us. We thought we'd be here a year and move right back to Kansas. But we adjusted. So yes, Italy will be hard. It will be an even bigger adjustment. But I really do feel like having this year in Texas to act as a buffer between ''home'' and Italy, has helped tremendously.

Please know that we're not going into this blind. We've asked questions every step of the way. We've researched and read up on our new area. We've chatted with other people who have been there, we've read blogs, books, websites and watched youtube videos. We have applied for passports, started sorting our belongings into ''trash/donate/sell/take with us/store here". We've gotten Rascal micro-chipped, vaccinated and his health certificate started. We've been stalking the military housing website looking at rentals, discussing the the benefits of living in different areas, what we are hoping to find, what is essential (some yard space) versus what isn't (a garage/carport, 2 full baths[like we have now]). We've looked into the school system, the bus routes...we're really doing all that we can stateside to prepare ourselves and the kids for this move.

If you're interested, here are a couple blogs from other Americans who are currently living in Italy. Two of them are military as well, one is in Rome.

PCS Italy-- super informative. Peggy, the author, is also from kansas, married to a civilian and she has two kids.

New Girl on Post-- Melissa is a 20 something girl from Oklahoma that has spent a few years in Oklahoma, one by herself while her husband was deployed. She loves to travel and has the pictures and tips to prove it!

An American in Rome- a California girl who dropped everything and moved to Rome for graduate school. Good pictures, funny and informative.

Sibling love...

2011-09-16T12:48:00.000-05:00

the craft bug has bitten...

2011-09-13T22:24:00.001-05:00

So a few weeks ago I posted about my awesome freebie find. I'm pretty conflicted as to what I want to do with it so for now, it's sitting in the garage still. Untouched. Then with school starting, B's new job, and planning for Sissy's first birthday...the dresser was most definitely pushed aside. But last week, I *needed* to craft. It's like an addiction, I swear. So I decided to make my version of the balloon wreath that is floating all around Pinterest. {feel free to follow me, I linked a button over in my right sidebar}. I love it!

Of course I was interrupted no less than 1 bajillion times, but split over 2 days, it took about 2 hours total. So then I was like ''What else can I make???".....a Pinterest search later and I was directed to these little guys:

source

They are "Pajama Eaters". Perfect little stuffed animal guys to feed your pajamas to in the morning, so your kids actually wear them more than once before tossing them on the floor. Well, I think they are adorable. But I couldn't help but think ''those would make AWESOME pillows". See my boys are sorta obsessed with Pillow Pets. And I may have told them that maybe we could get them each a mini-pillow pet for the plane ride. {this was only after they said they were taking their big ones on the plane}. But then I actually looked at mini-pillow pets and they're little, littler than I thought. And they're $13....do the math, times it by four and suddenly I'm shelling out $52+ tax on four pillows.

Get out of town, that is not happening. Not for something that is seriously, 6x8 inches.

So when I saw Jodi's tutorial for her Pajama Eaters, I immediately bought it. I looked over the tutorial {seriously one of the best tutorials ever! so easy to follow and cute} a few times, decided that instead of stuffing the little guys (sized 13x13 inches) with fiberfil, I could make them a bit bigger and instead use a travel pillow. So with that in mind, I showed the kids. THEY LOVED THEM!! So I explained that mommy would make them a ''pillow pet'' Monster instead of buying the baby ones. Done, they loved it. I set out for the fabric store.

Once there (with all four kiddos in tow) I had them each pick out a solid color for their monster. Then we loaded up on the necessities like fabric for the mouths, zippers, heat & bond and thread (I have a ton but it was on sale and I wasn't sure what colors I had, yada yada). They did SO incredibly well. Especially when you take into consideration that I jaunted to the fabric store at oh, 11:15am which is when we usually eat lunch. And then the cutting table line..oh my word. I think we were in line for over 30 minutes. Took forever. So we finally get our stuff, pile up in the van and I reward them with lunch at McDonald's. YAY!

So, besides the fact that I'm the coolest mom ever, my real reason for McD's was it's location; inside of Wal-Mart. We ate then went and grabbed 4 travel pillows from the bedding department. I felt like I hit the jackpot...each pillow was $3.00. Oh yeah, saving money, woot woot!

So we get home, figure out what size my monster pillows will be (14x20 was the pillow size, I cut everything to 15x21 and it fit like a glove) and set to work. A bit easier said than done since I had all the kids home while B was putting in overtime. But we popped in a video, got Sissy down for a nap and Mommy went to work. It wasn't a difficult project at all, but time consuming measuring and cutting all the pieces. Sissy's was finished first, followed up by the boys the next day. The end result? Some pretty freaking happy kids:

yes, sissy's monster pillow is bigger than her. and yes, bubba just shoved an entire stuffed animal in there.

So while I let the kids pick the color, I then also gave them free reign on how many eyeballs their monster would have. Well, except Sissy, I just gave her's two. Bubba saw Sissy's and said ''I want LOTS of eyeballs...like TEN!" and I said...."um, 10 is a lot of work, if you want this before bedtime we need less than ten." "Okay, three silly eyeballs." Okay, three. Pooks said he just wanted two super tiny eyeballs. Well I made them super tiny, showed him and he said ''bigger than that mom'' so he got normal sized eyeballs I guess, but still two of them. Peanut wanted "ONE GIANT EYE". Easy enough, I swear it's something about being the third child that just makes things easy! Each kiddo also got to pick some scrap fabric I had lying around as a accent.

In order: we have Pook's yellow monster {complete with Barry nametag), Sissy's hot pink monster (complete with bow), Peanut's green monster (complete with m&m horns) and Bubba's blue monster (with a silly nose and monsters all on his legs).

Want to know how you can tell that your kids genuinely like something? They request to have their pictures taken. A lot of pictures. Here they are ''going night-night''. Right before the picture took, Sweetcheeks was actually laying on her pillow too. By the time I focused the shot, not so much.

So obviously this project was a huge success. First off, I conquered my irrational fear of sewing with zippers. Secondly, even after buying Jodi's tutorial, then the fabric, then the pillows I still spent less than the $52 I would have spent on pillow pets. Woohoo!

And the best part? The kids like them BETTER than their pillow pets! All kids slept with/on their monsters. Do they use the pockets for pajamas? Eh. Bubba does but Peanuts typically has paper in it, or hot wheel cars, or crasins. I plan on putting a pair of sweats and a tshirt in each one for the plane ride...never know when you'll need an extra outfit (or four).

So yesterday I finished those and today, I started a Halloween Rag Wreath. Watch out, stand back, I'm on a roll....

Visitor from home!

2011-09-12T23:41:00.000-05:00

Last week we had the pleasure of having Auntie Michelle visit us...it was a very special treat indeed! She voluntarily chose to spend her vacation hanging out with me, B and our yahoos.

I actually took a ton of photos but apparently I moved them all to the laptop and right now I'm on the desktop, so I only have access to this one. But trust me when I say, we had fun! More pictures will definitely coming soon. Seeing how she arrived on Sunday afternoon and by the time she left for the airport on Thursday afternoon we had went to Corpus Christi, Gruene, the Riverwalk, saw the Alamo, shopped at Market Square/El Mercado, hit up the Tanger Outlet malls, obviously we dined at Taco Cabana and Rudy's BBQ, plus we went shopping here in town--it was a busy trip. AND we did (most) of it while Bubba was in school, meaning we were home by 2pm each day. Whew! I promise to get the pics up soon!

Thanks for visiting us Auntie Michelle, we loved having you!!!

Can you guess what we did this week?

2011-09-11T12:23:00.003-05:00

If you're suddenly wondering if our entire family was arrested, the answer is no. Rest assured those aren't mugshots, they're our passport photos. It took almost an hour but we finally managed to get ''neutral expressions, chin up, no blurry" photos of each kiddo. Whew! "Apply for passport" Check that off the ever growing list...

11 Months...the countdown begins...

2011-09-04T20:18:00.004-05:00

In just 30 days, Sissy you will be one year old! That is crazy that you are already so big! It was almost impossible to even take your ''monthly pic'' this morning because you are just so "go-go-go" all of the time. You are a huge happy ball of energy. What are you like at 11 months? So glad you asked...

At ELEVEN months old you:

-have SIX teeth! Four are completely down and pearly white, the other two incisors are through the gums. Since all these teeth have arrived, you are finally sleeping better.

-typically go to bed around 8pm, sleep until 1am, wake up to nurse, go back to bed til 5 or 6am when you nurse again.

-you still wear a size 4 diaper, 6-12mos clothes and 18month leggings/stretchy pants.

-you have recently began ripping out any hairbow/headband that we place in your hair. In order for you to keep it in, you have to be greatly distracted as I clip it, then you forget about it being there at all.

-you can now wave, clap your hands, play peek-a-boo (see pic above), give kisses and just started to blow kisses.
-you are talking more! you say: hi, bye, mama, dada, whoa, and uh-oh
-you are still pretty shy/bashful to people you don't know. now if they are giving you food, you seem to like them just a tiny bit more.
-you are still cruising furniture but show no signs of walking on your own just yet. you go hands free for a bit but then reach back for the wall, furniture, person, etc.
-rarely sit in your highchair, we typically have you eat in your booster seat up at the table with us.

You are most certainly, you. With your own unique personality, likes/dislikes and temper. You seem to have grown up WAY too fast, but we're loving every minute of having you in our lives. We love you sissy!

HUGE changes are coming to our family....

2011-09-04T14:16:00.000-05:00

If you've noticed the lack of posting around here lately, just know that it's not you, it's me. Obviously we keep pretty busy just in our day to day life but there is *something* going on here that is MASSIVE. I mean news of EPIC proportions. Like, when you finally read what it is you're all going to go...."What?! Seriously?....Are they nuts?" But hopefully in a good way.

I will say, no we are NOT pregnant. We are NOT trying to get pregnant nor adopt. Our four little munchkins are just the right amount for us.

I will go ahead and share our news right now but just know that I don't know all the details yet. Here is what I DO know....

1. B has been applying for other jobs in his field due to the fact that his office is severely understaffed, he is completely overworked and his boss is less than stellar. (seriously when we moved here there were 20 people in his office, now he is one of six. everyone hates it).

2. Most of his applications were right here in Texas, in our same town with the exception of two.

3. The exceptions were: one was in Oklahoma and one was overseas.

4. The overseas one was a total long shot as while completely qualified, he knows no one over there. But the opportunity was there and after many evening discussions between he and I, he applied for it. We knew that in him applying for it, there was no backing out. It's not often that a civilian position in his field opens up and we knew we weren't going to waste anyone's time by backing out/changing our minds.

The Oklahoma one was mostly due to the fact that we both like the Midwest, it's closer to family and it gets him out of this job that he dislikes so much. Again, he knew no one in the office so it was somewhat a long shot.

5. So weeks past and he has one phone interview, it was casual and short but they said ''okay, you'll hear from us shortly''.

6. Two weeks go by and we hear nada. B is getting discouraged, another co-worker takes a different job and now his office is down to five.

7. On Monday he received the official email saying the job was his if he chose to accept.

8. He called me, we were thrilled (yet nervous about moving, again) and he emailed back that he accepts.

So we're moving! Again, lol. That's pretty big news in itself, I mean we only just moved to Texas 10 months ago. But it's more where we're moving that's the big news.

It's overseas......a flight of 10 hours.

It's in Europe.....and it's not Germany.

I'll tell you now but please say nothing on Facebook until B announces it...

Are you ready!?

We're moving to:

Italy!!!!

Is that not huge news!? I mean it's no pregnancy announcement but still, big changes! Right now we're in the midst of paperwork and security clearances then we'll be getting passports and visas and working out packing dates and AAAAAAAAGH, SO much stuff has to happen. We don't have a date yet but it will all most definitely be before the end of the year.

source

Not only is a huge opportunity for B, I mean it will look wonderful on his resume but we feel it's an amazing opportunity for our family as well. It's a chance of a lifetime. With four kids, we would never have the ability to just take a trip to Italy. It's unrealistic to even think so {unless we were to win the lotto, ha!}. So we really feel like we've been given a gift. And to pass at the chance of living there? Geez, that's something that if we passed on, we'd regret forever. And we won't be living there forever. We will be there at least one year but no more than three. (As a civilian, B could stay up to five years but we know that we will not ask for any extensions in our stay; doing so will no longer assure him a position stateside. Three year "tour" means they will give him a position of equal pay here when we return).

So yes, it will be chaotic. And yes we will all at some point get extremely homesick I'm sure. Yes we may be nuts. But is that reason enough to pass it up? No, not at all. I cannot wait for the food, the culture, the history, the wine, the beaches...I mean, it's ITALY. And if it makes this whole thing seem a bit less crazy, B will be working on a US Military base. The boys will go to school on base, we can shop at the commissary and PX there. Medical care will be on base. I can use the daycare and gym on base. We will get Italian drivers licenses and live off base (no choice, there is no on base housing) but there is an American community as well.

So what do the boys think? Well they are really excited too. We watched a show on Netflix all about Italy, we've shown them pictures and where it's at on the map. They know that it's far, far, far away. They know that instead of being in the car for 13 hours, we'll be in a plane for 13 hours. They know that things will be different and that the people there will talk different. We've talked about how there won't be Wal-Mart, Target, Chick-Fil-A but there will still be IKEA, and there will be a lot of pizza restaurants. How they'll get to eat food like spaghetti, chicken alfredo and pizza when we go out to eat but not food like Taco Cabana. We talked about how we won't be able to just get in the car and drive to visit Nanaw and Papa. But how we can talk to them on the computer still, and mail them pictures and drawings. We even explained how instead of ice cream there will be gelato. Instead of car trips we'll take train rides to places like Venice and Milan (both about an hour away from the base where we will be stationed).

Do they really understand? No. But they do know that change is coming. They do know that things will be different. And they are excited, as are we!

So that's our BIG EPICALLY HUGE news. Did it surprise you?

more preparations...

2011-09-02T08:33:00.002-05:00

one month and two days til sissy turns one....

And the little one said....

2011-08-31T21:46:00.001-05:00

YouTube Video

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8 days later...

2011-08-30T13:52:00.001-05:00

and Bubba likes school! Kindergarten is super fun. He gets to be on the computer, he gets to paint and go to the library that's IN his school. He likes recess and the jungle gym. He doesn't like how the all the big kids take the swings. And he doesn't like some boy who pinched him one time. But he likes learning and drawing and listening to Mrs. S.

Overall, he's doing very well. Mornings are still a bit slow and whiny but once we're out the door he's fine. By about 6pm he's pretty much exhausted. This whole ''all day kindergarten with no nap'' must be tiring because he is Mr. Moody in the evenings.

His siblings have adjusted well. Sissy never seemed to notice he was gone but gets down right giddy when we pick him up. I mean giggling and kicking her legs like she hasn't seen him in months. Pooks and Peanut are doing okay. Bubba was more of a ringleader than I thought. It seems like I hear ''I don't know what to play" or "there's nothing to do" a few times each day. I just prompt them ("How about we get out the playdoh?") and they do just fine. Overall, it's a success. Next week we have Back to School night and Auntie Michelle visits then too. Bubba is very excited to show her his BIG school :)

First Day of Kindergarten...{pt 1}

2011-08-22T11:19:00.000-05:00

Well, the hard part is over with! This morning I dropped Bubba off for his first day of kindergarten. The morning went off without a hitch, though none of the kids were happy about waking up so early. In fact, Pooks' exact words upon waking and walking in to the living room? "Why did you wake us up when it's still night time?" Yeah, it was almost 6:30am. They were in bed by 8pm last night, but maybe now they'll listen when we say it's time to settle down and sleep?

Bubba was not thrilled about eating breakfast so early. He just wasn't hungry and I think he was a bit nervous, he wouldn't admit that of course but he said his tummy hurt. After not eating breakfast, he got himself dressed, brushed his teeth and had me 'spike up' his hair. He was ready to go! We did the obligatory pictures before leaving...

Then we drove to the school. Had to park quite a ways a way and walk him up and into his classroom. The first 3 days we're allowed to walk him into his room, after that it's drop off lane. He did extremely well. I could see the water building up in his eyes when we said bye, but he didn't cry. Which was quite the feat since 2 other little kids were bawling. Several had been crying {especially the ones who rode the bus!} so all in all, he did great. He gave us all hugs and kisses and sat down to play with his playdoh.

The hardest part was his siblings. Peanut refused to leave. In fact he sat down in a chair and when I asked him to move, he said "No!" I pointed out that the sign said it was Iliana's seat..he said ''No!" and when I reminded him that he would get to go when he was five, he said ''I AM FIVE!" I'm five now!". There were tears and crying (from him) and I had to carry him out. As we left the classroom, I looked back and saw Bubba wiping his eyes :( I know he was SO excited but I think the other kids crying freaked him out a bit. He didn't see me and I know he's fine but it was so hard not running back and giving him another hug.

So we left the school, dropped B off at home to get his truck and head on to work, then I took the littles to McDonald's. They shared a ''Big Breakfast Platter" watched the Disney channel (a real treat since we don't have cable...they were so excited for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!) and played in the play place.

I think having that ''special'' moment with me helped Pooks and Peanut, they were thrilled as I have never let them play in a McDonald's play place...like, ever. ~~(Usually they are gross and smell like feet and it makes me gag when I see other kids running through the structure with food in their hands)~~ But this McD's was really big, clean and the playscape was HUGE.

Overall, part one is a success! Part two will be picking him up and seeing how he liked it...

Before...

2011-08-20T13:41:00.000-05:00

Remember before, back in June when I was wanting to tackle a furniture makeover project? Well, I finally found a piece of furniture to redo. I've been looking mind you...an occasional garage sale, craig's list, but I haven't found a piece that ''spoke'' to me ~~(or was talking to me for under $100)~~. Until yesterday when driving down the street to my street, a lady was putting a dresser at the curb. As she was taping a FREE! sign on it I speed dialed B and told him to bring his truck around the corner, I wanted this.

It is solid wood, SUPER heavy and tall for a dresser. At least four feet. I love the detailing on the sides...and the solid {what I think to be, brass} handles.

Now it's in fairly decent shape when you consider the age of the piece and the fact that it was free. Every part of it is solid wood; no pressed cardboard, no veneer...just solid wood. The drawers are each in their own cubby, solid shelve in between (no plywood cheapo piece separating one drawers bottom from the others top). That being said, there are no sliders/tracks for the drawers so they are rough to pull out. The top one has issues. It will need plenty of TLC to become what I envision.

What is it that I envision? Well I'm not sure yet. Originally I wanted a piece that could become a kitchen island or a TV stand...this isn't that. But I love it and I will hopefully begin my project soon. You know when it ins't 103 degrees outside. And after I buy a sander. And decide whether I want to paint or sand. And before I do that, I need to figure out where it's going. What's it's purpose?

Good thing it was free, eh?

in 2 days...

2011-08-20T10:27:00.000-05:00

Bubba starts kindergarten. In honor of that, we took pics yesterday (his school starts at 7:20am so I seriously doubt we'll have a mini-photo shoot the morning of) and I asked him some questions. Ideally I'd like to do this every school year with each school aged kid all the way up high school, then have them made into a book or at the very least, put into their baby books.

He just looks so grown up! I can't get over it...

hand-holding and cheesing!? typical day around here :)

Can you tell his little brothers were just a tad bit jealous that they weren't getting their pictures taken? In fact I had to stop taking photos of bubba to get peanut and pooks dressed, get their flip flops on and include then in the photos...

Nap time shenanigans

2011-08-19T13:03:00.001-05:00

Sissy is almost 11 months old and rather than sleep in her nice crib with all that bedding that I loving made her last summer, she sleeps in a pack n play in the corner in our room. In fact, I think she has actually spent the night in her crib just once since we moved here. (I would say since birth but her crib was in our bedroom for the first 6 weeks.) The reasoning? Well for one, she still nurses twice a night...she has since about 5 months when she started teething. And two, well just watch the video...

YouTube Video

Yeah, she does that every single day before nap and bedtime. Sometimes for 30+ minutes. Up, down, laugh, cry...I can't expect peanut to sleep through her shenanigans so for the time being, the corner in her pack in play it is.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say she doesn't seem ti mind.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Sneak Peek....

2011-08-18T10:07:00.002-05:00

Another Year Pink Thank You Card

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I had a {laundry} epiphany.

2011-08-17T14:44:00.000-05:00

When you have six people in your family, that adds up to a lot of laundry. I have to do at least two load of laundry every single day or my laundry room looks like this:

And believe it or not, that's all CLEAN clothes. You have six people in 3 separate rooms with a total of six dressers and three closets, then divide up according to which drawer...well things can spiral out of hand very quickly. Add in the linens from five beds and the towels of six people. If I think ''Man I don't feel like doing laundry...I'll just do it tomorrow'' things get bad. It all piles up to be put away but I rarely have free time to divide it all up where it needs to go and the result is the above photo. Luckily, I am good about washing clothes...very, very rarely is there a heaping pile of dirty clothes. Usually it's all clean.

But whose with me here? Putting clean clothes away is one of the chores that I detest the most. I hate it. It takes forever. The constant bending down to reach the clothes, and in the back and forth of folding the little stuff, hanging the shirts, sorting the pajamas by which kid, folding the jeans...it's enough that I just avoid doing it. I've tried washing loads of just B and I's clothing, or just the kids. The problem is they go through clothing much faster, our load would take days to build up and by then I have no clean bras. It would take us weeks to get enough items for a load of whites, and by then B wouldn't have any undershirts.

Usually.

But a few weeks ago, I had an epiphany. Now this might not work for your family but I guarantee it will for a large family. Rather than wash our clothes in the traditional loads (whites/darks/colors/etc), I sorted by what the item is. So a load of just pants/bottoms, a load of justs pajamas/undies, a load of just shirts, only towels/bibs, and lastly, bed linens. This way when it comes time to take things out of the dryer, I'm not doing the constant fold, hang, bend...it's one repetitive task. All shirts? Hang them all up and take all of them to closets. All pants? Fold in half and put away. Pajamas? neatly stack and place in kids dressers. I don't get the random piles on top of my machines...I get one pile of one type of clothing for each person.

In addition to being easier to physically hang/put away, now as long as I do one load a day, we don't get to a situation of B telling me ''I have no clean slacks." Whoops...did I forget to do a load of permanent press?---No longer an issue. Like today, I did a load of 'shirts' and a load of 'pajamas'. Now, with the exception of what we are wearing, every single shirt and pajama in this house, is clean AND put away. Tomorrow I'll do pants and towels. Thursday I'll do a load of of shirts and pajamas. Friday it'll be bed linens and pants. It's never more than 3 days before the next load-type cycles back in again, with the exception of towels and linens, which I do once a week. Each load is a good size, not heaping but not so tiny that it's not worth it. {Each day we go through at least 7 shirts, 6 pairs of pants...so two days worth is 14 shirts or 12 pants, which is a regular sized load}.

I'm a genius right?! It never gets out of hand and even if I skip a day, it's easy to get back on track. I will say that having the HE front loading machines help; I don't have to worry about colors bleeding because I wash almost everything in cold water. The machines are gentle on the clothes as well so nothing get's worn out.

The only question left is ....why did it take me this long to figure out!?

hair today, gone tomorrow

2011-08-17T14:22:00.001-05:00

Today, I took the boys to get haircuts. Since moving to TX oh, 9 months ago, they had their hair cut once at Great Clips (EPIC fail...it was horrible), once while back ''home'' in April, and once by me using the clippers at home. Honestly, their hair wasn't that long but Bubba starts school Monday and their hair was a little uneven in areas. So I decided I was gonna find a nice little local salon that we would just fall in love with and not have to worry anymore. So after driving up and down nearby streets and running into nearby salons, I decided that wasn't the best bet. First off, we live like 5 steps from a military base so everything is barber shops and military cuts..not what I really wanted. Farther down the road there were some salons but they wanted $15-$25 for a kids haircut. (And they couldn't narrow down the price until they saw the client, despite having told them he was a 5yr old boy who sits perfectly still) Seriously? Do I look like I'm paying $75 for three BOYS to get a trim? Um that would be a "hell no!". So we ended up in a outdoor shopping area that was home to Cool Cuts 4 Kids ($17.95 and up), Sharkeys Kids Cuts ($17.95 and they watch a movie during their haircut) and Supercuts. Supercuts had no wait, and they're having a sale/promotion that ALL haircuts are just $8. Ding, ding, ding....we have a winner!

There were two stylists, each started at the same time so Bubba and Pooks went first while Peanut sat in an empty chair and I held Sissy. Both boys' hair looks nice...a bit shorter that I intended on top, but it's even and both boys still have their sideburns (seriously great clips shaved them off!). They were finished and Peanut was up. For (what I think is the first time) Peanut sat in the chair all by himself. He did wonderful! No squirming, laughing...nothing. He sat so still and I swear his cut took half the time as the older boys. So we were in and out in under 1/2 an hour and it was $24 for THREE kid's haircuts. I highly recommend Supercuts to my other local mommies that may be reading this...they weren't overly friendly but they were quick and patient. We went at 11:15am and each stylist was finishing up with someone, with the waiting area empty. They don't have suckers though, so luckily I had thought to bring my own just in case. Overall, 2 thumbs up!

Happy all around

2011-08-15T15:28:00.000-05:00

Today, was a wacky day. We got up, did the whole breakfast/play/get dressed thing while I was on the phone trying to straighten out Bubba's immunization records so that he can actually go to Kindergarten (on Monday...eek!). Got that figured out but now we needed to go up to the school in addition to grocery shopping and shoe shopping (for me for once). Shoe shopping lead up to the north part of town, which lead us to two different stores. Well by now it's 11:30 and they want to eat but I don't want to go all the way back home and I did not want fast food.

Cue Krispy Kreme........

The boys LOVE donuts. Well Krispy Kreme just happens to be a hop skip away from Kohls. So we went there for "lunch". It was lunchtime however I knew they weren't that hungry but needed a break before we went to the grocery store. They had a blast.

We got there in time to see the employee making chocolate cake donuts and donut holes. The boys' excitement was overflowing when watching those donut holes almost run off the conveyer belt. They were shrieking watching the donuts and this got other people smiling while watching the boys' reaction.

They each picked out a pink donut with sprinkles and happily wore the paper hat. Well, everyone but Sissy...she wanted to throw the donut (she had parts of a cake cruller) and eat the hat. Silly girl!

"I don't want to wear the hat Mommy..."

While scarfing down our doughnuts we talked about how the man was making them and what they thought the doughnuts were cooked in. Pooks said "SUGAR!!!" but I explained how they are fried in oil...and we talked about healthy foods vs "sometimes" foods. I love being able to incorporate little education tidbits into our day.

All in all, a nice morning. After our 'lunch' we went grocery shopping, then returned home for naps. Now they're snacking on cheese and green apples...you know a healthy food to balance out the ''sometimes'' food :)

Confession

2011-08-11T16:22:00.001-05:00

Okay, here is the thing. I have four, seriously FOUR blog posts that are half written but then I get distracted/busy/summoned and never get back to finishing them, then they sit here in blog limbo never getting published. Then later I think I have a minute, so I type some more and then again I get called away and now it's been over a week without a post and things are actually happening. So, since this is a blog for my kids and to keep track of their milestones and day to day doings, Imma sum it up right here, right now:

YOU GUYS KEEP MOMMY SUPER BUSY!

Every day we have something to do, someone to meet or somewhere to be. Doctor's visits, back to school shopping, potty training, teeth-cutting, play dates, grocery shopping...the list quite literally goes on and on. And keep in mind that we're doing all this when it's 105 flippin' degrees out. When you add all those activities into my daily responsibilities such as feeding the four children, cleaning the house, doing the laundry, making dinner, etc...well blog time is out the window.

Let's see, I haven't blogged since August 4th. Today is the 11th. In that week's time, Peanut is now fully potty trained. He wears a diaper at nap time and bedtime but usually they are dry when he wakes. He's perfected going potty, though we need to work on getting to the bathroom in time for his "number 2's". This makes mommy and daddy VERY happy! It's not that he's a "late" trainer (he'll be 3 in November) it's just that he's fairly advanced in his other traits (he can count objects up to 10, knows his ABCs, has amazing reasoning skills, knows his colors and opposites, etc) so it was a shocker that this didn't come faster. Today we went to Costco and HEB with him in his undies (no pullup) and he did great!

Sissy now has FIVE teeth with number six on it's way. She is a hot mess, sleeping awful and is fussy much of the day. That's a bit of an exaggeration; she's only fussy if I'm not holding her. So if I can hold her while doing everything else, she's fine. If I set her in her highchair or on the floor, or God forbid in the shopping cart? Fugetaboutit. She lets out the most high-pitched shrill scream that you have ever heard. I really really hope that after these teeth come in, she'll be back to her normal self. When she's happy, she's really happy! Waving and ''talking'' like crazy, standing without holding on to anything, cruises the length of the couch and lets go for that split second to reach the loveseat. She's a handful but a fun one.

Don't mind the food, she's happiest when she's eating

Pooks is, well, he's pooks. He's a ball of energy and full of his funny little sayings. "I didn't mean to hit it, I just did it on purpose." To him, purpose=accident. I straightened my hair yesterday and I overheard him telling Bubba "Mom did somethin' to her hair and she yooks yike another lady". Out of all of the boys, Pooks looks the toughest. He isn't small for his age like Bubba and Peanut, he's spot on 'normal' for height and weight. If I had to label his body type, I'd say solid. He's not fat by ANY means but he's so much bigger than his brothers. He is just literally, solid. It's ironic but he looks the toughest but emotionally, oh my gosh is that kid sensitive. If we're playing outside, he'll pick me 'flowers'. He cannot go to bed until everyone in the house gives him a kiss, including his baby Sissy. If I have to get after him for something and change my tone of voice to ''I'm serious'' oh he'll start to cry and tell me "you did hurt my fillings [feelings] and did talk mean to me" and he will not stop crying until you get down on his level, apologize and explain why you spoke to him that way. I love it, I love his empathy and that he's not afraid to show that soft side and verbalize his feelings but man, is it unexpected!

Bubba is at that age where he's not a 'little' kid but he's not quite a 'big' kid either. He's very, very excited to start Kindergarten. He told me yesterday that he wasn't gonna cry at all. (He might not, but I sure will). He is very excited to meet his teacher, take a lunch and stay there all day. ~~(7:30-2:30!?! for freaking kindergarten!?)~~ He told me that he's gonna make lots of friends and get super smart. He is ready both mentally and physically.

When Nanaw, Nana Phew Phew and Papa were here, we did the bulk of his school shopping. He has to wear Polo shirts to school so we stocked up on those and his school supply list. After they left, we started the hunt for a pair of shoes. I checked and rechecked the dress code, no stipulations on shoes as long as they weren't flip flops. Okay, we can work with that! I was intentionally frustrated at having a standardized dress code in kinder; I think that kids should be able to express themselves and their creativity, and at 5 years old, a lot of that personality comes from their clothes. So after looking around the Converse website, we discovered that you can design your own shoe.{Here is where it's important for me to mention, my boys only ever wear Converse shoes. I'm not sure why, B and I don't wear them but every time we have to buy a boy shoes, they want those. Connor said it all when we were looking at shoes and I was saying ''Oh, how about this one?" and he replied " I only yike shoes with da star on them!"} HOW FREAKING COOL IS THAT? So instead of paying $35 and getting a black pair at the BX, we paid $45 and Bubba designed his own. I mean he sat here at the computer and told me which color/patter he wanted and where. This is what he came up with:

I love them and I cannot wait to see (and of course blog) about what they really look like when they get here. We ordered them about 2 weeks ago and I am eagerly awaiting an email containing shipping info.

Just for reference, it took me 2+ hours from start to finish to write this post. I kept tally and was interrupted three times by text messages, once by a phone call, twice by someone needing to potty, three separate times with a ''mom I need to tell you something" and once to breastfeed. Did I mention that I wrote this post during naptime!? No joke! If it seems scattered and all over the place, it's because I am scattered and all.over.the.place.

And I wouldn't have it any other way ♥

10 months old, already?!

2011-08-04T14:09:00.002-05:00

Sissy, I can barely believe it! Today you are into double-digits in your monthly age. 10 whole months! At this stage, right now you:

-have 2 teeth, with THREE upper teeth on their way (I can see the whites)
-wear a size 4 diaper, 12 month onesies and dresses and 6-12 month shoes
-have started cruising furniture and walls. It's the oddest thing to see you crawl over to the wall, push yourself up to standing and then walk along the wall.
-have dropped your morning nap; you take one maybe twice a week
-say ''mama, dada, hi, papa and nana". Other than "hi" you don't seem to direct them or use them correctly...yet :)
-put every.single.thing in your mouth. tiny pieces of paper? a hair? dog food? yep, yep and yep.
- have long enough hair to wear teeny-tiny bows without any headbands. lately I've been pulling it back because otherwise, the front is long enough that it almost touches your eyebrows while the back hasn't seemed to grow at all.

-when asked to say "Cheese!" you do a big 'ol goofy smile.
-eat dry cereal (usually fruity Cheerios) and yogurt melts for breakfast, everyday. If we don't give you that, you throw what we do give you onto the floor.
-are still actively nursing and show no signs of stopping. During the day you nurse when you wake up, after breakfast, after lunch/before nap,after nap and again before dinner, at bedtime and twice during the night. Yeah, it's a bit excessive for a 10 month old but it works for us. While nursing my endometriosis is controlled so it's win-win.
-have a really bad temper. I mean if you want something and someone gets in your way, you will...express your displeasure. Usually with shrill screaming and fake crying and you started balling your fists during your tantrums.

I have to say that this age, is my most favorite ''baby age''. You are a ball of curiosity, daring enough to try anything and amazed at your discoveries. You love doing something and hearing us say ''uh-oh". You are going through a stranger anxiety phase and only want mommy. You snuggle into my shoulder and give anyone else a tiny little coy look. I just love you so much Sissy and I'm thrilled to watch your grow!

Nobody puts Baby in a corner

2011-08-01T10:51:00.000-05:00

Except well, Baby.

See, this Baby is very, very mobile. She's all over the house! Playing in the kitchen seems to be her favorite though. All the open space combined with opening the pantry door, cabinet doors, pulling out tupperware and chewing on the occasional found crayon (all while keeping an eye out for an open refrigerator door) tops the list. And you may notice something in her mouth in these pics...

Yeah, that would be her new favorite toy. You know, an empty Mylicon bottle with the squishy top.

Sissy doesn't take a bottle or a pacifier. She doesn't really teethe on anything (despite the numerous teething devices we have purchased) other than randomly on her Sophie Giraffe and this medicine bottle. The medicine bottle is her favorite. In fact, she crawls around the entire house, chewing/knawing and occasionally sucking on this bottle.

Sure allowing her to 'play' with medicine probably isn't my most stellar Mom moment but it's really the only thing that helps with her teething and keeps her quiet/content, so I guess we'll deal with the whole 'medicine isn't a toy' thing later.

Afterall, take a look at her teeth...the two bottom ones are up and out but look at those monster top teeth getting ready to come through!

click on the pic to really see them!

What a week!

2011-07-28T00:22:00.000-05:00

So I haven't blogged in a week because I have been so extremely busy. First and foremost, last Wednesday we had some special guests arrive at our casa: Nanaw, Papa and Nanaw Phew Phew! They got in right around suppertime and stayed through breakfast today. Man, oh man did we do a ton of stuff while they were here! Thursday we did the Riverwalk, ate lunch (and some of us napped) at Joes Crab Shack.

Then on Friday we went to lunch at a little Pizzeria/Italian restaurant and had planned on doing more downtown but the weather was on and off sprinkles, over 100 degrees and humid as heck. We opted to hit up Central Market, you know parked the ol' Swaggerwagon next to a Maserati:

Told the kids ''don't touch!" a million times, both in the parking lot and in the store. Then headed home. Saturday we did the Japanese Tea Gardens & the Farmer's market, then went shopping and had lunch.

B and Papa then headed to see Captain America and us girls and kids, headed back home for a nap. Once the guys were home we switched places and we females went shopping. Sunday we took the morning super slow and relaxing then went out for lunch. Came home, napped and had a nice grilled dinner at home complete with cupcakes in honor of Nanaw's birthday (which is this Sunday). Monday B had to work so we headed up to Gruene. It was nice on a Monday; still somewhat busy but not near as crowded as our last visit. This time we actually went into the old Gruene Hall where the boys posed and played on the stage.We crossed the street and enjoyed an old 'dublin dr. pepper' with Nanaw Phew Phew at the soda fountain then headed over to the old saw mill for lunch. By this time it was mid afternoon and hotter than hell, we came back into town, got dinner prepped then headed to Walmart.

Now you may think Why is she blogging about going to Wal-Mart? Well, I'll tell you why this is significant in a moment.

Tuesday morning we went to Lulu's Bakery and Cafe. Papa had been there once before and since then it had been featured on Travel Channel and Man v. Food. If you watch the show, it's the episode where Adam orders the 3lb cinnamon roll. (I would link up but I'm now holding an almost 10 month old and trying to wrap this up). We enjoyed their ''famous'' chicken fried steaks and took a cinnamon roll to-go. The boys were ecstatic that it was bigger than their heads. Seriously.

We then decided to work off all of the calories by walking around the Botanical Gardens. The gardens are SO pretty but man was it hot, lol.

We were there for a few hours before heading home and digging into that cinnamon roll. All 8 1/2 of each us tried some and we barely made a dent in it. Seriously, we ate maybe a 1/4 of it. It was good but probably would have tasted even better fresh.

So, back to why we went to Walmart: we went there to buy Bubba his school supplies...for kindergarten. My baby starts school in less than one month. So with school supply list in hand, we got everything on his list. He is, at least in the materialistic sense, ready for school. In fact, this morning I had to go up to the elementary school and register him for class. I can barely believe it. I'll admit it, I cried. Though I will blame it on the fact that I was going on about 5 hours of sleep, my parents and grandma left town the same time I left for school and I think my emotions were all.over.the.place. Add to that I found out that Pooks doesn't meet the ~~super freaking ridiculous~~ qualifications for preschool ~~you know, because we make ''too much money'' and speak english~~ and I was pretty bummed out this morning.

It all ends well. Bubba is excited, Pooks understands that he can't go until he is five years old. In addition to all of that, Peanut is 1/2 potty trained, Sissy started waving and saying ''Hi" and it just seems like a ton of stuff is all happening at once. It's exhausting! Enjoyable but exhausting!

My little architect

2011-07-20T15:05:00.000-05:00

Lately Bubba's favorite activity is building with blocks. He takes it very seriously; will only use blocks of a certain size and/or color depending on what he is building that day. Earlier this week, he was building ''skyscwapers".

When you factor in that he is building on textured tiles with 3 other siblings running around (and a dog) and he's getting them taller than he is...that's pretty good! He takes his time, assuring that every.single.block is perfectly stacked on the one below. So I asked him ''Bubba when you grow up do you want to be an architect? Architects are people who draw and design up the plans for buildings and skyscrapers." his response:

"Nah mom, I just want to be a pizza delivery guy. Dat's all."

In just 3 months

2011-07-17T01:00:00.004-05:00

My youngest baby will be a year old.

That is insane.

Seriously. Like beyond hard to believe.

Want to know the craziest part?! Well, two things. I'm kinda, sorta ready for her to be one year old. To be more of a little person and less a baby. And I'm not pregnant with a subsequent sibling, ha! Guess that's how we know for sure that our family truly is {finally} complete. After each of our boys, even in the hospital snuggling my newborn, people would jokingly say ''so you want to have another?" and I was quick to say ''Yep" in a serious tone. I just knew that we weren't done. I love my boys to the moon and back a million trillion times but I always felt like someone was missing. Like we weren't done.

Then Sissy joined us.

Now we are done. I no longer feel like we are missing someone...It is a wonderful feeling!

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love everything about having a baby {except spit-up, ha!}. I love the snuggling (even in the middle of the night) I love the sighs and coos. The big stretches and yawns. Their smell. Nursing a newborn. Their peach-fuzz hair. Teeny tiny nails. Itty bitty diapers. Pretty much everything.

BUT (you knew it was coming), I feel a sense of accomplishment knowing that it's behind us. I am ready for the next chapter. Will their be tears? Sure. (Bubba starts kindergarten on Aug 22...No joke folks). But I am ready to see my kids gain confidence and independence. I love seeing how Bubba and Pooks are already sounding out words and excited about reading and school. I have to stifle a giggle every time Peanut yells "Me do!" while attempting to put his shoes on the wrong feet or trying to undress himself. Even seeing Sissy pull herself up to stand and go completely hands free for that split second, is thrilling. Their smiles, the grin and satisfaction of them realizing that they are capable of doing things, it's amazing. I can't even explain it.

So yes, in 3 short months my baby will be one. She will offiically be a ''toddler'' for all intents and purposes. So, like the crazy type A mom that I am, I started mentally planning and putting together ideas for her birthday party. It's going to be full of firsts! First girl birthday party and first party that I've planned from 750 miles away for the main two. Yep, we've decided that since B's work is taking him back "home" in October, we'll take some extra leave and have Sissy's party with our family and friends up there. I am thrilled because this means that all FOUR of my babies will have had their first birthday party in the same building, the same room.

Bubba...

Pooks:

Peanut...

Considering that since Bubba's birth we have lived in my hometown, then a bigger city 2 hours away, then back in said hometown and now in Texas...it's quite a feat that they were all born in the same hospital and will have had their first birthday at the same place.

So ~~in an effort to make this the longest post in history~~ what theme might Sissy be having? Well Bubba had Elmo, Pooks had ''Barnyard Dance", Peanut had Robots and in true girly fashion Sissy will have a girly rainbow theme. Not traditional ROY G BIV rainbow but more of a "Pixie Stick" rainbow of: pink, light orange, butter yellow, bright green, soft blue, light purple. I intend on going girly! Lots of ruffled streamers, balloons, tissue paper pom-poms, she'll be wearing a tutu...agh, I could go on but I'll stop. Okay well I lied, there is one more thing. The final deciding factor that pushed me to these ''rainbow'' theme....

Yeah, that's vintage 1983 Care Bear cake pan. My mom made me that exact.same.cake on my 1st birthday and I thought it would be fitting to make the same cake (or have her make, I should say) the same cake for her grand-daughter. I stumbled across the pan almost over 5 years ago and have held on to it ever since. I didn't want to do a full on Care Bear theme but thought the rainbow was a fun twist :)

The nice thing about having it in the same room, albeit 750 miles away, is that I know how many tablecloths I'll need, I know where streamers will go, etc. I think Auntie Michelle and I have to down to a science. Actually we had our wedding reception, 2 baby showers and 3 birthday parties in this room. It is definitely our go-to local for parties. Watch out October 15th, we're coming for ya! So as emotional as a 1st birthday can be, I'm pretty excited! At least for now...

I'm game...

2011-07-14T16:36:00.000-05:00

My gal pal Lindsay was doing this survey over on her blog, Coffee & Wine and I decided, I'm up for it. Lately every post is about the kids so why not something about/for me?

Using only one word, answer the following questions. Interpret freely.

1) Your cell phone? necessity
2) Your hair? crazy
3) Your mother? funny
4) Your father? technical
5) Your favorite thing? laughter
6) Your dream last night? boring
7) Your favorite drink? dr. pepper
8) Your dream/goal? done :)
9) What room are you in? kitchen
10) Your hobby? crafting
11) Your biggest fear? clowns
12) Where were you last night? home
13) Something that you're not? single, ha!
14) Muffins? banana
15) Wish list item? debt-free
16) Last thing you did? diaper change
17) What are you wearing? sweats
18) Friends? need
19)Love? Family
20) Drinking? yep
21Your mood? tired
22) Your car? HATE
23) Your style? frugal
24) Something you're not wearing? shoes
25) Your favorite store? target
26) Your Favorite Color? orange
27) Your favorite place to eat? Taco Cabana
28) Favorite place you would like to be right now? beach
29) Your pet peeve? abrasive people
30) Your favorite website? facebook

Thanks Lindsay, that was fun. Fellow bloggers...pass it on ;)

Why my kids ran outside in their pajamas/underwear...

2011-07-13T14:54:00.001-05:00

It was raining of course! This past weekend it was 97 degrees...then a freak rainstorm rolled in. The wind picked up, the sky darkened, the temp dropped to 86 degrees and it rained. Really rained. For about...10 minutes. But the kids {who prior to moving to TX, did NOT like rain/getting wet} went running outside to see/touch/feel all those glorious drops!

It really is the little things in life : )

The 4th of July in South Texas...

2011-07-07T15:09:00.000-05:00

is not like any previous 4th of July that I've celebrated. Because we're in a severe drought (I think it has rained less than 5 times since we moved here 7 months ago) they banned the sale of all fireworks, the firing of all fireworks and all public firework shows. SixFlags, Sea World, the Alamo....all cancelled. So, we did our best to have fun without them. It was different and I didn't like it very much but we prevailed and made up for our loss of pyrotechnics with food! Funnel cake, fried pickles, watermelon, s'mores, chocolate chip cookies, grilled hotdogs...mmm! We went to the Home Depot Kid's Workshop on Saturday, then on Sunday we went to the park and had a picnic. Monday we stayed home, played outside, made more food and just relaxed.

Next best thing to fireworks? Light up wands from the last years Fair

The Wal-Mart was selling those poppers so we bought a few boxes...

How was YOUR fourth of July??

4th of July means...

2011-07-04T19:24:00.001-05:00

Today Sissy is 9 months old! (Oh yeah...and it's Independence Day but more on that later). Nine months. It hardly seems possible. In just 3 months Sissy will be a whole year old! So here she is in all her NINE month glory:

What? Like your baby doesn't like to hang upside down whenever possible? Oh...it's just my baby that does? Who would have thunk it? But tis true...Sissy loves to be upside down. At any given time when you are holding her, she may throw her entire body backward and let out a squeal as she looks at her upside down world. In fact, getting a ''good'' nine month pic was almost impossible:

When you take a mobile, teething, active, determined baby and try to make her sit next to a stuffed bear and a sign...well it doesn't always go smoothly. But nonetheless, at the nine months old Sissy:

-is able to pull herself up using an object, stand, then sit back down again
-has one tooth!
-weighs in at 17lbs 7oz and is 27.5 inches in length (25th% for weight, 48th% for height)
-is still wearing size 9-12mos clothes, size 4 diapers and no shoes
-has hair that is finally growing! She doesn't tolerate the crocheted headbands very well but doesn't mind hairbows
-eats anything and everything except babyfood. Favorites are diced watermelon, mango, carrots, grilled chicken and mac & cheese. She eats everything though!
-loves playing with her brothers. She follows them all over the house, pushes their little cars, pulls herself up and plays with the toy kitchen, chews on books and generally pesters them :)
- goes absolutely crazy when placed in a Johnny-Jump Up!

- loves bathtime.
- is still nursing all.the.time. Wakes 2-3 times during the night to nurse but doesn't even fully wake up to do so. She's growing & teething and I'm handling it okay so for now, we'll carry on. (Plus she's our last baby so it's bittersweet and tolerable)
-loves to Skype with Nanaw and Papa!

I spy with my little eye....

2011-07-01T22:57:00.000-05:00

Notice anything new about Sissy?

"but this one is just right..."

2011-06-29T18:57:00.002-05:00

When Nanaw and Papa visited in March for Bubbas birthday, they surprised him with a desk. It's literally old school..my great grandpa gave it to me when I was little. Its so old that it's metal with a wood/ laminate top, a metal frame and actually has a lift top. It's adorable and he loves it. He uses it for puzzles, to draw/color and enjoys having his own spot. But, as it happens when you have more than one child, the other boys were jealous/upset. So I've kept an eye out for one and as luck would have it, Sunday night I found an ad on my buddy Craig's list, where a former home-schooling mom was selling not one, but 2 old wooden desks. Yeah I immediately emailed her....I wanted those desks. Well she contacted me and said they were ours for just $15/each....score! So after work yesterday, B went and picked them up!

Is that not the cutest thing you have seen?

Seriously?! Look at their little faces:

Now granted, they're not done yet...I am planning on refinishing them back to how they looked originally (Bubbas is in original condition). I'll have to sand off the green and pink spray paint, then Pooks will probably be re-painted to the gunmetal silver (depending on condition, since his is metal) and if the original wood on Peanuts is nice, we'll stain it. If it's not, we'll paint it again (but it won't be pink with hearts).

I think this is the push we needed to get refocused on home-schooling. When we moved to this house, we lost our "classroom" basement and we didn't have an area to kinda settle down and focus in. Well, now we do. Granted it's in our dining room but eh, we'll take it! As of now we will still be enrolling Bubba into Kindergarten this fall but I will teach Pooks and Peanut at home for preschool (unless Pooks somehow wrangles a spot in Pre-K...he desperately wants to go to the big school with Bubba we just don't know if he'll qualify). The boys are excited to go get Alphabet posters and workbooks, so off we go!

I am jonesing for a new craft project.

2011-06-27T15:21:00.000-05:00

For reals.

I haven't crafted something in a long time. I made a wreath at Christmas and I made our stockings but then...well then I didn't make much. I did make some potholders (out of a super cute M&M fabric) for my aunt but I never took photos. I painted a bow holder for all of Sissys bows but that took like, one evening and I have yet to even take photos of it (or even hang it up. It may be sitting on her dresser holding all her bows. Maybe). One night I made up some of my Stroller Buddy handles and even created an Etsy shop with a few listed {I made up a bunch but listed a few...Etsy charges for listings and I wanted to see if they'd sell first}. But I really really want to refinish something. I read all these cool blogs where people buy a dresser or a nightstand for $10 and it is the UGLIEST thing ever but then they sand it, paint it, switch out the handles and viola, totally gorgeous new piece of furniture for less than like, $30.

Case in point, look at what Kara did over on Craftastical...
She took this freebie (totally yuck, right?)

and turned it into this by sanding, painting and switching out the pulls. Seriously!

I want to do it! Except I don't need a nightstand. What I want to do is find some big beefy buffet or long dresser, strip it, sand it, paint it/stain it and make it into a new TV stand. Something that I can hide puzzles, dvds and books in but it'll look gorgeous without spending $500 (or more) on a solid wood "entertainment center". I am searching Craigslist and cannot wait to find a piece that "speaks" to me! Right now I have my eye on another little project but I'm waiting (impatiently) to hear back from the seller as to see if it's still available!

Weekend Adventures!

2011-06-26T14:31:00.000-05:00

Okay so when we moved here, one of our goals was to use the weekends to really explore the area around us. Get out and do fun things as a family and see what this new city/state has to offer. And we have, just last weekend we went to Corpus Christi and Port Aransas. We've done the Riverwalk & Sea World. We visited the famous Gruene, TX. But more often than not our weekends consist of hanging around in our pj's, watching movies, heading to Costco...just totally vegging. And that's perfectly fine, sometimes. But I do think we need to get out more. We don't know if we'll end up living here for a year or 10 years but we should continue to have our mini-adventures. One of the things that I've wanted to do was find a good local Farmers Market.

Yesterday, we did just that. First we googled and came up at this website: http://www.pearlfarmersmarket.com/

It was the nicest farmers market that I have personally ever been too. Live music, pet friendly, hot foods for sale, honey, soaps, fresh cut flowers, tea, coffee, fresh breads PLUS produce, herbs, honey and sauces. Very cool! We bought {and immediately began eating, cibatta bread and the best fresh peaches)

After the farmers market, we headed over to another free attraction: The Japanese Tea Gardens

While our timing could have been better (11am on a Saturday), the gardens are gorgeous. It was a bit crowded but none of us seemed to mind. The water was clear with tons of koi fish, the stonework was amazing, the bridges, steps, the flowers, birds...all of it was really pretty. The boys LOVED it.

Thank you random lady for snapping a good family pic :)

The same lady who took our pic, also gave the boys some fish food to feed the koi fishes...those suckers were eager to eat!

There is suppose to be this gorgeous waterfall but the severe drought around here dried it all up! Here is a self-portrait we took near the rocks where the water would cascade down

And after we walked up the stairs, wound around the ''waterfall'' and back down this gorgeous flower path, there was this small bench made of rocks...I had to get a pic of the kiddos...

all in all, a great morning exploring our new city :) Now I have to get searching for things to try next weekend!

Ka-Chow!

2011-06-24T21:06:00.000-05:00

Cars 2 hit theaters today. Our boys have been anxiously waiting for this moment {going on 2 years I think!} and like a smart Mommy, I went and bought advance tickets yesterday so that we wouldn't have to wait in line today. The show started at 11:15 but we were ready for it by oh, 8am. They were a bit excited:

So we managed to keep them corralled at home until 10:30am when we finally left for theater. We skipped the looonng line of people waiting to buy tickets and went and found seats. Even at 10:50am, it was already filling up! B kept an eye on the kids (and our up front, all togeher, row of seats) while I went and got snacks. I'm proud to say that because of different coupons and promotions, our family of six was able to see the movie for $2.50. Add in the large popcorn and medium drink (that I also had a coupon for) and our total for 4 tickets on Premiere Day + snacks was $9.25! Woohoo!


The boys had their popcorn in special Cars2 cups...they ate a cupful each before the movie had started!

I have to say that it was a really cute movie. I think that the storyline was a bit harder for them to follow {lets just say it involved oil companies vs eco friendly ''alltinol''} but they were so intrigued by the racing, spies, and funny parts that they didn't seem to care. All four kids sat through the entire movie without needing a potty break or throwing a fit. Granted Sissy did fall asleep 5 minutes into the movie and wake up 5 minutes before it ended but it worked out perfect.

In the Theater's lobby afterward

After the movie we ate a late lunch at Red Robin. After Red Robin the boys wanted to go see it again. Needless to say, that didn't happen. But we went home and took a nice long nap and now at 9pm, they are all back in bed asleep. All in all, a great day!

I could use your help!

2011-06-22T23:36:00.006-05:00

Remember a couple months ago when I shared these pictures:

I took them after Sissy had her toenails painted for the very first time. We used Piggy Paint for her first pedicure because it's completely natural and non-toxic. Unfortunately, I don't own any...a friend had the color "girls rule" and painted her little piggies for me.

Fast forward to now. I entered the upper photo in a contest to win a "Beach Bum" gift set from Piggy Paint via a Facebook contest. Well it ends tomorrow and we're in second place. So while I usually wouldn't do this, I'm asking for your help!

contest has ended...sissy placed second! she won a free bottle of polish...thank you to all who voted!

Right now we are in second place by about 20 votes...can you help a little sister of three brothers out? Thank you!

I feel like there's a monkey on my back

2011-06-22T15:20:00.001-05:00

Oh wait, there sorta is.

Sissy is teething and is very clingy...she won't let me put her down for anything. Yesterday was especially difficult because about once a week B takes the van to work and it's our day to stay home; this way he enjoys the "luxury" the swagger wagon offers in comparison to his old pick up and I get things done around here. So I was busy cleaning bathrooms, the kitchen, the floors, doing laundry, and attempting to cook dinner. By 3:30 I couldn't handle sissy's whining and how she was crawling after me. So despite my horribly red sunburn, I popped her in my carrier and set to work on the kitchen and making dinner. She promptly fell asleep after this photo and I wore her for two hours before her daddy "rescued" me. I love baby wearing but baby wearing with a sunburn..ouch!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-20T20:04:00.002-05:00

We made a drive down to the gulf yesterday, we thought it would make for a nice Fathers Day. B has been wanting to go since we moved to Texas. And it did. If you ignore the leaky diaper on the way down, losing the camera at the beach and Bubba puking all over himself and the van on the way home. Honestly it really was a lot fun, but once we realized the camera was gone I was bummed. We still don't know what happened to it. B had it on the towel with sissy, then I took sissy to the van to grab floaties and B was with the boys...this took all of 45 seconds but the camera was gone. We had high hopes of finding it in the van but so far, nothing. It really sucks because I had so many cute pics of the kids enjoying the beach for the first time. But, I made myself shake it off and we started looking for seashells. Today I rinsed them all off and I have to say, the boys did good!

My little "Fixer Uppers"

2011-06-18T12:35:00.001-05:00

Today we trekked on over to the Home Depot and took the boys to their first ever ''Kids Workshop". Originally B was going to take them as a Father-Sons thing but I wanted pics so I tagged along and ended up helping. It's actually a good thing I went because 3 excited boys with hammers everywhere...well, it could have ended up not so pretty. They had a blast! Each made their very own toolbox. And looked so cute decked in their orange aprons. They even earned ''achievement'' pins. The aprons are theirs to keep so they can take them with next time. Too cute! Thanks Home Depot!

Pooks was a little too enthusiastic with his hammer...

Bubba is naturally cautious and did great with his hammer.

Peanut was more than satisfied letting daddy help him.

"I'm sanded mom."

Pooks was the first finished and was proud to show his off

Telling the employee "thank you"

I love my boys!

Nothing like a little meningitis scare, to stir things up!

2011-06-18T00:31:00.000-05:00

So on Tuesday night (though it posted Wednesday) I blogged about my migraine. It was pretty bad Tuesday night. I woke up in pain several times and ended up taking a Percocet to help with the pain...it didn't help.

It was horrific on Wednesday. Now I know that I tend to over-dramatize and exaggerate a bit but I seriously wasn't sure I was going to make it. I cried, a lot. It felt like someone had bashed my head with a baseball bat. Like my head was 4 sizes bigger than what my neck could support. And it wasn't just the migraine...I was exhausted. My back and neck hurt, I was so nauseous and was vomiting up everything. Water, crackers, 7up...nothing would stay down.

I let the kids watch Scooby Doo at 7am and when they wanted popcorn for breakfast I rationalized that it was okay because I mixed in Crasins and I made them drink soy milk with it. By 7:50am I actually cracked down and called the doctor because I just knew something wasn't right. Yeah, we'd been up less than one hour. The earliest that the office could get me in was 3pm and I may have called B, begging, crying, pleading...to come home and just watch the boys for me. It wasn't that he didn't want to but he had missed part of Thursday last week, all day Friday, all day Monday and here it is Wednesday morning and I can't hack it. He felt horrible for me but also bad for his job, he was way behind. So we agreed that he would meet me at the office and watch the kids, rather than drive 20 minutes home so that I could hop in the van and drive 20 minutes (the opposite direction) to my appointment.

By the time 3pm rolled around, I was sure my head was going to explode. The doctors nurse took one look at me, then closed all the blinds, dimmed the lights and asked if I wanted to lay down. Seriously, I looked like $h!t. Doc comes in, asks me the ''when did it start, on a scale of one to ten, what have you tried/taken, etc" and I responded ''it's on day 3, i'd put it at a 11 on the pain scale and I have tried tylenol, 800mg ibuprofen and percocet left over from childbirth which I didn't use at the time of childbirth". I explained the severe nausea and vomiting. Seriously an un-medicated, natural childbirth was less painful than this migraine, no joke. I have a high pain tolerance but after three days, I couldn't take it anymore.

Well it turns out my vitals were all fine, my eyes passed whatever flashlight shining/tracking test they do, and it was decided to treat this migraine ''aggressively'' and they would be giving me 2 shots: one for my nausea (Zofran...I think) and then 5 minutes later, one for my migraine (Imitrex). He said that by the time I left his office, I'd be virtually pain free. Well long story ~~short~~ shorter, I had a bad reaction to one of the drugs and started vomiting. So they watched me for another 10 minutes. Nurse came in, had me sit up slowly and I vomited again. Nurse told me to lay down, they brought me water and said that the doctor wanted to keep an eye on me. They took my blood pressure again (it was normal) and after another 20 minutes, I hadn't thrown up and my head felt a little better...not so sensitive to the light/sound but still a headache, so I was sent home with strict instructions to call if I got worse.

I got home, ate 2 chunks of watermelon, fell asleep. Woke up, threw up aforementioned watermelon and fell back asleep. Woke up again at 8:30pm and felt like death. My head hurt much, much worse. B had taken all the boys to see Kung Fu Panda 2, Sissy was sleeping and I decided to call my mommy. She said I needed to go the ER. I didn't like that so I said I'd wait it out til B got home. B gets home...well, whenever he got home and I woke again at 10:30pm. Again, I vomit. I'm crying yet not really crying because it hurts to bad to cry. I have a fever of 101.8. Not only am I in pain but I'm worried about staying hydrated enough to keep nursing Maggie. In 5 hours, she had nursed 8 times. I know my supply was down. I had tried twice to supplement with formula and she wouldn't take it. So I call the doctor. He said that I had two options. Option 1: he would call in a different anti-nausea drug for me because it sounded like I was dehydrated and/or had meningitis. Option 2: I could go straight to the ER, get IV fluids and find out if I had meningitis. I chose option number 1. I really did think that I was dehydrated. I mean, I hadn't kept down hardly any fluids in close to 36 hours {the only thing that I had kept down were those Freezer Pops...3 of them} and I was still nursing Sissy. So at 11:30pm, B left for Walgreens and I fell back asleep. He woke me a little after midnight, I took the anti nausea and sipped some water.

I didn't wake up again until 6:30am on Thursday morning! I didn't vomit. My head felt better, but I still had a headache and was incredibly tired. I took another pill and some ibuprofen, then fell back asleep. I slept until 1:30pm, waking only when B brought me either medicine or Sissy, who wanted to nurse. {Obviously, B took the day off.} He was a Saint though all of it. I don't know what the kids did. I didn't hear them, I didn't see them, no clue what they ate, where they went...nothing. I was comatose. When I woke that afternoon, the only way I can describe feeling is hungover. Obviously, I wasn't but I had that kinda disorientated feeling, my head was kinda heavy and everything still seemed fuzzy. I showered and felt much better. So we got Rudy's to go (no way was I eating in a crowded restaurant) and after eating a few bites of turkey, I felt human. By the time we got to the peach cobbler, I was pretty sure the worse was behind me.

Today I still have a lingering headache and my appetite is down. But I've been keeping my fluids up (making a pitcher of limeade helped that!) and I feel better. We still don't really know what I "had". It was either a really bad migraine and dehydration, a stomach virus that lead to the migraine or it could have been some sort of viral meningitis. Who knows? Really...who cares? The important thing is I'm better and no one else go sick. I am so thankful for that, as well as for B who really did a stellar job with everything. Me, kids, laundry, meals...all while worried about work. Oh and did I mention that today is his birthday? Thanks hon, for everything that you do for us!

A note to my children

2011-06-15T00:19:00.000-05:00

Mommy loves all four of you very much. You are very close in age and keep mommy and daddy very, very busy especially when you are sick. Last Thursday Sissy was pulling on her ears and I took her to the doctor (she weighed 16lbs15oz by the way) but she checked out fine, just a Cold. However when we returned home, pookie you had a fever of 103 degrees and wanted to do nothing but lay down. You didn't even eat dinner! Then Friday sissy had a fever. Then Saturday sissy and bubba had fevers, then Sunday mommy, bubba and peanut had fevers. The only other symptoms were a headache with chills and tiredness thrown in. But Sunday and Monday, mommy and and Ryan both were throwing up. Now it's tuesday and you are all better, hooray! But mommy is not. Mommy had a very, very bad migraine today and you all were very, very loud! I think it was triggered by lack of sleep and a surplus of stress! Because i am still nursing sissy, i can't take anything much stronger than Tylenol. You made it impossible to rest and I instantly thought of nanaw who suffered from migraines a lot when uncle Matt and I were little. We also, failed at being quiet.

Today I realized I was getting a dose of karma. Now I'm blogging about it so one day, when you all have a super bad headache (I am in no way wishing one on you, but I'm sure it will inevitably happen) and your children will not settle down, you will feel as guilty as did today.

I am glad you are all feeling better, and I love you but please let's try not to share all of our germs with each other for a very long time!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-08T22:17:00.002-05:00

8 months!

2011-06-04T16:21:00.000-05:00

Well, it's that day of the month again....Today is the 4th and Sissy, that means you are 8 months old!

"What?!"

I know right? I can barely believe it myself! But it's true, you are officially an 8 month old. That means just four more months til your BIG birthday! Would you believe that I'm already planning it? That I already have the cake pan and the shirt you will wear? It is true, I'm on it!

So what are you like at EIGHT months you ask? Well, you are a ball of energy! You are here, there and everywhere. You crawl like it's no body's business; belly fully off of the floor and you go wherever you want to. Now that you can stand, you get yourself into a lot more trouble...

Honestly size-wise, you're the same. You are definitely eating more than you used to; table foods and still the occasional puree {applesauce, bananas & oatmeal} but I think you've offset your eating by all your crawling and I doubt you've gained much. At 8 months you:

-are in 9 or 12 months...both sizes in Carter's clothing fit you well
-are still in size 4 diapers
-don't usually wear shoes but the ones you have are size 6-12mos Robeeze
-are not sleeping through the night at all. In face you usually wake 2-3 times so we are co-sleeping. This way you get to eat whenever you want and the rest of the family still gets decent sleep. Honestly I would try to break you of this habit but you nursing so often helps keep my endometriosis from flaring so it's win-win at this point.
-will finally drink from a sippy cup! only those with straws but i still think that's pretty good ;)
-say both "mama" and "dada" though you don't seem to say it directly to us

-are starting to really interact with your brothers. you chew on their cars while they are playing with them and you follow them all over the house from room to room

Can you guess who?

2011-06-03T14:55:00.000-05:00

Every one thinks that Sissy looks like one of her brothers...but which brother is debatable! Some people say "her smile is just like Bubba's'' some say ''oh her eyes are likes Pooks'' others say that she is ''Peanut's mini-me". Well....can you guess who is bearing the striking resemblance below?

Leave your answer in the comment section...winner gets....well, nothing but the peace of mind of knowing you're awesome :D

Self-feeding and slurping through a straw

2011-06-02T14:04:00.001-05:00

Yep, another video of Miss Sweetcheeks....she will be 8 months old in a few days but has already mastered her pincher grasp and drinking through a straw. Now, this is mildly ironic since I couldn't even get her to eat baby food pureed until she was 7 months old. Sissy won't take a sippy cup, a bottle or even a pacifier but she loves to drink water from her straw cups. I giggled when I bought them because they are "Stage 4" cups for kids over the age of two. Just further proof that she will do what she wants, when she wants!

YouTube Video

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