A Trip to the Vet

Zinnia was 4 months old yesterday. We aren't accomplishing very much over here, but everyone is healthy and alive so that is good. It's naptime and alas everyone is asleep. I want a nap so badly but I can't bring myself to lay down. I think that there is some sort of radar that emanates from our house when I lay down. It wills the baby to wake up, the phone to ring, or the ups man to ring the doorbell setting off the dogs.

Pictured above is our little trip to the vet this morning. Last night I realized that Clementine (Temma) really hadn't been moving much. In fact I carried her up the stairs and put her in bed with us last night so that I could monitor her. She didn't really move all night and as I lay there waiting for the baby to wake up all I could think about was what she could possibly be hiding.
This morning she was not any better and could not bring herself to walk to her food bowl. This is when the alarms really starting going off for me. So, I loaded everyone up and off we went to the vet. It was an exciting trip. First the 55 lb dog had to be carried to the car, followed by each twin and Zinnie P. Upon arriving at the vet I carried the dog in, and then began the unload of the 3 children. I have to say it went pretty good for the first 20 min... as the appointment went on the texts to Kat became more and more needy until she said she would come on by and give a hand. The pictures are out of order, but i think you can tell by the ones of Daphne and Penelope that we eventually hit a wall. Thank goodness Katrina and Harper swooped in at the last second and loaded everyone back up in the car. AND, our dear Temma just has a torn muscle, thank goodness!

The end of the fuzzy pajama brigade

I think it probably started with Cody. He was in his little lemon yellow jammies when I was in junior high. And boy, was he cute! He had taffy curls and was snuggly. Now he is the Cody we all know and love, several college degrees, a National Championship ring, a RoseBowl ring, his own home, a job and 3 cats. How did that happen? I can only imagine how fast time will fly with my own kids. In fact, if I think about it I get a stomach ache.

Last night I realized we were out of nighttime diapers for Harper. Its been a long time coming. I hate to admit she's almost 4! But, I am one lazy mom and it has been sooo much easier to just change a wet diaper in the AM. I treasure my sleep and I didn't want to add an extra trip to her room at night if I could help it. I was smug knowing she wouldn't be able to do it. I had an extra set of sheets out, an extra blanket and I tried to go to bed early in case she needed me. And, as children seem to always do, she proved me wrong. Up she shot at 7 this morning dry as a bone.

While Harper has been out of fuzzy jammies for a while, there is a pair that hangs lonely in her closet. Just in case she wanted to put them on for old time sake.... would they even fit anymore? But now with the diapers becoming history its time to get realistic. Its time to clean out the diaper/wipe drawer. I guess I can use it for DS and Ipod chargers. Somehow, that's not as sweet and endearing as diapers and wipes. Next, I guess I will move on to sippy cup kingdom. They have multiplied like rabbits and are overtaking my cupboard. I will save 2 princess ones for the twins when they visit. The list will go on and on as the kids get older. However, unless I want to be on the TLC hoarding series, I need to let these things go.

Somehow, letting go of the material things is hard. I realize I am not slamming a door on the "little kid" stage and its good to keep things moving on. But, as I age, I wonder if I will remember it all exactly the way it happened. I know I won't which in many instances is probably a good thing. Cranberry juice in a sippy cup teetering on the edge of the table is part of our family fabric. The sound of footie pajama soles racing across wood floors is part of it too. The ipod, the wii, the dance classes, girl scouts, and elementary school will all weave in one way or another. Its nice to move forward and bittersweet looking back.

*footnote- this post was written several weeks ago. We just got back from a whirlwind trip to San Diego with the C. Stavigs and my parents. Harper had an accident one evening and had to borrow pink footie pajamas from the twins for the night. What a treat for her and for me!

Christmas

We are in full Christmas mode here in the HV. The stork brought Christian and Julia a most wonderful early Christmas present. Little Zinnia arrived December 4th. She is beyond cute and fits into her family perfectly. She is a big heap of sweetness to balance all of the spice around these parts. I keep reminding my kids how nice she is and that they too could be that nice if they tried.

Things have been just as expected. Dan and I went to get the Christmas tree too early and I suppose it will be tinder box dry when we go to turn the lights on Xmas morning. I can't stand it, I have to have my tree early and then I like to complain about it all season. I always threaten a faux tree then I cringe that it ever crossed my mind. We have taken to rescuing a tree in need every year to accompany our trusty green Noble Fir. Last year it was a fat, crooked, short flocked tree that would have never found a home. This year its a over cultured, over flocked ridiculously prim Doug Fir. These mutts seem to speak to Dan and so the rest of us go with it. In fact, they gain the prime real estate of the front living room window for all to see when they drive by.

This year our green tree is I admit, a little large and a little bushy. We drove out to a "u-cut" with no intention of actually cutting anything- on no- we just bought what they had cut! No muss, no fuss for The Roths. We brought it home, set it up and it was way too easy. I should have known it wasn't right. Needless to say, a week later, I walked in to find it laying on its side with ornaments strewn about and glass bulbs cracked. In years past I would have yelled- LOUD! But, this year, I just pushed it back against the wall with all of my might and waited for Mr. Roth to get home. A 10 minute job turned into a full rearrangement of the downstairs furniture and a new home base for our tree. I felt like Carol Brady in the episode where they paint their bedroom. If you paint the bedroom, you need new carpet, then new furniture and so on and so forth. By this AM, I with a new furniture placement, I needed a different tv, couch throw, and coffee table. I think I will cut my losses and just be glad that we were able to get the tree stable and looking pretty good. However, anymore funny business from Mr. Tree and he's going to the burn pile.

I love waking up to Harper singing Jingle Bells. I think the twins taught her this little trick. Its a nice way to greet the freezing cold days we have been having. The kids are sleeping with the Christmas quilts we made for them last year. Every night stuffed Clarice and Rudolph garner a special place on each kids pillow. If I time it right, when I go back to check on Finn, Rudolph's nose is still aglow from pushing his ear. A little red beacon in a big boys stinky, dirty sock, skateboard room. Clarice anchors Daisy to her bed. She snubs right up next to her after she finishes reading. All three kids have really been sporting red the last few weeks. I note lots of red sweaters, shoes and t-shirts as they toddle off to school. I am terrified to say anything about how festive they look. I don't want them to quit!

This evening Finn and Harper are watching "The Year Without A Santa Claus". I am reminded why I love this holiday once again....Finn was excited to see the movie and wanted to note how special Santa is. In one of the first scenes Mrs. Clause mentioned Santa has 5 toes on each foot. Finn jumped and yelled "Santa has 10 toes mom!"- then after a few seconds of thinking he came back with "Oh that's right everybody does" But for a few moments Santa was pure magic to the 6 year old in this house.

I still need to rev up my sleigh and get my shopping done. But first, I think I will just go and spend some time with little Zinnia. She is a great reminder of the real gifts of Christmas.

The Two's

I can't win. I can't even really break even. And lastly, I can't even have a little drink to numb the day. I'm having one of those days where I look around and wonder what I have gotten myself into, instead of looking at the many blessing that I do have.

The Ladies are 31 months old, and just "full of life." This blog has not been updated in quite awhile so I thought I would share a few of the things we seem to all enjoy in our daily life.

-when one child is having a tough time (rolling on the ground screaming) the other is perfect

-both now have tents on their cribs, one for safety, and one because she thought she was missing out on something fun

-they attend playschool twice a week and both love it

-I no longer have to get in the pool at swimming lessons, but I somehow leave wet everytime as both of them have not completed a full lesson together in over a month.

-somehow they are still spreading poop everywhere, even the one who is potty trained

-they can get in and out of their carseats on their own and do not appreciate any help, in fact if you touch them during this time they have to start all over

-they have conversations with each other

-they play independently for longer periods

-one is potty trained at school or anytime she is not with me

-I have resorted to bribes, threats and minimal consequences, all things that I know as a teacher don't really work. Back in the day I just loved Alfie Kohn and Jim Faye, but now I'm just so tired that I keep sticking on these silly band-aids that get me just an inch closer to what I need to get done, but leave me miles from the desired goal.

-one is under the impression she is getting a baby "neigh" in dec.

-they love tv and most of the time this is the activity they can compromise on

Oh no, someone is awake. Deep breath.

Mexi is HOT!

The C.Stavig's are having a little Mexi vacation with Grandma Jean and Grandpa Frede. We are holed up at Sunset Beach in Cabo. The resort is quite lovely, we have a wonderful view of the Pacific Ocean and most of all there is absolutely no gray sky. We have 4 days left here and I would love to write about our trip once I get home, but I don't see that I'm going to have 2 hours to myself without laundry, cleaning, dogs, cats and the ladies. In fact right this minute I can't get up off the couch as this very kind lady has just mopped every inch of our room. Here is a glimpse into our Cabo trip...

Airplane: 2 very antsy hours to San Diego, an hour layover, and then 2 hours to Cabo. We tried to keep the ladies busy with stickerbooks, coloring, aquadoodle, doodlepro, lip, gummi bears, trips to see Grandma and about 90 min into the flight I couldn't take one more minute and said let's watch a movie. "Yeah," they screamed LOUD all the while kicking the poor persons seat ahead of us who was in first class. DVD players come out, head phones on, movies chosen and the batteries are dead. Time to ring the call button... "double vodka tonic please, hold the tonic."

Resort/Room: We have a really great set up. We are on the bottom floor, in an end unit, about 50 ft from the pool. The resort consists of about 30 buildings nestled into a cliff. It is quite a relief not to worry about anyone falling off a balcony. We are also right next to the main building which has restaurants, a deli, gift shop, etc. This is nice as all other transportation on the property is done via golf carts.

We have a 2 bedroom suite which we are sharing with my mom and Frede. There are 2 bedrooms and then a living area and huge padio. In our room there are two closets that the pack n plays fit in perfectly. At naptime and bedtime the Ladies get tucked away quite nicely into the closets. Every morning around 7 I hear, "Mommy, Daddy you sleeping?" Next there is a great big shove and the doors of the closets come flying open and there they are. Of course their dad isn't here for that since he has taken to going to the gym at 6 every morning.

Activities: Our main activity is swimming, we are there for about 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon. We have been eating at least one meal a day at the pool, and most important have been enjoying happy hour. The Ladies have really taken to a miami vice or a mango margarita. (no alcohol obviously) This morning we took a break from the pool and went to the beach. The Ladies are so comfortable in the water that it has become a little hard keeping them safe. A lot of running on the wet slippery ground and jumping and diving without enough focus. The other activity we spend a lot of time doing is walking around looking at the birds on the property. There are parrots, cockatoos, swans, peacocks and flamingos.

And now I'm going to end abruptly as it is time for my nap. Sorry there are no pictures I did not bring the usb cord. Adios.

Check list

I wanted so badly to write about our Disneyland trip today.  But, seems I got waylaid somewhere before I got it done.  I will muster energy for later and simply leave my checklist of the day. 

Wake up to mountain of washed/folded laundry on floor of bedroom.  Seems #1 was looking for "something specific, mom"..... check 

Take drink of triple latte as opposed to ordered single latte and try not to gag..... check 

Sit through swim class and notice man next to me laughs like a girl, annoying!....... check 

Wrestle child out of pool and then proceed to clean off poopsie child made during swimming class.  Try to be nonchalant during cleanup..... check 

Clean up 1/2 box of chicken broth spilled all over the pantry..... check  

Remind kids of the quart of canola oil spilled in pantry  3 weeks ago......check 

Yell at kids and remind them if they EVER go near my pantry again, I might explode.... check 

Throw away pair of brown shoes soaked in chicken broth..... check 

Make sure the home phone is STILL not working for 100th time today.  We are now at 2 weeks and counting..... check 

Clean up spilled angel hair pasta with butter and cheese off of wood floors.... check 

Remind son that he is the most spoiled child I have ever met - ever........ check 

Complain to husband about day and have him tell me to quit being a whiner...... check 

Devise ways to blow husband up....... check 

Listen to children complain of hunger and tell them to get something..... check

Damn- kids are in pantry again at my request!  Note my my  short short memory..... check  

Look at darling #3 reading Pinkalicious and instantly melt..... check 

Listen to #2 with the deep baby blues, try  to remember lyrics to Seasons of Love........ check 

Start to get antsy for #1 to get home. Always seems a member of the band is missing when she is at school...... check 

Lessons

It has been quite a week at the C.Stavig's. On Monday we had every square inch of carpet cleaned and disinfected. It was exciting as the cleaners arrived during nap time and had to measure each room, including where the children were no longer sleeping. I hadn't anticipated that they would be leaving the front door open, so the cats had to be captured and locked away in the laundry room. This involved trying to get Winnie out from under the bed which put me into a full sweat and then she escaped into the craftroom which was piled high with furniture. Cats captured, I then went about rounding up the ladies and the dogs as the man had just announced we would need to leave the house for 30 minutes because of the fumes. Have I mentioned yet that my dad and grandma were also here? Three hours later the carpets were cleaned, dinner was ready, and I was out the door to shop with Kat.

I wish I could say that I learned my lesson a couple of weeks ago, but apparently I had not. Tuesday afternoon I tried to get a few things done in Penelope's room while the Ladies played in Daphne's room. They were both so reasonable when they got up from their nap and were having a great time playing with each other in their t-shirts and diapers, so I thought to myself better get those baskets of laundry put away while they are happily engaged. I could hear them laughing next door and running around, and I kept thinking how lucky they were to have each other to play with. After about 10 min I poked my nose in the room to see what was going on and to my horror Daphne had her diaper off and they were playing in the poop again. It was all over the beautifully cleaned carpet, blankets, clothes and all over them. I don't think I even had a reaction, I just turned on my heal grabbed some fresh clothes and headed to the bathroom to get the tub going. When I went back to grab them Penellie had also removed her diaper and was saying "mommy, poopie, poopie" as she swung that thing and the poop went flying round the room. Luckily I had agreed to go to yoga that evening with Nadia, and amazingly I was able to get all that frustration out.

Wednesday we had a bye bye paci party with the Roth's and G.Pru. The Ladies dumped all the pacis into the garbage can and we celebrated with cupcakes and new pink blankies. They actually went to bed pretty easily. Penellie didn't cry at all and Daphne was sad for about 30 minutes and then proceeded to sing and talk to Iya (Barney) for about an hour. Today naptime and bedtime were a little rougher as Penellie asked for her paci but over all it seems to be going smoother than I could have hoped... Of course there is always tomorrow.