Insta Thursday

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Amy

Have I mentioned i love insta-gram? I could take and post photos sometimes hourly on a good day; but I try not to .

I thought I’d share are a few photos captured a weeks ago. This week there was kind of a pause in picture taking. I’ve been fighting yet another bad head cold (3rd one this winter) and it was really kicking my rear until today. Hoping I’m heading in the healing direction.

I love these next 2 shots probably the most in this little grouping. The first below, is of my dad and Jack. My dad isn’t the type of grandparent that babysits a lot, or really ever. If I’m in a jam he will help. But, he is the grandparent that comes to dinner as often as we invite him, has us over to his 5 acre wooded lot to go sledding, makes it to 90% of the kids sports, and is always willing to help us DIY or do a project.

One day both of my parents came to my house for lunch while the kids were on spring break. This is rare for me, because my parents divorced when I was in kindergarten. So, getting them together for a meal doesn’t happen. In the last few years though, after both of them fighting seperate forms of cancer, and both getting hip replacements (mom is having her’s in April) they have become friends. So, seeing them together, with just me and the boys, is always a treat. Here are Nana and Max checking out the never ending snow.

Here is Lukey sleeping in a chair we were given from my dad. This makes me laugh, because every piece of furniture in that room, except for an ikea 4 square cube, was given to us for free. This is actually great because our kids treat it like leaping pads sometimes.

Here’s Max in a pair of boots my dad got for Jack. At the time, I thought my dad was nuts. They are Sorel boots and they are tiny. They cost like 60 bucks at the time. Yet, they have lived through 3 kids perfectly, and are a favorite of our little man.

One other thing I love, is that the boys love to help us cook. I love that Joe cooks, and I mentally thank his mother for this skill on a weekly basis. I hope my boys will continue this with their partners later in life too. Jack, helping daddy make dinner.

This one cracks me up. These two ya-hoos are partners in crime these days. Chasing each other, snuggling, laughing, playing, and LOVING peanut butter. By the spoonful, if I let them. Max’s shirt is also one of my sassy favorites.

Finally, there are these two lovely beauties. Wanda the Washer, and Dave the Dryer. We LOVE them. They make laundry so much easier. Wanda likes to leave her doors open so she doesn’t stink (she’s so risque’). They are made by samsung, and after some research, a recommendation from my neighbor and a big sale, they were also easy on the pocketbook.

What was your week like? What are your Easter plans/traditions?

****I was not paid by Samsung or Instagram. These opinions are my own.

Hard Decisions: Keeping it real.

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Amy

Step into my brain for a moment:

“I can’t believe I’m acting like this. I mean I have 3 healthy beautiful boys AND I was able to nurse them all for decent periods of time. I’m being ridiculous. Look there! Look at the cover of People magazine this week. Valerie Harper has brain cancer. She will die in like 3 months, and I’m weeping/ugly crying over this… I’m just stupid. I need to just blog, but what will people think? I’m a nut case, I’m an emotional train wreck… both are probably true… at least in this moment or always .”

In walks Joe. He hugs me tightly, & I admit my stupid feelings. He holds me close; longer even, then I thought he would. He tells me how proud he is of me. So proud of what I’ve sacrificed for our kids. He tells me there are new journeys ahead. That he’s here for me, and while he’s never done this, he gets how I’m feeling.

I grab the computer, head to the main floor. Turn on the t.v., and type to you. I need to blog. Because it helps me release it. Because if you think I’m nutty, you can. I don’t care. (yes, I do, but I don’t want to know ) This is my outlet, and I’m using it.

So, here it is.

After a moment out with Max, and him having a meltdown, he asked for “this”, (pointing to my chest). “Feed you.” he said. I looked at Joe, excused myself, and for the first time in months, fed my son in the middle of the day by nursing him. That’s when I decided it was time. Time to let go of this wonderful gift I’d been able to give. Joe and I talked that day. We decided that over the weekend we would quit nursing. Here I sit, after my very last nursing session, ever.

Yes, ever.

That’s the other thing; We have also decided to be done having kiddos. Saying it, even typing it, makes me get a lump in my throat & just become sad. The truth is, if there weren’t such risks for me having babies, we’d be having another. But there are. So.Many.Risks. Then there is the guilt. I have friends desperate to have just one baby, or desperate to give their kid a sibling. How dare I be so sad.. How dare I be ungrateful….

But, I am sad. The only thing I can do is cry, and look for the brighter side.

There are many great things ahead right? Like being diaper free, gate free, childproof free. Not being overwhelmed. Sleeping through the night again. We can take different trips and attending sports for the kids will be easier. Tons of cool things. I’m just bad at letting go, I’m bad at change too.

Thus the goofy tears, irrational thoughts, guilt and lastly this post.

Can you please do me a favor? Not that I expect negativity here, but the sensitivity level in this hizzzouse is at an epic level. So, the favor: if you are planning to comment, keep it positive, or keep it in. Please and Thank you.

A moment in time: Max

Posted on February 9, 2013 by Amy

We are sitting here. Here in your room. In your chair we snuggle close in the darkness. The local christian station plays music, the fan whirls slowly. The cool mist humidifier is purring along. I smell your hair, fresh from a bath, fresh from baby oil. I imagine that this must be what Heaven smells like. Your sweet head looks up at me. In the light coming in from the crack of the door I see your face search out mine. You seem to be asking, “Will you snuggle with me a bit longer please Mommy?” Yes, my heart replies. I haven’t held you to fall asleep in probably 6 mos to a year. It’s not our routine. You are usually tired but awake when you go down. The only time I get a snuggle is when you are sick, or when we nurse in the we morning hours. So, I take this gift of quiet time to hold you. You have had an ear infection for 19 day. NINETEEN. Ugh. We took you in on day 3, got meds that didn’t work by day 13, got more meds that you are allergic to, got more meds that you were under dosed for, and now, with prayers in my heart, I’m hoping we are on the med.

Despite your ears, you never cease to shock and amaze me. Today, in less then 30 seconds, you put yourself behind a closed door to your bathroom, climbed into the sink, and proceeded to turn the water on yourself. You pull out drawers, climb in and sit to play or read. You are so smart. I can’t even fathom that I can capture all that you do or say. Here are some examples of your adorable banter:

Me: “Max?”

Max: “What?”

Me: “Come here.”

Max: “I coming.”

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Me: “I love you!”

Max: “La.U.TOO.Much”

Me: “So Much!”

Max: “La. U Much”

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Max: (singing) “ABCDEFG, JKmntpz, u & me”

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

You can count to 13 with alternating help

You are 18 months old So smart, so loved, so much a part of our family. We can already tell you are ready to take on the world, explore, and leave your mark. We know it will be a wonderful one at that. You are everything, and we love you so much.

Belated Weekend stories….

Posted on February 8, 2013 by Amy

Remember my story about urgent care.

Well, Sunday morning we woke to find Max covered in hives. Large. rise.hives. We called the nurse line, and they said he should be seen. They stated there were 2 clinics that had peds docs, and of course friends, one wasn’t open; the other was 105 minute wait.

lovely.

Joe took the boy. God, love my wonderful hubby.

He was seen, given a new Rx and we were to give him benadryl every 6 hours. We came home, picked up the house, set Max down for a nap, and tried to catch our breath. I too have an Rx now for a sinus infection.

Have you even been feeling so yucky that you want to sleep but your brain won’t shut off? The thing is, the doctor said “he’s been on a lot of antibiotics.” For someone who is prone to worry like me, I am still wondering what that means. Should I stop giving them when my poor baby is so clearly in pain? I have a follow up scheduled with his regular peds doc in 10 days. I’m hoping this will clear up my lingering worries. Plus, I’m wondering if we need tubes. After what I’m seeing my dear friend Kellyn go through, I am not sure I want that either.

Later that afternoon, we got a call from my mom asking if we would venture out for an hour to have dinner with her, and cake to celebrate her birthday. We’d planned to have to take Joe to the airport for a business trip, so I agreed to stop by. I may have cried the whole way home from dropping him off. ahem. Not because I’d miss him terribly, that is a given. But because 2 of the 3 kids are sick, I am sick, and he’s my rock.

Anyway, we dropped him off, headed to Nana’s, and upon arrival, Max has now messed himself. Down the legs and all. Do I have enough wipes? Nooooooo. Do I have extra clothes? Nooooooooo. Does my mom? Noooooo. Can this be happening in the middle of Winter, in a feezing cold day, with an already sick kid. YES.

We get home, and who forgets what the next benedryl dose is? Meeeeeee! Who can’t ask Joe because he’s on a plane? Meeeeee!!!! Who wants to crawl in a hole and cry? ME!

Thank God, Joe’s home, safe and life can go back to normal.

A story about urgent care.

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Amy

So,

For the last 2 weeks, we have all been taking turns being sick. Not all, Jack has been spared. (fingers crossed). Friday I missed work because I was up all night, sick with Flu like symptoms, fever and misery. Luke woke with a fever, same as the day before. Joe said he would take Luke in, and we had him tested for strep. Negative.. ugh. Just a virus, ugh.

Did I mention that we have had to change health insurance twice in a months time, and how much FUN that is? NOT.

Back to Saturday. Joe says he’s still not better, and Max, who just finished his ear infection meds, is still up a lot at night, nasty cough, and not seeming better. We all go to urgent care. One big germy family. Joe gets a script for sinus infection, then it’s Max’s turn. Max is not having it. He’s anti-doctor, like we would all feel about having to have a tooth pulled sans anesthetic.

Here’s the best part. The poor urgent care doctor is trying to see in his ears; & between screaming & tears he’s yelling “UNCLE!!!!! UNCLE!!!!”

Why friends? Because lately, since we are all going stir crazy with all the time spent home, trying to get better, trying to avoid picking up influenza and other lovely things. We have been playing tickle. Like pin the kiddos down, and tickle them till they yell “Uncle”. Then we release them, and it starts over.

Thus, Mr. Max was calling for Uncle. Time to stop the madness, and leave him be. :). Sadly, he still has an ear infection… 2nd Rx started, prayers that it works are appreciated.

Max

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Amy

I wanted to share a short video I took on my ipad of Max. I can’t get over how well he’s talking and understanding us. He is also into EVERYTHING!!!

Just before I took this, he walked into the kitchen, opened the silverware drawer, and took out a butter knife. He then proceeded to the fireplace to scrape the knife on the brick… because that’s how he rolls.

P.S. Here is where I learned how to add a you tube video to my wordpress page.

***Tomorrow is the kids bathroom reno final. Come check it out.

Kids Bath Reno Day 3

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Amy

Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Poor Max woke with a fever, and we let our disappointment & worry take over. We decided to take turns helping him be happy & comfy, while trying to get things done.

If you remember where we started………..

And then where we left off on Friday evening……..

By 9 am Saturday, the bathroom looked more like this…

Then, to allow it plenty of drying time, we tackled the rest of the house. You know the daily stuff that was being ignored, and in need of cleaning up. We also attended Jack’s hockey.

In the evening, Jack headed out with a friend to watch real life monster trucks, and Joe continued the renovation.

If you remember, the light in the bathroom looked like this before…..

The light bulbs would burn out after a month or 2 and the light wasn’t our style. Joe also purchased new switches & an outlet, to change it all to white; not almond. This also helped us to fix the non-functioning fan.

Here is the new light up close. It’s a modern take on a boob light, and was within our budget.

Then, the foreman arrived. He’d been sick most of the day, but when the motrin kicked in, he was closer to his normal self and ready to inforce the rules & codes. This also gives you a better view of the paint color.

Cutest foreman EVER!

Yes, our hall carpet is sea foam green… (no comment)

Joe then installed the trim. Love this shot.

As you can see he also put in the toilet & put the medicine cabinet back. It’s all coming together!!!!

Now here is where I was thinking, yes, we could save $$$$ by re-using the towel rods we had, and such… but I had ideas. Personal photos, cute home made signs via Pinterest inspiration, natural elements, and make it more personalized.

This I will share with you in the final post. (I know, kick me because I’m dragging it on).

Soon friends soon.

***These were all taken on our cell phones, because we are lazy and very un-organized.

Such a morning

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Amy

I’m attempting to do this similar to how Jen does her 7 quick takes, but not sure how I will do at it, so bare with me.

1. This morning was Luke’s preschool screening. These are a requirement in MN, and I’m glad they do it. The screening is to help figure out if there are needs for a child before they enter Kindergarten. That said, I wasn’t ever worried about Jack having his. Ok, maybe that’s not true, I was worried, but not like I was for Luke. Not because I think there is an issue, but more because Luke is my sweet shy guy. He doesn’t like change, and as to be expected, he had a hard time, at first. Once he warmed up, the teacher got to see his adorable personality, but I worried myself sick the eve before. He passed, missed things that I know he knows, and does fine when he’s in a space that he’s comfortable in, but, the point is he passed.

2. Do you ever have the feeling your child is sick, but either take them in too early and regret it, or wait too long and regret it? That was me. Luke had croup (as I stated in my last post) and had a fever, last Thursday. Well, Max woke with one 2 days later, and it kept on for a day or 2. I noticed a bit of ear tugging, but he wasn’t waking in the night and is cutting 6 teeth (2 of which are molars). By today though, he was miserable. I took him in and confirmed, double ear infection, one of which the doctor called “raging”. Thanks Doc. I already felt bad enough.

3. I really have a love/hate relationship with the health care system. Lately it’s hate. My old job at the hospital had us switching from primarily Allina clinics, to Health Partners. Fine, it was a pain in my A$$, but we did it. Well, now that I’ve left the hospital, Joe carries us and we have switched again. But, guess what, Allina is better coverage. Yet, my new job offers HP, and the insurance is better, so, literally after this post I will be signing up to carry the family & go back to HP again. Yes, I know I could have done it sooner, but I didn’t have (make) time.

4. However confusing the above, I know I’m lucky to even have insurance. That said, I swear they make you jump through about 500 hoops to get it all set up. For example, I had a 25 min phone conversation with Allina, because Max hadn’t been there. Joe’s new employer said it would take 4-6 weeks for our ins cards to arrive, and at this point it’s been over that. There’s another phone call to make. The doctor was 35 min late, and Max was miserable the whole time, but wait for the BEST PART. The Rx was a different card/carrier, and I waited another 45 min at the store to get it filled and confirm the insurance. I was to the point of asking just to pay without ins. That would have been $84.00 instead of the $4.00 I paid after it all was sorted out. UGH

Home and a wee bit happier… thank God for Motrin.

5. Just a reminder to all of you new moms, current pregos, or even those contemplating it… this is not a normal day. BUT, be better then me and eat something when you get up/before you leave. Because a day that I thought I’d be home to eat at 8:30, turned into me getting home around 1 pm. YIKES. Food=Fuel=less cranky me.

6. I started to get all resentful that Joe rarely has to do this stuff when I remembered something. I chose this. I was lucky enough to be a part time Stay at home Mom. Thus, I’m the one who deals with hard appointments, managing the preschool readiness, and the house. And frankly, most days I really don’t mind.

7. I need to love myself more, and stop being so hard on me. It’s not because of me that Luke is naturally shy, or it’s not my fault we have made job changes and life changes that have made our home life so much better yet there are hard steps to take in the process. The truth is, days like these will happen, and I’m lucky that when Joe gets home, I get a brief reprieve, and an ear to listen.

Insta-sass

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Amy

I haven’t blogged in SOOOOO Long.

Sorry about that.

I’ve been……

Busy

Sick

Working

Cleaning

Peeling wall paper

dreaming about remodels

planning

hoping

loving

living.

Since I’m not sure how much more nap time I have from M, and L has already seen too much T.V.

I will leave you with some insta gram photos and a few Pinterest things I have been giggling about…….

What is is with boys and dirt?

Who needs toys when straws are at his reach in this kitchen.

You know you all are cheering that Lego’s have now invaded my kitchen butter. It was bad enough stepping on hotwheels. Now I have to step on the damned legos, and worry if Max will find legos and choke. Fly over the butter Harry and back to your proper container….

This happens almost nightly at my house, and I.LOVE.EVERY.MINUTE.OF.IT. Fires with my love snuggled up to me.

When I drive home, I get this view everyday. (Psst… it’s even better now because of the Fall colors)

Now for the sass.

This shiz makes me giggle………………………. So, I find and send to Joe. (and others)

10 points if you can see the dude with the hand in his pants before I wrote this.

Shhhhhhhhhh I’m whispering……. ewwww. but funny.

That’s all I have.. hope you all are having a great Monday

Honey Boo Boo

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Amy

No, this isn’t about that show. But, I thought the title was funny/fitting.

Max is “busy”. In fact, that may be a bit of an understatement.

If it’s not for kids; He will climb it.

Do you see that face? I call it the, “I know I’m a stinker Mom“, face.

But, climbing on it is not even good enough….

Because he needs to bounce, dance, and EVEN stand on all things he’s climbed on.

He doesn’t limit it to the inside stuff either.

Above is Max’s FAVORITE toy. But, if you aren’t careful, he goes from the TOP of the driveway, to the middle of the street in 5 seconds flat. Yes friends, he RUNS in this thing.

He even worries Oreo! (who bravely stands guard)

But, Daddy and I aren’t perfect, and there was one area we didn’t anticipate.

The step from the garage, to the backyard. Max found it, and “conquered it”.

But not without a war wound…….

He will be the reason my hairstylist will have my business for years to come. So.much.gray.hair.

Life's little adventures… plus a dash of sass.

Tag Archives: Max