Feb. 9, 2006

7:05 Drop off. Ariel was not asleep

7:15 Since Ariel was not asleep, I decided to do some pictures. I apologize for the quality, I don't normally use my flash.

Ariel is pretty strong on her belly:


Uh-oh, slipping and sliding:


Adam demands that Ariel have her pacifier at all times:




7:35 Bjorn - napping

8:30 I made a judgement call. I needed coffee. Ariel had just woken up and needed to eat. I could either feed her really quick and put her in the carseat knowing she would spit it all up, or wait until we got to Alex's preschool. I decided I would be a better Mommy if I stopped for coffe first.

8:40 Starbucks barista gave me a welcome smile and promised me a freebie next time because we are just so darn cute. Awwww. And I finally used my birthday gift card (thanks Becky and Laura!).

9:00 Ariel did indeed cry all the way from Starbucks to preschool. I dropped Alex off for outdoor play, and Adam and I went in his classroom to feed Ariel (3 oz). It was a win-win for both of them.

9:45 Left - drove to Target. Jeremy doesn't get it, sometimes I just like to browse there. I did find a couple of great bargains, like snowpants for $3.50. I think I'm also going to get a stroller for Ariel and Adam. I checked out the consignment store too and didn't see anything cheap enough. I will have to check around, but let me know if you hear of a cheap Graco Duoglide out there.

11:00 Get to Crissy's, she fed Ariel a bottle (3 oz) and watched her and Adam while I went to the dentist.

Every once and a while, it comes to Jeremy and my attention that we are not fully qualified to be adults. Two weeks ago, I forgot Alex's dentist appointment. It was on my calendar and I had gotten a reminder call. I had just completely spaced it. I didn't even know I had forgotten until Becky was looking at my calendar and said, "So Alex went to the dentist today?" Uh, no. Ooops. So fast forward 2 weeks. Today Jeremy and I both had dentist appointments. His was at 8:30 and mine was at 11:30. Jeremy got there and the receptionist looked at Jeremy and told them they didn't have an appointment for him. But Jeremy countered that he had a reminder card for Feb. 9th. They checked their system and he did. For February 9th 2005. Jeremy had been cleaning his desk and found the card and had just assumed it was for this year. See what I mean about functioning adults? Luckily they were able to squeeze him in. Jeremy has also forgotten to renew his car registration and/or put his now stickers on his plate (and has been pulled over for it). What's next, our gas or electric is going to be shut off?

And as for me, I thouroughly enjoyed my appointment. How often do I get to sit in a massage chair and listen to piped in Muzak, kid-free? Having two hands in my mouth while being asked about my children was a minor inconvenience to be able to enjoy a peaceful hour.

PS - Alex did make his rescheduled appointment on Tuesday - all is well.

1:00 Pick up Alex from preschool

1:20 Get to Crissy's house. Ariel had napped, Adam was fine. Yay!

135 Another conundrum. Ariel had just woken up, but Crissy needed to leave. So I could stay and hang out and feed Ariel and be there for an hour, or just go and hope Ariel could make it home. I chose option number two. And Ariel barely cried!

1:50 Got home, Ariel chugged a 4 oz bottle.

2:10 Bjorn. Didn't fall asleep.

3:00 Another example of maturity and togetherness - I thought I should change Ariel before we left, then realized she hadn't been changed all day. Her diaper soaked through, all the way to the bjorn, which I will keep tonight and wash. So that's why she got an outfit change today.

3:10 Left for Becky's work.

3:30 Got to Becky's work. Ariel didn't cry the whole way!

3:40 Me and Alex and Adam went to a super fun play group and decorated valentine's day cookes. Mmmmmm.

Feb. 8, 2006

7:00 Drop-off, asleep, crib, yada-yada.

8:15 Wake up

8:25 Full 3 oz bottle

9:00 Leave the house. First we ran some exciting errands, the post office and the bank. I think I pushed it too much. Ariel was fine until we got to the bank drive thru, then she started crying.

10:00 We got to our fun destination - the local Children's Museum. There's so much to do there. First, Alex was a dinosaur in a dino cave:



Then he and Adam spent a lot of time in the sand box:



11:15 We had a snack. Most kids there had well balanced, nutritious bag lunches. Adam, Alex and I shared a bag of pretzels and goldfish. Food on the go is not my strong suit.

11:45 Potty break. I thought Adam had a poopy (which he didn't) and I changed Ariel as well. And MUCH to my dismay, there were no Ariel diapers in the diaper bag. Now, I only take partial responsibility for this, there are 2 others (*ahem* Mom, Becky) that have access. LUCKILY I had several Adam diapers, so right now Ariel is wearing a size 3 diaper. And it's a bit big. Hmph.

12:00 We left the museum.

12:30 Got home. And I immediately restocked the diaper bag. Hmph. Ariel had woken up about 3 minutes from the house, but fell asleep again in the bjorn.

1:15 Have I mentioned Alex and his forts? He wasn't up for 5 minutes before he built this one today:



These forts, or kitty houses, or shark cave require every cushion and pillow Alex can carry or drag. It drives Jeremy nuts but I don't mind, since Alex can spend hours building and playing in them. We only run into problem when Adam goes into the wrong part.

1:30 I think Ariel and Adam are in cahoots. They both woke up at the same time, one in need of a bottle and the other in need of mac & cheese. I'm pretty sure I got the right powder in everyone's meal. And I got to hold them both while they ate.

1:50 Ariel fell right back to sleep after eating.

2:30 We left to go to our doctor's appointments.

2:50 Met Becky at the Doctor's.

Here's Ariel in her Size 3 diaper:


Ariel grew! She grew!!!!


She was 7 lbs 10 oz 14 days ago, 8 lbs 9 oz today. She finally met her 1 oz/day goal! Go Ariel, Go!!!! The doctor was very pleased, Becky will continue with the soy formula and Zantac.

More pictures from the doctor's office:




Awwww, Ariel and her Mommy:


My boys had a check up too. Adam was back up to 20 lbs 12 oz (from 20 lbs 1 oz 2 weeks ago, after a stomach bug). Both of their ears were fine so they are cured. Hurrah for modern medicine!!!

3:30 Becky fed Ariel a bottle while we waited for the doctor.

3:50 Finally got out of the office. Home!

Feb. 6, 2006

7:10 Drop-off. And thank you thank you Becky for changing that poopy!

7:15 Bjorn

7:40 Asleep in Bjorn

8:00 Wake up

8:20 Full 4 oz bottle

8:55 We left to go to motor vehicle registration. It appeared that my car's temp plates expire tomorrow. Now before you think I'm *too* much of a slacker, I didn't get the paper work until last Thursday.

9:15 Get to motor vehicle registration, after driving around the block and being slightly lost. At least there wasn't a line, and we were in and out pretty quick.

9:40 Get to Crissy. Commence Valentine's Picture Project:

This is my favorite:


We were shooting for sweet sleeping baby, but Ariel woke up. So we continued the photo shoot.


I did not do such a good job with the heart pillow:


10:45 Crissy couldn't get Ariel to go back to sleep, so she tried a bottle. She took about 2 ounces, then fell asleep. I put her in Bjorn.

12:00 She woke up, took the other 2 oz

12:30 Play time with Crissy. I took a Sudoku break. Darn you, Sudoku!!!!

1:30 Left Crissy's.

1:45 Home. Neither Ariel nor Adam slept from the car. Though Ariel only cried half the trip, that's an improvement.

Adam tried his hand at Sudoku. I think I like his method better than mine:


2:35 Full 4 oz bottle. She really chugged this one down!

3:15 Asleep in bjorn

Don't worry Dad, I didn't let your puzzle go to waste. But I am upgrading it from easy to medium due to Adam's "help":


4;20 Wake up

4:25 Pick-up

Feb. 3, 2006

7:10 Drop off. Asleep, crib, yada. And she stayed asleep. You might think I would get bored, but oh no, I was very productive. I got Alex's laundry folded and put away, and changed the sheets on 3 beds. I also did quicky bathroom cleans and got all the breakfast dishes cleaned up. Yes sir, it was a good morning.

9:20 Ariel finally woke up, gulped down her bottle.

9:40 Got everyone loaded in the car to meet friends at the mall.

9:41 Car will not start. Waaaaah!!!!!!

9:50 Car will still not start. So everyone gots unloaded and back in the house. Adam was VERY disapointed. Alex kept asking, "But why won't the car go?" I called the friends we were going to meet at the mall and invited them over here instead. Then I called my service contract number, to be told to call my mechanic. My mechanic said I needed to have it towed in before they could do anything. So then I called AAA and requested a jump/possible tow.

10:00 Change itty bitty poopy.

10:10 Friends Sheryl, Kayla and Laney arrived.

10:25 More friends, Monice and Jacque arrived.

10:00 Tow truck arrived, car started with a jump. Yay!

10:45 Asleep in bjorn

11:30 Wake up, full bottle.

Ariel has a super cute outfit on today. Adam is particularly fond of the elephant:


Adam is surly:


Ho ho ho, Merry Groundhog's day. No idea what's up with the antlers:


Here's Miss Laney, Adam's betrothed:


We had a nice playgroup, everyone played well together. And if toys scattered about the room is any indication, the playgroup was an 8 on a scale of 1-10.

12:15 Back in bjorn

12:45 napping

1:20 Decided we should go to the mall after all. Ariel did not enjoy the car ride. And she was quite vocal about it.

1:50 We got to the play area in the mall, Ariel was still upset from the car ride. But after her bottle, she was fine. I overheard one person say, "Good lord, that's a lot of children." But at least 3 women and 1 girl really liked her hat. And one woman asked if she was my first, which was a strange question. Why would I be feeding her at the crazy busy play area if I didn't have more children?

2:30 Pit stop at Orange Julius and Dairy Queen. I got my favorite blizzard, half cookie dough and half M&M. Mmmmmmm.

3:00 Leave mall, headed to Becky's work. Ariel enjoyed the ride even less, if possible. I've never heard here scream so much. Poor baby. My theory is that her reflux really hurts her in the carseat, Becky said she had been crying on the way home this week.

3:30 Drop Ariel off at Becky's work. Becky pointed out that I was getting off work early, but I'm not sure it was worth it. All that crying really elevated my stress levels. Poor thing.

Feb. 2, 2006

7:00 Drop off. Ariel was awake, but content, so again I left her in her seat.

7:30 Ariel fell asleep in her seat. Yay!

8:20 Woke up. So riddle me this, Becky. Is it possible to open a new can of formula without it exploding everywhere? Cause I don't think so. Oh, I see, *that's* why you left it for me to do. Ok, I'm on to you. Anyway, After cleaning up my kitchen, Ariel had a full bottle. Pretty decent spit up.

8:40 Drove Alex to preschool.

9:20 Home - bjorn.

9:40 Asleep in Bjorn while Adam eats, I mean plays, with play-doh.

10:15 Adam found my boots in the mudroom and demanded I put them on. Then he demanded that I get his boots and put them on him. And then he went on to fill his shopping cart with plastic ducks:



After this picture, he followed me, demanding, "More!"



Twenty-month-olds are C-razy!

10:25 Adam requseted his tennis shoes.

10:30 Ariel woke up.

10:40 Bottle. Ariel wasn't liking it in normal feeding position, so I fed her in the bjorn and she was much happier.

11:00 nap in Bjorn

12:00 nap, swaddled in bed

12:35 I had to wake Ariel to put her in the carseat so we could go pick Alex up at school.

1:00 Arrive at Alex's school, both Adam and Ariel were asleep. Luckily, I've worked out a system with the other moms, who watch my car while I run in and get Alex so I don't have to wake anyone up.

1:30 Get home. Adam and Ariel both woke up. Adam was grumpy, Ariel needed her diaper changed. Ariel also needed a bottle. I call this "Octopus Mommy"



(picture taken by Crissy, who dropped in real quick before picking Marcus up from school).

2:00 Crissy demanded to burp and hold Ariel. And she discovered that Ariel really likes looking at herself in the mirror. She's so pretty:



2:30 Crissy swaddled Ariel and got her asleep, and laid her down in bed.

2:45 Didn't stick, I put her in the bjorn and she went back to sleep.

2:50 Adam asked to put his boots back on.

2:51 Adam asked to take his boots off.

3:50 Wake up, full bottle

4:20 Pick up a full happy girl (did she stay happy on the ride home?)

Feb. 1, 2006

7:00 Drop off. Ariel was awake, but content in her carseast, so I left her there while I got the boys breakfast.

7:25 Full 3 oz bottle

7:40 In the Bjorn

8:30 Trip to Starbucks. I think I finally have this figured out. I took my graco stroller, which is compatible with Ariel's carseat. So when we went in, Ariel stayed in her seat, I carried Adam and Alex walked. And then on the way out I had a cup holder for my drink (and Crissy's drink too). I'm glad we weren't planning on staying, Grumpy Old Man was at his usual table.

9:00 Crissy's house. Now here's the part of my day that some part of me feels like I should feel guilt for, but really I'm just grateful to have such a great friend. We hung out at Crissy's for a while. A long while. But here are some entertaining pictures:

Ariel is getting more oral, and interested in her hands:


What a darling little hat:


Happy girl


After this, Ariel was ready for a nap, so we swaddled her up and she fell asleep on Crissy. She slept there a while, then Crissy was able to lay her down:



The boys had a great time playing today:



11:00 Woke up - Crissy fed her bottle.

11:20 Crissy put Ariel in the bjorn (I *swear* Crissy insists....) and then we ate lunch. The boys had macaroni and cheese, and Crissy fed me her newest concotion - Triscuits with hummus and melted chedder. Pretty darn tasty.

12:00 Crissy and I were disappointed with the snacking options, so we decided to make chocolate chip cookies. We got the boys all excited and then discovered that there were no eggs. So Adam and I made a grocery run and I also quickly popped into Michaels and bought *just* the notecards I came in for. I swear, Michael's stock is going to drop this year due to my new self restraint.

12:45 Got back from the store, and commenced with the cookie baking project. Since Crissy was still holding Ariel (I *swear* she wanted to...) I was in charge of the cookies. Crissy has a cool Kitchen Aid, which I am unformiliar with. Apparently if you turn it right on to level 6, the contents tend to fly out of the bowl:



Alex and Gavin got sprayed with a healthy dose of brown sugar, which didn't seem to bother them much. They also enjoyed helping cleaning up - licking the spoons and disposing of the cookies.

2:10 Ariel woke up (she slept pretty much since 11:45) and I got to feed her so Crissy could deal with a crisis - removing black crayon stains from the load of wash she just took out of the dryer. I am following this case closely, as I'm sure I will have to deal with it at some point too.

2:45 We finally went home.

3:15 Bjorn - sleeping

4:00 One of the best parts of the nanny gig is that after Ariel goes home, I can appreciate how much easier just having two is. Ariel woke up around 4, as did Adam from his car-induced nap. Adam was not a happy camper, so I put Ariel in her carseat while I held him. This was one of those days I was hoping that Becky would be earlier rather than later. Ariel was fine, but was beginning to look like she needed more, but there was no way I could put Adam down without a major meltdown.

4:30 Becky arrive in the nick of time!

Jan. 30, 2006

7:00 Drop off. Ariel was awake, but I put her in the bjorn and she dozed off

7:50 Bottle

Here's Ariel displaying her unique fashion sense. Yes, those ARE reindeer pants!


Awwww


The good news is Adam is feeling much better:


The bad news is that Alex is feeling much worse. He seems to have gotten the stomach thing that Adam had last week. He's not puking, but he hasn't eaten today and is voluntarily on the couch. This will make today interesting, as it looks like we are staying put. *sigh*

9;15 Ariel dozed off in the bjorn, I laid her down so I could attend to Adam, who seemed to think he was lacking attention

9:45 Ariel woke up. I left her laying down for a bit while I read books to Adam next to her.

10:00 Back in the bjorn, dozing

1100 Bottle

1130 Decided we must leave the house

11:45 Actually left house. We walked to the post office and then the yarn store. And I didn't buy anything at the yarn store, I was picking up the communty knitting project so I could take a picture. I don't knit much for that group, but I do maintain their website. Speaking of, last night I had to listen to Dad, Jeremy and Carl bad mouth the fabulous yarn store. And Carl hasn't even been there! Then we stopped by the grocery store so I could return some formula. Adam got a cookie (OOOKIE!!!) and they both rode the penney horse twice. And at least five people said some variation of, "Looks like you have your hands full."

1:30 Got home, changed a wet diaper, Ariel took a bottle.

1:50 In the Bjorn. Ariel was actually a little fussy. Not crying, but on the verge.

It seems that whenever I'm not holding Adam or he's not hanging on my leg, he's either pooping or getting in trouble. This afternoon, he was doing both:



He just empted my scrapbook box. Sigh.

At least Alex is feeling better, he's had about 12 mini waffles since noon.

2:45 Asleep in bjorn

This was Ariel's fussiest day yet. I walked her inside. I walked her outside. She wasn't ever crying, just not content. Probably because I told dad yesterday that she's never fussy with me.

3:35 Bottle

I saw this cartoon today and had to put it in:


I've actually said this to Jeremy, and he's replied back that he never reads this. He also quotes me a bumper sticker he saw that said, "Nobody gives a *bleep* about your blog."

4:00 Wander around outside waiting for Becky. Adam decided he wanted to walk to the park or creek or somewhere outside our property.

4:20 When Becky got here, I was trying to get Adam inside and he was throwing a full blown tantrum. Becky commented that Adam actually has four modes - Up, Trouble, Pooping or Screaming.

Jan. 27, 2006

7:00 Drop off

Alex got this toy for his birthday, and he made this kitty all by himself:


8:40 Wake up - 3oz bottle - kept most of it down

9:10 Go to Crissy's house.

Crissy needed her baby fix:


Every time we are at Crissy's, Adam plays with this cash register:


10:00 Tried to put Ariel down to sleep but she woke up.

10:15 Asleep in bjorn.

11:15 Crissy fed 3 oz bottle.

12:00 Go home. Fed boys lunch. Attempted to pack for skiing this weekend. Ariel slept in her carseat.

2:00 Finally get Adam down for a much needed nap.

2:35 Adam woke up prematurely, I tried to get him back down.

2;45 Ariel woke up, clearly ready for her bottle. So I left Adam and went to Ariel. Adam screamed the entire time. Adam has been screaming a lot this week. Poor boy has been sick with a cold, a tummy bug and is teething like crazy. I hope he gets better soon, Mommy can't take much more!

3:10 Decide to walk to the grocery store so Adam would stop screaming.

4:10 Get home, Becky waiting for us.

I thought Ariel had a pretty low spit up day today.

Jan. 26, 2006

So, I didn't have Ariel yesterday because Adam was sick. Actually, Adam has been sick for a while, but he was extra sick Monday night. He'd been have some diarrhea since Friday, but starting throwing up Monday night. And Tuesday. In the car. Anyway, Becky and I decided it would be best for my parents to keep Ariel Wednesday, though I still saw her in the morning at the doctors.

All three kids had an appointment Wednesday morning with my regular pediatrician. Alex had his 4 year check up. He's 29 lbs, 38 3/4". Still a peanut, but following his curve. Adam had a weight check but since he was sick, his weight was below his 15 month so we aren't counting it. Ariel was 7 lbs 10 1/2 oz. We saw yet a different doctor, who switched her back to the soy formula and doubled her Zantac dose. The doctor wants to see all three kids back in two weeks, Ariel for a weight check and the boys for their ears.

Oh, did I forgot to mention both boys had raging ear infections? Alex's eardrum was even preforated and was seeping and festering. Which leads me to my next story, trying to fill an antibiotic prescription. After we got the boys home, I took the prescription to the grocery store. They told me it would take a half a hour to fill. When I checked up 40 minutes later, they still weren't done. Then they told me that my insurance was only valid until December 14th. This freaked me out a bit, because I was pretty sure that I had health insurance. I called Jeremy, who had to work with HR to straighten it out. I checked with the pharmacy, and it was going to be $150 without insurance, so I decided to wait until we figured this mess out. Jeremy's HR had to contact the health care provider rep, who said it was not that we didn't have insurance, but that the doctor would have to authorize the prescription. What the buh? I thought that's what a prescription was in the first place. So then I had to call my doctor and have her call the insurance. When she did, she was told it would take 2 days to authorize, so she changed it to a different antibiotic. So in the evening I went back to try and get the new prescription. And it took a really long time, so long I had time to read an entire Us Weekly. And the new problem was that the insurance wouldn't cover two identical prescriptions for two family members. 'Cause gee, it couldn't possibly be because they are sick with the same thing, huh? I finally got it filled and worked out with insurance but what a freaking waste of everyone's time.

7:05 Drop off, asleep

7:45 Wake up, full 3 oz bottle

8:30 Took Alex to preschool, Ariel fell asleep in the car.

9:00 On the way home, we stopped by Gart Sports to exchange some ski socks I got for Christmas. I tried on some new ski jackets, not because I *need* a new one, but mine is red and with my helmet, I look like a boy. No, I really do, lift operations have called my "buddy." But the jackets were still $80, so I didn't get one. But I did get some new boots. Ariel spent the trip napping in her carseat.

10:15 Got home, full 3oz bottle given by Grammie Judy while I tried to get Adam to nap. Judy and Ariel hung out a bit, Adam never full went to sleep.

11:20 Gave up on Adam, put Ariel in the Bjorn to nap.

11:45 Crissy came over, wanted to hold Ariel while I made Alex's birthday cake.

1:00 Crissy left, Ariel woke up, full 3 oz bottle

2:00 I put Ariel down to sleep in the carseat so I could get ready for Alex's birthday party.

3:00 Drove to Alex's Pump it Up party.

3:40 Ariel woke up, Crissy wanted to hold her, feed her. She was very spitty during her bottle.

And here are pictures from the party:

Adam loved the slide. Too bad he couldn't climb up by himself, I got quite a workout today:


Beep Beep!


Alex with his birthday gang. This is as good as it gets when the mean age is 4:


"Chunky cheeks" Annikah:


Alex enjoying a worm from his "dirt" cake. Half the kids got freaked out when I said it was dirt and wouldn't eat it:


Mommy and Grandpa came for cake. Gee Becky, don't you own any other shirts?:


Happy Ariel:


Really Happy Ariel:


See Laura, if you smiled nicely you would have a nice picture:


Grandma


Becky got there around 4:45, we were out of there by 5:00.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad, Becky and Carl!!!!

Jan. 23, 2006

6;55 Drop off. Asleep, crib. Actually stayed asleep, so I got a ton done. Fed the boys breakfast, changed sheets on two beds, and put away a load of laundry that has been sitting for 4 or 5 days.

9:30 Wake-up, full 3 oz bottle. She took it fast, and had a pretty big spit up when I burped her.

9:50 I used Ariel's Bjorn time to vaccuum.

Hey, look what I made this weekend:



It fits perfectly, I guess I could have made a size bigger.



This is what I look like half the day. Wendy's kid friendly taxi service. Oy, my back:



10:30 Left for a fun adventure at Target. I picked Super Target so I could get a Starbucks in the same spot. We also had to buy some supplies for Alex's birthday tomorrow.

11:00 Went next door to Michael's. Mom, looked for your yarn, didn't see it. And I didn't buy anything. It's a record!

11:30 Went over to Chuck E. Cheese.

How do I look so old and wrinkly?


Adam didn't like this:


Alex did though:


I had a great time. Apparently I'm a skee ball addict. Must come from a repressed skee ball-less childhood. I wonder if I can join a skee ball league. You know, like a bowling league.

12:30 Full 3oz bottle

1:30 Get home, asleep in carseat.

Oh, and at Target, I had to get Adam this shirt. It was made for him. I think Adam's second word was "mine."



It say:

The Toddler Laws of Property:

1. If I like it, it's mine.

2. If it's in my hand, it's mine.

3. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.

4. If it looks just like mine, it's mine.

5. If I think it's mine, it's mine.

And also speaking of Target.... So whenever I'm out with all the kids, most people look at me and a good many of them make comments like, "Wow, you have your hands full," or "Two boys and a girl," and so on. So I have this inner dilemma thing going on. I feel like I can either explain that she's my neice, or pretend that she is mine. Whenever I do say she's my neice, then I have a whole conversation on why I'm watching her and how lucky we all are. And I don't want to go through my whole life story with every Target checker. So unless the conversation really gets going, I'm just going to let people assume that she's mine. And feel a bit guilty.

2:50 Full bottle.

3:30 Walk to the yarn store and grocery store. Get more of the above comments.

4:10 Get home, Becky was waiting for us. Sorry!