Cranky & Chaos: A Mother's Day Story

Some days, it's nice to be reminded why exactly I wanted to be a mom. I saw a great quote on facebook yesterday: "Motherhood: the only place to experience heaven and hell at the same time." For some reason, that has felt really true to me lately. I blame hormones (darn things!). Sometimes just looking at my cute kids is enough to make tear up (in a happy, mom way). Sometimes just hearing them wake up crying for me at ridiculous hours is enough to make me tear up (in a persecuted, mom way). How can I love that my children want so much of me and resent it at the same time? How can I love that I am the most important person in their world, and at the same time be dying for the opportunity to use the bathroom by myself just once? I feel like I spend most of my day longing for a break, only to find I don't know what to do with myself when they aren't hanging all over me. Kids: can't live with them, can't imagine living without them.

Peek- a-boo!

Much credit goes to Eric for a fabulous Mother's Day. Gourmet french toast in bed, fresh strawberries, whipped vanilla frosting, real maple syrup...not to mention the middle of the night help when Alyssa woke up with a fever, the shakes, a croupy cough, wheezing, and breaking out in hives. It felt odd to be in church without half of my family, but I have primary duties so Eric stayed home with the sick one and I got some quality time with Scotty. After church I got a nice long nap and a tremendous dinner all of Eric's creation. He even did all the cleaning up so I didn't have a house to reclaim after a fun weekend!

Check out this awesomeness: that's bacon-wrapped chicken from a homemade marinade with red and green pepper and onion, perfectly grilled

You can smell the goodness!

Most of all, it was a wonderful Mother's Day because I felt truly grateful to be a mom. These last few weeks have been rough for me for a lot of reasons, not limited to still feeling sick 6 months into this pregnancy and crazy hormones. I've kind of felt like I was living in a fog, not able to recognize or enjoy the little moments that make it all worthwhile. Let me tell you, without the little kodak/hallmark moments, it is REALLY hard to be home with small children. The best part of my day was just getting to enjoy those glimpses of heaven that sneak in amongst the long days.

It's hard to get a good picture of 2 independent children. I love that she carries her babies in a sling :)

Of course, I have to celebrate the 2.5 little ones that call me Mama. I jokingly refer to them as Cranky and Chaos (I need a nickname for this new little one--so far I refer to her as Thumper because she's become quite the mover and shaker in there). Usually Scotty is Chaos and Alyssa is Cranky, but it seems I always have one of each. One is unhappy and needing extra attention, which leaves the obviously deprived one to his or her own devices of insanity. Without further ado, here are some pictures of my favorite little ones.

At Disney on Ice about to see his favorite movie characters

playing with Papa before the big ultrasound (yes, it was AT MY HOUSE. best thing ever!)

Felt shape pizza at the Children's Museum

Driving a pencil

Last but not least, I have to give props to my wonderful moms. My mom is my best advocate and biggest cheerleader. She is such a great support, especially when I'm worn out, pregnant, and struggling. She's my damsel in shining armor :) My mother in law is always telling me how wonderful I am, how much she admires me and how I am living my life, offering words of encouragement and absolute trust. If you listen to these two women, you'd think I was perfect! I learn so much from both of them about how to love. I hope someday I can grow up to be just like them :)

Happy Mother's Day!

Alyssa the Performing Monkey

She wanted to play with the camera yesterday, so I had her sing some of her favorite songs. She's a little shy with the camera so she whisper sings but I still think it captures her personality pretty well. 90% of the time she's adorable and this is such a fun stage! I'm kind of dreading what comes next....

The video is a bit long, but it's four songs edited together so I did my best. She's even cuter in person, so come visit while the weather is still gorgeous!

The Bet

About a month ago Eric starting working slightly more normal hours, meaning that he was at least home on Sundays. While the weather is nice, we like to take a family walk around the neighborhood. Apparently, Eric believes this is relaxation/de-stress time. Scotty, on the other hand, thinks neighborhood walks are a great occasion for conversation. Constant conversation. On one particularly chatty day, I tried everything. We hunted for treasure. We listened for animal sounds. I sent him on "adventure quests" to keep him distracted. Nothing. The mouth just doesn't stop. When we finally arrived back home, Eric mentioned that he wanted to watch a show, and Scotty wanted to join us.

E: Scotty, you can't keep your mouth quiet for more than two seconds.
S: I'll be super quiet!
E: Try to be quiet from the mailbox to our house.
S: (after about five steps) humming. clicking. buzzing. Outright talking.
E: SCOTTY!
S: I promise I'll be quiet!
E: I'll bet you ten bucks you can't just sit quietly for an entire show.
S: How about 70 dollars?
E: Fine. If you can sit quiet for an entire show and not talk AT ALL, I'll give you $70.

I had no part in the conversation, but found it amusing enough to post "The Bet" as my facebook status to see who would win. Not ONE person picked Scotty, because we all know (and love!) the kid. Quiet is just not one of his strong points.

Eric proceeded to watch the full hour of 60 minutes with Scotty perched quietly next to him on the couch. Whenever Eric would pause it, Scotty would turn and excitedly ask: "how am I doing, dad?" He clearly remembered the deal and was keeping his end of it. When I joined them, we re-watched part I had missed, so really Scotty kept his end of the bargain for and hour and a half.

Eric claims it was money well spent.

Last week Eric finally took Scotty to the bank to collect his $70. After a talk about tithing, and setting some aside for his savings account, Scotty started brainstorming all the things he was going to buy. Lots of rootbeer. Bouncy balls from the quarter vending machines. Toys from the dollar store. This kid dreams big :o) Then he remembered the remote controlled helicopters his Uncle Brent has....maybe when you're a bit older than four, bud!

Still, he was very proud of what he picked out.

You earned it, Scotty. And now Eric will take his bets a little more seriously!

Random Pictures

I finally pulled out my camera and discovered the random assortment of pictures from the past few months. Basically, the batteries in my camera are dead, but I don't have any new ones to replace them. So occasionally I can get my camera to take a picture or two before it shuts off, times three months worth of random daily adventures. I am also stealing some pictures from friends and family who have happened to take a few shots.

my (favorite) cousin visited in February with her adorable little boy

Getting ready for an airplane ride to Colorado

"shoes" is a favorite word around here

my fabulous SIL, April

cousins! Alyssa and Ella are only a few months apart

Our cute kids. Alyssa was obsessed with all the little chairs

Scotty finally got the snow he was hoping for! (a few hours drive away while on our trip to Colorado)

An accident at the park leads to a scrape and, later, a nice black eye (thanks, Nana!)

but look, her hair fits into a ponytail now!

Best Buds

hey look, I even get out of pj's sometimes!

celebrating glorious March weather in the backyard

He asked me how to spell the words to write this message to his daddy

at the zoo. Come see our Komodo Dragons!

I promise I am buying new batteries at the store today, so I can hopefully get some pictures/videos of the most recent things my kids are up to.  Alyssa is quite the performing monkey!

5 Things

1. Scotty, Alyssa, and I got to spend Spring break in Colorado with family and we had a wonderful time relaxing, playing video games, going to bed really late, and seeing cousins.
2. Alyssa is finally getting new teeth! Two more on the bottom, for a grand total of 12.
3. Eric spent several weeks working out of town in the boonies. His hours are pretty much just as bad, minus the Saturdays. He's not a very happy camper and I can't blame him!
4. My parents are cruising Hawaii and Eric's parents are cruising the Bahamas. Thanks for the great pictures, hope you're having a wonderful time, next time bring the grandkids! ;o)
5. I'm still sick but less so (I think) and we'll find out whether this water baby is a boy or a girl in just a few weeks. Scotty has made a request for a brother so I'm doing what I can....

I have taken a grand total of 2 pictures in the past month on my camera, so if you have pictures of me or my kids (preferably looking cute and/or happy) send them my way!