Quiet at last

Lately my sweet, precious little angels have been acting like crack monkeys. No joke. So today at my wits end I enlisted a little help from this friend

 

and this one.

I was able to gain a few minutes of blissful silence.

T

Emphasis on the word few, but hey you take what you can get right?

Bits of randomness

Sorry I've been such a flake with my posting lately. I would like to say it's because it's summertime and I'm spending loads of time doing fun, creative things with the kids. In actuality though it's because it is summertime and the kids are home and I can't think straight! So today I'm just posting bits and pieces of what's floating around in my head. School starts back soon so hopefully I'll be able to get back to normal when it does. Hopefully.

• I'm almost finished with Kylie's room. I'm trying to wait until it's completely finished before I bombard you guys with photos. It's frustrating because some things I've had to order and I have the patience of a two year old. I want it all done now! 
• I just realized yesterday that the kids have to register for school in four weeks. This means that I have to buy all of their school supplies within four weeks. And scrape up money for fees, workbooks, uniforms, etc. Joy.
• I need to get all of the girls fall/winter clothes out so I can start ebaying them. Every year I tell myself that I'm going to hire a trading assistant to sell everything for me and every year I end up doing it myself. And everytime I end up swearing that I will never again mess with ebay. It's a vicious cycle, I tell ya!
• Audrey finally has her first loose tooth. It is driving me nuts because even though I love those toothless smiles I can't stand to see the dangling, loose tooth before it comes out. I always make husband deal with them. 
• I've been spending the last several days uploading all of my videos and photos to a host site. This takes a loooong time to do because I take pictures pretty much everyday. I am pretty good about getting them developed right away and I have tons of albums, but I still want them stored somewhere. I'm trying to hurry and get it done because every year like clockwork my computer crashes and I lose everything. Right now I'm having a tough time because about twenty of my videos will not load for one reason or another.
• I just started reading insatiable by Meg Cabot and it is really good!

Relief

Some of you may remember this post where I was freaking out about my summons for jury duty. Well today I asked my husband if he would drive me downtown and show me where the courthouse is (it's for federal court and I had never been there) and help me figure out parking. We drove around the stupid one way streets for what felt like forever and finally I felt comfortable that I knew where everything was. On the way home I could feel my chest getting tighter and tighter just thinking about it. I know, pathetic right? Well lo and behold when we got in there was a message on our answering machine. It was an automated message (naturally) telling me that I don't have to go! I don't know who was happier, me because I don't have to go or my family because now they don't have to listen to me stress. I know probably no one else in the world cares, but I just had to share my relief and excitement, lol.

The bracelet

When each of the girls were born husband had them all a gold bangle bracelet made.

 

 They were really nice, thick gold with a bell and had their name engraved on them. When they were babies we always knew exactly when they were awake in the morning because we could hear their bell jingle.

I

It seemed like each time he had one made that the bracelet would get a little nicer than the one before it. Sophie's bracelet was especially nice with intricate detail throughout.

 They were made with an expander so they could continue to wear them as they grow older. Sadly, when Sophie was about eight months old hers went missing. I'm not sure exactly when it went missing, but I narrowed it down to a two day time frame. I searched, and searched and it never turned up. Yes, I cried. The bracelet was worth a few hundred dollars, but it wasn't the monetary value that bothered me, but rather the sentimental value. This was a gift that their Dad picked out and designed all on his own to give them the day they were born. We kept saying that we would replace Sophie's, but for some reason have never done so. I know, the poor third child syndrome. To date Kylie and Audrey have only taken theirs off maybe twice. Each time was when the bells broke and we took them to the jeweler to be replaced. And each time they acted like the world was going to end when they took them off. Currently Audrey doesn't have a bell on hers because it fell off and she has not yet allowed us to take it off to get it replaced. A few days ago the thought occurred to me that it might soon be time to retire Kylie's. She is eight and a half and it looks like the bracelet has stretched as far as it will go. So far I haven't had the heart to tell her. I think I will be loading up on the kleenex. For me of course.

Sisterly love

This is what happens when I ask my eldest to help her sister with her sunscreen.

 

Peace at last

This weekend I had to go to Walmart. Now anyone that knows me will tell you this is a big deal. I despise the store with a passion. Just trying to find a parking spot there makes me a nervous wreck. And no I am not exaggerating. However, I had to go there to buy something that my beloved Target did not have (husband was working or trust me he would have been sent on this mission). So I loaded up the girls and off we went. They did not want to go anymore than I did so I told them that I would let them look at the toys while we were there. By the way? Their toy selection seriously lacks. So Kylie asked if we could look at arts and crafts. By this time I was starting to twitch, I needed to get out of there so bad, but I relented and said yes. I am so glad I did. Audrey found a kit of what I at first glance thought would be a complete and total waste of money. It included about a million pipe cleaners, wobbly eyes and fluffy pom-poms. She and Kylie told me they would pay for it themselves if I let them get it. So I did. When we got home they asked if they could play with it and I cringed knowing that soon I would hear fighting over the stupid thing, but I said yes. Oddly enough the house became quiet. Very quiet. So quiet in fact I had to go check on them and make sure they had not killed each other. They were sitting at the kitchen table having the best time gluing together all those pieces and *gasp* getting along! I could not believe it. For weeks now they have fought like cats and dogs and the entire time this was all they needed?!?! Wow. I might just survive the summer after all. Of course prying the googly eyes off the table (thanks Soph!) was kind of a pain, but totally worth it. 

 

Note to the neighbors

Dearest neighbor,
I realize that you just became a pet owner recently and while I could not be happier for you there are a few things I think we need to discuss. Standing by and watching while your beast jumps all over me while I am attempting to retrieve my mail? Not cool. Even less cool? Allowing your animal to use my lawn as it's personal toilet. Trust me, when I am mowing the lawn in 90+ degree weather the last thing I want to do is walk through the mine field your monster left in my yard. No my friend this is not cool at all. Just to show you how unhappy you have made me I do believe that next week when I am mowing my lawn I shall do so in my bikini. Yes, that's right the one I bought in my pre-mom days. The one that will never, ever fit me again without the help of radical surgery. 
And for my other neighbor (yes, I'm on a roll today).
I totally understand why your new wife would not want to live in the same house you shared with your former wife. However, it has been over five years now since you have moved out. While I understand you wanting to wait for the housing market to pick up before you sell the house, please for the love of all that is good and holy come by occasionally and mow your lawn. I have tried to be a good neighbor (not that you've ever thanked me or anything) and included your front yard while doing my own, but no more. I'm just too old and cranky to be doing it in this heat. So when you get a call that one of the neighborhood children has gone missing and the police are asking for your permission to search your jungle front lawn, don't be surprised, you have been warned. 
And to my dearest daughter Kylie (yes, I know you are standing over my shoulder reading this). Thank you for once again letting the battery run down on my ipod. Had I been able to listen to some music this morning while I worked outside I probably would not have spent as much time as I did getting worked up over these things. On the other hand I'm sure that the majority of our neighbors are silently thanking you since they did not have to listen to me sing along to Timbaland.

Update on the Paris project

Last weekend we began to do some of the work in Kylie's new room. So far it's looking pretty good and she is very happy with it. I am having a slight problem though. You see the child has a definite sense of how she wants things done. One thing she definitely did not want was a lot of black and hot pink which if you've ever looked for Paris themed decor well, you know it's not easy finding things that aren't black or hot pink. I finally tracked down some bedding by Bombay kids from their Gigi line. It does have some hot pink to it, but mostly it is on the sheets.

 

Bombay kids went out of business about two years ago so this was not easy. Definitely not easy if you are looking for full size bedding. Luckily I found someone selling some about an hour and a half away from here. So husband and I loaded the kids up and made a little trip and bought the bedding. It looks great, but unfortunately the person I bought it from could not find the bedskirt that came with it so she substituted and it with another one. It's okay, but not great. Also, only one sham. Yeah, I know I'm being picky, but that's just how I am. Anyway as I was talking to the lady she was telling me that she had just sold the matching Eiffel Tower wall decoration a week prior. 

 I have been looking everywhere for this thing and it just made me sick to realize that I had missed out on it. Then last night I found one on ebay. It had a very good buy it now price with the best offer option. Did I snatch it up? No. I put in a best offer on it. All night long I tossed and turned thinking 'why did I do that? someone else is going to buy it while I wait for the seller to make up their mind.' And that folks is exactly what happened. I had just made up my mind to forget the best offer and go buy it and when I logged onto ebay I saw the dreaded words. Auction ended. I am ashamed to say that yes I did cry. A lot. And maybe, quite possibly several some bad words may have flown out of my mouth. I know, I know, go ahead and judge me. So anyway, we are almost done I've still got a few nit picky things to do and then I am going to post pictures of the new room. Without the pretty pink Eiffel tower. Darn it.

Husband is gonna be thrilled

I checked my email today and guess what I found out?

Babies Online Mailing: Your due date is quickly approaching

I'm pregnant! Crazy huh? And here I thought I was just fat. Guess that vasectomy didn't take as well as we thought it did.

Getting nervous

A few weeks ago something happened that struck my heart with fear. No nothing happened to the kids or husband, thank goodness. It happened during an innocent visit to the mailbox one bright, sunny afternoon. As I was sorting through the 839 catalogs and magazines I ran across an envelope with my name on it. Not just any envelope mind you, but one that had a five letter word on the front of it. Court. Yes, my friends I have been summoned for jury duty. Now before anyone starts to lecture me about how it is my civic duty, etc. don't worry I am not going to try to worm my way out of it. I've even served before. However the last time I served it was on a grand jury which is totally different in my book. When you serve on a grand jury you basically sit in a room all day and listen to witnesses and then decide if there is enough evidence to send a case to trial. This on the other hand is different because if I've read it correctly it is for federal court which means sitting in a court room listening to an actual case and deciding guilt or innocence. One would think that's what I'm nervous about right? Nope. I just don't want to be sitting in a court room in front of a bunch of people. Silly? Yes, I know it is, but that's all that I can think of. And I wonder where my two oldest kids get their shyness. Oh, and before you tell me there is a chance I might not get picked? Don't bother. I am an attorneys dream juror. I don't read the paper or watch the local news. I used to until Hurricane Katrina and then I had to stop because my anxiety level was going through the roof. So if my posts become even more jumbled and disjointed between now and the 28th (otherwise known as D-day) you'll know why.

When I grow up

I think I'm going to host my own cooking show (with a little help from sis). Mom says that I have a way of leaving my mark on the kitchen. For some reason though I don't think she's talking about my cooking.

One thing I know for sure is that I've got a much better personality than this guy. Dad says I'm better looking too.

And if the show doesn't work out, then I can always work behind the camera.

The ever changing room

Just in case any of you needed further proof that I have actually lost my mind I'll give it to you. This weekend I am going to begin what I have dubbed "The Paris Project".  A few weeks ago I was talking to Kylie and she happened to say (in such a wistful little voice) "You know mom, I still kind of wish that I could have a Paris room." Yes, she gave me the puppy dog eyes too. You see she has been wanting a Paris themed room since she was about four or five years old. I was going to do it a few years ago, but then Audrey freaked out. She absolutely did not want it and since they shared a room at the time we had to compromise. So during that time we have had the picket fence/garden room:

Then the fairy room:

Then they got on a fairy tale kick so we switched to princess:

That one was easy, pretty much just had to change out the quilt. Naturally the quilt and shams had been discontinued so I had to hunt on ebay for them and pay a sick amount of money for them.Then Kylie started first grade and fairies, princesses, and anything with characters was not cool anymore so then came the birds:

Then one day I was browsing ebay and ran across a great deal on a Pottery Barn Kids ladybug quilt set. Kylie had this set in her room when she was a baby so I had to have it. The kids weren't too thrilled with it so it didn't last too long.

Then of course I found the owl bedding from target and had to have it:

And now back to the Paris thing. I told her that I just bought her new bedding a few months ago and that I would consider changing her room in about a year. She was fine with that and then I happened to mention to husband. Mistake number one. He said, "you know I don't think that's a bad idea. She's always had to compromise and she's done so well in school and I think she deserves to have it." Okay, fine with me. He tells her that we'll probably do this for her birthday. Then he tells me "you know if you want we can go ahead and do her room now." Mistake number two buddy. So here we are. I was able to track down the bedding and I *think* we've settled on a paint color. Husband wants to rip out the carpet and put in wood flooring, but I think we may wait on that a little while longer. We're also wanting to do an awning above the window so if any of you crafty people out there have ideas on the best way to do that please let me know. And I am definitely open to any thoughts, ideas or suggestions you guys may have. For the room that is, therapy is out because I can never find a good sitter for the kids.

About that scar

Recently I had someone email me (rather nicely, I might add) asking about Sophie's scar. To be quite honest she has had it for so long that I often forget it's there. I thought it would be easier for me to do a little post about it in case anyone else is interested, but leery about asking. 
\When Sophie was born the doctor handed her to me all nice and wrapped up. As I turned her to me to take a good look at her I noticed that she had a mark on her forehead. After I asked about it I learned that it was what is known as a nevus.

I had never heard of it so I just kind assumed it was something that would eventually go away. I didn't really think too much of it and kind of thought that when she was older I would check into getting it removed. In my mind I thought doctors can remove anything with a laser so it should be a piece of cake. In my eyes it didn't matter that she had this spot on her, she was still beautiful. I did have a few people make comments that were very hurtful and after one execptional jerk person remarked that it must have been something that I did I began to get a little depressed. Then one day my mom called to tell me that our local shriners group was having a clinic and they wanted to see Sophie. I was completely clueless as to what she was talking about. She explained that in addition to helping children that have burns, cleft palates, etc. they also have a program for children with birthmarks. I finally took Sophie just so that I could tell my mom I did. I explained to the people there that I had insurance, but was basically told it did not matter that they wanted to help. So after talking it over with husband and researching the plastic surgeon they wanted us to see (in Cincinnati!) we decided it wouldn't hurt to check things out. So when Sophie was three months old she, husband and I drove over twelve hours to see the doctor. Scariest trip of my life! I'm from the deep, deep south where we rarely ever have snow and we ended up going through a snow storm. There were car pile ups everywhere! We finally made it and when the doctor took a look at Sophie we knew things weren't good. See in just those three short months that we had Sophie the nevus had changed tremendously. It had grown, darkened and become lumpy in places. The doctor told us that we needed to have it removed because if we didn't we would be looking at a cancer diagnosis soon. So we began talking about our options. Due to the size of it and the fact that it was located so close to her eyes they could not go in and remove it and sew it back up (laser was out because it wouldn't go in deep enough) without messing up her eyes. Basically our only option was skin graft. So right before she turned four months old we made that long trip again to have the surgery. On a side note, while husband was parking the car I took Kylie, Audrey and Sophie into the hospital to sign in. At the hospital they have this big play structure for the children in the lobby. Kylie and Audrey were playing on it and when Audrey went to get off she stepped wrong and broke her leg. In the hospital! So, yeah I was kind of stressed. So anyway, she had the surgery and the rest is history.

 She does go and have her graft checked on a yearly basis. Luckily we take her to New Orleans for that so no long trip anymore. So far things have gone very well, but there is talk that we may have another surgery down the road to make the scar a bit smaller. Hopefully that won't be for awhile though. I did keep her hair cut in bangs for years to kind of hide the scar.

I

I finally got brave and let them grow out and while we do occasionally get looks, they are few and far between. She has another year before she begins school and I think that will probably be when we have to start dealing with the questions. Hopefully it won't be too bad. 

To the beat of her own drum

I have this child that is fiercely independent. She must do things her own way at all times.

 Sometimes however when she does those things on her own she does them a little differently. 

 Do keep in mind though that she is never, ever wrong. 

Everyone else is.

 

 And I wouldn't want her any other way.

TGIF

I cannot believe that today is Friday! I feel like I have been in such a fog all week. Sophie just finished her last round of shots and seems to be doing much better. She is finally eating again and bossing her sisters around so I think she's on the mend. She still has to take medicine and I'm hating it. I truly believe that she would rather have the shots than take the medicine. I tasted the medicine and I totally understand.
I've been going through the girls closets this week. Their rooms are tiny and we have no basement or playroom so their toys go in baskets in the bottom of their closets. Every so often I have to go through and weed out the toys and donate them. They really don't have a ton of toys because I tend to buy toys only for birthdays and Christmas, but with three girls and small spaces it does tend to add up. I was kind of sad going through Kylie's closet because I once again realized that she doesn't play with toys that much. She still plays with her webkinz and American girls, but even those don't get played with that much. Oh well, hopefully some other child will enjoy them. 
And in other household news we will soon be re-doing one of the kids bedrooms. Yes, I need my head examined. I'll give more details on that later and will definitely welcome opinions and ideas.   

We have a diagnosis....

And it is nothing that ever crossed my mind. Sophie has pneumonia. It was the strangest thing, she didn't start coughing until shortly before I took her to her doctors appointment. The doctor checked her out and said that she wanted to do some bloodwork since she had a cough. Then we had to go to the hospital for x-rays and then back to the doctors office. So from 3:30-7:00 yesterday we were either at the doctors office or hospital. Can you picture it? Me with three kids playing the waiting game all evening? I didn't even take books, crayons or a snack for anyone. Not fun. Even worse, I have to take her in every day for the rest of the week to get a shot and give her medicine everyday. I'm thinking I might need to stop and pick up a big bottle of wine on the way home today.

Exhaustion

I have not slept in days. Sophie has been running a temp of 102 since Saturday and I can't sleep when one of my babies is sick. I've been extremely lucky over the years and pretty much the only 'sickness' I've ever had to deal with (kid-wise) has been allergies. Those we have plenty of. Ear infections, stomach bugs, etc. not so much knock on wood. I know it seems silly and it's probably nothing, but I'm worried. Of course, I'm sure that we could knock her fever out pretty quickly if I could just get some medicine into her. The other night husband and I both held her down and made her take her medicine and I *think* she may have got 1/2 a teaspoon of ibuprofen in her. Did I ever tell you she's strong willed? No? Well she is. I've been trying to sneak it into her drinks, but she's caught on. I'm calling her pediatrician as soon as the office opens this morning so hopefully I can find out what is going on with her. Oh, and my parents just called me from Atlanta and asked if I could pick them up from the airport in an hour or so. Apparently their flight was delayed so they had to stay there overnight and the person they had asked to pick them up last night won't be available to get them today. Do you think they'll mind if I show up in my p.j.'s?