Norah's Dedication Day

The pictures are a little blurry, but here are some snap shots from church this morning during the baby dedication. We dedicated Avonlea and Lincoln when they were infants and I must say that Norah was the most calm and actually fell asleep by the time Pastor was done with the dedication and prayer. Lincoln was the one whom we had to hold onto. Avonlea's eyes look red because she was thirsty and wanted a drink, but we had to go up onto the stage and she wasn't able to get her drink. We told her that she could have some juice and a snack afterwards, but the silent tears came. She did do well on the stage and afterwards, we gave her some juice and animal crackers. That made for a happy camper.

Anyway, it was a blessed day and we are so grateful for such a great church family and immediate family that have helped in raising our children to love and honor the Lord. Today was so special to Rob and I as we promised God that we would bring up Norah in the ways of Christ and always seek His guidance in making decisions.

Thank you Lord for our sweet child.

I Won!

I'm so excited because I won the bid on E Bay for the Mei Tai baby carrier! I can't wait to receive it in the mail and try it out. I carry Norah around all the time and my back and arms are starting to ache. Should be here this week. I'll have to let you all in on how I like it.

This is a picture of the exact one I won. It's got a cute black and white pattern.

Babywearing

Having had three children, I can honestly say that I love babywearing. My sister gave me a Baby Bjorn after having Avonlea and it's made it all the way to carrying Norah around. My friend Ashley also let me borrow a Maya Wrap and a Mobi Wrap, but those didn't work out so well...too hot! Well, I've decided that I need a bit of an upgrade from my Baby Bjorn since it's looking a little old. I have my eyes on a Mai Tai that I would LOVE, but they are EXPENSIVE, so I found one on E Bay for $5.00 that I'm bidding on (free shipping too!). If I don't get that bid, I think I might attempt to make one (gasp). Anyone ever tried making one? If so, you must let me know and give a sista' a tip or two. =) Maybe I'll get one for my birthday (hint, hint sweetie!).

I did find this cute, new blog that's all about babywearing. Try it out HERE.

Happy Friday everyone! Enjoy your families this weekend. =)

For a Laugh!!

My Little Thumb Sucker

Here is Norah sucking her thumb at naptime...little stinker.

First Day of School

Excited and smiling on her first day of Pre-K!

This was taken LATE last night as you can see it's dark outside.

Dining room table

Supplies ready...

Here's our whiteboard and easel (IKEA).

Both my kids like watching Barney so we sing this verse to the Barney song. It's quite long for a little kid to memorize, but there are two reasons why I chose it:

1. because it's the AWANA verse and she's going to have to memorize it since she's in AWANA

2. because Avonlea is a perfectionist (like me...oh oh!) and when she doesn't get something right the very first time and it isn't perfect, she flips. So, this verse says "Do your best..." and I quote this whenever she's struggling with schoolwork or anything for that matter. We sing the song and I remind her that God only expects our best, not perfection.

Avonlea began her first day of Pre-K today. I stayed up extra late last night to decorate the house in red streamers and apples. To be perfectly honest, her first day of school was supposed to be yesterday, but I wound up pushing it back to today since I didn't have the house decorated. Yes, that's right. The house had to be decorated! =) I had to make it extra special and so, Tuesday it is. Avonlea woke up to apple cut-outs hanging in her doorway. She came into bed asking us why she had apples in her doorway and I said, "Don't you remember? Today is your first day of 'big girl school' !" She smiled and asked if we could begin school right away. I told her we needed to all be out of bed first and get some "brain fuel" in our tummies, then we'd start school.

We started off with our circle time which consists of:

calendar, singing songs, counting to 100 using our number chart, saying our Bible verse (which we put a song to...II Timothy 2:15), saying phonics charts, sight words, fruits of the Spirit and this week, we're talking about kings and queens/royalty.

Then, we had a snack and began her first A Beka reader. We have math (also A Beka) after she wakes up from naptime and then a craft. Then, we're off to playing outside which usually consists of getting wet, doing bubbles, painting at the easel, playground and sometimes we go for a swim if Norah is asleep, BUT our pool tore open yesterday, hence draining our entire pool and breaking it. No more pool...tear, sniff, sigh.

I have enjoyed venturing around on others' blogs and seeing how other families have started off their school year. Gotta love the fresh smell of school supplies, the "special breakfasts" being prepared and the excitement of it all! Here's to a great 2009-2010 school year!

Hittin' the Beach

Finding shells

Just chillin'

Norah modeling her suit and sun hat...ready to go Mom!

Sweet thing...slept through the entire beach trip

Lincoln getting water to fill up his water hole

Avonlea playing in the sand

Even Riley joined in on the fun yesterday, fetching frizbees in the ocean

Yesterday evening, we decided to head out to the beach. We were feeling so adventuous that we even took Riley with us. So we all piled into my not-so-large SUV and took off for an evening of fun, and fun it was. Riley was happy to be back to normal, getting attention and love. She LOVES to swim (as any Golden Retriever does) and fetch things, especially frizbees. It was very entertaining as we watched all the dogs chasing toys into the water and swimming, not to mention the cruise ship and freighter ship we saw sailing out of the Gulf. Too neat!

Smiles!

Norah is officially two months old now and she's such a joy! She's smiling and "talking" now, loving attention that anyone gives her. She's sleeping 7 hours at night (give or take), is on a pretty consistent schedule during the day and is definately taking after her big sister in terms of being a good sleeper/napper and dare I say...sucking her thumb. We've had both a thumb sucker and pacifier baby and there are positives and negatives to both. It is kind of nice that she can soothe herself back to sleep and I don't have to continue going in and giving her her pacifier. Lincoln was a paci kid and it got really annoying always having to carry it with us, go in at 2 a.m. to find his pacifier when he couldn't, plus I truly believe it hindered his speech. However, we WERE able to cut the habit easily by just stopping cold turkey one day during naptime and Avonlea still sucks her thumb at almost 4. She's working on stopping, but we still catch her from time to time. Rob and I were both thumb suckers so it was bound to happen. =)

Norah's hair is growing and there's more to tame. We just slick it down with water whenever we're about to go on an outing and hope that it "sits". It's so funny to hear all the comments about her hair. She does have a lot of it, so it was destined to happen (the comments, I mean).

Avonlea begins her Pre-K first day of school tomorrow and although I've already got her plans ready, I'm trying to be creative in finding ways to make the day special...decorating, etc. We've done some school over the summer, but it wasn't a lot due to the fact that we were focused on the baby and all. Now she'll be starting a math book, her readers (she has been reading since January), and lots of phonics, Spanish and Bible curriculum. I've decided to take in watching another baby (3 weeks older than Norah), so having four little ones is going to create a challenge, especially in trying to get Avonlea's school work done, but the Lord is going to give me the strength and patience. Wish me luck!

Chore Training

I've had people ask me how I get my kids to do their chores in the morning. It's simple really. I've had to TRAIN them. When assigning a chore to a child, you can't just expect them to understand how to "do the dishes" if you haven't shown them. How would you like it if your boss at work asked you to complete a task and never showed you how to do it. It would probably take you a long time to get it right and that would be with asking many other co-workers how to do it. You may still not even have it right in the end. With children, it's the same thing! You have to show them MULTIPLE times how to do something and take time out of your day to train them and teach them the proper way. If you want the sink counter clean and dry after your preschooler has just washed his/her hands and made puddles everywhere, you need to "model" and show them how to clean up after themselves and what the final outcome should look like.


For instance, it probably took me 1 1/2 months to get Avonlea fully trained on her morning chores. Her chores consist of:

- getting dressed
- making her bed
- brushing her hair (not perfect, but she tries)
- brushing her teeth
- clothes in the hamper
- filling the dog bowls with food/water
- eat breakfast (she likes to help make it a few days a week)
- dishes to the sink

Some other chores throughout the day are:

- completing schoolwork with a good attitude
- eating lunch/dinner and dishes to the sink
- taking a bath (with help)
- pjs on
- brushing teeth at night


After breakfast, we turn on music and we set a timer for 12 minutes. When the 12 minutes is up, it beeps and I turn the tv on for a morning show (this is when I get my chores done and get dressed). I leave the tv on for the entire show and whenever Avy's chores are done is when she gets to join her brother (I'm helping him with his chores now...VERY basic) and watch the show. The quicker she gets done, the more of the show she can catch. There have been days when she doddles and doesn't catch any of the show. She still has to do the chores. This is rare though because she loves to watch her morning tv show. =)


As she does her chores, she pulls off certain cards on her chart and puts them in a bag (crossing them off...sort of). I put stars on the morning ones so she knows which ones are for morning. If she completes all chores with a good attitude, she gets a quarter. She likes to save up for certain things.


What are some of your chores that your kids do and how do you do them?

Growing

I read this in a book recently and it jumped out at me like a sore thumb...



"Keep in mind that the Lord uses difficulties in what we are doing to refine and grow us. Seldom are those struggles a signal to undo what He has called us to do! The problems should be pulling us to a greater level of seeking the Lord and depending on Him."


As soon as we get comfortable in a certain area of our lives, God moves us and grows us. It hurts sometimes and is easier said than done, but by not listening and obeying Him, there may be repercussions. He is going to move and grow us the way He wants because He knows what is best for us, just as a parent knows what is best for a child.

Car Tours...

Our snack and drink box, a little depleated right now. Needs replenishing.

Car organizer by Bed, Bath & Beyond ($10.00)...two squares that can fold and unfold and has mesh pockets on the sides for little odds and ends. It's waterproof too.

Strollers (of coarse) and our "everything backpack" (Norah's carseat stroller and an umbrella stroller)

I often see blog entries about people's houses and thought it would be a neat idea to blog about what's inside our cars and how we keep things organized, hoping to inspire others to share how they keep their own cars organized. If you think about it, as moms, we're constantly in our cars (it's our second home) and we need ways to keep things tidy. We've all had "the dirty car look" at one point or another, or maybe it's never ending for you. I know we've been there and done that! You know what I'm talking about (and don't pretend you don't), the wrappers on the ground, empty juice boxes that are found wedged between the seats, tissues, Goldfish crackers stomped into the car carpet. Ahhh, yes.

Well, not only since having children have I had to devote cleaning out our car to once a week, but we're had to come up with a system for keeping it clean and organized.

1.) We have a bag/backpack for each child that contains the following:

-change of clothing

-diaper/wipes or underwear

- bags (for wet clothing or dirty diapers)

2.)We have a family backpack that contains the following:

- change of clothing for each child

- diapers/wipes/underwear

- bags

- sunscreen

- bugspray

- sunglasses

- camera

- Norah's pacifiers

- snacks (rasins, crackers, etc.)

- juice boxes

3.) We keep two of our three strollers in my car (our double stroller is pretty big, so it doesn't come with us unless we're going to use it).

4.) We have a snack/drink box where I keep lots of juice boxes and non-perishable snacks in it.

5.) In the glove compartment...hand sanitizer, lotion, pens, change, a towel, Chuck E. Cheese tokens (oh, yes!), our Entertainment coupon book, tissue box, umbrellas and Wet Ones wipes.

6.) Our "Busy Bag". This = sanity when we're out in a public place and need something to keep us busy as we wait for something...dinner at a restaraunt, waiting at the pediatrician's office, etc.

Here is what we keep in our busy bag:

- crayons, pencils

- coloring book, paper pad

- stickers

- little Matchbox cars

- "I Spy" books

- Dot-to-dot books for Avy

- playdough

- small, travel games (Checkers, Connect Four)

- snacks, juice boxes

- playing cards

- dominoes

- matching game

We NEVER go to a restaraunt without it!!! =)

So, let's see or hear what's in your cars moms!

Gettin' Ready

The older two kiddos and I pulled weeds in the garden yesterday as well as tilled the dirt to get ready for planting our fall garden in the next week or so. I've decided this year that we're not going to plant unnecessary plants, but only an abundance of the ones we do use and I know will grow...green beans (tons), tomatoes (tons), broccoli, cauliflower and carrots. In the past, we've always planted smaller groups of more things, but this year, we're just sticking to the basics and hoping for a larger crop since I've had two years (four garden rotations) of planting at this house, I know what works and what doesn't. My dad has some amazing compost at his house (his garden is incredible and HUGE) which he's offered to share with me this fall and I'm excited to go up and get it to feed my garden. I've ordered Burpee brand seeds in the past, but we're just going with the traditional Home Depot seeds packs this year (you can get more for your buck) and I'm trying to decide whether or not to buy the already started tomato plants versus the seeds. Gonna talk to Dad about that one too.

If you're personally interested in starting your own garden this fall, I highly reccommend it. It does take some money up front (for your lumber and dirt), but you'll get your money's worth quick. Visit my link on the sidebar of this blog for more gardening information. There's a "Gardening 101" post from awhile back if you'd like step-by-step instructions on how to get started.

Have fun and happy gardening. I'll post more pics once things start growing. =)

Another Fun Blog...Check It Out!

A Listmaker's Life


Here's a new blog I found and love. You all know I have a crazy addiction to making lists, so of coarse when I read this blog's title, I just had to check it out. =)

Thanks so much for the encouraging comments ladies! =) I must say that I've never actually read a baby book before. Baby book meaning one that talks about how to get your baby on a schedule, feedings, etc. I always just knew I wanted my babies on schedules and with our first two, they were typical textbook babies and so they practically put themselves on a schedule.


Norah is different. The book talks about her as being a "touchy baby", meaning these types of babies typically:


- like to suck a lot
- often get off schedule
- love to be swaddled and have the womb re-created
- like to be snuggled on the shoulder
- whispering "shhh" in their ear quietly and being lightly patted on their bottom before sleep like
a heartbeat often calms them down
- thrive on a schedule and like predicatability

After reading this, it all sort of came together. I've been logging her day today and she's been doing swimmingly. I also feel SO much more confident in her schedule and how I'm doing things today versus the past few weeks. I'm sleeping in my own bed, Norah has a bedtime like the rest of the family (10:30p.m.) and there's a schedule in place. There are times when she gets off her schedule slightly, but that's any baby. She had a bit of a time getting down for her afternoon nap, but I felt so confident in being able to read her that I didn't become nearly as frustrated as before. She's definately a different baby, I just have to be more patient with her. Again, thanks for all the encouraging words and kindness.


One more exciting thing...(brace yourself, it's exciting!!!) Lincoln went pee-pee on the potty today!!!!!!!!!!! I know. Pick up your jaw and sit back down. =) I was quite excited too. He had just got out of the bath and was running around without a diaper for a bit while I was tending to Norah and he started going pee-pee. I put the baby down, placed him on the potty and he went. Hallelujah! He was praised out the ying-yang and I gave him a lollipop. The smile on his face was priceless and I told him that if he went again, he'd get another lollipop. We may try going diaperless after naptime today and see what happens. I've been told that boys take longer than girls, but I'll let Lincoln determine that. Avonlea was trained (pee-pee) by two so we'll see. =)

Baby Whisperer

The saying "Every child is different" is definately TRUE! To be honest, I've been quite frustrated lately with our new, little angel and wondering if I've just forgotten with the other two how frustred I was with them. My pediatrician reccommended this book and I have to say that it's a ton of wonderful information every parent should read. It's written by a Brittish nanny with many years of experience with newborns. There's all sorts of information in here regarding getting your infant on a schedule, how to listen to your baby's cries and know what he/she wants (I'm a third time mother and still learning this!) and the list goes on. If you're planning on having a baby, have a baby or are pregnant, check out this book at your local library. =)

One thing I've definately taken away from this book is to SLOW DOWN and listen to my baby as well as read her cues. However, when you have multiple children, it's easier said than done. I have to remind myself daily to slow down, use slow movements, a calming/soothing voice and take my time feeding and caring for Norah. It's much easier on the weekends and at night when I have an extra set of hands to help out with the older ones.

We've always been a family that enjoys going to the beach, bowling, taking on a day at a theme park, Chuck E. Cheese, you name it. Today was the first time I realized that I haven't taken the time to get to know my child. Yikes! It takes a big gulp of pride to admit that as a mother (so bare with me), but ever since I've felt good enough to get out of the house, we have. Two reasons really...1.) I'm not one of those stay-at-home moms that enjoys being home all day, everyday, 24/7. 2.) My kids enjoy getting out and going on field trips. This fall, Avonlea will officially be in Pre-K so I need to get used to being in the house more, doing school with her and getting back on our school schedule. The summer has been really nice, going and doing things and being off our schedules, but in a few weeks, it's back to the drawing board for this family.

It is my prayer that this book will help me take the time to get Norah on a comfortable schedule so that everyone can be happy. I am a firm believer in schedules and while I do think they work, I am also a believer in making sure one can be flexible with their schedule. This book suggests keeping a baby on a 3-hour schedule and the acronymn the author uses is E.A.S.Y = Eat, Activity, Sleep, Yourself. This means that the baby will Eat, then have playtime or Activity time, Sleep (no longer than 3 hours at a time during the day) and then it's Your time. I have to laugh at the "Y" for Your time because when I do get all three of my kids down for a nap, the "Y" time is pretty short! There are chores to be done, phone calls to make, dinner to prep and odds and ends to tie up before hubby gets home and everyone wakes up from their nap.

I'd love to provide all the great information I collected from reading this book, but you'll just have to check it out for yourself. You won't be disappointed!

"I Told You So!"

This is for all of those out there that thought I was crazy for keeping one of Riley's puppies around when we would be having our third child...=)

Rob and I had to make a decision this past week that was going to make or break our stress load and I'm so glad (yet, still a little sad) at the decision we made. The decision was whether or not to keep our beloved Rosebud, our 13-week-old Golden Retriever puppy that we kept from Riley's (our dog) last litter. Rosebud was the alpha-female, beautiful, intelligent (learned how to sit in one day as well as learned how to climb up the kids' playground and slide down the slide!) and the whole package. So, "What was the problem?" you may be asking. The problem was that the potty training got to be too much and like any puppy, she jumped on the kids and we didn't have the time to train her. Your next question I'm sure is, "Where is Rosebud now?". Rosebud went to a new home with a family of three who really wanted a Golden Retriever puppy. They don't have three children and have the time to devote to her. Although we do miss her, we know we'll get to see her from time to time (they are friends of ours) and watch her grow. =) "How did we break the news to the kids?" you may be wondering. Well, I told Avonlea the truth and explained how she never plays with her and how it's a lot of work for Mommy. I told Avy that if she acted very grown-up and had a good attitude about the ordeal, I would take her to buy a new pair of roller skates that she could play with. She lost her last pair at the park. We were leaving in a hurry due to the rain, so I feel it was partially my fault for forgetting them. I tried not to think of it as bribery, but call it what you will. We don't buy our children toys unless it's their birthday or Christmas, so I didn't feel bad about this splurge. =) Felt kinda good actually.

Anyway, we said goodbye to Rosebud a few nights ago and since then, Riley has had a good bath and has been enjoying being inside again, we have a clean back porch/yard again (Rosebud liked to get out the kids' toys a lot) and we feel like we can enjoy Riley more, as well as have some sanity back. No one has mentioned Rosebud's name since she left so I'm taking that as a good sign. We'll have another puppy some day when (don't like to think about this!!!) Riley has passed on and the kids are old enough to help me train it.

For now, we're enjoying things being back to "normal" around here and I have the time I need to to focus on our kids. We'll miss you Rosebud!

Organizing Junkie

Okay, so I've admitted before that a blog has really good information to help me out with household tasks, OR it's a blog of a family member or friend, I'm not a blog surfer and don't spend time on others' blogs. Why? I'm a mom of three children under three who is at home with them all day everyday (we do take outings though, people) and I don't have the time. I did run across THIS blog this morning though and thought you guys might want to check it out. It's a great home-organization blog and after 5 minutes of reading it, got some neat ideas. Have fun!!!



We've had some happenings around here. Some sad, some not-so-sad, but I'll post later...

Testing, Testing...

Avonlea

Norah

Lincoln

Got my new camera this weekend. It's a cheapo, but it does the job. Someday, I'll save up for a nice one, but for now this one is catching my children as they grow. Here's a few "after nap" shots from today. Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend with family and friends.