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I’MMMM BAAACKKKKKKKKK!!

Although sadly I don’t have much to say.  I believe I have talked personally to every person who actually reads my blog.  But just in case, here’s a recap:

Tues Oct 10:  Started bleeding and was admitted to the hospital for preterm labor symptoms.

Wed Oct 11:  Had a fetal fibronectin test…showed I had a 1 in 6 chance of delivering in the next 2 weeks…given steroid injections for the baby’s lungs and started on a drug called Procardia to help stop labor

Thurs Oct 12:  Wished for my own bed, but had to wait for one more steroid shot

Friday Oct 13:  Relieved to be released, put on strict bed rest

Saturday Oct 14 – Saturday Oct 21:  Did a lot of sitting around, way too much TV watching, some word search puzzles and magazine flipping, disciplined boys in a horizontal position (hard to do), received a lot of wonderful meals, phone calls and visits from very caring and wonderful friends and family, and listened to a lot of lectures from Derek about how stubborn and obstinate I am

I will try to get back to some blogging, although I can’t promise too many pictures.

Here’s one funny story to end on:

Caleb, our somewhat sarcastic and sassy little toad, was watching a TV show with Jacob yesterday.  Derek had asked Jacob to bring in the trash cans from the street when the show was over.  While the credits were running at the end of the cartoon, Caleb turns to Jacob and says, "The show’s over, TrashBoy!"  It made me laugh out loud, although we are trying very hard not to encourage his mouthiness! 🙂

It seems that, like many mothers, I spend a lot of my time playing the "waiting game".  Yesterday is a good case in point:

Wait for Caleb while he’s in his music class.

Come out…car battery is dead.  Wait for Derek to come rescue us.

Jump the car…take it to Sears.  Wait for them to determine what’s wrong.

It’s the battery (I could have told them that).  Wait for them to now change the battery.

Wait for Jacob to get out of school.

Wait for Jacob at piano.

Wait for warranty guys to finish trashing my kitchen while replacing backsplash tiles.

Wait for Caleb to finish his dinner (we could be here a while).

Wait for Jacob to finish his shower so we can finish his homework (again, get comfortable…).

There’s a whole lot of waiting going on around here…

In the meantime, I’ve been baking pumpkin bread and boy is it good.

And in between all the waiting yesterday I ran up to the school to take pictures (dutiful PTA Historian that I am) of the "Creature Teacher", who let Caleb hold her python.  Talk about a Kodak moment.  He was SOOO thrilled.

And before I forget I need to post about the birthday party from, well, let’s just say it wasn’t celestial.  It wasn’t really that bad, I know.  But don’t ask me to take 5 boys putt-putt golfing again anytime soon.  Maybe it’s because I’m pregnant…yeah that’s it, blame my short-tempered, easily-annoyed-with-boy-noises personality on pregnancy.  One kid couldn’t stop screaming, another decided to take a bath in one of the water ponds, and Caleb hadn’t had a nap that day…actually, neither had I, so let’s blame it on that too.

Poor Jacob, probably thinks his parents are the worst party-throwers ever.  It was a little out of control.  And then when we got home the soaking wet, muddy one and the screamer decided it was time for football practice in my living room.  And no one liked the pizza except my kids.  And then there was the chocolate cupcakes…"I don’t like chocolate cupcakes, can I have vanilla?"  Uh, kid, this isn’t a bakery, OK?!

Look how cute they all are…

Don’t let it fool ya!

How did this happen?

How did he go from THIS TO THIS?

   

Why did this year from 6 to 7 seem to go by quicker than all of the others?

How did I become the mom of a 7-year old…I was the mom of my first baby not too long ago, or so it seems?

Why do my children’s birthdays always bring tears?  Joy, of course.  But always some tears.  This time I’ll blame it on pregnancy hormones.  But what will be my excuse next year?!

When I was a kid I thought my birthday was all about ME…and it was, of course…most things were/are. 🙂  But then I became a parent, and realized that while you make it seem like it’s all about them, you also secretly know it’s about you, their parents.  Recalling a day that they will never remember, but that you will never forget.

This lovely report came out today…

F.B.I. statistics show Dallas had the highest crime rate of any of the nation’s top largest cities last year.

The F.B.I. Uniform Crime Report found about one crime was reported in Dallas last year for every 12 people.

Isn’t that comforting?!  Thankfully I live in the safe suburbs.

Yesterday I was putting Caleb down for his nap.  He was admiring my diamond necklace and ring and I told him they were gifts from Daddy.  I also told him that he could buy me a diamond one day.  "NO, Mom, you’re already married."  "Well, I know, but boys can buy diamonds for their moms, you know."  "Mom, there will be only one mommy for me and you’re already married.  I’ll have to get my own mommy."

Pretty funny…

This is probably the only time in my life when I will blog about the success of my weight gain.  At least let’s hope.

But I am happy to report that I have gained back all 11 lbs. that I lost in the first 17 weeks of my pregnancy.  I am now heading in to week 24, back at where I started in week 5.  I am no longer in the red.  I am also happy to report that I am in my third week without any nausea.  That, in and of itself, is GREAT news!  I can eat and not feel sick afterward.  Oh, the things you appreciate in pregnancy…

Now bring on the ice cream!

He kept eyeing the vacuum sitting out the other day.  I told him he was welcome to put it to use.  And his eyes got big and he went to work.  Teach ’em young, I say.

Do you ever have times in your life when there isn’t much to blog about?

Ok, so some of you don’t have blogs.

But you can probably relate though…to a blogging "rut".

It’s just life.

Nothing insightful to say.

Nothing creative.

Nothing even very funny.

Today I had 7 boys, ages 3-11, hanging out in my back yard.  Ambushing each other with weapons and sticks.  Jumping on the trampoline.  Hurting each other.  Apologizing.  Forgiving.  Screaming.  Being very LOUD.  But releasing a lot of energy and that’s a very good thing.  And I made dinner and cut coupons and other dull things.  But I am enjoying my dull life right now.  And I enjoyed having all those boys in my backyard.  Tomorrow I will do a lot of laundry and cart kids to activities and probably make dinner again.  Life is good, even in its most mundane times.

As a parent, I’m not quite sure what to do with moments like these…

Caleb had spilled orange juice all over the kitchen floor this afternoon while I was helping Jacob with piano practice and homework, but neglected to say anything until we were almost done (and it was almost dried).  I sent him to his room and scolded him for not saying anything sooner.

After a brief time out I let him come down and watch a show with Jacob, but first got down and looked him in the eye and tried to explain why I had gotten mad. 

He giggled.

"Caleb, what’s so funny?  Mommy is serious."

"You’re just funny when you’re so mad, Mom!"

Great…

I have serious credibility issues around here. 🙂

Jacob reading Sammy the Seal to Caleb while I’m making dinner.

It just doesn’t get better than that.

Do you think I’ll be able to teach him to change diapers too?