Spring Break and Sleeping or Not Sleeping

Its been awhile since I have been on to write anything. We took Michael to the airport in Milwaukee on Sunday as he is on spring break and visiting family in Washington. From there we hit up Ikea. I was in heaven at first! I love that place and wished I had more things to get but reality is our house is full and filling up even more. I did get some white shelves for the girls room and also for the grown up room, which lately is also the kids primary sleeping area. I suggested we just put every bed in our room and call it the sleeping room but that didn't go over well with Kato. Since Jade doesn't seem to want anything to do with her crib anymore she has been sleeping in her big girl bed but has also been waking up at night. I don't know whats up with her but I hope it passes soon. I already get up 3 times at night to go to the bathroom, plus at least once when Alex comes up and again with Jade then sometimes when Kato makes too much noise or rolls over and also when his alarm goes off. Maybe what I need is my own room, the closet even, just so I can have the opportunity to get some alone sleep time, but then I am sure everyone would come in there to snuggle. I have 8 kids this week with spring break and things are a little off but so far its not too bad. I haven't cried or screamed once!! Then again it is only Tuesday. We played with blocks, colored, worked on some adding flash cards, played outside and have had some fun. I am letting the older ones pick lunch. Liam picked yesterday and Rylee picked today. Logan is up next. Alex and Eli haven't been ripping each others heads off as much, and that is a nice change of pace. Breakfast and lunch take longer and the clean up is twice as much but everyone is able to sit together and eat, laugh, and finish up to get back to play time. Lets hope the rest of the week goes as good. thanks for reading xoxo

Jades 15 month check up

well my hopes were crushed today as I learned that my daughters head is still way to big for her body...at least in my mind. Jade had her 15 month check up today and dad took her. She weighed in at 20 pounds 13 ounces which puts her in the 20% range, she is 30 inches tall which puts her at the 30 % range, and her head once again is 18.75 which puts that big old head in the 90% range. The doctor said she is fine and not to worry and to me I guess she doesn't look like an alien but the numbers are proof that she just may be one. She is super cute though. No shots today thank goodness and over all he said she is doing great. She has been loving the outside and on Sunday we went for a bike ride. She wore Alex's old helmet from when he was her age, it didn't fit just right so we had to modify it with extra padding which is surprising considering how big her head is. She liked the cart and her and Alex rode well together. Now if we can get her back to sleeping through the night things would be perfect. thanks for reading xoxo

Girls day shopping

It was awesome being outside all week. The kids behaved better and somewhat slept better. Jade woke up a couple times through out the week and Kato went in and snuggled with her. Friday night it snowed and man was Alex upset. He didn't appreciate the snow on the grass. Anyway, Jade and I went shopping all day on Saturday just after I took Michael for a cell phone upgrade. It was fun having a girls day and I noticed I was watching mothers and daughters and was getting more nervous about having two girls. I like having one right now but two oh good Lord help me. I love the idea of having girls shopping day or beauty parlor day or sports day or a mini vacation with the girls. I am worried about the teenage years but hope things will be better for them then they were for me. I know I could have had it worse but it could have been way better. I will have to call upon my Grandma (who also had two girls) for some serious advice. thanks for reading xoxo

Michael got a letter and we renamed "the barn"

I hate it when I wake up at 4am to pee and can't get back to sleep. I toss and turn and start thinking about stuff and thats all she wrote!! Anyway, Sunday night was wonderful. Michael got his varsity letter in wrestling and was awarded another medal. The food was pretty good and in fact it was better then last year only because last year everyone who brought a hot dish brought a spaghetti so there was too much but this year it was more variety. I had to bring salad which ended up being the only vegetable available. Someone brought brats and they were super good.

The kids and I have been outside everyday this week so far. The weather has been gorgeous. Yesterday we were out from 9:30 to 11:15 then again from 3:10 to 5:30. Its been nice. I got the barn from the neighbors which we have decided to change to "the cottage" and Alex was excited about that. The kids love it. Jade has been so dirty everyday that she needs a bath but she loves outside just like Michael and Alex do. Today is St. Patricks day and I don't have any plans to make corn beef and cabbage but may do some brats and sauerkraut. We will see. Kato sounds like he is going through puberty again with his cold or allergy thing. Its fun to tease him. I will be tired today so maybe the kids will let me nap while they are napping, then again its not likely Alex will. Spring break is coming up and Michael will be traveling to Washington. I wanted to hit up Ikea for some stuff. Thats all the rambling for now. thanks for reading xoxo

100 Years of Broadway and a backed up drain

Mom left our house really early yesterday. She decided to shop in Wisconsin Dells before getting on board the train. Kato was doing laundry and I was slowly taking my time getting ready for the nights events. Around 3:30 or so I hear Kato shouting downstairs so I hurry down to see whats the matter. I guess our drain was not draining right and we had about an inch of water on the floor. The past 3 days have been really warm and all our snow has melted outside, which was about 26-28 inches. He ran the dishwasher, did laundry and our water tank was doing its cycle so we are hoping with the snow draining, and all the other stuff it just got backed up a bit. We will keep an eye on it. Keith came to pick up the younger kids at 4:30. Kato finally got around to getting ready and I finished up. It took me all day but I took 3 hour breaks in between. So at 5:30 we meet up with Dan and Ellen for an adult night out. We had dinner at Smokys on University. Ellen, Dan and I all had prime rib and Kato had broiled fish. It was super yummy. The only thing that would have made it better for me was a glass of wine. I did have a sip of Katos beer cause it was on tap and that makes it taste so good. I managed to find a coupon on line for 20% off our total bill so it saved us $28. After that we headed to downtown for a night of Neil Berg's 100 Years of Broadway at the Overture Center. It was awesome!!! The performers were Rita Harvey (Hodel-Fiddler on the Roof, Christine-The Phantom of the Opera), Carter Calvert (It Aint Nothin But the Blues, Cats) Robert DuSold (Mimi le Duck, Las Vegas production of Mamma Mia, Broadway-The Producers, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera) Lawrence Clayton (Montel/Jesus Jerry springer the Opera at Carnegie Hall, Bells Are Ringing, Ain't Nothin But the Blues). They did some other stuff but if you know Broadway then you know these. Anyway, it was a great time and great seats. If you know me then you know I love singing Broadway musical numbers mostly while the kids are eating lunch but still its fun and yes I suck but its still fun. So Dan is kind of the same way and so I am sure after seeing it he was temped to burst into song while still in the Overture Center but like me, resisted. All in all it was a great night and Thank You Dan and Ellen for the fun adult time!!!! Now its time to get back to regular life. Kato and I are going out to breakfast before picking up Alex and Jade and tonight we will be off to Michaels wrestling awards dinner. Thanks for reading xoxo

ITS A.............

The ultrasound was good. I have to follow up with another in 6 weeks because the babies head is measuring smaller then its body. To me that is good news but not for pushing out reasons but because Jades head is in the 75% range and her body is in the 25% range. Anyway, the heartbeat was 148 and we saw it kicking and putting its hand up to its face. The time came to find out if its a boy or a girl and after some pushing on the belly the doctor could finally see a little bit of the goods. He said he would follow up again in 6 weeks to make certain but at this point its a GIRL!!! Alex is not too happy as he wanted a brother, Kato made a comment about how lucky we are to get to pay for 2 weddings. All I can say is its his own fault. Sperm determines the sex of babies. He should have had a firm conversation with his goodies before making the deposit. I think we are both happy with the outcome and I know I am excited for Jade to have a sister. Something I didn't have and something new to experience. I am sure Alex will get over it as he is such a great big brother to Jade already. Besides it increases his chances of having to defend his sister which in his mind is a perfect opportunity to wear his superhero costumes. We didn't get a chance to determine the exact date of birth but there is still plenty of time. I had to give some blood for a test regarding the Fifths disease that Jade had last week and I will get the results in 2 weeks. I gained some weight again and yesterday I was super nervous about it but according to the scale at the doctors office it was 7 pounds. Not too bad for someone like me who has gained 7 pounds in one week (I did it with Jade). Anyway, it was a good visit and I am glad my mom was able to be there. thanks for reading xoxo

Ultrasound is today!!

Today is my 20 week ultrasound although tomorrow I will be 21 weeks. I guess the US will tell for sure if things are on track. This week has been flying by. My mom has been helping out with the daycare kids and even changed some diapers. She took Michael bowling which is a tradition they have and on Tuesday we went to the Shoe Box and she picked up new summer sandals for Alex and Jade and Michael got some new Adidas. Jayne and Keith are coming over tonight for dinner and we will share the news of boy or girl. Mom leaves tomorrow and that is always the hardest part. Michael has his wrestling banquet on Sunday and then it will be back to the grind. Funny how on Fridays when you spell out the weekend its over in two seconds. I will post later if its a boy or a girl. thanks for reading xoxo

Yeah My Mom is Here!!!!

Well after a rough night and day with Jade I am so happy to have my mom here. We picked her up at the train station in Wisconsin Dells. I saw her right away before the train even stopped and I got super excited. We went to lunch at Marley's where we tried alligator meat. It was similar to chicken and pretty good. Jade grubbed on it. After lunch we came home and Jade took a nap. Alex and Grandma Kim went on a walk to the park and Kato and I watched the Badgers win against Illinois. I made a roast and we ate dinner. Its really nice to have her here and be a part of the family for a week. Jade was super fussy and not her normal self. I think I am really tired and am looking forward to a good nights sleep. Michael and Grandma Kim will go bowling some time this week and he starts wrestling club tomorrow. Wednesday I am going to be class helper at Alex's school and Friday we have the ultrasound. Should be a really great week and I hope it doesn't go too fast. Saturday my mom will leave again and that is always hard. thanks for reading xoxo

Jades turn to be sick...again

What I thought was going to be a really good weekend turned out to be a bit of a challenge. Saturday, after cleaning the house and getting ready for my mom to arrive we sit down to eat dinner. Jade was not looking the normal happy self that she is and I felt her head. She had a fever so after taking her temp in one ear and having it read 102 I took it in the other ear, it too read 103. I quickly gave her some Tylenol and waited one hour. Her temp did not change so off to the hospital we went. Once there they too took her temp on her forehead and it read 102.7. They decided to check her temp from her bottom. This was not fun for me. It read 103. We went to the room and they gave her some Motrin. We waited another hour and she sucked down some pedilite (?sp) that the hospital gave her. They took her temp in her bottom again and I was shocked to see it 104.4. I asked if they have to subtract a degree and they said no that is her temp. I was worried so I called Kato to come down. They thought maybe it was strep since Alex just had it but her test came back negative. Kato arrived and he brought some good fortune with him cause when they came in again to check her temp it had gone down to 100.9. She was doing better. The doctor gave the diagnosis of Fifths disease. I was relieved it wasn't something more serious like meningitis but disappointed it wasn't something that could be fixed with medicine. I am a little worried about the effects on the unborn baby but I am sure there will be nothing to worry about and will talk with the doctor on Friday. Jade had a rough night and didn't sleep too well but to keep her temp down we had to give her alternating Tylenol and Motrin every 3-4 hours. So recapping the last 4 weeks between all 3 kids we have fully supported one doctors salary for a year. I hope everyone will be healthy for awhile and I am truly thankful that all my kids are on the mend. I don't know what is harder a child who can't tell you what hurts or a parent who feels helpless when they are sick. My kids mean more to me then any words could ever describe and I love them all so very much. thanks for reading xoxo

Strep Throat and the Badgers game

Alex woke up yesterday with a sore throat so we went to the doctors for a throat culture. He did not like it but I am glad we went cause it turned out to be positive for strep throat. He got some antibiotics, suckers, stickers, and Hog Wash. I felt bad for him cause I know how painful it is. I warned the other parents of my daycare kids right away just in case their kids woke up with high fevers and a sore throat. Plus its the right thing to do when someone has been around someone who is contagious with something. I hope they don't get it as I would feel even worse. Its no fun when little kids are sick. Kato and I had tickets for the Badgers basketball game against Iowa last night and Jayne was kind enough to come sit with the kids even knowing Alex's condition. She could have easily backed out and I would have completely understood but she was still excited to come over. Thats a good grandma if you ask me. So off we went and the game was great. Besides the game being an awesome event to witness in person we also got to be within 10 feet of 4 Olympic silver medal winners along with their medals. That was the closest I have ever gotten to an Olympic medal. The ladies were from the USA womens hockey team. We had great seats which were about 8 rows from the floor behind and kiddy corner to the Badger team. Kato asked me how I liked it and wanted me to compare it to the other sporting events I had been to since it was my first mens basketball game. It was hard to do as each sport and sporting event has its differences. I enjoyed it very much and can't wait to go next year. Kato took some pics with his camera and if I ever get a copy I will post it. As for this morning Alex seems to be feeling better. I am glad its Thursday and only one more work day left in the week. My mom comes in on Sunday and we will pick her up in the Dells. Next week is my ultrasound to check the baby's growth and progress and I hope to be able to tell if its a boy or a girl. The excitement is building. thanks for reading xoxo

Technology is just not worth it sometimes....

Kato was on deployment when I had to go out and purchase a new computer, it was 9 years ago. I never got anti virus protection or any kind of security stuff for it. We never had a virus, we never got infected with anything and it worked great. Two weeks ago we bought a new computer and it got its first virus yesterday. It totally sucked and I got the complete run around from the Geek Squad and Best Buy. After it was all said and done and I ended up fixing it myself which came with a huge headache and pissy attitude I decided new technology really isn't all that great. I have a new cell phone that I barely know how to use, my I touch needs updating and some of my favorite apps are not working because of it, and my digital camera is going tits up. I want to go back to writing in a journal, calling on a land line, sending letters through the mail, buying CD's and using 35mm film. The only problem with that is these things are like VHS players, tape cassettes, and answering machines or for some of you 8 track players, beta tapes, Polaroids, and records. Its a never ending advancing technology cycle and I am sure when I am 80 I will be wishing for the good old days of today. thanks for reading xoxo

Monday morning and stuff

I asked the kids what they wanted for breakfast this morning, one said pancakes, one said nothing and Jade came into the room with a dish towel, oven mitt, and a pizza pan. If she thinks I am going to fix a huge extravagant breakfast she's nuts!!! I was impressed she was able to carry everything all at once.

Alex got signed up for T-ball again, he said he wants to play soccer too. Michael got his ticket to Washington for spring break, have to drive to Milwaukee but thats ok maybe we can cruise on down to Ikea when we are done dropping him off. Kato and I may be heading off to a Badger basketball game this week, if he can secure kid sitter, and tonight we have parent teacher conference at Alex's school. He has swimming on Wednesday too. Michael's wrestling banquet should be coming up soon. Alex has a party on Saturday, my mom comes in on Sunday. That sums it up. thanks for reading xoxo