When I grow up

Had a wonderful weekend (which of course is still going on today since there is no school or work for any of us!) and especially Easter Sunday. Not that we are a family full of drama or anything...but we are. This has been the first major holiday gathering in at least a year where there was no fighting or arguing or people not showing up when they are supposed to... it was lovely. We ate here, my mother in law cooked her famous lamb (the only time of year we eat such an expensive meat) with plenty of yummy sides, my parents joined us here too, that was a first and very nice. A little too much wine, but plenty of people to play with the kiddos and hold babykins so I got a nap and woke up feeling quite refreshed. The best part was the weather...simply gorgeous. Kids in the front yard playing baseball with Daddy, their Uncles and one of Daddy's friends that stopped by...as well as grandparents getting in on the game. I love watching the boys get older and their skills improving. Maybe it will be time to get them into some organized sports before too long...I hear the discipline is good for kids, go figure. Riley is always a little apprehensive to start new things which is what has held me back so far...but I think if the conditions were right, or maybe one of his friends from school was doing it too, it might be okay. Saturday we went to an Easter Egg Hunt at the Lazer Factory (in Annville) and the boys got lots of candy- Dec found a prize egg, which allowed him to stuff a bunny. (generic build a bear) He was so proud and pleased, but it was hard to be excited for him since Riley was so bummed out he didn't find one. Well, maybe saying it was hard is wrong...holding in my excitement was the hard part. That is one of the toughest parts of parenting at this stage of the game for the older two...the constant rivalry involved. Riley has been going to birthday parties of classmates for a few years now and that was just fine and dandy. Today is Declan's first party for a classmate, and Riley is pretty torn up with the fact that he can't go to it. Declan doesn't get upset when Riley gets things that he doesn't, or gets to go to places he doesn't...I think it is just the different personalities. I'm hoping Declan will always stay this mild mannered, calm and sweet. Riley is definitely more of a pistol, the squeaky wheel, and the first to get his feelings hurt. Isn't it amazing how kids in the same household can be so different?

I love wondering what they will be when they grow up...based on their interests now, here are my predictions for my three boys:

Riley: fabulous at video games, super smart at all of his school subjects, has an endless memory- can tell you the make and model of almost any car he sees just from Zach telling him once when he was 2 what any given model happens to be. He has just recently started to come into his body a little better, and loves to run around and burn off energy. He loves the military, and also knows alot about military weapons. The books he signs out from the school library are always either about one of the branches of the military, race cars, or an eye spy book. When I ask him what he wants to be, he says a cop. I would prefer him in a safer position of something computer related. I definitely could see him programming video games and staying a kid at heart forever.

Declan: he is my little artist. He loves to draw, to create with clay or play-doh, to paint. He also loves to play...whereas Riley wants someone to play with him always, Declan can play alone for hours and I hear the cutest little stories coming out of him as he plays. He often creates whole cities out of his toys, and more recently he creates video game levels (think Mario Galaxy) where you have to travel in certain ways to get to the other side of the playroom, fighting "bosses" as you go. He is definitely very creative, and yet he also has quite an arm on him! A little more shy, he comes out of his shell with encouragement. I could see him in the role of an architect... although he has told me many times that he wants to be a Daddy when he grows up, although just now he has said he wants to play tennis when he grows up.

Archer: Still getting to know this guy, as of now he is definitely going to be a musician. He loves music more than any of my other babies. Riley and Declan both say that Archie is going to play golf like Daddy, though.

But for now...let's just get through today.

Well, things are (dare I say) a lot better around here concerning Archer. He now gets up only twice a night and isn't nearly as fussy in the evenings, and since we know him a little better we can get him to stop and fall asleep a lot sooner. Knowing all of his tricks certainly helps- we end up having a full blown singing-in-the-shower karaoke fest in the living room most nights. He loves music and our terrible singing and it gets him to calm right down almost all of the time, and pretty quickly.

Took him to his 2 month appointment today, he's not quite 2 months but his doctor goes on vacation next week so he got all of his terrible shots today. He is now 12 lbs and 4 oz and 24 inches long. So that would make him the 77th% for weight and 94th% for length. Everything with him looks great, so that is always nice to hear- you're doing things right!

In other news, I've quit Jenny Craig already. Stretching my budget to paper thin when I can just as easily count calories of foods I make myself seemed silly. I'm still operating on the 1200 calories a day rule, and eating lots of fruits and veggies (for me, a MAJOR change!) and just trying to choose more healthy foods. Although for anyone with money to burn and weight to lose, the Jenny Craig entrees and snacks were all really yummy-totally surprising. I'm continuing to eat the ones I've already purchased!

Archer is sleeping right now, completely worn out from his doctor visit and Riley, Declan and Zach are all collecting the green stars in Mario Galaxy 2. This is the first moment I've sat down and just chilled with the "old" fam...it's kinda nice! At the same time, I feel like I should be doing something!

What else has happened lately? I had a phone interview yesterday that seemed to me to go really well, hoping to hear from the actual department hiring to see if I get a real interview. Although, with the holidays she did warn me it might take a little longer to move to the next step. Yesterday, I also had my financial aid meeting for KTI where I will be starting my classes (evenings only, Monday-Thursday) June 27th. I was excited to learn that besides the $50 registration fee, there are no other costs that need paid prior to school beginning or even until 6 months after completion of the course. Very nice for our family, with a very limited workers comp paycheck.

5 whole days off before Riley has school again... so grant me patience, and Tylenol to get through this.

Happy Easter, everyone! Only a few more days til Starbucks!!!

3 is the Magic Number!

Today is day one of Jenny Craig for me. It's going ok so far... the breakfast was french toast with fresh berries, and some light syrup. It was pretty yummy. Then around mid morning you are supposed to eat an anytime bar if you are feeling hungry at all, which I was- plus Archer was being extra fussy (due to his teething)and the idea of chocolate sounded pretty good. It was actually tasty too. Just finished my lunch too, and I ate all of it- even the peas which I do not normally like. Mixed together with the corn and mashed potatoes (and there was chicken and cheese as well) I couldn't really pick out the flavor of the peas. And a tropical fruit cup packed in juice. So far so good... now about exercising... haven't done any of that except for all the pacing and walking I do with Archie on a daily basis. I am pleasantly surprised by the taste of the food... I did nutrisystem after I had Riley and it was just disgusting. Although, I am pretty picky. The main thing about the program that I like so far is how nice everybody is at the center, and that the food is all prepackaged and basically doesn't require thought. I'm way too busy to prepare a separate meal for everyone in the house (the boys don't like the same kinds of foods for the most part, Zach is a very peppery and oniony type of guy and the boys don't like that-neither do I. Plus veggies are a struggle enough without feeding the boys corn for every meal!). So it is nice that everything is ready and I don't have to think about it, plus they are labeled by what type of meal as well (lunch, dinner, snack, breakfast) so you don't have to even think about the actual calories depending on what kind of mood you are in- so I like that as well-it's all interchangeable. Obviously the one negative point is the price....

Which brings me to the next new thing... I'm on the job hunt for a weekends only kinda job to bring in some extra cash for the next 6 months while I try to lose this weight. I applied at a few different places yesterday, and already I have one interview set up for Tuesday. Hoping this pans out and quick, because otherwise Jenny Craig does not really fit into my budget at all! And I really want to stick with this program so a part time job is a necessary thing.

Which brings me to my third thing... I have been back and forth and on the fence for awhile about classes and what I want to do with my life. So far I took some generic classes that could go to pretty much any degree at HACC (with some transfer credits from my first attempt at college straight outta HS) but I know I no longer want to be an ultrasound tech which was what my major was when I decided to go back, and I love English and was thinking about an English degree which then I could go back and get my masters so I could be a librarian which would be a dream job for a bookworm like me. I don't want to be in school for the next 3 years trying to get the english degree and then more school after that...all while just spending money and not bringing any in! So I started thinking of trade schools which led me to my third decision...went to a meeting yesterday and signed up for classes that start June 27th to be a massage therapist. I hesitate to even mention this because a lot of people don't think that I follow through with anything, but the process will be over 17 months after it starts and then I can be a financial contributer with flexible hours that fit around my family's schedule. I will be able to decide as my classes near completion what kind of route I want to go...whether it be the more medical route working in a chiropractors office, or the more resorty route working at a spa or a hotel. I would also have the choice of whether or not I wanted to freelance out of my home or even start a business (wow, that sounds like a lot of work!).

So basically a lot of changes, but I think they are all good ones that will make me happier. I haven't been in a dark place, per say, but I haven't been in the best of moods and I needed to start with something that is for me- and the confidence from bettering myself will better everyone in the family.

Whew.

Enter Sandman

Things are getting a little easier, especially as far as fussy time goes. Fussy time used to last for 2 1/2-3 hours of passing Archer back and forth and standing and walking around. Now he fusses for maybe a half an hour to an hour at the very most and doesn't do it every day anymore. (With exception to the beautiful day on Monday when I think my poor little man was just sticky and hot) His first "sleep" of the night is usually the best, but at the very most was 4 hours (and that only happened twice, usually it's three max). After that he is up every two-two and half hours. Every couple of nights he wakes up around 3 and won't go back to sleep. He isn't fussy at this point, he is just awake and won't be laid down or put in a bouncy seat of course. So I have to sit up and keep talking and playing with him. Today he finally fell back asleep at 5:30 am and then was back up by 7:30, starving and acting really awake. So I got up and got myself in gear and he is sleeping still, (fell asleep while eating) and so is the other person home, Declan.

Love him to pieces, but I am so tired these days. I have been wanting to go back to school for summer classes, but honestly I don't think I will be going until the fall at this point. I am registered though, just in case he should surprise me and start sleeping a little better for me. During the day, his naps have gotten a little better, we are almost in a routine with that. 1-2 hrs in the late morning, 2 hrs in the late afternoon, bedtime is between 8 and 9.

The only thing that kept me from falling back asleep myself is spending some quality time with Declan...what a litle brat, still asleep. He has been such a help with the baby and handling the jealousy pretty well. He seems to be doing ok back in preschool now, for awhile he was crying and wanting us all of a sudden (which he never even did when preschool started in the fall) but that seems to be wrapping up, hopefully.

Riley is still acting out, but seems to be doing a little better with certain parts of it.. he has come to terms with the fact that I do mean business when I say it is time to do homework and no he won't be playing wii until he has completed it without whining. I am doing a little better with standing behind Zach when he sends him to his room or takes something away from him.... I hate seeing my baby upset, but at the end of the day Riley does still love me even when I've punished him. Parenting is harder than I thought it would be...I thought once they weren't babies anymore it would get a little easier- but it is definitely a whole new set of challenges.

This week has literally flown by- even with being tired much of the time, the days just slipped away. For many reasons, I don't want Monday to come- but at the same time, I need it to come very badly. I think I spend so much time worrying about the outcome and having it loom over our heads that it will be a relief for some type of resolution to this whole matter. I mean it has been a year and a half already, and the whole time spent counting down to the next date. Oh, only a month left... three weeks, two weeks, one week, then days, then hours. Always thinking this might be the last time we do this in a long time... for every activity. Feeling guilty because sometimes I wished for this very thing...him not to be around for awhile. It will be harder in a lot of ways, but easier too. Not exactly a relief, but in some ways exactly that.

He is a different person now, and I wish that counted for something. Not that he is a ball of sunshine- but he is a loving father and still improving every day.

Several paragraphs- and he's still sleeping!

A few things...

Declan DID have a ruptured/punctured eardrum. He now has antibiotics and eardrops and it should heal itself in about a week. They can be caused by allergies, loud noises, a blow to the head, or the ever popular sticking something in your ear. Declan has allergies, it's always pretty loud in our house, he had had several bumps to his head wrestling with Riley in the past week and we also caught him coming down the stairs with q-tips sticking out of both ears last week. How's that for a run-on sentence?

Archer took a fabulous nap yesterday...fell asleep on the way to pick up Riley (so like 2:30ish) and didn't wake up until after 5 in the car on the way home from the doctors. He slept through the entire visit. :) He made up for it by being awake last night for well over an hour after a feeding...which is NOT his usual style. He wasn't crying though- small miracles.

I registered for my classes yesterday. I am taking one class for each of the two summer sessions, 2 online classes and 2 regular classes for the fall semester. It's hard to believe that the first summer session is only a month and 1/2 away and we finally had the first nice weather (besides the flukey days in February/early March) yesterday. Although it is supposed to rain at least a little bit every day as far as the forecast stretches.

Which leads me to my next topic-golf. I'm really happy that my husband has a hobby that he likes, that isn't as self destructive as past hobbies. He also made a friend who shares the interest that lives nearby and has a pretty open schedule so that makes me happy too, he has an outlet. At the same time...I'm going absolutely freaking insane watching the golf channel day and night and hearing about golf. He is playing multiple times in a week, or at least at the driving range. When he can't make it away from our house, he is in the front yard chipping or putting. I mean really, calm down Tiger! He has such an addictive personality that he gets the tunnel vision whenever he is interested in anything. I've seen him take a liking to many things since I met him almost 8 years ago... his "souped up" Civic, motorcyles, guns and reloading bullets, and golf. I love my hubby, but even if he finds a new show that he likes...we have to watch every single episode available on demand in the quickest fashion. It shouldn't be a race.

Doesn't look like his plans for Monday will be pushed back at all though. That's a blog I'm not quite ready for though.

And finally, Happy 50th Birthday to my Daddy, Jeffery Leese today. I couldn't have asked for a better father!

Haven't had a chance to blog in awhile (or fold the mountain of laundry, for that matter!)-just so busy adjusting to this little guy. He is still colicky in the evenings, but he is either more comfortable because his senses are improving or it is just naturally winding down because he has skipped a few evenings lately. So that is good...isn't really sleeping any better at night..3 hours is still the maximum, and he kills his 4 oz at every wake-up. Maybe he needs 5 oz at a time? That seems like a lot-an ounce for every week he's been around! The other boys are doing well, Riley is still ultra sensitive and faking out of school every other week. He cries so easily, and then Zach and I end up arguing because I scold Zach (later) for being hard on him when we know how sensitive he is. Some people are just not thick skinned- and he is only six! Declan ruptured an eardrum (at least that is what the dr thinks via the phone and webmd agrees) but it will apparently heal on its own in 1-2 weeks. If he complains of any more pain, he will need to be seen to make sure the rupture isn't infected, but for now he is just extra gooey. Yuck.

I had a whole list of things in my head that I wanted to blog about..but naturally, Archer just woke up so that won't be happening anytime soon.

To be continued...