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Tonight was Karl's last night of Machine League (baseball that involves a machine pitching to the players). It was the final night of play-offs. Karl's team had to beat the green team to play in the championship - which they did in a very close and exciting game with extra innings and an additional twenty minutes of playing time. Then, in order to win the championship they were going to have to play and beat the power house orange team not once - but twice. The games started at 6:30. Since the first one went over, the second did not start until almost 8pm. Karl's team won the second one by a landslide and then immediately had to begin playing the final game. The score was back and forth with the orange team gathering momentum and Karl's purple team losing steam. In the next to final inning, Karl's team pulled ahead by a run and then, in the final inning held the orange team to no runs, thereby winning the game.

The kids were cheering and so excited to collect their blue ribbons and walk of the field victorious. The parents were cheering and excited too (though perhaps more b/c they were happy to be going home after nearly 24 innings of 9-year-old's playing baseball). Any way you looked at it, for the purple team anyway, this was a great ending to a long night of baseball.

Women, weight, and working out...oh joy.

Well, I now have inspiration.
After having Sam, I knew I had about eight weeks to lose weight for my sister's wedding. I figured when I was two weeks post baby I would start dieting and working out. Ah...just a tad unrealistic. After spending an evening getting up to feed the baby, I am barely energized enough to do the normal things of daily life - let alone start a new exercise routine.
Last week I started my diet and have been successful on it so far. Yes, it has only been a week of eating better but there are many tempting treats around that I am proud of myself for abstaining from inhaling them all on the spot. I also got off my butt and exercised a couple times - not quite habitual yet but it is a start.
Well, after spending several hours with my "bestest friend in the whole entire world" Molly - I am really energized and inspired to work out and get my butt in shape. Molly has four kids ages ten -three/four (her youngest Ty just had a birthday but I can't remember - guess I am not that good of a friend - how old he turned this summer) Anyhow, Molly looks fabulous. Makes me really happy for her - but let's be honest, also makes me terribly jealous and sick. So...I was really wanting to cheat on my diet today (little devil Molly had great snacks, yummy lunch, and made cookies while I was there) but I refrained. I want to look like she does. I want to be healthy and thin and tone and tan. I want to squeeze my bottom into some teeny size 6's and be bummed they are too big. I want my teenage students (in her case neighbors) to bring me cute clothes they no longer wear. I want my chest to stick out farther than my stomach and I want to feel great when I get dressed rather than decide which awful bulging body part to accentuate today.
Part of me says I am being really hard on myself, after all, baby Sam is only three weeks old. Another part of me thinks - three weeks! I have wasted three weeks doing nothing when I should be getting in shape. I need to let go of both parts and just take it day by day. Working out when I am not too tired and continuing to eat right. Molly jogs five miles a day...yeah...I HATE running so I will get on my elliptical - which I love - and get to it...though not five miles and definitely not every day.
We will see how it goes.
So, thanks Molly for inspiring me. If it takes envy, one of our deadly sins, to get my body back in shape, then I say bring it on. I have had four kids, am getting older, and if I don't do it now...I never will.

Speaking of getting in shape...I had a couple guy coworker/friends stop by the other day to bring baby gifts and talk. We were chatting about some people we knew and one female in particular was brought up. She use to be pretty homely and would maybe be categorized as "cute" Well, towards the end of the last school year she started dressing differently, wearing make-up, and doing her hair differently. She started looking very attractive. I mentioned that she changed her appearance and started looking great. They shared their guy theory on that. They believe that when a woman starts changing her appearance like that it is for a guy and they are either "getting some or wanting some" I thought they were joking so laughed and pushed them a bit. No, sadly they were serious. Now, I know when I have wanted to look good and did a little extra to look a little better - it is NOT always for a guy. I find it hilarious/and disturbing that they would seriously believe this. Ahhhh...boys(can't call them men when they think like this).

A fun filled day

Sometimes, at the end of a day, I sit back and just think about things and what was good/frustrating about the day. Today was a pretty good day. The kids basically got along and we all seemed to keep busy and enjoy our day.

Karl and Abigail played well together - they played on the XBox together and they went to the pool together (twice), and they just laughed and played which was awesome to see.

Sam had a perfect appointment today. He gained a pound since his birth which puts him at 8lbs 12 oz. He is such a funny baby. He goes from fine to scream - he doesn't really cry. He hates having his diaper changed and screams the entire time it is getting done. Since he gets changed a lot and (sadly) has several years remaining of that routine, I truly hope he gets use to the ordeal. On the positive side - he has great lungs. Also, the kid LOVES to suck. When he isn't eating he opens his mouth constantly looking for his paci or something (like my pinky) to put in his mouth. He really is an awesome little guy.

Aine was a sweetheart today. She listened, played, cuddled, helped clean-up, and got to play with her favorite cousin William. This morning she sat by me and smiled and said, "Something smells." Then she looked around 'smelling' and giggled and said, "It's you mommy!"

I got to hang out with my sister this evening. We took the kids to the pool, had dinner, watched them all play outside, and just chatted. It was really nice to hang out. We went through what was OK to eat on our diets - she gets married in early September - and talked about details for the wedding.

While she was there, her son kept repeating a naughty word or two. My older two would look at each other and then me thinking, "did he just say that." Mary and I were shocked because he kept saying it like any other thing, like it was no big deal at all, like he was saying "No way!" It was entertaining and I was able to laugh a little more whole-heartedly because it was not my kid.

Sorry to just recap my regular day but it was a nice day - a day of family and memories made. These are the type of days I love my job because (for one, but at the top of my list from June-August) it allows me to have my summers with my children.

Where'd Daddy Go?

Mike had the weekend off and, other than Saturday evening, we spent the entire weekend hanging out and being bums as a family. We played a bunch of games with Aine, Abigail got to paint her Care Bears and she enjoyed a lot of alone time (she loves alone time some days), Karl got to play football outside with mom and dad and Abigail, he also finished his Goblet of Fire book, and Mike and I were both able to finish our books and Mike also started the last Harry Potter book. It appeared as though everyone got to do some of their favorite things - alone and as a family.
The weekend was very low key and relaxing. We put the kids to bed a bit early on Sunday evening and figured this morning would go quite well. When Aine woke up, she was as sweet as can be. She listened, snuggled, and was in a good mood. After about thirty minutes of this she asked me, "Mommy, where'd Daddy go?" I told her he was at work. She sat for a moment and didn't really react. Then, for the next half hour she was a terror. Climbing on her brother, being difficult at breakfast, and just not listening. Hmmmm...I took her aside and asked her what was wrong. No answer. Are you sad, and she nodded her head yes. To get to the bottom of it, she wants her daddy here everyday. Very sweet but also very unrealistic. I explained to her that some days Daddy has to work and when the summer is done, Mommy is going to have to work as well. Mommy and Daddy would both rather stay home but we have to go to work. Not sure how much she got out of the discussion but she is acting better now.
Last night I also taught her the word "obey" and so far she is trying to do it...we will see how this all goes.
This does shed some light on the whole misbehavior thing. Not that she is an angel when Mike is here but she is certainly better behaved. Mike isn't more of the disciplinarian, I think she just prefers to have him around and acts out when he isn't here because she is sad/mad/frustrated/something. Guess she is a Daddy's girl...maybe he should come up with a nicer nickname than Luci(fer) then.

What life is all about

After a great day together, the kids all crashed peacefully into their beds. I relaxed in Mike's chair, a good book clutched in my hand and Sam snuggled on my chest. After I finished the book (it was a good one) I just watched Sam and enjoyed the sounds of the night creeping in through the windows. Sam was out, resting his tiny little head on one of his skinny little arms making cute sounds from his barely-open little mouth. I said a silent thank you for my kids and whispered to Sam that I couldn't promise him anything in this life except that his mommy and daddy would love him always. I began thinking about my little ones upstairs, how they are not so little anymore and are growing up fast. I recalled the days I held them in my arms and wondered what they would look like, how they would smile, when they would crawl, walk, ride a bike, tie their shoes, and just hope and pray - not for riches or popularity - but for happiness, health, and a long joy-filled life that greatly outlived my days on earth. I decided to put Sam down in his bed and visit my sleepers in theirs. After going from each child, watching them sleep, breathing in their distinct smells, and kissing their foreheads, I promised them the same I promised their baby brother. Again I thanked God for them, their unique qualities that I embrace and struggle with, for they make them who they are.

This is what it is all about.

Tomorrow - which is traditionally "Saturday Sucks" (the kids named it that b/c we spend the morning deep cleaning the house) I think I will play Candy Land with Aine, paint those Care Bear dolls with Abigail, pitch a few to Karl, and just watch and enjoy what I have - a house needs to be cleaned, this is true, but my little ones will never stay little no matter how badly I want them to, this is more important.

Someone once said you only really have 18 summers with your kids...sad when you think about it like that. I have 9 left with Karl, not much...I can clean my house another time.

Second day of Mike being at work

Just to let you know, there was no pooping, spitting, screaming or yelling going on today by anyone other than Sam...which is perfectly expected. (Don't follow? Read my earlier post...)

Today was a better day - like I said in my earlier post - no way it could be any worse.

Calm returned to our household...at least for now.

First day back to work

So yesterday, Mike went back to work. He wasn't thrilled about this-who would be after two weeks of being with family and not having to wake up early and go to work-but he went. To be honest, I was concerned. I have taken care of kids my entire life so I knew I could handle four, at the same time, I knew I could handle childbirth, broken bones, betrayal, and many other not so pleasant things. I knew we would survive, I just had no idea how wonderful or terrible it would be.

Well...the morning started out just fine. The girls started out dressing up, Abby was a giraffe and Aine was a Care Bear, a yellow care bear she would correct me. Aine got quite excited half way through playing because she realized she, just like the real care bears, had a heart on her butt. She went around telling everyone, "look, Karl/Abby/Mommy/Sam, I have a heart on my butt!" giggle, giggle and then she would stick her butt in our faces. Probably not the sweetest, most appropriate thing for a little girl to do, but it sure was funny.

That is about when the fun stopped and the demons within our angelic child, a.k.a. Aine, unleashed their wrath upon our household. In the next two hours, the little, yellow, giggling Care Bear hit, slapped, kicked, screamed and even spit (yes, she seriously spit) at her older siblings. She purposely (I KNOW it was on purpose - her smile before, during, and after gave it away) spilled tea all over the floor. She grabbed and knocked over toys/games the kids were playing with, ran and tumbled through the whites I was separating and folding on the floor, spoke back to me AND even hit me. Well, I had enough. I was doing counting exercises in my head and saying silent little patience prayers to keep my cool. I dealt with each incident as I thought best and then didn't even have time to hold my breath before the next occurrence. Finally it was nap time. Ahhh...peace...or not. Abby went upstairs to put something away and noticed that Aine had pooped on her bed. Yes, I kid you not, she pooped on her sister's bed. My prayers were louder now as I stripped Abby's bed and went to the laundry room before dealing with Aine.

After nap time, a sitter of ours, Kristin, came over to see the kids and take them to the pool. Now obviously any parent would agree that Aine should NOT be allowed to go to the pool. At the same time, any parent would also agree that after a morning like mine I deserved a break and this would give me one. Plus, Aine is only 2 and doesn't fully understand consequences for non-immediate actions (yes I am rationalizing with myself here) so...they went to the pool and I recharged a bit.

After the pool the girls came home and Abby, who had that morning turned this huge zucchini my dad brought, into a baby (marked on a face, put on a diaper, bib, and baby hat-thought it looked like Larry the cucumber) started playing with her "baby cucumber Sonja". Of course Aine wanted it too - so they fought over it for the next hour. I am not sure why I didn't just take it away (obviously I hadn't recharged long enough) but even Kristin was amazed at the scene. I don't yell a lot, and I never yell in front of people, but I must admit it took all of my energy not to catapult that stupid zucchini into smithereens and scream and holler before sending my girls with Kristin for the summer - of course after their display with the vegetable baby I doubt she'd take them around the block.

The sitter left, I yelled, separated the girls until dinner, had a private talk with Aine, brought them down stairs for dinner, they went to bed after dinner, and I collapsed in bed with a pointless, laugh out loud book and waited for Mike to get home.

Mike was amazed, in disbelief-not only about the details of my day but that I hadn't pulled my hair out, was sane, and smiling. How can all this happen in one day? You just can't make this stuff up...sometimes reality is crazier than fiction - and when you get through it - you just have to let out a big breath and laugh...or cry, and I didn't feel much like crying. Tomorrow couldn't be any where near as bad-could it?

This my friends is an example of why Mike secretly calls Aine Lucy. It is a cute name and would be a cute nickname...if it wasn't short for Lucifer.

What's in a name?

When we run into our friends/neighbors/family and introduce them to the baby, they right away ask his name. We answer-Sam- to which most usually ask, "Just Sam?" and then we clarify, "No, Samuel. Samuel Atticus Earl." Then they comment or question the two middle names and we have to explain. I guess I never realized two middle names was such a rarity. True, none of our other kids have two names, but there is a reason Sam has two names. So...I will explain. It is really quite simple.

Sam is a name we have liked since we had Karl. After we had Karl we knew if we had another boy we would name him Sam.

Atticus is a name Mike has always loved because of Atticus Finch, the father in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. The novel, and the character Atticus are favorites of Mike. Atticus Finch is an amazing character - moral, just, upstanding, brave, honest, and just impressive in basically every way. If you haven't read the novel - you should. Oftentimes Mike tried to convince me to go with Atticus as a first name - but I just couldn't do it...so I used my one power of veto and nixed those plans.

We planned the entire pregnancy to name the baby Samuel Atticus. We both loved the name and were quite excited about finally having our baby Sam. Well...about a week before Sam arrived, Mike shared with me that it bothered him that baby Sam wouldn't have a family name. All our other kids have family names:

Karl David is after Mike's Grandpa Karl - his dad's dad. Grandpa Karl passed away when Mike was younger but Mike always really liked his Grandpa and remembered great things about him. Also, he knew how much his own dad cared for his father and wanted to honor both men who are very important to him. Dave is Mike's dad and Mike really looks up to his father for who he is as a person and what he means to him as a father.

Abigail Kathryn is named Kathryn after four generations of awesome women on my mom's side all sharing that name.

Aine Michelle is named after my mom Michelle. My mom rocks and is a strong female, plus, though we couldn't have planned this, both Aine and my mom are redheads with attitude-it was simply meant to be. Aine has a very cool story as well but that is another day...

So, that left baby Sam, our only child without a family name. Family names are quite important to us so it didn't seem right to not give one to Sam. At the same time, neither of us were willing to give up our name Samuel Atticus - it just fit. So...to continue to make a short story long...we decided, after the idea from Mike's buddy/co-worker Corey, to have two middle names. This is where Earl comes in.

Earl is Mike's grandfather on his mom's side. He was a great person, loving father of five children and many many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was also a decorated veteran and just a person Mike has always admired.

So, there you have it. Two middle names...not that uncommon of a thing - I thought...

Funny Faces

Pacifier fun.

Karen, a friend of Mike's at work, gave us a gift bag that included two unique pacifiers. The kids love them and always want to pay with them so Mike and I hide them. But, yesterday they wanted to show Aunt Mary so we brought them out. Each took a turn trying it out...

Can't wait to see Sam with this sucking away in his mouth.

First full day at home

We survived our first day home as a family of six. Granted, during the day, Abigail got called for a lengthy play date and not an hour after she left, Karl got a call from a friend as well. So, for a good 5-6 hours it was just me, Mike, Aine, and baby Sam. And...to top things off - Aine actually slept during her nap time.

The kids were great when they were here. If they fought or argued it was mostly about who got to hold the baby - so we couldn't complain - our problems could be worse (much worse). My sister, her (soon-to-be) husband, and their two boys brought dinner to our house and saw the baby; they were out of town when he was born and my sister was very excited to see the little guy. We were glad to see them, and to be very honest, we were thrilled to not have to make anything for dinner. Insurance companies should pay for one week of in-house cooking and cleaning after a baby...of course...maybe I should just cross my fingers for eye and dental before I go for the maid.

Well, I know I am biased, but our little guy is just adorable and I can't stop looking at him. He is a calm baby so far and isn't startled by noise (which is a good thing in our family). The only thing that is really interesting is, he doesn't cry - he screams. When he does scream it is this full force I-am-ticked-at-the-world-and-I-am-going-to-let-the-world-know-about-it scream. His arms and legs flail, his neck stretches, his face turns a beat read, and there is no holding back. Fortunately he doesn't scream a lot.

I feel so very blessed (here comes cheesy mom moment) but I have four healthy children. Babies are such miracles and so much can go wrong and Mike and I were truly blessed with each of our babies. Each pregnancy and baby was so different - each special and unique. It amazes me that two people can create four individuals who may look similar and share some basic commonalities but otherwise be so completely different. I can't wait to see Sam's personality unfold as he grows.

My other three have quite distinct personalities and I love each one of them - even when they are trying or difficult. When the kids walked into the hospital room they each approached me and the baby differently. Abby and Karl, being practiced in the welcome new baby routine, went right for the baby. They were looking and wanted to hold him and were beaming. Aine, the novice, went straight for my bed. She crawled up to me, gave me a hug, asked about my "owiees" and if I was OK. Then she told me, "Baby Sam not in your belly anymore," as she patted on my stomach and stayed right by mommy. She wanted to hold the baby but it was going to be where she was, on her terms, by her mom's side, and no other way. When she held him she was tickled and excited. Karl, after thoroughly checking out his baby brother and having a turn at holding him, privately came over to me, gave me a big hug, and whispered in my ear, "Thank you Mommy for delivering me a baby brother," and he squeezed me even tighter. Abby walks up to me much later, after holding the baby and checking out the room, and, I think, because she wanted to sit on the bed, and says simply, "you still have a belly Mom. Is there another baby in there? Why is your belly still big, the baby isn't there anymore." Thanks Abby...She is in a question phase right now...and any and all questions go. So after I laughed for a moment, I explained to her how it will take a bit longer to lose the entire belly. In true Abby form she says, "You already lost some because you had a really big stomach before, now it's just a little belly."

So, me, my four distinctly individual kids, wonderfully helpful husband, and not very little belly are all at home adjusting to our new one and enjoying this time together. Sure there will be many funny stories to share as the kids (and parents) just experience each new day.

Baby Sam is here!

Samuel Atticus Earl has arrived. Baby, mom, dad, and siblings are doing well. Sam was 7lbs 12oz (our smallest babe) and 20 inches long.

Happy 4th of July - and baby news!

First of all - Hope you all enjoy your holiday! Hope the weather is great and the company even better!

Second - no baby yet, but there will be tomorrow! After meeting with my doctor it was determined I should be induced tomorrow. I have very rapid deliveries and we live a ways from the hospital so the doctors want me to be induced - and believe me - I have no reason to argue against that one. So...we should be meeting baby Sam tomorrow and I cannot wait!!! Mike and I were joking that this labor would, for some reason, take hours and hours, going against the very reason for the induction. For many reasons I truly hope that doesn't happen but we will just have to wait and see.

I just have to say though... YEAH!!! THANK GOD I AM 24 HOURS AWAY FROM BEING PREGNANT NO MORE!!!

The stuff I am writing about below actually happened last week, but the pictures are cute and I wanted to blog about the day so I figured I would just "back-blog" (is that a term? well, it is now)

The girls were being stinkers. Just needy and whinny and not willing to entertain themselves. I couldn't call them naughty - but I was getting very frustrated with their behavior. I was going to put them in their rooms for some alone time (since they were pestering each other so much) but thought I would try something else...baking. So, I started with brownies. The girls were so excited to help out. They took turns adding ingredients, stirring, and of course - tasting. I grew up loving to bake. I think it is because my mom never had the time or desire to bake and I can never get enough sweets so I took it upon myself to bake. My kids are growing up with a baking mom so they really haven't gotten into the baking much - they just want the batter and the finished product. Initially, Abigail didn't want to help until I reminded her of the story about the hen and bread and told her only those that helped would get the treats to eat; once she heard that she was all for helping. The Brownies didn't take very long and were quickly in the oven. The girls looked at me with questioning, hopeful eyes wanting to know what we were going to make next...Ok...Chocolate chip cookies?...? So we went through the same routine of pouring, stirring (this time they got to use the cool mixer) and tasting. They wanted to do a lot more tasting from the very beginning so I let them taste the butter and sugar mixture - after that they were content to wait until I said it was ready.


We got the cookies made and again the girls looked at me wanting to know "what next". Not sure exactly what to do next, they took it upon themselves to clean everything up. Dishes, counters, even the floor! They worked together, had fun, and though I obviously had to do some touch ups, got our kitchen cleaned up. After this, the two galloped upstairs together to play with fairies and had a blast.

Wow - who would have thought baking was a parenting tool to alter behavior. I was feeling very pleased with myself and quite smart as a parent... and then laughed as I enjoyed the quiet, realizing that could have easily backfired and been a huge mess. I got lucky, but I'll take it and hopefully get creative and lucky again.

Way to go Pops!

A big Holy Hannah - Way to go dad! needs to go out to my wonderful father...

Every pregnancy that me and my sister have experienced has come with several traditional photos. One major tradition is the father/daughter belly contest. NEVER had my father been on the winning end of that one.

BUT

This time, he is!!! Dad has been doing a great deal of walking and has slightly changed his eating habits and the results are obvious! He has lost a great deal of weight and I guess I didn't realize just how much until our latest photo op last night.

Way to go Dad! Keep it up - you are looking great!

Family of five

Well, I am still pregnant. I am huge. I have contractions all the time but they are those wonderful Braxton-hicks ones that are good b/c that means stuff is happening but are bad b/c not enough is happening to bring this little guy into our lives. Oh well. I have an appointment today and we schedule an induction date...so we will have the little guy no later than Friday/Saturday depending on when we can schedule.

Enough about me though...We took the girls shopping yesterday and left Karl at home. I always am quite nervous about doing that but he loves the independence/alone time/feeling of being a big boy. We are never gone long when we do it, and there are very set rules that he has followed. It was nice to spend time with and deal with just two kids-they seem to get along better when there are just two of them as well. The girls were cute and overly helpful. Abigail had a case of the whines and "I wants" (which is discouraging) but she had a good talk with her dad and things got better.

Last night Karl had back-to-back machine league games. They won their first game but lost their second. He did a great job hitting, throwing, and catching. We need to work with him a bit on grounders - just reading the ball and making fast throws. I was so proud of him though, the way he stayed positive and encouraged his teammates. It was great to see him help out, not only by backing up his players but by keeping them positive as well. Sports are so much more than wins and loses and I am glad he is so involved in them. The girls occupied themselves with games of running around, chasing, and anything NOT having to do with Karl's game. Aine crawled over friends and family and was in her own little happy world. Karl had a big support group tonight though as his grandma and grandpa, Uncle Fil, and family friends Char and Larry made the games. He really likes when people watch him play so he was quite happy they were all there. (picture-Char, Larry, Uncle Fil, Grandpa, Grandma)

The kids all love having family around - all their aunts and uncles and grandparents and "extra" grandparents (like Char and Larry) are very important to them. Both older kids have pictures in their rooms, that they asked for, of their grandparents and some special people in their lives. Since Uncle Fil has moved to Florida - they are really excited to have him home and spend time with him. Karl loves to hang out and talk and play sports with Fil and Dad and Grandpa. Abby just thinks Uncle Fil is so funny and goofy (another big kid in our family I guess) and Aine can't figure him out - but is quite intrigued by Unca Feel. It is fun watching my brother interact with kids too...he is a good uncle, playful and fun with limits.

Took a family picture at the end of the evening - figured it may be a last one of our "family of five" before we take the plunge into that even crazier world of six...

What ever you are doing over the 4th - have an amazing time. Relax, enjoy, laugh, and smile. Happy 4th of July(a tad early)