Lazy

Sophia is definitely my lazy child. She let that be known before birth when she decided to make her grand appearance 6 days late! Annabelle was 5 days early.

Sophia has started something new when she cries out for me at night and after she has woken up from her naps. She stands up in the crib crying (that is nothing new by any means). But, as I near her crib, she continues to cry and then points to her paci. Lazy little thing wants me to pick it up for her! I mean my goodness, the poor baby would have to bend down a whole whopping one foot to retreive the thing! Poor baby!

Being the stubborn mommy that I am though, I don't typically give in to this particular behavior. Isn't responding to her beck and call enough? Instead, I tell her that she can get her paci if she wants it. She plops her self down in the crib bottom first to retreive it, and then she stumbles back up to the crib rail for me to pick her up.

She definitely is her Daddy's child! Hee, hee! I may get in trouble for that comment!

So that's how they do it!

I have yet to understand how anyone with kids keeps the dishes clean, clothes washed and bills paid on an almost daily basis. Or at least how their home appears presentable for guests.

I stayed up late last night cleaning as the chaos around here is constantly driving me bonkers and we had company arriving at 7:30 a.m. Some of that company doesn't know just how "well" I keep house with two young children.

Sophia's sleep habits are still absolutely horrible, and I am still lacking in the sleep department. I'm trying to hold off one more week before I take her back for the doctor to check her ears to make sure they are clear as I want to make sure that all the fluid is gone and he doesn't want to see us yet again (ie: more money out of pocket). Of course, if I feel she needs to see him sooner, I'll go in a heartbeat. I'm watching her carefully for any signs.

But after not calling it a night until 1:30 a.m. and then being woken again at 2:00 or 2:30 a.m. and then again before I was up with her at 7:15 a.m. for the morning, I was frankly exhausted and running on empty again this morning. So I asked hubby to stop by Dunkin Donuts on the way home from the gym this morning to buy me a coffee.

THAT WAS HEAVEN! Hubby prepared it just how I like it. And, I don't drink coffee. We don't even own a coffee maker any more! If I've had coffee 10 times in my entire life, I would be very surprised.

Normally, as I'm rocking Sophia to sleep for both her morning and afternoon nap, I catch a light snooze with her. Of course, I feel guilty for doing so as there are books to be read, games to be played and clothes to be washed. But I just cannot seem to function without a little snooze. But, today, I have been running on coffee since 7:15 a.m. I'm waiting for the crash!

My house is clean (by my current 1,100 sq ft cluttered standards), and I just may make it through this day without losing much patience with my oldest, very strong willed and stubborn child! That same said child is doped up on anti-itch medicine that is probably going to be banned from this household after today. Perhaps I can find a more natural doctor to cure these eczema issues as the anti-itch medicine, steroids and Vanicream just aren't doing the trick.

So if I have coffee every single morning and find some way to put my youngest child down at bedtime and naptimes without rocking her, I may actually become half the mother and homemaker I wish I could be.

First Steps!

Sophia took her first steps on Saturday, May 7th. She walked across the living room floor over and over again as Annabelle kept carrying her back to her original starting point to make her try again. She didn't get discouraged despite Annabelle's antics. And the best part, we were ALL (Andy too) home to watch her take her first steps. Annabelle was so excited! She cheered her on more than any of us. She's such an awesome big sister! She even joined in on the fun of video taping Sophia. And after the fun had worn off for us, Annabelle was anxious to grab the video camera each and every time Sophia took more steps for the remainder of the day (and weekend for that matter).

Sophia started taking a step here and a step there shortly before her first birthday, but she finally took the initiative to move forward on Saturday. Since then I've watched her toddle around just to practice as she knows she can get anywhere she wants to get much faster by simply crawling at her lightening speed.

My baby is no longer a baby! If only she'd learn to sleep through the night! We're going to battle that one in a few weeks once the doctor provides me with certainty that the double ear infection is no longer.

Psalm 100:2

"Serve the Lord with gladness." - Psalm 100:2

I've been trying to incorporate more Bible reading into our day with Annabelle (and Sophia, of course, assuming she is awake). My parents used to read stories from the books, "Little Visits with God," and "More Little Visits with God," when my brother and I were younger. I asked my mom for those books when I was pregnant with Annabelle. And now I read those same books to her.

Each story includes a Bible verse with a real life application story involving young children. Annabelle is at a great age for these books, and she follows the story and meaning very well.

Earlier this week we read the story titled, "Service with a Smile." The story was about a little girl who was complaining about having to dry the dishes. It was the perfect story for the week as Annabelle does a lot of complaining and whining every morning when she has to make her bed and empty the dishwasher. For those of you with younger children, I would highly recommend assigning your child a daily chore at the ripe old age of three years old and not much later as they are much more willing and enthusiastic at that age versus four years old.

Annabelle is responsible every morning for unloading the silverware and plastics. And she isn't allowed to play until she has finished her chores for the morning. So, I often hear a lot of whining and complaining. So, yesterday, when she complained and whined about having to unload the dishwasher before she could play, I reminded her to "Serve the Lord with gladness," as we had just read "Service with a Smile" the day before and discussed how we should smile as we complete our daily chores in order to make God happy and serve Him.

Well, I have been very much lacking in the sleep department lately. Sophia's sleep habits have gradually gotten worse and what used to be 3 hours between wakings has turned into 1 hour between wakings unless of course she's sleeping in my arms at night. She was diagnosed with a double ear infection on Tuesday. She had an ear infection in her right ear at her 12 month check up. I literally had no idea she had an ear infection when I took her in as she hasn't fussed very much, and she doesn't pull on her ears. The doctor told me I could either begin the prescription immediately or hold off until he saw her again in 2 weeks as he wanted me to schedule a follow-up appointment. I opted to hold off on the antibiotics. Hence the double ear infection on Tuesday. And, she's teething with another top front tooth, and I suspect her molars are pushing through as well because she's stuffing her fingers into the back of her mouth.

So, this Mommy is very tired! And, I wasn't in a very good mood today. So, as I fussed at Annabelle this morning, she looked at me and so sweetly replied, "Mommy, serve the Lord with gladness!" I couldn't help but laugh! If only I could always remember her tone as it was so matter of fact. She literally brought a smile to my face with that comment. And she recited the verse to me several times during the day when I was obviously not very happy. Every time I smiled and chuckled a little.

God works through children in mysterious ways!

What did our founding fathers intend?

Just curious, if you received this in the mail, would you complete it?

http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/questionnaires/2011/Quest11.pdf

What right does our government have to know what time my husband left for work last week? Why do they need to know if my children have attended nursery school or preschool in the last three months? What right do they have to know my mortgage payment? They are already privy to our salaries through our tax returns. Why must I complete this information again for them on a separate form? If they want to know how much our house and lot would sell for if it were to sell, then they need to do their own research or contact their own real estate agent!

And here is the best part! The following was taken directly from the U.S. Census Bureau's website.

Do I have to respond to the American Community Survey / Puerto Rico Community Survey?

Yes. Respondents are required to answer all questions on the American Community Survey (ACS) to the best of their ability. Response to this and other Census surveys is required by law (Section 221 of Title 13, Chapter 7, United States Code). This chapter also contains information regarding offenses and possible penalties. According to Section 221, persons who do not respond shall be fined not more than $100. Title 18 U.S.C. Section 3571 and Section 3559, in effect amends Title 13 U.S.C. Section 221 by changing the fine for anyone over 18 years old who refuses or willfully neglects to complete the questionnaire or answer questions posed by census takers from a fine of "not more than $100" to "not more than $5,000."

I am livid! This nonsense has GOT to stop!

Actually, I was wrong. THIS is the best part!

They felt the need to send us an initial letter to let us know that instructions on how to complete the survey would be in the mail in a few days. That folks is your taxpayer dollars at work! And, if I don't follow the instructions in this second letter to complete the American Community Survey online, they will send us a paper questionnaire in a few weeks. Go ahead and bring on the third letter! I refuse to log on and enter private information onto a website maintained by the government.

According to the second letter, "The Census Bureau is using the Internet to collect this information in an effort to conserve natural resources, save taxpayers' money, and process your data more efficiently."

Really? If they are trying to "save taxpayers' money," then why did they send the first letter to tell us the instructions for the American Community Survey were on the way?

This is YOUR government at work people! The same government who will soon control YOUR health care! The same government who is educating YOUR children! Take a look at the current state of social security and medicare in this country, and perhaps you will think twice before voting in 2012.

I am sure the government will find a way to use this information to "spread the wealth" because isn't that the right thing to do! Did you feel the sarcasm?

You weren't expecting that post were you?!?!

Yellow Peppers

Why would a four year old stuff yellow peppers from her lunch into her socks and keep them there all day long?

I watched her do it. She told me she was doing it. I just didn't think it was worth a fight as I honestly thought she'd remove them BEFORE bedtime. It isn't like she was trying to avoid eating her yellow peppers. She loves yellow peppers, and she probably ate all but the one or two that she stuffed into her socks.

I was wondering why her socks looked very yellow earlier today.

Experiment

It's been a rough week! I'd planned to blog more this week to keep hubby smiling and up to date on the girls since he left for Valdosta on business Sunday evening. But, life got the best of me, and I've been trying really, really hard to declutter our living quarters as the stuff is driving me absolutely nuts! Did I mention that I'm sick too, and I think I've run a fever every day since Sunday evening? Of course, that goes hand and hand with hubby being out of town. And of course Sophia is teething, sick and wakes me 3 to 4 quite possibly 5 times a night! I'm not complaining, just stating the facts.

If it were up to me, the purchase of toys would come to a complete halt. I have watched Sophia's first year fly by way too fast, and it has occurred to me that I haven't truly enjoyed her because I've been completely overwhelmed with the amount of toys in this house. I spend more time cleaning up Annabelle's messes than I do reading books and playing Barbies.

So this week (or this year really) I've made a commitment to simplify our lives. If we don't LOVE it, it goes! I have thrown stuff away left and right, and I filled a 70 quart Sterilite storage box with puzzles that will be used, but that doesn't need to be left out for little hands to pull out just to pull out and not even use. Hmmm...perhaps a 70 quart box filled with puzzles is too many puzzles. My goal is to dispose of all toys with little educational value and rotate those toys which instill creativity such as games, puzzles, Lego's, and Bristle Blocks.

Annabelle (nor Sophia for that matter) does not need more than two dolls. She doesn't play with them anyway. And the stuffed animals have got to go!

So we'll see how this little experiment of mine goes. I have been inspired quite some time by the author and columnist John Rosemond. I just haven't been able to dump the toys faster than they have entered our house. The thought that Sophia has a 1st birthday in less than a month makes me quite anxious. I don't want to lose momentum. But, I want ALL of us to enjoy our lives a little more instead of despising the very home we come home to and spend time in.