Light Sleeper

The fat cat just knocked the t.v. remote out of the entertainment center onto the floor and woke up my light sleeper. Aarrgghh!

Same said fat cat almost knocked down the brand new high definition t.v. with her fat a$$ too! Hubby, you may want to secure that thing as this is not the first time she's done that this week.

Isn't your second child supposed to sleep heavier than the first? Not Miss Sophia! If Annabelle wakes up crying, I expect to hear Sophia crying within minutes.

And guess who is the heavy sleeper in the family? Clue: It is NOT me!


"_ _ _ _, you just don't understand. I've never been this tired in my entire life." Hubby's famous quote that I hope to never forget stated after our first night home with Annabelle. He was responsible for washing the breast pump supplies. I was responsible for nursing and/or pumping every 2.5 to 3 hours for 45-60 minute feedings. Thank goodness my second child is a fast eater! It is no wonder I was much more exhausted when Annabelle was a baby (versus Sophia).

He is going to kill me for sharing that with everyone. But, hey, it is my blog, and I don't ever want to forget that comment! It is just too funny! I did finally learn that hubby is much more helpful when he gets a good night's sleep though. This is why I handle all of the nighttime wakings (unless, of course, Annabelle has wet the bed). That and because he has to go to work everyday (for pay).


Aarrgghhh again! The darn mantel clock that has been haunting us since we got married just woke up Sophia again with its midnight dinging. Hubby, please discontinue battery replacement in that thing!

Oddly enough, I think I may cry when it gets tossed. It just brings back too many fond memories. Like our first night home from our honeymoon in our new apartment. We couldn't sleep through it either! Okay, I couldn't sleep through it! And then when people spend the night on a rare occasion, they cannot sleep through it either. We are so used to hearing it now that we don't even notice it any more. Memories!

Sophia was back to sleep within seconds, fortunately! She just wanted to let me know that it had woken her up.

Multi-tasking

I used to pride myself on my multi-tasking skills. I now consider them my biggest enemy. Oddly I just mentioned to hubby last week that I think our house falls apart quickly when I multi-task because I never completely finish what I originally started.

As a result, it seems that dirty clothes find their way into every single room of our house, stained clothes don't get treated until I finally decide to wash that particular color, toys and books are scattered everywhere, the dishes never seem to be completely put away, and the list goes on and on.

Then I was reading up on flylady.net this evening and realized that I just may be onto something. This is what she had to say in her Holiday Control Journal:

"The secret to helping this work for you is to quit trying to multi-task. We pride ourselves on being able to do two things at once, but the truth of the matter is that something always gets left undone. So you have all of these unfinished projects all around your home piling guilt on your head."

It always seems that Sophia manages to have an explosive poopy diaper just as we are about to walk out the door or just as I have sat down to read to the girls or play a board game with Annabelle. As a result, the outfit gets tossed aside in hopes of being treated later. But then it is often too late as set stains are harder to remove.

That is just one example of not completing a task because I'm trying to do too many things at once. If I would just complete the task that took priority initially, my life could eventually start running a little smoother.

Tonight I'm praying that God will give me the wisdom to better prioritize and complete tasks immediately to restore a little peace in this place we call home.

Patience

This is NOT my strongest virtue. In all honesty, I am very much lacking in this department. I'm not quite sure when it happened. Well, I have somewhat of an idea. I started losing my patience with Annabelle around her 2nd birthday. Up until then, I was actually quite calm and very laid back with her. I honestly think it had something to do with hubby traveling every week back then in the fall of 2008 and Annabelle's clinginess to me and the fact that she turned 2 amidst all of his traveling. She wanted me to do everything, and I had a harder time telling her no since hubby was only around on the weekends with him typically leaving again on Sundays before dinner.

And then I got pregnant. And I was feeling horrible. And yet again, hubby had to travel during the peak of my morning sickness. Yet again, my patience was very much lacking with this high energy, non-stop talking drama queen of mine.

And then came Sophia. I've tried so hard to be patient. And, fortunately, besides the first few weeks after Sophia's birth, hubby has not been traveling as much. (Hubby, with the birth of the next child, I strongly encourage you to wait at least 6weeks before traveling, if possible. Remember, the hormones are still raging dramatically up until then). Yes, I know, I just totally jinxed myself! But, my patience is still severely lacking. She just takes way too long to do anything!!! And she finds every possible way to annoy her Mommy because, well, that is what girls do to their mamas.

I just realized lately how often Annabelle says "I'm sorry Mommy" when she spills her drink or drops something on the floor or gets paint on her pretty dress. Perhaps I've been a little overbearing lately because I'm a bit overwhelmed myself and cannot find time for everything I feel I need or want to do. I'd like to think I'm just raising her up right. But, I can tell by the look in her eyes that she is just waiting for my response hopeful I want get upset or angry.

So last night I prayed. I prayed that God would remind me that most everything I fret over on a daily basis will not matter in 5, 10, 20 or even 50 years. What does matter? The respect I show my children. I impact their lives dramatically by my reactions because they are constantly watching me.

And, today, today was a great day! Despite our setbacks, the following was accomplished:

1. Grocery shopped (spent $17.59, but saved $31.80 (65%)!) Pigs, you've created a monster! But, you are still my cheapness idol. I still need to pick your brain for more grocery saving tips. Your $40/week grocery budget still intrigues me. How do you do it?
2. I made crock pot mac & cheese for a dinner party this evening.
3. Annabelle and I baked a homemade pound cake while Sophia napped.
4. I laughed with Annabelle when I normally would have found her behavior that much more annoying and she giggled even more.
5. Annabelle and I watched and cheered Sophia on while she progressed in her steps to crawling. She is now starting to push herself forward occasionally! She's been pushing herself backwards for awhile, but she is quickly learning how to move herself forward. Of course, she pushes herself forward with her knees, but then her arms fall underneath her and she plummets chin first to the ground.
6. Annabelle dressed Sophia up as a pumpkin, and I took their pictures.
7. We made it to the dinner party by 5:15 p.m., only 15 minutes late! Yes, I hate being late, but it seems inevitable for me, especially considering hubby was out of town this weekend and the pound cake had just finished baking at 4:35 p.m., it needed to cool for 10 minutes before I could dump it from the pan and then cut it into pretty slices, and at 4:45 p.m., I had to nurse Sophia again. Excuses, excuses, I know!
8. After the dinner party, we stopped by Kroger for me to grab their list of participating items for their Mega Event Sale because I received a rain check on a few items, and I needed the list to show to the cashier in the next 30 days to claim my 50 cents off each item if I purchase 10 participating items. Blah, blah, blah, you'll understand if you start couponing by the book!
9. Trip to Target after Kroger to get another rain check on my favorite Sterilite 70 quart clear boxes. It wasn't the best price I've seen, but I need to pack away some summer clothes for two cute kiddos I know.
10. Both girls in bed by 10:00 p.m. (old time). Okay, well, I don't think Annabelle actually got in bed until 10:30 p.m. (old time), but that is Annabelle for you!

In this next picture, Sophia tried to take Annabelle's lollipop from her. I captured the picture at the tail end of the action, but it was still pretty funny. Annabelle was laying on the floor originally, but then turned upright when Sophia grabbed her lollipop. "No! No! Sophia!," she exclaimed!

So this weekend I have learned that a little prayer goes a long way! Well, I guess I knew that, but it always seems so enlightening.

And I learned yet again not to judge others as you really have no clue what they may be experiencing behind closed doors. Instead, put your faith in the Lord. Wow! Maybe things are starting to click with me. A little Bible reading goes a long way!

Nursing Adie

Determination

She's a rocking!

Sophia is up on her knees rocking almost every single time she has tummy time. I predict she'll be crawling within the next month. If I'm recalling correctly, Annabelle started crawling 1 day before her 8 month birthday. I think Sophia may beat her. But, Sophia has had a lot more tummy time and a little less snuggle time than Annabelle.

She's enjoying her rice cereal, but she's trying to get a feel for how to eat it. She LOVES for us to pretend that an airplane is flying into her mouth. She just giggles. Annabelle never really got much of a kick out of that game.

She smiles a lot now. Very much different than even just a few weeks ago. I really thought she was going to be my solemn child, but I'm not so sure that is the case. She's such a happy girl now. I love my sweet baby!

I had been suffering through a cold or sinus infection for most of October, shortly after we went to Six Flags. During this time I lost my voice. It is finally back to normal. Since I didn't have much of a voice, and I was trying to save it to discipline the oldest child, I didn't always sing to Sophia while rocking her to sleep at night. Instead, she sang to me! It was as if she was saying, "Hey mom, you are supposed to be singing to me right now!" When she did sing to me, I sang back to her, and she stopped singing. I think she really just wanted to hear me sing.

She slept through the night last night for the first time in a very long time (at least a month, but probably closer to two months)! Through the night meaning 10 hours! Before then, she was back to waking every 3-4 hours. I suspect that poor baby really needed her some solids. And to think I was punishing myself too!

Solids at last!

She's been ready, for quite awhile. I just wasn't. I didn't have everything perfectly set up to document these precious memories, so I made my sweet child wait on me. Selfish of me? Probably. Actually, I'm going to be honest. Yes, most definitely very selfish of me! I watched Sophia this morning while we ate breakfast and realized just how inhumane I was being. It looked as if she were thinking, "Why can't I have some Honey Nut Cheerios and milk? Why does she [Annabelle] get to eat that and not me?" And oddly enough I swore my second child would have solids when he/she was ready instead of going by that magical 6 month mark (which is no longer valid according to the pediatrician).

So I gave in. Even though nothing was perfect about the timing or situation. I still have not figured out this newest camera and that brings much angst to me. My pictures just are not what they used to be with the old Canon 30D. I cannot seem to get the white balance right ever and the flash always seems to be an issue.

So after a power struggle as to who was going to take pictures and who was going to feed the newest addition to the family, Sophia got her first taste of rice cereal using her Granddaddy's baby spoon and wearing a bib that was a baby shower gift for Annabelle that never got used that says "Sweet Pea" with peas in a pea pod imprinted on it. I love that spoon! But, I swear, my Grandmother must have thought that my Daddy was certain to be a girl. Does that spoon not look girly with all of those flowers on it? He was the first son, and she was blessed two more times with two more boys!


And after a little drama from the drama queen in the family, Annabelle got to feed Sophia a few more bites of rice cereal. I offered to let Annabelle feed Sophia just as Sophia grabbed the bowl and dumped it all over the high chair and herself. Annabelle melted immediately! "She dumped it all out, and I wanted to feed her!" Annabelle cried. After I persuaded her that it was alright because we could make another bowl of rice cereal very easily, she cheered up and joined in on the fun. I'd post pictures of Annabelle feeding Sophia if blogger would stop acting up this evening. That is when I realized that I shouldn't have been so selfish, and I should have let Annabelle feed Sophia her very first bite. Besides Annabelle stuffing the entire spoon into Sophia's mouth, she was rather gentle with her. Perhaps going forward I will let Annabelle feed her so I can take pictures of each new taste.

Sophia was definitely ready! I'm not sure by the look on her face how much she really enjoyed rice cereal, but she definitely seemed to know what to do with the spoon. And considering that she grabbed my BBQ sandwich at our Sunday School Class BBQ this evening and took it instantly to her mouth, she definitely knows now that food is coming her way!

Here is to hoping she'll start sleeping through the night again! This waking every three to four hours is really starting to wear on me!

Grandmama, are you happy now?