Fighting February

The February blahs have set in. No motivation, at each other's throats, and just plain blah. We have also been sick, as most households have been. Nothing serious. Some pink eye, fevers, coughs, congestion, and lots and lots of thick green mucus (tmi, but sorry that is the way it is). We seem to be on the mend as the green mucus has turned more clear and running a bit less. Yes, I just made another reference to mucus as measure of the level of sick. Again, that is the way it is with children, sickness is measured in snot.

A few weeks back we made a day trip in to Sturgis. We had fun and ate great spaghetti (Grandpa Roehrig's spaghetti is my favorite!) while catching up with the family. The children really love visiting Grandpa Roehrig's house and it makes me so happy that the kids love each side of the family equally for different reasons. It makes me giddy, for family is very important!

A big snow storm hit and we played out when the Motrin was in the system and fevers were down. Snow tunnels were dug and many smiles enjoyed. Zane was even able to venture out during one of the warmer days. Few things beat the fun children have in fresh snow!

A big even happened in Noelle's life. She lost her first tooth! Totally MAJOR!!! We noticed that her adult tooth suddenly came through and then her front tooth became very loose. She wiggled it with her tongue and refused to eat anything but soup, pudding, and very soft food. Finally it was hanging by a thread and she asked me to pull it out. Shocked, because she had been very hesitant to show us the progress of the tooth, I quickly took the opportunity. With a quick and gentle tug (it was that loose, I barely had to pull) the tooth was out. The bleeding that pursued was unsettling and she bit down on a wet paper towel and wouldn't open her mouth for hours. Once the bleeding stopped she was excited and thrilled!

Zane continues to grow very big. He is taking a few steps backward with sleeping, due to illness, but I'm not complaining as I cherish a few more times that I get to spend alone with him. He is very happy, smiling ALL the time. We just love him and I can't help but take pictures!

Violette continues to get closer to two (March 17th). The tantrums are becoming daily as words are flowing from her plump lips. She's a cutie, she's a trouble maker, and she's lovable beyond words.

Well that's all for now. I want to write more, but my bed is calling. I'm tired and I'm worn out. It's the February blahs and I'm trying to fight them but the lack of motivation is taking over. Maybe the next few weeks will be better!

An Update Will Happen...

I need to upload and update, but not tonight. Tomorrow it shall be done. We have been fighting the typical February cold. Passing it back and forth and back again, leaving me tired and unmotivated.

If I post this, I will be more motivated to update.

Happy Love Day!

Behind The Camera

I am always behind the camera. I am not, by any means, a photographer, but I love capturing what I can. I want these days to be saved forever, to be looked back upon and cherished. There are very few shots of me with the children, sadly. This situation needed to be rectified. Today, along with the dance party I took pictures of me with the kids. They are not professional, but I'm in them. That is enough for me.

Just Dance

A load of laundry was in need of folding, dishes to be put away, and general pick up tended to, but we danced! The girls dawned dresses and Max put on some cat ears and the music was cranked. The children twirled, hugged, danced with the cat and hula hoop, flew on my feet, and had a grand ol' time. It was a highlight of my day and theirs. The chores waited and we danced.

Cheers To 3 Months!

I was just holding my three month old baby (Gasp! Just writing that is heart wrenching) and soaking in all of his wonderfulness. It seems like just the other day he was held up to me over the curtain in the operating room. The growth of infants is amazing and striking. In three short months he has drastically changed.

Large, rotund, plump, all very good descriptions of Zane. His face is sporting very large, kissable cheeks, which are a routine trait around this house. His body has filled out in all the right spots giving way to mountains of rolls and dimpled joints. Writs, elbows, ankles are thick and lovely.
Calm, and easy going is our Zane. Sleeping through the night and taking the days in stride seem to be his way. At times he gets a bit fussy when I can't pick him up right away, but just a few little cries and that's about it. His entertainment are his siblings. Giggles and smiles light up his face when they are around. He is a content and happy baby.

With size and age comes strength and he is getting very strong. He loves to stand, locking his chubby legs whenever possible The clenched fists are loosening as he tries to reach for things. Coordination has not yet set in, but concentration can be seen on his face as he strives to reach for toys or our faces. We busted out the trusty exersaucer today, cleaned it, and set our fresh 3 month old in the seat. His legs began kicking and smiles started right up. He loved it. I loved that he was content for a long period of time.

I adore him, we all do. Noelle has again stepped up her sisterly roll and holds Zane like it's second nature. Violette enjoys kissing him and being near at all times, especially during diaper changes as she holds his hand and makes him smile. She loves to sit with me as I nurse him, stroking his soft head. Head, not hair, because well, Zane is still lacking in that category, still. Whatever hair that has grown is light as can be and doesn't help his bald appearance. I will always remember my first thought upon seeing him, "where is his hair?" as he had none and so little compared to the other three.

Max holds on to the anticipation of Zane getting bigger. He enthusiastically tells us stories of them playing ball together and racing their cars. It will be a complete joy seeing the boys grow closer with age.

Part of me is looking ahead to the next few months with great anticipation and joy, rolling, sitting, and crawling. The bigger part of me, doesn't want Zane to grow. I want to hold near to me his young age and drink it all in. He's my last child. He is my last baby to cherish.

I can't keep him little forever, so cheers to Zane Michael and his three months of age. May he continue to grow and flourish as he has done so far!


And because, well, four is better than, one, two, or three in our house, I end this post with this picture:

Always Near Me, Forever Dear To Me...

(This post is not intended to be a complaint, or boost, just a way for me to remember these days)

As with most Domestic Engineers (yep, that is what I'm calling it, that is what we are.) my world involves and revolves around my children. Breaks are infrequent and far between. Living away from family makes those breaks even more infrequent than I would like, but that is life. My children are always near me, and I am always with them.

Today while going to pick up my cold coffee cup I looked at the table it was sitting on, laughed and grabbed my camera.

My morning jolt was sitting next to a tool used to suck snot out of an infants nose, a golden (as in, this thing is the golden ticket to silence) pacifier, and a finger puppet with some type of food particles crusted on it. They are always close to me, at least something of theirs is.

Since the birth of Zane, my days seem to have expanded in workload and my time to just sit down has dramatically decreased. When sitting, it is not to take a break. I'm staring down at my handsome boy's eyes as he drinks from me, filling his belly with liquid heaven.
Very nearby sit the other three. They are not children that wander off to play by themselves, they are always with me, and very near to me.
Tantrums, fights, and anger always give way to smiles, hugs, friendly play, and giggles. That is life in our house (as in many). They turn to me in tears, looking and expecting comfort. Sometimes they turn away when their demand isn't met. No, you can't have a bowl of chocolate chips at 7:30am!Reality sets in that Mom will not give in and piles of stuff are brought into where I am still nursing and the fun continues at my side.
Simple chores are doubled in time as my "helpers" are by my side. With four there are always at least two by me at any given time during the day. Bathroom break? Ha. Break is omitted because it is not a break, but just another thing that has that has a trail on little feet following behind. Doing makeup includes setting up a little station for Violette to put on hers and Noelle to also add some onto her pretty face. I look down at them and smile, knowing that these sacred moments of blush brushes being chewed on, lipstick smeared eyebrows, and misplaced hair accessories will be too soon over. They will give way to moody teenagers. For now, they are always near me.
I may not get as much accomplished in the way of house hold duties that I would like, but having the children near me all the time forces me to let the laundry go another day and sit down with them. Holding the baby for a few extra minutes when he is in a smiley mood, or reading another book after reading ten in a row, or watching one jump off a stool in an attempt to fly, is priceless.

Noelle, Maximilian, Violette, and Zane are always near me and will forever be dear to me. The days of tripping on children as they play near me while cooking will be gone soon enough and I will turn around looking and wanting them there. For now I embrace every dirty diaper (well, that may be pushing it), tantrum, spit up covered clothing, and lack of alone time before it fades into distant memories.

These are my days as a Domestic Engineer and Mother of Four Blessings From God.

Resolution

I wish I had something exciting to post about, but nothing much is going on around here. School is back in session for the kids, which they are enjoying as always. Attitudes seem to be magnified even though the days are shorter. I am working on making it through the days without losing my mind. Last time I checked it (my sanity) was still intact, although a bit disheveled.

Violette, our sweet little girl, has grown a stronger temper an even sharper attitude lately. She is quick to give you a definite glare as her cute little lips purse and she spits at us when we try to discipline her. The older ones laugh and this eggs her on. She has no problem striking Noelle or Max if they dare cross her. Violette has been "our sweetest" one, but it was only a matter of time until the sourness festered and let go with furry.
Zane is growing as all babies do, way too quickly. He is solid. He is huge. He is a wonderful. His round cheeks are extremely kissable and we can't help but to smooch on him whenever possible. Noelle, Max, and Violette are always kissing on him and have been extremely wonderful with him. He is a great, easy going baby, sleep many hours in his crib. Yes, I wrote crib. The bassinet has been retired, although still in our room as I am not emotionally ready to pack it up yet. This weekend we put him in the crib, in Max's (now the Boy's Room) room. He slept very well and continues to do so. I am having a hard time with this milestone. Growth is emotional for me, but I'm savoring every moment I can with him, and ALL of them.

That is all I can do, savor each moment with the children. The many stages each one is in, is notable and wonderful in it's own way. This year I want to savor the time I am able to be with them. Reach out and bottle it. Drink up the deliciousness of childhood with them every chance I get.

This in fact has been my New Year's resolution. Yes, weight loss, eating better, exercising regularly are also part of it (as always, blah, blah, blah)but enjoying the children is the biggest one. I stress about the little things and let them get to me. Taking a deep breath, cracking a smile over the minor issues is the new way to handle situations. I don't want to get worked up over crunched up crackers in the carpet, bite marks on a butter stick, and typical sibling fights.

Time will tell how this plays out, for now I will sit back and smile when yet another "poopy head" comment has been uttered, and once again someone has made a gigantic mess. Good luck to me!