She’s A Strong One!

We have been blessed.  Four wonderful children that are healthy and happy.  Hospitals are not part of our daily/weekly/monthly basis.  We go to the doctor for normal sickness and well visits.  We have been blessed.

Monday, we ventured out of our normal comfort zone and experienced surgery on our oldest one.  Noelle had her tonsils and adenoids removed and tubes put in both ears.  Very routine surgery done all the time.  Done on my baby, it takes on a new meaning. 

We talked about it and discussed what was going to happen.  Noelle was fully aware and put on a brave face.  Sometimes she brushed it off and did not want to discuss it, especially when I tried to delicately explain the pain aspect of her recovery.  She did not want to know that it was going to hurt.  All in all, we were prepared and ready.

Aunt CC came down Sunday night to be there for the other three so that Tom and I could be there for our Noelle Rose.  She brought baby Maizey, of course, to help entertain the troops and learn how to be chaotic from her older cousins.  Both of us being present and focusing all our attention on Noelle was important to us and having Charlotte at our house gave us peace of mind. 

We left early Monday morning.  The drive was quiet and my nerves were beginning to get frazzled.  We talked with Noelle about everything but the surgery.  She was nervous, we could see the tension in her petite body.  Upon arrival she chose to bring her bear and two blankets in.  This was a big decision as Special Puppy sat in the car.  Bear, of course, was bigger and more comfortable to lay on.  Bear was even given a hospital bracelet, this was exciting stuff for a six year old!

Waiting was quick and we were ushered back.  Noelle put on her hospital gown and laid comfortably in the bed.  Tom and I did our best to project calmness and normality.  We joked and laughed while waiting her turn.  When the time came to wheel her back, she was serine.  I expected tears and drama, but none was had.  We hugged and kissed her goodbye.  She smiled, squeezed us and was carted away.  Tom and I were in shock at the lack of fear and made our way to the waiting room.

We got coffee and found seats.  It was a calm wait.  Noelle was in good hands.  To be honest, we had about an hour of “us” time.  We held hands, talked, and actually enjoyed ourselves.  Yes, our baby girl was being operated on, but we knew it was going to be okay and this was for the best. 

The hour flew by and the surgeon came to talk to us, stating that everything went well.  There was thick mucus in her ears, causing the hearing loss, her adenoids looked to be chronically infected, and the tonsils were indeed very enlarged.  All in all, the surgery needed to be done.  Noelle was not up from the anesthesia  yet, but as soon as she was the nurse would come get us. 

I was relieved and just wanted to go to my baby.  It seemed like a long time, but soon our name was called.  I bolted from my seat, eager to see my baby.  She was awake.  She was out of it, eating a popsicle with blood pooled in her ears, corners of mouth, and nose.  It was a sight to a mother, but she was okay.  We held her hands and talked a bit.  Her voice was slurred and she mumbled about random things.  When she was able to get a coherent thought out she commented on how loud everything sounded.  The beating of the heart monitor and our voices were loud, hurting her ears.  It made me smile, as I knew she was in for a whole her level of loud when we got home!

I looked at her, imagining the surgery and the pain she would be soon experiencing when the anesthesia would wear off.  I’m not a squeamish person, but glancing at the blood around her ears and nose set me off.  I had to sit down and gather myself.  I couldn’t get the thought of a breathing tube down my baby’s throat and the cutting out of her tonsils out of my mind.  When it comes to my children I want to experience and take away their pain and suffering, go through what they are experiencing and shield them from all the bad.  This is a typical “mom” thought, and I was in the depths of it.  It took a few minuets but I was able to shake it off and squeeze Noelle’s delicate hand.  Her slender fingers gripped mine and her head rested on her bear.  

After filling prescriptions and getting all the necessary directions, we were discharged.  Noelle wanted to be carried out, instead of riding in the wheel chair.  Tom picked her up and I saw a squeeze that was deep and meaningful as we walked to the car.  Noelle soon fell asleep and we drove home making gentle turns, while being careful not to speed and cause a possible bout of vomit. 

We settled in at home, said goodbye to Aunt CC and began the healing process.  The first day was rough, as the pain started to set in.  Pain medication was a battle, tasting completely gross, but needed.  I expected the worst, prayed for extreme patience and prepared to bring forth my inner Super Mom.  I wanted to be able to give Noelle the attention she needed while not neglecting the other three.  IT was a balance I was ready to take on. 

Noelle was strong.  For a little girl who over reacts from a simple scraped knee, blew away all expectations.  She was tough, really truly tough.  Taking the pain with minimal complaints and a strength beyond her years.  On  the third day of recovery she developed a fever and a cough.  The cough and fever mimicked a virus that had been going rampant through our house.  She would have a coughing fit and wince in pain.  I rushed to her side and she reassured me that she was okay, “don’t worry Mom, I’m okay.”  Her poise brought strength to me.  An unexpected turn of roles.

Each day Noelle continues to do better.  The pain is still there, when the medicine wears off.  Noelle has done remarkably well and seems to have enjoyed her time at home.  The crying and screaming that is a constant in the house bothered her immensely at first, but she seems to be getting used to it.  Zane is very loud, and when he has a fit I see Noelle run off into her room with her hand protectively shielding her ears.  She is finding more and more foods that go down with minimal wincing.  It is an uphill swing we are on and my girl is one brave and strong swinger!

Growing Changes

Seriously, when did my children grow up so much?  When did my Noelle become a little girl who has a circle of friends, attends birthday parties, and can read?  When did my baby turn into a boy (actually he just turned 18 months last week…) who throws things, uses clear four word + sentences and has an opinion about what he wants?  Max holds open my door, is mistaken for a kindergartner all the time, and is developing a maturity that comes with age, again, when did this happen?  Violette, a little lady of independence, extended vocabulary and sweetness, mixed in with a budding attitude. I swear just yesterday she was Zane’s age with short hair, round cheeks and actual chub on her body.  Yeah, they are growing.

Never a specific date as to when this growing occurred, but it’s around us.  I’m struggling still, as will always be, but adventures are coming with their age.  Gone will be the time when nap schedules rule our days and a diaper bag will need to be packed, and restocked.  We will wake up and decide to try something new, and just do it because we can and are not hindered by the time creeping on Zane’s nap.  Yes, it will be exciting, but I will never hold that newborn again.  Yep, I’m going to keep harping on those darn precious newborns that I so much adore!  As I work on getting over a lack of another baby in our house (yeah, I’ll be something that I’m always going to want more of, but know that our family is complete at 4) we keep on living life.  Maybe that is why my posts are been few and far between.  Whatever the reason I have some catching up to do…

Noelle’s kindergarten teacher has a behavior chart.  When a student is found doing something good they are asked to move their clip up from a standard starting position.  When they get to the top of the chart an “outstanding day” note is sent home.  On any given week Noelle usually brings home 2-4 of these notes.  Well a few weeks ago she got three in a row and I told her that if she finished out the week with two more then I would take her on a date.  She was elated, jumping up and down with anticipation.  The next day she RAN off the bus griping her outstanding day note.  Only one day left!  Friday, I was excited and couldn’t wait for her to get off the bus.  I needed a one on one date just as bad as she did.  The bus screeched to a halt and a somber Noelle got off.  She slowly walked up to the door, head hung low, hands stuffed in her pockets.  I ignored the obvious question and asked her how her day was while picking her up and squeezing her. She lifted her dark brown eyes and met mine.  There was a twinkle in them and then a tell-all smirk emerged on her lips.  Oh, we have a jokester on our hands!  She earned another note and was trying to pull one over on me! 
She got her date that weekend.  We headed out and after much convincing ended up at a restaurant besides Burger King!  We chatted, giggled, laughed, and indulged in desert!  It was just the date I needed with my oldest girl!

And a picture of my girl riding in a two-point stance, because, it’s pretty impressive and my nerves are starting to settle more and more every time she does it!

The trampoline continues to improve coordination and strengthen sibling relationships.  A trampoline improves relationships?  Yes, I have seen the children get along for extended lengths of time while jumping and creating new games.  An investment well spent and I think they are getting older too!

     

Did I mention Zane is now 18 months old?  Yes, I’m pretty sure I did, but seriously, EIGHTEEN MONTHS OLD!!!!  He is our “beefy buddy” but only registers on the growth chart at the 25th percentile for weight and in the 95th for height (24 lbs. & 35 inches) He’s got a smile that melts all his siblings heart and he knows how to say all their names very well.  That smile and his deep voice, white as can be skin, blue eyes, and barely-there wispy hair are a perfect Roehrig Package! 

A change of pace can be good.  Why not?  That is why our house is officially for sale.  The sign sits in our yard and I reflect on the four babies spending their first night in this home, first words, steps, all experienced in this home.  Yes, if it does sell, it will be bitter sweet saying goodbye, but we have outgrown this house and are looking for something a family of six can grow into more comfortably.   This evening (May 4th) was our first showing.  I scrambled and got the house ready to be shown.  It was an interesting feat and I learned that a house can never stay very clean with four children!! 

 

Selling a house, growing children, it’s been a lot lately.  I figured I was due for a change/growth as well.  Why not dye my hair really, really dark?  I’ve been inching away from blond lately, feeling that I’m aging and blond is oh, so youthful.  Here’s a quick pick of my new hair:

They kids were shocked.  Zane kept touching and petting me.  Noelle got off the bus with a puzzled look planted on her face, “what the heck did you do Mom?”.  Max said I looked pretty and Violette wanted to put makeup on me to “make you look even new hair prettier”.  It’s been fun and an adjustment.  I glance in a mirror and find myself still doing a double take at the reflection. 
I end this with more pictures because I feel that I haven’t been posting much lately.  Some are blurry due to a flash still not fixed.  

Writing

I continue to add blog posts to Growing Great blog. These two are some recent ones:

Expanding Minds

The Spark Is Still There

Found Picture

I found this picture on my Mom's camera. It's worth a thousand, if not a million words. The lighting, background, that face, it's all present in a remarkably beautiful picture! Taken in September 2011, in Traverse City at my Aunt Cindy's new house on Lake Michigan. I'm in love!

Easter Weekend

Having grown up in Northern Michigan I believe there is a bit of redneck in my family.  It’s not the stained wife beater wearing, beer can resting on belly, missing teeth kind of redneck, but the kind that makes us laugh and have a bit of unordinary fun. 

The Grandparents came down from Traverse City to celebrate Easter.  They arrived Saturday evening and then began our fun.  After seeing Grandpa Goodhue’s extensive trampoline talents (seriously, he’s pretty good on the trampoline, bordering on graceful even!) we brought the sled.  Yes, sled.  It’s not winter, there is no snow, but we have grass.  We also have a lawn mower.  Combined these two things bring oodles or laughter and good ol’ fun for the children.  We’ve hooked up the wagon before, but Grandpa’s suggestion on the sled was faster, smooth and took corners with just the right amount of speed. 

The children gathered around Grandpa Sunday morning after the joy of seeing their baskets had expired.  Grandpa Goodhue always has the coolest apps on his phone and one that let the kids drop bombs and wrecking balls on each other was a huge hit.  They giggled and anxiously waited for yet another video of an unsuspecting family member was destroyed by an incoming bomb. 

Aunt Ceecee came with her precious cargo later that morning.  Maizey was adored by all the children and loved on over and over.  All four of our children gathered around Maizey with protective interest.  They are going to be a great influence (or maybe a troublesome) on their little cousin!

We laughed, hugged, and enjoyed each other.  After a nice meal, and some desert, it was time to part.  Grandma and Grandpa had a long journey home.  The foursome gave out hugs and kisses and until the next meeting we will look back at the redneck fun had and imagine our next set of adventurous! 

Favorites Revisited

Noelle reminded me about these o on the last day of Spring Break we sat down and went over these questions with the children.

Noelle Rose:

Favorite Food: Salmon, chocolate cake, and Easter candy

Favorite Toy: Barbie's

Favorite Friend: Blake C., Olivia C., Emma, and Krisha

Favorite Color: Green and White (Go Michigan State!)

Favorite Animal: Horse, cheetah, dog, and cat

Favorite Object: My blankies and my Special Puppy

Favorite Movie/TV: Peppa Pig

Favorite Book: Ms. Mack

When I grow up I want to be: A vet

What is something that makes our family special?: Because we love everybody so much!

If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?: Walk around and I would and scare people and go to Morgan Valley Farm and spend all day with the horses

Where is your favorite place in the whole word?: Burger King play place, McDonald’s play place, and Morgan Valley Farm!

Maximilian Charles:

Favorite Food: A jelly sandwich

Favorite Toy: My gun and my pirate ship and my rocket ship

Favorite Friend: Luke

Favorite Color: Purple and pink and red and yellow and blue

Favorite Animal: Bear and a whale

Favorite Object: Bobo and Fluffy Max and all my animals

Favorite Movie/TV: Lilo and Stitch

Favorite Book: Big Red Barn and Holler Loudly

When I grow up I want to be: Hockey player and a baseball player

What is something that makes our family special?: Birthdays on lots of holidays

If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?: Give Mom a kiss and a hug without her knowing

Where is your favorite place in the whole word?: Chelsea Tree House (we’ve only been there once) and McDonald’s play place

Violette Adelle:

Favorite Food: Donuts

Favorite Toy: Um, a car

Favorite Friend: Landen

Favorite Color: Purple and Pink!

Favorite Animal: Joey (a white horse)

Favorite Object: A little pillow and my two night-nights

Favorite Movie/TV: Peppa Pig and Caillou

Favorite Book: Big Red Barn

When I grow up I want to be: A Doctor!

What is something that makes our family special?: Um presents!

If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?: Um, hide!

Where is your favorite place in the whole word?: The barn where Joey is!

Zane Michael:

Favorite Food: Gummi snacks which he calls, “nacks”

Favorite Toy: Trucks and cars or anything he can push

Favorite Friend: He adores his sisters and calls them, “vivi and wellwell”

Favorite Color: Haven’t seen a preference yet from him

Favorite Animal: Horses, called “orshey”

Favorite Object: His fuffy (pacifier) and nannies (blankets)

Favorite Movie/TV: Not watching much TV yet

Favorite Book: Tractor book

Neglect

Oh, how I’ve neglected you blog. I have had many instances where I ache to type and put down the latest happenings and upload some adorable (in my opinion) pictures. Then a cry occurs during the day, another laundry basket beckons to be folded, or a child whimpers for my arms to be around them. Then night creeps up with exhaustion nipping at my heels. Zane, still waking many times at night as left me worn out and haggered. Bed or blog? I seriously think about this option. The 1200 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and my handsome husband ALWAYS seem win out.

So today seems like a great day. I turn on a movie, grab my laptop and begin to search for the camera. I search and search and search some more. I has disappeared for the time being. Shoved in some obscure place, it will eventually turn up. For now I’m left without pictures to jog my memory since my last post. I will strain to rack my aging memory and come up with our happenings.

Let’s see, a few weeks back my girl, Noelle, had a concert. Kindergarten adorableness was the prominence of the concert. The theme was Movie Magic and these ridiculously cute 6-7 year olds sang favorites like, “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King” and “A Spoonful Of Sugar” to an attentive audience. Before the concert Noelle said she was so nervous and her stomach hurt. I assured her we would be watching and if she felt nervous to look at me, or her siblings. After the concert Noelle exclaimed, “That was so much fun and I wasn’t nervous at all!”. (As I am looking through pictures I notice that I did upload concert pictures!) I can’t help but beam with pride and smile. Yes, she is apart of a class, but her shy, tentative self singing without fear across her delicate face makes me happy. It’s a giddy kind of happy. I want her to be proud, strong, and confident. She will not be the class clown or outspoken one. She probably won’t be the leader of her class, and that’s okay. I hope that she can and will stand up for herself and be confident. It seems she is headed in that direction, and I smile on the inside!

The weekend of March 24th we packed up and headed to Grand Rapids to attend the wedding of a dear college friend. The children came along and we enjoyed our first hotel stay as a family of six. Preparation began a week in advance and to be honest I prepared for the worst. In the end we all had a great time. The kids loved, loved, loved staying in the hotel. Bouncing from bed to bed and back again, while running up and down the halls and swimming in the pool were all a child could ask for in the fun department.

The wedding itself was gorgeous. My friend look beyond beautiful in a dream dress. The love between her and her new husband was contagious and electrifying. During the ceremony the munchkins were mostly quiet and kept busy with snacks, phones, matchbox cars, and the joy a a new place to explore. During the reception my girls danced their little booties off. They couldn’t wait to dance and when it was time they ran to the dance floor hoisted their arms up, felt the beat and danced. They skipped, hopped, twirled and really put all of their bodies into dancing. I sat back and realized that I’m in trouble when it comes to Violette. She can really dance, she shakes her booty just right to the beat and moves in perfect rhythm. Oh yeah, we’re in trouble!

The boys didn’t make it out to the floor. Zane fell asleep in Tom’s arms and Max’s lids were too droopy to pull himself off the of the comfort of Dad’s other arm. Although no pictures of the wedding. I do have one of my boys, matching in green, looking very much alike with their blond hair, pale skin and general boyness.

This week is spring break. Noelle, Max, Violette, Zane, and I have no plans but we are enjoying every bit of our time together. Mornings are lazy with me surrounded by four warm, cozy bodies. We lounge and watch TV. Bad breath (theirs, of course not mine!), fuzzy night hair, and many blankets curled around arms and legs describe our mornings. It’s pretty wonderful! No real plans, just me and the kiddos enjoying playing and a bit of cleaning/chores.

Hopefully my camera unearths it self from the depths of hiding. We bought a new trampoline and boy, it’s been taking up a lot of our time. The older three are jumping by 9am and squeal with delight most of the day. After purchasing this, both Max and Noelle exclaimed while hugging us, “You’re the best Mom and Dad, EVER!”. We’ll take it!