Sick babies and prepping for birthday bashes!

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday

Wow, what a whirlwind we are on!  The kids didn’t look too hot when I picked them up on Wednesday, so I took them to the clinic to get checked out for strep.  We all three came back negative on the rapid test, but both kids ended up with ear infections.  One in the right and one in the left; together, they were a perfect mess!  So I went ahead and called in for Thursday to be on standby, because getting subs these days seems to be hard.  Both kids made it through just fine. 

Losing the big front tooth:  Yep, MacKenzie lost the big tooth in the front.  I was hoping that she could make it through her birthday, but it didn’t happen.  Boy, the big ones bleed a lot!  This is her 5^th tooth lost and 5^th tooth that she has pulled herself.  She is my hero, because I was a big ninny at that age.  Friday morning, she woke up to tell me that she “felt sick”.  First thought, oh crap!  I repeated it to her and she said, no mom, I “feel SIX”.  That also came with a shower right in my eyeball.  Stupid front tooth!

My family came in on Thursday to spend a little time with us.  David, Jess, Mom, and Dad were there to play.  They arrived right after MacKenzie was drooling blood at the dinner table.  (Where she pulled it)  Friday was spent getting ready for the party.  At 6:00 I got the call that Brock now had strep!  Grrr!  He had been at school for two days already.  We were infecting the world!  Thank goodness that he had been on antibiotics for a few days already (as of Wednesday night).  Small blessings-thanks ear infections.

Mother’s Day Tea at MacKenzie’s school was amazing.  I was so proud to finally get to spend some one-on-one time with her.  She was so sweet and thankful that I was there.  It was worth taking off all day just to spend that time with her. 



Multiple Personalities...

I think I just developed this idea that I must have multiple personalities; Jeremy would definitely agree.  J 

Let’s start with the “high school/college” me:  Growing up in a small town, I let my identity be defined by the people around me.  I was weak, needed approval, catty, insecure, and never once looked in the mirror to see that “I was beautiful”.  I also looked to others for approval and needed attention constantly.  Psychiatrist would probably say that has to do with abandonment issues and the like, but I simply say that I needed to“love the skin I was in (sorry Dove), and also to love the me inside." And I didn’t, nor did I even know how to begin. 

Maybe that is small town also, because I left home to go to another small town for college.  I never knew until I moved away from all of that who I really was.  I ran away from a wedding only to end up in a place where I knew very few people, and I finally found me.  She was hiding inside, waiting for approval and friends and love, but I found her with no one else around.  I did have some dark days during those times, but the me that has surfaced is so much better.  I do have some regrets though.  I regret that I never felt like it was okay to show people who I really am.  I think I would have had a whole lot more fun letting the real me show up.  So here I am:

1.       Sarcastic (Who me?)

2.       I trust easily, yet, I can’t get over broken trust.

3.       I am an obsessive reader.

4.       Speaking of Obsessive – I have OCD, and yes I am medicated.  I think this is why my house is not clean.  I take medicine, so it won’t keep me up at night.

5.       I feel things I probably shouldn’t….like riding in the car with my children is fun – nope, not at all!

6.       I love my children beyond all comprehension.

7.       I am passionate about the idea that my husband may drive me crazy (and me him), but I am stuck with him.  No really, I definitely married up.  That is not me being weak in saying that, but appreciating that I made the best choice ever in marrying him.  He is beautiful inside and out.  I may not like him all days, but I love him endlessly!  I truly think I am a bigger thorn in his side than he is in mine. (Shh!  Don’t tell him I admitted it.)

8.       Loving and Giving – I love with all of me and give accordingly.  Unfortunately that may be frustrating when I feel like others are not reciprocating. 

9.       Lazy at times – My day job takes everything I have, so sometimes, I just want to veg out!

10.   My house is never going to be spotless. 

11.   There are some days that I just need to be alone.  Not because I don’t like people, but I have been the sole decision-maker for 100+, so I need some time to make decisions for me.  Unfortunately, if I go long periods without making this time, I tend to spew venom.  (Poor Jeremy)

12.   I am often tacky in speech.  I say what is on my mind, even if it is shocking.  I learned very early that when it came out of a 2-year-old’s mouth that it wasn’t so funny anymore.  I have toned it down!

13.   I know/wonder about crazy things.  For example, you make a cup of snot a day; so what are you actually doing with it if you are not blowing your nose?   OR Why do we look inside our Kleenex after we blow our noses, or even look inside the toilet or on the toilet paper after we go?  It is one disgusting habit.

I know that must baffle the people I come into contact with from home.  I know that I have changed.  I know that I am comfortable and beautiful 30 pounds heavier. (Big secret, I know.)  But I love me – all of me!  I love the reclusive me that needs to crawl in bed and let my brain rest from the stresses of the day, because sometimes they are endless.

But more importantly, I am passionate about my husband and kids, and I will fight tooth, nail, toe-jam, and nose hairs to make sure they are taken care of and happy.  Please do not cross momma bear, because since she has gotten her gallbladder out, she may fart on you! 

Love to all!  Happy Hump Day!

Fire Follow-up, Birthday Fun, and Derby Day

Yes, the big head in the middle is Jeremy's.  He will be in our local paper this week or so.  Superstar!  No, really, he was the BC this day on the fire - a little smoke in the background for your viewing pleasure. 

Brock's day with Daddy was a huge success.  Here is the breakdown:
1. Breakfast with dad
2. Chuckee Cheese with Dad, Grandpa, and Grandma (Brock showing off his stuff in yesterday's post)
3. Short nap in the car from place to place
4. Bounce house with Dad
5. Home to recoup before dinner
6. Dinner with his friend of choice (Keddeddy - as he says it). Molten Chocolates all around.
7. He was sound asleep by the time his head hit his pillow!
Happy 3 Big Boy!

Today was Derby Day at school.  I really had no clue about the Kentucky Derby except that it was too expensive for me, so this is what my child looked like when I sent him to school today.  I think he is quite handsome, even if it is not dressy enough.  He was happy with it too.  Not pictured are his awesome boots from Nana and Papa.

Brock is 3!

Have a happy birthday Brockee!  My how the time has flown!  It feels like yesterday, when he was curled up in the bed sleeping with us.  I think this is where my snuggle bug was created.  Thank goodness he doesn’t do that anymore!

He has grown so much over the last year.  He went from timeout several times an hour to only a few times a week.  What an improvement!  He speaks very well and is grasping the whole potty-training thing.  I am not sure that I am the right person to ask about that whole situation, because just yesterday, he experimented with the idea of helping sissy get over a jelly fish sting that never happened (metaphorically speaking of course).  If you could use your imagination on that one, I would appreciate it.  Nevertheless, he is learning by leaps and bounds. 

He is sensitive, emotional, rugged, and handsome, and if I ever wondered if there was a great mix of both Jeremy and I, it is Brock.  He will be quite the little athlete one day, definitely not my side comng out.  He can dribble, throw, and catch with the older kids.  Speaking of older, he loves his sister and wants to do EVERYTHING she does.  It drives her crazy, but I love that he loves her.  He could definitely pick worse role models.

When MacKenzie got up this morning, the first words out of her mouth were: "Brock, it is your birthday."  What a thoughtful, little sweetheart.  She then dug into her stuffed animals and gave him two, so that she would have something for him on his birthday.  I could not be more proud of her.  Then of course, they argued for the next 30 minutes, but it was beautiful while it lasted.

B’s plan for the day is: Chucky Cheese for Lunch (Daddy wanted Hooters), nap, and then dinner with the family.  I think Daddy has other plans for him today as well.  J Maybe Hooters for dessert?

Brock was an easy labor.  I usually animate it by saying that he was my “push, push, done” boy.  Then daddy even got to catch him, see athleticism.  It made it even more special that my sister was able to be there with me for him. 

Brock loves:
* girls
* playing rough
* throwing/catching the ball
* sliding and swinging
* taking long rides around the yard with sissy at the wheel
* watching movies

That whole thing sounds like his bio for a dating website.  Watch out ladies, he is a bruiser!  J  No really, thank you Lord for blessing us with Brock Henry three years ago.  He couldn’t be any more perfect.  (Well, maybe daycare would disagree….)  I have survived being a parent of a boy, peeing on trees and sisters and all.

Brock's lunch with dad at C-n-C

We love you Brock-a-licious!

Welcome to my living room

As I rule, I am very careful with my kids and their digital thumbprint.  I am also very careful with others as well.  That is why I made my blog unsearchable on the Internet.  You can only see my information if you know the address.  Even so, this still makes me nervous.  SO in essence, I wanted this blog to be accessible to the people I would invite into my home; the people we know and love.  WELCOME! 

Unfortunately for you, this also welcomes you into the depths of my weird, demented mind. :)  MMUuahhahahah!  Psycho, I know!

The living room:  This place is dark, cool, and demands that you snuggle.  Our children curl up next to us for precious few minutes each day to watch the obsession of the week/month.  Dear Tinkerbell, I want a divorce!  I have watched you too many times for the last month.  Frankly, I can't take it anymore.  But I digress....Even though Tinkerbell and I are not on speaking terms, I love that she gives me a few quiet snuggles with my darlings each day.  For that Tinkerbell, THANKS! 

One of these days, my babies won't snuggle me anymore or even acknowledge my presence, but today we snuggle in that dark, cool place that is home.  I love you Tinkerbell and living room.  You give me the "safe place" I need even if it is between the hustle and bustle that is known as our lives.

Morgan Dawn

Sweet Morgan is 1 and a great mix of Brock and MacKenzie's personalities.  There is no denying who her parents are, unlike my children, who don't look much like me at all.  (Still a little bitter about that.)  Featuring Morgan's Debut on the Petersma Blog:

David

Pictures of David.  My sister takes great photos!  I see little punkin' next weekend.  Yeah!  (He has the same toothy grin that Jess had as a baby.   I smile every time I think of those days!)