To Do To Do

Days are all full to the max each day with all kinds of things. Feed baby, get breakfast for everyone (usually one armed), eat (with one arm) while holding baby, get school going for both girls, straighten kitchen and maybe squeeze in dishes (at times with one arm) while holding baby, send Keirah on to make her bed and straighten her room as she finishes school first, teach Aliyah's new math concept for the day, followed by Language, and everything else. By the time we get to writing and spelling, I am usually hoping to be able to put Noelliah down for as long as she will allow. If so, then I hurriedly put on make-up and get hair fixed. She may or may not wake up before that is over. Continue by getting Keirah's clothes out and Aliyah's, check on Aliyah's school progress and see if she needs help.

Next, work on other odd items that need done...address birth announcements, change a diaper, feed the baby, dust the furniture, check the mail, work on the checkbook, help with bed-making if Keirah had trouble, if she allows put the baby down to sleep, go put out yard patch and water the patch that has already been put out, write thank-you's, and then realize we are starving. Aliyah will have finished her school work so get them ready and then figure out lunch. Make a trip to the post office to get stamps for those birth announcements, mail them, drop something off, come home.

Realize the afternoon is half-way over and feed the baby again while the girls play and I sit and chill while the baby eats. Next, we go on a walk and make a stop at grandma's house. After visiting awhile, we head home so that we can work on bicycle riding with Aliyah. We haven't been faithful at the bike practice just because it wasn't exactly an activity that worked well with me being pregnant and daddy not home most evenings. So, I am determined now that it will get done. We had 15 minutes before dark to work. I hate that it gets dark so quickly because we always have so much to do that involves outdoors. It was probably like a 3 ring circus now that I think about it. Keirah riding her bike around, while I hold the baby in the sling, and help Aliyah and try to help her realize that she CAN do this. She starts to make great progress and I feel so excited! I'm further determined that we will work on this every night.

Darkness is upon us so it is time to head indoors. Time for Noelliah to eat again and just in time for me to sit and watch Biggest Loser. WOW--watching that show makes me never want to eat anything naughty again. We finish that and move onto the baths for the girls. At this point of the night, Noelliah is very for sure that she wants to be held. I assist the girls as much as possible and make sure they don't forget to wash everything. Brush teeth, get dressed, let me brush your hair...you get the idea. It's almost 9 and that starts the "nightly cry routine". It started around 9:30. She wants to be held constantly and even then still cries. Aliyah wanted to help out so she "babysat" while I took a bath. It was nice to have her sing to Noelliah and talk sweetly to her. After that, it was baby bath time. Okay, with that finished, eating time again for baby. By this point, I am more than ready for daddy to get home and be back up for mom. This is the point of the day that I am exhausted and ready to totally pass out. There are different things that need done each day, but this was my yesterday.

Oh yeah, I'm excited to report that Aliyah is riding her bike. The only thing that needs work is the starting off. I'm so proud of her!! The other thing that is funny lately is Aliyah and her desire to earn $$. We allowed her to pick out something special at a local store after the baby was born. Of all things, she picks out this American Girl book called "A Smart Girl's Guide to Money". Okay, she has been reading it A LOT. She doesn't have anything that she is earning for at this point, just for her piggy bank. I gave her $2 for her "babysitting" last night. Keirah got $2 as well for being a great gopher and getting everything needed. The money was promptly stuffed into both of their banks. Grandma H. said she is going to give Aliyah $2 for learning to ride her bike. She is really enjoying this "earning" money thing. She loves to swiffer, help with dishes, etc...Believe me...I won't have any problem figuring out chores for her to do to earn cash.

Growth Spurt

I think Noelliah is on a growth spurt. She can't seem to get enough to eat even though I feed her seemingly constantly. If she has too much formula, it comes back out. We shall see how much she weighs on Thursday at her doctor appointment.

For now, she is losing some hair =(. I love the soft baby black hair. She still loves to be cuddled and I love to snuggle and cuddle with her. This time is going way too fast! We are busy busy busy. The girls are doing school each and every day and there's that stuff called laundry, dishes, and stuff! There isn't ever enough time when Josh is off to get it all done. The weather is nice and we are walking again and loving it. I carry her while we walk and she sleeps.

People have been so nice bringing us food. The hardest days are the long days where Josh is at work. It is nice to have those meals. I am learning tasks one armed again, but cooking isn't probably a great idea one armed--ha!

The oldest sister has been helpful in holding her while if I need to get something done quickly. Keirah is helpful when it comes to tasks around the house like putting groceries away, organizing, getting diapers, and getting laundry from the dryer and putting laundry away.

Each day, I am struck at how blessed we are with these gorgeous and wonderful gifts from God! I love my husband and I love our girls!! So thankful for all of them!!!

2 weeks!

It's hardto believe that Noelliah is 2 weeks today. Where is the time going? Yesterday, my neighbor came over and took some pictures. They turned out cute. Her dimples even showed in one of them =). We love her so much!
Oh yeah, this is my 400th post! Insignificant, but I noticed when I logged in.

It cooled off today and rained. We spent a family night at home watching a movie and just being all together.

We are excited because our church has its first service in the new facility. We outgrew the previous building and parking was very crowded (if you could get a spot). So, tomorrow is our first time to church as a family of five and it should be a wonderful service! The girls have been asking why we haven't gone.

Well, we need to get to sleep!

Happy 2 weeks baby girl!

Tired-Like

So, I'm pretty tired. It seems that Noelliah may have a touch of colic. She cries at the same time each night and is hard to console. It starts after 9ish and continues for an hour or two (although I couldn't tell you how long actually). Our nights are sometimes decent and sometimes not as in the sleep dept. Last night was a not-so-decent. Of course, there aren't naps but I love being able to love on her and hold her. She likes...OR LOVES being held a LOT! That's fine too. I am learning how to do house stuff one handed again.

Funny thing is...she sleeps best when we take off in the car and go somewhere OR if I put her in the sling.

Anyway, I could use a good 30 min. nap but daddy is at work so that's not happening today or tomorrow. I think we will go for a walk soon. Maybe that will help give me energy.

Chaney gets his claws removed tomorrow morning. He has an overnight stay with the vet. We did not tell Aliyah choosing rather to let her realize he is gone. She had a lot of reasons she didn't want him declawed when we mentioned it before baby was born. At this point though, it needs done. He likes to hang on the door on the porch so he can see us and we don't need anymore screens ruined if the window is down. He is having issue with playing the 6th fiddle since baby is here.

Looking forward to a chance nap...maybe if I'm lucky =).

Blessed & Overwhelmed by it

Today was something else...in a good way. First and foremost, grandma went to the oncologist about her PET scan. The results were all good. She only has to go bi-annually unless she starts feeling differently. That in itself made a great day. We were supposed to stay away from grandma's due to the radiation from the PET scan. Pregnant women/infants aren't supposed to be around them for a couple of days. We got to visit her today and she is now walking with a cane and very well. She got to hold Noelliah much to her delight.

People both family and friends have been so kind and sweet. They are overwhelming us with generosity and acts of kindness. Sweet surprises have come in packages for the girls. Today was like Christmas for them. They have been busy for hours just playing. A friend from church came over today to bring a meal. Not only did she bring a meal for tonight, but she brought soup for me to eat for lunches as well as fruit and all kinds of other great stuff and a cute outfit for the baby.

We had a near disaster with Ping & Pong tonight. Aliyah was sobbing because her frog container was knocked over with no water. Chaney had been in her room unattended. We figured he had eaten them for a snack. Upon closer examination (after major tears and sobbing), Josh discovered two (living) frogs under the rocks. Aliyah had run outside and was down on the ground where Tufsey is buried sobbing about pets. Who knows how many neighbors heard that. She was so relieved and happy that they were alive. Oddly enough, Chaney is scheduled for declawing on Thursday and we had done that before this happened. If I haven't mentioned it before, she is animal CRAZY!

I hope these people know how blessed and appreciative we are for their kindness. It overwhelms me and makes me teary.

Brevity

I've posted before about cherishing those we love, and that very thought hit again today.

Josh called to say that one of his former co-workers passed away from cancer last night. Josh worked with both her and her husband. Her husband was his boss for several years. They got married the same year we did, had their first child the same year we did etc...

We saw them just two weeks ago today and she had started treatments again and was very tired. She had been cancer free for several months, had a clean scan in May and then in July was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer because it had spread to her liver.

She is in a better place in a cancer free, pain free heaven, but I can't help but hurt for her children and her husband.

Cherish those you love and enjoy each and every moment that you can! Life is too short to focus on the negative! Give your children and your spouse some love today!

updating needed!

WOW! I need to update pictures and info on here! Since I downloaded a ton of pics yesterday, maybe I can update this today between feeding, cuddling, and schooling. At least I can check off birth announcements and Shutterfly book off my to do list!