Sleeping and Walking. But not at the same time...

Well, Ethan has been sleeping better the last 2 nights and during his naps. I've pin-pointed his issues to one of two things:

1. I found a "boo-boo" in a crevis that I was detail-cleaning. OK, the boy has a lot of crevises and I miss some of them! Anyway, I think it was causing him pain at night. And if you saw the boo-boo and knew where it was, I think you would believe me.
2. I am feeding him 2 bowls of oatmeal a day, one of them being about an hour before he goes to bed AND I'm adding a tablespoon of rice to his bedtime bottle. The boy needs the calories.
Once I paid attention to both of these issues, he started sleeping...from 8pm to 6:30am. YEAH!
OK...let's just keep this up!

I'm also ready for the weather to be consistent. We've had a few 70 degree days in the last few weeks and I'm SOOO ready for the temps to stop ranging from the 30s to the 70s. I'm ready to start walking the kids in the afternoon, but it's just touch and go with the weather. We did get a chance to walk last week and I brought my camera with me. We played in the yard and got our first outside spring shots of the year. Good times...

Trying not to go crazy...

Well, I'm writing this post as I listen to my son crying himself to sleep. It breaks my heart, but he's slept so little in the last few days, he needs the rest! And I've found that it's beyond my power to sooth him (unless I nurse him everytime he fusses...which is NOT happening!).

I'm about to go crazy with his current sleep schedule...or I should more acurately say LACK of sleep schedule. For about 4 of the last 6 nights, Ethan has been waking up about 4-5 times. A few times is because he has a wet diaper and others times is because he's rolled over. But lately, changing his diaper or rolling him back over hasn't helped. Neither has gas drops or rocking him a bit. When he starts sucking his fists like a madman, I give in to nursing him...and he's usually sucks me dry. But, I feed him like 9 ounces of milk before he goes to bed! And then wakes up 3-4 hours later hungry? I don't know...And he seems to also have the "45-minute intruder" at EVERY nap when he should be sleeping for about an hour and a half.

Anyway, I had (and still have...) a theory that he may have an aversion to nuts. I have been eating more mixed nuts than usually in the past few weeks and these crazy nights started about that time. I've also been eating more chocolate (thanks to the Easter candy sales...), which may cause his tummy to hurt, too. So, now I'm cutting out nuts and drastically limiting my chocolate intake, which isn't much at this point but still more than usual.

I feel like I'm about to reach an explosion point. I've been praying that God would keep my temper under control and He's helped me bite my tongue in several scenarios. I've also found myself been more rough with Ethan when he pulls my hair or when I can't decipher his cries. I'm so weak with my emotions from my physical tiredness, constant figuring out my children, and other needs I meet as a wife and mother. God never fails and that truth is my promise I hold to closely during these times.

Anyway, I've said it before...but mothering two small children is the hardest thing I've ever done. I don't know how you moms of more do it! God is gracious, that's for sure!

Well, Ethan is quiet, Mallory is sleeping, and it's now time for me to rest. *finally*

Happy Easter!

We had a great time with my folks at Easter. Here are a few pics from the weekend...I'll have to post more later, though. We've gots lots of cute pics!!!

At long last, a post!

Well, we've been busy ever since we've gotten home from Charlotte for our visit to Gram and Pops. We were in NC from last Sat until Wed night and were SOO glad to be home after a long drive!!! A normal 3.5 hour trip took almost 6 hours with all the stops that we had to make with the kids. I think afternoon travel for both kiddos is a lot more difficult than morning travel. Our trip on Saturday morning was great! But, Wed night was NOT! Ethan was the main problem; he just wanted to be out of his carseat!

We arrived on Sat around 2pm and just hung out a Patrick's parents house. Mallory usually has a difficult warming up to new places if we arrive too close to bedtime, but she had several hours to explore her new environment and she ended up going to be very well. Ethan had a difficult time sleeping through the night almost all 4 nights we were there, but oh well! Gram and Pops LOVED having us there and it was fun for me to watch the kids soak up all their lovin'.

Patrick and I decided to go to our old, old church (Hickory Grove Baptist) on Sunday morning. We saw some old friends we hadn't seen in years. We also chatted with the pastor who married us and we beamed as we showed him our two children. I'm glad we decided to go there since it had been almost 3 years since we had stepped foot on their campus.

I was able to visit with a lot of my friends during the week while Patrick was in training. It was nice to catch up, see their children, hear their stories, and just enjoy each other. I'm sorry that Patrick wasn't able to join me, but he did get to see one of his best friends and have dinner with him. AND Patrick and I were able to have a night to ourselves. It was so much fun to go on a date and just be together. We have GOT to do that more often!

Well, I've got to cut this off. The kids should be waking up soon and we've got lots to do before Grandma and Grandpa Lahman (my folks) come later this afternoon!!! They'll be here for Easter, which will be lots of fun. As I'm writing this post, Patrick is enjoying this beautiful spring day getting our yard ready to be fertilized and seeded. He's spent about 4.5 hours so far mowing, tilling and bagging all the discards from the mowing and tilling...he's still got a lot to do, but my, oh my, it already looks 100% better than it did at 8am this morning!!! You do a great job in the yard, sweetheart.

I sat in the back of the van on the way to and from church and enjoyed watching my son fall asleep. Too cute!

Me and my awesome friend, Courtney (we have LOTS of pictures like this from years past...)

Mallory, Ethan and Michael Dean (Courtney's son). We could not get them all to stop crying at the same time. But, that's how it was! :-)

Here's Mallory playing with Gram's broom and dust pan. She had a lot of fun helping "clean".

This is the only picture I have of Gram, Pops and the kids...

Heading to Charlotte

We'll be in Charlotte visiting Gram and Pops for the next 5 days. Patrick has a training course on Tues and Wed, so we'll be spending lots of time there; it's the longest trip we've had to Charlotte since we moved a year and a half ago. I'll be offline for a while, but I'm sure I'll have lots of pics to share when we get back!!!

I can't wait to see some of my dear friends, at least Courtney, Kelly, Nicole, and Joy. Hopefully a few others, but we'll see how time goes. YEAH!!!

4 months!

Ethan turned 4 months old last week (actually, the day we found out Mal had the flu!). He's a whopping 20.5 lbs now and has been wearing sz4 diapers (the same size as Mal) since he's been 3 months. He'll probably be in sz5 before she will! He OFICIALLY slept through the night last night...from 8pm until 6:45am without waking up at all! I haven't given him a midnight feeding in about a week or so, but he's been waking up after rolling over or getting stuck in a corner. It was great to get such a nice, complete rest after many, many months. Keep it up, E!

We love you, big guy. You are a delight with your many smiles and goos. You're our big heavy.

Something new...

Homeschool ruling in California...

Patrick brought this article to my attention today. Here is a quote that gives you a hint of what it's about...

"California courts have held that ... parents do not have a constitutional right
to homeschool their children," Justice H. Walter Croskey said in the 3-0 ruling issued on Feb. 28. "Parents have a legal duty to see to their children's schooling under the provisions of these laws."

Parents can be criminally prosecuted for failing to comply, Croskey said.

Since I do not homeschool, and we haven't yet decided how our children will be educated (and homeschooling is an option) I don't really know how to react to this. For my friends who homeschool their children (whom I respect), I wonder what you think...

Much better today!

Mallory is much better today!!! She's coughing more, though, but we've got some syrum for that!!! She's been playing with her toys and it's good to see them all skewn about the house because it means she's getting back to her normal self. She's also eating more, too. I'm trying to not give her too much to upset her tummy, though I think she'd eat more than I'm giving her. Tomorrow, I'll treat it as a normal day.

E is still coughing. It doesn't seem to bother him too much, but when he starts to stir during his active sleep time, I think he coughs and wakes himself up. He's been a good boy, though.

Thanks for the prayers!

Ethan is 4 months!

Despite the news of the flu, yesterday was E's 4-month birthday. I didn't get too many pics, but I did start him on rice cereal for the first time. Mal's first feeding was at 5 months, but Ethan is MUCH bigger than she was at this age. He's about 20 lbs now and Mal didn't reach that mark until she was 12 months! WOW!

Doing better today...so far

Mal seems to be feeling better today. She was pretty much miserable yesterday and today I'd say she just doesn't feel good. She's played with some of her toys, ate a little breakfast, and I was able to squeeze out a few smiles from her. She's in bed now and I'm ready for Ethan to wake up from his nap anytime...

We had a long night last night, but I'm trusting that God will give me, Patrick, Mal and E the strength to plug on through today so that tomorrow will come with even better reports than now.

Keep praying.

We've been infiltrated!

Well, we can officially say that our family has been plagued with the flu. Mallory started feeling ill yesterday afternoon, having a fever of about 101 and no appetite. This morning, she had a fever of 104 and was coughing and pitifully moaning while I tried to comfort her with the rocking chair. Patrick insisted we take her to the doctor, and though I, at first, dissented his decision, I later agreed after her fever wouldn't go down and the coughing started. He took her at 9:30 this morning and just called to tell me that she tested positive for the flu. I'm SOOO thankful Patrick was able to go to the doc for me. What a blessing! He said he'll work from home the remainder of the day...

We'll all be on tamiflu, even Ethan, to help prevent the spread. The doctor was happy we caught it so early! Hopefully, this treatment will help and it won't spread to Ethan ('cause he'd be in the hospital if he gets it!).

Anyway, Mal should be home shortly and then it's time to wage war on the flu here at home!!! We covet your prayers...

DONE!!!

Our tax return is complete and I just e-filed it. Gosh, that felt good. I always have this hanging over my head starting in January every year. And everytime I finish our return, it feels great. Thanks to E and Mal, we get a refund. That's even better.

Last week...

was the annual date I have with my Dad (last year's post)...the FL/GA bastketball game in Athens. It was a good time with my dad, a great visit with my folks, and my sister even drove up from Albany for a day with us. It was great to see everyone and, of course, dress the kids up in their gator garb.

Update on Ethan

E is doing better, though he's still coughing. His nose is a little stuffy, too, but it doesn't seem to be putting him in poor spirits. He slept well the last 2 nights (surprisingly!), but that is all by God's grace to him and to me. Last night, he slept from 8pm to 12:15am and then from 12:45am to 6:30am. That is GREAT for him. I've been putting Vicks on his feet (thank you for the suggestion, Kelly) and have been administering Robitussin at night. Anyway, he's napping now and Mallory is playing with her dolly, puzzles and books while I blog.

And speaking of Mallory, her little imagination is just blossoming! I bought her a little umbrella stroller for her dolly, bear, and dogs yesterday and she LOVES strolling them. She's also "talking" on the phone and carrying her purse (she had all of the acts going at the same time at one point yesterday). She's learning to "brush" her doll's hair and reads aloud to her doggies. She's very cute and it's great to see her learn. Today, she walked right up to the potty and said "potty". And when we stick her in her chair to eat, she immediately says "Amen" as to speed up the process of getting her food (she's eating better, too, by the way...).

Anyway, the kids are good. Mommy is doing well. I still struggle with the sin of self pity and pray that God will replace it with joy. I'm blessed to be able to stay at home with them, do laundry, cook, bake, clean, straighten messes, wipe noses, rock away the tears, read books, sing songs, play games, discipline according to God's standard (or at least *try* to)...and the list could go on. He is good. And what He's given me is good. I can only hope that he will be glorified through our hours, minutes and even seconds.

Home with the E-man

Ethan is battling a cough right now, which is very heart-breaking for me. Mallory didn't get sick much as a baby, so listening to Ethan cough, especially at night, is very sad. We're staying home from church today because I feel that Ethan would get the best rest he can at home rather than in a car seat. I hope it doesn't get worse...he's sneezing, too, but no fever and he's keeping his food down (well, except for the normal spit up). Keep us both in your prayers. We're both lacking adequate sleep and I just want him to feel good again. He slept with me most of the night last night, but I finally had to put him in his crib because I needed some good sleeping for a few hours. Anyway, pray!

The Pink Dress

While I was home, my mom gave me a little history of these dresses. Apparantly, I'm about 18 months old in these pictures and my mom said what was unusual about these dresses is that they were store-bought. Mom made a lot of our clothes or they were hand-me-downs. The dress is a Polly Flinders dress (I tried to find a website, but was unsuccessful) and mom and dad splurged on them. Mom saved them all these years and it was fun to put Mallory it in for some pictures.