Birthday Party

The party is done. It was a bit of a flop to me. I didn't have the time (or rather I did, but I managed it poorly) to do what I wanted.and it didn't look a thing like pinterest. Haha. But thanks to Karl and Tierney and Taryn, we got it done. 

Tierney, bless her heart, is my mother incarnate. So she was generous and helpful, if outspoken and well, not caring of the "rules" of society. Gotta love her. Karl was exhausted. Taryn was amazing. She not only watched four small kids this morning, but also prepared most of the snacks for us. Caleb did not participate. Five kids came which was exactly what I hoped for, and Liam seemed happy. But Liam was happiest with the cake. He likes the other kids, but is still very much in his own world. I can't really define it. I have a lot of swirling thoughts for my personal blog, angsty stuff probably not best suited for a birthday party post!

I didn't get many pics of the other kids, because I always worry that that's weird, you know? I DO KNOW I will NOT mix a family and school party again. Ever. It's too awkward for me. 

:o)

Moving on Up!

To a bunk bed, that is. Yesterday Karl's parents gave us $500 to get the boys new bed (or get one more, since Liam already has one). We opted to get inexpensive wooden bed ones which could be taken down into two beds. The hard decision was between white (which matches their room now) and darker wood (which will be more "masculine" as they get older. Since the beds were fairly cheap (200), I went with white. They will need something else by the time they are late elementary anyway.

I also bought another mattress, and bed sets. Now it's hard for me to have mismatched bed sets, but I know it isn't about me, but them, so I did it! Go me!

Here's a preview:

I won't bore you with the mattress.

For Gabe:

and

And for Liam:

Looking forward to it!

Gabriel

So aside from being lovely, little Gabriel is also the fifth baby and mom has had to go back to work. I worry about Gabe.

At his last dr's visit, Gabe had gained enough height to put him back on the growth chart (yay!) and gained a bit of weight. His lead level was also under 5 (4.9!). He did have an ear infection, which makes me sad, but that is easily fixed.

But...Gabe doesn't talk. He says, momma and dadda, when he is crying for us, but not in speech. He used to say Cat, but not any longer. Apparently at 18 months (in about 3 months), kids have around 50 words they say. Yeah. Just what a mom likes to hear. So I have been trying to train him and doing all the things I wish I could do more often, but he hasn't got it yet. Like he won't mimic me or anything.
So, if he doesn't have 15 words or so by 18 months, I am supposed to call and see about getting a referral for speech therapy. I feel like I am such a bad mom lately, or like my genes are defective or something.

Well, at least he has a pretty face! Look at those eyes:o).

Recent pics

Okay, these have all been on facebook, but I want to keep this blog current!\

Sprained ankle...waiting to be seen.

Gabriel 14 months

Liam, 3.5  years

Building a Fort

Looks more like destroying a fort, but whatever.

A catch of breath

Just a bit, a handful, is sitting near my sternum, unsure where to go.

Yesterday started out exciting. I am always happy to go to well-baby check-ups as it's fun to focus, and have someone else, focus on my sweet kids. But Karl was tired and cranky, so it started off unpleasant. Then Liam didn't show off his vocabulary, didn't enchant the doctor with stories of our "storm chasing" adventures, or do any of the things as a parent you hope your child will demonstrate for others.

Liam got on the floor and climbed under the doctor's chair and grabbed his leg. Liam interrupted. Liam reached up, touched the doctors hair, and questioned him as to why it was standing up like that. Liam didn't hear the doctor tell him to "give him five" until we had all prompted him.

When the cute doctor (ahem, did I say that?) started with the questions, I knew where he was going. Is he a contemplative thinker or a doer. I tried to say thinker, but Karl butted in, "He's a doer." And I guess he is. We discussed that yes, he was almost always on the move, but..he isn't always racing, more...plodding, that's how I would describe it. Does he run off in stores. Karl said, yes, but not far. But I was reminded of a couple weeks ago when we tried to take a trip to Target. I foolishly let Liam out of the cart, and Liam ran for it. Of course, I took his hand, once I got him, and we left the store, but that coupled with the lack of boundaries does suggest a certain impulsiveness.

But he is three. And three year old boys are often on the go and impulsive. Some kids do talk a constantly. Tierney did. Liam can sit for a chapter book that only has a picture every three or four pages. He is interested in "academics".

But, then I can't help but realize the doctor sees kids all day long. He sees them in a specific context, and can easily compare Liam to other children of similar age. He might not see the great I do, but he sees him on a level playing field with other kids.

I mentioned that as long as he isn't acting this way in two years, I wasn't too worried. To which the doctor replied, "I think he will be."

As that particular barb twisted in, my mind shut off. No, I am not ready to deal with this.

ADHD has a lot to do with behavior. The parents are feeding the kids junk food and letting them watch too much TV, right? They aren't enforcing behavior.
And with Liam, all that is partially true. We have been disorganized and too relaxed for several months. And ADHD has to be partially hard-wired, at least. Simply because most American kids would have ADHD otherwise. While a sizable amount do, most do not.

So what can I do? First, we must get better organized in our routines. I know how important this is for children, but I have serious organizational problems. I would say I have ADHD, ha! except that I have really good powers of concentration when necessary. We are going to cut TV to one morning show and one afternoon show. This will be the hardest. We will take the little ones out more and eat in places like fast food, so we can practice sitting still and behaving appropriately. We will discipline more consistently. If the problem persists, we will deal with it then.

Deep breath.

Two weeks

It happened just two weeks ago. At first, it seemed okay. It was convenient and easy. It just seemed more appropriate and professional.

It promised a lot. And it delivered. And yet, despite the ease, despite the simplicity, and the time it has saved....

I miss my long hair.

Short hair is ugly.
I feel like a terrier.