Monday, February 29, 2016

Good Day

Today, we had probably one of the smoothest, quickest homeschool days. EVER.

The best part was looking at the babycenter.com's mockup of what the baby looks like at this point in pregnancy.

Child #3 initiated the questions. Then all slowly gathered around and started asking more questions.

It involved terms like: womb, placenta, cervix, vagina (gasp!), dilation, effacement, amniotic fluid, meconium, soft spots, skulls/plates and vernix.

They were ALL enthralled.

They all went and ran to get their "birth photo books".  They all excitedly opened them and looked at the photos as I explained that "this is [this]...and this is [that]."

Then #4 asked with the poutiest, most pathetic face possible, "Where's my birth book? I don't have a birth book..."

I found it sad, and funny.  That poor child has no photos of his birth.  Somewhere in a hospital security system in New Jersey, there might be a video tape of his chaotic birth.

But we have no photos.

I tried to explain it to him, but my explanations fell on deaf ears.  He didn't understand why I couldn't get a photographer (a good friend of mine) to drive the 25 minute drive in 10 minutes.

One day he will get it.  Until then, we will make him an "after the birth" book.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Mental Toughness...or not.

When my husband goes out of town, it generally isn't a big deal.

Not this time.

It's only been two days and I have to admit I feel wimpy.  I hurt (almost 35 weeks into pregnancy. Stupid ligaments.), I am not sleeping well (pregnancy stuff again), we homeschool (this should just be !!!), I am attempting to nest (and it's not exactly going as planned) and I have four (and a half) children under 10.

I just feel not tough. I've done this for longer and seemed to handle it better.

He was gone for 21 weeks when I was pregnant with our 3rd (I had around 10-ish weeks to go when he left), and I seemed to handle it better.

Maybe I didn't. Okay, I didn't.  It is funny how the mind only remembers certain things during tough times.

There's been a lot of yelling today. It is not my finest or greatest admission. Most of the yelling is when I found The Enabler (child #3) had climbed up and gotten down the nail polish and given it to The Mess Maker (child #4) who then proceeded to paint his nails on my FAVORITE bedspread. It has now been nail polish tattooed.  I have no words.

Yep, not my finest moment.  I think the yelling has decreased a lot recently because when I was yelling, it seemed to motivate them all to get on mom's good side...and all four children (even though they weren't all in trouble) found a room to clean spotless in a hurry.

They must know me well.

When Mom is cleaning like a maniac, Mom is upset, really upset and it's best for you to steer clear and find a way to help and calm the situation.

AND (Post edit):
I found out one (or more) of my children somehow requested refunds for items purchased on Amazon.  And they were approved for over $100.

I just made my 8th (long story) phone call to Amazon this week and I couldn't explain what happened.  Luckily, the amazon lady was patient and even said, "You watch that one name [Child #3]. My name is that I know I was trouble when I was younger.  HAHAHAHA.