Sleep.... Sleep... Where are you????

I used to get sleep. It was nice. I have fond memories of those days. They are gone and I don't think they will return. Ever. I am so tired right now. I was tired yesterday... or I thought I was tired. I was wrong and the universe felt the need to correct my thinking and show me what true "tiredness" is. Unfortunately I am a working mom and still get up at 6am, still get the kids ready and come to work, I will still go home and feed the kids, do the dishes and make dinner and entertain Elis playdate, then give my kids a bath and put Nathan to bed (thank you Chris for taking care of Eli lately). And I will probably still veg out on the couch from 8-10pm because its the only time I can actually sit down. I hate going to bed at 8pm and never having a chance to clear my head. And I do it because I love it. I love my kids, and I love my job, and I really do love my life. I just need more than 1 hour of continuous sleep. Yes, 3 or 4 hrs is tolerable, but when its an hour here and and an hour there followed by a 1/2 hour... you really just want to cry.
But I learned my lesson universe! I will not give Nathan cereal for a couple more weeks! I will wait until the ear infection is cleared up and he is off the meds. Lets deal with one thing at a time. Its funny, I was reading about the drug interactions with these antibiotics and it says if his diaper 'output' is higher, it could mean something - but he is taking them at the same time as we're upping his milk. Kind of hard to tell which is which. Oh and if the medicine makes his dirty diapers a dark reddish brown (which is normal and harmless) how do you tell if there is blood in it - which is one of the serious side effects... I don't know. I'm too tired to think about it.
I would say that I wish it were the weekend, but the only thing I have to look forward to is a 23 hour day... Can't wait.

Ok, enough of the pity party. I'm done. Off to Carls Jr for some caffeine and lunch. ;)

Edited to add: I started thinking about this a little more and now I feel kind of selfish. Because as tired as I am, I feel worse for Nathan. He is the one who was awake and crying and seemingly in pain all night. my poor baby... I hope he is feeling better. :(

When Daddy has extra time on his hands

On a lighter note -
This one was just cute. Sunday afternoon (after Eli woke up 6 times in the middle of the night) it wasn't surprising that he was tired.

And this is one where Chris... well I'm not sure what he was thinking, but its pretty funny. I wish I could say it was an actual shower cap. No, its a cover that the smoke detectors came with. LOL! I guess thats what you get when Dad has too much time. ;)

Failure to Thrive

Ok, so my update from the doctor was not what I wanted to hear. Yes his ear infection is still there. Although he said it didn't seem like an ear infection, but a swollen ear drum or something... he was just kind of mumbling to himself. so who knows. Its the same antibiotics as an ear infection. Oh, and he has now lost 5 oz. He is 11lbs 4oz. Surprisingly enough the doc didn't seem overly worried about it and thinks it could possibly be due to the ear thing. He gave me one or two suggestions, so maybe we'll try those.
For a mom though, seeing your baby lose weight over the course of a month is not good. So I'm worried about him and thinking of all the extra times I could fit in additional feedings and how I could get him to gain at least SOMETHING. The funny thing is before I put him on the scale, I was convinced he had gained a little bit. I mean he is still a shrimp, but in my head he seemed like he was growing. Guess not. :(

Its a phase right??

Another week, but nothing new. I do have a couple pictures I want to post - but of course I'm not at home and don't have access to them. Oh well. It was a nice boring weekend at home doing laundry and cleaning the bathroom and getting absolutely no sleep. I don't know what is wrong with Eli lately, but he has been so clingy... and it seems to be getting worse. Last night he was paranoid that Chris was going to leave and every 1/2 hour yelled down through the vent... Are you leaving yet? Are you still here Daddy? Go to bed already!!! I was thinking since we didn't go anywhere or leave maybe he would start to get over it, but he hasn't. So I'm really hoping its just a phase. Please, tell me its just a phase. He was screaming last night after Chris put him to bed... Daddy! Come back! - just because he "loves him and misses him" Hoy vay.

And I'll have to get back on tonight and update... Nathan has a follow-up appt at the doctors today. He had a bit of an ear infection last time and the doc wanted to make sure it cleared up properly (and my own personal thought that he was worried about the weight gain) Have to admit I'm curious myself. See if he is gaining any weight yet... I am enjoying my shrimpy little boy, but he really should gain at least a little weight over time. I guess we'll see. Maybe I'll get around to posting those pictures. There is one of Chris and Eli asleep that just melts my heart.

Thanks Grandma

Just wanted to send you a virtual note. I got your card in the mail on Saturday, and it made my day. Thank you!! I will see you all on July 19th and I can't wait.
And also wanted to ask - have you or my mom tried the cabbage rolls that were in this months Taste of Home? You put them in the crockpot which I thought was different. They turned out really good though. It cooks in a tomato sauce with brown sugar mixture, so its really sweet. We liked them. Anyway, just wanted to pass that along.
And sorry to Chris. I told you the rolls won 2nd place. I was mistaken - those were the stuffed peppers. Hmmm.... maybe we'll try those next week. ;)
Love, Mary

I'm a big kid now!

He has been fully potty trained for a week now! Sadly, I probably could have posted this months ago, but I was too cheap (and tired) to let him out of his pullups at night. I figured I already had one baby waking me up - didn't want to change sheets in the middle of the night too. Plus, we had the Costco size box and wanted to use them up. But now they're gone and Eli has been accident free!! No, I'm not jinxing anything because I know he will have accidents, he just hasn't yet. If he does tonight, thats fine. I'll go to bed early. ;) I even heard him get up in the middle of the night. All by himself! Got up, went potty, went back to sleep (closed the door and everything!) He probably does it every night, but I haven't heard him. Anyway, just wanted to brag on my big boy.
And I had to take this picture of him. He hasn't taken a nap in months!!! I was shocked when I turned around and he was out. LOL!

Nathans first cereal

Well, anyone who has talked to me about babies know that I prefer to wait until they're 6 months before I give them cereal. Eli had a really hard time with it early on, so we waited until 6 months and never had a problem. Well.... we're a week shy of 5 months. ;) oh well. Eli has been asking about when Nathan gets to eat real food so we bought some oatmeal at the store last week. Then I was talking to my sister about it and how she had tried, and was going to try again and I thought - why not. Well, he is not quite ready yet. The spoon went in, and his tongue came out. To his credit though, he LOVED it. He would take some in his mouth and then bring his fingers up to suck on them so that he could suck the oatmeal down his throat. pretty smart! ;) Although since he is a finger sucker, it took him a minute to realize how to take the fingers out of his mouth and get some more. I guess we'll see how he sleeps tonight. If he sleeps alright, we might try again next Sunday and make it a weekly thing! Man he is growing up...

hmmm.... maybe I should have put a bib on him... oops. I guess I'm a little out of practice.

The Happy Tongue

Nathan isn't a huge smiler, but he definitely smiles. His thing has been when he is happy, he will stick out his tongue (with a cute grin). ;) So I finally tried to get some shots of his tongue, but this kid is seriously camera shy.

Time Apart

Can I just say how grateful I am that Nathan takes a bottle? (and to have a husband that will watch him when I go out) Last night I went out with my friends and decided to leave Nathan home. Mostly because his bedtime is between 7:30 and 8pm and I was going to be out later than that. I was sitting there talking to my friends, we got our food and I just got this feeling of relief that I didn't have a screaming, unhappy, tired child in my arms. It was also nice just to eat in peace and not have someone I need to entertain. you know?
I hope this isn't coming out wrong. I love my boys. I love being a mom and taking care of them and spending time with them and all the other things that come with being a parent. I love nursing my baby boy and watching him grow and develop and having that special bond. But at the same time, getting a break is just as important. I guess technically I get a break since I come to work every day, but I enjoy the other stuff as well. ;)
In the same breath that I say this, I start to wonder if I'm doing it too much. Eli has been having a bit of separation anxiety or something. He has been freaking out, top of his lungs - crying! To the point that you have to pick him up and he is screaming and stretching his arms across you trying to reach the door. He did it when Chris went home teaching last Sunday, he did at daycare yesterday... I don't know whats wrong with him. He has never EVER been like this. Even when he was at the separation anxiety age (is it 9 months or so?) it was only mild and he got over it quickly. I don't know. I guess it'll be something to watch.
For now, I'll just enjoy my time with them and away from them. Because it makes me a better mom.

Just in case you want to throw up

;) I had a friend post this link when we were talking about laundry. Since everyone washes clothes, thought you might be interested to know what you're sitting/sleeping on.
Click here
Sorry...
One thing that I thought was interesting was that even if you vacuum your couches, if you don't throw the bag away - the dust mites can leave your vacuum bag. hmm.... thats a nice thought isn't it... wonder if they can get out of the plastic canister. Hope not!

Earthquake!

So I guess there was a 6.0 earthquake this morning. Who knew? It was actually out in rural Nevada, but you could feel it in Utah. The guys in our office said they could feel the office shake/sway. My boss who lives in West Jordan said he could feel it in his car while he was driving. I didn't feel anything, but thats not surprising. At 7:15 I was rushing trying to dry my hair with a screaming (and hungry) baby in the next room. oh well. Guess we're not made to live in California! We're all whimps when it comes to earthquakes. ;) My question is that Wendover said they got hit pretty hard and have cracks in the walls, etc. So how do they know which cracks to blame on the earthquake and which ones were there because that town is old and cracking to pieces anyway? just curious.

I need a break... ;)

I am constantly getting funny forwards at work/from friends. I always enjoy a good break. The first one is my life. Thank you Nathan. The second one is a link to take a test and see how many 5 yr olds you could beat up... LOL! And the 3rd is just a picture of some stupid contractors.


(2) How many five year olds could you take in a fight??? Find out here
It is strangely satisfying. ;)


(3) These contractors are installing steel pillars in concrete to stop vehicles from parking on the pavement outside a downtown sports bar. They are now in the process of cleaning up at the end of the day and anxious to go home.


How long do you think it will be before they realize where their vehicle is parked?

My taxes are done, my airline tickets are purchased, and I'm not out of my pajamas yet! LOL! It is such a load off to have this done. The good news is that our tax refund is going to cover 90% of our new carpet. Thats what I was hoping for. I guess it would have been nice to pay for ALL of it, but its only a few hundred dollars short. And even better, we are officially flying home for the family reunion! We'll spend a few days at my parents, a few days at the beach (or other fun family adventures) and come home refreshed... yeah right. ;) I don't know if I've ever been on a vacation that I came home and just felt like I'd really been on a "vacation" and I was ready to go back to work. Either way, it'll be fun.
Although, I was realizing that we seem to be making it a trend to go out of town on my birthday. We did last year, and we will this year. Not that we ever do anything on my birthday, I just find it interesting. I still remember our camping trip to NY (when I was a kid) was over my birthday. I remember waking up to a bunch of pinwheels, or candy things on the tent... then it rained all day and we went to Canada. :)
Alright, off to get ready for the day! Not that we're doing anything, Nathan is just napping, so this is my chance.

Favorite Toys

I was just thinking that we rarely just take normal pictures in our house. I mean - who wants pictures of the mundane things that our kids do everyday... I guess I do. Well, here they are on an average evening (with the tv off! gasp!!) playing with their toys. Eli loves his trains. Those are by far the one thing he plays with more than any of the rest. Luckily he has 2 sets, so he gets to mix it up a little bit. These are his Thomas ones, and he has a Geotrax set as well.




And Nathan who is still a bit young and doesn't necessarily 'play' with toys has found this little toy to suck on. He'll shake it or suck on it for at least 10 minutes at a time. Its fun to see him start to be drawn to these types of things. Definitely growing up!! ...mentally that is... still looks like a 2 month old. ;)

There should be a new law

That all women need to get a massage once a week. I had forgotten how wonderful they are! The sad thing is I remember when my last one was. I was pregnant... VERY pregnant and it wasn't within the last 9 months. That means it was almost 4 years ago!!! My neck is feeling better. Its not 100%, but I didn't take any motrin this morning, so that is huge. Hopefully it'll only continue! But just in case, I am going back next Thursday... ;)

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Can't you feel the love? :) I'm not huge on these kinds of holidays... but figure I'd pass along a friendly greeting to you all. Anyone doing anything fun? I'm getting a massage tonight, but it has nothing to do with Valentines Day. It has more to do with the insane tension in my neck and back that has caused me to take prescription strength drugs for a week just so that I can function. Hopefully we can get some of it resolved.
Eli woke up at the crack of dawn this morning, so while he was watching his show, we made a Happy Valentines Day picture for Julie (his daycare lady). We didn't do any cards or anything for his friends.. Mommy is too lazy - and he has too many friends at daycare. I would hate to forget someone. We did make one however for Grandpa Gillie who is having his (gasp!) 70th birthday on Monday. Love you Dad. ;) I'll send it out today - I apologize if it doesn't make it by Monday... Miss you lots! I should send one to Grandma Gillie as well since we missed her birthday in December. :( Talk about an ungrateful child.
Well, I guess I better get back to work. I have to write a CatEx Environmental Document to help an elderly couple move out of their house before our project goes through. We would have bought their house anyway, but their health won't last until the project goes through... so I'm supposed to do theirs in advance. Unfortunately I hate Environmental Documents, and I've been putting it off for 2 days.. oops. Alright, alright, I'm going to work now. Hope you all have a fun day

Happy Valentines Day!

Update on the roof!

We had an insurance guy come out today and look at our roof and its covered!!! (of course this probably means our rates will go sky high) But they looked at our main floor as a whole and said that because part of our ceiling will need to be replaced, all of it will. This includes the laminate wood floors too. They supposedly gave us the money to hire a contractor to do it all, but you know insurance companies and how they low-ball it the first go around. So we'll see how far it goes. I guess this has been a major issue all over the valley this year because of the freeze/thaw and that the snow base hasn't melted so it just piles and piles and piles up. Anyway, it'll be spring before we fix anything, but at least we CAN now. What a relief.

Life is not fair

I know there is a purpose, but sometimes... it is just not fair. I have a co-worker whos son was diagnosed with Leukemia. I've worked with Bryce for the last couple years on my Clinton job (he is the Clinton city Engineer) and I've seen his kids a few times when they come to visit the office. Its his oldest boy. I believe he is 7 years old. I just can't imagine what that must be like. How do you tell your little boy that they have to go through chemotherapy? and surgery? and hospitals? and all the other things that go along with cancer. He had his surgery a couple weeks ago and Bryce just came in the office today with a shaved head - so you know his son is going through chemotherapy and losing his hair. I just want to cry because you know there are kids all over the world going through the same thing. Its awful for adults to go through it, let alone kids. I guess you just need to be grateful for the things you have. And enjoy the times your kids are healthy so that you can be strong for the times they are not.
My heart breaks for his family.

Nothing to post, but I will anyway... ;)

So this has been yet another boring weekend. (I like those best) Chris went ice fishing with our neighbor friend and I stayed home with the boys... grocery shopping, cleaning and laundry were heavily involved as well. The good news is that laundry is put away, groceries are bought for the next 2 weeks and ...well the house is a disaster again. Oh well.

So anyone have a good remedy for a strained neck? I did something to my neck and have been taking my prescription Motrin since Thursday morning. I can't move my head side to side, it gives me a constant headache and when its really bad I can feel my right arm going numb. Probably not a good thing. I think its getting a little better as my meds have worn off and I only have a dull headache. I think I might go in for a massage or something. I know its only the muscles that are the issue.

Lets see, what else... I tried a new recipe tonight. Probably the easiest meal I've made in a while. 2 chicken breasts at the bottom of a crockpot and pour 1 cup of salsa, a can of cream of mushroom, a can of beans, and a pkg of taco seasoning. Cook on low for 6-8 hours and when its done you shred the chicken with a fork (it literally falls apart) and mix 1/2 cup of sour cream. Serve with tortillas (make burritos). I used a mild salsa so that it wouldn't be too spicy for Eli - and he devoured it. This was of course after his tantrum that "he didn't want chicken" and "I don't like burritos". LOL! Never listen to a 3yr old I guess. ;)

Oh, and Old Navy is having a 40% off sale right now on kids clothes. Realizing that Eli has nothing for summer, I pretty much raided the place. oops. I got him a pair of jeans, 2 shorts, a bathing suit, 4 shirts, pjs for Nathan, and 2 pair of socks for $50. Not earth shattering, but it wasn't bad. At least he has SOMETHING now. After that I went to Barnes and Noble looking for a food storage cookbook. Our neighbors (whos calling is preparedness) mailed out their testimony on food storage and that its a real need and the time is eminent that we will need it. It was wonderful... siting parables and recent talks and everything. Since its something thats been on my mind anyway, this was an extra push in the right direction. Unfortunately B&N didn't have any books in stock, so I had them order one, but I might be looking online. If you know of any good books on what to do with your bulk storage - let me know. I am clueless. Anyway, for a boring weekend - I sure did ramble on for a long time. (sorry) Things are good, but I need to run. Nathan is still sleeping and its 7pm. His normal bedtime is 8... oops. I guess it'll be a late tonight. Church throws everything off. ugh.

One more and I'm done...

I just have one more political rant and I'm done... I PROMISE!!!! Its in regards to these rebates. I feel like banging my head against a wall. Are you kidding me??? We're 9 trillion dollars in debt. $9,000,000,000,000 (thats a lot of zeros) and we're borrowing more from China. And from the polls taken most people will be paying off debt, or buying Chinese products (like a plasma tv) So not only is it not going to stimulate our economy - it'll make it worse! I am just so frustrated.

I also want to warn you not to get too carried away. This is nothing more than a loan. Your 2009 tax refund will be deducted by the amount you get back. I read this article and it really put it in perspective. http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/Advice/TheDetailsOnTaxRebates.aspx
Alright... I'm done. No more politics from me. I can't take the stress.

Edited... after doing a little more research, the loan is only 1/2 true. They're actually not going to tax the first 10% of your income, so you would have been getting this money back anyway... (ie you normally get $2000 back for a tax refund, you would have gotten $3200, but they're giving you $1200 now and you get your normal $2000) whatever, its still an awful idea.