Life with a 16 month old.

Remember all of those posts about how easy and sweet number 3 has been to me? I now want to go back and erase them all.
For the past 5 and a half years I have traveled extensively with the kids, at one point I think I counted over 25 trips Logan has been on, something like 65 planes! Within 5 years. Of course the past 16 months it has been much more limited and even replaced with the dreaded road trips instead.
Well on Monday we returned from CT and let's just say I didn't even get my makeup bag out of my suitcase until last night. I am so exhausted with her. I am thinking about never going on another plane with that child again. Abi and Logan are pretty much self sufficient on a plane (besides the time the lady in front of Abi scolded me to "Ask her to stop kicking my seat, PLEASE!"). Seriously, I would almost consider putting them on a plane by them selves ~if they let me, with back packs full of goodies I don't have to do much. Annika on the other hand was a complete terror. Saying that it felt like I was wrestling with an Octopus would be too kind. Maybe if it was a screeching, spitting, biting octopus, it would be a better analogy.
She didn't really bug everyone else like the screaming baby you dread you find yourself next to on a long haul. She just waited until everyone around us got into a nice, relaxing place and decided to let out a short, high pitched screech to let me (and everyone else on the plane) know she was bored out of her mind with the 300 different things I was trying to tirelessly entertain her with. This routine continued for all 2 hours of the endless trip.
I know it could of been worse. I could of had that baby that never seems to run out of energy to scream. Or it could have been a repeat of the flight back from Phonex where Logan puked and dry heaved the whole trip.
Yet, I am burnt on idea of ever being trapped in a 4 1/2 foot radius with my 3 Children for a LONG, LONG time.
The only thing that keeps this girls attention longer than 30 seconds is if she has the opportunity to put things in and out of some type of a container. She loves putting toys in purses and bags and carrying them around. This morning at breakfast she pulled a whole container of Logans million crayons/crayon pieces on to the floor. I was disgusted at first, till I realized that we then had the next 40 minutes filled with her opening a container putting in crayons and closing, standing up and clapping, only to go get more. Soon, I was taking some of the crayons back out when she wasn't looking to keep this little disaster going. What fun.
I love seeing her figure things out, and more than that I love that she is entertained enough to not be screeching at me or pulling at my leg. She has become really loud and whinny but that is probably part of being the youngest of three, she must be heard, and NOW!

Aunt Susan and baby blue eyes.

Little Princess

2 Princesses and a Giraffe, Only shot I have of all 3 ;(

Princess 05' ~from my Mom's camerea

How do you teach a baby duck the sign for "Frosty"?

Annika has now learned how to sign both "Please" and "Thank You" in sign language. Which is great because instead of coming to me and screeching like a dying cat until I give her what she wants, she now gently shoves a toy,cup,can of lighter fluid at me and sweetly rubs her belly in a circle,and smiles to get what ever it may be. I can not resist. It is perfectly adorable. It is my equivalent of teaching my kids how to read, or sit on a potty instead of peeing all over the seat. I see the results and it makes me beam.
Sure, I have heard people say they don't think you should teach perfectly healthy hearing infants/toddlers to sign, for it may delay their speech skills. To them I say go have your own kids to raise how ever you like. For I am screwing mine up quite nicely all by myself, thanks.
Today after cracking open the fresh booklet of Wendy's coupons (I conveniently forgot to give out for Halloween). I decided we would fill up on chicken nuggets and cheese burgers for lunch along with our "free" frosty's.
Annika has decided she does not like Chicken nuggets or even french fries,~ she may after all be the smartest one I have. So instead she had a big bowl of peas and dehydrated apples. Then I thought why not let her try some of the frosty, for if the Chicken nuggets aren't going to kill her might as well give it another try with a nice artificial dairy treat. After the first sip, she was hooked, she wouldn't stop following me around like a baby duck. Hands in the air, screeching, then she remembered the "please" sign so she tried that, then more screeching. I couldn't get it in her fast enough. Then she pulled out the big guns and used a sign I have been trying to teach her to use when she wants "Milk" or to "Nurse". Both hands straight out, opening and shutting her hands and saying "Nss, Nss". I couldn't believe it! She was equating the frosty to nursing! It was a full circle, she truly does think I am her full service dairy bar.
Well I'm off to google: "American sign language = Frosty"

Probably not legal

This is supposed to be the post where I put all the adorable pictures of Abi's first school party and her looking like the sweetest princess you have ever seen. She looked so sweet, and was actually the only princess at school, which was a shock. The teachers kept extorting the fact that it was the first time, most of these kids have ever "performed" in front of a crowd (obviously she hasn't been with us at Meijers when she decides to put on one of her "shows" to get out of the cart!). Yes I was the ONLY Mom there with out any thing to capture this one time only, moment.
I thought I was bad last year when I forgot what time they shortened Logans first day of school to, and he only went for the last 1/2 hour. This feeling stomped on that one.
I couldn't find the camera, I searched EVERY where, and the Camcorders batteries were dead. So no pictures, and we will probably have no pictures of them in costumes today either! You want to know where the camera was?? Do ya? Left out in the jogging stroller for 2 day's in the rain after Erik used it last weekend! Tons of moisture in it who knows if it will ever dry out or work.
So I'm off to go Camera shopping::::::: It's a blessing, I now have an excuse to use that home equity loan for my dream Nikon D70. yea right.

~Oh and I had to paste this that I just read, which probably isn't legal since it was in someone's comments, but all 5 people who read this thing I personally know, I think I'm safe. It was too funny to pass up.


Last Christmas my then 3 yr old daughter had something important to tell me when I went to pick her up.

She announced (within earshot of the other moms and 2 teachers) "Mom, I learned that it's Cheez-its birthday soon!"

The teachers gasped and said "No, it's JESUS!" and looked very annoyed.

9:49 PM

No Air Jordan

On Tuesday I received a call from a fellow classmates Mom of Logans, asking if he would be interested in joining an intramural basketball team they were starting. I half chuckled at what she was getting her self into. Logan and a ball (especially a basketball) do not make a good pair. A couple of days earlier I unfortunately had the experience of bringing him with me to Old Navy, where they have large bins of balls right next to the check out lane. As I fumbled with my stuff I let him play with the distractions they tried to pursuaiet upon us, after about 30 seconds of watching him try to dribble a basket ball and then subsequently chasing after it across the store, bouncing it into innocent by standards, I stopped him with a shake of my head. He was awful! I mean extremely bad. This of course comes back to being our fault. He has rarely had the opportunity to even pick up a basket ball.
We kick a soccer ball around in the neighbors yard every once in a while. He recently even took to tossing a football with one of his cousins, while they were in town. Basketball on the other hand hasn't even been approached.
I responded to the Mom with an excuse, of course. You can't just spring this on my and actually expect an immediate answer, which she wanted. The practice was to start the next day and they wanted to know if they had enough kids. So... I dreadfully asked Logan what he thought. I must say he didn't jump on the idea right away, he hesitated and then asked, "Well umm, are they going to lower the hoops?".
After being assured that "I'm sure they have to lower the hoops." He replied with an excited "Yes!". Me, not so sure.
Yesterday, I was still trying to back peddle out of this dilemma. A half hour before we were supposed to be at the school, I suggested "Hey, lets go to the pool tonight instead!" I'm horrible I know. His response "O.K. after basket ball?" the kids is like a sponge, he remembers everything (I don't want him to that is). There was no getting out of it.
By 10 til 4 he was all suited up, basketball shorts, gym pants over, Nike sweatshirt on top. He was running around dribbling his imaginary basketball. He even asked for a water bottle and little towel (.?!). I know this is where my in laws, who are obsessed with CT College Basketball is hopping that I am going to say " I was wrong." " He completely surprised me." "The kid is a natural!". What happened next still makes me have a pit in my stomach.
We went in the gym and with in seconds the kid went crazy. Running around like he was being chased by a deranged lunatic. If there was ever a kid needed for an ADD commercial, I had found one.
As they lined everyone up for drills, Logan was grinding on the kid in front of him with a funky dance. Once they gave out the balls, it got real ugly. At no point did they kid have actual control over a ball, during the whole HOUR!!! He spent the whole time chasing the fleeing balls on his stomach. Let's just say they should now be paying him instead of a janitor for actually cleaning and dusting that gym floor.
I am really thankful that I have the distraction of chasing a one year old off the court the whole time, so I didn't have to actually watch. It was painful, really painful.
I was hopping that it was just his age. No kindergarten could possibly be good at basketball, right? Most of the other kids weren't great, but far better than I imagined. One kid (of course the one paired up with Logan)had fancy shoes, a bright matching tank and gym shorts, head band, and yes even a water bottle and towel! I heard his Dad grumbling when he was paired with Logan again at the end. Shamefully I have to say I even felt a little bad for the kid.
It was a long hour. When he climbed onto the bleachers, he said he was hot. Well no wonder, he worked out 10 times harder than every one that actually spent the practice on their feet!
On the way home, I tried to explain that maybe basketball wasn't his calling. He didn't like what I was saying. I thought about lying and telling him he didn't make the team.
Then I remembered the next practice is on a Sunday, so maybe I'll let Dad have a little comedy hour before we yank this one.

2 in the bed and the little one said.

I woke up today to a tap on my forhead, and Logan telling me "Mommy I had a bad dream, it was about a scary Halloween (blah, blah, blah)". I have had a rule of NEVER letting the kids climb in bed with me, I know I am a horrible, cold, rotten mother. But for the love of Pete I am with them ALL day, the last thing I need is to be with them all night too. If they are not still nursing, they are denied access to my bed, period.
I will lay in their bed with them and cuddle, say prayers or read a book. Only when sick may I fall asleep in their bed. Today I broke the rule, Erik had just left for work (which is probably why he woke up mid REM) and so I let him climb in his spot. When the alarm went of at ten til seven I looked over to a big grin on his face. He had me right where he wanted me. We cuddled for a few minutes, and of corse the first words out of his mouth were "Today is the Halloween party, right?". I SO don't want to go to the Halloween party. I wish I was rich and could send them with the Nanny.

Going out of business?

Well, looks like the end of the Dairy Bar is just around the corner. The real one that is. It is official that I am starting back to work and not just work but Full Time. This scares the crap out of me. Not that I couldn't handle working Full Time, but the fact that I am now going to be working 2 full time jobs when I'm barely above water at times with the one now! (As is Erik)
Delta called me back a couple of weeks ago and I said that if they called I would take it, although I was thinking of part time, not full time. Now it is upon me. I had been scrambling to find out how I would do the training because it would be the next 10 weeks of day shifts and paying someone to watch the kids and ending up making less than 3 dollars an hour did not sound like fun. Yesterday they called and let me know that they are now having a evening class. So yipee, right? That means that my day will start at 7AM to get Logan up and to school, then Abi (on Tue, Thur) deal with the house and kids and every thing that comes with it and try and figure out who will take the kids from 3-4ish every day So I can work until midnight just in time to crash in bed and get less than 7 hours of sleep (don't forget the baby that gets up 2 to 3 times in the time) and do it again! Sound like fun?
Oh and don't forget that I get to work Xmas, Xmas Eve and not see my Husband for one full day until who knows when. Yes I am a pessimist (that can't spell).
I didn't think I would be going back to work until the kids were all in school at the least. Especially full time. I ask myself if I am really going back for the right reasons? I feel like the number 1 o.k maybe # 2 reason is because Erik and my family don't want to lose flight benefits. Yes we need money but I could find a part time job or work more hours at church and make just about as much money. Haven't I done my part in flying our family as they want for the past almost 9 YEARS!
What hurts me the most is that If I go back I HAVE to wean Annika. I can not worry about her not eating and get up with her all night, while working too. The 2 are just not compatible. I haven't weaned either of the other 2. I believe in self weaning. I never ask her if she wants to nurse she always comes to me. So NO I am not still nursing her for my self (what ever that means). So the Dairy Bar may soon here end.

Things that bring a smile to my face

~ Abi talking to the T.V~ "That way!" "NO Swipping!" She yells at Dora.

~ Watching Logan and Annika play in the kitchen together, a pea and a pod.

~ Listening to Logan sound out words, and act like he is reading.

~ Seeing Annika struggle with trying how to figure out how to put on Sunglasses for
like 10 minutes.

~ Hearing all of the new prayers Logan has learned and never forgetting to do the
sign of the cross afterwards, even though we are not Catholic (Man, he is going to
be in shock some day)

~ Watching Abi march into (and out of) school with a big smile on her face, and to
think I was worried. She would so go for the all day thing if they offered it.

~ Seeing my Computer have a heart attack when I actually do a search on best
loan options?

Pop Paw

If I had one wish granted, I would wish for the chance to see my Dad interact with my kids.
My Dad was a big kid himself. He believed in having fun was much more important than being "Adult". In the years before he had gotten sick he had, bought a white water raft, a motorcycle, broken his arm on rollerblading. He was also contemplating buying a hot air balloon. At one point years before he was in the process of building a glider that he was actually going to jump off of cliffs with.
Yesterday when it hit me that it was the week of my Dad's Birthday and also the same week he had died (5 days apart). I sat down with the kids and told them what the week was to me and how although I felt sad that they never got the chance to play with him. I wanted them to know that they had an incredible Pop Paw. I told them all of things above that I mentioned and of course Abi didn't really get it. Logan turned to me and said "What do you like to remember best about him?" (seriously the kid amazes me). I sat there for a minute and tried to think of one thing that I loved most about him. I then replied that I always knew my Dad loved me no matter what, he was never shy about saying or expressing so. He was very affectionate, holding my hand, rubbing my back, cracking my toes (yea I know strange that I consider that affection). I loved being with my Dad even more than with my friends. My dad taught me to be comfortable with myself, as a 6 foot tall 16yr old for he had been there too. He let me know that the teenage years were the worst years of my life and that it does get better. I just wish he could be here to see that it has gotten better. To enjoy his grandkids and throw them up in the air.

Today was Grandparents day at Logans school. As I watched my Mom and him walk up the street I could almost imagine my Dad holding his other hand.

Nature girl!

Princess of rocks!

Turning 3 = PRINCESS

That's right our Princess is 3! After the last 3 day's of this house being all about Abi, it's really starting to get to her head! She now walks around responding "NO,I'm a princess!" to EVERYthing! "Abi, please buckle up so we can go", "No I'm a Princess!" "Abi time for dinner." "No, I princess!" "Time to go patty" you guessed it. Who knew Princesses don't need seatbelts, Dinner, or Potties.
On Sunday we had a big Birthday dinner with my Mom and Tom and presents in a near by park. Monday her actual Birthday we had a Chuckee Cheese party with some friends and Cousins. Tuesday she brought in Ice Cream Cupcakes and Goodie bags to preschool, and also got to wear the Princess crown all day! When I went to pick her up I swear she could of flown home she was so happy. Then again I guess I would be to if I got to have my Birthday for 3 days straight! ( Who am I kidding, I take the whole week;)And we still have a little party for scheduled for when B&G come in town in a couple of weeks.
The transition of no more Celebrating hasn't been pretty, but I'm sure she will get over it soon, at least I hope so.

A girl and her annoying Lion ~ yes she is clicking too.

All grown up

It seems that Annika has just figured out the key to "non"-verbal Communication.
She woke up,I gave her cup of Juice, she finished it, walked over and shoved it in my face. I put it down she repeated and repeated until I got up to get her more juice!
Then she brought me this little Lion Toy that when you push it's head down it sings the "In the jungle the mighty jungle, Weem a whip, Whem a whop" over and over til you can't stand it anymore,. Well she is addicted to it. She brings it to me sets it in my lap and clicks her mouth like she does when ever she hears music, this is her way of saying "Start this thing NOW!" until I start it. Then she sings/clicks along while walking in circles to the music. I may add that I usually find this just about the cutest thing in the world, but after the past, NOT KIDDING YOU 40 minutes of hearing it over and over and endless clicking and then having it shoved at me every time it stops I can't take it anymore!
Why do they insist on getting so smart, oh and learn how to use/abuse their Mothers? (be quiet Mom!)

Abi's first day at Preschool~ can you see the joy just bursting from her? yea me neither.

First day of Kindergarten, man that kid loves to pose!

"Just come a little bit closer"