T-Ball - Finally!

Jacob was finally able to play T-Ball.  The coach seems to know what he is doing and takes coaching the kids seriously.  That is a good thing.  They had their first game on Saturday.  It was cold!  I spent my time cuddled underneath a toddler sized blanket with three kids, lol! 

Anywhos, don't ask me who won.  I don't think anyone was keeping track.  The emphasis is teaching the kids the rules of the game, letting the kids get the feel of the game, and sportsmanship. 

Between you and I, the game was very entertaining.  The entire team usually runs to the outfield to get the ball.  When they try to throw it to first base, the first baseman is in the outfield standing next to them, lol.  So it became a running game.  Pretty cute.

I must say, though, I never knew that T-Ball was a contact sport until Saturday.  My goodness.  Kids wrestling the ball from other players or tackling them for it.  And they were on the same team!  This will be a fun spring.  :-)

I didn't get pictures of Jacob's first game because my batteries died the instant I turned the camera on.  Grr.  I did get pictures at home of him in his shirt and hat, but I won't share them here.  ::grins::  I'm sorry...our county is on the front of the shirt and I'm pretty weird that way. 

    If I can get a picture that only shows the backs of players....

Robby

Can you believe he is almost 11 months old?  I can't.  The time just flew.  He amazes me everyday.  He crawls ,(pretty darn fast, too), he pulls up, he cruises, he climbs stairs.  He says "Kitty!"  He is getting so big.  He loves to be right in the middle of things.  Playing with his brothers and sister thrills him.  He still likes to be held a lot.  Sometimes, I don't mind.  The bad thing about holding him is you tend to fall asleep with his warm fuzzy head resting on your shoulder.  Robby tried it out on my brother, and my brother went right to sleep, lol.  It's almost like holding a newborn.  Except Robby is not a newborn :-(  He's almost one.  Wah!

OK, sort of "Wah!"  I have a confession.  I am not really up to having a newborn around the house anymore.  The sleepless nights are really getting to me.  I'm ready to move on to the next stage of parenting with him...but yet I really want to hold onto his "babyhood," if there is such a word.  It's a confusing time for me.  I am not so much a newborn type person, but the thought of my last baby growing up is very sad for me. 

I'm not really sure how big Robby is sizewise.  I would say he's about average.  A little over 20 lbs and around 30 inches tall?  He is in size 12 months still.  Still room to grow.  He has been in 12 months clothes for a while now.  I tried him in some 18 months clothes and he swims in them. 

He's a pretty good baby still.  If you tell him "no-no" he will stop what he is doing and smile at you with one eyebrow raised, then giggle and crawl onto something new.  Very cute.  I am enjoying his good natured listening skills while they last.  Ha-ha.

Above are some pictures of him so you can see how he has grown.  I personally don't think his face has changed that much.  He has less hair now than he did when he was born, though.  LOL

Aidan

Aidan is growing up to be such a big boy.  He has always been "Mommy's little guy," and now he is growing so independent.  Sometimes I get so sad thinking about it.  Our babysitter told me today that he went potty in his little potty today!  I am so excited for him.  I have been following his lead on the potty training front.  I don't believe in pushing a child to potty train.  I have always been of the mind that a child will start using the potty when s/he is ready.  I think pushing a child will just lead to setbacks and regressions.

He can count to ten when he really thinks about it.  He can draw pretty well.  He is finally getting the hand of all of his colors and he has known his shapes for a while.  He loves to be read to.  We are to the point now where he no longer goes in the cart at stores.  When it is just him walking with me, he does great.  When his brother or sister are with us, he tends to follow their lead and get into stuff and wander.  Drives me nuts.  Sometimes I wish they could stay little so I can always protect them, but I know that isn't how it works.  Aidan is also pretty good at riding his Tricycle.

My little boy is growing up. :-(

 

Alexia

So where do I begin with Alexia.  My sweet, sweet little girl.  She is my constant.  Mostly sweet.  Sometimes she shows a little spunk, but she quickly hides the spunk.  She is very eager to please others.  She does have a little habit of whining and crying to get her way.  I can't really fault her for it.  I can remember doing the same thing, although I do deny it every chance I get.

In school she seems to be doing great.  She is eager to learn how to read and right.  She loves to draw pictures.  I need to take a picture of her stick people.  They have evolved a great deal.  I just couldn't help but laughing for a good long ten minutes when I first saw her "new" stick people.  Don't worry, she wasn't with me.  They are so sweet and funny.  And they look like Zombies, lmbo.  A picture is the only way for you to get the full effect.  I'll see what I can do about that.  :-)

She has developed a very strong attachment to me as of late.  Her school sends notes home saying she cries at school saying she wants her Mommy.  My dad stayed with the kids for a bit while Alan and I went shopping for a dishwasher.  He said she bumped her head then stood at the door for 20 minutes crying for her Mommy.  I really don't know what caused this all of a sudden.  I try to offer her as much support and comfort as  I can.  It gets a little difficult, though, because Aidan and Robby are both very attached also.  Both of them have always been that way.  Alexia was when we was first born, then she grew out of it for a while.  I guess the prospect of Kindergarten is a little daunting for her?

Overall, she is doing very well.  I am very proud of her. She is growing up so fast.

Pictures

I added some Pictures to Jacob's entry.  I can't believe how big he is getting.  I don't have time now to do Alexia's entry, as I have three children all hanging on me whining.  Ahh, Happy Sunday!

April 22

I am deviating from my child a day plan.  Today will be all about Alan.   I guess in a way you can say he is my oldest child.  ::cheeky grin::

Today, seven years ago, Alan I stood in front of a Justice of the Peace and our two roommates at the time.  We exchanged the average vows promising to love and cherish each other.  As a side note, I would like to add that the word "obey" was not included anywhere in our vows regardless of a certain someone's insistence that it was.  Yes, today is our wedding Anniversary.

It is safe to say that Alan is still my everything.  Even though four little people have been added to our family and it seems like I may forget about Alan sometimes, I haven't.  Ever.  His arrogant little smirk and straight forward attitude are never far from my mind.  He has a way about him that lends to people either loving him or disliking him.  I, obviously, love him.  More so than the day we were married.  We have had our ups and downs, but doesn't everybody?  Mine and Alan's differences lend to some amusing, if not heated, moments.  (Get your mind out the gutter!) 

We aren't celebrating today.  Poor Tigger is sick and he had to work this morning so he couldn't make the one appointment the doctor's office had left available.  It is a beautiful day, I wish he felt better.   

To Alan...I know I am busy with the kids most of the time...but I still love you. 

There, that is as mushy as I will allow myself to get.

Happy Anniversary, Alan.

Children Updates

I have sat down to write in here several times; however I have been either pulled away or my computer flaked on me and shut AOL down when I tried to add pictures.  So I just put it off for another day each time. 

I will post an update about each child in different entries.  This first one will be an update on Jacob since he is the oldest.  However, I have to go now (lol) so I will update this entry later!  I just don't want to lose what I have already typed!

OK, I am finally returning to the computer.  Where was I?  Oh yes, all about my sweet Jacob.

On the home front he is doing better.  He still argues with me a lot, but he is slowly moving out of it because he finds himself losing whatever it is he is arguing about.  He really doesn't agree with that and thinks it isn't fair.  BUT he is arguing less.  Maybe he is finally getting it.   It's a slow process, but day by day we are getting better. 

As for T-ball...well...what T-Ball?  The first practice the coach took it upon himself to cancel because it was the day of the time change.  The second practice was rained out.  The third practice was moved to Thursday instead of Friday.  The coach swears he sent an e-mail, but several people didn't get it, including us.  The fourth practice was rained out.  The first game is tomorrow, and they have said the field is way too muddy, so it is canceled.  So, the one time Jacob could have gone to play we missed.  Alan and I are not that impressed.  Jacob seems to be handling the disappointment well.  Poor kid.  I really feel for him.  He was so excited about starting T-ball.

School...what do I say about school?  His behavior is better.  He only has had two color changes in the past 45 days or so.  Something like that.  That's great for him.  His schoolwork, however, has earned him a recommendation for Summer School.  His school is applying for a grant to have summer school.  Jacob's teacher recommended him.  Jacob has a really hard time with his word lists.  He will sound out each word correctly, then blurt out a completely different word.  He just guesses instead of trying to blend the sounds into words.  Like for tot, he will say T-ah-t...then blurt out MOP!  I get so frustrated with him then I get so frustrated with myself for getting frustrated with him.  That's a lot of frustration, let me tell you!  It seems that his homework or schoolwork is sent home to be redone at least once a week.  It usually requires a parent signature then. I  am guessing his teacher is filing all of this stuff.  I am getting bad vibes about it.  Not sure what will happen.  Time will tell.

 

 

Back to school!

Well, we survived Spring Break.  With much help from my dear husband.  At the end he spent a lot of time with the kids and I, and that helped tremendously.  This past weekend was wonderful.  I was able to get out to go exercise all by myself for an hour or more, and I was also able to take Alexia and Aidan to go and see "The Shaggy Dog."  I really enjoyed the movie.  Aidan got bored, but during the animal parts, he cackled and really enjoyed it.  Alexia liked the entire movie.  Aidan was there for the popcorn, lol.  Jacob, Alan, and Robby were supposed to go, but Jacob acted out so he had to stay home.  Leaving Robby home with them was a bonus for me.  More hands to help with the littles.  :-)

Our Spring break was relaxing, if not a little boring.  We did all of the usual stuff.   We planted flowers that the kids have been religiously checking on and watering and making sure they get plenty of sunshine.  I sure hope they germinate.  :-/  I am debating what to do if they don't.  Go out and buy seedlings and stick them in their pots?  Or try again?  A green thumb I do not have.  Sure, the kids need to deal with disappointment...but what about a situation where Mommy has no clue what she is doing? Ha!

I have been a little sad as Easter approaches.  We are going to go out to my Aunt's house.  Everyone will be there.  Including a brand new baby.  He was born on March 31st.  My third cousin?  Are there third cousins? I have no clue.  It's my cousin's daughter's son.  I am very excited to snuggle to a newborn.  I am finished having babies and busy rearing them, so "baby fixes" are good.  And this is the first time I will get to hold a baby and hand him back to Mommy when he needs something! LOL  But I digress.  I was saying Iam a little sad.  Secretly, I was hoping to not have to go back to my Aunt's so soon.  I was up until 2 A.M. last night crying off and on.  It's the first time I have let myself think about the fact that my Grandma is actually gone.  Yes, I was hoping she would find the peace she sought and deserved...but I still miss her something fierce.  I wrote down on my calendar "Grandma's" on Easter Sunday.   Then I realized what I had done.  I crossed it out and wrote "Aunt Sue's" and it just looked so weird to me.  I haven't told anyone that I am sad and don't really want to go.  But Alan reads this, so I guess he will find out, lol.  I am expected to go, though.  The new baby will help.

Well, the boys are waiting for me.  So I guess I should get up and get moving.  I get to exercise on my own again tonight.  I'm actually happy about it!

A new journal of mine

Calgon, take away...the cellulite

 

I am finally going to lose this weight!  Yes, yes I am!  Shel I am!

Cooking Karma

Sometimes I joke with Alan that "The cooking Karma is with me today!"  Well, today was one of those days.  Despite being a real dork and reaching into the oven and trying to pull out the cookie sheet with my bare hand, I managed to cook some delicious waffles, cookies, and steak today.  Go me.  :-) 

I'm not really sure what it is.  I use the same recipes all of the time.  Sometimes the food comes out great, sometimes it doesn't.  It's odd, really.  So I just call it my "Cooking Karma."  I am tempted to go down and find something else to cook just because I know it will be good, LOL.

Moving into Spring Break

The kids are now on Spring Break.  I was hoping the weather would be gorgeous and warm so we could spend a lot of time outside.  However, it seems the weather is Bipolar, according to the forecast.  One day it will be in the lower 50's, the next the 60's, and one day the 70's.  Of course, the day it will be in the 70's is tomorrow, on Sunday, and it is supposed to storm.  ::sighs::

I have a couple of activities planned for the kids.  I need to dig around the internet and find some other ideas.  We are going to plant some spring flowers (in pots, so we can keep them indoors for another week or so).  I have some games to play.  Other than that, nothing special planned.  I was thinking of going to see family and friends, but changed my mind.

Welcome April.  I'm so happy Spring is here.