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February 29, 2008

I thought the belly pats were over!

I thought my days of annoying comments and belly pats were over once I had Caroline but apparently NOT!!!
Last night I was at a baby shower and was chatting it up with an older lady. I was one of the hostesses for the shower and she was commenting on how lovely everything was and said that we must have worked so hard. I thanked her and said I probably should have taken a nap that afternoon in order to be ready to put the shower on. She looked at my stomach and patted her own and said, "now, are you pregnant too." I replied, "no, I have 3 little girls at home and the youngest is 4 months." I was thinking this response would help to explain why I might need a nap before helping to host an evening shower and maybe that's why she asked if I was pregnant. That was not to be the case. So she reached over and patted my belly and said, "oh so you just have a little left over then."
(I'll wait a moment while that sinks in)

I'm sharing this hilarious tale not so I can get reassured that I don't look pregnant anymore, but more so we can be shocked and outraged together at the continued ignorance of people who don't know the appropriate things to say!!! I thought I had tired this issue out when I was pregnant and told story after story about the goofy things (goofy being a much nicer word than I want to use) people said to me. Little did I know it would continue on!!

One last thing, tummy touching was off limits for me when I was carrying a child- it certainly IS when I'm NOT!!! AH!

Posted by JennR at 01:28 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack

February 21, 2008

waning LOST fan

I know, its a lame title and for those who aren't up to date on LOST this might include spoilers.
Each thursday night during this current season I am more and more irritated. I don't like the emotions and confusion it evokes in me and honestly don't know why I continue to watch it.
I don't like these future glimpses and am angry at their implications that not everyone makes it off the island or ends up doing well. I wouldn't have said I prefer the cheesy happily ever after ending, but I guess I do.
What was up with the final few minutes tonight! I was more sad than anything, what happens at the end that Kate would end up with who she was with. (trying to be vague for those of you who are still reading but not caught up on shows)
Argh! I seriously want to give it up but also want to see it to the end.
It's going to be a tough call once The Office new season starts, I might be taping LOST so that I can watch when I want and therefor have the upper hand.
LOL!
I will not let this show affect me so. . . even though it is apparently too late!

Posted by JennR at 11:15 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

like everyone else

(this picture must have taken Caroline by surprise, and that is so typical Julia!)

Just like everyone else we have been struck by lots of sickness. Caroline is getting over rsv and a uti, Julia had some digestive issue over the weekend which I won't share the details of here but it produced a great deal of laundry and last night Lizzie threw up (more laundry).
The problem is that now this nasty selfish monster is rearing its ugly head inside me. My sympathy is growing thin and my self centeredness is showing through! We had plans to go to Atlanta for the weekend for Truett's baptism and now I just called and cancelled. I am so disappointed. I was looking forward to the change of scenery, seeing our friends and being a part of this special service. Our first let down as his god parents! I know, I'm being a little dramatic. We will have many opportunities to support little Truett through out his life, there is just this little voice inside me that says in a very whiny tone, "but I wanted to go!" (if you can imagine hands on hips and someone stomping their foot at the same time then you have a sense of how I feel) LOL
Andy and I both feel a little weird today but I have yet to get sick. We have taken turns sleeping and I am so glad he stayed home because I was becoming thoroughly exhausted!
Here's hoping for a much healthier week next week!

Posted by JennR at 02:41 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

February 18, 2008

Chattanooga Zoo membership

I just bought a family zoo membership and I have never even been to the zoo nor do I know if it was even worth it!
I bought it because it was featured on the 2 for 1 which I check every week to see the deals. The feature that sold me was the free admission to the Knoxville zoo (which my mom is wanting to take the girls to) and the 50% off of the Atlanta zoo which we are going to again with the Gosey's in late spring.
I'm hoping the Chattanooga zoo will occupy us a few afternoons this spring, but even those discount prices at the other zoos made the purchase worth it.

Check it out if you want, Mudpie (check left side bar) is also featured and you can buy a $50 gift certificate for $25. I've been checking it lately because I'm hoping to score some restaurant gift cards for my Dad and his family's visit here this summer.

Posted by JennR at 02:34 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

February 15, 2008

a little progress!

Julia just came up and initiated going to potty, and I am so excited. Our potty journey with Julia has been long (she was taking her own diaper off in August to go) and bumpy. She recently was not interested at all and I was wondering what route to take next. We had exhausted the m&m approach and done toy incentives and nothing was having very long term affects. Her father and I were getting discouraged with each accident and changing her pants and cleaning up after her at every turn. I had a talk with our ped at Caroline's appt and basically decided to press on but change my attitude. I decided that I needed to have the perspective that this is the road we are on now and it would NOT happen over night with her and I needed to be more positive. This sounds easier than it is especially when I am often tired or stuck nursing when it happens. So I am keeping her in panties because I feel like it will be likely to "click" in panties than in a pull up. While I'm not sure if we're in the clear yet, dry panties after nap and her telling me she had to go is a huge step. Can changing my attitude really have had that much affect on her? Lesson learned I guess.

In other news, Caroline is a little sicko. We went to her 4 month appt on Wed and she is congested and they did an rsv test and it was positive. We are watching to see if it moves into her lungs and affects her breathing. Obviously I am praying it doesn't! They also took a urine sample to check due to her kidney reflux (she also had a low grade fever) and she had white cells in the sample so I am currently waiting to hear if cultures grew and its a full blown UTI. UGH! Poor little thing. She does seem happy though and one thing mom is happy about is that she is an incredible, rolly polly- 17 lbs 9 oz!!! She is off the chart in a good way which is so awesome considering Julia was off the chart the other way which caused us lots of stress and worry. I don't even think Julia reached that weight at one year! It's just incredible to me and I am so thankful she's so chunky. It sure does make nursing a better experience when they thrive!

These are just the little boosts that I feel like God gives me to help me to keep getting up each morning. LOL! It's a tough job with 3 little ones at home, but the blessings are so wonderful.

The other night I was out running errands with Lizzie and we ended the night by sharing a cookie at Barnes and Noble. When we were about to leave she turned to me and said, "Mommy, I like when we're together."
Ah, I can definitely face another day. :)

Posted by JennR at 07:26 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

February 11, 2008

no apologies

Daddy's girls

So Saturday night the whole family ventured out for dinner and some shopping. It's rare lately that we'll take everyone out somewhere. I personally don't think restaurants are a place for toddlers and unless I can be sure my kids will be on their best behavior I don't like to risk ruining someone else's dinner. It was fun to take them out and watch them be so excited about their "special drinks" with straws. Its funny what will impress them still. I've learned that its more fun just to let them eat the rolls that are served early and let them munch on the peanuts (we went to Texas Roadhouse) than to be on them about waiting for their dinner. It's such a rare occasion that we eat out anyway I thought I'd let them go to town on whatever they wanted- this made it more fun for all.
The thing that struck me as odd while we were out as a family, was that Andy got apologized to at least twice. Our waiter upon arriving at our table and seeing the girls and then Caroline in her car seat looked over at Andy and said, "ah, sorry dude." Andy kind of laughed and we placed our order. When he walked away I was a little ticked about the stereo type that a dad would be more excited about having a son. Now I'll be the first to admit, since I cried in the ultra sound when we found out we were having our third girl, that we had hoped for a boy. But she's here and we ADORE her and I think its a bit rude for someone to apologize to my husband. Then at Home Depot that lady who was checking us out said to Andy, "three girls huh? I'm sorry." To which he responded- "Why? I like it!" That made me smile.
He thinks people are apologizing because of the weddings he has to pay for but I'm not sure. I didn't mind joking about it while I was pregnant but its another thing entirely to even suggest we're disappointed in not having a boy let alone having a stranger point it out.
I have a friend who is the youngest of three girls and she says as an adult when they are all out together they still get comments like that.
I'm going to think of some comments to have ready on hand when it happens again, doing my best to deliver them in a loving way. :)
I don't think- "Why are you apologizing to him, he did it!" is entirely appropriate, so I'll keep working on it.

Posted by JennR at 03:36 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

February 07, 2008

my Jules

On wednesdays while Lizzie is at pre school I get to spend some time with Julia. I feel like its a little glimpse into her world, where for once I am not encouraging her not to whine or fight with her sister. It's amazing how a big sister can bring that out in you. She walks around on her tip toes and while telling me a story yesterday she was twirling around the hall with her arms out. It was so cute. I thought, I wonder what my daily life would be like if I got SO excited about every little thing! If I left a room skipping and giggling hysterically, or I twirled while telling Andy about what went on that day! Being 2, almost 3, is so much fun. We have our challenging moments, but for the most part Julia is just a bundle of joy and excitement.
On the way to go get Lizzie I put on one of Andy's yankee hats (um, covering the bed head!) and she said "that's daddy's hat!". "I'm going to tell daddy you have his hat." This was in a sing songy voice, you know the tattle telling kind, which I didn't like so I told her she may not talk to me like that. She looked at me all shocked and offended that I corrected her attitude and she said, "Mommy, don't say those words to me because God MADE me!"
I was at a loss for words.

Posted by JennR at 04:37 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

February 01, 2008

thumb sucking

Caroline has recently found her fist and is chewing non stop on it and every once in a while she gets just her thumb and goes to town. I've never had a thumb sucker before (not that she is one . . . yet) and usually I take her thumb out of her mouth and replace it with a pacifier. Is that the right thing? Are there advantages to them sucking their thumb? I can understand the ease of it I guess but I think its probably more trouble in the end. It's easier to take away a pacifier.
I guess we'll continue to discourage it unless anyone has different advice and I become convinced its not a big deal. :)

Posted by JennR at 12:29 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack