Catch up

So we've been a little busy lately.  I mean technically we are always busy with 4 children but lately it appears we are stuck on fast forward.

    Ella is currently on a mission to complete the remaining 16 Brownie badges before she moves up to Guides next year. She is also busy with school and mastering the fine art of rainbow looming. Now only if she would put that kind of effort into keeping her room clean.  

     Camden is now currently being home schooled and is thriving.  The difference from a few weeks back is astounding and reinforces that we absolutely made the right decision for him. Camden just doesn't fit into the school mold at the moment and that's not a bad thing. He just doesn't learn the same way and needs a bit extra reassurance and confidence, which is absolutely OK. He's learning in leaps and bounds at home using things he finds interesting to teach the same things he would at school. He is starting to sound out letters and recognize a few sight words which we never would have thought possible just a short time ago.

      Harmony oh, sweet angel faced Harmony. We are in the midst of the battle of the royal throne or toilet training if you prefer. It is on her terms, well if we are honest everything is always on her terms but potty training even more so. She knows what to do and how to do it. Out in public she tells us when she needs to go. She goes in the middle of the night, first thing in the morning and wakes up dry at naps. So what's the problem, you ask? Well it's what we like to call Harmony being Harmony,  little imp that she is. I randomly hear, Mommy I'm peeing on your counter, I'm peeing on your bath mat, I'm peeing on your floor. Those times are never accidents but just a little taste of Harmony's don't mess with me attitude. Accidents do happen and usually she runs to her room embarrassed and quickly changes before you notice. It's all the non accident accidents that drive me crazy.

     Sawyer is fighting his first cold and ear infection. What a snotty, miserable, non sleeping mess. He is still pretty happy during the day but the night time just doesn't agree with my sick little man. I'm not sure I even want to count how many times I was up but I did see every hour last night maybe half hour as well and by 6 am sleep was a hopeless case. Who needs sleep anyway right? Not me with Mike going back on afternoons which leaves me alone with the kids from 2-1130 pm but if you count the nap he takes before work it's really 12 a 11:30 but I digress. Aside from the cold Sawyer is growing and developing in the blink of an eye. Wearing 12-18 month clothing mostly, sitting unassisted and discovering the vast world of solids. Why can't he just  stay little?

     There you go just a little glimpse into the busy lives of our children. I'd write more but frankly today I am exhausted. 

The Waiting Game

     Lately, it feels like we are stuck in a holding pattern, always waiting for something. Waiting until Camden sleeps through the night, for the kids to get over their colds, for my birthday, the next step in Mike's divorce papers and the worst, to say Goodbye to a loved one.

      I am not a great "waiter".  I am impatient and Mike will be the first one to tell you this. I can't even wait until I get home to break into my drive-thru bag.  I generally want it now! The only place I have true patience, is with the kids and lately even that is wearing thin.  I guess maybe I am just worn out in general, although after last nights 8 hours of sleep I do feel much better ( Before you all start cheering Camden spent another night at Mike's Parents so I could sleep, but Harmony only woke up once so I guess go ahead and cheer).

     I often find myself saying "I can't wait until...Harmony can fit into...Camden can ...Ella will..." It always makes me feel sad afterwards though, like I am rushing time, which when it pertains to the kids I wish would just slow down. Then there are times, like now when the waiting is an unbearable torture of sorts. Waiting to say goodbye to someone you know and love and your family loves. You don't want them to go because it hurts your heart to think of life with out them here but watching them suffer hurts worse.  So you hold their hand, smile and pray for a peacefulness and all the while waiting...  

    Waiting does cultivate patience and I guess that is what I am learning. To be more patient. To relax, take life as it comes.  Mikes divorce will happen SOMETIME and soon after we will get married. To stop rushing the kids.  Camden will potty train when he wants to why rush him being a baby, I doubt he will stay in diapers forever.  Its not going to hurt anyone for a few more weeks (maybe my mommy ego because I am not super mom that trained their 1 year old but I'm tough my ego can take it and sancta-mommies can shove it).  We can get so wrapped up in the "waiting game" that we forget to live in the here and now. So I am trying to be more patient, live life as it comes and relax.  What is life trying to teach you this week?

Poop Surprise

   I have been getting hit hard on the poop front lately and frankly, I am kind of sick of all the crap...literally.   Not mine, I know when I have to go and thankfully I have been potty trained for 24 years.  

  Harmony the once a week pooper (yes, its completely normal for breast fed babies to only poop once a week) has started eating real food and well with real food comes a whole lot of poop.  I am constantly being well, surprised with what we call around here little poop surprises.  You know the kind where it hides in the back so when you open the diaper, you think you are in the clear and you pull that diaper off and suddenly surprise there is poo and now its everywhere and it didn't even stink like poo, how is that possible.  Of course there are like only 2 wipes left in the container and if you had of smelled poo you would have grabbed more. *sigh* Now there is a poo mess to clean and usually you are alone so its up to you.

    Camden is even worse for the "Poop Surprise".  He knows he did it but generally won't tell you  and it doesn't always stink either. I have been changing him standing up if its just pee so I can get him to sit on the potty.  This ends disastrously because well then you get little Poop Surprises all over the floor.  Camden think its extra hilarious and yells "Poop Surprise, I surprised you".  Never a good surprise.

     Camden also surprised me the other day by leaving a trail across the dining room floor.  It looked like the Easter Bunny had hit us up early.  I was trying the bottomless potty training method and lets just say it wasn't a huge hit.  I am not a big fan of almost stepping in poo or cleaning it up off the floor.

     Anyone else get hit with the good old Poop Surprise? Make me feel better and tell me some of your funny Poop Surprise stories...about your kids, not really into adult poop surprise stories...they aren't nearly as cute.