A little bit of everything....

My day's have been tiring. More tiring than I could ever explain (more about that later) But one thing I realized (thanks to my amazing husband who is so good about pointing things out but not being nasty about it) on Sundays when I wake up to the alarm I get up and get going. Not because I love to but because I am awake and know I need to get things done. Well he made an observation that instead of waiting for a crying child (ahem Sidney) to wake me up (which terribly get's on my nerves in the morning) that I should set my clock and wake up to that instead. Even if it is only 10 min before they get up. So I did, and it worked :) I was MUCH more pleasant with them when they awoke since they were not the reason I was aroused from my slumber. And honestly, by 9-10am I am wiped out, no matter if I get up at 6, 6:30 or 7. Anyway it allowed me to do this devotion for my five min and drink something by myself. Sounds like just a little, and it was. But definitely made a big difference in my morning attitude.

 And in other news I am for the first time in all five pregnancies anemic. I think by the very end of each of them I am because I crave ice like a champ. But this time it's been much worse. The extent of my exhaustion goes wayyyy farther than taking care of the kids and carrying a baby. Plus add the dizziness and light headedness and it's just been way different. Sure enough, when my blood work came back yesterday the nurse said my levels were way depleted. So now I'm on an extra iron supplement. Here's to hoping it makes a difference in how I'm feeling. But I've read it can take months to build it up again so we shall see :) But in the mean time I will be eating much more of this guy!!

We leave for vacation in two days. I should be doing laundry, instead I'm blogging. Yes need to do laundry :) Looking forward to the change of scenery, the beach and some family time. Our sermon last week was was very convicting about how we interact with our children and what kind of family time we are instilling in our family. Praying that we can remember that and enjoy our time together without a lot of stress! Love to you all!

Moments like this......

I am reminded time and time again why I wouldn't do it any other way :) Happy Memorial Day all!!

Sidney Claire

Oh my goodness, this little lady. It's so funny how after every child you get surprised at how even a fourth could be so different and entertain you so different. Hmmm, not to mention scare you so different :) But this little one is so much different than anyone else and so funny. She is just so cute and it's a hoot seeing a little 19 month old baby walk around like she is 3. I really truly think in the back of her mind she is totally convinced she is as old as the others. I feel like just in the past say month we have really started to see lots of her personality. See for the past oh 19 months I have let her have her binky ALL THE TIME. No joke she had that thing in her mouth 90% of her life. I was so diligent with Henry, who was one my first (biggie) and second my only other one to take to a binkey although I tried all of them. So anyway by one he only had his binkey at night. Well not her :) She is my fourth and just let's be honest, it was more imperative that I didn't have to listen to her whine so it was much easier to let her have it and be quiet. So fast forward 19 months and I realize she has a small open bite and she probably shouldn't have it all day long. (no judgement if you do I just thought it was time she didn't walk around all day with it) So we had the LONG one week process of not letting her have it during wake time, only in her crib. Oh my goodness it was so hard! She was totally beside herself the first few days. And quickly I realized that it was her only for of self soothing, so she didn't know how to sooth herself any other way :( That made for a lot of crying! A few times Kyle was like "just give it to her" or "you didn't bring one with us!" lol it was rough. But honestly now that she is over it we have discovered a new little girl! She talks a lot! And is soooo smiley. She is overall a much happier kid now that she has had to learn to function without it. I know it sounds so crazy since it's just a binkey but when a baby has it in her mouth all the time there are things you just don't see :) So although it was rough I'm so glad we did it and have enjoyed getting to know the adorable and spunky and crazy personality of my third sweet daughter. 

She is TROUBLE! She loves to talk and loves to run around with crew doing/attempting to do everything with them. She gives the BEST baby hugs ever. Like will wrap her arms around your neck and squeeze, really the best adult type hugs ever! And it's so funny how happy she gets to go to bed and get that beloved binkey. She runs into her room ask to get in her bed all while smiling, squealing and then once she gets it she throws herself down onto her pillow to fall asleep. I adore this little girl. She has my heart just as much as the other three that is for sure!