Saturday, January 31, 2009

Watch Out Below

I taught the babies a new trick. Hayden had a hand in the lesson teaching too. In hind sight, it was not the best move I have made but it was sure fun at the time.

Hayden made a pillow pile and was jumping onto it. The babies were intrigued. So at first, I helped them jump onto the pillows but is was not long until they were free flying and jumping onto the pillows on their own.


Correction, it was not long until Quinn and Claire were free flying and jumping on their own.
Jake on the other hand...


well, he thought it was all nuts and wanted nothing to do with it. But I do think that he was enjoying mommy's lap all to him self.

And now for your viewing pleasure, here is all the jumping action!

Friday, January 30, 2009

See Claire Jump

This is Claire.
One of her favorite past times is...
Jumping!
From the stairs no less.


Whew, another safe and happy landing.

There will be more on our jumping adventures, later......

Thursday, January 29, 2009

PSF: A Dog Gone Good Book

Quinn loves dogs!

That is why this book was a perfect gift for Quinn. He loves this book and carries it around the house, barking as he goes.


This page, right here is why Mommy loves this book. It makes me laugh, every single time I read it (which is about 20 times a day).


But sadly, this is what happened to the book after about 10 days in our house. See, even one of the dogs lost its head. Poor Doggie!
It was a darn good thing that Quinn was given 2 copies of this book.
Yeah, Quinn's little life is now complete once again.




PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

The Floor is Not a Good Place for Mouse Traps

We are riding in the car and for a rare moment all the kids are quietly sitting, just peacefully riding along. Well, this can't be, Hayden must not have silence.

Hayden: Mom?

Me: *sigh* Yes, Hayden.

Hayden: A house full of mouse traps would not be a good thing. They would be actually kind of dangerous.

Me: Yes, I know. Mouse traps are not fun things (I have no idea where the mouse trap idea came from. Charlie is a pretty good mouser if we ever were to have a mouse issue.)

Hayden: Yeah, if there were a lot of mouse traps on the floor then one would get on my lip and it would hurt.

Me: Well, yeah that would hurt.

Hayden: It would crack my lip off.

Me: Well, that is not good. How about we just take the mouse trap off.

Hayden: No we can't take it off.

Me: What? Why?

Hayden: Well, silly, my lip cracked off and the mouse trap is on my cracked off lip. I will just have a cracked off lip and everything will be good and it will not hurt anyone any more.

Me: Really!?!

Hayden: Yeah *chuckle chuckle* that will be silly. Mom, when we get to the mall, can I get a new toy? It has been at least 20 minutes since I got a new toy...

Oh I totally and utterly give up!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Adding Just a Touch of Color

I have a wall in my den that is full of black and white photos. I am very proud of this wall. I just love to walk by it and look at all the photos and reminiscence.
But I am thinking that Hayden has an issue with it.


He took it upon him self to add some color.


Not exactly the look I was going for but I guess it will work until he goes to bed and I can hide all the colorful fuzz balls once again.

The Dreaded Question: 'What's for Dinner?'

Every single day, dinner has to be made. I really do love to cook but coming up with what is for dinner can be a daunting task and some days all I have the energy for is Rocks and Rubber (aka chicken nuggets and macaroni).

But on most other nights, I do like to make something some what palate pleasing and nutritional. I love looking through food magazine and pulling out recipes that I think my family will like. I change a few things here and there to better suit our needs.

If the family likes it, it goes into a folder where I keep of all my recipes. Well, my folder is about ready to give birth. I don't think that I could stuff and another recipe in there. So this is why, I have decided to combine two of my loves, blogging and cooking.

I have started a recipe blog. It is mainly for my personal purposes to get my recipes organized but I also thought that maybe others would like to see it. Because if you are anything like me, I am always look for the next good idea to answer the question, "What's for dinner."


So with out further ado, I give you Food the Pile Loves.


Are you curious why I have this picture up and why I am so wordful about it.
Well, go check out the new blog,
Food the Pile Loves.


This is just me being Wordful yet again on a Wednesday.
Go see what others have to say.
By the way, did you know that Angie has a recipe blog.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Bag Tagged

I was tagged by Rachel over at Sippy Cup Chardonnay because she wanted to know what kind of bag I carry.

Here are the rules:

1) Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying as of late. No, you cannot go up to your closet and pull out that cute little purse you used back before you had kids. I want to know what you carried today or the last time you left the house.

2) I want to know how much it cost:) And this is not to judge. This is for entertainment purposes only. So spill it. And if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, I’d love to hear it.

3) Tag some chicks. And link back to this post so people know why the heck you’re showing everyone your diaper bag/non-diaper bag.

Well, I don't just have one bag that I carry, I have three (Funny, isn't it, I have noticed that I do things in 3's. I wonder why?) I have a bag that I take everywhere, a bag that I take when I go out with the kids and a bag that I take to work. They are all of the Vera Bradly nature which I thought was really stylish until I watched 'What Not to Wear' this past weekend and learn that these are not stylish bags at all. Stacey and Clinton said that they were "quilted nightmares." Well, to that I say, "Whatever!!!!!!"


So there is a picture of my bags. All 3 of these bags were a gift. They were given to me by Jeff's Grandma. I have no idea what that cost was but I do know that these are REAL Vera Bradley bags. I also know that these bags don't come cheap.

Ok so now onto what I am sure what you all really want to know, what is in the bag.

First, is the lovely pink one. This one is my purse. It holds all the things that I NEED when I leave the house. It may look small but I can cram a lot of stuff in there. I don't leave the house without this bag.

Next, is the second most used bag. This is my diaper bag. I take this one and my pink bag when every I leave the house with the kids. There is really a bunch of crap in here and I am not exactly sure what is all is. The pockets were kind of scary so I didn't empty them. But I do know that at all times there are wipes, snacks and a minimum of 6 diapers in here.

Lastly, is the bag that I take to work. It holds all the stuff that I need to get through a shift at work, pens, Advil, educational nursing magazines, stethoscope, water bottle (which I am not suppose to have but don't tell), chap stick, work ID, lots of lose change that I always seem to scrape together enough to get yet another cup of coffee and other random stuff.


So there you have it. They might not be the most fashion forward bags around but I truly love them and I wouldn't trade them for the world. I have tried other bags but I alway end up back with my 'quilted nightmares.'

Now, who is next? I would like to see what kind of bags these ladies carry,
Thorn Among the Roses
girl, outnumbered
One Crafty Mama!
Life Liberty and the Pursuit...
Land of Bean
Tale of Two T's
Mama's Losin It

and anyone else who wants to show off their lovely bags.

Tuesday's Tribute: Possibly The Best TV Show

Tuesday's Tribute
A Jay and Deb Production.

For this week's Tuesday's Tribute, I would like to highlight possibly the best TV show on right now. There is drama. There is suspense. There is laughter. There are tears. There is judging. There are people doing God knows what just to get on TV.

No, I am not talking about Lost (sorry all you, Losties. I hope we can still be friends.) I am gushing about American Idol! I love this show. I look forward to it every year. I have it set on my DVR so I can watch it again and again (and so that it will not cut into my blogging time).

I don't get how any one can not see the awesomeness that is this show. Where else are you going to see people doing this?

or sing like this...

then there is this beauty...

But just when you think that all is lost and there is no talented people, these power houses step up to the plate

*sigh* How can you not love this show? The contestants, the judges, the comments, the talent, the ridiculousness. It is just so darn awesome!

So far it looks like its going to be a great year. I can't wait to see who is going to be in the top 12. I got my finger's ready to start voting, do you?



If you didn't like this post, then I am sorry but it is better than the tribute that I was going to write to antibiotics that yes do help the kids get over their ear infections but have caused diarrhea from hell that turned Quinn's pajamas into an irruption of poo from the collar no less which led to a 2AM bath. Lets just say he was not very pleased with this. Now that is what I call a tribute but I will spare you all the gross details. Go see Jay and Deb, to read some real tributes.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Oh That Sweet, Sweet Sound

I love this child more than life it self
but we are going on 5 days of this is and
it's getting kind of old.



Quinn, you really need to stop all this crying
or you are going to find yourself listed on ebay.

Ok, I won't list you on ebay (tempting as it maybe),
but there might be an extended visit to Grandma's in
your near future.

Mom, Where Is My Beer?

Hayden has a new favorite beverage. Lately, when ever we are out to eat, he wants root beer. It is a really big deal to him. But sometimes, he forgets that the full name of this beverage is Root Beer.

We were at the mall. We had stopped for a snack which included some root beer for Hayden. Every one was just about finished so I started cleaning up and walking things to the trash. One the items I took to the trash was my empty soda glass. Hayden saw this and mistook it for his, which lead him to scream at the top of his lungs, in a very crowded foot court,

"MOM, DON'T THROW AWAY MY BEER! I WAS NOT FINISHED WITH MY BEER! MOOOOOOM, I BRING MY BEER BACK HERE!"

Unfortunately, there was not a crack big enough for me to crawl in. So I just smiled, tried to laugh and said as I ran out of there, "Honey, you mean your ROOT beer, Root beer."

Sunday, January 25, 2009

A Weekend Review and Disgusting Habit

Alright, my fingers are itching to be back on-line. Blogging break is over! Whew! It was tough to stay away. Ok, not really but it would have been if I wasn't knee deep in snot and phlegm.

Things are getting better there. Thank you all so much for the support! Friday and Saturday were very rough but today things to seem to be looking up. We had to change antibiotics because Claire and Quinn were just not getting any better, they were actually getting worse. I spent the day yesterday with at least 2 kids in my lap at all times. But on the bright side, after all the kids were in bed, Jeff and I did get to escape this infirmary we are calling a house and go out with some friends.

One thing that comes with snotty noses is coughing and along with the coughing comes what we call 'swallowing malfunction' aka puking. It is so much fun to have sick kids, I can barely contain myself! (not)

During one of the 'swallowing malfunction' episodes, I realized something about myself. I have a really unpleasant reaction that occurs. I know its not good and utterly useless but I just can't seem to break myself of it.

You see when ever one of my kids is showing signs that they might puke, I cup my hand and put it just under their chin, sit there and wait. I don't know what I am expecting to accomplish with this act. It's not like they are just going to puke a tiny amount that will fit in the palm of my hand.

No, its going to be an explosion and go every where but my hand. I know this from first hand experience. What I should do is pick up the child and RUN like the wind to the bathroom or nearest sink or possibly get a bowl or some larger container than my hand to contain the stuff. I do any of those things? NO, I sit there with my hand under their chin, waiting.

Which brings up another issue. Why in the world do I want the kids to puke in my hand? I really don't care to be covered in vomit. Gross!

Hayden knows my actions are crazy. He will start to fell sick or heave and I will run to him and cup my hand under his chin. He gives me this look that says 'what are you, crazy?', and runs to the bathroom.

He knows, why is it so hard for me to learn? So here's hoping that by the time a cold enters our lives again, I will have learned, Hand will NOT contain puke, get a bucket, a bowl or run kid the to the toilet.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Calgon, Take Me Away

In the past couple of days, life and chewed me up and spit me out, twice. I am exhausted and don't know how much more of this I can take.

The babies are all sick. I finally took them to the doctor today and told him the he needed to fix them. I am done with all the illness. Well, he found ear infections or three so hopefully once the antibiotics kick in they will return to sane little creatures once again.

Work has been super busy lately. I am done with runny my tail off to save lives. Oh wait, that was my chosen career. So I will still save lives but can I do it at a slower pace?

And then there is Hayden. Hayden. Hayden. Hayden. He is just a boy who is going a little stir crazy. That is he making up new games. Like this one, throwing random things in the air to see if he can get them stuck in chandelier. Isn't that lovely? (and yes, I still have my Christmas stuff up outside. Its cold, sue me)
The worst part of all this is that my blogging is suffering. I hate that. I am so sorry if you commented and I did not get back to see you. I love all my bloggy friends so and it pains me not to return the comment love.

So for now, I ask you to bare with me. I am going to take the weekend off. Get some rest, threaten something terrible if the babies don't get better soon (we all know that is not true, I will just love and cuddle them until the get better), and hopefully by Sunday or Monday life will return to normal and all my bloggy love juice will be flowing once again.

Have a great weekend everyone. Goodness, I need a vacation!


Thursday, January 22, 2009

Writer's Workshop: The Most Difficult Decision

Finally after what seems like hours and hours of cuddling, singing and rocking the baby is asleep. He looks so peaceful, all silent and sleeping in your arms.

Is it time? Has he been sleeping long enough? Can the transfer from arms to crib take place?

This is the most terrifying part of the whole ordeal. Getting sleeping baby from your arms to the crib, all well keeping the peacefully sleeping baby asleep. It can go so well or it can go so terribly wrong if not done at the exact right time.

It would be a crime to wake him up. He was to tired, well actually over tired hence the need for rocking in the first place. He as not going to succumb to sleep on his own come hell or high water. But after some time all cuddly and warm with mommy, rocking until she felt nauseous, sleep came. Sweet beautiful sleep.

Now its time to get him in the crib so mommy can have some much needed mommy time. There was no blogging this morning and mommy has not checked her email in at least an hour. Time to sleep soundly in your crib, little man.

Slowly, every so slowly, one butt check at a time, slide to the edge of the chair. Wait he moved. Stop! Sit... very... still. Silence.

False alarm, it was just a sigh. Continue. From the edge of the chair, we must stand. It is going to have to be quick. One fluid movement that won't cause the chair to squeak too much. Damn, squeaky chair. Where is the WD40 when you need it. No time for that now, ready... one, two, three..... stand!

Perfect, still fast asleep. He did not even move a muscle. Ever so steadily walk across the room to the crib, not too fast, not to slow, just the perfect pace.

So close, almost home free. Lean over.... Wait! Good God he is moving, stirring, eyes opening. Sway! Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Shhhhh, little one back to sleep. That's a good boy.

Whew, that was close. His breathing has settled. He seems to be wrapped in the peacefulness of deep sleep once again. All that is left, is to lean over, lay him down and run.

Pull him away from your body and quickly and gently, place him down as you pull your arms out from underneath him. Then go, RUN, out of the room. He will stir but if you are not seen, sleep will return.

There it is done! He is a sleep in his crib. Yippee!!!! Now it time..... what the..... sh*t, CRYING.

Back to the rocking chair.


Assignment's complete.
I wonder who else completed the assignment?
Go see Mama Kat.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Let's Play in the Water Tub

During the winter it is a struggle to find things for the kids to do all day. Not just anything but new and exciting things. Because we are forced to stay inside all day, the kids get board rather quickly.

One day, Jeff and I got the bright idea to get some tubs of water out so that they kids could splash around in them. They do love the water and we thought that it would be something different and fun. Really its anything that will occupy them for more then 5 minutes.

It was a huge hit! The kids loved it and totally soaked the kitchen.
But Jake had to take it a step further.




These are my words.
I wonder who else is Wordful on this Wednesday.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

A Slip of the Tongue

I had an extremely busy day at work. I was so busy that it was noon before I even got a chance to pee. Thank goodness, I have a nurses bladder. But in all my business, I am so glad that I did not miss this slip of the tongue that one of my co-workers made. It is so darn funny but to really understand it, get in the mind of a teenage boy.

She was talking about her patient and the blood presser medicine that he was one. This is what she wanted to say, "I keep going down on them but I can't get them off.
But this is what she really said, "I keep going down on him but I can't get him off."


*hehehehe snicker snicker snort snicker hehehehe snort snort*

The Different Sides of Hayden

Some times he is shy.


Sometimes he is silly.


Sometimes he is concentrating really, really hard.


Sometimes he is creative.


Sometimes he can sit still.


But all the time, he is just Hayden.




Monday, January 19, 2009

Just When I Thought It Was Safe To Play With Technology

A little over a year ago when I needed a new cell phone, I just wanted one that was a phone. I didn't want anything fancy, just a phone that would receive and make calls. No photos, no music, no texting, just a phone. Do you know how hard it is to find a phone like that?

So for the past year, I have been very happy with my phone. Until now. A few months ago Jeff trailed a Blackberry from work and it was very cool. But I still wasn't sold. Then some friends of mine started texting and I couldn't join in and there was Twitter that could be done from a phone but again I couldn't.

So this lead to me wanting, no needing, a phone with a full keyboard so that I could get in on the texting action. We did our home work, checked prices, looked around and finally this weekend, I took her home.
*Sigh* Isn't she just so pretty? She is pink just like my camera and my purse. I now have a matching set.

But now I have a confession to make. I know why this sweet little device can sometimes be called a 'crackberry' because oh boy, is it addicting and is it helping me feed my ever growing blogging addiction. And after 2 days of having this lovely little gadget home, I now have the Blackberry Thumb.
So I guess, I am going to have to take it easy for while and let my thumbs recover but wait...did I just hear an alert... yup the light is flashing...what is it a text, an email...Must check...I can't get it unlocked...darn bandages....



This is all tongue and cheek of course, I am really fine and have no bandages on my thumbs and I certainly don't have an addiction....

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Science 101

So here in the north and most other parts of the country, it is cold. I wonder what would happen if boiling water was thrown into the air. Would it turn to ice or steam?



This is a cool 'science experiment' that you can try at home, that is if you live where is it cold enough that is if not just live through us.

Boil some water and then take it outside and throw it in the air. It is so cold outside that the water will all turn to steam before any of it hits the ground. You just get this big cloud. Interesting, huh?

I Got Me Some Cool New Hair!



When I walked in the house Hayden said,
"Mommy, you have white in you hair! It is cool. (as he gently reaches up to touch it) How did you do that?"

Oh, the magic of the hair salon.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Another Member of the Family

I really like how every weekend, Rhea over at Texas Word Tangle (one of my favorite bloggers), spotlights her awesome dog, Annie.
So today, I am going to take a page from her book and introduce you to another member of our family,
that we really don't see a whole lot.


This is Charlie, our family cat.


He has been around longer than the kids.


He used to be king of the castle with subjects that would cater to his every whim.


It was safe for him to watch TV with us and lay in his favorite spot.
But then came the kids.

The kids absolutely adore him, especially Quinn, much to Charlie's distaste.



He is a good cat and really tolerates a lot.


When really all he wants to do is hide.


That is why every now and again, I leave a warm laundry basket out so he can crawl in and experience a little piece of kitty heaven.


Good boy, Charlie!
I know life is rough, hang in there.
They will leave the house someday and then you can rule again.

Friday, January 16, 2009

What Are You Wearing: The Smell of Deodorant

A while back while at Target, I saw a bin of Secret deodorant. It was on sale for 4 for $2. I was cool with this and grabbed 4 from the bin. I didn't really pay attention to the scents because it was cheep and I was in need of deodorant.

To me deodorant, it is a necessity, a thing that we must wear every single day. It is not pretty when you don't wear it. I got the 'pleasure' of working with a doctor who didn't wear deodorant. It was not pretty. You could smell him before you saw him. But this is not my point and I have gotten off track.

So am now on my last bottle of this bargain bin Secret deodorant. Let me tell you there was a reason these scents were in the bargain bin. They are scents that I feel, no one in their right mind would choose (no offense if you like this scent, it is just so not for me).

This last bottle is by far the most annoying. It is call Vanilla Chi but to me is smells like super sweet bubble gum. So through out the day, as it releases it's scent, I get taken over by the sickeningly sweet smell of bubble gum.
My first reaction is confusion. I can't place the smell. Then I get annoyed. Why is this smell following me. Then I get mad. The kids must have gotten some bubble gum or candy and they are eating it all over the house and making a huge mess. Then I realize its me.

I can't tell you how many times during the day this happens. Stupid deodorant!

Next time, you bet your panties I will be paying attention to the scent and maybe even put a little on before I choose one to take home. Kidding, just kidding.


Photobucket src="http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll149/tbuse2002/catwalk_smlEDIT.jpg" border=0>

Go see what others are wearing at Tiaras and Tantrums.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

PSF: Triplet Play At Its Best

This is how it all went down. Word for word, promise *wink wink*


Quinn: Jake get up here, she is coming.
Jake: Dude, I am trying get off my head.
Claire: What are you boys doing?



Jake: We want to spin! Come on, Claire, spin us. It will be fun.
Claire: Are you sure? heheheheh
Quinn: Wheeee, spin spin!


Jake: Come on Claire get this chair spinning. You can do it
Quinn: Wheeee, spin, spin!


Jake: Go Go Go!
Quinn: Whoa, I don't know about this.


Quinn: Dude, was that good for you? I am totally spinning.
Jake: Totally, dude totally.


PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek