A true test of patience

Having 4 small children is a test of patience within itself... but sometimes things happen that truly make you question your sanity... you know like when they all get sick! Lily has had strep throat a couple times this past year. Over the weekend she came down with a fever and started complaining her throat hurt. When she actually asked to go home from the park the other day, I knew something was up. I took all 4 kids with me to the pediatrician's office on Tuesday morning. I have to say that trip went pretty smoothly, a lot better than it could have. We got out of the office with minimal whining and no temper tantrums. I was feeling kinda like supermom by then. But then as quickly as that confidence came it went... it was like God was laughing at me... saying, "you thought that trip was easy? Feeling confident are we.... see what happens next!". To say I was put in my place was an understatement. Our pediatrician believes that Lily had coxsackie virus, otherwise known as Hand Food Mouth disease. Being a virus, we basically wait it out. I can give Elderberry, zinc and Slippery Elm to help aleviate the symptoms, or I can go the conventional route and do the benedryl/maylox mouthwash and give motrin. I love how our doctor gives me such well rounded treatment plans. I feel super confident in him, even if I'm not feeling confident in myself! Within hours of getting home, Kate spiked a fever and complained her head and belly hurt. This morning Julia spent about 3 or 4 hours screaming and tantruming over stuff that normally wouldn't have upset her so much. Now she has a mild fever too. I've stocked up on ice pops, yogurt and we've been making smoothies. Hopefully this sickness passes as quickly as it came.

Fun at the Playground!

Today I took all 4 kids to the playground. It is a daunting task, but one I've jumped into feet first. I figure that they need to burn off all their energy and Paul is at a great age to be toted around... except for one minor detail... the boy hates the carseat. He hates it in the car, in the stroller as a travel system, anyway any how. But what he does LOVE is the Beco Carrier. I can't say enough good things about this carrier's functionality and comfort. I've tried tons of different carriers and slings... I've used snuglis, slings, mei tais, a moby, and while I like each of those for specific purposes, the Beco has been the easiest for me so far. As long as I am walking and moving (and when am I not with 4 kids!), Paul is asleep in just minutes. Today it took a bit longer for him to fall asleep, but come to find out it was because his diaper was dirty. Once that was taken care of, he was out like a light. The girls all had a great time at the playground. We met my best friend and her three children. Julia was quite the monkey, climbing up slides and whatnot. Kate had to do everything that the big kids did including going down the big slide, yelling "weeeeee" all the way down! Lily wasn't feeling very good, ended up having a fever so we headed home a bit early.

First official Muffin Tin Monday

I didn't have all the time I wanted to prepare, since I took the 4 kids to the park this morning and didn't get home till lunch time. I just grabbed a little of everything and it worked out well! I had two veggies, two fruits, yogurt and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that I cut into star shapes! Lily ate everything but the blueberries (which Kate promptly took!). Kate had a taste of everything, but didn't finish the green peppers or the strawberries. Julia was stubborn as usual and only ate the yogurt and sandwich. She did however take the tiniest bite of a blueberry and of a strawberry. She licked the green pepper and the grape tomatoes. So all in all, a success!

Jumping on the bandwagon

The Muffin Tin Monday bandwagon.... but like all things I'm excited to try, I had no patience and we did a "test run" at dinner tonight. I let the girls each pick out one food to include. With 3 girls, they obviously each have their own personality and with that comes different tastes. I have always stood true to not being a short order cook. I make a meal, and that is that. I do however take their preferences into what foods I prepare, and always try to include something everyone will eat. However that isn't always the case, and there are plenty of times when one or two, or even all 3 go to bed hungry. Oh well. If they were hungry, they would have eaten their meal... at least that is my own opinion, and so far no one has woken up hungry in the middle of the night.
Anyways, I've wanted to expand the current food selections and eventually their preferences... especially for one child in particular... Miss Julia. My stubborn 4 year old. She is incredibly strong willed and stubborn, and even more so when it comes to food. I don't push it with her, just make sure we have healthy selections. Its not like I'm giving her french fries in place of her meals... but with that being said, I do turn to the familiar food choices at times. I think serving a small selection of foods in these containers will help open up the girls to more food choices, and make meal time a bit fun.
I kept it pretty basic this first time. We had carrots (Julia's choice), raisins, eggs (Lily's choice), baked chicken, applesauce (Kate's choice), and cheese. I had some ranch dressing and ketchup in the middle for dipping. Kate is a dipper and will try most things if I provide a dip. Each of the girls ate pretty well. They were all happy and excited to eat out of pink and yellow flowers and red and pink hearts. Julia didn't try anything new, she stuck with her applesauce, cheese and carrots. Lily ate everything but the raisins and Kate tried just about everything but the cheese. She didn't finish anything, but she stayed at the table the longest, for almost 45 minutes! She's my runner, refusing the high chair after 18 months, so this within itself was huge for her!!
I think overall dinner went well and I can't wait to do this weekly (on Mondays even!!).

6 year well visit and a little about my Lily

Lily Grace turned 6 about 2 weeks ago. We had her well visit today, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to write a little about my eldest daughter.... the child I practice on (at least that is what I tell her). I remember the day she was born, the day I became a mother. You know that quote, "Having a child is like having a piece of your heart walking around outside your body."

It is sooo true! I've watched her grow, struggle and have joy... she has made me question myself more times than I'd like to admit, but we've both grown up together a bit. She is full of life, full of spunk and incredibly intelligent. Her IQ has been tested and it is above average. At the age of 2, we were looking at a possible autism diagnosis for her. She had developed right on track until she reached 15 months and got her first MMR vaccine. Prior to this time, Lily had gotten all her vaccines on time, as scheduled. However after her MMR vaccine, we noticed a definite difference in her. She would bang her head against walls, scream and throw herself around so much she'd make herself throw up, she didn't say anything other than "dad" till she was 2 1/2. We started all sorts of therapy with her, speech, behavioral and occupational. By the time she turned 4, she was a different child. This past year in kindergarten she was one of the most advanced in her class, she's reading at a 3rd grade level, and recently started real chapter books. She loves to dance, hula hoop and play with her sisters.

We had a nice visit with her pediatrician today. We just started seeing a new doctor when Paul was born. He's completely holistically minded, he is understanding and dare I say even in agreement with us on our vaccine decisions, and he is incredibly knowledgeable and kind. I really think we found a great fit for our family. Lily weighed in at 38lbs and is 42inches tall. Her BMI is 14.9. She's a petite little thing. She passed her hearing and eye tests and the doctor remarked on what good posture she has. We talked a little about my worries of her being bored this coming year in 1st grade. I can tell she got bored a bit this past year, and when she's bored she can be disruptive at times (completely normal at this age, I imagine). We also talked about cutting back on the gluten and sugars in her diet and possibly checking her vitamin D levels this fall.

All in all a great doctor's appointment for her. After her appointment, we went to the Book Store and I let her pick out a couple new chapter books. She's been reading the Rainbow Magic book series http://www.rainbowmagiconline.com/books/index.html She was so excited to pick out two more books. We also picked up a couple of the books for her friend's birthday party tomorrow.

Who I am....

I'm Christine... in my late twenties, stay at home mama to 4 and wife to my husband for 6 1/2 year. I do work from home a bit, and spend most of my days trying to balance the wants, needs, and desires of my family. Something always falls to the wayside, but I suppose that is just part of being human, especially part of being a mom. By the end of the day, I always feel that I haven't done enough in one aspect of my life, whether its the dishes in the sink, yelling too much at my kids, not thanking my husband enough, or not getting out of my pjs all day. I do my best, and at the end of the day, that is all anyone can ask of me.

I am so blessed to have the family I have. I could not have dreamed this life up in a million years if I had tried. If someone had asked me 10 years ago where I'd be 10 years later, I would never never said I'd be a stay at home mama. Heck, 10 years ago, if you told me the guy I was dating would be my husband and we'd have a bunch of kids, I'd laugh at you. But it's all worked out... amazingly enough. Our family is so complete and we are the happiest we've been in a long time. I have no doubt in my mind that I am meant to be a mother.... its my job, one that I absolutely adore (most days). I know that in this day in age it isn't often that a family can survive on one income, especially a large family. I should really thank my husband more often for working so incredibly hard so I can stay home. He puts his life on the line each and every day and he works overtime as often as he can so we can live comfortably. I am one lucky lady to have him!!

And here I go.... again

I had a blog a long time ago, but like some projects I start (most of them if you ask my husband), I let it go and forgot about it. I've been thinking about starting a new blog for a while now, but have gone back and forth about it.
I figure I can start it now, and always stop if I want.... no harm in that.