Three Kids

Most of the time, I feel like "I've got this." Then there are the times that I am nursing Callum and one of the other kids needs something and I am stuck trying to convince them to, say, wipe their own butt or wait 20 minutes until Callum is done. Or when I leave Callum crying in the other room so I can quickly read a bed time story and pray with one of the big kids. I forget how much attention babies demand RIGHT NOW. So, I find myself tending to the one that is screaming the loudest, which is generally Callum, while hoping the other two survive…and feeling a fair bit of mom guilt over it.

Thankfully I am pretty good at juggling all three kids because I am a bit of a planner and can usually work even the most mundane of details into my day's schedule. But, it really does suck when it feels like all three kids need me at the same moment and there is only so much of me to go around. I remember this with Isla as well, but I find making sure I carve out alone time with each of the older kids every day really does make a difference on all our attitudes. A little lego playing or story reading really does go a long way.

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Callum {5 months}

Weight: 16lbs, 4oz

Length: 26.5 inches

Likes: People smiling at him, being tickled on his feet, anyone giving him attention

Dislikes: Sleeping through the night, being overtired

About a week or so ago, Callum had a huge developmental leap. After rolling over twice about a month ago, he started rolling across the room. In one day. It wasn't "oh I'll start rolling over now." It was "I'll start rolling from belly to back and back to belly all in one go." Of course, he can only do it one direction, so he gets himself stuck and starts screaming his head off for someone to save him. Callum is also working hard core at trying to sit up. He is nowhere close to being able to sit himself up, but when his shirt is off, you can totally see his abs tense up as he tries to do it. Even buckled into things like his car seat and swing, he tries to sit up. And, he has learned the art of arching his back to get out of things…or to keep from being buckled in. With all this movement, diaper changes have become interesting. He instantly tries grabbing for his feet and rolls around. Now I have to hold his hands and feet back when changing poop. 

Callum is also picking up anything and putting it in his mouth. So far, that anything mostly just includes his toys. But, he can now pull his toys so hard on his activity mat that the whole thing comes down at him. I have given up on all pacifiers except for his wubbanub pacifier because he seems like he gets just as much enjoyment out of gnawing on the attached animal as he does out of sucking on the pacifier. So, it kind of serves two purposes. 

Callum is now fully in 6-12 months clothing. I tried putting a 3-6 month onesie on him last week that I thought was more generous in sizing and I literally had to stretch as hard as I could to get it buttoned. Even his 6-9 month footed jammies fit and will probably be left behind pretty soon. But, it's all because of length, as this kid doesn't have much of anything in the way of chub. As soon as we are out of size 2 diapers, which should be in the next day or so, we are moving up to size 3. I forget how fast all these changes happen! All the changes in clothing and diaper sizes just makes it seem like the baby stage is going at lightning speed. 

Sleepwise, Callum generally takes two good naps for me and two cat naps. But his afternoon nap can last up to three hours and is generally taken in his swing. At night, he still wakes every couple hours to eat. And thankfully, when he wakes to eat, its just to eat and not to party. 

The other day, when I was leaving the house with Callum on my hip, headed out to do the school run, I felt overwhelmed with thankfulness. Not knowing if I would ever experience the joy (and exhaustion) that having a baby brings, I am so extremely thankful for this smiley little boy of mine. 

And just for fun, a 5 month old Connor and 5 month old Isla. I must say, all my babies looked quite similar…which is funny given that the older two each have their own distinct look now.

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A Preschool Mother's Day Tea Party

^^ Isla and her preschool besties. They have been together for two years now and the three of them constantly play. Next year they will all be at different places (though Isla will still be at preschool). It feels a bit like the end of an era. 

Isla's preschool mother's day tea party was on Friday. These tea parties have literally been a highlight for me the past couple years. The teachers do an amazing job pampering the moms and I love being able to focus on just one of my children at a time, so it's totally my cup of tea…see what I did there? Yeah, total lame dad joke. Anyway. After wrangling babysitting for my two boys, off to the tea I went. 

Isla wanted me to wear my wedding dress. After I informed her I wouldn't be able to drive in such a poof ball, she chose my yellow dress. Even though she wouldn't wear the outfit I wanted her to wear, I still obliged and wore what she wanted. 

The kids did a couple songs for the moms. Then we sat down for our tea. We each got a leather "mom" cuff that the kids made. During the tea, Isla wanted to sit on my lap and proceeded to rock back and forth. I finally understand what people meant when I was a kid about my boney butt! Not the most comfortable thing ever. 

We ate and hung out. Then, when Isla started getting restless, we hit the road. It was pouring down rain, so we actually held hands and made a run for it to the car (I don't really believe in using an umbrella). I kind of didn't notice a big puddle, so we did get soaked. But I have to admit, that dash in the rain with my little girl was a highlight for me…then again, I do love the rain. 

I love how thoughtful teachers are about mothers day, even when they don't have to be. Even Connor brought home a gift for me (a clay bell he made) and a hysterical survey about me that would make it appear that I take loads of naps (I wish) and apparently my talent is feeding Callum (which it kind of is…hahaha!)

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Connor: I can't help but feel he is growing up oh so quickly right before my eyes. I wish I could freeze time for a bit. Every time he grabs my hand, my heart skips a beat. And I can't help but wonder if it will soon be the last time. 

 Isla: I tell you she has a huge heart for all creatures…and she kept asking for more money to feed the goats until I was all out. 

 Callum: His hands instantly go for his feet these days.


"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

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Isla, the Insect Lover

 

One thing I seem to notice in my kids is ways they are like me…things I did (or still do) as a kid, both good and bad. Things I enjoyed. Ways I played. All of it. 

Isla is a lover of practically all living things and I was totally all about little crawly things growing up. Her love of snails is one I showed her, as I still make sure not to step on them when I am walking. A couple weeks ago, I helped deal with the aftermath of the accidental death of her snail Zoo. Even now, she brings him up and wonders how he is doing in heaven. Mind you, she played with him for all of 10 minutes before his accidental killing. Then there was the rolly polly that was dropped, causing hysterics and me, on the ground looking for said rolly polly. It never was found. Then there are the worms in the backyard. And the random ladybugs we spot. Every creature must have a home built for it. And usually there is pleading for me to allow it in the house…but I've learned my lesson with that one. 

I loved snails growing up, and rolly pollies…and many other things like that. Even now, it's easy for me to get down and dirty in the dirt with the kids, playing with the insects. They are fascinating little creatures. 

All this to say, I not only love Isla's heart for all these little creatures. But I also love how she isn't afraid to get all up close and personal with them. And I love how she is literally entertained by the little things in life. 

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Connor's Kindergarten Open House

 

^^ This is Connor's drawing of a fish and here is what he had to say about fish, "Some fish are creepy, some fish are fierce, some fish are dangerous." It would appear he isn't too fond of fish! 

Connor's school open house was this past week, on my birthday. A couple days before, they brought home an invite to the open house that they wrote the information on and drew a picture of what they were most excited to show us. Connor drew a butterfly. His class is watching caterpillars turn into butterflies, so I thought that's what he meant. Turns out that he meant the butterfly craft where he is the butterfly…and, I'm not biased or anything, but I think that's a cuter butterfly anyway!

Connor acted oddly shy about his open house. Turns out he does have a bit of my personality! He didn't want any of his grandparents to come. And when his study buddy Matt (the kindergartners each have a 6th grader they meet with once a week) came in his class to say hi, he just stared at the ground refusing to talk.

The classroom was crazy busy, so after finding all of Connor's work (some was even hanging from the ceiling!) and letting Connor show us some of the stuff his teacher uses to teach with, we took off. I did try to get Connor to go look at the first grade classrooms before we left, but he got all shy about it. I did peek my head in, so I would have more of an idea on what to expect for him for next year. I can't believe Connor's first year of elementary school is already almost over. Time really does fly.

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Connor: This kid lost his sixth tooth this week, while brushing his teeth right before bed. 

Isla: We found a lady bug and played with it for a while. Isla promptly named it and built a home for it. She sure has a big heart for all creatures.

 Callum: This little guy had a rough week. Looking back, I think he may have been sick. Tons of spitting up and much more crying than normal…and much less sleeping. But, he seems to be back to his normally smily self. 

It was my birthday this week. The kids were so incredibly excited for it. As soon as they woke up, they wanted me to open their presents. Connor not only wrapped his by himself, but he also made me a card all by himself. He gave me his most prized possession, a pair of (fake) diamonds. He also gave me one of his stuffed animals. Isla got me some sparkly nail polish and a cat birthday card she keeps stealing from me and carrying around. 

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

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