Busy Busy Busy

Did I mention I am not addicted to Instagram (I know I am WAYYYY behind on this)

I have been so behind on blogging, since the last week has been crazy.


1. Hubby car in shop last week
2. Put on and spoke at a youth conference here at the church last weekend.
3. Sick baby who ended up with a ruptured ear drum -- while youth conference was going on
:)
Advent has been crazy, even though loving our nightly prayer around the wreath.  As both kids seem to be sick with a cough or something at night, I am beginning to feel a little bit like I have a newborn (even though I dont)
Christmas shopping has barely been started, and Christmas cards, well, havent even been thought about.  So sorry if you were checking your mailbox for a pic of our lovely clan, you will be waiting.....probably till next year, if I can get it together by then.  But on a positive note kids are on the upswing with their health, and I am beginning to get into the Christmas spirit.
PS I got an I phone, and I like it so much I feel guilty. I am loving taking pictures of my kids!
Heres an Advent Prayer, because I def need today!!

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a wonder at the wisdom and power of Your Father and ours. Receive my prayer as part of my service of the Lord who enlists me in God's own work for justice. 

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself. 

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a joy responsive to the Father's joy. I seek His will so I can serve with gladness, singing and love. 

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me the joy and love and peace it is right to bring to the manger of my Lord. Raise in me, too, sober reverence for the God who acted there, hearty gratitude for the lifebegun there, and spirited resolution to serve the Father and Son. 

I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whose advent I hail. Amen.


FEAST OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION TOMORROW!! 

Morning Date

My friend Mandi and I went to the zoo today with our kiddos, minus one for each of us.  It was so nice to have some adult convo while the kids played and ran, or strolled in my case.  I loved talking about our family, husbands, kids, and our struggles as moms and as daughters of Christ.  It reminded me as Mandi was sharing with me her daily prayer routine, that I might be able to find a litttttle more time for prayers, novenas, mass and Rosary. 

Yesterday, a priest told me during confession that as mothers, we are the root of our home.....great, a huge ugly white thing, even tho at the present momento i feel like that.  haha....what he mean't isss that my moods, reactions, prayer life, service.....everything I do at home or away from home affects my family directly and I keep us rooted in Christ.  I can bring peace or I can bring negativity and conflict.  Its my choice.  My selfish choices always affect 3 other people at least.  

So this is my new task, to remember I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! 

Also, our 1st school picture.  He is such a ham and I am the proud mama with a key chain picture.  I even like to show people at the check out how cute my little boy is, while they are smiling at baby Gianna.....so anyway, yes I am one of those mommies:)!

And my sweet baby girl, who never cries, sleeps through the night, and is just a joy all the time. 

Blast from Christmas Past

This weekend, along with Black Friday shopping spree, we got and put up our Christmas Tree.  And as I went to unpack the ornaments, lights, stand, etc......I noticed that lights and stand were missing.  Why you might ask...

welllllll.......

Last Christmas I was 6 months pregnant, and one day while I was off work and the hubby was at work, I decided the Christmas tree needed to come down. right. this. millisecond.  The tree was dead and shedding needles allllll over my floor and I just couldn't take it anymore.  Plus Santa had brought a train table that was cramping my already small living room style.  

So, I quickly took off those ornaments that were important to me, began to take off the lights, and they were a liiitttle tangled.  Oh well Ill just throw them out with the tree too.....also, stand would take to long to get off by myself.  So....

6 month preggo mamma dragged our redneck ghetto Christmas tree complete with lights and stand to the curb.  I did take off the ornaments.  Whoooo felt So much better. 

Oh and for the kicker of the entire story....it was only a couple of days after Christmas, so tree pick up wasnt for about another 2 weeks.  So it sat outside in front of our house for that long.  Did I care? No, Im sure it became a natural habitat for several creatures.  So glad I could contribute to the environment.  As far as the lights and stand?  Welll, we wont talk about that anymore. 

This year though, had the repurchase lights and stand.  $25 dollars i spent in vain, but last year, it totally seemed worth it! 

Professional Rationalizer

Ok, so here is the top three things I rationalize to make my behavior acceptable.  I know, kinda sad, but admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery Right?????

1. Cook dinner or pick up something?  Liz train of thought.....hmmm well cooking something would be more economical and healthy and better nutrition for my kids.  BUT BUT BUT they probably wouldn't eat it anyway, and they Love chicken nuggets.  And I wouldn't have to clean the kitchen? And they could eat in the car on the way home!  SOLD

2. Folding Laundry -- I am just going to wait until all of the laundry is washed and dried before I sit down and fold.  See this would be great, if the actual every bit of laundry being clean ever happened in my house.  But it doesn't.

3.  Nagging my husband -- It is my responsibility to help get him to heaven.  Who else is going to tell him if he is not doing things to my specifications.  NAG NAG NAG -- see I am just helping him out, since I know whats best for him.  

Ok, so don't judge.  Rationalization happens hourly in my case.  For those of you who are self controlled and able to temper your mind to only do what is best all the time, I need a lesson, please!!! 

Also, for your viewing pleasure:  PREK POW-WOW

1 little 2 little 3 little Indian

Professional music world.....watch out!

Mommy please stop taking pictures of me

tee pee!

multitasking to the mmaaaxxxx

The last few days have been a liiitttle overwhelming.  I havent really stopped to think about it much until I was literally feeding G in her carseat mashed potatoes (from Popeyes) off my pinky while driving at 6:30 last night while JG was incessantly asking me to "shawe my coke."  I was making verrrry sure she wasnt choking, but after a meeting last night, it was 6:30 before she got to partake in the butter filled "mash tatoes" as her brother calls them.  Now, some might say bad mom, but thats ok, I am well aware of my lack of tact and nutrition guidelines when it comes to meals, at times.  Some days fast food will have to do, even though my kids are juuust fine with it.  After morning mass with the school, and JG singing loud, the kids behind me replying in mass (yes 3 year olds) when I stop and take a moment to enjoy the chaos and lack of organization I realize that even though I am able to pull life off.  My kids are alive and healthy at the end of the day, who could ask for more?

Schools Out

Working at his desk

Yes mommy I am making a HUGGGGEEE mess

Yes, on my lap while I work! 

So, school is out today, but I still have to work. Now for the normal mom who makes back up plans, she would have everything lined up.  Me, no. If all else fails, or I just want to.  Haul the kids anywhere!! Since my separation anxiety is greater than theres, on some levels, why not just bring them both to work.  I can do it.  Now today will either go by extremely fast or slow, depending on the moods of the offspring.  But I love them, and have found things to keep them both occupied.  I am definitely ready for the weekend and holidays, but just gotta make it through the day!!  :)

Mama Rant

I know this is so so so so unoriginal right now since EVERYONE has an opinion, but here is mine.  The Duggars, GOOD FOR YOU!! If I could have 20 children and survive, I would.  By Survive I am referring to mentally mostly, but also physically.......

I mean, as Catholics, we are called to be open to life.  They have been open to life, and have been abundantly blessed.  Remember that the church teaches, we can only use NFP to prevent pregnancy for a "grave" reason.  So they as Baptists are living alot more Catholic than alot of us Catholic's are in the pro life hemisphere.  I mean really, what do we expect them to do? Its not like the cant provide for the kids, or that they are neglecting, not feeding etc etc.  Every family has their faults, but I do commend them.  I would love to have that many kids! I mean what a blessing!!!!  Another soul for heaven! It is so refreshing to see a family like that doing what God has called them to do, and not caring what the critics say.  Not letting that get in the way of them doing the right thing. 

 So here are some of my chickadee pics just in case you have forgotten what they look like since yesterday. 

Chillin in my office

My little turkey

They really do love each other

Her hangout! I love this age!

Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

I think G loves his ring pop.  Look at JG face! 

Now that Halloween has concluded (I know Im a week late) I have begun thinking about Christmas, our thoughts, traditions, and what we are going to be doing this year.  But a few All HAllows Eve photos for your liking first.
Growing up, we always had a big Christmas, which we loved!  But pretty much everything was brought my Santa and we got a small religious gift from our parents.  While my kids are young, I want to establish our traditions, and continue them. My hubby came from a home, where Christmas was a big deal, but they usually got a couple of gifts, it wasn't as big of a deal.  I remember when I was little one set of cousins getting 3 gifts, for the 3 gifts Jesus received from the Wise Men, Gold Frankincense and Myrrh.  Well, for some reason, as I begin to think and plan our Christmas lists, and Santa for the kids, this memory sat on my heart.  I think this will be a great way to bring the Christ Child into our home, and reminding both us and our kids that Christmas isnt about being overloaded with toys.  But we are celebrating Jesus' birthday.  We will try it this year, and see if the tradition sticks.  3 gifts from Santa, and then we will get the kids something from us.  Now, just to figure out other ways to celebrate the season with the best of intentions, and while teaching my kids in a very concrete way about the Birth of our Savior.  Bringing back the Original Christmas Gift, they were the first to see our Savior, the first to bring Him homage.  So maybe we need to give a little more significance to their offering in my home.  

Advent Wreath -- always had in church, not at home since we have been married.  This is horrible for me to admit, but its true.  This year JG is definitely old enough to at least understand Christmas, and participate in the prayers.  We say prayers as a family every night, so the time is already set aside.  Now, we can expand this tradition into the Christmas season with the advent candles.  I am already seeing my little kids eyes sparkling in the candle light and having to hold JG back from blowing the candles out until the prayers are over :)!
For me, I want to make sure that I prepare my heart for the coming of the Christ Child.  Just as in Lent i prepare my heart for the Passion.  Devotionals for Christmas are on overload this time of year, and I need some suggestions about any?  I love this time of year.  It might be a little early to start planning these things, but if I dont think ahead, Advent will be 1/2 way over before I realize Thanksgiving has even passed.
Any other Christmas traditions or ways to bring Jesus into your home?  I would Love some ideas!!!

Calling All Moms!!!

Ok, so ladies I am not sure where this came from, so I have no way to credit the author.  So if its yours, please let me know! But me having a 7 month old baby, this is a reality in my life. My little baby who slept through the night at 2 weeks (i know I should not be complaining) has begun her late night feeding sprees.  Ok, maybe I can nurse for 2 minutes and she will fall back asleep as my head is nodding down down down down......nope, full 20 minutes (doesnt even nurse that long during her daytime feedings).  As I here her gulps gulps gulps as she sucks the milk down like she hasnt eaten in days.  I think......wow......PLEASE GO

BACK TO SLEEP!!!  I laughed OUT LOUD for several minutes.  Enjoy, thinking of this at the 12:30am, 2:45 am etc etc night time feedings might just make them a liiiiitle easier.  Well, maybe not but enjoy!

Awake Training for Parents:

Dear Fellow Babies,


OK, here's my situation. My Mommy has had me for almost 5 months. The first few months were great – I cried, she picked me up and fed me, anytime, around the clock. Then something happened. Over the last few weeks, she has been trying to STTN (sleep thru the night). At first, I thought it was just a phase, but it is only getting worse.

I've talked to other babies, and it seems like its pretty common after Mommies have had us for around 5-6 months. Here's the thing: these Mommies don't really need to sleep. It's just a habit. Many of them have had some 30 years to sleep – they just don't need it anymore. So I am implementing a plan. I call it the Crybaby Shuffle.


It goes like this:
Night 1 – cry every 3 hours until you get fed. I know, it's hard. It's hard to see your Mommy upset over your crying. Just keep reminding yourself, it's for her own good.

Night 2 – cry every 2 hours until you get fed.

Night 3 – every hour.

Most Mommies will start to respond more quickly after about 3 nights. Some Mommies are more alert, and may resist the change longer. These Mommies may stand in your doorway for hours, shhhh-ing. Don't give in. I cannot stress this enough: CONSISTENCY IS KEY!! If you let her STTN (sleep through the night), just once, she will expect it every night. I know it's hard! But she really does not need the sleep; she is just resisting the change. If you have an especially alert Mommy, you can stop crying for about 10 minutes, just long enough for her to go back to bed and start to fall asleep. Then cry again. It WILL eventually work. My Mommy once stayed awake for 10 hours straight, so I know she can do it.

The other night, I cried every hour. You just have to decide to stick to it and just go for it. BE CONSISTENT! I cried for any reason I could come up with:


-My sleep sack tickled my foot.

-I felt a wrinkle under the sheet.

-My mobile made a shadow on the wall.

-I burped, and it tasted like rice cereal. I hadn't eaten rice cereal since breakfast, what's up with that?

-The dog said "ruff". I should know. My Mommy reminds me of this about 20 times a day. LOL.

-Once I cried just because I liked how it sounded when it echoed on the monitor in the other room.

-Too hot, too cold, just right – doesn't matter! Keep crying!!

-I had drooled so much my sheets were damp and I didn't like it touching me.

-I decided I was sick of all the pink in my room so I cried.


It took awhile, but it worked. She fed me at 4am. Tomorrow night, my goal is 3:30am. You need to slowly shorten the interval between feedings in order to reset your Mommies' internal clocks.
Sometimes my Mommy will call for reinforcements by sending in Daddy. Don't worry Daddies are not set up for not needing sleep the way Mommies are. They can only handle a few pats and shhing before they declare defeat and send in the Mommy.


Also, be wary of the sleep sheep with rain noises. I like to give Mommy false hope that listening to the rain puts me to sleep sometimes I pretend to close my eyes and be asleep and then wait until I know Mommy is settling back to sleep to spring a surprise cry attack. If she doesn't get to me fast enough I follow up with my fake cough and gag noise that always has her running to the crib. At some point I am positive she will start to realize that she really doesn't really need sleep.


P.S. Don't let those rubber things fool you, no matter how long you suck on them, no milk will come out. Trust me. 

Sincerely,

Baby J

Impact

This week has been a busy week, like every other one of my life.  JG has been with me at work since he was 4 months old when I went back to work.  Now, since he is in school everyday, I feel like I dont see him or have the quality time with him that I used to.  This has been bugging me so much this week, because I feel like the time I have had with him he has been fussy, tired, and Im either busy or occupied.  Therefore, the time I spend with him is not quality time, just frustrating.
Last night as I lay in bed saying my prayers, both kids were asleep, and I thought about how to make my time with JG, even on those days when it seems so hard, good time.
1. He is always hungry when he gets home from school, is whiny, and tired.  So, instead of coming up with a snack that I have around, maybe make sure I have something he LOVES when he comes home a couple times a week.  I say "come home" but he comes to the office, where mommy is still working, many times on the phone or computer, and I try to get him situated quickly so I can finish what I need to and we can head home for the evening.
2. Stop and give him 5 minutes, where I sit on the floor at his level, look at his folder and ask him about his day.  Play with trucks or whatever he wants for 5 minutes.  For most moms this is probably like, duh Liz, but I have a hard time stopping and enjoying moments, when I feel like there are 10,000 other things on my mind.
3. Lower my expectations -- He is only 3....even though he is alot older and more capable than his sister, he is still little and needs me in alot of ways.  Even if he can do something, it doesnt mean he should do it every time, or that its not ok for me to help him.  All day at school he shares, is independent and generally does things by himself.  So if he wants me to help him potty after school, Ill do it.

This all might seem EXTREMELY elementary, and I do some of this on a daily basis, I have my routines in the morning and evening.  But it is that after school time, when Im still at work, that I lack in meeting his needs first, and everyone else's next.

Everything I do impacts my kids.  John and I are their everything right now, and I need to be a little more patient with my 3 year old! 

What just happened......

MASS
So my hubby is now in charge of projecting the music for the Lifeteen mass up on a screen in the church.  This is so great, but now it is just me, and sometimes my mom with the 2 kids during mass. Yesterday, Cross International was visiting, and we had a guest priest.  He was making lots of jokes, and everyone was laughing.  Including my 3 year old, who would hear everyone else laughing and then start laughing himself (louder than the entire congregation combined) and would keep laughing beyond the time the obvious polite laughter had died down.  This happened about 4 times in a row, and shhhh JG, we are all done laughing, was not working.  As I hold a baby in one hand, and try to calm my 3 year old with the other, mass respectfully continues on. 
Then, St. Frances Cabrini School has been AWESOME! JG at 3 knows about 10 prayers by heart, mass responses, and is learning so much each day.  I really cannot believe how much they get done with that many PreK kids, and keep their sanity.  The Our Father, comes up, JG with a huge smile grabs hands and begins praying.  Well, he doesnt talk as fast as adults, so he is about 4-5 words behind, bellowing the Our Father (again louder than the entire congregation combined).  I smile to myself, and know that Jesus is smiling too, even if everyone is staring at us in church. 
Whew, I have to go home and reread the readings because I only caught part, but my kids are going to mass every Sunday, which is whats important.
Sorry for all of you who we distract, but we are trying to keep our kids under wraps......
Exhausted as I may be, I know there are graces flowing down to us, now one day maybe mass will be relaxing where I can sit and just clothes my eyes and pray....
maybe in 10 years :)

Taking up Residence

So, after 4 days of breathing treatments at home, we have taken up residence at Cabrini Hospital.  My poor baby has been on oxygen since Sunday and has pneumonia.  We have been here 48 hours and probably will be here another day, but it just makes me so thankful that I dont have a terminally sick baby.  These 2 days have been so trying on me and our family, and yet, its only going to be a few days.  JG loves it here, and when he comes up here, loves to jump on the frog feet in the room (yes there are frog prints on the floors.)  G laughs and laughs at him, and it gives her a nice pick me up.  The nurses and techs have fallen in love with her, and will stop several times a day just to make her laugh.  She is happy and overall doing better.
So, we are cosleepers with out babies.  I know there are several different opinions about this, but thats what works best for us, as I am so paranoid about a baby stop breathing.  JG now 3, has been in his big boy bed since he was 1 (even though until Gianna came, he liked to come in our bed in the middle of the night.)  Well, I got fussed at last night for putting baby on the couch bed with me, but after 48 hours of NO sleep, and people coming in a and waking her up 1010101010 times at night, we both had a nice night rest, and my mood and spirits are much lifted today.
As I obsessively watch her oxygen stat monitor, I am so thankful I live now and not 100 years ago.

Here are a few pics I could not pass up!  LOVE LOVE LOVE my hubby and kids

Wednesday Weekend Recap

Circus
-- So the Circus was in town this weekend, and since JG got a "free" ticket at school (even though it was free for kids anyway) the hubs and I decided to take the kids.  After we stopped at the ATM to get some cash for the fun day, we proceeded to go to the coliseum filled with tons of people.  So $40 dollars, plus the 5 I had in my pocket should be more than enough to have a fun morning, right??  So after 10 dollars a piece to get in for the adults, so now 1/2 our money is gone, John Gary spots the elephants, with little children riding on them with their parents.  Oh, daddy will you ride the elepant with me?  Well my 6'5 260 lb. hubby said, no daddys too big, but mommy will! As I looked over at him with a sarcastic smile I proceeded to go and buy tickets to the elephant.  That will be $20, what???  Ok, so for less than 5 minutes on an elephant, one of us being a parents and one 3 years old, ok now I dont think Im very cheap, but we had already promised JG he could ride and he was waiting with bright eyes staring up at the huge animal.  I swallowed my pride, paid the money, and now with $5 left, I hope there is nothing else there.  So after the 30 second elephant ride, JG spots swords.  John and I look at each other, and are like no lets go find our seats before we have to take out a loan to pay for this morning.  So, these light up plastic swords were everywhere, and at $20 a piece and we knew they would last about 10 minutes, no thank you.  So, we are over the sword fiasco, JG is happily sitting in his seat watching the tigers, when BAM! out of nowhere come the "Powderpuff Sword Girls"  with the light up swords "which now are being paraded around the coliseum with huge light up packs, you guessed it, FOR SALE! Well we had already said no, and now that he started to stick his lip out, we definitely couldnt give in. He had a great time, it was fun, but come on people, give parents a little bit of a break?  Parading around with the hottest item, while kids everywhere are crying because theirs already broke, or because there parents had to take out a second mortgage after riding the elephant!  Well needless to say, after 90 minutes of circus fun, came intermission, and we were all ready to go.  So, we left and daddy and JG went to the mall while mama and G went to Kroger (where I saved 40 dollars with coupons).
Then, Sunday, before church, daddy and JG went fishing, They saw a baby alligator, but JG informed me when he got home that "daddy couldnt find the fish." haha.
Here are some pics from our circus adventure and the boys fishing.  Have a great Wednesday!

Mary Queen of Angels, Pray for us!

Kissing Hand

So, yesterday was officially a very hard day for my PreK JG.  His teachers say he is the youngest in the class, and having the hardest time being away from his mama.  My office is literally steps away from him classroom, and he has spent 3 years at work with me.  I thought this would make the transition easier, but I was wrong.  His teacher sent home a book called the "Kissing Hand" yesterday and we read it last night.  It is really cute and about a Raccoon who misses his mama when he goes to school.  Did it help??  Not this morning.  As the teacher had to pry my screaming "help me mama" child off of me, it made me incredibly sad.  If I didnt know that he was in the best hands he could possibly be in I would be more worried.  But one of the teachers has a daughter in my youth group, and the other has been a K teacher for 18 years and I have heard several people say she has never raised her voice at any child.
As we prayed the Hail Mary on the way to school, as I tried to reassure my little buddy that tomorrow he didnt have to go to school.  I just pray this all passes, because it is making the mornings from the time he gets up to the time I take him to his classroom, miserable for both of us.  Teacher also told us to send a picture of me and John for him.  JG picked out a picture from out wedding that he likes and took it with him today.  Please please please pray for my little love bug, it makes me so sad he is so upset.
I feel like a bad mom today, because I made my kid go to school when he was so upset.  But it will never get better if he doesnt see he will be ok.......better when he is 3 than in jr. high, like his mama??

Blessed Mother Theresa, today is your birthday! Please pray for my little boy!

Chips for Breakfast

So the bye mommy, I love school phase has officially ended.  JG tells me he just wants school to be over because Im "messin my mama."So this morning I was desperately trying to find something he could eat for breakfast, but all he wanted was "tall chips" aka pringles.  As I attempted to steer him to something else such as bagels, english muffins, cereal, fiber one bars, he just cried that he didnt want to go to school.  Ok, so I stopped and got him some pringles.  As he stuffed them into his mouth like he had not eaten in days, and mama gave him a sip of her coke, I was praying he would just be happy.  And he was, until the pringles can was empty......  Well as I drop him off, the tears start and the my tummy hurts.  Poor baby, I had ridiculous amounts of separation anxiety until I was in college, yes college, and I just hope he hasnt inherited my fears. 
So what did I do next?  Drew some experience from my FUS days, and decided to pray over my baby boy.  As I was holding him I put my hand on his head and just asked the Blessed Mother to give him peace.
So I might not get mother of the year award for feeding my kid pringles for breakfast, but sending him to breakfast without school, I think is the greater of the two evils. As Im sitting here with my little chunker baby drooling all over my arm, I cant help but thank God for all my blessings. 
 

Bye Mommy

Well, it has happened, my big baby boy had his first day of school Friday.  Without even a Bye Mommy he strut into the classroom saying "Hey guys I'm here."  I asked his teacher how his first day was, and she said he did great but likes to "travel."  So after almost 3 years of being here at Cabrini, he has come to think he owns the place.  Traveling, a nice way of saying, he likes to go where he wants when he wants, will get better I'm sure!  After peeking out the window of my office to the playground and seeing him play with the other kids does my heart a lot of good.  After a weekend of, "PreK told me this, and Prek told me that"  I am so glad he loves it. 
I have to say though, as much as I miss him, I am glad to be able to give Gianna some personal attention.  She has been such a good baby, that many times I feel guilty that she has to entertain herself more than John Gary ever did.  She just coos and laughs at me, and thinks I'm the best.  Which i am relishing because I am sure in about 10 years I will be the wicked witch of the west.