The things you learn from kids...

If you ask a lot of people who knew me before I was married and had kids...I've learned to have a little bit more patience. It's very hard for me....I think I'm just super stubborn and rather just do the job myself. My kids have also taught me to have a lot more compassion. You always wonder what your kids do at other people's houses or what they say. I would secretly like to take credit for what my kids say but I know they are just genuinely sweet girls who I have just been blessed with. The other day my sister and brother in law had their second baby, Kenadi and she's doing well considering the circumstances but it's a very hard time for their little family. If you want to know what's going, you can go to their blog HERE. My girls are crazy about their cousin Jackson and excited they now have a girl cousin. I told them the news as well as that she has to stay in the hospital for awhile so she can get better. Later that day, I picked them up from school. I asked Madison how her day was and her response, "It was not good, Hannah and I just thought about Christina and Kenadi the whole day." It melted my heart.

Last night they were looking forward to making Kenadi some pictures for her hospital space...I took Hannah with me to the store to get some glitter and paint since, "Kenadi will need my painting pictures." (That was Hannah) And so we headed to the store and Hannah stopped by the toy section, I was kind of in a hurry since I wanted to get home so they could start it and we still needed to have dinner, and told Hannah we can't go look over there, we're here to buy supplies. She then said, "But I wanted to look for a toy for Baby Kenadi." I felt kind of bad since I just assumed she was looking at things she wanted and I didn't want to sit there hearing about how she wants this and that for her birthday. So we looked...she wanted to get her princess dress up shoes....she was a little heart broken I said probably not today but that instantly changed as soon as she saw the cool crayola paint brushes I found that already had the paint in them. So we headed to grab a pizza since it was already 5:30 and as we waited for it to cook, we ate a Subway cookie and chatted...which was super fun. I love hearing her stories...always makes me laugh.

We came home, ate and then they were little artist (I have glitter on my kitchen table, chairs and stool) but it adds character right? And...helps that it's my $50 table and chairs I don't care about....hence why we bought it. And so they went to town and were pretty excited at their works of art. I'm kind of bummed since I was hoping to scan some so Kenadi could have some right now, but I will just have to use snail mail and then she'll get the whole glitter effect.

And here is Isabella...she got her passport picture taken yesterday but she was wearing this...so cute! (She is orange because she had just finished up her dinner.)

A picture of Madison and Kenadi

Hannah

The three monkeys

Life is once again super good, the polka dot blanket has been washed and is constantly with this little girl.

Seriously.....

Could I really ever stay grumpy after waking up and seeing these faces???

Sometimes we call her "Ace" (Ace Ventura, Pet Detective)

Hannah was here this morning....she super speedily got ready for school so she could play her DSi....

Jack-O-Lantern, Addict, Old self, New Baby

Madison has been losing teeth like crazy! We're up to 5 lost now. She's looking a bit like a jack-o-lantern if you ask me....

Hannah is addicted to her DSi. We have rules and my kids aren't on it all the time. Saturday they hadn't played on them so as I'm passing their room upstairs and taking a quick glance to see if they had fallen asleep (it was bedtime) I see a glowing duvet in Hannah's bed. I had to run downstairs get the camera and then back up again to take a picture....too bad I kept the flash on. So you get to see Hannah's face. I couldn't get mad, it actually made me laugh. I had to give her credit, she was trying to do it under her covers....too bad her covers are white...sneaky sneaky.Isabella is once again smiling. Hannah came into the kitchen while I was cooking dinner and asks, "Mom, what happened to Isabella?"

"What do you mean?"

"She's smiling again!"

So cute....she told us the other day she was really concerned since Isabella wasn't smiling like she always use to. My poor kiddo...things are looking up again though so we're hoping this antibiotic will just kill everything that is keeping her sick.

I also have a new beautiful niece! She's adorable and I can't wait to meet her! She was born yesterday, February 22nd and was 7 lbs 1 oz. I may get to go out to Salt Lake City for a week or so in a couple of weeks so I'm pretty excited if I do get a chance....not under the circumstances of course. She's having some complications right now...so we have Kenadi as well as her family in our prayers. I'll also get to see my nephew...I think he thinks I'm just a voice on the phone. My sister is a star and is doing great considering what she's dealing with. I admire her and her family....isn't it funny how the sister you grew up not liking very much can become one of your best friends even though you're thousands of miles away. I guess that's what happens sometimes when you grow up....at least a little bit.

67 long minutes .... wait in all it was longer than that

My sweet Bellies....I felt so helpless. Today I took her in to the doctors to get her ears and lungs checked out. She has been miserable (I know...AGAIN) for the past 3 days and running a temperature. So I took her in and her ears are still red and infected, she has crackling in her lungs and just cried pretty much the whole time. Her oxygen was okay but there was enough concern to have us drive down to the other military hospital to have lab work and a chest x-ray done. Luckily the Doc called down and told the doctor on call what was going on so I wouldn't have to check into the ER and wait FOREVER to hear her results.

So I dropped off the older girls, woke up Dan and left them and Isabella and I headed on down. We got right in and I thought we better knock out the x-ray first. I was a little concerned since we got there 10 til 4 and things closed at 4:30. So we get in and Isabella has so sit in this thing that looks like a bicycle seat and then the worst part, the plastic casing that goes around her with her hands up to keep her from moving. She was not at all happy and I just looked at her and told her I was sorry and that hopefully it would get done quickly. 5 long minutes passed, the x-rays were good and so she was able to be unrestrained from that contraption. Life was a little better....though we were headed for the worst bit....

Blood work! Oh my gosh I hope I never have to do that again with an infant! We get in, I have Bellies in my lap on the special blood drawing chair and they lower the little front part and that was the end. She cried and was not liking that bit. So we have three different techs see if they find a vein in her little chubby arms....no luck. So they call another guy, no luck. So they call another guy. He feels one, thinks he can get it, stabs and no luck. My poor baby has been crying for about 25 minutes already straight. Meanwhile everyone is being so nice and trying to get her to smile and distract her. She's not at the age where you can tell her we will get this done and then it's ice cream time or something. So then he has to do it on the hand....and he gets it...but it's just enough blood to fill the tube. Yeah...and we need 2 tests done and so he goes and sees if it will be enough, luckily it is but it still means we need more blood. By this time we have about 8 people in the tiny little room. Then the Air Force Major comes in, she feels the vein but passes it on since she doesn't want to poke the already crying baby. Then in walks the Lieutenant Colonel, he gets her to smile for a split second and then she cries instantly again when she sees the man who drew blood from her walk his way through the crowd of people. He draws from the other hand, barley gets enough for the other test that needs to get done. I have a baby who is now falling asleep from crying so much since we've been in there for over an hour. (They were all so very nice I can't complain. They were trying their hardest not to make it more painful and just jab her.) We then were done and had a room full of people clapping. It was so stressful. I can't believe I didn't cry. I have never had to hear my child cry that long....so heartbreaking. And so I went to the ER, asked them to tell the doc on call I had finished taking her to get the tests done, he came out right away, told me that out of the test results he saw that she just has a viral case of bronchitis...docs wanted to make sure it wasn't bacterial. So we packed up and headed out to the car and that's when I broke down and cried. Not that she's sick....just it was so sad hearing her cry for so long and not being able to do anything. I wanted them to just prick me and take the blood....it was horrible seeing her have to go through it and not understanding what in the world was going on but just that it hurt.

And so now we just wait and see if her blood is bacteria free. They are concerned since she's been on and off sick for a long period of time. Her chances are lower though, especially since her lungs were free of it so we will see. Still she's on antibiotics for the ears again and now we just need to be hermits once again until this viral thing goes away. Hopefully soon, she's not my Bellies with it and I miss my happy, giggly, curious little monkey girl.

Food Poisoning

Not fun! I'm so not eating Chinese like not ever again! YUCK!

London Aquarium

We took the train down to London to see the aquarium....it was too bad it was so beautiful when we woke up this morning and then by the time we left for the train it was raining. Still we had a pretty good time. I enjoy London....I love the big cites. Dan not so much...he hates them and gets exhausted. Crazy guy. The girls were so excited to be taking the train...and then the enthusiasm faded out by constant voices asking, "ARE WE THERE YET???!!!" I was also so thrilled that we had purchased tickets before we arrived there...the line was forever long and you had to wait out in the rain....so nice!

I love how we got off the tube and out into the street and Madison was like, "Whoa, that's Big Ben!"

Hannah was so super cute and loved the sharks....wait...we all did. Hannah's fav....the brown shark.

Isabella slept and then woke up and was in ahhh of the whole thing. I think she was just happy she was being held. Here's just a picture from earlier before we left for the train....she's just so stinking cute! The orange stuff in the corner of her mouth is food, she had just finished up breakfast.

I took a quick shot of the beautiful weather. I was in a hurry hence why it's a little crooked. The wind was blowing, I was holding an umbrella and a kids hand. The London Eye and gray sky.

We will see when Dan will venture down there again. Every time I go down there I think I need to take the train and explore more often. Seriously....when will I ever live just an hour train ride from London again?

Valentine's Day

I can't believe it...our third Valentine's together! What I think we're at 3 for 8! Woo hoo! We are on a roll. So is life...

And so the girls woke up to their Valentine's Day presents...a big Hershey kiss and some books. Madison got a multiplication book as well as an anatomy book. Hannah got an atlas book and addition/subtraction book and Isabella got some board books. The girls loved them since they have been really interested in those subjects....Isabella is just excited to hit anything that is reach. Dan got his Hershey kiss as well and is looking forward to eating Isabella's I'm sure.

I was up all night with Madison...she was having asthma attacks...shallow breaths and a temp...good times. This was the second night of it and the second night of her tossing and turning in my bed right next to me...so I really wasn't sleeping.

Dan came home, and he gave me my presents....red roses and a new mobile! Okay...I told him not to spend so much...I really rather save up and go places and I still see my car in the drive way and think I'm super spoiled and so I made him promise me not to spend over this limit. He stayed in it! And I now have a phone I can once again read the full texts and see the complete number on the screen. R.I.P. my little cheap phone that only cost £10 and lasted over a year. Oh and he told me to try and take a nap...I did...and it was on my bed for THREE HOURS! Holy moly cow...I never do that and I wanted to stay in bed forever....how heavenly it was to just lay there in my warm duvet and do nothing and worry about nothing. Heaven.

I know you all are dying to know what I got Dan. It may seem like really lame but he LOVED it...and really isn't that all that really matters. So I was struggling since he's kind of hard to shop for even though he's a pretty simple guy. And so after much thought, I decided on a mushroom coral to go in his beloved marine fish tank as well as a J.R. Tolkien book and a game card for his addiction...WoW. He was so super excited and called me the best with a high five and kiss. I did a great job this time. I needed to redeem myself since this last Christmas and not getting any of the 5 things on his list. Although it was sweet when he told the kids, "Your mom is the best! She always does such a good job remembering us and knowing what to get." It made me kind of blush.

And so I had plans to make a romantic Italian dinner for 5 (even though 1 of us really can't eat what I was going to make) but Dan told me he couldn't have me cooking on Thanksgiving. I said thanks....but it is Valentine's day. He goofed since he had just woken up from his nap and was a little disorientated but sure enough we got in the car with him behind the wheel and we went and got Chinese take away.

We came home, ate on paper plates since Dan didn't want anyone to have to do dishes (have I mentioned that my girls are now doing dishes...and a how they are doing a fab job at it??!!!) and enjoyed our little dinner that was way scrum-dum-dumali-umptious that in fact wasn't really little at all since we have like so much leftovers! That's okay....like we told our kids....Chinese for breakfast, lunch and dinner tomorrow. Isabella was all over the rice and sweet sour chicken. She much preferred it to her mushed peas.

And so then we enjoyed each other. The girls watched a movie, Isabella, Dan and I played Rack-O and he still holds the title of Rack-O champion (I was soooooo close!) Some day I will be the Rack-O champion!

Saturday mornings...

We aren't TV people at all....this morning since it's so icky outside and Madison's not feeling 100% we're on the couch watching Jump In....I say that with all the enthusiasm in my voice (not really). Duvets are down here....and of course Isabella and Madison are cuddling buddies.

Vainity

We were at the shoppette picking up some benedryl for Madison....Hannah and I ran in and as we were going out a woman makes the remark of how beautiful she is.

Hannah's response, "I know! People tell me that all the time!"

Nice....I think we need to work on that....

I love polka dots

I love this little girl who is wearing polka dots even more.....

I love how the big girls include her in their watching of a little TV.

Pig tails and silliness

One of my favs.....probably since Isabella's face says it all....seriously???!!!

Pictures!

Isabella loves this mat. She's all over it. Her favorite...the squeaky frog.

Hannah has been longing for the day her hair is once again long. Every time we go see Chelsie to give her a trim, she says, "Can you please cut it long Chelsie?"

Madison is growing once again. Her trousers and skirts are all falling off.

Goodness I'm so blessed to have 3 BEAUTIFUL girls!!!

YAY!

I found my special place I had set my battery charger for my camera! The funny thing is...I had looked in that special place already....

Also...I got my order I had placed with GAP for Isabella. My kiddo will once again have variety in her wardrobe. Poor girl...she was out growing everything I had and had to wear the same few outfits.

And...it was the last day of school for the girls for half term. 11 days off....I'm actually kind of excited.

Stuff

This morning Dan came home from working all night and had some news. He's been picked to organize the Navy Ball for this year. I'm excited...he's excited...he's done squadron Christmas parties so he's a pro at fund raising and getting things together. Everyone in California loved the Christmas parties he put together...great fun, good music, good food and super nice prizes so much he had to do it both Christmas we were there. The only difference is that this one is a little bit more formal but Dan will get it and do great! Now to cough up the money for the penguin coat....

Isabella and I went out to the other base to do a little shopping. I was looking for a jogging stroller. They had one and so I lucked out and didn't have to order one online. I was kind of bummed though...it didn't come with a rain cover...and so I need to find one that fits...it's essential here...perhaps that's why they usually come with the strollers you buy here.

I also was super bargain shopper and got Dan some new running shoes. I got $110 ones for $53! Nice! I was so excited and had to tell Dan they were the original price so I could irritate him before I told him what I actually spent on them. Oh how I'm so mean sometimes....

Madison and Hannah are exhausted. Hannah apparently just went upstairs and went to bed and is now asleep...I wasn't hearing any noise so I had to check to see what was up and Madison is not talking my ear off (I mean that in an endearing way) so she will go down soon as well. Isabella keeps looking and smiling at me. So cheesy. She hears the videos playing of her on the computer and I think she thinks I'm talking to her right now.

I gave her a taste of the grapefruit I was eating. She loved it...but honestly...is there anything she doesn't love?



My brother gave me this super soft and plush blanket for Christmas...Isabella uses it more than me. She will go to sleep oh so quickly if she's bundled in it with Lady Gaga playing in the background. (I have a cold so sorry I sound so loud and nasty.)

Super tasty

When I picked up the girls from school today, a friend offered to take Madison to Rainbows (their version of Girl Scouts over here) and Madison was all over that offer. Hannah was pretty bummed she couldn't go so I told her we would make cupcakes when we got home. I was thinking during the time Madison was gone but as soon as we got through the door, they both headed upstairs, Hannah put on a dress, but knowing we were going to be baking, she busted out one of her aprons. She was so excited as you can tell. So I have everything out and as I'm reading the ingredients, I realize I don't have any eggs. So I load Hannah and Isabella in the car and instead of going to the base to get eggs which is what I usually do, I head to the local corner market...so saved me like 30 minutes...note to self...do that more often! And so we get home, Madison leaves and Hannah and I are getting our bake on.

I had bought Valentine's Day mix and frosting and she was so super excited about that. So we stirred (I was too lazy to get the transformer for my Kitchen Aid) and Hannah poured the confetti in and did a little stirring as well. It was cute when I was stirring she told me how I had magic fast ninja stirring powers. That's right....I have powers.

Good thing I had Hannah as my little timer. While they were baking I was making some couscous and breaded chicken...I forgot all about the cupcakes but Hannah was on it. And so we took them out, let them cool, frosted and sprinkled with sprinkles. Isabella was in on the action sitting in the middle of the table, watching...just as Isabella is suppose to be. She even got to try some frosting. That's right...I let my baby taste frosting.

And so of course we had to give some to our neighbors. Hannah ran on over there even though it was dark and a light drizzle was coming down (I was watching her from our front porch before someone thinks I'm this negligent mother who lets her 4 year old run in the streets at night) and she came home and we had cupcakes before dinner. Scrumptious! (We only had one...they had to eat dinner and then they could have another.)

Hannah then read pretty much her whole book she brought home from school. She's doing so amazing. Madison read her book to Grandma Nancy over the phone and I put the Bellies to bed. She's now in her crib in her own room. I fixed up her room finally and so we tend to play, sleep and do some more playing in there. She's still not her usual happy self, but I think she's doing a bit better. Dan on the other hand is sick (he's still going into work even though he looked terrible when he woke up) and I have this nose that is constantly leaking....rather embarrassing if I do say so and sneezing like crazy loud. I'm thinking mine is more allergies which I have never had until I came here. So I should probably take some Benedryl and go to bed since I just now realized it's after midnight and life does go on no matter what at 6:30 am when Dan's not here to help me out.

Healthy choices

My kids are starved (at least they say so) when they come home from school every day. I have been trying to let them fix themselves breakfast and snacks (I say trying since there is a chance of a spill or mess somehow and I find sometimes cleaning it is more obnoxious than just getting the snack to begin with)and they love it. Today though Madison and Hannah were pushing their luck by asking for sweets for a snack. They know it's usually a piece of fruit or yogurt. They are bummed I say no and they go off to the kitchen to see what they can scrounge. Madison comes back and asks so eagerly if she and Hannah can have a banana. I say of course you can...great choice! And so I make it in the kitchen after a few minutes...I'm done feeding Hannah, and what do I see? Them eating their bananas...with Nutella set right in the middle of the table, each girl on each side...spreading nutella all over the banana and using the spoon to "try it" as Hannah called it. Nice! I laughed...and said, "great choice!" How could I be mad at that?

Is it Spring time yet?

That has been the question in my house for the past couple of days. The sun was shining in England for three days in a row. We had rain today and the wind...not so fun. Saturday morning...Madison and Hannah woke up. Madison shouts, "It's springtime!" in a super loud and excited voice. I told her it was still winter. She asked why since the sun was out.

They both wanted to ride their bikes, I said go ahead so off they go with just a long sleeve on. I told them they needed coats, they said they didn't...it was after all, "HOT" outside. It really wasn't. The wind was blowing and it was 32 degrees outside...as in Fahrenheit.

Sunday it was still sunny. I asked them if they wanted to go outside, they said no, it was too cold. Funny how their view on the sun changed.

Hannah now every morning asks if it's spring time. I can't blame her. I want it to come as well. When I was younger, I only loved summer. I love the heat. I don't know what that's like anymore but as I'm growing up (I don't like to say older) I have learned to appriciate the beauty in all the seasons. Oh wait...perhaps I can skip spring time here....I have terrible hay feever over here.

Madison being a big helper

Madison loves reading to Isabella....and Isabella loves Madison reading to her.


And for some reason...Hannah loves sitting inbetween the wall and the sofa....crazy kid!

And again...

Isabella has another ear infection....we went a month without having one....WOO HOO! And so on antibiotics she goes....and hopefully in a couple days I'll have a happy baby once again.

I love how the girl who was checking us in kind of looks like me like I'm wasting her time since she's not running a fever. I was honest and told her that she's had a low grade one, and that she's acting just like she did with her last so I want it checked out. Sure enough...I was so right. It's not that I wanted to be right, but I so wanted to say, "see" and stick out my tongue at her. I know...real mature.