Stalked by the Stork...a diary of raising 10 kids

Looking Back

2012-01-27T21:29:00.005-06:00

Recently, while I was talking on the phone with my mother, we discussed the differences between life now, and life four years ago. Four years ago, Brice was two (oh, the memories of Brice's terrible two's), our twins were one and Sydney was a brand new baby. Specifically, my mother and I talked about the way things were when I used to have to go somewhere by myself with our little ones...It would go something like this. I would first bring Brice out to the van, and strap him in his seatbelt. He was almost always first, because, well, I just couldn't trust him to not make major mischief if I left him in the house whilst I loaded the other littles. After securing Brice into his car seat, I would go back in the house for one of the twins and repeat the process. Then back in the house for the next twin. Then back in the house to grab the baby in her infant seat. Then, with all the kids buckled in their car seats, I'd make one last dash inside to grab my purse, diaper bag and whatever else we needed for that particular trip.
And when we returned home, it would be the same process in reverse to unload all the kids (this time, Brice was last, for the aforementioned reasons).
I remember often feeling exhausted at just the thought of having to go somewhere. Many times, nonessential appointments got rescheduled or just cancelled. Many times, we skipped out on playdates, day trips and whatever else just seemed too daunting or overwhelming at the time, or frankly, just plain not worth the time and effort to get out the door (getting ready for the day and preparing to get loaded into the van was a whole other ordeal back then). I'm sure people wondered I would just choose to stay home, all because getting ready and getting there was too much trouble. These people didn't parent Brice. No seriously, here was the reality...my kids didn't need playdates...they had each other. And they had plenty of each others. It was ME that needed the playdate, so I didn't feel all that guilty for skipping out on one (okay, several) when I just didn't feel up to it.
Fast forward to now...yes, we have more children, but we also have more older children, which translates into more help. Brice is six years old, and while still very much a handful, he is able to nagivate his way to the van and put on a seatbelt without causing too much chaos- usually. The twins, and even Sydney and Kambree can get themselves to the van and while they may need some assistance with buckeling up in their carseats, it's nothing like the ordeal it used to be. And while there are still compelling reasons in our house to reschedule or cancell appointments, we can usually make most playdates. Most, not all.
Sometimes, I regret that when I look back over the twins first two or three of life, that period of rapid exansion in our family, so much of it seems like a whirlwind. I have to consult my little ones' baby books to know how old Sydney was when she walked or what Bree's first word was. It was a really crazy, busy time in our household. I'm not saying I would change it...we had specific reasons for expanding oru family quickly the way that we did and given the same set of circumstances, we would most certainly make the same exact decision again. And our family is much richer and happier and blessed because of it. We also are entering a stage where we reap the benefits of those really tough few years. For example, as I type, I have four little ones (Isaiah, Alexandria, Sydney and Bree) all happily playing in the loft, keeping each other entertained, and being best friends (least anyone wonder, NO, it is NOT always like this, we have our fair share of fighting, screaming and arguing). It makes me happy to think about how close all our kids are. It makes me smile when I see them all lined up on the couch watching a movie, or all sitting at the table waiting for dinner. I remember days when I'd be in tears trying to get them all ready for a simple doctor's appointment, when I'd loose my patience when someone would spill a glass of juice on themselves just seconds after I had them ready to go, or the nights that bedtime couldn't get here soon enough (okay, so bedtiem still can't get here soon enough, espicially mine). While it's nice that those days have given way to still hectic and chaotic, but much more managable times, I cherish some of those memories, usually the ones involving mayhem and catastrophe, and know that they've shaped me as a person and a mother. I wouldn't trade them. I think we came out alright....

2012-01-21T21:01:00.003-06:00

Last night was Emanuel's 15th birthday party. His birthday was actually last month, on December 26th, and we celebrated then too, as a family. But last night was his party, when he invited friends (lots of friends) and we cranked up music, had lots of food and drinks and celebrated until midnight. Well, midnight for the girls who were invited...the boys spent the night and we even had a few stay over through lunch time. I took lots of picture (of course) and here are a few of them.
I'm so proud of how Manny is growing and so proud of the man he is turning into. When I rolled out of bed this morning, still exhausted and trooped downstairs to face the mess from the night before, I discovered Manny in the kitchen cleaning up after things and in fact, he'd had the whole kitchen pretty much cleaned when I came down. I just had to dry a few dishes. I love that kid.

Here is the sheet cake that we ordered from our local grocery store. Manny actually hates cake but you can't have a birthday party without it!

Manny's friend Tyler was the D.J. of the night and supplied the great music!

Manny and Diem having fun with Mia

Hanh, who is Diem's sister loves Mia too!

Sisters!

Drew and his BFF Kori!

Time for Cake...

Manny and his buddy Virgil

Friends...

Sharing a seat...

chilling...

Family Favorites

2012-01-09T19:22:00.002-06:00

Tongiht is one of our family's favorites. It's the BCS Championship game. And this years match up couldn't be better. Well, okay, so it could be better- if it featured South Carolina or Tennessee. But this year it DOES feature TWO SEC teams. We are thrilled. It's a matchup of LSU and Bama.
To say we are excited and very prepared for this game, which starts in seven minutes, is an understatement. We've had dinner, done chores and have all our game snacks and drinks laid out. Even Mia is sitting on the couch, totally ready for gametime!

I know its been some time since our last update, so I also wanted to say that we had a wonderful Christmas and an excellent New Year. My mom was able to be here visiting us for Christmas and it was the first Christmas our children have ever had her here. It was very exciting! We followed all our regular traditions- appetizers for Christmas Eve, our second annual secret santa exchange between the kids, watching A Christmas Story right before bed, checking Santa's location on the NORAD webiste, leaving out the cookies and milk, reading THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS and most importantly talking together about the very first Christmas and what that means,and helping the littles understand the reasons behind our tradition of gift giving.

The day after Christmas is Manny's birthday so we usually celebrate by going out to eat and then to a movie. This year, we let the movie be just for the boys while the girls came home from lunch to bake cupcakes and let Mia nap. Manny had friends (read, his girlfriend and another couple friends) come over for movie night later that evening. Nana made him purple and white cupcakes (school colors).

We celebrated New Years by going down to Tennessee to visit my mom and sisters. My mom had returned home on the 27th and had brought our oldest four boys with her. We had a fabulous time with my mama, my sisters, nieces and nephews and our dear friends Anna and Lisa. My nephew Preston was baptized while we were there. It was perfect and wonderful and I was a bit sad to come home. I miss all of them.

Off to watch the game now- one minute till kick off!

ROLL TIDE
GEAUX TIGERS

One of My Favorite Gifts...

2011-12-23T21:48:00.000-06:00

Things That Make Me Feel Satisfied and Happy

2011-12-23T21:14:00.004-06:00

Butterballs and fudge are made, and my oldest three kids are gathered around the kitchen table playing cards with my mom. This totally rocks.

Yesterday the twins had a pediatric checkup and while the nurse was examining Alexandria, she suddenly quipped, "Your teeth are yellow!" I was so mortified. That did NOT rock.

I have shopped and wrapped and wrapped and shopped and picked up groceries for the next few days. I am now completely done. Albert went out this evening and picked up a bottle of wine for tomorrow night. We are officially DONE. That feels amazing. And cozy.

School is out for the kids and myself, which feels totally fabulous. In so many ways.

Did I mention that my mom is here?

Laundry is tumbling in the dryer, spinning in the washer. Mia is sleeping peacefully in her crib and the other littles are in their rooms for the night (though I can hear them still playing so they aren't exactly asleep yet.)

The older kids got super cute hair cuts tonight. They are so handsome.

Desperate Times

2011-12-09T16:04:00.003-06:00

...Call for desperate measures!

This is how Emanuel decided to make sure that there would be some chocolate milk left for him when he got home from school and weight lifting a few days ago....

When I first saw it, I must admit, I was perplexed, and even a little annoyed. Then I thought about it. Manny leaves early in the morning, he and Drew leave the house around 7:00, well before any of the other kids. He gets home much later since weight lifting is directly after school. ALL of our kids love chocolate milk. He had indeed asked me to make sure I saved some chocolate milk for him that day, but I admit to being forgetful most days...and really...saving out chocolate milk for a particular child isn't necessarily high on my priority list. So, I'm guessing he saw this as his only recourse.
I guess when you have nine siblings, you do what you have to do in order to make sure you get your share of the chocolate milk. Desperate times...

Another Loss

2011-12-04T01:42:00.009-06:00

Sorry for the delay in updated posts. Lots of things have been going on here. Many happy things, life around here is nearly always happy, even when it's chaotic and crazy, it's still usually happy. We still usually have happy kids walking around and happy babies smiling and playing and a basically happy Mommy and Daddy. And life here is happy, even when there is sadness. And right now, there is indeed some sadness.
At the end of October, we learned that we were once again pregnant, and then, just a couple of weeks ago, we found out that this pregnancy too, is ending in miscarriage.
There are so many emotions that this brings to the surface for us. We feel sad and confused and unsure about why this has happend twice in a row- we had ten children, with no problems prior to these losses. What has suddenly changed? Why is my body not carrying these babies the way is should? Is something wrong with me? With Albert? Is there something we can do to make it better next time? Is it just a chance happening, a freak coincidence? Is it totally random? We don't have the answers to any of these things.
I also feel great frustration. I am frustrated at my body, I am frustrated at the people who keep making stupid and hurtful comments such as "Maybe God is trying to tell you something." Really? By taking away our babies? I don't think God works that way, in fact, I'm quite sure He doesn't. Or even more annoying, "Well, at least you have ten children!" Yes, this is true, we are incredibly blessed and grateful that we have ten children. It doesn't make losing this pregnancy feel any better though. I don't think that people realize how insensitive this sounds. Our children aren't crayons in a box, where if the red one is missing you can just use pink. Our children are unique individuals. So having one, or three or ten of them doesn't mean that any are disposable. Each one is wanted, treasured and loved. They aren't a collection, they are singularly precious and what each of them means to us cannot be measured. So both of the pregnancies that we lost were very real souls, crafted by the Heavenly Father himself, each distinct and one of a kind. They cannot be replaced or reproduced. Having one or two or twelve other children does not in the least mitigate the loss of that one. However, having our ten other children does ease the pain of those losses in a very real way and does give us insight into how very fortunate and blessed we are.

Both Albert and I feel an incredible sense of gratitude. Going though these two losses has made us both keenly aware that we are in possession of the ten greatest blessings in the world. Coming home from seeing an empty gestational sac on an ultrasound where we should have seen a healthy, fluttering heartbeat is profoundly sad, but walking into a room full of little ones to hug and love and kiss is profoundly healing. Realizing all over again how fortunate we are to be able to wake up and parent these ten miracles has been so calming and nourishing to our spirits. The knowledge that even if there are no more babies in God's plan for us, we are totally fulfilled and full with our amazing family is like the best, softest most comforting band-aid in the world. It heals my hurt. I cannot even begin to imagine what miscarriage is like for a woman who has no other children. I can't fathom it.
I also feel fear. What if we try again? What if this happens again? This experience is in some ways, making me into the OB patient I don't want to be. Here's what I mean...I'm on Doxycyline now in case the miscarriages were caused by some type of minor bacterial infection...probably not, but just in case, even though it's unlikely, it doesn't hurt to just take the meds. If I ever get another positive test again, I will immediately go on Prometrium, and baby aspirin, again just in case the miscarriages were caused by low progesterone or a clotting factor. Again, probably not, but we are grabbing at everything, trying to treat for anything we can thing of that might boost our chances. All of the above has been at my own request. I cut out caffeine, and am weaning Mia from nursing. And should we get a positive test again, I won't rest comfortably, feeling happy to be pregnant. With the twins, I complained that I had to go to too many ultrasounds. With Bree and Mia I turned down ultrasounds that I felt were unnecessary. If we ever get a next time, I'm afraid I'll be that woman begging for ultrasounds at every appointment just to make sure the baby is really still there and doing okay. I don't want to be like that. But I will be.
In the end, I know that God's plan is better than my plan. I know that God has a purpose for everything that happens. And I trust Him. I don't know if there will be more babies. And oddly and stragely, even though I hope there will be, I'm totally okay if there aren't. I can see my blessings so clearly. They are beautiful and precious and perfect. They make my heart burst with happiness and joy and comfort. They make me so happy, even when I'm sad.

Excitement and Anticipation

2011-11-16T12:53:00.003-06:00

Lots of fun, exciting things are happening around here. Some that I can talk about and some that I can't mention just yet...
We are in birthday season around here! I call it birthday season because we have six birthdays between September 29th-December 26th. We have already had Isaiah, Alexandria, Brandon, and Sydney's birthday. Next Tuesday is Bree's third birthday and then Manny is the day after Christmas.

We are expecting Albert's Dad and Step mom in town next week for Thanksgiving. Our children are beyond excited at the prospect of spending time with their grandparents. Albert and I are in full planning mode for Thanksgiving dinner. I've been looking up recipes and menu ideas. We love cooking Thanksgiving dinner together and eating with our kids at home. We can't wait.

My mom has also told us that she's coming for Christmas. We are very excited about that, as this will be the first Christmas that Nana has spent with us. More menu and recipe planning is underway for that! The kids are excited to start decorating as soon as Thanksgiving has passed.

Lots of busy bodies here, lots of excitement and lots of looking forward to the days and weeks ahead. The anticipation here is very heavy! I love the holiday season...it's such a wonderful time of the year...it just seems so warm and cozy and family-ish. I have noticed that I've been slacking on updates, so I will make a better effort to get better with that. I miss writing and putting all our family happenings and activities on paper..or online.
If anyone has any great recipes for Thanksgiving side dishes please let me know! I'd love to hear them!

Shortcomings

2011-11-08T07:38:00.003-06:00

Sometimes it seems like I'm suddenly smacked in the face by the reality of how hugely I've been blessed with this great big family. Also, at times, it seems like I'm smacked in the face by the reality of the insanity and chaos that this many people in one family can bring. This morning was one of those times. One of both times, actually.
As I stood at the toaster, methodically spreading butter on each piece as it popped out and handing Styrofoam plates to waiting hands, I wondered about the families that actually make real breakfasts in the morning...you know, the moms who make bacon and eggs or something that demonstrates they are aware that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Before I could ponder my apparent shortcoming for very long, my thoughts were interrupted by Brice's refusal to eat. He hates breakfast, he explained, sitting resolutely at the table with his arms crossed. Seconds later, my attempts at convincing Brice to have at least one piece of toast were spoiled as Sydney began crying out indignantly "Her touched my food! Her touched my food!" A quick peek at the other end of the table revealed Bree, leaning over Sydney's plate, poking her finger in the butter on Sydney's bread. Following that was a desperate search for the toothpaste, an argument over who owned a 3-D ruler that I've never seen before, yet three kids claim sole ownership of, and an argument regarding who has more class field trips planned for the year. Two kids tried to sneak soda out of the pantry and one kid disappeared up stairs when it was time to go to the bus stop and I "found" him five minutes after I thought everyone had left. Brice spilled milk necessitating a last minute shirt change and Sydney pitched a fit because I didn't pour her milk into the cup of her choosing.

When they all walked out the door I reconsidered my "shortcoming." Mornings are a production in our house, no matter how early we get up, or how prepared we are the night before. If I busied myself with anything more adventurous than toast, oatmeal or frozen waffles, there's no telling what my kids would destroy or what mischief they might make. I think my kids will do just fine with the simple, less than ideal but gets-the-job-done breakfast that I feed them. Afterall, the school feeds them lunch so early it really should be categorized as "brunch" and I do make pretty good after school snacks....\I'll have to find other ways to excel at motherhood. Breakfast will not be one of them any time soon.

Productive

2011-11-06T21:47:00.003-06:00

Today has been a satisfying and productive day. We've spent the better portion of the night helping to teach the little kids the value of putting away toys before dragging new ones out. Our children each carefully cleaned their rooms, under the beds, closets and dresser drawers, bagged up unwanted or un-needed clothing for Goodwill and cleaned all the neglected nooks and crannies. The big kids helped the littler ones with their rooms.
I have accomplished a good deal of school work and gotten caught up on assignments. Albert has completed a lot of paperwork that is behind at his job. The family enjoyed an excellent dinner and I the girls were showered and in pajamas by 8:00. Maybe it was the extra hour in my day but this has been the most productive day I've had in a while. Here's hoping tomorrow is just as great!

Is it the weekend Yet?

2011-10-25T16:13:00.005-05:00

It's finally fall! It's my favorite time of the year. I love the look of the leaves, the crispness of the air outside and the smell of autumn that seems to be ever present. Big things happen in our house during the fall. Fun things. This weekend will be no exception. Brandon's birthday is Saturday. He'll be twelve. Wow. The South Carolina/Tennessee football game is also on Saturday and as you all probably know, that's a huge day in our family. All the stops get pulled out on that day. Food, drinks, decorations and lots of hollering and screaming at the TV. Lots of bets being made between Albert and I for foot rubs, back scratches and of course, our annual tradition...whoever's team wins gets flag hanging rights outside our front porch till next year's game. Even though neither of us have actually gotten around to hanging the flag in the past year or so. In fact, both of us need to order new ones but I digress...there will be a fire pit and smores and barbecue ribs. Cake and ice cream, chicken wings, orange and white streamers. South Carolina colored cupcakes (that would be garnet and black for anyone wondering exactly what color South Carolina might be), and lots of little ones laughing and playing loudly. And most likely one eighteen month old looking at Mommy and Daddy like we have lost our minds when we scream and jump up and down at the television. I will be wrapped in my Gamecock Snuggie and Albert will be donned in Orange and white down to his UT socks.
But before all of this gets underway...we'll spend the morning at the Soulard Farmer's Market. This time though, I won't be bringing back any new kittens!
This weekend is also the Freshman Family Potluck lunch, on Sunday afternoon. We're excited to participate in that...and in the most fabulous news ever...Anna and Lisa will be visiting us this weekend and get to do all these fun things with us! We are so excited we can barely stand it. Our kids are excited and we are making all the preparations now (read that as cleaning up our house). I'm happily washing windows, and cleaning up my usually messy bedroom. Yes, even when the rest of the house is clean, my bedroom looks like a tornado has hit it about 95% of the time. Except when we have company.
We have so much fun coming up this weekend, I can hardly contain myself and it's just now Tuesday! We have nephews spending this weekend with us as well, so as you can imagine, it's going to be a house full of fun and craziness. I can't wait!

Homecoming

2011-10-18T15:47:00.002-05:00

My teenagers are growing up. They are 16 and 14 now and are turning into men more and more each day. This weekend was the homecoming dance. Both of them went. Drew had a date and Emanuel chose to go with a big group of kids. They both had a blast. They both looked so handsome. They both make me so proud.

Random Reflections

2011-10-10T08:37:00.005-05:00

A lot has happened in the last week! Exciting things, fun things!
Our twins turned five years old and we celebrated with a family party at home (aren't those the best kind?) Alexandria had a princess cake with a tiara and wand on top, and Isaiah had a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse cake decorated in black, red and yellow. Both kids loved their day, which was topped off with cousins sleeping over and a trip to the high school varsity game that night!

This past Saturday, Drew sang in the Jr. Idol competition at the Belleville Chili Cook-off. He didn't win, but he did so good! Our whole family went to cheer him on. Seeing him sing on that great big stage, so full of confidence and self-assurance and watching him do what he loves to do, and utilize his talent was so fulfilling to me. I felt this sense of pride that is hard to describe. It is different than watching my little ones acheive new things. With the little kids, it's fun to see their accomplishments and watch their enjoyment and delight in new experiences. It's awesome, for sure. But this was different for me. Watching Drew sing on stage and watching Emanuel run the length of the field for a touchdown touched me in a different way. In those moments, I felt like I was seeing my kids as completely separate people...not as my children, but as young adult men using the talents God gave them. In both cases, their talents have nothing to do with anything I taught them, or molded them into. Certainly I have zero athletic or musical ability. So it's wondrous and amazing and thrilling for me to watch them at their craft, their passion. Whether these things will be their passion years from now, I can't say. But for now, it's most spectacular to watch and be part of. And on Saturday, it didn't feel like I was watching my child sing. It felt like I was watching this young man with a great voice and a deep talent, and he was my son, and I was so proud of him.

Tonight Emanuel has a game. All of us are going. All of us except Drew that is, because Drew has Cheer-boys practice. Cheer-boys is a group of high school guys that are learning all the cheers from the cheerleaders so that they can dress up crazy, in wigs and make up and put on a hilarious show at the homecoming pep rally. We've seen a few of them perform and they are hilarious. There are between 20 and 30 guys doing this, so it should be really fun.
Today however, Drew is with his chorus teacher and fellow chorus students, competing for Mascoutah over at Highland High School. The winning schools will advance to state competition so we are really hoping that Mascoutah's group does well!

Our kids are home from school today for Columbus Day. Albert has to work. Apparently Missouri schools don't take this holiday off. At least not in St. Louis. So I'm spending a lovely day with all my little ones. Brandon just made pancakes for breakfast, which, while surely delicious, is resulting in one heck of a mess in the sink. We've currently got the back door hanging open to air out the kitchen from all the smoke that has accumulated. I'd really NOT like the smoke detectors to go off!
I have tons of laundry to do today. Not fun. I can't wait till it's football time tonight. It's the highlight of the day for me! I hope that Mia can behave herself during the game!

Laundry and a Few Pictures From Before Lunch

2011-09-28T11:20:00.006-05:00

This week has seemed busy, but not productive. It feels like one of those weeks in which you are constantly working yet everywhere you look, nothing seems done. This is no doubt due at least in part to a couple of things. For one, I was gone most of last weekend. I had my doula training workshop Friday night, and all day Saturday and Sunday. It was absolutely wonderful and now I'm proud to say I'm a trained doula, though I won't be certified through DONA for a while longer. It's a bit of a process. I have so much more to write about that soon! As awesome as the conference was, being gone all weekend meant a lot of things didn't get done. Laundry piled in the hallway, and dishes piled in the sink.
There is a lot to do to get back on track. In a family of this size, you'd be shocked at how little it takes to derail things and have mess start stacking up.
Another setback is the number of sick children we currently have. It seems like everyone has had an ailment this past week- tummy issues, fever, sore throats, colds. You name it. With the little kids, this equals lots of sheet and bedding changes for obvious reasons. That means extra laundry. The third issue keeping things from flowing smoothly over here (I know I said a couple, but I guess it's actually three things) is the fact that it's that time of year for a change out of seasonal clothes. That's a huge undertaking for me. I need to pack away all the summer clothes- shorts, short sleeve shirts, pool floaties, swim diapers, bathing suits and trunks- and unpack, wash and hang all the coats, sweaters, long sleeve shirts and jeans. It takes a while to do and creates quite the unsightly mess in the dinning room and laundry room. It also sets back the laundry process because of the fact that since the winter stuff has been sitting in storage all season- it all needs washed. So suffice it to say that our washer and dryer are pretty much running constantly this week. On a very positive note though, I am bagging tons of both summer and winter items up for local drop boxes in our area.

I took these pictures today at lunch, shortly before the bus came for Alexandria and Isaiah. Would you believe the bus comes at ten past 11:00,meaning we have to start lunch EARLY around here! That's actually a great thing though- way more time to have the kitchen picked back up again before I start dinner (which is often started during nap time). This afternoon, while the kids waited for their chicken nuggets to be ready, we played around with the camera. We brought out our fall placemats this afternoon and so the kids were very excited about that! It's the little things...sometimes the very little things.

Hypochondriac and other random stuff

2011-09-23T14:16:00.004-05:00

On Wednesday, Brandon and Mia had check-ups at our pediatrician's office. Brandon started sixth grade this year and so per school rules, he needed the well visit. Mia was long overdue for her 12-15 month checkup (as she's seventeen months now). This appointment had been scheduled and re-scheduled so finally we made it happen.
Brandon was a bit apprehensive as we sat in the waiting area. Before we were even called back, he started. "I think I have a hernia" he stated. Okay, to be fair, he did make this same complaint a few weeks back but since his "pain" quickly dissipated, we didn't make an appointment. Now suddenly, his "hernia" was back with a vengeance.
So we explained Brandon's concern to the nurse practitioner who examined him and declared that she could find no hernia. Almost immediately, Brandon mentioned that he felt he needed his platelets checked. "No, Brandon, you don't need your platelets checked, you have a hematology appointment next month, they'll be checked then. They're fine," I told him.
"Okay," he admitted. "I don't need my platelets checked. But what about my urine? Remember you were supposed to bring me for a re-check of my urine and didn't do it!" He was very hopeful. The nurse practitioner agreed that he probably did need to have his urine looked at, and sent him into the bathroom. A minute later, he returned with his sample. "Look, Mom!" he called out, holding the cup up to the light. "Look in here! You see those little pieces? Those particles? THAT could be sugar! I think I could be diabetic!"
"No, Brandon, you aren't diabetic. That's not sugar...probably just some skin cells from the tip of you penis, really." I told him. I reminded him that next time he should potty a bit before collecting the sample.
"Well, then....it could be sperm!" he replied.
"Okay, seriously Brandon. It's not sugar. It's not sperm. Your urine is fine, your platelets are fine and you don't have a hernia. Now that's enough. You are healthy." I told him firmly. At that he seemed to give up and was relatively quiet throughout the rest of the appointment, until his vaccination showed up and he asked for his little sister to get her shots first.
After he got his shots and we left the office and headed to the van, he struck again.
"Oh, mom...I can't breathe! I think I'm allergic! My heart is going really fast!"
Oh crap, I thought....but then I looked at him, with his great big grin spreading across his face. I shook my head at him and opened up the van door. "Get in, Brandon, and don't talk again till we're home."
He is such a hypochondriac. Doubtless, this is a left-over effect from the years of his life that were indeed filled with medical issues and emergencies. He's always had a tad bit of trouble with the fact that he doesn't have to worry about this anymore. I think it's equal parts fear, anxiety and the fact that he enjoys attention. Tremendously. And the only thing that perhaps rivals that love of attention is his corresponding love of drama. Any drama. His, yours, mine, a strangers. It's all good to him. And because he's known so many other children, aside from himself that have been sick, he still doesn't fully register that sickness is the exception, not the norm. That severe sickness is in fact, NOT usually uncovered at the pediatrician's office. That most illnesses are simple viruses and infections that get better quickly, either on their own or with the help of a prescription for an antibiotic, they are not usually life altering events.
So at this stage, a well check visit with Brandon is an exercise in frustration and annoyance. I make faces at him and pretend I'm totally exasperated with the things he says and his silliness. But the truth is, secretly, I love telling him how healthy he is. I could repeat those things to him a million times. And he gives me a million opportunities. Every single time.

Mia also had a great appointment. She weighed 23 or 24 pounds (how quickly I already forget) so it's obvious that any fears we used to have about her gaining weight or falling off her curve are put to rest. She has gained significantly since that time and we are so happy about it. She's meeting all her developmental milestones and is doing fabulously. She isn't fond of visits to the pediatrician's office which usually means she nurses non-stop and tries to avoid all the staff. She was mildly nicer to everyone on Wednesday though.

In other news, I have something exciting to share! I start a doula training workshop tonight. It runs all weekend long so Albert will spend most of the weekend alone with the kids. I am super happy about starting this training which will hopefully lead to a new career opportunity as the kids grow older. I have alot of other things to do besides this workshop on the way to full certification, so tonight is just the first step. I am a little bit nervous, but really excited and really happy about the prospect of helping other women get the birth that they want- but more on that later.

I'm happy to report that my new organizational approach to this school year with the kids has been working out awesomely! I'm still keeping it up and so far- great results. But more on that soon too!
Since I'll be at the workshop most of the weekend I probably won't be posting much. I will be home at night (but you all know that Saturday nights are COLLEGE FOOTBALL!) so it will probably be next week before I can post again. Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

In Praise of College Football

2011-09-17T16:06:00.006-05:00

**I wrote this yesterday but had issues with getting it to post...sorry for the delayed timing!**

Saturdays in the fall are my among my favorite things in the world. I can't get enough of them. It's college football time and anyone who knows our family knows how huge this is and what this means. For those of you who don't, I'll explain.
College Football Saturdays mean that we spend our day watching football. We don't make plans, we don't go anywhere, except maybe the store to purchase our yummy football foods that we fill up on all day long. We don't watch any other TV until late at night when our games are over. Saturday's are for football. Normally, when our kids play for Mascoutah's community organization, we have to record our games so that we can attend theirs- but even still, it's football. I was raised this way. My parents taught me this insane mania. My dad once declined being the best man in his friend's wedding because the friend planned a September ceremony. My mom regularly turns down events and get togethers that interfere with our team's games. Our team by the way, is the awesome South Carolina Gamecocks. I am lucky that I married someone who shares my intense obsession with football. I'll call it a passion. It sounds better. Over the years, we've heard our share of teasing and irritated comments from friends and neighbors who don't seem to understand...who wonder why we won't attend the birthday party or gathering they've invited us to. I try my best to explain to them, but somehow "I can't come because my family is watching football" just sounds sort of....well, shallow.
It's not JUST the awesome-ness of the game that I treasure however. It's the awesome-ness that RESULTS from spending our fall Saturdays this way. On Saturday, Albert and I are together. In the same room, often on the same piece of furniture, sometimes cuddled up in the same space. Our children, for the most part, are gathered around us. There is no where to go, because other plans are off limits. We eat and drink and sit together and cheer together. All day long. With each other and with our children. It's wonderful. And now as an adult, I can't help but wonder if this is part of what my own parents found so attractive about spending their Saturdays watching football.
Albert and I are both passionate about our respective teams. I scream weekly for South Carolina. Albert does the same for Tennessee. We pull for each other's teams most of the time, and indeed for the whole SEC conference. But just as importantly, we spend those days next to each other, shutting out all the stress, responsibilities and cares of the world...those can wait till Monday.
So today, I'm making Chocolate chip cookies while we watch our games. Later, I'll make tacos while we watch South Carolina battle Navy. It's a beautiful day, slightly chilly. But we have blankets and lots of bodies close by. And this is why I won't venture out...this is why all invitations for today will have to take a rain check. Today in fact,the whole world will have to take a rain check. It's football time in the Fontenot house.

The Way Things Change

2011-09-14T17:10:00.005-05:00

Does anyone else notice how much life changes once the school year starts up again? I sure have. Just a month ago, we were staying up late, watching movies, playing video games, eating dinner at 9:00 at night sometimes. Then, sleeping in until ten the next morning, taking our time at everything we did. Some days we'd decide spur of the moment to go out to eat or go shopping or just to do something fun.

Our days sure do look a lot different now. Now they are structured, not at all spontaneous. Everything is plotted, planned and allotted. The only spontaneity I get now is an unscheduled trip to the gas station to pick up a sports drink for Manny, or of course, the ever unpleasant un-scheduled trip to the school because one of our kids has left something important at home.

I have such a love-hate relationship with these changes. On the one hand, It's all conflicted and doesn't make sense. I miss being with the kids all the time but I'm glad to have some space without them- I told you it's conflicted and doesn't make sense. I hate dragging my butt and theirs out of bed so early in the morning, but that cup of coffee is darned good at 7:30 when half of my kids are off to school and if I'm lucky the other half is still asleep. And even when I'm not so lucky, usually at least one of two of them are still asleep. I'm in love with the fact that I can keep up with laundry and keep the downstairs kept up (except for this week in which my research project is due for my class that ends on Friday). I'm not in love with the fact that we can do pretty much nothing on school nights that doesn't throw the entire evening of homework, dinner, chores, shower, bed into complete and total disarray. Football games are about as far as we venture and those nights can be tough without proper planning and organization.

And that brings me to another point. I am not, by nature, an organized individual. I'm not that super together mom who has all the PTO dates on her calendar and can tick off each scheduled school event from memory. Yeah, not me. In fact, I avoid the PTO like the plague. I have, through unrelenting necessity, learned to be organized in some aspects. For instance, after years of constantly loosing important school forms, notes from the teacher and field trip permission slips, I have this year implemented a filing system in which each school has it's own file - one for Pre-K, one for the elementary kids, one for the middle school and one for the high school boys. It has helped tremendously. I have also learned to lay out clothes the night before. Okay, so apparently the secret to making this successful is actually having the laundry done and having clean clothes on hand to be able to lay out. Who knew?
I've also learned to start dinner during nap time. Even though it's hours before we'll eat, doing things like browning the ground beef or making a sauce is much simpler during nap time when the twins are in school and everyone else except Sydney is napping. It's a wicked punishment to try to cook dinner in that same awful hour that kids are clamoring for help with homework and the doorbell is ringing every five seconds with neighborhood kids eager to play. And Mia with her incessant desire to be held and/or nursed. Things go so much smoother if the bulk of dinner is already prepared. I've also started making sure we eat much earlier than we otherwise would. That way, there is plenty of time for homework checking (and the re-doing that often results), showering (because some of our boys just wouldn't if we didn't make sure it happened) and a on-time bedtime.

Structure is also not in my nature- I'm a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants type of gal. But that isn't very condusive to raising ten kids, so I'm learning on the job. And trying to embrace the structure.

So far, it seems to be paying off. The kids are all doing well in school so far. Jackson is a "Spelling Whiz kid" this week, meaning he made a 100% on his pre-test and doesn't have to take the big test Friday. Manny has a 104 average in one of his classes and everyone is happy, clean and wearing nice clothing. And well fed. So that's success. And better organization. But we haven't had a date night or done something fun in a while. I hope that's not a permanent trade-off.

Blankets, Naps, Fights and Freshly Washed Sheets

2011-09-10T14:22:00.004-05:00

Albert and Brandon are away at a safety class that they need to take in order to get a hunting license. The class runs most of the day Saturday and then most of the day tomorrow. So I'm at home with the other nine darlings on a college football Saturday, full of great games. I'm not alone (besides the nine kids). Our good friend Jeni is here with me. Her parents are out of town, so she stayed with us last night. It's been so nice having another grown-up to talk to .
The kids are always a little out of sorts when Albert isn't home. This weekend is no exception. They are loud, argue frequently and about any little thing too, make big messes and generally are being hard to handle. Alexandria is currently crying for about the 7th time today. This time it's because Isaiah took a blanket off of her. Even though he has his own. On his lap. She's whining and crying and yelling "He messed up it," over and over. It's seriously time for a nap.
At lunch, after I passed out peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, I poured glasses of milk for everyone and handed them out. As I turned around to put the peanut butter back in the pantry, I heard the dreaded slosh of spilled milk. I quickly grabbed a rag and wiped it up reminding Bree to be more careful. As I rounded the corner to the sink, I heard it again. The slosh and splat of a spill. This time on the floor. This time from Sydney. I looked up in exasperation just in time to see Mia flinging milk from her sippy cup as well. Apparently the spill proof valve isn't doing it's job. Shortly after, it became nap time for all little kids.
Jackson and Brice have fought all day. Fought over Jackson's book order form. Fought over each other's spelling lists. Fought over the Swedish goldfish from last night's movie night candy. Fought over toys. Fought over who touched who's peanut butter sandwich. They are now too the proud recipients of a couple hours worth of nap. That leaves only the twins awake (and of course Drew and Manny, one of whom has locked himself in his room with his Ipod touch and the other of which has disappeared to the school volleyball game). The twins are now fighting over blankets. If I had a spare place to send them, I'd do it. Since I don't they can rest on the couches by me.
Just this morning I was talking on the phone with Anna and Lisa about the negative consequences for the entire family of moms relying solely on dads to discipline the kids. More specifically, the dangers of moms always telling the kids "wait until your dad gets home" and then pawning the responsibility of discipline for the things they kids did on mom's watch, off on dad. And yet, I find myself in exactly that situation, as it seems the kids are immune to my words of caution, reproach, or corrective measure. The only authority I seem to have today is that of sending them to their rooms for a rest. They wouldn't act like this for their dad, oh no. He'd have to give them a single look and they'd straighten right up. Isaiah wouldn't be hanging sideways off the couch right now, and Brice wouldn't be appearing at the bottom of the steps asking for "one more chance" for the tenth time, seemingly forgetful of the 10,000 chances I've already given him today before sentencing him to the nap. I am at the very brink of having to use that awful phrase "Wait till your dad gets home."
Off to wash sheets. My favorite Saturday chore. No really, it is. I love the smell of freshly washed sheets.

School is Back in Session

2011-09-07T13:54:00.002-05:00

School started yesterday. Today is the first full day. I have mixed emotions. On one hand, right now I am blogging and Sydney is sitting across from me playing with pennies. She's the only kid who isn't either in school or taking a nap. And that is fabulous. FABULOUS. On the other hand, gone is all my time with my children, waking up late, spending long lazy nights. In its place is the alarm ringing at 6:15 a.m., rushing to make sure dinner is ready at a decent hour of the evening, book bag checks, spelling lists and homework, laying out outfits and making sure everyone can find two socks of approximately the same size and shade of white. Not sure if the trade-off is worth it or not but right now, it sure feels like it might be. I wonder if Sydney would lay down on the couch with me for a short nap? Going to find out...

Questions Without Answers

2011-09-04T23:59:00.006-05:00

Drew's platelets are low again. And at just the wrong time. Our primary insurance expired on the 31st. That means we can't attend clinic at Dr. Bob and Dr. Rob's anymore, at least not until Albert picks up benefits with his new job and we can re-join them. In the mean time, we'll have to be followed at St. Louis Children's Hospital. And before I could set up an appointment at the Hem/Onc clinic, Drew's platelets dropped, necessitating a visit to the E.R. On a Sunday. Of a holiday weekend.

When we arrived here this morning, the nurses greeted us skeptically. Drew had only one bruise. How could we be certain he was low on platelets they asked? Well, because, Drew just knows. He can feel it. More than that, he can sense it. He's had this disease since he was 18 months old. His body just lets him know when he's low. He is otherwise fairly asymptomatic. Rarely does he exhibit the telltale signs of low platelets- never any bleeding, rarely any petecheie. Just a random bruise and that feeling.

The nurses took his blood and left the room, still suspicious and skeptical, but friendly. Forty-Five minutes later they returned bearing news of what we already knew- Drew was low on platelets at only 12,000. "He's 12" one nurse sighed, remarking that she was amazed at how in tuned to one's body one must be to sense something as outwardly silent a low platelet count in the absence of physical symptoms.

So that landed us on the Hematology/Oncology floor. Overnight. As we trudged up to our room, I remembered my last visit to this place. It was to see Dr. S., one of the few doctors here that I trust fully. We have a history with this hospital, and not a pleasant one. Drew used to be treated here as a toddler, before we found Dr. Rob and Dr. Bob. Our hematologist at the time was one we were not on the same page with and one who didn't seem to think that our views, as very young and inexperienced parents, were not something that she should consider. We did not agree with the treatment course at the time and she did not agree with our choices. When we left, I'm sure it was a relief for all involved. So coming back here has not been without apprehension.

But I digress. The last time we were on this unit was to take a tour of the bone marrow transplant unit, in preparation for the transplant it was beginning to look like Brandon was going to need (transplants in St. Louis are done here at Children's). Dr. S. who is the transplant coordinator, was going to start the paperwork to locate a match in the national registry. It had been a horrible, rotten day. And being back here felt weird.

I have gone to the cafeteria three times today which means I've been afforded ample opportunity to walk past the glass windows to patient rooms along this floor. I've seen too many children with masks covering their faces, doubtless a result of a low ANC from Chemo or bone marrow suppression or God knows what. Walking by seeing bald head after bald head is shocking and yet vaguely familiar. Drew and I have both complained about having to spend our Sunday here. But the reality is, we'll be free as of Monday morning. Sure, we'll have to return to clinic but in the grand scheme of things, the ailment that brings him in, his I.T.P, is a relatively benign condition as long as it's treated quickly and effectively. He'll walk from here tomorrow. My biggest worry is that the plastic pillows are woefully inadequate and my grandest fear is that I won't get much sleep because of it. Yet in many of the patient rooms that surround ours, other mothers are facing far more significant fears. Fears that I remember even though I desperately don't want to. Truthfully, I don't want to look. I don't want to think about the battles that are going on in those rooms and in the lives of those children and those families. But I do anyway. And I feel a wild tangle of emotions- guilt, gratitude, sadness, anger. I'm always paralyzed and crippled by the things that don't make sense in life- how is it chosen who's children get better and who's don't? Is it random? God's design? strictly biological? I've heard it said that God is always in control. I've heard it said that things like cancer and disease and illness are not the work of God? Well, I want to know, which is it? How did Brandon escape the perils of his disease when others...other children we know, did not? And that's perhaps the main reason I don't want to look, or venture out to the hallway another time, or pass another beautiful bald head in the elevator, or see another teen-ager with a mask. Because I'm taking my healthy son home tomorrow morning and my other healthy son in remission will be waiting for us on the porch. And I'm so grateful and happy about that, I could shout it from the roof-tops. And here, in this place it seems just the tiniest bit unfair. And I don't know how to process those emotions. Am I blessed? Without a doubt. But what about the kids who don't get better? Were they somehow less blessed? Of course not. Were we lucky? Certainly. But luck doesn't seem the right word either.
I imagine it would be a bit like walking through a famine stricken area, amongst starving people, starving children and having a pot roast in your hands, that only you can eat. And you'd gladly share it with every single person you see, but you don't have that power. All you can do is be thankful you've been fed.

As I returned today with Drew's lunch, I passed the sign that read "BMT". I stopped and looked at it for a moment. Then moved away from it. It felt good to walk away from it.

Happily, the doctors that we have seen here have been amazing. Excellent. So far, my fears about returning to this have been alleviated in that department. I saw a note attached to our door with the name of the doctor ultimately in charge of our care. Dr. S. I smiled when I saw that. We'll be okay here until Albert gets new insurance and we can return to our "home" clinic with Dr. Bob and Dr. Rob. Clinic with Dr. Bob and Dr. Rob is different. It's a happy place. It's not surrounded bone marrow transplant units and planted right smack dab in the center of the Hem/Onc unit of the hospital. It's something opposite of all that. It's like a hideaway, or a sanctuary. A happy, fun place where kids play and laugh and just so happen to be getting treated for Leukemia or Neuroblastoma or Sickle Cell or Aplastic Anemia or brain tumors. I miss the warmth and comfort of our old clinic. I can't wait to have them back. Until then, this is clinic. For both our boys. Both of whom will be in need of checkups in the next couple weeks. Both of whom are doing so well. Tonight I'm praying for the children here who are not doing so well and who still have long battles in front of them. And for their parents who fight these battles beside them, and seek answers to haunting questions and solutions for impossible problems and comfort for inconsolable circumstances.

Random Reflections- Game Day Edition.

2011-09-03T17:20:00.004-05:00

College football is here!!!! It's Game day!!!!
We are so excited. Can't wait to watch Tennessee play. The fans are currently being evacuated from their seats b/c of storms passing through. Thus the game is delayed. South Carolina plays in about a half hour. We'll have to flip back and forth.
I have all our game day foods made: Buffalo dip, Mexican dip, butterscotch truffle, two Oreo cheesecakes(that didn't turn out that great), a big pot of chili and some hot dogs plus pizza. Yum, yum.

I have fabulous news! Drew tried out for Jr. Idol in Belleville and got a letter in the mail today saying he made it to the finals! We are so excited for him. He will now compete in the finals in October at the Chili Cook-off. We are so excited and proud of him. He's working hard to pick out a great song for the competition!

Manny had another great football game this past Thursday. Two touchdowns, he caused a fumble, had tons of tackles and batted down a pass. We are so proud of him also!
Gotta keep this post short! It's Game Day!!!

Random Reflections- weekend edition

2011-08-29T08:14:00.004-05:00

This weekend was full and restful all at the same time. Friday night we hung around, not doing much other than hanging out together. Saturday morning was the football jamboree for the freshman team. Albert, Brice and I went to see it and had a great time. It's fun to watch Manny as well as his teammates work together, display great sportsmanship and learn to depend on one another. Have I mentioned before that I love football, not only for its unmatched excitement but also for the amazing on-the-field lessons that participants get a chance to learn?

Later that day we picked up Alber't nephews, Jaylen and Josiah and they spent the night with us. The kids had a ball together. Our kids love it when they have cousins around. I wish that ALL their cousins lived nearby. We took our nephews and Brice to the grocery store for a quick stop in to pick up some produce and things to make spaghetti for dinner. While we were there, buying produce, Brice and Josiah became very interested in a coconut. Both swore they "loved" coconut but neither remembered ever seeing a whole one before. They wanted to know what was inside. So we bought one and brought it home, planning to crack it open after dinner.

The evening was sidetracked however, when Jackson and Josiah decided to play a game of "Karate" featuring Jackson as the Sensei. Jackson "karate chopped" the glass door to the entertainment center in the loft, as the corner of the glass created a wide, deep gash between his first two toes. It was in fact, so deep that he claimed he was in no pain and hadn't even realized his injury for a few minutes until he looked down and saw it. It was bleeding but not much. Albert took him to Urgent Care where they used the liquid stitches and he was all better.

Back at home, Brice, Josiah and I set about exploring the inside of the coconut. We cracked it open by putting it inside a gallon size zip lock back, holding it up high and dropping it. Weird and unconventional yes, but it worked. The boys were thrilled to see the inside of the fruit..we collected the milk in a bowl and each of them, as well as Emanuel, tasted it. No one liked it. Next, we used a cheese grater to shave off some of the coconut for the boys to eat. Neither of them liked it. What? Hadn't they just said they "loved" coconut a few hours ago? They were way more into looking at the coconut, shaving the meat of it off and continually dropping the hard shell to break up further than actually eating it.

Jackson arrived home and all the older kids made milk shakes. Brice and Josiah wasted theirs. Shocking, I know. Brice and Josiah together are the work of about ten kids...but they are so cute together and often so comical that you just can't help but smile. Ummmm, most of the time. Okay, so sometimes smiling isn't quite the emotion that comes to mind with those two, but mostly it is.

Then yesterday we took our kids peach and apple picking. We love to go to Eckert's Orchard. Yes, you pay way more than if you bought the same fruit at the grocery store, but these are fresh, right off the tree and you can sure taste the difference. Plus you get the fun wagon ride through the orchards. Fun, that is, for everyone except Kambree and Mia. Kambree was afraid of falling off and thus couldn't get comfortable the whole ride and Mia cried and sometimes screamed the whole time. Finally some stranger brought her a juice box. They probably figured it was a small price to pay to get her to shut the heck up. And she did shut the heck up until the juice box ran empty. She was thirsty, the poor dear and kept yanking on my shirt asking to nurse. I have no qualms about nursing in public. But nursing on a wagon, squeezed in elbow to elbow with lots of strangers and no personal space is not what I consider optimal nursing elements. Plus, at 16 months she can wait. We gave her water instead which didn't sit too well with her.

Once we got into the orchards, the uneven dirt along with the random pieces of fruit that were lying on the ground proved to be difficult for her to walk in. Yet she resisted being held. And resisted loudly. I really think she just needed to nap.
We had a good time with all ten of our brood at the orchards. We collected a box full of peaches and apples, a lot of which have already been consumed by eager little mouths that love the sweetness and freshness of just picked fruit.

Today is Monday and our week starts all over again. Tonight is the JV game and Manny was asked to play up! It's a home game, so right now the search is on in the house to find every one's purple tee-shirts for the game tonight. Dinner will be something easy like pizza and we'll all go out to support Manny. Good luck Indians!

An Open Letter To Brice's New Teacher

2011-08-25T21:15:00.010-05:00

Dear Brice's Teacher,
Tuesday afternoon, at registration, we learned that you would be the lucky recipient of Brice this school year. Brice is incredibly excited to be in your classroom in just a few short weeks. He has his back pack ready to go (minus of course, the necessary school supplies I haven't shopped for yet..but I will...I promise) and he is excitedly making preparations to go shopping for his first-day-of-school outfit.
He is all systems go.

I feel I should offer you some sort of explanation for what you are about to encounter this year. But there really isn't any explanation...at least none that I can come up with. Brice defies explanation. Defies logic. Defies pretty much everything. Maybe I should offer you condolences instead. Or maybe I should suggest that you seriously look into the possibility that the randomized computer system that assigns kids to teachers may have been rigged by all the other first grade teachers who knew better than to take the chance of Brice being randomized to them.

Brice is what I call a spirited child. As I'm sure you can read between the lines, this basically means that he's a bit of a pain in the ass. Not because he does anything particularly bad...quite the contrary, he likes to please. And he's a good boy. It's more so because he lacks certain qualities. You know, basic qualities that most of us depend on to keep ourselves out of prisons, jails, and in general good standing with those in authority. Qualities such as self-control, introspectiveness, ability to yield to temptation or impulse, and even the ability to use an inside voice. Brice does not posses an inside voice. He was born programmed at one volume, and one volume only. Super loud. You can ask him to be quiet, and he will try. He'll try really hard. And he'll succeed. For about two minutes. Then the process repeats.

It has occurred to me that Brice successfully made it through Mrs. W's kindergarten class last year with no problems. Mrs. W claims that Brice was very cooperative and very good in her class room. I'm toying with the theory that either Mrs. W possesses some sort of unearthly powers than can inexplicably tame a force like Brice or else she's just being really, really polite and in reality she did a major happy dance on the last day of school when Brice exited the classroom and boarded the bus home. I'm hoping that for all our sakes, you also possess some magical powers. You know, besides the power of missed recess, the power of suspension and the power of isolated lunch.

I would also suggest that you come to work equipped with some sort of headache reliever...and I wouldn't blame you one bit if it came in the form of a tall bottle or can.

It might seem a bit mean of me, as Brice's mom to write a letter like this. After all, he is my son. And I love him beyond measure. But I'm a realist, and I have never liked it when parents pretend their kids are angels when they know darn well that their child is....spirited. I'm not writing this to scare, offend or fill you with dread, Ms. E. I speak the truth. If you need further proof or just want to get a feel for the fun that's in store for you...you can read the following links.

http://www.stalkedbythestork.com/2011/01/conversations-with-brice.html

http://www.stalkedbythestork.com/2011/01/missing-patches.html

http://www.stalkedbythestork.com/2010/11/christmas-shopping-with-kids.html

Good luck Ms. E. I will be thinking of you daily, and no doubt hearing from you probably just as frequently. I'm quite sure we'll get to know each other well this year.

Sincerely,
Brice's mom.

Registration....

2011-08-25T10:54:00.004-05:00

...is complete and successful for all school aged Fontenot children. This task was undertaken on Tuesday and I'm happy to report that this year we brought with us the correct and appropriate proofs of residence. We'd had some trouble with that last year, as apparently a disconnection notice couldn't count. Who knew??? And since most of our utility bills are indeed disconnection notices, as I write the check at the last possible second, finding two sources of current utility bills that were not facing the dreaded disconnection always proves a bit difficult. But not this time! Nope, this time I proudly collected my current bills and proceeded to the elementary school. Things were going swimmingly, until I was politely informed that I would have to first make a stop in the office, as I had unpaid "Fees". Shocking, I know. As it turns out, Brandon and Jackson neglected to return their library books, to the tune of $66. Jackson swears up and down that he indeed did return the books, but I rather doubt the validity of his memory.
So check written, we proceeded to the cafeteria for registration I informed them that I was there to register Jackson and Brandon. After a quick check of her forms, Ms. M let me know that she didn't have Brandon's form and that I should check back in the office. I did that and was surprised that they didn't have it either. Back to the cafeteria. Still not there. I stood there for a moment, confusion confounding my brain. Then I remembered. Oh yeah...Brandon is in middle school this year. I wasn't here to register him. I was there to register Brandon and Jackson. Oops. A little embarrassed, I explained to Ms. M that I'd forgotten that Brandon was moving on to the middle school. She smiled politely...I wonder if that school dreads seeing parents like me...ones that never have their shit together. In fact, I know they must, because Albert is a teacher and so I hear that side of things too.
Confusion aside, I moved on to registering Jackson and Brice...you know, the correct kids who are actually attending elementary school this year. Except now, Brice's paperwork was missing from the stack, prompting another trip back across the hall to the office. They didn't have it either. Back to the cafeteria. Ms. M had found it. No need to worry. I was planning on going to Scott Elementary to enroll the twins in pre-K but was informed by Mr. B, the school principal that I could enroll them right there at Mascoutah. Alexandria's registration was simple. Isaiah's paperwork was missing. You guessed it, back to the office. They didn't have either. And this time, no one could find it in another stack. It just wasn't there. Probably because I neglected to fill some form out at the end of last year. Who knows. Anyway, I had to start over with him and re-fill out all the forms. It just took a few minutes really and soon we were on our way...four of our children happily registered. Jackson and Brice were elated that they now knew who their teachers will be. We'd been hoping that Brice would get Ms. Lintker...Brandon had been in her class and we seriously adore her. Instead, he has Ms. Evans. I have heard wonderful things about her as well, so I'm sure Brice will be just as happy. Brice is a bit...spirited, so Ms. Evans will surely come to rue the day Brice was randomized to her class room. In fact,that might be a whole 'nother post. An open letter to Brice's teacher. It was really nice to see some of the staff at the elementary school. We've lived here long enough that we've developed nice relationships with them..it's one of the reasons we decided to stay in Mascoutah. I know our kids are well cared for at that school and that the staff really cares about their wellbeing as well as their education. We saw Ms. L, who is the vice-principal and is super cool. Our kids really like her and so do we! We saw Ms. F, who happily, will be Jackson's teacher this year! As I mentioned, we saw Ms. M who we knew outside of school because Manny and Drew are friends with her children, so we've attended plenty of basketball games together. Have I ever mentioned how awesome our small little rural community is? Anyway, I digress...
I drove home quickly and dropped off the elementary school kids and picked up Brandon to register him at the middle school. Manny came with us. No hiccups to report there....we moved through the lines smoothly. We bought a team tee-shirt for Brandon. He likes stuff like that. While waiting in line for him to get his picture taken for school I.D.'s, Manny attempted to mark Brandon's forehead with a green dot from a highlighter...and a few minutes later, attempted to write the word "dork" across the top of his forehead with the same green highlighter. Can you imagine?
It turns out Brandon is on the same team this year as Manny was in 6th grade, and as Drew was in 6th grade...which is kind of exciting and fun. I hope that the Tamarin teachers realize that Brandon might not quite be like Manny. Boy are they in for a shock. Maybe that should be another open letter.
After bringing Brandon home, it was time for high school registration for Drew and Manny at the brand new high school. It was my first time seeing the inside of the school (other than the weight room) and I was quite impressed! Tax money well spent. I'm being totally serious, not sarcastic. It's beautiful and way cooler than anything I went to school in. Registration there went well also, except it was so spread out that I somehow forgot a couple of the stations we were supposed to stop at...maybe because I didn't look at the checklist given to me at the beginning. Anyway, the boys are registered. That's what counts. And they got their student ID's made...which are both super handsome by the way.
So, all Fontenot kids are registered. All are excited about the new school year. And Brandon is incessantly on me about shopping for school supplies. No, I haven't done it yet. Yes, I know time's a'wastin. Yes, I know that I need to hurry. No, I probably won't do it this week. Maybe next. But yes, it will be done before the first day of school.
I can breathe a big sigh of relief now that school registration is checked off my list. Now, onto scheduling physicals for all the kids that need them this year so they don't get sent home from school (laugh but its happened before...I think because of vaccinations...)

Random Reflections...from Knoxville

2011-08-19T15:11:00.003-05:00

I am in Knoxville right now spending some quality time my sisters, my mother and my auntie and cousins whom I haven't seen in years. I'm also getting some time in (though not near as much as I'd like) with Anna and Lisa. I saw them Tuesday and will see them again Sunday.
I'm busier with Bree and Mia than I was in February when I only brought Mia, but not near as busy as Albert who is back at home with our other eight children! I talk to our kids and my hubby daily..usually multiple times and I miss them enormously. I know that they miss me as well! Poor Sydney expected me home the next day...she wasn't happy when she asked Daddy if he was going to pick Mommy up and he replied that he was not, and that he was instead, going off to work! Poor thing, Mommy will come home in a couple more days.
I can't even describe how amazing it is to spend time with my Auntie Paula and my cousins Ali and Nick...it's been a few years since I've seen any of them. I love them so much...I love looking across the table at them and seeing all the familiarity in their faces...seeing that we are family (we look very much alike) and sharing all the precious (and hilarious) memories of our childhood years.

I am missing things at home though too. Tonight is the purple/white game in Mascoutah and I won't be there to see Manny run on the high school field for the first time. I'm so excited for him, I've been thinking about it all day. I hope that Albert gets some seriously good video and that maybe he'll upload some plays for me!!!
Also, Drew has a show choir performance Sunday and again, I'll miss it. I hope that Albert also has footage of that one...it will be Drew's first since school let out. I imagine he's nervous but super excited.

I've been trying to loose a few pounds and so far, have indeed shed thirteen (though I have so much further to go it's almost ridiculous)....but all this going out to eat here in Knoxville is making it pretty tough! If my sister has doughnuts for breakfast one more time, I might have to hurt her. Especially those chocolate ones with the white creme inside...my absolute favorite!

Today I went with my mom, sister, Aunt and Cousins to a flea market here in Knoxville. Mia had been behaving very badly...she has been off of her nap schedule and bedtime routine, and it's definitely catching up with her! She fell asleep in the car (finally) on the way to the flea market. I didn't have the heart to wake her up. She really needed that nap. So she and I stayed in the car. I had fortunately brought a book with me for my trip. So I read several chapters while she snoozed and everyone else shopped. Then we went out for lunch, where apparently Mia's nap wasn't long enough and she displayed less that appropriate restaurant etiquette.
I'm wishing she'd take another little nap before we head back to my mom's (I'm at my sister's house now) so she won't be cranky tonight (Mia that is, not my mom) but it doesn't look promising!

Bree spent the night with my sister Katie last night. Katie treated her to a "spa day" today. She returned fresh from a jacuzzi bath, and finger and toe nails painted Tennessee orange! She couldn't have been more thrilled. Our girls LOVE to spend time with their aunties, so Bree was delighted that Katie asked her to stay overnight last night, while Mia and I slept at Ashley's house. I even have cute pictures of her adventure!

I will return home to my other eight children and my tired and worn out hubby (who needs a break of his own) on Monday. I can't wait to see them again and to get ready for the new school year starting in just three more weeks!

Crazy Busy

2011-08-14T14:50:00.002-05:00

Getting ready to leave in the morning for Knoxville. Before that time I need to:
* get meals ready for a few days
* do laundry to get everyone through the next week
* pack for me, Bree and Mia
* clean out the van
* install car seats
* lay out the twins, and sydney's clothes so Albert won't have to guess what he should dress them in...cause that won't go well
* look at the pictures Drew took at the Taylor Swift concert last night. He's so eager to show them to me...

Things I've already finished so far:
* ground beef browning in two crock pots
* nine page paper (literature review) completed along with all other assignments for school this week
* that's about it....the paper has taken up most of the day

I am very excited about my trip and yes, I'll have my laptop with me. Looking forward to blogging under quieter conditions! But I'll miss my crew so much...

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Even Manny's Family

2011-08-13T07:36:00.003-05:00

Since Albert started his new job, weekends have reclaimed their old status and the only block of uninterrupted, quantity and quality time that we have together. This weekend especially we are making it count, because next weekend, I'll be out of town! That's right, I'll be in Knoxville visiting my mom and sisters. I'm bringing Kambree and Mia with me. Albert and the older boys will be home with the rest of the gang.
So this weekend, we're trying to pack in lots of family time and lots of fun! This morning Albert and I are going to watch Emanuel's football practice. It's the first "official" one of the season that includes full contact- always exciting for those of us who love football! Later in the afternoon the whole family is going tothe football team barbecue. Emanuel reported that yesterday in the huddle, as his coach was going over the time and location of the barbecue, he said "everyone is invited, even Manny's family. All 20 of them." That elicited lots of laughter from everyone. So, later on...all TWELVE of us will pack up and head to the park. The kids will love it. So will Emanuel!
Hopefully the rest of the weekend will be quiet and cozy. I have lots of laundry and packing to do, as well as laying out outfits for the twins and Sydney so that Daddy won't have to think too much about it. Stocking a few dinners in the freezer isn't a bad idea either.
I can't wait to be on the road to Knoxville. But right now, I'm loving this couple of days with my family. I'll be gone a week, so I will miss them lots...and I'm ready to pack in lots of cuddles and hugs today and tomorrow!

Special Treats....

2011-08-11T21:36:00.003-05:00

...are lots of fun. In our family, the kids look forward to special treats. Tonight was ice cream night at our house. Our local DQ was running a promotion in which a percentage of all Blizzards sold on this day are donated to Children's hospitals. We couldn't pass that up! We loaded up all the kids and away we went. Most of our brood had cookie dough blizzards. Albert has Strawberry Cheesequake. Manny had a Snickers Blizzard. I had a Georgia Mud Fudge. This is the first time in days and days I've had any carbs. My body isn't used to things like that anymore but it was a special treat for a special cause. My tummy wasn't very happy about it later...
At the end of our visit, the kids got special stickers for participating in the Children's Hospital night. They were excited and happy...and sticky and messy. But very satisfied! It was a backwards sort of night...dinner wasn't served until a couple hours later. Ice Cream before dinner.....yum...

Random Reflections

2011-08-09T07:32:00.002-05:00

Albert went back to work yesterday. St. Louis teachers are heading back to the classrooms with student following shortly.
Mascoutah is having a super long summer this year, due to the building of the new high school, so our children don't return to the classroom for another month. Don't be jealous though...to make it up, next year the kids don't get out until June 18th or some such late date...and go back fairly early in August. They will only have barely two months...if that. So they are enjoying this summer tremendously. Their summer this year spans basically from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Yesterday and today, there is a gap of time between when Albert leaves and before any of the kids wake up...it's delicious. Silent and delicious. I ate breakfast at the computer while checking email and blogging. I'm sure within the next half hour little ones will start to stir.

My friend Ora had a baby yesterday afternoon! She had a little girl named Tori Lyn. I've seen a few pictures and she is beautiful, just like her brothers and sisters. I had totally guessed she was having a boy (she does not find out her children's gender before birth) based on the heart rate...you all know that old wives tale right? I am so excited about Tori's arrival. I can't wait to meet her! Newborns smell so good and are so sweet to cuddle and hold. I hope Ora's feeling up to having visitors soon!

I was wrong. I didn't have a half-hour. Brandon and Isaiah just appeared downstairs. Brandon asked me to go to the store for doughnuts.

I have already started Christmas shopping. It seems weird in the middle of summer, but with ten kids, it's so necessary.

Our family has gotten hooked on watching Teen Wolf together....Albert and I all the way down to Brice. We are weird! The season finale is coming soon. Guess we'll have to find something else after that!

I am about 30% through my back-to-school supply shopping for the kids. I got new backpacks yesterday for Alexandria, Isaiah, Brice and Jackson. I didn't think the older kids would want me to pick theirs for them.

The kids had a blast at homecoming. I have a couple videos to upload and share. I'll try to get that done soon.

Mishka has settled into the family very nicely. She's gotten bigger and put on some weight. She's due for another vet appointment. The kids love her and she seems to tolerate the fact that they pick her up endlessly and never seem to leave her alone. She'll be well socialized. That's for sure.

I guess that's all the random thoughts for today. Have a happy Tuesday!
Some of the keys on this keyboard are sticky and it makes typing somewhat frustrating.

Best Friends

2011-08-06T21:36:00.006-05:00

Kambree has a new best friend.

Mishka, our kitten has become Bree's new buddy.

Bree loves Mishka.

I'm not sure if the feeling is reciprocated.

It may not be.

But Bree is very attached to Mishka. In fact, we have a difficult time explaining to her that she needs to put the kitty down and let her have some time to be by herself...Bree isn't fond of Mishka's need for "hands off" time.

We are very lucky that Mishka is so tolerant

Home

2011-08-06T18:40:00.018-05:00

I don't know exactly when the change happened. I'm not sure when, or at what point we stopped calling Knoxville "home," and started reserving that title, with all it's ties and meanings, for Mascoutah. For the longest, Knoxvillle was "home." Not so much because either of us grew up there, but because that's where we met, that's where we married, that's where our first child was born, and that's where we always imagined eventually settling down for the rest of our lives. We imgained we'd become season ticket holders for U.T. games and take mini-vacations to Gatlinburg. Knoxville is beloved and treasured in our hearts, especially mine. I've wanted to move back since...well, since I moved away. It's something that has always been in our plans.

And then we moved to Mascoutah. Not because it offered anything remarkable or because we'd seen fabulous pictures or heard amazing stories or because there was oh-so-much to do. Truth be told, we only moved here because it was far enough from St. Louis that the price of homes was significantly lowered and that meant we could still get enough square footage for a price we could afford. And the truth about the town is that it's small. It's rural. It's not terribly exciting. Things close down early around here, so if you decide to go out to eat at 9:00...you're pretty much out of luck unless you want to grab some McDonald's. Well, that's not entirely true. You have one hour left to order a pizza.

Lately, our family has been at a crossroads. We've been contemplating moving back to Knoxville, or alternatively staying on in Mascoutah. I can't tell you how emotional and difficult this decision has been. As our mortgage payment has escalated, the thought of moving elsewhere has been attractive. And elsewhere would definitely be Knoxville, for so many reasons. We have family there- my mom, my two sisters, all my nieces and nephews. And Anna and Lisa are there. How amazing would it be for our children to live near all of them? I have missed living near my family since I was nineteen years old. Now, here was my chance, laid out in front of me. Albert has had vacillating feelings toward the prospective move. He has a great time with my sisters and our brother-in-law, our friends, our family...but he also has a sister here, and two nephews here. And understandably, it's hard for him to think about leaving them. The idea of Emanuel possibly playing football on the same high school field, for the same coach he played for was thrilling and fun. But Manny has played with these kids here in this town for years now. He knows them, so do we. New friends can be made, absolutely. But there is something to be said for the history established friends already share. There is something about having watched this group of kids grow and change together for the past five years.

At some point, Mascoutah became "home." Five of our babies have come home from the hospital to this house. It's the longest our family has lived anywhere. Last Thursday, I went to McDonald's for my twice daily ice tea with equal added. As I pulled up to the window to place my order, the voice on the other side stopped me before I even started, saying "Ang, we already know your order, just pull forward and pick it up." I can (and usually do) go into my bank with no I.D., no account number, no wallet, no checkbook or account information...and still get my withdrawal, because they know me, and not just me, but all the regular community members who bank there. And not just in a client setting. I see our bank tellers regularly. At the grocery store, at the park, at school functions. Our town is small, so that means all our lives are for the most part, interwoven and interlinked in many ways. Here's an example...Emanuel has a good friend, Timmy. We've known Timmy's family almost since we moved here. This year, Timmy's Dad is Emanuel's football coach. The gentleman who owns the gas station and convenient store we stop in at daily is married to the secretary of the older kids' school. Their niece is a teacher at Brandon's school. The little kids' Pre-K teacher is our neighbor. That makes Trick-or-Treating very fun each year. You can imagine how delighted the kids are when they knock and their teacher opens the door! The same bus driver (Ms. Gail) has driven Jackson, Brice and Alexandria to Pre-K (they've also had the same teachers). Our pediatrician was working at the hospital the night Mia was born. She saw our name on the board at the nurses station. Guess who attended Mia's birth? The vice principal of the elementary school reads our blog (she's a super cool principal). And our fabulous midwife who delivered Bree and Mia is also a treasured friend. And so is her daughter. I could go on and on and on but I think you get the picture. Our town, due to its small size is full of connections, ties and interlaced lives. Initially when we moved here, I hated that. Somehow, now I love it.

So, we mulled over this huge decision, weighing out all the factors and all the pros and cons- many of which seemed hopelessly equal and impossible to choose between. How do you argue "but my family is here" or "my family is there" when there's family in both places? How do you reason that you want your children to be raised near their cousins...when there are cousins they love and cherish in both places? The choice was horribly difficult. In the end, it didn't come down to either of those things though. Those things sort of took a backseat to what was best for our family and what made sense for us. In the end, what it came down to was that this town is home to us. This town is everything we want for our family, and for our children. It's small- the school district is comprised of two elementary schools (one is for the air force base nearby), one middle school and one high school. So when the 8th graders graduate from middle school, there will be no saying goodbye to some friends as different students will be going to different high schools....all these kids go together to the one high school there is. And it just got demolished and rebuilt this year. It's brand new. And our district is a fabulous district. One that we are in love with. One that we know the teachers and administrators of. One where we know our kids are loved and looked out for.

This weekend in Homecoming weekend in Mascoutah. Homecoming is big business out this way...it's basically a weekend long festival with carnival rides, parades, and performances and is meant to be a time when all the residents who have moved away come back for a visit. And they do. The kids were delighted to see friends who moved last summer back again for Homecoming. Homecoming was the deal closer for us. As we walked around last night, running into our friends, neighbors, our pharmacist, our banker,and many of our friend's children, it became clear to us that we don't want to leave this place.

As we drove home to put our small children to bed, while our older ones stayed on to enjoy the fair until it closed, we were stunned to see a caravan of police and fire trucks ahead of us. We watched them turn into the new school. The one just built. We saw the smoke billowing out from what appeared to be the new weight room...the one that Manny and his friends attend each day in preparation for the new football season. We pulled into the parking lot, where probably a dozen other cars had already gathered. There wasn't much to see, we couldn't get close enough. So, we ended up going back to the fair...back to find our friends to see who had information or to share the news with those who might want to know (See? We are becoming small town people with small town minds.) Even before we arrived back at the fair, which was pretty instantaneously, word had already spread. People were already talking, and texting and sharing bits of what they'd heard. And here's what I was startled to realize...the prospect of losing part of that new school, which our town has watched being built for a year now, actually stung. I was surprised to find my heart beating quickly in my chest...I was oddly more bothered more by this than I'd thought. It wasn't just a fleeting, "oh no...I hope no one is hurt," type of thing. I was more than just casually interested. I was invested. Emotionally. It actually meant something...something personal to me and seemingly to most others who were there. That school is OUR school and belongs to OUR town. Our children are proud of that building and what it represents to our town. The thought of someone intentionally harming it stirred up stronger feelings in me than I would have otherwise thought. As it turned out, it wasn't actually smoke pouring out from the school, but steam. I heard today, which may or may not turn out to be factual (rumors= another small town staple) that a disgruntled employee poured grout down the drains and this has wreaked havoc on the plumbing. Not sure what or if that has to do with the mysterious steam pouring out...but it sure did cause a buzz last night.

So this is our small town. The one we love. The one we just don't want to leave. The town we moved to planning to stay a few years and then move on again, because seriously, who wants to stay long term in Illinois? This is the town that our kids have invested an important five years of growth in. This is the football team that Emanuel has already become part of. This is the music department that is so important to Drew. This is the place that knows our family, our children and each of their personalities...the place where we can make a purchase with just the promise to pay later...no credit check, no paperwork. This is the place where any subsequent babies I have will be delivered into the loving hands of not just a midwife, but someone who is my friend. Someone who will know my babies long past the day they are born. This place is like a last vestige of Mayberry. Who wouldn't want to be part of that?
We are happy here. We are settled here. We are home here. Somewhere along the way, Mascoutah has become ours. Maybe it was the annual ice cream social held every summer on Main Street. Maybe it's the annual Sweetie Pie day held each winter in which all the local businesses give out free pie, and residents drive from store to store, sampling each businesses particular flavor of pie, and then vote on their favorite at the end (Ice cream day works in the same manner by the way). Maybe it's homecoming, or the way that the whole town turns out for high school football on Friday nights in the Fall (something I used to be rather perplexed by). Maybe it's just the security and sense of community that is fostered here. Whatever it is, We can't give it up.
That choice wasn't easy. Not even a little. But in the end, it wasn't even really a choice, but more like something that sort of settled on us...something that just is. I don't know if it will always be this way. Time has a way of changing things and none of us can know what the future holds. So, maybe there will still be a time for Knoxville. And that prospect is exciting too. For now though, home is Mascoutah and our little house made of beige siding with cheapo carpet and a patch of grass in the yard that stays perpetually brown, despite Albert's best (and often costly) attempts at fertilizing it. We are home. It feels good. I'm still hoping for the mini-vacation in Gatlinburg though.

Our Smallest Princess

2011-08-04T22:52:00.006-05:00

Today I took Mia to get her pictures taken. Yes, again. I was hoping she'd be more cooperative than she was last night. And she was. She still tried to walk off and crawl away several times but the photographer was patient and kept up with her, often photographing as Mia walked. We got some really cute shots. Here are a few of my favorites.

Traditon

2011-08-04T12:11:00.003-05:00

These are the pictures I told you about yesterday.

There is one for every child. So far we only have the first eight hanging though. Kambree's is being looked for currently. I know it's here...I just have to find it. Mia's was taken last night as you can read about here.
We enjoy this little bit of family history hanging on the wall. We love to look at all the similarities and differences between our children as babies.

we think that some of our children look more alike than others...some look completely unique..yet it's easy to identify them as siblings. What do you think? Which ones do you think look alike or different?

Drew

Emanuel

Brandon

Jackson

Brice

Isaiah

Alexandria

and Sydney

We love taking the same photo of each child and displaying them side by side. It's become a tradition we look forward to with each baby. Our children love it too. The little ones love pointing out which one is theirs and who they think they look like. I love family traditions. And espicially this one.

Uncooperative

2011-08-03T22:16:00.002-05:00

Tonight was Mia's picture appointment. We have a photograph of each one of our children in a metal washtub from Sears. Starting with Drew all the way down. Tonight was Mia's turn to get photographed in the washtub. Ideally, we do this between 6-12 months of age but occasionally we are a bit behind. For example, Sydney was about fourteen months in her picture...and now similarly Mia is fifteen months old. So she was way overdue. So far we have the first eight children's pictures already hanging on the wall. Kambree's was taken (on time) when she was a baby, but I need to...well...locate it in the vast amount of photographs and albums I have stashed in my closet. Tomorrow I'll show you all the way we have them arranged over our piano. Right now the piano is too dusty for me to photograph. Because that would be embarrassing. Tomorrow I'll dust, then show you.
As it turned out, Mia was not very cooperative during her shoot. She squirmed and tried to climb out of the bucket. I guess that's what you get when you wait till your baby is fifteen months old. I couldn't really blame her either...it was a bit of a tight squeeze what with having to bend her little legs up to fit inside.
After we were finished I took her to get a cookie in the food court. Brandon was with me and he ate a sub sandwich and chips. I, trying ever so hard to stay away from Carbs, had an unsweetened iced tea..without very much ice. I also procured a few super cute outfits for Mia's next photo shoot which will take place very soon. And at super low prices since summer stuff seems to be on clearance now. Brandon tried to talk me into a thirty-five dollar stuffed animal because it had Chicago Cubs stuff on it. I declined. Politely at first, and then more sternly as he kept persisting. No way am I paying thirty-five bucks for another stuffed animal that will lay around the house for the next several years collecting dust until someone tosses it, gives it way or puts in in a garage sale. He tried to argue that this stuffed animal was different. That it was some sort of pet thing that makes into a pillow. Still...for thirty-five bucks it better make into a heck of a lot more than that before I'll buy it. Brandon was only mildly uncooperative before remembering his promise of good behavior if he were to shop with me. Mia's uncooperativeness knows no bounds though. She attempted to slide out of her stroller, yell "Mama" fifty-seven times so I'd pick her up and then finally resorted to a shrill screech to let me know she'd had enough of the mall.
That's why I like to go by myself those few and far between times I go mall shopping.
Because my kids are so uncooperative. My husband looks at this from a different perspective. The shorter my shopping trip get cut, the less money I spend.
See. Men are uncooperative too.

Please Bear With Me Everyone!

2011-08-03T16:18:00.002-05:00

I'm in the process of installing Blogher ads on my blog (which I'm super excited about!) and didn't quite get it right when I put them up...so I am figuing out how to fix the header of my blog and get it situated in the right spot. All should be back to normal within a few days. Sorry for the inconvience...for now just scroll down to read the content...I'll have this fixed soon. Thanks for the patience!!!!!

Just Another Reason...

2011-08-03T12:39:00.005-05:00

...why I won't be receiving a Mother-Of-The-Year award any time soon. Last night, my hubby and I were walking around Walmart. We needed some random odds and ends- toilet paper, paper plates, cleaning supplies and some things for my desk at home (my executive "mom desk.")
As we were strolling the aisles, I noticed that school supplies were out in full force. Our district has a bit of an issue this year. They are building a brand new high school (the only high school for the district). In order to allow adequate building time, they have extended the summer this year (don't get too excited...it gets cut in half next year to make up for it). I had a sudden thought...since our kids don't go back until after Labor Day, but most area districts are back in session in the next couple of weeks, shouldn't we go ahead and stock up on supplies now before they get all picked over? I headed over to the area where Walmart keeps a list of nearby schools' supply lists but unfortunately all that was there for Mascoutah, was the list for 3rd-5th grade. But okay...Jackson fits there. I decided to grab some things for him...that would give me a head start. So I started scanning the list. Um...wait. Do I need the third grade list? Or the fourth grade list? How old is Jackson...he's 9...so is that 3rd grade or fourth grade? I quickly asked my husband who suddenly bore the same deer-in-the-headlights look that I had. Then he drew out a deep breath and said..."Fourth grade. Jack is going into fourth grade."
But I still wasn't sure. That just didn't seem right. "Well," Albert asked, "What were his teachers' names up through now. See if you can account for the other years."
I couldn't. I know he had Ms. Distler for Kindergarten...it's all a blur from there. Suddenly I remembered he had Ms. Tieman last year- but was that 3rd or 4th grade?
I ended up having to call my kid at home to ask what grade he was going in to.
Yep. It's fourth grade. And I'm an idiot. And not on the parent-of-the-year list. Again.

Lunch

2011-08-02T15:01:00.003-05:00

Albert just made the most delicious lunch ever. He got the idea from watching one of the many food shows our family loves on television. Anyway, he made cheeseburgers, but not just any cheeseburgers. This recipe calls for taking two patties and putting cheese in the middle. Then, you crimp the edges of the two patties together so that it's sealed. Cook as normal and when that giant burger comes off the grill or skillet and you sink your teeth into it, tons of ooey, gooey cheese comes spilling out. It's delish...
For today's lunch, Albert used four different types of cheese...cheddar, American, Swiss and Pepper Jack. It looked incredible. Since four types of cheese is wayyyy too many calories for me, I stuck with just one piece of Pepper Jack on mine but it was still fabulous. I could easily eat another. Self control is my mantra right now so I won't...self control. Self Control. Self Control.
Aside from its hefty calorie load, it really is a scrumptious treat that I totally recommend.
I love that I have a hubby who will eagerly take care of tasks such as meal preparation which is admittedly, not my favorite thing. Pretty soon though, lunch making will have to be in my hands. Next week, Albert starts a brand new job! We've very excited and happy about this new opportunity. So from now till then, I'm taking full advantage of my personal chef.

Real Love is Always Unconditional

2011-07-31T00:00:00.006-05:00

Today is our 16th anniversary. Sixteen years. It feels like a startling surprise that such a big chunk of life has blown by. It feels crazy to contemplate the fact that in three more years, we will have officially been married half our lives. It is mind blowing to look across the living room at all ten children...all ten representing the love that we have shared and the life that we have been blessed with thus far.
We celebrate our anniversary pretty intensely around here. It's a big deal to us. We aren't one of those couples who just sort of casually acknowledges it in passing. Nope. We make the day incredibly special and we revel in every detail of that day. We celebrate the fact that we have been blessed with each other and with our ten babies. Some of whom aren't really babies anymore and are in fact nearly grown, but that's another post. But just as importantly, we celebrate the very survival of our relationship. When I look at my husband, the fact that we are still married and the much larger fact that we are happy- really, truly happy- is amazing. And the knowledge of how fortunate I am- how fortunate we both are that we have this, is not lost on me.

we got married pretty young...with lots of obstacles already in our way. We were 19 years old on the day of our "wedding", which took place at the town courthouse in a very rushed attempt to get hitched before then end of Albert's 96 hour leave from the Marine Corps. In attendance at our wedding, held in my little sister's arms, was our four day old son. I was wearing an ivory colored dress I'd snagged off the rack from Sears. It wasn't particularly flattering as I was four days post partum. Albert had borrowed a pair of slacks, shirt and tie from his best friend, or else he'd have been wearing a pair of shorts or his Marine cami's.
There we stood. Surrounded by my mom, my sisters and my dad (who had rushed home on a lunch break after getting the call that we were getting married..right then....that day) and our newborn son. We were a nineteen year old, mixed race couple with a newborn baby that we didn't have the first clue on how to successfully parent. Not a great recipe for happily ever after.

And it wasn't. It wasn't happily ever after. Those first years were hard. We moved to California. Alone. Without our families for support. We were immature and selfish and honestly, each a bit spoiled. The years passed by. And we had happy times, but still always struggled under the weight of our immaturity, bad decisions and selfish behaviors- on both our parts.

As a couple we have experienced so much...we've had legendary arguments and fights. We've both been unfaithful. We've hurt each other, betrayed each other and been unloving toward one another. And yet, we've clung to each other even when no one in the world thought we'd make it. Even when it didn't make sense for us to make it. Even when there was no other logical reason in the world that we should stay together other than the fact that despite everything- we loved each other..even when our actions didn't seem that way. Sometimes our children were the glue that held us together. Mostly, it was becuase no matter how much we'd hurt each other, or been hurt by each other- the alternative...not being together, was unfathomable. And so we stuck it out. And fell in love. All over again in some ways, and for the first time in others...we fell into a deeper, more real love...

And then Brandon got sick. Really sick, and his doctors couldn't offer us what we wanted so desperately to hear- that he'd pull through and survive and grow up to be a healthy adult. During that time, we held tight to each other- because no one else we knew- not our families or our friends- could really fully understand our fears and our nightmare. What we faced in that moment was so much bigger than anything else we'd ever experienced. It dwarfed everything that had come before and everything that's ever come after. Sure, we'd felt similar emotions during other crises in our life...but nothing hurt like the prospect of loosing our son- not our fighting, not our financial issues, not infidelity. Nothing. We learned during that time though. We learned to depend on God. We learned that we were a unit and that we couldn't be broken. No matter what.

As the years have passed, Brandon has been healthy and we've added another five children to our lives, we haven't been immune from further crises, issues, hardships or troubles. Those things fall upon all of our lives. We all have to struggle through them. But this is one thing I am sure of. I never, ever struggle by myself. My husband is my best friend and the love that we share is the greatest blessing of my life. I know without a doubt that I am loved, cherished, respected and wanted. And I hope he knows those things about himself also. My husband has loved me when it didn't make any sense to love me, and he has loved me when life might have been easier for him had he not. He has stood beside me in the face of overwhelming reason not to...and I have done the same for him. I know with confidence that my husband would put me and our relationship first in any and all situations. No matter what. Regardless of what it costs him.

We don't have everything all figured out in the marriage department. We annoy each other from time to time, we fuss over who should have started that load of laundry or who should be cooking dinner.Sometimes we have very real, fundamental differences of child rearing. But here is what we do know. God CAN restore any marriage. God wants troubled marriages to be healed from whatever adversities they may face, from whatever sins or shortcomings each partner may possess. Bad relationships CAN turn around. Love CAN be worth fighting for. The good in a relationship CAN outweigh the bad. Real love is ALWAYS unconditional. And that if two people really, truly love each other, then no matter how steep the uphill climb, it CAN be accomplished. Because really, there is no other acceptable alternative. Not for our hearts, not for our children.

So, today is our day. Sixteen years. I feel so in love and so happy and so fortunate and so thankful that God is the ultimate healer. Of children. Of marriages. Of everything. And that He enabled us to move past ourselves and demonstrate to our children and each other that love He created is worth fighting for and worth struggling for.
And that He blessed me with this particular person to be my husband, and the father of my children, and my soul mate, and my best friend.

Sixteen Years

2011-07-28T14:37:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, our oldest child turned sixteen years old. Sixteen! It's almost impossible to believe that I've been a mom for that long. Or that Drew, that tiny little baby I held in my arms for the first time in the wee hours of the morning on July 27th, 1995, has grown into a young man who is both taller than me, and weighs more than me. He is such a gentle personality- so helpful, sweet, compassionate and caring. I'm so proud of him- I can't even describe it.
He had a fabulous day yesterday. He got to go with his Dad to Target and pick out a digital camera. He's been wanting one forever. He also got an I-Touch from us...it's not everyday that you turn sixteen! On Saturday, his Dad is taking him to Six Flags. He's super excited. I'm super excited to keep on watching him grow and change. He's going to grow into a wonderful husband and father someday. But for now- I am loving watching him be a fabulous teenager.

Potty Mouth

2011-07-26T12:47:00.005-05:00

It seems like everywhere we go, there is at least one child who makes it their day's mission to do or say something completely and utterly embarrassing. Lately, this child has been Sydney. Sydney has developed the horrifying habit of speaking her mind. Out loud. Frequently in the women's restroom. Case in point, while on vacation, we were having dinner at a buffet (with us, it's almost always a buffet). Sydney announced her need to use the bathroom and so I took her. Alexandria came along for the potty break because well, if one of them express a need to go, you can count on the other to claim that they too, need to potty. Without fail.
So, we got to the potty. Sydney went first, then Alex. Then Mommy had to go, because honestly, sometimes Mommies need to potty also. At only three and four years old, I don't feel comfortable sending them out of the stall alone, so I usually just potty with them still in the stall with me. Except this time I wished I hadn't. As I stood up from the potty to re-fasten my pants, Sydney began to exclaim loudly "BOY THOSE AR BIG UNDERWEAR MOM! WHY DO YOU HAVE SUCH BIG UNDERWEAR?"
I heard a couple of quiet snickers from other bathroom users. Seriously. What is wrong with my daughter? Why does she insist on doing things like this. She is quickly occupying "most embarrassing kid" status....an honor long held in our family by Brice. And before him, Drew.
The next morning at breakfast (also at a buffet...okay so the reasons for my weight concerns might be becoming clear now) Sydney again had to potty. In the middle of breakfast. So, I took her. When we walked in, there was a woman who was already in a stall. And there was an unpleasant smell. Before I could even think to fear her reaction Sydney shouted "EWWWWWW! It smells poopey in here! It smells poopey in here!" OMG you guys. I wanted to die. I try to teach her manners. They just don't seem to be sinking in. If only she were a boy, Albert or one of the older kids would be tasked with the job of taking her potty. But alas, with no older girls in the family, I get to be the lucky one, always able to experience Sydney's potty mouth first hand. Each and every time.

Long Time No Post!

2011-07-24T17:44:00.002-05:00

We've been on vacation! I didn't have much access to blogging while we were away and I don't like to post online when we're planning to be gone. That's a stipulation of my running this blog, from my husband. Since I'm pretty open about identifying information such as our last name and the town we live in and since our blog is easily searchable on google, Albert has asked that I not post when we are about to be leaving to go out of town...I get it, and cognitively I agree. But gosh, it's hard not to share when I know we are getting ready to do something really cool!
And something really cool we did!
We took our whole family to Branson, Missouri for a few days. We had a blast. The kids got to do so much- we rented a pontoon boat and took the kids tubing (and me too!) We took them to a magic show, to a wax museum, to ride a gigantic sling-shot, and to a haunted ghost tour! We had a blast and so did our kids. We tried to gear the activities to things that everyone could enjoy. On the drive home, we asked the kids what their favorite parts were and all of them- all nine who can answer, said it was the magic show. I think for Albert and I, it was the day we spent on the lake when we rented that boat. Usually it seems that when we take a trip somewhere, I'm always pregnant and there are things I can't do. But not this time. I got to go tubing on the back of the boat and I think Albert hit every wave, bump and wake he possibly could. I almost flew off a couple of times. But it was so much fun. Brandon was riding next to me yelling "faster,faster, faster!" while I was yelling "no, no, no!"
I didn't take tons of pictures. Mostly we were just in the moment, which, out in a strange city, with ten kids, you really have to be, least a little one get lost or left behind. But we did get some cute shots- mostly with Albert's cell phone. I'll upload and post soon!
Our kids are still talking about their trip and all the adventures they had. It makes up happy to listen to them talk all about it.

It's Brice Time Again

2011-07-17T18:37:00.002-05:00

It's been a while since I've had something funny to write about Brice. He's growing up. He used to give me so much fodder for blogging that I couldn't even come close to including it all...but as he gets bigger he seems to be aging out of his priceless antics. Okay, or maybe not...but they certainly aren't as frequent as they used to be.
He had a real gem yesterday though. Our upstairs toilet, the one in the boys' bathroom, has been leaky. Because we are super lame parents and procrastinate horribly, we haven't yet fixed the leak. We've been coping by teaching the kids to turn off the water so it doesn't run and only turn it back on to flush the toilet. Well, Albert has been teaching them this. I regard that boys' bathroom as a destination worse than hell itself and don't like to go near it. When I must pass it on the way to my own bedroom, I hold my breath and dart by. Yes, its that bad.
Anyway, surprise, surprise, someone turned it on to flush it and forgot to turn it back off. The result, by the time we noticed it, was flooding. All over the cheapo linoleum and about a foot onto the carpet. When I came downstairs, I noted that the ceiling was leaking and the carpet in the living room and the laundry room (which is the kitten's new digs) was also leaky and wet. And my office chair was soaked.
The most remarkable thing though was that one of the main areas of leakage, was the ceiling fan in the living room. I told the kids not to touch it or turn in on, as water was drip, drip, dripping from it, onto the floor.
A few minutes later, as Albert and the older boys scurried to soak up the leaks and I corralled the littles out of the way (from the comfort of the couch while I also talked on the phone to my mom), Brice appeared on the scene. Big grin, wide eyes, typical Brice delight at the disaster before us. As I chatted with my mom, and kept the little ones from getting in the wet spots or trying to go upstairs to explore the great flood, I noticed Brice standing very still in one spot. I looked harder, focusing on what he was doing. There he stood. Still. Head tipped back. Mouth Open. Directly under the leak.
Telling my mom to hold on briefly, I said to him, "Brice. That's toilet water leaking. You might not want to stand under the leak with your mouth open."
Brice looked at me and grinned. Then tipped his head backwards again, and continued.
Oh well. He was warned.

Walking Away

2011-07-16T14:44:00.003-05:00

This morning I woke up earlier than normal. I got dressed in black stretchy pants, brushed my teeth and woke up my husband. Then, I put on my walking shoes and hit the pavement outside of the neighborhood. We walked three miles. Not much by many standards, but for me, it might as well have been a marathon. I was huffing and puffing and begging my husband to run home and bring the van around to pick me up. He refused. I completed my three miles, with sweat dripping and feet aching. And mind you, this is flat pavement. Totally flat. A sidewalk actually. We aren’t talking about strenuous hiking trails or any uphill climbs. And still, my feet were ablaze by the time I heaved myself onto the porch and through the front door. I wanted to collapse in the blast of cold air conditioner. I refrained, mainly because Isaiah was standing there in the foyer and I didn’t want to scare him…although I’m sure the mere sight of me was enough to do just that. When I took off my shoes, I discovered that I have an enormous water blister on the side of my right pinky toe. I think I need better shoes. A shopping trip is in order.

You see, here is the situation. I am a couch potato. When asked to describe my activity level, I have to regretfully check the box that reads “sedentary.” I hate to admit it, but that’s the one that describes me. Case in point, Albert and I have been the proud owners of the P90X series since Christmas. To date, we’ve watched it once. And that was the instructional DVD. The only weights I’ve ever lifted, is schlepping the infant car seat back and forth when our children are babies- though I submit the argument that when babies near the one year mark, the weight of their bodies in those seats should totally count as a workout.

I’ve always been chunky but for most of my adult life, it’s been under at least decent control. I mean, I was never going to be asked to appear in any fitness magazines but I could still buy cute clothes in regular women’s sizes and looked okay, so I was fine with that. I have gained and lost and gained and lost but my weight has been reasonable, at least. Until now. Now, its pretty much out of hand. Being pregnant every year since 2005 and having six babies in five years has really taken its toll. I’ve been meaning to eat right and exercise, but at the end of the day when I lay the last little kid down to bed, I’m exhausted and there are a million things that seem like they should be higher on the priority list then exercising. And waking up early to fit in a work-out before the kids wake up? Are you smoking crack? Sleep is hard enough to come by in this house. Who in the hell would voluntarily surrender some of it? Well, it turns out…me. Because something has to change.
Albert was diagnosed with diabetes last year. And until now, we’ve done nothing, at least nothing lasting, to improve the way that we eat or to help either of us lose any weight. At his last check-up, our doctor actually told him that the levels of his blood sugar were “not compatible with a long life.” That was scary to hear. And yet the rib grilling, McDonald’s eating continued. Both of our weights are totally out of control right now. And frankly, the little kids keep asking both of us if there are any new babies in our bellies. That’s no fun (especially for Albert). He’s on two medications and still his diabetes is not under control. We have ten children. Four daughters who are counting on their Dad to walk them down the aisle one day. Boys who are counting on him to do all the things Dads do. Like wait in line for seven hours at the American Idol audition sign-ups in a thunderstorm, or stand just outside the end-zone yelling and screaming at your little league football game. And high-school. And hopefully college.
It’s not fair to them, to our kids, to not get this disease under control. It’s not fair to them to basically tell them that ribs and burgers were more important than being around to see them grow and to see them become parents and to watch their children grow. It’s not fair to them not to get healthy and lose this weight.

Diabetes runs in both our families. Since Albert has it now, and the doctor is telling him that his sugars are not compatible with a long life…who is next in line to get it if we don’t make some major changes? As parents, we can’t live with that. If we make the decision not to do something about it, its condemning our children to a far greater likelihood of the same fate. And that’s not okay.

On a purely superficial but very real note, when I visit my sisters in Tennessee, I’m totally the fat sister. The sister who looks completely different than the other two, who can wear short shorts, cropped shirts and tiny dresses. One of my sisters actually went out dressed in what appeared to be a pair of bloomers. And got compliments. Okay, so our mom was the one paying the bloomer compliment, but you get the point. I, the Fat Sister, had to wear a long dress, down to my ankles…one that was supposed to ‘float away” from the body but when your ass looks like mine, there is no floating away happening. My amazing husband told me I looked beautiful all night long, and bless his heart, even made “My Wife Is Beautiful,” his face book status. Of course, an hour later my sister sneaked his phone away and added “but my sister-in law is hot!” to his post, but I digress…

Yesterday we walked four miles. Not at one time. We did half in the morning and half at night. Today so far we have walked three. We also went grocery shopping and filled up our house with healthy foods. This meant walking right past all the potato chips and junk. We now have a fridge full of veggies, fruit, yogurt and chicken breasts for grilling.

Also today, my shins are killing me, and the blisters on my feet are ridiculous. But we’re keeping at it. This is day two. The goal here is that Albert will be able to wean off his diabetes medications as he hopefully will not need them anymore. And hopefully we’ll both loose a decent amount of weight along the way. Because I want us to be healthy…and to be here for our children for a long time….and cute clothes for fall.

Sibling Rivalry at it's Finest

2011-07-13T16:50:00.007-05:00

In our family, Emanuel is the kid who is constantly bothering his siblings. Picking at the littles, aggravating everyone else. He's the kid who sticks his foot out when someone comes walking by and then is shocked when that person trips. He's the kid who might give the extra little shove in the back as Drew is walking along the edge of the pool or as Brandon is almost at the bottom of the staircase. It's not that he means any real harm...more so that he enjoys a good prank and loves seeing someone get all riled up. On Saturday, I captured it on film. And rather than being embarrassed to be caught by the camera, he hammed it up all the more. This is vintage Manny and I can't wait to share these with him again one day when he is settling disputes between his own little ones and his himself, trying endlessly to stem the tide of petty disputes and irritating behavior. As you can see from the pictures, Emanuel is thoroughly enjoying himself..Brandon not quite so much.
Never fear though, Brandon engages in his own share of anti-social, and anti-sibling behaviors, evidence of which will surely show up on this blog soon. For now, enjoy Manny's fine display of bad manners.

The Farmer's Market Post

2011-07-12T21:03:00.009-05:00

Saturday, we took our children to the Farmer's Market. We were looking for something to do that was inexpensive, and would appeal to all of our kids, from babies to teenagers. The Farmer's Market was something we'd heard about for some time, and talked about visiting. Albert brought it up on Saturday morning and we immediately began the long process of getting everyone dressed and ready to go.
It was in fact, three in the afternoon before we actually arrived. But boy was it worth it! The sights, sounds, and smells were amazing and brilliant. We took everything in, enjoying every second of it. All our kids loved it. All except for Mia, who remained unimpressed.

The kids enjoyed lining up to get their faces or arms...or nails painted. It only cost a dollar each, so we couldn't say no. I can't remember when the last time we've found face painting for a buck....

While we were there, Albert found his meat heaven. He discovered all sorts of meats- things our family loves, such as chicken, beef, and shrimp, and things we've never tried before, but that Albert has been eager to try- such as alligator, shark and goat. As soon as we were home, he lit up the grill and began to work his magic. I tell you, he stayed outside on that grill until the wee hours of the morning. And, as a bonus, I kid you not, I haven't cooked again yet. Our fridge is still full of his delicious grilled meat. Tonight, he made Tater Tot Casserole using the leftover beef (yes, pretty similar to the Duggar's recipe which is where we adapted ours from...except we tend to use whatever meat is around, tonight it was leftover beef that he pulled). While he grilled, I wrapped up the corn on the cob, also purchased at the market, to go on the fire as well, while our little kids danced and played on the trampoline. the middle kids crushed cans to take to the recycling plant and the older kids played with the new kitten.

It was a great day. For everyone except Mia, who was pretty hacked off that she had to spend the day out at the market, in her stroller. For all the brilliance of the various venders and all the totally cool wares being sold in addition to fresh meat and produce, the market was not air conditioned and was pretty hot. Mia wasn't too happy. And she didn't mind letting us know.

Our family is very excited about the next time we go to the farmers market. I'm not sure if its open in the fall, but I so hope it is. I would love to go in cooler weather and see all the fall produce on display. Anna and Lisa should be visiting us in October. It would be fabulous to bring them as I know they would both really love it. Although I'm certain that as awesome as it is, it probably doesn't compare to the fresh markets in Greece, which is where they both are currently for the summer. Albert and I are so jealous!

In the end, I guess we did spend some money there, but it was primarily in groceries which replaced the need to shop at the grocery store this week so it wasn't really spending, right? I mean, it was food shopping that would have had to been done anyhow, only now it was done via buying local produce that was fresh, tasty and locally grown. And we got a sweet kitten out of the deal, who by the way, had her first vet appointment yesterday and weighed in at a whopping 1 pound, 8 ounces. She was dewormed and received her first set of shots. She's such a doll and the kids love her already. So do I.

Meeting Mishka

2011-07-10T21:52:00.003-05:00

This afternoon was Mia's official introduction to our new kitten, Mishka. Yesterday, we didn't really let Mia get too close, because the kitten was a bit scared and overwhelmed- can you imagine that poor cat trying to settle in here with all these kids?
So, today, I carefully sat the new kitten, whom we decided to officially name Mishka late last night, on Mia's lap. She did pretty good for several seconds, and then smacked the kitten, thus ending her turn at holding Mishka.

I think that Mishka is adjusting to the chaos that is our household very nicely. There are always a fresh pair of arms ready to hold her, plenty of little kids ready to play and a camera constantly clicking away new pictures of her. She may be as well documented as some of our babies! Our Rottweiler is adjusting also. So far, so good. Zoe is curious and on high alert for Mishka's sudden movements but thus far, Zoe has behaved herself well and not attempted to cause any harm. Hopefully they'll soon be good friends. Okay, well at least learn to tolerate each other harmoniously.

Issues

2011-07-09T23:50:00.003-05:00

I have some issues going on with re-sizing pictures right now. I'm working on them. Sorry if you only see half a cat in the below pictures. That's not how it's supposed to be and I'm trying to figure out why my re-sizing efforts aren't showing up! Thanks for your patience!

Look What I Brought Home

2011-07-09T23:07:00.005-05:00

This afternoon, we took all the children on an adventure to the farmer's market. We were looking for something to do on a Saturday afternoon, something we'd never tried before, something that didn't cost a lot of money and something that would be a neat experience for all the kids even with the variety of ages we have...the farmer's market was perfect! In fact, I have a whole post full of pictures coming soon. The reason I'm posting right now is because...I found an interesting sign at the market. And I just HAD to follow it.
Here it is

And of course, after I walked in, I came right back out...with this

Albert tried in vain to protest...but when he saw her cute little face, and maybe mine too...he couldn't resist. And as it turns out, our new addition seems quite attached to him! This is how our new little kitten made herself comfortable while Albert was playing PlayStation tonight with the boys! She looks right at home...

So now we need a name for her! You all know how much I like to pick out names for things- babies, puppies, kittens...heck, even plants. So far our kids have come up with Raven, Piper or Duces. Raven and Piper are definitely contenders. Duces...not so much. Lend us a hand and help us come up with a name for our new little sweetie! I don't wanna keep calling her Kitty...or Cat...or girl.

What We Did For Independence Day

2011-07-09T19:21:00.003-05:00

Okay, so I'm almost a week late on this post. Anyone surprised that it took me this long to get my Fourth of July pics uploaded and posted? Yeah, me neither.

As you may have picked up from my last post, we recently visited our family in Tennessee. We spent the Fourth of July there and took the kids down to Farragut to see a parade. The kids had a delightful time. The grown-ups may have been dragging a bit, due to a late night the evening before- but that is another post entirely! We got a few really good pictures of the kids watching the festivities and enjoying themselves. That evening we all had dinner together and then went to my sister Katie's house to do fireworks. I don't have great pictures of that though, since two of our little ones were very afraid of the noise and I spent most of my time (along with my mom and Drew) holding the kids that were afraid!
We had a fabulous time in Knoxville and I'm already planning another trip back later this summer with Mia. Here are a few pictures of the parade and our festive little patriots enjoying themselves!

Mommy and Mia watching the parade

Some of our group arriving late...but they made it to see all the good parts!

Having fun watching the parade...

Jackson and Brice with their cousin Cameron

Drew was too tired to sit up straight..so he watched the parade lying down

Miss Mia

Bree looking unimpressed

Nana and Bree

In Search of the Cure for Bickering...

2011-07-08T08:09:00.004-05:00

...bickering amongst siblings that is. Bickering between my husband and I is another matter entirely and is fortunately pretty rare. Why must kids argue back and forth? Even about the simplest and most mundane of affairs? My days are filled with hearing comments (usually accompanied by raised voices) such as
"He took my action figure!"
"I was gonna eat the rest of the strawberries, but then HE got them and he knew I was gonna eat them!"
"Mom! It's HIS job to clean the table and my job to sweep the floor, so he just pushed all the crumbs off the table onto the floor and now I gotta sweep them!"

My kids have the amazing ability to turn any situation into an argument. Take them out to ice cream- they will fight because one kid's shoe is hitting another kids knees under the table. Take them swimming- they will fight because one kid got the towel all wet and now the complaining child doesn't have a dry one. Perhaps one kid got an extra pizza roll at lunch, or one kid got to pick the TV show twice in a row...it goes on and on and on. Yesterday for example, in the van, on our way home from Knoxville a major fight erupted in the back seat. I turned around in my chair to try to settle the dispute, which turned out to have stemmed from the fact that Brandon had felt the need to stretch in crowded quarters. It never ends.

I am constantly on the lookout for the cure to this. I've ignored. I've cracked down. Neither seemed to be effective. I've pleaded with the kids to treat one another as nicely as they treat their friends. They just looked at me like I had two heads. I've preached the golden rule, offered bribes and rewards for friendly sibling behavior. Nada. The bickering continues. And continues. But I refuse to give up, to throw my hands in the air and deal with days full of whining and complaining and tattling. I'll find the solution. If anyone already knows the cure, or is already in possession of the golden nugget of knowledge, please pass it along to me. Quickly.

M&M Mini's

2011-07-06T10:35:00.002-05:00

Here is a lesson I learned, just last night. I will never, ever again, buy my children those little cylindrical thingies of mini m&m's. Last night each of the little children got their own tube of them- it was sort of a consolation prize for the fact that Daddy had taken all the older brothers and some cousins to the movie theater for the evening.
At first, the littles were thrilled with their mini M&M's. They were delighted opening and closing the little plastic top, pouring them out in their hands, and spillng them across the floor. At the end of the night, I closed the cap on each of their tube's and put them all safely in my diaper bag.
When I woke up this morning and came out to the kitchen- M&M chaos. Isaiah, Alexandria, Sydney and Bree were all up and had rummaged through the diaper bag and retrieved all the tubes of M&M's. Some kids had eaten more than others the previous night and so were upset when they didn't have as many this morning. Some kids solved that little issue by eating some of their sibling's candy. Some just spilled everywhere, and someone shoved a handful into Mia's mouth. I'm still picking them up off the carpet.
Never again. Next time, Daddy takes everyone to the movies. Everyone.

Brandon's Varicella Quarentine is Over!

2011-06-30T23:12:00.005-05:00

It's been a month since the kids had their varicella shots and that means it's once again safe for Brandon to be around his siblings! We will have him home with us very soon, after his month long vacation to his Nana and Autie's houses. He has very much enjoyed his time away, he went with my sisters to the beach and has had a blast hanging out with his cousins each day. But, I think he is a bit homesick and misses us too! And I can't wait to have him back.
In case anyone missed it, because of Brandon's bone marrow issues, even though he is still in full remission, he can't be around anyone who has recently had the Varicella vaccination as it is a live virus vaccine. Because of this, all the children were born near or after his diagnosis have been unable to get their chicken pox shot. As our family has grown, we're arrived at the point where six of our little ones didn't have it. And just as being around someone who is recently vacciated is a danger to Brandon, being around someone who actually has chicken pox is also dangerous. And with six unvacciated kids, the chances of someone eventually getting it and bringing it home are pretty substantial. So the best solution was for Brandon to go spend part of his summer vacation with Nana and his aunties and cousins, something that was much looked forward to and very special for him. Then as soon as he started his vacation, Albert and I took our children to see their pediatrician for their shots. Even Jackson got one, although he had already been vacciated, he was due for a booster.
The kids did great.I had expected a mob of crying, horrified children and had spent the whole morning planning in my head how to best go about getting through all the shots. Would it be better to start with the oldest and work down? Or would that give the littles too much time to be afraid and build up into hysterics? Should we do youngest to oldest or would the older kids be too uncooperative by the time it was their turn? In the end, We played a bit of a trick on them...we had Jackson get his shot first, and asked him to pretend like it didn't hurt a bit. So, being a good sport, Jackson stepped right up and got his shot. He smiled big and said "That was fun! It doesn't hurt at all." Well, as you might expect, Brice decided that he wanted whatever fun Jackson had just had, so he too stepped forward and thrust out his arm. The nurse gave him his vacciation and not to be outdone by his older brother, Brice plastered a smile on his face as well and exclaimed that his shot, also, had not hurt. By this time, a small chorus of "me, me, me" and "My turn, my turn" had broken out in the exam room. The nurse made her way down the line, giving each child their shot. Every single one of them had the same reaction as the one before. They smiled and exclaimed proudly that their shot didn't hurt. A couple of them actually tried to get back in line for a second shot. This wasn't the reaction I'd been prepared for! But I wasn't complaining!
Finally the nurse made her way to Mia. Mia got her varicella and her MMR and she was less than thrilled with either. She was, in fact, the only Fontenot child to cry. And cry she did! I comforted her and she quickly settled down and was fine.
I can't wait to have my baby back! I'm so excited!

American Idol Part Two

2011-06-28T22:49:00.003-05:00

Drew is home from his American Idol audition. He did not make it through to the next round, but no regrets! He had a great time, he loved the experience and he told me that he met a lot of really wonderful people. Our neighbor, Chasity, also did not make it but both she and Drew are young and have plenty of years left to keep trying!

Albert had a great time doing this with Drew and we both couldn't be prouder of him. I took Drew and his friend Cameron out to dinner tonight, after the little ones were in bed, to celebrate the accomplishment of auditioning for something so huge. While we were eating, we discussed the whole experience and he said that it was totally worth doing and that he can't wait to try again. He says next time he'll be a bit more prepared and will know what to expect a little bit better.

Drew and Albert said they did see some people get a golden ticket into the next round, and some of them were quite good. We wish everyone from the St. Louis auditions who made it through to the next round lots of luck. We'll definitely be watching to see if anyone Drew and Albert met today makes it through to the judges!

American Idol

2011-06-27T21:50:00.003-05:00

Exciting news in the Fontenot Family! Drew is trying out for American Idol. He and Albert left in the wee hours of Sunday morning to stand in line in the thunderstorms and register. Now they go back tomorrow morning before 5:00 a.m. for the auditions. We are so extremely proud of Drew (and I'm extremely proud of his Daddy!!!) for having the confidence and courage to do this! We have no idea what auditions will hold as this is a first for us, but Drew is having so much fun with it and its great audition experience.
I would love to say that the whole family is going to be there for his audition, as that was our original plan, however we were unaware that if you wanted to attend the auditions, you had to be present at registration to get a wristband. So the rest of us will have to pray and cheer from home! Like I said, this is a first for us...
I am getting ready to pack up sandwiches and water bottles for Albert and Drew to take with them as the paperwork indicates that the potential contestants should "be prepared to stay all day." The papers didn't mention food at all, either in the list of items to bring, or items that were prohibited so again, we have no idea what to expect. They said no coolers allowed, so I think I'll just pack sandwiches that don't need refrigeration and water bottles and maybe some fruit. I'm thinking that they can grab something on the way down to the Scott Trade Center (the site of the auditions) as well.
I have told Albert that I expect them to keep me updated by phone at each step of the way tomorrow. I want to hear about everything!!! I hope that Albert takes as many pictures as his camera can hold. I'll post updates as I hear them.
Drew has been practicing for the last couple of hours in his room. Sometimes I sneak up to his door and listen. He sounds so good. I'm so happy for him that he gets to do something this fun!!!!
Even though our town is small, Drew is not alone! Our neighbor who lives just a couple doors down, Chasity is also auditioning. We have heard her sing before from school and she is fabulous!!! I am super excited to hear how she does as well. I spoke with her earlier this evening and wished her lots of luck!
So tomorrow is the big day and we can't wait! Good luck Drew and Chasity!!!!

Summer

2011-06-24T21:58:00.002-05:00

Summer vacation is well underway in the Fontenot family...and so far it's lazy and delicious and super relaxing. Tonight we made one of the kids' best loved summer desserts...strawberry shortcake. No matter how many times we make it as an after dinner treat or mid-day snack, our kids just can't get enough of it. Even Mia licked the very last dollop of whipped cream off of her chubby little fingers.
Bree almost missed hers, because she stubbornly refused to eat her chicken which was the requirement in order to get dessert. She finally did finish...well, Zoe, our dog may have helped a bit. Just a little.
Ahhhh, sweet summer.
Iced tea, afternoon naps, trips to the lake, sitting outside on the bench on our porch, and strawberry shortcake for dessert.

Drew

2011-06-23T00:44:00.003-05:00

This is Drew at his voice/piano recital. I have been meaning to post this for the last few weeks but with everything that has been going on, I am just now getting around to it. We are so proud of him, he did an amazing job and I cherish this video. Drew has a special talent and I hope he stays with it. Music is his passion. It's what he spends all of his free time on. He sings in the shower, he sings in his room, he sings while he does his chores at night. And when he isn't singing, he's playing the piano. His voice brightens my day and makes me happy (unless I'm on the phone and can't get him to stop!). I thought you guys would enjoy hearing him sing too. This song was in Italian, and I have no clue what he is singing about or what any of the words mean. But it sure sounds pretty...

One Step At a Time

2011-06-21T00:18:00.002-05:00

This is sweet Mia..in fact, this is sweet Mia on Father's Day, playing with her toys

In the past week or so, Sweet Miss Mia has finally...

Started....

WALKING!!!

We are so proud of her! It's so sweet to watch her walk around with those wobbly, tentative steps that brand new walkers make. It's precious to see her itty, bitty self standing and walking around the living room. She makes my heart melt. She's starting to say a few words as well. In the last few days, she's said, "Bottle" and "move". Okay, so the "move" part occurred after she overheard me telling one of her older brothers to move out of the way and she thought it would be fun to say it herself...move...move...move! She also calls for "Drew-Drew" her oldest brother. It's tough to imagine she's only been here for fourteen months. It seems like I've loved her forever!

Father's Day Pictures

2011-06-20T23:50:00.002-05:00

We had a fabulous Father's Day around here. It was really lazy, and sleepy and relaxed and fun. This is what Daddy spent the day doing...when he wasn't sleeping in or napping!

The kids spent the day hanging out with Daddy and playing with each other. It was a truly delicious day, hanging out in the house with each other and not rushing here and rushing there. We wanted to have a quiet day, a day to really show Albert how much we appreciate him and how he takes care of all of us. We started the morning with breakfast...but seeing as it was noon by the time it was ready (we didn't wake up till ten...) it might as well be called brunch...whatever you call it, it was yummy. Then it was lots of lounging, present opening, PlayStation playing and just hanging out and playing.

Our new walker!

Mia toppling over while playing with her toys...but still happy as can be!

I have so many pictures to share with you guys. So much has been going on that I can't wait to share with you...I have my pics uploaded and over the next few days, I'll post as many as I can, so you can see what we've been up to lately!

Happy Pictures

2011-06-14T21:47:00.005-05:00

I have finally uploaded the first of the bunch of the pictures I have been promising you all!
I wanted to update first to say that I did indeed miscarry Baby Penguin yesterday morning. While we are sad about it, we know that God is totally in control and we trust Him completely. We so appreciate all of the well wishes, prayers and thoughts.
Physically,I feel great and was fine almost immediatley afterwards. In fact, we went out to lunch a few hours later. Since I wasn't very far along (7 weeks) it was a pretty easy miscarriage.

Sooo...on with happy news. Here are the pictures from my nephew Cade's birthday party! We all had a blast and Baby Cade was super adorable. Ashley picked a wonderful spot to hold his party. It was at the lake with a man made beach. The kids frolicked in the water and played volleyball. Katie and her friend Ryan took the kids for boat rides on the lake, and later we all met back at Ashley's house so they guys could play poker.

Anna and Lisa joined us for the day as it was Anna's birthday as well. Anna's brother and nephews and niece were also there and it was really nice to have everyone all together. Plus, Lisa is awesome at poker and kicked all the guys' butts!

I'm pretty sure I mentioned it before, but my sister Ashley's cake baking and decorating skills are fabulous! She made Cade's smash cake in the shape of a car and did a great job! She also started a fire in mom's oven...but we won't mention that.

Enjoy the pictures everyone! I'll post more of Isaiah and his ultra cool cast soon!

The Birthday Boy...Baby Cade!!!

Katie and Kylie:

Anna and Lisa

Alexandria and Anna:

Mia:

Isaiah:

Albert and Manny:

Sydney:

The boys playing "beach" volleyball:

Random Reflections

2011-06-12T22:07:00.003-05:00

It's been a full weekend around here. Albert and I went to see the Rodeo in town on Friday night and then followed that up with a trip to the movies, and then Albert took Brice on Saturday night. Jackson went to the batting cages on Saturday afternoon for a friend's birthday party and the oldest two kids went to see a movie. The same movie Albert and I went to see following the rodeo on Friday.
I had never been to a rodeo before and I was quite impressed. There was a woman who sat next to us, who explained that she was from Texas and assured us that this rodeo was no where near on par with what they had in her home state. But for me, since it was my first and I had nothing to compare it to, it was impressive enough. As an added bonus, I ran into Jamie, who used to be the school nurse at the elementary school but now works as a nurse practitioner in a pediatric office. We miss her a lot. She's awesome.
Today we just sort of laid low around the house mostly. The older kids took Jackson and Brice to the pool and Albert and I went for a drive with the little kids. My miscarriage is beginning and seems to have started on Thursday evening and we are now just waiting for it to pick up and actually happen. We are still hopeful that it can complete itself at home and we can avoid anything like the D&C or methotrexate shot we'd hoped to do without.
Brandon is at the beach in Charleston with my sisters and their families. He's having a blast but is starting to get a bit homesick. He calls about three times a day to talk to everyone here. the kids miss him quite a bit too. But we have to wait our the four weeks since the little kids had their chicken pox vaccines before we can have the kids around him. So looks like he's going to stay put at least thorough the end of the month.
Albert's team lost the NBA Championship tonight. He is a Miami Heat fan and he's more than a little aggrevated that they just lost to Dallas, espicially since our good friend Will is over, teasing him mercilessly about it. And because he just lost a fifty dollar bet with our brother-in-law Justin!
And for the best news of all---Mia started walking today. Full fledged, really, truly walking! It started with a couple of steps in the living room and by the end of the evening, it was all the way across the room, from one end to the other. It's so cute to watch her wobble and waddle! She's precious!
This coming week we have no plans, as we're just waiting to see how I will feel and what will happen. I know I still need to post pictures of many things..and I will get on that soon. I'm finishing up this quarter of school for myself this week and then I'll have a break in which I'll have more time to upload and post pictures.

All the Other Stuff

2011-06-08T21:59:00.002-05:00

There is more going on in our house then just the impending loss of our pregnancy. Even though it seems like we are consumed with it, and we sort of are, there are other fun and not so fun things going on that I should be sharing here with you.

This past Saturday we went to Ice Cream day here in Mascoutah. It's a really fun annual event. Several businesses participate in it...here's how it works...you walk around Mascoutah (or drive) and stop in at participating stores and businesses for a free ice cream sample...each business has a different flavor. As you sample the different ice creams, you get a representative from that business to sign your voting card, certifying that you've tried that flavor. At the end of your journey, if you have sampled at least five different ice creams, you may vote on your favorite. The kids really enjoy this. And they really loved voting. We have some good friends who own a thrift store in town, so our kids may have been a bit biased in their vote...but it really was the yummiest so they'd have had our vote anyhow!

We also recently went to Knoxville over Memorial Day to celebrate my nephew Cade's birthday. It was so much fun. Spending time with my sisters, my Mom, my nieces and nephews and our dear friends Anna and Lisa is always a welcome break from regular life and was defiantly a nice break from Hcg numbers and pregnancy testing. We spent all our days and nights with my sisters and Anna and Lisa...we cooked dinner each night and spent lots of time talking. Albert and my brother in law Justin took the boys camping and rafting and all sorts of "boy" type events. My sister Katie and her friend Ryan took the kids tubing on Ryan's boat...it was a lovely week. My mom was out of town for most of it, so we missed getting to spend as much time with her as we would have liked, but we did get to see her at the beginning of our trip, before she left on hers, and at the end when she returned but before we headed home.

My nephew Cade's birthday was amazing. His party was held at the lake, complete with a man-made beach. It was perfect and the kids had a blast. My sister Ashley made his smash cake, and I was surprised to discover how talented my sister is! She did an amazing job...the frosting, the colors, the shape was just perfect!It was a three dimensional car cake...super fabulous! She did accidentally start a fire in my mom's oven while baking this masterpiece, but that's another story.

In sad news, Isaiah had trampoline accident and fractured his right arm! It's not a huge fracture but its an uncomfortable one for him and now he's in a full cast on his arm. It's super sad but super cute at the same time.

I will post pictures of all these things as soon as I make my lazy self upload them all. I have wonderful pictures of Cade's birthday party and that fabulous cake to share!

And, as usual, I went back for more blood work today and my new Hcg number is 183..so it dropped again...slowly...so we have no idea how long this will take as we are pretty much just along for the ride. I'll continue to keep everyone posted!

Falling

2011-06-07T12:41:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, I went in to see Dr. Gingrich. We checked my levels again and they have started to decline. Yesterday's HCG was 186. The bad news of course, is that we are loosing the pregnancy. The silver lining is, this means that we can continue to watch and wait. As long as the numbers continue to drop we can just check them regularly to ensure they are declining. If they rise again or bob around then we may have to take action at that time.
I am happy and releived to be able to let nature take its course. I'm glad to not have to do anything right now.
After my appointment I went out to lunch with Tammy and Ashley. We went to a Mexican restaurant in Edwardsville. It was yummy and the conversation was wonderful and just what I needed to feel better.
I am feeling okay about things and happy that at least for now, we can wait on God to be the giver and taker of life. I will update as we get new numbers and/or things happen.

Not So Great News

2011-06-03T20:47:00.002-05:00

Results are in from today's blood work and the numbers don't look good. In fact, they barely rose at all. Wednesday they were 191 and today they are 194.
I am going on Monday to see Dr. Gingrich again. I don't know anymore than that. I don't know what to do...I don't want to be that person who sits around and waits for a fallopian tube to rupture...but I'm not sure I can live with terminating a pregnancy without absolute proof that its ectopic and unfortunatly, with an HCG of 194 I just don't know that there is a way to say for sure.
I wish I had more to write but I just don't. There are other, really fun things going on at our house and I will write about them soon. Like tomorrow we are taking our kids to the ice cream festival. And I am looking forward to it, and so are they. But for now...I just want to go to sleep. This sucks.

Limbo Continues...

2011-06-01T23:11:00.003-05:00

We did labs today and the results are mixed. HCG levels rose significantly but not enough to have risen "normally." They were 34 eight days ago and today they were 191 and so we wait longer. I go back on Friday for more bloodwork and I go a week from Friday for an ultrasound assuming numbers are high enough then to see anything.
I am very tired of this rollercoster....and I would like some resolution one way or another. We are waiting on God, who of course already knows the ultimate outcome of this situation and knows the plans He has for Baby Penguin. For now that will have to be good enough for us.

Updating to say there isn't really much to update.

2011-05-30T00:43:00.002-05:00

Still no news to report. Each day I wake up and run to the toilet half expecting to find blood, and so far, nothing. Today makes 5 weeks, 2 days. Not a twinge of pain, no spotting, no cramping, nothing. I go in Tuesday for another HCG count. That should tell us something more definite. I'm not sure what I'm expecting from it. I'm just sort of in a weird limbo space. I have come to absolute acceptance that the pregnancy is probably not viable, but at the same time, I'm enjoying this time with Baby Penguin, especially since its likely all I'll have with him/her. At least here on Earth. As each day passes, its hard not to let hope linger, and to start to think "maybe the numbers were wrong, or maybe the doctor was wrong." And then, I remind myself that she's probably not wrong on this and that I'm setting myself up for major disappointment by getting attached to Penguin. But its sort of impossible not to. It's impossible not to secretly hope that he or she grows and grows and grows where he/she is supposed to grow. I am trying to keep my mind off of the situation and appreciate each day that I have and understand that this is in God's hands, and I don't need to do anything but sit back and trust God.
Tuesday, we should know more. I'll update when I can.

The HCG Saga Continues...

2011-05-24T22:39:00.002-05:00

It's been an eventful, yet still confusing couple of days. I went to see my Obstetrician yesterday (yes, even though I almost always see my beloved midwife, Tammy, I DO also have an OB that Tammy works with, and she is pretty cool herself!) I discussed with Dr. Gingrich the fact that my HCG levels were so low and had gone only from 13 to 16 and we both agreed that this meant the pregnancy was not viable. We discussed the fear that it could be ectopic, but Dr. Gingrich reminded me that since my levels were so super low, there isn't anything that could be seen on an ultrasound.
I went back today to get follow up HCG levels and to my surprise- they doubled. Doubling is what they are supposed to do. So now what? Ashley (Tammy's daughter) called and told me that Dr. G still feels that this pregnancy is non-viable based on the previous low level and the fact that it barely inched up from Friday to Sunday. She said I could come in for a methotrexate injection or a D&C.
At that point, things started spinning around in my head way to quickly. The levels doubled like they should, yet the pregnancy is still most likely non viable. All I could think of was that I wasn't ready to do anything just yet, in view of these new tests. I asked if I could safely wait a week and Dr. Gingrich said I could. Well, more specifically Ashley said Dr. Gingrich said I could. But you get the point. Dr. Gingrich also said that she didn't want me to wait too long and allow those numbers to rise too much more because of the fear that this could be ectopic. So then I was confused. Why offer a D&C if the fear is that its ectopic? Isn't a D&C a uterine procedure? How would that help at all if the pregnancy is ectopic? Perhaps she intended on the D&C being a starting point and if she found nothing there,then that would give more clues to the fact that the pregnancy could be in a fallopian tube. The other option, a methotrexate injection would mean I'd need to stop nursing, I'm not certain for how long, so I don't want to jump to that either.
And then there is the fact that- well, the numbers doubled. Like they are supposed to. Like we'd prayed for them to. I can't just jump to the conclusion, regardless of how likely it is to be absolutely correct, that the baby has no chance. I want...I need to wait and see, will it double again? And again? And if it does, doesn't that start to change things? And then, back to the D&C option...if the pregnancy is ectopic, wouldn't the D&C be useless, and if its a failed uterine pregnancy, eventually wouldn't it abort on its own, making the D&C needless? I am so confused. So confused.
What Dr. Gingrich, and Tammy, and Albert and I are afraid of is this scenario- the pregnancy could be ectopic, and therefore totally and absolutely non-viable. The longer we sit on this, and wait and watch, and the higher those HCG numbers rise, the larger that baby grows in the fallopian tube. And it could rupture and will eventually rupture if un-treated. Then we'd have a life threatening emergency for me, a loss of the tube and the half of fertility that comes with it.
I wish that there was something that could be done to take a look at the fallopian tube to see if the pregnancy is there or not. That would be so immensely helpful in making this decision.
This situation is very draining. The decisions and choices feel very heavy and obviously there is a lot at stake if I choose wrong. So for now, I am taking a few days off and just waiting. I'm laying low and being grateful for the fact that right now, on THIS day, I have Baby Penguin still here, regardless of what happens tomorrow. Next Monday I will get labs again. And we'll hopefully have a clearer picture. If levels have plummeted or barely moved up we'll probably move forward with the D&C and see what happens that way. If they double or rise sharply then we take it one day at at time past that. I'll keep you all updated. Thank you all for the prayers. I appreciate them tremendously.

Baby Penguin

2011-05-22T22:11:00.008-05:00

It's been a rough couple of days.
On Wednesday evening, I took a pregnancy test. And it was positive. I told Albert, we took the kids out to eat and told them (yes, the same out-to-eat trip which featured Brice eating jello with chopsticks). The kids were thrilled and we were thrilled.I nicknamed our little one "Baby Penguin" since I'd be due at the end of January in the cold, winter weather.
The next day, I began having some spotting. Dark brown spotting mostly. I've had some degree of spotting or bleeding with pretty much every pregnancy, so I wasn't terribly afraid, but it was concerning enough that I asked Tammy (our fabulous midwife) if I could get my HCG levels drawn. More specifically, I asked Ashley, who is Tammy's daughter and works with her mom as a nurse. But I digress....
I took another home pregnancy test to see if I would still get a positive result and indeed, not only did I still get a positive, the test line was lots darker and more obvious than the one I'd had Wednesday. So, I was happy with that evidence that my levels were indeed probably rising okay. That night, mostly for the fun of it, I took a digital pregnancy test. You know, the ones that say in words "Pregnant" or "not Pregnant" and I got a "pregnant". But I did notice that it took the full three minutes to give me the result.
The next day, Friday, I went to Anderson and had my HCG tested. Based on the positive results I'd had the day before, I wasn't too concerned and was mostly expecting good news. Ashley called and told me that my HCG was at 13. If you know about HCG levels, you know that is pretty low. And considering I'd had positive results from home pregnancy tests, this might even mean a drop in levels.
In a healthy pregnancy, HCG levels double every 2-3 days. One value on its own doesn't tell the story, but rather, how the numbers are rising or not rising is what is important. So today I went back for a second draw. Since it was Sunday, I had to go to Labor and Delivery and wait in a L&D room for the nurse to draw my labs. Let me tell you that when you're pretty certain you have a non-viable pregnancy, L&D is not the place you want to be. Newborns were crying in other rooms and all I could think was "I guess we won't get to be here in January like we thought." It was more than a little depressing.
The nurse came in and drew my blood and we were on our way. I texted Tammy in the parking lot to tell her I'd given my blood sample and could she call me as soon as she heard anything. She said that she would. Before I'd even gotten home, she called (wow, she was on top of things! That's why she's the best!) and sadly, my levels are only now 16. So its pretty certain that this pregnancy isn't going to make it. But now I sit in limbo land. Knowing that I will miscarry but not sure when. The spotting continues but hasn't picked up and I have no cramping.
I'm more than a little concerned that this is going to turn out to be an ectopic pregnancy. I was almost hoping that my levels would have plummeted back down to almost zero today so that I could just miscarry normally and chalk it up to a chemical pregnancy. Slowly rising levels sometimes indicate ectopic. Tammy is hopeful that this is still just a chemical pregnancy and so am I.
I am supposed to call the office tomorrow for an appointment to be evaluated. I will keep everyone updated as we get more information.
We both feel very sad, yet we know that God is in control of life, and not us. I feel very fortunate to know very early on, as I think its much easier on me than to go for weeks thinking that things were okay and normal only to be disheartened later. Yet still, my heart is sad that one of our babies that we created together will not be with us. At least not on this Earth. I've been very blessed to have nine successful pregnancies with no miscarriages or losses so far. And however this experience plays out, I know that there is a blessing in it too. And something valuable to be learned, and something to grow from. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't sad. After church today we took the kids out to eat to Pizza Hut's lunch buffett. Our waiter asked us if we were going to have any more children. We both looked at each other for a second, sort of at a loss for how to answer that. Finally Albert just said "Yes, one day we'll have more." I smiled at him and he smiled back. Life is life and we don't always get to pick the outcome. But we know who does, and we have complete faith in His plans for us, for our children, for our family. And for Baby Penguin.

Things...random things...

2011-05-19T22:08:00.004-05:00

Things are going very well at our house right now. The school year is winding down and we are on the verge of an epic summer break. I say epic, because our little four schooled district is building a new high school to replace the current one, and since they need lots of uninterrupted time to finish construction of it, the district's summer break this year is from next Tuesday alllllllll the way until after Labor Day in September!!! Of course next year, we pay for it with a very short, not even two month summer break, but this summer will rock!

It has come to my attention recently that the older kids (our teenagers) have no trouble getting in lots of quality time with Albert and I. We have long conversations with them, play games with them, run errands with them and attend all of their events. The under 5 crowd, also get plenty of time...they sort of demand it by virtue of their young age and neediness...but Brice and Jackson could use a bit more. I noticed that it often seemed like at the end of the day, I couldn't remember much interaction with them, aside from the usual dinner, homework, did-you-take-your-shower type stuff. So, now every night, the three of us gather in my bedroom and we read books together. Brice picks out a couple of his favorite books and then Jackson and I read a chapter book together. I can't even describe how great a change just this little routine has been. It's nice to lay in bed, holding my sweet boys!

Emanuel has registered for TWO classes in summer school this year. Not because his grades weren't good. Nope, his are great. He has registered for two classes so that he can get ahead in high school. He is taking PE and health so that those will be out of the way and he can make room on his schedule for other classes. I am so proud of that kid- I could burst!

We are getting ready to travel to Tennessee soon for my nephew Cade's first birthday!!!! We are excited about his birthday party at the lake. Our kids can't wait to play with their cousins and I can't wait to see my mom and sisters, and we will also get to see Mia's godmothers again. I can't even tell you all how excited I am about it!

Last night we took all of our children out to eat at a Chinese Buffet. Brice ate jello with chopsticks. That pretty much sums it up. Okay, actually, in addition to Brice's chopsticks antics, we had a really great conversation with our kids that I'll tell you all about soon.

One last "thing." Sydney has entered a bit of a phase lately. I am calling it an "uncooperative" phase. She doesn't seem to like me very much. I am not just imagining this, or being overly sensitive. I know it because...well..because she has said "I don't like you, Mom." Several times. On several occasions. She is very sweet to her Dad but she's a witch towards me. Today she got into my makeup and painted her face. When I asked her where she was hiding my eyeshadow, she refused to tell me. So, I told her she would be in time out until she could tell me where my brand new Victoria Secret eye shadow might be found. Alexandria tried to prompt her by saying "Sydney, tell Mommy where her make-up is..." to which Sydney stubbornly shook her head and replied "No. I don't like Mommy." Where is my sweet angel who used to love me???? Sweet Sydney, please come back. I'll be waiting. And looking for my eye shadow.

For the First Time in Fontenot Family History

2011-05-14T01:38:00.006-05:00

Our entire family went grocery shopping in total peace, harmony, cooperation and relative quiet. I almost can't believe it! None of the children argued or fought. We walked through the store in orderly fashion, me pushing a cart containing Mia and groceries, Manny pushing a cart containing Bree and groceries, Albert pushing a cart containing Sydney plus groceries and Drew walking holding the twins hands. Jackson, Brandon and Brice walked individually. And it went smoothly! I was beaming at my kids, I was so proud of them. They were almost as orderly and quiet as those Duggar children out in public. Almost. There was a very loud family shopping tonight, but it wasn't ours! It was some other unfortunate couple out grocery shopping on a Friday night with their three children. I empathized with them as they repeatedly tried in vain to calm their overly excited brood,because we've been in their shoes plenty of times.
To add to our good shopping night, not one kid begged for items not on the list, and no one threw extra items into the cart, hoping to disguise them underneath the extra large cereal boxes. No one toppled the lemons in the produce aisle and all the kids refrained from writing their initials in frost on the frozen foods doors. Our favorite cashier was working..the one who knows our kids names and even has a picture of our family at home on her fridge door. Our older kids split up the task of helping us bag groceries while another took the little kids out to the van to get started buckling them all into car seats. Without being asked. And more importantly, without fighting over who was going to do what. And for one blessed outing, not a single little Fontenot child uttered the dreaded words "I have to potty." Well, technically Sydney did whine about needing to potty on the way home, about five minutes from the house actually. Which was apparently five minutes too late for Sydney. But I'm not letting that little hiccup steal my joy.
I was proud, happy and okay..a little bit surprised. Most shopping trips don't quite pan out this way. But hey- I'm not knocking it. You won't hear any complaints from me. Maybe we'll tackle the mall again soon. Or, you know, maybe not.

Motherhood...

2011-05-08T22:20:00.003-05:00

Today is Mother's Day. It's one of my favorite days of the year...and not for the reasons you'd probably think. Yes, I love getting to sleep in and I love having breakfast made for me (and this year it was a really good breakfast). I love the ridiculous amount of gifts that my husband insists on buying for me and I love the all around pampering. And I love at the end of the night, starting to plan out in my mind how I can make Father's Day, which is just around the corner, equally as special as Albert makes Mother's Day for me. But these aren't the reasons that Mother's Day is one of my most favorite days of the year. The thing I treasure most about this day is celebrating the relationships that are so special in my life. The women who have impacted, influenced and helped shape my life, and who have left a permanent imprint on my character, personality and heart. My mother, my sisters, my fellow-mommy friends, and my amazing friends, Anna and Lisa who I chose as Mia's godmothers because I couldn't imagine anyone in the world more perfect. All of these women are so precious to me and it's hard to picture life without anyone of them. I am so thankful that God has placed every single one of them in my life.
And as a mom, I'm equally thankful that God has sent me the ten beautiful children that call me Mommy..it's an incredible honor that God picked me to take care of them in this life. Celebrating these remarkable things, the relationships that spring from motherhood, are what I love.
I started off my Mother's Day this morning by talking to my Mom. What better way to begin the morning? And then, we called my sister on three way and I got to talk to her too! Then my daughters piled in my bed and my son's brought me coffee, and when I came downstairs Albert and Drew had breakfast ready. Bacon, eggs, grits and doughnuts...the best breakfast in the world!!!!
The afternoon was perfect! We went shopping with the kids, I took a nap, and we grilled burgers and hot dogs. I was able to talk to a good number of the women who make my life so special...AND I have pictures to share, but its late so I'll have to post them tomorrow.
I hope that all of you had a wonderful, blessed Mother's Day and were able to celebrate the special relationship you share with at least one woman out there...weather its your mother, your sister, an aunt, your daughter....and that if you are a mom, and even if you aren't, chances are that you've touched the life of a child at some point along the way, that you are able to celebrate your relationship with your children, or the children you have impacted and made a difference for.
Happy Mother's Day everyone!

Party Pics!

2011-05-02T13:43:00.002-05:00

Saturday was Mia's birthday party and her baby dedication. Family and friends traveled from Tennesee and California to celebrate with us and we had a fabulous time with them. Mia's grandfather officiated her blessing ceremony and our wonderful friends Anna and Lisa, Mia's godparents, were able to be present. Mia was surrounded by grandparents, godparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins. It was a beautiful weekend and I'm quite sad that its over! Here are the pictures though....we took lots of them!
The banner outside of the visitors Center where we held her party

Her blessing ceremony

Mia doesn't like the birthday song!

All changed into birthday outfit #2

Mia's godmother Lisa

We were running a bit late, okay, more than a bit late setting up and a few of our friends waited so patiently for us to finish getting ready. We had so much fun visiting with all of our friends who came to celebrate with us and we so much appreciate all of the help and support from our family and friends. We will treasure that day and that weekend forever!

A Preview...

2011-05-01T18:12:00.002-05:00

Guess what we did this weekend? Something fun and something festive! And I'll tell you all about it tomorrow! Right now I'm exhausted! But here's a preview until then...

It was a wonderful, awesome, amazing weekend with family and friends. Can't wait to tell you all about it and share all the pictures, details and fun!

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T19:40:00.002-05:00

Happy Easter from our family to yours!
We have had a wonderful, slow paced day today, just being together and being thankful for the amazing and wonderful sacrifice of our Lord. The sacrifice that allows us to have hope, joy, peace and comfort. The sacrifice that allows us to live for a purpose greater than ourselves, knowing that the labor of our lives in not in vain when we love for Him who created us.
We took the kids to church this morning and then came home and cooked Easter dinner together. Ham, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, mustard greens, salad and garlic bread. Plus homemade banana pudding for desert. Yum.
The Easter Bunny did indeed visit the kids and we've spent a lot of the day wiping hands and sticky faces and saying things like "No more candy. You've had enough for today!" We also organized an Easter egg hunt in the kitchen and living room since the weather is yucky and rainy outside!

Okay, so this picture isn't from today. It's from last weekend when we went to the zoo. I have lots of great pics to post and will do it soon. We have, by contrast, absolutely NO pictures of today. Kind of a bummer but we enjoyed each other and didnt worry about the camera. Happy Easter everyone!

Mia's First Year

2011-04-17T21:11:00.001-05:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

My Amazing Mia

2011-04-15T23:21:00.002-05:00

Will be one tomorrow! Her party isn't for another two weeks but tomorrow we will indeed celebrate her day. We will be very low key and just our immediate family but we will dress her up and take pictures and of course, we'll have cake. And a couple presents.
I am so proud to be her mom. I am so in love with her. She's growing and changing so much. It seems like right now, she makes new accomplishments on a daily basis. She is crusing on furniure now which is crazy since a few weeks ago she wasn't even really crawling! She's beautiful and sweet and smart and so silly. And a year ago she was born. Where did that 365 days go?

Sisters

2011-04-11T15:06:00.002-05:00

Pictures of the horror!!!!

2011-04-06T08:12:00.001-05:00

New Looks!

2011-04-04T21:32:00.003-05:00

No, not for me. For Alexandria and Sydney. Why the toddler makeover, you ask? Because, last night, long after they should have been slumbering in their beds, they snuck out of said beds, procured a pair of school scissors that Jackson had used that day to create paper "action figures", and proceeded to have a grand ole time playing "beauty salon," featuring Alex as the beautician. And what a job she did. She hacked a huge hole in the back of her hair and significantly thinned out Sydney's locks. So tonight, Emanuel and I took them to Super Cuts where they had a turn in the real beautician's chair. Alex and chopped so much of her hair right down the middle in the back that the only "fix" was to style her hair into a Kate Gosselin sweep bob. Sydney received some layers to hide the damage and to fill in the lopsided patch on the side of her head.
I'll post pictures tomorrow.
I didn't even bother getting mad. I just laughed. It's hair and it will grow and plus what's the point of being sad? (even though I secretly am sort of sad about it...I'm not really a fan of short hair on little girls)What's done is, well, done.
Albert is very sad about it though. Although he was able to muster up enough pretend happiness to compliment the girls on their new hair syles when we returned from Super Cuts. They were both beaming and proud, until Brandon ruined the moment by exclaiming "What the heck? They look like two dudes!" Thank you, Brandon. That was helpful.

It's Alexanria and Sydney's Turn!!!

2011-04-01T20:26:00.003-05:00

As I promised,girls, your bathroom letter has been drafted. And now posted.

Dear Alexandria and Sydney,
I have saved your letter for last, because while issues abound regarding your brother's use, or misuse of the toilet, THEY are at least, making it in to the bathroom when they potty and thus are at least standing on linoleum. You girls on the other hand, persist on going potty everywhere except the room for which it was intended. Ladies, I am very tired of changing sheets and laundering bedding. I do not wish to Lysol the plastic mattress protector each and every morning nor do I enjoy the grotesque feeling of still warm pee-pee pooling around my toes when I step on the carpet in your bedroom.
Alexandria, you are four years old. My goodness, you are in Pre-K! Such a big girl! Please, please, please go to the bathroom and sit on the potty when you wake up in the morning rather than just letting loose in bed. I know its cozy under the covers and yes, its hard to get up and face the morning. But you must, must, must potty in the toilet. You know its getting to a ridiculous point when you have learned to strip off your wet clothing and leave them in a pile outside your door each morning for me to pick up and wash.
Sydney. Sydney, Sydney, Sydney. I'm not even sure what to say. Your issue doesn't seem to be the lack of ability to make it to the bathroom on time, No, yours seems to be almost a pathology. You seem to quite enjoy wetting your pants, wetting the bed, wetting the bedroom floor, even wetting the bathroom floor. Why, Sydney? Surely, I give you enough attention and time. The other day when you realized you needed to potty you started to head towards the bathroom, but then realizing that you didn't want to miss out on all the action of waiting for Ali's bus on the front porch, you simply shrugged your shoulders and went ahead and pottied in your pants. This is madness Sydney. Sometimes even when you are in the bathroom, you just pee on the floor instead of in the toilet. I can't understand this, but I'm trying. I guess at least you made it to the bathroom...
Please girls, use the bathroom. The toilet in the bathroom to be more specific.
No more wet beds please ladies. Or I fear you will be sleeping in pull-ups through college. I love you.
Patiently waiting,
Mom

Today Was Picture Day At School...

2011-03-30T15:55:00.002-05:00

Crappppppppppppppp!
I totally forgot. I know, BIG SURPRISE. Again, I will be waiting for the mail truck to deliver my Mom of the Year award!
And yes, my kids went to school in football teeshirts, frayed blue jeans and in one case, black shoes with a brown shirt. Yikes.

Open letter to my sons regarding the state of our bathroom

2011-03-30T13:45:00.006-05:00

Dear sons,
I have just emerged from scrubbing the abomination you call a bathroom. I don't understand how some of you...no, several of you, keep missing the toilet. The bowl is a large, oval, open target. How difficult is it for you to direct your penises at the correct target when you pee? I'm a little perplexed at how pee-pee ends up in such a variety of unexpected and incorrect locations in the bathroom. What exactly are you doing in there? Perhaps we should review a few basic bathroom principles. When someone calls your name or otherwise interrupts you whilst you are using the bathroom, please do not turn your entire body, penis included, in the direction of the person talking. You can still answer while keeping your mind on the task at hand. No pun intended. Also, when you use the bathroom, please keep your body at a close distance to the toilet. If you are going #2, please remain seated on the toilet THE WHOLE TIME. As in, until you have completely finished. Isaiah, please refrain from slidddingggggggggg down from the toilet at the completion of your business, smearing all the way.
Additionally Isaiah, I would like you to know that Mommy LOVES your hand prints. I find them adorable. However, I much prefer them dipped in paint and printed on construction paper rather than dipped in poop and printed on the bathroom wall. Please do not let this happen again.
Boys, I would like our bathroom to be a pleasant place for all of us. Currently it is rather like a grizzly crime scene. I sincerely appreciate your attention to this matter and very much hope that we won't need to discuss this again.
Love,
Mom

Dear Sydney and Alexandria,
I am saving your bathroom letter for another day. But it is coming. It is coming.
Love,
Mom

All Together Again

2011-03-27T20:26:00.003-05:00

Isaiah was released from the hospital this afternoon. We are all home together again. True to Fontenot Family form, somehow the outfit we had brought for Isaiah to wear home had accidentally been taken home yesterday when Albert had brought back some of our things to make discharge day easier. So upon signing our release papers, when we started to dress him- no clothes. So, he happily left the hospital wearing...wait for it...A University of South Carolina Snuggie, and a diaper! And since he'd just received another dose of Mag Citrate, I rode all the way home chanting "Please don't poop on my snuggie, please don't poop on my snuggie, please don't poop on my snuggie!"
It feels great to have everyone home again. Albert and I are exhausted. Isaiah is not. He is full of energy. It was hard getting him to go to bed! Yay for sleeping next to my husband for the first time in five nights and yay for having all ten of our babies safe and sound in their beds!

Back and Forth

2011-03-25T23:18:00.002-05:00

This week we are running back and forth quite a bit. Back and forth from the hospital. Isaiah is having more problems with going poop, and he was admitted on Tuesday evening for ng Go-Lytely solution. He's STILL on the Go-Lytely and still hasn't gotten his system flushed out. As of this evening, his doctor said he may still be there another couple of days. I feel so horrible for him, although as of tonight his spirits are better and he seems much more comfortable, having gotten some of his poop out. He is on a liquid diet and really wants pizza! At least he's desiring something. Up until today he just said he wasn't hungry.
Drew and Manny have been great at helping at home while we've been back and forth to the hospital. My dilemma is that I want and need to be in two places at once. Isaiah needs me at the hospital with him. Yet, Mia is still nursing and can't be left for very long. So, Albert has been pulling the majority of hospital duty. He's been there constantly since Tuesday night, comming home only briefly a couple times to switch cars. I have made two trips, for several hours each to visit, but sadly, can't stay with him since we have other little ones that need me here. Mia has taken a couple bottles of formula from her brothers which has bought me a few precious hours with Isaiah, knowing that I didn't have to rush back home to feed her. Still, I can't rely too heavily on the formula or my milk supply might dwindle, but it sure is nice to have available in a pinch such as this one. So it looks like the weekend will consist of more hospital running. I'm so glad that Isaiah is feeling much better and I hope he'll be all cleaned out soon so he can come home. He has lots of siblings that miss him!

A Little Bit Sad...

2011-03-19T22:38:00.003-05:00

In less than a month, my sweet Miss Mia will be a year old. A YEAR OLD! I don't understand where the time has gone. I remember so well holding her freshly born little body against my chest in the delivery room, I remember all those tiny pink and purple newborn outfits I had bought and hung up in my closet waiting for her to wear them...and then, I was so delighted as she wore each of them, and filled up memory cards with picture after picture. She might actually be the most documented baby in Fontenot Family history...okay so part of this might be because Albert had bought me a brand new Cannon Rebel right before she was born...
I have loved every single second of this year with her. I am such a different mom now, at thirty-four, than I was at nineteen. I often joke about the fact that our younger children have really gotten a far better mother in so many ways, than what our older couple of kids got. I was so young back then...and now I am so much more confident and knowledgeable and so much less likely to be influenced by what I read, or what I hear other people say. I feel so much freer now to raise my babies MY way and I think that turns out to be far better for them than if I just went along parenting them unintentionally and haphazardly.
But I digress...
Mia will be one soon and our first year together will be over. My baby will be gone and I'll have a toddler. In some ways, that prospect is a lot of fun. Albert and I both long for the day when we don't have to lug a diaper bag around everywhere, when we don't have six car seats in our van, when we can stop buying diapers...and Mia's one year milestone just brings us that much closer to those things. And I am so excited to see how she will grow, to find out what she'll look like at 18 months, at three, in kindergarten. But part of me also wants to slow down time, and just keep her as an infant a while longer. I love her teeny tiny hands and feet. Her complete reliance and trust in me. Her sleepy smile in the morning. The way she cries for me when I walk into the room if someone else is holding her. I don't want that to change, I don't want to give that up.
Mia is probably our last baby. In some ways, I absolutely love saying that. We're done!!!! In other ways, I'm not so sure. It feels a bit sad, and empty. Don't ask me how I feel both ways at once, I can't explain it, but I do. For example, I'm looking so forward to going into this summer NOT PREGNANT. It feels so good, physically and mentally. My body is not working double time, my hormones are under control, I have things to wear that actually button and zip, I don't feel like I will die without a nap, I am through with the sleep deprivation stage, all my babies sleep through the night. Yet when I pass newborn clothes at Babies-R-Us, I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel a twinge. I don't know if that twinge means I really want another baby one day...but I'm not a hundred percent certain it means I don't.
Albert, on the other hand, is pretty close to 100 per cent certain. He hears the call of a private beach somewhere with just the two of us and knows full well that dreams like these can never be a reality as long as I have a nursling...or two.

And so all of this makes Mia just a little extra bittersweet for me. She's my last baby. And I am in no hurry to let any of her stages, phases or milestones hurry by. I want them to linger...and linger some more. As babies go, she has been fairly needy and requires a lot of time and attention. And I loved it. Even the parts that I normally wouldn't have been so excited about. I gladly woke up with her as much or as little as she needed as a newborn. When she wanted to sleep in her swing, she slept in the swing. When she wanted to co sleep, we co slept and when she wanted to sleep in her crib, we transitioned her there. These are things I can't say of my first couple babies, whom I raised in different ways...ways that work fine for some, but not for me. With my last few little ones, I've finally found my way of doing things, which surprise, surprise has simply been to do what baby needs me to do. So maybe that's the part that is hard for me to let go of...but I digress again.

Next month, I won't have a little baby, or one on the way, for the first time in a long time. And I'm so happy about that and a little bit sad about that all at the same time. My sweet Mia is such a joy and an honor and a blessing to take care of and it is such a privilege that God picked me, to be her mom. I don't want to miss a second of anything that's to come...with her or her amazingly precious nine siblings. I am blessed to have exactly what I grew up wanting in life. Exactly. I know I can't freeze time, and I wouldn't if I could, because if I did, I'd miss out on what's in store for tomorrow. But I don't mind if she takes her time growing up. It's okay if she wants to go slow...I'll wait.

Privacy

2011-03-17T09:59:00.000-05:00

This is a word that has come up repetedly in our house over the past few days. Particulary because, well...there isn't much of it. Not for the kids and not for us. With ten kids, two parents and four bedrooms, no one gets their own room. When the kids complain about this (which is pretty rare) I remind them that I don't have my own room either, I share with their Dad (and for now, Baby Mia). In fact, I don't even have my own bed! The kids each share with two other siblings. We are fortunate that the rooms are fairly spacious and so there is enough room that everyone should be comfortable. Still, those looking for a quiet retreat away from others, a place to be alone and uninterrupted had probably better take a walk outside somewhere, because they aren't likely to find solitude in their bedroom.
And neither are we. In fact, lately its been a struggle to find um, couple time at all. Intimate couple time. Okay, so frankly I'm talking about sex. Our bedroom seems to be constantly invaded. By toddler and teenagers alike. The door locks, but we have those easy-peasy-to-pick locks, which some kids have learned to pick with just their thumbnail. Even some of the littelist kids (read: Sydney) can pick the lock that way and do so in one seemless move, so that there isn't even much warning. The knob just sort of twists and opens. Hello!
No matter where we are in the house, children are in close proximity. Even when we are in our room, usually children are right outside playing in thier loft or rooms. Whenever we start to think about having "time togther" we have to weigh the odds of anyone realizing they need something, or want something or maybe just want to tattle on a sibling and barging through the door. Walking in on your parents must be a pretty horrific thing and being walked in on by your children is equally disturbing. And we have been walked in on a few times and almost walked in on countless others. Recently we were alone in our room and heard a kid attempt to walk in. Immediatley Albert asked who was there. It was Drew. Albert then told him to go downstairs and not try to walk in when the door is locked agian and to try to remember to KNOCK FIRST. Drew let out a disgusted groan and commented that we were "nasty" and then went on his way downstairs. Well, that sort of ruins the moment. I'm really getting sick of having to hide in closets, bathrooms or worse yet, park in some seculded area late at night. I can only imagine being rolled up on by a police cruiser. Heck no officer, we aren't teenagers parking...we're the parents of ten kids who can't find a decent place in our house to have sex without being walked in on, so here we are, parked outside, by the woods (way, way outside...where no one can see). Yikes, that would be a nightmare. I suppose we could just be glad for the interruptions and lack of privacy and call it birth control. After all, this is the longest I've gone without getting pregnant in a very long while. In years, in fact. Maybe one day, years down the road, we'll have the house to ourselves and all our children will have moved away and started thier own families (can you imagine? I can't!). Until then, I guess it's bathrooms, closets and the occassional late night drive...

Overwhelmed.

2011-03-11T07:54:00.001-06:00

Lately, I have been struggling to keep up. Surprise. I know. I feel like a juggler in the circus with too many balls in the air. Or like a mom without enough hours in the day. It's not necessarily a bad type of overwhelmed, its just a busy- regular life type. I'm quite sure I'm not even close to the only woman who feels this way. I'm quite sure its totally normal and typical and experienced daily by moms and women across the globe.

My particular brand of overwhelmed goes something like this. I'm sick to death of kids wetting the bed. Wetting the couch. Wetting their pants. How hard is it to pee in the toilet??? I'm so tired of laundering sheets and wet Dora panties. I have all the little kid's beds coated in plastic so that at least the solution is as simple as changing sheets, and lysol-ing the plastic.

I'm tired of grumpy teenagers. The ones (well,in our home, its the two) who make me feel like such a dork and totally inadequate. They do every single thing I ask them to, and they are great kids. I can't complain. But try to start a conversation with either of them about anything meaningful and they make it pretty clear (by saying absolutely nothing and avoiding eye contact) that they'd rather be having a root canal at the dentist's office then having this conversation. Does this stage pass? Anyone who has lived through the teen years? Will I become cool again? I used to be cool. They used to want to go to the store with me, or spend time talking. Now I have to bribe them with something they want. I feel like I don't know them. Like they are slipping away from me. Like everyone knows them better than I do. I do ask them directly what's going on in their lives and I don't get much in the way of an answer. Mostly just the much-dreaded "nothing."

And the ying to this yang is Bree. She is apparently, operating under the false beleif that her body is physically connected to mine. Seriously, she's in a stage right now where she has to be on top of my lap or in my arms 100 percent of her waking hours. If I have to put her down, she puts her hand into my back pocket and follows me where ever I go in the house. She even goes to the bathroom with me. When I take a shower, she sits on the toilet seat across from me and smiles. If I must put her down, because God forbid, one of our other nine children need attention, she howls and cries "Noooooooooo, Mommy, noooooooooo!" It's quite heart wrenching. She will tolerate Mia sitting on my lap next to her. She loves Mia. They hold hands, and Bree strokes her face and head. And leans over to kiss her. And kisses her again. And then accidentally bops her in the head with a toy...ugggg. In some ways, I find it incredibly endearing, though challenging. And I wouldn't refuse her. I don't believe in that. I believe strongly its a stage that will pass and that my job as her mom is to provide what she needs in this stage so that she can move on healthfully to the next. But that doesn't mean it isn't challenging or stressful.

I totally realize that the stress I am under result from the enormous flow of blessings in my life. And I wouldn't change that at all. This is all good stress. This is completely and totally the type of stress I signed up for in being a mom. I love it and it wears me out. It makes so cry tears of joy when I watch Brice blow out his birthday candles or look down at Bree and Mia holding hands while they nurse, and it also makes me run down the stairs like a freed prisoner when I lay the little kids down for a nap. I know that all my little kids won't be such little kids for long. Soon Bree might not want to be constantly attached to me and then that will make me cry too, like now, with Manny and Drew.

I also realize that this beautiful and amazing job I signed up for- motherhood- is all encompassing. I don't have a single aspect of my life that isn't totally consumed by it. To put it bluntly, there aren't any other sides to me anymore. It's sort of a sad feeling to realize that I have nothing else to offer the world besides this, or to contemplate the list of things I really just can't relate to anymore.And I don't mean that in a morose type of way, just in a simple, that's-the-way-it-is way. Motherhood has completely washed out any remnant of anything else that was there before. It's my job and my life.It's the basis of every choice and decision I make. I can't clock out or go home. It's...my whole life. And I love it. I decided a long itme ago that I'd rather have babies, than things. I'd rather have babies than trips, I'd rather have babies than a career. And I stand by that choice a million percent and would pick it again and again. But the enormity of it sometimes makes me feel, well...overwhelmed. Not at all overburdened. Just overwhelmed.

Thirty-Five and Six

2011-03-10T07:39:00.002-06:00

Two days ago, Albert celebrated the big thirty-five, and Brice celebrated the big Six! Happy birthday to two of my seven favorite men in the whole world! We had a great time. Albert and I snuck out with just Brice and took him to Chuck E. Cheese for a couple hours. It was around 3:30, so it wasn't crowded yet. It felt so weird to just order ONE pizza and not a table full of them! We came home and had pineapple-caramel cake, as requested by Daddy and Brice. Okay well, really, in the interest of full disclosure I should say that this means we BOUGHT a cake from the grocery store bakery that was basically a pound-cake, and then I made the pineapple-carmel topping and poured it over the pound cake. It was delicious, and very sweet! Albert and I only had a small taste since we are trying to eat healthier...the kids tore it up!

Saturday we are doing a barbecue for Albert and Brice and the kids are excited about that. We love to celebrate here. We love family parties, and we love to strech out birthdays into week long events. I suppose one of the bonus items of a big family is that we always have enough people to celebrate in a big, fun way, even if we don't invite anyone else! In this case, we're hoping Albert's sister and her boys join us. We'll take lots of pictures!

Did Anyone Know???

2011-03-05T17:50:00.002-06:00

That there were 540 calories in Taco Bell's crunchwrap supreme? Are you serious? I ate, like half of one, just absentmindedly while I was dividing them up for the babies. Ugggg, no wonder I never loose any weight...Yikes.

Random Birthday Reflections

2011-03-03T20:50:00.003-06:00

It's hard to believe she is almost one! And even harder to believe we've almost made it through her first year without being pregnant again. That hasn't happened in several babies....or several years. Weather or not there will ever be anymore babies is still up for debate (I'd say probably in the future) but for now we are sure enjoying this little princess and her three princess sisters and six super fab brothers (who would probably NOT like being referred to as princes, that would be too lame).
A few days ago, I took some photos to use for Mia's birthday/Baby dedication party we are having next month. She didn't cooperate super well, but we still came out with few usable ones. The dress and birthday crown she is wearing for the pics are the ones I bought her for her party. The crown came from Sophia's Style which is my absolute new favorite place to shop online for baby girl clothing. The dress came from Once Upon A Child, which is a longstanding favorite of mine...I love resale. I paid a whopping five bucks for this beautiful dress. It will also be her Easter dress.
I've been in full party planning mode for weeks now. Maybe months. I'm taking a break though because in just a few days, its my amazing hubby AND our sweet little Brice's birthday party. We are planning a low key family party for them because they, along with Jackson have chosen to get tickets to Monday Night Raw in a couple weeks when it comes to St. Louis....they wanted that more than a birthday party. They are so excited they can hardly stand it!
Enjoy the pictures. They were hard fought to take. Notice the ones with the crown on are close ups. That's because I was holding her hands down with one of my hands to prevent her from pulling it off, which she does immediately as soon as it hits her head, and trying to photograph with the free hand. Not so easy. But we got a shot that works for the invite. And yes, I know you can see the string from the hat, but I was doing the best I could with a rather uncooperative birthday subject!

Like and Love

2011-03-02T20:37:00.002-06:00

“Do you like me, Mommy?” This was the question asked by Alexandria tonight, as she sat on my lap, after I had finished folding laundry. It was such an innocent, precious question, and it totally caught me off guard.
“Of course, I like you Alex!” I answered her. I told her that I thought she was awesome and incredible. I told her how I thought she was super smart, and beautiful and how sweet she was. She sat there, in my lap, with her arms draped around my neck, soaking in every word.
Long after she had gone up to bed, I was still a little unsettled by her question. Why did she ask if I liked her? I tell each of my children daily that I love them, just as my parents did for me, but I have never before contemplated whether or not they know that I LIKE them. That I like the person they are becoming, that I think their personality is terrific. While I’ve done a wonderful job of making sure they know that they are loved unconditionally and no matter what, I haven’t ever really taken the time to make sure they understand that above and beyond that unconditional love…that love that parents have for their children almost inherently, that I also LIKE them meritoriously, I like them as people, for their own unique characteristics- I guess in a way, its the complete opposite of the unconditional love concept I have ingrained into their little brains and I very much need them to be secure in both…in the fact that I love them unconditionally, regardless of anything they do or don’t do, regardless and because of who they are or aren’t…and I like them specifically and uniquely for the people they are growing up to be.
In this house with twelve strong, independent personalities, It’s important for our children to understand that they are valued, their differences are appreciated, what they bring to this family is treasured. It’s vital that they feel validated as their own person and that they use that as a platform to gain the confidence and self assurance we all need in this world.
Yes, Alexandria, I like you! I like your sweetness, your ability to be so affectionate, the compassion and empathy you display even at only four years old. I like your super girly ways, your dramatic displays, your funny conversations. I like how you mother your baby sisters, how you enjoy making friends and how excited you are about school. And yes, even in our crowded household where things often seem very busy and rushed- I notice each and every one of these things about you. You are a very special girl, who will grow into a very special woman. I love you with my whole heart. And I like you tremendously.

Cousins who share together...

2011-02-26T14:05:00.004-06:00

...get sick together!!!

This is Mia and her cousin Cade. They shared a lot of things during our trip to Knoxville. Most importantly- germs. Cade is currently hospitalized for RSV. The poor little guy has been feeling sick for well over a week now. In addition to his RSV, he also has a UTI and some type of tummy bug.

This is Mia and her cousin Cameron. Cameron currently is suffering from both the flu and strep throat. He's been miserable for the last few days and I think he's just now feeling better. He missed lots of school and generally felt very crummy. Poor Cam even had to get a shot at the doctor's office.

The point of these photos, of cousins who share, besides the ridiculous cute-ness quotient, is that Mia has in fact, borrowed from both of her cousins and was diagnosed yesterday with both RSV and Strep throat. Plus, she has another ear infection. Hoping for a very uneventful weekend, as we are watching her breathing very closely.
And hoping that baby Cade can be released from the hospital very soon and that he stays hydrated and feels better!

Back to the Grind!

2011-02-21T20:43:00.003-06:00

I've been home with my babies since Saturday afternoon. I am loving it. They are loving it. We've laid low this weekend, and today since the kids were off school. We've just hung around, ran errands and done laundry.
Tomorrow we are back to the daily grind of getting up, getting ready for school and homework, dinner and so forth. I have pics to post and will get to that in the next couple of days. For now, I'm getting a good nights sleep before the start of the week tomorrow! Here are a couple of pictures to tide you over!

One More Day

2011-02-18T14:53:00.002-06:00

Until I'm home with my babies! All of them. I am missing the nine I don't have with me tremendously, even though I'm having a fabulous time here. Being here has been a sort of eye opening experience, showing me again, how different my life is and how it would be with say, just one little one to care for. I have loved the calm, the quiet. And at times, just relished the delicious silence. But you know what? I think I prefer the chaos. I miss the snuggles and the cuddles and the laughter and happy voices. Even though I know that comes hand and hand with the yelling and sibling arguments and homework and constant running, running, running.
I've eaten out at restaurants every single meal except for the amazing steak dinner I had at my dear friends, Anna and Lisa's home. I haven't cooked a meal in almost a week. I've had time to shower, put on lotion, make-up, perfume and straighten my hair. It's been so awesome. The unexpected relief that comes from being at the mall and realizing suddenly that I don't need to rush because, well, I have no reason to be back soon is quite addicting really.
I have volumes to add to these thoughts, and tons of pictures to post too. But it'll have to wait for me to get home tomorrow. For now, I'll just say that being here, and having this time with my Mom and my sisters and my awesome friends and the week with just Mia to focus on has done amazing things for my inner peace and my energies regarding parenthood. But I'm also so ready to sleep next to my husband and to cook for my children and hug them and kiss them. Maybe in the summer I can sneak in another few days to myself....

Guess where I am????

2011-02-14T10:19:00.003-06:00

I am in Knoxville for my Mom's birthday!!! Just Mia and I.
Way back at Christmastime, Albert had booked my ticket as a gift for me (and I must say, a six day break with only one baby is a HUGE gift!). So yesterday, after saying goodbye to my older babies and lots of hugs and kisses, Mia and I left for the airport! I flew into Nashville and my sister Katie picked me up and we drove to Knoxville, where we surprised my mom, who seriously, had no idea! It was really great. My sister Ashley has a baby who is very close in age to Mia (they are exactly six weeks apart). We met up with Ashley and her hubby Justin at the gas station just in front of Mom's house. We switched babies! Then, Ashley and Justin went to Mom's like normal and Katie and I hid outside down the street a bit, and we waited to see how long it would take Mom to notice Ashley had the wrong baby (we had called Justin's phone and he had it on speaker so we could hear what was going on in the house). After a few minutes, sure enough we heard mom yell "That's not your baby! That's Angela's baby!" It was a great surprise.
Today, mom is at work and I don't know what to do with myself. I JUST have Mia. The extra time is unbelievable. We've had breakfast, she's had a bath, gotten dressed. We've taken pictures of her in her cute Valentines day outfit, I've done homework, we've played, I've been on email and facebook, Mia has laid down for her nap, I've showered and straightened my hair...now I'm blogging and its not even noon! And I'm sitting in a clean house because mom keeps hers that way, unlike me! This is crazy!
But, I miss my little ones and the usual chaos of our days!
Waiting now for Ashley to come over so we can go to lunch. I LOVE my husband for this...

An Open Letter to the Family Who Persisted In Allowing Thier Child To Run Around Bamboo Valley Buffet on Saturday, February 6th

2011-02-08T20:37:00.009-06:00

Dear fellow Bamboo Valley Buffet Patrons,
Last Saturday night, February 6th, 2011 our paths crossed as both of our families dinned on yummy chineese food at Bamboo Valley, Mongolian BBQ and buffet. My family enjoys this restaurant regularly and we always have an excellent experience. On Saturday, however, I was greatly disturbed by something and I would like to bring it to your attention.
As I returned from the buffet, with my plate full of food, I almost stumbled on something. It was something short and pudgy. Something doubtlessly adorable, but even more doubtlessly out of place. It was your child...about two years old, sweet little face..yes, you know the one. At first I thought perhaps she had just climbed down from her chair and you were helping her back to your table, but then I realized this was not the case. A few moments later, she appeared at our table, and at the table of several others, touching things on the table, grabbing the baby's hands and generally disrupting dinner. I don't want to see rude, and I genuinely think your child is really cute, however, I would greatly appreciate your understanding that at a restaurant your kid should remain seated with you. It is exceedingly impolite for you to allow her to interuppt other people's dinner or for you to assume that no one minds being constantly distracted. I understand that eating at a restaurant is eating in a shared space and I don't want to seem unreasonable in my expectations. However, I try very hard to make sure that my children do not bother or disrupt others and I'd appreciate the same consideration. I would never allow my little ones to cruise over to your table, interupt your conversations or pull on your baby's arms and legs while I stand back and smile. And if you met my five year old, you'd know that this is not without great effort on my part.
Simply put, I think children should remain seated in a restaurant with their parents at all times. Call me old fashioned but I find it unacceptable to allow them to leave their seats to roam the floor at will, talk in abnormally loud voices or otherwise become a nuisance to others. I believe that parents have a responsiblity to other patrons and to the restaurant at large to keep their children close to them, relatively quiet and in their chairs.
Thank you to your attention to this matter. Wishing you pleasant dinning!
angela fontenot
the-mean-mom-who-doesn't-allow-her-kids-to-leave-their-seats-or-talk-loudly-in-restaurants.

Cabin Fever...

2011-02-04T12:38:00.004-06:00

I'm so sick and tired of ice. Yes, it's beautiful. Yes, the snow days and the extra time they bring are nice (although maybe not as nice as a quiet afternoon spent with six kids in school!) but the slick roads and chilling temps are starting to wear on me. I'm ready for warm weather, blue skys rather than grey and getting out of the house without having to put fifty pounds of gear on the little ones and then stand outside of my van freezing my tail off while buckeling lots of kiddos into car seats, only to have to do it again at every stop.And I'm not even going to mention how long it takes for a fifteen passenger van to heat up, even with the heater on full blast. Okay, well I sort of just did...it takes a really long time. Like, half way to our destination long.
The funny thing is, that even as I type, I know that the heat of mid summer is going to bring similar woes and complaints about how ready I am for fall! That's just how I am though....I think I want to move somewhere else. Somewhere were the weather is a nice, even, comfy 75-80 degrees year round. Anyone have any suggestions?

Make-A-Wish...

2011-01-31T18:55:00.008-06:00

I told you we had a surprise (that is not a baby, I repeat...not a baby) and I am excited to share it with you now.
This past Saturday, Albert and I did something we've wanted to do for a couple of years now. We drove up to Kansas City, Missouri and checked into the Westin Crown Center Hotel (fabulicious by the way). Then, Albert and Brandon donned ivory and chocolate matching tuxedo's...

I got dressed up in a beautiful chocolate satin ball gown...

...and we walked downstairs...

...To the 2011...

We are sending out a HUGE Thank-You to the Kansas City chapter of Make-A-Wish for welcoming us so heartily. We had an absolute blast. The gala was beautiful and we were seated at a table with other wish families who had amazing children who are surviving their illness and kicking cancer and a wide variety of other disorders in the butt! We sat with a little boy named B who is a walking miracle. Diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, B's tumors seemed aggressive and difficult to treat. However, he had an amazing, excellent repsonse to an experimental treatment in Philadelphia at C.H.O.P. and as a result, he is tumor free and has remained so for some time now...hearing that story, two years almost to the date of sweet Tuesday's passing brought tears of joy to my eyes. I remembered our friends Nick and Maddie who also lost their brave battles to Neuroblastoma and my heart felt so happy for this little boy who is beating the socks of off Neuroblastoma and his amazing family who we really enjoyed getting to meet and spend an evening with.His story is so amazing, in fact, that I will be in contact with his mother, to ask her permission to share his web-site with everyone. We also met a little girl named J and her family. J is surviving kidney cancer and is also doing beautifully. She was out on the dance floor partying and having a grand time. We saw a little boy who is surviving a serious heart condition, and a young artist who is surviving optical tumors.
We met hundreds of amazing people, people who fund the wishes all of our children make and who bring so much joy and happiness to families of sick children.
The Wish Ball was beautiful. Sumptuous food, beautiful decorations, not to mention great wine! We participated in a silent auction and Brandon bid (and won!) on an autographed Alex Gordon (Kansas City Royals) baseball bat that he cracked while hitting a home run! We watched a live auction, and most importantly watched lots of smiles. We saw people give so generously, from their hearts, money to help fund Make-A-Wish. We were so honored to be there.
Unfortunately, Brandon was not feeling well so he had to return to our hotel room halfway through dinner (where his awesome brother Emanuel had accompanied us to babysit Mia). we plan to attend next year, so hopefully Bear will be able to spend the whole evening with us then!
Here are a few more pictures of our amazing night.

and just because the night view of Kansas City from our hotel room window was so amazing...

Double Ear Infection and a Surprise Coming Soon...A Surprise That Is NOT a Baby.

2011-01-26T20:07:00.003-06:00

Today is one of those days, where bedtime can't come quickly enough (and its almost here). I feel like I've been running errands all day...the pediatrician's office, the grocery store, Target, Once Upon a Child, the pharmacy, back to the elementary school because Jackson forgot his homework there. I'm really ready to go to bed- after I pack Brice's lunch for his field trip tomorrow (to see Elmo on Ice!) and finish these last two loads of laundry.
As mentioned, I went to the pediatrician with Mia and as it turns out, she has a double ear infection. She's on amoxicillian now so hopefully she'll be back to herself. She's miserable now, and alternates between fussing and sleeping.
I really hope she'll be better this weekend. Why, you ask? Well, I can't tell you just yet, but I will very soon! Soon, as in...Monday. It's something really fun and really exciting...and no, we aren't pregnant again.
Wishing everyone a happy rest-of-the-week!

Another Sick Baby

2011-01-23T10:41:00.002-06:00

Mia is the latest of the Fontenot children to come down with the "mystery virus" that I'm starting to think may well be the flu. Last night her temp was over 103 and she was breathing so darn fast. I know that's normal when a baby has a fever, as is the whole rapid heartbeat thing, but that doesn't make it less worrysome. I spent the night curled up with blankets and pillows on the floor next to her crib so I could be near her. I'm sure you're wondering why not just let her sleep in bed with me, and the answer is...Mia doesn't prefer. She won't sleep anywhere except a crib anymore, so it was get no sleep in bed or get a little bit of sleep on the floor. She did great through the night. She slept until ten o'clock this morning, when we came downstairs together to a kitchen full of children and toddlers eating various fooods for breakfast. Ah, well.
This morning her temp is still 102. We're doing Tylenol....she doesn't take it willingly though...so it's a struggle each time I give it to her.
Hoping she feels better today and that no one else is sick. As of last night, the twins still had low grade fevers and were cranky and crabby. Seriously, that should have been their names last night. Cranky and Crabby. Albert and the older boys have to go back to the old house to continue laying tile. Praying for a better day...espicially for Mia...

Milk Is Flowing and Other Random Reflections

2011-01-21T12:42:00.004-06:00

...with abundance. I did indeed, get a prescription for Reglan, from Tammy, the world's most amazing and awesome midwife. Within two doses of taking it, I had plenty of milk. Plenty for Mia. Plenty of milk for Bree. Since my milk has received such a boost, I have only had to supplement with formula twice...so far zero side effects.
In other news, we still haven't taken Mia for her X-ray of her skull. We're planning to go on Tuesday.
We still a nasty virus going throughout the house. Yesterday we were sure everyone was better (and it was a snow day) but this morning, Alexandria woke up hot again and Sydney also didn't feel well.
This is the second week of school in the current quarter. So far, it's the most interesting class I've ever taken. Ever. It's criminal profiling, and I've never in my life been excited to do homework! This may be the first textbook I've actually read! I'd say just joking but I'm not. In fact, sometimes I take whole courses without ever even ordering the textbook. Probably shouldn't admit that. But these two books, for this class, are totally worth the money and the time spent reading. Which brings me to another point. I know I haven't been updating the blog as often or as in depth as I normally do. Here's the thing. My class takes up a fair amount of time, and my children lately, have been taking up an even greater amount of time, and I like that. I've been spending lots of time just cuddling, reading and playing (and I'm not the best at the playing part...) I've also been organizing our home a little bit, in preparation for Miss Mia's first birthday party, when we will have lots of out of town company. I have redone Mia's "nursery." Those of you know have been to our house, know why the word nursery is in quotes. For those of you who haven't, I'll tell you. Mia's nursery is my closet. I know it sounds appalling to think of a baby sleeping in a closet, but let me explain. This closet is huge and at least the size, at least, of a small bedroom. Mia's crib fits easily, along with her dresser and even the other girls' dresser. I promise, it's plenty big and plenty safe for a nursery. It's even climate controlled. Having her there means she has her own space where she won't be picked at or prodded by older toddlers and the best part is, it keeps her close to me. I've spent the last couple days packing up big boxes of her newborn, 0-3, and 3-6 month outfits and pre-arranging summer clothes for next season. Actually, I've been doing this for all the girls, which is a bit time consuming but should make the big' semi-annual cold weather/warm weather clothing swap out more manageable. I've also been in the throes of mount washmore and am proud to say, I've come pretty darn close to tackling it! With lots of help from my hubby.
On a final note, Brandon (who is at home convalescing from an eye injury caused by an air soft war between him and his Dad) taught Mia to say "BIG SHOW!" as in the wrestling move. She even mimics the voice inflection. I'd say it's cute, but really it's a bit redneck. I'm going to write it in her baby book!
That's all the news from here. Until later on.....