Melodramatic

This was the worst week of my life. No, but really. Which I guess when I think of how much worse it could have been, I really don't have it that bad. But this week will be going on our record books. Let's start at the very beginning.

Monday: We wake up to a terribly hacking Korban and I know immediately that the doctor's office has just been added to our long to-do list for the day. I call and after they realize that it's my 3 year old hacking in the background, the one who had pneumonia the previous week, they squeeze us in for a 9:45 appointment. I get Kennady ready and take her over to the school for meet the teacher day. First we stop by the transportation office to turn in her bus registration, which I was told to bring back on the first day of school. I'm met by the secretary with a look of extreme exasperation, like her eyeballs almost got stuck in the back of her head. "Those had to be back on Friday," she informs me. "Oh. I didn't realize that. They told me to bring it back on the first day of school. What can I do?" I ask. "Nothing. It's too late. She won't be able to ride the bus." Kennady, who is standing behind me, is instantly crushed, because her lifelong dream has been to ride the school bus. "She won't be able to ride this year?" "No. She won't be able to ride until we get her registered." "Can we do that now?" "No. I'm too busy. It's going to take a few days." "There's really nothing I can do?" She rolls her eyes again and calls for the manager. He comes over, I tell him what's going on and he says, "Those were due on Friday, we can't just take late registration." "Sorry, I never saw the Friday due date anywhere, not even on your Website where I printed the form, and we're new here, so I've never done this before. Is there anyway we can get her registered so she can ride the bus tomorrow?" "The earliest I can get it done is Wednesday." "So, what if I can't pick her up from school, then what?" "She'd just have to miss the first day of school I guess."

Now it is 9:15. We head to meet her teacher. Wait. Stop. Must fill out 10000 forms before you can pass. "No offense, but I'm kind of in a hurry, I have a dr appointment I have to get to, I'd be happy to fill these out and send them back with my daughter tomorrow. Or I could even bring them by later today." You shall not pass. Ok, speed writing. Hold on, are these the same forms that I already filled out in her registration packet? Yes.

Now it is 9:35. Hi teacher! So nice to meet you. Sorry, I have a million questions I'd like to ask you about my baby going to Kindergarten, but my head is all discombobulated and I'm running out of time. Instead I'll just fill out some more forms and stack Kleenex's in a giant pile over there. Do they really need 18 glue sticks?

9:50. Ben, we are just leaving, be there soon.

10:00 Hi, my son is back there and I need to go back to switch off parents, my husband has somewhere he needs to be.

10:05 Now that you've provided all 5 types of ID and secret passwords we can let you back to see your son, because, you know, there are people everywhere just dying to sneak into dr appointments with sick, grumpy 3 year olds who don't belong to them. Right this way.

Ben decides since he's so late for class already that he will just stay and help with the 3 kids. Korban still has pneumonia. It's not better. It's so much worse. The doctor doesn't look happy, "Well, we can change his antibiotics, up his breathing treatments, and give him a shot of Rocephin, which he really won't like, but if he's not improving in 24 hours the only thing we have left to do is admit him to the hospital." Really won't like is an understatement. I've had that shot before and it hurt. We tell him he's going to get a shot on his bum, he freaks out. No, no, no, not my bum. The nurse says we could do the thigh instead, he agrees to that. And then he tries to kick the nurse in the face, repeatedly, as she gives him his shot. He's also screaming at a decibel level I didn't know was possible for the human race. It takes 5 minutes to calm him down.

11:15 Ben leaves for class. I take everyone to the grocery store. The doctor said he needs lots of fluids and let him eat ANYTHING he will eat. Which we all know means cake, cookies, and ice cream. So we wander the aisles, me pushing Noah in my cart, and Kennady and Korban each with their own miniature cart following behind like little ducklings, randomly stopping to stare at something or grab a box off the shelf. Korban picks out cookies. We head to the checkout.

12:15 Yes, it took us an hour to go to the grocery store and we we able to ethically use the express checkout lane. Now on to the pharmacy. WE WANT SUCKERS!!!!!!!!!!

12:20 Mom, Korban may end up going into the hospital tomorrow, and if that happens I may need help here, if you can. Just a heads up.

12:30 We make it home. I put cookies in the oven. Ben shows up to eat.

12:45 Ben has to leave, the cookies are still in the oven, so I sneak him some dough.

We live in peace for the next 45 minutes. And by that I mean the kids go outside to play.

1:29 WE WANT COOKIES!!!!!!!!!!! Ok, here, have cookies, take them outside. Korban, when you're finished with that cookie you have to take your medicine. Neighbor girl drops some cookie on the floor and quickly picks it up, I remind everyone that the cookies have to go outside. They go outside and I start getting Korban's medicine ready. I've just finished washing out the syringe when I look over and see Noah sitting my the door with his hands in his mouth, looking too happy. AHHH! That is a cookie. Why are you eating a cookie! NOAH! He starts spitting it out at this point and I start digging out whatever I can and rinse his mouth, really hoping, but really doubting, that he didn't swallow any. That handy syringe gets filled with Benadryl and squirted down Noah's throat. I also grab the EpiPen.

1:30 Calling anyone and everyone I can think of who might be available immediately to come to my house and get my other kids. No one answers.

1:31 Noah has hives around his mouth and looks a little funny, but is still breathing fine, no swelling and not throwing up.

1:32 An awesome neighbor answers her phone, says she is home, but doesn't have a car. I tell her what's happening and she says I can drop the kids off and she can keep them. Noah looks like he's going to throw up, but is still breathing fine. The EpiPen comes out of its case.

1:33 Noah starts weezing and his face is ever so slightly puffy. Weezing is bad. The safety comes out of the EpiPen and I plunge the needle into his thigh. He screams and writhes while I hold it there for 10 seconds.

1:34 "911, where's your location and what's your emergency?" Send me an ambulance with epinephrine on board.

1:35 Noah vomits repeatedly, he looks awful.

1:36 Knock, knock. Hi, college bachelors who live next door, I don't know you and this is crazy, but watch my babies, could you maybe? The epinephrine is kicked in full and Noah looks much better. Except there is blood running down his leg. And it's all over me. And him.

1:37 Woah, a firetruck? Awesome! Everyone in the neighborhood come out to watch! And an ambulance. Seriously, even you hermits, come on out. Hi, Mam, let's get that baby in here and check him out. He looks good, kind of drugged though. What's he allergic to, bee stings? Peanuts? Nope, dairy. What? Yep, all dairy. What did he eat? A cookie.

1:42 To Ben, FYI, 911 Noah dairy. Call me.

1:55 Well, he looks really good. Do you want to take him to the ER or shall we? Um, I will, thanks, I know how much you charge.

1:56 Oh, crap, where are my other kids? Oh, right, at the neighbors house. Knock, knock. Hello? Anybody in there? Hey, Kennady, come out here, we have to go. Where is Korban? Korban comes strolling in with an apple. Hey, buddy, we've got to go, get in the car. College dudes say, "Hey, that kid just walked in and took that apple out of our fridge." Um, at least it wasn't your beer? "I'll buy you another one. I'll even upgrade you from your red delicious."

1:57 Hey, friend's answering machine, I know I said I would bring you dinner at 5 tonight, and I went to the store and bought all the ingredients to make something and while I was there I bought cookies that my son ate and then he had an allergic reaction so now we are headed to the ER, so um, yeah, I'm really sorry, but I can't bring you dinner tonight.

1:58 Noah is peacefully sleeping and breathing fine. I drop kids off with my neighbor and head to the ER. They get us to triage quickly. I really have to pee. The nurse checks his vitals and he looks great and is still sleeping. A resident comes in and looks way too tired. She must think the carseat button is electronic and pushes it gingerly. I help her. She wakes up sleeping baby. She has no idea what to do with tiny humans. She asks for the story. I tell her the story. I tell her the story. (That was twice, in case you thought I messed up). She seems confused. He's allergic to dairy? I tell her the story. She tells me I did the right thing. Thanks. She tries to get the baby to open his mouth by saying "Open up." Noah gives her the best stink eye ever. I'm trying to decide if I should help her just when the doctor walks in, looking extremely annoyed, and grabs a tongue depressor and shows her how to use it. I tell him the story. They want to keep him for observation. Everyone leaves. I still have to pee. Noah is awake and so mad. There is no where for him to go. I hold screaming, flailing baby. I still have to pee.

2:00 Hey, Mom, I'm in the ER with Noah. And I've farmed my kids out. And Korban may need to be hospitalized. And Kennady starts school tomorrow. Help? 

2:28 To Ben, At ER with Noah, other kids at neighbor's. I try to watch HGTV. Noah wants food. I ask the intern if I can feed him. She says no. Yes. No. They will want to do an oral challenge before he can leave. What? Well, um, we will have to feed him and make sure he doesn't throw up again before he leaves. We can just give him some crackers or yogurt or something. NO YOGURT! HE IS ALLERGIC TO MILK! Oh, right, no yogurt, just something else. She clearly has no idea that an oral challenge is feeding a food allergy kid the food they are allergic to to see if they are still allergic. Well, is it ok to breastfeed, or did you need his stomach empty for some weird reason? I'll have to check with the doctor. Ok. Fine. I need to pee, can someone hold my baby? She says she will check.

2:30 Mom says she is driving up to help. I am very happy we live in Missouri. 

3:00 I still have to pee. I have been sitting in the room holding screaming, flailing baby watching the exact same episode of Love it Or List It that I watched the last time I was in the hospital. We are not having fun. I find the nurse. Can you please find someone to hold my baby so I can pee? PLEASE?

3:03 A nice nurse shows up to hold my baby. Noah thinks I am trying to give him away. I pee as quickly as I can.

3:04 The doctor shows up again. So, I'm going to feed my baby, unless you have an objection. Please, by all means, feed your baby.

3:29 Noah has eaten, he is no longer screaming and seems near the point of sleep.

3:30 From Ben, I just saw this, getting out of lab clothes and coming up.

3:35 Ben shows up, he brings study materials and takes the baby, who falls asleep. I leave and pick up other kids.

5:00 Kennady goes swimming with a friend. I take Korban to go get dinner.

5:05 We pull into Taco Bell drive thru.

5:07 We order.

5:15 We are still sitting in the drive thru.

5:17 I notice the gas light is on and I have no idea how long it has been on.

5:18 Korban starts yelling that he wants a smoothie from Sonic.

5:20 We finally get our food. Korban is still mad that he doesn't have a smoothie.

5:25 We drive straight to the gas station. I call Ben and they have just been released. I ask him to get a smoothie. Korban falls asleep.

6:00 We finally eat dinner. Kennady comes home. She gets a shower. Korban eats pizza. We force steroids down his throat and he tries to throw them up. He sits down to do breathing treatments.

7:30 Mom shows up. Yay! She helps put children to bed.

8:30 Guys, IT IS STILL MONDAY.

Seriously, worst day ever. I suppose you could say all's well that ends well. And given everything, it could have ended a lot worse, but still, it sucked. And this is just Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday weren't very stellar. But I am so tired I can't type anymore. And you probably quit reading 10 minutes ago.

Making It

We've been here for over a month. That's crazy. I was pretty aware that these days were going to fly by. That's what happens when you have three rambunctious little ones who never stop moving. Honestly this start has been much less intense than expected. Every time Ben would show up at decent hour, or even early, it nearly threw me into a panic "Why are you here? Don't you have studying to do, classes? Are you going to pass your classes?" I'm sure that was annoying. He had his first section test on Monday, and passed every section with room to spare. So I can relax a little, because he seems to have a good handle on things. He, however, decided he can't relax a little, because he wants to do better. Sure he's gone everyday, about a normal workday, but without the commute, and then he studies every night after the kids go to bed, plus Saturdays usually get some study time, but really I don't feel like it's so awful. But pretty much everyone keeps reminding me that it only gets worse :/ Thanks.

Everyone here is sick. Kennady started, then to Korban, and then it hit me and Noah about the same time. Kennady was running a high fever for days, so we finally took her to the doctor, which was a lot harder than I expected considering this town is full of doctors. I told Ben to hurry up and be a doctor already. He put her on antibiotics, but I think we may be headed back in the near future, since her fever came back. Korban hasn't slowed down a bit, and Noah is just kinda grumpy. I'm ready to get out of this house and see real people (aka adults).

Kennady starts Kindergarten in a week and a half! I am not ready for this! There is no way she is big enough to go to school all day every day. Who is going to cut her food up so she doesn't starve? Korban is going to be so sad.

My funny story of this post (really it's not funny, but you cruel people will probably laugh at it anyway): The Dresser. Before we moved we sold Noah's dresser because I was fairly certain that the cardboard like stuff the drawers were made out of wouldn't hold up in 100% humidity. So I've been on the hunt for a dresser for him since we got here. We kept finding postings online, going to buy them and they were awful for one reason or another. Ben was less than thrilled, since he's the one I kept sending out to get them. I'd make it yard sales just minutes after the dressers had sold. I finally found one that I was sure would be great, she had tons of pictures and it looked almost brand new. We went to pick it up and were testing out drawers, and they were pretty hard to open. She said they were a little sticky. Eh, no problem, we can fix that, it won't be hard. So we get it home and it's much worse. The time and money to fix it are not worth it.

I go hunting again. This time I find a dresser at a yard sale. It's old and definitely needs a paint job and it's a little dirty. Those are things I can fix. It's solid wood and all the drawers are in good working condition. I haul it home and a neighbor helps us heft it inside. I start with wiping off the outside with the Lysol wipes. Man, it was dirtier than I expected. I ask Ben if he will help me move it to the garage so I can clean it out in there, and I'll probably just go ahead and paint it while I'm at it. I suggest maybe we just take the drawers out to make it a little lighter to carry. So Ben pulls out the top drawer. And I see something crawl out. And then I see several little things scurrying in the drawer. I start freaking out. Trying to yell at him to take the dresser outside. I guess it was a little hard to understand since he was too busy trying to figure out why I was freaking out. Cockroaches. Big ones, little ones, black and brown ones. He finally sees them and starts dragging it out. But one escapes! And everyone knows that it only takes 1 to make a million more. So while he's dealing with the dresser outside, I'm frantically tearing apart the room trying to find the creature. Every piece of bedding or clothing goes straight to the washer. The vacuum comes out. Finally I find the devil hiding in the corner and call the exterminator (Ben) to squish it. Ehhwheheh. When Ben takes the dresser out he discovers it is infested with cockroaches, like a nest in the very top of the dresser. There's no way I'm ever letting the dresser back in my house. Ever. Ben spends the next few hours digging a giant pit in our backyard, dousing the dresser in flammable fluid, and lighting the thing on fire. I'm so creeped out that I have to go take a shower. So now we know two things: When buying a used dresser take out every single drawer, pull them all the way out. And when buying a used dryer insist on running a load of clothes in it first to make sure it works. One day maybe I'll buy something shiny and new. What fun would that be though?

PS, I did find a dresser shortly after this and so far it appears to be a very normal used dresser with nothing wrong with it.

Mommy: the Play

Cast:
D: a medical student and father of 3.
M: a stay at home mother of 3
1: a 5 year old girl
2: a 3 year old boy
3: a 10 month old baby

6 AM The sun is just rising.
3: Waaaahhhhhhhh!
M: Shhh, go to sleep. I'll feed you.
Rustle. Toss. Turn. Snore.
2: Waaahhhh! D!
Much noise and great clamor without the bedroom door as D gets up with 1 and 2.
3: Gahh goo gah. Hits M in face. 
M: Ok, ok. I'll get up. D leaves.
1,2: I'm hungry. Waahhh.
M: Here kids, have come cereal. It's fortified with vitamins and minerals.
3: Waaahhh.
M: Ok, I'll feed you, too.
1, 2 and 3 play while breakfast is cleaned up.
2, screaming: 1 hit me.
1: He hit me first.
Lots of screaming. Everyone goes to time out. Everyone returns from time out. Cartoons are turned on. 5 minutes pass.
2, screaming: 1 hit me.
1: He hit me first.
 Lots of screaming. Everyone goes to time out. Everyone returns from time out. Cartoons are turned off. 5 minutes pass.
 1: I said DON'T DO IT THAT WAY!
M enters the room just in time to see 1 put hand over 2's mouth. 
Lots of screaming.
1: 2 bit me.
M: Maybe you shouldn't put your hand over his mouth.
 Everyone goes to time out. Everyone returns from time out. 
3: Waaaahhhhhhh!
M: You must be hungry again. Let me feed you. Sets 3 in high chair with delicious blueberries. Thinks to self "I should probably make a snack for 1 and 2, too." Starts making fancy fruit and yogurt parfaits in ice cream cones. 2 enters.
2: I'm gungry. So gungry.
M: I'm making you a snack, it will be ready in one minute.  Washing blueberries as quickly as possible.
2: Mmmm.....blueberries. I love blueberries. Reaches for snack.
M: Wait, let me finish, it will be just a minute.
3: Waaaahhhh! He is out of blueberries.
M: (to 3) You need more blueberries? Hold on. (to 2) Let me get 3 more blueberries and then I'll put the rest on your snack. Don't touch it yet or it will fall on the floor. Turns to hand blueberries to 3. There's a loud splat. The fancy nearly-finished parfait is all over the kitchen floor. I said not to touch it! Get out of the kitchen.
2: No! You get out of the kitchen.
Lots of screaming. Everyone goes to time out. M cleans the floor. Everyone returns from time out.
3: Waaahhhh!
M: You must be tired. Puts 3 in crib, he falls asleep, M walks out and quietly closes the door.
Lots of screaming. 3 wakes up screaming. Everyone goes to time out. M puts baby back to sleep. Everyone returns from time out.
M: I'm going to take a shower. Turns on cartoons. Don't answer the door for anyone.
1: What if it's D?
M: D isn't coming home. D has a key. Don't answer the door.
2: What if it's bad guys?
M: Don't answer the door. If anyone knocks on the door come tell me. Don't answer the door.
2: Why do you need a shower?
M: I haven't had one in 2 days. I stink. Don't wake 3 up. Don't open his door. M leaves to take a shower, leaving the door slightly open. 
1: Hey, 2, go get us some books out of 3's room.
2: Ok!
M: I said don't go in there!
2: Ok!
M: Just watch cartoons, just 10 minutes. Jumps in shower. Puts shampoo in hair, lathers. Lots of screaming. What is going on?
2, screaming: She hit me.
1: He kicked me first.
2. She knocked me off the chair.
M: Just be quiet. Don't hit. Don't wake up 3. Don't open the door. Rinses. Puts conditioner in hair. Lots of screaming. 1 and 2, come here!
2: What? I didn't do anything. Opens shower curtain. I want a shower. I get in?
M: No, this is my shower. There's no room. Close the curtain. Go out. Close the door. Stop fighting. Be quiet. Don't wake up 3. Don't answer the door. 1 and 2 exit, leaving the door wide open. I said close the door!
Lots of screaming. 
1: I am closing the door.
2: No, I do it!
1: Ahhh
2. Ahhhh, I do it!
M: Be quiet!! Both of you, come in and close the door. Just stand there.
1: That's not fair.
M: Seriously? You are in time out. Just be quiet and let me rinse my hair. Rinses hair. 2 pulls open the shower curtain.
2: You get out now?
M: Yes, please let me dry off. Close the curtain. Dries off, wraps towel around her and walks to bedroom to get dressed. She barely has one leg in her pants when:
Lots of screaming. Everyone goes to time out. Everyone returns from time out.
3: Waaahhhhhh!
M: Is anyone even watching this cartoon? Goes and picks up 3. He stops crying, only briefly. Hungry again?
2: I need a snack.
1: Me too!
M: Pick up the toys in the living room and I'll get you lunch.
1: I don't want lunch, I want a snack.
M: Pick up the living room or there will be no food.
Phone rings. It's D.
D: Hi, Honey, how are you?
M: I, um, well, I'm... 2, don't sit on your brother.... I'm good. What's up?
D: I was going to come home and grab a sandwich.
M: Uhm, ok, do we have sandwich stuff?
D: I'm not picky, I'll take a peanut butter sandwich.
M: Oh, you want me to make it? Ok, yes.
D: No, I can make it. Or, would you please?
M: Yes, 2 get off your brother! Hangs up phone. Removes 2 from sitting on 3. Goes to kitchen. Decides to try to feed all people the same lunch, for convenience's sake. Opens fridge, sees 6 dozen eggs. Decides to make scrambled egg sandwiches. Gets out pan, cracks eggs, scrambles them. 
Lots of screaming. 
M: What is going on?
1: 2 isn't picking up.
2: I tired.
M: 2 pick up or go take a nap.
2: I gungry.
M: I'm making lunch.
1: 2, PICK UP! Hits him.
2, screaming: But 3 isn't picking up.
M: 3 is a baby. Just pick up 2 toys. Here, your dinosaur, go put it away. Hands 2 his dinosaur, he falls to the ground dramatically.
2: I tired.
1: That's not fair. 
Everyone goes to time out. Everyone returns from time out. M stirs eggs which are taking a long time to cook. D walks in the door.
D to 1,2, and 3, but not M: Wow, look at this mess, you'd better start cleaning this up. Here, 2, pick up this dinosaur. 2 takes dinosaur to his room. 
M: Hi. I'm working on those sandwiches. 2 get 3's binky out of your mouth. Stirs eggs, puts bread in toaster. 
D starts rummaging for bread. 
M: I'm working on it.
D continues looking for sandwiches: It's ok, I can make it.
M: Really, I'm working on it, the eggs are almost done.
D: I just wanted a peanut butter sandwich, but ok.

D leaves kitchen to supervise children cleaning living room. M plates and sandwich and hands it to D.
M: Here's one sandwich to eat while I get the other one ready.
D: That's ok, one is fine.
M: Just a second, it's almost ready. Tries to speed up toaster, gives up and manually pops out the half toasted bread. Frantically throws the sandwich together and puts it on a plate.
D: Hon, I have to go, one is fine.
M: Take the damn sandwich.
D: Ok!
1, 2, 3: Waaahhh, D, don't leave. D gives hugs and leaves. 
2: I want D.
M: How about some scrambled eggs.
2: Yay! Scrambled eggs. Gets eggs and sits down to eat. Too hot.
M: Just blow on them, they will cool down.
2: I can't.
1: I don't want eggs. I want tacos.
M: I made eggs.
1: You can eat the eggs.
M: I can't eat eggs, 3 is allergic. 2 don't blow so hard, you are getting eggs everywhere.
2: But M I have to blow hard. Too hot.
1: If you can't eat eggs, why did you make them?
M: 3 is allergic I don't want them all over the floor. 1, here are you eggs.
1: I want tacos.
2: M, I need more eggs.
M: Here, 2 eat 1's eggs. 1 I will make you tacos.
3: Waaaah.
M: Don't worry, 3, I didn't forget about you, here are some crackers and grapes. Gets tacos for 1. 
3: Waaahh!
M: That was fast. You need more food?
3: Waaahhh! M sits down to feed 3 real food. 1 and 2 run off to turn on tv.
M: Come back, put your plates in the sink.
2: Too tired.
M: Now. Or it's nap time. 2 throws plate in sink and runs off.
Lots of screaming. 
1: That's my blanket.
2: Mine!
M: Stop fighting or no movie. They settle down to watch a movie. 
3: Waaahh.
M: Now it's time for your nap. Spends many minutes getting baby to sleep. Places him in crib, closes door.
1, loudly: M! The movie's not working.
M: Yes, I see that, it looks like the internet is down. You'll either have to watch a DVD or go play a game. Just be quiet, 3 is sleeping.
1: That's not fair. You said we could watch a movie.
M: Sorry, it's not my fault, I'll see if I can fix it. Goes and starts checking the connection. 
Lots of screaming. 
2: That's my blanket.
1: No, it's mine.
M: Be quiet or go to your room. Everyone goes to time out. Everyone returns from time out.
3: Waaaahhhhh!
M: Maybe we should just go to the park!
1 and 2: Yay the park! I want to go to the park! 
M: Ok, get your shoes on, let me get 3 ready. Wait, get your day time clothes on.
2: No, pajamas!
M: You have to wear daytime clothes if you want to go to the park. M looks out window and notices city utilities are completely blocking the car into the driveway. Uhoh. It looks like we won't be able to go to the park.
Lots of screaming. 
1: That's not fair!
2: I wanna go to the park!
M: Sorry, we can't, we can't get out of the driveway, look. 1 and 2 look out the window.
1: M, you could just move the truck.
M: I don't have the keys. Here let's put in a DVD. Goes to put in a DVD. The player is jammed with another DVD. 2 did you put a DVD in here?
2: Yep!
M: That breaks it. Don't put DVDs in here, ask for help. Well, it looks like we will have to find something else to do.
1: That's not fair! You can fix it.
M: Not right now. Let's read some books.
1: No. I don't want to.
M: Or we could take naps.
2: I'm gungry.
1: Can we have a snack?
M: Yes. Snacks for everyone. Wait, I didn't eat lunch.
1: M, that's silly. Why didn't you eat lunch?
M: I have no idea. Here, fruit snacks!
1: I want carrots with ranch.
M: Here, fruit snacks!
1: Can I please have carrots?
2: Carrots, carrots, carrots!
M: But fruit snacks are so much easier. And hey, look at that, it's almost time to make dinner. Yes, you can have carrots. Sets a plate of carrots and ranch on the table. Here you go.
1: M, your breath is stinky.
M: It's because I haven't brushed my teeth yet.
1: Ewww, that's gross.
M: Yes, yes it is. 2 sneezes carrots everywhere. M looks around and notices the living room looks like it exploded.

....to be continued.
 

Let the Adventure Begin!

We are moved into our new house and starting to adjust to living in Missouri. The move went slightly better than expected. Mom and my Aunt Donna came out and took Kennady and Korban and drove them back across the country. From what I heard, they were very good little travelers, despite none of the electronic distractions we sent with them working. They swam every night, ate at T-Rex cafe and even got to see a fireworks show. Mom kept them for the week while Ben and I furiously packed the house. Noah was not so good, but we did have a lot of people that helped us watch him. We also had a lot of help from family and there's no way we could have done it without them! We had pretty much everything packed by the time Noah and I hopped on a plane, and then Ben was left to pack the truck and clean the house- what an awesome man. Noah and I spent a day in Branson and then headed up with Mom to meet Ben at the house with the truck. We went out for dinner and then unloaded what we needed for sleeping. Saturday we had a whole crew show up to help unload the truck and it got unloaded in 30 minutes or less, it was crazy. We spent that entire day unpacking until we were all exhausted. Sunday we headed back down to Branson. We spent the week there swimming and enjoying time with the family. Everyone was pretty tired, so we didn't do everything we had originally planned on, but the nice thing is they are close enough that it's a lot easier to get together.

We headed back up to Kirksville with the kids and had plenty more unpacking to do. The kids love the new house, and the layout is nice, and having a bathtub makes everyone happy. I love having a garage! Eventually we'll unpacked the last dozen boxes and maybe we will park a car in there. Mostly I'm excited to finally get to do some of my refinishing projects this fall. We've made some friends already- the medical community here is very supportive and helpful. I don't think we could have picked a better place to go to medical school.

Ben started classes two weeks ago, and honestly I was surprised at how slow it started out. I was pretty much prepared to never see my husband for the next 6 years. It's steadily getting busier, but it's nice to be eased into it. I got to attend his white coat ceremony without kids and it was a great way to start out. We even got a shout out from the chairman of the board (he met us at the welcome picnic the day before and was happy to meet Noah, when I said he was the youngest of three he was a little shocked, especially when he figure out Korban was one of the other two, he said I was going to have my hands full, I laughed and told him that I already had my hands full)- he said something about those of us starting out with families, like the "guy with 3 kids, Noah, and the kid in the orange shirt (Korban). So we are probably crazy. Ben seems to like his classes and isn't totally overwhelmed yet (I hear it's unavoidable, but that the first couple weeks of classes didn't do it is a good sign).

I've been trying to finish unpacking and setting up house. The last dozen boxes are always the worst. I've also had lots of fun going to yard sales trying to find stuff we need (we sold some stuff, and every house has different needs). In the process I've found lots of cool stuff we don't need. Like a bike, a playset, a powerwheel and a wagon. Our little neighborhood here is great and safe and a fantastic place for the kids to ride bikes. Our landlord has been great so far, even letting Ben borrow some tools, and he mows the yard every week. It's so nice to not have to worry about that.  We found out we have a free pass (included in tuition) to the city pool here, which includes an indoor pool. There's several nice parks in town. Best of all, there's very limited places to spend money. The SAA (student advocate association, which is group for significant others of students) has a lot of activities. At the open house I even won a gift card to the "nice" restaurant down on the lake.

Which brings us to our anniversary! Ben and I have been married for 7 years now. Mom and Dad came up to meet Dustin here when he dropped off our car. They took us to dinner Friday night and we went swimming at the pool in their hotel. Then on Saturday they babysat so Ben and I could go out. We used our gift certificate for an early dinner, then headed out onto the lake on a paddleboat. We barely managed to get back to shore before we got rained on. Then we went to Home Depot and bought ourselves and anniversary gift- a patio table and umbrella. Eventually we might buy chairs for it :) Ok, it was admittedly a little lame of an anniversary, but, hey, we were in the same state. It was kind of funny, because in 7 more years Ben's medical schooling should be finished (barring a fellowship, which isn't in the plans as of right now).  I have a feeling that the next 7 years will go a lot faster than the first 7 years.

I have a blog? Completely forgot about it. Just kidding, I'm just too busy to update. That's why I have Instagram and Facebook, so no one thinks I'm dead. We are down to 3 weeks before the big move. Saying there is a lot to do is an understatement. Packing during the day is impossible. Noah has two teeth on the bottom and as of today is crawling. He's a big boy. We are trying to squeeze in as much fun as possible while we are still here. It's kind of wearing me out, but in a good way. I'm planning to keep the blog updated better once we move, because I'll have more time (sorta), because Ben will be gone all the time (so in that time where we'd normally go out or just sit and talk, I'm going to have to find other things to do, like blog).

4 Months

Yes, we are still alive. Three kids, one of whom only naps while being held, doesn't leave me much time for blogging, or anything else. But that kid had shots today and will most likely sleep for several hours. Is it wrong that I like when my kids get shots? That kid, also known as Noah, is 16.9 lbs and 25 inches long. He's super strong and very social. He's been kind of cranky for a week or so, and now we know why: 1: his reflux medicine dose needed to be upped because he's grown so much and 2: he is teething! Ahh! Seriously, teething, at 4 months. But it explains so much. He rolled over once, from his back to his tummy, but prefers to be immobile (yay!). He loves the jumperoo we are borrowing from Kristal, and it's the only way I get anything done, because it's the only place he will sit besides my arms (and he's heavy). We tried solid foods, but he still has quite a bit of tongue thrust, so it's going to be awhile before he gets a whole lot of nutrition from it, but he did love it. He still eats every 45 min- 3 hours (the longest he will go). It's pretty much exhausting. The dr said that is probably partly due to his reflux.

Kristal and Kevin had their baby, Samuel Craig Harmon, on January 10, a few weeks early. I still haven't had a chance to meet him, but he looks pretty cute in the pictures. That makes 3 nephews for me.

We moved Kennady and Korban into bunk beds, and it's been great. More space to play, and they love them. We bought Korban airplane shoes, so now we don't have to have a giant fight about putting shoes on every time we have to leave. We implemented a new dinner policy involving a timer and candy, so far it's been awesome. Everyone eats and it's not taking us over an hour.

I just checked the blog and realized that I haven't written since before Christmas. Uhg. Christmas was great. We just stayed home. We had Ben's siblings that were up for it come over Christmas Eve for a ham dinner. The kids got lots of toys. I got Ben a laptop backback. He got me a hoodie that I've been wanting.

Kennady and Korban are monkeys, but they are doing well. I've got pictures on the camera, I'll try to get them up soon.

Preschool Dropouts

My blog is neglected. Better than neglecting my children though, right?

So Noah has flip-flopped and now sleeps fantastically during the day and not so great at night, and to sleep at all at night he must be held, like a teddy bear. Which is great in the way that I am getting my house clean and organized and cooking dinner on a regular basis. I am starting to wonder how long a person can function on such a limited amount of sleep. Ben probably has it worse, since he keeps getting up early and going to work, and I keep setting out bowls of cereal, turning on cartoons and going back to bed (which doesn't really work most days because the kids start screaming and beating each other up less than 5 minutes into Oomi Zoomi). But we are still chugging along. And Noah is so sweet with his coos and smiles. But if one more person suggests I should just "sleep when the baby is sleeping" or "try to take a nap" without offering to watch both of my other children I'll probably scream at them. Seriously, that may be sound advice when you have 1 kid, or maybe even 2 depending on your kid. But 3?

In case you haven't heard, we made a decision! We are heading to Kirksville, MO, sometime this summer for Ben to attend medical school at AT Still. Most of my fears have been calmed, and I'm feeling pretty ready to tackle the next 7 years of craziness. There are several things that I am really looking forward to. One is moving back to Missouri. I've about had it with these ridiculously long and cold winters where the snow doesn't melt for months. And it's so dry. My lip cracked the other day, enough that blood started running down my face, despite my addiction to chapstick. Korban still has to wear onesies so he doesn't scratch his back raw. Plus we will be closer to my family. My mom is so excited, and Kennady did a happy dance when we told her. We will still be 5 hours from Grandma's house, but that's a lot better than 20 or 12. I can drive 5 hours with 3 kids by myself, in one day, without going crazy. And it's one tank of gas, meaning if my kids slept the whole way (lol) we wouldn't have to stop at all. I will get to spend Thanksgiving with my family! I haven't done that in 10 years, seriously. The other thing that I'm looking forward to is Ben having holidays again! Only in academia do you get 2 weeks off for Christmas. Sure, he will be studying, but I'm still excited.

The things I'm not excited about? Packing. Ugh. I hate it. You'd think I'd be awesome at it after our 8 moves. I'm not. It stresses me out. And I procrastinate. And there's always so much more stuff than you thought there was going to be. There will be no second loads for us this time, since we'll be trying to cram everything into a 17 foot Uhaul. The other thing, which is worse, is that I'll miss my friends and family here! We've loved living so close to Rob and Kristi and their kids, and we will be so sad that we can't just drop in on them a couple times a week. And we've really enjoyed having Marlene and Kaman close enough to come over and play board games with us until way too late/early in the morning. And Dan and Heather and Kristal and Kevin, well they're still newlyweds, so we don't see them much, but we'd like to! Plus only being 12 hours from Ben's parents and the rest of his siblings, they've come to visit frequently, which I'm sure won't happen when we're so far away, and we will miss that!

But we get to move into a real house. That's right, we've signed a contract to rent a real house. For much less than we are paying for our basement apartment here. It has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a basement and a garage. It shares no walls, ceilings or floors with any other family. The only people waking up my babies will be my babies. We will have a yard, that we won't have to maintain, as the landlord takes care of it.

Oh, in other news, we are preschool dropouts. We took Kennady out of preschool. I was tired of paying for her to play dress up for 2 hours twice a week. Plus the stress of getting her there and home in such a short amount of time. It wasn't worth it anymore. She agreed that she could have just as much fun at home playing with friends, for free. She still does her online preschool, which is definitely helping her learn how to read. She is so close! She is ready for Kindergarten next year. I'm not sure that I am. I just found out that the Kindergarten in Kirksville is all day! What am I going to do without my Kennady all day? We also got Korban on the waiting list for a preschool out there. He will be going to Kindergarten a year earlier than Kennady (because of his May birthday), and I think he could benefit from a good preschool (this one is fantastic from what I've heard, and half the cost for twice as much time as we are paying for Kennady). I really don't know what I'll do with just one kid for a chunk of the day. Ha, who am I kidding? That will be great, I can think of a billion things I can do easier with just one kid.