Frosty Thomas Clark

We bit the bullet and got an Elf on the Shelf this year. The boys named him Frosty Thomas Clark. Don't ask. ha ha.

So far, Tom and I have been loving this tradition. Throughout the day, the boys will go up to Frosty and tell him everything they want for Christmas. Then they say goodnight to him before naps and bedtime. They are extra careful never to touch Frosty, or his magical powers will be gone. I see on Pinterest all of these crazy ideas to do with the elf. I don't really understand the concept of having the elf be naughty and get into mischief. Although it might be funny for the kids to see, I don't really feel like encouraging naughty behavior. Anyone else feel that way? Like, sorry my elf is not going to spill flour all over the kitchen floor. Or dump a box of toothpicks out. Sorry, Frosty. You are going to be a good little guy.

I FINALLY convinced Tom to buy an artificial tree this year. I know, I know - how scrooge-like of me. But come on. I can't handle all of the needles everywhere. And watering it. And stringing the lights on it. BLAH. So after months and months of begging and reasoning, we finally picked one out. And it's a beauty. And how glorious that we don't have to string the lights. And they are all even and perfect. And no needles. No watering. It's heaven. Oh and what about the smell of a real tree you ask? Well don't worry, I bought a huge candle that smells just like the real thing. haha. Why yes, I think I've crossed over to the dark side. And I love it.

Last year, I made a wreath at Alissa's house. I knew exactly what I wanted, I just wasn't sure how to get there. With my trusty old glue gun and some youtube videos, I made this beast. Tom about killed me when I got him. Actually I think our text messages before I left Alissa's went like this:
Me: Picture Sent and - it's a tad aggressive, huh?
Tom: A TAD Lloyd????

haha. The thing barely fits on our door. But go to Target this year in the Christmas section and every wreath you will see will resemble this one. I win. Sure mine might not be all even and perfect. And there may or may not be a styrofoam back to this wreath - but it's handmade with love. And it looks fabulous. It looks even better when our multi-colored Christmas lights are hanging from our house that match the wreath.

Getting Leo started early on Toy Story

Second batch of Christmas Cookies. DELISH!

Happy Hump Day!

Best Christmas Movie Ever

Because if I don't find something to laugh about today, I will cry and I won't be able to stop.

When it rains...

When it rains....it freaking pours. Wednesday was a rough day. The day just dragged on for what seemed like an eternity. But there was light at the end of the tunnel because I was getting my hair done. My hair took three hours! Way longer than I had anticipated. But anyways, Tom and I still had a nice relaxing night before Thanksgiving. We were cleaning and heading up to bed when all of the sudden I heard a blood curdling cry from Finn. I went into his room and saw he had a huge pile of throw up in his bed. Oh great I thought. I was cleaning up and getting ready to move his mattress into our room by the bathroom when Jack started freaking out saying his throat hurt. I just thought he was over reacting so I gave him some water. 5 seconds later he was hurling his dinner over the side rails of the bunk bed. Jack slept on his mattress in the hallway, Finn slept on his mattress at the end of our bed. Jack seemed totally fine after he threw up. Finn continued to throw up multiple times that night. Our Thanksgiving was a blur. Jack seemed to be perfectly healthy for the most part, so Tom took him and Leo to my parent's house for some turkey. Tom came home a few hours later and I got to go over there for the leftovers. Long story somewhat short, Finn was puking well into late Thursday night, early Friday morning. Leo developed pink eye, no shocker there. I did about a bazillion loads of laundry. Went through an entire bottle of lysol and had sympathy nausea all freaking weekend.

There is nothing worse than seeing your kids sick in any way shape or form. But it got me thinking, I deal with these things a handful of times throughout the year. Think of all the people who deal with their children's major illnesses, not just stomach bugs all year long. I cannot imagine seeing any of my babies in a hospital on IVs dealing with things that I can't even fathom. So as much as I hate the stomach bug and pink eye and nasty colds, deep down I know I shouldn't complain because we have got it good compared to so many others. It makes my heart hurt just thinking about how badly I was feeling for myself this past week. But to be honest, it was a brutal, brutal week and I'm glad I can start over this week. I just wish sleep would be in my near future. Seriously it's UNREAL around here. And don't even get me started on the terrible three's. I forgot how unbelievably terrible they are. Finn whined/cried for two hours straight this morning. That is NOT an exaggeration.

Happy Monday!

Thanks for Thanksgiving

This week when we haven't been rubbing our pink eyes, we've been talking about things we are thankful for. Here is Jack's list: Food, vegetables, Preston, school, you, daddy, bailey, myself, Finn, Grandma and Grandpa, Brendan, Leo, computers, lifetime, milk, Rio, rainbows of colors, games, restaurants, chocolate milk, Molly, dollars and coins. HAHA - I couldn't have made these up if I tried. 

Here is Finn's list: Milk, Tristan. Ok then. Thanks Finn.

Finn and Jack look THRILLED to be a part of this family. At least Leo is digging it. 

I have so much to be thankful for this year. I have a wonderful, loving husband who provides for our family and supports me in every way possible. I have three beautiful, handsome, healthy boys. I have the best parents in the world. I have wonderful in-laws, including an awesome brother and sister in-law, a niece AND a nephew. I have an amazing brother who is so inspiring to other people. And I have the best friends in the entire universe.

This week has been challenging to say the least. I've wondered numerous times how we are going to survive Christmas vacation and summer vacation - good LORD. But it's times like these when I need to remember just how good we've got it. I remember only 3 years ago my brother and mom were coming home from Craig Hospital. It's amazing to think of how much my family has grown and adapted in three years. Just this past year, our family has been connected to so many families dealing with spinal cord injuries. And it brings us all right back to that first year of recovery. It breaks my heart reading all of these CaringBridge entries about the daily struggles of the person injured and their families. If there is one thing I could tell all of them is that in time, things will calm down and people will adapt to the new normal. It's not something you can see when your in the rut of everything, but just hang on and have faith. Life is good and God is great.

Classic

Gobble Gobble. Happy Thanksgiving.

Right on time

It wouldn't be a true holiday week if the kids weren't sick, right? Pink eye has struck this house. We've never had pink eye before, thankfully it doesn't make the kids feel crappy and is just more annoying. And let me tell you how much fun it is to put eye drops into an almost 5 and 3 year old. UGH! Two times a day! Yesterday after naps, Finn's eye was practically glued shut with goop. I knew right away what it was, even though we've never had it. Jack had a blocked tear duct when he was born and everyone and their mother would constantly come up to me in public places and tell me that my baby had pink eye. UGH. It was so annoying. But to be fair - it did look the same. I'm just not sure why strangers insist on sharing their opinions with other strangers. Anyways...after I saw his eye, I looked at Jack's eye. And voila, crusty tear ducts. Perfect. I really didn't feel like bringing the entire crew to the dr.'s office. I figured I'd bring in the sickest looking one, hope we get the drugs, and just give the drops to everyone that needed them. We saw a great doctor, got Finners diagnosed with Pink Eye, healthy ears (I had her check them because Finn has been out of control cranky lately), and she even gave me a refill on the order just in case the entire family gets the goop. This is amazing because I really don't want to pay $25 or bring in more kids to tell me what I already know. Plus I think you can buy pink eye drops over the counter at Target nowadays. So yes...here we are cooped up inside today so we don't germ up anyone else.

It's only been a day and a half with Jack not having preschool and I'm already losing my mind. The TV has been on a ridiculous amount. They won't stop snacking. They either play fantastic together or are fighting like cats and dogs. The only thing I've got going for me is that I can work on getting Leo on a napping schedule. He's been challenging us at nighttime, I don't know what to do. I wish he'd just stop waking up. It's just so easy to feed him to put him back to sleep, but I'm not sure that's the best answer. Then again he's only 4 1/2 months.

Speaking of sleep. I'm in a dilemma with Jack. I can get him to nap every week day after lunch. However, this makes bedtime SO challenging. When he doesn't nap during the day, bedtime is usually a breeze. But when I don't make him nap, he won't do ANYTHING by himself. He won't sit for a movie, he gets up and wants to play something with me. He won't read books by himself, he wants me to read them to him. If I am cleaning, he insists on helping me. If he's playing with his phone, he insists on asking me how to spell everything under the sun. I can't catch a break. I need to find something that will keep him busy and quiet and give me the break I need.

I'm Ready

I'm ready to start writing again. This past weekend I was looking through some of my old blog posts. This blog (not this exact website, but i did upload my previous blog here so it's all in one spot) has been with me for over 4 years. I started when Jack was about 1. I've documented two pregnancies, two births, my brothers tragic accident leaving him paralyzed, and countless hilarious stories about being a stay at home mom, a wife, a daughter and a friend. I'm not ready to throw in the towel. It's been a good solid year that I've taken off and I'm ready to come back at it. Maybe not in the same way, like posting my updates on Facebook, etc. Although maybe I should think about cutting my Facebook viewers down now that I think about it, too. I absolutely love reading other people's blogs, why not put some of that energy into my own? And I love being on the internet and putting my family pictures together and feeling all organized like I have my life together (when really, I know I don't, as much as I wish I did). I'm thinking of challenging myself to a little cookie bake off for the holiday season. That will help me get back into blogging and will also give me something "wild and crazy" to do during the day, I mean with all of my spare time! HA We are going on a 5 day trip to Arizona in December, so I'll have to factor that into the equation when deciding exactly how many recipes I'm going to attempt!

Random quick story from church yesterday. During the quietest part of mass, Finn starts SCREAMING! Then he proceeds to yell "I have to go POOOOOOP!" Oh my word, the entire parish practically busted out laughing and if you've ever been to a Catholic church, you know how quiet and reserved we are during mass. Ummmm, completely mortifying. HA.

Happy Monday

Finnisms

Finn has been saying some pretty funny things lately. I wanted to make sure I documented them:

I posted this on Facebook a while ago - One morning I asked Finn what undies he wanted to wear. He replied, I want to wear my hero Buzz Lightyear. I about died when he said hero.

In the car when it's bright and sunny, Finn has started saying "Mommy, the sun is tickling me!"

Do you notice that sometimes kids don't use proper grammar? Finn is HORRIBLE with this. He's constantly saying things like "Oh yes he do" or "Where it be mama?" or just pronouncing words incorrectly. Jack wasn't nearly as bad as Finn is. Obviously we always correct him, but it can be pretty fricken hilarious too. 

Leo is not cooperating with his morning nap today. Frustrating.

Here's an older picture. My hair is out of control, Tom apparently didn't want to tell me to fix it. I put a few of these on Facebook way back then, but obviously not the ones of me. ha. Happy Weekend!

Picture Time

I wish Jack was in this picture. I'd blow it up in a canvas for sure.

The next series of pictures is called Thunder. Leo has some of the biggest thighs I have ever seen. And if you take off his diaper he's hiding about 5 more rolls. I'm not kidding! I love it.

Are you done laughing? haha.

Extreme Close Up

Rolling

Over

Talking to his hanging friends

Wud up Mom

Slinky wanted in on the picture taking

Haha. Seriously. Where's his neck?

Finn's fever finally broke last night. Poor guy just did not feel good. He was so warm. This morning he woke up ready to go though. Hopefully he takes a good nap today too. I got Leo to nap in his crib this morning for a good 45 minutes. And he's napping again right now, as are the other boys. I'm nervous for next week having zero preschool will be challenging. Good thing it's a "short" week! I better hurry up with my Black Friday shopping lists!! Toodles.

Sickies

I hate when the boys are sick. I mean what mom likes seeing their kids in pain? This morning was typical. Leo was fussing at 5:30, Tom brought him into bed and I made a bottle. Tom left for work and I gave Leo the bottle while he dozed back off to la la land. At 6 AM I hear Finn in his room whining. Which isn't unusual, the kid has been EXTRA whiney lately. His molars are poking through so I have been attributing it to that. Anyways, I walk in there and he says "I'm scared." um, ok - scared of what? It's just his new phrase he's been saying. I don't even think he knows what it really means. Anyways, I gave him his nuks. Jack was still sleeping, so I went back to bed with the hopes everyone would snooze a tad longer. I got thirty more minutes before Jack was up hopping off his top bunk and into the bathroom. Finn was up too wanting to go to the bathroom. As I was taking his pants off, I notice that he was warm. Turns out he was running a 100 degree fever. Poor little bugger. He refused to take his medicine too. Obviously, I wasn't about to give in to that. I said ok Finn we can do this your way (showing him the little cup) or my way (showing him the syringe). He just cried. So I filled up the syringe, laid him back on the couch and pressed it all into his mouth. He didn't like it, but he got the drugs. He ate his breakfast on the couch and drank his milk. I felt bad that I had to bundle him up and bring him to preschool drop off, but I had no other choice. When we got home he seemed to be much better. Eating oranges and watching Beauty and the Beast. But then he fell asleep on the way to pick up Jack from preschool. His meds must have been wearing off. He didn't want any lunch and went straight to nap (after more meds of course). I thought he'd nap extra long, but turns out that was not the case. By the time he was up (1:20) Jack hadn't even gone to naps yet. So now all of my children are up and not napping. Except Leo. Leo is napping. Go figure. The first time I actually get him in a deep sleep during typical napping hours, the other kids refuse. UGH.

Anyway. I am blaming the flu shots this year. I got a horrible cold about 3 days after the shot. As did Jack. And now Finn has a fever. I'm sure it could all be coincidence, but I'm thinking that maybe next year we will just skip these flu shots. Is that crazy?

A Day in the Life

This is going to be a LONG post. But I thought it might be fun. It will probably take me forever to put it together. We shall see.

4:30 AM - Leo is up for the first time since going to bed at 7 PM. Not too shabby. Tom feeds him, puts him in our bed to fall back asleep and is off for the day. Toodle-loo.

7:15 AM - The older boys are up and ready to go. Luckily they are both in good moods and are not instantly fighting. SCORE! We go downstairs because Leo is still snoozing.

Breakfast and cartoons. 

I added a crap ton of creamer, haha. It was delicious.  I had about 8 more cups. Not kidding.

7:35 AM - Leo is up and squealing in my bed.

Good morning baby brother

Practicing rolling over. SO close!

7:55 AM - I need to hop in the shower. I leave all three boys on the rug unattended and hope for the best. I get out of the shower and hear screaming. Jack apparently took Finn's spot. Everyone was still alive so it was a success in my book.

Why wouldn't Bailey start barking like crazy to go outside the second I get out of the shower?

 8:10 AM - Start getting everyone dressed. Thank goodness Jack can dress solo.

8:20 AM - Gotta start packing everyone up and get shoes, coats, and hats on (snowing this morning in MN) so we can leave for Jack's preschool.

8:40 - All loaded up and ready to hit the road

9:05 - Back at home, need to feed Leo and hope he takes a nap.

9:30 AM - Get Leo down for a nap. Clean the kitchen, do a load of laundry, read some blogs, give Finn a snack. I didn't take any pictures during this time. Whoopsie.

10:20 AM - Leo is up from his nap. Entertain the kids for a bit before it's time to pack up again to go pick up Jack.

11:10 AM - Leave to go pick up Jack.

11:45 AM - Home from preschool. Eat lunch, clean up crumbs. Wait for Alissa and Cooper to come over.

12:30 PM - Alissa and Cooper arrive.

CooLeo

12:45 PM - Finn goes down for a nap. Leo takes a tiny snooze. Jack plays with his phone. Cooper eats and snoozes. Alissa and I chit chat.

1:45 PM - Leo is up and ready to play again. And decides he wants to roll over for the first time!!


2:30 PM - Alissa and Coop head out. Time to play some scrabble on the phone

3:00 PM - Finn is up. Leo takes a short little snooze and then is up after like 35 min. What is up with this kid NEVER sleeping these days?

4:00 PM - I'm starting to get antsy. Leo is being fussy. Time to start dinner and put him in the exersaucer where he is content for all of 10 minutes.

On the menu for tonight. Pear Autumn Salad for the grown ups. Mac and Cheese for the kiddos.

5:15 PM - dinner is complete. Dad takes the boys down to the basement while I clean up the kitchen. Then it's time to get ready for swimming lessons. This week dad is in the pool with Finn. I stay home to feed Leo and put him to bed.

6:00 PM - The boys are off to swimming lessons. I make Leo's bottle and turn on Revenge, because I didn't watch it on Sunday and am obsessed with that show!

Nakey boy. Time for PJs

7:05 PM - Leo is down for the count. Quick finish the laundry. The boys are back from swimming.

The curls are back. haha. His hair looks like an afro.

7:15 PM - Start bedtime routine with the boys. Jammies on. Brush teeth. Go potty. Read books. We've been reading books separately lately, I got Finn last night. We read Toy Story, weird I know.

7:30 PM - Finn has to go potty one last time. Jack is already snoring in bed. I pour myself a much deserved glass of wine. Catch up on Facebook and Instagram. Graze around on Pinterest.

8:45 PM - Tom and I watch the last episode of season 2 Breaking Bad. We are obsessed.

10:00 PM - I head up to bed. Do my netti pot because my nose is stuffed. It's stuffed so bad the water wouldn't even drain. I thought it was going to explode in my brain. Not kidding. Make bottles for the night, hoping we won't need both. And check in on Leo.

haha. Do you think he misses the swaddle?

10:15 PM - GOODNIGHT!

For the record, our night was HORRENDOUS. Like one of the worst nights in a long, long time. Finn was up multiple times. Leo was ready to rock n roll at about 3 AM. Hello 4 month restless period. I can't stand you. Today is a new day, but it's again proving to be difficult. BLAH.