It's Nothing a Glass of Wine and a Hot Bath Won't Fix

Raising children is exhausting. I'm sure my parents (who were crazy enough to have four kids in four years) are answering aloud, "Yeah it is!" as they read this. It's not that I was oblivious to this going into this whole parenthood thing, I think I just painted a prettier picture of it in my head.

I particularly hate the husbands work schedule at the moment because it leaves me to fight the bedtime battle alone. No matter what the day is like for us, bedtime is never easy. Something about being tired brings out this wild, loud side to Amelia where as Marinn cries and wants to cuddle quietly. See the dilemma? So... at least it's not unfair because neither of them gets what they want? (Go with it- It makes me feel better to tell myself this.)

We all usually hold it together through the cleaning up of toys and the running of the bath water but, after that, all bets are off. There are never enough hands to wrangler a toddler, wash faces, stuff pacifiers into crying mouths, dress them, or carry them to bed. By the time they are both tucked into bed, showered with kisses, and sang to we are all exhausted.

On a good night we only go through the process once but most days we do it a few times. (Teething babies, potty training toddlers, any other excuse one can come up with to get out of bed...) Nights like tonight, where we stay gone all day and come home right before bedtime, are especially fun. Tears started the second we hit our porch and didn't stop until they both finally gave into exhaustion and fell asleep.

I hate when we end such a good day that way, it leaves me physically and emotionally drained. Thankfully there is something to ease pain of a rough night: a hot bath and a glass of wine!

Why Didn't You Tell Me?

My hair is falling out. Lots of it. It's on the floor, in the brush, the tub, everywhere. I'm not completely convinced there isn't a huge bald spot people aren't telling me about to spare my feelings. And it was getting so long...

Turns out it's just one things on a long list of top-secret postpartum issues women experience. I kind of get it- say too much and no one will ever reproduce, but really? What about being well informed? Shouldn't someone who loves cares about likes you share such things so you can weigh the pros and cons?

I'm quite convinced that the things I have experienced during and after my pregnancies would be a great deterrent for teenage pregnancies. Who needs Teen Mom, let me share some stories!

Hair loss would seem like nothing compared to some things I could share, but it's still sad none the less. Rumor has it my hair will be back to normal by time Marinn is one. Let the count down commence:

The Best Things in Life are Free

I am giddy with excitement over this gift I received from a friend today!
"What is it?" you ask.
Why 50 pounds of deliciously ripe pears, of course!

I'll be slaving away in the kitchen for the next few days trying to get all these beauties processed and I am so excited! I had no idea that I would like preparing and canning things as much as I do. It was almost three years ago that I tried my first attempt at apple butter. The year after it was blueberry apple butter so this year why not pear butter?? (And of course pear sauce for the little ladies!)

Winston's First Birthday

I'm delayed in posting this, but I still wanted to share with you some pictures from our fun-filled day celebrating my nephew Winston's first birthday. He was such a cute cowboy and his grandma made the most amazing stick horses for the kids to take home as favors. The heat held off and it was the perfect weather to spend the afternoon on 'the farm' (aka my dad's backyard.) I ate too many hot dogs and peanuts and washed it down with bottled rootbeer -so good! I couldn't resist making the girls cowgirl outfits and Amelia ended up with a dress (rather than the skirt I made for the occasion) because she insisted she needed a dress. Marinn got a shirt to go with her jean shorts. All the kids looked so cute it their boots! (Courtesy of Grandma Chris who didn't get to come up for the occasion.) Happy birthday Winston!

My Thrift Store Finds

Aside from the trip the husband and I made in preparation for the White Trash Birthday Bash, it had been at least a year since I stepped foot in a thrift store. I used to go fairly frequently and when I was stick-thin, fresh out of high school I had the most amazing luck at one particular place with finding brand new clothes with tags still on them. I don't look for clothes anymore but I do keep my eye out for the cool finds.

When we went in search of our party attire I found a glass jar that I thought I wanted to get for our pickles. It was amazing. It was big and pretty and... had the wrong lid and was over priced. I passed it up, but have been dreaming of it ever since. Especially since it's almost time to make some pickles! So today I loaded the girls up and headed out in search of the perfect jars.

Not only did I find the most amazing jars, but I also found some cool bottles to make dressing in and a set of eight sundae dishes. (Something I had been wanting for a certain girls third birthday.) I was especially pleased with my finds when I looked up the jars in search of lids and found that they're selling for around $10 each and I paid $4 for all of them! I do have the task of finding some lids before I can fill them up with tasty pickles but I have a few ideas in mind!

Welcome to Summer

Summer has made it's appearance in Kansas and it's not tip-toeing around either. Last week was full of days of the temperature reaching 100+ and this week isn't looking any cooler. The majority of our time has been spent inside, hiding out from the brutal heat and watching entirely too much TV.

Although this worked out last week the reality is, we can't hide forever.  So I broke out the kiddie pool, froze up some watermelon popsicles, slathered on the sunscreen and we ventured out to burn off some of that pent-up two year old energy. We even pushed talked Daddy into getting in the pool when he got home! 

Are those not the cutest rolls you have ever seen??

It was actually so hot outside that the water in the pool was warm a half hour after we filled it. We dumped a 20 pound bag of ice in to cool it off. It lasted maybe 2 minutes before it was completely melted. Good grief! 

The Joys of Parenting: The Bathroom is No Longer Your Own

I often tell my husband how much I envy his ability to use the bathroom without guests. I, on the other hand, do not have such a luxury. I don't know when it happened exactly, but these days it seems like every time I turn on the light it draws Amelia in like a moth to a flame. Since we are in the process of potty training I don't demand she leave, but rather encourage her to sit on her potty. Even so, she usually she just stands there cheering and clapping. It's uncomfortable having a cheer section. Maybe that's why she's doing it?

It hit an all time low today when I had to sit Marinn at my feet to keep her from her usual 'you put me down, how dare you!' hysteria. I had a baby at my feet and a two year old standing in the doorway (propping the door open of course) and she was holding something in her hand. What is that? Wait, is that my phone? Are you talking to someone on my phone??!? Her little voice rang out and I knew.... "Mommy's going potty. Good job Mommy! Good job!"

And so.... I find myself daydreaming of a lovely master bathroom with a soaking tub, a huge vanity and a giant lock on the door accompanied by a 'do not disturb' sign. 

Even after the kids are in bed at night I have company. Nothing like looking over to see four sets of eyes watching you.