Yes I am still Alive!

Wow, Yes, I am here! It really has been 7 months and I haven't even posted. Sometimes life is so crazy (or so mundane?) that you just can't bring yourself to post. I don't want to abandon my blog completely, so how about a few picture updates for you all?

My Baby Boy was born on Cinco de Mayo, May 5th, 2014! Wow... Introducing....

Isaiah Anthony Miller, weighing in at 8 pounds and 13.8 ounces. He is one mellow little boy, compared to my girls. He cries less, sleeps more, and breastfeeding has gone better than all previous babies. Go Isaiah! I need an easy one. (My two year old is keeping my wayyyy too busy.) 

I survived my 4th C-Section! (Praise God.) Recovery is going slow, but I think, OK. On the operating table we asked if "We could do this again", and the doctor said "Yes." (Not that I particularly want to think about that right at this moment, but we wanted to know for the future, "What if???") After being asked 150+ times if I was going to tie my tubes, and is this "It?" and "I am done now, Right?", by everyone from bank tellers, random strangers, the supermarket cashiers to the nurses, to friends and family members, ugh. I know I am on the cusp of 40... I know I have finally gotten my opposite gender child on the 4th attempt. I am supposed to get fixed now, according to cultural norms. But we aren't giving anyone the satisfaction... and it just seems to infuriate and bewilder so many when you respond with "Well, we'll see... " :-)  I wish I was 10 years younger, though... 

I weighed 3 pounds more coming out of the hospital than going in... due to edema and all the fluids they pump you up with... 

Here's a beautiful shot of my fluid filled feet: (Gross, I know!) 

Thankfully, I did end up losing 20 pounds in 3 days, as all the fluid finally decided to start leaving. Now I only have 30 more to go!

My oldest daughter, Lauren, received her First Holy Communion!  I am so proud of her.

 

Don't let our sweet looks fool you, we are still a handful to take to Mass!

Here are a few more baby shots, Just Because...

Thank you for visiting my blog! May God Bless You All today!

What's going on with the kids?

I thought it would be fun to let my readers know what has been happening with my little ones. This is not a typical post topic for me, but I am still trying to find my "grove" in blogging and this is not something I have to really think about before I write, I can just write. :-)

So... It's been a busy month. My oldest, Lauren, turned 7 on March 8th, and my middle daughter, Layna, turned 3 on March 9th. Last year I spent way too much money and threw a big "fancy party" at Paintbrush Pottery for my 6 year old. It was a lot of effort and very expensive. We had to invite everyone from her public school kindergarten class, and everyone from her daycare after school class. I just felt it was too much. This year, we took the girls (just our little family) to Chuck E Cheese and then to Skateword. Ahhh, how low stress, and fun, and overall much better. I picked up a cake at Kroger's and we sang happy birthday at Chuck E Cheese. I didn't give them any presents, and they didn't even care. They had a blast roller skating - it was Layna's first time on toddler skates and she was so darn cute. They have been begging me to go back all week.

Layna, finally, FINALLY, is beginning to potty train. She has been tinkling in the toilet just great! How exciting. I really thought we would never see this day. However, "going #2'... well, that is presenting some challenges. She's just not ready. She has made a complete mess in multiple public places now 2 times in the past 24 hours. This evening we were having a family pizza night, and we had to bolt out of the restaurant... (no diapers on hand, no change of clothes) We had a leakage issue (very very bad) and we had to take off all her clothes in the parking lot and do a full body wipe down and buckle her in her car seat in her birthday suit. At this point, we just had to laugh, because the situation was a little out of control. We all jumped in the shower when we got home.

Lauren has been losing teeth like crazy. The tooth fairy has been busy. I can't believe my "little girl" - and she is very much still an innocent little girl.. is growing so fast, and getting too big to fit in my lap. I love the young lady she is turning out to be, but it also makes me sad because I know this stage is going to fade quickly and soon enough we will be approaching those "tween" years... 

Leah, my baby, is getting ready to turn 1 next month. She is my most spoiled baby yet. I have created a "little monster" (as my husband likes to say). I'm still letting her sleep in our bed, which definitely has its pros and cons. She is very very close to walking. I am exciting about her taking her first steps.

Well, that's a quick update on my end. What about you? What fun things do you have to say about your kids or grand kids or nieces & nephews today?