Worn

I pray that these past few months have been a lighter season for you, unlike ours. In the past week we've had Pneumonia, Croup, four teeth coming in, back issues for me that require physical therapy three times a week for six weeks, and gearing up for Ben's third surgery in the past six months. And thats just this past week!  I'm worn. My sweet little family is worn.

What I can't wrap my feeble mind around is my kiddos have a diet is outstanding (humble I know), they are properly dressed for the weather, are sleeping by 1930, get plenty of exercise and fresh air, we wash hands but I let them have a good mix of germ contact, I clean only with vinegar, baking soda, and castile soap so no chemicals, and my wilds have been invaded by illness. I know I can't control it, and maybe I need to relearn that lesson- I don't know. But really? Okay, petty rant is over.... for the time being.

Poor 'Cub is looking at this spasmodic croup to be a regular issue. He had croup back in the spring when the weather changed and his pediatrician said it's not asthma but I should expect this to happen twice a year for him. He's just sensitive to the weather change, I pray he is wrong.

I'm thankful with the way our past six months have gone, that this back pain is the only real health issue I've had. That in itself, is a true gift from God. True gift and I thank Him. I've been having pain in my hips for awhile that would come and go. I thought maybe I'm just not using my other hip to hold Judah enough. I really don't hold him all the time. He's a man with a mission and usually just wants me to hold him while I'm making dinner. He pick the most opportune moments to need Momma lovin' :) Now lately, he has wanted to be held more. His teeth are really rocking him and has not been getting the best of naps during the day, pray that changes please? So come afternoon, it can get ugly around here with an over tired Judahcub. I finally went to the doctor, remember I'm a nurse so it takes a great deal to get me there sometimes, and he said I'm having Sacral Iliac Joint disfunction and my alinement is off a great deal, my one leg is shorter than the other, who'd thought? He then handed me a script that said "Physical Therapy three times a week for eight weeks." I didn't want to be rude and laugh in his face or tell him, "Not gonna happen Sir, but thanks anyways." That night while trying to go to sleep, I prayed and was honest with Him. I apologized for trying to take care of this myself and said this is yours. There is no way I can do PT 3 times a week for 8 weeks unless they are okay with a 16mon and 3yr old attending with me. I cried because it's so very painful and I hate, hate, hate that I have to tell my babies I can't hold you right now unless I'm sitting because Momma's back hurts. I can't' even sit on the floor to play or read. Even laying down at night is painful.

The next morning I woke up and called the PT office to see if there was anyway we could make this happen. She said of course, we're open until 2000. I cried tears of joy and thankfulness. I can now do PT and even put my babies to bed. He hears our prayers and knows our hearts.

Now Ben's surgery. Well, this will be #3 and is the most serious. He had surgery on his ulna, knee, and this one will be his back. He goes for a second opinion next week. I know, I know. Back surgery is the devil and never works. Believe me we've heard it over and over again. We've done what we can with what we have for a long time, and now we're at back surgery. Which brings me to another big happening for our family. Ben will be going before a Medical Board to be evaluated and a determination of whether he will be medically discharged or medically retired. It's a long drawn out process that could take months, well- it's looking like at least a year. We have really enjoyed and adapted to the military lifestyle, and knowing that it is coming to an end sooner rather than later, is proving a wee bit tough. Ben was planning on making this a career and looking forward to doing so. It's not a life for everyone, at times I think we both could have said, this isn't for us either- but you'll have those times. We're working on mapping out our options and making several plans because we don't really know time frames. Please pray for us and the direction our family is to go. In a way, it's exciting. Thinking about where to go, what to do and how to do it. And then, it's overwhelming at the same time.You know, pretty much what you'd expect from a defining moment.

It's okay through, really. It sucks, yes I said sucks, sorry Mom I know you enjoy that word, but it does- but it's okay. Even through this murky time, I know He loves me and my family more than I ever could, and has all of this mapped out. We've been blessed beyond belief during this time and I know it will continue. Even if the blessing is that I've woke up to another day, and that I'm still drawing breath. The book of James is so very special to me and during times like these, I find such intense comfort and peace in that book.

It hasn't been pure chaos or heartache, but I think being honest and transparency is important. I'm not going to smile and say, "We've been doing super awesome and things are super great". And I'm not going to say, "Ohh we've just had it so tough, and woe is us blah blah blah." But I will ask that you pray for us.

Here's a favorite of mine, a song that plays a great deal in my mind.  Well, two songs.

Sister time

The last time we were home, my middle sister was in from IL. She's doing her masters at University of Illinois, and I couldn't be more proud of her. I don't get to see her much and miss her something fierce, so we had to get a picture! It's funny how all of us are a little scattered now. My brother is all over the world with his job and don't get to see him too much either- thank God for Skype!!  We're taking complete advantage of getting to see my baby sister. It's only a matter of time before she steps into the wide yonder. I think she and my Mom were the only ones showered and cleaned up but I think they are the best and adore these pictures.

Thanks to my man for capturing this. My Mom has a hard time with keeping her eyes open when she gets her picture taken and we were making sure she didn't forget it. I've already made copies of this picture and will be enlarging to frame. It captures us perfectly.

It's embarrassing to think how vicious we could be with each other when we were younger. Now, I couldn't think of any other people I would rather be with. If you could have three opposites, we would be it. But that's one of the things I love the most. Remember this girlies: The only thing better than having you two as my sisters, is that my kiddos have you two as their Aunts. Love you.

Judah 16 Months

Weight: 32lbs

Height: not sure, going for check up at the end of the month

Wearing: size 5 diapers, very few 24months, mostly 2ts

New words: well not too many but, he's got the different dog barks in Doggies book by Sandra Boyton down :) Moo Mooo ( for Move it Move it- the song from Madagascar) Bug-bug, Nnnnno, Danke (working on using it in context)

He's been sleeping through the night consistently! And I don't even want to hear "my kids slept through the night at 6wks"... ugh 16 months isn't too bad :)

We have four teeth coming through all at the same time. It's been rough on the 'Cub, but is doing much better. He's realized the popsicles feel pretty good on sore gums and really started to enjoy them! This past month we've been on the go every weekend. This is the first weekend in a month we're not going somewhere. Judah has decided that sleeping in other places than his crib is not for him. He's slept at my Mom's and Ben's parents numerous times and never had an issue. The last two times we were home, he will not, I mean WILL NOT, sleep in the cribs. The weekend we went to the Bed and Breakfast he wouldn't sleep in the pack and play either-something that never used to be an issue. He slept beside me but neither one of us slept much, at all. It's not something he wanted to do either- he really doesn't want to sleep with me- he wants his own bed. The wild woman was the total opposite. She would sleep through the night IF she was sleeping with us. I told Ben, I don't care what people say, we need our sleep and so does she so she's sleeping with us. It worked for us for a few months then she went back to her bed. Audrey sleeps like Ben, in one spot for the majority of the night. Judah sleeps like me, easily stirred, constantly turning...ugh it's impossible. Then we got home and when it was time for bed, he was pointing to his crib, couldn't get in it fast enough. Slept 13hrs straight and took he usual three hour nap, compared to waking every two hours and napping one hour, two if I napped with him. I hope it's just a phase :)

Some favorites: dancing to "I like to move it move it" if he sees me go over and turn the Bose on- he'll start yelling Mooo Mooo until I turn it on. He's got some moves my friends. Once I figure out how to get the videos from my camera to upload on the browser, I'll be putting some up. Judah loves to play chase, and read Elmo books over and over again. We've been joined at the hip lately. He wants to be with his Momma at all times.

Judah Cub is such a little lover. He gives the best hugs and moochers. It just melts me. One of the very few things I liked about having to sleep with the wild man a few weekends was when he would wake up, he'd grab my face to give me moochers, over and over again. To say that I loved it just doesn't seem like enough. Also, I can't believe I'm saying this but, when he'd wake up through the night, he was very lovey and a hug snuggle bug- I miss it. Giving moochers and hugs are also his way of saying "I'm sorry" AND he hasn't been biting after I have him tell the wild woman he was sorry for who knows what :)

Happy Fall From the Wilds

It finally feels like fall here on the East Coast! The air conditioner hasn't kicked on in a few days, I'm going to take that as a sign cooler weather is in store :) Last week I had to climb back in to the storage closet and pull out the kids summer clothes that I had just put away. Low 80's all week was unreal! We even had the pool out a day! We soaked the sunshine and warmth up- staying outside as much as possible.

When we were home last we took the kids to the Amish farm down the road from my in-laws and snapped a few pictures. It was pretty warm that day too!

Picking her pumpkin out

Wild man found his!

Watching the horse and buggy :)

My wilds :)

This hay is way better than looking at the camera Momma...

Sniffing the Mums

Judah is 15 months!

Goodness me, can it be? Yes, yes it can. The wild man is 15 months old.

This is his "A PLANE" look hahah

I'll do it myself.

Development:

New words this month: "Yes" (said it twice but that still counts), "Moe" (elmo, which is funny because he's never watched Sesame Street until last week-after he became obsessed with our Elmo books), "nahhh" for nut after his sister kept calling him a nut on our 6hr trip in the car home :), "whoa", and will shake his head "no.

His new fit throwing posture of belly out, knees bent, and dragging his toes while he walks..all while whining.. it's precious folks. He does his happy feet dance when he's happy or excited, squeals to go to the playground, and will do just about anything to get outside. Lately he's been sneaking some cheap shots in when he's supposed to be loving on his sister. For example when he grabs something or whacks her with something we talk about it and he has to go and give her a hug...which he does but will sometimes bite her or try to the last few seconds of the hug.... Yup. Then we go through the process again. I'm praying more drastic measurers will not have to happen in dealing with the biting business.

This past month we had a huge appointment in Philly for a Neuro-cardiac clinic. It's really a nice set up, instead of having 5 different appointments, they have one doctor come in after the other is done and you get it all done in one day. The downside... a 4.5hr long appointment. I had both wilds with me and they both did top notch. Judah is right on track and slightly above for almost all the areas of development, PT/OT, and nutrition (go figure). The area Judahcub is having a slight delay in is expressive speech. He's about three months behind. We had been noticing Judah wasn't talking as much as  the wild woman and was more of action kind man than words. For example, if Judah is hungry he'll go sit in his booster seat until you bring him something. If he wants to read, he picks out his book and sits in your lap with it. If he wants to go outside, he gets his shoes or yells at the back door. The one thing that does not happen is Audrey does not speak for him. If anything, she's out little speech pathologist. She encourages him to talk and repeat after her. Also, Aud has way more things to say for herself than to talk for Judah :)

Sleeping:

Judahcub is still such a stellar napper!. He still takes about a 3hr nap during the day. I'd say it's been a successful transition to a mid day nap. He goes down around 1200 and sleeps till 1500. We're working on getting more consistent with sleeping through the night. Now that we are weaning, it's helping.

Eating:

Yes, weaning. Cow's milk just didn't work out. Doesn't bother us, we prefer having no dairy and it makes it a little easier with Audrey not being able to handle it either. Praise Jesus the wild man took right to goats milk and loves it! Audrey grabbed the wrong cup yesterday morning and the look on her face was just hysterical. I said, hunnybee- you just to drink that! Her reply- I don't like that now!!! I have more milk saved with Judah than I did with Audrey so he'll still be getting breastmilk for at least a few months. Judah still nurses before bedtime and I'm not sure when that will stop. I'm in no hurry and it's our special time.

Playground Fun

I count it such a huge blessing to have a playground right outside our fence. There's a huge soccer field, a playset that's Audrey's age and a little older, a playset that's just Judahcub's size, a nice pavilion, and bike paths. It's great. We go for wagon rides to get the mail then make a circle to the playground .The kiddos run in the field to the playground while I trail them with the wagon. The best part is that there are no other houses behind it. It's just open. 

We go everyday, sometimes twice :) We take advantage of every bit of warm sunshine that we can!

My Wild Woman

My wild woman is 3.5 years old. At times I have to remind myself that she is only 3.5, not older. Her vocab, processing, memory, and comprehension is just unreal. I'm in total awe of her. She is so true to her name, a noble strength. She's fiercely independent, has such a tender loving heart, funny as all get out, and a mind that stuns me.

Weight: 37lbs

Height: 39inchs

Wearing: 4t

Eating:

The wild woman is a fantastic eater. She will try anything if asked and will let you know her honest opinion. She could live on fruits and veggies alone and be just fine. Her new favorite veggie is snow peas and have taken a shine to red raspberries- something she didn't care for last year. She's able to eat more dairy now but prefers not to. She'd rather have the unsweetened vanilla almond milk. 

Sleeping:

It may have taken us a hot minute but my girl is sleeping through the night and just recently- sleeping past 0630. I know, it's been a true gift from God- not other explanation. And actually a few morning's of 0730. I went up a few times just to make sure she was okay :) 

Development:

The wild woman has been in big girl panties for awhile now and has done amazing! Thankful for weeks of dry nights as well. If she have to go to the bathroom, she gets out of bed and goes all by herself- she's she a big girl. Only on days that we've been out in the heat and drinking water all day do I put her on the potty before I go to sleep. I won't restrict fluids on hot humid days when my goal is to keep my kiddos hydrated. Audrey's been really into learning letters lately. She's got A B C D down and is recognizing letters in her books. I've been pointing out letters while we read and she loves to find them on her own now. Her pictures are also turning more into pictures that I can tell what they are :) Her princesses and dinosaurs are fantastic! This past week she's been making different faces too- they've been mostly mean faces haha :) She loves to sing, make up stories, and hear exactly why things are the way they are.