Manic Monday

So, the week is already off to a crazy start I feel like. I was feeling overwhelmed last night for some unknown reason, so I took a nice hot bath and tried to get focused for the week ahead. I got up early to feed Addison (nothing new there) and then got ready for the day- even made my family eggs and toast. I was so proud. Pride comes before the fall, right?

And by fall, I mean that Bailey fell on the way to school. That child is so clumsy! She falls and trips over her own two feet all the time. We were just a few yards from the house and she takes off running with Cerys on the pavement (sidewalk) and just falls flat on her face.

We were already running a tad late and I've learned my lesson: always carry wet wipes even if it's just a quick walk to school and leave a bit earlier because pushing a stroller and walking with Cerys and Bailey requires extra time.

We got to the school yard just as the bell was ringing, I quickly kissed Cerys and handed her her snack money and off she went. :( I got Bailey settled into her class and began the walk home.

I was already feeling flustered, but since the doctor's surgery is on the way home I decided to pop in quickly to get Addison weighed and measured. Every Monday and Wednesday mornings are Baby Clinic so you don't have an appointment. I stopped in and asked the receptionist about it and she told me to go on upstairs, "The Health Visitor is already up there!" So, I made my way up and was greeted very rudely by the not-so-happy Health Visitor. Maybe she's having a rough day I thought, but SO AM I. Deep breathe. She yells at me from her office "Just go in, no just wait, UGH, I don't know just wait!" Hmm, okkkay. I said nothing, just sat down and got Addison out of the stroller and began playing with her and her toothy grins made me feel all better. Then the lady yells from her office again, "You are early, it's only 20 past 9 and clinic does not start until half past." Okay, so we are just going to yell across the waiting room are we? I yell back, "I'm sorry, I wasn't aware what time it starts, they told me downstairs to just come on up so I did!" I go back to playing with Addison who is happy as could be! Another mum and her baby arrive, thank goodness I'm not the only "early" one now. The health visitor walks out of her office and mumbles, "Come on through" as she walks into the other room. I followed her and said, "I only want to have her weighed and measured." She says, "Pop her clothes off and put her on the scales, what is her first name and date of birth and I need her red records book" I reply, "Ok, her name is Addison, born on blah,blah,blah and I forget her red book, I'm sorry but I just got back from taking my girls to school and decided to drop in since it's called Drop In Baby Clinic." Oh yes I did!

"Ughhh, I'll just have to write her weight on a slip of paper then and you must record it in her book when you get home."

"I sure will."

Addison weighs 19 lbs. 10 oz. and is 27 inches long.

She asks about the eczema, I told her that I saw the doctor last week and was given a prescription but I'm also using something else calls Arbonne which she's never heard of and I don't really care. "Hmmmm, okay, well it doesn't look too bad I guess," she says. To which I reply, "Yes, it's much better thank you."

I "popped" her clothes back on and left as quickly as we can.

Why do I feel like she is out to get me?!? I'm very aware that I'm a sensitive person and get overly upset at times, but for real- I sometimes feel like she is out to make my life miserable. Thank goodness I don't have to see her very often. And you can bet next time I will show up at half past 9, not 20 past. Goodness me.

Happy Monday, y'all.

I Can't Stand The Chubby-ness!!!

Ok, my baby girl has Eczema. I've taken her to the doctor 3 times, and keep hearing the same thing. I don't think it's her baby food, could it be something I'm eating? I've tried several lotions/combinations. My poor baby! It's on her arms, under her knees on her thighs and on her chest and tummy. I have to keep long sleeves and trousers on her or she will claw herself.


Media_http3bpblogspot_djecd
I love her chubby hands!
Media_http2bpblogspot_udnqc

Media_http1bpblogspot_nfyyy

She is just so chubby I want to eat her up! I just can't stand it! ;)


School Update

Rough day for the girls today.

Bailey had some tears this morning when we dropped her off, but was fine when we picked her up. It's hard to go to school every morning when you are so little. :) She has insisted every day this week that she will not take a nap, only play on her bed during rest time but of course she has fallen asleep every day!

Cerys said the lunch lady took her fruit snacks and threw them in the trash. :( Before I get all up in arms about it, I had to think that she probably thought they were "sweets" (candy) since you can't get anything like it here- they were brought to us by one of our gap year students. But still, I will be having a word with her tomorrow. Cerys burst into tears telling Marc about it on the way home today. Poor girl. She's very tired, but overall seems to be liking her teacher and her class.

Sigh. Hopefully we will all adjust quickly to this new routine. And I pray that I will adjust to not having control over every part of my little girls' day.

Back to School, Part 2!

It's strangely quiet around here this morning. I can think of at least 5 things I should be doing right now instead of blogging, but I'm going to enjoy it right now.

Cerys was so excited this morning- mainly because she gets to wear her new school shoes AND take a lunchbox.

Here she is right before we left the house:

Media_http3bpblogspot_zetdu
The usual pictures- I hate pictures of myself, but this is not about me, but her!

Media_http1bpblogspot_mhsic

Media_http1bpblogspot_hjdox

Here she is waiting in line to go to her classroom, a little bit unsure...


Media_http4bpblogspot_ngwjn
These are all the children today. Since they start in groups, there will be more tomorrow and by Thursday all the children will have started.

Media_http1bpblogspot_ofdti
I did good, held it all together and was not as sad as I thought I would be. I was nervous for her but she seemed okay. Her teacher is very nice and has one of the most Welshy accents I've heard here in Cardiff. It will be interesting to see what Cerys will sound like this year! Ha.

And, since we took a silly, sad photo yesterday- it's just me and Addison today. I hate this picture of myself, but it's funny because as you can see Addison is NOT sad! I think she was saying, "PAR-TAY, I get Momma all to myself!"

Media_http4bpblogspot_ijdkf

So now I wait! I will collect Bailey at 11:30am and Cerys at 3:30pm. Gotta get use to all this walking again!

<

Back to School, Part 1

Today was Bailey's first day of Nursery School! She was so excited to put on her "oonifoam" (uniform) this morning. This uniform is size 3 and she has lots of growing room! She looked sooo tiny today.

Here we are before school:

Media_http1bpblogspot_jhgwz

At the school gate:
Media_http4bpblogspot_oggda
Waiting to go in...

Media_http3bpblogspot_ldagp

Me, Cerys and Addison on the walk home, being silly and sad that Bailey was not with us:

Media_http3bpblogspot_bihlr

After school and still smiling!

Media_http1bpblogspot_fjkni

She went in like a big girl, no tears but they were on the surface! (For both of us!) She told me all about having snack and painting. I asked her what her favorite thing was and she said playing on the slide and me picking her up! :)

Cerys, Addison and I had a lovely walk home. Cerys talked non-stop and I think it kept me from crying. I was trying to have a moment, but she wouldn't STOP TALKING. When we were almost home she looked at me and said, "Whew, I think I need to calm my mouth down!" Yes, you do child.

Stay tuned for Back to School, Part 2- Cerys starts Reception tomorrow and it's full time, 9-3:30! I know there will be tears from me tomorrow as I just walk home with my sweet, chubby Addison!

A Chill in The Air

The weather is a changing! Today for the first time in a while, I'm feeling quite chilly. You know you have acclimated to the great British weather when you are feeling warm and talking about the heat with neighbors, and it's only 70 outside. This morning it was a chilly 56 degrees. Feels like it's time to trade in our light jackets for something a bit heavier.

I took Bailey to her Nursery school this morning for registration. She enjoyed the hour that we were there. I had to fill in paperwork and visit with the teacher, Bailey will start on Monday. I also went across the hall to visit with Cerys' Reception teacher, and I got a little choked up standing in her classroom. I can't believe my baby will be going all day and she's only 4! She is so excited, but I think the thing that makes her the most giddy is getting to take her lunch box! Cerys will start on Tuesday. I'm likely to be one emotional Mummy on Monday and Tuesday. You can be sure I will post pictures of my two little Welsh school girls.

So that leaves me and Addison alone each morning! She will take a nap and I will ... do whatever I want! :) I see cups of tea, books, and window shopping in my near future.

Have a wonderful weekend! (Happy Labor Day America- enjoy your day off school as we get started here!)

Germany, Part 2- Vacation

I bet you thought I would never post the last of the pictures from our vacation? And, not only that, but this is our 500th blog post!! Do I get anything for that? (Ok, clearly I can't count. It's not my 500th post, it's only 460th. LOL. Math was never my strength!)

Ok, the last bit of our family vacay was spent in Kaiserslautern, Germany at Ramstein Military Base. It was so neat! We went to visit friends of ours that use to live in Wales. They are now with the army, as a chaplain. We noticed it was kind of like Disney in some ways- especially the long, straight drive up the gate and the deliriously happy grin you get on your face knowing you are about to have fun...I'm only half kidding- We had to stop and go in this building with Douglas to get our pass to get on base. We had to show our passport and Douglas has to sign us in.

Media_http4bpblogspot_jhste
Our first stop- Chili's! Oh how I love you bottomless chips and salsa...
Media_http2bpblogspot_oaebc

The next day we had dinner at Taco Bell- this is kind of a forced smile from me, Addison was hungry and crying and I was hungry but I had to feed her ASAP, excuse the HH that I still had around my neck.

Media_http4bpblogspot_apkrj
No, that is not all MY food. No, we did not spend all the time eating...we did some shopping too! Jonelle and Douglas took us to the commissary- ya'll, it was awesome! It was just like a Kroger or something. I was just shocked at how once you are on base, it was like you were in America. Everything looked the same. It was very strange. Anyway, we grabbed a buggy/trolley/cart, I don't know what to call them anymore- and we just started dumping stuff in it. I wish I had taken more time in there, because after being home I thought of a few things that I could have really used besides powdered donuts and children's tylenol.

Our last morning there, Douglas was all decked out in his uniform-

Media_http4bpblogspot_hvecw

Oh, the last night we were there we walked to this awesome ice cream place- whew!! I needed to walk after Chili's, Taco Bell and my powdered donuts.

This is their cute little family- when they lived in Wales they only had the two oldest children, Brennig and Megan- and they were only babies!! Now they have Ella and Eric too!
Media_http2bpblogspot_txokg

And here we are after our ice cream,

Media_http2bpblogspot_hejsi
I think this was our favorite part of our trip- it was good seeing old friends and getting a glimpse into their military life. Oh funny story- we used an ATM/Cash Machine on base and you could choose between US Dollars or Euros, how cool is that? I did not know they used Dollars on base! We used our UK bank account and we immediately got a text from our bank telling us that our ATM card had been used in America. Crazy!

Thanks for hosting us, y'all!!!

P.S.- The countdown is on...7 sleeps till school starts.

Carrots, Apples and Parsnips! Oh My!

I promise I will get to that last part of our Germany vacation- probably the most fun of all since we got to see old friends, eat at Chili's and go shopping at the commissary!

Addison is 6 months old! How, how is that possible? It seems like yesterday that I was sitting around waiting for her to arrive! To celebrate her half-birthday, I started her on some food! The baby food here always amuses me. You can choose from Cottage Pie, anything Halal, Fisherman's Bake, Mushroom Risotto...the list goes on! I remember when we started Cerys on food I remember thinking, like where is just the green beans? Anyway, not long after we moved back and Bailey was starting to eat solids I found this wonderful range of organic food called Ella's Kitchen. They are kept in these cute packets and are super easy to use!

So here we have her first foods! I bought the Gerber Rice Cereal on base at the commissary. Ella's Kitchen is as basic as it comes as far as food combinations- you can see that the green one is Broccoli, Pears and Peas and the orange ones is Carrots, Apples, and Parsnips. They actually taste pretty good. So far she has tasted the Apples and Bananas mixed into the cereal and then tonight I introduced the orange one and she gobbled it up! (At some point I will have to post some pictures of the other varieties that are available.)

Media_http2bpblogspot_dnsco
Here we are, getting all excited about the food!

Media_http1bpblogspot_rbmcj
Not too sure,

Media_http4bpblogspot_bfaoq

Yes, I think we like it...

Media_http2bpblogspot_hiebo

I'm also late in taking her 6 month picture and also forgot to put her froggy in it with her, oh well. Here they are! (Notice her shirt!)


Media_http3bpblogspot_djgif

Why? Why does my Mommy do this to me?


Media_http2bpblogspot_axcod
I am not sure how much she weighs, but I'm guessing she has reached 20 pounds! Ha. She is 27 1/4 inches long!

Also, not like I have to explain my reasons, but yes I am buying baby food. It's just easy right now although I know it's not as cheap. I made all Cerys' food and a lot of Bailey's, but I'm just not going to do that right now. I'm very pleased with this range of food as it has nothing added. There, I feel better.


And this pictures is just because it cracks me up! I can't believe she will be starting Nursery in 2 weeks!!!


Media_http1bpblogspot_huass


Random Thoughts From The Week

So, Marc has been out of town all week- anyone notice how often he's traveled this year? This is not normal. Thankfully this was his last (planned) trip until we are on our stateside in December. I still have vacation pictures to post, but this will have to do for now-

*I'm super tired. Not sure if it's from our trip to Germany or what. I'm so tired, yet I've had trouble all week falling asleep. Only to be awaken by Bales who wet her bed one night, wanted Daddy the next night, wanted me the night after that and wanted to sleep with me early this morning. (And, NO I'm not pregnant Mom.)

*I've been to the public library twice, done all sorts of crafts- drawing, painting, clay, playdough, gone to the playground, took them to eat Burger King and bought them milkshakes...yet they still want MORE. I'm drained.

*Addison is so off schedule this week. Actually, I think she's been off schedule most of her life. Yes, yes she has. I guess this is what happens to the 3rd child? I was so strict- super, ridiculous strict with Cerys, a bit more relaxed with Bales...and now, well Addison just sort of has to go with the flow of family life. I've been so sad for her this week with me being a single parent because she gets put down on the floor (on a blanket!) or in her excersaucer thingy constantly so I can deal with the big girls. Once this week I felt like she just looked at me like, "What happened Mommy, you use to play with me." I could have cried.

*Addison is 6 months old today! And she started eating solids today- well, can you really call mushy rice cereal a solid? Gross. She ate about 3 tiny bites and made a bunch of funny faces. I fed her her first bite, then the girls were so excited so I let them each give her one bite. I was afraid she was going to choke on the spoon, the girls didn't quite get the concept that "Addison has never eaten anything in her life let's be gentle!"

*Marc is at the U2 concert right now. Addison still won't take a bottle so we gave my ticket to our friend. Marc has been texting me all night with updates, I think he's enjoying it. I just did not feel good about leaving Addison with a sitter for more than a few hours- from the time the doors opened to the end of the concert I would be missing 2 feeds and I think she would freak.

*We had 9 American students arrive this week to begin the gap year program! We are very excited, not only to be around fellow American for a few months, but to see how they will grow in their relationship with God. They are all coming over for dinner tomorrow night. Guess I should go to store first thing in the morning. Nothing like last minute planning- which I NEVER do. For real, it drives me crazy. But I was not wanting to attempt another grocery store trip with all 3 girls in tow.

*School starts in 2 weeks! Cerys will be going all day and Bailey will be going every morning. Whatever will I do during Addison's morning nap?? Oh the endless possibilities!!!!!

Goodnight y'all!

Germany, Part 2

We started out our family vacation by doing the Alpsee Coaster, and it was a blast! I would love to give you all the details about it, but I can't read German. You can go to the website and see more pictures. Basically, you ride a ski lift up to the top and coaster down. We had to take turns, guess it's our new normal since we have three kids now. I stayed at the bottom with Addison and Cerys while Marc and Bailey rode down. Then Cerys and I went up. Here we are on the way up- lots of nervous giggles from me and Cerys. I had quite a grip on her, and she had quite a grip on me!

Media_http2bpblogspot_ltavu

Media_http3bpblogspot_mkwug

Then we drove a few hours to our hotel and did nothing and it was great! We ventured out for a little while to find some nappies and food, then we just relaxed in our hotel. Some dear friends of ours and their four children also stayed in our hotel, so the next day we set out to Neuschwanstein Castle- this is the castle in the movie Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang and it was also Walt Disney's inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle in the Disney parks. It was breathtakingly beautiful driving up to it, pictures don't do it justice!


Media_http3bpblogspot_seqhb


Media_http1bpblogspot_abzve
Addison enjoyed the tour- that is after I speed nursed her and changed her major blow out while the tour guide held our place in line. I didn't have time to get her new clothes on, so we had to dress her while on the tour! Ha.

We took a pic of all the kids- our three and their four! Their oldest, Hadassah is just precious. She was 9 months old when we first met them and I just can't believe how she has grown up. They live in Spain and it's so cute to hear them all rattle off Spanish to each other. (Addison was not too happy about it!)

Media_http3bpblogspot_bfeka


Media_http1bpblogspot_xzxqj

Media_http1bpblogspot_pfbql
This is the Mercedes Benz Museum, right next to our hotel. I just thought it was cool and reminds me of Hot Wheels in their plastic box.

We had dinner at lovely Italian place and it was such a nice night we opted to sit outside! We had to keep the kids entertained!


Media_http4bpblogspot_jadpe
Addison, about 10pm, chillin' on the table!


Media_http2bpblogspot_enngz

Ok, funny story- that was not-so-funny at the time. The Alpsee Coaster takes a while to do because you wait in line for the ski lift, then there is another line at the top to wait to get on the ride. They say it could take about 45-60 minutes to come back down. So, while Marc and Bailey were doing that, we played on the playground and just walked around. We saw them come flying down and Bailey was just squealing, she loved it! Then it our turn. Cerys and I had to wait for about 15 minutes to get on the ski lift, but when we got to the top there was no line at all because people were either at the cafe or playing on another playground at the top of the mountain. We just walked right up to the coaster and got on. We were down in about 30 minutes total. No Marc, Bailey or Addison in sight.

I walked to the car, nothing. I went into the cafe, nothing. I went into the gift shop, nothing. I kept telling myself NOT TO PANIC. Cerys was catching on to my nerves after about 15 minutes. She was hot and thirsty, I had no money, no wallet, no car keys, no phone, NOTHING on me. After about an hour, I tried desperately to explain my situation to this nice German lady who had seen me on the playground previsouly, thinking she would understand. I felt like I was playing charades, and I felt ridiculous! I was trying to act out "husband pushing baby, and a three year old with him" and I was getting no where! She just nodded her head and smiled at me. Ha! To the Glory of God, a nice woman came up to me and said she noticed me trying to explain something (well who DIDN'T notice me acting that out!!!) and wanted to know if I was okay. She was German but spoke very good English and her husband was English. They were extremely helpful and she translated for me to the workers there that I could not find my husband and two kids. Who knows WHAT they were thinking and I wanted to reassure them and say, "Please, don't worry too much, my husband would not run off with a three year old and a five month old by himself!" But then a bunch of other scenarios were running through my head and I was starting to panic.

They put a call out for Marc and the girls, descriptions, etc and I was just told to sit down and wait. The husband of this nice lady walked up to the top of where you get on the ski lift and said he saw a man with a baby in his arms, had dark hair and was wearing a yellow shirt. For the life of me I could not remember what Marc was wearing, but he told me where this guy was and I went to check it out. Sure enough it was Marc and the girls, waiting under the coaster, hoping to get pictures of me and Cerys coming down. He did not think we would get down so fast, so we somehow missed each other. I could tell he was frustrated when he heard me screaming his name and waving at him, and I was ready to give him a piece of my mind too! He was worried about us taking so long and I was thinking something terrible had happened and how I should have fed Addison before I went up that thing!!!

Thankfully we are all okay! It's funny now, but at the time I was so scared and so mad that I didn't take German in high school. I don't even know if it was offered, but I was sure hoping I could say something!!!


Posterous theme by Cory Watilo