Tuesday, August 25, 2009
And then there's Max
As if Abby and Nolan's antics, as described in the previous post, weren't bad enough. Then there's Max. I mean, he's always a little crazy and a wild man in general, but he's taken to a new sort of exhibitionism. Yes, he loves to show "it" off. No matter where we are, what we're doing, out comes his, well, privates. Ever since he was a baby and was aware of "it", he'd play with it. Loved baths just for that reason! But now? Now that he's potty training (and doing a very good job of it!), he just seems to want it out. And of course Abby and Nolan laugh, so he takes it out more. And then runs around, pretends to pee on them, and in general likes the reaction he gets. So, I've tried telling the kids to ignore him, I've tried to ignore him, I've told him to put it away, I've told him to go into the bathroom. So far to no avail. Ugh!! Anyone? Any ideas? Of all of them, he's the most embarassing!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Damn it, you don't like me!
Ok, so I don't really think you don't like me. And I don't usually swear at you. I'm sorry. It's just the refrain that we've heard around our house lately! It kind of goes like this...
Nolan, shooting his nerf dart, shoots it behind the tv. Then says, "Damn it!" What? What did you say? Yup, sure enough. No, Nolan, we don't say that. Yes, I know daddy says it, but it's still not something a five-year old should say!
Then Abby, attempting to make newspaper torches (just rolling up the paper, not actually lighting them on fire), was having issues making them look just like the ones Dave did. She didn't like my suggestion of cutting the orange paper farther ("But Daddy didn't do it that way!" even though he did) and eventually I got frustrated and said you can do it that way or not, it doesn't matter, but I'm done talking about it. At which point she responded with, "You're just saying that because you don't like me!" And I said yes. You're right, I don't like you. And I barely hid my laughter as she went downstairs sobbing to Dave that I don't like her. Fortunately, later, we joked about it when I made her put her nail polish away and she said "You're just making me do that because you don't like me!" and then she laughed.
Back to Nolan... playing Wii misses a shot. "Damn it!" Ugh. DAVE!!! Nolan had to go up to his room, and I keep giving him suggestions to say instead. And he goes, "So, I can say darn it, but not damn it?" Yes, Nolan. NOW STOP SAYING IT!!!
Anyway, here are some more pics of Ava and the kids. All is going way too well. Tomorrow is school registration, and I'm both happy and sad for it. The kids start September 1, and they're so excited for it it's hard for me not to be excited for them. And yet, I'm sad, too, for the stricter schedules, homework, places to be all the time. And more than a little worried over what I'll do with a newborn and a two-year-old all day!
Nolan, shooting his nerf dart, shoots it behind the tv. Then says, "Damn it!" What? What did you say? Yup, sure enough. No, Nolan, we don't say that. Yes, I know daddy says it, but it's still not something a five-year old should say!
Then Abby, attempting to make newspaper torches (just rolling up the paper, not actually lighting them on fire), was having issues making them look just like the ones Dave did. She didn't like my suggestion of cutting the orange paper farther ("But Daddy didn't do it that way!" even though he did) and eventually I got frustrated and said you can do it that way or not, it doesn't matter, but I'm done talking about it. At which point she responded with, "You're just saying that because you don't like me!" And I said yes. You're right, I don't like you. And I barely hid my laughter as she went downstairs sobbing to Dave that I don't like her. Fortunately, later, we joked about it when I made her put her nail polish away and she said "You're just making me do that because you don't like me!" and then she laughed.
Back to Nolan... playing Wii misses a shot. "Damn it!" Ugh. DAVE!!! Nolan had to go up to his room, and I keep giving him suggestions to say instead. And he goes, "So, I can say darn it, but not damn it?" Yes, Nolan. NOW STOP SAYING IT!!!
Anyway, here are some more pics of Ava and the kids. All is going way too well. Tomorrow is school registration, and I'm both happy and sad for it. The kids start September 1, and they're so excited for it it's hard for me not to be excited for them. And yet, I'm sad, too, for the stricter schedules, homework, places to be all the time. And more than a little worried over what I'll do with a newborn and a two-year-old all day!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Last week I didn't even know her
I think it's just amazing that last week, I didn't even know Ava. I sit and look at her and she's just been there forever. I remember asking Dave in the month before she was born "I'll love her, right?" Sometimes it just seemed so overwhelming, these four kids. How would we deal, how will we handle it. He assured me I would, that he would. And you know what? He was right! While some times it still seems overwhelming (leaving the house!), it's quickly becoming second nature.
In fact, things that would have sent me into a panic with the first two (you know, Abby and Nolan), I take in stride with Max and Ava. We went to Walmart this morning after I fed Ava. I thought she'd be fine, but of course she woke up in Walmart and was crying a little. We were close to done, but I took her out of her car seat and held her and she seemed better. I tried to hustle Max out of the store, but hustling Max out of the store is like herding cats. I just doesn't work. We only needed lightbulbs and I couldn't figure out where they were. When I finally asked, of course they were on the other side of the store. Ava whimpering/crying/sleeping, Max finding everything fascinating along the way. Then, when I'm holding Ava, Max wanting to be carried too. I'm carrying Max, Ava and pushing a cart. Whew! Sweating by this time! We finally got to the checkout and got through, and I knew I had to change Ava so we went to the bathroom. While I'm changing Ava on the changing table, Max went into the stall to go potty. I get Ava's diaper off and realize there's poop everywhere. Ugh. First blown diaper right in Walmart. So, I set to get her cleaned and changed and Max announces from the stall "I poop!" Ok Max. "I poop!" louder. Ok, I hear you! Good job! Get new diaper on Ava. "I poop!" I finally peek in the stall. Yup, he pooped. But it was in his pullup, before he pulled it down. He went into the stall, pulled off the pullup and the shorts, crawled up on the toilet and got poop everywhere--down his legs, feet, toilet, floor. Oh boy. I closed the stall and finished up with Ava, and by then he's standing next to me, naked from the waist down. I got him wiped up with a new pullup and shorts, cleaned the stall as best I could, packed everything up, got our hands washed and out we went. Then later, we still went to the grocery store. I will not be defeated!!
We also went to Ava's first doctor appointment today. Nothing major to report. Everything is great and healthy and she's regaining weight. Last night was another night of sleeping from 9:30-4. Hopefully tonight will be the same! Here's a couple of cute pics I took on my phone in the hospital that I'll leave you with. Good night!
In fact, things that would have sent me into a panic with the first two (you know, Abby and Nolan), I take in stride with Max and Ava. We went to Walmart this morning after I fed Ava. I thought she'd be fine, but of course she woke up in Walmart and was crying a little. We were close to done, but I took her out of her car seat and held her and she seemed better. I tried to hustle Max out of the store, but hustling Max out of the store is like herding cats. I just doesn't work. We only needed lightbulbs and I couldn't figure out where they were. When I finally asked, of course they were on the other side of the store. Ava whimpering/crying/sleeping, Max finding everything fascinating along the way. Then, when I'm holding Ava, Max wanting to be carried too. I'm carrying Max, Ava and pushing a cart. Whew! Sweating by this time! We finally got to the checkout and got through, and I knew I had to change Ava so we went to the bathroom. While I'm changing Ava on the changing table, Max went into the stall to go potty. I get Ava's diaper off and realize there's poop everywhere. Ugh. First blown diaper right in Walmart. So, I set to get her cleaned and changed and Max announces from the stall "I poop!" Ok Max. "I poop!" louder. Ok, I hear you! Good job! Get new diaper on Ava. "I poop!" I finally peek in the stall. Yup, he pooped. But it was in his pullup, before he pulled it down. He went into the stall, pulled off the pullup and the shorts, crawled up on the toilet and got poop everywhere--down his legs, feet, toilet, floor. Oh boy. I closed the stall and finished up with Ava, and by then he's standing next to me, naked from the waist down. I got him wiped up with a new pullup and shorts, cleaned the stall as best I could, packed everything up, got our hands washed and out we went. Then later, we still went to the grocery store. I will not be defeated!!
We also went to Ava's first doctor appointment today. Nothing major to report. Everything is great and healthy and she's regaining weight. Last night was another night of sleeping from 9:30-4. Hopefully tonight will be the same! Here's a couple of cute pics I took on my phone in the hospital that I'll leave you with. Good night!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Look Ma, New Boobs!
Ok, so maybe the title isn't appropriate for my family-friendly blog, but it's still true. And, it's just one more of those amazing having a baby things. How does this little being go from in my tummy to out in this world, living and breathing. I mean, last week, I was pregnant and now I can feed this little girl. It's crazy!
Anyway, for those who would like to know more about her birth, here's her story... (and for those who don't, skip to the next paragraph!). All last week I'd been having contractions. But when I went to the doctor on Friday, she said nothing much was going on. So, because it was going to be hot, and because the prospect of any empty house was really, really enticing, Dave took the kids down to Chicago to his mom and dad's house to hang out at their pool. Saturday I got up leisurely by myself, took a bath, then got ready to go to the zoo with my mom and dad (it was my company picnic, and my mom works at my company now, too). It was strange to be at the zoo without kids, but nice to just walk through, see some stuff, and then we headed out. I went to church and then next door to a party at Jenny and Rocky's. I felt some contractions, but nothing major. Then they started to get harder around 7, and around 8 I decided to take a bath. More contractions, but nothing regular or painful. Around 9 Dave called and I was hesitant to even say anything. He asked what was wrong and I said he might want to come home. But I was worried it might not be it. I mean, what if he comes home for nothing? But he came anyway. Around 10:30 I thought ok. I think this is really it. By 11:15 I called the hospital, thinking I should ask. The nurse told me to come in. So, I got all my stuff ready and waited for Dave. He got home around 11:30, we loaded up the car and headed to the hospital. We checked in at midnight, the nurse checked me and I was dialated to 6. Yeah! I guess this is the real deal. They started an antibiotic (I was group B strep positive) and the doctor came in (unfortunately, not mine. A different one was on call). He said he'd break my water in a few hours. I was disappointed because I wanted him to right away, but because the antibiotic didn't have time to kick in, he was worried about that. Ok, I guess. He would break my water at 2:30. Around 1:55 AM there was quite a bit of pressure so the nurse checked me. Dialated to 9. Woo hoo! The nurse called the doctor, the baby nurses, the other nurses to get everything set up and then the doctor came in. He checked me, broke my water and said ok, push. One push later, and out she came at 2:05! The doctor kept telling me to slow down. Ha. Yeah right... you try to slow down, buddy!
A couple of minutes later, I turned to Dave and said, she looks like an Ava. He agreed. I guess it paid off to wait to name her until after she came out! :) (Dave wanted to name her Natalie. She's definitely and Ava.)
After that, it was business as usual. Dave went home around 4:30. While they took Ava for her bath and I was waiting for them to come back, I downloaded pics, emailed and blogged. Sorry I'm crazy!!
We hung out Sunday at the hospital. The kids came to visit and were all just over the moon. It's funny because Abby was a little hit or miss in the hospital, but since she came home, Abby has been holding her for hours at a time. Dave said it's not fair--he never gets to hold her! Max was all about her, wanting to hold her. When we brought her home, he ran to get the boppy pillow, sat on the couch, held his hands out and said "Baby!" No one else was going to hold her for sure. She was his! And Nolan is more concerned about the logistics. Why is that on her belly button? Why does she eat like that? Can she see me? A million questions... I guess that's par for the course for him! He also calls her a zeeryold. You know, a zeeryold. An infant. Not a one year old, she's a zeeryold. It's very funny.
She's been really great so far. She's gone to sleep at 9:30 and wakes up around 3:30 to eat and go back to sleep until 6:00 or so. I never believed in babies who sleep through the night right away, but maybe? But don't worry, I'm not holding my breath. It'll change, I'm sure.
She's even been to work with me already. We were all able to get out of the house this morning, Dave to work, Max to daycare, Abby and Nolan to their kid care, and Ava and I to work. She was definitely a hit. I had to get some stuff done, and I'd just hand her off and she'd come back to me a little while later. It was perfect, and she was a little angel. She was a little fussy tonight, but as I type she's all tucked into my chest just sleeping away. I can't help rubbing my face to the soft hair on top of her head. She's definitely a miracle... meant to be!
Here are some more pictures. There are some from home yet that are on the camera--these are still in the hospital. But still cute!
Oh, this picture was funny. Ava got cut off, but look at Max. Doesn't he look devilish?? He was actually saying "Ava!", which he pronounces very well.
Lots of kisses!
Anyway, for those who would like to know more about her birth, here's her story... (and for those who don't, skip to the next paragraph!). All last week I'd been having contractions. But when I went to the doctor on Friday, she said nothing much was going on. So, because it was going to be hot, and because the prospect of any empty house was really, really enticing, Dave took the kids down to Chicago to his mom and dad's house to hang out at their pool. Saturday I got up leisurely by myself, took a bath, then got ready to go to the zoo with my mom and dad (it was my company picnic, and my mom works at my company now, too). It was strange to be at the zoo without kids, but nice to just walk through, see some stuff, and then we headed out. I went to church and then next door to a party at Jenny and Rocky's. I felt some contractions, but nothing major. Then they started to get harder around 7, and around 8 I decided to take a bath. More contractions, but nothing regular or painful. Around 9 Dave called and I was hesitant to even say anything. He asked what was wrong and I said he might want to come home. But I was worried it might not be it. I mean, what if he comes home for nothing? But he came anyway. Around 10:30 I thought ok. I think this is really it. By 11:15 I called the hospital, thinking I should ask. The nurse told me to come in. So, I got all my stuff ready and waited for Dave. He got home around 11:30, we loaded up the car and headed to the hospital. We checked in at midnight, the nurse checked me and I was dialated to 6. Yeah! I guess this is the real deal. They started an antibiotic (I was group B strep positive) and the doctor came in (unfortunately, not mine. A different one was on call). He said he'd break my water in a few hours. I was disappointed because I wanted him to right away, but because the antibiotic didn't have time to kick in, he was worried about that. Ok, I guess. He would break my water at 2:30. Around 1:55 AM there was quite a bit of pressure so the nurse checked me. Dialated to 9. Woo hoo! The nurse called the doctor, the baby nurses, the other nurses to get everything set up and then the doctor came in. He checked me, broke my water and said ok, push. One push later, and out she came at 2:05! The doctor kept telling me to slow down. Ha. Yeah right... you try to slow down, buddy!
A couple of minutes later, I turned to Dave and said, she looks like an Ava. He agreed. I guess it paid off to wait to name her until after she came out! :) (Dave wanted to name her Natalie. She's definitely and Ava.)
After that, it was business as usual. Dave went home around 4:30. While they took Ava for her bath and I was waiting for them to come back, I downloaded pics, emailed and blogged. Sorry I'm crazy!!
We hung out Sunday at the hospital. The kids came to visit and were all just over the moon. It's funny because Abby was a little hit or miss in the hospital, but since she came home, Abby has been holding her for hours at a time. Dave said it's not fair--he never gets to hold her! Max was all about her, wanting to hold her. When we brought her home, he ran to get the boppy pillow, sat on the couch, held his hands out and said "Baby!" No one else was going to hold her for sure. She was his! And Nolan is more concerned about the logistics. Why is that on her belly button? Why does she eat like that? Can she see me? A million questions... I guess that's par for the course for him! He also calls her a zeeryold. You know, a zeeryold. An infant. Not a one year old, she's a zeeryold. It's very funny.
She's been really great so far. She's gone to sleep at 9:30 and wakes up around 3:30 to eat and go back to sleep until 6:00 or so. I never believed in babies who sleep through the night right away, but maybe? But don't worry, I'm not holding my breath. It'll change, I'm sure.
She's even been to work with me already. We were all able to get out of the house this morning, Dave to work, Max to daycare, Abby and Nolan to their kid care, and Ava and I to work. She was definitely a hit. I had to get some stuff done, and I'd just hand her off and she'd come back to me a little while later. It was perfect, and she was a little angel. She was a little fussy tonight, but as I type she's all tucked into my chest just sleeping away. I can't help rubbing my face to the soft hair on top of her head. She's definitely a miracle... meant to be!
Here are some more pictures. There are some from home yet that are on the camera--these are still in the hospital. But still cute!
Oh, this picture was funny. Ava got cut off, but look at Max. Doesn't he look devilish?? He was actually saying "Ava!", which he pronounces very well.
Lots of kisses!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
And then there were four
Ava Christine Gawrych came into the world this morning at 2:05, weighing in at 8 lbs. even, 21-1/2 inches long. She's contentendly sleeping in daddy's arms now.
Little Ava will forever share her birthday with Grumpy (my dad), so I see good celebrations in her future!
I was ecstatic when she came out. Her? Not so much. Just wait, little one, until you meet your big brother Max. Now THAT will be a traumatic experience!
Little Ava will forever share her birthday with Grumpy (my dad), so I see good celebrations in her future!
I was ecstatic when she came out. Her? Not so much. Just wait, little one, until you meet your big brother Max. Now THAT will be a traumatic experience!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
No, No, No
Still no baby. Maybe if I post there's no baby, the baby will come? Too bad it's not just that easy!
We've had a busy week, which has kept my mind off of it somewhat. Monday to the boat, Tuesday I took the kids swimming at my mom and dad's place, today I worked, tomorrow we're headed to a park and Friday is back to the doctor. At least it makes the week go fast, if nothing else!
Hope to have baby news soon!
We've had a busy week, which has kept my mind off of it somewhat. Monday to the boat, Tuesday I took the kids swimming at my mom and dad's place, today I worked, tomorrow we're headed to a park and Friday is back to the doctor. At least it makes the week go fast, if nothing else!
Hope to have baby news soon!
