Spreading it too thin

Not enough sleep and no naps are not the best combination. Toss in a lack of nourishment for the day and I head down hill fast. Trying to keep up with my old schedule while trying to figure out the new schedule isn't working out in my favor. It isn't working out in favor for those around me either. I stayed up too late last night. I got up too early this morning. Eight being emotional caused me to be emotional. I am forgetful, can't recall what I typed just hours ago. Never made it to the grocery store. Don't have all the supplies for cake decorating. I planned to go after picking the boys up from school. I wanted to surprise them. I was tired and hadn't eaten since the am. After getting them, making our way to the car, the arguing in the back seat caused me frustration. The stroller also caused me frustration. I'm starting to hate our new stroller. It is too big. It doesn't fold nicely. Today, I couldn't get it to fold down the right way. The back door to the van didn't close right away. My phone was in the pocket of the stroller. I smashed the phone in the pocket in the door. Didn't even realize what I'd done until I finally got the stroller figured out and was seated in the van. The phone just fell apart in my hands. We are not due for upgrades. So frustrating. With a full day planned tomorrow, I am not sure when I will get access to a new phone. The neighbors so kindly offered an extra phone for me. I'll have to go check out their supply. What would we do without them? After eating, I feel better. I guess I've put everyone else first. Just how it worked out. I need to pay attention to the little things, like taking time for lunch and some rest. We'll see how that treats me. Baby Girl is awake. Time up.

Just when I think...

I've got it together, I fall apart. Eight was overwhelmed with going back to school today. He felt pressure he wasn't prepared. We decided I would take him in a little late. By the time I cleaned up and was ready to go, it was 10 am. N suggested he take him instead. I wanted to try make it to the grocery store before picking up Four. I wasn't even out of town and I decided to turn back. I only had one hour and it was too much. I felt guilty after seeing the look on Eight's face when he got into the car with N. I know he was disappointed I didn't take him with the baby. I hope to make it up to him today by picking them up. I haven't picked them up since Baby Girl was born. They want me to come eat lunch with them too, but I haven't been able to make that work yet either. Part of it has been not wanting to take the baby out. She doesn't need to be exposed to any more germs than she already has. She's only 3 weeks this week. We will go to lunch the week my family is here. Next week is the last week of preschool. Four bring treats on Monday. They do sharing on their treat day. I suggested she share her new sister at the end of class. The plan is to ask the teacher today for Monday's sharing. Six was disappointed N and I couldn't go to the school for the last day of parent centers. I went to all the others because I knew I'd miss the last. N has an appointment today and then work. I feel like I keep letting them down. I guess it just comes with having a baby and older kids. I knew I wouldn't be able to do it all. I thought I prepared them for this, but that doesn't mean change is easy for any of us. We just have to get through next week and then the reinforcements will be here. They are so excited about my parents trip. I've gotten quite a bit accomplished in preparation for their arrival. Just lots of organizational things I should have done a long time ago, sure feels good to get them done. What do I have left? Wipe down the laundry room. How does the LR get so dusty? We have to put the basement back together. The kids rolled up the rugs to roller blade. There are toys needing to be put away and I'd like to vacuum. My corner is some what of a disaster. I wish I'd gotten rid of more during the garage sale. Perhaps we just donate it and call it a day. We'll see. Some of it contains heavy lifting items, something I cannot do. Whatever we get done, it will all be fine. No big deal. After feeling overwhelmed today, I just decided to take it one day at a time. The store can wait. I will get what I really need in town and will not worry about the rest. I will focus on my kids and trying to have a nice weekend with them. We have a full day of soccer tomorrow. I am making a cake for Zinnia's E for first communion. I am excited to begin this project. It is my practice round to see what I can come up with before Eight's communion and Baby Girl's baptism. I know Four will want to be involved with her love for Cake Boss. New outlook on the day, tonight we bake and enjoy our time together. Yeah for Friday!

It's starting to work

We've made progress this week. It's all coming together, life with a baby. She's thriving and I'm starting to get things together. Confirmation was on Tuesday night. What a beautiful night for Eight. Mr. L and his wife came. He was the perfect person to ask to be Eight's sponsor. I picked up a cross at Hobby Lobby for Eight to give. Eight wrote Mr. L's name on the back and signed it with the year. Mr. L seemed really touched and happy to have the cross. He gave Eight a really nice card with wonderful words written my himself. I'm still not sure how much of this Eight understood, but nonetheless it was a special day for him. I only wish it hadn't been on a week day. We seemed slightly rushed at the end of the night, trying to get everyone to bed, etc. It would have been nice if we still had a Sunday afternoon to spend as a family. Poor Eight wound up with a fever the night after. He's been home sick for two days. Just when I thought he was better, the fever came again. We'll see how he does tonight. I've been on go mode Wednesday and today. I have been able to cross many things off my list, which always feels good. I've been cleaning closets. I did N's closet last night, the hall closet with linens and managed to get to the cabinets in the kitchen today! Four's room is ready, we sorted, cleaned and tossed things from there yesterday. We scrubbed the van today and got all the grass from the soccer fields out. Four is using the shop vac in the truck right now. She's already a great cleaner. Well, my time is up as I see someone's diaper has sprung a leak. We'll try to get back soon as we can.

Getting my act together

After 9 pm I am reminded we need cookies for confirmation tomorrow. I sort of recall this, but it's not written on my calendar. If it's not on the calendar, I'm lost. I've asked Eight to read the weeks events from the calendar at least three times. I left my drivers license in an envelope I turned in to the church with money for our raffle. I was completely exhausted after running errands this morning. I took Four to a play date, went and got my hair cut and highlighted for a second time and then picked up the needed items from the store. The shoes I bought for Six are too big. Tomorrow I have to go exchange them. I found a $5 pair for Eight, have to take the $13 pair back, but have no clue about a receipt. Good thing I have my drivers license back to return them. Can I blame it all on the lack of sleep? She's good for about a three hour stretch, but that's it. She's caused me to slow down on my blogging, can't type and nurse at the same time. She's asleep now, as I should be. I decided to make the cookies tonight. I had the energy when I started, but now on my last ten minutes, I am spent. I was going to make it easy on myself and just whip up a quick pan of bars, but as I reached for my cookbook, what recipe to I find but the one titled "Eight's Cookies." Once upon a time, these were his favorite. Only appropriate for me to make them for his confirmation. Dress rehearsal tonight was a nightmare. I should have let N take care of it. He can dress boys in formal wear. I will keep that in mind tomorrow when we are getting ready for the actual event. The girls will have their baths before school is done. Boys can when they get home. We should be ready. Have to run to town and iron. I think I'll make it. I'll let you know, eventually.

Togetherness

Yesterday was our first time attending mass, me and four kids. It went well, but Six wasn't the best. He got hot, when he's hot, he gets crabby; fast. Four also acted out a little to begin with, but straightened herself out before we were to the halfway point. Once again, we participated in a fantastic event hosted at our church. Cinco de Mayo was a great time. A family from our church cooked all the wonderful food and made a fantastic cake. Once again, Fr. B has us eating together. We've eaten together more this past year than all the years we've attended church in MI. There was a DJ and good times were had by all. We will have to watch out for Four. She's a dancing queen, just like me! She loved being on the dance floor. Even when she didn't know the dances the group was doing, she was still so pleased with herself and those around her. Eight wouldn't go out on the dance floor except with my camera. Six showed his best moves, but did get frustrated when he didn't know the dances they were doing. Baby Girl was on her best behavior. The music got kind of loud and we ventured to the other room where the craft tables were set up. We stayed a little longer than I had planned. We were home before 8:45. We had a quick Skype session with Grandpa. It was his birthday this past week and they had a party last night. Too bad we couldn't be there. I wish we could have had our Skype session last a little longer, but bedtime was already late. These children always wake up around 6am, regardless what time they went to bed. We have confirmation rehearsal today, followed by two soccer games. I have an early lunch planned. Want to feed them, head to the church and hopefully the games. I haven't checked the temperature yet. I hope it's warm enough for Baby Girl to be outside.

Baby Girl

Friday already! I know, it's been awhile

What a week, I don't know where it went. Sunday I got a cold sore. Monday I got another cold sore. Tuesday, yet another. My poor top lip looked terrible. Luckily, I discovered I can take the medication that works really well. I also had my first migraine this week. It was the first I have had in a VERY long time. Pain meds are all I can take and they didn't work. Wednesday was terrible. I was worthless. Thursday was better, but not much. Today, I finally feel back to myself. I knew it would come. It was just a matter of time. Eight had his Spring Fling concert yesterday. It was so much fun to see the kids and their enthusiasm. We got great seats. Eight could see us and smiled. He gave us a thumbs up. I was able to take some pictures of him and his friends. The kids sang songs to us. They were really good and very excited to preform for their family and friends. The pride could be seen miles away. They were really cute. Just reminded me of how young they really are. I always think of Eight as being so big because he's the oldest. He's such a great boy. I couldn't be more proud of him. He's turned into such a wonderful brother and son. He's so smitten with Baby Girl. I love seeing the twinkle in his eye when he wants to kiss and hold her. Four is still in love with Cake Boss. I don't know what we will do when we run out of episodes. She even talks to the TV. I heard her say to one of the sisters on the show "Grace is in charge, Madeline." SO funny. She says the cutest things. When we picked her up from preschool, she was thrilled to see Baby Girl. She commented "Oh I'd love to just kiss you all day!" I found some great items for the kids today. We have confirmation, church pictures, Four's preschool graduation, and baptism all this month. I needed to coordinate outfits for each of these events. I have everything for everyone except Six. N needs to figure out his stuff for baptism, but that is not until the end of the month. I'm not too worried about that part. Six is the one that is particular about clothing. I hope to take him to the store on Sunday and find an outfit with a vest. He wants to go to the mall. He wants a vest. I hope we can get it done this weekend, or Monday for sure. Our church is having a Cinco de Mayo party on Saturday night. I wasn't going to go, but think I will. We'll see how we do. It will be our first big outing alone. Me and four kids. Daisy is going to be there and will help me. We are going to get the boys hair cut on Saturday afternoon. I hope we can be done with that in time to get to the children's mass. We will only have an hour. If not, oh well. We have to be at church the next day for confirmation rehearsal after mass. I guess we will just see how our time works out. We'll get there one way or another. Should be an interesting weekend.