Five years ago today I was very pregnant, incredibly miserable, and frustrated to the point of anger with J's command.
I was a week overdue with number 4, emotionally fragile, my van was broken down, my mom was sick, and we were going through a massive heat wave in San Diego. The military housing we were living in didn't have air conditioning, so it was getting over 100 degrees in the house. I was very sore from undergoing a frightening external version at 39 weeks (which isn't usually recommended) to turn L from a breech position--a position he had been comfortable in the entire pregnancy. I had to do it alone because J was out to sea and my parents weren't able to make it in time. Thank the Lord for my midwife who came with me. I was scared of the outcome, of the risk to L and to me, but I knew that I knew this was something that needed to be done. It was the most intense pain I'd ever felt before in my entire life. L immediately started to try and move his way back to breech, so I had to wear a giant ace bandage like thing that went from the top of my belly to the bottom of my hips to hold him head down until I went into labor. Wearing this during the heat was not fun, as you can probably imagine.
It was Tuesday (just like this year). My parents had already been visiting for 10 days, and they were scheduled to fly out on the following Monday. J's schedule was so up in the air that we didn't know from one day to the next whether he'd be there for the birth (which was a planned homebirth). I felt like that watched pot that never boils. My emotions were all over the place and I was just DONE.
The final straw was when J called me that morning (today 5 years ago) and told me that his command informed him he was leaving on Monday for a two week underway whether I'd had the baby or not. If you read carefully, you'll note that was the same day my parents were scheduled to leave. I was facing a homebirth alone or giving that up and going to the hospital, but either way I was going to be alone! Whether circumstances could have changed with my parents I don't know, but my mindset at the time was I was going to be by myself come Monday with 3 kids and an impending birth.
At 10am I called my chiropractor and told her I needed to come in immediately. She adjusted me, calmed me down, and massaged acupressure points in my feet, hands, and lower back. By the time she stood the table back up, I was having contractions. I drove home and went about my day, still having contractions. J came home from work, we ate dinner--still having contractions. We decided to take a walk after dark and they started becoming more intense. At 10:30pm, I called my midwife to give her a heads-up and then went to bed to try and get all the sleep I could.
At 2am (or was it 3?) I had a massive contraction that instantly woke me from a dead sleep. I got in the shower, contractions every 3 minutes, while J filled the pool downstairs. He woke my parents to let them know. I remember not wanting to go downstairs when the pool was filled, because I was so tired and focused, but I also remember thinking how nice the water would be when I got in!
This is where the details get fuzzy for me. I had no concept of time or my surroundings. I remember thinking in fleeting thoughts that SOMEONE needed to call my midwife, since she had an hour drive, and it was the middle of the night. I vaguely remember speaking with her on the phone, but not for very long because she was only listening for my breathing and coherency during a contraction to see how much time she had! LOL I have no idea when she got there, I just remember opening my eyes and she was kneeling in front of me, watching.
The sun had come up. I heard birds chirping. I remember the phone ringing--"J's boat to see where he is", I said to myself. My midwife asked at one point if I wanted her to check to see how dilated I was. After awhile I consented and she said I was at an 8. I was at the point of not being able to talk at all, but immediately thought how weird I'd never heard that number before. How with my three previous births I stayed at 3 forever then went from 3 to baby on my chest in less than an hour. That is due to scar tissue and other things you don't want to read about here! :-)
I was in my own little world in the pool. I had an ear bud in one ear listening to ocean waves and J whispering in my other ear. B and O (who woke at some point) enjoyed helping by pouring water on my belly that was too big to be completely submerged in the water. I remember my contractions being overwhelming and it took a lot to keep under control; to not panic; to not cry. By the time I could form the coherent thought that I was in transition, I started pushing. The clouds had parted and I was suddenly aware of everything around me. I was able to talk again and carry on conversations. I pushed and pushed and pushed. I wasn't effectively pushing, because I couldn't get into a good position. I started to panic. It had been an hour or more. "Why am I having to push so long with this baby?" was my only thought. The longest I'd pushed with any of them was 30 minutes, and that was with my first! It hurt! Oh, it felt like...oh never mind, you don't want to read the full description, right?! LOL
I needed a break. I wanted to be done. I wanted him out of me.
At my midwife's suggestion I got out of the pool so that we could let gravity take over for awhile. I wanted to try and push on the birth stool to see if that helped. It had been well over an hour at this point, and my panic had reached a new level. My midwife leaned over to me and said, "You are doing great. Your baby is okay. This might be different from your other births, but this is not abnormal. Relax, and do what your body tells you to." Then she kissed me on the cheek and sat down in front of me. I was beginning to fear the worst and that I was going to have to transfer to the hospital. It was like she could read my mind. I needed those words from her at that exact moment. I found my strength. I found my confidence. I began to push again and made great progress in just a few minutes. It still hurt like crazy, but I was determined.
Finally, FINALLY, my water broke and L was born into his daddy's arms in just a few more contractions at 8:58am on August 1st. My total pushing time was 2 excruciating hours. He weighed in at 9lbs 12oz. Almost a full pound bigger than R!
L's birth was my redeeming birth. His birth healed something inside me that was broken. He is the miracle baby I almost never had. He is the sweet, funny, cuddle loving, smiling face that I couldn't imagine my life without.
Happy 5th Birthday, L!
This is his birth story by memory. I wrote the original story years ago and it has many more details!
Showing posts with label L. Show all posts
Showing posts with label L. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
My younger three
My younger three put new lyrics to an already annoying song. Sang, grunge like, to the tune of Barney's "I Love You, You Love Me":
I hate you
You hate me
We are very an-geh-ry
With a great big slap
And a punch from me to you
Won't you say you hate me too?
I hate you
You hate me
We are very an-geh-ry
With a great big slap
And a punch from me to you
Won't you say you hate me too?
Saturday, July 28, 2012
My Lukie
Even a 4 year old understands the bliss of a day off.
L: Mama, what day is it?
Me: Saturday
L: Do we have school on this day?
Me: nope.
L: Do we have church on this day?
Me: nope
L: Then what do we have?
Me: nothing at all
L: Yay!
L: Mama, what day is it?
Me: Saturday
L: Do we have school on this day?
Me: nope.
L: Do we have church on this day?
Me: nope
L: Then what do we have?
Me: nothing at all
L: Yay!
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
FTMKS 2012
I think this will be the last of the catch up posts for Funny Things My Kids Say. Enjoy!
January 2012
R: they only gave me one pickle when I clearly said pi-CKLES
Little Dude got into my dark chocolate cocoa powder this afternoon. He said he liked it.
L calls it palmalon cheese.
L: I'm gonna need somebody to feed me like I'm a baby.
J: how about I punch you like you're a grown man?
L: mama's gonna punch you later. In da face!
L: Mama, I want you to take me bowling and then to a movie. Can we go out to eat after that? Can we do it on this day?
So, I told Luke that his bowling, movie, dinner proposition yesterday sounded like he was asking me out on a date, and told him that it would make me happy to go on a date with him. He asked me today if we could go on our date in 3 wake-ups.
R: daddy, I just took my boot off and my foot smells like a fart.
J: Well. Let it air out a bit. We wouldn't want you to have fart feet.
February 2012
Today's funny, brought to you by O's History Questions.
Question: What/Who is a veteran?
O: Someone who doesn't eat meat?
Just overheard this, and I have tears from laughter! He was by himself on the computer with no idea that I was listening.
L: 20!, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 30!, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31, 40! BOOYAH! Man, I'm such a good counter.
Every now and then I give little snippets of driving instruction to B. Today:
Me: ...you should be able to take off and stop in such a way that if you had a glass of water on your dash it wouldn't spill.
L: I'd put a sippy cup up there.
L: Mama, I want to marry you when I get bigger.
Me: I can't marry you, little man.
L: But why?
R: Cause she's your mama, that's why! That's gross, L.
Me: I'm married to your daddy and I'm your mama, L, so I can't marry you.
L: Aww man. Well that stinks.
I need to check that child for fever. L just asked me if he could please clean the baseboards. Dude, you are welcome to it!
L: Mama, are you and daddy going to kindergarten?
Me: What?
R: no, L, it's called Olive Garden.
R: Mama, I'm really glad you married him. He's a good daddy.
Words I never said to the three older ones: "It is not okay to draw penises."
March 2012
O just told me that my face is intimidating. Um, thanks?
I was talking with L about the red light green light game his coach was playing with them. He said he had a lot of fun playing it, but then...
L: My coach only said red or green, he didn't say purple or blue.
Me: ?
L: (in the most matter-of-fact tone a 4 year old can have) Blue means back up and purple means dance.
B's turn. I'm grading Latin. The question is: What are the three genders of nouns? B wrote, "masculine, neutral, and the one for woman." It's feminine, son. LOL
B's script he wrote today based on the Directtv commercials. Use the man's voice from the commercial as you're reading:
When you do scratch paper work your mother gets angry
When your mother gets angry she yells
When she yells, O cries
When O cries, everyone puts headphones on
When everyone puts headphones on, you can't hear the fire alarm
When you can't hear the fire alarm, your house burns to the ground
When your house burns to the ground you become homeless.
Don't become homeless - do your math correctly.
April 2012
L: Mama, can you leave already?
Me: Where am I going?
L: Downstairs.
Me: Why?
L: Cause I want to be by myself and you're up here.
(15 minutes elapse)
L: Are you gone yet?
Me: I'm sorry you're coughing today, R.
L: Me, too!
R: (with attitude) You're both not as sorry as I am.
Little smart aleck.
R: Mama, everything you cook, except for pizza and yummy stuff, is spicy.
We just caught up on this week's The Voice. After hearing one of the singers R said, "that was like a nightmare to my ears."
L's first soccer game was this morning! They don't keep score at this age, but J and I do. They tied :-) We overheard a couple of other parents talking about L (at the time they didn't know we were his parents). They were saying how aggressive he is, how fast he can run, and how he should be a linebacker instead of a soccer player! LOL Even his coach came over after the game and said L was a beast. Hahaha!
R: Mama, what does w.h.a.t spell?
Me: What
R: WHAT DOES W.H.A.T SPELL?
The apple doesn't fall far from the vain tree. L is in his own little world admiring his muscles.
May 2012
Man on the radio: you could be the parent of the year! Get your tickets for Justin Beiber!
O: OH!OH! MAMA! OH MAMA! Please don't take me.
Pastor Matt: (paraphrase) Studies show that when men listen it's only with their left brain, but when women listen it's with both sides of their brain. If we don't listen to them we're only using half our brain.
Me: Pastor Matt said you should listen to me.
J: I didn't hear him say that.
L was singing Kelly Clarkson's Stronger in his sleep.
O just sang: I gotta big butt and I cannot lie.... Lol!
R: If I had a dollar for every time that thang fell down...well, I'd have 3 dollars.
L: mama, my front neck is sweaty.
Me: L apologize to your sister!
L: (with a sad voice) O, I sowwy I put my sneeze tissue on your face.
L says cooler like Waterboy does.
B: MAMA! There's a SPIDER in the house!
Me: Ok. Take care of it.
B: (squealing and freaking out) What do you want me to do?!
Me: I want you to man up, son!
L: I'm dig-zausted on this day
January 2012
R: they only gave me one pickle when I clearly said pi-CKLES
Little Dude got into my dark chocolate cocoa powder this afternoon. He said he liked it.
L calls it palmalon cheese.
L: I'm gonna need somebody to feed me like I'm a baby.
J: how about I punch you like you're a grown man?
L: mama's gonna punch you later. In da face!
L: Mama, I want you to take me bowling and then to a movie. Can we go out to eat after that? Can we do it on this day?
So, I told Luke that his bowling, movie, dinner proposition yesterday sounded like he was asking me out on a date, and told him that it would make me happy to go on a date with him. He asked me today if we could go on our date in 3 wake-ups.
R: daddy, I just took my boot off and my foot smells like a fart.
J: Well. Let it air out a bit. We wouldn't want you to have fart feet.
February 2012
Today's funny, brought to you by O's History Questions.
Question: What/Who is a veteran?
O: Someone who doesn't eat meat?
Just overheard this, and I have tears from laughter! He was by himself on the computer with no idea that I was listening.
L: 20!, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 30!, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31, 40! BOOYAH! Man, I'm such a good counter.
Every now and then I give little snippets of driving instruction to B. Today:
Me: ...you should be able to take off and stop in such a way that if you had a glass of water on your dash it wouldn't spill.
L: I'd put a sippy cup up there.
L: Mama, I want to marry you when I get bigger.
Me: I can't marry you, little man.
L: But why?
R: Cause she's your mama, that's why! That's gross, L.
Me: I'm married to your daddy and I'm your mama, L, so I can't marry you.
L: Aww man. Well that stinks.
I need to check that child for fever. L just asked me if he could please clean the baseboards. Dude, you are welcome to it!
L: Mama, are you and daddy going to kindergarten?
Me: What?
R: no, L, it's called Olive Garden.
R: Mama, I'm really glad you married him. He's a good daddy.
Words I never said to the three older ones: "It is not okay to draw penises."
March 2012
O just told me that my face is intimidating. Um, thanks?
I was talking with L about the red light green light game his coach was playing with them. He said he had a lot of fun playing it, but then...
L: My coach only said red or green, he didn't say purple or blue.
Me: ?
L: (in the most matter-of-fact tone a 4 year old can have) Blue means back up and purple means dance.
B's turn. I'm grading Latin. The question is: What are the three genders of nouns? B wrote, "masculine, neutral, and the one for woman." It's feminine, son. LOL
B's script he wrote today based on the Directtv commercials. Use the man's voice from the commercial as you're reading:
When you do scratch paper work your mother gets angry
When your mother gets angry she yells
When she yells, O cries
When O cries, everyone puts headphones on
When everyone puts headphones on, you can't hear the fire alarm
When you can't hear the fire alarm, your house burns to the ground
When your house burns to the ground you become homeless.
Don't become homeless - do your math correctly.
April 2012
L: Mama, can you leave already?
Me: Where am I going?
L: Downstairs.
Me: Why?
L: Cause I want to be by myself and you're up here.
(15 minutes elapse)
L: Are you gone yet?
Me: I'm sorry you're coughing today, R.
L: Me, too!
R: (with attitude) You're both not as sorry as I am.
Little smart aleck.
R: Mama, everything you cook, except for pizza and yummy stuff, is spicy.
We just caught up on this week's The Voice. After hearing one of the singers R said, "that was like a nightmare to my ears."
L's first soccer game was this morning! They don't keep score at this age, but J and I do. They tied :-) We overheard a couple of other parents talking about L (at the time they didn't know we were his parents). They were saying how aggressive he is, how fast he can run, and how he should be a linebacker instead of a soccer player! LOL Even his coach came over after the game and said L was a beast. Hahaha!
R: Mama, what does w.h.a.t spell?
Me: What
R: WHAT DOES W.H.A.T SPELL?
The apple doesn't fall far from the vain tree. L is in his own little world admiring his muscles.
May 2012
Man on the radio: you could be the parent of the year! Get your tickets for Justin Beiber!
O: OH!OH! MAMA! OH MAMA! Please don't take me.
Pastor Matt: (paraphrase) Studies show that when men listen it's only with their left brain, but when women listen it's with both sides of their brain. If we don't listen to them we're only using half our brain.
Me: Pastor Matt said you should listen to me.
J: I didn't hear him say that.
L was singing Kelly Clarkson's Stronger in his sleep.
O just sang: I gotta big butt and I cannot lie.... Lol!
R: If I had a dollar for every time that thang fell down...well, I'd have 3 dollars.
L: mama, my front neck is sweaty.
Me: L apologize to your sister!
L: (with a sad voice) O, I sowwy I put my sneeze tissue on your face.
L says cooler like Waterboy does.
B: MAMA! There's a SPIDER in the house!
Me: Ok. Take care of it.
B: (squealing and freaking out) What do you want me to do?!
Me: I want you to man up, son!
L: I'm dig-zausted on this day
FTMKS
B and L are playing a race car game on the PS3. Here's the conversation I overheard as I was walking upstairs:
L: Ugh, you won. I never win.
B: No, YOU won, L!
L: I did?!
B: Yes, you won!
L: Well, then, IN YO FACE!
L: Ugh, you won. I never win.
B: No, YOU won, L!
L: I did?!
B: Yes, you won!
L: Well, then, IN YO FACE!
Friday, July 20, 2012
FTMKS, catch up post 2
These are some FTMKS in 2011. There are a few in there of funny things J or I said, too.
January 2011
R: Mama I've cleaned my room enough where daddy won't say 'reh-dic-uh-luss' so can I watch tv?
February 2011
L: mama? Can you cratch my back? I got a kee-toe bite.
L: Mama, look at my butt!
Me: L nobody wants to look at your naked butt.
L: But mama! It's awesome!
In a matter of minutes, R (5) said "enchantingly good" and "freakishly hot". I love her and her vocabulary
L freaked out thinking he saw a spider (it turned out to be a grasshopper). J went to take care of it and L said, "NO DADDY! I don't want it to bite my penis!"
L told us he wants a batman cat with girly hair bows when we were discussing pets. I worry about that child.
April 2011
We were talking about the kids and what would happen if they had a baby at a young age. L said, "daddy will be in jail from punching somebody."
We watched last week's AI last night. When Scotty came out to sing R said, "Ugh, here comes the country pumpkin."
Channeling Joey Tribbiani, my little L just said, "Hey there cute, cute mama."
May 2011
Me, joking of course: thanks for 15 infuriatingly frustrating years, honey.
J: well living with you hasn't been a circus.
L, while leaving the Y: Mama my teacher dint take us outside to pay on da paygound.
Me: because she wanted to keep you safe. There's a storm blowing in.
L: yeah, I don't want lightning to hit me and there would be a baby in my belly.
Me: What?
R: Mama, I want to have a play date with my friend E when you aren't there.
Me: That's not gonna happen, because I want to spend time with my friends, too.
L: But Mama, you don't have any friends
June 2011
R: Mama, why do we sneeze?
I explained briefly using words like cilia and foreign particles...
R, looking bright eyed with wonder: Somebody should really put that in a science book!
Me: where's L?
L: I wite heah. I weading a book.
Me: a book? (We're outside)
L, coming into my sight: it's a cool book, mama! It has wheels on it!
R: Nice parents let their kids watch tv all day. You're not like that.
January 2011
R: Mama I've cleaned my room enough where daddy won't say 'reh-dic-uh-luss' so can I watch tv?
February 2011
L: mama? Can you cratch my back? I got a kee-toe bite.
L: Mama, look at my butt!
Me: L nobody wants to look at your naked butt.
L: But mama! It's awesome!
In a matter of minutes, R (5) said "enchantingly good" and "freakishly hot". I love her and her vocabulary
L freaked out thinking he saw a spider (it turned out to be a grasshopper). J went to take care of it and L said, "NO DADDY! I don't want it to bite my penis!"
L told us he wants a batman cat with girly hair bows when we were discussing pets. I worry about that child.
April 2011
We were talking about the kids and what would happen if they had a baby at a young age. L said, "daddy will be in jail from punching somebody."
We watched last week's AI last night. When Scotty came out to sing R said, "Ugh, here comes the country pumpkin."
Channeling Joey Tribbiani, my little L just said, "Hey there cute, cute mama."
May 2011
Me, joking of course: thanks for 15 infuriatingly frustrating years, honey.
J: well living with you hasn't been a circus.
L, while leaving the Y: Mama my teacher dint take us outside to pay on da paygound.
Me: because she wanted to keep you safe. There's a storm blowing in.
L: yeah, I don't want lightning to hit me and there would be a baby in my belly.
Me: What?
R: Mama, I want to have a play date with my friend E when you aren't there.
Me: That's not gonna happen, because I want to spend time with my friends, too.
L: But Mama, you don't have any friends
June 2011
R: Mama, why do we sneeze?
I explained briefly using words like cilia and foreign particles...
R, looking bright eyed with wonder: Somebody should really put that in a science book!
Me: where's L?
L: I wite heah. I weading a book.
Me: a book? (We're outside)
L, coming into my sight: it's a cool book, mama! It has wheels on it!
(It was a Chilton's manual)
L was asking for something and not listening to the answer.
Me: L, are you hard of hearing?
L: yes
Me: L, are you hard of hearing?
L: yes
July 2011
L has his rhymes/sayings mixed up. He told B, "see ya later pants on fire."
Gwen: we can still be best friends when we're grow ups!
R: yeah, that's what I want.
R: yeah, that's what I want.
While listening to Kryptonite, J said, "THIS is why I want to play drums!"
Me: you have to be able to keep a beat, babe.
Him: no no no, not necessary at all.
Me: you have to be able to keep a beat, babe.
Him: no no no, not necessary at all.
L just had a conversation with himself.
Pretending to be me: L stop eating the bwown sugar
Him: But Mama, I like bwown sugar
As me: Do you want to be gwounded fwom snacks?
Him: No, but mama I like bwown sugar!
In other news, every time L gets in trouble he cries for his daddy.
Pretending to be me: L stop eating the bwown sugar
Him: But Mama, I like bwown sugar
As me: Do you want to be gwounded fwom snacks?
Him: No, but mama I like bwown sugar!
In other news, every time L gets in trouble he cries for his daddy.
L told J at dinner that he owed him 2 Batman puppies
L: can I stand on this (big beach) ball?
Me: no, it's dangerous
L: dangehwess? How?
Me: no, it's dangerous
L: dangehwess? How?
R: Nice parents let their kids watch tv all day.
August 2011
L's favorite saying lately, "My _____, my rules!" Not sure where he got that. I don't say that! Today he said to R, while playing with B, "My Bubba, my rules!"
L: Mama, can I have popsicle?
Me: L, it's 9 in the morning and besides, you haven't even told me good morning yet!
L: Good morning, mommy
Me: L, it's 9 in the morning and besides, you haven't even told me good morning yet!
L: Good morning, mommy
30 seconds later: Mama, can I have popsicle now?
September 2011
L: mama, I gonna buy daddy this fehwawi (ferrari) for him birt day.
Me: good luck with that baby
L: well, it'll be a toy car.
Me: good luck with that baby
L: well, it'll be a toy car.
L: Mama, when will I be 5? When B moves out?
L: Mama, can you pweetend you my gwanma?
Me: Why do you want me to pretend I'm your grandma?
L: cause I want da tv on
Me: Why do you want me to pretend I'm your grandma?
L: cause I want da tv on
B: hot pink is one of my favorite colors!
R: I wouldn't go around telling people that, B.
R: I wouldn't go around telling people that, B.
L is singing Bon Jovi: Shot in the heart, and you're too late...
L: But Mama, I want Zeewoh (zero)!!
R: L, zero means none.
L: Oh.
R: L, zero means none.
L: Oh.
October 2011
One of L's little friends, Caroline, wanted to hug him and tell him bye after church today. When he went to hug her, she kissed him on the cheek. L said, "Well. That was awkward", in a way that only a child of J's could say it.
November 2011
R: Mama, I DID my math. Do you actually have to SEE it?
Me: Yes, because I don't trust you to tell me the truth.
R: How can you not trust your own daughter, Mama?
Me: You've already lied to me today about school work, R. Now, bring me your math.
R: Ok I will. But give me about 10 minutes.
Me: Yes, because I don't trust you to tell me the truth.
R: How can you not trust your own daughter, Mama?
Me: You've already lied to me today about school work, R. Now, bring me your math.
R: Ok I will. But give me about 10 minutes.
L: mama, can I be excused from the table, so I can get down and shake myself?
L: Did she say yes or no?
J: I don't know who 'she' is.
L: Me either.
Me: I'll do it later
R: (to L as she's walking away) Later usually means never, L.
J: I don't know who 'she' is.
L: Me either.
Me: I'll do it later
R: (to L as she's walking away) Later usually means never, L.
December 2011
L: Mama, I wasn't goin to steal the smashmellows. I was just looking at them.
L: Mama, can me and B have some tape to put over our mouths?
Me: Dude, that's the best idea you've had all week!
Me: Dude, that's the best idea you've had all week!
I'm grading science. The question is "Why do chromosomes usually come in even numbers?" O wrote, "so it's easier on the mom." Clearly I have work to do.
I'm still grading science. Today's question is "What are the five main tastes your tongue can detect?" O wrote, "bitter, sour, sweet, salty, and plain NASTY"--her emphasis, not mine.
L: Mama, I want those cookies!
Me: B bought you some ice-cream. Don't you want that instead?
L: Well, I been thinking 'bout that, and I decide I want both.
Me: B bought you some ice-cream. Don't you want that instead?
L: Well, I been thinking 'bout that, and I decide I want both.
FTMKS catch up
These are some FTMKS that I pulled from facebook from 2009 and 2010. There will be at least one more "catch up" post. I want to get them all in one spot to read in years to come. It's long, but worth it! Enjoy!
March 2009
Me: "hold your horses, R!"
R: (with a you're-an-idiot laugh) "Mommy, I don't have horses!"
July 2009
Me: please stop running while in the post office.
R: (sweetly) Can we gallop?
December 2009
B: (to L) you 'mell good...and it's opposite day!
On the way to the commissary, we were listening to Martina McBride sing "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." When it was over, R said "Moma! She sounds just like me!" She sure does, honey.
L came to me today and said "Mama, I 'mell bad"
January 2010
R, while doing some pages in her preschool workbook, said with major attitude "I'm NOT stupid. Why are they making this so easy?!"
J, B, and I haven't felt well today. O, who was sick yesterday, was overheard today saying, "I got you all sick...mwuuaaaahahahaha."
L's goodbye to my mom this morning: "Mema, peh me uh, peh me uh." As she's picking him up: "I wah part on you." Just as we're understanding what he said, he..uh...let 'er rip on her arm.
February 2010
R said, "I think the cup is in the die-puh bee-ahg". I said, "when did she become a northerner?" J said, "Well, technically when she was born."
R: my special chocolates in my special heart box are for special days and today is a special day so I need to eat my special chocolate.
April 2010
Me: L, I'm not telling you again to take OFF THAT SKIRT and get ready for bed!
June 2010
R: Moma! We DO NOT want to go outside anymore. The ground is steamy.
Me: Steamy?
R: YES, steamy like fire!
R: Moma? What was I doing in that picture? That's me sweetheart, your twin.
August 2010
L: it too hot a-day!
R: (with attitude) Amen to THAT my bruthuh
September 2010
I'm giggling and scared at the same time. L is crying and begging B to give him a bath before I see what he's done. B said, "you know moma is going to be mad, right?" and L cries louder, "pwease B, di me baff!"
B: Moma, it hasn't even been 24 hours and you've already said 'dang it, J!'
October 2010
O said, "...B is laying there." I corrected, "He's lying there." O said, "Right. Because if he was laying there would be an egg."
L's latest: "Mama, can I _____? I dunna be nice to you..."
R said, "Mama, look at me! I can touch my foot to my butt!". I said, "I used to be able to do that." R said, "...but now that you're 16 and old you can't?" Yes, my child, you're exactly right.
November 2010
R: Mama, it sure would be cool if this whole world was make of ice cream. That would be delicious. *We* wouldn't be ice cream, but we'd all be fat!
R to L: you can't play with that battery because if you eat it then we'll have to take you to the emergency doctor and then they'll make you go to sleep and cut your skin open. They'll take it out of you then put your skin back together and that might hurt, L.
R just sang, "who let the chickens out...bok bok bokbok."
L: Mama, I had a bad dream. I had a dog, and a cat, and a mustache.
March 2009
Me: "hold your horses, R!"
R: (with a you're-an-idiot laugh) "Mommy, I don't have horses!"
July 2009
Me: please stop running while in the post office.
R: (sweetly) Can we gallop?
December 2009
B: (to L) you 'mell good...and it's opposite day!
On the way to the commissary, we were listening to Martina McBride sing "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." When it was over, R said "Moma! She sounds just like me!" She sure does, honey.
L came to me today and said "Mama, I 'mell bad"
January 2010
R, while doing some pages in her preschool workbook, said with major attitude "I'm NOT stupid. Why are they making this so easy?!"
J, B, and I haven't felt well today. O, who was sick yesterday, was overheard today saying, "I got you all sick...mwuuaaaahahahaha."
L's goodbye to my mom this morning: "Mema, peh me uh, peh me uh." As she's picking him up: "I wah part on you." Just as we're understanding what he said, he..uh...let 'er rip on her arm.
February 2010
R said, "I think the cup is in the die-puh bee-ahg". I said, "when did she become a northerner?" J said, "Well, technically when she was born."
R: my special chocolates in my special heart box are for special days and today is a special day so I need to eat my special chocolate.
April 2010
Me: L, I'm not telling you again to take OFF THAT SKIRT and get ready for bed!
June 2010
R: Moma! We DO NOT want to go outside anymore. The ground is steamy.
Me: Steamy?
R: YES, steamy like fire!
R: Moma? What was I doing in that picture? That's me sweetheart, your twin.
August 2010
L: it too hot a-day!
R: (with attitude) Amen to THAT my bruthuh
September 2010
I'm giggling and scared at the same time. L is crying and begging B to give him a bath before I see what he's done. B said, "you know moma is going to be mad, right?" and L cries louder, "pwease B, di me baff!"
B: Moma, it hasn't even been 24 hours and you've already said 'dang it, J!'
October 2010
O said, "...B is laying there." I corrected, "He's lying there." O said, "Right. Because if he was laying there would be an egg."
L's latest: "Mama, can I _____? I dunna be nice to you..."
R said, "Mama, look at me! I can touch my foot to my butt!". I said, "I used to be able to do that." R said, "...but now that you're 16 and old you can't?" Yes, my child, you're exactly right.
November 2010
R: Mama, it sure would be cool if this whole world was make of ice cream. That would be delicious. *We* wouldn't be ice cream, but we'd all be fat!
R to L: you can't play with that battery because if you eat it then we'll have to take you to the emergency doctor and then they'll make you go to sleep and cut your skin open. They'll take it out of you then put your skin back together and that might hurt, L.
R just sang, "who let the chickens out...bok bok bokbok."
L: Mama, I had a bad dream. I had a dog, and a cat, and a mustache.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
FTMKS
I was just putting L down for his nap and he asked me to lie down with him. After a minute or two:
L: Mama, doe way (go away)
Me: L, that's not very nice
L: (in his sweet voice he reserves for me) Mama? You pea pea doe way?
Pea is his word for please. He always says it twice.
L: Mama, doe way (go away)
Me: L, that's not very nice
L: (in his sweet voice he reserves for me) Mama? You pea pea doe way?
Pea is his word for please. He always says it twice.
All about school
This coming school year will be our 4th year homeschooling. Every year it seems I get more lax on some things and more strict with others. I love that my kids love homeschooling as much as I do, and I love that they're doing well.
We recently got achievement test scores back and I was blown away. There are several things (like vocabulary, reading, and math concepts and application) that B, the 5th grader, scored an 11th grade equivalent (read about grade-equivalent (GE) scores here). In Social Studies the test showed a 12+ equivalent. In vocabulary, reading and math he got Stanine scores of 9!
O, the 3rd grader, scored grade-equivalents of 5th and 6th grade. Her highest Stanine and National Percentile was in Spelling, which is no shock to me. She is an awesome, natural speller. Her Social Studies score showed mid-6th grade.
Social Studies tests their knowledge on geographical concepts, economic dimensions, historical perspectives, government, citizenship, sociological patterns, and applications of concepts. I have the History/Geography curriculum I use (Sonlight) to thank for their high scores in Social Studies. They know exponentially more about the world than I did at their ages.
I am so very proud of them both. I also feel like I can exhale a bit. This is the first standardized test they've taken since I've had them home, and it's confirmation to me that I'm not doing them a disservice. I didn't really think I was hurting them by keeping them home, quite the opposite really, but there's always that voice of doubt that says I'm not good enough and they'd be better off in mainstream school.
We're wrapping up our school year, and in just a few days I will have a 6th grader, a 4th grader, a Kindergartener, and a preschooler. Wow, that seems impossible! I've never homeschooled Kindergarten before, so this is new territory for me. I pulled the older two out of public school after their 2nd and K years.
I'm reading _The Well Trained Mind_, by Susan Wise Bauer and it has completely rocked my world :-) After reading only what I have so far, I've learned that the most important thing I need to be doing with her this year is teaching her to read and preparing her for 1st grade. I'm not so intimidated anymore, even though teaching to read is still one of my least favorite things ever--right behind teaching to tie shoes lol.
This is what our curriculum looks like for next year:
Sonlight Core 4 Their reading and books I read aloud to them are included in the core.
(Based on placement tests, I am jumping each of them ahead a year in Math. Achievement test scores confirms to me that I made the right choice). If the concepts are too hard, we'll just slow down the pace. That's the beauty of homeschooling.
Saxon 8/7
Saxon 6/5
Easy Grammar 6
Easy Grammar 4 and 5 (older version, but same content as Easy Grammar 4)
Editor in Chief
Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW)
Wordly Wise Book 6
Wordly Wise Book 4
either Sequential Spelling or Spelling Power
Sonlight Science 4
and a Latin program. I'm still doing research trying to figure out which one will work for us.
For R (K), I had contemplated getting Sonlight P4/5, but money (and timing with when L will 'enter' school) changed my mind.
We're using Phonics Pathways and Bob Books to teach her to read, and Horizons Math K.
And of course, we'll go to the library a lot.
We recently got achievement test scores back and I was blown away. There are several things (like vocabulary, reading, and math concepts and application) that B, the 5th grader, scored an 11th grade equivalent (read about grade-equivalent (GE) scores here). In Social Studies the test showed a 12+ equivalent. In vocabulary, reading and math he got Stanine scores of 9!
O, the 3rd grader, scored grade-equivalents of 5th and 6th grade. Her highest Stanine and National Percentile was in Spelling, which is no shock to me. She is an awesome, natural speller. Her Social Studies score showed mid-6th grade.
Social Studies tests their knowledge on geographical concepts, economic dimensions, historical perspectives, government, citizenship, sociological patterns, and applications of concepts. I have the History/Geography curriculum I use (Sonlight) to thank for their high scores in Social Studies. They know exponentially more about the world than I did at their ages.
I am so very proud of them both. I also feel like I can exhale a bit. This is the first standardized test they've taken since I've had them home, and it's confirmation to me that I'm not doing them a disservice. I didn't really think I was hurting them by keeping them home, quite the opposite really, but there's always that voice of doubt that says I'm not good enough and they'd be better off in mainstream school.
We're wrapping up our school year, and in just a few days I will have a 6th grader, a 4th grader, a Kindergartener, and a preschooler. Wow, that seems impossible! I've never homeschooled Kindergarten before, so this is new territory for me. I pulled the older two out of public school after their 2nd and K years.
I'm reading _The Well Trained Mind_, by Susan Wise Bauer and it has completely rocked my world :-) After reading only what I have so far, I've learned that the most important thing I need to be doing with her this year is teaching her to read and preparing her for 1st grade. I'm not so intimidated anymore, even though teaching to read is still one of my least favorite things ever--right behind teaching to tie shoes lol.
This is what our curriculum looks like for next year:
Sonlight Core 4 Their reading and books I read aloud to them are included in the core.
(Based on placement tests, I am jumping each of them ahead a year in Math. Achievement test scores confirms to me that I made the right choice). If the concepts are too hard, we'll just slow down the pace. That's the beauty of homeschooling.
Saxon 8/7
Saxon 6/5
Easy Grammar 6
Easy Grammar 4 and 5 (older version, but same content as Easy Grammar 4)
Editor in Chief
Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW)
Wordly Wise Book 6
Wordly Wise Book 4
either Sequential Spelling or Spelling Power
Sonlight Science 4
and a Latin program. I'm still doing research trying to figure out which one will work for us.
For R (K), I had contemplated getting Sonlight P4/5, but money (and timing with when L will 'enter' school) changed my mind.
We're using Phonics Pathways and Bob Books to teach her to read, and Horizons Math K.
And of course, we'll go to the library a lot.
Friday, June 4, 2010
FTMKS
L has been hitting and biting and just being too rough and tumble lately. He was playing with B and must have done something to him. B was pretending he was mad and told L that he was going to tell me what he had done to him. L began screaming and crying hysterically not wanting B to tell on him. His last resort was:
"Bubba! NO! You're my favorite!"
"Bubba! NO! You're my favorite!"
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
FTMKS
J: (with insistence) R, BRUSH YOUR TEETH
R: but I did daddy!
J: When?
R: uh, when you weren't looking?
- - - - - - - -
L singing his abc's:
"a b c d e def c 8 i day tay I-don't-know p"
- - - - - - - -
At dinner tonight R wasn't eating. J was talking to all 4 kids:
J: "If R doesn't eat dinner, R won't get an Oatmeal Creme Pie"
R: "Will R get one if she does eat?"
R: but I did daddy!
J: When?
R: uh, when you weren't looking?
- - - - - - - -
L singing his abc's:
"a b c d e def c 8 i day tay I-don't-know p"
- - - - - - - -
At dinner tonight R wasn't eating. J was talking to all 4 kids:
J: "If R doesn't eat dinner, R won't get an Oatmeal Creme Pie"
R: "Will R get one if she does eat?"
Saturday, April 18, 2009
That was fun!
Ok, I want to blog more. I'd like to say that I will post a blog everyday, but that's pushing it. How about once a week? Anything has to be better than the once every 4-6 weeks I have going right now, right?
We just returned from a trip to TN where we did a whole lot of nothing, but we had a great time.
Highlights of our trip (the good with the bad):
~R tried to scalp herself with my mom's treadmill (that's a post for another day)
~My niece (on my husband's side) just had her first baby making me a "Great"
~3 major storms with tornadoes hit, one which only missed my brother's house by a couple of miles
~Snow in the same week as tornadoes and bright, 70+ temp days --only in TN!
~We accomplished, barely, 1 week of school
~A sweet dog that lives down the street from my parent's house adopted my kids
~B got to see his Peach tree blooming
~L took his first ride on a big boy swing
There are a few things I'm forgetting, I'm sure.
All the grandkids call my parents Mema and Pepa. Well, except for L. He calls my parents "Ma" and "Pa". I asked them if they just wanted us to call them Kettle from now on. It's so adorable, though. Luke called for his "Pa" just about all the way home. You know how kids will say "Mama, mama MAMA, maaamaaaa, maMA, MAma, maMA, MAma..."? That's how L is with Pa.
B earned a lot of money working for my parents while we were in town. They pay much better than they did 20 years ago!
Now we're home and trying to get out of vacation mode. The kids are re-discovering all their toys, we're cleaning house, and we're all determined to not get in the van today.
We just returned from a trip to TN where we did a whole lot of nothing, but we had a great time.
Highlights of our trip (the good with the bad):
~R tried to scalp herself with my mom's treadmill (that's a post for another day)
~My niece (on my husband's side) just had her first baby making me a "Great"
~3 major storms with tornadoes hit, one which only missed my brother's house by a couple of miles
~Snow in the same week as tornadoes and bright, 70+ temp days --only in TN!
~We accomplished, barely, 1 week of school
~A sweet dog that lives down the street from my parent's house adopted my kids
~B got to see his Peach tree blooming
~L took his first ride on a big boy swing
There are a few things I'm forgetting, I'm sure.
All the grandkids call my parents Mema and Pepa. Well, except for L. He calls my parents "Ma" and "Pa". I asked them if they just wanted us to call them Kettle from now on. It's so adorable, though. Luke called for his "Pa" just about all the way home. You know how kids will say "Mama, mama MAMA, maaamaaaa, maMA, MAma, maMA, MAma..."? That's how L is with Pa.
B earned a lot of money working for my parents while we were in town. They pay much better than they did 20 years ago!
Now we're home and trying to get out of vacation mode. The kids are re-discovering all their toys, we're cleaning house, and we're all determined to not get in the van today.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
My Lukie
Over the last 2 or 3 weeks, L has really started to talk. He will repeat, or try to repeat anything you say. Usually it's just the last word of what you said, but he's trying. Here are a list of things he's learned to say, in no particular order:
Mama
Da
Bake (B)
Yah (O)
Dah (R--I don't know either)
Nah (snack)
Sie (outside)
ee (eat)
YAY
me
ree (tree)
bye
pee-pee
ow (out)
He tried to say boo-hiney yesterday. It's what I call their behinds.
And last but certainly not least, he grabbed himself the other day while I was changing his diaper and proclaimed "Mah Peeneh!"
I know there are some more words he says. I'll either put it in a different post or edit this one when I think of them...cause I can do that if I want. :-)
ETA:
bie (bite)
peas (please)
bie peas
Hi
sah (sock)
nigh nigh (night night)
mih (milk)
Mama
Da
Bake (B)
Yah (O)
Dah (R--I don't know either)
Nah (snack)
Sie (outside)
ee (eat)
YAY
me
ree (tree)
bye
pee-pee
ow (out)
He tried to say boo-hiney yesterday. It's what I call their behinds.
And last but certainly not least, he grabbed himself the other day while I was changing his diaper and proclaimed "Mah Peeneh!"
I know there are some more words he says. I'll either put it in a different post or edit this one when I think of them...cause I can do that if I want. :-)
ETA:
bie (bite)
peas (please)
bie peas
Hi
sah (sock)
nigh nigh (night night)
mih (milk)
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