Last night Jessie and I had his Union holiday party here in town. It was nice to put faces to some of the guys he talks about, and to meet a couple of the union people. It was really nice to have an evening out without the kids. :) Need to have more time for that I think...especially in the next couple of months.
The dinner was good, and the speakers, well, some were long winded, BUT you learned a lot. It's nice to see and hear how the Railroad that Jessie works for takes care of their employees, but there's a change coming....
Pencil pushers down in Texas (people STUCK behind a desk, who have NEVER been on the tracks) are making changes to the very crews that keep everything going smooth, all to save more of the bottom-line...but in the end it's going to cost the Railroad more money....but Jessie still loves working for the Railroad....hopefully the changes that are coming won't effect that.
God Bless
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Smell of Vicks....
What is it about the smell of Vicks? For me- I smell that smell, and I instantly feel soothed, and feel better when I'm sick. I LOVE the Johnson & Johnson Vapor bath stuff, because it has that smell too. Wish I could find a more natural product to use that works just as well....
Last couple of weeks we have had several bugs going thru the house. UGH! First that vicious stomache bug as I mention earlier, and now poor Cyril has a really bad head cold. It's starting to sound croupy and that makes me nervous as a mommy. Since both times that he's had it in years past, he winds up in the hospital because he can't breathe. :( Fingers crossed it doesn't get to that point. It's getting bad though, because he woke up with it now in his right eye too. :( Guess it's time to load up on some Vitamin C, garlic, zinc, cuddles and more vicks.
God Bless,
Carlena
Last couple of weeks we have had several bugs going thru the house. UGH! First that vicious stomache bug as I mention earlier, and now poor Cyril has a really bad head cold. It's starting to sound croupy and that makes me nervous as a mommy. Since both times that he's had it in years past, he winds up in the hospital because he can't breathe. :( Fingers crossed it doesn't get to that point. It's getting bad though, because he woke up with it now in his right eye too. :( Guess it's time to load up on some Vitamin C, garlic, zinc, cuddles and more vicks.
God Bless,
Carlena
Surprise!
On Wednesday was the big U/S. I'm 6 months today, so the ultrasound appointment was only about 3 weeks behind schedule. ;) Anyways, the newest addition to the Johnson household will be a....Suprise! Sorry to burst your bubble everyone, but this newest addition wasn't going to show it's gender for anyone, no matter how hard the tech tried to make it move. But according to the U/S tech, baby is measuring right on track, maybe a day difference. I say it's due the 29th of May, the doctor and now the tech, says it's due the 30th of May. In otherwords, we are going to have a Memorial Day weekend baby. Everything is right on track, it looks like all of it's organs are healthy, I may have to go back for another U/S because the tech wasn't sure if one of the necessary shots was clear enough. (4 chambers of the heart)
I have to wait till the other OB - Dr. E looks at the results and tells my OB - Dr. D if it's a okay. I find that strange but what are you going to do. Baby is butt down, facing the left side, and it was very cute to see it playing with it's toes. I didn't realize how flat a baby can get in utereo. This baby had it's feet all the way up towards it's face. He/She LOVES to hit my lower rib, with it's hand. And ironically when I lay down on my left side, that's when it starts move and hitting that spot. lol.
So now who's right: Me or Cyril? I have felt on most days that this little one is a girl. I'm carrying slightly higher then I did with the boys, but still low like I did Shelby. I'm breaking out with more acne on my face like I did with Dawn. I'm moodier this time around, I don't remember being THIS moody with either of the boys. I'm all baby too, which is nice only gaining a total of about 6-6.5lbs since the beginning. But on other days I think a boy, just because I was SO sick with this one, and I didn't have any morning sickness with Dawn like I did with the boys. And I seem to be carrying more like a ball which I did with the boys. Cyril points to my tummy and says "His little butter" or "my butter". Supposedly little ones are never wrong. At the beginning he said "mimi" meaning girl, like his sister...but lately it's "butter"
Dawn started out at the beginning of this pregnancy wanting a girl, but now wants another boy, so she doesn't have to share her room. Spencer wants a girl so that Dawn HAS to share room and know what it fees like he tells me. Jessie hasn't said either way other then right at the beginning when I was so sick, that maybe it's a girl, because his sister was very sick with our niece.
4.5 months and counting we'll see.....
God Bless,
I have to wait till the other OB - Dr. E looks at the results and tells my OB - Dr. D if it's a okay. I find that strange but what are you going to do. Baby is butt down, facing the left side, and it was very cute to see it playing with it's toes. I didn't realize how flat a baby can get in utereo. This baby had it's feet all the way up towards it's face. He/She LOVES to hit my lower rib, with it's hand. And ironically when I lay down on my left side, that's when it starts move and hitting that spot. lol.
So now who's right: Me or Cyril? I have felt on most days that this little one is a girl. I'm carrying slightly higher then I did with the boys, but still low like I did Shelby. I'm breaking out with more acne on my face like I did with Dawn. I'm moodier this time around, I don't remember being THIS moody with either of the boys. I'm all baby too, which is nice only gaining a total of about 6-6.5lbs since the beginning. But on other days I think a boy, just because I was SO sick with this one, and I didn't have any morning sickness with Dawn like I did with the boys. And I seem to be carrying more like a ball which I did with the boys. Cyril points to my tummy and says "His little butter" or "my butter". Supposedly little ones are never wrong. At the beginning he said "mimi" meaning girl, like his sister...but lately it's "butter"
Dawn started out at the beginning of this pregnancy wanting a girl, but now wants another boy, so she doesn't have to share her room. Spencer wants a girl so that Dawn HAS to share room and know what it fees like he tells me. Jessie hasn't said either way other then right at the beginning when I was so sick, that maybe it's a girl, because his sister was very sick with our niece.
4.5 months and counting we'll see.....
God Bless,
Friday, January 29, 2010
Angry...
Why is it that I AM the one that is expected to do EVERYTHING around here!? Just because I stay at home (SAHM), I'm expected to do everything 24hrs/7 days a week. I have to keep the house clean, I have to do the laundry, I have to make all the meals, I have to take the kids to their appointments, I have to do all the errands, I have to make all the phone calls, I have to make sure the kids are clean and well behaved, I have to do the outside chores, while seeming to appear to have it together all at the same time. And if none of this gets done or stays done...who's head is it that it falls on...mine.
Let's not forget the fact that I run a daycare from my HOME. I have anywhere from 4-8 children every day on top of this, but if I sit down for 1 second to catch my breathe or Heaven forbid take time to actually eat a healthy meal, I get nothing but grief for it. Yes, I'm, a mother and I love my job. But I can't do everything. My mother is the 1st one that loves to point out that I'm failing my kids(by not setting a good example), my marriage and my daycare. That my aunt N used to have her house spotless (which she did/does, you couldn't tell she even had pets who shed hair.), homeschooled 3 kids and was/is very active in her church. That when she and her siblings were growing up, that their mom NEVER sat down. So there is no reason for the whining or complaining. There is no excuses not to get it done. Did grandma have a child with special needs to take care or or take to 3 appointments every week? I don't think so.
It makes me so frustrated and mad! I'd just like some understanding. I'm not whining. Would I like to have it be all done, you bet! Am I realizing that I can't do everything...you bet. There are women out there that can, and not only can do it, but do it so well, that it seems flawless...sorry to say I am not one of them. Especially while I'm pregnant and not on my ADHD medication to help keep on track. Lord, help us all, when I'm not focused. lol. It just would be nice to hear someone say: "It's okay, I understand" Instead of judging all the time.
It doesn't help that I managed to keep everything all together this summer, but things were different then now, where the kids are inside all the time, we have school to go to and from, M has lots of appointments to go too, and with my pregnancy I'm exhausted. So sue me if I don't get everything done. I'm trying to make sure that the kids and the daycare kids, don't have someone that is wigging out from stress. lol. Oh yeah! I'm also teaching the daycare kids stuff, instead of plugging them in front of the TV all the time. I know that there are days which it's better then others...but why can't people see those days instead of the not-so perfect days? ;)
SO sorry, vent is done.
God Bless
Let's not forget the fact that I run a daycare from my HOME. I have anywhere from 4-8 children every day on top of this, but if I sit down for 1 second to catch my breathe or Heaven forbid take time to actually eat a healthy meal, I get nothing but grief for it. Yes, I'm, a mother and I love my job. But I can't do everything. My mother is the 1st one that loves to point out that I'm failing my kids(by not setting a good example), my marriage and my daycare. That my aunt N used to have her house spotless (which she did/does, you couldn't tell she even had pets who shed hair.), homeschooled 3 kids and was/is very active in her church. That when she and her siblings were growing up, that their mom NEVER sat down. So there is no reason for the whining or complaining. There is no excuses not to get it done. Did grandma have a child with special needs to take care or or take to 3 appointments every week? I don't think so.
It makes me so frustrated and mad! I'd just like some understanding. I'm not whining. Would I like to have it be all done, you bet! Am I realizing that I can't do everything...you bet. There are women out there that can, and not only can do it, but do it so well, that it seems flawless...sorry to say I am not one of them. Especially while I'm pregnant and not on my ADHD medication to help keep on track. Lord, help us all, when I'm not focused. lol. It just would be nice to hear someone say: "It's okay, I understand" Instead of judging all the time.
It doesn't help that I managed to keep everything all together this summer, but things were different then now, where the kids are inside all the time, we have school to go to and from, M has lots of appointments to go too, and with my pregnancy I'm exhausted. So sue me if I don't get everything done. I'm trying to make sure that the kids and the daycare kids, don't have someone that is wigging out from stress. lol. Oh yeah! I'm also teaching the daycare kids stuff, instead of plugging them in front of the TV all the time. I know that there are days which it's better then others...but why can't people see those days instead of the not-so perfect days? ;)
SO sorry, vent is done.
God Bless
Sunday, January 24, 2010
1st day
Today - is the 1st day where I have felt more like my pregnant self, even after sleeping really fitfully on Dawn's bed with her. Man- she has a soft bed and so many blankets! I don't get how that child can be cold with all of those blankets. Jessie was sick all night the poor guy.
Why is it after a mommy starts getting better, the housework we normally do seems to exploded and multiply? I often forget how much I pick up after everyone all the time. Lately though - I've gotten sick of doing it, at least for Dawn & Spencer. Last week - I told those two and my oldest daycare girl/helper "CC" that "Their maid has left the building." Spencer didn't get it at 1st and when we explained to him- he looked shell shocked. But seriously is there a reason I have to pick up after them in everything? Dirty clothes, left everywhere, dirty dishes not in the sink, rinsed off, etc, etc. So we'll see what happens.
It's funny how 2 & 3yr old LOVE to help. They don't do it perfect, heck sometimes not what you would call "helping", but I love it! I didn't always like their ideas of helping, and I think that's part of the problem with the older two. With them, I've learned NOT to go back and fix what they did, no matter how streaky the mirrors or windows are. I expect more from the older two now, but Cyril- I just let him help. Except I have to tell him when the door is cleaned enough or he'll use the whole Windex bottle. lol.
He loves to help with the laundry. Pouring in the laundry detergent, or the softner ball. He loves, helping to put clothes in the washer or the dryer when I use it. This morning, he climbed on top of the washer...just started giggling. He thought it felt funny. I bet with all those vibrations. Fingers crossed he'll continue to be a good helper as he gets older.
There's the buzzer.
God Bless.
Why is it after a mommy starts getting better, the housework we normally do seems to exploded and multiply? I often forget how much I pick up after everyone all the time. Lately though - I've gotten sick of doing it, at least for Dawn & Spencer. Last week - I told those two and my oldest daycare girl/helper "CC" that "Their maid has left the building." Spencer didn't get it at 1st and when we explained to him- he looked shell shocked. But seriously is there a reason I have to pick up after them in everything? Dirty clothes, left everywhere, dirty dishes not in the sink, rinsed off, etc, etc. So we'll see what happens.
It's funny how 2 & 3yr old LOVE to help. They don't do it perfect, heck sometimes not what you would call "helping", but I love it! I didn't always like their ideas of helping, and I think that's part of the problem with the older two. With them, I've learned NOT to go back and fix what they did, no matter how streaky the mirrors or windows are. I expect more from the older two now, but Cyril- I just let him help. Except I have to tell him when the door is cleaned enough or he'll use the whole Windex bottle. lol.
He loves to help with the laundry. Pouring in the laundry detergent, or the softner ball. He loves, helping to put clothes in the washer or the dryer when I use it. This morning, he climbed on top of the washer...just started giggling. He thought it felt funny. I bet with all those vibrations. Fingers crossed he'll continue to be a good helper as he gets older.
There's the buzzer.
God Bless.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
I'm a slacker.
Life has been very crazy, exciting, harsh and complicated this past year. It's no excuse to have excluded blogging about it, but to be honest I just lost track of the time. It's already January of the new year. JEEZ!
In May we rented a house, that is closer to the kids' school district, and I love being 7 minutes away from their school instead of a 25 minute drive, one way. The house has plenty of room, and the yard is HUGE. Did I say HUGE - it's on a double city lot, the best part about it is that it's fenced in and there was a garden already done. Okay that's 2 things.
I started doing daycare in June with a family. They have 2 kids, a girl and a boy. Who of course stole my heart and that of Nana's right away. Then I started doing drop in care with friends' kids, who all also stole my heart right away...am I a sucker for little kids, or just an easy target? lol. I NEVER in a million years thought I would love doing daycare. I love that I'm home for my children, and I love being here to nuture other people's children while their parents have to work. At least they are in a loving, fun, safe environment during the day.
I discovered that I'm Gluten Intorlerant this summer. That has been an interesting journey, but I'm so thankfully to finally know what's making me sick all the time. :) It's been really tough trying to not cheat this fall.
Then a part of my world fell out this past September. One of my favorite uncles (Greg) had a brain hemorrage, and went several days without being found or getting the medical treatment he needed. That happened the 1st week of September. It will always be one of the longest weekends of my life. Being told to say your good-byes, that the staff didn't feel he was going to make it. BUT he has beaten the odds and has survived. He is not like what he used to be, but how could a person be after such an ordeal? It's a miracle that he even survived as long as he did without medical help. He's now at a facility that works with people that have TBI's and helps them relearn skills to live on your own. He's in Red Wing right now, which is forever from us it feels, but I need to see him. I miss him so much. You wouldn't believe how much of a help he was to mom and to myself, especially when Jessie was gone out of town.
That same weekend unbeknowest to us, I got pregnant again. It would take me almost a month I think it was to find out. I was so tired and run down. Cycle-wise everything was fine or so I thought. I was SO tired all the time. So I went in, thinking it was my thyroid or a cold or something. None of that...just pregnant. It was a shocker to say the least. Then I was worried because I was still taking my Ritalin, I had several drinkers earlier in September, and wasn't taking care of myself, other then trying to lose weight. Which on a side note - I lost 30lbs from January '09 to the 8 weeks of pregnancy. It was something we WERE NOT planning, yes, most people know that I had always mentioned that I would love to have 4 or more kids...then I started doing daycare. :) I get ALL the kids I want/can handle, and then at the end of the day or during the weekend it's just my 3 kids. I was really starting to enjoy that. No diapers (Cyril potty trained in August) and no major "stuff" like pack n plays to bring with us. It was really nice. BUT now we have child number 6 on the way. Yes - I said child number 6, because don't forget the twins in Germany.
Cyril is in absolute love with my belly, he tells people that it's his baby. He knows that when the snow is all gone baby will be here. Dawn & Spencer are excited too. Both want a sister. Dawn is tired of being the only girl, so she says. But now she wants a brother so she doesn't have to share her room. lol. Spencer wants a sister for the sole reason -he wants Shelby to have to share a room and understand what it's like. :) Time will tell. I was so sick for the 1st 15 weeks of pregnacy. Not only did I have the normal all day "morning" sickness, but in October, Cyril & I got the H1N1 virus. Thankfully Jessie and the other two did not get it.
But the fall had it's joys too. Dawn LOVES being in middle school. She started learning how to play the flute, and has continued taking her piano lessons. She is very musically inclined that way. She also tried out and made the local college Cantabile girls choir as a choirster. (The younger of the two girls choirs). She loved it, but didn't love it. She's still in girl scouts, I can't believe she's a Cadette already. But for now there are no sports or boyfriends to report.
Spencer is doing really good this year in 4th grade. His teachers have been very good, keeping things very structured at school. He's still a little behind with his fellow peers, but at least he really likes school this year. He was very excited to make a DS safe for his 4th grade Inventor's Congress, but he got sick the day of. We've all been battling the Norwalk(?) virus this week. He started seeing a counselor this fall to help with the issues he has due to his TBI, but I'm thankful for that. He's still doing OT but that will be for awhile, I believe this we get his sensory issues under control. They've been bad this year. :( I'm just totally drained by them, I can only imagine what he feels.
Cyril is a 3yr old ham, and charmer. He has tranisitioned very well, to having to share mommy with other kids. Now if I can get him to be okay with playing with kids when I'm not right by him. I think would be great. I've been thinking of putting him in preschool in the fall but we'll see.
I think that's it for now...this has gotten really long. ;)
God Bless.
In May we rented a house, that is closer to the kids' school district, and I love being 7 minutes away from their school instead of a 25 minute drive, one way. The house has plenty of room, and the yard is HUGE. Did I say HUGE - it's on a double city lot, the best part about it is that it's fenced in and there was a garden already done. Okay that's 2 things.
I started doing daycare in June with a family. They have 2 kids, a girl and a boy. Who of course stole my heart and that of Nana's right away. Then I started doing drop in care with friends' kids, who all also stole my heart right away...am I a sucker for little kids, or just an easy target? lol. I NEVER in a million years thought I would love doing daycare. I love that I'm home for my children, and I love being here to nuture other people's children while their parents have to work. At least they are in a loving, fun, safe environment during the day.
I discovered that I'm Gluten Intorlerant this summer. That has been an interesting journey, but I'm so thankfully to finally know what's making me sick all the time. :) It's been really tough trying to not cheat this fall.
Then a part of my world fell out this past September. One of my favorite uncles (Greg) had a brain hemorrage, and went several days without being found or getting the medical treatment he needed. That happened the 1st week of September. It will always be one of the longest weekends of my life. Being told to say your good-byes, that the staff didn't feel he was going to make it. BUT he has beaten the odds and has survived. He is not like what he used to be, but how could a person be after such an ordeal? It's a miracle that he even survived as long as he did without medical help. He's now at a facility that works with people that have TBI's and helps them relearn skills to live on your own. He's in Red Wing right now, which is forever from us it feels, but I need to see him. I miss him so much. You wouldn't believe how much of a help he was to mom and to myself, especially when Jessie was gone out of town.
That same weekend unbeknowest to us, I got pregnant again. It would take me almost a month I think it was to find out. I was so tired and run down. Cycle-wise everything was fine or so I thought. I was SO tired all the time. So I went in, thinking it was my thyroid or a cold or something. None of that...just pregnant. It was a shocker to say the least. Then I was worried because I was still taking my Ritalin, I had several drinkers earlier in September, and wasn't taking care of myself, other then trying to lose weight. Which on a side note - I lost 30lbs from January '09 to the 8 weeks of pregnancy. It was something we WERE NOT planning, yes, most people know that I had always mentioned that I would love to have 4 or more kids...then I started doing daycare. :) I get ALL the kids I want/can handle, and then at the end of the day or during the weekend it's just my 3 kids. I was really starting to enjoy that. No diapers (Cyril potty trained in August) and no major "stuff" like pack n plays to bring with us. It was really nice. BUT now we have child number 6 on the way. Yes - I said child number 6, because don't forget the twins in Germany.
Cyril is in absolute love with my belly, he tells people that it's his baby. He knows that when the snow is all gone baby will be here. Dawn & Spencer are excited too. Both want a sister. Dawn is tired of being the only girl, so she says. But now she wants a brother so she doesn't have to share her room. lol. Spencer wants a sister for the sole reason -he wants Shelby to have to share a room and understand what it's like. :) Time will tell. I was so sick for the 1st 15 weeks of pregnacy. Not only did I have the normal all day "morning" sickness, but in October, Cyril & I got the H1N1 virus. Thankfully Jessie and the other two did not get it.
But the fall had it's joys too. Dawn LOVES being in middle school. She started learning how to play the flute, and has continued taking her piano lessons. She is very musically inclined that way. She also tried out and made the local college Cantabile girls choir as a choirster. (The younger of the two girls choirs). She loved it, but didn't love it. She's still in girl scouts, I can't believe she's a Cadette already. But for now there are no sports or boyfriends to report.
Spencer is doing really good this year in 4th grade. His teachers have been very good, keeping things very structured at school. He's still a little behind with his fellow peers, but at least he really likes school this year. He was very excited to make a DS safe for his 4th grade Inventor's Congress, but he got sick the day of. We've all been battling the Norwalk(?) virus this week. He started seeing a counselor this fall to help with the issues he has due to his TBI, but I'm thankful for that. He's still doing OT but that will be for awhile, I believe this we get his sensory issues under control. They've been bad this year. :( I'm just totally drained by them, I can only imagine what he feels.
Cyril is a 3yr old ham, and charmer. He has tranisitioned very well, to having to share mommy with other kids. Now if I can get him to be okay with playing with kids when I'm not right by him. I think would be great. I've been thinking of putting him in preschool in the fall but we'll see.
I think that's it for now...this has gotten really long. ;)
God Bless.
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