My Three Sons (The Wiggler, The Love-Bug, and The Administrator.)....and A Life Update

It's been a little over a month since I last blogged- hard to believe! Life just keeps changing and we just keep pressing on. I am now at about 27 weeks with Baby #3, David will be 10 months old next week, and Joseph is going on three- and starting to potty train. (Hopefully, I'll have ONE out of diapers by the time #3 arrives??? Please???) #3 is moving so much more now, (I call him the Wiggler) and I'm beginning to have what I have dubbed as "Turtle Syndrome." This happens when you are sound asleep and you want to flip over and you CAN'T, because your belly is too big! It must be funny to watch- but I have to admit that I've been spending several nights sleeping in our recliner instead of our bed so I don't have to worry about flipping over. This is the first time I've ever slept in a recliner during pregnancy- so weird! Anyhow...we are trying to come up with a moniker for the little one, and it's hard for us to choose a name this time around. We keep going between three or four possibilities, but can't make up our minds! David has been growing quickly. He's about 25 lbs. now- and he's crawling SO FAST. He has begun pulling himself into a standing position (and he's quite pleased about that) and getting into all of Joseph's things- which has not only led to greater amounts of chasing David, but sibling rivalry (at least on Joseph's part.) David still comes to work with me three days a week and is in daycare for two days. Working with a 9 month old in the office is challenging, but somehow,it's working. My office looks like a nursery with office equipment...not the other way around. Sometimes when he's restless, I'll put him in his stroller and walk him down the hallways of the school, and all of the students and teachers stop to talk to him. He just LOVES all of the attention and loves being held. He's very laid back, cheerful and lovable- unless he's teething. He's a total "Mama's Boy"- at least for the time being- and he always wants to snuggle. He's the little Love Bug. Joseph is talking more and more. He is always singing "Twinkle,Twinkle Little Star," and if he is not in the mood for me joining in, he stops, frowns and says, "No, Mama, that's MY twinkle." and continues to sing as loud as he can. He is rough and tumble and into E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G. Hsi favorite show right now is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (which I think I've seen every episode of) followed by Jake and the Neverland Pirates. He has started riding his tricycle at Memaw's and Pepaw's house, and loves to help in the kitchen. As lovable as Joseph is, he certainly has a mind of his own, and he is VERY hard headed. I call him "The Administrator." He loves telling other people what to do and how to do it- and if things aren't going his way, he is not happy. It's funny to me that Joseph is just beginning to enter the "Terrible Twos" this late. He is SO PASSIONATE. He can passionately love you and what he's doing- and the next minute, if he feels he's been wronged, he will be PASSIONATE about letting you know it! (I have NOOOOOOOOOOOO idea where he gets this from...) I have to say though, he is a great helper and he is growing up too quickly- but it is amazing to see his development and his personality which is beginning to emerge. The infamous Charlie, who could have probably had an entire blog dedicated to his shenanigans, had to be given up to the Humane Society. On Good Friday. What a horrible day to give up the cat! Charlie, as lovable and spunky as he was, was starting to get jealous of the kids- and territorial (in a bad way) because our next door neighbors have FIVE outdoor cats that like to mark their territory outside of our house. In addition to this, a certain two year old decided that a cat of 20 lbs. looked a lot like a small pony, and tried riding him on numerous occasions and pulling his ears and whiskers. The trip down to the Humane Society on Good Friday was AWFUL. After my husband and I had dropped him off, I cried all the way home! In hindsight however, I realize that we made the right decision, and Charlie was adopted after a mere week of being in the shelter. I am very happy about this and I know that he is making a family very happy. My husband is looking for other jobs as his current one has him dealing with some rather...interesting characters- and the overtime has been unreal. Our family has not gotten to spend much time together because of the overtime- and because he has rotating days off (works six days, off for two). My job? Well, it's been demanding. Lots of changes- some for the better. However, more than anything I want to stay at home with the kids. i'm not sure how feasible this is given all of the bills- and I'm hoping for answers to prayers soon. I'm also hoping for God to strengthen us as a family, especially in the next months as so many changes are taking place. I'm at a place where I've learned that God won't give you anything you can't handle...(but it's okay to ask for help!) I have trouble with that last part and usually drive myself crazy trying to do everything on my own. Hoping for continued strength, healing and guidance. That's all for now- maybe I'll shoot for a WEEKLY blog, because blogging as much as I want cannot happen right now with the family and with the job.

Yesterday

Yesterday I went to the OBGYN for my exam. There was a group of people in the waiting room, shuffling through magazines, texting and playing on iPads. The room was silent with the exception of the turning of magazine pages and the soft hum of office equipment. I decided not to read anything and to enjoy the silence. About a half hour after my appointment time, I was finally called. I followed the portly nurse down the hallway while she took my vitals and entered the information into her computer- her gaudy blue beaded bracelet jingling with every keystroke. She told me to wait and the doctor would come to see me as soon as possible- she would be running late because she was double booked for the entire day. I pulled a magazine from the rack and thumbed through it- noticing that the nurse left the door wide open on her way out- not something that typically happens. And, as I sat there, I noticed several nurses running down the hall looking for towels. One was looking for scissors. "Her mother doesn't know?!" said one. "I STRONGLY object to the way this was handled!" yelled another. My stomach churned. "Bring her mother back here." A heavyset, irate woman was quickly ushered down the hallway. A bit later, a teenage girl was whisked down the hallway in a wheelchair- her face veiled by her hair. Then- the doctor came to see me. Checked my weight. Told me my stomach measurement was fine- and that my baby's heartbeat was strong. That the next appointment would be in a month and I would have to take my glucose test before coming in for an examination. I gave my paperwork to the lady at the check out and pulled on my jacket- wrapping myself in it tightly as I stepped back outside and into the rain- and wept. What had happened in that office? What had happened to the girl? What had happened to that baby? Questions I'll always wonder about- and never have answered. The events that took place played themselves over and over in my mind, making it impossible to sleep. The next morning- I held my boys a little bit tighter.

Sunday...

I wish I had enough time to sit and blog more often! I have still been listing my blessings, though not always on the computer this Lent.
Tonight...I felt so disheartened by certain things that occurred. However, I am thankful that I read several positive comments from our 10th grade Religious Ed. Students regarding the program...and I was pleasantly surprised. God will always glorify Himself even through lowly vessels!

Anyway- I am thankful for:

1. Grapes
2. Long naps. I was SO BLESSED yesterday! Both kids fell asleep at the same time and I had the opportunity to sleep at the same time. Result? A lovely 2 1/2 hour nap!
3. David laughing.
4. Joseph wanting to snuggle and "help" me clean the kitchen.
5. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
6. My parents.
7. Just "being" with my husband. Sitting next to him on the sofa with his arm around me makes me feel so safe and loved.
8. My dishwasher and washer and dryer.
9. Finding a booklet of 101 Activities For Toddlers on Pinterest.
10.Finding out that Baby #3 will be another boy!
11.People volunteering to help me put things together at the last minute- (my original volunteer dropped a TV weighing 75 lbs on her foot and BROKE it- poor thing! She will be unable to help me with the receptions coming up and will be immobile for the next 6 weeks!)
12. Getting my hair trimmed.
13. That I made time to put together Easter baskets for the kids.
14. That my husband will be able to go with me to Easter Vigil...SO HAPPY ABOUT THIS!

Bliss

Bliss: sleeping until 6:00 AM, and only getting up once last night with David. It's amazing how much of a difference being rested makes!

He will not fail...

Today was a tough day. surprises...stress...one of those days where pulling the covers over your head and sleeping for another five hours seems like a good idea.

That being said, I have to find things to be thankful for concerning today.

I think I am thankful for a book I found last night called "Believing God." It's not a Catholic book- it's a Christian devotional- but there is one chapter that stood out to me as I flipped through the contents: "I Can Do All Things Through Christ."

Wow.

All things.

THROUGH CHRIST.

The author shared some brief anecdotes, and ended them by reminding the reader that it is not God who fails us- it is we who so often fail God.

In the quiet of my room- I almost heard a small, still whisper say, "I WILL NOT fail you." A whisper that comforted my heart.

I wish I had recalled that when I was in "the thick of things" today- but I am happy that I am remembering it now. He WILL NOT fail me- oh, I pray for faithfulness!

I am also thankful that:

1. My husband fianlly saw a doctor, and that David went and was diagnosed
with an ear infection- that explains his moodiness as of late.

2. That C. came in today to help prepare things for Second Grade for next year.

3. For my parents.

4. That today is my husband's "Friday."

5. Chocolate chip cookies.

6. Joe-Joe pretending to be a cat- he is so funny! He goes around meows and acts cuddly and wants to be held. (Should i be worried?! :) ) I guess I should be thankful that he's not pretending to be a dog and barking anymore!
!

Sunday Thankfuls

I am thankful...

1. That even though I couldn't get to Mass, my Mom
brought me Communion.

2. That my husband made it home. Hoping he will go
to the doctor soon- he's been sick for five days and
extremely exhausted- so worried about him!

3. FOR THE WEATHER. 68 degrees? IN MARCH? Wow!

4. That Joseph and I finally met our neighbors.

5. That I FINALLY had a Shamrock Shake!

6. That Religious Ed. is almost over for the year...I
can't wait for a "break" from classes.

Friday Thankfuls

1. Joseph went to sleep without much crying- THANK YOU, LORD!
2. My husband called out of work so he could recover- he needs a break.
3. That my 9th Graders did relatively well tonight at Stations of the Cross.
4. Mint Ice Cream.
5. Tomorrow is my husband's feast day- (Confirmation Name is Patrick!)
6. For Pinterest. This could become an addiction. Perhaps I should give it up for Lent before it does!
7. I had quiet time today to make a grocery list and weekly menu.
8. I'm thankful my husband watched David so I could enjoy a shower alone...sometimes when I shower I can hear Joseph on the opposite side of the door saying, "MOM-MOM??? Mooooom....MOMMMMM! What doing? Where go? MooooooooOOOOOOMM???" It was nice to have quiet!
9. I'm thankful that Charlie is sleeping. It's the only time he's quiet! I think we need to find another family for him before #3 comes. Sad...but most days it's like having another toddler. I need to find a loving home for him, and soon.
10. For F.- one of my star catechists! SO grateful for him. Hoping to talk him into being our Youth Minister. I think the kids love and respect him and he loves the Lord and will help them to grow.