Last week was super-stressful. Between potty training- which was a huge success thank g-d, but still stressful, the kids home, and semester starting, I couldn't wait for the weekend!
Now that Adara is diaper free, we are leaving the house on short trips with the potty in-tow. I am done Unit 1- was a hard one, full of rack-your-brain multiple choice regarding constitutional rights and freedoms. Basically, a law class for prospective lawyers, not me!
I know the amount of work that is expected of me now for these two classes, so I can better plan out my work-schedule.
Yesterday we took an awesome hike thru Old-Frick park, and then had a yummy chicken barbeque for dinner!
About half of the school supply list is ordered, book-order complete, uniforms and one hello kitty lunch box purchased :)
Still to get: The rest of the school supplies, and school shoes. I wanted to get everything out of the way because I feel like the holidays, the end of my semester (which includes a final and a final paper due the week of Yom Kippur) and school is all gonna hit me come the end of August.
I feel pretty accomplished!
Have a great week everyone!
Monday, July 29, 2013
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Hectic days
The last few days have been hectic as I was finishing up some work around the house, and getting things in order as for the next 8 weeks I will be immersed in two hard classes.
Last night, hubby took me out for a delicious chef-prepared birthday dinner. It was so nice to get out and have some quiet time, just the two of us.
Potty training is going really well thank g-d, but still staying in doors. Hubby has off today for a few hours, and is currently with 4/5 kids by a river.
Gota bounce, Adara up from a nap
Good Stuff:
1. Semester started- that much closer to it ending :)
2. My zucchini muffins and zucchini potato kugel- zucchini from the garden
3. Kids are ready for school except for shoes and school supplies- awaiting the lists!
Last night, hubby took me out for a delicious chef-prepared birthday dinner. It was so nice to get out and have some quiet time, just the two of us.
Potty training is going really well thank g-d, but still staying in doors. Hubby has off today for a few hours, and is currently with 4/5 kids by a river.
Gota bounce, Adara up from a nap
Good Stuff:
1. Semester started- that much closer to it ending :)
2. My zucchini muffins and zucchini potato kugel- zucchini from the garden
3. Kids are ready for school except for shoes and school supplies- awaiting the lists!
Monday, July 22, 2013
Yay me for accepting help
It normally is extremely hard for me to accept help. I am not sure if it's because I think I can do it all myself all the time, or something else. In any case, today we had a post-high school age girl from 4-6 p.m. It was so nice to have the extra pair of hands. I was able to take a shower, get dinner going, and relax a little during what is normally coined "the witching hour" part of the day.
I had told her that I would want just once a week, but now I'm rethinking that. Maybe on Friday.
Today was day #3 of potty-training and just one small accident when Adara went outside to play. I guess she was just distracted. It is all so new. I had her take the wet underwear off by herself, and throw in the laundry basket. Teaching her responsibility. She also lets me know on her own when she has to go, I have stopped asking her all the time, just here or there. We have still not left the house, and I imagine I will wait until next week to venture out.
Here is a pic of these super mama zucchini picked fresh by my boys' from the garden! Amazing to see the fruits of one's labor!
What to make?
I had told her that I would want just once a week, but now I'm rethinking that. Maybe on Friday.
Today was day #3 of potty-training and just one small accident when Adara went outside to play. I guess she was just distracted. It is all so new. I had her take the wet underwear off by herself, and throw in the laundry basket. Teaching her responsibility. She also lets me know on her own when she has to go, I have stopped asking her all the time, just here or there. We have still not left the house, and I imagine I will wait until next week to venture out.
Here is a pic of these super mama zucchini picked fresh by my boys' from the garden! Amazing to see the fruits of one's labor!
What to make?
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Potty Training = exhausting yet rewarding!
The last two days have been utterly exhausting!
First thing Shabbos morning, we started potty-training. I gave Adara a lot to drink, and did nothing else except give her one-on-one attention- playing endless puzzles, building sky-scraper-high towers and just basically pouring all my attention into her. I told the older kids that if they cooperate and let me focus on her, they will get rewarded as well as the junior toilet-trainees. Thankfully, that worked out well.
Initially it was a little frustrating as is to be expected. She had two accidents out of the blue- one while we were playing trains with me sitting right there on the floor, and the other one during the shabbos meal when I was sitting at the table and she had left. I had momentarily forgot about the training, and that's when it happened. But, no biggie. Fresh underwear on the way, and after 2:30 we were accident free until she was diapered at bedtime at 6:45!
I called the day a success because after that last accident, it was her telling me that she had to go, rather than me asking or reminding. To me, that showed we were on the way. However, I was anxious for today- thinking that maybe we would have to start all over due to the long night break.
Luckily though, today she only had one mini accident while sitting on a stool watching her brother play on the kindle, but she caught it and we rushed to the potty to finish.
So, we are basically trained! This week though, at least until Wednesday, will be an inside day as I don't like to travel anywhere during the first fragile days of toilet-training. After that, we go with the potty in the van!
Did I say I am zonked? My eyes are drooping writing this, however I want to do some research on finding a spa that has everything I want under one roof. I may have found one, but need to research some more.
Here are some pictures of what we've been up to:
Fitting the last piece of this awesome 200 piece puzzle in! Took us a few hours- so great to literally hear the kids working it out out loud. Just bid on another from the same company on eBay. Ravensburger Puzzles.
The boys having fun in the pool! Thank g-d for this inflatable piece of plastic!
My boys building a catapult with rubber bands, random pieces of wood, and a drill! All their idea and execution!
Have a good week everyone!
The Good Stuff:
1. Toilet training success
2. My husband's Sunday pancakes
3. Great yummy kids that make life worth living!
4. Laundry hook-up is almost ready on the second floor! Waited 10 years for non-basement laundry machines! NO more centipede smashing, or freezing winter trips down there!
First thing Shabbos morning, we started potty-training. I gave Adara a lot to drink, and did nothing else except give her one-on-one attention- playing endless puzzles, building sky-scraper-high towers and just basically pouring all my attention into her. I told the older kids that if they cooperate and let me focus on her, they will get rewarded as well as the junior toilet-trainees. Thankfully, that worked out well.
Initially it was a little frustrating as is to be expected. She had two accidents out of the blue- one while we were playing trains with me sitting right there on the floor, and the other one during the shabbos meal when I was sitting at the table and she had left. I had momentarily forgot about the training, and that's when it happened. But, no biggie. Fresh underwear on the way, and after 2:30 we were accident free until she was diapered at bedtime at 6:45!
I called the day a success because after that last accident, it was her telling me that she had to go, rather than me asking or reminding. To me, that showed we were on the way. However, I was anxious for today- thinking that maybe we would have to start all over due to the long night break.
Luckily though, today she only had one mini accident while sitting on a stool watching her brother play on the kindle, but she caught it and we rushed to the potty to finish.
So, we are basically trained! This week though, at least until Wednesday, will be an inside day as I don't like to travel anywhere during the first fragile days of toilet-training. After that, we go with the potty in the van!
Did I say I am zonked? My eyes are drooping writing this, however I want to do some research on finding a spa that has everything I want under one roof. I may have found one, but need to research some more.
Here are some pictures of what we've been up to:
Fitting the last piece of this awesome 200 piece puzzle in! Took us a few hours- so great to literally hear the kids working it out out loud. Just bid on another from the same company on eBay. Ravensburger Puzzles.
The boys having fun in the pool! Thank g-d for this inflatable piece of plastic!
Have a good week everyone!
The Good Stuff:
1. Toilet training success
2. My husband's Sunday pancakes
3. Great yummy kids that make life worth living!
4. Laundry hook-up is almost ready on the second floor! Waited 10 years for non-basement laundry machines! NO more centipede smashing, or freezing winter trips down there!
Friday, July 19, 2013
Friday!!!
Today was a hard day so far, and I contribute it to a bad sleep, and some annoying new back pain. Luckily, I was able to make this yummy mushroom and craisin couscous dish, along with my ten-sauce chicken and cinnamon apple cake!
Hubby pumped up the pool last night, and the kids were literally in it for over 2 hours straight today. A G-d send and a lifesaver.
Early this morning I managed to completley bleach and de-clutter the kids' bathroom. It needed a good clean, not just a toilet/sink scour. Thank g-d for the little things.
The hard stuff:
1. I feel like an old lady. It is kind of depressing that leading a very active lifestyle before the pregnancy, still left me feeling achey and out of shape now, during the pregnancy. It really shows how growing a baby changes everything. Thank G-d.
2. A missing library book. we looked high and lo, and nothing! I told the boys, no library until it's found, and im sticking to that.
The Good stuff
1. Shabbos cooking is done
2. The house is more or less clean
3. 5 happy and healthy kids thank g-d
4. School starts in 6 weeks. Will I miss my kids once they are all back in school? definitly. Will I love the quiet during the day to give me some solitary time to focus on the upcoming birth? Totally.
5. Really managing with everyone home, eventhough at times it is really really tough.
6. Shabbos is here. Toilet training tomorrow- yay!
Good Shabbos
Hubby pumped up the pool last night, and the kids were literally in it for over 2 hours straight today. A G-d send and a lifesaver.
Early this morning I managed to completley bleach and de-clutter the kids' bathroom. It needed a good clean, not just a toilet/sink scour. Thank g-d for the little things.
The hard stuff:
1. I feel like an old lady. It is kind of depressing that leading a very active lifestyle before the pregnancy, still left me feeling achey and out of shape now, during the pregnancy. It really shows how growing a baby changes everything. Thank G-d.
2. A missing library book. we looked high and lo, and nothing! I told the boys, no library until it's found, and im sticking to that.
The Good stuff
1. Shabbos cooking is done
2. The house is more or less clean
3. 5 happy and healthy kids thank g-d
4. School starts in 6 weeks. Will I miss my kids once they are all back in school? definitly. Will I love the quiet during the day to give me some solitary time to focus on the upcoming birth? Totally.
5. Really managing with everyone home, eventhough at times it is really really tough.
6. Shabbos is here. Toilet training tomorrow- yay!
Good Shabbos
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Blogging
I decided that I love blogging. In general, I have always loved writing.
Going on week 2 with no facebook app on my phone, I love that I'm unattached, with just checking in a few times a day and posting my blog link and a picture or two. I also am loving re-connecting on a personal level with old and new friends thru other communication methods. Facebook makes things so impersonal, so mundane and meaningless. I feel free and not tethered to a huge time-sucker! It has its fun stuff though, I won't knock that.
Hubby thinks I should continue my de-cluttering posts, but in my current condition, with all the kids home- I am not one for talking about how to organize! I will say this though: School is around the corner. It is a great time to get the school supply area under control. Take inventory of what needs to be purchased/what was leftover from last year. It is a great opportunity to think about what went wrong as far as organization of backpacks, supplies, lunch-packing department and even the after-school schedule.
So on my mind:
1. Getting thru the next few days of really hot temperatures
2. Enjoying my last 6 days until school starts
3. Turning 31 next week ! ahhhh!
4. 14 week countdown
Going on week 2 with no facebook app on my phone, I love that I'm unattached, with just checking in a few times a day and posting my blog link and a picture or two. I also am loving re-connecting on a personal level with old and new friends thru other communication methods. Facebook makes things so impersonal, so mundane and meaningless. I feel free and not tethered to a huge time-sucker! It has its fun stuff though, I won't knock that.
Hubby thinks I should continue my de-cluttering posts, but in my current condition, with all the kids home- I am not one for talking about how to organize! I will say this though: School is around the corner. It is a great time to get the school supply area under control. Take inventory of what needs to be purchased/what was leftover from last year. It is a great opportunity to think about what went wrong as far as organization of backpacks, supplies, lunch-packing department and even the after-school schedule.
So on my mind:
1. Getting thru the next few days of really hot temperatures
2. Enjoying my last 6 days until school starts
3. Turning 31 next week ! ahhhh!
4. 14 week countdown
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Birthing saga- what to do?
I am so fed up with the way the birthing process takes place here in Pittsburgh, and in many areas around the country. Eventhough, the trend seems to have shifted towards focusing on natural methods to get thru labor, med students are not given the opportunity to view what actually goes on during a natural childbirth- to see that it IS normal, and that it CAN be done without an i.v., without an epidural and certainly without a c-section- even if the baby seems "stuck" or "not in the right position."
I feel like each of my births have been a battle- not so much with the actual process of birthing a baby out, but with the staff- the o.b. who despite defining herself as "natura;" is as conservative as the state of PA is, the myraid of nurses and residents.
Each time I have to fight for my right to have MY kind of birth, and fight I do. I say no to all interventions unless medically needed.
Last time was the straw that broke the camels back. My o.b. insisted I have at least the heplock (the part of the i.v. where the needle is inserted, but not attached to anything in the .00000000007 % that something 'bad' happens) needless to say, after a few attempts to get it in my vein, I had just about had it!
I was so annoyed that I was statistically lumped into a category of "what if's" when there was no evidence of anything bad going on. I am not high risk, im not 48, I don't have any history thank g-d of anything going wrong during birth, the monitor (which I agreed to wear every 30 minutes for 5 minutes) showed only good things, so why the "in case something happens." Not only that, but I was made to have pitocin after the birth for 2 hours because "maybe your uterus will have a hard time shrinking- it happens after multiple babies" really? so if evidence suggests that its having problems, THEN by all means start me on pitocin. It is so backward!!! Meanwhile, this chemical is being pumped thru my body and making its way to babies milk after 9 months of watching everything I come into contact with, when nothing was amiss! It really bothers me to no end!
I was so annoyed that I was statistically lumped into a category of "what if's" when there was no evidence of anything bad going on. I am not high risk, im not 48, I don't have any history thank g-d of anything going wrong during birth, the monitor (which I agreed to wear every 30 minutes for 5 minutes) showed only good things, so why the "in case something happens." Not only that, but I was made to have pitocin after the birth for 2 hours because "maybe your uterus will have a hard time shrinking- it happens after multiple babies" really? so if evidence suggests that its having problems, THEN by all means start me on pitocin. It is so backward!!! Meanwhile, this chemical is being pumped thru my body and making its way to babies milk after 9 months of watching everything I come into contact with, when nothing was amiss! It really bothers me to no end!
I read a study recently that explains that on a subconscious level, when a laboring mother is wearing a hospital gown, and in bed attached to an i.v., in the nurses mind as well as the doctors and the woman herself, she is a "sick patient" like the rest of the people in the hospital- in line for transplants and risky procedures. I truly believe this.
Let me come in, and have my baby!
My best birth was with my second, where I stayed home as long as I can laboring all Friday night and into early shabbos morning. I refused to leave until I couldn't get a handle on the breathing anymore. I got to the hospital at 7 cent. dilated and they literally had no time to even ask for i.v. That is what I aim for again. It is sad that I can't just walk in and do my thing, especially when my births (according to my insurance file online) average $12,000.
UPMC (and doc)is getting paid $12,000 for the privilege of catching my baby, after fighting me teeth and nail for epidurals, i.v.'s, hearing tests, std cream, and a non stop barrage of "routine" "helpful" procedures. I leave the hospital usually around 5 hours later- I don't sleep the night there, I don't use the nursery services or need night nurses. They are making the most money out of me, its actually sick if you think about it.
Everyone who hears these things from me cries "home birth, home birth" but the sad fact is that here in PA, there is something murky going on with home births. "certified" nurse midwives seems to fly under the radar, are not officially approved by the state it seems, do not carry malpractice insurance or take any insurance of any kind (except a few that work directly with o.b's in clinics =which are hard to find), and I just don't feel completely safe with this route. It sounds amazing, and plenty have done it here, it's just not for me.
So, when the time comes- I am having a few friends join me in the house to keep me company and make me me laugh during labor until I can't take it anymore. Wish me luck!
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