Miami

Here we are in Miami for 3 days before the ship sails to the Eastern Caribbean. We stayed at the Marriott in South Beach and the kids loved it! I was relaxing until our favorite middle child Milla got the stomach flu the night before boarding the ship. Let me say that was a treat! It is always someone but usually her. She was so sick that when we went to get on the ship they sent us to the nurse to make sure she did not have Noro-virus. The first day was just getting to know the ship and emergency protocol. Amelia did not feel well until the next day. The first few days were a little rough-8 foot waves. I was uneasy, to say the least. I am not a boat person and I was on edge. Once we got to Puerto Rico, the conditions were better! We walked around there in the evening and basically saw some shops and street vendors. We then went on to St.Thomas. It was very nice there! The kids enjoyed the town and got their hair braided. The next stop was St. Maarten. That was beautiful! They swam in the ocean with their cousins and played on the beach. It was a very nice destination-my favorite of all! The next 2.5 days were sailing back to Miami. The days were filled with pictures, fancy dinners, sing alongs in the lounge, pools, shopping for inches of gold, getting nails done at the spa, and more! It was a fun time for Grandma and Grandpa Jaworski's 40th wedding anniversary. It was all that they could ask for and I think they thoroughly enjoyed it. It was even better that our friends from Germany, Kristina and Annika could join us. Oh, and I forgot to mention, we did have a traditional turkey dinner on Thanksgiving! Yum! The best part of the trip was just being with family. The kids went nuts to be with their cousins for a week and I (as well as the kids) enjoyed being with my amazing husband for a week. Yes, with no computer, no phone calls, NOTHING!! Cannot wait until the next vacation...

To Do Lists

So four children is definitely wonderful and fun but packing for all of these munchkins is not so much. Here is my list for preparing for the Thanksgiving festivities. 1. Go to Walgreens. 2. Go to Target. 3. Get more hamster and rat bedding. 4. Write instructions for hamsters and rats and hermit crab. 5. Pack the kids. 6. Re-pack the kids (suitcases too heavy). 7. Pack Scott and I. 8. Re-pack Scott. 9. Annie to Mimi and Papu's. 10. Decorate house for Christmas. 11. Go to 3 doctor appointments with Ollie, Belle and Preston. 12. Pack nebulizer, meds and appropriate foods for Ollie. 13. Call Miami Whole Foods and get food for the ship. 14. Get doctor note to take Ollie's food and drinks on plane and ship. 15. Call Carnival and pre-order meals for Ollie 16. Follow up with Carnival with special paperwork 17. Arrange transportation to and from airport and ship. 18. And more...

Locks of Love

I am really behind on the blogging, as you can see. Since we had been getting ready to go on the cruise, I knew that haircuts were definitely needed. Of course everyone loves them BUT Isabelle. She was concerned to even get a half of an inch off. Amelia knew exactly what she wanted: stacked in back. And, you better believe she must have asked Mary 5 times during the cut "are you making sure it is stacked in back?" For whatever reason I mentioned to Isabelle that there were children who were sick and lost their hair due to very strong medicine they had to take. She immediately asked if she could give her hair to those children and if her hair would grow back. Our answers were yes and yes! That is all it took for her to selflessly give to these little children. Here are the pics to prove it.

Rat Bath

Well, Ms Sarah got more than she bargained for today. She thought she was simply going to watch Ollie for a little while. Little did she know that she was going to assist in giving Fiona and Phoebe their first bath. Actually, she did very well and seemed to have some experience with this!!

Little Hairball

Ollie is officially my little hair ball. He just has this hair that seems to come out of nowhere. Every time I cut it, it does not seem to get shorter. all I can imagine is the day of his first birthday. The kids were all up before him and when they heard him calling for us, they all ran up to his room. Of course he was groggy. The kids stood by his crib and serenaded him with "Happy Birthday." It was one of the cutest moments I have had with these cute kids. They all love each other SOOO much. He just stood there with his rosy cheeks and frazzled hair and stared at them completely unsure of what was going on. I have included a picture below. Oliver is still struggling with a bad cough and stomach issues. The gluten free diet has made a world of a difference. However, the doctors here would like him to see a specialist at DeVos Children's Hospital. She specializes in GI issues. He will also go tomorrow to the Allergist to get tested for allergies. He is such a happy little guy and it is so sad that he has to feel like this. Hope we get some answers!! It took me 2 days to figure out if his medication had gluten in it. The pharmacist did not know, the hospital did not know and so I asked Google. It pulled through!

Pumpkin Carving

So I am a little backwards here but I figure better now than never. I wanted to post our pumpkin carving pics. We had more than enough pumpkins this year and actually needed to carve them on multiple nights. I am not sure why we over did it. I think because a friend of mine called me AFTER we had already purchased pumpkins and told me about the Cinderella pumpkins that look just like the ones in the movie. So, I had to get some of those! Anyway, the kids each had a carving kit and they did a great job. Isabelle was the master carver!!

Halloween

This was probably the best Halloween yet! The children had a parade and parties at school, which Scott, Oliver and I participated in. It is hard with 3 kids all having parties at the same time because we were playing musical classrooms. The costumes were great and I just love the amount of parental participation happening here! The gym bleachers were FILLED plus parents lined the outside walls. All for the Halloween parade. That is what it is all about! So, as far as costumes go, here they are: Scott was Troy Bolton, the High School Musical basketball star. (oh, and HOTTY) I was a "Good Witch." Isabelle was a witch. Amelia was Thing One and Oliver was Thing Two from "The Cat in the Hat." Preston was Optimus Prime the transformer. After the school festivities, we quickly came home, grabbed the food to pass, and went down to our very good friends' home (and neighbors) for a Halloween party! The entire garage was decorated (thank you, Mark) and there were yummy snacks and amazing homemade soups and macaroni and cheese. Wow, do they really go all out!! Most of the adults were dressed up too! There were five families plus grandparents. Oh, yes, the grandparents were dressed up as well. Just be sure to check out the Tin Man... Ok, well I must get kids ready for school. I just love blogging! I have so much to add and it may not be in order so forgive me!!! Happy Friday!!!

Ollie First Year Picture

So here he is. The wild man that is taking after his older sister Amelia more and more every day! He is a little spitfire! He, at exactly 14 months, has cut 2 more bottom teeth, 3 molars and is taking 7-8 steps walking by himself. Yep, one day he just stood up in the middle of the kitchen floor and took off. Preston yelled "Ollie's walking!." He has gained 2 WHOLE POUNDS in one month since being on a gluten free diet! He does have a double ear infection and a cold but he is sleeping extremely well and our little hair ball is HAPPY! Here are his famous sayings and doings: "Uh-oh" Holding the phone to his ear and saying "hi" Taking both shoes and socks off the MINUTE you put them on him (thanks to GiGi) Getting in the shower when it is wet with all his clothes on and crawling around Unloading all of the tupperware drawers Falling asleep with ANYTHING hanging out of his mouth Giving a kiss with puckered lips when asked to do so Using sign language to ask for "more" "yes" I will add when I think of more. He is a lover, that is for sure.

New York

My husband travels all of the time for his job and I am always wishing that, for once, I could stay in a hotel by myself. No, I would not trade my "job" for his, but some adult interaction is my envy! It is very hard NOT to be jealous of the time he gets in a hotel room with a bed to himself and something other than Disney on the television. Therefore, my girlfriends and I decided that we would take a "done nursing" vacation. We decided on a 3 night New York getaway where we could enjoy fancy dinners, a show, shopping and sleeping without disruption! We had an amazing time! It was bittersweet leaving that Thursday morning with three of my children standing in a line at the front door waving, blowing kisses, and watching me drive out of the driveway. I so badly wanted to run back in and kiss them once more. At that moment, I wondered how I was going to get through 3 whole days without my babies! The weekend was filled with dinner at Tao (Sex in the City), Wicked (absolutely AMAZING), SOHO shopping, Canal Street (almost got arrested for buying a Louis in McDonalds) and just plain FUN!! We met Giada (Everyday Italian) while we were eating in the Rockefeller Center. We met Abigail (the "real" Kit from the Kit Kittredge movie), and we rode MANY blocks piled on one another on the back of a Rickshaw. I do not think I have laughed so hard in my life! This poor guy who weighed less than me, peddled 4 of us a very long way, up hill. Oh my. This was hilarious to say the least. Let's just say he may have retired after that trip... On Sunday, I was very excited to hug my babies and kiss their little cheeks as they were sound asleep when I got home. Cannot wait to do this again girls!

Meijer

Let's just say it is hard to get out the door with 4 kids under the age of 6. It is even harder when your almost 5 year old is more organized than her mother. Ok, I had my keys in hand, purse, grocery list, etc. I begin my walk to the cubby area and there I find Amelia, her bag AND her Blackberry in his cage ready to go to Meijer. I try not to discourage her because, after all, she is taking responsibility for her rat. I call my mom to relay this cute story and she is very insistant that I let her take Blackberry to the store. So, off we go with the rat in the back seat with Milla's purse filled with a flashlight and the container of rat food. How can I say no to that?

Happy Birthday, Amelia!

So this is the last of our birthdays until February. This makes me happy. Planning, buying, treat bags, cakes, chaos. It is all for the kids, and that is why we do it. Next year, we will combine celebrations. The boys can have a party together. Amelia is 5. Here are 5 reasons I love my little Moosie: Her laugh is contagious. Her smile melts my heart. Her genuine love for life and everything in it amazes me. I need to learn from her. The way she sleeps like she she is the spin cycle in the washing machine. The way she came into this world and the impatience she had just to introduce herself to us. I sit and ponder my life, my children, my friends, my hobbies, my family, my house, and more. I have to thank God for all of this and the health of all of us. It is easy to take this for granted. It has been 5 years since I had my second child and this time sped by me. I feel like her infant and toddler years are a blur and that saddens me. Sometimes I wish I could rewind and slow down and enjoy more of the simple things and not the running. Now, she sits next to me watching "Wizards of Waverly Place" and she is still my little baby girl. Happy Birthday, Amelia.

new additions

Well, with all of the birthdays this month (3 out of 4 children), they had been asking for hamsters. So, our dear friend Sarah decided she was going to get them hamsters. Scott and I decided to go get them each cages so we were ready for these little guys to move in. Unexpectedly, when speaking with the store manager, she educated us on these little rodents, explaining that the RAT is the best pet. Who do you think fell for this? Milla... So, 20 minutes later, we have a small black rat being held until the next day for her. Do you think she changed her mind? No, we ate, slept, breathed the thought of this rat for the next 24 hours. Belle, as you can imagine, stuck with her original plan to get her "Chinese Robo Hamster." Boy, he is cute. I still can not figure out how I feel about having a rat living in my home-I think of rats as vicious, garbage eating creatures. Sure enough, the next day we came home with Blackberry (the rat) and Crystal (the hamster). They are actually VERY friendly and are great with kids! Oh, and I failed to mention I had to let P Dog get something-a hermit crab in a skull shell. He just basically sits in his shell and is not very entertaining.

First Day of School

Well, this week has definitely been interesting. Isabelle was in the ER Sat night with wheezing, Ollie cried the next night for 5 hours straight and we then went to the ER at 4:00 am. Scott came back only to tell me that they sent him home finding nothing. Have you ever felt like you wanted to scream at the doctor because you KNOW there is something wrong and you have a mother's intuition? That was me. Oliver continued to cry the rest of the night, morning, afternoon. Finally, I called Rebecca (my friend, our doctor) and told her I was coming over. I had all 4 kids in the car and I knew something was not right. I also called Scott and told him he needed to get on the next plane home. We arrived at the office, my mom met us there, and Ollie and I were seen. Rebecca found several blisters on the back of his throat and sent us to the hospital for blood work and an ultrasound. He also had not eaten or drank really anything in almost 24 hours. So, we got the results back, and all fine. However, he is still very irritable and is not eating much. We are cutting out dairy to see if the constant abdominal pain and no sleeping gets better. Anyway, the first day of school was great for those who went! Isabelle and Preston were the only ones who attended. Amelia stayed home with a fever and sore throat. Isabelle loves her teacher, Mrs. Kelly and Preston loves Mrs. Summers. He is now in an all day program and so I am really only home with Ollie most of the time. It is bitter sweet... We have started Chore Charts since we have little critters (see upcoming post) and each child needs to care for them. We have also already had a case of the "missing backpack" and we need checklists in all the cubbies to remind each one to get their own stuff. Mom cannot remember everything. :) I have lists on my board of who wants hot/cold lunch, who has library, who has a field trip or school store, etc. Amelia could run her own household and is better organized than I, but we then have the other ones who are TOTALLY dependent on anyone who will help! So, we are in full swing, next week starts dance, gymnastics, ice skating, and piano. Gotta love schedules! Did I just say that I was ready for summer to be done? What was I thinking? Somehow I think I thrive on chaos...

Happy First Birthday, Oliver!!!

Well, my baby is one. Yes, one year old and he knows it. It is like the morning of August 26 he change into a toddler and began climbing the shelves, making boy noises (not all attractive) and just WILD. He is such a spitting image of Amelia, it scares me. I remember when Milla was a baby, I would have to just walk away and take 10 deep cleansing breaths. It took all my might not to lose it. It is still that way, except Amelia has the kindess, most genuine heart. She makes you melt. I could not ask for a more affectionate, empathetic daughter. Back to Oliver, he had his party yesterday with our family and friends and he LOVED the attention. He had the BEST cake ever and I could hardly cut it because it was so stinkin cute! He got some very special things including books, clothing, a monogrammed antique rocker and a pottery barn monogrammed chair. He is such a big boy and had a wonderful time with his cousins and friends. After the party, we went to Mimi and Papu's to the pool and have a barbeque. The kids also played with all the dogs and swam their hearts out. It is so nice that they live a mile down the road. We cannot wait until Sarah and Andy and Jon and Kristy live right down the road as well. We can have our tv shows nights and walks, etc. YEAH! Please enjoy the pics!!!

P Dog...

So it was P Dog's birthday August 23 and he is now THREE!!!! He is such a big boy and even talking more mature since 2 days ago. (ok, maybe it is my imagination) He had a great day which included: Art Van to pick out a new set of twin beds for he and Ollie, Red Lobster to eat shrimp and see the "real" lobster (yes, we actually got to touch them) and home to try on his new hockey gear!!! He had a great day-very relaxed with family only. His little buddy, Laiken, turned 3 on the 24th (we were in the hospital together) and his family took Preston to a Beach Bums game for his birthday. They had a marvelous time!! You can tell by the pictures that they were very bored... I want to start listing things I love about each child on their birthday. One thing for each year they are old. Of course, there are WAY more things about digger dooo that I love than just 3. However, this is just fun!! So, here goes. Three things I LOVE about Preston: 1. The way he LOVES his mama and is so sensitive to ME no matter what kind of mood he is in. 2. His adorable knock knees. 3. The way he puts "goop" in his very blond hair so he can look like Corbin Bleu. Good night...

Beach Babies

I have been working on a project that has to do with all of my "baby loving" stuff. As I have worked as a Doula and at Pregger's maternity store, I have come to realize what people are looking for in this area. I also love crafts and fabric, etc. So, I decided to expand my business into sewing baby slings, wraps, applique tees, nursing covers, etc. I have a website I am creating that you can view here. It has been so much fun!! I am also teaching a childbirth class this fall. I just love all this baby stuff. I have to get my fix somehow since I am DONE, DONE, DONE!!!!

at the pool...

I feel like the last 2 weeks have been a complete whirlwind. My house and kids are totally out of sorts and I cannot seem to get a grip!! I am actually looking forward to school starting again. Yes, I did just say that! I love them so much but they NEED structure and friends!! I am not enough-especially with all of the day to day stuff taking up so much of my time and energy. Ollie is going up and down the stairs, he is pushing his walker AND he is drinking organic whole milk!!! YEAH-NO MORE FORMULA!!! I am still nursing, however. He is the last and my little baby. Belle has decided that she is going to show her horse English and Western so we are going to try and prepare for that. She also decided to add piano lessons. Amelia is too young for piano but will continue dance and maybe ice skating. She will do riding lessons as well. We will see how Max does. He may not tolerate too much performance! Preston starts his skating program in September and he is totally ready and motivated!! I am really excited for him because he does not do as much as the girls. Scott is very busy with work but at the same time he has been in town a lot. This makes me happy! The kids as well. He has ben so kind as to hang with the kids while I sew and try to get my baby slings, etc. online and in the stores. I am also teaching Childbirth classes in September. It will be fun to get into a little schedule again. Ollie and I will have lots of time together as well. I guess it is off to clean the playroom. We are unloading many things for Goodwill.

Aunt Sarah's Wedding

The last week has been a huge amount of work preparing for this beatiful event. It is a beach wedding at her dad's house and much work needs to be done. When i got married, it was very traditional: church, country club, and St. Lucia for our honeymoon. I wish I would have had more creativity and had taken such a chance as to have it outside somewhere! So, Sarah has been the brave one. She is the 2nd sibling to get married. There are 4 of us. So, with my 4 children in tow, we planted a total of 82 hostas, 8 Climatis, 10 hydrangeas, and MANY planters full of annuals. Additionally, we spread 3 dump trucks FULL of mulch and pea gravel. My dear husband built 2 retaining walls with stone and worked his tail end off for 2 days straight. He did a fabulous job. Thank you for doing this for my sister!!! Let me tell you-I did not do this much to my own home after we built it!!!! I have to say, in a situation like this, you find out who your true friends are! :) There were over a dozen people there every day for a week. Sarah is so lucky to be married (for 24 hours now) to a man who has the most gracious and kindess of families. He is truly a a blessing to have in our family now and he thinks the world of her. That is all I could have wished for her. Anyway, the big event was yesterday: August 16, 2008. Our day went as follows: 8:00am : Fed the baby, kids and packed bags for the wedding that Scott could bring with him. 9:00am : Went to the bank, store and to the beach to do last minute set up (Milla came with me.) 10:00am : Called American Girl to find out where the doll Flower Girl outfits were that I had 2 day shipped to me. Only to find out they NEVER shipped... 10:20am :Went to the Art Fair downtown to look for the vendors who sell boat loads of handmade doll clothes (the last 2 fairs had 2-3 vendors each) and none were there. 10:45am :Went to Michael's and found white eyelet doll "nightie's" that looked like Belle and Milla's dresses. Perfect! 11:00am : Stopped at the liquor store to pick up Bailey's for the bridesmaids. I think this is the first time I have ever purchased alcohol...I do not drink. 11:15am : Went back to the beach and got things ready for when we all got dressed in the Colonial House. 11:30am : Realized Sarah (the bride) did not have the appropriate scrapbook for the poloroid pics she was taking of all the guests...so I sent Alyssa (friend of the bride) back to my house to pick up the pages and Belle (I did not want Belle to come too early because she does not rally like Milla does :).) 12:00 : Went to the salon to begin hair appts!!!!! (FAST FORWARD) 5:00 : Went back the the beach, put up signs for parking, gift table, tiki torches, chairs for ceremony, etc. 6:30 : Get dressed for ceremony-guests begin to arrive but decide they need to drink BEFORE the ceremony and go THROUGH the yellow roped off area directly to the bar. Classy... 7:00 : We walk down to line up...kids are PERFECT and ready to walk down!! I am unbelieveably happy they have made it with NO naps and a 5 hour long salon day. :) 8:00 : Ceremony over-beautiful, perfect weather, no wind, kids great. Pictures perfect, people happy, sister HAPPY!!!!! 9:00 : Eating, drinking, dancing-Belle, Preston and Ollie are very tired. Scott's parents take them home to bed. Milla stays to dance with Elliana and Amelia Marie. NO surprise! 10:30 Amelia leaves with Ms Sarah and Amalia Marie 11:00 Still dancing-Scott does the Bird by Morris Day and the Times. Hilarious... 11:30 Party crasher roams in off the street-Dad has to ask him to leave. He was just "checking things out..." 1:00 People still dancing, eating the next phase of food-homemade mac n cheese, corn dogs, fried mushrooms, fruit etc. in chinese take out boxes. Such a cute idea. 2:00 Scott and I drive 6 people home and go home and CRASH!!!! The day, as you can see, was exhausting yet lovely. I could not be happier for my sister and I know she can relax now and enjoy the these blissful days and weeks of newlywed fever. I have to thank my friends who have been a huge part of this-Sarah and Kristy. You made my sister's final moments before walking down the isle less stressed and perfect. The memories that she will have from your video and pics, Kristy, will always be treasured. Thank you...

Anniversay...

Well, since I have missed so many days and weeks blogging, I will back up a bit. July 15 was our wedding anniversary. Of course, we both forgot until the day of in the morning and then we looked at each other and remembered what the day had been 8 YEARS ago!! I want to take a minute to thank my husband for the person he is, the father he is and how lucky I am. It is not too often that you find someone who works 80 hrs a weeks, drives 3-4 hrs one way and then turns around to come home so that he can then get up with Oliver 3-4 times in a night, and wake up and do the same thing again the next day. He is TOTALLY hands on, NEVER complains when I decide I need to get in the car and drive to Target or go to dinner with girlfriends. He lets me sleep in, takes the kids school clothes shopping (ALL 4), takes them to breakfast, and more. I just want to thank him for being so wonderful to me and my children. You are my life. You have given me the 4 greatest gifts EVER. I appreciate every little thing you do. THANK YOU!!!! Happy Anniversary and MANY more to come!!

my new shades...

We don't want little man to squint and hurt his eyes so we made a trip to Backcountry and found these cool shades! Ollie can chew, bend, bite, and reverse them and they stay like new! For those of you who are looking for a great way to protect those little eyes, I highly recommend these! He kept them on and there is a nice head strap. Enjoy!

belle & max...

Isabelle put on her dance costume to ride Max and get pictures. Riding bareback is a little scary for her but she did well! We thought the tulle would compliment Max well!