If you're a MOM?

To all my mommy friends and family out there, here's a quiz......\
1. raise your hand if you're a mommy?
2. raise your hand if you nursed any of your babies?
3. raise your hand if you've ever had any issues with nursing?
4. now, from those issues, raise your hand if one of them was cracked nipples... that's right, I wrote the word, you did not misread it. I hope not many of you had to raise your hand to the last one, but if you did, I am so sorry. I am having that issue right now, and it is terrible. A couple of days ago, I was either dehydrated, or Lucy was just nursing a lot, and I started having some pain on the left side. Well, that pain has escalated to cracking, and bleeding. IT IS NOT FUN. I cry and cringe EVERY time Lucy thinks she needs to nurse. I am stuck inside the house, because nursing is the whole ordeal with medicated pads, cleansing, pumping, not to mention actually nursing.
I am not making this up. I am honestly writing this blog with REAL issues. I don't want to stop nursing Lucy, I love her too much, and I am not ready to give it up, I just want to feel better. I almost didn't go to church today, but duties call, and we went, not with the best attitude, but we went. I don't like to cancel things, WHICH WE HARDLY DO, (sick kids are an exception) but I had to cancel plans yesterday, because of my comfort zone. If you want to know what it feels like, just pinch down really hard, then add freezing temps then burning temps then chomping and pulling (chapped lips to the extreme) I just had to vent about my issue, apparently, they aren't real enough. Ask Nick, he tells me to "buck up" on most occasions, but not this one. I think I almost had him in tears, because of my reactions to nursing. There is nothing he can do for me, and that makes him sad. I am a great mom, and I am just doing what I need to do. Sorry if that puts a damper on plans. Again, just venting, that is why we have blogs right?

Today you turn 5

It was just five years ago when the doctors surprised us all, well actually you did, and said, "It's a girl!"" I instantly cried. I was so excited, and nervous at the same time. Emmah, you are wonderful. I love every moment we spend together, and I consider myself a lucky mom to have you as a daughter. Your smile lights up a room, your are more beautiful today than ever, and you just keep getting more and more beautiful. You are smart, kind and wonderful. I just can not find enough adjectives to describe you. You are a great big sister and little sister. We love you so much and we are happy you are you!!!

Happy Birthday Bosston

This kid of ours is so cool. We love him so much and we are happy to have him in our family. He is now two years and the coolest ever. I know most parents think that about their children, but a lot of people have confirmed our claim on the coolest. He now goes by BOB instead of Bosston. He is talking more and more and when he says "excuse me" it is so cute. He is a little rough on Dasher and Emmah, but he is learning to be nice. He says the craziest things and really loves to dance. It is awesome to watch. Bosston, we love you!!!!!

what's on your head??

We had a green kick ball, until Dasher kicked it into the blackberry bushes on the side of our yard, and now we have a mushroom hat. It slowly started losing air, so I put it on my head, and then everyone including Lucy put it on their head. What can we say, we are a crazy family. We are easily entertained!!!!!

here we are camping in the backyard

A long time no blog

below is a description of the kids' birthdays and Memorial day. We did go camping, just in our backyard. We got a new tent a few months ago, so Nick pitched it in the back yard. We had a fire, made smores, and camped in the backyard. It was a lot of fun, cold, but fun. Everyone did great and the tent is amazing. It is so big and spacious, we had a king and queen mattress, with room to spare. YAY!!!! Now, we just need to go camping at a campground to really break it in!

Happy Birthdays!!

My two sweet middle children, happy birthday to you. It is crazy how time flies. I made the decision for Emmah and Bosston to share a birthday. They both had the same due date (we knew when we were fertile..) and since I am allowed to deliver babies at 39 weeks, I chose May 25th for Emmah and three years later, the same for Bosston. It is a long silly story on why, so I won't get into that. So here we are, five years later for Emmah and two years later for Bosston.

What a glorious day we had. Their birthdays fell on Memorial day this year, which was great. Nick had the day off as well as Dasher. We wanted to go camping, but it didnt' work out, so we entertained ourselves on the homestead.

The day started with breakfast at our favorite family resturant. Mostly, it is our fav because it is so close and we don't have to drive far, but they do have good food. After we were done, we headed to the dollar store, because that store is so much fun and everything is only a buck. It is ridiculous how fast a dollar can add up though. Then we decided to go fishing. A guy Nick works with, hooked us up with six fishing poles. SCORE for us. So far we have been fishing twice and caught a whole lotta nothing. The first time we saw tadpoles and newts and the second time Nick fished the kids played in the water, and Bosston picked up a piece of old dog poop. Another reason I don't do animals and I wish animal owners were more responsible. EEEWWW! When the kids got bored with the "fishing" we headed home to rest up. Bosston needed a nap, Emmah had a party to get too, and I still needed to finish her cake. Emmah has a friend from church that has the same birthday, so she got to go to a princess party!!!!

I had the great idea of having the party at the park... free entertainment, no prep or clean up. It seems that whenever we have people over at our house, I spend the whole day cleaning, and then the following week cleaning up. The park was perfect. Cousins, aunts and uncles and gma and gpa portland met us there for cake and ice cream. Bosston's friend, Mason and his family met us there also. The boys are only four days apart, so it makes it fun to have a friend there. The cake and ice cream were a hit and the kids scored some great gifts. Thanks to everyone.... dress ups for Emmah and the potty time book with Elmo for Bosston. I have that one pretty much memorized. I was exhausted by the time we got home, I fell asleep on the couch. As the kids get older, the parties will be crazier.......

Boys Night

The three boys went to Father and Sons campout. This was the first year that Bosston got to go. I took pictures before they left, and Nick didn't want to take a pink camera, so these are the only pictures of the weekend. Nick said they had a good time. Dasher always finds someone to play with, and Bosston entertained himself and others by grazing and taking food from other campers. What is a parent to do?

New blog

I started a new blog the other day. The family blog will stay the same, this blog is for me to vent. Mostly because I just had a baby, and I want to start losing all the weight. The first post explains it all. Please visit and keep me going. Thanks to all who contribute to the blogs.
www.youvehadfourkidsmyjourney.blogspot.com

I know it is a long address, but just add it to your blogs and keep in favorites so you don't have to retype every time.

Name Change

(he lost him mother on mothers day. he had so much fun playing, why clean up?!?!?)
Bosston is starting to talk more and more each day. His words are actual words and he knows what he is saying. It is fun to start this phase of life, yet again. He recently started saying our names. Of course, I am mama, and Nick is daddy. The way he says Dasher is hilarious, and Emmah is an easy one to get out. At this point Lucy is baby.

With my parents here this past weekend, my dad thought it would be funny to start calling him BOB. Bosston thought it was a good idea too, and now he calls himself BOB. Lucy is even Baby BOB. It is funny. I thought it was just going to be that night, but yesterday morning and this morning, he has called himself and answered to the lovely name of BOB. Oh, just to recap, he used to call himself ME, but now it is BOB. So, next time you run into this almost two year, make sure you call him BOB. We love him so much.....

The Blessing

Our dear friend, Michelle Endicott, wrote down the blessing as Nick was giving it. She did the same for Bosston, and I am thankful that she was able to do the same for Lucy.

Our Dear Heavenly Father, by the Authority of the Holy Melchizdek Priesthood, we present this baby to give her a name and blessing. The name by which she will be known is Lucy Edith Durant.

At this time we ask you to put a special blessing upon her that she will be watched over. Bless her that she will always know you love her Heavenly Father and that her family loves her. Bless her that she will be a shining light to those around her.

Bless her body to be strong and healthy. Bless her that she will be an example to her older sister and brothers. Bless her to be the voice of reason in timees of chaos, times of joy, and times of happiness.

Please bless her to be a worthy member in thy kingdom, to be a strong example to her sister and brothers. Bless her that she might know that you love her and watch over her. Bless her that she will stay on the path of righteousness, that she may stay on the path to reach her goal to marry in the Temple. Bless her that she will find a worthy man to take her there.

Once again, bless her to be a healthy, and strong example. We thank you Heavenly Father for this blessing of Lucy in our lives.

Blessing Day and activities that followed

Addison cheesing for me.

The boys playing ball in the backyard. Don't you just love Dasher's socks with sandals?

Lucy Edith Durant on her special morning.

Bosston and Emmah all ready to go. Me in the background doing my thing!!

Lucy showing her true personality. Why show off for the camera?

pictures of our weekend

We went to the St. John's parade. It was hot and sunny and the parade was ok. The kids had a good time, the parents, well, like I said, it was ok.

They passed out free flags for everyone. Here is Bosston waving his red, white, and blue proudly.

All the kids and Mark and papa waiting for the parade to start. It is always a good time when Mark and Alicia and their girls can be with us.

Lucy is under the blanket. The sun was hot and we didn't want a fussy, sunburned baby. So she watched in spirit!!!

Yet, another FABULOUS MOTHERS DAY

Happy Mothers Day to all of my amazing moms I know. It is such a great day to celebrate, and I hope that your special someones took extra good care of you.
My day was fabulous. It was extra special because my parents were able to be here, and we blessed our Lucy on Sunday. My parents are so great to make this short trip out here. I am so thankful that they were able to do that to share such a great occasion with us. I was extra emotinal Sunday morning, while I was dressing Lucy. This was the last time I was going to do this. It is kind of sad and joyful at the same time. Nick's mom made yet another masterpiece. She is so talented, and I am so thankful that she was able to make Lucy's dress. She looked beautiful and the dress turned out perfect.
The weather was excellent too. Not too hot, or cold and the sun was shining and there was no rain. Always a good thing. I jokingly say that in heaven it will be sunny and 75 degrees all the time. Perfect weather.
Nick did a great job on the blessing, and he too was a little emotional during the prayer. It is such a sacred moment, and to know that this was his last child he was blessing, I think it made it that much more sacred. Thank you to our friends and family who were able to make it, and to the men who stood in the circle, I thank you again!!
After church, I got my moms day gift from the ward... three tomato plants and a bag of chocolates. I was just glad it wasn't another pamphlet. Nick, his name will be mentioned alot, whipped up some yummy bbq. We cooked three racks of ribs, chicken on a bone and hot dogs, for those who didn't like the other. We also had a delicious fruit salad, (thanks Noelle) a cabbage salad(thanks Robin) and a pasta salad (thanks mom) It was such a great day, I just wish it didn't have to end. The kids played with bubbles, chalk and rollie pollies. We even found a small tree frog in the front yard later that evening. I wish all of you could've been there. It was just perfect.

I am thankful for my two moms. I don't consider Robin a mom in law, she is my mom. She is so great and giving, and I grateful, that I get to share my life with her. She gave my an amazing man, so I thank you Robin. To my mom, I don't have enough time to write about it. She is just the best mom ever. Always willing to come and do the things I ask her to do. She is a great example and person.

Punk Kids

Okay, so yes, kids are kids, and I am sure that when I was younger, I did crazy things too. Well, crazy is one thing, but rude and inappropriate is another. Since we have bought our house, kids have thrown their garbage in our yard, ran through our yard, jumped our back fence, and even shined a stupid laser pen into our windows. For the most part, we just brush it off and don't make much of a scene, except for this one time, when this kid totally dropped his candy bar wrapper in the ditch in front of our house, and Nick saw him do it, picked the wrapper up and walked over to the kid and said, "hey you dropped this!" That was funny, and that was a total run on sentence sorry.
So, this brings me to the latest. Last night after dinner, we were sitting in the front room. Nick was looking out the back window and noticed this kid on the other side of the fence. He was ducking behind the big pine tree almost hiding. Then Nick said, "please don't tell me that kid is going to pee outside." I looked out the window and sure enough this kid probably ten years old, was undoing his pants and was getting ready to pee. COME ON PEOPLE. So, Nick goes to the back door, and opens it, yells,' HEY YOU CAN'T PEE THERE, I GOT LITTLE KIDS HERE!!!!!" I know he scared the kid which probably made him pee all over his pants, but oh well. I mean, take the two minutes, go inside and use a toilet. I enjoy living in St. Helens, but honestly, there are some white trash people around here. Kids peeing outside, and stealing unripe strawberries (that was for you Toshia). I just wish parents would take charge and teach manners.

Two Weeks old

I just realized that I did not post Lucy's doctor appt. On Wednesday of last week, I took Lucy, Bosston and Emmah to the doctor. Lucy, was the only one with an appt. but I don't like to burden people with my kids, so the other two got to come along also. Thankfully, they behaved, and we had no issues.
At two weeks old, (goes by fast) Lucy is doing fabulous. She was well above her birth weight at 7#12 oz. She was 7#4oz at birth. She grew an inch and a quarter... 19 1/2 in and her head stayed the same. She is progressing just fine. Her umbilical cord is gone, yeah! She is nursing great, and she is just adorable.
My parents are flying in this weekend for her blessing. I am glad they are able to make a special trip for this special day. It is even more special, because Sunday is Mother's Day and what better way to celebrate......