Recent Malachi Moments

Three has been one of the most trying ages for us thus far. I'm hoping it  gets better from here... at least for awhile. Although on the flip side of the frustration is the funny comments that he makes regularly. Here are a few recent ones that I want to remember:

Getting ready for bed one night-
Me: Let's wipe the dirt off your face before you go to sleep.
Malachi: Why? It just get dirty again.

After baking an apple pie:
Me: We need to let the pie rest.
Malachi: Why?
Me: Because it just needs to rest before we eat it.
Malachi: It needs a pie nap?

He has a habit of getting in Zach's face... Zachary apparently likes to have his personal space because he usually cries when this happens. One day Malachi went up to Zach, who was asleep, and I overheard this - probably in anticipation of Zach crying:
Malachi: Don't cry. God is with you.

Everything is "a wittle bit" (translated to a little bit)
"I have a wittle bit of yours?"

"I go there a wittle bit?"

The most frequently heard word in our house at the moment is "WHY?"
I always thought I'd be a patient person who attempted to answer my children's questions, but there gets to be a point when there is no answer. I admit I've become a mom who answers, "because I say so" or "that's just the way it is" much more than I ever anticipated.

When he does something he thinks might be wrong, he says, "that's silly" or "that's silly, huh?"

"I got you a question." Usually followed by, "I just got you ONE question."

He's starting calling people "Big guy." Like, "Hi, Big Guy!" This does not seem to apply to only one gender.

I love my Malachi. He's a crazy, caring, and fun-loving little boy.

He's growing up so fast I almost can't believe it. It scares me.

I hope I can remember all these special little moments.

Life.

I'm not sure exactly what I want to get out of this post today. I want to post something, but I don't have a specific direction my thoughts are heading. With the beginning of September, I feel like I have a lot coming up in our lives in the next few weeks... but I'm trying to enjoy my last two weeks at home full-time with my babies. =)

Returning to work. I return to work this month - on the 15th. This makes me sad although I'm going to be returning to a much better schedule. I discovered that my schedule in the ER did not make for a very good home life for our family. I was too tired, worked too many bedtimes in a row and was frustrated a lot. I am going back to a schedule of two-10 hour shifts a week with no more than two days in a row. Although I am wishing I didn't have to go back at all.... I am thankful for the fact that I have a job and can provide benefits to my family.

Moving. We are moving this month. We had only planned to live in our current house for six months. It is a temporary place since the house we lived in before was going to be sold fairly quickly. We've finally - after 8 months - found another place that we can afford. I am very excited to move to a place with a backyard for Malachi to play in. The place we live now has a tiny backyard that is all landscaped and there is not one spec of grass. Where we're moving is also an older home... and it will be less stressful on me to keep it "perfect".

Surgery. My husband is having knee surgery two days before I return to work. He has had this same surgery on his other knee about 10 years ago, so he knows what to expect - kinda. He won't be able to take care of the kids alone for a week or so or do any work for a few weeks... and then he'll probably try to do some light duty. When you own your business, you can't really afford to take off too much time.

Our train creation!

Malachi. Age three is hard. My child swings from sweet and loving to defiant and difficult in a minute. I have always tried to enjoy every moment of his life because I know it will go by so fast... but can I be honest?... I want to get past this phase as fast as possible. I do not enjoy it. I am mad frequently, giving punishments constantly and feeling like a failure too often. We fight about using the potty. We fight about meal times. We really fight when we go to a store about him not running away or having to be in the cart. I've completely given up on nap time because I just can't take another fight everyday.
I try to remember that in the last year he's moved, his parents have both worked different schedules than he's used too and we had a baby. I'm hoping this next move will be a positive for him, since I think we'll be more relaxed about the house.

Zachary. This little boy is so precious. I am enjoying every minute of him at the moment. He laughs and smiles and coos at us all the time. No colic, not very fussy, he's a genuinely happy guy. At his two-month check-up he was 13.2lbs. As I'm writing his he's staring at me at just laughing and laughing. =) I am thankful that he is such an easy baby. I'm thankful that Malachi loves him so much. And I'm thankful that going from one-to-two kids has been a fairly easy transition. I heard lots of horror stories and ours has been very peaceful. Zachary just arrived into our lives and we just can't imagine him not being here.

Home!

We made it home from our Colorado vacation.

It was fun. It was tiring. 

I am never driving on a 20 hour road trip ever again in only one day.

More to come later, but I just thought I'd check in.

Potty Training and Road Trips

I seem to be having some trouble getting on here to write real posts! Posts that are not just pictures of my babies. =) I guess that's understandable, but I keep thinking of ideas and then don't have a chance to write it... and by the time I do, it's not relevant anymore!


So what are we up to at the moment??
Well, we are still in the process of potty training. This has been quite a trial I tell you. I'm ready for it to be over and done with. I HATE potty training. Malachi is very resistant to it. I've tried all the tricks, read all kind of articles and implemented various techniques. And for those who would say "well, he's just not ready!" He CAN do it, because he HAS done it. He just doesn't WANT to do it. We have had a few successes though.... we've pooped in the potty twice - and it was his own idea! So... there may be hope yet...

We are going on a road trip to Colorado... have I mentioned this yet? A ROAD TRIP. With a 3-year-old and a 7-week-old baby. It is about 1400 miles one way. We will be driving it in one shot... non-stop. It's kind of a long story about why we're doing this, but let's just say that my husband met his father for the first time last summer (by chance basically) and now there is going to be a family reunion of that side of the family to introduce us to everyone (sounds lovely, doesn't it?). My sister-in-law will be caravaning with us with her family.


So I have been making millions of lists, Googling ideas, pinning relevant pins on Pinterest and trying to mentally prepare for this event. Here's a few of the ideas I like the best:

Source: ucreatewithkids.blogspot.com via Elsie on Pinterest

I like that this one looks simple enough for a young boy with a short attention span!

Source: etsy.com via Elsie on Pinterest

I think grandma might make us some thing like this....

Source: via Elsie on Pinterest

This is the best idea I've found so far. Giving a "surprise" gift every hour or so. I've been making lists of ideas. Dollar Store gifts, cars, sticker books and some snack and/or candy that is special to him.

We will be bringing a portable DVD player, but I would really prefer not to use it. I'm not really excited about him watching tons of shows while we're on vacation just to occupy him. He's always been a fairly good traveler... although we've never gone on a trip quite this long.

I'm sure I'll have more posts about our road trip prior to us leaving.... I have a lot of preparation and less than a month to get ready!

Introducing.....

The newest member of our family!

Zachary Shaun 

June 26 at 8:10 am

8lbs 14oz      20 inches

We are home and everyone is doing great.

I'm recovering very well from my C-Section... much quicker than last time. They had me up and walking around the same day! 

Zachary is perfect, of course. And Malachi loves his little brother lots and lots. =)

Big Brother

I should still be in the hospital, but I thought I'd do a special Big Brother post. =)


Here we are the day my Malachi was born:

And here he is the day we went home from the hospital:

Well, this little baby is the Big Brother! I'm sure my mom will have some pictures on her blog Life Unraveled by now - so head on over there and check them out! Unless, of course, she's so busy with this Big Brother that she hasn't had time to post any. =)

So... I saw something on Pinterest that I thought was a great idea... a gift bag for the older sibling! This was the inspiration:

Source: ducksinarowblog.com via Elsie on Pinterest

Although I couldn't find a tote bag cheap enough, so I finally just pulled out an old gift bag from my stash:

Then I headed to the Dollar Store and picked up some stuff that he could do in the hospital room when he came visiting. Because it's summer, there are lots of little things like bubbles and water/sand toys out there in those $1 bins at Target, but I figured it was better to give him stuff he could play with while he was with us.

I picked up a coloring book and crayons, some "grow and animal" things, a set of binoculars because he's always pretending he has some and a dinosaur. I had also ordered him a special "big brother malachi" T-shirt from ZoeysAttic on etsy.

I'm hoping this is a hit and keeps him busy while he's with us (instead of getting into everything he shouldn't be!). Also that he knows we didn't forget about him.

Tomorrow is Baby Day!

I almost can't believe it!
Tomorrow morning I will be arriving at the hospital at 5:30 am (UGH) and my C-Section is scheduled for 7:30 am. Which means by this time tomorrow our new baby boy will be with us!
I'm not sure I'm quite ready!!


Today was my last doctor's appt, where I was able to pick up all my prescriptions for when I come home (I vaguely remember having to leave the hospital last time and then go half-drugged to the pharmacy for those same prescriptions).
I have my bag (mostly) packed for the morning
After all the baby hats I've made for the many, many baby showers I've attended already this spring/summer, I FINALLY last night at work finished up TWO hats for my own baby!

Hat with Pom Pom
Newborn Size   100% Acrylic

(this one turned out a little bit weird shaped... he might need another one. =)

Rolled Brim Colorblock Hat 0-6 Months
Knit Picks Comfy Worsted Yarn - 75% Pima Cotton 25% Acrylic
Colors: Marlin and Whisker

Sooo... I will not be blogging for probably at least a week unless I get motivated to schedule a couple posts! I am excited and nervous about this new journey we're starting on. Mostly I can't believe it's here already - yikes!

And last by not least... it's the end of an era. The last day that it's just me and my Little Guy - soon-to-be big brother!

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!!

Malachi and I made up a fun Pinterest inspired project for his dad this year. =) 

Source: daffodildesign.com via Elsie on Pinterest

So based on this picture, I asked him a series of questions and recorded them.

My husband wouldn't necessarily appreciate the mustache theme going on on the original project and I was a little stumped what to do on the edges of ours.... then I decided that since Malachi's still pretty little, it would be fun to stamp his hand-print on it!

This was lots of fun in itself as you can see. We had a practice piece of paper that he did lots of print on... and mommy had to do a few too!

Then I took the blank one and printed the text I had made up on it.

Then we put it in a frame I got on clearance at Michael's for $3! 

Finished project given to Daddy this morning. =)

Such a fun thing to look back on!

35 Weeks.... 5 Weeks to Go

Yikes! 5 weeks??? Where has the time gone?
My C-Section is actually currently scheduled for June 20th (although, I've just told them I was hoping to work through the 23rd... so there is a possibility that might change), which means I really only have 4 weeks left..... a slight panic sets in when I actually sit down to think about this!
Stats
Weight gain:
147lbs - which puts my total gain this pregnancy at 22lbs so far... this is amazing because I think at this same point at my last pregnancy I had gained at least 30lbs.
New Pregnancy Annoyances:
I am really starting to feel tired and irritable. I always pride myself on being an easy-going pregnant person. I have a personal theory that people who are bitchy while pregnant want to be that way all the time and just use hormones as an excuse... I don't think there's an excuse for acting that way. But... I am definitely becoming more short-tempered with Malachi. I am blaming this on my work schedule though... not being pregnant. =)
Baby size:
Baby is still measuring average.
Other thoughts:
I feel gigantic. I know I'm not - especially since I can compare myself against my last pregnancy and know that I've gained much less weight this time around... but I'm uncomfortable... and tired. Really tired. Working 4 nights a week is really taking its toll on me at the moment. I'm happy that this is my last Friday night to work and then I'll be down to only 3 nights a week until the end.


Malachi Moments

He is really sweet. We are having our difficulties right now. His behavior has been less than steller lately (also something I'd like to blame on working so much and being so tired during the day).... to the point of both of us being on the verge of tears... but he is so sweet about the baby. He randomly comes up to me and says, "I kiss the baby!" and proceeds to kiss my belly. Or he says, "I love the baby" just out of the blue. Talking to a co-worker yesterday who is due a week after me and has a daughter about the same age, I was very thankful for his sweet responses to the baby. Her daughter wants nothing to do with the thought of the new baby and I think she's very nervous about her response when it's actually here!

He felt the baby move for the first time a couple days ago. I was sitting on the couch and he was trying to sit on my lap... and all of a sudden he sits up and says, "What's that??" I said, "That's the baby kicking". To which he replied, "The baby is kicking you?" =)

Then when the movement stopped he said, "Where the baby go?" and I said he stopped moving, to which he said, "The baby sleeping now?"

Here he is with my husband. They are both sleeping after a hard battle of wills at nap time. I checked in on them when I heard loud snoring coming from the room.... they are both asleep. =)

Fire Engines and Choo Choo Trains

Things we've been up to lately... we seem to be on a theme...

Trip to the Tacoma Mall:

Ride on the mall train and fire engine... and finally we're worn out at the end.

(and mommy had some success with new Toms shoes and some summer maternity clothes)

Family Fun Fair:

My mom and I took Malachi to the Fun Fair....

he got to check out a real fire engine,

took a ride on a train and got to blow the whistle at the end,

and Grandma bought him a cool bubble blower shaped like a fish!

Mommy is worn out from all these activities..... =)

6 weeks to go!

Mmm... well, considering my title, I should probably have a pregnancy picture today, but I really don't feel like posting one. =) Sooo... we are going to have cute Malachi pictures instead!

This is a super cute sweater that my mom knit for Malachi recently.

It has a hood, which he loves, and a front sweatshirt-type pocket.

Here he is modeling it... isn't he cute? =)

I have six weeks to go before the new baby is due. I'm alternately excited to not be pregnant anymore and terrified that I'm not ready for the baby to be here. I've really been uninspired to do anything for the new baby this time around. Part of that is probably because I thought we'd be moving from this house with in a month or so of having him and so I didn't plan a nursery, get out clothes or really anything. But, circumstances have changed that will allow us to stay here through the end of the year.... so now... all of a sudden I feel like I should be doing something for this baby! That somehow he's gotten the raw end of the deal because I went all out for Malachi and have literally done nothing for this baby - I haven't even knit him a new hat!


So today, I started sorting through Malachi's baby clothes to see what I have and washing it. Malachi had terrible colic and spit-up non-stop for the first 6 months, so, as I feared, all his clothes have turned a hideous yellow around the necks and down the front in the three years they've been sitting in storage. I managed to get most of it out with bleach today though, so I was happy. I also took the cover off the bouncer and washed it along with some blankets people have given us and a play mat. I felt very productive today.


I've also planned out a corner of our bedroom to set up for the new baby. We still won't be here long-term enough for me to really set up a nursery, but I want to get some wall art and set up a changing station for the baby. I have some plans to make wall art, but if all else fails, I'm loving these cute little forest creatures ...

Source: etsy.com via Elsie on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com

Sooo... we'll see what happens with that. =)


I think I was a little over-productive today though because I am very sore.... my hips are protesting and I think I'm going to go watch a movie on Netflix and knit on a washcloth that I'm giving as a baby shower gift this weekend!

Nice Days and Mommy School

The weather has finally warmed up around here and we've been trying to spend some significant time outside! I have discovered a park/wetland area next to our development and we've been taking lots of walks over there...

I'm back doing Mommy School again this month! I've felt so bad because I've been working so much and I've been so tired that Malachi and I haven't really been doing anything productive together. I feel like this has added to some behavior frustrations between us also. So.... regardless of my work schedule and how I feel, I decided I needed to DO something with him.

Since we just went to the zoo in April, I decided it would be fun to do the Z is for Zoo unit.

We're working on identifying the Letter Z and Number 6. He can usually count from 1 to about 13 or 14 pretty well, but his identification of the individual numbers is a little lacking.

We also have been doing some of the activities like this one where he identifies the largest or smallest animal. Or the tallest or shortest. Fairly easy for him now, but still fun.

We also got some new books from the library for this unit. Our favorites so far are:

• I Love My Mama by Peter Kavanagh
• Welcome to the Zoo! By Alison Jay
• Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
• Curious George Visits the Zoo by H.A. Rey

Welcome to the Zoo is unique because there is no text. You can go through the book multiple times and pick out something different to look at or focus on each time.

We were excited to find a copy of Caps for Sale at my grandma's house the other day when we were cleaning it out!