The Daily Hailey

People have very specific but seemingly very different views on new years resolutions. Some people make strict guidelines of many things they hope to do everyday. Some people “theme” their year. And everyone has an opinion about which is right, wrong, or dumb. And some people don’t make any, because if you have a goal, why wait until the new year? I see merit in pretty much all of the sides of the coin. If your goal is to keep a cleaner house, for instance, and you feel this way in November, why wait?! I get that. BUT I do tend to evaluate my year as a whole in January, and try to see where I could improve. So I’m more of a theme person, I suppose. I’ve been pondering the last few days/weeks how my 2014 has been, and how I can make 2015 even better. I was feeling annoyed that I couldn’t seem to verbalize what I wanted, but over the last week or so, I think I’ve come to a few different conclusions.

I’m pretty sure I’ve gotten lazy. While my kids love their routine of our quiet days (and I really do too!) I’ve had an unbeatable cabin fever for the last year and a half, and I think thats something that is well within my control. Yes, errand days are a bigger challenge with two (soon to be three) kids, and they are made much easier when I have company along, but that doesn’t mean I can’t push myself and go anyway. I’ll accomplish less, likely, but who cares! I think to help with my laziness, I need to plan outings a bit more often, whether it be playdates, shopping trips, or blowing bubbles by the river in the spring. It can also be combatted at home, with playing outside, baking, and maybe even coming up with some regular chores that we do. I’m not going to put a timeframe on it, or even a “once a week” label. I think its just important for me to keep in my mind that these are things well within my control, and I can’t mope around waiting for someone to come add excitement to our lives. It starts with me.

Another vague goal that I have coming into this year is to be more generous. Not long ago, someone from our church gave us a gift for the kids. It was a few hand me downs from their granddaughter for Laela, as well as a pair of brand new jeans and a hoodie for Dekker. The gift was from a lovely woman that we rarely run into and sort of know from a distance. The gift was not motivated by a baby shower, a sickness, or a real need as much as it was just a gift. She thought of us, and gave us a gift. Unbelievable!!! Why don’t we do stuff like that?! Why do we wait until something is organized before giving a gift? I’m not saying the gift has to be something purchased. It could be a card, or a call to someone you wouldn’t normally call, or a meal, or running an errand, or something else completely! I think I need to do more of that. I’ve actually been very slowly compiling a tub of gifts that I see and cannot pass up, but that aren’t for my kids. Hopefully, there will be opportunities to give these unexpectedly. Now that I’m thinking about it, I’m sure it won’t take long.

Lastly, I forget where I actually heard this idea, but I think it was from a movie. Someone asked someone else what they would do if they had no fear. I don’t mean adrenaline-wise, unless thats your thing, I guess, but what would you pursue, or whats something that is really important to you that you’re kind of scared/intimidated of. I’ve touched on this subject just a bit, but its a bit ominous for me to just share, so bare with me if I fail miserably or back pedal a ton. I am incredibly interested in makeup, and learning about it and playing with it, and potentially doing it on other people. It goes against my grain to be so interested in something based around vanity, but I feel like its a form of art and learning a new skill and I’m wasting my time by denying it. I really, really want to learn about makeup application and products. A lot. Now that thats out in the open, I have to start trying, right? I’m not sure what that means yet exactly, but its something I’m not going to overshadow anymore, and I’ll be on the lookout for opportunities, whether they come in the form of buying new products, watching YouTube videos, or actually taking classes somewhere. I’m excited to hopefully break out of my comfort zone and give it a go!!

Ok, all done. I’m sweating a bit after writing this post. I’m excited to see where this new year takes me 🙂

After what feels like months, we finally spent some time with Jerilee today! We barely saw each other in December, so we did our Christmas today. it wasn’t exactly a traditional Christmas celebration, but I don’t necessarily think we scream “tradition” around every corner, so we rocked it out.

The “festivities” began when Jerilee arrived around 3:00pm. The kids were still napping, so we just visited a bit in the kitchen and caught up. We soon realized that we actually had to get supper on the move. Once again, not a traditional meal at all, but it took a bit longer than a quick, casual thing we’d throw together. We made these delicious cheese potatoes, fish, and broccoli salad, and if I can be so bold, it was sooo yummy! The potatoes are a guilty pleasure dish my mom used to make once in a while but rarely anymore. They’re just boiled up cubed potatoes with a special cheese sauce poured overtop, and then they’re baked for the better part of an hour. So not super fancy, but delicious, and time-sucking. While the potatoes cooked and the fish thawed, we opened presents, just the three of us. We bought Jerilee wine and a nice set of stemless wine glasses, and the kids bought her a Starbucks card and some makeup. She graced us with iTunes money from Brady (always the most perfect gift for him, fyi) and I received a jewelry holder that I had specifically asked for, and a beautiful wooden sign that basically says that I’m fabulous 🙂 Love you too, sweets.

Once the kids woke up, we had a very dramatic supper where Dekker wailed over the thought of eating the potatoes while I could not feed them to Laela fast enough. It was pretty loud but, as I so tactlessly say again, it was super yummy and worth the volume in my opinion. I may or may not make those potatoes every day of my life from here on out. After supper, the kids got their presents from Auntie Jerry, which was probably the biggest hit of the day. Dekker was given a plane that shoots plastic balls at flames, which he would not let out of his sight for the rest of the evening, as well as a book that is written by the same author who wrote Grumpy Bird. Grumpy Bird is a heavy favorite around here, and I’m thinking Boo Hoo Bird will be in the running as well. Laela got a book about Olaf from Frozen, as well as a Little People Cinderella set with a horse and carriage. Both of the kids were completely thrilled with their presents and spent lots of time checking out their gifts, and each others. Auntie Jerry chose well. She knows us too well.

We ventured into the basement for our regular evening stuff, and the kids went to bed on time. Then Brady snuck away and did a whole shwack ton of chores, unbeknownst to me, while Jerilee and I played with all her new Mary Kay stuff. I soon discovered that while I shopped and perused the catalogue, my dishes had been done and the humidifier was cleaned. Brady had made his lunch and breakfast for the next day as well. Pretty lucky over here.

We spent the last chunk of time all visiting together over hot drinks and dipped pretzels. However, it was eventually just about midnight, and reality strikes tomorrow. Well, it strikes Brady anyway. Jerilee has the day off and I stay home, so just the hubs is back to the grindstone in the morning. But frankly, we’re all old, and midnight is late. But what a great day it was!!!

So hopefully this story justifies the late post. It was a great day. One I’ve really needed for quite some time. I’m curious where tomorrow will take me. Its time to make some plans for the year! Did any of you make resolutions? Mine have been so vague the last few years, and I’ve loved it. I think its time for this years game plan to be solidified!! You??

Last nights post was pretty complainy, in case you didn’t notice. All evening, I was in decent pain. But I learned early on into the evening that I was quite tired, and was sleeping by 10:30. Since I’m not sleeping through anymore, what with pee breaks and just mild discomfort, I woke up to roll over a lot. Each and every time, I made a point to note the position I was laying in, and made sure I was doing it right. I asked Dr. Mike about how I sleep and he gave me a few things to keep in mind about sleeping in sort of twisty positions. I was very aware of it, and woke up feeling amazingly well! As in not a full 180, but I’d say a solid 165 😀 What a difference it made listening to instructions! I will continue to do so for the next two months. Must survive the next two months!!

I threw on my support belt right away in the morning and got on laundry while Brady got breakfast for the kids. We had lots of laundry, as in around seven loads, so I got us all super organized and sorted out, and we did laundry all day. It goes without saying that I, obviously, got sore again very quickly. So I had a soak while the kids napped in the afternoon, which helped! More laundry and stuff up in the afternoon justifies another soak, right? Because its running right now…

It was an incredibly successful day! Now that everyone is considerably less sick, all the sick bedding has been removed and washed, as well as towels, guest bedding, all of the clothes we brought to and from both sets of our parents houses, and all the new clothes the kids acquired. I even handwashed my lulu stretchy pants. I’m on fire over here!

Once the kids went to bed, Brady and I FINALLY dipped pretzels in chocolate! I know its not Christmas, but I bought Christmas sprinkles and red chocolate and it needed to happen. Plus, we’re having Christmas with Jerilee tomorrow 🙂 It certainly won’t be fancy but it will be really fun! We miss her so much around here. All five of us 😀

Can’t wait to meet this boy!!

I know some people scoff when I talk about my kids sleeping patterns. We have been incredibly spoiled to have been blessed with such wonderful sleepers! So yes, you guys may be able to function well on the four hours per night that you get, but short nights are a big challenge for me because I am just straight up not used to them. So that being said, last night made the list of the top five worst nights we’ve had since having babies. Laela was up on and off (considerably more on than off) from the time we were planning to go to bed until 2:30am-ish. We were trying to take special interest in keeping the kids quiet, and my goodness, she made us work for it! It took milk, water, goldfish, swaddling, bouncing, rocking, and medicine to finally get her to sleep. Of course, as soon as she was settled, Dekker dropped his blanket off of his bed, and woke up confused and furious, so he started wailing. I rushed in to help him out and tuck him back in, which in turn, woke Laela, but she did fall back to sleep by herself before I had to go get her. But we didn’t hear the kids until 7:45, which was nice. We did get some sleep. It just felt like a rough start to the day.

The rest of it worked out considerably smoother, thankfully! The kids sat at the table and ate muffins for breakfast. It always helps when the muffins that were made special for Christmas have icing on top. I use the term “muffins” loosely, and lovingly, because they’re delicious!!

We packed up our vehicles, and stalled a bit, the boys with video games and the girls visiting in one of the back bedrooms. It was nice to get some separate, quality time in separately. Maybe vids doesn’t sound like quality time to you guys, but Brady and Stefan have such a good thing going, and we see each other so rarely, that it makes the gamers very happy to game together. They’re great brothers to each other.

When it was time to go, we headed to lunch in the city. We did Wendys, which we specifically appreciate, since its really kid-friendly. We all took our time eating and Laela flirted with random strangers at other tables, which was completely adorable. We had timed our schedule so that we could bring Caity and Stef to the airport after lunch, and hang out for a bit before their plane took off, but thanks to winter weather, their flight was delayed. And then delayed again. And it kept getting delayed, so the plans all changed. Brady, the kids, and I broke off from the group to go get a few things done, their group went to accomplish a few things as well, and we met back up at the airport for coffee before the plane finally took off. It wasn’t ideal, but it worked out I think.

Our errand in between lunch was going to see Dr. Mike. I’ve tried pretty hard to focus on positives this season, but I am most definitely in the worst pain I’ve been in thus far in my pregnancy. I was holding up quite well up until the last weekish, and it seems like everything broke at once. I was going to wait until next week to call for an appointment but decided to see if I could get in today, since we were already in the city, and I got in right away! After even just a very quick check over me, Dr. Mike agreed that my body was, in fact, a huge mess, and proceeded to do his part to fix it. I think this was my first treatment where I kind of whined throughout. He is so gentle, but my gosh it hurt! My legs weren’t even close to lining up, my right leg was virtually useless and dead to me, my neck was awful, and my pubic bone was incredibly out. And guys, that thing really hurts to put back in its place! Up until now, I’ve been holding strong and and easily able to go a few weeks between visits to the chiropractor, but after this tune up, he confirmed with me that I needed to book in with him again within the week.

He wasn’t kidding. I greatly anticipate our next visit. This was easily the most productive and most painful appointment with him. I’ve pretty much been wearing my support belt since the appointment and I’m still limping. My right leg is unbelievably achy, all the way down, and my pelvis is not happy sitting or standing. It is definitely time for a hot soak in the tub, Tylenol, and some snacks. Or just sleeping. I’ll weigh my options. Carefully. I fear putting any extra weight to one side of me. It seems to piss off my whole body.

Tomorrow we send my siblings home, which will be sad for all involved. Of course parents want their kids around, so poor mom and dad. And we love spending time with siblings, whether it be over food, a quiet afternoon, or Mario Kart, so poor Brady and I. And Dekker and Laela have taken to them SOOO well through tickling, peekaboo, food, and cuddling, so poor kids. They will greatly miss their auntie and uncle. Luckily, we’ll still have tomorrow morning together, and we’re all going to go out for lunch before their flight leaves. Still lots to look forward to!

We were all quite tired today, however. The kids woke up unreasonably early, and pretty much woke the house. We tried so hard to keep them quiet, but I didn’t realize how noisy they are until we needed to be quiet! They’re not even super rambunctious, but morning whining is a very real thing, and making them happy was also noisy. It was hard to find the right balance, but we all lived and just took little quiet times and naps throughout the day. Brady and I did most of the meals today, since we had meal planned in advance and it just so happened that the brunch and supper we volunteered for fell on the same day! It actually happened to all of us the same way 🙂 Brady did pancakes this morning, and I made cheesy chicken and rice for supper. Really yummy comfort food, in my opinion, for such a comfy tired day. We ended yesterday off with a game, and this evening off with a movie. I haven’t seen Hook in years, and it was really fun and nostalgic.

All of this being said, Laela was up at 6:30 this morning, and since then, we have been sooo ready for bed! I hope you all sleep well, and that the new year already feels warm and cozy.

I keep thinking that I need to write a post sort of wrapping up 2014, but tonight is not the night. We’re spending the night at my parents with family, and I don’t want to think to hard or do too much research on the subject. Instead, I’m writing this shorty post to wish you all a fabulous, safe, and hopefully enjoyable night to send out 2014 sweetly, and welcome 2015. But that is it! I want to spend time paying attention to whats going on around me more than anything, so I hope you can all do the same. WE ate lots of yummy appetizers for supper, and the kids are finally asleep. So are my parents, humorously enough, so the rest of us are downstairs playing Mario Kart. Its proving to be quite the party 😉

Happy new year, everyone! I hope it was a good one, but if it didn’t feel like it, I hope 2015 smiles down on you just a little bit brighter 😀

We got up around 9:00 this morning and visited with Caity and Stef over coffee for a bit before getting the kids and having breakfast. It was fairly quickly after food that we got ready and headed out to my parents place for the day.

Once again, we rocked a nice relaxing day together. We napped the kids separately so they both actually slept, which was a wonderful change from the recent week and a half or so. While they napped, the boys set up my parents new computer and the ladies visited and made a plan for tomorrow. We’re going to spend the night with everyone so that the kids can go to bed and we can indulge in some yummy hors d’oeuvres for new years. We made a meal plan and shopping list, and now I can anticipate the deliciousness early.

Our drive home this evening was a little bit tough, and the kids were on edge for sure. Upon arriving home, Dekker was completely devastated to go to bed. He wailed all the way to his room, despite Brady carrying him and us being very compassionate. Its hard to go from so much fun to bed. Once we were in his room, between sobs, he asked for his Mater blanket. The kids had gotten their Christmas presents from my parents and from Caity and Stef today, and my mom had sewed him a flannel blanket to cuddle that was bright red with Cars characters on it. Fabulous idea, right? So I grabbed him his blanket, which he was thrilled about, and eased the transition. It also helped that once everyone was diapered and in their jammies, Laela still needed her milk. So she lay on the floor in the dim light and we all talked quietly and had some nice time together. I was feeling a real need for some cuddles so I lay down beside her to draped my arm over her while she drank. This move motivated Dekker to come over too. He basically lay on her face/bottle and told her how sweet and soft she was. Lots of kisses, as she stared at him, wide eyed. He was sooo close to her face, haha! It was awesome. But we got in some good cuddle time while Brady snapped a few pictures, thankfully. The flash didn’t do us any favors but I’m sure you can get the gist.

Now they’re both in bed but still winding down. Well, I think Laela might be sleeping but Dekker is talking away. Brady and I are looking forward to a soak in the tub and some shows, or maybe a movie. We’ll see. We both feel pretty spent, and its nice to relax together 🙂

Heard over the monitor: Lightaqueen (Lightening McQueen) not feel well!

Bummer, Lightaqueen. Feel better.

Our family got up this morning in time to dress the kids, pack them into the van, and get to the airport on time. We sat at Tims and had breakfast together while Laela made eyes at random strangers. We finished our food at the perfect time, and headed over to the one gate in our tiny, tiny airport to wait for the guests of honor. Caitlin and Stefan came through the gate within moments and we waved them down. Dekker remembered them from summer and warmed up immediately!! We got all of our hugs in, and Dekker even got auntie to carry him over to baggage claim. It was so great to be all together 🙂

We got their stuff together and headed out into the freezing cold to get to the van. Luckily, we hadn’t been there that long so the vehicle wasn’t completely frozen solid again. We ran a quick errand before heading to my parents for the day. We haven’t see my mom and dad since Christmas Eve when we all got sick, so it was nice to get some face time in with them as well.

The day was nice and relaxed. The boys set up the new tv my parents recently purchased, and other than that, we ate yummy turkey sandwiches for lunch and ordered pizza for supper. We really just took our time and rested the day away. I’m looking forward to another day like it tomorrow. Everyone loves a good chill day watching the kids run wild all over the house, right?

I’ve looked forward to today for quite some time now. We’ve enjoyed the novelty of getting a 3D ultrasound with each baby so far, and hope to continue with each pregnancy to come if at all possible. I had an appointment booked for a few weeks back but sickness had just hit everyone too hard and there was no possible way. So we postponed to today. 31 weeks along. We were in the city in plenty of time to pick up Jerilee, drive all the way across the city, and then backtrack a little ways upon discovering that it had moved locations. No big deal. We had time.

The new building was a bit less luxurious but super roomy. Jerilee sat on the floor with the kids and played toys the entire time. She was a total lifesaver. We had no idea just how much we needed her along until the scan started. What was supposed to be a half hour scan turned into an hour, as our baby was not in a cooperative mood. I am so thankful for how hard the tech worked to get us pictures of his whole face. I was flipping from side to side constantly, and we even took a break for me to stand up and massage my belly a little while the tech met the kids and cooed over them a bit.

So while I don’t have the energy to put up the pictures today, here is what we learned about our baby!!!

He is definitely a boy. DEFINITELY! Yet he looks sooo much like Laela! Or at least Laela’s 3D scan photos. A pointy chin, big lips, and chubby cheeks. Only his cheeks are waaay chubbier. His nose looks exactly like that of my nephew, Charlie. Oh, and he has hair, like my other two showed at this point. While the tech couldn’t tell us any specific information, it was unmistakable that he is a VERY good size already. While lots of women can easily have these types of ultrasounds at 31 weeks, my little boy was pressed up against a wall at every angle. Poor kid is already running out of room. No wonder I feel huge already! Lastly, what we learned that wasn’t my favorite thing was that baby Jim is feet down, and is very comfortable in that position. She showed me how to rub my tummy to encourage him to flip, and he would sort of tick-tock back and forth, but wouldn’t ever go head down. I know there is still lots of time for him to flip, and he is still quite active and mobile and he does do flips sometimes, but I also know he is running out of room, and that its pretty quick here that doctors start taking note of baby’s presentation. So its not a huge scary thing now, but its starting to be important.

Because of how uncooperative baby was, we didn’t get the fun tour of fingers and toes like usual. In the past, we’ve seen organs, bones, details, etc. This time, it was more of a constant fight to get a picture of his face. While I’m thrilled that we did in fact get to see his whole face at the end, it felt more like work and less like fun :/ Is that ungrateful? Maybe. I’m really, really happy we went still, and saw what we did. I can’t imagine how beautiful he’ll be, and I can’t wait to hold that chubby face in my hands and kiss those humungous lips! I’ll just have to be patient like most other people and wait to count fingers and toes.

After the appointment, we all went out to lunch at the Broadway Cafe, which was delicious. I always love it there, and I feel like their fries are less icky and more healthy, if thats even possible.

We dropped Jerilee off afterwards so she could get on with her Sunday, and we drove home with both kids fast asleep. We thought we were hooped for naps but both kids burst into tears as soon as they woke up in our driveway, so back to bed they went. Dekker rested but stayed awake, while Laela probably got another hour or so. I used that time to chat on the phone with my sister and mom. I’m so excited to get my hands on them tomorrow!!! Family time is long overdue.

We finally surfaced today!! We made a plan earlier in the day, and left it nice and flexible, since plans don’t hold a lot of water around here these days. The kids slept in really nicely, and we had a normal morning. Dekker didn’t sleep at all during nap time, but opted to wake his sister after less than an hour of sleep, which was a pretty unpopular decision, but happened nonetheless. Brady and I left the kids in their room for a bit in hopes that they’d sleep a bit more. They didn’t, but at least had some quietish time while we had our quietish time too. We got them up and dressed around 4:00 and fed them something we knew would go over well – fries. We were correct. The kids ate their supper, but not tons and tons, since we had lunch early, and this was also a pretty early supper. But its not like we can take them out for supper in the city at 6:30 and then do our plans afterwards. Not how it works with our kids anyway. We would if they could. But they can’t.

After they ate, we all got into the van and drove to the city for dessert. For the last several days, I’ve been saying Jerrys, but I will blame my pregnancy brain and say that I’ve been talking about Fuddruckers the entire time. I’ve been picturing Fudds and anticipated it, but saying Jerrys. Either way, we stopped in at Walmart first to try and pick up a tv that is on sale for boxing week. The website said it existed at a particular location, but I was informed that the website is a teller of lies and they were sold out days ago. They said every other location was as well, but refused to call on my behalf. We checked the next closest location to us and, lo and behold, found a stack of about thirty of them! So we happily bought a new tv today!! Its nothing massive or impressive at all. Its the same size as our current tv, actually. But ours is on the fritz, starting to have mini blackout flashes, occasionally turning itself off, and probably weighs in at several hundred pounds. Time for a new one. After tv shopping was dessert.

Fudds was packed and for the first time ever, we had to order, give our names to someone, and wait for a seat to become available. So we bought some cookies and ordered a milkshake to have made once we got a spot. We didn’t have to wait too long at all before a table freed up. The kids destroyed the desserts and Laela sugar crashed pretty much right away. It was actually hilarious and adorable and I’m frustrated that my pictures won’t load onto my laptop. I suppose this calls for a photo post in a few days, because it was so cute to see my daughter resting her chin on the table, fairly unmoving. But at least its solid proof that dessert was delicious and enjoyed by all.

After Fudds, we hit up Tims, and Brady and I each got a coffee. I kicked off my boots, removed my coat, and settled in for the Christmas lights tour. I’m incredibly pleased to report that Dekker LOVED the light tour!!! He said over and over again that he loved all Christmas lights. Ok, well, he says Griffmas lights, but it was pretty much adorable, and close enough. We even found a house with John Deere tractors on the yard all lit up. He loved that, since he got some tractors for Christmas. He liked the reindeer and snowmen, and stars. Once or twice, he reached across the way just to hold Laela’s hand. It was clearly magical. We drove past an inflatable Santa, and Dekker said “Santa makes a funny face at my eyes.” I liked that 🙂 Very well said, dude.

Laela slept the entire drive home, while Dekker talked the entire drive home. When we stopped to fill up, Dekker just rested his head to one side of his car seat and stared at Laela. “I love Laela” he told me. I said that was so special, and that she loved him too. I then asked him why he loved her, and he just responded “She’s really little.” She certainly is.

We gave Laela some milk while we got their diapers changed, and got them dressed in jammies. While she was having her bottle, I lay down next to her to get my cuddles in, and Dekker came to share her for a minute. He snuggled all up to her like I was, but on her other side, and nuzzled her cheek. Then he said “I love you, Laela. Sleep well.” My heart is so warm to know that he loves her, and that he’s obviously heard Brady and I talking about our love for them. Big win!!

Since getting home, we’ve put the kids down, and Brady is just finished nerding out and setting the tv up. Its pretty much exactly what I was expecting. Not the highest of quality, but just what we need. When we hypothetically move in the near future, we’ll want something bigger and better, but this will be a great secondary tv for a guest room or even our room. Its perfect for right now. A definite step up!

This evening was a complete success in my opinion, and I think Brady would agree. The kids had lots of fun, the treats were yummy, it was pretty meltdown free, and the tv is great! All good. And because that isn’t enough, tomorrow is our 3D ultrasound and in a PERFECT twist of fate, Jerilee is coming!!! It’ll be so fun to share such a crazy experience with one of my very best friends! Happy days are here again. Maybe they never left.