Happy Mother's day?

Well, I am not going to paint a picture of roses here.  Today pretty much sucked.  I am taking it as a reminder that motherhood is tough.  We have good days and we have bed days but in the end I wouldn't change it for the world.  

We started out the morning at 0530 when Graham woke up for his SECOND feeding of the night.  I nursed him and climbed back in bed for what seemed 5 minutes when I heard Bella barreling up the stairs and making her self known.  Soon enough it was 0700 and everyone was up.  Dan had somehow escaped to get some coffee, donuts and flowers and I pulled the pillow back over my head hoping for just a few more minutes of sleep.  

From the moment I got up it was whining, crying and disobeying.  It's as if they got the message backwards... do anything and everything to make sure your mother enjoys her day the least amount possible.  We haven't had a day like this in a long time.... and they chose TODAY.

Church, pppfff.  That was one of the worst ideas I have had all year.  First it was the battle to get them to wear "church clothes", then to brush their hair.  Oh, and getting IN the church... that was awesome.  Then there was the behavior when we finally got in, followed by the tantrum over fruit snacks during the homily of which I heard not a single word.    

Back home, Tyler had an especially hard time listening to anyone, including me.  We couldn't get the little ones down fast enough to get a little reprieve.  The only quiet time I had all day is the 1.5 hours I spent roasting in the theater at Seattle Prep watching the school play.  (Really, it was pretty awesome!)

At one point I turned to my mom and said "Mom, why does today have to be one of the days when I really don't want to be a mother?'  She simply smiled and laughed a little and proceeded to tell me a story of one such mother's day for her.  On the way home I had the urge to run.  Literally, to go for a run and not come back.  But then I thought, they are all rested and it surely can't be any worse than it was this morning.  

Well, once again, I was wrong.  The whining and crying continued to no avail.  Graham was attached to my leg if not my hip.  Alex was... well Alex.  And Tyler made everything a production... everything!

Finally, we got all three boys in bed and I couldn't wait to get in bed, edit my pictures of Alex's party and blog.  That's when the cake got iced.  In the midst of transferring my pictures my computer froze.  I restarted it, downloaded my pictures and erased my SD card (of which I NEVER do).  Opening my pictures there were only 15 when there should have beed over 200!  Gone... ALL GONE.  

Yes, my friends, this is a good reminder that this day is indeed just another day!

Happy freaking Mother's Day to me!

Someone's excited...

...because he is THREE!

More to come!

Tacoma Children's Museum

I am loving all these new outings we have gone on with our buds Tyler and Landon.  A few weeks back we headed down to the Tacoma Children's museum to meet up with Malia, Charlie, Will, Lori, Owen and Carson.  Four moms, eight boys and lots of fun stuff to do!  I highly recommend this place!  You pay by donation only, it is small and enclosed so the kids can't escape.  There is so much fun stuff to do for little kids and big kids.  Alex had a blast playing on the ship while Graham preferred splashing around in the water.  And the best part is it was clean!  I didn't hesitate to let Graham down to crawl around.  My only piece of advice from this outing, if you park on the street turn your wheels towards the curb!  Who knew they actually wrote tickets for that?

Afterwards we headed to Malia's new house for lunch and more playing.

Where did April go?

It seems as if I blinked and April was gone.  Keeping up with Tyler's baseball schedule, Alex's swimming and soccer and toting around a very fussy 10 month old has made little time for me.  There have been many of THOSE days this month.  You know, the days you stay in the shower just a little longer because with the water running and the door closed you can't hear the screams coming from the other room.  Those days when a third cup of coffee is just a necessity, breastfeeding or not.  

...yeah, I've had lots of those days.   

Another Suncadia getaway

Spring break brought us another crazy week in the Bugbee house.  After a busy monday and tuesday, the boys and I hit the road for a little R and R in Suncadia.  R and R, who am I kidding?  That it definitely was not, but it was FUN, I will say that much.  We were joined by our friends Liam, Emmett and cousin Karsten.  Yes, 6 boys under one roof.  Definitely NOT restful, or relaxing.  Loud is more like it.  To top it off Liam and Emmett's mom had to head back to the city for work on thursday, so it was just me and a whole lot of testosterone.  We made the best of it.  I lived with the motto, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, for those two days.  

We swam, we played, we ran and we biked until our hearts were content.  When we needed some down time we watched Toy Story on the computer.

When I couldn't stand being in the house anymore we piled in the car, headed into Cle Elem, had some Blizzards and took some goofy pictures.

Oh little blog

Dear Blog,

Please don't hate me.  I still love you.  I want so badly to give you the attention that you deserve.  It pains me every day.  Life is just crazy right now and there is just no time.  I promise I will be back.  I promise I will share with you more wonderful stories of my three crazy boys.  I promise I will post more pictures of them too.  But please be patient with me.  I am doing the best I can.

Love your poster,

Jennifer

10 {months]

Gammer Gam,

You, my friend, are 10 months old!  

In the last month, there is no question about it, you have become you.  You are a lover, a fusser, a smiler and a heart breaker.  Attention must never be drawn away from you, heaven forbid.  You have the absolute best laugh.  It make my heart so happy!  I am pretty sure I hate being away from you just as much as you hate being away from me.  The only redeeming quality of my work days is the moment I walk in the door and you start fussing because you want nothing but to be with me.  I know these days will go so fast so I am going to cherish every moment of it.  Soon enough you will be up and walking and won't be able to get away from me fast enough.

You are on the go, with a purpose.  We have never been a child-proofing family, but you have changed that.  You are into everything!  You love noise.  Banging the cupboard doors is a favorite past time of yours.  It brings you so much joy, so I just grin and bear it.  We have oodles and oodles of baby toys for you, none of which can hold your attention quite like your big brothers rooms full of hazards!  Instead of an open door policy in this house, we are a closed door house.  You are destined to find yourself in Children's ER, I am sure of it.

On the flip side you are a snuggler.  I have never had one of those so I am in heaven.  Every night you nurse and then I sit, your head on my chest, rocking, for as long as the other boys will allow it.  My mind races with all the things that need to be done before I can go to sleep, but none of that matter when you are in my arms.  Those things will be there no matter what, these snuggles may not be.  

You love food.  Reluctantly, I have branched out from baby food.  I am sure to keep you on some because of the ease of it.  But you would much rather have the peanut butter and jelly that your brothers are having for lunch of the enchiladas the rest of the family are enjoying for dinner.  Most nights you out consume Alex.  Some of your favorites are string cheese, toast, and rice.  Put plain old cheerios in front of you and you scream until something better appears.  You have no use for that.

Sleep is still a work in progress with you.  I can count on a few nights of uninterrupted sleep a week.  You still love your early morning nursing though.  Like 3-4am early.  Naps are subject to your brothers activities.  Ideally you love 2 good naps.  One about 9-10am, depending on what time you wake up, and another around 2.  They both last about 2 hours.

Teeth, you still have just 2 but the top two are going to break through any day now.  I am anxious for you to get some relief as they seem to be pretty painful for you.  Its odd to be at this junction.  I remember that this was a big concern in our first meeting with the craniofacial doctor.  Because of the incomplete palate cleft we were a little unsure about what teeth you would have where.  The only answer the docs could give us is that we would have to wait and see.  Your two front teeth seem to be in good placement from what I can tell.  The truth of the matter is, it doesn't matter.  We know there will be more surgeries and lots of orthodontics, that's a given.  At this point we are just so grateful for your health.  

Health, that's another story.  You have been plagued with ear infections and colds almost constantly this winter.  I am eagerly awaiting the end of this season.  I am hoping that getting rid of binkies for Alex will in turn help you, since all our binks have turned into communal binks no matter how hard I have tried.  

Graham, you are everything our family needed.  I can't imagine our life without you.  Your brothers love you more then anything, and you them.  If there is one thing I am so excited for, it is to watch you boys as you grow.  My prayer for you all is that you are always there for each other, that you are best friends and that you forever know the power of family. 

I love you Graham!