Like Mother, Like Daughter

I hate shots. I freak out at the sight of needles. I can't watch when they draw blood, put in an IV, any of that stuff. Epidurals are out, they involve a needle right-IN YOUR SPINE? Not doing it-I don't care how bad the pain is! But when it comes to my kids I can't and solemnly refuse to let my fear be adopted by them. So I put on the brave front and shrug it off for them, hoping that they don't notice I'm not watching the nurses and that my knees are knocking. That intro brings us to today.

The older two have been due for their annual well-childs for over a month now and I finally remembered to make the appointment. I knew that both were due for the 2nd round of Hep A, but wanted clarification about the chicken pox booster since I'd been hearing conflicting things and since there has been a tiny outbreak at church. So now they are up to two shots a piece and they are a bit nervous, but I tell it's no biggie, we'll go out for ice cream (which next to chocolate, makes everything better). Thankfully our doc's office has the nurses tag team so it isn't one shot after another and each girl does great.

As we're headed down the hall for the stairs, I realize that I have to go to the bathroom. again. But God used the stop for good, because as a result, #3 (of course) had to try it out first and I took a look at the girls' arms in the meantime, and noticed that #1 had a huge hive under where the band-aid was. I took off the band-aid thinking that the nurse misplaced the band-aid and was going to move it, so none of us (read: mama) had to look at the injection site. It wasn't the injection site. Then she began to feel dizzy and got real pale. So I quickly got out the "propaganda" from the CDC and read that she had almost all the symptoms of a moderate to severe allergic reaction and that we should immediately see a doctor. Thankfully we were 5 steps from the office, so we piled back in, the nurse saw us and the doctor too. After about 20 minutes, some Tylenol, a shot of benadryl, cold compress, and some m&m's we were back in business. And I'm happy to report she is back to herself, for better or worse as the case may be.

FAQ's

This may end up being a series of posts, who knows?! But as I'm sure my friend Laughter Thoughts can attest, the more kids you have, the more at liberty people (friends/family/complete strangers) feel to ask you personal questions or make assumptions. Thankfully for the most part, my personality is such that I get a big ol' laugh at most or can at least see the humor in the situation later. So here is my attempt at answering some of those burning questions!

Q: Congratulations!! (then using a slightly hushed, more dramatic tone): Was this a planned thing?

A: Aren't all babies planned on some level? Seriously, this has been our most prayed for, agonized over, PLANNED pregnancy. With #1, I did all the lobbying and then God softened my husband's heart and there she was. With #2, it was a done deal, Lord willing, we weren't having an only child. With #3, I really wanted another one, husband was skeptical, and then there she was! With #4, back in February my husband asked me to pray with him about our family size and then in May we decided that we would step out in faith and see what happened. And there you go.

Q: Where on earth are you going to put this one? You'll probably have to add on to the house, right?

A: Funny how it works, but sharing a room with your sibling(s) doesn't kill you, I know totally weird, huh? I am living proof, as are my sisters, as are my girls. It's also funny how you don't know you are a boy or girl until about age 2 or 3 and even then, it's because someone told you that you were. So I think we'll be just fine with our three bedroom home.

Q: But what if it's a boy? (said again with the slightly hushed, dramatic tone)

A: Have you met my family? Would you like to see our track record with conceiving boys? Oh you have, then why the concern. Really, what better way for a boy to learn to treat women the right way than to be surrounded by sisters? Wouldn't he be spoiled rotten, you bet, but then we tend to spoil all our babies rotten!

Q: You're going to have to get a bigger car.

A: To quote my husband, "They don't come much bigger than this one."

Q: You should know by now how that happens. (pointing to my belly)

A: To quote Laughter Thoughts: "Why do you think we keep having them?"

The Cat's Out!

Well, it is safe to say that most everyone who reads this blog and/or who has had a visual sighting knows that the Queen is having baby #4. If you didn't--surprise!! We are about half way there, due in February '09, and if this little one cooperates we will know he or she (who am I kidding with the "he" right??) on Friday.

Today at Soccer Saturday, I had taken off the baggy, dark-colored (hopes of a slimming look!) sweater, and then saw a mom from Princess #1's previous team and her jaw dropped when she saw my "bump". To say she was stunned would be putting it mildly. Secretly, I found it hilarious and even more so when she was hustled off to the "potty" by her 4 year old before she could say anything more than a breathless hello. I suppose it's something to look forward to for next week.

I find people's reactions to this pregnancy very interesting. In fact, I should put up a FAQ's post sometime!! So anyway, the cat's out of the bag and I can now bore you all to death with baby updates. . .

I Didn't Think It Was That Bad

So got up yesterday morning, and am getting ready to hop into the shower, when the youngest princess marches in and without even so much as a "good morning" informs me, "Mama you need to brush your hair!"

I reply that I will after my shower, but that is not good enough for this little rascal. She very calmly hands me the brush and says, "Here."

Good Car Music

I had the "family" car all to myself tonight! (Did you see those stars align??) Anyway, usually I keep it silent, just soaking in the peace and alone time. Tonight however, I decided to turn on the music and each song that played was perfect! Have you ever had that happen--when each piece of music is the one you needed to hear to lift your spirits or encourage? I hope so.

I must say it was the icing on the already delicious cake of time to myself!

Ode to the Magic Eraser

Oh, how I love you, my Magic Eraser.
With just a little water and a quick swipe, the sticky finger prints that decorate ALL my walls at the 3 foot and under mark, "magically" disappear.
When I shudder at the state of the bathroom floor, I can just grab you, drop to my knees and the nail polish tracks disappear.
I don't know how you do what you do, but please don't ever stop. I just couldn't live without you!

Shhh, Don't Tell!

I told the girls that school would commence right after I check email. Of course, they know I use the term "check email" loosely! So after a couple of minutes. . .

Princess #2: Mom is school going to start soon?

Queen: Yep, just need to check yahoo mail and we'll start.

Then I overhear in hushed, flushed, tones:

Princess #1: Why did you have to remind her? We could have played a lot longer!!

Of course, now they did get to play longer, since I had to blog their conversation-we all win!

You Know You're Old When. . .

. . . the local radio station announces that there is going to be an Amy Grant "Lead Me On" 20th anniversary tour coming soon, and you think wow, she's still kickin'.

. . . and then you realize that you went to the original, 20 (yikes!) years ago!

Bad Mommy!

It was just sitting there on the counter, the one token piece of chocolate in the entire house, waiting to be put in my Bunco gift, and I ate it. I didn't even want it, but I ate it. It didn't even taste good, but I ate it. Very naughty. Especially since that means that at some point between now and Tuesday night, I have to find a replacement for my gift, with all three in tow. That right there my friends, is my punishment.

Dinner Laughs

While discussing the title of a Veggie Tale movie, the king mentioned one of the characters was named the "Italian Scallion". Immediately the girls jumped on the word scallion. Then the discuusion turned to what a "stallion" was.

I answered with: A male horse.

Princess #2 pauses, and says: Oh so it would be a horse that delivers the mail! Like in the olden days.

Then she couldn't figure out why mama was trying to conceal her laughter (and failing miserably, I should add)! Before she could get upset, we assured her that it was that pesky English language that was so confusing and funny-not her definition.