Party, party

We had Little Trav's birthday party last weekend. Teagan was explaining to Krista how he is going to be "5". Not really, he's only 3, for a little while longer anyway. Tatum is totally psyched for her brother to get presents. Can't you tell?

Snuggling up to Aunt Kristy. He's always had a thing for older women.

This year, both the older boys received mostly money for their birthdays. Which was great because they both had their eyes on new bikes. They went later that night to pick out some new ones and still have money left over. Daddy, the spender, thinks they should buy whatever they want. Mommy, the saver, thinks they should learn about saving.

Travis even got a gift from his little buddy Larry, which he promptly hid from the prying hands of the younger sibs. So, we're done with birthdays! Well, for three weeks anyway. My baby boy is turning 4 at the end of the month. (Sob, sob.)

And some random pics from the last week or two.

Baby Tess

Playing the Wii at Grandma's house.

Tanner and one of his K*Nex creations.

You-tah

Happy Birthday Little Travis!

This little Tis now this little bit bigger T.
And isn't it sad that I had to go back to December to find a pic of my second son. Sucks to be the second born, don't I know?

My mellow, melancholy baby has grown into my sensitive, snuggable boy. While his big brother is way too cool to give out hugs and kisses, Travis is willing to pick up the extras. The plight of the over looked second child.

He is a 9 year old today, which is just way too close to 10, which is one digit closer to being a teen. Ugh. How are they growing so fast right underneath my nose?

Happy Birthday Trav! We love you!

Another birthday and some updates

First off I'd like to say,

Happy Birthday to my baby Daddy!

It's been 15 long years and he still hangs around. Of course, what guy wouldn't if he got to sit around watching TV and buying motorcycles?

Just teasing, honey.

I know you do alot more than watch TV. In fact, the house would be a disaster and the kids would go unfed most days if it weren't for you. I'm not taking back the motorcycle comment though. You know that is a thorn in my side. :op

I know I don't tell you enough, but I appreciate all that you do, Bobby. I could not raise these kids alone, and there is no way I could make it through school without your help.

You gave me beautiful babies, and you put up with my poor attitude, and for that, I love you.

Speaking of my babies, the littlest T had her 6 month check up Monday. She is still a peanut, just 26 inches long and 13lbs 7 oz. And here I was thinking I needed to buy her bigger clothes.

And speaking of spending money, let's just say, budget, smudget. It is out the window this month. I have blown it completely. Let me count thy ways.

1. Frickers
2. Taco Bell
3. KFC
4. McD's
5. Donato's

We've eaten out enough in one weekend to cover the next few months. But let me explain. Bobby went out to Frickers with his buddies, and I'm calling that his birthday present. (Uh, yeah honey, that was your birthday present). I hung out with the sis all day Saturday and was starving so stopped by Taco Bell, but only for a cheesy gordita crunch (and a birthday burrito supreme for her). KFC? Well, there was really no excuse for that. We could have cooked instead. Sunday was Tanner's birthday dinner which should explain the McD's and Donato's. What? That doesn't explain it? You mean, other people don't go through McD's for happy meals and then order pizza? Well, all I have to say is, weirdos.

The birthdays did us in. And we still have one more to go this month. And that's going to be the worst one because that kid wants to go to Bounce*U.

So Saturday, Bad Influence and I went to the outlet mall. Outlet mall and budget don't really go in the same sentence. I spent way too much on a child who refuses to grow into the next size up.

Yes, this child.Check out the drooping eye lids.

Going

Going

Gone.

Oops, there might have been a little boobage in that first shot. Ignore that. I am not a blanket over the head kinda Mom.

A couple other check ins, we're still throwing too much food away,and we're still freezing our buns off, despite the $400 gas bill. Vectren bastards.

And school? Going surprisingly well, actually. I got a 98% on my last essay. Hurrah! No final drafts for me. Only two more assignments in Leadership. AND, I am halfway through the modules in Statistics. After my little breakdown, I guess I had an epiphany and it all became clear to me. Well, clear as mud, but at least I could finish the assignments.

Off to finish more Stats!

The T Between

This little T, my dimpley, cuddly, perpetually happy baby boy is now this big T, my dimpley, standoffish, persnickety tween.
He turns 12 today. Or turned 12, at 6:52 this morning to be exact. He could choose whatever he wanted to do for his birthday. Since Kings Island is closed for the season, he opted to go to Grandma's.He has a toy stash there that he likes to keep away from the prying hands of siblings. The siblings did go too, though, for pizza and cake. (Check out Tate and Teag "rocking" their big sibling Tshirts they got from Aunt Krista.)

The next to last T had to help put the candles on.

And yeah, that is a store bought cake.

I tried to make his birthday cake. Apparently, if it is not completely cooled and you flip one layer upside down on the other, it will just crack and fall apart. Yes, there is a piece missing, but you can still see the devastation that was my attempt at a homemade birthday cake.

Tanner picked out carrot cake which didn't go over too well with the younger, pickier crowd. They weren't too keen on the raisins. (Teagan and Travis said my cake was way better.)

He was pretty happy with his birthday gifts. Grandma got him some more K*nex, which is the new obsession. He got money from everyone else, $100 total, which he thought was way cool.

Uncle Travis was there with his camera too. We'll have to check out his flicker page and see if he adds some pics soon.

This is how you know your big kid is now a tween:

Mom: You really made out with the money.

Tanner: Made out. Hehehehe

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TANNER!

WE LOVE YOU!

Happy Birthday Big Sis!

My big sis, the greatest aunt in the world, is having a birthday today! Not sure if she has any special plans, since it it Friday the 13th and all, but I'm sure if she does, it involves margaritas. She will be..... older than me... today. :op What am I saying? She's always older than me, which of course, is why she is so much smarter and all knowing. Just teasing, Krista.

I can't say she was always the best big sister growing up, because she could be a mean little witch. But, since we've matured (and I've gotten past the throwing my favorite doll on the roof incident, and the ripping off of that same doll's head incident, oh, and the locking me out of the house causing me to kick in the glass storm door incident, oh, and the encouraging me to ride Barbie's motor home down an insanely long hill resulting in me sliding face first down said hill, with my mouth open, requiring multiple stitches incident, oh, and even further back, encouraging me to sit in the open bedroom window resulting in me falling out into a sticker bush incident), I couldn't imagine not having her for a sister.

She is always there for me (and no longer causes me physical or emotional pain except for this), and is an absolutely amazing aunt. I am so thankful my children have her in their lives.

Happy Birthday Krista!

6 months

From her water baby beginning,

this cuddly little

precious, pink bundle, is now a sweet potato faced

wanna be crawling

smiling

babbling

laughing

happy girl.

Happy 6 month birthday Baby Tess.

We love you.

A budget recap

So the budget for January was eye opening. Our regular bills were just that, regular. We went way over budget on groceries. Now, is that because we didn't eat out much, or because I was really oblivious to how much money I was really spending to feed a family of 7? Probably the latter. I budgeted $600 to feed this large family. Bwaa ha ha ha. Okay, so maybe $900 was a more realistic figure. But darn, that's alot of money. That's more than my mortgage. How scary is that?

Anyway, it didn't go too badly. Even though I under budgeted for food, I apparently don't know how much money I make either because I under budgeted that too. So, in the end, it all worked out.

There were a few transgressions. The trip to Target, of course. Although, like I mentioned before, needs or wants? Probably things I would have needed to buy eventually anyway. I did go out to dinner twice, okay, three times. Twice for my birthday, cuz I'm that special, and once because my SISTER is a bad influence and made me go to Olive*Garden on THE LAST DAY OF THE MONTH! So much for a spending freeze.

However, I would like to point out that one of my coworkers paid for my second birthday dinner. The dinner out with the hubby and dinner with the bad influence were covered by my birthday check from the grandfolks. (Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!)

Bad influence also coerced me into going to Babies R Us. Yes, we did need a gift certificate for a baby shower, but Krista was all like, "there's this great sale, we really need to go look......". Seriously. She twisted my arm. I did buy some things that I don't necessarily need, yet. But Tess will be moving into bigger sizes soon, so I got her some onesies, pants, an outfit, and a pair of cute little gymmie shoes that were on clearance for $4.00. The Diva, AKA Tatum, conned me out of $15 for an insulated thermos straw cup. It is stainless and it is BPA free, and she has used it for every drink she's had since I bought it. So I guess it wasn't a total waste.

So, between the baby store, Target, and the 1 night of ordering out at work, I didn't do too terribly bad. Oh, forgot to mention the Skyline and McD's I had to pick up for the munchkins on the way to gram's house. That was the first time this month I have gotten them anything. I was amazed when I realized how often we used to eat out. 1-2 times a week really adds up. No wonder I have "extra" money now.

Visit Bossy to join in the poverty party.

Is it a Yeti?

Nope, just Tatum.
Today was another snow day off of school. And it keeps coming down.

Tatum was the only one willing to brave the snow today.

My birthday

This year is the big 3-5. So I thought it only appropriate to spread the celebrating out over a week. Besides, my birthday was on a Wednesday, and who celebrates on a Wednesday? Plus, I was sleeping on my actual birthday since I worked the night before.

To recap, Friday, my big sis, took me to a tattoo parlor. Strange birthday present, huh? My mom, sis, and brother all chipped in.

Krista got a tattoo a while back to represent her nephews and nieces. Since I birthed her nephews and nieces, I thought I should probably have one too. So, I got one to match hers. Only not completely. Since they were drawn free hand, they are slightly different. And her tat is on her forearm. I wasn't sure it would look too professional flashing tats in a Catholic hospital, so mine is on my leg. And yes, I am that white. It's winter, and I'm a redhead.

Ignore my snowman socks. There is a cursive T in the middle to represent "The T's", and a flower with each of their birthstone colors, in descending birth order, no less. It hurt, not as bad as labor, but it hurt. Especially the filling in of the flowers. Owww. According to my husband and my mother, I don't handle pain well. Hmm, birthed 5 babies, 4 of them with no epidural, and I don't handle pain well. I reminded them that I work in labor and delivery and I know what can't handle pain sounds like. Apparently, in their world, you have to be completely silent to prove that you can handle pain. Whatever.
Saturday, despite making the comment that made me want to kick him in the groin, I did allow my darling husband to take me out for dinner and a movie. We saw the Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It was curious, and sad, and long, very long. I won't give away the ending, but let's just say, if you're born old and you become younger as you age, where do you suppose you'll end up?

And on that note, wouldn't it be nice? To be young, and be able to fall asleep in any position, anywhere?

Sunday was spent catching up on some Statistics homework. What fun! Although, I did get an A on the rough draft of my leadership paper. The one that I wrote in 4 hours. So, I don't have to rewrite it. Yay! That was a nice birthday present.

Monday night is girl's night out with my girls. We're going out for some dinner and yummy Margaritas. Perhaps I should invite the big sis, AKA the Margarita Queen along.

Check out Krista's blog for more pics of tattoos and cute kids.

Sisters

Wii be having fun

I particulary like the jumping action.

The week in review

I finished my first major paper for this quarter. Yay! Yes, I did wait until the last minute. It's due at midnight and I just finished a little bit ago. It only took me 4 hours. It's too hard to type with just my left hand so I had to take a break for breast feeding. But, it's done.
Tess has been busy rolling. Daddy tried to catch it on camera but this is a good as it gets.

And yes, the prince is asleep, on the back of the couch.

"Don't ask me where my sock went? Do I look like I know?"

Tatum thought it would be fun to dress up in her lion costume from ballet. Then she remembered it was freezing. Yep, cold, cold, cold this week.

It snowed early in the week and then dropped down to single digits. Then even further down into the negatives. Right now, it's a balmy 33 degrees. These pics are from Tuesday, way before it dropped down to 20 below zero, or whatever it was.

She did it.

Tess rolled over. Witnessed by Daddy, or rather unwitnessed but assumed. Tess was lying on her back playing on her playmat. She started fussing and when he went to investigate, she was lying on her belly. She hasn't tried it again though. She'll roll way over onto her side, but not quite make it over.
Her other new thing is blowing bubbles. She really likes to spit and will entertain herself blowing raspberries. The bib is her friend.

5 months

I am 5 months old today!
Check out my cool sparkly tights! Yeah, Mom keeps it cold in here.

Baby Tess is creeping up on her 1/2 year birthday. She is rolling to her side from her back, and lifts her head and butt when she is on her belly. But still hasn't mastered the full roll over. She manages to get around though. She scoots and spins off her play mat and within a matter of minutes is in the middle of the floor. She smiles, coos, laughs, squeals and screeches. Not on camera though, she still has the camera phobia/fascination.

And remember the baby who slept through the night and used her thumb to self soothe? This one does neither. She has been replaced with a baby who thinks sleep is overrated. Five month olds don't need to nap do they? Tess doesn't think so. Her limit is about 30 minutes, IF she is held. If not, all bets are off.

She is using a pacifier now, instead of her thumb. When she's not pulling it out anyway. Seems like when she really needs to sleep, she'd rather pull it out of her mouth and stare at it. Then when she can't get it back in her mouth, she gets mad.

And I swear she must be teething. She chews on her fingers, and any toys she can get to her mouth. We attempted baby cereal the other day, but she's not quite ready for it. She still opens her mouth and lets it drool back out. The older kids didn't have any until at least 6 months, so we've got awhile yet. Tatum thought that since Tess has a high chair now, she must be ready to eat. Really I just didn't want her to have to sit on the floor in a bouncy seat while we eat.

I'm not sure what's going on with the sleep issues. She doesn't nap well, she doesn't sleep long at night. I hope it's just a phase. A short one. I may try some teething tablets and see if that helps.

Last night, I rocked her to sleep. And while I was eager for her to fall asleep, I was content to rock her awhile. I know she will be the last, and sooner than I would like, she won't want to be rocked.

It's been awhile

since I shared the sleeping prince.

Feeling

overwhelmed again. Today is the start of Winter quarter. I am taking Statistics and Nursing Leadership. Looking over my syllabi causes my belly to flip flop. It just looks like sooo much. I have 4 major, I mean 6-10 pages major, papers to write for Leadership. Don't know if I've mentioned it, but I hate to write papers. Don't know why. I always get a decent grade, I just don't like to do it. Organizing my thoughts is difficult at times. There is too much info in my head, I guess.

And reading the instructions for statistics? Egad!!! Read the chapters in this book, then in that book, then the power point review, then do the practice exercises here, then there, then do the graded assignment. For each of the 8 modules!!! Ahhhhh!!! I guess it's good that I haven't got my statistics book yet. I can only stress so much in one day. I still haven't completely decided if I need to buy the texts for leadership. Other nurses have assured me that they rarely read the textbooks for these classes.

And to top it off, my little darling, my angel girl who started sleeping through the night at 12 weeks, is no longer sleeping through the night. I generally took advantage of the time after bedtime to study and work on my papers. Now, she is waking at least 2-3 times a night. I don't know if it is a growth spurt or teething. I'm leaning towards the teething idea, as she gnaws on everything, including my nipples! I have threatened to cut her off if she doesn't chill out with the nipple gumming. For not having any teeth yet, she has a serious bite. She isn't napping well either. Is this normal? I know, I should know this by now, I just don't remember having a baby who didn't nap much. I mean, we're talking 20 minutes here, 15 minutes there. I'm on the verge of falling into that "I don't have enough milk" trap. Which leads to more bottles, less milk..... I think I need to make a Fenugreek run.

Baby Picture Sunday

I was visiting Nicole when I spotted a cute sleeping baby pic. This is the first time I have seen Baby Picture Sunday, but I'm sure I'll check it out again, since I have plenty of baby pics.
This week's theme is snuggle bugs. I think this fits pretty well. Tess is all snuggled up and she's a bug..... a lady bug. ;op
Visit Who Says 8 is Enough? to see more snuggly bugs.

And so it begins....

2009

A new year.



Goals for the new year, reflections of the last year.....



It was an eventful 2008. We welcomed a daughter and sent our oldest son off to junior high. I started grad school. Bobby became a stay at home Dad. We witnessed a historical presidential election, and the beginning of a financial crisis.

I'm not one to make resolutions because I know I won't stick to them, so instead I'll set just a few little goals for 2009.

• I will lose 10 pounds. (I could stand to lose a whole lot more, but I like to aim low. That way, if I surpass it, I have exceeded my expectations.)

• We will work harder at paying down our debt by paying off at least 2 credit cards. (again, aim low)

• Stay in school. (This one shouldn't be too hard since the alternative is being stuck with student loans with nothing to show for it. I'm all about show.)

And that's it. There are a few others I could throw in for kicks, like

• I plan to not ride a crocodile down the Amazon.
• I plan to not take a tour of France.
• I plan to not go bungee jumping, or walk the high wire, or swim with sharks, or any other inherently dangerous activity.

You get the point. I'd really like to work on the debt issue. While we managed to pay for most of Christmas with cash, we did buy a new water softener. It was either that, or keep replacing dishwashers due to hard water burn out. So that's some major debtage we need to get rid of.

I think it's something we just have to jump into. I read a blog a few weeks ago that compared decreasing debt to quitting smoking. You have to start a few times before you stick with it. Since I have never smoked, I would say it's more like dieting. You know it's good for you, but the alternative is just so much more fun. Yeah, getting out of debt and losing weight, both will feel good in the end. Just getting started is the hard part.