Ice Storm 2017

Last Sunday night we had an ice storm on the horizon, so the Joynts called to ask if we were coming over.  Adam and I chatted that we could very well end up stranded for a day, or two.  Not one to break tradition, we quickly packed our bags, changed into our jammies and headed over.

The ice came, as expected, and we ended up having a sleepover.  The four little kids all slept in one room-- it was the cutest thing ever.  The adults played monopoly and ordered concert tickets {!!!} for April {I couldn't be more excited!} The next morning Jess made us all homemade donuts and the adults worked from 'home' with an island full of laptops while the kids played in the basement.  It was one of those nights we couldn't have planned -- definitely one to remember for a lifetime.  I say it all the time, but I feel so blessed to be living our life we friends like this! 

Life Update

No photos.  We're pretty much in survival mode over here.  The kids haven't been served veggies in almost two weeks, we don't even have milk in the house, and we're all pretty much surviving on delivery...

Murdock | Is in heaven this week!  He's never slept in our bed so much.  I'm learning what life like a dog is like--how can anyone sleep that much?!  Healthwise, he's doing really well again.  It's crazy that we're about ready to see his 7th Birthday {in June}!

Cullyn | He's definitely getting better, in fact, he's probably the healthiest of all of us, excluding Murdock.  He's taking his meds better than ever before.  We transitioned him from his crib to a trundle bed and it didn't phase him at all, in fact, he's sleeping {knock on wood!} better than before!  He's such a lover and definitely doesn't like seeing mama sick, he's giving me plenty of kisses! :)  Also, he'll be two, one month from yesterday {!!} so I've started planning his party! :)

Jordyn | She had a rough start to the week, matted eyes, {nasty} sinus infection, and infected ear.  She's feeling much better.  Happy to be taking Amoxicillin, but putting up a pretty good fight with every dose of cough medicine or eye drops.  We transitioned her from a toddler bed to a twin bed.  While she loves her new bedding, she still wants to sleep with mama. :)  So far, she's spent one night in her bed {until 2a when she came to ours}, another night I slept with her from 8p to 1a, and last night I didn't even fight it and let her come to bed with me.  So we aren't batting very well this week, but whatever.  I don't have the energy to get too worked up about it.  I know she'll eventually stop sleeping with her mama. She's finally feeling better, I know this because she finally less emotional {she gets it from her mama}

Adam | He's mostly trying to stay away from all of our sick germs, but I don't think he's going to escape.  He started getting some of my early symptoms {lots of drainage, sore throat, chest congestion, etc.} yesterday and there is no sign of it going away anytime soon.  I'm trying to get him to go to the doctor instead of waiting like I did, because it clearly did me no favors to wait it out!  He recorded a few {original} songs with the lead guitarist in the band on Tuesday night, so that was fun to experience.  I love seeing him in his element.  :)  Other than that, he's been pretty busy been working, which is a good thing.

Me | I'm sure you've seen me complaining all over social media.  I've been {really} sick since Tuesday.  {severe body aches, high fever/chills, terrible headache & sinus pressure, tons of drainage, ears, throat, etc.}  I skipped work on Wednesday and Thursday, I'm praying to go back on Monday.  I have wasted so much of my PTO on sickness this year, I swear I've been sick nonstop since Thanksgiving! :(  LONG story short..since Wednesday morning I've been to the doctor twice.  Two strep tests {negative}, two blood draws, one Influenza A test {negative}, one antibiotic {not working}, one pain med {causing vomiting}, and one shot {of antibiotic} later…I'm finally feeling good enough to get out of bed!  They're still running tests to see what I have.  I think my fever finally broke {for good} last night.  I had to skip my charity bowling event today {I just didn't have the energy and I think the noise would have absolutely killed me} but I'm hoping to be able to make it to my session that is scheduled for tomorrow morning--we'll see.  

Also, as much as it pains me to write this, but I have officially dropped out of the marathon.  :(  I hate even writing that, but I think it's the best choice right now.  There really were many factors in my decision, but a few of the main ones were the fact that I was starting to resent running, on Tuesdays I was lucky to see my kids for 1-2 hours all day, and the biggest factor of all, I feel like my body was failing me--telling me to slow down and get healthy first.  {Since Thanksgiving I've had severe strep, Influenza, bronchitis, sinus infection, ear infection, two colds, and now this}.  I'm so disappointed, but I'm hoping I can get myself together and run one next year around my 30th birthday!

Other than that, I have a huge project due at work in a few weeks that I am so far behind on!  {like would totally lose my job if I don't get it done--so say a little prayer for me there!}.  I've already booked 3 wedding for 2016 which is super exciting!  And my website is this close to going live!!!  And quite possibly our most exciting news of all…after hours and hours of interviewing…we've found our nanny!  She's been over a few days for shorter amounts of time, but she starts full time on Monday so please say a pray for all of that!

I feel like there is more going on {because it's absolutely crazy over here} but that's all I can think of right now, so there you have it.  Our life update in 5 minutes!  

Again, HUGE thanks to my parents for taking the kids all of last week, my MIL for watching the kids a few days this week, and my sister & husband for taking the kids yesterday -- we could NOT have do it without all of you!

That time I judged... #RegrettingIt

In an effort to be more raw this year, I'm posting this.  I try to post positive things that are fun to look back on, but this time in our lives must be documented.  {Obviously  I am making the best of it, enjoying the snuggles, and know deep down that it really is 'just a {REALLY LONG} phase'. Someday I'll sleep again!} :) Don't send hate mail.
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I used to be one of those crazy organized, never late, remembered every special date kind of people.

And then I had Jordyn.

But I was still fairly on top of the things.  The major things at least.  The house was always picked up.   My kid was always bathed and dressed well, etc.  We had a good schedule.  We made time for friends.  The second she got into something or made a peep, I picked her up/redirected her/gave her my attention.

And then I had Cullyn.

And holy hell!

You guys, I'm sucking!  Both as a wife a mama and a friend.  We miss appointments.  I have to think back to the last day they had a bath.  I'm lucky if they're both clothed {forget the cute, matching outfits!}.  Half of the time people probably think we're homeless!  I live for days that we see family so they can 'take a turn.' {I NEVER pass up offers for help anymore--Just ask my mom!}.  And unless my kids are 'hurt crying' I don't even bother running over to them.

Why you ask?

Because my youngest kid hates sleep.  I know, I know.  It's all about good sleep habits.  A nightly routine.  A light napping schedule throughout the day.  Enough food/formula intake.  Swaddling. CIO.  White noise.  Yadda, yadda, yadda.  We have tried it all.  It's not that I'm a heartless mom. I still want the best for my kids.  I still love them with my everything.  The truth is, I just plain don't have energy for the little things anymore.  I would take a 10 minute nap over almost anything these days.

So, until my kid decides sleep isn't so bad, I'll just be rocking the bags under my eyes and homeless look wondering if there is any way I can take back all of those judgements I said about kids dictating parents.  And to all of my friends that I used to hang out with, I love you and hopefully we can connect again before our kids graduate high school.

-One Tired Mama

PS...It's a good thing you're really cute Cully! :)  I love you!

Currently...

Thinking about: All of the exciting things going on!  My sister closes on her first house today and my BFF has her baby boy today.  Thursday my sister moves.  Friday I have a business photoshoot all afternoon.  Saturday we're going to the first Iowa football game of the season.  Sunday Adam's band plays one of the most fun gigs of the year.  And Monday my dad turns 50!  How exciting, huh?  

Enjoying: Air conditioning!  We have had brutal weather here in Iowa the past week or so.  Heat indexes over 100 each day.  

Praying For: My sister's boyfriend Myles.  He suddenly lost his grandfather earlier this week due to a massive heart attack.  

Missing: My baby sister.  I haven't seen her since she moved and started her new teaching job.  I can't wait to hear all about it.  I know she's super busy getting situated right now, so I haven't bugged her much, but when I see her this weekend it's game on...I want details! :)

Listening to: Pearl Jam on Pandora.  But I keep switching from station to station.  


Loving: Scheduling all of the Fall {& Holiday} photoshoots!  I forgot just how crazy this time of year gets as a photographer!  I am so blessed!

Thankful for: CULLYN SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!! {yes, screaming was necessary! & I pray I don't jinx it!}  But each evening since Friday Cullyn has slept through the night.  *With the exception of a couple of nights where we have had to give him his binkie, but we haven't done a diaper change or a feeding in the the middle of the night for the past 5 days.  Woo Hoo!  :)

Transition to a Big Girl Bed at 15 months

At 14 months we brought your big girl bed home.  We made the mistake of leaving it in the living room for a few hours that afternoon.  While my intentions were to get you used to it and make it a positive {less scary} thing, I instead let you think this was your new, indoor trampoline.  {BIG mistake, mom fail!}

So we hung up the idea of transitioning you from the crib to the bed for a month or so.  {There was one afternoon my big preggo self tried to get you sleep in your toddle bed with me, but they ended in a big, fat fail}

At 15 months I decided to take the bumper off your crib and tie it around your toddler bed.  Since we had the little rail on the side this was very simply.  One afternoon I put you in the bed for your nap and you slept.  I thought, this is awesome!  So that night I put you in the bed again {thinking I would just put you in your crib when you woke up}.  But, you slept straight through the night.  In fact, maybe a little better since you had more room! :)

So, at 15 months you’re in your big girl bed 100% of the time.  And your crib is now ready for your baby brother’s arrival! :)

So my advice to parents transitioning from crib to bed {especially with a  young one}…

1.    Do NOT make it a toy

2.    Use a side rail of some sort

3.    Take the bumper {and any other bedding that’s familiar} to the new bed.

*Also, I cleared the room of harmful or breakable objects in the event she would get out and get into something.

Sleepless Nights

Adam will be getting up in about 2 hours to go hunting for the weekend, so I'm going to wait and post this next week.  I'm sure none of you want to track me down and grab me, but I would rather be safe than sorry.  So you'll read this post then..]

It's 2:17am

I'm wide awake

I've been awake since...well since I went to bed

I actually dozed off for a bit when Adam was awake, but since he came to bed I'm awake.  

It's like it's my 'shift'...even though there are no shifts.

Four [of our 6] nieces and nephews are here to hang out for the weekend

That's why I'm awake

As far back as I can remember I haven't been able to sleep when I'm responsible for someone else's children

Wether it be a night, weekend, or even a week

I doze in and out if the kids are sleeping with me, but other than that I just pace from room to room and then the doors

Checking to make sure the kids are breathing, comfortable, and they doors and windows are locked

Our nieces and nephews are sleeping in bundles, two in the living room, two in the spare room

At 9, 10, 13, & 14...they're too old to sleep with their Aunt now

So I'm constantly pacing and making sure they aren't sleepwalking or trying to reach a water glass that is way to high in our non-kid-friendly house

It's those things that keep me up

Does this happen to anyone else when they have other children over?  Am I crazy?

I remember when I was a kid

my mom heard everything

seriously a sneeze from the basement and she was down there

now that we're all grown up [or at least graduated] she sleeps through everything

is this something that will last until my [future] babies are raised? 

oh wow...now I'm just scaring myself

goodnight!