The Visit to the Doctor

It never fails. I always have people ask, "So you don't take them to the doctor by yourself?," or "You have someone go to the grocery store with you (like it is absurd)?" It never fails...I want to smack them EVERY. SINGLE. TIME....

I TOTALLY get it. I am not the only mother, who has three children. I am not even the only mother, who has three, young children. I may not be the mother of the year or anything, but I REALLY can't wrap my head around how I could possibly take these three kiddos to the doctor or public places by myself. Here's why....

We recently went for all three well visits. I try to schedule them on the same day in order for me to not take more than one day off of work. It helps with my not missing work, but, boy, it is pure chaos. Anyway, I asked my sitter to ride and help out. Although, I had much of everything ready the night before, we were still walking out the door a good fifteen minutes later than I had planned...AND...we left beds unmade and breakfast still on the table. Yes, two people getting the three ready and we were still pushing it for time. Then, as we walked out the door, we realized that we had not brushed teeth. So, as I grab a Pepsi and a donut (breakfast of champions) for myself, I snatch up the toothbrushes for the ride. Faith and Cameron LOVE to brush their teeth with their new electric toothbrushes...in fact, they did so for the entire ride....no kidding....Faith still had hers when we arrived in Athens.  Anyway, if loading the kids up is not a chore....unloading and taking them into a public place, specifically the doctor, would definitely qualify...here is a list of events as we pull into the parking lot....

1. I gather all bags and other items needed (which includes my purse, diaper bag, and blankets). This fills one arm.
2. I climb to the rear where I unbuckle Faith and Cameron. They are handed off to Granny B.
3. I climb out and to the other side of the car to get Mallory. Therefore, bags are on one arm and Mallory on the other.
4. We are finally ready to head in.

Okay, let me stop here. So, if I were by myself, where would anyone suggest that I put Faith and Cameron? Surely, not walking by my side in a busy parking lot???!!! Maybe you would suggest a stroller? Well, has anyone pushed a double stroller while holding another? Maybe you would suggest a triple stroller. Would anyone like to purchase that $700 item for me?...and, anyway, how many mothers have you seen enter the pediatrician's office with a stroller???!!! I have never seen a single one. Let's continue.

5. Faith and Cameron immediately know where they are and they don't want any part of it. By this time, Granny B can no longer hold both, I am trying to sign in, and Cameron is trying to climb my leg. The nurses smile like, "Oh my God...here they are again!"
6. The nurse puts us in the "largest room since we have five people."

Okay, so you know that it's bad when the nurse says, "Okay, so I don't know how you want to do this (meaning the undressing and weighing part)." We decided to take one out at a time.....

7. We each take a baby and undress, and I then take them one-by-one up and down the hall to be weighed and measured, while Granny B watches the others.

Again, how am I supposed to this by myself???!!!

8.  While we wait an eternity, Cameron is trying to climb a tree that is painted on the wall, Faith is ripping pages out of books, and Mallory continues to reach and cry for my cell phone (which I give to her and she drops twice, sending the battery sailing across the floor).
8. We have the exams and the shots. Poor babies sit and watch in terror while the other gets poked and prodded just to have it be their turn next. That's right, we have all three screaming by time to go.
9....and then its time to get dressed AGAIN....with all three trying to climb your legs or into your lap because they are highly upset.
10. Pay and leave as quickly as you can!

Ah, I am certain that no one can truly see how it goes until they witness it, but I will assure you that it is madness. I dread, dread, dread the trips, and I usually come back very much like I would if I ran a marathon...almost dead. So, yes....when people raise their eyebrows when I say that I don't or can't take them by my lonesome, I want to smack them...honestly...VERY HARD. Just an FYI...so that you don't do it.

Good news, though:

All three are perfectly healthy and right on track. Cam weighed in at 27 pounds, Faith 24.5, and Mallory 22. Mallory is tall for her age, as she is in the 95th percentile for height.

Thanks, Toby Keith

WOW....that's what I have to say about this afternoon! We have not had one of this kind in quite a while...the all three babies crying kind! SHEESH...it's days like these that make me absolutely certain that we could not handle another little one...oh...wait...I'm absolutely certain of that anyway! :)

BUT...yes...all three of the kiddos today were beyond irritable. They started off clingy or whiny when things didn't go their way. They ended with full force screaming with nothing to pacify them UNTIL...

THANK YOU TOBY KEITH!!! What do I mean? I simply hated the song Red Solo Cup...until tonight. Yep. The kids seemed to love it. Although I try to make the time after dinner our family play time each night, I settled for listening to Red Solo Cup...over and over and OVER. The song and silence was music to MY ears. Ahhhh....call me a red neck if you wish....call me an incompetent parent. HOWEVER, sometimes you do what you gotta do...and I did it.

 Listening to Red Solo Cup

Dancing to Red Solo Cup

Faith, Cameron, and Mallory also like the bath. Me? Not so much. It usually ends in screaming during the dressing part. It WAS a lifesaver tonight, though. We let them play and play once the Toby Keith lost its magic. The three water ducks were happy...and so were mommy and daddy!

Would you ever know that these three were screamers earlier???!!!

Let's just hope that tomorrow goes better!!!

Blue Eyed Beauty

I took this pretty picture of Mallory and couldn't resist posting a blog simply to share it! I truly didn't know that they made babies as sweet and easy going as our Mallory Jo! She goes with the flow and is as happy as she can be. Bless her heart. As the smallest, you would think that she would demand the most attention, but, while I chase down the rambunctious two, she sits patiently and plays by her lonesome. I often fear that she may become overshadowed. People are so curious about "the twins." Mallory, however, is making her presence more known each and every day....

She is becoming quite the funny girl. Just the other day, I actually had some one-on-one time with her....she soaked it up. Everything I did was funny and she laughed and giggled...we had a ball. She still prefers to crawl than stand, but she can definitely pull up to anything that she wants. Guess what? She can even say "duck." Now, I waited to post that...just to make sure that it wasn't coincidence. BUT...she can definitely say it...TRUE STORY. Faith and Cameron better watch out. Mallory is also becoming rather protective of the toys that she plays with...she hangs on tight! Finally, I am very proud to announce that I actually have a "momma's girl." Cam has always been daddy's baby, and, well, Faith is her own independent woman...ha. Mallory....LOVES HER MOMMA...and it makes me smile. :)

The Two Turn 2!

Just a little over two short years ago, I vividly remember leaving a quiet home.  Everything was in its place. There were no fingerprints on the windows or doors, scratches on the floors, or toys stretched from one end of the house to the other. People always tell you before you have your first born (and in our case...firstborns), "You better get some rest," "Your life is about to change," and "Your life will never be the same." Well, these comments got on my nerves to NO END....I mean, duh....BUT while I try to refrain from telling soon-to-be parents these things (because in my opinion any idiot knows them), of course, they were all right. Although you may know all of these things before your newborn arrives, I don't think anyone has the capacity to completely understand HOW MUCH your life will change.  In addition., I don't think anyone has the capacity to understand HOW MUCH  and HOW QUICKLY you can love another being. Now, don't get me wrong. Parenthood is not always so rosy....but I find it fascinating how someone so small can have you wanting to pull your hair out one minute and then....a cute giggle, sweet smile, or a new accomplished milestone can make you deliriously happy! So, no...two years ago I could not fathom how our lives would change. I remember saying as we drove away, "Our house will be very different when we come back. Our lives are about to completely change."

....AND to say that our lives have changed is an understatement.  Welcoming two little ones into the world was nothing short of a miracle...a blessing.  Bringing them home was nothing less than frightening...exciting.  Raising them has been overwhelming and frustrating at times....BUT...incredibly fun, rewarding, and wonderful. Faith Marie and Cameron Michael, you are loved beyond measure.  You will forever be my miracle babies that I so desperately prayed for...you and your little sis will forever be the lights of my life....

SO...here we are!!! Faith and Cameron have turned 2! It is hard to believe that it has been two years! Honestly, some days (the early ones) seemed to drag by...BUT...the rest have been a whirlwind! My babies are growing up.

We celebrated Faith and Cam's birthday this Saturday at Pat and YaYa's. I decided to join the two families together and have a BIG celebration. The theme was Dora and Diego, of course! I am really concerned about upcoming years. I think that I got off rather easy....what am I going to do when Faith wants a princess party while Cam is into super heroes???!!!....BUT I guess I will worry about that when the time gets here. ANYWAY...the party was mid afternoon with snacks, cake, and ice-cream. We had a great time.....but let me start at the beginning of their day....

Faith and Cam woke to find their new table and chairs with new plates and sippy cups. I thought that this was a good idea, but I am beginning to have second thoughts. First of all, I wanted a WOODEN table. I could not find one in enough time so I settled for this one. It is plastic and very light-weight. It slips and slides...and highly annoys Cameron (hence the rug under his chair). They loved it, though, and I guess that's all that matters.

See what I mean? The table and chairs may have to go...the kids also like to drag the chairs all over the house. I found Cameron on the sofa with his chair....ahhh....these kids!

Mallory wanted in on the fun, too!

Here we are at the birthday party! Faith and Cam got these super cute chairs from Pat and YaYa. It worked out great for the guests of honor! They sat here to open all of their presents. SO CUTE!

Here is the cake. It turned out cute...it was Dora and Diego Safari Party.

Faith liked the cake!

Cam did, too!

I think that it is fair to say that ALL of my children have a sweet tooth! :)

It was definitely a happy birthday! We are so blessed to have had Faith and Cameron enter our lives on January 14th 2010.They have certainly livened things up around here and I am positive that they have brought many smiles to the faces of my entire family! It has been quite a two years...and I am certain that these years will be remembered as some of the best of MY life. 

....and how could life get any sweeter than this? (Mallory is waiting on her chair!)



It's Been One of Those Days...Even Made a Call to Posion Control

Oh, man....it's been one of those days. We've all had them. You know, those days that you wish  you could just erase completely? Yes, it's been one of those days....

It's back to reality for me, Cody, and the kiddos. I leave for work before everyone wakes. Cody is left to tend to all three while he tries to get ready for work. The kids have cried two mornings straight not wanting to go to the sitter. So, it's not been that great of a week to begin with. I'm all sentimental, and, let's face it mean as the devil....and...let's face it...I'm sure that's not easy on poor Cody. Not a good week at all.....therefore, when I arrive home and experience the events that I experienced today, it makes for one of those days that you would like to block out...forget...COMPLETELY erase.

I have to admit that I have raced home these first two days back to work. All day long, I have thought about cute and funny stuff that the kids do and it makes me long to see them. Now, I am NOT in denial about my children. Sure, they are cute and funny...and too smart for their own good...BUT...they are downright mischievous!!! They...well...Faith was too much so today. 

The child is always up to something. If she is not climbing, she is jumping on something. If she is not running, she is hiding behind something.  If she is not dancing, she is screaming at the top of her lungs. If she is not looking in the mirror at herself and saying, "pretty," she is yanking her hair down and running from you. Ah, these are all of the reasons why I love her so. She is truly a free spirit.  Full of life and full of personality. There is a habit, however, that I would REALLY like to break, however. She LOVES to put things in her mouth. Seriously, Mallory is not as bad about it. I'm not sure why this is such an obsession, but I really had my fill of it today. I've never been so scared, mad, frustrated, or relieved all at once.

So, okay, okay...here's what happened: We were all playing in Faith's room. They decided that they wanted to play with Crayola markers...you know, the kind that only writes on the specific color books? Although I usually only let them play with those during Mallory's nap times (because she wants to play, too), I relented and tried to keep Mallory occupied with her toys. The next thing I know, Faith has this look on her face...strange look...I look around to see if all of the marker tops have been accounted for because I know how this girl is. They're all there, so I really didn't think that much more of it. Except for...then I spot it. A marker with a tip bitten. I went into panic mode. I asked...well...probably screeched if Faith had taken a bite. Her response? A calm and collected, "Faith eat." GREAT! Can I say 1-800 POISON CONTROL!!!???

Yeah, well....the lady with poison control was super nice, letting me know that the markers were non-toxic and that all would be ok. What were the two little devils doing while I frantically carried Mallory on my hip and talked on the phone??? Climbing on the bed and jumping like wild maniacs...animals...MONKEYS!!! After the lady insisted that I should not worry I had to say, "Yeah, well...I don't think I will since she is jumping up and down on the bed like a wild woman." :)

Next up, Cody gave the kids glow bracelets to roam around the house with shortly after dinner. I wasn't crazy about the idea, but, I had had it, and the were well entertained. Who comes up to me, stinking of a strange smell and liquid oozing from their bracelet? None other than Faith. Yep, she bit it. Panic mode again. Okay...could I REALLY call poison control AGAIN??? TWICE IN ONE DAY???...I think that they might report me to DEFACS or something. Finally, I found the label on the package that said, "Non-Toxic." Cody proudly announced from Faith's room..."SHE DIDN'T GET MUCH BECAUSE HER MOUTH ISN'T GLOWING. I PUT HER IN THE DARK." Ah, made me feel so much better...ha. My child wasn't glowing.

Finally, it was bath time...and I've written about bath time...CHAOS. For whatever reason, Faith decides to dump an entire cup of water on the side of the tub...the side that I am leaning on, keeping watch. Drenched me...soaked me...nothing less than infuriated me. I am so proud that I kept my cool, but Faith could see that it was not a good thing. She just looked at me and said, "Bad."

So, that was my day...how was yours??? As frustrated as I became today....

how could I not just grin and bear it...look at this silly girl. Although she can make me want to scream...and today almost cry hysterically...she makes me smile and laugh even more! I see in her qualities that I wish that I had more of....and...of course...Cody says that she gets most of EVERYTHING from me...especially the part about being hard-headed...ha...YEAH RIGHT! :)

Santa Claus CAME to town!

WOW...where do I begin? Christmas was CRAZY...as expected...but with one little twist that we didn't see coming. What was the twist? Well, Poppy (my dad) spent Christmas in the hospital and some of our celebrations were postponed. I was waiting to blog AFTER we had ALL of our celebrations with pics, and I am happy to say that Poppy is on the mend and our Christmas was made complete....it was SO ODD to not have Christmas with my family.

We were VERY blessed this Christmas. I am so very thankful to have TWO families that are so involved in my children's lives. With two families that love, love, love your babies, Christmas can be nothing less than busy and exhausting!!! Here is a glimpse....

We began celebrating on Christmas Eve at Nannie's house. The kids took a little while to warm up to everyone, but they soon got the hang of it.

 Faith and Mallory opened up books! We got SO MANY books...I was SUPER PUMPED! :)

Pat helped Cam open up a tractor.

After we left Nannie's house, on to Pat and YaYa's we went. By this point, we only hoped that the kids could get a short nap on the short drive. They were troopers and Cameron and Mallory DID....Faith wasn't about to miss anything.

 Pat and YaYa gave Mallory and Darcie Kate houses. Faith and Brady seem to like them! Mallory was having a snack at this time :)

Faith and Cameron received their very own Gator. They LOVED it...especially Cameron. It was great weather that day, too! We really need to work on his steering!

 

Since my grandmother's Christmas gathering was cancelled later that night, we decided to let the kids continue to spend time with cousins Brady and Darcie Kate and go to Ganny's (Cody's grandmother)for dinner. The kids had to be exhausted, but they really hung in there!

 The three amigos

For whatever reason, I didn't get many pictures on this visit. Mallory began to get in on the action, though. Having only short naps, I would say that she did pretty awesome!

 

When we FINALLY got home.....the fun began!!! Well...not until I insisted on putting all new clothing and toys in a specific location. That took FOREVER. It was not until around 11pm that Santa came...that's late for me!



Faith and Cameron were really sweet about putting  cookies out for Santa. You should have seen the looks on their faces when I explained what we were doing. They sweetly followed me in the kitchen to get everything ready. Last minute, Cameron thought about Santa, said, "Ho Ho," and placed "Ho Ho" on the table beside the milk and cookies....PRECIOUS!!!

Santa brought gifts for three this year! Faith's big item was the kitchen, Cam's the tool bench, and Mallory an interactive walker. Cam also got a lot of trucks, tractors, and a basketball goal. Faith got house, baby and Dora stuff. Mallory got her very own baby with all sorts of toys that light up. It was so exciting for "Santa" to put all of this stuff under the Christmas tree!...we couldn't wait for the kids to wake up.

 AND WHEN THEY DID......

We ironed, 

 we worked,

 we paid no attention to our own toys,

 we cooked,

 we strolled,

 we posed,

 we shot baskets,

 we sat at Mommy's feet while she cooked breakfast (again uninterested in toys),

AND we ate on our new trays (notice that Faith REALLY likes her accessories!).

I headed to the hospital shortly after the exciting morning, but Cody took all of the kiddos to Ganny's for round two at her house and lunch! Yes, MORE presents!!!

 A tea set for Faith!

 Another tractor for Cam...he LOVES them!



 There's one for Mallory, too!

...and were we done at this point??? NO! Since the gatherings with my family and Granny and Pop were postponed, we extended Christmas for an entire week! Here are just a few photos to share...geez...this is a LONG blog!

 We got some really cool stuff from MeMe, Poppy, and our cousins! This is Cam's first remote control tractor. He LOVES this thing...I think because it is noisy. :)

 Cool Faith gets into opening gifts...she likes to say, "Faith's turn." Over and Over.

She was super happy with with the tea set, Magna Doodle, jewelry, and the list could go on that MeMe, Poppy, and the Davenport gang gave her.

 Mallory, on the other hand, liked the tissue paper. She was well entertained by simply watching everyone. She does like her Kitty, phone, and radio, though!

 See? She just rolled on the floor at Granny's...I love this kid!

 A dump truck for Cameron at Granny's/

Yay, for baby stuff!

 Now, is that all....................................???

I am happy to tell you, that, yes, that is all. This blog has taken me several days to complete. Too many pics and events to tell about. The mess that it created in my house had me de-cluttering for days. I am glad to say that the house back in order...but most of it is hidden in my garage (oh well, we will let Cody worry about that...ha!).

We were very blessed with a wonderful Christmas with caring and loving families! Couldn't get any better! Now, I'll get to work on capturing these crazy, funny kids with all of their Christmas gear doing crazy, funny things. Let me assure you, they have been cracking me up daily, but I've been too busy to snap pics!