So, I have the "after - baby" change bug. I want to change my wardrobe, redecorate my house, change vehicles...just really refresh everything. Don't worry, I'll keep the hubby. So, I decided to change hair styles. I decided that I wanted some bangs. I haven't had bangs in almost 20 years. So, last week I went for a hair cut and got straight-across-the-forehead bangs!
Everyone likes or loves them. Everyone. People I don't even really know like them. But me - as hard as I try, I don't like them! In fact, I still don't know who I am when I look at myself in the mirror. I just don't like them. I don't think it's going to just take "getting use to them"! I just don't like them and will be growing them out starting last week.
Change is good. I reminded myself why I stopped having bangs. Apparently, I had forgotten.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Life with Littles
Until yesterday, we had three - under three, for the past nine weeks. Adjusting to a third child so soon was quite an adjustment. Our family may be the average size but we are anything but average. Having three littles so close together is not the norm for most folks. Most families have two to three years between each child, but that was not God's plan for our family.
Life with three littles is all about needs, organization, schedules, and logistics.
Who needs what, right now. What needs to be done today and cannot wait. Most days, here alone with the children, all their needs must be met by me. I have to change every diaper, fill every cup, get every snack, prepare every meal, dress everyone, read every book, kiss every boo-boo, and answer every question. There is no child that is old enough to do any of these things for themselves much less help with their younger siblings. Some of daddy's workdays are very long and that means that from breakfast to bedtime, mommy meets every need for the little ones. Some days all that gets done are the needs. Nothing more. If only the needs get done, then it is still a successful day.
I used to consider myself a very organized person. Having a place for everything saves time and energy. With each child the need for organization increases while the time and energy to organize decreases. Clothing organization is almost overwhelming. Besides the time it takes to successfully do stain removal on the children's clothing and keep the laundry done, the children are growing out of clothing so fast that keeping a handle on what fits, what's too small, and who needs what replaced takes a lot of mental energy. Since we've only been in our home for a year, it's not as organized as it needs to be. And since we've moved three times in the last three years, our home is a lot more disorganized than I ever dreamed possible. Truthfully, I just haven't taken the time to find a "home" for everything. I'm working on it, and slowly maybe I'll get that under control by the end of the summer.
Scheduling with littles is a must. We have a daily schedule that we try to keep. One of the most important parts of the day is naptime. All of the children nap at the same time each day. This is great for me because it gives me a couple of hours without children to get some stuff done or just to rest. I also have to schedule my time without the children wisely. I try to do things on the days when the children are with their grandparents that I find impossible to do with three littles. Things like doctor or dentist appointments, getting my hair cut, and shopping for clothing for myself (which requires me try things on) are best done without three little people in tow. Things like general shopping, grocery shopping, and errands are doable with the children.
Logistics - the planning, execution, and control of the movement and placement of goods and people and the related supporting activities, all within a system designed to achieve specific objectives. That pretty much sums up any outing of the Lentz family nowadays. Just to go to the grocery store it takes 2 sippy cups, a bottle, and a snack (everyone seems to get hungry on about aisle three). Careful planning gives us the best chance for a successful outing. This also includes "when" we go somewhere. We always try to go and get back before naptime. Shopping and eating out will be very unpleasant if everyone is sleepy. If we have three places to go before we meet daddy for lunch then we need to leave by a certain time and control the amount of time we are at each place. Loading and unloading, diaper changing, traffic, and snack time must all be considered in determining what we can get done. We have just successfully traveled to my Mom's house, four hours away, which was a major logistical undertaking. It could have been better, Tucker's colic flared up on the way down there and made driving in Mobile traffic more nerve wracking than usual, but we made it with everything we needed for the trip and made it home again.
All in all this is a very busy season of life that we are in. We have three in diapers. Two that take sippy cups and one taking a bottle. Some nights all three wake up and need attention. Everyone has to be dressed, bathed, and groomed. All three need to be buckled in and out of their carseats each time we go somewhere. All three need to be in a stroller if we go shopping. We need a cart just for the children at the grocery store. Laundry and dishes are never ending. All three are still in cribs. There is always a toy or two that needs to be put away. Someone is always just getting over being sick, is currently sick, or is fixen' to be sick. Each child is working on mastering a different skill that takes extra patience and training. And it seems, Mommy is always tired. But she is always joyful too because she remembers well how it felt to have no little people in the house. She would not trade the craziest, noisiest, messiest day now for one of the lonely but restful days then.
Life with three littles is all about needs, organization, schedules, and logistics.
Who needs what, right now. What needs to be done today and cannot wait. Most days, here alone with the children, all their needs must be met by me. I have to change every diaper, fill every cup, get every snack, prepare every meal, dress everyone, read every book, kiss every boo-boo, and answer every question. There is no child that is old enough to do any of these things for themselves much less help with their younger siblings. Some of daddy's workdays are very long and that means that from breakfast to bedtime, mommy meets every need for the little ones. Some days all that gets done are the needs. Nothing more. If only the needs get done, then it is still a successful day.
I used to consider myself a very organized person. Having a place for everything saves time and energy. With each child the need for organization increases while the time and energy to organize decreases. Clothing organization is almost overwhelming. Besides the time it takes to successfully do stain removal on the children's clothing and keep the laundry done, the children are growing out of clothing so fast that keeping a handle on what fits, what's too small, and who needs what replaced takes a lot of mental energy. Since we've only been in our home for a year, it's not as organized as it needs to be. And since we've moved three times in the last three years, our home is a lot more disorganized than I ever dreamed possible. Truthfully, I just haven't taken the time to find a "home" for everything. I'm working on it, and slowly maybe I'll get that under control by the end of the summer.
Scheduling with littles is a must. We have a daily schedule that we try to keep. One of the most important parts of the day is naptime. All of the children nap at the same time each day. This is great for me because it gives me a couple of hours without children to get some stuff done or just to rest. I also have to schedule my time without the children wisely. I try to do things on the days when the children are with their grandparents that I find impossible to do with three littles. Things like doctor or dentist appointments, getting my hair cut, and shopping for clothing for myself (which requires me try things on) are best done without three little people in tow. Things like general shopping, grocery shopping, and errands are doable with the children.
Logistics - the planning, execution, and control of the movement and placement of goods and people and the related supporting activities, all within a system designed to achieve specific objectives. That pretty much sums up any outing of the Lentz family nowadays. Just to go to the grocery store it takes 2 sippy cups, a bottle, and a snack (everyone seems to get hungry on about aisle three). Careful planning gives us the best chance for a successful outing. This also includes "when" we go somewhere. We always try to go and get back before naptime. Shopping and eating out will be very unpleasant if everyone is sleepy. If we have three places to go before we meet daddy for lunch then we need to leave by a certain time and control the amount of time we are at each place. Loading and unloading, diaper changing, traffic, and snack time must all be considered in determining what we can get done. We have just successfully traveled to my Mom's house, four hours away, which was a major logistical undertaking. It could have been better, Tucker's colic flared up on the way down there and made driving in Mobile traffic more nerve wracking than usual, but we made it with everything we needed for the trip and made it home again.
All in all this is a very busy season of life that we are in. We have three in diapers. Two that take sippy cups and one taking a bottle. Some nights all three wake up and need attention. Everyone has to be dressed, bathed, and groomed. All three need to be buckled in and out of their carseats each time we go somewhere. All three need to be in a stroller if we go shopping. We need a cart just for the children at the grocery store. Laundry and dishes are never ending. All three are still in cribs. There is always a toy or two that needs to be put away. Someone is always just getting over being sick, is currently sick, or is fixen' to be sick. Each child is working on mastering a different skill that takes extra patience and training. And it seems, Mommy is always tired. But she is always joyful too because she remembers well how it felt to have no little people in the house. She would not trade the craziest, noisiest, messiest day now for one of the lonely but restful days then.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
The Mean Mommy
I guess by some people's standard, I would be considered a "Mean" mommy.
Why? Because ...
I don't allow my children to play with my phone all the time. In fact, there is not one app on there for a child!
and I have a few rules that we try to be consistent about - and there are consequences if you break them!
and I don't allow my 3 year old to always get her way because it's just easier that way!
and I am very particular about what our children watch on TV!
and I don't allow sweets or dessert unless you eat most of your meal, including veggies!
Apparently, these little things (actual parenting) makes me "mean"! Oh well, I'll just have to be mean...but at least I'm not afraid to take my children to the grocery store - where I shop without their protesting input!
Why? Because ...
I don't allow my children to play with my phone all the time. In fact, there is not one app on there for a child!
and I have a few rules that we try to be consistent about - and there are consequences if you break them!
and I don't allow my 3 year old to always get her way because it's just easier that way!
and I am very particular about what our children watch on TV!
and I don't allow sweets or dessert unless you eat most of your meal, including veggies!
Apparently, these little things (actual parenting) makes me "mean"! Oh well, I'll just have to be mean...but at least I'm not afraid to take my children to the grocery store - where I shop without their protesting input!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Thank you for this day?
We always utter this phrase when we pray, but do we REALLY mean it? Are we truly thankful on the the days when...
You have six loads of laundry to do
The toddler is teething
The baby has colic
The preschooler won't stop talking
The phone won't stop ringing
Someone spills something sticky on your just cleaned kitchen floor
The hospital bill comes in
The house is a mess
Your hubby has to work late
You have a sinus headache that medication isn't helping
What if all this happens ON the SAME day? What if ALL your days lately seem to have a similar set of circumstances? Are you still thankful for THAT day? Can you see past your present challenges and annoyances and see the blessings that this day holds?
Is this not the secret to having a joyful and content life?
Philippians 4:12-13
You have six loads of laundry to do
The toddler is teething
The baby has colic
The preschooler won't stop talking
The phone won't stop ringing
Someone spills something sticky on your just cleaned kitchen floor
The hospital bill comes in
The house is a mess
Your hubby has to work late
You have a sinus headache that medication isn't helping
What if all this happens ON the SAME day? What if ALL your days lately seem to have a similar set of circumstances? Are you still thankful for THAT day? Can you see past your present challenges and annoyances and see the blessings that this day holds?
Is this not the secret to having a joyful and content life?
Philippians 4:12-13
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