Outnumbered and looking for a plan.

www.simplemom.net/spring-cleaning-day-one I am going to follow this. I have a 3 day weekend coming up and I am going to get a jump start on this. I really do want to have a clean home--I also sincerely believe that I am the only one that wants this. Ken claims to want this but I don't know that he knows how to. My kids are mess making machines. I can get one room done and turn around and they have messed up everything again. I admit, I am not perfect at putting away all my stuff but really if you were to count what was not in its place you would see that I am a small offender.

I tell people that I secretly look forward to the day that I live all alone--no kids, no husband, no pets. I know that I will be able to have a clean home--everything has a place and everything in its place. We just need to be able to let go of this stuff. Ken had a rough childhood. He constantly felt deprived of the simple things and so now he over compensates by never letting go of things and hauling tons more of it home. If everyone would go away for a week and let me be I could make amazing progress in the house and no one would be able to tell me exactly what I had gotten rid of. There is that much stuff just hanging around.

I will update as my progress goes, and hopefully remember to take the pictures like it says too. Then when I call my realtor in a week to list my house, I will be ready for strangers to come in and look at it and hopefully make an offer. I want to build a new home (that way we can fill it up and I will still be outnumbered. AHHHH Well, who said life is fair)

Finally!!!

For the past 3 nights Asche slept basically through the night (meaning I didn't have to do anything other than get up and soothe him a little) AND he slept in his OWN crib. It has been amazing!! Ken and I actually get to sleep in the same bed together with no little body between us (and you can't count Rose, she is like a teddy bear with a bad temper). It has been about 6 years since Ken and I have slept together. We have had a few nights here and there, but as a rule, one of us has been relagated to the couch. I hope he makes a habit out of it.

Now, that being said---I miss the feel of my baby next to me. I loved snuggling in with him, tucking his body in next to mine. Feeling his body heat, smelling his hair, listening to him breathe. It is sooooo short of a time that I can do that with my babies and I wasn't quite ready to let it go even if I was desparate for a full night's rest. Sometimes being a mom just sucks. On one hand you are thrilled that your little one has learned a new skill, has found a new way, has grown and is so pleased with themselves that they squeal their delight when they do their new found ability. The other hand says, WAIT, I AM NOT READY FOR YOU TO DO THAT!!!! I needed about 15 more minutes with him cuz I think I only got 15 minutes with him tiny.

Out of the mouths of babes.

Kids say crazy things. Mine have all kinds of quips that they come up with. Keneisha has told me one day something we all want to say outloud to our mother's. She looked at me and said sometimes, when I am mad at you, I call you a witch. Not the kind with a green face and a wart on your nose. Evidently there are other kinds of witches, but I think we all know what kind of witch she means. No offense Mom, I hope that doesn't hurt your feelings.

Hurt my feelings, heavens NO!! Why would that hurt my feelings. I think that she just said the thing we have all wanted to say. Now whenever I am the meanest mother of the year and talking with Candice she whispers to me, Sometimes, when I am mad at you, I call you a witch. And we both just chuckle and laugh like crazy.


Next...
When we were getting ready for school and work a couple mornings ago Brennady came to me and said she was hon-dree (translates to hungry). I said well then go and get a banana or a yogurt. She said no, I wanno piece o'meat. She is a meat-a-tarian, it's a choice, but she is willing to commit.


Next...
Taushi is 11 going on 21. She is turning into a full blown teenager and loves to inform me that I am ruining her life. What she doesn't realize if I am ruining her life, I am doing my job. I hope I hear it more and more and more


Next...
Olivia is always full of crazy things to say. How to narrow it down with her is like trying to choose between Dove dark chocolate and Dove milk chocolate. Really, either way, you are a winner. The chocolate is amazing and you are a winner either way. I have to think about it and I will get back to you on her.


I got it--Olivia came out dressed for school in a pair of pants that have an applique of Cinderella on them. They are to die for cute pants and some of her favorites. However, they have holes in the knees. Ken told her she would need to change her pants. She said to him "Aw c'mon Dad. Kids at my school are jealous!" Well, when you put it that way....what can you say. you have to let her wear them---NOT!!! Dad's are suckers for pretty faces and cute sayings.

My millions in the making

This wipe case is going to be the key to my (and my sister's) millions. This is a wipe case that is covered with cute fabric and then we added a pouch that you can hold two diapers (probably 3 of the newborn or 1's). The strap is adjustable so it stays snug when you use one diaper. Of course the cutest part of the case is the logo. We can custom make these to match your preferences. Just contact me here or at cradleme08@gmail.com.

Holy socks?

I love that little girls play with dolls, everything is pink. Olivia tells me she loves pretending to be a ballet-er. I love that my little girls will comb my hair when I am trying to nap (sometimes they even cut it with real scissors but that is another story). I love that we own more pink than just about anyone on the block. I think girls are marvelous. I know I am raising 4 of my best friends.

That said I love that I have a boy and how different they are. I love that he is more physical and just rougher in his lovin's with me. I think that he is an amazing little being. I have proof there are some other fundamental differences between boys and girls. Boys are more interested in how stuff works. Asche is always looking at things and turnin them over in his hands. He just needs to know it all goes together. He is harder on stuff too. Look at these cute little baby toes sticking out the hole in his sock. How does one get a hole in a baby sock? I am not sure.

I know it looks like I have death grip on his foot, but have you ever tried to snap a picture of a wiggly baby who believes that kicking feet is the best? No babies were harmed in the taking of these photos (and no extra holes either).

How to make a boy fit in with 4 girls

This blanket is one I made especially for Asche. He gets to room with 2 girls so I was trying to think of something that would be really boy, really baby, and still work with 2 girls, one older and one younger. He was going to go in with Keneisha (the horse fan) and Brennady originally. We have since changed around the room arrangements but he will still be in with 2 girls eventually. I wanted to do pink and brown and blue and brown since that is so in style right now. The cowboy blanket was a perfect fit for everyone. I could make his all baby, blue, brown, and definitely boy and still make the girls' all girl and pink and brown and everything would go together.

This Pic is the horseshoe that I quilted in the blanket instead of doing boring straight lines to hold it all together.

The backing is flannel and so soft. I sashed it in dark navy blue flannel. The squares are all random fabrics. I think I counted 21 different fabrics for this. My mom did the appliques and embroideries (this was before I owned one of those kinds of toys hehe).

The front: The middle is all the cute mis-matched squares then the sashing is in the softest minkee like fabric that has little stars pressed into it (you can see a little of the fabric in the pic above and if you look close you can see the stars there too). Then I picked a square for the corners and edged it in decorator cording (like the stuff you put on draperies) so it would look like rope around the edge. I love it. Honestly it is my favorite quilt I have ever made.

The girls' quilt is really similar (and not finished since I didn't get them done before the baby, but I will finish them, in time.) Their quilts have pink in them and most of the same squares you see here. I am backing theirs in a fleece so I can use a thinner batting, if any, so it will be more comfy for them to use but still warm.

Constructive Criticism

So, after some helpful and welcome constructive criticism that I needed to include some pictures of the things I have made I took it to heart and did just that (thanks Heather, you always know what is best for gander even when the goose doesn't see it). I made the car seat cover and the canopy for the car seat here.

This is a pacifier case that goes great with the bag that follows. The inside is lined with pink and white polka dot fabric.
This cute bag is fun and roomy. I have lined it with the same fabric that is on the wipe cover and handles. This bag is great when you want something cute and different than everyone else out there and it really could double as a fun purse when baby has outgrown the need for diaper bags. The black courdory is nice sized pockets that can hold all the the little things momma needs at immediate reach--bottles, drops, socks, whatever you put in there.

I can make lots of other things too, I just haven't posted them today. I will as time goes on.