Personal Responsibility

So I must say being here in Germany has made me appreciate a country where more people have a sense of personal responsibility. I think that will be my campaign slogan if I ever run for congress. Example, I was in a waiting room at a doctor's office to speak with the anesthesiologist. So was everyone in the room. I was the third person in the room, then it got full. The doctor arrives and simple asks who's next. Everyone takes their turn all nice and neat, no numbers taken, just people knowing who was next. I thought this would never fly in the US. I mean I know it could some places but there is always a jag off who has to be a butthead.

So why has that disappeared? Where did it go? I personally think it went away because of the huge government involvement. Now we rely on the the government and or other entities to create a system and we blindly follow it. Small example: Traffic lights. When you are driving and approach a traffic light, that is what we are focused on. I am not downing traffic lights at all. But in Great Britain they did a study at a very busy 5 way intersection. They took away all traffic lights. And traffic ran smoother, less waiting and even pedestrians still crossed. It was amazing and unexpected.

People as a whole are not stupid all the time, sometimes yes, but given the chance we can work out our own system. But when there is something in place, sometimes it is worse off then trusting that people can have a sense of responsibility and not be a jerk. I think there would be less jerks if people as a whole were given a little more credit.

I am a libertarian. That is one of the core principles of the party. Another example that may seem crazy. All drugs should be legal. Why? Because if people chose to use drugs they must take the responsibility for the consequences. Can that happen in our nation, no probably not, but I can dream.

Endometriosis

So again, been awhile.

The husband has been gone and life as we know it is hectic. My endo came back and I had to get a laprascopy done and currently am recovering. The kids are being watched by various neighbors who are awesome.

On the child front, Lila has begun to stand on her own without and help (holy cow) and will probably be walking by Christmas. Odin is reading like crazy (holy cow). Marek regressed and is crapping his pants, but is also getting better. The End.

Not really. Our weeks seem to be busy but not too busy. The boys are starting to really have a hard time and get nightmares but thank you for Skype to help a little.

I will be sharing more stories as time goes on. Now it is time for a Percoset and bed.

Single stay at home parenting...

Well, not really single, but going at it alone.. I don't know why I feel compelled to write this. Maybe because the boys were wired this morning and wanted me to set up a tent that was busted while the baby was crying. No one in my area has three kids 5 and under who aren't in real school yet. My neighbor has 3 kids but her oldest is in kindergarden. She probably gets it, but she has all girls. Staying at home is not so bad, I really do value what I am doing and I know the kids will see it when they are older. But having to go at it alone everyday with them gets tiring, especially with the two boys. I try not to let them watch too much TV or play games, but usually at some point I have to give in because I can't let them do a lot. I can't let them out alone, we are on a 2nd floor apt. I can't let them jump or run around, we have people below us and I know it bugs them, they have complained before (but we are on good terms, I get it) It has been rainy for 3 weeks so it is hard to take them all out anyway. I have to take the dog out in the morning secretly so the toddler doesn't follow me half naked into the rain.

I have to watch the toddler's every move so he doesn't ring the doorbell downstairs or start drinking out of the dog water.

My house is a mess all the time.

I have been sick recently so it is hard just to do the dishes.

I know this is just venting but boy...

The 3rd child tips the scale. I will tell people there is a HUGE difference from two to three, not one to two.

Do I think I am a bad mom? Sometimes, but I have to look at the big picture and I know I am doing the best I can with our situation, and at the end of the day they are fed, clothed, sometimes cleaned, and loved. Sometimes I see that as my big accomplishment, that I could do that without walking out.

I can't have ten minutes without a Mommy, Mommy.

I know I will appreciate it when they are older, I already see it with the oldest, I miss him being so little and it just goes fast.

The years go fast, but the days run long.

I think how I use to get waxed and hair highlighted and pedicures and facials and now I am lucky to shave my legs!

I know when this craziness dies down, I will have other craziness.

I know I am doing a fine job, but a vacation would be nice, but it won't happen..

NOW THE GOOD NEWS:

After the hubby leaves, we will have help! She will be coming in a few times a week so I can go to the gym (oh my!) or run errands without kiddos. I can make dinner in peace without kids running in there.

This is just myself writing with the flow...

Been awhile

Well it has been awhile! And this morning started off with kids meeting me in bed requesting green eggs and ham. They helped with breakfast and in the middle of it baby woke up so I had go feed her. Then I finished breakfast and plated it, had to take the dog out. Then finally I got to have some coffee.

Hubby has been gone for two week, will be back soon, but then very busy before it is time for him to leave for awhile :-(

Some stories worth noting:

One Saturday Marek started the day off by getting into a can of tomato paste I had opened. So he finger painted all over the place. Shortly after that, he tried to shove scissors up his nose. He then found the sidewalk chalk and started eating the purple one. He then ate a banana. He then puked up purple chalky banana mess...wonderful.

We were outside playing and it was time to come in. Odin decides to be cool guy and run and jump over the swing...only his foot just misses and he totally eats it and get up and says, "It's okay, I'm ok!" I laughed very hard. IT was like watching someone slip on a banana peel.

This morning Marek got to put in the green food coloring. He then thought he could mix the eggs while in the pan and I had to yell because he was about to touch hot stove...

It had just rained but the sun came out so we went outside. Little did I know how much mud was out there and Marek was doing slip slides into it...

On a happy note: The boys are loving their sister. They love to talk to her and make her laugh which can be a big help when she is in her bouncy seat.

Destructo

AKA Marek.....

Haven't been keeping up with the blog so much so here is a summary of the great memories we will have with Marek.

1) During Grandma's visit, he was really quiet one day. Low and behold he found her red lipstick and decided to smear it everywhere. He was literally caught red handed.

2) Again, it became quiet and we could not see him. Daddy went to look and there he was in the bathroom in the cat box with a mouthful. Mmmm tasty.

3) He got a hold of a hot chocolate mix and proceeded to try and eat it in the closet. I had to sweep up all the fine powder and mop up all the powder/spit mix...wonderful.

I love my children dearly and these will be great memories, but that last one, I had yelled to my husband that I was done and one of us need to go and get fixed HA!

Lila

So finally we have a girl here! Lila was born on Feb 10, 2010 at 616pm Germany time. I went into the hospital at 4pm and she was born not much later! She was 7lbs 13 oz and 21 inches long. Both her and I are doing well and we went home the next day. We are now relaxing at home and enjoying the help of my mother and my mother in law who will be here in a few days. Here are a few pics!

Another ER trip....not for me

So this particular blog is about how my second child is the stereo-typical toddler. He has thus far in his life caused us to call Poison control twice in one day ( I had NEVER called with the first), has gotten a stool and gotten a kitchen knife on his own, has thrown multiple things in the toilet to include a whole roll of toilet paper.
Well now added to the list is an ER trip because he shoved something up his nose. I am so happy I have two boys...and thankful that this last one that I am carrying is a girl (by the way!)
I have always heard these stories but they seemed more like old wives tales. But now between the two of them, I am a seasoned pro. My older one had a broken leg at 14 months and also had to have tonsils removed at 3. The younger one as I said is the terrible twos if I have ever seen it.
All is well, he must have swallowed it by the time we got to the doc. He had a camera shoved up into his nose and down his throat to check. I have to watch for a fever in case it is actually in his sinuses, but otherwise, all is good. I hope I don't go into labor tonight....

Christmas pics

Holy cow! Is that a real light saber or a slow shutter speed?

Finally I am getting these up! So Odin got a star wars lego video game, a magic school bus DVD, a Monsters v Aliens DVD, and a sleeping bag. Santa brought him a new razor scooter. Marek got a sleeping bag, a Mr Potato Head and a light saber so he doesn't steal his brothers. He got a Razor Jr from Santa. Marshall got a watch from me (we agreed nothing, but I knew he needed one bad and it was on sale!)




I got these cute ceramic houses from the Christmas markets here. You can put a candle or incense in them. The incense smoke out and it looks like a rolling fog from underneath! They are all replicas of famous buildings in Germany.

It also snowed again! We went out of course and made snowballs and Marshall had to run around with the sled. Then Odin started to play with the gang of kids in the bball court in a fort building snow ball fight. It was so cute. Marshall stayed out and I brought Marek in and Marshall told me he had to attack all the kids. Of course, he is still a kid! I was not surprised!

Pregnancy is going well. I just need to make it to 36 weeks and I can deliver at the hospital near by. So 2 more to go to make it to a safer zone! Trying to take it easy, but I am nesting and poor Marshall has to deal with that.

My first knit neckwarmer!

So I got my alpaca/merino yarn in the mail and immediately started working on this neckwarmer that I found online at:
http://redthreadsblog.blogspot.com/2008/02/swirl-neckwarmer.html
Of course I am still a beginner and have no idea how to crochet, and didn't have anyone to ask at the time so I just put buttons on and put into a couple holes I accidentally made. It has a few mistakes, but i have to say I love it. It is super warm and feels soft and I feel accomplished for finishing it. Plus I learned a new stitch, the Brioche stitch which is a new favorite!

Ich habe Deutch im Krankanenhaus gelearnt

Translation: I learned German in the hospital (although spelling may be off)
So we had a great Christmas and the boys loved their gifts. We went to a fun holiday party on the 25th. That evening at about 11pm when we left I started feeling funny.
At 2am onthe 26th I decided that I needed to go to the hospital because I was feeling actual contractions. I was glad to have had 2 kids by then since well, I knew this was real labor, luckily it was still really early, but hey I was only 33 weeks.
And due to the situation here, it was best for me to go myself and if it was serious, call the hubby who would then try and find someone to watch the kiddos. Well turns out it was labor so they ambulanced me to the hospital in town with a neo natal unit and I got all kinds of meds. I was on the anti-contraction stuff for a whole day and a heart pill since it makes your pulse go fast (160). Then I was getting the shots of cortazone for the baby's lungs, just in case. Then I got the shot to prevent thrombosis since I was laid up.
I was thankful for the German I took in high school since it was needed now. The nurses were so happy that I understood most of what they were saying and could speak enough to get the point across.
I ended up being in the hospital for 4 days, it would have been more, but I said I wanted to go home. I wasn't having any more contractions and they were pretty sure it was due to some kind of infection (I was getting 3 doses of IV antibiotics a day!)
So no tax deduction for us, thank goodness and I have to hang on for at least 3 more weeks, I will be 37 by then and considered term.

All is going well and the house is trashed since I have to take it easy, but my wonderful hubby is playing with the kids a lot and making dinner and picking up, I am just nesting now (since we don't have a carseat yet, I now feel like I need to be ready!!) and poor husband has to deal with that!
Will update soon and put more pictures on!