Summer update! Long! Ah..

Hi! Okay for real this time Im going to start updating again. (And I wont delete this, promise Amanda Burg. ;) )   This is going to be a little update on everyone!

Grade: 4K
Favorite Color: Black
Favorite Food: Mac N Cheese
Favorite Subject: Playing
Favorite Movie: Big Hero 6
Favorite Summer Memory: Going swimming a lot!
Harper is doing amazing in school. We were alittle worried since hes really young and....well, hes Harper. But hes doing great. His teacher said hes such a happy kid and really wants to learn. Hes alittle bit to talkative but were all working on that haha. He loves it and is excited every day to go.

Grade: 1st
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Food: Apples, carrots, Cosmic Brownies, Spongebob Mac N Cheese
Favorite Subject: The Specials...like gym, computer, library
Favorite Movie: The Croods, The Little Mermaid
Favorite Summer Memory: Going to the beach a lot!
We definitely werent worried about Alikah and she is doing great too. Harper has a reading log and sometimes Alikahs homework is to read so she reads a book to Harper every night (getting both of their things done at once woo!) Alikah spent a lot of extra time at Nonnas this summer and loved it.

Im actually really surprised how well Ive fallen into the "school year" schedule. I get their backpacks ready the night before (And Alikahs lunch if shes having cold lunch), try to go to bed by 11, get Alikah and Harper up at 7:15, they alternate showering every other day, get them all ready to go. Their bus comes at 8 and then I usually go back to sleep for like an hour until Bodhi wakes up around 9. Some days though (like today) Harper woke him up so no nap for me haha.
Then me and Bodhi hang out until we go pick up Harper at 11.

Speaking of Bodhi:

He loves making "garages" and "train stations" with the wooden blocks. I can be on the computer in here and hell just play quitetly building his little cities behind me. He still loves Thomas. Hes very smart and funny. Love playing with Alikah and Harper. Hes scared of spiders and cars...if were walking anywhere and a car drive passed he starts screaming because he thinks theyre going to hit us. (Im guessing he got that fear from me haha) Hes still in his crib with his cribbies and music.
Favorite Food: Chicken, mandarin oranges, crackers
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Movie: I like Thomas
Favorite Toy: Gordon (train)
     (Harper just chimed in and said his favorite toy was Spencer (the train) )


Okay so me. Ive been pretty good.
Most people that know me know that last year was pretty rough.
Just a little refresher because I dont think Ive wrote about it since last year....After Marshall died I kind of lost my mind for awhile. The doctor I ended up seeing was phenomenal and I finally got on the right meds for my bipolar and OCD. I also got on the right meds for my heart and havent been to the hospital in months thankfully!!
This article is so true. The waves still come, but less often. I cant say they arent as hard though. Id day when they hit me theyre still 100 feet tall.

(His ashes.)

But I feel okay most of the time. Sometimes I do feel....boring? Numb? But I know I need to stay on my meds. Its the best for everyone.

We had an awesome summer. Spent a lot of time at the lake near by. Went to "A Day Out With Thomas"  on Harper's birthday. Had sleepovers with grandmas and grandpas. Stayed at hotels for fun (or when it was too damn hot in our house!) Lots of backyard swimming in the $10 inflatable pool we bought (cannot believe it lasted all summer haha) and cookouts, bonfires. We were in a parade for Spencers work and the kids loveddd that. Went up north to the cabin - For the last time!! Before the new one gets built! Thats pretty bittersweet. Went to my first Packers game at Lambeau with Spencer. Never again. Way too many people and I dont even like football lol.

I did not walk with my Nike+ AT ALL this Summer....Ill planning on starting again with the boys after we pick Harper up from school, once it cools down. Theres no way Id go work out in 90 degree heat...



And something Im SO excited about....Spencer got a new job! A fucking GREAT new job! I am so proud of him. It is a HUGE pay increase and great benefits. Its going to be so awesome for us.
I posted on facebook about this what seems like FOREVER ago because he was supposed to start the next day (sorry to everyone that thought I was pregnant lol) but his old job really needs him for a little bit longer so he doesnt start this new one for a bit. But itll be worth the wait :)

Okay phew I think thats all......hopefully.

kid updates! & hotels

Alikah (Almost 6)

LeapPad, writings, drawing, making crafts, singing, dancing, showers, hot tubs, her kiki (baby blankie) is back.
Lost 2 teeth! Her first one was so loose I pulled it out and she was kicking and crying and didnt even realize when I pulled it out haha. So then she knew it didnt hurt and pulled the 2nd one out herself! Saw her first movie in a theatre with me. We saw SpongeBob. I didnt like it, she did though. And then she saw Paddington with Nonna!
Shes very independent and smart. Likes to pick out her own outfits. Her 2 best friends right now are Layla and Harley. "Boyfriend" is Nolan.
Books: Mo Williams, books about animals, Love Storybook Collection, any really.
TV: Bob's Burgers, Spongebob, Paw Patrol, Octonauts, Blaze, Teen Titans, Breadwinners, Sanjay and Craig
Movies: Oceans, Frozen, Shrek, Wreck It Ralph, The Heat...
Food: Plain noodles, granola bars, cosmic brownies, apples, strawberries, cheeseburgers, banana bread, pancakes, waffles, cereal..

Harper (3.5)

 

Trucks, his ba, wrestling, Spencer, making castles with blankets and pillows, being allowed in Alikahs room, undies, swimming, brushing his teeth....
Potty trained! He potty trained in one day. He can swim! Hes extremely talkative. Hell talk to anyone. But sometimes/a lot of the time he just rambles on and on and on to himself haha. Hes very sweet. He does not listen AT ALL. I made a little booklet for him (Colors, numbers, letters, shapes) to work on, because he starts 4K next year and he needs the practice. Hes been doing a little better so far :)
Movies: All the Shreks, Chipmunks, Wreck It Ralph
TV: Spongebob, Blaze, UmiZoomi, Wallykazam, Amazing World of Gumball, Uncle Grandpa
Food: Pizza, crackers, toast, noodles, mac n cheese, chips, hot dogs, pretzels, cheetos..

Bodhi (2.5)

 

Loud. He shrieks. Its the most annoying sound in the world and I cant wait for it to phase out. Likes Thomas. He has so much Thomas stuff. I have no idea how many toys, tracks, clothes, hats, etc..He sleeps with Thomas' and brings Thomas' everywhere. He lines them up really nicely.
Hes talking great. Almost Better the Harper. Spreaking of Harper, he calls Harper "Bodhi." We have no idea why haha. He used to hate baths and then one day we said "bathtime!" and he was like, "YA!!!" Me and Spencer looked at each other like what the hell? but ever since then he loves them. He screams, "GO!!" at stop lights. Likes to "help" me fold clothes by throwing them on my lap.
He likes swimming, shopping and brushing his teeth. He likes practicing Harpers booklet with him. Hes so adorable and uses his manners really well. Hes funny and super ticklish. Oh and he dreads his hair. He doesnt do it as much as he used to but he dreads it himself and loves them. He cries when we cut them out. (We only cut them out for special occasions..like family Christmas or something)
Books: Thomas books and lift-a-fap books.
TV: Thomas, Blues Clues, Octonauts, Spongebob, Bubble Guppies...
Movies: All the Shreks, Toy Story 3, Turtle Tale, LeapFrog movies...
Food: Toast with jelly, pizza, chicken nuggets, crackers, cinnamon toast crunch, granola bars, all fruit esp. strawberries, cuties, and pineapple, mac n cheese, cookies...

We stayed at a hotel twice this month. The kids loved it, we ate like shit, they all loved swimming, Bodhi wanted to wear arm floats and was trying hard to swim, Alikah taught herself to go underwater and even walk underwater for alittle bit but shes still scared to actually swim.

For Alikah's birthday (April 18th) were going to the Kalahari hotel/water park. Its a surprise and shes going to LOVE it. My mom, sisters and brother are coming.

Ill add to the lists if I think of more :)
As you can see all 3 of them are obsessed with Shrek right now.
Theyre at the ages where they can all play together now and most of the time they play really well. Sometimes they start fighting but they get over it pretty quick. They like playing pretend....theyll pretend theyre grandma, grandpa, Lukey, monster trucks, babies, zombies, each other (we think that might be who Bodhi calls Harper "Bodhi") Theyll play "Paw Patrol" and "Shrek" of course. They wrestle like crazy. Hide N Seek. Harpers allowed to play in Alikah's room if she says so and he loves that.

 

 

I got these cat footies for $3 and posted that picture on facebook. The next day Spencer sent me that picture of himself hahaha. 

sunshine all the time makes a desert

She loves the lights this hat makes in the sun :) 

Alikah: School, ABCmouse, writing, drawing/coloring, dancing, jokes, bath time, our Q&A book at bedtime, wrestling with Bodhi, playing with Harper. Frozen. Doc McStuffins. 

fell asleep on daddy

Harper: Trains, cars, blocks, cooking, food, working on his colors and counting, making huge messes and causing trouble. Spongebob, Thomas, Mickey Mouse. 

Bodhi: Balls, music, dancing, trains and cars, crackers, books. Tickety Toc. 

Harper dumped out containers of Ovaltine and Fiber powder. Bodhi was eating handfuls of Ovaltine off the floor. 

After the Ovaltine incident, before bath. Harper is so proud. 

Valentines/Anniversary set up.

kids update 2013 NYE

Alikah:
Sassy, Bossy, Motherly, likes to put me in my place if she thinks Im being "too mean" to the boys, fights with Harper so much but would never let anyone touch or hurt him or Boden. She helps with them so much.
Shes way advanced in school, loves coloring, spelling, Barbies, Ellie, ABCMouse, DisneyJR Online, always wants to write and send letters to people, loves all Hoildays and our new hotel weekends, playing outside, Doc McStuffins, Curious George and Julius Jr.

Harper:
Dinosaur. The end.
Just kidding. Like I always say he is the sweetest funniest dinosaur ever. He now yells NO when we tell him "time out!" and when we ask him if hes being naughty on purpose he will grin and say, "Yeah." He climbs on everything. He makes messes. He LOOKS for trouble to get into. But then he cuddles. He cuddles and laughs and asks for huggies and kissies and gets sad if he doesnt get to give them to Bodhi before a nap. Hes very protective over Alikah and Bodhi. He has no indoor voice. Him and Bodhi share a room now and he wakes up Bodhi every morning and gives him a toy or book and climbs into the crib with him (which makes me soooo mad because he wakes him up but its also adorable even though Id never admit that at 7AM.) A few months ago he only spoke dinosaur but now I can pretty much understand everything he says and its amazing to watch him learn and grow in that way. He love Chuggington, Thomas, and Mickey Mouse.


Bodhi:
Is an angel. Walks everywhere, runs. His new facial expressions make me smile or crack up. He still loves to eat. Hes extremely sensitive, he cries if anyone yells. Hes a little dramatic...when hes upset hell slowly lower himself to the floor on his stomach and pout/whine. Hes a clinger and loves his mama, dada and siblings. Hes not a little baby anymore :( Weve gotten rid of most of our baby toys. He absolutely hates his carseat. He never screams as loud as he does when we are in the car. He laughs when I change his diaper where as both other kids hatttted it. Hes impatient in the morning when we need to change him, get a drink and food. He wants all 3 DONE. NOW. His favorites toys are balls and cars. He loves throwing balls. And music, dancing and playing kitchen.
He likes the Chugginton theme song.......and the SVU one (oops)

quick updater

One day until Bodhi is 11 months so I figured Id update about everyone else too, since I havent for awhile.

Alikah LOVES school. She only goes to half-day 4K. She was in preschool longer than shes in 4K haha but she does love going. She cant take the bus home for whatever reason so I have to pick her up everyday. I drive! Its like a 1 minute drive but still. Harper hated going so I bring him over to Lyndsies then meet them when we get back and we all walk to get Taitum from the bus stop.

Everyone got new routines with school. The first couple days were all messed up but now the boys have new naptimes and it works out alright.

Harper is talking a lot more and loves trains. Hes changing a little, he used to always be insanely crazy and loud and now a lot of the time when theres people over hell kind of wander off by himself. Still loves cookin ;)

Bodhi crawls, sits, and absolutely loves his walker. He runs his little cute butt off. He doesnt eat any baby food anymore. He wouldnt let anyone feed him so we just started giving him our food and he loved it. He'll eat anything haha. Ill update more on him tomorrow...

I thought about writing about me for awhile and decided why not. Ive been seeing 2 new doctors and my psychiatrist is stopping all my antidepressants and putting me on one medicine just for OCD. Shell give me meds for my panic attacks if they come back too but right now she thinks my OCD is the root of  most of my anxiety problems and wants to get that figured out first. Im really interested and somewhat scared of how Ill be once they start working...

delay

Sorry for the lack of updates.
-Spencer's grandma passed away on March 20th. Shes been in assisted living since she broke her hip but it was still unexpected. Spencer's mom was with her before it happened and she was fine...then she stopped breathing over night. They brought her back to life and she was on life support until the next day. So we were out of town this past weekend for the funeral. It really sucks. A lot.

-My best friend is in Wisconsin! (She lives in Nevada) Her and her family were here last Thursday and are on there way back right now! My house gets completely destroyed with 5 kids running around but its worth it ;)

-I had my ENT appointment. My throat is almost completely closed. They are starting me on meds for 2-3 months. I go back in 2 months so they can check again. They suggested to raise our headboard because laying flat makes it worse (which sounds weird but my throat is always worse in the morning so that made total sense to me.) The doctor said right now she doesnt think its looks like cancer which is what they worry about the most so that is the good news!

-For Easter we are going up north to Spencer's other grandmas house.

-We are going on vacation for Alikah's birthday in 2 weeks so we need to get all that sorted out. Still need to buy her decorations and presents, etc...

So yeah just really busy and so much to do. I will do a photo update asap, possibly tomorrow night?

only the gentle are ever really strong

 

right now. so pretty :)

butt!

he holds his own bottle. too big :(

Spencer always throws his crap on the counter so today I made this for him to put it in so I dont have to look at it anymore haha

*Harper runs away from the camera lately. Thats why theres no pictures of him haha
*Im used to Windows 8 now. I got it figured out mostly...
*Harper is 5 months in 2 days!!
*Im getting a treadmill tomorrow! Off craigslist, they only live like a block away. Im so freaking excited, I cannot wait to run again!
*I contacted a dermatology place yesterday. Hopefully Ill be able to get an appointment soon :]

"It takes courage to live - courage and strength and hope and humor. And courage and strength and hope and humor have to be bought and paid for with pain and work and prayers and tears."

"The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears."