Wordless Wednesday

 

6 months ago today, my sweet baby number 4 was born.

Paisley Jayne, I love you! 

Boy Crazy

As I sit here watching my middle daughter at her first "boy" birthday party, I am seeing more and more of myself in her. She is very girly in the fact that she wears dresses and high heels to school, wants to wear makeup at home (which I hardly let happen), and wants her hair fixed all the time. I, on the other hand, was a complete tom boy. I would wear my athletic clothes 24/7 if I could, and I would even wear my dad's polo shirts to school. 

Ella is like me, that she has no problem hanging out with the boys. I had several boys as friends as I was growing up, and when I was younger I was much more drawn to them. They were easier to get a long with, they liked to play sports and hide and seek, and I think I loved being one of the few girls. 

Ella is the only girl at the party tonight and she is still having a blast, but being a indoor swim party, I knew she would.

I am worried for her though, because I do see myself in her. I was obsessed with boys growing up. OBSESSED, I tell you. I thought they were cute, I flirted, and I wanted them to notice me. I see all of this in her already.  I was very into sports once high school and middle school came around, but I still thought about boys non stop. 

I had my first boyfriend in 4th or 5th grade and by the time middle school came around, I was never "single." In high school, I would even date more than one at a time (from different towns).

I don't know why I acted this way. I needed a boy to make me happy. I needed to know I was wanted. I got plenty of attention from my dad, if that's what you are thinking. I have always felt I needed a man to make me happy.

I hope I can teach my daughter(s) different. I hope that I can teach them that your happiness does not need to come from a boy. You decide your happiness. 

Even now after being married almost 9 years, I have a hard time making myself happy. I struggle with being happy and doing things that are going to make me happy. My husband and children make me happy (most of the time), but I have a hard time keeping myself happy. 

I just want my daughters to grow up knowing what makes them happy, and being able to do it themselves. 

*You probably just learned WAY more about me than you wanted to know.*

Things I Am Doing Different With Baby #4

Things I am Doing Different With Baby #4

• She is very attached to her paci.  Brayden and Ella didn't even take one.
• We are not co-sleeping anymore.
• I put her to sleep in her crib at the beginning of the night.
• I nurse her in the middle of the night in my bed, and then put her in the pack and play for the rest of the night.
• I put her down for naps and bedtime awake in her crib.
• I never worried about the noise level when she was trying to go to sleep.  She is actually a much better sleeper with noise.
• I let her fuss if I need to focus on things for the other 3 kiddos (like dinner) if she is fed and dry.
• I am taking more photos of her (thanks to my iPhone and Instagram), especially monthly milestone pics.
• She is eating fruits and veggies but no cereal yet (she is almost 6 months).
• She drinks water only when she is eating fruits and veggies.
• She takes a lot less baths.  She doesn't spit up at all and she very rarely has blowouts, which makes for a less dirty baby.
• I have not used my video camera with her at all, this one makes me very sad actually.  I need to start ASAP.
• I am putting big bows on her, which I never did with my older girls.

I am sure there are more, but that's all I can think of right now.  I am sure I will add more another time.

How did you do things different with your babies?

Monday Madness

Brrr!!  It is a cold one here today, 12 degrees!  March has officially become the crazy weather month.  Saturday, the kids were running around in shorts playing outside all day because it was in the 80s.  Overnight Sunday, it dropped roughly 70 degrees.  Seriously Mother Nature?  Make up your mind.  This time last year, we went from 90 to snow!

It was a rough start to the morning today.  Maddi woke up with a sore throat and Ella with a tummy ache.  Neither one was severe enough to stay home from school.  I am hoping I don't get a call halfway through the day.

Monday's are always crazy in our house.  Getting up, lunches ready, and to school on time always seems harder on Monday.

In my house, this Monday also means getting the house back in order.  The laundry has piled up, the kitchen and bathrooms need a good cleaning, the living room needs straightening up, and I should probably shower.  Basically I did nothing this weekend.

How do Monday's go in your house?

What do you need to catch up on?

Hello Weekend

Hello Saturday Morning!!  I could not be more excited to see you!!  This week drug on and felt like it lasted forever, but the weekend has finally made it appearance.  Hallelujah!

My big girls spent last night with friends, and I know they are having a blast.  I think it is important for the big girls to just get away and have some fun with their friends.  As much as I want the girls to have sleepovers here and for me to be the "fun mom," I enjoy them going to their friends houses.  I know that we all need time away from each other even if it is just for the night.  Maddi and Ella play great together (most of the time), but it is good for them to each have separate friends at separate houses, so they get time away from each other also. 

Not much is on the agenda this weekend.  Maybe some organizing, laundry, dusting, or hopefully just a lot of play time.  Texas weather is so beyond wacky that today are supposed to be up in the 80s but tomorrow we will be in the 20s, so I guess we need to play outside while we can.

I hope everyone has a great day!!