Sleep.....what is that?

I never want to forget the things that happen during these years. They are going by in such a blur and I often feel like I am missing things because I am so tired. Why am I so tired, really you have to ask. Firstly I am not a great sleeper, even as  an infant and child I had a tough time sleeping (my nickname was Black Eyes down to my Belly Button, nice hey). So that is not a good starter.
I have a 6 month old who doesn't want to sleep good unless he is attached his pacifier (which is me) and cuddled up close.
And I have Renae, need I say more. She is exhausting and going ALL DAY LONG!
I am NOT wishing my days away but somedays can go by alittle faster then others.
I had the most wonderful visit with a couple of friends this morning that really helped jump start my very tired day. One friend who is 6 years my junior with only 1 child was so helpful and supportive as I expressed my frustrations with no sleep and nursing babies. She said just the things I needed to hear, kind of like an answered prayer.
I noted some of the highlights from my day on Friday, mostly for my benefit so I can always remember the things I survived during these tired days and years.

Lindy and Nicole fighing, Lindy saying I hate you is just an expression, she didn't really mean it. I tried really hard not to laugh because she was so mad.

Chiropracter meltdown, crying as he was treating me then him asking if I was being hurt at home (I said No but thought Yes by my children, they won't let me sleep)

Renae helping clean up by messing everything up.

Renae getting into and wrecking some of my make up (not just something that happened today, she does this often)

Renae constantly taking off her diaper and a bare bum, no accidents so why am I complaining.

Hugs from my mom.

Steve being gone all day, not getting home till almost 10pm.

Falling down on a hill with the carseat

Almost getting in an accident (tired driving)

Calling Dana to get the I  need to 'fockerize' my baby. I need to start sleep training my sweet Nate Boy because things are not working and Momma is tired.

Fast forward past a lovely but busy weekend.
The girls did great for their Primary Presentation, they sang the songs, Nicole did great on her part (it was on honesty, quite fitting for her as she is quite the tricker), Lindy got stage fright to do her part which she was said about after but there is always next year.

I dress them up so I know how cute they are on the days when they aren't so cute. This is what they wore for the Primary Presentation. I love the matching dresses (from Costco)

Monday, Nathan hardly slept an hour straight last night. He is congested and just couldn't settle down which then makes for a tired Mommy this morning. Nicole promised to be a good girl, which she was for the most part. Renae on the other hand took it upon herself to undress after she was already dressed and hop in the bath. I figured sure it would keep her busy. Really Leah, what were you thinking. She proceeded to dump out half the bath water on the bathroom floor. Nice!

Helping change diapers :)

This picture makes me laugh, they LOVE each other!

I love my children, I love my life, I wouldn't trade anything or fast forward any of these days because I treasure them overall. I just wished some nights would allow for alittle more sleep!

August - Swimming and Hair Cuts

We went to my Grandparents in Chemainus alot this August mostly because I could go put Renae down for a nap and enjoy some quiet in a cool environment. And because there was always family up there to socialize with. I love my Gramma and Grampa so much and cannot imagine my world without them (I try not to think about it too much). The girls loved swimming, there were always cousins to play with and they improved so much in their swimming skills this summer (they were in the water ALOT).



Grampa escaping for a quiet moment from the kids

 August also seemed like a good time to chop Nicole's hair. She doesn't keep things in it and she looks like a rag-a-muffin. So we decided before she started Kindergarten that she should get a new do. She was very excited (my Mom cried because she is growing up too fast) and Auntie Daphne did the chop. She looks cute as a button now (not that she didn't before, I just don't have to deal with tangles).

Before

During (that's her pony tail)

After

Auntie Daphne checking it out with her

August - Visit to Grandma Tyskerud

We went up to my Mom and Dad's for a couple nights before school started. I hadn't been there since I had Nathan and my Mom felt it was time for him to come and visit. The kids love going there and had lots of fun. Even though it's not the house I grew up in there is always something nice about going home to Mom's house and hugging her in the kitchen. My Mom took Nicole on a special date (no pics they are on her camera) they went to the beach and looked for crabs. They also went to DQ for a treat, Nicole loved having special time with her Grandma. I had special time too, Renae slept for 3 hours that day and Nathan had a nap on me so we had quiet time together, wonderful!

I'm going to get you Mommy!

Renae's mini pool

Sprinkler + bucket = super easy and fun time for Renae

Happy Nathan 3 1/2 months old

This is my "I survived my first sleepover outing with 4 kids" look. I love my kids!

August - Camping

Doing some catch up!
August long weekend, the big girls went camping with my Mom and Dad. We were all supposed to go but then Steve ended up working (getting the new High School in Port Alberni done). A bunch of my family camped at Grandma and Grandpa's lake in Chemainus, Mom and Dad brought their motor home down and graciously allowed the girls to stay with them so they wouldn't miss out because I was NOT camping on my own with 4 kids (I came home with the 2 little ones every night). Lindy and Nicole had sooo much fun swimming, eating, playing and being with cousins.

Lindy got alittle sunkissed over the weekend (the weather was BEAUTIFUL!)

my little Hoola Hooper, she wowed all the family with her skills

The picture is all about summer to me

Playing the ipad with Uncle Travis

Renae played alittle volleyball with big cousin Dawson

Cheeky Lindy

Nathan enjoying the shade and a swing with Grandpa

Nathan's first swim in the lake

He liked the water, dispite his face. I also got my hair french braided by my Auntie Brenda, haven't had that done in forever!

Post swim snuggle with Grandma

Having dinner at the picnic table, they loved it!

SWIMMING, never got tired of this all summer long

Thanks for a wonderful sunny, fun weekend camping Grandma and Grandpa, lets do it again next year!

6 months old!!!

I cannot believe my little Nathan is 6 months old already. Where has the time gone??? There have been so many times in the last 6 months that I have thought "I should blog that" but haven't gotten around to it because I AM TIRED!!! Lame excuse right, no it is a good excuse, the first 6 months are quite busy and trying, I am just happy to still be alive to tell the tale.

This is my sweet Nathan at 6 months old. He is amazing! He started rolling this week first from his front to back then he figured out a couple days later to do from back to front. He doesn't like being on his tummy unless you are down there with him. I know I am biased but he is seriously the happiest, full of smiles, and most handsome baby alive. I never get tired of making him smile. I love to smother him in kisses, tickle him everywhere, touch his soft skin, hold his little hands, play with his hair, I just love him so much! I love having a son!!!! Ok have I gushed enough now???
So I do have a few blog worthy moments to share because I do not want to forget them. I fed him rice cereal for the first time 2 weeks ago, he didn't really know what to do with it. Fast forward 2 weeks, he quite likes it now and pleased that I'm sharing food because he has been doing the stare down for us to share with him.
Yesterday I set him up in his chair and gave him a couple spoons to play with and returned to making dinner. Within 15 seconds, Renae (oh my sweet Renae) went to the fridge, got out a yogurt, opened it and sat it down in front of her brother. So nice, she wanted to feed him, she saw that he had spoons so he obviously needed food. I quickly scooped it away and told her that we don't feed baby, only Mommy feeds him. She was annoyed at me for foiling her plan but then started destroying a cupboard and got distracted.
Funny thing is, that was NOT the first time she has tried to feed him. Confessions of a super awesome Mom coming up.......
Renae fed Nathan peanut butter when he was 4 months old. I was sitting right there too and didn't notice. I even smelled it and didn't register how close it was. I look down at my sweet baby and he is sucking on a spoon covered in peanut butter quite happily. I had a little freak out as you can imagine, wiped him and then stuck him in the bath, all the time monitering if he was breathing properly or having a reaction. He was fine, she got in trouble (not that it did any good, read on).
Last week I went up to my Mom's, left Nathan on the floor to play and was talking to my Mom in the kitchen. All of a sudden I hear this strange gagging sound and a panic rushed over me. I ran over to Nathan (Renae was sitting beside him) and saw a round taco chip in his mouth. I rolled him over and scooped it all out, strongly telling his sister that WE DON'T FEED BABY! Again he was ok (Thanks be to the angels that are watching over him) but I was catching on that I cannot leave my baby unattending when Renae is around.
Last Sunday, getting ready for church in the morning and everything was going smoothly. The girls had eaten breakfast, Nathan was in his exer-saucer chair, so I sat down to eat. All of a sudden I see Renae over at her brother and I just had that feeling. I run over and pull out a Vitamin C that she had fed him (she was making the mmmmmmm noise to him). That little girl is sooooo busy!!!
Nathan and I have survived our first 6 months together. I hope that will be alittle more dilligent about blogging because I have too many moments that I don't want to forget. It has gone by so fast in a lot of ways and I want time to slow down. I feel a little more normal these days, healing and some nights getting more sleep. I hope the rice cereal will help with the sleeping factor.
I am so grateful for all of my children, they are wonderful and I love them more then anything!

My kids all zoned out watching an educational movie (yeah right), they are the greatest!

Nicole turns 5

Nicole has been waiting and counting down till she turned 5 for quite a few months before the actual big day. We even had a countdown chart until Renae ripped it off the fridge. So when the actual day (July26) finally came we were all really excited to celebrate with the birthday girl.
She had a little party in the morning with some of her 5 year old friends and then we headed to Gramma's Lake in Chemainus so she could swim the afternoon away and celebrate with family. It was a great day, she was so tired she fell asleep 5 minutes out of the driveway. Happy 5th Birthday my lovely Nicole!

last day of being 4

So excited to finally be 5 just like her friends

She wanted a Flip Flop Birthday, Auntie Daphne came to give pedicures for the girls

enjoying some snacks, letting toes dry

DANCING!!!!

all of their Beautiful toes

playing "Pin the flower of the Flip Flop"

me and my birthday girl

they all went home with pretty toes, new flip flops, and a hairband

Cookie Cake at the Lake with family

I know this post is about Nicole but this is my "YEAH I'M DONE ANOTHER BIRTHDAY" shot

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY NICOLE LYNN HOBBS

You make me laugh, cry, dance, sing and enjoy my life all the more because you are a part of it, I love you!