One Month Update

We've "survived" the first month with Charlotte. Aaron has been amazing. Taking more than his fair share of "turns" with a screaming babe in the early morning hours before dawn. I honestly can say I do not know how anyone can do this on their own. I know women who have and they have my most sincere admiration. I am no longer moving on auto-pilot. I have moved into feeling pretty good-minus the chest area-but know that I've only got to take that so much farther before we're done. The girls are doing pretty well with Charlotte. They have switched the first reactions of her. Anna was the little mother when Charlotte first came home and Abby was the one that wanted to kill her (patting her ever so gently on the arm while smiling and then going in for the kill while still smiling). Now Anna is the one that is sooo tired of her and all the time that it takes away from her and mommy. "Put that baby back in the basket." Abby is now the nurturer. She has completely bonded with her own baby doll this past month. She burps her and rubs her back...carting her all over the house cooing and shushing. Its an absolute blessing to see. Now if only I can convince Anna that this baby is a wonderful thing and here to stay. :)

Bringing It All Into Focus

Why write a blog? How mundane. How self-possessed.

Well, because for the two minutes and thirty-eight seconds that it takes me to write this, I am breathing slowly...in and out. I can feel this. I could count the breathes if I wanted to. This time is mine. Selfish? Yes. But, for that two minutes and thirty-eight seconds I am able to do something that I enjoy. Putting words together and marking memories. My Oldest daughter went "number 2" on the toilet today for the first time...by herself without any prompting. My middle daughter is mimicing me by mothering her doll. My youngest daughter sees me and feels my spirit and is content just to be with me. All of these things bring joy to me. They are all pieces of the happiness that I will carry with me for always. I suppose that this blog is just another way for me to remember that, down the road when there are darker days, that I have this happiness inside of me and wherein lies my joy.

Securing the Perimeters

Everyday, before I let the little pumpkin-heads(a childhood term of endearment-don't think I'm calling my babies names) out of their prospective dungeons, I must secure the perimeters. First, I make their breakfasts and fill their milk cups and put them on their table in the living room. We don't usually eat breakfast in the kitchen when I'm nursing; because I will, without a doubt have to nurse before they finish eating. Second I push in the chairs the dining room table and at my computer desk. If I leave these out, it is as though I have extended an open invitation to Anna to explore whatever she can reach from these chairs. Second, I must gate off the kitchen so that I don't have to hop up with babe at breast to save Anna from whatever she's found in the kitchen or save Abby from whatever Anna has found in the kitchen. We then close the back bedroom door which all have those child safety lock thing-ys on them that Anna is getting pretty good at taking off(What do we do now?!). Close the bathroom and laundry room door and make certain the front door is bolted. The little boogers can now escape from their rooms and our day begins.

What a Difference a Couple of Days Make

I can now move my level of tiredness down to "Freaking Tired" on the scale of tired. I can sit down once again without falling asleep. I no longer feel like I am running on auto-pilot...at least for today. Things are going in the right direction. Charlotte fed 7:30, 12-ish and then not until 5 and Aaron put her back to bed after I fed her, so that I went to sleep right away. Just getting a more normal amount of sleep really helps with the mommy processes. I've not been so snappy or down on my lot. I've been able to hold and enjoy...laugh and play with my girls and not just wish and pray that it was already bedtime or nap time. :)

Tired...So Freakity, Freaking Tired

I don't know where my energy has gone...Oh, wait...yes I do. It's all being sucked in by these three beautiful little girls. I have a 2 year old, 1 year old and a 3 week old. My 2 year old has given up naps. She's done...the plus side of that is that she'll sleep 12+ hours at night. My one year old needs to be moved into the bedroom with her big sister, but as I've said above mommy is too freakity, freaking tired to keep dealing with putting a child who is so wonderfully capable of getting out of bed back in to her bed. I'm glad that I had a week of pretty pain free nursing before it became unbearably horrid because Charlotte and I were able to get some good bonding in; unlike with Abby, who's nursing was pretty much hellish the entire first two months of her life...which really delays bonding if every time you see your baby you want to cry because it causes so much pain to do something that is supposed to be so natural. HA! Anyway, it gets better. I know that...I just don't want to hear it right now. I want someone to hold my hand and tell me that I have every right to feel like I'm trapped in some dark corner with just tiny glimpses of heaven every now and then to torture me even more.

50 Reasons I Love You-For My Husband Aaron

50 Reasons Why I Love You: Valentine's Day 2008
You make me smile. You're the One I want to grow old with. We make beautiful babies. You're Ticklish. You have beautiful eyes. You'll never leave me. You change diapers without being asked. You protect me. Your intelligence. The feeling I get when you come home. You steal the covers. You work hard to support our family. You hold my hand and put your arm around me in public. You're a great daddy. You want to be with me and only me. The way you smell after a shower. Pillow-talk. You watch my girl-y movies with me. You hold me when I cry. When you're grumpy because you need coffee. You accept me despite my obsession for Coca-Cola. You desire me. You cuddle with me. You enjoy going for walks. You ask if I'm okay. You understand me...even when I'm sobbing. You don't yell at me. Even when you're playing your computer games, you steal glances at me. You'll take care of the babies when you know I need a break; even at 3:00 in the morning. You buy me flowers on non-holiday days. You know that I love the Holiday shaped Reese's Cups and that the Easter Eggs are my favorites. Story, Indiana. You get excited by computer parts. We learn things together. You read to me. I can trust you completely. You respect me. The way you feel. The way you hold me after we make love. You show me everyday how much you love me; not only that you tell me. Kisses when you come home from work. You're so coot. You dilute the last drop of hand-soap with water rather than refill it with soap. I can cry in front of you. You say “Poopie.” You pick up toys. You sing with me. It's okay that there are dirty dishes in the sink, laundry piled-up on the bed and I haven't vacuumed. You defend me. You're my best friend. With All My Love-Sarah

"You Save Me"

A song by Kenny Chesney that came on the radio last night as I was coming home from a diaper run. Very nice for Valentine's Day.

Every now and then
I get a little lost
The strings all get tangled
The wires all get crossed
Every now and then
I’m right upon the edge
Danglin’ my toes out over the ledge
I just thank God you’re here

(Chorus)
['Cause] when I’m a bullet shot out of a gun
['Cause] when I’m a firecracker comin’ undone
When I’m a fugitive ready to run
All wild-eyed and crazy
No matter where my reckless soul takes me
Baby you save me

It’s hard lovin’ a man
That’s got a gypsy soul
I don’t know how you do it
I’m not sure how you know
The perfect thing to say
To save me from myself
You’re the angel that believes in me
Like nobody else
And I thank God you do

(Chorus)

Well I know I don’t tell you nearly enough
I couldn’t live one day without your love
When I’m a ship tossed around on the waves
Up on a high wire that’s ready to break
When I’ve had just about all I can take
Baby, you,Baby you save me

(Chorus)

Fall Back and Regroup

Yesterday afternoon was rough for us. I had one constipated newborn and two babies who didn't seem to be able to stop pooping. And, on top of our bowel issues...no one napped. As all of you mama's out there know; naps are beyond important at this stage of the game. Anyway, I was nursing Charlotte at 4:00 when the power flickered out and then came back on. Anna is trying to pull the coo-koo clock that Aaron's brother, Bill, sent to him when he was stationed in Germany...something that means an awful lot to Aaron...completely off the wall. She keeps jerking it...and when I hop up to stop her, babe still latched to breast, she runs in the opposite direction chortling gleefully. This goes on for about 3 more times before I succeed in catching the little booger butt and swatting said bottom. I turn the computer on to restart and check my instant messanger to see if hubby is still at work. I notice his icon is no longer highlighted and send a prayer of thanks up to God that my husband, my life preserver, is coming home. That moment, I hear the key in the lock...Thank you, Jesus! Amen!

I've done it!

I have washed them, dried them, boxed them up and carried them to the garage. Where, HOPEFULLY, they will stay for the next 18 months to 2 years. I hope, I hope, I hope. What are they? Why, my maternity clothes of course! While having three babies in three years was most definitely what God had in mind for us...we most definitely need a break. We need a break from the small child up in the middle of the night wanting nursed...and that especially I need a break from...nursing. I'll give my six months to Charlotte, but that is all I have promised any of my children, because quite frankly it hurts. I am not a wimp though, because if I was I would have quit. And I would not be nursing my third child. Anyway, Don't expect to be receiving anymore shocking new baby news from us for a long time. Although, while this is our plan, I realize that God often times has different plans for us than the ones we make for ourselves. But, all I can hope is that when He looks down on me, He realizes that us Greenwoods, we may not be ready for another blessing like the three we've already got for some time to come. :)

You Can't Teach That

It has happened. Without any kind of teaching on my part...just pure instinct...Abby has become the annoying little sister. Anna has two things right now that she considers hers alone and no one elses...she just flat out will not share these two things. One, her pink blanket that she's had since birth. Second, a little Cinderella figurine that she got in her stocking this past Christmas. If for some reason Anna should let either of these items out of her grasp for a moment...Abby seizes upon them with a smile and runs in the opposite direction of Anna. Also, should Anna not see Abby steal said beloved item, Abby will walk back towards Anna and stand in front of her until she notices that Abby has gotten a hold of it. Anna's usual response is a shouting out of, "No, Abby! No, Abby! No!" I know that this is just the beginning of a looonnnggg and beautiful love/hate relationship. I just hope that it's something we all live through. :)

"Thank You So Much"

When you begin to see the fruits of your labors appear in your child, it's just something that you have to shout about. From the time we brought our daughter, Anna, home from the hospital, I have tried to project good manners. It is still something that we work on today. Saying "please" when we want something, and "thank you" when we receive it is a simple lesson that I want all of my children to grasp. We have been receiving meals this past week from various friends from church and my MOPS group, and tonight a lady from my Bible study dropped off a meal. She set it on the table in the kitchen and Anna said, "Ooohhh! Thank you so much!" She's been saying, "Thank you so much" a lot lately when she's given something. She'll remember please most of the time. She'll get herself a tissue when her nose is runny. She'll cover her mouth when she coughs most of the time, and twice I've seen Abby doing it. It is just such a great joy to me that all of the work that I'm putting into my children is not in vain. :)

"You're Gonna Miss This" Lyrics

I heard this on the radio last night. I was thinking about how hard this time always is with a newborn baby and "oh, poor me." Just a little God-moment.

"She was staring out the window of that SUV Complaning, saying "I can't wait to turn 18" She said "I'll make my own money, and I'll make my own rules" Mamma put the car in park out there in front of the school Then she kissed her head and said "I was just like you" You're gonna miss this You're gonna want this back You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast These are some good times So take a good look around You may not know it now But you're gonna miss this Before she knows it she's a brand new bride In a one-bedroom apartment, and her daddy stops by He tells her "It's a nice place" She says "It'll do for now" Starts talking about babies and buying a house Daddy shakes his head and says "Baby, just slow down" Cause you're gonna miss this You're gonna want this back You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast These are some good times So take a good look around You may not know it now But you're gonna miss this Five years later there's a plumber workin' on the water heater Dog's barkin', phone's ringin' One kid's cryin', one kid's screamin' She keeps apologizin' He says "They don't bother me. I've got 2 babies of my own. One's 36, one's 23. Huh, it's hard to believe, but ... You're gonna miss this You're gonna want this back You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast These are some good times So take a good look around You may not know it now But you're gonna miss this"

Charlotte Grace

We've added a new little person to the Greenwood Family. Charlotte Grace was born on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 11:52pm. We're delighted to finally have her on the outside where she belongs. She is a wonderful combination of both Aaron and I; looking like Aaron from the nose up and me from through the cheeks, mouth and chin. We're still working on getting our nights and days switched around and I have claimed the verse, "And this too shall pass." I am new to this whole blogging thing-y. I've always kept journals and notebooks and been intrigued by blogging. We'll see how this goes. Welcome all who read this.