Wednesday, October 15, 2008

He's got her eyes. =)





I still feel like I'm only on top of things in my life about 20% of the time. But that also means that if I only get one shower every 5 days I am still on top of things 20% of the time. =) So goes life with a newborn and lots of other activity in the house.
I snapped a picture of Bella with her "big eyes", along with one of Crew to compare their looks. Bella can have the biggest puppy-dog droopy eyes and when she was a little younger I would say, "Look at me with your big eyes!" and then she would open her eyes wider for a picture. When I told her to stop making faces for the camera and just smile nice, she said to me, "how about big eyes?!" and then this is the photo I got. Funny girl.
But there is a striking resemblence to Crew- even at 3 weeks of age.
I am finding out that Ava is very good at entertaining herself for long periods of time- as long as the activity includes making a huge mess. Here she is making playdough cookies for about 2 hours. I still have dried bits of colored dough smashed in my carpet 5 days later. But she sure was quiet and happy making those cookies...how could I stop her!
Speaking of dough...Crew is starting to get little "rolls" on his legs. I think they are so sweet. He weighs 8 lbs. 11 oz. as of yesterday afternoon. He's by far our biggest baby. And to answer one person who left a comment on the previous post, no, it wasn't a typo. Wyndham was born weighing 4 lbs. 6 oz. and full-term...and then weighed about 9 lbs. at 7-months of age. She is now 7 years old, has been taking growth hormone shots every night for over 5 years as a result of her head injury, and she weighs about 55 pounds.
Then there is the self-portrait of Crew and me. I find myself sitting in a chair snuggling him for long periods of time. I think I am more spoiled than he is at this point in time. But I figure if I get one load of laundry done and one meal made a day, I am exceeding my 20% approval rating for getting things done.
And that's higher than I hope for at this point in the game of life. By next week I'll be in the mid-30's and practically ready to run for president. =)
I also have to clarify and say that I really do shower more frequently than once every five days. I figure I have to put that in writing so that nobody gets really concerned about my well-being. Or that of my family around me. My bed also gets made each day {even if I have to make it before I climb into it}, the dishwasher gets loaded, washed and emptied- many times a week by Chip, and the kids wear clean undies everday. So I guess if I were to put a number on my overall approval rating, it'd be more like 60% of my normal. Not bad, I guess...but there's still room for improvement!
Here's something fun...if you were to rate how well you're doing in life today, what rating would you give yourself? I'd love to know...just for fun.

21 comments:

Courtney said...

love your blog...thanks for being real. it's why i keep coming back.

i'm going at about 50%...with an almost 3 month old...and frustrated at this point - i'm used to 100% (so is my family - i think they are frustrated too.)

Southern Gal said...

I was going to ask about your carpet with all that play-doh. Wow, you're a relaxed mom!

Your baby's are so cute. Mine were the size of yours in utero only. My first was 8lb12oz, then
9lb5oz and my baby 10lb7oz! When I hold preemies or tiny babies I can only imagine mine were that size at about 7 months pregnant for me!

Southern Gal said...

I hate typos: Your babies, not baby's...

Tasha said...

I just love your blogs!
i think im at 60 percent

Anonymous said...

Ha ha, showers aren't necessary to live, it's ok, we've all been there. Ha.

Dawn said...

I am 100%!
What's the alternative?
Every day is...after all...the precious present...no matter what!

Oh, to have had little wee ones!
I always joke about birthing refrigerators.
First was 11..as was the third...and the last litter was twins...who weighed in total - 18 lbs 3 oz.
OY!
They are all grown now.
Those were some fine days...

Enjoy each one.
Messes can be cleaned up.
You will miss this.

Tina said...

Hi Jody! I have been reading for quite a while now, but don't often comment. I wanted to congratulate you on the precious baby! He is so cute. I have been especially following your blog because we were pregnant right at the same time, and both with number 6! My daughter, Bethany was born the day before Crew, Sept 18th.

I can sooooo identify with the no shower thing! I was trying to remember this morning when I had my last shower... LOL

But I am so enjoying this precious time, even functioning at 20%!
God bless you and congratulations again!

Mary Panni said...

My boys are 10, 9, and 5. I am in nursing school full time and each child plays a sport. I work @ night for a few hours ( i clean our church daycare) and study somewhere in between.

I would say that mine is 90%. I have found that if I don't stay on top of things that I never have time to get around to it! I love reading your blog and I am touched by your story! Keep up the awesome work!

Vicky said...

I don't know if I've ever been 100%? Close perhaps. What I do know is the more I age, the less I feel the need to be at 100 %. I also know I'd offer to vacuum play doh and wash clothes and let you take a nap in exchange for even just one snuggle with that precious baby boy! It reminds me of that poem that goes something like this... "Sweeping and dusting can wait til tomorrow. For children grow up we've learned to our sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep. For I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep!" I say snuggle away!

LOL, I'll take even a 20% post from you Jody anytime! They fill me up 100% no matter what!

Anonymous said...

My third was 8 lbs 11oz at birth! no small babies for us: lbs-oz. they were: 8-6, 8-5, 8-11 and 9-13. (all boys)

I remember the Play Doh in the carpet. Our boys had hours of fun with PD - had to watch 'em closely so they didn't eat it, though!

I think I'm at about 40%.....ramping up from some recent family crises.

will have to post this as Anonymous. Google's not recognizing my password (again). sigh.

tolkienfan

jo@blog-diggidy said...

well, since i have a lot of pain everyday due to what we beleive is fibromyalgia and also a migraine sufferer, it is hard for me to guage what 100% would be...but, i feel like i have a good handle on things at the moment. my dishwasher is running as we speak and so is the dryer. my bed is made and i am out of bed and bathed and dressed, so....

Anonymous said...

Oh your new addition is BEAUTIFUL! LOve those big puppy dog eyes.

Erin Saeger said...

i also have a 3 week old (and a 5 year old and 2 1/2 year old)...and my daily shower is my "mental therapy"!!! congrats to you and your family....what a beautiful clan!

Wendy said...

I'm thinking you're Supermom for doing all the bed-making and dishwashing and laundry while you have a newborn -- my kids are 8 and 4 and I don't even get those things done every day!

Enjoy snuggling that precious little guy all you want!

Unknown said...

He sure does. He is the cutest little boy-your pictures are great.

Unknown said...

Oh, p.s I think I am 50% most of the time. Sometimes it is below that and sometimes above.

Anonymous said...

I'm a strong 80%, but that is because my kids are bigger now, and the issues are far different than when they were little (issues and worries, all the same). I just took a new full time job and am learning the juggling act. The days when I feel like I'm really productive, are obviously my best. I miss the days of 24-7 with my children (being small---playing sports....taking loads of pictures). When my boys return home from school for their visits my heart aches that they are leaving, but at the same time, I'm glad. Anyway, lots of rambling....we can all sleep, and "catch up" later. Enjoy today as best you can. Love to you Jody.
ps the person who posted a rude comment about "spelling" really irritated me! (fyi)

Anonymous said...

I Think you are doing an amazing job Jody!! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!

please email me at: www.amy.stamm@insightbb.com thanks!!

Jane said...

no kiddos in our home, and i think i MIGHT be at a 50% level of function. you amaze me, along with many other mommies....when I grow up (i am 41.5 year old) I want to be more like you. You get the YOU ROCK award of the day. no make that the year!

Anonymous said...

I just knew you were the kind of mom who allows playdoh inside over the carpeted floors! You totally rock!

Stephanie said...

Jody.... I love your blog... I get so much strength from you and I am so thankful the day I came across your blog...

To measure our percentage can be a challenge.. we are mom's and so we just do the best we can on a daily basis and make peace with it.

A good friend of mine sent the following little excerpt to me just this morning and I thought it went well with how we rate ourselves so I hope everyone finds a bit of likeness in it...


The Mayonnaise Jar & Coffee
>
> When things in your life seem almost too much to handle;
> when 24 hours in a day are not enough;
> remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee...
>
> A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front
> of him.
>
> When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty
> mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
>
> He then asked the students if the jar was full.
> They agreed that it was.
>
> The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the
> jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas
> between the golf balls.
>
> He then asked the students again if the jar was full.
> They agreed it was.
>
> The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of
> course, the sand filled up everything else.
>
> He asked once more if the jar was full.
> The students responded with an unanimous 'yes.'
>
> The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and
> poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty
> space between the sand.
>
> The students laughed.
>
> 'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want
> you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are
> the important things - your family, your children, your health, your
> friends and your favorite passions - and if everything else was lost and
> only they remained; your life would still be full.
>
> The pebbles are the other things that matter; like your job, your house
> and your car.
> The sand is everything else - the small stuff.'
>
> 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there
> is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
>
> The same goes for life.
>
> If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never
> have room for the things that are important to you.
>
> Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
>
> Play with your children.
> Take time to get medical checkups.
> Take your spouse out to dinner.
> Play another 18.
> There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal
>
>
> ....And with work, focus on the key goals --- don't get caught up in
> small stuff that never gets anyone anywhere
>
> Take care of the golf balls first - the things that really matter.
> Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'
>
> One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee
> represented.
>
> The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked.'
>
> 'It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem;
> there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend
>
>
>