Pantera's 9!!!

Pantera turned 9 last week! She told me the night before her birthday "For my breakfast in bed, I would like blueberry pancakes and chocolate milk." Come again child? It made me laugh pretty hard that she just assumed I would be serving her a special breakfast in bed. The only problem is she was up WAAAAYYYY earlier then me so I had to "yell" at her to go back to bed so I could bring her breakfast.

 She is getting big so fast and teaching us a ton all along the way. The younger kids can thank her for my patience and composure during their temper tantrums, cuz nothing they can do could beat hers as a young child. They can thank her for me letting them ride the school bus in the future, I would never have been brave enough without Pantera's extra push. They can thank her for breaking us in basically.

 Pantera you are a wonderful girl and a light to all those around you, please always remember to let your light shine. Happy Birthday!!!

yoho

Cute little Seneca is almost 6 weeks old! You know what they say "time flies when you rarely sleep and change a massive number of diapers." I may have misquoted that. She wants to be held ALL the time, luckily I bought one of those fancy wrap deals so we are surviving. She was 11lbs 12oz at her month appointment...not too shabby.

 Zeke practicing his scare...

 Amari showing off her scare...

 Pantera in the "loom mood" as she likes to call it.

 Trunk or treat was this past Tuesday. Amari changed her mind about her costume like 20 times. I bought her one but she still ended up wearing something from the dress up box. Katurah was a pirate but called herself a "Yoho" she was super excited about her costume and even left her hat on the entire night. Thank goodness my dad came along to help wrangle the kids, as I am officially overwhelmed:)

Last week Zeke brought home his first scholastic book order form. This little boy was on cloud nine looking at all of the books, "This would make a perfect gift for me!" He and Amari carefully browsed through each page, when they came to a Doc McStuffins book Amari said "I wanted to die so I could read Doc McStuffins!" Zeke replied "No, I did die so I could see Disney Planes." Zeke had Spice Girls in his head the other day but got the words a little wrong "If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get rid of your friends."

 

Amari has quite the attitude at times. She put on a pair of earmuffs before school the other day, when I asked her why she said "I am wearing earmuffs so I don't have to listen to my teachers." Totally logical. Good news though, they got class pets "Ginuea Wigs" I guess you can wear them too.

 

A couple of nights ago Amari came down and asked "Mom, is Nemo from Finding Nemo?" I told her yes. She pumped her little fist and said "Yes! I winned! Zeke, Nemo IS from Finding Nemo!"

 

As for Pantera, tales run tall at her school. I can't tell what's real from what she makes up these days. And she has to sit on pillows due to large BM's, her words not mine. Geez, it stinks when they can read the blog cuz oh I have stories...oh well.  

busy busy busy

Big things have been going on at our house. This picture does not really demonstrate that, it's just cute Amari and Seneca.

 Grandma Mary came to visit and meet the baby. Katurah warmed up to her really quick this time and was so happy to have an extra friend to read her stories, over and over again.

 We mostly just hung out, but Mary did put the kids to work raking the yard. Who knew this would lead to a million fights over who's leaf pile was who's.

 She was there for Amari and Zeke's first day of preschool. it was actually orientation and it was a madhouse! Grandma was a lifesaver. Here's Amari looking super adorable and excited for school...

 Here's Amari showing off her backpack or butt, she is quite proud of both so I'm not really sure...

 When I picked them up from there second official day of school, I asked Amari how her day was. She told me "Pretty crappy. I wanted to play in some rocks and they wouldn't let me. I wanted to go swimming and they wouldn't let me do that either. I was hot and I was hungry." Her attitude is getting worse by the day, she gets so irritated with everything. She told me "Dangnick mom! You're fwustewating me!"  She is all about best friends and her current one is Vivian, but she can't say her name right so it comes out Bivian...love it!

 Zeke just loves school this year! Although not having Cori was pretty sad for him at first. He asked me "Mom, do you think when Cori's done with college she will come back and be my girlfriend?" So no one really quite compares this year.

Yesterday Amari was being a terd and kept whining about Jess watching football. After a while of this Zeke looks at her and said "Zip your lips! Dad CAN watch football!" He has become the king of photobombing, he tries to be in all pictures of Seneca. Just for the record Seneca, Zeke is your biggest fan he can't walk by without kissing the top of your head, he LOVES you!

 Seneca is just sleeping and eating and growing. She's a great baby so far, so snuggly and cute.

Pantera is totally into the whole rainbow loom trend. They are bracelets fashioned out of rubber bands. She informed me that "they are like money at my school." She is missing most of hers so I guess she is broke. She always talks about how strict her teacher is, but she likes her now. for example if she sees someone being impolite she is quick to point out "You are so lucky Mrs. Thompson isn't here. She would be screaming right in your face." She sounds like a gem. Can't wait to meet this lady...better yet, can't wait to hear what she's told this lady about me!

The other day I heard the water running upstairs. I went to check and I found Katurah sitting in the sink soaking wet. She is this silent sneak. She has done really well adjusting to not being the baby anymore. Aside from stealing Seneca's pacifiers we have had no issues. She even pets Seneca's head every now and then and lovingly says "baybay."  

Zeke is 5

 Last week Zeke turned 5! Grandma and Papa came over to celebrate. Zeke picked his favorite meal for dinner so we dined real fancy like, on ham and cheese sandwiches. Zeke loves the minion run game on the kindle so we made minion cupcakes instead of a big cake this year. It was a wonderful day for a wonderful little big boy.

Zeke loves Sponge Bob. He does not watch the show because he is not allowed, but somehow is quite fond of him anyways. The thing is, he doesn't know Sponge Bob is a sponge, Zeke thinks he is a piece of cheese. Jess picked out his birthday balloons and got him a Sponge Bob one "It's the Cheese!"

Zeke has come such a long way over the past year. He used to be quite a challenge, but now he is probably the best behaved kid in our house. He is very obedient and responsible for being only 5. He has loosened up and loves to joke around now. He even talks to people out in public...well most of the time.

Zeke we are blessed to have you in our lives. You are such a special person. Your sisters are lucky to have you as there brother. Happy Birthday Buddy!

Birth story, birth story, birth story

I figured the world is dying to hear all about Miss Seneca's birth, so here we go...

For some reason, this go round my doctor really wanted to be there to deliver her. It was kind of odd honestly, like we were old friends or something. So we planned on an induction at 39 weeks if everything was looking right. Sidenote: I can't go into labor on my own so induction is necessary every time:( I went for my appointment on the 11th at 5pm and he informed me I would be induced the next morning!

 

The hospital does this lovely thing where they call between 3 and 7am and you have to hurry down to have your baby. So sleeping pretty much is out of the question. My mom spent the night to watch the kids so we could just go. I sat in bed waiting for a phone call, it finally came at 10 minutes to 7 but they said they were full so it might not be until noonish. WHAT?!? I told the lady we have 4 other kids and childcare is all arranged, I need to have a baby TODAY! She told me I could come down and wait if I wanted in a kind of snotty tone.

 

So around noon I did just that and let me tell you they were not happy at first! They told me that if I was down there they wouldn't give away my spot, I seriously think they have hidden cameras and may be making a new reality TV show. My doc gave me his cell number and wanted me to text him as soon as I got a room. So I let him know that things weren't looking so good. He made some calls and a couple hours later I finally had a spot. Best thing is that my doctor had the day off and was only there for me...still don't know why...maybe frequent birther points?

 

Around 4 they started my Pitocin...then they raised it...then they did that again...and around 6 I decided to get the epidural...big mistake! This resident comes in and explains the possible (coughprobablecoughIreallysuckatmyjobcough) complications with an epidural. Yeah, yeah, yeah I've lived through 4 already they are wonderful, not a big deal. That was until he numbed me in one spot and stabbed me in another HOLY COW!!!!! I felt pain in my body in places I didn't know I had! And if that wasn't enough "I'm sorry we are going to have to try again." So he tried twice on his own, I thought I was going to die and then he had to call his boss to do it a THIRD TIME! Unfortunately his boss let him place the catheter and he had to call his boss back right afterwards and I heard whispering something about fluid. The meds started in and I could feel pain in my arms and head only at that point.

 

Around 2am and bumping up the Pitocin about 20 more times I felt pressure to push a little. The nurse checked and Seneca was ready to come on out. Doc came back in the room after a little nap and told me how to push, 1 big we have a head, 1/2 a push, 1 medium and out she came. He said "She's a solid one! I'm guessing nine pounds on the dot." 9lbs 1oz  he was really close! She was alert and healthy and perfect:)

 

An hour or so later Jess had to head home to try to get some sleep before facing the rest of the kiddos the next day. I when I got to my room I started throwing up because my head hurt so bad. I had a spinal headache, but when I asked them to call the anesthesiologist they put it off and offered me narcotics instead. I told them no, what I was feeling wasn't normal and I want it fixed. About 12 hours later someone came in and told me nothing in my records showed anything went wrong with my epidural and it's probably just tension, wait until Saturday night and if it's still bad we will discuss it further. So I had to lay flat or I felt like I was being stabbed through the skull. No one would listen to me and I couldn't even get Tylenol on time so we left the hospital Saturday afternoon. I went to a different ER on Monday because the headache was actually getting worse if that was even possible. They had to do a blood patch which essentially another epidural but with your own blood to block the leak in your spinal fluid. That didn't take. So poor Jess is playing Mr. Mom all week while I am in bed and can only take care of the baby.

The ER doctor told me to drink Mountain Dew...gross, but I did and it seemed to help a little. I asked for a blessing Wednesday night and was told my body would be able to heal itself. That night as I was laying in bed I felt impressed to lay flat without any pillows. I woke up about 45 minutes later to a popping sound in my head. I sat up and for the first time in almost a week didn't have that sharp pain in my head. I don't know what happened but I am happy it did!

Seneca was an angel for me during that time. Luckily I learned many kids ago to nurse while laying down. Pantera was a HUGE help to Grandma and Jess when I was down. Papa came over and watched the kiddos when I went to the ER. Meals were brought in from sisters at church, so helpful. Jess was absolutely amazing taking care of EVERYTHING else. Jess you are me hero! I feel so blessed to have people in my life who care enough about me and my family to step in when we really need it.

So now that you've heard me whine, I think you'll agree she was totally worth it!

 

And yes Meredith, one of these days I will post a picture of her wearing clothes.

 

Seneca

 Seneca arrived Friday September 13th at 2:10am. This sweet little girl weighed 9lbs 1oz and was 20 3/4 inches long.

Great kid quotes:
"Katurah, do you want to hold the baby?" "No."

While looking at Seneca's hands Amari said "AWWW! Look at her tiny pinkie promise!"

Upon seeing Seneca open her eyes for the first time Zeke said "Good morning Sunshine! You're my Sunshine!"

When Seneca grabbed Pantera's finger she said "Look she loves me!"

 

Electronic devices

 Zeke thinks he is being awful funny in this picture because his hand is in some tree sap. He asked me to take several pictures with him like this. He has become quite the comedian lately with all of his hilarious jokes such as "Hi Mom Dad, I just called you Mom Dad!"

Zeke is obsessed with, as I like to call them, "electronic devices." He would spend all day in front of a screen if he were allowed. Yesterday he asked me for an ipad, "I want an ipad mom." "So do I honey." He then asked "Is that an electronic device?" I said it was and he replied "I love electronic devices!" When given permission to play the leappad he got really excited and exclaimed "Great! I will erase my current game and start a new one!"

 Katurah is going through the shoe phase. We have shoes all over the house all the time now. Don't let her get on a pair herself before you plan on leaving the house or she will flip her lid when you try to change them.

 She has learned to adore the word no and somehow the number of times she has been sent to timeout has risen as of late. I wonder if there is a correlation?

Amari and Katurah on the plasmacar, this happens several times a day. The plasmacar is AWESOME!!! One of the only toys they ALL still play with from Christmas. I can't wait to be able to ride it again....and I am not joking.

 Amari loves this Doc McStuffins outfit, so cute-ish.

She defined the word convenient for Papa the other day. "Convenient means, when you have a pickle and you spray it, and it melts." I have been using in the wrong context for years, I feel so dumb!

Yesterday she came upstairs to tell me that Bluestar (her cat) bit her. I asked her why. She said "I don't know why she bit me. And she escaped from the trap I made for her!" The nerve.

Pantera is loving parts of school and not loving other parts. She still is unsure about her teacher, who she claims is just too strict. She really likes most of the kids in her class, but is looking for "a best friend." If you know anyone who's available, you have you web address.