The way I WANT to parent

It went down like this; Austin said some MEAN things about his sister because he didn't want to read her a story.  I took a deep breath, focused myself, and told him Jesus wouldn't have treated you like that.  He replied with "yes he would".  I said, "No, sir.  He would love you, because you are special".  He tried to tell me that Natalie had done some really bad things and I retorted with "well so have you".  Austin told me how he really never like Natalie, ever since she was a baby, and so on.  I kept my cool and calmly excused Austin for bed time.  Early. 

About a half an hour later, he came down the stairs, crying, with crocodile tears running down his face.  He apologized to Natalie, giving her a HUGE hug.  Now THAT'S how it should be.  I was SO HAPPY to see this happen. 

Now, I know it's not always going to be like that, but I will savor this moment.  I know he's capable of doing it, and so am I.  <3

I just can't make this stuff up

Nate was changing Leah's diaper when Natalie came over to watch.  Why, I have no clue.  Here is the conversation between them:

Nate: Leah, are you poopy?
Leah: Mmm, no.
Nate: Eww.  She pooped.  But it's just a little baby turd. (somewhat puzzled)
Natalie: Really?
Nate: Yep.
Natalie:  Awwww.   It's so cute.



O.o

10 months old

My little Ian guy has only two months left until his first birthday.  ::sniff::

Little buddy, at 10 months you:

~love to crawl under, over, and around the kitchen chairs and table

~ Try to stand up to/on everything, even if it's moving.

~Have two teeth.  It doesn't look like anything else is making it's way through just yet.

~Love your siblings so incredibly much.  It seems the only times you're laughing, you're laughing at or because of them. 

~Can be a tough nut to crack.  You don't give your smiles out easily.

~Enjoy eating.  We haven't found anything yet that you won't eat.  That includes stuff you find randomly on the floor that may or may not be edible.  

~Still don't sleep through the night.  We know it's coming, though!

~Think Padme, the cat, is a hoot.  She's not too fond of you little buddy.

~Dislike getting dressed to leave but you LOVE car rides!

~Did I mention you love to climb?  :P

~Do the army crawl REALLY WELL.  It's amazing how fast you move.

~Dada is STILL your favorite word.  Mama only comes when you're hurt or need/want something.

~Poop through your diaper just about every time you go.  That equals a LOT of clothing, dear boy. 

~Pinch far too much and far too hard.  You know what they say about the hand that feeds?  'Tis true about the breast that produces milk, my dear.

 Oh, little man.  I so look forward to seeing what these next few weeks hold for you.  It is so wonderful seeing you grow.  <3

Patience is a virtue

My mom would ALWAYS say, "Patience....is a virtue...my child".  I didn't really understand what that meant until I had children.  I think today, of all days since, has been the day that it really sunk in . 

I was on the recliner nursing the baby when Natalie came walking out of the bathroom.  With her came a sweet smell of perfume.  I don't spray perfume on 5 year old little girls.  This tells me that she certainly wasn't using the bathroom for it's intended purpose, she was spraying my perfume ALL OVER THE BATHROOM. 

I took in a deep breath, looked her in the eyes, and told her I knew EXACTLY what she did.  Now, mind you, this wasn't the most awful thing she's ever done, but it was disobedience just the same.  I walked over to the bathroom, took a step inside and my feet slipped a bit on the floor.  JUST GREAT.  The floor needed to be washed down.  (another deep breath - Exhale . . . . )  The floor needed to be washed, and Natalie was going to do it.  I generally resign myself to the fact that I'm going to do the work.  *I* am being inconvenienced.  *I* have better things to do with my time.  ::sigh::  Natalie needed to do it.

The craziness needs to end in this house.  I have NO IDEA what I need to do to break through to that little girl.  No matter what I do or don't do, her sinful nature persists.  My kids do something totally crazy and all I can do at this point is look their way in absolute astonishment. 

I've heard a few times that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.  I thought, "Yeah, that's me alright!"  But then I did some digging and found that it indeed is NOT the definition of insanity and I am certainly NOT deranged.  :) 

It was then that I heard my mother's voice in my head.  Yep.  I get it, mom.  I do.  It's not that I'm insane or deranged.  I'm a mother of young children. 

Another quick search found me looking up the meaning behind the words.  I came upon the information about a medieval poem that, apparently,  describes the conflict of vices and virtues.  In this poem, Anger and Patience are characters.  Anger attacks Patience, is unable to defeat her and destroys herself instead.  WOW!!!  What an in-you-face picture THAT is. 

I know anger will not benefit anyone in this house and, in the end, I'll end up defeating myself.  Patience will get me through it.  It might be with more grey hairs than when we started out, but I will get through it.  Hopefully with happy, healthy children to show for it. 

8 Months!

We seriously cannot believe that 8 months have gone by since we've welcomed little Ian into the world!

Our friend, Nate, was dancing 'at' Ian.  It was followed by giggles and clapping.

Ian's showing off his lady's man gaze.

Ian and Katy  <3

Posing with Miss Pepper

 

 

 

Snuggling with daddy <3

Ian, at 8 months you:

~ are finally starting to crawl.  You've moved on from moving like and inch worm to the army crawl

~ would much rather be held that explore.  Well, that's MOSTLY true

~ are a cuddle bug.  You're our only one.

~ adore your siblings.  I swear I even heard you say "bra-bra" (brother).

~ are a ladies man.  Dude, it's the way you smile and turn your head that does it EVERY. TIME.

~ still have a bit of a clogged tear duct. I *really* don't want to have the docs fix it.....

~ don't eat food yet.  Each time you do you gag terribly.

~ according to the doctor you have enlarged tonsils.  We have yet to see if this will cause any issues.

~ have only gained a few ounces in the last few months but you've shot up 2 inches.  Perhaps you'll be the only tall one of the Bergren children?

~ are FINALLY saying "mama".  It melts my heart every time, even though I *know* you love daddy more.  

~ have given me a few hearty laughs.  Up until now, it's really been a bunch of chuckles.

~ will wake up, even if you are on the verge of sleep, if you hear the intro music to DS9.  You will sit straight up, watch the whole thing, then throw yourself back down when it's done.  Cutest thing EVER.

I can't wait to see what the next few months will bring.  Love you, little man!

Natalie is 5!

 My first born girl has reached the age of five and I'm not too sure how I feel about that.  She's getting so big and learning so much. 

Natalie with her friend, Ellie.

Katy came by to help us celebrate, too.

Natalie, at 5 years old you:

~ are as much 'sugar and spice' as you are 'snips and snails'

~ love to play with barbies as much as you do actions figures/heroes

~ enjoy watching X-Men, The Avengers and The Swan Princess

~ want to do school work like your brothers do

~ take advantage of every opportunity to color

~ have an interesting sense of humor

~ love playing with your brothers' friends

~ can be a naughty little girl - I think I have steam cleaned the carpeting in your room 4 times in the last 6 months, cleaned toothpaste from places I never should have, and have found SEVERAL different substances you've used to play 'tea party'

~ adore your baby brother and play with him all the time

Love you, baby girl!!

Introductions

Before it gets lost on facebook, I wanted to post this tidbit onto my blog:

Natalie was introducing herself to my mother-in-law's friends one evening.  It was the cutest this ever. She said, "my mom calls me 'Natalie-Boo' and my dad calls me 'walk much'".