I've Missed A Few

I uploaded several pictures tonight and realized how much has been going on that I have not posted about!

There was Halloween!

M&M turned 7 mos!

Brownie had a special day to celebrate her turning 3!

We ate lotsa turkey!

We got our Christmas tree!

Geez! And that was only things I got pictures of.

For now, I'll tell you all about my newly turned 7 month old gal!

What do you notice about this picture?

Why yes, she does look quite goofy! And look at this one!

She's such a HAM!!

I digress...

Look at this one?

Do you notice any difference?

Well, in the goofy, HAM ones above she is a mere 6 months old. An official half-a-year old! And in the one below, she's all grown up seven months old! I can't believe it! Apparently, somebody okayed the fact that she has to continue to grow right before my very eyes. She has changed quite a lot this past month. For one, she decided sleep...

eh, it's not that important. It's for the weak, I guess, or at least that's what she thinks. And by goodness, she is not weak!

At 7 months, the girl is/has...

-weighing in around 15 pounds

- still sporting her deep, dark blue eyes

-enjoying peas, sweet potatoes, rice cereal, zucchini, and apple

-growing her hair out below the nape of her neck

-traded in her 8ish-5ish sleep habits for 3 hour naps (though, this has only happened twice)

-taken a liking to standing up (with help, of course)

-not quite sitting unsupported

-found her new love: the jumparoo

- quite fond of being carried around like a baby (probably 'cuz she is one)

- very much entertained by those three older girls

-been spending many hours at night in bed with mom and dad because she's been eating tons

-still bathing in her infant tub, but on the end where she sits up right

-been shopping for her first Christmas tree ornament

-enjoyed a bite (or 2, thanks to daddy) of mashed potatoes

-still in love with mama and our snuggles (as is mama)

I love you Mackadoodle! It's so odd that you are closer to toddler-hood now than newborn age! I'm looking forward to seeing you with Santa, reading you Christmas stories, holding you as you see your first snow, and snuggling up with you during the cold nights to come. Your silly side is really starting to show-- you are reminding us of a certain little Bug-- always trying to get a laugh. Peace and blessings, dear, sweet baby!

-Love, MAMA

Traditions

-teasing my husband, "We have to watch your favorite movie, A Christmas Story

-trotting around town to homes of the people I love

-dressing my children in cute, festive clothes

-chopping down, bringing home, and decorating our new Christmas tree

-each member of our family picking out his/her new ornament

-sweet potato casserole, hash brown casserole, green bean casserole, pies galore

-the parades

-Christmas movie marathons with my doll babes

-my husband being home

-shopping with my sister on Black Friday {though that's from years past}

-chocolate pudding at moms

-Thanking God for family, friends, and traditions

*****Happy Thanksgiving*****

How Many...

This is the beginning to a question I seem to ask multiple times a day.

How many...

"...times do I have to tell you? No playing in the toilet!"

"... times have I asked you to put your shoes away?"

"... of you want peanut butter and honey sandwiches for lunch?"

"...more minutes do you plan on throwing yourself about on the floor and shrieking?"

"... of those crackers did you just spill on the floor (hey, you can make a teachable moment anywhere, right)?"

"... more loads of laundry do I have yet to wash/dry/fold/put away?"

"... more minutes until my the girls' hero comes home?"

"... of you can remove yourself from my leg AT ONCE so I can move?"

"... times have I asked you to please quit running around the house naked and get your darn clothes on already?"

"... times do I have to say, 'Honey, in a house full of girls--especially girls who are about to be, in the midst of, or recently potty-trained-- could you please, for the love of GOD, remember to PUT THE SEAT DOWN!?"

Well, to answer my questions--
scratch that, my answers to those questions would take up too much space here on this post. And honestly, I'm pretty sure we can all assume the number is quite large. But hey, I kinda like large.

Some of those How manys are questions I ask when I'm feeling quite irritated, hmmm... maybe even frustrated. But that's okay by me. I'd rather ask a roomful of screaming toddlers/babies/preschoolers to stop crying, quit making a mess, pay attention, listen up, and answer my darn lunch question already than not have anybody to play with, or bake cookies with, or play dress up with, or shop with (yes, I do have a few natural-born shoppers), or watch Christmas movies with in July, or run around with outside on our front lawn under our big tree where we start off our races to our front porch!

And of course, I'd rather ask Honey to kindly lower the seat upon which we ladies rest ourselves when eliminating waste 100 times a day, than to not have him in my life.

Some say there's strength in numbers. I sometimes say there's chaos in numbers-- but what a beautiful chaos (and rather controlled, if I do say so myself) it is! Seriously, though-- in my opinion, it'd be pretty dull and boring and unchaotic around here if I didn't have to say all those How Manys.

So, I bet you can guess what I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving!


Yep, you're right-- Thank you God, for all of the How Manys!

Oh, I forgot to tell you on of my favorites: How many...

...times I thank God each day for the wonderful babes he gave me and for a great husband (who's still learning to live with all girls) who is such a great provider (that's a loaded word) for our family.

Yep, that one definitely gets my vote for favorite How Many!

Blessings!

You Know...

I was in need of a quick post and this idea cracked me up-- You Know You're a Large Family When...

I got this idea from Brittney over at 4 Little Men -- but she has two more than I do!

So, You Know You're a Large Family When...

... you're pregnant and everybody wants to know if this one will be the last-- you say, I don't know, and they look at you like you've gone to Loo-Loo Crazyville!

... you can barely scrape by with two 3-sectional laundry organizers because after about two days all six slots are full enough to need a washing!

... you have diapers in various sizes stashed allover the house (and car) for easy access to multiple sized diapers!

... you label all clothing/backpacks with your last name instead of using the name of the child who is currently using that clothing item!

... your baby clothes storage tubs need to be put in the front of the storage closet (yep, right next to the tubs labeled maternity) because your next little blessing will arrive sooner rather than later!

... you don't remember what your bedroom looks like without a bassinet next to the bed!

... you have dinner reservations at 8:30pm for just you and hubbs and you're both in disbelief that people eat at that hour (because you are usually still tucking in the older kids at that time)!

which brings me to my next point...

... you realize that 5pm, while an appropriate dinner time for many older people, is also an appropriate dinner time for your large family because you spend the rest of the night bathing, cleaning, dressing, and loving on your kiddos!

...your car choices are limited to a certain section of the lot (yeah, I'm talking about the gas-guzzler section)!

... you discuss with your partner about having more kids, they bring up the fact that they won't be caught dead in a 12 passenger van-- and then you both laugh (because 4 years ago you both said you'd never be caught dead driving a mini-van)!

... again you're having the adding another discussion and you say, What's one more, now!?!

... you never put the broom and dust pan away-- what's the point?!?

... you've considered taking one of the bedrooms and turning it into a kids-closet because at least any two of your kids can wear the same size!

... strangers tell you, My you have your hands full, and you just smile and nod because you just heard that same comment to aisles ago!

... you go to a restaurant and your family meets or exceeds the number of people needed for the gratuity to just be added to your check!

... you and your husband have to arrange for a babysitter anytime the two of you need to run an errand together (because entertaining four kids while waiting in line at the phone store seems quite impossible)!

... you've given up the idea that all of your kids can have their own room in a 5 bedroom house(which doesn't really matter because they'd rather share anyway)!

... you've realized that you could never afford to pay for all of your kids to _________ (go to college/get married/have their own car/etc...)

... you have to constantly adjust and readjust how much you buy of any given product at the grocery store-- say, milk for instance.

... you have three cribs because that's how many babies you have who aren't old enough for a big-kid bed!

... you take your old recipes and start doubling them to accommodate your family!

... there are friends of the family who still can't name all your kids because you added too many too fast, or at least they get them all confused with each other. To remedy this you start referring to them by number 1, number 2, etc. (no I don't like doing this), or maybe you create a mnemonic device to help people remember their names.

... you look around your dining room table and see all the faces looking back at you and you still don't think your family is that big---though most other people would disagree!

... Christmas at Grandmas involves renting a U-Haul to bring home the gifts!

... ordering pizza for dinner requires a small-business loan!

... any given night of the week there's usually at least one child in bed with you (even if you don't co-sleep)!

... at any one moment from October to April someone in your house has at the very least, a cold!

... employees at Target or any store for that matter, remember you because of you large brood!

... you keep telling your spouse that the two of you need thin out the toys but you have so many kids that you don't have the time to tackle such a project!

... your oldest is so used to you being pregnant that she a) notices your belly hasn't been BIG for a while, and b) wonders when it will be again!


All that being said, I'm still adjusting to how I run/raise/buy for my big family. I don't know when we'll be done, I don't really think that's something I can plan. After all, my number 3, or Bug as you know her, was not planned or even something we considered a possibility, but here she is-- and no, I'd never have it any other way!

My Midwest Home

The Midwest has been my home for all of my life. Whether I never move again, or if I venture out to new cities, states or even continents this place will always be my home-- what can I say, I'm a down-home fusion girl.

Do you like my somewhat invented term? Wondering what it means? Well, it means overall I'm your basic Midwest gal--courteous, intelligent, just a hint of sarcasm..., you get the picture-- but I have a little fusion from other regional cultures, if you will.

I may laugh a little too loud.

I may have a little draaaw--according to some non-Midwesterners.

I just might have a bit of feistiness if I feel so inclined--yes, I can be pretty darn passionate.

I don't much care for what some may consider traditional Midwestern food--meat and potatoes just ain't my thing.

I also don't really use the word ain't when I'm speaking.

However, at my roots, you'll find a gal who values family, friends, hard work, compassion and good manners.

I'm proud to call the plains and green, rolling hills home. Yes, it's true, I have no mountains to go hiking in or a beach near the ocean to build sandcastles. The tallest building in my city doesn't compare to any skyscrapers that reach across Manhattan. My state's not famous for gorgeous, tan bodies; an art district, football stadiums the size of 500 Walmarts; or really great crab cakes (but goodness I wish we were; known for crab cakes, that is).

But I'll tell ya what we do have-- honest, friendly, caring, polite people. Now, please understand that I'm speaking from my own point of view, from my own experiences and certainly about the majority--of course there are the lying, rude, ill-mannered idiots here just like anywhere else--but most people here give a hoot about other people. We're not a totally self-involved people.

One characteristic of mine that may align with preconceived notions of a Midwesterner is the fact that I beat the 2 children per family average by about 2 kids. Yes, it's easier to have a larger family when the cost of living is much cheaper than in the big-city.

I've read several blogs or heard numerous stories about large-ish families from around the country. All too often, I hear these nice families' stories about how rude people can be when they are out in public. A nasty comment at the grocery store concerning the child to adult ratio--like it's anybody's business anyway. I can honestly say that no one has ever come up to me and said anything intended to be anything but kind or supportive. Now, the universe may be listening and I might experience this situation soon, but I'm prepared if it does (watch out, I said I can be feisty)!

Let's face it folks, my oldest of four was born 3.5 years before my now six-month old. They're all girls. They all look pretty similar. I have learned that I'm a bit of a circus when I walk into any public space by myself. I'd be rather dense if I hadn't noticed all the noticers!

But all those noticers have treated me and my family with respect and kindness. I have never heard any too many comments, or what were you thinking comments.

What these noticers notice---?--- How blessed I am.

I can't count on all the baby hands in my house how many times someone takes one look at me with my car-cart (you all know what I mean by this right?) full of doe-eyed girls and says, ohh, aren't you so lucky/blessed. What a beautiful family!

Recently, the six of us dined at a new bar/deli during happy hour on a Friday evening (we chose to do this not because we're crazy or stupid, but this particular establishment was a place that we loved in our college town and was new to our town). The booths lining the walls were all full and we were left with no other choice than to sit at the high tops. So we adjusted all three older girls to a secure position on their bar stools and set the baby in her car seat down on the floor (which being on a bar stool seemed a mile below us). As we were trying to tell our 2 year old to park it, two young couples saw us and suggested we take their booth seats. Yes, it was obvious we were struggling, but we could have handled it. I can even imagine that in some areas of the country people might think, well they decided to have all those kids and come out to eat during the busy happy hour--they can deal with poor seating. But these young 20 somethings gave up their seats just so we'd be more comfortable. I was floored on the inside, but said a simple thank you so much and exchanged a few friendly smiles.

Yeah, I'm sure there are plenty of people in my area who would like to tell me that I have too many kids, or that I'm unfortunate to not have had a son, or that I need to figure out how this (that'd be kids they're talking about) happens. But no one has ever said such a thing--and Lord help them if they do. Would I be the bigger person and just walk away--?-- I hope so. Can I guarantee I won't fight back a little--?-- ummmm...., NOPE! I digress...

So, yes, I do have a purpose in bragging about my people--you know I don't mean my people, I just mean these Midwesterners, right? In short, they are one of the biggest reasons I'd never call any other place home.

The slow-placed life living in the center of the U.S. affords quite a few luxuries--our traffic jams mean having to wait through 3 rotations tops at the busiest stop light during Christmas and rush-hour; there's also access to some fresh produce grown by your neighbor who's happy to share the harvest--but no luxury beats the fact that most people are just courteous, polite and respectful.

Yes, I call this place nothing other than, home!

Foodie on Food--for the Babe

Can you tell me what this is?


Yep, if you guessed baby food you'd be correct--and if you guessed it was homemade sweet potatoes, you'd be even more correct.

When M&M or mini me as we like to call her, turned 6 months last week, I decided it was officially time to start feeding her some nutritious and delicious homemade goodies--and I she loves it --okay I won't lie, I love making her food.




Judging by this silly face, you'd think this child was ready to dive in to this wonderful concoction of orange goo.


So I put a bib on her. She sat patiently for a few more snapshots, thanks M&M!





And her first bite went mostly in! Although, can you tell she's not totally sure about all this food stuff.? This picture happens to be a bite of rice cereal.

And by the next bite...


we totally lost it! It also didn't help the situation when I allowed Bug to try to feed her. The spoon may have gone a little further than it should have. Sorry, honey! Mommy learned her lesson!

So Much More Than A Not Me Monday Post!!!

Originally, I set out to write my first Not Me Monday post since I don't know when, but a turn of events here at the Copeland house has changed that plan. You wanna know why?


Because we have a MOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or mice-- but I'm praying it's just mouse and none of his friends!

I was finishing up all of the kitchen-y type things I wanted to get done tonight so I'd have a nice clean kitchen to get messy again in the morning (because I really, really, no I mean REALLY hate starting my day off with a messy kitchen--those days are seriously worse than days where I start with a clean kitchen) when I hear a little funny noise over by the fridge.

I called my husband in to check out the noise. Of course it stopped, but then it actually started again.

"Do ya hear that?"
"Yeah, but I know the fridge makes funny noises sometimes."
"Umm... honey, I don't think that's the fridge."

We laughed it off until....

I heard it again as I was unloading some clean dishes. I called the man back in to the kitchen and again I was about to look a fool-- no noise. He checks the laundry room out, "Are ya sure it's not just something outside?"

"Well, honey, no I don't think so. In fact, are you envisioning a buck-tooth little thing doing this (I proceed to cup my hands near my mouth and act as if I'm gnawing away on some delicious air) cuz I know I am?"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" insert hysterical screaming here--well I typed that all out for you. Hey, you're welcome!

I run to the couch and scream/cry, "Did you see it? Did you see it?"

All calm my husband says, "Yeah, I saw it."

That was my scream, by the way-- only because I saw something run from my oven area to my dishwasher area. Had I not been hearing noises, I probably would have thought nothing of what I thought I saw because it was seriously that much of a blur. But it was enough to FREAK ME OUT!!!!

The closest I've ever been to rodents is either passing their carcass on the road, or under my dissecting knife in 10th grade biology--which only spurs more horrendous visions of pregnant rats (like the ones I dissected in bio) following their motherly instinct of survival to find good food and shelter so she can have her some 9 babies-- IN MY HOUSE! NEAR MY FOOD! UNDER MY CABINETS!

So, here I am for some relief. Writing. Hey, at least I'm not crying on the couch anymore. Hubbs is at some store to buy some traps. I would have gone but I was way too NOT COOL with setting foot in my kitchen.

I don't know why some things freak me out and others don't, but all I can say is I have visions that involve little things that scurry across me as I sleep. Or little furry things panting away in my pantry pushing out 9 slimy, pink babies. Or, a little gross thing with whiskers that tries to run for cover as I walk barefoot across my tiled floor and then...-- oops, a bloody carcass on my tiled floor and nasty mouse blood all over my toes. Oh, yes, I'm even seeing mice droppings everywhere--I'll never be able to find them all and disinfect everything!

Okay, I can't handle the visions anymore. Good thing because hubbs is pulling in the garage now. He will hopefully set up some loverly little mouse traps!

So, on to the NOT ME's and what I didn't do this week:

Well, you already know I DIDN'T envision anything so totally gross that involved mice, panting, and my pantry.

Moving on from all things mice-related--

I in no way put a little swimmers diaper on Bug before nap time the other day because I was too lazy to go find one somewhere in all my house or van. No, I'm pretty sure I wasn't out of diapers-- I don't slack like that.

I didn't watch my child (Bug) from afar at a MOPS Halloween event dive her pretty, long fingers into somebody's (I don't know who's) abandoned chocolate cupcake-- then laugh it off hoping that a) nobody cared and b) that nobody had actually touched that cake (it is flu season, folks)!

I know I said no more mice-related things, but I lied-- because I'm not sitting here on the couch with my feet up off the floor just in case my furry friend(s) decided to bee-line it for my toes.

Off the mice wagon again.... I promise this time!

I have not totally abused my nursing mother status lately by taking a few extra minutes to lie or sit down while nursing my baby. People (my husband, mainly) don't just assume that my tiny babe is eating the whole time she's nuzzled in close to me. I would never keep lying or sitting there letting people (my husband, mainly) think I'm still nursing when in fact I'm just taking a few extra minutes to relax while my baby just rests after her meal. HOW LAZY?!?!

I would also never be so lazy as to clean the table, counters and floor with a handful of baby wipes after lunch. It's not like I had the wipes out to clean all the little faces and hands and I just continued on to the table..., and then the counters..., and then the floor!


I did not come home after a Halloween party and stay up to watch the first half of Cheaper by the Dozen just because I like shows that feature families with lotsa kids--even if it is fiction. I'm not in love with the big family idea at all! In fact, I have no desire to have a large family-- wink, wink!

Yep, that about sums it up! Unless of course, you'd like some more bloody, pantry-panting, barefoot-walking, hysterically-screaming stories. Yea, I didn't think so!

We Love Fall!!!

When leaves begin to change into bright oranges and deep reds, why can't they just stay like that forever?!?

Why must they fall to the ground? Even then, why can't they grow back in those orange and red colors in the spring? I sure like those better than boring old green!



But I do understand that if fall colors were an all the time color for leaves, it just might not be special enough for me to photograph.


And if leaves didn't fall to the ground, Peach couldn't pile them up just to jump on top of them.

And like I said, the girls couldn't lounge in them for pictures!

And what good is it to build a pile of leaves...

if a little sister can't run up behind you with hopes of destroying your creation?

and then pose with an ornery grin after the destruction has taken place.

Brownie smiles when she's getting her hands dirty in all those leaves.

She also likes to be photographed...

can you tell?

Even our dog, Jesse, enjoys being outside with the leaves!

But not as much as my Bug who likes to play, peek-a-boo playhouse!

Happy Fall, Ya'll :)