Radom Stuff

 Like I said in a previous post, I have not been the best at snapping photos the last month. And while I do have thoughts pertaining to politics, civil rights, the weather, and food, we all know I blog about my family 9.9 times out of 10. And these blog posts are easily written when I have pictures to look at to help me recall recent blog-worthy events. So here are a few of the 12 or so pictures I took over the last month!

We made these cookies one day. They are cherry, shortbread-tasting cookies. They are pictured here in their pre-baked stage, but once baked these little puppies get a chocolate kiss in the center. The girls really enjoyed them, and my husband has had a long-time affair with chocolate and cherries. So yes, they were a hit. I thought were okay; and if left up to me, I wouldn't make them again. But the masses win again!

Brownie has mostly been her normal self recently. The poor girl has had her fair share of the stomach bug though. Honestly, her battles with it are so short-lived I didn't even realize just how many times she'd been ill recently. That is, until my oldest daughter reminded me she's thrown up four times since Halloween. I would think this has some kind of allergy tie, but it is never immediately (like within a couple hours of eating) after eating anything.  I do know she's a bit hypoglycemic, so this may play a part in some of the isolated incidents.

One thing I'm loving about this girl right now is her desire to be prepared for school. She sometimes comes home from preschool with homework, that I'm 99.99% sure isn't real homework. But she insists upon doing it anyway--right alongside her big sister (who does have real homework the first four nights of the week). And of course, I let her. I remember wishing for and eventually inventing homework when I was around her age. It may have been due to the fact that I was lusting over a particular Trapper Keeper that my friend a couple grades older than me owned. But oh how I yearn for my girls to know the love of a Trapper Keeper. I think I've brainwashed them into loving organization enough that they would swoon just as their mother did (SMILE)!

Well, I think everyone is all caught up on this ornery little thing. Although, she has been acting so oddly lately. She developed a fever on Sunday with no other symptoms other than crankiness! She didn't sleep nary a wink that night, and on Monday she was worse. She spent the majority of the day on my shoulder sleeping or fussing with a fever of 103. Monday night was just as bad as Sunday night, as we tried to comfort her in the wee hours of the morning to no avail. Matt and I were beyond exhausted, but he went to work and I held her for another day. All day long she slept if she wasn't eating or fussing. I originally thought it was all due to teething, but by this point I think it's something more; however, I'm concerned about her fluid intake/output. I gave her a dose of Motrin at 3ish, and she perked right up. She was herself--actually she was her ornery self. So I got excited that we were over this thing--whatever it was-- and went to bed hoping for tons of sleep. But the poor thing had another rough night last night. She finally got more meds at 6 am, and she is still asleep right now--four hours later. I have never seen her like this. And I'm still kind of worried about what is going on inside her little body. My mind always goes to the worst place when my kids have fevers for no reason, so I'm praying for this to be resolved soon. 

Aww, my first-born. I love her, just as I love all my children. But I love it when she lets her hair down. She is usually wound a little tight (I have no idea where that came from--wink, wink), so I love it when she acts silly. She is a very serious and sensitive girl who takes on emotions of those around her, and when she puts apples in her mouth and smiles it reminds me to encourage her to be more like a kid. 

The two-year old in the house is really just as this picture looks. Silly, ornery, messy, happy, and sweet. In fact, one of our favorite games right now goes like this: 

Me: Who's my favorite 2 yr old?

Her: (with a huge smile on her face) ME!

Me: Who's my orneriest 2 yr old?

Her: ME!

Me: Who's my sweetest 2 yr old?

Her: ME! she says enthusiasticly! 

And our game continues with a variety of adjectives.

My little Bug has been growing and maturing a ton lately. She's completely knocked my socks off with her development in controlling her emotions. We've gone through 1 1/2 years of horrible hours-long fits several times a day for weeks on end. It left me drained--more drained than any physical labor could make me feel. It strained relationships between our kids, my husband and our kids, the kids and me, and even Matt and me. It really was a very long and hard battle that I pray we never go through again (though I'm not hopeful since we also went through this with Brownie), but my girl has really turned a corner. Not only are the terrible fits a thing of the past, even her normal 4 yr old tantrums are much milder. Additionally, she is helping A LOT! She is even offering to do chores that I haven't bothered asking her do to. I'm absolutely shocked at the difference in my girl since the fall. Even in the last month, her attitude has improved with leaps and bounds! Through those trials, I have learned so much. And for that, I am thankful!

 

Matt and I went on a date last week. Two friends (their husbands as well) and I (and Matt) have decided to start a babysitting co-op. None of us really want to pay for childcare, but we could all use a date night. So we set up a system where two couples go out during a particular month, and the other couple watches all the kids. Then the next month another couple will watch the other couples' kiddos. And so on. We've only done one month so far, but I'm excited to have these dates with Matt and play dates for our kids. 

On our date, Matt and I had dinner and went to a coffee shop--where neither of us had coffee. I dined on the chocolate cake and Matt enjoyed a brew. Most importantly, we were able to talk--which is something we don't get to do often. 

So there's all of our random facts. If you're still reading...

Scruncie is 11 moths old

My Scrunchie baby turned 11 months old Saturday. I am so sad, yet I feel ridiculous for feeling sad that my baby is growing happy and healthy and learning more everyday.

You really do love to play peek-a-boo! Whether you are in your highchair or not, peek-a-boo is your favorite game. You'll even grab a blanket (or something of the like) and cover your eyes, then lower it and smile--as if you are saying "I'm playing peek-a-boo, are you going to join in?" And we always do!

You are eating many things these days. Apple, green beans, peas, carrots, butternut squash, potatoes, avocados, chicken, turkey, rice, black beans, noodles with assorted (light) sauces, and rice crackers are some of your favorites. So far, the only food I've found that you really don't care for is bananas. Which is so funny because Boushka was a HUGE banana (or as she calls them "banas") fan. Between the ages of 1 and 2.5, she ate at least one, and as many as three, bananas a day. And you won't touch them. I've tried several times to no avail. But that's okay, you like plenty of other yummy foods!

You really are an excellent eater. There are some days where I swear that you would eat anything I sat down in front of you. And you are certainly growing healthy and strong. You are very curious and very mobile--so all that food is coming in handy to fuel you for all your moving.

You sleep fairly well these days. You hit the hay between 7:30 and 8. You always get up around 5-6 and eat a ba-ba with daddy before he wakes up. If I'm sleeping, he'll take you back to bed wen you finish the bottle. But if I'm about to get up, I'll snuggle you. I always like to snuggle you, but some mornings you just want to pull my hair, or pinch me, or crawl on my belly... but I still try to convince you to snuggle with mama. Then you'll nap during the day. You'll take a short morning nap and a long afternoon nap. Or sometimes you take one very long afternoon nap. And some days when you didn't get a morning nap, you'll take a long afternoon nap and go to bed rather early. I'm so glad you can adapt to whatever crazy schedule we keep that day. What a good quality for a fifth child!

Here's one little SPOILED fact about you-- you almost never hold your own ba-ba. I tend to make you hold it more often, whereas Daddy is perfectly fine with holding it for you. You two have a sweet bond, and it's very obvious. He loves playing with you and there's a twinkle in both your, and his eyes when you are with the other. Really, it makes me a tad bit jealous. But Daddy and I think you have a soft spot for him in your heart simply because he is the one who rescues you in the early morning with a ba-ba. At least I'm okay with believing this!

You drink about 4-5 bottle a day, and you eat meals when we eat. So I think you are well on your way to growing even more!

Your two bottom teeth have been your only teeth for several months, but the other day I saw one more pop through. The top, right front tooth is peeking out just a little. But since I saw it, you have been uncomfortable, fussy and running a fever. You don't have any other symptoms, so I'm hoping all this is simply due to your top tooth poking through. I just hope you're back to all smiles tomorrow!

You really love your walker-push toy. You go everywhere with it. Just two to three weeks ago, you acted like you didn't know what to do with it. This was the week we were all sick, and as the week progressed you were walking everywhere with it. You go so fast with it now. I'm so proud of you!

I will say that you still aren't a fan of trying to walk on your own. You will hold on to my hands or fingers to walk, but you won't let go. When Daddy or I try to let go a little, you lean back against our hands and walk at a 135 degree angle. It's quite comical!

You have one of the best smiles ever. It is full-blown, 100% pure cuteness. You smile with your whole face. I adore this about you!

You won't really let me put anything on your head these days. I try with the stretchy headbands, and as you can see here, I even tried with a hat---but you were not interested.

But I'm okay with that. You look cute and beautiful to me no matter what is on  your head!

I've been trying to think about what we'll do to celebrate your first birthday (in less than a month), but I'm having a hard time even grasping the fact that nearly a year has passed since the first time I held you in my arms.

You are so big now--we even moved you up to a car seat (still rear-facing) that fits you much better. It was a struggle to get you buckled every time we got you in the car. I couldn't believe that just months ago I was worried about how tiny you were in that gigantic car seat. Then all of a sudden I could hardly buckle you in because you'd grown so big.

You still snort when you are being silly. I love, love, love this about you! I hope you do this forever, at least when you're around me!

One other thing I hope you'll do forever.... let me rock you. I know, I know... it ain't gonna happen! But I plan to rock you until you're begging me not to. You are so scrunchie and snuggly, so it's really hard to think about not rocking you some day. It is maybe a little to easy for me to think of you as a baby forever. But I've always had a hard time accepting the fact that these little people I birth do grow up. Become toddlers. Go to school. Then go on to kindergarten and pretty much abandon me from there on out.

I'm only kidding about abandoning me. Sorta...

Because in all honesty, I know it is my job to raise you the best way I know how. Impart all the knowledge and life lessons I can. Teach you the right way but be there when you fall. Let you lean on me. Kiss your boo-boos, clean your toes, dress you, diaper you, feed  you and rock you. All so that one day you can leave this house and start your own life. Discover who you want to be. Find things about yourself that you can't discover in a classroom. Learn how to live an adult life. Set goals for yourself. And become a responsible, loving, empathetic, intelligent, hard-working, determined woman. So that maybe one day, you can write to your child all of your hopes and dreams you have for them. This is my dream for you! I love you Scrunchie!

Pictureless Pity Party

The mommy-guilt bug is biting my hiney a bit right now! I have hardly taken any pictures since New Years! What will my kids do when they're older and realize there aren't many photos taken during January 2012? I'm only kidding. In fact, I bet they'll rejoice since I'm a little too heavy on the photographing.What can I say, I'm a busy lady--and I wish I wasn't as busy. Working has really gotten in my way recently!

But I have to laugh at the timing of my last post. It was all about my work history and starting a new job about a month ago. Well, I haven't taken on a class with the online university for a while--I was enjoying the break--but I accidentally stumbled into one today.

Apparently, I had already agreed to take it. I thought I said it was a possibility, and I was actually going to brush it off for a while. But they called me today and emailed me several times over the last few days. I realized they were sure I was teaching this next week, and they were starting to panic and wonder where the H**L I was!

OOOOPPPPPSSSS!!!

So, now I'm going to be working 15-20 hours a week grading papers etc., dealing with a bunch of bs, and providing feedback to a people (of which the majority couldn't care less what I have to say, nor apply it to their subsequent papers, thus making me feel like I'm wasting my time). It's good money, so I'm feeling lucky in that regard. But in all others, I pretty much hate it. It isn't teaching--at least not the way I imagine it should be. So personally, this job does nothing for me. But financially, it does quite nicely! And it keeps me working in my field, which will surely come in handy some day when I'm an empty nester--or near empty nester! 

So on top of being full-time CEO at The Copelands INC. and working 15-20 hours outside the home, I will also be working 15-20 hours on the computer AT home! And I'm sure you remember reading from the last post how I feel about working at home while being a SAHM--to quote

"And I know the struggles that come with having a job that requires you to work at home (while you're a SAHM), so I'm actually really happy to not have to deal with those. In that sense, it's nice to be able to leave the house and devote my full attention to my job and not try to divide it between my many kids and my job."--this was one of the reasons I listed for being happy to work outside the house.

I'm not a fan of working on the computer while the kids are here, awake! But since the evenings are now full with me working at my other job or driving to kid activities (literally 6 or 7 nights a week we have somewhere to be between activities and me working), this leaves me with the daytime or after 10pm. Boooo.... my pity party is in full-throttle!

Qucik... someone give me a talent (like some kind of craft I can do) so I can stay at home making money doing what I consider fun! I'm self-taught at everything I enjoy--cooking, sewing, photography, random crafts--so I don't feel that making money is an option for me! But wouldn't that be the best of both worlds? I'm open to any ideas!!

I won't be Negative Nelly or Debbie Downer on my next post--butI don't want to promise because then Karma will make sure I have something to complain about! HA!!! Just kidding! If you're still reading, then I say thanks. This was really just a place for me to vent some frustration!!

Jobs and Superman

Those of you who know me in real life may know that I recently got a job.  Those of you who only know me on here, well... now you know I got a job! A job outside of the house.

I've worked almost the whole time I've been a mom. But I haven't worked outside the house since the fall 2010. And with this job, I worked in the mornings--usually while they were in preschool. So I didn't feel like I was missing out on too much. But now that I'm keeping a different schedule, the story has changed a bit.

Since I had Peach in early Sept of 2005, I have almost always worked outside the home. When she was merely three months old, I worked at Victoria's Secret just to get out of the house. When she was six months old I started teaching as an adjunct at a nearby university. At the same time I was also writing the Historic Photos book. I taught a couple classes and wrote the book while pregnant with our second child, and my second set of classes ended about 6 weeks before she was due. And shortly after Brownie was born, the book was released. I did some (very minimal) promo stuff for the book when Brownie was just months old, and then I just enjoyed staying home. At the end of May 2007, I got a job at the history museum writing standards-based tours. I was also pregnant with Bug during that summer. And again, the job was done (in other words, grant money ran out) about 2 months before Bug was due in mid fall 2007. About 2.5 months after her birth, in January of 2008, the museum staff offered me another job actually giving these standards-based tours. And that was a great job. I loved teaching students without having to actually be a classroom teacher. Two years later, in Janurary 2010, I also started working for a for-profit, online university. I continued giving tours for nearly 3 years, and by the fall of 2010  my brood had grown too big. I was shuffling too many kids to too many places, and I was just too busy to fill the hours they needed. But I was still left with my "at-home" job--teaching online.

This past December my husband and I decided I should get a part-time job. By the way, my husband already has a part-time job teaching for a different for-profit, online university. Anyway, we knew that I was only going to work when he was home so that we didn't have to pay for babysitting. I shopped around for places where I thought I could stand to work (I was really praying Starbucks needed me, or obvious reasons), and I lucked out after finding an ad on craigslist (though it's not at Starbucks). So, now I have a part-time job that keeps me away from the house a few nights during the week and the better chunk of the weekend days.

I feel completely blessed to be able to bring in some income. I love contributing. I love being able to provide (if only a little) for our family. And I know the struggles that come with having a job tat requires you to work at home (while you're a SAHM), so I'm actually really happy to not have to deal with those. In that sense, it's nice to be able to leave the house and devote my full attention to my job and not try to divide it between my many kids and my job.

All that said, I really dislike the part about being away from my babies. I hate missing their tuck-ins on the weeknights. I hate not having some family down time  on the weekends. The time I do have at home on the weekends is either rushed trying to get chores done, or eating dinner and getting them to bed. I'm usually gone the better part of their day--and that makes me a little sad. I hate thinking about missing out on what used to be special time for our family. I know they still carry on playing dolls and house without me while enjoying time with daddy. So selfishly, in that respect, I guess I'm just sad for me. In all honesty though, I know they miss me too--especially during the week. They are used to me being there at tuck-in time, so it's certainly been an adjustment. They've been a little more clingy. Maybe I've been a little more clingy... but it's an adjustment period. What else can we expect?

Additionally, I feel bad, yet thankful, for my husband. He works a full-time job, a part-time job teaching online (which keeps him busy every night anywhere from 30 mins to three hours), and now he's doing a lot more chores (that are typically my chores) around the house and taking care of our children while I'm at work. He has done such an awesome job at keeping up with the house work and taking care of our babies.

I'll admit that I was scared to turn over some of these duties. I was worried I'm come home to a huge mess in the kitchen, or clothes that were never moved from the washer to the dryer, or what have you. And this is not because I think he's lazy, it's simply because I know what it's like to be at home with 5 kids all 6 and under--it's super busy. I simply thought he couldn't do it all! But guess what---he's superman. No really, he is! He can do it all. When I started this job, I just asked that he stay on top of the kitchen and laundry. If he saw clothes that needed washed, dried, folded or put away, then it needed to be done. And in the kitchen, I said relatively the same thing. The message being, just do what needs to be done in these two areas. And he took it to heart. He does an excellent job staying on top of it all--he builds the kids forts, builds a syllabus for his class, unloads and loads the dishes, switches out the laundry, feeds the baby a bottle, cooks a meal, cleans up after that meal and bathes the kids. He literally does it all. And I come home to a clean house, and if it's dinner-time, I even come home to good meal.

And that's one of the things I love most about this job--it highlights our strengths as a couple. We make a great team. We communicate (though we wished we had time to communicate more often), we set goals, we get S*%T done! I feel so completely blessed and happy to have a husband who cares about making it all work. I'm proud to stand by his side and be his partner through this life. And I know he feels the same way!

So to sum it up--
---I got YET another job.
---My kids miss me and I miss them.
---My husband is totally awesome and SUPERMAN!
---I like to look at the silver-lining when life gets "cloudy," though I'm still seeing the cloud too! HA!

Forgotten Footage

So I finally made an iPhone picture dump and this is what I missed. Several posts I said I didn't have pictures of something, well it turns out I did have some on my iPhone and just forgot about them. Oops!

When we went on a tour of lights around our town at Christmastime, I packed little snack packs with cookies and a hot chocolate to-go for each of the older four girls. I made hot chocolate in my slow cooker. Couldn't be any easier!

Here's the ol' family van loaded with our little girls in their Christmas jammies--they're ready to see some lights!

I took several (pointless) pictures on my phone of all the pretty lights. Considering the quality of picture, I honestly can't explain why I have so may of these pictures. But here's one tat looks kind of cool!

I mentioned back in our Christmas posts that my friend hosted a gingerbread house making party. It was so much fun, and I know my three older girls had a blast there. Well, I did too (SMILE)!

Here's the candy spread. We each brought a couple bags to share with the group. My kids brought the red hots. I thought this was a good idea because they're totally appropriate for GB house making, but also... I don't care for them. So, I knew I wouldn't accidentally break into one of the bags and sneak some candy!

Bug building her house! She knew exactly how she wanted to lay her candy on the house. She instructed me where to frost, and then she decorated with candy. My determined little girl...

Brownie is constructing away. She designed her doorway so cute with candy canes placed just so. She really is going to be some kind of great designer some day!

Peachy Poo working away on her house. She decided to do the frosting herself. Quite pleased with this one...

Actually, I'm pleased with all of them!

My sweet friends, L and C. This was taken at L's house during the GB house making party! I've gotten to know these girls over the past year or so, and I'm so happy we've become such good friends. They're awfully sweet, and I love their appreciation for a "big" family!

And on a totally unrelated note...
we were all walking around the mall one day when one of those kiosk workers asked if they could do my girls' hair. So we played along. They used some kind of special curling iron that is so awesome, and now I totally want one. It is responsible for doing this to Brownie's hair. There are so many styles of curls you could make, but the ones I appreciated the most were the corkscrew variety. Why you ask... Because that's what we need for several Nutcracker roles. It was fast and easy. And to top it off, these curls will last for several days--even through wind and rain. Seriously? I would only have to do their hair before the first performance, and not again. How much easier could that make my life during Nutcracker week?

That's it for now. I'm just glad I finally got our posts into 2012!

Mmmm.... breakfast

I've found the most delicious breakfast out there... okay, maybe not the most delicious because I know things like Nutella-filled crepes and cinnamon rolls exist, but this little meal I'm sharing is up there with the best.

I've been trying to eat a healthy and balanced breakfast full of protein and a little fat. In all the research I've read, this seems to be a good idea for somebody who is like me--IE--someone who needs something fast that tastes good because they don't have much of a chance to eat throughout the day because they are so busy taking care of tiny people they hardly have a minute for eating something balanced and nutritious!

And don't get scared, but this will involve some greens--in fact, it involves arugula.

I highly recommend that if you are not familiar with this little green gem, then become familiar with it soon! Anyway, I used to eat scrambled eggs and two pieces of turkey bacon and a little fruit--an apple or some frozen mango. Recently, I have discovered I can't eat scrambled eggs. For some reason, it makes me totally ill all day long. But what's really weird is I can eat eggs in about any other form--fried, in a casserole, boiled, deviled, and in baked goods (thank, God)!

So what I've been doing for breakfast lately goes like this--

1 slice of whole grain wheat bread
1 tsp of cream cheese (yes, full of the fat--it's a teaspoon--it'll be okay)
1 tsp of farmhouse chutney (more on this in a moment)
1 fried egg (I put a little garlic salt and black pepper on mine)
2 slices of turkey bacon
1/4c of baby arugula


First, I put enough turkey bacon to feed my family in a skillet. This get's it just greasy enough.

Next, when the bacon is done (which means crispy, but not burned), drain it on some paper towels and crack your egg into the greased pan (I like my cast iron skillet).

Season the egg with a dash of garlic salt and black pepper. When the egg whites have mostly set up, flip the egg--this will help keep your yolk in tact so that when you bite into it, the yellow goo won't run down your chin and hand. Of course, if you like the goo on you, skip the flipping step!

While the egg is cooking, use the other half of your skillet to toast the bread. Just a minute or less on each side will do.

Take the bread out and spread a thin layer of cream cheese and a thin layer of farmhouse chutney on the bread. Once the egg is done,  add it to the toast as well. Top with two slices of bacon and give the rest to your family (SMILE--they'll thank you for the treat)! Then scoop up the arugula and plop on the bacon.

Put it on your plate and enjoy. This little open-faced sandwich's got it goin' on! It has a slight hint of sweetness from the chutney, all that egg and bacon flavor, and a little bit of the kick arugula is famous for. Oh, and it's all on toasted bread with cream cheese. It is so good!

*About the chutney--it's sweet and made of many, lovely, fruity tastes. I picked it up at a craft fair before the holidays. And this has been my favorite way to use it! PS--Stonewall Kitchen has no idea that I exist--so this is not some kind of paid advertisement. I just wanted to tell you where I got this stuff in case you wanted to try my "Mmmmmm.... Sandwich."

NYE 2011

Believe it or not, we really didn't do anything the week between Christmas and NYE. I started a new job, and I worked nearly everyday, so that was our excitement for the week. Well, this Escalade was also our excitement. It was a gift for the girls from my Aunt and Uncle. Daddy got it all put together, and they've been enjoying it since!

On NYE, I worked what felt like the better chunk of the day (11-5). But I was super excited to get off work and head home to celebrate NYE with our little family. 

 Daddy's NYE treat--I don't think he even one whole drink, but that wasn't the point of our evening anyway. Our party on NYE days have long since passed!

 We did an appetizer and dessert buffet. This is my homemade spin and artichoke dip with pumpernickel! So dang good!

Oh, sweet pumpkin bread--you're chocolate chips make you even tastier!

 Special drinks for the kids. Juices and lemo-lime soda--they loved it!

 My small drink of vino. My favorite vino at that!

 The spread consisted of caramle popcorn and chocolate-chip pumpkin bread for dessert, spinach and artichoke dip in a pumpernickel bread bowl, some sweet/savory meatballs, hush puppies, and some delicious roasted veggies. They veggies didn't necessarily fit in, but we needed to use up the food, plus it added a nice little boost to our not-so-healthy buffet.

 This was my first time making hush puppies. I used Paula Deen's recipe (from my new PD cookbook that is signed by the sweet, Southern chef herself--thanks, sis!), and the whole family ate 'em up.

 Peach wanted to turn napkins into flower for everybody, so I put her in charge of that task. She did fabulously. 

 Daddy gave this one some baby laughs and snorts. Snorting is her thing! She developed this talent all on her own! So proud of her skills.... I think (SMILE)!

This was our "family" (I use quotes because I'm never in our family pictures since I'm always taking them) picture before the end of the year. It cracks me up. It's so candid. So real. So us! 

After our snacks, we all sat down to watch The Help. It was a bit over the kids' heads, but I thought it'd introduce some ideas from history that they need to be familiar with. Peach has talked a little bit about MLK JR., so some of this made some sense to her. 

By the time midnight rolled around, Matt, Peach and I were up. Brownie and Bug woke up briefly right around midnight, but they were all party poopers. I had to run outside by myself to spray the silly spray and toot my party blower horn.  The girls can never claim I'm not cool--because apparently I'm the only one up partying on NYE (SMILE)!

2011 was a sweet year, but we had too much involvement with doctors. So I'm hoping this year brings us health, happiness, and even more love than we've ever felt before.