Today I went to Humarock to drop off some towels. I have been dreading going there since my father died. I did go a few days after he passed to see the neighbors and get sand from the beach to put in his coffin. Since I have been dreading it and have really thought I would put it off until next season.
Today I had to go to Scituate Harbor and decided to continue on to Humarock to drop the towels. It was as hard as I thought it would be. Half way there I started crying and got worse the closer I got. Even though he would not be there now anyway, and I do this trip many times over the winter to drop "beach" stuff off at the house for next season, knowing he would not be there again hit me like a ton of bricks on my drive over.
On the way back we passed the chapel we go to for church when we are staying there. Brendan commented that we went to that church last summer. I told him we would go again next summer. He asked if we would be going back to Humarock. I told him we would because Papa would want us to. Then Audrey chimed in and commented that she "wanted Papa to go with us next year". Don't we all. :(
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Dad
It has taken me a while to write this post. 2 weeks, 3 days to be exact (longer now because I am just getting back to this on November 25th). My father passed away on September 8th unexpectedly. It was the most heartwrenching day of my life. One I knew would come some day, but I did not expect it then. He had many ailments~emphysema, an aortic dissection, congestive heart failure and an overall weakened heart. We learned how weak last February when he went into Mass. General for some tests. He had been bleeding profusely from his nose one week. It had happened a couple of times within a week and, after returning from Carney Hospital one day, I had to drive him to Mass. General because it started again before I left my parents' house.
While at MGH they had to take him off of his blood pressure and fluid meds. to do an endoscopy and a colonoscopy. When they brought him back to his room after the tests his blood pressure shot up over 200 and his lungs filled with fluid~two liters to be exact. They gave him meds to reverse the blood pressure and drained the fluid out of his lungs. They had to intubate him and, we were told, he fought to pull the tube out so they had to sedate him as well. We spoke to one of the drs. who oversaw him and was told that we should discuss a do not resuscitate because it "could be 3 weeks or three months" before we had this type of situation again and that his heart was working "at a fraction of what it should be". This did not come as a huge surprise at the time. He had several ailments and had an aortic repair 10+ year prior. I was taken back by the brutal honesty of the dr. I was annoyed, angry and saddened. I didn't find it necessary for him to be so brutally honest. We spoke to three other drs. who were in charge of his care and a nurse. All told us that his heart was weak but that they could not say how long it would last. The nurse also made sure we knew that the situation that happened in the hospital was the result of the circumstances surrounding his tests~taking him off the medication that he clearly needed~and that at home he should be fine as long as he took them faithfully.
We passed the three month mark and I let my guard down. Thought that dr. was wrong. Over the summer I was able to get him up to the beach twice. He hadn't walked to the beach, which is only four houses away, in two years. He was too winded from the emphysema to make the walk over the small sand mound that leads to the beach. I was so happy he was there and so was he. It was his (and my) most favorite place to be. Brian, I and the kids spent Labor Day Weekend with my parents in Humarock. I always have. This Labor Day weekend was chaotic because we had been without power for 6 days prior due to Hurricane Irene. We actually went to Humarock sooner this year because power was restored there before it was in Norwell. Unfortunately, my parents didn't come down until Friday. The weekend, although we were there, was crazy. I was trying to finish up getting the kids ready for school, running back and forth to the laundromat to get caught up on the mounds of laundry from days of not being able to do it at home and tried to fit in last minute day trips. Although we were at Humarock~it wasn't quality time with my parents and I regret that greatly. On Monday night we left for home.
The kids started school on Wednesday. Brian took the week off to see them off on their first day of school. We took the twins to a movie on Wednesday after we saw the older ones off. I hadn't spoken to my parents since Monday and thought to myself that I had to call them. I forgot.
On Thursday I was making dinner while the twins painted a box in the kitchen. They were really making a mess and I thought to myself at one point that I was surprised at how calm I was with it all. I returned to making dinner and at 3:08 jumped as if startled. My first thought was that I realized I missed getting the kids off the bus. When I realized that I was too early, my next thought was that I still hadn't called my parents and I had to do so. I reminded myself to do so when the kids got home and I got them settled and started on homework.
We went to get them off the bus and while waiting I got the call about my father. Ironically, we knew one of the EMT's who worked on him. He was in line at a corner store near my parents house waiting to turn in a scratch ticket when he had the heart attack. From what we were told there was a pulse initially. It stopped and when CPR was started it started again. Then stopped. The EMT told me at the wake that the first call came in at 2:57. They arrived on scene at 3:02. I guess you have to believe in this, but I truly believe that my father passed away at 3:08 and, as many people have said to me, he passed through me to say goodbye. That, surprisingly, has brought me peace.
The pain was still unbearable in the beginning. Excrutiating. Like nothing I have ever felt before and would never want to feel again. The loss, the emptiness, lonliness, and desire to get him back. As I said to one friend, "I want to shake someone and shout at them to give him back!" Although the sadness is still there, as is the emptiness, I am doing ok. Thanksgiving was tough. We stayed home with the kids. It was good for me, although the kids didn't understand why I didn't want to see family. The thought of being together without my father was too much for me to bear. I did well until the night before when I sobbed while cooking. I still want him back, but know it is not going to happen.
There have been other signs that I have been given from him that he is ok. I know they are real. Those also have helped. I still want him back but am moving on. The kids have been a real distraction. It also helps when they talk of him and things they remember about him. I love to hear their stories and recollections. It brings a smile to my face, although sometimes through tears.
Life does move on and I know I will see him again someday.
While at MGH they had to take him off of his blood pressure and fluid meds. to do an endoscopy and a colonoscopy. When they brought him back to his room after the tests his blood pressure shot up over 200 and his lungs filled with fluid~two liters to be exact. They gave him meds to reverse the blood pressure and drained the fluid out of his lungs. They had to intubate him and, we were told, he fought to pull the tube out so they had to sedate him as well. We spoke to one of the drs. who oversaw him and was told that we should discuss a do not resuscitate because it "could be 3 weeks or three months" before we had this type of situation again and that his heart was working "at a fraction of what it should be". This did not come as a huge surprise at the time. He had several ailments and had an aortic repair 10+ year prior. I was taken back by the brutal honesty of the dr. I was annoyed, angry and saddened. I didn't find it necessary for him to be so brutally honest. We spoke to three other drs. who were in charge of his care and a nurse. All told us that his heart was weak but that they could not say how long it would last. The nurse also made sure we knew that the situation that happened in the hospital was the result of the circumstances surrounding his tests~taking him off the medication that he clearly needed~and that at home he should be fine as long as he took them faithfully.
We passed the three month mark and I let my guard down. Thought that dr. was wrong. Over the summer I was able to get him up to the beach twice. He hadn't walked to the beach, which is only four houses away, in two years. He was too winded from the emphysema to make the walk over the small sand mound that leads to the beach. I was so happy he was there and so was he. It was his (and my) most favorite place to be. Brian, I and the kids spent Labor Day Weekend with my parents in Humarock. I always have. This Labor Day weekend was chaotic because we had been without power for 6 days prior due to Hurricane Irene. We actually went to Humarock sooner this year because power was restored there before it was in Norwell. Unfortunately, my parents didn't come down until Friday. The weekend, although we were there, was crazy. I was trying to finish up getting the kids ready for school, running back and forth to the laundromat to get caught up on the mounds of laundry from days of not being able to do it at home and tried to fit in last minute day trips. Although we were at Humarock~it wasn't quality time with my parents and I regret that greatly. On Monday night we left for home.
The kids started school on Wednesday. Brian took the week off to see them off on their first day of school. We took the twins to a movie on Wednesday after we saw the older ones off. I hadn't spoken to my parents since Monday and thought to myself that I had to call them. I forgot.
On Thursday I was making dinner while the twins painted a box in the kitchen. They were really making a mess and I thought to myself at one point that I was surprised at how calm I was with it all. I returned to making dinner and at 3:08 jumped as if startled. My first thought was that I realized I missed getting the kids off the bus. When I realized that I was too early, my next thought was that I still hadn't called my parents and I had to do so. I reminded myself to do so when the kids got home and I got them settled and started on homework.
We went to get them off the bus and while waiting I got the call about my father. Ironically, we knew one of the EMT's who worked on him. He was in line at a corner store near my parents house waiting to turn in a scratch ticket when he had the heart attack. From what we were told there was a pulse initially. It stopped and when CPR was started it started again. Then stopped. The EMT told me at the wake that the first call came in at 2:57. They arrived on scene at 3:02. I guess you have to believe in this, but I truly believe that my father passed away at 3:08 and, as many people have said to me, he passed through me to say goodbye. That, surprisingly, has brought me peace.
The pain was still unbearable in the beginning. Excrutiating. Like nothing I have ever felt before and would never want to feel again. The loss, the emptiness, lonliness, and desire to get him back. As I said to one friend, "I want to shake someone and shout at them to give him back!" Although the sadness is still there, as is the emptiness, I am doing ok. Thanksgiving was tough. We stayed home with the kids. It was good for me, although the kids didn't understand why I didn't want to see family. The thought of being together without my father was too much for me to bear. I did well until the night before when I sobbed while cooking. I still want him back, but know it is not going to happen.
There have been other signs that I have been given from him that he is ok. I know they are real. Those also have helped. I still want him back but am moving on. The kids have been a real distraction. It also helps when they talk of him and things they remember about him. I love to hear their stories and recollections. It brings a smile to my face, although sometimes through tears.
Life does move on and I know I will see him again someday.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
An Even Playing Field and Pretty Girls
I love the beach. For anyone who has read this blog you know I spend a lot of time at Humarock Beach. It is my favorite place to be. I grew up there. My parents bought a small cottage there 43 years ago~6 months before I was born. I have wonderful memories of summers spent there.
Now my kids enjoy it as well. They LOVE it really. They love the beach like I did, love the ocean and even can dive right in to the frigid cold Atlantic Ocean water like I did when I was their age. They spend hours in it like I did as well. It is their second home and from the first sign of warm weather in the spring they ask when we are going back.
For both the reasons I mention above, I love Humarock Beach. As a mom I have a new appreciation for it. It brings an even playing field and days together that are enjoyed with almost no fighting at all. The beach, with all it's beauty, brings an even playing field for all kids~but especially siblings! Another friend of mine made this observation while we were there earlier this summer. Last week Brian, the kids and I spent our vacation there. I noticed what she meant during our vacation. It's hard to fight with such a wide open space to play. Don't want to build a sand castle, then go into the water, don't want to ride waves anymore, then get your skimboard, float on the tube, read a book, or just sit and soak up the warm sun. The house is so close to the beach, and the older boys just old enough, that I can now send them back to the house for a snack or if they just need a break. There's so much room to split them up or let them play together. It makes for such a fun and relaxing day for them and, sometimes more importantly, me.
As with last year, we had another wonderful week at the beach. We are so fortunate to live near the water and have a summer home to go to and a place to go to when we all need to have some space from each other~which inevitably brings us all back together when we get there!
On another note~my oldest has a crush. He has had this crush for two years now. He is the sweetest, kindest boy. Today after lacrosse practice he asked if he could put the BTR cd in the car stereo. The other day I skipped over the boyfriend song because I find it annoying. Tonight he asked if he could listen to the cd and made it a point to let me know he wanted to listen to the "boyfriend" song as well. I asked him teasingly if it was because he liked someone. At first he wouldn't say, then he told me that I knew who it was. The same girl he has mentioned a handful of times. To back up a bit~I honestly can't believe they have crushes at this age. They seem too young. This girl would tie his shoes in second grade. I think the attention is what he liked. When he told me tonight that I already knew who it was I said to him that I thought she was a sweet girl and a "good catch". He asked me what I meant by "good catch" and I told him just what I said~that she is a sweet girl. His response was, "and she's pretty too." So flippin sweet!
Now my kids enjoy it as well. They LOVE it really. They love the beach like I did, love the ocean and even can dive right in to the frigid cold Atlantic Ocean water like I did when I was their age. They spend hours in it like I did as well. It is their second home and from the first sign of warm weather in the spring they ask when we are going back.
For both the reasons I mention above, I love Humarock Beach. As a mom I have a new appreciation for it. It brings an even playing field and days together that are enjoyed with almost no fighting at all. The beach, with all it's beauty, brings an even playing field for all kids~but especially siblings! Another friend of mine made this observation while we were there earlier this summer. Last week Brian, the kids and I spent our vacation there. I noticed what she meant during our vacation. It's hard to fight with such a wide open space to play. Don't want to build a sand castle, then go into the water, don't want to ride waves anymore, then get your skimboard, float on the tube, read a book, or just sit and soak up the warm sun. The house is so close to the beach, and the older boys just old enough, that I can now send them back to the house for a snack or if they just need a break. There's so much room to split them up or let them play together. It makes for such a fun and relaxing day for them and, sometimes more importantly, me.
As with last year, we had another wonderful week at the beach. We are so fortunate to live near the water and have a summer home to go to and a place to go to when we all need to have some space from each other~which inevitably brings us all back together when we get there!
On another note~my oldest has a crush. He has had this crush for two years now. He is the sweetest, kindest boy. Today after lacrosse practice he asked if he could put the BTR cd in the car stereo. The other day I skipped over the boyfriend song because I find it annoying. Tonight he asked if he could listen to the cd and made it a point to let me know he wanted to listen to the "boyfriend" song as well. I asked him teasingly if it was because he liked someone. At first he wouldn't say, then he told me that I knew who it was. The same girl he has mentioned a handful of times. To back up a bit~I honestly can't believe they have crushes at this age. They seem too young. This girl would tie his shoes in second grade. I think the attention is what he liked. When he told me tonight that I already knew who it was I said to him that I thought she was a sweet girl and a "good catch". He asked me what I meant by "good catch" and I told him just what I said~that she is a sweet girl. His response was, "and she's pretty too." So flippin sweet!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Welcome to My World
Brian just went out to play wiffle ball with the kids. He is currently dealing with one crying, unreasonable six year old who is also fighting with her 10 year old brother while also trying to mediate a fight between the 10 year old and 8 year old over who gets to bat first. I think he's getting a good taste of why I call him at work some days screaming like a lunatic~usually before lunch time! LOL!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Sledding...with almost no accidents~my MOTY award is on its way
We took the kids sledding today to a hill I passed every year growing up in the summer, and occassionally in the winter, when driving to my parents summer cottage in Humarock. In the winter I would pine as we drove past watching the kids sled. It looked like so much fun.
This year I thought was a good one to bring all of the kids and it was. They all loved it and we made it through without any serious incidents, except for one that I caused.
Audrey was FLYING down the hill. These kids were going fast and it's a pretty significant hill. She is such a daredevil and has absolutely no fear. She was heading for trees and rocks, which were off to the side. The rest of the hill is pretty wide open and unobstructed, which also makes it such a great place to go. Of course, my kid heads for the side of the mountain where she can get maimed.
I was at the bottom of the hill and, in my fear, jumped in front of her and stopped her with my leg and foot. I thought nothing of it at first until I realized she looked like she was in awful pain yet couldn't cry. I had completely knocked the wind out of her. She began gasping for breath and I waived for my hubby to head down the hill to help me decide if we she have her looked at.
Good thing she didn't. Patrick fought us and went back up the hill to tell his father that I said they could have one more run down. He ignored my frantic waving and took the advice of the 10 year old. Oy...by the time this all played out she had gotten her breath and wanted to go back up the hill~although not before blaming me for hurting her. This is her heading back up:
Sean smashed his face in snow trying to stop himself on a fast trip down. He is scraped and red from the snow but, otherwise unhurt. He doesn't look too bad for someone who landed face down in snow:
This year I thought was a good one to bring all of the kids and it was. They all loved it and we made it through without any serious incidents, except for one that I caused.
Audrey was FLYING down the hill. These kids were going fast and it's a pretty significant hill. She is such a daredevil and has absolutely no fear. She was heading for trees and rocks, which were off to the side. The rest of the hill is pretty wide open and unobstructed, which also makes it such a great place to go. Of course, my kid heads for the side of the mountain where she can get maimed.
I was at the bottom of the hill and, in my fear, jumped in front of her and stopped her with my leg and foot. I thought nothing of it at first until I realized she looked like she was in awful pain yet couldn't cry. I had completely knocked the wind out of her. She began gasping for breath and I waived for my hubby to head down the hill to help me decide if we she have her looked at.
Good thing she didn't. Patrick fought us and went back up the hill to tell his father that I said they could have one more run down. He ignored my frantic waving and took the advice of the 10 year old. Oy...by the time this all played out she had gotten her breath and wanted to go back up the hill~although not before blaming me for hurting her. This is her heading back up:
Sean smashed his face in snow trying to stop himself on a fast trip down. He is scraped and red from the snow but, otherwise unhurt. He doesn't look too bad for someone who landed face down in snow:
Here I am after finally gathering up all the kiddos for a picture before we left:
They're all in one piece and happy. I would call that a successful outing!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Where I Begin to See the Light
Tonight I was reading the blog post of a blogger (http://www.piningfornordstrom.com/ ) I enjoy. She is very honest in her posts but also, unlike me, very funny. She puts a humorous spin on almost everything. In addition to enjoying her humor she, like me, has five kids. I also enjoy her blog because I feel I can relate to many of the things she writes about. Her latest post talks about her chaotic days with her five kids and how sometimes she feels like she can't handle it all. Although my kiddos are all fairly small still, she brought me back to those days, which are becoming fewer (thankfully).
The last five years (really the last 10) has been a time of fog filled, harried and chaotic days. Patrick never slept until he was about 8 years old. From when we brought him home he would cry right as I bent over to put him down in his cradle. He also would never take a bottle. The kid was a boob man! One with lactose intolerance to boot. As a result there wasn't much I could eat and my weight dropped to less than what I was in high school. A weight so low that my brothers commented that I was too thin and that they were worried about me.
Sean came along just short of two years later. He was a FABULOUS sleeper~that is until Patrick's night terrors started waking him at night (the story of the night terrors are an entire blog post in itself). When those began I would have to bring both boys into my bed at night to get any semblance of sleep.
Then wanting another baby very badly, and much before Sean turned two, I was pregnant again when he was a year. This pregnancy was going along wonderfully until I had a miscarriage at 14 weeks. In addition to the sleep deprivation and exhaustion from working part time and caring for an infant and a toddler, I soon plunged into a deep, anxiety ridden depression. This time was by far the worst time of my life. It lasted for 6+ months and I don't know how I ever made it through~nor how my husband and kids did (also a post for another day). In addition to the depression I got pregnant during this time. Fortunately I received great treatment and was on the mend before the baby was born.
Caroline was an easy baby, except for the sleep. She was more like Patrick than Sean in the sleep department. Not too long after she was born we had three in the bed with us. I can barely remember those nights because of the sleep deprivation.
When she was six months old we decided to move. For some crazy reason I thought I could take on a fixer upper. I had a "vision" I told my husband. He didn't see it. I hurried to renovate the house so that the "vision" I spoke of could be seen and my husband wouldn't hate me for insisting on buying this house. The vision took almost 8 months~this for only the kitchen and two bathrooms. The contractor put us on the backburner for larger projects and made my life miserable! By the time the house was done I was pregnant with the twins and the others were 1, 3 & 5.
The twins sucked the absolute life out of me. I was blue, lethargic, exhausted, had magnified sciatic nerve pain on both sides of my back and ate like a horse. I suffered a root canal and pneumonia during my prenancy with them as well. I slept every day and nearly all weekend when the hubby was home. We got NOTHING done on the house during this time. My poor boys sat locked in my bedroom in front of the tv that summer for hours while I slept.
The babies came at 39 weeks (yeah, I didn't even get bedrest or an early end to it all). They were WONDERFUL sleepers until almost their 2nd birthday. Shortly before they began climbing out of their cribs and into my bed. They have been with us ever since.
My weight after four pregnancies is another issue entirely. At the end of having all of these kids I was 44 pounds heavier than I had ever been in my life. I had trouble breathing at time and felt sluggish.
At times I still have four (sometimes five) kids in bed with me. Even with everything we've been through~we've made it and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am enjoying them all more each day~with a twinge of sadness that they have gotten so big so fast. BUT things are easier. My house which has been a disgusting mess for the last five years is getting organized, I'm purging what is not needed, I am back to myself. Myself used to be an organized, type a personality. I am glad to be on that track again (not nutty though~lol)! I am back to work and enjoying it. I am able to have coherent conversations with people without looking and sounding like I am going to fall asleep during a conversation! I can look them in the eye and actually understand what they are talking about. AND I am losing weight! I feel and look better than I have in a long time! It is nice to be at this place and have five healthy, happy kids.
Although I don't think she needs my sympathy because of her great sense of humor, I do feel for the other blogger because I recall the days of losing keys, missing appointments because I couldn't get it all together, walking around like a zombie and just hibernating in my house because I just didn't want to deal with anything more than I had on my plate at home (ok, she may not be as out of sorts as I am so I speak for myself only). Those days are nearing an end~with a bit of saddness~and a lot of excitement. I am enjoying my kids more and I hope they are enjoying me!
The last five years (really the last 10) has been a time of fog filled, harried and chaotic days. Patrick never slept until he was about 8 years old. From when we brought him home he would cry right as I bent over to put him down in his cradle. He also would never take a bottle. The kid was a boob man! One with lactose intolerance to boot. As a result there wasn't much I could eat and my weight dropped to less than what I was in high school. A weight so low that my brothers commented that I was too thin and that they were worried about me.
Sean came along just short of two years later. He was a FABULOUS sleeper~that is until Patrick's night terrors started waking him at night (the story of the night terrors are an entire blog post in itself). When those began I would have to bring both boys into my bed at night to get any semblance of sleep.
Then wanting another baby very badly, and much before Sean turned two, I was pregnant again when he was a year. This pregnancy was going along wonderfully until I had a miscarriage at 14 weeks. In addition to the sleep deprivation and exhaustion from working part time and caring for an infant and a toddler, I soon plunged into a deep, anxiety ridden depression. This time was by far the worst time of my life. It lasted for 6+ months and I don't know how I ever made it through~nor how my husband and kids did (also a post for another day). In addition to the depression I got pregnant during this time. Fortunately I received great treatment and was on the mend before the baby was born.
Caroline was an easy baby, except for the sleep. She was more like Patrick than Sean in the sleep department. Not too long after she was born we had three in the bed with us. I can barely remember those nights because of the sleep deprivation.
When she was six months old we decided to move. For some crazy reason I thought I could take on a fixer upper. I had a "vision" I told my husband. He didn't see it. I hurried to renovate the house so that the "vision" I spoke of could be seen and my husband wouldn't hate me for insisting on buying this house. The vision took almost 8 months~this for only the kitchen and two bathrooms. The contractor put us on the backburner for larger projects and made my life miserable! By the time the house was done I was pregnant with the twins and the others were 1, 3 & 5.
The twins sucked the absolute life out of me. I was blue, lethargic, exhausted, had magnified sciatic nerve pain on both sides of my back and ate like a horse. I suffered a root canal and pneumonia during my prenancy with them as well. I slept every day and nearly all weekend when the hubby was home. We got NOTHING done on the house during this time. My poor boys sat locked in my bedroom in front of the tv that summer for hours while I slept.
The babies came at 39 weeks (yeah, I didn't even get bedrest or an early end to it all). They were WONDERFUL sleepers until almost their 2nd birthday. Shortly before they began climbing out of their cribs and into my bed. They have been with us ever since.
My weight after four pregnancies is another issue entirely. At the end of having all of these kids I was 44 pounds heavier than I had ever been in my life. I had trouble breathing at time and felt sluggish.
At times I still have four (sometimes five) kids in bed with me. Even with everything we've been through~we've made it and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am enjoying them all more each day~with a twinge of sadness that they have gotten so big so fast. BUT things are easier. My house which has been a disgusting mess for the last five years is getting organized, I'm purging what is not needed, I am back to myself. Myself used to be an organized, type a personality. I am glad to be on that track again (not nutty though~lol)! I am back to work and enjoying it. I am able to have coherent conversations with people without looking and sounding like I am going to fall asleep during a conversation! I can look them in the eye and actually understand what they are talking about. AND I am losing weight! I feel and look better than I have in a long time! It is nice to be at this place and have five healthy, happy kids.
Although I don't think she needs my sympathy because of her great sense of humor, I do feel for the other blogger because I recall the days of losing keys, missing appointments because I couldn't get it all together, walking around like a zombie and just hibernating in my house because I just didn't want to deal with anything more than I had on my plate at home (ok, she may not be as out of sorts as I am so I speak for myself only). Those days are nearing an end~with a bit of saddness~and a lot of excitement. I am enjoying my kids more and I hope they are enjoying me!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Family Pics and, oh yeah, Weight Watchers isn't going so well so you won't see any pictures of me for a while
As I've mentioned in previous posts, I'm not sure how to put a link in here, nor am I sure of how to refer to previous posts when I mention them in a new one. I still have to work on those two things, but I'm pretty sure I can post some pictures of the kiddos that I blog about. So, here they are:
It's not the best picture, but I actually couldn't figure out how to upload a picture to my blog (at least not easily), so I am going to bed and will try to figure out all (adding a link, referring to previous posts and pictures) when I am not so tired!
On another note~Weight Watchers is not going so well. It's not that the program doesn't work, it's that I am not applying myself and keep making excuses for why I'm not following the program. One result of my inability to lose weight is that I allow VERY FEW pictures to be taken of me. I do have a few, but not many since the twins were born. I'm off to start again tomorrow and am hoping for stronger will power!
Another Great Family Vacation!
We did it again! We had another great family vacation this summer! We spent this week at the beach (at my parents cottage in Humarock~so it was free too~how can it get much better). We had PERFECT weather!
It was such a relaxing vacation. We hung at the beach during the day, went out to eat a couple of nights, walked to the store for ice cream one night and walked to the donut shop one morning. The kids just loved it all~as simple as it was.
The ocean was kicked up a bit the first couple of days be cause of Danielle, but surprisingly calmed by mid week and later even though Hurricane Earl was following close behind. The kids still went in the water with the undertow and high waves. One of us just was sure to be in the water with them and hold the little ones. One day the waves were calm and the water warm (surprising for this part of the Atlantic Ocean)and the hubby and I were in the water all day with the kids. At one point, Patrick, Sean and Caroline were in with us while the twins sat on the beach and played. It was just perfect! The beach is wide open and, with very few exceptions, only neighbors around. That means very few other people around at all. We could see the twins from the water and had neighbors looking on them as well as us in the water. It's just such a great place. As with our trip to Storyland, it was so much easier this year with the twins!
We haven't stayed at the cottage for a week in such a long time and I am so glad we did~and the kids most definitely are too. Looking forward to it again next year!
It was such a relaxing vacation. We hung at the beach during the day, went out to eat a couple of nights, walked to the store for ice cream one night and walked to the donut shop one morning. The kids just loved it all~as simple as it was.
The ocean was kicked up a bit the first couple of days be cause of Danielle, but surprisingly calmed by mid week and later even though Hurricane Earl was following close behind. The kids still went in the water with the undertow and high waves. One of us just was sure to be in the water with them and hold the little ones. One day the waves were calm and the water warm (surprising for this part of the Atlantic Ocean)and the hubby and I were in the water all day with the kids. At one point, Patrick, Sean and Caroline were in with us while the twins sat on the beach and played. It was just perfect! The beach is wide open and, with very few exceptions, only neighbors around. That means very few other people around at all. We could see the twins from the water and had neighbors looking on them as well as us in the water. It's just such a great place. As with our trip to Storyland, it was so much easier this year with the twins!
We haven't stayed at the cottage for a week in such a long time and I am so glad we did~and the kids most definitely are too. Looking forward to it again next year!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
An Example of How I Know My Kids Love Storyland MORE than Disneyworld
We have taken the kids to Storyland, starting when Patrick was not yet two, 5 times. We skipped last year because we took them to Disneyworld in April. All last summer I was asked were we going to Storyland, why weren't we going to Storyland, would we go to Storyland next summer (meaning this year).
Now in all fairness, I cannot say that they DIDN'T like Disneyworld. While we were there they had the time of their lives, but for some reason (as I mentioned in a previous post) Storyland seems to have more staying power in their minds.
Example No. 1~This year (a year after we had taken the kids to Disney and TWO YEARS after our last trip to Storyland) my 7 year old son had to write a report about his favorite memory. My husband and I were helping him with suggestions...your first trip to a Bruins game~no, your first Red Sox game~no, when we stay at Humarock and walk to the donut store when it's quiet in the morning and walk back on the beach (this has previously been a favorite memory)~no, DISNEY!!!~no. He wanted to write about Storyland and our visit to Diana's Bath's, as I mentioned, two years prior to this report. We were shocked! But we just took you ALL THE WAY to DISNEY last year???? Nope~didn't cut it for this kid. He wrote a report about Storyland, his favorite ride and our visit to Diana's Baths.
Example No. 2~my older son asked continuously, all year after NOT going to Storyland last year, if we would be going this year???
Between the two of them how could I disappoint?
Now in all fairness, I cannot say that they DIDN'T like Disneyworld. While we were there they had the time of their lives, but for some reason (as I mentioned in a previous post) Storyland seems to have more staying power in their minds.
Example No. 1~This year (a year after we had taken the kids to Disney and TWO YEARS after our last trip to Storyland) my 7 year old son had to write a report about his favorite memory. My husband and I were helping him with suggestions...your first trip to a Bruins game~no, your first Red Sox game~no, when we stay at Humarock and walk to the donut store when it's quiet in the morning and walk back on the beach (this has previously been a favorite memory)~no, DISNEY!!!~no. He wanted to write about Storyland and our visit to Diana's Bath's, as I mentioned, two years prior to this report. We were shocked! But we just took you ALL THE WAY to DISNEY last year???? Nope~didn't cut it for this kid. He wrote a report about Storyland, his favorite ride and our visit to Diana's Baths.
Example No. 2~my older son asked continuously, all year after NOT going to Storyland last year, if we would be going this year???
Between the two of them how could I disappoint?
Monday, July 19, 2010
The Best Family Vacation EVER!
Last weekend we took the kids to Storyland. For those of you who aren't familiar, Storyland is a little park up in NH that is targeted to younger kids. It's awesome! I love it and I'm 41! All my kids love it, even my 9 year old! When I say they all love it, I mean (and I'm not kidding)more than Disneyworld love! The reason being, the rides are all ones they can do~and THAT is what made this the BEST family vacation EVER! For the first time in 9 years I was not pregnant at Storyland and I did not have one (often more than one) child too young to go on the bigger rides! For the first time in 9 years Brian and I were able to go on all the rides together with ALL the kids (although we did learn that NONE of the rides seats more than 6 people so we had to split into two groups all the time~does anyone not realize that there are families who have more than two kids??). Nevertheless, no one waited while the others had fun! This was HUGE for Brian and I because we are amusement park fanatics! We went to as many as we could before we were married and after we were married, but before we had kids. We love all the huge rollercoasters~really any thrill rides. Although the rides aren't THAT thrilling~they are for the kids and that is so awesome! The kids ALL had a blast, even Brendan and Audrey who went on the flume, the roller coaster and the rafting ride!
I am setting my sights on Disneyworld again with the hopes that they will love it more next time!
Oh...and another reason this family vacation was the BEST family vacation EVER, with the exception of one incident, none of the kids really fought! It was great to get away and exactly what we all needed!
I am setting my sights on Disneyworld again with the hopes that they will love it more next time!
Oh...and another reason this family vacation was the BEST family vacation EVER, with the exception of one incident, none of the kids really fought! It was great to get away and exactly what we all needed!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Have I Mentioned How Much I HATE Stomach Bugs???
Ok, I promise this will be the last time I blog about this stomach bug. I now hate it for another reason than just cleaning up after the kids (and the fact that my poor kiddos are just so miserable). Three of them have been throwing all day today, which means I have done more loads of laundry today than I have in the previous nine years! My house is on septic. Septic and homes with seven occupants, 3 of whom are vomiting hourly and, therefore, requiring multiple loads of laundry be done in one day is like oil and water~they just don't mix.
Add to that the intense rain that has been pouring down where I live for 6 of the last 11 days and is expected to do so for two more. When the rain started 11 days ago it was so bad that there was severe flooding throughout my state. Houses in my neighborhood, and throughout my town, were severely flooded. My husband and I bought this house four years ago and, after coming from one of the other homes in town that took on water, have been proud to say that we have never had a water problem. That was, of course, until today. After about the 10 load of laundry today (seriously, I was that far behind nevermind all the sheets and towels I've had to clean today), I was just in the basement to find water backing up from the septic through the floor where the wall and floor meet.
There are three more of us that have not gotten this "bug" yet. Lets hope we don't until the sun comes out to dry up my backyard because this is going to be one disgusting house by the end of all of this!
Add to that the intense rain that has been pouring down where I live for 6 of the last 11 days and is expected to do so for two more. When the rain started 11 days ago it was so bad that there was severe flooding throughout my state. Houses in my neighborhood, and throughout my town, were severely flooded. My husband and I bought this house four years ago and, after coming from one of the other homes in town that took on water, have been proud to say that we have never had a water problem. That was, of course, until today. After about the 10 load of laundry today (seriously, I was that far behind nevermind all the sheets and towels I've had to clean today), I was just in the basement to find water backing up from the septic through the floor where the wall and floor meet.
There are three more of us that have not gotten this "bug" yet. Lets hope we don't until the sun comes out to dry up my backyard because this is going to be one disgusting house by the end of all of this!
I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY Hate Stomach Bugs
Another one bites the dust. Just shortly after writing the previous post, I received a call from Caroline's friend's mom (to whose house I had sent her thinking she was not sick) that she threw up twice over there. We are now all home and settled in to stay this way for the rest of the day.
Ughhhh.......
Ughhhh.......
I Really, Really Hate Stomach Bugs
Audrey is the latest victim and I am not feeling very good myself. Thank God it was quick for Patrick. I just want it through the house as fast as possible. Hate cleaning up sheets and pj's constantly with this sort of thing!
Monday, March 22, 2010
God, I Hate Throw Up Bugs
With as much fun as we had at the hockey tournament this weekend-it ended on a sour note with Patrick getting a throw up bug. He woke up early Sunday morning complaining that his stomach hurt and he had just thrown up. The one good thing is that he is old enough to make it to the bathroom. He looked so awful, pale and sick that we decided that I would take him home early and Brian and Sean would get a ride with one of the other families after the last game. We sat in traffic for two hours on Rte. 6 on our way home, which was a mixed blessing because, although the ride was tough for Patrick, the slow pace made it easy for me to pull over to let him hang his head out the door. He laid in bed the rest of the day once we got home-splitting his time between bed and the bathroom. He got sick once more during the night-the one time he didn't quite make the toilet.
This morning I had planned on keeping him home from school, but he bounced down the stairs all perky and happy and looked great! I sent him to school. Two and a half hours in and no call. I think we're in the clear. Lets just hope it doesn't go through everyone else!
This morning I had planned on keeping him home from school, but he bounced down the stairs all perky and happy and looked great! I sent him to school. Two and a half hours in and no call. I think we're in the clear. Lets just hope it doesn't go through everyone else!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
It's A Wonderful Life
I have been reading blogs for a few years now and often wondered why people wrote them. Why put yourself out for others to see? I guess I've caught the bug. Mostly, I'd like to have a written keepsake of my children's lives. I have five-yes five. That is often asked in disbelief, which I find surprising because where I live there are so many families with five children. My last two are twins-there are also many sets of twins where I live.
Although I still get the disbelief when people learn how many children I have, and their ages (they are 9, 7, 4 & 2), in the beginning it was worse. When the twins were born my oldest three were 6, 4 and 21 mo. The comments were so much so that I was often shocked by what people would say-"are they ALL yours?", "do you have a daycare?", "I'd have to kill myself if I had that many kids!" In the beginning I would answer politely and try to explain that I had wanted four, but the last two were twins. I didn't have much control over that. Then I became angry (and tired of trying to explain my beautiful twins as if there was something wrong with them) and started answering back "yes they are all mine and I'm very blessed". My favorite response was to the last comment-"good thing you don't have this many kids!"
My Christmas card the year the twins were born had "It's a Wonderful Life" written on it. I actually had a friend call to say her husband asked if I was joking. I wasn't. My days are crazy, often out of control, but it is getting easier and they are so much fun. In this blog I'd like to track the fun times AND the crazy, out of control times-because everyone has them. I am happy to say I have more of the former, though! It truly is a Wonderful Life!
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