Baby Girl

Baby girl...

...likes the snow:

...likes playing with big bro number 1:

...does not like having a bad cold:

...or getting two shots:

...gets very very sad while teething (must be some big ones!):

She's been a sad sad girl the past 3 days and nights.  

Oh, and here's a pillow fight selfie:

Big guy

It's been awhile since I talked about AJ. He's just a steady guy. Two things to talk about.

1. We arrived at becky's the other day and I heard the train. I told AJ to hurry up to Ryk and help him out while I catch up with Dempsey. When I got to the guys this was what I saw:

He was covering Ryk's ears! How sweet is that?!?!

2. AJ just completed a 600+ lego creation. He did 98% of it, I just helped him a couple of times. It was super amazing! He spent 7 hours one Saturday working on it....the dedication was amazing.

I appreciate AJ a ton, and am getting increasingly excited about his school year next year!!!

Momma

My week

What a week. I've heard it all this week in my job. Stories of witnessing horrendous domestic violence, abuse by loved ones, suicidal thoughts/plans, breakups, anxiety that causes paralysis ,and grief and loss of dear loved ones that went way too soon.  I've safety planned, called social services and the police, checked with the funeral home for services, spoke to parents about my concerns, and lost sleep. I've given a ton of hugs. 

I just can't help but feel so lucky to bear witness to all of this. And at the same time my heart hurts right now. I'm exhausted. And saddened. And a bit scared. And in my kid lingo "my battery is definitely on E".  I need a good cry and plan to take care of that soon.

Until then... Please be kind. And don't hurt others. Cherish your loved ones. Hug more. Listen to the small stuff. Get off your phone. Don't judge. Say hi. And good morning. Life is really short, too short. But it also is long enough to make a crap ton of a difference. Whether that's at home or at work or at the freakin grocery store.

To sum up my week-I leave you all with a great teen quote:

I've witness a lot of pain this week.

-Megan

tMi alert.

So there I was talking to my brother (on the phone) while using the facilities (just#1) when over comes DSnow with a hair clip. Before I know she has dropped it behind me IN the toilet and off she goes. I'm left pick out this clip in less than awesome conditions.

Dsnow. I swear it..,,

Love,

Momma

Things that Make our Life Go Round (Easier-ish)

As a family of 5, there are things that we do to make our lives easier.  Here they are:
1.  A laundry system.   Black-AJ, Red-Ryke, White-DSnow.  We throw the kids' clothes in their basket, and with exception of DSnow everybody is in charge of putting their clothes away into their respective boxes.  
 

2.  Speaking of clothes, we put out clothes for the kids for the whole week into this organizer.  It definitely helps in the morning rush to get these kids out the door.

 3.  For lunches we make these Mason Jar Salads for the week.  I started doing this when I returned to work from maternity leave with DSnow.  I've kept it up and now Russell has joined me.  It is the best thing ever!  No thinking about lunch every single morning, you save money, and make everyone at work jealous.  Not really, I get made fun of but I secretly think they are jealous of my food in a jar:)

4.  YMCA Membership and a Treadmill are reasons that I stay sane.  I have 2-3 classes that I attempt to attend at the Y at 545am.  Most people think I'm crazy, but it really works for me.  For 1 I am not missing out on family time because everyone in my family is usually sleeping, for 2-I'm done with my workout by 645am, and for 3-my biceps are really responding well to the new workouts:)  The treadmill is pretty awesome for when I want to workout but can't get away from my house.

5.  APPS.  That's right.  Two apps that make my life easier.  1.  GroceryIQ- this app is how Russell and I manage our grocery situation.  In theory the second we know we are out/need an item we enter it into our phones.  The app syncs with both of our phones, so if I add something and Russell is at the store it will show up for him.  I also love it because we can split up in the store and check things off on the phone and see it in real time.  The other app that makes my life easier is Blogger.  It enables me to blog from my phone which enables me to keep up on the blog.

6.  Meal planning:  Russell and I started planning our meals every Sunday.  We plan for the week, and shop at the store on Sunday.  That way we don't have to think about what is for dinner, we just know.  So helpful.  Saves money.  Saves headaches.  We also started going to this natural/organic meat store and buy our meats in bulk.  That has been so nice to have a freezer full of frozen meats to grab and go.  It's equal opportunity in the kitchen, so depending on who is home first- they began dinner because they just look on the meal board and know what to start.

7.  Something that I just started was short hair cuts.  Sure sure...I'm rocking the mom hair cuts.  But I'm telling you- I feel good, I look good (don't mind if I do), and IT's freakin easy.  It's where it's at people.  Don't be afraid.  Oh and your partner will also most likely really enjoy the new do.   Knowwhati'msaying.


8.  The next one is something that we try to never, EVER, take for granted.  BUT it is a huge reason our world is easier.  I'll let pictures do the talking on this one.

The best. Grandparents.In.The.World.

I'm mean seriously how did we ever get so darn lucky????







9.  It keeps getting better and better.  These people are my lifelines.  I seriously don't know what I would- do without these best friends, these Mommas, these coworkers.  They keep me going.  I don't have pictures of everybody, but you know who you are.  Thank you ladies for keeping me going.

10.  Oh oh this is a weird order for this...but something that keeps us sane in this house is PARKS.  Luckily we have a park that is RIGHT behind our house.  BUT we love to go find new parks.  I just love to see the boys try more and more things every time we go back!

and lastly,
11.  The biggest thing that keeps us all going is the solid foundation that Russell and I have worked to accomplish.  A HUGE part of keeping us solid is DATE NIGHTS,  DATE morning, and trips just by ourselves.  And yes I said date mornings.  Russell and I try at least once a week to get to one of our fave coffee places before work.  This is a task in itself because I have to be to work by 745am.  So that means lots of running around and getting kids dressed a bit earlier than usual.  But it's so worth that extra time to spend by ourselves.  So many people that we know don't take time away from the kids because they feel guilty.  I just really don't get it.  It is so important for everyone's sake.  The kids get to bond to another adult (which I would argue is CRUCIAL to everyone's survival).  The adults get to reconnect (which AGAIN crucial).  And when you get home it seems that everyone has a renewed sense of OHMYGOSH I REALLY LOVE AND MISS AND APPRECIATE You.  Win win.

I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting, but these are some of the ways that we Survive in this crazy time of life.  I cannot imagine ANY other way of going through this life.  

Love, 
Momma

 ut-

Mailbox Running

Russ started this new thing with Ryke when they get the mail. Russ lets Ryke out and Ryke Prefontaines-it to our house. Cuteness overload. He often looks at the vehicle the whole time, smiling ear to ear, and occasionally yelling "I love you!!!!" Russ and I swear if there was something in his path he would indeed smack into it.

He continues to make us smile.

And go a bit crazy.

Love,

Momma

Sweet on him.

LOve my Lover!

Meg

Oh little Big Ryker.

Ryke man has been having trouble sleeping for the past few YEARS...anyways the last couple night I have found a temporary solution. What is wickedly amazing about these toddler creatures is that you have NO clue how long the solution will last. Cool news is that it makes you appreciate every single moment that it works. Last night the current solution was created after Ryk was having a very emotional night. Instead of playing hardball I mustered my sweetest Mom voice and said sweet things to him. Then I took off my sweatshirt and covered him with it, making sure he could hold onto the arms. So far he's stayed in there, hooray!

Love,

Momma

Let's Go Fly A Kite!

I like when the pics can do the talking sometimes. 

Can't find anything!

This girl makes messy everywhere she goes. Holy buckets it's cute but it drives me batty!

Momma

That's what it feels like...

8 hours of completely uninterrupted sleep. 

It's been years...(minus the vacations where we have left the kids at home).

Ah. Welcome to your Friday.

Momma