Pictures of Titus

 

Titus

Today is the 2nd full day with Titus. For the most part, he is doing really well. He loves the kids. No potty accidents today (yet).
He is not doing well with the adult stranger thing. He nipped at Cathy, Jeff, and Kimmy. I'm a little disappointed. He even growled really bad at Kimmy.
Yesterday, I taught him sit and come.
Today, we are working on obedience: leave it, no, no bite. I also have been working on his leash training more. He is doing really great with that. He walks on his leash now like a big boy. I have it on him all the time dragging it around. (thank you Brad for the tip)
Erika, Olivia, and I are testing him a lot today. Taking his bone away. Putting our hands in his bowl and mouth. Makenna even chewed on his bone with him. He didn't care. Which I was happy about. I've been pinching him and grabbing him and testing him. He is doing great with me. He is listening well today! I do hope I can break him of the stranger thing.
If anyone has any suggestions let me know. I don't need criticism, just suggestions.

A New Puppy

Tomorrow we are getting a new puppy for the girls. He is a English bulldog/Chow mix. He is short hair/dark brindle. From what I hear he is lazy, potty trained and he loves kids. The best part is he is free. They just want a good home for him.
Our family doesn't have good luck with dogs. Our last two liked to bite people. I just want a nice dog that the girls will love growing up with.
Pictures to come!

A busy weekend

Saturday Eli and I had a night out without the kids. It was great! We went to a ping-pong party over at the Niemi's. It was so nice to be with other couples without children biting at your ankles.
The kids seemed to have a great time as well. You can read all about their fun on Diane and Jeffs blog. My girls love it at their Aunties house! I can never get them to leave.
Sunday was a busy... In the morning Kimmy, Jeannie, Athena, and I got together for a cooking lesson. Jeannie taught me how to make peirogies and taught Kimmy how to make stuffed cabbages. Everything tasted great! Peirogies are so good. I didn't realize how much time it took though. It was a lot of work....but fun!
After that... I headed off to my mom and dads to do a little house cleaning.....ok.... A LOT of house cleaning! I cleaned for 5 hours and didn't accomplish much! I still have some more work to do before they get home on Sunday. My parents are messier than I am.
Today, Olivia had two more cavities filled. She was a mean drunk today. Erika had 1 little cavity filled. They didn't have to numb her. The dental hygentist said that my girls are like night and day. Tell me something I don't know!
Marina is being a good girl today. She was also doing a lot better last week. I think things are going to get better. Makenna and Marina are started to play with each other. They are so cute together.

Ryan

Ryan loves being at his Auntie's house! How cute is he! 

Sleepover

Ryan and Lauren are spending the night tonight. They are eating popcorn and ready to watch Ice Age. Poor Ryan the only boy (bottom bunk), sleeping with a princess blanket. This is his first time he's allowed to sleep with the BIG kids. So I let him pick the movie. He is so proud! 

My angel is sleeping

She finally fell asleep. 

Olivia sleeping off the drugs

She is more drunk that sedated. She loves everyone! She is in la la land. She keeps falling all over the place, so I made her go lay down and watch a movie.
She ended up having to have a root canal on the really bad tooth. They had to numb her up pretty good. So she talks like a drunk too. They couldn't do all 6 fillings today because of the extra work they did on the one tooth. They did do 3 fillings and the root canal. Monday we go to get the other 2 fillings and fill the tooth they did the root canal on. She did great, she is a trooper! Her dentist was so nice. 

Makenna's on the move

Makenna made it up 3 stairs tonight, in a matter of 10 seconds. I'm in big trouble considering I have a tri-level house. There are stairs everywhere. She was so proud of herself. "LOOK AT ME MOMMA". She thought it was the greatest thing. I, of coarse, was busy having a heart attack....trying to get to her before she fell. Anyone have any baby gates I can borrow?

Oh Olivia

She looks sweet and innocent here doesn't she? GOD GIVE ME STRENGTH. She is having 6 cavities filled tomorrow. The dentist is squeezing her in because one of her teeth is so bad she crys everytime she eats and drinks. The problem is....she needs to be sedated. If anyone knows Via....she cannot sit still for anything. 6 CAVITIES! AHHHHH! So, instead of next weeks appointment, she is going in tomorrow. Which means I had to find a pharmacy that had the medication in stock. So off to CVS we went. She was horrible. She almost took out Makenna in the cart. Luckly there was a nice man standing behind me...he saved Makenna. She was running around the store acting like a spaz. I still had Target to get to and dreaded it. Anyways, we made it home alive. I am so tired! God, I LOVE HER, but sometimes she just sucks the life right out of me. Luckly the medication I started this week has made me tired. I didn't have the energy to loose it in the middle of the store.
Right now Olivia is in "quiet time", Makenna is napping, and Erika is watching t.v. I think I'm going to take a power nap. 

Cathie

Cathie Kurt is a great friend! I'm trying to get her to start her own blog. She has a wonderful outlook of life and she has a great sense of humor! She is much more patient than I and a wonderful mother! GO CATH! Love ya!


This is a great picture to show you what a wonderful mom that she is.

Rescue Me

Tuesday nights I am so tired after work, but I always stay up to watch Rescue me. I LOVE THIS SHOW. I need TIVO. Goodnight!

The doctor visit

Today I went the see a new doctor. I liked her. She was easy to talk to. Most of all, she spoke English....a big plus. I've been having a lot of heart palpitations, some dizziness, and a few hot flashes here and there. Not sure what's going on there. So I had an EKG done and I have to go for an ultrasound, get a holter put on me for 24 hours, and do some bloodwork. She thinks it could be my hyperthyroidism acting up or could be little anxiety attacks. So I also started a low dose of anti-anxiety medication. Recheck in a month, when all the results are back. A little embarrassing....... if they are anxiety attacks. I'm hoping it's just the normal postpartum thyroiditis thing I went through after Erika and Olivia. C'mon there's no stress in my life.....

ELI HAS A BLOG

ELI DID IT! Eli started his own blog. Great job Eli. This is not something that I thought he would actually do. Can't wait to read it! ELI - I hope you have fun with it! LOVE YOU!

Diane and Jeff

Diane went away for the weekend alone, because of some stress in her life. While she was away Diane and Jeff have both decided to start a blog! I am proud of both of them. GOOD JOB GUYS! You are both in my prayers right now!

I did it

Well I've done a few things. I added my profile and flickr photos. I am so proud of myself. The whole computer thing frightens me. I don't have a whole lot of experience with them. One of the reasons I started this blog was because I thought it would make me learn a little about myself, also to get more involved with the computer. I love skimming through other peoples blogs and seeing all the interesting things people can do with them, and also learning about other people. I love it.
Another huge thing I did was share my blog with Diane and Eli's family. One reason is because I wanted Eli's family to start one. I thought since Eli's family is so far away this would keep us all a little closer. Everyone is so busy and it could be an easy way to just keep in touch. It seems like sometimes we all forgot how to use the phone. Eli was always so close with his sisters. He just loves them all! I could not imagine not having my family around me. I have also wondered what they really know about what is going on in our lives. Eli and I have been together, including dating and marriage, 10 years now. I've only met them a handful of times and they have all been so great. I've alway felt very open with them and welcome. I hope they know we think about them and miss them very much.
I thought Diane would like it because she is SO great at things like this and she loves the whole computer thing. She also journals on a regular basis....I give her a lot of credit. Plus there is not a whole lot Diane doesn't know about me. She is my best friend.
Doing this blog has taught me things. This is something I've done completely on my own. It's not rocket science, but to me it wasn't the easiest thing for me to do.
SO.....I have made my blog public. These are things that are going on in my life and thoughts about life in general. Nothing too extravagant. I feel a little naked. Is that a good thing?

Friends

Last night we had Dave, Cathie and their kids over for hamburgers and hot dogs. It was great to have adult conversation in the middle of the week. I woke up in a great mood. I think it helped break up my week. I love hanging out with Cathie. We always have great conversation and I am never afraid to say what is on my mind. She is such an easy person to just be with.
The babies are on their second nap today. I hope they sleep for more than 30 minutes. Marina is really crabby today. She is teething. One finally broke through. I think she's going to be like Makenna - one right after the other.
Erika, Olivia, and I tackled the toy room this morning. WHAT A MESS. Erika is great at organizing and picking up. Olivia is a procrastinator, she just walks around whining about not wanting to clean, she reminds me of someone - ME. I was the same exact way. At this moment I realize why I pissed my mom off so badly when it came to cleaning my room. Anyways it is done and it looks FANTASTIC! It should stay that way for at least a couple of hours. It is a rainy yukky day and they will be in the house the majority of the day.

ELI

 
I realized last night that Eli has the same doubts about life as I do. I guess sometimes you just assume that someone knows how you feel. I do have a hard time showing and telling Eli how wonderful he truly is. He doesn't whine and complain as much as I do. So it's hard to tell sometimes what he is thinking. I was thinking about him this morning and decided to let him know how much the girls and I love him. So I emailed him a list of how wonderful he really is. Here it is:

ELI - Good morning! I hope you are having a great morning! I just wanted to let you know how much I love you!

BECAUSE (in no specific order)

1. You are my best friend
2. You love with all your heart
3. You are strong
4. You are so handsome - ok HOT!!
5. You provide for your family
6. You love your family
7. You are a great father
8. You are a wonderful husband
9. You are a great kisser - and a great LOVER
10. You are always there when I need you
11. You still give me butterflies when I see you across the room
12. You put up with me
13. You work hard at your job even though you hate it
14. You respect others
15. You're not afraid to say what is on your mind
16. You know how to have fun
17. You care about other peoples feelings
18. You are competitive
19. You learn fast and master it - you own it
20. You still kiss me every morning
21. You complement me all the time
22. You are the most UNselfish person I know
**Most of all - because I know you love me, you don't even need to say it, I can feel it. I can see it in your eyes and in the way you touch me!

Silly reasons why I love you:
1. You take the garbage out
2. You'll leave me a cigarette in the morning when I need some without me having to ask you
3. You edge in 100 degree weather - because it needs to be done
4. You don't need directions to do anything
5. You always ask for sex
6. You can fix a dryer
7. You drive 2 hours a day for work so your kids can go to a good school and your wife has a nice house
8. You hardly complain even though there are many times I know you want to
9. Your as stubborn as I am
10. You know how to stack a dishwasher like no other
11. You've had a hard life and you never feel sorry for yourself
12. You scratch yourself all the time

Eli -
I could go on and on about you. I know I don't express my feelings like I should, but I hope you never doubt yourself as a husband or a father! There is no one like you! You are a gift to me from God. I love you with all my heart! You are MY perfect man! I could not imagine my life without you!

The girls wanted to get in on this and these are the reasons why they love you - coming strait from their mouths-

1. Because he gives us hugs and kisses XOXOXOXO
2. Because he gives us movies and popcorn
3. Because he is nice
4. Because he gets us lots of treats
5. Because he lets us pick our lunch
6. Because he lets us go outside and play with our friends
7. Because he sometimes plays games with us
8. Because he makes silly faces at us
9. Because he gives us hugs and kisses when he gets home from work
10. Because he pushes us on the swing
11. Because he is good at memory
12. Because he shows me birds (Erika)
13. Because he is special - because he married mommy and had us (my favorite)

SO - please remember that you have 4 women in your life that think you are just the greatest!
You are teaching our little ones what kind of man they need in their lives when they're older. If they end up with someone like you, I will never have to worry about them. They will be happy well rounded women! You could not love us any more than you already do! We know you love us and we all think that you are doing a great job! I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday morning

Makenna woke up in the middle of the night screaming and would not go back to bed for 2 hours. I feel like I had no sleep. I am on my 3rd cup of coffee. I don't know if Makenna is testing me or what she is doing.
Last night Eli and I watched Fun with Dick and Jane. I am not a huge Jim Carrey fan but I thought it was pretty funny.
After the movie Eli and I were laying in bed and I started feeling pretty emotional and started crying. I felt an overwhelming feeling of disappointment in myself. I feel like I am failing in every way there is to fail. I have a short fuse and I am having trouble handling everything. I don't know how to fix it.
Today this is my horoscope:

Daily Horoscope by Astrology.com
Monday July 17, 2006

Taurus
Redefinition is possible -- but first, you have to figure
out who you are right now. Work with these issues on a deep and personal level
-- you'll soon see the changes you desire on an outward level.

Sunday

It was so HOT today. I watched Lauren and Ryan. Somehow I managed to get my floors cleaned and get some laundry done including all my rugs. Eli fixed the dryer this week. So now it only takes 1 hour to dry clothes instead of 5 hours. GO ELI! THANKYOU! He is great at fixing things like that!  

Bath time

All the girls had to take a bath or shower today. Complete with finger nail and toe nail trims. Makenna had the most fun! She loves that she can crawl now. Especially in the bath tub.
Olivia had to be covered in eczema cream. Her skin looks horrible. Lake water has that effect on her.
Friday we went to Island lake with Cathie and the kids.



On Saturday we went to Brad and Joanns cottage. The girls had a great time! They did sparklers and were even able to catch a few lightning bugs with Joann. You can see more pictures here, thanks to Dave Kurt.

4th of July weekend

Makenna started crawling last Thursday! She loves crawling to herself in the mirror in our bedroom. Then she just sits up and talks to herself and tries to grap herself in the mirror. TOO CUTE!

Things have been crazy the last two weeks. Busy busy! The trip was nice, stressful at times, but for the most part nice. It would have been nicer if Eli was with us. The kids had a great time. Makenna - GOD BLESS HER, she was such a good baby the whole time. What a trooper!
4th of July was also busy. Saturday I worked and then we went to Brad and Joanns cottage. Sunday I wasn't feeling well so I did a lot of laying around. Monday I babysat. Later that night Eli, the girls, and I headed out to the boat with my mom and dad for a great barbecue. We all stayed the night on the boat. In the morning Eli and I went to JAH to do boarders (a dreadful task which I hate). Then spent the day out on Lake St. Clair. Back to JAH around 6:00pm then back to the boat to watch the fireworks. They were great. Makenna loved it. She watched so intensely the whole time. Then had to drive 1 hour home. I was in the car a little over 5 hours that day. More than I wanted, but worth it. Makenna went swimming in the lake for the first time in her little raft. SHE LOVED IT! Olivia went in the water this time, I was proud of her. She also went in the water at Brad and Joann's cottage. She doesn't like going in water when she can't touch. She did it! She did really great! Erika on the other hand, you can't get out of the water! She is very independent! I wish the girls weren't afraid to go under the water or jump off the boat. I know they would love it if they tried.
The past week, I've been trying to catch up with chores. I have managed to get both my bathrooms done, our bedroom, the van (that took 4 hours) and I am currently working on the basement. I want to be a more organized person. I'm trying to stick to one task at a time.
Last night we could up on our family movie night (usually is on Fridays). We watched Dreamer. Eli and I loved it! The girls didn't make it, they fell asleep half way though. Makenna has been sick the past couple of day with some bumps and a fever. I was told by the doctors office that it is just a virus and treat the symptoms. Today she's doing better. Her fever is down and the bumps are getting better.

Somethings have to change

Well I'm on day 2 of my yoga/pilates work out and I am sore, but proud of myself.
I love Ana Caban. She is a great pilates instructor. Her body is awesome (and NO, I am not gay). Earlier in the week I was having a sorry for myself attitude. Strait to the point, I AM TIRED OF IT! I decided I have to do something. I am irritated that I am and irritated! There has to be something better. Usually about 9 - 10 months after child I get into this attitude and that starts a distant relationship with Eli. I can't go through it again. So I AM going to exercise. My goal is to do it 4 times a week. Maybe it will help. If it doesn't, it won't hurt anything.


I also started reading again. I started my Captivating book again and I started to do the workbook.



Tuesday night, after work, Diane and I are taking all the kids to Cedar Point to meet up with Mom and Dad. They are going on a 1 week boat trip on Lake Erie.  I'm not sure if we are going to do the park or the water park, or both. My dad offered to stay back with Makenna. I'm not sure if that would be a good idea since I don't think he has ever changed a diaper in his life. Should be interesting. I am looking forward to getting away from the house and letting the kids just have a blast. They seem sooooo bored lately. Erika is complaining that she misses school.

Saturday is Rebecca's 30th surprise party. I'm going stag. Actually Rianne and I are going together. We don't have a sitter and there isn't really anyone Eli will know, so I don't think he really wants to go anyway. I don't remember the last time Rianne, Rebecca, and I hung out together. I think it was over 2 years ago, and that was just dinner. How sad. We are all at fault for growing so distant, but I think most of the blame can be put on me. Should be fun. Rianne needs a good night out, with all that's been going on.

Busy Weekend

Friday, Eli went away to a men's retreat with some guys from church. He seemed to have a great time. Kimmy and I watched the family stone. I didn't like it. I am not a Sara Jessica Parker fan. She annoys me. The movie, I think, could have been better.
Saturday, I had to work. After work, the girls and I headed off to the church property to watch the guys put up a huge tent. Impressive! The girls had a great time running around with Madeline, Emily and Samantha. Makenna was a good girl! After that we went to Kurts for hot dogs. By that time Eli was exhausted, so we ended the night at a reasonable time.
Sunday we all went to church and came home and made lunch. After lunch, Eli and Erika took a nap. Olivia, Makenna, and I just hung out. I barbecued our dinner. Hamburgers, squash, and zucchini. I did it all with a little help and some 2 cents from Eli. I was pretty proud of myself. After dinner, we had family movie night. We watched cheaper by the dozen 2. LOVED IT!
After the kids went to bed. Eli and I had some alone time. Which was much needed. It was nice. We did some talking, recapping on both our retreat trips and read a little from the bible together. Eli had a verse that he really like and he shared it with me last night.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Today, was going really well until around 10:30. Marina is in one of her moods today. I'm not sure how I can continue with this. I find myself getting very frustrated every day I have her. She is a lot of work. If she would just take good naps, I think things would be better. I'm having a lot of mixed emotions right now with the whole babysitting situation. I just hope I am doing the right thing, for Marina, Kimmy, my girls and for myself.
I really wish money wasn't a big issue in my life. I hate being in debt! I am truly happy that my girls are in great schools and is in a safe environment but it really set us back. Credit cards are the devil. Being on maternity leave with all the girls set us so far behind especially with Erika and Olivia from being on bed rest. We never really caught up. Our car situations didn't help much either. We were dealt one lemon after another. I am just sick about it, to the point, I just want to throw up when I do the bills. Eli and I make pretty good money, but we can't even enjoy it because it goes to all the bills. After bills now, there is nothing left. I pray everyday, that we can make it.
I'm thinking in September, I should go back to work. I'll have to put Erika and Olivia in after school programs and get Makenna into daycare. I have to do a little research on all of it, but I think this is where I am at. I am so worried about our future. With college and weddings and retirement. We have nothing invested, nothing saved. It's very frightening. It was ok when we were in our 20's. It seemed like we had a lot of time to think about it. Now it's like a huge slap in the face. HELLO - WAKE UP what have you been doing all this time.

Graduation

Erika graduated from kindergarten at Miller. She will be going to Lindbom in the fall as a 1st grader! Her teacher told me that Erika is in 98% for reading. She must get that from her Daddy. She also had her ballet dance recital and she did a beautiful job. She gets that from her Mommy.














Olivia graduated from 4 year preschool at Tot Spot and will be going to Miller as a Junior Kindergartner next year.













Makenna has her 2 bottom teeth and is FINALLY sitting up by herself. We are working on the crawling thing.
All my girls make me so proud. Frustrated, but proud. I can't believe a whole year just flew by like that.

Memorial Weekend

Well, I didn't go on my girls trip over Memorial Weekend, even though it was much needed. Bill (Papa Schultz) came in town and spent some time with us. Over all it was a great long weekend. Eli and I both took time off. So we did get to spend a lot of family time together, which was also needed. The girls love their Papa Schultz! We took our first trip out to Nana and Papa's boat. Great weather! Erika and I ended up getting the flu that day which was a huge bummer! Then proceeded to go through the rest of us one by one.
One great thing I love about Bill is input about everything. There is never a dull moment. There is always something to talk about. He has great stories! He has lived a life! I do wish he would find his true love. I think he would make some woman out there very happy! He has a great feminine side. He has a wonderful love for women in general. He took me shopping at the outlets and we had a blast! I never really went shopping with a man before. Eli hates shopping and gets very irritated.
It's too bad we don't get to see Bill very often. I feel bad that Eli's family is so far away.