New Blog

I told you I like change....here is the link to my new blog:

http://witchesstitches.wordpress.com/

Boring Blog....

Ok, I'm bored with the look of my blog...AGAIN! I'm going to be playing around with it and get it somewhere between simple, yet fun!

Amour, amy

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day! I got the best gift from my four guys. Steve spray painted an old step ladder and bought four bright colored pots. We went out to breakfast this morning and then to Sonny's to pick out flowers. We got the flowers planted with the boys help and displayed them on the ladder, only for the photo, then we brought them in until it warms up a little more. Gregory wanted nothing to do with the whole flower planting party, he was more in tune with the video games....guess I better get used to it, my baby is now entering his teenage years! I really feel bad that he is not in my pictures, but he is glad!

Amour, amy

Another Week Gone

Well, another week is almost done. I am still cramming two jobs into one 40 hour week. In other works I'm trying to do 80 hours worth of work in about 45 hours! I'll sure be glad when another adminstrative assistant is hired, and stays! Luke had the stomach bug yesterday, so he is recovering and I'm glad it hasn't ruined the weekend for him. These kids are so strong, puking one minute and begging for cereal the next. Joseph had his kindergarten physical today. He got two immunizations and did awesome - there were no tears, no hollering, nothing! He walked out like nothing happened, I'm so proud of him. He is not going to be happy the next few days - we are throwing away the pullups and that's final! If I have to call in sick on Monday and Tuesday to finish the job - it will get done...I'm sick of it!

Greg's off to another weekend at his Dad's. He begged not to go, but he skipped out last time, so I explained that he needs to spend some time with his dad. I hate that he does not like going, but the only reason he dislikes it so much is because he is bored - no friends in the country, his cell phone is out of minutes, no computer time and the real killer - NO skateboard. We all have to do things that are boring or we dislike, it will only make you stronger! And pretty soon, you can make the decision if you want to go or not...hang in there buddy!

Tomorrow will be a busy day. Steve will be working so it will just be me and my little guys. We are going to Ready Set Fun at the Watertown Ice Arena. We've been the past few years and love it. Then tomorow night we are going to our friends house for a Star Wars birthday party. Brady is going to be six - he is the oldest of the "buddies". We'll catch lunch somewhere in between all this....and I have a couple art projects planned for us, a little hint - peanut butter and pinecones...can't wait!

Amour, amy

PEE PLEASE!

Ok, seriously, I am loosing sleep over potty training. Joseph is going to be 5 in three months and he has not peed on the toilet once, never, nada! We have been at this since he has been 18 months and there has not been one single trickle. We've been to the pediatricians a trillion times and even drove through countless snowstorms to take him to a highly qualified child psychologist at Syracuse University. And the answers are all the same - he'll do it when he's ready and not before. Gregory turned 2 in September and by January, he was potty trained, Luke has been sitting on the potty since he could sit up (because of Joseph) and is now pretty much trained, but not consistent. Luke has gone to the wayside because we are so focused on Joseph. We have tried all the tricks, not stressing about it, ignoring it, regularly scheduled trips to the bathroom - he'll sit on the toilet and will all day at preschool just - you guess it- won't fire the hose! I've put cereal in the toilet, ran the water, set the timer and my lastest try, made a potty chart. We've begged, yelled, bribed, ignored, fought, screamed, put the whole training process under cover for a few months, but nothing is working. We go back to the pediatricians on Friday. Oh yeah - I can even put him in underwear all day - he holds his pee, just won't let it come out!

amour, Amy

Pottery

I was just in the mall and I see that we are finally getting a paint your own pottery store - YAH! I love finding ways to get my children's creative juices flowing. Gregory is already an amazing drawer; I'm seeing a budding artist in Joseph; however, Luke, he still prefers to scribble!

Steve is also really good at drawing. Here is a wood carving he made with a dremel tool and then painted.

Back before Steve had a wife and kids, he had a Harley and belonged to a motorcycle club. Now he drives a minivan and belongs to the babysitters club. Some day when the kids are grown, he'll become a kid again!

In My Free Time

I just received my new doll and I'm sooo excited. Because I love to do crafts in my free time - I've decided to make a little money while doing it. This newest doll will be added to my collection of models - relieving Lucas of this position. I've got my own website on etsy - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6240060 so if you get a chance - check it out. Here are a couple pictures of my crafts.

Everything is crocheted from a pattern with permission to make the items and sell them. No copyright laws have been violated.

Amour, amy

Best Buds

I'm so thankful that I have a really close friend with two little boys the same age range as my boys. Tiffany and I worked together at JRC and the boys go to preschool together. Plus, we just live a block away - within walking distance. All four boys will be going to the same school. It seems too hard to believe that Joseph will be starting kindergarden this year! Unfortunately, Luke will have to wait a couple years because he has a January birthday.

Lucas (3), Brady (5), Patrick (4), Joseph (4)

New York City

Finally, after spending three days in NYC we are home. Steve and I went along with Steve's parents and his sister and her husband. We left really early in the morning on Thursday, drove to Albany and then took the train to Penn Station. We stayed at the Marriott Marquis right in the middle of Times Square with an awesome view!

We spend Thursday afternoon taking in the sights close by the hotel and then that evening we went to the Broadway show Mamma Mia. We had front frow, center seats on the Mezzanine with another awesome view. (Cameras went not allowed). Friday we woke up and bought tickets for an opened top bus tour around New York - we saw every sight there is too see and then walked another 20 miles to get close ups of all the sights. Friday night my Father-in-law treated us all to dinner at The View restaurant on top of our hotel (the 48th floor). The whole dining area rotated as you were sitting and eating giving an everchanging view of the city while we ate (Steve, Tom and Joe - did not like the Vichyssoise ((don't ask - it's a whole other blog))!!

Saturday morning we got up early and toured the city - by foot - until mid afternoon when we caught the train home at last. It was the best trip I have ever taken and can't wait to do it again. Thanks Carol and Joe - we love you,

Amour, amy

Monsters vs. Aliens

Now that the little guys are getting bigger, we are able to venture out and do more. Last weekend Mom and I went to the mall with the little guys, we let them wander around and then took them to see the movie Monsters vs. Aliens. They were fixated on the big movie screen and of course the big bucket of popcorn.

They were so tired out - they fell asleep on the way home!

Crafty Curtains

Driving around town I love to see to look at the window treatments of other houses and how they look from the outside. Because we live on a corner and have lots of windows, I want my windows to look nice from the outside. I've decided that I LOVE the look of the white ball fringe curtains but have not been able to find them in the stores, only on-line for more money than I was ready to spend - especially since I'll need to many. So, I went on a mission to Wal-Mart and bought the supplies to make them myself. I'm starting with the windows in the back of the house, since that area is in need of the most now that we have torn down our fence. I bought a white, twin flat sheet, a couple yards of ball fringe and some heat and melt. For less than the cost of one pair of curtains, I made two - one for our back room and one for the tenants.

Amour, amy

I Scream, You Scream, We all Scream for ICE CREAM

Luke's two favorite foods are vanilla ice cream and ice cream sandwiches. He was in HEAVEN when Steve brought home this ice cream. I'll have to admit, it is pretty good - especially with chocolate syrup and melted peanut butter!

Happy Easter, 2009

It is now 10:00 p.m. and I think the boys are FINALLY settled down. There is nothing like a day that starts with chocolate and ends with chocolate (with chocolate sandwiched in between). They did manage to scarf down some ham, even after Greg filled the little guys in on where ham comes from - apparently little boys are more amused than disgusted with the fact they are eating pig - or "pork butt" as they preferred calling it, hysterically. Yes, I know, not the best dinner table conversation, if we ever get invited to eat at the White House, I'll graciously refuse. We visited family, hunted for Easter eggs, played a new game and watched a new movie. Happy Easter.

Amour, amy

Here Kitty Kitty

We've added another member to our family - right now we are calling him JJ. This is his third name. According to his vet paperwork his original name was "Josie" (back when he was thought to be female), that was crossed out, female was changed to male and he then was named "Joey" - because of obvious reasons, Joey has to go! And after a week of having him - JJ is not growing on me, he needs a better name. Gregory is all upset now because the cat is going to be confused, but I think as long as he is getting food, water, treats, lots of attention and a clean litter pan - he could care less what we are calling him! We had a cat long before Joseph was born that looked just like him and his name was Sterling. When we had to rehome Sterling Greg was heartbroken - so when I saw JJ up for adoption, I had to have him! Seamus (our orange cat) is having a ball with his new playmate!

I HATE MONDAYS

I really do hate Mondays - and if another person piles something else on my desk, they are going to find out just how much I hate Mondays!!

Sundays

I love Sunday! Only for the simple fact that it is my dedicated "lazy" day. I don't have to set the alarm, I don't have to take a shower and I don't even have to get dressed. It's my day for lounging around the house jumping from the recliner, to the computer, to my book, to my crochet, to laying on the floor with the boys or chatting with Greg. I read the paper, eat junk food, drink down soda and catch a few naps. The boys hang out in their jammies, play video games, fight with each other and play with Mommy. We watch the same old movies, laugh at the same old jokes and read the same old stories that we can recite by heart. We don't think about the school or work week ahead, we don't dwell on the school or work week we left behind, we just live in the moment - whatever it is. If it's cold outside we throw down more blankets, if it's nice outside, we lay in the grass, if we're happy we belly laugh and if we're upset we yell. But we all go to bed on Sunday ready for Monday. ahhh, I love Sunday!

Amour, amy

Changes

I've decided to change the look of my blog. Before it seemed all about the boys; however, this is about me! I wanted to start this as a journal of my life and although the boys consume most of it, there is still more about me. This is the only place that I will be able to get away with being selfish.

Amour, amy

I Love You Best Because...

Dear First Born - I've always loved you best because you were my miracle. You were the genesis of a marriage and the fulfilment of young love. You sustained me through the hardships, the garage apartments and my going back to college years. You were new, had four unused grandparents and enough clothes for a set of triplets. You never wore the same outfit twice, you were always clean and had your first pair of Nike sneakers when you were four months old. You were an original for a mom who was trying to work the bugs out. You got the name brand clothes, top of the line toys and took three hour naps. You were my beginning.

Dear Middle Child - I've always loved you best because you were my challenge and it made me become the woman I am today. You cried often, had no patience and wore faded hand me downs. You could play in the dirt and leave your toys all over the livingroom floor and you helped me understand that the world would not collapse if you went to bed with dirty feet. You were the child of my busy, ambitious years and without you, I would not have survived the job changes, moves and the routine that is marriage. Never in your life will you get anything first, but it only makes you stronger.

To The Baby - I've always loved you best because while endings are generally sad, you are such a joy. You readily accepted the milk stained bibs, the frayed books and the used crib. You are the one I hold onto so tightly and never put down. You are the link with my past and my reason for tomorrow. You darkened my hair, quickened my steps and restored my vision. You gave me a sense of humor that security, maturity and durability can not provide. When you are all grown up and have children of your own, you will still be my baby.

Clothes, Clothes, Clothes

These three boys have more clothes than I ever did or will in my entire lifetime! I just went through a hoard of clothes that were Joseph's to find stuff for Lucas. He turned 3 two months ago and size 24 months is starting to get too short for him. I was able to acquire 20 new pairs of pants and about 10 new shirts from my stash! There are still a lot that are a tad too big, but hopefully within the next few months they'll fit. Now I have to go through his closet and weed out the clothes that are getting to small or will be soon. The consignment shop I was taking all his smaller things too has posted a sign that they will not be accepting anything 2t and smaller - so if anyone is interested, you can have them!

Joseph

We took Joseph back to the Psychologist in Syracuse and he confirmed that he is not Autistic. I'm very relieved and upset that I let the pediatrician get me worked up. Dr. Keith could not really tell us why he won't talk to anyone but people he knows VERY well or why he won't potty train other than he'll come around and not to stress ourselves out. I'm still worried about the school screening coming up in a few months because I know he won't talk, make eye contact or participate in any way. And what do I do with a child entering kindergarten that won't go to the bathroom!?!

Why.....

Why is it when a child throws up it's always in the middle of the night and all over their bed!?! Luke and Joseph have been sick with colds the last few days. Last night Joseph was coughing so bad I tried to give him some medicine - which is IMPOSSIBLE with this child, he rejects everything by spitting it out. Soooo I buy the strips that dissolve on their tongues so he can't spit them out - so what does he do at 11:15 p.m. - he vomits so the medicine is useless. He was complaining of a stomach ache all day, so he may have a touch of the stomach bug going around. Needless to say, I was doing laundry and Steve was giving a bath AT MIDNIGHT! God love my Gregory, he came running right down stairs and was helping us out!

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The Perfect Sunday

My definition of a perfect Sunday - sitting in the recliner, boys on my lap under a mound of blankets and, of course, still in our pajamas, where the biggest dilema is do we watch Sponge Bob or Scooby Do!

New Beds

Because the Joseph and Lucas decided they want to be in the same room, I wanted to get them nice matching beds. They have a good size room, but with the captain's beds, it eliminates the need for dressers, giving them a little more space. Now I've gained another room on the second floor which will probably become the comic book/computer room.

The new beds meet the "jump" approval!

Gregory didn't get a new bed, but he got new mattresses. As long as he still gets the whole third floor - he doesn't care.

My Boys

My three boys! This was taken last Christmas. It is hard to get the three of them to sit still, together with all of them looking at the camera and smile. Someone is always moving or making faces! Gregory 12, Joseph 4 and Lucas 3.

The Start

Well, to blog or not to blog, that was my question. Being a full time working mother with three young boys (four including my husband!) I wasn't sure if I wanted to add one more thing on my list of "to dos". However I gave in and decided what the heck, when the kids are bigger I'll have this to look back onto. How often I update will be another dilema!