8 months and amazed!

Really? My child is actually going to be 9 months in a short two weeks? This pregnancy, second child, and life has gone fast. I am sitting here at 11:30pm with my glass of wine enjoying my Saturday evening. What's funny is how comfortable we are with just staying home. Mikey is doing very well. He is eating like a pig and trying to climb on me, beds, and furniture. The crawling... not soo much. He hates being on the tummy and loves to reach up to walk.

But overall life is good. We are working (or I'm working on cleaning out our house.) This is a slow process, since I am cleaning constantly and putting laundry away over and over again. My idea is that we can have a garage sale in early summer. Then start fixing the house up to sell.

Unfortunately, this is my Grandmother's house and my Mom and Aunt grew up here. It's bittersweet to say that we are going to start the selling process. This house was built for my Grandmother and Grandfather in the 1960's when they moved their family from Dallas, TX. We have many many memories in this house. I feel that this house has a few spirits watching over us. My Great Grandmother, Floy Clementine died in this house and I really think my Granddaddy's presence is here.

It's been wonderful to raise my children here, but we have a business up in north Parkville, MO and honestly our location isn't convenient for either of us. But back to the kiddos, I call Mr. Mikey "Smiley Mikey." He really is a happy baby! SLEEPING FINALLY!!!!!! I think after having two children that I really prefer ages 6months-1year with babies. Newborns really aren't my thing. They are cute and perfect. But no sleeping and gassy is not fun!

I am looking forward to spend my summer with the kiddos. And... I am happy to be a new Aunt to my neice Annie Lynn Fuhrig!! My little sis, Kate's baby!!

6 months ago

Six months ago, I had Mr. Michael Pouche. It doesn't seem that it's been that fast! Being a mother to Mikey and Mary Caroline has been tough, fun, exhusting, worrisome(is that a word?), and a HUGE change. I love my children and my life now but no one really ever tells you about the emotional rollercoaster that it does to you. Yes, they say it's hard but you don't really understand that word-hard till you've expirenced this time (having a two year old and 6 month old).

For the last two years, I have felt disconnected to parts of my life, friends, or world around me. Sometimes it really bugs me and other days I take it as "Okay life changes, get over it." For me, I've always felt "in the know" maybe I like gossip or socializing too much. But, this new Mommy world doesn't give me the time to be in that social world. Again, one day I am upset and sad about it then the next day I'm fine.

I don't have alot of time to watch much t.v., read magazines, go to the store by myself, or have social time out. I remember finally feeling "normal" when Mary Caroline was about 10 months old. I think the first year is a cluster f. I thought it would be a little bit better the second time around but there is less time and more children. :)

I had a break down two weeks ago when I had a chance to get out for a night with friends. Ash and I ate dinner and actually got to go to a bar. I was upset because, the weekend before I couldn't make it out to my friend's bday party because I was exhusted from two sicky children. I also got upset at the fact that my Christmas was a blur. I haven't been able to really see or talk to my best friend and her baby in St. Louis for very long periods of time. I've not been real shopping in forever and when I did I felt like a fish out of water. I don't know what's in style or bought myself clothes for two years.

But..... six months ago I had a gift from God. This gift was a challenge and I am tackling this challenge one day at a time... So... if you've read this and haven't heard from me in while... now you know that no one has really heard from me. I'm just walking around with my head cut off! I'll let you know when I have put it back on. :)

Remember this: this is a bunch of rambling from a tired, overstressed Mommy. Sorry! :)

It's been a while

So, the Pouche family has been BUSY!! Two weekends in a row we've had my family up for Thanksgiving and Michael's Baptism. I didn't broadcast the Baptism because well, A. It was on a home Chiefs game. B. It's December everyone's busy! and C. We've got some news about Michael that we needed to take care of. (I've been preoccupied with that)

Mikey had lost weight in between our sixth formula change to Nutramigen. He was at 11 pound 120z at the beginning of November. November 30th he was 11 pounds 3 oz. So, we've been on a strict diet which is suppose to increase his calorie intake. I am not wanting to broadcast the issue because well: He's happy and fine!! :) We took him to the lab to get blood drawn and urine samples taken.

We went back to Doc. on Wed and he had gained back the weight. But the doc said he had a high ammonia levels. So, he maybe missing an enzyme? Okay whatever! Again he's happy and fine!! So, I spent my Wednesday off of work going back and forth to Children's Mercy South, trying to get a urine sample to them. They are to test his organic acid levels. I think Mikey wanted to spend the day me all by himself! :) He would cooperate with the urine test. And... if you've ever had to get a four month old's urine it's a pain in the ass.

Anyway, we won't find out if he's missing this genetic enzyme for some days. I'm not worried because he's happy and fine!!! I am looking forward to a nice weekend where my house is a pit and laundry has been sitting high in a basket for three days. :) LOVE IT!!!

So... about that Christmas shopping??? Dec 22 looks like a great day to go! :)

I'll let you know when my brain has returned to my body. Until then... hand me a nice glass of wine and let me sleep in.

Say good bye to your social life.

I recently was watching a show on the t.v. and whatever it was the character was having a baby. The friend said "well nice knowing you." Referring that once you have kids, you never see your friends anymore. We haven't used babysitters besides family members and partner teacher's daughter. I couldn't tell you the last time I was out. But every time I get ready to go out, I'm exhausted. I don't want to go out because I come home to feeding a child at 1am then hear him cry at 4:45 and again at 5, so on.

I am not really all that concerned in going out to the bars anymore, but a little break would be nice. I just need to get the motivation to do something. It's just really hard to when you don't sleep and think about the pain of the next night's events.

I am not one to put my friends and family out so that they watch my kids. I don't think that is there job to do. I feel guilty and bad to put them in that position. We are el cheapo so finding a babysitter in not in our future either.

Right now, I'm in that little dark cave mode. It's that busy holiday season and I am one that freaks out without needing to freak out. I have only three pairs of pants that I can fit into and my hair is in desperate need of TLC. But why should I care about my hair when my mornings are psycho and I just put it up in a pony tail. Clothes wise: I will not go and buy new clothes for the post-preggo body. I am trying to lose weight but it's very hard. I can't go workout, I have only two days where I can work in my classroom. By the time I get caught up on all of my work its five and Ash will be home with kids. I live 30 mins away from work. Then I'm in Mom mode. Well, why can't go after kids are asleep? Because its 9 pm and I'm ready for bed myself. Weekends are just me and the kids till Sunday when Ash is off at 2pm And the cycle begins again.

I keep telling myself this too shall pass, but then there will be something else. Sorry to biatch. Just need to vent.

What's up with napping and sleeping?

It's amazing how different children can be. M.C. was sleeping through the night at 6 weeks and napped like a champ. M.G. doesn't nap more than 30 minutes unless he is cradled by me. You know he's only 2 months old. I should give him a break. Especially, since the poor kid has had five formula changes. Yes, five! We are crazy people! Oh we still can't poop on our own without karo, mylcon, or thermometer pushing. Otherwise than that.. life is still bowl full of fun! :) Here is a video of the "baby party" that happened at J.C. and Katie Knapp's Wedding.

Life is CRAZY!!!

So, I haven't wrote on my blog since Sept 11! That is because my life is completely crazy! This stupid Similac recall has changed my sweet boy to a crabby mess! We finally had Mikey pooping on his own with the Similac-Fussiness and Gas formula, to find out that there were beetles found in formula! GROSS! We switched to Sam's Club. My babysitter and in-laws had enfamil-fussiness and gas. Well, he wasn't doing well. Doc said stick with just the enfamil for two weeks and see how it goes. Which makes us frustrated because that's just more expensive!

Mikey has been spitting up, fussy, and no poop again! And.... no sleep, no naps! Okay he naps in a seat but not in his bed in the day. Then at night were up at 1am then again at 3. And he's in our bed where we continue to stick the paci in his mouth to stop him crying! LOVE IT!!

Meanwhile, Ash and I have had sometime off. Red Carn weekend AKA-College reunion weekend and wedding at the Elms. (Weren't planning to get a room, but.... you know how that goes. I would have to drive home) School is very busy!!! I feel like I am never caught up. But, really that is how all parts of my life is. I clean and I clean.. then there's another mess. I've given up! I began to cry this week as I looked at the pile of paperwork on my desk and looking at the clock. It's 4:00pm I've got to get in the car to pick up children. I can't bring work home... I have more work home with my family.

We've had a few health issues with Grandmas the two past weeks. That's not cool.. :( Marty and Fred are in KY to see Ash's brother before he goes to Iraq. We've had the kids in daycare all week. I had to pull myself together and suck it up. Ash was nice to let me have a day to work instead of picking up children.

But, in my head... I am thinking..... so when is it going to slow down??????? NEVER!!!!!

Again SUCK IT UP!!!

This is a nice pic of my perfect college reunion weekend with a nice Busch Light beer! Classy!

Hi ho Hi Ho Off to work I go!

Shopping with two kids at Sams! Every store is a little different to figure out how to put to babies in carts.
Dinnertime at the Pouche's.

Tuesday marked my first day back to teaching the world of second graders! I forgot how these little 7 and 8 year olds ask five million questions and need lots of attention! I guess I am lucky so many people want to be around me :)

I was running on caffeine and adrenaline(sp)????

Note: Hey, I teach second grade and they don't know what that word means. By the way I know I have many grammar errors in my blog. I am not looking to publish book.

Anyway, I enjoyed my time back at school! I missed the kids and my friends! But, the no sleep part really sucks! I feel like I am on time limits: 20 minutes to get a writing assignment done, 1 hour to plan or make phone calls, emails. Be home before the kids and Ash so I can clean or make dinner. Timing baby's feeding schedule. Getting M.C. down before 8:30 p.m. Timing my sleep right so I have at least 6 hours. It's a lot of work!

I am beginning to understand that parents really are exhuasted! I was non-stop from 5:45 am to 10:00pm. My downtime is the few minutes I have before Mikey wakes up or while the clothes are in the washer and dryer.

Also, I am never going to judge another parent again. I have made so many mistakes during the little life of both of my two children. I am that parent whose child is screaming or biting in the store. (M.C.) I know I've been trying to teach her how to behave. Like the book: Happiest Toddler on the Block says M.C. is a cavewoman! I've also been more relaxed about Mikey which I am hoping won't hurt him in the long run. (Bought generic formula)

All in all, life is getting better everyday. Mikey is really a good baby. We got lucky with two great babes!
Tomorrow maybe another story but for now we're good!