Weekly Recap

This week I am watching an extra toddler.  Tuesday was the first day.  The boys went to the farm with Dad so the girls and I had the house to ourselves.  I admit to being a little nervous, but the day went great.  I was even able to get some laundry and house cleaning accomplished.  Bear had a playmate her age and the Twinks are on somewhat of a predictable schedule.  Crowning Glory was four little girls 2 and under napping at the same time. Thursday and Friday I will have my extra girly as well. Monday I might her big brother as well who is in the Big D's class.

Wednesday the family and I headed to Miles City for a long put off Doctor Appointment.  At this point the top 2 theories are:

1.  My body doesn't break down T4 to T3 properly (a thyroid thing).  All of my tests show everything is normal with all thyroid levels.  I have had my thyroid tested 14-16 times since junior high.  However it is possible I am not able to properly convert to be used. So I have many hypothyroid symptoms and effects.  To test this I am taking Liothyronine (T3 replacement) 3 times a day on an empty stomach.  If I feel like my heart is going to explode out of my chest and start having hyperthyroid symptoms, then this theory is incorrect.
2. The neurological symptoms could also indicate MS.

However with a strong family history of thyroid disorders and the fact that there is a large symptom overlap between MS and Hypothyroid, my doctor is leaning towards scenario 1.  I will have bloodwork done in 6 weeks and we will go from there.  Likely making medication adjustments over weeks and months. 

Day 1 of Liothyronine: The effects last about 2 hours.  I feel like I have drank several gallons of coffee, lots of energy though I would describe it as nervous energy.  I feel fidgety and restless, but my brain fog is lifted and I can gets lots accomplished. Maybe I am so used to feeling tired I don't know what it feels like to have normal energy levels?  It is hard to sit still.  I can feel the effects wear of and feel really tired and dream of taking a nap.  I have alarms set on my phone to remember to take the medicine at the same time.  I am changing my eating habits from 5 small meals to 3 regular meals and am trying not to snack in between and waiting at least an hour to eat after taking the medicine.

Thursday went well.  The two little toddlers play really well together.  The Big D was also home, which meant big brother wasn't as impressed with more little girls getting into his things. Today, both boys are home and 6 kids in my little house already at 9:30am have me feeling the effects of cabin fever.  If I can get the Twinks down for a nap at the same time, I plan on taking the bigger 4 out to play in the snow.  If not I will eagerly look forward to naptime for all 4 girls and send the boys outside to play in the snow by themselves. 

We live across the street from an empty lots next to the church.  The city crew plows the streets and pushes lots of snow mounds that are perfect for kids to slide and climb and play.  Plus I can look out a variety of windows and keep an eye on the kids.  We also have a block full of children so the neighborhood kids all come out and play.  Having kids reminds me of how much I used to love snow and winter.  They come in with rosy cheeks demanding hot chocolate and occasionally I can get cuddles out of them while we read books. 

Family Portrait

I talked the man of the house into getting family pictures taken. We did them the day before Thanksgiving in the wind and cold, cut them short and said "I am sure they are good enough". And they were.  I can't remember if this is the image that will be on our Christmas cards or not, but Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, God Bless and from my family to yours I hope you enjoy the holiday season!

It's 3am I Must Be Lonely

It is currently around 2:30am, I am up because I can't sleep.  The plague has struck our house and is working its way through.  It started with Bear, who appears to be starting Round 2 now.  Next me, which made for a miserable Sunday waiting for my husband to get back from his Guard Weekend. My oldest son and poster boy for the Man Flu now has it and likely the Big D is next.  All 5 of my children have been up at least once since bedtime.

If we are keeping score:
Bear: 2 times
J: 4 (that I know of)
the Twinks: 1, at the same time
the Big D: 1
Mom: 8
Dad: 1

It is currently quiet in the house. Besides the wind, according to our new fancy weather thing-a-jig the wind is gusting an average of 10mph with a gusts peaking at 19mph from the SSW. It is currently -20F outside. 83% humidity...does that mean snow? I haven't figured out the forecast feature, but I am assuming a picture of the sun and clouds means probably not. Barometric pressure is 30.04mHg. No idea what that means, It also tells me indoor humidity is 30% and that out house is 3 degrees colder than our thermostat says. Somehow this whole system can be connected to my phone, so I can always be well informed of the weather in my back yard. Oh and also inside the house too it would seem. Too bad it couldn't forecast pestilence.

Why the weather report? Because I have had to get out of bed 8 times and now I can't sleep.  History would indicate I wouldn't get any sleep anyway.

J: I hate being sick 

Me: nobody likes being sick 

J: some people might like it so they don't have to go to school 

Me: those would be people faking, no one enjoys really being sick 

J: I feel like I am going to die 

Husband: should I call Father Phillip to see if he could come give  you last rights?

Okay, now I am off to google how to get fluids down a child that cant keep anything down...and making myself a note to call the school and let them know that perfect attendance is out the window. It is also now 3am and I have Matchbox 20 stuck in my head, I have that going for me.

Remodeling & Checkups

Another prenatal appointment down. My Mom came up Wednesday night so we could leave early and get errands ran too. We spent them morning wandering around Menards getting ideas and prices for remodeling the main bathroom. I was mopping and the vinyl floor ripped and revealed the water damage we suspected was way worse than we realized. Currently half the floor is tore up. We are going to have to replace everything including the subfloor. 

Current debate is my husband wants to put up a surround and I want to tile the surround. I never want to deal with water getting behind the surround again and I loved the tile shower surround we had in our rental apartment when we wer first married. We have leftover flooring from our kitchen project and found a narrow vanity that will give us more floor space. A soaker tub for under $300, and we will have a few more debates discussions on a medicine cabinet. The plastic tiles will come off the rest of the walls. I would like to do shiplap or wainscoting after but agreed to just a coat of paint.

As far as the babies' appointment everything looked good. They moved up from the 20th percentile to the 50th and are each about 1 pound 10 ounces. I passed my glucose screening, which I was expecting to fail. I celebrated with ice cream on the way home. Usually in a twin pregnancy appointments get closer together after 20 weeks, but my doctor said she was comfortable with just scheduling for another 4 weeks and growth scan at the same time. Provided I called her if anything changed and what to be on the lookout for. I am measuring 34-35 weeks in a singleton pregnancy. So it's not my imagination that I am about as big as I was at the end of my other pregnancies and I don't feel so bad about already waddling now. Produce comparison for 25 weeks varies according to website but the popular choices are acorn squash and cauliflower.

Switching topics again - what features would want if you were remodeling a bathroom?

The Great Tooth Debate

A little over a week ago the oldest came home from Kindergarden and declared he has his first loose tooth. Much excitement. Other kiddos have lost teeth already and he had been asking "when, when will I loose a tooth?! I am old enough teacher said kids lose teeth in Kindergarden." Followed by a list of names of children who have been visited prior by the tooth fairy.

I really cant recall how long it takes to lose a tooth. Growing up we left the tooth alone until it was really wobbly and then pulled it. We were encouraged to wiggle it and loosen everything up. In Hubby's family you leave the tooth alone completely to fall out on its own. Don't mess with it, ignore it.

Also I used to put my teeth in a cup of water by the sink where upon morning the tooth fairy had left a few coins in its place. Varying amount and type of coin based on a complex formula of tooth quality I assume. First tooth is always worth more. Hubby said the tooth fairy faithfully leaves a 50 cent piece for each tooth under the pillow.

So. Please share your knowledge of Tooth Fairy lore and methods of losing loose teeth below in the comments.

Prepping & Planning

**Forgot to post this...but I have dipped into my stash. Italian Wedding Soup is a new favorite. Sweet & Savory Salmon was met with mixed reviews, but I liked it a lot**

My Mom came up last weekend because I had this crazy notion I should make at least 50 different recipes and fill my freezer full of food to throw in the crockpot or oven.  The babies aren't due for about 4 more months and I've already decided I won't feel like cooking.  Mainly because I don't feel like cooking now.

We spent from 8am - 9pm with minimal breaks chopping, dicing, and throwing things in gallon ziplock bags.  I made Mom do any cooking required because I'm still a bit hit or miss on the smell of meat.  We chopped somewhere around 40 onions and my new mission in life is to figure out where in the heck my food processor went.  That would have been handy. Also it probably would have prevented me from trying to cut my finger off....maybe.

I took the next few days off after she left.  We didn't get through all the recipes but most of them.  I whipped out 3 more meals this morning and when the crockpot has finished its job tonight I will have a couple more to go.  The big question of the day is to move to housework and laundry or start meatballs and stuffed peppers? Or, with my disdain of cooking unless I feel like it will I actually make supper on a regular basis or steal from my "after the babies are born" stash?  Quality control is important after all.

Kids Are Watching

***From the unpublished drafts. Sometime during Haying Season 2015***

The boys made a comment last night that has been on my mind.  They were discussing when their dad would come back inside the house.

J: Are the neighbors silk thanking Dad?

Me: oh, maybe I think they are just visiting now.

D: My Dad would help anyone wouldn't he?

And the truth is, he really would.

Last night after a day of fencing he picked up a maple tree to plant for me. Which I have been wanting ever since all our trees were cut down due to proximity to the house and work needed to get done. (Getting on 4 years ago. )So he was already getting brownie points from me.  Anyway I took the muddy toddler in for a bath before she planted herself along with the tree.  Shortly after my oldest came in dude in a panic weirdest talking about fire, neighbors, and being to call the fire department.

Being slow I told him to check with his dad.  I figured someone lit a firepit and he saw smoke.  Then I heard yelling get back in the house and then saw a big cloud if smoke out the window. It neighbors storage shed caught fire.  The Hubby was watering the newly planted tree then went over and helped put the fire out.

Today we spent a good chunk of the day flagging and moving the swather and equipment home...at 10mph around 30 miles away. Then I ran parts out and assumed he would be home soon. Finally it was late enough I started to worry about him being gone. Turns out a buddy down in the area for fishing was broken down and he went to see if he could help.  He had offered to bring out a trailer and haul said vehicle home for him after they enjoyed their fishing.

He really would help anyone.  Honestly I can find proof of that nearly everyday. I'm happy the boys noticed. What an example for them to see firsthand. Hardwork and kindness.

2016 Goals and Realizations

I have a few goals for 2016.

Mainly deliver two healthy babies and then proceed to keep 5 children alive, cared for, nurtured, and a least some sanity for myself. Something about getting a routine and keeping the house liveable and clean clothes to wear. I should also probably work more on my temper. Be nice to my husband and have him take the older kids as much as possible.

My other goal is to read the bible. I have a 20-minute daily readings book that has an Old Testament and New Testament reading for everyday of the year, and has the bible broken down like that Into 365 days. I read part of it last year but didn't keep up. Mainly because I struggle with the Old Testament. I'm 7 days in and still struggling with some of the Old Testament passages. Like Abram going to Egypt and saying his wife Sarai was his sister and letting the Pharaoh take her as his wife and becoming rich with gold, silver and livestock. Then the Lord curses the Pharaoh with plagues for taking another mans wife. The Pharaoh then asks Abram why he told him that his wife was his sister and let him take her as his own wife? Tells him to take his wife and belongings and leave.  I know I have to be missing something....but did the Lord help Abram pimp out his wife and profit greatly from it? (Genesis 12:10-20)

I may need to find a bible study group with people smarter than me.