Ten on Tuesday

I am copying Jamie's idea of Ten on Tuesday. I think you are supposed to write about the things going on in your life or even just in your head that past week. I am hoping to get some stuff written down once a week at least since I have been getting worse and worse at blogging. So here we go....

1. Colt is sleeping through the night!!! That probably deserves its own post but here it is. I have wanted to just let him cry it out for a while but we were always at the lake or going to NY where I would have to undo all my work of letting him cry because we sleep in the same room with him when we travel. So when we got home from NY I used a new monitor that night, the same kind I have in Rachel's room. I had it on the wrong setting and listened to Rachel's quiet room all night. I thought he was just so tired that he slept but I guess I will never know how much he screamed that night. I felt terrible the next afternoon when I discovered my mix up, but like Eric said he's fine now. So that got us going. The past two weeks have been great finally not getting up to feed him. He has cried a few times but I let him cry and it only lasts a few minutes and then he is back to sleep. I am so happy!!!
2. Hannah was here with us for the past two weeks and we miss her already. She was such a great help with the girls and with Colt. They all love her to pieces and are so sad she is gone. It really is so nice having an older kid in the house. She was so helpful and made my load a bit lighter. Thanks Hannah!
3. One day last week I felt like my old self. I had energy, we were productive, we were out and about, and it didn't seem quite as hard as it had been feeling. I am sure there are many things that all added up to finally give me one day that I felt like that and I enjoyed that day. Too bad it was only one day. I am sure sleep had a lot to do with it. I think that night before was the first time in over a year that I have slept all night without waking up from a child needing me. Maybe soon again, when I can get all these kids to sleep through the night!
4. Rachel and Livy can whistle, or their own version anyway. They saw my dad put his fingers in his mouth and whistle in NY and now they do it all the time. It is hysterical though. They put their finger of choice (Rachel is thumb and Livy is pointer) up to the lips and then make a high pitched squeal in the tone of a whistle.
5. Colt can crawl a little. He is just getting into moving. He can crawl a few feet at a time but eventually gets where he wants to go. It is so cute and I love watching him try and get so excited to get there.
6. Rachel found out what the word allergic means. Now she has used it twice already today when she doesn't want something. When she wanted Colt to go away she told me "You know I am allergic to babies mom."
7. I really hate living so far from my parents and siblings. I wish we could live near them and Eric's family and my family. They are all awesome and it just stinks sometimes not being close to them or not being able to run over to show them something. But I am grateful that we can travel when ever we want. They are healthy and able to come visit and now that I can fly by myself with all the kids it's even better. I just miss the day to day involvement that I know would be different if we lived closer.
8. The girls start preschool tomorrow!! I just decided this a few days ago and luckily there were still spots available for them. They will go two days a week for 4 hours. I'm excited and nervous. I hope they love it. They have loved getting backpacks and new shoes and clothes. They enjoyed the meet the teacher day and their classroom. I think Livy will be less nervous tomorrow morning than Rachel or I. I can't believe they are old enough to go to school. They were just born, right? I'm gonna miss them but I hope it helps me be a better mom. I get frustrated a lot because there are just things I need to do around the house and I can never get anything done when they always need something or want me to be with them. So hopefully I can get most of what I need to do done while they are at school and devote more attention to them when they are home, making us all happier. That is the plan, we'll see how it goes!
9. I am ashamed at how bad of a dog owner I am, or we are I should say. Poor Pebbles had a hair band around her neck for who knows how long. She never whined, barked, got cranky or anything as it dug into her neck. She just kept playing with the kids and doing what she always does. The girls always put hair bands around the necks of their stuffed animal dogs to use as collars. So I guess one of them or both of them together decided to put one on Pebbles neck too. I don't know when it happened but it was there long enough to cut her neck right open. the slice is about a 1/2" deep on the top of her neck behind her head. I saw the blood all goopy in her hair and thought that one of them got ketchup on her, when I went to wipe it off I saw the huge gash. How did I not see it? I obviously don't pet her enough. I feel absolutely horrible. I know she is definitely a pain sometimes and some days I am thinking why do we have a dog but right now I just feel so terrible. I hope she can forgive us. She already seems like she has. She's happy, wagging her tail, and wanting to play. Amazing little spirits they have those doggies.
10. Stuffed animals still rule the house. The girls both play with them all the time but especially Livy. It is not just dogs now but dogs and cats and one cow and everyday they are doing something different. Riding a carousel, a plane, train, eating, climbing, at the doctors, etc. Livy loves those stuffed animals and every time we see my parents the pile grows. I think Rachel doesn't really love them that much, she just plays with hers because Livy is doing it.
11. They girls are doing great swimming. Definitely at different levels but improving in their own way. Rachel will now swim around the pool by herself with her wings on and put her face in. This is a huge step for her. She was so scared to swim without holding on to Eric or I even with her wings on and now she will. Livy is an intense swimmer, just like everything else she does. Very focused and eager. She swims without her wings under water out to some one and back to the steps. She loves wearing her goggles and will jump in off the side with or without her wings on and go under and come up. She is learning now how to come up for breaths and keep going. I am so proud of both of you girls for all that you have accomplished in the pool!  It so fun watching you learn and progress.
12. I love my family. I missed Eric while he was gone at the lake this weekend. I had my parents here so I was kept great company but I still missed him. I love him for who he is, for loving me no matter what (even if I never cook), and for this life we have together. I am amazed by Olivia and Rachel each day. I am so happy to be their mom and get to experience every day with them. I can't believe how fast they are growing up and the mixed emotions I get from that. I am happy to see them achieve more but sad that they are getting bigger. They test my patience and some times drive me crazy but they are funny and sweet and there is nothing better than their hugs and them telling me they love me. They know how to melt my heart in an instant. And Colt is a dream. He is so happy and such a good boy. I don't want him to get any bigger. I love this age. He is my constant companion and I don't mind at all. I love this little boy like I didn't even know I had in me. He just brings an instant smile to my face. 

OK so my first attempt will be called Twelve on Tuesday instead of Ten. I had a lot to say this week!