Two Weeks

I think it's safe to say I'm a realist, haven't always been but at this point in my life, yup, we're keeping it real. I love to share all those cute, sweet pictures of my family and precious kids and those uplifting, positive posts. But today I'm going to share some of the behind the scenes, less filtered life we live.

Today I've only been projectile puked on one time, that's it! It only got in my hair, my freshly changed bed sheets, all down the front of my clothes and a small puddle on my shoe. Easy peasy clean up. I'm sure Simon's sweet, sweet teacher only got a mild whiff when she warmly embraced me as I dropped him off 2 hours late for school today. I smell like I came straight from the pit of a sewer. Sewage guys. It's so bad that I can't smell other smells. That's why I'm typing this from my bathtub while my two year old dumps Star Wars 3 in 1 soap on my head. Why do you smell like a sewer you may be wondering? Surely it's not because I've been bathing with my 8 year old's R2D2 "coconut force" body wash. Nah. But then again, maybe I do need something slightly stronger, like a pool of bleach. This smell can not be removed. It's a body odor that only a sleep deprived mother of a sick newborn and 3 boys can obtain. The good news is, SUMMER IS COMING y'all. Then I don't even have to worry, we'll just take our daily bath in the pool. Sweet chlorine.

I sat down to nurse my 5 week old earlier and prayed that she could keep it down because RSV is a mean virus. Through my silent prayers I heard the grunt that could only mean one thing, a toddler pooping in the near distance. And there he was grinning at me from the hallway his ornery, sweetest grin. If I could understand him, I'm sure he would say "I got you good this time mom." At least that's what the look on his face said. So now we all get to bask in the horrible smell of a toddler that's been on antibiotics for a week poop until the baby is done eating. What an assault her brother has just launched. It's funny how they wait til the timing is juuuuust right to lay those bombs and then they sit back and smile about it. I call this Toddler Tactics, and my kids excel in this arena of life.

Did I mention I have 3 boys? Ranging in age from 2-8. Our house is LOUD. And if it's not loud, I worry. Silence means someone is up to something and it's nigh a good thing. It could mean someone is silently stuffing as many books in the toilet that can fit, at least 100. And those books are soaking in pee because toddlers don't have time to flush. Or someone is dumping a brand new box of cereal on the floor because rolling in corn flakes is all the rage around here. Or worse, silence could mean someone is painting my bathroom the prettiest, glittery shade of blue nail polish money can buy. Gahlee, shouldn't I get a grip and monitor these children? Nail polish should be in a bag zipped up, in a drawer with a childproof safety lock. Not in my house, they just bust through those locks like they're those candy necklaces. I mean, they just break them with their brute toddler strength. Who thought there would come a day when I needed to lock finger nail polish in a safe? Or say things like, "stop licking the baby" I sure didn't. But here we are.

Speaking of baby, she's 5 weeks old guys. Still so teeny-tiny and new. She's precious beyond imagine and we simply adore her. The boys are always kissing her sweet little baby head thus enter RSV. This virus is wicked. Poor baby girl has wheezed, hacked, and coughed for 4 days solid. I've watched her better than a hawk. In fact, I've put the hawks to shame. I can see them now, tucking their tail feathers in shame cause this concerned mom out hawk watched them. I'd put my money on a concerned mother over a hawk any day. Anyway, so we have not slept soundly or for any length of time since baby girl got sick. I took her to the dr a few days ago, wheezing, retracted chest, rapid, shallow breathing. Poor baby was struggling. Lo and behold her O2 levels were high 90s so we were sent packing with a positive RSV test and the instructions to look for distress. Distress?!? This isn't distress?!? So here I am, eyes glued, nose frida in hand to make sure she doesn't turn blue.

Meanwhile, the boys probably feel like they are living in an episode of survivor while nearly all my attention has been turned to little miss. Popcorn for breakfast? Sure, why not. And no, no you can not eat a box of cake mix for dessert. Sorry guys, just dip some of those pretzels in a jar of Nutella and call it a night. Oh no, it's not a night til they've all bathed and ran around the house like a pack of wild roosters. Someone should've stopped the 2 year old from taking the jar of Nutella into the bath. I swear that's what all the brown stuff in the tub is. For once, it's not poop.

Teeth brushed, everyone's bathed and it appears we are all going to bed at a decent time of 10:30 pm on a school night (insert sarcasm from this retired teacher) Nope, 2 year old will fling his body over the side of the crib at least a dozen times before reappearing in my room like a ninja (ready to steal even the idea of sleep) sometime in the middle of the night so that he can have an animated early morning chat with me at 5am. He must have a lot on his mind. This new toddler trick of escaping the crib is his favorite. He's practiced it nightly for the past 3 weeks. The newness doesn't appear to be rubbing off. His angelic smile, sweet chatter and my sheer exhaustion make it an unworthy battle to fight at 5 am. If there is sleep to be had in this house it comes in the morning, right about the time I need to be getting up for the day.

Where is all this rambling leading? If you've made it this far you may be wondering if there is an end in sight. There is people, okay, just give me a minute. I try to balance life between my dreams and reality. Sometimes my goal for the day is something super simple, like fold that basket of laundry or make a grocery list. Other days I try to take over the world with things like  vegan, whole food, sugar void budget friendly meal planning or starting a renovation project. I envision my perfect little spread sheet with all the boxes filled out. The reality is, seldom does the basket move or project get past my pinterest board. And I end up eating donuts and caramel lattes. Things happen, like kids with croup, messes... messes everywhere, mastitis, RSV, baseball, ear infections, broken down cars, <--- unexpected expenses etc. You get the picture I suspect because you too are living in this unpredictable, often broken world with me.

It's okay if you send your kid to school on picture day wearing a thunder jersey and sweatpants because you forgot it was picture day. I'm cutting myself some slack for the unfinished chore list and uncooked dinners. The desire to do better is there, everyday. And I actually have hope each day and believe that I will do better. It's almost laughable, because look at my track record. But you know what, I see these little people in my lives and my heart is acutely aware of the brokenness of this world while it is just as aware of the great blessings. And I know, without a doubt, that God has a purpose for me, for them. Through the mundane, the sleepless nights, and the rocky times He is there. He has placed incredibly valuable people in my life as well. My oldest would be late to school probably everyday if it weren't for his Poppy. Practices and games would be missed if it weren't for some of our dearest friends. Sanity would pack its bag and never return if it weren't for Mimi and Papa willing to watch our rambunctious bunch. I could go on and on how God has intertwined our stories with others at just the right time.

Suffice it to say some of those stories may become future blogs. I've written several "first blogs" but never shared any. I like to write for comedic relief and/or to get the whirling thoughts out of my overactive brain. Or I may never write another. It could be a one and done kind of thing. If you are looking for grammatically correct sentences, APA style indented paragraphs with citations, you've come to the wrong place. Momma don't have time for that ;)  This is just a space and place for everyday occurrences. Peace