We were sitting down for dinner, when Elijah announces:  A crocodile chased me down in the water, and ate me, and I was gone forever, and it was so sad.

His lip started to quiver.  Tears started.  My heart broke.

I quickly jumped in and told him that wouldn’t happen because Daddy and I would protect him.  Daddy would dive in the water and fight the crocodile and Elijah would be safe.

Nick told him he would punch the crocodile in the nose.

Elijah perked up immediately.  He decided to change his dream into one with a better ending:

“So the crocodile was chasing me, but then Dad jumped in and started punching him.  There were flamingos watching Dad, and then they came over and started kicking the crocodile.  Then they kicked his tail.  The crocodile let go of me, and so I flew away!  Because I was a bird!  A big bird, like an eagle.  I flew back, and grabbed the crocodile with my claws and we fought him together.  But then Dad got out of the water and I flew away.  After that I took off my bird costume, because I wasn’t really a bird, I was just in a costume.  And Mom was happy, and Baby, and Elena, and Dad, and ME!”

You would think this hurts, but they love it.

1 - 2 - 3 - GO!

So how, if you can barely squeeze in things you need to do, can you ever squeeze in things you want to do?  There are days when things are so crazy that if all the kids are napping at one time, I have to spend that time cleaning.  Or maybe I didn’t sleep well the night before because Irina wanted to eat and snuggle all night… then nap time for the kids means nap time for me as well.

I really do want to start working out again regularly, but I can’t always squeeze it into alone time.  Last summer I was working out every day at home, and the kids were almost always awake and in the same room with me when I did.  I just started working out again today, and was wondering how things would go…

(Yes, he likes to lift weights in his underwear… he does things the old school way).

There are a couple things to keep in mind when trying to work out with kids around:

1. Be flexible. Literally. You will have kids trying to jump on you while you’re doing a sit-up. Or maybe trying to grab your leg for a free ride while doing a lunge. Just keep reminding them of when that is okay to do, and be ready to pause suddenly to keep from stepping on toes.

2. Be Flexible. Figuratively. If you are doing an exercise in which it is safe for them to tunnel back and forth through your legs, let them! What’s the harm? Today when I was lying on my back doing arm workouts, Elijah thought it a good time to come up and shake my tummy. Not flattering at all, but otherwise totally fine. So I let him. He thought it was hilarious. (So did I really).

3. Be Patient. You will most likely have to remind them to stay off of you and let you work out for a few days before it kicks in. Maybe even 2 weeks of working out every day. But then, when they finally understand and obey, you will be able to workout at home!

4. Include them! My kids love trying the exercises too. As you are doing jumping jacks, ask your kids if they can do it too. A simple invitation usually inspires them to participate!

5. Have Fun! So long as you are getting tired, you are accomplishing your goal. Who cares if you took a giggle break? So what if you deviated from the DVD and did squat & punch for longer than normal because your kids were doing it and loving it?

6. Remember the example you are setting. It is great for your kids to see you active and having fun. Remember in a few years it might not be so easy to get them to go outside and play and be active. But if you like to do it, and they have seen you do it for years, it just may be a tad easier to convince them.

Nick helped to cut my hair, this was a first for him. He did not enjoy it. But did it because he loves me, and I couldn’t very well cut the back of my hair myself! I cut the front, and attempted some layers.

I realized that having little extra cash around the house lately doesn’t mean I have to ignore charities. There are plenty of ways to give, even if you don’t have the money. And with a brand new baby and 2 toddlers, sometimes volunteering time isn’t always an option either. But Locks of Love is easy for anyone who has 10 inches (or more) of hair to cut off! I love that they have directions on their website so you can participate without even going to a hair stylist.

What are some ways to give without even leaving your home? This mom-of-three would like some ideas!

(She got to come out and enjoy the sun for about a minute or two)

Irina was due July 6th, but decided that she needed some extra time cooking.  Quite a bit of extra time as it turns out.  My Dr. was very lax about inducing (I have seen other Doctors who schedule the induction right away if you don’t give birth by your due date).  I just had to keep going in and being monitored, which meant having the non-stress test and ultra sound done a couple of times.  Everything always looked great, so we just kept waiting.  And waiting.  And waiting.  As we were approaching the 2 weeks overdue mark, my Dr. decided it was time to at least schedule an induction.  And honestly?  At this point, you weren’t going to hear any arguments from me!  I know it’s best if labor starts on it’s own, but COME ON BABY, 2 weeks?  And at that point you start risking other complications.  So yes, I was on board with an induction.

July 20th was the day!  I could finally relax.  It seemed like such perfect timing.  Nick would finish his summer course that very morning.  He would head home where I would be ready with the kids, we would all hop in the car and get to the hospital at noon for the induction appointment.  What a weird feeling knowing when your baby is going to come!  Time to clean the house, and get everything ready, and have everything just so for the baby.

Ah, but it turns out I did not know when my baby was going to come.  I got a call at 10am (right when I was supposed to call them to remind them I was coming).  I listened to the message.  Then I cried.  And cried.  The hospital was full and there was no way they could induce me.  I wasn’t crying because I was worried, I was crying because it had been such an emotional rollercoaster waiting for Irina to come.  I had already been to the hospital a week before with false labor, now this.  Ugh.  But God has a plan, right?

(more…)

Because of this I dread Doctor’s visits.  I dread the kids’ pediatrician visits because I don’t see eye-to-eye with the Pediatrician about vaccines.  So it comes up every visit.  Ugh.  I dread the 6 week post-partum check-up because most Doctor’s do not understand our family’s position on Birth Control.  I don’t want to feel like I have to fight/justify my stance after every child I have.

With every child, I have seen a different Doctor.

With Elijah, I was asked if I wanted Birth Control.  I said no.  The response was “Oh, I totally understand- a lot of people want their 2 children close together so they can be good playmates and so you can get the labor/pregnancy thing out of the way early on.”  No, I don’t think you DO understand.

With Elena, I was asked if I wanted Birth Control.  I said no.  The response was (in an authoratative, snotty, tone) “What are you going to do then??? You can’t just breastfeed.  You DO realize that is NOT effective birth control, right?”  ”Yes,  I do understand that, thank you.”  ”Well, then, you better prepare yourself to be pregnant VERY SOON, because it will happen.”  ”Thank you, I am fine with that.”   “Really?  Just how many kids do you want?!?”

With Irina, I was asked if I wanted Birth Control.  I said no.  The response was “Children are a Blessing, right?”

Big sigh of relief.  Finally a Doctor who understands me!  I can’t tell you how happy that makes me.  I don’t want to have to defend my beliefs every time I go to the Doctor.  I don’t want to have to hear their schpeel about how I am ruining my body, how it’s not healthy, how I don’t know what I’m getting into, or whatever.

This is a decision of Faith, not Ignorance.  And it’s really nice to have that decision respected.

Everything was roses and lilies for a total of 10 seconds. Until Elena decided she could fit in the dog house just as well as the dog and hijacked the house. Much to the consternation of Elijah. So many tears followed. I hate when a creative idea backfires on me.

But then I remembered we have bigger boxes in the garage, so I ran downstairs, dumped something out (who cares what it was… I had to move fast before a full out brawl happened), and then again very quickly made another dog house.

Happiness was again restored to the house of Sobrak-Seaton.