Leaving to KY

I am 34 weeks pregnant, working my 3rd day in a row today, functioning on minimal sleep related to K's ear infection and teething, currently coming down with a lovely headcold myself, and boarding an airplane (with my guy) at 5:45am tomorrow.

No wonder I am exhausted.

Apparently I should also add to the list...a massive complainer.

So K currently has an ear infection.  He started antibiotics last night, which means explosive diarrhea for the next several days.  My poor mom and sister get the joy of this, as they are watching the boys the next 3 days.  Honestly I feel really terrible about it all; leaving my sick, teething baby without his momma for 3 days...and forcing my mom and sister to tend to the joys the antibiotics will bring.  But our flight is booked, our itinerary is planned, and I have this here plot of time to go to KY before I cannot fly anymore.  So it is what it is.

Truth be told, I am excited to go, I just have a super hard time leaving my boys...especially when they are sick.  But Nana and aunt J are a fabulous fill in, so I know the boys are going to be loved on.

5 years of changes

Appartently we are not capeable of one HUGE lifestyle change at a time, instead we like to pile on as many changes as possible into a tiny sliver of time.  Cause that is how we roll. 

October - December 2006

• We welcomed out sweet R into the world 10.31.06.  P would stay up late, frantically trying to get his Master's thesis all typed up.  I'll never forget the way he looked sitting on the couch, snuggled up with a newborn, with a laptop sitting on his lap as he worked away trying to finish.

 

• Then P had to study like crazy for his comprehensive exam, and prepare to present his thesis by the beginning of December.  
• 2 months after having a baby and P graduating with his MS, we packed up our belongings and made a 38 hour plane flight to South Africa on 1.1.07.

2007-2009

• After SA wasn't a fit, we were busy applying to schools, and securing a job.  
• We were both accepted so P and I both became students, P was working on his PhD while doing research/teaching at OSU, I was attending nursing school to earn my AASN (associates of applied science in nursing).  We lived halfway between both of our schools so that we could make both of our career dreams a reality, which resulted in both of us driving 2.5-3 hours each time we had to be at school.  Totally a drag, but so very worth it!  And we did so while rocking the parenthood role to our awesome R, who spent his time away from us while we were at school with his loving Nana.

August 2009 - September 2009

• I was finishing up my practicum for my nursing program - 210 clinical hours over the course of 7 weeks while huge and pregnant with K. 

34 weeks pregnant with K

• Clinical hours + having a 3 year old + last trimester of pregnancy + preparing to study for the NCLEX + finishing up last minute graduation requirements + 2.5 hour commute = crazy busy.  

R playing a computer game while I study for the NCLEX

•  The birth of our sweet K, 8.21.09

• For graduation I got to hold sweet little 7-day-old, and had my amazing little family there to support me!   

My little family of 4 at graduation

• When K was a month old we moved to be closer to P's school/work, putting an end to the crazy commute time, and giving him more quality time to spend with baby K

R helped us move...

• September I started the RN to BSN program.
• At the beginning of the RN BSN program I was also crazy busy preparing to take the NCLEX, which I passed in the minimum 75 questions - cause I am a rockstar (despite having a baby just a few weeks old who was up all night nursing).  

Studying for the NCLEX exam, with a snugglebug study partner.

• Once again we learned to juggle our family life, this time with two kiddos, with both of us as college students.  We know a bit about frugality.

Oct 2009-Sept 2010

• I finished up my BSN program August 2010, and received that diploma - aka a $20,000 piece of paper stating I am more educated than I was a year prior, though truth be told I don't feel that way whatsoever...

•  I started my first RN job.
• P switched advisers, which was a HUGE source of peace in his life and in our home, and started teaching.  This meant we got to spend SO much more time with him!

My little red pen professor

December 2009 - present

• P had been super busy applying and interviewing for jobs.
• In addition he has also been super busy with dissertation work and teaching.
• I have been working 30 hrs/week while growing our sweet girl, and raising two rowdy boys...
• We accepted the KY job offer
• Which brings us to this upcoming Sunday - we fly out to KY to start getting thing squared away for our move. 
• and in 5 short weeks - holy smokes - we will have a new little blessing to add.

When mom is away...

There are some things that have really been a bummer about becoming a "working" mom, yet the things that I love about it and can never tire of include:

• The way my little boys run up to me when I walk in the door from work, their faces and hugs speak every emotion in the world.
• R's little 4 year old voice on the telephone, when he calls me when I am at work just because.
• R proudly telling people "my mommy is a nurse and she takes care of sick kids."
• The van full of my boys who come to bring me treats at work - Jamba is a favorite.
• R's little "gifts" he creates for me to take and "hang on my wall at work.  His drawings and handwriting  is adorable to look at - my favorite his 5 person stick figure family, complete with P being tallest and little J the smallest.
• The text message pictures of the boys that P sends to me.  Seeing the daily outings they go on together, just the three boys is too priceless - bowling, train store, Jamba - while I am sad not to be a part of these moments, it is so great to see these special daddy/son moments.
• and finally, uploading pictures that P takes while I am at work, of the day they spend together, my boys the three of them...

We have love in our family.  Lots of it!

KY

Plans for P and I to fly to KY are in the works.

They are (hopefully) happening sooner rather than later - as in the end of this month...scratch that.  We will be gone 1/30 - 2/1.

While we are gone, the boys will have company from Nana, Aunt J, and Aunt C. 

We will have 3 crazy days of information gathering.  P gets to iron out all the job specific details (snore), and I get to think about/plan for the fun stuff.  I'll research the public/private school system for R, since that will help to determine housing location.  Crazy that this is something we need to consider already and he is only 4.  Plans to talk with a realtor, to decide about purchasing/renting a house - HUGE change for us! 

We are going to move, in just 6 short months.  I can only imagine what that plane flight will be like.  I have plans to bring two helpful tag-a-longs with me because goodness knows we will sure need and greatly appreciate the help.  Gotta love sisters, especially mine, because they are rock stars.

January sunshine

She may not have her own room (yet), but I wasn't going to let lack of space prevent me from doing up a girly corner for her. 

 and I am loving making the hair bows.  Her brother's hate things on their heads - always pulling off hats, so perhaps she might not even wear them...but goodness they are cute!

The brief January sunshine had us outside yesterday for over an hour, running 

and jumping around in excitement.

What a nice break from the short rainy day walks.  The boys had a blast, R even decided that the weather called for sidewalk chalk and bubbles.  It was so sweet to see them playing together.

R was so cute trying to teach K to blow bubbles.  The phrase repeated over and over by R..."disgusting you don't eat it, you blow on it!"

 He almost had it figured out in this picture, only the wand was turned upside down.

and then he figured it out, one tiny bubble to show for all the effort (though not pictured - I'm not a rockstar photographer).  R shouted "HOORAY KIPPY!"  The K dropped the wand and clapped his hands with a huge smile on his face. 

there is nothing like brotherly love...a love that when the little brother dumps out the last of the bubbles, the older brother says, "awe Kippy, that is such a bummer, there is no more left" and even offers to let K use the last bit of bubbles remaining on the wand for the final bit of bubble fun.

My oldest, he is such a little sweetheart (at least yesterday)!

And when the running had them both so tired I was afraid of someone face-planting, it was time to head in.

and K was obviously upset about that plan...

Big Day

The nursing office at work was too hot today, and my scrub pants were too tight.  I shouldn't have worked out tonight evidence by the fact that I had to waddle home from the workout room.  All this has caused my uterus is doing funny things, like getting stuck in a cramp/contraction for way too long.  So now my back hurts.  Really bad.  But today I am 32 weeks pregnant, which means just 7 more weeks left till maternity leave.  But more importantly, 7 more weeks till I get to hold my baby girl in my arms!

and 7 more weeks left for P to finish with his dissertation work.  He got his data today, so it is going to be a mad dash to see if he can finish before J makes her debut.

In other more important news...we are Kentucky bound.  Don't worry, not yet.  In July.

P and I have decided to accept the offer.  He hasn't officially done so just yet, he is in the negotiation process.  But soon...

So some day I'll be a Kentuckian, buy a fancy hat that I'll wear to the Derby, see people use horses as a form of transportation to/from work (P tells me this...though I think he is joking) and my 3 kids will walk around saying ya'll.  Or at least that is how I see it, since I know next to nothing about the state.  Wait - I know that the weather is up to par with R and his desires to wear basketball shorts year round!  I am excited.

2011 is shaping up to be our most chaotic year so far, and if you know anything about P and I, you know we have some pretty chaotic years in our background.  It is only January and so far we are set for huge changes to happen before P begins teaching at Bellarmine University on August 15th:

• P to become Dr. Loprinzi when he graduates from OSU with his PhD :)!
• P to start being the sugar daddy
• Meeting our 3rd baby, our sweet girl!
• Moving out of state
• Moving into our first house - hey even if it is a rental, we are apartment dwellers so this is a HUGE step up!
• Flying on an airplane with 3 kids!
• Completing my first year working as an RN

R's first day of preschool

R's first day of preschool was today.  Tomorrow has to be better, if not I don't think I can keep taking him.  It is hard enough being overly emotional related to pregnancy, but added on my oldest crying at preschool...yep not cool.  I wanted to scoop him up and cry with him.  Three hours and 45 minutes is just a long time to be away from mommy and daddy for the first time. 

Today was my 32 week check up.  Sweet J is measuring 29 weeks, which is 3 weeks smaller than she should be measuring, however she hasn't further delayed in her growth the past two weeks so not all bad news.  So we continue to monitor her size.  We have a set induction date of March 4th (I'll be 39 weeks - she will hopefully be measuring 36 weeks if her growth isn't any further delayed) and are hoping that we can make it that far.  Next appointment we have another ultrasound.  So for now I'll keep eating, a lot, and worrying less - cause lots of calories and minimal stress is all I can do to help her grow.

The ordinary

 We have been busy, making huge decision lately.  I have been less than lovely related to it, and P has been way patient and understanding of my emotional outbursts.  I don't handle change well, and deciding on a job offer in Kentucky is a HUGE change.  Being tired and pregnant is some of the reason for wonky emotions.  I know we will settle on the perfect decision for our family, we are getting there.  For now I will put this aside and focus on today.  The ordinary, non-stressful things in life, like an apartment that is covered in toys. 

But I have been way too busy taking part in the fun and pretend food eating to worry about messes.  So I tell the boys to walk a little slower and more carefully to avoid any injury related to this toy madness.

 and today the boys have been playing together quite nicely, which is always a perk! 

I even managed to get a picture of all three of my kiddos together, already...

K raced around with the shopping cart most of the morning before the toys made way into the living room.  Notice his favorite blanket came along for the ride.

R and I played several games during K's morning nap.  He flashed this cheesy smile while picking the games out.  

K's sweet, tired face at lunch time...

and then some couch snuggles after lunch before his afternoon nap.

We have also been playing hide and seek.  The giggles and little boy feet and hands peeking out from the curtain were a dead give away to the hiding spot.

Finally, a 32 week pregnancy comparison.  My belly is smaller with little J, but my face is the fattest.  Can't blame her small size on my lack of packing on those recommended 40 pregnancy pounds :).

Sibling love

Our babysitter got an amazing opportunity to start a college program she applied to, and unfortunately this left us in a bad place regarding who would watch the boys, for 4 hours every Friday, when P and I both work (I am still amazed that we can both work day shift jobs and only have one day that neither of us are home.)  We had 2 days to find someone to love on our boys while P and I are at work today.  We don't leave them with just anyone...

So what to do, well I text my sister of course, and thankfully she doesn't work!

Today my sister (and mom who tags along, never missing an opportunity to spend time with her grandsons) are coming over to watch our boys.

Because they rock. 

They drop everything whenever I need help.  Not just that, but sista J (and probably tag-along Mom/Nana) is going to cover every.single.Friday for us until I get to start maternity leave - which is in 8 weeks or less (holy smokes!).

And that is what family is all about.

I hope my kids have that amazing sibling relationships, as I do with my siblings - all of them, even my siblings-in-law...not sure if that is a word but I don't know how else to describe it.

This closeness is what I'll miss most if we end up our of state. 

Hope

We got a glimmer of hope regarding job placement, with regards to staying locally, in the form of an email yesterday.

P beamed with excitement as he came into the bathroom last night (I was watching the boys - who were in the bath, up to their necks in bubbles) telling me to read the email that was up on the computer screen.  He had that look of excitement, and was smiling in that certain way that makes his eyes smile too (yes they do this).  Cranky, tired boys won over and reading this email was on hold until after the boys were in bed. 

While it is a long way from a job offer, a local University is looking into P's application and stated in the email "based on the conversation with your doctoral adviser today and review of your materials I think there is a potential fit with our needs."

So I am excited.  P is excited.  Our whole extended family is excited.

and we are wishing, hoping, praying for the best. 

If you could do whatever you do - pray, wish, hope, think, cross your fingers and toes...etc - for us that would be great!

Oh and do the same for little J's growth.  Our next appointment is on the 11th!

Tomorrow is R's preschool orientation.  I unfortuantely will miss out, I will be at work, but thankfully P has it under control.  I still can't believe my little R is going to be in preschool!

Kentucky!

This morning P crawled out of bed at 9am.  See lately he has been staying up until forever, or at least what seems forever to me (since I am pregnant and go to bed at 9pm...) working, worrying and wondering.  Today is Jan.4th, which means just about 2 months till we welcome our sweet J into our family.  Currently P has a ton to get done between now and then - finish up his dissertation, graduate, teach, apply for jobs, go on interviews, be a daddy/husband...

But this morning, an email eased some of his worrying and wondering that causes this sleeplessness.

Because, drum roll...HE GOT A JOB OFFER!

While it isn't anywhere near "home" it will be our new home if that is what we decide is best.

So we have a lot to decide, and now perhaps would be the appropriate time to worry and wonder about details.  But for now we are thrilled.  The kind of thrilled where you dance for joy in your kitchen, jump up and down hugging the ones you love, and finish the day off by eating out at Red Robin just for the sake of a celebratory "mountain high mud pie."

So that is what we have done.

and tomorrow, or the next day, or the next we will wonder and worry about the details.

but tonight we are just so very thankful for this...even if it is in Kentucky. 

Though out of the states P has interviewed, it is one of the states that P and I can actually spell without double or triple thinking about the spelling (don't laugh, we are highly educated...)

So very excited for you P, and for our family!  You are amazing!

Sunday pictures

 Paul took this picture while I was at work.  My two little boys watching Saturday morning cartoons together.

and a typical Sunday at our house.  Lounging around.  On the other side of Kiplin was 8 loads of laundry to fold, seriously.  P always washes all the laundry for the week while I am at work on Thurs, Fri, and Sat (cause he is amazing!) and I fold it all on Sunday.  Such great teamwork!

and my cute little boys.  

K's love of Curious George continues. 

 and then I came across this one.  Not sure what in the world R was doing, but I think this picture is pretty priceless, a sort of picture that I can blackmail him with later...

and though I'm not a boy, I think that his face is appropiate for whatever is going on.

We ordered little J's crib today, and her bedding is currently on the way.  Crazy to think we will meet her in a couple months!

2011

Yesterday I worked 10 hours then came home to do the dinner/bath/betime ritual with the boys.

While at work yesterday I came up with a plan to celebrate the New Year with Paul in the comfort of our own apartment while our two little boys sleep - make a stop at 7-Eleven for a $1 Redbox movie, some Smartfood, and a Slurpee (size big of course, cause anything smaller is just a waste of time). 

Those plans were out the window once I sat down after the boys were in bed though, exhaustion won.

Apparently by 7:10pm I was asleep, dead asleep.  As in the kind of sleep where you are sitting up on a couch with drool coming down face.  But the sleep was so very worth it, even with my sore neck.  Sorry P for the lacking kiss at midnight.  And as much as I hate the phrase - I have to use it as it is so very appropriate for this situation...I caught the bus (more than 5 years ago), so I have no reason to keep running. 

So I didn't keep running last night, I slept, and to be honest I don't feel bad about it.  Paul, however, did go running. 

What is the big deal about ringing in the new year with a midnight kiss anyway.  I do, afterall, have a ring (that should be) on my finger which symbolizes I can kiss Paul anytime I want.

Speaking of the ring that should be on my finger, last night my feet were so swollen that I had cankles.  I also had +2 pitting edema in my legs, or in non-nursing terms - when I push on my shin using my fingers, craters the size of the grand canyon remain.  I wish I was joking.  Disgusting!  Anyway, I am 30 weeks pregnant, so it seems like I am going to have 9 long weeks left of water retention.

and this is all over the place.

So it is 2011, and as usual I have no resolutions. 

In fact, I am dreading the crowded gym for the next month and a half because of all the people who actually make resolutions.  Perhaps Okay, so this is totally rude, but I actually look forward to the resolutioners who fail in their gym resolution attempts.  No, I don't wish that they would fail, I hope that they can continue on with the positive lifestyle choices they are trying to make... 

But there is just something so irritating about waiting forever to use an elliptical machine that is currently occupied by someone who hasn't exercised in forever, and for their first time they plan on going for 60 minutes.  Or lap swimming in a lane with someone who thinks that they are fast enough to keep up in the "medium" lane, when actually they should be in the "super slow" lane if there even was such a thing.   Come on...seriously!  Make some realistic resolutions.  No wonder the failure rate is so high!

So here is to a lovely 2011.

2011 for us will be filled with a lot of exciting changes...

• P applying for jobs and going on multiple interviews
• A job offer for P 
• The completion of my first year working as a RN
• Lots of diaper changes - two little ones in diapers come March with the birth of our baby girl!  Perhaps I should seriously consider cloth?
• K leaning to talk
• R starting preschool - next week to be exact!
• Moving wherever P gets a job offer.
• Moving into a house (which, after being apartment dwellers since marriage this is beyond exciting for us)
• The search of a new nursing job for me, depending on wherever P's job takes us.