I've Got A Lovely Bunch of... Carrots

Dee de la Dee... So... on we go with my projects of cooking- trying to use what I have on hand to stop wasting! So a million carrots, and what to do? Carrot cake - yum! Kaely helped out- not the prettiest cake, but I think it tasted pretty darn good :)

Today we wish Chase a happy 17 weeks!!! We have the walk tomorrow morning for March of Dimes, so gotta be up around 5 am, but looking forward to seeing all the sponsors such as Winnie Palmer, Nemours, and local places that we frequent. Even if we don't have an official team- it's still fun to be a part of the event.

Luckily "dragon baby" has gone back to his normal routine- only cranky in the evening (aka- now), but got lots of smiles and playtime in today- what a relief!!!

Dragon Baby

Our endearing term for Chase when he goes into one of his "fits..." I thought we survived the evening hours last night pretty well, only to be surprised when he woke up around 11, but I figured, eh, okay- feed him and go back to sleep... nope. He squirmed and fussed and cried and sniffed for a good hour after eating- finally passed out, only to get back up a couple hours later. I spent a solid hour trying to get him to sleep on his own last night before giving up and holding him to let him sleep for a while. Everytime I'd put him down he'd wake back up screaming. This has been a really random event, since for the past month or so he's slept wonderfully on his own, and for a good 4-8 hours at a time. Even morning time, when he's usually in a smiley mood, nope- we get the cranky butt. Sigh... so he's passed out on me now as I am stuck- I would let him "cry it out" but I feel he's either having a tummy problem or some other discomfort that's preventing him from sleeping right now. Sigh... Oh well- he's still my sweetheart, even if he does look like he could breathe fire :)

Circus Clown

Dee dee deedledeedle dee dee... I have this little song stuck in my head as I envision the juggling act as a circus clown... Just when I think I have the act down pat, another ball/bowling pin/etc is thrown in to the mix. After surviving the weekend, and enjoying an unplanned extra day with Dave, and watching Nathan for a bit, then add in Kaely... well- almost survived. Then got the email from Kaely's teacher about issues at school- not to rat her out- but just made me stop and think about how things are going from her point of view. 6 1/2 years to herself with us all, and now she's jumping up and down trying to get our attention. I felt like total crap reading the email- it truly made me feel like a horrible mom, and how I need to make changes. Of course, that involves dedicating time specifically to Kaely, specifically to Dave (and I), specifically to Chase, and if any time is left over- well- hell, specifically to just me. Problem is, that it's hard to turn away and focus on just one thing at a time- and that's the same problem Kaely is having- focusing. Shocking, I know. But, at least I can try to tackle these things now while it's still early (I Hope!). Maybe plan on staying a good portion of the summer down south while school is out, while we figure out the plan for moving (or not)... make a beach vacation, and try to find the energy to truly spend quality time with everyone. 


In the meantime, I just go through the motions, keep on juggling, strap on the seatbelt for the roller coaster that is our life! Once again, I send out cudos to moms with all these kids! It's a balancing act that I just haven't been able to master yet- maybe by the time their adults I'll get it down :) 


A few photos from the past days as I've been slacking

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

Actually, I usually quite enjoy the storms, but this weekend? Caused a bit of chaos needless to say. Between some automobile issues, to making me think it was best to reschedule our first date night (still 4+ months and counting), to sitting around most of yesterday waiting on the storms that didn't even come until 2 am this morning. UGH. Oh well :) In the meantime, I've had fun indoors with Chase, such a goofball! He's become our little football player- so stocky! I did at least get to play outdoors yesterday morning in our poor desolate yard. We really need an overhaul... but it was awesome to get outdoors and play in the dirt. Made some homemade lasagna and keylime pie Friday, and garlic breadsticks from scratch to go with. Yummm... We introduced Chase to the "Bumbo" that was given to us by our friend Kathy a while back- he thinks it's hilarious! He can sit up more or less on his own, and check everything out. Also started doing that with the couch. We're working on the rolling over and crawling- still a ways to go- but everyday we find a new accomplishment. Completely slacking on posts this weekend, just enjoying keeping things low-key... hope everyone has a great one- Happy Earth Day!

Walk for Babies!

As many "wild hairs" as I tend to have, I just thought about the fact that I really want to get out, be active, and support a great cause... I'm a little late on the fundraising end of this event, as it's next Saturday, but I still wanted to try to get the word out, since March of Dimes is an organization I never thought we'd have a personal connection to before Chase- and now, facing life with a preemie, low birth weight, and all of our other challenges (that we're blowing through!), it's great to do what we can for other families too.

I’m walking in March for Babies and raising money because I care about healthy babies. I know this cause is important to you, too.  Can you help me reach my goal by making a donation to my walk? It’s easy, just click through to my fundraising page.

To make a donation, visit my personal Web page at
http://www.marchforbabies.org/ChaseAndFamily

If you would like to learn more about March for Babies,
visit the Web site at marchforbabies.org.

Would you like to see what March for Babies is and why I'm walking?
Click here to see the video.

The March of Dimes mission is to improve the health of babies by
preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

Your gift supports March of Dimes research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. And it’s used to bring comfort and information to families with a baby in newborn intensive care (NICU)

You can make a secure donation with your credit card, or, if you prefer, cash or a check is fine, too.

Thank you for your support!

I Earned These Rolls!

It's a Preemie Thing!!! Not just a website- but a philosophy I think... I cannot stop staring at Chase in wonder the past day or two. Honestly- it's crazy to watch him grow almost overnight. Reminds me of Kaely's lima bean plants they grew in class- brought home last week in a cup, and now it's over 18" tall- in 5 days! We literally were just wearing "newborn" size clothes and diapers a month ago... just started wearing 0-3 month clothes recently- and he fits into the 3-6 month outfits now, and needs to upgrade to Size 2 diapers (almost done with the box of size 1's)... I decided this morning that for the sake of my back, he was going in the stroller instead of the carrier for the couple miles walk to school... it's not horrible, but starting to make my shoulders/neck ache. I am just gushing on him to everyone- as Dad likes to say- he is such a stud! 

Insatiable

A week ago we were discussing the fact that the pediatrician recommended introducing infant cereal to Chase around 3 1/2 months, but I felt that he just wasn't ready for it. This was before the past couple days. The child is crazy! He has been an eating & sleeping monster. We have all sorts of different "monsters" now for him (another post to come I'm sure)- but the past couple days- a milk monster is definitely one of them. Last night he went through his crazy moody time around 6-8... I fed him, and he was fine- until I took him off... then we went nuts again. So my sister suggested that maybe he really was still hungry- I didn't think this was possible, but okay... sure enough... then took him off the other side, and he went nuts again. So I had a small bottle in the fridge- went ahead and warmed that up- the kid ate that too! Seriously had to be anywhere from 8-14 oz at once. He finally was happy, but wouldn't sleep! He was in the funniest milk stupor I've seen yet- completely "dazed and confused," eyes all baggy and a lopsided grin glued to his face, he wouldn't stop staring at me- I was cracking up.... finally- by about 10:15pm he fell asleep. He usually passes out by 8pm. Geez! Then he slept until 5am... What a night!

So today he started that pattern again- I'm producing soooo much milk, but he's completely "clearing his plate" if you will- so I decided, what the heck. I went ahead and prepared a little bit of the rice cereal with milk to give it a shot... not too bad! Finished off with a bath, and he is passed out by 8pm again. Nice! :) This growing stuff is hard work! 6 inches and about 8 lbs in 3 1/2 months??? Awesome!