Map Room

I finally got around to taking some pics of the Jonah and Daniel's bedroom. They didn't turn out great- I just can't seem to get the lighting right! But here they are. I saw this mural map online and instantly fell in love. I got mine at ToyRus but there are other cool maps out there (check here). Putting it up was a hassle- it's basically wall paper, but we followed the directions and it worked out. The map is not laminated, which really worried me but I didn't want a big glare and the laminated versions were double the price. It's been up for a few months now with no disasters (knock on wood!).

We painted the room "Squash" and I think it looks more like schoolbus yellow but it actually makes me really happy. Bedding, curtains and dressers are from IKEA. I have no intention of changing the decor in here anytime soon. Part of the reason I liked the map idea was that I figured they wouldn't outgrow it too quickly. Heck, I'd like it in my room. :)

There are a few more things yet to do but mostly it's done. I'll post Isaac's room soon here too.

Doctor Dilemma

So do I go with the pediatricians who are uber fast and convenient or the docs I actually like? Arrghh!!

I've been with Dr. Lentsch for 3 years now and they are SO efficient. I am in and out in 20-30 minutes EVERY time I go. Amazing. They can also squeeze you in, like if you call at 3:30pm on a weekeday they will say, "How fast can you get here?" and you don't have to wait until morning with your sick kiddo.

BUT... I am ALWAYS stressed out by my visits to that office. I can't really explain it other than to say the docs (the practice has grown and there are several new peds) make me feel like they are doing me a huge favor in seeing my child and that they are mildly disappointed in my parenting efforts. Maybe it's because I don't follow the vaccine schedule exactly. There are a couple we don't get but mostly I just try to spread them out a little bit more. I'm sure the nurses and docs look at this as a major offense. I'm also not a fan of the flu vaccine (dangerous and ineffective? no thanks). Oh and I breastfeed past a year. This is really what prompted me to want to find a new pediatrician. At Lucy's 12, 15 and 18 month checkups they were pretty much telling me to wean her. I left each visit almost in tears.

So I decided to check out a new pediatrican. Found one that has 8 kids of her own and I was sold. She was very chill and suprise! I left her office not feeling terrible. The downside: I've now been to her office 4 times and every visit takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours!!!! Arghh.

I called up my old doc yesterday to see if they might squeeze me in (Jonah had strep) and in the course of our discussion she asked why I had gone to a new doc. I told her that I didn't feel like her staff supported my decisions as a mom, particularly breastfeeding and she told me.... that she and her staff do discourage breastfeeding after 15 months because of the emotional problems it causes. Say what?!?

As is always the case when I am completely baffled I didn't say what I wanted to. In fact I just said, "Well it's a moot point because Lucy is weaned now." But seriously, emotional problems??? I just don't know what to say. Maybe she's right. I mean actually nursing Lucy past a year here in Texas has been hell. There may be no more uncomfortable situation that a nursing toddler at a football game in Katy, Texas. Maybe she meant the emotional problems the mother experiences!!

Anyway, this was NOT meant to be a breastfeeding rant but I am really struggling with whether I should go to the nicer pediatrican who makes me wait or stick with the lame docs who don't waste my time! Wish I could have the best of both...

Love is in the air

I was flipping channels a couple of nights ago and happened on the ending of "Pride and Prejudice," the one with Keira Knightly. It was at the part where she meets Darcy at sunrise and he asks for the last time if he might hope to have her love. Ahhhhh.... now that is my idea of a great romance flick.

We're not big Valentine's celebrators. I think I was seriously turned off years ago by a jewelry ad that implied (no, stronger than that) that diamonds are how you prove your love. Gag! But... I have no beef with chocolate. Especially if it's Sees. Yummo. This has been a great day. Happy VD!

Valentine's Crayon

It's a well know fact that I have a lot of trouble throwing things away. It pains me. So the crayon collection has been seriously out of control for years. I have bags and school boxes of crayons. Wait- had. Because Isaac has been asking to make a giant crayon for a few months now. So I finally bought one of those silicone mold baking pans and...

We now have a non sugary Valentine's gift for the school exchange. Isaac and I worked on them for hours yesterday. Turns out that de-papering crayons is no small task. We did discover that a sharp knife really expedites the process (and of course my boys love any project that involves a sharp knife). One of the neighbors even came over to help.

In truth I have a lot of anxiety around Valentine's Day. And no, it's not because Curtis refuses to acknowledge the holiday (I made the mistake in college of telling him I thought it was pointless and only continued b/c candy/card and flower makers guilted us all into it- he still holds me to that.) Actually though, my trauma is from nightmarish episodes of forcing my boys to write out all those names on the Valentine's. The problem is threefold:

1) Until recently, my kiddos didn't love writing and 20 cards proved to be pretty stressful for them

2) I procrastinate and so usually we're whipping out Valentine's the night before or gasp!-morning of

3) Storebought Valentine's are printing on strangely waxy paper- that CANNOT be written on (easily anyway)

So this year I kept thinking I would like to print our own out. Then I saw these from I am Mama, Hear Me Roar. When I first looked at them they seemed over-the-top but I couldn't get them out of my mind and... they actually came together quite quickly. I guess it helps that my kids are older now and can do most of the work. I had the snack bags and card stock for printing and of course the crayons. So all I bought was the candy and silicone mold. We'll be doing more this weekend- it was actually a lot of fun to work on together. Love to see links or hear other ideas!

50 years and counting

This past weekend we celebrated my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. It was a lot of fun because they thought only 3 of their children would be there but then 3 more of us showed up and suprised them. I'm not a big suprise person, partly because I really like to ancipate events and hate for anyone to miss out on that. But... I have to say this was a great idea.

My parents arrived at my younger sister's house, prepared to celebrate there. Everyone was getting ready to sit down when I strolled down the stairs. I will never forget the look on my mom and dad's faces. Priceless. Then a few minutes later, Lisa did the same thing. After just a minute or two, Riche came bounding down the stairs as well... happy tears were shed. Emily's written a much better account here.

It was so much fun to celebrate with family. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner by my sister, Emily. Lots of great conversation and were even treated to a little music and dance. So fun. I love my family.