February 7 (3 months old)

These pictures were taken on CallaMae's 3 month birthday.  She is wearing the outfit I wore for my 3 month photos and is laying on my baby blanket.  I did this same thing with Annabelle and Eliza and it's so neat to look back at them.  Our CallaMae is such a sweet baby.  We ADORE her!

Today

Cupcake decorating at the library and a baby in the Bjorn.

Kiddo's checked out books today...

Bennett chose The Wonders of Nature and Where in the Wild.  The first one hadn't been checked out in so long that it didn't even have the updated barcode system attached to it.

Annabelle chose Oh, the Pets You Can Get! and Fancy Nancy (for about the 20th time)

Eliza chose Gossie and Gertie and The Legend of the Christmas Tree

Bennett decided he wanted to give his friend a pair of shoes he no longer wears for his birthday.  I gave the mom a heads up.  Thought that was sweet.

The baby was fussy today.  I'm thinking she's growing and needs to eat more than I had gotten used to. 

Annabelle and Eliza were laughing so hard together it made me laugh! 

The three big kids got rowdy before bed and were whipping around the house screaming and laughing.  My sweeties love to be silly and have fun and I love that they love doing it together!!

Today

Eliza took a 2 hour nap.  A nap is VERY rare for that girl! (but now she's still awake...agh!)

Eliza instructed that I pat her butt with each stair we go up, on the way to bed.  She does this most nights as I think it's become part of her nightly routine.

Eliza said tonight, "you're my best friend Mommy!"

Annabelle and I cuddled together as she read her book to me.

Annabelle was bummed her play was postponed due to weather.

Annabelle went to school with kinky hair thanks to the braids she slept on the night before.

Bennett cuddled next to CallaMae so she could see what he was watching on his tablet.

Bennett ate most of an 8 by 8 pan of orange jello.

Bennett asked Eliza to sit in the bathroom on a stool while he showered so she could see how fast he can go.  He does this often and she usually agrees.  I think he likes having someone there with him.  I find that's the case with my kiddos.  They prefer to have a sibling with them in whatever they are doing. 

CallaMae slept during tabletime at preschool (at our house) but woke up in time to play with/smile at/ observe her friend that were here.

CallaMae was awake a fair amount today.

CallaMae enjoyed being held by all her siblings today. 

I made the kiddos french toast for dinner.

I worked around the theme of eggs for preschool.

I am thankful I didn't have to drive anywhere today.  Again, it was a day I didn't leave the house.

Darrin's junior high wrestling tournament was cancelled.  He had leftovers for dinner.

Today

Today I made really ugly but pretty tasty cupcakes.

Today Jenny scored a great deal on diapers for me.

Today I had a cup of tea.

Today I'm still waiting for my husband and 3 big kids to get home.  They're setting up for the wrestling tournament tomorrow.

Today I planned a bit for tomorrows preschool. We're going to talk about eggs.

Today my mind wouldn't quit racing about what needs to be organized and what more I can get rid of.

Today I have enchiladas sitting on the stove.  They are now cold but it's dinner when everyone gets home.

Today I realized my youngest is almost 4 months old.

Today Annabelle got student of the week.

Today Bennett gave me an extra sweet goodbye when I dropped him off at wrestling.  He usually gives some very sweet goodbyes. 

Today Eliza spent a lot of time playing with play dough.  She also went to wrestling practice in her pajamas.  






 

Today

Today I painted ten fingernails

Today I made play dough, beer bread, and enchilada's.

Today Grandpa DePree visited.

Today Grandpa painted the first coat of Annabelle's nails.

Today Grandpa and Bennett drew pictures of wildlife.

Today Eliza and Grandpa rough housed. 

Today CallaMae sat in her high chair so she could see from a new perspective.

Today Palmer got vacuumed. 

Today Darrin was at a tournament for his newly formed junior high wrestling program.

Today my dad is spending the night so Darrin and I are going to Curly's.  It's only a minute away so I can be home in a jiffy if the baby needs me.  Apparently it's Mardi Gras night.  We'll see how that goes. 

Today

SNOW DAY!

The 3 big kids shoveled Grandma's driveway.

Mom and I went to Miller's Discount.  I spent just over 30.00.  I always find something there to buy.  Starbucks coffee, pop, cream of tarter, chili powder, Chicken in a Biscuit,  and a 33 cent, large tub of outdated Chobani yogurt.  I wanted to google the safety of outdated yogurt and figured I'd only be out 33 cents if it was strongly advised you not eat it.  Turns out it's fine.  The date on yogurt is generally the sell by date and is good for about 2 weeks after the date.  I put some in some soup tonight in place of sour cream and we're all feeling fine.  Haha!

Darrin and Bennett had wrestling practice with Jesse who Darrin will be taking to the state tournament at The Palace next weekend.  Bennett knows all the warmups his dad runs.  

Annabelle told me she's saving her money for makeup...Oy!

CallaMae is going to sleep in her room with Eliza tonight.  At least until she cries for the first time.  She takes long naps in there so I'm hoping she'll have a long stretch of nighttime sleep as well.

Eliza said "goodnight Miss Grandma" when we left her house this evening.

Palmer was vaccinated and went for a walk at the farm.

 I hula hooped for 20 minutes using my weighted hula hoop while watching a bit of Ellen.

Darrin and I laughed at a book about the birds and the bees intended for young children.  In our opinion, not entirely appropriate for young children but totally hilarious to read. One of the more mild yet still hilarious lines reads,  "After all the excitement of making love, the man and the woman feel a bit tired.  Like any exercise, it takes quite a lot of energy."   Seriously??

Today

I changed between 9 and 11 diapers.

Both girls are wearing a size 4 diaper to bed because I grabbed from my stockpile instead of heading downstairs to grab from their separate drawers. 

Baked potato bar, cantaloupe, and fresh veggies.  It's what's for dinner.

Eliza painted on tin foil and circled "E's" on a letter search page at preschool today.  She also drew a face (well sort of).

Bennett drank from his new water bottle at dinner.  Yes, the water bottle he got from the magazine fundraiser:).

We got a new computer desk so I sorted a few drawers today.  There's more to do tomorrow.

CallaMae was awake more today than yesterday.  She smiled for many different people today.

I bought 10 bags of shredded cheese at the Village Market.  They were BOGO.  I froze 7.

Annabelle's new jeans arrived today.   They're cute on her.  She likes them.  She's fun to buy clothes for because she appreciates fashion so much!  $8.00...Children's Place...free shipping.  Can't beat it. 

I scheduled a rabies vaccination for Palmer.

I contemplated calling to make an appointment to get my hair highlighted.  I didn't.  Maybe tomorrow.

The kids stayed up later than normal because we waited for Dad to get home before we ate.

Here's hoping for a snow day tomorrow!!  We need to use them up!

Good night!

Today

Today CallaMae was my Sleeping Beauty.  I hope our night isn't too rough.

Today Eliza pedaled her tricycle all around the house.  She's getting her biking legs ready for spring!

Today Bennett is excited about the eyeball bouncy ball and water bottle he will get from a school fundraiser.  He (I) just had to give seven addresses of family member's to send magazine orders to.

Today Annabelle got the special treat of having Mark and Carol take her to dance.

Today Bennett was certain CallaMae had grown quite a bit while he was at school.  And she probably did!

Today Eliza played really well with her friend Taylie.  It was fun to watch their impromptu game of hide and seek.

Today Annabelle consoled Eliza when she was mad about something.  And Eliza REALLY milked it!

Today Darrin is getting chicken fajitas for dinner.  I used the 25 cent tortillas I got at the Village Market last night.

Today (as I type) I'm holding CallaMae trying to keep her awake a while.

Today I cleared out CallaMae's drawer of 0 to 3 month clothing and filled it with her 3 to 6 month stuff.

Today I did not leave the house at all.

Today Annabelle cleaned out and organized her backpack.

Today I'm going to enjoy some ice cream.  

Today I wished someone could make a whole new wardrobe appear in my closet.  I wish I didn't hate shopping for myself so much.

Guess that's it for now.  CallaMae and I are going to hang out on the couch for a bit and wait for Darrin to get home.  Then we'll be off to bed.  Good night!

Today

CallaMae went for a ride in her bouncy seat thanks to her sister and friends.  She got pushed all around the house.

I opted out of the super messy craft for a slightly less messy activity.  Eliza thought it was cool to squirt colored vinegar into a tray of baking soda using a medicine dropper.

Bennett Darrin whipped through his shower, book, and homework so he could get a little Mario Kart time in.

Annabelle had fun using a microphone to practice her lines today.

Bennett got a thank you card in the mail from his teacher.  Have I said before how thankful I am that my kids have the teachers they do?!?!

Annabelle changed from her school clothes into a poofy dress just because.

Eliza brought CallaMae her little toy bunny (when she was sleeping in her swing) because she thought "it would make her happy."  It made her so happy she woke up to play :).

I had to throw some produce away because I didn't use it before it went bad.  That makes me so mad.  What a waste of money.

I had a great shopping trip this evening.  I left at 8:00 (late for me to go anywhere).  Drove 1:00 minute down the road to the Village Market.  Wandered around the store BY MYSELF.  There were at most 2 other customers in the store.  I got what I needed.  They double coupons on Tuesdays and I had a few.  A nice young man bagged and loaded my groceries.  And I was home and unloaded by just after 9:00.  I have to realize sometimes paying a little more at a small store has its benefits. 

Today

It's the last day of mid winter break.

I rocked my youngest to sleep while singing to both her and Eliza.

Annabelle and I practiced her lines for the Three Piggy Opera.

Bennett went to middle school wrestling practice with Darrin and had to wrestle with one of the students.

Darrin took the 3 oldest and Palmer on a walk but said it wasn't worth it because it was so rainy and windy  even Palmer wasn't into it.

Annabelle, Eliza and I tried out a painting project we're going to do at preschool tomorrow.  It turns out cool but has the potential to be very messy.

Bennett and Darrin played a couple games of Mario Cart which is what Bennett bought with the Christmas money from Great Grandma.

Both kids read their AR books,  Annabelle to me and Bennett to Darrin.

Annabelle and Eliza (mostly Annabelle) organized my tupperware cupboard.

Darrin washed under and on top of the refrigerator..

This morning Eliza informed me that she needed to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse upstairs because Bennett was watching River Monsters downstairs.

We booked our cabin at Yogi Bear for this coming June.

Good night!

Today

Bennett opted for a "high and tight" at the barber after several months of thinking he wanted grow his hair out.  This Momma prefers the shorter look on him so I was pleased. 

Darrin also got a hair cut.  Can't beat the barber in town. 

Eliza showed us some pretty mean dance moves with some pretty fantastic facial expressions to match them. 

Annabelle wanted a stack of white paper stapled at the top just like Dad had.  She titled it and wrote something on every page.  She told me I could write some things in it after she went to bed.

We went to Battle Creek and ate at Taco Bell for dinner.  Eliza said she "loves Taco Bell."

The kids picked out clearance Valentine's at Target to use next year.

Bennett spent his Christmas money from Great Grandma.

I used the 4.00 bag of Starbucks coffee I got at the Amish store to get a free coffee at the Starbucks drive through in Battle Creek.  It was the first time I've done that.  What a deal!  Darrin and I shared it.

Darrin and the big kids walked Palmer at the farm and got pretty muddy.

I picked up a bag of frozen berries from Gordon Foods which I use in smoothies.  Bennett and I especially love them.  He requested one for breakfast in the morning.

CallaMae gave me some little giggles when I touched my nose to hers and said "boop."

Annabelle pulled Eliza around on her tricycle with a jump rope.

Annabelle loved browsing around Target with me.  She found a lot she liked.  I'm teaching her early to look for the items with an orange sticker :).  We found her some pants for 4.20.

I made a breakfast meal for lunch.  

A story for you CallaMae

CallaMae, Dad and I struggled to agree on a name for you.  He really liked one, I wasn't so sure, I liked one or two and he didn't.  It was tough.  And I like to have a name picked before a baby's arrival.  One night I was watching your friends Grant and Oliver and was looking through a magazine at their house and the name Calla was on a baby name list.  It stood out to me.  I thought about it and thought about it.  I then had to research it.  It means beautiful.  It starts with a "C" so we would have names starting with letters A through E.  I liked it and it felt right.  I had other names that were names I liked and would have considered, Iris, Scarlett (except you now have a friend Scarlett whose just 3 months older than you), Ada, Isla, etc, but when I kept running the name Calla through my head I knew that was YOUR name.  And since my middle name is Mae, I thought Calla Mae sounded just right.  I drive Dad crazy with baby naming.  He treats it like it's not such a big deal but I think if a name has to stick with you forever, it has to be a big deal.  I mentioned the name to Dad and he wasn't so sure.  But one day he came home from work and said, "I've thought about Calla Mae and I like it.  But I want to call her Calla Mae."  So that sent my mind going again.  Okay, how do we do that...hyphen, all together with a lowercase M.  Agh.  I chatted with my friends and we decided that CallaMae would work the best.  No space or hyphen to mess with the social security department or someone reading your name off a list like your future teachers.  And since Elise is a form of Elizabeth, that's how we came up with your middle name.  But Dad, oh Dad.  I had it all squared away.  I was calling you CallaMae Elise when I talked to you when no one else was around.  It was your name and I knew it.  Dad made a comment how he still wasn't so sure, just though it was a "nice" name but maybe not perfect.  That was a struggle for me.  I wanted him to be happy as well.  In reality, looking back I shouldn't have been so worked up because I knew Dad would be happy with it.  But anyway, it left a small slice of doubt in my head until....

about 2 weeks before you were born, I took your sister Eliza to playgroup at the library.  Usually we leave right away when it's over but Eliza said she wanted to pick a book.  I agreed so she ran to a shelf, grabbed the first book she could, and handed it to me.  She did not look at any.  She did not contemplate.  She didn't even touch more than one book.  Of the thousands of books, she pulled out that one book and handed it to me.  I didn't even look at the title but I asked her if she was sure it was the one she wanted.  It was.  No question.  When we got home, I put the book on top of the cabinet where I usually keep library books.  I still hadn't looked at the title.  More often than not, when we check out books, they need to be returned before we get a chance to look at them.  But this time was thankfully different.  A day or two after checking out the book I pulled it down and asked Eliza if she'd like me to read it to her.  I was pleased when I saw the title was On the Day You Were Born (I was anxiously awaiting your arrival and I thought the title was fitting.)  I opened the book and read through each page carefully.  I was taken aback when on the dedication page, I saw the author, Debra Fraiser, had dedicated the book to her daughter CALLA!  Oh CallaMae.  I knew that was YOUR name.  I actually emailed the author and she responded back saying they had chosen the name from a painting done by their favorite artist and that their Calla had grown up to be a strong artist herself.  Neat huh?  Well sweet girl,, that was the story I wanted to tell you tonight.  You definitely fit your name.  Dad and I can't picture you as anything or anyone else.  Love you so!

Today

It felt like spring!!

I walked Palmer at the farm...by myself.  Palmer was happy to get some energy out..  I was not happy to hear what sounded like wolves the entire time. 

CallaMae and I had a date at Meijer.  '

I used MPerks for the first time and was less than thrilled when I found out you can't pair them with paper coupons.  I wanted to use my paper coupons as the value was higher.  But in the end I saved quite a bit.

Eliza spent some time with Grandma L. this morning and kept her laughing (so I'm told).

Annabelle wanted to go to bed because she's excited for her dance party tomorrow night at her dance studio.  .

Bennett *thinks* he understands a joke Darrin told tonight.  I hope he doesn't.

I packed three special Valentine lunches for tomorrow.

Eliza calls Annabelle "mom" sometimes and Annabelle responds.  Annabelle is very motherly toward Eliza and it doesn't always seem like they are just playing :).  I was listening to them this afternoon when Eliza spilled some juice.  Annabelle quickly got paper towel to clean it up and lovingly reassured her that it was an accident and that she would get Eliza more.  Melted my heart.

Eliza went to bed  with a cup of goldfish crackers (without me knowing).  She is now sleeping on crumbs.

The big kids are still talking but they should be sleeping. 

I hope the drano sitting in my bathtub drain right now does the trick.

Darrin is relaxing and I think I'm going to join him.

I think I'm also going to cut and hang a few hearts in the house as a surprise for when the kids wake up.  

Today

While I was feeding CallaMae, Eliza stated that the sports segment of the news wasn't my show.  She said it was Daddy's show.

Annabelle counted out 100 noodles for her 100th day of school.

Bennett remembered to put his name on his math homework.

Annabelle DID remember the word "across" from her AR book!!

Eliza used cookie cutters to stamp hearts onto paper with paint.

I vacuumed twice because I didn't get to it last night. 

Eliza put a smile on Bennett's face when she declared, " I. Love. You. So. Much!"

Bennett really enjoyed the baked pancakes I made for dinner tonight.

Annabelle called several people from her Nexus.

The big kids are wearing matching bright green wrestling shirts to school tomorrow.

Darrin's disappointed with the announcement today that wrestling has been cut from the 2020 Olympics. 

Darrin was lucky and got leftover chinese food from one of my preschool mom friends who supplied the lunch today. 

CallaMae, sweet CallaMae, what can I say??  You melt my heart every day!  You enjoy the action of the house and when you fuss it's because you're hungry or tired and you still sleep a lot!!

All the kids love piling on their Dad before bed if he's home.  That's what they're doing now.  I usually take that little bit of time to put as many clean clothes away as I can.  Today I'm doing this instead. 

Good night.

Today

Today we no longer have our baby swing thanks to the thing Darrin was working on yesterday. 

Today I'm thankful Darrin is still alive :).

Today I have a pan with cocoa wheat residue sitting in the dishwasher even though I know anything with cocoa wheats on it needs to be washed by hand. (Cocoa Wheats...it's what's for dinner)

Today I have a bag of dress up clothes that will go in the garbage.  My sweet kids think that other children will enjoy them but I'm afraid Goodwill would be mad about a donation like that. 

Today I asked Bennett 3 times to put his name on his homework.  He went to bed.  I did it for him. 

Today Annabelle struggled to remember the word "across" in her AR book.  After about 10 times reading through the book, I *think* she'll remember it.

Today Eliza switched activities about every 10 minutes.  She also wanted to eat about every 10 minutes.

Today I'm thankful for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episodes on youtube.  

Today CallaMae is rockin' a 3 to 6 month outfit.  And boy does she have the best smiles around.  

Today Darrin got home at 6:00!!! 

Today the kids got to wrestle with Dad before bed. 

Today I still have to vacuum.  I have a house full of kids coming over tomorrow at 10:00!! 

Good night.

Today

The three big kids are in bed.

I'm holding CallaMae as I type.

She's getting ready for bed too.

It's Sunday so Darrin was home with us.

Wrestling is not over yet.   

The boys found ways to stay busy on the couch. 

The girls not so much.

They had a picnic upstairs, played school, played with playdough, etc.

As for me, a mother's work is never done. 

I've been using my bread machine a lot lately.

Today I made pizza dough in it and made a bbq chicken pizza for dinner. It was good.

I opened a LARGE can of applesauce (thanks Dad) as a side with the pizza and will now be googling other recipes to make using applesauce.  Applesauce pancakes will likely be one of them,

Darrin's working on a project right now and it's scaring me half to death.

I went through Bennett's baby clothes and got some together for a little guy I know.  Made me a little sad to see how little he was.  I can so vividly remember him in so many of those clothes. 

Must get the house together before bed. 

Good night.

Today

Eliza used the word "helpful" instead of  "careful" when asking to write on her Valentine's with a Sharpie.

I slipped on the ice with car seat (and CallaMae) in hand in the library parking lot.  I quickly got up and looked around to see if anyone noticed.  

Annabelle changed clothes about 3 times.

Bennett was asking Google to tell him about how to better deer hunt and catch fish.

Palmer ran to the back door every time I looked like I was getting ready to go somewhere thinking I'd take him for a walk today.  I didn't.  Sorry Palmer.  Tomorrow...I promise. 

CallaMae tolerated Eliza hovering over top of her talking in her face.

Annabelle tried her hand at acting like a preteen.  Yikes.  She's pretty good at it. 

All three kids picked up dog poop in the yard for 50 cents a piece. 

Bennett checked out a book at the library about dinosaurs.

Annabelle and Eliza took a LONG bath and made many potions. 

I ate too many junior mints.

CallaMae is crying to eat.  I must go now.

Good night.