7 Quick Takes: 1.24.14

1. It's 11:15 and Katherine is still in bed.  She was up off and on last night wheezing, barking a croupy cough and sporting a raging temperature.  I checked on her this morning to make sure she was still breathing and every once in a while I can hear her coughing but for right now it appears she prefers her bed.  I hate it when any of my kids are sick but I would be lying if I didn't tell you that the silence that has fell upon my house at this moment is pure divinity.

Katherine has a major cuteness factor going on right now but sweet Jesus she is a lot of work.  Third-borns are a funny thing to parent.  I find myself giving in to her demands like she's the emperor of Asia.  It's just easier and I don't want to find out what will happen if I turn her down. Then I catch myself and wonder what happened to my balls. "NO," I say firmly, "You CANNOT have a third cookie."

There's always exasperated pleas of screaming, knees giving out and a bit of fist-pounding but the meltdown usually doesn't last as long as I think it's going to.

2.  Last night was Kindergarten Roundup for Lucy girl.  I love how our school thought it was totally appropriate to call off classes because of the cold, but the chance to grab your registration fees? Oh yeah, they're still totally up for us wandering out in the Arctic to give them that.

I'm surprisingly sad and hesitant to send my girl off to Kindergarten in the fall.  With William I couldn't get him out the door fast enough.  His fall birthday made him more than ready to fly the nest and it was good for him.  I couldn't provide all the stimulus he needed here at home.

But Lucy is different.  She plays by herself really well and doesn't antagonize her siblings the way William does.  I don't have to help her play.  She just comes up with it all on her own.  I'm going to miss our quiet times together in the afternoon while the babies are sleeping and before William gets home.  So many afternoons we can be found snuggled under one blanket on top of my bed reading books until she is gently coaxed into a short nap.

Lucy is so excited to join her brother at the big school.  Last night she waited, literally, on the edge of her seat until her group number was called to go explore the Kinder rooms.  When her number was up she quickly popped out of her chair and daintily and independently walked to the front of the auditorium without even looking back at me.  Oh that girl.  I haven't been able to place my finger on what exactly she is just yet.  But it's something.

3. Since it's Pro-life Week let me just point out to you that this here is what an unplanned pregnancy looks like.

Admittedly, not pictured are all the sleepless nights this boy gave me.  Nevertheless, here he is, at one whole year and not resembling one morsel of the difficult, if not impossible, newborn he used to be. And now he sleeps 12-13 hours at night. Straight. Winning.

Had a unplanned pregnancy of your own? (Who hasn't?!) Tell me your story or share your pictures. It's all so worth it, isn't it?

4. The man and I are celebrating the big 1-0 anniversary this year.  It won't officially be ten years until August but since it's been such a terrible winter we booked our first ever beach vacation since having kids and will be traveling to Mexico this coming March.  I think I'm excited.  It's a lot of work to divvy out the kids and all the logistics that go with it.  We're so incredibly thankful to have family who are willing to step in so we can treat ourselves for a few days.  I know it will be great as soon as I get the airport.

5. We originally slated to remodel our basement this spring, and that still *might* happen.  But the time came where we had to decide what we wanted to do for sure: a vacation or a new basement? We have a lot of other big expenditures coming up including doubling our tuition bill in September and possibly replacing our second car.  Trying to live debt-free is hard.  A lot of sacrifices are made.  But one thing it makes you do is prioritize.  I'm so glad Brian decided we needed the vacation.  I think I might have chosen the basement because it seemed more practical.  But our marriage is number one and I think this trip is much needed after four kids in seven years.

6.  Once on the beach I will undoubtedly settle into a great book.  And here is where I need your help. What can't-put-it-down books have you read in the last few years?  You know the kind that stick with you months or even years after you've finished?  Don't recommend Twilight or Hunger Games or 50 Shades.  I need something like The Help or the Wally Lamb books.  Ready, GO!

7.  Katherine just woke up with the most perfectly pink cheeks and cutest squeaky little sick voice.  I set up a bed for her on the couch and she's currently enjoying an old-school Donald Duck marathon while I force-feed her cup after cup of water.  We're going to drown this virus the old-fashioned way.