maternity leave recap

Well, here it is.  April 1.  The last day of my maternity leave.  It is hard to believe that 8 weeks have passed so quickly.  Although truth be told I am hoping the next 7 until summer just fly by!  Everyone has been asking me if I am ready to go back to work and if the time went by fast (insert 15 minutes to feed Mikey).  So now that I have thought about it...no, I'm NOT ready!  It is a quarter to five and I haven't even started making the meatloaf for supper and for MOPS tomorrow night.  Then there are baths to give, lunches to make, clothes to lay out, a bag to pack for the babysitter, more feeding of the baby, and bedtime.  Then there is sleeping which obviously won't be enough before a loud annoying alarm clock (who has also had a lovely vacation) rings in my ear to tell me I have to pry myself out of my warm bed and into the "real world."  Aggghhh!!!  Not to mention the fact that I have to leave my three beautiful babies ALL DAY!  I hope Cora takes a nap yesterday.  We took away her binky on Thursday and she didn't nap the first two days.  It would be cruel to the babysitter if she isn't napping.  Everyone loves Cora and how cute she is.  But everyone needs a break from Cora!  I hope Mikey takes the bottle well all day and sleeps well and isn't fussy.  You never get to make a good first impression twice you know!  I hope Jude isn't crabby and doesn't throw a fit and gets along with others.  All things I will not be there to check on and know about.  ALL DAY!  Yes the time went fast.  How can my newborn not really be a newborn anymore!?!  And why isn't it spring yet (as in it snowed last night!)?!?  

I had a great time being home and not worrying about the next day's stress (beyond the kids and maybe an appointment).  I could do this full time easy.  But alas...no one will pay me!!!  Here are a few of the things that went on during the past 8 weeks:

        Getting to know my wonderful new son, Michael.  He is a complete joy.  Such a good baby!  He is even sleeping well:)  We spent a lot of cuddle time, nursing time, smiling time, bath time, and even started having "talking" time.  I held him during the entire movie of LesMiserables (soooo good!) and just thought about how fast (too fast) he will grow.

        Playing with Jude and Cora, refereeing Jude and Cora, eating with Jude and Cora, etc. etc. They too are complete joys to be around.  Jude continues to amaze me with his insights into life and his vocabulary (fatigue!).  He has just caught onto all the letters and sounds and is eager to read!  Cora is a handful right now (good thing she is adorable!), but she is also so funny.  Her language has improved significantly in the last 8 weeks.  It is fun to sit and watch what she will do next.  I love her little strut around the house and hearing her pattering little feet running around.  Her favorite thing to do right now is color (and the ipad!)

        Financial Peace University class each Wednesday in Sioux City with the Pick's

        Lots of chiropractor appointments, and other doctor appointments for me and kids

        LOTS of laundry!

        Many days of sweats wearing and not taking showers until the pm (although let it be known that I DO shower EVERY day!)

        Puzzles, trains, coloring, Sesame Street every morning, rest/nap time

        Here are some pictures to show more!

Jude loves to make "houses" for Mikey.  They are not usually safe for him to "live" in, but this one was okay for a bit!

snack time!  Nutella crackers.

Cora found her own snack one day!

I am trying to give Cora extra attention as the former baby/middle child/only girl.  Isn't she sweet in her Easter dress?!?

Jude has learned to peddle!

Jude the bunny at the BCU Easter Egg Hunt.

Getting ready for the hunt.

One of Mikey's first smiles.  He is a smiler!  First one at about 4 weeks.

Jude and Cora painting Easter Eggs.

Cora with cousin Skyler

After the egg hunt and nana and papa's.

Jude the tickle monster.

Mikey the superman!

one of the first baths

stellar train tracks

one month old

fuzzy hair after bath

big brother and sister love

good thing we have two ipads now!

Aunt Brittany visited!

Pre binky take away.  Good naps!

napping in the swing (Mikey spends a lot of time here!)

balloon ping pong

 

BuzzLightYear to the rescue!

Play Dough men

on the couch 

up close

Lots of winter in the past 8 weeks!

INTRODUCING: MICHAEL JOHNNIE RIDENOUR

Beautiful necklace Gil got for me!  It has St. Jude, St. Clare, and St. Michael.  I love my children and feel very blessed that the Lord has given them to Gil and I for a bit!

Here are some pictures of our latest new addition to the Ridenour Ranch!  Michael Johnnie was born on February 5, 2013 at 7:29 am.  He weighed 8 pounds and 1 ounce and was 21 1/2 inches long.  

He was born VERY quickly.  I felt a contraction at 5:12 am, we left for the hospital at 6:24 am, and he came just minutes after we arrived.  Thank God that we made it!  He is a healthy little boy and momma is recovering very quickly.

Michael, or Mikey, as we have been calling him, has been a fairly good sleeper so far.  But honestly, I would LOVE a solid 8 hours.  I have NO IDEA when that last happened!!!  Last night Jude was up to go to the bathroom, Cora needed more milk, and Mikey was up three times to be fed and begged back into sleeping.  Luckily Gil is great about helping out (when he can be woken up!).

I have been keeping all the kids home with me on maternity leave.  I am taking 8 weeks off.  I've already forgotten all about school.  Mainly because I don't have time to think about it!  Gil took off most of the first two weeks, so that was very helpful.  This is really only day three of being on my own.  The days are pretty action packed around here.  As long as I can be proactive about the day things seem to go fairly smoothly.  I need to know what the schedule it.  What is for lunch, what activities are we going to do, what TV shows are we going to watch (so I'm not tempted to let it run all day long!!!).  Jude needs to know these things too.  He is an EXTREMELY emotional three year old and when things don't go his way he lets me know!  Cora can let me know how she feels too and her cry is soooooo loud.  I have to remind myself that she is still a baby herself.  She also cannot be left alone with Mikey around so that makes for a bit of a challenge.  Thank goodness she takes a long nap in the afternoons still.  And Jude has been having "quite" time in his room for about an hour.  Sanity for mom!  

I think the biggest challenge is going to be going places.  Getting them all into the car (and out and back in again...) is time consuming, stressful, and exhausting!  

Soon after birth.

Jude loves the title 'big brother' and often refers to Mikey as 'baby brother'

Cora just likes to cheese!  She likes giving the baby kisses and knowing where he is at.

Here are a bunch I took at home.  I wish I had a better camera.  They always look nice digital, but prints never turn out the same.

snoozing away. love the wrinkly back!

goodnight sweetheart!

This is the one I am using for announcements.

Here he is as a sweet pea!

and the family:)

after 2 months absence...

So I have skipped November and December entirely on the blogging front...oooops!!!  I bet you thought I would never return (reader...whoever you are!).  I sort of have intentionally been keeping off.  I have been trying to keep off everything actually (except email and facebook!) just because it takes up too much time.  I'm trying not to watch TV really ever, or do other internet/screen related activities.  Although, I admit I did quite a bit of online shopping...another oooops!  I have read more and played more and stressed a little less.  I read a book called "Seven" which I loved and should talk more about sometime.  I'm not going to now, but you should really read it!  Ok, a little tid bit.  It has inspired me to give more and spend less (hopefully, although at Christmas time it is hard to feel like you are spending less).  We have also adopted another Compassion child.  A boy who is just a little older than Jude.  I hope that in a few years Jude can be the one to write him letters and learn about a boy from another part of the world.  A boy who lives a little differently than he is so privilaged to.  The book has made me see myself as "privilaged", something I never would have seen myself before.  I don't have the desire for more more more all the time anymore.  I am trying to be more satisfied with what I have, and disgusted with the excess that I have actually.  Ok, rant over.

Subject change:  Christmas time was fabulous!  No one was in the hospital (like Gil was last year with kidney stones).  We got to go to all family Christmases (meaning 6 total). We got way more presents than we should and we gave a few too.  Highlights were Jude's train set, Buzz Lightyear suit, combine, and tractor, Cora's babydolls (she got three...she LOVES babies), mommies new clothes (pregnant women need that...just something new to feel pretty in!), and Gil's new 4-10 handgun for rabbit hunting.  Gil would rabbit hunt everyday if he could!  And he has gotten the dogs pretty well-trained now too.  The snow just adds to the fun (I guess?!?).

Gil is now in Honduras.  He left Wednesday afternoon (after a call that morning beforewhich he was under the impression he was leaving Thursday afternoon...another oooops!).  He purchased a cell phone down there this year so is able to call each day.  Everything is going well.  We are on day four of home alone and everything is going very well.  I am not doing anything special (like blogging every day) like I have in the past.  I am just trying to enjoy the kids more and luckily see other family more.  Carolyn came up EARLY Thursday morning and stayed with the kids that day and the next.  Then we went to Alissa's basketball game last night and this morning dad came with me to pick up a baby swing we bought on craigslist.  That was nice to have some time just with dad.  Don't get to do that very often!  Thanks for the Starbucks date dad!!!  

Here are some of the pictures to highlight Christmas.  I was trying to limit my selection, but apparently I have trouble when it comes to picking pics of my kids...I just think they're all so cute:)

Cora loves her baby cousin Skyler...maybe a little too much for Skyler's liking!

Jude adores his cousin Ashtyn...even enough to play with her hair.  He says he might be a haircutter man when he grows up! 

We don't get pictures of us much!  This is taken of me, by me!

This is the princess Laia look.  And sporting her new Tinker Bell jammies.

Jude in his Buzz suit and in his box he painted to be a spaceship.

Sarai and Cora seeing eachother for the first time over Christmas.  Cora was enchanted with her and her new favorite word was "Sigh" (aka Sarai)

Cora likes to cheese it up for pictures (when she is in a good mood that is!)

Cora and Sarai in their matching sequins shirts from grandma.

our family in front of our GIANT tree!  Sorry the quality isn't the best, but editing photos was just taking too much time!

These Days

I guess I don't have a lot to say tonight.  I just wanted to get back on here in less than two weeks!  Here are some pics of our past two weekends.  We visited the pumpkin patch in Norfolk last Sunday and got to see our good friends Mel and Tim there.  And we made a trip to Council Bluffs yesterday and got to see Kelly and Vince, John and Carolyn, and Luke and Holli and girls:)  Good times!  But the kids are now beat and with colds.  Jude even had a temp tonight, so hoping for better health in the morning.  Halloween pics to come soon!

Jude made a "castle" out of ALL of his toys last weekend!

Cora looking at the baby chicks at the pumpkin patch.

Here are the kids at the pumpkin patch (Eli and Isaiah-minus baby Aizlynn).

Gil taking Cora on the big slide!

Jude braving it alone.

An attempt to get everyone in a picture.  This is just how it goes!

We played outside Friday morning on my day off.  And we bundled up!  Cora is sporting her new winter gear.  This is what I get when I ask the kids to stand next to each other for a picture!

A friend of mine gave us a dual swing a few weeks back.  The kids love it!

Jude and I had fondu the other night.

Where We Are

Oh my...I guess I haven't been very faithful to my blog as of late.  I have sort of made a pact with myself recently that I will try to update at least once a week.  Probably on Mondays since Gil always works late those nights.  But then Monday happened.  And here I am at 10:25 when I would way rather, and probably should be, in bed.  But I just had to make it happen!  The sink is full of dishes that aren't done and I have a meeting at 7:30 am, but here I am!

This weekend I went shopping.  That is kinda a big deal around here because it only happens once in about 6-8 weeks.  I don't even go to the grocery store more than once a month usually (Gil gets the pleasure since he works in a town with civilization).  Why is it that this girl who loves to shop never does it?!?  Well, that is where we are these days.  We live 45 minutes away from a store.  I work full time.  I come home from work and work full time (aka: I have kids).  On the weeknights I can't justify a trip to the store.  On the weekends I usually can't either.  When I work all week I feel like my weekends should be fully devoted to spending time with my family.  Shopping means 45 minutes there, who knows how long there, and 45 minutes home.  Just too much!  

But Saturday I did it. We had our normal weekend morning routine of sleeping in, eating cinnamon rolls, and staying in pajamas.  But by 10:00 am I was out the door.  Mission:  Cora winter coat.  It turned into winter overnight around here!  I do have the luxury of online shopping, so I'd been looking around and just haven't seen anything I really liked.  But I decided to head to Target.  Can't go wrong there!  And besides after spending two hours in the store and then heading home again I decided that is where we are right now.  I don't have time to "shop around."  In the past I would go to the mall plus Target and check out all the options before I made a decision on what to buy.  Not anymore!  Now it is Target and home.  That is where we are.  

Now two hours may be a little much for one store, and some (or most) people could probably do it quicker.  But this is me we are talking about.  I need my time.  Now can you imagine if I had gone to all the stores I wanted???  I would've been home at midnight.  As it was I went to Target, spent my two long, nice hours of alone time contemplating the right moisturizer, getting the winter coat for under $30, getting some stuff for me on clearance (because saving money is another part of where we are; $10 now seems like a significant amount for a top!), getting a wedding gift for Alissa and Tyler (because getting things done on time is NOT where we are!), plus getting a few groceries!  One stop shopping.  That is where we are.  

I really wanted to go to Hobby Lobby and get some material to make our new baby BOY a quilt (not that I know when that would happen before February), but I got out of the store at about 1pm and was hungry so I went home to eat.  I could've gotten drive-thru, but that is NOT where we are.

We eat at home.  Period. That is where we are. Ok, there are a few rare exceptions.  If we are in a big hurry and all hungry we do the occasional McDonald's drive-thru.  We all know what to order there.  And we rarely go in.  We are on the go.  That is where we are.  

Sunday we did something totally out of our norm.  We took the kids to the Olive Garden.  That said, we were only there because Gil got a gift card for his birthday (Thanks John and Carolyn, it was delicious!).  And why we brought the kids is a question I cannot answer, but they did do really really well.  I always feel like couples that go out to eat with there kids must be rich.  Because they must go out to eat a lot.  Because why else would they bring the kids!  But there we were feeling mighty rich because we were eating out with our kids at a restaurant where you sit down to order instead of driving thru (only we knew we had a gift card!).  Jude and Cora seemed in awe of the place and all the people.  They don't get out much!  We should do that more often...but that is NOT where we are!

So this weekend I realized that we are Target and McDonald's people for now.  It won't last forever, but that is where we are!

Here are some photos of the last two months I've been on hiatus:

We celebrated Grandpa Gilbert's 90th birthday!

Cora and Sarai got to hang out both on two feet.

Cora and Jude still love each other, but have definitely entered the need for a referee stage.  It is comical to see Cora try to get what she wants.  And she is not always innocent!

But she is darn cute!

I cooked my first turkey this weekend and it was edible! Next time I will try to remember to take a picture before it is half eaten.

We got some pumpkins at HyVee because who knows if we will make it to a pumpkin patch...

Jude colored and I carved.

Here are the finished products.

The last batch of turkeys goes to slaughter tomorrow.

They are humongous!!!