Mother.Of.The.Year.

Grace and I were practicing the Sign Language alphabet. This is Grace's version of the letter "R". Priceless.

$100

I took the kids with me today to the Carter's Outlet near us, and the place was deserted. I was surprised. I know it's not Black Friday but with 50% off the entire store plus coupons for 20% off of that AND $10 off $50 or more I couldn't pass up the chance to get the last of the winter PJ's for the kids and some sweat pants for Evan. We left spending $100 on only things we needed and saved a BUNDLE! I could see the traffic volume increasing though when we left compared to when we got there, I feel bad for those travelling home from work during the evening rush, Matt and Mom being 2 of those unlucky people.

I'm trying not to be bummed about Matt not being home with us on Thanksgiving but it's just not the same. And no matter how you look at it, it sucks. I know it's the sacrifice we make to allow me to stay at home with the kids but it doesn't make it any easier when the Holiday comes and he's not here. At least this year we *hope* that he's home for Christmas. He has worked the past 2 Christmas' so it will be wonderful to have him home.

I'm still not looking forward to him going hunting since I have so much to do and need some help to get it done. However - I'll do the best that I can. Part of me wishes that I had a "hunting trip" to go on and just hang out and relax for a few days. But I don't, and won't since I cannot leave the kids with Matt because quite frankly I think he would crumble under the pressure. He's an amazing Father and does great with the kids but being alone with everyone demanding everything from him for more than a few hours at a time...I'm not so sure that's his cup of tea. And since I know how hard it can be, if I did leave I would spend the entire time feeling guilty so it probably wouldn't be fun anyway. Sad, I know.

Birthday Party!

Evan taking a spin in one of the Bumble Bees! Matt holding Madeline and Me holding Leah while they destroy their cakes!

Grace with her princess cake!! I can't believe she's 4!

Madeline (L) and Leah taking a spin in their Bumble Bees from Nana and Pop!

We had a birthday party for all 3 girls on Saturday at my parents house. Everyone had a blast! Once again everyone was more than generous and we came home with 2 car loads of gifts! I'm not sure where we're going to put Christmas presents this year. I guess we need a bigger house! Grace had an amazing princess cake that she just loved! Madeline and Leah had an ice cream cake and two small cakes for them to destroy! I can't wait for Christmas - we are going to have a blast this year!!! I keep praying that Matt will have Christmas off so he can be with us for the first time on Christmas in 2 years.

Madeline is walking around like she's been doing it forever now, and Leah will walk if you really encourage her to but she would still much rather crawl. I cannot believe that Grace will turn 4 on the 30th. I'm sad that Matt won't be home since he will be hunting but we will just have to deal with it. I'm so torn about him going away. I really want him to since he hasn't been hunting in so long and I would love for him to have the time away to just relax and be with the other guys on the mountain. But I'm selfish. I look so forward to his week off every month for family time AND for a sanity saver for me. It's hard to go day in and day out with 4 kids and not really talk to any other adults since most other people we know live normal lives working M-F and spending time with their families on the weekend. And especially this week off I could use to shop and try to get ready for Christmas since he won't have another long stretch off until the day after Christmas. Also, his company is supposed to be bringing down some units (or all units depending on who you ask) and he could get forced to work overtime during December. It's really hard to go shopping for Christmas presents from Santa with 4 kids in tow.

Matt's first step in the interview process for another job went really well on Saturday. There are approximately 600-700 people applying for 10 positions. We will just have to wait and see if he is chosen to move on to the next phase of interviewing. Valero closed down permanently the refinery in Delaware City last week. I feel just awful for the 500 men and women who are now unemployed. They showed up for work and the Delaware State Police were there blocking the entrance to the refinery. It's just awful. Luckily between the severance packages offered and the amount of unemployment available now it isn't as bad as it could be - but try telling that to the guys who are out of a job right before Christmas.

Pictures!

Looming

I feel like I want to really slow down time right now. I am really struggling with Madeline and Leah turning one this weekend. I know I'm going to be a mess. I just really and truly cannot believe that an entire year has gone by already. I cannot believe that my last 2 babies are turning 1. And that I can't call them babies anymore. I am beyond proud that Matt and I have gone from survival mode, just trying to make it through each day to actually enjoying the kids and being able to do normal family stuff. I take all 4 kids shopping alone, to Target, grocery shopping, to the mall, to the railroad for the afternoon to check out the trains and the doctor just to name a few! I rewarded myself today for making it through an entire year with 4 kids under age 4 by getting a haircut and highlights! I have never had highlights before. I haven't ever really had hair long enough to have them.
Grace's Dermabond on her cut came off tonight. And I'm happy with how it's healing for the most part. I don't like seeing it there but it's still new and I'm sure it will continue to fade and heal. It's dramatically smaller than it was when it first happened so I can be thankful for that!
Madeline is walking now!!! She gets better each day and is so proud of herself! Leah has zero interest. She stands up alone for long periods of time and can balance herself to stoop down and then stand back up over and over but just has no desire to walk. She even stomps her feet but won't take that first step! Maybe she'll do it on her birthday!
Matt has the first round of testing for a possible new job on the day we're having the girls birthday party. He should be back in plenty of time, fingers crossed. If he does well on the test he will then have a one on one interview. If he gets the job offer he has A LOT of thinking to do.

DIY Diaper Sprayer

Just in case there are any other cloth-diapering Mama's that read my blog and are interested, my husband made me a diaper sprayer that cost around $10 and was super easy to install. If you're interested, message me and I can send you the info on how to do it!

She Converted

I started cloth diapering a while ago and started with gDiapers since I researched and they seemed to be the easiest and most effective. I have now converted. Thank goodness I got an awesome deal on the gDiapers since if I paid a small fortune I would just continue to use them but hate them at the same time. I am in love with Thirsties and Swaddlebees covers with regular old prefolds inside. (Bummis Super Whisper Wraps are good too but not my favorite!) I use Blueberry wool covers at night and double up on the absorption. I can see how cloth diapering can be addictive though - there are SO many cute covers and options!! But I want to keep with the money savings vs. disposables so I won't buy more than I need! I do still need 2-3 more covers but then I think we should be set! And no more formula to buy either!!! Yippie!!!

As for tomorrow, I think I might go to Linvilla Orchard and let the kids run around!

Tuesday

We finally made it to ballet today. Thank goodness. We missed all but one class in the last 4 weeks. Matt is supposed to be off tomorrow and Thursday still but he is picking up some overtime which I'm happy and sad about. It's hard when he's on nights since he's only awake and at home for about 2 hours a day. And now he's going to be on nights for 6 in a row. Bummer! My Grandmother gave Grace a new Snow White dress today after ballet since she had to throw out her other one when she got blood all over it during the "forehead incident". I am gathering a huge car load of stuff to take over to the church for their thrift shop. I'm just glad to get it out of my house!
I'm a little upset that Madeline and Leah aren't walking yet. Grace walked at 9 months and Evan walked at 11 months, and Maddie and Leah just seem content to just crawl all over the place at lightning speed. I was hoping that they would be walking by their 1st birthday's but I don't think that's going to happen.
I had Maddie and Leah in their stroller at the grocery store yesterday and wow does my wrist hurt from steering their stroller with one had and pulling the cart with the other. I hate my Combi stroller and am lucky enough to have picked up (yet another) used stroller today from Donna, a Mom of another ballerina in Grace's class. I am selling my BOB jogging double stroller since I never ever get to use it anymore. It's just taking up space unfortunately. I'm excited though since I'm fairly certain that I can get my money back for it since I got such a great deal on it when I bought it from REI.
Matt and I are thinking of remodeling the back bathroom before we try to sell the house. We don't really want to take on the project, because it's a doosey, but we think it will really help us unload this place. I hope we can get back to looking at houses after the whole layoff thing at Matt's work blows over and he feels secure again. Time will tell.