That Baby!!

So here I am, sitting (laying actually) on my couch, not at church on this fine Sunday morning. Why is that you ask? Well, John is at work and as much fun as taking all the kids by myself is, I just couldn't do it on two hours of sleep. Nope. Little Sis did not have a great night last night. She woke up at about midnight, before I ever went to sleep, and decided it was not necessary to go back to sleep. I brought her down stairs and we crashed on the couch. Well, we laid on the couch so Daddy could get some sleep, because the girl was up until after 4. What the heck?!

 We have a problem in this house....little princess is spoiled. I know, I know, people will tell you that you can't spoil an infant...I beg to differ. The girl is ALWAYS being held or talked to or sung to or played with. If it's not me, it's John, or A, or J, or Ike or even little E-man....you get the point right? Because now she INSISTS on being held, or sung to, or played with all the time. She has also decided that sleeping through the night (something she has done since 5 weeks) is not something she is interested in either. Oh and this same baby refuses to eat rice cereal, or formula for that matter. Napping is also something of the past...20 minutes is about as long as I can get her to go and that is only if I hold her and 'rock' her to sleep. What happened?!

Baby S is a funny baby...but she is my last baby. So, even though my nights are not always spent sleeping like I would like, or I get a little frustrated that she cries EVERY time I put her down, or that I will be nursing her until she's three (not really), or my house is even more of a disaster all the time because I spend my days holding a baby.....that's all ok. I am so grateful that she is part of our family and that the older kids all just adore her and help so much. I am actually grateful I have gotten to a point that I will let myself put aside other things and just hold the baby (we are working on a better balance) because she won't always be a baby. She rolled over yesterday and while I was pretty excited about it, I was a little sad too. She's getting bigger. They all are.

I have a confession...

I think E-man's screaming kicking tantrums are hilarious. They are not encouraged but I definitely have to make a concerted effort not to laugh out loud at him.

A's drama over EVERYTHING drives me crazy but I love her for it. She knows what she wants and she is a seven year old girl...what else would I expect?

I LOVE LOVE LOVE how protective J is of me. He is always getting after John or the other kids when they even tease me. My little boy that is just in love with me right now won't always be.

Ike is insane. I don't know what we are going to do with this child but he reminds me so much of his dad that I just can't help giggling at him sometimes.

And baby S stresses me out!! But I am so glad I have the opportunity to stay at home and kind of glad that she loves to be held, I only wish that holding included cuddling. Nope the girl with have none of it...she just wants to be in your lap so she can see what's going on. Oh, and that she thinks I am pretty much the only funny person on the planet.

So, in conclusion, I am losing it I'm sure, but baby S is not really the most convenient of babies, especially for baby #5, but I made it through another night and I am secretly grateful to have a day to just hang out with the kids, Sabbath or not.

kids

Christmas 2011

This year we had the opportunity to stay in our own home for the blessed holiday. The kids made cookies, "gingerbread" houses and chose appetizers for dinner on Christmas Eve. They opened their new jammies and headed to bed. I actually had everything wrapped and ready to go so Santa just need to get everything out and stockings stuffed. I made it to bed fairly early.

A was the first one up...at 5 am I think it was. We told her to go back to sleep so she did....NOT. She proceeded to wake up every other child in the house. We all made it downstairs, read the Christmas story from the Bible, and A was pretty excited to pass out the gifts (J got to help). Some of the big winners this year were the bouncer for S. She was REALLY psyched about it.

E and Ike got a power wheel!! They were so excited when they finally figured what was in the big box. It wasn't wrapped but they totally didn't notice til Daddy started putting it together.

These two were also pretty excited about the Thomas, Lightning, and Mater playhuts that they got. J liked the remote control car and super hero stuff he got. And was thrilled with the MP3 player and sing along speaker she got. They are all spoiled!

We cleaned up a bit, I made (gasp!!) french toast and bacon, and we got ready for church. It was a lovely sacrament to remind us why we celebrate this season. Then we were able to host John's side of the family for an afternoon of eating and visiting and Christmas dinner. The only thing that would have made the day better was if we were able to see my side of the family too.

29 again

Well, early last month I had a birthday and my eldest has given me her express opinion that I should just be 29 again. It really was a WONDERFUL day. John had the day off and he and the kids treated me to breakfast in bed. Then older kids were off to school. The younger two came with us to the gym and later to do a bit of shopping. Then that night, John took me to a nice restaurant here in town. It was so delicious!! I had a great day and I was so thankful to have been able to spend it with my man! Thanks Babe for such a perfect day!

Big Man J

Well, we had yet another birthday recently. Due to yet another hospital stay for me, we paid to have his party somewhere to make John's life a little easier. He decided on a place here in town called Going Bonkers. It's an indoor playground with an arcade. He invited three friends, some cousins, a brother and a sister. I think that they all had a great time. J is really into super heroes right now, namely Thor and Captain America (notice the birthday shirt request), he was given a Captain America shield, Thor's hammer, Captain and Thor action figures (DO NOT call them dolls...he gets mad), a football jersey, a Spiderman shirt and car, and Grandma and Grandpa Love sent him some "cash" to pick out another toy, and Grandma Kathi got him some Angry Birds and a game to match. He was really excited for everything. When his actual birthday rolled around we had to cheer him up a bit because apparently it was "the boring-est birthday ever". Oh, how quickly the 6 year old forgets the big party six days earlier.

J is the sweetest kid. After his party, he promptly gave each of his brothers and sister one of the gifts he got...with the condition that he can play with it when he wants. He really is so kind to his siblings and tolerant of his little brother Ike that loves nothing more than to push his buttons, and of his older sister who constantly bosses him around. J is also a very smart child. He does great in school...when he can keep his bottom in the chair. He is reading and is so proud that he can count "so high". I love this little boy with all my heart and I am so grateful that his wonderful spirit was sent to our family. I pray everyday that John and I can be the parents that he needs. That he can learn to love the Savior and the people around him. That he can develop a desire to serve not only his fellow man but the Lord as well. To be kind and respectful, to learn and be humble. I am so grateful for all of my children and I know that J is a great example to all of his siblings. Love you Bud!!

Thanksgiving Eve

Here we are (already?!) the day before Thanksgiving. I need to take this opportunity to post how grateful I am. I have a wonderful family, a home, food to eat, the Gospel, and the list could go on and on. These past few months have been so crazy for our little family. It's been one thing after another. Amidst everything else, I went in last Thursday to have yet another surgery done. I had a hernia (due to pregnancies) that needed to be repaired.

Considering that it's Thanksgiving, I need to tell all how grateful I am for my husband. He has been so wonderful through all of this. With three surgeries in three months, I have been out of commission for a lot of the time since I had Baby S. We have had a lot of help with the kids from my wonderful in-laws and John has been so great.

We have been married for over 9 years now and we have been through a lot. I am so grateful to have such a great man in my life. It's not very often that I am rendered useless in my own home but I have been several times lately and it has just made me realize, even more, what an amazing man I married. He is so fun and patient with the kids, done so much around the house, and has just been there for love and support. This last week, especially, he has been incredible. I am beginning to wonder what the surgeon told him after my surgery. ;-)

I really hate how Thanksgiving always gets skipped in anticipation for Christmas. I love this holiday and I know that it's so important to step back and realize how blessed we all are. I have so much to be grateful for and I am going to try harder to remember that throughout the year.

Daughters

When I found out that our first baby was a girl, I was thrilled. Girls are very sparse in the Balsmeier family and I was so ecstatic to get one...my first too. Then with each subsequent pregnancy I prayed for another girl. Big Sis did too. She wanted a sister probably more than I wanted another girl. With the exception of J, she cried each time she found it would not be a sister she would be getting. Until pregnancy #5. After the ultrasound (during which I barely contained the tears), we went and got a big pink balloon and took it to her at school. The look on her face was hilarious...she didn't really get what was going on. After she figured it all out she was so excited!

Now that our Little Sis is here, A is in love with her. In fact, all the kids are. They all gather round and sing to her and talk to her, they all still get so thrilled whenever she smiles at them or 'talks' to them. All the older kids even argue over who gets to pick out her clothes for the day. What a lucky little girl she is!!

A while back A picked out these matching tutus and flowers. And I finally got around to taking them out to snap a few pictures of the Princesses. Aren't they beautiful!