These are all of the pictures that we took for my fearless bridal shoot. The 2 songs i picked fit perfectly for the way i feel about my three beautiful girls.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
the latest on the o'neill girls
So, I have been pretty slack in the blog world lately. It's been a few weeks since my last post, and for all the mothers out there...you know that is equivalent to about a year in baby world. So, here is my chance at redemption...time to catch everybody up on the latest!
We'll go in order by age, and start with little miss Veda. She has been in preschool for three weeks now. The first week was very rough on her, but once mommy was out of sight, she was a happy girl. She has made new friends, made lots of art projects and has found a new love for her teacher Miss Therese. I had some guilt about putting her in preschool for a few hours each day, but I have to say it has made her a much happier child and I don't feel like her mornings are filled with watching mommy feed babies and clean. She is really thriving in her new environment. Her favorite books right now is of course her nursery rhyme book. It has been her favorite for a while and i am not exaggerating when I say she has every page memorized. Her favorite is, and i quote: "Jow-jie Pow-jie, pudding and pie. Kiss the guwls and made dem cwy. When the boys come out to pway, Jow-jie Pow-jie wun away." I just recently picked up "Where the Wild Things Are" and she has come to love that book as well. I'm excited to get the new movie version and watch it with her. She still, of course has quite an attitude on her. There are many times that instead of the usual "mommy" or "mama", she calls me "muh-duh". Funny how that's what all the evil moms in the fairy tale books are called. Hmm...coincidence? Veda is still very much in love with her baby sisters. She comes home from school and says "Ahhhh! Baby! I havent seen you all day! I miss you!" She is still dancing and singing more than she talks...and she talks A LOT! So, that should sum up how exciting most of my day is. Veda has done surprisingly well with daddy being gone. She very clearly states that he is in Afghanistan (Aganishtan) for a very long time. :( Most of the time, she is very excited about skyping with him and she will tell him all about her day. And then there are days when she prefers to bury her head in my lap and just gives daddy a small glimpse of her shy little smile. Veda, as always, continues to keep us all entertained with her wild antics and her interesting little point of view on things.
Now on to August and Loralye. Geeze, they are BIG BABIES! I have really learned just how big they are since Shane left and I tend to carry both car seats by myself. Old governor Arnold and I will be comparing biceps before long. As usual, they love to eat. I have to say, that I have set a standard of fine dining for them that I am finding hard to keep up with. Originally, they were eating regular baby food half of the time, and then eating homemade baby food the other half. Well, my girls have gotten picky. They prefer the homemade...and everything else ends up in my face/hair/mouth...gross. I can't say I blame them, but making enough fresh food for 2 babies can be exhausting! I mean, what kind of baby likes boiled, pureed spinach?? Yep...my girls. Their newest favorite food is the gerber graduates puffs. Loralye just lets anyone who is willing stick the puffs in her mouth, refusing to lift a finger. As for August, I can barely place a pile on the table before she grabs a handful and starts sloppily shoving them in her mouth. They are both really trying to get on the move. August seems to have no interest in crawling. Why crawl when she can literally just roll across the house? Lay her on the floor, walk out for 5 minutes and then I end up searching for her, just to find her behind the curtains. What a special girl. As for LJ, she is VERY interested in crawling. Initially, she was sneaky about it. I would catch her on all fours in her crib, rocking back and forth until she would bang her head on the railing, cry a little bit and then head off to dream land. Apparently, she prefers to perfect her skills before she puts on a showcase. She is constantly on her hands and knees rocking...still trying to figure it out. She wants to move, but we're only getting rocks and grunts. It will come...sooner than I would like. Crawling babies equals immaculately clean floors. *sigh* I'm tired just thinking about it. So, if anyone knows a high school student that would like to clean my house for about $20.00 a week, please let me know! Yes...I'm serious...and I'm cheap. Both of the girls are still just as bald as the day they were born. Why am I not surprised? I have 3,000 bows that are just begging to be pinned into long, lustrous hair. But, for now, they only get alternated into Veda's curly little afro. Its a pretty afro, but still an afro. As for speaking, the babies are babbling all of the time. August, who is a daddy's girl (I promise you, she loves me...but she really doesn't like me very much), incorporated her first word into a cry. And it was...wait for it...mama! So sweet! I mean, it was more like "maaaahhhh maaaahhhhh". But, I'll take it! As for Loralye, who is a mama's girl, her first word was dada. Coincidentally, she uttered that little word for the first time when Shane was home on leave for those few days before heading to the desert. I am sure he cried, although he would never admit that. His three girls have turned him into a big old softy...at least until they start dating. So, I am sure I am forgetting a gazillion things that the girls have been doing. But, that should mostly catch you up. I beam with pride watching my baby girls grow and thrive, but I am still choking up over the little things. I've said it a thousand times before, and I'll say it again: it goes by WAY TOO FAST!
As for this O'Neill girl, I'm holding it together pretty well. I have amazed myself by everything I have learned to do on my own. God bless single parents. I really don't know how they do it. There are so many days when I am so exhausted that I consider calling in reinforcements, just to watch me and make sure I don't crash in the middle of the day. But somehow, I keep up the stamina just long enough to get the kiddos into bed...and then I crash. I can't tell you the last time I actually sat down and watched t.v. I am so out of the loop in the reality t.v. world...makes me want to cry. A few more months without time for reality television, and I will no longer recognize myself. I'll be that old lady watching Murder She Wrote marathons at 6:00 in the morning. I mean, I don't even know what time it comes on or what channel...er...whatever! Don't judge me! There's nothing on t.v. that early in the morning. As for the rest of the house, it is mostly clean, most of the time. I am way too OCD to let everything go just because Shane is gone. But, I have been living out of a laundry basket, even though the girls' clothes are always neatly put away. Every time I fold laundry (which lately isn't that often), I think of my sweet Nora. She folds my laundry at least a couple times a week. For no other reason than the fact that she is awesome. And its highly likely that the same 3 loads she folded the week before, will still be neatly folded, sitting on the chase lounge waiting for me to put them away. Eh...I'll get to it tomorrow. I have even learned how to take the trash out! Granted, its usually overflowing to the point that I have pulled out an extra grocery bag for even more garbage before I finally decide to take it out of the house. But, still! I'm taking the trash out.
It is definitely not the same without Shane here. I am not as lonely as I thought I would be, because I get a few visitors here and there and I bombard the Serlick house every chance I get. (Love you guys!) I miss Louise terribly. I have to say that him being out of the country is so much worse than him being in Texas. As soon as that plane flew out of the states, my heart sank with so much worry. It doesn't help that our military just took a large hit this past weekend. I am so proud of my hubby for being over there. But, obviously I am selfish and I want him home. I am always full of butterflies every time I see him pop up on skype, even if the connection is awful at times. Being so far away makes me feel like we're dating all over again. Believe me...I am already counting down the days! I'm not sure if I will spend his first week home literally attached to him or if I'll run out of the door for a mommy vacation and leave him with the kiddos. Either way...I'm looking forward to it. As for now, I am not finishing this blog the way I wanted to. I have a 3 year old who I put to sleep hours ago in my face talking to me like its 8:00 in the morning. But, strangely, she has this freakishly zombie look in her eyes. Off to bed I go, with a tiny little cuddle partner!
We'll go in order by age, and start with little miss Veda. She has been in preschool for three weeks now. The first week was very rough on her, but once mommy was out of sight, she was a happy girl. She has made new friends, made lots of art projects and has found a new love for her teacher Miss Therese. I had some guilt about putting her in preschool for a few hours each day, but I have to say it has made her a much happier child and I don't feel like her mornings are filled with watching mommy feed babies and clean. She is really thriving in her new environment. Her favorite books right now is of course her nursery rhyme book. It has been her favorite for a while and i am not exaggerating when I say she has every page memorized. Her favorite is, and i quote: "Jow-jie Pow-jie, pudding and pie. Kiss the guwls and made dem cwy. When the boys come out to pway, Jow-jie Pow-jie wun away." I just recently picked up "Where the Wild Things Are" and she has come to love that book as well. I'm excited to get the new movie version and watch it with her. She still, of course has quite an attitude on her. There are many times that instead of the usual "mommy" or "mama", she calls me "muh-duh". Funny how that's what all the evil moms in the fairy tale books are called. Hmm...coincidence? Veda is still very much in love with her baby sisters. She comes home from school and says "Ahhhh! Baby! I havent seen you all day! I miss you!" She is still dancing and singing more than she talks...and she talks A LOT! So, that should sum up how exciting most of my day is. Veda has done surprisingly well with daddy being gone. She very clearly states that he is in Afghanistan (Aganishtan) for a very long time. :( Most of the time, she is very excited about skyping with him and she will tell him all about her day. And then there are days when she prefers to bury her head in my lap and just gives daddy a small glimpse of her shy little smile. Veda, as always, continues to keep us all entertained with her wild antics and her interesting little point of view on things.
Now on to August and Loralye. Geeze, they are BIG BABIES! I have really learned just how big they are since Shane left and I tend to carry both car seats by myself. Old governor Arnold and I will be comparing biceps before long. As usual, they love to eat. I have to say, that I have set a standard of fine dining for them that I am finding hard to keep up with. Originally, they were eating regular baby food half of the time, and then eating homemade baby food the other half. Well, my girls have gotten picky. They prefer the homemade...and everything else ends up in my face/hair/mouth...gross. I can't say I blame them, but making enough fresh food for 2 babies can be exhausting! I mean, what kind of baby likes boiled, pureed spinach?? Yep...my girls. Their newest favorite food is the gerber graduates puffs. Loralye just lets anyone who is willing stick the puffs in her mouth, refusing to lift a finger. As for August, I can barely place a pile on the table before she grabs a handful and starts sloppily shoving them in her mouth. They are both really trying to get on the move. August seems to have no interest in crawling. Why crawl when she can literally just roll across the house? Lay her on the floor, walk out for 5 minutes and then I end up searching for her, just to find her behind the curtains. What a special girl. As for LJ, she is VERY interested in crawling. Initially, she was sneaky about it. I would catch her on all fours in her crib, rocking back and forth until she would bang her head on the railing, cry a little bit and then head off to dream land. Apparently, she prefers to perfect her skills before she puts on a showcase. She is constantly on her hands and knees rocking...still trying to figure it out. She wants to move, but we're only getting rocks and grunts. It will come...sooner than I would like. Crawling babies equals immaculately clean floors. *sigh* I'm tired just thinking about it. So, if anyone knows a high school student that would like to clean my house for about $20.00 a week, please let me know! Yes...I'm serious...and I'm cheap. Both of the girls are still just as bald as the day they were born. Why am I not surprised? I have 3,000 bows that are just begging to be pinned into long, lustrous hair. But, for now, they only get alternated into Veda's curly little afro. Its a pretty afro, but still an afro. As for speaking, the babies are babbling all of the time. August, who is a daddy's girl (I promise you, she loves me...but she really doesn't like me very much), incorporated her first word into a cry. And it was...wait for it...mama! So sweet! I mean, it was more like "maaaahhhh maaaahhhhh". But, I'll take it! As for Loralye, who is a mama's girl, her first word was dada. Coincidentally, she uttered that little word for the first time when Shane was home on leave for those few days before heading to the desert. I am sure he cried, although he would never admit that. His three girls have turned him into a big old softy...at least until they start dating. So, I am sure I am forgetting a gazillion things that the girls have been doing. But, that should mostly catch you up. I beam with pride watching my baby girls grow and thrive, but I am still choking up over the little things. I've said it a thousand times before, and I'll say it again: it goes by WAY TOO FAST!
As for this O'Neill girl, I'm holding it together pretty well. I have amazed myself by everything I have learned to do on my own. God bless single parents. I really don't know how they do it. There are so many days when I am so exhausted that I consider calling in reinforcements, just to watch me and make sure I don't crash in the middle of the day. But somehow, I keep up the stamina just long enough to get the kiddos into bed...and then I crash. I can't tell you the last time I actually sat down and watched t.v. I am so out of the loop in the reality t.v. world...makes me want to cry. A few more months without time for reality television, and I will no longer recognize myself. I'll be that old lady watching Murder She Wrote marathons at 6:00 in the morning. I mean, I don't even know what time it comes on or what channel...er...whatever! Don't judge me! There's nothing on t.v. that early in the morning. As for the rest of the house, it is mostly clean, most of the time. I am way too OCD to let everything go just because Shane is gone. But, I have been living out of a laundry basket, even though the girls' clothes are always neatly put away. Every time I fold laundry (which lately isn't that often), I think of my sweet Nora. She folds my laundry at least a couple times a week. For no other reason than the fact that she is awesome. And its highly likely that the same 3 loads she folded the week before, will still be neatly folded, sitting on the chase lounge waiting for me to put them away. Eh...I'll get to it tomorrow. I have even learned how to take the trash out! Granted, its usually overflowing to the point that I have pulled out an extra grocery bag for even more garbage before I finally decide to take it out of the house. But, still! I'm taking the trash out.
It is definitely not the same without Shane here. I am not as lonely as I thought I would be, because I get a few visitors here and there and I bombard the Serlick house every chance I get. (Love you guys!) I miss Louise terribly. I have to say that him being out of the country is so much worse than him being in Texas. As soon as that plane flew out of the states, my heart sank with so much worry. It doesn't help that our military just took a large hit this past weekend. I am so proud of my hubby for being over there. But, obviously I am selfish and I want him home. I am always full of butterflies every time I see him pop up on skype, even if the connection is awful at times. Being so far away makes me feel like we're dating all over again. Believe me...I am already counting down the days! I'm not sure if I will spend his first week home literally attached to him or if I'll run out of the door for a mommy vacation and leave him with the kiddos. Either way...I'm looking forward to it. As for now, I am not finishing this blog the way I wanted to. I have a 3 year old who I put to sleep hours ago in my face talking to me like its 8:00 in the morning. But, strangely, she has this freakishly zombie look in her eyes. Off to bed I go, with a tiny little cuddle partner!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
deployment: week one *sigh*
It has officially been a week since Shane left for pre-deployment training. And oh what a week! Let me start by saying that I promised myself I would NEVER marry a military man…ever. I grew up as a military brat and the deployments were hard and the bouncing around (while limited compared to other families) was rough as well. So, I didn’t marry a military man. I married a man who was unsure about what he wanted to do. And even though I wasn’t the most supportive wife when he decided on the air force for a career, I know he did it to take care of his family and I couldn’t be more proud of him.
So, up until this point, we have been safe from deployments. No worry, no stress, no fear. Six months ago, it seemed like the deployment was so far away, but that six months FLEW by so fast. And the last week before Shane left was awful. I cried off and on for most of the week and Shane had to build me back up after a few melt downs. The only way I could describe it to him was that my heart literally hurt. The impending doom of the deployment had really settled on my shoulders and I was heartbroken. All I could think about were the things that Shane does for Veda that I am not so good at. He knows how to play with her on an entire different level, while I have a hard time stepping out of mommy mode and just having a silly time with her. He reassured me constantly and he made our last week very special, which made it that much harder to say goodbye.
The airport was probably the worst part. Veda and I were able to go through security with him, so we got more time than we expected. But, in the end the goodbye was so hard. I had to pry a screaming toddler off of Shane and drag her away. I would give anything to never have to do that. There is nothing you can say to make her understand that even though we will miss him, he will be back. And when mommy is trying her best not to sob in the airport, I am obviously not very much comfort to her. So, walking back out towards the parking deck, I continued to cry and Veda just said “mama, you sad?” and I said “yes” to which she replied “you miss siwwy?” What a precious girl she is.
After the rough goodbye, we were greeted on the other side of security by our rock for the day…Brittnee, with a caramel macchiato in hand. Just enough to put a smile on my face. But, then everything went downhill. The van started to…for lack of a better word…sputter on the way home. The check engine light came on and Brit and I made phone calls trying to figure out if we would actually make it home. We really didn’t need a break down at this point. Fortunately, we didn’t break down, but the check engine light is still on and I will be putting it in the shop soon.
Skip ahead a couple days, and all three of my babies and I are so sick! We started off with what seemed like a cold (conveniently the day Shane left) and it eventually snow balled. Three infected ears and one sinus infection later, I am pretty much crying throughout my day. I wouldn’t dare say “it can’t get any worse.” Lets be serious…I have the worst luck…I know it can get much worse. So, the deployment has started off to be nothing short of circus. But, I am keeping things as positive as I possibly can. I can just hear James telling me “Christa, stop thinking about everything that can go wrong! You have to be positive, just be positive.” So, in the spirit of positive thinking and the hope that this deployment will soon get easier, I will leave you with a list of people/things I’m thankful for this week.
Ruth- for keeping the babies for me during the journey to say goodbye, and for staying with me that night and being on duty with the babies so I could try to sleep off my illness. Oh, and may I mention that she also did all my laundry and dishes? Yes, double thanks.
Brittnee- for waking up before the sunshine to ride with me to the airport and be a wonderful support system during a very difficult time. And for sitting in the very back of the van with Veda and rubbing her sick, congested little head whenever she got a little cranky. And for taking the long drive from mar mac to my house when she knows I’ve had a rough day. And for giving me another jumper and some bigger pajamas for my babies…happy happy girls they are! Also, big thank you for checking in on me and looking out for me, and understanding that I am one of those crazy people that literally worries about EVERYTHING. Don’t let me forget Brittnee’s other half for letting me harass his wife, and for helping me clean out my back yard and trouble shoot my van.
Justina- how lovely you are! Thank you for stopping by almost every day after you’ve had a long work day, just to bring Veda a new princess movie to watch, and bring me small things to help make the babies a little happier. More than anything, thank you for the company and giving me somebody to talk to after a long day of baby/toddler conversation. You should know that you really stole my heart when you came over and fed my babies dinner while I finally got a shower and then tried to do my dishes on top of that! If we ever trade teams, you are officially my soul mate.
Mama- for meeting me in town after another emotional breakdown, and then helping me cook dinner. And for changing diapers, burping babies and amazingly getting baby august asleep when she was obviously in so much pain. Also, for treating me like a 10 year old and accompanying me to the doctor when I really wanted some company. And of course, for a good cup of coffee at the end of the day.
Daddy- for mowing my grass and making sure that my lawn will be taken care of for the remainder of the deployment. It means a lot to have you give up so much time on a Saturday just to keep me from being “that yard” in the neighborhood. And for being mean and making fun of me and telling me how horrible my cooking is. I guess some things just have to stay the same, whether Shane is here or not. And for always letting me come over for dinner, even when we ruin a romantic, kid-free night at home.
Daniel- for keeping me company almost daily! I appreciate you being my fill in husband, even if you do draw the line at poopy diapers. Thanks for driving all the way over, just to bring me some Tylenol for the babes, and for picking me up the right bottle liners! Mostly, just thank you for giving me someone to talk to.
Steph- for stopping in and bringing baby Telli! The company is always wonderful and you guys always make me laugh even when I’m being a party pooper. Thanks for accompanying me to the doctor’s office with 3 sick girls when I really really needed you. And of course, for being my lifetime maid of honor. And John, for letting me rub his Buddha belly and giving me some peace of mind. Lol.
All of the staff at Goldsboro peds, and especially Dr. Horton for not trying to have me committed to the psych floor at wayne memorial after my numerous tearful breakdowns in the office the other day. I really was not keeping it together. And if I had been an outsider looking at me, I would have definitely called myself a nut job.
And of course my handsome Louise- for being so amazing. And for being such a strong support system even when he’s miles and miles away. And for always putting a smile on my face with his hilarious skype snapshots. I love you so much.
If I have forgotten anybody, I will be sure to reedit this post and include you. But, although it has been such a rough week, I have found myself nothing but thankful. I am so thankful for all of the wonderful people God has put in my life. I can only imagine that this week would have been so much worse without all of these people. I probably would have voluntarily committed myself to the psych floor if it hadn’t been for everybody supporting me.
I am missing Shane terribly and Veda is going through a very hard adjustment period. I am sure that with my luck, there will be more weeks like this. But, the way I look at it is maybe the deployment will feel easier from here on out, and if it doesn’t…at least I am a little more prepared for the rough moments. Despite it all, I’m still feeling blessed.
Monday, July 11, 2011
growing a green thumb
For mother's day this year, I wanted one thing: a flower garden! I have never done anything but pulled weeds before. Never planted a seed or a bud, never dug a hole or pulled up a bush. So, I was starting from scratch and completely winging it! I thought that gardening would be a really fun activity just for me and Veda. I worked VERY hard for days uprooting shrubs...very stubborn shrubs...with very strong roots. Grrrr. So, on mother's day, Veda and I finally got outside and got to planting. She mostly threw dirt on me and sprayed me with the hose. On occasion, she would pull some of the petals off of the flowers that were waiting to be planted. But, I was able to get her to put in 2 flowers, and then her new hobby finally took off!
We have recently moved, so we left our little garden behind, including a beautiful rose bush that we babied and watered until it gave us some amazing little blooms. I was tempted to uproot everything and bring it to the new house, but let's be serious...i have 3 kids. Even if I had the energy to uproot all of our new plants, Im sure my kiddos could find something for me to do with all of that energy. So, for Veda's birthday, a few people jumped on our gardening band wagon. She got a beautiful, hand decorated pot from Aunt Feffie and Uncle John, complete with soil, seeds and gardening tools. Then, our friends Amber and Joe also got her a gardening set, including lots of little seeds to plant.
We got started the next morning and planted her first set of flowers in her new little pot. She did almost everything by herself...including throwing dirt all over the place. We watered those little seeds and set them on the deck with big hopes of at least one pretty little flower! For the next week or so, it continued to rain on and off.
Veda says "Mama, it waining?"
"Yes, Veda its raining."
"Why?"
"Because God made it rain so it would help your pretty flowers to grow."
For almost two weeks, we continued this dialogue every time it rained, which has been almost daily. Every time, her "why" question was answered with the same response...God wants Veda's little flowers to grow. After the first couple days of rain, we started to see some tiny, but precious sprouts. No flowers yet, but we have green!
So, I was laying in bed with Veda the other night, and the rain started to tap at her bedroom window. The dialogue starts once again. And after I tell her that God is growing her flowers for her, she looks at me with a very grown-up face and says "Mama, God gonna come to my house and see my fwowers."
What a beautiful thought.
We have recently moved, so we left our little garden behind, including a beautiful rose bush that we babied and watered until it gave us some amazing little blooms. I was tempted to uproot everything and bring it to the new house, but let's be serious...i have 3 kids. Even if I had the energy to uproot all of our new plants, Im sure my kiddos could find something for me to do with all of that energy. So, for Veda's birthday, a few people jumped on our gardening band wagon. She got a beautiful, hand decorated pot from Aunt Feffie and Uncle John, complete with soil, seeds and gardening tools. Then, our friends Amber and Joe also got her a gardening set, including lots of little seeds to plant.
We got started the next morning and planted her first set of flowers in her new little pot. She did almost everything by herself...including throwing dirt all over the place. We watered those little seeds and set them on the deck with big hopes of at least one pretty little flower! For the next week or so, it continued to rain on and off.
Veda says "Mama, it waining?"
"Yes, Veda its raining."
"Why?"
"Because God made it rain so it would help your pretty flowers to grow."
For almost two weeks, we continued this dialogue every time it rained, which has been almost daily. Every time, her "why" question was answered with the same response...God wants Veda's little flowers to grow. After the first couple days of rain, we started to see some tiny, but precious sprouts. No flowers yet, but we have green!
So, I was laying in bed with Veda the other night, and the rain started to tap at her bedroom window. The dialogue starts once again. And after I tell her that God is growing her flowers for her, she looks at me with a very grown-up face and says "Mama, God gonna come to my house and see my fwowers."
What a beautiful thought.
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