Who Needs Sleep

I definitely don't require much sleep, I have come to this conclusion. Otherwise I wouldn't be up at 3:15am blogging. You ask why am I blogging? Because both my toddlers have awaken and I'm trying to wait them out. You see it started out with Sadie. I thought I'd be smart and bring her nice warm bottle as I climbed back into bed from a short waking spell so that she didn't wake up just as I was falling into la la land. Well, the bottle emptied before she was done drinking it. So, she started crying. Then I hear Steff asking for "Mommy."
So now I have two awake toddlers and two bottles to make and one microwave.
I know you're not suppost to heat milk in the microwave but I guess peole aren't smart enough to shake the crap out of the bottle before giving it to their kids...
My new delema is which child's needs are more pressing?
I choose Sadie since she is the one screaming and I'm hoping this will shut her adorable little mouth for at least a minute.
No such luck on that. She's been crying for the last 20 minutes.
The funny part...Ryan has slept through the entire scream fest. He does this all the time. So, for the ladies who are the only ones to get up with their little ones in the middle of the night-I feel for you...If I waited til Ryan got up hell would have froze over first.
So, here I sit half asleep and barely keeping my wits about me.
It sounds like all has quieted down and I can safely re-try that whole going to sleep thing.

Up at Five

Today I volunteered to watch Kieran's friend and his little brother while their mom goes to school. I figured Braxton was already going to be at my house to play so why not have his younger brother over too. That would save her from having to get her step-son to watch them besides, what's one more kid to the mix...?

I of course cannot sleep becuase I have this disfunction that doesn't allow me to when things are going to be different...It's like I'm too excited for something new.

I'm listening to the news and drinking ice water all the while listening to Ryan and I's song...Oh...the memories that our song conjures up.
I've started the coffee and should be amped and ready to go when the kids get here...That isn't for 3 and half hours though.

I would try to go back to sleep but this cough is keeping me awake. It's actually starting to produce something. As gross as that is I'm excited I'm not just hacking up my lungs with zero results.

Here's a trivia question...Name two holidays that America celebrates that no other country does?
Email for the answer if you don't know... tkelstrom@comcast.net It's not hard but something that I didn't really think about.

I've begun to ramble so I'm gonna go watch the news....

Up at Four AM Again...

Ryan came home and let our two year old out of her room. So, here I sit waiting patiently while Sesame Street finishes up so I can send her back to bed. And, then go back to bed myself. This wouldn't have been so irritating if he hadn't gotten her up then went to bed. But he did. Mind you it was 3:30 in the morning

Well it's now 8 am and Steff went to bed nice and easy. Neither of the girls are up-yet. I'm sure they will be up before I finish this round of blogging. It's kinda nice to be sitting here in the quiet and I'll cherish every second of it.
I'm thinking positive that today will be different than yesterday. I don't know if I can handle another day of two whiny children. I know they aren't feeling well so I have been trying not to get mad at them. I will admit it's hard though.

Today I am going over to my mother in-laws to check on my little brother in-law. He had surgery on his hand and his recovery was rough. He said he was crying in pain and they had given him all the morphine they could. He was so scared and it was as rough as he feared. He says he's grateful that it's over and he doesn't have to do it again. I cannot express how much I love this kid (he's 19) I think the world of him and of all my in-laws. They have all treated me pretty well.

I'm feeling pretty happy right now but it's probably because I'm all alone and it's late for the girls to be sleeping. I must go relax before my kids get up...

The Happenings of This Morning

Do you see how much of the couch this little girl is taking up? That's my mom attempting to lay on the couch with her but she thinks she needs 2/3 of the blasted thing.
She's so funny. Each time my mother closes her eyes Steff tells her to "wake up." You can really mess with her by simpling closing your eyes.

SO, I went back to sleep for that hour but Steff got up at 6:45 and interrupted my beautiful sleep. I just want to go back to sleep. I'm thinking taking that half of an Ambien was not such a good idea. It usual works out. I guess I asked for it...

I had a hard time going to sleep cuz my back is hurting. I got an email from a fellow blogger and she said her husband has hip and back problems too. He takes glucosamine and fish oil. I'm willing to try anything to get some relief.

I have thought about glucosamine before but that stuff is expensive...I have been taking a multivitamin and I think it's helping somehow but how can you be sure? I mean I feel a little more healthy and not so drab but it's not magical by any means.

So I love my new camera...It's fun to take pictures again. It's got a memory card that holds 1904 pictures. I wouldn't even use that many pictures on a two week vacation to somewhere, anywhere. At least I don't have to worry about filling my memory card up-right?

What a miserable morning this has started out as...I'm feeling pooped, my feet are cold, my nose is stuffy and my back is on fire. There's nothing quite like trying to figure out how to make yourself feel better. No fear though, I took my vitamin, a couple muscle relaxers(not that they work), an ibuprofen, and an Allegra. I am praying for relief from this bodie's hell.

It's official...I'm on a diet. I would love to loose 15 pounds but would be happy with 10. That would take me down to 140 which is a little chunky but not like I am now. Ryan calls me "tubby." It's a good thing I don't take that stuff personal or I could feel really bad about it.

I know his intentions are good, he knows that I'm miserable at this weight so he's just trying to shed some light on it.

I sure love Ryan. I am feeling really in love with him lately and it's wonderful. He came home from work and hung out with me for a few minutes while we watched the news. He's sweet and I know that he accepts my faults and loves me for who I am.

He's always loved me, for 11 years he has wanted me. Do you know how good that makes me feel that I was the one he waited for?

Steff keeps pulling the cotton out of her blanket and stuffing it up her nose. Every time I turn around I have to get the tweezers, pin her down and pull cotton out of the bridge of her tiny nose. I should laugh and one day I will but for now it's just one of those frustrating things mothers deal with.

Everyone is all stuffed up. Kieran was telling me on the way to school that he couldn't breath through his nose, Steff sounds very nasally and she keeps telling me her nose hurts, and my mom said her nose is all stuffed up to. I already said I have a stuffy nose. I wonder what is causing it? I'm thinking the heater's filter needs to be changed again. Guess I better go check it out. Na...I'll have Ryan do it when he gets up. He's really good at doing things like that.

I think the caffeine is starting to kick in. I'm already on pot number two of coffee. Of course, I've had help drinking it.

What a drab morning this is...it's raining cats and dogs and there seems to be no hope for sun either. It's warmer now than it's supposed to be all day. I hope my friends in Australia have a great day since they are going into the better part of the year-Summer. I miss summer already. I thought I was ready for some reprieve from the heat but I'm thinking I was wrong. My next door neighbors have the right idea-head South for the winter. They leave each October and live in St. George til April or May sometime.

I just scheduled Kieran, Steff and Sadie's flu shots. I was lucky enough to get them all on the same day at the same time. Yeah.

Next week is a busy week: Monday Steff gets her stitches out, Nothing on Tuesday so far, Wednesday Ryan has an appt with Dr. E, Thursday I take all three in for their flu shots(oh...boy)which means I'm gonna need Ryan's help to hold Steff down, and Friday is the dreaded cardiology appointment for Steff.

I'm not looking forward to Friday, the rest of the appointments are not big deal but Friday we have to drive to SLC and deal with that hospital that wasn't smart enough to let us know we could sedate Steff in the first place. That goes without saying we have to starve the poor girl so she can be sedated. How in-humane is that? Starving a two year old. She can't have so much as any clear liquids after 7 am. I think it's torture to her and to her parents.

Well, I think I'm gonna jet for now. I'm sure I'll be back when I have more thoughts to share. I know I blog a lot but my house doesn't look bad and my kids are fed, changed and clean. So, I figure it's a healthy outlet. See you soon...

Sleep Deprived Days

Yes, I'm up at 4 am again. The sad part is that I took half an Ambien and then Sadie decided it was time for her to get up. She's been up for an hour and I just layed her back down to bed. I know this all means that Ryan will need to sleep later because she's gonna cry to get back up.

The good thing is that she does give up and will eventually go to sleep.

Which is where I need to be and I'm feeling this Ambien take effect. Wew, am I gettin slow...

Last night was Kieran's last football game because unfortunately but thank God...they lost and it was single elimination. I hate to say I'm glad it's over cuz he loved it so much but it was cold and dark by the end of the game.

I was talking to another parent that feels the same way. You want them to play more but for your own sake you hope they lose.

After we got home from the game Steff decided she wanted to be a screamer. She didn't talk about anything, she screamed about it. My ears and my head had had enough by bedtime.

Sadie was her normal self, sweet and playful. I put her in her jumper to see if I could feed her but she wanted to jump.

Well, I'm gonna go lounge on my couch and hopefully catch an hour of ZZZ's.

Up at Four

So Ryan came home at four am and woke me up...I guess cuz he misses me. So we chatted and watched The Unit and he went to bed...so here I sit blogging to my hearts content or my eyelids fall. I'm thinking it's gonna be a long day since the Sandman doesn't seem to be lurking anywhere near me.
Yesterday was a good day!!! Steff did two year old stuff but she wasn't malicious like she had been the two previous days. I knew Steff and I were going to have a good day when Sadie woke up in a gnarly mood. It's sad when you know one is going to be happy cuz the other isn't.
Oh....what to say, what to say...I guess I could tell you Kieran caught an interception at his flag football game. I thought he'd be a lot more pleased with himself but ever since his friend(whom I think is a spoiled brat)told him to, "Go home!!!" he was in an icky mood. He didn't want to go to his game and he certainly didn't want to do chores or be friendly to anyone. I could have walked across the street and given that brat a piece of my mind, but for what good? I maintained my composure and advised Kieran to not let others determine his mood, that he was in charge of how he wanted to feel.
So, I went to P.A. Taylor yesterday and although I didn't get any cortisone shots, I did get meds. He took mercy on me and prescribed ibuprofen and lortab. Whoohoo, drugs...Just kidding but for real they did help a ton.
Ryan and I may get to golf one more round before the weather gets any cooler. He got two free tickets from a guy he works with to the golf course near our house. I've been wanting to golf at this course all summer. We'll have to do it soon so if anyone wants to watch our kids please make some noise...If you don't volunteer, we will be asking...Can we bribe you some how?
Saturday we are going over to Ryan's dad's for one last summer type bar b que. I love the way this man cooks steak, hell, I love steak. It should be a good time but as usuall it's hard to take two toddlers anywhere.
Other people's homes are just not baby proof enough for my boundaryless daughters. I guess that makes me too lax of a parent when they can't respect other people's things.
I just had an epiphany...I need to teach my daughters better boundaries......we'll work on that today. But, just today for why would I want to teach them something respectful like that? Can you hear me laughing...?
Wow, that's nuts to say-two toddlers...I mean technically Sadie isn't toddling around but she is almost one and that's more of a toddler stage than a baby stage...I guess. I kinda like saying, "two toddlers." I can wear that like a badge of honor. After all it is some kind of warfare I have to go through to raise two kids that are only 18 months apart in age.
I can tell you sex is scary, each time the subject comes up I count how old my kids are and decide from there if I want to risk it. I know they make birth control but who wants to take a little pill everyday? I'm totally kidding. I am on birth control and I take it religiously at 9am every single day...but I was on birth control when I got pregnant with Kieran, and I had simply switched types when I got pregnant with Sadie. Do you see my apprehension in this beautiful thing that married people do?
I told Ryan my theory on the whole having more kids thing. I told him that we were still having more until he took the initiative and got snipped. He had to agree with my logic. He said he wasn't ready to stop yet because if his brother doesn't have a boy their first time around then we will be trying for one more. What's funny is he says one more but in the same breath he will make some kind of statement about not letting the "Kelstrom" name die out. I hope my darling husband doesn't think that I'm going to have kid after kid just because he doesn't want the "Kelstrom" name to die out. Sometimes I wonder....besides, I love our house and more kids would mean we'd need a bigger home and I don't want to leave this one. This is the only house our daughters have ever lived in and I'd like to keep it that way. I want to grow old here.
I'm feeling wide awake but I know coffee will do that to a person. I'm debating on going to Starbucks for a caramel macchiato. . .Oh...decisions, decisions.

Yes, I went to Starbucks and oh it is yummy. I treated myself to two extra shots of espresso. That should help keep me up for a couple hours and then drop striaght on my head. I got back just in the nick of time because Sadie was waking up when I came in the door. No more Mr. Sandman for me...I will be up for the majority of the day now. Maybe Ryan will have some humanity and let me take a nap when he wakes up. He should, hell he was the one that woke me up at such an ungodly hour.
Things are looking up and I think I'm coming out of my funk. I can't be sure why I had one but I did and I felt so blue and lazy. I love my life for the most part, yeah, we could have more money and Ryan could be home more but who doesn't want to be indepently wealthy and spend all their time with the love of their life? Other than these two desires, I have it all. I am a millionaire without the money. My children are all healthy and beautiful, my husband treats me like rare gold and I have a beautiful home, my faith, my health for the most part, my heart, my sould, my freedom, and the list goes on and on. I am truly rich. I have a richness that some people long for their entire lives and can never buy it, find it or feel it.
I'm leaving you with a prayer that you can take a moment today-right now, and find gratitude and thank God for all your blessings. "Have a blessed day...I know I will :)

More Early Morning Ramblings

Okay, at it again, up at 4 in the morning. Hey, I'm learning one can get a lot of quiet things done at this crazy hour even when you feel drained all day long. I figure the time alone and the peace and quiet aren't so bad.
Kieran is doing well, he reports that he loves school. He had this assignment that I believe was more fit to a fifth graders parents than to a fifth grader themselves. Let me give you a sneak peak into this assignment. It was a scavenger hunt and when he told me that was his homework I was excited, fun is what I thought. That was til I was running to Walmart to buy a "post card from a National Monument." Trying to find something with a small flag on it and a patent. You think patents are easy to come by until you need one. I about sent him to school with the small tv in his room that's how desperate I was. He didn't even know what a patent was. Other items included were a library card, a pin, membership card, rule book or badge from the boy or girl scouts, a picture of George W Bush (I don't know about you but we don't just have a picture of good ole George laying around our house, thank God for the internet), a picture of Uncle Sam (again, ode to the internet) and so on the list went with Social Studies topics. Then to top it all off she told them to go to their neighbors for these items! Well, in this sick world we live in with all the violation against children I wasn't about to send him door to door. No way!!! I also told her so in a letter. I made it clear she was out of her mind to even suggest I put my child's safety at risk and I asked her to suit her assignments more to fifth graders than to their parents. I was a bit rude but she was dumb enough to suggest I put his safety at risk. So, if you're wondering if I (and yes, I said "I")got it done...well, no I didn't but darn close. He still has until Friday to turn it in and we only need 2 items: the library card and a boy or girl scout pin, badge, membership card or rule book. His gram has the library card, so I'll be taking a trip to Clearfield for that and Ryan believes his mom still has his boy scout uniform so I'll be taking a trip to Roy for that. I sure hope I get some kind of extra credit for doing this assignment even if it is the satisfaction that Kieran got a piece of candy on my behalf.
Steffanie had a good, fairly whine free day yesterday, it was almost amazing. It was pretty wonderful though now that I think of it. She is talking so much. She grabbed her chin, said "Hmmm" then stuck her finger in the air as if to give that signal like a light bulb going off and said, "I have an idea." Then she said something about making a house. Ryan and I died laughing all six times that she did it. She sings all the time and knows such classics as Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, the alphabet song, parts of Row, Row, Row Your Boat, Sing, Sing a Song and others. It's just too early in the morning to recall. It takes a while for my engine to get going. She really is a darling and wonderful little girl she's just going through that really whinny stage that two year olds experience. I can't say I blame her, she's the middle of three. That's grounds for competition and she has to get her share of attention somehow. She cracks us up on a daily basis with her little comments or actions. I cannot express how adored she is, how much they all are.
Sadie is still crawling and yes, she's trying to pull herself to a standing position now. We haven't had any falls but she doesn't get up far either yet. She still takes a cat nap in the morning in her bouncer, no matter how much I try to get her to do it in her bed. Then she wakes up for food and play time. She plays by herself pretty well but she needs someone in the room with her, she likes people. She also has been enjoying being a held a lot these days and she'll crawl to you to let you know that she wants you to pick her up. We've started trying to teach her sign language with such words as "no," and "more." We taught Steff "more" cuz she wouldn't talk and we wanted to know if she wanted more food or to get down. She picked it up quick and we're hoping for the same with Sadie. I recently finished and am mailing a card that I made to Sprout for her birthday. The tv channel for toddlers(I've mentioned it in previous postings) has a show called The Birthday Show in which they show homemade cards that have been submitted by parents or relatives of the birthday boy or girl. The down side is that they don't show all the cards but I figured I gave it a good shot with Steff so I had to do it for Sadie. The card turned out well, it was simple but well done. I'll let you know if we get it on the air...but that's not until after Oct 18th.
Ryan has been well, as usual, with nothing really new to report. He'll be going in early today so he can work a 14 hour shift in preparation for Labor Day. If he works his overtime and gets it out of the way then he can have the weekend to enjoy. He'll be off Friday, work Saturday and have Sunday and Monday off. I'm excited to have him home for so many days.
I'm doing good, my bursitis hasn't been flaring up too bad and I should be over this gasteral intestinal virus soon. Boy, I do sound good don't I? Ha! But seriously, things are well. Just doing the usual and being happy with my life. I have really enjoyed my children and their antics lately. Kieran is loving and helpful, Steffanie is talkative and funny, and Sadie is busy and sweet. What more could a mother ask for?
As for the family as a whole, we have all, with the exception of Sadie had a the afore mentioned virus with it lasting longer in some and going by quick in others. We don't have any plans as a family for Labor Day but Ryan and I will be going golfing with his dad. We're both looking forward to spending the time together and getting out away from the house and sad to say it, but our kids for a few hours.

And, SHE CRAWLS!!!

She did it, she picked her belly up off the floor and crawled! Sadie can finally get around, and she does is on her knees. It is so cute and her knees are beginning the callous stage so that makes them red and irritated. Poor girl, it's got to hurt at least a little. We are proud parents and glad she did it but to be a little honest I thought she was gonna look like a little wounded army baby til she picked up and walked. She's now crawling to things and trying to pull up to them so now we're in for a whole new set of tears as she tries and falls on her little face. Something else our little peanut does is fall asleep in her jumper it's the cutest thing. I thought I had a picture of her snoozing in it but I don't, sorry.
I'm up at 4:30 in the morning typing this because I cannot sleep but I figured this would be good entertainment until the kids start waking up. Besides what better to do this early? Any suggestions please email me at tkelstrom@comcast.net because this is a regular occurance and I run out of quiet things to do. One can only play so much Mahjongg...But hey the coffee's on and I should be wired and ready to play in about an hour, 4 cups and half a pack of smokes. I'm kidding on the half a pack of smokes thing but it will be a few.
The rest of the family is doing good with nothing really new to report for anyone. Kieran's still argumentative and 10, if you have a ten year old or you've had one at some point in your life you know what I mean when I simply list his age. If you haven't had one and want the scoop send me an email, I'll fill ya in.
Steffanie is a parrot and into Chitty Chitty Bang Bang these days so I'm going insane listening to such classics as the tittle song itself, The Old Bambo, Posh, Posh Traveling Life and so on and on and on and on it all goes. Sometimes I'd like to get off this ride. But Steffanie does her whinny two year old thing with great charisma and she's a pro too. I can't wait to move from one two year old right into another one. Did ya hear the sarcasm in my voice? It was there I promise.
Ryan is good, his body's been aching a little but I think it's age and that our bodies are completely out of shape. I know how he feels though and I empathize completely. I've never finished my therapy for my car accident so I live in the same pain I believe he talks about.
I never finished because I was suppost to start physical therapy and Sean died so we added Kieran to our house full time. He lived mostly with his dad when he was alive so having him full time required me to put therapy aside for the time and find a groove for our family, then Sadie was born. We have a groove now so it's all about procrastination at this point. I still need to get Kieran and I to the dentist and get him another appointment with his psychologist too. I'm sure Marla (that's Sean mom and she's been such a great friend and mother to me-thanks Marla)will somehow get my butt into gear with getting my business taken care of. She has this gentle yet very good way of reading me and getting me to so the things I need to get done, done. I tried to call on Friday several times but the dentist is closed on Fridays and the other doc wouldn't answer his phone.
So now you've read the ramblings of a sleep deprived mother of three, do you feel a little better about your state of insanity?