Piano Lessons: Just like a doctors office

Hmmm…what to blog about that I won’t regret putting into print later.    Not that I might have anything to write that is so full of anger that I might regret it.  Of course, it’s Wednesday!  Piano lessons for the big kids.   I’m writing this during my hour on the couch.  A lovely blue couch that I can even lay out on.   For some reason this sitting, waiting, I feel like my name will be called by a nurse soon!

This is Sis. Cahoon.   She’s a great teacher.  We’ve been on her waiting list for a while, before we got the call to start this month. Emily is putting her gum under the keyboard while Sis. Cahoon looks away.   Just kidding!  Of course Sis. Cahoon would never look away.

Today’s first song, the postman.  I can tell from where her hands are.   This “Thumbs sharing Middle C” song has been tricky for her.    Emily is ALWAYS first.   She ALWAYS knew she wash first.  We told her, “Emily!  (and Alex)I’m so excited about a phone call I got today.   We got to the top of the piano lesson waiting list!  Emily got into the 4:30 slot, and Alex got into the 5:00 slot!  I’m so excited for you guys! 

Now in reality, Sis. Cahoon didn’t care.  They could switch every weeks for all she cared.  But I cared.   And I knew that soon my kids would either want to put of the pain of lessons another half hour.  Or would want to be the first to read that week’s Sunday comics in the her reading basket.   And then a fight would proceed.  With threats and yelling and crying and extra chores and frozen children declaring “YOU CAN’T MAKE ME, IT’S NOT MY TURN THIS WEEK!!!!”

Phew.

Yeah, I might have surpressed childhood issues about this.   But before I tell you that, here is Alex.  Waiting for his turn:This week a pokemon book is more interesting.  Right after I took this picture, he told me about the pink character you see here.  It’s got it’s mouth open, with it’s ginormous tongue sticking out.  Of course, it’s so big that it’s more hanging down.  Guess what the name is?  “Lickitung”  Pronounced LICK-ih-tung.  

A creature with a huge tongue that can paralyze it’s victims with a single lick.  Named Lickitung.  I wonder how late that Pokemon writer was working, and what he needed to hurry home to.   Cause “Body Part Action” plus "action sound” plus “Name of body part” is really a lazy name.  Of course, he might be the only Pokemon I will be able to recognize beside that Yellow guy. 

I came up with these great names

Stinkumfeet

Waxeeyear  (get it?  Wax –e-ear)

Gooperi  (Goop be eye)

I could go on forever.  But then I would lose any readers but 3rd grade boys.  

What would my name be? Maybe….

Layigdon  (Lay ing down)

Haha, this one would be for Tammy R. and Holly O…..

Paynegul  (pain –knee- girl) 

It would have oversized knees that had the eyes.  It would be able to squish opponents between the knees, and shoot kneecaps out to stun. 

What would your name be? 

Donut run results

The plus side to Kate’s Therapy (besides the obvious improvements)…30 minutes of free time, and good donuts just a few blocks away.

mmmm, top foods, 4$ of bliss.  The only better is Safeway, on a day that they don’t practically burn everything.  I love their frosting (white cream) filled donuts.  I HATE custard filling. 

Who loves donuts for lunch?

 

My camera missed the huge chunk of old fashion donut that slipped from Mark’s sleeping hand.  I found it under him bum as I lifted him to bed.  

I might have eaten that large donut chunk later, when I ran another errand.   But I might have also tossed to to the birds.  Or did I give it to Mark the next time he was in the car?   Honestly, I can’t remember.   It’s a side effect of my effective pain management cocktail that I’m willing to have.

Good bye Finger *post note

We regret to inform you that you missed the funeral and burial of Alex’s fingertip/fingernail.   After the accident, the nanny found it in the back doorway.  1 hour to late to sew back on.  It rested in the freezer, in a Chinese take out box.   Now, I bring you, the burial.  In proper Mormon fashion.

After we got the finger out of the freezer, the boys insisted on snacks afterwards.   But first, they had to dig the grave.   

Have a viewing, and giving finality to life that has been lost.  check.

The whole trauma of the event was soothed when Alex was promised a funeral.  “No tombstones”, Grant said while he declined an invitation

Mourn with those that mourn.  Say “see you later, I will miss you”.  Check!

Have a lighter moment of laughter, knowing that all will be together in the resurrection.  Check!

 

What do you serve at a Mormon funeral?  Funeral Potatoes, of course.  I didn’t have the proper cream soups and raw potatoes.  But I did have new Pringles.   Bury the dead and eat potatoes.   Check!

If you feel the need to mourn privately, you can look under the lilac tree in the front yard.   It’s under the southwest corner. 

Good news is that finger tips are one part of the body that regenerate.  We see the wound doc Friday.  He’s got a great scab, so he’s going to heal nicely.  If he could, he would have a nail back by Christmas.  But they think that the cuticle healed down on the nail bed.  It can’t be fixed, so chances are his nail won’t grow back.  He also broke his finger on the growth plate.  He has a splint to protect his finger.  We are hopeful it heals well, and his finger can grow normal. 

The end

( of the beginning of Alex’s Finger)

***Post note

I wrote this post on Sunday, Sept 6.   I wrote about 6 posts that day.  So I forgot about this particular post.  It has  been posted during a time of grieving for my family.  Wednesday, my cousin tragically died.  The death has touched my family, creating  a surprise and open communication.   

So I give no offense to my family in my choice to keep this post up.  My heart and thoughts continue to be with the Spencer family, as they make sense of Jeff’s sudden death and prepare for his funeral on Monday.

My floors are talking to me: I’m Cold!

The floors in my house are cold.    Even though my floors can’t talk, I know they must be cold.  Because at this very moment, I found this:

And this two:

And this:

Even on the warmer carpet I found this:

And the toasty attic, I still found this:

Mark is 18 months.   A month ago I noticed it starting.   When I changed his diaper for bedtime, he would reach up for the blanket pile.  Infant reciving blankets soon became hugged IN ADDITION to his normal sleeping blankets.   Soon it became part of his wardrobe.  A blankie in his arm.  Or a stuffed animal “lovie”.   Or both.  He has preferences, but no one favorite.   Thanks to our awesome, overly generous neighbors, The Millers,  Mark has even more stuffed animals to pick from.  There is no lack of animals to hug in our house.  Nor arms willing to love them.  Like this:

As much as Mark’s arms love to snuggle…they also love to let go.  Let go of blankets  Let go of toys.  Where ever in the house he is.    Like when he got distracted by his siblings computer games:

That’s a flamingo.  Thanks to the millers, we now have 3.  Or 4.   I’ve never seen them all together.  And this cute puppy, in our storage room.  I think the animals left here got exchanged for food or a tool.  

Some places I don’t understand.  I found Mark’s mostly favorite bear next to the stove.  As I went closer to take this photo, Mark turned to see what I was looking at.  He grabbed his bear so fast, that I didn’t even get a photo of it.

Caught in the act of a grab and run….

He wouldn’t let bear go….even in the name of “recreate moment photo for the blog.”  The nerve!

Such sweet boy, with so much love!  He’s my first baby to use blankets as a lovie.     I will miss the phase of a baby:  Blankies and Lovies.   Yes, my big kids love to snuggle certain blankets and animals.  Even Alex.   Yet it seems much more heartwarming to see a baby do it. 

Do your kids have a blankie or a lovie?

So lucky to be one of the guys

My happy, happy boys.  Together, being happy

Alex rocked on Saturday.  He got all his chores done neat and quick.  He had time to play with his buddies.  This is most of them.  He now has 5 BOYS that are near his age to play with on the street.  And often I have 7boys at our house.  

Mark is so happy to be one of the boys.

Today’s game: Zoo Tycoon.  They worked without fights, all together on a zoo.  Then they broke all the gates and made the animals attack the people.  Boys. 

Alex’s birth song, the beginning of the birth song

Alex…my first born.  Even though I was a first time mom, I knew that this time would pass me by so fast.  Infancy, babies, childhood…then college and marriage. 

I had back surgery when I was 18.  Shouldn’t be related to the birth of my first born.  But it is.  The surgery was very scary, and I was too young to be my own advocate.  During a Lamaze breathing class, I was writhing in pain while the rest of the moms were half asleep.  “Maybe you need a therapist, someone extra to help you since you obviously have more pain issues then then most moms,”  The older class teacher said.

I ended up with some ignorant therapist, who had never been a mom, who had never been in pain.  “Think of a song with a good even tempo, then use that song to leave the pain”.   The song came easy.  Brand new that year.  Played everywhere.  This was before youtube and itunes.   I actually listened to the radio for music.  CD’s were too expensive.   I did buy the CD. 

This song started my tradition of “birth songs”.   I don’t remember if music was played during your birth.  I do remember watching a movie or two.  I started pushing while our wedding luncheon video was on.  Two hours later, I have no idea what was happening in the room.  No song in my head would help with this pain.   Grant said they brought in another nurse just to talk in my ear, encourage me.  She didn’t let me get away with my exhausted fake pushing.  Two hours…then you came.   No music then.

Alex did arrive, and a few days later he arrive at our home.  Whenever that song played, I picked him up and danced.  It was important to me.  Even if it meant leaving the stove.  We danced.  He was happy.  I was happy.  I managed to give birth without trauma (I didn’t say drama).   We dances so much to this song.  As Alex learned to walk, we would hold hands.  Then baby#2 came into view.   I knew that she would need her own song, and her own dance. 

But birth songs started with my first born,  (fueled by a stupid therapist),  became something to have a moment with my kids, and continued to this day.

The song was “Someday” by Sugar Ray.  It was on their  “14:59” cd. 

Emily’s birth song

I was so active during this time.   I was so aware, too.  I was so happy to be pregnant with a girl, and feel so much smaller.   I was a whale with Alex’s pregnancy. 

Madonna had a newer hit out.  Back then I was still aware of the music scene.  I loved the music video.  I loved the fast and slow speed of the song.  It was simple choice.  Emily’s song would be “Ray of Light”.  Really, it had come out a few years before, but it was still playing everywhere, all the time.    Hey, I pick my own rules for birth songs!

Emily’s name was a simple choice too.   I had wanted a daughter named Emily since I was 10 years old.  When my pregnant mom who talked about “Emily” brought home “Christina”.   We still called our last sibling Emily for a month.    (Christina is also Stina, or Aunt Stina

Later, when I was in high school, I tried out for my first play.  I got the lead.  I was Emily in “Our Town”.  A locket was a key prop in the play.  My boyfriend at the time (don’t tell Dad), bought me a locket for the last night of the play.  It was engraved with “Emily”.  I still have that locket.  waiting for her to get older, not lose it, and have a boyfriend sweet enough to engrave things for her.

Just like all the kids and “their” songs, I would stop whatever I was doing, and dance.  Pick up that child and dance.  Remember that I wanted them, that I loved them, and that all I was doing was for them.  And, of course, dance.   And we were all happy. 

Love the lyrics, “She got herself a little piece of heaven” because holding you was just that to me.     And “I feel like I just got home”, because I wanted you to feel at home.   Plus, as a second time mom, I was more aware of how time really did fly by.

Emily’s birth song, “Ray of Light” by Madonna

Mark’s Birth Song

I heard it first on Ellen.  I love it.  We can record TV, so I got to play that song a few more times.   I fell in love. 

I was laying on the couch when I first heard it.  I thought it was just pregnancy that was making me hurt when I stood.  It was more.  More than even doctors now can tell me. 

I got the CD, I remember with joy finding it at Target.  Because I didn’t get out much. 

I chose this song for my 4th baby because I loved him.  And I wanted him to love me.  But I already knew it would be a different ‘Baby’s first year’.   So I wanted him to “take me the way I am.”  It turned out to be the best song as I was stuck with a broken body, and this song helped me cry and speak the words, 

I love you Mark, do you “take me the way I am?”  Love me the way I am?  Because I knew that “I love you more than I can ever promise”

and as he grows, I want him to know that I will always take him the way he is. 

So here it is, as long as the link works…Mark’s birth song

“The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson from her “Girls and Boys” CD 

PS:  Even though I call them “birth songs”, I only enjoyed them during pregnancy and/or infancy.  I never (I think) labored, nor gave birth, during the song.  But “birth song” fits better than “baby song”

My best friend! Love, Katelyn

Hi, This is Katelyn.  My name has a K in it.  I am playing with legos with my sister and my animals.   A few lots of minutes  later my best friend came to MY house.

 

This fun summer day, we had our friends over.  Mommy is friends with Eleanor's mom.  Alex and Emily play with Eleanor's siblings.  And Mark Runs and fetches, like a dog.   This amuses everyone.  Right now we have two pretty princesses who are swinging.   Next… 

 

Next up:  Emily about to be a Spanish dancer; E as Ariel the Mermaid; Kate as a go-go dancer*; P contemplating being a cheetah; Alex working on his “skater kool” outfit.   Playing with the dress up box outside is more fun.  I don’t know why they skipped over the Sheppard costume from Christmas, or the Crusades costume.  Heck, even army and police hats and we could have danced YMCA**

It was a fun day.  I love my friends.  Love, Katelyn   Bye-Bye!

*go-go, as is dance as fast as you can go-go before that size 10 dance outfit goes off of your body.

**Rachel is playing catch up with blogs, and this was a photo from early July, way before she was sliced and diced.

To Daddy, Love Mark

In celebration of Mark turning one, and…..

…..in honor of Grant’s second fathers day with Mark,

“Happy Fathers Day from your #4!  w  RZR

Mark Z Richins       April 2009”

Now Grant finally has photos of each child on his work desk. 

Oh, in case you are wondering why we choose a broom for Mark’s photo props……

Or even better, check out this ENTIRE BROOM POST

(Note to self:  Bookshelf Symbol 7 font contains a heart, lower case “w”)

What to look for in the dry yard before rain

See two things?  One is obvious…..

This cute roller toy with PAPER stickers that is strictly an indoor toy.

The second is a small, unopened bottle of Kosher Pickles from Trader Joes that I paid way to much for, and was going to return to the store.

Thanks kids.  Thanks a lot.  Without you life would be too predictable. 

Perfect time for yogurt pretzels and Jell-O

If you follow me on Facebook, you know that I have developed great cravings for yogurt dipped pretzels.  At one point I really had 3 bags of the best, Trader Joe extra tangy ones, in my top dresser drawer.  I did not share.  Grant calculates that within a short time, I bought ten pounds of them.  In one week, I also gained 5 pounds.    I can’t fit my zipper pants anymore.   So during the liquid only phase of my surgery prep, I stopped cold turkey.  No more wheat, or corn. 

So I gave my temptation to my willing children, who gobbled them up.  But they also wanted my Jell-O, to make it a complete…..

BREAKFAST!

Katelyn was especially proud of her Jell-o-filled pretzel.  Yum!

What’s the worst, or most interesting breakfast you let your kids have?

The last dance

My last baby. My last dances, cheek to cheek. Tears over my last baby bounced and twirled away. Tears from my last baby dissolved into laughter as we swayed and dipped. My last diaper changes. He'll be so much heavier when I can lift him again on June 12.

Than you NieNie for this story that give me hope and peace. I can, I will wait these next 8 weeks with joy. Thanks to you, I knowing that my arms, with their perfect skin and cute freckles, will be able to scoop up my last baby, my obedience* baby. (*and that's another post entirely)

And we will dance again, cheek to cheek. To his song. To my sisters opera CD's. To nothing but the house noises of a family of 6. And we will twirl and we will bounce.

I love you Mark. I hope you don't remember these next 8 weeks of rejection. I love you and only want to makes sure my body is strong enough to hold my future grand babies....otherwise I would always pick you up.

Maybe with your smiles and recent giving of little gifts, maybe you can pick me up out of the post surgery blues. Give me a smile. Give me your frown melting laughs. Thanks baby!

On the 5th day before surgery, my angels did for me:

Six

given Easter dinner  (I won't embarrass her, but thanks for the complete Easter Dinner for our whole family.  I secretly wanted to be invited somewhere, and this was better.  Because the crying kids went to their rooms!  and the pie, oh I didn't know I loved Banana Cream Pie until Easter.  THANK YOU!!!)

 

Five

planted primrose (SPRING SPRING SPRING!)

 

 

Four

kids love their other mom (nanny Julie after taking Emily to a tea party, she also bought the tiara)

Three

back massages, (how could I put my back out right before surgery!!)

Two

on one last date,   Just talking and enjoying the new season.  (Spring blossom tour of Microsoft)

One

painless IUD removal (won't need it with tied tubes on Friday, so no more new pictures like this)

 

and encouragement that

I can keep this happy spirit

and

I'll do fine during surgery

.

Which is so priceless, it can't be counted.

Potato Hats, Mashed

Some things are inevitable.  Giving Mark his first whole bowl of mashed potatoes, for instances, is going to be MESSY.   So of course, I had my camera handy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fork, who needs a fork?                               I have two hands to eat with

Oh, here's the fork for this hand......and it makes it in the mouth!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now lets play hide seek........

Is there  mashed potatoes here?

  How about here?  Hmm, is THAT potato?                                                                                                                                                           

 

Now the foods almost gone, he must check to see if he's missed any

  a

and

now

drum

roll

please

dadadadadadadadadadad

DUM!

TA DA!

 

Love,

your mom