Needing advice

Over the last couple of months Trevor is going through a phase that is driving both Tyler and I insane. He is never happy. It doesn't matter what we do for him, what we buy for him, or what fun activities we plan just for him, he complains and whines about everything. Tyler took the kids camping last night and I guess all he did was yell at Trevor and tell him to quit complaining. They came home this morning and Tyler vented to me for an hour on how awful Trevor was to everyone. I take the kids swimming at the pool and Trevor whines that it's too cold or too hot or there's too much sun or that he might get water up his nose. We go play at Grandmas house and Trevor lets everyone know how bored he is there. (Mind you he's always excited to go do something fun, but when we actually get to what we're doing, something is always wrong.)
He's been lectured so many times on what it means to be grateful and to just be happy in the moment, that I don't know what else to say, but it does no good. Has anyone else had this problem with their children, or have any ideas on how to teach a child to be happy with life? I'm open to any and all suggestions, as I'm already losing most my hair from pregnancy hormones. (Seriously, I'm afraid if I pull on it at all, it's all going to come out). Have I mentioned before that raising kids is tough, and not for the faint of heart?!

Kids

I know it's been forever since I've written a new post but I still feel like I'm drowning. Just very recently I've felt like MAYBE I can handle four children, but the feeling comes and goes. This week feels like it's been insane but the only thing we've added to our schedule is 30 minute swimming lessons for Cambria and Trevor! Braden is doing better with crying but it's very slow progress. I think he's a very intense child and many things upset him. I have taken pictures of him but haven't edited them or fixed them in anyway, so these are kind of a rough version. It's all I can do right now.

Braden at two months - and yes he turns 3 months on Saturday so you'll be seeing more pictures of him again soon.


His hair is out of control and I refuse to put any product in it

Ethan really likes being big brother (most of the time)

I can't remember if I've posted this picture before but I love it! My mom and I did a photo shoot with her back in the fall of last year. This is one of our favorites!

Yep, he's getting older and the attitude is starting to show...


I think being a parent is the most difficult job there is, so it's a dang good thing that little kids are so cute. Perhaps sometime soon the sleep deprivation will go away and I will be able to enjoy them instead of survive them. (I'm tired; can you tell?)

Pictures and an update

It has been quite the 6 weeks. Last time I wrote how calm and easy Braden was...well, that was a honeymoon. Over the last month and a half I have learned quite a bit about our fourth child and easy and content are NOT words I would use to describe him anymore; it's more like high-maintenance and crabby. He has a very sensitive stomach ( I think ) which translates into he cries a lot. He does love to eat and for the first three weeks I was feeding him every hour on both sides (I'm not exaggerating). I don't think I got out of the rocking chair much at all during that time. He has at least 10 dirty diapers a day and he doesn't like it in his diaper (I don't blame him) so I'm changing him all the time too. He likes to be around people and he likes to be held. So we've all adjusted somewhat to the fact that Braden is rarely happy and that he cries all the time. The one positive I can say about him is that he sleeps good at night. I get at least a 5 hour stretch from 11/12pm to 5/6 am...that is the one thing that is keeping me from losing my mind. He is a cute boy though and the first time he smiled, I cried. Here are some pictures from those rare happy moments so you can all be jealous that my baby is so dang cute. (And no, these are not pictures of Ethan, though the two could be mistaken for twins at this age).

Braden at one month

Notice the chubby cheeks (proof that he's getting plenty to eat)

Blessing day, June 5th

The new normal at our house

He's HERE!

I'm so excited to announce that I am no longer pregnant!!!! After 19 hours (yes, everyone, 19 HOURS) of labor, Braden Kent joined our family and not a moment too soon. He weighed (drum-roll please) 9 lbs. 9 oz. and was 21 inches long! My doctor, who did not deliver me, laughed when I told him how big Braden was because he was so astonished. No wonder my body was done being pregnant, that I couldn't sleep, eat or bend over to pick up stuff off the floor and that my feet were so swollen I couldn't get my tennis shoes on. Did I mention that I'm SO GLAD to not be pregnant anymore? To make a long story short, labor started on Friday morning at about 11 am. I had contractions all day about every 15 minutes. Then Friday night they started coming closer together and with more force so we went to the hospital. They admitted me because I was at a 4 and had to have antibiotics for GBS so I stayed and labored until 3 am. Then the doctor broke my water because baby's head would not engage to dilate past a 7. Then at 4am-ish contractions came hard and fast and by 6 am I was pushing (and wanting to die). Somehow, I was able to deliver without any pain meds, so yes by the end I was ready to jump out the window. However, I couldn't move because of my IV. Braden arrived at 6:27 am on April 23rd and is the sweetest, most content baby I've had. He's adorable with lots of black hair--looks like a mix of all three kids. I feel incredibly blessed that Braden has joined our family and that he slept through most of the night last night.:) I don't have pictures uploaded yet, but will soon.

Think positive, relaxing thoughts...

This morning I went to the doctor for my weekly visit and I was so hoping for some good news. I didn't get any. I am 10 days away from my delivery date and I'm not dialated AT ALL! With my other babies I was open at least to a 2 for about 3 weeks, but not with this little guy. Everything is shut up tight and he's nice and high. So by all appearances I will be pregnant forever. {huge sigh} I feel like my body has reached it's threshold of what it can handle and I'm on the edge of insanity myself. My feet, legs and hands are swollen (but blood pressure is good), my hips ache almost constantly, and I waddle. Also, my kids tell me that I'm being grumpy pretty much everyday. Yes, everyone I am READY to have this baby but I guess he's not ready for us--quite yet. Hope you're all doing better than me!:)

He's Three!

My cute, adorable, handsome baby boy just turned 3! When I asked him what he wanted for his birthday he said, "presents, cake, and to blow the candles". I was good with that request considering my energy level these days. However, he got more than he bargained for. We went to the Doman farm to watch a basketball game and while there he was able to go for a ride in his beloved Javelin (thanks to uncle Tim) AND in Dad's new toy... the sand rail (or dune buggy). He was in heaven that he got to do those things for his birthday and won't stop talking about it.

Here he is standing next to the Javelin before he got his ride. He was lucky it ran for the two minutes he was in it because it's broken and hasn't been running at all.

Later, the sun came out for a minute and he went with dad on the dune buggy, on a ride around the farm. They both came back splattered with mud.

Next, he got to open some presents from Grandma and Grandpa Doman with remnants of the birthday cupcakes on his face.

After that fun it was back home to celebrate with Nanna and Papa, pizza, more cake and ice cream and more presents. (And yes, he did blow out the candles at BOTH houses).

By the time we were done with all the festivities he was done hearing "Happy Birthday" sung to him, blowing out the candles and whatever else we wanted him to do. He was tired! We celebrated all day long, he had a sugar and juke food overload, and lots of fun memories. Happy Birthday buddy!

T - 7 Weeks

The other day we were eating dinner at my parents house and as I walked in and took my coat off, my dad looked at me and said, "Wow. I can't believe you have 7 weeks left. How are you going to manage to get any bigger.!" Yes, everyone, I'm huge. Needless to say my self-esteem was bruised and apparently I look like a whale and feel like one too. The sad thing is that he's right. I don't know how in the world my body is going to get bigger when this is the time that the baby is supposed to double in size. Maybe I'm going to have a 12 lb. baby...that will be fun to deliver. {sigh}
Looking on the brighter side, I'm so glad spring is around the corner. My tulips are popping up and the daffodils are almost in full bloom (so funny considering we had snow last week). I wish I could go out and work in my yard, but that is out of the question. I can't pick up toys off the floor without difficulty let alone pull a weed or two out of the ground. So many things I just have to let go of...that's hard for my controlling self. Tyler would say it's good for me. :)