It's hard to believe that a third of the year has already come & gone. I always heard it said that the more kids you have, the faster time flies. It's true! Well, okay, it doesn't really go faster, but my days are busier & soon we will be adding #4 to the mix. That's right! Only 12 more weeks to go until Baby Schwartz makes his/her debut!! I am very ready to have this pregnancy over & done with. It seems this one has been much more uncomfortable & inconvenient than the last 3. I'm pretty sure it has to do with the fact that I still have another one attached at the hip & disciplining two pre-schoolers constantly.
Aside from the fact that we are going to have another baby, our lives are changing in other ways as well. We have moved from Goshen to Shipshewana, so we are much further from the convenience of close-by shopping. The move has been a good one so far, as the girls have much more freedom to run outside & I don't have to watch them quite so closely. Lexi has learned to ride bike without training wheels & enjoys the long driveway as opposed to our tiny one in town. Petra keeps up with her pretty well on her smaller bike, not quite ready to venture out on her own two-wheeled bike. Nova has learned to scoot herself around on the little plastic tricycle & throws a fit if we go out & she can't find it!
Another change for us is the fact that Lexi is really going through alot of growing stages this year. As Nova is getting teeth, in the last week, Lexi lost both of her bottom front teeth! She is pretty proud of the fact that she has a gappy smile these days & we make sure to tell her how cute she is when she smiles! The first one came out while she was watching tv, the second, at the Sturgis Walmart Supercenter! She said she actually pulled it out herself because she was tired of wiggling it! Of course, I had to explain to her that a store was probably not the most convenient place she could have pulled it, on our way to the bathroom to rinse the blood off! I heard one young teen girl say "Gross" as we passed by & I looked at Lexi just beaming from ear to ear with blood all over her teeth. I would have to agree with the teen, but she was just so proud & didn't care what people thought! So innocent...Petra is impressed, but has mixed emotions about losing teeth. She wants so badly to be like Lexi, but not sure she's ready for that kind of excitement! She will be getting her ears pierced for her 4th birthday this summer, so that's enough for her right now!
Lexi will also be going to her first year of school in August. Now that we are in Shipshe, she gets to go to the newer school called Meadowview. I took her to the Kindergarten screening last month & she did great, as I knew she would. She passed all the "tests" while I sat with the other parents & learned a little about the curriculum & techniques they use. I know it will be a great experience for her. She is very social and is looking forward to making new friends & learning new things. This past year, I tried doing some workbooks with her & she really loved doing it. I have found out, however, that I was smart to not go to college for teaching as I don't enjoy teaching anything! Petra is quite disappointed that she isn't old enough to go with Lexi, but I'm hoping that with her older sister away, Petra will be able to develop some of her own interests & not just copy Lexi. We see alot of athletic ability in her, so hopefully we can get her involved in soccer this summer. She will also get over it once the baby arrives, I'm sure. She is probably the most excited of the two about having another baby to hold. I think she will be quite the entertainer for Nova & baby when Mommy needs the help!
Well, the girls are about to wake from their naps, so I will have to close this. My summer is already half gone it seems as we have been incredibly busy. With the move 3 weeks ago, a family reunion this weekend, and a trip to Ohio next Friday, June will be gone. In July, we have a wedding in Evansville, IN (about 5 hours south), and we are looking forward to that. Chris & I will be travelling without our girls & have two nights alone (sort of). With softball every Friday night, the 4-H fair, & going to the beach when we can, July will be gone quickly. In August, Petra will turn 4, Lexi will start school, & Chris turns 30. I think there's one week in August that doesn't look too full & then it's baby time! Just writing about it feels a bit stressful, but I'm ready to go!
I hope this post finds all of you planning a fun summer for your families! Stay well & God bless you & yours! Hopefully I will find time to update before September, but don't count on it!
6.18.2009
3.26.2009
One Year Old
So, my Nova is now a one year old. She has fully started the toddler phase, although she hasn't started walking. She gets into everything from closets, toilets, tissues, cupboards & toys. Her favorite thing to do is make a mess, especially right after I clean up! Go figure! She says "Mama" & just started to make puppy sounds. She is finally eating most of the food her sisters eat, which is sooner than either of my oldest did. She refuses to eat any baby food from the jar unless she is the only one eating. This can be frustrating when at a restaurant & we aren't ready to order her something.
We had Nova's birthday party on March 8th, for Sunday lunch. We had delicious grilled chicken (thanks honey), salad, bread, chips, & of course, cake & icecream! Below are pictures of Nova digging in! She wasn't shy at all, as you can see! She thoroughly enjoyed trying to eat the whole piece in one bite!!!
Last week, Sharon & I took the kids to Middlebury for a picnic at Kreider Gardens. After a cold, blustery picnic, we took pictures of Nova around the park. It was fun to see her just be a one year old-totally uncooperative as we tried to pose her! We got some good ones, anyway....impossible to get a bad picture of her just because she's so darn cute! She looked adorable (of course) in her little red dress. Daddy's favorite part was her tiny bare feet! She is still, for the most part, our most content daughter & we love to watch her interact with her older sisters. She loves trying to keep up with them & making a mess of whatever they are trying to play. She cuddles dolls & stuffed animals, gives open-mouth kisses, cuddles her blankie when she's tired, laughs uncontrollably when being tickled & even cleans my kitchen floor for me! Okay, well the last one isn't saying much for my housekeeping these days, but I am learning to stay on top of sweeping since everything goes in the mouth!
Lexi & Petra are growing like crazy these days. Lexi is practically counting down the days when she starts school (I'm not). She is hoping for a baby brother this time around & doesn't think it's fair that Mommy & Daddy will know next month, but she can't! Sorry, babe, but we want to keep it a secret for another 5 months! Petra, for some reason, is hoping for another sister. We are glad to say that prophecy is not her gift as she kept saying there were 2 babies in my tummy. The other day, she got quite frustrated that I told her there was only one for sure. She was quite disappointed (I was not).
Well, that's all for now! I will post pictures of my pregnant self in a couple months for those of you who may be interested! Thanks for keeping up with us!
We had Nova's birthday party on March 8th, for Sunday lunch. We had delicious grilled chicken (thanks honey), salad, bread, chips, & of course, cake & icecream! Below are pictures of Nova digging in! She wasn't shy at all, as you can see! She thoroughly enjoyed trying to eat the whole piece in one bite!!!
Last week, Sharon & I took the kids to Middlebury for a picnic at Kreider Gardens. After a cold, blustery picnic, we took pictures of Nova around the park. It was fun to see her just be a one year old-totally uncooperative as we tried to pose her! We got some good ones, anyway....impossible to get a bad picture of her just because she's so darn cute! She looked adorable (of course) in her little red dress. Daddy's favorite part was her tiny bare feet! She is still, for the most part, our most content daughter & we love to watch her interact with her older sisters. She loves trying to keep up with them & making a mess of whatever they are trying to play. She cuddles dolls & stuffed animals, gives open-mouth kisses, cuddles her blankie when she's tired, laughs uncontrollably when being tickled & even cleans my kitchen floor for me! Okay, well the last one isn't saying much for my housekeeping these days, but I am learning to stay on top of sweeping since everything goes in the mouth!
Lexi & Petra are growing like crazy these days. Lexi is practically counting down the days when she starts school (I'm not). She is hoping for a baby brother this time around & doesn't think it's fair that Mommy & Daddy will know next month, but she can't! Sorry, babe, but we want to keep it a secret for another 5 months! Petra, for some reason, is hoping for another sister. We are glad to say that prophecy is not her gift as she kept saying there were 2 babies in my tummy. The other day, she got quite frustrated that I told her there was only one for sure. She was quite disappointed (I was not).
Well, that's all for now! I will post pictures of my pregnant self in a couple months for those of you who may be interested! Thanks for keeping up with us!
2.23.2009
An Update on My Life...
Wow, has it seriously been 2 months since I last posted on here? You would think I've been busy or something! Ha ha... Well, okay, I'm somewhat busy. I guess 3 little girls keeps me hopping (most days). There are those days when I am just absolutely lazy & could care less about the scattered toys, piles of dust, crumbs under the table, dishes that should've been done yesterday, dirty faces (oops), and the fact that I desperately need a shower before lunch. I hope I will be more motivated when Spring finally hits & my first trimester is done! I seriously doubt it, though...
To quickly update those that don't already know...we are expecting our 4th little one. If you are on Facebook, you will have known this since a month ago already. You would also know that it was quite unexpected & not so exciting for me. Chris & I had talked at length that we might really consider not having anymore children, but apparently God had other plans. I can't say that I agreed at the time with anyone that said His way is perfect. I had doubts that He always knows what He is doing. Isn't that our human nature? To question God in hard times? I must say I totally questioned Him last month...still do some days. For those of you that know me well, you know that I struggle with motherhood. I have never considered myself a good mom, though others have told me I am. I love the newborn stage, I don't have a problem with that at all. It's the stages between 6 months & 6 years that are hard for me. I long for a bit more freedom, a bit less responsibility with needs, always wanting this stage to pass quickly. Oh, don't get me wrong. There are things I enjoy about each of my girls right now, where they are. I love that Lexi is a quick learner & soaks up the activities in her pre-school books. I love how Petra is starting to learn her numbers & letters. Nova is about to take her first steps & has started so many other "firsts" such as saying "Mama" & nodding her head one way or another when asked a question. But, discipline is something I tire of quickly. The stress of taking them places when they all decide to act out at the same time & I can't discipline effectively in public. I love how Lexi & Petra can play all day long, without squabble...yet, hate the next day, when they seem to want nothing more than to aggravate each other constantly. I love how Nova is learning to do things, yet can't stand that she whines when I'm not holding her. The worst piece of advice that people have given me in this stage (since Lexi was a babe) is "This too shall pass." Does it really? Or does it just take on a different form? I have heard that some actually miss this stage of life...I understand that they miss certain aspects...like chubby baby bodies to kiss, slobbery kisses, pigtails & dresses, toothless grins, curiosity, giggles, birthday parties, etc. How can they miss the potty-training, endless diaper changes, continuous discipline, whining, crying at bedtime & naps, waking up 5-10 times a night (sometimes 4 in one hour)????? Seriously, you miss this stage? I am ready to cry most days, when I can't even sit for 20 minutes to read a book.
Granted, it's much easier some days than others. I know that God has blessed me tremendously and I should be grateful everyday that they are healthy, growing & for the most part, happy. I shouldn't complain that I have another on the way when so many women are wishing desperately for even one! I do know this & I feel guilty more often than not about my dissatisfied feelings. I love my girls more than anything, even myself...I admit to being selfish at times & wanting to just be left alone for a week or two, but would be lost without them if it were to become permanent! Is it wrong to just want peace & quiet for a few days????
Well, so on to lighter things. I have to laugh as I write this. Lexi & Petra are standing in front of the t.v. playing "Rockstar". Lexi uses a raquetball raquet as her guitar along with a small wooden spoon as a pick. Petra is "drumming" on a plate with a toy icecream cone. Okay, so I love their imagination! I do continue to look for the blessings amidst the noise & chaos. Speaking of which, Nova has awakened after only a 1/2 hour nap...due to the "rock concert". Peace & quiet, where are you?
To quickly update those that don't already know...we are expecting our 4th little one. If you are on Facebook, you will have known this since a month ago already. You would also know that it was quite unexpected & not so exciting for me. Chris & I had talked at length that we might really consider not having anymore children, but apparently God had other plans. I can't say that I agreed at the time with anyone that said His way is perfect. I had doubts that He always knows what He is doing. Isn't that our human nature? To question God in hard times? I must say I totally questioned Him last month...still do some days. For those of you that know me well, you know that I struggle with motherhood. I have never considered myself a good mom, though others have told me I am. I love the newborn stage, I don't have a problem with that at all. It's the stages between 6 months & 6 years that are hard for me. I long for a bit more freedom, a bit less responsibility with needs, always wanting this stage to pass quickly. Oh, don't get me wrong. There are things I enjoy about each of my girls right now, where they are. I love that Lexi is a quick learner & soaks up the activities in her pre-school books. I love how Petra is starting to learn her numbers & letters. Nova is about to take her first steps & has started so many other "firsts" such as saying "Mama" & nodding her head one way or another when asked a question. But, discipline is something I tire of quickly. The stress of taking them places when they all decide to act out at the same time & I can't discipline effectively in public. I love how Lexi & Petra can play all day long, without squabble...yet, hate the next day, when they seem to want nothing more than to aggravate each other constantly. I love how Nova is learning to do things, yet can't stand that she whines when I'm not holding her. The worst piece of advice that people have given me in this stage (since Lexi was a babe) is "This too shall pass." Does it really? Or does it just take on a different form? I have heard that some actually miss this stage of life...I understand that they miss certain aspects...like chubby baby bodies to kiss, slobbery kisses, pigtails & dresses, toothless grins, curiosity, giggles, birthday parties, etc. How can they miss the potty-training, endless diaper changes, continuous discipline, whining, crying at bedtime & naps, waking up 5-10 times a night (sometimes 4 in one hour)????? Seriously, you miss this stage? I am ready to cry most days, when I can't even sit for 20 minutes to read a book.
Granted, it's much easier some days than others. I know that God has blessed me tremendously and I should be grateful everyday that they are healthy, growing & for the most part, happy. I shouldn't complain that I have another on the way when so many women are wishing desperately for even one! I do know this & I feel guilty more often than not about my dissatisfied feelings. I love my girls more than anything, even myself...I admit to being selfish at times & wanting to just be left alone for a week or two, but would be lost without them if it were to become permanent! Is it wrong to just want peace & quiet for a few days????
Well, so on to lighter things. I have to laugh as I write this. Lexi & Petra are standing in front of the t.v. playing "Rockstar". Lexi uses a raquetball raquet as her guitar along with a small wooden spoon as a pick. Petra is "drumming" on a plate with a toy icecream cone. Okay, so I love their imagination! I do continue to look for the blessings amidst the noise & chaos. Speaking of which, Nova has awakened after only a 1/2 hour nap...due to the "rock concert". Peace & quiet, where are you?
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