Our Happy Reality

Being married to a resident is such a unique life.  At times I don't feel married at all!  I feel as if I'm a single mom with a roommate who's laundry, cooking, and cleaning I have to do.  Erik has no consistent work schedule or predictable time at home.  He pops in and right back out again.  The kids go days without seeing or talking to Erik and the only way I see him is if I'm willing to sacrifice sleep to see him (whether it's early in the morning, late at night, or even in the middle of the night).  I regularly find myself sitting on the bathroom floor while he showers (at all hours of the day or night) because this is my only time to talk to him.  I love and cherish every phone call I receive from him or every text he sends (which, isn't very often because he doesn't get service in the hospital).  I long to share our kids' lives with him - their happiness, their achievements, what they've learned in school, or how they've grown - but there is no time for that.  I often wonder what it would be like to have a husband who is home every evening for dinner.  And what it would be like to have help with the dishes or putting the kids to bed?    

Of course, there are those rotations that are lighter than others, or surprise days off, and when Erik can, he always pitches in wherever he is able.  I'm always amazed at how it doesn't matter how long Erik is away from the kids or how much quality time has passed in between, the kids are always happy and excited to see him and they seem to pick up right where they've left off.  I've realized that it's not always about the little details (he doesn't need to know that Skogen now wears the same size shoe as Maida or that Maida can now almost read any book she picks up).  My kids have taught me that what matters is being happy and content with our reality.  I am so thankful for what we have and that Erik is able to receive some of the best training possible from one of the best hospitals around. No matter how stressful or tiresome life is right now, I hope I will look back on these days and see happiness.

A picture update from the past two weeks...

Someone is getting up on all fours!  It won't be long until I will need to baby proof the house!

At Bounce World for a friends' birthday party!  They all four had the best time!

The birthday boy's (in the Spider Man shirt) dad is a resident with Erik in the ED.

I've decided (at 29.5 years old!) to start making my bed everyday.  It's amazing how good a made bed can make you feel!

I do a lot of laundry!  I do, at the very least, 16 extra large loads per week (that does not include the cloth diapers that I wash every-other night).

I love these three little guys, even when they are ALWAYS getting into things. Lately Klaasen and Skogen have decided that it's fun to pee and poop on things.  My 16 load laundry week turned into a 20 load in just a matter of a few hours.

Ice cream at Costco!  Always a treat (and a mess!).

It's nice to be down to only three kids every afternoon when Maida goes to kindergarten, but I miss her when she's gone.  I have seriously considered homeschooling, but then remind myself that I'm busy enough as it is.  :)

Torsten got his first bottle of pumped breast milk last week.  He took the first half alright, but then just kept throwing the bottle across the room.  I was hoping he'd start taking a bottle so that I could get some time away from him every now-and-then.  We'll see if that actually happens.  Last week our babysitter called us home early and left in tears - our kids were OUT OF CONTROL.  We might be shopping for a new sitter before I'm able to enjoy some time away from the house...

Some things never change!  Maida has lived in highheels and a tutu since before she was walking!

Torsten playing with his best friend, Nolan.  They are six days apart and really starting to interact! Nolan's Daddy is a resident  too.

My favorite series of pictures of Maida and Torsten...

Torsten is such a little lover.  Always full of kisses!

Check out Torsten's thighs!  They are about as big as his five-year-old sister's! Wow! Mama makes whole milk!

Torsten - Six months old!

Torsten, 

You are SIX months old!!!

I don't even want to admit that you are half of the way to being one.  That just doesn't seem possible.  I have loved every single minute of the past six months and I know I will enjoy the next six (I just wish it would slow down a little bit!).

How you have changed in the past six months...

- Your eyes are no longer blue, they're brownish-green.

- Your hair has gotten fuller and longer.  I think it's also turned a little bit darker.

- You no longer just lay there or stay where I put out you.  You can sit, roll over from front to back and back to front, get up on all fours to rock, and have pulled yourself up to standing twice!

- Even though you are still very laid back, you have found your voice and know how to cry when you need to.  You smile and talk, giggle and scream, too.

- You've learned a few tricks!  You shake your head "yes" and "no" on occasion.  You jump like crazy when we put you in your Johnny Jumper.  You hold toys and love to drive cars like your brothers taught you or give dolls kisses like your sister taught you.

- You weigh 24 pounds 15 ounces and you are 28 inches long.

-  Regardless of all the weight you've gained, you can grab your toes and bring them to your mouth.
- You are more aware of your surroundings.  You have recently started crying when I leave the room.  You hold your arms out to me when you want to be picked up and held.
-  You give hugs and kisses.  Your two favorite people to hug and kiss are your sister and your best friend Nolan!

- You no longer need to wake in the night to eat every two to three hours.  You usually sleep about 12 hours a night and wake only once to be fed.  You moved into your crib from the bassinet around two months old and you love your bed.  You put yourself to sleep by moaning and groaning and when you wake up in the mornings, you talk and play until I come get you.

-  You were in Newborn size diapers when you were born and you are now about to go into a size 5.  You started in 0-3 month clothes and now you are in 18-24 month size clothes.

-  I'm slowly introducing foods and you've enjoyed rice cereal made with breastmilk and homemade apple sauce.  You also love to snack on Mum Mum rice cakes and drink water out of a sippy cup like it's going out of style.  I have also given you apple slices and frozen peach slices in a mesh feeder.  You are able to hold your own water cup and even know how to tip it up to get a drink!  You hold your mesh feeder and crackers, too.

-  You no longer poop every diaper change!  You go about once a day.  I'm trying to use the cloth diapers on you, but I have no clothes that will fit over them!  So it makes it harder to use.

-  I don't leave you very often, but last night you had your very first non-family babysitter.  Ideally you were supposed to stay asleep while I was out bowling with Daddy, but you woke up to play!  You did fine with a stranger.  You are a friendly guy and love to smile and talk and play with anyone.

-  We retired the swing and a bouncy chair.  You still sit in your exersaucer, usually when we're eating breakfast and dinner, and love to play with all of your toys.

-  You still love the water! I now give you baths in the kitchen sink.  You love bath time and get really excited when you see me turn the water on.

I'm sure there are many other milestones that I'm missing, but my time on the computer is short these days!  We love you, Torsten, and I absolutely can not imagine my life without you.

Disney Vacation Day Four : Hollywood Studios

Our last day at Disney World, we spent at Hollywood Studios, where my cousin Myra works.

 We were able to see a ton of Disney characters from Disney movies and characters from Disney Channel shows.  It was great!

 

We were able to see the restaurant where my cousin Myra works and watch a super fun parade while we ate Mickey bars!

 

 After the parade, Myra took the three little girls to play in the "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" playgound while us bigger girls rested our feet.  Luckily where we were relaxing was a covered restaurant because it started raining while we were there!  It only rained for about ten minutes, but it was pouring!  Maida could not stay out of it.  She just HAD to get wet.  At first I was trying to discourage her, but watching all the joy she got out of playing in the rain, I couldn't help but let her.

 After it stopped raining, we went to a really awesome "Beauty and the Beast" show.  I could not believe all the talent!  It was amazing!

 Then we attended "Fantasmic," an awesome AWESOME fireworks and light show.  They actually sprayed thin streams of water in a half circle shape over a small stream that surrounded a rock mountain stage and played video clips on the spraying water.  It is so hard to explain and I really just can't even believe what we saw, but it was so magical!  I love how all the Disney fireworks are all right on time to the music.  Unbelievable!

After some quick souvenir shopping and dinner, we tucked in bed for a long day of traveling home the next day.  It was sad to leave Disney.  We did a lot in two days, especially with such little kids (and Torsten in tow!) and next time we go, we definitely will have to plan more time there.  Maida and I can't wait to bring the boys back and show them all of our favorite things!  It was such a blessing that we were able to go with my cousins and their girls and I'm thankful for the memories we made.  Who knows, maybe we'll make Disney a family tradition from now on!  

Disney Vacation Day Three : Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom was really that!  A very VERY magical kingdom!

 We got there in time to watch the opening show, which was great!  It was the only time Maida got to see her favorite princess, Tiana, and the first time we saw Mickey and Minnie Mouse!

 We enjoyed many of the rides (tea cups, Dumbo, racing cars, magic carpets, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, It's a Small World, Toy Story, Space Mountain... and maybe others that I'm missing).  We also really enjoyed meeting a lot of the Disney princesses!  Each of the princesses spent a ton of time with each girl and really made them feel special.  I was so impressed with the girls who played the parts of the princesses and how real they were!

 Maida had an autograph book that she had each princess sign, but Torsten got kisses on his face from the princesses!  It was very cute and super special of them to take time to say hi to him, too.  When he'd get a kiss, he's smile, and wave his arms up and down!  That night we went to a cool show at the castle.  They showed clips of Disney movies on the side of the castle and then had a fireworks show.

 After the fireworks, we had dinner with Piglet, Pooh, Eeyore, and Tigger!

 We were at the park until 11pm and all three girls were asleep by the time we got back to the hotel!

It was such a full, magical, amazing day!