Happy mothers day to me. I don't know why I even thought I could leave the house today without everything falling apart. It started at 5:00 when Aniston woke up crying. I crept down the hall and cuddled up next to her and we both fell back asleep. At 6:00 I heard 3 little voices, The door flung open and there standing in the doorway were Belle, Weston and Scarlett. They were pleasantly surprised to see mama in Annie's bed. All four kids jump on me and fought over who was going to be touching me. I made my way very slowly down stairs. I kept thinking today was going to be different. I was going to sleep in, have coffee in bed and be treated to yummy pancakes. I made coffee while all the kids tugged on my leg. Now they were fighting over a foot. Weston sat on my right foot hugging my leg. I begged please let mama make her coffee and then I will sit down with you all and watch cartoons. Mary bless her heart had Lilli pick out food for breakfast. We had chocolate pancakes and orange scones. Mike and I cleaned up breakfast and I headed for the shower. I had made plans for to meet up with my sister for coffee and a pedicure. I backed out of the garage in my big old van. Mike standing there with a look of panic and all the kids surrounding him. There hair was a mess they were wearing miss matched cloths. I had to just let go. so what if they had there shoes on the wrong feet and side walk chalk on there face. I had there faces imprinted in my memory as I drove away.
My sister and I relaxed at Barnes and noble. We laugh, got caught up on the latest gossip and then went for the most unbelievable pedicure. Driving home I felt the need to call and see how things were going. My dad answered the phone and was acting really quite. I thought maybe I was being paranoid. He told me the kids were fine. I hung up and went to the grocery store. Lilli called screaming "come home mama please just come home." It was almost 1:00 and I decided my fun was just about over. I pulled into the driveway and headed up stairs. I looked around the house and noticed it wasn't looking half bad. All the kids were down for a nap and Mike was on the couch taking a snooze. He asked me what took you so long the kids were terrible. I smiled and felt a little satisfaction. Every now and then it feels good just to throw mike in and watch what happens. I went to check on the kids and noticed Aniston was still up. I was horrified what I saw next. There was my beautiful girl with big chunks taken out of her hair. I started to ask her what happened when Lilli perked up. Mom do you like it I gave her a haircut? The only thing I could say was why, why, why? Lilli couldn't understand why I was so angry. Lilli said " Mom I need to tell something else I cut Scarlett's hair too. I tipped toed into her room to look at the damage and there she was sleeping with her bangs half way up her forehead. I then went into Lilli's room and found scarletts curls laying on the ground.
I guess it could have been worse. This isn't how I thought I would spend the day but it is life. I am just glad to have a story to share with my kids one day.
Ps the kids were also put to bed with no diapers now I will be doing laundry for the rest of the day.
Happy mothers day to all!!
I think my mom is getting the hang of blogging. Here is another beautiful entry
enjoy,
Courtnee
Mother Love/Grandma Love
I was getting a haircut and color yesterday and while waiting for some reason I glanced through a Palm Springs magazine someone had left at the hair salon. On a funky ad I saw something written that really got me. "To the world you may be just one person but to one person you are the world."
That is why it is such an ego boost to be loved by a child. For a few years - ten if you are lucky - you hang the moon. I worked for the phone company for many years while my children were growing up. Thank God I had my mother to help because those folks had the strictest time off policy in the world and believe me if you had children at home who were sick you better keep it to yourself. I did. When my son Colby ran a wicked fever all night long I called my boss and faked a croaky voice and told her I was too sick to get out of bed. As kids do, during the day my son revived and his four year old, skinny little precious self darted all over the house and chatted me up all day. At one point the phone rang and I answered it. I noticed Colby's eyes were as big as saucers. "The phone works!" he said. I asked me why he thought it would not work? "Because you are not at the phone company today!" When I went to work my little boy saw me at the very center of Pacific Northwest Bell, making everyone's phone ring!
I'm sorry Colby...it is your turn in the memory shoot! One day when he was about five years old he suddenly put his head down and started to cry. When I asked him why he was crying he said. "I don't want to go to college! I never want to leave you!" My boy was thinking ahead. I had started talking with my kids about going to college since they began to draw breath. I was hoping that message would stay in their minds until it became an unquestionable fact. He believed it but could not stand the thought of leaving me! Never mind that he could not wait to get away from me when he got to be a teenager. I was the best thing since Barbie for awhile. Oh delicious swollen ego! I loved it!
Guess what? I get the same outrageous and unquestionable love from a troop of grandchildren. Lucky me! When Colby's daughter Marissa found out I was in town she picked me to be her caregiver one day while she was sick. We played one card game after another and watched Grease about fifty times. She beat me almost every game - I wasn't faking it - she was a card sharp! She was amazed that I knew all the words to the sound track of Grease and seemed to love my off-key singing. She was five. I'm sure she would plug her ears now!
The other day when I arrived in Bremerton Cami and Courtnee opened the door and all seven of their kids from Molly, eighteen months to Lilli aged six came flying out the door yelling Grandmaaaaaaa Cheriiiiiiii is here! Lucky me!
I get another chance at unconditional love for awhile. Sometimes I get to be the world for a few minutes. How wonderful!
Happy Mother's Day!
Sunday, May 03, 2009
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View imageScarlett aka "Snicklefritz"Courtnee had named all of the quints before they were born and had an uncanny gift of knowing who was where while she was pregnant. She would point to each lump and name them. Often she would say "Oh no... there goes Scarlett again dancing and turning summersaults!" She would point to her enormous tummy and we would laugh at her body jumping from one side to another.
When Scarlett was born she required no help breathing on her own. If you have been involved in a multiple birth you know that no breathing assistance for the newborn is practically unheard of! I remember her father and I in the nicu as we watched her in amazement while she kicked her feet and punched at the air. Her hair was jet black and her face was incredibly beautiful. She looked so different than the others - they already had the look of blonds and there was no doubt who Scarlett looked like...daddy! Mike was so in awe of her and so proud. His special bond with Scarlett continues.
Although we thought Scarlett would be among the first to come home she developed a horrible acid reflux condition that would leave her gasping for air. When she came home Scarlett had to kept at a tilt for almost 3 months. Changing her diaper was difficult because her head had to stay up. The rest of the babies slept in their cradles - Scarlett spent most nights in her swing. She became a great favorite among the volunteers - her secret "Scarlett smile" turned your heart over.
Scarlett quickly established herself as the "tough girl" of the pack! She bit the other babies so much that when they saw her toddling towards them they would drop whatever toy they had and scurry away. When Courtnee told her "No bite!" Scarlett would get a pleased little smile on her face and say "bite!"
Now at three, Scarlett is equal parts adorable, a scamp, sweet, naughty, darling and a "Snicklefritz" my nickname for her. She still keeps herself apart from the other kids often refusing to eat where or when the others do, refusing to sleep when the others do and generally keeping her own little company. I've probably done battle with Scarlett more then I have any other little person I've ever known including her own mother. I have searched the house over when it was time for naps until I am positive she has been kidnapped only to find her absolutely silent in a closet, under the table or under a bed. When I find her and scoop her up to make the climb to her bedroom she flings her body all over the place and it takes more strength then I sometimes have to get her into her crib and zip her safety tent up. If Scarlett does not have a tent zipped over her crib she will get up and jump in bed with the other kids and wake them up or decorate her face with her mother's makeup.
Back in Spokane now resting up for my next visit I was walking my dog when I spotted a beautiful and neat row of scarlet tulips. While admiring the symmetry I glanced up to see the most beautiful scarlet tulip at least 5 feet away from the row. The lone tulip looked as if it was making a quick escape across the street. You couldn't help but scratch your head and wonder how the flower had rooted so far from the others and obviously flourished. That's my Snicklefritz!
I love you my strong willed little beauty. May you always follow your own heart but please Snicklefritz...don't cross the street without us!
