Carter almost 6 months

Laughing, smiling.  Still having trouble through the night.  The last month has brought the first cold.  Carter is just a super happy baby. 

End of November and Thanksgiving

Another family crisis...well maybe two

Kristy and Jeff...


Kaitlyn....

Halloween and beginning of November

'Nina is here...quick trip to Vegas...houses

Christina came in to be with us on 10/13.  We're so happy to see her!  The boys were so excited and I took Carter with me to go to the airport.  Makes me smile to know she's here for a couple of weeks.  Brandi came on Thursday and Friday to show 'Nina the ropes.  'Nina is taking over caring for the little guys and spending time with us. 

The next day after 'Nina came in I jetted to Vegas on a buddy pass.  I took the day off and met with Maria and saw Sweet Jewel.  Much better than I expected.  :)  Took pictures of the lawns as we know we'll have to fight it later.  Unfortunately our renters at Fair Play couldn't pay this month.  So they will be using their deposit to pay rent.  This stuff is really miserable, but at least we have an offer (cash) on Fair Play.  We're just waiting for the bank to approve it.  Unfortunately our credit is fairly wrecked.  All due to the houses.

Went to lunch with Deann, so nice to see her and talk with her.  What a good, good friend she is.  Enjoyed Pink Taco at the Hard Rock.  After seeing the houses I picked up Gillian and then we waiting for Kaitlyn.  Picked up Kaitlyn and then her friend Tia.  What a nice girl!  JF is moving and going bankrupt so the girls showed me where their new home will be.  It is amazing to me how he can weasel...weasel...weasel and weasel again to get his way.  Anyway, took the girls to Sweet Tomatoes for dinner then we did a little browsing at Burlington and Borders.  Dropped off the girls, took the car rental back and headed to the airport.  Whew!  Such a long day and quick trip but worth every minute.

Carter's first food and 4 month check up.

On October 2nd Carter eats his first food...prunes!  Super cute!  He slopped it right up.  His face was a total mess!  So fun to watch though.  A little bittersweet since these are the last of the "firsts". 

On October 6 Carter had his 4 month checkup.  16lbs. 8 oz.  He's a healthy little chublet!  Dr. Tami had a student with her.  Super nice guy!  Carter made it through very well.  He was patient and Tami explained everything she does.  It was interesting to hear about it. 

House drama

Default notice 9/18.  Renters play on it.  Working with mortgage companies.  Massive amount of paperwork, must disclose all kinds of stuff.  A package of requested documents a mile long.

Constant changing of requirements.  No home modification for us.  We've lost SO much money.  100k on the house we live in.  Sweet Jewel....trashed.

Potty training and memorable boy stuff

Oh man this takes effort!  Poopy pants is absolutely no fun!  Brandi really deserves all the credit. 

Boys Birthday

September just got away from me and I haven't had a chance to jot down some fun stuff from the boys birthday.  

First day of high school for Kaitlyn and middle school for Gillian

Reminiscent of the FIRST first day of school for both of them.  Kaitlyn says it's her "worst day ever".  I think it's a bit of 14yr. old drama.  I'm worried about her in the school after hearing what she has to say.  It's called "the pharmacy".  Oh. My. God.  Scary indeed.

Gillian loves middle school.  Especially no uniforms and many lunch choices.  Oh it's the little things.  She's really excited to do orchestra.  She wants to play the viola.  She is so full of chatter about her teachers and classes.  It's cool to hear.  She tells me that she is in a math class with 39 kids.  Yes, I said 39 kids.  In a portable! 

I'm quite melancholy about today.  I'd love to rewind time and be more available...in the past.  I'm truly aware and present (I think) now.  It's just a little bit unnerving to know that the girls and I both were the ones that lost out of the drives to school, various awards and mother/daughter muffin days.  Yes I managed to get to some of them but not nearly as many as the rat. 

Ben "poops the pottie", Tahoe and Girls leaving

Ben poops in the potty.  Literally a log.  Probably TMI, but totally true.  He didn't like it at all either.  He cried, but it was probably the better considering he crosses his legs and twists himself and then cries while he holds it in.  Poor little guy just hasn't put it together that it is so much easier when sitting on the potty.  Hopefully it's the beginning of not buying diapers for 4 kids.

Went to Tahoe on Thursday (8/12).  It was a glorious day!  We couldn't have asked for a better day!  So lucky for us for sure.  I'm so glad to be a part of RTT to connect with my peeps, but it also helps to have a bit of a hookup for the Tahoe MS Dixie cruise.  It was fabulous!  We boated out to Emerald Bay.  So, so beautiful.  We enjoyed being in a great space that allowed

Girl leave on 8/13.  Wow.  So hard for me.  It never gets easier.  The girls both want to live here.  Then when they say it, they get guilt ridden text messages back.  Like "I must be a terrible father...I guess I should take back those Lakers tickets".  Wow...really?  You really think it's appropriate for a father to blame his children for not wanting to live with him?  Kaitlyn has been real clear for months.  Gillian took it upon herself to mail JF a letter explaining her position.  He just rejected it and said that it was because she was here in Reno that she felt that way.  He also tells her that the judge decided and that's the way it is.  Funny how it's changed from him supporting what they want (when they wanted to live in Vegas) to "that's the way it is" when they want to be in Reno.  What a gem.  Blaming the kids.  Rock on JF!  What a rat bastard.  I'm certain he thinks I put the ideas in their heads.  Little does he know that buying them everything doesn't buy love and family.  HELLLLOOOO! But no, he cannot think that way.

Gary potties all by himself despite a day of chaos. Ryan has first finger cut.

This is so worthy of a post.  Gary totally took off his own diaper tonight and then after trying to get off the potty for like 10 minutes while evening chaos was happening, he said "Gary peed".  All was quiet for a second and then I ran over to look.  OH MY GOSH!  He did it all by himself.  Praise for the star of the evening all around!  Gary was awesome!  Hopefully this is the start of the potty training going in a positive direction.  Instead of four M&Ms for sitting for 5 minutes, Gary got to go in and grab a HUGE handful.  He deserved every one! 

This is so special today because Gary did it all by himself.  Special for me because it was a sunny spot in a rather dark day.  Changes at work...potentially.  Ryan gets a cut finger when Gary finds scissors.  It's Ryan's first boo boo and boy he was very dramatic.  Brandi had to leave for a potentially bad family situation, girls were all over the map.  All during the workday mind you.  Now it's after 5p (and I have NO wine on hand). Ben had a meltdown for like 2 hours and Gary had his one hour tantrum right in the middle.  Screaming...jumping up and down...kicking and more screaming.  Carter was hungry.  Went to throw salmon on the grill for dinner...no propane.  Gotta run to the store.  Chip asked if I was going to take Carter.  No I said.  Lots of mommy guilt for me.  Come back after a quick trip to Raleys.  Boys still freaked out.  Carter is hungry and really wants some attention (after all he IS the baby).  Feed the boys, who don't enjoy my salmon that I needed to go to the grocery store to cook.  Ben's eyes are swollen.  Little boys are in the 'zone for jammies.  Gary then hits the potty...nice way to end.  :)  Finally at 8:15 boys go to bed.  After whining that it's dark, needing to be wrapped up and 10 kisses later.  Oh yeah, Ben got benadryl because his eye still looked swollen.  While tuck in happens Carter is still crying for attention. 

Chip and I head downstairs and try to think about having dinner ourselves with the girls.  Girls are outside hangin' in the cul-de-sac.  Makes me happy, but I can't believe it's after 8p.  Ex would have a heyday with that.  Lost medication is also a topic.  However will I explain that?  Oh yeah, both of them lost their cell phones too.  More to think about before they go to Vegas on Friday. 

We managed to "sorta" eat together.  Girls start first, try to make the salmon work.  Chip and I sit down and Carter needs one of us.  He just wants some attention!  The little guy is SO good.  Carter has gas and we are always checking his poops...are they soft?  Hard?   

All of it just feels so mismanaged.  I want this to be different.  I want us to sit and eat and have some family time together.  Chip and I are exhausted.  Tomorrow is another day.  However, during that day I really do have to do some work that they pay me for.  I've never felt so squeezed in my life.  Add the X stress and wow...how do we manage. 

Awesome weekend - Farmers Market, HAN, and Carson

We had a great and very full day.  Made homemade blueberry pancakes and bacon for breakfast.  I made an extra batch for the week.  All of the kids love my fresh made with organic blueberries pancakes.  Then we packed everyone up in two cars and went off to farmer's market at west street.  Since we were already downtown we headed toward the Silver Legacy to enjoy (my first time) Hot August Nights cruise down Virginia.  The boys really liked it, except Ryan held his hand over his ears the whole time.  The cars were so cool.  It reminded me a little of the excitement my mom and dad felt this time of year.  Bittersweet.  Sweet that I now understand why they enjoyed it so much.  Sweet that the kids could see it.  Very sad that he isn't here to see it with them.  It was odd that I thought about this as our next adventure would be centered around my dad too. 

We made it back to the parking lot by the farmers market.  Chip and I were just thinking about what else we could squeeze in since we were already out and about.  We decided to spontaniously head to Carson City.  As we were driving into Carson, I pointed out to Kaitlyn that Grandpa had passed away at Carson Tahoe Medical Center.  This building is always a negative sight for me.  She didn't say much and we moved on.  I would later be surprised when she posted a comment on her FB page.

Grabbed Port of Subs and Mickey Ds and went to the capitol.  The grounds are so green and beautiful.  Boys had a blast jumping around.  Carter and I loved it because it was very shaded.  Very quiet on a weekend.  It was a great place to let them "runaround". 

Gillian and I had a great chat about where she wanted to live, being torn about seeing us.  Loving being around her brothers and how meaningful it would be to live here and go to school in Reno.  She loves all that there is to do here but hates that she has to choose.  There was commentary from her that she knows her dad always has to win.  That just made my heart sad.  Sad for her and if I didn't hate him so much, sad for him. Kaitlyn came up and asked if she was ok and gave her a hug.  Despite their teenager fights these girls love each other and are good to the core.  I'd like to think I've shown them to love and the value of family.

Made it home and finished up four loads of laundry.  The days are full and exhausting but it's worth every minute.  By the end of the day I wonder how I can sleep enough and do it again.  It's really hard but our family is special.   

Looking to make more money...have to pay the rat

Talking about this situation is just not fun but the blog is my "outlet". 

Carter 7 weeks old

Smiles between 6 and 7 weeks.  It's SO cute.

Silver Legacy event at Squaw...7/14

Back to work for the first full week 7/19 

Girls stay overnight at Audrey's. 7/23.  They have a blast and Audrey says it's nice too.  That's awesome...

7/23 - Still trying to get in touch with child support office.  Get letter from CS regarding IRS and garnishing my wages, IRS taking refunds and reporting to the credit bureaus.  Can't get in touch with case worker.  John sends emails with "recommendations" and is TOTALLY wrong.

7/23 - First trip to Pump It Up.  Gary loves it.  Ryan is good until he gets run over and Ben is just plain scared.  Good time for everyone but exhausting.  Then we go to Del Taco and we are quite the spectacle.  Lots of people look and a few comment.  It's funny and stressful at the same time.

Kari comes to visit 7/25.  Boys play with Play-Doh for the first time.  Family first...car wash out front. 

Girls are here for the summer!

Wooohooo!  Finally!  Summer has come and the girls are here for 5 weeks.  Of course it isn't without it's own drama, but it's so good to see them!  They both wanted to meet their new brother.  Holy crap, I can't believe Carter is 5 weeks old and they are just meeting him.  Thank you Rat.  Anyway, they were enamored with him.  He sorta smiled back at them too.  A gassy smile if nothing else.  It's all good.

The rat strikes again...and again...and again.

Letters from child support office.  Wage garnishment happens.  Over $600 per paycheck.  No one can agree on the arrears amount.

Another jackass email from the rat.  Rat sends spreadsheet of owed amount.  It's of course WRONG. 

Get a letter from child support office that they will report that I owe 10K to the credit reporting agencies.  Another letter arrives from the same office indicating that since I owe $9000.00 plus they will be taking any tax refund.  I figure I owe $3000.00 or less.  The caseworker says I owe about $6000.  Now...that said, who the hell at their office can agree on the amount.  Rat won't agree to the amount because he's a control freak.

Gary's ER Experience - 6/23/10

Renown Children's Hospital.

One of our triplets, Gary started the day with swollen "boy parts" with redness. We thought was diaper rash. So we treated that. He cried every time he peed through the day. So I thought is was worth calling his pediatrician and she instructed us to go right to the ER in case it was a hernia.

The brothers freaked out when we left with just Gary. They've never really been apart. Brandi said they cried for about 20 minutes and didn't want to do anything without Gare Bear.

So off we went to Renown Childrens ER. It was nice because it has its own waiting area and is designed for kids. The main ER seemed to be crowded with pretty colorful looking people. It was also great that we didn't have to wait with the full room of ER folks since the Children's ER is pretty separated from the main ER.

Gary thought the hospital was neat and took the nurses hand right away. His nurse was Jana. At almost 3 he only weighs 30lbs. We were surprised by that. He was curious as to what everything was. He was VERY unhappy that anyone was messing with him. He cried. I felt terrible that I couldn't make it better.

Doctor Laine came in and was a little...no a lot...scary looking. Of course Gary wasn't happy that he was being messed with again. The doctor was more accommodating than the nurse, but the nurse had a nicer personality. The doctor wasn't mean or anything, but just a little odd. Anyway, it turned out that there was no hernia and at the worst he has a yeast infection. Thank goodness! We're happy to waste trip to learn that it's just a yeasty rash. So after a prescription for some cream, off we went home. When we arrived back at home, we heard from Brandi that the boys were pretty distraught to be separated from their brother.  Gary thought was really neat.  He had no shyness at the hospital.  He showed his brothers his "bracelet".  Apparently Ryan and Ben cried for 20 minutes after we left.  They also didn't want to do anything until Gary came home.  It was very sweet but way too much for the other 2 boys to handle.  The triplets have never really been separated.  I'm always amazed at what I learn from them about each of the boys.  It's really amazing...in a very good way. 

First 2 weeks with Carter...coming home, depression and lots of new adjustments

We pretty much did all that we needed to do at the hospital. Our nurse and her student again were fabulous! Letty the CNA was also great. They sent us home with a good supply of formula and a package of diapers. That was really helpful since Carter was 4 days early and I hadn't gotten far enough to buy formula. We received some diapers from the baby shower, so that is really nice to have on hand.

After we arrived at home, the boys were really intrigued by their new brother. They really couldn't put together the "baby in the belly" was now "baby in the boppie".

Mom was here and since Carter was born on a Thursday she stayed through the weekend.  It was good to have her here.  When she left my emotions were very open and high.  It was hard because it is just as difficult for Chip as for me.  We had some words last night that didn't help the situation.  I need him to be my rock.  He is my rock but I was needing it at that moment.  

The first days for me have been quite overwhelming. I felt postpartum depression set in almost immediately.  I have been just uncontrollably sad/emotional.  There has been depression in my life for many years that I have proactively treated with therapy and medications.  It has been the best thing for me and for those I care about.  Anyway, I just felt like maybe I couldn't do it.  Could not handle 4 kids under the age of 3 very well and then how could be of quality and truly present to the girls when they get here.  Especially since the little boys are hitting the ego based terrible twos.  I'm sure it could be worse, but multiply by 3 and wow.  Makes me doubt myself. ALOT!

Brandi also is here which is fantastic!  We need her so much.  Hopefully she stays happy.  There are so many times that I wish we could pay her more.  She's a fabulous nanny to our family.  I'm grateful every day that we have her.  I know I couldn't have made it through these first weeks very well without her.

I saw my primary care doc recently about the depression and not sleeping too.  We evaluated the meds and she notice maybe my thyroid was low.  She tweaked the depression meds and the thyroid.  I was weepy and crying through the whole appointment.  It's frustrating to not be able to control the emotional stuff.  The impact on me and my ability to be the best I can for my family is crushing sometimes.

I know it will get better, but man, it's a little rough right now.  Add in the house limbo we're in with the Las Vegas homes and the child support situation...arrgghhh.  I don't know how much I can take and actually deal with.

These first few weeks with Carter have been great.  He's mellow when the little guys are screaming.  He sleeps a lot and gets up about every 3 hours.  He's got a tiny little cry.  It's very sweet and makes my heart melt.  It isn't easy to be up every 3 hours and function.  It's all very worth it.  That I know for sure.  The boys have been a little out of sorts.  We're seeing more tantrums, but I'm not sure if that's just because they are 2 or adjusting to a new family member or both.

One thing is for sure...it's an adventure.

7th Anniversary...

Yesterday was our 7th anniversary.

Tahoe, Zephyr Cove, Emerald Bay

Lunch out, thinking about the kids for awhile.