One

I've known this day was coming for a year now.  But it doesn't really make it any easier.  My last baby turned one today.  I have such mixed emotions, it's kind of hard to explain.

Phoebe was a surprise baby.  I wasn't thrilled when I found out I was pregnant with her, but now that we've had her for a year I can't imagine what life would be like without her.  I always say that she was planned by Someone higher than me, who knows what He is doing.

The last year has gone by so incredibly quickly, and I feel like I've missed it somehow.  I think the more kids you have, the faster time goes for each one.  With the first baby you can just cuddle, nap with them, take them everywhere with you.  Two changes everything; you're chasing the first one and trying to get enough sleep to function, and trying to decide if it's worth it to go to the store with a toddler and a newborn even if you are out of milk. By three, you're now accustomed to a couple years of inadequate sleep, and you are brave enough to leave the house with all three, because if you don't you'll likely lose your mind.  And then came four. 

Four changed everything, again.  No sleep, afraid to leave the house because I didn't have enough hands for all of them, but going crazy stuck in a little house with four active little people all day, every day.  Of course, that was also the year I attempted homeschooling.  Huge fail.  I have nothing but pure admiration for anyone who can homeschool a first grader with three other kids running around the house.  I feel certain I would not have survived those first few months had it not been for Beth, the best friend anyone could ever hope for.  She'd call me on the phone and know right away without me even saying anything that I was having a day I just couldn't handle.  The next thing you know she'd show up on my doorstep with some kind of homemade, baked deliciousness and take my older kids for the day so I could rest and take care of Phoebe.

I knew Phoebe would be our last baby, and I really struggled with that.  I knew that I didn't want to have any more kids, I knew that it wouldn't even be practical to have any more, but still I struggled with the transition of having babies to raising babies/kids.  It was hard to cross the line to a new season of life.  There are still times I get a little emotional about it, knowing that there won't be any more tiny baby clothes or newborn snuggles.

And so today Phoebe turns one.  She's full of personality, attitude, smiles, and love.  She's the perfect combination of her three older siblings.  I see each one in her at different times, though she does look an awful lot like her brother.

I'm attaching a video I made of Phoebe's first year.  It's a little long, but I wanted to be able to share with family who's far away and can't watch her grow.

Another year older and some new goals

Yesterday I turned 33.  Kind of strange to say it, because while I don't feel "old" (most days), certain things around me make me feel old.  Like how I showed up at school to pick the kids up a couple days ago, and Amelia's teacher was wearing a shirt that I have, only in a different color.  My first thought was..."Oh no! I dress like an old lady!" (She really isn't old, just older than me, has kids in high school....and I feel like I should still be dressing like I'm younger!)  Or how my brother just turned 19.  THAT seems completely unreal to me.  Wasn't he just a little kid the other day?  And one of the flower girls from my wedding, who I babysat when she was born, is now babysitting my kids.  Bizarre. 

Anyway, I've decided that instead of making the traditional "New Year's Resolution", this year I'm making some Birthday Resolutions.  So year 33 for me will be:

1. I want to get healthy! This will require going to the gym to exercise on a regular basis, eating healthy, and getting out on my bike as much as possible.

2.  Along with getting healthy, I want to get "skinny"!  Now I'm not talking about being a size 2 and wearing a bikini. Those days have definitely passed for me. :-)  I just want to feel good in my clothes and to be able to shop in whatever section of a store I choose, and in whatever store I choose.  I'm tired of having to go to the plus size section.  Since I joined the KC Slimdown Challenge in July, I've lost about 17 pounds.  Still going strong, and my goal for this year is to lose all the weight I've gained over the last 7 years of having babies.  I have a long way to go, but I'm choosing to focus not only on how far I have left, but how far I've come.  17 pounds is kind of a big deal.  I went to the grocery store the other day and picked up three 5 pound bags of flour.  It was heavy.  I've lost more than that, and that makes me happy.

3.  I want to do a full triathlon all by myself!  If you read my previous post, you'll know that I just did a team triathlon on 9/11.  We had a swimmer, biker, and runner.  I was the biker.  I came in dead last.  But I finished, and so I feel like I can be proud of that considering I haven't ridden a bike in about 20 years!  For the 2nd Annual Jeremy Katzenberger Memorial Triathlon, my goal is to complete the entire triathlon on my own.  A 400 yard swim, 11 mile bike ride, and 3.1 mile run.  Training starts now.

4.  I want my house to be organized!  I say this all the time and then I go and  buy millions of organization "things" and then I just end up with more "things" in my house that don't get used.  My goal is to get rid of every single thing that does not have a specific purpose, so that the clutter is GONE.  I have a hard time letting go of things that I MIGHT use some day, or things that were given to me by someone but I no longer use.  Gotta get over that!

5. I want my business to grow!  I've been working hard on growing my business, Boomershenanigans.  This year I'd like to be able to say that not only was I working just as a hobby, but that I was able to contribute to my family's income and help lift a little of my husband's burden of providing for a family of 6. 

Those are my goals for year 33. Update to come in one year. ;-)

9/11 and a Triathlon

Yes, I remember exactly where I was on this day 10 years ago....I was at the office where I worked as a legal secretary, listening to the radio at my desk.  I was working, and happy as could be planning my wedding which was just 11 days away.  Making plans for my birthday which was the next day.  Not really a care in the world.

I heard the radio say that a plane had hit one of the World Trade Center towers.  I ran in to tell one of the other ladies, who thought it must be some kind of joke.  We turned on the TV in the conference room just in time to see the second plane hit.  We continued watching, not really able to get any work done.

Today, 10 years later, I participated in my first triathlon.  The First Annual Jeremy Katzenberger Memorial Triathlon...held at Weatherby Lake in honor of Jeremy, who was killed in action in Afghanistan on June 14 of this year, fighting for our freedom.  Like so many others, Jeremy made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of this country.  It was quite an honor to participate.

Afterward, there was a picnic at the park with a memorial service honoring the victims of 9/11/01, and a tree dedication honoring Jeremy.  I'm glad I was able to be there.  May we never forget.

(I apologize for the weird spacing and picture issues on here...I can't figure out what is wrong with them and why they won't move!)

So, what else is new?

What's been happening with our family since the last time I actually blogged....a lot!  Phoebe joined us last September 29, the last of our shenanigans.  She has brought even more joy, and noise to our home.  She's as sweet as can be.  Her first birthday is rapidly approaching, and I just can't believe she's already going to be one.  It seems like just yesterday....

Amelia started Kindergarten this year, and Camden is in second grade.  We did the homeschooling thing last year, but it proved to be a little bit of a challenge for me.  Amelia LOVES being in Kindergarten!  She is excited every morning, and is sad when the weekend is here and she can't go to school.  Camden is doing well in second grade, and likes it so far!

The kids and I (and a teenager brought along to help with kids!) took a vacation to California for three weeks.  I'll post some pictures below.  It was great weather, and we loved spending time with our family out there.  Monica (the teenager) and I took Camden and Amelia to Disneyland.  Of course we had some beach days...with four kids that was a challenge!  Phoebe ate LOTS of sand. 

Some more new things...

I've been working hard to create some new items for Boomershenanigans. Did you know that our motto is "Hand-made, on-the-go style for mommies and their little mischief makers"?

My goal is to be able to grow my business enough that I can help bring in some income to ease the burden on our family. Being a family of 6 with one income is tough! I hope that through Boomershenanigans, I can help make mommies and babies happy, and in the process bring a little income to our household.

Here are the latest creations to be added to the list!

This is Phoebe, the littlest of my shenanigans, sporting her new pacifier clip. Clips are $5, and can be made in any color or pattern you like. New ribbon is on order right now, and I'll have some new choices up very soon!



This is the crinkly stuffed owl. It has open ribbons of different sizes, lengths, and colors that baby can pull on. Phoebe loves the crinkly noise it makes when she squeezes it. Below are some (in my opinion) darling pictures of Phoebe with her new crinkly owl. Comes in all different colors/patterns, and also available in initials! $8 for an owl or an initial.


 
 

Chew it!

Hug it!

Cuddle it!








Another new item is the stuffed owl (can you tell I love owls?!)...these come in two sizes, small $13 (12"x9.5") or large $15 (13.5"x9.5").  No two are the same (unless of course you order them to be the same), you can specify whether you'd like a boy owl or a girl owl, and I'll come up with something just for you!

This is Ava, she was the very first owl made by Boomershenanigans, and she was also our very first giveaway!  For every 100 "likes" the Boomershenanigans Facebook page gets, we'll do a giveaway.  my little shenanigans were sad when I mailed Ava off, they all wanted to keep her!  They are asking me to make them their own.  I see a Christmas present possibility here....


Of course, there are still the Ta-ta Tarps (nursing covers for discreet moms), onesies that come in anything you can dream up (initials, cupcakes, dinosaurs, anything!!), tote bags with the same endless possibilities as onesies (some new Halloween totes will be underway soon, perfect for trick-or-treating!), and I'm always working on new ideas.  You can contact me at boomershenanigans@gmail.com, or on my Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/boomershenanigans!

Boomershenanigans-the business side

My company is called Boomershenanigans, and my "motto" is "Hand-made, on the go style for mommies and their little mischief makers." So here is a pic of the reusable snack bags I've been making. They seem to be quite popular lately, and I've sold quite a few. One lady even ordered 16 of them and used them as party favors for her daughter's birthday! They come in three sizes.

You can order them by emailing me at boomershenanigans@gmail.com, or visit my facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/boomershenanigans.

Amelia is 4!

It is so hard to believe that she's 4 already. For some reason, going from 3 to 4 feels to me like going from baby to big kid.

We had her family birthday party last Saturday, and then her "friend" party today. Abby spent the night with her last night, and then this morning Amelia, Abby, Anna, and Brennah all went to Build a Bear, where they picked out animals and outfits. Then we came home for lunch, cupcakes, ice cream, and presents. The girls had tons of fun.

Attached is a slideshow of the last year, Amelia from age 3 to age 4. She's gotten so big!

Happy 4th birthday, Princess Amelia!