Relay Race

The most difficult days as a parent of multiple children are the days where the kids seem like they are running a relay race all day long. They take turns needing you desperately without a break and by the end of the day to say that you are spent is an understatement. Today wasn't the most challenging day we have ever had and it wasn't the last, but I am spent. There were some great moments which are the moments I am holding on to as I reflect in our day together.

"His brain sounds good, Mommy!"

Can't go wrong with this.

Cloud dough!
This is the second batch we made.  Ayden decided to shove the first batch off the counter while we were making it for some reason... Flour and oil is hard to clean up before it's been mixed.
So this one is actually an up and a down from the day.

But there were challenging moments too.  I spent some time reading Raising Your Spirited Child at the end of the day and I am looking forward to facing tomorrow with renewed patience and a positive perspective. I am also looking forward to getting out of the house for a change of scenery!!

What do you do to recollect after a day of relay racing children?  

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Early To Bed"

Two years ago today: "Hello Little Cousin"

And three years ago today: "Lessons In Efficiency"

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Record Snow!

The snow started around 2 am (I know because I was up with Logan. Fun.) and by mid morning it looked like this. 

The company David works for had not called anything off so he drove my car and braved the elements. While he was gone Ayden and I had some indoor fun with the snow:

Painting a snowball.
(then breaking it to pieces)

Snow cream.

David texted at around 11:30 or so to let us know what they decided to send everyone home!  He was home by lunch time and after nap he took Ayden out to play!

Overall we got somewhere between 10-12 inches which is more all at once than we have seen all at once here in years!

Also, Logan discovered how to do this today: 

Sitting up in the bouncy seat.

He is closing a little chapter in his life. It is time to put a lot all of the baby gear away. He is working on cutting his first teeth, he no longer stays where we lay him down and he LOVES to be in on all of the action that we have going on around here. In just a few short weeks he'll start eating solids and before we know it he'll be crawling, pulling up, cruising then walking. It's been a joy to watch him grow and develop into a participant in life. 

What was the weather like wherever you are today?

Flashback! here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Working For Us"

Two years ago today: "Family Circus"

And three years ago today: "All Smiles"

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Under The Weather

We are expecting an epic snowstorm this evening (for KY anyway...)!  They are calling for 12-16 inches.

Both boys are a little under the weather with runny noses and coughs so we stayed home today. 

We plan to do the exact same thing tomorrow, minus Daddy of course since he will have to brave the elements and go to work. 

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Do Better"

Two years ago today: "Cousin Play Day"

And three years ago today: "What To Wear"

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Lucky Lady

What a lucky lady I am to have so many Valentines this Valentine's Day!

Logan's 1st Valentine's Day!

Ayden wanted kisses on his belly too :)

Traditional chocolate for breakfast.

A few goodies.

Making cards for the grandparents.

Taking care of Mommy's boo boo.
(I cut myself shaving and he decided I needed a bandaid.)

We all went out to eat as a family and then after the boys went to bed I spent the rest of the evening with my number 1 and most special Valentine.

I hope you Valentine's day was full of love and chocolate too!

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "My Valentines"

Two years ago today: "V-Day Fun"

And three years ago today: "Happy Valentine's Day!"

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New Life Is Amazing

No matter the species, new life is amazing.  Here is a video of one of our little chicks wiggling around in its egg.  When I watch it I am just as amazed as seeing a baby on an ultrasound.  What a privilege to get to see through the shell and witness what is going on inside and to be able to share it with Ayden.  That candler was worth every penny...

We have enjoyed incubating our own eggs more than we even thought we would.  Every time we hold an egg over the candler we are in awe of the new life that is developing inside and how it is all self-contained.  We are also in awe of nature itself.  In order for successful hatching, we have to keep the incubator at a steady 100* fahrenheit (though short periods of fluctuation are okay) and we have to turn them 180* three to four times a day.  We also have to make sure there is water in the bottom of the incubator to insure that there is enough humidity to keep the chicks from sticking to the shells.  All that seems easy enough to achieve in our controlled setting with thermometers, electricity and such.  But if we look at how hens can not only do it but do it BETTER themselves, it is truly fascinating!  

From what I have learned through my reading, hens know when to get up for a little while if the eggs get too hot and they will sit for hours to maintain a proper incubation temperature.  They don't purposefully turn the eggs but as they adjust themselves for comfort and get up and down for food and bathroom breaks, the eggs get rolled around in the nest.  Maternal instinct is powerful and something that runs so deep in almost every species. I feel privileged to be part of such a prestigious club.  

I know I mentioned that we had 4 eggs out of the 31 we have in our incubator that were not developing.  Here is a side by side of a developing egg vs a non-developing egg over the candler:

We will discard the 4 non-developers after day 10.
(though we could probably go ahead and just do it now...)

Someday we'd like to let nature do its thing and get a few broody hens who will hatch eggs for us but for now, we are enjoying observing the miracle of life.  I wonder what our landlords would think if knew how many babies were born in this house during our stay here.  Ha!

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Dinner Party"

Two years ago today: "Focus On The Positive"

And three years ago today: "Growin' Boy"

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Brave Brothers

Since Logan was still getting over the flu during the boys' well visits a couple of weeks ago, the doc wanted us to come back after a couple of weeks for their vaccines. Ayden needed his last Helatitis B shot (last shot until he's 4!) and Logan got his DTAP. 

As always, we talked about what was to come with Ayden. We have watched the Daniel Tiger episode a of getting a shot countless times as well as giving pretend checkups with Ayden's doctor kit. Last time he got a shot he was very anxious and was crying in the waiting room before they even called us back. This time he was hesitant but BRAVE!  He watched them give the shot and cried for a minute or so but then he was over it and moved on.  Logan didn't cry at all which surprised me. I have heard that MMR stings the most going in which may explain why he cried his little head off last time. After that experience I was ready for it to happen again and all he did was widen his eyes. These boys amaze me everyday and we are in a really nice smooth patch with Ayden at the moment. 

Maverick went to the doctor today too. He has an ear infection that came on fast. His ear is red, inflamed, and it hurts him when we rub or scratch behind it. They trimmed his ear hairs, cleaned it out, gave him antibiotic and steroid shots then sent us home with some ointment to administer everyday. 

Poor old man.

On our way home we stopped by the post office and the boys got some Valentines in the mail!

These boys sure are loved!

Speaking of loving my boys, we are really loving having a rooster around!  We heard him crow for the first time this morning which we have been looking forward to.

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Easy Homemade Valentines"

Two years ago today: "Fresh Air!"

And three years ago today: "Family Nap!"

A Peek Inside

We had a lot of fun today!

Chicken herding

Wiggling across the room

A handsome haircut

Cute thumb sucking

Snuggling and playing with my little while my big was napping.

A peek inside.  CANDLING!  The coolest thing.
That dark red blob is the 6 week old baby chick growing in there.
The super dark tiny dot is its eyes.
If only we could shine a flashlight on our bellies to see our babies in the womb!
We have 31 eggs and all but 4 are developing right on track.

{via}

~Sarah

Flashback! Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Sweet, Amusing and Mouthwatering"

Two years ago today: "Sweet Little Honey Bee"

And three years ago today: "Date Night"

Thank you for stopping by Life With the Ladniers!

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