Christmas Happenings

We went to Wolf Park to see Santa and help the wolves celebrate Christmas. We started going a few years back, and the boys really love it. You help fill up boxes with meat, dried fruit, cheese that will be given to the wolves and bison, Santa arrives in style to hi, then you get to decorate an enclosure with cheese-whiz, cream cheese balls, eggs, whipped cream, meat, peanut butter, and watch as they let three wolves out to eat the decorations, you get to sit on Santa's lap and get a present, and you can tour the park as they hand out the presents to the animals.

Here is Jack putting Cheese-Whiz on the Christmas Tree

Luke found a log away from all the kids and made a pie for the wolves

Here is one of the wolves eyeing the edible decorations

We thought it would be a neat idea, if we are able, to start doing some type of family outing/bonding/memory making during the Christmas season. The kids have never been to a play and Jack is making his way through all the Roald Dahl books so when I saw that in Chicago there was a production of The BFG it was a no brainer, we had to go. We wanted to make it an all day event but sickness has overtaken our house so we played it by ear. After lunch kids were crying, whining, and just done so we drove home. It was a lot of fun though.

Luke wore his Christmas crown and got complimented by the theatre workers.

Waiting for lunch, Jack is actually using the kid's menu they give you. 

Lou Malnati's- Thanks Tricia for recommending it!

Thomas and Meg broke down on the way home and could not make a recovery. It was pretty brutal. I thought for sure once we were back and they were in their beds they would be able to sleep, but no. It was not pleasant and my loving mothering side was shot to hell. I was done and grumpy!!! We still had to do KK or Kris Kindle or Secret Santa that evening, and I was worried that I or the kids would end up ruining it. It ended up going really well. The kids were not good at the secret aspect of it this year and we all knew who had each other on the first day of Advent- when it started. The goal was to be nice to each other though so we tried to focus on that. The night of the KK gift exchange we had each person say the nice things their KK had done. Thomas said that Jack had slept with him a few nights, let him pick out what toys to play, and played games with him. Luke said that Thomas let him pick shows first, colored and did art with him, and they just hung out together, Jack said that I read to him even when I was sick or too tired, left him notes, and was just a wonderful mom, Meg didn't really say but we all noticed that Luke gave Meg a lot of kisses, Pete said that Meg learned to say Dada, would crawl to the window and wave to him when he left, and would always smile super big when she saw him, and finally I said Pete brought me peppermint bark and hot chocolate, took the boys and Meg for a whole afternoon/evening when I said I just couldn't, and he gave me lots of hugs. Then it was time for the gifts, which also ended up not really being secrets either. Our goal next year is to work on the secret part.

the boys showing the bags of KK presents

Luke and Thomas both got Big Hero 6 action figures

Jack got a couple of books

 After KK's Luke and Thomas were so cute, in whispers, they made plans to sleep together and play with their action figures in bed. Mission Accomplished.

We had our Christmas early since we are going out of town. Pete once again decorated a manager scene with soldiers, super heroes, and this time various barn animals. I think he does it more for himself. He loves doing it.

checking out the stockings

Meg's first Christmas

There was a present opening chair and each kid got one present to open in the chair as everyone watched, then it was the next kid's turn, and all the way around again until all the presents were open.

 So those are a few highlights from our December. There has been more, and I feel like we have been super busy. I know that I have been way tired. The sickness everyone has does not help. My patience is gone, so I go back and forth between feeling justified in my shortness with the kids to feeling guilty.  So it goes. Next stop- KY for more holiday cheer.

So busy, so tired, so much stuff

Tonight I am tired, my feet and calves are red and swollen, and if I had time to feel overwhelmed I would. Today Pete was not feeling well as a result of what we assume to be food poisoning. He made dinner last night at my request, I was trying to share the load and unburden myself some, but he wasn't really up for it so he didn't put his usual pizzazz into it. He started eating while I got everyone else their food. I cut into it for Luke and saw right away that it was not sufficiently cooked. Pete had already eaten half of it. I tried microwaving it but it was just not really salvageable. Jack really wanted to eat the dinner so he found some that looked 'ok' and took 4 or 5 bites. The rest of us decided not to eat. Pete felt sick pretty soon after. Jack felt not great but not as bad as Pete.* I don't want to hear again from him how I messed up in the kitchen because at least I have never given myself or my family food poisoning.

Early this AM Pete told me I would have to sub for him as helper at Jack's book fair, which started at 8am. Wonderful woman I am I agreed. I was very worried that my lack of math skills would make this a horrible experience, but luckily I avoided the cash registers and helped kids find books. Also, if you think telling someone that you are pregnant with your 5th kid is going to get a semi-shocked response at a Catholic School you are wrong. The lady in charge today has 7 kids. A boy in Jack's class is 1 of 9 kids, I better just let go of that idea right now. When I got home my dear husband was asleep and still not feeling well, Meg was asleep, and the boys were watching tv. At least they survived. You see I was worried because yesterday when I left Meg and Thomas at home I returned to Meg crying in her bed and Thomas trying to help by putting a basketball, a chessboard, and fruit snacks in her bed. He was also trying to set up the cribbage board and climb into her crib with it. 

This afternoon I went to pick up Jack from school, and we had to stop by the store for 7Up,  I decided that I was just too tired, busy, and not at all in the mood to make or bake goods for the bake sale Jack's class is in charge of tomorrow, so I bought yogurt covered pretzels to divide into baggies and send with him. I am wondering why I did not think of this sooner. Brilliant.

 Jack had Tae Kwon Do tonight so I took him. Once there I became hungry and they have a little food place so I ordered a pizza. I almost ate the whole thing. I got to the last piece and stopped myself because- Come on woman have some respect for yourself! But I really could have eaten it all. I think a recent conversation with the insurance nurse was playing in my mind somewhere. The insurance company feels as though I need to have phone calls from a nurse to talk to me about being pregnant. I don't feel the same way since I have been pregnant like a million times, after a month of avoiding the call I took it. She asked basic questions and she got to the the weight question and it went like this. N: How much do you weigh? Me: Around 140 lbs. N: What was your starting weight? Me: 118 lbs. N: Do you think you need to have a talk with your doctor about how to manage your weight during pregnancy? Is he concerned that you have gained so much? So I threw that last piece of pizza away, but now I wish I hadn't because I am kinda hungry.

I mentioned Jack didn't feel great after eating dinner last night. He mentioned that during school he had a few issues, but he seemed to be managing. Well, right before bedtime he just stood in front of the stairs and vomited for a long long time. I just stared. I didn't even go get a garbage can. I was sort of amazed. It's been a long week and it is only Tuesday. 

Ok so it sounds like I have been moaning a lot, but while life has been busy it hasn't been all bad. So I should mention some of the other things.

Luke lost his first tooth.  He is very excited that he is only 4 and has lost a tooth with another soon to come out. He was confused about the tooth fairy thing, and didn't even check under his pillow the next morning.

Jack had his First Reconciliation. He was very nervous. He didn't want to talk to the priest, he was worried the priest would tell people what he said, he couldn't remember everything he had done wrong, and he was embarrassed by the bad things he had done. We talked it out, but he was still so anxious. The parents were invited to also receive Reconciliation so Pete and I both went. It had been a looooonnnnng time for both of us, but life here has been rough in many ways and we felt like we needed it. I think it helped Jack to see us go and feel a bit uncomfortable too. I tried to get up and leave as soon as I confessed and he said--Didn't you come for absolution? You better sit down if you want it. Oops. Pete felt touched by some wisdom informing him that God doesn't need us to be perfect and it is in our weaknesses that God works. That was definitely paraphrasing and Pete will probably get upset I didn't remember it correctly, but that was the basic idea. Jack also felt better after going. He played with his brothers all day and even held open doors for me.

We drove to Indy and went to the Children's Museum with Granny, Pappy, and cousins James and Lily. The boys had a lot of fun. 

There you go. Life with the Weigel Family. 

Tears and Gladness

Thomas has been crying a lot lately- over everything and nothing! Oh the tantrums he throws are delightful. We went to Target the other day and something set him off. He refused to move, so I walk away, down the aisle, turn the corner, and wait. I was out of eyesight so surely he would come soon. Nope. This boy is STUBBORN! After a minute I peeked my head around the corner to make sure he was fine, and he was just standing there arms crossed and glowering. I just waited it out. After a couple minutes he slowly made his way down the aisle. Not at all pleased. He walked behind me, arms still crossed, lips pouted out, and then he stopped again. I turned and noticed that he had taken his shoes off and they were about 10 feet behind him. I asked if he wanted them or should we just leave them there? An older lady heard me, and so she asked if she could take them home with her. He was not about to talk to some lady he did not know so he just glared. She soon walked away. I was just standing there with him and told him that if he didn't put them on then they would stay at the store. This time another woman heard me and said that she really liked those shoes, she had boys at home(here she picked up one of the shoes), and said her boys would love them. This made Thomas stop to think for a second, but you could tell he didn't want to be manipulated by some woman he didn't know. She asked if she could have them and he shook his head no. She then said well do you want me to pick them up for you or do you want me to leave them on the floor? He stared her down for about 10 seconds then he went to get them from her. Oh my. An almost similar situation happens every time we go out in public now. I foolishly think that when he just stands there if I walk out of eyesight he will come, but no he isn't worried about not being able to see me. He would much rather make a stand.

Of course it was recently Halloween. The weather was disgusting. It was windy, cold, with a rain/snow mix coming down. We went trick-or-treating downtown this year, and as soon as we stepped out of the car dear Thomas broke down. It was too cold, he wanted his sunglasses, and who knows what else. Pete walked him back to the car, and I went on with the other three. Meg was Supergirl, but with the jacket and her owl snow hat people thought she was an owl. Oh well. Jack and Luke were troopers, and we eventually ran into Pete and Thomas who were giving it another try.

Meg turned 9 months. They asked if she could say Mama or Dada. I said no, but she can growl. Oh boy does she. She is very apt at expressing herself with growls. She stood solo for about 10 seconds last week, but she hasn't done it again. However, she has discovered this move and it is her favorite.

Jack was having a week. Not good behavior at school, not good behavior at Tae Kwon Do, and just all around want to pull my hair out can't believe this kid. Then one night I was a bit late getting everyone ready for bed, and Meg wanted to go to sleep and the younger boys wanted stories all at the same time. Out of no where Jack just said that he would read to his brothers since I was busy. He read them 3 books. He really is a sweet boy.

A week ago Luke and Jack were wrestling and fighting when Luke smashed his mouth on Jack's shoulder. There was no blood, but his bottom two front teeth were loose. I figured leave them alone and they would get better. (This has happened to us before and the leave it alone strategy has worked.) On Monday I noticed that they looked funny. They were not as straight as they normally are and they just looked different. I wiggled them and they were pretty loose. I made an appointment for the dentist, and it turns out that my 4-yr-old is just ready for those teeth to come out. His permanent teeth are already right there. Crazy! He is very excited that he gets to have this special tooth losing ability happen to him.

I took Meg and Thomas to the playground while Jack and Luke were at school. I was very impressed with myself because I honestly don't do stuff like that as much as I probably should. Of course, I was rewarded with Luke finding out and bawling his eyes out for an hour. I can't win.

That is life here. Full of tears. Interspersed with moments of joy and gladness.

How about a little smoke to wake you up

This morning Meg and I were just relaxing in bed. I was trying to get her to stop kicking me in the stomach so I could get those last 30 minutes of rest before my 7am alarm went off. The boys were of course awake because they think 6am is an awesome party time. I would have stayed in bed but the smell of smoke filled my nostrils and this quickly brought me to my feet. Meg and I rushed down the stairs to be greeted with a thick layer of smoke, and three boys who all started talking at once. I first thought it was our toaster because it is broken and I should get a new one, but I keep not doing it. For instance, when we make toaster strudels it will either pop them out after 5 seconds or 5 minutes. I had gathered from all the talking that Thomas had tried to make his own breakfast, so I figured he put toaster strudels in there and just waited but they never came out. However, while I was opening the windows and the doors to air things out Jack kept mentioning oatmeal. How in the world could oatmeal make a smell and layer of smoke that was making everyone cough and poor Meg's eyes become all red and watery? I told Jack to go get was burnt and show me. He carries in a bowl with blackened oatmeal. Hmm. Jack said that he never knew Thomas had started making the oatmeal, it was only when it started to smell like smoke that he went into the kitchen and saw the microwave still had 5 minutes and 45 seconds left. He grabbed a towel and took the bowl out. This is what it looked like.

I was also told that Tigran ended up peeing under the table. I could never feel any wet spots but they all three promised that they saw him do it. So I just grabbed carpet cleaner and cleaned anyway. It was a very eventful morning.

Jack has been taking a lot of AR quizzes this year, and after so many points they get certificates. He brought home his Rising Reader certificate yesterday, but I guess he wasn't very impressed. Plus, he waited a whole week to bring home.

We went to the store yesterday and my eye was caught by the wine section. Not because I was craving wine, but because of this suggested pairing.

In case you were wondering what to get with your Pizza Hut. Now you know.

Tomfoolery and Solemnity

Tonight the boys came up to my bed and just hung out. They don't normally do this. I am not the hang out parent. I'm just not very good at it. I am the we gotta get this s!*t done parent or the we can have fun as long as we do it in the next 10 minutes in this very specific way. I try to relax and go with it, but it is so hard for me. I usually just bow out and watch. Tonight though they climbed in bed and chatted and chatted and made fun of each other. It was Luke who surprised me the most. Being the middle boy, the peacemaker, and the soft spoken one his jabs on Jack were funny and unexpected. He is so deadpan that at first you wonder if it is a joke, but then he gets this smile or gleam in his eye. Christmas came up as a topic of conversation and the boys were trying to decide what they wanted. I suggested to Jack that maybe he could get new sheets/comforter for his bed since his current ones are of a character he doesn't care about at all. He wasn't interested and said he didn't care what his sheets were. This is when Luke said, " So princess and doll baby sheets." It isn't super mean but the timing and delivery were pretty funny.  He has been doing this a lot lately. I guess pre-school has brought out his inner sass.

I took Jack to Taekwondo tonight, and about half way through the man in charge sat next to me and asked how I was doing because I looked tired. It wasn't an insult, and he was able to say it in a way that expressed concern, which must be a special talent that most people do not have. I began to explain why I was tired and said well I was pregnant, and here I sort of paused and expected him to be surprised or unaware or shocked even, but no he said- well yeah. I guess since people haven't really said anything to me about my being pregnant I figured they didn't know or couldn't tell. I guess this assumption was wrong. My new assumption is that people feel sorry for me and don't want to bring it up or they are embarrassed for me that I could be pregnant while still having a baby I carry around everywhere. After that the conversation went well, I just had to suck it up and remind myself that after a truck load of pregnancies people would obviously be able to tell, after all I am in my second trimester.


I let Pete cut my hair. I figure I should write it down just for posterity. In an effort to save money we bought better hair clippers and a pair of hair cutting scissors. Pete is way better at this job than me so he does it. Bless his heart too because our children are crazy and can't sit still. He has cut all 3 boy's hair a few times now. He has even cut his own hair a couple times, and it actually looks really good. The other day I mentioned getting my hair trimmed, it had been 5 months so um it was past time. He said he wanted to try it. We both agreed outright that if it went poorly I would just get it fixed. So he went to work. I said well you know just an inch is fine, but as he began to work he became very focused on cutting the back and it was no longer a trim it was a hair cut. It was quite short and varying lengths or layers I guess you could say. Still it didn't look too bad and then it was time to move to the sides and front. It was here that I think the real trouble occurred. It ended up not looking so hot. Still you have to give him credit for trying even though there was the possibility that his wife would go crazy when she saw the end result. However, seeing how much he laid it all out there I never got mad, but I did make that appointment to get my hair fixed. It is short and I have had it this short before, it is more that around my ears there are chunks missing that she couldn't fully fix or that the back does have so many short 'layers' that will take a few months to even out, and she had to raise my neck line an inch or so. Honestly, it doesn't look too bad. I think the reaction people have when I tell them that I let him cut my hair is hilarious so it was totally worth it.

On Sunday and Monday I experienced very painful cramping and pain. Monday was by far the worst, and at various points during the day I couldn't stand up straight. I had a doctor's appt. already scheduled for Tuesday, but the pain was so bad I called anyway to see what they had to say.  I was told to stay in bed, rest, and drink water till I felt like vomiting. Luckily, Pete was able to be around for most of the afternoon and evening.  When he wasn't there the boys got to enjoy a lot tv.  Meg was nice enough to sleep for most of the time. Pete was very helpful and told me to stop acting like I could and had to do everything by myself. He has helped put the boys to bed a few nights this week, and the hardest part is letting go because I do things at a certain time in a certain order, and with Pete it is sort of  whenever we get around to it and bedtimes be damned. However, at the end of it the kids are in bed and I was able to just chill in bed and relax. At my appt. my cramping was less but still there so the doctor put me on progesterone shots once a week. I had also had a slight fever earlier in the week and some pain near my cerclage, so he also put me on antibiotics.  I am feeling better, but not great. The cramping is still there but to a much lesser degree. I also learned that I can no longer wear Meg. When we go to the store or anywhere really I wear Meg because it is so much easier than anything else.  However, I took Meg and Thomas to the grocery and wearing her caused my cramps to increase and the pain was so bad that I was almost in tears. 

Pete has been working hard on redoing his NSF application. It is due on Wednesday so he has been spending a lot of late nights revamping it. He is keeping all the same letter writers so that is one less thing that he has to worry about. This will mark the beginning of applying to post docs. Just as last year he won't find anything out until January. 

With so much going on all around just keep us in your thoughts. 

Saturday Happenings and other Weigel fun

We've been enjoying our weekends lately. We went to Stuckey Farm to pick apples. It was so fun. The boys love apple picking. We rode on the tractor to check out what apples they had available and then off we went. Our favorites were the Honey Crisps. Then we got an apple slushy to split ( so good!), apple cider doughnuts, and plain old delicious apple cider. It was a great treat. Jack has had an apple for school snack everyday since then. I thought that he would be getting sick of them by now, but he told me he loves them.

Pete read to Jack's class, and as always he was a huge hit. Every time Pete reads all the kids love it, flock to him after, and talk about it even after he has left. The day after he read he picked up Jack, but was late, so he had to pick Jack up from inside the building. Jack's teacher was waiting with him and approached Pete as he walked in the building, he thought he was going to get in 'trouble' for being late, but instead she said, " You were the star yesterday. The kids have never been so excited for a reader or talked about one so much after."

Our Saturday adventure this weekend was to a Purdue football game. The boys were really excited to see Uncle Jon cheer. During halftime they threw little footballs into the family section and Jack got one. We left during the 3rd quarter because they were tired and had a bit too much caffeine- still they were super good.

We have discovered Thomas has a skill that his brother's do not have. For his birthday he got some Duplos, and they came with a book on how to make certain designs. He sat down all by himself one afternoon, looked at the book, and began building. A few minutes later he held up his finished product and it was exact. He never asked for help and then he did it again with a larger and more complicated design. He can now do them from memory.

His first design

Then Pete was putting together Jack's loft bed, and Thomas was his main helper. I was later told that Thomas is already a better assistant than me. He intuitively knew what needed to be done and did it. Now Jack and Meg share a room. It went well last night.

Lastly I have had an ultrasound -16 weeks- it appears that the newest Weigel will be a boy.