Bedtime vs. Blogging

Blogging wins...

Those sweet hours between 8:30pm and 11pm or 12am or whenever I feel like going to bed are sometimes even better than eating this:



curled up in my bed, watching this guy:



do this:


errr...I mean this:



Those are the hours that I call "me time". The hours that belong to only me and me alone. If I have some bedtime stragglers, I politely remind them that they are interfering with "me time" and give them a sweet warning that however many minutes they are up after their bedtime, they owe me the next night. It is during these hours that I do things like scrapbook, blog, myspace, or whatever I need to do to prepare for the upcoming day. I've made sure that all 4 of my children are on the "me time" schedule (weekdays only) and for the most part, they have been very good about keeping to it. In perfect world, the children would sleep all night long and wake up happy and helpful the next day. Then reality sets in...

When I became a mom for the first time, I didn't know that it came with this thing called "mommy ears" For those of you who don't know what "mommy ears" are, let me try and explain...After all the work you've done to get everyone settled in for the night, the kitchen cleaned, the wet clothes put into the dryer, etc. etc...you FINALLY do this:



and you are finally here:



then you hear these:



pitter-pattering down the hallway because they need to use this:



and even though they've been using it for more than a year, can't seem to do it by themselves in the middle of the night.

Mommy ears hear everything whether you are awake or in a R.E.M sleep. As soon as I hear the first squeak of a door opening or the first pitter pat on the hard wood floor, I lay waiting in bed to see if I will be blessed with the presence of one of my offspring needing me for something.

So here's the deal...My sweet little baby Carly hasn't been the easiest baby per say. She has her easy moments but those are few and far between the cranky ones. I do look forward to bedtime for her mostly so my arms can rest and my boobs can heal from all the demands a 7 month old can put on a mother. And even though days are tough, a little one of these:



makes even the hardest days bearable. Carly has always been a pretty good sleeper only waking a few times each night to replenish what she had pooped out 4-5 times the day before. She didn't really even wake fully. After feeding her, she would be back asleep in no time. WELL....things have changed my friends...and I am not welcoming the changes whatsoever! It all started Thursday when Carly had a 102 degree temperature. Despite giving infant Tylenol to her, it lasted for about 3 days. You wouldn't have known that she didn't feel good because she was happier than most days. Then, on Saturday night at 11pm, Carly woke up as usual to get a feeding in. At 12am, she woke again, then 1am, and 2am, and 3am, and 4am and 5am, she woke wanting to nurse each time. Of course I had to get up early the next day to get everyone ready for and to church on time. I figured that night was a fluke thing... that she would be fine Sunday night. I was able to take a nap for the first time in months and catch up on what I lacked the night before. If I had only known that the night I was about to embark on was going to be worse than the first (yes, it could get worse), then I wouldn't have woken up from my nap at all...

Sunday night, Carly wakes up every hour but instead of falling back asleep after each feeding, decides to cry. We both cried that night...I ended up for the first time in who knows how long, having her in bed with me for the remainder of the night. Every time she cried, I rubbed her belly which seemed to have helped somewhat, but what didn't help was my little Ethan waking up twice and getting in bed with me and those were on the half hour mark...soooo for a period of 2 hours, I was up 4 different times!

The next night got a little better with her waking every 2-3 hours but I had a few different visitors throughout the night namely, Malia and Ethan...I don't know what is going on. This is so out of the normal. I decided that I'd better make a doctor appointment for Carly to see if she had anything that would be making her do this...Of course, the doctor couldn't find anything that was wrong excluding a small hernia below her belly button (which is completely normal and not painful)... not even an ear infection...Gosh, how I wanted the doctor to find an ear infection! Conclusion...teething! TEETHING!!!! It's a good thing I'm not having anymore kids...I couldn't go another round of this...Of course, I would have too if it came down to it because there would be no other choice, but let's just hope that Patrick's surgeon cauterized everything properly if you know what I mean :-)

So back to the beginning...Bedtime or Blogging? really is a relevant question for me these days. I mean, after starting this blog, Carly has woken up and nursed once, Ethan woke up and actually found the toilet by himself but I had to quietly escort him back to his bed, and Raya (finally) went to bed...she owes me an hour tomorrow (it's actually 11:45 pm not 9 whatever it says at the bottom of this post pm).

Sooo...I'm tired... and even though I knew what I was getting into when I signed up to have children, I didn't read the fine print that says "do not expect to sleep normally EVER again". All I can say is that those teeth better be right below the surface ready to pop through relieving Carly of all the pain that is torturing both of us or I might just end up like this:

Oh My Gosh!

I just read the Blogger Buzz and found out that in the near future I will be able to add a "following link" to my page to see whose been reading my blog. They made it sound like it's a good thing. They said that it's a compliment when people read another person's blog and they can read yours in return...Do you know what this means people???? No more Blog Stalking!!! Oh My...I'm devastated! But on the bright side of things...Maybe I can find out who Johnny Lingo is.

I Stand Corrected

Ok, so someone named Johnny Lingo decided to invade my blog and correct a few grammar issues on my postings as well as inform me that some remarks made in my blog titled "The Sound of Quiet" are "rediculous".... Apparently, the yellow cat with black dots that looks like a leopard on our elementary school's shirts is in fact a panther. Guess I don't need to go and get me some of those education certificates after all...I just need Wikipedia...oh and by the way Johnny Lingo...you spelt ridiculous wrong...

Dear Johnny Lingo

I am really sad that you feel the urge to comment on my blogs yet don't have the nerve to make yours public. I'd really like to read the blog of the person who has nothing better to do than to correct grammar on someone's (or is it someones?) blog they don't even know...Please...do send me a link...

Professional or Amature

Apparently I've had a rather eventful day seeing that this is my third post but the good news is that the blogging police are on break and you get peek into my life once more...

I am not a professional photographer. I don't know much about how my camera works. I don't know how to get the best lighting and I don't always make sure my lens is clean before I start taking pictures. I like to pretend I can take pictures but most of the time it is only by luck that a professional looking photograph emerges in the hundreds I have taken. I wasn't planning on taking pictures of the kiddos today, but it happened. I even went all out and hung a sheer sheet up in the window for a more "professional" look. I am pretty impressed at what I got. Check out some of the better shots below.

The sound of quiet

School started Monday morning bright and early (at least bright and early to those of us who got to sleep in most of the summer). It was bitter-sweet. Bitter that I actually had to get up and get the house moving and kids off to school... and sweet, that my house's noise level dropped by a few decibels. (I know this paragraph might make me sound a little lazy to all you 9 to 5 working folk, but rest assured that sleeping in to me is 8am and that is after waking up 2-3 times a night to feed a baby who hasn't quite figured out how to sleep all night)


We got a new principal half way through the year last year possibly because our old one was either someone who probably shouldn't be in the education system OR she was a malicious woman who had a devious plot set out to make our school look stupid. So here's the deal...Last year our mascot got changed to a Panther. In doing so, the principal (without consent from the PTA) decided we needed new Pershing Panther Gear and took it upon herself to create the design that would be worn by not only staff and students, but parents who would be brave enough to show they had children who attended our school. So I ask you...when you think of a panther what comes to mind? This?

or possibly this?

I guess that wasn't what came to mind to someone who has education certificates hung in an office of an elementary school BECAUSE this is what our Pershing Panther Gear looks like...

Was she really serious or was she being malicious? It makes me wonder because she had more than a few run ins with parents at the school. I cannot speak for the other parents but as for me, she wan't well liked. She also knew she was retiring and kept it a secret up until a few months before she left. So was this her "payback" to a school who didn't really care for the "Master in Command?" When asked about her choice in panther pictures for our attire, her excuse or sorry explanation was "All types of cats are Panthers" REALLY???? Wow, bet you didn't know that your little Snowflake, Bubbles, or Chester that is snuggled up on your lap purring right now is a panther. Man, I guess I need to go back to school and get me some of those education certificates.

Genius

So I was cleaning up my bedroom this morning and in one of my many attempts to try and keep Ethan busy I put down a paper that had all the alphabet letters on it. I then gave him cards with the same letters on it and told him to match the cards to the paper. About 5 minutes later I hear him say "This is a waste of my time." I couldn't believe what I had heard. He's 3 years old for crying out loud! He must have had more important things to do like race his cars, run around the house naked, and make his little sister cry. That, or he's genius and gets bored doing anything beneath his skill level...Genius...Maybe, but it's more like a genius who likes to race cars, run around the house naked and make his little sister cry.

Finally!

Because I have friends who know me so well and are kind enough to point out my OCD habits to the world by commenting on my previous blog...I am happy to announce that I FINALLY got my blog Perfect. Check out the new design and all the wigets I've added.

I am especially proud to announce a new piece added to my blog titled "Ethan's Photo Corner". We have a budding photographer in our midst. If my camera is missing, he always knows where it is. What a treat viewing ALL the pictures Ethan takes. It gives me a little glimpse into his world. And for a moment I get to see his view of life in the Durling home...full of people, toys, and funny faces.

Also check to make sure you are on my "Cool Bloggers" list. I lost all my links when my OCD kicked in and I changed my entire blog layout. If you are not on the list and you don't mind me invading your privacy, email me your link so I can get my daily doses of B.L.O.G...Boring Lump Of Garbage...Ok, it's not garbage, nor is it boring...It's actually quite the opposite. I couldn't come up with anything better at 11:47 PM. Once again...What am I doing up sooo late? I'm going to be hating 6 hours from now!

Gheesh!

How long is acceptable to work on a layout for ones blog? I've been at it for days now and I'm still not finished. I need to go to bed! I actually have to get up in the morning and get the kids to off to school for the first time in 2 1/2 months. Gheesh!

I Need a Vacation!!!

1 Week
5 States
2,345 Miles

Our travels began with the dreaded 12 hour drive to Salt Lake City, Utah. We have driven the same 650 miles before, but this time it was a quiet and peaceful trip. The kids enjoyed watching flicks like:

on our DVD System that came with our new MPV Wagon. Carly did awesome!
She only got upset as we rolled into Toule, Utah (pronounced Too-ill-a...don't ask me, who came up with that genius spelling). Toule is just outside of Salt Lake City. It's the "Ahhhh, we're almost there" "light at the end of the tunnel" city. Anyone who has ever made the trip numerous times knows exactly what I'm talking about. You may also know that unique smell when you pass this:

It smells like this:


We don't usually stop at the Salt Flats, but Patrick was falling asleep, while driving (a normal practice) and Carly was hungry so we stopped off and were able to see the flats from another view point other than the car.



Utah is an alright place. Patrick and I lived there for about 2 years when we were first married. I don't have hard feeling's for the place, after all, it was while I was living there that I learned to drive in the snow. The mountains are gorgeous especially when there is snow on them and my best friend Holly lives out there, but it's a "different" kind of place or maybe it's the people that make it that way. You go to the grocery store and while waiting in line to checkout, you hear people talking about so and so on their mission and what that nights Enrichment is going to be. I think people assume that everyone is Mormon in Utah. Of course there are those who are covered in tattoos and smoking and even those who are wearing spaghetti strapped shirts who look "out of place". I'm from California...I see that ALL the time. So why was it so weird to see that in Utah? Perhaps it's the stereo type that Utah is forever doomed with even by fellow Mormons like myself.

Anyway...I've always been amused at the billboards I see in Utah. This time around, I made sure I had my camera present to snap a few shots as we drove by them. Here's Utah, in a nutshell...



I also saw interesting things like this:

and this:

Only in Utah will you see an abandoned train cart (or whatever it was)graffettied up with Welcome Home signs for missionaries named Ammon.

I also saw billboards like this:

and others that said "5,000 Boners and Counting" and "We Suck Fat" that I couldn't get my camera ready fast enough to take pictures. I honestly couldn't believe that I was starring at a big set of fake boobs on a billboard, in Utah, of all places...

My favorite was this one:

Only in Utah would they have a billboard with a Road Construction Warning. Here's the thing. Ever since Patrick and I have lived there, there has ALWAYS been road construction. So much so, that they sold t-shirts with an outline of Utah on it and a big construction cone that says "Under Construction" implying that the whole state was under construction. Their roads suck! I guess I can understand why they need all the construction. Maybe if they would fix the road right the first time, they wouldn't have all the construction. Maybe it's a conspiracy with Utah Transit to make the roads suck so that their jobs are secured for the future...whatever the reason behind all the construction, wherever you go, there is always some kind of cones out on the road. The biggest annoyance that I get in Utah is that everything seems to have cones and "slow zone" signs all over, but not once did I ever see this:

This is typical for Utah...That and Cops driving their cop cars while off duty.

After a day in Salt Lake, we headed up to Yellowstone National Park. We started our day like this:

and like this:

because we ate here the night before:

This of course threw us off track and the ride up through Idaho and Montana wasn't the funnest of all rides because Raya and Ethan continued to throw up throughout the drive...

There's two potatoes walking down the street...How do you know which one is the hooker????

The one that has the sticker that says "I-DA-HO"

That's one of my favorite jokes. After seeing signs like this:

and signs to visit places like this:

and this:

and this:

that joke has even more meaning to me now. Idaho was a very quiet place. Most of the state is filled with farm land. I am only guessing that most of the farms we saw grew potatoes...but that is just a guess :-)

We made it to West Yellowstone where we stayed in this:






It even had a cool swing out on the porch



We spent two days in Yellowstone.



We saw sites like this:









and of course, the infamous Old Faithful


where I almost got into a fight with an old lady who so rudely told Patrick and I that "she was saving the seats" we were sitting in (which was actually a tree that had fallen down)and that she "was there first" when all she needed to do was ask us to scoot down a little. I told her that I didn't see any reservation signs and Patrick just left. I didn't. I stayed there and finished feeding the baby and only got up after Ethan had to go to the bathroom. I was already annoyed and her being so rude just set me off. She's lucky that was all I said to her at that point in the trip. I was done with Yellowstone. I was sick of all the tourest. Sure all the natural "artist pots" and "thermal geysers" were absolutely amazing to see, but after 100 miles of driving and dealing with people just stopping in the middle of the road and getting out of their cars blocking traffic to see the 100th one of these:


made me feel like I was

but I wouldn't have the smile on my face and instead of the mail...I would have a gun :-) Two nights cramped in a cabin with all the kids and no one sleeping the way they would in their own beds and it being so dang hot, would do that to mother...

On the way home, we drove back down through Idaho and stopped off at the Idaho Falls Temple

Please excuse my "baby fat"...ya, that's what it is :-)

We then drove a couple of more hours down through Idaho to Pocatello where we met up with Elvis...errr...I mean Kenny Graham.


Kenny and I go way back. He is my best friend Holly's brother and we've been friends for 20+ years. Kenny is an Elvis Impersonator. He actually won a impersonator contest that sent him to Graceland as the award last year. We had pizza and visited with him for an hour or so and then we headed back to SLC once again.

We spent a few more days in Utah with Patrick's brother. He has kids that are all the same ages as our kids. They had a blast together. They played hard and were tuckered out every night from the days activities.


We also were able to go to a children's planetarium where there were free activities for the kids to do.




Carly was enjoying herself as well


I was able to visit once more with my friend Holly and play with her kids. I think that was my favorite part of the trip.



So here's a quick run down of what my vacation consisted of...Packing and un-packing twice each for 5 different people, packing the car 4 times, cleaning up kids with sand all over them, cleaning up poop out of a carseat and throw up out of a bowl, holding a crying baby for pretty much a week straight, listening to a brother in law yell at his kids all day, getting lost while driving to my friends house...twice, having my new car die on me, eating yucky fast food for almost every meal, surviving a monsoon and lightening storms, and having a very bad attitude the whole week.

We got up at 3am and left by 4am back home to California. Patrick drove the first 3 hours or so and then I drove the rest of the way home because Patrick got sick and slept the rest of the ride home. It would have been the best drive home ever until we hit the Sierra's and the traffic from Hot August Nights in Reno were all heading down the Sierra's too. It took us about an extra hour to get home and after being in the car for 11 hours, another hour so close to home just SUCKED! I personally didn't enjoy this vacation, but Patrick and the kids did, so I guess it was a success. I think the kicker was the massive bruise I got while on vacation. I wish I could tell you it was because I was so brave rescuing one of my children from the death grasp of an antelope and I got gored, but unfortunatly it was because of my own clumsy self who fell down the stairs at my brother in laws house. Ya, I have a bruise the size of a grapefruit and the color of Barney on my buttocks. I have a few pulled muscles a tweaked toe and finger and a few smaller bruises on my arms and back. I am going to spare you the picture of my butt even though I really really want to show you. It's a pretty sweet bruise. I've never had one so big and so purple. Too bad it's in a place inappropriate to show the world. Anyway, with all that went on during this past week while on vacation, I have come to one conclusion,....I need a vacation from this vacation!