Avril...

Way behind, as always.
Took these a few weeks ago.

She still looks just like her daddy.

Only pretty.

I don't get to spend very much time with her.

Heidi and I have to trade if we want to see our nieces.

Kind of a bummer.

But it'll be worth it in the end to have them so close together.

Nothing like having a built-in BFF.

Love you, Avril.

Just a little Update....

on Gwyneth.

After well over a year she still remembered the drill.
She was a TROOPER for the 2 hour appointment!
Such a big girl!
She sat there answering all her own questions, just like a little lady.
Then she took an eye test, only with simple pictures instead of letters.
It was pretty cute to see what she came up with on some of those!
Then they dialated her eyes.
Lotsa waiting.
More tests, etc, etc.
Then she marched right up to the front dest and demanded...ummmm, asked for her sticker.
Lil' Sis was a dream, as always. Not a peep the entire time.

I'm told Daddy didn't fair so well in the waiting room with the boys...

The verdict?

More patching!
Oh goody.

We have to patch one eye for 2 hours every day (again!) for two months to strengthen the other eye. The reason being that the Dr. needs to see it stronger to evaluate what to do when she operates. Then she will operate on BOTH eyes. That first operation didn't completely fix the problem, so she has to tweak it a little. Poor Gwyneth! The way I like to remember it is by that great saying, "Righty, Tighty-Lefty, Loosey"...that's what's wrong with her eye muscles now, so the Dr. needs to tighten up that left one and loosen the right (with an extender) I sure hope it works!

We have one miffed little girl.
She was under the impression she was getting that eye fixed today, and boy did we hear about it all the way home!

And the saddest thing?
We think Adah just might have the exact same problem.
We're holding out hope that it's only because her eyes are still adjusting but it sure does look exactly like Sissy's did at this point Argh!

Window to the soul...

Please say a little prayer for Gwyneth.

Tomorrow she has yet another appointment with her eye doctor.

She was born with neither eye working correctly. Last year she had surgery which corrected one of her problems. We had hopes that it would also help with her other eye, which wanders on it's own, but it's only gotten worse. She sees two of everything most of the time and will not go near stairs because of it. When she is looking at something in her hands she tilts her head at just the right angle so that she can see it correctly. If it can't be fixed her brain will eventually shut off the signals from that eye causing it to be "blind" and will create a lazy eye. We started patching her good eye for 2 hours every day when she was about 6 months old. I have since given up on that. It's just not really working. Our prayer is that there is a way to fix it with surgery. We'll keep ya posted!

"Divide and Conquer"

It's our new motto around here.

Most evenings Lyle and I find ourselves each taking a couple of kids.
It's the only way to get anything accomplished; fun or otherwise.
So, if Daddy has to get some yard work done, he has a couple helpers. Gwyneth is usually the die-hard. She comes in as sweaty and flushed as Daddy. The boys, on the other hand, have a strong aversion to the heat, and usually end up inside with Mommy within a matter of minutes.
And when Mommy's working in the kitchen she has plenty of taste testers to help get it right.
The boys have been refining their golfing skills at the driving range with Daddy, while the girls have become Mommy's shopping companions and have been enjoying having Grami and Grandpa to themselves for a night every couple of weeks or so. Gwyneth has that Grandpa wrapped so tightly around her little finger he may never get loose!
While this method works great with the kids, it leaves next to no "Mommy and Daddy" time.
Which is why we're very excited to go to Wolf Lodge next week (with only baby doll in tow) for a birthday celebration with the (extended) fam. WooHoo! Poor Lyle had to miss out on his birthday dinner there, so he's pretty happy. I don't love beef enough to justify spending THAT much on a slab of cow, so I'll be content with an appetizer. But the true enjoyment comes with not having to share it all with the little vultures. Yes. I think I'm quite excited, too.

It's true. Having 4 kids within 4.5 years is not for the faint of heart. (or spirit)
I'm being tested in all new ways. (Although, to be honest, it can't even begin to compare to having the first 3 within 18 months.)

I am missing my long hot soaks in the tub, though. No baths for 6 weeks after a c-section. Baths are how I "get away from it all." Where I read my Bible or a good book. Sweet isolation from the constant chaos. I need them to keep (or restore) my sanity.
Well, my 6 weeks are almost up, but I got to wondering what all you other Mommies out there do to keep your sanity? What little things do you "indulge" in every day, just for you?
After all, I know of a few brownie batter eating, internet junky, Pepsi drinking girls out there! (;