My thoughts on healthcare reform...

Here are some of my meandering thoughts on healthcare reform. Ta-da! ;)

Healthcare reform is a big topic and I’m by no means an expert in the subject. But, having worked as a healthcare provider and then also having the experience of being a user of healthcare insurance, I feel that I have a lot to say. :) First off, just a little background. Prior to kids, I worked as a dietitian for a few years. I’m also married to a healthcare provider. We’ve had great insurance (but paid a lot for it!) and mediocre insurance (and still paid too much for it) and now have no insurance for our family of 5 because hubby is in-between jobs. I have no party affiliation, though I’m registered as an Independent. So there you have it. :)

Having had all those different experiences, I do feel that our healthcare system does not work well for some but works great for others. I also know that some people don’t even have insurance, which is really detrimental to one’s well-being. With that said, I still don’t think we need to go as drastic as government-run healthcare. I feel that we can start by fixing some of the flaws in our current system – maybe even a major overhaul. But to throw the baby out with the bath water, so to speak, and give more control to a government, which I feel lacks financial wisdom, accountability and responsibilities, might be doing us a disservice. Not all change is a good change. So here’s what I see is a part of the problem with our current system and what I think can be changed.

Because consumers are currently stuck with whatever insurance companies their boss buys insurance from, there is no say in the price paid for premiums or services. I actually really liked the Republican’s plan of giving consumers money to purchase their own insurance, so that it would foster healthy competition between insurance companies, forcing them to be more creative with how to keep costs down, and ultimately drive prices down to draw customers. Why shouldn’t we be able to buy health insurance like we do car insurance or home insurance? Don’t we shop around for the best price and best package before deciding to buy? Don’t we have a choice in what we want to pay, in terms of premiums and such? It’d be great to have that with health insurance.

There is a problem with where the bulk of the healthcare dollars are going to. Some doctors are getting paid a minimal amount to do procedures requiring hours of work and some have quit because they barely make enough to pay their bills. (Aidan’s pedicatric ophthalmologist only got paid about $200 for doing eyelid surgery. That’s atrociously meager to me.) Insurance companies say they are going under because they’re not making enough money. Consumers are running out of money to pay for groceries because of their hefty medical bills. I don’t understand. Is it the insurance executives who are still earning big salaries? I’m almost scared to ask after the government bail-out money (which I really disagree with, btw) went to bankrupt companies whose execs were still getting bonuses and living it up. Maybe if the insurance companies can stand to make a little less, their companies would make a little more and be able to stay afloat? Please, no more bonuses, extravagant parties and corporate excess. Besides these corporate execs, I want to talk about some doctors that have lost their sensibilities and started to see patients simply as dollar signs. I know many great doctors that put patient care first and they are gems! However, I also know of a few that do certain procedures because it reimburses more and schedule more procedures than their patients really need because it brings in more money. It’s scary! [Please do your homework when choosing a provider!] Lastly, the fact is, many consumers are also abusing the system and milking it for all its worth. My husband has seen firsthand how people can circumvent the system and use it to get unnecessary handicapped parking tags, social security disability, extraneous medication to feed an addiction, depleting the funds for necessary medical treatments for others. In short, it’s really the lack of character on all fronts, that is causing this problem and it’s really a downward spiral. Consumers cheat the system. It’s depleting money from the insurance companies who are paying out ‘way too much’ and their execs are not getting enough, so they decrease the amount reimbursed and/or outright reject payments or coverage for more and more services. The hospitals are not getting paid enough because insurance is reimbursing less, so they raise their prices. Who gets the shaft? It’s those honest folks who are trying to follow the rules but are having to pay for things out-of-pocket because they have super high deductibles or their insurance won’t cover it anymore or they don’t have insurance anymore. It’s also those honest doctors who are putting their patients first and doing what’s best even though they are meagerly compensated. It’s a sad state of affairs.

And let’s talk about the fact that if the government-run healthcare gets passed, taxes will go up for those making more than $250K. Even though we don’t make nearly that much and won’t be affected by this hike, I don’t understand why only the rich have to shoulder the brunt of what they expect this new healthcare system will cost. Isn’t everyone using it? Aren’t the rich already taxes more? Maybe I’m one of the few that will say that – maybe I’m missing something here? Also, why say you’re going to raise taxes using the current system that isn’t even doing the job to collect the taxes it is due? Let’s not mention any names where but there have been politicians on both sides of the fence not paying the amount they’re supposed to. And even if it’s their “accountants fault”, don’t these politicians have enough money to hire accountants that know the current tax law? Anyhow, I don’t want to go there. ;) Let’s start by fix this faulty tax system and ask all the politicians to pay up all the taxes that they are supposed to and then see where we stand financially. And, by the way, President Obama (who makes $400K), the President of Bolivia voluntarily reduced his own pay to show the people that he was serious about making changes to how the government spends money. That's a great idea, don’t you think? ;)

Therefore, I think what we need is more competition, more accountability, more character (though that’s the church’s job), and more emphasis on preventative measures & living healthier lifestyles. And because the government is already riddle with red tape and lacking in accountability for so many other areas, I really think it’s best to keep it out of their hands.

I do applaud Obama on making healthcare reform one of his initiatives and appreciate the fact that he is following through on something that he’s promised. I really hope and pray that our leaders will take the time to really think things through before signing a bill that will impact us and our kids for years to come.

PS I didn't write about universal healthcare because I'm not sure if that's what this 'government-run' healthcare will be. But I have thoughts on that, too. :)

Thoughts, anyone?

Education decisions...

So many ppl have been asking me if I'm going to send Aidan to kindergarten because he will turn 5 on 8/3. And each time they ask, I reply that I'm not sure b/c I'm really not sure. I'm been wondering about this for a while now and there are so many thoughts swimming in my head about this. But the more I think about it, the more confused I am - and here's why:

I've been waffling between sending the kids to school or trying my hand at homeschooling for a while. And I have friends on both sides who are strongly believe in what they've chosen for their kids, which helps me to see some of both perspectives. And this is what I've gathered:

HOMESCHOOLING
Pros: Individualized attention; each kid can learn at their own pace; you can focus more on character because they will be with you more; less exposure to undesirable influences and teachings; flexibility in schedule; can incorporate religion; safe environment (at least more controlled)
Cons: You have to be organized, it's a lot of work; there can be oodles of paperwork and tests to show progress to the state; having young babies around makes it tougher; possible lack in social interactions (that depends on the mom); mom might feel indequate to teach certain subjects; loneliness if no one else by you is homeschooling; paying school tax for a school system I'm not using (that's the frugal side of me talking)
Other considerations: I've heard that if there is a good homeschool co-op nearby, there will be lots of social interaction (ie sports clubs, outings, etc) and lots of support. If I were to actually homeschool, I think having a co-op nearby would almost be a pre-req!

TRADITIONAL SCHOOLING
Pros: Teacher proficient in their subject(s) teaching my child; lots of social interaction; if regular school - exposure to different ethnicities, religions, etc; kids hopefully being a light at school; understanding of our culturel positive peer pressure from good friends
Cons: Being taught things I don't agree with; possibly safety issues (ie Columbine); regular school issues - bullying, teasing, etc; bad education; falling through the cracks
Other considerations: There is also alternative schools, such as Christian schoosl and charter schools but some of them aren't much better in terms of safety and teasing, which is bound to happen when you group kids together. Then there are the financial concerns - since we would love to have another, 4 kids in school will be very expensive...and that's not even counting in the cost of college!

But the questions I really have to ask myself after all this are: why am I choosing the route I am choosing? If homeschool, am I choosing it out of fear? If regular school, am I choosing it because it's easier day-to-day? What if there are no co-ops? Am I trusting God in my decision? The fact remains that public/private school these days are just not what they were when I went to school. Back in the 80s, there were no metal detectors and drugs weren't as rampant as they are today. Also, I feel that kids are being exposed to certain topics like sex and abortion earlier and earlier and I question the wisdom in that. And certain social topics I would really rather cover myself instead of having to correct what's been said at school. Also, with the reports of American schools lagging behind in academics and the solutions that have been set in place that don't seem to do the job, I'm even questioning what kind of education they will receive on the academic end. No doubt there are still great teachers out there (which make all the difference) and I thank all my teacher friends that are still out there (you are sooo needed!), but there are also the bad ones that can make you dislike a subject your entire life. (Though my teaching math might do that to the kids...hehe). Plus, each kid is soo different that it might be possible to choose homeschool for one kid and public/private for another...or would that even happen? That then gets even more complicated. I guess it all boils down to lots of prayer, asking God to show me what is best for the kids...which means spending more time with Him. I should do that more anyways. ;)

Back to Aidan...we sent him to preschool this year b/c after we moved to PA, I had a hard time finding boys his age for him to play with that were not in school. We went to playgrounds, malls, bookstores and libraries. And he really, really wanted some boys to play with. So, we were blessed to have found a Montessori nearby and enrolled him right away. Overall, he had a good time there but was teased a bit for wearing glasses and being different looking. That made him really sad and made me really annoyed. Plus, we had done a lot with Aidan and he was already reading some when he started preschool and they were just covering the basics of how to recognize numbers and letters. And since he was a bit bored and very active, he got in trouble a little. But don't get me wrong, he did learn how to color well and he now knows more of what it means to be a friend, which are important skills. Anyhow, I'm glad I have one more year to think and pray about this because we've decided to wait one more year before making a decision and if he were to go to school, I'd rather wait til he was 6. We'll see what happens, though. Either way, I know that God has a plan for him. :)

Anyone with any thoughts on this?

This too shall pass...

...this has been my mantra, as of late. With sooo many changes going on with the move and with having three kids, I really have to keep that in mind. Lately, the two older kids started sharing a room b/c we're moving to another 3 bedroom townhome and we would like Cara to have her own room. So, that leaves the older two to share a room, esp since they can really understand rules...or so I thought. But I promptly forgot that Jana just turned three and LOVES to test the boundaries - PLUS, she's more persistent than Aidan, which can be good and bad. Anyhow, we've tried out this new room sitch for the past 3 nights and it's been very tiring. Jana keeps coming out of her bed to bother Aidan or to bother us. We've tried everything we can think of and nothing has really kept her in her bed. So, tomorrow is a new day. We're going to try the Supernanny trick - one of us will be posted right outside the door for an hour or two after they go to bed. That way, we can reinforce the rules right away and hopefully it will hit home that bedtime is really for sleeping. I mean, they can whisper and chat at night for a bit is ok but bouncing on the bed and screaming is not. I'll try to remember to update what happened between packing boxes and decluttering. :) It's almost ironic that Jana started coming out of her room and/or crying in the middle of the night after Cara decided to sleep through the night. I guess I should count my blessings that I'm not getting up for both girls and that Kev has been taking his turn at night since he's between jobs currently. And it's funny how you forget how bad things were....Aidan used to do the same thing and wake us up every time he had to pee at night when he was getting trained. And I remember thinking to myself...when will this end? When will I get a good night's rest? But then it passed and I almost forgot I had to do that. Anyhow, this post is really a reminder for me to keep praying and know that an end is in sight...even if it won't come for a while. And esp. when I'm all riled up from one, two or three of the kids, I have to keep saying this to myself and learn to enjoy the kiddies. :) G'night!
PS Anyone with any tips on how to help them share a room quietly? They do ok when they wake up - they get dressed and read til we get them, most of the time, but it's the going to sleep that's the issue. Thanks in advance! :)

Quarterly update...

...or that's what it seems like, anyhow. Things have gotten really busy around here - and here's why...

::Family Stuff::
1. We're moving again! Yes, you read that right. Kev got a great opportunity with a friend of his and so we're relocating to the Jackson, NJ area. Does anyone know of a great town to live in down around there?
2. With all this rain we've been getting, it was hard for us to go out and do our daily run/walks around the neighborhood. I'm still working on getting down to my pre-preg weight, so Kev got us EA Sports Active (SA) for the Wii. I was doing well on the Wii Fit but it was getting a bit monotonous since I knew what I would be doing each day. With the SA, they have a preprogrammed 30 Day Challenge that surprises you each day with what your workout routine would be. And I find myself sweating after each workout, which feels great! And, you can workout with someone else, which has been fun for Kev and I!
3. We've been needing to replace Kev's car for a while - a bunch of things stopped working and it started making funny noises. Kev had been researching for a long while now (esp since something fell off his car while he was driving one day!) but finally decided to sacrifice a nice, fast car for a mini-van since we're wanting #4 sometime in the future. So, now we have a Bali Blue Honda Odyssey sitting in our driveway! It's growing on me a bit, though it's so big, it barely fits into our one car garage. *0* I AM enjoying having more room to manuveur around in, esp with buckling the kiddies (though the older two can almost do that by themselves). This thing does eat up gas pretty quick, though....I am sad about that. Kev is now driving my CR-V and gave it a nice cleaning inside and out before he officially claimed it as his. Haha!
4. I'm still sewing and it's been getting more fun as I get to try different projects. I think it's really nice (esp for us Moms) to hold our 'accomplishments' in our hands or to see our kiddies enjoying something we made for them...it's very satisfying! Some pics here.

...and, now, onto some hodge-podge updates on the kiddies:

::Aidan::

He officially graduated from Montessori Preschool at the beginning of May and we're so proud of him. He has really learned a lot of great things, academically and socially. However, his year in school also made us think about moving to a place with more ethnic diversity. Aidan's at the age where he's starting to notice differences in people - he's not making any judgements but likes to point out if someone is really different. Because his classmates are the same age, Aidan's gotten some comments about how he doesn't look like everyone else, which made him self-conscious. This makes me really sad. So with this next move, we are more mindful of looking for areas of greater ethnic diversity - anyone have any ideas of areas around Jackson, NJ that have what we're looking for? Anyhow, we've been doing additional stuff at home and he's been doing much better with writing and reading - go, Aidan! :) He still loves his Kumon workbooks! The latest development is that his love of fish has been surplanted by his love of dinosaurs! I thought I would never see the day but he did tell me he likes dinos more! Now everytime we go to B&N or the library, he heads right to the dino section and now knows more about dinos than me! Oh, and he loves, loves, loves his Legos and is great at making his own creations! See here, here, here and here. :) What else....his sisters: he's still great with Cara and helps out a lot! And his days are riddled with moments where he's playing well with Jana and then squabbling with her...so typical, eh? Haha! And Aidan's first trip to the dentist went swimmingly - he's got great teeth, like Kev - so blessed!

::Jana::

She is our singing, echoing, robot-talking princess. ;) Now that Jana has a good command of the English vocab, she loves to talk, talk and talk. She's on the play phone, talking to everyone she knows several times a day - and it's complete with 'uh-huh's', 'yups' and head nods. She also wants to talk to everyone that calls and it doesn't even matter if you're a telemarketer (though sometimes I'm tempted to hand her the phone...tehe). She also makes up songs on a whim and sings them everywhere she goes - it's pretty hilarious! She still echoes Aidan a lot, esp during meals, and breaks out in a monotone robot-talk randomly. She is still super cuddly and like to say 'I love you', esp when she gets in trouble. ;) She also likes to do school when Aidan does and has been getting better at her shapes ans colors - yay, Jana! Her latest 'job' is babyfood tester! Everytime we open a new jar of babyfood, Jana wants to taste it...and she's liked everything except the winter squash! :) Jana also says very profound things at times: One time I was lamenting about how much work it is to find a new home and how I'm trying to stay at peace. Jana just turns to me and says "God can do it all by hisself [sic] - it's His job". I think I just stared at her for a few seconds b/c I didn't know what to say. Whenever I stare at her, though, she would start to giggle, so that broke me out of staring enough to say "Jana, that's so true!" :D Anyhow, she is definitely back at the testing phase, which can get tiring by 11am. But all her hugs and kisses help to remind me 'our battle is not against flesh and blood'...;) She's also showing an interest in princesses, so for her 3rd birthday this past Saturday, we had a princess day with her cousins - fun stuff! Jana also did great at the dentist, having been inspired by her brother. :)

::Cara::

Our little 7 month old is doing swell. :) She went through a phase of waking up 2-3 times at night, which was more than she did when she was a newborn. That was brutal. I can understand that as a newborn but when you go backwards like that, it's so tiring! Anyhow, but praise the Lord, at the beginning of June, she started sleeping through the night - from 7:30 to 7 or 7:30!!!! Let's hope this is NOT just a phase! :) Cara got started on solids around 6 months and she took to it no problem. She had to figure out what to do with her tongue to get it in but once she did it, she barely needs a bib! [But she's still wearing one at every meal b/c I made them for her...haha!] She also hasn't met a babyfood she didn't like yet! :) She's also the recipient of quite a few handmade dresses b/c smaller sizes are so much easier to make. ;) She's getting good at sitting up unassisted and loves to sit in the same room that her siblings are in and just watch the action. I even find her cracking up sometimes when the sibs are doing something funny! She's also my only baby thus far that still smiles at the pediatrician at their 6 month appointment. All in all, she's got a great temperament, which is so nice! The latest is that she's been rolling around in her crib, getting stuck vertically and was not able to roll back on her tummy (her preferred way of sleeping) and it's waking her up at night. I think just today, she's getting better at falling back to sleep on her back. I really have forgotten how many changes babies go through!! And, oh, she's also sporting a new tooth! Go, Cara! :)

I just posted some pics of this past month here - it pretty much summarizes what's been going on, so check it out! :) G'night!

Yay! I finally did it!

Remember my post (last paragraph) from way back about some goals I made for myself to foster my interest? Welp, I finally made some fun stuff using the sewing machine that I borrowed from my sister MONTHS ago! :) Yes, it also took me weeks to figure out that I didn't borrow the power chord and that I didn't have the manual. Hehe. But, nevertheless, I got it all sorted out and made some fun things! I wish I had more time for it, though - right now, I get to sew about once a week for an hour or two. BTW, if anyone has any easy projects or advice, please send them this way. Right now, I have plans to make some drawstring backpacks for the kiddies SOMETIME this year...haha! Anyhow, enjoy the pics!

Flannel/terry wipes (un-paper towels)

Pillowcases (Batman & Wall-E) - super easy!

A set of 6 flannel/terry wipes (can you tell flannel was on sale!? hehe)

Oh, and re: my other goals: I borrowed a bread machine from my MIL a while back and made lots of yummy bread (think applesauce and cinnamon, for example) but found that we had to eat it very quickly to enjoy that fresh bread taste and ended up eating WAAAY too much of it. :P (Not enough freezer space to store it all.) So, I try not to make it as much. Sigh. And most of the pics on this blog were taken with the dSLR, though still have to brush up on my f-stop, aperture skills to really make full use of our camera. But, it's been fun!

So, what have you done to foster your interests, lately? :)

Update on us all....

It's been a while since I've written, so here's a 'quick' family update on the Hsu's in Nazareth. :)



:::Aidan:::
My 4.5 y.o. has really grown up! He's been enjoying Montessori Preschool a lot and getting better at coloring and listening to the teachers. :) I really love the Montessori method and I'm so glad that he's thriving in it! Aidan's also been getting more and more independent. If I can brag a bit, I pick out his clothes for him for the next day the night before, so by the time I go get him in the morning, he's already dressed and his bed is made - he's just reading quietly or playing quietly. :D He's also been so good at helping out with Cara and since his car seat is in the middle, he helps me soothe her when she's crying and plays with her when she's bored. Aidan has also started reading a bit!!! I've been working with him for a while now, doing the alphabet and sounding them out but I think it's finally hitting home! He read the first 2 Bob Books in the 1st set and has been sounding out signs and words on packages. :) I think what really helped was the Starfall website, the Leap Frog Letter Factory DVD & the Leap Frog Talking Word Factory DVD, some random workbooks from the dollar stores, and Eric Carle flashcards we got from Sortfloorbooks (love that site!). He's also been doing better in memorizing his Bible verses - though we've had to throw a little incentive in there for him. Ahem. :) But that is one of the goals we have for the kiddies this year - to get more of the Word in them. It's also been great for me since I haven't been getting into the Word as much as I would like and it'd be great to memorize along with the kids! :)



:::Jana:::
My 2.5 y.o. has really grown a lot as well! She's been talking more and still pretty bilingual - though she's talking more and more in English since she wants to be like Aidan. :) But we still try to talk to the kiddies in Chinese when we remember. All we really ask is that they understand Chinese - speaking it at all is a bonus. :) Jana is also very coordinated and can color well and even use the scissors well - she's been getting into some Kumon books, like Aidan. Don't worry, these Kumon books are fun! See post here. She is also really into memorizing the verses we've been working - she's actually enjoying it more than Aidan! Haha! Jana can also be found putting together imaginative outfits and "breastfeeding" her baby. :) In terms of adjusting to Cara, she's still having a bit of trouble not being the baby but she's trying her best. ;) I think on the days when Aidan is off to school, Jana is a bit better - Cara is usually napping and I get to spend some one-on-one time with her. I also try to tell her that I love her a lot. Hopefully, it's sinking in! :)




:::Cara:::
She's my sweet 3 month old! :D She's babbling lots and staying awake more. She's also really enjoying just being with her siblings and watches them intently! She also recently found her hands, so sucking on them as been a favorite pasttime. She's also been sleeping well and I attribute that to the grace of God and to a mixture of the Babywise method and the Baby Whisper Method. There's also a blog that I love that make Babywise more practical and answers some of the questions someone might have when trying to implement the method. I also want to add that Babywise is not the same method that people have talked about in the past where there is a rigid schedule that babies are put on and must follow or else. It's gotten more flexible and even teaches you to figure out how to read your child so you can better know what they need and why they're crying. I feel like it helps you to organize your day and helps you figure out what the baby needs at that point in time. Then, again, I think I really like my mix because it suits my personality, so it's not for everyone! :)

:::Kev & Jackie:::
We recently purchased the Wii and Wii Fit and it has been great! We play some games together - some competitive and some cooperative, and it's been fun! I've also been trying to strengthen my core and lose some baby weight and it's been helping me with those goals. I really love how I can workout no matter the weather (no more excuses!) and that it's pretty easy to keep to. And another plug for strengthening your core - and this is for you Mommies! I don't know how many times I've struggled with one of the kiddies by either lifting them in a weird position or trying to calm them down from a tantrum and have hurt my back. Then, it takes a while to heal b/c you use your back for almost everything! So, by strengthening your core, not only do you have flatter abs, you will also hurt yourself less! I've done Pilates DVDs in the past, which was good, but got tired of the videos I have - the Wii has a bunch of strengthening exercises and helps you to have good form. Anyhow, regardless of what you use, definitely try working on your abs this winter! :)

We're also trying to go to bed earlier since Cara is still feeding at night and it's going ok - my goal is 10pm but it's been more like 11pm with working out and household stuff. I've also figured out new ways to do some of my chores (like rinsing the dipes at night and getting them into the washing machine to wash in the morning, switched to Tide HE powder so diaper laundry is less tedious, etc) , so I have a bit more free time. I've also been trying to get into the Word more, so I've picked up The Busy Mom's Guide to Bible Study by Lisa Whelchel. (Check out the imperfect ones for a cheap copy!) It's, at most, 15 minutes and gets you in the Word fast and it has a blank page for journaling, which is what I used to do anyways. I've found it highly doable and it gets some of the Bible in my mind for the rest of the day! So, if you're in the market for a new devotional, check this one out!

Alrighty, I should really go to bed....cheerio! :)

K & J + 3, so far....

I've been told many times that life with 3 kids is much busier than 2. I would always nod and wonder to myself, how busy is busy? Life had gotten a lot easier since Aidan and Jana were pottytrained, esp since they are both pretty independent and can play by themselves for a while, no problem. So, pre-Cara, I had imagined this busyness would mean all that came with taking care of a newborn (lack of sleep, lots of feedings and diaper changes) and the regular stuff that came with taking care of Aidan and Jana. But now that Cara is out of the womb, I've realized that it is truly busier than I imagined, day to day. Maybe it's the fact that all my kiddies are pretty close in age - Aidan is 4 y 5 mos, Jana is 2 y 7 mo and Cara is 2 mo?

:::School:::
The busiest part of my day is getting all the kiddies ready to give Aidan a ride to preschool MWF. It seems like no matter how early I get up, I always feel pretty rushed getting them into the car. It's either Cara having another poopie or Jana refusing to get into the car with help (so it takes soo long!) or Aidan needing to pick a book so that he can read during the 7 minutes it takes to me to drive him to school. But sometimes it's the milk moustaches that I forgot to wipe or the jackets that refuse to be zipped....you get the idea. Then it's praying that I get a spot in the school parking lot (there are only about 8 spaces for 20 students) so that I don't have to schlep all 3 kids to and fro in the bitter cold. Anyhow, I'm so blessed to have another mom that volunteered to pick Aidan up for me every school day. [Although I have to admit that sometimes I feel a bit guilty for not packing him up myself so I can be there to give him a hug and ask him how his morning went and schmooze with the other moms. :( But thank goodness Aidan doesn't seem to mind and thinks it's cool that he gets to ride with a good friend of his! :) ] But with Aidan at school and Cara in bed doing her long nap in the mornings, Jana has really enjoyed her alone time with me and it's been really fun. :)

:::Naps & stuff:::
Cara has been such a good baby in terms of napping and sleeping! She naps after every feeding, which gives me a chance to hang out with the other kiddies like we used to. Maybe that's why they love Cara so much - she's giving them a gradual transition to being a family of 5. :) She also normally wakes up once, at most, twice, at night, so I'm not as cranky in the mornings. Hehe. I was a bit worried about her lack of 'waking up' at night but she's been gaining weight well, so I'm going to enjoy my sleep. On her off days when she doesn't nap so well, I find myself getting super creative with how to juggle all three kiddies. So, I've been having to pull out the ol' 'box of goodies' more often than usual and relying more on the kiddies TV time. Still doing a cross between babywise and baby whisperer with Cara and it's been really helpful in helping her sleep well and eat well! I also found a new blog on babywise, which has been very resourceful for troubleshooting - here.

::Mindset:::
Cara's not really on any type of schedule, per se, so there are times when I feel like there's not enough of me to go around. So I find myself trying to multitask like crazy and trying to figure out the most efficient way to do things, like picking out our clothes the night before or putting some breakfast out the night before, etc.. But I also feel like I'm always rushing from one thing to the next and trying to think ahead that I'm not always really there in the moment. Do you guys ever feel that way? I'm still trying to carve out some 'me time' but it's getting harder and harder. The older kids spend about an hour to an hour and a half in their rooms everyday and that's when I have some downtime to read the Word or but do some emailing and such. I find myself really needing that or else I get a bit cranky. ;) But sometimes Cara will choose that time to wake up, which allows me some alone time with her (a good thing) but leaves me less 'me time' (not such a good thing). Still trying to figure all that out. I also find myself putting off chores when they are all asleep which leaves me more to do when they are awake or trying to get some house stuff done instead of napping. Oh, to find a good balance....sometimes I don't even know what I really want to do! Anyhow...

:::Ah, Laundry:::
I've also been finding myself almost tied to the washer and dryer lately. I mean, I'm actually the type that loves doing laundry but even for me it's getting a bit old - sheesh! From having 2 kiddies already, I remember that having a newborn means more laundry but I forgot just how much more! :) The washer I have is a front-loader, which has been making the laundry problem worse. It's not cleaning my cloth diapers as well as when I had a top-loader, so I've been having to run more cycles and thus, be in the laundry room more...blah. Plus, even though it says super capacity, it really doesn't hold that much clothing. So on top of having more laundry in general, I'm having to run more loads of normal clothes and go back and forth between the laundry room and whatever it is I'm doing all day long. [Note to self: If I ever get to buy a washer, I'm getting a top-loader without an agitator.] Anyhow, I've almost started to question if I should even keep up with cloth diapers since I hafta do an extra load every other day but then when I look at the fact that I've only bought 1 pkg of newborn dipes and 1 pkg of size and didn't even use up either of those pkgs yet (and Cara's already 2 months old), I feel a bit better. But I love having the disposables around to give me a much needed break sometimes. :) And I've discovered some new detergents since having an HE machine - Nellie's Laundry Nuggets and Maggie's Soap Nuts, 2 great alternatives to your traditional detergents. Very environmentally friendly - hope to do a review sometime soon! :)

:::Out & About - Not!:::
It's sad but I have not yet braved going grocery shopping by myself and here's why. Before with two, I used to have Jana on the top section and Aidan in the bottom because he likes sorting out my food and putting them in piles for me. But now I'm running out of room for food with Cara in tow. I thought of wearing Cara in a baby carrier but because it's frigid out, I didn't want to take her out of the carseat to put her into the Bjorn/sling/Ergo in the cold....and there's no place for the carseat in the cart, anyhow. Still working on convincing the other 2 to walk by the cart & not run off. ;) Plus, Cara really dislikes being in the carseat for some reason so leaving her in the carseat is not really an option. Anyone have any ideas on how to remedy this? I've been looking for one of those stores that have babysitting but still not sure if I want to leave the other 2 just yet. Sigh. So for now I go by myself (which is a treat!) and rush home so Kev can get some relief. :) I am getting a bit of cabin fever with all this staying at home (but it's so much easier) but I hope to be getting out more once it warms up a bit!

:::Carseat update:::
Oh, an update on the 3 in a row in the back of the CR-V thing. [I have 2 Sunshine Kids Radian 65s and 1 Graco Snugride.] It's working great and having Aidan in the middle really helps. He gives us updates on Cara and doesn't poke her. Hehe. He's also good at giving her the pat-pat, to help calm her down sometimes. The 2 older ones don't seem to mind the 5-point harness and it is so much easier to buckle them in that way. Not quite sure what to do when Cara outgrows the infant carseat - will keep you all updated! :)

:::Final thoughts:::
It has been really busy having 3 under 5 but really enjoyable at the same time. It's been refining me further as I relinqish more control and learn to trust God. I'm leaning on God more with the everyday stuff (ie. how to get things done better & faster, how to discipline the kids yet show them I love them, trying to figure out my goals with the kiddies, etc), which is very humbling. But I do praise God for this season and pray that I will learn the things God wants me to learn and also be able to raise Godly kiddies in the process. :D

Kids really DO say the funniest things!

I mean, I've always known the above to be true, but lately, my 'walkie-talkie' kids have really cracked me up! Here's a sampling:

Scene - Aidan is busying making pretend chocolates for all of us.
Aidan: Mommy, I finished making some chocolates for you!
Me: Aw, thanks, Aidan - what kind are they?
Aidan: They're the yummy kind with fiber - I know you like fiber!
Me: Er, you're so thoughtful!! :) Hehe!
[In my past professional life, I was a registered dietitian and I guess the kids have caught on to the fact that I like fiber - LOL!]
Aidan: I also made some for Cara to eat.
Me: Oh yeah?
Aidan: Yeah, and they are made with 'mu-nai'* because I know that's Cara's favorite.
Me: Wow, you thought of everything (stifling my giggles)!
[*Mu-nai is breastmilk in Chinese.]

Scene - Jana is in trouble again for breaking one of Aidan's creations and she is just about to be put into time out.
Me: Jana, you know you're not supposed to break Aidan's creations, even if he's not playing with them at the moment.
Jana: I know, but, oh, mama, I love your hair!!!
Me: So, now, you're going to be put into....huh? What did you say?
Jana: I love your hair, mama!
Me: Oh, thanks...erm, you still have to go to time out, though.
Seriously, where do they learn these things?! :)

Cara is obviously not talking yet but has been cooing and making the cutest noises! I love it when they get to that stage - it's so fun. :)

Stuffety, stuff, stuff :)

I couldn't really think of a clever title for yet another mish-mosh post, sorry! :) Anyhow, onto the good stuff (hehe)....

Cara had a bit of a tongue-tied issue (or an ankyloglossia issue) when she was born. She was latched on ok with her mouth take in most of areola but doing it kinda funny, she took in a lot of air when she fed (she burped so loud in the beginning she would wake Kev up!) and she wasn't wetting her diapers very much. Even though I remember getting sore a lot in the beginning, it was nothing like I had experienced previously. And I remembered that there is not a whole lot of colostrum in the beginning but to have several dry diapers in a row was concerning. So, after a trip to the pediatrician and voicing my suspicion, it was confirmed that she was a bit tongue-tied. We made an appointment with a pediatric surgery for the end of the next week for an evaluation. When the day came, Cara ended up getting her frenulum clipped and it was so sad to see! But after she was able to latch on (it took her a while to latch with the local anesthesia and the ability to stick out her tongue more), she nursed happily! I do thank God that I heard about this condition from several friends, so I can be more aware of it. But if the above symptoms happen to you, definitely get it checked out! It will save you and your baby from undue pain and stress! [I would have to say that while doing my research, some articles say that some tongue-tiedness is not severe enough to warrant clipping and that the frenulum can stretch to accomodate, so definitely get an accurate evaluation.]

Our church here has been such a blessing since we've joined, esp since we've had the baby. Not only do they do a birth announcement in the bulletin but they have been cooking meals for us for a whole week and will continue to do so for another week and even sent flowers! This time around, I've really appreciate the meals so much - with taking care of 3, I'd have to admit that getting meals ready are towards the bottom of my list! LOL! These women at NC4 go above and beyond just a dish - we're getting complete meals with sides and dessert/fruit. And it's been so great getting to know some of these moms that I don't know so well before. Plus, when you're not able to go out as much, it's just nice to get visitors! :) We are definitely feeling very loved! So if your church doesn't have a meal thingy for moms of newborns, you should start one! [BTW, if anyone has any good casserole recipes or quick, easy meals, please email me! :)]

It's been getting colder here and with all this dry air and the heat blasting indoors, the kiddies' skin are really dry. Jana even developed some rough patches on her body! The lotions we've had didn't really do a thing and we were already using California Baby's Sensitive Body Wash with no fragrances or dyes in it. But ever since we discovered Mustela's Stelatopia Line, it's been so much better. We use the cream wash, the body cream and the milky bath oil for them. I've even bought some of the no-rinse cleansing water for baby Cara since I try not to bathe her everyday. I would love to not bathe the older ones daily but even now they get pretty dirty...hehe. I'd hafta admit that it's kinda pricey but if you wait for sales at Bath & Body Works, it's not too bad! [While doing my research, some people even say that when they use this line, their kiddies with eczema don't even have to use the steroid creams anymore.] I've even been stealing the cream to use on my hands since my hands are getting so dry and chapped from washing them so much and it's definitely helping. Anyhow, just a little FYI. :)

This Christmas, with Cara's arrival and out moving back to the North, we've done all of our shopping online and it's been great! We thought about going last Saturday after going to the DaVinci Center but just seeing all the cars sitting there trying to exit off of Route 22 made us change our minds. We still have to get on those Christmas cards, though....maybe we should order Happy New Year cards from Costco instead? Hehe...

Anyhow, we hope all of you have a Merry Christmas and a relaxing time getting ready! :) Cheers!

Some random things since Cara's arrival...

I can't believe it's been almost 4 weeks since Cara's debut!!! Time flies when you're busy! :) I've been so blessed as to have my parents here til last Friday to take care of me and the other 2 kiddies, so it's been not as stressful. Kev then took off this past Monday and Tuesday to help me with the transition and then my mother-in-law was here from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday afternoon, so tomorrow will be the first day that I have to take the other 2 kiddies with me when I drop Aidan off at Montessori! We'll see how it goes. I have a game plan ready - we'll see if the kiddies cooperate.

Today was actually the first day that I've been home with the 3 kiddies myself and it went pretty well - thank the Lord! Cara is still sleeping a lot during the day, so I just shifted things around so that they all got some attention. Hehe. Plus, Aidan is pretty good at playing on his own and taking care of his own needs (ie potty, eating) - and he's been a great help in helping Jana when she lets him. :) Jana has been on a 'do-it-myself' kick, which makes everything take extra long! I know once this 'practice' phase is over, she'll be so much more independent, but when Cara starts crying or Aidan really needs me, I really wish she would let me help her sometimes. Just a little confession. :D But at least she's getting pretty close to being able to go potty all by herself....I don't always trust her with the wiping, though. Anyone have any tips on making sure they wipe well?!

Cara is the cleanest baby I've ever had! I can count on ONE HAND the number of times she's spit-up when I'm burping her! [I still remember with Jana, I used to burp her with a burp cloth over my shoulder or draped in front of her and having to change that burp cloth many times a day. ] And because her umbilical cord fell off around day 7, I got to cloth diaper her from that day on and she's had only 1 little leak since then! And I've really enjoyed cloth diapering her - still loving my Loveybum fitteds and wool covers. I've also discovered BubuBebe fitteds, MaiMaiBB Fulled Ewe covers, and Little Boppers fitteds that have been working great. And I realize that I really prefer wool covers over PUL once since I've been able to reuse them maybe times before having to wash them. Anything to save time these days! :)

I've also been finding myself using Swaddle Designs swaddle blankets on a daily basis, along with the Aden + Anais muslin swaddling blankets. They truly rock!! They're really big enough to do a 'good burrito' and Cara loves being swaddled! I know I kinda sound like a commercial for them but honestly, they don't even know I have a blog. LOL! :) [Note: the remainder of this paragraph is mainly meant for female eyes - they speak of undergraments. So, feel free to skip it if you're one of my male readers. :D] As for me, I've discovered nursing bras that don't let the nursing pads show through!!! I finally found them and these are it. (I love how you can take out the lining if you don't need it.) But anyhow, this site has a great selection of nursing bras, even not-so-mommy looking ones and free shipping! And I appreciate all the personal comments on the fit of each bra - very helpful. :) Definitely check them out if you're in need of a good-fitting undergarment! :) Sorry if this is too much information! ;)

Lately, I've been thinking about my interests and realized that I haven't been fostering any of the old ones I used to have: photography, playing my flute or guitar, reading and drawing. It's kinda sad but kids are definitely more, how should I put it, urgent. So I've been re-evaluating what I should do to nurture my interests and found myself interested in different things - I guess it's a different season now, eh? I'm thinking about getting a basic sewing machine and learning how to do some simple projects. Anyone have a good, inexpnesive machine to recommend? I'm also thinking about borrowing a bread machine and making some bread from scratch. I soooo enjoy bread that's fresh out of the oven and love how I can add different things (flax meal, wheat germ, etc) to it to up the nutrition. We also recently bought a digital SLR, so I'm looking forward to relearning the basics. Then, hopefully, you will enjoy some great pics of the kids soon! :) And in the near future (once Cara is weaned), I'd love to join a community band/orchestra and get back to playing my flute. Anyhow, those are my short-term goals for now. Have you, fellow mamas, been thinking about what YOU like to do for fun recently?

Alrighty, I should get to bed before Cara wakes up again. :) You know how it goes....g'night!