While you were sleeping...

I thought up the title for this blog while my husband was sleeping-in/napping (very much earned, mind you) this morning. [His job required him to wake up 4a.m. yesterday, and he wasn't able to compensate by going to bed early last night (see previous post) like he usually does). Since he has since gotten up and begun his morning routine, a better title might be "things I did this morning before breakfast", but some of this was indeed while he was sleeping... (not necessarily in this order).

Nursed our baby (at 12 months, she's not quite an infant, but still not weaned yet. I'm willing to wait till 24 months to wean, but none of my kids so far have made it that long).

Turned on and watched portions of Adventurs of Winnie the Pooh with children.

Checked email, composed a blog entry while older children were still watching said video (and youngest was eating a bananna).

Unloaded dishwasher.

Supervised/ Participated in making of waffles for the family breakfast (but, I had momentum and was in the process of cleaning, that I myself didn't join them as I typically do... so no breakfast for me yet.)

Loaded dishwasher.

Scrubbed down counters.

Picked up food from the floor (yesterday's snack?)

Picked up clothes off the floor (why were they there?)

Carried overstuffed laundry hamper into the basement.

Tossed a load of laundry in the washer machine.

Picked up toys off the living room floor (the joy of having all the kids take out 1 year old's toys, and then wander off...)

Picked up papers off the floor (I'm amazed how many papers ended up in my purse, and then got dumped on the ground - evidence that bringing pads of paper, pencils, crayons, markers do keep little hands busy during church).

Swept (o.k. not sweep everything, but piles left over from yesterday's cleaning actually made it into the trash can).

Took out the trash (three trash bags).

Took out recyclable items. (Doing my part to save the planet? or, at least filling up the recycle bin outside as well as the trash cans).

Changed a diaper.

Put ear drops in child's ears.

Read a book.

Coaxed potty training three year old to use the toilet properly (yay!).

Put baby-getting-to-be-toddler down for morning nap.

Referreed sibling conflict.

Encouraged second oldest to get dressed (and complimented oldest for doing it without being prodded).

Encouraged older children to make their beds (but didn't get around to doing mine yet, hopefully I'll get around to washing sheets today).

Picked up some shoes.

Directed children to pick up some shoes.

Cleaned up orange juice spill.

Wiped down bathroom sink (still needs to be scrubbed further).

Rinsed out coffee pot.

Wished I had more time in the morning.

Cleaned hands of 3 year old and 5 year old who got into paint...

Got items out of the van that needed to be washed (such as 1 year old's cup).

Listened to various stories.

Oversaw time outs.

Picked up towel off the floor (why did the bathroom towel make its way into the hallway??)

Sorted through one 'misc papers' container (so that the "I want to keep" papers from church had a temporary home).

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I've lossed momentum to do household chores, but, I think things are looking better than when we fell asleep (or woke up?). I was able to have a delightful morning -- I got to eat breakfast with my husband (just the two of us! sipping coffee too, having conversation too? When does that ever happen?).

Ok, now I hear commotion going on.. Now I'm off to "things I did after breakfast this morning"....

How many visits.......?

TUESDAY= Parent/Teacher conference [2 kids in tow, for one child]

WEDNESDAY= Double Visit to PEDIATRICIAN (follow-up on ear infection, follow-up on flu shot for baby who needed six week booster) [ 3 kids in tow]

THURSDAY = Parent/Teacher conference [for one child, just one parent attending 4 kids left at home with other parent]

THURSDAY= Double Visit to ENT (routine visit every three months) [ 4 kids in tow]

FRIDAY= special athletics class [2 kids]

FRIDAY= Religion class. [1/ 2 kids, take advantage of other mom waiting to watch other 2/3 kids so I can observe/help.]

SATURDAY = Double visit to PHARMACY (ENT called, throat swab turned up positive for strep, even though there had been no complaints of sore throats or anything from those two kids -- but pink throat merited a culture) [ 4 kids in tow]

SATURDAY = single visit to URGENT CARE CENTER (Since I had sore throat, 2 kids positively have strep, I should get tested asap, right?) [4 kids in tow]

SATURDAY = single visit to 24 hour PHARMACY (to fulfill my own perscription) [by myself, barely counts as a chore. I bought gummy worms which will be important for tomorrow's adventure]

SUNDAY = church (just about 24 hours with antibiotics, so o.k. to go. Wouldn't want to miss Palm Sunday!)

SUNDAY = single visit to ER in ANOTHER STATE (went on a 3 hour drive to a special service at a friend's church, someone FELL OUT OF THE VAN, and needed 2 staples in head!) [4 kids in tow. This took just over five hours. most of the time was spent WAITING. The Gummy worms turned out to be the PERFECT incentive for kids to mind manners and be patient in the waiting room. The kids had a blast watching the golf tournament on the hospital's golf channel. I am VERY thankful that I remembered the double-umbrella stroller for our day's outing. It got much use in keeping 3 year old still, and giving me an extra set of hands when not holding almost 8 month old!)

MONDAY = maybe? need to call doctor and get strep test for 2 who were in thursday -- although they had a visual check, need to make sure they aren't positive.

MONDAY = maybe? need to get husband to get strep test at his Dr. too.

FRIDAY = need to have appt with pediatrician to remove two staples.

WEDNESDAY next week = need to have follow-up appt for ENT to make sure antibiotics cleared up strep

calendar: need to schedule dentist visit, need to schedule other follow up for ENT, need to schedule other follow-up for pediatrician. Need to schedule appt. for the car. Need to get ready for Easter.