Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Post Pregnancy Hair Loss

Okay, so inevitably it has happened again. I'm losing my hair at a rapid pace and it's driving me crazy! It's ironic that when you expecting your hair grows and looks so full and pretty. The flip side of that is once you have your precious little one, hormones can do a number on you and your locks. I've experienced this with 3 of my 4 pregnancies right around 4 months post pregnancy. Imagine washing your hair and tons of your hair coming out in your hands. It's very unnerving to witness. Some days I'm like "is there any hair left on my head." Fortunately there is, but some styling options are not to be tried right now. My beloved pony tail is much to revealing at the moment. With earlier pregnancies the crown of my head was also very sparse. That has not happened this time. Thank goodness! There is a glimmer of hope, as those areas are beginning to slowly fill in. The philosophy is this, due to hormones your body holds on and sheds hair at a less frequent rate. Thus lovely and full hair for those 40 weeks. Once those hormones begin to regulate in your body all the shedding your body did not do throughout your pregnancy begins to occur. Funny how it doesn't happen to everyone and even more ironic that I've been so lucky to have this happen 3 times in a row now. Looking forward to being able to proudly pull my hair back in public!

Friday, July 24, 2009

Some Mornings Are Better Than Others

Most mornings it is pleasant in the Bolton household. The kids typically wake up somewhere between 8am-9am. There's a great sense of calm, peace and love that flows on the upper level. However, some days it has a way of disappearing once we hit the lower level. Today was one of those days. Blame it on low sugar levels or just excitement for the day. Once we got downstairs, everyone had their breakfast of choice. As soon as the bibs were off and their feet made it to the playroom, it was on. Voices got louder, disagreements ensued, and the crying/whining began. Sometimes its hard to share and play nice, especially when one wants to play trains and the other just wants to read books. 'Everyone' was upset and crying. Well the third just wanted to be fed. Suddenly I wished I was an octopus with eight arms to do all I was trying to accomplish in that moment. Instead I instructed the two toddlers to work it out or forfeit play altogether. Interesting how the 'thought' of no play can correct a situation. So now we have a well fed and sleeping newborn and two little ones singing and playing dinosaurs. We're back on track....for now anyway.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Chicago

This was a interesting week to manage through. My mother celebrated her 60th birthday which was also the first anniversary of the day my Dad passed away. Talk about a mix of emotions. Bitter and sweet. We surprised my mother and took her to Chi-town for the weekend. Chicago is one of her favorite places. Chicago has GREAT food and shopping! Retail therapy and good eats, you can't beat it. It was a very special and fun time to be together. Of course we all came home a few pounds heavier and dollars lighter...but it was a good trip. Our Chicago playlist went a little something like this;

Day One
  1. Amalfi Hotel (top notch accomodations)
  2. Sidetracked by a little dental emergency (nothing a great concierge can remedy
  3. Great little Italian eatery facing Millenium Park during the Music Festival
  4. A little rain storm can't keep the family down (enter Walgreens for several $8 umbrellas) and keep it moving
  5. Who needs dinner when you just want to get to the ole skool mix at the Funky Buddha Lounge
  6. 2:30 am Pizza delivery. We should have had dinner =)

Day Two
  1. Amalfi complimentary breakfast mix (yummy)
  2. Shopping
  3. Bubba Gump's at Navy Pier (not happy about that Bucket of Trash change...but it was still good)
  4. More Shopping
  5. Infamous Garrett's popcorn (line out the door and around he corner...so worth it)
  6. Shop til your ready to drop
  7. Amalfi Antipasti and regroup
  8. Little Naptime and then the most fabulous dinner @ Shaws.
  9. Lucky Strike for some bowling excitement.
Day Three - Airport and a little 'standby' drama that worked out in the last seconds before the flight left. Thank you Lord.

Teenage Driving

So the day finally arrived that my first born was free to operate a motor vehicle. Wow! She has anxiously awaited this day and quite honestly so have I. It has not been fun shuttling her around to all her various activities daily. Especially with 3 little ones. However on so many levels I wish I could go back to just a few weeks ago when she needed and depended on us for everything. Not to mention there is now another level of worry associated with this new found freedom and convenience. The first day she got her license she couldn't wait to drive. So of course I remember how that was and wanted her to indulge and enjoy. Can I tell you my nerves were shot the entire 1.5 hours she was gone. "Call me when you arrive" and "Call me when your leaving". This has become our ritual anytime she leaves to go somewhere. I've been praying continually for her safe travels and to make wise decisions while out on the road. There has been no greater sound than the phone ringing and her telling me she's made it safely to her destination. Mobile independence is a great thing. Of course with this level of independence come more responsibility. Next on the list....a job.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Moving Madness

Moving madness as opposed to Movie Madness!!! I spent most of the morning gallivanting through several houses with 2 toddlers and newborn in tow. That was a feat, especially keeping little hands off of O.P.S (other people's stuff). The most disappointing part was the homes were no where near as spectacular as they sounded via their individual listings. One house had way to much going on. There was chic, contemporary and traditional all under the same roof. I left there with a headache. Another house was REALLY nice and open, but the driveway resembled a Black Diamond ski trail. I was actually sweating trying to back out of that place. The one listing I was very excited about had a lot of the things I'd want in a bigger place. Unfortunately someone needed to tell that sweet old man that owned the house, he needed to straighten it up at least to the point that one could imagine living there. All in all we survived. Everything in each house remained intact. Well Mireya (my 2 year old) did try to nab a bear that looked like it's been holding on since the 1950's. Oh and she was very intrigued by the 'Wizard of Oz' sunroom in that same house...complete with a very interesting neon green table with the Wicked Witch of the West's feet.

This house hunting trip made me excited to get out and see more houses. It also brought me back to the reality of needing to finalize the last few details of listing my home. Hopefully within the next week or so we will be officially on the market. It's been quite a process. Can you be 'over' the process before it even begins? Wish us luck!!!!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Updating, status changing, tweeting or just reaching out to others....we all have so much to say and share with one another. Blogging is something I've considered doing for quite a while...so today is as good a day as any.

I am in my late 30's and the mom of four 16, 4, 2, and 4 months. Life on any given day is certainly an adventure. Right now we have a mixed bag of tricks going on....from a newly licensed teenage driver to the tenacious two's and teething. As a young adult I never imagined myself with children. But shortly after I got married all that changed. We endured a lot to get to this place, and 10 pregnancies later, we treasure each one of these lives we've been blessed with. I strive to do the best I can to manage stability and maintain sanity...of course with lots of love, laughter and fun!!! And likely many tears (both mine and the kids) along the way!!!