Survival Mode

I am writing this in spite of the fact that I have laundry to fold, floors to vacuum, and bathrooms to scrub. I am writing this because I am hoping that one day I will look back and laugh. Right now I feel more like crying.
We are really very blessed. Abby has been a great baby-- good eater, good sleeper, pretty mellow all around. I am grateful for these things. It's just been a little crazy is all.
Since Abby was born six weeks ago:
1. Kate had pneumonia. Then I got the flu that turned into pneumonia. Now Trav has the flu and we are just hoping it will go away soon because it's the kind of flu that is completely debilitating. Yes, we all got flu shots.
2. The kids were off track right after she was born, which was difficult in its own way of trying to keep them entertained. But now they are back in school and I am finding that it is also difficult to get them to school or pick them up on time because I am either feeding the baby or fighting with Max about getting his shoes on.
3. Anna had surgery to remove the plate and screws from her arm.
4. Anna got her braces on, and if you know Anna at all, it has been full of drama about what she can and cannot eat and how uncomfortable it is.
5. Eve got a popcorn kernel stuck in her ear.
6. Max has gone mad. He is in a super hero phase where he runs around, jumping off the couch crying "To the Rescue!" He loves to irritate the dog, and in fact colored stripes on her (as well as the couch) with marker the other day. I was able to get it out of the couch, but not Daisy.

The only chores I can stay on top of are the dishes and the laundry. I am not sure if my upstairs has been vacuumed at all since Abby was born, and my car is a total disaster. Five kids is turning out to be a lot harder than being pregnant and having four kids. I am sure six months from now I will be a little more in control and that this is just a phase, but it sure seems like a long phase!

 We did pool all the money the kids had saved from selling toys before we moved to donate to the Philippines after the typhoon. Kate's heart is about four sizes bigger than most people's, I am pretty sure.

Abby is a beautiful little baby, and she does smile, just not for the camera. She loves her changing table, baths, and the ceiling fan.

This is Max most days. He loves these super hero jammies and wears them all the time. Like, he'll wake up and get dressed in regular clothes, but by the time he takes his nap at 1, he wants to be back in his super hero jammies again and stays in them the rest of the day. I think Santa is going to bring some more so that these can get washed once in a while. Also, he loves these glasses that he found in Anna and Kate's room. I think they make him look like Elton John. 

Crazy or not, they're mine and I love them to pieces!