Project 365 week 8

8 weeks into this year. 2 months complete. 1 month or less until I have this baby. My mind is full right now yet absent. Thoughts have been wrapping around my head, unrest and anxiety kicking in full swing. My sermon from Sunday is still so present and at the forefront of my mind when a little contraction is not there and my hopeful head jumping to could this be it? Please let it be it.

I have been praying so much this week and have been hearing answers. That should be enough. That should let me go on with my day and give me rest. Why do I not let it go? Again I will turn back prayer.

I have been slightly getting things ready for baby. I would not quite call it nesting yet but I will get to it. Does forced nesting count? I have been very tired taking naps daily. I have been in a lot of pain as baby has moved into place and I deal with contractions and pressure all day and night. And I have been struggling with bouts of nausea again. These last few week are so tough which is why I am ready to have the baby but I will try to wait till she is ready, try being the operative word. My doctors have gave me the okay to have this darling anytime locally now.

It again was a long week. The children had two days off due to a Presidents day dumping of half a foot of snow. Oh let's just recall it in pictures. Along with other ladies at Becoming a Strong Woman of God.

February 19
I made macaroni and it was all standing up on end. How weird what are the chances?



February 20
35 weeks pregnant!



February 21
Presidents day and a birthday party. My absent minded scattered brain actually thought this party was on Saturday. I loaded up my family and drove them down to a different state showed up at the party place to find out there was no party for my children that day, it was Monday. Oh they were upset. They cried and to make it up for it I drove further south to another state and took them to see their Grandparents. That somewhat helped but actually going to the party on Monday is what made it better.



February 22
I love babies in the bath tub. Especially the way they smell all dried off.



February 23
Back to school after a four day weekend and it is school spirit week. Today was crazy hair day. The boys love dying their hair crazy colors and ways. I love that it only last a few hours.



February 24
All it takes is half a second. If a mess can be made he is involved. I turned away for half a second and he decided the amount of cereal I had gave him was not enough. So he poured more on his own.



February 25
A sweet old German lady from my swimming class made me this outfit for my baby. I LOVE IT!! I can't wait to have it on her. I can't believe how nice it is and she hand made it. Boy I wish I had these talents. It is so soft. The boots are brimmed and the bonnet I can just imagine her in.



More to come next week I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Like father like son

35 weeks pregnant

Almost done, that is what everyone keeps telling me. I politely smile and nod my head. They are right its almost over. I have no idea when though. That is such a hard thing waiting for a date when you don't know what it is.

I hit the 35 week mark on Sunday. Even though I feel seasoned as a pregnant mama I still read multiple websites of what happens each week.



This week was really though to read because they all said how your emotions and fears are going to be well above the crazy person line. I don't want to hear that. I can't take much more of these mood swings. Especially with out wine.

I am all ready worried about everything. This pregnancy I have heard of all these moms and unborn babies with cord problems. Two of my friends that just delivered live and healthy babies both had knots in there cords. But of course I have come across many blog sites that were not so positive. I never realized how big a problem cord problems are and how many people lose there babies in the last weeks of pregnancy. Boy has that got me worried and I so very much try not to.

I do like being pregnant in the beginning and middle. This last stretch is not for me. Time has slowed down. I feel locked in this waiting game. But I have so much to do and normal life to carry on. I have contractions all the time. More than I remember with the other children. Maybe she will be closer than I think. But reality is my due date is still at the end of March and I should expect anything sooner. Baby still needs to grow and develop.

I am so uncomfortable. I do absolutely believe if I was pregnant on a warm beach this would be a breeze. I could lay back on a well padded beach chair and wait it out resting in the warm sun.

But like I started out with its almost over. It is almost over so and I have a lot to do. So I am off to get started with a positive head and a happy heart for I know I WILL miss being pregnant soon and the prize at the end is unmeasurable.

The boys on a bike ride

Are you ready? For?? Another post about the weather!!!

Yes it true there is still more I can say about it. This time it is not all bad. This time I am not a that angry with the poor misguided weather man. This time the weather was ...WARM! At the end of last week Wednesday, Thursday and Friday the weather man said it was going to creep up to 60 and giving the Lord the glory it was beautiful in the upper 60's.

With the warm weather we experienced a few great things. It melted all the rest of the snow. Left big mud puddles perfect for little boys. And we were able to pull our bikes out for a much needed ride.



Yes that is short sleeves my boys are wearing. Sometimes we need to steep back and give thank for even the small things.

I hitched up Smiley and he was ready to ride. We have this pull along baby carrier and he light up when we get it out.



Gladly and happily he climbs into it. There is room for two babies when our new one is old enough. But it is a little unnerving to have the babies so close to the ground ridding behind me.

We rode all around. It was a little frustrating. With out ridding at all in the winter the boys had completely forgot any bike ridding etiquette. They were all over the place. They would just stop and suddenly we would all run in to the stopped leader. They would run in to me. They did not at all stay to one side. It will be something we will have to work on. Something I am sure that will come back to them after a few more rides. Even with the frustration it was more fun to be out ridding again, enjoying the sunshine.



Two times my fore mentioned fears about the babies in the carrier had some justification. At the start of our journey about 500 feet from our home one of the wheels on our carrier fell off. They do come on and of for storage but are you know supposed to stay ON while ridding. We turned around went home and I was able to quickly fix it. I thought I had got it on just fine. It seemed secure. It made it through the neighborhood, around the park. Just as we pulled back into our driveway I felt a heavy pull. I turned around to find AGAIN the wheel had come off. Uf da at least we are home.

There was a disappointed baby in the back sitting, looking helpless, cute, I sure he was thinking glorious thoughts about my repair skills.





We will look further into this but no need to today because last night... it SNOWED!

To much sugar

Hungry describes one of the many feelings I have been feeling lately. I eat sugar all the time. Yesterday was a low. So why not share it with you.



Yup I did that. I opened and ate the frosting from a can with out the cupcakes. I don't even normally like this frosting but pregnant yummy. Now I did bake some cupcakes to justify it but sadly I ate this while they were cooking.

Where does it go?






Speaking of mixed pregnancy emotions. I watched 50 First Dates last night for the first. What a cute movie. But at the end I cried and cried. It would be horrible to not remember your children. Mine have been stressful, Smiley, lately but I would never not want him in my life. I want to remember and cherish every moment of all these little lovely boys. What great love he had for her it was dreamy. Here is a clip and one of my favorite songs to boot.

Project 365 week 7

In a year that is flying by this was a rather long week. We have been busy, tired, enjoying some warmer weather and trying to clean this house. I am so thankful it is Friday but this 3 day weekend is so over scheduled it will be even busier, but still wonderful family time.

February 12
A nice gesture by Jay, he brought me home some newspapers to read.



February 13
I hit the 34 week mark. Evan arms can barely fit around my belly anymore.



February 14
Aren't these great? Spanish conversation hearts. My boys are struggling with Spanish I thought these might help.



February 15
boy being boys. With all the melting snow left an abundance of mud.



February 16
With the temperature warming up and a nice breeze I hung the blankets and towels out to dry. I love the feeling of line dried towels and blankets with a breeze to them. But I can not stand to have my clothes line dried. Still a little snow on the ground but it is going away and hopefully does not return.



February 17
It was Fathers day at the boys school for the younger kids. Evan got to make his dad breakfast and spend some time with him. He was so excited about this and just loved it, he said it was his favorite part of the day.



February 18
I have a strong opinion against pets in our house. My fish are okay and occasionally watching my parents dog is nice but I will not have pets. Therefore a bonus to the children's school is they each have classroom pets. They live there, the kids get to love and play with them, it is such a win win situation. This is Evan's most beloved Sammy.




If you want to read more about others weeks hop on over to see Sonya at Becoming a Strong Woman of God for other great 365 weeks.

Baby is a baller

Every day that I take Smiley to an appointment it is so stressful. For the most part I have him babysat or in childcare. He is our first one to be watched like this and he goes to a childcare 6 days a week! He is just a handful, a handful of the best love ever, but challenging. He used to not like the childcare but has now come to enjoys his baby friends.

Saturday mornings are one of the mornings I get the "joy" of keeping him content while his brothers play basketball. The only way that could be more difficult is if the wiggles were the one teaching the kids to play basketball and I said no Smiley stay in your seat and behave, you don't get to play. His love for balls is huge. Every week it is a crying terrible tantrum that he can't play. I usually take him else where and play with him but that only last for so long. It is the longest hour of the week.

Last Saturday the boys were scrimmaging using only half the gym. The other part was occupied by a few girls and my happy baller.



He got to play ball almost the whole time. He still ran off to his brother interrupting their game but the big girls help me watch him. I love mothers helpers!



They passed it with him. He would try to shoot. He was happy and they thought he was cute.



Smiley was in his element. I have got three basketball players so far, I guess I will have to keep working on my team. How many are on a team anyway?



But then she toddled in, Cathrine. A baby friend and she wanted to play too. As darling and cute as it could be.



Her mother and I cooing and snapping pictures of these two tinys passing the ball back and forth. I love her purple outfit and pink and white ball.



They played well and talked in there baby language.



It often looked as if they were squabbling 1 year olds pulling the ball out of each others arms but they are just little and can't pass it to each other yet. So they kinda did do a snatch but it was friendly.



She was a cutie. She was a lot of fun. They both were occupied and both a bit easier, most of the time.

Valentines

It's Valentines day 2011! I hope you all are having one of the best ones with your sweethearts. Just like most happy people I love valentines day. The more people you have to celebrate it with I think the more fun it becomes.

Which is why school parties at valentines were always one of my very favorite. I loved getting valentines from the class, making a box or bag, eating all the treats, the decorations, and of course dressing up like the queen of hearts. This is the first year my boys have gone to school so this is their first valentines party . I am so excited for them! Evan is having a full out party, Gregory is just doing an exchange but I bet both will love it.

I found the card we made to exchange on a few blogs. I thought it was adorable. So last night as a family we sat and made dozens. They came out real well. The boys were all into using my scrapbooking tools. The cards were easy to make and so much better than a store bought box set.









I got one card for valentines day from my oldest. It is a mixed emotions card.



He made it at school. He made it himself. He drew all of us on it.




He even wrote a sweet message on the inside. I love his misspelling, even if I know that means he needs to work a bit harder. I love the card.

But it is the picture that had less than jumping out for joy. I love that he drew all of us. He even put our ages on us. And that is where the problem lies.



Here is a picture of dad and I. Look closely. Here is me close up.



Most of you don't know this about me so I will help you out. The age on me is gulp...33! Thanks son. I will be 32 in one month. Not quite 33. Ugh, I want botox for my birthday.

Valentines did not turn out like I thought it would. I had a romantic notion to start valentines off in the beginning of February with something special each day for my husband. I had even bought a few things to do this with. I was getting excited and curious as what I was going to do all of these days. But as it turned out February has not a good month for us. Every couple has up and downs sadly February has been one of our downs. It probably would be better if I had gone through with my plan I can guarantee that would make things better but I have barely spoke to him. So the plan was canceled.

Not forever. After all valentines is a feeling not a numbered day. So whither we celebrate in February or June it is that fact that we are celebrating love and that should be celebrated and appreciated everyday.

I did not get the gift I wanted this this year, in fact I got nothing at all. But I will let you know what I wanted.

1. First and foremost I want a pedicure! I want pretty toes. I am in my swimsuit 3 days a week and we actually have weather reaching up in to the 60's this week so bring out the flip flops. I can no longer reach my toes nor have been able to for a while so this would be a great treat.

2. I saw this dress for Lilly Pulitzer and fell in love! I want it so much. Isn't it beautiful?! But I can not fit into it right now so I can wait till April. I could wear it as my Easter dress? But I want to wear it with my pretty toes and go out for a special night on a dinner cruise.



3. And I still want/need a larger car. I have my heart set on these super size SUV's to fit my family of 6 plus and more. Isn't it darling in this valentines color? But Jay does not want another low mileage car and I don't want the payments so again we will wait.



I did get to have one present actually. I went to the doctors today and got to hear the little ones heartbeat. She was kicking around in the 130's. A happy baby and a very excited mom to meet her. I love you little one and next year you WILL be so decorated for Valentines!



With the lack of romance going around right now I did not do and decorating. But leave it to my little sweethearts to make the place look special. Evan decorated a window for us.



And I helped him reach this mirror.



And my most silly Gregory decorated his dad's desk with little cut out hearts he and his brother made. I love the little reminders of your sweet and silly face!



We still had celebrations, I still enjoyed it. I wish I could have gone to the childrens school and watched them celebrate, maybe next year. Maybe next year my super valentines day plans will work out. But I love my family all of them and will keep loving them everyday with candy and kisses.

Project 365 week 6

Week 6, week 6, it feels like week 6 of 2011. Although yesterday I swore it was 2012. What a way to quickly age my family, and to STILL be pregnant. Week 6 again was cold but there was no snow and the boys actually had a full week of school with no cancellations or delay. The first of this year.

February 5
Evan got to play basketball! He has been going every week I think in hopes of this but he is only in Kindergarten and to play basketball you are supposed to be in 1st grade. He was thrilled and did great.



February 6
These two could not be better friends. They love to rawl each other up. Giggle and Play.



February 7
I love to sit down to dinner with my family. Unfortunately we don't that often because of dad's schedule. It is usually just me and the boys and because of the rush and age of Smiley I usually referee dinner and don't get to enjoy it. I am going to try and work harder to bring back that peace.



February 8
Seed catalogs are coming. Spring is around the corner. I want to have a big beautiful garden and a gardener. Looking through the catalogs give me great ideas of plants to kill.




February 9
He turned 20 months old but acts more like it is terrible twos.



February 10
I pulled these house plants out of the window to try to save them. My husband tries to make me promise all the time to stop buying plants. They all turn out like this. Neglected and dead. Hope may be lost here.




February 11
I played chauffeur to my son and his friends. They were a hoot listening in on there 5/6 year old conversations. Mine is the one making a strange face on the right go figure.




Remember to check back ever Friday for project 365. A fun way to remember the week.