My Thankful "Leftovers" List

I totally slacked on blogging days 3-5 of thankfulness.  I'm going to smoosh it all together here...

• Day #3:  I am thankful for showers and good books.  I have horrible insomnia.  I used to watch tv in the wee hours of the morning when I couldn't sleep.  However, our new roomie, Stella, has a hard time staying asleep with the tv on.  So when the insomnia hits, I go to the bathroom, hop in the shower and read.  I've read soooooo many book over the past few months.  I actually just finished a new book the other night ("Sing you Home" by Jodi Picoult)- I am not sure what book I want to get into next, so during the transition period, I'm re-reading "Twilight."  For real. :)  And I'm actually loving it as much as I did the first time around!
• Day #4:  I'm thankful to live in such a beautiful city.  It's completely bizarre (but very cool) to live in a city where people actually come to vacation.  I don't know the percentage, (its a big one) but most of the revenue in this town comes from tourists.  I have these surreal moments every now and then, where I feel like I have to pinch myself and say, "I'm not on vacation!" 
• Day #5:  I'm thankful for a husband who lets me sleep in on Saturday mornings!  Ever since having kids, Ryan's always been really good about letting me sleep in on Saturdays.  He loves making breakfast and watching cartoons with the kids... and that just works out perfectly for me!  :)  This morning, he made the kids big fluffy waffles and they wrestled around the house while watching "The Aristocats."  Stella and I emerged from our room around 9- and I'm telling you- those extra couple hours of sleep made me feel like a new person!

friday night leftovers! (the Saturday morning edition ;)

• My 6 week postpartum visit was such a bust.  STILL no exercising.  I am just not healing like I did with the other 2.  The funny thing is, this is the best post partum experience I've had.  Again, I really don't want to get into details but basically, I'm just not healing.  :( boo.  I go back on Friday to be checked again.
• I hate to complain and complain... BUT wow- when it rains, it pours.  Between Henry's broken arm and my kidney stones and infection, it has been a hellish two weeks. 
• Henry's really been doing great with his cast.  I think it bothers us more than it bothers him. 
• A story about Henry's cast:  We were at Chik-fil-a on Thursday, and the kids were playing in the little playplace.  Within 5 minutes, a kid emerges crying- saying "that boyyyyy hit me with his arm!!"  And yeah- that "kid" would be Henry.  And of course the arm would be his casted one- the one that's comparable to a billy club.  Five minutes after the first crisis, Maeve emerges with a bloody lip, crying hysterically and saying "HENRY HIT ME ON THE FACE!!!"  It was then that we realized it probably wasn't a good idea having Henry in such close quarters with his cast/weapon.  In Henry's defense, I think both "hits" were accidents.  Maeve told me he didn't mean to hit her- they bumped on the slide.
• We ate at this awesome place yesterday called "The Cheese Wheel."  I am such a bread and cheese person... so to have a place where they specialize in all sorts of crazy cheese, WOW- I was in heaven ;)
• Have you entered this give away  YET?????  Please do!  The creations are awesome!!!

The Paper Mama's Photo challenge:  "Friends"

What can I say about this pic?  It melts my heart.  My girls- friends & sisters forever :)

friday night leftovers (the saturday version)

• Hurricane Irene passed right by us.  But we got some awwwwesome waves out of it.  We took our first family trip to the beach last night.  We've gone to the same spot since we've moved down here.  It's about 25 minutes from our house, but totally worth the drive.  It's quiet, calm and has little tide pools for the kids to splash in.  There's also a great strip of beach for shelling- where the inlet and the ocean meet- its FABULOUS shelling.  Anyways, I was excited to see what shells had washed up thanks to Irene.  The weather has been a little wacky- you can tell something is definitely brewing off shore.  But last night at the beach, we saw the power of a hurricane- even one that is 100 some miles away in the middle of the ocean.  The entire beach was gone- GONE.  The ocean has taken over the shore... there isn't a foot of beach to walk on.  Even the dunes (that have been protected because of sea turtles and plants) are under water :(.  We stood off the boardwalk for a minute or two, just watching the giant waves.  They had to have been at least 7 or  8 feet high- and they were scary rough!  Anyways, it was cool watching the storm out in the middle of the ocean, but pretty sad to see that "our" beach is underwater :(. 

• I've decided I want a boat.  BADDDDLY.  I want a boat.  I want to dock it on the bayfront and take it out on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.  We could pack all the kids on, crank up the jimmy buffett & jack johnson, and spend the afternoon lounging.  Doesn't that sound like heaven???  Now I just need to figure out where we can come up with an extra 10 grand.  Hmm... I'm thinking that will be the wrench in this whole lounging/boat plan.
• I need to knock on wood- but I *THINK* the sickness that has knocked down every one of my loved ones (except Stella) has left our house.  THANK GOD.
• I think its really strange that I've had people that we barely know (church people, facebook "friends" that I've never even met, neighbors that I've only waved to, random people at Publix) wish us congrats on baby Stella, but I have a handful of people I assumed would wish us a congrats, that I'm still waiting to hear A WORD from.  That irritates me. 
• Ryan and I have a running argument over the Ford commercial- is it Taylor Swift's song they're playing, "Sparks Fly?"  Yay or nay???
• I'm block feeding Stella.  Does anyone have any experience with this?  I think its working...(trying to reduce my supply) but its incredibly uncomfortable. 

Friday Night Leftovers.

• I had my 38/39 week appointment today.  I call it my 38/39 week appointment because I'm 38 weeks and 4 days- so that's practically like 39 weeks, right??  Anyways, it (the appointment) was the definition of boring.  My mom was in the waiting room watching the kids- normally she takes the kids to play at a park or something, but today she decided to stay.  Of course today would be the day that I ended up having to wait 45 minutes for the midwife to show up.   It wasn't her fault- she was downstairs on L&D with a patient, and was apparently in a HUGE rush to get back to her (my actual appointment with her lasted maybe 1 minute).  I understand- but it was a super long wait and I felt bad for my mom who had to keep the kids entertained.
• So my actual appointment- the midwife came in, we shook hands/met, she listened to the heartbeat, measured me and said "see you in a week!"  That was it.  UGH.  I was hoping to have my membranes swept... or at the very least have my cervix checked for some progress.  But... nothing.   How boring huh? 
•  We went to the beach last night which we normally do at least once a week.  Usually we just walk and shell.  Last night was low tide (and 100 degrees), so we put suits on the kids and let them swim in the tide pools.  We ended up stay until 8 PM.  I found 2 huge conch shells- fully intact and one perfect sand dollar  (my 2nd sand dollar in a week!)  It was a really nice night and on the drive home, I felt some encouragement that this is where we are supposed to be.  :)
• My house and car are both pits.  And I'm totally blaming the kids.  Yes, I should be more efficient and pick up after them but dang it- I'm tired.  It takes too much energy to follow them around, picking up their messes 24/7.  For example, during "quiet time", Maeve goes in her room to read and do puzzles.  She does a pretty good job with quiet time- but without fail, every single day, the room is trashed at the end of quiet time.  Along with reading and puzzles, she also plays dress up, pulls down her stuffed animals, builds block towers, etc.  It is a losing battle to pick up her room... and maybe once I don't have 10 lb baby inside of me, I'll have more energy to bend over and clean it up.  But for now, its just staying a mess.  Whatever.
• Henry's got a few new words but is still not really communicating.  If he wants/needs something he tends to grunt and shriek at us.  I always try and get him to say what he wants, "DRINK?  Do you want a drink?  Say DRINK?"  But nothing comes out except grunts...  I honestly wouldn't be worrying about it too much, if it weren't for the fact that a newborn is about to enter our lives.  Out of our (almost) 3 children, I will only be able to really communicate with one of them... yikes.
• Maeve goes to Sunday school every Sunday and has been LOVING IT.  She talks about Sunday school 24/7.  She's learning tons of things- and the girl is a sponge.  They'll learn a Bible verse, and she'll repeat it for the rest of the week.  This week, the lesson was "Love is kind."  And she's been reminding me of this over and over and over again. 

                       Me: "Maeve, you can't take 20 books with you to the beach." 
                       Maeve:  "MOM WHY DID YOU SAY THAT?  LOVE IS KIND!!!!"

• The St. Augustine Children's Theatre is putting on "Cinderella" tomorrow night- my mom and I are taking Maeve.  I am excited! :)  She should love it.  I'm hoping to get our nails done together either before or after the show... but we'll have to see.
• I am beyond disappointed that Tropical Storm/Hurricane Emily broke up.  I want to see a hurricane sooooo badly.  Not a bad one- but a category 1 would be great.  :) I want to see giant waves on the ocean and go shelling after the storm! 

Thats all! :)

happy friday!

friday night leftovers.

• I'm still very pregnant!  At my appointment today, I measured a week and a half larger.  But I was assured by the midwife that the baby really isn't too large at all.  She's predicting that if I were to give birth today, the babe would be around 6 lbs.  Unfortunately for me, the baby probably isn't coming for at least 2 more weeks... how much can a babe gain in 2 weeks?  Hmmm...
• I opted out of getting my cervix checked- I was thinking if she were to check me and I wasn't anymore than a 1, I'd be grumpy all weekend.
• Would you believe that I STILL have a UTI???  After a week on macrobid, they're switching me to cipro (??spelling??) for 10 days- apparently I have a "very complicated UTI"- that's what the midwife said anyway.  Cross your fingers this med works because I am beyond frustrated and DONE dealing with these things.
• We still don't have a middle name for this little girl :/
• We went to a fancy place for lunch today with my grandma, mom and sisters to celebrate Emily's 21st birthday.  My grandma had gotten Maeve a purse as a surprise, and Maeve was really into filling it with stuff.  To my knowledge, she had stuffed in some candy, crayons and a few packets of sugar.  When we got home, she wanted to show me what was in her purse- out came french fries, swiss cheese, sugar packets and a spoon.  Whoops ;)
•   Speaking of food (when am I not speaking of food?) Publix has this amazing family combo dinner for 9.99.  We literally fed our family of 4 (and a half) for ten bucks tonight.  The meal consists of either a rotisserie chicken or a pack of fried chicken (from the deli), 2 sides (we got potato salad and mac. salad), Hawaiian sweet rolls (THE BEST!) and a gallon of iced tea or lemonade.  Good deal, huh???  I'm pretty sure we'll start integrating this into our weekly meals.
• The heat index for tomorrow is 105...  I love warm weather- but this is kind of nuts.  The only thing I can think of doing on a day that hot is either lying in the pool or the ocean.  I think we're opting for the ocean tomorrow.
• Have you seen "Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs?"  I dvr'd it the other night and the kids have been wanting to watch it at least once a day.  It's so cute!  And it makes me super hungry.
• my wisdom tooth on the right side of my mouth is driving me crazy.  It's aching SO bad... and I think its pushing and squishing my other teeth as well... I need to find a dentist or a oral surgeon to get this thing out as soon as the baby's born.
• I am still very scared about life with 3 kids.  Now that we're in FL, and I have my mom right here to help, I'm not as scared- but still, logistically, I'm thinking I'm in trouble.  For example, transporting the kids from the car to the house- at the moment, Maeve walks and I carry Henry.  Yes, Henry can walk just fine, but he does NOT hold a hand well at all.  In fact, when I try to hold his hand he plops down and screams until he wriggles away and is free to run.  Today as I was walking into the house, juggling my purse, camera and keys, oh- and Henry, I panicked a bit thinking about how I was going to add an infant into the mix.  Any ideas??? 
• It's been a ton of fun having both of my sisters here... I'm sad Meghan has to go back to Mississippi on Sunday.
• I'm in the middle of reading "Molokai" and I'm not sure if I like it or not.  I guess I'll have to see how it ends.  It was on the Target book list, so I was thinking it would be a guaranteed good read- and it is good, but not comparable to a few books I've read lately (Water for Elephants, umm... Twilight ;) 
• I've really been missing our house lately.  We were told it was broken into, trashed and the thought of that makes me so sad.  We worked so hard on that home.  The condo we're staying in now is fine- but its soooo vacationy- feeling.  It feels like we're borrowing/renting everything.  I can't wait to own a house again and be able to make it feel very HOMEY...  ahhh little blue house on Pemberton Lane... I miss you... :(

And here are some photos from throughout the week...

 

Friday Night Leftovers

• 37 week appointment this morning :)  Here are the stats:

            -baby is head down and very high...
            - dilated to 1 cm (BOOOOO)
            - measuring big (surprise surprise)... not sure how many weeks ahead
            - group B strep test was done (will know results next week)
            - I have a UTI...
            -apparently, I have a LOT of fluid in my belly- not a lot of baby... which makes me very happy.

• we have to take a hospital tour at some point here- its required because I haven't delivered at this hospital.  Although I'm not sure what would happen if I were to go into labor, and hadn't toured L&D- its not like they'd send me away and say "sorry you haven't taken your tour yet.  We can't deliver you."

• I am SO happy with my decision to go with the midwives.  I did meet a great doctor on the "doctor side" of the practice, but the midwife I saw today was awwwwesome.  Super friendly- and we laughed our way through most of the appointment, which was really nice.  I meet another midwife next week and I'm hoping she'll be as great as the one I saw today.

• Here's a conversation heard this morning:   Henry was crying...

                      I asked Maeve, "Maeve why is your brother crying?" 
                      Maeve:  "I hit him on the head."
                      Me:  "Was it an accident?"
                      Maeve:  "No."
                      Me:  "Did you say you're sorry?"
                      Maeve:  "No.  I'm not sorry."
        
           nice huh?  I swear my kids really do love each other ;)

• So uhhh, I don't really want to go through labor again... too late to back out?  ha :) 
• My sister (Meghan) is coming to town this weekend... I'm hoping there are lots of good meals in my immediate future ;)

• I need a good book to read!  Any suggestions???  :)  PLEASE??? 

                           
Gosh I think that's all I have for this week!  It's slow around here... just a huge waiting game ;)

FNL... (It's BEEN FOREVER!)

Here are my Friday Night Leftovers for the first time in about 2 months... wow!

• Maeve was dancing last night for my family- just twirling and jumping to a Taylor Swift song- and her feet slipped out from underneath her.  She face planted- HARD- onto the wood floor.  As soon as it happened, she stood up immediately and tried to come bury her face in my arms but her mouth and nose were covered in blood and I flipped the funk out.  Note to self- do NOT freak out and start yelling "MOMMM!!!!  OH MY GOD SHE'S BLEEDING!"  I am pretty sure the most traumatic part of the whole thing for Maeve was seeing my stupid reaction... whoops.  Thankfully she did not bite through her lip and her nose was not broken.  She's doing 100 times better today and keeps saying "Thank you JESUS for letting me feel better!" 
• I am in love with Princess Kate.  And I'm a sucker for any magazine cover that she's on... meaning, I buy a LOT of magazines.  Seriously though, how sweet is she???
• I met another doc out of the practice today... his bedside manner was less than pleasant.  I'm praying and hoping I have someone else deliver me! 
• Here are some quick baby stats:  I've gained 30 lbs exactly... (yeeek), I'm measuring 37 weeks (I'm 35.5 weeks) and I get my group B strep next week.  Oh and baby is HEAD DOWN :)  It was pretty uneventful.
• I hate the DISH.  I hated Comcast more... but the Dish sucks pretty bad too.  Anytime there is a storm within 30 minutes of here, the cable goes out.  It's just obnoxious.
• Maeve has picked up on a few words or phrases that she knows are naughty- (stupid, oh my God) and she'll say one of them but before you can even give her a look, she whips around and says "That's not a nice thing to say is it?"  Like she's testing it or something... so for example, we'll be in the grocery store and I'll hear her say, "Oh my GOD!  That's not nice to say, is it?  Jesus doesn't like that.  We don't say "Oh my GOD.  Right?"  I'm positive she's seeing how far she can push it ;)
• The movie E.T. has been on repeat here.  Yes, E.T.   Don't get me wrong, its a great movie- and watching it once, or even twice every couple of weeks would actually fit in fine.  It would give me a break from "Mulan" and "Barbie Swan Lake."  But it (E.T.) is literally on repeat.  Maeve will watch the first part of it, start to get bored around the middle, and then pick back up on the end.  From about the time they find E.T. sick in that pond, she's glued to it.  And without fail, every single time, when E.T. is saying goodbye to Elliot, she starts to sob and sob and sob.  It's like a painful cry- it can't be healthy!  I try to explain E.T.'s going home to be with his mama, but she wants none of it.  All she wants is E.T. to stay.  As soon as the ending credits start, she looks over at me with this sad face and says "I have to watch it again!"  And we do.  :/
• I'm not sure if its because we don't really know anybody in this town, or if its because the town itself is so laid back, but my kids (and I) are looking like a bunch of bubbas.  Henry NEVER has shoes on- not even at church.  The kid won't keep them on, and apparently down here, its fine to be barefoot wherever.  And I'd say 50% of the time, he doesn't have a shirt on.  I blame this on the water sitch- almost everywhere we go- downtown, my parents house, the island, etc.  there is WATER to be played in.  I've quit fussing over an outfit if I know that he's going to end up soaked and in a diaper anyway.  
•  I'm officially taking middle name suggestions!  Ryan, who was supposed to be in charge of the middle name has still not come up with anything.  In typical guy form, he tells me, "we'll figure it out later."  I'm hoping to come at him with a good list of names and have him pick from that or something...

I think that about sums up our week!

TGIF!

friday night leftovers

• Would you believe it, I have ANOTHER UTI.  How in the world???  I swear I just got off of the Macrobid...   I went in for my glucose test, worried about my crazy sugar intake, and got a call the next day saying its a UTI... (and low iron) ughhhhhh.  I am thankful that my sugars are okay though...
• Maeve got a twin bed.  Or I should say, we got Maeve a twin bed.  So her crib (which had been converted into a toddler bed) is officially ready for the new baby.  The funny thing is, she never used to sleep on her mattress- ever.  We'd find her curled up all over the room, try and move her and she'd wake up, get furious and go back to the floor.  Since we put the twin bed in there though, she thinks she is some hot stuff or something- she LOVES it and we haven't found her on the floor since!  :)
• My parents are so awesome.  SO, so, so awesome.  If I could be a fraction of what they are, my kids would be super lucky.  With this whole moving to Florida thing, they've been nothing but giving and helpful.  Ryan and I have looked at each other and said over and over, "this would not be possible without them."   We are very blessed! 
• My new wedding band and ring finally came in :)  They don't hold much sentimental value, but I think they're pretty.  I'm pretty sure even if I got the most beautiful ring in the world, I'd still look at it and be sad that I lost "the real thing."  
•  It's really funny- we've been trying to move out of this state forrrrrever.  And usually nothing works out- or pans out I should say.  This time however, everything- and I mean everything is falling exactly into place.  Like it was truly meant to be.  A huge burden on our shoulders was finding a new home for Roxy.  We're renting in Florida, and unless we want to pay an extra 30000 dollars (or something like that ;) we can't afford to pay for Roxy to live in an apartment/condo/townhouse, etc.  She's just too big- completely exceeds the weight limits.  Last night we had an awesome couple come over to our house to meet Roxy- Roxy happened to love them and I think they liked her a lot too ;).  Anyways, she's got a loving new home, come tomorrow morning.  Yes, yes- its pretty hard, regardless of how great the people are that are taking her.  Hard mostly because Ryan and I had her before we were even married!  Roxy was our "first" and I can't help but feel a little (or a LOT) guilty for leaving her behind.  I do know that she's going to be happy, loved and well taken care of, and that makes this process so much easier.

I think that's all for now... Happy Friday :)

Friday Night Leftovers (The "we're moving... holy cow!" edition)

gooooodness. 

There is a lot to write about. 

Overwhelmed is an understatement... but it will be okay.   It WILL be okay! :)

• Last Thursday, Ryan interviewed with a big insurance company down in Jacksonville, FL.  We basically threw everything we had (financially anyway) into this interview- (as its not cheap flying down to Florida). 
• Yesterday (Thursday- which was a week after his interview)  I got a call that went something like this:

                   Ryan:  "Ash?  Hey.  I got a phone call."
                   Me:  "Okay." 
                   Ryan:  "We got the job."
                   Me:  "Okay.  No you didn't.  You did.  Oh my gosh.  HOLY CRAP."

•  He is starting June 22nd.  We are in Michigan.  This job is in Florida.  My mind is a wreck right now!
• I am thrilled beyond words about finally- finalllllllly- getting out of this state.  If you know me at all, even just a smidgen, you know that I've always longed to live back in Florida.  (or really anywhere other than Michigan). 
• Surprisingly, I've been very emotional.  There are a lot of people here that are like family to me.   And thinking about saying goodbye makes me incredibly sad.  And then there's this whole pregnancy thing.  Yeah... I'm 7 months pregnant, and having to switch doctors... heck- hospitals, states!  I am super nervous.  I have a very trusting bond with my midwives and OB- I mean, I trust their word like its everything- it will be hard to put my baby and I into someone else's (a strangers) hands.  I keep reminding myself that women have babies in bathrooms and out in fields.  I am not moving to a 3rd world country here... its Florida- they have fabulous medical care.  I will be just fine. 
• As soon as I got the word that we'd be pulling out of Jackson, MI on June 16th/17th (still not for sure on the date), I had this urge to purge.  I have garbage bags all over my house, filled with things that I am appalled to say that I've kept for so long.  For example... I found those stretchy mesh undies they give you after you give birth- a whole stack of them- under my bathroom sink.  I've been cleaning and emptying drawers like crazy.  And yet, looking around, it doesn't look like I've made a dent.
• This is such an off/odd fact- but something I've been thinking about lately.  My mom had Meghan and I in St. Augustine, FL and then moved up to Michigan when she was pregnant with Emily, the 3rd kid in our family.  We're in the exact same boat- I had Maeve and Henry here in Michgian, and my 3rd, will be born in Florida.  It's like a flip flop or something.  I'm taking this as a good sign- :)
• one of the most exciting things for me, about moving to Florida, is the prospect of promoting and starting up a real photography business.  I haven't done any real pushing or advertising up here just because Jackson is such a small area and I'm afraid to step on anyone's toes.  Unleashing myself (haha :) in St. Augustine, where I know NO ONE (other than my parents:)  will be super exciting.  I actually just created a fan page on facebook- ashley rita photography -that's listed under JACKSONVILLE, FL ;)  If you'd like to "like" me, I'd like that a lot ;)

 

friday night leftovers... the doctor's appt. version ;)

• The kids both had doc. appointments today.  I despise kids' doctors appointments.  I know there are mom's out there that don't get upset when their kid gets poked or scared by a throat swab, but I'm not one of them.  I always get this guilty feeling in the pit of my stomach when I have to pin them down for shots.   Anyways, today it was Henry's turn for shots.  Maeve was going for a UTI (which she doesn't have :). 
• I knew it wasn't going to go well, when Henry wouldn't sit on the scale for his weight.  We finally just called it an even 26 lbs and went with that.  The kid would not sit still for anything...  The head circumference was ugly too.  Any time you lie a kid down on those tables, I think they automatically think its shot time- or Maeve and Henry do anyway.  Henry started head butting anyone who he could reach.  All the while, Maeve is singing "B-I-N-G-O" as loud as she can... 
• I sweat like crazy in these appointments, but this one was particularly bad.  I think because I'm pregnant.  I could read the thoughts of the doctor and nurse, as both of my kids (one in a diaper, one in panties) were rolling around on the floor, climbing on the tables, etc.- "Oh dear Lord help this woman, who is about to bring a 3rd child into this world.  And for all that is good and holy, tie her tubes after the birth."  (or maybe that's what I was thinking...)  either way, it was a trip for sure
• Did you know a kid at 18 months should have 8 words?  Ayeyeye.  Whoops.  Henry has 3.  He says, "mama" and "dada" and "bye bye."  And sometimes if we're lucky he'll say "all done."  But since he's under the 8 word limit, he has to be seen by a specialist?!?!  Yeah- my mouth dropped open too.  I think we'll definitely try it, get his hearing checked out, but I'm not going to stress too much about it.  I know in my heart Henry is fine.  He interacts, socializes, communicates (in his own way)- he just doesn't have real English words yet...
• I think the most traumatic part of the whole appointment was when Maeve had to have her "pee pee" checked.  Ummm yeah.  I had to practically lie on top of her while Dr. Williams tried her best to look.  Maeve was screaming "NOT MY PEE PEEEE!"  It was not good.  But thankfully, we got any kind of infection ruled out (also thanks to a urine sample)- so its onward and upward with the potty training. 
• Henry actually did really well with his shots.  Although I think he might be getting the start of a fever... we just put him down and he felt warm. 
• Post doctor appointment, the whole fam (Ryan included) went up to Grand Rapids to file that notorious police report for my missing rings.  It feels awesome to have that done with, and I cannot WAIT to wear a wedding ring again!  But it was a TON of driving.
• We made an impromptu stop by "Chuckie Cheese" for the kids on the way home.  It cost an arm and a leg for some crappy pizza and 30 minutes of games, but they had a ton of fun.  Maeve especially, was having a blast.  It was nice to be out of Jackson and together doing (kind of) nothing.
• We're really, really close to getting a minivan... but my husband is the definition of a "careful spender."  Which is a good thing- because if it were just me, I would've bought the first van we test drove a couple of weeks ago.  We're going to look at another one tomorrow... I'm not a fan of car shopping.  I will be happy when we have a van and we can be done with the car lots (and people).
• I've had bagels for dinner 4/7 nights this past week.  I STILL don't have an appetite for "normal food"- such as tacos, or spaghetti (two staples in this house).  Therefore, either Ryan or I make a Paneras run at least a couple of times a week.   A bagel and cream cheese, and I'm good.  Oh and OJ too.
• I watched the Royal Wedding this morning and I am in love with Kate.  What a lady! 
• This morning, on the way to the doc, we passed my parents house.  There was someone mowing the lawn, and a woman with a couple of young kids running around the porch area.  Maeve, who's used to seeing no activity there, was very curious why there were "peoples at nana's house."  She said, "It's not closed anymore!  It's open for Nana!"  Ughh... sighhhh. 
• I am 24 weeks preggo and totally forgot to do a post this week about it... whoops!  I will post a picture tomorrow, I promise.
• On another preggo note, whenever I start to feel grouchy because I'm up for the 7th time to pee in the middle of the night, or I notice a new stretch mark, I think of my good friend (she'll will remain anonymous) who is due any second- and is measuring at 48 weeks for a single baby.  Bless her heart! 
• Do any of you watch "Sprout?"  I can't stand the freaking channel.  Really- every single show should be banned.  I think they compiled the most obnoxious voices they could come up with to create this channel.  Anyways, "Nina" and "Star" and "Chicky" and all those birthday people are getting on my nerves.
• Does anyone want my bird, Ponce?  He's great, but not packable...
• And lastly, here are some precious photos from tonight.  The kids were playing horses on our bed (disregard the crazy, messed up sheets...).  Besides Henry tugging on Maeve's hair a few times, and Maeve making the horses climb on Henry's head, they did really well together.  And as the sun streamed in, I thought "okay THIS is what its all about...ahhhhh!" 

friday night leftovers

• Maeve has fallen off the potty bandwagon this week.  And I am beyond frustrated :(...  This kid is so smart.  She most definitely understands the concept of using the potty- but she has days where she just doesn't care to.  It is driving me CRAZY!  We've gone through a lot of undies in the past couple of days.  She did do way better today but I'm just wondering why she'll go weeks without an accident and then have 3 in one day?  Is this normal? 
• Henry is in LOVE.  IN  LOVE- with his trains.  It's adorable.  Maeve never really had a go-to toy.  She could take or leave a lot of things.  But give Henry his Thomas the Train and he's in heaven! :)  He makes them crash into the walls and does this super cute "wheeee" sound. 
• Maeve felt the baby kick tonight... she wasn't too sure how she felt about it.  I tried to get her to feel it again and she pulled my shirt down and said "No, we're all done."  Hmmm ;)
• We're watching "Black Swan" tonight and I'm terrified.  I am sure I won't sleep because I am the biggest baby... and I've heard this movie is caaaa-razy!
• This week has been a hard week in terms of missing my family.  I tend to go through phases... I don't know what prompts the really hard times... maybe holidays?  Easter is coming and I have been a little upset that we won't be together :(...
• I am going to another mom-mom sale tomorrow... hoping for way better luck than last time!
• I am not a good housekeeper... period.  I'm just not.  Especially when I'm pregnant.  I avoid any smelly chore like the plague... this has resulted in a really gross house.  Ryan will throw out garbage at the end of the day and clean the really nasty dishes, but our house needs like a deep scrubbing or something.
• I have a stack of PINK baby clothes in my closet... I am having the FUNNEST time matching Maeve and her sis. 
• Henry's eczema is not doing great right now.  I think its the dry weather?  We went a few walks this past week and I noticed his little cheeks got so wind burned :(.  He's such a trooper though- he never fusses about it.  There are definite times when he is cranky, but we lather him in his meds and lotion all day long and he just goes with it.  And when I say eczema- I'm not just talking about dry skin- I'm talking quarter sized scabs on his wrists and ankles (where his skin gets really rough and dry)- he itches them so bad sometimes that they bleed.  :(... poor bud.
• I need a food makeover.  The way I've been eating is just plain disgusting.
• This picture is going into Faith's photography contest.  The theme is pastel.

friday night leftovers

• I think I started last weeks FNL post like this- but uhhh, I HATE THIS WEATHER!  Where the heck is spring???? 
• My parents have offered to fly the kids and I down to Florida for a week... I've been really hesitant because flying SOLO, while preggo, WITH two kids under the age of 4 is not a whole lot of fun.  But I am so miserable with this weather, that I might endure the 3-4 hours of torture in order to get to Florida.
• Maeve's been in a grouchy mood.  Today I instituted a 30 minute- "RELAX" time.  She hated it, of course.  But I was lost on what to do with her.  I forced her to put the leapster down, lie on the couch and watch 30 minutes of tv.  It worked for about 10 minutes.  I knew we got out of the "terrible two's" way too easily...
• I really want to rent "Black Swan" but to be honest with you, I'm really nervous about watching it! haha how silly... but I get so creeped out by psychological stuff... I am wondering if it would be better for me to wait until I have this babe.
• I'm getting bloody noses like mad.  I got them in both of my other pregnancies, but I think this one has been the worse.  It's gross times 100000.  There is absolutely nothing flattering about sitting at a restaurant and notice blood running down your lip.  (I know- its, really, really gross).
• Henry has been "talking" a lot lately.  I say "talking" because I can only make out about every 10th word.  It's like "yabba yabba yabba jabba jabba mama yabba yabba."  Its really cute ;) 
• Maeve and I have been doing 30 minutes to an hour of basic kindergarten work at night.  After Henry goes to bed (at 7), she hops right on the computer.  We work off of ABCya!  She's doing really, really well.  Not to brag or anything (okay, yeah I'm going to brag about my chick for a sec) she is a whiz at shapes, knows all her letters and numbers up to 20.  The thing that impresses me most, is this matching game she plays.  The premise is to match the item or animal to the correct letter- she is awesome at it!  All day long, she'll point out things and say, "Hey look!  T for TURTLE."  I am definitely a proud mama.  
•  I am in the biggest cooking rut ever.  It doesn't help that 99 percent of the time I skip out on dinner and either eat cereal or yogurt... or cheese danish.  My poor kids and husband have had mac & cheese, chicken nuggets, and spaghetti over and over again.  I need to start cranking out some good food...
• I miss my parents a lot... what's new?
• Lola ate an entire Little Cesar's hot and ready pizza tonight.  Seriously... I'm not sure how much more I can take of that dog...
• Oh.. and did I mention our super, HUGE, big news????  No?  WE'RE EXPECTING A GIRL!!!! :)  We had our big ultrasound today.  Dana (the tech) had the wand on my belly and said "Do you want to know the gender?"  I blurted out "YES" before I could even think.  We're seriously over the moon.  It feels like someone needs to pinch me... since I was in high school, dreaming about having kids (yep, I was one of those girls that wanted to grow up and be a mom) I had always wanted two girls and one boy.  We're not ruling out a fourth or anything, but I do have to say, that when I heard those magic words, "its a girl,"  I felt a peace- like this is it!  This is IT!   We can't wait to meet our little lady in August!

and yes, I know we've all seen ultrasounds, but this is for my mom and sisters who couldn't be here... :)

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Friday Night Leftovers

• the kids are eating their 5th lunch in a row of chicken nuggets... this does give me about 15 minutes to sit and do nothing (or blog...)
• I'm tired of the weather.  I know its like listening to a broken record, but I don't think I've ever had cabin fever so badly.  I need OUT- WE need out of this house!!!
• This will be the first Easter without my parents up here.  It's been dragging me down thinking about it.  I know there are tons of families seperated by states and oceans, but it doesn't make me miss my family any less.  It's not fair for my kids not to see their nana & papa... :(  A super sad thing happened earlier this week- we had friends over, and the Maeve's little friend said something about going to see nana- Of course Maeve thought she was talking about OUR nana.  Her eyes lit up, she started to run back to her room to get her shoes and exclaimed to me "WE'RE GOING TO SEE NANA!!!!"  It was heartbreaking to see the look in her face when I tried to explain our nana is in Florida.  I'm just tired of it.  And that's my sob story, the end.
• I really want an external flash.  Stupid money...
• I handled the worst diaper explosion in the history of me being a mum this morning.  Henry woke up soaked (which isn't surprsing- he soaks through his diapers quite a bit).  But as I peeled his pjs off (they were the zip up, footie pajamas) all of this GUNK started falling out.  At first I thought he had vomited or spit up in his sleep, because it looked like curdled milk-   and then I realized it was gel.  As in the gel that makes up the inside of a diaper.  It was EVERYWHERE.  So at 7 am, I was giving Henry a bath, vacuuming the floors, cleaning out sheets, wiping down his crib... blah.  It was so gross and I hope you never have to deal with a gel explosion (oh yeah that was mixed with a ton of pee AND poop)
• Maeve is a great kid- and no, I'm not trying to brag about her or anything.  But she really is.  She is the kid that I can take to a doctors appointment and who will sit there quietly until its time to go.  She's the kid that if I ask "can you grab a diaper for me?" or "can you get your socks on?"  She does it without a single whine.  Just a "yup I'll be right back mama!"  She's awesome- but we're having some issues with sharing.  Apparently every toy/book in this house belongs to her.  I have no clue what to do about it.  Does that sound horrible?  I mean, we do time outs, I do the whole "at eye level" talk with her, but nothing clicks.  She'll apologize for snatching the ball away from Henry and then walk out in the living room and do it again.  It's nuts.  I need some discipline help when it comes to this sharing thing... And here's the other thing- I don't nescesarily want each kid to have designated toys.  Ya know, I don't think I want to get into the whole "this is mine and that is yours" kind of thing.  I want everything to be pretty neutral.  
• We're actively looking for a home for Roxy.  It's sad to say it and to write it.  But its the way life goes.  We're going to be moving into a rental or apartment in September(ish) and we can't bring an 80 lb lab.  Roxy's been with us since the beginning and it breaks my heart to think of her being in a new home, but I don't know any other way around it.  So if you (or someone you know) can make a good home for Rox, let me know :(...
• I'm getting Henry a scooter for Easter.  Yes, yes, I know its going to be way over his head and he won't grasp the concept of how to use it for awhile yet, but he rode around on Reyna's scooter a couple of weeks ago and couldn't get enough of it.  I had to push him, but he had the time of his life :)  
• I've gotten some energy back :)  My house has actually looked decent this entire week and we're not drowning in laundry.  YAY!  
• My ultrasound is next Friday... (April 1st) don't ask me if we're finding out or not... I seriously do not know the answer!
• I think I've asked about this before, but I'm kind of at a loss as to what to do- Maeve picks her lips- she picks them until the bleed.  Obviously during the day, I stop her and say "Don't pick your lips, yadda yadda yadda" but she does it at night.  Every morning she wakes up and her lips look SO, SO bad.  Chapped and bleeding- and she'll have blood on her fingers from picking them.  It's awful.  I asked her doctor about it and she suggested having her wear gloves at night.  The problem is, what 3 year old is willingly going to sleep with gloves on?  Not mine...  So we're back at square one- using anything and everything on her lips (chapstick, carmex, eucurin, aquaphor, etc.)  where to go/what to do next???
• Henry found his belly button this week and its adorable.  He lifts his shirt up to poke it all the time.  He's such a hoot ;)
• My little sister is coming up in ONE month.  PRAISE THE LORD!!!! :) YAY!  I cannot wait for some back up!  :)
• Have you ever tried Walmart's cheese danish??  I've taste tested two brands this week- Meijers, and Walmart, and Walmart has Meijers beat!  It is SO good.  All I've eaten for the past few days is orange juice, cheese danish, cereal and coffee.  Nothing with meat, or salt sounds even remotely appealing right now.  I'm a breakfast maniac!
• Apparently my taste in names is not great, or should I say controversial?  My friends have all been great (if the really like the names I tell them or not, they hide it well ;) but strangers can kiss it.  I'm done sharing my name ideas until this babe is out!

Friday Night Leftovers... the complaining edition ;)

• Maeve and Henry both of runny, icky noses.  Henry seems to be feeling fine- but Maeve told me her head and throat hurt.  :(
• I have been having horrible back pain with a low grade fever- I went to the lab yesterday to do a urine test... I'm thinking UTI and/or kidney infection?... again.
• You may or may not remember that my wedding band and engagement ring are MIA.  Actually, I've come to the realization that they're gone.  GONE, gone.  There isn't a day that goes by that I don't feel a little sick to my stomach from that thought.  It isn't about the rings themselves, its the stories they hold.   With that said, I've had to "move on," so to speak... meaning, I am now ring shopping again.  Blah.  I never knew the price (and still don't know the price or value) of the rings I had- I don't even want to know- but this time around, (haha its like I'm getting engaged again ;)  we're on a Walmart budget.
• ...Walmart budget... which leads me in to my next rant.  I am a gossip magazine junkie.  I fear however, that reading these magazines is leading to some bitter feelings on my part.  I have a really hard time reading about "so & so's" 15th marriage.  That's awesome that they can fly to Maui, exchange $500,000 rings (for the 50th time) and treat their friends to a week in paradise.  But that's just not even remotely practical or relevant in my world... I start to think, "What if... instead of buying $500,000 dollar ring, you were to donate that money to all the people in this country who can barely heat their homes??"    Yuck.  It just makes me bitter. I think I'm going to put a nix on the magazines for awhile. 
• Okay. Facebook.  We watched "The Social Network" last night, and it was really, really good.   My husband is as anti-facebook as one could get... I'm pro-facebook ;)  It was fun watching it together.  Facebook, in my opinion, is a genius idea.  So simple- but so genius.  
• This weather is biting.  No, really.  It's BITING cold. 
• My poor Maemae's lips look AWFUL.  We slather them in carmex and chapstick during the day, but every night she picks them.  It looks like she has a ring of chocolate frosting around her lips... but its dried blood :(... How in the heck do I get her to stop picking in the middle of the night???
• Yesterday I hit our neighbor's mailbox... the same neighbor's mailbox that I hit last year.  Embarrassed much???  I was feeling okay, because I didn't do any damage to the car- and because of the snow, the mailbox is still propped up... However, a mere three hours later, I plowed into Ryan's car.  Don't ask me what was up... I'm blaming baby brain... and the ice of course.
• Why does McDonalds breakfast have to be so bad for you???
• I think we're taking the kids to a hotel for Valentines day (weekend).  Just for a night- and somewhere in the Auburn Hills area.  I want to do "The Rainforest Cafe" and let them swim...  ahhh that sounds so nice...
• I've had my nose in a book for the past month or so.  I read the little murder mysteries so, its more like one book per week.  But I have become so addicted to taking long (VERY LONG) baths at night and getting lost in whatever book I am reading.  Last week it was a book by Harlan Coben.  This week, its James Patterson.  yum yum yum.  Which leads me to.....
• BOOK suggestions???  I was actually going to do a separate post on this, but its getting lumped into FNL.  I like mysteries and I happen to really like mysteries that take place in tropical locales... Know of a good, tropical mystery?  Please let me in on it! ;)

And with that... Happy FRIDAY!

Friday Night Leftovers & a Few Photography Bits.

• Henry bit me this morning and broke skin- I don't need a shot or anything, do I?
• I made chocolate chip mini muffins this morning for the kids- they've been the biggest hit ever. Why didn't I make them sooner?




7/365


• Lola (the boxer) ate our Comcast remote...and a box of butter
• The kids have been taking great naps- I'm not sure if its because they have colds and aren't feeling 100% or if they're still jet-lagged/tired from the Florida trip.
• I have yet to unpack from Fl.  Yuck.
• Henry is 14 months now and uhhhh, not saying much.  Is that normal?  I'm trying not to stress over it, but the only "words" he makes are grunts and "woah" noises..  Once in a blue moon he'll say "dada" or "mama" but that's about it.  Hmmm...  It's really hard not to compare Maeve, who is currently playing with her V-tech map of the US, naming of states like, "Louisiana" and "Mississippi." 
• I need some new leggings.   I've lost so many pairs in transit. 
• I'm on a cooking strike tonight because I dropped a dozen eggs this morning... and it ticked me off... they gooped all over the floor, making a giant mess.  I spent a good 30 minutes de-salmonella-izing the kitchen this morning.   I'm over the kitchen tonight.  Meaning, we're going out.  Thank GOD! :)

And a few photo challenges... just because I <3 them ;)

"Fresh"... nothing fresher than SWEET ICED TEA! :)

Happy Friday! :)