On a bicycle built for two

or just improvise, as in their case…

And poor, sick Ari, having to watch from the window.

I don’t have time for this!

But I did it anyway! I made myself some linen mommy ruffles today. I also cleaned the bathroom and kept everyone alive.

A good Saturday, no?

We’ve been…

taking care of our babies,

laying around,

drinking juice,

eating chocolate cookies,

laying around some more,

cooling off,

playing with friends,

jumping,

lunching outside,

eating snacks and being cheesy,

taking first baths (and getting wrapped in a girl towel),

sleeping peacefully,

holding our little brother,

playing angry birds,

watching movies,

and sharing snacks.

Monday mid-morning

Well here we are. I freaked myself out Friday (I think it was partially due to the crazy stormy weather) but then actually got some stuff ready and Saturday felt much calmer. I just had this feeling like ‘watch the baby come because I’m so unprepared and it’s pouring.’ Anyway, I made myself wash two baby outfits, pulled the carseat out of the attic and washed the cover and straps since I bought it used. My laundry is mostly done and now I feel like I could pull it together fast if I needed to. My mom comes Thursday night and then everything will be okay! ;)

Last night Andy and I dropped the kids off with friends and grabbed a last-minute last date. It was exactly what we needed. Except we went back and found Arianna had puked and both she and Adelaide had developed a fever. If that’s not the best timing ever, I don’t know what is. They seem normal today. Watch and see? I canceled my appointment for this morning so we don’t spread the germ love with anyone.

So that’s what’s going on here… just waiting and plugging away, best we can. At least it’s sunny.

we went to play

Sometimes it’s just better to be out of the house. I told my kids we’d do something fun yesterday but they ended up having to wait until Arianna got up from her nap (which was rather unpopular).

So it was laterish but worked out perfectly to meet friends afterwards for dinner at CFA. I decided I like afternoon outings.

Anyway, I’m trying to do some fun things with my kids before we’re home-bound for a few weeks. Thankfully we were able to park on the street right outside, making it much easier for me. They had fun running around and I had fun snapping photos. (Sorry there are so many.)

Wherein baby makes an appearance:

Blogging: better than a scrapbook. ;)

counting down

A couple little updates…

We spent a lovely Father’s Day over with our Lewin friends and it was so nice to have a holiday meal that I had nothing to do with. (Okay, we did bring ice cream & sprinkles for the kids.) Produce from their overflowing garden, yum. My kids were asking for 2nds of her green beans. Everything was gooooood.

They played in their kiddie pool which was hilarious with all of them – like space enough for each of them to have a big toe in. And it was hot.

(don’t mind the undies)

Yesterday we hung out with them again but you’ll have to wait for Friday to hear about that one.

I found out last Thursday that I’m about 5cm. (That means nothing unless my water were to break.) I talked my mom into coming earlier, she gets here a week from Thursday. That’s my tunnel vision — make it to June 30. I have done nothing, thanks for asking. I AM planning on pre-registering at the hospital tomorrow. (I guess I figure people can bring me a list if I end up being admitted before I get around to getting anything done.) Just get this baby out, we’ll work the details out later. :) (And also, welcome to being the 5th child. Hope you get a baby book.)

Well, Arianna is napping and my other kids are being quiet for once, so I think I’m going attempt a little nap. (Because we all know I need one.) If you don’t hear from me for a while, you can just guess why. I am going to try my hardest at having Fun Mom Friday up this week though, so get your posts ready!

ode to summer

Wednesday was a day I never want to re-live. It was just pure awful and I was beyond cranky. I am so frustrated at my lack of energy and what then happens to the state of my house. However, my friend Beth was in town for work and Jenny and I were able to meet her for dinner. (Well, I didn’t actually eat there, still saving those pennies.) It was JUST what I needed. Andy took the kids to church and they went to a craft class (Ari = nursery) while he went to choir practice. A win for all involved.

But yesterday was different. It was the first summer swim day and we spent time with friends in the water. Arianna LOVED jumping off the side to me – the girl has no fear!

And, we got a little loved on by the sun. (Yay!)

(yeah, whoops)

My sisters have gone home for the summer but they left us their gas grill. Hello, culinary heaven.

(BBQ chicken, roasted red potatoes, freshly shucked corn… mmmmm……)

Oh! I’ve had a couple people ask and YES! I am planning on hosting Fun Mom Friday again this summer. We’ll start next week.

Hope you’ll join us!!!

hello, summer

The kids finished up school on Friday. Which means I have a 2nd grader, a 1st grader, and a pre-K-er. (And more in the wings, ha.) But seriously?! A 2nd grader?!!!! Wasn’t he just in diapers?

Yesterday’s high was 91, today’s supposed to be 92. It’s not even June, which means I think we’re in for it. Andy took the kids to the fountains at the park Saturday night, that totally counts as a bath, right? Anyway, I think we’re going to be in the water a lot this summer, just a hunch. Last year we had Max so a kiddie pool in the backyard was out of the question because he would have eaten it. He ate the hose. But it is on the list for this year. Our summers are just too hot to be without water nearby.

And speaking of, we’re going to a pool-party-Memorial-Day-bbq later which means I have to get my act together and get some stuff done first. I really hope all of you are having a great start to summer and Happy Memorial Day!

small style

A little late to the party but – LOL – that’s never stopped me before!

For school today Madeline wore a Misha Lulu jumper she’s been wearing for well over a year (great thing about dresses/jumpers/tunics, they work for several years) and was perfect for layering on a cool morning. Her knit capris are from Old Navy (another staple) and shoes are Simple, as usual. Her tee has faint polka dots on it and is from Target.

After dropping our carpool friends off, we stopped at home to grab a quick picnic and headed to the park. My sister met us there! (Madeline’s eating black licorice in case you’re wondering.)

Adelaide has been playing “I’m a statue” recently – always hilarious and usually with one eye shut.

Both her and Adelaide’s dress are Matilda Jane (gift from my mom, as is a lot of their MJ). Knit capris from Old Navy and shoes are Saltwaters (ebay).

Arianna’s “playground shoes” were Madeline’s originally – I think they were $5 at Walmart. I throw them in the wash with my whites and they’ve held up surprisingly well.

(She ADORES my phone.)

For more mini fashion, visit Small Style at Mama Loves Papa!

No ordinary Tuesday

We had a birthday party for a little friend last night at the pool. (Today’s high is supposed to be 90 – hello, summer.) My mom is staying until Saturday (let’s all say a prayer of thanksgiving) and so she kept Arianna while the rest of us went to the party.

(I love my baby girl but) I cannot tell you how relaxing it was to just SIT and CHAT and EAT and not chase or feed anyone. I love parties where the dads play, too.

Andy’s first house is closing today. We are SO thankful to be on this side of the process! Lots of lessons learned and I’m sure more to come. He kept telling me through the job hunting that he had a feeling we’d be pleasantly surprised “when all this is over” and I couldn’t help sometimes but to smirk. I KNOW God is faithful and I KNOW He always had a plan for us. But sometimes it’s hard to see and it’s hard to keep going, blind and without any sort of reassurance.

And yet here we are.

Welp, I’m meeting a friend for tea in just a bit and have an OB appointment later this afternoon. (So I guess I should at least wash my face.) Oh, speaking of OB appointments, I haven’t gone to any in at least 2 months. Sick kids, no babysitter, storms, no power… I had to cancel several times. That glucose test? Still haven’t had it. I thought I could squeeze by without it since I’m rather close but no, the nurse wants me to take it anyway. (Ugh.)

And G sent me a coupon for kids-eat-free at Chili’s so I’m thinkin’ we’re going to do that tonight. Celebrate Andy’s first closing – why not? (He can eat vegan there, right? ;) Besides, our 9th anniversary is tomorrow and he turns 30 on Thursday. Enough to celebrate for an entire week, yes?

Small Style – just a regular Wednesday

Joining up again with

A friend passed down this dress to Arianna, which I think it came from a local lady that does handmade customs. She called it “a little quirky” and had to know I’d love it. Shoes are Gracious May.

(She’s been doing this thing recently where she holds her hand out, palm up, while she’s “talking” to you. Hilarious.)

Adelaide’s dress is a Misha Lulu that she’s had forever. (Also seen here and here.) Striped top is from Target several years ago, skinny jeans are Old Navy, and red maryjanes are Kid Express.

(Whining to me about how she got hurt outside.)

Madeline’s top is Tea Collection, skinny jeans are Old Navy, and shoes are Simple.

Drew’s scooter tee is Tea Collection from a couple of years ago, jeans are Old Navy, and shoes are New Balance.

For more fashion-minis, visit Small Style at Mama Loves Papa.

jump!

A couple of weeks ago our Living Social deal was for a local party bounce house arena place. Three friends signed up under my referral link so ours ended up being free. We tried to go during spring break but it just didn’t happen. We went with some friends a couple of weeks ago and my kids thought it was pretty much the coolest thing ever.

Arianna kept trying to push Emily’s carseat around like it was a stroller. (Nearly dumped her out a few times, too, while she was at it.)

And yes, they’ve been asking to go back ever since!

(starting fresh)

(This one’s for the non-locals…)

Well last week was one for the history books. Easter was fabulous. Monday evening two of my kids felt feverish so they stayed home from school Tuesday. And then Wednesday the storms hit. It’s really kind of twilight-zonish to sit in a hallway with your kids on a mattress with the doors shut riding out tornadoes. What is this, Kansas?

We don’t really have any trees close enough to damage our house but we have several friends with significant damage (house and auto) and the entire surrounding southeastern area has pockets of complete destruction. So sad.

While that was all going on, Andy’s high-school-aged cousin was hit by a drunk driver and killed – he had gone with his parents to the funeral and wasn’t home for most of the storm AND the 2 1/2 days we ended up being without power (LUCKY HIM). Doesn’t all this make you just long for heaven and lasting peace???

My mom said “my book” would be a best-seller and I said “yeah, you’re not going to be laughing when my roof blows off.” Thankfully it didn’t. But just to give you an idea, we have random bits of debris and insulation in our yard blown in from Alabama or who-knows-where. Strong winds, indeed.

Friday a little before noon our power came back on, Andy was back home and life was looking a little brighter. His parents stayed to visit for the day and in the afternoon everyone but Arianna and me went to the zoo. Madeline came home toting the biggest stuffed cheetah you’ve ever seen. I mean, HUGE.

Saturday was another pretty good day – Andy and one of his buddies took all their older kids on a waterfall hike and then we all met up later for a picnic dinner at the park (three families total). I told Andy chasing Arianna around a park at the end of the day did not sound like fun and he committed to watch her. So I sat my preggy rear on the picnic blanket and did nothing but eat and hang out with the other moms.

My kids are now back in school and here’s praying for a calmer week.

small style – playground edition

I actually had the little girls buckled into their carseats on Monday in plenty of time to go pick up carpool.  And then I realized the van battery was dead.  Why does stuff like that ALWAYS happen to me?!

Andy wasn’t answering his phone, neighbors weren’t home… I felt so stuck.  Oh, and the church office is closed on Mondays so I couldn’t get a hold of anyone at the school to tell them why I wasn’t there.  Finally I called my sister and she went over and I was able to talk to Madeline’s teacher.  She decided she could get some extra work done and the kids could all wait in her classroom.  I finally got a hold of Andy and he came home and jumped the van and then I was on my way.  Drama.

ANYway, we took the afternoon “off” and relaxed at the playground. I’m using those photos for today’s Small Style at Mama Loves Papa.

Arianna’s dress is Old Navy from last year and shoes are Pedipeds.

Madeline’s tank and shorts are Old Navy and shoes are from Simple.

Drew’s tee is from Old Navy, athletic shorts from Target, shoes are New Balance (from Shoe Carnival). Adelaide’s dress is Tea Collection (another of my favorites).

Friday morning, with muffins

This looked so bright and cheery on the kids’ breakfast table this morning. We’re expecting a storm today so I’ve got all the lights on and I’m staying in my comfy pants. I can’t go anywhere either, since our mechanic is attempting to slide our van past the state emissions test today. (Let’s all groan together now.)

In other news, Andy is LOVING his new work. He is sooooooo busy though. (Like came home from the office past midnight a few days last week.) I did text him one night and said “you better be working and not just shooting the breeze!!!!” He wrote back “ha!” (I’m always a little suspicious because he’s working with a good friend and they have a really great time together.) But, regardless, sooo thankful. Now if we can just eek by until the first closing (earlyish May). God is faithful and does provide. The end.

(Yep, still here)

(Alternate title: S-T-R-U-G-G-L-E)

Okay. I’m having a hard time. Yesterday was just plain out bad and my brain felt half asleep the whole day. I said yes to things for my kids that I never should have agreed to because clearly they were things I didn’t have the energy for. Being cooped up due to rain DID. NOT. HELP. (Have I ever mentioned my kids don’t have school on Wednesdays? I was loathing that policy right about 10 a.m.)

Today’s better. I feel better. I think I struggle more with ante-partum depression than post-partum. Once the baby’s out it’s party time, you know. Paint the cabinets, get going! Now? Yeah, notsomuch.

ANYwaaaaay, just didn’t want to leave anyone hanging. We had Adelaide’s little birthday party over the weekend (rained out, go figure!) and I’ve been trying to get around to finishing the photo editing ever since. I’ll get there. Someday, right?

A Lick and a Promise

That’s what my grandmother used to say when she had no time for housecleaning. She’d give it ‘a lick and a promise.’ My mom reminded me of that last night and it is SO fitting for my house AND my blog! I’ve been SWAMPED this week with spring break and the children’s spring consignment sale. (I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel but I still have to tag most of the hanging clothes.)

Sooo, we’ll catch up soon!

Welcome to springbreak

I feel like we already had our spring break last week (and now there’s no Grandmommy around to distract us). But we’ve got some fun things tentatively planned so it should work out okay. No beach trip, unfortunately. ;) (Although, Arianna at the beach sounds more like a nightmare.)

I haven’t mentioned this here yet but I’m sure a lot of you are wondering about the on-going status of Andy’s job search. He’s been in a real estate course these past couple of weeks and takes the state exam tomorrow. It’s been busy – he’s gone all day in class and then he studies all evening. I was SO glad my mom was here for the majority of it. They did a practice test at the school last Friday and he got a 98% – so I’m not too worried. The plan is for him to work as the buyers agent for a friend of ours (also a realtor but pretty much only sells.) They’ll be a team of two and I know it will be good. I told Andy I just want to eat and wear cute shoes.

Arianna’s finger – doing well! The stitches aren’t quite all dissolved so it still has to be wrapped up. (But we did ditch the splint after three weeks.) I tried to wrap just her finger but she had it pulled off in about 3 minutes. So hand it is.

The kids have been loving this weather, and are pretty much staying outside the entire day. Andy took Drew and Madeline on a long hike over the weekend and he said they did great with NO COMPLAINING! I’m pretty sure I’ve complained on every hike I’ve ever been on. (ha) Right now I can barely manage the grocery store without feeling completely sore afterwards (doesn’t help when I had to cross the store three times looking for lighter fluid). I’m definitely entering the uncomfortable stage of pregnancy.

Lighter fluid – yes, the Lewins came over for BBQ on Friday night. I love having them over because I don’t feel pressure to clean first. Love friends like that. We stayed outside mostly anyway, and ate on the deck. I love spring! (And I’ve been wishing all weekend I had taken her up on that offer to leave us some of her homemade chocolate pudding pie.)

Okay, the people are calling. Here’s to a good springbreak!