I've been really feeling fall lately.
It's been unseasonably hot here in good ol' Indiana. We have record low amounts of rain for the month of July. We mowed our grass ONCE this month. We have been staying in instead of going to the pool. The thought of packing up everything we need and trekking to and from the heat-stroke heated car sounds exhausting - and hot.
So lately I've been thinking about all the fun fall things I look forward to every year. It's especially fun because Emma is at an age where she really understands carving the pumpkins, costumes, and santa & the elves making toys.
It's not to say I can't wait for fall to get here, I just won't be disappointed when it arrives. I'll be getting bigger and bigger which means I can wear stretchy pants and football jerseys on the weekends. (Nice visual, eh?) And even though I can't drink any beer, I sure can eat another bowl of chili wtih extra cheese because I'm eating for two. (Yes, I'm going to use that as much as I can, as this should be my last pregnancy and I'll never be able to eat like this again.)
Emma's already excited about looking at halloween costumes. I think she wants to be a princess. Doesn't every girl try that out for at least one costume growing up? She likes the one that costs $45. I am going to to my best to make one for $5.
And right around the corner, before the fall weather hits, is my brother's wedding. It's the first weekend in September and plans are coming right along. Emma is a flower girl and is very excited. My project this week is to scour Etsy and find the perfect hair accessory for her outfit. I want her to feel like the prettiest girl in the world that day. This might be a memory she has forever and I want it to be a good one. The whole weekend should be a blast. We're staying in our first hotel as a family of 4. We all have spiffy new outfits to wear. And I'm going to make sure there are lots of pictures taken.
As for now, I'm finally getting some energy back and it feels good. Cleaning has resumed at about 50%, and I feel less stressed about it all.
My garden has exploded with tomatoes and so I'm off to make my first-ever batch of homemade salsa.
Taco pizza anyone?
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
I think....no wait, I KNOW.
I'm ready for this to be my last pregnancy.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not miserable. I don't hate it. I'm just ready to feel like myself again.
It's like I got a sneak preview of my life with multiple kids when Dean was born. But I was so damn emotional that I didn't appreciate it like I should have. I guess it was my lesson in life.
I also was only NOT pregnant for 9 months. (We got a positive when Dean was 10 months.) I didn't even put my maternity clothes away. Bottles are just staying in the cabinet for #3 to come around and use them in SIX MONTHS. <---whah? no way.
I was telling David last night I just want to wake up and have some energy. I want to wake up and drink my coffeeeeee. Oh, I miss my coffee. I want my house to be clean. I want to go grocery shopping. Like, big time grocery shopping. I know it may sound weird, but I love when my cart is full of healthy snacks for the kids, organic fruits & veggies, and ingredients for a new recipe I'm going to cook that night. I love cooking a meal that I know is David's favorite. I love when Emma says she is "hungee" for a snack, and I have one for her. It sounds simple, I know. But lately it's been more of a stress to find any food in this house, and the LAST thing I want to go do is grocery shop for food that won't sound good to me. This baby is a picky one. The pickiest yet actually. I usually find something I want at the store, bring it home, and let it go bad in the fridge because I (baby) decided we didn't want it. I bet we have eaten out more times in the last 3 months than the last year combined. It's not great for our finances either.
I want to go running and feel sweat down my back. I want to breathe hard and lift some heavy weights. I want to feel stronger and healthier. I want to put on my running clothes and just go, jam to music, and de-stress by myself for a short while.
I know this list is filled with wants, wants, and more wants. But it's my blog and I can want if I want to. (See what I did there?)
I am making a conscious effort to really ENJOY this pregnancy. I am becoming more aware that this will be my last and I am at peace with it. I am ready to move past the baby stage of life and get this toddler-show on the road. :)
Don't get me wrong. I'm not miserable. I don't hate it. I'm just ready to feel like myself again.
It's like I got a sneak preview of my life with multiple kids when Dean was born. But I was so damn emotional that I didn't appreciate it like I should have. I guess it was my lesson in life.
I also was only NOT pregnant for 9 months. (We got a positive when Dean was 10 months.) I didn't even put my maternity clothes away. Bottles are just staying in the cabinet for #3 to come around and use them in SIX MONTHS. <---whah? no way.
I was telling David last night I just want to wake up and have some energy. I want to wake up and drink my coffeeeeee. Oh, I miss my coffee. I want my house to be clean. I want to go grocery shopping. Like, big time grocery shopping. I know it may sound weird, but I love when my cart is full of healthy snacks for the kids, organic fruits & veggies, and ingredients for a new recipe I'm going to cook that night. I love cooking a meal that I know is David's favorite. I love when Emma says she is "hungee" for a snack, and I have one for her. It sounds simple, I know. But lately it's been more of a stress to find any food in this house, and the LAST thing I want to go do is grocery shop for food that won't sound good to me. This baby is a picky one. The pickiest yet actually. I usually find something I want at the store, bring it home, and let it go bad in the fridge because I (baby) decided we didn't want it. I bet we have eaten out more times in the last 3 months than the last year combined. It's not great for our finances either.
I want to go running and feel sweat down my back. I want to breathe hard and lift some heavy weights. I want to feel stronger and healthier. I want to put on my running clothes and just go, jam to music, and de-stress by myself for a short while.
I know this list is filled with wants, wants, and more wants. But it's my blog and I can want if I want to. (See what I did there?)
I am making a conscious effort to really ENJOY this pregnancy. I am becoming more aware that this will be my last and I am at peace with it. I am ready to move past the baby stage of life and get this toddler-show on the road. :)
Thursday, July 7, 2011
It's what I got.
Hello?
Is any one still there?
I fear I may have lost you. I've been gone a while. But for good reason.
I've been really tired.
And hungry.
And nauseous.
And pregnant.
Yep. I'll give you a second to take that in.
Baby #3 is on the way.
And it is wiping me out.
Being pregnant the first time with Emma, I had all the same symptoms, but no other babies to take care of. Therefore, I could take a nap when I wanted, eat when I wanted, and ignoring the laundry only affected me.
When I was pregnant with Dean, I was living with my in-laws. I didn't have to take care of the entire house, did much less grocery shopping, and had tons of help.
But now. Oh, now. I have my own house I'm responsible for which is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain because of my "I'd rather be napping" attitude. I do the grocery shopping with 2 muchkins in tow, which on average, take about 1 hour more than it should. And finding something to keep them busy is easy in the summer, but it wears me out pretty quickly. I'm pretty sure I'm going to regret complaining about the hard summer I've had when I'm trapped inside the house this winter with two rowdy kids and a newborn.
Here's the deets:
Is any one still there?
I fear I may have lost you. I've been gone a while. But for good reason.
I've been really tired.
And hungry.
And nauseous.
And pregnant.
Yep. I'll give you a second to take that in.
Baby #3 is on the way.
And it is wiping me out.
Being pregnant the first time with Emma, I had all the same symptoms, but no other babies to take care of. Therefore, I could take a nap when I wanted, eat when I wanted, and ignoring the laundry only affected me.
When I was pregnant with Dean, I was living with my in-laws. I didn't have to take care of the entire house, did much less grocery shopping, and had tons of help.
But now. Oh, now. I have my own house I'm responsible for which is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain because of my "I'd rather be napping" attitude. I do the grocery shopping with 2 muchkins in tow, which on average, take about 1 hour more than it should. And finding something to keep them busy is easy in the summer, but it wears me out pretty quickly. I'm pretty sure I'm going to regret complaining about the hard summer I've had when I'm trapped inside the house this winter with two rowdy kids and a newborn.
Here's the deets:
Due Date: January 11th, 2012
How far along: 13 weeks today
Weight Gain: As of last appt (6/22), I had lost 1/2 a pound. (thank you morning sickness)
Maternity Clothes: Yes. Everything yes.
Feeling baby: Yes! I have felt a definite kick two days in a row. :)
Food Cravings: Not so much cravings as aversions. No garlic. Ever. Eck.
Gender: We won't know until the baby is born! Surprise!
What I miss: Drinking in the summertime. (Didn't I say that last year?)
What I love: Baby kicks. They never get old.
Looking forward to: Finding out what the gender is.
Milestone: Getting over the morning/noon/night sickness. Thank goodness.
I certainly did not expect to be pregnant so soon, but what a blessing.
And, now since I don't feel like yakking on my keyboard anymore, I should be updating more often.
Thanks for listening.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
you never know.
Today we cleaned out the playroom.
We have a small room upstairs. It's hidden away. It holds a massive amount of toys, my old play kitchen, and the easel my brother made for her.
This room holds every toy she's ever received. True story. I have never thrown one thing away because, well, we have the room for it, right? Plus, I throw toys in there and never think about them again. They are very much out of sight, out of mind. So, after many weeks of telling her I would go up and clean her playroom, I finally did it. While I was cleaning, she "cooked" me a meal of toast and peanut-butter-and-jelly-and-carrot-juice in her tiny play blender. Then when I pretended to eat all of it, she told me I didn't finish. Then when I finally finished to her satisfaction, she asked if she could make me more. "Of course, Emma Kay, you can make me more."
She used a pizza cutter to peel the carrot before she put it in the blender. She kept telling me she was "almost dun peewing the cowwot for the juice." I like when I catch little moments like that. Where I see her doing something the same way I do, where I realize that she is learning from me, even when I'm not teaching. It fills me with a sense of pride.
I must be doing something right.
The playroom was clean for about 5 minutes. Deaners tore some stuff down already, and I'm pretty sure he ate something he wasn't supposed to. Emma kept saying "Mama, look at this!" "Mama, look what I found!" After picking up the first layer of princess clothes and wands, we found some stuff we all forgot we had. It was a big task and I'm glad it's over.
Now to take a nap.
Yeh, right.
We have a small room upstairs. It's hidden away. It holds a massive amount of toys, my old play kitchen, and the easel my brother made for her.
This room holds every toy she's ever received. True story. I have never thrown one thing away because, well, we have the room for it, right? Plus, I throw toys in there and never think about them again. They are very much out of sight, out of mind. So, after many weeks of telling her I would go up and clean her playroom, I finally did it. While I was cleaning, she "cooked" me a meal of toast and peanut-butter-and-jelly-and-carrot-juice in her tiny play blender. Then when I pretended to eat all of it, she told me I didn't finish. Then when I finally finished to her satisfaction, she asked if she could make me more. "Of course, Emma Kay, you can make me more."
She used a pizza cutter to peel the carrot before she put it in the blender. She kept telling me she was "almost dun peewing the cowwot for the juice." I like when I catch little moments like that. Where I see her doing something the same way I do, where I realize that she is learning from me, even when I'm not teaching. It fills me with a sense of pride.
I must be doing something right.
The playroom was clean for about 5 minutes. Deaners tore some stuff down already, and I'm pretty sure he ate something he wasn't supposed to. Emma kept saying "Mama, look at this!" "Mama, look what I found!" After picking up the first layer of princess clothes and wands, we found some stuff we all forgot we had. It was a big task and I'm glad it's over.
Now to take a nap.
Yeh, right.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
up high. to the sky.
Raise your hand if you feel like all the time in the world has gone away, and us moms are left to pick up the pieces/clothes/diapers/trash/dishes/toys/socks/bibs/shoes/pacifiers/sippycups/dogpee/hairties.
And we need to do it as fast as we can.
Because before we know it, it's 9:47 pm and the laundry you folded is still on your bed. But you can't put it away because the kids are finally asleep and the last thing you are going to do is wake them up to put away some stupid folded jammas. So then maybe they go back in the laundry basket. And maybe they just sit there for 2 days while you go to work, pick the kids up, make dinner, give baths, read stories, clean up dinner, brush teeth, and put two little munchkins to bed. Then, maybe the kids really need some clean underwear/socks/jammas and the only place they are is in that damn laundry basket. And when you're digging through the clean, once-folded-but-now-wrinkly clothes to find your daughter her princess undies, maybe you curse. Just a little. Because you're so sick and tired of having something almost done, but just not finished. And you're tired of digging through that basket for clean clothes because they really should just be in the kids' dressers by now. But then you think back on how much time in the last 3 days you've had to put said clothes away, and you realize that the only time you really had was when you were sleeping. Eh, priorities, schmriorities.
If you haven't noticed, I've been m.i.a. To be more accurate, I've been at work. I picked up muchos hours in April and am feeling the effects. More money, yes please. Less time to do what I need at home, no thank you. It's definitely a juggling act, and it's a hard one. I'm pretty sure I've got more than 3 things in the air any given minute.
On a brighter note, the hubs & I just celebrated FIVE YEARS married. Isn't that insane? I can't really say that I feel like we got married yesterday. I mean, we've been through 2 houses & 2 kids in that time. I'm pretty sure it's felt like 5 years. But in a good way. :) I've got myself a good guy. We celebrated by going to dinner sans kids & stuffing our faces until we couldn't move. It was awesome.
So for now, that's what I got. Totally worth the wait right? Right?
Now to go find some extra time. Any ideas?
And we need to do it as fast as we can.
Because before we know it, it's 9:47 pm and the laundry you folded is still on your bed. But you can't put it away because the kids are finally asleep and the last thing you are going to do is wake them up to put away some stupid folded jammas. So then maybe they go back in the laundry basket. And maybe they just sit there for 2 days while you go to work, pick the kids up, make dinner, give baths, read stories, clean up dinner, brush teeth, and put two little munchkins to bed. Then, maybe the kids really need some clean underwear/socks/jammas and the only place they are is in that damn laundry basket. And when you're digging through the clean, once-folded-but-now-wrinkly clothes to find your daughter her princess undies, maybe you curse. Just a little. Because you're so sick and tired of having something almost done, but just not finished. And you're tired of digging through that basket for clean clothes because they really should just be in the kids' dressers by now. But then you think back on how much time in the last 3 days you've had to put said clothes away, and you realize that the only time you really had was when you were sleeping. Eh, priorities, schmriorities.
If you haven't noticed, I've been m.i.a. To be more accurate, I've been at work. I picked up muchos hours in April and am feeling the effects. More money, yes please. Less time to do what I need at home, no thank you. It's definitely a juggling act, and it's a hard one. I'm pretty sure I've got more than 3 things in the air any given minute.
On a brighter note, the hubs & I just celebrated FIVE YEARS married. Isn't that insane? I can't really say that I feel like we got married yesterday. I mean, we've been through 2 houses & 2 kids in that time. I'm pretty sure it's felt like 5 years. But in a good way. :) I've got myself a good guy. We celebrated by going to dinner sans kids & stuffing our faces until we couldn't move. It was awesome.
So for now, that's what I got. Totally worth the wait right? Right?
Now to go find some extra time. Any ideas?
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I used to think about this question all the time when I was younger. Except it wasn't so much about what I was going to be, but how I would handle the position.
"If I'm a teacher, I'm going to be relaxed. I'll let kids sleep. I'll be that cool teacher that all the kids like." or "If I'm a teacher, I'm going to be strict but for good reason. I'll never let kids sleep. They'll have to answer to me. Nobody will like me but the parents because their kids will get good grades." Basically, it was a mix of the teachers I liked for different reasons.
Turns out, I think of motherhood the same way.
"I want to be that mom that all my kids' friends love. They want to come over to our house for the cookies I make or the yard we have to run around in. Emma & Dean are content with the fact that I get along with their friends. And hopefully they will trust themselves more to let me in on their plans and resist the urge to hide secrets or lie to me."
But, I don't think I get to make the call on this one. It just happens. I'm learning that I'm just going to be the type of mom my kids need that day.
Most days, I'm more strict than I thought I'd be. I try hard to not make "empty threats". If I say "Don't climb on that or I'll take away your cartoons.", I mean it. If you climb on that, I'll take away your cartoons. The last thing I want my little ones to learn is that I don't really mean anything I say - threat or not.
Some days, I'm full of fun ideas, crafts, foods, and energy. On these days, there are no tears and no fits. We are relaxed. We have fun. We create together. We laugh & shop & play.
I'm discovering things about who I am. Being a mother has brought a change to the way I approach life. I find less of a need to impress others (why did I ever care in the first place?), and more of a desire to create the most comfortable HOME I can for my family.
And for now, we're doing well.
Let's see what today brings.
"If I'm a teacher, I'm going to be relaxed. I'll let kids sleep. I'll be that cool teacher that all the kids like." or "If I'm a teacher, I'm going to be strict but for good reason. I'll never let kids sleep. They'll have to answer to me. Nobody will like me but the parents because their kids will get good grades." Basically, it was a mix of the teachers I liked for different reasons.
Turns out, I think of motherhood the same way.
"I want to be that mom that all my kids' friends love. They want to come over to our house for the cookies I make or the yard we have to run around in. Emma & Dean are content with the fact that I get along with their friends. And hopefully they will trust themselves more to let me in on their plans and resist the urge to hide secrets or lie to me."
But, I don't think I get to make the call on this one. It just happens. I'm learning that I'm just going to be the type of mom my kids need that day.
Most days, I'm more strict than I thought I'd be. I try hard to not make "empty threats". If I say "Don't climb on that or I'll take away your cartoons.", I mean it. If you climb on that, I'll take away your cartoons. The last thing I want my little ones to learn is that I don't really mean anything I say - threat or not.
Some days, I'm full of fun ideas, crafts, foods, and energy. On these days, there are no tears and no fits. We are relaxed. We have fun. We create together. We laugh & shop & play.
I'm discovering things about who I am. Being a mother has brought a change to the way I approach life. I find less of a need to impress others (why did I ever care in the first place?), and more of a desire to create the most comfortable HOME I can for my family.
And for now, we're doing well.
Let's see what today brings.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Been there. Done that.
I just haven't been feeling it lately.
I honestly feel I don't have a thing to say that might interest any one.
I've given up "the popular social networking site known as Bookface" for Lent. (Name that show.)
Ever since Ash Wednesday, I've not felt the urge to be on the computer. I've been doing things instead. I know, weird right?
I've been cleaning. My 40 bags plan is not going to equal 40, but I'm up to about 3-4 so far with more than half the rooms to go. It's been a gratifying experience. I recently read a quote from a blog I follow that said "Am I really going to miss that thing/shirt/sock/toy/book? What's the worst that could happen? I have to go spend $3 on it again?" And it got me thinking. I keep things "just in case". But when I need it, I can never find it because I have so much "just in case" crap around the house. So, I've been plastic-bagging it. I'm even going to try to make money off it in my garage sale. Take that, crap.
I've been cooking. Lots. Homemade oregano french bread, homemade corn bread, turkey chili, baby food, peanut butter cookies, and chocolate oatmeal cookies. Yum & yum & yum. Let's just say David has not gone hungry.
I've been couponing. Like a crazy person. That you could make fun of. Because of my coupon binder. That comes in the store with me. And rides around in my cart. Laugh all you want. Because I am saving LOADS of money. I usually see my total go down at least 40% with my coupons, and that's a low number. I've saved up to 97% on a bill once, and I bought 30 boxes of pasta that day. I will never pay a penny for toothpaste, deodorant, or dish soap again in my life. It's been awesome because the money we save has made it easier to buy the more expensive organic food I want to feed my family. I get the last laugh.
I've been yoga-ing. A co-worker talked me into taking a yoga class after work on an especially stressful day. I've never done yoga. I would not consider myself a flexible person. But I was very open-minded because of the wonderful things I have heard about it. I've always been curious and this was the perfect opportunity to try it out. I loved it. I really loved it. It's a beginners course that was relaxing and introduced basic poses and stretches. It was the most relaxing hour I have had to myself in a long, long time. I walked out immediately looking forward to the next weeks class. Once I learn the basics, I am strongly considering taking the next (less relaxing) level.
I've been sleeping. Last week, I was alseep before 9 pm two nights in a row. Every time I do that, I wake up and think "Why don't I do that more often?" Sleep is too important to put off for the internet, or tv, or the crossword. I consistently do all of the above. And I bet I'm not the only one. Go to bed at 9 tonight. You'll thank me in the morning. Promise.
I've been planning. We planted seeds in starter pots. It's our first time using the starters, and we're hopeful. We started a compost bin (great big checkmark on my to-do list) and are going to mix it with our garden soil. We don't have much yet, but it's nice to know it's started. Peppers, green beans, tomatoes, and herbs. I can't wait to pick all the fixins for a salad and eat it for dinner. These are the moments I'm the most proud of being a mama - when I have the chance to teach a 3-year old how plants start as seeds and grow into food for our bodies.
I've been happy. Things are going well. I'm noticing a change in the way I am. And I like it.
I honestly feel I don't have a thing to say that might interest any one.
I've given up "the popular social networking site known as Bookface" for Lent. (Name that show.)
Ever since Ash Wednesday, I've not felt the urge to be on the computer. I've been doing things instead. I know, weird right?
I've been cleaning. My 40 bags plan is not going to equal 40, but I'm up to about 3-4 so far with more than half the rooms to go. It's been a gratifying experience. I recently read a quote from a blog I follow that said "Am I really going to miss that thing/shirt/sock/toy/book? What's the worst that could happen? I have to go spend $3 on it again?" And it got me thinking. I keep things "just in case". But when I need it, I can never find it because I have so much "just in case" crap around the house. So, I've been plastic-bagging it. I'm even going to try to make money off it in my garage sale. Take that, crap.
I've been cooking. Lots. Homemade oregano french bread, homemade corn bread, turkey chili, baby food, peanut butter cookies, and chocolate oatmeal cookies. Yum & yum & yum. Let's just say David has not gone hungry.
I've been couponing. Like a crazy person. That you could make fun of. Because of my coupon binder. That comes in the store with me. And rides around in my cart. Laugh all you want. Because I am saving LOADS of money. I usually see my total go down at least 40% with my coupons, and that's a low number. I've saved up to 97% on a bill once, and I bought 30 boxes of pasta that day. I will never pay a penny for toothpaste, deodorant, or dish soap again in my life. It's been awesome because the money we save has made it easier to buy the more expensive organic food I want to feed my family. I get the last laugh.
I've been yoga-ing. A co-worker talked me into taking a yoga class after work on an especially stressful day. I've never done yoga. I would not consider myself a flexible person. But I was very open-minded because of the wonderful things I have heard about it. I've always been curious and this was the perfect opportunity to try it out. I loved it. I really loved it. It's a beginners course that was relaxing and introduced basic poses and stretches. It was the most relaxing hour I have had to myself in a long, long time. I walked out immediately looking forward to the next weeks class. Once I learn the basics, I am strongly considering taking the next (less relaxing) level.
I've been sleeping. Last week, I was alseep before 9 pm two nights in a row. Every time I do that, I wake up and think "Why don't I do that more often?" Sleep is too important to put off for the internet, or tv, or the crossword. I consistently do all of the above. And I bet I'm not the only one. Go to bed at 9 tonight. You'll thank me in the morning. Promise.
I've been planning. We planted seeds in starter pots. It's our first time using the starters, and we're hopeful. We started a compost bin (great big checkmark on my to-do list) and are going to mix it with our garden soil. We don't have much yet, but it's nice to know it's started. Peppers, green beans, tomatoes, and herbs. I can't wait to pick all the fixins for a salad and eat it for dinner. These are the moments I'm the most proud of being a mama - when I have the chance to teach a 3-year old how plants start as seeds and grow into food for our bodies.
I've been happy. Things are going well. I'm noticing a change in the way I am. And I like it.
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