Re-Surfacing...

Wow, has it really been a month since I have posted a blog?!? I am so embarrassed. I am finally re-surfascing! It has been a whirl of a month though.

As I sit her on the couch, in my robe, posting from my iPhone, I have a sweet little bundle on my lap snoozing. We are in full swing spit up spills, folks! And i can't believe I have THREE kids and don't know how we are surviving, but somehow we are. I keep waiting for reality to hit. See it was a miracle, literally a miracle, that my husband has been off for about two weeks! Has been such a huge help and support! My mom also came to visit and help for a week, so I think next week will be a true test of my mommy skills.

The big kids are adjusting quite well. Kasey absolutely loves her little brother. As soon as she walks in the door, she is scrubbing up to hold and love on her brother. Dillon is doing great as well, he doesn't care to hold him too much, but does shower him with kisses and hugs. Today, I finally got him to hold the baby since he was born.

Couple of things I feel I need to share:

I forgot how much babies poop

Little boys always pee out of their diapers...if any of y'all have a secret to not changing clothes 10 times a day, please, help!

Ordering Schwans for a new mommy is amazing!

Keurig saves my mornings!

Newborn heads are so sweet and must be kissed

Natural labor is for the birds!!!!

I desperately need to get out of my pj's

Will be posting again next week...hopefully I survive the weekend by myself with 3 kids!

4's a crowd

This morning in Amarillo, we woke up to a beautiful snow covered morning. Much to all our surprise!
I wish I had taken a pic to share with y'all, but it was a crazy morning, which leads me to today's post.

And to get to this morning, I must share with you last night.

As usual, Mitch and I put the kids in bed at 8 o'clock sharp, bad things, very bad things happen if we wait later, I won't go into details. For those of you not in Amarillo, last night was quite the thunderstorm, it was loud and it was bright with lightening.

Lightening + Thunder = no sleeping children

On 10 minute intervals we had tears and ups and downs out of bed by each child. They were scared, the thunder "won't let me sleep," and "the lightening's too bright..." And this is fine and dandy, but when it goes on for an hour, its a little ridiculous.

Two very tired and cranky parents finally went to bed and drifted off to sleep with no problems at all.

1 o'clock am we were woken up by one of THE loudest cracks of thunder I have ever heard, I laid in bed and counted to 5...that's when I knew and I heard,
"Mommy!"

Both kiddos were scampering down the hall, wanting to get in mommy and daddy's bed. I knew we bought that king size for a reason!
So they jumped in bed and made a mommy sandwich, which when you are 9 months preggo, that is NOT comfortable.

Once I heard all the soft sweet snoozes kids make when sleeping, I rolled out of bed to find more space in Kasey's bed. Only sleep was a distant memory at that point...

Up at five to check the clock, didn't want to over sleep, and then back to bed to try to rest for another hour...

AT 6:45 everyone was up and getting ready for the morning, only then did we open the blinds to realize we had been blanketed in snow. Dillon immediately reached for his snow boots and gloves complete with his jammies, he was going outside to play. Did I mention it felt like 21 degrees outside!
You can imagine his disappointment when I wouldn't let him out to play.

So I loaded up Kasey and went out to the car, tried to dust of 2 inches of snow, and broke the windshield wiper, all while Mitch was in the shower. Drama. But everything ended up great, and I was so thankful for my Tahoe with heated seats this morning.

But it lead me to think...we need a bigger bed!

How do they do it?

This Sunday after church the kids and I went to eat lunch at a new deli in town. The line was out the door. Don't ask me why we continued to stand there and wait...OK, well since you did, it was all for the iced tea. (And it was all worth it!)

As we were standing there in our line and I was trying not to embarrass myself by trying to contain my 3 year old, there was this woman in front of us. Couldn't help but let my mind wonder...

Her hair was perfect, her makeup was exquisite, she had the perfect outfit on, with jacket, and perfectly draped scarf. Her Gucci casually strung over her shoulder. What would it be like to be her right now? As I struggle to recall if my teeth had been brushed that morning (I kid...maybe)

But you all know that woman. The gal, that you know on her worst day, looks like perfection walking. I am sure her house is immaculate and kids sporting their Polo's and top sliders are well behaved and never run into the street (see previous posts.) Just how do they keep it all together? Somebody please share the secret!

Of course I would not trade my cowboy boot wearing with shorts lil dude, or my gal who I have to fight to do her hair for a million dollars, but someday, just one I would like to be Her.

Am I struggling with insecurities the last three weeks of my THIRD pregnancy? Maybe.

Anyway off to make sure I brush my teeth and to talk Dillon out of wearing boots with shorts. And really...if you know how to pull it all off, please share!

Ta ta!

Some random updates...

Good Morning friends, it's the last Friday in October. I can't hardly believe it. That means we have about 4 weeks until our life is going to get turned upside down by the arrival of G3...and let me tell you, Momma is scared!

So, I just wanted to take today and update on some past posts.

1. We have invested in the Safety Harness, or as it is known to Dillon, his "backpack." And peeps, he loves it! It is so funny, when we purchased it, he couldn't wait to get it on. I think he channels Diego and his Rescue Pack. We tried it out at the mall for the first time, I wish I had pics to post...but at one point he was almost level with the floor from me holding him up. Fun times...but that day was the first day he went home without having to get a spanking for running across the parking lot.
I did get quite a few judging stares, but those judgers, they have no idea what I'm dealing with here, so I just let them judge.

2. Cooler weather is here!!! Do you know what that means? The crickets are finally gone! And...I took the liberty upon myself to do a little spraying around the house...with "natural" insecticide of course. It has been refreshing not to have to sweep up those lil buggers every day! I WON (or so I tell myself!)

3. The house still does not remain clean...but I did get to the cabinets and baseboards in the kitchen and the bathroom. Not sure why those need to be cleaned in order for a baby to arrive, but hey they're finished and probably need to be done again actually. Help!

4. Today marks the 50th day of Kasey's kindergarten. We have received 2 progress reports and one report card all with glowing accolades. She is doing great, and already reading like a pro...I think.

5. We still do not have a baby name!

6. YAY! We only have one more week of football, that's all I have to say about that.

I hope you are all gearing up and getting ready for Thanksgiving, it seems this fall has flown by.
What are you cookin up for Thanksgiving? Anything new? And can I come?

My man...

On another, super short note.

I love my husband, and I still think he is hot!

(sorry just thought I'd share, I just uploaded new pictures and disregard the hanger in the back, its only evidence that I do indeed iron!)

My boy...

I know I write a lot on here about my son, Dillon. But I have to say he is one amazing person and I just can't get enough of him (and he is who I spend the majority of my time with these days...)

When we are home, my boy is so sweet. I get told how much he loves me at least 15 times a day, who tires of that? I am constantly getting showered with adoring kisses and hugs. We sit together quietly (and Mom occasionally naps) and watch Dora, Diego, and friends. We play games, and read books. He loves me.

Great conversations ensue over our lunch of hot dogs and mac n cheese, then my little sweetness will say he's tired and off to nap time we go. Easy as pie....

THEN, when we step out the front door something happens. Something unexplainable...he turns into a raging maniac, 3 year old toddler! I am not going to be taking him much of anywhere until we can get this straighted out. We enter the public eye and all of the sudden he owns the world and can run into the street anytime he wants, he is invincible, just ask him.

In my eighth month of pregnancy, I am not as spry as I once was 8 months ago, and it is difficult for me to chase after him and I'm sure if any of you have seen us you are dying laughing.

He has no fear, and folks, this is bad. He certainly thinks he can fight off any bad guys that try to take him, just ask him!

When baby (another boy mind you!) gets here is it going to be hard to put down the baby carrier to chase down Mr. Invincible down the aisle...I'm thinking safety harness. Not "leash" as some will affectionately call them...but safety harness.

That is, if we ever leave the house again!

Grumpy...

Grocery shopping makes me grumpy.

It never fails, I always save it until we are eating the infamous "breakfast for dinner" that I finally realize we are out of everything!

I don't know about you, but I get very bored with what we eat from week to week, and have a hard time selecting meals for dinner, so I always ask the kids. Their suggestions are always to same too...

Spaghetti
Chicken Wings
Steak

So, in order for me to do a good job grocery shopping, I scour the cookbooks looking for something NEW and EXCITING to make that will please everyone (if that ever happens, I'll let yall know!)

Yesterday, I bit the bullet and made my menu and then my list of needs. Put my shopping trip off until 4 o'clock (what was I thinking...) and headed off to Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart makes me grumpy...

I love, love, love our United Supermarkets! First of all, being preggo, I like all the help I can get, and at United they bag your groceries, carry them out, and load them up in your car all for you. But the BEST part is...drum roll please, is the Expectant Mommy parking! I am so VIP!

But, in search of super value, and other items...I went to Wal-Mart yesterday. It was crammed...packed, no parking. So, in a huff I drove across town to one of the other 5 Wal-Marts, in my head I consider it the "nice" one.

Two hours and $$$ later, I emerged from Wal-Mart and loaded my own groceries into my car..only to know I would have to do it all again into the house and put them all away while trying to make dinner for the starving children of our house.

Needless to say, maybe I won't wait so long next time...mabye.

The One Upper...

Sorry friends it has taken me over a week to update...I have been a little under the weather with a nasty sinus infection, but I think we are over it now and back to normal...well as normal as it gets around here!

The first week of school, Mitch and I decided we would start a Friday lunch date with Kasey. Whoever was off would take her something special, ie not a packed lunch. So, the first week, Dillon and I were up...and had asked Kasey what she wanted to eat. All she wanted to eat cafeteria food. If you will recall, she lost her first tooth that week, and wanted nothing more than to spend her precious $1 on school lunch. Reluctantly, I agreed, we would have school lunch for our first official lunch date.

As we got there and were waiting, I started noticing all these other moms and dads walking in with cheeseburgers, Fazolis, Subway, and Sonic, I started to doubt my parenting, but I knew what was going on. I have been in plenty of business meetings where someone else was more prepared than I, but it only happens a handful of times before you learn. We were lining up in line for school lunch while other moms and dads paraded in with "the good stuff." I will give the schools major credit for trying, I saw some great options. They had grapes, yogurt, BAKED chips, and 3 different kinds of milk. We gathered our Styrofoam trays and enjoyed our Salisbury Steak (aka hamburger patty with gravy) and green beans...after all it was all about spending time with Kasey. That day was an educational one.

Since that first day we have done the Subway, Sonic, and Fazolis. Last week, at Kasey's request, as always, we stopped in to Pei Wei. Pei Wei is the the kids favorite! Its always the destination of choice when asked where to go. We don't see Pei Wei as fancy or pretentious at all, in fact, our three meals was about the same price of 3 meals at McDonald's. So no thoughts about it...

When we walked in with our Pei Wei, we were the cool kids, in the cafeteria...the teachers wanted to share, even the principal wanted to share.

Today, was dad's turn to lunch with Kasey...the request today was Chick-fil-a. So about 5 minutes into the lunch hour, I get a text from Mitch. Here is how it read:
"Some Mom is here trying to one up everyone by bringing Logan's Roadhouse!'


I had to laugh, we had been one upped. By the way, who even knew there were such cafeteria politics? Ah, well, we live and learn. Next week, I guess I'll have to call in the private chef to cook in front of the whole cafeteria.

Reminiscing...

Once upon a time in the not so distant past, I was a full time working mom.

Working 8-5 at the office, working 5-10 on the homefront. Nothing that ever "needed" to get done, got done. Oh sure, I vaccummed when I could tell I HAD to, the laundry got done about every 3 weeks or so, and about once a month I had time to mop. I can promise you the fan blades NEVER got dusted, and base boards (who knew!) didn't get wiped down.

I know some of you are reading this right now in disgust,but it is simple fact my friends, not enough hours in the day of a working mom's life to get it all done...if you want to sleep.

It was not so long ago that my husband had graciously agreed to get me some help. I had a once a month cleaning crew come in to help us get out of the bio-hazard zone. It was wonderful, glorious, words can't describe. Those days of coming home were some of the best...no stress of dirty fan blades!

Today, as I am going to tackle cleaning my own nasty cabintes and floors...I am going to think about how wonderful, and how blessed I am, that I get to have the time to do all this fabulous cleaning myself, and try not to gag...wish me luck.

And Custom Maids...I MISS YOU!!

P.S How great, really, are the Magic Erasers? Do I need several...thousand?

To Tell the Truth

Saturday morning was a rare instance in this house. My loving husband took the kids off to a sporting event for a couple hours, this left the quiet house and my coffee cup all to myself.

I wondered if he expected me to clean. I didn't. I watched a "Say Yes to the Dress" marathon. Productive, I know.

Soon, my sweet children and husband returned with lunch in hand. And this truthful story began to unfold over cold fries, and rubbery nuggets.
I had noticed that my lil punkin Dillon had a red "Kool-Aid" smile, so of course the question was asked if he had Gatorade to drink. Below is the transcription of the conversation that ensued:

Me: Did you have a red Gatorade Dillon?

Dillon: Yep, and I drank it all (he was very proud, we have been talking a lot about wasting food, etc)

Kasey: It was someone else's...I told him not to do it.

At this point in time, I am focused on Mitch's face, who I assumed was watching them like a hawk...he had NO idea about the Gatorade. This was disgusting, I wanted to scrub his little lips and mouth with a toothbrush...who KNEW what cooties he had caught from a stranger's drink. But I knew there wasn't a thing to be done. So we dropped it and continued with lunch.

A couple minutes later, I couldn't help myself, I needed details of the event. So as to instruct the children on what NOT to do next time.

Me: So, Dillon, you just picked up the bottle off the table and drank it?

Kasey: No! It was on top of the drink machine.
Dillon: (nods head agreeing)

SHOCK AND DISBELIEF I can't believe what I am hearing.

Dillon: We climbed up a stack of chairs and got it. It was fun!
Kasey: I told him not to do it...

Me (staring at Dad who is dying...): So you saw a drink on top of the machine, climbed up a stack of chairs and got it?

Dillon and Kasey : Yep, well Shane Hays (his buddy) got it, and Dillon drank it.

Me: Kasey, this would have been a good time to go and tattle tale to Dad. Since he had no idea what was going on.

Mitch is trying hard not to laugh, I am trying hard not to kill him and die laughing myself. They were so pure and innocent in the telling of the story...no idea of the "What Could Have Happened." I said a little prayer of thanks that my son's ever faithful Guardian Angel was working overtime.

Kids...they never lie, and my husband learned his lesson to never trust his kids alone!

Under Siege..isn't that a movie?

Our house is under attack.

And no I don't mean from kids or dust balls or terrorists for that matter. Our house is under attack from CRICKETTS!Black ones, brown ones, dead ones, loud ones, they are everywhere. I hear them in the corners, in the walls, and under the sink. Or maybe I am just going crazy, which is highly possible.

Everyday I wake up to this battle. There is one in every room, I clean it up only for the next day, to wake up to another stinkin' crickett in the same spot. Sometimes, it is not even a whole crickett. Did you know those things can move with only 3 legs...trust me I know! I think it's a conspiracy to take over my house. And I might surrender and let them.

Usually, you crack the bedroom window to go to bed with nature's lullaby far off in the distance, in this case, it's right in our very own bedroom. As the huz and I were settling into bed the other night, I was telling our tale of this loosing battle, and begging, pleading, for a manly solution when I heard it first. I hopped out of bed as fast as my preggo belly would let me and started my hunt. I could hear him taunting me. Was he under my bedside table? NO! Was he under my bed? NO! He was in my sheets!!!! Oh yes, my friends, I died. I made Mitch get out of bed and hunt that sucker down...did not stop my restless night of dreaming endlessly of cricketts taking over my house.

I spent sometime online yesterday planning my battle strategy only to find out there is really no way to get completely rid of them. So my friends, the battle wages on. I with my Dyson and broom...them with their ceaseless crrrrrrrrp, crrrrrrrp and three legged wonder-moves.

I will not back down! We will fight til' the end!!!

Month #1

Today is the one month marker since I have left my job as a book buyer. And I can honestly say where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday I as answering 500 emails a day, worrying about the right selection of books for the Christmas holiday. Now it is such a relief the only emails I get are my facebook notifications :) Just kidding, I finally figured out how to turn those nasty things off!

It has been a great month, I have done a lot of things that I probably wouldn't have gotten around to this YEAR had I not been home. Don't judge me.

Yesterday, I dusted my bedroom. This was HUGE! The laundry is done and put away. My husband came home last night, and I told him "Honey, I got all the laundry done!" He said, walking into the spotless closet, "Where are these clean clothes?" He was in shock and awe when I told him they were actually put in the drawers and on the hangers.

But the best thing of all is the precious moments I have had with the kiddos...yes even the horrific fits from Dillon. Now that it has been a month, I think I am boring Dillon to death. I need some hits and tips for activities for a 3 yr, testosterone driven, little boy. He won't even color with me...

Take a look at this website and let me know what you think. What works for you?
http://fun.familyeducation.com/preschool/early-learning/33390.html

Sibling Rivalry?

I'm sure I have a distorted view of my childhood growing up...and I'm sure I will be corrected if I am wrong.

But I remember fighting with my little brother quite a bit, and over everything. And then when my little sister came along 8 years later, I remember fighting with her quite a bit as well. It was over different things like not wanting to play dress up and Barbie's at 16. And well for the twins...I was to old to argue with them, it was more with mom over babysitting.

We were never what you considered "close-knit." Oh sure, we took the required baths together, and played along nicely as well. And in our later years have become closer. But my own children are throwing me for a complete loop.

Yesterday afternoon, my daughter was getting a lecture about not "obeying the first time," and my sweet lil punkin Dillon stomps right up to me and says, "Momma, you be nice to my sissy." And believe me, he was NOT kidding. He was about to give me a lashing right there. He then went and gave her a big ole hug. I tried explaining that I was the mom and therefore didn't have to be nice, it was my job to correct...but I think I got two words in and he walked off.

Today, again, we picked up Kasey from school and the first thing out of his mouth was "I love you, Kasey." It was the sweetest gesture.

I am trying to decided if it is better this way or worse. I may soon have a mutiny on my hands if this keeps up!

Only time will tell if this will stick, also let's not forget the addition of the NEW little brother...thick as thieves they say.

Until next time, how was your sibling rivalry?

Tooth Fairy

Yesterday was a very exciting day for my girl. It was truly a milestone!

I picked Kasey promptly up at 3pm, by the way, I am so glad to see the pick up lane get organized, it was a nightmare on Monday...back to my story.
I picked her up and proceed to bombard her with questions about her day...

Did you have a good day?

Did you say the Pledge of Allegiance?

Did you get to go to gym today?

Did you eat all your lunch?

To this she replied yes, with a grin that I just happen to catch out of my rear view mirror. I slammed on the brakes and exclaimed "KASEY! You lost your first tooth!!" She calmly replies "Oh, yeah."

I almost died and wrecked the car right there....she wasn't even going to tell me about it.

Apparently, she just pulled it out in the middle of class and was walked down to the nurses office. What? No phone call to mom to tell her this occasion? No note sent home? I can't believe it.

I was excited;y talking up the Tooth Fairy, never have I been so excited to give away $$$, to my dismay, she didn't want the Tooth Fairy to come OR call and tell anyone.

We had a long talk about the Tooth Fairy...I had to get the story straight because she wanted the facts, man.

How does she get in?
Where does she live?
What does she do with all the teeth?
Where does she get the $?

Kasey is very observant...so I left the rest of the duties to dad as I ran off to my bible study. I came home to find the tooth still on the table...

Daddy called and postponed the appointment. The Tooth Fairy will be visiting this evening rather than last..she's not scared today.

That's my negotiator!

Nature vs Nurture

When I was growing up I was a master at Barbie and baby dolls. Of course not on my own...I owe all my training to my cousin Jennifer. Living out in the country with no neighbors around and only a little brother to play with I didn't know much. But when Jenn and Dave (all other sibs...you weren't around just yet)moved to town I was enlightened by her Barbie Dream House and Barbie Peaches N' Cream. She showed me the ropes and we could make Barbie furniture out of any old household item.

Shoe box with washrag = Barbie's bed

Little white pizza slice holder from Pizza Hut = quaint little table

And baby dolls...they did everything with me. We drug those dolls around everywhere and were the best little mommas.

Today, as it is the second day without my girl here, I was spending playtime with Dillon. Dill is a man's man through and through. Zero interest in dolls or Barbies! I was stuck on the floor with the car mat trying to fake my way through race car sounds and a chuggin train...he was not fooled.

As quickly as I could start my train off, he would grab it from me and say "No, Momma this way!"

I'm thinking I should have spent more time with Dave blowin' up the GI-Joes! Maybe I could talk Dillon into breaking out Kasey's Barbies...on second thought I better not.

But believe me, I will master the car sounds...it will not be pretty and could get a little ugly, but with another little guy on the way this Mommas got to be on her game.

Well, it is nap time for Dillon and practice time for me...VROOOOM!

Kindergarten...

The day you find out you are pregnant, you think about this day.

The day your child starts walking, you think, she/he will be walking into school one day.

The day your child starts to talk, you know they will be answering in a classroom soon.

Then, all too soon, that fateful day arrives. Mine, was today. (tear...)

Kasey, my beautiful, smart, and creative little girl went to her first day of kindergarten. We went and bought all the much anticipated school supplies (see previous post...grrrr), bought a special outfit that she picked out all by herself, and packed a special lunch for school. She woke up so excited, not nervous, but excited for her new experience. She bravely walked into school with me trailing behind, camera in hand quickly snapping away the few precious moments left.

We got into the classroom and she stored her backpack in her own little cubby, and the jitters began. Ms. Wall, her teacher, asked her her name...one glance at me and she was attached to my leg afraid to let go.

I thought "Who is this kid?"

But I knelt down next to her, looked her in the eyes, grabbed her palm and kissed it. I told her, "Whenever you start to miss me, remember my kiss and hold it close, you will have a super day!" And with my brave face on, walked out of the classroom with a quick wave.

The house has been so quiet here this morning without her here. Dillon doesn't quite know what to think yet, he told me, "Are we going to leave her there?" He will be excited to pick her up!

Good luck you all you families out there starting new adventures today...we all know what it's like to start something new.

Be Brave!

Back to School

Today was "Meet and Greet" for the elementary school my daughter is about to start. What a zoo, and my kids fit right in!

Don't me wrong, we are super excited for her to start kindergarten, but I am ready for it to be over already!

This weekend in Texas it is Tax Free Weekend, which is a great and wonderful concept but the weekend before school starts? Not such a hot idea.

This whole summer I have had a school supply list, and have been patiently waiting to save all kinds of mula during Tax Free Weekend. Earlier this week it dawned on me to sit and do the math on what I would actually save.
Estimating $100 in school supplies I would save roughly a whooping $8.25. I thought to myself, is $8 really worth my sanity? I think not.

We went to Target, Office Max, and finally Wal-Mart to complete our ridiculously long school supply list. Surely, they don't use all this stuff right? Nonetheless, we paid our dues and have school shopping completed.

I will NOT wait again next year, and neither should you, save yourselves, and your sanity and shop early when Crayola brand is not sold out!

Can't wait for Monday!!!! Now off to tame the wild beasts that I live with.

It's The Little Things...

I find myself needing to invest in a tape recorder. Maybe if I recorded it each time I said something I'd just have to play it back rather than exasperate myself and repeat it.

Surely my children are tired of hearing my repetitions and requests.

"Please pick up your shoes"
"Move that army man before someone breaks a toe"
"Dirty clothes go in the laundry basket not the floor"

and it goes on and on...this was my day yesterday. Kasey had all day to clean her room before the Cleaning Fairy, aka ME with a garbage bag, cleaned it for her. (By the way Cleaning Fairy showed up in all her glory at 11:30 last night)

I was up to my ears in getting kids to pick up after themselves, and I noticed late yesterday afternoon that my sweet daughter changed the toilet paper roll herself. I melted! She even threw the old one away, I couldn't believe it. I didn't even have to remind her! Miracles really do happen.

It is the little things like that simple task of refiling the toilet paper roll that make me feel like I am not a complete failure.

Thank you dear ones for listening...

Yogurt

This morning was a rainy morning...the kind where you can tell your kids, "go back to sleep for a few more minutes...it's still dark out."

We slept in until 8 am this morning, it was nice. I also got to enjoy a bath in relative peace and quiet.

My skin has been subject to this intense heat and has been very dry, so after I got out of the bath today, I found this old tub of body butter. It is Rasberry Vanilla scented, very nice! And should do the moisturizing trick, right?

After I have slathered this delicious smelling lotion, or should I say butter, onto my arms, legs, and expanding belly, my son comes running in the room.

"Mom! I want some yogurt!" As if I had been sneaking into my room to scarf down the last of the yogurt. I told him, I didn't have any yogurt. He was stunned and searched my bedroom.

I told him it was my lotion I had just put on, he proceeded to sniff each arm and kiss my belly, only then was he satisfied I was not hiding yogurt!

I guess I should wear scented lotion more often!

First Two Weeks

It's Monday! We have T-Minus 6 days until Kindergarten, and Kasey is so excited.

It is offically the start of my third week home, and so far everyone is still alive. The floors still have not been mopped, as it has been on my To Do for two weeks now, but I blame that on my trip out of town last week.

So excited for school to start next week, not just to give Kasey something fun to do, but to finally get a routine established. Don't get me wrong, I love sleeping in, but if you stay in bed until 9, the morning is gone before you know it!

In my head I have the perfect routine scheduled out:
6:30 Everyone up and dressed eating a good healthy breakfast of course!

7:30 Leave for School, kids must be in their seats at 7:55...can't have tardies now can we!

8:00 Me and Dillon back home, get ready for the day
9:00 Mini lessons for Dillon

11:15 Lunch

12:00-2:30 Nap

3:00 pick up Kasey from school

Are my hopes too high that we can accomplish this routine? Probably but if I don't have it planned out, we don't have anything to strive for right?

How do other moms do it and keep everyone on track? Would love some feedback!

Naming Baby #3

Hello friends! Sorry it has been so long, but our computer we have had since college graduation has finally kicked the can. My poor huz has been going through withdrawls from eBay.

I think we have the problem resolved by purchase of a new computer, of which, I have no idea because he tends to make LARGE purchases without me....hmmm, I wonder why?

Back to the reason for this posting, Baby #3. We have been blessed by adding a sweet addition to our family this fall, and more recently found out it's going to be another bouncing baby boy! This is great and wonderful, except I had convinced myself it was going to be a baby girl, and all the names I loved were girl names.

Who doesn't want a Juliet, Sophie, or Daphne? Now we, meaning I, have had to completely change our train of thought on names for this little guy. It would be easier if the huz and I ever agreed on boy names.

Here's his list:
1. Derrrick
2. Jeter
3. Michael
4. Jordan
5. Mickey
6. Lou
7. Barry
8. Landry
9. Payton
10. Bo
11. Jackson
Are you seeing a trend here? Come on, really?!

So we do what all self respecting parents do...we ask the other two children what they want to name the baby. Here is Kasey's list:
1. Zach
2. Cody
3. Martin
(psst all names from Suite Life of Zach and Cody...) umm, no thanks babe, I think we'll pass, but THANKS!

Dillon on the other hand was completely original in wanting to name his baby brother Stedee (like Dede) Raceman!
Stedee Raceman, I wonder how that would work in school? But creative nonetheless.

Naming a child is such a difficult thing, because its not a child, you are naming a future adult who has to endure many years of name he/she didn't select.

Well, wish us luck as we continue to plow through every name book published, and I attempt to steer the huz away from the sports world :)

Superheroes

Had the most amazing weekend with the family! I just love those days. I love it when I wake up before everyone else in those quiet hours and can sneak off to get donuts.

The kids are so excited, it's like Christmas morning, when they wake up to donuts.

But the fun really began about an hour after the sugar kicked in...

I heard a commotion in my bedroom as I was cleaning up dishes I didn't get to the night before, oh come on you leave them too...and I look down the hall way to see my children sprinting full speed with blankets on their back.

HUH?

And then I got it, their cuddly, snugglie blankies that lull them to sleep each nap and evening had now transformed in to super-power giving Super Hero capes!
The BAD GUY (aka Daddy) was threatening to take them down, but these aren't your ordinary Super Heroes and wouldn't be taken down quite so easily...especially with the super skinny, most beautiful princess ever (aka ME!) on their side!

The evil BAD GUY (aka Daddy) was successfully defeated with a Nerf gun at point blank range and Mommy Rules the Roost once again!

Hahahahahahaahaha (insert villain laugh here).

The world can rest at peace for one more night...

Bedtime...

Bedtime is supposed to be easy right? Painless right? Sweet dreams as you drift off to sleep?



NOT at our house these days. Here is a typical nightly nightmare, I mean, ummm routine.



8pm

"Kasey and Dillon, time for bed. Everyone go to the bathroom."

At this point in time we argue over who's going first in the front bathroom, nobody wants to use daddy's bathroom.



8:15

Every on has used the potty and is on their way to the respective bedrooms. Chocolate milk in hands.
Kisses and hugs all around, music on, lights off, prayers said, etc.

(now the fun begins)

8:30

Dillon: "Mommy I need to go pee."

Me: " You just went pee, ok, get up and go and get back to bed!"

8:45

Kasey: "I need a kiss and a hug!"
We proceed to go in there kiss and hug again, restart music and readjust the covers.

9pm
By this time I am doing dishes, sweeping the floor trying to make some sort of general order out of chaos. OR I am in bed, exhausted.

9:15
Kasey wanders into our room on her tippy toes, "Mom, I need to tell you something"
"Ok Kasey, what? Then go go BED!" (frustration level rising)
"I Love You..."
"Love you too babe (heart melting)"

9:30
I hear a rustle in the hall way, and hear a tiny whisper. Next a little blond head peeks around the corner..."Mom, I wanna sleep in your bed."
"NO Dillon, go to Sleep!!!!"

Repeat appearances for next 10 minutes before Mommy and Daddy go CRAZY!

Surely this isn't normal. Does bed time go smoothly for you?

What's your trick to get out beneath the grips of the master manipulators?

Cleaning attempt

Whew, it's not even 11:30 and I am exhausted!
The daughters room was a disaster zone, LITERALLY, a disaster. Decided this morning it would be a good idea to try to make room for her to play in her room, instead of dragging the toys into my living room.

What started off as a 30-minute job has now become two hours! We are no where near finished. I have tried relentlessly to get my able bodied children to help to no avail. Really folks, whats it going to take?

So far we have only one bag of donation toys and books. It needs to be 3-4. I think we actually made more of a mess than we started with...its so big I don't even want to finish it for sake of the rest of the house.

So you know what we are going to do? Go to the pool! Yes, I know sluffing responsibilities for frivolity, but it's only summer for a limited time, and I know good and well the mess will still be there tomorrow and the next day, and the next.

adieu my friends...hello sunshine and swimming pool