Winter Break

We just finished up a week long Winter Break.  Well, actually if you count the fact that the kids don't have school on Friday it was technically a 10 day winter break.  And before you know it we will be welcoming Spring Break.  I don't remember getting this many breaks as a kid.  Surprisingly enough, our 10 day break went by pretty quickly though.

I owe that, "time flies when you're having fun" theme mainly to our vacation to sunny rainy Florida.  Yea, the weather wasn't so good, but the company and the time spent was.  It was a very mellow little trip.  I felt awful for about 85% of it, but can honestly say it was a nice little visit other than that.  We laid pretty low due to the unpredictable weather {and the fact that I felt near death at moments}.  

However, the kids enjoyed every minute {until Maggie got Pink Eye, but that's another story}.  All it takes to make them happy is Grandparents, Grammy's toys, cousins, and a floor to play on.  Seriously the most content little vacationers. {and much cheaper than Disney}

I am not proud to admit this, but on the five six and half hour drive, the kids watched several movies.  And when Maggie lost interest in the last hour, I pulled out the "never fail me" ipad.  All was well on the final lap to Grammy and Grampa's driveway,  {and the kids were banned from screen time for the next 86 days}

Jack is our easy traveler.  Just give him Toy Story 1, 2, and 3 and he is set.

 All that screen time is what made our arrival all the more special.  Cousins Whit and Larkin were there to greet us.  We enjoyed a fabulous late afternoon under an unusually beautiful grey skied day.  It was so great to be outside {or maybe just outside of the car}.

Larkin knew just what to do to make Maggie happy.  From one girly girl to another, Larkin immediately pulled out the baby doll, stroller, jewelry, and purse.  Larkin had Maggie from the word "pink...".

I couldn't quit taking pictures of these sweet girls.  {not to mention I really need to practice with this new lens}  Maggie ate up every ounce of Larkin's nurturing little self.

However, I could never forget about Jack.  He was easy to find...on top of a piece of furniture with a super hero.  

He took a break from fighting bad guys to pick kumquats with Grammy.

If Jack's not fighting bad guys, he's eating.  I'm pretty sure he was a fan of the kumquats.

The cousins decided to team up and pick, load, and deliver fresh fruit together.

Very clever.

I couldn't resist the opportunity to get Grammy with her grandchildren.  She is ahhhmazing with them.  Those are four lucky kiddos.

It stormed {hard} the next morning.  We kept close to home until near lunch time when the weather broke.  After that, we all ventured to Wal-Mart {all six of us}.  Jack and Maggie each got to pick out a toy as a gift from their grandparents.  Maggie got an Ariel doll and sunglasses {which she adorned during our entire lunch out}.

Jack picked out a Toy Story activity book and a flying Hamm from the movie.  It was complete with a mini Buzz.  I know I often exaggerate a bit, but I am not when I say that pig {or some part of it}  did not leave Jack's hands for the remainder of our visit.

The following day was super chilly.  We had zoo plans, but the weather just didn't make that sound too appealing.  Not to mention, I was still feeling pretty nauseated.  Avoiding a venture too far from home, we went to the park up the road instead.  Jack again was as content as if he had done some spectacular outing {possibly more so}.   He found the sand to be a great place to bury Buzz and Hamm.

When the big kids started to take over the playset, Jack grew a little timid.  That's when big cousin Whit stepped in to guard him.  That made it all better in Jack's little world.  Big cousins are awesome!

Maggie spent the last evening teaching Grammy how to use the ipad.  This was also just about the time we noticed Maggie "wasn't quite herself".  {and this reminds me, she was supposed to be banned from screen time, hmmm}

It took me the last day to realize I didn't have one picture of Grampa.  I promise he was there {most of the time anyway}. We tried, but at this point Maggie's eye's were solid pink and she wasn't giving up Boo.  But, I look at this picture as proof that Grampa loves them.

So we are back home again.  I am welcoming a school week and somewhat of a return to routine.  Maggie was feeling herself {within 24 hours} after antibiotic eye drops.  Now, we are just waiting to see who is next?

Happy Winter Break!

All The Details

Thanks for your patience.  You will soon find out why me and computer time are far and few between these days.

Okay, so three.  Are we crazy?  {it does rhyme, maybe for a reason??}.  But, actually don't answer that.  What's done is done.  So only looking forward from here on out, just as Clay reminds me on a daily basis.

In all seriousness, I am excited, actually ecstatic.  I literally acted like a giddy school girl when I saw the results of the first positive test.  It's just this was a hard decision for us.  We sat on the fence for a loooong time.  We waited and hoped for a sign, a definite answer to fall from the sky and unfortunately, our rear ends got tired before either of those things happened.  But, I knew deep down that the answer wasn't 'no', so if it wasn't 'no', it had to be 'yes', right?  I also knew that I would never regret having a third, but I would always regret not having a third.  So here we are...welcoming number three and ONLY looking forward.  Three's a charm.  That's my new motto.

I have lots of fabulous details, only they aren't so fabulous.  If you are debating number three or even two, my details may make you change your mind.  But, this too shall pass {my other new motto}.  Get ready, we are going bullet style on this one...

• I have been super sick.  No actual puking, just lots of nausea.  And I love how mine starts around 4:00.  The worse time of day.  So here I am, grumpy {very grumpy} and sick and my kids wake up from naps, my poor husband walks in the door, and I am supposed to cook dinner.  Awful timing.  But, the worst of it is it lasts until about 1:00 a.m.  So no sleep for the already weary.  
• I am on an anti-nausea medicine which doesn't work.  Just though I'd throw that in.
• I am exhausted, like never before.  Or maybe I just forgot about before.  I am talking seriously fatigued.  I nap every day and have no energy to move after the kids are in bed at night. 
• I am officially 13 weeks pregnant and have gained at least a pound a week.  Yes, you read right.  I'll let you do the math...it's not pretty.  
• I have a tiny little baby pooch, just enough to make people who know me, take a second look.  But my rear end wins the award.  Again, it's not pretty.
• When I am not nauseated, I am starving.  I can eat double portions without a wince. So basically I am eating 24 hours a day, either due to starvation or due to calming the nausea.
• I have the weirdest cravings...smoked salmon, cottage cheese, pizza, green tea, lots of salty foods. {please don't think I am wondering why I've gained so much weight-it's as clear to me as it is to you}
• I think it's only fair to note that I am still exercising as much as I'm allowed to .  Cosby and I try to take up to two power walks a day and I do yoga. {that's my disclaimer in case you see me and think, "what the ???"}
• I live in yoga pants and leggings.  If I'm feeling frisky, I put on my maternity skinny jeans.  I am really looking forward to sun dresses and drawstring shorts.  I am running out of extra long tees.
• I am considered high risk again.  Only this time, it's not only due to the previous miscarriage, but to my age.  Apparently, since I will be 35 when I deliver, I must be watched carefully.  Watched carefully equals lots of extra ultrasounds and DRs visits.  I love my baby already.  You should see baby on the big screen.  Baby is way cute and has already stolen my heart!
• Baby Cibula's due date is August 26th! Baby will be a C-section so expect a few days earlier than that. I love the idea of a summer baby...my fave time of year.
• Grandma thinks it's a boy {she is two for two as of date}.  Clay started out with an adamant girl guess and has slowly waivered into a boy guess {he is also two for two}.  I am on the fence.  My gut says boy, but the nausea, big rear, and bad skin say girl to me.  But, then I've got an extreme appetite and cravings for salty food which says boy to me {I was insanely hungry when I was pregnant with Jack}.  Your guess?
• We have lots of room rearranging ahead of us {hence the addition to the house}.  One of the kids will be moving to the old master.  It will be the odd gender out so they will have their own bathroom.  The other two kids will share a bathroom.  And no matter what, Mags needs a big girl room.  So much to do!
• Of course, we have two girl names that we are happy with.  But, when it comes to a boy name we aren't quite settled.  Clay refuses to discuss it anymore until we know the gender for sure. 
• We will find out the gender March 2nd. And yes, we are finding out, I don't like surprises and I love to plan. 
• I am trying to soak in every ounce of this pregnancy because it is my last one {did you hear that God?}.  Every moment of blah and bliss I mentally record and slightly grin to myself.  This is truly miraculous.
• I pray for baby everyday.  If my prayers are answered, baby will be happy and healthy with no acid reflux and no hemangiomas.  Baby will fit into our family perfectly and be calm and wise.  And big brother and big sister will welcome baby with lots of love.  It's a lot to ask for I know, but I'm pretty sure God is listening, look what he has given me so far.
• The best part of all is when we made the announcement to the kids.  We got it all on video!  Jack was thrilled and immediately asked for a "baby bother this time so they could share toys".  And Maggie ran over with a giant smile, lifted up my shirt, and said, "Me see da baby".  She was a bit disappointed only to see a round tummy in her face.  We clarified that she was going to be a big sister which meant being a big girl {you see she argues that she is the baby anytime we call her a big girl}.  So she stood on a chair, stretched her torso, and said, "me sooooo big".  Cute, but I think we still have a lot of prep work to do with her.

So there you have it...all of the details.  I hope I didn't scare you, it's just the truth and I always write the truth.  We are excited, a little nervous, giddy, overwhelmed, anxious, and beyond blessed.  Thanks for riding along the next six months with me.  It should be eventful, in a wonderful way.

Party of five...ready or not, here we come.

{Look at those sweet hands and feet.  I can't wait to kiss all over them.}

A Real New Addition

Guess who is going to be a Big Brother again?

Here is a peek...

It's Jack!

And guess who is going to be a Big Sister for the first time?

It's Maggie!

And she is super excited...just check out her shirt!

Big Brother Jack & Big Sister Maggie hope you like their news!

They even sealed it with a kiss!  XOXO

                         

Details to come on the real new addition...

My Loves

I had a fabulous Valentine's Day with my "loves" today {I hope you did too}.   Although three-fourths of them were at school {Cosby was included in that} and the other fourth was at work, the moments we did share were festive {I use the word festive, because after all it was a day with the kids}.

Somehow the kids take over every holiday, but isn't that what they are for?  And I truly love them for that.  So Clay and I celebrated last night with a date night, just the two of us.  It was lovely. {not festive}

We left the actual 14th to the kids because we kind of assumed they had already taken dibs on it. So, today was more about red tees & collars, Valentine Parties, cards, candy, friends, cookies, sprinkles, and a sweet sweet movie.

Here is how my loves and I spent "V" Day...

We woke up and put on our finest "reds" for school Valentine Parties.  Clearly, Maggie was very excited about this.  {and apparently I was too because I combed Jack's hair to the left instead of the right...oops...too bad there is a picture to prove my carelessness}

Cosby {who also attends school on Tuesdays} got the "red" memo too.  Handsome for an old boy, isn't he?

**I would insert a picture of Clay here {because he is one of my loves too} but, he didn't hang around long enough this morning for the photo session and I don't think he remembered his red??**

And yes, they really do love each other this much. Jack and Maggie are awkwardly learning how to put their arms around each others backs...so sweet.  I am such a lucky Mommy to have two kids who absolutely adore one another {and not just for pictures}.

After school and great parties, my little ones came home, sat on the kitchen floor and dug through Valentine cards--lots of fun {except for the "princess" ones according to Jack, which he so kindly gave to Maggie}.  They even conned me into "one more piece of candy".

We followed that up with sugar crashed induced naps.  

After naps, my loves and I baked sugar heart cookies.  Yum!  

We decorated them with pink, red, and white icing.  We Jack and Maggie used lots of sprinkles and M&Ms too.

I thought Jack and Maggie's pictures would look cuter without their bright green cooking aprons {it is Valentine's Day after all}.  I soon came to regret that.

After cookies, I surprised Jack and Maggie with Lady & The Tramp {my favorite all time Disney movie}.  And how appropriate for Valentine's Day?  Jack was glued to the show and Maggie was for the first 30 minutes.  Then she began to roam, in true Maggie fashion. 

I would love to end this with the fabulous dinner I planned and prepared.  It was supposed to be spaghetti and homemade meatballs, again how appropriate?  But, by the time we finished the third batch of cookies and cleaned up the kitchen, I wasn't feeling so festive anymore.  So we opted for leftovers.  Clay didn't even wince...did I mention how much I love him too?

And since we are on the subject of love, I think this is an appropriate time to mention my love/hate relationship with this new camera lens.  When I get it right, the pictures are amazing.  But, when I don't, I lose precious memories to blurry grainy shots.  Ugh...what to do.  So please excuse my photographer training self.  It may be time to get a professional involved.  

Let's not end on that note, how about this instead....Happy Valentine's Day to you and your loves!

A New Addition

Only 5 weeks off schedule, and our house is finally starting to look like it's "under construction".

Believe it or not, this is very bittersweet for me, I am sooooo ready to get this project going.  I've been planning it since early this summer.  Months and months of time and energy have gone in to this so it's time to finally have something to show for it.  We've been through an entire variance process {which should be renamed a he**iance process}.  I've spent countless hours with an architect only to find myself nodding, "yea, yea, sure, that sounds nice".  Who am I to know what I am talking about, she's the expert.  And most recently I  our contractor has been through two inspections {the first of which we failed, only due to the soggy ground, which only got soggy because the ridiculous city took so long to process our permit...uuugh...and that was putting it really nicely}.

So the reason I say bittersweet is because you would think the worse is behind us.  But, I find that living through construction just might top all of the above.  However, I can't wait for my fabulous master suite, two new entrances, an extended sunroom, and a new deck {although I'll believe it when I see it at this point, but it's fun to dream}.  Oh, and just a little surprise....next time you come over to our little white cottage it may not be so white anymore.

But, before we get all that we've got this...

...an official permit and an official shiny white box to store it in...

...the ugliest consturction dumpster in town, but I don't care because it means progress to me...

...a torn down deck and a new muddy cleared out space for the addition...

...and the starts to one of our new entrances.

At the rate we are going, I'll be back in 6 months to show you the first nail that goes in.  {And, by the way, I'm not a pessimist, really.  I like to call my self a realist...this is just really starting to get to me, if you can't ell}.

Our Days At Disney

I have several excuses for my recent hiatus from the blog.  I still love this place and long for it.  It's my release, my moment at the end of the day to exhale, a little vacation of sorts for me.  So please don't take my absence as anything permanent.

But, like I said I have lots of excuses, I could bore you with the construction drama or all the other little big things that are consuming my life right now, but I'll share the most fun excuse I have...a magical week long vacation at Disney World.  {so magical that Clay and I decided we won't be needing any more magic for a few years}  It was one of those vacations where you come home needing a vacation and about 24 hours of sleep.

You know when you come home that worn out you had an amazing time.  But, more importantly the kids did to.  Space Ranger Jack could not get enough of the Toy Story excitement.  He met Buzz, Woody, and a green Army man.  He rode Toy Story Mania at Hollywood Studios twice and the Buzz ride at Magic Kingdom three times. We ate and played at Pizza Planet and pretty much bought every Toy Story souvenir the gift shops had to offer.

Princess Maggie fell in love with the Disney Princesses.  Belle being number one on her list.  Maggie ate dinner with the Princesses twice.  Once in Norway at Epcot and then again at Cinderella's castle.   She was covered in Princess kisses and ate up every minute of the individual attention. {Jack believed if he closed his eyes the princesses wouldn't see him--he is very anti-princess}. Maggie even saw a Broadway presentation of Beauty And The Beast at Hollywood Studios.  Her eyes did not leave the stage.  She came home with lots of Princess pictures and her very own cherished Belle doll {my dear Maggie has done a number on poor Belle's hair with the comb that came along with her}

Between Toy Story and Princesses we managed to squeeze in a few meals with Mickey and the gang.  Who would have guessed that Maggie's favorite character was Daisy Duck {another souvenir she came home with and is in just about every picture below, not to mention in bed with her as we speak}.  Maggie's favorite ride was It's A Small World while Jack's were obviously the two Toy Story rides.  He did have a close second though that he rode two times...the Haunted Mansion....I was a little surprised by that choice.

We made it to all the parks and even visited some of them two times. And somehow managed to come home {the Contemporary Hotel} for much needed naps everyday.  Once naps were over we were up and at 'em again.

So, you know how I feel, pictures tell the best story.  And we've got lots of them!  This trip is  definitely slideshow material {I could never choose just a few}. I hope you enjoy the show of our Days at Disney!

{Notice how our family slowly looks more weary as the days go on.  If you make it all the way to Animal Kingdom, you may not even believe that we are still standing...I couldn't}

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