We had about a week's worth of nice days a while ago. It was a much needed break for me the kids. We went to the park, jumped a little hopscotch, took walks, played outside with balls, chalk and sensory tables.



Bug gets paintbrushes and water for her sensory table. Everything else is food to her-- so no dried pasta, beans or birdseed. Yes, even shaving cream has been mistaken for whip cream by this little gal.

Oh, did I mention we posed in climbed trees in the front yard. This Brownie is getting adventurous.

Here's peach hopscotching her time away. This girl loves jumping on numbers. Do you think she can learn through osmosis? If so, then bending over my preggo belly to write those numbers was well worth my time.

And speaking of my preggo belly-
I've been trying to snap interesting belly photos. Obviously, you can see this is my shadow cast against a fence. Hey, at least I'm not posing in front of our bathroom mirror-*note the absence of our sink fixtures and ugly blue and white stripped wallpaper.

We also visited the zoo for the first time in a loooooooooong time--so long in fact, that the girls have matured enough to really appreciate this experience. Unfortunately, these pictures are not wanting to load now and I'm on my way out the door. So, these pictures will be coming soon!

Let's Try Wordless Wednesday

Not Me Monday # 6

Yep, it's Monday. Since practically everyone in BlogWorld is doing Not Me Monday, you all should totally understand this by now. But, just in case you are new, visit MckMama's blog for all the official rules.

My Peach had a little accident yesterday concerning number 2, her pants/underwear, and the floor. There was a major... we'll just say mess on some clothing, and instead of washing it I thought about simply tossing it in the trash. There's NO WAY I'd ever do that though-- I'm too cheap.

While at the park enjoying our wonderful 60 degree-break from winter weather, my baby Bug really needed a tissue for her nose. Without anything tissue-like in sight, I DID NOT give my husband the okay to go ahead and wipe her snot onto the bottom of her shirt. What kind of mother would do that?

My husband had a craving (for once) for some Italian last night. I didn't feel like cooking. You can guess what I totally DIDN'T give into, right? Johnny Carinos most certainly DID NOT receive our business yesterday evening. And there's NO WAY we split an amazing shrimp and chicken pasta with a spicy cream sauce, mushrooms, sweet red peppers and chives while our little people chowed on some mac'n cheese.

After the older two girls sat down to play with their individual sensory tables a few days ago, I DID NOT catch my pickiest eater sitting there chewing on dried pasta. There's no way my Brownie would ever touch pasta unless it was cooked and covered in cheese-- so I know she was NOT eating it dry? Okay, so this one belongs under Brownie's NOT ME MONDAY!

And to end this story, let me just tell you how I'm so NOT emotional this week. Please, somebody buy some stock in Kleenex already.

Blog Friends and Their News

When I logged onto the computer this morning, I had no idea how much good news was out there.

Amanda, over at http://aproudmommyof4.blogspot.com/ just found out that her biopsy results came back benign. By the way, this is the gal who helped me create the new look for my blog.

And baby Harper, who is three weeks old, is finally home. You can see her story on her mama's blog at http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/

If you have clicked on my Praying for Abby button then I'm sure you know her story. This sweet and strong little girl is going through chemo and it's taking a toll on her tiny body. The fact that she has no immune system is one of the biggest threats to her life. She's also in a tremendous amount of pain. Please pray that she, too, will have good news soon.

What's a Mama To Do?

What is a mama supposed to do when all her babies are asleep......but all she wants to do is snuggle up with them all and never let them go?
It's 11am and your kiddos are chasing each other through the house while you're trying to fix lunch and nurse a head ache. Do you ever wish that they could just skip lunch and go straight to nap? I do.

It's 10pm and your kiddos are in bed. Do you ever wish you could go into their room and snuggle them without waking them up? I do. I want to right now!

*************************************************************************************

When I hear about little girls (boys too, but lately all have been girls) in need of prayer for various illnesses or situations, it makes me want to hug and kiss my sweet girls and thank God that (for all I know) they are healthy. Unfortunately, I tend to hear these stories during my free-time-- after the girls are in bed; hence my problem with wanting to cuddle them. I can't wake them up because my pregnancy hormones have made me a complete mush and I need a little cuddle fix. And it doesn't end there.

I've even been known to cry right in the middle of snack time recently because I was thinking of a three-year old with cancer. Not that this isn't very sad, but usually I can reserve some private time to think about , cry, and pray for her. Now my three-year old knows that when I cry, those are "mommy's happy tears." That's what I call them because I'm awful at hiding them and I don't want her to worry.

So, I'll head to bed with my empty arms so that I can wake to get lots of sweet hugs! Of course, come 1pm tomorrow, I'll be thankful that they are resting quietly so that I, too, can get a little rest!

NOT ME MONDAY #5

You all know the rules to this fantastic operation of denying I'm not a perfect mother, but if this is your first time reading a Not Me Monday head over to MckMama's blog for all the details.
However, if this is indeed not your first time viewing all of the things I most certainly DID NOT do this week, then read on my friend. And if you're brave, try it out on your own!

Others and myself consider me to be a bit of a food and label reading snob. I buy organic and local when I can. I won't buy many "inner-isle" items, but things like bread, rice, and cereal is as 100% whole wheat and free of lots of sugar and high fructose corn syrup as I can get it. I most certainly NEVER buy fun food! So, there is obviously NO WAY that I let my Peach eat fast food for lunch three days in a row this week. Her grandma DIDN'T bring over McDonalds after preschool on Tuesday. Wednesday was library day until about noonish, and this preggo was NOT super hungry. Since the library is waaaay across town, there was no way I could make that drive, unload all of the kids and then cook them all lunch in time to save my stocmach. So we totally DIDN'T stop at a local hamburger-type shop to enjoy chicken nuggets, fries, and free chocolate ice cream. And finally, on Thursday, the Peach invited me as a guest to her preschool. I had planned a special lunch date with her after school way before I knew she'd be eating out the two days before. So, I DIDN'T keep our plans and take her to the yummiest sandwich shop in town. NOPE, I'd never let the kids eat so much junk in such a short amount of time.

I have NOT thought of another 'K' name for the new baby recently. People get confused by my kids' names already, why would I add to that confusion.

My youngest, the Bug, is a habitual pooper in the tub. My husband tends to be on bath duty more often than not- so when I hear the older two yell out, "She pooped dad, she pooped again," I WOULD NEVER laugh my tookis off as I rush upstairs to assist. I can't imagine being that rude when I know good and well that if the situation were reversed I might find it a bit irritating that my husband was laughing.

I was not totally stoked this week when PRES. OBABMA signed his first bill into law. I definitely HAD NO INTEREST in the fact that now women will have an easier time getting the money they are owed. The fact that women are just now getting this right DOES NOT TOTALLY IRRITATE ME! I'm NOT STILL sitting her amazed that it's 2009 and women are still working their way up in the workforce.

So, aren't you glad that I'm not one of those moms who lets their sweeties eat junk. Gosh, I couldn't live with myself if I ever let my kids eat take-out thre days in a row. I'm glad I have a place where I can tell you all how happy I am that I'm perfect.

What We Were Doing A Year Ago, or Almost A Year Ago

Just out of curiosity, I looked through my photo file from a year ago today. Kansas Day 2008 was a work day for me. It was one of my first days at my new job as a museum teacher, and it was a busy day. I don't think I had much time for pictures on that particular day, so I had to find one of each girl nearest to 1/29/2008.


After reviewing my choices, I thought it was a bit funny that some of my favorite pictures ever were taken during this time. An almost 16 month old Brownie is pictured above (on 1/28/2008) in her post-nap glory. She's got her blankie, a sippy cup full of milk and a bit of the bed-head. The look on her face says....
well, I'm not sure what it says. Post a comment and tell me what you think!

Here's a 3 month old Bug. I love this picture. Sadness and anger spread across my sweetie's face; but, I love how that is juxtaposed with the shirt. Despite her "bad" times, my love for her is all around. Though this picture may appear to be one thing to everyone else, I remember a snugly girl with lots of love to share.

Unfortunately, I didn't have any pictures of Peach taken on 1/28/2008. I believe she was napping. But this one above was taken on the next day I took pictures, 2/3/2008. No work for the adults that day+ lots of fresh snow = great picture opps and lots of lovies. I just adore the pictures from this day. We made happy, fun, great memories this winter day a year ago.

So, what's in your picture file from a year ago-- or almost a year ago? Isn't a trip down memory lane fun?

Not Me Monday #4

Welcome to Not Me Monday, created by MckMama to help all of us who think we need to hide our shortcuts in life. It really is my kind of therapy.



So, for my first admission-- I was NOT totally busted by the library lady at my daughter's preschool. I DIDN'T bring down a "woulda-been book club" all by myself. You see, at the beginning of the school year, I looked into joining a book club for moms who had kiddos at our preschool. I didn't realize that the lady interested in starting this and I were the only ones who had signed up when it came time to plan the year. So I went to the first meeting with the library lady (L.L) and the other mom (O.M). We planned out the first semester's books and what dates we'd meet. Then we were going to hope someb0dy else joined. Well, the first meeting rolled around and I had a meeting at work for a new program during this book club time. I called and left a message for either L.L. or O.M. and went on to my meeting. I never heard anything from anybody, so I haven't been to a meeting ever! I was cruising through life not thinking twice about book club until last Friday when our preschool had a chili feed. Guess who was there--mmm hmmm, that's right-- library lady. She walked right up to me and said something that sounded like, "So you could never make it to book club, huh?" BUSTED! "Nope, I've been pretty busy, these kids keep my schedule full" I replied. Some small talk with a bit of awkward in the air proceeded. Come to find out, no one ever showed interest in this book club-- it never even started. I'm NOT wondering if this dang book club would have started had I not been so............

absent.



We had chicken and noodles for dinner last night. My Bug rubbed all the gooey sauce stuff all over her head. Well, the obvious solution for the perfect mom would be to give her a bath. But you see, the rest of her was perfectly clean--- and it wasn't even bath night. Hmmmmm... what's a mom to do? Maybe grab her baby in her post-dinner glory and take her to the sink. There was a brand new bottle of kid shampoo/conditioner I just bought at the store earlier that day sitting next to the sink. There was even a clean hand towel. It seemed to be calling my name. But let me assure you all, I DID NOT take my baby Bug to the sink, spray down her head, shampoo and condition in one step, and then rinse. NOPE, that would be the shortcut in life. I think I just ran upstairs and gave her a bath the old-fashioned way.

Finally, when lying in bed last night I was NOT thinking about having a baby on May 4th--in tornado alley. You see, worryworts sit around making things up in their head about a tornado ripping through the hospital right as the doctor says, "okay, it's time to push." And I'm NOT a worrywort. I'm definitely the kind of mom who lets life happen and crosses the bridge when we get there. I most certainly DID NOT imagine being swept up into a tornado in the "push" position. When has that ever happened?

And, so, you all see that I'm totally sane and I DON'T ever take the easy way out or think up crazy things. NOPE, NOT ME!

A Day in the Life of the Bug

Hang out on mama.

Have a first play date with Playdough.

Mama, it's messy. I don't think I like it.

Here, you take it. I don't want it anymore. This is soooo not a task for a princess.

Hey, mom, how about letting Bug play in the water like me? I think it's fun!

See, I put these toys in the water and splash around. I bet Bug can do it too!

Yeah, this is fun! More, mama, more!

Frogs in water-- way better than Playdough! I think I'm done here. Can I get down?
And as I'm cleaning up the water mess...

She's off destroying the bathroom-- can you believe she's trying to escape!
** Side note-

I was going to start Wordless Wednesday (where I post pictures with no words) with today's post, but I just had to add the words here. I know her so well, and I'm sure these words are exactly what she was thinking!!!

Bowling Fun

Why is my Brownie smiling so sweet?

Well, a birthday party of course. Balloons, cake, bowling, pizza-- a fabulous time had by all.

Here's Peach grabbing her first bowling ball ever. It was fun trying to teach her something she didn't even know existed 10 minutes ago.

You put the ball down on the floor and give it a good push. Then you watch it as it goes down the lane. I wonder if you'll hit any pins?

Brownie grabs her pink ball and decides to give this bowling thing a shot.


One of her balls didn't quite make it to the pins. So we rolled the next one down the lane hoping to get something accomplished. We didn't, but she didn't know any better and I was just happy seeing her have fun.

Bug: But Dad, I need just one more piece of cake. I swear, I'm petite for my age and I need to pack on the pounds. If I shake my hands at you more, will that convince you?

Dad: Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Well, then I'll just stand here and think about walking.

Fun was had by all. I think a bowling alley is on the list for this year's birthday parties. I know we will go bowling soon as a family-- I don't think we've been given much choice.

History and laughter

What a day it was! History was made! Hope is renewed. And I DVRd it all because I had my MOPS meeting today. I sat down around 2pm CST to watch this morning's events.

I saw the motorcade leave the White House with first ladies, vice presidents and presidents. That always quiets my soul. I can remember being in D.C. almost three years ago and walking down around the Mall and the various museums when all of a sudden a few black SUVs with police-like lights came down the road I was walking alongside. I stopped in my tracks feeling like I needed to salute them as they passed. It was an awkward feeling thinking that the leader of the free world could be sitting that close to me-- if even for one second. Anyway...

I fast forwarded to Obama taking his seat on the west steps. I saw Feinstein talk, Biden take his oath and Aretha Franklin take the mic. My three-year old is joining me on the couch after her nap and I tell her what she's about to witness.

Yes, I know she's three, so I tried to make it simple and sweet. I explained that this is history-making.

ME: Right now you are watching the 44th president take his oath. The president is the person who is considered the leader of our country. That guy right there (I'm pointing to Obama as he begins swearing in) is promising to defend our country and what we stand for. Isn't it neat to watch this take place?

Peach: Mama, that lady has the same hair cut as Grandma.

I'm dumbfounded-- and for many reasons. First of all, what I was trying to share with my sweet gal totally went in one ear and out the other. Second, Aretha had a huge hat on and you couldn't see her hair. Third, "Grandma" (all her grandmas included) doesn't wear hats ever-- especially one like this! I mean, WHAT!

At least I tried. My other two babies would not appreciate my lesson in the least- they'd forget I was even talking to them mid-sentence. And our unborn child? Well, she'll be born into a world where the unthinkable isn't unthinkable anymore.

God Bless!

Not Me Monday

Not Me Monday, or, here's a glimpse into what I DID NOT do this past week. I'm not all about denial- this is in fact intended to be a therapeutic practice for some people. You know the type- the ones who look like they've got it pretty well together and you wonder if they take the same shortcuts in life as you do. Well, we are all human and we all take shortcuts somewhere-- especially a 6 month preggo mama with three little people to watch over.



Last night, I found myself on the couch after dinner. Instead of doing my normal post-dinner clean up for the next 30 minutes, I somehow wound up stretched out on the sofa. My Peach came to sit next to me for some cuddle time and let me tell ya-- I DID NOT fall asleep in an instant. This pregnancy is NOT reverting back to the early, first trimester days when I could pass out at any point in the day. That would just so not be fair!



Our church is in the rebuilding process after it was burned by an arsonist just over two years ago. Because I have many little people who absolutely refuse to go to the nursery and pregnancy exhaustion/sickness to fight against... well, I just haven't made it to church a whole lot these past few months. So, when I heard today during the sermon that our new building would be ready come summer, let me just say that I CERTAINLY DID NOT lean over to my dear friend (who attends church regularly by the way) and say, "Oh, I could have the baby baptised in the new building." She mentioned something about this baby possibly being the first to have this event take place in our new building, but I swear I DID NOT smile at that thought. Nope, I barely even heard her. Besides, why would that even matter-- I'm NOT that strange.



Friday was my 24-25 week check up and the gestational diabetes test was due. I was warned not to eat much for lunch (why they tell a pregnant lady that? I'm not sure) maybe a light salad and that was it. I should also avoid sugar, yada, yada, yada. So, when my mom and daughters made cookies the night before this big test, there is NO WAY that I allowed myself to eat three cookies back, to back, to back. That would have been a sugar overload. To make up for what I DIDN'T DO, I may have had that light salad--but it was a BIG, light salad.



And since we're on the subject of "trying to do right" or "be good" during pregnancy, let me just say that I go to bed every night thinking that the next morning will be the one where I get up extra early to walk on the treadmill for just 30 mins. Why do I seem to have the energy to propose this to myself at night when I soooooo know there's no way I'm giving up precious sleep--OOPPS, I DID NOT just tell that lie. No, what I meant was I get up each morning before anyone else and sneak around the house quietly getting my running shoes on. Then I totally work out for like, an hour.



Well, there ya have it for this week. Tune in next Monday for my free therapy-- and start your own if you feel the urge. Just check out MckMama's blog for the official rules.

Our first photo shoot

Here we are at 24 weeks along. In case you can't tell,
I was solo on this shoot.

I have never really taken many pictures of my belly while pregnant (well I don't ever really take belly pictures, preggo or not), but that is why I have started. Every time on of my pregnancies ends, I always regret not having many belly pics. In fact, I only have one real, posed, belly picture with Kaelyn taken at 20 weeks. I guess I just want a memento of that special time when I first bonded with my unborn child. I know that not all mothers bond while pregnant, or even shortly after delivery, but I always bond with the baby immediately. Here is my tribute to this sweet baby at 24 weeks along.

New Button

This will be short, for I am nearly speechless (for once). In my sidebar, you'll see a button for Abby. Click on it. Pray. Or do whatever it is that you do when you look to the heavens and beg form mercy.

This story is one that I've been slowly getting into the past few days. Not because I don't care, but because it's a part of life I wish to not think about--cancer and children. In fact, I do care, it's just emotionally draining to dig deep into a story like this. But I don't like to take the easy way. I dig.

This sweet little gal is about the age of my oldest, and in no way can I imagine living with this news. But I know many people do live this way-- everyday-- everywhere around the world. And it's these situations in which people feel so helpless. But really, it's not up to us to save her, for we are only human. We can pray, but as we all know, that's no guarantee of beating cancer. Whatever it is, God's will will be done. I just hope you'll take a few minutes to check out her video and blog so you too can get to know this sweet girl.

It's easy to deny this fact of life, but it's not responsible or what I want to do. I want to know her. I want to pray for her. And I hope you do too.

Problems

In spite of my resolution to be more positive with my actions and words, here's a post I need to make so I can feel well-vented.

Do you have a problem with...

...your dishwasher? I put well-rinsed dishes in and guess what comes out-crusty yuck all over my "clean" dishes. This seems to be an issue mainly with the top rack.

... your kid(s) putting random things where they don't belong; I.E. a dirty, folded up, ready-for-the-trash diaper in the laundry? No, of course I didn't notice this diaper when I loaded the clothes into the washer, but as I was throwing them into the dryer-... there it was. All soaked like it had been filled with pee. Do you think I rewashed the clothes? Hmmmmm...

... your local television network. Yeah, I usually don't either; however, our NBC station has been broadcasting KU basketball games on Tuesday nights. Don't get me wrong, I love KU sports, especially b-ball, but that is one night of t.v. I record the prime-time shows. Okay, you caught me, I'm griping about not being able to watch Biggest Loser and SVU- so shoot me.

... pet hair. Ugh, I'm so tired of my dog's hair covering all of my clothes, furniture, and blankets. Yep, I bet you'll never come visit me now that I've divulged that info.

... your one-year old pooping in the bathtub. What, yours doesn't do that every time she sits in warm water for more than 4 minutes? Yeah, mine neither.

... food labels. Let's just say that if products sold in America were labeled "correctly," I'd spend half as much time in the grocery store. And by "correctly," I mean without what I'd call gimmicks. For instance, when you see bread and it says WHOLE WHEAT front and center on the package- the first listed ingredient shouldn't say enriched flour. This drives me nuts. And what about spaghetti sauces (which I prefer to make my own anyway); how do you know if you should pick organic with less sugar or heart healthy and fewer calories? I mean, come on people! I guess I just need a personal shopper who's also a dietitian. Do they make those??

... those people who think it's okay to cut in front of you in a line. Like when you're at the mall looking for maternity clothing. And then it gets to be lunch time. So you head everyone upstairs to the food court. And your 3 kids are fussing/crying/screaming for food in the Chick-f-la line. And you're big-o-preggers. And you look like hell. And two older ladies think that just because you have a huge, honkin' stroller in front of you that they can just slide in without you noticing. And when the cash register lady says, "NEXT," and you know those ladies are going to snag your spot-- well I think I just REALLY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. I won't even tell you what I was thinking in my head.

Maybe it should end here- you know, before I tell you what I was thinking in my head. I think next time it happens (and I know it will because it's happened a couple of times before) I might just say, "God knows what you just did." And just leave it at that. Then again, they'll probably have no idea what I'm talking about.