Look At Me! Up Here on My Soapbox!

On Saturday I chilled out on the couch for a bit watching TLC. I watched one episode of What Not to Wear in which Stacy & Clinton pulled off one of the better make-overs that I have seen them do in a while. I mean they took this woman from Ms. Super Duper Frumpy Queen to pretty dang gorgeous. With Carmendy's help too. Oh and the new hair stylist guy, whose name I don't recall (I miss Nick) Anyway, they are so awesome.

And then I watched Trinny and Susannah (the Brit version of the same show) make over an American woman who was a staff sergeant but when not on duty, dressed like.... (how shall I put this?) a whore.

Unfortunately because I was not far enough behind and because these were not recorded "events," I had to suffer through some commercials. And worst of all. For Wal-Mart.

I don't think I've ever really gone into it here on the blog but we are NOT Wally World shoppers.

The MAIN reason for this is because we (meaning Tim and I) feel that they represent the "race to the bottom" with their focus on the lowest possible prices, ultimately lowering everyone's wage across the planet. You cannot have THE lowest prices without low cost and those come at a price (loss of MANY, many American jobs and the cheapest labor in OTHER countries). Case in point, Levi's used to be made in the USA and partly because of their dealings with Wal-Mart they no longer manufacture any jeans in the the U.S.

We find it quite ironic that this retailer has managed to market itself primarily to the people whose jobs they have compromised.

Coupled with the fact that their stores are usually not well kept, many of the products they sell no longer represent the quality that they used to, and their lack of employee benefits (another way to keep that LOW, LOW price), we choose to stay away.

Anyway, despite my distaste for the store and the company's business practices, I do like it when they prove me right.

The two commercials that I had the pleasure of viewing today (multiple times) really just lit my fire right up, as they both prominently featured junk food and food laden with trans fats and preservatives (which we do our best to avoid in this house - and please don't get me wrong, we still do get some, just not nearly as much as many American families, I presume).

The first commercial asked something like "why spend $5 at the drive thru when you can get the same food (junkity junk junk JUNK) for your family at Wal-Mart for only $2 a person?" The ad featured Sunny Delight (a drink VERY close to soda that has barely any real juice and tons of HFCS and artificial crap), Jimmy Dean croissant, egg, sausage and cheese sandwiches (at 430 calories a pop, with more than HALF from fat - 26g) and Yoplait yogurt (that is full of sugar and adds another 170 calories). Easily a 700 calorie breakfast. BUT FOR the LOW, LOW price of $2.00 a pop. Go ahead! Please eat and drink one of the worst breakfasts you can to start you and your kids' day. It'll be fun and CHEAP! (excuse me a moment while I picture the Wally World smiley face with a big ole greedy smirk for a mouth...)

And the second commercial I had the pleasure of watching (from Wally World again) was for... well, I don't really even know because I was mad again within the first .5 seconds. An aisle FULL of boxes and boxes of Jolly Ranchers and Milk Duds and Sugar Babies and DOTS and Whoppers and NO, I am not kidding you. With some sort of wireless devices mixed in. Get your sugar overload and your blackberry all in one place! WHEE!

Now I know I get my fair share of sugar. But these items are considered 'treats' in our household and why oh why can't they feature something else in their ads? Something slightly healthy perhaps. I'm extremely sensitive to this because I come from a family that has weight issues and therefore my children may eventually have them as well. I don't want them constantly flashing these images of JUNK in front of my kids, or me for that matter. But they obviously insist.

And just to add insult to injury, intermixed with these ads was a commercial for Brawny paper towels where some toddler has just made a HUGE mess in the kitchen with Cherrios and milk. Once he's "finished," his father cleans up the mess with these MOST AWESOME EVER paper towels with a crazy smile on his face. Yeah. Right. Like that would ever happen. And again! I do NOT want MY toddler getting any crazy, Cheerio and milk splashing ideas. I'm sure he conjures up enough of those in his own cute little head, thankyouverymuch.

Some of you may say I should just turn off the t.v. but then I would miss Trinny and Susannah pulling on some woman's knickers and that's just not fair.

And some may say I'm a hypocrite if they looked in my freezer and saw the frozen waffles I feed my boys. But c'mon, I know they aren't NEARLY as bad as the things Wally World is touting as the LOW price, wonderful breakfast for MY family.

What makes me really sad actually? The fact that many people will go out and buy those exact items and feed them to their families on a daily basis because Wally World said so and because it's CHEAP. And THAT fact is just really hard for me to stomach. No pun intended.


BY THE WAY:

1. I know my family still buys products that are made overseas. These days it's pretty close to impossible not to. But I feel this company was the one to really catapult many of this country's retailers into that buying position.

2. I do not begrudge others from shopping at Wal-Mart, as I understand that some people feel their budgets afford them to shop there for many of their necessities. However, I myself choose not to patronize their stores and am most happy to take my business elsewhere and am thankful that I can.

Who Knew?

I went to the BlogHer conference for many reasons. One was because I consider myself a very social person and I LOVE to meet, connect and well, talk and laugh with others. Especially those who share my same interests. What better place, really?

I also went (I'll admit) to promote my own blog and get my site some more exposure mostly just because I love visitors and commenters!

But really, I had not considered the aspect of how many additional wonderful bloggers I would be exposed to. Now don't that take the tassel off 'n the corn? (if you know the musical that phrase is from then you were probably in choir with me my sophomore year in high school...)

Anyway, two of the ladies that I have found myself enamored with lately include Heather and Zakary. And because I now read their blogs and knew NOTHING of them before going to the conference, I consider that just one of the may benefits of attending an event such as this. New bloggers, friends and some great writing to boot.

Here is a favorite recent post from Zak's blog, Shindig and here is one from Heather who writes at The Extraordinary Ordinary, that I like very much. Go visit them. And perhaps, you'll be lucky enough to meet them someday like I was...

Just A Reminder

This is a little video of The B Man (my first baby who is now almost through with 2 weeks of Kindergarten) when he was a day old. It has no sound so don't think that you are losing it (your ability to hear, that is) when you don't hear anything.

I just had to post this because he's so tiny and sweet and also because I think I kinda need a reminder of what it's going to be like with a newborn around here. I mean these little guys of mine are into tackling and chasing each other these days. Oh and talking. Lots of talking and hollering and.... Oh wait.

At least they can actually TELL me what they want or need.

Yeah... this is going to be fun...

And also, how do you change a baby gir's diaper properly? Any advice is much appreciated. Kthanksbye.




P.S. Thanks to everyone for your sweet comments about my big ole belly from Wednesday's post. Y'all really know how to make a pregnant girl feel good! : ) MWAH!

On Family Resemblence

When I was younger I used to think I looked exactly like my father. I had lighter hair and skin like him and my relatives on his side of the family. I would look at the two of my three brothers who also showed many of the same features and find it odd that my third brother resembled my mother and her family more.

I've always found it interesting how genes and DNA mix together to make a person and I'm constantly looking at people's children to see who they look most like - mom or dad. And of course I've found it particularly intriguing in my own family.

A few years ago a picture taken of my mother and me together produced quite the revelation. I looked back and forth at our faces over and over and realized that I do look like her. Quite a bit actually. It was just hard for me to see for years under my blonder hair and less olive-toned skin.

In the second picture I included in yesterday's post I have a look on my face that I have seen on my mother's visage a million times. It's not a bad look or a good look, it's just a "look." One that I recognize from childhood and beyond. But that was the first time I'd ever seen it in the mirror.

Of course it's not just the look on my face, it's also some of my mannerisms and things I say or do in my daily life. I 'see' more of her in me these days and as the years pass and as I raise my own children.

I bring this up because of course I find myself wondering who my baby girl will look and act like. Will she finally be the one to get my same brown eyes? Will she also have blond hair? Will she have Tim's long eyelashes like the boys do? Or perhaps she'll have my nose, which I think must've come from my grandfather on my dad's side.

Will she walk like me or play with her hair like her father does?

Who really knows? I mean maybe she'll spend many years of her life thinking she looks like her father and then one day she will see that there's a lot of her mother in her.

And years from now she'll hear herself repeat phrases such as "many moons ago" and "'til he cows come home." Only time and photographs will tell.

WW - "It Has It's Own Weather System!"

500 Points if you can get the movie reference.

I'm talking about the belly of course. I swear it has a life of it's own. Oh wait. It does.

At 34 weeks I'm feeling huge and my feet and ankles are big, swollen freaky looking things. All the time.

The B man has felt and even seen her move a few times and I just love the huge smile he gets on his face when he experiences her life, inside me. It's priceless.

Little G has been calling Her "K---- baby!" (not revealing her name yet) while touching my belly but Tim and I have been musing about how she's going to totally rock his Mommy-obsessed world. It's certainly going to be interesting.

Anyway, without further ado, here is 'planet baby.' NO need for a telescope, that's for sure...


For more Wordful Wednesday check out Angie's place at Seven Clown Circus.

Gates

Little G and I went for a quick walk around the block Saturday morning and I took my camera. There are some very beautiful homes in our current neighborhood and for some reason my lens gravitated toward the gates that we walked past. Guess I just thought they were kinda 'perty.' So, I thought I'd share and see if you think so too...

So, We've Been Here Long Enough Now...

... that I'm sorta getting used to all the rain.

... that the garage door actually works correctly. We no longer have to hold the button down the ENTIRE time the door is going down, until it makes it to the cement ground. (okay, it's been fixed for a few weeks now, but I still wanted to document it...)

... that I now know to miss the pothole at the corner of Woodvale Ave and Johnston and the one in the right lane on College, a few blocks after I turn right at the light.

... that I mostly know the layout of the grocery store where I usually shop. Although that doesn't mean I necessarily agree with it.

... that I've picked up a prescription at the local drug store for my prenatal vitamins.

... that I've been to my first Mom's Night Out and it went great! Lots of nice ladies.

... that I've kinda gotten used to the early morning trash trucks on Tuesday. (I'm talking 5:30 a.m. early here people!)

... that I can remember where the funky placed light switches are in our master bathroom area.

... that I have a regular pedicure place I go.

... that I've restablished a new "spot" in the house where I "park it" and do my blogging, snacking, t.v. watching and whatever else

... that I've had to clean the bathrooms. (oh surely I've done that more than once since we've been here... *looking to the ceiling and whistling*)

...we've found some regular eating establishments that we really like.

However, I have yet to stop mourning the loss of these fine establishments and amenities.

Costco - Seriously, where else am I supposed to get 8 lbs. of granola at once? And DON'T say Sam's because I DON'T shop there. (p.s. there is a PERFECT spot for one across from the Super Target. I mean the land is big enough and everything... GAH!)

The Cheesecake Factory - although I didn't visit THAT often it was nice to know that very close to where I lived there was a FACTORY of cheesecake. So sad. The same goes for Krispy Kreme (a.k.a the donut factory).

Chipotle - The guacamole. Enough said.

Pei Wei - Inexpensive Asian food at it's best. And brown rice. Oh how I miss thee, my sweet honey seared chicken.

Whole Foods - I will miss your 365 brand all 365 days of this year and the next and the next...

Ulta (at least I haven't seen one here...) - where else am I supposed to think I am saving money on all my hair products with your $3.50 coupons??

and also a FULL SIZED Babies R Us and JoAnne's and a selection of several malls with a "play place" for children.

Oh and Central Market (which is a Texas only Whole Foods type store)

I DO realize most of these have something to do with food. But does this really surprise anyone? I'm sure not. I mean even when talking about Costco I mentioned food instead of small appliances or paper products. What can I say? This is me.

So, we have been here long enough now for things to be falling into place but there are still many things that I miss and probably will for a while...

On the positive side, I can guarantee I'm saving some money by not having some of the places listed above near by. Which is a good thing considering our house in Texas still hasn't sold.

Someone needs a nice 4 bedroom with a renovated kitchen, designer colors and big deck out back right? Please pray they do, and soon!!

It's Like A Roller Coaster (my day, that is...)

Yesterday morning was kinda rough.

I did NOT want to get out of bed and yet I did. I fed the boys and fought The B Man's protests to getting dressed. Once he finally gave in I knelt down to help him with his belt and the exhaustion of getting back up was a bit overwhelming.

I drove through the drop-off lane at school and when the teacher opened the door for The B Man to hop out, he refused to get out. He began to cry even. I had her close the door, telling her I would park and then took my shoeless toddler on my hip as I walked him up the sidewalk where I was informed that he was "tardy" but that he'd get a 'by' because he's in Kindergarten.

So, all that was fun.

One good thing did happen. The church that I wanted Little G to go to for Mother's Day Out called and Hallelujah, they have a 2-day spot for him! So, after a quick shower, we loaded up and went to fill out the paperwork to get him registered. I also stopped by a furniture store to look at twin bed's for Little G since he's going to have to give up the crib soon (which is toddler-bed like now since we took the front off a week ago).

I was hoping to head to Target for some retail therapy (in this case to buy some baby girl things) but it started to pour and there was no way I was going to deal with a toddler (I also need a new ironing board) and my purchases in the pouring rain. My dream of diaper bags and girlie onesies quickly fell flat. You'd think we moved to the blasted tropics or something. It's rained A LOT lately...

So, Little G and I came home where he wanted me to watch him play trains and I wanted to pass out, which I did once he went down for his nap. I woke up just in time to clean up the train mess for The B Man's return (he's very particular about his trains) and get Little G up.

We sat in the carpool line and when The B Man got in the car (all smiles!) it started to rain like crazy. Again. On our way to get him I thought maybe I'd brave Target with both of them. Not gonna happen. Or as we like to say in Texas "No way Jose."

I did make brownies and they were GOOD, so there's that. And after a healthy dinner of one of my favorite talapia recipes.

Oh and Tim came home early because the power went out at his office. Daddy home early is always a good thing in my book.

Hope you all had a good Thursday. I know I'm ready for the weekend. As I'm SURE my little Kindergarten boy is...

You Capture - Peace

I took very few pictures this week because of the fact that I am hugely pregnant quite tired and just taking the ones of my Kindergarten Kid wore me out (well emotionally anyway...).

But despite the fact that my life has not been very peaceful as of late, I have stolen a few moments here and there in the last few weeks and here are a couple of photos that I think capture peace.

They are of nature because this is an easily explained equation right here (versus the Algebra that I still hate), NATURE = PEACE.

Oh, and so do sleeping kids and I kinda wish I had a pic of that but well, I sleep pretty much any time they sleep these days and it's REALLY hard to take a picture when you're asleep.

Can y'all tell I'm tired?

PEACE out.


For more You Capture peacefulness head over to I Should Be Folding Laundry.

WW - I'm Not Gonna Go There...

... and call it the "terrible twos" because I just don't like that term.

BUT.

I am going to go ahead and call it the "trying twos" because oh my golly have my patience and all kinds of other things of mine been "tried" lately by my two-year-old.

He's cute, yes but lately he's been a little train wreck.

He wants to do EVERY. THING. himself. EVERY. THING. (get the message??)
Fill his own sippy cup with milk(NO!) and put the lid on himself (double NO!). Latch his own five-point harness (after taking 5 minutes to get in the car BY HIMSELF!), clean up his own food/drink messes (which naturally makes things messier...), open and close doors (okay, fine.)

He even has an opinion on the path we take in the house. If we don't walk around the same side of the couch that he did or go his preferred route - he FREAKS! "NO MAMA, THIS WAY!!! WAAAAH!"

HUH? What IS up with that, seriously?

And then there are the super random tantrums for no reason in which he starts bawling/talking and it's completely useless to even attempt to understand what is coming out of his mouth as dog tears are streaming down his face. Yeah, those are fun.

Oh and the turning over on his belly on the changing table (which is really too small for him but the only place I can sort of corral him to change him) so that it's virtually impossible for me to put the new diaper on him.

And bed time? Well, we've had to start 20-30 minutes earlier lately because HE wants to "read" his 3 to 4 books and NO, I cannot read them, he has to. And then we have to sing "twinkle, twinkle little star" 2 times and then "row, row, row your boat" a couple as well. Then he wants to "rock" and then he wants hugs and kisses from Daddy and brother and then... (oh yeah, it goes on...). I'm trying to get him to cut down on the books, etc. but I'd rather not hear the screaming, you know?

Am I complaining? Not really. More just documenting what's going on with him these days.

There are, of course, plenty of cute moments too and I will post about those soon as well.

However, take a look at his face in this picture and I dare you to tell me you don't see a little "trying" two year old shining right through. Double Dare actually.


For more WordFUL Wednesday go see Angie at Seven Clown Circus. She rocks.

It Was a Great FIRST Day!

The night before....

We chose and then laid out his school clothes (did I mention that I discovered there was a uniform-type dress code less than a week before school started?).

I packed his lunch of yogurt, peanut butter sandwich (no jam), green grapes and 2 cookies.

I made sure I had his "educational supply fee" in an envelope along with the two packs (I was supposed to buy three...) of GREEN construction paper that was the last of his school supplies, all ready to go.

We prayed together that he would have a great first day of Kindergarten and he cried a little and admitted that he was nervous.

The morning of...

I woke up first and took a shower (this rarely happens).

I woke him up gently and told him it was time to get up and asked him if he wanted his usual blueberry waffles (not homemade, sorry). He said "yes please."

He dressed himself in his big boy school outfit (although I had to help a little with the belt placement).

He came to the table and ate, excited and ready to go.

Meanwhile his little brother threw a fit every time I walked out of the room and caused a major commotion as 2 year olds can tend to do (yes he was a complete mess, while his brother was totally awesome getting ready for his FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!)

I took his picture, out in the front of the house...



We all four drove to school together to take The B Man into his class (but not before taking another picture outside of school).



He hesitated at the door for just a few moments and then walked right in and sat down and started playing with the play-doh that was on the table.


I spoke to the teacher about a few things (including - "what time do I pick him up?" and "can I take your picture with my child?") then gave him a big kiss on the head and was sent off.


He handled it like a complete pro.

At pick up time...

(my FIRST CARPOOL LINE!) he went on about two recesses and how long but fun the day was. And after nap and snack time and new friends, etc.

Then we headed to Micky D's and had some celebratory 'it was a successful first day' ice cream!

It was a good day. And I'm so very glad. And I barely cried (only when my lovely husband said "What, it's just your baby going off to Kindergarten...") Cue waterworks. But the kindergarten-er didn't even see me.

He did great and I think it's going to be a great year.

Now I'm off to do the homework the teacher sent for ME and pack his lunch for his SECOND day of school...

Such a Sweet Shower

I have wonderful friends. They are sweet, loving, thoughtful, talented ladies. I thank God for them. And after seeing them this weekend, back at 'home," I miss them.

But even though I had to leave once again, it was proven to me that no matter what, they will be in my life, especially for the most important things. Like the blessing of a new baby (girl.) They were kind enough to host and attend a wonderful baby shower and truly showered me and the baby with love and pretty things.

(click on image to make bigger)

Aren't they all gorgeous? I even got to see my friend Teri's little girl Taylor (bottom right) who I hadn't seen since she was a "wittle" baby! She's SO cute!

So, you saw that I mentioned 'talented' above right?

Yeah, they are GOOD. In the playgroup I was in before moving, we are all scrapbookers and even though most of them have converted to digital scrapbooking, they reverted back to their 'old school' ways and made one for me. It's tradition for everyone to get a scrapbook filled with already completed pages and because I joined the group after Little G was born I didn't get one until now. Isn't it beautiful??

There's the first page on the right. With a little hint at the baby's name. But I'm not blogging it yet. And for those of you who are privileged enough to know, well just consider yourself extra special! ; )

Also, Tim's grandmother hand-painted a beautiful Noah's Ark night light but it's currently lit up in the baby room (where Little G still sleeps) so I will have to post a picture of it another time. It's so wonderful and is a cherished gift.

All in all the shower was fabulous but too short. I wish I could have spent ALL afternoon visiting with my friends and eating cake... But then, who doesn't??

I also have some shopping to do thanks to those who gifted me with gift cards. Oh and I have several crafty type things to finish to complete the baby's room. And there's some other necessities to stock up on. And well, Little G kinda needs a bed so he can move out of her room and in with brother.

Apparently there's a lot to do in about 6 weeks! Tim.... oh Tim... where are you dear???

Oh yeah, my Tim who took care of the boys while I was gone and mopped floors, did laundry and dishes, all yesterday. He's THE man. My man.

Anywho, thanks to my friends for the shower, to my MIL and C & C (my friends who know who they are...) for chauffeuring me around all weekend and to my Tim for holding down the fort. I am truly blessed. As is our little girl.



P.S. First Day of Kindergarten today for The B Man! I'll let y'all know how it goes (of course!!)

Seen

Yesterday morning we all went to my OB's office and after the cool gel was applied, saw the baby girl again.

The boys were in the room (I've never had kids in my ultra sounds before) and although I'm sure they (especially Little G) had NO idea what was on the screen, they did pretty well and the tech joked with The B Man about how the baby had a blueberry in her belly.

We saw her arms and her feet and her face and her heart beating, within my body.

The tech even pointed out the hair on her head and claimed there was a lot.

Then she said the baby probably weighs about 4 lbs., which is apparently on the weighty side for 32 weeks.

After seeing her yesterday, feeling her always (she's a real mover and shaker!) and learning that she's kinda 'chubby' (The B Man's word, not mine) and that she may have lots of hair, I want to meet her. Like really meet her.

And so now I am overwhelmed with the feelings of wanting to hold her and touch her newborn, soft-as-soft-can-be baby hair and skin. And smell her baby smell and look into her not-open-very-much eyes.

Oh, and dress her in something pink (or even purple or lavender or rose. You know, something boys can't wear...)

I know she'll be here before we know it. But now, I can hardly wait.

You Capture - Motion

Kids are always moving so once I saw topic for this week's You Capture, I figured that's what would be in my pics, if I got around to taking any. I honestly don't really know how to use my camera for the best "motion" picture,s as you'll probably be able to tell from the couple of pictures here.

But I just love this one of Little G and even though The B Man is a blur, you can still kinda see his big smile...





(Please, pay no attention to the 'still-needs-to-be-cleaned-off-and-have-some-things-stored-in-the-garge' cluttered patio in the background.)

Visit I Should Be Folding Laundry and join You Capture! It's fun!

WW - Four No More

It won't be too much longer and we won't be a family of four anymore. All I really wanna know... Who is going to ride with a stranger on the roller coasters in a few years? I know, probably me.

Just teasing.

But it is kinda of crazy to think that there will be FIVE of us soon. Crazy GOOD of course.

One our last pics (more than likely) as an even number...

(Taken last weekend in the Jungle Gardens in Avery Island, LA)

Angie would love for you to join up at WordFUL Wednesday headquarters at her place, Seven Clown Circus.

I Think I Could Set a Drink on It

My belly is big.

I know, I know. I'm 32 weeks pregnant so it's gonna be. But seriously, this time, I feel Bigg-ER than either of the other two times.

Oh and did you catch that? I said 32 WEEKS pregnant. And since a c-section* will more-than-likely be scheduled the week before my due date that means we only have about seven weeks to go. That's like NO time really.

But back to the belly.

People are starting to stare at me when I'm out and about. I'm sure some of the dialogue going through their mind may include, but are not limited to,

"Dang, she's really pregnant, hope she doesn't have that baby here and now."

"Oh man, do I remember being like her and it sucked!"

"Boy or girl? Hmmmm."

"Wonder if there's two in there..."

And when out with the boys...

"Breeder..."

Okay, maybe not that last one. But even having a third, I think some people tend to think it's too many.

I took some pictures of my super roundness the other night before Tim and I left for dinner. And you can refer back to this post to see again how different my belly was with Little G. It's really kinda crazy.


See what I'm saying? I mean I almost knock The B Man out everyday just walking in the kitchen at the same time. His head happens to just be at the right height. Poor kid. He may have to start wearing a helmet. Good thing he starts school on Monday. Less chance of incident.

Oh and I've officially gained 30 pounds. That's gonna be fun to get rid of. WHEE!

But in all seriousness, I'm getting VERY excited to meet this little girl. My mother brought several girlie outfits for her last weekend and I have a shower coming up this weekend that I am most excited about.

So... grow on belly. A healthy little girl is all I'm asking for...


*For those of you who don't know, I had a C-section with Little G not because of the baby but because of my own issues so that's what we will do with this birth as well...

Monday Mumblings

My parents' visit was good. For the most part we took it pretty easy.

On Thursday The B Man had a swim lesson and we all swam together after. He's doing really well and I'm so proud of his new underwater abilities. And even Little G LOVES to swim and is so cute in his little floatie that he loves.

On Friday we "tooled" around town for a bit and visited the beautiful Cathedral downtown.


Then we picked Tim up for lunch and later had yummy pizza for dinner that night.

Saturday we visited the Tabasco plant at Avery Island, LA.

Although I don't use the condiment myself, it was pretty cool to see the factory that makes 700,000 bottles of pepper sauce a day. One little factory, 30 minutes from us. Kinda crazy, huh?

There are also some beautiful gardens there that we drove through and the boys had fun seeing alligators and chillin' in the front seat with Daddy and Grandpa while we drove 5 mph.


Since we had willing babysitters in town, Tim and I did get to go to dinner and a movie together on Saturday, although he's been sickly.

And then yesterday? They left.

I knew they had to and I was sad to see them go.

I'll be honest. It was kind of a rough day. Tim has only gotten worse and spent most of the day in bed with a low grade fever. My children threw tantrums over who got to close the refrigerator door (SERIOUSLY?????) and the fact that I tried to get their milk for them (okay, that was just the 2 yr old, but still.) And me, well I'm just kind of a tired, hormonal mess. It was a real party here, lemme tell ya.

We didn't make our usual trip to the grocery store yesterday so there wasn't too much to eat around here and we had to make do with whatever we could find. I hate that. For some reason I feel so much better when there are plethora of food choices. I'm not the only one like that, right?

As I sat in the movie the other night, my baby girl was moving like crazy in my belly. I started to think about how close she is to being here, like OUT IN THE WORLD HERE. And I got overwhelmed. In the middle of a Harry Potter movie.

THREE kids???

Oh sh*t.

Yep, that's what I thought. And it's not that I would ever change it or regret it or any of that. It's just that I'm a wee bit scared of it when it's actually going to happen. That's all.

And I'm ready (but still not completely even though I say so) for The B Man to start school so that we can all get into that routine and he can be occupied and start learning and making friends here. Honestly, we both need that.

As far as Little G goes, he's more quintessentially TWO than his older brother ever was and it's driving me a little wacko. Let's just say I know why God made him so cute.

I love my boys to bits (all three of them) but that doesn't mean we don't have days or times that I could do without. It's called life. Here they are in all their goodness and looking at them warms my heart, no matter what.


This week is busy, school starts, we get to see baby girl again (on a sonogram) and various other things. Stay tuned...

You Capture - YOU

Okay, so I'm a day late doing this post but I forgot (story of my life these days) what the subject was this week for You Capture. But, I still want to participate, so I am. I'm instituting the "better late than never" clause. So HAH!

Here are my couple of shots, taken while in Chicago...




And I also said I wouldn't post today but whatever.

Visit Beth for more You Capture. Her photos are wonderful, as per usual...

Ramble-riffic!

Today my feet are not swollen but every other day in the last week, they have been. So, I'm counting my lucky stars right now. What makes this happen? How can I prevent it? Doesn't someone know? Ugh. Oh and I'm T.I.R.E.D. Like exhausted. Is this partly my fault for staying up too late every night? Probably. But still, I can be standing in the kitchen doing the dishes and a wave of tiredness just over takes me. And I kinda wish I could nap like ALL day.

Ok, promise the complaining is over.

My favorite place right now? The pool at the club we joined. I can float and feel weightless (well mostly...) and COOL OFF! The boys and I have been there A LOT lately and even ran into one of the ladies I had lunch with Tuesday. I actually knew someone at the pool! It was so cool! : )

Speaking of lunch. I had a great lunch with some other moms in town that I have been emailing with. I don't know if I posted about the fact that on one of our flights out here before actually moving, Tim and I met a woman my age with friends living here that are my age and have children. She hooked me up y'all. Her friends have advised me on all of the doctors, schools, etc. out here and they are all SO NICE!

Warning!! Subject change...

The boys have a total love/hate thing going on right now. One minute the big one is screaming in the face of the little one or the little one is biting the big one and then the next minute they are next to each other on the couch "discussing" trains and hugging. Gotta love the sibling thing.

I made this cobbler last night (recipe per someone's tweet, sorry I don't remember!) and it was SO good that I coulda eaten the whole pan myself. With ice cream of course.

My parents are here for a visit and I think now that they are here it feels more like home. The fact that I know it's not THAT bad of a drive for them and that they are more than willing to visit makes me feel so much better. I was so happy to see them drive up into the driveway yesterday...

Next weekend I'm going back to our previous home town for a baby shower that my friends are so nice to host for me. And although the shower part is most exciting, I honestly can't wait to see my friends. And I'm assuming there will be cake, so that's a major bonus.

I'm freaking out a little that school starts NEXT WEEK for my first child. But on the other hand I know he's bored around the house lately and is ready to go. I'm just not that prepared, as I have yet to buy ANYTHING except for labels. Yeah, that's all I got so far. I plan to go supply shopping tomorrow. Wish me luck.

Guess that's all for now. Probably taking the rest of the week off from blogging (in other words, no post tomorrow) since my parents are here and I want to enjoy them. And well, I just need to slow down a little.

Happy Weekend Everyone! (obviously I'm starting early...)

*You can still enter to win some BlogHer swag here.

WW - Because I Can

I haven't done ANY scrapbooking in ages. My laundry list of excuses is long including being pregnant, of course moving, keeping busy with kids and well, this blogging thing that I kinda like to do.

But after finding this pretty girly paper and remembering that I had some additional flower embellishments, I just had to go ahead and do this. A GIRLY, PINK, GLITTERY, FLOWERY layout. No, there's no photo(s) for it yet. But there will be soon. And a huge part of me........ cannot. wait.


WordFUL Wednesday is hosted over at Angie's place, Seven Clown Cirucs.

P.S. If you did not go to Blog Her and want to win some swag, scroll down to enter!